After a relaxing weekend in the Bahamas, and a week off from bringing the music, I am glad to say that the five song Friday is back in a big way this week! All five of these songs are poptastic in their own way, and they are all great songs that have recently taken me by storm.
This week is also the “turning of a corner”, of sorts; I think that I am going to completely phase out posting videos from youtube as a part of the five song Friday. If you read yesterday’s post, you know why, and due to that frustration, I just don’t think it is worth my time. I haven’t looked back to see which videos I have posted in the past that have been removed, but I am sure that at least a few of them have, and that bothers me. So, we will focus on the music, and if the video is a must see, then I will try and post a link for it, even though I won’t be posting the actual video, mmmkay? Either way, the music will keep playing!
Beyonce – If I Were A Boy
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_1017_beyonce-ifiwereaboy.mp3]
I am going to start this one off with one word: Amazing. Seriously, Beyonce has captured my attention with several hits in the past, like Crazy in Love, and Baby Boy, but it wasn’t until her belting the SHIT out of Listen in Dreamgirls that I really fell in love with her. After that, I knew that Bey was the real deal, and ever since, I have been paying closer attention to this diva. With the buzz around the interwebs talking about Bey releasing a new record soon, my newfound dedication clearly sparked my interest, and after one listen of If I Were A Boy, I have to say that I was very impressed. This song is beautiful, powerful, and very well written. The accompanying video is magnificent. I am glad to see that Beyonce is doing songs like this one, and really showing some pop range, and some beauty in vulnerability. The jury is still out on the other song that is being simultaneously released, but I can definitely say that If I Were A Boy is an INSTANT favorite. One more thing, I have to say, that I can’t believe how instantly impressed I was with this song, it is seriously major, and it gets even better with each listen.
JoJo – How To Touch a Girl
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_1017_jojo-howtotouchagirl.mp3]
While we were on the cruise, there were two channels that were dedicated to music on the TV in the room, and I found myself watching them from time to time when we were relaxing at night. Well, the video for this song came on, and I was about to change it, when I decided to let it go through to the chorus (seeing as I had never heard the song before). Well, cut to me being pretty impressed. Here, JoJo has a bona fide pop anthem on her hands, and I have had this CD all this time, and didn’t even know this gem existed!!! Needless to say, I quickly put this one back on my ipod, and I have been enjoying it since we returned home. Sometimes I ignore stuff for a while, but it is nice if it eventually comes back onto my radar screen; especially when it is great like this song!! Luck be a lady named JoJo in this case! Be sure to check out the video too.
Aqualung – Arrivals
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_1017_aqualung-arrivals.mp3]
Last week, I blogged about how I was extremely surprised and excited by the quiet release of a new Aqualung record. However, after a couple of lessons, I feel that the record sounds a bit incomplete and rushed; it is no where near as polished as Memory Man is. Now, I hadn’t written it off forever, but I was having trouble finding anything that could be considered redeeming in this release; it is kind of a disappointment. Cut to my blog-buddy Steve mentioning the final track, Arrivals, on his blog, and me going back for another listen. HOLY SHIT. This song is epic. It is gargantuan. It is massive. It is beautiful. It is flawed, but yet somehow perfect. This is Aqualung at his best, and I don’t know why it was reserved for the end of the record, but I am happier than a pig in shit that it is there. This song may not be a full fledged redeemer, but it is as close as this record could ever hope for. This song is poised to become an all time favorite.
Antony and the Johnsons – Another World
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_1017_antonyandthejohnsons-anotherworld.mp3]
I had kind of a love/hate relationship with Antony when I first heard their material. I didn’t care for Antony’s voice, and there was no consoling me… at first. I decided that maybe I was being hasty, so I listened, I mean really listened, and I felt and heard the ache and tenderness that is so powerful and unique about Antony. I quickly turned on my heal, and became a HUGE fan of Antony and the Johnsons, especially their previous record, I Am A Bird Now, which is pretty much a flawless record. Well, when I saw that they had released an EP of new songs last week, I HAD to have it. I am glad that I snagged it too, because in the same vein as I Am A Bird Now, Another World is full of amazing songs; my favorite being the title track, which I am glad to present to you this week. The part where they make it sound like a whale call with the distortion is an amazing touch. If you haven’t heard Antony’s stuff, do yourself a favor and check out this truly amazing artist.
Noah and The Whale – 5 Years Time
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_1017_noahandthewhale-5yearstime.mp3]
I know what you are thinking… is it something like, “Hey!! I have heard that before! In a commercial, right?!”? Well you would be right!! It is the song from the Saturn commercial, and it is fantastically catchy and fun song. I tried to resist this little gem for a while, but I have heard it again and again, and this song is such a damn ear worm that it wouldn’t give up until I went ahead and downloaded it. Well, I am glad I did, because I do quite like it, and I like how it really is like what a smile would probably sound like, if it were transformed into a song. Good stuff, eh? Be sure to check out the super cute video as well.
Well, there’s your five songs for this week, children. I hope that you enjoyed them, because there are definitely some AMAZING songs in this week’s collection. I am glad to be back, and I hope you didn’t miss the tunes too much last week. As always, be sure to let me know what you think, and definitely tell me what is playing on your appropriated musical device!!
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