archives
A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
VAMPIRE WEEKEND
CONTRA [XL RECORDINGS]

On paper, there’s nothing likable about Vampire Weekend, a band made up of Columbia University students who describe their sound as “Upper West Side Soweto,” a reference to their blend of preppy indie rock and Afrobeat. But somewhere in their xylophone and harpsichord racket and seeming worship of Paul Simon’s Graceland, there is an odd earnestness that works. Rhythms are what drive this band, and they vary from Brazilian funk to wild dancehall. “Holiday” races around offbeat ska that breaks into keyboard flurry, while opener “Horchata,” an ode to the Mexican beverage, is built around tribal drumming and African chanting. All the while, singer Ezra Koenig weaves his boyish voice through the rhythm. Make it your next guilty pleasure.

VINNIE JONES

VINNIE JONES IS A PSYCHO. It’s the nickname he earned himself as a pro soccer player, and if you had to pick just one word to describe the roles he’s pursued in his second career as a Hollywood bad-ass, “psycho” would fit the bill quite snugly. The 43-year-old British expat first came to notoriety in the ’80s. Though his skill and heart on the soccer field were undeniable, it was his brutality that made him stand out. Headbutts and career-ending tackles aside, it was one very legendary act of viciousness that catapulted his name to the top of the sports page. During one match, Jones “distracted” an opposing player by ...

READ MORE »

VIVICA A. FOX

INKED: How does your new VH1 show Glam God with Vivica A. Fox work? FOX: We moved 15 stylists into a home. They are from the different worlds of fashion, from hair to makeup to wardrobe. We divided them into teams and put them through tests of styling for either a photo shoot, red carpet for MTV, red carpet for the Oscars, and other events. We were looking for that gem of a stylist to give them the opportunity of a lifetime. I’m one of the judges and I’m also the host. Let us guess: there’s drama. Oh yeah. There are some personalities that just—whoa! You had to go, okay ...

READ MORE »