I can’t believe that it is already October!! Regardless, there have been some major albums coming out recently, and many of them are amazing; I truly love this time of the year. Recent favorites include Kings of Leon, Will Young, Jennifer Hudson, and the list just keeps growing with stuff that is on the horizon. What does this mean for the five song Friday? It just makes it harder for me to pick what to bring, because there is so much that I am carrying around! Alright, enough talk, let’s get down to the music.
Janelle Monae – Many Moons
First up today is a song by someone that I have seen a TON of hype about, Janelle Monae. I have to say, that initially, I loved her style and her look, but I wasn’t really sure I cared what she had to say musically. Well, after seeing the video for Many Moons, I am sitting here, struck with complete awe; this girl is a fucking artist, and she deserves all of that hype she is getting. The song is what you might expect if you took Outkast (circa Hey Ya) and Gnarls Barkley (circa Crazy), put them in a blender, and threw in a dash of spunky young spirit; the end result is brilliance from Janelle Monae. I can’t stop bopping my head and dancing around; this song is like a virus: infectious! Seriously, this is one of those occasions where the video completely sold me, and while the sound quality isn’t the best in this clip, I felt it would be a travesty to keep you from seeing it. Fantastic.
The Saturdays – If This Is Love
I will openly admit that I didn’t really like this song initially, because of the blatant sampling of Yazoo’s Situation, but after a few listens, it is exactly that same reason that I have come to love this track. They have taken a great 80’s song, and freshened it up enough for it to be a hit for this generation. These girls are a lot like their fellow music scene rivals (?), Girls Aloud, so I hope that they come up with something sort of unique so that they can last; Girls Aloud are definitely a force to be reckoned with when it comes to girl band pop super groups. The Saturdays have an album coming out this month, so I guess we will see when the record drops… here’s hoping it impresses, and that I like it as much as I have grown to dig this track. I do think that it is funny that another take on a clearly 80’s track can be a hit in this day and time; I guess it shows that all things really are cyclical.
Jennifer Hudson – If This Isn’t Love
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_103_jenniferhudson-ifthisisntlove.mp3]
Yes, the choice of this and the aforementioned Saturdays song are intentional; I love how the titles are so similar, yet so opposite to one another. I wanted to post a great song from Jennifer Hudson’s fantastic debut album, which came out earlier this week, and seeing the Saturdays song, and the title of this one, there is no way I couldn’t choose them both for today’s selection. I should start by saying that Jennifer Hudson has been a favorite of mine since her season of American Idol, and I have been watching this girl, just knowing that great things would come from her. Well, I have to say, that I have not been let down yet; her performance in Dreamgirls was amazing. Additionally, her new record, which is infused with ballads, pop songs, and even a few hip hop numbers, is a showcase that has succeeded in allowing her to show off her amazing voice. While this track admittedly isn’t the one that highlights her amazing instrument the best, it is a really fun track that I keep coming back to, and one that would most certainly be a hot single if it is chosen to be one. I hope that this record is just the first from Jennifer, because, based on what I have seen and heard so far, she is a real star, and a true talent, and one that should be around for a very long time. I am very pleased with her record, and glad that she took her time putting it out; every time I hear her sing, I am really, really impressed. I do have to say, however, that I wish T-Pain would quit with the vocoder. There is a song on the record that he guests on, and it is just too much. End the madness T-Pain!
Will Young – Let It Go
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_103_willyoung-letitgo.mp3]
Okay, I am going to make a pretty grand statement here, so get ready… This is probably the most powerful, well written, and amazing pop ballad of 2008. Will Young has released his fourth record, and he has proven (again) that he is way more than a flash in the pop pan; he plans on sticking around, and making some fabulous music while he’s here. As I mentioned last week, his record is a fantastic blend of jazz, pop, soul, and just overall musical greatness. It is definitely one of the albums of the year, in my opinion, and one that was well worth waiting for. Congratulations are in order for Will, who has succeeded in making another amazing album. And this song… well, I just cannot get enough of it. It is one of those songs that you hear, and think to yourself, “wow, that was pretty amazing, let’s hear that one again”, and then you listen to it again, and you realize not only that you were right, but that it was even better the second time around. It just keeps getting better with each listen for me, and it really makes me wonder why acts like Will Young aren’t popular here in the States. Oh well… at least I know about him, and can educate at least some of you about the pop brilliance that is Will Young.
Brett Anderson – Blessed
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_103_brettanderson-blessed.mp3]
So here’s the thing, apparently, he was the lead singer of a famous Britpop band called Suede… who I’ve never heard of. Okay, that may be a bad thing, considering how much I love pop music, but it is what it is. Now, I heard this song somewhere (I think it was iTunes), and I have to say, that it is literally, quite amazing. I have almost posted it several weeks before now, but it always got bumped for one reason or another; but this week, it is on the list! I love the feel of his vocals (they’re almost haunting me!), and the gentle piano that accompanies him on this track. This song is from his recently released solo album, which is his second one. Perhaps I need to spend some time exploring his past, and see how he got to this point, because this song is just amazingly beautiful, and I have been enjoying it for several weeks now.
Alright kids, there you have it… listen up, and let me know what you think. Doug, you are definitely a reason that the Saturdays made this week’s list; so all you other kids with your suggestions that you are keeping to yourself, let this be a lesson to you! Your suggestion might be in next week’s line up… but only if you let me know about it!!
Wow. You know what, I’m going to say that again; Wow. This song is amazing. Beautiful, thoughtful, powerful, peaceful, and again, amazing. I have been listening to the City and Colour CD for a while now, and for whatever reason, this song just hit me like a brick wall the other day. It reminds me of How My Heart Behaves by Feist, and when that one hit me when it did. Powerful. This song is one of the most amazingly beautiful songs that I have heard in a long time, and it is proof positive of why City and Colour’s 2008 release Bring Me Your Love is a solid 5 star album, and that it will definitely find itself amongst my top records of the year. I am seeing him with Tegan and Sara in a month, and I cannot freaking wait. The rest of the CD is great too, so make sure you do yourself a favor and get it now!
I posted a track by the Infadels a few weeks ago, which I randomly found on a indie playlist. After listening to that song, and getting into it, I snagged the record, and after several listens, I have been introduced into a fabulous record. This song comes from another one of the solidly 4 star rated albums that are sure to be amongst my top records of the year. These guys remind me a lot of the Kaiser Chiefs, yet with their own pop edge, kind of like Melee (a smidge). Either way, I have really enjoyed getting to know this record, and I am glad that I stumbled on this random find. This is probably my favorite track on the record; that chorus is just massive, and I can’t get enough! “Our love’s so good… yeah, it’s chemical…” you know what, so is this song!!!!!
After falling HARD for the first single, Not A Love Song, I pre-ordered this album, eager to hear what else Uh Huh Her was sure to dazzle me with. A week before it was released, they streamed the record online, and it was great; my anticipation only increased. However, when I got it, I was not really in the mood for it or whatever, so I didn’t really get into it as much as I had hoped. Well, that all changed with each new listen. This record is crafted masterfully, and each song is so well written and woven together with melody and beat that it really creates a beautiful music landscape for you to enjoy; again, and again. This is one of my favorite songs from the record, and it is one of those songs that really sticks to your ribs; you will be singing that chorus over and over hours after you hear it. The best part, is each time I hear this album, I love it more; it is a solid 5 star record, and I am glad that it has grown on me as much as it has. I love their writing style, lyrically, as well as how they craft their sound. This is definitely a group to check out if you haven’t done so already… one of the best records of ’08 people!
This track is a recent “leak” from Jon McLaughlin’s upcoming release Ok Now, which I am EAGERLY anticipating. I LOVED his last CD, Indiana, even ranking it amongst my 
This track is one of those tracks that I heard quite a while ago, and instantly fell in love with. However, after not hearing anything substantial about a release from the artist over a long period of time, I naturally forgot about how much I enjoyed this track; as I often, unfortunately do with singles. Well, some recent buzz I have seen on the internets about Isabel made me go back and give this one a listen (as well as some of her other stuff), and low and behold, this song is just as good this go ’round. I really, really hope to see a full CD release from her, because this song is amazing (read A-M-A-Z-I-N-G), and I can’t wait to see what else she can do. I have been, and definitely will be, listening to this love song on repeat!
“Let’s have some fun, this beat is sick; I wanna take a ride on your disco stick.” Brilliant. Utterly. Fucking. Brilliant! Seriously, this song just has me moving and grooving, as does every track I have heard from the amazing Lady GaGa (especially the AMAZING track, Just Dance; which I cannot get enough of). It is REALLY rare when an artist comes out with a pop record that is as brilliantly put together as Lady GaGa’s The Fame, and I am incredibly excited about it’s eventual release. Until then, I have been grabbing at every bit of GaGa that I can get my hands on from the magical interwebs, and track after track has filled me with glee. This record is a serious contender for record of the year at this point for me… and it hasn’t even been released! Seriously, if you are a fan of fantastic pop music, come into the Haus of GaGa; because she knows how to create amazing pop, and track after track, she is proving that she is a pop force to be reckoned with. Lady GaGa is one the best things to happen to American pop in a long while.
This week, Keane sent out an announcement that you could download their newest single, Spiralling, for free from their website. Well, being the curious cat that I am, I went ahead and downloaded it, and I have to say, that after several listens, I like it more and more each time I hear it. It is a funky track for Keane, and has me very interested in what they have in store for their upcoming release, Perfect Symmetry. I loved that song Somewhere Only We Know when it came out many moons ago, but I got a bit played out on it, and as such, lost interest in Keane. Well, I can definitely say that Spiralling has renewed that interest in hearing what they have to say.
I was in the car with my buddy Deb yesterday, and this song came on the radio, and each of us instantly agreed that it was a great song. I ran home to try and get it, but low and behold, it isn’t on iTunes, but I was lucky enough to find it on the interwebs. Why is great music so hard to obtain sometimes? Based on how much I like this song, I am sure that I want to know more about the Script, and I will be doing whatever I can to get more of their music (I will definitely snag their album when it goes out on August 12). I love how the lead singer’s voice has a definite likeness to Sting’s beautiful voice; perhaps that is what I was drawn to initially. Either way, I really like this song, and the chorus is one of those that really begs to be played at a pivotal scene in a movie. 
I don’t know what brought this out, but the other day I was looking through my music, and I realized I didn’t have Kosheen’s CD in my collection anymore. I instantly had to have it, because I remember some of the amazing tracks that they had back in 2001 that just blew me away. The haunting vocals of the lead singer really match the electronic beats and fast pumping melodies in their songs. This song in particularly was a favorite of mine at the time, and really takes me back to many of those nights dancing in the club, having the time of my life. I checked their wikipedia page, and I see that they have a couple of other albums, so I will probably have to check them out at some point in the near future. I’m glad to have been reminded of this random piece of the past… this song is really amazing, isn’t it?
This beautiful ballad comes off of Pink’s 2006 release, I’m Not Dead. I was listening to XM recently, and this song came on, and it reminded me of how great that album really is. This song is definitely one of the best tracks on the record; if not the best one. It was nice to hear this song and be reminded of a record that made my 2006 list, but one that I haven’t listened to in a while. I always love being reminded of something great that doesn’t get enough attention in my music collection.
After such a glowing endorsement of Death Cab’s new record, I found myself hard pressed to find a favorite song out of the lot. I literally love each track on the record, and each have their own nuances that make me like them. However, for whatever reason, this song stands out just enough, that I wanted to include it this week. If you are a fan of Death Cab’s earlier work, I am curious to hear what you think of the new record. I think that it takes elements of Transatlantacism, and builds on them; without abandoning their trademark Death Cab sound. Perhaps that is why I fell instantly in love with the record (well, that, and the fact that it is simply an amazing album)… either way, let me know what you think, Death Cab fans, won’t you?
Finally, another song that has fire in the title!! That wasn’t a conscious choice. I have been listening to Augustana’s most recent release, and I find myself enjoying it MUCH more than their debut. Perhaps I was put off by their first single (which I was), but I have had more enjoyment with their new record. There are a few ballad-y type songs that stand out to me, and this one just screams at me. I love how his voice waivers when he gets to the chorus, showing some emotion that was strong enough to prevent it from being smoothed out during production. Sometimes it is small flaws that really make something worth listening to. Also, the note that he holds at the end of the song is impressive.