I didn't have any divine inspiration so I will post the below because I like her. And because Puneet hates her.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Like a phoenix from the ashes, The Pun Spot rises again. Only in this case, its like a fly rising from a pile of crap.
I don't know why I was reminded of this site randomly today. Call it the will of the gods. So thought I would dust this sucker off and see if anyone notices. What's the sound of a tree falling in the forest if no one is around to hear it?
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Rachel Stevens - Come & Get It (2005)
Strict Machine had been on the airwaves for at least two years now, and Supernature was about to come out. This was 2005, the year of Confessions on a Dance Floor, the year Gwen completely sold out for the in sound from way out, and Kelly Clarkson was relevant.
Rachel Stevens' team of producers cop mostly the synthetic soundscapes of Kylie and Goldfrapp and what appears to be a fuller embrace of electronic bubblings that had so far grazed maintstream pop but was yet to become a cluttered harddrive of 'Keeps Gettin' Better,' 'What You Waiting For?' and the like. The former SClub7 alum herself is not the focus and as far as I can tell, her capable voice lends sometimes Minogue's grace and Aguilera's attitude to the music. The lyrics are about a girl in search of love but I'm not one to tell.
The one thing I can't figure out is how Kylie's Fever came out in 2001. Madonna's Music came out in 2000 too. But the influences are strong here. As far as I can tell, those albums were more diverse than straight electropop and that this kind of album would have flopped around the turn of the century (instead of flopping in 2005).
This album landed during a time pop was shifting its embrace surely to electro, once it discovered that a harder synth sound meant money. The big name producers were almost certainly already listening to electroclash and just needed a go-ahead to mash those beats in. This was the interface between tween idol and the all out roux boots / goulding / perfectly gaga electropop onslaught, a sort of mirror of the careers of pop stars who began with Jive jingles and 80s pop stylings at heart, and then began putting out 'Gimme More' and 'Music'.
The album got rave reviews that year although I would say only half of the songs are true pop gems. As it was a disappointing commercial failure, Rachel Stevens only recently got back into recording music. I've been having fun listening to this album tonight though and I think you might enjoy it a few times too.
Rachel Stevens' team of producers cop mostly the synthetic soundscapes of Kylie and Goldfrapp and what appears to be a fuller embrace of electronic bubblings that had so far grazed maintstream pop but was yet to become a cluttered harddrive of 'Keeps Gettin' Better,' 'What You Waiting For?' and the like. The former SClub7 alum herself is not the focus and as far as I can tell, her capable voice lends sometimes Minogue's grace and Aguilera's attitude to the music. The lyrics are about a girl in search of love but I'm not one to tell.
The one thing I can't figure out is how Kylie's Fever came out in 2001. Madonna's Music came out in 2000 too. But the influences are strong here. As far as I can tell, those albums were more diverse than straight electropop and that this kind of album would have flopped around the turn of the century (instead of flopping in 2005).
This album landed during a time pop was shifting its embrace surely to electro, once it discovered that a harder synth sound meant money. The big name producers were almost certainly already listening to electroclash and just needed a go-ahead to mash those beats in. This was the interface between tween idol and the all out roux boots / goulding / perfectly gaga electropop onslaught, a sort of mirror of the careers of pop stars who began with Jive jingles and 80s pop stylings at heart, and then began putting out 'Gimme More' and 'Music'.
The album got rave reviews that year although I would say only half of the songs are true pop gems. As it was a disappointing commercial failure, Rachel Stevens only recently got back into recording music. I've been having fun listening to this album tonight though and I think you might enjoy it a few times too.
a couple samples (both produced by Richard X):
Some critical reception:
"Bold, swaggering and accomplished...Quite simply, it's the pop album of the year."
"Come and Get It is quite simply a pop tour-de-force that deserves to sell a billion copies. Please, don't let this end up as a forgotten classic".
BBC music
"This utterly mediocre (sales) performance (in terms of its genre, at least) is astonishing when you consider that the album was masterminded by the finest songwriters and producers in the game...but its failure becomes utterly mind-boggling when you actually listen to the thing."
allmusic.com
"its 13 tracks drift by in a haze of nothingness; it is a masterpiece of insubstantiality."
The Telegraph (talking about pop, this is an ultimate compliment)
"deserves to be a hit. It is packed with brilliant, cutting-edge pop music." It's lack of success was "the public's loss".
The Guardian
"a brilliant collection of sophisticated dancefloor songs and quite frankly, one of the most stunning albums of the year."
Londonist
"My pants are unable to withhold the giant sequoia I have for this woman and her producers' music"
Chumbletron Peebleton
"Probably the third greatest Stevens in history behind Shakin' and Thaddeus"
BBC History
"Come and Get It is quite simply a pop tour-de-force that deserves to sell a billion copies. Please, don't let this end up as a forgotten classic".
BBC music
"This utterly mediocre (sales) performance (in terms of its genre, at least) is astonishing when you consider that the album was masterminded by the finest songwriters and producers in the game...but its failure becomes utterly mind-boggling when you actually listen to the thing."
allmusic.com
"its 13 tracks drift by in a haze of nothingness; it is a masterpiece of insubstantiality."
The Telegraph (talking about pop, this is an ultimate compliment)
"deserves to be a hit. It is packed with brilliant, cutting-edge pop music." It's lack of success was "the public's loss".
The Guardian
"a brilliant collection of sophisticated dancefloor songs and quite frankly, one of the most stunning albums of the year."
Londonist
"My pants are unable to withhold the giant sequoia I have for this woman and her producers' music"
Chumbletron Peebleton
"Probably the third greatest Stevens in history behind Shakin' and Thaddeus"
BBC History
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Dubstep
it's a big deal. never heard of it? here's my favorite example, discovered.. this past week.
millions hate it already. millions have yet to love it. millions (not billions) have yet to see megha in the nude as well so let's not hold our breath:
i first heard this sound with Burial's Archangel but didn't know what it was. Burial is pretty much considered the Britney of dubstep so it makes sense that it was the first thing I came across. My good friend Dan Amitai was a huge proponent of the scene in DC and I went to my first dubstep concert with him about a year ago (Headhunter and Jukata).
the key to this music is in the wobble of the bass. it can be irritating or interesting but it's a style that's getting more and more popular. the most popular artists in this relatively new genre (about 5-7 years old now) include: Benga, Skream, Rusko, Burial, Caspa, Zomby, etc etc
one more of my favorites is below. after that is the first "dubstep" song i ever heard (mentioned above). dubstep is in quotes because, although the genre comes from 2step/garage, this song owes more to 2step than most.
the three examples so far are on the calmer, less masculine side of dubstep, which has been criticized for having almost as macho a scene as drum n' bass. to be fair, the above songs all maintain the dark and brooding atmosphere that is requisite to good dubstep. below are some of the harder hitting examples, what many fans would consider (if over-played) the true sound of dubstep:
Did you already know about dubstep? Do you wish you never knew? Is it better than sunday morning bhajans? you tell me.
P.S. if you liked it, the motherload for great mixes is here.
millions hate it already. millions have yet to love it. millions (not billions) have yet to see megha in the nude as well so let's not hold our breath:
i first heard this sound with Burial's Archangel but didn't know what it was. Burial is pretty much considered the Britney of dubstep so it makes sense that it was the first thing I came across. My good friend Dan Amitai was a huge proponent of the scene in DC and I went to my first dubstep concert with him about a year ago (Headhunter and Jukata).
the key to this music is in the wobble of the bass. it can be irritating or interesting but it's a style that's getting more and more popular. the most popular artists in this relatively new genre (about 5-7 years old now) include: Benga, Skream, Rusko, Burial, Caspa, Zomby, etc etc
one more of my favorites is below. after that is the first "dubstep" song i ever heard (mentioned above). dubstep is in quotes because, although the genre comes from 2step/garage, this song owes more to 2step than most.
the three examples so far are on the calmer, less masculine side of dubstep, which has been criticized for having almost as macho a scene as drum n' bass. to be fair, the above songs all maintain the dark and brooding atmosphere that is requisite to good dubstep. below are some of the harder hitting examples, what many fans would consider (if over-played) the true sound of dubstep:
Did you already know about dubstep? Do you wish you never knew? Is it better than sunday morning bhajans? you tell me.
P.S. if you liked it, the motherload for great mixes is here.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
You have to hold your nose and sing all angsty
I don't get exposed to new music often, but my latest playlist has a cool story by my standards:
1. My bro sends me a song without an artist or title because he doesn't know it but knew I'd like it (he is right)
2. Bijal googles the lyrics and finds out it is by a band called Owl City
3. I start listening to more Owl City, and have them stuck in my head for months
4. I go to Owl City's concert across the street from my apartment in SF last Thursday - good times.
By my own admission I do often like less-than-manly music or cheesy electronica (e.g. Akon), and get made fun of a ton for it, but I've officially stopped apologizing for this - its too late for me (and these songs tend to have awesome harmony AND melody - not just beats). And I can still laugh when my brother makes fun of me via his impression of Secondhand Serenade, complete with clipping his nose closed with his fingers.
On The Wing - Owl City
1. My bro sends me a song without an artist or title because he doesn't know it but knew I'd like it (he is right)
2. Bijal googles the lyrics and finds out it is by a band called Owl City
3. I start listening to more Owl City, and have them stuck in my head for months
4. I go to Owl City's concert across the street from my apartment in SF last Thursday - good times.
By my own admission I do often like less-than-manly music or cheesy electronica (e.g. Akon), and get made fun of a ton for it, but I've officially stopped apologizing for this - its too late for me (and these songs tend to have awesome harmony AND melody - not just beats). And I can still laugh when my brother makes fun of me via his impression of Secondhand Serenade, complete with clipping his nose closed with his fingers.
On The Wing - Owl City
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Norwegian Rap/Urban Stars
This is my first post so I'll be concise (not easy for me).
I enjoy "Beggin'" by Madcon. I don't get points for originality here - it's already Top 40 and will be all over the radio soon (which is where I heard it).
Madcon is "new" for me, but is very popular in Europe/elsewhere, especially in the Nordic music scene where they first hit it big.
Beggin - Madcon
Also the video is cool.
I enjoy "Beggin'" by Madcon. I don't get points for originality here - it's already Top 40 and will be all over the radio soon (which is where I heard it).
Madcon is "new" for me, but is very popular in Europe/elsewhere, especially in the Nordic music scene where they first hit it big.
Beggin - Madcon
Also the video is cool.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Kanye + Planet Earth = Amazing?
Apparently so. Check out the new video for "Amazing."
Kanye West - Amazing (feat. Young Jeezy)
Kanye West - Amazing (feat. Young Jeezy)
Friday, April 24, 2009
Radiofoot
Have been listening to this a lot again in the last few days. Probably their best song. One of my overall favorite songs too... despite Thom Yorke's lazy f-ing eye. If he wasn't so weird, Radiohead would actually be more likable, generally speaking. Apparently both Kanye and Miley Cyrus don't like him cause he dissed them by ignoring them. Go figure... Kanye and Miley Cyrus have something in common besides huge egos.
Radiohead - Let Down
===
EDITOR' NOTE: The Pun Spot does not discriminate against people with "lazy eyes." In fact, our editor in chief has a "lazy eye." So there.
Radiohead - Let Down
===
EDITOR' NOTE: The Pun Spot does not discriminate against people with "lazy eyes." In fact, our editor in chief has a "lazy eye." So there.
Pakistani-British Björk
I'm really digging Bat For Lashes these days. You should, too. Check out the live cover of the Kings of Leon song.
Bat For Lashes - Use Somebody (Kings of Leon Cover)
Also, check out the first single from her new album, Two Suns.
Bat For Lashes - Daniel
Shout out to Hilal/Daily Cherez for the recommendation.
Bat For Lashes - Use Somebody (Kings of Leon Cover)
Also, check out the first single from her new album, Two Suns.
Bat For Lashes - Daniel
Shout out to Hilal/Daily Cherez for the recommendation.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Maybe they'll sell a few more albums this time
Check out the hot new single from The Clipse which will be featured on Till The Casket Drops (due out later this year).
The Clipse - Kinda Like A Big Deal (feat. Kanye West)
The Clipse - Kinda Like A Big Deal (feat. Kanye West)
Monday, April 20, 2009
Electronic music (?) video collection
Not sure that all of these qualify as electronic music, but they all feel like they're in the same genre.
As some of you readers may remember, I had a post about Röyksopp a couple months back for their song "Happy Up Here." Just saw this pretty cool version they put together as a promo for their album release. Check it out below.
Röyksopp - Happy Up Here (Marching Band Version)
And check out this pretty cool (older) video.
Röyksopp - What Else Is There (feat. Karin Dreijer Andersson from The Knife)
Not as creepy as Karin Dreijer Andersson's last video, but it has its moments. The video also reminds me of elements from one of the coolest videos from 2007.
Bat for Lashes - What's A Girl To Do
As some of you readers may remember, I had a post about Röyksopp a couple months back for their song "Happy Up Here." Just saw this pretty cool version they put together as a promo for their album release. Check it out below.
Röyksopp - Happy Up Here (Marching Band Version)
And check out this pretty cool (older) video.
Röyksopp - What Else Is There (feat. Karin Dreijer Andersson from The Knife)
Not as creepy as Karin Dreijer Andersson's last video, but it has its moments. The video also reminds me of elements from one of the coolest videos from 2007.
Bat for Lashes - What's A Girl To Do
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