Katy Perry's 3D Movie: Muse (2012 Olympic Theme Song), Shinedown, Blood On The Dancefloor

"WIDE AWAKE"   KATY PERRY 

Today, Katy Perry's releasing her first major movie, "Katy Perry:  Part Of Me", of course, it's in 3-D.   The film is described as a backstage pass, front row seat for Katy's life including discussing her divorce from Russell Brand.  Seeing as Katy enjoys the titillating special effects in her Fireworks and California Gurls videos, we can only expect more of the same, but in 3D!  Those attending the special premiere showings will receive collectible pink 3-D glasses and a pinup poster.   "Wide Awake" is the last video from her "Teenage Dream" CD and serves as a movie preview plus Katy's trip into an Alice In Wonderland-type scenario.

 
"UNITY"   SHINEDOWN

Around the :50 second mark, there is a guy in a wheelchair crowd surfing, how cool is that!  That's a lot of weight to hold up but no one cares, they are giving this guy a memory he'll never forget.    "Unity" has two videos, this one shot at Rockfest (not my venue) and another version focusing on the little girl making the collage from her photos shown briefly here.    Which makes me wonder, how did she reach so high up the wall making that mural?  Shinedown has another big radio hit here, one of my two favorite songs on Amaryllis.

"SURVIVAL"    MUSE

Everyone has their own taste in music and this song is going to be played to death soon so if you're a fan, I wanted to introduce it early.  "Survival" by Muse will be the theme song to the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.    You can hear elements of Radiohead and the theatrics of Queen in this song, but unfortunately it doesn't live up to either amazing band.   I give them credit for emulating great bands and the ending guitar solo is heavy, but overall it's not a favorite of mine. 

"UNFORGIVEN"   BLOOD ON THE DANCE FLOOR

Never heard of this underground band, "Blood On The Dance Floor" was a Michael Jackson song to me!  I found out they're an unsigned electronica band based out of Orlando who are a big deal on Myspace.   They make it a point to meet their fans and have quite the cult following.  Apart from their flamboyant clothes and outlandish makeup, they have a lot of passion, energy, and are definitely a "new" band (they're new to me but have released 4 CD's since 2008 with meager sales so far) to keep an eye on.  

First A Microsoft Commercial, Now A Radio Hit: Shinedown , James Durbin, and Alex Clare

"THROUGH THE GHOST"    SHINEDOWN

Over the past seven years, Shinedown has been gaining popularity with each CD.    They peaked with "The Sound Of Madness" and their big singles, "Second Chance" and "If You Only Knew".   Hopes are high that Amaryllis (their new CD) would push them to new levels.  With much disappoint, I found the CD to be their weakest, cliched, too radio friendly, and where is the rock!   Rolling Stone Magazine gave it a 2 out of 5 and added this memorable quote:  "These Florida rockers muster up anthems that would embarrass a Hallmark Card hack".   "Through The Ghost" sounds like "Second Chance Part II" and will undoubtedly be a radio staple.    I do love the added sound of the bells (almost Christmas inspired?) and it's one of the three best songs on the CD.

"SCREAMING"     JAMES DURBIN

From 2011's American Idol, James Durbin was the resident rocker and finished 4th like Chris Daughtry.   James' debut CD is surprisingly much better than expected.  A power ballad "May" will get the cellphones lighting up the arenas, along with rockers like "Stand Up" that the NFL Network have used, and "Screaming", an anthem for the underappreciated.   Simple chorus, pure cheese, but addictive at high volume:  "I'm screaming for the losers, screaming at the abusers, show them that we're fed up, throw your hands up."  

"TOO CLOSE"   ALEX CLARE
Alex has probably been most famous for dating Amy Winehouse just prior to her death but he's an English singer who's just landed his biggest hit.   His voice sounds like Adam Levine and "Too Close" is currently being featured in a popular commercial for Microsoft's Internet Explorer 9.  The song's chorus is memorable:  "I'm feeling just too close to love you, so I'll be on my way".