"Weird Al" Yankovic - "Fat"

While riding the subway home, I found out that Michael Jackson died of cardiac arrest earlier today. A group of strangers told me the news, but I honestly thought I was being punk'd. However, I got the feeling that they were legit even before one of the ladies showed me the news on her Blackberry (at least, I think it was a Blackberry).

No doubt, every blogger on Earth will be posting MJ videos in tribute. You know I don't tend to follow the crowd, so here's my tribute.

Weird Al Yankovic - Fat
by GuyanaMike

CD Collection Update #3

I picked up this album just like I said I would. I'm listening to it as I type and I like what I hear.



Artist: Jonas Brothers
Title: Lines, Vines And Trying Times
Genre(s): pop

Download my updated CD collection.

CD Collection Update #2

I didn't pick up the new Franz Ferdinand remix album. I did, however, pick up the following...



Artist: Grizzly Bear
Title: Veckatimest
Genre(s): folk, indie rock

Download my updated CD collection.

Grizzly Bear - "Two Weeks"

I've already made room in my spending plan for new albums by Franz Ferdinand (Blood) and the Jonas Brothers (Lines, Vines And Trying Times). I might have to squeeze in Grizzly Bear's Veckatimest if this song has anything to do with it.

They've been getting excellent buzz for that album, but I've largely ignored it...until now.

Grizzly Bear - Two Weeks (official music video)
by WeeRezZ

Eric B. & Rakim - "Let The Rhythm Hit 'Em"

I used to borrow CDs from the library when I was younger; one of them was Let The Rhythm Hit 'Em by Eric B. & Rakim. I didn't realize the significance of what I had back then, but I'd come to realize that Rakim was - and still is - one of the most respected hip-hop lyricists of all time. Listen to the title track from the aforementioned album and see how Rakim's deft wordplay makes people like Soulja Boy Tell 'Em sound like cheap impostors.

Mind you, this is coming from someone who likes "Kiss Me Thru The Phone."

Kid Cudi - "Day 'N' Nite"

This is what loneliness can drive some people to do. Not that I've ever taken it so far as to dabble in drugs, but it's a feeling that I wish on no one.

Bonus points if you can catch the very clever Prince reference.


kid cudi - day 'n' nite
by 75_prod

I'm Listening To... #1

Those were the days...R.I.P. dnbscene.com.

Fountains Of Wayne - "Stacy's Mom"

Happy Mother's Day!


Fountains of Wayne - Stacy's Mom
by kellyfan42

In Defense Of The Jonas Brothers

I like the Jonas Brothers' music...well, from A Little Bit Longer onward. That statement alone is enough to make me lose a lot of cred in some readers' eyes, but I don't care.

I'm male and almost thirty years old, so I'm way outside of their demographic. A few years ago, I wouldn't have given them the time of day, neither. Every time a song like "When You Look Me In The Eyes" came on, I'd cringe. I used to dismiss them as a band that tween girls go ga-ga for; the story should have been over at that point.

Around the release of the aforementioned third album, I checked out "Burnin' Up," the lead single. Thanks in large part to the melody and the fact that "Kiss"-era Prince influenced the song, I ended up actually liking it. However, it wasn't until I heard "Lovebug," with its genius structuring (saving the rockout until close to the end) and tap dancing in the second verse, that I started to admit that the JBs just might sneak their way into my CD collection.

As of late 2008, they did - and they'll probably do it again with the release of Lines, Vines And Trying Times in a few months. "Paranoid" is the lead single this time around; I heard it yesterday and it sounds as if the JBs may have been influenced by The Killers and Weezer. Lyrically, it could signal a shift away from the romance-centred lyrics of their third album, although it devotes a few lines to taking shots at an ex. I bet the music press will be all over them, perhaps wondering if Taylor Swift or Miley Cyrus is the intended target.

In any event, this is one album I look forward to checking out.

CD Collection Update #1

Earlier this evening, I picked up my copy of an album where I did some backup vocals. I normally post an image of the album cover, but this isn't possible at the moment.

Artist: Dennis C. Brown
Title: Are You Prepared
Genre(s): gospel

You can't miss my voice; I'm the only male backup singer. ;-)

Download my updated CD collection.

Len feat. Biz Markie - "Beautiful Day"

It's way too bad that Len turned out to be one-hit wonders; You Can't Stop The Bum Rush has some very good songs on it. This is one of them.

Depeche Mode - "Wrong"

I took a listen to a few songs from Depeche Mode's latest album, Sounds Of The Universe, on Saturday afternoon. This song was easily the highlight; it sounds really good.

Depeche Mode - "Wrong" (official music video)

Living In A Box - "Living In A Box"

I still have this song on seven-inch vinyl! Man, those were the days...

Papa Roach - "Lifeline"

Papa Roach isn't a group I listen to on a regular basis, but "Lifeline", the recent single from Metamorphosis, caught my ear at the gym a few weeks ago. Lyrically, it's nothing we haven't heard before; the lead singer describes the pain he feels as he recounts a bad situation. However, take note of these lyrics from the second verse:

So I put out my hand
And I asked for some help
We tore down the walls I built around myself
I was struck by the light
And I fell to the ground

The last two lines should look familiar to Christians or anyone else who reads the Holy Bible.

And as (Saul) journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: and he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
(Acts 9:3-4, KJV; emphasis mine)

Just because some people aren't explicitly religious, it doesn't necessarily mean that they aren't thinking about spiritual matters. As a matter of fact, Christian Music Today has a series of articles called Glimpses Of God, where they explore the spiritual aspects of secular music. Their most recent examination was on Bruce Springsteen's latest album, Working On A Dream.

With that said, enjoy Papa Roach's song.

Papa Roach - Lifeline
by UniversalMusicGroup

LCD Soundsystem - "Losing My Edge"

Here's a cheeky song about a presumed music reporter (or hipster) who can't keep up with the new generation.

LCD Soundsystem - Losing My Edge
by epb21

The Sound Of Love

This would have been a perfect entry for my previous blog, Pitch Attack.

Today's Metro has an interesting article written by Andrea Woo. In it, she opines that the music that people listen to is an important part of their identity; ergo, this is bound to have an impact when it comes to dating. She goes so far as to say that she has "a deep suspicion for anyone who doesn't listen to much of it." I won't spoil her article for you, but you might want to be extra careful if you listen to Matchbox Twenty or Lady Gaga.

I've previously joked that I'd dump any woman who didn't like Amon Tobin or drum 'n bass, but in all seriousness, Ms. Woo makes a valid point. For example, as a Christian who listens to Christian and secular music, I'm always cognizant of what any potential girlfriends will think of some of the music I have at home. Sure, I happen to enjoy the usual Christian suspects like Israel & New Breed and Kirk Franklin. Then again, I have a few Elton John CDs at home, along with Franz Ferdinand, Boards Of Canada, and Muse. Quite frankly, that wouldn't sit well with some people - not that it bothers me any.

Just to prove how eclectic my tastes are, have a look at my complete CD collection. The newest addition is Israel Houghton's The Power Of One, which I bought a few Sundays ago.

P.S. I hope Andrea likes Amon Tobin. ;-)

Israel Houghton - "Just Wanna Say"

The first single from Israel Houghton's The Power Of One finally gets a video. He's definitely in on the OutKast reference.