Oscar Nominations And Countdown To My Own Top Films of 2012

So, we now have the nine films nominated for Oscar's Best Picture. This is always an exciting time for me, as I follow the whole awards season like many follow their favorite sports team. My favorite nominated movie hardly ever wins, but I still love to see what happens. And this year's been a particular... interesting group of nominees. Not so much in the Best Picture race, but some of the other categories are a bit of a mess. Here's this year's list:

Amour
Argo
Beasts Of The Southern Wild
Django Unchained
Les Miserables 
Life Of Pi
Lincoln
Silver Linings Playbook
Zero Dark Thirty

Now, I've been working on my own Top Films of 2012 list for the last couple weeks and plan on posting it on Monday. As usual, I'm really passionate about the year's movies and love being able to reflect on which ones affected me the most.

Looking at the list above, I can say that--as it stands now--two of the nominated films are in my personal top ten, and three more are within the top twenty. However, there are also three I haven't seen yet. So that might change by Monday. Beasts Of The Southern Wild is the only one I actively dislike so far, so I suppose that's not too bad a ratio.

But what I really want to know, as a prelude to Monday's list, are your favorite films of the year. Leave your top three in the comments!! I'm very curious :)

My Anti-Eurovision Post

So today was supposed to be the day where I jumped on Alienhits to excitedly announce that I had gotten tickets to Eurovision 2013 in Sweden, making the pilgrimage for the first time. It's been a weird sort of dream for me... so random and rare for an American pop music lover. And it seemed like the perfect year, given my familiarity and love for Sweden.

I had researched when the tickets went on sale, set my alarm for 12:55 AM last night (even though I had to get up early for work today), and waited in the online queue to hold my tickets. And there were some great seats available to me.

Then, try as I might, ticnet (the lame service in charge of ticketing) would not accept any kind of payment that I wanted to give it. See, ticnet apparently doesn't take any credit, debit or bank charges from countries outside of Europe. Of course, they couldn't have made this clear before I'd spent hours researching flights and lodging and everything. So if you're a Eurovision fan living outside of Europe, you're pretty much S.O.L. By the time I realized I could "call" them and get a chance for tickets (like I was going to attempt that long-distance phone call), the event had sold out.

So that's it, unfortunately. Barring some sort of miracle, I will not be attending Eurovision this year. For those that will be there, have fun. I'll be watching on TV, again :(

Preview: Melodifestivalen 2012 Final

I've had no qualms in saying that this year's MF has been pretty weak, especially when compared with the greats. As usual, the quality of the songs was spread out in a very frustrating way (Week 4 being almost universally strong while Weeks 1 & 3 being incredibly weak overall.

It's all come down to the Final, which I will be live blogging tomorrow. According to the pundits (and pretty much every viewer), it's a race between Loreen and Danny. I am completely behind Loreen, who not only has the better song, but has the best song of the entire competition. So even if it's been weak overall, voters could still make this year worth it by giving her the trip to Baku that she deserves.

As a preview before tomorrow, I thought it would be fun to rank every single song from best to worst. The ones that ended up actually making the Final are bold. But honestly, wouldn't my top ten have been more fun?

1 Euphoria - Loreen
2 The Girl - Charlotte Perrelli
3 Stormande Hav - Timoteij
4 Kyss Mig - Axel Algmark
5 Don't Let Me Down - Lotta Engberg & Christer Sjögren
6 Goosebumps - Hanna Lindblad
7 Soldiers - Ulrik Munther
8 Mirakel - Björn Ranelid Feat. Sara Li
9 Amazing - Danny Saucedo
10 Just a Little Bit - Love Generation
11 Ge Aldrig Upp - Thomas Di Leva
12 Why Start a Fire - Lisa Miskovsky
13 Shout It Out - David Lindgren
14 Det Går För Långsamt - Mimi Oh
15 Aldrig Aldrig - Andreas Lunstedt
16 Land of Broken Dreams - Dynazty
17 Förlåt Mig - Mattias Andréasson
18 Why Am I Crying - Molly Sandén
19 Salt and Pepper - Marie Serneholt
20 Lovelight - Andreas Johnson
21 The Boy Can Dance - Afro-Dite
22 Sanningen - Carolina Wallin Pérez
23 Mystery - Dead By April
24 Jag Reser Mig Igen - Thorsten Flinck
25 Youngblood - Youngblood
26 I Want To Be Chris Isaac - the Moniker
27 Allting Blir Bra Igen - Opa!
28 Baby Doll - Top Cats
29 Sean Den Förste Banan - Sean Banan
30 På Väg - Abalone Dots
31 I Din Himmel - Sonja Aldén
32 I Mina Drömmar - Maria Benhaji

A Round-Up of Yesterday's Melodifestivalen

Because I missed the live heat yesterday, I've got to at least offer my thoughts somewhere!

* Best Heat of the year by a mile, and one of the strongest in recent memory. It pretty much made up for weeks of middling songs.

* I had a feeling Charlotte would end up fifth, though it still pisses me off. In any other heat she would have won. It's a great song.

* Among the non-qualifiers, I'm absolutely in love with Axel and Hanna's songs. I hope we get a full-length album of Nilsson-penned tracks from Hanna. Meanwhile, Axel's song was everything I love about Swedish rock music.

* Opa was a load of crap. The only bad song of the week, and deserving of its last-place spot.

* Sarah Dawn Finer covering Melody Club? AWESOME.

* I like Danny's song, but the guy annoys me. He comes across as being SO full of himself. I'm on team Loreen this year, 100%. Though it wouldn't surprise me if Danny ends up winning.

* I love Lisa's track, but I think it deserved Andra Chansen, not direct to the final. I wonder if she got more votes than Danny? Probably not.

#1 Hits From Another Planet turns 6!

Today marks the sixth anniversary of this blog. That's just under 2,000 posts. This past year has seen some notable professional changes for me with the publication of my first young adult book (and the subsequent writing of the follow-ups!), but I'm proud that the blog has still been going strong the entire time. And rest assured, I don't plan on stopping anytime soon!

I was trying to decide on a fun, different post to celebrate the occasion today. I write about music I love everyday, but I don't write nearly enough about music I love to laugh at. I'm a fanatic when it comes to campy old pop music videos. Seriously, nothing's funnier to me. Here are a few of my favorites (of many) to brighten up your day:

Armi & Danny - I Wanna Love You Tender


The granddaddy of them all. I am so obsessed with every frame of this wonderful video. The dance moves, the Ken doll-esque posturing of Danny... it's simply one of the best things ever put to film.

Tommy Seebach - Apache Boy


Horrific. This is what happens when Ned Flanders decides to form a band. It's like a car crash. You simply can't look away.

Baltimora - Jukebox Boy


Those pants/trousers! The rainbows! The facial expressions!

Maywood - Late At Night


I have this dance memorized. Enough said.

Others to check out:
Vivien Vee - Give Me A Break (the dance moves!)
Teach-in - Ding A Dong (a prostitute's anthem... bonus points for pronouncing "big hit" like "bigot")
Belle Epoque - Bamalama (Planet Of The Apes: Part Two - Attack of the Golden Chain)

Countdown to the Countdowns: The Worst Singles of 2011

yes, it's a matter of taste, but if I didn't have taste I wouldn't be running this blog. So before I count down the best tracks of the year, let's look at a few that I never want to hear again.

1. Pink - F**kin Perfect/Jessie J - Price Tag
With her first two albums, Pink was very high on my list of the best pop stars out there. Then she began to repeat herself and water down the music. Perfect, with it’s cutesy lyrics and plodding chorus, just turned me right off her. And if that’s not bad enough, we were forced to endure the song twice this year under two names. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the chorus of Price Tag is exactly the same thing. As if it wasn’t mind-numbing enough the first time.

2. Christina Perri - Jar Of Hearts
Suffers similar problems as Pink’s song. It’s got those kind of Starbucks poetry, precious lyrics that just rub me the wrong way. Still, it was a hit around the world. I know people love it, but I seriously can’t listen to it again.

3. Bruno Mars - The Lazy Song
Almost Don’t Worry, Be Happy levels of irritation. It’s the kind of novelty track that sets an artist back years in my opinion. Everything else Bruno released this year was fine. This made me scream every time I heard it on the radio.

4. Anything by Taylor Swift
Sometimes it feels like I’m the only one in the world that who is totally done with Taylor Swift. I just can’t deal with the “dooby dooby doo… princess… dooby dooby doo… white horse… dooby dooby doo… ballerina…” nature of her songwriting. I know I’m not the target audience and that it’s just a matter of taste, but to me it’s like nails on a chalkboard.

5. Matt Cardle - Run For Your Life
The UK X-Factor winner lived up to his title of dullest champion yet with this unceremonious dirge. The title basically says it all.

6. Hot Chelle Rae - Tonight, Tonight
This epitomizes what irks me about the hipster mentality in pop music. It's like the soundtrack to a bad romantic comedy (in fact, it probably is). None of the little catchphrases in this track are the least bit cute or funny.

7. Coldplay - Paradise
More of a pet peeve of mine than anything. I hate songs whose chorus consists of the same word repeated over and over again. To me, it's lazy songwriting and almost always results in a plodding melody. Coldplay have done much, much better in the past. I can't believe I gave this a decent grade when it first came out.

8. Train - Marry Me
Thankfully it never became as ubiquitous as their last single, because this is the most saccharine track they've ever released.

The Fall's New TV Line-up: Part Three

Okay, so I wrote about my most anticipated new Fall shows, I offered my initial thoughts, and now it's time to conclude the TV fun with my final verdict.

1. X-Factor
Still watching, but I'm finding myself slightly underwhelmed. I guess I'm just so used to the UK and Australian versions, which are much, much more entertaining. Our host is ridiculously stiff, our contestants (while talented) are mostly American Idol-style boring, and last night's results were a disaster. America continues to vote for the predictable over the surprising. I'll watch the entire season, but not with the excitement I give the other versions of the series.

2. Terra Nova
Dropped. I gave it about four episodes. I loved the pilot, but the quality of storytelling dropped considerably after that. Too many cliched, been-there-done-that storylines. Too bad.

3. Ringer
Dropped. It didn't completely pull me in after the first episode and I just don't have time for shows that are only alright.

4. American Horror Story
Still watching, and loving. It's my favorite new show of the year. I love the characters, I love the unsettling vibe, and most of all I love how I don't know where each episode is going.

5. The Playboy Club
Dropped. Well, it was the first show of the season to be cancelled. That about says it all.

6. Revenge
Still watching. I've lost some interest with this new romantic portion of the storyline, but I'm still fully onboard with this show and will be all season.

7. Once Upon A Time
Watched Pilot. The second episode's on my DVR. I liked it, but I'm obviously not all that excited.

8. Pan Am
Never watched. I intended to. I really did. But it's not gonna happen.

9. The Secret Circle
Dropped. Same deal as Ringer. I watched the pilot, thought it was alright, but never saw another episode.

10. Suburgatory
Still watching, and enjoying more with every episode. It took me awhile to fully get onboard, but I'm glad that I am because this show is very funny.

So there we go, the Fall TV Season in a nutshell. This is actually a pretty good ratio of "Still Watching" and "Dropped" for me. What about you guys? What are you into and what have you dropped?

Your Favorite Songs... Sped Up

Sometimes something that should be horrible turns out to be quite entrancing. There's a trend on youtube (I'm sure it's been going on for years) of speeding pop songs up. With a bit of a pitch change, you can make any song sound like Scooter. Remember Scooter? Sheesh. I was never a fan, but some of these tracks--particularly ballads and midtempos--sound quite striking when sped up to Scooter-esque levels. Here are two that I've become very... captivated by over the past week. The Take That song in particular sounds amazing as a sped up rave. It's actually kind of beautiful in a Japanese Anime sort of way.

Take That - The Flood


Isn't that amazing? This next one's a little more chipmunk-like, but still addictive.

Adele - Rolling In The Deep


And just for fun, because it's hilarious:

One Direction - What Makes You Beautiful


And yes, I'm fully aware that this is one of the most random posts I've ever put on this blog :)

Rating the New Shows - The Fall TV Season So Far

Previously, I wrote a post highlighting the top ten new TV shows I was most excited about this Fall. I've managed to watch most of the pilots now (some haven't yet premiered, and a couple are still on my DVR) and here's what I think:

1. X-Factor
I knew the most about this going in, since I've been watching the show internationally for years. I like how the audition rounds are shortened and I love the judges (though Cheryl should've stayed over Nicole). The only downside is that the thing seems almost too glossy compared to its companions around the world. Still love it, though, and it's undoubtedly this Fall's appointment show. A-

2. Terra Nova
Who knows if it'll be able to keep up the pace in the episodes to come, but I was very, very happy with the pilot. Sure, it's got its cliche moments, but the sheer audacity of the project more than makes up for that. The entire 2-hour premiere had me hooked. That's rare. A-

3. Ringer
A disappointment. Cheesy, and not in the good way. But more than that, I was just a little bored. I still love Sarah Michelle Gellar, but she needs better material. C+

4. American Horror Story
Haven't seen yet. Looking forward to it!

5. The Playboy Club
The pilot started out promising, but by the mid-way point my attention was flagging. There just doesn't seem to be enough substance to make it interesting. B-

6. Revenge
I loved this! I've yet to see the second episode, but the pilot was the perfect mix of soap opera drama and tension. Madeleine Stowe MAKES this show. (and for anyone reading my book, she'd make and excellent Madame.) A

7. Once Upon A Time
Not on yet, but I hope it's good!

8. Pan Am
Still on my DVR. I'll watch the pilot eventually, but it's not compelling me to do so at this point.

9. The Secret Circle
It's like an old-school WB show, but not as good. Or maybe I'm just getting too old. I like the premise and most of the cast (some of the acting was dodgy), but it had a sense of "been there, done that" to it. B-

10. Suburgatory
I hated this pilot at first, but it ended up changing my opinion towards the end. It's still got a ways to totally convert me, but I'm sticking with it. B

Top 10 Reasons to Watch X-Factor Tonight

In honor of the premiere of X-Factor USA tonight, I thought it'd be prudent to list ten of the ways that it's so much better than American Idol. I'm an X-Factor nut and have watched the UK series for the past six years. I may have even dabbled in the Australian and Danish versions, but let's keep that between us. Bottom line: you'd be a fool if you didn't tune in tonight. Here's why...

1. Production Value
You thought American Idol was big? X-factor's ten times bigger. Think the Roman Colosseum of talent shows. The money just oozes off the screen. Not only that, but during the live shows there's staging! Dance routines! Costumes! It's like an actual TV performance.

2. The Judges aren't just Judges
They're mentors to the contestants (each judge gets a category). Giving them a vested interest in their competitors leads to all sorts of drama, arguments and strategy.

3. Live Audience Auditions!
In the preliminary stages, contestants have to audition in front of a crowd of thousands (and whatever friends/family they might have brought). I was against this at first, but it brings a whole new energy to the show.

4. It's not just a Singing Competition
As the title states, the show's as much about finding someone with star potential as it is about finding someone with a dynamite voice. For all of those who are sick of personality-devoid belters (like me), this is a very good thing.

5. No Stupid Eliminations
While voters decide the bottom two, those contestants have a sing-off in front of the judges to see who's going home. This eliminates any undeserved "shock" exits.

6. It's got its own Move
You'll see people doing it. Forearms crossed in front of you, "x" style.

7. The "Novelty" Contestant
Every year, one performer/group seems to get through to the live shows just because they're so entertainingly bad. It's like a tradition. If you thought Sanjaya was something, you should've seen Wagner on last year's UK X-Factor!

8. The Theme Song
It's gonna stick in your head like crazy, as is the giant flying X. You'll know what I mean soon enough...

9. Groups!
Yeah, the younger and older contestants are entertaining, too, but it's the groups that make the show really interesting. In fact, some of the biggest stars to come out of the series so far have been groups (even though a group has never won).

10. It's Got Simon Cowell
Does this really need any explanation? A singing show isn't really a singing show without Simon.

Extra Point: You Might See Me!
Yep, I was in the audience for part of the Seattle auditions. And they told us we were in the "on-air" zone. It'll probably be small and blurry, but if I see my head on TV you bet you'll hear about it on this blog the next day!

When a stupid song finally wears you down: Alexandra Stan - Mr. Saxobeat

"Make me move like a freak"

Even though it's just hitting American radio now, this song has been out in Europe for months. I gave it a C+ back in April, and in the months directly following that review, this track was driving me crazy. I just found it so unbelievably irritating. Make no mistake, it is stupid with a capital "s". I mean, the catchiest bit basically consists of an "oh yeah, ooh yeah, ooh yeah, ooh yeah" repeated like the guy's constipated and/or in the throes of passion. It's hardly Shakespeare. And yet, fo some reason, it's finally stuck. Over four months later, I can't stop playing this stupid thing. It's partly because, after so many times hearing it, it actually makes me laugh. And it's partly because... it's kind of fun? Gah. Just shoot me now. I think this is how these novelty dance songs are designed to function, though. They're like secret little weapons. They work themselves so far into your consciousness that it's just easier to give in rather than try to shut it out.

03 Alexandra Stan - Mr Saxobeat by Mouad Meftah

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Buy the song here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.

What I'd Like to See in Music Today

After a bit of a summer lull, I have high hopes for the next few months of music. Still, as someone obsessed with the industry and the history of music, there are so many things that I'd like to see happen in the next few years. Here, in no particular order, are a few. What are some of your ideas?

A pop dynasty (Jaden and Willow Smith don’t count)
I'm talking Michael and Janet Jackson level. Two (or more) siblings/relatives with similar style, enormous talent and huge pop culture impact. Can you imagine if one of our biggest pop stars today had a sibling that also sang?

Meat loaf meets dance
Wouldn't this be cool? In fact, I'd like to see rock and club music coming together a lot more, as I think it will, but no whiny, wimpy rock. I want full-on Meat Loaf-style grandeur. Remixed.

Good straightforward radio rock (a la Robbie Williams)
There seems only to be one or two actual rock hits on mainstream radio these days. We need funny, melodic stuff in the Britpop mold to make a resurgence.

Pop stars working with one writer/producer only
No more of this "seven people writing a song" or "twelve producers on an album." Albums are always best when they're created under one vision. I love to see an artist/songwriter/producer that click and stay together for multiple albums.

An American, male pop star not going down the r&b route (and not afraid to costume it up)
We are hurting for male popstars in this country. We need someone who will mix genres and not go straight for the easy r&b/hip-hop route. We also need someone not afraid to bring a sense of glamour/majesty. A male Lady Gaga? Maybe less crazy, though. Artists like this exist in Europe. Why can't one break through here?

A new Adam Ant
Similar to my last thought, I'd like an alternative, solo male popstar with a theatrical sense and a sound that's completely new.

Stadium bands (bands who write big)
Enough of this subtle, Starbucks-style rock. I want bands that throw it all out there and write anthems. Something like a modern U2, but less annoying and far less serious.

A mainstream band incorporating story, concept album and music
I want a decent concept album that actually spawns hits and tells a story. I want visuals and media to be incorporated, and I want the singers to adopt personas or characters. In other words, put some imagination in it.

A good soundtrack
In these days of itunes and singles vs. albums, this is going to be a toughie. But it could happen. We need a soundtrack so carefully compiled and tied so extensively to a blockbuster film that it demands to be heard in full. I'm thinking back to the 80's, when soundtracks were all the rage.

Sirius/XM yanks BBC Radio 1 - I've got a big problem, here

Ok, I have a bone to pick. It's a rather important bone (!), at least to me, so I figured I'd nix a music post today to talk about it. I'm not sure if any of you are Sirius/XM Satellite Radio subscribers in North America, but if you are--and if your tastes are anything like mine--you've probably realized that the company yanked BBC Radio 1 from their service last week without warning. It's been replaced by some lame disco station. This simply isn't gonna do.

You Brits may scoff, but Radio 1 is very important to me. In fact, it's why I bought the service in the first place. Having lived in England for awhile, it recalls pleasant memories. More than that, though, it makes all the European music I post on this blog real. What I mean by that is, it places it in a real-life context. I don't only like to listen to music for music's sake. I like to understand where it's popular and why. I'm a chart junky and (surprise, surprise) like to know what people are thinking about the latest songs. Given that my taste tends to tilt very heavily towards European stuff, Radio 1 is really the best way to do that. And even though I'm very well-versed in music from around the world, I've made more than one discovery from the channel.

Now, the company's striving to pacify its customers by offering the channel for streaming on their website (a bit laughable, since you can already stream it for free on the Radio 1 website and Sirius charges $2.99 for the privilege), but I don't listen to radio on the internet. I listen to it in my car. I want Radio 1 in my car. End of. I'm paying for it, after all.

I realize this rant won't apply to all of you, but if it does, there's a movement afoot to get the channel back on satellite radio in North America. Heck, even if you're a listener in England and believe us Americans/Canadians deserve access, visit the following link and join the campaign. Email them. Call. I'm serious! >:)

http://www.facebook.com/SaveRadio1inNorthAmerica

A Word on Katy Perry

Well, it looks like the just-released Last Friday Night has a good chance of being Perry's fifth straight #1 from her latest album. And with such a fun video, it really deserves it (the song's pretty good, too). Five #1's is no small feat. Five #1's from one album is even rarer.

And this, to me, is good news. Yes, I am a Katy Perry convert.

I remember first hearing I Kissed A Girl on the radio during the winter of '07-'08. It was played during the block of "new" or "not-yet-famous" music and it definitely had an effect on me. I couldn't believe that, after so many lackluster years of American hip-hop and dirgy rock filling the airwaves, something so POP was actually on the radio. Of course, it was bound to fail, right?

I played the damn thing to death before the rest of the country seemed to catch on. By the time of the follow-up single (the excellent Hot 'n Cold), I had sort of worn out my Katy Perry goodwill. Then came the album, which was a thorough disappointment in my eyes. Too generic, too much alt-pop tedium. The pair of singles stuck out like glistening jewels in a puddle of mud. I wasn't all that impressed with the follow-up singles either, or the mulitple collaborations that came after. In fact, Katy Perry had started to annoy me.

Then something happened. The moment I read the title of her next single, California Gurls, I knew we were in for trouble. The first time I heard it (in low quality), I couldn't convince myself that it wasn't some sort of joke. So many bad lyrics. But then Summer hit, and that chorus stuck. The stupid lyrics somehow became fun (or at the very least, bearable). I was back aboard the Perry train, though somewhat grudgingly.

Then, Teenage Dream. This is the song that did it. I don't think I'm alone in saying that this is where she cemented herself as an artist with staying power. It remains one of her undeniable high points. The perfect pop song, really. I liked the album, too. It seemed such a leap in individual personality and sound from her debut. I started to get all the Katy Perry-isms. The music had grown on me, but so had Perry.

And the weird thing is, the more singles are released, and the more success the album finds, the more I'm liking it. It's that strange album that has gone from "alright" to "wow this is kinda good" to "this is one of the best mainstream pop album's America's produced in awhile." I'm so happy that we're back to an era where we've got proper popstars (if only of the female variety). Think about it: even if you're not a fan, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga and Rihanna form a pretty substantial trinity. Sure, it's not Madonna-Michael Jackson-Prince, but at least it's something.

So, for no other reason than I've been listening to this album a lot lately, there's my Katy Perry story.