Gwyneth Paltrow Belts It Out In 'Country Strong'

'The Oscar winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow turns into a country music beauty in her just released video for "Country Strong," a soundtrack for the upcoming movie of the same title. For her new movie, the actress is playing an emotionally unstable and alcoholic country star as she is taken out of rehab by her manager husband (Tim McGraw) and kicks off a career resurrection tour. To study for the role, she spent four months getting to know the country scene in Nashville, Tennessee. Paltrow also had to learn how to play the guitar from scratch. "I mean, it's embarrassing to be playing in front of your husband," she says, "especially when he's in one of the world's most successful bands."
Proving that she's more than just an amazing actress, Paltrow shows her vocal chops in her new single "Country Strong." While many actors and actress may seem out of place when it comes to signing for a role, this isn't Paltrow's first time at this type of gig. The actress was also part of the movie "Duets," which, although the movie flopped, did show that the actress had some singing talent. The previous experience of singing on screen mixed with tips from her Coldplay leading husband, Chris Martin. She credits her husband for helping her prepare for the role. "He was so helpful, so sweet, and encouraging."
It's one of those music videos that are thoroughly padded out with footage from the movie trailer, Paltrow turns up in several shots, and straps on a guitar and shows off her musical side in the video for "Country Strong," which is shown the 38-year-old actress' native stomping grounds, she slips right into the country vibe, jamming with her ready-for-CMT backing band in a minimal warehouse setting, while pieces from the movie are sprinkled in the gaps. Paltrow sounds good as a country singer, even if her voice isn't strong enough to power through the entire track on the chorus, a male vocalist backs her for some added strength. Still, this shows that if the whole acting thing ever goes South, she's got a shot a music stardom. The performance just proves that Paltrow's definitely got what it takes if she ever decides she wants to hang out more with the nice folks of Nashville.
It has been more than a decade since Paltrow won her Oscar nod for her tun in "Shakespeare in Love." Will she finally get another with "Country Song," after all Reese Witherspoon sang-and-danced her win as June Carter Cash in "Walk The Line?" "Country Song" offers more opportunities for Paltrow to showcase her acting ability and musical ability, which she will also show in her guesting spot in "Glees Season 2" as compared to the "Iron Man" franchise where she previously appeared. The theme songs "Country Strong" compilation is due to arrive in the U.S. market on October 26 with Leighton Meester, Garrett Hedlund, Trace Adkins and Faith Hill on the list. The movie itself will be out in limited release on December 22, before going nationwide on January 7. The song itself is currently on the radio.

Rihanna Seems The "Only Girl (In the World)"

After going deep and dark on her last album, Rihanna has ditched her edgy "Rated R" tunes for a more whimsical and upbeat dance floor approach with her new very reddish, flowery video for "Only Girl (In the World)," the lead single from her fifth upcoming studio album "Loud," which hit stores worldwide on November 16. "Only Girl (In the World)" aims squarely for dancefloor domination, as the pop star pours her heart out to one man over a full-throttle. On the high-energy track, Rihanna yearns for her lover to keep her at the center of his attention over a pulsing electro beat. The singer's voice remains silky on the verses, then bursts out on the song's monstrous chorus.
Rihanna wants her man to make her feel like she's the "Only Girl (In the World)," which is a up-tempo dominant dance-pop song that incorporates elements of Eurodance-pop in its production and beats. Incorporating strobing, dance club beats in the chorus, Rihanna pleads for her lover to give her all the attention. The song presents Rihanna at her most confident, demanding undivided attention from her lover over impeccably calculated synths and bass. The song is another collaboration with Norwegian hitmaking duo, Stargate, the Grammy-winning Norwegian producing team and when it reached No.3 on the Hot 100 two weeks ago, Rihanna officially raised her sum of top 10 hits to 16, the sixth-best total among women in the chart's 52-year history. Not a bad kickoff for an album clearly meant to mark a new chapter in Rihanna's life and career.
The video was directed Anthony Mandler who is mainly known for dark and Gothic inspired videos. In the beautifully-shot video, Rihanna's fiery red hair burns through each glamorous scene. She looks radiant and happy dancing and singing in the beautiful hills by herself. "It's really, really beautifully shot in these crazy, crazy, crazy places. We shot landscapes that we found a couple hours outside of L.A. It looks so unreal. It looks fake, like something out of a postcard with the beautiful hills... We had a lot of sunshine those couple of days, so it really worked with the whole essence of the video. But really, the video just shows this big landscape and the only person there is me," the pop queen said about video.
Rihanna is on a journey. From her Caribbean roots to the top of the charts, the runways of Paris and Milan and some of the biggest stages in the world, the 22-year-old, Barbados-born beauty has already earned the coveted title of international superstar. The song best represents the title of her upcoming album, and provides a nice contrast to her previous effort, the downbeat, emotional "Rated R." With its club ready bassline and Euro-pop influences, not to mention one heck of an epic chorus, the track is a surefire hit. "Want you to make me feel, like I'm the only girl in the world," she sings. "Like I'm the only one that you'll ever love, like I'm the only one who knows your heart."

Live Hart Premiered "Please Don't Say It's Over"

Live Hart has just premiered her highly anticipated music video for latest single "Please Don't Say It's Over." The video for song illustrates Hart's creative side with a mix of colorful animation. Directed by Adam Gambrel for Blulite Productions and shot in Winter Garden, Florida, the video represents a true indie artist at their best. "Working with BluLite Productions has truly been a blessing. Their professionalism and organization kept me at ease during the entire process. Adam created a video treatment that truly embodies the message of the song and its simplicity. BluLite Productions is the best!" says Hart.
"Live" is defined as "exciting; something very enjoyable, a word used to express how good something is or something happening that's got a vibe!" "Live" is Live Hart and her music. This aspiring singer/songwriter knew at a very early age that the creative urges inside had to emerge and be heard. Hart writes from personal experiences that are common and complex, free-flowing and thought-provoking. "Please Don't Say It's Over," the first single off her upcoming release, touches on Hart's journey back to love from a remorseful past and showcases her unique writing style.
Hart has opened for R&B superstar Monica & legendary smooth Jazz/R&B songstress Miki Howard. She has also showcased at this year's Florida Music Festival. Hart has worked with and has written songs for many other artists. Her most recent rendering, "The Rain," was recorded by newcomer Rachel Black. She has also been creatively linked to super soul/funk singer Honey Larochelle and good friend, Shaun Fisher on several writing and recording projects. Hart has already been recognized for some of the songs that are to appear on her upcoming album, she also received a 2008/2009 Effigy Award Nomination for "Best Song in Style R&B" for "Please Don't Say It's Over." From the first cut on the album to the last - Real Music lives inside Hart.
On "Please Don't Say It's Over," Hart's gentle voice glides over the delicate stitch work of acoustic strings and a pensive piano line. One of the hallmarks of Hart's songcraft is the layers of background vocals present in every track. You'll hear their dulcet refrains on the watery "What Is Love," and "This Is Me," a limpid R&B ballad. Lyrically, the song veers towards trite, but it's hard to get critical when you're being lulled by a gossamer slow jam. So don't be surprised if one day in the not-too-distant future you hear her on the radio. Here's what to listen for: soft, pliable vocals spread over breezy, acoustic R&B. Through her live performances, heart-felt lyrics and her love for man-kind, Hart continues to connect with fans through her music; creating a more deeper and soulful connection every time they meet.

JLS Get Slushy On Their "Love You More" Video

British boyband JLS jointly premièred their latest charity single "Love You More" and its accompanying video. The ballad, which has been unveiled as the 2010 Children In Need charity release, is set to hit stores on November 14, and is currently breaking hearts all over YouTube. It also serves as the second cut taken from their upcoming sophomore album "Outta This World," due later this year. JB said: "Obviously we're very proud of this album. Take That are definitely some of our idols and we're very proud to be associated with them."
So they didn't win X Factor. But they are topping charts and gaining fame like you wouldn't believe. The group seem to reinvent themselves with every single. And now heart throb boy band JLS have unveiled their next single. "Love You More" is actually a nice change from the likes of the band's recent tracks which include "Everybody In Love, Beat Again and The Club Is Alive." "Love You More" stands as their first ballad single. And quite lovely and traditional it is too. It's for children in need and demonstrates some luscious layered harmonies, as well as the dreamiest, most romantic we've heard for a while. Even more of a change is that it's the band's first self written track! Well done boys!
Their latest offering, "Love You More," is not only a sure-fire hit, but also the official charity single for the BBC's Children in Need Appeal for this year and it's an "It's an honor for us to be part of such a fantastic charity" Marvin Humes says. Proceeds from the track will go to Children In Need and will help change the lives of some of the most disadvantaged children in the world. Money raised from the single will go towards helping kids around the country. The song comes with a suitably 'mature' black and white video, it was clever cause it highlights the song's spirit.
After the fun but gimmicky "Club Is Alive," JLS are moving in an entirely different direction on slushy new ballad "Love You More," as a soulful ballad which sees the boys demonstrating their smooth R&B vocals with tender, heartfelt lyrics. It sounds like Westlife, basically. JLS have gone all Backstreet Boys in their new video "Love you More." JLS mope around in a bar looking lovelorn in the brand new video for "Love You More." The boy band look sad as they sit down in a bar wailing that they want to love the object of their affections just a 'little bit more.' The video a bit of a cliched black and white effort, but the song holds up fine. They're finally doing a power ballad type, which seems the most logical step in their career.

Sheryl Crow Premiered "Sign Your Name" Video

As summer winds to a close Sheryl Crow follows up "Summer Day" with a new beautiful performance-based video for to her new single "Sign Your Name," one of the covers on her latest seventh album "100 Miles From Memphis," out now on A&M. This one was unexpected as it an ode to the Terence Trent D'Arby's 1987 classic, and features the Memphis-born and raised Justin Timberlake on background vocals. It's one of my favorites of the era, and one of those songs that sounds just as great today as the year it came out. The groove is lethargic, and the soulful, sexy vibe that Terence exudes in the original is gone.
That's the newsy part of the post over and done with. This great chill-out track is going to divide opinion. On one hand, "Sign Your Name" is reminiscent of her Tuesday Night Music Club sound - a group of talented musicians making really high quality music, fronted by Crow's easy, laid-back vocal. On the other hand, the vibe's so laid back, it's almost horizontal. "Sign Your Name" was being recast in the style of Al Green, right down to the distinctive thud of the Hi Records drums. "He's hysterical and super-smart, and he knows a lot about a lot of different kinds of music," The Memphis native says. "I'm totally impressed in every way."
The beautifully-shot performance video for the single is the second video from Crow's soul-inspired album, and was directed by frequent collaborator Wayne Isham and helps capture the soulful, vintage essence of the song. It performance all the way, with Crow crooning her way through the track surrounded by a moody-looking band. Crow looks seductive and glamorous.
For Crow, the title of her seventh album isn't just a location; it's a state of mind. "I grew up in a small town 100 miles from Memphis, and that informed not only my musical taste, but how I look at life," she says. "The drive to Memphis is all farmland, and everyone is community-oriented, God-fearing people, connected to the earth. The music that came out of that part of the world is a part of who I am, and it's the biggest inspiration for what I do and why I do it." On album "100 Miles from Memphis," Crow puts aside her country and pop-rock past in favor of a vintage Memphis-styled, soul-inspired record. So for the Kennett, Missouri native, calling the disc "100 Miles From Memphis" is a statement of purpose, both musical and emotional. It took a lot of years, but with this set of songs, she finally made it back home. It also marks a long-awaited return by the nine-time Grammy winner to the sounds that first drew her to making music.

Linkin Park Released "Waiting for the End" Video

Linkin Park debuted the video for the second single, "Waiting for the End," from their latest No.1 album, "A Thousand Suns." Almost like peering through a telescope at the stars, the band appears in the clip as starry, living constellations. Each member's stars light up and twitch as they perform the reflective rock cut. Deers, rabbits, and dinosaur heads morph into each other throughout as well. It's an abstract video.
"Waiting for the End" is mostly about that last idea: human beings becoming machines, and the struggle to keep living in spite of it. In a way, it's the central dilemma of our times: How do we continue to be human in an increasingly information-driven age. "Waiting for the End" will satisfy your jones for the perfect rap-rock fusion and is one of our favorite songs of the year. The song is erected on a thunderous beat and boasts pretty, mellow and ultimately chill vocals. The song is one part soaring, big-boned ballad, one part rattling, slightly Ragga dancehall toast, and zero parts anything Linkin Park have previously attempted.
The video was directed by Joe Hahn, one of the members of the band, who has worked on some of the band's previous videos. In the clip, the band's members are featured in a dark-room setting, with their images framed their whole body by interlocking grids. According to Hahn "The clip is an experiment in making the most digital version of ourselves in the spirit of the visual palette of 'A Thousand Suns.' If you have been following our visuals throughout this album, this is the next step in our journey. I wanted to push ourselves so far down the digital path that it eventually felt spiritual. As we live our lives in the digital noise of today, we can find our center of humanity in the midst of the chaos."
"A Thousand Suns" is the uneasy coexistence between man and machine. where one begins, the other ends and the two intersect. Linkin Park essentially achieve the impossible with "A Thousand Suns," which is to meld urban rhythmic thrust with rock 'n' roll intensity and aggression. without sacrificing either genre's hard-fought integrity. It's another beautifully bipolar exercise in mood and tempo dynamics, so strap yourself in and let Linkin Park take you for a ride. You'll be bobbing your head and flailing your fists in the space of the four minutes.

Miley Cyrus Hits the Club In 'Who Owns My Heart'

Having already declared that she can't be tamed, Miley Cyrus now wants to find out "Who Owns My Heart." In a new music video, the 17-year-old pop star continues her transition from clean-cut Disney star to her racy and provocative teenage pop sensation. The sound of music spinning on the dance floor wakes Cyrus up, dragging her to get dressed up and join the crowd. "Who owns my heart?" she asks in the chorus. "Is it love or it is art?" There's no doubt she's recently taken her music to a whole new level, and Cyrus's latest single "Who Owns My Heart" proves it.
Littered with strobing rave beats and sultry, synthesized vocals, "Who Owns My Heart," the synth-heavy number about love on the dance floor is the second European single from her third dance-laden album, "Can't Be Tamed," which is all about girls empowering themselves. It follows in the same footsteps of the title track's video released earlier this year: dark lights, lots of bare Cyrus parts and writhing around on flat surfaces. Cyrus told MTV that the song is "just about freeing yourself from anything you think is holding you back. And I think that's really important, especially for girls, because so many people are told, 'No, you can't do something,' or, 'You need to be this because Mom and Dad say that, teachers say this.'" The club-ready dance tune explores Cyrus's confusion over "who owns her heart," and she clearly isn't holding back her sexy image despite the criticism she's received in the past.
Cyrus is turning up the heat again and proved in her new video that she's not about tame her provocative image, despite only being 17. The pop princess' evolution into a pop-dance diva continues with her dancey, vampy new video for "Who Owns My Heart," which was filmed on August 7 in Detroit, and was directed by Robert Hales, who also helmed the clip for "Can't Be Tamed," again helps lead the pop princess down the road, away from Hannah Montana, and toward something much more. Cyrus is still determined to prove herself as a teenage rebel in her new video, which starts with Cyrus crawling out of bed to get ready for a night out. Cyrus stares at the camera like a panther on the prowl, squirms around in a sequined halter top, looking for her next fleshy feast on the dark dance floor. The bathroom scene is sure to cause flashbacks to Amy Winehouse's "Rehab" video with Cyrus' rollers, hair net, and white wife-beater tank. At the party, when she's not chilling out in the mansion's study, or writhing on a big, wooden table, she's on the dance floor grinding up against others. The video concludes with Cyrus waking up on the same bed as in the video's intro, as if the entire thing was dream. Turns out 17 year olds weren't out all night feeling each other up at the club -- Cyrus just imagined it. "Who Owns My Heart" appears to be her coming of age video. We get it she is getting older and trying to shed the Disney "I am a little girl" image. Anywho, this new song is sure to get all of the Cyrus maniacs moving.