Paul Simon

So, I'm an idiot, I didn't know Paul Simon was from Simon & Garfunkel. That seriously just went SWOOSH right over my head. Especailly because Paul Simon is the soundtrack to my childhood happiness.

'You Can Call Me Al' seriously never fails to put me in a good mood.



Regarding the video, Paul Simon is half Chevy Chase's size, it's ridiculous. Also, I remember seeing this when I was little, and I just realized I had been under the impression that Paul Simon was Chevy Chase. Young Trickery.

I think it's those fun time whistles, but I always thing of Ice Age when I hear this song. Anyways, this song makes me want to go run a marathon (okay, maybe a 5 k) because I could just happily trot along to this song for hours. It has those triumphant brass/ keyboard riffs that are super 80's too, I love it. Then there's a SWEET slapping of the bass too. However, I don't understand the lyrics, or the whole "Betty" and "Al" thing.

Okay, and don't get me started on "Diamonds On the Soles of Shoes".



First of all, his African choir harmonizing with him in th begginning is chill-worthy, they are incredible. Then the song goes totally "Little Mermaid" and gets super upbeat and Carribean sounding, and I just want to dance. I gotta say, Paul Simon looks like such a geek, it's hilarious. He is a solid foot shorter than all of his back up men too, oh man. This music video is so awesome.

Anyways, I LOVE Paul Simon & Graceland, and would be so down to listen to more of his albums in class.

Air Dubai

Air Dubai recently came to SXSW, and I am real cranky that I missed their show (I didn't know they were coming until I saw people posting photos with them after. That's right, not only did I miss their show, I missed the opportunity to MEET them. Idiot).

I would describe Air Dubai as electronic/ hip-hop cross over, with some real poppy-techno beats accompanied by rapping and some heavy beats.

My favorite song is EASILY Summer Solstice



First off, the lead vocals in this song are super different sounding & I LOVE his voice. The rapping in this song doesn't astound me or make my jaw drop or anything, but the awesomeness of the chorous and the music easily compensate. I love the kind of eerie keyboard, and then like 3 minutes into the song it slows down and a heavy drum kick and trumpets come in and I just want to throw my arms into the air and sway.

Also, this always makes me giggle since I am a big Britney fan (sorry not sorry), Air Dubai does a cover of Britney Spears' 'Toxic'

Here is Britney's version:



This is one of those music videos that's like wait...what is the plot line? Why is she a flight attendant? WHAT she ripped a flesh mask off of that guy and he turned more attractive? WHAT? Anyways, if you value your brain cells, I wouldn't watch more than a minute of that.

Here is Air Dubai's version:


His voice is HAUNTINGLY good. I can't handle it. I really like this, however, I am a sucker for Britney's original.

Here are a few more links to some more Air Dubai Tracks I dig:

80's Rap

So, I have terrible news, I do not have computer access right now, so this blog is being done from my phone. And that means no video links wahhhh. I'm so sorry to have let you down, hundreds of followers.

Anyways, I LOVE this unit, I would not mind doing it for the rest of the year. I feel like 80's Hip Hop took a lot of awesome elements from Disco and Punk, and utilized them briliantly in the Hip Hop era of the 80's. There's often a real techno-y beat backing the Hip Hop tracks, usually with a bit of DJ scratching thrown in the mix, but none the less that electronic sound is definitely present. As far as punk, Hip Hop definitely has that rebelious, git-out-my-way attitude as seen commonly in punk hits of the previous decade.

My favorite band that we have listened to thus far in class on this unit is easily Salt-n-Pepa. First of all, GIRL POWER. That is so awesome that Salt-n-Pepa is one of the first all female Hip Hop groups, what a terrific trio. Secondly, 'Push It' will never not be awesome. The whole song is almost like a mash up of about 5 other songs, but you know what, that keeps things super interesting and spicy, and I'm into it.

And, of course, I am super into Will Smith, but that is largely because I have a crush on him. He is like a goofy/ satirical version of punk, and I think he is absolutely hilarious. His music is also delightfully clean yet catchy, and I have several of his big hits like 'Miami' and 'Getting Jiggy with It' on my mix CDs in my car.

In conclusion for this unit, I like it, I love it, I want some more of it.

DAT 20/20

So, as I may have expressed in an earlier post, I am SO excited about JT's new album. One thing I think is SO cool and unique about 20/20 is it was created as an album, not a big compilation of singles like almost all other music being produced today. Another thing that makes the album so different is that almost every song hits the 8 minute mark. JT had a quote about it:

"If Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin can do 10-minute songs and Queen can do 10-minute songs then why can't we? We'll figure out the radio edits later."

SOCIETY DON'T OWN YOU, JT

Also, I did something you would be so proud of, I put in the CD, sat on my bed, and just sat and soaked in the entire album at one time. And it was an awesome experience, plus I was super proud of myself afterwards, that was a whole 70 minutes and 2 seconds of concentrated listening, who knew I still even retained that long of an attention span?

However, I gotta say, I am a huge JT fan (not even a guilty pleasure, I have no shame in my JT love) and the album was SUPER hit & miss for me. I really loved like 4 of the songs, hated 3 of them, and the rest weren't even memorable.

Here are some of the ones I got reaaalll into:

Mirrors



I LOVE. I'll admit, the beginning dramatic guitar riff kinda rubbed my fur the wrong way at first, but then BAM JT comes in and KILLS it.

Don't Hold the Wall:



I LOVE the harmonies in the beggining of this song. So pretty. Then this jungle-y bongo comes in with some Middle Eastern sounding music and then things get real awesome.


And now some I really didn't like

Believe it or not, I don't like Suit & Tie, the break out hit of the album



The music it super busy/ doesn't carry a super consistent melody and it kind of gives me a headache. Justin also sings a ton of falsetto in this song, which is awesome and impressive, but after a while I'm like ENUFF.

and Strawberry Bubblegum



This is one of those songs that just got ruined by the lyrics. He's talking about some girl smacking bubblegum and I have to just not listen to closely in order to enjoy this one.


Anyways, overall I am content with the album, I'd give it a 6.5/7. JT forever and ever.

Elvis Costello

So, I would definitely rank Costello in my top 5 favorite artists that we have listened to so far in class, but man I really loved Pet Sounds, don't make me choose.

So, I did a quick Spotify check on him, and OH MY GAH, he has released like a millon albums! That's absurd, he may have the Beatles beat! Let me count right quick...22! I counted 22! WHAAAT. Also, he is only 58!!!! That's only 8 years older than my parents!! I am freaking out!!

While researching him, I found a clip where he hosted David Letterman's 'The Late Show', and man he is so cocky and maybe a little funny, but still very cocky.



Also, I did some more research, and you were so right about people being crazy about 'Alison', which is honestly not even my favorite song. Like seriously, when I was hunting for videos to link here, mofo Alison was the title of about every 9/10 videos. Get over it, everyone.

I really like 'I'm not Angry'




I really love this song for several reasons. 1) The lyrics are really easy to relate to, I've experienced the uncouth, fiery pangs of heartbreak, and this song makes me want to go egg an ex-boyfriends house or do something real wild and angsty. Also, just the guitar riffs are so awesome in this song, and I also really dig when at around 1:48, a rolling/ trotting sounding drum beat comes kicking in.
I also specifically like the part of the line: 'cause there's no such thing as an original sin'. All humans are dicks, basically, and it's something everyone has to learn to accept and deal with eventually.

I really love Costello, and would be so down to listen to more of his albums this semester.

Ben Howard

Ben Howard is a lot like a softer, less-douchey John Mayer. He is originally from England, and I read a lil bio of his on Spotify that said one of his biggest influences in his work is Joni Mitchell, so I thought you would like that. He only has one offical solo Album, 'Every Kingdom', but he has also released several singles and has performed at several big music festivals, including Bonnaroo and our very own ACL.

Here is a little highlight reel of Ben's work


There are some really nice harmonies on this track. I love to compare and contrast bands, and I am definitely sensing similarities between Ben Howard's voice and the lead singer of 'The Script'.


Very soft, very sweet. It picks up a bit when a pretty basic drum beat kicks in and eventually the chorus, but it is over all very easy listening. It's very lazy-sunday-in-a-hammock-esque.



I definitely get an Iron & Wine vibe from Ben Howard, but specifically in this song. That real plucky-guitar and Ooohhing and Ahhing is so folky and soothing, and I can get into it.

Similar to what I said about 'Beach House" last week, Ben Howard's playlist would be an excellent soundtrack to fall asleep to. One thing I was left a little un-impressed about is the fact that Ben pretty much only sings and plays the guitar. He has two other people that play a huge role in his music that are not as credited for their work. The wiki tells me that "Howard worked alongside India Bourne and Chris Bond to make Every Kingdom, with India Bourne playing cello, keyboards, ukulele, bass and contributing vocals and percussion and Chris Bond playing guitars, bass, double bass, drums, percussion, keyboards, accordion and also contributing to vocals". So common Ben, cut em in to the band name, or something, geez.

The Police

I love the Police, my dad has always been a huge fan so i have been subjected to several road trips/ family outings filled with the rockin sounds of the police. One thing I think is really interesting about the Police is that they have a pretty wide spectrum of sounds, or they are not bound specifically to one sound, which I often find myself noticing about a majority of bands.


Like for instances, one of my favorite songs of all time will always be "Every Breath You Take"



An Oldie but a goodie, I feel like this is one of those songs that will always be around. The beat isn't even super complicated and is actually pretty repetivie, but I don't even mind, it's too darn catchy.

And as I'm sure almost everyone knows equally as well, Puff Daddy's R&B cover:



But real talk, that's probably one of the most famous covers in existance. Also, one of the many rare cases in which I don't have a preference between the new and old version, I really like both of them. Maybe I liked Police's version a little better ahhhhh I don't know.

Another family favorite is "Message in a Bottle"



This one was my jammmmm on guitar hero. However, upon watching this music video I am a little disturbed. They're a bunch of blonde mop tops in suits! SUITS! I am so confused, what is punk.

Like, here is a glimpse at the lyrics from "Message in a Bottle"

Just a castaway
An island lost at sea
Another lonely day
With no one here but me
More loneliness
Than any man could bear
Rescue me before I fall into despair

Kind of depressing/ angsty, but not rebellious or punk by my standards.


Feel free to differ, but I don't really think the Police are true punk. I realize punk is an enormous rebellion spectrum, but I really think the Police are more soft rock than anything else, I'm not getting any real rebellious/ uprising vibes from their music.