Ok, so maybe you have heard of Bluejuice, they've been around for a few years and more than one of their songs has been featured on JJJ and Rage. That said, this fantastic Sydney-based pop group certainly doesn't get the recognition they deserve. In terms of genre, Bluejuice has been wandering a bit, they're mostly an alternative pop group, but there's some experimental Hip Hop and Dance tracks in their back catalog.
Bluejuice's recent album, Company, is by far their best to date. The fun Pop beats and lyrics make for some great songs to dance and party to. For those who've read my "Help Me I hate: Pop Music" article, you know that I can really get into a decent pop song, so Company has had a bit of a workout on the office cd player. And now, Bluejuice:
Shock
Life isn't what you thought it would be and you're getting older, pretty heavy stuff for a four chord pop song, but Bluejuice make it fun to lament your lost youth with this snappy number. The diminished keyboard strings and the backing harmony really sell this song for me as well as the tight writing, fitting a decent bridge in 2:40 and building a real melancholy mood. This perhaps resonates better with those who have grown up just a little and have a couple of regrets, but any lamenting song I can dance to is good in my books.
Vitriol
God I love this video. The song? Not bad, but you can tell that Bluejucie is still trying to find their voice. That said, pretending to be a cult in a Sydney mall is hilarious and the intro makes me laugh every time. I picked this song and video because it demonstrates just how damn FUN Bluejuice can be; I'm told this is present in their live gigs as well, but I'm yet to get the chance to see them in person. So, always remember that the universe is composed of millions of tiny spiders and that the inside of a jar of peanut butter is negative space.
Aspen, New York
There may be way too many songs about New York, but damn it if I'm not a sucker for a good piano riff. Seriously, there's not enough pianoforte in contemporary pop, or really good harmony like in this song. Come to think of it, this song about a long-distance relationship filled with longing and hope reminds me of They Might Be Giant's New York City, and not just because of the name. Man I gotta find more good alt pop...
That's it for this week, enjoy Bluejuice, if you weren't already.
When it comes to Rock music, there are few people I recommend more highly than Bruce Springsteen. Known best for his Stadium Rock, the Boss actually has one of the most interesting musical catalogs of all the big name rockers, having explored Folk, Gospel, Country and even some recent forays into Hip Hop. The problem is, most people are still only familiar with his 1980s "Born In the USA" era Stadium Rock work, which is, frankly, about his worst work. That said, having your "worst work" be a hugely successful Anti-Vietnam anthem that attacks the core of the decaying American morality isn't really as bad as it could be.
So where do you start with Springsteen? Honestly, picking up an "Essential Bruce Springsteen" is a pretty good move, but to get a real feel of what the Boss is capable of, I think there's a grand total of three albums that you need to check out.
Nebraska
Released two years before Born in the USA, Nebraska is the other side of the coin from 'USA. Whereas 'USA is angry and hopeful, Nebraska is dark, mournful and hopeless. The America presented in Nebraska is a land where all the opportunity has dried up, young people can only hope to work the same soul-crushing jobs that their fathers have done for 40 years and wind up marrying their prom date after they accidentally got her pregnant. This is not an uplifting album, it is an album about all the things wrong with 1980s America, about the death of the American Dream and how the greed of the few is killing the future of the many. Still a pointent message nearly thirty years on.
We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions
I love American Folk music and there are few Folk albums out there this good. The Boss and friends retreated to his mountain cabin for a few weeks and recorded this album in 2006 and it remains a favorite of die-hard Springsteen fans to this day. Although this may not be the most accessible Springsteen album, it does show the sheer talent of the Boss and the musicians he associates with and just how damn good some of these classic American songs are. If you can't get into this, listen to it once, give it a few days, then come back to it and see how you feel. Like smokey whiskey or blue cheese, this can be something of an acquired taste. I'd still much rather listen to this than to Dancing in the Dark however.
Magic
Some people question my love of this particular album, but I have my reasons. There was a bit of buzz around this in 2007, it was getting played on the radio and the Boss was doing a lot of TV spots to push it, so I got curios and checked it out. The first track Radio Nowhere blew me away. This thing was a Bolt from the Blue, before Magic, Bruce Springsteen was something your parents listened to and now he was everywhere. What this song, and this album, really demonstrate is Springsteen's ability to compose an ensemble piece, there are a lot of instruments in this song, but they all blend together perfectly, creating a wonderful harmony. Aside from being one of my favorite Springsteen albums, Magic is one of my favorite albums period. When I think about the Boss, this is the first album I go to.
So where does that leave Wrecking Ball? Personally, I think Wrecking Ball is one of the best albums of 2012 so far, but I'm not sure if it will have the longevity of Nebraska. Wrecking Ball feels like a culmination of where the Boss has been and where he is going musically; there's a great deal of anger in the album but also a hope that can be, at times, uplifting. Expect to see the Boss on my 2012 Top Ten early next year.
Next Time: Something Else
Hat Guy - The streets are paved with diamonds and the gutter's lined with song
Ok, so it's been a while since I bothered to post anything, but there's a good reason. I am now approaching the end of my tertiary education and finally have some spare time to dedicate to writing something other than essays. So, in order to make up for my absence (and to celebrate my freedom) I'm going to give the people what they want; a pointless "Top 10" list!
Hat Guy's 10 Favorite Party Songs (In no particular order)
Let's face it, everyone likes to party. To me, nothing makes a party like good party music, you don't even have to dance, just rock out or groove a little. The best party music, to me, makes me feel good to be alive, it makes me want to cut loose and have fun. Hence, this list contains very few "Party Standards" like Celebration or the Nutbush, because I fucking hate these songs. Any song that I'm pretty much guaranteed to hear at a wedding reception or 21st, I'm gonna be pretty sick of, having heard it repeatedly at such gatherings. No. I like to rock out a bit when I party as you'll see below. These songs are the first things I'll throw on a playlist for any party I'm hosting, I just love to hear them and Party Hard!
1. I Get Wet - Andrew WK
Fuck. Yeah. If there's anyone that can party harder and better than Andrew WK, I've never heard of them. The man is a Party Virtuoso, spreading his philosophy of Partying to a grateful world; seeing him live was one of the most life-affirming experiences I've ever had. If you want to kick any party from 0 to 100 in under four minutes, Get Wet. I also like this one because it doesn't have "Party" in the title, not that his songs that do are bad, I just prefer this one.
2. Kick Out the Jams - Henry Rollins and Bad Brains
So it turns out I'm a Punk Rocker and I like to party to Punk music and this song is pretty much Punk Bonox. If you could condense all of the music, attitude and history of the punk music into three minutes, you'd end up with this song. Not only a cover of MC5's classic Proto-Punk party anthem, the vocals are provided by Henry Rollins himself with the backing of Bad Brains, one of the most influential Punk acts ever. This song is pretty much a staple of Punk covers and there are my good versions of it out there, but I just couldn't pass up this one. It's a shame that the only recording of it I can find is on the soundtrack to Pump Up The Volume, a mediocre 80s music movie.
3. Stand - R.E.M.
I really wish I could have found the video where Michael Stipe and the two girls dance topless, that one's much better. R.E.M. are brilliant and this song is awesome, even if the lyrics are a bit obtuse and it never did get as big as some of their other stuff. Stand is a great demonstration of R.E.M.'s pop credentials, it's catchy, fun, light and easy to dance to. It's a shame that this song has fallen out of popularity.
4. Zero - The Yeah Yeah Yeahs No Video, see my "Help Me I Hate: Pop Music" article for why this song is awesome.
5. I'm On a Boat - The Lonely Island feat. T Pain
I used to HATE this song. However, over the years it grew on me, and like the fungus on my foot, I now can't imagine life without it. I've talked about the Lonely Island guys before, so I won't repeat myself here, but this song is a great one to sing along to with all your drunk friends.
6. Thrash Unreal - Against Me!
Sometimes you don't party because you're happy. Sometimes you party because life sucks and you've got nothing better to do. Thrash Unreal is about the second kind of party. If you want to get blitzed and forget about tomorrow, this is the song to throw on and dance your aggression out to. My mixed feelings about Against Me! aside, this song is fantastic, desperate yet triumphant, sad yet hopeful. More of this please Against Me!
7. Gettin' In the Mood - The Brian Setzer Orchestra
After Stray Cats, Brian Setzer started up a Swing Orchestra and made the world a better place to live in. This Rockabilly-ed update of a Glenn Miller classic is great to dance to and the perfect example of how great music never goes out of style. If you'll excuse me, I need to go quiff my hair up and shine my bowling shoes. Also, if you still think Slash is the greatest guitarist of all time, check out some old Stray Cats clips and get ready to have your mind blown.
8. I Want You Back - The Jackson 5
There's nothing wrong with the classics and for me, there's nothing more classic than Motown. Forget about MJ for this one and focus on Tito's Bass playing, the man is an under-appreciated genius. A few covers of this song have gained some popularity in the past few years, but to me, none can compare to the original. Never forget that the Jackson 5 were the biggest band on the planet at one time, outselling the Beatles and touring nonstop. I'm not going to dwell upon MJ's life or any of the accusations thrown at him, but man these guys could play.
9. C'Mon Everybody - The Sex Pistols
Another cover, but this one has a great history and my be the last video Sid Viscous recorded before he was (probably) killed by Malcolm McClaren. After Johnny Rotten left the band, Sid did most of the vocals and he appears a lot in their last few videos. Sid is clearly high whilst signing this song, he can't follow the tune and slurs a lot of the lines. God rest you Sid, you will be missed.
10. Rock Lobster - The B52's
I HATE Love Shack. I've heard it so many times that all I can hear is dunk wedding goers trying to sing along without knowing all the words. Rock Lobster, on the other hand, is pure genius. Everything about this song is wrong; the verses don't match, the vocals are on the wrong octave and the chord changes come out of nowhere, but somehow, it works. The B52's are way bigger and better than Love Shack would indicate, check out some of their other work, starting out with this song. It's a Rock Lobster!
I'm taking a break from my usual "tell you what music to like" format to talk about a little project of mine. I read Empire (Australia) magazine, one of the better film publications out there for the casual reader; and one of the regular sections I enjoy the most is "Masterpiece", where a classic film is broken down and discussed to uncover just why it is so good. In the issue 100 Special (July 2009), Masterpiece was guest-written by Frank Darabont, the writer and director of The Shawshank Redemption; instead of focusing on a single Film, Darabont provided about 10 films in each genre that he recommends to Film Students to broaden their understanding of the medium.
I've been watching this list of 221 films for a couple of years now and I've noticed a couple of things:
1. Pretty much every film is American, there are almost no films not in English. 2. The genres are a bit funny, there are no Documentaries, Musicals and Music Films are lumped together and "Animated" seems to stand in for "Children's Films". 3. There are no Short Films. What's the deal Darabont? La Jette not good enough for you? 4. Some of these films are terrible. Genuinely bad cinema that I would not suggest to anyone.
I'm yet to finish any particular genre in The List, but I'm getting close to completing a couple. When I finally finish one (or more) I'll be discussing them here and providing my own list to contrast. So there's something to look forward to.
Right now, I'm knee-deep in uni work, but as soon as I write my way out, expect something new and possibly Springsteen-related.
Hat Guy - "I've been knocking on the door that holds the throne,"
I've noticed a fair few people around me bemoan having to listen to Rap music on the radio and television. The funny thing is, not all of these people are elderly, it seems that the terrible rap and hip-hop I complain about on this blog has driven an entirely new generation away from the genre[s].
Now, this is something I can actually understand, as when I was a teenage lad, I HATED Rap and Hip-Hop (except, as all my generation, for the occasional Eminem song) and would avoid it at all costs. However, as I grew, my tastes matured and now I find myself a major proponent of this music in my circle of friends.
So, my challenge for today is to provide five songs that will hopefully make you reconsider your hatred of Rap and Hip-Hop.
Now, I know that Rap and Hip-Hop are actually separate genres, but this is not something my 15 year old self cared about, as far as I was concerned, it was all shit I didn't want to hear. Accordingly, I'm playing it a bit fast and loose with genre here, as I'm guessing I have my work cut out for me.
One further note before we get going, R&B is often misused to classify "softer" Hip-Hop, what Rhythm and Blues actually is is an early Motown style best exemplified by Ruth Brown: That's what I'm talkin' 'bout.
1. Intergalactic - The Beastie Boys
Ok, so this one's a bit of a cheat, but it is interesting to note that the Beastie Boys enjoyed a huge international hit with this song, charting on Billboard, Triple J and the UK charts. Originally, this song was a collection of unused samples and rimes that only got recorded on a whim, but that didn't stop it from becoming a massive hit. Intergalactic is classic Beasties, the MCs take turns on the mic and come together on the last word in a line (a style pioneered by RUN DMC) bouncing from thought to thought without too much cohesion. I think Intergalactic owes its success primarily to its beat; it's easy to dance badly to and doesn't do anything particularly out there compared to other Beasties songs. Its on this list because I'm pretty sure you've heard it before and harbor a secret affection for it.
2. Matisyahu - Jerusalem
Zionist, Orthadox Jewish Hip-Hop anyone? Yes, this is real. Matisyahu has been pretty big in the Underground Rap scene for at least a decade now, with his fast flow and zeal for the Zionist cause, this unique MC carved himself a place in the hearts of proto-hipsters everywhere. The main reason I've included Matisyahu on this list is because I really wanted to stay away from the Guns, Bitches and Bling end of the Rap spectrum. Whilst I may not fully agree with some of the stances of Zionism, I really like Matisyahu's music and I think it's the kind of thing that could get more people into Underground Rap and Hip-Hop.
3. Ray Charles - Chiddy Bang
Yes, ok, I blog about Chiddy Bang too much, but it's not my fault that they're awesome and practically unheard of. In one of their latest offerings, Chiddy and Jones kick it oldskool with some Hip-Hop that draws upon the work of one of the greatest African American musicians the world has ever seen. This song has the feel of a Motown number with the fresh flow of Chiddy mixed in for good measure. It's just a good Hip-Hop song; fun, fast and easy to enjoy. Maybe it's not to your tastes, but I'd find it hard to believe that too many people truly hate it.
4. White and Nerdy - Weird Al Yankovic
"This can't be a rap song, because Weird Al isn't a rapper!" Bullshit. If there's one talent that Weird Al has demonstrated in spades over the years, it's adaptability. In White and Nerdy, instead of sounding like MJ or Don McLean, Weird Al puts on his wigger cap and drops some mad rimes. Much like Matisyahu, I chose this song to demonstrate that a Rap or Hip-Hop song needn't be about selling drugs or killing whitey. Before anyone asks, yes, there's a line or two in this song that apply to me, as I am definitely white and nerdy. A fun song with some good flow from a guy who makes his money riffing on pop music.
5. Bust A Move - Young MC
Another song chosen because I'm pretty sure you like it already and I'm trying to trick you into admitting you love Hip-Hop. Dig that slap-Bass line, that funky sample, sexy backing vocals. Add in guest shots in Futurama and Scrubs and you have a Hip-Hop classic for the ages. This song enjoys a rebirth every few years when it gets sampled for an inferior song by some flash-in-the-pan wannabe DJ. This party classic is beloved by many and you should be one of that many.
If I've piqued your interest about Rap that doesn't cover Guns, Bitches and Bling, there's plenty more out there to check out, so here's a few more:
Thou Shalt Always Kill - Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip (a rant against pop culture) 911 is a Joke - Public Enemy (Ghettoisation and racisim in the emergency services) Bodhisattva Vow - The Beastie Boys (Buddhism and enlightenment)
Considering that my favorite new song of 2012 was from Pour Habit, I figured I better talk about the band a little.
I first saw Pour Habit as a warm-up act for the Bad Religion/NOFX double bill tour in 2009 where they blew NOFX away and held their own against BR, the Grandaddies of modern Punk Rock. Despite the fact that these guys had essentially no presence in Australia at the time, the crowd loved them; although it probably helped that Chuck Green lived up to his name during "Against Me":
Yes, that's actual footage from that night, I was there and it kicked arse. A bit later I picked up their first album, Suiticide (2008) and have been a fan ever since.
PH clearly have a metal influence, using a double-kick drum and complex guitar riffs in a lot of their work, as evidenced in the following song from their 2011 album, Got Your Back:
Pour Habit has attracted a lot of anger from Metalheads because of their use of these techniques, which I find endlessly funny. It is, of course, impossible and ridiculous for one genre of music to lay claim to a technique that anyone is physically capable of using.
Lyrically, Pour Habit isn't overly different from Bad Religion or NOFX, firing off rapid, politically-charged rants in short bursts and relying on pretty basic rhythmic structures. Still, Pour Habit is probably the best new Punk band to hit it big in the past few years, their live gigs are highly energetic and well worth checking out.
Take away my right to live and I will choose to fight! - Hat Guy
Ok, here it is, the big one. But first, some ground rules. Only songs that were released as singles in 2011 or on Albums in 2011 count. If a song was released as a Single in 2011, but the Album came out in 2010, it doesn't count. If a song was released as a Single in 2011, but the Album is yet to be released, it does count. Also, when reading this keep in mind that this is MY Top 10, not yours or somebody's, mine. I'm not saying that these are the best 10 songs of 2011, only that they are my personal favorites. If You don't agree, great! I want to know what other people listen to and how tastes vary. Life would be boring if we all listened to the same music, all I'm asking is that you give these 10 songs a try.
So anyway, on with it; 10. Smells Like Teen Spirit - The Muppet Barbershop Quartet (The Muppets OST)
No this does not break my "No Parody Songs" rule, and here's why: if you're a Nirvana fan, you have a love/hate relationship with Smells Like Teen Spirit. It's a classic song that encapsulates the Grunge movement and the power that Nirvana had, however, it has been killed by overplay and thousands of sub-par covers. Because of this, any version of 'Teen Spirit that makes the song tolerable again is well worth my time. This Barbershop version featuring Sam the Eagle and Beaker is both hilarious and a great departure from the original. The Muppets presented a series of great songs in the new film, this being the pinnacle of comedic reinterpretation. This being something of a parody though, it would never make any higher than 10 on this list, but still well worth checking out.
9. Words I Never Said - Lupe Fiasco Feat. Skylar Grey (Lasers) I came home after a party one night, and as is my habit, turned on Rage for a few minutes before I went to bed. What came on was this song. I was blown away by the rapid-fire blasting of American Imperialism, Israeli Foreign Policy and Jihadist Terror groups by a young Muslim-American MC full of bile and possessed of fantastic flow. The rage flying around in the lyrics of this song is simply amazing, but sadly unfocused. It seems that Lupe hates a lot of things that he can't really keep his mind on and this has a detrimental effect on the song as a whole. Whilst Words I Never Said blew my mind the first time I heard it, replay has amplified the flaws and made it slip down this list a bit. I do, however, look forward to what Lupe Fiasco puts out in the future.
8. Arlandria - Foo Fighters (Wasting Light)
Before I really got into Punk Music, I was a Rocker from way back. Sadly, a solid Rock album is a rare thing these days, and when one does come along it always seems to involve Dave Grohl, not that this is a bad thing. Wasting Ling is probably one of the better Foo Fighters albums, it certainly was an unexpected musical gem in 2011, getting a heck of a lot of play on the work CD player. As is usual, the best song, Arlandria, is buried on the b-side of the album and has received almost no air-play. It's songs like this one that have made Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters a cornerstone of Rock for over a decade.
7. Blinded By Love - Jack Ladder (HURTSVILLE)
Jack Ladder has been a fixture of the Melbourne indy music scene for years, but finally broke through in 2011, enjoying some bigger live gigs and having a few of his songs featured on television. For those not in the know, Jack Ladder is the "less creepy" version of Nick Cave; deep voice, haunting vocals and clear Blues/Country influence. Blinded By Love is an epic of a love song, a winding ballad of loss, redemption and a deep and binding love. Every now and then you need something a little melancholy, and this song is a perfect catharsis when you're just a bit down.
6. Speed of Darkness - Flogging Molly (Speed of Darkness) I was disappointed with Flogging Molly's latest album, it lacked the bile and rage of their previous releases, continuing the band's downward spiral into being just another Irish folk band. However, every cloud has a silver lining and Speed of Darkness has a gangbusters title track. Angry, loud and ready to punch you in the eardrum, Speed of Darkness is the kind of song to smash up a bar to, and it's good to hear that Flogging Molly has retained some of their zeal since the epic album Drunken Lullabies.
5. Ghost on the Dance Floor - Blink-182 (Neighborhoods)
What year is it? 1998? No, but for some reason I'm listening to Blink-182 and I love it. This song is the perfect blend of Cheshire Cat-era Blink-182 and Angels and Airwaves, talking about young, desperate love with soaring vocals and guitar. I was apprehensive about this album when it came out, but I was sold after the first track. Not much more to say about this one, just a really solid song.
4. Rum and Coca-Cola - Wanda Jackson (The Party Ain't Over)
Wanda Jackson has been know by many names over her career, The Female Elvis, the Queen of Rockabilly, she deserves them all. She is one of the greatest female vocalists of all time and this album was a ray of hope in sea of party anthems and hip-pop. Rum and Coca-Cola is a great Caribbean- inspired Rock and Roll number with themes of exploitation and American Imperialism thrown in for good measure. This is one of the best albums of the year, it was really hard to pick just one track to demonstrate why it's so good, but I think this one does it justice. A great album from an artist that has been great for decades, get it today.
3. Don't Play No Game That I Can't Win - The Beastie Boys Feat. Santigold (Hot Sauce Committee Part II)
In 2010, Devo released an album in the midst of hordes of pretenders attempting to emulate what they had done decades ago; with this Devo proved that they always have been and always will be the masters of their genre. In 2011 history repeated itself with the Beastie Boys coming back to lay the smack into the mountain of so-called "Rappers" clogging up the charts. I chose this song over Too Many Rappers because it truly demonstrates what made the Beasties great in the first place, their willingness to experiment and push the boundaries of the genre. This song is peppered with references to Bob Dylan, Public Enemy and other influential artists as well as blending the Beasties' unique flow with exotic horns. This is where Rap should be going, rather than stagnating.
2. Mind Your Manners - Chiddy Bang (Breakfast)
Last year I did Chiddy Bang a disservice by putting their Breakout single, Opposite of Adults, as number 10 on my list, it should have been much higher. It continually amazes me that Flo Rida and Soljahboy have huge rap careers, but Chiddy Bang remain unheard of. Chiddy Bang break the mold of current rap, focusing on success through merit, respecting one's peers and critics and never resorting to violence. This is my number 2 simply because I keep listening to it, it's a great song and I can't wait to get my hands on the album.
1. Tomahawk - Pour Habit (Got Your Back) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzweeW--MsY (freaking video wouldn't work for some reason) At my core, I'm a Punk Rocker, and no song Punk Rocked harder in 2011 than Tomahawk. Pour Habit are a unique voice in the Punk Landscape, using two vocalists, a double kick drum and metal-inspired guitar riffs. If this song doesn't get your blood pumping and inspire you to tear down the establishment, nothing will. Catch these guys live for an experience you'll never forget.
