The timing for my 100 List couldn't be better; this post is my 99th, meaning my next will be celebrating the 100th with my 100.
So, I'm sharing a couple music videos I just saw for the first time this week. The first is Misery, from Maroon 5. I checked it out after "The Voice" had me listening to the 4 coaches on YouTube. The video is best summarized as, simply put, Hot & Hilarious. A gorgeous, tiny little badass girl basically kicks the crap out of Adam Levine. Highly entertaining
Words I Never Said, from Lupe's "LASERS," was just released on the Interwebs today. Its got some awesome visuals to go with one of the heavier songs from Lupe's latest.
Also, expect a rant on Steve Carell's last episode on The Office, and those who will be throwing their hat into the ring (Gob? "COME ON!")
So, I am in the process of putting together my 100 Songs of the Rock Era, as well as a Summertime Mixtape of hip-hop to mix into what will be Country and Rock Season for me. So before I have those ready for air, I want to share my thoughts on the new TV Series/Singing Competition, "The Voice." (Hit The Link To Watch on Hulu)
I think its AMAZING. Where "Idol" has been stale since the discovery of Carrie Underwood (When was that? I must have been 14 still...), The Voice brings something fresh to the table. They switch up the format in a way that benefits the show greatly.
If you're terrible- you're not getting on TV for the judges to mock you, America to laugh at you and FOX to make money off you. Right off the bat, the contestants are obviously stronger and come from more walks of life than "Idol" would ever be looking for.
Next, the judges double as vocal coaches-- that is, they're competing in this too; looking for
the strongest contestants and then offering their expertise to nurture them into stronger
vocalists. Did I mention the judges are 4 of the biggest and most entertaining singers today? Christina Aguilera, Cee-Lo Green, Adam Levine and Blake Shelton are all amazing singers, each who can offer something unique to their team.
Also, coaches are choosing their teams with their backs to the stage -- going solely off the voice. A competition that prioritizes vocal talent over looks? How Refreshing!
Oh and Carson Daly is back as the host. Where's he been? I love that guy!
It'll be interesting to see where the show goes once the teams are built and the coaches get involved 1-on-1, but I have high hopes.
(I've included clips of my 3 favorite performances from the premiere episode.)
I read a book a few years back, "Broken Prey," which is part of a series following a detective by the name of Lucas Davenport. Those kind of series are always right up my alley. You get to know the character so well and see them develop far more than in just a single story, and you grow to like them and learn their tendencies. Well, the reason I'm mentioning this is in this particular entry, Davenport's wife gives him an iPod and an iTunes card for $100. So he accepts this as a challenge to create a playlist of the 100 "Best Songs of the Rock Era" (this was back in '05, back when songs were just $.99). Here's a link to his list.
And since Davenport isn't a Beatles Fan, you won't find them on his list. So I took on the challenge of picking my Top 10 Rock Songs, excluding the Beatles. This may be a prelude to my own 100 Song Tribute...
(2011's Adventures of Bobby Ray? Singles have won me over, a la B.o.B did)
I will be absolutely shocked at this point if Brad Paisley's This Is Country Music fails to take my top spot at the end of 2011. Early in the year I figured Lupe's LASERS would be in contention- but it didn't quite live up to my lofty expectations (still a really really good album). With the exception of Tyler, the Creator's Goblin due out in under a month and a possible Slaughterhouse album, I don't know of any albums to be released this year that will be able to compete with Brad in my CD-Changer/iTunes/iPod rotation. But- you never know. I didn't see American Saturday Night or The Adventures of Bobby Ray, released the past two years, to claim my top spots in 2009 and 2010 respectively.
Take a look at the track list below. The features alone are mind-boggling. Pays to be the Jay-Z equivalent in Country Music. When either hits you up and offers a spot on their next album, you jump at the opportunity.
I'm keeping with my "new music can be good music" kick I was on for Hip-Hop Thursday, at least for this song. First time I really heard Tech N9ne was at Rock The Bells in 2009, and his fans scared the shit out of me. I mean, the "technicians" as they call themselves, are the most dedicated fanbase I've seen. And they were crazy enough that I didn't exactly enjoy Tech's Set. However, after listening to his music on my own in a quiet environment helped me realize how dope this guy is. Here's his roughly 1-week-old ode to his fan base, a song he's given away for those that pre-ordered his upcoming album, "All 6's and 7's." Needless to say, I'm anxiously awaiting the album's release and the arrival of my pre-order.
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"Angel Dance" -- Robert Plant (Rock)
Robert Plant's reinvention post-Led Zeppelin has been amazing to watch. First was his delving into old-school blues with a couple different groups. Then was his Country-Folk album with Alison Krauss, that caught everybody off-guard with how well the two worked together- creating one of 2007's best albums. And now, he's leading a new group, Band of Joy, sharing the namesake of his very first band, pre-dating his time with Zeppelin. "Angel Dance," is the first track of off the album sharing the group's name. It has a great sound to it-- something of a southern rock-country-blues mix, and its carried by Plant's still golden vocals.
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"25 Minutes To Go" -- Johnny Cash (Country)
I've been a Cash mood all week-- debating if my favorite live album is his At Folsom Prison, or The Allman Brothers' At Filmore East. Though I never came to a conclusion, it did leave me playing Cash over and over again (as I did the same with Fillmore last week), with my favorite tracks changing constantly. By now, "25 Minutes To Go," and "The Legend of John Henry's Hammer" both have over 20 plays on the Pod and more in iTunes. Nothing beats Johnny's bad-ass-ness, especially live in front of a group of criminals enjoying a few hours of freedom.
I don't think anything bothers me more than people who think that (1) They know more than everyone else about a certain subject, (2) If something was released after year x it must suck, and (3) If an artist gains fan or recognition, they sold out/aren't as good and then proceed to stop supporting. That means you HIPSTERS. You bother me. I bring this up on Hip-Hop Thursday because some people assume that any rap released after 1999 is terrible, without bothering to give a listen. The thought process is totally illogical to me-- why is good music relegated to only one era of time? Particularly one as short as a decade? I'm constantly finding new artists I had never heard- and never would hear without an open mindset. Which brings me to todays edition of the MFP Song of the Day:
"Bigger Than Life (feat. June Summers)"-- Nipsey Hussle
I first heard Nipsey during the 2009 BET Cyphers. He was on with Wale and KRS-One. And I have to admit- going only off the Cypher- I didn't think he was much more than a Snoop wannabe. But I hate to pass judgement on a sample size as small as 12 Bars, particularly one where you're being overshadowed by a LEGEND like KRS. So, I ventured out into the abyss of the Internet looking for further evidence. I returned enlightened, having learned there was much more to Nipsey Hussle than a laid back flow and cornrows. He has talent, strong storytelling ability and lyrically underrated. This song is a hidden track at the end of his most recent mixtape, The Marathon, and its the type of music I can get behind. Proof you never know what an artist has to offer until you give them a chance.
Tip of the Day: Keep an Open Mind & Try Something New Today!
"I Don't Care (feat. Brad Paisley)" -- Darius Rucker
What happens when you take two of my favorite Country Artists, let them tour together and then slap them together on a brand new song on one's Sophomore album? You make me very happy. Darius Rucker joined up with Brad Paisley on his H2O tour this past summer. Brad returned the favor by joining up with Darius on his second country release, Charleston, SC 1966, for the track "I Don't Care." The song plays out as a fun, carefree interplay between the two, discussing the finer things in life (you know, beer, women, more women), as they get more and more drunk as the song goes on. Its got a contagious hook that you can't help but sing along too. And its songs like these that make country fans want to hangout with their idols, just two regular guys enjoying some cold ones.
Radiohead is definitely and acquired taste. For the longest time I just couldn't understand what all the hype was about. I'd try listening to Kid A or The Bends and get it even less than before (outside of "Fake Plastic Trees,"). That changed after listening to In Rainbows. That album changed my entire perception on them. Maybe I had matured- maybe it was because it was the first one I listened to upon its release- I have no idea (lies: it was the maturity thing). Regardless, its a fantastic album by the band many have referred to as "the only one that still matters." I may not go that far, but I've been following everything they do with a watchful eye ever since this one.
My Favorite Singer of All Time, singing what very well could be my favorite song of All Time. That's hard to top. I mean, just listen to him sing. Raw Talent. So much emotion and passion, coupled with warmth and tenderness. He could sing me the dictionary and I'd be glued to every melodic word from aardvark to zygote. And the song- just wow. I'm not sure if many songs have the kind of staying-power that this one has. You can play it now and its still relevant. Such a beautiful song that, when I really listen to it (not just play it in the background), almost always gets me watery-eyed. That Good.
Adam Jones, a CF for the Baltimore Orioles (yeah, the team that hasn't been over .500 since I was 6) was recently featured in ESPN The Magazine's Scale of 1 To 10. The question asked, "How do you feel when you pay your taxes?" Now obviously, its understandable to answer with a low number, as none of us are enamored with the idea of having less money. Jones however, answered, "Three. If it went to a good cause, I'd be happy. But our tax money goes to lazy people who don't want to work."
(Cue Method Man voice)HOLD UP! Is this guy serious? YOU DON'T WORK! You get paid to play baseball for a living. Who are you to call out people below the poverty line? That you assume are all lazy people who don't work hard? And you think all taxes become welfare? That's the only thing the government spends money on? Not only that, you're not grateful to a country that allows you to make millions playing a game?
On A Brighter Note- I'm very proud of players like our own David Ortiz and Zach Randolph, players who appreciate their circumstances. Ortiz said, "Seve. At least here I see what they do with my millions. In the DR, you don't know where the money goes." Randolph, a PF/C for the Memphis Grizzlies answered, "Ten. I feel up and down about it, but ultimately it feels good to give back to the country."
Now, I'm not opposed to Jones's feelings or ratings. I am opposed to the ignorance of his statement, and the lifestyle he's taken for granted. I look forward to another season of looking down at Baltimore in the standings.
