Happy Funday Friday, everybody.
And today is very happy indeed. Because today, couples of the same sex can get the legal go-ahead to get married. Even better, they don't have to move to another state! The United States Supreme Court has ruled 5-4 in favor of striking down a law banning gay marriage in the U.S., making it legal for any and all couples in any and all states to tie the knot. And it's all thanks to Justice Anthony Kennedy, who wrote that plaintiffs looking over the ruling, to "ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law, and the Constitution gave them that right." 13 states previously banned same-sex marriage, but after this ruling, will now renege on their laws.
President Barack Obama called this ruling "a victory for America". And I agree wholeheartedly. It goes without saying that this decision is a landmark, not only in the history of the Supreme Court, but also in the history of America. It took years for gay marriage to be legal in the US, but now that it is, I feel the this nation is in a much better and stronger state than it has been in a long time.
Now, this is coming from the mind of a Liberal, but when I heard the news on Tv, I was elated, because I believe that guys are just as human and a part of society as heterosexual couples and people are. I don't see a person defined by their sexuality. I define them by their actions. It's what they do that defines them in life, not who they do. And this nonsense that they had to endure for the past few decades is horrible, so I'm glad that all of the crap they had to go through has finally gone away. It was a really slow ride, but they've finally made it. And as an American, I'm proud for that.
And another thing, the Americans (mostly Republicans) who have opposed this ruling and the acceptance and existence of Gays, it's fine that you have gone against all of this, but it is sad to see such backwards thinking on display. I do respect your opinions, though. sadly.
Anyway, jolly good for the most members of the LGBT community. This ruling was decades in the making, and it was fully deserved. I'm ecstatic to see all of you finally being fully integrated with the rest of America, and that we all can now stand tall as the members of a wonderful progressive country, the United States of America. God bless you all. God bless the Supreme Court. God bless Justice Anthony Kennedy. God bless the USA.
#LoveWins
Friday, June 26, 2015
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
Awards Reviews: Much Music Video Awards 2015
Well, guys...the biggest free concert in the world...is back!!
The Much Music Video Awards has returned for another year of fantastic performances, crazy moments, and the most awesome used-once-and-only-once performance sets you'll ever see on television (or online for everyone who lives anywhere on Earth that isn't Canada). The MMVAs has them all and then some.
This years' show is hosted by one of the hottest and talented (and most adorable) Pop/Folk stars on Earth, Ed Sheeran. And how funny, too.
Sheeran has had quite an ascension of sorts at the MMVAs for the past 4 years.
After his first performance in the Much studios in 2012, he later crooned the crowd on the Queen Street stage in 2013, and finally built his way (a joke to his song "Lego House") up to the Main Parking Lot stage and got us to "Sing" along with him to his massive hit in droves.
So it was clear that Much had him in mind for these past few years.
Hell, they sort of had that mindset literally during the start of last year's show!
They even mentioned again after the announcement of his hosting!
It's called foreshadowing, people. 😜 #MMVA pic.twitter.com/MbFQtphAKb
— MUCH (@Much) March 31, 2015
To say they love this guy and want him at the event more than once is an understatement, but I kinda find it a match made in awards ceremony heaven.
Also, I will mention that Lauren Toyota and Scott Willats are not hosting this year. After two years as co-hosts, they have left for other opportunities. I really enjoyed their style and to hosting. Lauren was calm and cool, while Scotty was ecstatic and suave, with both keeping it 100 during the whole show. I'll miss them; they were great hosts and kept the MMVAs exciting and enjoyable.
In their place are Liz Trinnear and Tyrone Edwards. They're previously known, of course, as the co-hosts of the Pre-Show Red Carpet Special, which they've done for the past few years (from as far as I can remember, it's been during my 6 years [and counting] of watching the MMVAs). So I felt excited for them to get the promotion. And they deserved it: Both of them have the charisma, talent, and gusto to carry anything, so it was a done deal for Much to give the jobs to them. And I don't have to tell you they did just great.
Like last year, there will be a bombdiggity mix of very-well-known, very-well-talented (mostly American) performers
like
Nick Jonas! Jason Derulo!
Carly Rae Jepson!
Fall Out Boy!
Shawn Mendes! and The Weeknd!
)Scott Helman. Mia Martina.
and
Tori Kelly (because her song "Nobody Love" is a hit in America. And me--I couldn't stop thinking about it.)I was ecstatic to see this list, as I found them all (and not just some, or even a few) worth watching (even for the MMVAs), and I found this the strongest line-up in years (again, even for the MMVAs!).
Before I get to the performers and other thoughts in the tank, let's discuss the stage.
Every year, the MMVA takes place on a very unique set-up, a set on a Parking Lot. And it manages to be better than the stages of most awards on American television.
So here's this years' floor plan:
I also want to point out that there was no stage on Queen Street this year. That's usually the smallest set-up of the show and is where lower-key performers (usually ones playing a guitar and maybe some drums) play on the other side of Much HQ.
It was very telling to me, and showed the show was changing a bit.
It seemed like less and less performers were playing on it as years went by, and producers found it hard to book this many acts on three stages (plus giving away awards on it more wasn't working). So they decided that downsizing is a much better option.
But I didn't mind it one bit, as I still enjoyed the amazing moments on the Lot, and that the most moments happen there anyway. Good choice producers! It was meant to be that way.
If that's not the only reason to get excited...
This years' show was some sort of high school reunion. featured some performers making their first appearance in a while. Some of them, like Joe Jonas, Fall Out Boy and Carly Rae Jepson have made their returns to the Parking Lot after a few years, while one, Ed Sheeran, has pretty much just held back as the school jokester.
I knew just from watching last year's show and waiting the entire year since, that this year would be just as exciting, fun and memorable. I don't even have to tell you I was right.
We start off with a performance during the Red-Carpet Pre-Show, as another newcomer Omi performed his debut "Cheerleader". And it was awesome. First off, let me be clear; OMI is not the big-head yellow-skinned character from Xiaolin Showdown (I wish, though; that's cool) The school band sounds fit with the concept and his vocals are really good here. I've enjoyed this North American premiere performance and I want to see more from OMI.
Kicking off this year's show,Fall Out Boy performed my favorite song of their's, "Uma Thurman". And man oh man, did they not disappoint! Patrick Stump's vocals were great live and the band just did their thing like they started out.
A great start to the MMVAs! But it didn't end (?) there.
In her first performance since 2012, Carly Rae Jepsen continued the screams of joy with her second-coming hit "I Really Like You". I can't say much, but I really...loved this one. Her vocals were perfect, her outfit was perfect and the outfit she wore too. Carly Rae has grown as an artist, and her new record E-mo-tion is going to be something to look forward to.
Did he do well?
Duh-Of course he did! And he shined greatly. The song itself is a lovely ditty about keeping a relationship alive in a picture, even if the relationship is a terrible one, but the image can keep the good memories fresh forever. Seems like a beautiful concept in songs, and in Sheeran's case, it is. As for the performance, what can I say? It's Ed Sheeran! The dude can do no wrong.
Tori Kelly gave us one of the best performances (and considering that everyone else put out great efforts too, this was saying a lot) with her Canadian television debut staging of another of my favorites "Nobody Love". Her voice is a raw and raspy as seen in the recorded version, which sounded beautiful. I also loved the change from acoustic to recorded as it reaches the second verse. This was just a great performance.
The song is a fun hit perfect for the Summer, and he was amazing on stage...but I couldn't enjoy his vocals in the chorus. Oh God, that sound from his mouth when he said his S's made me cringe every time. It's like listening to a screeching cat or Cindy Brady. But that didn't take away from a great debut for Helman. Good job getting the ladies to easily like you, young man.
The Weeknd, Canada's Pied Piper of Modern-day R&B, performed TWO of his hits "The Hills" and "Earned it" from 50 Shades of Grey. And oh boy, if I weren't a guy, I'd be throwing my panties at my computer screen. He was fire and ice on that stage. Got me turned up, and I sang along like it was nobody's business.
With "Earned It", it's clear that he's got the nation in the palm of his hand, and he's in no need to stop, with it in no need to worry. It's a sexy, sultry song about loving someone in the name of sex. I love the beat (like 40s Pop or Big Band) and it's catchy as hell. And putting the "Duh-duh-duh" part at the end of the chorus at the middle of the first verse was an awesome performance choice that made it much better; I just loved that. Plus, he got my family singing along when it played. That's how talented and popular he is. And this is one of the best performances of the night (and that's saying so much).
Walk Off The Earth (you know the band with the video of all the members playing one guitar to that Gotye song? Yep, them) performed "Rule The World".
I loved the energetic and colorful vibe of the staging. All of the members clearly were having fun doing it, the song screams "catchy, dance-y and fun" and the colorful gases streamers were a nice touch.
The band did a fantastic job, and it had me even more pumped for the rest of the show, even if the next two acts are some I really don't know.
He performed "Stitches" and proves to be yet another good heartthrob the US won't see for a long time. It's a catchy love song, and I think he'll go far after the show.
I really didn't care for Waka; I don't think of him as anything worth noticing to me.
Nick Jonas had us locked in "Chains" with this performance of his hit single. I loved the setting here: Jonas in a closed box-like thing; it then opens wide and later spaces in half, revealing hot ladies dancing with him and it then becomes a TV screen of emotion. I loved this concept for how limited yet quick and easy it is, and how entertaining the outcome is.
I don't think the higher pitch in tone during the end of the chorus was necessary; the long note at the end was kinda annoying at first. And he has the talent to not do that. Really, screw that. The rest of the staging was great;
While looking at some comments of the embedded YouTube video contained above, it's revealed that Jonas was down with the flu at the time the show went on air. Shocked, I honestly didn't know about it, so I commend him for fighting through his illness and still having enough strength to make a great performance.
I like him for that, and I really liked that one.
Ed returned on stage (literally this time) to perform his monster smash (which has been on the Top 40 charts for an ENTIRE YEAR [damn, that's amazing]), "Thinking Out Loud". You know it's great.
Just hearing it live is just lovely, and hearing his voice singing live as it is in a recorded version is just one reason why he is one of the best recording artists of this decade (and possibly the past decade, too).
As with the past few years, the winners will walk away with this:
The Piece of Metal!...also known as the MMVA.
So let's see who will take the gold (or black) and put it on their trophy cases (or papers as a weight) this year!
WINNERS (in order shown during the broadcast):
Post-Production Video: Zeds Dead f. Twin Shadow & D'Angelo Lacy - "Lost You"
EDM/Dance Video: Grandtheft & Keys N Krates - "Keep It 100"
Best Director: Sam Pilling for The Weeknd - "Often"
Rock/Alternative Video: Arcade Fire - "We Exist"
Pop Video: The Weeknd - "Earned It"
Hip Hop Video: P Reign f. Drake & Future - "DnF"
International VotY - Artist AND Most Buzzworthy International Artist or Group: Ed Sheeran - "Thinking Out Loud"
Most Buzzworthy Canadian: The Weeknd - "Earned It"
Fan Fave Video: Shawn Mendes - "Something Big"
Fan Fave Artist or Group: Justin Bieber
Fan Fave International Artist or Group: One Direction
Video of the Year: The Weeknd - "Often"
Thoughts on Sheeran hosting:
Without a doubt, he was fantastic as host.
He knew what he was doing, he kept the crowd pumped, he cracked hilarious jokes
("This is my fourth time. They couldn't afford the Jenners, so they asked me to host for free."),
and being himself was the perfect reason for him to host. He was just off-the-wall stupendous. I think he may come back next year; if he does, GOOD. He's always perfect for the MMVAs, and the MMVAs are perfect for him.
And he performed twice, so this was a great night for him and us.
Random Thoughts:
--The show's graphics are supposed to resemble aquatic life. And I would've thought so, too...had I not thought it looked more like what goes on inside a man's penis and scrotum first. Dumb, creepy silly me. :P
--I honestly thought the producers gave the awards Sheeran and Weeknd won to them, because they'll give them out to anyone who came to the ceremony. But hey, at least they won anyway!
--Honestly one of the best moments of the show, was when P-Reign won the MMVA for Hip-Hop Video. The award was not presented when he came out on stage. But Drizzy did. Yep, Drake made another surprise appearance on the Parking Lot to formally present his lil bro with the award. That was a huge surprise and a great payout.
And I did say another because the former Jimmy Brooks also made an unscheduled appearance at the MMVA two years ago when he himself won the award. That time, Reign was in on the act. Dude knows how to enter.
--The many shots in the crowd during some of the performances gave some really nice reactions:
During The Weeknd's singing "Earned It", two female attendees sing along and pointed to each other when "Nobody but You" came.
--And another thing, the catwalk on the smaller left stage looks either like a dick or a tampon. And the right bigger one resembles a nutsack. Do the stage designers playing a prank on us? Do they know something we don't?
I enjoyed all the performances, the hosts were fantastic, the set is spectacular (understatement), and everything else that makes the MMVAs so great, and is appointment television for me every year. And the more I show my love for it, the less I'll talk about it in a review. One day, there won't be a review; just a series of tweets that'll make up my review. Oh well.
Well, thank you for joining me for this review of the 2015 Much Music Video Awards. And I'll see you next you next year for the review of the 2016 Much Music Video Awards. It just might be a series of tweets. Who knows?
Good night!
Saturday, June 20, 2015
Special Short/Long Song Review: Nobody Love, Uma Thurman & Want to Want Me (Much Music Video Awards 2015 Edition)
Hey, everybody! Welcome to a very special edition of Short Long Song Review.
This month I'm honoring one of the biggest award shows/free parties on Earth, the Much Music Video Awards. So I'm doing it in a big: I'm reviewing THREE songs! Wow.
Well, it's been a long time since I've done a three-song-review (Probably more than a year!) and I've slowed down since. But here's the time to return to this hard format. What better time to do that than by reviewing three songs by three artists performing at the 2015 MMVA? These three artists are from different genres and backgrounds and all of them are also worthy of the top ten of Hot 100, as the songs I'm reviewing are all big hits (two of them have been heating up the Hot 100, with one of them in the Top 5.) And they're all amazing (some more than others). All have great beats, some have great lyrics, and I consider one as one of the best songs of the year.
So let's check out these three singles:
"Nobody Love" by Tori Kelly, "Uma Thurman" by Fall Out Boy and "Want to Want Me" by Jason Derulo.
The first time I heard this first song a few months ago, I almost immediately fell in love with it. The beat was really great, the lyrics were mad cool, and Kelly's vocals were super amazing. It was one of the songs released this year that I love and that I loved to listen to every chance I get.
This song is about...well, let's check out the lyrics, to see what it's pertaining to. Because I was confused.
"Everybody's looking for that something (Okay, okay)
No one ever wants to pay the price (Okay, okay)
Everyone is scared of going nowhere (Okay, okay)
But we ain't going anywhere tonight (Okay, okay)"
Okay, this song is about the typical relationship dramas people go through in life.
They want to find a good significant other, but don't want the relationship to be a bad one or hit a dead end. And when some people are in love with someone, they try to put the abuse aside, because they want the ship to last. But in some cases (like here with the narrator) they relies it's not worth it to stay when it's a bad idea. But they reach an impasse because they enjoy the emotional turmoil they go through.
Wow. Four lines in, and I'm already loving this song.
"I should be more cynical and tell myself that's not okay
(To feel this good when I'm with you)
I try my best to fight it, say I hate you but I always stay"
In short, this is a better relationship song than half of Taylor Swift's catalogue. It actually packs a wallop of realism, emotion, and pain, while sounding like both a sweet, poppy love song and a breakup song. And I love every second of it!
Kelly's vocals are fantastic; they carry a sweet, yet bitchy tone to even more bitchier lyrics. They sound like ones you'd hear in those songs in the 90s, where the artist actually gives a performance worth a damn and puts in effort into the lyrics, since she did co-write the song.
As for the beat, it's following in the throwback boom of this decade.
I mean, it has to give off a vibe from somewhere, but I'm not sure which vibe is more dominant. It sounds like one from the 90s, 80s, or even further like the 70s and 60s (at least where the use of trumpets are concerned). But to make more sense, I'll say it has a 90s vibe of covering a 60s song beat. I hear trumpets, drums, guitars and even bells. But that's what I love about it.
And I don't mind this at all; in fact I quite enjoy this a lot other than the music running concurrently in radio.
So yeah, I love this song a lot. Cheers to Ms. Tori for scoring a hit on the charts.
I hope you have a huge successful career coming. You just may deserve it.
And now to our next artist, Fall Out Boy. This band has been performing for almost 15 years, and has been popular for making pop-punk and pop-rock hits out of . This time, they're become hit makers again after getting back together in 2012 and released two platinum albums and huge hit singles ever since.
"I can move mountains
I can work a miracle, work a miracle
Oh, oh, keep you like an oath
May nothing but death do us part"
This line is very catchy, and starts off the song on a very good note.
What makes this even better is the sample from an unexpected source. It's the theme from The Munsters, and it makes the song even better in my eyes. In fact, it's the best part.
"She wants to dance like Uma Thurman
Bury me till I confess
She wants to dance like Uma Thurman
And I can't get you out of my head"
Besides the amazing actress whom the track is named after, this line here is based off the Quentin Tarantino film she starred in, Pulp Fiction; more directly a scene in which her character Mia Wallace dances to an underwhelmed Vincent Vega, played by John Travolta. This song also includes awesome analogies (like "blood of the lamb" meaning "sweet innocent girl" and "smallest I can be" meaning "being open to the girl being dominant in the relationship") and references to other things, including the CK Eternity perfume and Thurman's other films with Tarantino, the Kill Bill movies.
I just love the references to her and the film the song gives off, even if it clashes with the Munster sample. But it's a good kind of clash. A good kind of clash you'd enjoy.
This is an awesome song. The beat is rockin' rad, the lyrics are short, but super sweet and the Munsters theme sample is the best of the bunch. I love this track and it's a perfect piece of this brand new renaissance for Fall Out Boy. Plus, this is now my all-time favorite song from them; just good Great job, guys!! Continue to impress us with your next releases.
And last but not least, it's...Jason Derulo.
This guy has not been a favorite of mine for the past few years. While his songs are catchy, they're also filled to the brim with stupid beats, arrogant vocals from Derulo himself, and some of the most asinine and reprehensible lyrics in a modern-day song (see "Trumpets", "In My Head", "We Don't Wanna Go Home" and especially "Wiggle" to prove my point).
(...I already have that feeling.)
"It's too hard to sleep
I got the sheets on the floor
Nothing on me
And I can't take it no more
It's a hundred degrees
I got one foot out the door
Where are my keys?
'Cause I gotta leave, yeah"
--Okay, is this song about forcefully shaking up with a girl, or the usual problems when sleeping without a fan or air conditioner in the summer?
"In the back of the cab
I tipped the driver ahead of time
Get me there fast
I got your body on my mind
I want it bad
Ooh, just the thought of you gets me so high, so high"
--For a song like this, I wouldn't imagine the lyrics to be this detailed. It's like reading into someone's diary.
Dear Diary
It was a very humid night in Miami. I couldn't sleep without the thought of banging this hot chick I met on the strip the other night. She had the tightest waist and nicest ass any man could gawk. I must get to her any way I can, to satisfy my appetite for rough, sweet monkey sex. And she's my antidote. Here I come, girl! You're my one forever...
Ugh. If a guy like him here is that desperate for a lasting relationship (aka nothing but boning until the neighbors come knockin'), then we've got a problem.
"Girl, you're the one I want to want me
And if you want me, girl, you got me
There's nothin' I, no, I wouldn't do, I wouldn't do
Just to get up next to you"
--Jason, what makes you think she's perfect for you? ...Oh yeah, sex. Lust is not dead.
I really like the beat. It's really nice, danceable and has that damn good feeling to enjoy. So much so, it feels like I can eat it. It's so sweet and savory, it's kinda like Twizzlers and Pringles. Which is funny because it's about popping a pussy, so it kinda fits.
On the other hand...this song is about finding a girl and forcing her into some relationship. There's no way to spin that. ^ Oh wait, there is.
Well, that's it here. These three song are great in places and are perfect to chart on the Charts. And these artists are great to listen to and watch. And speaking of watch, they'll all be performing at the 2015 Much Music Video Awards, this Sunday at 9pm. It'll air on Much (along with other Bell Media networks) in Canada, and on Much.com/MMVA for viewers outside of the Great White North, where I'll be watching. I hope you guys will too. The MMVA are one of the best and most well-produced awards shows in the world, and I love watching it every year. So check it out; it's awesome!
Thanks for joining me for another S/LSR, and I'll see you late for another edition. Until then...
Get ready to get in full swing.
EDREWtorial: Dylann Roof: Racist Madman (#CharlestonShooting)
By now, you have heard of the Shootings at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina. Dylann Roof entered the church around 9pm during a Bible Study, and shot 9 victims to death before running out, and went on the run of the state.
This is a disgusting horrible crime. Whether they were Black, White, or whatever other race, there was a reason Roof shot and killed these honest-to-goodness, kind people. In the house of God, no less.
A state senator is among the dead tonight. This is a terrorist act, a hate crime AND an assassination. #CharlestonShooting
— #JeSuisCharleston (@Joe_Schmucc) June 18, 2015And the horrible, telling thing is that this guy Roof isn't a foreigner. He's white and from this country. Plus, he has a way of life that involves terrorism, segregation and pure hate.
There are pictures online that feature him burning down the American flag, holding a gun to the camera, holding a Confederate flag, and wearing a jacket emblazoned with the flag of Apartheid-era South Africa and racist . I don't know if they were released online years ago, but if they did, that would've been a big fucking red flag to anyone around him, especially the one with the burnt American flag.
And he wasn't mentally ill; it's clear something was going on but not even mentally-ill people would think of what he's thinking at the time. He wanted to separate the blacks from whites, and begin a new era of segregation.
And that's anpther fucked-up thing. People are willing to defend him. They have the immediate thought to believe he has a mental illness or had a tough childhood, or was horribly ostracized by other people. No, it's clear that it's not any of those things. If he was Black or Latino, everyone would immediately be willing to label him as a criminal or thug or a bastard, police will shut the city down, and everyone will want his head on a stake the second he's caught.
But since it's been revealed the dude is white, everyone has been quiet and they had second thoughts about him. It's not the first time it's happened; it's been that way for years.
He wanted to create new segregation because he feels disgusted that Blacks have succeeded in America and society. He feels he needs to do something about it. And what he did would've been the start had he not been caught.
"You rape our women and you're taking over our country and you have to go" #CharlestonShooting
http://t.co/fyG6p4mFp6 pic.twitter.com/YHapnwS6DJ
— Adam Harris (@AdamHSays) June 18, 2015He said this to the victims,
"You rape our women, and you take over our country. And you have to go."
That says a lot by itself, but all else he did made everything worse.
This is a manifesto he wrote before the shooting occurred.
"Niggers are stupid and violent"
A fucked-up statement if I've ever heard one.
And the saddest thing about it is this: he almost didn't go through with it. Seriously, this really happened; he After hearing the words of minister, and seeing how humble and hospitable the congregation were, Roof almost didn't go through with it.
This shouldn't have happened at all.
He just killed more people than the Boston Bombers.
He's still at large.
#Charleston ISN'T on lockdown.
Let that sink in.
#AMEShooting
— Elsa Waithe (@elsajustelsa) June 18, 2015And another thing, he originally planned to shoot up a college. As devastating as the attack at Emanuel AME was, imagine what would happen if he went to an HBCU. That would even more devastating.
I feel like I want to buy a Confederate flag, just so I can piss on, shit on, scuff dirt over and set fire to it. And I would record it on video, and release it online for all to see. (And I don't care if I embarrass myself)
This is how angry, disgusted and ashamed I am for all humanity and for the Southern way of life. This damning example of segregation should cease to exist and never find itself a part of the public conscience outside of American History and African American History school textbooks and museums.
Dylann Roof is a warped, twisted, disgusting individual, and his hate crime is one of the lowest things anyone in America has ever committed in the modern-day era.
Thank God, the bastard was captured. Please, FBI, don't kill him. Make the bitch suffer. #CharlestonShooting
— #MMVAReview--Tuesday (@MaroonMondays) June 18, 2015Here's a quote from Lil Wayne to show how I feel about this Coconut-headed fucker and the intentions for his crime:
"Black and white diamonds/FUCK SEGREGATION"
Seriously, fuck this guy; I hope he get raped in jail, and I hope he rots in Hell.
This massacre is utterly disgusting. My condolences & prayers to the victims' families and everyone BUT the shooter #CharlestonShooting
— #MMVAReview--Tuesday (@MaroonMondays) June 18, 2015Friday, June 19, 2015
#AGTXReview: Auditions--Ep. 4--To The EXTREME!!!!
Another week, another group of auditions that wowed the hell out of me.
So let's see which acts will be another of my pseudo-favorites come time for the Vegas Round.
The first act this week is a dance squad from LA aptly-named...The Squad.
(I am a sucker for dance troupes, those who bring it and surprise us all with their tricks and surprises that amaze me.)
These guys were not an exception: their delayed/chain-reaction/synchronized (at different times) moves surprised AND wowed me and apparently the judges, too. Just look at Howie clean-shaven face.
These guys are another act I really enjoyed a lot. I’m so glad they’ll move on to Vegas.
Also, one of the members has a nice-as-hell ponytail of light purple and silver hair. Whoever put that together did their damn thing!
22-year-old Daniella Mass, originally from Colombia, now working in the United States as an employee at her friend’s furniture store. Her act is singing Opera, specifically Andrea Bocelli’s classic “Con te Partiro”.
Right out of the park, she blew me away with her very lovely voice and her very sexy Italian accent. Hearing her was like a light looking into Heaven. Who knew a voice like this came out a lovely shrinking violet of a woman, that it’s so mind-blowing. Great job for her, and I can’t wait to see more of her in Vegas and, hopefully, the Live Shows.
Since after this act, and other acts that I'll mention below, we go to the bread and butter, the acts that everyone wanted to see, the acts NBC advertised over and over, with some intended editing to make it look like one of them didn't survive. These are the EXTREME! acts.
And now for the meat of the episode, here's the EXTREME! acts.
These acts are more rugged, crazy and dangerous than most other acts. So for them to perform their auditions, they have to go outside of the arena to do so.
First off, it’s a freestyle motocross group by the name of Metal Mulisha Fitz’s Army.
They basically fly their bikes in their air, and showboat. Four of their friends died doing this, so this could be a death wish for them. But boy, did they make my mouth drop.
While in the air, they made these super-awesome tricks and handstands and whatnots. They clearly practiced this and it paid off. Anyone could’ve died from this, like their four friends have. And none of them sustained even a scratch. That was heart-stopping good, and I would definitely pay to see this. These guys did a great job, and I must see them again.
Just like I’d want to see Damone Rippy from Austin. HE'S 16! (that’s the reaction from female audience members...for some reason.) His skill is flyboarding, which involves a mechanism on his feet that makes him fly above the water like Iron Man. That’s cool, but his skills while doing so is even more cool. The spins, flips, hits into and out of the water and whatnot, is awesome. This 16-year-old boy is amazingly talented.
Next up is Cliff Ryder (even his name is perfect for a daredevil) from Malibu, CA. He’s a base jumper, and he’s lost friends whom have done this for the first time, so this is nuts.
He’s going to be jumping out of a helicopter from 3,000 feet of the ground and falls at 120 MPH. Which he does. Amazingly
While it was great to watch, I don’t think this will be an act I would see over and over again. A guy jumping from the top of a building, and then another building, and then a higher building before reaching smaller and smaller targets isn’t one that can sit well for me. Not because it’s not exciting; because of how it plays out. You know he’s going to jump, you know he’s crazy, you know he’s gonna pull the cord close to the ground. And I don't want to see a man die on Live TV. But the excitement factor is gonna keep me interested and hopefully he changes it up every time. Good luck to him.
And lastly is web developer Wally Glen.
It’s just a man in a bodysuit wrapped in fireworks, setting himself on fire. I only see “one-time-only” appeal in that.
I do have one thought for all of these, though:
How can they continue doing these acts during Vegas Weeks and the Live Shows? They can’t fit water into or have enough room for their motorbikes inside Radio City Music Hall. Also, there’s no way they can’t change up their acts every week. Plus I’ve seen acts like this do their thing, and then not reach the Live Shows before. So I don’t think I’ll see these guys in New York come next month and August.
Anyway, these guys were awesome in their auditions and their acts get the job done individually. I enjoyed all of their auditions and will seeing a higher of excitement coming soon.
Acts I Won’t See After Vegas:
--At the beginning of the 120 minutes, after The Squad, there was a hot hula dancer named Marawa. Her talent is awesome. Watching her twirl that many hoops was amazing and hot. But even hotter (literally AND figuratively) was her twirling a hoop lit on fire...high above the floor.
As much as I enjoyed that (and would pay to see this), I don’t think she would make it past Vegas. Unless she would switch it up every week, I feel her act would get staler and staler as her stay keeps going.
--Aiden Sinclair, from Cheyenne, WY, is a former con man who changed his life after he found love and friends, and decided to give himself up for the better. During his time in jail, he found a magic book, and hasn’t stopped reading and tricking since. During his act he wowed the judges and the crowd with a card trip, involving one card turned and a call to Howard’s mother, who chose the 10 of Hearts. And wouldn’t you know it, the card was the 10 of Hearts.
While his audition was really amazing, and his life story was inspiring (Everyone makes mistakes and can get a second chance), I don’t feel his act are very impressive. I could be wrong, and if I am, I would happily eat crow (not literally, though).
--Hanako Matsuyama is an IT Engineer, who has lived in America for two years, and decided to dedicate her audition to her new home country. While that’s beautiful, her act of bale
I don’t blame the ladies for their pressing their buzzers, as “un-American” as it was.
I will say this: I can’t do what she’s doing, as she does this for years; but either her ballet or singing isn’t going to be an exciting act is she does go forward, which won’t happen.
In the end, this was a really good episode:
The hype was worth it for this episode and the acts featured here was awesome to watch and would be even more awesome to see again. The inside acts were just as great. I can’t wait to see more next week and I hope you will join me then.
Goodnight!
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