In Case You Didn't Know, "Bad Romance" Is The Best Video of the Year

What do bearskin rug capes, ridiculously shaped Alexander McQueen shoes, sex trafficking, murder, the Russian mafia, and bath houses have in common?

Nothing, unless you are watching "Bad Romance", the latest music video from Lady Gaga.

The pop star unveiled the video for her latest single on her website today, after holding its release back one day. The anticipation wasn't for naught, because the video is, without a question, both her best and the best of the entire musical year.

The video features an "innocent" Gaga (hence the wide, anime-style eyes) being kidnapped by white-wearing people, forced to down vodka, and sold into sex slavery sponsored by the Russian mafia. She appears to get her bearings back in the end, as she sets her slavemaster's bed on fire.

With this stunning masterpiece, Gaga has proven herself to be the most creative artist in pop music today. It is the most visually stunning, thought-provoking, and innovate music video of the year, and it most likely ranks in the top 10 videos of the decade. The only other artist I can think of off the top of my head who delivered art like this is the godfather of music videos himself, Michael Jackson.

I cannot think of anyone better to follow in his footsteps.

Single Battle: Kris Allen's "Live Like We're Dying" v.s. Adam Lambert's "For Your Entertainment"

VS

November has officially arrived, which means two things to me: it's my birthday month and the American Idol albums are coming out.

Now, as its been since the days of Kelly and Justin Guarini (remember him?), is the time when we see whether America made the right choice for its Idol and if either of the contestants actually have a viable career in pop music. Nine rounds in, we've had monumental successes (Kelly, Carrie, Daughtry, Jennifer), disastrous flops (Ruben, Taylor, in some ways Fantasia) and unexplainable anomalies (William Hung). The question this time is, where will winner Kris and runner-up Adam will lie?

This year is all the more interesting considering a pretty huge amount of people believe Lambert was robbed this past May. Are their claims validated when you compare their lead singles.

Guess its time for a single battle (it's been a long time, huh)!

"Live Like We're Dying" by Kris Allen - A cover from Irish band The Script, this pop/rock song is nothing less than you would expect from the acoustic guitar-wielding Allen. It's not the most daring arrangement (see his Heartless performance), but it features a more-than-pleasant vocal performance from Kris Allen. Lyrically, its inspirational and realistic without being drippy or corny, even though its a bit safe. If I am being honest, this sounds like a song he would've performed during an off week on Idol. That being said, Kris' off weeks were still pretty spectacular. It is a solid first single, but the push to buy the album still comes from his brilliant American Idol performance.

"For Your Entertainment" by Adam Lambert - Where Kris is safe, Adam is downright dangerous. This glossy glam-pop song is all about mixing pain and pleasure, fun and fire, and any other opposing noun with obvious sexual undertones. Coming from someone who wasn't crazy about some of Adam's over-the-top performances (Ring of Fire was nightmarish), I was pleased to hear some restraint in the vocal department. His singing in the verses are delightfully menacing, and the trademarking high-note shrieking was saved from the middle eight, which was a very smart move. The song itself sounds perfect for radio without sounding too similar to everything else. This a great first single.

As I much I like Kris Allen and am glad he won, the first single battle has to go to Lambert. His is a bit more interesting and cool than Allen's, and it's got me really intrigued about the album.

If its any consolation, Kris' album cover shits on Adam's.

THINK I'M WRONG! VOTE ON THE BEST SINGLE BELOW:

Brit Goddess Cheryl Cole Scores UK Chart Double and US Record Deal

It must be really good to be Cheryl Cole right now.

The Girls Aloud member and X Factor judge has proven her weight as a solo artist, scoring the elusive chart double on the UK music charts. Her debut single "Fight For This Love" tops the singles chart for a second week, staving off competition from boyband Westlife. Their new single, a cover of Daughtry's "What About Now", came in at #2. Meanwhile, months ahead of its release, Cheryl's second single "3 Words" comes in at #26.

On the albums chart, Cheryl tops with her first effort 3 Words, selling over 125,000 copies. Her album beat out competition from Canadian crooner Michael Buble and Michael Jackson's movie soundtrack, which come in at #2 and #3 respectively.

Not all of the news is good, though. The UK press has savaged Cheryl Cole's outfit at Saturday's X Factor show.

Then again, with a chart double, I doubt she really cares.

UPDATE: According to British tabloid News of the World, Cheryl has signed a US record deal with Interscope Records to release 3 Words. The lead single will reportedly be UK second single "3 Words" featuring Black Eyed Peas frontman Will.i.am.

Hot Mess Alert! Katie Price and Her Cagefighting Boyfriend Celebrate Halloween

I have been wanting to write about Katie Price for months now, but I just didn't have the motivation.

Until I saw this.

This is UK's premier trainwreck Katie Price, aka Jordan, dressed up for Halloween with her boyfriend Alex Reid. In case you are unaware, or don't really care, he is the cross-dressing, rape-porn acting cage fighter that Katie has been parading around since her ridiculous divorce for Australian pop singer Peter Andre.

Note that Katie has three children.

 

Michael Jackson's "This Is It" Tops Box Office

The King of Pop reigns again.

Despite overblown expectations, the Michael Jackson concert documentary This Is It has topped the American box office with a weekend gross of $21 million. It's overall total so far is $32 million.

The film (which I haven't seen yet) has received great reviews; Roger Ebert called it one of the most revealing documentaries he has ever seen. However, the film has performed below expectations, although the Halloween weekend is being listed as contributor.

On the music side of things, the soundtrack is expected to sell up to 350,000 copies this week, giving MJ is sixth #1 album, and his first since Invincible.

The movie is only in theaters for another week and half, so if you haven't seen it yet, go!

Adam Lambert Delivers The "Entertainment" With Debut Single

The American Idol runner-up sure knows how to stir things up!

Adam Lambert started off the week with controversy over his terrible album artwork, and is ending it with the release of his first single, titled "For Your Entertainment".

Luckily, the cover and the single inspired opposite reactions.

Fans of the flamboyant singer will not be disappointed at all; Adam is in top form with this track. "For Your Entertainment" is a high-glam electro stunner, which isn't unexpected from Adam considering his highly successful run on TV's biggest show. If the sonically sound production doesn't kick it off for you, there is always Adam's voice. Thankfully, he saves the histrionic vocal runs for the middle-eight, which elevates the song's drama. His delivery of the verses and the undeniable chorus is menacing, dangerous, and even a bit sexy.

Adam Lambert will surely divide many mainstream listeners with his gender-bending style, but there is no denying he is a pop star in the making, determined to entertain us.

With this song, he seems to be on the right track.

Rating: 8/10

Download of the Day (10/29): "Fireflies" by Owl City

I don't think anyone would be faulted for not knowing who Owl City is. Yet, despite their lack of profile, their single "Fireflies" is currently #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Maybe we should get to know him better.

Owl City is actually the stage name for Adam Young, a 23-year old from Minnesota who apparently suffers from insomnia. He refers to his illness in his sleeper hit "Fireflies", a light and airy breed of alternative and pop. The song is dripping with charm; lyrics about foxtrots, disco balls, and those pretty little bugs enchanting him through his restlessness gel with the bright synth bops. Yet, don't let the cuteness take away from the substance this song offers. The fact he can fuse a popular element of pop with his experiences with insomnia is impressive on its own. The result is a pleasing piece of Top 40 magic that's different than anything on the field.

Adam Young may not be able to close his eyes, but he's opened everyone else's to his talent. If he has his way, we may suffer a bit with him.

Never has insomnia sounded so appealing,

Rating: 9/10

Adam Lambert Swagga Jacks Kylie and Blake Lewis For New Album Cover

American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert is dropping his new album For Your Entertainment later this year, and he revealed the album artwork today:



It's bad enough the cover is an utter hot mess, but the concept has already been done, a hundred times better, by Kylie Minogue for her 2007 album X (even down to the font):



Lambert also apparently drew inspiration from fellow runner-up Blake Lewis, who used the space theme for his disastrous flop album Audio Day Dream:



Adam Lambert borrowing from two albums that flopped in the United States (love you Kylie) is not a good look. Borrowing from two flop albums to make a hideous album is an even worse look. It's one of the worst album covers of the year, by far.

For Your Entertainment is due for release November 23rd.