Lady Gaga Born this Way Album Review:

As many of you know, I’ve been looking forward to this album’s release pretty much all year. I didn’t need to know what her album would be called or really hear any of Gaga’s songs to know that this would be my most anticipated album of 2011. So when Gaga released her first single Born This Way I was extremely pleased. When Gaga released her second single Judas I loved it and sang it in my house for weeks, much to the annoyance of my husband. When she recently released The Edge of Glory I was elated because even though it has a random 80’s sax solo, I thought her voice sounded really amazing. Yet, upon listening to her entire album I can safely say that this is not The Fame/Fame Monster. It is always incredibly hard to follow up such an amazing album. I would say that I don’t think there is a song on this album that can compare to the crazy awesomeness of Bad Romance or Poker Face.  On Born This Way Gaga does a few things: 1) She has an obscene amount of Christian/Religious symbolism. 2) Many of her songs are throwbacks similar to retro 80’s Madonna. 3) She repeats many themes from songs on her first album, and uses the same melodies on many of the tracks on this album. In terms of #1, Gaga has songs like Judas, Bloody Mary, Black Jesus (Amen Fashion), and those are just the titles! In Bloody Mary Gaga sings “I won’t cry for you/ I won’t crucify the things that you do.” In Black Jesus she sings “Jesus is the new black/ amen fashion on the runway/work it black Jesus,” which in itself is bizarre. In terms of #2 Gaga’s really trying to bring the 80’s back. Songs like Edge of Glory and Hair while entertaining; feature classic 80’s saxophone solo’s by Clarence Clemons of the E-Street Band. Songs like Bad Kids, and Fashion of his Love(written about Alexander McQueen) are fun, and good, but still way too 80’s for right now.  I can safely say that Gaga’s voice does blow Madonna’s out of the water, but I cant help but feel like this album, or at the very least these tracks on the album would feel more at home in lets say 1986(my birth year). In terms of #3, a song like Americano in my humble opinion is a pale imitation of its greater more interesting cousin Alejandro. In Sheiβe (pronounced Shy-e-zah) uses the exact same chorus/beat as the random “prostitute wench” section of Judas. She may even be saying the exact same words but in German. Where Gaga shines is on songs like You and I a ballad similar to her amazing song Speechless on her previous album. Her voice really comes through in songs like this and it is definitely a force in and of itself to be reckoned with.  She also shines on songs like Government Hooker, a song that when I first heard it was like…meh, but actually can not stop singing it now and seems to get better to me each time I play it. It’s classic bizarro Gaga comparable to Paper Gangster Teeth.  I also really like the songs Electric Chapel and The Queen but again they aren’t as good as her earlier material. What I can say is this cd is really a mixed bag for me. I really like her singles so far, and I do like a few of the songs on the album a lot. Its just not to the extent of the last album where I literally loved every single song, and felt that Gaga had a purpose and story to tell with her music. Here I felt she really dropped the ball in terms of storytelling and instead used religious imagery to the max as well as heartfelt inspirations (her grandfather, Alex McQueen) in order to drive the album. All in all I would give the album a B, not the best, but not the worst either. 

Traffic Songs

Many of you know that I commute by car to work. My drive is roughly 40-50 minutes on a good day. This means I have LOTS of time in the car to either listen to the radio or any of the 25 CDs I have made since I began my job in August of 2009. Yet what bothers me most is what happens when I get stuck in traffic. I know every person has their own driving personality and mine is one of anger, resentment, and frustration towards the road and specifically other drivers on the road. Hitting traffic always puts me in a foul mood, and really the only thing that can get me through it aside from viciously banging on my steering wheel is good music. In regard to different personalities though, a song that would work for me during traffic would not necessarily work for someone who is a calm, reassured driver. Therefore I present to you a list of songs you should listen to in traffic by personality type:

Angry Driver:
LIT: My Own Worst Enemy
AC/DC: Highway to Hell
Seether: Rise Above This
The Fratellis: Chelsea Dagger
JET: Are You Gonna be My Girl  

Calm Driver:
America: Sister Golden Hair
The Backstreet Boys: As Long as You Love Me
One Republic: Good Life
Paula Cole: I Don’t Wanna Wait
Duncan Sheik: Barely Breathing

Drivers who like to sing/scream along:
Queen: Bohemian Rhapsody
Guns and Roses: Paradise City
Meatloaf: Paradise by the Dashboard Light
Offspring: Pretty Fly For a White Guy
Beyonce: Single Ladies

Classic Rock Buffs:
The Beatles: Hey Jude
Journey: Separate Ways
Rush: Tom Sawyer
Led Zeppelin: Kashmir
The Who: Who Are You

Drivers who use their time to discover new artists:
Freelance Whales: Hannah
Grace Potter and the Nocturnals: Pairs Ooh La La
Ellie Goulding: Your Song
Locksley: The Whip
Safety Suit: Get Around This

Drivers only interested in top 40 hits:
Lady Gaga: Hair
Nicki Minaj: Super Bass
Britney Spears: I Wanna Go
Christina Perri: Arms
Hot Chelle Rae: Tonight Tonight

Wannabe Gangstas aka Drivers who wish they got on Pimp my Ride:  

Jay Z: Big Pimpin
Eminem: Lose Yourself
Kanye West: Power
The Notorious B.I.G: Big Poppa
Beastie Boys: No Sleep Till Brooklyn

Drivers Stuck in the 80's 

Flock of Seagulls: I Ran

Dexy's Midnight Runners: Come On Eileen

Peter Gabriel: Sledgehammer

Bon Jovi: Wanted Dead or Alive

Frankie Goes to Hollywood: Relax 
 

Cowboy/girl in Training:
Big and Rich: Save a Horse Ride a Cowboy
Miranda Lambert: Gunpowder and Lead
Blake Shelton: Honey Bee
Carrie Underwood: Cowboy Cassanova
Rascall Flatts: Life is a Highway

Drivers who complain that "they don't make em [records] like they used to:"

Frank Sinatra: My Way

The Beatles: I Wanna Hold Your Hand

Chuck Berry: Johnny B. Goode

Elvis:  Hound Dog

Aretha Franklin: Chain of Fools  

The Broadway Belter

South Pacific: Wonderful Guy

Wicked: Defying Gravity

Anything Goes: Anything Goes

Thoroughly Modern Millie: Gimme Gimme

Spamalot: Find Your Grail

 

 

Who I’m Loving Right Now: Grace Potter and the Nocturnals

Do any of you remember my Lilly Allen phase (late 2009), my Florence and the Machine phase (early-middle 2010), or my Adele phase (still kind of happening, but mostly late 2010-early 2011)? Well friends and readers, I have now entered the Grace Potter and the Nocturnals phase of my life. I’m actually shocked to find that this band, with such a freakishly amazing singer is not so popular. In theory, these artists are all not super popular. I mean Adele’s hit Rolling in the Deep is JUST becoming popular on mainstream radio which in a way is a travesty, but at least she is getting some recognition for being the amazing artist that she is (albeit late). Yet Grace Potter, an incredible singer, with a bluesy rock tone to her voice reminiscent of singers like Peggy Lee, Melissa Etheridge, and Fiona Apple has had little/no mainstream success in her bands 6 year run.  On fast songs like Paris (ooh lala) and I Want Something That I Want the blues rock of Grace’s tones really shine through. On slower songs like Tiny Light, Apologies, Treat Me Right and Ah Mary you can hear the soulful and intense quality of her voice that draws you in and demands your complete attention. If you haven’t had a chance to hear any of the band’s songs you should definitely listen today and I guarantee you won’t regret it. Let me know your thoughts on my latest obsession below.

Saxomophone

This week Lady Gaga released her third single from her upcoming album Born this Way. The song called Edge of Glory features a crazy (long) saxophone solo by Clarence Clemens of the E- Street band. I happen to really like this song, although I’m not sure why it needed a saxophone solo. The sax, while popular with Lisa Simpson, hasn’t been used frequently since the 80’s. But apparently in this song Lady Gaga is trying to make the sax have a comeback? This got me thinking about other artists who have used a saxophone in their songs. Below is a list of popular songs with sax solo’s in rated order:

1. Aretha Franklin: Respect: Did you all know that the Aretha song is actually a cover of an Otis Redding song? Mind blowing. Meanwhile one of the many reasons this song was more successful than good old Otis’ is the addition of saxophone legend King Curtis extraordinary talent. A
2. Bruce Springstein: Born to Run: Another song on this list featuring Clarence Clemens, this song accurately portrays how a sax should be played. It is fun, sparingly used, but always effective. A
3. Gerry Rafferty: Baker Street: Many of you who have attended a Jewish wedding have heard this crazy intro sax solo, as a possible entrance song for the bride and the groom onto the dance floor. In fact it may even have been used at my wedding. Regardless, the solo which is so bold in its tone and different than the rest of the song actually adds a random but delightful layer to this song. My rating: A-
4. Hall and Oates: Maneater: Surprise! Hall and Oates made it on yet another list of mine. I love those 80’s rockers; what can I say. This song is amazing. From the great lyrics “Whoa here she comes/watch out boy/she’ll chew you up/whoa here she comes/she’s a maneater,” to the crazy cheetahs/lions that are used to represent the maneater women in the video, and the cheesy but awesome guitar solo, this song is a hit for the ages. B+
5. Billy Joel: Just the Way You are: I love Billy Joel and I think he is an incredible piano virtuoso. But his addition of the sax in what would otherwise be a beautiful piano ballad is a bit too cheesy for me. Sorry Billy. B-
6. Katy Perry: Last Friday Night (TGIF): Another song trying to add a sax solo to add a new “fresh” twist to their song. However, in my humble opinion, I think the sax actually dates the song back like 10 years. Bad choice Katy. C
7. Madness: It Must Be Love: Aside from the music video cheese factor of filming the saxophonist playing in a pool, the saxophone solo in this song is so confusing! I actually think this song could probably have been a really cool mix of new-wave and reggae, but it verges on crazy with the addition of that sax. C-
8. Kenny G: Songbird: Of course my list HAD to include Kenny G who basically redefined the use of the saxophone. This song, most used in weddings is so beyond cheesy that it makes me cringe. D

JUDAS VIDEO DEBUTS!

I was just thinking to myself, I wonder when Gaga is going to release the video for her new hit song Judas, and luckily my thoughts/wishes were answered! Yay! let me know your thoughts below:

Scene Stealing Songs Part II

Way Back in November 2010 I wrote this post on scene stealing songs and promised that I would write a follow up post with other awesome scene stealing songs. Now the time has come. See the new scene stealing songs below and comment on your favorites.

1. Wayne’s World use of Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen: It’s hard not think of Wayne and Garth singing the ultimate road trip song. In fact every time I hear this AMAZING Queen song, I feel the urge to rock my long hair back and forth and rock out just like these guys do in the clip below.  

2. She’s All That’s use of Sixpence None the Richer’s Kiss Me:  I was literally just telling my nieces and my husband that they must watch this movie immediately. I mean this movie WAS my 1999. Iv’e seen it a bajillion times and yes, its cheesy, but its cheesiness is what makes it great. Also Freddy Prinze Jr. was at the peak of his attractiveness and popularity; Younger generation read: he was the Taylor Lautner of his time.

3. Back to the Future’s use of Johnny B. Good by Chuck Berry: Growing up I actually heard this song a lot in my house, but it is this scene which I am constantly reminded of every time I hear it. Yea, no one can be sure that Michael J Fox is singing (he probably isn’t), but his delivery is definitely funny. Especially when one of the Starlighters (Marvin Berry) calls up his cousin Chuck to update him on a possible new sound for him.  

4. Napoleon Dynamite’s use of Jamiroquai’s Canned Heat:  I first heard this song in the amazing and also terrible film Center Stage. But it is this Napoleon Dynamite scene which makes it so memorable to me. The entire oddity of the movie leads up to this one culmination of a scene where Napoleon dances for his school in lieu of a speech to “vote for Pedro,” much to everyone’s surprise he kicks ass! 

5. 500 Days of Summer’s use of Hall and Oats’ You Make My Dreams:  What would a list of mine be without Hall and Oats present? I pretty much love everything about this movie, and would go so far as to call it my generations Annie Hall. This scene just proves the movie knew how to laugh and have fun. Joseph Gordon Levitt steps out onto the street and is overjoyed. His enthusiasm soon turns into an all out flash mob including a cartoon bird that lands happily on his shoulder. 

6. Ferris Beuller’s Day Off’s use of Wayne Newton’s Danke Shoen/ and the Beatles’ Twist and Shout: Ah the infamous float scene. Yes, I love this movie. Not only does it hold a serious place in my heart because I watched it hundreds of times while either being sick or pretending to be sick while at home from school, but it also taught me a valuable lesson: Life moves pretty fast, perform in a random parade while you can.

Super Fly!

So as some of you may know I am going on vacation this week, and I thought about writing numerous posts regarding vacations/islands etc. But I found it to be incredibly hard to think of really great songs that revolve around islands and vacations. There are definitely a few, for example- Weezer’s Island in the Sun and Madonna’s Holiday (aka the Sandals theme song). But on the whole there weren’t a lot to choose from, so I decided to go a bit less traditional and discuss flight songs. I’m a terrible flyer and actually rely on music to get me through. Well music and medication. Nevertheless, here is a list of songs about flying:

1)  Frank Sinatra: Come Fly With Me:  What a classic. You all know my love for Frannnnkkiiiiiiieeee, and as such I had to include him on my list. With his silky vocals who wouldn’t want to fly away with him?

2)  Foo Fighters: Learn To Fly:  This was actually the first song I had ever heard by the Foo Fighters and this was the song that started my love affair with Dave Grohl. I think the video for this song is hilarious (Jack Black guests), but I also love the song in general and called it my favorite song for about 3 years.

3)  Steve Miller Band: Jet Airliner: I LOVE the Steve Miller Band and this song is no exception. You may ask why I chose this song over the popular Fly Like an Eagle. The truth is while this song isn’t as flashy (or overused by the USPS) it is ultimately really fun.

4)  Lenny Kravitz: Fly Away: In a way, Lenny Kravitz is kind of a representation of what modern rock n’ roll should be. His vibe/sound is really old school funk rock, but at the same time it feels so fresh and modern that it’s really intriguing to listen to.

5)  John Denver/Peter Paul and Mary/ Chantal Kreviazuk Leaving on a Jet Plane: All versions of this song are amazing regardless of who sings them. The original John Denver version is classy tribute to those he had to leave when he went on the road and was actually originally titled “Oh Babe I hate to go.” Peter Paul and Mary are always amazing to listen to because of their beautiful harmonies. They definitely brought this song to another level. Chantal’s version brought this song to a new generation of listeners. It is haunting and beautiful.

So farewell all! I will be posting once I get back!