Like all good music blogs, Mp3s and Cookies is certainly aware that before long, we'll have to start compiling a list of our favorite songs from the past year. With just 66 days left to 2009, we should probably get started sooner or later.
This time around will be a bit different, however, because not only are there 66 days left to the end of the year, but there are only 66 days left in this decade.
This, of course, means that we shall have to compose our favorite songs of the past decade.
We think you'll agree that will be quite an undertaking. So please bear with us if there are a few days without any posts from Mp3s and Cookies, while we busily put together this extravaganza.
(An extravaganza that maybe two people in the entire world care about)
Monday, October 26, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Well all right...
The more we listened to Girls Can't Catch's "Keep Your Head Up", the less amazing it becomes. Nice chorus, and it's a pleasant enough listen, but certainly nothing in the league of outstanding.
And the world continues its Sunday afternoon without even pausing to care.
And the world continues its Sunday afternoon without even pausing to care.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Another excellent girlband song.
Girls Can't Catch supported Girls Aloud on their Out Of Control tour this summer, and they released this song, "Keep Your Head Up", as their first single back in July. Not too much happened with it then, pity because it's a surefire, nail-on-the-head pop hit. Lyrics about turning the other cheek instead of launching an angry tirade against an ex, set against a pristine electronic backdrop...it's all quite good.
Here's the video. They're playing croquet in a junkyard. How edgy.
Probably not going to make The Saturdays or the "Sugababes" quiver in their stilletos during the Aloud hiatus, but a pleasant addition to the pop-o-sphere nonetheless.
Here's the video. They're playing croquet in a junkyard. How edgy.
Probably not going to make The Saturdays or the "Sugababes" quiver in their stilletos during the Aloud hiatus, but a pleasant addition to the pop-o-sphere nonetheless.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Pointless update for a Thursday.
After releasing fifty singles from her last album, the campaign for which seemed to go on for at least 1,000 years, Rihanna is finally back with a new album. The new single is called "Russian Roulette" and we haven't heard it yet, and in reality we're not much interested in the Rihanna universe (though she has a fairly reliable track record of releasing catchy songs), but we'll let you know our thoughts on it eventually.
Expert music journalism right here, viewers.
Expert music journalism right here, viewers.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Cheryl Cole's album.
We've heard snippets of Cheryl Cole's forthcoming solo album.
To sum it all up - Yawn.
We're fairly certain that the world doesn't need a rehash of any r&b-attempted pop sounds circa 2001.
Thanks for trying, love. Please return to work on the next Girls Aloud album ASAP.
To sum it all up - Yawn.
We're fairly certain that the world doesn't need a rehash of any r&b-attempted pop sounds circa 2001.
Thanks for trying, love. Please return to work on the next Girls Aloud album ASAP.
Well, this is a good song.
We all know you love Mp3s and Cookies for consistently being on the pulse of up-and-coming, just-reached-your-ears music, and this time is no exception. There is a song called "Love Sex Magic" by Ciara featuring Justin Timberlake, and....all right, it was released seven months ago and pretty much anyone who pays a slight bit of attention to the top 40 is well aware of this track.
Oh well, the fact that we're late on this certainly doesn't take away from how good it is, and we're pleased to say it's going down nicely in these ears. Better late than never, as we always say. The song is a "funked up" sort of affair, veering a bit on the electro side, with a nice chorus, basically all the ingredients for a good pop song.
Here is the video, which we think you'll agree is rather well done. Lights, leotards, odd sunglasses, and Timberlake rubbing his hand all over Ciara's rear end. What more could you want in pop music?
Nice job, everyone. Better than that whole "1,2 Step" fiasco from a few years back.
Oh well, the fact that we're late on this certainly doesn't take away from how good it is, and we're pleased to say it's going down nicely in these ears. Better late than never, as we always say. The song is a "funked up" sort of affair, veering a bit on the electro side, with a nice chorus, basically all the ingredients for a good pop song.
Here is the video, which we think you'll agree is rather well done. Lights, leotards, odd sunglasses, and Timberlake rubbing his hand all over Ciara's rear end. What more could you want in pop music?
Nice job, everyone. Better than that whole "1,2 Step" fiasco from a few years back.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
A couple of good Xenomania moments.
In honor of Xenomania's recent top 10 success with "Left My Heart In Tokyo" from their brand new act Mini Viva (and by recent, we mean this is at least month-old news), we have decided to reflect upon the many wonderful moments that Xenomania has provided for the world of pop music.
No, this will not be just all Girls Aloud. We're fully capable of listening to music other than the Aloud, thankyouverymuch.
That's not to say that there won't be Girls Aloud songs in this list, because Xenomania are an integral part of the Girls Aloud formula and that would just be nonsense to say that no Girls Aloud song qualifies among Xenomania's greatest moments, but the general idea is there and WE'RE JUST GOING TO SHUT UP AND GET ON WITH IT NOW.
Sophie Ellis Bextor "If You Go" (2007, from the album Trip The Light Fantastic)
Why it's good: While they are renowned for numerous balls-to-the-walls, "who in the hell came up with this?" concoctions with most Girls Aloud singles, Xenomania are wonderfully capable of working within more melancholy realms. This is a good example of that.
Best lyric: "Because I'd like, like to be somebody who you'd take a chance on/I would take a chance on you everyday"
Best sonic moment: The intro, where Sophie's "aahs" blend nicely over the synth bassline. It's all very atmospheric and all that sort of thing.
Gabriella Cilmi "Sweet About Me" (2008, from the album Lessons To Be Learned)
Why it's good: 16-year-old Cilmi sings like a 30-year-old woman, and Xenomania show what it's like when they record a song without synthesizers and computers for a change.
Best lyric: "When you're playing with desire, don't come running to my place when it burns like fire"
Best sonic moment: The break between the chorus and the second verse. The drums stop, there's a nice guitar in the background, and just a moment's anticipation before the Cilmi begins growling again.
Girls Aloud "No Good Advice" (2003, from the album Sound of the Underground)
Why it's good: Yes yes, it's the moment Girls Aloud's potential was first realized, it's the moment we realized they weren't just a one-hit wonder, it was Xenomania's first true musical triumph, etc. etc.
Best line: "Shut your mouth because your shit might show" (in the original, unedited version, at least) and "I don't need no beauty sleep, no need to count those dirty sheep"
Best sonic moment: The surf guitar breaks and the "My Sharona"-esque opening.
Rachel Stevens "Nothing Good About This Goodbye" (2005, from the album Come And Get It)
Why it's good: Despite the fact that the woman sounds completely disinterested in every one of her records, there's no denying that 7 out of 10 songs in the world that has Rachel Stevens on the bill ends up being rather amazing. This is one of those songs, a poignant and mature look at a failed relationship etc etc.
Best line: "Snap decisions cause you so much pain, then you come 'round again and there's nothing left at all"
Best sonic moment: The chorus, and the middle-eight break where Rachel repeats the aforementioned line through a vocoder and everything except the bass has dropped out.
Girls Aloud "Graffiti My Soul" (2004, from the album What Will the Neighbours Say?)
Why it's good: Better question would be, why is it NOT good? Guitars, "industrial"-esque sounds, rapping, no coherent sense of verse-chorus?
Best line: "From the table onto the floor, it's procreation and nothing more"
Best sonic moment: Everything within the first 56 seconds of the song- from the opening salvo "Spiked heels and skin-tight jeans..." to the manic breakthrough of guitars, beats and synths.
All right, two out of five were Girls Aloud songs. So sue us.
No, this will not be just all Girls Aloud. We're fully capable of listening to music other than the Aloud, thankyouverymuch.
That's not to say that there won't be Girls Aloud songs in this list, because Xenomania are an integral part of the Girls Aloud formula and that would just be nonsense to say that no Girls Aloud song qualifies among Xenomania's greatest moments, but the general idea is there and WE'RE JUST GOING TO SHUT UP AND GET ON WITH IT NOW.
Sophie Ellis Bextor "If You Go" (2007, from the album Trip The Light Fantastic)
Why it's good: While they are renowned for numerous balls-to-the-walls, "who in the hell came up with this?" concoctions with most Girls Aloud singles, Xenomania are wonderfully capable of working within more melancholy realms. This is a good example of that.
Best lyric: "Because I'd like, like to be somebody who you'd take a chance on/I would take a chance on you everyday"
Best sonic moment: The intro, where Sophie's "aahs" blend nicely over the synth bassline. It's all very atmospheric and all that sort of thing.
Gabriella Cilmi "Sweet About Me" (2008, from the album Lessons To Be Learned)
Why it's good: 16-year-old Cilmi sings like a 30-year-old woman, and Xenomania show what it's like when they record a song without synthesizers and computers for a change.
Best lyric: "When you're playing with desire, don't come running to my place when it burns like fire"
Best sonic moment: The break between the chorus and the second verse. The drums stop, there's a nice guitar in the background, and just a moment's anticipation before the Cilmi begins growling again.
Girls Aloud "No Good Advice" (2003, from the album Sound of the Underground)
Why it's good: Yes yes, it's the moment Girls Aloud's potential was first realized, it's the moment we realized they weren't just a one-hit wonder, it was Xenomania's first true musical triumph, etc. etc.
Best line: "Shut your mouth because your shit might show" (in the original, unedited version, at least) and "I don't need no beauty sleep, no need to count those dirty sheep"
Best sonic moment: The surf guitar breaks and the "My Sharona"-esque opening.
Rachel Stevens "Nothing Good About This Goodbye" (2005, from the album Come And Get It)
Why it's good: Despite the fact that the woman sounds completely disinterested in every one of her records, there's no denying that 7 out of 10 songs in the world that has Rachel Stevens on the bill ends up being rather amazing. This is one of those songs, a poignant and mature look at a failed relationship etc etc.
Best line: "Snap decisions cause you so much pain, then you come 'round again and there's nothing left at all"
Best sonic moment: The chorus, and the middle-eight break where Rachel repeats the aforementioned line through a vocoder and everything except the bass has dropped out.
Girls Aloud "Graffiti My Soul" (2004, from the album What Will the Neighbours Say?)
Why it's good: Better question would be, why is it NOT good? Guitars, "industrial"-esque sounds, rapping, no coherent sense of verse-chorus?
Best line: "From the table onto the floor, it's procreation and nothing more"
Best sonic moment: Everything within the first 56 seconds of the song- from the opening salvo "Spiked heels and skin-tight jeans..." to the manic breakthrough of guitars, beats and synths.
All right, two out of five were Girls Aloud songs. So sue us.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Kylie Minogue, live in the USA
You're probably wondering, "How was Kylie's first-ever live concert in Los Angeles last night?"
WELL.
As to be expected of someone like Kylie, it was quite the spectacle. What we mean by someone like Kylie is someone who is a true showman/woman. Kylie is certainly that. She is not the strongest vocalist, nor the best dancer, but she has the gift of pulling it all together when she's onstage, and yes we realize there's a huge helping hand with lighting, staging, choreography, and even right down to the fact that the majority of her finest music was written for her by other people. But in spite of all these elements not within her control, she still brings the life and energy forward, and all that is completely on her shoulders.
For someone who's just barely over five feet tall and has the physique of a fairy, Kylie's stage presence is surprisingly commanding, and yet inviting at the same time. She interacts with the crowd. She's light-hearted, she's funny, she is unquestionably sexy but still has a twinkle in her eye that almost says "Yes, I am writhing about in leather pants that were practically painted on my dainty ass, but this is just a show and we're all still having fun". She doesn't jet into show-stopping moves like Britney used to, nor shatter the amplifiers with a voice like Christina, but the entire time you're glued to her.
The songs, of course, are the other important factor. It's rather telling that of all the songs on this mini-tour's setlist, the five tracks from X were without a doubt among the weakest when done live. X is a bit of an odd one in our opinion (some days we like it, some days we don't), but there's no denying that most everything on the album does not exactly translate well onstage.
Something that does translate INCREDIBLY well to the stage (and you wouldn't think so; we certainly didn't) - "Slow". One of the best numbers of the night, surprising considering how sparse and trapped by electronics the studio version is. The older hits definitely were a joy to hear live- "Can't Get You Out of My Head" predictably drew a massive crowd reaction, "Confide In Me" was powerful, the jazzed-up rendition of "The Loco-motion" was quite the showstopper, and "Love At First Sight" expertly ended the show on a euphoric note.
Overall, a rousing success.
WELL.
As to be expected of someone like Kylie, it was quite the spectacle. What we mean by someone like Kylie is someone who is a true showman/woman. Kylie is certainly that. She is not the strongest vocalist, nor the best dancer, but she has the gift of pulling it all together when she's onstage, and yes we realize there's a huge helping hand with lighting, staging, choreography, and even right down to the fact that the majority of her finest music was written for her by other people. But in spite of all these elements not within her control, she still brings the life and energy forward, and all that is completely on her shoulders.
For someone who's just barely over five feet tall and has the physique of a fairy, Kylie's stage presence is surprisingly commanding, and yet inviting at the same time. She interacts with the crowd. She's light-hearted, she's funny, she is unquestionably sexy but still has a twinkle in her eye that almost says "Yes, I am writhing about in leather pants that were practically painted on my dainty ass, but this is just a show and we're all still having fun". She doesn't jet into show-stopping moves like Britney used to, nor shatter the amplifiers with a voice like Christina, but the entire time you're glued to her.
The songs, of course, are the other important factor. It's rather telling that of all the songs on this mini-tour's setlist, the five tracks from X were without a doubt among the weakest when done live. X is a bit of an odd one in our opinion (some days we like it, some days we don't), but there's no denying that most everything on the album does not exactly translate well onstage.
Something that does translate INCREDIBLY well to the stage (and you wouldn't think so; we certainly didn't) - "Slow". One of the best numbers of the night, surprising considering how sparse and trapped by electronics the studio version is. The older hits definitely were a joy to hear live- "Can't Get You Out of My Head" predictably drew a massive crowd reaction, "Confide In Me" was powerful, the jazzed-up rendition of "The Loco-motion" was quite the showstopper, and "Love At First Sight" expertly ended the show on a euphoric note.
Overall, a rousing success.
Just wondering aloud...
Now that Keisha Buchanan has become a "solo singer" (i.e. ex-band member now assed out of a proper career), HOW AMAZING would it be if she were to reunite with failed soloists Mutya Buena and Siobhan Donaghy and re-create the ORIGINAL Sugababes lineup, ten years later?
In a world where unexpectedly good things happen, this would take place immediately.
In our reality where Cascada gets to number 1 with that God-awful dance floor evacuation song while decent bands like Dragonette barely prance into the top 100, this will perhaps never happen.
But it's nice to dream.
In a world where unexpectedly good things happen, this would take place immediately.
In our reality where Cascada gets to number 1 with that God-awful dance floor evacuation song while decent bands like Dragonette barely prance into the top 100, this will perhaps never happen.
But it's nice to dream.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)