Tag: jars-of-clay

five song friday, music musings, music suggestion

5SF: april 24

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I can’t believe that this is the last five song Friday of April; 2009 is FLYING by!! Well, it is nice and warm outside, so I won’t keep you kids inside too long… let’s get right to it!

Jars of Clay – Two Hands
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_424_jarsofclay-twohands.mp3]
I have been a fan of Jars of Clay for many, many years. I was a bigger fan when I was in college, but I have always loved their music, and still, I definitely count them amongst my favorite artists. Well, I saw that they had a new CD coming out this week, and naturally, I had to check it out. After my first listen, I was glad to discover quite a fantastic album throughout. In my opinion, this is definitely one of their strongest records, and it shows a real growth as a band. Their sound as matured over the years, and they consistently put out great music. This is the first single from their new record, The Long Fall Back To Earth, which I highly recommend.

Noisettes – Never Forget You
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_424_noisettes-neverforgetyou.mp3]
The second of 3 albums I have been paying attention to that came out this week, was Wild Young Hearts by the Noisettes. I first mentioned them a few weeks ago when I featured their fantastic first single, Don’t Upset The Rhythm. Well, after giving the whole album a listen, I was pleased to find that they too had produced a pretty great album. This is one of my favorite songs from the record, which bears similarity to the vocal styling of Duffy and Amy Winehouse, and has a sock hop/TV soundtrack flair to the arrangement. The arrangement really makes me think of Laverne and Shirley for some reason…

Chester French – C’mon (On My Own)
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_424_chesterfrench-cmon.mp3]
The third album released this week that was definitely on my radar was the debut album of Chester French. I have also talked about them previously, when I featured their fantastic song She Loves Everybody. My interest in Chester French shot sky high after seeing them open for Lady GaGa a few weeks ago, because they were excellent live. I liked all of the songs that I heard at the show, and was glad to get my hands on the album so that I could hear them again. This is probably my favorite song from the album, which is kind of good, but unfortunately overall, only has a handful of songs that really speak to me. Also note that he says motherfucker pretty loudly during one of the choruses.

Lady Sovereign – So Human
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_424_ladysovereign-sohuman.mp3]
Okay, I may have mentioned it before, but I am a huge sucker for a well used sample. This is a great example of that technique; I LOVE the way she integrates the Cure’s Close to Me, and uses it to soften up her previously “uber-tough” persona. I love her accent, and how “rough” she is (ha! rough and tough!), and I am glad that she is still making her mark on hip hop. This is a fun little track that I have been enjoying since I saw the video a couple of weeks ago, and I have been meaning to feature it ever since.

Pussycat Dolls – Magic
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_424_pcd-magic.mp3]
Finally this week, I am posting a song that I randomly heard playing in the background of a TV show; that happens to be from PCD’s Doll Domination album. I heard it, and I really liked the beat, and I did a lot of searching on the internet to find out who it was, and what song it was; only to find that I already had it on my hard drive!! No, I don’t have an iPhone, or I probably would have just used Shazam, but thankfully, my persistence and my good research skills led me to this fun little track. I have to say, PCD really keeps throwing me surprises; I’m glad that I gave in and started enjoying this girl group!

I tried to keep it brief so you kids can get out there and enjoy this fine weather. As always, please let me know what you are listening to, and let me know what you think of the five tracks that I brought you this week. Have a great evening!

five song friday, listen up!, mixed media, music musings, music suggestion

5SF: april 4

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I still can’t believe it’s already April! Oh well… spring has sprung, and the parking lot has been heavily dusted with that annoyingly itchy powder known as pollen, and I am just counting the days until I am in a full fledged allergy coma. I have to say, that sometimes, I find it hard to come up with 5 songs for each Friday, because I am always wanting to feature something fresh and new, but I guess I shouldn’t pressure myself too much… are you guys enjoying what I have been posting? What is something you would like to see more of?? I try to do a “flashback” track each week, and I have been having fun with that; but is that something you would like to see more of? How about theme weeks? Let me know what you guys want, as I think it could make this weekly event a little bit more fun for all of us.

Alright enough chit chat… on to this week’s five!

Ferras – Hollywood’s Not America
While I heard this song some time ago, back when they were talking about using this as the “time to go home song” on AI, I didn’t really get into it until recently. After several listens, I can definitely attest to this song being a well crafted pop song, as well as a major grower. The soft, and hidden power in Ferras’ voice is exactly what I love about other male solo piano-driven pop artists (ala John McLaughlin and Matt Nathanson). This is definitely a radio friendly track, and one that I expect will get many months of airplay. While I am still warming up to the rest of Ferras’ CD, this song is definitely a stand out, and a fantastic track. One word about the video though… Ferras would totally be a hottie… IF he cut that mullet. Seriously, a mullet… WTF? Those earrings are fucking sexy though… I kind of want them myself.

B-52s – Funplex
By the power of GAY-skull! Seriously, the B-52s are about as pop-rock campy gay as they come, and while I originally didn’t like this song AT ALL, after I saw the video randomly, I found myself singing “faster pussy cat, thrill thrill… I’m at the mall on a diet pill!”. I am so glad that I came to my senses, because I am loving this song. With each subsequent listen, I fall deeper and deeper for this track, and if you find yourself a fan of other B-52s hits like Love Shack and Roam, then you will probably fall for this one as well. These guys may have some years on them, but damn they look and sound just as good as ever!

Booty Luv – Some Kinda Rush
I posted a Booty Luv video as a part of a five song Friday quite some time ago, but the other day, I popped this CD back in my car and their infectious dance rhythms overtook my body again. Pulling out this CD again was actually inspired by the fact that I have been quite enjoying Danity Kane’s new record more and more, which has had the undeniable effect of getting me moving, and needing to groove more and more. Booty Luv’s CD is perfect for filling that prescription too, especially with Some Kinda Rush; this song is a club banger, and it is REALLY hard to sit still during the pulsating beats and the synth-guitar riffs. This is euro-dance at it’s best, and it is no wonder that I was so happy to have it pop back up on my radar. What a great song; and perfect for a Friday.

Jars of Clay – Weighed Down
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_44_jarsofclay-weigheddown.mp3]
Last night, when I was compiling my weekly five songs for today’s post, I got frustrated that I couldn’t post one of the ones I wanted (no video, and I only have the mp4 of it… don’t worry, it will come in a future installment), I stumbled upon a new release that tickled my fancy; Jars of Clay released a greatest hits album this week. While I don’t listen to them very much anymore, I still consider Jars of Clay one of my all time favorite bands, because literally, every song on their first 5 CDs are flawless, and I love each one completely. I have seen Jars of Clay many times in concert, and when I picked up their second CD Much Afraid last night for the first time in a long time, it was like no time had gone by; I still loved every track. This song is one of my favorites by Jars of Clay, and one of the songs that really cemented them as a favorite group for me. If you like this one, you should check out some of their other stuff, because it’s pretty much all brilliant. I love re-discovering music that you may love, but haven’t heard in a long time. Sometimes, it’s nice to be reminded of the past!

Owl City – The Saltwater Room
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_44_owlcity-thesaltwaterroom.mp3]
Okay, it is kind of rare that I hear something, and I am inexplicably and amazingly blown away by it. Enter Owl City. A flickr pal of mine recommended it to me (he has recommended several fantastic things in the past), and after I downloaded it, I realized what I had in my hands… something amazing. The comparison to the Postal Service is undeniable, but it is like they put Hellogoodbye and the Postal Service (two bands I REALLY love) into a blender, and when they poured it out, they put a great little umbrella in the drink. Seriously, the beats are melodic, and fantastically created. While lyrically, he is definitely quite wordy, and at times, nonsensical, the vocal arrangements are spot on, and his voice is definitely reminiscent of Ben Gibbard and Forrest Kline. I love the melody he has with the female singer, and the more I listen to this album, the more I love it. I can count this among some of the most amazing suggestions I have gotten recently, and I am just glad to have discovered the amazing group, and even more so, I am glad to pass it along to all of you. You can download both Owl City CDs from iTunes today; and if you liked this track, then you definitely should.

Well, there you have another five song Friday. I hope everyone is doing well today, and as always, let me know what you think. Also, be sure to tell me what you are listening to… I really want to know!