I've been a big Brandi Carlile fan since the first time I heard today's song. Her voice just blows me away. So much passion. Needless to say, I'm excited to hear her new record - Bear Creek - which hits stores today. Until then, I suppose this video will have to do.
And this one too! My favorite song of 2007.
04 June 2012
4 June 2012 - The Verve - Bitter Sweet Symphony
This is a terrific song. It's just so.... pretentious and opulent. To call your humble little song a "Symphony" is a bit arrogant. And the video! Richard Ashcroft is pretty much a jerk to everyone on the street, and they all express their displeasure.
Oh, and the little fact that they lifted a huge part of the song. That was proven in court. Which is why the song is officially credited to Jagger/Richards. But more on that in a moment.
Still, the song, in all its opulence, is instantly catchy. I bet you're singing it to yourself right now. The combination of the angry, depressed cadence and the orchestral grandeur make for a truly moving song.
But did they actually steal the vocal stylings, like the courts said? Here is the Rolling Stones song in question. I, personally, don't think they actually did steal it. The cadence is similar, but the tempo is completely different.
What IS true is that The Verve, with permission, sampled the Andrew Oldham Orchestra cover of this very same song. The violins and tubular bells you hear in Bitter Sweet Symphony are a sample. The rest of the cover is a snoozer that no one would have noticed if not for The Verve.
Oh, and the little fact that they lifted a huge part of the song. That was proven in court. Which is why the song is officially credited to Jagger/Richards. But more on that in a moment.
Still, the song, in all its opulence, is instantly catchy. I bet you're singing it to yourself right now. The combination of the angry, depressed cadence and the orchestral grandeur make for a truly moving song.
But did they actually steal the vocal stylings, like the courts said? Here is the Rolling Stones song in question. I, personally, don't think they actually did steal it. The cadence is similar, but the tempo is completely different.
What IS true is that The Verve, with permission, sampled the Andrew Oldham Orchestra cover of this very same song. The violins and tubular bells you hear in Bitter Sweet Symphony are a sample. The rest of the cover is a snoozer that no one would have noticed if not for The Verve.
(Update: 2 September 2020): In 2019, Richards and Jagger gave up their rights to this song, acknowledging that Richard Ashcroft really wrote a masterpiece.
In celebration, here's a live version. It's a pretty moving version.
In celebration, here's a live version. It's a pretty moving version.
03 June 2012
3 June 2012 - Curve - Coast Is Clear / Fait Accompli
Today, we enjoy a band - a two-piece, led by the fantastically talented Toni Halliday - that never enjoyed enough success in this country. It's a shame they aren't together anymore - Toni and Dean Garcia made some great, hard-edged music. This was the first song of theirs I heard - I never understood why it wasn't a hit.
This was the 2nd song of theirs that I heard. They had a song that was both contemporary for their time and the shoegazing scene that was so popular then AND intensely hard-edged. Was it hard rock? Was it electronica? Curve somewhat defied labels, which might have been their problem.
Listen to this song. Now, try to picture some of Garbage's big hits. This predated them by several years. I like Garbage, but they owe a huge debt to Curve.
This was the 2nd song of theirs that I heard. They had a song that was both contemporary for their time and the shoegazing scene that was so popular then AND intensely hard-edged. Was it hard rock? Was it electronica? Curve somewhat defied labels, which might have been their problem.
Listen to this song. Now, try to picture some of Garbage's big hits. This predated them by several years. I like Garbage, but they owe a huge debt to Curve.
01 June 2012
1 June 2012 - Toto - Africa
"As sure as Kilimanjaro rises like Olympus above the Serengeti" might be the greatest lyric ever written. This song takes me back to a particular time. Specifically, it takes me back to 1982, when this song was released. I wasn't really a fan of it at the time, but I appreciate it for the lyrical gymnastics now.
31 May 2012
30 May 2012 - Great White - Rock Me
Ahhh yes, time for another Hair Metal Thursday.
While Great White lacked the makeup wearing skills of their peers, they certainly had the hair to hang with the best of 'em. Here's the big hit from their third record - Once Bitten... Rock on!
While Great White lacked the makeup wearing skills of their peers, they certainly had the hair to hang with the best of 'em. Here's the big hit from their third record - Once Bitten... Rock on!
30 May 2012
30 May 2012 - Bardeux - Magic Carpet Ride / I Love To Bass
True story: I was once a really huge fan of Enigma Records. This was a small, independent label that specialized in quirky music of all types. Many of my favorite artists - The Dead Milkmen, Mojo Nixon, Game Theory to name three - spent time on Enigma Records. Every once in awhile, though, Enigma would sign an act that was at the same time quirky and marketable. An example of that is the previously mentioned SSQ, from where we got Stacey Q - but we'll get back to her later.
In the late 1980s, a turbulent female dance duo who called themselves Bardeux was signed by Enigma. They didn't have any huge hits - minor ones and club ones, but not huge ones - but they did have fun, dance-worthy music that always made me smile. Also, they were a little quirky, which is more evidenced in their video than their music.
With middling success comes discontent and lineup changes. So, notice that 1/2 of this duo is different for their 2nd album...... That didn't make the music any less enjoyable. It was just a little different, with more "Bass!" samples!
In the late 1980s, a turbulent female dance duo who called themselves Bardeux was signed by Enigma. They didn't have any huge hits - minor ones and club ones, but not huge ones - but they did have fun, dance-worthy music that always made me smile. Also, they were a little quirky, which is more evidenced in their video than their music.
With middling success comes discontent and lineup changes. So, notice that 1/2 of this duo is different for their 2nd album...... That didn't make the music any less enjoyable. It was just a little different, with more "Bass!" samples!
29 May 2012
29 May 2012 - Eliza Doolittle - Skinny Genes & Rollerblades
I still can't believe that Eliza Doolittle's Skinny Genes didn't take over the airwaves. I guess the song and it's accompanying video were just too "subtle." All jokes aside, Skinny Genes was one of my favorite songs last year and the album as a whole is a whole lot of fun.
Awww heck, here's another fine song and video by her. You may recognize the tune from a recent Prius commercial.
Awww heck, here's another fine song and video by her. You may recognize the tune from a recent Prius commercial.
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