Who says the apex of music-video craft was reached in the ’80s? (At least back when MTV had said videos in heavy rotation.) Meet Kerli, an Estonian pop princess with an apparent penchant for Tim Burton and the Brothers Grimm. Her sexy-demented Goth aesthetic is oddly beguiling, and there’s something about the video for her single "Walking on Air" (watch it below) that’s undeniably engaging. Bonus points for the Björk-like notes "mini Kerli" belts out when she comes to life. Maybe it’s just me, but I immediately thought of the fantasy-scape in Heart’s "These Dreams" video — a serious point of obsession for me in junior high. I wonder if Kerli’s gravity-defying tutu will age as poorly as Ann and Nancy’s Wilson’s vamp-y power suits?
Your turn! Which pop-cultural escapes are on your Must List this week? List up to three of your current faves in movies/TV/music/books/games/online. Please include your e-mail address, in case we choose your submission for the magazine. Deadline is Thursday, August 28, at 10 a.m. ET.
The Airborne Toxic Event – this band is great and the first album came out just a few weeks ago so not many people know about them.
America’s Toughest Jobs
Mia Tyler’s new book
1. Matthew Mitcham~ Incredible dive and way to be yourself great example for a young century!
2. The Olympic VISA Commercials…
3. Shawn Johnson~Oh that smile. . .is golden!
Katrina documentary “Trouble the Water”
1. Dr. Horrible leaving me a Birthday Comment on MySpace.
2. Big Brother After Dark on Showtime 2 — Nothing better than watching the “uncut, uncensored” look into BB. And the awesome fights…LIVE!
3. The Gaslight Anthem’s “Film Noir” — A bluesy, rockin’ tune that’d be just great on that last long drive of the summer…
Jay Brannan’s “Goddamned”: The talanted and endowed Jay Brannan (Ceth from “Shortbus”) has produced a folk album of rich and funny melodies.
“Action Comics”: Geoff Johns’ dark take on Brainiac could be exactly what Warner Bros. should do if they want to darken Superman’s next movie.
Brad Meltzer’s “Book of Secrets”: a dark story about the creator of the Man of Steel that ties into the myth of Cain and Abel? Yes, please.
Season 1 episodes of Beverly Hills, 90210 being rerun on Soapnet. I was too young to appreciate the show when it first aired, but 18 years later (oh 1990′s hair and clothes!) it’s fantastic.
The Middleman – This show is highly addictive, smart, hillarious and…probably on the verge of cancellation. Watch people!
Eureka
pandora.com – A Music Lover’s dream radio station! I no longer have to put up with commercials and bad music in between all of the good songs.
Greek – Yay! It’s back!
The most amazing and catchy songs at the moment!
1) Just Dance, Lady Gaga (with the recent album release in Canada, Her Diskotech Stick is on Fire)!
2) Crush, David Archuleta (“But I know this crush ain’t goin’ away-ay-ay-ay-ayy”).
3)Hot N Cold, Katy Perry (Summer is on its way in whenever I listen to this catchy pop song with lyrics that make the season last forever)!
Peggy Olson on “Mad Men.” She may not be the flashiest or sexiest character on the show, but she embodies the changing times the show is set in making her the most intriguing.
Does loving my DVR count as a pop-culture obsession? I am married to the thing–it allowed me to zip through all the Olympics I wasn’t interested in and get to the medal finals that I was.