23 June 2014 - Rita Ora - I Will Never Let You Down

A few years ago, Rolling Stone Magazine did a feature on women in rock music   They ran a contest on their site to determine who would be on the cover - it was a flip cover, but it was a cover.

Karmin won. And you know I was campaigning hard for them.

The artist they beat in the finals of this NCAA-type tournament?  Rita Ora.  Now, I had no idea who Rita Ora was, but I. Knew. I. Didn't. Like. Her!

After hearing her new single - already a huge hit overseas - I know I was wrong about her.  This song, written and produced by Calvin Harris, is a clear possibility to be declared Song of the Summer. Sure, she's prematurely comparing her song to Whitney Houston, but that doesn't mean this is not a solid tune.

(By the way, Rolling Stone did a nice article on Rita Ora, too.)

20 June 2014 - The Pierces - Believe In Me

I had never heard of The Pierces before a few days ago.  And yet they've been around for years.   YEARS!

The Pierces are Allison and Catherine Pierce, and they released their debut album in 2000(!). Oh, my shame!

They even do the theme song for the TV show Pretty Little Liars!   How have I not heard these ladies before?!

I will atone for my sins with their new single.  The 2-part harmonizing is beautiful.  Their latest album, Creation, is scheduled for a September release.  Check 'em out!

9 June 2014 - Lorde - Tennis Court

This song was the original B-side to "Royals", but has now found some modest and (hopefully) growing success as a single in its own right.  It's a song about her rise to stardom - she's been working with Universal since she was 13, so this wasn't entirely unexpected.  Watch the worldwide "Royals" video, and you see it ends..... on a tennis court, with the beginning of this song.

This video is really boring.  Unless you like looking at nearly motionless emo New Zealander redheads.  The song, on the other hand, is powerful and deep, typical of Lorde's compositions.



As a bonus, here's Lorde actually performing the song, and not just staring at you. It is really great that 1. the song sounds more fuzzed-up live and 2. she looks like she's still enjoying herself!

5 May 2014 - MNDR - Feed Me Diamonds

She doesn't appear prominently in her own video.  Amanda Warner's huge voice, however, shines through in this amazing, aching song.

Notice how I didn't just call her MNDR.   Sure, she goes by that name on stage, but, technically, this song is by the duo, which means Peter Wade is the mastermind behind the music. They certainly act as a duo, even if she acts solo under the same moniker.

Confused yet?  Don't be.  Just enjoy the music!

28 April 2014 - Marina and the Diamonds - Hollywood / Are You Satisfied?

I know, I know, we've been terrible about posting!  So let me bring you up to speed.

I am currently completely and totally obsessed with Marina and the Diamonds.  So why not post a song, from her 1st album (which has more of a singer/songwriter feel) about her being completely and totally obsessed with America?

Because 'Merica.

And because Marina is freaking brilliant in her imagery and song construction.  



Really, I have had THIS song stuck in my head for WEEKS!  It's a song about believing in yourself, specifically when pursuing your dream of getting a record deal.  This is a quiet version of the song, from the KCRW studios.  And it's my current favorite song.

7 April 2014 - Toto - Rosanna

This song, a Grammy-award winner for Record of the Year - yes, this song.  Not "Africa" - was NOT about Rosanna Arquette, but the band really wanted you to think it was.  She was dating a member of the band at the time, but the song wasn't really about her, but about a lot of ex-girlfriends.  She just had a nice, melodic name.

The song, like a lot of Toto's work, is heavily jazz influenced, using a lot of structure and meters from that genre not usually seen in pop/rock music.  Horns and keyboards sit right alongside guitars, basses, and drums. 

By the way, if you look closely, you'll see Patrick Swayze is one of the backup dancers.  No joke!

2 April 2014 - Cameo - Word Up

Cameo had been around for well over a decade - making good, funky music - when "Word Up" hit the radio airwaves in 1986.  For some reason, this is the song that made them huge - a crossover sensation to mainstream radio.  Maybe it was the non-stop old-school funk, which was gaining in prominence with the rise of hip-hop.  Maybe it was the timely horn sound.  Maybe it was the red codpiece that Larry Blackmon wore throughout the video, which also got heavy MTV airplay. 

I encourage you to listen to this twice.  See if you can catch the speed-enhanced sample from the theme song for The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly.  Also, see if you can catch LeVar Burton, at the time best known for his part in Roots and as the host of Reading Rainbow, as the funkiest cop alive.