Tag: beyonce

five song friday, mixed media, music suggestion, you tube

5SF: july 8

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Yes, I know, it’s been a little while. My apologies. I have hit after hit for you today in order to make up for it though; does that make you want to forgive me? I hope you emphatically nodded yes when you read that statement. Now, let me introduce you to them hits, okay? There may even be a bonus track thrown in to sweeten the pot today. See how nice I am?

Logan Lynn – Quickly As We Pass
Let me start by saying a major thank you to my buddy Popmuse for alerting me to the amazingness that this track lays down. I cannot get enough of its synthy goodness. It is such a throwback to delicious 80’s styled glam driven pop, yet it is fresh, and updated digitally to fit perfectly alongside the “future” of pop music, like the stuff being made by acts like Calvin Harris and Mark Ronson. This is such an earworm, and I cannot stop listening. I love Logan Lynn’s sweet vocal style, and laid over this catchy track, it has me wondering why I don’t pay way more attention to this fabulous artist; perhaps now there is no time like the present!! Watch the video for Quickly As We Pass here. (Note: there is a little nudity in the video, possibly NSFW).

Yasmin – Finish Line
Lord knows I have thanked BBC Radio 1 in the past for turning me on to some amazing tunes, and here’s another shout out to perhaps my favorite radio station, that just happens to be located across the pond. I heard this song a couple of weeks ago, and I immediately jacked the volume up, and grabbed my phone to Shazam this gem; this song is gold!! While Yasmin may be signing about the Finish Line, I certainly hope she has more amazing stuff like this slated for the future, and this is more of a beginning than anything final. This is the type of music that should be on radio stations here in the US; as always, the UK is getting it right time and time again, way ahead of the game. Watch the video for Finish Line here.

Nicola Roberts – Beat of My Drum
After a couple of the other girls from Girls Aloud broke out on their own, and failed to fully blow me away, and sustain (to be fair, I did LOVE both Cheryl Cole’s Fight For This Love, and Nadine Cole’s Insatiable), out of nowhere, Nicola Roberts is BURNING IT UP. This track is hot, and just in time for summer! Produced by seemingly everywhere producer Diplo (he’s 1/2 of Major Lazer, and throws in a recognizable sound effect, which I can only assume is his calling card), and containing a heavy beat, killer chorus, and outlandish beats, this song has been burning up my ears since I first heard it a few weeks ago. This song begs to be danced to, and Nicola is commanding you in a way that Kelly Rowland would be proud. I hope that the rest of Nicola’s upcoming album is like this dance floor killer, because it if is, I think we may have found the one girl from Girls Aloud that stands a chance of holding her own stylistically and musically. While the style is totally different, it reminds me a bit of when Siobhan Donaghy made her amazing sophomore album Ghosts, after leaving Sugababes; you never know how talented one of the group is until they decide to go their own way and try something different. “L-O-V-E! Dance to the beat of my drum!” Absolutely!! Watch the video for Beat of My Drum here.

Nicole Scherzinger – Right There
FINALLY. Ladies and gentlemen, something that I have been waiting on for quite some time, may have finally happened; Nicole Scherzinger is going to break through the US market, and finally have a fucking SOLO HIT. While I did think that this sounded a bit Rihanna-ish the first time I heard it, I didn’t see that as a negative. In fact, I think it is exactly what Nicole needed to finally break through solo on her home turf; familiarity. So far, I have heard this on the local radio station a few times, and it seems to be making at least some ripples on the charts. While I doubt it will be a number one for her, I do think it will open the door for her in home country musically, and we may finally get to hear more and more solo stuff from the most talented Pussycat Doll. Ladies and gentlmen, Nicole Scherzinger is home, and hopefully, there’s more to come! And yes, 50 Cent’s cameo in the song/video is almost 100% unnecessary. Watch the video for Right There here.

DJ Fresh – Louder
What can I say? Again, the UK is killing it; this is the current number one hit in the UK. They are so far ahead of the pack sometimes, it just makes me wonder what the hell is going on in the US music scene. Dubstep is the “new” sensation in the UK, and is a style of music that I cannot get enough of. I am hoping that Dubstep makes more of a splash here than previous styles of music from the UK did stateside (most notably UK Garage, which I still fucking love; thanks to *N’SYNC for trying to make it happen, though!). This is such a great song for summer, and one that I am glad to have discovered, thanks again to my musical saviors over at BBC Radio 1. I love how the end of the song starts to get louder, faster, etc; it reminds me of Beyonce performing Suvivor live as she did on her concert DVD. Pure energy! Watch the video for Louder here.

Oh shit, did someone say bonus track? And now for a +1…

Beyonce – Rule the World (Girls)
Speaking of Beyonce… Well, 4 is out, and well, I’m underwhelmed. I wanted to love it, because I do love Beyonce, but I just didn’t. That being said, I had high hopes for this album, mostly because of how much I loved Run the World (Girls) as its lead single. In fact, I thought, that I had posted this song in a 5SF or something, because of how much I think this song is SICK, but I apparently didn’t, and as such, wanted to feature it as a bonus track (or a super-relevant Google+ approved +1) in this week’s 5SF. A lot of people were turned off by the Major Lazer sample throughout the song, but I have to say, that while YES, it does sound almost identical to Major Lazer’s Pon De Floor, please keep in mind that Switch produced the track, and he is 1/2 of Major Lazer (apparently it is a Major Lazer day for me today…). I think Beyonce’s vocals elevate the track, and put a fresh, and frankly sick-as-shit spin to it. I have been loving this song more and more with each listen, and I just wish that I didn’t stick out like a sore ass thumb on 4 (I was hoping for more like it on the album); but hey, you can’t win them all, can you? Watch the video for Run The World (Girls) here.

So what did you think? I hope you enjoyed these tracks. As always, let me know what you thought, and definitely tell me what you are listening to; you may see it on a future 5SF! Stay cool out there!!

five song friday, is it just me?, mixed media, music musings, music suggestion

5SF: may 22

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Holy three day weekend on the horizon, Batman! YES. Also, this may be the weekend that the shower gets completed, but I am not going to jinx that by saying that it is definitely going to happen. I just have my fingers crossed.

I have some REALLY good picks for you today, and a couple of guilty pleasures; one of which is a 90’s one hit wonder, that I loved the first time I heard it so many years ago, and still enjoy when it randomly comes up on my ipod. Also, I really want to thank all of you that have been giving me feed back on these posts; I really appreciate it!!! Now, on with the show!

Miike Snow – Burial
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_522_miikesnow-burial.mp3]
This is yet another example of how an interesting album cover can attract potential fans. I saw this album on iTunes in the “up and coming” section, and after listening to the samples, I bought the whole album right then and there. What I have found is a fabulous synth-dance-pop album that will surely make my year end list (and probably some others’ as well; I have seen other bloggers taking note of this great new band). This has been a GREAT year for music so far. This album was produced by the crazy-amazing production team, Bloodshy & Avant, who have proven, once again, that some of the best music out there is coming from Sweden. This is one of those random finds that I want to scream about from the rooftops, because of just how unexpectedly fantastic it is. These guys should be pretty huge this year, so keep your ear out for them.

Parachute – She Is Love
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_522_parachute-sheislove.mp3]
I heard about Parachute through iTunes as well, because they offered up one of their songs as a free download a few weeks back. While I thought that track was just okay, I checked out some of the other songs on their album, and this song blew me away. It is really beautiful, and it makes me glad that iTunes introduces people to some great music; even if it is by way of a different song from the same album. This song is a delicate rock-pop ballad that reminds me of the sweet softness of songs by artists like Joshua Radin, and I can’t get enough of its goodness.

Mat Kearney – Here We Go
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_522_matkearney-herewego.mp3]
I love Mat Kearney. I have for a while now. Not only is his voice swoon-worthy, but he is quite the handsome fellow. I mentioned a few weeks back that he was one of the people that I wanted to come out with a new album already (because of how much I loved his first record, Nothing Left To Lose), and it was then that I noticed he was releasing the follow up this month. I finally got my hands on the City of Black and White this week, and all I can say is WOW. With the first listen, I was blown away. Seriously, this is one of the best albums of the year for me, by far. This is one of my favorite tracks from the album, and as I mentioned, I fully expect to see this album near the very top of my year end best of list. Mat certainly did not disappoint with his sophomore album, and I only hope his career consists of more amazing albums like this one. With this release, he has solidified himself a place amongst my favorite artists.

Beyonce – Diva
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_522_beyonce-diva.mp3]
Guilty pleasure alert!!! I normally don’t like a lot of the more “hard core” hip-hop/rap, but this track just screams in ecstasy to the wannabe thuggish girl that lives within me. Not only that, but this video is fucking fierce, and Beyonce is just too damn hot on this track to ignore. I will admit that the first time I heard this song, I really didn’t like it, but that was because I didn’t fully understand how to appreciate it. It is exactly like Kelis’ amazing song, Bossy for me; when I first heard it, I didn’t appreciate the amazingness of it. Well, now I do, and I can tell you, that thug girl living within me wants to be a damn diva… and if she were, this would be her bitch ass theme song. Perhaps what I love the most about this song, is that we now know to watch out, because Bey will cut a bitch, for sure.

Spacehog – In the Meantime
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_522_spacehog-inthemeantime.mp3]
Finally today, the one hit wonder from the 90’s I promised. I remember hearing this song my junior year of high school, and back in those days, they didn’t have mix CDs, and the only way to get a copy of a song was to record it off of the radio, or go out and buy the damn CD. If you were lucky enough, the band would release a single, but low and behold, in this case, they didn’t (not that I could find anyway). So, I plunked down $16 for a CD, for one song. However, this song got LOTS of play, and has one of the catchiest courses that I have ever heard, and one that still makes me smile. I have no fucking idea what “we love the only all of you” means, but I don’t fucking care; that guitar riff is like irresistible, sweet cotton candy, and I can’t get enough.

So there’s another Friday five for you guys and gals… what did you think? I feel compelled to say something (in passing) about the AI finale, because I really do think that Adam was robbed; but I can only hope that it will mean he has more creative freedom when he makes his debut album. He was the best singer of the season, and it is a shame he didn’t win when he rightfully should have. Oh well…

Enjoy your three day weekend (for those that have one), and let me know what you are listening to, won’t you?!

five song friday, music musings, music suggestion, the catch-all-egory

5SF: october 17

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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!!

hmm interesting, is it just me?, listen up!, mixed media, music musings, music suggestion, venting, well?, wtf?!

there’s similar, and then there’s the SAME!

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Okay, just last week, I was sort of ranting about the similarity between two songs, and low and behold it has happened again. However, this time, there is one key exception: I have heard two songs that not only sound similar, but I swear, they are the same damn song!!!

I was riding with James the other night, and when we ride in his car, we are almost always listening to the radio (which I don’t usually do), and they announced that the number one song of the day was coming up. Well, it was a song by Chris Brown, which I had never heard, but when they started playing it, I thought to myself, “hey, self, I HAVE heard this before… when it was called Irreplaceable!”. Now, while I like Irreplaceable by Beyonce, I think that it is a total crock of shit that you can take a song and completely re-release it, with different lyrics a year later, and STILL TOP THE CHARTS!!!

WTF people? Seriously. This is one of the problems with music today: People are just eat whatever they are fed. In this case, two practically identical songs have been fed to the masses, and what have you done? You have eaten it up, and propelled both songs to the top of the charts! I just don’t get it. There is so much amazing music out there, that it is practically inexcusable to have two practically identical songs make it so high on the charts; especially when so little time has past since Beyonce’s version hit!

But don’t take my word for it: listen to each one yourself, so you can really see how similar they are: (on the left, you have Irreplaceable by Beyonce and on the right you have With You by Chris Brown… neither of which is the real video because of how stupid music companies are with you tube stuff, however, the Beyonce video is quite hilarious to me)

After doing a little investigation myself, I see that it is indeed the same producer for each track; which really begs me to question if one (or both) of these stars didn’t get ripped off. I mean, they are paying for production, and the producer just shills out the same damn song for both of them. I would be infuriated!! Well, I am a little irate, but that is because of what this does to music in my opinion. It just solidifies the fact that people are not open to innovation, and true talent. Bands and artists with enormous amounts of talent will continue to be “one hit wonders”, and will always be overlooked because of cookie-cutter shit like this, and it pisses me off, because I tend to prefer the former.

What is even more ridiculous to me, is that if you take an amazing band, one that may not be as popular as Beyonce (but is popular in their own realm of the music world), and listen to their take on Irreplaceable, that it becomes a totally different song; even though it isn’t! Chris Brown’s “different song” is more like Irreplaceable than Sugarland covering Irreplaceable. Freaky stuff man. It’s just frustrating when you constantly see that this music industry is full of such crazy, crazy shit. I just wish that the talented and overlooked people could get half of what those Chris Brown’s out there get; both in fame, and in fortune. Hearing the same old songs and making them both best sellers just isn’t right.

Sigh. Now I will go back to my music that isn’t so radio-friendly… but at least it is genuine, and dare I say it, different.