It’s been a pretty strange week… nothing I can really talk about on here, but needless to say, some changes have been made for the better, and I hope that things can continue to go in an upward direction. As far as music goes, I have been kind of out of it lately, and as such, I’m pretty all over the place with what I have been listening to. Regardless, I managed to find five quality tracks for this week; a couple of them should have been featured earlier, and a few of them are even new for me. Regardless, its plenty to enjoy, so let’s get it going, shall we?
Ray LaMontagne – Let It Be Me
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_116_raylamontagne-letitbeme.mp3]
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.
Waves on Waves – We Want 2
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_116_wavesonwaves-wewant2.mp3]
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?
Brandy – Long Distance
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_116_brandy-longdistance.mp3]
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.
Christina Milian – Us Against The World
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_116_christinamilian-usagainsttheworld.mp3]
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.
Kelly Clarkson – My Life Would Suck Without You
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_116_kellyclarkson-mylifewouldsuckwithoutyou.mp3]
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?
Well, there you go. Five more songs for your Friday listening pleasure. I hope you liked ’em, and as always let me know what hot tracks are burning up your eardrums… I want to know. I really do! Now… off to enjoy a THREE DAY WEEKEND! YES!
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.