I finished "The Office" on Netflix. Both actually. More specifically the British version, including the special. If you haven't seen the special than you're missing out on perhaps the finest ending of a television series I can think of. Let's just say it's simply beautiful.
Anyhow, the song by Yazz (or Yazoo depending if you're from Britain or not) plays in the back, and emplihpies the entire scene. Ever since I've been hooked. A beautiful song, and even though it's complete synth pop cheesiness it somehow never feels that way.
And the actual video for the song is pretty cute too.
So the most recent viral video that's been making its way around the 'nets is called "David After Dentist" and depicts a boy just after having a tooth pulled who is still drugged up on anesthesia and is basically drunk. It's been generating a lot of comment for being both funny and controversial. I think a lot of us can relate to what David is going through here, but was it right for his father (I assume) to film him in a moment of weakness and put it on the internet? Would he have guessed that it would garner a staggering 4 million views in just one week ? And that it would spawn a large number of "remixes"?
For The Win, David asks: "Is this real life?" The question of our times indeed.
Here is the original:
And here is my favorite remix so far, the METAL version! Headbanging and all. It rulez.
For a Video site YouTube sure does put some awesome music together. Here is an example of a composition put together from multiple videos or guitar shredders from Japan.
But my favorite part is the 'Rock On' sign. I'm glad that it is still alive and well somewhere on this earth.
So I've just discovered Carol King. You might know her, but if not check her out. already, but if not check her out.
She reminds me a lot of Laura Nyro, but a little more polished sounding. She was a composer for big act names like the Beatles and Aretha Franklin, so when she started her own solo career she went in full steam ahead.
I just discovered her recently, and very much digging her sound. If you like folkish influenced rock with great harmonizing female vocals I recommend you check her out as well.
Here is a little selection you probably already know...
I'm sure many of you checked out the incredible inauguration of our 44th President of the United States Barack Obama (If not please go Youtube it, or read an article, or at least take your head out of the sand).
Of course it was an incredible event, with moving speeches and a groundbreaking social change. But, in my mind, one of the most stirring moments came from the musical performance written by John Williams. Alex Ross of the New Yorker had some brilliant words to say about it, "[what] I liked most of all the diverse picture of the classical world that the performers presented: an Israeli-born violinist, a Chinese-American cellist, a Venezuelan-born pianist, and an African-American clarinetist from the South Side of Chicago."
While it was a moving piece, the ensemble playing it was just as moving. They did personify the wonderful thing about this country, our diversity and acceptance. And while the election of our first black president epitomizes this fact, this piece played tribute to it through music. Check it out...
It's basically updated daily, and gives you a music sampling of songs that have slipped under the radar, but kick-ass. I've scanned some back-logs, and found a huge sampling of wonderful tunes.
A great site, and I highly suggest checking it out if you want to have a damn fine day.
Via that always-wonderful directory of stuff known as BoingBoing, I've been informed that the Next Big Thing in the UK is apparently a woman-and-a-band known collectively as Florence and the Machine.
Their sound is a bit pop-punk, a shake of folk, a splash of soul and more than a pinch of catchy songwriting, at least so far. Check out the video for their debut single, "Kiss With a Fist", and listen/learn more about the band here (BoingBoing) here (MySpace) and here (Wikipedia).
I heard the Cure sing "Pictures of You" today on Boston's best independent radio station, WERS, and it reminded me of a similar song by Duran Duran (which, it should [or shouldn't] be noted, is my favorite karaoke tune). See both videos, in all their retro irony, below.
While I grew up in the '80s, the music never really caught on until I spent a year in Japan in 2002-03. Even in college, where the "80s Party" was the biggest school-sanctioned event of the year, it wasn't really my flavor (more like Patrick Bateman than David Bowie).
But some days, sappy love songs are worth more than just a laugh.
I like Michael Jackson a lot. I won't say I "love" him, but I think he's incredibly talented, and I think it's a darn shame the downward spiral his career has made.
But like I said bottom line is that he's ridiculously talented. He changed the way acts dance, sing, and make music videos. He is, and always will be the "King of Pop".
I stumbled across this video. As as impressed as I am with him, I have even more respect for him now. Made skills.
Just saw this video over on Radioclash. It's a song called "2020", by Aussie collective The Herd. I think it's thought-provoking on a lot of levels and creative to boot. Of course, there's nothing really new about rap or reggae being political (or white guys making that kind of music to begin with), this video seems to be part of a widening genre that is distinctively post-millennial.
Since 2005, San Francisco-based mashup DJs and Bootie (the party) pioneers Adrian and the Mysterious D (aka A+D) have compiled their favorite mashups of the previous year into a must-have selection of that year's hits. If there is one bastard-pop album to be had (though since they're almost always free, you should really have them all) each annum, this would probably be it.
(click on the photo to go to the Bootie site)
Residents of any of the cities where Bootie events go down will likely be pretty familiar with the tunes, which are mainly composed of this year's pop sensations combined with yesteryear's funkiest or best-known tracks. These come off the dancefloors and onto wax in Best of Bootie 2008.
Some of the more obvious entries include the A+B mash of The Police's "Roxanne" and The Bee Gees' "You Should be Dancing", by DJ Zebra, and the tongue-literally-poking-through-the-cheek irony of Divide & Kreate's "Until It Talks", a combination of Coldplay and Metallica tracks.
But the award for creativity most definitely goes to SF's DJ Earworm, who mixes not two, not five, but sixteen different artists (Rihanna vs. Kardinal Offishall vs. Akon vs. Ne-Yo vs. Estelle vs. Pussycat Dolls vs. Leona Lewis vs. Danity Kane vs. Madonna vs. Timbaland vs. Justin Timberlake vs. Lupe Fiasco vs. Matthew Santos vs. Britney Spears vs. Flo-Rida vs. T-Pain) to create "No More Gas". Bordering dangerously on the Girltalk-dominated sub-genre (or is it a completely new one?) of extreme mashups, this is a whole bunch of song fragments, choruses and other bits that somehow got stuck in your head over the year. No need to go back to all those (mostly) bad originals, now you have them all in one track! It's like a "Best of" list all in itself.
Anyway, as always with the Bootie compilations, this one is pre-mixed for your continuous listening and dancing pleasure. Many thanks to A+D for keeping the Bootie series going and here's looking forward to a mash-terful 2009.
While driving up to my friend's ski cottage in New Hampshire I was listening to some local radio, 92.5 The River to be exact. So this great song comes on. It was one of those "love at first riff" songs. I'm thinking it might be Fleetwood Mac. The strong male voice with subtle female backing, strong percussion, and elegant harmony. So I reach for my iPhone and furiously try to Shazam the song, but to no avail. No results pop up. So next tactic, I look up the radio on my iPhone and call. But no one would pick up! So I jotted down the lyrics for my good ole faithful method: Google the lyrics. Turns out the tune I was so jazzed on was "Fadeaway" by the Bodeans, an old band I have never heard of before. Anyhow, great song, great band, check them out.
A friend of mine showed me this clip the other day. There are a few more out on the WWW if this stuff really interests you. This guitar player connected his guitar to a Tesla Coil then proceeds to play sans amp. Instead, the electrical output is fed through the Tesla Coil which in turns creates an electrical current, which in turn makes a noise. Maybe it's better if you see for yourself:
We've all done it, or tried to, at least. No, I'm not talking about naked sushi or methamphetamines, but that iconic 80's dance, The Robot. And if you learned how to do it from the below video, then you get extra props for . . . abandoning all hope of ever being "with it"?
BTW, you'll probably want to watch this in a room full of people, at high volume, because it's totally rad.
Merry Christmas. For all the good boys and girls, we ain't got shit. For the bad boys and girls (b-boys and girls) we have the Mad Decent Xmas video. So hot.
Twas the night before Christmas, and, eh, you know the rest.
Being the holiday season I'm sure you're all listening to lots and lots of Christmas music. I love Christmas music. I think I mostly got it from my Mom, who absolutely loves anything to do with Christmas. As soon as snow hits the ground the Christmas music starts. Anyhow, with the holiday spirit in mind I thought I would share with you some of my favorite songs for the Holidays. In no particular order.
Carol of the Bells- I love thing song. Such a great hook, chorus, everything. Moody, powerful, all while being festive. I love it.
Feliz Navidad- A nice cheery little number, and the only Spanish Christmas song I know. It's fun, upbeat, and festive. What more could you ask for?
12 Days of Christmas- Who doesn't love this song? It's a one to sing-along with, even if you don't know the "10 jugglers running" or "8 gators eating" lyrics.
All I Want For Christmas Is You- Obviously the Mariah Carrey version. I'm not sure if there is another version. I think after years of the DJs hammering this one on the radio I've finally succumbed into somewhat liking this song. Plus it's a pop phenomenon, you gotta respect it.
Christmas In Hollis- I think I actually knew most of the lyrics when I was younger. I think it's hard to find really good Christmas raps, but this one rocks. Definitely the best. Run in the houses.
And the worst Christmas song ever?
Last Christmas- Wham! What an awful band name. Not only is this song so incredibly sappy and bad, it's also ridiculously catchy. It's one of those songs you detest when it comes on, and then ten minutes later you find yourself singing it.
On the night before the birth of baby Jesus (from a woman and God - man had nothing to do with it), we present you with a video from a long time ago (30 years!) and a galaxy far, far away (whatever no-longer-existent sound stage this was made on): "Happy Life Day", from the Star Wars Holiday special! OMFG, I know!
Can you believe Harrison Ford would get down with this? Or the guy who played Chewbacca? I mean, of course C3PO would do anything for a spacebuck, but Chewie? I thought he/she/it was incorruptible!
Anyway, I didn't even watch the whole video, but it's hilarious. Carrie Fisher sings, there's an original trilogy flashback, and a wookie family in the suburbs of Endor say grace before eating their bantha meat or snowglobes or whatever.
Well it seems that this is turning into more like a "holiday mashup videos" series, most (if not all - we'll have to see what Santa brings on the 25th) coming from the oft-mentioned album Santastic Vol. 4.
Our latest installment features a mashup by Go Home Productions, with music by Blondie, Paul McCartney and Jennifer Lopez. It's simple and sweet, like any Christmas song should be, and the video flows very well, starting with a clip from "Miracle on 34th Street", where Santa winkingly informs a kid that yes, it's really him. Aptly chosen for a mashup indeed.
For all those atheists out there who feel a touch uncomfortable with the glut of religious holidays out there around the end of the year (though it should be mentioned that Kwanzaa is non-religious, though quite spiritual), here's one for you.
It's a cover of Adam Sandler's popular "Hanukkah Song", but instead of calling out famous Jews, our singer cleverly inserts famous non-believers. Which is better? You decide! (I'm agnostic, like Carl Sagan ;-)
Today we have another video mashup by DJNoNo, this one as a remix/response to a more conventional mashup video made from the aforementioned Santastic Vol. 4. No drum 'n' bass this time, just the Trans Siberian Orchestra and Blink 182. It's altar boy choirs with whiny pop-punk acapella by the Blink boys over holiday movie clips galore!
