These blog posts (which are regularly required of me or I get
beaten by Garrett) are taking shape as weekly missives from the
August 2007 Archives
Song: Friday Night At The Drive-In Bingo
Album: Friday Night At The Drive-In Bingo (single)
Artist: Jens Lekman
Selected by: Nate Baker
Date: August 31, 2007
Being the Friday before an all-American holiday, Labor Day, I decided to feature a Swedish singer doing a song about how Friday night goes down in his neck of the woods—except there's nothing Nordic about it. In fact "Friday Night At The Drive-In Bingo" is pure Bill Haley-era rock 'n' roll and sounds like it floated out of a deuce coup cruising the strip in American Graffiti. Anyone else hungry for a cheeseburger and a milkshake?
Even though Carrie Underwood's 2006 debut went platinum six-times over (for selling roughly a ba-jillion records) the American Idol star and recently-announced CMA Nominee is still an odd duck in the "Best New Artist" category. Not only does her pearly white mainstream styling make an odd contrast to lovably scruffy indie nominees like Peter, Bjorn and John and Gym Class Heroes, but the clean-livin' "Jesus Take The Wheel" ethos makes her a comparative candy striper next to the other ferocious ladies on the list. Oh yeah, and she sings COUNTRY.
What's that noise? Why, it's The White Stripes' Icky Thump! It's raw, it's simple, it's mind-numbingly incredible. And, get this, it's Jack and Meg's sixth studio album … yeah, count 'em, six! Time flies! Since forming in 1997, their momentum has been building and building and building and … well, it's all been leading up to this. In June, Icky Thump debuted at #2 on the Billboard album chart, selling 223K copies in just one week. Not bad for a little rock band from Detroit! And it gets even better for the dynamic duo -- they're up for Best Group at the VMAs!
Cuz, c'mon, who doesn't love the Stripes? We're especially diggin' the whole '70s vibe in You Don't Know What Love Is.” It's so very John and Yoko!
Song: You Go Bangin' On
Album: Howl On the Haunted Beat You Ride
Artist: The Go
Selected by: Eric Shea
Date: August 30, 2007
A mean old ex-girlfriend once called me a "retro victim." I guess that's one way to see things. Admittedly, I prefer my music old, my skateboards wide and my guitars antiquated. But honestly, I prefer the word "classic." Would you dismiss a vintage bottle of pinot grigio as "too retro" for your palate? Listening to this song, I guess I can see why Jack White left the Go to start his own band. But I can also see why the Go didn't follow in his musical footsteps. "You Go Bangin' On" is unapologetically old fangled. It sounds like Ringo Starr singing for Mungo Jerry in 1969. And since Ringo Starr never actually fronted Mungo Jerry, this song is just fine by me.
Yes, the rumors are true. Amy Winehouse will not be appearing or performing at the VMAs in Las Vegas, unfortunately. The singer 86'ed her upcoming appearance as well as her scheduled U.S. and U.K. tour dates due to, well, have you seen her lately?
Here's hoping she's in good health and er... spirits... soon. And hey... anyone notice we didn't employ any "no no no" puns? Yay, us. Oh wait... this isn't about us... Sorry.
The guys in Maroon 5 were determined to make it in the music biz, no matter what. Members Adam Levine, Jesse Carmichael and Mickey Madden met in high school in L.A. Their first band, Kara's Flowers, quickly nabbed a record deal and released an album, but it flopped and they were dropped from their label. But Adam and his cohorts weren't about to give up, so they changed their sound -- and their name -- and eventually landed on Octone Records. The rest is history. Since 2002, Maroon 5 has been bringing their brand of soulful rock to eager audiences.
All their hard work and determination has certainly paid off -- especially since they're up for a Moonman for Best Group at the VMAs! We're totally lovin' their dancey new tunes, especially "Makes Me Wonder." Something about all those flashing lights and neon signs makes us want to tear up the dance floor! Check out the video here.
Probably the only thing better than a Common video is a two-fer: a Common video with Lily Allen in it too (and she's so damned adorable in her emerald green dress that we've forgiven her anti U.S. sentiments.), which is exactly what you get in his new video, "Drivin' Me Wild," from his straight-to-number-one album, Finding Forever. And the only thing better than a Common video with 2007 VMA Best New Artist nominee Lily Allen is a Common video with a cameo by Entourage's Ari Gold…er, Jeremy Piven, who starred with Common in Smokin' Aces, which also stars Alicia Keys, who looks SO damn hot in this photo. Damon Dash makes an appearance too, and you can get plenty of the lovely Lauren London, who starred in ATL with Male Artist Of The Year nominee T.I.
We're lovin' the late-summer-like combo of Com in his sharp white suit, and the hazy heat-from-the-street shots, but we're also lovin' the look at Lily in a space suit and the subtle treadmill shout out to fellow Chicagoans OK Go. And of course, we're diggin' the under-the-microscope look at the distorted lives of the wannabe rich-and-famous, but would you expect anything less from the always-introspective neo-Soul hip-hop poet? Watch the video here and check out photos from the shoot.
Before Linkin Park's Minutes to Midnight was released, word on the street was that the warm, fuzzy relationship between rap and metal was well on its way to an ugly breakup. But leave it to Chester Bennington and the gang to prove the pairing can still make beautiful music together. The success of the alt.metal band's latest album shocked everyone -- well, except fans, of course – when it crash-landed at #1 on the Billboard album chart, selling a whopping 623,000 copies, making it the highest first-week total of 2007. (It even fended off some seriously stiff competition from the recent release of the High School Musical 2 soundtrack, which sold 615,000 copies in its first week – that was a close one, guys!)
With all this slammin' success, there's no doubt why LP is nominated for Best Group at the VMAs. 'Cause, really, who can resist their signature blend of rock, hip-hop and electronic beats? And, let's not kid around here … it probably doesn't hurt that the guys look like they can kick some serious ass! Just check out their new video for "Bleed It Out". Would you get in the ring with them? No way, we say! Wonder how the other Best Group nominees feel right about now…
Last week we showed you Rihanna's exclusive VMA photo shoot with David LaChapelle. And now we're bringing you behind-the-scenes pix from Kanye's shoot.
Also, we all know that the rapper's a serious fashion junkie -- he's not called the Louis Vuitton Don for nothing! In fact, he's even got Louis Vuitton trunks just chillin' in the foyer of the L.A. home he shares with fiancé Alexis Phifer. So then why did he show up on Entourage last night in almost the exact same sweater he was photographed in at his LaChapelle photo shoot, hm? Maybe he's still paying off that $3,900 take-out tab he ran up in March.
If you missed Entourage, check out a clip of Kanye's cameo right here (you can hear his new single "Good Life," with T-Pain playing in the background) and video from his LaChapelle shoot here.
It's been a whirlwind couple of years for Fall Out Boy -- they've gone from relative obscurity to headlining the Warped Tour to the multiplatinum success of From Under the Cork Tree to Pete Wentz's much blogged about eye-popping drawer dropping incident(s). Then, just when you thought they couldn't get any bigger (ahem), FOB released Infinity on High. It scored a direct hit on the Billboard album chart -- selling more than 260,000 copies in its first week to land at #1 -- proving it was time for anyone that doubted the power of Pete and Co. to put a sock in it (ahem, again). Yes, FOB has proven to be a force to be reckoned with, which is exactly why they're nominated for Best Group at the VMAs.
The emo kings' new tunes are so good, in fact, that we still can't get enough of their super-stylish video for "This Ain't a Scene, It's an Arms Race" (where Petey Pete Pete actually pokes fun at those scandalous pics of him that surfaced). And, of course, we're also totally addicted to their latest video, "The Takeover, The Breakover." But is it just us or is Mr. Wentz running out of excuses to take off his shirt on camera? Oh, who cares, right? The more important question remains: Who's gonna walk away with the Moonman for Best Group on Sept. 9!
Betches, not even Tay Zonday and his epic "Chocolate Rain," (which is now our ringtone) could take the place of Kelly and her "Shoes." So we were super stoked when Kelly "her"self agreed to rank and rate shoes of the well-heeled attendees of VMAs past. Watch the video below, see Kelly's fave videos, and and check out photos of Kelly when she stopped by MTV. And if you really have no idea what we're talking about, check out Kelly's "Shoes" video here, and then see watch the video.
Oh yeah, and check out Kelly's official fan club, betches, appropriately titled "Betchslap."
Song: Duel
Album: Mezcal Head
Artist: Swervedriver
Selected by: Linda Ryan
Date: August 29, 2007
Swervedriver were too heavy and too hook conscious to snugly fit into the shoegazer scene, but for a brief time in the early 1990s, this Oxford quartet churned out a bevy of visceral pop beauties. “Duel,” one of their best efforts, is an evocative slice of swirling pop heaven.
Who else thought of Dolores O'Riordan belting out the chorus to the Cranberries' hit, "Zombie," when first hearing the infectious "eh, eh, eh's" in Rihanna's "Umbrella"? We at Rhapsody are here to tell you that you are not alone brothers and sisters! And because we felt this case warranted special attention we dug deeper and uncovered some eerie parallels between the two tunes.
Know what a quadruple threat is?
According to the VMA's Quadruple Threat of the Year Award it's people like Beyonce, Bono, Kanye West, Justin Timberlake and Jay-Z who do a lot more than just music.
Timberlake also acts and dates hot chicks. Beyonce is hot and runs a clothing concern. Bono gets nominated for Noble prizes and stars in movies like Bicentennial Man and RV. Jay-Z wears baseball hats and makes money.
Come on! Who was the original Quadruple Threat? It was FRANK FREAKING SINATRA!
MTV should give Sinatra a life-time achievement award in Quadruple Threatdom. Sinatra sang like a dream. He not only won Oscars but was actually the biggest box office star at the movies for years.
Frank also created the concept album decades before the Beatles dropped Sgt. Pepper's and yet he still found time to date or engage/marry/break up with Marilyn Monroe, Ava Gardner, Lauren Bacall, Mia Farrow and pretty much any famous beauty with a pulse.
Frank was skinny like Justin, socially committed like Bono and outspoken like Kanye (he was an early civil rights activist), and he was even more business connected than Jay-Z. If Sinatra were still kickin', he'd have Beyonce's number in his Rolodex. Oh yeah, he also associated with the type of characters who would make 50 Cent curl up into a ball and crawl back into his mother's womb.
Sinatra also swung, baby -- which is a threat all on its own.
Stoked! They just announced the roster of artists playing this year's Hardly Strictly Bluegrass fest! It takes place from Friday, October 5th through Sunday, October 7th in San Francisco. I got so excited, that I made this Hardly Strictly Bluegrass VII playlist!
Here's a geeky little list of who I want to see this year and why:
1. Jeff Tweedy from Wilco
More hardly than strictly, I'm just hoping he'll pull something like this again.
2. Emmylou Harris
I recently got to interview Emmylou, and aside from the time I put a lobster in Nick Tangborn's hotel bed on an editorial retreat, interviewing Emmylou was the best job related experience I have ever known. She's the owner of my favorite voice and while I agree with many of her fans that she just keeps getting better with age, there's something to be said for her past.
3. Guy Clark
Yeah, I know...Towns Van Zandt has been dead for just over ten years now and I kick myself for not seeing him when he was still around, but I figure getting to see Guy Clark play is like the next best thing.
4. Hazel Dickens
I totally blew it and missed her performance at last year's HSBG fest, so I have to make sure I get to see her play this year because...come on! It's Hazel Dickens! Nobody else can put the chill of Appalachian winds up my spine with her soulfully weathered voice and haunting narratives.
5. The Sadies
How come Canadians are so good at playing country music? You may have seen the Sadies back up twang vixen Neko Case, but you have to see them on their own to understand their otherworldly skills and electric prowess in a live setting, whether they're playing country, rockabilly or old school hot rod music.
On Sunday night I was still on strict doctor's orders not to get my heart-rate up, not increase my blood pressure and not to move around to much (sadly, all of this -- like my many dog-vs-shark stories -- is completely true).
So what did I do? I grabbed my cane, slapped in my false teeth and took off to go see the reformed Crowded House in concert.
How good were Crowded House at Oakland's historic (and completely massive) Paramount theater?
They were great! Since I couldn't really clap too energetically, I tapped my cane against the ground to show solidarity with Neil Finn, Nick Seymour and crew.
The band is supporting their superb new album Time On Earth, which has went to No. 1 or Top 5 in Britain, Australia, Ireland and New Zealand. It only went Top 40 in America, proving once again that there is something wrong with us.
New Crowded House songs such as "She Called Up", "Don't Stop Now" (one of two tracks on the album to feature the Smiths' Johnny Marr) and "Transit Lounge" mixed with old hits seamlessly. Another plus, was that the suicide of drummer Paul Hester (which got the band to reconnect after about 15 years) did not diminish the very funny improvisational riffs between Finn and Seymour (who have always been like a less-slow version of Flight Of the Conchords -- there must be something in the New Zealand water). The band also made up goofy disco numbers and psych-rockers on the spot and just kind of decided to do a blessedly right-on cover of the Velvet Underground's "Sunday Morning" (which had started as a cover of the Mamas & the Papas' "Monday, Monday" !!!).
It was a brilliant night. If I felt any better I would tell you about it in more detail, but this is a blog, not a newspaper, so I am allowed to be truly half-assed. I do still have the strength to tell you that Nick Seymour created a striking, often beautiful set for the band (which changed throughout the evening) and that Crowded House turned a couple of thousand strangers into friends -- that's what a great concert does...it takes you outside of yourself and connects you to something greater.
OK, now I have no strength left...too bad, Crowded House deserve better.
Song: There's a Riot Goin' On
Artist: Sly and the Family Stone
Album: There's a Riot Goin' On
Date: 8/28/07
Selected By: Sam Chennault
Listening to There’s a Riot Going On -- Stone’s grainy requiem for disillusionment from 1971 -- it’s easy to imagine Sly driving around LA in a renovated Winnebago full of cocaine, guns and recording equipment, cutting one of America’s greatest pop albums. This song -- its name an answer to Marvin’s question “What’s Going On?” -- is four seconds of silence.
That coyly-spelled title is a little silly, but with its big beat guitars and relentlessly catchy chorus, Fall Out Boy's "Thnks Fr Th Mmrs" is a worthy pick for the nomination of Monster Single of the Year. (Plus, the video for the tune continues the long-honored tradition of monkeys in pop music that was started with Michael Jackson and diaper-clad Bubbles.) Fall Out Boy's ascent to the top also brings more mainstream attention to the once-fringe emo subgenre…
September 7th, 2000, San Francisco's Western Edition.
Cold air seeps through the rickety window panes as silent images from MTV's post-VMA coverage fill the otherwise dark room in a morphing mesh of colors. Suddenly, the ground shakes as a gleaming metallic light rises from the floor to swirl up in front of the coffee table.
I stir my gin and tonic, taking a sip as the light slowly morphs into the form of human. After a minute, the person's features begin to cement, and I recognize that this apparition is in fact me.
"Um," I stammer. "Are you…me?"
He shrugs in acknowledgment and lights up a cigarette.
"You got another one of those?" he asks, pointing toward my drink.
"Take this one," I say. I scan him over, and notice that he looks much older than me and is dressed in a strangely flashy manner.
"Your shoes are very shiny," I offer.
"Listen, Sam," he begins. "I'm from 2007 and we work with MTV now."
"We work with MTV now?" I ask.
"Yeah, they have memory problems, so they built a time machine, and sent me back here to ask some questions," he says.
"We work with MTV now?"
"Listen, can we get past that?" my doppelganger asks. "I have questions, and not a lot of time."
"Sure."
"What happened at the VMAs tonight?"
"Well, it was hosted by the Waynes Brothers," I begin.
"Oh, the dudes in White Chicks," he cuts in, chuckling. "That movie may be the best thing that happens in this decade, trust me. What else do you have for me?"
"I guess what most people are talking about is when Britney performed 'I Can't Get No Satisfaction,' ripped off her black suit and appeared naked except for some well-placed props. But it turns out she was in a flesh-colored tight suit. Hey, does she, you know, ever show us her stuff in the future?"
My 2007 self shudders. "Um, yeah. You could put it that way."
"Are her and the guy from N*SYNC, who also performed tonight -- are they still together?" I ask.
"No," he says. "But 'that guy from N*SYNC, as your refer to him, goes on to be a critically renowned, cutting edge pop star and the heir to Michael Jackson's throne as King of Pop."
"Really? Does Fred Durst, who performed with Xtina, become the new John Lennon?" I ask.
"No, but he does release a sex tape," my 2007 self offers, pensively looking out the window as if he's pondering the fortunes of the Limp Bizkit frontman.
"That ugly dude makes a sex tape?"
"In the future, everyone has a sex tape, Sam" he says. "But keep your eye on Xtina. She is very respected. What else happens?"
"Oh, Eminem performed with a hundred look alikes and Rage Against the Machine got into trouble when their bassist climbed the scaffolding behind the stage and refused to come down. Hey, does the great Marxist/ hip-hop/middle class revolution ever go down?"
My double frowns, drains the gin and tonic dry and takes a long pull from his cigarette.
"No, you need to prepare for the worst, Sam. And don't vote for Nader. You'll regret it, believe me."
And with that, he vanishes, leaving me alone with nothing to look forward to. Except White Chicks.
artwork by dalek
The din of rumors about Britney's appearance at the VMAs is only growing louder, and though it's unconfirmed by our pals at MTV, the gadflies are suggesting that the former pop queen might use an appearance to buoy her image. Truth be told, with all the malicious stories, unsightly tabloid headlines, and unfortunate haircuts, we're rooting for Britney to pull it together. Looking over the list of past VMA champs, she's not the only one who could use a publicity stunt to bring them back from the edge of that scary place called Has-Been-Landia. We put together this list of acts we'd most like to see mount a comeback…or plant one on Madonna!
1.) Living Colour "Cult of Personality" Best Group Video, 1989
- We'd chew our arm out of a bear trap to hear this Body Glove-favoring band's rumored 2007 release. Chances are, it'll be no Vivid, but we can dream.
2.) Salt-N-Pepa & En Vogue "Whatta Man" Best R&B Video, Best
Choreography, 1994
Song: They Can't Take That Away From Me
Album: Songs For Distingue Lovers
Artist: Billie Holiday
Selected by: Nick Dedina
Date: August 27, 2007
This Gershwin Brothers standard is on the shortlist of the
greatest tunes ever written. Many critics like to pretend that Lady Day was all
washed up by 1957, but just take a listen to how she saunters through
"They Can't Take This Away From Me." Ben Webster, the King of the
Tenors, takes the saxophone spot that Lester Young used to hold with
You loved Nelly Furtado in pigtails and peasant skirts, and you KNOW you love her in plenty of eyeliner and stilettos. And you know we're right there with you! But time was, back a few years ago, this Nelly was the first Nelly you thought of when ya hurd that name.
Ms. Furtado dropped the hippie-chick single "I'm Like A Bird" in 2000 and then seemingly flew away. But more than half a decade later, she shed her cute but stale boho-babe persona, cranked the hotness up to full-on sexpot mode and made an epic comeback, complete with a seriously sultry, sexy street sound. (Having Timbaland on her team didn't hurt either.) Loose went 5x platinum -- and counting(!!!) Now she's responsible for some of the best mainstream dance-pop tracks in years (not even we are sick of "Maneater" or "Promiscuous Girl," and we already done tol' you how much we love "Do It.")
And of course, she looks hotter than Hades, and she proved that not all moms wear Mom Jeans -- uh, not in the least. Now Ms. Furtado's the main Nelly in our game. So, it is any surprise that she's nominated for a 2007 VMA for Female Artist Of The Year?... Or that she'll be performing at the VMAs? ...
OR…that she's this week's MTV Artist Of The Week? That's right, we're celebrating one of the hardest (and sexiest!) workin' women in the game all this week. Okay, we told you why WE love her. Now watch her most recent video, "Do It," and tell us why YOU love her.
Pardon the interruption if you're still busy checking out those nizasty photos of Amy Winehouse all battered and bruised (Eeek! girl! WTF happened to you???). But let's turn out attentions toward less sordid affairs, shall we?
The legendary, visionary director-photographer-filmmaker and style icon David LaChapelle (not to be confused with Dave Chappelle), known for turning his celeb subjects into sex-drugs-and-rock-n-rocked-out glamazons living in a super glossy, high fashion, tongue-in-cheek-candy-coated alternative reality, did a series of VMA photo shoots with nominees Rihanna, Kanye West, Fall Out Boy and Foo Fighters. Take a peek at Rihanna's photos to see the diminutive diva giving Kanye a back rub, her rarely seen tattoo, and a photo of her looking eerily like a Control-era Janet Jackson.
While Kanye’s heart and soul belong to the Chi, he is increasingly looking eastward for his visual cues. The video for “Stronger” is the clearest example of Kanye’s Japan fetish, but he has also enlisted famed Japanese artist Takashi Murakami to design the artwork for his new singles and the Graduation cover.
Murakami is best known in the states for his collaborations with Louie Vuitton, but originally he was a famous Japanese pop artist who pioneered the superflat movement. Admittedly, I’m not an art critic, but superflat is among the most important art movements to come out of Japan post-WWII. It grinds together the sexuality of manga with the violence of anime and evaluates these through the kitschy lens of pop art.
I guess you could make the argument that Murakami surrendered his right to effectively interrogate consumerism when he started linking up with LV and Kanye, but who cares? His stuff is still dope. Here are some more examples of Murakami’s art:
What's up with Gym Class Heroes' obsession with Hall and Oates? Yeah, you heard us right. The righteous hip-hoppers, who are nominated for Best New Artist and will be performing at the VMAs, have a serious thing for the '80s popsters! Their last headlining tour was called "The Daryl Hall for President Tour" (er?) and they're working on a mash-up album featuring, like, 40 old-school Hall and Oates tracks! Um, H&O were cool … 20 years ago! But we have no doubt that if anyone could make a couple of old fogies cool again, it's our favorite Heroes. They seem to have the Midas touch these days (especially when it comes to getting people to take their clothes off). Could a duet with Huey Lewis and the News be next? We hear they're looking to make a comeback…
Is it just us or doesn't it seem like Carrie Underwood's been around forever? (We mean that in a good way!) It's like after winning American Idol, she just effortlessly slipped into being a superstar. She's kinda like that comfy pair of jeans you wear every day -- she's a perfect fit! That's how good she is. But despite the fact that she acts like an old pro, she's still just a newbie, which is why she's up for Best New Artist at the VMAs. Yes! Best New Artist! And with the hot, hot, HOT hit ”Before He Cheats” on her hands, Carrie just might be adding a Moonman to her already impressive collection of awards. (She's got Grammys, People's Choice and Country Music awards … you name it, she's won it!) Now, what the hell ever happened to Bo Bice?
Wild child Lily Allen, our favorite three-nippled British babe -- yup, count 'em THREE -- may be stuck in the U.K. and missing out on the big VMA soiree (why oh why do you keep assaulting people, Lily?) but she appears to be doing A-OK. In fact, the Best New Artist nominee doesn't seem the slight bit peeved about being given the boot by America. Or does she? Apparently she's been ranting and raving about our dear ol' prez George W. during some of her performances in the U.K. You don't say? Plus, at this past weekend's V Festival she told the crowd she could care less if she ever sets foot on U.S. soil again. Oh, Lily! You may be bitter right now, but we still love you! Now, let's remember a time when everything was just wonderful for Lily, as she performed live for MTV...
Now that alien spacecraft have been documented flying over Haiti, I would like to bestow them with this cosmic themed playlist as a peace offering in hopes that they won't eat my face off or probe me. If they truly are an intelligently evolved species, then they already know that old music is better than new music, so I'll just keep this playlist steeped in the vintage tones of the bygone days before ProTools ruined everything.
It's no surprise to see the White Stripes on this year's VMA ballot for Best Group. Six albums in and the golden duo continue to slay hype and establish dominion within rock n' roll's highest orders. That Icky Thump is a heavy-weight contender with a strong shot at the Moonman is a no-brainer, but what are four records that inspired Jack and Meg White to kick out the jams?
The 2005 VMAs had a lot of things going for them. Diddy was the host, Green Day won about 13,000 awards and Shakira proved that even non-Americans can be smoking hot. Nobody was talking about any of those things the next day, however. What people were talking about was R. Kelly.
Kelly's performance of "Trapped in the Closet" was so over-the-top he made Cher doing a Vegas show look like KT Tunstall strumming an acoustic guitar. At first it looked like they were just going to show the video to "Trapped in the Closet," but no video can contain R. Kelly! He busted out from the video, sauntered out onto the stage, then proceeded to perform EVERY SINGLE PART of the song, including the women!
And Kelly did it all while dressed like one of the working stiffs in the movie Glengarry Glen Ross, only you'd have to imagine Al Pacino or Jack Lemmon with cornrows. One minute he's shooting a gun, the next minute he's a chick laying down the law and then suddenly he's a dude kissing another dude! Then, just when it can't get any weirder, it's all over. The VMAs couldn't show all 149 minutes of the complete "Trapped in the Closet" so they shut it off midstream at the point where he goes back to his wife. But R. Kelly has to add one more crazy, "did I just see that" touch to his VMA performance, so he starts walking like Peter Boyle in Young Frankenstein.
Other things happend at the VMAs that year, but R. Kelly and his crazy conjones are what people remembered.
Song: Autobahn
Album: Minimum Maximum
Artist: Kraftwerk
Selected by: Nicholas Baker
Date: August 23, 2007
Though lacking the splendid energy of the original, this live version provides a taste of why Kraftwerk continue to generate hushed respect amongst serious fans of electronica. Doubters might want to consider that you'd be hard pressed to create this track today with all the unimaginable computing power we have at our disposal. These genius Germans did it back in 1974 using machines made out of bits of tin foil and old knicker elastic.
Though the Justin/Beyonce dance-off
sounds intriguing (we got 15-to-1 odds on Ms. Knowels) the showdown we've been
waiting for is happening in the Best New Artist Category between the two feisty
brunettes from across the drink: Amy Winehouse and Lily Allen. As entertaining
as its been to watch their rivalry splattered across British tabloids, we feel a
little bad for Lily, whose record is like a wittier, sassier, double-x
chromosome version of our favorite Streets LP from way back. Even so, poor Lily
seems a bit outmatched against the chain-smokin', hair-teasin', tattoo-sportin',
soul-hollerin' Winehouse (who, as hard as we try, always makes us just want to
listen to a real super soul sista and former Rutger's Island prison guard Sharon Jones).
Not so long ago the pop music world was abuzz with thoughts of a new
Nordic horde. Bands like Sahara Hotnights, the Soundtrack of Our Lives, and the
Hives swarmed out of Sweden
and onto the world's main stage. But the
Kingdom of Sweden
has always contributed generously to the popular music picnic. Who can forget
(though they may try) Roxette, the A*Teens or Ace of Bass? ABBA barely needs
mentioning, while a list of black metal bands out of
Sweden would fill a Norse longboat.
Even the late, great, Oklahoma-born Lee Hazlewood spent a few years in
Stockholm.
VMA nominees Peter, Bjorn and John are but the tip of the new-breed Swede iceberg. If they win Best New Artist, they should give a shout-out to some of their countrymen, like Jose Gonzalez, who stunned more than a few major label executives by moving 700,000 copies of his sublime Veneer on a succession of indie labels. His celebrated cover of "Heartbeats," written by compatriots the Knife, certainly did not hurt sales figures.
Jens Lekman, another indie phenom, is a household name around Malmo.
His Morrissey-inflected baritone has endeared him to more than a few misfits
and 
the follow-up to his gem, When I Said I
Wanted to Be Your Dog, is due in October.
Finally, one of the best records of 2007 belongs to Dungen, a psych-rock outfit from Stockholm.
Tio Bitar
climbed so far up into the modern rock ethers that it almost touched
the Aurora Borealis.
We’re all pretty happy to see Kanye get nominated for “Stronger.” It’s not the best flip of Daft Punk’s "Bigger Faster Stronger" (that honor belongs to Neptune’s breezy remix), and it’s not even the most entertaining video Kanye has released from Graduation Day (see Zack Galifianakis and Will Oldham’s collaboration with Kanye for “Can’t Tell Me Nothing”), but, minor quibbles aside, it is good to see Kanye succeed (once again). Certainly the buzz from the single helped Common’s Kanye-produced Finding Forever top the Billboard charts last week, and Kanye’s success is good for those of us who cherish true school hip-hop. His production style points toward the Chicagoan soul of former Common collaborator No I.D., as well the rugged nostalgia of Wu Tang mastermind RZA. And Kanye’s stardom also draws attention to Chi-town’s hip-hop scene, which has always been overshadowed by ATL, NYC and LA.
Most think of the Windy City as the home of Twista, Shawna or maybe Do or Die, but there is a whole subculture of Chicago hip-hop that rarely gets noticed. You might have heard of Rhymefest and Lupe Fiasco, both of whom released great albums in 2006. Like Kanye, both Rhymefest (who co-wrote Jesus Walks) and Lupe Fiasco are what most people would consider conscious emcees. The same tag could be given to Chicago's All Natural, whose 1998 album No Additives, No Preservatives is considered a classic indie hip-hop debut. Though the group hasn’t dropped anything in a few years, lead emcee Capitol D blessed us with some hot joints, and their record label (All Natural, Inc) released the Eulorhythmics Extended Play, which for my money was one of the finest indie hip-hop disks from last year.
Here’s a playlist that compiles some of Kanye's best alongside the artists mentioned above.
It’s Halloween! Well, almost. Okay, Halloween is a full two months away but what else is there to look forward to right now? Besides Labor Day weekend and year end model clearance insanity on the Auto Mile. Whatever, Halloween’s coming and you know what that means, right? Kids will dress up in costumes, bob for apples and guzzle hot cider. You will pass candy out to the four little bastards that show up at your door. There will be bad, mis-informed decisions made at parties. And best of all, the dead will rise from their graves and feed upon the living. That’s actually what Halloween is all about really – dead people. Not parties and costumes but people who died. In light of this we’d like to remind you of some dead people that it seems like no one ever talks about anymore. Music types.
Song: 20 Dollar
Album: Kala
Artist: M.I.A.
Selected by: Stephanie Benson
Date: August 23, 2007
AfricaSri
Lankan sensation M.I.A. not only
avails herself to the hip-hop and dancehall devotees, but also to a more
rock-obsessed throng with a nod to two of the '80s greatest post-punk songs on
"20 Dollar." Grabbing lyrics from the Pixies' "Where is
My Mind?" and the bass line to New Order's "Blue
Monday," she informs us of the cost of an AK47 while pumping out the grimiest and gravest mash of booming beats and pure attitude.
Don't think you know who Peter Bjorn and John are? Think again. You've heard this Swedish indie rock band's song ”Young Folks" (also known as "The Whistle Song," not to be confused with the "Whisper Song" by Ying Yang Twins) everywhere. Oh, yes you have. It's been featured in commercials for AT&T, Pontiac, Levi's and Budweiser and played on shows like Grey's Anatomy and How I Met Your Mother. Plus, Kanye West uses the beat on his mixtape Can't Tell Me Nothing. Marc Jacobs even used "Young Folks" and "Let's Call It Off" to send his models down the runway in his Spring/Summer 2007 show in 2006. As did Zac Posen, Pringle, Chaiken and Chanel that same year. Now that's a fashion faux pas!
Anyway, there you go … now you know exactly what we're talking about! Admit it, once you hear the tune, you're humming (or, actually, whistling) it all day long! And that, dear friends, is exactly why PBJ is nominated for Best New Artist at the VMAs. They're infectious!
Song: Best Friend
Album: I Just Can't Stop It
Artist: The English Beat
Selected by: Linda Ryan
Date: August 23, 2007
Yeah, sure, the English Beat broke down racial stereotypes and turned an entire generation onto the infectious, hypnotic rhythm of ska, but let's not kid ourselves: the English Beat were popular because they wrote great pop songs. Here is one of their best.
Errrywhere we go lately, errrrybody keeps asking us if we can get them tickets to the VMAs. From the coffee stand guy on 44th Street to our shameless succubus friends. We'd bring all of you lovelies if we could, but unfortunately it's just not that easy, and you probably wouldn't all fit in our hotel room. (Some of you would DEFINITELY have to sleep on the floor.)
But, there IS one way though that you can go, and that's through the magic of WINNING! Not that you're not already all winners, but you can be an OFFICIAL winner if you win a trip for two to the VMAs, three nights at a Vegas hotel and more off-the-wall prizes like a shopping trip, plus the best prize of all: cold, hard cash.
Find out about all of the VMA contests and enter right here, but hurry, this shiz ends soon, holmes!
Singer. Actor. Restaurateur. Fashion mogul. Jessica Biel's boyfriend. These days, when does Justin Timberlake find the time to put his "D--- in a Box"? (We just couldn't resist.) Guess that's why he's up for Quadruple Threat Of The Year at the 2007 VMAs! Oh, and the co-most nominated artist (he has seven, along with Beyonce) also happens to be up for Video Of The Year for "What Goes Around ... Comes Around", his super sexy follow-up to the Britney-bashing smash hit "Cry Me A River". And while we're on the subject of JT ... we are super, super-psyched to hear what he and our VMA maestro Timbaland have in store for Madonna's next album! Doesn't it strike you as potentially the most amazing collaboration ever? Apparently, the triumphant trio already has 10 songs in the bag -- and they're pretty much all total club bangers. But waaah! There's still no release date. It's totally killing us! Meanwhile, we’ll just keep watching this.
Even though her dad said a while back that it's happening, Christina Aguilera won't come out and say that she's preggers. She recently told InStyle mag that she wants her kids to learn Spanish, but when asked to confirm her maternity, she said only, "It's definitely something we can't wait to begin."
But, someone with a body like hers can't hide what's happening. There are a few new pix of the once "Dirrty" girl who most recently took a classier turn with her career, and she seems, well, larger ... in a good way! Check 'em out at OMG! and at Perez Hilton.
One can only guess how this will affect her look if she decides to attend the MTV VMAs on Sept. 9 in Las Vegas. She's long been known for varied looks that show lots of skin when walking our red carpets (check out this gallery of snaps for proof). But, even if she's showing, she's gotta show, right? After all she's hoping to share a Best Director Moonman with Matthew Rolston for their collaboration on her video for "Candyman".
By Tim Quirk
Champagne corks are popping here at Rhapsody, as we’ve just announced our nuptials with the equally-obsessive music geeks at MTV Networks. Like Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony, it’s a love match that also makes good business sense.
For our immediate purposes on this blog, it means three things: V, M and A. Our buddies at MTV will be bringing you all kinds of inside dirt on the run-up to the ceremony, while Rhapsody editors will be providing commentary on and music from this year’s nominees, past performers, and anyone else they make us think about. As always with Rhapsody, all you have to do is click on a track name to start hearing the songs we’re talking about, in full, for free.
When Jay-Z steps onto Sin City soil for the 2007 VMAs, he'll most likely have two lovely ladies by his side -- longtime girlfriend Beyonce and hitmaking protege Rihanna. And we know for a fact that these young beauties will be duking it out on the night of the awards show … for Video Of The Year, that is.
That's right, Beyonce's ""Irreplaceable" is going head-to-head with Rihanna's "Umbrella".
But despite being on crutches after stubbing her toe on a chair a few weeks ago, Rihanna's got a leg up on B, at least when it comes to strutting her stuff onstage for Jay-Z and the whole world to see! Yup, RiRi will be performing, bum leg and all (although, we are hoping she gets completely well-a, well-a, well-a before then). It should be an interesting night for this Good Girl Gone Bad as she vies for the attention of the Def Jam CEO who gave her the big break (in the biz, not her foot). We hope Beyonce doesn't get too jealous or there might be umbrellas and chairs and all sorts of things flying from the front row! Check out “Umbrella” here!
Mkay, serious VMA update, folks. Unfortunately we had to say "cheerio!" to Best New Artist nominee Lily Allen's appearance and performance at the VMAs due to Prez Jorge and the U.S. Gubment. Ms. Allen had her work visa repo'ed and she had to cancel tour dates in addition to her VMA appointments. Boo! But… and not that she could ever be replaced, coincidentally we've got more artists on the performance bill! Gym Class Heroes (also a Best New Artist nom), Lil Wayne, Female Artist of the Year nominee Nelly Furtado, Common, Monster Single of the Year nominee T-Pain, Gnarls Barkley's Cee-Lo, whose "Smiley Faces" video is nominated for Best Editing, and Australian pop singer Daniel Merriweather will all be doin' it live.
We love all of the aforementioned artists, but we've got a serious crush on Gym Class Heroes, and we don't care who the hell knows. And while there isn't a Best Live Performance award, we're pretty sure Gym Class would have it on lockdown, since they've got Vegas under their proverbial studded belts -- their latest video, "Clothes Off," was shot there.
Check out the super self-referential video -- they're playing their own song, "Viva La White Girl" in the opening shot and watching their own "Cupid's Chokehold" video. And in true Decaydance style, the video's packed with cameos, including Pete Wentz as a slots-playing Elvis, checking out Travis McCoy's butt and members of Vegas' own Panic! At The Disco as dancing, poker-playing furries. Watch the video below… oh, and just so you know: Gym Class is also prepping a Hall & Oates mash-up album to be released around the new year. Like we needed yet another reason to love them.
Song: Needles in the Camel's Eye
Album: Here Come the Warm Jets
Artist: Brian Eno
Selected by: Tim Quirk
Date: August 21, 2007
A perfect, if slightly odd, pop song that charges at you with an indelible melody and a mess of instruments that all sound like something other than what they are. Except the drums, which pretty much sound like drums. If you listen to it 10 times in a row, the “Why ask why?!” bit will get stuck in your head and you’ll find yourself invoking its advice at opportune moments in your life.
From Perez to People, Lollapalooza to The Simpsons, Amy Winehouse is everywhere these days (including, apparently, rehab, of all places -- or not), smoking cigarettes, getting new tats and tending to that increasingly big, increasingly ratted hair. Let's face it: we're obsessed with Amy, America. But why? Sure, she's got a big, sexy voice. But this is the girl who's been known to throw up. On stage. Mid-song. What's the attraction?
The answer is simple: Amy is a bad girl, and America's loved (and lusted after) bad girls since the days when being "bad" meant wearing tights. "Unladylike" ladies like Amy, Karen O, Gretchen Wilson and Lil' Kim are just the latest in a long line of female troublemakers who do and say everything we wish we could but know we shouldn't. Winehouse in particular gets her sound (and some of her attitude) from the tough-as-their-nails, eyeliner-wearing girl groups and rowdy soul divas of the '60s. And back in the '50s, pioneering wild women like the hard-rocking Wanda Jackson and the hard-living Etta James were telling girls it was okay to "Rock Your Baby" (all! night! long!) and party til dawn "In the Basement."
Before them came the boozing, cruising ladies of the blues, who knew just what to do with an innuendo: Marie Adams was "Gonna Play the Honky-Tonks" if she damn well wanted to, while Ida Cox declared that she was a "One Hour Mama" who didn't want "no one-minute papa" 50-plus years before Missy Elliott said pretty much the same thing.
You'll find all these artists, plus a few more of Amy's fierce foremothers, on our Bad Girls playlist, a collection of tracks from Amy and all the bad girls before her who knew how to be -- and party like -- rockstars.
Link: Bad Girls.
Amy, Amy, Amy! Is it really, truly true? Are you finally taking rehab seriously? 'Cause according to Page Six, you have checked yourself into a hardcore treatment center. Not one of those frou-frou places that lets you pop in and out whenever you please and basically sounds like one big, fat, luxurious vacation. (Nah, we wouldn't expect anything like that from Britain's biggest badass.) But, for 20K a week, Amy's place definitely ain't too shabby -- she even has access to a recording studio! Get in there and impress us, girl! Oh yeah, and get well soon. We desperately want to see your buoyant beehive bouncing around Sin City when the VMAs roll in. And we know you wouldn't want to miss your chance to pick up a Moonman for Best New Artist, now would you? No, no, no.
Song: Hot Nuts (Get 'Em from the Peanut Man)
Artist: Georgia White
Album: Men Are Like Streetcars: Women Blues Singers
Selected by: Rachel Devitt
Date: August 17, 2007
There are so many reasons to love this song: the little juke joint piano, the sweet little guitar solo, the positively brazen way Georgia growls "nuts...hot nuts," and, well, the name of the song itself. I mean, come on. But the very best reason to love this song? One little lyric: "You tell me your nuts is mighty fine/But I bet your nuts ain't as hot as mine." No, Georgia, they are not.
Song: Loch Lomond
Album: Catch That Train
Artist: Dan Zanes
Selected By: Sarah Bardeen
Date: August 16th, 2007
Okay, possibly we've been spending too much time with the one-and-under set, but Dan Zanes' kid music sounds pretty darn good to our ears. And it doesn't sound particularly kid-like, either. His version of "Loch Lomond" has been in our head for, oh, the past month -- and we've enjoyed having it there. Zanes was part of the shoulda-been-huge Del Fuegos in the 1980s, and here he teams up with Natalie Merchant (think 10,000 Maniacs and sensible shoes) to sing the unofficial Scottish national anthem. Zanes, as usual, coasts on his nouveau-hobo charm, but Merchant shows a new side of herself. Who knew the uber-sincere singer of "What's the Matter Here?" would sound so perfectly matched to traditional music? We sense a cover album in the lady's future. Oh, and a note on the song -- though it sounds like a love song, some believe it's actually about the soul of an executed Scottish rebel finding its way home.
OMG, there have been so many great videos this year! It's gonna be seriously tough deciding who will walk away with a shiny new Moonman for Video Of The Year at the 2007 VMAs, don't ya think? But that's why we're here; toiling our little fingers away and watching video after video, day in and day out, in order to narrow it down to six nominees, including Justin Timberlake's "What Goes Around ... Comes Around", Rihanna's "Umbrella" and Beyonce's "Irreplaceable". And speaking of Beyonce…
In a new Emporio Armani commercial, Beyonce proves that diamonds are indeed this girl's best friend, as B looks fierce shaking her shimmering booty while putting a sexy spin on the classic Marilyn Monroe tune. But rather than pushing perfume, we think this ad is just a big, BIG hint to her man Jay-Z. When are those two gonna get engaged?
In the meantime, Jigga better bone up on his boo’s video... just in case he forgets where he stands until she's got a rock on her finger!
By now you're for sure more than well aware of the 2007 VMA nominees. So now it's time to delve into what's gonna be the ultimate showdown! Beyonce and Justin Timberlake! With a mind-reeling seven nominations each, the pair is going mano-y-mana (?) at the 2007 VMAs, battling each other in Video of the Year, Most Earth-Shattering Collaboration and Quadruple Threat of the Year. But... if our math skills haven't failed us (and sadly, they often do), seven is NOT an even number, meaning one of the one-named wonders is prolly gonna walk out with a heavier load of Moonman metal.
Today we're takin' a look at Beyonce, who's packin' some serious VMA heat this year with killer songs like "Irreplaceable" and "Beautiful Liar," her dazzling duet with Shakira. (Off-topic real quick -- is anyone else following the rise and rapid fall of Boy Shakira? OMG. Amazing.) And, since B and JT are both up for Best Choreography, we're holding our breath for a fierce dance off. We know Justin's more than capable, but after seeing her grace the silver screen in Dreamgirls and work it in killer heels in her "Get Me Bodied" video, we know she's a fierce contender.
Oh hold up... Ain't seen it yet? Well first, here's some background on that viddy. It's over six straight minutes of VMA nominee Beyonce in a salute to Vegas -- fitting, since that's where the 2007 VMAs are happening, totally live, by the way -- Broadway and all-out over-the-top theatrical opulence in "Get Me Bodied." It's the most grandiose of the videos she shot expressly for the re-release of her B-Day album. And it's also her most unbelievably ambitious video to date.
Beyoncé conceptualized and co-directed the video with Anthony Mandler, who's shot videos for her bf Jay-Z and Rihanna. He also as directed VMA nominee Nelly Furtado's steamy "Maneater" video. Beyoncé literally gets the band back together -- check out Destiny's Child members Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams plus little sister Solange. But, sorry ladies, B shines brightest front and center, looking glittery, glorious and, of course, gorgeous, and more glam than ever before. The story moves from a tony party reminiscent of the Jazz Age, where B, flanked by her costumed crew, is the lady of the hour, followed by a dance sequence that spans the history of late 20th-century modern dance, from Jerome Robbins to Bob Fosse to Janet Jackson to Fatima Robinson and back. It's the seriously sick dance sequence, choreographed by Rhapsody, Todd Sams, Clifford McGhee and Bethany Strong, where Beyonce showcases her metamorphosis into a highly sophisticated dancer, and one who can seriously shake it in sky-high stilettos to boot. She sheds her shy Southern exterior and wilds out as Sasha (which is how she refers to her sexy alter ego) then closes out the mini movie with a freestyle free-for-all flanked by all of her fabuloso friends. Check out the epic dance scene to see Beyonce let loose her inner Lena Horne, Chita Rivera and Tina Turner. We know Justin can move, but Beyonce turned out a swashbuckling showstopper with this one, and if our initials were J.T., we might be brushing up on our Moon Walk come September 9. Anyway, take a look at this video video below, and if that's not enough, check out a paltry 20 more Beyonce videos.
Um, OK, so Lily Allen was obviously alive and well and kickin' it in Vegas with Tim Kash. Nice. And Pete Wentz getting his l'il butt schooled by Shaq was adorkable. And we're l-l-l-loving Rihanna's dolled up-corseted style -- she is SUCH a classy lassie. The big sorpresa, if you missed it, was Kanye West was in the house, and of course he threw his weight around and balked at not winning Video Of The Year last year. We don't even know WHAT'S gonna go down if he doesn't win this year.
But we were definitely into his surprise performance, impossible-to-find Jeremy Scott sunglasses and all, which, by the way, we're hearing more about those shades than the video itself. (How perfect would it be if those were in the VMA presenters swag bags? Perhaps we'll suggest it…) We were also beyond stoked to see Common… and was it just us or did both Common and 'Ye look like they dropped a few pounds and got even buffer? Dudes are definitely eatin' their Wheaties. Maybe that robo-bod Kanye was rockin' in "Stronger" is for real. Hm. Oh, and in case you ain't hurrrrd, Timbaland's not just the Musical Director of the 2007 VMAs, he's the official "Maestro." Got that? Anyway, check out out the video if you have no clue what we're talking about, plus the full list of nominees, and go exercise your right to vote, k?
Song: Forever Scarlet
Album: Worse Than a Fairy Tale
Artist: Drop Dead, Gorgeous
Selected by: Garrett Kamps
Date: August 10, 2007
This band Drop Dead, Gorgeous is from Colorado and the members are real young and they're signed to Victory records and play the Warped Tour -- all things that make a certain set of music fans (read: college graduates) cringe and shy away and make snide comments. The band's brand new album is called Worse Than a Fairy Tale, and it's some concept record about a serial killer. I don't really like it that much. What I do like is this early song, "Forever Scarlet" -- holy moly! At 1:30, it touches all these awesome bases, like hardcore chug, deathy-throat vocals, and weird screechy experimental bitchin-ness. These kids were like 17 when they made this -- where'd they learn to get this crazy?
Oh Amy, will ya please just say yes, yes, yes to rehab already? The Video Of The Year nominee kept celeb stalkers like TMZ and Perez Hilton on their toes this past week as she checked in and out and in and out of rehab! It's been like a Where's Waldo game, only she's easier to spot with her mile-high beehive. And can you believe this? At one point she was even seen popping into a pub to have a pint before heading back into lockdown! Say it ain't so, so, so!
No one knows for sure whether the bouffanted badass is back in rehab right this second, but we certainly hope she gets the help she needs so she can be in tiptop shape for the VMAs on Sept. 9. We already had one Brit drop out on us (poor Lily), so we need Ms. Winehouse to represent. Check out Amy's sizzling performance at the 2007 MTV Movie Awards and see some backstage highlights here.
I was shooting pool in a bar yesterday. Nice day. Very
relaxed afternoon. It was one of those afternoons in
Song: (I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone
Album: More of the Monkees
Artist: The Monkees
Selected by: Nick Dedina
Date: August 13, 2007
We have an argument around the office about whether the Beatles or the Stones are the better band. But, if you play "(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone" the answer may just be the Monkees. A relentless, swirling garage rocker, this classic actually sounds more evil than anything the Beatles or Stones cut in the Sacred Pop Years of 1966 & 1967 (remember, sounding more evil doesn't mean "better"). "Steppin' Stone" only hit No. 20 in '66 (too violent sounding for the masses, maybe?) but the album it's from, <i>More of the Monkees</i>, was a massive No. 1 smash that charted for well over a year. Soon, the Monkees would be castigating the American Dream with "Pleasant Valley Sunday."
Song: Baby
Album: Tropicalia Essentials
Artist: Gal Costa (with Caetano Veloso)
Selected by: Nick Dedina
Date: August 10, 2007
Americans are suddenly aware of the early Caetano Veloso classic “Baby,” from covers by Os Mutantes and Bebel Gilberto. But this is the essential 1969 reading, with Veloso backing the incandescent Gal Costa. The easy way to explain tropicalia is to say that teenage Brazilian bossa nova fans suddenly heard the Beatles go psychedelic – and “Baby” is a sublime example of those trans-Atlantic strains coming together. It doesn’t matter if you can’t understand Veloso’s witty lyrics (which marry sun-stroked romance, ironic detachment and national pride) – everything in this one is perfect, from the gentle, off-kilter beat, to the swell of the strings, to Veloso’s backing harmonies to Gal Costa’s heart-melting vocals. This is the sound of summer.
We've all seen by now that Clay Aiken wishes he were Justin Timberlake. But so does Nelly Furtado and Corinne Bailey Rae and Poison's Bret Michaels and a few indie rock bands. Yup, all of them have recently been caught covering "SexyBack." Apparently like the film industry -- which seems to be releasing remake after remake (yawn) -- the music industry is running out of ideas.
Now, don't get us wrong, we can listen to Justin's "SexyBack" over and over and over again. With its funky beat and sexy vocals (mmm) … wait, what were we talking about again? Oh yeah. Why is everyone piggybacking on JT? Well, probably because he's only, like, the hottest thing since sliced bread right now and he's nominated for a whopping seven VMAs. But, really, do these people think they're fooling us?
Nonetheless, Claymates seems to be Aiken for the former American Idol's version of the song. And there's something to be said (although not much) about '80s hair rockers Poison randomly pulling it out of their back pocket. Hell, even indie rock darlings Rock Plaza Central threw caution to the wind and gave the tune a fresh new spin. But please, people, enough already! Sexy's back. We know. We get it. We all wish we were Justin Timberlake. Now let's move on…but not before we watch the video again (tee-hee).
Song: Animal Planet
Album: Legend of the Liquid Sword
Artist: GZA
Selected By: Sam Chennault
Date: August 9, 2007
GZA has always been Wu Tang's most conceptual emcee, and for "Animal Planet" the Genius offers a deconstruction of street slang as he transplants the ghetto's mean streets onto Africa's wild kingdom. A "pack of wolf scheme on a bunch of gazelles" as the chimps "sling trees" and the "vultures pick the pockets of whatever remains." The production's swooning soul, and GZA's familiar refrain that "it's like a jungle sometimes," add to the fun.
Song: Cracklin' Rosie
Album: Gold
Artist: Neil Diamond
Selected by: Linda Ryan
Date: August 8, 2007
I grew up believing that the "Crackling Rosie" in this song was a transvestite. You know, "Cracklin' Rose you're a store bought woman, but you make me sing like a guitar hummin'…" Years later I come to find out it's about a bottle of cheap, Canadian wine. I feel so ripped off!
Song: Arkansas Coal
Album: Nancy & Lee Again
Artist: Lee Hazlewood And Nancy Sinatra
Selected By: Eric Shea
Date: August 7, 2007
Lee Hazlewood passed away on August 4, 2007. Best known for writing Nancy Sinatra's big hit "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'," Hazlewood also sang with a sinister baritone and forged a unique and uncommon sound by blending countrypolitan's lush, stringed orchestration from Nashville with psychedelic-tinged hints of country rock and a swinging 1960s go-go swagger. This particular song came from his less celebrated, second collaboration with Sinatra in 1972. While it didn't pack the same commercial punch as 1968's Nancy & Lee, it did yield awesome epics like "Arkansas Coal," a haunting narrative about a girl climbing the mountains of Paris, Arkansas to find her trapped coal miner father. It's all quite dramatic until Hazlewood starts describing what it feels like to have 10,000 tons of rocks cave in on his head, singing, "So this is how it feels to be dead!" Hopefully the real deal was just as groovy for him.
R.I.P. Lee.
Song: The Diary of Horace Wimp
Album: Discovery
Artist: Electric Light Orchestra
Selected by: Nick Dedina
Date: August 6, 2007
ELO's Jeff Lynne takes his Beatles obsession and throws in a chorus that soars into the Bee Gee's disco-rock stratosphere – how can you miss? Lynne goes further by employing Ray Davies/Paul McCartney-style lyrics about little, defeated Brits, but turns his tale into a rare success story. Then, he adds in a vocoder. Forget all those synth and early electro-funk songs with the vocoder in it…Jeff Lynne wisely puts it in the background and then be-bops and scats into it. Lynne was the Stravinsky of the vocoder.
I am really into Quint, the shark hunter character from the movie Jaws, lately. I don't know why. He was definitely one of my all-time favorite movie characters when I was a kid. I regularly re-enacted his scenes and dialogue from the movie in my back yard, or any time I was near a pool. I'm just not sure why he's crept back into my consciousness of late. And with a vengeance -- Quint-themed emails, out-of-place Quint quotes thrown into conversations, dressing almost entirely in Army surplus olive drabs. I bought a fishing rod and reel even though I haven't been on a boat or near water even for almost 2 years.
Song: Southside (featuring Kanye West)
Album: Finding Forever
Artist: Common
Selected By: Jon Maples
Date: August 3, 2007
The power Chi-town duo reminisce about days gone by in their home town on this, the most energetic song on Common’s new release, Finding Forever.
Eric Shea and I had been excited about Hall & Oates coming to San Francisco for weeks. We've both been forgetting everything lately (going to work, showering, paying taxes) but we never forgot that Daryl Hall and John Oates were going to play San Francisco on August 1st.
Shea was so stoked that he actually grew a beard just for the concert. That wasn't enough for him, though. He also bought an enormous '70s van and somehow found an amazing Welcome Back Kotter leisure shirt (I'm not joking! The picture of the shirt at right is really the shirt Eric had on! It even had Kotter sayings on it, like "Up your nose with a rubber hose.")
Since I look like a naval intelligence officer circa 1966, I couldn't grow a beard or wear a Kotter shirt to the show. But even Shea wasn't being ironic -- both of us truly dig Hall & Oates (and Shea is also really into beards, vans and leisure wear adorned with pictures of Gabe Kaplan). Now, on to the show....
Hall & Oates came out strong with a full band and a string section. We have arguments here in the Rhapsody office about whether there really is a style of music called baroque pop. So, when the string quartet started playing, Shea leaned over and said that he wished our editor was present to see that baroque pop actually exists. Anyway...
Nick Dedina and I went to see Hall & Oates perform their unique brand of Philly soul-inspired, jazz-tinged pop at the Palace Of Fine Arts Theatre in San Francisco last night. What a show! They opened with "Maneater!" How could they not? Here is a playlist of their entire set (since they haven't recorded their covers of "What's Goin' On" and "Hot Fun In The Summertime," I just put the originals in there). Both their voices sounded well preserved and they had a pretty big band in tow including a string quartet with two violinists, a viola player and a cellist.
Song: Dinosaur Adventure 3D
Artist: Underworld
Album:A Hundred Days Off
Selected by: Nicholas Baker
Date: August 1, 2007
Many people thought Underworld would be finished without Darren Emerson, such was the huge improvement to their music and credibility when he originally joined, but Hyde and Smith wrong-footed all the nay-sayers baying for blood after Emerson's departure by releasing one of their best albums. This particular track is classic Underworld – driving, exciting beats wrapped around mad-as-a-badger lyrics with a catchy refrain chucked in for good measure. Nobody does it better.
Song: It's My Time
Album: The Complete Motown Singles, Vol. 6: 1966
Artist: The Mynah Birds
Selected by: Eric Shea
Date: August 1, 2007
Have you ever seen the Rick James episode of VH1's Behind The Music? The only thing of importance I took from that particular episode was when the Super Freak disclosed that his earliest gig was with Neil Young in a band called the Mynah Birds. I was trying to imagine what Rick James and Neil Young would look like together (it's a lot easier than trying to imagine what they'd sound like together). So for years, I searched for anyone who knew anything about any existing Mynah Birds recordings. All I found out was that yes, during a small window of time in 1966, Young and James played with bassist Bruce Palmer (who later formed Buffalo Springfield with Young). Back then James went by Ricky James Matthews and shortly after they recorded some songs for Motown, he was jailed for going AWOL from the U.S. Navy. So for years these recordings were lost until recently when a fellow music geek realized the tapes were mislabeled in the Motown vaults. Imagine my surprise after stumbling on two Mynah Birds songs in Rhapsody! This one is my favorite of the two. James sings with a Jagger-esque snarl and you can hear Young and Palmer's backing vocals sounding like an early preview of what would become Buffalo Springfield.
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