I started this blog on the 5th of January, 2012. I started it with this post, dedicated to an artist that my friend Scott and I had discussed many times in the past, and who really was the inspiration for this entire blog.
So, what better way to honor our first anniversary than a post once again dedicated to that artist? This song, from 2004, was the one that really brought Ashlee into the limelight, out of her sister Jessica's shadow (pun intended). It wasn't a light-hearted pop song at all. It was more in the power-pop-rock genre where Ashlee dominated. Visually, there are a lot of sparkly things to look at here. And, clearly, Ashlee is trying to distance herself from her sister's (at the time) squeaky-clean image. You know, as she sings about quasi-S&M.
In all seriousness, I saved this song for this date, because it is one of my favorite songs, guilty pleasure or not. It is catchy and danceable, straddles pop and rock perfectly, and is lyrically clever. I don't give a damn how well Ashlee did or did not sing on Saturday Night Live. Music is supposed to be fun, and this song is, perfectly.
As a bonus, here is Ashlee, singing live - not on Saturday Night Live, obviously - adding a little "Santa Baby" to this song.
04 January 2013
03 January 2013
3 January 2013 - Go Go's - Vacation
Time to bring back 80s Thursdays. I've actually missed the cheesy goodness. But I have no cheese this week because everyone knows that the Go Go's are freaking awesome. I normally would have chosen Our Lips Are Sealed, but seeing that I'll be spending the next five days in sunny Key West this video seemed a bit more appropriate.
02 January 2013
2 January 2013 - Everclear - Everything To Everyone
I struggled for a bit to figure out what my first post of 2013 should be. Ultimately, I decided on this - a pop-rock classic from 1997 that didn't get nearly the attention it deserved (although it was the biggest hit of their tenure on the Modern Rock charts).
It seems strange that I didn't pick a straight-ahead pop song to start the year, but this video and this song simply fascinate me. I know it's a lot of clever editing that makes the video work - I am pretty sure it's not a skinny oval room with a camera spinning in the middle - but it's a neat effect.
Lyrically, the song is perhaps the most clever and biting we've ever posted. Both in that respect and musically, the song gets angrier and more frenetic as it goes on. Despite all this anger, it's a fun, fun song you can bounce to - as is evidenced at about 2:30 of the video. Enjoy!
It seems strange that I didn't pick a straight-ahead pop song to start the year, but this video and this song simply fascinate me. I know it's a lot of clever editing that makes the video work - I am pretty sure it's not a skinny oval room with a camera spinning in the middle - but it's a neat effect.
Lyrically, the song is perhaps the most clever and biting we've ever posted. Both in that respect and musically, the song gets angrier and more frenetic as it goes on. Despite all this anger, it's a fun, fun song you can bounce to - as is evidenced at about 2:30 of the video. Enjoy!
31 December 2012
31 December 2012 - Karmin - Crash Your Party
I suppose it doesn't surprise too many of you that my pick for Album of the Year would have been Hello by Karmin if it had more than seven songs. If maybe they had slid this song on the album, I'd feel better about that choice.
I cannot say enough good about these two. I don't really give a damn what Gawker says about them. Frankly, this post was our third biggest of 2012 - and with this link, I'm pretty sure it'll jump to 2nd. So.... well, someone likes this white-girl rap. Count me among that someone. They're fun, they're musically sound, and there is nothing wrong with enjoying them.
As far as this song, a late-2011 release, it's fun, it's different, and the video is pretty cool. I really wish they'd re-release this as a single.
I'm a little irked they didn't get a Best New Artist Grammy nomination, but I guess we can't everything....
Thank you for reading this little blog in 2012. We'll be back next year with more - but probably not quite so much Karmin.
I cannot say enough good about these two. I don't really give a damn what Gawker says about them. Frankly, this post was our third biggest of 2012 - and with this link, I'm pretty sure it'll jump to 2nd. So.... well, someone likes this white-girl rap. Count me among that someone. They're fun, they're musically sound, and there is nothing wrong with enjoying them.
As far as this song, a late-2011 release, it's fun, it's different, and the video is pretty cool. I really wish they'd re-release this as a single.
I'm a little irked they didn't get a Best New Artist Grammy nomination, but I guess we can't everything....
Thank you for reading this little blog in 2012. We'll be back next year with more - but probably not quite so much Karmin.
28 December 2012
28 December 2012 - Silverchair - Anthem for the Year 2000
Silverchair were - are? They haven't made their breakup clear - an Australian band of kids - they formed in 1992, when they were 12 - that sound a lot like Pearl Jam. That doesn't mean they don't have some fun songs.
This song isn't fun. It's angry and energetic and was woefully under-appreciated in 1999, when it was released. It's a heavy, anthemic song that should have garnered more attention for the band. Instead, it was a middling hit on the mainstream charts in the US, and a minor hit elsewhere. But I didn't forget either the song or the adventurous video!
This song isn't fun. It's angry and energetic and was woefully under-appreciated in 1999, when it was released. It's a heavy, anthemic song that should have garnered more attention for the band. Instead, it was a middling hit on the mainstream charts in the US, and a minor hit elsewhere. But I didn't forget either the song or the adventurous video!
27 December 2012
27 December 2012 - Phillip Phillips - Home
Ahhh back to the guilty pleasure goodness after a month of holiday cheer...
It's funny how most of my Wicked Guilty Pleasure posts come to me during commercial breaks on the country radio stations I listen to in my truck. Much like Peyton Manning with all of his checkdowns, when the commercials come on I go to the alt rock station, then the indie station, the pop station and finally the AAA station looking for my best option. I recently scored a touchdown (so to speak) when I heard today's song on the AAA station. Oddly enough, I first thought I was hearing a song off of the new Mumford and Sons disc (which I still haven't picked up yet). To my surprise the DJ actually announced who it was -- 2012 American Idol champ Phillip Phillips. Considering how many records I own by former contestants (and yes, I did pick Phillips' fantastic debut) I should really start watching the show. Come to think of it, maybe not. I don't think I could actually put up with Mariah and Nicki.
It's funny how most of my Wicked Guilty Pleasure posts come to me during commercial breaks on the country radio stations I listen to in my truck. Much like Peyton Manning with all of his checkdowns, when the commercials come on I go to the alt rock station, then the indie station, the pop station and finally the AAA station looking for my best option. I recently scored a touchdown (so to speak) when I heard today's song on the AAA station. Oddly enough, I first thought I was hearing a song off of the new Mumford and Sons disc (which I still haven't picked up yet). To my surprise the DJ actually announced who it was -- 2012 American Idol champ Phillip Phillips. Considering how many records I own by former contestants (and yes, I did pick Phillips' fantastic debut) I should really start watching the show. Come to think of it, maybe not. I don't think I could actually put up with Mariah and Nicki.
26 December 2012
26 December 2012 - Cher Lloyd - Want U Back
I didn't think the Christmas season would be so hard to fill with music. But, especially with guilty pleasures like this, it's easy to get back to it.
Cher Lloyd lost to One Direction on the X Factor, and thus far, she hasn't had the huge hits those five boys have. She has had this - a bubbly, angry, hip-hop fusion. She doesn't look as bad-ass as she really is. This video was made for the US audience, and I hope you enjoy it.
While the US video is fun and bubbly and angry, the UK version of the video, where Cher is moving around in still pictures, is much cooler looking. Plus, there's a hip hop guest star that you've never heard of, to increase the street sensibility.... Nah, just kidding. But enjoy!
UPDATE: I found a live acoustic version of the song that has a completely different feel. No "Ugh!" or sounding like a helicopter, though.
UPDATE: (28 August 2013) We found this epic version of the song, a live duet with the unmistakably tall Taylor Swift on 19 August, 2013, and had to share it. Enjoy.
Cher Lloyd lost to One Direction on the X Factor, and thus far, she hasn't had the huge hits those five boys have. She has had this - a bubbly, angry, hip-hop fusion. She doesn't look as bad-ass as she really is. This video was made for the US audience, and I hope you enjoy it.
While the US video is fun and bubbly and angry, the UK version of the video, where Cher is moving around in still pictures, is much cooler looking. Plus, there's a hip hop guest star that you've never heard of, to increase the street sensibility.... Nah, just kidding. But enjoy!
UPDATE: I found a live acoustic version of the song that has a completely different feel. No "Ugh!" or sounding like a helicopter, though.
UPDATE: (28 August 2013) We found this epic version of the song, a live duet with the unmistakably tall Taylor Swift on 19 August, 2013, and had to share it. Enjoy.
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