bjork. earth intruders. march on with your bad self.
Friday, April 20, 2007
Oh Me! Oh My!
Another new Bjork track, with a little help from [I think] Timbaland. Damn girl. Ain't another woman that could take your spotlight love.
Play that beat!
Believe me, I adore playing an old school hit like nobody's business, but sometimes there's nothing better than putting on one of your favorite long players, enjoying it for what it is: a tip-top, start to finish "headphone masterpiece".
Say what you want about Pitchfork, but for me they often succeed in turning me on to new bands and/or new albums by some of my favorite artists or new albums that I should give a spin. Last fall I stumbled onto Pitchfork's homepage and there it was, a review for Junior Senior's new album, Hey Hey My My Yo Yo. Now the first time around I missed the bus and slept on Junior Senior. Luckily I did manage to fall in love with Move Your Feet and would later fall in love all over again with the nearly six minute DFA remix of Shake Your Coconuts. If you haven't noticed, I love dance music, or music created with the specific intent of getting you to shake that ass: Scissor Sisters, Basement Jaxx, the new Justin Timberlake, Prince, Janet and Michael, etc. etc. After reading Pitchfork's review, I knew I had to get my hands on Hey Hey My My Yo Yo.[still unreleased in the United States] And I did. And I have been bumping that shit ever since. B-Boy European rapping, clap alongs, sing alongs, vocal turns from the ladies of the B-52's and Le Tigre, traces of Abba, and soul tastic disco. It's so sugary, so fluffy, yet so full of substance. I can't express how much I adore this disc and how it accomplishes the much sought after feat of being unskippable from start to the finish. Seek it out if you are a fan of Motown, Acid House Kings, B-52's, Abba, The Go Team! or rump shaking. And it's the perfect album to play on a rainy Los Angeles day like today. So if you can, go ahead, let a little sunshine in.
KEY TRACKS: we r the handclaps/i like music (w.o.s.b.)/dance chance romance
Don't belive me? Just ask the folks over at Idolator:
Please Release Me: Junior Senior's "Hey Hey My My Yo Yo"
Say what you want about Pitchfork, but for me they often succeed in turning me on to new bands and/or new albums by some of my favorite artists or new albums that I should give a spin. Last fall I stumbled onto Pitchfork's homepage and there it was, a review for Junior Senior's new album, Hey Hey My My Yo Yo. Now the first time around I missed the bus and slept on Junior Senior. Luckily I did manage to fall in love with Move Your Feet and would later fall in love all over again with the nearly six minute DFA remix of Shake Your Coconuts. If you haven't noticed, I love dance music, or music created with the specific intent of getting you to shake that ass: Scissor Sisters, Basement Jaxx, the new Justin Timberlake, Prince, Janet and Michael, etc. etc. After reading Pitchfork's review, I knew I had to get my hands on Hey Hey My My Yo Yo.[still unreleased in the United States] And I did. And I have been bumping that shit ever since. B-Boy European rapping, clap alongs, sing alongs, vocal turns from the ladies of the B-52's and Le Tigre, traces of Abba, and soul tastic disco. It's so sugary, so fluffy, yet so full of substance. I can't express how much I adore this disc and how it accomplishes the much sought after feat of being unskippable from start to the finish. Seek it out if you are a fan of Motown, Acid House Kings, B-52's, Abba, The Go Team! or rump shaking. And it's the perfect album to play on a rainy Los Angeles day like today. So if you can, go ahead, let a little sunshine in.
KEY TRACKS: we r the handclaps/i like music (w.o.s.b.)/dance chance romance
Don't belive me? Just ask the folks over at Idolator:
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Video of the Night!
I like Avril Lavigne. There, I said it. And this song, presented below is one of my favorites. It will also be forever associated with a car accident that I was fortunate enough to be a part of in Insert random town here, New York at the height of its popularity.
Have a great night!
Have a great night!
Riddle Me This/Old school funk for the true funk soldiers!
For Papa...
Yesterday family, friends, and well wishers all came together to honor the life of my papa, Will C. Harris. Following the funeral, the same group of people came together at the house for the Repast, which was slightly reminiscent of this*, you know minus the chick getting champagne thrown on her and ghetto volleyball game:
But what I really want to discuss is this: How does one manage to feel like he never wants to drink/party again the morning following a Funeral and Repast? It just doesn't make sense.
[*And I am not trying to make light of yesterday's events at all, but I feel I can't forget to mention how some dudes in a couple of "low riders" felt it was necessary to hit the switches and show off as we all stood outside the Mortuary following the funeral service. ]
Yesterday family, friends, and well wishers all came together to honor the life of my papa, Will C. Harris. Following the funeral, the same group of people came together at the house for the Repast, which was slightly reminiscent of this*, you know minus the chick getting champagne thrown on her and ghetto volleyball game:
But what I really want to discuss is this: How does one manage to feel like he never wants to drink/party again the morning following a Funeral and Repast? It just doesn't make sense.
[*And I am not trying to make light of yesterday's events at all, but I feel I can't forget to mention how some dudes in a couple of "low riders" felt it was necessary to hit the switches and show off as we all stood outside the Mortuary following the funeral service. ]
It's been a long time, we shouldn't have left you...
Big ups to the folks over at Idolator for dropping this onto the listening public.
The Sweetest Thing
A gorgeous and simple video to compliment a gorgeous and simple song. Gwen Stefani. 4 in the Morning.
The kid stays in the picture
The Scissor Sisters. Kiss You Off. Stills from the set. Go on. Get excited.
POPBYTES: SCISSOR SISTERS - KISS YOU OFF - VIDEO STILLS!
A Moment of Clarity
Yeah, he wasn't the best singer in the world. And no I wasn't rooting for him to win. [I'm going with Jordin Sparks. I'm buying what she's selling.]But for some reason I felt for this kid they call Snajaya as he clutched Lakisha and cried all over her shoulder. Big ups for making it this far Sanjaya. I am sure this won't be the last we'll see of you. [I am sure the folks over at Nickelodeon or the TV Guide channel pulled you aside last night and threw contracts and money at you. Them or KFC.]And since I am all out of words, let's just go with these, taken from the folks over at
"The madness that is Sanjaya is now over. Last night on “American Idol” Sanjaya finally got the boot and really it was time. I felt a bit sad for him because I really think he was having a good time being the nations’ unlikely Idol.
His Ponyhawk and signature smile made him loveable. His voice, well, it wasn’t very good and he never really cared. America embraced him in different ways. Some, like Howard Stern and PerezHilton, encouraged their fans to vote for him to mess with the juggernaut that is “American Idol.” Other people thought that he was sweet and had a good personality and loved the way that he messed with the judges.
I did some research on Sanjaya. He grew up in poverty and has been working in theatre and choral work for some time. He didn’t even finish high school and elected to get his GED so he could participate on Idol. I think this whole experience, as you could tell by the tears in his eyes, was a great adventure for the young kid. I don’t really think he was the popular guy in high school (the creative types never are) and this was his moment in the sun.
He was a smart contestant…picking fun songs and working the camera like we haven’t seen since Constantine. He knew that America’s votes kept him in the competition and even the guest judges kind of fell in love with the cute Indian kid with funny hair.
I thought it was cute when he got eliminated and substituted the words, “other than hair” for “how about love.” No matter what you say, you will miss Sanjaya. I’m kind of over this season now. Everyone is really boring. I hope that Jordin wins…she at least has some personality. Maybe Sanjaya can give her some tips on her hair."
Peace out Sanjaya. And thanks for the memories.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Jesus take the wheel
DISCLAIMER: I am not an insensitive prick. This statement will make a little more sense after you get through the entire post. Proceed.
"Sorry, I just don't get country music. Blame it on geography. I'm from Long Island, New York, so the only country tunes I knew growing up were Billy Joel's "Travelin' Prayer" and "The Great Suburban Showdown." Besides, any genre that allows "Idol" embarrassments and Bucky Covington to have legitimate music careers is a genre I'd like to stay far, far away from...It's not a shock, then, when I say I know nothing about tonight's guest mentor, Martina McBride. In fact, the only McBride I've ever heard of is this lady. But according to the clips shown during Martina's "Idol" intro package, she sings songs about God-fearing women and being patriotic. In other words, she fulfills every stereotype us Yankee bastards have about country music. Git 'er done, Martina!..."-MTV NEWS correspondent, Jim Cantiello
A lot of people hate on country music. 9 times out of 10 ask somebody what kind of music they hate and they'll tell you with a quickness, 'I just don't like country music.' [That's if they don't go with rap. That one's popular too.] Or the all encompassing music fan will tell you, 'oh I listen to everything...except country.' Now does this mean all country is awful or not worth listening to or purchasing? Of course not.
But 9 times out 10 country music, like rap, pop, or emo-screamo and indie, just begs for a little schoolyard taunting. [Toby Keith anyone?] BBQ stains on white t-shirts, achy breaky hearts, saving horses, riding cowboys, etc, etc.
I thought about this last night during American Idol's country night with guest mentor Martina McBride. [I know, I know. Go ahead, let out a collective who?] Now I don't pride myself on knowing every Tom, Dick, and Harry on the music landscape, but unless an artist is completely under the radar, or had no kind of media exposure whatsoever, it's rare for me to not know who an artist is, or to not have heard a snippet of a song, or caught a glimpse of a music video. And yet, I had a hard time deciphering why Martina McBride was here, on my television screen, as a guest mentor of American Idol.
And then it hit me. I ain't buying what she's selling. Then it hit me again. I am familiar with Ms. McBride. And I know one of her songs. Unfortunately it ain't one of her best.
Another night. Another come down from the scene and debauchery. Sleep is on its way, but before it comes, gotta watch some mindless television, particularly music videos. Press. Flip. Change the channel. CMT. [Don't ask] Now normally my friends and I would have little to no time for the popular country hits of the day on CMT, but sometimes a video is so compelling, so outrageous, that it becomes like a car accident, and you just can't look away. And sometimes, just sometimes, country music, like rap, pop, or emo-screamo, and indie, just begs for a little schoolyard taunting.
MTV NEWS: 'Idol' Recap: 'I'm Officially Over Sanjaya'; Phil Actually Pulls Off Country Night
"Sorry, I just don't get country music. Blame it on geography. I'm from Long Island, New York, so the only country tunes I knew growing up were Billy Joel's "Travelin' Prayer" and "The Great Suburban Showdown." Besides, any genre that allows "Idol" embarrassments and Bucky Covington to have legitimate music careers is a genre I'd like to stay far, far away from...It's not a shock, then, when I say I know nothing about tonight's guest mentor, Martina McBride. In fact, the only McBride I've ever heard of is this lady. But according to the clips shown during Martina's "Idol" intro package, she sings songs about God-fearing women and being patriotic. In other words, she fulfills every stereotype us Yankee bastards have about country music. Git 'er done, Martina!..."-MTV NEWS correspondent, Jim Cantiello
A lot of people hate on country music. 9 times out of 10 ask somebody what kind of music they hate and they'll tell you with a quickness, 'I just don't like country music.' [That's if they don't go with rap. That one's popular too.] Or the all encompassing music fan will tell you, 'oh I listen to everything...except country.' Now does this mean all country is awful or not worth listening to or purchasing? Of course not.
But 9 times out 10 country music, like rap, pop, or emo-screamo and indie, just begs for a little schoolyard taunting. [Toby Keith anyone?] BBQ stains on white t-shirts, achy breaky hearts, saving horses, riding cowboys, etc, etc.
I thought about this last night during American Idol's country night with guest mentor Martina McBride. [I know, I know. Go ahead, let out a collective who?] Now I don't pride myself on knowing every Tom, Dick, and Harry on the music landscape, but unless an artist is completely under the radar, or had no kind of media exposure whatsoever, it's rare for me to not know who an artist is, or to not have heard a snippet of a song, or caught a glimpse of a music video. And yet, I had a hard time deciphering why Martina McBride was here, on my television screen, as a guest mentor of American Idol.
And then it hit me. I ain't buying what she's selling. Then it hit me again. I am familiar with Ms. McBride. And I know one of her songs. Unfortunately it ain't one of her best.
Another night. Another come down from the scene and debauchery. Sleep is on its way, but before it comes, gotta watch some mindless television, particularly music videos. Press. Flip. Change the channel. CMT. [Don't ask] Now normally my friends and I would have little to no time for the popular country hits of the day on CMT, but sometimes a video is so compelling, so outrageous, that it becomes like a car accident, and you just can't look away. And sometimes, just sometimes, country music, like rap, pop, or emo-screamo, and indie, just begs for a little schoolyard taunting.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Quote of the Day!
Seriously, who hooked these two up?
"I've found my double, my twin, with my new girlfriend, Evan Rachel Wood...She's 19 and certainly that's very young, but that's not a problem for me. She likes the same things as me. She understands I like to get up when night falls and go to sleep at dawn."-Marilyn Manson
Take it to da house!
Boy you got a whole year's tuition around your neck, and a new gymnasium on your finger.
"According to representatives for Romeo, he is is the first nationally known active Hip-Hop star to receive a full athletic scholarship."
Now I don't know about you, but the last person who needs a full ride to USC is a somewhat successful recording artist/actor who's father also happens to be a somewhat successful recording artist/rapper right? Maybe I'm just a dick.
Fire and Ice
It's been a while since the listening public has had a drama filled, well sung, subtle yet emotion ridden duet burning up the R&B charts. No this song ain't hit the airwaves yet, but TRUST it will be the slow jam for many a mom, dad, daughter, and son when the beat hits the streets.
New flava in ya ear!
Go ahead, say somethin.
Dear Timbaland,
Why was this track cut from Shock Value? Everyone here sounds inspired, particularly Jay-Z. [oh my god! Loving that ditty-bop/diddy/biggie/cock eyed part]And it's not like anyone would have minded hearing Justin Timberlake sing on yet another hook. [We get it, you two enjoy each other's company in the studio.]-Sigh- And we enjoy our favorite artists coming with it from time to time. Just something to remember next time you're busy cutting corners and making LP decisions.
This is the remix.
On last week's American Idol, the guest performer and mentor was Jennifer Lopez. When I first heard this, I, as I am sure many other people did went Really? Her? Think about it. Anyone who watches American Idol knows that the folks in charge are searching for a bona fide powerhouse superstar, and that more times than not, the producers and the judges get stuck on the powerhouse part. A Tom Waits or a Patti Smith, hell even an Omarion, wouldn't in the words of the Game, get far on this talent competition. But once I got over my initial confusion I realized that the producers of American Idol know exactly what it is they are doing. Who better than someone like J.Lo to mentor these kids? She sings, she dances, she acts, she designs clothes, she went from the block to center stage, etc, etc.
And eventually I dug into my vaults and reminded myself as to why she got to this point in the first place. Hate it of love it, you gotta admit that for a while Jennifer Lopez was the shit to many people. Many of her singles provided the backdrop for many a summer ride through the blocks, and bumped from speaker to speaker at a party or on the radio after being requested for the umpteenth time.
And for a while it seemed that Jennifer Lopez was one of the few artists that took the art of a good remix seriously. For J.Lo and her people a remix was something more than a re-hash of a single with an added guest verse on the bridge from the producer of the track or rapper of the moment. Jennifer's remixes were events onto themselves, and once heard, gave more than enough evidence as to why hers was the first remix album in history to debut at number one on the charts. Check it out.
Waiting for Tonight [Hex Momentous Radio Mix]- Sex sells. We all know this. But nothing sells more than a good video, especially when said video holds all the necessary ingredients to keep a beat on repeat. Admit it, when you heard Jennifer Lopez was releasing an album, you laughed and moved on, but then late one night you caught this remix on MTV, or you were in a club and the DJ dropped it into his mix, and you couldn't help but dance. This feeling is re-enacted in this video as the connection between the jungle and primal urge to become a slave to the rhythm is made [a connection made clear in the constant shots of Jennifer winding and grinding in between the leaves, waterfalls, and strobe lights.] J and her girls prepare, arrive, navigate their way through, and eventually unleash the beast within on the dancefloor. Is it any wonder as to why this song is loved and adored by the young, the gays, the blacks, and the whites?
I'm Real [Murder Remix feat. Ja Rule]-Now this is what a summer jam should look and sound like. Light, chill, and smooth like the summer's breeze. An album later Jennifer would remind us all to not "be fooled by the rocks that she's got", but with this video you had no problem accepting her declaration of still being "from the block." The velour jumpsuit, [remember those? There once was a time where you couldn't throw a rock without hitting a p.y.t in a velour sweatsuit], the afternoon basketball games, outdoor house parties, playground shos, etc. It may seem like authenticity overload, but instead it feels loose and playful, no matter how many times the words "I'm Real" are repeated in the background. And big ups (?) for extending Ja Rule's 15 minutes. Thanks to Jennifer, Ja and his Murder Inc. imprint got a few more albums and members added to the entourage than label heads, fans, and executives ever expected.
Ain't it Funny [Murder Rmx. feat. Ja Rule and Cadillac Tah]-Guess who's back? Damn, Ashanti and Diddy must have been pissed. Yes, we got another remix starring J.Lo and Ja in scenes of urban leisure, but the spark is still there. Again J.Lo exhibits some fine music video acting by just making faces at her [unknown to us], ex-suitor. And let's not forget about the song's production now either. If you own the album, J.Lo, from which the original track was taken, you know that the original version of Ain't it Funny is all tango/flamenco light and kind of boring. To say this version is an improvement is definitely an understatement.
I'm Gonna be Alright [Track Masters Remix]-
J.Lo, J.Lo, J.Lo. You're too good to us. No more Ja. No more high rise apatments and outdoor basketball games. The atmosphere, like the beat, is humid, sticky, and
Yes, contrary to popular belief, some of us still enjoy a good music video and/or remix. So big ups Ms. Lopez. And thank you for putting a little effort into all your remixes and music videos. That, is how you do it.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
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