18 July 2013 - Dressy Bessy - Lipstick 2013

While looking for a Dressy Bessy video to post today I got really excited coming across this one with 2013 in the title. There hasn't been a new album by this ridiculously fun Denver indie rock band since 2008. So I settled in, hit play, and then realized it was a rework of one of their early singles. Bummer (don't worry though, the song is aces, I was just hoping for new music). Curious though, I went to their website and found out that they will have a new album out next year. Cannot wait!

17 July 2013 - Imperial Teen - You're One / Yoo Hoo / Shim Sham

I know what 90% of you are thinking.   Who the hell is Imperial Teen? And why the hell are they a guilty pleasure?

Imperial Teen is a veritable supergroup, featuring members of The Wrecks, Sister Double Happiness, and Faith No More.  They're all multiinstrumental (frequently switching instruments mid-show) and they all sing, making four part boy/girl harmonies possible.  

Take this first song, their first single (which MTV mistitled).  A song about Kurt Cobain, written in the wake of his death.  Notice how three of the four members are singing (Lynn Truell stick to drums in this case), making for a beautiful, densely-layered song.



This next song, from the Jawbreaker soundtrack and featuring a video starring Rose McGowan, showcases a four-part harmony and a different sound.  The breathy backing adds almost another instrument and definitely another dimension to a maturing band.



A little more recently, we have the four part harmonies going.... but with the previously silent Lynn Truell on lead.  This song, one of my favorites by any band, is a bit nosier than the prior ones.  Which might be why I like these guys so much - they're so versatile, and still sound like themselves.  And they're not afraid to grow.

16 July 2013 - The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion - Bellbottoms

I used to play the hell out of The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion in the 90s. Not so much these days though, which is a shame, because they were a fun garage rock band before fun garage rock bands were fashionable. So play this video, shake your thang, and yell BELLBOTTOMS!!!!

15 July 2013 - Karmin - Acapella

It isn't on iTunes until tomorrow.  It's here today.

And c'mon.  You know I love them.  I've proven my love for them.  Time and again.

We won't even talk about the covers.  So many covers.  So, so many covers!

More than any other previous Karmin song, "Acapella" is really the Amy Heidemann show, at least on the surface.  But listen again.  The song is not QUITE a capella.  But it isn't far from that (and yes, Nick Noonan's voice is a lot of the backing instruments, so it's closer than it sounds).  The video itself, a tribute to the primary colors, is stunningly beautiful.

So, enjoy this, enjoy their new album out next month, and maybe go to iTunes and show them a little love tomorrow.


Here's a bonus.  An acoustic version of a song CALLED "Acapella".   I'm sorry.  I like the irony.

12 July 2013 - Taylor Swift - I Knew You Were Trouble

Recently, we started playing music at work.  Of course, we had to choose an office friendly online radio station.  And this song seems to play every hour on the hour.  So I've had a lot of time to analyze this song.

And you know what?  It's brilliantly and subtly constructed.

Yes, Scott.  I just said a Taylor Swift song was brilliantly and subtly constructed.

Unlike this previously featured Taylor Swift song, which beats you over the head with its earwormdom and self-reference ("some indie record that's MUCH cooler than mine" was completely self-referential), "I Knew You Were Trouble" grows on you.  Really listen to this.  For example, pay close attention to the first and second choruses.  The words are the same - Taylor clearly knew you were trouble when you walked in - but there's more force, more harmony in the 2nd.  The song is subtly growing in anger and force throughout.  

Furthermore, I like how Taylor breaks out of her acoustic country comfort zone with this tune.  Some have called this song "dubstep."  It's not like she's Skrillex here, but it is refreshing to see a country-pigeonholed artist not be afraid to take influence from electronic music.  And it makes for an interesting song.

Oh, and by the way.... I also own Red, but I didn't have to embarrass myself at Target to get it.  (I have daughters.  No shame there)

(update: 26 December 2021)

Adding Taylor's Version to all these posts.  1) please listen to these instead 2) I find this version less dubsteppy.

11 July 2013 - Sheryl Crow - Easy

As a long-time Sheryl Crow fan I was unsure of Easy the first time I heard it (actually the first few times if I'm going to be honest). I was certainly surprised that it was playing on the country station and not on the adult-alternative pop station (or whatever the hell they call that format these days). And when I heard the line "We'll play Jack Johnson he's the new Don Ho" I couldn't help but wonder if Don Ho should be insulted -- that is of course, if he was still alive. Despite all that nonsense, Easy's chill summer groove grew on me and I look forward to her new album coming out this September.

10 July 2013 - Ofra Haza - Galbi

Ofra Haza had a nearly perfect voice - a mezzo-soprano, for those who are musically inclined. She is to this day one of the most sampled artists in history.

Her voice is most associated in this country with the M/A/R/R/S song "Pump Up The Volume".  But, as an international superstar, she had her own songs, too.  Here is one of her biggest hits.  As it typical with her music, it combines traditional Hebrew and Yemeni - reflecting her culture - and modern (at least to the late 1980's) elements.

Sadly, her voice was snuffed out too soon, a victim of AIDS.  Because she was (culturally) embarrassed, she delayed getting tested and treated for the disease.  But, thanks to her death, which was controversially publicized by Israeli news, Middle Easterns get tested more now.  It's not worth her death, but it is a positive to the loss of someone who so publicly promoted her culture.

9 July 2013 - Donna Lewis - I Love You Always Forever

I usually have a hard time coming up with artists to feature here at Wicked Guilty Pleasures. Then last week it hit me -- LOOK TO THE PEACH PIT AFTER DARK. It didn't matter who was running the hottest club in Beverly Hills (Valerie, David, Noah, or Dylan) there were plenty of guilty pleasures taking the stage back in the 90s. Like Donna Lewis, for example. Here she is with her hit song from 1996.

8 July 2013 - Smithereens - Yesterday Girl

For about 10 minutes in the late 80's, people cared about The Smithereens.  I mean, I always did, but I don't count.  The pride of Carteret, NJ, they've been making great rock music for over thirty years.  But in 1989 and 1990, they finally broke through to the mainstream for a little bit.

This song, which combined the rock and power pop the band was so well known for writing and performing, was the third single from their album 11.  It wasn't their eleventh album, but their fifth - the title was an homage to the movie Ocean's 11. Actually, they still haven't done 11 albums..... OK, I'm off on a tangent.  Enjoy the music.

5 July 2013 - Ricky Martin - La Copa De La Vida / The Cup Of Life

For each Football - oh, sorry, Americans.  Soccer - FIFA World Cup tournament, a song is commissioned.  This practice started with in 1998.  This song by Ricky Martin was the official song of the 1998 FIFA World Cup, held in France - although it was previously released on one of his albums.  It's a fun, energetic song with an uplifting message.  Plus, it's got a convenient cup metaphor.



Why yes, there is an English version, too!  Why do you ask?

4 July 2013 - Martina McBride - Independence Day

I got a feeling Scott will like this more than I will, but here's an Independence Day song.  Enjoy the song and your day!

3 July 2013 - Animotion - Obsession

For a brief time in the 80's, this was one of my favorite songs.  I was a big fan of the keyboard riff.  Of course, I had no idea what the lyrics were about.

Now I do, and I have a deeper appreciation for this song.  The call-and-response harmony, rare outside of hip-hop, really works for this song, musically and lyrically.  And, once again, it's one of my favorite songs.

2 July 2013 - Rick Astley - Never Gonna Give You Up

We're no strangers to love.

You know the rules

So do I.

No, you haven't been RickRolled.  You're enjoying one of the brightest pop hits of the late 1980's.  Admit it. You just smiled.  The song doesn't suck.  It's happy and fun and full of energy and even a little jazzy.  Don't be ashamed.  Just enjoy it.

1 July 2013 - Charli XCX - Nuclear Seasons / You (Ha Ha Ha)

I am going to try to go through this entire post without referencing Charli XCX's biggest hit, which just hit #1 in the UK on 30 June 2013. I mean, I love it, but I don't care, even if she wrote it.  No, we are going to talk about her terrific debut album - True Romance - with which I am totally and completely obsessed.  Originally slated for release in April 2012, it was eventually released in 2013, after, well, you know, that little hit song we aren't talking about.

The first track is a throwback of a song, very heavy on the synth, that would have worked just as well in 1985 as it does today.  Charli's strong voice reminds me of Dale Bozzio of Missing Persons in this song.



Whereas the first track is a throwback, the second, while retaining heavy synth, is far more modern in its pacing and mix.  It's somewhat hard to follow on first listen.  I urge you to try it twice.  It grows on you.  It's definitely different than anything you've heard on the radio, to be sure.



Aw, what the hell.  Here's Charli with Icona Pop at SXSW 2013, performing The Song That Shall Not Be Named.  As far as I know, this is the only time they've performed it together.  Scott did a more complete post about this song here - and I covered it here on Totally Covered.  As I wrote here, Charli XCX co-wrote the song (and probably should have kept it for herself).

28 June 2013 - Bob Dylan - Rainy Day Women #12 & 35

Today marks post #420 for Wicked Guilty Pleasures.  12 times 35 equals 420.  I'm sure that's just a coincidence, and has NO other meaning.

This song opened up Bob Dylan's 1966 album Blonde on Blonde and featured an unusual brass/harmonica arrangement.  Really, though, the song is a bunch of musicians having fun in the studio and, let's face it, getting stoned.   The fun shines through - it's one of Dylan's most..... fun songs.  It's not at all angry, like a lot of his work.

27 June 2013 - The Cure - Lovecats

With the exception of Friday I'm In Love, Lovecats may be the purrfect guilty pleasure song by The Cure. But seeing that I talk about the 80s on Thursdays, you get to relive the magic of Lovecats.

I am SO NOT PROUD of that purrfect pun.

26 June 2013 - The Innocence Mission - Bright As Yellow / I Haven't Seen This Day Before

Forget for a minute the irony that the video for this song has not a hint of yellow.

A beautiful song by a band that hasn't gotten nearly enough attention, this was a 1995 single release from their album Glow.  This is most likely their best known song - it was featured on the soundtrack to the movie Empire Records - but it was by no means their biggest hit.  Not that they had any big mainstream hits (which is criminal), but they were a modern rock radio darling for awhile.

Let's stop right here and talk about Karen Peris's voice.  She brings such a light, airy joy to anything she sings (and writes, as she is the songwriter for this tune).  Despite the light, airy joy of her voice, it's still really powerful.  That's a special skill, this light, airy power.



By the way, The Innocence Mission are still around.  Here's a more recent recording (of a song from their 1999 album Birds of My Neighborhood) featuring Karen along with her husband (and fellow band member and songwriter) Don Peris. Again, a shiny happy song by, as their Twitter profile clearly states, a "shiny, happy band from Lancaster, PA."

25 June 2013 - She & Him - I Could've Been Your Girl

I never would have considered She & Him to be a guilty pleasure. I loved the first two records. Then the New Girl happened. I know a lot of people like it, but I couldn't even make through the first season (but to be perfectly honest in the last 10 years I've pretty much hated every TV show I've seen, so making it through half a season is quite the accomplishment). I foolishly misplaced my boredom for a TV show to a perfectly fine band. Dumb. When Volume 3 came out last month I didn't even think about getting it. But a couple weeks ago Amazon put it on sale for $5 so I said, "what the hell." Admittedly, I still haven't had a chance to listen to it yet, but this single and video certainly brings the goodness and reminds me of why I liked them in the first place.

24 June 2013 - Madonna - Hung Up

I don't know that I've ever professed my love of Madonna's music.  I know I have posted her music in the past.  One of these days, I'm going to do a super post about her.   But today, I want to talk about one of her recent hits.

This song is very complex musically, with a ticking clock and a sample from an Abba song making the bulk of the dense backing track.  Madonna's lyrics are sung with urgency, but are very simple in contrast to the music.  However, this video is all about the dancing - I've never seen moves like some of these!

So, enjoy this video, enjoy the song, enjoy the Abba music.

21 June 2013 - Katrina and The Waves - Walking on Sunshine

No song personified mid-80s optimism quite like this one.  The only U.S. hit by Katrina and The Waves, Kimberley Rew (who was one of the Waves) wrote it as a ballad.  Katrina had other ideas, and belted the song.

She made the right choice.  Now, they've together crafted one of those songs that you just can't help but smile when you hear.



Katrina Leskanich is still singing the hell out of this song. Here she is in a television performance from 2010.

20 June 2013 - Clan of Xymox - Obsession

Let's go dark wave on this 80s Thursday. I was always intrigued by Clan of Xymox (AKA Xymox), but never really owned any of their records until a few years ago when I got 1989's Twist of Shadows from a now defunct CD trading site (RIP Lala.com). I can't say I listen to it often, but it's certainly filled with electro-gothy goodness. Here's the video for Twist of Shadows' highest charting single.

19 June 2013 - Morris Day & The Time - Jungle Love

Few people can successfully steal the spotlight from Prince.  Morris Day, however, did just that in Purple Rain. He truly stole the show.  And this song, from their 1983 album Ice Cream Castle, was one of the highlights of that.

Here's what you don't know, though.  The song, cowritten by Morris Day and Jesse Johnson, was performed on record by three artists.  Morris Day provided the vocals, Jesse Johnson some guitar.... and Prince Rogers Nelson himself played the rest.  There is some debate over whether Johnson even did guitar! Day was required to follow Prince's vocal track note for note. Since they were signed to Prince's label, he had full creative control.....

....which led to tension and a rift between Prince and The Time, who were themselves accomplished musicians and producers.

But forget about all that drama for five minutes.  Listen to this great, funky song!

18 June 2013 - New Radicals - You Get What You Give

"Fashion shoots with Beck and Hanson/Courtney Love and Marilyn Manson/You're all fakes run to your mansions/Come around we'll kick your asses." It's lines like that from You Get What You Give that are sorely missing on modern rock radio today.

The New Radicals should have been HUGE. Certainly this song was. But somewhere between the release of the first two singles off of Maybe You've Been Brainwashed Too, the band's leader, Gregg Alexander, decided he'd much rather be the man behind the scenes (producing and writing for others). Good for him, but I often wonder what could have been. Well, at least we got this late 90s gem.

17 June 2013 - The Jets - Crush On You

The eight eldest children (of 17!) of the Wolfgramm family from Minneapolis, MN, decided to start a band. From 1986, this family band had a cute, innocent hit song.  It would not be their only hit, but it was their first big one.

The song itself was pretty standard pop/R&B that was appropriate for the era, but it was less sleazy... more innocent than its contemporaries.  The video continued the theme of innocence, and showed eight brothers and sisters just having a good time performing a fun, lighthearted song about the confirmation of a crush.

And yes.  They were named after the gang from "West Side Story."

14 June 2013 - Franz Ferdinand - Take Me Out

I couldn't tell you when I first heard this song.  I know it is indispensable for me now.

The song starts off very guitar-heavy, and somewhat light musically.  Lyrically, it's about shooting someone, so not so light.  But then, about 50 seconds in, the song, while remaining guitar-heavy, adds a heavy drum and bass piece.  And the tempo and feel of the song changes strongly, and not to the lighter.  It's a well constructed song, and I like how it so seamlessly changes like that after such a long time.  There's a third change, which goes more to the jangle-pop sound that is so core to the band.

13 June 2013 - Yazoo - Don't Go

I was flipping through some stacks of vinyl last night (desperately trying to organize them . . . to little avail) when I came across Upstairs at Eric's, the fantastic debut by Yazoo (Yaz). I can't even remember the last time I played it and probably should have put it on, but I was immersed in the latest records by Steve Earle and Billy Bragg (and a pretty intense 3 OT hockey game). It's not like I haven't heard it before. What I haven't heard, though, is the new Alison Moyet record (The Minutes) which came out last month. Need to get on that one as I hear it's quite good.

12 June 2013 - Primitive Radio Gods - Standing Outside A Broken Phone Booth With Money In My Hand

So far, I think this is the longest titled song we've featured on this blog.  A Top 10 hit in 1996, it certainly isn't the hit song with the longest title of all time (we won't even go there), but it is long enough to be frequently abbreviated or abridged.

The song itself is very simple, with a heavy drum and bass accompaniment alongside mournful lyrics and a repeated sample from the B.B.King song "How Blue Can You Get?"   But all these simple components together make a very dense and complex song that draws you in again and again.

11 June 2013 - Tilly and the Wall - Reckless

When Tilly and the Wall's first album Wild Like Children came out in 2004, I knew I had to check it out. The Omaha indie poppers had a lot of buzz at the time due their record being the first release on Team Love Records (co-founded by Connor Oberst of Bright Eyes). Oh, and instead of having a drummer, they had a tap dancer. Sign me up! Here's a fun video from that debut.

10 June 2013 - The Association - Never My Love

This is quite possibly the most beautiful song ever written and performed.

From 1967, here are The Association, with a pure and simple tribute to undying love and patience.   But as simple as the lyrics are, the song is very musically dense, with multipart harmonies throughout and a six piece band.  I encourage you to listen more than once.



What I love about this band is that, nearly 50 years later, they're still together and still playing this song.  They've lost a little bit in the voices - age will do that to you - but not much, and the harmonies are still there. This performance is from 2012.

7 June 2013 - Garbage - I Think I'm Paranoid

About a year ago, I made the statement that Garbage owes a huge debt of gratitude to Curve. I stand by that statement.

But we're not talking about Curve today.  We're talking about Garbage, which started off as a great studio experiment, featured three great producers (Duke Erikson, Steve Marker, Butch Vig) from the American Midwest and an attractive, charismatic female lead vocalist playing fuzzy rock music.

But they became more than that.  They became Shirley Manson's band of hitmakers in their own right.  That woman has fantastic stage presence. They became identified as musicians, not as producers.  And they sound great, don't they?



Even all these years later, they still sound great.  And Shirley Manson still has the strong stage presence.

6 June 2013 - Siouxsie and the Banshees - Cities in Dust

It's time for some more 80s Thursday goodness. Here's a classic Siouxsie and the Banshees video from 1986's Tinderbox. I'd like to say this is the first song of theirs I heard, but they didn't exactly hit my teenage radar until I saw the Peek-A-Boo video a few years later.

5 June 2013 - Run DMC - King of Rock

Sure, they didn't know music history so well ("there's three of us but we're not the Beatles"?!  Of course, John Lennon was dead by this time...)  They might have smack talked a whole lot of sucker MCs.  They might have gone through two needles on every jam they played.

But Run DMC were hip hop pioneers - the first consistent hitmakers of the genre - the first to bring actual instruments and not just turntables into their music - the first to popularize adidas - the first to use Larry "Bud" Melman in a music video - and with good reason.  Run - Joseph Simmons - and DMC - Darryl McDaniels - played off each others' rhymes with seamless ease.  And they had a fair amount of anger in their music, too.  Hip hop before Run DMC was happy, and talking about how they were the best MCs, and dancing.  Until Run DMC started calling out sucker MCs.

4 June 2013 - Selena Gomez - Come & Get It

After seeing the commercial for ABC's new guilty pleasure drama Mistresses about 8,000 times yesterday, I got this Selena Gomez song completely stuck in my head. So I thought, oh hell, if this ain't a Wicked Guilty Pleasures post I don't know what is. Guilty Pleasure tunes and TV. Perfect! And then Tony went and posted Selena Gomez playing her bestie's song I Knew You Were Trouble today at Totally Covered...I was going to scrap this post, but then I thought, awww heck let's make it Selena Gomez Day at the blogs.

3 June 2013 - Baby Animals - Painless & Rush You & Email

Remember the MTV Buzz Bin from the early 90's?  I do.

That's where I discovered this hard rocking Aussie band.  Of course, when I saw their Buzz Bin video, it was this one, which isn't all that hard-rockin' at all.  But the song grew on me.  It was catchy.  It wasn't exactly like everything else on the radio.  And Suze DeMarchi - the lead vocalist - had a compelling and husky voice.



So I went and bought their CD, and put it in.  And this was track 1.  Thankfully, it was also the 2nd single.  What a great, hard-rocking song!  This is still, to this day, one of my favorite songs.



Of course, with label pressures, along with Suze's budding romance with and eventual marriage to Nuno Bettencourt, the band broke up.  But, eventually, they got back together.... and did an acoustic album of all their hits.  Including this hard rocking song.  And it worked at the slower tempo.  Here is the band performing it back in 2010.



Of course, they didn't take the edge off of everything.  Here is "Painless" from a show in 2013.



We would be doing the band a disservice if we neglected to mention that they have a new album out.  This is Not The End is available now. The first single is the compelling "Email", and we hope you enjoy it.

31 May 2013 - Jamiroquai - Virtual Insanity

Remember when this song was everywhere? I do.  And I love this funky sound.

But let's talk for a minute about this video.  Let's talk about the video.   How the hell did the furniture and, for that matter, Jamiroquai, move like that?  Answer - the only stationary part of the room was the floor.  The room itself moved around.  The set was built on wheels over an undetailed floor.  The sofas were sometimes bolted to the wall, until they needed to move, and then they were unbolted.  Remarkably simple.

But back to the funky sound.  The song itself is heavily jazz influenced, much like the rest of the band's sound.  That's right.  I said band.  Jay Kay is the singer for Jamiroquai.  He is NOT Jamiroquai.  In fact, the rest of the band appears in the video, in the corridor scene.



In this live version of the song, you can hear a heavier jazz influence, complete with scat.  It's good to see that, on stage, the song sounds as good as it does in studio.

30 May 2013 - OneRepublic - If I Lose Myself

Last night, OneRepublic singer and songwriter to the stars Ryan Tedder (a native Oklahoman) performed Counting Stars off his band's latest album Native for the inspiring Healing in the Heartland Relief Concert. To be honest, I really didn't know too much about his band beyond Secrets and Apologize (that last one I know more for Taylor Swift covering it on her live album). I certainly liked what I saw and plan on checking out some more of his band's songs (FYI for those who still pay for their music, Native is only $3.99 at Amazon right now). Here's the video for Native's first single.

29 May 2013 - Tegan and Sara - Walking With A Ghost

Raise your hand if you thought this was actually originally a White Stripes song.  I admit it - I did.

And this isn't the first time you've seen Tegan and Sara on this blog, either.  Back then, I compared them to Simon & Garfunkel, and I stand by that comparison.  And I also said that despite that, and despite the lyrically brilliant songwriting, they still felt like a guilty pleasure.  I stand by that statement as well.

You're going back to look and see if I really said those things.  I did.

Now, I really do love the White Stripes version of this song.  It's well done.  This version is far less bombastic, but brings a different ache to the song.

And yes, Scott, it's a better version - are you happy now?!



As a bonus, here it is with three guitars.  It's a richer sound, and yet more stripped down.

28 May 2013 - Ian McCulloch - Candleland

I can't believe I'm admitting this, but when Ian McCulloch's solo debut came out in 1989 I liked it better than his previous work with Echo and the Bunnymen. While I still enjoy hearing Candleland every so often, I have to say I was wrong, wrong, wrong. It happens. Still though, I think Ian's solo albums were pretty solid, yet surprisingly overlooked. Here's the video for Candleland which features backing vocals by Liz Fraser of the Cocteau Twins.

24 May 2013 - Suzanne Vega - Blood Makes Noise

So, what happens when a really good folkie turns her back on folk music and tries her hand at electronic music?

Pretty good, interesting electronic music.   Suzanne went with a mechanical sound and a Metropolis feel to the video, but lyrically, it's as deep as anything she did as a folkie.



Since this time, Ms. Vega has, of course, returned to folkier ways.  Here is a live version of this song, more punky and less electronic, but still interesting.  This performance is from SxSW 2010.  Note how bass-heavy, and not electronic, this song is.  And yet it works well still.



Finally, here is a minimalist version of the song.

23 May 2013 - Public Image Ltd - Rise

Here's a slice of 80s Thursday goodness with Johnny Rotten's post Sex Pistols band Public Image Ltd. This one was off their 5th record, 1986's Album/Cassette/Compact Disc (the title depended on the format which I always thought was a cool concept).

22 May 2013 - Mr. Oizo - Analog Worms Attack / Analog Worms Sequel

What the hell is an analog worm, you ask?

A Worm is an analog musical effects processor.  More on that in a minute.

This minimalist song, from the 1999 debut by Quentin Dupieux, is not his best known song.  But it does have the coolest audio effects I have heard on any song.  His simple but noisy work has been an influence on electronic music all these years later.

The song - in fact, the whole album - was recorded exclusively on analog, and not digital equipment.  This is noteworthy.  He got these sounds (with the help of scratch DJ friend Feadz) without computers or digital manipulation.



The reinvention of this song, "Analog Worms Sequel", which is essentially the same track without vocals, scratching, and slightly different instrumentation, was the official close to this album.  ("Flat Beat", which was a huge hit in the UK, was a bonus track that appeared after five minutes of silence).  Again, analog.

21 May 2013 - Icona Pop (featuring Charli XCX) - I Love It

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 - 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.

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.

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 - 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.

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 - 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!

10 May 2013 - Tom Tom Club - Genius of Love

It's almost the weekend, so I thought we needed a fun song.  What better fun song than this classic, performed by a side project of the Talking Heads?  Enjoy one of the most sampled songs in history.

9 May 2013 - Red Hot Chili Peppers - True Men Don't Kill Coyotes

I'm going to move away from the typical 80s Thursdays cheese today and instead present you with a video from the self-titled Red Hot Chili Peppers debut from 1984 (I suppose some of you will say it's an entirely different kind of 80s cheese). Hard to believe they've been around for almost 30 years. I wasn't too sure about their first couple records when I first heard them (shortly after Mother's Milk came out). I eventually came around (many years later). I doubt I'll ever say the same about their last two albums.