Best Albums of the Decade 12-1

 As 2010 comes to a close I can’t help but think about all the great things music has given us over the past decade. I know technically the decade is usually from 2000- 2009, but Id like to include 2010 in this list. I mean what would the 2000’s be without Brittney Spears? Eminem? Lady Gaga??  So I would like to list my top 25 albums of the decade.

Here I continue my list with albums 12- 1

12. Jet: Get Born: (2003) Jet came onto the scene as a small rock band, which just happened to get lucky and be in an apple commercial. What I did not expect was to love the album as much as I did. They are good old fashioned rockers, who in my opinion, if they had a larger following, could be the Rolling Stones of today. Think about it, they are imports (Australians in this case); they have an awesome new rock sound, and basically are completely embodied by rock music. Favorites off the album are Cold Hard Bitch, Are You Gonna Be My Girl, Look What You’ve Done, and Last Chance.
11. Eminem: The Marshall Mathers LP (2000): From Stan to The Real Slim Shady to The Way I Am and Kim Eminem broke onto the rap scene in full force and really showed us all what he was about in this album. What I mean when I say that is, a cranky, semi depressed, disenfranchised man who also happens to be an extraordinary rap talent. Never before did I think I would say (with conviction) that white man can rap!
10. Death Cab for Cutie: Transatlanticism (2003): From the opening number The New Year to the last song on the album and a personal favorite A Lack of Color, there isn’t a song on this album I dislike. Each tune tells a story and is a perfect transition to the one following it. I thank Josh Schwartz and the OC for my introduction to this album. Whatever the case, it is still one of my favorites to date.
9. Lilly Allen Its Not Me Its You (2009): Many of my friends/family could tell you I went through a serious Lilly Allen phase. I listened to this album NON stop for about 2 months in 2009. Each song is better than the next. Particular favorites are 22, The Fear, and Everyones At It. Lilly is just so cool. She uses her music to express the way she feels about society as a whole (much like the best artists do) and she sounds incredible while doing it. I love the whole British anti-princess thing she has going for her and it definitely works in relation to all of her songs.
8. Snow Patrol: Eyes Open (2006): Snow Patrol, for quite a while, was my favorite band. This album is largely responsible for that fact. Yes, I believe I know all of the lyrics to every song (I say believe because they are strange so I get some wrong occasionally). Yes, one of my all time favorite songs is on this album (Open Your Eyes). And yes, I listened to British radio a lot in 2006, and this was one of the most played albums at the time. All these things and more put this album in my top 10 of 2000’s.
7. Arcade Fire: Funeral: (2004): This album is pure magic from start to finish. I have to commend Funeral for giving me two of my favorites AF songs Wake Up and Rebellion (Lies).  Both songs are incredibly ingenious melodically and surreal in their lyrics. These two things make the album ultimate indie rock cool, in my opinion.
6. Maroon 5: Songs About Jane: (2002) Maroon 5 came onto the scene with the hit Harder To Breathe. Maroon 5 came into my heart with this album. Songs like  Must Get Out immediately identified the way I was feeling (in HS). What was so great about it was the fact that it was bluesy pop at its best. There is something soulful about Adam Levine and I thank him for that.
5. Lady Gaga: The Fame Monster (2009): Lady Gaga has changed my life for the better. Never before did I think I would listen to and actually enjoy dance/club music. Gaga blew my mind with this album. There are so many amazing hits on it I can’t even believe. For the dance lover there is Just Dance, Poker Face, and Fame. For the exhibitionist there are songs like Bad Romance, Alejandro, Monster and Teeth. Just in case you didn’t think Gaga was talented, listen to her voice on my personal favorite Speechless and let me know your thoughts.
4. Kanye West: Late Registration (2005)/Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010): It is really too difficult for me to choose between two of the best rap albums out there. Yes, Dark Twisted Fantasy came out in 2010 so it shouldn’t really count, but it is a hip/hop master class. Kanye digs into new depths. With Late Registration Kanye gave us Gold Digger, Bring Me Down, and Heard Em Say so how can I not list it?
3.  Amy Winehouse: Back to Black: (2007) From the opening bars of Amy’s hit Rehab I knew this album was gonna be special. Amy may seem crazy (she is), but she has one of the most soulful voices there is out there. Her voice shines on Me and Mr. Jones, Back to Black (my personal favorite), and You Know I’m No Good. What Amy did with this album was give us what we didn’t even realize we wanted, soul.
2. Justin Timberlake Future Sex/Love Sounds (2006) Justified shmustified, in my mind JT is no better than he is on this album (with close seconds of D*** in a Box). Every song is full of pop/funk/r&b wrapped into one sexy bundle. Every day I hear a song from this album on the radio, even though the album came out four years ago. When I hear those songs all I can think is JT please make another album! Favorites include What Goes Around Comes Around, Sexy Ladies, and Love Stoned.
1. Coldplay: Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends:  (2008) In my mind this is one of the best albums ever, let alone of the past decade. Every single minute of this album is something I love and will continue to listen to until I am 100 years old and lecturing my future children about what “good music really was.” Songs like Lost, Strawberry Swing, Lovers in Japan, and the title track Viva La Vida will live on in reputation for being songs that are unique interesting and rock heaven.

Best Albums of the Decade

As 2010 comes to a close I can’t help but think about all the great things music has given us over the past decade. I know technically the decade is usually from 2000- 2009, but Id like to include 2010 in this list. I mean what would the 2000’s be without Brittney Spears? Eminem? Lady Gaga??  So I would like to list my top 25 albums of the decade.  I will begin with #’s 25- 13

25. Sufjan Stevens: Illinoise: (2005) This “concept” album which has songs all relating to times, places, and events in the US had to make the list because of my love for the song Chicago, and because majority of the songs have such long names I don’t even have the time to write them out one by one! Good job Sufjan for filling our brains with non-memorable track names and folky pop catchy tunes.
24. Usher: Confessions: (2004) Yeah! was the anthem for my year in 2004. It was so catchy, had awesome guest starts (ie: Ludacris and Lil Jon) and was just so infectious and catchy. Where Usher shines in this album though is on sultry songs like Burn and Confessions Part II.
23. MGMT: Oracular Spectacular: (2008) MGMT are the rare rockers who leave you wondering, where in the world did they get that idea? They came out with this album and gave us hits like my personal favorite Kids and the awesome Time To Pretend. Supposedly Time To Pretend serves as a mission statement and sets the tone for the whole album, which many great albums do.
22. Ben Folds: Way To Normal: (2008) As you all know I love Ben Folds to death, and think he is fantastic ALWAYS. This album is no exception. Songs like Cologne, Hiroshima, and Effington are a refreshing throwback to some of the work he did when he was in Ben Folds Five. I personally love the melody throughout the interlude Before Cologne that travels on throughout Cologne and considered using it as a song in my wedding. Alas, I went with the old classic The Luckiest instead.
21. The Postal Service: Give Up: (2003) Where there is Ben Gibbard, there is a way. Ben (the lead singer of Death Cab) brought us what we needed the most, which was basically, death cab on speed (or electronica). They made a hit out of the song Such Great Heights that has been covered by The Shins and Iron and Wine, and made a fan out of me with goodies like The District Sleeps Alone and We Will Become Silhouettes.
20. Jay Z: The Black Album: (2003) Any album that gives me the songs 99 problems, Dirt off Your Shoulders, Encore, and Change Clothes, has to be good. Jay Z is a fun rapper who isn’t afraid to get dirty in his raps. Many people may have put The Blueprint on their list instead, but I chose The Black Album because of its intricacies and simplicity.
19. Rooney: Rooney: (2003) Robert Schwartzman (brother of Jason Schwartzman) sure knows his way with music. I happen to love every thing that Rooney produces, and yes, I have Josh Schwartz and the O.C to thank for featuring them. Or wait, was it The Princess Diaries who featured them first. Yes ladies, Robert is the suitor to Anne Hathaway’s Mia in that movie. Whatever the case, songs like I’m a Terrible Person, I’m Shakin, and That Girl Has Love will be forever imbedded in my memory as awesome.
18. Shinedown: The Sound of Madness: (2008) Another hit album for me courtesy of WMG. These hard rockers are more bark than bite which is why I loved this album. Not only did it have the hit single Second Chance which actually mainstreamed to Pop radio (albeit a MILLION months too late) but they also have hard/on the edge of hard rock songs like The Crow and the Butterfly and the titular track Sound of Madness (a personal favorite).
17. Vampire Weekend: Vampire Weekend: (2008) I mean, what is there to say bad about the Columbia indie rockers? Not much. I loved their debut albums with favorites like A Punk, M79, and Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa.  I love their use of non conventional musical instruments and their cool hipster personas. I’m not gonna lie; I probably would have mocked their attempts while I was in college/ seeing them perform on the quad or something, but currently they are just so indie cool I cant help but love them.
16. Switchfoot: Beautiful Letdown: (2003) I was turned onto Switchfoot by the help of my good friends Mandy Moore and Shane West (in A Walk to Remember). What I didn’t know at the time was that Switchfoot could be considered in the “Inspirational” category of musicians. That’s right folks, before they mainstreamed, Switchfoot was a hardcore Christian Inspirational band. I mean it should make sense from songs like Meant To Live, and Dare You To Move or the more blatantly obvious numbers like Redemption or On Fire.  Yet I still love this album as it did make me feel good (inspired even?) and made me super into the slow rock ballads of the 2000’s.
15. Keane: Hopes and Fears: (2004) I contribute a large love for this album to my friend Betsy who turned me on to Keane. I happen to continue to love Keane and purchase all of their albums (in their entirety), but this album is my favorite, which makes sense since it is also their debut album. In fact this album (like a few albums on this list) contains one of my all time favorite songs Everybody’s changing. It also contains the melancholy Sunshine and the frothy fun Somewhere Only We Know.
14. T.I. Paper Trail: (2008) When this album came out I was working at Warner Music Group, and my boss loved T.I. It was possibly her most anticipated album that came out in the Fall of 08, so naturally, I had to listen to it with an open mind. What I found out was that T.I was amazing. Not only is he an interesting rapper, who creates awesome tunes with great hooks, but he just played out this album so well. I know subsequently he went to jail, but still this album rocked my socks. Favorites off the album include Whatever You Like, Dead and Gone, Live Your Life, and No Matter What.
13. The Shins: Chutes Too Narrow: (2003) The Shins did something completely different to my musical repertoire at the time: it made me interested in non-mainstreamed/indie artists. Yes, Garden State popularized their songs, but Chutes Too Narrow is an album that shouldn’t be missed. Their album, in a sense, is a tonal progression that begins with the light soft (and my favorite) Kissing The Lipless and ends with the moving Those To Come. Each song is just as good as the one before and is my favorite Shins album to date.
 

Holiday Songs

Have you ever noticed how many Christmas songs are played on the radio starting the day after thanksgiving? Every time one of these songs come on the radio I cringe and change the channel only to find my self stuck with an additionally cringe worthy holiday appropriate song. Unfortunately for me the radio stations do not play the few songs that I like, at least, not often enough. So let me share them with you all, with succinct explanations as to why these are present on my list.

Bearable Christmas Songs:

1. (Frank Loesser/ Margaret Whiting and Johnny Mercer) Baby its Cold Outside: As you know from my Classic Post, I love this duet, which in all actuality is quite scandalous.
2. Let it Snow (Michael Buble Version) - Many of you know I hate snow, but I do like being inside, which is clearly what this song is about. Maybe it’s even about missing a day of work because the buses don’t run to NYC. Who knows?
3. Last Christmas (Jimmy Eat World Edition): I chose this and not the wham version purely because I prefer punk rock to soft pop rock.
4. (Nat King Cole/Torme and Wells) Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire: as if any other would make it onto this list. Nat’s voice is like butter (see my classic post) and I love chestnuts!
5. (Bing Crosby/Irving Berlin) White Christmas: I am a sucker for this holiday movie, so that is why there is an appearance on my list.
6. (Run DMC)Christmas in Hollis/ (Kanye West) Christmas in Harlem: The original Run DMC version is freaking hilarious, and the Kanye West updated version is inspired.
7. (Geisel/Hague/and Ravenscroft)Mr. Grinch: I consider myself to be a Grinch, except my heart never grows to thrice its size during the Christmas season, and if it did, I would probably have to be treated for some insane cardiac condition.

Additionally I have to list the most obnoxiously offensive Christmas songs out there.

Here is my list of unbearable Christmas songs

1. (Jose Feliciano)Feliz Navidad: I would seriously like to punch the creator of this abomination. Seriously no song, EVER, has been more annoying.
2. (Randy Brooks)Grandma got run over by a reindeer: Although this song is almost as annoying as Feliz Navidad, it is probably more overplayed. And seriously, I don’t think it’s funny that a defenseless old woman gets run over. That is a felony santa.
3. (Allen/Saltzberg/and Monte)Dominick the Donkey: Darn you z100 for constantly playing this horrible song and ruining my high school morning wake ups with your incessant donkey noises.
4. (Pola and Wyle performed by Andy Williams)It’s the most wonderful time of the year: It most certainly isn’t. I would say the most wonderful time of the year is when all of the flowers and trees begin to bloom, or possibly my birthday.
5. Jingle Bell Rock/ Santa Claus is coming to Town: Toss up for number 5 on which song I dislike more. They are both equal in annoyance and also unfortunately sang by good rock bands (Bill Haley and the comets, and Bruce Springstein and the E street band respectively).
6. We Wish You a Merry Christmas: One of two carols on the list, this song is here because of the amount it is used in commercials. Luckily I have a dvr which is especially useful during this season.
7. Up on the house top- (Jackson 5 version) I usually love the Jackson 5 but this song is so grating that I cannot even bare to listen to it for more than 10 seconds.
8. 12 days of Christmas: Not only is it incredibly hard for me to actually understand why in the world anyone would want a partridge in a pear tree from their true love, but it is also just annoying that they have to repeat each thing that they get. 

What Christmas songs do you like? And which are uncomfortably obnoxious to your ears?

Song Dedication # 7

I had the good fortune to meet one of my good friends Elisheva while abroad for the year. While away from home Elisheva and I bonded on our favorite type of “chillax” songs.  The point of “chillax” songs in our view was to make a bad situation better, or calm us down in the most stressed out of times. One could also refer to this type of music as “Mellow Tunes.” Presently, Elisheva is one of those people who I can always talk to when stressed, and always says the right things to put me in a better mood. Below is a list of songs that are all excellent chill music, and ones I would be proud to share with Elisheva on our ghetto cd players of 6 years ago.

1. Counting Crows- Colorblind­- The reason this is the first on my list is because, at the time, this was Elisheva’s ultimate chill song. Reminiscent of the scene in Cruel Intentions, this song by the Counting Crows is the height of mellow.
2. Ducan Sheik- Out of Order- This song was my favorite chill song at that point in time, although it has been usurped by the number 3 song on this list. I happen to love Duncan’s sweet voice, and think he works best with slow soft melodies as opposed to the more “rock”- like numbers.
3. Coldplay- Strawberry Swing- At this point in time there is no better mellow tune for me. When I am in a bad mood I know that I can turn on this song and I will feel instantly better. If I am stressed my go to band is Coldplay because of the interesting melodies in their songs as well as Chris Martin’s excellent voice.
4. Guster- I Spy- While this song is one of the shorter ones in the list, it is still 100% mellow. It is also one of the more sad tunes listed here. Yet Guster’s use of bongos really adds to the café-like mellowness of the song.
5.  Death Cab For Cutie- A Lack of Color- This is my second all time favorite Death Cab song. When I write a post about sad songs this will be pretty high on the list. Not all of my mellow songs have to be sad but this one is definitely a downer which is easy on the ears.
6. One Republic- Good Life- A newer addition to my top ten mellow songs, Good Life is a happy, silly mellow tune. The use of whistling in the song makes it unique and more fun than the average mellow tune.
7. Wallflowers- I Started a Joke- Yes, I know this is a cover and technically shouldn’t be counted (and also not the only cover in my list, see #8), but you have to love Jakob Dylan’s version of this song. Not only, in my opinion, is his voice better than his fathers, but J-Dyl’s interesting slow interpretation of the BeeGees hit is great.
8. Matt Pond PA- Chapagne Supernova- This is the second cover on my list, and if possible, an even more mellowed out version than the Oasis original. Matt Pond was brought on to make this for the OC (cover album) and I am so glad he did.
9. Maroon 5- Back at Your Door- I think this is probably my favorite Maroon 5 song which they conveniently never play at concerts. Unfortunately, most people would put She Will Be Loved or something on their mellow list, but this song is beautiful and mellow at the same time. It is a true love song to be proud of.
10. Coldplay-Swallowed in the Sea- I know, I know, I already have a Coldplay song on the top ten, but this song has to go on it as well! It is so light and frothy, that it had to make an appearance here. Swallowed in the Sea was actually the first Coldplay song I ever heard and I am really thankful for it because it made me see the light.

What are your favorite Chill songs?

Trivia Question #7

What 60's Motown band was originally formed from the two bands The Distants and The Primes, then changed its name to The Elgins before settling on its now famous ultimate name?

Favorite Songs of 2010

Here are the 20 songs which made my year:

1. Cee Lo Green: F*** You: As you already know I’m in love with the crass obscene version of this song. It is incredibly catchy and fun, gets in your head and never leaves. To me it represents the year completely. 

2. Mumford and Sons: Little Lion Man: This is a newer addition to my list because I recently got into Mumford and Sons, but this song rocks my socks. It’s folksy bluesy rock at its best. 

3. Janelle Monae: Tightrope: I know I’ve been discussing this song a lot lately but it really is a fun funk/hip hop song reminiscent of  James Brown. Janelle can dance, sing and rap. Is there anything she can’t do?

4. Arcade Fire: Sprawl II: Yes I’m one of those people who thinks Arcade Fire always sounds good. They specifically shine on this song where they describe the suburbs and the feeling it’s like to live out of the city. 

5. Maroon 5: Give a Little More: This is my favorite song of Maroon’s new album Hands All Over. It has a unique retro 70’s pop-rock vibe to it which makes it all the more enjoyable to listen to.

6. One Republic: Marching On: I was torn whether or not to put the Timbaland version of this song on the list, but I went with the original. It happens to be that I love this song, and it is my favorite that one republic has ever released. It uses non conventional “band-like” instruments which aid in telling the story of moving on.

7. Eminem: Not Afraid: Many would put Love the Way You Lie over Not Afraid but I chose the latter for one simple reason, it is classic Eminem. Yea he’s angry, but the whole point of this album is repentance (Recovery). Eminem proved he could come back onto the scene with a vengeance and give the radio what it had long been missing.

8.  Florence and the Machine: Cosmic Love: This song touches me on a deeper level thanthe ever popular Dog Days Are Over. It is moving and almost always tears me up every time I hear it  

9. Paramore: The Only Exception: Technically this album came out in 2009, but this single wasn’t released until Feb 2010. This is one of my favorite Paramore songs. Like Hallelujah on their previous album, The Only Exception isn’t as hard as their usual materials. Rather, it is heartfelt, and that’s what makes it so enjoyable to me. 

10. The National: England:This song is what The National is all about. They begin with a slow moving tempo and build to a string and horn crescendo. The song on the whole is quite moving, and really interesting and different. 

11. Freelance Whales: Hannah: This song is a mixture of the Postal Service and Owl City. I love Freelance Whales for their innovative use of non conventional instruments, and their ability to make me smile with incoherent and random lyrics.

12. Against Me: Bamboo Bones: I happen to love the fact that Against Me has British punk rock-esque sound even though they are actually from Florida. Bamboo Bones is probably my favorite off of their new album White Crosses. It is fast and fun and silly at the same time.

13. Kanye West: All of the Lights: Kanye’s entire Dark Twisted Fantasy is an oratory masterpiece. This song is my favorite off of the album. Not only because it has so many additions to the tracks, but also because of Kanye’s random spouting of every light he knows “stop lights, strobe lights” etc. 

14. Brandon Flowers: Crossfire: The Killers’ front man’s debut single was off the hook. It sounded like a killers song with something totally new to it. It reminded me in a way of Mr. Brightside in the sense that it is about a relationship which is undergoing stress. I also really like the video which stars Charlize Theron.

15. Adele: Rolling in the Deep: Adele has one of those voices which always amazes me. Her voice is so soulful it’s a wonder she is not a large gospel singing woman. Rather, in this song she belts out a bluesy song about a relationship that you can actually feel the pain in her singing. It’s marvelous. 

16. V.V. Brown: Shark in the Water: I recently found out this song was about a creepy stalker, which I had no idea about. It is so upbeat and fun that you would never know the oddities which lie beneath the surface. This is definitely the best track off of V.V’s debut album and will ultimately get stuck in your head whenever you hear it. 

17. John Mayer: Heartbreak Warfare: Ok, even though John Mayer is a womanizer, I am still mesmerized by his dulcet tones. This song in particular is one of my favorites. It is again about a soured relationship and how even when you attempt to put things back together they can almost always fall right back apart.

18. Two Door Cinema Club: I Can Talk: I like this song because of the weird guttural noises they use at the beginning and middle of the song. Two Door Cinema Club’s album is actually quite catchy and enjoyable in its entirety if you ever get a chance to listen to the whole thing.

19. Guster: Do You Love Me:  Yes, I love you Guster. Not only was I super happy to see that guster had come back with a new album this year, but also opened with this catchy single Do You Love Me. It had me singing along with it until the end.

20. Enrique Iglesias: I Like It: This song was overplayed to death on the radio, but I couldn’t have a list without my beloved Enrique on it. The first time I heard this song in my car on the radio I actually screamed and jumped excitedly in my car.

Favorite music videos of 2010

So as 2010 comes to a close I would like to do a series of posts on the tops of 2010. As such here are my top 8 music videos of 2010.

1) OKGO- White Knuckles: While most people would choose the inventive Rub Goldberg Machine video that is This Too Shall Pass, I chose the underrated White Knuckles. Yes I am a sucker for performing dogs, and in my own naive mind I believe they are all treated well, and are not slave dogs. So this video was great because it is like watching any random animal show at a theme park. It has dogs doing great and funny things.

2) Black Keys- Tighten up- I am a sucker for a video where kids lip dub adult voices. This one is particularly amusing because of the opening scene where the child describes not wanting to hang out with a boy because “he smells like ranch dressing”, and then proceeds to serenade a pretty girl in the playground. It’s also a really great bluesy-rock song in general. It gets a little wacky when the children start fighting with each other and then beat up the adults who try to break up their fight, but I still like it for its humor early on. 

3) Lady Gaga and Beyonce- Telephone: This video is so balls out crazy that it had to be included. I like it a lot more than I like the militaristic video for Alejandro. I love the vibrant colors, crazy outfits (see smoking cigarette glasses), and ridiculous idea for this Thelma and Louise-ish video. Plus this song is probably one of my favorites from the entire year.

4)Cee Lo- F*** You – As I said about the black keys, I do love when a child lip-dubs for an adult and the same happens in f-you. I love the evolution and maturity that happens within the diner as Cee Lo grows up and watches the girl he loves have no interest in him and then become a custodian. Sweet vengeance.  

5) Kanye West- Power: Oh Kanye. Your delusional idea that you are the king of everything and cocky attitude makes this video as amazing as it is. Defying all logic for a music video and clocking in at only 1:43 seconds, (unprecedented for a song that is over 4 minutes long) this intense video should not be missed. As Kanye Tweeted: This isn’t a music video. It is a moving painting.

6) Janelle Monae- Tightrope: Janelle Monae is a kook. I happy to think her videos are always interesting, but the reason I chose this for my list is because she is an incredible dancer. The entire video there is people doing the “tightrope dance” inside of an asylum. In fact this video won a MTV VMA for choreography (as it should have). (Sorry I cannot put the video in here. Click Tightrope to watch).

7) Hollerado- Americanarama: This video is crazy inventive in the same vein as OKGO. If you watch it many times in a row you can really pick up new and interesting things. In the video you see an enormous square made up of a bunch of tiny squares that have a person in them. They control these enormous cards and themes that take place throughout the video. It is hard to explain, but super cool to watch.

8) Katy Perry- California gurls:  Personal feelings about the connection to the song aside, this video is plain entertaining. It takes place in a fictional candy land where gummy bears give you the finger and whipped cream sprays out of your chest. Oh and did I mention Snoop Dogg is the “God-like” figure in this video. Who wouldn’t want to be part of that world? 

Did I miss your favorite? Post about it below.

Song Dedication #6

As many of you know I went to Barnard, an all women’s college. It was there that I met one of my best friends for life, Betsy Smith. As any Barnard girl can tell you, our college told us that we were “strong, beautiful, Barnard women.” It taught us the value of being a strong woman in today’s society, and how important it is to fight for things you believe in (most of the time relating to women’s issues, but this is a general statement). Since Betsy got the trivia question correct, and happens to be one of the strongest, most caring, compassionate, and best friends a girl could have, I decided to discuss the top ten strongest/most powerful (for different reasons) women in the music industry.

1) Madonna: Madonna single handedly changed the way we view female pop stars. Since her rise to fame in the 1980’s many performers have tried to live up to her model, and have not succeeded. Not only is she constantly trying new things (and religious beliefs), and making new interesting material for her adoring public, but she also manages to look awesome, and ageless while she does it. Favorites of hers are: Like a Prayer, Material Girl, Hung Up, 4 Minutes
2) Aretha Franklin: This list would not be complete without Aretha. Yes, I was one of those kids who belted out Respect in the car, or at home, without have the vocal chords to back it up (I did, however, have the attitude). Yet Aretha to me is such a huge presence in the industry. Her powerful gospel/soul voice is hard to match, to the point where she is even referred to as “The Queen of Soul.” Favorites of hers are: Think, Chain of Fools, Respect (the feminist anthem during the civil rights movement).
3) Missy Elliot: Ok, my mind was just blown. Trying to find out some background on Missy “misdemeanor” Elliot, I found out that she could theoretically be responsible for Timbland success! Growing up she formed a band called Swing Mob, and enlisted her friend Timbo (Timothy Mosley) at the time to be their producer. If that doesn’t make a powerful woman, I don’t know what does. Missy to me is an enigma. Not many women produce, write, and rap music, but just because many women didn’t do it, that didn’t stop her. Missy is the only female rap artist to have 5 platinum selling records, and to have some of the most bizarre, yet influential music videos known today. Favorites of hers are: Lose Control, One Minute Man, Pass That Dutch
4) Lauryn Hill: Many of you know for my intense love for Lauryn Hill due to my persistent pleas for her to make a comeback. As a kid the only thing I knew about Lauryn was that she was in Sister Act 2. Now I can appreciate her for being one of the most unique female artists of the decade. Not only is she a product of New Jersey (represent!) but she is also went from being the prominent member of The Fugees, to being an excellent, much sought after solo artist and actress. Favorites of hers are Doo Wop (that thing), Ex Factor, Killing Me Softly, Cant Take My Eyes Off of You.
5) Billy Holiday: Billy Holiday singlehandedly changed the face of Jazz music forever (according to critic John Bush). In an era when female singers were wholesome and pure, Billie brought a level of sexuality to her singing by just singing with soul, and reinterpreting tempos. Favorites of hers are: God Bless The Child, Strange Fruit, Good Morning Heartache
6) Lady Gaga: Stephanie Germanotta has pushed her way into the hearts and heads of millions. I’m not sure how she did it considering she was a short, unattractive, Italian girl from NY but she is right now the most recognizable international superstar. Her crazy outfits cannot detract from her awe-inspiring talent. In fact they even add to her allure. Her voice is big, her personality is even bigger, and being named on the Forbes most powerful women list doesn’t hurt either. Favorites of hers are: Speechless, Telephone, Paparazzi, Fame
7) Janis Joplin: Janis Joplin is an unconventionally great singer. Her raspy voice shouldn’t really have been mainstreamed, but for the free loving 60’s it was perfect. She had raw emotion come through every note that she sang which was extremely impressive considering she was hopped up on whatever psychedelic drug she could handle. Yet she is the model for all angry, hippie, indie music women today. Favorites are Me and Bobby McGee, Mercedes Benz
8) Nina Simone: Nina is on this list, not only because she came out with some awesome easily recognizable hits (like I Put a Spell on You featured in the Disney movie Hocus Pocus!) but also because of her unique androgynous voice, and her ability to lend that voice to multiple genres of music. She was known as “The High Priestess of Soul,” (the second woman on my top ten with a nickname). She was able to express emotion just through the tone of her voice, and used her Bipolar disorder to her advantage in her music. Favorites of hers are: I Put a Spell on You, Feelin Good, My Baby Just Cares For Me
9) Christina Aguilera: One might ask why I put Xtina on this list as opposed to Brittney. The answer is clear; she is a far superior singer. The first time I heard her voice I was actually really impressed. In a world of voice boxes and auto tuners it is rare to find such an unmistakable talent in a person. Her early hits were sexually charged, but her more recent hits have been subtle and interesting. She has matured from the Mickey Mouse Club to Stripped days to her new album Bionic, for which I applaud her.  Favorites of hers are Genie in a Bottle, You Lost Me, Fighter, Aint No Other Man 
10) Beyonce/Mariah Carey: This is a toss up for me, I know Betsy loves both of these women and it’s hard for me to choose. I love Beyonce because not only was she the main star of Destiny’s Child, but I seriously love all of her solo hits. Mariah is a different story.  There have been some hits and misses for me in her repertoire, but her range is undeniable and her pipes are incredibly impressive. Both of these women have a hip-hop/pop background and really excel among some less interesting talent. Favorites of Beyonce: Single Ladies, Bills Bills Bills, Bootylicious, Halo, Favorites of Mariah: Heartbreaker, Always Be My Baby, Fantasy, Obsessed

Trivia Question #6

Which Classic Crooner was arrested in 1938 for having an affair with a married woman (a criminal offense at the time)?

Lyric of the Week

Artist: Kanye West

Song: See Me Now

Lyric: “Now, I’ma need you to kill the hypocrisy/This is an aristocracy/I’m Socrates, but my skin more chocolaty”

I pretty much can’t say anything bad about Kanye’s new album (as you saw in my previous post). I think his speedy rhymes and powerful and exciting hooks cannot be beat. I was really looking forward to this album, and particularly this song, after hearing his performance at Facebook headquarters. See Me Now is one of my favorite songs off the album since it has so many clever lines like the one above. For example mid song Kanye raps “If you fall on the concrete that’s your ass-phalt.” While this song is semi narcissistic it gets back to what made Kanye so great, which is basically wrapping clever lyrics about how awesome he is. Besides how many rappers use the word aristocracy in their songs? Not many I can tell you.

Song Dedication #5

My friend Yehudah answered the previous trivia question correct and so I would like to dedicate this post to him. Yehudah and I are constantly trying to show each other new artists whom the other might not have heard of. In honor of this tradition, and the fact that he indeed got the question right, I’d like to dedicate a post entitled 5 new artists that you may or may not have heard of but should be listening to.

1)  Fitz and the Tantrums: For some reason these L.A. based soul-rockers have been getting a lot of press lately, even being played on the radio on channel 101.9 rxp (the rock show). However, I heard this band’s song Breaking the Chains of Love pretty early on this year. Let me tell you, there are few bands that are so fresh yet so retro sounding as this band. In terms of the aforementioned song it probably could have been released in the late 70’s or early 80’s and been a hit at that time too. Another song to listen to is Money Grabber, a song rich in soul melody.

2)  Mumford and Sons: This folk English band is probably my newest obsession. I cannot help but enjoy their upbeat, but at the same time sad, song Little Lion Man. Their song Thistle and Weeds was featured in an episode of this seasons Grey’s Anatomy. Their sound isn’t so different from many folk-rock groups out there, but the lead singer’s (Marcus Mumford) voice is raspy and interesting and it makes me want to listen to basically anything he has to sing.

3)   Marina and the Diamonds: A while ago I posted about Ellie Goulding as my new artist to watch. Marina and the Diamonds was actually #2 on BBC’s sound of 2010 right behind Ellie. I’m confused as to why her songs haven’t mainstreamed in the US yet. I guess that’s the same as Lily Allen though, but I digress. Marina is a British songstress with a fresh new sound of a voice and point of view. Like Florence and the Machine, the latter part of her name “the diamonds” belongs to her fans, and not the backing band. Her lead single Mowgli’s Road is infectious and delightful, although the video is a bit odd. I particularly like I am Not a Robot since it reminds me of classic Regina spektor or Lilly Allen. To hear her voice really shine check out Obsession. 

4)  Paper Tongues: Paper Tongues formed in 2007 but did not release their full length album until this year. They have a pretty cool sound which mixes rock with a more hip hop vibe. Their unique hip hop rock style shines on songs like Trinity. Their more alt-rock sound is the main focus of their current single Get Higher. They are sort of a cross between Kings of Leon and 2am club. 

5)  Daisy Dares You: This young British Songstress could be considered, in my mind, the British Kesha. She uses the synthesizer (moderately) but her songs are seriously pop catchy. I remember hearing Tik Tok for the first time and wondering who the hell Kesha was and how she could be so ballsy as to sing this song. That’s how I feel about Daisy’s Number One Enemy. Her cheery pop vocal styling’s shine on Rosie as well.

So Yehudah, have you heard of these artists?