Friday, May 29, 2009

Waking Up in Vegas (Calvin Harris Remix)


Song: Waking Up in Vegas (Calvin Harris Remix)
Artist: Katy Perry
Album: Waking Up in Vegas




Maybe it's because she co-wrote Kelly Clarkson's killer new single "I Don't Hook Up" or that ultra hip Calvin Harris remixed her new single... but I'm changing my mind on Katy Perry. And besides... I LOVE this track, great sing-a-long chorus. She had the song of the summer last year (which I hated at first) will this be her second in a row?

"Waking Up in Vegas" is the fourth official single released from Katy Perry's album, One of the Boys. It was written by Katy Perry, Desmond Child and Andreas Carlsson. It is produced by Greg Wells and co-produced by Perry. Wells is credited with playing all the instruments on the song. It was officially released to US radio stations on April 21, 2009 (2009-04-21).

Promotion

Katy Perry performed "Waking Up in Vegas" on Later With Jools Holland in September 2008. She was also a guest on Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway in March 2009 and to everyone's surprise,[citation needed] she performed "Waking Up in Vegas" instead of her then-current single, "Thinking of You," which had been released that month. She performed on a Las Vegas-themed stage with her backing band dressed as Elvis Presley. The single was released to Australian radio on March 23, where it became the fourth most added song in its release week. Perry performed the song on American Idol on May 13, 2009. In the performance she was dressed in an Elvis-themed outfit and a cape emblazoned with Adam Lambert's name on it.

Lyrical inspiration

Perry explained "Waking Up in Vegas" to The Sun September 26, 2008:

"Vegas gives me that 'what the fuck feeling.' It's really close to LA so one night you could be having a beer with your friends and, when you wake up, you're in Vegas."

Perry said that the song has some real-life inspiration, in a chat with PopEater.com, Perry revealed that she and her then-boyfriend "decided to get fake married". "I was 21. We took all the pictures with the minister, with the fake cake, in the fake chapel and got a fake marriage certificate. We went and bought a wedding dress and a suit at a thrift store, and scanned the pictures and the certificate to my family members, my manager at the time [and] totally freaked the shit out of them. It was the most hilarious, stupid prank I've ever pulled, I still have the wedding dress and the certificate." Perry added that the song isn't about apologizing: "[It's] basically a song about getting into trouble with your best friend or your boyfriend or your girlfriend - or whoever you're with - and not having any ' I'm sorry for what I did ' ".

Chart performance

The song debuted on the UK Singles Chart at number 107 following her performance on Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, and peaked at number 36 on the UK Singles Chart. In the US, it debuted at number 65 on the Billboard Hot 100, her highest debut;[citation needed] following her performance on American Idol, the song jumped to number 13 and then rose to number 10.[citation needed] In Canada, the song was driven all the way to number 5 and then number 2 (where it currently peaks) thanks to her performance on Idol and therefore increasing sales and airplay.

Critical reception

Billboard gave the song a positive review: "While the ballad "Thinking of You" didn't stir up the same buzz as her previous danceable top 10s, Katy Perry turns it back up a notch with her most radio-friendly song yet, "Waking Up in Vegas." The fourth single from her platinum album "One of the Boys" pokes fun at the pop tart's antics while indulging herself in Sin City. Written by "I Want It That Way" songwriter Andreas Carlsson, Desmond Child, and Perry, the fun starts with the sound of coins clinking out of a slot machine. The momentum continues with hypnotizing guitar effects that conjure a car's engine as it speeds onto the Strip, a forceful drum set laying out the foundation and Perry's infectious vocal driving over. Bets are on for this one"

Music video

The music video for "Waking Up in Vegas" showcasing Perry in a Lamborghini Murciélago as she is about to race the streets of Vegas.

The music video was shot by Joseph Kahn in Las Vegas on March 26, 2009. It made it's premiere when released on April 28, 2009 on the Australian, UK and U.S. iTunes store. It begins with Perry holding hands with her love interest played by Joel David Moore as he places a single coin in a slot machine. Moore is victorious as hundreds of coins pour rapidly out of the machine. It then cuts to a scene as Perry plays a game of poker wearing a red showgirl costume, defeating Daniel Negreanu then to her with Moore joyfully holding many money notes. The two lovers are then escorted to the Palms hotel. Katy kicks out Penn & Teller from her hotel suite. Katy begins to win poker over and over again as there are quick cuts of her along with Moore racing through the streets of Vegas each with a yellow and black Lamborghini Murciélago. There is also another scene where Katy and Moore are in their own Chariots driven down a Vegas street with an Elephant and fire blower beside. The couple are then found kissing in a money booth. After the kiss Katy's luck changes and she begins to argue with Moore. The video closes with what began the video. Moore once again places a single coin in the slot machine and is victorious.

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Doctor Doctor


Song: Doctor Doctor
Artist: Just Jack
Album: All Night Cinema




Jack Allsopp (born 1 January 1975), known by the stage name Just Jack, is an English musician best known for the songs "Writer's Block" and "Starz in Their Eyes".

Background

Born in North London, Allsopp grew up listening to dance music including breakdance, electro hip hop and house. A wannabe breakdancer at eight, he started DJing at the age of 15 and he soon became submerged in DJ culture and UK garage.

After completing a degree in Furniture Design at Kingston University, he enrolled on a community music production course, which heightened his awareness of sampling and its potential for use. He went on to concentrate on perfecting his sound by night and to take on a series of jobs by day.

Career

Allsopp's debut album, titled The Outer Marker and released in 2002 by the independent label RGR Records, was a collection of songs about modern life, relationships, and the pressures of social situations.

He did not gain fame until 2007, following his TV debut on BBC2's Later with Jools Holland, and then on the Channel 4 show The Friday Night Project, where he performed the single "Starz In Their Eyes", which reached No.2 in the UK Singles Chart; the following three singles didn't make the top thirty. "Starz In Their Eyes" was also featured in the Dolce Gabbana Summer 2008 fashion show. Kylie Minogue also did a collaboration with him, "I Talk Too Much", for the American release of his Overtones album.

He performed at Glastonbury Festival,V Festival and T4 on the Beach in 2007.

He is set to release his third album, titled All Night Cinema, on June 29 2009, preceded by first single "Embers", which had its premiere on BBC Radio 1 on 12 January 2009.

There has been speculation as to the song "Doctor Doctor" being the next single from All Night Cinema as the song and a film clip accompanying it was recently uploaded to youtube.

All Night Cinema is the third album from British electronic music artist Just Jack. The lead single "Embers" was released in March 2009 and has since reached #17 on the UK Singles Chart. The second single is set to be Doctor Doctor. It is to be released on June 1st 2009.

Enjoy.

Embers


Doctor Doctor

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Wilco (The Song)


Song: Wilco (The Song)
Artist: Wilco
Album: Wilco (The Album)




Wilco (The Album) is the seventh studio album by American alternative rock group Wilco which is expected to be released June 30, 2009. The band has finished mastering the album and have released the track listing.[1] According to lead singer Jeff Tweedy, the band will "allow [themselves] a little bit more leeway in terms of sculpting the sound in the studio and doing overdubs and using the studio as another instrument".[2] Prior to release, Wilco streamed the album on their website.

Production

Alternative rock band Wilco released their sixth studio album, Sky Blue Sky, in 2007. They spent the following two years touring to promote the album. In August 2008, Billboard reported that Wilco had been playing two new songs, "One Wing" and "Sunny Feeling", at recent shows in anticipation of a new studio album.[2] Rolling Stone revealed the title of the album on April 28, 2009.[3]

Wilco (The Album) will feature the first duet for Wilco, "You and I", which was recorded with Canadian indie folk singer Feist.[4] The band met Feist at the 50th Grammy Awards and found they had a mutual appreciation for each others' music.[5] The album was recorded in Neil Finn's recording studio (Roundhead studios) in Auckland, New Zealand. Members of Wilco were present to record material for a 7 Worlds Collide compilation album to benefit Oxfam. Guitarist Nels Cline and multi-instrumentalist Mikael Jorgensen provided overdubs once the band returned to Chicago, Illinois. The album was produced by the band and Jim Scott, who worked as an engineer on Being There, Summerteeth, and Sky Blue Sky.[6] The band joined Scott in Valencia, California to mix the album.[7]

On May 13, 2009, the album leaked on the Internet, and Wilco promptly responded by streaming the album for free on their website. The stream resulted in over 100,000 visits to Wilco's website on the 13th.[8] The band also suggested that those who downloaded the leaked copy make a charitable donation to Inspiration Corporation[1], an organization that assists low-income families in Chicago.[9] Blogger Mike Masnick praised Wilco for their response to the leak, contrasting it to the reactionary response from 20th Century Fox following the leak of X-Men Origins: Wolverine.[10]

"Bull Black Nova", which was particularly noted for its experimental tendencies in a Billboard album preview, was written from the point of view of a man who just killed his girlfriend.[11] Critic Jonathan Cohen also noted "Deeper Down" for its "wealth of sonic details".[12] The Feist duet "You and I" is about two lovers trying to keep a relationship together.[11]

Promotion

Wilco appeared on The Colbert Report to play "Wilco (The Song)" and promote 2008 presidential candidate Barack Obama.[13] Wilco will embark on a twenty-one show tour to promote the album starting on June 21, 2009. The tour will conclude with a performance at the 10,000 Lakes Festival in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota.[11]

Track listing

  1. "Wilco (The Song)" – 2:59
  2. "Deeper Down" – 2:59
  3. "One Wing" – 3:42
  4. "Bull Black Nova" – 5:39
  5. "You and I" (with Feist) – 3:26
  6. "You Never Know" – 4:21
  7. "Country Disappeared" – 4:02
  8. "Solitaire" – 3:04
  9. "I'll Fight" – 4:23
  10. "Sunny Feeling" – 4:13
  11. "Everlasting Everything" – 3:58
Enjoy.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

One Night Stand


Song: One Night Stand
Artist: Vitaminsforyou
Album: He Closed His Eyes So he Could Dance With You








Vitaminsforyou is an electronic style band grounded in Winnipeg (although now centered in Toronto) led by Bryce Kushnier. Kushnier is a pioneer of the “lo-fi bedroom electronics” genre of music.

History

Kushnier began creating music in 1998 and later toured Canada with many notable musicians. He said in interviews that he doesn’t much like working with bands, therefore, he finds it much easier just to work from home with his computer. Kushnier is one of the first musicians to use a home computer to mix different music genres together. His music fuses electronica, acoustic folk, and psychedelia. This genre is referred to by many as “lo-fi bedroom electronics” , a genre in which Kushnier is a pioneer. His first album was released in 2003 and he has toured Canada and worked with many artists worldwide. His credits include work with many critically acclaimed artists including Constellation Record’s Lullabye Arkestra; Mitchell Akiyama, Avia Gardner, and Mike Feuerstack. He has also played for Winnipeg and Toronto filmmakers Matthew Etchies and Elvis Pruisc and scores for many Montreal choreographers such as Andrew Tay, Sasha Kleinplatz, and Dana Michel. Perhaps most notably he has worked with Emm Gryner, a very successful Irish musician who herself has worked with many critically acclaimed artists.

Discography

Kushnier has released three critically acclaimed albums. The first, entitled “I am Sorry for ever and for Always” was released in 2003 while his second album “The Legends of Bird’s Hill” was released in 2006. His third album has just been released in 2009, "he closed his eyes so he could dance with you".

Other Information

As well as becoming popular in the electronic scene, Kushnier has also made a name for himself as a DJ. He has extensive experience as a DJ playing in Toronto collectives such as Do Make Say Think (Constellation Records) and DJing for the electronic group Fritz Helder & The Phantoms. Kushnier has been awarded the prestigious Song of the Year Qwartz Pro/Art Electronic Music Award for the single “The Ukranians” off of his second album.

Enjoy.

Wishing I Lived Near Water

Wednesday, May 06, 2009

Cumbia


Song: Cumbia
Artist: Mexican Institute of Sound
Album: Soy Sauce



Here is a fun discovery, “Soy Sauce” is the third full length album from Mexico City based Mexican Institute of Sound, which is really just one guy, Camilo Lara who is a DJ and producer. Lara also has an impressive day-job… president of EMI Mexico. Joining acts like Kinky, M.I.S. is part of the blowing up Mexican electronica scene which is characterized by using traditional instruments and incorporating modern electronic elements. “Soy Sauce” is all over the map, but a lot of fun.

Their cover of the Verve’s “Bittersweet Symphony” (as “Sinfonia Agridulce”) is more funny than it is listenable, but lead track “Cumbia” is a lot of fun. I’m digging the record.

Enjoy.

Sinfonia Agridulce


Katia, Tania, Paulina Y La Kim

Monday, May 04, 2009

Stand and Deliver


Song: Stand and Deliver
Artist: No Doubt
Album: Stand and Deliver




While a new album isn’t slated until 2010, No Doubt have reunited for a summer tour this year. To kick it off they have done a stint on “Gossip Girl” as part of an 80’s flashback performing Adam Ant’s “Stand and Deliver.” While this isn’t really huge news, their cover actually has a lot of grit and shows just how different the bands sound is versus the dance-pop that Gwen is known for solo.

I’m not really a big ska fan, so initially when No Doubt hit the scene I cared very little. (Also, I grew to HATE “Don’t Speak” when it was a hit.) But as the band got bigger in popularity I thought they became a better band, and Gwen a better songwriter. That said, I thought their last full length record, 2001’s “Rock Steady” was by far the best, and “Stand and Deliver” really gets me excited to hear new music from the band.

Enjoy.

Stand and Deliver – No Doubt


Stand and Deliver – Adam Ant

Friday, May 01, 2009

Talk to Me


Song: Talk to Me
Artist: Peaches
Album: I Feel Cream



I’m sort of hard pressed to think of a song that obtains such an immediate and strong reaction as Peaches 2000 track “Fuck the Pain Away.” It was catchy, dirty, and just plain outrageous. It was used memorably in “Lost in Translation” and unfortunately, she’s never really wrote a track that could compete with it. That’s not to say that across her discography you don’t find some good stuff, there is just a lot of NOT so good. Actually, I think a best of compilation will be quite good, if not her definitive statement.

I was really disappointed with the excellently titled, but mediocre “Impeach My Bush” from 2006. But her latest, “I Feel Cream,” is a step closer in the right direction. There is still some filler, but it’s as good as “Fatherfucker” in my opinion.

I was immediately drawn to the rock strut of “Talk to Me,” which turns out to be the first single, as produced by Soulwax. The rest is typical Peaches, so if you’re a fan, you’ll dig.

Enjoy.

Tall to Me


I Feel Cream


Fuck the Pain Away