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

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

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.

Soul-ja Boy Tell 'Em

Okay, so Laura's busy working on some play or opera or something musical and theatresque, and I bide my time between a not-so-challenging job and paper-writing procrastination, so I will be writing the blogs, it seems. Hooray!

I also had twelve + hours to think this week when driving through the great state of Ohio for my high school reunion (btw, music from 1999 SUCKS. We tried to download songs for our 10 year, and while I am a lover of Nsync, let it be said, 'Tearing Up My Heart' was not their best work) which meant lots of time to think and listen to music!

And a pop culture/pop music side note, did you know that the term 'Rock and Roll' was first used in Cleveland? And this is why it is home to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? Cleveland may be 'the mistake on the lake', but if you are a music buff, it may be worth the risk to see the Hall one day. Anyways...

This post is not a tribute to the young rapper gracing the pop charts as it's title may suggest (though, I did at one point find 'Kiss Me Through the Phone' rather endearing before it was overplayed) but rather, a tribute to all those pop boys who gots SOUL.

So think more a la The Killers circa 2005: 'I got Soul, but I'm not a Soul-ja'. Mmmm...why yes, DO think about Brandon Flowers, for I believe he qualifies. He's a little more indie than pop, and not quite the mash up of pop and soul I was going for, but he's quite attractive, so he'll do :).

Speaking of Mash-Ups, how great was that episode of Glee?? I'm constantly thinking of songs I want to see done on that show. 'Again' by Janet Jackson? Anyone? But I digress...

I'm talking boys by the likes of Jason Mraz, Eric Hutchinson, Adam Levine from Maroon 5, and why yes, my boy Justin Timberlake. Pop boys with soul.

They mix up the typical Pop/Rock beats with their borderline whines (only for lack of a better word). They make you want to jam and sway, while the rock is still rockin'. And their voices generally make me melt. There's something about a tenor, I always say (I did have a thing for Jordan Knight back in the day as well, but that may be revealing too much and make my claim slightly less credible). Yes, they may sound like a girl to you, but as Justin once said in his award winning SNL clip, 'it's a perfectly acceptable way for a man to sing'. Amen.

Also, I am aware that most of the lyrics for Maroon 5 and Justin songs are rather sultry and steamy which may or may not help my case. I am a Christian woman, afterall. I know that the Bible says 'Cut off your right hand if it leads you to sin' but if 'Gone' by Nsync or 'Secret' by Maroon 5 is wrong, then I don't want to be right. And I swear they could sing, 'Mary had a Little Lamb' and it would still do it for me anyway.

So, Pop/Rock boys with the soulful sway, I salute you. Thank you for doing what you do because you do it oh so well. Soul-ja Boy(s), Tell 'Em! This girl's gonna go cool off now....

Ode to Hall and Oates

For Julia, it started on April 22, 1981. 'Kiss on My List' by Hall and Oates was number one, and no song could be more fitting to top the charts. Julia was born to two wannabe hippies who had succumbed to the 80s and traded in their Peter, Paul, and Mary for some Michael Jackson. Beatles albums filled the house, along with 'Thriller', and a year and a half later, this family welcomed another daughter, Janet... on a day which 'Maneater' was no. 1. Coincidence? I think not.

So, I'm Julia. And I love pop. It's hard to explain sometimes what I love about it, that's why I'm glad Laura suggested we started this blog.

I really do think it started at birth. It's in my BLOOD. Speaking of blood...You know how sometimes you're body is just craving protein and then you give it a tuna fish sandwich and it just seems to tell you, 'THANK YOU'? NO? Well, to this day, that's how my body reacts to really awesome pop music. And I believe I have Hall and Oates to thank.

It's a tense day at work, you're driving back in the car in gridlock traffic, and then suddenly the first chords for 'Private Eyes' comes on and my body just breathes a sigh of relief. If you're me, you literally utter "yessss...."

Hall and Oates wins everytime. I'm here to tell you why:

1.) It has the most basic chord progressions ever. Usually in major keys. This is what makes pop music pop, after all. A win everytime.

2.) It has SYNTHESIZERS. Being a child of the 80s, this is part of what makes my body breathe that sigh of relief. It just makes me happy.

3.) It goes really well with ridiculous videos (You Tube wouldn't let me copy 'Keyboard Cat'. Just search it for yourself: Keyboard Cat + Hall and Oates= perfection. You'll thank me later).

4.) Only in Hall and Oates can lyrics like- "ooooh here she comes. Watch out boy, she'll chew you up" and "No Can Do"- be made to sound NORMAL and socially acceptable.

5.) Other people agree with me. Lately, movies choose H & O for their montages (see 'The Wedding Singer' and '500 Days of Summer')

I could go on and on, but we have much more pop music to talk about. Just know, that for Julia, it all started with an H & an O.