7 March 2012 - Gwen Stefani - The Sweet Escape

When No Doubt broke in 1995, I was in love. Fun music and good times. A decade later, the band was on hiatus and spitfire singer Gwen Stefani started a solo career...making pop music. Needless to say I was doubtful about it being any good. Thankfully, I wasn't listening to pop radio at the time and magically missed the whole Hollaback Girl thing. To be honest, my head might have exploded if I heard it back then. Fast forward to 2010, I found myself listening to a local pop station when The Sweet Escape came on (four years after its release). I immediately, recognized Gwen's voice and thought to myself, "hey, this isn't that bad." Which upon further listens went to "I like this song." And finally, "crank it up!!!"

That said, here's to hoping the new No Doubt record is Tragic Kingdom II.

6 March 2012 - David Guetta feat. Nicki Minaj - Turn Me On

It was only a matter of time before we cracked open a tiny peek at dubstep, wasn't it?

OK, David Guetta isn't quite dubstep, but he certainly includes aspects of dubstep - especially the repetitive nature of the backbeat - in his music.  He also partners himself with really compelling personalities.  This is the 2nd time we've seen Nicki Minaj on this blog - recall that she also partnered with Madonna on a single - and I can guarantee we'll see her again.

But back to David Guetta.  He's in this video, for sure, but he doesn't take front-and-center on his own music.  He's a DJ by nature, and a pretty good one at that.  And this is clearly his music.  He just chooses to express his music using the voices of other artists.  I, for one, applaud that!

5 March 2012 - Natalie Imbruglia - Torn

I've had Natalie Imbruglia's Left of the Middle CD since it came out in 1998. To this day though, the only song I can name by her is Torn. I suppose I should give the whole record another spin. If the other songs are even half as good as this one I imagine it would be a pretty good listen.

4 March 2012 - 50 Foot Wave/Kristin Hersh - Your Ghost

My favorite band is a little band from Newport, Rhode Island called Throwing Muses.  Led by Kristin Hersh, a paranoid schitzophrenic and teen mother, the band continued through 2003, with a number of personnel changes, but with the same drummer - David Narcizo.  The last lineup included those two and bassist Bernard Georges, who had toured with the band an awful lot before he joined them full-time.

But Kristin had a growing solo career, and David a growing art business, so the band broke up.  They've gotten back together a few times since then - and made another album.  But they've also kept themselves busy with other projects, in addition to their primary careers.

Kristin started a band that was NOTHING like Throwing Muses, nor like her art-folk solo sound.  She did recruit Bernard for the new band - 50 Foot Wave - but a new drummer.  The band's music is completely available through Kristin's Cash Music project, which is essentially an open source artist's royalties platform that has worked pretty well for a few artists, including Kristin.

The hard-edged band even covered Kristin's best known song.  Even though it isn't as folky as the original, it works.



For reference, here is Kristin's original version, a duet with Michael Stipe.  It got MTV airplay, and was featured in the movie With Honors. It also works, but is a completely different song.



Kristin wrote the song, as well as the reinterpretation.  She is one of the most overlooked songwriters of her generation (which also happens to be my generation). Last year, she wrote an excellent book - Rat Girl - that I recommend you read, if you want to hear the genesis of a musical genius.

3 March 2012 - N.W.A. - Straight Outta Compton

Before I start here, I want to make sure my daughter, Juliana, STOPS now.  This song is not appropriate for you, so don't read this post.

I was introduced to N.W.A. while I was in college.  I enjoyed their music, and its hard edge - remember, hip hop was all about Run D.M.C. and sucka M.C.s in the late 80's and early 90's - clean and boastful.  This was not clean, and it went beyond boastful to somewhat threatening.  But, as critically acclaimed as it was, I always felt a little guilty listening to this.  You know, because I am a white boy, as far from this Compton experience as I could be.

And I could never sing along with the song.  I couldn't even speak what N.W.A. stands for.  I still can't, but you all know.

As it turns out, most of these guys really weren't from the streets of Compton, either.  Let's be honest - they were and are musicians, not really gangsters.  Still, they spoke of that experience and sounded like they had some sort of authority to do so.


I'd be incomplete in my posting if I didn't included Nina Gordon's cover. Parody? Or tribute?  I'm not entirely sure.

2 March 2012 - Def Leppard - Bringin' On The Heartbreak

Ahhh yes, it's time for another Hair Metal Friday. Let's go way back to 1981 for a classic off of Def Leppard's High 'n' Dry record.

1 March 2012 - Lady Gaga - Poker Face

Today, we feature a big hit by one of the most flamboyant stars of today.  You all know this song.  I know you all know this song.  So, maybe I'll just share it and let you enjoy.

You all know me better than that.  This is one of the best-written, pure pop songs of the past forty years.  I'm not exaggerating.  It's a nearly perfect song - great dance beat, huge personality performing, clever analogies, and a naughty muffin analogy.  Now, if only Lady Gaga didn't have to rely on all that electronic music to sell the song.  Right?

Wrong.



OK, OK, but it's still in a studio.  There's no way she could pull both of them off, live, right?

Wrong again.


It is a nearly perfect pop song. Can we all agree on that? Chris Daughtry, what do you say about that?