Community Members

What you should be listening to (8/17/08)

Published on 08/17/08 - 0 Comments

A couple months ago I meant to post on City's Entertainment Blog about my pick for jam of the Summer 08, Estelle's "American Boy" (featuring Diddy). I didn't, but I was right: the song is currently No. 6 on iTunes' Top 100 chart. So there.
Thing is, I typically have really crappy taste in music. My mix tapes are legendarily bad. But every now and then I stumble upon a song I think everyone should listen to, and I feel a responsibility to my fellow man to share it.
Bear in mind, my musical tastes are all over the place, and again, many people think they suck. I once suggested a Cyndi Lauper song to a co-worker, and she hated the song so much that it forever ruined our friendship. (True story. But I stand by the song.) But if you dare, download the following. If you hate them, tough crap. If you like them, tell iTunes I sent you. I eagerly await my kickbacks.

-Adele "Chasing Pavements": A good, moody weeper. (Great video too.) Adele's voice is an acquired taste -- I wasn't a fan when I first heard it -- but I think I read that she's a teenager, and that makes the maturity she expresses even more impressive.

-Dragonette "The Boys": Good luck finding this one. It's not on iTunes (at least, not last time I checked), but I think you can get it from the Toronto-based electropop group's MySpace page. Most of my friends hate it, and the intro is, well, less than subtle. But the bulk of the song is catchy as hell. This is a great gym song. Turn up the volume and scare off the person next to you on the elliptical trainer. Also worth getting is the band's "Jesus Doesn't Love Me."

-Duffy "Mercy": Overplayed, yes. And honestly, I don't even like her voice that much. She is not the second coming of Amy Winehouse, I don't care what VH1 says. But the beat is groovy, and the bridge is catchy. Honestly, though, I bought it after the great door number it was used for on "So You Think You Can Dance," and I think a beehived, desperate Katee really sold it to me.

-Gomez "How We Operate": It's long, but it's got a nice ominous vibe to it. Love the singer's voice. I don't know how to classify the song -- is this a ballad? a rock song? i have no idea -- but I know I like it.

-Little Jackie "The World Should Revolve Around Me": Full disclosure: I owe this one to Miss New York, Tiffany Pollard, who uses it as the theme song of her latest reality show, "New York Goes to Hollywood." But it's a great little rap song with a nice swing to it. And how do you compete with lyrics, "I got talent and I got tits, I know I'll find another guy who wants to get with it"? Like, EXACTLY, honey.

-Danity Kate "Damaged": Embarrassing. Absolutely. Nothing I can say makes liking this song any more acceptable. It's DANITY KANE. Diddy's pre-fab girl pop group. Yikes. BUT! From the first time I heard that magic line, "Do-do you got a first aid kit handy?" I was hooked. Beyond corny. Beyond delightful. I am in love.

-Michael Penn "No Myth": For years I thought this was called "Romeo in Black Jeans," and was pissed that I couldn't find it. I initially heard it downloaded on the old junker computer I bought off my friend Kate. And then I stumbled upon it somewhere, and instantly fell in love with it again. A really cute, simple love song performed by Mr. Aimee Mann.

And the retro jam of the moment for y'all:
-The Bee Gees "You Should Be Dancing": I defy you to not shake your ass. I DEFY you!