I <3 Rihanna

So does anybody remember when Rihanna first came on the scene? i do, because i was working in a music store, and we were trying to give her first cd away. We had posters everywhere and could not sell that sh*t period. I personally don't remember a single song from that first album. but i do remember how hard they tried to make her look like she was fresh off of the beach, hair sun-kissed, in all thoughs tropical blouses.... that was possibly the most boring choice of all... if you dont remember feel free to see my carefully picked reminders.

Exibit A

Exibit B


Finally after two albums someone decided that look was tired and boring. Interestingly enough, that someone was Rihanna herself. Rihanna insisted that she shed the image of the young fresh girl from Barbados. She cut her wavey honey locks into a razored bob, and dyed it black, a rather bold move, which i feel distinguishes her from many of the singers she is often compared to.


Rihanna also decided it was time for a visual upgrade, and a new stylist, The old stylist from the first album didn't understand they were ready to move off the island. she found Mariel Haenn, who was on the same page as Rihanna was. The singer is now wearing designers like Zac Posen, Roberto Cavalli and Christian Dior. With the release of her new album she wanted a revamped "glam rock" image. Rihanna has been inspired by the pretty fab "rock 'n' roll" esque designs of Dolce & Gabbana ( a personal fav). Rihanna has said she is trying to find a style that is age appropriate as well as being comfortable, and stylish. I think that judging from the photo's of her that have recently been popping up in magazines, and her appearences on the red carpet, she has found that style.







on the red carpet



Rihanna has also upped the ante on her performances. Umbrella has become a staple at awards shows, and it's always worth it. The video was also by far her best video yet. It took her three albums, but she's finally got a sound, and a style. She cited Madonna as her idol, and those are some pretty amazing and sparkly shoes to fill. But i think Rihanna is capable of it. The best choice she has made so far is pulling herself as far away from Beyonce' as she can. With her new style though it is easy to tell them apart, and i do actually love the differences

Signature Britney

on August 31, Britney Spears hosted at the club LAX. Yet again, she rolled in with a brand new hair style. When she greeted the crowd, she enthusiastically asked them if they liked the blonde. The crowd went wild, to which Spears responded "Blonde is signature Britney", sadly Spear's opening act for the MTV VMA's was not "Signature Britney". Britney opened the VMA's with a lack-luster dance number that seemed to be inspired from Chicago's Cell Block Tango (oddly enough it was rumored that Spears was going to be in Chicago the movie, playing the role that in the end went to pop singer Mya.) The Dancing was lazy, and the lip-synching was off. It's really very sad, because while Spear's has always lip-synched, no one has ever cared, because She is an amazing Dancer, and a steller performer. She has always gone to push the envelope with her performances, especially at the VMA's. Britney's dancers were going at 110%, and Britney wasn't even at 25%. The choreography wasn't bad she just wasn't into it. Neither was the audience. Mtv showed clips of 50 Cent, looking thouroughly confused, and P. Diddy, totally stone faced. They also caught a shot of Rihanna (who was the success story of the night, winning several awards, and doing an amazing performance of her hit single umbrella) laughing at the performance. Britney seemed unsure of herself, and un-commited to performing. While her body was not as steller as it was, she still looked pretty descent to be onstage in her nothings. I wanted this to be her big comeback, I wanted to be able to say i was so impressed, and i youtubed it a million times. but i wasn't. I did youtube some old clips of her performing, and it made me even sadder, She used to rock out on stage, she used to dance with such passion and energy. It was easy to see from those clips why the Britney of yester year was such a hot commodity, why she was so talked about. Britney Spears used to be amazing, and from the sound of "Gimme More" she still can be.
But she needs to come back with an awesome video, and she needs to do a real live performance, where she is totally commited to performing. I predict that over the next few days we are going to hear 8 million reasons why the VMA performance was a dud, allready i read an article that placed the blame on MTV for last minute changing the performance, and vetoing the original plan do to insurance and fear of being to prevocative. Another source also blamed comedian Sarah Silverman, who made cracks about Britney meer seconds after she walked off the stage. Silverman's opening line was "Was that incredible? Britney Spears, everyone. Wow. She is amazing. She is 25-years-old and she's already accomplished everything she's going to accomplish in her life. It's mind blowing." she also made cracks about Britney's "Britt-bits" and called her two babies "beautifull mistakes". Spears apparently found out right before the performance, and was furious, i would be too. It's fine to make jokes, but honestly she has gone through so much, be a little kind, and leave her kids out of it. apparently MTV is furious with Silverman for making the cracks at Britney's kids as well. What i don't understand is, after they had the same problem with Silverman last time she hosted for making cracks at Paris Hilton the night before she went into jail, they should have known better. Why keep hiring someone who doesn't seem to have any respect for others, and has no inside voice. Yes, she is a comedian, she is supposed to make people laugh. But i wasn't laughing, and it didn't seem like anyone in the audience was either. It was uncomfortable. Now whether or not MTV was the cause, or Sarah Silverman was the cause, Britney still has a lot to prove, and she needs to do it fast. Her album comes out November 13, and i will be there to buy it. I support Britney and want to see her succeed, I just wish Britney wanted to see herself succeed.

Stand under my umbrella

this video is why i love Mandy Moore. Mandy moore has been saying since 2000 that she apologizes for the utter trash that was her debut album, and will give any fan their money back. Mandy's signature song, no matter how much the young artist protests, will always be the song that made her a hit; Candy. At fifteen Mandy sang that first single, and she's been trying to block it out ever since. She helped to shed her image with some surprising indie film roles, like "Saved", and "A Walk to Remember" (in which she famously had dark hair). In the last year Mandy has tried to get even further from her bubblegum image, starring in adult comedies like Because I said So, Liscense to Wed, and Dedication, as well as releasing her first studio album since 2003. Mandy's new album "Wild Hope" is basically amazing. She has co-written every single folk-esque track on the album, songs like "nothing that you are" and "latest mistake" make me want to mend all broken hearts, and "can't you just adore her" makes me want to call certain individuals and tell them how much i love them. The album is about as different from candy as you could possibly get. But it seems that no matter what She does, poor Mandy can't get away from "Candy". When requested she declines saying she doesn't even know the song anymore. Finally Mandy gave her fans what they wanted, and did a slightly different orchestration of her old hit. Totally stripped of all fluff, she sings "Candy", and does in fact forget the words, but she finishes the song, in her way, and her style. It is actually a descent song. What i love about this is it is another instance of Mandy taking controll of something, instead of it taking controll of her. She now owns that song, instead of the other way around. In another odd turn of events, She has covered her own version of the summer hit "Umbrella". now i personally would never compare Rihanna and Mandy Moore, but for me, both versions are quite enjoyable. Mandy even goes so far as to include Rihanna's video of the hit in her own music video... honestly i see it as being pure genius.



if you haven't heard Wild Hope, go listen to it.