Tag Archives: New Music Reviews

FANTASY SPRINGS WELCOMES ADAM LAMBERT

Glam rocker and shock talker Adam Lambert brings his always intriguing solo show to Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio tomorrow evening July 21. Promoting his newest album Trespassing, American Idol alum Adam promises an evening of perfected guy-liner, blinged-out costumery and a pelvic thrust or two. We would love to be going but San Diego Pride calls us down south and a trip to Black’s Beach will provide the sandcastle backdrop. I’ll throw some Adam Lambert on the playlist for the road trip. My favorites? The attitude-infused Whataya Want From Me, sass-fueled For Your Entertainment and epic ballad Time For Miracles.

GLAM ROCKER – ADAM LAMBERT!

TRESPASSING

Welcome back to Palm Springs, Adam! Thanks for being real, staying true and doing you. Enjoy the show, everyone! And prepare yourself for the horrid seating. Those floor chairs are ridiculously uncomfortable. Just saying…

SOLOMON MAKES MAD MUSIC

Every once in a while I’ll do a feature on people who I call The DreamChasers. Ones that have reached out to me in hopes of some media love and recognition for jobs well done. I’m unable to get to everyone right away and some things just aren’t right for the site. I include artists here for features of entertainers that I believe in and who grabbed my attention. They are varied but talented and I’m thrilled to have a piece of them here on my domain.

“Life Goes On” is the latest offering from out rapper and singer Solomon who infuses his own experiences of adolescent rumblings, drug fueled youth and family turmoil to create honest music that has a really nice edge to it. The melody is comfortable and his voice is cool. I love his sexy pout. (I wanna chew his lips off!) Solomon says this when asked about being a rapper and a singer, “I’m an artist. There are days I rap and days I sing. Just so happens this new single is a dance single.” He also cover’s Robyn’s “Dancing On My Own” and does a great job on it. I love her version while he really makes it his own. I honestly enjoyed it. Especially the rap during towards the end. I was just getting off to the hot “Wit Us You Can’t…” Very kicky and up.

Check out Solomon and let us know what you think! I’m feeling him and what he’s doing! Wishing him BIG LUCK from my camp. WHURQ!

OUT RAPPER – SINGER

SOLOMON!

INDIE-ELECTRO-ROCKER MAC VALENTINE

Indie-Electro-Rocker Mac Valentine contacted me through my website in hopes for some media love and audience appreciation. He just relocated to Palm Springs so I definitely wanted to bring him to light and introduction as our new neighbor. Valentine is an accomplished solo artist that mixes hard-edged electronica in the style of heavy hitters in rock as Nine Inch Nails, Depeche Mode, Korn and Marilyn Manson (without the distinctive rasp.) OS 1.01 is Mac’s first album and is really worth a listen. Valentine even offers a free download of the album. The tracks I found quite kick-ass were the electro-groove of “Hurts You Like Hell” and driving force of “Arm the Alarm.” Both “Let Heaven Rebuke Me” and “Be My Man” both bring home the honest theme of self acceptance and personal struggles. This queer shock rocker has something that caught my attention and hope you give him a listen. 13 original songs – ALL ROCKING!

GLAMAZONS VS. CHAMPIONS ON RUPAUL

Last evening the Dolls were giving The Princess time to erase Lashauwn’s departure note off the mirror on RDR before RuPaul delivered the inevitable She Mail across the screen basically plugging her albums Champion and Glamazon (available on Amazon and iTunes — wink!) Helping others is the theme for the Mini Challenge where the girls create butterfly headpieces for RuPaul super fan Piyah Martell who was born with Caudal Regression Syndrome that kept her spine and legs from fully developing inside her mother’s womb.

Through popularity and a fan base online and YouTube, RuPaul found this diva and brought her into the show to express that no limitation is to great to get around. Very Inspiring, she was. Butterflies flew and the winners were Phi Phi and Kenya with Jiggly who scooted on their bus because she was odd-queen-out, rather odd number of Dolls, so Mizz Caliente was able to choose which camp she wanted to be with. “The Pretty Girls,” she chose when everyone paired up and she was alone. They won! Piyah was lovely and the Pit Crew escorted her off with her new drag! GO GIRL!

The Main Stage Challenge was having two teams spilt up and create informercials for RuPaul’s albums with a theme in mind. Work. Wurq. Wherk! The teams get busy with Kenya as leader on one side with Dida taking over her role because she could and the other team with Chad Michaels turning out 80s realness with The Princess who struggled considerably. Phi Phi figured she’d give Sharon Needles a role in her usual “goth drag” which really stole the show. Some girls really felt their infomercial and others did not.

In the end, Glee diva Amber Riley and Natalie Cole sat with Santino and Michelle Visage on the judges podium while the Dolls delivered gold and platinum runway gorgeousness. When the announcements were made, Sharon Needles turned it! Chad and Kenya brought in the next top spots where as low queens on the totem pole this week were Dida and The Princess who would, of course, “lip-sync for their life.” As This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) played and Natalie knew the words (her song!) Dida worked that runway into her very own. Mamma owned that number, no question. The Princess couldn’t keep up and was instructed to “Sashay, Away!”

However, final thoughts… Michelle Visage is giving Chad Michaels the business about being “too perfect” like she was giving to Alexis Mateo last season. Here we go again! Also, do they provide razors to the Dolls? Hello, Five O’Clock Shadows…. There is a heavy base that would work for that! USE IT!

MATTHEW DUFFY MANS UP

I L-U-V when new artists and entertainers come to me in hopes to be mentioned on my blog. It humbles me and when I am able to help and accommodate I’m happy to. Matthew Duffy is unapologetically one queen who is not afraid of paint and mugging for the camera. Loving it! Here with his latest offering “MAN OUT OF YOU” (all caps) starring the sexy Ronnie Kroell of Make Me a Supermodel on Bravo TV and Playgirl fame. The video toys with the notion of men being many types of men including flamboyant queers, bearded ladies, muscle freaks in lingerie, the dominant man and his submissive counterparts. The song asks begs the answer if one may be many at the same time. I have ALWAYS thought we could. Matthew turns this out and I worship his glasses, both Gaga-esque inspired mirrored and mustache-hanging black rim shades. Check this guy out and let us know what you think! Pass the words…

“Watch me walk, in my heels. Looks as good, as it feels.” WURK IT, MATTHEW!

ONE BOWL OF SUPER MADONNA

It’s early Super Bowl Sunday morning and I figured I’d better toss in my three cents and some change of sense about Madonna’s performance later today at the halftime of the Super Bowl between two teams of beefy men trying to get a leather clutch of air over some line of finality without getting tackled by the opposer. While reading up on kickoff times and how either the Patriots or Giants will reign and (Super Bowl) ring supreme over their nemesis, I see how they are describing Madonna’s performance as “imagined” by Cirque du Soleil and choreographer Jamie King. Guaranteed it will be Spectacular! Spectacular! nonetheless.

Spawning Smash Hits “Borderline” and “Lucky Star”

Album Certified Five Times Platinum!

I see her new song Give Me All Your Luvin’ as the main focus with a serious medley of her biggest hits included somehow. Hopefully, if she does a crazy light show like the Black Eyes Peas tried last year they will all function. That’s all I remember about their show as that one area giving crickets to viewers and fans with not nary a light, nor flicker. I do imagine that the magical formula of Cirque du Soleil will be twisted into a fabulous explosion of gyrations, aerialists, contortionists and at least one (hopefully) calculated surprise of “Oh no she didn’t!” be it wardrobe “re”function, male dancer on male dancer action or maybe she’ll paddle Nicki Minaj’s bootylicious booty. Whatever she does, it will be dissected, worshiped, read, watched, talked about and trending all day and night, trust.

“Ray of Light” and “Frozen” Stand Out on this Album!

This is Madonna at her Best!

When it comes to her new song “Give Me All Your Luvin’,” I have to be honest in saying that it’s nothing we haven’t heard or seen before. I’ve known Madonna since her not so humble beginnings on American Bandstand saying to Dick Clark that she wanted rule the world. That, she has, and still does in many a people’e eye. Madge has had over three decades of chart toppers, millions in album sales, amazing publicity stunts heard round the world and one horribly constructed but incredibly explicit book of stunning pornography of her as the focus appropriately titled Sex. But I have always seen her as the trailblazer and trendsetter I saw her hungry to become from the beginning. And she has become that and more, yes…

Includes the Scandalous and Brilliant “Like a Prayer”

A Favorite Among True Madonna Fans!

Now, honesty must succeed and I say the last effort and her latest of late really don’t have the presence of “Ray of Light” or “Frozen,” “Rain” or “Take a Bow,” “Holiday” or “Like a Prayer.” Among her MANY standouts in her anthology, these were groundbreaking at their time. What she is doing now is not. She seems to be grabbing on what is happening now, which I get. Throw in the hot ticket of the moment. Translation: Nicki Minaj plus M.I.A. Swirl in a catchy beat that is hard to beat and easy to sing. And BAM! New single, back on top. I get it all, trust. I know how the Hollywood Star Machine works and I ain’t mad. But, as an opinionist and gay entertainment journalist I feel I must, too, comment and weigh in. I grew up with her, came out with her and do indeed think she is a force. However, I want more.

I’ve always seen Madonna as a trailblazing leader in the music and celebrity scene and somewhere down the way, through a British accent of authority and clarity, she has lost her voice. She looks amazing in her video and was funny on the Graham Norton Show recently. I do enjoy seeing what she’ll do next. I just hope that it’s as shocking as she once was. Deliver to us, Madonna. And we pray.

WHAT DAY IS IT? IT’S THE SATURDAYS!

Let my lovely ladies of the UK pop music scene share each wonderful moment of 2012 in this fabulous and fierce calendar of photos and imagery of The Saturdays! Amazon has it and you should order it before it’s too late! Let Rochelle, Una, Frankie, Mollie and Vanessa bring light into each and every day of the new year. And pick up their newest album On Your Radar. It’s Available Now!


Spend Every Day with The Saturdays
Available Now on Amazon!

ELEPHANT’S “QUEER NATION” SHOCKS

I was contacted by someone who works with these Hollywood-based gay rapping identical twin brothers about giving them some media love. Happy New Year, boys! These boys have such an edge about them and their music that gave me reason to almost not post their video. The first time I sat and listened I thought it was way too much for my website. Their music and sound is quite reminiscent of Eminem ”I Am What I Am” featuring Marilyn Manson. Their explicit lyrics are hardcore and in-your-face without apology but with humor in the moment. Then I listened again…

The second time I starting really digging the beat in hopes to appreciate their effort more. It worked. Now, it’s not for everyone. Sorry to say but that’s the truth. But, if edgy rap lyrics with a queer vernacular entertain you… Just Push Play. For Adult Minds ONLY. 18+

ULTIMATE HOLIDAY CHRISTMAS MUSIC

I should have been a DJ, I swear it. I missed my calling but have always hooked up friends and family with the best music because I have been blessed to have connections in very high places on the music scene. Sharing music with others is a way I show love. With the holidays coming up, these downloadable tracks make the best holiday playlist for your Apple iPod Touch. Leave it up to me and you’ll see that when your guests (and you, for that matter) hear these songs, the holiday cheer will be queer and fabulous!

All I Want for Christmas is You starts off our list of must have holiday songs. This Mariah Carey smash makes me happy every time I hear it and the energy of it really takes the listener on a happy joyful ride. Just recently everybody’s favorite “kids” released a kicky version on the music of Glee The Christmas Album Volume 2.

The fierce album Now That’s What I Call Christmas has Band Aid’s “Do They Know It’s Christmas” which I simply live for with Bing Crosby, Elvis Presley, Luther Vandross, Britney Spears and Nat King Cole appearing on this two-disc set! Buy this and call it a holiday!

The Carpenters turn me out with the favorite holiday classic Merry Christmas Darling that sends me to a stage in Nashville circa ’86 as a local queen Stephanie Wells would come out in a sickening velvet gown she had sewn herself and make all the money, honey. Holiday spirit always filled the air at the Warehouse 28 during Christmas as I was just coming out. This song is very special to me.

Another drag classic is Whitney Houston’s Do You Hear What I Hear? Another song that just sends me to another time. Miss Whitney sings her eyes out on this holiday classic and I need to get downloading, myself! Just writing about these songs is making me want to hear them!

How could this list be anywhere near complete without Amy Grant’s Tennessee Christmas on everyone’s lips as it’s played? Love this song and burned a quick disc for my rental car during my recent trip home. This song was perfect for the chilly weather and drives around seeing Christmas lights twinkling about town.

Can’t decide?! Let these albums simply do the decision making for you! 100 Classic Christmas Songs gives more traditional musical fare including Pat Boone and Doris Day while Ultimate Christmas gives listeners and holiday party guests current tracks and tunes.

And finally, if the holiday spirit has burned its course and you’re feeling like you need a break from all the entertaining, gift wrapping and cooking… try The Ultimate Relaxation Christmas Album for just the right amount of chill next to a warm fire with your loved ones decorating the tree. And a valium or a (and a) glass of wine wouldn’t hurt either. But I digress… However you spend holidays this year, make the soundtrack something your wonderful guests will talk about into the new year!

INTRODUCING CLAYTON HAWKINS

Clayton Hawkins contacted me via I AM (which is now my way of saying website) and asked for a shout-out and some media love for his new music. He is a cutey who is dream chasing like the rest of us. Sir Hawkins’ vehicle, singing pop-tastical music, seems to be taking off with his first video The Middle on YouTube and a gay club performance circuit starting early next year. Now, watching the video it seems that he’s really into himself since he is the only guy around a ton of girls, gals and a hippy chick with kool-aid Gaga-inspired blue colored hair running around Hollywood being really silly. I’m kidding, totes! But, not at the same time. Clayton has a growing Twitter following and at 22 years young he is destined for celebrity and fame. Think it as if Katy Perry and Jonathan Knight of N.K.O.T.B. had an offspring! Cute, right?! I think so…

Check him out and support his music! I’ll look forward to seeing and hearing more from this young lad very, very soon! EARS OPEN, people!