North Korea is in the news again, and thankfully its not for blowing up the world..yet.
State media of the country has released the first official photo of Kim Jong Un, or known as the son of Kim Jong Il and apparent heir. My first reaction to the possible leader of the communist country is much like everyone else's- "This guy?!"
I'm not really too happy with Kim Jong Il's decision to be honest. I was hoping for someone a bit more threatning. A chubby 20 year old kid is not really a formindable bad guy. If I was him I would have choosen someone to with horns and could bench 250 lbs. All this kid looks like he can do is finish a gallon tub of ice cream.
At least Kim Jong Il is interesting. He likes Elizabeth Taylor, prostitutes and has the media report he can change the weather based on his moods. Honestly, he may be a fascist dictator, but thats awesome!!!
Media Meditation #1 Miley Cyrus Can't Be Tamed Album Review
After the success of her debut album Breakout, a hit movie, a soldout concert tour it looked as if Miley Cyrus was invincible. Imagine the shockwaves felt across the planet, and possibly the entire universe when Billboard released a new chart ranking the top 21 musicians under 21 and Miley didn't top the list. Gasp!
Topping the list was Taylor Swift whose popularity among insecure 14 year old girls is on the rise(marketers and music executives take note). Justin Bieber came in second and Selena Gomez, another up and coming Disney pop merchandising machine rounds out the top three. Where then is Miley? Believe it or not she was all the way at #10 on the list. And we call ourselves patriots...
Truth be told, the reason why Miley has slipped in popularity might have something to do with her recent behavior.Cyrus caused some controversy ealier this year by moving to a more risque wardrobe and rebellious nature. The young singer will point out that she is just growing up and becoming more mature- which of course equates to wearing shorter skirts and overtly sexual dancing. Not like any teenage girl has ever done that before.
She attempts to make a statement of artistic expression and adresses her critics with her third album Can't Be Tamed.
The first single off the record debuted on MTV with a live broadcast of the music video. The more "mature" side of Miley immediately drew backlash. She then went on a media blitz to promote the album appearing on Britians Got Talent, the Today show, and even David Letterman.
Here she is performing the title track of her new album on Dancing With The Stars
During an interview she talks about how inspired she was during the production of this album. If I were her I wouldn't say that publicly again. It's not that she doesn't sing with heart, because you can see that she did at least try to make a good record. The intense imagery of her lyrics are on full display here, especially on such deeply resonating tracks as "Permament December":
Won't ever let you go, won't let you go no won't let you go, go, go won't let you go no, go, go, go, no, no, no won't let you go, go, go, won't let you go go, go, go, no, no, no -actual lyrics. Kid you not.
On top of that it took not only Miley, but two other professional music producers to create that song. For the sake of public humilation and shame the names of the other writers are John Shanks and Claude Kelly.
The themes of the album are stunning and sweeping. In the second track "Who Owns My Heart" she asks the big questions, and sings about having to choose between romance and her art. She even does a cover of the Poison song "Every Rose Has Its Thorn", which I'm going to hold personally responsible for Brett Michaels recent brain hemmorage.
In her song "Robot" she proclaims, "I'm not a robot, I'm me". Absolutely marvelous. The heavy level of sophistication and insight that statement packs, coupled with some severe existential angst Miley Cyrus makes Albert Camus look like a real housewife from New Jersey.
In the liner notes of the album she says that " the thing I am most grateful for is the love I have been given by Almighty God." And we all know its because God loves his teenage girl pop music.
Track List:
Liberty Walk
Who Owns My Heart
Can't Be Tamed
Every Rose Has It's Thorn
Two More Lonely People
Forgiveness And Love
Permanent December
Stay
Scars
Take Me Along
Robot
My Heart Beats For Love
The deluxe edition of the CD comes with a concert DVD from one of her more recent performances in London at the famed O2 venue. The album is produced by Rock Mafia and Miley's mother Tish serves as an executive producer.
Hello. My name is Jake Murray. This is my blog. What up world.
To start things off this is a video of me from YouTube. It makes the parents proud.
This blog is about Mass Communications and my life. It should get pretty interesting.
I graduated from Watertown High School in Watertown Massachusetts in 2009. The slogan for my graduating class was "Destined for greatness made to shine class of 2009". I think the video above shows how much greatness I'm destined for.
A media experience that I thought was interesting was when LeBron James finally announced he was going to play for Miami Heat and not stay in Cleveland. I thought the whole thing- the hype, media coverage, the actual interview was ridiculous. I was a little taken back at the whole thing and showed some of the downsides of celebrity journalism and sensationalism. I mean I don't care that much about basketball, I'm an avid hockey fan.
I do like some things about this new Media Age. I think it can do some amazing things, bring people and ideas together, as well as allow great things like this blog to exist. I just don't like how people use it to dumb people down with sitcoms and game shows and not use it to elevate society. But hey, that's what governments are for.
I'm a communications major and I don't know what exactly I'm going to do with that. My only life goal is to marry Miley Cyrus. That's it.
Oh here is a FUN FACT- Eliza Dushku also graduated from Watertown High School. For those people who don't know, she is an actress who starred in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the spinoff Angel. She was also #6 on Maxim Hot 100 in 2009. She's hot. I saw her once at a Thanksgiving Day high school football game. It was sweeeet.
Meditation #2 Kim Jong Un- on the far left.
