How can we not celebrate the Halloween weekend without a mashup? Being that it is also our traditional Flashback Friday, we've found you the perfect mashup to start off the Halloween celebrations. A DJ all the way from Barcelona who calls himself Mr. K! has taken Ken Laszlo's 80's smash hit Tonight and mated it with Lady Gaga's Monster.
Pretty much anyone that covers a song from the garage bands of the 90's is amazing (in my book anyway). Though I am a child of the 80's, I really came into my own during the 90's (you know, puberty, the ugly phase, sexuality). Though I'm a lover of all music, I still tend to gravitate back to the rock bands of that era, ones that would make you shake your head until you puked, or cried until, well, you puked. Needless to say, Smashing Pumpkins freaking rocked it.
Now as for HoneyHoney (Suzanne Santo & Ben Jaffe), they just gained themselves a few more plays in my iTunes. I've always been a fan since I saw them open for Augustana a few years back in NYC. It was something about their rhythmic Little Toy Gun and Give Yourself To Me songs that really won me over. I eagerly awaited in anticipation after that show for them to release their full length album... meanwhile, enjoying their Little Boots EP. This past March they finally released a full length album entitled First Rodeo. Sadly, they did not include this incredible cover of 1979 on it! I can even imagine Billy Corgan joining on the verses. I'm assuming he's the reason this song is not available for purchase anywhere (though, if you do google it, you may just find a copy).
Quench your Thirsty Thursday cotton mouth - listen below! The weekend is nearly here!
The Pet Shop Boys have done it again and put out another great single. Together will be on their Ultimate album (aka Greatest Hits) dropping November 1st in the UK and November 29th for the US (we're always the last to get this greatness). The greatest hits collection double disc collection is a celebration of Pet Shop Boys 25 years together! Here's to another 25 more!
I am obsessing over the Foals. When the caffeine has worn off and I'm ready for something a bit more mellow but still need that push to get through the afternoon slump, listening to these guys really does the trick. Though Total Life Forever was released in May of this year, I've just recently discovered this alternative rock, 80's infused math-music 5-piece band from the UK. Blue Blood is the third single off the album, releasing on November 8th. The Chris Sweeney directed music video (Marina & the Diamonds, Sophie Ellis Bextor, Will Young) captures a kid becoming a star on stage. It's a little bit erie to see a child sing with such a deep voice but it's a pretty awesome video.
For fans of: Temper Trap, Vampire Weekend, Broken Bells, Arcade Fire
Chromeo seems to be the band that most people are determined to talk smack about. Comparisons are often made to 80’s uptempo R&B acts best left in the 80’s, but their music invariably grows on you, and before you know it, you're singing along and making babiesto their disco-inspired, electro-funk beats. The latest release and 3rd album from the duo, Business Casual, had my shoulders a-shimmying and my booty a-shaking from start to finish.
Go ahead and try not to sing along to the chorus in songs like I’m not contagious. I dare you! You can’t resist catchy hooks like, I'm not contagious, but I got the kinda love that knocks you down! I for one can empathize with these words. Just ask any of my exes…or parole officers.
Check out the lead single Night by Night (below) and tracks like Hot Mess and Don’t Turn the Lights On before making up your mind. As an album, it can be montonous at times, but the tracks stand up well on their own. The most pop-like cuts are definitely The Right Type and When the Night Falls which features vocals from Solange Knowles (aka basement baby). Did Beyonce approve this collaboration? She looks sweet, but she'll cut a bitch.
I've had this album on heavy rotation since it's release, and I can tell you that the cardio from all the dancing has done me a whole world of good. I've got an ab now! So to all of those Chromeo haters, I have one thing to say, Bitch Please!
PS: If you like Chromeo, check out Calvin Harrisafter the jump. He's more accessible and just as dancey.
Ever wondered what music would sound like if Daft Punk mated with Darren Hayes, with a side of 80's inspired Trip Hop? Well wonder no more. Lectrolips has answered that very question with their EP Exempt From Classification. UK Leo & Ant are a singing/songwriting duo who's demos on MySpace began to draw attention from various music blogs. Just this week they've released there EP available for a free download. It's a brilliant twist of heavy synths from the 80's with the fresh beats of today. It's 100% calorie free and 110% delicious.
Love Has Lied and Ordinary Conversation are my favorites & on replay right now! Listen to them both below.
Click here to download and share their latest brillance. No seriously, share it with your friends. They want you to spread it like peanut butter.
Big hair, big clothes, big boots... Dr. Martens, guy-liner and Aquanet. These all share one commonality: Robert Smith of The Cure. Founded in the late 70's in West Sussex England, Smith remained to be the only constant member of one of the most successful Alternative Rock bands in the world. The band has been estimated to sell more than 27 MILLION records by 2004 and have released 13 studio albums and over 30 singles to hit the radio.
A couple years ago, I had the privilege to see The Cure live in concert in Philadelphia with my dear friend Marbeth (we are constantly obsessing over music and a great friend!). The Cure played for nearly 3 hours before we had both had enough and set out to venture back to Connecticut. When we left, they were still playing. I am not sure what keeps Robert Smith going but more power to him. I definitely don't have that sort of stamina to stand on a stage in 9" heeled Dr. Martens, dripping guy-liner and sweating through my pleather pants.
"Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me" has some of the biggest hits from The Cure of their entire rock career. "Why Can't I Be You?" and "Just Like Heaven" are two of their biggest hits ever to hit American radio waves and set them on top of the charts. "Just Like Heaven" (in my opinion) is one of the more challenging covers to do successfully. It has been recorded in Spanish, German and French and covered by artists such as Katie Meula, Charlotte Martin, AFI and Goldfinger (to name a few). Most covers have not been released on the artists' albums however, many of them can be found on YouTube. 2008 Live version of The Cure's "Just Like Heaven" is below along with one of my favorites, Charlotte Martin.
TGIFF (Thank God It's Flashback Friday!) - the weekend is almost here and then we can let go and let loose. Until then, I'll just sit back and float thru this work day, listening to some of the best hits from 1984. Today's Flashback Friday is Erasure's "Star." Happy Friday!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FFpfF2AZzYendofvid
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We are LOVING Alphabeat's sophomore album and love their videos! They always have some good ones. Gotta love the blend of the 80s with a fresh sound from a new decade, 2010!
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Though it is FLASHBACK FRIDAY'S, we cannot wait til next week to share this with you! ALREADY #1 in Denmark, the Danish band that inspired the formation of WonkyPop is back with their newest single, "The Spell." HOT! We cannot wait for their new album to drop! It's 80s disco with a new age flare- LOVE IT! JUST PLAIN FUN!
Though Jason Mraz has not been around that long, the song "Rainbow Connection" goes all the way back to 1981. I adore Jason's version of this song. Happy Flashback Friday everyone!
"Time After Time" was a single by singer Cyndi Lauper, the second from her album She's So Unusual. It reached number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart on June 9, 1984, and remained there for two weeks. Worldwide, the song is her most commercially successful single after "Girls Just Want to Have Fun," and reached number 3 on the UK Singles Chart and number 6 on the ARIA Singles Chart. "Time After Time" was nominated for "Song of the Year" at the 1985 Grammy Awards. The ballad is considered a classic of the 1980s and is still played frequently on adult contemporary radio. The song is known for its numerous covers by a wide range of artists. "Time After Time" has been covered, either in live performance or on a recording, by at least 120 different artists across a broad spectrum of genres!
One of my FAVORITE groups of 2008 and hailing from Denmark, Alphabeat is back with a new album, slated to release on October 19th! I am on the hunt for just a taste from their new album, as the BBC is reporting that they are departing from their 80s/New Wave/B-52's sound from their first album and into the realm of 90s hip hop (think Snap! & Black Box). I cannot wait! Sadly, still no release date slated for the US. Their first album sold over 100,000 records in the UK and still hasn't released in the US. Though, with their array of talent collaborating on their sophomore album release, it's sure to hit the US record stores by late 2009 or early 2010.
On a more personal note: Alphabeat was THE band that inspired the creation of the Wonky Pop music blog. I could not be more thrilled to know that they are continuing their musical career path and am so excited for the new music that will come! Check IT OUT!!! LISTEN!!!
I cannot get enough of Nouvelle Vague since I discovered them on Friday. This version of Billy Idol's "Dancing With Myself" is pure happiness! Enjoy- lighten the mood of a typical Monday!
All the way from France, Nouvelle Vague or "new wave" (in English) is a music collective led by Marc Collin & Olivier Libaux. There first album was released in 2004 and their latest album, "3", was released in June of 2009. The entire album is an entire 80's compilation of cover songs. It is absolutely wonderful and I think you will just love their twist on things!
"Just Can't Get Enough" (original song by Depeche Mode)
"Blister in the Sun" (original song by Violent Femmes)
Remember that band, The Darkness? The 80's hair-styled skinny ass dudes who tried to rock our world with "I Believe In a Thing Called Love"? Well take the falsetto out of the blender and add in some old school Weezer, and you've got the band Built By Snow. Check out "All The Weird Kids Know" on my playlist- a great single! This video is a bit odd (to say the least) but the tune is decent.
10/29/2010
Wonky Pop
