Below Deck Season 3 Episode 6 [Review]

After an array technical problems over the past week, we are finally back running at full speed. The reviews won't be postponed (probably) for a while, and we are going to have everything on schedule. Now, without further ado because I have nothing else to say, let's get to gossiping about Below Deck, shall we?

Wendy Ho Wants Everybody To Get Fxxked In Her New Music Video

A while back I posted about how my favorite nasty lady (sorry Janet) was attempting to raise money so that she could turn her classic song "Fxxk Me" into a music video. Well lucky for you and anybody not easily offended, the fund raiser succeeded, and now we have a spectacular music video for everyone to enjoy. Ok, maybe not every. Probably like a small portion of people you know. It's kind of raunch so there's that. Anyway, if you haven't stopped reading this, then chances are you'll love it!

I can't believe I have to do this, but I'm going to go ahead and call this NSFW. You know, so you can't stupidly watch this at work and get fired because your boss sees you watching two older out of shape people having sex by a pool.

That description is only a glimpse at what else this video has. It opens up with Wendy singing at a very classic looking club looking classy as hell, but the patrons, not so much. In the audience we have a very eclectic group of onlookers, who all seem to take the message that Wendy is giving them to heart. And that message is that sometimes a guy just needs to drop the romance and just get it on with his lady. Or man. Or furry.

What's really great about this video is that is goes far beyond any other LGBT (in this case LGBT Friendly) video has done before. Usually you'll have the singer accompanied by the hottest, buffet men they could find. That's not what this lady set out to do. She showed all different aspects of, well, getting it on. We have the older couple, two different sets of furries (with a chicken in both of them, strangely enough), a guy who likes to get it on with his man in drag, and even a couple that you don't find out are actually transgendered (one male, one female) until late into the video. All comedy and gag-reveals aside, I feel like this video was super important for showing all the different shapes, sizes, and sexualities the world can come in, and that not everybody has gotta have a six pack and a bubble butt to be in a music video.

As for the song, it's been a Wendy Ho classic forever. It's a very simple tune, consisting mainly of just Wendy singing along to a piano. In the song we discover that yeah, a romantic lay is nice, but every now and then a lady (or ladyboy) needs to be rammed. Hard. A lot of the lines are funny, talking about tossing salads and even how she wants her belly button penetrated, but in the end, we have a great mix of comedy with a song that is actually a functioning work as opposed to someone telling jokes over a back track. "Fxxk Me" is definitely one of Wendy's best tracks.

GSN Gives Skin Wars Spin Off "Fresh Paint" Full Season Run

I've done it. I have predicted the future not once but twice this year. First was with Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and now with Skin Wars: Fresh Paint. It looks like GSN isn't messing around with their original programming. They've found their reality TV niche and they are ready to exploit the hell out of it. Good for them!

It looks like the August episode was a pilot after all. After all this hype making it a "one time thing" it was a pilot episode all along, and apparently it did well because RuPaul is coming back with the same formula to help brand new artists find a new passion in the rapidly growing world of body paint. And yes, Ru has been confirmed. The only other person confirmed for returning is Emma Cammack, while Mat Gleason is listed, I haven't seen a formal announcement or confirmation from him. There also is speculation as to whether we will get the same mentors every episode (as in Natalie, Dutch, and Gear) or if they will rotate out each episode.

Skin Wars: Fresh Paint is a episodic reality TV program much like RuPaul's Drag U or Cutthroat Kitchen wherein there is a winner chosen with each episode. In this particular program, six novice body painters, each from a different spectrum of the art world, get a crash course in body painting and see what they are really capable of. In the end, only three make it to the finals where they are taken under the wing of one of three Skin Wars veterans from the main show. Each episode one winner is crowned and gets 10,000 dollars.

The show is hosted by RuPaul, and Emma Cammack is set to be a judge. At this time it hasn't been confirmed with Mat Gleason will return (though most sites say he is), or if they will keep the format of the "losing" mentor becoming the third judge. It has been confirmed to be eight episodes and is expected to immediately follow or precede Skin Wars season three.

Here's hope to seeing my faves Shannon, Nicole, Cheryl Ann (the drama!), Avi, Sammie, and Aryn coming back as mentors!

Steampunk'd Season 1 Episode 5 [Review]

Dear GSN: Please stop having mid-season breaks in your shows. It's hard enough having to wait a week between episodes, but when you have a week with no new episode, it just is unbearable. Sincerely, Everyone.

But seriously, the wait for this episode was grueling. We are down to the wire with things now, and (almost) no matter who goes home at this point, it's going to be an upset. Never before have I loved a reality TV cast this much, and I hope that they all go on to have major success post-show. But for now, we must find out who did well, and who fell short this week.

Below Deck Season 3 Episode 5 [Review]

While I am still coming to terms with the fact that I will not have sexy cast member Don to amuse me any longer, I must continue on with my reviews. I hereby promise to remain diligent in my unbiased* opinions of everyone on board, and chronicle their marvelous adventures**. I hope that you all continue reading my reviews and love me forever***.

*: Opinions may be more biased than previously stated

**: Adventures may be less marvelous than previously stated

***: I don't care, to be honest.

So let's get started!

Bravo Finally Offers Up Details On Vanderpump Rules Season 4

I will never understand how Bravo operates. Every other TV station ever of all time announces far ahead of time that shows have gotten renewed with press releases. Bravo is weirdly secretive of their shows being renewed, with only the major ones (like the Real Housewives franchise) get talked about, and even then it's usually on Andy Cohen's show, or just in casting announcements. The smaller shows, like Vanderpump Rules just get trailers that fall from the sky. I guess that makes today a good day.

Praise the almighty Bravo gods that this show is back. I fell in love with this show while season three was airing and immediately wanted more. There had been rumors that the show was filming, but I never saw anything concrete. Now we have the trailer, and it's making the wait for November 2 so much more painful. The trailer covers so much from Kristen inexplicably still being a cast member, to her and James breaking up, to Shay having a drug problem (!?). It looks like things are going off the deep end this year right out of the gate.

But wait! There's more! More as in a new cast member coming in. Her name is Lala and who the hell cares? Her name is dumb and she shows off her boobs in the trailer. I'm not sure if I'm going to like her. Oh and they also ruined the biggest twist of the season in that Stassi is back. They probably could have saved that for the actual show to catch people off guard, but it is Bravo, so they are bound to do something like this. There's also a lot of drama with Jack, the Toms, and the rest of the crew, but that will have to wait until the premier.

Oh. I didn't mention I would be reviewing this? Well starting November 3 (iTunes/technical side willing) I will be reviewing the show every week. My body is definitely ready for this.

The Glamz Re-Release Debut Single For New Tour Fans

I know I've already raved about this single once before, but it's time I gave this a little press again. Why? Because they are releasing it over again for all their new fans they've gotten over the past year. Still though, you're wondering why I'm posting about this still? Well the answer to that one is because they are friggen awesome.

"Movie Star" was the debut single from the NYC all girl group The Glamz. They are known for being full figured and proud of it, giving a big boost to girls who feel self conscious they aren't a size zero. Since my last post about them, they have become LGBT pride icons, touring various parades and festivals around the country gathering new fans from across the country. As a followup to their recent success, they've decided to re-release their debut track for everyone to enjoy.

Megan Allen, Emma Craig, Tina Jensen, Kenya Morris make up this fantastic group, and they are not afraid to get out there and prove that sexy comes in all forms. "Movie Star" is a great example of mixing together beautiful voices and fierce fashion, and it serves as a great way to get introduced to the girls. The track is fun and poppy and is their first (but hopefully not last) venture into original music. Beforehand they did covers and mashups, but now that they've got an original track, they are starting to blow up!

The song is produced by Lemon Shark Productions and written by Michelangelo Sosnowitz. You can grab the track on iTunes in order to support these fine ladies and get us more music by them in the near future.

Below Deck Season 3 Episode 4 [Review]

Well this is awkward. I have a curse when it comes to TV shows. When I pick a favorite, they either leave first or die first, and it like now that I've decided Don is my favorite, that he will be taking his leave. Sad, too, because he was extremely sexy. Alas, the charter must go on, and the guests must be looked after. Here's to another episode of this insane series.

There's Even More New Bentley Jones With Single + Video "The Rebellion"

If I've said it once, I've said it a hundred times. Bentley Jones never. Stops. Making. Music. Not so long ago he released an EP entitled The Prequel with one new song, one re-recorded song, and two old ones. It was a bit of a toss up, with fans not knowing if the UK album was going to be a re-release of older material. Well to calm this quell, Bentley has released yet another new track. And this one is amazing.

The video is streaming exclusively on Gay Times

This is probably the coolest Bentley video to date. I mean he's had some really neat music videos, especially in the past few  years, but "The Rebellion" takes the cake. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, Bentley seems to be wandering around just to survive. The imagery is very well done aesthetically, and it was very well put together. While there isn't much as far as overarching plot, it is a very fun watch. As usual, Bentley has found amazing dancers (this time a sexy shirtless street dancer and a ballet inspired dancer) to help him on his journey.

"The Rebellion" as a song is a great way to get the British population acquainted, or re-acquainted, with Jones. The song is a perfect marriage of the good old classic "So Much More" era Ben and the new "Defying Gravity" era. It has that hard hitting energy he started with while also having the great orchestral elements that have been come signature for him in his later years.

If this song is anything like what we will be hearing from the Yet-To-Be-Named debut UK album from this amazing artist, then sign me right up. I've totally ate up everything he's released to date, so I have very little doubt that I'll like this album. Now it's a matter of time, waiting until Ben finds it necessary to give us more info. For now, just repeat this video over and over again, and take it the amazingness that is "The Rebellion".

XELLE Prove They Still Rule With New Video + EP

If I had to pick one girl group that I could follow from now until the end of time, it would have to be XELLE. I have been covering them since they began, through all the ups and downs. That's why I'm super excited to say that their new EP is finally upon us. But being the over the top duo they are, that's not all they decided to give us. We also got a video. Let's check out "Mr. Right Now" from their new EP release Darkroom.

This song is probably the best track out of XELLE in a good while. I don't mean they've not had awesome tracks recently, but this is such a fun song that captures the spirit of how playful and fun JC and Rony are. Having talked with them a number of times, I know how hilarious these two are, and the song's playful beat and racy-yet-campy lyrics really do it for me. It's a total girl power track, pointing out that it's not only the boys that can have a one night stand now and again. They're totally aware that these guys aren't their soulmates, but they are available.

In "Mr. Right Now"s video, we get to see so many different sides of these ladies. We get to see them be besties in the close-up shots (show above), we get to see them let loose (when they've got the shot glass wigs on, which I would totally rock), and even the sexy sides of them (when they're straddling their slabs of man meat). It has a very fun story line that follows the two from the bar, back to their place, and even playing strip poker with guys they found out on the town. In a fun twist, the guys turn out to be more bears than jocks, leaving them a bit confused -- JC looked confused. Rony looked damned pleased with herself.

It was really interesting to see this twist ending. They didn't shame the men at all for being chubby, which is something that really does happen (no it's not just ladies that can be fat shamed), and while it was kind of a gag for the end of the video, the girls did have a good time with them. This comes hot off the heels of that one YouTube video by some nobody "YouTube Celebrity" (if that's even a thing any more) who was ranting about hating on fat people. XELLE dropped their house on that wicked witch with their own video (seen here) telling her off and making sure their fans know this isn't something they stand idly by and watch. Basically they are internet super heroes.

And if that isn't enough for you, they also dropped their first EP in like fifty years! Ok, so I'm exaggerating, but it's been so long and it is so wonderful to have a collection of tunes all in one place for the grabbing. If you are an avid follower of the band, you may not be as excited. The EP is mostly made up of previously released songs ("Juicy", "Sweat" and "Red Flag"), but also contains "Mr. Right Now" and an album only song that shares the title of the EP "Darkroom". If you already own the past singles, the two new songs alone are worth buying to round out your collection. If you haven't been keeping up with these two as much recently, then you can grab all their best new songs in one place on iTunes here.

Steampunk'd Season 1 Episode 4 [Review]

If there is one reality show you watch this season, let it be this one. For a first season, it really knows what it's trying to do, and with this episode in particular, it captures that. It has the drama, of course, but here we finally get to see them actually making stuff, as well as a much broader peek into the lives of these people. If you aren't caring about them by now, I don't think you ever will. Here's to another great episode and sad departure of an incredibly talented steampunk maker!

Below Deck Season 3 Episode 3 [Review]

Another week, another charter. The crew rarely gets a break (Ok, well they are on a luxury yacht so they pretty much have it made), and before you know it, it's already time for them to pop up with another set of guests. Surely nothing will go wrong this time. Oh wait, it is a Bravo tv show. So everything possible ever will go wrong. Just wait and see.

Moses Universe Unleashes Video For Vortex

It's about time we get some new Moses Universe material. He has been a source of great music ever since his debut single (featuring my girls XELLE no less). Over the years he has been steadily releasing new music for us to enjoy, and after a lot of teasing, he has unveiled the video for "Vortex". I don't know if you are ready for this one!

I'm going to be honest with you, I have next to no idea what is going on with this video. So much is happening that it is hard to keep up. The main gist seems to be that Moses is able to change holograms around him with his remote, which is almost instantly forgotten after the intro for an extended dancing sequence. It is brought back at the end, to make sure they got good use out of that strange glittery alien costume. The dancing portions were interesting, but I would have liked to see more of what Moses's oversized remote could do.

"Vortex" as a song is very fun. It fits right in line with most of what Moses Universe has released to this point. It sounds like a faster version of "I'm Your Man", which is my favorite song to this day that he has released. It's obvious that the song will be an instant favorite for anybody who has followed him up until this point. If it's your first time hearing of him, it may feel a bit dated, having a vibe that was more relevant in 2010 and 2011, but that doesn't mean it should be overlooked.

This project was a really fun way to bring Moses Universe to the foreground again. He often times takes a good while between singles to prep, so getting to see the fruits of all that labor was really fantastic. Let's hope that his fabled debut album that dates back at least four years will eventually come to be. For now, you can hop over to iTunes and snag "Vortex" and add it to your collection of awesome music.

Below Deck Season 3 Episode 2 [Review]

Do you ever ask yourself  "Why am I doing this?" Because I was when I started up episode two of this show. Some of the antics that certain crew members pull are just insane, but thankfully there's Kate and Don to keep me grounded. So I will forge on! The rest of the crew is surely going to grow on me as the show continues, right? Even if they don't Kate is enough of a reason for anyone to watch. Hello new Stassi!

Steampunk'd Season 1 Episode 3 [Review]

The magical world of Steampunk is often unforgiving. Each and every person in this show is incredibly interesting and talented, deserving to be there. Unfortunately it's a competition and every week one must go home. Each episode is hard to watch, and even harder to capture in words, but I'll do my best for all of you, much as I've done this week. I hope you all like it and enjoy.

Ari Gold As Gold Nation Rocks It With Album "Soundtrack To Freedom"

A while back, beloved New York LGBT scene staple Ari Gold decided it was time to shake things up. He found it was time to do something different, and with that he brought on a new name. For this project he goes by Gold Nation, and as Gold Nation, he is bringing you Soundtrack to Freedom. Get into it, and quick.

There are so many surprising things about this album. I had no idea what to expect going into this, and let me tell you I was pleasantly surprised. There are so many undiscovered gems on this release it's not even funny. It's style may be a bit hard to swallow for those who have come to love Ari over the years, but the new name is very symbolic of the break away from the past, and allows people to approach the album with fresh ears to hears something unexpected -- and that is certainly what he has brought.

The title track "Soundtrack to Freedom" really sets up the whole album. We get a nice taste of the electronic/dubstep vibe that flows throughout the album. It also introduces us to the chorus that accompanies Gold, giving the techno-focused album a very gospel inspired tone, almost as if this album is the Gospel of Ari Gold (which would be a cool album title, by the way). The gospel theme continues on into songs like "Personal Apocalypse" where he goes from saying Jesus is all of us, to damn near starting a church for Oprah. I don't know if it was intentionally hilarious or not, but it was.

Songs on this album are also very misleading with their track names. When I think of something like "Take Your Shirt Off" I think of a trashy club anthem to buffed up pretty boys. This isn't really what Gold was going for here. During the verses he goes into a spill about how it's more about LGBT visability, for everyone from hairy chub boys to transsexuals. Everyone needs visibility, and for this reason this is probably my favorite track from the entire work.

One thing I really appreciate is that the vast majority of the album is Ari on his own with only one (real) feature. "Back In High School" features Adam Joseph in a total throwback to 90's RnB. But other than that the only other features on the album (in "Turn Out The Night" and "Leave The World Changed") are featuring non other than Ari himself. While this baffles me a bit, I'd have to say it's probably because he falls back moreso into his older style of singing in these two songs, so he decided to credit his other persona. It's unclear why this decision was made. Either way the lack of features really gives us a moment to see Ari's vision. We don't have random distracting rap verses crammed into a track or a familiar face to up sales -- it's all Ari and what he wanted to make. That's what really makes this album beautiful.

There is so much you could say about this album, but instead of me blabbing on, why not check it out for yourself? Soundtrack To Freedom is out now on iTunes from JRED Music. Get it now, while it's still steaming hot!