30 July 2013 - The Pipettes - Pull Shapes and Your Kisses Are Wasted On Me

I went all kinds of bonkers for The Pipettes debut album We Are The Pipettes when it came out. That record was a ridiculously fun explosion of 50s-style girl group goodness. This is probably their "biggest" hit. Just try not dancing around the room like a maniac when you hear it.



I couldn't choose just one video so here's Your Kisses Are Wasted On Me.



Wicked Guilty Pleasure? More Like Wicked Awesome Dance Party!

26 July 2013 - Billy Squier - Everybody Wants You

When it came to early 1980's MTV-era hard rock, no one beat Billy Squier.  Sure, it's not Thursday, but what a great day to play some early 1980's MTV-era hard rock.  Enjoy.

25 July 2013 - Natalia Kills - Problem

I thought Natalia Kills 2011 debut album was a pretty rad slice of sytnthpop with just enough edge to it to make it cool. But while I liked Perfectionist, it never really found its way into my "heavy rotation." Well Problem, the first single off her upcoming album Trouble, won't suffer from such a fate. It's killer industrial rhythms and punchy vocals make it a can't miss summer smash. Oh, by the way, it's hot as hell and I thought that way well before I saw the video . . . be warned, it's a bit racy.

23 July 2013 - Hunter Hayes - I Want Crazy

Quite frankly I've been all over the map when it comes to super-talented country singer/songwriter Hunter Hayes. I really liked the 21-year-old's first single, the up-tempo and clever Storm Warning, but quickly turned on him with the boyband-worthy ballad Wanted (his first No. 1...of course). By the time his third single Somebody's Heartbreak came out I was ambivalent at first, but started to lighten up to the point where I actually kind of like it. As I said, the kid is super-talented. He plays a ton of instruments and writes his own music so I can see the potential, even when I don't like every song.

That brings us to the most recent single, I Want Crazy. Damn. This song is ridiculously catchy due in part to great lyrics co-penned by the magnificent Lori McKenna and the rolling mandolin playing throughout the song. Oh, and I really like this video too.

22 July 2013 - Blur - Song 2 / Ke$ha - Woo Hoo

WOO HOO!

Even if you don't know the name of this song, or the band, you know this song.  It's fun and energetic and practically SCREAMS mid-90's shoegazing alternative music.

But why such a lousy title?

Well, it was a working title that stuck.  However, it was the 2nd track on Blur's 5th album, and also appears as the 2nd track on Blur's greatest hits album.  The song has 2 verses and two choruses.  And the running length of the song?  2:02.



You might remember we have mentioned "Song 2" previously on this post about a Big Time Rush song. That song did not sample "Song 2", as it turns out.  It did sample Ke$ha's song "Woo Hoo", which sampled "Song 2". Here's that song, here, as a bonus.

19 July 2013 - Pete Droge - If You Don't Love Me (I'll Kill Myself)

One of the sweetest and most romantic songs to ever contain a suicide threat....

This song appeared on the soundtrack for the movie Dumb and Dumber. A lot of people loved that movie.  I did not love that movie.  I do love the soundtrack, thought.  The song, by singer/songwriter Pete Droge, is one of the best on a great soundtrack.  (It also appears on his fine album Necktie Second).

And really..... it is a sweet and romantic song.  Even if Pete does threaten to kill himself.

18 July 2013 - Dressy Bessy - Lipstick 2013

While looking for a Dressy Bessy video to post today I got really excited coming across this one with 2013 in the title. There hasn't been a new album by this ridiculously fun Denver indie rock band since 2008. So I settled in, hit play, and then realized it was a rework of one of their early singles. Bummer (don't worry though, the song is aces, I was just hoping for new music). Curious though, I went to their website and found out that they will have a new album out next year. Cannot wait!