Here's something rather cheerful I came across which I thought would be nice to share ahead of valentine's day, because deep deep down, we all know I am a hopeless romantic. Enjoy.
At least it's parliament session next week, which should hopefully cure this spiralling dumbing-down trend my dear blog seems to be currently on. No promises.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Monday, February 05, 2007
Tunes of Note
So, freshly baked, I mean back, from il piu bello paese nel mondo, and a few short days of pure blissful indulgence. In terms of indulging my diabolical italian, my inner alcoholic (demonic beer and masterpiece cocktails), my sweet tooth (100% cocoa chocolate, I learnt the hard way that the third piece is "the one that's one too many" - traumatic), and my appetite in general (consuming dangerous amounts of dough in various forms - you'd be amazed at the versatility of the stuff).
In light of that I think today calls for something slightly less cerebral, so here's just a mention of a few worthwhile numbers that have graced my ears lately.
Amy Winehouse - Rehab
I know this has been a firm favourite among daytime DJs at Radio 1 and probably all over the UK for a good while now, and she's already brought out a follow-up single from the album, but I'm still going to recommend it to anyone who mightn't have heard it. Winehouse is a real character, and I don't think I'm the only one who found her annoying to begin with, but Rehab seems like a more sincere portrayal of what she's really about. Blunt, excessive, and the anti-thesis of wholesome. There are also at least two live lounge covers, done by Paolo Nutini (you might now him as the soulster who sings with a scottish accent and it's somehow not excruciating, who made a commendable effort) and Girls Aloud (who absolutely massacred it, so steer well clear).
Joss Stone - Tell me 'bout it
Unlike the above, I'm rather ahead of myself on this one, as I don't think it's even out yet. Joss Stone's new (and I think third) album is titled "Introducing Joss Stone" which seems highly appropriate. For me, she's always had such potential, displayed all the right ingredients, gorgeous silky voice, bit of an edge to her, disarming humility, and most importantly an apparent burning desire to bring soul music back into the charts, where it belongs. With an updated twist, of course. But so far - despite all the good intentions, she has just failed to nail it. The debut single was so good, but it's all been downhill since there, as the songs just deteriorated from mediocre to just dire. So I for one am very glad that she finally seems to be delivering. Unlike Winehouse, Stone isn't being told she needs to go to rehab. Anyone who's seen her appearance in PUnk'd could vouch for the fact that - no, apparently it's not an act, she's for real - she really IS that sweet (& the stunt failed completely, as a result). It only verges on the annoying when she's doing the barefoot hippie thing, otherwise she pulls the whole irreproachable character thing off rather well, probably because she exudes a kind of dark edge and quiet fierceness, despite herself.
Freemasons - Rain down love
Some might say there's not much in it between camp dance music and skanky trance. But I for one beleive the wide, rich spectrum of nuances to be worthy of much exploration, and that inter-weaving various elements together can amount to a dazzling, oh never mind.
And on that note... If I have to hear how Sandi Thom was born too late to a world that doesn't care one more time, my radio will sail through the nearest window.
In light of that I think today calls for something slightly less cerebral, so here's just a mention of a few worthwhile numbers that have graced my ears lately.
Amy Winehouse - Rehab
I know this has been a firm favourite among daytime DJs at Radio 1 and probably all over the UK for a good while now, and she's already brought out a follow-up single from the album, but I'm still going to recommend it to anyone who mightn't have heard it. Winehouse is a real character, and I don't think I'm the only one who found her annoying to begin with, but Rehab seems like a more sincere portrayal of what she's really about. Blunt, excessive, and the anti-thesis of wholesome. There are also at least two live lounge covers, done by Paolo Nutini (you might now him as the soulster who sings with a scottish accent and it's somehow not excruciating, who made a commendable effort) and Girls Aloud (who absolutely massacred it, so steer well clear).
Joss Stone - Tell me 'bout it
Unlike the above, I'm rather ahead of myself on this one, as I don't think it's even out yet. Joss Stone's new (and I think third) album is titled "Introducing Joss Stone" which seems highly appropriate. For me, she's always had such potential, displayed all the right ingredients, gorgeous silky voice, bit of an edge to her, disarming humility, and most importantly an apparent burning desire to bring soul music back into the charts, where it belongs. With an updated twist, of course. But so far - despite all the good intentions, she has just failed to nail it. The debut single was so good, but it's all been downhill since there, as the songs just deteriorated from mediocre to just dire. So I for one am very glad that she finally seems to be delivering. Unlike Winehouse, Stone isn't being told she needs to go to rehab. Anyone who's seen her appearance in PUnk'd could vouch for the fact that - no, apparently it's not an act, she's for real - she really IS that sweet (& the stunt failed completely, as a result). It only verges on the annoying when she's doing the barefoot hippie thing, otherwise she pulls the whole irreproachable character thing off rather well, probably because she exudes a kind of dark edge and quiet fierceness, despite herself.
Freemasons - Rain down love
Some might say there's not much in it between camp dance music and skanky trance. But I for one beleive the wide, rich spectrum of nuances to be worthy of much exploration, and that inter-weaving various elements together can amount to a dazzling, oh never mind.
And on that note... If I have to hear how Sandi Thom was born too late to a world that doesn't care one more time, my radio will sail through the nearest window.
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