I Love It is an effervescent and defiant electro-pop thrill-ride by Swedish DJ duo Icona Pop. I heard it for the first time a couple weeks at the Taylor Swift concert (it was part of her intro music). Judging by crowd's over-enthusiastic response, I think I may have been the only one who hadn't heard it before (apparently, I live in a cave). Anyway, I'm sort of surprised Tony hasn't covered this one before as this one's the definition of a Wicked Guilty Pleasure. (I'm sure he was "planning to" and he'll message me later today saying as much). Love it!
20 May 2013
20 May 2013 - M - Pop Musik
New York. London. Paris. Munich?!
Munich.
This 1979 single, one of the first big synth pop songs ever released, was an early definer of what would be the MTV sound for several years. M, a project by Robin Scott, performed this song as a way to bridge rock and disco. There was a huge generation gap when it came to music, with disco being the contemporary sound after rock and roll had dominated for so long. But, really, it was all just pop music.
Of course, you remember this much-parodied video featuring Scott as a DJ and an extremely whitewashed look. So, go ahead and enjoy your MTV nostalgia.
Munich.
This 1979 single, one of the first big synth pop songs ever released, was an early definer of what would be the MTV sound for several years. M, a project by Robin Scott, performed this song as a way to bridge rock and disco. There was a huge generation gap when it came to music, with disco being the contemporary sound after rock and roll had dominated for so long. But, really, it was all just pop music.
Of course, you remember this much-parodied video featuring Scott as a DJ and an extremely whitewashed look. So, go ahead and enjoy your MTV nostalgia.
17 May 2013
17 May 2013 - Barenaked Ladies - Pinch Me
OK, OK, long time readers will know that we've featured these guys before. They deserve more than one post, though. They bring an awful lot of enjoyment with their music.
This song, which was a minor hit for them - not their biggest, but their 2nd biggest - and was Grammy nominated, sounds like it should be a lot of fun. But it isn't. It's the story of someone who is struggling to get out of bed, who just wants to get away. It's brilliantly done, and for some reason, it resonates with me today.
This song, which was a minor hit for them - not their biggest, but their 2nd biggest - and was Grammy nominated, sounds like it should be a lot of fun. But it isn't. It's the story of someone who is struggling to get out of bed, who just wants to get away. It's brilliantly done, and for some reason, it resonates with me today.
16 May 2013
16 May 2013 - The Mighty Lemon Drops - Inside Out
Wow. It's almost like I'm trying to make 80s Thursdays here at Wicked Guilty Pleasures somewhat respectable. Last week we had an early single by the Red Hot Chili Peppers and this week I have probably the biggest hit by The Mighty Lemon Drops. Sure they are Echo and the Bunnymenesque, but is that necessarily a bad thing? I think not. A few years back I was able to "upgrade" my old Mighty Lemon Drops tapes to CDs through a long gone CD trading site. I was pretty lucky considering those cds were long out-of-print. I do see that they are now available again which is a good thing. If you miss that old late 80s, early 90s alternative sound, I strongly suggest checking those discs out.
15 May 2013
15 May 2013 - The White Stripes - The Denial Twist & The Hardest Button To Button
I know my co-writer Scott would never, ever, ever write about the White Stripes. He isn't a fan. This is quite possibly our biggest musical disagreement, because I am a big fan. Of course, I am a big fan of duos of all kinds - I've featured several of them on this blog.
This is my favorite song by them. It's full of raw emotion and tells a great story. And, with just a piano and drums, they make a lot of beautiful noise.
Here's an early great tune by the duo. Jack went with guitar on this song, which is the right choice. His multi-instrumental prowess are part of what made this band great. The story of this song, though, is the bad-ass drumming by Meg White, who doesn't get enough credit for what she did with that group. Truly, one of the greatest drummers I have ever heard.
Also, Jack has my hair from 1989.
This is my favorite song by them. It's full of raw emotion and tells a great story. And, with just a piano and drums, they make a lot of beautiful noise.
Here's an early great tune by the duo. Jack went with guitar on this song, which is the right choice. His multi-instrumental prowess are part of what made this band great. The story of this song, though, is the bad-ass drumming by Meg White, who doesn't get enough credit for what she did with that group. Truly, one of the greatest drummers I have ever heard.
Also, Jack has my hair from 1989.
14 May 2013
14 May 2013 - Demi Lovato - Heart Attack
This site IS called Wicked Guilty Pleasures. X Factor judge Demi Lovato has a new record (Demi) out today. I think y'all can put 2 and 2 together. Here's her latest video. Not bad, but it's no Skyscraper.
13 May 2013
13 May 2013 - Alan Parsons Project - Don't Answer Me
Let's forget about the song for a minute. This video, which is clearly very Dick Tracy comic-inspired, is among the most beautiful ones I've ever seen. And Nick gets the girl in the end. What more can you ask?! So, before we talk about the music, let's enjoy the video.
The song itself, though, is not at all happy. It's angry and depressed and sarcastic in the first verse. The second verse keeps the anger and depression, but the sarcasm is replaced with hope. I was always impressed with the way Alan Parsons and Eric Woolfson kept the story going so far forward in such a short song. And, let's be honest - music hadn't seen this much orchestral-style layering since Phil Spector!
The song itself, though, is not at all happy. It's angry and depressed and sarcastic in the first verse. The second verse keeps the anger and depression, but the sarcasm is replaced with hope. I was always impressed with the way Alan Parsons and Eric Woolfson kept the story going so far forward in such a short song. And, let's be honest - music hadn't seen this much orchestral-style layering since Phil Spector!
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