Stuck In My Skull 387 -- "Dancing On My Own"

Song: "Dancing On My Own" || Artist: Robyn || http://youtu.be/CcNo07Xp8aQ ||

Comments: One of the most classic breakup songs I know, I absolutely love this song. For some reason, it was stuck in my head when I got up this morning, so I felt the need to share it. Frankly, I'm surprised I haven't used this song previously on the blog. Oh well, no time like the present.
Robyn delivers strong, heartfelt vocals throughout the song, backed by her electro-inspired beats. This song could be in the Smithsonian in an exhibit about music as the proper application of a kick drum in 4/4 time in a dance/pop song. I mean, seriously. This beat is classic. I've literally seen it in textbooks, and Robyn makes it fantastic. Enjoy, and keep dancing!

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ETC #61 "Yerbatero"

Song: "Yerbatero" ~ Artist: Juanes

~ http://youtu.be/T8a4Tckeu1I ~

Comments: Ladies and gents!  I bring to you today on this Thursday a mildly trippy video. I love Juanes and in fact may be attending his concert soon as he is going on tour! He had gone off producing music and the like for a while, but again, apparently he is going around and making some passes through the United States coming this summer. This song is from his most recent album (P.A.R.C.E.) and the title translates to....um...that's an excellent question. Yerba is "herb" in Spanish and "-tero" refers to a person so I want to say it means something along the lines of "herbalist".  After reading the lyrics the video makes a lot of sense.  If you watch this and let your mind wander it's a small trip for your brain and really amusing. One of my favourite parts of this song is the drums and the "claps" that resonate in the background.  This sound is great because it is a classic sound of Juanes, but without the sad love song lyrics instead it's "let's pick yourself up out of the hell".  It's a nice mixture of the good ol' fashioned latin rocker with a refreshing change. It performed relatively well on charts and if you're interested in other aspects of the song here is the wiki. Happy listening!

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AMANDA-- "GOLDFINGER"

Hey all! I hope you're having a good week so far. I don't know how many of you tuned in to the Oscars on Sunday but it was chalked full of fantastic musical performances. In tribute to the James Bond franchise, which celebrates its fiftieth anniversary this year, Welsh singer Shirley Bassey performed the title track off of Goldfinger. The seventy-six year old looked and sounded stunning. As a Bond fan, I consider this one of the best theme songs from the films, rivaled only perhaps by Adele's "Skyfall." To date, it is the only one of Bassey's singles to break into the American top forty and get inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. It has also left an indelible mark on pop culture, influencing later films as well as modern music. Interestingly enough, one of Goldfinger's producers wasn't a fan of the song and almost had it taken out. Thankfully, it wasn't. The entire soundtrack makes heavy use of brass instruments and this, combined with Bassey's powerful, yet luxurious voice make "Goldfinger" a classic. While known primarily for recording this song (in addition to the themes from Diamonds Are Forever and Moonraker) in the U.S., she has had a successful pop career the world over for decades now. Like "Goldfinger," Bassey is simply timeless. Enjoy!

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ETC #60 "Out Loud" and "Elias"

Song: "Out Loud" ~ Artist: Dispatch

~ http://youtu.be/a0cxVRwUEHg ~

Comments: Hi, guys. I hope your week is off to a good start. The group that I am sharing with you today I heard for the first time recently and fell in love with them. This song was the first I had heard and I've put it on loop because I love the slow and relaxing tone of the vocals. The lyrics and the tune is quite simple, but there's something about it that makes me want to continue to listen repeatedly. Perhaps it's because I lack this kind of sound in my music collection that makes it appealing. I did a little reading and apparently this band has been out a while so I've got lots of catching up to do.  This particular song can be found on the album Gut the Van. If you want to do some reading here's the wiki. 

Song: "Elias" ~ Artist: Dispatch
~ http://youtu.be/MCPv__vgB74 ~

Comments: This second song was one that caught my attention while I was listening to a bunch of their songs.  It is from their album Silent Steeples (1996). It begins out with some foreign language, that I have to admit I'm not sure which it is. Anyway, this song was written by Chad Urmstom after his experience working with the Elias Fund in Zimbabwe.  This song is a bit long, but it has a fun and catchy beat. I love the use of the drums and the acoustics in this song. I hope this band brings a little something new into your library. Happy listening!

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Stuck In My Skull 386 -- "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life"

Song: "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" || Artist: Monty Python || http://youtu.be/JrdEMERq8MA ||

Comments: Hello, everyone, and happy Tuesday! Not a happy Tuesday for you? Well, this song will do you some good. This track is taken from the iconic comedy film "Life of Brian" by Monty Python, where it might well be the biggest track on the film. It's classic. It's cheerful. It's funny. It's even uplifting. The whistles really characterize the song, and the huge orchestra (complete with bagpipes!) really lifts the track from being a slightly droll closing piece to a piece of music in it's own right. Enjoy, and always look on the bright side of life!

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Stuck In My Skull 385 -- "Clarity" and Announcement!

Song: "Clarity" || Artist: Zedd feat. Foxes || http://youtu.be/IxxstCcJlsc ||

Comments: Hey everyone, I'm going to get the announcement out of the way first. With Amanda back on the blog, there are now four of us writing, and two to three of us writing on any given day -- that's a tad too much, we think. As a result, I'm going to try writing on just three days a week. Starting today, I'll be writing on just Monday, Tuesday, and Friday. I'm doing this to keep some balance in the number of posts each day, and hopefully having more time to write will make for better entries from me. After 384 posts, I have to admit I've worn a bit thin.

Moving on to the song. First, I had to check: Zedd has nothing to do with Zed's Dead, who did the massively popular remix of "Eyes on Fire" by Blue Foundation. Zedd is a 23 year old wonderkid of electronic music that I've never heard of, and will be listening to quite a bit after this post. He has remixed some of the biggest names in pop and electronic music, and is currently producing Lady Gaga's ARTPOP album, according to Wikipedia. At time of writing, this song is third on Billboard's Dance/Club Play Songs chart, and has spent nine weeks on the chart. I can see why. Foxes' (Louisa Rose Allen) vocals pick up where the beautiful piano intro leaves off, and step on the gas, taking this listener through an emotional, amazing journey. This song is simply phenomenal. Check it out!

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ETC #59 "Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy" NSFW

Song: "Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy" ~ Artist: Big and Rich

~ http://youtu.be/HflDc7PUT2g ~

Comments: HAPPY FRIDAY! Okay, so today I really just wanted to put out a fun song for the weekend. I heard this one driving and thought "why haven't I used that yet?" Aaaand, here we are. Anyway, this song is probably one that you know regardless of your like or dislike of country. If you don't know this song, you should at least have a listen. It's humorous and will possibly get stuck in your head.  This video could be worse, but I am putting a NSFW on it just to be safe.  This duo has produced many other good songs, things like: "Holy Water", "Lost in This Moment", and "Between Raising Hell and Amazing Grace."  Have a Big and Rich weekend and happy listening!

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AMANDA-- "ALWAYS ALRIGHT"

Hey all! With the Oscars coming up this Sunday, I thought I'd share a song from one of the nominated films. There is a lot of music to choose from but I opted for "Always Alright" by Alabama Shakes as heard on the Silver Linings Playbook soundtrack. Alabama Shakes formed in 2009 and in 2011 caught the attention of the New York Times, NPR, and other media outlets, essentially lifting out of obscurity in a matter of months. Their first single "Hold On" off their debut album "Boys & Girls" enjoyed critical and commercial success, earning them three nominations at this year's Grammy Awards. The future is looking bright for these Southern rockers, who have only just begun making music. Anyway, if it isn't obvious by now, I like Alabama Shakes. The second this song started playing in the movie I recognized the explosive voice of lead singer and guitarist Brittany Howard, whose vocals have compared to Janis Joplin. In the video below, you can see Howard and her band mates in action as well as snippets from the film. I recommend checking both out. Enjoy! 

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Stuck In My Skull 384 -- "The Messenger"

Song: "The Messenger" || Artist: Linkin || http://youtu.be/KDOkMSf-F14 ||

Comment: Hey guys, for some reason my computer is steadfastly refusing to load YouTube. If you want to check this song out, just look it up, and I'll get a link up when YouTube starts working again. Anyway, this song was stuck in my head for hours and hours yesterday. Usually there's one song in every Linkin Park song in each album that sounds different -- for example, there was an instrumental track in both Hybrid Theory and Meteora, and there was a track in 3/4 time in Minutes to Midnight. On Living Things, (usually stylized as LIVING THINGS,) the entire album is quite different, and I can't think of any particular song. On A Thousand Suns, the different song is "The Messenger." It's an acoustic song with a slow tempo, lyrics speaking directly to the audience, and a deeply emotional tone. I was joking yesterday that I had the only slow Linkin Park song with an acoustic guitar ever made stuck in my head, and I don't think I was that far off the mark. Enjoy the song!

Edit: Wifi issues resolved, enjoy the fan-made M/V.

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Stuck In My Skull 383 -- "One Trick Pony"

Song: "One Trick Pony" || Artist: Deadmau5 feat. SOFI || http://youtu.be/XoPPViAnBGw ||

Comments: So I originally wrote today's post on the song "Some Chords," not realizing that I have in fact written on that song before. My apologies, I missed it completely. I'm much more confident that I haven't written on this track yet. Taken from the same album as "Some Chords," "One Trick Pony" is a dubstep track featuring vocals from SOFI, who appears earlier in the same album in the track "Sofi Needs a Ladder." This track has a phenomenal beat, demonstrating Deadmau5's master over more than just house. Unlike much current dubstep, this song doesn't built to a drop part of the way through the song, but drops in the first few seconds of the track. Either way, I enjoy it, and hope you do too.

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ETC #58 "The Island Pt 2"

Song: "The Pendulum" ~ Artist: Pendulum

~ http://youtu.be/m4oGPQhvMp8 ~

Comments: Hey, guys. I hope that you're week has been going well.  This song I bring to you today, I unfortunately don't have much to say about it.  I had the online radio on and decided to listen to some techno to switch it up a bit, and this song caught my attention. The beats in this song are strong, heavy, and while it has few words it is pulsating which can sometimes be better than any lyrics at all.  I'm not familiar with this band, so as I mentioned, there isn't a large amount I have to say about these guys other than they're Australian and I need to be listening to some more of their stuff.  If you like what you hear and want some information here's the Wiki. Happy listening!

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[Secret Sounds] Hollidayrain - Tainted Memories feat. Brenton Mattheus and Laura Brehm

Track: Tainted Memories feat. Brenton Mattheus and Laura Brehm
Artist: Hollidayrain
Download: FREE (soundcloud)
Today's song features a loaded trifecta. Hollidayrain is a young producer from Colorado who has been making music since a young age; he works with many EDM genres and does all of them quite well. Brenton Mattheus is a UK vocalist who has been collaborating with many EDM artists and hopes to expand his career even more. Laura Brehm is a vocalist and producer, also from Colorado, who is currently running the "Give a Voice" music fundraiser to support a surgery for a friend with dysprosody.

This track, Tainted Memories, is actually a mashup of two of Hollidayrain's songs, To The Start featuring Mattheus and Tainted Memories featuring Brehm. What really shines on this track is the everflowing melody as it glides over the trance loops. The juxtaposition of the two vocal lines--two solos made into a duet--makes the lyrics even more poignant and relatable. The motion of these keeps consistent without ever getting boring, moving in small steps but loaded with emotion.

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AMANDA-- "HIT ME BABY ONE MORE TIME"

Hey readers! I'M BACK! As much as I enjoyed my short break, it's good to be writing again at Stuck In My Skull. Today I've got something a little different for you all: a swinging jazz cover of Britney Spear's beloved pop ditty "Hit Me Baby One More Time."I heard this sometime in December but promptly forgot the name of the artist and spent the subsequent weeks trying to find it on the interwebz with no avail. A couple days ago I finally managed to track it down and here we are! In contrast to the original, its slow and sultry, the perfect music for cuddling up to your sweetheart or having a romantic spin around the dance floor. Ms. Spears isn't exactly known for her lyrical genius, but here her lyrics work really well. This is an excellent cover by a talented but relatively unknown group called the  Sidewalk Strutters, "a dynamic, superbly entertaining group of musicians who come together to play music in the style 1930s and 40s traditional jazz." I hope someday soon they will get the recognition they deserve, especially their fabulous vocalist Sasha Masakowski. These guys aren't even on Youtube yet so I've provided the link below which will direct you to the singer's website  where you can listen to the song and hear more of the Sidewalk Strutters. Happy listening!

http://www.sashamasakowski.com/live/

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Stuck In My Skull 382 -- "Hit Me With Your Titanium"

Song: "Hit Me With Your Titanium" || Artists: David Guetta feat. Sia, Pat Benetar || Mixed by Trance Blossom || https://soundcloud.com/trance-blossom/david-guetta-ft-pat-benatar ||


Comments: It turns out that running a blog doesn't actually require you to have a functioning brain, and I submit myself as evidence of that claim. I completely forgot that I was changing my schedule this week on top of forgetting yesterday's post. So at this point, I'm just going to start my new schedule next week. As an apology, have an amazing mashup with a free download link. I have precisely new idea who Trance Blossom is, but I am now officially a fan of their work. This mix sounds seamless and flows wonderfully. Well done, sir/ma'am//other title, well done.

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Entry #57 "Besame" and "Entre Tus Alas"

Song: "Besame" ~ Artist: Camila

~ http://youtu.be/FupNSalklCE ~

Comments: Happy Tuesday, everyone. I am bringing a little Spanish flavor into your morning.  I came across this band ages ago and fell in love with them.  The lead singers have beautiful, soulful sounding voices. I can't say what it is, but in some of these songs they have almost a jazzy, pop feel to their music and it's a perfect beat to relax and even rock me to sleep. Anyhow, to the songs!  I am trying to sway away from providing singles, but seeing as how I don't think Spanish music is popular among you viewers I don't mind for today.  This first one is a single from Dejarte de Amar and the entire album is excellent.  Honestly, I'm not sure what to say about this one other than it's beautiful and I provided the live version because these guys can sing beautifully live as well which I highly applaud.

Song: Entre Tus Alas ~ Artist: Camila

~ http://youtu.be/EHSxYKSgxiw ~

Comments: This second song is not a single off their album, but it is one that caught my attention.  I really have nothing to say about this song that hasn't already been stated above. I highly encourage you all if you like their song to go and listen to some of the other things on their album and listen to some live videos. Happy listening!

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[Secret Sounds] ~ Rostik - Legends

Track: Legends
Artist: Rostik
Download: FREE
Rostik is a UK musician who has deeply developed his style in the past year and a half. Personally, I love his quirky little mascots.

Legends opens with a great upbeat, acoustic folk segment. Later, the distorted vocals gives a glitchy feel, and the buildup nicely leads into the drop. The melody is accompanied by these distorted vocals and some chime ornamentation. The acoustic guitar returns and carries the melody until the second drop, which brings a great groove. The coda of acoustic guitar alone gives one last iteration of the chord progression. This piece really has a unique sound on Rostik's well-rounded Symmetry EP.

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Stuck In My Skull 381 -- "Make It Bun Dem" and Announcement!

Song: "Make It Bun Dem" || Artist: Skrillex and Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley || http://youtu.be/BGpzGu9Yp6Y ||

Comments: Happy Monday, everyone! Yes, I said happy Monday, because it is a happy Monday. Why, you ask? Because of the announcement I have for everyone: Amanda is returning to the blog this week!
I'll give you a moment to catch your breath now that you're done jumping for joy. (I know I certainly needed a moment, but I have an excuse for being sick and not breathing too well from it.) Right. Now that we're settled, let's talk music. Now, I've seen some really out-there collaborations in my day, but this one might take the cake. Dubstep's main-stream poster boy with the progeny of Bob Marley. Hooo, boy. And, to my great surprise, the song is amazing. It flows really well, and the mix of rasta vocals and vintage Skrillex instrumentation actually works quite naturally. I've had it stuck in my head since I ran into it the other night. Also, the video is just plain cool. Enjoy!

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Stuck In My Skull 380 -- "Galang"

Song: "Galang" || Artist: M.I.A. || http://youtu.be/DCL1RpgYxRM ||

Comments: I heard this song the other day thanks to a friend of mine, and just had to post it here. M.I.A. has to be one of the most diverse and genre-spanning artists I've ever seen, up there with Shakira. I mean, I've seen Shakira doing rock, Latin, pop, and electro. M.I.A. isn't quite that diverse, but she isn't far behind. This song is catchy and excellent, and the video is hilarious for being campy and awesome. Honestly, if I didn't know it, I would deny that this artist and the M.I.A. that produced "Bad Girls" was even the same person. Enjoy!

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ETC #56 "How Country Feels"

Song: "How Country Feels" ~ Artist: Randy Houser

~ http://youtu.be/F7v2TmV3Zuc ~

Comments: Hey, guys!  Okay, sorry this is late, but here's a good song to kick off the weekend.  I'm apologize that I also don't have too much to say about this song other than I haven't been able to get it out of my head recently. Also, the end to the video is quite interesting and by that I mean lolzy.  Happy listening!

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Stuck In My Skull 379 -- "Destroy Them With Lazers"

Song: "Destroy Them With Lazers" || Artist: Knife Party || http://snd.sc/YtpDFB ||



Comments: Hey guys, sorry about the scarcity of posts from me the last few days, and the fact that this is going up late. This song is a dubstep track from Knife Party's EP "100% No Modern Talking," the rest of which can be found and downloaded here. If you're not a fan of dubstep, this might not be the track for you, but I encourage you to give it a try anyway. I've found that this track along with the rest of the EP makes for a great soundtrack for working out. Except for maybe "Internet Friends," which I laugh at so hard that I can't take it seriously. (If you go listen to that one, slight language warning on the lyrics.) I got this EP for free awhile back, and I've enjoyed it ever sence. It's not 'pretty' dubstep in the sense of some of the Skrillex trakcs like Summit, or the more subtle tracks that Lindsey Stirling uses, but regardless, I'm a fan. I like the way it builds an entire track from one sound -- I think it's really creative, and flows beautifully. Enjoy the track, and if you do, download it!

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ETC #55 "Cherry Pie"

Song: "Cherry Pie" ~ Artist: Warrant
~ http://youtu.be/OjyZKfdwlng ~

Comments: Hey, hey, hey!  Happy Valentine's Day. If there are any of you scrooges out there today, I apologize. I have to say this is one V-day that I'm not particularly excited about either which is why I chose the song I did for today. I have been on a bit of the Aerosmith type of rock 'n roll train for the last couple of days and since there has been a stream of country recently I figured this song would 1) give a chance for a change up and 2) give everyone a song that they could enjoy regardless of the date on the calendar. I have never seen this video before and watching it for the first time...wow. That. Hair. Anyhow, this is one of those songs that just about everyone knows and despite age differences most people can rock out to this song. Overall, I'm not the biggest rocker you'll see despite my love for the genre and even I would have been up and head banging to this song if it weren't for the laptop in the way.  The guitar in this song absolutely sings and this is one of those air guitar, pencil as drumsticks type of songs. I hope that this brings some happy nostalgia to your day despite how the rest of your day goes.  Happy listening!

So...just as a small side note I have posted below some of my favourite love songs in light of today's date.  I tried to put a bit of ETC in my playlist. I hope you find something to fit your mood.

I Would've Loved You Anyway - Trisha Yearwood (Powerful, beautiful, sad)

Jessie's Girl- Rick Springfield (Upbeat, rock)

Livin' Our Love Song- Jason Michael Carroll (Happy, Easy-going, country)

What About Now- Lonestar (Happy, take a chance)

Stereo Hearts- Gym Class Heroes (Just awesome upbeat, pop)

Just a Dream- Nelly (Dance)

Breakeven- The Script (Pop, sadish)

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[Secret Sounds] ~ Rezonate - The Phoenix

Track: The Phoenix
Artist: Rezonate
Download: iTunes, Beatport, Bandcamp Rezonate is a young Canadian musician on the Monstercat label. His style boasts great melodies with a big sound. He is quite dedicated to his fans and even has online gaming sessions with them. (Hit him up on steam for Minecraft, TF2, etc).

The Phoenix is the first part in a trilogy (the second being Ash, and the third still unreleased). Rez's girlfriend, Lauren, has a younger cousin who was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at a young age. (He has a CF fundraiser campaign, which you can learn more about here.) The track begins with light sustained notes a strong bass, in both pitch and drum. The vocals enter with some ornamentation in the background. The buildup is not brazen but rather subtle, almost unnoticeable until suddenly--the huge drop. The distorted vocals and the melody--which sounds almost like a bird's voice--soar over the heavy bass. Later, when the bass and percussion drop out, the excellent reverb on the piano-like line gives the effect of pattering raindrops, leading into the second drop, and the melody here has a woodwind timbre in addition to the phoenix's calls. The song seems to fade, but then the third drop comes, like a much-desired encore without you even having to ask for it. This piece is superbly structured, like all of Rez's work, and definitely something to be proud of. I can't wait to hear the finale of this trilogy.

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Where did Chris go?

Hey everyone,
Sorry about my lack of posts the last two days -- I've been really sick. I'll try my best to have an entry for you tomorrow. Thanks for sticking with us!

--Chris

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ETC #54 "Lasso" and "Double Heart"

Song: "Lasso" ~ Artist: The Band Perry

~ http://youtu.be/c2QTs9hAuCI ~

Comments: Hey everyone!  So I have to say that I'm not going to be real chatty about today's songs. I have been super busy and so this is one time where I'm not going to rant about the songs.  I have to apologize for bringing you yet more country music, but I've been on a kick recently.  I went and listened to some more song from this band. They only have one album as of now, but they've got one coming out in April.  This first song is quite slow and the lyrics are sad (or at least for me), but shows off Miss Kimberly's voice beautifully.  She has a very simple, subtle voice that still rings and could probably rock me to sleep.

Song: "Double Heart" ~ Artist: The Band Perry

~ http://youtu.be/42EgrdrA3qo ~

Comments: In the midst of my researching, I came across this song and fell in love with it's beat. It's got a classic country sound to it and makes me want to get up and dance.  I can guarantee this will be one to be stuck in your skull.  I really hope that y'all enjoy a couple songs that haven't hit radio from this sibling trio.  Happy listening!

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[Secret Sounds] ~ Ghosts Of Paraguay - The River feat. Aiden Dullaghan

Track: The River feat. Aiden Dullaghan
Artist: Ghosts Of Paraguay
Download: iTunes Ghosts Of Paraguay is an artist from the UK whose music can only be described as as haunting as the story (I presume) behind the producer's name: in the Paraguayan war of the 19th century, the deadliest war in all of history, more than half of Paraguay's population was slaughtered, with estimates as high as 90% of the male population killed. His music has an otherworldly ambiance that leaves one feeling disembodied.

The River--from the album Silent Souls--opens with plaintive piano chords and the vocals of Aiden Dullaghan. This song has minimalistic qualities, elaborating on the same chords and focusing on one motif. The bass is deep and the percussion is precise and not overpowering. Though the piece is fairly simple musically, the evocative lyrics paint pictures of the clash of war and innocence. The ambiance is really what shines, with the crackles, faint background vocals, and sustained strings. The cyclic piano chord progression through this ambiance is mesmerizing. The pristine quality in the vibrato of Dullghan's voice over the crackle, after everything else has faded, resonates in the ear even after the song's end.

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Stuck In My Skull 378 -- "Promises (Skrillex & Nero Remix)" and Grammys

Song: "Promises (Skrillex & Nero Remix)" || Artist: Nero || http://youtu.be/VZMfhtKa-wo ||

Comments: Things I could call the Grammys: That Show Where Half the Cool Stuff Happens Off-Camera; The Show Where Skrillex Won a Bunch of Stuff; Falling in Love with Juanes Singing to Elton John in English; So Much Fun.; The Revenge of the Soft and Pop Rock Genres...
But really. Black Keys, Lumineers, and Mumford and Sons are all great, but sound more alike than I care to think about, and got heavily awarded. On the other hand, Juanes doing a bilingual take on "Your Song", dedicated to Elton John. Oh dear me, that was magnificent. Anyway, quite a bit was done off camera, so you should definitely go look at the complete list of categories and winners.
Skrillex's album Bangarang did quite well, and beat out quite a bit. The song "Bangarang" took best dance recording, which surprises me to no end. For one, I wasn't aware it was 'dance,' but that's to be expected out of the Grammy Foundation, who I find to be very broad in their interpretation of genres. What also surprised me was that the song beat out "Don't You Worry Child" by Swedish House Mafia and that mega-hit "Levels" by Avicii. The EP Bangarang beat out >Album Title Goes Here< by Deadmau5 to my very great surprise. In the remixes category, I was mildly surprised that this song won, but I think the field was weak -- the only decent competitor to it was Tommy Trash's remix of "The Veldt." Admission of bias: I love Deadmau5. But then, I'm a Skrillex fan too, so I digress.
Anyway, this song took the best remix category, and you should give it a listen. It sounds nothing like the original song, and I am in love with this brave new interpretation of the track, and how the ybring out the vocals is just perfect. Skrillex and Nero, well done, and congratulations on your insane success at the Grammys. Deadmau5... we love you too, even if the Grammys don't!

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ETC #53 "Runnin' Out of Air"

Song: "Runnin' Out of Air" ~ Artist: Love and Theft

~ http://youtu.be/CDQDh_r9q8Q ~

Comments: HAPPY FRIDAY! Wow, I'm so glad the week is over. Now, to the song. This song is practically brand new in terms of hitting radio. I heard it today and they were still deciding whether or not to recycle it. Funny enough the video hasn't been up to long and I'm disappointed by the lack of views. (It's probably because it's not popular on the radio yet, but still.)  One of the things that I like about this song is that even though this duo is country this song doesn't sound like it. And don't get me wrong I'm all for that twang and down southern song, however, it's nice that occasionally there is a song that I believe people who don't like country music will still like and I think that this is one of them.  As soon as the song came on it had my feet tapping the beat. Okay, so I might be a little overly excited about this song since I'm in a really good mood, but the point here is that it is brand new, shiny, and something that I think a decent group of people will enjoy. And small side benefit is it has an up beat tempo to start off the weekend. Happy listening!

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Stuck In My Skull 377 -- "Silver Cruiser"

Song: "Silver Cruiser" || Artist: Royksopp || http://youtu.be/b8o6uKm91No ||

Comments: Sorry about the lack of me posting this morning, folks. To make up for it, I decided to post this immediately, instead of waiting until tomorrow (Friday) morning to post it. So, this song. This song never singled, and there's nothing terribly smashing or record breaking about it. It's just a really good track form ROyksopp's album Junior, which is fantastic and you should all listen to! This song is a nice, slow, chill number with some jazzy influences. It's a very melodic tune, and I really love it. It puts me in a calm, quiet, relaxed mood that I really enjoy, and can bring a smile to my face. It tends to take whatever mood I'm in and just smooth it over -- if I'm feeling sad, I'll probably be a little less sad. If I'm feeling happy, I'll be a calmer happy. It's a nice song. And the video is pretty relaxing too -- just some planets and such.

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ETC #52 "I Don't Believe You"

Song: "I Don't Believe You" ~ Artist: P!nk

~ http://youtu.be/wyMGerg6rnc ~

Comments: Hey everyone!  This was originally not the song I had planned for today, but in the midst of listening to a new artist I came across to this song by an artist that is not so new. P!nk has been around for a such a long time and is still producing amazing music. I frequently use her on the blog because she has such a unique voice, has power, and a powerful presence on the stage.  This song is one that I haven't heard before, but it is absolutely beautiful. It isn't too often that she puts out a ballad if I can phrase it that way. All of the strings are in this song!  There is a wonderful combination of cello and violin while P!nk and band member hit the acoustics guitars.  The chords are not anything extravagant, but by keeping it simple it gives this lady a chance to show off her vocals.  If I had my guitar this would be a song I would try to learn.  Also, apparently there is an official video for this as well if you'd prefer that. (I personally love listening to her live.)  Happy listening!

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[Secret Sounds] ~ Ben Moon - Majesty feat. Veela

Track: Majesty (feat. Veela)
Artist: Ben Moon
Download: Airborne [Ben Moon] or Veela's soundcloud
To continue the string of young, breakthrough artists, we have Ben Moon. He is known for incorporating orchestral elements into EDM. His arrangements are lush, engaging, and the farthest thing possible from boring. He also has a heart for service, and is currently collecting donations here for a volunteer trip in Ecuador. Alas, he is presently on hiatus while he focuses on finishing high school and getting into college, but he already has plenty of good tunes and remixes queued up.

Majesty is unusual for a Ben Moon song in that it has vocals, but he proves he can arrange both instrumentals and vocals like a maestro. The vocals are performed by Veela, well-known in the EDM world for her purple hair and pristine voice. It was actually a brilliant move on Ben's part to collaborate with Veela and garner some more popularity (admittedly, I clicked on the song because of Veela's name). The tune employs some light strings backing, but the arrangement really shines when Veela becomes a one-woman choir, with complex harmonies and overlapping lines. The lyrics tell the gripping and emotive story of a people overtaken by force and torn by war. Before the vocal line gets complex, the flute line accompanies Veela right into the smoking hot drum and bass. Even the chord progression built on sustained ah's adds great pathos to piece. This collab proves to be meaningful, mysterious, and--of course--majestic. I hope we get to see more of this combo in the future.

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Stuck In My Skull 376 -- "My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light Em Up)"

Song: "My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light Em Up)" || Artist: Fall Out Boy || http://youtu.be/HsfY8iFbYjE ||

Comments: I have to confess that I wasn't really into music when Fall Out Boy happened the first time. That being said, their hiatus happened completely without my noticing, and their return surprised me because I didn't realize they'd ever left... or really ever given much thought to their existence. Setting aside the fact that the band apparently managed to pull of a song and video and schedule a world tour without media attention, this song is surprisingly good. I wasn't expecting much from a middle school punk band, but my preconceptions have gotten the better of me. The vocals are pretty good, and I'm really enjoying the beat beneath it. I'm not really sure how to describe the... is it a keyboard or a synth? in the harmony, but I'm loving it. Check it out!

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ETC #51 "Overjoyed" and "Unwell"

Song: "Overjoyed" ~ Artist: Matchbox Twenty

~ http://youtu.be/qg6r-IeH7ss ~

Comments: Happy Two Timing Tuesday, all. So, I have to admit to a couple of things today: I had no idea what the focus was for this, but I luckily was in the car when this song was on.  Secondly, I told myself I wasn't going to use singles for Tuesdays, but I'm breaking it this time.   It is a new one from Matchbox Twenty of whom I'm a huge fan. This song...it has all the feels for me (and I might have it on loop).  It makes me want to cry both for good and for bad. Once this passed through my ears, I knew that I was using it; there was no other option. This was released back in November, but as far as I'm aware it has just hit radio and I hope that you all enjoy this song as much as I have. The beat follows their typical sound and the rhythm is catchy. This song is off of their new album North and their other single from this new release is "She's So Mean".    

Song: "Unwell" ~ Artist: Matchbox Twenty

~ http://youtu.be/WziA88-n02k ~ 

Comments: This song is an "old" one of theirs and I knew that I loved this song, just didn't realize that these were the guys responsible. Also, I could have sworn that there was a different video that went along with this song, but I suppose I am incorrect this time. I do have to say that the video is trippy and entertainingly so.  This song is back from 2003 on their album More Than You Think You Are. Sometimes I forget that this band started back in the mid-90s. Either way, they are still playing radio and still great. I hope that this brings a little bit of nostalgia into your Tuesday. Happy listening, everyone. :)

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Stuck In My Skull 375 -- "8 Bit Trip"

Song: "8 Bit Trip" || Artist: Rymdreglage || http://youtu.be/4qsWFFuYZYI ||

Comments: Oh, this song. Actually, this song and video. I don't know how long ago I found this song/video, but it is so fantastic, and I never really shared it. There is nothing I don't love about this song and video -- they are both perfection. If you're into electronic music at all, check this out. If you aren't into electronic music, check this out anyway -- the video is more than strong enough to stand on its own without the song. As the title suggests, it has a very 8 bit feel to it (the song, that is), straddling the border of what I would call chip tunes.
Okay, fine, I was trying to only talk about the song here, but for once, I'm going to devote a decent amount of time to discussing the video. This vid is several things. First and foremost, Rymdreglage have officially won at stop-motion photography. Nobody need ever try again, because it won't be better than this. Second, holy nostalgia, Batman! It is a trip, indeed.
Alright, I'm going to stop talking here. Just go watch it.

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[Secret Sounds] ~ Mr FijiWiji - Farewell

Track: Farewell
Artist: Mr FijiWiji
Download: iTunes Mr FijiWiji, called "The Fij" by his adoring fans, is another young artist on the Monstercat label. Not only is he an accomplished producer at such a young age, but he also volunteers and raises money for charity. He is known for making emotional music that is all his own style, without bending to what is popular. He also loves to title songs after his friends (see Gina and Jason the Breadman's Quest for Redemption) and to give away free music.

His first independent release, Farewell, is no exception. This piece has a beautifully executed ABA form. The first part begins with a great kick that gives way to a plaintive melody, which later stacks on top of a syncopated countermelody. When this fades, a solo piano part rises up from the silence. The Fij's gentle but compelling vocals enter, and though the lyrics may be simple, they capture the perfect sentiment for a departure. The reverb on the vocals (and throughout the piece) adds charge to the emotion. The countermelody from the first section returns, and later the melody comes back after the vocals fade. The two intertwine in a beautiful dance until the return of only the original kick. The outstanding composition of this piece and its emotionally resonant sounds make it a great first independent release for The Fij.

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Stuck In My Skull 374 -- "I Love It"

Song: "I Love It" || Artist: Icona Pop feat. Chari XCX || http://youtu.be/UxxajLWwzqY ||

Comments: Hello everyone, I'm back! I have to say, that week off did me a world of good. And it couldn't have come at a better time, either -- last week was absolutely insane for me. But we're good now, and I'm back in the saddle!
So, this song. First, thanks to Amanda for telling me about it. Second, I believe it made an appearance in an episode of the TV show Girls this season, which is a fantastic show, by the way. Anyway, I love it. (No pun intended.) It reminds me quite a bit of September and Tegan and Sara, especially the shot they have in the video at about 0:51 -- it screams Tegan and Sara to my eyes. And I am definitely into this song. It's been stuck in my head for a few days now, and it's great. I love the intro bass line, and the crazy don't care attitude. It's catchy (if slightly vulgar -- your kids probably shouldn't hear it), and I can't get enough of it. I feel like I'm seeing more and more electropop coming into the scene, especially the small groups and female driven groups, and I'm a huge fan of these developments. I look forward to seeing how Icona Pop's career turns out. Enjoy!

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ETC #50 "Ni Freud Ni Tu Mama"

Song: Ni Freud Ni Tu Mama ~ Artist: Belinda

~ http://youtu.be/xrCtkMuypfU ~

Comments: IT'S FRIDAY! And as celebration of the weekend I have provided a fun and upbeat song for today. This artist is nothing new and in fact, I'm not sure where she stands in her music career. Last time I checked she was on a soap opera. But prior to that she was very popular musically. (Actually, just did a little search and it turns out she has a new album coming out at the end of February. Keep a look out!) Anyhow, this song has both a Spanish and an English version.  I will, however, make note that they do not say the same thing and to be honest I prefer the Spanish version.  The chorus to the Spanish version reads: "It's good-bye/ I can't anymore/ Forgive/ There's no guilt/ It ended. It couldn't be./ There's no guilt. Never."  And if I may date myself a little bit, there is a Raven Symone in the background at the end. And some really cool dancing as well. Happy listening!

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