NMT 7/05/09 Let the Summer Jams Begin! (Re- Post)

RE-POSTING after the 1st post mysteriously disappeared...

First off happy 4th of July, one of my top 3 holidays because lets face it, the US of A is the best country in the world!!!

Aaaaand we’re back, just like Michael Jackson’s sales…

Oh, did you hear Michael Jackson died? I know, isn’t this blog news breaking? What they didn’t show you was his last known footage…But no worries, I have it HERE

Shut up, kick back, take a ride in you’re new corvette… - My favorite saying age 5 AKA Indie Beach Tunes

• Jonas Brothers – only thing worth noting about the Jonas Brothers new cd is the fact that Common loses some serious street cred for his collaboration on Don’t Charge me for the Crime. Oh consider yourself charged for this one Common…

• Third Eye Blind – Don’t Believe a Word – Latest single from one of the greatest bands to come out of the 90’s, San Francisco’s own Third Eye Blind! Who knew they were still together? And it gets even better as we can expect a brand new album Ursa Major out this August – Lead singer Stephan Jenkins (valedictorian of the University of Berkeley class of 87’) can continue to give hope to kids with minor speech impediments everywhere…

• Pete Yorn – This guy seems pretty weird, but he can make some good songs. The live version of Paradise Cove below sounds just as good as the recorded version, maybe even better. Very relaxing, not emo sad relaxing though, uplifting relaxing; great songs to go with a glass of Fog Nog down at the beach.
o Paradise Cove
o Shotgun

• Matt Costa – Vienna – Don’t know much about this guy, other than he’s from Huntington Beach CA, but I really enjoy this song Vienna. Laid back sound.

• Colbie Calliat – Fallin For You - Another Southern California native, Calliat returns from riding the crazy wave of her debut album’s success to bring some more classic Colbie. Another effortless sounding song that is just in time for summer, Fallin For You doesn’t have the same spark that Bubbly did, but it will please fans nevertheless.

• Regina Spektor – Far - 3 words to describe Russian American Regina Spektor’s music: 1) Quirky, 2) Poetic, 3) Original. You may not like her oddball style, but don’t let her originality and talent fall on deaf ears. I have trouble getting into a lot of her songs because of how unpredictable the melodies can be, brilliant for moments, but then odd at times, but that’s part of what makes her stand out.
o Eet
o Laughing With
o Folding Chair

• Greg Laswell – Girls Just Wanna Have Fun – Ok, this is my Debbie downer of this weeks post. Get your knives out people. A very slow and forlorn version of an otherwise fun and upbeat song, it’s no surprise this song comes to us off the “My Sister’s Keeper” soundtrack. Unfortunately it is an album only purchase, so if you feel so inclined, put your eye-patch on and take to the online seas.


The Ladies of Rhythm and Blues

• Laura Izibor – Let the Truth Be Told - Not your average Irish girl, this Irish/Nigerian singer comes with a strong soulful sound, similar to Joss Stone. After listening through her U.S. debut album, there may only be a couple of highlights, however, she is undeniably talented. Might want to remember her name, I have a feeling we’ll be hearing more from her in the future.
o What Would You Do? – a very inspirational, building melody. Couldn’t find a studio version for you, but I’d highly recommend checking out the 30 second sample on itunes to get the full picture.
o From My Heart to Yours – 1st single, more potential to appeal to the masses (though I prefer What Would you Do), this light summery track will get stuck in your head after a few listens

• Beyonce – Ego – While it isn’t new, it is Beyonce’s newest single, and damn does it destroy her latest efforts. THIS is what I look forward to from Beyonce (a single which won’t force you to take 2 aspirin after the 2nd listen- Single Ladies can even agree there). Kanye version optional if you want, but I think we’ve all heard just about enough of that little bastard lately!

• Amerie – Why R U? - Ladies and Gentlemen I give you one of R&B’s most underrated artists: Amerie. This African American/Korean singer truly has it all in my opinion: extremely attractive, great identifiable voice, good songs, and she double majored at Georgetown. While she may be best known for her hit 1 Thing, Her latest single Why R U has garnered very high critical success; will it blow her up into mainstream success? Sadly I don’t think so, but it’s classic Amerie style combining gritty-ness of hip-hop with a refined, classy R&B sound.

• Mariah Carey – Obsessed – Kat, this one’s for you! Although Mariah’s brand new single is so new it isn’t even up for sale yet, Kat commented on the last post and opened my ears to one hell of a song. “Will the real MC please step to the mic…” This Eminem diss of a single has the potential to be Carey’s 19th, count that 19TH #1 single in the US! (just to put into perspective Elvis at #3 had 17 and The Beatles at #1 had 20) Produced by The Dream, Carey’s never had so much swagger and she better be able to pull it off with lyrics like “He’s all up in my George Foreman” good news, she does. Thanks Kat, great song!

p.s. spell check wanted “much swagger” to be “many swaggers” Nerd alert spell check…

Get your glowsticks out and start poppin those Claritin pills…

• Sick Music – Does anyone remember the song Freestyler by FreakTex? I bet you might if you heard it…Why am I bringing this up you ask? Well Sick Music, a collection of dance tracks coming by way of the UK, immediately brings to mind that same British dance vibe, a vibe which once had white 7th graders trying to break-dance in their kitchen (or at least my friend Kyle and me). Starting with my favorite, MRSA’s Different, the following tracks are not your everyday sounds, rare gems, snippets of which can be found today in the best car commercials.
o MRSA - Different
o The Burbs - Organic
o London Electricity - Just One Second (Apex Remix)

• Mobin Master – Show Me Love (Safari Remix) – The credit goes to Nate on this one. I had another Show Me Love remix up for review, which just came out, but after listening to it through, I realized this version Nate sent me a while back is better, so I figured I’d post it.

Pushing the Envelope into my iPod

• Bloc Party – One More Chance – Yes friends, Bloc Party has released another new song!! Further strengthening their grip on my ipod. One More Chance takes Bloc Party even further into uncharted territory. Sampling early 90’s Chicago trance with the repeating piano clip, this song makes you want to get up and dance while maintaining a dark undertone, classic Bloc Party.

• Mew – Introducing Palace Players – You have to respect artists that push the boundaries of music, and Mew is one of those artists. Introducing Palace Players will take you to the edge, and probably push you over, but you’ll like it! Odd intro that may have you questioning your sobriety, but stick with it as it blossoms into sweet sweet sonic inebriation.

• Nelly Furtado – Manos Al Aire – I’m starting to see just how impressive Nelly Furtado really is. While other artists may change their image from album to album, picking up random accents along the way (cough, MADONNA, cough) Furtado truly is a chameleon. From folk, to urban pop, to Portuguese crooning, to Spanish, to God knows what, Nelly can do it all and do it well. Loose was hands down top 5 albums of 2006, but instead of sticking with what worked so well, she’s once again mixing it up with her latest single en espanol. ¡Escuche, usted disfrutará de!