13 August 2012 - Duran Duran - Rio

The 2012 Olympic Games ended yesterday in London.  The 2016 Olympic Games are going to be in Rio de Janeiro.  Because of this, this was the song and British band that everyone wanted to hear and thought for sure would hear.  Expect it's about a woman who dances on the sand, and not about the city.  So, go figure.

Duran Duran WERE part of the Opening Ceremonies, in an official concert at the same time as what you saw on TV.  Guess what they played there?  They are a great band for playing their hits, because they feel like they owe it to their fans.

9 August 2012 - Erasure - Oh L'Amour

Seeing that I posted THIS Erasure song yesterday at Totally Covered, I figured I'd post one of their own songs for 80s Thursday. It's the right thing to do. I also thought I'd keep it short today so you can check out Tony's epic 3-part post at Totally Covered.

8 August 2012 - Karmin - Brokenhearted / Hello

When I first heard this song, I thought it was Nicki Minaj.  I was so wrong.

Karmin are a new group - a duo, actually.  Their songs are in the dance-rock genre, and Amy Heidemann's voice navigates the poppy, rocky, and hip-hoppy nuances of this song perfectly.  A top 20 hit in the US earlier this year, it is their biggest hit to date.



They now have a 2nd single climbing the charts.  Again, you can see and hear the Nicki Minaj influence, but this even gets a little hip hoppier than she does! Another aspect of this group that helps, especially in video, is the fact that the group is actually an engaged couple. You can see their chemistry in this video.


Those of you who read both of our blogs will be getting an extra special Karmin treat tomorrow. Before they were big hitmakers, they were best known for their covers.

Update: They made the cover of the Rolling Stone!!! Congratulations to them!

Also, you should check out our three-part covers series over on the other blog, Totally Covered:  Parts 1, 2, and 3 are all there, and now I think I need to do a special Part 4.

7 August 2012 - Sixpence None The Richer - Kiss Me

Tony told the story a couple weeks ago at Totally Covered about seeing Sixpence None The Richer. I too was at that show (we went to the same college, but he's WAY older than me). I really have little to add to what he said about the show except that I was asked to walk singer Leigh Nash back to her room on campus after their performance (yeah, the university put her up in an "apartment" in one of the dorms...classy). She was really sweet and we had a very pleasant chat and walk across campus.

Anyway, I continued to follow Sixpence throughout the years and I'm happy to say that they are back with a new record -- Lost In Transition -- which was released today. I can't wait to check it out. But for now, let's go back to probably their most well-known hit.

6 August 2012 - Owl City (feat. Carly Rae Jepsen) - Good Time

Timing is everything.

This single was released on 20 June 2012.  Funny how this hit Number One the same week. A last-minute single that was originally released on Soundhound, this song (which, at least on our local top 40 station, is being billed as Carly Rae Jepsen feat. Owl City, and not the other way around) has ridden the coattails of Call Me Maybe to be a hit.

Which I would be upset about if I didn't find the song so damned infectious.  Owl City has put together a song that benefits from Carly's presence, but doesn't require it.  A perfect featured performance.



Update: 23 August: Owl City was on the Today Show and performed this song in Rockefeller Plaza.  Would you like to see that?  Of course you would!  Here is the clip.

2 August 2012 - Oingo Boingo - Dead Man's Party

It's 80s Thursday!!!!

There's really no much to add here except...OINGO BOINGO. OINGO. BOINGO. BOINGO! OINGO! OINGO, BOINGO? OINGO BOINGO!!!! OINGO BOINGO. OINGO. BOINGO. BOINGO! OINGO! OINGO, BOINGO? OINGO BOINGO!!!!OINGO BOINGO. OINGO. BOINGO. BOINGO! OINGO! OINGO, BOINGO? OINGO BOINGO!!!!OINGO BOINGO. OINGO. BOINGO. BOINGO! OINGO! OINGO, BOINGO? OINGO BOINGO!!!! Kind of loses all meaning after a while...

1 August 2012 - One Direction - What Makes You Beautiful

I am just all over the boy bands this week.  On Monday, we made the Rushers happy.  Today, it's a little One Direction Infection. I love the harmonies in this song - it's reminiscent of what NKOTB did several years ago.  It's also a nice, sweet, positive song. And don't we need more of that nowadays?

Enjoy, or just share this post with your tweenage daughter and let her enjoy!