Review: Girls Aloud, Out of Control Live

In 2008, British supergroup Girls Aloud released their smash single “The Promise” to rave reviews. Their fifth studio album Out of Control followed a month later. The record went to number one on the UK Albums Chart, becoming a first for the Girls. In the spring of the following year, Girls Aloud embarked on a tour that the Daily Mirror would call “their raunchiest ever.”

There’s no denying that the Out of Control Tour had its share of sexual overtones. The costuming is racy and the dance moves are seductive. The show begins with the Girls draped in fringe, as they shimmy their way through “The Promise” high atop the stage on freestanding platforms. It’s a striking image and goes down as one of their more interesting entrances. The opening segment also features album cuts “Love Is the Key” and “Miss You Bow Wow,” as well as the band’s hit 2005 song “Biology.” The latter is particularly memorable due to its familiarity and choreography. Another standout moment is when the Girls perform “Love Machine” during the second section. It is high energy and features a jazz-inspired dance breakdown. Not unlike on their Tangled Up Tour, the Girls utilize a small B-stage in the middle of the crowd to perform in a more intimate format. This third segment includes “Untouchable” and “Call the Shots” (both sung on a floating platform), as well as a cover to the James Morrison song “Broken Strings.” This ballad is a rare moment in the show as it strips the Girls bare of production and choreography, bringing them as close as possible to their fans. In between this, they perform an unforgettable rendition of “Sexy! No No No…,” borrowing elements from Rihanna’s hit song “Disturbia.” The last section of the show is a sexual free-for-all as the girls perform album tracks like “Revolution in the Head” and “Fix Me Up” alongside their debut single “Sound of the Underground.” The most remarkable moment, however, is when the Girls deliver their own version of Britney Spears’ “Womanizer.” The cover is flawless and is perhaps even better than the original, due to the Girls’ unfiltered voices (read: no autotune). The Out of Control Tour is concluded with a megamix of Girls Aloud hits whilst the fabulous five are decked out in gorgeous black bodysuits, bedazzled with crystal butterflies. It’s a moment that truly illustrates how well they’ve done in the world of music.

The Out of Control Tour was yet another admirable display of Girls Aloud’s prowess as pop stars. They command the stage with remarkable ease and have shown that they have one of the greatest musical catalogues of any girl group (past or present). The show is not free of faults, however. Their costumes lack colour, with each being black, white or a combination thereof. They also repeat staging from previous performances and didn’t rework past hits as well as they could have. Nevertheless, the Out of Control Tour is an energetic and sexy concert that is sure to please any fan of Girls Aloud.

Rating: B+

Review: Uncanny X-Men, The Complete Collection By Matt Fraction Vol. 1

Following the event known as Messiah CompleX, the X-Men packed up their bags and moved out west to San Francisco. Helmed by Matt Fraction, this signalled a new era for Marvel's resident mutants. Uncanny X-Men became a colourful and unpredictable title where old enemies and allies came out to play. This trade paperback, collecting the first year of Fraction's run, is full of pleasant surprises and is bursting full of mutants.

The first twelve issues of Matt Fraction's run are arguably his strongest. He's clearly excited about writing the X-Men, as seen in his style. It is casual and punchy, which is meant to enage readers. The overarching narrative in this collection is that of the formation of the Sisterhood of Mutants. This all-female band of baddies is comprised of some of the most dangerous women in the Marvel Universe, including Lady Deathstrike and the six-armed witch Spiral. There is an abundance of intrigue surrounding them and it keeps the reader off-balance as they attempt to figure out the Sisterhood's plan. The final confrontation between the X-Men and the Sisterhood is thrilling. It even includes a standout moment for D-list X-Woman Dazzler, where she confronts a brainwashed Psylocke (priceless!). While the arc itself is amazing, it gets bogged down with too many subplots. Beast and Angel assemble a team of scientists, Emma Frost and Cyclops work on their relationship issues and Colossus goes on a near-twelve issue sulk. On top of this, Fraction starts throwing mutant after mutant at the reader. As such, it can be an overwhelming experience for newer fans. Nevertheless, the narrative is still relatively clean and Fraction does a satisfactory job of portraying the X-Men. While it can be argued that he only scratches the surface of them, each character still feels unique and none blend into the background.

What is sure to be the most divisive aspect of this collection is not the narrative, but the art. Greg Land and Terry Dodson share art chores for these issues. The result can be extremely jarring, especially early on, since their styles differ so greatly. Where Dodson is more cartoony, Land attempts to be more realistic. As such, it creates an uneven tone for the title. Of the two, Dodson's art is more satisfying and interesting. He particularly outdoes himself in Uncanny X-Men #504 when Emma Frost enters Cyclops' mind. He illustrates this as a hotel full of X-Women dressed in costumes from various points in their career. It's brilliant. It's just too bad Dodson wasn't responsible for the pencils for all twelve issues.

Overall, Uncanny X-Men: The Complete Collection by Matt Fraction would be an excellent edition to any X-Men fan's library. It conveniently collects the first year of Fraction's run and features a lot of rich artwork. It is also highly recommended for any fans of the characters Pixie, Cyclops, Emma Frost or Dazzler, as they feature largely in this trade paperback. However, don't expect it to be as epic as The Dark Phoenix Saga or as gut-wrenching as The Mutant Massacre. It's fun and frivolous, but has heart. After being presented as a group of individuals with contrasting goals for so long, the X-Men once more act like a family (but don't expect that to last).

Rating: B+

Review: Girls Aloud, Tangled Up Live

As one of the highest selling girl groups of all-time, Girls Aloud dominated the charts in the UK for a decade. Known for their infectious pop hits and flashy live shows, they embarked on a twenty-four show tour in 2008 in support of their fourth album Tangled Up. These performances were nothing short of spectacular, showcasing the Girls' unique ability to dazzle audiences with their flawless harmonies and slick dance moves.

Opening with the Girls flying high on wires, the fierce five descend onto the stage wearing flowing black cloaks like a glitzy group of superheroes. The first section of the show features a ferocious rendition of "Sexy! No No No..." and a memorable performance of their iconic tune "Sound of the Underground." During the latter number, they cleverly use their male dancers as furniture. A sexy cabaret-style segment follows. While wearing form-fitting lace costumes, the Girls perform alongside their dancers while singing "Can't Speak French." From there, Girls Aloud bust out some old hits -- "Love Machine" and "Biology." These crowd-pleasers feel right at home in this section due to their retro vibe and campy sexuality. They cool things down with a series of ballads. The staging of "Whole Lotta History" is unforgettable. The Girls are hoisted above the audience on a floating catwalk and are taken to their B-stage. It is a standout moment during the show and features some of their strongest vocals. A cover of Swedish pop star Robyn's "With Every Heartbeat" follows before they bring the house down with their iconic rendition of "I'll Stand By You." During the final segment of the show, the Girls appear dressed in gorgeous sparkling gold dresses. While all the costuming for the Tangled Up Tour were glamorous, none were more beautiful than these dresses. Standout songs during this section include a cover of Salt-N-Pepa's "Push It" and the simmering "Call the Shots." Finally, the Girls close the concert with a show-stopping performance of "Jump." An encore follows with Girls Aloud dressed in neon bodysuits, singing "Something Kinda Ooooh." It's a brilliant conclusion to a near-flawless show.

If there's one thing to be learned about Girls Aloud, it's that they knew how to put on one hell of a show. Tangled Up Live spotlights their unique style. The costuming is phenomenal and the choreography is top-notch. For any fan of pop music, this is one concert that must be seen.

Rating: A

Top 5: Katy Perry Videos

Breaking records and selling out concerts worldwide, Katy Perry is the definition of a superstar. At times glamorous and at others humorous, she has captured the imagination of millions. Part of her appeal comes from her diverse range of imagery used in her instantly-iconic music videos. To celebrate the release of the video for her latest single "Dark Horse," here is a list of her top five videos (so far!).

5. "Roar"

Left stranded in a jungle after a plane crash, Perry plays an explorer who transforms into a resourceful jungle girl. Brimming with colour, the sun-kissed songstress swings from vines and has a little fun with some adorable animals. Behind the video's playfulness, there is a sense of empowerment in that we all possess an innate inner-strength.

4. "Firework"

An anthem of self-empowerment, "Firework" features a simple premise but is powerful in its sincerity. It showcases disenfranchised individuals and emphasizes how special they truly are. Of course, since it is a Katy Perry video she makes sure to heat things up by shooting fireworks from her body (Jubilee much?!).

3. "E.T."

"E.T." is Perry's most visually spectacular video to date. In a nightmarish post-apocalyptic landscape, Perry emerges as an alien queen in search of companionship. The imagery in this video is otherworldly and dark, proving that this superstar can do more than shoot whipped cream from her chest.

2. "Hot N Cold"

Playing a bride who gets left at the altar, Perry hunts down her groom in this one. It's easily one of her most absurd (read: hilarious) videos and should be commended for its levity. After all, pop music should be fun!

1. "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)"

Words can't truly describe how funny this video is. While her contemporaries are concerned with pushing the envelope and showing as much of their bodies as they can, Perry keeps things light. Featuring a bevy of cameos from D-list celebrities, Perry takes on the role of uber nerd Kathy Beth Terry as she navigates a friday night house party. Over the course of this side-splitting video, she gets a makeover, starts a fight and does some pretty snazzy '80s dance moves. If there's one video that stands out above the rest in her short career, "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)" would be it.

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In case you haven't checked it out yet, check out Katy Perry's new video "Dark Horse" below.

Review: The Black Swan

            Arguably the most recognized ballet in existence, Swan Lake has captured the imagination of audiences for years. Its unique plot and magical qualities make it an enchanting masterpiece. Author Mercedes Lackey took the ballet and turned it on its head in her novel The Black Swan. In this revisionist work, Lackey seeks to redeem the seductress Odile from her villainous status in Swan Lake.

            At the heart of The Black Swan is the tense relationship between sorcerer Baron Eric von Rothbart and his daughter Odile. A sorceress-in-training herself, Odile wants nothing more than to make her father proud and achieve a level of trust that will grant her the privilege of being his partner. Lackey utilizes this dynamic to its fullest. The evolution Odile takes from obliging daughter to an independent freethinker is amazing. Her journey to emancipation is the most captivating aspect of the book and it gives the novel a wonderful feminist lens with which to read the characters. Another relationship worth noting is that between the Swan Queen Odette and Odile. Their interactions are brief but become more frequent as the narrative progresses. The warmth and trust that grows between the two women is empowering, proving that even in the direst of circumstances women who have nothing in common can become friends. When Lackey focuses her energies on Odile, The Black Swan is beautiful and charming. That said, despite the book’s title Lackey spends an excessive amount of time writing about Prince Siegfried. He starts off as an unbearable character whose amoral actions make him rather grating. He is so consumed by carnal desires early on that the love that develops between him and Odette comes across as contrived and implausible. He seems so incompatible with the Swan Queen that when they eventually declare their love for one another, Siegfried comes across as a completely different character. Since Siegfried takes up so much of the novel, it only gets interesting towards the end once the narrative shifts entirely to Odile’s perspective.

            If The Black Swan were being judged solely on its final quarter, it would be a flawless work of art. It engrosses the reader, making it hard for them to put the book down. However, this only happens after enduring one too many chapters devoted to Siegfried. Given its slow pace and more sophisticated language, The Black Swan should be recommended almost solely to those who enjoy reading period pieces. However, it is also a lush fairytale that could easily be put on par with the timeless tales of Cinderella and The Little Mermaid. On top of that, Odile is a fantastic feminist heroine who gives just about every Disney Princess a run for her money. All in all, The Black Swan is a satisfying read worth checking out for any fans of fairytales and narratives about royals behaving badly.

Rating: B

Top 5: Jennifer Lopez Movies

Over the course of her career, Jennifer Lopez has been many things. Singer. Dancer. Designer. Judge. However, some of her greatest successes have come from her role as an actress. Known primarily for her work in romantic comedies, Lopez has flexed her acting muscles in a variety of roles ranging from psychological thrillers to biopics. Often underrated and overlooked for her talent, she has proven herself a capable and charismatic actress. To celebrate her achievements in film, here are her top five best movies.

Out of Sight (1998)

Based on the novel of the same name, Out of Sight features Lopez playing tough-as-nails U.S. Marshal Karen Sisco as she seeks to re-capture bank robber Jack Foley (George Clooney) after he has broken out of jail. The film has an uneasiness to it but is both smart and sexy. The chemistry between Lopez and Clooney is palpable, making the film that much more scintillating.

The Cell (2000)

Despite the negative reviews it has received, The Cell is a sophisticated and stylish psychological thriller. Lopez plays a psychologist who must enter the mind of a serial killer in order to save his latest victim. The film is disturbingly beautiful and quite possibly gives The Silence of the Lambs a run for its money.

Enough (2002)

What starts out as a romantic comedy turns into a nightmare when Slim (Lopez) becomes the target of her husband's uncontrollable rage. This visceral film depicts the lengths a woman will go to in order to protect herself and her child. While it may have gotten its share of negative reviews, its climax is one of the most gratifying scenes in cinema.

Selena (1997)

Arguably the quintessential Jennifer Lopez film, Selena was Lopez's breakthrough role. Portraying the tragic Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla-Perez, Lopez dances her famous derrière off. She is charming and totally lovable, respectfully paying homage to the life of a star cut down in her prime.

The Wedding Planner (2001)

Up until the release of The Wedding Planner, romantic comedy was a genre almost exclusively reserved for white actresses. Lopez broke down barriers with this film and set a record when it was released. The Wedding Planner sees Lopez playing Type-A wedding planner Mary Fiore who falls for a charismatic doctor (Matthew McConaughey). It's a fluffy and light-hearted film that has its share of laughs, setting the stage for the line-up of Lopezian romantic comedies that followed (Monster-In-Law, anyone?).