I can’t believe that January is almost over. Wow, time really flies! Regardless, it feels like I have been in a bit of a music slump lately, mainly because I haven’t seen too much good stuff coming out. However, this has given me a golden opportunity to go back and listen to stuff I already liked, but have ignored for a while! As such, I have been “re-discovering” stuff that I haven’t listened to in ages, and in the future, I will probably be featuring songs that I “re-discover” peppered amongst the new and exciting tracks that I want to gush over. Well, that’s enough about that, here’s your five song Friday for the last Friday in January:
Basement Jaxx feat. Lisa Kekaula – Good Luck
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_130_basementjaxx-goodluck.mp3]
This is one of the many songs that I hear when I am out at Mary’s, and I completely diva-out (finger wagging, lip syncing, and tossing my imaginary hair about). It is a FIERCE track, that is a complete middle finger brandishing kiss-off, with a great backing dance beat. I like the juxtaposition of throwback soul with the electronic pops and beats, and it is very well done on this track. This song is best when played loud, and with plenty of room to point your finger and wave it about fervently while you tell that man to enjoy his new bed. Hmpf! This is seriously one of my favorite songs, and I can definitely listen to it on repeat. Sing with me: good luck good luck! HA! I would also suggest checking out the video, because it is very Jackie Brown, and fierce in its own right.
Kate Miller-Heidke – Caught In The Crowd
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_130_katemillerheidke-caughtinthecrowd.mp3]
I featured a Kate Miller-Heidke track some time ago, and late in 2009, I got kind of excited because she released a new album. However, I initially had a difficult time getting into that album, and it didn’t help that it came into my life about the time I was compiling my year end best of list. Well, as I mentioned above, I have been trying to give more stuff a real chance, and so I decided to give new album another go, and I was pleased to find this absolutely delightful song this time around. She has a very interesting voice, and she has this whisper-ish, baby-like way of singing that makes this an especially sweet brand of pop. The narrative style of her song writing is genuine and sweet, and goes really well with that singing style. Overall, I love the arrangements of this adorable little song, and I am very glad that I went back for a second listen.
KaiserCartel – Okay
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_130_kaisercartel-okay.mp3]
Sometimes, I start to hear a song, and I am ready to move on, but something about it makes me want to see where it is going. This is extremely rare, because usually, a song only has about 30 seconds to impress me. However, that is exactly what happened with this song; I didn’t like the first 25 seconds that much, but around 38 seconds, it really picks up, and turns into a beautiful folk-pop track. The vocals are very reminiscent of one of my favorite folk artists, Feist, which only makes me like it more. When the guy joins in, it makes for a sweet collaboration, and it only continues to progress into a great track. I’m really glad that I waited long enough to let this song show me how good it really is; because now I have been hooked, and I have quickly come to love it.
Levi Kreis – Hardly a Hero
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_130_levikreis-hardlyahero.mp3]
Wow! This song is amazing. Levi is like a gay Harry Connick Jr., and by all accounts, should be just as famous. After doing a little internet research about him, I have found out that he was raised in the south, and struggled with coming out in much the same way I did (even though he went through A LOT more than I did… he went to one of those de-gaying camps. Yikes!). Knowing that makes it even more impressive that he has come so far, and despite all of his set backs (getting kicked out of college because he was outed, and being dropped by a Christian music label, presumably because he’s gay), he is still using his amazing gift to make beautiful and inspiring music. I love the slight country twinge to his voice, and the tenderness with which he sings. His piano arrangement for this song is truly beautiful, and really reminds me of amazing pop songs like fellow out artist, Ferras’ Hollywood’s Not America. There is a tenderness in this track that brings a flair of down home gospel into the mix, and makes it a true anthem that comes straight from the heart.
Jennifer Hudson – We Gon’ Fight
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_130_jenniferhudson-wegonfight.mp3]
Damn. This song is 1000000% diva. After Jennifer’s CD came out last year, I pretty much knew it would make my year end list, and low and behold, it did. There is something about her voice that I cannot get enough of; it is an instrument, and she harnesses it beautifully. This is probably my favorite song from the album, and lately, I have been listening to it more and more. In doing that, I have really seen how amazing this song really is; the arrangement is stellar, and the subtle ways she weaves the emotion into the track with her undulating voice is simply outstanding. I am glad that JHud is getting the attention that she deserves, and I have to say that it is pretty amazing to be here to witness the birth of a true diva’s career.
So there’s give more songs for ya; I hope you enjoyed them. Let me know what you liked, and there are any suggestions, let me know those too! I want this to be collaborative effort, in that we share with each other; so let me know what you are listening too!
I’ll be honest, I almost didn’t like this song originally on principle; I have this strange aversion to those winy emo bands. They all sound alike for the most part, so every time AAR would come on the radio, I wrote them off as just another one; that is, until I saw the video for this catchy little song. I loved the video, and found myself tapping my toe and really enjoying the song. Over the past month, I have played it more and more, and thought it would be perfect for this week’s 5SF. I guess it goes to show that you should really give everything a chance, because you might just find something you really like in an unexpected place.
By all accounts, I should hate this song. It is almost Jack Johnson-ish in its hippie-love strummy guitar nature, but something about is infinitely more sweet, touching, and saccharine sweet. I have liked Jason Mraz since his debut, but I didn’t really get into his most recent release, We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things. However, this song is a complete ear worm, and every time it played on XM, I found myself singing a long, and eventually I downloaded it. Since then, I realize how much I love this song, and typical to my personal experience with Jason, this song gets all the love, and I seem to lose interest for the rest of the album. Perhaps I will change my mind at some point, but in the meantime, I have definitely been enjoying this very sweet song. I think a big reason that I haven’t gotten further on the record is because of his duet with Colbie Calliat, who, for whatever reason, I cannot stand. Oh well.
I almost can’t believe that this song is showing up on a 5SF, because I thought I was done pimping Jesse back when I talked about the amazing song Leavin’ earlier last year. Well, low and behold, the boy made a pretty interesting video for this song, which just happens to be one of the best on his album, and I have been inexplicably hooked again. I know that the lyrics may be as trite as can be (when you call I’m pressing 7/don’t want to hear your messages messages), but dammit, the hook is solid, and this is a well produced pop song. I love backing music of the track too, very haunting and beautiful at the same time. For some dumb reason, I don’t want to like this kid as much as I do; maybe I should just give in already and just enjoy the ride!
Last weekend, we were out at the bar, and the VJ was spinning some great songs, and he played a Kelis track that led me to want to hear more from her. I picked this song for this week’s 5SF, because in my opinion, it’s one of her best, and I just love how much anger and “kiss off”-ery is portrayed in the lyrics and the excellently shouted hook “I hate you so much right now!”. This song just rules on so many levels that it is a “classic” song that I am glad to have rediscovered. How Kelis isn’t bigger than she is (especially with massive songs like Milkshake in her arsenal) is beyond me. Also, I feel compelled to note how incredibly beautiful Kelis is… damn, she is smoking hot!
While this song was another “old” favorite of mine that the VJ played last weekend at the bar, it was hearing it on BBC Radio 1 randomly this week that made me finally go and download this dance floor filler. I love the beats and the synth how it builds, and then breaks it down; so much fun for my ears. I also suggest that you check out the video, because it is such a great time; ladies in afros dancing about and playing instruments. What’s not to love!?! I am just glad that I finally got this one on my ipod; I’ve been meaning to download it for ages, and kept forgetting. Well, if that is the case for you as well, then hopefully this reminder about this great track will encourage you secure it for yourself as well!
Last month I was catching up on one of the best shows of the 2008 fall season, Fringe, when I heard this song playing in the background during a specifically sweet scene. I was instantly thinking that I had heard it somewhere before, and I realized that it was the amazing Ray LaMontagne, and that I had in fact heard it, and that it was on my ipod! Well, cut to this week, when I realized that I hadn’t featured this song yet, even though I was just sure that I had, because it is so amazingly brilliant; what was I thinking? To rectify this gross error on my part, I made it a priority to get the word out about this song right away. This song is so sweet, tender, and powerful that Ray really tugs at your heartstrings as he gently begs to be the one that you choose. I love how simple, yet powerful the lyrics are in this song, and Ray’s smoky vocals really bring the emotion to the forefront. This is definitely a song I would already consider amongst my all time favorites; it’s truly that amazing.
I have been listening off and on to this one for a little over a month now, and for whatever reason, it never made it to 5SF because other stuff kept bumping it. However, that doesn’t mean that it is anything less than a quality track, and a total 80’s theme song at that! Seriously, this song is so retro eighties emo-before- it-was-emo that it isn’t even funny. I could really see this on an eighties soundtrack to some movie like Pretty in Pink or something like it. I love the subtle tones of the song, and the lead singer’s vocals are just sweet to my ears. I do think it is interesting that he looks like a brother, or at least a very close relative, of Tim Curry, however. Does it make you shiver with antici….pation?
After one listen to her most recent release, Human, I kind of wrote it off as an ‘alright’ album, but it didn’t really resonate with me at first because of the attention my massive year end reviews required from me. Well, one of you asked me to give it another listen, and I did; there are some solid tracks on this record, and in typical Brandy fashion, she has picked some stuff that really sounds great with her voice. This is probably my favorite song on the album, as it is a solid and beautiful love ballad. I could completely do without the interlude that precedes it, though, so I deleted that from my ipod. I’m glad that it was suggested that I give this one another go, because I definitely liked it a lot better on the second spin. 
I recently saw that Christina had a new remix out for this very song, and while I like the remix, I always feel like I should listen to the regular version, and in this case, I liked it even better. I have been a fan of Christina’s since her BRILLIANTLY amazing single, AM to PM captivated me a few years ago. Well, for whatever reason, she doesn’t seem to be able to make a big splash in the US music scene (well, Dip it Low had moderate success, didn’t it?), even though this is her home turf; but that hasn’t stopped her from making some solid pop music and disseminating it elsewhere. This song is from her upcoming album, and if it is as good as this lead single, I really hope it gets a proper US release, because I want to hear more from Ms. Milian.
BIG SHOES. That is what Kelly Clarkson has to fill with her next album; especially after the debacle that was her not-so-hot previous album, My December. Well, earlier this week, she released her new single (Since U Been Gone II!!!), and I have to say, that I quite like it, and I think that she might be able to fill those shoes after all. At least, she is definitely going in the right direction; this is a slick pop track that harnesses her voice beautifully, and really reminds me of the Kelly that I fell in love with back in 2003, and even more so in 2004. I has been a while since she’s had a proper hit, and I think that if the rest of the album is anything like this track, then she might have another go at the top of the charts later this year. Here’s hoping we’ve got our old Kelly back… because by the sound of this song, I think that we just might. My ONLY gripe about this song, is that the chorus feels like it’s missing something… I feel like she should say “tonight!” or “today!” after “my life would suck without you…” (tonight). See what I mean?
By all accounts, this song should annoy this shit out of me. It is repetitive, and the vocals border on the realm of childish silliness. However, I now believe that it is the mix of these two elements that makes this song so freaking catchy and fun. I have heard this a few times on the indie XM station, and after hearing it again this past weekend, I went and downloaded it. The playfulness of the beats and the almost silly vocal styling makes for a real earworm that you are sure to be bopping your head to for the rest of the day after listening. I can’t wait to hear more from Matt and Kim, and I don’t have to wait long; their upcoming album is out later this month. Note: If you loved this song, you can download it right now 
Talk about making a rash decision and then realizing how wrong you are; I originally got annoyed by all of the hype and praise heaped on CSS. While I really liked their song Music is My Hot Hot Sex, I really didn’t see what was so out of this world amazing about them. Well, recently, I saw the video for Move, from their most recent album Donkey, and I have to say, I see it now. These guys are just crazy, and totally have such fun that you can’t ignore it. They remind me a LOT of Cibo Matto. This song is so catchy and fun, and the video is a riot. These guys are making some great music (the rest of Donkey is pretty good as well), and I am just glad that I was able to come around and see what others were seeing from the beginning. Beware, because this song will really pull you in; it’s infectious!
Jessica was a former Australian Idol contestant, and went on to record with other Idol alums in the band Young Divas, after Ricki-Lee departed. While I will openly admit that I had no idea she was even in the group, her recent release of this hot track really made me sit up and take notice. This song, with the blaring sirens and hot beats, is ready for the clubs. I have to say, that I am a major sucker for a slick beat and a catchy hook, and this song has plenty of both. Also, the play on the burn of a relationship (or a not-so-desirable left over of love gone wrong) is clever, regardless if it is a little dirty (even hinting at venereal disease is kind of, um, gross).
I first heard this a month or so ago when my friend Stu informed me that one of my favorite songs from the Same Difference album, I Need A House, was actually recorded before by Ms. Serneholt. Marie was in the band A Teens, and did a solo album after leaving the group, that actually has quite a few gems on it. The hook in this song is a piece of pure pop pleasure, and I am glad that he told me about her album that I had no previous knowledge of. I will say, that her voice is so close to Mandy Moore at times, that I can’t help but wonder why Marie didn’t get as much exposure as Mandy did. Oh well, either way, this song is brilliant, and I like it more and more with each listen.
Earlier this week, I got word that a new Toni Braxton song had leaked (thank you to my loyal readers for keeping me informed!), and after checking it out on the internets, I have to say that it is quite literally, an amazing dance pop song. Is there anything that Darkchild can’t do? Well, I guess he couldn’t save Janet in 2008, but there is definitely one thing that I hope that he can do in 2009; give Toni another chance at making it. Darkchild repeatedly produces very high quality pop music, and I am pleased to hear another song that I really like coming from him. Toni Braxton is an amazing singer, and has a bevy of hits in her hay day, but has since danced her way off into the land of reality TV; far away from her soulful and beautiful music. There have been many songs that I have completely loved from Ms. Braxton, and given how much I like this leaked track, and I suddenly very excited to hear more from Toni in 2009. If the rest of the record is anywhere near this good (more Darkchild, Toni!!!), she might have a full fledged comeback in store for 2009… here’s hoping that Darkchild’s hand is stronger for Toni than it was for poor Ms. Jackson last year (I still love you Janet, and Feedback should have done it for you!).