Music Video of the Day recap week 21 (141 – 147)

Week 21 was back to normal again.

Punk Week concludes tomorrow, and it will be back to normal again. Perhaps another theme week starting on March 18?

Follow me on Twitter at twitter.com/tmmblog to stay current with the Music Video of the Day selection and everything else!

#141 The Cardigans – I Need Some Fine Wine and You, You Need to Be Nicer

From Super Extra Gravity, released in 2005, still the most recent Cardigans release. However Nina et. al. did release a new A-Camp, Colonia in 2009. Anyway, been a while since I listened to it, but I am pretty sure it was good! “I Need Some Fine Wine and You, You Need to Be Nicer” definitely is!

#142 Robyn – Hang with Me

The single from Body Talk Pt. 2. And since posting it is now blocked here! Oh well, still a good song from her Body Talk series.

#143 Sevendust – Denial

As I mentioned on Twitter, I have not listened to Sevendust since Home. The album that features “Denial”. Guess I should get on that!

#144 Incubus – A Certain Shade Of Green

Another good rock song/band that I have to listen to more of!

#145 Bloodhound Gang – Foxtrot Uniform Charlie Kilo.

Probably my favourite Bloodhound Gang track even though One Fierce Beer Coaster has some very good ones, and as a whole is a great one.

#146 The 411 – Dumb

Quite a switch from the above three rock songs. Anyway, really good pop, they disbanded quite a while ago, so only the one album (Between the Sheets, 2004) exists from them.

#147 Fiona Apple – Not About Love

Again, as I mentioned on Twitter, the string section in the original version of this song should have been left in. It made it a spine chilling track, instead it is just quite good, hard to listen to after hearing/knowing the original first. Jon Brion was the original producer. I want to be Zach Galifianakis in the video.

New (and future) music February edition

No doubt I am missing several (feel free to fill me in), as there is always good music on the horizon. Regardless, here is the latest edition of upcoming music. A few releases I am looking forward to. Some more than others, but I still like to list them. And I am saving one for its own blog post!

Nicole Atkins – Mondo Amore February 8

I have not heard her since Neptune City, which still is her last proper release, but that goes back to 2007! Time flies!

Jessie J – Who You Are February 28

Bumped forward a whole month just a couple of days ago. Probably good for her, and the fans of course, as she is really being hyped now. Here is hoping the album lives up (I am sure it will).

The NEW DATE for #WHOYOUARE my debut album has been bought forward to… 28th FEBRUARY!!! That's 4 weeks early! … http://tmi.me/6idRa—
JESSIE J (@jessiejofficial) February 03, 2011

Lykke Li – Wounded Rhymes February 28

Interesting direction on her new single “Get Some”, but I am liking it.

Alexis Jordan – Alexis Jordan February 28

Marsha Ambrosius – Late Nights and Early Mornings March 1

I have not heard any of her solo stuff yet, should be promising! Digging the LP cover!

Britney Spears – Femme Fatale March 14

Rise Against – Endgame March 15

I did not listen to Appeal to Reason too extensively, but if you are looking for quality punk rock that is socially aware, look no further.

Travis Barker – Give the Drummer Some March 15

Album title of course pays homage to the Ultramagnetic MC’s song of the same name. And James Brown uses the line in the hugely important “Funky Drummer”.

Katy B – On a Mission March 28

I have only heard a couple of the singles, as I guess is the case for everyone pretty much. Anyway, I am looking forward to her proper album. This may not be the proper album cover, since it is just shy of two months away, I would not be surprised if it changes.

Vivian Girls – Share The Joy April 12

Sophie Ellis-Bextor – Make a Scene April 20

Foo Fighters – ? April 12

I am really looking forward to this one, recorded entirely in analog (see my Tweet below)! And in Dave’s garage! I hope that will bring back some new energy! Plus it was produced by Butch Vig. Following the release, they will be keeping busy this summer festivals (Hangout Music Festival, Sasquatch! Music Festival, Isle of Wight, etc.) and shows around Europe.

This is frackin sweet! Tour of Dave's garage where the new Foo Fighters album was recorded. Entirely in analog! http://bcove.me/25f1edqb—
Andrew Davidson (@tmmblog) February 02, 2011

Melanie Fiona – The MF Life July

Music Video of the Day recap weeks 16 and 17.

Trying to catch up on MVOD recaps on here. And filler till I write-up a proper post. Week 16 is a normal week, it followed a Canadian week (week 15), and preceded unreleased week (week 17).

#106 (December 3, 2010)
One Day As A Lion – Wild International

Only heard of these guys a few months prior to featuring the music video. They are basically Zack de la Rocha and former The Mars Volta drummer, Jon Theodore. They also have a keyboardist, but for live shows. I have not heard their self titled EP yet, but it definitely sounds like it will be promising!

#107 (December 4, 2010)
Hesta Prynn – Can We Go Wrong

Hesta Prynn is one-third of the female hip-hop, indie group, Northern State, who have in the past drawn comparisons to the Beastie Boys. Stylistically they may not be exactly the same, but it is not an unfair comparison, in fact, a compliment really! Anyway, this is from her debut EP of the same name, Can We Go Wrong. Quite different from Northern State, but still very good!

#108 (December 5, 2010)
Robbie Williams – Millennium

When this song was released, it was the soundtrack song to a mountain I went snowboarding at once with my sister. Not a snowboard friendly mountain, as it has plenty of bumps all over it. Remains a great Robbie Williams solo track, easily one of my favourites from him for sure. I have yet to hear his return to Take That!

#109 (December 6, 2010)
Jamiroquai – Light Years

Another great snowboarding song! Awesome video (tied for first for my favourite snowboarding music video of all time! There is only a few that I know of anyway!) And awesome song, would be awesome to ride down the slopes to (at a reasonable volume of course, to be able to hear other outside noises)!

#110 (December 7, 2010)
Sophie Ellis-Bextor – Catch You

I first heard this when the single was released, and then I waited until Trip the Light Fantastic was released to listen to it again. Reason being it was so good, I wanted to wait to hear it along with the whole album. It was worth the wait. Great song, great album.

#111 (December 8, 2010)
Coldplay – Violet Hill

First single from what was accepted as a terrific Coldplay album, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends. I first heard this going to Ottawa to see Nightwood for the first time!

#112 (December 9, 2010)
The Explosion – Here I Am

True punk rock from Boston. Of course they do not exist anymore, but they certainly had a good run. This video was directed by John LaCroix of Boston hardcore band Ten Yard Fight, who also do not exist anymore.

#113 (December 10, 2010) Unreleased music week begins
Fefe Dobson – Don’t Let It Go to Your Head

Lead single from Fefe Dobson’s album Sunday Love (circa 2005), that never saw the light of day. It would have been her second album, but everything happens for a reason (as Fefe has said about it), and now we actually have her second album, Joy. It kept getting delayed, until it was finally shelved.

#114 (December 11, 2010)
Rah Digga – Party and Bullshit

Again, this was going to be released on what would have been Rah Digga’s second album, Everything Is A Story, in 2004, but for whatever reason (record label politics), it never came out. Also, we now have her second album, Classic, and it is a good one!

#115 (December 12, 2010)
Nina Sky – On Some Bullshit

This is a really sweet song, it remains in limbo. Nina Sky self released an EP, The Other Side, this past year, which was free when it came out, similar to In Rainbows, now I think it is available for $5. So “On Some Bullshit” was not on the EP obviously. It was supposed to be released on the album, The Other Side, which has been delayed drastically, and now they are having issues with their label Polo Grounds Music. They apparently want to be released from the label. They have encouraged fans to contact the label to help them out. I very much hope it does get released so I do not have to rely on the music video to hear the song! And to hear other songs that would be on it of course.

#116 (December 13, 2010)
Eve – Tambourine

Another very delayed album for reasons unknown. It was originally set to be released on Here I Am in 2007. Now it is titled Lip Lock, and looks like it will be released around May!

#117 (December 14, 2010)
Olivia – So Sexy

Her second album, Behind Closed Doors, was never released as her affiliation with G-Unit ended before it was released (according to Wikipedia). I suppose it had G-Unit collaborations and tie-ins on it. Also according to Wikipedia, she has a new album that is supposed to be released at some point, Show the World.

#118 (December 15, 2010)
Olivia – Twist It

Bonus Olivia unreleased video!

#119 (December 16, 2010)
Eve – Give It To You ft. Sean Paul

Bonus Eve unreleased video!

2011 Albums preview

So here is a few upcoming 2011 albums that I know of. Artists/bands are in bold. Known, or approximate release dates are shown first, followed by releases with unknown release dates as of yet. No doubt I am missing plenty. Leave a comment, or mention me on Twitter, @tmmblog with any omissions.

Emma’s Imagination – Stand Still (January 10)
Adele – 21 (January 24)
Joan As Police Woman – Deep Field (January 24)
Marsha Ambrosius – Late Nights & Early Mornings (January 24)
PJ Harvey – Let England Shake (February 14)
Dr. Dre – Detox (February?)
Christine Fellows – Femmes De Chez Nous (March 1)
Melanie Doane – The Emerald City (March 1)
Elbow – Build a Rocket Boys! (March 7)
Avril Lavigne – Goodbye Lullaby (March 8)
R.E.M. – Collapse Into Now (March 7)
Wynter Gordon – With the Music I Die (March)
Britney Spears (March)
Lady Gaga – Born This Way (May 23)
Red Hot Chili Peppers (May/June)
Fiona Apple (Spring)

Unknown:

Amerie – Cymatika Vol. 1
Marina and the Diamonds
Coldplay
Garbage
No Doubt
Solange
Siobhán Donaghy
Beyoncé
Bjork
Ani DiFranco
Brandy
Queens of the Stone Age
Alanis Morissette
Ane Brun
JoJo
Kanye West & Jay-Z – Watch My Throne
Jennifer Lopez – Love?
Rush – Clockwork Angels
Amy Winehouse
Keshia Chanté – Night & Day

Isis (of Thunderheist) Pop Montreal show review (October 2, 2010 Club Soda)

Isis was actually the second opener. She was supposed to be the only opener, according to the Pop Montreal program, but another act played too. Can’t say as I know who they were, as I was looking forward to Isis, so was not too receptive. They were okay, although not really my cup of tea. No point in really describing, as I do not even know who they are! The headliners were Radio Radio.

Isis, of course, as mentioned in the blog title, is of the group Thunderheist, and with the release of their self titled debut in March of 2009, they received quite a fair amount of attention. However solo, Isis is not as well known.

Her solo work is similar to Thunderheist, but probably more hip hop, R&B, soul, and indie. Performing along with her, was a turntablist and a drummer.

All in all, quite a good set. She performed Thunderheist’s “Little Booty Girl”, with somewhat different beats. Just as she was about to end her set, I believe she was told she had time for another song. She did a somewhat impromptu version of Cee Lo’s new track, “Fuck You”, well done too considering the track was still fairly new, even though it had been all over the internets.

So I look forward to her solo work. Check her out on MySpace.

Bonjay Pop Montreal show review (September 30 @ Jukebox)

So I went to check out Bonjay based on a recommendation on a tweet. They were not the headliners, Cocktail Club Soundsystem were. Bonjay did play immediately before them. Also on the bill was Recife and Pink Skull. I cannot say I have heard of any of them save for Bonjay. And even with Bonjay, I had only their small MySpace selection, most notable, “Gimme Gimme”, which is quite a good club banger!

The Bonjay set was all I did see, as this was after the Laura Veirs show. Regardless, the set was about 45 minutes, which is not bad for an up and coming act, and with limited material to my knowledge (They have been around for a couple of years though).

For those not familiar with Bonjay, they are a duo, Alanna Stuart and Ian Swain (aka DJ Pho). Alanna is the vocalist, and Ian Swain the DJ, as you can imagine based on his alias! His setup is a couple of Akai decks and a Macbook. A couple of times Alanna said how they do it all live, hence no turntables, making it more likely to make mistakes. Call it the organic way. I myself do like turntables, however if the DJ is just playing records, indeed, it may as well be done live. I am not too familiar with the process, although I am working on getting into making some of my own music.

The setup did cause one mistake, I believe it was “Gimme Gimme” they were starting, and DJ Pho had to restart after a moment due to an error. Of course, it did not bother me, as I got to hear the start of the song again!

The show was the Thursday before the release of their third EP, Broughtupsy. They did have copies though, and I did pick one up. They played a few from the new EP, and ones that I imagine appear on the first two, Gimme Gimme and Bangarang Business. Alanna is quite the versatile vocalist, she can go from dancehall to R&B to dance, and so on. The first two in the same song, “Faat Gyal”! Therefore the beats and breaks run the gamut as well, making for an eclectic mix, but all in all great club/dance/electro music. They also played the Bonjay take on Feist’s “Honey”, and Caribou’s “Jamelia”.

So all in all, quite an enjoyable set. I look forward to see what the future brings for the up and coming Bonjay!

Music Video of the Day week 7 weekly recap (October 1 – 7)

October 1, #43

Jenny Lewis with The Watson Twins – Rise Up With Fists

This is how I was introduced to The Watson Twins.

October 2, #44

As I mentioned in Twitter, Isis, the singer from Thunderheist, performed this live during her set. Although she had her own beats, which were similar, yet lacked the signature ones from the track, yet, still very good live! Show review up soon.

Thunderheist – Little Booty Girl

October 3, #45

I only recently heard of Maylee, and was able to see her live show on the final day of Pop Montreal, and part of her set from the second to last day. Very entertaining live, and she definitely has a bright future ahead of her! This show review will be up soon too! A MUST see music video!

Maylee Todd – Aerobics in Space

October 4, #46

Just a good Alanis track from 2002s Under Rug Swept. One I think of on occasion when looking to move on from a negative experience.

Alanis Morissette – Hands Clean

October 5, #47

Great Beastie’s song from Hello Nasty! Song of the summer of 1998 for me!

Beastie Boys – Intergalactic

October 6, #48

So Twitter was acting up, and I could not find #48, I wrongly thought it was Sarah Harmer, but she was featured as #39. It actually should have been Herbie Hancock’s “Rockit”.

Rockit was a huge influence on DJ culture and the explosion of scratching. Mix Master Mike saw the performance at the 1984 Grammys (it won for Best R&B Instrumental Performance), and before he could afford turntables, he used tape decks, and mixed Hallowe’en tapes, hence his name (from Scratch)

Herbie Hancock – Rockit

Yet another quality song from another great Canadian artist. She is touring now, so I look forward to seeing her live later this month! This is from 2004s All of Our Names.

Sarah Harmer – Pendulums

October 7, #49

Earlier, I featured KT’s lead UK single, “(Still a) Weirdo”, and now that the new album, Tiger Suit is out, her lead North American single!

KT Tunstall – Fade Like a Shadow

Pop Montreal day two preview.

The trouble with pop is conflicting shows, however since all venues are mostly close by, that does help matters.

Today I am going to check out the entire Laura Veirs show. It is Laura Veirs & The Hall of Fame, The Watson Twins, and Led to Sea. That should be a really good show from opening act to finish. Once that show is over, since Pop Montreal has set times on their website, I’ll head over to see Bonjay. I have only heard good things, and from what I have heard on MySpace, it sounds promising!

Unfortunately, I am going to miss Rebekah Higgs, as she is on at the same time as Laura Veirs. Since Rebekah is from Halifax, Nova Scotia, it is probably more likely that I’ll be able to see her again in the future. Laura Veirs being Portland, Oregon based, as last nights Menomena and Tu Fawning.

There is a free show at Notman house Barfly (on account of the rain) of She Keeps Bees at 2:00 6:00 PM. They sound interesting, kind of a simplistic garage sound. Schedule for BBQ Pop Thursday is here.

Pop Montreal also hosts symposiums, among other things (Film Pop, Art Pop, etc.).

“Physical vs Download, Why Even Care?” sounds interesting, it is at noon, at Agora.

Also, today there is “Growing Hobby Labels“, as described by Pop: “When your obsession becomes a necessary venture. We take a look at what drives the music collector and appreciator to venture into distribution on a small scale, and where it can go from there. With Sean Michaels (Said the Gramophone), Jesse Locke (Planet Tapes, Texture Magazine), Sebastian Cowan (Arbutus Records). Moderated by Nina Sudra.” It is at 4:30 PM at the Notman house.

As always check out the official website for all information, popmontreal.com

Pop Montreal 2010 preview

Pop Montreal 2010 begins today, and lasts till Sunday!

I’ll be checking out numerous shows. What follows is who I am looking to check out, and what I recommend. What I attend I will look to post a review up here. And no doubt I am missing some good stuff, as I still have to listen to some artists I have never heard of to see if they are worth checking out.

I am just listing the artist. For the definitive list (venue, times, etc.) head on over to the official Pop Montreal site. And they have a PDF file last updated September 24, so it must be current. Also Said the Gramophone has a better guide to the festival than mine!

This year they really only have a couple big acts, Macy Gray, and The XX. Solange unfortunately cancelled, as she is working on her new album. Shows I am definitely looking to check out are in bold.

Wednesday September 29

Planet Smashers (acoustic set)
Sarah Blackwood
Hellbound Hepcats
–
The Dears with Imaginary Cities
–
We Are Wolves

Thursday September 30

Bonjay
–
Silly Kissers with Grimes, Pop Winds, and Blue Hawaii
–
Holy Fuck
–
Laura Veirs & the Hall of Flame with The Watson Twins and Led to Sea
–
Rebekah Higgs
–
The Dears with Imaginary Cities

Friday October 1

Molly Rankin
–
The Dears with Imaginary Cities
–
Macy Gray with Random Recipe
–
The XX with Warpaint, and Zola Jesus
–
Random Recipe (free show!)
–
The Toasters
–
No Joy

Saturday October 2

Atari Teenage Riot
–
Isis (of Thunderheist)
–
Xiu Xiu with Braids, and Valleys
–
Marnie Stern with Parlovr, and Special Noise.

Sunday October 3

Fred Penner

Music Video of the Day week 5 weekly recap (September 17 – 23)

Quite a mix of genres for this recap. Dance/electro, rock, punk, hardcore punk, and so on. Soon I am planning a few consecutive videos with specific themes. If I can get enough for each, it will start on a Friday to work out for the weekly recap, that being the themes I have in mind, as I can come up with other themes that will be easy to fill.

This week I linked all the videos immediately after, in case people do not like the YouTube videos embedded when the post loads. In the case you do not mind, just click “Read the rest of this entry »” below, and all the videos are still in order, embedded into the post. So provided you visit via the main page, the embedded YouTube videos will not show up until clicking.

Kylie Minogue, M.I.A., and the Social Distortion videos do not allow embedding, so as usual, just click-through to YouTube, or use the below links.

Kylie Minogue’s new one for “Get Outta My Way” (September 17, #29)

Nice new track from Kylie’s latest, Aphrodite!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHGaW8lBlSk

Foo Fighters, Times Like These (September 18, #30)

One of many really good songs from One by One

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhzmNRtIp8k

Sick of it All, Step Down! (September 19, #31)

Saw these guys on the 19th, and this was one of the songs they played. They always tend to put on a sweet show!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fvu951up_0

Rye Rye – Bang ft. M.I.A (September 20, #32)

Rye Rye opened for the M.I.A. show I saw, and she put on a great set! Her album, Go! Pop! Bang!, is scheduled to be released in January!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwReJNeg5dE

M.I.A. Sunshowers (September 21, #33)

Sweet early M.I.A. track. Likely the first song many people heard by M.I.A.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPd_eFNgzMA

OK Go, White Knuckles (September 22, #34)

I really only know OK Go from their videos. Yet another zany, perfect for the internet video. And it is good to see they are supporting and promoting animal rescue. All the dogs featured in the video were rescued. The video can be purchased on their website, okgo.net, and net proceeds go to the ASPCA.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHlJODYBLKs

Social Distortion – When The Angels Sing (September 23, #35)

Their new album, Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes, will be released November 23! This one is from two albums ago, White Light, White Heat, White Trash, which represents 14 years!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOt6EFqUubk