Monday, August 31, 2009

Drake

Okay so Drake, where do I start? Can I first just say "holy cow, this guy has pumped out so much music in the past couple of weeks!!!"

To me, the video for Successful is miles beyond ‘Best I Ever Had’, but, I feel like this song is lagging. Trey, I have to say I feel you man. I often sit on the side of my bed thinking about how successful I want to be……or wait, no I don’t. Why don’t you get off yo ass and do something about it then.To be fair, I don’t really mind the verses (Drake's a cashier! Oh love…) but the chorus is just another sap story that we’ve heard before.

Drake and Trey Songz |MTV Music

I have such mixed feelings that I think I’m sticking to Drake’s featured songs for now. I'm also having inner turmoil about writing this cheesy comment.. Can I say it?....ahh...Drake = not that successful in this one... oh dear...maybe I'm regretting the cheese already...

Now, this is what I'm talking about:

Daniel Merriweather

Daniel Merriweather is at it again. Add it.

Friday, August 28, 2009

Playlist

In light of Vfest Toronto happening this weekend, I thought my Friday playlist this week would be themed for the festivities this weekend. Make it a good one.
Pixies - Here Comes Your Man
Thunderheist – Nothing to Step To
N.E.R.D. – Lapdance
Franz Ferdinand – Take Me Out
Plants and Animals – Feedback in the Field
Down with Webster – Miracle Mile

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

TLC

Reunion time!! The girls of TLC are taking the stage again – for the second time since the untimely death of Lisa ‘Left Eye’ Lopes in 2002. They’ll be joining in on ‘Justin Timberlake and Friends’ for an annual benefit concert on October 17th in Las Vegas in support of Shiner’s Hospital. Adding to this pop orgy, other performers include Taylor Swift, Ciara and Alicia Keys.

TLC’s CrazySexyCool was my life back in 94-95. How could it not have been when it had 4 tracks that topped the MTV Hit List (ah remember that?) in the 90s – Creep, Red Light Special, Diggin’ On You and my personal fav - Waterfalls. You can’t tell me that when they transformed into those water figures in the video you weren’t in awe – that was top technology, right there. Hilarious that I was so young [code for ‘simple’] when this came out I had a hard time deciphering what the “three letters” were that took him to his final resting place…oh to be naïve.

And talk about girl power back in 98 -TLC released their third album, FanMail with hit single No Scrubs – not to mention the Spice Girls were in full force….and in case you weren’t in the know with what a ‘scrub’ was: they were talking to the son’s who don’t have a car and were walking, living at home wit’ your momma, who have a shorty but don’t show love…oh yes sir, I’m talkin’ to you.

Re-live the glory:

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Band of Skulls

Lets just continue the free release previews today with the Band of Skulls debut: Baby Darling Doll Face Honey. Its only up this week before the cd release, so be sure to sample! Also, check out my earlier post with their single 'I Know What I Am'.

Guetta

Get your glowsticks out, kids. Guetta is back and ready to infiltrate dance halls near you. Seriously, I’ve been listening to the cd all day at work and call me crazy for a Tuesday but all I’m thinking about is being all sweaty on a dance floor, strobe lights and all. He’s got some awesome guest stars on the album – from Akon to Estelle and even Will.I.Am, Apl de Ap and Kelly Rowland (all double times) My fav after the first listen is by far the Kid Cudi collabo.


Featuring Kid Cudi - Memories

Monday, August 24, 2009

Jay-Z Featuring Drake

You're welcome [again]

Jay-Z featuring Drake: Off That ....well, almost - not quite the involvement of Kanye/Rihanna because Drake doesn't get his own verse, but COME ON!! A freshman getting to rap with HOVA. Must feel pretty damn good to be Drake right about now. Giddy up.

Rolling Stones

Oh, to be a Rolling Stone...

Karen O is Where the Wild Things Are

Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love you, tomorrow you're only a day away...did I mention how cool Karen O is??

For now, here's a preview of the Yeah Yeah Yeah Queen's soundtrack for the highly anticipated Where the Wild Things Are, with the first single 'All is Love' by Karen O and the Kids (literally its Karen and a bunch of kids) Accompanying her on the album is Bradford Cox (Deerhunter) Nick Zinner and Brian Chase (YYYs) Dean Fertita and Jack Lawrence (Dead Weather/Raconteurs), to name a few...but we'll have to wait until tomorrow for the full deal.

Where the Wild Things Are Soundtrack

Pearl Jam

Pearl Jam stopped by the Molson Amphitheater last Friday for the opening night of their North American show and it threw a twist to their set when their warm up band didn't show up. Lead singer Ted Leo, of Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, didn't make it out of New York due to a weather delay. He must have been uber peeved. I'd be kicking myself if I were stuck in New York as my time slot for opening for one of the biggest rock bands was slowly ticking away... (hopefully they have better luck with the remaining tour dates)

Eddie Vedder didn't let the fans go disappointed, and actually upped the ante quite a bit, when he staggered on stage with his guitar to open for his own band with an acoustic set. Now lets just pause and ponder the wonder that is Eddie Vedder.....[and end silence] He played two songs as a tribute to Neil Young - Sugar Mountain and the Needle and the Damage is Done - then was joined on stage by his fellow Pearl Jammers Mike McCready and Stone Gossard for their respective solos. To polish it off the present members of the Pharmacists joined the guys on stage for a few songs.

How's that for an opening?

Friday, August 21, 2009

Playlist: Classic Rock

A little classic rock to close out your week...

Maggie May- Rod Stewart

Don’t Stop Believing - Journey


More Than a Feeling- Boston


Heart of Rock and Roll – Huey Lewis and the News


Jessie’s Girl – Rick Springfield

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson

The first song off Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson’s compilation cd, ‘the breakup’, is finally here! I know that she’s gotten a ton of criticism for her singing (as most actresses do when they try to delve into the music world to make their mark) but I’m loving this tune. It’s surprisingly upbeat for something that falls under that album name and already has a spot of my driving/summer playlist.

So how’d this whole thing come about? Scarlett was approached by Pete because he wanted to do a duet cd with inspiration from Brigitte Bardot.

‘After I kind of dozed off one afternoon for a few minutes, I just woke up and my heart was racing and I had this thing in my head ... 'I have to do a duets album, a guy-girl album,'" Yorn told Billboard.com. "I was really into Bonnie and Clyde at the time, by Serge and Brigitte, and I thought, 'Brigitte ... Scarlett! She's Brigitte!' It was a really manic thought pattern that was going on. Within 10 minutes, I was texting Scarlett, 'We have to make a record!'"

Also known as: maximizing his time spent with a super hot chick. Smart guy. The album was actually recorded back in 2006 but I’m not sure of the holdup…maybe because her solo career was a complete flop? But apparently this was recorded before her Tom Waits cover album released a few years ago…

I honestly really tried and really wanted to love her solo stuff, because Scar-Jo is my absolute fav actress but I was just never fully convinced she could pull it off. This, on the other hand has gotten me really excited because I now will allow myself to keep that female-crush I have on her and lets me fall in love with Pete Yorn all over again.

So, to summarize:
• Pete got to work closely with Scarlett
• Scarlett gets to prove herself as a singer
• We get a great tune
• My heart will go on and on….
• It’s a win all around.

Album is due September 15.


Relator - Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson>

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Antony and the Johnsons vs. Beyonce

Could Antony and the Johnsons rendition of Beyonce's Crazy In Love be any more different than the original? Apparently A and the Js have been performing the cover for awhile now during their live show, but the video was just released this past week. What is so intriguing is that Its such a haunting take on the song, and makes you see this club hit in an entire new light. Even the video is pretty close to being a complete opposite. While B and Jay-Z's version is very upbeat and colorful, this one is full of dark shadows and silhouette shapes.

Compare & contrast. Whatchu thank?



Thursday, August 13, 2009

Friendly Fires

So I went for round 2 of my Friendly Fires fix at Lee’s Palace earlier this week, where they headlined the gig (last time they were opening for White Lies) It was a sweaty, dancy, rock n’ roll-y, hell of a show. Its crazy to see the difference in their crowd response from April until now, and its safe to say these guys are on the rise – and fast. From the moment lead singer, Ed Macfarlane took the stage with his signature dancing and belted the first words of ‘Lovesick’ , they had the crowd dancing, hands flailing and having a kick ass time. Seriously, check out this guy’s moves



The guys sound great live and their passion on stage is surely contagious. They hit all of my favs: Jump In the Pool, On Board, Skeleton Boy, Photobooth and their latest, Kiss of Life. (the video, btw, is visually stunning. Check it out in HQ below) The guys are high-energy and all around very entertaining.

Modest Mouse

The long anticipated and controversial music video for Modest Mouse’s ‘King Rat’ was released last week along with their EP ‘No One’s First and You’re Next’. This fully animated video is meant to raise awareness about whaling off the coast of Australia and takes a different angle as it reverses roles to show whales poaching humans to be sold as pet food. What's extra special about the concept is that it was presented to Modest Mouse by the late Heath Ledger and was one of the last passion projects of his that he worked on. Although the vision was fully flushed out before his tragic death, the animation was not and was completed in his honor. Keeping the meaning behind the video, proceeds from the iTune video downloads will be donated to Sea Shepherd Conservation Society for the first month of release. A heartfelt dedication to Ledger is at the end of the video from Modest Mouse: “This began with our friend, a great defender of life, and was completed in his spirit”.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Daniel Merriweather

I can't wait to check out the entire Daniel Merriweather LP 'Love and War', being released on the 25th in Canada. Hailing from Melborne, this Aussy has supported Kanye, JT and Mark Ronson. Although he is just breaking the 'household name' threshold, you'll be happy you checked him out now. I'm heading to his release party in a few weeks and will report back....

Daniel Merriweather feat . Wale 'Change'

Monday, August 10, 2009

Remake: I Gotta Feelin'

Although this song is severely overplayed, it does have a place on my playlist and already holds some great memories from predrinks and parties alike.

Really cool take on this song. Loving how this guy is producing all of these sounds, single handedly. Watch him on the top right in the green shirt, hilarious how nonchalant he is.


Saturday, August 8, 2009

Arkells

Can I just say how amazing the Arkells are. I'm just sitting here, having a beer, lovin' on how amazing their tunes are for summer chilling....despite the rainy weather outside...

Everybody together now: "I'm so lost....da da da da...and I live just around the corner"






Lollapalooza

Lolla is such a cool music fest....for me its such a mish-mash of most of my fav bands, all in one place, playing sets, over three days. Its like pure magic. Honestly folks: Depeche Mode, Killers, Kings of Leon, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Ben Harper, Snoop, Rise Against, Vampire Weekend, Decemberists, , Band of Horses, Of Monreal, Crystal Castles, Bon Iver, PB&J, Passion Pit, Glasvegas, Raveonettes, Gaslight Anthem, Airborne Toxic Event, White LIes, Asher Roth, Los Campesinos, Bat for Lashes, Virgins, Manchester ORchestra, Band of Skulls and the list goes on and on and on and on and on...

If you weren't lucky enough (and I was certainly not) to snatch a ticket and make it down to Chicago, then grab the computer on your lap and follow this link, because they are streaming some of the bands LIVE all weekend long. Now you won't see the headliners, but you still get some of the greats (e.g. Glasvegas and Ben Harper are both on the line up today, amongst others)

Check out the webcast and the schedule here: http://bit.ly/12nD3v

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Aerosmith

Steve Tyler fell offstage? I totally thought this was a Keith Richards type of thing (but I guess he just sticks to coconut trees) Seriously though, midway through the Aerosmith concert in South Dakota the band’s sound cut out and Tyler was dancing, trying to entertain the crowd while they fixed it (kudos to him, most artists would leave) and that’s when it all went down…literally. Hopefully he didn’t hurt any of the teeth in that trademark mouth of his.