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!!
Before last weekend, I had never heard of Kings of Leon, even though they apparently have the number one song in the UK with 
I will start by saying that this song really, really surprised me. I haven’t traditionally been a fan of the Killers, mainly because of how much Hot Fuss was overplayed and over hyped. I did love Shadowplay, though, mainly because it was in Guitar Hero. That being said, when Human was released earlier this week, I wasn’t even interested in listening to it, but I did on accident (I was trying to listen to something else, and this was mistakenly linked as that song), and I found myself instantly really, really liking it! I have heard a lot of people kind of dissing on it, because it doesn’t sound like a typical Killers song, but I think that is why I like it so much. I really like it that they can do something that is a little different from their more commercial singles, and with Human, they may have just became part of a “you should really give us another chance” trifecta; first it was Coldplay with Viva La Vida, then it was Keane with Spiralling… and now, the Killers have wowed me with Human. What’s next!?!
Okay, this song is a little bit silly, but it is a lot sassy at the same time. I was really surprised (maybe that is the theme of today’s music?) that Margaret was going to do a pop album, and I was very apprehensive to hear the first song from it. I have to say that she has released a sassy, sultry, club-ish track; but she adds the “Cho” factor and makes you laugh with a well placed “bitch please” here and there. I am glad that I gave this a listen, because it really has me interested to see what else she has up her beautiful heavily tattooed sleeves. The voice overs just crack me up, and the synth on this track is just hot! She just wants to go crazy like Britney… handcuffed to a stretcher bitch! I love you Margaret!
Hear me out. I will admit that I was never that big of a New Kids fan. I thought Hanging Tough was a bit silly, but I had the tape. Cut to earlier this summer when we heard the news that the New Kids were releasing a new CD. Okay… what can we expect? After hearing the first single Summertime, I was sure that we shouldn’t expect too much; it isn’t very good. Yet, being the lover of all things pop that I am, I couldn’t ignore the whole record because of one dud lead off single. So, I downloaded it, and I saw that Ms. Lady GaGa, diva of all things pop, was on the song Big Girl Now. Needless to say, I was happy to see her name, and I knew that she could bring the pop to the New Kids… and she DOES. This song is catchy and fun… and it has Lady GaGa, who you may or may not know that I have a slight infatuation with… I may have mentioned her once or twice on the blog here before (Jesus release her CD already!!!!). Regardless if the rest of the record is a dud or not (currently, I don’t know, I haven’t really given it a proper listen yet), this song is undeniably HOT.
Another Sugababes record, in just a year?!?! YES PLEASE!!! Their previous record was one of their best to date, and after hearing this horny song (no not that kind of horny!), I am tapping my feet and bobbing my head; all the while, even more excited about a new Sugababes record!! This song didn’t initially hit me, however, so I suggest that you give it a few listens… it is a grower, and it really is a great single. I have to say, though, that I have one major issue with this song… are they saying “here comes the girls?”, because that is what it sounds like. I doubt that is the case, it is probably one of those things that you hear incorrectly in songs (like “when I grow up, I wanna have boobies”), so I will just let that one go with nothing more than a mention. Either way, the Sugababes are back with more fantastic pop… and I am even more excited about the record now!
I read that this song was used on Scrubs, because Zach Braff is such a fan of Radin’s music, but I will admit that I only first heard this song last week. Remember the clip of Ellen and Portia’s wedding that I posted about? Well, this is the AMAZINGLY beautiful song that is playing in the background. How beautiful!!! I love that he performed it at their wedding as well… how perfect. Seriously, though, there is nothing bad that I can say about this song; other than it stays in my head, and begs to be played on repeat. It is an extremely beautiful track, and I love it so very, very much. What a wonderful, albeit unexpected discovery. I love finding amazing music like this!!! Thanks Ellen!
Talk about surprises… I downloaded this on a whim, for reasons I can’t recall, but after one listen, I didn’t go back. Well, enter the new, invigorated interest in using my ipod nano… as a result, I have been paying more attention to exactly what is on my ipod (as opposed to dumping 30GB on there, and sorting through, which makes for too many choices, and MANY things being overlooked). Well, I gave this record a go the other day, and I literally kicked myself after hearing this gem. Not only that, but the rest of the record is actually quite good!! I guess I was in one of my usual “I’m not in the mood for this” moods at the time I first heard it, but I am definitely enjoying it now. The lead singer’s voice reminds me a lot of what I like in the lead singer of Switchfoot’s voice, and compliments the piano-twinged rock elegantly. This song is so ready for the radio, and throngs of screaming fans… it is really, really, really good! Like the Stills, it reminds me a lot of what I loved about Melee’s record; which again, is really good as well… in fact, I want something new from those guys; but I digress… this is about My Favorite Highway!! (Note: these guys are what I think the Jonas Brothers are going for… and they are nailing it, whereas the JB are well… not).
After really enjoying their song Time To Pretend (and featuring it one Friday long ago), I was pretty quick to write off MGMT as a one hit (in my book) wonder. Well, last weekend, I was hanging out with some friends at Smith’s Olde Bar in Midtown, and Electric Feel came on the jukebox. I thought to myself, “self, I have heard this before… and I LOVE IT! But who is it?!?!”. Well, my buddy dave whips out his iphone, uses the amazing program that you can’t use on the ipod touch (BOOO!!!!!) called Shazam, and a few seconds later, I am informed that the song that I am loving is ANOTHER brilliant track by the very MGMT that I had written off only months before. Shame! Shame on me! Well, needless to say, I quickly put that album back on the ipod, and have been listening to it for other gems. It has a few, and I will gladly admit where I was wrong; and I definitely was in this case. If you liked Time To Pretend, this one is a bit different, but definitely the electro-twinged rock that they did so well in that first track. I love the flute-sounding instruments that permeate the track… they are so much fun for my ears! (NOTE: It is annoying that videos get embedding disabled by request. WTF, is up with that shit?!?! /stupid “copyright” related rant)
SURPRISE is the name of the game on this one!!! I downloaded Sarah Connor’s (no, not 
First, there is something I need to get out right away: I HATE when people spell words in song titles like you’re with just a “UR”. It doesn’t make it more cool, and it doesn’t show that you are hip; it makes it look as if you are too lazy to worry about proper grammar. Ugh. Alright, with that said, I actually have been digging this song lately. I actually heard about Annie quite a long time ago from such power music blogs as 
Jem, you’ve done it again! The first song off of Jem’s upcoming release, Down To Earth (release date, September 16th) leaked a few weeks back, and I must say, as much as I loved her first record, I wasn’t actually digging On Top of The World as much as I would have liked. With her last record being so dynamic and innovative, I had high hopes for her sophomore effort, but by the sound of On Top Of the World, I was worried that I was going to be let down. Cut to this week, and the official release of Crazy as a single on iTunes… yeah, Jem still has it. This song is every bit as energetic and magnificent as her first record. She builds on her sound with this track, and proves that she has more to say with her music. Also, I cannot get enough of the banjo in this song!! Such a great use of a non-traditional pop instrument. Good form, Jem, I can’t wait for the record! 
First off, it says fuck a lot in this song, so if that isn’t your cup of tea, you have been warned. I love, love, love Lily Allen, and given the events of this week (RNC), I thought a fun political FU song was appropriate; especially since I only recently heard it. As much as I loved Lily’s first record, I have been chomping at the bit to get more stuff from her, and I was happy to find a few songs last week to satiate my appetite. This song is catchy, and I do think it is cool when people speak up for their political views, because you are always taking a risk; sometimes you get shunned for it (The Dixie Chicks), and sometimes you get praised for it (P!nk). With this silly track, Lily is saying what a lot of young American’s are thinking about our not-so commander and chief, and she will definitely get praises from me for putting it out there. I also cannot ignore the brilliant opening notes that are totally a throwback to the Carpenter’s massive hit Close To You; it really makes me smile to hear it throughout the song. I can’t wait for more new stuff Lily! 
I recently hooked my spin class teacher up with a bunch of “old” dance music that I have sitting on my hard drive, and I literally smiled from ear to ear yesterday when this track came blasting out during class. This song is one of those songs that originally, weren’t very good… Then, a MASSIVE producer (oh how you are missed, Thunderpuss!!!) gets their hands on it, remixes it, and then you have a dance-floor filler that is so much fun that it is hard not to shake your booty all night long. This was exactly what I needed to boost my energy in class, and I was reminded of how much I originally loved this remix. It’s a gem from all the way back in 2000, but to me, it sounds just as great today as it did so many years ago. I can tell you, that if this came on the club, I would need to clear a spot on the floor to break it down… let’s get fierce! 
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!
Okay, it was probably a couple of months ago that Lindsay’s new song, Bossy hit the internets, and I have to admit that I didn’t initially like it that much. However, it really grew on me, and I have been enjoying it thoroughly. However, it wasn’t until I heard Mike Rizzo’s AMAZING remix that I really fell HARD for this track. The disco feel that he gives to this song makes it PERFECT for dancing and having fun on a Saturday night. I love this mix, and I just had to share it. A special thanks to Mr. 
A couple of weeks ago, a new Brandy track leaked, and I have to say, that I was super happy to hear Darkchild doing his signature announcement at the beginning… I sat up and listened intently at that point. I have always been a fan of Brandy’s, and have seen her through some major ups and downs. I am really glad that she has a potential hit on her hands here, and I have been enjoying it, letting this track marinate, and it has only gotten better with each listen. I am curious to see what her next record will bring, because Brandy is actually capable of some hits if she puts her mind to it… she’s done it before, and I believe that she can do it again. I for one, am looking forward to the future of music for Ms. Norwood. The song ends and then does this weird re-loop thing for some reason, so please ignore the very end.
Lykke Li is another one of those artists, like Duffy, that has been getting lots of praise from other music bloggers, but for whatever reason, I was waiting on something else from her. Well, her record, Youth Novels finally came out this week, and I will admit that it has some great gems on it. Specifically, this song really has me tapping my toes, and reveling in the beauty and gentle, child-like nature of Lykke’s voice as she sings about dancing. I have to say, that Lykke is another shining example of how Sweden really is an epicenter of fantastic music, and in particular, fantastic pop music. Seriously, there are so many fantastic things happening with there, it really makes me want to move to Sweden already!!! Sweden is to pop what Seattle was to grunge/alternative! I love it! If you like this song, check out her record… I will warn you though, some of the tracks near the end of it are kind of strange… but hey, we take what we can get, right?
First off, I am going to say this: FANTASTIC form P!nk. Bravo. Cheers. I love you! Seriously, this song is so fucking catchy, and amazingly well done, that it is hard to do anything other than love it, and in turn, heap loads of praise on P!nk for bringing it us! This is the second song that I heard this past weekend that I was literally burning to get on this blog for you! P!nk’s last album made me a fan of hers for life because of how great it is, and this song just shows that she is an artist that we should definitely keep paying attention to, because she has A LOT more up her sleeve. One of my FAVORITE things about P!nk, is that she has such talent as far as being an artist, that she was able to overcome the typecasting her record label insisted on using against her (typecasting her as a hip hop singer for her debut, when she is more of a rock star; as indicated clearly by her subsequent follow up albums), and she not only managed to prove that she had the talent to back it up, but that she was even better than they gave her credit for. She is a passionate singer, and a great song writer, and I am elated that the leaked single from her upcoming CD is so freaking amazing; it really has me wiggling in my seat in anticipation for the record’s October release!! If her album is anything like her previous effort, I know that I am going to enjoy it… and if this single is any indication of what we have to look forward to, then I think that I am going to LOVE it! Also, need I mention how fucking HOT P!nk is? Jeebus!
“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?
I first heard this song because it was featured as a free download of the week on iTunes. Every once and a while, iTunes has a very, very good selection (most of the time, not so much), and this is definitely one of the better ones I have gotten free. After several listens, I get the same satisfaction out of this song that I get with other acts like City and Colour and Hayden. I love folk/acoustic music. I think that should be clear by now; and as such, here’s another group I can check out because of their great sound. Also, it should be noted that I really love the vocal stylings that these guys use; it is just purty.
This is the song that my friend Deb introduced me to. I downloaded the record, and this is definitely my favorite song from the record thus far. I like the pumping beat, and the rock n’ roll nature of this track. I always regret not listening to her suggestions right away, because usually, they are really good, and I end up kicking myself down the line for not listening sooner, so I am glad that I paid attention this time. I love the intro to the song, because it totally sounds like it is going to be a big house number or some big old diva is about to hit the stage, and instead, they hit you with a marching beat, and some sweet lady-vocals. Nice track. 
I almost posted their song Ghosts, because that is the song that initially attracted me to Ladytron. However, I think that I enjoy this track much more; mostly for the beat and the distortion in the backing instruments. It’s funny, because every time I describe Ladytron, I end up saying that they are what the Cranberries would sound like, that is, if they Cranberries were better. Hear me out… I used to like the Cranberries, but the songs Linger and Zombie pretty much ruined it for me; Deloris O’Riordan’s screeching vocals repeating the same stuff over and over (Linger, linger, do you haf-to, do you haf-to; and Zombey, zombeieieieieieieiiieeeee) just makes me wish it would end. The reason they remind me of Ladytron, is because the lead singer’s voice is slightly reminiscent of Deloris’; but mostly because of the lady-Irish-y accent. Unlike the Cranberries, however, I am having a good time listening to Ladytron, however, so that is definitely a positive that I wanted to pass along to you guys.