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?