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!
20 June 2014
09 June 2014
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!
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!
05 May 2014
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!
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
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.
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.
07 April 2014
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!
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!
02 April 2014
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.
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.
01 April 2014
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