It occurs to me that I, we, perhaps have been a little negative on this blog in recent posts. Other than our love for Lady Gaga and a few cute boys, I feel like I haven't given pop songs that do stand the test of time their due, especially those from recent years. Clearly Michael Jackson, Madonna, and the like have past the test, but as my dad once asked me, 'Whom do you think will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame from your generation?' Hmmm...good question. Certainly not the Black Eyed Peas (Boom, Boom, OW...eh?)
Again- picture it. Me. In my car. Listening to the radio. "Bleeding Love" by Leona Lewis from 2007 (?) ish comes on. I think to myself, 'this is a good song'. A song I have reasons to like:
1.) the beginning reminds me of the organ intro to "Faith" by George Michael. An amazing song that everyone likes. I don't know anyone who does not like that song. If you don't, whether you have a soul may be in question.
2.) Leona has the chops of Mariah or Beyonce and totally uses it in this song. Some of her more recent songs are somewhat forgettable. Eh, not somewhat. I really can't remember the names of her more recent songs. But she sounds re-uhl good on this one.
3.) It makes for a great So You Think You Can Dance routine :)
4.) Apparently it was/is written by Jesse McCartney? which is reason alone to like it because that boy's songs aren't generally good. 'Beautiful Soul' I will give him, but 'Leaving' and 'Body Language' of late you can literally sing on top of one another, pretty sure, and every note is the same.
So that's my love fest for that song. Another song I want to love all over is...
"Use Somebody" Kings of Leon.
1.) I loved this song from the first second I heard it. And then I heard it again. And again. Which leads me to say: I WISH IT WERE NOT SO OVERPLAYED. I first heard this song on a rock station and I was shocked to hear it recently on pop and slow jam stations. But I guess that it is proof that it is likeable, though.
2.) Dude's voice makes me swoon like my 'Soul-ja Boys' from previous posts. He can use this somebody. Just saying.
3.) This song is very different than "Sex on Fire" and some of the other songs on their album that are more hardcore rock. Love the diversity.
Which leads me to think of another over played song that I loved from first listen with driving beats....
"Viva La Vida" Coldplay
1.) It's just a good song. Coldplay is one of the bands I told my dad may make it to the Rock Hall from 'my generation'. They are consistant and inventive, yet mainstream (other bands I hope to see inducted in the Rock Hall when their time comes include: Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Coldplay, Maroon 5, Jason Mraz, Jay Z, T.I., Justin Timberlake,Lady Gaga...wishful thinking?? What are your thoughts?)
2.) The instrumentation is undeniably unique and good. From the bass drum beats to the bells- it's just unique and makes you tap your toes at the same time.
3.) Coldplay wore costumes to honor the anniversary of Sgt. Pepper. And I heart the Beatles. Done.
Well, I don't know about you, but all this love-festing is making me almost nauseous. This blog post is getting borderline Despereaux cute now, right? We're going to be making a Pixar movie before we know it, so imma gonna stop. Feel free to leave posts of some more recent songs we have reason to like. I challenge you to find something decent from 2009...it's been a tough year...barring my girl Gaga (Viva la Vida de Gaga! ;)
Peace,
Julia
Monday, November 16, 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Mini-Blog: Songs I Would've Declined
This is a short list of songs, that, had I been the recording artist being pitched them, I would have said no to. Yet, still became huge hits. Shows what I know.
Not that I don't love them. Because I do.
1. Shakira's "She-wolf": Imagine this: You're a sexy, internationally-known pop star who's been on the radar for a while. Your management approaches you and pitches you a song that requires you to howl like a wolf. What would YOU do?
2. Rihanna's "Umbrella": The mundane subject of this song was saved only by repeating the last two syllables of it. Well done, Rihanna. Never would've called it.
3. Beyonce's "Bootylicious": We can all get behind (heh) the girl-power message of celebrating a curvaceous womanly figure. But referring to your extra poundage as "jelly"? No, B. I'm not ready for it.
4. Britney Spears' "Circus": Song about commanding the room with your presence using the metaphor of being a circus ringleader. I get it. It's cute. Clever, even. But the line 'I'm like a performer/the dance floor is my stage'? Uh, Brit? Last time I checked, you ARE a performer. And you are, in fact, dancing on a stage.
5. Fergie's "My Humps": ... 'nuff said.
-llv
Not that I don't love them. Because I do.
1. Shakira's "She-wolf": Imagine this: You're a sexy, internationally-known pop star who's been on the radar for a while. Your management approaches you and pitches you a song that requires you to howl like a wolf. What would YOU do?
2. Rihanna's "Umbrella": The mundane subject of this song was saved only by repeating the last two syllables of it. Well done, Rihanna. Never would've called it.
3. Beyonce's "Bootylicious": We can all get behind (heh) the girl-power message of celebrating a curvaceous womanly figure. But referring to your extra poundage as "jelly"? No, B. I'm not ready for it.
4. Britney Spears' "Circus": Song about commanding the room with your presence using the metaphor of being a circus ringleader. I get it. It's cute. Clever, even. But the line 'I'm like a performer/the dance floor is my stage'? Uh, Brit? Last time I checked, you ARE a performer. And you are, in fact, dancing on a stage.
5. Fergie's "My Humps": ... 'nuff said.
-llv
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
It All Started With a Tweet or #songsihavenoreasontolike
That's right folks, it all started with a tweet. This blog, in fact, was spawned from a direct message. But I'm getting ahead of myself.
I was listening to radio one day, as I often do, and suddenly this fun, vibrant, repitious song came on with a catchy beat and lots of synthsizers. And now I have just described about every pop song ever in existence.
I've already proclaimed my love for pop music that started with songs that fit the description above. Some songs fall into this category but they still have those one or two things that make them stand out (see my post: 'Ode to Hall and Oates' below). Some , however, will never be that special. They just sound like every other pop song. And for these songs I've come up with the category:
"Songs I have no reason to like" or, as I've created a trending topic on twitter: #songsihavenoreasontolike (make it catch on, people! Trend it now!)
These songs really have NOTHING that make them stand out, they just sound like every other pop song out there, and yet....I still find myself loving them, though I know I shouldn't. I will now make a case for three such current tunes:
"Down"- by Jay Sean.
This song is actually the one I was listening to when I began thinking about all this nonsense. I had to tweet Laura to ask: Why do I like this song? She mentioned that it is catchy. But is that enough, popbloggers? Is that enough?
If you've read my recent post on Colbie Callait, I rip the poor girl's lyrics apart. But yet, I find it justifiable for a man, who probably hasn't written a sentence, let alone a song, in his life to rhyme "down with down" and "only with lonely".
I know it's not fair. But the truth is, you just can't butterfly to "Realize". That's all I got.
"She-Wolf"- Shakira
The first time I heard this song, I think I literally laughed. I mean, the woman HOWLS IN THE SONG. I've got issues with Shakira anyways. The woman's voice just bothers me. I've been told it sounds better in other languages, and that also kind of bothers me about myself that I need her to sound 'more American' but political correctness isn't a fun topic for this blog, so Imma gonna stop.
There are some justifiable things in the song, though, that DO set it apart from other pop songs, I will say. The funky guitar riffs for one. No, they aren't remarkable. But they are funky. FUN-ky, ergo, FUN.
Also, unlike our friends Jay Sean and Colbie, Shakira happens to be a GREAT lyricist. And by GREAT, I mean RIDICULOUS. And I quote:
"Darling, this is no joke, this is lycanthropy" What the hell is lycanthropy? I don't know either, so this leads me to believe she must be a genius. (lycanthropy definition= a deluision in which one imagines oneself to be a wolf or other wild animal. No really, dictionary.com it)
"I'm starting to feel a little abused like a coffee machine in an office." YES. WIN. I love coffee! People in an office drink ALOT of coffee. Thank you, Shakira. You are painting a vivid picture for me here.
So I think Shakira wins based on the lycanthropy lyric alone, how about you?
"Good Girls Go Bad"- Cobra Starship feat. Leighton Meester
UGH. I did NOT want to like this song when I heard it. I mean, their name is Cobra Starship, which makes me think of the 80's which I know you are saying, 'but Julia, you love the 80's!" And the thing is, I DO. But having some kind of teen emo band (I don't know if they are really emo or even teens, but they sound teeny-bopperish to me) name themselves something that makes the 80's seem RETRO, I am NOT okay with. I am NOT ready for the 80's to be RETRO!!! Humph.
And don't even get me started on Leighton Meester. I know Gossip Girl is like the new 90210 or something, but I just don't care.
But, all that said, I turn this song up everytime. And I can't even justify it. I don't know what it is. And for that, it's a song I TRULY have no reason to like.
Can you help me? What are your current #songsihavenoreasontolike ? I know Laura recently tried to persuade me with '3' by Britney, but I can't get behind that. No pun intended.
Feel free to comment. Meanwhile I'll be singing, "Baby are you down, down, down, down, down- DOWN!" (for no reason).
Peace,
Julia
I was listening to radio one day, as I often do, and suddenly this fun, vibrant, repitious song came on with a catchy beat and lots of synthsizers. And now I have just described about every pop song ever in existence.
I've already proclaimed my love for pop music that started with songs that fit the description above. Some songs fall into this category but they still have those one or two things that make them stand out (see my post: 'Ode to Hall and Oates' below). Some , however, will never be that special. They just sound like every other pop song. And for these songs I've come up with the category:
"Songs I have no reason to like" or, as I've created a trending topic on twitter: #songsihavenoreasontolike (make it catch on, people! Trend it now!)
These songs really have NOTHING that make them stand out, they just sound like every other pop song out there, and yet....I still find myself loving them, though I know I shouldn't. I will now make a case for three such current tunes:
"Down"- by Jay Sean.
This song is actually the one I was listening to when I began thinking about all this nonsense. I had to tweet Laura to ask: Why do I like this song? She mentioned that it is catchy. But is that enough, popbloggers? Is that enough?
If you've read my recent post on Colbie Callait, I rip the poor girl's lyrics apart. But yet, I find it justifiable for a man, who probably hasn't written a sentence, let alone a song, in his life to rhyme "down with down" and "only with lonely".
I know it's not fair. But the truth is, you just can't butterfly to "Realize". That's all I got.
"She-Wolf"- Shakira
The first time I heard this song, I think I literally laughed. I mean, the woman HOWLS IN THE SONG. I've got issues with Shakira anyways. The woman's voice just bothers me. I've been told it sounds better in other languages, and that also kind of bothers me about myself that I need her to sound 'more American' but political correctness isn't a fun topic for this blog, so Imma gonna stop.
There are some justifiable things in the song, though, that DO set it apart from other pop songs, I will say. The funky guitar riffs for one. No, they aren't remarkable. But they are funky. FUN-ky, ergo, FUN.
Also, unlike our friends Jay Sean and Colbie, Shakira happens to be a GREAT lyricist. And by GREAT, I mean RIDICULOUS. And I quote:
"Darling, this is no joke, this is lycanthropy" What the hell is lycanthropy? I don't know either, so this leads me to believe she must be a genius. (lycanthropy definition= a deluision in which one imagines oneself to be a wolf or other wild animal. No really, dictionary.com it)
"I'm starting to feel a little abused like a coffee machine in an office." YES. WIN. I love coffee! People in an office drink ALOT of coffee. Thank you, Shakira. You are painting a vivid picture for me here.
So I think Shakira wins based on the lycanthropy lyric alone, how about you?
"Good Girls Go Bad"- Cobra Starship feat. Leighton Meester
UGH. I did NOT want to like this song when I heard it. I mean, their name is Cobra Starship, which makes me think of the 80's which I know you are saying, 'but Julia, you love the 80's!" And the thing is, I DO. But having some kind of teen emo band (I don't know if they are really emo or even teens, but they sound teeny-bopperish to me) name themselves something that makes the 80's seem RETRO, I am NOT okay with. I am NOT ready for the 80's to be RETRO!!! Humph.
And don't even get me started on Leighton Meester. I know Gossip Girl is like the new 90210 or something, but I just don't care.
But, all that said, I turn this song up everytime. And I can't even justify it. I don't know what it is. And for that, it's a song I TRULY have no reason to like.
Can you help me? What are your current #songsihavenoreasontolike ? I know Laura recently tried to persuade me with '3' by Britney, but I can't get behind that. No pun intended.
Feel free to comment. Meanwhile I'll be singing, "Baby are you down, down, down, down, down- DOWN!" (for no reason).
Peace,
Julia
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
An Open Letter to Mariah Carey
Dear Mariah Carey,
It's hard for me to say this to you, but things between us have changed. You can't just waltz back into my life after having left for such a long time and expect us to pick up where we left off, as if nothing ever happened.
Don't get me wrong, Mariah. What we had between us was life-changing. You were there for me at my first middle school dance. You were singing "One Sweet Day" with Boyz II Men, as Ryan Ihnacik approached me and asked me if I would dance with him. Nevermind that I was four foot five and he was six-two, having to hunch down to put his hands on my waist. Your sweeping improvisations sat perfectly atop soulful harmonies and you made everything in the room suddenly graceful. Nevermind that at age 11, I was weirded out by boyfriend stuff. Please, the rhythm of "One Sweet Day" is perfectly designed to keep slow-dance amateurs in rhythm, with or without chemistry. (Step...touch. Step...touch.) Did it matter that technically it's a song about death? Don't be silly, Mariah. I had you, and that's all that mattered.
You were there for me in the backseat of my parents' minivan in the form of my chic tech-savvy Discman on long family trips. Mariah, I read the lyrics and liner notes of "Daydream" from cover to cover. I still remember listening to "Always Be My Baby", reading the lyrics and thinking: "Where is the melody?? WHERE IS THE MELODY?" You so tastefully toed the line between virtuosic and excessive, Mariah. It's why I love you, and your five octave range. I'll never forget what we had.
Lately though, Mariah, things have changed. First, you go away and leave me to the likes of Beyonce, Rihanna, and the winners of American Idol. And I loved them too, Mariah, but I continued to feel this emptiness. Do any of them have a "whistle range" in which they can access super high pitches known only to a rare handful of opera singers? Do any of them move their hands to the exact nuances of their vocal riffs? Are any of them the top-selling pop female vocalist of all time? Let me check: nope.
Next thing I know, you've come back, but it's not the same. Take "Obsessed" for example. I detected the distinctive smell of AutoTune on you. How DARE you do this to me, Mariah? Might I remind you that this electronic device is designed for people who CANNOT sing? It's akin to asking Monet to paint-by-numbers. Or giving training wheels to Evel Kenieval. Or enlisting Baryshnikov in beginners' ballet. You get the point, Mariah.
I understand that AutoTune is in vogue right now. And that you are trying to stay current. It's a wise move considering you've never really strayed from your "purple-sparkly-butterfly-14 year old girl" concept. I get it.
But you are disrespecting your art, and your very ability. Your voice naturally moves from one pitch to the next. Human voices aren't synthesizers; there is an infinite number of pitches in between one note and the next and voices are more like trombones than pianos in that it's possible to slide all around. But all great singers work towards that accuracy and clarity. I don't have to tell YOU this, Mariah. You know better. You were accurate and swift while maintaining the illusion of effortless fluidity. All of this while accessing a wide range of pitches with enviable technique.
I won't lie. I've always been very, very jealous of you. But now, I'm downright angry.
Love,
Laura
P.S. - Nick doesn't deserve you. And I never even SAW "Glitter." So take that.
It's hard for me to say this to you, but things between us have changed. You can't just waltz back into my life after having left for such a long time and expect us to pick up where we left off, as if nothing ever happened.
Don't get me wrong, Mariah. What we had between us was life-changing. You were there for me at my first middle school dance. You were singing "One Sweet Day" with Boyz II Men, as Ryan Ihnacik approached me and asked me if I would dance with him. Nevermind that I was four foot five and he was six-two, having to hunch down to put his hands on my waist. Your sweeping improvisations sat perfectly atop soulful harmonies and you made everything in the room suddenly graceful. Nevermind that at age 11, I was weirded out by boyfriend stuff. Please, the rhythm of "One Sweet Day" is perfectly designed to keep slow-dance amateurs in rhythm, with or without chemistry. (Step...touch. Step...touch.) Did it matter that technically it's a song about death? Don't be silly, Mariah. I had you, and that's all that mattered.
You were there for me in the backseat of my parents' minivan in the form of my chic tech-savvy Discman on long family trips. Mariah, I read the lyrics and liner notes of "Daydream" from cover to cover. I still remember listening to "Always Be My Baby", reading the lyrics and thinking: "Where is the melody?? WHERE IS THE MELODY?" You so tastefully toed the line between virtuosic and excessive, Mariah. It's why I love you, and your five octave range. I'll never forget what we had.
Lately though, Mariah, things have changed. First, you go away and leave me to the likes of Beyonce, Rihanna, and the winners of American Idol. And I loved them too, Mariah, but I continued to feel this emptiness. Do any of them have a "whistle range" in which they can access super high pitches known only to a rare handful of opera singers? Do any of them move their hands to the exact nuances of their vocal riffs? Are any of them the top-selling pop female vocalist of all time? Let me check: nope.
Next thing I know, you've come back, but it's not the same. Take "Obsessed" for example. I detected the distinctive smell of AutoTune on you. How DARE you do this to me, Mariah? Might I remind you that this electronic device is designed for people who CANNOT sing? It's akin to asking Monet to paint-by-numbers. Or giving training wheels to Evel Kenieval. Or enlisting Baryshnikov in beginners' ballet. You get the point, Mariah.
I understand that AutoTune is in vogue right now. And that you are trying to stay current. It's a wise move considering you've never really strayed from your "purple-sparkly-butterfly-14 year old girl" concept. I get it.
But you are disrespecting your art, and your very ability. Your voice naturally moves from one pitch to the next. Human voices aren't synthesizers; there is an infinite number of pitches in between one note and the next and voices are more like trombones than pianos in that it's possible to slide all around. But all great singers work towards that accuracy and clarity. I don't have to tell YOU this, Mariah. You know better. You were accurate and swift while maintaining the illusion of effortless fluidity. All of this while accessing a wide range of pitches with enviable technique.
I won't lie. I've always been very, very jealous of you. But now, I'm downright angry.
Love,
Laura
P.S. - Nick doesn't deserve you. And I never even SAW "Glitter." So take that.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
If you just Realize what I just Realized...
Then you'll see Colbie Caillat brings out the inner 12 year old school girl in me.
I really am indifferent about Caillat's music, though I may talk myself into a opinion through the course of this blogpost. It happens. The whole stream of consciousness thing. I open up a laptop and/or my mouth and words just come out. Works better when you have a delete button, though.
Is it weird that I remember the first time I heard 'Bubbly'? Well, there actually are probably a lot of things weird about the whole scenario (CONVENT. cough, cough. Wait, what?? yeah, you can read more about that here . Shameless Plug. See what I did there?)
Anyways, I was in a movie theater in St. Louis about 2 years ago and it was one of the songs they kept playing while we were waiting for the film to start and answering those 'Pop Quiz' questions (ie- what music video did Courtney Cox star in before she was a star in Friends? Then the answer is all jumbled up and you have to unscramble it: ANCDGNINIETHRKDA a: 'DANCING IN THE DARK') Weird that I know that too, right?
I remember kind of liking the song and thinking to myself she would probably be the next thing. Then I found out the name of the song was 'Bubbly'. It was kind of downhill for me from there.
Caillat isn't the best lyricist, nor really complex songwriter in my mind. Now, I may be a musician, but I am NOT a songwriter. The guys in the band that I was in in high school/college will tell you that. They mocked any attempt I made. It's a completely different gift. So that being said, I do have respect for Caillat that she writes music. That is, I think she writes her own stuff. They all sound the same, so I'm guessing it's her pattern...
But I'll be darned if the lyrics she does write, even if not the greatests rhyme schemes ('starts in my nose, toes, goes, know'...yeah, we get it. You also just rhymed 'realize' with 'realize'. congrats.), bring out the inner 12 year old Julia who was secretly pining about the boy next door or her best guy friend (the Friend Zone is a TERRIBLE place, my friends!) and Colbie Caillat seems to know this as well.
It's like she's writing my feelings from that junior high era. Except probably how as I would write them as an actual 12 year old which means, not well. I may even have written more creatively at 12.
Also, the whole me not being a songwriter thing, even given that, I still probably could have composed her new one- what is it, 'Falling For You'? Yeah. Basic chord progressions. Same 12 year old crush theme...there's a pattern.
Again, great respect for songwriting. Great respect. And she obviously taps into something that I do 'realize' for myself... But when 'Can You Count Me In?' is probably the most clever part of the Bubbly song??
Sorry to burst your inner school girl bubble.
Guess I have gone ahead and formed an opinion, haven't I? I knew it would happen!
Peace,
Julia
I really am indifferent about Caillat's music, though I may talk myself into a opinion through the course of this blogpost. It happens. The whole stream of consciousness thing. I open up a laptop and/or my mouth and words just come out. Works better when you have a delete button, though.
Is it weird that I remember the first time I heard 'Bubbly'? Well, there actually are probably a lot of things weird about the whole scenario (CONVENT. cough, cough. Wait, what?? yeah, you can read more about that here . Shameless Plug. See what I did there?)
Anyways, I was in a movie theater in St. Louis about 2 years ago and it was one of the songs they kept playing while we were waiting for the film to start and answering those 'Pop Quiz' questions (ie- what music video did Courtney Cox star in before she was a star in Friends? Then the answer is all jumbled up and you have to unscramble it: ANCDGNINIETHRKDA a: 'DANCING IN THE DARK') Weird that I know that too, right?
I remember kind of liking the song and thinking to myself she would probably be the next thing. Then I found out the name of the song was 'Bubbly'. It was kind of downhill for me from there.
Caillat isn't the best lyricist, nor really complex songwriter in my mind. Now, I may be a musician, but I am NOT a songwriter. The guys in the band that I was in in high school/college will tell you that. They mocked any attempt I made. It's a completely different gift. So that being said, I do have respect for Caillat that she writes music. That is, I think she writes her own stuff. They all sound the same, so I'm guessing it's her pattern...
But I'll be darned if the lyrics she does write, even if not the greatests rhyme schemes ('starts in my nose, toes, goes, know'...yeah, we get it. You also just rhymed 'realize' with 'realize'. congrats.), bring out the inner 12 year old Julia who was secretly pining about the boy next door or her best guy friend (the Friend Zone is a TERRIBLE place, my friends!) and Colbie Caillat seems to know this as well.
It's like she's writing my feelings from that junior high era. Except probably how as I would write them as an actual 12 year old which means, not well. I may even have written more creatively at 12.
Also, the whole me not being a songwriter thing, even given that, I still probably could have composed her new one- what is it, 'Falling For You'? Yeah. Basic chord progressions. Same 12 year old crush theme...there's a pattern.
Again, great respect for songwriting. Great respect. And she obviously taps into something that I do 'realize' for myself... But when 'Can You Count Me In?' is probably the most clever part of the Bubbly song??
Sorry to burst your inner school girl bubble.
Guess I have gone ahead and formed an opinion, haven't I? I knew it would happen!
Peace,
Julia
Monday, October 26, 2009
Gaga for...er, well...Lady Gaga.
Okay, now that we've heard from Laura and we have covered our love for nerdy white boys who mix it up with R&B (Mr. A-Z, call us!) as well as awesomely bad 80's pop...NOW...NOW, my friends, it is time to talk about the ONE, THE ONLY:
Lady Gaga.
Shhhh...Stop. Just stop. We know what you are going to say. She is crazy. But you have made an opinion because she wears things like this
and this
She wears masks and poker faces, and we'll give that to you. She's a little scary.
BUT if you just CLOSE YOUR EYES and LISTEN you will HEAR why we heart her.
The girl can SING. And she can sing LIVE. And this is quite a feat for popstars today. Most pop "artists" record something and get it all T-Pained-afied so that their pitch can sound perfect, and then they get up on stage in a little outfit and SMASH IT (but NOT in a GOOD way, Fergie. Miley, I'm looking at you).
And, yes, her brilliance may be chemically induced at times, and I'm NOT advocating that. And yes, her outfits DO distract from her God-given vocal chords. And YES, she DOES write lyrics about DISCO STICKS and uses words like 'Fantastical', but what do you want from the girl?!! She is not about 'the Fame', she is about her art. (Which explains the whole VMA performance debacle- it was a performance art piece on the dangers of Fame, people. Didn't you get that?? ;)
So just go ahead. Close your eyes. Pretend she isn't wearing that Orb around her body, and listen. We think you'll agree.
Plus, she can make fun of herself!
I will leave Laura to once again elaborate, which she did so well last time with her words on Jason Mraz! Took the words right out of my mouth, Duze!
Peace,
Julia
Lady Gaga.
Shhhh...Stop. Just stop. We know what you are going to say. She is crazy. But you have made an opinion because she wears things like this
and this
She wears masks and poker faces, and we'll give that to you. She's a little scary.
BUT if you just CLOSE YOUR EYES and LISTEN you will HEAR why we heart her.
The girl can SING. And she can sing LIVE. And this is quite a feat for popstars today. Most pop "artists" record something and get it all T-Pained-afied so that their pitch can sound perfect, and then they get up on stage in a little outfit and SMASH IT (but NOT in a GOOD way, Fergie. Miley, I'm looking at you).
And, yes, her brilliance may be chemically induced at times, and I'm NOT advocating that. And yes, her outfits DO distract from her God-given vocal chords. And YES, she DOES write lyrics about DISCO STICKS and uses words like 'Fantastical', but what do you want from the girl?!! She is not about 'the Fame', she is about her art. (Which explains the whole VMA performance debacle- it was a performance art piece on the dangers of Fame, people. Didn't you get that?? ;)
So just go ahead. Close your eyes. Pretend she isn't wearing that Orb around her body, and listen. We think you'll agree.
Plus, she can make fun of herself!
I will leave Laura to once again elaborate, which she did so well last time with her words on Jason Mraz! Took the words right out of my mouth, Duze!
Peace,
Julia
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Lucky I'm In Love with a Pop Star
Hello, all 3 of you readers! This is Laura checking in for her first post. I used to write quite a bit, but I have to admit I'm a little apprehensive to start my first post, being that Julia is an amazing writer.
I also would be remiss if I didn't thank a fellow pop culture addict and roommate John Dellaporta who suggested we start this blog.
Inspired by Julia's last post about pop boys with soul, I felt the need to further elaborate on Jason Mraz. Here are some reasons you should love him:
Reason #1 (and a selfish reason at that): He was a music theatre major. For those of you who don't know me, I was too. It's evident in his singing and in his writing, and I have to say as a fellow former MT major and songwriter, I have been majorly influenced by his always honest and fresh, sometimes snarky writing style. And the man has a crystal clear tenor voice, despite his efforts to "grit it up" with his smoking habit. Alas, I can relate. Can't you just picture the dear boy singing "On the Street Where You Live" in a workshop setting? "Okay, Jason, that was really nice. Now I think you need to up your stakes in the second verse and just pay attention to your phrasing."
Reason #2: He listens to a diverse pool of music and manages to effectively incorporate it into his material in unexpected ways. Can't tell he used to be into freestyle rapping? Listen to the lyrics to "Curbside Prophet" or "Geek in the Pink", to name just a couple. Can't tell he was classically trained? Listen to "Mr. Curiosity". Can't hear the reggae influence? Listen to "I'm Yours" for crying out loud. Hellooooo syncopated rhythm guitar. Jazz? "Bella Luna." Trust me, I could keep going, but you'd be bored by my musical geekdom.
Reason #3: He's a surprisingly good guitarist for someone whose "trump card" is his voice. In a world where we're all just trying to get what's ours, he could have easily made it on his pipes and his writing. His dedication to his instrument belies an honest respect for his art. Check out the album "Live at Java Joe's" to hear him hold his own in a live setting backed only by percussionist Toca Rivera.
Reason #4: He just broke the record for the single that spent the longest time on the charts for "I'm Yours", off of the album "We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things". (Previously holding that record? Leann Rimes' "How Do I Live".)
Reason #5: He gets increasingly more successful - no one-hit wonder here. His debut album had marginal success. His next got better. Most recently he's making history (see reason #4). He could easily have rested on his laurels (aka "The Remedy") and done a bunch of Burger King commercials, but he's still out there working hard. Once again, the man loves what he does.
That's all for now. There are many, many, more reasons to love him, but I don't want to be accused of gushing. Did I mention he's into everything organic and eco-friendly? Did I mention that we'd probably make beautiful music (and babies) together? Okay, I'm stopping now.
I also would be remiss if I didn't thank a fellow pop culture addict and roommate John Dellaporta who suggested we start this blog.
Inspired by Julia's last post about pop boys with soul, I felt the need to further elaborate on Jason Mraz. Here are some reasons you should love him:
Reason #1 (and a selfish reason at that): He was a music theatre major. For those of you who don't know me, I was too. It's evident in his singing and in his writing, and I have to say as a fellow former MT major and songwriter, I have been majorly influenced by his always honest and fresh, sometimes snarky writing style. And the man has a crystal clear tenor voice, despite his efforts to "grit it up" with his smoking habit. Alas, I can relate. Can't you just picture the dear boy singing "On the Street Where You Live" in a workshop setting? "Okay, Jason, that was really nice. Now I think you need to up your stakes in the second verse and just pay attention to your phrasing."
Reason #2: He listens to a diverse pool of music and manages to effectively incorporate it into his material in unexpected ways. Can't tell he used to be into freestyle rapping? Listen to the lyrics to "Curbside Prophet" or "Geek in the Pink", to name just a couple. Can't tell he was classically trained? Listen to "Mr. Curiosity". Can't hear the reggae influence? Listen to "I'm Yours" for crying out loud. Hellooooo syncopated rhythm guitar. Jazz? "Bella Luna." Trust me, I could keep going, but you'd be bored by my musical geekdom.
Reason #3: He's a surprisingly good guitarist for someone whose "trump card" is his voice. In a world where we're all just trying to get what's ours, he could have easily made it on his pipes and his writing. His dedication to his instrument belies an honest respect for his art. Check out the album "Live at Java Joe's" to hear him hold his own in a live setting backed only by percussionist Toca Rivera.
Reason #4: He just broke the record for the single that spent the longest time on the charts for "I'm Yours", off of the album "We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things". (Previously holding that record? Leann Rimes' "How Do I Live".)
Reason #5: He gets increasingly more successful - no one-hit wonder here. His debut album had marginal success. His next got better. Most recently he's making history (see reason #4). He could easily have rested on his laurels (aka "The Remedy") and done a bunch of Burger King commercials, but he's still out there working hard. Once again, the man loves what he does.
That's all for now. There are many, many, more reasons to love him, but I don't want to be accused of gushing. Did I mention he's into everything organic and eco-friendly? Did I mention that we'd probably make beautiful music (and babies) together? Okay, I'm stopping now.
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