8 April 2012 - Electric Six - Synthesizer

I struggled with the decision of putting this on a Sunday.  It isn't a pure guilty pleasure - these guys have some serious Detroit rock chops - but this song is, itself, a throwback to the era of the keytar.  Electric Six are a goofy bunch, but they are solid in their music and lyrically clever.

See how many references to real 80's and 90's music videos you can find.

7 April 2012 - T'Pau - Heart and Soul

T'Pau was a Vulcan who turned down her position on the Federation Council.  That's about all the Star Trek you're going to get out of me.

This T'Pau, however, was a British pop group from the mid-80's who had one hit in this country.  In fact, only two of their three albums - not their 2nd! - were released in the States.  Yes, I have the 2nd album, and yes, I had to go to Canada to get it. Their sound, thanks to lead vocalist Carol Decker, had the ability to be both soft and hard-edged.  This particular song, their biggest (and only) US hit, reached #4 on both the US and UK charts.

And for some reason, I've always loved this song.  So hopefully, you love it, too!

6 April 2012 - Dangerous Toys - Teas'n, Pleas'n

Happy Hair Metal Friday!!!

Hadn't thought about Dangerous Toys in a LONG time. But then their name popped up in the book I'm reading (We Are The Road Crew by Ken Barr) and that zany little light bulb appeared over my head...So, here they are in their hair metal glory. Enjoy!

4 April 2012 - Snow Patrol - Run

Sometimes I really wonder what the hell is wrong with me (and for those of you with any guesses, please keep 'em to yourselves...thanks). While I have no problem admitting to liking pop musicians like Kelly Clarkson or country stars like Taylor Swift, I sometimes get squeamish admitting that I like a band like Snow Patrol. I know that sounds ridiculous, but to me it's almost like admitting to liking Coldplay (which I don't). Regardless, it took some time, but local radio pounded this Scottish band's songs into my head to the point where I HAD to start buying their records. Here's one of the finer tracks off of their Final Straw record -- the first record by them that I was brainwashed -- yes, that's it, brainwashed -- into buying.

3 April 2012 - Carly Rae Jepsen - Call Me Maybe

Our first By Request post goes out to the Rochester Institute of Technology Curling Team, who had a great weekend at a bonspiel, but came back with this song stuck in their heads.

Ms. Jepsen was a third place winner on Canadian Idol a few years ago.  This single, from her 3rd album, is her current one, and currently ranks at #18 on the Billboard Hot 100!  Enjoy this fresh-faced artist performing a current song!

Update (3 May 2012): This song is currently at #5 on the pop charts, with a bullet!

Update (15 May 2012): #4 with a bullet on the Billboard charts.  And, as you can see here, the memes are a-comin'!

Update (24 May 2012): #2 with a bullet.  This song will likely be the next #1.  Also, Carly performed the song on the 2012 Billboard awards this past weekend.  Enjoy this!

Update (11 June 2012): #2 still, but, having been declared The Song of The Summer, what better way to celebrate than to do a version of your song with Jimmy Fallon and The Roots?   Also, can someone please explain to me why the hell this song isn't #1 yet?!




Update (23 August 2012): Well, the song spent 9 weeks at #1, and is the longest tenured song at #1 for the year.  And guess who was on The Today Show today, performing that biggest hit of the year?  Well, here it is. Enjoy it!

2 April 2012 - Taylor Swift - Ours & Back to December

Last night, Taylor Swift won the Entertainer of the Year at the Academy of Country Music Awards. Second year in a row. Not bad for a 22-year-old.

I suppose the timing is right to finally post a couple of videos by one of my favorite country singers at the moment. Yup, you read that right...and I don't feel guilty about it at all.

First up is Ours, which just spent a remarkable NINE weeks atop the CMT Top 20 Countdown.



And finally, here's the stunning video for Back To December.

1 April 2012 - Röyksopp - Eple

Since the World Men's Curling Championship started yesterday, and my favorite Norwegians are among the frontrunners, I wanted to find you Norwegian music to enjoy that wasn't a-ha. So I chose Röyksopp, a great electronic duo who keeps reinventing themselves.

This particular song and video is from their 2001 debut album. It is perhaps the most well-organized video postcard, set to music that is sure to make you smile. And visit Norway.