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.
Watch:

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!
Listen:

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"