I was heading to Best Buy when I was approached by young raggamuffins in the parking lot selling candy to allegedly keep them off the streets. The lead youth had a good marketing ploy to make me feel safe with his sales pitch: the fist bump and a compliment. For those pigmentally challenged folk the “fist bump” is a ghetto handshake that made its way into pop culture where one youth’s fist comes in contact with another youth’s to demonstrate a “hello” without giving up too many germs. Clearly a gesture inspired by Captain Planet or similar super hero comics and the joining of the rings.
When I fist bumped this youth he said “hey big man, think you can help…” something something blah blah. I was actually distracted because I had to see if I agreed with him. Was I in fact a big man? Did this youth lie to my face in order to get a sale? After much thought I decided to accept the role as “big man” and offer my support to this teenager.
But I didn’t have any change on me so he said “then I’ll hit you up on the way out maybe?”
“Maybe, man. Maybe.”
I stayed in Best Buy long enough to avoid the boy, which worked well since I didn’t make change inside the store.
01. Written Today
02. Empty Room
03. Strawberry Shortcakes
04. He’s Been Napping
05. Come With Me
06. Toy
07. Hallway
08. Peach Cobbler
09. Musing
10. Gretchen
11. Run Away, Teri
12. You, Blueberry Muffin
13. I Love My Things
14. Oh’ Dear Handlebars
Marmoset, an Indiana band thats been around in the cult scene for almost 14 years, finally breaks out with their simplistic pop release, Tea Tornado. The songs follow a 2-minute pop song structure, but still hold unique aspects, including the dominant dark, ominous vocals. I really like the way their label put it, “Tea Tornado is too strange to be punk, too free of pretension to be psychedelic or glam, but it’s filled with moments that conjure up each of these genres. Marmoset’s songs deal in dark love, modern confusion, drug haze, poetic nightmares, and melancholy melodies.” That’s better than I could ever put it.
Ontem, dia 29, foram exibidos dois grandes clássicos e um compacto com as principais partidas do dia. A partir das 13h, a emissora exibe, ao vivo, Manchester United x Arsenal, jogo válido pela quarta rodada do Campeonato Inglês.
Com seis pontos em três jogos e na quarta colocação, o Manchester United é o atual campeão inglês, título que conquistou na temporada passada, pela terceira vez consecutiva. Já o Arsenal, de Eduardo da Silva, Denílson, Arshavin e Fabregas, está na terceira posição, com os mesmos seis pontos, mas um jogo a menos.
A partir das 15h, a emissora abriu espaço para outro clássico, desta vez do Campeonato Italiano. O Milan, equipe de Ronaldinho Gaúcho, Alexandre Pato e Thiago Silva, busca sua segunda vitória; enquanto a Inter, tetracampeã italiana, quer a recuperação. A equipe empatou no jogo de estreia com o Bari, em casa, em 1×1.
Hoje, dia 30, a TV Gazeta exibe o jogo entre Portsmouth x Manchester City, partida válida pela 4ª rodada do Campeonato Inglês. Com 100% de aproveitamento, o Manchester City, equipe dos craques Robinho, Tevez, Adebayor e Sylvinho, promete dificultar a vida do Portsmouth, que após três derrotas em três jogos, precisa da recuperação.
‘Too Tough To Die’ é un tema incluído en Quixotic (2003), o primeiro álbum en solitario de Martina Topley-Bird, ex-moza, colaboradora e nai dun fillo de Tricky.
Dous anos máis tarde os Twilight Singers de Greg Dulli incluían a canción no seu disco de versións She Loves You e adaptábana perfectamente ó estilo da banda dándolle un aire máis acertado que a versión orixinal (na miña humilde opinión).
Who wrote these great teen anthems of the sixties: Be My Baby, Today I Met The Boy I’m Gonna Marry, Chapel of Love, Da Doo Ron Ron, I Can Hear Music, Leader of the Pack, Do Wah Diddy Diddy, River Deep and Mountain High and Then He Kissed Me? They are all three-minute masterpieces from the pen of Ellie Greenwich, who died on Wednesday. As a measure of her significance, consider that in 2004 Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 greatest songs of all time included six by Ellie Greenwich and her husband and writing partner, Jeff Barry – more than by any other songwriting team. They had 17 singles in the pop charts of 1964, surpassed only by John Lennon and Paul McCartney of the Beatles and the Americans Holland, Dozier and Holland.
Ellie Greenwich helped to shape and popularize the ‘girl group’ sound of the early ’60s that included such acts as the Ronettes, the Shangri-Las and the Crystals, becoming, in the process, one of the most respected pop songwriters of the era. Like most of her generation, Greenwich was transfixed with the sounds of rock n’ roll and, between college classes, hung out at a local record shop in her home of Hicksville, New York. The owner of the shop introduced Greenwich to some label scouts and soon she found herself recording a single for MCA under the name Ellie Gaye. The single flopped, however, but in a moment of fate she met aspiring songwriter Jeff Barry in 1962 at a party and soon the two began writing songs together, eventually becoming husband and wife. After composing for a few short months, the duo made an appointment at the famed Brill Building where other songwriting teams such as Leiber and Stoller, King and Goffin and Mann and Weil where beginning to find success. Greenwich and Barry were taken into the fold by Leiber and Stoller and began writing and producing for Phil Spector’s short-lived Philles label. It was during this period that Greenwich co-wrote some of her most lasting songs, including Da Do Ron Ron and Be My Baby. In 1964 Greenwich and her songwriting husband teamed up with Leiber and Stoller to write for their Red Bird imprint. It was with Red Bird that the girl group sound was molded into perfection by Greenwich, Barry, Leiber, Stoller and producer George “Shadow” Morton. Providing songs for the Dixie Cups (Chapel of Love) and the Shangri-Las (Leader of the Pack), the Red Bird staff produced records whose love-struck lyrical content belied the complication and sophistication of the music. Greenwich continued to write hit records with Jeff Barry, including the seminal River Deep, Mountain High and the Beach Boys 1969 hit I Can Hear Music, but…when their marriage soured so did their writing partnership. Greenwich continued on in the music industry, recording a singer-songwriter album for Verve Records in 1973 and providing background vocals to many of rock’s biggest stars. [Allmusic]
On the Ellie Greenwich website there is this piece which Ellie wrote several years ago. Called Lure Of An Era (60’s Music), it crystallizes the impact of these songs back then – and the way their magic still lingers:
I’ll be the first to admit that when I first started writing songs professionally, in the early 60’s, I never,not once, wondered what would be going on twenty-five, thirty years later. Oh, sure, I wondered how my marriage would be, how many kids I would have, where I would be living, and what I would be doing…but I never considered whether or not the music that was being created during this era would have longevity and survive.
Listening to the radio today, and seeing the number of revivals and “Oldies” shows, it’s obvious that the music has lived and thrived. It has done that in spite of what would seem to be cultural changes and a more complex society. If you view the survival and prospering of 60’s music from a somewhat psychological reference, maybe it’s survival makes a lot of sense.
Being a grown-up…I mean a true fifty-ish/sixty-ish adult…who has had many cyclesof good and bad times, illnesses, death of family members, etc., coming to terms with certain realities, and realizing and accepting that while we may feel eighteen and twenty years old, we are not, and we shouldn’t try to be. Life today seems more violent, more complex, more uncertain and harder to hold on to than it was back then, especially the early 60’s. Life was fairly simple and straightforward. There was a large degree of innocence, and flirting, courting and naiveté was the rule, not the exception. The music of that era reflected the simple life and easy times. It was a comfortable place to be, and people knew what to expect. JFK had people feeling hopeful. My generation was just graduating High School or College or moving on to the Trades or the Service. It was an exciting time, and people had a plan…or seemed to. There was something (intangible), to anchor yourself to. One of the biggest anchors was the music which was paramount in every waking hour of their lives…our lives…
Now, thirty years older, I believe that many of my generation have reached a new plateau and it’s an interesting place. You can realize the fruits of years of hard work and you can watch your grown children slipping into the roles you are now leaving, but you also are painfully aware that you don’t quite fit into society any longer. It’s not the same world you knew. You are facing old age (oops!…I mean the “Golden Years”), and you really don’t want to. It’s a frightening time for many people. We feel somewhat scattered and directionless and we wish we were back in the 60’s. We need to grab that anchor of stability once again, but can’t find it…until we hear a familiar tune on the radio…you know, a song we listened to while our parents nagged and complained; a song we first-kissed to; a song we listened to with our friends while hanging out, sometimes pretending to be the groups themselves. And for those precious moments we can go back where we came from – go back to where it was fun, happy, safe, simple and comfortable. Need I say more?
Ike & Tina Turner: River Deep Mountain High
The Crystals: Da Doo Ron Ron
Beach Boys: I Can Hear Music
Ellie Greenwich: Goodnight, Goodnight
Links
This should be my first of many Australian unsigned acts, as I believe there is a ton of great unknown talent down under. Peregrine is a fairly new band to me, but I’m instantly impressed.
They list “Rockabilly” as one of their “styles” on their myspace and I think that’s probably the perfect description of what they do. Mixing a nice blend of Australian rock with more American pop sounds, you get a fairly unique sound – don’t think Jet, think more like an Aussie-rock version of The Fray, perhaps.
There’s less upbeat going on here and more of an attempt at thoughtfulness even. The band still rocks when they want to, but they’re not afraid to slow it down and they’re never shy about adding some piano into a track.
I have a hard time figuring out just how well-known these guys are – I obviously got a tip on them myself, but found their style to be interesting enough to include them here in today’s posting. They do a fine job, have a very nicely-mixed sound, and seem to have tons of room for potential. This is radio rock, but with just a twinge of something different enough to make them worth your time and mine.
Sounds like: An FM rock band that’s smarter than an FM rock band.
FeFe Dobson talked to Honey Magazine about Rihanna cold-jacking her style:
“I mean, for sure I question that, but who wouldn’t. She is supposedly a fan of mine. I try to take it as a compliment. It gets a little much when she starts getting the same tattoos as me but overall I just want people to separate the image and listen to the music. It’s about the music. Its like Prince and Michael Jackson, totally different artists. Or its like Kanye West and Jay-Z. So what? They are both black men, they sound different. So they both wear jeans, they are different.”
“I met her when she was the dance hall queen with the long hair. She was a nice girl but very quiet.“
What is it like being Pixie Lott – 18-year-old pop star and already with a #1 hit, Mama Do, under her belt and a much anticipated studio album on the way?
It’s been an exciting and crazy experience so far. I get to travel the world a fair bit and meet my fans from all around. I do miss my friends back home though, and I cannot wait to go back and hang out with them!
Why Pixie Lott?
It’s a baby name my mom gave me when I was borned. I was such a tiny little thing! And the name just sort of stuck around.
How does it feel like being the one female and solo performer at the MTV World Stage?
Haha, it was quite a wonderful and fun experience altogether, especially to share the stage with such amazing bands. I’ve also gotten compliments from fans, so that’s always nice!
Did you enjoy any of the performers last night?
I thought All-American Rejects were good. And it was also nice to see Raygun perform, mainly because we’re from the same country.
Did you have a chance to hang out with the other bands?
No, not really. The schedule is pretty tight for me and there is barely time for me to take a breather. I had to skip the after party because I’ve already made plans to meet up with a friend of mine in Malaysia for sushi. After the show, my parents and I were already craving for food so we just skipped all the hoorah to have a little quiet time. But I’ve met Tyson Ritter of All-American Rejects before, so it was great to see him again here.
You started off your career as an actress in shows and plays like West End’s Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Celebrate the Sound of Music. How has that helped you with your music career now?
It has helped me a lot in the sense of performing to a massive audience. I’ve learned how to keep my nerves in check. It doesn’t get too stressed out about singing in front of a big audience because I’ve kind of done that before already. So, it’s all pretty much natural to me.
Any plans of going back to the theatrical roots?
Sure, why not? I’d like to perform in a play for Chicago.
At only 18, your music career has kicked off quite early in life. Do you ever worry that things will get jaded for you by the time you hit your 20s, like how it was for Britney Spears?
Nah, that doesn’t concern me, really. My label and parents keep a stern eye on me, and I’m confident they will not let me walk down that road. It’s really a matter of choice when it comes to these kinds of things. I grew up in a neighbourhood that breeds such bad influences and vices, but drugs do not really appeal to me.
So, when you’re not performing on stage, what are you doing during her free time?
Sleep. I need lots of sleep! And also hang out with my friends – go watch a movie, shopping or clubbing.
You mentioned hanging out with your friends a lot. Do they treat you any differently now that you’re famous?
Not really. I have been friends with them way before I became famous, and I don’t think they treat me any differently now. But they’re supportive of my career. They go to all of my shows in the UK.
Being only 18 and underage, do you ever have any problems getting into clubs despite your fame?
Sometimes. A lot of times I tag along with my elder sister, and she could bring me in. That’s the good thing about having an older sister. There were a few times when my friends and I would dress up and all, but they’d get turned away. So, it’s one of those moments when I get to laugh at their faces because I get to go in, but they can’t!
But I’ve also gotten into trouble a few times. I was pulled out of the club, and once, I even had my sister’s passport confiscated! She was so angry and didn’t speak to me for weeks. But that’s how our relationship goes. I have a love/hate relationship with her, like all siblings do. But she’s still one of my best friends.
After your performance at MTV World Stage, I’m sure there are a few fans out there developing a celebrity crush on you. Do you have any celebrity crushes yourself?
I kind of have a crush on Robert Pattinson and Zac Efron. I don’t know them in person but Pattinson as Edward Cullen (in Twilight) seems like a kind and strong character, and Efron as Troy Bolton (in High School Musical) is a very nice and kind person.
Since we’re on the topic of guys, how can a guy grab your attention?
The guy would have to have the same interest as me, and he has to be funny too. To me, it’s important to be in the same wavelength with each other to make the relationship work.
Do you have a special someone waiting for you back home?
Haha, no. But I do have a few options.
Who are your music influences?
Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston. When I was young, I would put their music on full blast and sing along to them in the living room!
What’s playing on your iPod right now?
Currently, I’m listening to Kings of Leon and MGMT.
You look great in your music videos, Mama Do and Boys and Girls. Do you have a workout plan you stick to?
Haha, thanks. But unfortunately, no. There hasn’t been enough time for me to hit the gym because my schedule has been so tight. I just make sure I consume a lot of healthy food in my diet. I take Vitamin Cs, and fruits – probably a little too much of that, but I just love fruits. Also, plenty of water and peppermint tea. And also to warm up my vocals before hitting the stage every night.
Your debut album, Turn it Up, is dropping into stores on September 14, which is less than a month away. What would you be doing the night before your album is released?
I’m not sure how’s the schedule going to be for me that night, but I’m sure it’s going to be a riot. But if there’s nothing work-related going on, I’d do something as normal as hanging out with my friends. Maybe dress up and head out for a party just to get it out of the system.
Tell us a bit about the album.
It’s up tempo and fun while showing a more serious side of me. It’s an album that portrays the different sides and personalities I have. I try to have as much diversity as I can in the album, and not have one song sounding exactly like the other. It’s my debut album, so I’d definitely want it to be one that will grab people’s attention.
What will you be turning up exactly?
The vibe. The feel. I’d definitely be turning it up loud because loud music is always the best!
You did a cover of OneRepublic’s Apologize and Kings of Leon’s Use Somebody. Are there any songs out there that you wished you’ve penned down first instead?
I’d have to say Love Come Down by Evelyn King. How I wish I’ve written that first!
Finally, in three words, how would you describe your music style?
I’d have to say: fresh, soulful and contemporary.
I will let you in on a secret. Before Pixie Lott arrived for her interview with us, we at the table shared a little info one of us overheard that she is a little bit of an airhead. Did she prove us wrong on that? Well.
Granted the interview was in the afternoon the next day after MTV World Stage, and we were all still tired from the stalkarazzi and the quarter day standaround we did during the concert, she was pretty – nice. Most of the time.
Very much like Raygun, being kind in answering the questions we bombarded her. But it was not rocket science that she was pooped and would like to hop on a plane and head back to the UK to see her friends, which she mentioned more often than not throughout the interview.
Why Pixie Lott?
It’s a baby name my mom gave me when I was born. I was such a tiny little thing! And the name just sort of stuck around.
How does it feel like being the one female and solo performer at the MTV World Stage?
Haha, it was quite a wonderful and fun experience altogether, especially to share the stage with such amazing bands. I’ve also gotten compliments from fans, so that’s always nice!
Did you enjoy any of the performers last night?
Erm, to be honest, I thought they were pretty much the same thing, what with the rock music and tight jeans and all. Heh. But I thought All-American Rejects were good. And it was also nice to see Raygun perform, mainly because we’re from the same country.
Did you have a chance to hang out with the other bands?
No, not really. The schedule is pretty tight for me and there is barely time for me to take a breather. I had to skip the after party because I’ve already made plans to meet up with a friend of mine in Malaysia for sushi. But I’ve met Tyson Ritter of All-American Rejects before, so it was great to see him again here.
At only 18, your music career has kicked off quite early in life. Do you ever worry that things will get jaded for you by the time you hit your 20s, like how it was for Britney Spears?
Nah, that doesn’t concern me, really. My label and parents keep a stern eye on me, and I’m confident they will not let me walk down that road. It’s really a matter of choice when it comes to these kinds of things. I grew up in a neighbourhood that breeds such bad influences and vices, but drugs do not really appeal to me.
So, when you’re not performing on stage, what are you doing during her free time?
Sleep. I need lots of sleep! And also hang out with my friends – go watch a movie, shopping or clubbing.
Being only 18 and underage, do you ever have any problems getting into clubs despite your fame?
Sometimes. A lot of times I tag along with my elder sister, and she could bring me in. That’s the good thing about having an older sister. There were a few times when my friends and I would dress up and all, but they’d get turned away. So, it’s one of those moments when I get to laugh at their faces because I get to go in, but they can’t!
After your performance at MTV World Stage, I’m sure there are a few fans out there developing a celebrity crush on you. Do you have any celebrity crushes yourself?
I kind of have a crush on Robert Pattinson and Zac Efron. I don’t know them in person but Pattinson as Edward Cullen seems like a kind and strong character, and Efron as Troy Bolton is a very nice and kind person.
Since we’re on the topic of guys, how can a guy grab your attention?
The guy would have to have the same interest as me, and he has to be funny too. To me, it’s important to be in the same wavelength with each other to make the relationship work.
Do you have a special someone waiting for you back home?
Haha, no. But I do have a few options.
Your debut album, Turn it Up, is dropping into stores on September 14, which is less than a month away. What would you be doing the night before your album is released?
I’m not sure how’s the schedule going to be for me that night, but I’m sure it’s going to be a riot. But if there’s nothing work-related going on, I’d do something as normal as hanging out with my friends. Maybe dress up and head out for a party just to get it out of the system.
Tell us a bit about the album.
It’s up tempo and fun while showing a more serious side of me. It’s an album that portrays the different sides and personalities I have. I try to have as much diversity as I can in the album, and not have one song sounding exactly like the other. It’s my debut album, so I’d definitely want it to be one that will grab people’s attention.
What will you be turning up exactly?
The vibe. The feel. I’d definitely be turning it up loud because loud music is always the best!
You did a cover of OneRepublic’s Apologize and Kings of Leon’s Use Somebody. Are there any songs out there that you wished you’ve penned down first instead?
I’d have to say Love Come Down by Evelyn King. How I wish I’ve written that first!
Here is Mama Do, featured on her upcoming album, Turn It Up.
Final instalment of MTV World Stage. Hope you all enjoyed. I shall crawl back to my hole now.
++
Also check out: MTV World Stage : Interview with Raygun MTV World Stage : Interview with Stank MTV World Stage “Live in Malaysia” MTV World Stage : Backstage
I always feel a small amount of shame when someone looks at my ipod track listing. It’s really gay. That’s not to say that I only listen to girly pop music, far from it, but lots of stuff that I listen to is exactly that. I love me some Girls Aloud and Wonder Girls. One girl group that has really taken me by surprise is The Saturdays.
I can remember first hearing the debut single, If This Is Love, ages ago on a music channel at like 1am. I should have been sleeping but heard this new song. I heard it again a couple of days later – roughly at the same time too. They make really catchy pop songs and are unashamed about it. Pop music is cool! It has such a bad stigma. Anyways! I’m going off track.
They’ve barely finished touring for their first album but already have a new song out from a second album. I guess their record company, Polydor, want to capitalise on the fact that there is no Girls Aloud release this coming year. The lead single from their sophomore album is called Forever Is Over. It’s less pop, more club, more edge. It reminds me of Call The Shots by Girls Aloud, not just sonically. It has the feel of: ‘look, we’re growing as an artist’ when they’re not really growing at all, just a slightly different sound.
I’ll probably end up listening to this loads. So much cool new music coming out of Britain at the moment! Where to find time to listen to it all?
Miami based band the Postmarks follow through on the promise of their debut record, and then some, with their excellent sophomore release, Memoirs At The End Of The World. Like on the first album, the Postmarks (Tim Yehezkely, Christopher Moll and Jonathan Wilkins) find inspiration in 60’s pop by way of Burt Bacharach and the like, but expand their range of influences on this record to 60’s movie composers, most notably John Barry and his work for the James Bond films, but also composers along the lines of Michel Legrand and Francis Lai, among others. The music is by and large lush and romantic sounding, but with undercurrents of mystery, intrigue and even a bit of menace. It’s great stuff, an inspired mix of retro influences, Yehezkely’s savvy, seductive vocals and a very modern indie pop sensibility. The release of Memoirs At The End Of The World is an indie pop event of the first order, and as such, it’s highly recommended. Standout cuts: “No One Said This Would Be Easy,” “Thorn In Your Side,” “I’m In Deep” and “Go Jetsetter.”
This is getting difficult now, it truly is. Little did I know when I started this project back in March (Check out what that post and this whole thing is about HERE.) that it would take up so much of my time, my thoughts and my listening time. Not that I’m complaining, this project is forcing me to go on quite the musical journey, raking up tons of memories as I go…
67. Michael Jackson - Dirty Diana [4:41] [time remaining 749.00] (Drop io) (Alt Link YSI)
This track was due to belong in this list since day one. I held off from entering it recently in light of Michael Jackson’s death and the media circus that followed, but I don’t believe the circus will be leaving town for quite some time, definitely not before this project is complete so now is as good a time as any. His album ‘Bad‘ was the first I ever owned, given to me on my 4th or 5th birthday by my dog. Yes, my dog. My mum even completed a card on his behalf, with a paw print as his signature…the things our parents expect us to believe hey? I could sit here and tell you how much the album moved me on first listen, but lets face it, I was 5, what did I know? As I got a little older, I grew out of the other tapes I played on repeat (New Kids On The Block, Take That) and it soon started to make sense that this man would be one of the only two artists I would respect from my childhood until the present day (the second being Kylie Minogue, if you’re interested). ‘Dirty Diana‘ is my track of choice purely for its epic, stage made presence. It never fails to give me goosebumps and the urgency in Jackson’s voice never fails to appear as anything but genuine. This for me is the perfect display of an incredibly talented musician, a legend, something Jackson will always be.
68. Zolof the Rock and Roll Destroyer – Argh, I’m A Pirate [1:54] [time remaining 747:06] (Drop io) (Alt Link YSI)
Nothing could be further removed from the previous choice than this. There is no illusion of grandeur in relation to this song, I’m not going to declare my admiration for its technical brilliance, not at all. Its a very simple, pop punk song. But to me, ‘Argh, I’m A Pirate‘ is one minute and fifty four seconds of pop punk perfection. The melody is catchy, the beat is bouncy and the lyrics are incredibly cute, if not a little juvenile. “You and me we’re like little machines / We run around the room and mess up sheets / No one can put me to sleep, expect you” – makes me smile without fail, everytime I hear it. And for that reason, no matter how pathetic it may seem, it makes my 1000 minutes.
Whenever the sun comes out, something in my head insists that I listen to Ash. I don’t know what it is about them that stops their sound becoming stale to my ears, they’re not the most original or pioneering band by any stretch of the imagination. But I guess for me, listening to Ash is like slipping on an old, but incredibly comfy pair of trainers. It doesn’t matter if the sole is falling off, or if my toes poke out the end, something about them is undeniably safe. ‘Free All Angels‘ was an album completely worn out by myself and a former girlfriend several years ago, it will always remind me of driving around Bournemouth with the car windows down, her feet up on the dashboard and the stereo pumped up high. Perfect summer music.
