A Rhyme: "Every Single Night" - Fiona Apple

Fiona Apple released her first new song since 2005 today called "Every Single Night". The music is minimal only becoming enchanted during the chorus with backing vocals coming in behind Fiona's. With little instrumentation, Fiona's words are what needs to be payed attention to.  Her vocals on the song are like a cabaret singer allowing listeners to hear every blip in her delivery--it makes her more raw, something that she is known for.

The song comes from her latest release, The Idler the Wheel is wiser than the Driver of the Screw, and Whipper Chords will serve more than Ropes will ever do. It's lengthy title is reminiscent of her 1999 album When the Pawn... which has a much lengthier title. "Every Single Night"'s lulluby-esque tone makes it soothing but the punch in the chorus makes you really listen.

A Rhyme: "Voodoo" - Alexz Johnson

Many know Alexz Johnson from the hit TV shows Instant Star and So Weird but Johnson's true passion is singing and that she does well on her debut disc. The title track, "Voodoo", is essentially about Johnson wondering what mystical or emotional power has her falling for her guy. If you're listening to the song thinking it'll sound like a tune from Jude Harrison (Johnson's Instant Star character) then you may be disappointed. Many site the song and the LP as a huge departure from the singer's TV show songs and I have to agree.

I came upon "Voodoo" when I was on the Internet one day and thought, "I wonder what ever happened to that album Alexz Johnson was supposed to be recording." I went to her official site, clicked on "Voodoo" and immediately loved the song. After streaming the album on alexzjohnson.com I downloaded the album from iTunes and have been playing the LP practically non-stop. Check out the title track below.



Picture Credit: Wikipedia

Music Video: Dan Black featuring Kid Cudi - "Symphonies"

This video actually contains the remix of British singer Dan Black's song "Symphonies" from his debut album ((UN)). The clip features various "movies" of the singer and rapper Kid Cudi which range from French films to Sci-Fi flicks to Westerns. It's different to most music videos out there right now, which makes it very appealing to me. I love the song too, which echos Rihanna's 2007 hit "Umbrella" (a song that Dan Black made a mashup of with legendary rapper Biggie's "Hypnotize")

The video is below. Comment and tell me what you think!

Dan Black - Subterranean - MTV Shows

Source: Wikipedia, MTV.com

Music Video: "Icky Thump" - The White Stripes

The first single released from the album of the same name, "Icky Thump" is a socially conscious song about immigration. It criticises the current American immigration policy, which also makes it the first politically charged song the band has put out since "The Big Three Killed My Baby" from their self-titled debut album. Probably the most important lyrics in the song can be found towards the end of the song. I think these lyrics portray the true meaning of the song and quite possibly exactly how lead singer (and co-writer of the song) Jack White feels about immigration policy in America.

"White Americans
What? Nothin' better to do?
Why don't you kick yourself out
You're an immigrant too.

Who's using who?
What should we do?
Well you can't be a pimp
And a prostitute too."

Watch the video for "Icky Thump" below.

The White Stripes - Rock The Deuce - MTV Shows

A Rhyme: "Do You Realize??" - The Flaming Lips

"Do You Realize??" is the first single from The Flaming Lips' 2002 album Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots. Coyne revealed during an interview that while recording the album Steven Drozd was trying to rid himself of a heroin addiction. During breaks from recording the album, he would have a hard time with his withdrawals. Coyne, listening to Drozd cry and thinking about his own late father, he wrote "Do You Realize??", a song often considered one of the bands' most popular songs.

The song has been used in many commercials including a 2002 Hewlett-Packard commercial and a 2007 Land Rover commercial. It has also been used in commercials for Vh1--which is where I first heard the song. What I like about "Do You Realize??" is the bass and the bells. The use of those elements evokes a majestic feeling, a light feeling. This is the kind of song that just makes you happy and gives you hope. Check out the song below!

Picture credit: Wikipedia

A Rhyme: "Put a Diamond In It" - Semi Precious Weapons

Semi Precious Weapons is a glam rock group from New York City that was formed in 2004. Most recently, they've been spotted on Lady Gaga's The Monster Ball tour as an opening act. "Put a Diamond in It" is from the Semi Precious Weapons EP.

Front man Justin Tranter is an openly gay man but carries himself androgynously. When I saw the band at Lady Gaga's concert in December, he looked like a woman. I thought he was a transgendered woman at first but then I realized that he was a gay man in drag. When the band performed, one of the songs I immediately liked was "Put a Diamond in It". It's just one of those songs that get you on your feet and make you want to "rock out". Check out the band performing the song below.

Source: Wikipedia

Picture Credit: Interscope

A Rhyme: "Lover's Spit" - Broken Social Scene

"Lover's Spit" is featured on the band's 2002 album You Forgot It in People. It, along with "Anthems for a Seventeen Year-Old Girl" are both fan-favorites. The album features complex and experimental musical techniques and a wide range of different instruments. In 2003, the year the album was reissued, it won the Juno Award for Alternative Album of the Year. Sylus Magazine put it in 7th place on their Top 50 Albums: 2000-2005 list.

I first heard this song by listening to Jim Carrey's (woo hoo!) iTunes celebrity playlist. The man has excellent taste in music by the way. Anyway, this was a song that I immediately liked. I haven't quite been able to figure out exactly what the song is about, but I'm sure it's pretty deep. Mind you, the lyrics are suggestive but the song is a great one nevertheless, without the gimmicky lyrics. Many think the song is about meaningless love. That seems about right. See the lyrics here.



Picture credit: wikipedia

A Rhyme: "Breathe Me" - Sia

"Breathe Me" is a song by Australian alternative singer, Sia (pronounced See-uh). It is featured on her 2004 album "Colour The Small One". The song became popular in America when it was featured on the series finale of the HBO drama Six Feet Under. The song has been used in commercials including the Coca-Cola commercial aired during the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. Since the song became so popular, the album was re-released in 2006. The song seems to be about someone who is in desperate need of a friend and companion, as you can tell by reading the lyrics and listening to the track here.

When I first heard this song, I thought the Sia’s voice was very unusual to say the least. I admit I didn’t like the song very much at first. But upon a second and third listen I liked the song more and more. The best part is when Sia sings “…and breathe me” for the last time and the music slows down--almost stopping, and then swells again becoming even grander than it was before. Sia is a true talent and hearing this song has led me to further listen to her work. You’ll be hearing more from her in the future on this blog.

Credit: Rhapsody

A Rhyme: "Closer" - Kings of Leon

"Closer" is the opening track on Kings of Leon's 2008 album Only By the Night. The song features electronic and synth elements and guitar that sounds like psychedelic rock. The song isn't typical of the bands usual sound. According to the bands website, lead singer Caleb Followill says the song is about a lovesick vampire.

Personally, I see the song as something a little more realistic. I see it as being about a lovesick man who was stranded in a relationship by the woman he loved. Now he is wondering if she still cares. Even still, he continues to chase her but the chase is taking a toll. I really like this song because it's so laid back and moody. But even with the lazy rock-synth beat, there is a stong element in the song.

Picture credit: Wikipedia

Spotlight: Kier's Playlist

Here's a playlist full of the music that I like. Many songs that I like are NOT on here so there may be another one in the future. Enjoy!

A Rhyme: "Limp" - Fiona Apple

"Limp" was the second single from Fiona Apple's 1999 album When the pawn hits the conflicts he thinks like a king... The album title actually has more that 400 characters and once held the world record for the longest album title. "Limp" was a less successful single than the first single from the album, "Fast As You Can". Fiona's then boyfriend directed all the videos for the singles from her sophmore album.

I don't think I've ever quite heard a song like this before. It was one of those songs that when I first listened to it i thought. "Hmm I don't know if I'll like this." But then it picked up and I really liked it. Fiona seems kind of angry on this but it's like she has a right to be. She's basically saying that this person provokes her and then blames her for her reaction, which seems to be an angry one. Sounds like something I can relate to.

Picture credit: Wikipedia