1 May 2012 - Carrie Underwood - Last Name

So as I stood in line at Target this morning with the new Carrie Underwood and Norah Jones cds in my hands, I couldn't help but wonder, when did I become the type of person to stand in line in a Target with the new Carrie Underwood and Norah Jones cds? While I've never seen more than about 5 minutes at a time of an American Idol episode, I was seduced by the Season Four winner when her Play On record came out in 2009. As always, I dug deeper into her catalog (ok, not the hardest thing to do seeing that she only had two other records) and fell for her booming country/pop vocals. So let's celebrate the release of Blown Away by of course looking to the past. This is a fun song and video off of her second record Carnival Ride. By the way, I love how this video serves as a prequel to Before He Cheats.

30 April 2012 - Brad Paisley - Ticks

Brad Paisley is such a clean-cut looking boy with a squeaky-clean image.  Who was probably best known as Kimberly Williams(-Paisley)'s husband - she was the bride in the "Father of the Bride" movies, and I think she was on some TV series some time ago.

Until this song came out.  A clever country song with rock-n-roll sensibilities, it is quietly naughty without being overtly so.  Critics were a little skeeved out by all the smarmy pickup lines included in the lyrics, but the song was a big enough hit to be performed at the 2008 Grammys.  It even cracked the Pop Top 40 chart!

I just wonder what his wife thinks of him wanting to pick up random women in bars with butterfly tattoos and check them for ticks.

29 April 2012 - Pacha Massive - Don't Let Go

Two Latinos living in New York City were the core of Pacha Massive.  I first discovered them one day while watching MTV Tr3s, MTV's Spanglish network that features music that crosses the language barriers nicely.

This song is a particular favorite of mine, not just because it was the network's first Descubre y Download feature, but because it was creative and different than any music I had heard elsewhere, Latin or otherwise.  It seemed to me to combine aspects of Latin (the guitar), hip hop (the beats and rhythmic vocals), and early 90's college music (a female bassist who sometime sang).  So, without further ado...

28 April 2012 - Dionne Warwick - Heartbreaker

Dionne Warwick was known for her R&B ballads for a very long time.  In 1982, her career had been stalled for about a decade.  The Bee Gees still believed in her, though, and wrote her this gem, the title song for her 1982 album.  It was a hit all over the world, and different than the gospel-influenced sound from earlier in her career.

It wouldn't be her last hit.  "That's What Friends Are For" was to come a few years later, partially due to the strength of this comeback.  This song has a ballad feel, still, but is far more impassioned than her earlier work.  It was an excellent song choice.

27 April 2012 - Faster Pussycat - Bathroom Wall

After seeing this Faster Pussycat video for the first time in 25 years, I can only wonder, who would have won a fight between them and Poison back in the day?

26 April 2012 - Vanessa Paradis - Joe Le Taxi

Vanessa Paradis was only 14 when she sang this ode to a cabbie named Joe.  Completely in her native language of French.  The surprise? It became a hit in the UK.  She was already a bit of a star in her native France, but no one else knew who she was.   They did now.  Of course, after this, she became an international model and Johnny Depp's girlfriend, but this is where it all started.

Even in French, it is clear that the song is innocent and fun and sweet. It's a shame it was never a hit on this side of the Atlantic. Enjoy it!



Update: I wanted to add this version of the song from 2009.  It's got a smokier feel, but it's still pretty cool.  More than 20 years later, she's still got stage presence.

25 April 2012 - Colbie Caillat - Bubbly

When I think of Colbie Caillat, I think of summer. I think of relaxing on my deck while sipping a cold drink (and listening to music...of course). Or maybe just sitting on the beach and watching the waves crash. Either scenario would be wonderful right about now. Summer, please get here soon. Until then, I'll just have to warm up with this video from Colbie's debut record Coco.