Britney and the VMAs

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Despite my high hopes and anticipation, I do have to join the masses who were disappointed by Britney Spears failed “comeback” performance. The keyword here is disappointed, I didn’t hate it. I’m one of those people who was actually rooting for her hoping this would return her to the spotlight (in a positive way) and demonstrate why Britney has always been an excellent performer, if not the most gifted singer.

Alas, she looked completely bored and like she put zero effort into re-solidifying her career with this performance. The fact that she didn’t even bother to lip synch at times was just sad. I’m still giving her the benefit of the doubt since she may have been nervous and let’s face it, after all the negative and questionable publicity she’s received, that must be pretty nerve-wracking to go out half naked and see hundreds of people quietly judging you based on your past transgressions. And unlike many who’ve commented on her figure, it didn’t bother me.

A lot of people are saying her career is now officially kaput, that this was her last shot and she screwed it up. Though I do think this is going to make it a great deal harder for her to reignite her career, I still think there’s hope for Britney. I mean, her new song “Gimme More” has had a polarizing effect on people. There are those that like it (such as myself) and the others who like it until they find out who the person singing it is and then end up hating it. Aside from the promotional work she’ll [desperately] need to do, I think she should stay out of the press and perhaps schedule a knockout performance on Conan, Letterman, or Leno along with an interview where she doesn’t come across as some loopy girl who’s lost it. If she can get over her jitters or whatever it is that’s been causing her to act all bizarre, there’s still hope.

Exercise Music

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Not too long ago I started to really throw myself into working out and toning my otherwise physically unfit body. After investing in an indoor workout machine, there was basically no longer a reason as to why I could put off exercising. Before I’d always use the excuse that since our old machine (and what remains of it) was outside, I simply could not justify enduring hot weather and the vicious attacks of mosquitoes in the name of health. Thus, I’ve been diligently keeping a journal to track my progress, investing in proper attire, and I became most satisfied when I began to see noticeable results soon after. I figured I can deal with the muscle pain the next day, that’s the least of my worries.

Exerting myself away while punishing my body just isn’t as entertaining without some music involved so I almost always listen to my Zen Vision: M while working out. Which brings me to the subject of this post: what tunes make the best music to work out to? I haven’t really explored what I have in my library after I discovered that Madonna‘s Confessions on a Dance Floor made for some great workout music.

However, I’m quite aware that this opinion is highly biased since I’m already a Madonna fan. Nevertheless, I suggest trying it out, putting my own liking for it aside.

But the question is, besides Madonna, what makes for good workout music? I’d like to make a customized playlist of tunes that can energize me for about an hour or more since that’s usually the time it takes me to complete my workout of the day before I’m exhausted. Any suggestions in any genre would be appreciated except death metal, gives me a headache.  Thanks!

Top Albums of 2006

In no particular order and the ones that most quickly come to mind:

1) Gnarls Barkley – St. Elsewhere

I was hesitant to purchase this because I’d read a lot of reviews from people saying that “Crazy” was the only good track. I caved in after they released the recent deluxe edition and I was pleasantly surprised. Cee-Lo and Danger Mouse together are absolute geniuses. The album more than deserves all the praise it’s been receiving.

2) Aterciopelados – Oye

I’d heard of them before but I didn’t know they were a Colombian duo, nor did I know they had just released a long awaited new album. Saw the album on sale for ten bucks at Target and became a new fan. Great musicianship, sharp lyrics (in Spanish of course), and catchy tunes. I may be a bit biased here since I’m Colombian myself.

3) Gloria Estefan – The Essential Gloria Estefan

This woman…I’ve never been a fan of hers. Well, I used to rock out to “Conga” when I was about five but besides that, I never cared for her English material. Her Spanish songs I’ve always appreciated because they use lots of instruments and carry that whole Cuban vibe but anyhow, I decided that since I do collect music, this would be my first and only Gloria purchase. A wise move since it provides a concise and still complete overview of the woman and her music which, in some cases (“Heaven’s What I Feel”, “Words Get in the Way”, “Wrapped”) are genuinely good. I also recommend her Spanish language hits package, “Oye Mi Canto: Los Exitos”.

4) Christina Aguilera – Back to Basics

Yes, it’s a bit sprawling and longer than necessary but it’s creative, it feels old school, and it’s not that big rebellious mess that was Stripped. And yes, I know Stripped sold well but this shows Ms. Aguilera (Mrs. Bratman?) at her classiest and most daring. I’m actually looking forward to what she might do next.

5) Nelly Furtado – Loose

To a certain degree, I do concur with many critics that she “sold out” after Folklore (an album I also own and highly recommend) went nowhere. But since when was jamming to ultra catchy tunes like “Promiscuous”, “Maneater”, and “No Hay Igual” a bad thing? Sometimes you just gotta put the “I’m an artist and want to be taken serious” ego aside and take music for what it’s also known for: escaping the daily grind and just having a good time.