I'll Be Good

This is one of my all time favorite songs, because it rocks. It MUST be played loudly because it becomes so much more when played at a high volume, yes it's a big boy speaker song. The song is the classic R&B hit of the 1980's, I'll Be Good by the talented music duo Renee & Angela. They have had some hits prior, but this song was them at their best. In fact, it was through this song that taught me the very valuable lesson, it's the speakers that make all the difference in the music, not necessarily the equipment it's played on.

The second this song starts off, it's all beat and bass line, and both of them are thumping. What made this group so good, outside of their great songs was the way their voices complimented the other. Angela was all fire where Renee was all ice but it worked so well, that can be heard so clearly on this song. I'll Be Good was off of their platinum selling 1985 LP, Street Called Desire. It was also their last album.

Sadly, the group broke up in the mid 80's but what they left behind won't ever be forgotten. Their music has also been sampled by a multitude of hip hop artists which keeps their music alive as well. I also thought it was high time this track made an appearance on my blog. I hope you enjoy this classic banger as much as I do.  

Ember

Now for something a little different. This is definitely a relaxing, chill out tune, and I am in complete love with it. I don't know if it's the melodies that comprise it or the lilting echoing vocals that seem to have a definite message if you listen close. The song is entitled Ember and it's off the 2012 release Ghosting by Stumbleine.

This song is ridiculously addictive (which means I can't stop listening to it), and damn tasty. It's reminiscent of another song I blogged about awhile ago by Swarms entitled Flikr of Ur Eyes. Sonically, these two songs are cut from the same musical cloth though while Flikr breaks tempo and isn't as much a cool out song, Ember stays the same throughout, from beginning to end.

If you like this piece then may I also recommend you look into Cassette and Try To Remember Me by Stumbleine. The mood is the same and melodies are poignant. That's only if you can pull yourself away from this song long enough to do that, of course. Enjoy!

FML

There is only one way to describe FML by deadmau5, primal. This song could make a dead person want to get up and move. It's all forward motion and it only stops when the song is over. The way the drums relentlessly hit you over and over again inspires that forward motion, when you add in all the other instrumentation, it becomes primal.

Primal because there's no real song here. Initially there is no melody, there's absolutely no verses, no chorus, there's nothing "pop" about this. This was created for one goal and one place in mind, to get people on their feet and moving on the dance floor. Off of his 2009 album For Lack of a Better Name, FML stands out and is a great first song on the album.

If you like this cut, look into deadmau5's A City in Florida (another "primal" dance floor cut), Right This Second, and my all time favorite Faxing Berlin (put that one on repeat, it loops perfectly). Oh, and I don't think I need to mention this, but I will anyway, make SURE you put this on your big boy speakers. You'll thank me, seriously. Enjoy!

Overyjoyed

You know, it hit me like a bag of bricks out of the blue while I was cooking dinner, (I was getting my gourmet cheffing on), that I had just one Stevie Wonder song on my blog. I reasoned that this major oversight had to be rectified immediately, the problem though is which other classic do I choose of Mr. Wonders to blog about. Then it hit me, (like another damn bag of bricks), I should blog one of my favorite Stevie songs, one of his prettiest ones entitled Overjoyed. Off of his 1985 hit album In Square Circle (for which he won another Grammy), Overjoyed was his eighth #1 song, and to date, his last.

This was the song that Stevie Wonder wrote but left off his classic 1979 album Journey Through the Secret Life of Plants. Instead he re-recorded this masterpiece and thankfully decided to share it with us on In Square Circle. It's one of the prettiest pop songs I have ever heard, there is no real percussion, the drip replaces a snare drum and the strings are lush and beautiful. It's a lovely song and it's one of my all time favorites by the maestro.

Everyone has a favorite Stevie Wonder song, and if you don't then please feel free to join me in making Overjoyed your favorite. Lucky for you, I don't mind sharing (which is obvious I think). Sit back, relax, and let this work of beauty wash over you. Enjoy!

Female Robbery

I cam across this really cool song, Female Robbery and the more I listened to it, the more I dug its sound. Then I looked into the bands album and all their songs are great. The group is The Neighbourhood and the title of their debut album is I Love You. Now the more you listen, you'll probably figure out who they sound like, don't rack your brain. They sound like a cross between Maroon 5 and another band I really like (that's also on my blog) Slow Runner. Regardless, I still like their sound and this song.

The song is a mid tempo tune and I love the drums. The lyrics are interesting and witty and the band is tight. Lead singer Jesse Rutherford flows smoothly over the beat and while he may remind me of Adam Levine vocally, the bands sound will more likely evolve to evoke similarities to Radiohead. If you like this song then you will definitely want to check out their album and their songs How (which I think is incredible) and  Sweater Weather.

The Neighbourhood will be around for a long time, if the five member band doesn't implode. They have a familiar but great sound, cool songs, and great production. Keep your ears open for them, I know I will. Enjoy!

Who Are You, Really?

I heard this song as recently as last night, and it has been the ONLY thing that has torn me away from the genius that is the Man Of Steel score by Hans Zimmer. This song was played during the closing credits of the season premiere of True Blood, and it blew me away. I immediately went looking for it. The artist is a young man by the name of Mikky Ekko and the song, Who Are You, Really? is off his 2010 EP Reds.

The whole sound and structure of the song is frenetic. It starts off with one great beat pattern and throbbing bass line, Mikky joins in with his scratchy vocals. When he sings So you feel entitled to a sense of control/And you make decisions that you think are you're own/You are a stranger here why have you come, why have you come/Lift me higher let me look at the sun, look at the sun... this song is off and running. When he gets to the chorus of this too short song, the vocal layering is impressive, it opens the song up and takes it to another level. I definitely recommend the big boys for this one, that way you can hear every little nuance that makes this song something to pay attention to.

Like I said, the song is way too short but that does nothing to lessen how impressive it is. Mikky is not a household name yet but he soon may be. Hailing from Louisiana, and being the son of a preacher, Mikky's definitely got some fire and brimstone in his voice. And it's that quality that has pulled me away from Man Of Steel (which I am going right back to now that I've posted this track). Enjoy!

Beauty Never Fades feat. Saffron

I posted a track from the Man of Steel score by Hans Zimmer and Junkie XL, but then it dawned on me, not everyone who reads my blog may be aware of the one known as Junkie XL. So I thought I would post one of my favorite tracks by him, the one track will allow you to hear his influence on the track with Hans.

It's called Beauty Never Fades featuring vocals by Saffron. It's off the 2003 soundtrack of Animatrix movie. Junkie did some work on the Matrix soundtrack so it was only obvious they would tap him to add a song to this soundtrack as well. The music is fast, the beats are strong, and the vocals are ethereal. Where I hear the similarities with Arcade and his influence on that track is in the low end. The bass line brings to mind the darkness that is Arcade.

I don't know if working with Hans Zimmer will change the dance master/remix king's sound, working with an orchestra and new instrumentation can definitely change a person. If it does though, then I can't wait to hear what's next from Junkie. Enjoy!