Thursday, November 26, 2009

Things I Am Thankful For

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. Sorry we have taken a hiatus of late. I have been traveling and I know Laura was choreographing a show. I just wanted to stop by, though, and say some things I am grateful for since it is that great American feast day that we call Thanksgiving.

1.) First and foremost this year I am thankful for...Twiiter. As you saw from one of my recent posts- It All Started With a Tweet- that ingenious social networking tool keeps me in touch with co-blogger Laura, Rachel Zoe celeb stylist to the stars, and oh so many more. It also keeps my wit quick in 140 characters or less.

2.) My Google Reader. I would not be the pop blogger I am today if I did not have such a tool which allows me to read 300+ blog posts a day about Lady Gaga, her outfits, and other various pop culture events and stars of my choosing. It also makes slow work days a little more tolerable, and for that I am VERY grateful.

3.) I thank the good Lord for Lady Gaga and her fantastical artistry on a daily basis. Did you see that AMA performance??

4.) I am also thankful for my parents whom, when I was discussing Lady Gaga's performance with them this week a.) new who she was 2.) had seen the performance on youtube (though when my mom went to tell me she had looked it up on You Tube mistakenly said 'innertube', but whatevs. A win either way)

5.) I am very grateful for SNL as of late and their clever sketches involving my favorite pop artists, many whom we've mentioned on this blog. This latest one is great. Love Jason Mraz, even when he is played by Joseph Gordon whatshisface

6.) I am grateful for friends and fellow blog readers who keep me up to date on music and pop culture. Thanks to Pokey who sent us this video which I am currently obsessed with. Love Rivers Cuomo and Sara Bareilles. Anywhere. All the Time.

I think that's about it. It's been a good year. Can't wait to wrap up the year in Pop Music with Laura in the next few weeks! And actually, it's been called to my attention that we are starting a new DECADE. WHAT?! When did that happen?!! So may have to recap the last 10 YEARS as well! In the meantime, this may be of interest

Now for the turkey and cranberry sauce...let's be honest, all I care about is the pie.

Peace,
Julia

Monday, November 16, 2009

Songs I DO Have Reason to Like

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

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

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

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.