ARTICLES

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DECEMBER 2010 PLAYLIST

A playlist coming to you every first of the month... [just click the title]...

MM: Explosion

As mashups go, no one arranges songs quite like these two.

Sam Tsui and Kurt Schneider who post videos under the Youtube name KurtHugoSchneider have to be some of the most famous youtube users. Their clever combinations of seemingly oppsing melodies makes their music an always interesting and enjoyable event.

This is their latest mashup featuring 'Firework' by Katy Perry, 'Grenade' by Bruno Mars and 'Dynamite' by Taio Cruz.

MM: Miracles

Norwegian Recycling - Miracles by peterbull

For the first post on MASHUP MONDAY , this is Norwegian Recycling’s ‘Miracles’. A mix of mainly contemporary mainstream pop and R&B, with one or two classic tunes added in. It makes for an original and very creative alternative at a party or just a nice addition for your iTunes.

‘Norwegian Recycling’ is the ’stage name’ for Peter Bull who arranges these mashups. As well as usual popular music in his creation, he recently made a mix of Harry Potter clips and soundtrack music which can be found on his website.

http://norwegianrecycling.net/
http://www.last.fm/music/Norwegian+Recycling

Definitely worth a look… 

[Songs Used:]

1. Bruno Mars - Just the Way You Are
2. B.o.B feat. Bruno Mars - Nothin’ On You
3. Gnarls Barkley - Crazy
4. Britney Spears - Hit Me Baby (One More Time)
5. Jason Derulo - In My Head
6. Justin Timberlake - My Love
7. Lady Gaga - Just Dance
8. Leona Lewis - Bleeding Love
9. Ne-Yo - So Sick
10. Michael Jackson - Black or White
11. Snoop Dogg - Sexual Eruption
12. Survivor - Eye of the Tiger
13. Taylor Swift - Fifteen
14. Taylor Swift - Fearless
15. Savage Garden - The Animal Song
16. Snoop Dogg feat. Justin Timberlake - Signs

Mashup Monday

Every Monday -  Showcasing a collection of artists or bands who have performed or created medleys/original mashups.

WW: Always Attract

This week, I offer one of my all-time favourite tracks:

'Always Attract' is a track by You Me At Six from their debut album 'Take Off Your Colours' (released in 2008).

Previously on this blog I have sited You Me At Six as one of my three must-have bands and this is definitely a song which also deserves a mention.

What I love about it is the guitar melodies and the strong harmonies with their guest female singer who happens to be none other than Elissa Franceschi, sister to lead singer, Josh Franceschi.

If you're a fan of songs which build up the suspense right until the end, this is definitely one worth a listen.
Seriously one of the most underrated songs on this album.

Have a listen:

http://www.last.fm/music/You+Me+At+Six/_/Always+Attract

WW: Joe Brooks

Joe Brooks is a singer/songwriter from Southampton, UK.

He is an artist who gathered his initial following from Myspace after being inspired to learn the guitar at age 16. His page receives some of the highest amounts of hits on Myspace, with his single 'Superman' outplaying bands such as Oasis.
Now 23, Joe Brooks has just released his debut album 'Constellation Me' this September.

I found it hard to categorise him as I would say if you like acoustic, you'll definitely like him and if you like indie, you probably like him as he would be in the more indie-alternative-acoustic category (if that's even a category).

His music speaks for itself though. It's easy going, lighthearted music that reminds me of the summer, perfect for lazy days, his voice neither too weak or too overwhelming.

Personal favourites would include 'Superman','Hello Mr. Sun' and 'Five Days of Summer'.

Having spent the past year or so on tour in the US and completing his album in L.A., he is back in the UK for his home tour this winter. So if you like the sound of him, it might be worth grabbing yourself a ticket...I know I'll be trying.

http://www.myspace.com/joebrooksmusic
http://www.last.fm/music/Joe%2520Brooks?ac=joe%20broo
http://www.cambio.com/shows/cambio-music/cambio-music-with-joe-brooks

Enjoy.

WW: Intuition

This weeks WW is in fact a current favourite, perfect for early mornings and days where you feel totally unmotivated and uninspired.

'Intuition' by Selena Gomez & The Scene (featuring Eric Bellinger) has got the perfect amount of catchy melodies and lyrics with upbeat rhythm and just a general motivating feeling...must be the electro-beat/ techno-pop working its magic.

The song is from her second studio album 'A Year Without Rain' which became available in the UK at the beginning of this month. A sample can be heard from her website:
http://www.selenagomez.com/release/36351/view

If you're in need of something different to lighten the mood, I would definitely recommend this.

Enjoy...leave your thoughts...

Punk Goes...

For anyone who loves song covers, the 'Punk Goes...' series made by Fearless Records are records which expose them to different interpretations of some of the 'most listened to' songs.

This year, Fearless Records are releasing 'Punk Goes Pop Volume 3'.
From a couple of the 'Punk Goes...' series I've found some absolute gems so I thought for any alternative fans or just curious people this could be something worth looking at...

Here's the track list:

1. Breathe Carolina - 'Down' (Originally by Jay Sean ft. Lil Wayne)
2. Woe, Is Me - 'Hot 'N Cold' (Originally by Katy Perry)
3. Artist Vs Poet - 'Bad Romance' (Originally by Lady GaGa)
4. Mayday Parade - 'In My Head' (Originally by Jason Derülo)
5. Asking Alexandria - 'Right Now (Na Na Na)' (Originally by Akon)
6. This Century - 'Paper Planes' (Originally by M.I.A.)
7. The Word Alive - 'Heartless' (Originally by Kanye West)
8. Family Force 5 - 'Bulletproof' (Originally by La Roux)
9. Of Mice & Men - 'Blame It' (Originally by Jamie Foxx ft. T-Pain)
10. Miss May I - 'Run This Town' (Originally by Jay-Z ft. Kanye West and Rihanna)
11. The Ready Set - 'Airplanes' (Originally by B.o.B ft. Hayley Williams)
12. Cute Is What We Aim For - 'Dead And Gone' (Originally by T.I. ft. Justin Timberlake)
13. Sparks The Rescue - 'Need You Now' (Originally by Lady Antebellum)
14. We Came As Romans - 'My Love' (Originally by Justin Timberlake ft. T.I.)

While we can debate on whether the bands covering the songs are actually punk bands and if the songs being covered are actually pop songs, the real idea of these records (in my opinion) is 'alternative covering mainstream'.

Currently only samples of each song can be heard on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Punk-Goes-Three-digital-booklet/dp/B0047P3Q3M
I do warn, not all the covers on this record will be everyone's piece of cake (and not mine either).
I don't think it's as good as some of their previous records. However, (from the samples) I am looking forward to 'In My Head', 'Paper Planes' and 'Dead and Gone'.


[The full album goes on sale Nov 1/2 on iTunes and other major online retailers]

A full version of 'In My Head', 'Down' and 'Right Now (Na Na Na)' can be found to listen to at:
http://www.myspace.com/punkgoes

Recommendations from previous albums:
Silverstein - 'Apologize' (Originally by One Republic)-Punk Goes Pop Vol 2
The Almost - 'Free Fallin'' (Originally by Tom Petty)-Punk Goes Classic Rock
NeverShoutNever - 'Bohemian Rhapsody' (Originally by Queen)-Punk Goes Classic Rock
Mayday Parade - 'When I Grow Up' (Originally by The Pussycat Dolls)-Punk Goes Pop Vol 2
The Cab - 'Disturbia' (Originally by Rihanna)-Punk Goes Pop Vol 2
All Time Low - 'Umbrella' (Originally by Rihanna)-Punk Goes Crunk
The Maine - 'I Wanna Love You' (Originally by Akon)-Punk Goes Crunk
Further Seems Forever - 'Bye,Bye,Bye' (Originally by N'Sync)-Punk Goes Pop Vol 1
Dynamite Boy - 'I Want It That Way' (Originally by Backstreet Boys)-Punk Goes Pop Vol 1
Cartel - 'Wonderwall' (Originally by Oasis)-Punk Goes 90's
Plain White T's - 'Song 2' (Originally by Blur)-Punk Goes 90'

Leave your thoughts...

WW: Mumford Madness

Mumford & Sons, the four piece band are part of the now seemingly expanding genre dubbed as 'Nu-Folk'. But before you conjure too strong an image into your mind, it's not really what you would expect.

You're sure to have heard of them if you're a festival-goer or even a lover of country, bluegrass or folk music. They along with Laura Marling, Marcus Foster etc make up the genre of 'nu-folk'.
Their first huge performance was Glastonbury in 2008 and the release of their album in October 2009, the band has been gaining popularity ever since, most recently seen in the rise of the album in the No. 1 download position in the iTunes store and even their single 'Little Lion Man' in the top 10.

The band have the perfect mix of sounds, achieved by their strong lead singer, Marcus Mumford's raw voice blended with the tight harmonies of his fellow band mates and the addition of a banjo and various other folk sounds which pleasantly makes for something great for your ears.
[Yes, while banjos may not be the obvious choice for all bands out there, the instrument itself has gained much popularity since 2008 for music-making.]

But it doesn't stop there. Mumford & Sons are set apart by their use of such a variety of influences...apart from their contemporaries as well as country and western folk music, the band have influences from the eastern hemisphere such as Indian folk music which is prominent on the clips of their song 'To Darkness' found on their Myspace page:

http://www.myspace.com/mumfordandsons


The band seek to keep exploring the boundaries of their genre, making for an exiting and refreshing change to the mainstream music found today. Definitely a favourite.