Boy bands are SO in right now. I miss NSYNC. They look so happy. I’m still having a hard time with their break up, you guys. Please, console me.
Non-guilty pleasure: BT’s “Suddenly”
I found this artist through all my boy band/NSYNC research/obsession a week ago. His name is Brian Transeau and he is pretty much an electronic music pioneer. He created a program/plugin for Logic, Ableton etc. based on techniques he was using to produce songs like NSYNC’s “Pop” that use soundbites as percussive hits. So fucking cool.
His solo ventures are definitely steeped in futuristic electro pop. The chorus is catchy yet kind of sickening. I like the really 80s riff right before the chorus. The actual song is around 8 minutes long and is FULL of amazing electronica sounds. I’m a sucker for a dramatic melody and interesting electronic movements. Even if this song ain’t your jam, his technique and talent as a producer and music software developer is beyond noteworthy. I mean, have you even HEARD NSYNC’s “Pop“???? I listened to the song for a week in complete awe of the invention and creativity of BT’s production. Fascinating. Check out more about his music here.
Forever Young: Paramore
Remember the days of angsty teen rock-pop? I guess I should say, remember the days of our angsty teen rock-pop, because this genre has been and will be around forever as long as there are angsty teens in suburban bedrooms.
This song used to be the ultimate “fuck you ex-boyfriend” cardio workout jam. The kind of jam that releases steam and tightens yo bunz. Holla at ya gurl, Hayley Williams!
Bucket list: Do X with The Wanted
These guys are totally hot in a “we’re not 12” sort of way. I dig it. If only they would DANCE. For THE LOVE OF GOD, if you’re going to be in a boy band and not play instruments, give us some fucking dance moves. That’s all we ask.
Cuz I just got PAID
Happy Friday bitches!!! Have a fun weekend spending reasonably, only because we are economically forced to.
PS: Why aren’t all the new boy bands dancing like NSYNC used to? New Kids on the Block even danced the shit out of their sets. I refuse to pay attention to One Direction or The Wanted until I see some dance moves or at least full frontal. Those are the conditions. Take it or leave it, boy band HACKS.
#salty
Listen: Patrick Park’s “Something Pretty”
I always thought the lyrics were “I walked a hundred miles in Tubekistan” which makes the song way different than the actual lyrics “tobacco skin”. Such a pretty song from our compilation O.C. soundtracks. And now that you’re thinking of the O.C., you’re totally singing “Californiaaaaa. CalifornIIIIAAAAA!!!!!!!” And if you weren’t, you are now. You’re welcome.
Netflix nightcap: Madonna: Truth or Dare
Madonna was the absolute coolest girl on the planet.
The entire movie is documenting Madonna as she completes her 1990 Blonde Ambition tour. After watching this early Madonna, you understand why she is the root of modern pop stardom. She fights through crowds of photographers, creates controversy to get in the papers, sings catchy yet solid pop lyrics and dances like the coolest bitch that ever lived. She is a true star. From demanding the sound guy explain to her why there is so much feedback to her waving to adoring fans outside her hotel room, she plays the original pop star role to perfection.
A good part of the film focuses on the people who surround her. Mostly backup dancers make up her day to day entourage, but once in a while people like Antonia Banderas and Sandra Barnhart show up to show famous people being friends with other famous people. It’s bizarre. Boyfriend at the time Warren Beaty was wary of the cameras and the whole act surrounding Madonna at the time, and you could tell he kind of thought she was bullshit or he was too insecure to be with a woman of her fame and character.
Some of the other people interviewed in this documentary, like her brother Martin or the people that work on her show, could hands down be a character on any documentary-style sitcom show. Her brother in particular reminded me of a Trailer Park Boys–esque Ricky crossed with Turtle from Entourage and Ben Affleck’s character in Good Will Hunting. Another woman, who was a long lost childhood friend of Madonna’s, wants her to be her child’s Godmother. Madonna graciously thanks her and says she’ll get back to her on it later because she’s so busy, all with a cheeky, “yeah right gurl” attitude as she blows out of the room because she’s famous and perpetually late. The definition of cool.
One could argue so many things about this documentary. That it’s Madonna doing Marilyn, that it’s at times hard to tell what is real, what is staged and what is exaggerated. But isn’t Madonna’s whole appeal (and that of Lady Gaga and any pop star as well) to act their part on the grand stage of life a mere 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? They want fame, they become fame. This is a documentary showing the personal aftermath of being the coolest, most famous and successful woman in the world.
Watch it.
Mixtape Monday: Le Musicassette’s “Black Devil Disco Club”
Monday’s are bleak my friends. Filled with sleepy eyes, regrettable memories of your weekend second life and not.enough.coffee. This mixtape is cool and just weird enough to keep you on your toes during whatever it is that won’t keep you awake at work. If that doesn’t convince you, there’s Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” 4 minutes in. DO IT. Your morning report will be fucking kick-ass because of it. Promise.
Happy Monday!!!
Music: Fiona Apple bitches
Fiona Apple’s cover art for her new album (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) “The idler wheel is wiser than the driver of the screw and whipping cords will serve you more than ropes will ever do” I heard it’s now the longest album name ever. In this day and age of breaking DUI records and most panty flashes in the history of the world, it’s nice to see an artist break a pretty neutral record. Way to go, Fiona.
Here’s some Fiona ear candy until the new album comes out. If it’s even half as good as Extraordinary Machine, we have nothing to worry about.
Listen: Brenda K Starr’s “I Still Believe”
Total ex-lover music porn next to a rainy window. Also, she sings in Spanish! There’s our new language practice software, set to pop music ballads and 80s drums.
2PF 