ETC #71 "Sure Be Cool If You Did"

Song: "Sure Be Cool If You Did" ~ Artist: Blake Shelton

~ http://youtu.be/AMvsw-3DcpI ~

Comments: Hey, folks. I have to apologize for not posting yesterday. I haven't been feeling well recently. Anyhow, the song for today is the current single from Mr. Blake Shelton's new album Based on a True Story... He's someone I'm sure all you country fans know and love. It's no secret that he's one of my favourite country artists. His most recent release is a subtle, acoustic, and claps in the background that pace the soothing rhythm that makes you want to find someone to lean in next to. As he says in his song "...you're standing in the neon, looking like a high I wanna be on." This song isn't the high beat or rowdy, actually looking at his discography with the exception of "Honey Bee" all of his last few singles have been this type of slow and easing tempo. He has one more single coming out from this album, "Boys Round Here" and it sounds...interesting. All I'll say is he talks about doing the Dougey in the lyrics. I'll let you decide your opinion on that one. Happy listening!

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Stuck In My Skull 397 -- "Mercy"

Song: "Mercy" || Artist: Kanye West, Big Sean, Pusha T and 2 Chainz || http://youtu.be/7Dqgr0wNyPo ||

Comments: Oh, this song. The video is SFW, but the lyrics aren't -- heads up on that one. Musically, the song is pretty interesting. I'm definitely a fan of the minimalist construction of the beat and instrumentation. The intro and bridge vocals are sampled from someone named "Fuzzy Jones" who I've never heard of, but will probably start looking for. I think using that sample in the intro actually works really well, and sets the tone of the song. The video is pretty interesting. The black and white colorization gives the video a touch of class, and the constantly moving camera and the constantly-reappearing artists gives it a touch of class. I'm not a fan of the lyrics -- braggadocio really does nothing for me -- but the song is still pretty good. I'm always entertained how tracks like this generally feature rappers bragging about their foreign-made items -- Swiss watches and foreign cars seem to be a favourite. Enjoy!

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AMANDA-- "HOLD ON"

Hey readers. Every now and then when I'm feelin' down, the universe presents me with a song, artist, etc and my day seems to get a little brighter. Often it comes from the most random places and when I least expect it. This is precisely what happened with "Hold On," which I came across in an episode of AMC's The Walking Dead yesterday. This is the first Tom Waits' song I've ever listened to and if it's remotely indicative of his musical style I need to raid his discography. He has one of the most distinctive voices of any musician I've heard, which has been described as sounding "like it was soaked in a vat of bourbon, left hanging in the smokehouse for a few months and then taken outside and run over with a car." Who can compete with that? Apparently he has quite the cult following. Interesting fact: some believe Heath Ledger drew inspiration for his rendition of the Joker from Waits. Anyway, I can't exactly put my finger on what I like so much about this song. Maybe I just needed to hear those words.  I hope you enjoy it too. Happy listening.

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ETC #70 "Si Te Vas" and "Escondite Ingles"

Song: "Si Te Vas" ~ Artist: Shakira

~ http://youtu.be/xZ1PoPRIuGk ~

Comments: Hey, everyone. I apologize for the lack of posting on Friday. Things have been crazy for me. And I apologize for any lack of posting this week in advance even though I'm not planning on missing any. I figured I would bring to you some songs by a popular artist, but some of her old music that you may not have heard before. This first song ("If You Leave") is a favourite of mine of Sra. Shakira off her album Donde estan los ladrones. It has an upbeat tempo to lyrics that are not so happy, and it just makes me want to get up and dance. The tune is one that I remember being stuck in my head for days at a time. And furthermore, this live performance, especially at the end, shows off her voice and the power that she really has. Her singing is actually comparable to what she sounds like on the album unlike some other artists who sound absolutely terrible live of who I will not name here. 

Song: "Escondite Ingles" ~ Artist: Shakira

~ http://youtu.be/AQhhFNVu5Xk ~

Comments: The second song "English Hide and Seek" from her album Fijacion Oral is one that starts out slow, but quickly speeds up and the entire way it doesn't necessarily show off the range of her voice, but it certainly does show the power and control she has by quickly switching between sweet and soft to deep and powerful. Unfortunately, neither of these songs have English versions. Usually on Tuesdays I pick songs that aren't in the spotlight for artists and usually the ones that have English versions for Shakira are her singles and that isn't even always true.  Either way, I hope that you all enjoy having a little bit of Shakira to shake up your Tuesday morning and I highly encourage you to listen to some of her late 90s music because it is just as good  and as much pop as her current stuff just more Spanish.  Happy listening!

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Stuck In My Skull 396 -- "The Human Stain"

Song: "The Human Stain" || Artist: Kamelot || http://youtu.be/4n3LobCY5HE ||

Comments: It's been awhile since I've posted anything by Kamelot, so I figured it would be a good day to come back to one of my favourite bands of all time. This song is excellent, one of the most prototypic examples of symphonic/prog metal I've yet encountered. The chugging guitars of the opening contrasts wonderfully with the delicate piano that follows, quickly blending into a blood-pumping, adrenaline-surging, head-banging cacophony of awesome. For some reason, I always confuse this track (which is from the Ghost Opera album) with "The Great Pandemonium", which is taken from the Poetry for the Poisoned album, and I'm really not sure why. Maybe I'll have to cover that song soon -- it's just as epic. Enjoy!

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AMANDA-- "LIES (ZED'S DEAD REMIX)"

Happy Friday all! Today I've got an awesome drum and bass dupstep remix for you. When I got up this morning I knew I wanted to use a song from Marina and the Diamonds, one of my favorite bands that has yet to appear on the blog. In my quest, I came across this Zed's Dead remix of the Diamonds' "Lies." It kinda sorta blew my mind. I actually had to go back and listen to the original, which, while good, seems slightly lackluster in comparison.The track takes the Welsh artist's beautiful vocals and melodic elements and  gives them what I can only describe as a certain power and edginess. It's wicked cool. Zed's Dead, who take their name from Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction, don't have an official record label but you can download much of their music for free on Soundcloud, including this remix. Check 'em out! Happy listening!

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Stuck In My Skull 395 -- "Bohemian Rhapsody"

Song: "Bohemian Rhapsody" || Artist: Queen || http://youtu.be/k-ARuoSFflc ||

Comments: For once, I have a very, very good excuse for my post going up late -- my hard drive is completely shot. In all fairness, I think I usually have a good reason, but the point is, this is an undeniable good excuse. 100% data loss. I'm currently using a borrowed laptop while I see about getting mine repaired (thankfully it's still under warranty), but for the moment, everything is crazy.
Anyway, the song. I was shocked that nobody has yet used this iconic classic on the blog. I mean, let's face it. Queen is classic, and "Bohemian Rhapsody" is classic Queen. This is one of the most iconic songs in modern American musical history, and it definitely deserves its title. Everybody knows this song, and nobody can do it as well as Freddie Mercury -- I'm not aware of an artist today with a voice like that. Despite incorporating several audibly distinct sections, this song flows like none I've ever seen, between tempos and keys and varying instrumentation. It is, quite simply, amazing, and it's stuck in my skull. Enjoy!

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ETC #69 "Bleeding Out"

Song: "Bleeding Out" ~ Artist: Imagine Dragons

~ http://youtu.be/gJEoxeW7JvQ ~

Comments: Hey, guys!  So, I am bringing a new favourite song of mine to the blog today from the album Night Visions that was released late last year. I recently had a friend give me a bunch of Imagine Dragons and I have had the songs on repeat for the last couple of hours because it's that good!  This song has a certain kind of wonderful mixture.  The guitar in this song makes me feel the rock, the lyrics and vocals have a pop vibe to them, and the clapping (?) in the background reminds me of something that I would hear in a country or choral song and it all combines into one amazing song. I didn't realize what a unique sound this group has. From what I've listened to all of their songs have this relaxing, yet up beat feel to them that makes me want to sing, rock out, and chill out all at the same time. I hope that you all enjoy this song as much as I did. Happy listening!

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AMANDA-- "ONE DAY MORE"

Hey readers! Today I'm sharing a song that is near and dear to my heart, "One Day More" from the  recent film adaption of  Les Miserables. Anyone who knows me knows I am batsh*t crazy for musicals, romance, and period dramas, making Les Mis a dream come true for me. It intertwines stories of love, loss, friendship, religion, law, and revolution and has an epic, universal quality  to it which I think everyone can appreciate. There are many movie and stage versions of "One Day More" out there and I have yet to hear one I haven't liked. The song incorporates themes from earlier tracks and draws on the talents of the main cast members, giving them a chance to shine on their own and then come together as a group. If someone asked me to summarize Les Miserables, I would advise them to listen to this rather than me babble. The dvd comes out on Friday, so if you're interested check it out! Enjoy!

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Stuck In My Skull 394 -- "What Else Is There?"

Song: "What Else Is There?" || Artist: Royksopp || http://youtu.be/ADBKdSCbmiM ||

Comments: Happy Tuesday, folks! I thought I'd change the pace up a bit with a slower song today. This song is from Royksopp's album "The Understanding," featuring vocals by Karin Dreijer Andersson. Her vocals are emotive and expressive, and give a slightly dark feeling to this otherwise mellow song. It's a slower end of electronica, never meant to be dance-able, but rather built to relax and tell a story. Royksopp are masters of their craft. Enjoy!

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