Trashy Thursday: R. Kelly & Celine Dion - "I'm Your Angel"

Trashy Thursdays will be happening every Thursday and will feature the trashy pop songs I kinda love. Don't get it twisted, I think pop music is an art form. But like all art, there are brilliant artistic works that are fresh and dynamic and new as well as less inspired pieces of art. Sometimes those less inspired bits are as much fun as the "good" stuff, that's why we're getting trashy!

I love Celine Dion. Her music is extremely cheesy, but a lot of it is really pretty. She's so dramatic when she sings, it's truly a spectacle to watch. She has an amazing voice.

R.Kelly is an R&B icon, both for his music and his personal troubles. His music switches between the ultra spiritual and the ultra dirty.

When the two got together for the smashingly cheesy duet (featured on Celine's incredibly entertaining Christmas album) I was in trashy heaven. Just listening to the two trade runs is a masterclass in overkill. But I love it!

Rihanna Plays Professor Slash, Teaches "Rock Star 101"

Rihanna keeps trying to turn out hits from her Rated R disc. After the bright colors and clubby sound of "Rude Boy" took off, the Barbados native returned to the darker looks of her "Russian Roulette" and "Hard" videos for "Rockstar 101."

She goes for the scary/sexy looks from "Disturbia" but keeps it all in black and white, as well as dressing up a guest guitarist Slash, complete with hat, wig, glasses and ax. Watch:

One Year Ago, Today...

...I met up with a guy I had talked to for a little bit online. I didn't know a lot about him, except his first name, that he loved Janet Jackson, black boxer-briefs and going to clubs, and that he looked really cute in his pictures.

Did I know then that I would go on a date with him the next Saturday, and not make it home until Monday morning?

Did I know then he made amazing Fettuccine Alfredo?

Did I know then we would get into a major fight about two months later?

Did I know then he was the greatest kisser I've ever known?

Did I know then he move in and make my life richer and fuller for it?

Did I know then he would end up getting a better job, thanks in part to a friend of mine?

Did I know then there would but rough spots when we couldn't see eye-to-eye?

Did I know then he was the only man I could love?

No. I didn't know anything yet. I dove in, head first and for once in my life I didn't regret it. Now we are engaged and ready to commit to a lifetime of love, craziness and companionship.

Thank you, sexykins. You made my world a better place. I love you.

Robyn Keeps "Dancing On My Own" To Sad, Gay Disco Anthems

Swedish pop goddess Robyn is releasing her three-part Body Talk album series this year, and the first video debuted this week. "Dancing On My Own" is a seriously hot track, inspired by "sad, gay disco anthems" (per the press release.) And this very much fits the bill!

Some 80s throwback instrumentation, but mostly very fresh and similar to Robyn's earlier emotronic singles "With Every Heartbeat" and "Be Mine!" down to the slightly stalkery lyrics. Example: "I'm in the corner/watching you kiss her" If it wasn't so sad, it'd be a little frightening.
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Why Jennifer Knapp Matters

We all live in the spiritual realm - porn stars, purse-snatchers and pastors alike. I firmly believe this. It doesn't matter whether we choose to notice, or even believe in, the things of the spirit that surround us. They still exist. I don't know any longer if the "God" I was introduced as a small child is an accurate portrait of God but I do believe that those who love mercy and do justice are walking humbly with their God, whoever that spiritual person is to them.

When I hear the word of God's Holy Spirit used to beat down the children of God, it bothers me. Deeply. God is love; St. Johns' first letter tells us this. Why do we feel the need to hate those who don't do things the same way, do not worship in the same way?

Because we are not yet made holy. People are born with evil in their hearts; this I also believe. We must choose to seek the good that God has also placed in our hearts and follow that.

After laying that bit of spiritual groundwork, I want to get to the pop culture portion of today's post. A few weeks ago, one time Christian rock singer Jennifer Knapp came out of the closet with an editorial on CNN's website and an interview with Larry King. It's fascinating, as Knapp is only second well-known Christian singer to come out as a homosexual after a career in the CCM genre.

Her hits include "Undo Me", "Romans" and "A Little More" Knapp's major label debut Kansas was certified Gold and it's follow up The Way I Am was nominated for a Grammy.

Jennifer doesn't put on any airs in her piece on Larry King Live. She comes across as a young woman with a deep spirituality who did just as I did - questioned, questioned, questioned. When you want to live a life full of spiritual pureness, you cannot just accept that something condemed by churches for so long is right just because it "feels right." Her "Take" appears on CNN's Belief Blog (read it here) She talks about her spiritual quest in a very adult way, including her fears: "I questioned whether my faith had betrayed me, or I if had a betrayed my faith." It's deep and beautiful.

I personally find a deeper connection to her music, which I loved as teenager, knowing what her struggle was. "Whole Again" takes on a new meaning:

If I give my life, if I lay it down Can you turn this life around, around Can I be made clean By this offering of my soul? Can I be made whole again?

Can we be made whole? Even in our brokenness, even in these hate-filled days and this selfish world? Is wholeness a real thing? And am I deceiving myself that God, who declared that Jesus made all things clean in a vision to St Peter, can give me a wholeness and a holiness I truly don't deserve?

Only in heaven will we know.

Will I Buy M.I.A.'s New Disc? Hellz Yeah! Will I Like It, Is The Question...

I love M.I.A. I just do. She rocks my socks off, from "Bucky Done Gone" to "10 Dollars" to "Paper Planes" to "20 Dollars" I love her shit like a fat kid loves Slim Shots.

But her first release from her upcoming summer album /\/\/\Y/\, "Born Free" was a little ska-tastic for my tastes. And the video scared the piss out of me. It's really graphic and violent, and makes quite a statement on ethnic genocide. But I still didn't like the song. So when I heard about a new single (via JuiceWithJunior's tweets) called "XXXO" I wasn't sure if I was gonna enjoy it.

I should be slapped for even doubting my girl Maya! This is the most mainstream I've ever heard the world traveler sound. It's not like a Gwen Stefani jam or anything, but the beat rocks while also being dancable and it's got a catchy chorus. I'm ready for the new album!
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Trashy Thursdays: Selena Gomez And The Scene - "Naturally"

Trashy Thursdays will be happening every Thursday and will feature the trashy pop songs I kinda love. Don't get it twisted, I think pop music is an art form. But like all art, there are brilliant artistic works that are fresh and dynamic and new as well as less inspired pieces of art. Sometimes those less inspired bits are as much fun as the "good" stuff, that's why we're getting trashy!

This song is totally my jam right now. But just because I love it, doesn't mean that it's good. It could be... trashy.

It's by a Disney Channel star. Point one for trashy. It's got a slamming beat. Point for pop goodness. But the beat is jacked from a Miley Cyrus single. Trashy x2. It's got a good message. Pop Goodness. But the lyrics are little silly. Trashy. The video features a cute fifteen year old in a series of borderline age inappropriate designer duds while dancing against green-screened black and white zigzags and quick cuts. Yeah, it's deliciously trashy. Here you are, world: Selena Gomez & The Scene singing "Naturally"

Katy Perry Is A "California Gurl"

I'm kinda loving the newly released single from everyone second favorite faux-lesbo (after Anne Heche, naturally.) Katy Perry found a new kind of gurl to sing about, "California Gurls" to be precise. It's a sunny summertime jam, perfect for jamming on the way to the beach or spinning at the roller rink. I'm really love the crazy cover art for the single, too! Snoop Dogg drops by to lend his support of every beach boys' favorite kind of lady. Katy is definitely looking to take Ke$ha down!

Anybody Else Excited For The New Scissor Sisters Disc?

I wasn't sure how I would feel about the upcoming Scissor Sisters' album Night Work. I was deeply in love with New York band's self titled debut, but the follow up left me less excited. I was willing to give the band another chance, not just because the cover was pretty sweet:Sex-ay! The band leaked a sneak peak of the album closer "Invisible Light" about a month ago, and it keeps randomly popping into my head. That's a good thing. The beat is funky, yet understated and Ana Matronic's vocals are the most perfect I've ever heard them. The added bonus of Ian McKellen's voice over (ala Vincent Price in "Thriller") makes it a hot new jam.



I'm not as crazy about the lead single, "Fire With Fire." It's a more mid-tempo track, sort of a Fray-meets-Killers style inspo-pop affair. I like it, but it's not nearly as awesome as "Invisible Light" I'm really hoping it leads to a hotter, hookier follow-up single.

All-in-all I can't wait for Night Work to drop on June 28, 2010. Hottness!

In Search Of The Perfect Pop Record: Lady Gaga - "Bad Romance"

Each week, Picture & Conversations is going on a search. A quest, if you will, for the holy grail for pop fans like myself. The perfect pop record is out there; but can I find it? Join me as I go In Search Of The Perfect Pop Record. To understand my definition of perfection, check this post.

Perfection in pop music requires a certian blend of things. Strong hooks, strong musicality, great beats and instrumentation, a unique sound and look must be combined with heart and soul.

Lady Gaga burst onto the scene with a somewhat silly pop song called "Just Dance" that blended many of those things. It doesn't look like much on the surface, but when you dig deeper into that song and rest of Gaga's output you find some of the strongest pop songwriting of the decade. No better place to start than her single "Bad Romance" from her most recent disc, The Fame Monster.

"Bad Romance" has more hooks than I hardly know what to do with. A rebel cry opens the track, and then a nonsense phrase beats it's way into your brain. You try to resist, but she wants your "love, love, love/I want your love" and then it's onto a pre-chorus, a chorus, the "ra ra ah ah ah gaga oh lalas" another verse stuffed with Hithcock references and then sweeping into the chorus again. The first half of the bridge sneaks into the full bridge/chorus that sinks it's teeth into your tender ear with a well place swoop (and French!)

Who cares what the lyrics are, who cares what anybody is saying. Your brain is under the control of "rah rah ah ah ah roma ro mama gaga oh la la" and you like it. WANT YOUR BAD ROMANCE!


The amazing part is that this is a story behind this song. It's about being in love with your best friend, and it's brings a level of heartache to this brilliant composition. It's a blend of heart and machine, and that's what makes it possibly perfect.

Miley Cyrus Knows Why The Caged Whore Sings

Miley Cyrus has ditched the Madonna/Whore thing she's been rocking of late for the straight up teen-stripper act. Her new album is called Can't Be Tamed and while the album cover has her posing as a baby-faced rock skank the title track's video is craziness on a whore 'nother level.

The song is kinda boring, electro-stamped pop/rock in the vein of Ke$ha, Glambert or Britney's "If You Seek Amy." But the video is trashy greatness. She plays a newly discovered winged creature, Avis Cyrus, and she escapes her confines with a posse of co-ed dancers. She grinds on the boys and the girls, as all winged creatures do, and basically acts like Lady Gaga without the vocal talent. (OH SNAP!)
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Beyonce Is A '60s Pin Up, So "Why Don't You Love Me?"

Beyonce keeps trucking out videos from her 2008 double disc I Am... Sasha Fierce. Her latest, a send up of 1960s pin ups with her character B. B. Homemaker fixing a car in Daisy Dukes, swigging a martini in her bed and rocking a sexy librarian look while dusting her Grammys. It's campy fun, which matches the retro funk vibe of "Why Don't You Love Me?" The whole thing is worth checking out: