Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Sunday, August 12, 2012
The Evolution Of My Shopping Cart
You know you have reached middle age when the contents of your shopping basket (or cart, for the online-savvy) has changed and you now find it filled with more practical and more “investment” items as compared to flights of fancy and hobby-driven items of yore. My current shopping cart has items that will help me either with work or the house (home, to be emotionally correct).
I remember for the most part of my early pubescent years, my extra allowance was spent on books. If there was 4Square back then, you will see how I frequent a lot of Booksale branches. I amassed enough books to build a small library and a lot of these books I didn’t even read. I read first those I borrowed. Then soon life got in the way. College life.
The discovery of teenage angst and the psychological shock that is UP Diliman set the symphony for my small-scale love for music that eventually came to a raging crescendo. My bookshelf was replaced by a CD rack. I’d be honest to admit I bought mostly pirated CDs back then. Those were the days of Referendum when pirated CDs weren’t cheap and they came with proper CD sleeves (with lyrics and all). I amassed a lot of CDs (oh and DVDs as well), enough to put up my own radio station. Unlike the aforementioned books, at least I enjoyed most of these CDs until they skipped from constant play. But again life got in the way. Work life. The CDs became background music and I was obsessed with numbers, powerpoints and people.
Fast forward to ten years later. Downloaded MP3 killed the CD buyer. Looking at my personal expense summary, the money remaining after utilities, rent, financial obligations now goes to clothes and home improvement stuff. People close to me know that when I’m stressed out, I usually resort retail therapy and clothes and home stuff are my weakness and strength.
Clothes are more of tools of the trade, e.g. you have to look sharp at work. I’m partial to Euro-Brit style which is casual but rightly put up (layered without being overdressed). Laid back but classic. As offshoot of this layering, jacket and outers became my collection of sorts. But I make sure I only have one per type (hoodie, sporty-vintage, casual-leathery…you get it). I even stick to classic and neutral colors so I don’t have to buy a lot. Same goes for shoes. One per type (formal, loafer, sneakers) and stick with neutrals. Red boat shoes look nice but too risqué for me. And difficult to match without looking like you got lost on your way to a magazine photoshoot. For a guy, I have amassed quite a number of jackets, shoes and uhmmm...bags.
Being a proud bachelor, I managed to be very territorial and obsessive about my space. Lately, my new “hobby” has been home improvement stuff. At this age, I like going home to a comfy, organized and stress-free abode. I’m a fan of minimalist look and I want to make my room worthy of an Ikea catalogue feature. I don’t know where I got my penchant for Ikea. I just like their simple and uncluttered look and multi-purpose and space-saving ideas. Over the past year, I have collected a lot of Ikea items; mostly bought and some given by dear friends as gifts or hand-me-downs. During my last trip to Malaysia, my luggage back was half-filled with Ikea items. It was a feat to squeeze them into 2 luggage.
From browsing at home improvement magazines, I have learned that you have to unify the look of your room by limiting the colors. The theme of my small room is black-white-soft brown. Makes it bigger and less cluttered. I am now in search of a dual-purpose bedside drawer. With a lot of retailers opening in Manila, I do hope Ikea will be here soon. The Ikea stuff I buy here are from handlers and price are quite absurd. But again, they are my guilty pleasures.
Yes, I know these are but perks of being single. Call me names and push your pro-family agenda on me and I’ll just smile. I like it this way and I see these as more reasons to stay unattached. Oh well, that would be another blog entry.
For now, I need my bedside drawer. And a tapered casual pants in light khaki.
***
Found this related photo that just made me smile:
Saturday, April 23, 2011
The Script Experience
They had me at “I’m not moving.”
I first came across them in 2008 when their first single We Cry was shown every hour on MTV; as they were then the featured new artist of the month. Frankly, I wasn’t that impressed. I mean I didn’t hate it but I didn’t dig it either. Then one afternoon, I stumbled upon a song that aptly described my emotional well-being (or lack thereof) at that moment. Only to discover that it was from the same folks that spawned We Cry.
I bought their debut album by virtue of that song which will eventually be their biggest hit here: The Man Who Can’t Be Moved. And to say that I was wowed with every song thereafter was an understatement. I am not exaggerating when I say their debut CD never left my player all these years; it was one of the few CDs I could listen to in its entirety. I even got to like We Cry because at some point I got its message.
So what’s with The Script? First and foremost, their songs speak the universal language of love and heartbreak. Ergo, everyone that’s ever been in love and had their heart broken can relate to their songs. Cheesy, I know. But try it. As a friend pointed out there is always a couple of lines in their songs that would scrape at your tortured heart until their pain is your pain. Aside from the heartfelt lyrics, their melodies are ear- and radio-friendly. Yes, their sound is more mainstream pop than other bands out there but it’s the kind of pop that you never outgrow. And did I mention that their songs are irresistibly sing-along as well?
So imagine my elation when I learned that they will come to Manila for a concert this April. To think that I almost gave in to a friend’s suggestion to catch them live in Hong Kong. Wanting a music fix, I planned to watch The Script and Switchfoot but my cousin had a brilliant plan to just get higher priced tickets to The Script. Unfortunately and as expected, the tickets sold out fast and we have no choice but to get a higher-than-planned tickets. First time that I would spend this much for two hours of aural pleasure and emo-ness. But I know it will be worth it. I was counting down the days to April 16.
Hats off to the organizers for staging it in Araneta. I missed a lot of good acts just because I hate the chosen venues (MOA concert grounds and The Fort being the ultimate turnoffs). That includes Lifehouse, Daughtry and Mandy Moore...yes, THE Mandy Moore during her Wild Hope tour! So you can see how picky I am when it comes to venue.
Weeks before they came, a friend asked out of the blue: Do you know The Script? It’s like you wrote their songs. Ok, I don’t know if that was a testament to my writing skills or a diss at my tendency to be emo. I’d take that as a complimentary barb.
I was practically invincible the week leading to April 16; it was the proverbial light at the end of the dark tunnel that was my work week. Days before, I had to listen to Science and Faith, their sophomore set. I’ve had it since it was released but my busy schedule prevented me from soaking in it. But if lead singles For The First Time and Nothing were any indication, this CD is far from the dreaded sophomore jinx; it was nothing short of brilliant.
Finally, April 16. We were in Araneta Center with some minutes to burn for dinner and revel in the excitement that is in the air. Last time I was here was 7 years ago I think. To watch Mandy Moore during her Cry and A Walk To Remember heyday.
Araneta, minutes before the concert, was already stoked. I swear the crowd went berserk when they started testing the lights and sounds. And then they went over-the-top when The Script finally took to the stage! Everyone was on their feet.
They started with You Won’t Feel A Thing, the opening track to their second album. Good choice since this U2-esque song is upbeat, uplifting and one of their more romantic songs (as opposed to their slew of tragic hits). Then it was one hit song after the other, interspersed with equally awesome unreleased tracks. The crowd was singing along to every song, but more loudly on their chartbusters.
For me these are their best five concert moments:
The Man Who Can’t Be Moved – of course, this was a given. What surprised us was that we were expecting this for the encore. But we were damn wrong. I thought Araneta would collapse when we heard the all-too-familiar opening strums. Danny challenged the crowd to sing...which we did of course. The experience was magical; like you were really a part of one big thing. Then Danny started over again to nail the song. At the end of it, he said it makes the hairs at the back of his neck rise when the audience sings back “I’m not moving.”
Science And Faith – One of their more affirmative love anthems. I listened to this song only recently and I saw its huge chart potential. I swear this song is even better sung live. And I had a geekgasm when their backdrop showed flying chemical symbols and math formulas a la 3D. I love this song so much this is now my new ringtone.
Nothing – they narrated a story on how this song came to be. Apparently this was written by Danny (a.k.a Master of Drunken Songwriting) in one of his alcohol-laced stupors (or breakdowns, for that matter). They swore that nothing gets their creative juices flowing like alcohol. So I guess I’m on the write track...I mean RIGHT track. Haha!
The unnamed song – of course I know the title of this song. I just can’t say it because it is way too personal...like bulls-eye personal (so please allow me to keep this a mystery). I was pleasantly surprised when they actually sang this as this was unreleased. Yes, I almost died when I heard the first lines.
Breakeven – In likely concert drama, they said their goodbye but it was obvious that they will have an encore... they haven’t performed two big hits! This and For The First Time. We were all chanting Breakeven! Breakeven! Hence, this became their final act and an excellent way to end the already awesome night.
Bonus: In Talk You Down, it was rather charming when Danny changed London to Manila in the lyrics. Also, as expected the audience roared every time Danny will say something in Tagalog. Yes, the token Mabuhay and Mahal ko kayo in that unmistakable Irish twang.
While the audience were captivated by The Script’s performance, trust it to the Manila crowd to turn the tables. The band, too, were overwhelmed by the audience’s response. At one point I saw Danny cover his mouth agape in awe when he heard the audience singing. Also many times he would exclaim “Oh, you should see what I am seeing right now.”
Overall, it was a show that was everything I wished it will be. Props to The Script for the no-frill, no-nonsense performance. They let the sheer power of their music wash over the audience. I was on my feet the entire time and I was singing along at the start of every song but I have to stop myself so I can hear them sing. My body can’t decide if it will jump and sing or be still and take a video. So most of the videos I took ended up shaky and blurred. I won’t post them here as I know there are better videos posted on YouTube.
The stage backdrop was also simply enchanting; the lighting was downplayed but dramatic and the background videos would subtly complement the songs. I totally loved the street corner video shown as they were singing The Man Who Can’t Be Moved and the numbers on Talk You Down.
It was a short two hours but they sang everything you want them to sing...and more. They have 10 songs each in their two albums and judging from the songs I didn’t hear, I think they sang 16 of the 20 songs. If I had one complaint, it will be that they didn’t sing Live Like We’re Dying, their B-side song that was popularized by AI winner Kris Allen.
The Script promised to come back and though the energy and magic of this night will last me a lifetime, I will defy science and faith just to catch them again.
P.S. To cap off this splendid night, I saw my biggest local celebrity crush when we were exiting Araneta. This is the third time I’ve seen her up close but I’m still spellbound. She is just so simple and elegant. Sigh.
***
These are some of The Scripts tweets. You can tell they were equally pleased with their Manila visit.
As their Twitter follower, I know they always take a photo of their concert audience. This was their Manila money shot:
I first came across them in 2008 when their first single We Cry was shown every hour on MTV; as they were then the featured new artist of the month. Frankly, I wasn’t that impressed. I mean I didn’t hate it but I didn’t dig it either. Then one afternoon, I stumbled upon a song that aptly described my emotional well-being (or lack thereof) at that moment. Only to discover that it was from the same folks that spawned We Cry.
I bought their debut album by virtue of that song which will eventually be their biggest hit here: The Man Who Can’t Be Moved. And to say that I was wowed with every song thereafter was an understatement. I am not exaggerating when I say their debut CD never left my player all these years; it was one of the few CDs I could listen to in its entirety. I even got to like We Cry because at some point I got its message.
So what’s with The Script? First and foremost, their songs speak the universal language of love and heartbreak. Ergo, everyone that’s ever been in love and had their heart broken can relate to their songs. Cheesy, I know. But try it. As a friend pointed out there is always a couple of lines in their songs that would scrape at your tortured heart until their pain is your pain. Aside from the heartfelt lyrics, their melodies are ear- and radio-friendly. Yes, their sound is more mainstream pop than other bands out there but it’s the kind of pop that you never outgrow. And did I mention that their songs are irresistibly sing-along as well?
So imagine my elation when I learned that they will come to Manila for a concert this April. To think that I almost gave in to a friend’s suggestion to catch them live in Hong Kong. Wanting a music fix, I planned to watch The Script and Switchfoot but my cousin had a brilliant plan to just get higher priced tickets to The Script. Unfortunately and as expected, the tickets sold out fast and we have no choice but to get a higher-than-planned tickets. First time that I would spend this much for two hours of aural pleasure and emo-ness. But I know it will be worth it. I was counting down the days to April 16.
Hats off to the organizers for staging it in Araneta. I missed a lot of good acts just because I hate the chosen venues (MOA concert grounds and The Fort being the ultimate turnoffs). That includes Lifehouse, Daughtry and Mandy Moore...yes, THE Mandy Moore during her Wild Hope tour! So you can see how picky I am when it comes to venue.
Weeks before they came, a friend asked out of the blue: Do you know The Script? It’s like you wrote their songs. Ok, I don’t know if that was a testament to my writing skills or a diss at my tendency to be emo. I’d take that as a complimentary barb.
I was practically invincible the week leading to April 16; it was the proverbial light at the end of the dark tunnel that was my work week. Days before, I had to listen to Science and Faith, their sophomore set. I’ve had it since it was released but my busy schedule prevented me from soaking in it. But if lead singles For The First Time and Nothing were any indication, this CD is far from the dreaded sophomore jinx; it was nothing short of brilliant.
Finally, April 16. We were in Araneta Center with some minutes to burn for dinner and revel in the excitement that is in the air. Last time I was here was 7 years ago I think. To watch Mandy Moore during her Cry and A Walk To Remember heyday.
Araneta, minutes before the concert, was already stoked. I swear the crowd went berserk when they started testing the lights and sounds. And then they went over-the-top when The Script finally took to the stage! Everyone was on their feet.
They started with You Won’t Feel A Thing, the opening track to their second album. Good choice since this U2-esque song is upbeat, uplifting and one of their more romantic songs (as opposed to their slew of tragic hits). Then it was one hit song after the other, interspersed with equally awesome unreleased tracks. The crowd was singing along to every song, but more loudly on their chartbusters.
For me these are their best five concert moments:
The Man Who Can’t Be Moved – of course, this was a given. What surprised us was that we were expecting this for the encore. But we were damn wrong. I thought Araneta would collapse when we heard the all-too-familiar opening strums. Danny challenged the crowd to sing...which we did of course. The experience was magical; like you were really a part of one big thing. Then Danny started over again to nail the song. At the end of it, he said it makes the hairs at the back of his neck rise when the audience sings back “I’m not moving.”
Science And Faith – One of their more affirmative love anthems. I listened to this song only recently and I saw its huge chart potential. I swear this song is even better sung live. And I had a geekgasm when their backdrop showed flying chemical symbols and math formulas a la 3D. I love this song so much this is now my new ringtone.
Nothing – they narrated a story on how this song came to be. Apparently this was written by Danny (a.k.a Master of Drunken Songwriting) in one of his alcohol-laced stupors (or breakdowns, for that matter). They swore that nothing gets their creative juices flowing like alcohol. So I guess I’m on the write track...I mean RIGHT track. Haha!
The unnamed song – of course I know the title of this song. I just can’t say it because it is way too personal...like bulls-eye personal (so please allow me to keep this a mystery). I was pleasantly surprised when they actually sang this as this was unreleased. Yes, I almost died when I heard the first lines.
Breakeven – In likely concert drama, they said their goodbye but it was obvious that they will have an encore... they haven’t performed two big hits! This and For The First Time. We were all chanting Breakeven! Breakeven! Hence, this became their final act and an excellent way to end the already awesome night.
Bonus: In Talk You Down, it was rather charming when Danny changed London to Manila in the lyrics. Also, as expected the audience roared every time Danny will say something in Tagalog. Yes, the token Mabuhay and Mahal ko kayo in that unmistakable Irish twang.
While the audience were captivated by The Script’s performance, trust it to the Manila crowd to turn the tables. The band, too, were overwhelmed by the audience’s response. At one point I saw Danny cover his mouth agape in awe when he heard the audience singing. Also many times he would exclaim “Oh, you should see what I am seeing right now.”
Overall, it was a show that was everything I wished it will be. Props to The Script for the no-frill, no-nonsense performance. They let the sheer power of their music wash over the audience. I was on my feet the entire time and I was singing along at the start of every song but I have to stop myself so I can hear them sing. My body can’t decide if it will jump and sing or be still and take a video. So most of the videos I took ended up shaky and blurred. I won’t post them here as I know there are better videos posted on YouTube.
The stage backdrop was also simply enchanting; the lighting was downplayed but dramatic and the background videos would subtly complement the songs. I totally loved the street corner video shown as they were singing The Man Who Can’t Be Moved and the numbers on Talk You Down.
It was a short two hours but they sang everything you want them to sing...and more. They have 10 songs each in their two albums and judging from the songs I didn’t hear, I think they sang 16 of the 20 songs. If I had one complaint, it will be that they didn’t sing Live Like We’re Dying, their B-side song that was popularized by AI winner Kris Allen.
The Script promised to come back and though the energy and magic of this night will last me a lifetime, I will defy science and faith just to catch them again.
P.S. To cap off this splendid night, I saw my biggest local celebrity crush when we were exiting Araneta. This is the third time I’ve seen her up close but I’m still spellbound. She is just so simple and elegant. Sigh.
***
These are some of The Scripts tweets. You can tell they were equally pleased with their Manila visit.
As their Twitter follower, I know they always take a photo of their concert audience. This was their Manila money shot:
Thursday, November 05, 2009
The Heatseekers (November 4, 2009)
For music buffs, here are some songs that are worth downloading. Some of these songs are a couple of months old already but they are still on heavy circulation on my personal playlist and in the airwaves.
* Fireflies – Owl City (HOT PICK!)
* New Perspective – Panic At The Disco (PERSONAL PICK!)
* H.A.T.E.U – Mariah Carey (which stands for "Having A Typical Emotional Upset")
* Who Says – John Mayer
* Doesn’t Mean Anything – Alicia Keys
* Live Like We’re Dying – Kris Allen
* Halfway Gone - Lifehouse
* Meet Me On The Equinox – Death Cab For Cutie
* Life After You – Daughtry
* Issues – The Sundays
* Nothing – FMD
* Where Are You Now - Honor Society
* Celebration – Madonna
* Tell Me Your Name – Christian Bautista
* Man In The Mirror – James Morrison version
***
Here are two mini-reviews of albums you should check out.
WHITE LACE AND PROMISES (Agot Isidro)
I have been a silent fan of Agot since she released her first album back in my high school (casette tape) days. Ok, ok...I have a huge and long-standing crush on her. I have met her thrice in person and she is really nice. Hers is a beauty that is ageless and a relaxed and classy voice that is a welcome alternative to the ear-splitting wails of freakish local divas.
I have long wanted Ms. A to release a revival album since she really did a good job with OPM standards Sa Kanya and Iisa Pa Lamang in her previous works. For this album, she gathered a collection of her favorite wedding songs and gave it her own elegant spin. She has the modern wedding anthems: From This Momentand Runaway (given second life after being used in the Judy Ann-Ryan wedding). She even threw in some forgotten hits: Fallen (from Pretty Woman) and Together Forever (Rico Puno’s and not Rick Astley’s). Her rendition of Fallen is smooth and refreshing and her tender rendition of Looking Through The Eyes Of Love brings back the soulful meaning to the song that is often vandalized by screaming divas.
This CD also comes in a neat packaging, the best I have seen for a local release. It is made to look like a wedding invitation.
Best Track: Fallen
Skip This: When You Say Nothing At All (the song is just too overplayed)
MEMOIRS OF AN IMPERFECT ANGEL (Mariah Carey)
For the record, MC’s past two CDs (Emancipation of Mimi and E=MC2) really glittered...uhmm pun intended. In her new studio album, MC upped her vibe by fusing old school R&B and her trademark slinky urban rhythms. Think My All plus Breakdown. Here, MC tones down her high-octave vocals in exchange for breathy whispers which clearly suits the new song formats.
Memoirs is a pretty consistent album and each track flows effortlessly to the next via well-placed interludes. This makes the whole of the album pretty enjoyable. The imperfection of Memoirs lies in its lack of a smash #1 chartbuster (the likes of We Belong Together and Bye Bye). However, songs here grow on you with each listen; the third single H.A.T.E.U., for instance. Also missing are the slick/flirty pop ditties like Touch My Body. Instead, we have venomous back-at-you songs Obsessed (her latest 1M-selling single) and Betcha Gon Know, with the later adding shock value as MC says the F word. A different side to MC but still worth listening.
Best Track: Angels Cry
Skip This: Up Out My Face (even the paired interlude is kinda weird)
* Fireflies – Owl City (HOT PICK!)
* New Perspective – Panic At The Disco (PERSONAL PICK!)
* H.A.T.E.U – Mariah Carey (which stands for "Having A Typical Emotional Upset")
* Who Says – John Mayer
* Doesn’t Mean Anything – Alicia Keys
* Live Like We’re Dying – Kris Allen
* Halfway Gone - Lifehouse
* Meet Me On The Equinox – Death Cab For Cutie
* Life After You – Daughtry
* Issues – The Sundays
* Nothing – FMD
* Where Are You Now - Honor Society
* Celebration – Madonna
* Tell Me Your Name – Christian Bautista
* Man In The Mirror – James Morrison version
***
Here are two mini-reviews of albums you should check out.
WHITE LACE AND PROMISES (Agot Isidro)
I have been a silent fan of Agot since she released her first album back in my high school (casette tape) days. Ok, ok...I have a huge and long-standing crush on her. I have met her thrice in person and she is really nice. Hers is a beauty that is ageless and a relaxed and classy voice that is a welcome alternative to the ear-splitting wails of freakish local divas.
I have long wanted Ms. A to release a revival album since she really did a good job with OPM standards Sa Kanya and Iisa Pa Lamang in her previous works. For this album, she gathered a collection of her favorite wedding songs and gave it her own elegant spin. She has the modern wedding anthems: From This Momentand Runaway (given second life after being used in the Judy Ann-Ryan wedding). She even threw in some forgotten hits: Fallen (from Pretty Woman) and Together Forever (Rico Puno’s and not Rick Astley’s). Her rendition of Fallen is smooth and refreshing and her tender rendition of Looking Through The Eyes Of Love brings back the soulful meaning to the song that is often vandalized by screaming divas.
This CD also comes in a neat packaging, the best I have seen for a local release. It is made to look like a wedding invitation.
Best Track: Fallen
Skip This: When You Say Nothing At All (the song is just too overplayed)
MEMOIRS OF AN IMPERFECT ANGEL (Mariah Carey)
For the record, MC’s past two CDs (Emancipation of Mimi and E=MC2) really glittered...uhmm pun intended. In her new studio album, MC upped her vibe by fusing old school R&B and her trademark slinky urban rhythms. Think My All plus Breakdown. Here, MC tones down her high-octave vocals in exchange for breathy whispers which clearly suits the new song formats.
Memoirs is a pretty consistent album and each track flows effortlessly to the next via well-placed interludes. This makes the whole of the album pretty enjoyable. The imperfection of Memoirs lies in its lack of a smash #1 chartbuster (the likes of We Belong Together and Bye Bye). However, songs here grow on you with each listen; the third single H.A.T.E.U., for instance. Also missing are the slick/flirty pop ditties like Touch My Body. Instead, we have venomous back-at-you songs Obsessed (her latest 1M-selling single) and Betcha Gon Know, with the later adding shock value as MC says the F word. A different side to MC but still worth listening.
Best Track: Angels Cry
Skip This: Up Out My Face (even the paired interlude is kinda weird)
Monday, November 02, 2009
In The Shadow Of The New Moon
Even if Halloween just whizzed us by, the New Moon fever is very much aglow. I have barely two weeks to finish this book before the movie rolls out.
To be honest, I got into the Twilight bandwagon just to be "in" on the new pop phenomenon (part of our Marketing lifestyle). And because F pressured us. I found the book a bit juvenile...like Anne Rice rewriting Sweet Valley High with bloody ink. But this does not make the book any less enjoyable. It combines two compelling fantasies...the existence of vampires and the discovery of true love despite the odds.
The movie is different though and far from juvenile. I think it did justice to the book, which seldom happens when you bring a novel to silverscreen life. Everything seemed to be well thought of...from the casting to the cinematography. Even the OST and musical score is superb. The OST immortally resided on my player (I still can't get over that Iron & Wine track).
I’m a fifth into the book and newsflash: the new moon has casted a shadow over me. I blame it for feeling morose and aloof today. Agony is universal, no matter what the phase of the moon will be.
Excuse me while I sulk... I mean excuse me while I resume my reading.
To be honest, I got into the Twilight bandwagon just to be "in" on the new pop phenomenon (part of our Marketing lifestyle). And because F pressured us. I found the book a bit juvenile...like Anne Rice rewriting Sweet Valley High with bloody ink. But this does not make the book any less enjoyable. It combines two compelling fantasies...the existence of vampires and the discovery of true love despite the odds.
The movie is different though and far from juvenile. I think it did justice to the book, which seldom happens when you bring a novel to silverscreen life. Everything seemed to be well thought of...from the casting to the cinematography. Even the OST and musical score is superb. The OST immortally resided on my player (I still can't get over that Iron & Wine track).
I’m a fifth into the book and newsflash: the new moon has casted a shadow over me. I blame it for feeling morose and aloof today. Agony is universal, no matter what the phase of the moon will be.
Excuse me while I sulk... I mean excuse me while I resume my reading.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Kanye At The VMAs: Heartless
Last Monday, the web sizzled with news that Kanye West hijacked Taylor Swift’s speech during the MTV Video Music Awards. When Taylor (currently the biggest selling artist of 2009) was onstage accepting her Best Female Video award for You Belong With Me, Kanye grabbed the mic and said that Beyonce should have won the award. Towards the end of the program, Beyonce (who was ultimately awarded the top Video Of The Year prize) would call Taylor again onstage to reclaim her moment.
Celebrities quickly rallied against Kanye. Pink, a fellow nominee in Taylor’s category called Kanye “the biggest piece of sh*t on earth.” Kelly Clarkson blogged: The best part of this evening is that you weren’t even up for THIS award and yet you still have a problem with the outcome. I was actually nominated in the same category that Taylor won and I was excited for her...so why can’t you be??
Later, Kanye would have a lucid interval and apologize profusely. But what for? As OneRepublic would sing: it’s too late to apologize.
I want to just laugh this off as an awards show antic (remember the Bruno-Eminem moment at the MTV Movie Awards?). It’s something I expected from Kanye. He has a long history of forcing his opinions in the most inappropriate of occasions.
I never cared for Kanye and I know I never will. I like some of his songs but I am not really a fan. True, he has the talent that makes him standout in the music world. But that talent is overshadowed by his shameless attitude. I think rappers need to market themselves via huge egos (again in reference to Eminem). They need it to assert their street cred. But Kanye is a really bringing “egotistic” to an insensitive and tasteless new level.
I don’t think Kanye did this to show his admiration for Beyonce (she was obviously embarrassed). He did this for himself. Kanye thinks his opinion rises above everybody else’s. FYI, Kanye, awards like the MTV Awards are fans-centric. You are free to make your own KW Awards where you can venerate all your biases.
Now I can’t help wondering if Beyonce’s song Ego was inspired by Kanye.
I am an advocate of respecting people’s opinions. But here’s my two cents: I am not impressed at all by Beyonce’s Single Ladies video. While the song is catchy, all she does in the video is gyrate in stilettos and leotards. Can someone please tell me what is groundbreaking in that (or “one of the best videos of all time,” to quote Kanye)?
This new development in Kanye’s EGO-logy suddenly renders his song Heartless as autobiographical.
Celebrities quickly rallied against Kanye. Pink, a fellow nominee in Taylor’s category called Kanye “the biggest piece of sh*t on earth.” Kelly Clarkson blogged: The best part of this evening is that you weren’t even up for THIS award and yet you still have a problem with the outcome. I was actually nominated in the same category that Taylor won and I was excited for her...so why can’t you be??
Later, Kanye would have a lucid interval and apologize profusely. But what for? As OneRepublic would sing: it’s too late to apologize.
I want to just laugh this off as an awards show antic (remember the Bruno-Eminem moment at the MTV Movie Awards?). It’s something I expected from Kanye. He has a long history of forcing his opinions in the most inappropriate of occasions.
I never cared for Kanye and I know I never will. I like some of his songs but I am not really a fan. True, he has the talent that makes him standout in the music world. But that talent is overshadowed by his shameless attitude. I think rappers need to market themselves via huge egos (again in reference to Eminem). They need it to assert their street cred. But Kanye is a really bringing “egotistic” to an insensitive and tasteless new level.
I don’t think Kanye did this to show his admiration for Beyonce (she was obviously embarrassed). He did this for himself. Kanye thinks his opinion rises above everybody else’s. FYI, Kanye, awards like the MTV Awards are fans-centric. You are free to make your own KW Awards where you can venerate all your biases.
Now I can’t help wondering if Beyonce’s song Ego was inspired by Kanye.
I am an advocate of respecting people’s opinions. But here’s my two cents: I am not impressed at all by Beyonce’s Single Ladies video. While the song is catchy, all she does in the video is gyrate in stilettos and leotards. Can someone please tell me what is groundbreaking in that (or “one of the best videos of all time,” to quote Kanye)?
This new development in Kanye’s EGO-logy suddenly renders his song Heartless as autobiographical.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
The Heatseekers (August 19, 2009)
It’s been almost two months since I updated the Heatseekers. I was either too busy or too few new songs have registered on my pop-o-meter lately.
Anyway, here are 10 news songs that are on repeat mode on my playlist and are current or future chartbusters:
• Found (Phillip LaRue) - HOT PICK!
• Notion (Kings of Leon)
• Patron Tequila (Keri Hilson feat. T-Pain and Lil John)
• Good Girls Go Bad (Cobra Starship feat Leighton Meester)
• I Quit, I Quit, I Quit (The Click Five)
• Fallin’ For You (Colbie Caillat)
• Roll The Credits (Paula De Anda)
• I Need A Girl (Trey Songz)
• Love Drunk (Boys Like Girls)
• Already Gone (Kelly Clarkson)
***
Speaking of Already Gone, Kelly Clarkson and Beyonce are in a catfight and caught in the middle is songwriter Ryan Tedder (of OneRepublic). The two divas are complaining that their songs Halo (Beyonce’s) and Already Gone sound too much alike. Which is really no surprise because Ryan penned both songs.
Honestly, I wouldn’t have noticed the similarity if they didn’t make a big deal out of it (marketing ploy?). Also because I never really liked Halo. The chorus is very Beyonce: shallow and repetitive (she is always at a loss for words/lyrics).
Moral of the story: Be real and “creative” artists. Compose your own songs so you are not in the mercy of producers and songwriters. Hay naku!
***
Lady Gaga, a recent Philippine visitor, is being touted as the new first lady of pop. I won’t argue with that because she has amassed five hits from her debut album The Fame. That’s no easy feat. But where does that place Katy Perry?
Stripped of her glitz and glam, I would think that Lady Gaga has ample talent. But I’m almost sorry for her because being a pop phenomenon is self-destructing. They need to work double to sustain such interest and avoid being flashes in the pan. Think Britney.
She should also improve her interview skills; she responds robotically and comes off as a tad too phony. Like she was bored and tired. Well, being the new first lady of pop may be tiring.
***
It was disarming to see little girls sing and gyrate to Beyonce's Single Ladies. I saw it one time too many in children’s parties.
I have to again brace myself. Because the same little girls are now dancing to Nobody. Both English and Korean versions.
Where is Sandara Parks when we needed her?
***
What’s with the new Pussycat Doll song (Hush Hush) being promoted as “by the Pussycat Dolls feat. Nicole Scherzinger." Isn’t that already obvious? Like saying Fall Out Boy feat. Pete Wenz or Black Eyed Peas feat. Fergie. Or maybe this is one of the songs that were supposed to be in Nicole’s solo album that never saw the light of day.
The title is a dead giveaway.
By the way, SNN said that Nicole has backed out of Manny Pacquiao's new movie. Yeah, right. Like she was really "in." Law of probability says that a famous star like her should be making a B-rate Hollywood movie. Not a B-rate Filipino movie.
***
Sorry, I am in my TMZ mode.
Anyway, here are 10 news songs that are on repeat mode on my playlist and are current or future chartbusters:
• Found (Phillip LaRue) - HOT PICK!
• Notion (Kings of Leon)
• Patron Tequila (Keri Hilson feat. T-Pain and Lil John)
• Good Girls Go Bad (Cobra Starship feat Leighton Meester)
• I Quit, I Quit, I Quit (The Click Five)
• Fallin’ For You (Colbie Caillat)
• Roll The Credits (Paula De Anda)
• I Need A Girl (Trey Songz)
• Love Drunk (Boys Like Girls)
• Already Gone (Kelly Clarkson)
***
Speaking of Already Gone, Kelly Clarkson and Beyonce are in a catfight and caught in the middle is songwriter Ryan Tedder (of OneRepublic). The two divas are complaining that their songs Halo (Beyonce’s) and Already Gone sound too much alike. Which is really no surprise because Ryan penned both songs.
Honestly, I wouldn’t have noticed the similarity if they didn’t make a big deal out of it (marketing ploy?). Also because I never really liked Halo. The chorus is very Beyonce: shallow and repetitive (she is always at a loss for words/lyrics).
Moral of the story: Be real and “creative” artists. Compose your own songs so you are not in the mercy of producers and songwriters. Hay naku!
***
Lady Gaga, a recent Philippine visitor, is being touted as the new first lady of pop. I won’t argue with that because she has amassed five hits from her debut album The Fame. That’s no easy feat. But where does that place Katy Perry?
Stripped of her glitz and glam, I would think that Lady Gaga has ample talent. But I’m almost sorry for her because being a pop phenomenon is self-destructing. They need to work double to sustain such interest and avoid being flashes in the pan. Think Britney.
She should also improve her interview skills; she responds robotically and comes off as a tad too phony. Like she was bored and tired. Well, being the new first lady of pop may be tiring.
***
It was disarming to see little girls sing and gyrate to Beyonce's Single Ladies. I saw it one time too many in children’s parties.
I have to again brace myself. Because the same little girls are now dancing to Nobody. Both English and Korean versions.
Where is Sandara Parks when we needed her?
***
What’s with the new Pussycat Doll song (Hush Hush) being promoted as “by the Pussycat Dolls feat. Nicole Scherzinger." Isn’t that already obvious? Like saying Fall Out Boy feat. Pete Wenz or Black Eyed Peas feat. Fergie. Or maybe this is one of the songs that were supposed to be in Nicole’s solo album that never saw the light of day.
The title is a dead giveaway.
By the way, SNN said that Nicole has backed out of Manny Pacquiao's new movie. Yeah, right. Like she was really "in." Law of probability says that a famous star like her should be making a B-rate Hollywood movie. Not a B-rate Filipino movie.
***
Sorry, I am in my TMZ mode.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Death Becomes Him...Part 2
Death always fascinates us, no matter how much we deny it. Most fear death; but fear is itself a form of fascination.
For the last couple of weeks, there is not bigger problem in this world that the death of Michael Jackson. The interest and furor surrounding MJ’s death is a reflection of our insatiable interest in celebrities and death; a very toxic mixture.
This is a sad fragment of pop culture / history and I have devoted at least three blogs for it. This might be the last; my final say.
Considering that I wrote my blog tribute to MJ (Confessions Of A Fan Who Hates Michael Jackson) in pure honestly, I already expected some lashing from fans I might insult in the process. My title alone begs for an argument. But I am not apologizing. Seeing Paris Jackson sob does little to the fact that MJ was a trainwreck waiting to happen.
For the sake of balance, I did get some raves and even sympathy from keen observers of pop culture. A friend commented: I had the same issues too, I’m surprised that my iPod didn’t have MJJ... cringing at the supposed orphans of faux fans he left behind.
In this oh-so-kind world, it is blasphemy to criticize or berate a person in death. It is an unspoken karmic deed: when our turn comes to lie on that fated coffin, then we want the living to remember us in glory. Our failures and unscrupulous acts are extinguished with our last breath. Hence, death becomes our atonement and our pathetic apology. It also becomes a vindication for the victims of our vendetta.
The tributes for MJ were overwhelming and inspiring. But I know a lot of people are asking: why wait until he died to give this outpouring of love and support? Where are these supposed legions of fans when it was not cool to adore him?
Of course, Michael understands this as human nature. But I won’t fault him if he asks from this grave: Why, why did you do me that way?
I must admit that being THE Michael Jackson is in itself "dangerous." We can't even imagine how it is like to be him. In consequence, we can never really understand. But I still think that Michael is both predator and prey, both victim and tormentor.
To drive my final point home, I think Michael’s life (like everyone else’s), is too complex to be judged by the short-listed episodes that made it to the evening news and gossip pages. He is not his skin, his supposed drug use, his Bubbles.
So with all these facets, we just have to look at that which made the most impact. The one the shone brightest and made him the icon of this generation. The one that refuses to join him in his grave.
I think you can figure that one out for yourself.
***
I found the photo above and it is an interesting snapshot and comprehensive summary of the life of MJ the artist. Click it to view in a larger format.
***
Some comic relief:
The sister of a friend said: Ate, wag ka na umiyak dahil wala na si Michael Jackson. Nandyan pa naman si Regine Velasquez! (Don’t weep over the death of Michael, we still have Regine).
For the last couple of weeks, there is not bigger problem in this world that the death of Michael Jackson. The interest and furor surrounding MJ’s death is a reflection of our insatiable interest in celebrities and death; a very toxic mixture.
This is a sad fragment of pop culture / history and I have devoted at least three blogs for it. This might be the last; my final say.
Considering that I wrote my blog tribute to MJ (Confessions Of A Fan Who Hates Michael Jackson) in pure honestly, I already expected some lashing from fans I might insult in the process. My title alone begs for an argument. But I am not apologizing. Seeing Paris Jackson sob does little to the fact that MJ was a trainwreck waiting to happen.
For the sake of balance, I did get some raves and even sympathy from keen observers of pop culture. A friend commented: I had the same issues too, I’m surprised that my iPod didn’t have MJJ... cringing at the supposed orphans of faux fans he left behind.
In this oh-so-kind world, it is blasphemy to criticize or berate a person in death. It is an unspoken karmic deed: when our turn comes to lie on that fated coffin, then we want the living to remember us in glory. Our failures and unscrupulous acts are extinguished with our last breath. Hence, death becomes our atonement and our pathetic apology. It also becomes a vindication for the victims of our vendetta.
The tributes for MJ were overwhelming and inspiring. But I know a lot of people are asking: why wait until he died to give this outpouring of love and support? Where are these supposed legions of fans when it was not cool to adore him?
Of course, Michael understands this as human nature. But I won’t fault him if he asks from this grave: Why, why did you do me that way?
I must admit that being THE Michael Jackson is in itself "dangerous." We can't even imagine how it is like to be him. In consequence, we can never really understand. But I still think that Michael is both predator and prey, both victim and tormentor.
To drive my final point home, I think Michael’s life (like everyone else’s), is too complex to be judged by the short-listed episodes that made it to the evening news and gossip pages. He is not his skin, his supposed drug use, his Bubbles.
So with all these facets, we just have to look at that which made the most impact. The one the shone brightest and made him the icon of this generation. The one that refuses to join him in his grave.
I think you can figure that one out for yourself.
***
I found the photo above and it is an interesting snapshot and comprehensive summary of the life of MJ the artist. Click it to view in a larger format.
***
Some comic relief:
The sister of a friend said: Ate, wag ka na umiyak dahil wala na si Michael Jackson. Nandyan pa naman si Regine Velasquez! (Don’t weep over the death of Michael, we still have Regine).
Thursday, July 02, 2009
Death Becomes Him (Michael Jackon Is #1 Again)
I visited Billboard's website early this morning and among the many news surrounding Michael Jackson's death is one chart-busting headline: Michael Jackson breaks several records.
The King of Pop once again proved that he RULES the music charts.
As expected, his death led to an upsurge in sales of his catalog albums and songs. Here are the highlights:
• The entire Top 9 positions on Billboard’s Pop Catalog Chart (for sales of old albums) are MJ-related titles. At #1 is of course... Number Ones which sold 108,000 copies after his death. A week before his death, this was the only MJ album on this chart (at #20).
• Number Ones sold more than the current #1 album on the Billboard Hot 200. Black Eyed Peas’ The E.N.D shifted 88,000 copies. This is the first time that a catalog album outsold a current album.
• The said nine albums sold an amazing total of 422,000 copies this past week (more than half from digital downloads). A week before, MJ was only selling 10,000 copies of his old albums.
• And now for the song charts, Michael Jackson placed a record-breaking 25 songs on the Top 75 Digital Song tally; breaking David Cook’s post-Idol record last year of 14 charting titles.
• The song Thriller moved 167,000 copies last week, second only to Black Eyed Peas’ current hit I Gotta Feeling which sold 203,000 downloads. The week before, Thriller sold only 5,000 downloads.
• Six of the Top 10 songs are Michael Jackson's past hits.
• Combined, he sold 2.6 million downloads of his songs this week. This makes him the first artist in history to sell more than 1 million downloads in one week.
I just hope that the royalties from these downloads will add to the coffer of this financially-challenged music icon of our generation.
The King of Pop once again proved that he RULES the music charts.
As expected, his death led to an upsurge in sales of his catalog albums and songs. Here are the highlights:
• The entire Top 9 positions on Billboard’s Pop Catalog Chart (for sales of old albums) are MJ-related titles. At #1 is of course... Number Ones which sold 108,000 copies after his death. A week before his death, this was the only MJ album on this chart (at #20).
• Number Ones sold more than the current #1 album on the Billboard Hot 200. Black Eyed Peas’ The E.N.D shifted 88,000 copies. This is the first time that a catalog album outsold a current album.
• The said nine albums sold an amazing total of 422,000 copies this past week (more than half from digital downloads). A week before, MJ was only selling 10,000 copies of his old albums.
• And now for the song charts, Michael Jackson placed a record-breaking 25 songs on the Top 75 Digital Song tally; breaking David Cook’s post-Idol record last year of 14 charting titles.
• The song Thriller moved 167,000 copies last week, second only to Black Eyed Peas’ current hit I Gotta Feeling which sold 203,000 downloads. The week before, Thriller sold only 5,000 downloads.
• Six of the Top 10 songs are Michael Jackson's past hits.
• Combined, he sold 2.6 million downloads of his songs this week. This makes him the first artist in history to sell more than 1 million downloads in one week.
I just hope that the royalties from these downloads will add to the coffer of this financially-challenged music icon of our generation.
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Black Or White...And Orange!?!
The other YouTube sensation from the Philippines is at it again (you know the first one...that singer who namedrops every Hollywood star she meets...like Ate Paris Hilton...sorry, I’m not a fan). The choreography of these many performers is in itself amazing. But it really takes some heart and determination to come up with this tribute just days from his death.
I don’t know what to make of this prison spectacle. But if it’s not negative publicity, then I guess it’s not bad and it is quite a thriller (pun intended).
So they again made it to the world headlines. Even CNN is smitten.
But what does Anderson exactly mean with “It’s the Philippines and it’s a prison”?
I don’t know what to make of this prison spectacle. But if it’s not negative publicity, then I guess it’s not bad and it is quite a thriller (pun intended).
So they again made it to the world headlines. Even CNN is smitten.
But what does Anderson exactly mean with “It’s the Philippines and it’s a prison”?
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Confessions Of A Fan Who Hates Michael Jackson
I am writing this blog not to join the worldwide sympathy on the death of the so-called King of Pop. While the music fan in me is saddened by his death (please see previous blog), I will not be spreading false saccharine sentiments as a salute and last respect to him.
This is my tribute to him...told in the brutal honesty of a fan who hates the other side of him. You may not agree with what I say but this is how I perceived the man, the legend. And his death will not change that. Case in point: I am NOT one of the 20+ million who made Thriller the best-selling album of all time.
Since news of his death broke out last Friday, radio has been flooded with requests to play his songs. I have heard Gone Too Soon, Heal The World and Will You Be There more times in the past two days than in the last five years.
I decided to join this historic moment and reminisce his glory through his songs. I know I have his limited-edition 2-disc greatest hits HIStory CD but it has been passed around by my friends. So I got my trusty iPod and searched by artist to Michael Jackson. Only one song came up...Wanna Be Startin' Somethin’, the 2008 version featuring Akon and Fergie which was re-recorded in time for the 25th anniversary of Thriller last year.
This confused me because I know I have tons of Michael Jackson songs on my iPod. And then it hit me. I have his songs, but not HIS version. There are indeed a lot of them... from the recent big hits (Smooth Criminal by Alien Ant Farm and Beat It by Fallout Boy feat. John Mayer)... to the live unreleased performances (the recent American Idol performances or Man in The Mirror by Usher, 98 Degrees and the late Luther Vandross)... to the local versions (Kyla with One Day in Your Life).
How did this happen? At some point I got tired of the man but not his songs. It was almost blasphemy to listen to his voice and it seems tantamount to supporting the life he led lately.
Let’s put it this way. In terms of MJ appreciation and fanaticism, I am at the halfway house. As I said, I am somewhere between a fan and a hater. I am in deep awe and I have the highest regard for his music and his influence to the entertainment world. But not necessarily of MJ as a person and what he represents.
I said I will be honest. With all due respect to Michael Jackson, I have laughed at the freakshow that he has become and I have used him as a pop-culture punchline countless times. I LOL-ed at the jokes saying he was included in the casting of Planet Of The Apes. I have called him a looney and a weirdo (those who have not are welcome to throw stones at me). I have said many a time that he was a fool to let his personal life tarnish his artistic legacy. For in the past years, all we heard about him are his personal and legal troubles. His music and artistry took the backseat. Which is ironic because if not for his music, then we wouldn’t have known he existed.
Hands down, he was the greatest musical icon of my growing-up years. The Beatles were gone before my musical consciousness was awakened. I was only 5 years old when he released Thriller so I was too young then to realize MJ's impact and the fanatical adoration rivalled only by Pope John Paul II. But growing up, I never knew the New Wave sound of the 80’s. As a kid, ask me to name an old song and, chances are, I will recite the songs from Thriller.
Other than his greatest hits CD, the only CD I have of MJ is Invincible from 2000. It spawned one hit (You Rock My World) and I bought it on sale but I can’t remember ever listening to the CD in its entirety. But I do remember one beautiful unreleased track from that CD – Butterflies.
Friends have asked me what my favourite MJ song is. I’ll have to say Human Nature and Man In The Mirror for the mainstream choices. But for obscure hits, I’d say Scream (his duet with Janet)...the energy of this song gives me a natural high. On the other end of the spectrum, I cringe at You Are Not Alone (the first song in history to do the unthinkable: enter the charts at #1). The lyrics are way too clichéd and cheesy and there is an excess of that MJ-signature hiccup-y sound or whatever you call it.
Michael Jackson thrived in the 80’s, an era of musical relevance and artistic movement. The artists from that era (Madonna included) created a world of their own. They set such high standards for today’s music. From then on, the artists we saw were mostly copycats or confused morphs of each other, as if they came from one lacklustre factory. They gave pop music a bad name. Think Britney and Celine Dion, who despite amassing huge hits, will never be called musical geniuses. For the mere fact that they don’t own their music.
Whereas Michael not only made his own music but he made music his own. The ultimate proof of MJ’s musical genius is that you can’t ruin his songs. Any artist...from Mariah Carey (I’ll Be There) to the videoke singer on the street can sing it and it will sound spectacular. He does not have the best vocals (in facts his vocals of late is whiny and wheezy) but he knows how to best use what he has. Like a true-blue artist, he knew how to differentiate himself and created his signature style. He was the male trendsetter; the fads he created are innumerable and enduring. His name and style are now priceless trademarks (note that I did not use past tense).
Hence, the kids of today’s music bear his blueprint and salute him... whether subtly (red Thriller jacket in Mandy Moore’s Crush video or the gloved hand-movement in Destiny Child’s Bootylicious video)... or blatantly (Justin Timberlake's falsetto and crotch-grabbing moves).
For all we know, the trademark he created might shine brighter in death than in life. I know only one other artist who has this all-consuming and lasting influence. Elvis Presley.
I know there is more to MJ than the musician. We have heard of his humanitarian work and drive to make this world better through his eye-opening songs like Earth Song. But, considering his much-publicized personality and choices in life, I cannot shake off the fact that these were brought about by some personal agenda. After all, he is a social study in over-indulgence, idiosyncrasy and narcissism. He became the poster boy for the dreaded rise-and-fall in the entertainment industry. But sadly, unlike Mariah Carey, there won’t be any emancipation... no huge comeback for the king. Except maybe post-humus.
People may say that he is a victim of media and bad publicity, but I will have to say that somehow he fed this machinery (remember the child dangling off the balcony?). He fanned the embers until it became an inferno which consequently burned the image of the consummate artist that the world knew and embraced.
But we need not dwell on that. His life maybe the ultimate E! True Hollywood Story but his achievements and contribution in music and the arts will forever be engraved in the annals of world history. He gave the backbone that defined pop music and his death cannot change that. The scandals and the lawsuits will soon run its course but his music will not. Years from now our grandchildren will still moonwalk and dance to Thriller. And we will smile and remember one of the greatest man who ever lived.
Ironically, the man who so craved for immortality never realized that he had it all along: his music will live on.
Love him or hate him, we all fell under his spell. The legacy left by the King of Pop is...to use his words...neither black nor white. It is permanent grey.
- Copyright B. Crisostomo @ www.barnieboi.blogspot.com.
This is my tribute to him...told in the brutal honesty of a fan who hates the other side of him. You may not agree with what I say but this is how I perceived the man, the legend. And his death will not change that. Case in point: I am NOT one of the 20+ million who made Thriller the best-selling album of all time.
Since news of his death broke out last Friday, radio has been flooded with requests to play his songs. I have heard Gone Too Soon, Heal The World and Will You Be There more times in the past two days than in the last five years.
I decided to join this historic moment and reminisce his glory through his songs. I know I have his limited-edition 2-disc greatest hits HIStory CD but it has been passed around by my friends. So I got my trusty iPod and searched by artist to Michael Jackson. Only one song came up...Wanna Be Startin' Somethin’, the 2008 version featuring Akon and Fergie which was re-recorded in time for the 25th anniversary of Thriller last year.
This confused me because I know I have tons of Michael Jackson songs on my iPod. And then it hit me. I have his songs, but not HIS version. There are indeed a lot of them... from the recent big hits (Smooth Criminal by Alien Ant Farm and Beat It by Fallout Boy feat. John Mayer)... to the live unreleased performances (the recent American Idol performances or Man in The Mirror by Usher, 98 Degrees and the late Luther Vandross)... to the local versions (Kyla with One Day in Your Life).
How did this happen? At some point I got tired of the man but not his songs. It was almost blasphemy to listen to his voice and it seems tantamount to supporting the life he led lately.
Let’s put it this way. In terms of MJ appreciation and fanaticism, I am at the halfway house. As I said, I am somewhere between a fan and a hater. I am in deep awe and I have the highest regard for his music and his influence to the entertainment world. But not necessarily of MJ as a person and what he represents.
I said I will be honest. With all due respect to Michael Jackson, I have laughed at the freakshow that he has become and I have used him as a pop-culture punchline countless times. I LOL-ed at the jokes saying he was included in the casting of Planet Of The Apes. I have called him a looney and a weirdo (those who have not are welcome to throw stones at me). I have said many a time that he was a fool to let his personal life tarnish his artistic legacy. For in the past years, all we heard about him are his personal and legal troubles. His music and artistry took the backseat. Which is ironic because if not for his music, then we wouldn’t have known he existed.
Hands down, he was the greatest musical icon of my growing-up years. The Beatles were gone before my musical consciousness was awakened. I was only 5 years old when he released Thriller so I was too young then to realize MJ's impact and the fanatical adoration rivalled only by Pope John Paul II. But growing up, I never knew the New Wave sound of the 80’s. As a kid, ask me to name an old song and, chances are, I will recite the songs from Thriller.
Other than his greatest hits CD, the only CD I have of MJ is Invincible from 2000. It spawned one hit (You Rock My World) and I bought it on sale but I can’t remember ever listening to the CD in its entirety. But I do remember one beautiful unreleased track from that CD – Butterflies.
Friends have asked me what my favourite MJ song is. I’ll have to say Human Nature and Man In The Mirror for the mainstream choices. But for obscure hits, I’d say Scream (his duet with Janet)...the energy of this song gives me a natural high. On the other end of the spectrum, I cringe at You Are Not Alone (the first song in history to do the unthinkable: enter the charts at #1). The lyrics are way too clichéd and cheesy and there is an excess of that MJ-signature hiccup-y sound or whatever you call it.
Michael Jackson thrived in the 80’s, an era of musical relevance and artistic movement. The artists from that era (Madonna included) created a world of their own. They set such high standards for today’s music. From then on, the artists we saw were mostly copycats or confused morphs of each other, as if they came from one lacklustre factory. They gave pop music a bad name. Think Britney and Celine Dion, who despite amassing huge hits, will never be called musical geniuses. For the mere fact that they don’t own their music.
Whereas Michael not only made his own music but he made music his own. The ultimate proof of MJ’s musical genius is that you can’t ruin his songs. Any artist...from Mariah Carey (I’ll Be There) to the videoke singer on the street can sing it and it will sound spectacular. He does not have the best vocals (in facts his vocals of late is whiny and wheezy) but he knows how to best use what he has. Like a true-blue artist, he knew how to differentiate himself and created his signature style. He was the male trendsetter; the fads he created are innumerable and enduring. His name and style are now priceless trademarks (note that I did not use past tense).
Hence, the kids of today’s music bear his blueprint and salute him... whether subtly (red Thriller jacket in Mandy Moore’s Crush video or the gloved hand-movement in Destiny Child’s Bootylicious video)... or blatantly (Justin Timberlake's falsetto and crotch-grabbing moves).
For all we know, the trademark he created might shine brighter in death than in life. I know only one other artist who has this all-consuming and lasting influence. Elvis Presley.
I know there is more to MJ than the musician. We have heard of his humanitarian work and drive to make this world better through his eye-opening songs like Earth Song. But, considering his much-publicized personality and choices in life, I cannot shake off the fact that these were brought about by some personal agenda. After all, he is a social study in over-indulgence, idiosyncrasy and narcissism. He became the poster boy for the dreaded rise-and-fall in the entertainment industry. But sadly, unlike Mariah Carey, there won’t be any emancipation... no huge comeback for the king. Except maybe post-humus.
People may say that he is a victim of media and bad publicity, but I will have to say that somehow he fed this machinery (remember the child dangling off the balcony?). He fanned the embers until it became an inferno which consequently burned the image of the consummate artist that the world knew and embraced.
But we need not dwell on that. His life maybe the ultimate E! True Hollywood Story but his achievements and contribution in music and the arts will forever be engraved in the annals of world history. He gave the backbone that defined pop music and his death cannot change that. The scandals and the lawsuits will soon run its course but his music will not. Years from now our grandchildren will still moonwalk and dance to Thriller. And we will smile and remember one of the greatest man who ever lived.
Ironically, the man who so craved for immortality never realized that he had it all along: his music will live on.
Love him or hate him, we all fell under his spell. The legacy left by the King of Pop is...to use his words...neither black nor white. It is permanent grey.
- Copyright B. Crisostomo @ www.barnieboi.blogspot.com.
Friday, June 26, 2009
The King Is Gone (RIP, MJ)
News does travel fast these days.
It’s just past 6 in the morning.
One moment I was blogging and tweeting and the next moment everyone is tweeting the sad news.
I got it via tweets from Ryan Seacrest, Mandy Moore, Chris Daughtry, Ashton and Delamar: Michael Jackson just passed away due to cardiac arrest.
Gone too soon? Quite ironic, I know.
(This is the cover for his now-aptly-titled single)
I just hope his detractors will stop the hatred and remember his unparalleled contribution to the industry.
And not so long ago...Farrah Fawcett also breathed her last. To the younger generation who may not know her, she was one of the original Charlie’s Angels. RIP.
Two icons...two legends in one day.
The lights must be half-dimmed in Hollywood.
***
Just a breather from these sad news. Trust Borat for the comic relief.
He just tweeted: Death comes in threes, first Farrah then Michael Jackson..lets finish on a high note with perez!!
He was referring to recent entertainment headlines on the violent fight between celeb gossip blogger Perez Hilton and Black-Eyed Peas. What can I say...Boom boom pow!
Not politically correct I know, but you can't help but admire Borat's wisecracks.
I also liked John Mayer's version of this news: Dazed in the studio. A major strand of our cultural DNA has left us. RIP MJ
I see a Michael Jackson tribute album on the horizon.
It’s just past 6 in the morning.
One moment I was blogging and tweeting and the next moment everyone is tweeting the sad news.
I got it via tweets from Ryan Seacrest, Mandy Moore, Chris Daughtry, Ashton and Delamar: Michael Jackson just passed away due to cardiac arrest.
Gone too soon? Quite ironic, I know.
(This is the cover for his now-aptly-titled single)
I just hope his detractors will stop the hatred and remember his unparalleled contribution to the industry.
And not so long ago...Farrah Fawcett also breathed her last. To the younger generation who may not know her, she was one of the original Charlie’s Angels. RIP.
Two icons...two legends in one day.
The lights must be half-dimmed in Hollywood.
***
Just a breather from these sad news. Trust Borat for the comic relief.
He just tweeted: Death comes in threes, first Farrah then Michael Jackson..lets finish on a high note with perez!!
He was referring to recent entertainment headlines on the violent fight between celeb gossip blogger Perez Hilton and Black-Eyed Peas. What can I say...Boom boom pow!
Not politically correct I know, but you can't help but admire Borat's wisecracks.
I also liked John Mayer's version of this news: Dazed in the studio. A major strand of our cultural DNA has left us. RIP MJ
I see a Michael Jackson tribute album on the horizon.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
The Heatseekers (June 20, 2009)
Here are 10 news songs that are on repeat mode on my playlist and are expected to rule the charts in the coming weeks:
* Obsessed – Mariah Carey
* I Gotta Feeling – Black Eyed Peas
* Battlefield – Jordin Sparks
* Zero Gravity – David Archuleta
* Shattered – O.A.R
* Before The Worst – The Script
* Stay – Gavin Degraw
* Steal Away – Billy Crawford
* White Horse – Taylor Swift
* Never Say Never – The Fray
Ok, can you now peel your eyes from her body and continue reading? :)
***
Some music updates:
Is it just me or is Mariah’s new single (Obsessed) a lash-back song for Eminem? I heard the song days ago and was amused at the lyrics: You on your job, you hatin’ hard / Ain’t gon feed you, I'ma’ let you starve / Finally found a girl that you couldn’t impress / Got you all fired up with your Napoleon complex / Ohh boy why you so obsessed with me?
Those lyrics plus the fact that the song started with: Will the real MC please...step to the mic (to the tune of Eminem’s famous Will the real Slim Shady please stand up) were not-so-subtle wink-winks.
I think this is MC’s answer to a track on his recent CD Relapse (if I remember it right the song was Bagpipes for Baghbad) where Eminem practices his celeb-blogging and name-dropping satirical lyrics to mock Mariah and Nick Canon. Celebrity Deathmatch is on...let’s see who wins.
***
On the US charts, this week is definitely all about the Black-Eyed Peas who delivers a 1-2-3 punch.
First, Boom Boom Pow spends an amazing 11 weeks at #1 on the Hot 100.
Second, their new song I Gotta Feeling debuts at #2 so they have the number 1 and 2 songs in the U.S of A. The last duo/group to accomplish this feat was Outkast in 2001 (Hey Yah! at #1 followed by The Way You Move).
Third, their new album (The E.N.D) also debuts at #1 on the Billboard Hot 200. Imagine...top two songs from the #1 album! That’s almost improbable!
Here in good old Phili, the local charts have been dominated by them American Idol alumni. For two weeks now, RX93.1’s countdown has Adam Lambert at #1 (Mad World) followed by David Archuleta (Touch My Hand), Kris Allen (No Boundaries) and Jordin Sparks (Battlefield).
***
Lately, the airwaves has been flooded by Tagalized rap/R&B songs; the most cringing of which are the Tagalized version of Umbrella and Bleeding Love.
So I won’t be surprised if I hear this on the radio: mu...mu...mu...mu...mu...mu...mukhang pusoy.
* Obsessed – Mariah Carey
* I Gotta Feeling – Black Eyed Peas
* Battlefield – Jordin Sparks
* Zero Gravity – David Archuleta
* Shattered – O.A.R
* Before The Worst – The Script
* Stay – Gavin Degraw
* Steal Away – Billy Crawford
* White Horse – Taylor Swift
* Never Say Never – The Fray
Ok, can you now peel your eyes from her body and continue reading? :)
***
Some music updates:
Is it just me or is Mariah’s new single (Obsessed) a lash-back song for Eminem? I heard the song days ago and was amused at the lyrics: You on your job, you hatin’ hard / Ain’t gon feed you, I'ma’ let you starve / Finally found a girl that you couldn’t impress / Got you all fired up with your Napoleon complex / Ohh boy why you so obsessed with me?
Those lyrics plus the fact that the song started with: Will the real MC please...step to the mic (to the tune of Eminem’s famous Will the real Slim Shady please stand up) were not-so-subtle wink-winks.
I think this is MC’s answer to a track on his recent CD Relapse (if I remember it right the song was Bagpipes for Baghbad) where Eminem practices his celeb-blogging and name-dropping satirical lyrics to mock Mariah and Nick Canon. Celebrity Deathmatch is on...let’s see who wins.
***
On the US charts, this week is definitely all about the Black-Eyed Peas who delivers a 1-2-3 punch.
First, Boom Boom Pow spends an amazing 11 weeks at #1 on the Hot 100.
Second, their new song I Gotta Feeling debuts at #2 so they have the number 1 and 2 songs in the U.S of A. The last duo/group to accomplish this feat was Outkast in 2001 (Hey Yah! at #1 followed by The Way You Move).
Third, their new album (The E.N.D) also debuts at #1 on the Billboard Hot 200. Imagine...top two songs from the #1 album! That’s almost improbable!
Here in good old Phili, the local charts have been dominated by them American Idol alumni. For two weeks now, RX93.1’s countdown has Adam Lambert at #1 (Mad World) followed by David Archuleta (Touch My Hand), Kris Allen (No Boundaries) and Jordin Sparks (Battlefield).
***
Lately, the airwaves has been flooded by Tagalized rap/R&B songs; the most cringing of which are the Tagalized version of Umbrella and Bleeding Love.
So I won’t be surprised if I hear this on the radio: mu...mu...mu...mu...mu...mu...mukhang pusoy.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
CD Review: The Education of Mandy Moore
The newly-married poster girl for anti-pop continues her classic-rock-chick reinvention.
AMANDA LEIGH
Mandy Moore
Storefront Records (Independent)
US Release: May 26, 2009
Chart Impact: #25 on the Billboard Hot 200 Albums; #4 on the Billboard Top Independent Albums.
While her peers are still singing about the circus and serving tiresome all-the-single-ladies pop anthems, Moore has left the pop-fun factory and decidedly ventured into adult-contemporary with her last effort Wild Hope. That album did not sell gazillions of downloads nor did it inspire young girls to develop nice abs and dance with an albino snake, but it did cement Moore’s cred as a serious singer-songwriter.
Now, Moore digs deeper and comes up with a subdued but more tasteful , if not her most mature, collection to date. She even dares to stamp it with her real name (hence, Amanda Leigh) as if to further prove that this is her true self. And as if she is going back to her roots...but no, not to the "Candy"-coated pop that jumpstarted her 10-year career.
First, let us rewind to her last two albums. In 2003’s Coverage, Moore turned her back at her producers and popdom and like a wild child re-recorded old songs she loved (the likes of Can We Still Be Friends by Todd Rundgren and Anticipation by Carly Simon). Some critics named it the best covers album in recent years. In 2007, she explored her darker side in Wild Hope, the first album she co-wrote. That album was a throwback of sorts to Alanis’ Jagged Little Pill with its tortured and vengeful sentiments (Nothing That You Are) and vulnerable self-scrutiny (Extraordinary and Gardenia), obviously a caustic by-product of her high-profile romantic break-ups.
In Amanda Leigh, Moore continues her creative statement and unapologetic experimentation and this time morphs into a friendlier Fiona Apple. Songs are still about love and introspection but gone are the grit and emotional turbulence of Wild Hope, replaced by sunshine and tender yearning. Here, Moore continues to straddle pop, rock and folk music with a sound that is fast becoming her own (something like neo-classic pop) and clearly suited for her sultry voice. Each of the 10 songs rolls beautifully and mostly tinged with sounds from the 70’s (remnants of her Coverage phase perhaps?) Think The Beach Boys and Joni Mitchell who are two of Moore’s self-confessed influences.
As with Wild Hope, the songs here are seldom instantly likable. But give it a few more spins and they will grow on you, a trademark of remarkable songs. Instrumentation is more precise that Wild Hope but sometimes too calculatedly vintage; or comes a little too close to musical theatre. Yet there is no denying that Moore and main collaborator Mike Viola (That Thing You Do) had a lot of fun doing this.
Lyrically, this is her best to date and her poetry is something to be envied; a far cry from the shallow and repetitive lyrics spun by the likes of Beyonce. She can be sarcastic and tongue-in-cheek (Those calendar girls, they've got nothing on me, she sings in the lead single) or serious and sombre (I can never be that kind of girl who absorbs that kind of suffering / And turns it into some kind of pearl). However, lyrics are not as relatable and accessible as that of Wild Hope, since that speaks in the universal language of heartbreak.
Lead single I Could Break Your Heart Any Day Of The Week may confuse with its pop sound and flashy (if not shocking) video. But while the melody is bouncy and catchy, it incorporates hand-claps and clavinets to give it the distinct folksy sound made famous by Sheryl Crow.
Pocket Philosopher is one of the instantly enjoyable tracks, with its showtune melody that is recently made Top 40 material by Lenka (The Show).
Also refreshing are Love To Love Me Back and Indian Summer. The former is a mid-tempo song about soul searching and reciprocity; and the later is a heart-tugging number that speaks of cherishing love lost in a time bygone.
Meanwhile Songs From Home shines with its rich textures that invokes the unmistakable feeling of longing and belonging. If this CD was a movie, then this is the part where you will have a lump in your throat and grab for a Kleenex.
Moore is at her brightest in the slower, stripped-down tracks which showcase her clean way of singing. Wild Hope’s main gem is Gardenia, which channels the melancholy sound of Sarah McLachlan. Here, she has two of those. One is Everblue (co-written by Lori McKenna), about would-be love and set in a languid pace that turns moody and tender.
The other song and (for me) the best track is the closing song Bug (a name she calls husband Ryan Adams, an info she passed via Twitter). It is simple, splendid and elegant...very Moore. With only gently-strummed guitars as her background, Mandy sings plaintively You know I love you / What am I supposed to do / You’re so far away.
The downside of Amanda Leigh is the same downside of her last effort: while the songs are consistent and makes for an enjoyable listening experience, they are still middling. Expect no huge radio airplay hits from this CD but these songs will surely find its way to TV and movie soundtracks.
Also, some of Moore’s fans (especially in Asia and Australia) might be put off by her songs about Merrimack River and blooming jacarandas. It takes a deeper understanding of Moore’s growth and musicology to truly appreciate these songs. Moore, of course, realizes this as she confessed in a recent Details magazine interview: "The music is all a reflection of me now, not somebody else's choices (an oblique jab at Epic Records, which released her first four albums). If people don't like the music, then they don't like me—and that's quite all right."
In this time of glossy downloadable songs and one-time YouTube superstars, it takes some nerve to create your own album and put it out there. More than anything, Amanda Leigh is a statement of self-confidence and a promise of bolder things to come (Ryan Adam’s influence will surely rub off her in her next work). In her last three albums, Moore seems to be taunting pop and asking herself this big question: Do I make a record that will sell millions but will soon be forgotten... or songs that only a few will appreciate but is bound to stay with them forever? (which is true, I still can’t get over Latest Mistake from Wild Hope but I bet only a few people knows that song, which further adds to its beauty and making it kinda "personal").
There is no right or wrong answer. But one thing is for sure: she has become one of the more intriguing and enduring artist of this generation, leaving us asking for moore (pun intended).
Copyright and Reviewed by: B. Crisostomo (Philippines) at www.barnieboi.blogspot.com
***
Update:
Thanks to readers who have corrected some of the info above. Apparently Bug is Ryan's nickname for Mandy, not the other way around. Thanks for reading!
Rolling Stone Magazine (known for dissing pop) has also spoken. Here's their glowing 3.5-starred review:
"The title is taken from the singer's real first and middle names, the acoustic instrumentation emits a cozy campfire glow, and the album was recorded in a modest basement home studio. Message: This is real music, not computerized starlet pop. Listeners are advised to ignore the authenticity issues and focus on Moore's catchy tunes and warm voice on Amanda Leigh. Co-writing with producer Mike Viola, she swings from folk-rock confessions ("Merrimack River") to perky pop ("Nothing Everything"), delivering 11 shapely songs that would sound good even if they were recorded in a penthouse."
AMANDA LEIGH
Mandy Moore
Storefront Records (Independent)
US Release: May 26, 2009
Chart Impact: #25 on the Billboard Hot 200 Albums; #4 on the Billboard Top Independent Albums.
While her peers are still singing about the circus and serving tiresome all-the-single-ladies pop anthems, Moore has left the pop-fun factory and decidedly ventured into adult-contemporary with her last effort Wild Hope. That album did not sell gazillions of downloads nor did it inspire young girls to develop nice abs and dance with an albino snake, but it did cement Moore’s cred as a serious singer-songwriter.
Now, Moore digs deeper and comes up with a subdued but more tasteful , if not her most mature, collection to date. She even dares to stamp it with her real name (hence, Amanda Leigh) as if to further prove that this is her true self. And as if she is going back to her roots...but no, not to the "Candy"-coated pop that jumpstarted her 10-year career.
First, let us rewind to her last two albums. In 2003’s Coverage, Moore turned her back at her producers and popdom and like a wild child re-recorded old songs she loved (the likes of Can We Still Be Friends by Todd Rundgren and Anticipation by Carly Simon). Some critics named it the best covers album in recent years. In 2007, she explored her darker side in Wild Hope, the first album she co-wrote. That album was a throwback of sorts to Alanis’ Jagged Little Pill with its tortured and vengeful sentiments (Nothing That You Are) and vulnerable self-scrutiny (Extraordinary and Gardenia), obviously a caustic by-product of her high-profile romantic break-ups.
In Amanda Leigh, Moore continues her creative statement and unapologetic experimentation and this time morphs into a friendlier Fiona Apple. Songs are still about love and introspection but gone are the grit and emotional turbulence of Wild Hope, replaced by sunshine and tender yearning. Here, Moore continues to straddle pop, rock and folk music with a sound that is fast becoming her own (something like neo-classic pop) and clearly suited for her sultry voice. Each of the 10 songs rolls beautifully and mostly tinged with sounds from the 70’s (remnants of her Coverage phase perhaps?) Think The Beach Boys and Joni Mitchell who are two of Moore’s self-confessed influences.
As with Wild Hope, the songs here are seldom instantly likable. But give it a few more spins and they will grow on you, a trademark of remarkable songs. Instrumentation is more precise that Wild Hope but sometimes too calculatedly vintage; or comes a little too close to musical theatre. Yet there is no denying that Moore and main collaborator Mike Viola (That Thing You Do) had a lot of fun doing this.
Lyrically, this is her best to date and her poetry is something to be envied; a far cry from the shallow and repetitive lyrics spun by the likes of Beyonce. She can be sarcastic and tongue-in-cheek (Those calendar girls, they've got nothing on me, she sings in the lead single) or serious and sombre (I can never be that kind of girl who absorbs that kind of suffering / And turns it into some kind of pearl). However, lyrics are not as relatable and accessible as that of Wild Hope, since that speaks in the universal language of heartbreak.
Lead single I Could Break Your Heart Any Day Of The Week may confuse with its pop sound and flashy (if not shocking) video. But while the melody is bouncy and catchy, it incorporates hand-claps and clavinets to give it the distinct folksy sound made famous by Sheryl Crow.
Pocket Philosopher is one of the instantly enjoyable tracks, with its showtune melody that is recently made Top 40 material by Lenka (The Show).
Also refreshing are Love To Love Me Back and Indian Summer. The former is a mid-tempo song about soul searching and reciprocity; and the later is a heart-tugging number that speaks of cherishing love lost in a time bygone.
Meanwhile Songs From Home shines with its rich textures that invokes the unmistakable feeling of longing and belonging. If this CD was a movie, then this is the part where you will have a lump in your throat and grab for a Kleenex.
Moore is at her brightest in the slower, stripped-down tracks which showcase her clean way of singing. Wild Hope’s main gem is Gardenia, which channels the melancholy sound of Sarah McLachlan. Here, she has two of those. One is Everblue (co-written by Lori McKenna), about would-be love and set in a languid pace that turns moody and tender.
The other song and (for me) the best track is the closing song Bug (a name she calls husband Ryan Adams, an info she passed via Twitter). It is simple, splendid and elegant...very Moore. With only gently-strummed guitars as her background, Mandy sings plaintively You know I love you / What am I supposed to do / You’re so far away.
The downside of Amanda Leigh is the same downside of her last effort: while the songs are consistent and makes for an enjoyable listening experience, they are still middling. Expect no huge radio airplay hits from this CD but these songs will surely find its way to TV and movie soundtracks.
Also, some of Moore’s fans (especially in Asia and Australia) might be put off by her songs about Merrimack River and blooming jacarandas. It takes a deeper understanding of Moore’s growth and musicology to truly appreciate these songs. Moore, of course, realizes this as she confessed in a recent Details magazine interview: "The music is all a reflection of me now, not somebody else's choices (an oblique jab at Epic Records, which released her first four albums). If people don't like the music, then they don't like me—and that's quite all right."
In this time of glossy downloadable songs and one-time YouTube superstars, it takes some nerve to create your own album and put it out there. More than anything, Amanda Leigh is a statement of self-confidence and a promise of bolder things to come (Ryan Adam’s influence will surely rub off her in her next work). In her last three albums, Moore seems to be taunting pop and asking herself this big question: Do I make a record that will sell millions but will soon be forgotten... or songs that only a few will appreciate but is bound to stay with them forever? (which is true, I still can’t get over Latest Mistake from Wild Hope but I bet only a few people knows that song, which further adds to its beauty and making it kinda "personal").
There is no right or wrong answer. But one thing is for sure: she has become one of the more intriguing and enduring artist of this generation, leaving us asking for moore (pun intended).
Copyright and Reviewed by: B. Crisostomo (Philippines) at www.barnieboi.blogspot.com
***
Update:
Thanks to readers who have corrected some of the info above. Apparently Bug is Ryan's nickname for Mandy, not the other way around. Thanks for reading!
Rolling Stone Magazine (known for dissing pop) has also spoken. Here's their glowing 3.5-starred review:
"The title is taken from the singer's real first and middle names, the acoustic instrumentation emits a cozy campfire glow, and the album was recorded in a modest basement home studio. Message: This is real music, not computerized starlet pop. Listeners are advised to ignore the authenticity issues and focus on Moore's catchy tunes and warm voice on Amanda Leigh. Co-writing with producer Mike Viola, she swings from folk-rock confessions ("Merrimack River") to perky pop ("Nothing Everything"), delivering 11 shapely songs that would sound good even if they were recorded in a penthouse."
Saturday, June 06, 2009
Music For The Tears From Heaven
Seems like the rains came in time for the opening of classes. It has been raining the entire week! I only saw sunshine (hmmm...both literal and figurative) Friday morning. And like most good things, it was gone before you can even enjoy it. And suddenly everything is grey and wet again.
I love the cool clean air when it’s raining. But definitely not the dampness. The rains feed the urge to just lie in bed in a fetal position, listen to depressing music or read through a really tragic book. As the rains fall, part of me just wants to be drenched in pain all over again.
I chose to just listen to music. And I came up with this Rainy playlist:
* After The Rain Has Fallen – Sting
* Fire And Rain – James Taylor
* Why Does It Always Rain On Me – Travis
* Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head – Ben Fold Five
* Rain – Madonna
* Please Don’t Stop The Rain – James Morrison
* Kiss The Rain – Billie Myers
* January Rain – David Gray
Apparently the rains are battering not just this side of the world. Chris Daughtry just tweeted: "Rainy Day again. Makes me want to sleep all day."
***
I wish for nothing but the rain to fall
And wash away everything that I've done wrong
Find a way to make you strong
If only for another day
I love the cool clean air when it’s raining. But definitely not the dampness. The rains feed the urge to just lie in bed in a fetal position, listen to depressing music or read through a really tragic book. As the rains fall, part of me just wants to be drenched in pain all over again.
I chose to just listen to music. And I came up with this Rainy playlist:
* After The Rain Has Fallen – Sting
* Fire And Rain – James Taylor
* Why Does It Always Rain On Me – Travis
* Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head – Ben Fold Five
* Rain – Madonna
* Please Don’t Stop The Rain – James Morrison
* Kiss The Rain – Billie Myers
* January Rain – David Gray
Apparently the rains are battering not just this side of the world. Chris Daughtry just tweeted: "Rainy Day again. Makes me want to sleep all day."
***
I wish for nothing but the rain to fall
And wash away everything that I've done wrong
Find a way to make you strong
If only for another day
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Decade…A Salute to the 90’s
I am forever Monsterized (disciple of RX 93.1, to the unfamiliar) but that doesn’t stop me from surfing the radio channels during commercial breaks.
Usually, I go home to Bulacan late afternoon on Saturdays and in that 1-hour trip, I only have the radio as company. Lately, I have discovered that 94.7 has a special programming on Saturdays wherein the play songs from the 90's (hence, Decade).
The 90’s might not be as creatively relevant as the 70’s and the 80’s but it was memorable for us. We spent our formative years (high school and college) in the 90’s and these songs became the background to our teen angst, juvenile rebellion and shots at first love. Plus the 90’s music was more enduring than the pop overkill that defined the new millennium (yes...Britney, Backstreet Boys, Nsync).
Listening to Decade really brings me back. I remember the mid-90’s marked the big shift from cassette to CDs and hence, the dawn of music piracy (hehe). I have most of these songs through those Referendum CDs. Remember them?
Here are some songs from that era that I will not mind hearing once again. Note that these are not the number one hits (or else this will be all Mariah songs). These are the obscure songs that somehow made its stamp into my turbulent teenage consciousness.
* More Than This (Natalie Merchant)
* Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen) (Baz Luhrmann)
* Being So Not For You (PM Dawn)
* Santa Monica and Break Me, Shake Me (Savage Garden)
* Secret Garden (Bruce Springsteen)
* No Rain (Blind Melon)
* Loser (Beck)
* Back to Good (Matchbox Twenty)
* Just A Little Time (Arkarna)
* Dayz of Our Lives (Bone Thugs N Harmony)
* If It Makes You Happy (Sheryl Crow)
* Five Candles (You Were There) (Jars of Clay)
* Don’t Fade Away and Deep In My Soul (Acosta & Russel)
* Who Will Save Your Soul? (Jewel)
* Freshmen (The Verve)
OPM
* Pain In My Heart (Second Wind)
* How Can I Be Sure (Agot Isidro)
* Tag-Ulan (After Image)
* Perfect (True Faith)
* The First Time I Saw You (Wiseguys)
* Fill Her (Eraserheards)
* All This Time (Side A feat. Sharon)
* May Pag-ibig Pa Kaya? (South Border)
* Running Away (Tunay Na Amo)
* To Be Near You (Viktoria)
***
My Music Library
Today I can browse through the 2,400++ songs on my iPod. But back in the day, I just have my trusty Walkman (my first high value personal purchase) and I carry about 5 casettes on my backpack. My music addiction began during my last year in high school.
The first cassette tape I ever bought was The Cranberries’ No Need To Argue.
Somehow I can’t remember the first original CD I bought.
I have the CD and cassette tape versions of about ten albums. One of them is Daydream by Mariah Carey. Three are from the local singer who is my all-time crush (initials AI). Two are from two hugely popular DJs who will deny these albums ever existed. Haha. I can still remember their autographed dedication on both CDs.
***
Sheryl Crow was one of the hottest discoveries of this decade. It started with All I Wanna Do from her debut album and her next two albums became groundbreaking modern classics.
Sheryl Crow did not register on my radar until her third, maybe fourth single. But a friend was a fan from the start. My friend was so ahead of the pack that he went to get her cassette tape when Sheryl Crow was only on the verge of superstardom.
Later we will realize that she was not THAT popular yet. Because when my friend asked for the Sheryl Crow cassette, the saleslady gave him... Sheryl Cruz.
Usually, I go home to Bulacan late afternoon on Saturdays and in that 1-hour trip, I only have the radio as company. Lately, I have discovered that 94.7 has a special programming on Saturdays wherein the play songs from the 90's (hence, Decade).
The 90’s might not be as creatively relevant as the 70’s and the 80’s but it was memorable for us. We spent our formative years (high school and college) in the 90’s and these songs became the background to our teen angst, juvenile rebellion and shots at first love. Plus the 90’s music was more enduring than the pop overkill that defined the new millennium (yes...Britney, Backstreet Boys, Nsync).
Listening to Decade really brings me back. I remember the mid-90’s marked the big shift from cassette to CDs and hence, the dawn of music piracy (hehe). I have most of these songs through those Referendum CDs. Remember them?
Here are some songs from that era that I will not mind hearing once again. Note that these are not the number one hits (or else this will be all Mariah songs). These are the obscure songs that somehow made its stamp into my turbulent teenage consciousness.
* More Than This (Natalie Merchant)
* Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen) (Baz Luhrmann)
* Being So Not For You (PM Dawn)
* Santa Monica and Break Me, Shake Me (Savage Garden)
* Secret Garden (Bruce Springsteen)
* No Rain (Blind Melon)
* Loser (Beck)
* Back to Good (Matchbox Twenty)
* Just A Little Time (Arkarna)
* Dayz of Our Lives (Bone Thugs N Harmony)
* If It Makes You Happy (Sheryl Crow)
* Five Candles (You Were There) (Jars of Clay)
* Don’t Fade Away and Deep In My Soul (Acosta & Russel)
* Who Will Save Your Soul? (Jewel)
* Freshmen (The Verve)
OPM
* Pain In My Heart (Second Wind)
* How Can I Be Sure (Agot Isidro)
* Tag-Ulan (After Image)
* Perfect (True Faith)
* The First Time I Saw You (Wiseguys)
* Fill Her (Eraserheards)
* All This Time (Side A feat. Sharon)
* May Pag-ibig Pa Kaya? (South Border)
* Running Away (Tunay Na Amo)
* To Be Near You (Viktoria)
***
My Music Library
Today I can browse through the 2,400++ songs on my iPod. But back in the day, I just have my trusty Walkman (my first high value personal purchase) and I carry about 5 casettes on my backpack. My music addiction began during my last year in high school.
The first cassette tape I ever bought was The Cranberries’ No Need To Argue.
Somehow I can’t remember the first original CD I bought.
I have the CD and cassette tape versions of about ten albums. One of them is Daydream by Mariah Carey. Three are from the local singer who is my all-time crush (initials AI). Two are from two hugely popular DJs who will deny these albums ever existed. Haha. I can still remember their autographed dedication on both CDs.
***
Sheryl Crow was one of the hottest discoveries of this decade. It started with All I Wanna Do from her debut album and her next two albums became groundbreaking modern classics.
Sheryl Crow did not register on my radar until her third, maybe fourth single. But a friend was a fan from the start. My friend was so ahead of the pack that he went to get her cassette tape when Sheryl Crow was only on the verge of superstardom.
Later we will realize that she was not THAT popular yet. Because when my friend asked for the Sheryl Crow cassette, the saleslady gave him... Sheryl Cruz.
The Heatseekers (May 30, 2009)
Here are ten tracks that are amassing huge airplay or will soon heat up the charts. I had a hard time getting hold of the first two songs because I only hear them but I don’t know the title or who sang it. But finally (thanks to Google lyrics)...I found them.
* Cheater’s Dilemma (Kay B)
* Takes Time To Love (Trey Songz)
* Permanent (David Cook)
* Breathe Slow (Alesha Dixon)
* The Show (Lenka)
* This Time (John Legend)
* Touch My Hand (David Archuleta)
* Sugar (Flo Rida feat Wynter)
* Knock You Down (Keri Hilson feat. Kanye West and Neyo)
* Her Diamonds (Rob Thomas)
***
Music Updates
Mariah Carey and Usher have announced the titles of their next albums due out late this year. No, this is not a collaboration album. MC's new release will be called Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel and she is said to be working with Timbaland. Usher's will be called Monster. Usher should consider renaming the album in light of the now famous YouTube video of Chris Brown saying "I am not a monster" in reference to his altercation case with ex Rihanna.
Eminem is back at #1 on the album charts with his new album Relapse. But seems like his music has already ran its course in this part of the world. How about some controversy, Marshall Mathers?
Post-Idol finale, Kris Allen posted five songs on the Billboard Hot 100, the highest being No Boundaries (his victory song) at #11 and Heartless at #16. Runner-up Adam Lambert has four songs, with Mad World at #19. This falls short of the record-breaking 11 songs posted by David Cook post-finale last year.
But this is because they also released a Season 8 Best Performances digital album which migh have affected downloads of their singles. On the Billboard Hot 200 Albums, Lambert (#33) outsold Allen (#50).
* Cheater’s Dilemma (Kay B)
* Takes Time To Love (Trey Songz)
* Permanent (David Cook)
* Breathe Slow (Alesha Dixon)
* The Show (Lenka)
* This Time (John Legend)
* Touch My Hand (David Archuleta)
* Sugar (Flo Rida feat Wynter)
* Knock You Down (Keri Hilson feat. Kanye West and Neyo)
* Her Diamonds (Rob Thomas)
***
Music Updates
Mariah Carey and Usher have announced the titles of their next albums due out late this year. No, this is not a collaboration album. MC's new release will be called Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel and she is said to be working with Timbaland. Usher's will be called Monster. Usher should consider renaming the album in light of the now famous YouTube video of Chris Brown saying "I am not a monster" in reference to his altercation case with ex Rihanna.
Eminem is back at #1 on the album charts with his new album Relapse. But seems like his music has already ran its course in this part of the world. How about some controversy, Marshall Mathers?
Post-Idol finale, Kris Allen posted five songs on the Billboard Hot 100, the highest being No Boundaries (his victory song) at #11 and Heartless at #16. Runner-up Adam Lambert has four songs, with Mad World at #19. This falls short of the record-breaking 11 songs posted by David Cook post-finale last year.
But this is because they also released a Season 8 Best Performances digital album which migh have affected downloads of their singles. On the Billboard Hot 200 Albums, Lambert (#33) outsold Allen (#50).
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
AI Finale: The ALLENation of American
By now the whole world knows that Kris Allen has been crowned as the eight American Idol. In one of the greatest upset in reality TV history, the Dark Horse sprinted ahead of the pack and nabbed an against-all-odds victory over perennial favourite Adam Lambert, who has to settle for being probably the most celebrated runner-up on the most popular show on earth.
My highly toxic schedule from Wednesday until Saturday prevented me from seeing the performance night. But from what I heard and the from the snippets I was able to catch, Kris won the first round (contestant's favorite) with his Ain’t No Sunshine shining over Adam’s Mad World. The second song was producer Simon Fuller’s choice. Adam got back on track with A Change Is Gonna Come. Kris was given What’s Going On.
For the final round, they brought back that one song that each of the Final Two has to interpret. This time it was No Boundaries, a song co-written by judge Kara DioGuardi. The song is a sound-alike to I Believe (Fantasia’s season) but with more forgettable lyrics. The real task for the two is how to interpret a song this insipid and lacklustre. The song is better suited for Kris’ style but it was set too high that Kris has to strain himself to reach the notes. Adam was effortless but there is disconnect between his vocals and the song’s sentiment.
The performance night ended with no clear indication of who will win.
Sidebar: Kris reminds me of Joey from "Friends." Adam reminds me of a Chucky doll. Sorry, Adam fans!
Almost 100 million votes were cast, a new record. And with that kind of number, controversy is not far behind. From what I’ve read, the competition touched the nerve of America and became a battle between religious beliefs, with the conservatives voting for Kris and the liberals going for Adam (yeah, something like Democrats vs the Republicans). Kris and Danny Gokey are active members of their church whereas Adam is haunted by news on his sexuality. They were even whispers that some people vote for Kris not because they like him more but because they hate Adam and what he represents. What year is this...1532?
I think one explanation to this upset victory is that the fans of Danny Gokey flocked to Kris Allen. After all, they have the same profile and persona. Boy-next-door, squeaky clean and very endearing.
For the record, I have nothing against Adam and I am very much in awe of his talent. And this is about the music so I don’t give a damn about religious views or even personal sexual preferences. I just find Kris more talented in the way he makes liberties with his material (in contrast, Adam’s talent sometimes plays second fiddle to his overeager showmanship). Kris’ personality is also more affable; he has this down-to-earth and unassuming aura that you can’t help but like.
This season’s Grand Finale was the best in AI history. As the viewers sit on the edge waiting for the results, they are treated to one superb production number after the other. To see the Top 13 once again is already a treat in itself, as this is the most talented batch ever.
For me, these are the most memorable performances of the Finale night:
The Final Two singing the anthemic We Are The Champions with Queen. The perfect song to end this near-perfect season.
Kris Allen performing Kiss A Girl with Keith Urban.
Matt Giraud singing Black Magic Woman with Carlos Santana then the Top 13 chorused on Smooth. Here we see some wicked dance moves from Kris and Adam.
Allison Iraheta singing Time After Time with Cyndi Lauper. For me, this is one of the most beautiful songs ever written. Ergo, the countless revivals.
The Top 13 Girls performing Fergie's hits and then the Black Eyed Peas exploded onstage with Boom Boom Pow.
David Cook with Permanent, his fourth single and also a charity single as downloads on iTunes will serve as a donation to a cause finding a cure for cancer (his brother Adam just recently succumbed to the illness)
Bikini girl Katrina Darrel performing Vision of Love after being given the award for Best Attitude. Her nemesis Kara came out and sang with her…then moments later revealed herself in a bikini. (I swear Kara is one hot mamma...you want to almost shout Take it Off! Take it off!)
Ok, you can peel your eyes from Kara's body now.
As a final re-cap for this season, below are the best 15 performances; at least from the ones I’ve watched.
1. Falling Slowly - Kris Allen
2. Heartless – Kris Allen
3. Tracks of My Tears – Adam Lambert
4. Mad World – Adam Lambert
5. What Hurts The Most – Danny Gokey
6. She Works Hard For the Money – Kris Allen
7. My Funny Valentine – Matt Giraud
8. To Make You Feel My Live – Kris Allen
9. I Can’t Make You Love Me – Allison Iraheta
10. Black Or White – Adam Lambert
11. Human Nature – Matt Giraud
12. Remember The Time – Kris Allen
13. Ain’t No Sunshine – Kris Allen
14. Part-Time Lover – Matt Giraud
15. True Colors – Anoop Desai
To these guys...see you at the charts!
My highly toxic schedule from Wednesday until Saturday prevented me from seeing the performance night. But from what I heard and the from the snippets I was able to catch, Kris won the first round (contestant's favorite) with his Ain’t No Sunshine shining over Adam’s Mad World. The second song was producer Simon Fuller’s choice. Adam got back on track with A Change Is Gonna Come. Kris was given What’s Going On.
For the final round, they brought back that one song that each of the Final Two has to interpret. This time it was No Boundaries, a song co-written by judge Kara DioGuardi. The song is a sound-alike to I Believe (Fantasia’s season) but with more forgettable lyrics. The real task for the two is how to interpret a song this insipid and lacklustre. The song is better suited for Kris’ style but it was set too high that Kris has to strain himself to reach the notes. Adam was effortless but there is disconnect between his vocals and the song’s sentiment.
The performance night ended with no clear indication of who will win.
Sidebar: Kris reminds me of Joey from "Friends." Adam reminds me of a Chucky doll. Sorry, Adam fans!
Almost 100 million votes were cast, a new record. And with that kind of number, controversy is not far behind. From what I’ve read, the competition touched the nerve of America and became a battle between religious beliefs, with the conservatives voting for Kris and the liberals going for Adam (yeah, something like Democrats vs the Republicans). Kris and Danny Gokey are active members of their church whereas Adam is haunted by news on his sexuality. They were even whispers that some people vote for Kris not because they like him more but because they hate Adam and what he represents. What year is this...1532?
I think one explanation to this upset victory is that the fans of Danny Gokey flocked to Kris Allen. After all, they have the same profile and persona. Boy-next-door, squeaky clean and very endearing.
For the record, I have nothing against Adam and I am very much in awe of his talent. And this is about the music so I don’t give a damn about religious views or even personal sexual preferences. I just find Kris more talented in the way he makes liberties with his material (in contrast, Adam’s talent sometimes plays second fiddle to his overeager showmanship). Kris’ personality is also more affable; he has this down-to-earth and unassuming aura that you can’t help but like.
This season’s Grand Finale was the best in AI history. As the viewers sit on the edge waiting for the results, they are treated to one superb production number after the other. To see the Top 13 once again is already a treat in itself, as this is the most talented batch ever.
For me, these are the most memorable performances of the Finale night:
The Final Two singing the anthemic We Are The Champions with Queen. The perfect song to end this near-perfect season.
Kris Allen performing Kiss A Girl with Keith Urban.
Matt Giraud singing Black Magic Woman with Carlos Santana then the Top 13 chorused on Smooth. Here we see some wicked dance moves from Kris and Adam.
Allison Iraheta singing Time After Time with Cyndi Lauper. For me, this is one of the most beautiful songs ever written. Ergo, the countless revivals.
The Top 13 Girls performing Fergie's hits and then the Black Eyed Peas exploded onstage with Boom Boom Pow.
David Cook with Permanent, his fourth single and also a charity single as downloads on iTunes will serve as a donation to a cause finding a cure for cancer (his brother Adam just recently succumbed to the illness)
Bikini girl Katrina Darrel performing Vision of Love after being given the award for Best Attitude. Her nemesis Kara came out and sang with her…then moments later revealed herself in a bikini. (I swear Kara is one hot mamma...you want to almost shout Take it Off! Take it off!)
Ok, you can peel your eyes from Kara's body now.
As a final re-cap for this season, below are the best 15 performances; at least from the ones I’ve watched.
1. Falling Slowly - Kris Allen
2. Heartless – Kris Allen
3. Tracks of My Tears – Adam Lambert
4. Mad World – Adam Lambert
5. What Hurts The Most – Danny Gokey
6. She Works Hard For the Money – Kris Allen
7. My Funny Valentine – Matt Giraud
8. To Make You Feel My Live – Kris Allen
9. I Can’t Make You Love Me – Allison Iraheta
10. Black Or White – Adam Lambert
11. Human Nature – Matt Giraud
12. Remember The Time – Kris Allen
13. Ain’t No Sunshine – Kris Allen
14. Part-Time Lover – Matt Giraud
15. True Colors – Anoop Desai
To these guys...see you at the charts!
Monday, May 11, 2009
The Heatseekers (May 10, 2009)
Note: This is the debut of The Heatseekers series on this blog. This series feature music news and updates, chart predictions and basically anything that defines the current music landscape.
***
Here are ten new tracks I have unearthed lately and will soon steam up the charts.
The Heatseekers (May 10, 2009)
* Black Heart Inertia (Incubus)
* Please Don’t Stop The Rain (James Morrison)
* Know Your Enemy (Green Day)
* No Surprise (Daughtry)
* I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho) (Pitbull)
* 1,2,3,4 (Plain White T’s)
* My Love (The Dream feat. Mariah Carey)
* Sandali Na Lang (Hale)
* Revelry (Kings of Leon)
***
Mandy Moore’s video for the new single I Could Break Your Heart Any Day of the Week has premiered on Yahoo Videos.
Moore was never one of those pop stars who use high-production and glossy videos as a marketing gimmick. Her only memorable video is Crush (her only TRL #1). She lets the music, not the video, speak for itself.
In the new video we see a more adult and more sophisticated (yes...prettier) Moore. I just find it a little too inconsistent with the song’s melody and sentiment. The playfulness and empowerment is there but I think the video uses more shock value than the song’s imprint. The end part where Moore gives the sensei a taste of girl power is humorous in a confusing sort of way. The guy who plays the sensei looks familiar. I first thought it was Flea from the Red Hot Chilli Peppers. Research says it is Chuck Liddell from Ultimate Fighting Championship (Mandy is a fan of this mixed martial arts).
Mandy Moore - I Could Break Your Heart Any Day of the Week (Official Music Video) -
The music bible Billboard has spoken. This is their review of ICBYHADOTW (whew...such a long title might ruin its chances atop the charts), dated May 9:
I Could Break Your Heart Any Day of the Week
Mandy Moore
Michael Menachem
Mandy Moore has been a recording artist for 10 years and continues churning out mature, yet age-appropriate songs. The tongue-in-cheek single "I Could Break Your Heart Any Day of the Week" is a feel-good pop song with restrained production, refreshingly showcasing the melody and Moore's alluring vocals. She recorded her sixth studio album, "Amanda Leigh" (the title is the singer's birth name), with Boston producer Mike Viola, who tapped into a hand-clapped rhythm and funky clavinet sounds, resulting in a light and bubbly sound for the season. Moore's new album floats into stores May 26.
I am counting the days to May 26. Sixteen days to go...
Incidentally, Moore is featured in the latest Details magazine. This is one of her most seductive pictorials ever.
***
Some Music Tidbits:
* Rob Thomas will be soon release his sophomore solo effort called Cradlesong (after the successful debut Something To Be).
* Black Eyed Peas is riding high as they enjoy their first Billboard #1 with Boom Boom Pow. Go, Pinoy... go, Apl.
* Another idol alumni is getting raves. First there was Jennifer Hudson who proved that you don't need to win AI to make it big (Hudson is the only Idol contestant to have nabbed an Oscar and a Grammy). Just this week, Constantine Maroulis received a Tony Award nomination for his work on the Broadway production of Rock of Ages.
***
Here are ten new tracks I have unearthed lately and will soon steam up the charts.
The Heatseekers (May 10, 2009)
* Black Heart Inertia (Incubus)
* Please Don’t Stop The Rain (James Morrison)
* Know Your Enemy (Green Day)
* No Surprise (Daughtry)
* I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho) (Pitbull)
* 1,2,3,4 (Plain White T’s)
* My Love (The Dream feat. Mariah Carey)
* Sandali Na Lang (Hale)
* Revelry (Kings of Leon)
***
Mandy Moore’s video for the new single I Could Break Your Heart Any Day of the Week has premiered on Yahoo Videos.
Moore was never one of those pop stars who use high-production and glossy videos as a marketing gimmick. Her only memorable video is Crush (her only TRL #1). She lets the music, not the video, speak for itself.
In the new video we see a more adult and more sophisticated (yes...prettier) Moore. I just find it a little too inconsistent with the song’s melody and sentiment. The playfulness and empowerment is there but I think the video uses more shock value than the song’s imprint. The end part where Moore gives the sensei a taste of girl power is humorous in a confusing sort of way. The guy who plays the sensei looks familiar. I first thought it was Flea from the Red Hot Chilli Peppers. Research says it is Chuck Liddell from Ultimate Fighting Championship (Mandy is a fan of this mixed martial arts).
Mandy Moore - I Could Break Your Heart Any Day of the Week (Official Music Video) -
The music bible Billboard has spoken. This is their review of ICBYHADOTW (whew...such a long title might ruin its chances atop the charts), dated May 9:
I Could Break Your Heart Any Day of the Week
Mandy Moore
Michael Menachem
Mandy Moore has been a recording artist for 10 years and continues churning out mature, yet age-appropriate songs. The tongue-in-cheek single "I Could Break Your Heart Any Day of the Week" is a feel-good pop song with restrained production, refreshingly showcasing the melody and Moore's alluring vocals. She recorded her sixth studio album, "Amanda Leigh" (the title is the singer's birth name), with Boston producer Mike Viola, who tapped into a hand-clapped rhythm and funky clavinet sounds, resulting in a light and bubbly sound for the season. Moore's new album floats into stores May 26.
I am counting the days to May 26. Sixteen days to go...
Incidentally, Moore is featured in the latest Details magazine. This is one of her most seductive pictorials ever.
***
Some Music Tidbits:
* Rob Thomas will be soon release his sophomore solo effort called Cradlesong (after the successful debut Something To Be).
* Black Eyed Peas is riding high as they enjoy their first Billboard #1 with Boom Boom Pow. Go, Pinoy... go, Apl.
* Another idol alumni is getting raves. First there was Jennifer Hudson who proved that you don't need to win AI to make it big (Hudson is the only Idol contestant to have nabbed an Oscar and a Grammy). Just this week, Constantine Maroulis received a Tony Award nomination for his work on the Broadway production of Rock of Ages.
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