Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Figures

Customer Review: Not a Perfect Figure, but Attractive Just the Same
I have to admit, when I first read over the press release about openly gay, piano-lovin' musician Keyth Lawrence and his band the Purple Circle, I didn't have high hopes for their CD, the just-released Figures. I imagined a squeaky-clean, more-than-earnest pretty boy singing painfully heartfelt tunes in hushed vocals about having his heart broken overtop melancholy piano playing that was sure to incite me to tears--of boredom. But a funny thing happened from the time I put the disc in my stereo to the time it ended: I actually enjoyed it. Perhaps because--or in spite--of my lowered expectations, I found myself pleasantly surprised by the sprightly bounce of the disc's opening track, "Justice"; by the somberness of the time-goes-by lamenting title track; by the jaunty yet sophisticated piano-power-pop of both "Weird Science" and "Spread"; by Lawrence's spirited delivery of his often-perplexing lyrics ("It figures the kitchen is cold/If staying meant blankets/'Happy Fourth of July' I think this year we've been sold" is but one example of his ability to flummox with his odd word play); and by the consistently attentive and refreshingly modern production (courtesy of Jamie Siegel and Lawrence himself), which eschews schmaltz in favor of upbeat arrangements that lend the recording an appealing, contemporary vibe. Lawrence does occasionally dip into the well of loneliness, as on the somewhat jazzy "Another Evening," but even here, he pairs his bizarre ramblings ("You've got Vegas eyes so it's no surprise/While your garlic kills, my garlic cures") with an aggressively loungey arrangement that keeps it from becoming too maudlin. And while there will undoubtedly be those who remain unmoved by Lawrence's skilled pounding of his ivory keys and his pleasantly appealing voice, the thirtysomething upstart has fashioned a record that sets him apart from most of what constitutes the canon of adult contemporary offerings these days. Taking Tori Amos' penchant for loopy psychological musings (the disc's luminescent closer, "Orbital," is especially evocative of some of Amos' more emotive pieces--complete with vague religious imagery and references to pop culture entities like David Bowie) and combining it with the hipster vibe of current VH-1 poster boy Jamie Cullum, Lawrence actually manages to transcend the supposed limitations of his genre and create a quite unique--if occasionally confounding--niche all his own.


Voted one of People Magazines 50 Most Beautiful People of 2004, Gwendolyn Renee Stefani is a singer, songwriter, fashion designer and an occasional actress. Born on October 3, 1969, she was raised by her parents Dennis and Patti in Fullerton, California and grew up along with her two brothers and sister. Her brother Eric formed the band No Doubt together with friend John Spence in 1987. Gwen joined as a co-singer together with Tony Canal. They dated and became steady until they break-up. That came the song Don't Speak in memory of their seven-years relationship.

Eventually after Eric left the band to pursue his career as a cartoonist and Spence's suicide, she step a notch higher from being a co-singer to the lead singer. Their album Tragic Kingdom made its mark for success as this went on to Billboard Number one charts and accumulate two Grammy nominations for the group. In 2000, the band released their less popular album, Return of Saturn. The song's lyrics are based on her on-the-rocks relationship to then Bush guitarist Gavin Rossdale. This album received good feedbacks from the audience as two of it's singles Hey Baby and Underneath it all received Grammy awards.

She even did collaborations various artist like Moby (South Side), and Eve (Let me Blow Ya Mind). The song "Let me blow your Mind" won Grammy Award's Best Rap/Sung collaboration. In 2004, she decided to release her first solo album via Love, Music, Angel, Baby. This album tackles about her love life, music as her profession, and her baby which she considers as her angel.

Nominated for Album of the Year at 2005 Grammy Awards, this album also bagged 5 hit singles in charts all over the world including Cool, Crash, Luxurious, Rich Girl and What you're Waiting for. She also set a trend in using equally gorgeous and equally hot Japanese girls as her back-ups dancers that she later called Harajuku girls. Her single first single What you're Waiting for was nominated Song of the Year from different award-giving bodies. Apart from that, she did a cover song from a 1990 British pop song If I were a Rich Man which used in the musical Fiddler on the Roof, entitled Rich Girl which is her second collaboration with Eve.

Aside from her top hit singles, she is also known for her distinct taste in fashion. She is known for her red hot lipstick and also into midriffs and short skirts to expose her sexy legs. Being a natural brunette, she sometime change her hair color from pink to blue and use wigs of different styles and colors. She also adopted Japanese fashion with high-knee socks and miniskirts topped with marine-collared blouses. That way of clothing makes her a hot rock diva even if some of fashion critics despise the way she dresses.

Another interesting facet in her career is her marriage to Gavin Rossdale. They met in December 1995 in a No Doubt concert and keep their relationship in the eyes of media to avoid controversy. They got married twice, one in 2002 at St. Paul's Church in London and the second in Los Angeles two weeks later. They got a son named Kingston James McGregor and Rossdale's illegitimate daughter Daisy. Their marriage surpass the odds and keep their relationship for keeps.

This one sexy mama can act, her interest in film drive her to audition for Mr. & Mrs. Smith but her debut performance is by playing Jean Harlow in the critically acclaimed film The Aviatorwith Leonardo di Caprio. She also dubbed her voice for a PS2 and Xbox video game Malice. She has also her own clothing line that she called L.A.M.B. which is taken from her first solo album. As of this date, she already released her own perfume collection.

What makes her at our one hot sexy celebrity list is her natural self being expressed through her music and fashion. Only few celebrities can do that, being able to connect with their audience and to transmit her message effectively. Whenever she appears on screen or perform at stage, you will always see that glint of anticipation and admiration in the eyes of spectators. Along with her sexy disposition as a performer and her interesting personality really brings forth the success in her endeavors.

More celebrity facts at http://onehotsexycelebrity.blogspot.com

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