In case I haven’t been able to convince you that City and Colour is amazing, please allow me to submit further evidence as to why this is true:
You told me life was a risk…
I just have one last question:
Will it be my heart,
or will it be his?
See what I mean? Completely AMAZING.
(h/t deb)
Welcome back to the weekly blogcast of the 5 song Friday! I hope everyone is having a swell day, and I hope these 5 tracks make good even better. Now… on with the show.
Hellogoodbye – When We First Met
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_102_hellogoodbye-whenwefirstmet.mp3]
It is with great excitement that I bring you the BRAND NEW single from Hellogoodbye!! When We First Met marks a triumphant return to producing great pop for Hellogoodbye, and if this is any indication as to what we can expect from their next release, my longing for new material from them might have been worth the wait. I have been a fan of Hellogoodbye ever since I fell in love with their full length debut, Monsters! Aliens! Dinosaurs! Vampires! way back in 2006 (!!!). Then, after seeing them in concert, I fell even more head over heels for them, and have been clamoring for the chance to get some new music from these guys; and (not that it’s a bad thing, I just want a new album!) all I’ve gotten (until this week) was a re-issue of MADV with some extra tracks. While this track is a little less “electro-pop” than most of their debut, it shows them moving in a great direction (channeling their softer, sweeter side they showed on Oh, It’s Love), and I, for one, find myself even more excited for a new album from this bunch. You can get a copy of the When We First Met mini EP by signing up at their website.
Rosi Golan feat William Fitzsimmons – Hazy (download it here!!!)
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_102_rosigolan-hazy.mp3]
I have featured songs on the 5SF before that I heard playing in the background of a show before, and this is one of those tracks. Those of you that watched the season premiere of Dollhouse will probably recognize this one; it was played during the first 10 or so minutes of the season premiere, and I loved it so much I had to have it. Luckily, a quick google search of the lyrics, and I was in business. I love the lyrics, and the delicate arrangement. When I first heard it, I knew there was something familiar about the song, and when I found it, I discovered that the male vocal was none other than William Fitzsimmons (who I found randomly not so long ago as well)! The final bridge/chorus where their voices intertwine and harmonize is fucking unbelievably beautiful. I am glad that the music producers of the show chose it, and I am glad that I could hunt it down and share it with you guys as one of today’s selected tracks.
Newton Faulkner – If This Is It
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_102_newtonfaulkner-ifthisisit.mp3]
When I heard that Newton had released a new album, Rebuilt by Humans, the follow up to his Hand Built By Robots, I’ll be honest, I wasn’t terribly interested. While I really fell in love with Dream Catch Me, the major single from HBBR, it took me a while to get into it, but when I did, I was hooked. However, that interest eventually fizzled, when the rest of the album didn’t really gel for me. Well, one of you guys (thanks Doug!) said that his new release was worth a listen, and so I listened. While I am not head over heels for the whole album, I am definitely flipping for this track. It is really beautiful, and the orchestration is massive. I love his voice, and the uplifting nature of the lyrics is certainly something to smile about. With this song, Newton has really proven to me, that I really DO need to pay closer attention to him; I like this even better than his first single.
Alphabeat – The Spell
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_102_alphabeat-thespell.mp3]
I will be totally honest, and get this out of the way right up front; I have been sitting on this one for a while now. While I loved this song the first time I heard it, I could only get my hands on a boot-leg, low quality version of it; but that all changed this week. Now that I’ve got the goods, I am more than happy to get the word out about the new amazing single from this Danish sensation; who previously filled me with shrieks of delight when I heard their amazing single, Fascination. While their entire debut album, This is Alphabeat, never really struck as strong of a chord with me as Fascination did, I never turned my attention completely away from these guys, as I knew they were capable of repeating that greatness again. With The Spell, they have totally captivated my attention once again with an extremely strong, catchy single, and I can only hope that the second time is the charm for me with Alphabeat. In the meantime, I can’t stop dancing around to this wonderful track.
Third Eye Blind – Don’t Believe A Word (download it here!!!)
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_102_thirdeyeblind-dontbelieveaword.mp3]
Yes, you are reading that right: I am featuring a song by Third Eye Blind, and no, it isn’t 1997! Most people probably think of the late nineties when they think of Third Eye Blind, because that was when they had the most success with radio mainstays Semi-Charmed Kind of Life, How’s It Going To Be, and Jumper. I randomly noticed they had released a new album recently, when I stumbled onto the stop-motiontastic video for Don’t Believe A Word. While the song didn’t fully draw me in initially, there was something about it that I really liked, and as such, I downloaded it. After a few listens, I realized it was the amazing riff that they utilize during the chorus that I loved. I always really liked his voice, and the song overall has proven to be quite the earworm. If you don’t count the part where he screams “you whore I’ll fucking kill you” right before the first chorus, I would venture a guess that Third Eye Blind could have another mainstream hit on their hands; more than 10 years after their successful debut.
Well, there’s your Friday five! Please be sure to let me know what you thought, and remember that I am always looking for your suggestions as well!
Y’all ready for another fabulous 5 tracks selected just for your listening pleasure today? Well, you better get ready, because here they come! Editor’s Note: This should have been released to the internets yesterday, but due to some scheduling issues, the presses were shut down for the evening, forcing us here at duanemoody.com to publish as soon as we could today. Our deepest apologies for this mix up.
Sugababes – Easy
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_925_sugababes-easy.mp3]
I wanted to pay tribute to the change in line up of a certain amazing girl group; a change that very well may spell the final fate of that very band’s future. Earlier this week, the last remaining original Sugababe was handed her walking papers, and while only time will tell what will happen with the ever changing group in the future, one thing is certain; they have had some major hits, and in looking back, I see that they have been a major presence on the 5SF. As such, it only feels fitting to offer up a hit from their past to show a bit of love for these fine ladies. This song was one of the first songs (that wasn’t just a re-recording or extra track added to a re-release) that was released after adding Amelle to the group (who replaced Mutya), and I think it is definitely one of their best. I love this song every which way, and the slutty lyrics and double entendres are just too wonderful to ignore. I don’t have much hope for the ‘Babes now that the amazing Keisha has left the building, but if this song is any indication, they certainly have the ability to keep moving when things change suddenly and drastically. Let’s hope the future looks bright for the NEW Sugababes.
Anouk – Lay It Down
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_925_anouk-layitdown.mp3]
AMAZING. That is one word that could easily be used to describe Anouk’s voice. I have featured her on the 5SF before; it was after hearing her amazing Lost on So You Think You Can Dance. Other than that song, I didn’t really seek out any of her music at the time… until recently. I am always scouring new releases for something new to check out and listen to, and I noticed that Anouk’s new album (with intense and quite amazing cover art) was released last week. As such, I figured I’d give it a go, and I am so glad I did. There are some massive songs on this album, and this one is my favorite. I absolutely love the power in her voice; she could jump a car battery using her vocal cords. This song is incredibly beautiful; the arrangement, lyrics, vocals, and all. I’m glad this one made a blip on my radar screen, because it is truly a wonderful find. As my friend Deb and I were discussing just yesterday about the album, it really is a wonder why Anouk isn’t more famous here; she is an amazing musician.
Monsters of Folk – Dear God (Sincerely MOF)
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_925_monstersoffolk-deargod.mp3]
This light and airy number from this band of folk masters is truly a delight. I heard it randomly on the radio, and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the harps as they combine with the drum machine and the deep backing bass. The delicate vocals are woven in beautifully, and make for a truly beautiful song. If you are a fan of any of these guys or their respective bands (M. Ward did solo stuff and is in She & Him, Connor Oberst did solo stuff and is in Bright Eyes with Mike Mogis, and Jim James is in My Morning Jacket), you will definitely hear their influences weighing heavily on this track, and you will probably enjoy their work together, just as much I do.
The Lovemakers – Love Is Dead
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_925_lovemakers-loveisdead.mp3]
This song didn’t really make such a big splash with my initially, but upon a second lesson, I fell really hard for it. This track was offered as a free track on iTunes a week or so ago, and I always give those tracks a listen; just in case. This time, it paid off, because I absolutely adore this song. It has the energy and spunk of the Sounds’ No One Sleeps When I’m Awake, and throws in a bit of that light, syrupy goodness of bands like the Lightning Seeds and the Pet Shop Boys (especially with regards to the male vocalist). Overall, it was a great find that lead me to checking out their recently released album, Let’s Be Friends; which has several other great songs on it as well.
Madonna – Celebration
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_925_madonna-celebration.mp3]
I give in. I cannot resist anymore. This song is by Madonna, and it is BRILLIANT. I want to dance all fucking night long and this song fills me with a gay glee that I cannot fully describe in words. As many of my friends will most certainly recall, I have been sort of hard of this old cougar over the years. Madge hasn’t ever really been a staple part of my music collection, mostly because I don’t ascribe to praising someone for EVERY SINGLE THING THEY’VE EVER DONE; which is something I see a LOT of gay men do with Madonna. For me, that which I would consinder her biggest misstep (Ray of Light) won a fucking Grammy, and as such, I think I have punished her (perhaps unfairly) for it ever since. Well, after hearing this song a few weeks ago, when it was released as the lead single on her upcoming hits collection with the same title, I will admit that I resisted it. I resisted hard. But her rock hard thighs and sveltely toned arms danced and pounded their way into my heart. This song is massive, and I definitely believe in giving credit where it is due; and Madonna, you deserve a standing O for this one, baby.
I hope you enjoyed the tracks that I picked for this week’s Friday five, and I hope that you will let me know what you thought. I also hope that you will let me know what you are listening to, as I always have my ear out for the next thing that will blow me away. Have a good weekend, kids, and if you are in Atlanta where the forecast is rain, stay dry and stay safe.
I’ll be honest, I didn’t post the 5SF last week because I was wrapped up in the Eagle raid. That being said, I am still in awe that it happened, and as more information comes out about it, I am more and more surprised at how it looks to be blatant homophobia. It’s extremely disappointing all around.
I am not skipping this week, though. This week’s picks are all strong, and most of them are major finds. I hope that you enjoy them, and I hope it gives you at least a few minutes to take your mind off of the whole debacle mentioned above. Let’s get started!
Priscilla Renea – Dollhouse
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_918_priscillarenea-dollhouse.mp3]
I discovered this song when I stumbled on the cutesy video on youtube one day last week. I instantly loved the production and arrangement of the song, and I was sure that it was another gem from production genius Max Martin. Interestingly enough, it isn’t him, but Benny Blanco, who’s worked with a lot of the same artists (which is probably why it sounded like similar production to me). I love the energy of the song (which has a lot of the spunk that major hits like My Life Would Suck Without You carry), and I especially like Priscilla’s voice; which sounds like it has some major power underneath it. This is such a cute little song, and one that I would expect to hear on the radio 1000 times.
A Fine Frenzy – Bird of the Summer
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_918_afinefrenzy-birdofthesummer.mp3]
A Fine Frenzy’s new album, Bomb in a Birdcage came out last week, and I have found myself falling deeper and deeper in love with it with each listen. There are some incredibly beautiful tracks on it (this one being one of the best), and while many people fell for A Fine Frenzy with her debut, for whatever reason, I wasn’t pulled in. However, that is no longer the case, A Fine Frenzy has delivered one of the best albums of 2009 with Bomb In a Birdcage, and this song is one of my favorites from the album. It is light, airy, and beautiful all over. I am glad that she snagged my attention this (the second) time around.
Noah and the Whale – Blue Skies
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_918_noahandthewhale-blueskies.mp3]
I posted about Noah and the Whale last year around this time, when I fell for their song, 5 Years Time; after it was featured in a Saturn commercial. Unfortunately, I didn’t fall any further for Noah and the Whale, and my interest never materialized past that one song. However, they recently released a new album, and I figured I would at least give it a listen to see if there were more gems like 5 Years Time on it, and what I found was surprising, and wonderful. This song stood out to me, because I absolutely love the arrangement. The vocals remind me of Peter Bjorn and John, and the music is something that should be played at a pivotal scene in a beautiful movie. After hearing snippets of this album, I am back on board with Noah and the Whale. It’s just like A Fine Frenzy, sometimes, it takes time… or another album.
Weezer – (If You’re Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_918_weezer-iwantyouto.mp3]
I will start by saying that I consider myself to be a fairly die-hard fan of Weezer. The Blue Album was one of my first CDs that I remember buying, and loving each song on it. Additionally, it is an album that really shaped the beginnings of my love for music. Each subsequent album showed that Weezer is a pop-rock band that is of a consistently high quality, and I have been a fan ever since. Amidst rumors of a break up after Make Believe (one of their best albums to date), Weezer quelled the fears of fans that didn’t want a break up to happen by releasing the Red Album, which unfortunately, I never really got into. There were some great songs on it, and it was definitely a good Weezer record, but for me, it was somewhat of a letdown. Well, a couple of weeks ago, a friend of mine on twitter said Weezer had a new fantastic song out, and after listening for like 5 seconds, I was in love with it. This song has all of the energy and cheesy sweet lyrics of the Weezer that I love. Rivers Cuomo is back in FULL FORCE, and this song should be a massive hit. I am hoping that their next album thrills me as much as this song does.
White Lies – Death
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_918_whitelies-death.mp3]
Sometimes hearing a song in context makes you realize how amazing it is; and that is exactly what happened to me with this song. I first heard this song back in March, when I posted about White Lies’ amazing track, Farewell to the Fairground. I really liked the song then, and really enjoyed much of their album, To Lose My Life. However, it wasn’t until I heard the song played in the background on The Vampire Diaries, that I realized just how incredible it was. It wasn’t even an important scene, but the way that it complimented the show, it really helped me to fully enjoy the song, and see intricacies and nuances I hadn’t heard in it before. I love when shows pay extra attention to the music that they play, because it is really appreciated by viewers like me; sometimes, that attention to detail will keep me coming back to the show time and time again. In this case, the show may be a bit hokey (think Dawson’s Creek… with vampires), but the writing is actually pretty good, and the music so far has been fantastic. It really sets the mood, and has done wonders for the show in my eyes. I can’t wait to see what gems they have for me peppered throughout each episode to come.
Well, there’s your Friday five. What do you think of this week’s selection? Please let me know!! Also, let me know what you are listening to, because I really, really want to know. Seriously, I love suggestions from people, and I always at least give them a go, so be sure to share them with me; you never know, I might feature one of your selections in the future.
Yesterday, I was thinking about what I was going to post today, and I had a little difficulty coming up with the five songs that I wanted to share. I decided to ask my fellow twitterati what they thought I should post, and I got several excellent suggestions; three of which I am actually going to feature today! Let’s get started! (Note: I think every song has a bad word or two in it, so don’t blast these at work unless you don’t care; just wanted to give the heads up)
The Swell Season – In These Arms
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_94_theswellseason-inthesearms.mp3]
This suggestion comes from my friend John, who caused immense excitement for me yesterday, when he messaged me that The Swell Season’s new single is already out (a fact that I was unaware of). John and I watched Once together a couple of years ago after the Oscars, and both of us agreed at that time that Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova (together, outside of the context of the movie, they go by The Swell Season) are downright brilliant actors and musicians. As for the new single, after 10 seconds of the 30 second preview, I knew that I was going to love this song, and it has not let me down. If this amazing first single is any indication of what we can expect from Oscar winning duo Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova (they won an Oscar for the song, Falling Slowly from Once), their new album will definitely be amongst my favorite albums of 2009. I’m glad that there is more coming from this incredibly talented music duo in the very near future, and a big thanks to John for bringing the fact that this song was already out, to my attention.
Danger Mouse and Sparklehorse – Revenge (feat. Wayne Coyne)
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_94_dangermouse-revenge.mp3]
This suggestion comes from my friend Brian. This track comes from an audio/visual collaborative project, helmed by Danger Mouse, called Dark Night Of The Soul. I love the John Lennon-esque vibe of the track, and the way it pays heavy tribute to Pink Floyd with the arrangement. The artistry of this song is beautiful, and it only adds to Danger Mouse’s incredible production range; his work spans from trend setting hip-hop teetering on the alternative, all of the way out to rock and roll. It seems whatever he’s up to, it’s something that is going to be at a minimum, innovative and interesting. A big thanks goes to Brian for pointing out this excellent suggestion!
Mew – Beach
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_94_mew-beach.mp3]
This suggestion comes from my friend Cody. The first time I heard this song, I found it to lean towards being a bit bouncy and unmanageable, but the more I listen to it, the more I hear the brilliance in it. The song is fantastic, and like a bucking bronco, refuses to stay still and let you reign it in. I love the backing synth, that reminds me of the ethereal quality of m83, and especially love the way they paired it with the sweet and tender vocals; together, they round out the package quite nicely, making for an amazing pop-rock track. I love arrangement, which sounds like it would be the perfect soundtrack for driving country roads with the top down. A big thanks goes to Cody for the amazing suggestion!!
Esmee Denters – Outta Here
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_94_esmeedenters-outtahere.mp3]
There is a lot of good music that comes out of the UK, and it never ceases to amaze me how much of it is completely overlooked by people in this country. This song was in the top ten on iTunes UK, and I had never even heard it before I stumbled onto it last night. After one listen, I sat there wishing it was songs like this that were dominating our radio airwaves, instead of songs from other tweens like Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus. This song has a banging beat, and a lot of energy. Esmee’s vocals are powerful, and a welcome addition to the “tween scene”; that is, if she can actually successfully cross the pond. The way I look at it, for each annoying track from Taylor Swift, if we could get a fantastic one like this one, there would be balance in the world. Turns out Esmee was a youtube star that Justin Timberlake caught wind of, and got her a record deal; maybe that’s enough for her to make it here. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.
Alexisonfire – This Could Be Anywhere in The World
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_94_alexisonfire-thiscouldbeanywhere.mp3]
I will start by saying that I have never been a fan of post-hardcore shout rock, and I have never seen any value in it (I don’t get the screaming). However, as many of you know, one of my favorite singers of all time, Dallas Green, actually plays in a post-hardcore band, Alexisonfire. Since I love his side acoustic project, City and Colour, so much, curiosity eventually got the better of me, and I wanted to see if I could find any Alexisonfire that I would like as well (my philosophy was, more Dallas is a good thing). With the release of their new album, Old Crows/Young Cardinals, I ended up finding one track that I liked right off, but still stood firm in believing that I probably wouldn’t listen to them, as they “weren’t my cup of tea”. Well, apparently, that has changed. I ended up FINALLY giving the rest of the album a listen, and I actually REALLY liked what I heard. It was then when I went back to see if I would like some of their older stuff, and I found this song, which is perhaps my favorite Alexisonfire track of all. I love the energy, and the way that Dallas’ voice soars during the chorus. I may never give shout rock as much of a chance as I did with Alexisonfire, but I can definitely say that I am glad I was able to overcome my initial skepticism, and given them a chance.
Well there’s your five songs for this Friday. Let this be a lesson; suggestions are more than welcome and many times, they will find their way into a 5SF of the future! So, let me know what you think of this week’s selections, and tell me what you are listening to as well. Finally, I want to extend another thank you to my twitter friends for hooking me up with three of these five fine selections. Now… let’s go enjoy a 3 day weekend, shall we?!
After not feeling up to it last week, I am back with your regularly scheduled five song Friday. Rejoice, children. Rejoice. Now, let’s go ahead and get started, shall we?
Brandi Carlile – Dreams
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_828_brandicarlile-dreams.mp3]
After I first heard Brandi’s sophomore album, The Story, I knew I had stumbled onto something truly outstanding. She has a very weathered and experienced quality to her voice, which is surprising when you see how young and stunningly beautiful she is. Well, I hadn’t thought about her in a while (mostly because it’s been more than two years since The Story was released), and I happened to re-discover The Story a few weeks ago. After listening, I naturally checked in to see what was going on with her, and low and behold, she has a new album coming out in October! To add to that good news, I found that the lead single, Dreams, was available on iTunes, and it is quite fantastic. What do you think? I am definitely looking forward to Brandi’s upcoming third album.
Kate Earl – Melody
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_828_kateearl-melody.mp3]
This song was offered as the free track on iTunes last week, and I found myself really liking the chorus, so I downloaded it. Then, I listened a few times, and I find myself liking the whole song as well. I love Kate’s sweet voice, and I can tell there is some power in there waiting to be belted out. This was a great offering from iTunes, and one I am happy to share. I do have to say, that I hope that Kate doesn’t turn into a Colbie Callait for me though; I liked her at first too, and now I can’t stand her. Here’s hoping that doesn’t happen.
Everything But The Girl – Walking Wounded
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_828_ebtg-walkingwounded.mp3]
This is one of the best songs of all time, in my honest opinion. The rich melody, the entrancing beat, the backing sound effects, and MOST OF ALL, Tracey Thorn’s amazing vocal all come together to make this a masterpiece of drum and bass. I fell in love with Everything But the Girl when they decided to go down the electronic route with Missing, and I loved most of their work that came after it. Walking Wounded was a massive record for me near the end of High School, and it really made me into a lover of electro music. I especially love really, really well done drum and bass, and this is a shining example of when it is done right, it can be amazing. Everything about this song is fantastic, including the great writing, and the imagery that is conjured by it. To me, this song is just perfect, and when recently stumbled back onto it, I decided that I wanted to throw some well deserved attention at it, and get it on a 5SF.
The Sounds – No One Sleeps When I’m Awake
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_828_thesounds-noonesleepswhenimawake.mp3]
When I first heard this song, I didn’t like it. In fact, the first time I heard of the Sounds, I didn’t like them either. While I am still not really feeling the rest of the new album, Crossing the Rubicon, I have fallen head over heels in love with this upbeat pop-rock track. The backing melody, and the way in which they harmonize her screeching vocal with the distortion of the guitar is just brilliant. While I may never have the love that so many do for the Sounds, don’t worry, we can both relish the fact that at least we will have this song to share.
Pete Yorn and Scarlett Johansson – Relator
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_828_peteyornscarjo-relator.mp3]
I’ll be the first to state that I wasn’t at all interested in Scarlett Johansson’s first foray into music; in fact, I the only thing I got from it was a laugh, because of so many people saying it as the worst record they’d ever heard. However, my interest has been significantly risen with her most recent musical adventure; her new collaboration with Pete Yorn is AMAZING. This song is a brilliant duet, and highlights the fact that she does indeed have a brilliant singing voice. Pete Yorn did her a major favor by teaming up with her, and gives her real street cred as a singer this time around (not saying she didn’t have it before, but as I said, I didn’t even pay attention before now). I have given their new album Breakup a listen, and it has a lot of the same alt-country, pop rock feel of She and Him’s Volume One. Overall, it’s a pretty decent record, and I suspect that they will make some new fans by releasing it. I’m glad she didn’t let the “haters” stop her from singing, because she has found her niche with the help of Yorn. Good for your Scarlett (and you too Pete!)!
Again, sorry for leaving you without a post for last week, and no explanation. That was just bad, and I do feel bad for letting you down. However, we have to move forward, so let me know what you thought of this week’s selection, and as always, let me in on what you have been listening to!
For today’s selection, I decided to go back through some artists that I may have featured in the past. The thing is, that they have more than one good song, and deserve to be featured again, because sometimes, it isn’t enough to say something nice only once.
Stars – Barricade
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_814_stars-barricade.mp3]
I posted about Stars about a year and a half ago, and their brilliant track, Take Me To The the Riot. Well recently, I was listening to my ipod on shuffle (as I now seem to do quite often), and the achingly beautiful Barricade came on. This song really makes me wonder why I don’t listen to Stars more often than I do, because it is truly a beautiful song; as are many of their others. The juxtaposition between the gentle, and peaceful music and the dark, violent lyrics is extremely captivating, and really highlights the talent of this marvelous band. Again, I really should listen to them more often.
Daughtry – Life After You
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_814_daughtry-lifeafteryou.mp3]
Back in 2006, Daughtry’s self-titled debut ended up making my year end favorites list, and since then, it has been way too overplayed on the radio (Seriously!). However, when Daughtry announced they were releasing their sophomore album later this summer, I couldn’t resist at least giving it a listen when it came out. I was happy to find this amazing track on my first listen, that reminded me why I pulled for this hottie on American Idol. He truly has singing talent, and given the arrangement of this song, he has some skill at making the music to go with it as well.
Band Of Skulls – Cold Fame
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_814_bandofskulls-coldfame.mp3]
It has barely been a month since I posted about Band of Skulls, and after listening to their most recent release, Baby Darling Doll Face Honey, I felt compelled to bring more of their amazing music into the spotlight. The influences on this track go back several decades, and it serves as another great example of the amazing music they are making. The whole album is very, very good, and after one listen, I was glad that I checked out more than just the lead single, I Know What I Am. Overall, BDDFH is a great album that I am sure to listen to more and more in the coming months.
Joshua Radin – One Of Those Days
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_814_joshuaradin-oneofthosedays.mp3]
My love for Joshua Radin began when I heard his tear-inducing track, Today. Since that time, he released an album, which ended up making my year end list in 2008. This song came back up recently on a session of shuffle, and I fell back in love with it; even more so than the first time. I love Joshua’s style of acoustic rock, and his lyrics completely make me weak in the knees. Definitely an artist I will continue to watch from now on.
Greg Laswell – And Then You
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_814_greglaswell-andthenyou.mp3]
I posted about Greg just a couple of weeks ago, and I can’t get enough of his beautiful music (beautiful is apparently the word of the day). His sound is noticeably similar to Mat Kearney, but he is unique enough to garner attention of his own. He’s cute, makes beautiful music, and I couldn’t be happier that I found him; which is why I wanted to post more about him. If you liked either of the two songs that I posted, you must download his album Three Flights From Alto Nido, the whole album is fantastic.
Well, there are five great songs by five great artists; all of which I have mentioned before, and felt the need to mention again because of how great they are. I hope that you enjoyed them! Let me know what you think!
This week has gone by pretty fast, so there isn’t much to report today. So, without further adieu, let’s jump right into the music!
Mika – We Are Golden
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_87_mika-wearegolden.mp3]
This is the first single from Mika’s hotly anticipated follow up to his amazing debut, Life in Cartoon Motion. I saw lots of “eh” feelings on the blogosphere about this track before I got around to listening to it, and honestly, I couldn’t disagree more. The song has Mika’s trademark vocals, great pop sensibility, and an upbeat and happy nature that makes it unmistakably Mika. It sounds like he has had some more time to “craft” this next album, and is obviously up for taking some chances (the intricate layers and use backing multi-instruments) that he didn’t fully explore on his debut. Overall, the track is extremely catchy, and I think it is even more polished for radio than anything he has done before. Perhaps Mika is going a bit more “mainstream” with his brand of pop, but that doesn’t really bother me, because with We Are Golden, he is proving that he can do that, AND stick to what made me a fan of his in the first place; making great pop music.
Mr Hudson feat. Kanye West – Supernova
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_87_mrhudson-supernova.mp3]
Not too long ago, I wrote a tweet that stated the words “feat. Kanye West” meant that I would instantly skip a song. I have seriously ODed on Kanye, and I am tired of him, and even more tired of his droning form of “rap”, that lately seems to do more mucking up otherwise brilliant pop songs (see Keri Hilson’s Knock Me Down) than adding anything worthwhile at all. So imagine my surprise when I loved this track after finally hearing it. One very notable exception to my aforementioned beef with Kanye is his participation in this track; he actually sings, and it doesn’t distract away from Hudon’s brilliant pop track, and it doesn’t do what Kanye has proven himself so good at; completely taking the spotlight from Hudson and putting it on himself. I will give credit where credit is due, and say that it was my buddy John who first mentioned the greatness of this track, and it wasn’t until I finally saw the video that I actually gave it a chance. I’m telling you, Kanye needs to go away for a while so we can remember why we appreciated him so much in the beginning (I personally loved Kanye’s first two albums); people like me are completely turned off to his presence and will avoid even good stuff to steer clear. Too much is too much, and too much Kanye is what we’ve got right now. That being said, it’s subtle enough to still enjoy this track.
Muse – United States of Eurasia
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_87_muse-unitedstatesofeurasia.mp3]
I love Muse. I think that they are one of those bands that are crazy amazing, and should be on the tip of everyone’s tongue, but for some reason, they aren’t. I first heard them a few years ago when I stumbled on their release “Black Holes and Revelations”, and my only disappointment with that album, was to have discovered a full year after it was released (because it would have topped my year end list; it is completely flawless). Well, I have been waiting for a new album for Muse since I fell in love with that album, and it appears that my wait is almost over. After hearing this song, and reading what others are saying about the resemblance to Queen, I must say, that while I do hear it, I think that Muse definitely have their signature woven deeply throughout the track. They take an influence and turn it into their own epic rock opera. I also particularly love the almost Bollywood flair of the backing orchestrations, and the ending which takes you back to a Victorian palour where someone is sitting and playing a peaceful sonata. I expected that Muse’s new album would be amazing whenever it came out, and after hearing this first song from that record, I am even more excited for it to be released this fall.
Kellie Pickler – Somebody To Love Me
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_87_kelliepickler-somebodytoloveme.mp3]
I may alienate some of you with this one, because it is a VERY country song, but there is something about Kellie Pickler that I just adore, and when this song came up recently while my ipod was on shuffle, it gave me chills. The way that she gently eases into the chorus where she cries out that she just wants someone to love her, just grabbed hold of my heart and wouldn’t let go. I am a sucker for deep sentiment that comes in small packages, and this song is definitely an amazing example. The feeling and emotion in this song is echoed with her beautiful vocal, and it really forces me to constantly reconsider my “ban” on most things country (I ignore at lot of it, but admittedly, not all of it, and Kelly is firmly in the “do not block” column). Regardless if you like country or not, there is no denying the tender beauty that permeates every second of this song.
Eulogies – Two Can Play
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_87_eulogies-twocanplay.mp3]
This song reminds me a lot of other male/female folk-rock collaborations like She & Him, the Weepies, and the amazing pairing of Ben Gibbons and Fiest on The Train Song (which I posted a few months back). I love the sweet and tender vocals of the man and the woman, and the sweet melody and arrangement of the song makes for a delightfully fantastic pop song. I heard this song after seeing the SUPER CUTE video, and I knew that I wanted to hear more from the Eulogies. After checking out their recent release, Here Anonymous (from which this song comes), I was really pleased to have found another fantastic album that will probably end up somewhere on my year end best of list. Also, when I saw the video, I knew that recognized the beautiful female vocalist; she’s none other than fellow label mate, Nikki Monninger from the AMAZING Silversun Pickups. I just love when great musicians come together and make beautiful music, and this great track is certainly no exception.
I hope that you enjoyed this week’s selection as much as I do; they are all brilliant songs. As always, let me know what you’re spinning, and let me know what you thought about these tracks as well. Have a great weekend!
Not too much is going on, so there isn’t much to report today. So let’s just jump right into the music, shall we?
Pixie Lott – Boys & Girls
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_731_pixielott-boysandgirls.mp3]
A little bit Pipettes, a little bit Sugababes, and a little bit Amy Winehouse, this track sure is chock full of fun, and great pop influences. Pixie is getting a lot of buzz over the UK, and I am going to do my part, and bring the buzz stateside. This song is a fun, danceable song that has a drum beat that reminds me a LOT of Imani Coppola’s amazing hit from the 90’s, Legend of a Cowgirl. Damn, there’s yet ANOTHER great influence. This girl is harnessing some great stuff, and making fun, relatable pop with it. Um, did I mention FUN enough?
Ivyrise – 1000 Feet
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_731_ivyrise-1000feet.mp3]
I heard about this track from a fellow music blogger, and I liked it right away. It really reminds me of other pop-rock “boy bands” like The Script, and a LOT of BBMak, who unfortunately are no longer making music together. Since this is only a taste of a forthcoming album, I can only hope that I’ve stumbled onto something really great here. I love sound of the background guitar picking; it really gives it an ethereal feel that adds layers to an otherwise straightforward pop-rock song.
A Fine Frenzy – Blow Away
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_731_afinefrenzy-blowaway.mp3]
I had a hard time getting into this track initially, because it really feels like stumbling onto some kids doing double dutch, and you are instantly asked to join in. The beginning of this song starts at a running pace, and you really have to already be at a good pace to catch up (and to maintain, this track will not slow down for stragglers!). However, when I did finally do catch up, and got to the airy chorus where she sings, “blo-ho blo-ho oh-oh oh-oh away”, I saw the greatness in this saccharine sweet pop track. I enjoyed A Fine Frenzy’s debut album, and if this is an indicator of her forthcoming effort, I think that I am going to enjoy it as well; perhaps even a little more.
Ryan Star – Right Now
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_731_ryanstar-rightnow.mp3]
I will admit that I was originally drawn to Ryan’s EP because I thought he was cute; but I loved his smoky, deep vocals, and that is what got me to download it (think Chris Daughtry with more edge). Then, I kinda forgot it was on my ipod, and then Right Now came up on random one day, and WOW. I love how he uses familiar lyrics like, “we are strong, we are young”, and builds a MASSIVE rock and roll track for the youth of the world with Right Now. The message in this song of “cherish all that we have, for tomorrow may not come” goes from mere sentiment to power and stamina from Ryan’s amazing vocals. I’m defiinitly looking forward to more from Ryan in the coming months.
Aqua – Live Fast, Die Young
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_731_aqua-livefastdieyoung.mp3]
Yes. I posted a song by Aqua. The same Aqua that gave the world Barbie Girl. And YES. I am demanding that you listen to it, because it is FUCKING GREAT! Aqua recently released another greatest hits album, and while I wasn’t feeling the lead single (Back to the 80’s), this song REALLY stood out, and only has me questioning why they didn’t chose this gem as a comeback single? Either way, this is a great song that satisfies my nostalgia for earlier Aqua (and their particularly sweet style of pure-sugar driven bubble gum pop), and brings them into the here and now. Now, if they made more like this, I think we would all be ready for a whole album of new stuff, from Aqua! Take note!
Now the usual: 1) let me know what you thought of today’s picks, 2) let me know what you are listening to, and 3) have a great weekend!
I have stated at least once before on this very blog, that Smashing Pumpkins’ sophomore album, Siamese Dream pretty much shaped how I felt about music; and it was one of a couple albums that signaled the beginning of when I truly started to appreciate and enjoy music at the level that I do now. Before it, I never really payed enough attention to music, and mostly, I only listened to whatever was on the radio. Barring a few “favorite songs” here and there, I actually owned very few albums (it was mostly tapes at that time!), and honestly never bought an album for anything more than a song or two. However, that all changed when I saw Smashing Pumpkins’ videos on MTV. I liked every song that I heard, and this album was one of the first ones that I received in my very first BMG shipment. After hearing Siamese Dream, it was almost like I had an awakening; I had gotten a taste of wonderful music, and it would be from then on, that I would crave more and more (it was also Smashing Pumpkins’ music that motivated me to learn to play guitar). Literally, from that point on, I became almost obsessed with music; an obsession that has followed me until today.
Spaceboy is not only one of the best songs on Siamese Dream, I have no qualms in declaring that it is one of the best songs by the Smashing Pumpkins. The song is a touching tribute Billy Corgan wrote to his brother, and the sentiment of the words are echoed in the tenderness of the music. For me, this remains one of my favorite songs of all time, and hearing it really takes me back, and reminds me of the time when I truly learned what good music was all about. With all of that greatness, how could I not share that with you?
Since it was never a single, there isn’t a video, but, I found it on youtube, uploaded with a blank video, which I think is absolutely perfect:
