28 September 2012 - En Vogue - Free Your Mind

Before this song, I was not a fan of these ladies.  I found them to be your standard R&B girl group, albeit with pretty solid harmonies.

After this song, I saw they were something more - edgier, not afraid to break out a guitar, almost bombastic in their harmonies.  Even the songs I thought were standard R&B fare sounded just a little bit more solid to me, now that I was looking back on them with a different perspective.

As it is, this song hails back to the funkmeister himself, George Clinton, who famously said "Free your mind, and your ass will follow."  This is slightly more family friendly, but still carries the same sentiment.  Plus, it rocks.

27 September 2012 - Gary Numan - Cars

This Gary Numan song has been stuck in my head A LOT lately (it must be in a car commercial...either that or I'm slowly going insane). The funny thing is that I really don't know the words to the song so I just make them up as I go along. It's easy to do and kind of fun. Look, even a toddler can do it.



Now here's the android who originally sang the song.

26 September 2012 - Joydrop - Sometimes Wanna Die / Tara Slone - Mystify

So why is a song that was only featured on alternative and indie radio in the United States a Wicked Guilty Pleasure?  Let me count the ways:

1. It's a power ballad.  Already, we're looking at guilt here.
2. It's a rock group led by a woman dressed in vaguely provocative clothing and occasionally standing in front of a stage fan.
3. Said woman - Tara Slone - was on an  American reality show competition - more on that in a minute.
4. That's Tommy Lee sitting on the couch with Ms. Slone.
5. Tara Slone is also a morning show host - more on THAT in a minute as well.

The pleasure should be obvious - it's a decent power ballad, instantly catchy, and it SHOULD have been a much bigger hit in the States than it was.  It was a minor hit in Canada, which is a good thing.  

 

Oh, and as for my earlier references.  Tara Slone is best known in the States for appearing on the reality competition RockStar:INXS, a show whose prize was the lead vocalist's position in INXS.  Here she is, singing an INXS song for her survival.  While she didn't win - that job went to J.D. Fortune, who I will feature another day on this blog - she did an admirable job on this tune.

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And, as for her morning hosting duties - she is currently a morning hostess on Breakfast Television Calgary.  Here she is, using her musical background to interview another musician.

25 September 2012 - No Doubt - Hella Good

No Doubt's Rock Steady album was a head scratcher for me when it came out in 2001. Apparently, I was the only one who didn't dig it. The critically acclaimed record sold really well (double platinum in the US) and they won a bunch of awards (including two Grammys). I just didn't get it. What do I know? It took time, but a few years ago my pop sensibilities took over and I eventually grew to appreciate and even like Rock Steady (particularly today's song/video). Hey, I can admit when I'm wrong. Hopefully, it won't take me eight years to like their new record -- Push and Shove -- which comes out today.

24 September 2012 - Republica - Ready To Go

If you look too closely at this video from the mid-90's, you'll get seasick from all the movement!  However, the song itself is a great fusion of pop, rock, and dance.  I'm not sure if it was a big enough hit to be a one hit wonder.  I do know it was used as a car commercial at one point, so that's got to count for something, right?



Most people don't realize, however, that this version was a radical remix.  Here is the original, less energetic (but still plenty energetic) version. The video isn't as good, but the song itself, while having an entirely different feel, is still strong.

21 September 2012 - Michelle Branch - Are You Happy Now? / Santana & Michelle Branch - The Game of Love / Timbaland & Michelle Branch - Getaway

I was wondering the other day, "Whatever happened to Michelle Branch?"  I mean, for a few years there, she was a pretty bit hitmaker.

Well, I did some research and found the answer.  But, before I give that to you, why don't you enjoy this video, a top 20 hit from 2003?  It's both dreamy and angry - a little full of teen angst, but with musical talent to back up the angst.



In 2003, Michelle had a Grammy win for Best Pop Collaboration With Vocal - her song "The Game of Love" with Santana.  Even though I'm not a fan of Santana - most overrated guitarist in history? Maybe. - he chose a fantastic and talented artist - who is pretty good with a guitar in her own right - with whom to collaborate.


After that Grammy win, Michelle formed 1/2 of the country duo The Wreckers, a collaboration which earned her another well-deserved Grammy nomination - and who deserve their own posting (and who Scott wrote about in another one of his blogs here).  After that duo broke up, she has remained busy, recording a couple of albums, touring, and collaborating with Timbaland.  Which I have now discovered.

20 September 2012 - INXS - Original Sin

Let's head Down Under for today's 80s Thursday video. I really wanted to post the video for The One Thing if only so I can say Shabooh Shoobah (hey, look I still worked it in!). Unfortunately I couldn't find a decent version of the video. Original Sin from 1984's The Swing works though.