Old Product: The Christian Rock From My Youth

When I was but a wee lad, my parents only allowed Christian music in our home. Thing is, this was right about the time Christian Rock really blew up, with a far more diverse sound and some amazing songwriters, players and singers. It wasn't all Amy Grant and Bill Gaither anymore. You may have noticed that my New Top Twenty included three Christian songs, four if you count Kanye's "Jesus Walks." I was going through some of my old CDs to put on my iPod and found so many amazing songs I forgot about. Here are a few of the insanely good stuff that come out when I was young!

Chasing Furies - "Thicker" This non-hit by a sibling band that only made one album together proves that sometimes a stunning piano opening that bursts into a heavy guitar, intelligent lyrics sung by a chick with a Monroe piercing and one of the most interesting videos in Christian Rock is not enough. This song is one of the best rock songs on the 1990s, and it needs to be heard. Plus, lead singer Sarah Meeker loves CS Lewis's Til We Have Faces, which is like an extra 3 points in my book.

The Benjamin Gate - "All Over Me" OK, so Adrienne had pink hair, just like Gwen Stefani,
but this South African band was not No Doubt-lite. This esoteric rocker was one of my favorite songs in 2001 with bleeding guitar lines and a sing-along chorus.

Jennifer Knapp - "Undo Me", "Whole Again", "Romans" With this little string of hits, a new singer-songwriter star was born. The crunchy guitars, introspective lyrics and a spot on the Lilith Fair tour made Jennifer a favorite of mine. "Whole Again" is probably the best of these, but I've never heard a bad song from J.Knapp, including "Martyrs & Thieves" and "A Little More"

God's Property feat Kirk Franklin & Salt - "Stomp" OK, it wasn't all introspective guitar-pop in my teens, I got off on the dancable stuff like this gospel choir lead by the King of Modern Gospel, Brother Franklin himself. Add in a guest rap by Salt N Pepa's Salt and you've got a bonified club banger. "oh yeah, we havin' church, we ain't goin' nowhere!"

Switchfoot - "New Way to be Human" Despite their surf-inspired name, Switchfoot were not doofus surfer dudes. The band often based songs on philosophical ideas, including this one. The idea is that following Jesus is not to deny one's humanity as much as to fulfill it. This was continued in their pop hit "Meant To Live."

Stacie Orrico - "Dear Friend" Stacie may have found fame with bubblegum hits on her second record, but I have a soft spot for this tender ballad from her debut. Stacie wrote a painful, glorious song for a friend who was suffering from an eating disorder, when she was only 13 years old.

Jars Of Clay - "Flood", "Worlds Apart", "He" As much as I love the grungy MTV hit "Flood" it's the quieter Jars Of Clay songs that kill me. "Worlds Apart" with it's line "soaring on the wings of selfish pride/flew too high/and like Icarus I collide" and the call and response with M'ancy Alan Kane was a real mind blower, but "He" with it's first person tale of an abused child makes my hairs stand on end every time. And including it on their Christmas EP? Genius or creepy, who knows.

Rebecca St James - "Lean On" From the techno-fried RSJ album Transform comes this Earthsuit collab that sounds like the computers took over and we are all gonna dance anyway.

Switchfoot vs Grits - "You Already Take Me There/Tennesse Bwoys" This was the first mash-up I ever became obsessed with, a layering of the rock sound of Switchfoot under the dirty south rap of Grits created one of my top five favorite mash-ups of all time. It took me forever to find a link for ya, but an obsessed Switchfoot fan has it on his blog.

The Snoods LIVE @ Starbucks, July 26, 2008

I finally made it to an entire appearance by The Snoods last night. Every time I've seen them I either had to leave early, or got there late. But my friend Beth and I made it to Starbucks for their acoustic set early, and stay the whole way through, yay!

You may recall I reviewed the debut CD by The Snoods in April, and I've been a fan of the band for a while now. Here's my problem: on disc, they rock. The songs are hooky, the playing is tight and while the vocals are a little weak, they are quite serviceable. I really do love the album!

But live? They really could work on stage presence. I was easily distracted, and could barely hear the vocals or the weak attempts at patter between songs. I don't get a youthful energy from them, which I would expect from guys still in high school. Maybe I'm expecting too much from a group of teenage boys, I just hoped for more. Maybe the regular, non-acoustic sets are better? I'm really hoping to check out one of those sets soon. I still love the songs, so all is not lost.

The Snoods is available via iTunes and other download sites now.

My Top Twenty: "Chasing Cars" - Snow Patrol

Song: "Chasing Cars"

Artist: "Snow Patrol

Album: Eyes Open

Year: 2006

Label: Interscope

Highest Billboard Hot 100 Chart Position: #5

Players: Gary Lightbody - singer, lyricist, guitarist; Johnny Quinn - percussion, songwriter; Nathan Connelly - guitarist, songwriter; Paul Wilson - bassist, songwriter; Tom Simpson - keyboards, songwriter; Jacknife Lee - producer

Snow Patrol was formed almost fifteen years ago as Shrug, but didn't have a breakthrough hit until 2003's "Run" from their third album Final Straw. It was not a smash here in the US, but I really enjoyed it. Not enough to buy the album or anything, but it's symphonic rock quality was something I really zoned in on. The Northern Irish band then replaced the bassist/keyboardist and started work on the follow up, Eyes Open. After releasing a minor Modern Rock hit with "Hands Open" the stunning ballad "Chasing Cars" was featured on One Tree Hill and Grey's Anatomy and proceeded to blow up.

I had seen the original UK "Chasing Cars" music video right after VH1 first started playing it, I'm not sure if it was before or after the TV appearances. I was immediately interested in the song, like I was with "Run" as the two songs shared a similar symphonic rock sound. I heard it a few times on radio after that, and by then I was hooked. Even after the crazy success of the song, I'm still not sick of it. Lightbody said on the band's MySpace that it was "the most pure and open love song I've written" and I really agree. Besides the iconic opening bars, the sweeping chorus and the impassioned vocals (oh, and Gary's hotness!) "Chasing Cars" is above all an intimate love song that draws you in. In my mind, it is one of the most perfect expressions of love, that someone would want to "lay with me and just forget the world." So, who wants to join me and "waste time, chasing cars around our heads?"

Thank Pineapple! "Paper Planes" Lands on Hot 100

Maybe it's a slow news day, or maybe I'm just obsessed with M.I.A. to an unhealthy degree, but I was very excited to read this on Billboard's website: "M.I.A.'s "Paper Planes" arrives at No. 55 after selling more than 42,000 downloads. The song is used in the trailer for the upcoming film "Pineapple Express." Its parent album, "Kala," returns to The Billboard 200 at No. 182 for the first time since May."

You may recall, "Paper Planes" was my number 2 song of last year, and Paper Planes (Homeland Security Remixes) - EP has been in heavy rotation on my iPod all this year, too. If you haven't yet, you really should check out the song, I've posted the video as well as the Pineapple Express trailer below. I'm not much for stoner comedies, but I may have to see it just for the very fact my Sri Lanken homegirl M.I.A. is in the trailer. I know, I have no life. But seriously, M.I.A. pwns you.

Gossip Girl's Ads = Genius!

For the second time this year, the advertisements for The CW's series Gossip Girl are making headlines. No, not the show itself, it gets plenty of print for it's soapy goings-on, but the ads themselves. In April, tongues were wagging over the print ads that featured two characters in a heated make-out session with the letters "OMG" or "OMFG" (text slang for Oh My God and Oh My F***ing God) above them. Now, the provocative series is doing it again, taking unflattering reviews from the Parents Television Council and various magazines and using the quotes to highlight the scandalous nature of the program. From "Mind-blowingly inappropriate" to "Every parent's worst nightmare" the reviews were not meant to encourage viewing, but with just those lines highlighted, people with be watching. In fact the PTC says the campaign "reeks of desperation" but I think it's clever, edgy and sexy. Both the spring ads and the current advertisements are genius, as graphic and iconic as the movie posters for West Side Story or Breakfast At Tiffany's, only perhaps less classy. Deliciously naughty, or downright wrong? That's up to you... Read more at TV Guide's website.

New Video - "Blake Lewis Is Shitting In My Bathroom"

I'd heard rumblings of this comedy sketch on Blake's MySpace, but now that's it's finally here, I'm less than amused. The biggest chuckle comes from the title, the actual sketch involves stiff acting, random "funny" gags that make no sense in the context of the story and a bizarre gay couple that are merely introduced as Gay Man and Other Gay Man. Really stupid, but you can watch:

Funny Videos Funny Cartoons More Video Clips

My Top Twenty: "Winner Takes It All" - ABBA

Song: "The Winner Takes It All"
Artist: ABBA
Album: Super Trouper (also on ABBA Gold)
Year: 1980
Label: Polar Music
Highest Billboard Hot 100 Position: #8
Players: Agnetha Fältskog - lead vocals; Anni-Frid Lyngstad - background vocals; Björn Ulvaeus - songwriter, producer; Benny Andersson - songwriter, producer


Everyone knows who ABBA is, right? Swedish pop-masters Benny and Bjorn created perfect melodies and catchy hooks to be sung by pitch-perfect vocalists Agnetha and Anni-Frid to create little slices of disco-dusted pop magic. Despite having only four US top ten hits (including "The Winner Takes It All") ABBA has come to symbolize pop music at its peak, beloved in Europe and around the world for their unabashed mastery of the sing-along hook. From their biggest smash, "Dancing Queen" to the lesser known, but equally catchy, minor singles like "Does Your Mother Know" you can find all the hits on the stunning singles collection ABBA Gold, the band's biggest album in the US.

When the group disbanded in 1982, interest never waned much. The male members wrote the musical Chess with Tim Rice in 1983, Erasure recorded a cover EP called ABBAesque in the late 1980s, films like Murial's Wedding and The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert used the songs as plot points and the Broadway sensation Mamma Mia! used 25 of the bands hits. Two ABBA cover bands have had great success, Björn Again in the late 1980s and A*Teens during the teen pop craze at the turn of the millennium.

I was first introduced to the pop goodness of ABBA when my sisters and I were given a box of 45 singles that had belonged to my dad and his siblings as kids. I was probably 13 or 14 at the time, and I was entranced by the bubblegummy pop sounds of The Archies and the disco singles by Donna Summer, Chic and ABBA. It was "Dancing Queen" and the b-side "That's Me" and "Fernando" whose b-side I can't recall, and I was hooked. When I was 21 I bought ABBA Gold and was terrified everyone would think I was really gay for liking them. Little did I know, there is a lot more to being gay besides loving a Swedish pop outfit. It was then I discovered "The Winner Takes It All" a tender breakup ballad that uses classical themes for the lyrics. "The gods may throw a dice/their minds as cold as ice" has a Shakespearean quality, the heartbreak so evident in "Somewhere deep inside/you must know I miss you/but what can I say/rules must be obeyed" And why shouldn't it ring so true? The song was written during the divorce of Agnatha and Björn, and when at the end Agnatha cries out "No self confidence/but you see/the winner takes it all" it just hits you right in the gut. And while Mamma Mia!'s Donna manages a happy ending after performing this song, it's only right that Brits should vote this heartrending classic as Britain's Favorite Breakup Song.

Love in an Elevator?

OK, Popcandy Reader Of The Day Robin M. mentioned this website as one of her favorites, and I've just wasted way too much time on it. It's a blog called Passive Aggressive Notes, and it's full of real notes left by people who are angry, just not angry enough to get into any confrontation. I've left one or two passive/aggressive notes in my day, in my day, but none as funny as this one:

Rihanna's Creepy New Video - "Disturbia"

I'm not even sure how many times I can watch this new David LaChapelle-directed clip for Rihanna's euro-pop influenced single "Disturbia." The bondage-themed video is too reminiscent of the ads for the Saw and Hostel movies, which make me nauseous. But I love this new techno-meets-hip-hop sound that Chris Brown (this track's co-writer), Rihanna and Ne-yo are bringing to the radio. Watch:

My Top Twenty: "Black Is The Color Of My True Loves Hair" - Nina Simone

Song: "Black Is The Color Of My True Loves Hair"
Artist: Nina Simone
Album: Nina Simone At Town Hall (also on Wild Is The Wind and Black Gold, remixed on Verve Remixed 2)
Year: 1959
Label: Colpix Records
Players: Nina Simone - vocals, piano; Jack Gold - producer; Bob Blake - producer


Nina Simone is a fabulous artist, who was a favorite of Bridget Fonda's character in Point Of No Return. Her husky vocals, beautiful piano work and classical training helped her create a high-art sound that combined the best of jazz, blues, gospel, folk and classical music. Her take on "I Loves You Porgy" ranks as one of the best versions of that Gershwin-penned classic, in my opinion. She is probably best known to the casual listener for her cover of Screamin' Jay Hawkins' "I Put A Spell on You" or the use of "My Baby Just Cares For Me" in a 1987 Chanel No. 5 commercial. But Nina Simone also wrote her own material, often controversial race-themed songs like "Four Women" "Mississippi Goddam" and "To Be Young, Gifted And Black," later covered by the Queen herself, Aretha Franklin.

"Black Is The Color Of My True Loves Hair" was the first Nina Simone song I ever heard. It was on a Starbucks compilation called Something To Believe In, which featured classic tracks by African-American artists like Erma Franklin, Marvin Gaye and Dionne Warwick and a liner note full of paintings by other black artists. I picked it up at a Salvation Army Thrift Store for a buck or two about five years ago. In my ignorance, I usually skipped over Nina's track, since I'd never heard of it before. Eventually, I let it play and fell in love with the dramatic contrast between the gentle piano and the throaty vocals singing an Appalachian folk song on the version from Wild Is The Wind. It's strange, a song about a Scottish lass can sound so perfect coming out of a black woman's mouth. But that was Nina Simone's gift, she inhabited her songs so brilliantly. To this day, no matter how many variations of "Black Is The Colour Of My True Love's Hair" come around, it will be Nina's that will stay rooted in my heart. "Ooh, I love my lover, how well he knows/I love the ground on where he goes"

Five Songs On Shuffle, Volume 20

This is the nineteenth installments of my weekly blog entry series "5 Songs On Shuffle." I’ll put my iTunes on shuffle and blog about the first five songs that play.

"Boys (Co-ed Remix)" - Britney Spears feat. Pharrell Williams Greatest Hits: My Perogitive
"Boys/Sometimes a girl just needs one" Brit-Brit coos over a hot Neptunes beat (the same one as ex-boyfriend Justin Timberlake's "Senorita") before her love for a certain ghetto fabulous one took her over the edge into insanity. Remember when Britney was the pop princess with perfectly sexy/sweet hooks? Yeah, we like that one better.

"Crazy on You" - Heart The Essential Heart
The acoustic guitar intro that leads up to Ann Wilson going crazy on you is sleek Cali rock at it's finest. But once Ann hits the chorus, you know she done went and sang it! Not as intense as "Alone" or insane as "Barracuda" but there is nothing wrong with any Heart track, in my opinion.

"Walk Away" - Kelly Clarkson Breakaway
From the burned copy my sister gave me, on which she wrote "Kelly Clarkson - Break Way" comes the song with the best video from that modern classic pop album. We've all done it, rocked out to some Kelly in the car, while at work or in the public restroom. Kelly, I don't think I can walk away.

"Lovestoned/I Think She Know" - Justin Timberlake Future Sex/Love Sounds
The last two and a half minutes or so of this track, the "I Think She Knows Interlude" is a perfect pop song in and of itself. The soft falsetto of Justin's voice riding on a swirl of strings, beat and guitar strumming is perfect. I could listen to just that part all day.

"Sexual Eruption (Fyre Department Remix)" - Snoop Dogg feat. Robyn Sexual Eruption [Fyre Department Remix] - Single
The hottest remix this year, hands down. The beat is not self-conciously retro anymore, Robyn brings her Scadinavian cool to a new naughty chorus, and a perfect dirty-pop track is born.

My Top 20: Plumb - "Unforgivable"

Song: "Unforgivable"
Artist: Plumb
Album: Plumb
Year: 1997
Label: Essential Records
Players:

Tiffany Arbuckle - Vocals, Songwriter; Stephen Leiweke - Guitar; J.J. Plasencio - Bass; Joe Porter - Drums; Matt Stanfield - Keyboards; Matt Brownleewe - Songwriter, Producer; Dan Haseltine - Producer

Produced by Jars Of Clay's Dan Haseltine, Plumb's self-titled debut burst onto the Christian rock scene in 1997. Rock singles like "Crazy" and "Unforgivable" were meant to provide a gospel equivalent to Garbage, only the band also flirted with more experimental sounds than the CCM market was used to. Thanks to the faux-Alanis sounds of Rebecca St. James's God the year before, gospel radio was ready for a edgier female voice, after years of the more Adult Contemprary sounds of Amy Grant and Twila Paris.

It was the video for "Unforgivable" that first turned me on the exciting world of Plumb. It was at the end of the WoW 1998 video compilation of Christian music videos, along with other up-and-coming artists like Smalltown Poets and Miss Angie. The strangeness of the video, with it's jars of water and small rubbery discs with words printed on them intrigued my 14-year-old self. The lyrics were some of the most powerful I'd heard as a youngster, "Never told that I am pretty/never told that I am kind... Ashamed and alone/from all that's been done to me/It's not my fault I remind myself" and the brutal chorus of "You say food will be on the table/and birds in the sky... I'm hungry/So hungry/And it's cloudy outside" had the singer questioning God, something I didn't even know was allowed. Perhaps it's only colored by my personal perspective, but this song always felt it came from a place of sexual or emotional abuse. At the ago of 14, I had uncovered a new love. Between Plumb and God I was hooked on chick-rock, an obsession that continues today.

After the success of this album and the Dove-winning follow-up candycoatedwaterdroplets, Plumb (the band) became Plumb (the solo artist) and released The Best of Plumb to fulfill her Essential contract. Jumping to Nashville-based label Curb, Plumb released three more albums, including last year's Blink. That album of lullabies produced her club hit, a remix of "In My Arms" which was number one single on the Billboard Dance Charts. But in my mind, "Unforgivable" is the greatest song Plumb has ever recorded.

The Cheerleader From Heroes Pulls A Paris Hilton

Hayden Panettiere is best known for her role on NBC's superhero drama Heroes or from her child-actress days in films like Remember The Titans and soap opera The Guiding Light. Shi is cute as a button, and pretty socially active, even getting a warrant for interfering with unsavory dolphin hunting in Japan. But that is not enough for the Candie's spokesgirl, she wants to be a pop star, too! Her first single "Wake Up Call" is not a Maroon 5 cover, it's a reggae flavored summer pop jam that sounds way too much like Paris Hilton's minor hit "Stars Are Blind." The lyrics are equally silly: her man is ignoring her, so she claims "I think I'll have to cheat/to keep your eyes on me." I really dislike the song, and in this rough-cut video, she's gone past cute/hot into slutty. Sad.

I Think I [Heart] Mormon Boys!

OK, so I was just about ready for bed and checking a couple of blogs when I found out my favorite sexy Mormons were under attack! Apparently the Church Of Latter Day Saints does not approve of the hot and steamy "Men On A Mission" calendar series. It's not that risque, really just twelve buff Missionaries missing shirts. Nothing to get steamed about, it's good for the PR! I might even consider switching denominations for a guy like this:

Five Songs On Shuffle, Volume 19

This is the nineteenth installments of my weekly blog entry series "5 Songs On Shuffle." I’ll put my iTunes on shuffle and blog about the first five songs that play.

"Just Friends" - Amy Winehouse Back To Black
This ska flavored throwback track from Amy's otherwise brilliant Back to Black album is one of the weaker songs on the disc. But it's still got a good sound and the usual confessional lyrics.

"Break Anotha" - Blake Lewis Audio Day Dream
My future boyfriend and American Idol runner up Blake Lewis didn't actually want to record this song, the first single from his debut album. It doesn't fit well in with rest of the album, this track is a funky, brassy Maroon 5 rip off and the other songs are mostly airy electro-pop. Still a great white funk track.

"La Tortura" - Shakira feat Alejandro Sanz Fijacion Oral Vol 1
Just because it's not in English doesn't mean Americans ignored this hot Latin dance track. Perfect hipshaking music, even if I have no idea what the lyrics mean.

"Night Owl" - Carly Simon The Best Of Carly Simon
My theme song! OK, not really, but whenever I hear it I think back to the days when I used to stay up 'til the wee hours of the morning. Beyond that, it's kind of a silly song.

"No Pause" - Girl Talk Feed The Animals
This is actually one of my favorite tracks from the mash-up master's latest, starting with Missy Elliot's "Work It" layered over Nu Shooz "I Can't Wait" and ending with Eminiem's rap from "Shake That" over Yael Naim's gentle piano from the Mac Air ad.

If I Had A Million Dollars...

...I would buy all the fiercest stuff! Here my fall fashion wish list:

This seriously hot hooded sweater vest from Express For Him.

Another Express look: screen printed canvas jacket with hood.

One more from Express, an argyle hooded sweater.

Jeans I own in spades, but red jeans? I'm in lust! From Levi in Chili.

And the CDs I'm in desparate need of:

Katy Perry - One Of The Boys

Jay Brannan - Goddamned

Kerli - Love Is Dead

Kathy Griffin - For Your Consideration

So yeah, if you just have some spare cash laying around, maybe think of me in my time of need/non-credit-card-holding. LOL

Jesus Loves This Guy!

A few weeks ago I was at the Salvation Army Store, which is a place I love to shop. I don't always have the best luck in finding clothes there that my three essential categories: stylish, fit well and in good shape. But that doesn't stop me from checking it out. This time I stumbled across a green T-shirt by Local Celebrity, which you can find in the mall stores for like $20, for just $2.99. The color of my shirt is a bit brighter green, but it's the same screen-printed design as the one at left. I wore it to Aunt Tina's house the next Saturday for her Independence Day picnic and the Linglestown fireworks. My cousin's fierce girlfriend Shannan popped in to watch the fireworks, she was among the many to comment on my hot new sartorial acquisition. Her comment though, though I know was in jest, was thought provoking: "But I thought Jesus hated gays?"

Does Jesus hate gays? Certain churches certainly have made headlines by asserting that claim, and I'm not convinced that many Christians don't believe it, too. I was never convinced that it was true, though. "God is Love" it says in the first Book Of John. Even if gay sex is a sin, even if that act of being romantically interested a member of the same sex is a sin, that doesn't stop God from loving me. It had taken me a long time to feel comfortable with accepting the dual personalities that, at first blush, appear to battle within me. Was I a Christian, and a gay man? Is such a thing possible?

It wasn't until I read a book called The Unauthorized Guide To Sex And The Church that I realized that it was both possible and is what I am. In the book, author Carmen Renee Berry explores all sides of the issues surrounding sex; hetero, homo, rape, abortion and a host of other issues that Christian struggle with. In her chapter on "Same-Sex Sex" she goes over the differing opinions on what the verses of the Bible mean in relation to homosexuality. In addition to the traditional interpretations of biblical passages, a more in depth look reveals the original intent. These opinions were ones never offered to me in my churches growing up. For example, the sin of Sodom is not homosexuality, it's rape and inhospitality. The verses from Leviticus prohibiting laying down "with a man as you would a woman" come from the same pre-Christian laws that don't allow mixed fabrics and shellfish. The "list of wickedness" from 1 Corinthians that include homosexual activities could not refer to monogamous committed relationships, because such a thing didn't exist in ancient time, so a word for them doesn't even exist in Greek. I know, you may think I'm bending scripture to justify myself, but if you just look at it with fresh eyes; not eyes clouded by years of being told what is right and what isn't based on prejudiced readings; you may find it, too.

Anyway, finally understanding that I am, as Degarmo & Key once sang, accepted by the one that matters most, I was in search of a church who would accept me the same way. I talked to my therapist, she recommended a church that is also mention the Unauthorized Guide, the Metropolitan Christian Church of the Spirit. Which is why Shannan's comment was as timely as it was thought provoking, I had decided to attend Sunday morning services the next day, for the first time in probably four or five years. It was a small crowd, since many were on camping trips and vacations for the holiday weekend. But the pastor welcomed me very warmly, she also asked a couple of those attending to introduce me to others as they came in. I don't remember any one's names, but that didn't matter. The worship was lively, the sermon was totally Bible-based, none of this new agey pop-psychology sermonizing that one might expect from a modern denomination. I didn't take communion, I wasn't sure I had really gotten myself right with God in my heart, even though I had convinced my head. I went again this morning, and really feel like I found a church that really meets me where I am. I'm really excited to finally water the plant in my soul that I had allowed to wither during my years of soul-searching. Perhaps I'm finally home?

Earworms Du Jour Vol 3

Did you ever notice how songs get stuck in your head and won't leave? Those are called earworms, and every once and a while I will share the ones that are stuck in my head, so they can be stuck in your head too, and then we can both be miserable. 'k?

First is a new emo song by the Spill Canvas. Called "All Over You" it's an absolute bitch to get stuck in your head. Cause it just takes you back to your last unrequited crush, and crushes the happy place you were in as it runs in your brain "I want to taste you one more time again/I'm all over you/I'm not over you... I just want you to love me back/Why can't you just love me back?" Damn you Spill Canvas! With your dorky hot lead singer and emo lyrics and catchy chorus...


Second is an schmaltzy eighties pop hit, "Lost In Your Eyes" by Debbie Gibson. I haven't heard the damn thing in a long time, but just the line "I get lost... In your eyes..." is playing in a constant loop in my brain all night. Go back to Broadway, Deborah!

New Converse Ad/Music Video: "My Drive Thru"

I'm not hugest fan of the Pharrell/Santogold/Julian Casablancas (of The Strokes) collab for Converse 100th anniversary celebration. I like it in parts, but that roller rink organ and guitar on loop gets old really quickly. But my new future beard Santogold is feircing up the joint, and the new video is kind of cool. I like the flipbook style cutouts and the amazing jacket Santi is wearing. And amazing jackets are where it's at, people! Judge for yourself and watch:

"The World Should Revolve Around Me" Is My Summer Jam '08

"Legend Of A Cowgirl" singer Imani Coppola is back as half of retro-fetishizing pop duo Little Jackie, and the first single from The Stoop is a poppy soul joint called "The World Should Revolve Around Me." It's a perfect summer jam, breezy and bouncy, but at it's heart it's a breakup song. But she isn't letting her breakup get her down, after all she's "got talent and I got tits" plus "I don't need you around, cause I know I rock." Indeed, Little Jackie, you do rock.

Introducing... My Top Twenty Favorite Songs Of All Time

I joined MySpace.com over a year ago, and started blogging on the networking site a short while later. I think the second post I ever made was a link to a new Kelly Clarkson song, I was hooked on spreading the word about hot new pop music.

In May 2007 a post about "Only You" by The Platters started a series of posts about my Top Ten Favorite Songs Of All Time, and it took me a good long while to get through them all. I posted about both the personal story behind my love of the song and the historical significance of the songs, some posts were longer than others, but in Febuary 2008 I completed the series, ending with Amy Grant's "Lead Me On." For a while now, I had been considering a new series, with ten more songs to take the list to a Top Twenty. Since my original top ten was a MySpace exclusive, you won't find the posts on Pictures & Conversations. Until now! Here are the links to my original Top Ten Songs Of All Time:
"Only You" - The Platters
"Jolene" - Dolly Parton
"How Soon Is Now?" - The Smiths
"Lead Me On" -Amy Grant
"Like A Prayer" - Madonna
"Hurt" - Johnny Cash
"You Are There" - Ashley Cleveland
"Jesus Walks" - Kanye West
"Because Of You" - Kelly Clarkson
"We Belong Together" - Mariah Carey

Now, I'm ready to unveil the ten songs that round out My Top Twenty Favorite Songs Of All Time:
"Unforgivable" - Plumb
"Unwell" - Matchbox 20
"Stay (I Missed You)" - Lisa Loeb & Nine Stories
"Strange Fruit" - Billie Holiday
"Black (Is The Color Of My True Love's Hair)" - Nina Simone
"Paint It Black" - The Rolling Stones
"The Winner Takes It All" - ABBA
"Chasing Cars" - Snow Patrol
"Time After Time" - Cyndi Lauper
"Samson" - Regina Spektor

I will get to posting about these delicious records as soon as I can. This time around, look for pictures, links to music videos, as well as the same personal reasons for loving these songs.

Five Songs On Shuffle, Vol. 18

This is the eighteenth installments of my weekly blog entry series "5 Songs On Shuffle." I’ll put my iTunes on shuffle and blog about the first five songs that play.

"No One" - Alicia Keys No One - Single
I love this song so much, it was on my top songs list for last year. The strange synths, the piano line, the impassioned vocals all combined to create an intense pop record that sounds like nothing else on the radio.

"Super Trouper" - ABBA ABBA Gold
As you may recall, I saw Mamma Mia the other week, and was very pleased. Donna, the mother character sings this song with her two best friends and former band mates as a "reunion" of Donna & The Dynamos for the daughter bachelorette party. The song is just a fun pop song, and the super trouper referred to in the lyrics a type of lighting, not a law officer.

"We Are Broken" - Paramore Riot!
This power ballad from pop-punk grrl band Paramore is a very nice song, but almost forgettable. I enjoyed hearing it pop up on random, but don't really remember hearing it. It happens, they can't all be "Misery Business"

"Hurt" - Johnny Cash The Legend Of Johnny Cash
This is one of my favorite songs of all time, which I blogged about last December. It's so moving, almost painfully so, a man coming to terms with his mortality; and the loss of a loved one, of himself. The piano rises as the end, and it kills me. Hard to believe The Man In Black didn't even write it.

"Ur So Gay (Remix)" - Katy Perry Ur So Gay EP
In this hard techno remix of the sassy single from of-the-moment popster Katy Perry, the first three minutes consists of just the line "Ur so gay... boy" repeated over and over an obnoxious beat. You don't even get to the snark-tastic lines that make the original so fun, just the chorus. And the beat isn't the best to dance to! SKIP!

New Natasha Bedingfield vs Chicane Video - "Bruised Water"

In an unusual turn of events, an official video and single for a mash-up has been released. Natasha Bedingfield's UK single "I Bruise Easily" is mashed with British trance artist Chicane's "Saltwater," a club hit it's own right, to create a new club single, "Bruised Water." The result is a trance mix of epic proportions that shows Bedingfield's marked trend towards a club-friendly sound, a continuation of the chill sound that backed her last single "Pocketful Of Sunshine." It's a gorgeous trance song, I am in love with it.

The video does not feature either artist, in it man carries a woman through the streets of a city, looking for water to pour on her hair, face and body as he goes. He finally make sit to a large pool, and then comes the "twist" ending.

Southern Style!

You may not know this about me, but I love fried chicken with a passion usually reserved for one's spouse or child. Recently a Chik-Fil-A opened right next to bank I go to for work, which is a really bad thing.

I tried their signature southern style chicken sandwich, a golden-fried chicken breast on a soft white roll with dill pickles(you can get a wheat roll for .20 more) It is so delicious! The chicken is moist and the breading is perfectly seasoned, with a hint of pepper and herbs. The pickles add just a hit of acidicity.

Soon after, McDonald's came out with their own Southern Style Chicken Sandwich. The McDonalds version also comes with pickles and is on a "buttery" roll. The roll is a little greasy looking, but doesn't actually feel that way. But the breading feels thick, compared to the Chik-Fil-A one, and the seasoning isn't as delightful. But I'm still loving it, just not as much.

As if that wasn't enough southern hospitality, Arby's entered the fray with their own Southern Chicken Sandwich. This one also came with pickles, as well as mayo. I skipped the mayo, and it' still wasn't as good as either of the other southern chickens. Smaller piece of chicken, for starters, and the flavor of the pickels over powered the chicken big time. I do not recommend, if fact I don't even see them on the Arby's website anymore, they may be gone.

In closing, if you have a Chik-Fil-A nearby, check them out. Tasty! Otherwise, the McDonald's one is a close second.

The New J.Hud Video "Spotlight" Is Feirce!

Ooh, my Oscar-winning girl Jennifer Hudson is looking fierce as fuck, y'all, in her new video for the single "Spotlight" co-written by R&B whiz Ne-Yo. Check out that hair, that lipstick, the girls at full attention in that dress at the end. Mmhmm, you know you wants somadat. Plus, the song, produced by super-producers Stargate (Rihanna, Beyonce, Jordin Sparks), is catchy as hell and definitely needs to be a hit. Watch:

Amanda Seyfried (and the cast of Mamma Mia) Want A Man After Midnight.

I finally saw the Broadway sensation Mamma Mia on the stage a few weeks ago and for a ABBA freak like me it was an awesome experience. I'm also super thrilled for the film version, it's got Meryl Streep, Peirce Brosnan and Colin Firth in it. A music video for the song "Gimme, Gimme, Gimme (A Man After Midnight)" just leaked onto YouTube. As a music video it's not much to write home about, but Amanda Seyfried does a good job singing, plus there are clips from the film. Watch: