HOW MUCH DO WE LOVE...

The new Lady GaGa single?

AT LONG LAST... VICTORY!

Like all people, from time to time, I get a song stuck in my head and can't get it out. If it isn't a song or album I already own, I simply go to the iTunes store, or GoMusic.com and purchase/download the track, and... problem solved!

When a new song comes out, I may have difficulty locating it (or the exact version I want), but I almost always prevail - music, you see, is one of my main "things."

But there's been this song... on the tip of my tongue, in the back of my mind, in the corner of my consciousness, for years. Yes, years. I only knew the (end) of the chorus and the basic melody. Oh, and I can hum the unusual instrumental section like nobody's business. But (for years), tracking the song down has eluded me. You see, when somebody doesn't know a song, or only knows a few (wrong) lyrics, I'm the guy the come to. I can often point them in the right direction if I don't own the song myself. But who do I turn to when I'm stumped?

After several (useless) Google searches of the lyrics, I was even more lost, if that was possible. So I went about it methodically: I remember the song from junior high. (The 1980s.) I only heard it on KROQ. Luckily, I found a list of all the yearly countdowns of KROQ music (here). I guessed the year (1987), and went through the list.

And there it was: "Alone Again Or," by the Damned. There it was, with its strange FX, garbled lyrics and extended trumpet solo, exposing a counter melody almost too-dense for a pop song.

And now I own it, and don't just have to listen to it in my head.

DANCING IN... MY MIND

At random (and totally inappropriate) times over the past few weeks, I've found myself humming the classic club tune, "In De Ghetto" by the Bad Garden Club. If you knows it, you knows it... if you don't...

well, I guess you weren't cool then, either.

P.S. This isn't the coverart for the version I had stuck in my head. This is just the one I found first, and I liked the colors.

JANUARY TUNES

I haven't done a post like this in a long time, but here goes... rockin' my pod this month (in no particular order):

Circus [Album Version] Britney Spears - Yum

Whatcha Think About That [Stonebridge Club Mix] Pussycat Dolls feat Missy Elliott - Love, love, love this hot remix of an so-so track

Magic [Album Version] Robin Thicke - Great track (too bad it already came out, in another version in the 70s)

4 Minutes [Bob Sinclair Space Funk Mix] Madonna feat Justin Timberlake - A new take on a hot track

The Creeps [Ganga Mix] Camille Jones - A slick, hot little version of one of my favorite tunes

When You Touch Me [Freemasons Club Mix] Freemasons - Disco house funk groove booty shaker

Breakin' Dishes [Soulseekerz Club Mix] Rihanna - Great little remix of a lesser-known Rihanna song

F**cking Boyfriend [Ralphi Rosario Remix] The Bird & The Bee - Dirty song title, great song on the treadmill

I Think He's Gay [Album Version] Pussy Tourette - Wishful thinking on my part, I guess

Defying Gravity [Original Cast Recording] Wicked! The Musical - This one always makes me feel like I'm soaring

MUSIC MILES

One of the few (and only) decent singles from Madonna's last album was "Miles Away," now her newest single. I love the original, but was a tad let down by the remixes. (You can sample them here.) I usually like remixes from Jacques Lu Cont (remixing here, under the name Thin White Duke), but it's the Vicious Remix I liked the best.

For some strange reason, iTunes doesn't feature this single (at least, not yet).

ILL-TYPE SOUNDS

I've been rockin' an old Mixmag Promo CD, Instant Party, mixed by Krafty Kuts. It's a blend of supa ol'skookl jams and 90s electro, and it rocks hard, and takes no prisoners. I've listened to every day this week, and some days, it was the only CD I listened to both to and from campus.

Just remember - it ain't ol'skool if you still livin' it.

BUM BUM BEE DUM

I didn't want to fall for another Rihanna song, but after last night's MTV Video Awards (which pretty much sucked, thank you very much Russell Brand), I fell in love with Disturbia. Score another one for the lady with the umbrella!

Here the track here:

JULY TUNES

Maybe it’s the heat, or maybe there isn’t enough good music coming out right now, but this month’s track list reads like an iTunes playlist generated with the widest possible parameters. Here, in no particular order, are the songs that send me in to a frenzy, get my toes tapping or just touch my summer soul, so I can’t resist singing out loud.

More To Life / Big Time Sensuality [Album Versions] Björk – These two songs, when played back-to-back, get my heart racing, my toes tapping and I always end up singing, at the top of my lungs. Bjork’s “Debut” album seems to just keep getting better with age.

Fucking Boyfriend [Ralphi Rosario & Jody DB Vocal Mix] The Bird & The Bee – I have to be in the right mood to hear this dirty, electro funker, but when I’m in that mood… look out.

Breakin’ Dishes [Album Version / Soul Seekerz Remix] Rihanna – Seriously, when was the last time an artist had as many solid tunes as Rihanna? I’m excited to hear what she does next, as she seems to only get better and better.

The Nitty Gritty [Stereo Version] Diana Ross & The Supremes – My mother has a gift – no, make that a talent – for getting song lyrics (and melodies) wrong. And since I was a kid, I remember her singing some song about, “getting down” to the, “real nitty gritty.” For years, I thought she was making it up, or just so far off from the real lyrics and melody that we’d never locate the track. I found several versions of this song, and I like this, Shirley Ellis’ version, the best.

Road To Nowhere [Album Version] Talking Heads – This old tune came creeping into my head the other morning while vacuuming. I forgot how good this song is.

We Need A Resolution [No-Rap Edit] Aaliyah – If you sort my iTunes music library by the date the song was added, the first track is this smooth, silky stunner from Aaliyah. (It wasn’t actually the first song loaded on to my Mac, just the first one re-loaded after a motherboard meltdown a while back.)

Mercy / Warwick Avenue [Album Version] Duffy – I was pleasantly surprised to find another track off of Duffy’s “Rockferry” album I enjoyed. I don’t know how far she’ll be able to take this album, once Amy Winehouse gets off her duff and makes another album. But for now, these two tracks hit the spot.

Viva La Vida [Album Version] Coldplay – This epic pop/rock tune sends chills up and down my spine, almost two months after the first time I heard it. Which speaks volumes about the song.

Overkill [Album Version] Colin Hay – I fell in love with this song the first time I heard it on an episode of “Scrubs,” and I recently saw a rebroadcast of that episode, reigniting my love affair with Colin Hay’s masterpiece. (Seriously, after “Law & Order,” I think “Scrubs” must be one of the most re-run shows on TV.)

Good Morning, Good Morning [Album Version] The Beatles – This song rocks on so many levels. It rocks harder than it has any business rocking… Ah, heck the entire “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” album is one of the greatest albums… ever. It was so innovative and fresh. I don’t think there’s been another album like it since. Other tracks from this album that rock my world, every single time the come on? Getting Better, Lovely Rita and A Day In the Life.

(BEGGING YOU) FOR MERCY

Although I didn't include Duffy's Mercy on my June music list, this little retro ditty has me boppin' and rockin' involuntarily the second I hear the beat. When I first heard it, I thought, "Oh, no... Here comes wave after wave of Amy Winehouse wannabe artists, knocking-off that old, Motown-ish dance vibe." But after a couple of closer listens, I was hooked.

Its a catchy enough tune, with a great "sing-a-long" type of chorus. And once that beat starts swayin', you know you're in for a fun ride.
But what's been bothering me - the one thing getting under my skin - is the set of garbled, unintelligible background lyrics during the big, dramatic breakdown. Duffy repeats the chorus, with only the drums to back her up... you know the kind of breakdown I'm talking about: the clap right here type of musical interlude. But while she croons, begging for mercy, there's another, spoken lyric layered in, offering a strong, but still hip rhythmic counterpoint.

I've listened to the track a ton of times. I've slowed it down, isolated the channels and applied every filter and plug-in in my arsenal (which is saying a bit). I've searched the web, scouring every Duffy web site and lyric site. A massive Google search even turned up two forum discussions on the topic (here and here) proving I'm not alone in my desire to know these lyrics.

But nothing. Zilch. Nada. No luck... what I could figure out, I pieced together, and you can read my attempt here. If you know these lyrics, or just know of a source for finding them out, please let me know!

JUNE TUNES

Here, in no particular order, are some of the tunes rockin' my world this month:

Viva La Vida [Album Version] Coldplay - While I'm not a huge Coldplay fan, I do love this first cut from their new album. The lyrics don't make much sense (as usual), but the sweeping melody and intricate arrangement make for a great listening experience.

When I Grow Up [Album Version] Pussycat Dolls - Also a new cut, from a new album. I liked this track until I heard them perform it live. It went from sounding like a hot, garage-band electro stomper, to sounding like a bag of cats drowning. Oh well...

American Boy [Album Version] Estelle feat Kanye West - I have a love/hate thing going with this song. I love the groove, the vocal (even though it is out of tune, and way repetitive) and love Estelle... But I hate Kanye West.

Giggling Again For No Reason [Album Version] Alanis Morissette - Yet another established artist drops a new album, with mixed results. Part electro, part breakbeat, and all Alanis.

No Air [Album Version] Jordin Sparks feat Chris Brown - This one took a while to grow on me. It wasn't until I heard it on "So You Think You Can Dance," that I fully appreciated this track.

Have I Got A Girl For You [Original Broadway Recording] from Company - With all the news about Gay Marriage this month, all I've been able to think about are the lyrics from the first half of this song: "Wadda ya like, you like coming home to a kiss, somebody with a smile at the door? Wadda ya like, ya like indescribable bliss? Then wadda ya wanna get married for?" It goes on like this, with comic results.

Prince Ali [French Version] from Aladdin - Yes, this is cheesy. Yes, liking this song (and this version) is lame. But there's something so hilarious about the French version of this soundtrack.

Boom Boom Ba [Album Version] Metisse - One of my favorite downtempo songs, from "Dead Like Me." This song is back on my radar since I was given Season 2 DVDs as a birthday gift.

Delirious [Album Version] Mario Spinetti - I forget how I first came across this artist. I'm not into all of his work (some of it is just too dense), but this one is a slice of heavenly vocal pie.

MUSIC FOR MAY

Here are the tunes rockin' my world this month (in no particular order):

4 Minutes [Album Version / Peter Saves NY Mix] Madonna feat Justin Timberlake - Easily the best track on her new album, this one still gets my blood pumping in the morning. I haven't really been into Peter Rauhofer's mixes and mixing for a while, but with this one, he's back on top. Madonna and Rauhofer together are like peanut butter and chocolate together: wonderful on their own, and dynamite when combined!

Heartbeat / Miles Away [Album Versions] Madonna - While most of the tracks on "Hard Candy" are utter garbage, I love these two tracks. They're the only ones I find myself wanting to sing along to in the car.

Cities In Dust [Album Version] Junkie XL feat Lauren Rock - Not as good as the original (but what is?), this cover of the Siouxsie & The Banshees 80s classic is a heavy, dirty electro with rocking guitars. I first heard it on an episode of "Gossip Girl," and I was floored... but I always love Junkie XL's work.

Stranger [Album Version / Smax & Gold Mix] Hilary Duff - Smax & Gold are quickly becoming my new favorite remixers, and this gem is a perfect example of why.

Hi N Bye [Smax & Gold Mix] Till West & Eddie Thoenick feat Alexandra Pierce - This rockin', dirty electro mix (with a huge disco house breakdown in the middle) still rocks my world on the treadmill, in the car, in the shower...

So Excited [Bimbo Jones Club Mix] Janet Jackson feat Khia - I've been on a mission, trying to collect as many Bimbo Jones remixes as I can these past few months. He takes great pop vocals and juices them up into dance floor stormers.

Set You Free 2008 [Various Mixes] Planet Soul - A great, classic breakbeat club track, re-worked with the original club heads in mind. No amount of remixing can hide how great the original vocal is, and most of the new mixes manage to stay clear of messing this formula up.

Push The Feeling On 2008 [Various Mixes] The Nightcrawlers - Another classic club hit (probably on of the Top Ten Club Tracks of all time) with some great mixes from the house, electro and progressive DJ communities.

Unbroken [Album Version] Jessica Sierra - I first heard this track on VH1's "Celebrity Rehab," and fell in love with the raw, powerful vocal. I'm sad to report this was Jessica's only iTunes release, which is a shame. Few "American Idol" alumni reach this level of depth and personal artistry.

Come Together / Let It Be [Soundtrack Version] Various Artists from the "Across The Universe" Soundtrack - If you haven't seen "Across The Universe," rush out and rent it. (Or put it in your Netflix cue, whatever the case may be.) You don't have to be a Beatles fan, or a fan of musicals to love this complex, rich and beautiful film and its glorious soundtrack.

ALBUM REVIEW: "Hard Candy"

Unlike listening to Björk, which is a layered experience, requiring multiple listens to enjoy and understand the music, listening to Madonna has always been an immediately emotional, gut reaction experience: I either love it, or I can live without it.

My initial response to Madonna's 11th studio album, Hard Candy was to move the majority of the tracks to my USB back-up drive, where I store digital tracks I don't want to lose, but won't be listening to any time soon.

As a whole, this album reminds me of earlier work like Bedtime Stories and Erotica. There are plenty of gems, for the die-hard Madonna fans, but few radio-friendly tunes. More an exploration of layers, textures and lyrical wit than a traditional pop album, Hard Candy exposes Madonna at her weakest: strip away the ABBA samples, clever hooks and controversial videos, and there isn't much art at the center of her work.

Hard Candy, like Bedtime Stories and Erotica, are thematic departures, where Madonna depends on technology and slick production to carry the theme(s) and original thoughts (of which there are very few). Unlike Ray of Light, where she used the medium to explore a deeper, more personal level of artistic expression, Candy stays teaspoon-deep...

Which is not to say Hard Candy isn't a tasty little gem. But like any treat, it is better to partake of Madonna's sweets in small doses. Standout tracks (aside from the infectious 4 Minutes), include:

Devil Wouldn't Recognize You - A mid-tempo, break(ish) romp with an easy melody, Madonna stays in her vocal comfort zone for this one, but manages to show a little depth and range with the lyrics and arrangement

Miles Away - This one would have been more at home on Music, with its disco cowboy groove, but serves to brighten up this otherwise dull album with its solid, sing-a-long chorus

Heartbeat - Probably my favorite track on the album (after 4 Minutes, but a close second, and that may change, with repeated listening), this one has the type of solid pop hooks we've all come to love from Madonna

Voices - A Justin Timberlake track, but still manages to be enjoyable. It seems to bridge the mood and sound of her last album (Confessions On A Dance Floor) with the new one. I could have done without JT's vocals on this one, but something needed to break up the monotony of the vocals on this album, so why not?

Overall: Only but the whole album if you're a die-hard fan. (The iTunes Deluxe package of this album offers a bonus track if you pre-order, I wasn't able to get my hands on this one.) If you're an on-again, off-again Madge fan, wait until the album comes out next week, go on to iTunes, and sample each track before downloading. While Hard Candy is unlikely to dethrone Mariah Carey's new E=MC2, it is an album worth checking out.

HERE COMES LORRAINE AGAIN...

One of the tracks I stumbled across recently is a bootleg remix of the Eurythmics' Here Comes The Rain Again. (It is credited to the Freemasons, but I cannot confirm it.) Listening to this souped-up version of the track, all I can think about is what a great song the original is, and how well it is standing the test of time.

EVERYDAY IS LIKE...

This morning, I woke up, and clicked a random tune on iTunes... Everyday Is Like Sunday by Morrissey came up, setting the tone for another beautiful Sunday morning; hit the treadmill, down some b'fast and just lounge, soaking life up.

APRIL TUNES

Fuego (Album Version) The Cheetah Girls - The more I hear this song, the more I love it. Yes, it (heavily) samples Lionel Richie's All Night Long, but this song is a fresh take on a classic melody.

4 Minutes (Album Version) Madonna feat Justin Timberlake - I'm sad that Madonna is using this song to shill Sunsilk hair products, before the song is even out, but I must admit this song kinda rocks. Kinda...

I recently discovered a bunch of remixes by Bimbo Jones, one of my favorite remixers. Bimbo Jones takes hot pop music, and remixes the sh!t out of them (in a good way). Here are some of the remixes by B-Jones currently rocking my iPod:

Come Back To Me (Club Mix) Vanessa Hudgens
Piece Of Me (Club Mix) Britney Spears
Like A Boy (Club Mix) Ciara
U+Ur Hand (Club Mix) P!nk

Cities In Dust (Album Version) Siouxsie & the Banshees - A classic 80s alternative rock song, still rocking me out, after all these years. I'm not going to pretend to have been so cool as to have liked the song back then, but I remember loving the strange melody, and not knowing what the lyrics were. Now that I'm older, and I've tracked the song (and its lyrics) down, I love this song.

Do You Want To (Album Version / Mirwais Remix) Franz Ferdinand - This song came out a while ago, but something about its upbeat, crazy (mildly homo) energy gets me bouncing, first thing in the morning. Better than caffeine, if you ask me

Stranger (Smax & Gold Remix) Hilary Duff - I love, love, love this remix, and I've become borderline obsessed with it, when I'm driving. I'm not a huge Hilary Duff fan, but this last album of hers has some gems.

Hi N Bye (Smax & Gold Remix) Till West & Eddie Thoenick feat Alexandra Price - Another remix obsession of mine: great breaks, hot vocals and synths, but the disco string and horns breakdown in the middle is to die for.

MADGE & JT SAVE THE WORLD...

After hearing Madonna's new single, 4 Minutes, in the latest Sunsilk commercial (see what you're missing, TiVo users?), I trolled the interwebs for a copy of the full song. Mission: accomplished (thanks, Valhummer!).

My general impressions of the song: it isn't the trainwreck I thought it would be, and it would be a whole lot better without the guest vocal from Justin Timberlake. But it this is what her new album is going to sound like, I may (finally) be abandoning Madonna, as a fan, after all these years.

MARCH TUNES

I haven't been hearing new music I like, so this month's picks are padded with some older, but still great, tracks.

Love Is A Battlefield (American Idol) Brooke White - A great take on a classic.

Hello (American Idol) David Cook - Ditto. Another great Idol performance. Too bad they can't all be this good.

So Much Betta (Album Version) Janet Jackson - This little ditty, probably meant to be a throw-away, track filler is the go-to track when I'm in a goofy mood.

Ching-A-Ling (Album Version/Video Version) Missy Elliott - Another one, two punch from the queen of hip hop. While I was unimpressed with the 3-D video, this track has some serious pumps in a bump.

Fuego (Album Version) The Cheetah Girls - I love, love, love this song, and I'm not afraid to say it, now that TCG dumped a member.

Work [Steve Pilton & Max Sanna Extended Mix] Kelly Rowland - This one crept onto my playlist after hearing it on the DJ Cruz podcast. It took me forever to find this version, but I love it.

Go Girl (Album Version) Pitbull feat Trina & Young Boss - I have to confess: I'm a closet Pitbull fan. Lyrically, he's your typical, macho, sexist over-sexed Reggaton artist. But his backing tracks have the hottest live Latin percussion this side of the border. He also knows how to write a great hook: "Shake them dice, then roll 'em!"

Give It Away (Radio Edit) Deepest Blue - A great bit of Euro-Pop with a solid vocal and haunting hook.

Galvanize (Album Version) Chemical Brothers feat Q-Tip - As the time changes, I find I need something with a beat, a motivating lyrics to help me get out of bed... this one always fits the bill.

They Don't Care About Us (Album Version) Michael Jackson - I had an experience, recently, where racism reared its ugly head. This song was the only thing that captured the mood, but (somehow) helped me calm down, too.

The Game of Love (Album Version) Santana feat Michelle Branch - As the summer months approach, I'm getting more into fun, summer pop. This tops the list of tracks that make me wanna kick back and drink something with an umbrella in it.

Smooth (Blackwatch Radio Remix) iiO - The song I want to hear after a sun drenched day of drinking. Beautiful vocals, gorgeous Balearic guitar strumming and that soft, swaying beat.

FEBRUARY TUNES

February is the shortest month of the year (only slightly longer, every fourth year), so here's a short list of music I'm into this month, both new and old.

Why Can't This Be Love by Van Halen - Don't ask me why this rockin' classic crept back into my mind (and on to my iPod) this month... I have no idea. But what I do know is that this song rocks, all these years later. One of the incarnations of Van Halen is on the road, touring again after many years and many different lead singers. But if I were going to plunk down money on a ticket, it would be for Kathy Griffin or Aretha Franklin, both of whom just came through town recently.

Joy & Pain by Rob Base feat DJ EZ Rock - Another super-ol'skool, slammin' hit from my days as a teen. While not the floor-filler, rump shaker as his earlier hit, "It Takes Two," Rob Base brings the funk on this one.

Apologize by Timbaland presents OneRepublic - This song came out a while ago, but took some time to creep into my head. I'm not a huge fan of the "drums" on this track, but love the lyrics and the vocal. This track appears on both OneRepublic's album, as well as the mega-hit producing album "Shock Value," Timbaland's first studio album in many years. There's a great playlist on iTunes called, "If You Like One Republic" that I highly recommend for any R&B pop fan.

What Goes Around... Comes Around by Justin Timberlake - Let me go on record and say how much I can't stand Justin Timberlake! Bringing sexy back? You failed, so shave, get a new look and take a damn vacation you over-grown Mousketeer! Having said that, this song found its way onto my playlists, and I'm not hating it.

Hey Baby (Jump Off) by Bow Wow & Omarion - I'm not a huge fan of either of these artists, but this jam rocks the joint, thanks to an ol'skool L.L. Cool J sample.

Shake Your Pom-Pom by Missy Elliott - I'm a huge Miss E fan, so I'm anxiously awaiting her new album. This track is classic, hot Miss E, and (for the moment) can only be heard on the "Step Up 2 The Streets Soundtrack", or on the end of the "Ching-A-Ling" video.

JANUARY MUSIC

I know I haven't posted much, in the way of music this month, so here's a couple of tunes for ya:

Piece of Me (Album Version / Bimbo Jones Remix) Britney Spears - A little slice of synth bitch pop tart to keep you toasty during the cold months. Not her best, but a strong return to here bubble gum pop background, while keeping with her new, trashy image.

(For a more blasphemous version of the single cover, click here.)

Kimme More (iTunes Only) Britney Spears feat Lil' Kim - This remake of Gimme More, featuring Lil' Kim is actually a lot of fun.

Green Light (Freemasons Club Mix) Beyonce - is there any funkier, greater throw down dance combo than Beyonce and the Freemasons? Easily one of the best remix duos of this decade, with one of the greatest artists of this generation... how can you go wrong?

Work (Steve Pitron & Max Sanna Remix) Kelly Rowland - One third of the great girl group, Destiny's Child, is at it again, with a new solo album, Ms. Kelly. This first cut got a great remix from this relatively unknown duo. While it isn't available to the general public yet, you can catch a sneak peek of it on The DJ Cruze Podcast (December 2007), which is available for free on his web site (here), or via iTunes.

I Wasn't Kidding (Album Version / Freemasons Club Mix) Angie Stone - I recently downloaded Angie Stone's greatest hits album, Stone Hits: The Very Best of Angie Stone and was promptly blown away at how funky, soulful and great this album was. This track, in particular, has been rockin' my stereo as of late.

Doomsday (Album Version) Maurry Gold & BBC National Orchestra of Whales - A must-have for any fan of Dr. Who, this is a re-vamped version of Rose's Theme - the one that played on the two-part episode where she "died." Gorgeous, dark, haunting and yet still beautiful and emotionally uplifting, Doomsday is one of those tracks I listen to on rainy, overcast days, and just float away, letting the symphonic waves wash over me.

I MAY HAVE RUSHED TO JUDGEMENT...

I have to admit, I wasn't the biggest Blake Lewis fan during American Idol. Don't get me wrong: I didn't want what's her name to win, either. But there was always something just a little off about his performing... I couldn't ever really express what bothered me about his run on Idol, but I was (as always), underwhelmed,

But now that his CD came out, and I've had a chance to sample the tracks, I have to admit: it is a pretty solid album. Yes, there are some train-wreck moments, and a couple of, what were you thinking? moments, too. And some of the lyrics read more like an entry from an angst-ridden teenager's diary... but overall, it turned out to be a toe-tapper.

It is a little heavy on the "concept" - there is a great deal of artistic framing and structure around what turns out to be a rather generic personal endeavor. Lewis goes out of his way to express himself, with layer upon layer... upon layer of vocal filters, effects and backing vocals. and while the manner in which he delivers his art is unique, he isn't saying anything deep, or original. I'm conflicted about whether this bodes well for his future as an artist, but for now, I'll be indulging in this Audio Daydream.