It was only a matter of time, people.
This is an intensely danceable song, and it's got a catchy chorus. How Justin Timberlake has kept his energy so high for so many years, while allowing his music to both mature and still be fun, is a mystery for the ages.
Also, smart move on the part of the makers of the movie Trolls, out later this year and from which this song is, to release this song in the summer. All they're doing is kicking off their buzz early.
11 July 2016
11 July 2016 - Regina Spektor - Us
By the end of this post, no matter what your political leaning, you will love Regina Spektor.
I wanted to post this for the very cool looking video. And it is cool. Watch it. It was her very first video.
But then listen.
Strings and piano. And Regina Spektor's voice. And very deep, meaningful lyrics that you won't hear from any other songwriter. "The sculptor's marble sends regards." It's a cool song, full of deep meaning. And her delivery is so genuine and heartfelt.
But now watch it live. EVEN MORE IMPRESSIVE. That's just whatever piano Barnes and Noble had lying around. And she's cramming a lot of piano notes in along with those very complex lyrics.
But what about something more impressive?
How about at the White House, in front of the President and Vice President, without the strings, and she screws up because even SHE gets nervous!!??? And recovers BEAUTIFULLY, in a self-effacing way. How awesome and genuine is that?!
And now you love her.
I wanted to post this for the very cool looking video. And it is cool. Watch it. It was her very first video.
But then listen.
Strings and piano. And Regina Spektor's voice. And very deep, meaningful lyrics that you won't hear from any other songwriter. "The sculptor's marble sends regards." It's a cool song, full of deep meaning. And her delivery is so genuine and heartfelt.
But now watch it live. EVEN MORE IMPRESSIVE. That's just whatever piano Barnes and Noble had lying around. And she's cramming a lot of piano notes in along with those very complex lyrics.
But what about something more impressive?
How about at the White House, in front of the President and Vice President, without the strings, and she screws up because even SHE gets nervous!!??? And recovers BEAUTIFULLY, in a self-effacing way. How awesome and genuine is that?!
And now you love her.
08 July 2016
8 July 2016 - Everclear - Santa Monica
Let me put this right out there. Art Alexakis wrote a brilliant song here.
The song starts off kind of quiet, but grows angrier as it continues. Even in its anger, this three-minute masterpiece still stays controlled, and, dare I say, fun. But back to that buildup. The band is a three-piece. They get a lot of sound out of that three-piece.
But that's not why I think it's brilliant.
The lyrics are powerful and heartfelt and angry and poignant and eloquent. And, for a three-minute song, there are a lot of lyrics.
But that's not why I think it's brilliant.
It's all of it together. And even more than twenty years later, this is a song that sticks with me. It's a song I enjoy more with every listen. Which isn't something I would have thought in the mid 90's. It's a surprising piece of genius.
The song starts off kind of quiet, but grows angrier as it continues. Even in its anger, this three-minute masterpiece still stays controlled, and, dare I say, fun. But back to that buildup. The band is a three-piece. They get a lot of sound out of that three-piece.
But that's not why I think it's brilliant.
The lyrics are powerful and heartfelt and angry and poignant and eloquent. And, for a three-minute song, there are a lot of lyrics.
But that's not why I think it's brilliant.
It's all of it together. And even more than twenty years later, this is a song that sticks with me. It's a song I enjoy more with every listen. Which isn't something I would have thought in the mid 90's. It's a surprising piece of genius.
14 June 2016
15 June 2016 - twenty one pilots - Stressed Out
I didn't like this song at first.
In fact, I found it insufferable.
I no longer feel that way. When it gets to the chorus, it really picks up steam and feels like a throwback to an earlier time. And not just because the song itself is about being a throwback.
At any rate, I felt that it warranted sharing. So enjoy it.
In fact, I found it insufferable.
I no longer feel that way. When it gets to the chorus, it really picks up steam and feels like a throwback to an earlier time. And not just because the song itself is about being a throwback.
At any rate, I felt that it warranted sharing. So enjoy it.
06 May 2016
6 May 2016 - The Darling Buds - Tiny Machine
Dear Andrea Lewis,
I see that your little band did some one-off shows in 2014 and 2015. I even saw some video from those shows. You've lost nothing - none of your zip, none of your talent, none of your excitement. I thoroughly enjoyed every song
I had, of course, hoped that you would all see my posts, and see that I was trying to rally support for an international holiday commemorating your band's three fantastic albums. I wasn't really ALL that hopeful that I would be successful. But my posts have been popular. You still have fans - fans who miss you. You proved that you still have the talent you always did.
So, please. Don't make this one-off. Make this a permanent reformation. You won't be sorry. We will keep Darling Buds Day going.
Best regards
Wicked Guilty Pleasures.
I see that your little band did some one-off shows in 2014 and 2015. I even saw some video from those shows. You've lost nothing - none of your zip, none of your talent, none of your excitement. I thoroughly enjoyed every song
I had, of course, hoped that you would all see my posts, and see that I was trying to rally support for an international holiday commemorating your band's three fantastic albums. I wasn't really ALL that hopeful that I would be successful. But my posts have been popular. You still have fans - fans who miss you. You proved that you still have the talent you always did.
So, please. Don't make this one-off. Make this a permanent reformation. You won't be sorry. We will keep Darling Buds Day going.
Best regards
Wicked Guilty Pleasures.
01 March 2016
1 March 2016 - Iggy Azalea - Bounce
I was thinking today that it had been too long since we had a little Iggy action. So let's go ahead and fix that right now.
The video may be a Bollywood homage, but the song is all about shaking it, breaking it, and making it bounce. Enjoy!
The video may be a Bollywood homage, but the song is all about shaking it, breaking it, and making it bounce. Enjoy!
15 February 2016
15 February 2016 - Monster Magnet - Negasontic Teenage Warhead
Did you see the Deadpool movie this weekend?
No. I didn't. But those who did know why I am posting this, without reading on. But you will read on, because I am about to drop knowledge.
No. I didn't. But those who did know why I am posting this, without reading on. But you will read on, because I am about to drop knowledge.
02 February 2016
2 February 2016 - Tinashe - 2 On
My assertion is that Tinashe is the future of R&B. She's got the right attitude for it, she's got a great voice for it, and she's got the perfect mind to craft a solid classic song.
Take this one. Her performance in this song and video (mostly the backlighting) has been compared to the great Aaliyah. At such a young age, she has perfectly captured a song that will stay with you for years. More impressive, it's a song that would live just fine a capella - the musical backing is sparse at best, and yet the song appears deep on the strength of her vocal.
Take this one. Her performance in this song and video (mostly the backlighting) has been compared to the great Aaliyah. At such a young age, she has perfectly captured a song that will stay with you for years. More impressive, it's a song that would live just fine a capella - the musical backing is sparse at best, and yet the song appears deep on the strength of her vocal.
28 January 2016
28 January 2016 - Selena Gomez - Same Old Love
Do you know how hard it is not to type "feat. Charli XCX" on this?
You aren't imagining things. That's her, on the chorus, uncredited. It's obvious. Some critics have even been critical of it, calling it a Sucker outtake (which may or may not be true).
It's also the rawest song Selena Gomez has ever sung, and it shows real musical maturity. I, for one, am proud of her growth as an artist. The song, as performed, isn't catchy because some hip songwriting Brit decided to allow her backing vocal to remain on the final cut. It's catchy because it's expertly delivered by Selena Gomez.
You aren't imagining things. That's her, on the chorus, uncredited. It's obvious. Some critics have even been critical of it, calling it a Sucker outtake (which may or may not be true).
It's also the rawest song Selena Gomez has ever sung, and it shows real musical maturity. I, for one, am proud of her growth as an artist. The song, as performed, isn't catchy because some hip songwriting Brit decided to allow her backing vocal to remain on the final cut. It's catchy because it's expertly delivered by Selena Gomez.
27 January 2016
27 January 2016 - Elle King - Ex's and Oh's & Kocaine Karolina
I assume that, if you are reading this, you are probably not a first-time reader of this blog. If you are, catch up. I'll wait.
Now that you are a long-time reader, you cannot be possibly surprised I am going to like a throw-back, big-female-vocal, straight-ahead pop song like this. I'm not saying I like every huge female vocal ever, but Elle King just looks like she's having so much fun with this.
Let's not even get into the fact that she's Rob Schneider's daughter (her mother is model London King). I could go on for days on that one.
I'd like to add that I am very happy to see a young singer/songwriter who is getting heavy pop radio rotation not afraid to play a guitar. We need to see more of that!
But what I really made you scroll down for was to see her play a banjo. And also to see that she's been around awhile. Overnight sensations don't always happen overnight. And yes, this song feels a lot more country (the banjo might have something to do with that), but that's part of the appeal of Elle King - she's a versatile artist with a depth of influence.
Now that you are a long-time reader, you cannot be possibly surprised I am going to like a throw-back, big-female-vocal, straight-ahead pop song like this. I'm not saying I like every huge female vocal ever, but Elle King just looks like she's having so much fun with this.
Let's not even get into the fact that she's Rob Schneider's daughter (her mother is model London King). I could go on for days on that one.
I'd like to add that I am very happy to see a young singer/songwriter who is getting heavy pop radio rotation not afraid to play a guitar. We need to see more of that!
But what I really made you scroll down for was to see her play a banjo. And also to see that she's been around awhile. Overnight sensations don't always happen overnight. And yes, this song feels a lot more country (the banjo might have something to do with that), but that's part of the appeal of Elle King - she's a versatile artist with a depth of influence.
11 January 2016
11 January 2016 - David Bowie - China Girl
I couldn't NOT pay tribute to the great David Bowie. And, normally, I would have called for a guilt-free edition, but by not doing so, I can share with you....
This is the first David Bowie song I remember hearing. The original video and song use imagery that is of another time period. There's no doubt about that. And yet, it's still a deep, dark, and compelling song, just like everything else the man did in his career.
The original video was so borderline offensive, I cannot find it. But here is the song.
This is the first David Bowie song I remember hearing. The original video and song use imagery that is of another time period. There's no doubt about that. And yet, it's still a deep, dark, and compelling song, just like everything else the man did in his career.
The original video was so borderline offensive, I cannot find it. But here is the song.
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