16 July 2013 - The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion - Bellbottoms

I used to play the hell out of The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion in the 90s. Not so much these days though, which is a shame, because they were a fun garage rock band before fun garage rock bands were fashionable. So play this video, shake your thang, and yell BELLBOTTOMS!!!!

15 July 2013 - Karmin - Acapella

It isn't on iTunes until tomorrow.  It's here today.

And c'mon.  You know I love them.  I've proven my love for them.  Time and again.

We won't even talk about the covers.  So many covers.  So, so many covers!

More than any other previous Karmin song, "Acapella" is really the Amy Heidemann show, at least on the surface.  But listen again.  The song is not QUITE a capella.  But it isn't far from that (and yes, Nick Noonan's voice is a lot of the backing instruments, so it's closer than it sounds).  The video itself, a tribute to the primary colors, is stunningly beautiful.

So, enjoy this, enjoy their new album out next month, and maybe go to iTunes and show them a little love tomorrow.


Here's a bonus.  An acoustic version of a song CALLED "Acapella".   I'm sorry.  I like the irony.

12 July 2013 - Taylor Swift - I Knew You Were Trouble

Recently, we started playing music at work.  Of course, we had to choose an office friendly online radio station.  And this song seems to play every hour on the hour.  So I've had a lot of time to analyze this song.

And you know what?  It's brilliantly and subtly constructed.

Yes, Scott.  I just said a Taylor Swift song was brilliantly and subtly constructed.

Unlike this previously featured Taylor Swift song, which beats you over the head with its earwormdom and self-reference ("some indie record that's MUCH cooler than mine" was completely self-referential), "I Knew You Were Trouble" grows on you.  Really listen to this.  For example, pay close attention to the first and second choruses.  The words are the same - Taylor clearly knew you were trouble when you walked in - but there's more force, more harmony in the 2nd.  The song is subtly growing in anger and force throughout.  

Furthermore, I like how Taylor breaks out of her acoustic country comfort zone with this tune.  Some have called this song "dubstep."  It's not like she's Skrillex here, but it is refreshing to see a country-pigeonholed artist not be afraid to take influence from electronic music.  And it makes for an interesting song.

Oh, and by the way.... I also own Red, but I didn't have to embarrass myself at Target to get it.  (I have daughters.  No shame there)

(update: 26 December 2021)

Adding Taylor's Version to all these posts.  1) please listen to these instead 2) I find this version less dubsteppy.

11 July 2013 - Sheryl Crow - Easy

As a long-time Sheryl Crow fan I was unsure of Easy the first time I heard it (actually the first few times if I'm going to be honest). I was certainly surprised that it was playing on the country station and not on the adult-alternative pop station (or whatever the hell they call that format these days). And when I heard the line "We'll play Jack Johnson he's the new Don Ho" I couldn't help but wonder if Don Ho should be insulted -- that is of course, if he was still alive. Despite all that nonsense, Easy's chill summer groove grew on me and I look forward to her new album coming out this September.

10 July 2013 - Ofra Haza - Galbi

Ofra Haza had a nearly perfect voice - a mezzo-soprano, for those who are musically inclined. She is to this day one of the most sampled artists in history.

Her voice is most associated in this country with the M/A/R/R/S song "Pump Up The Volume".  But, as an international superstar, she had her own songs, too.  Here is one of her biggest hits.  As it typical with her music, it combines traditional Hebrew and Yemeni - reflecting her culture - and modern (at least to the late 1980's) elements.

Sadly, her voice was snuffed out too soon, a victim of AIDS.  Because she was (culturally) embarrassed, she delayed getting tested and treated for the disease.  But, thanks to her death, which was controversially publicized by Israeli news, Middle Easterns get tested more now.  It's not worth her death, but it is a positive to the loss of someone who so publicly promoted her culture.

9 July 2013 - Donna Lewis - I Love You Always Forever

I usually have a hard time coming up with artists to feature here at Wicked Guilty Pleasures. Then last week it hit me -- LOOK TO THE PEACH PIT AFTER DARK. It didn't matter who was running the hottest club in Beverly Hills (Valerie, David, Noah, or Dylan) there were plenty of guilty pleasures taking the stage back in the 90s. Like Donna Lewis, for example. Here she is with her hit song from 1996.

8 July 2013 - Smithereens - Yesterday Girl

For about 10 minutes in the late 80's, people cared about The Smithereens.  I mean, I always did, but I don't count.  The pride of Carteret, NJ, they've been making great rock music for over thirty years.  But in 1989 and 1990, they finally broke through to the mainstream for a little bit.

This song, which combined the rock and power pop the band was so well known for writing and performing, was the third single from their album 11.  It wasn't their eleventh album, but their fifth - the title was an homage to the movie Ocean's 11. Actually, they still haven't done 11 albums..... OK, I'm off on a tangent.  Enjoy the music.