I’ve been studying up today for the first test of this final semester (!!!), but I am studied out for the day, so I had a few songs I wanted to share with you guys. Let’s get right to it, shall we?
The Rescues – Teenage Dream
Everyone loves Katy Perry but me it seems. I’ve written about her anti-gay antics before, and I never heard an apology from her about it, so my disdain continues, and as such, I don’t have anything to do with her music. That being said, I was so excited when Glee (amazingly) covered Teenage Dream, Perry’s number one hit, because it allowed me to enjoy it guilt free (that, and it is far and above better than the original). I didn’t feel the need to post about that version, however, because practically everyone heard it, but I just found this AMAZING cover of the same song that gives the Glee version some stiff competition. This is BEAUTIFUL. All of these guys and gals can sing, and their harmony’s make Perry’s original seem amateur at best. What can I say, another refreshing take on an otherwise great pop song, allowing me even more guilt-free enjoyment of it! Win-win baby! Watch the video for Teenage Dream here.
Plan B – Love Goes Down
I really wanted to get into Plan B’s album, the Defamation of Strickland Banks last year, especially after loving his vocal on Chase & Status’ End Credits, but alas, it just didn’t happen. Well, a new year, and a new perspective, and I am wishing I would have given it a proper chance. There are several choice songs on the album, and this one is my current favorite; it’s smooth and easy on the ears, and Plan B is pretty easy on the eyes himself. I love when an artist can reinvent themselves, and seeing as Plan B is a British rapper and has turned out something so slick and soulful as this, I would say he’s doing just that; and doing it quite well. I may have missed it in 2010, but I am all ears now. Watch the video for Love Goes Down here.
The Naked and Famous – Young Blood
I heard this song on this week’s Chuck, and thanks to the power of Shazam, I found it and immediately went and downloaded this fantastic track. I’ve been reading people on the internet rightly say it sounds like a melding of Passion Pit and MGMT, but I say it definitely sounds more like Passion Pit (probably because I like them way more than I like MGMT). Regardless of the similarity, it brings enough newness and flavor to the table, and the harpsichord-sounding effect throughout is lovely. I will keep my eye out for more from these guys, because this song is top notch. Watch the video for Young Blood here.
Jesse McCartney – Shake
While I never got the chance to feature it on a 5SF before, this (still pretty) new track from Jesse McCartney did make my year end songs of 2010 list. It’s a refreshing pop song from someone who surprised me a few years ago with Leavin’, as well as his album Depature (which had a lot of great stuff on it); he’s growing up quite nicely, don’t you think? Now, he’s back on his game with Shake, which is certainly an ear worm; I find myself loving it more and more with each listen. While I don’t care too much for the video, I definitely love the song, and look forward to more new stuff from this guy in the coming months. Watch the video for Shake here.
The White Stripes – Blue Orchid
Since they apparently officially decided to disband this week, I thought I would share my very favorite song by the strange, yet pretty amazing White Stripes. I don’t claim to be a big fan by any means, as a lot of their stuff just didn’t mesh with me for whatever reason, but when they were on point, they were sharper than a pin. While most love Seven Nation Army (myself included!) this is the duo at their finest for me, it is a thumper, and makes me want to learn to play the drums so I can bang out raw energy like this. This song has me stomping my feet and gets me amped up every time I hear it. I hope these two can make more excellent stuff like this at some point in the future; regardless if it is together as the White Stripes, or as something new. Watch the video for Blue Orchid here.
Well, what did you think of these fine 5? Let me know! Also, let me know what you are listening to as well!
Holy mother of drum & bass, Batman!! Seriously, if you are a fan of drum & bass, this may be your new anthem. The track is immensely beautiful in its execution. I haven’t followed drum & bass since I was in high school, so I was quite surprised when I heard a drum & bass song on the radio; although it was BBC Radio 1, which kind of makes sense (they play a lot of stuff that “mainstream radio” wouldn’t touch). Since hearing it, I have been clamoring to get this track so I could feature it on a 5SF; this song is HUGE. I especially love the elegant melody, beautiful vocal, sharp snare, and full bass; you really need to do yourself a favor and listen to it with a really good set of speakers, because the bass really commands the true grandness of this song. I had personally never heard of Chase & Status before hearing this, but I am all ears now; especially if they keep making music this brilliant.
I heard some buzz about these guys, and after noticing they were fellow beard enthusiasts, I looked (and listened) a little more at what they had to offer. After hearing this track, I have to say that I am glad that I gave their music a listen. This song is an excellent example of how simplicity and beauty in the arrangement, coupled with strong imagery and beautiful vocals can make for truly amazing music. I especially love the sincerity of the line that is the namesake of the song, Three words that became hard to say/I and love and you, and the way in which the singer delivers it. If for no other reason than that line, I LOVE this song; sometimes, an attention to detail is all it takes for me to fall head over heels with something, and that has certainly happened in this case. 
What can I say; I’m a sucker for a beautiful man with a beautiful voice. I have posted a few songs from Matt Alber’s debut, Monarch, in the past, and just this week, I stumbled back onto his album, and I couldn’t resist posting about him again. The tonal quality of his voice literally makes me weak in the knees, and the delicate way in which he weaves in and out of those harmonies is magical. I have my hopes that there will be a new album from Matt very soon. As I said in the past, his debut was kind of a conflict for me, because there are some AMAZING songs on it, but there are more than a couple filler tracks that really drug it down. That being said, when you go back and listen to the stand out numbers, those tracks show a level of talent and an beacon of extremely great promise from this out gay artist. When he nails it, he does so beautifully and effortlessly; and boy does he nail it with this song. 
Here’s another blast from the not-so-distant past; Melee’s amazing debut album, Devils and Angels made my top ten of 2007, 
This is the song that almost got away. You may recall, that quite some time ago, I had a revival of 90’s songs that I loved back in the day, and I never managed to rediscover all of them due to how much time had passed, and the fading of distant memories. I remember loving this song imensely when I was in high school, and I could vaguely remember that there was a pin up girl on the cover, but I could never remember the name or any of the words of the song. That drove me crazy. I had all but given up finding this elusive track, when this past week, James and I were out to dinner, and it started playing in the restaurant. I couldn’t believe it! Suddenly, it all came rushing back, and I downloaded this great song as soon as I got home. I couldn’t resist posting this today, because re-finding this song was just too perfect not to share. I just love how random life can be sometimes!