Showing posts with label Santogold. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Santogold. Show all posts

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Soundtrack Of The Day: "Disparate Youth" - Santigold

Hey kids and kittens, I'm finally back! My computer was giving me fits and I haven't mastered the art of embedding video via my Windows Phone so no new Soundtracks for the past couple of weeks. I had intended a series of music from my favorite black artists for Black History Month but alas February is almost over. Since we should really be celebrating black art and music year round, however, I am still going for it!

First up is a new single from Philly native Santigold. Her debut album Santogold was one of my favorites of 2008 and I am getting excited as new songs arrive to herald the May release of her sophomore solo album Master Of My Make Believe.
Here is "Disparate Youth"

Monday, January 5, 2009

Hot Topics: Santogold, "The Ramen Girl" & The Best Gift Ever?

There are a couple of interesting things I want to share with y'all, but they aren't quite interesting enough to deserve their own post. So just enjoy a smattering of Hot Topics:

Santogold's second Bud Light Lime jingle has been remixed, and it's a pretty sweet mix. Tepr is a Frenchman who has done remixes for Yelle, Kid Sister and The Teenagers, so he's got some decent hipster cred. Now he's added Santogold's "Lights Out" to his oeuvre, (he also remixed "Say Aha" for the Philly-born artist.) The original mix was a smooth surf-rock inspired new wave jam, the Tepr Emo mix features a fuzzed out keyboard tone and a heavy beat drum loop, creating a dance-floor-friendly slow jam. Listen and Download Here. Found via Elbo.ws (via Google Alerts.)

Now to some movie news, is it weird I'm a little interested in this new Brittany Murphy film, The Ramen Girl? After her character moves to Japan to be with her boyfriend, he dumps here. So she decides to become a ramen chef. Sounds exactly like this one time a guy dumped me! Except I wasn't in Japan and I decided to start tanning instead of cooking ramen. Otherwise, story of my life, y'all! Enjoy the trailer:


Found via Pop Candy.


And now for a little personal tidbit. I was going through pictures from this past holiday season, and found someone took a picture of me getting the most ridiculously amazing gift since my iPod. My Aunt Tina knows me so well, she knew I would love this:

Yes, that is a portrait of the always fabulous Madonna! I could not stop laughing, it is a truly ridiculous piece of art. And it is hanging proudly in my home.

These are for sale on the My DaVinci website, I'm kinda eying up the Kelly one, or the Brad Pitt. Mmm, Brad... Seriously, though, they have a Michael Maloney (from Clean House and Extreme Makeover Home Edition) I mean, he seems like a nice guy, but I don't know anyone other than his mom that would want his portrait hanging in their home. So random...

Monday, November 3, 2008

The Best Pop Songs Pop Radio Isn't Playing

Oh, to be a radio programmer in the age of Clear Channel and Cumulus Media! You have to find exactly seven songs to rotate, and BAM you have your job done for the week. It's really easy, since all you have to do is check and see which songs feature Akon, Lil' Wayne and/or T-Pain and then you have one spot left to fill with an American Idol winner or runner up (or Daughtry, in more rock-receptive areas.) Then tell your DJs to intersperse "Where My Girls At?" and "In Da Club" in between those seven songs and you have Harrisburg's Hottest Hits: Hot 92 or Here's What Hot: 99.3 Kiss FM. Yay!

OK, I'm sure it's more difficult than that. I mean, there probably dozens of songs going for adds (yeah, I speak the lingo!) every week and you have to choose which ones you will have your DJs play. Some songs are crap, and those songs get played more. I'm kidding, I'm kidding! I'm trying to be sensitive to the fact that real people are making this music, then choosing to play this music.

But when I turn on the radio, I'd like to be able to choose something in between the somewhat hookless stuff on NPR or XPN and the literally ten songs that get played on the big pop stations. Would it kill them to play "Dangerous" only five times a day, and use the other spots left empty to play "Untouched" by the Veronicas, "With Every Heartbeat" by Robyn, "I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You" by The Black Kids, "L.E.S. Artistes" by Santogold, "Black And Gold" by Sam Sparro, "Into The Nightlife" by Cyndi Lauper, "U Want Me 2" by Sarah McLachlan and "Light On" by David Cook?

OK, so that list may lean to the gay-friendlier side of things, but the fact I could come up with 6 recent singles off the top of my head that I've never heard on the radio, and two that got very limited airplay, is sad. I'm serious, there are literally dozens of really catchy, interesting pop singles like that. I'm not sure I'd still like any of these songs if they played them 12 times a day (no exaggeration) but why do we need to play any song that frequently? It's why so many people prefer blogs to radio to find new music: there is no new music on the radio. Just the same tired track played over and over until I run for cover.

Monday, September 15, 2008

Review: Santogold - "Santogold"

Despite her friendship with M.I.A. and the production by known M.I.A. associates like Diplo and Switch, there aren't that many similarities between Philly-based Santogold's sound and my girl Maya's. Which is just as well, since imitation is both the most sincere form of flattery AND pretty damn lazy.

Lead single (and Bud Light Lime jingle) "Creator" does have a M.I.A. vibe, with bizarre electronic noise and obnoxious vocals (that can only be described as the sound of dolphins being raped )opening the track. But the B-side, "L.E.S. Artistes" is a more subdued affair, which can only be classified as "indie rock" with a stunning bass line and soul-baring chorus. But the majority of Santogold's debut disc share more with Mark Ronson's retro-fetishing neo-soul (the two collaborated on a track for his 2007 album Version) and the B-52's breed of surf rock-inspired, party-friendly new wave. This is most evident on "Say Aha" with it's surf-rock-meets-dub guitars and hefty drum beat. Other standouts include "Lights Out" which features a bass line straight out of a John Hughes film soundtrack and "Anne" with it's conflicted spiritual chorus of "J-J-Jesus Pieces, rescue me, the more I try, the more it gets too complicated" and lo-fi electronic beat. A seriously thrilling debut!

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

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:

Sunday, June 22, 2008

We're Halfway There... (Part Two)

OK, here are the top 15 non-pop-hits of 2008 (so far...) By non-hits, I mean they may have received some airplay, but they don't come close to the mostly top ten hits I blogged about on the last list. And most I never even heard on the radio, I had to learn about these amazing songs via the Internet. Honest to blog!

Paulbo's Top 15 Non-Hits of 2006.5

15. Petra Haden - "An American Crime (End Credits Theme)" (non-charting)
Composer Ari Alan Lazer creates a brilliant "instrumental" piece to cover the end credits of the true crime film An American Crime. The instruments in question are Petra Haden's vocals, all A Capella and layered to create on of the scariest sounding themes I've heard, before breaking into an even creepier piano line. I've never seen the film, but if the music is this terrifying, who knows what the images will do to my brain.

14. Madonna - "Devil Wouldn't Recognize You" (non-charting)
From the opening bars to Timbaland's scattershot beat to the creepy pianos, this modern ballad (ala "Cry Me A River") is as haunting as possible. It wasn't easy to pick just one track off Hard Candy for this list, but besides the single "4 Minutes" this one of the very best.

13. CSS - "Music Is My Hot Hot Sex" (#63, Hot 100 Chart)
The thumping beat, the grinding guitar riff, the provocative lyrics, the obvious iPod commercial. Why this isn't a much bigger hit, I don't know. Besides perfectly describing my life (music is not only my hot, hot sex, it's my boyfriend; my imaginary friend; from all the shit, the one I gotta buy is music) it's just an great dance-rock/art-rock track.

12. Duffy - "Mercy" (#27 Hot 100 Chart)
If the organs and the strange drum track at the beginning of the song aren't enough to convince you that Duffy is part of the revived Northern Soul scene in the British Isles, then the throwback Dusty/Aretha smoky vocals should. Calling Duffy an Amy Winehouse without the crack pipe is overkill, for sure. But while her songs don't have the torrid strength of "Back To Black" between this minor US hit and the gorgeous ballad "Warwick Avenue" there is definite possibilities in the blond Welsh's future.

11. Robyn - "Be Mine! (Ballad Version)" (non-charting mix)
As if the original version of this song, from the brilliant album Robyn, wasn't heartbreaking enough, along comes this piano ballad version from The Rakamonie EP. The torch-fueled lyrics reveal further anguish through the broken vocals of the Swedish sensation. Either version should be on your iPod.

10. Katy Perry - "UR So Gay" (#1 Hot Dance Singles Sales)
In this biting indictment of a emo boyfriend who wears H&M scarves, MySpaces all day and is "so indie-rock it's almost an art" Katy Perry sashays her way into the hearts of fans of Lily Allen's breed of bratty pop. The kicker, while her boyfriend is so gay, he doesn't even like penis!

9. Sam Sparro - "Black & Gold" (non-charting in US, UK #2)
This electro-funk track from gay techno star Sam Sparro deserves some spin on his home turf, not just on Euro charts. The chorus is catchy as hell and a little nonsensical, but the synth beat is where it's at!

8. Santogold - "L.E.S. Artistes" (US B-side, UK #27)
Former A&R rep Santi White is a friend of one of my favorites, M.I.A., and appeared on one of my top 14 albums of last year, Mark Ronson's Version. So little wonder I'm in love with her future/retro-fetishizing album, and the B-side to lead single "Creator" which is also quite good. You can dance to it, sing along to the chorus "I can say I hope it will be worth what I give up" and laugh along with Santi at modern hipsters, those "fast talkers."

7. Doe Deere - "One Touch" (non-charting)
Brooklyn-based disco diva Doe Deere has been burning up the pop blogs, topping Electroqueer's chart for four weeks. Her music sounds like Blondie and Madonna fighting over a Depeche Mode cover band gig, or like every '80s hit ever. Plus, she has a free download of this stunning dance track on her MySpace, click on the link above to get there. Free music that's good? I'm so there...
6. Robyn feat. Kleerup - "With Every Heartbeat" (UK #1, Hot Singles Sales, #4)
It never fails to make my hair stand on end, this gorgeous techno ballad; emo-tronic if you will. The strings swirl around Robyn's voice and the beat underscores the sadness of the lyrics. When the string quartet gives way to the keyboard tones and Robyn bursts forth with "And it hurts with every heartbeat..." on the bridge I just want to cry. Seriously, I know I say this every week or so, you NEED to buy the Robyn album. It's finally available in all the record shops here in the states, not just as an import.

5. Estelle feat. Kanye West - "American Boy" (#35)
It's weird, but Estelle sounds like what Corrine Bailey Rae would sound like as a hip-hop artist. The electric guitar is used more as beat than melody, which is intriguing, and the line "Don't like his baggy jeans/but I'ma like what's underneath 'em" makes me chuckle. Sure Estelle, I'll be your American boy...

4. Amy Winehouse - "F*** Me Pumps" (UK #65, US non-charting)
From the US release of Amy's 2003 UK debut, Frank, comes this sassy R&B track about gold-digging hos who "walk in the bar/dressed like a star/rockin' those F-me pumps" but never find love. While her debut doesn't have the same number of insanely well-written songs on it as Back to Black this song ranks as high as "Rehab" in attitude and hooks.

3. Kerli - "Love Is Dead" (non-charting)
Kerli is from Estonia, which I understand is not as mud-and-swine filled as Dilbert would have us believe. Her stunning video for "Love Is Dead" is what first drew me to her, in it she ages backwards from an ancient crone to a young blond with lebre and tongue piercings. But the song, oh the song! Kerli's emotional meditation on the end if a relationship melds so perfectly with the huge drum loop and strings before bursting into the chorus of "Love is dead/love is gone/love don't live here anymore" sung by a creepy chorus. It sounds like she should be soundtracking Tim Burton films, which is a total compliment. The Kerli EP is available now on iTunes.

2. Goldfrapp - "A&E" (Hot Dance Singles Sales #1)
Wikipedia describes this as a folk-tronica song, and that fits as well any description. It's techno, but much more organic sounding. But the lyrics are what have me hooked. Intensely descriptive of a trip to the Accident & Emergency ward (hence the title) after a post breakup suicide attempt. At least that's what I get out of "I'm in a backless gown/on a pastel ward that's shining/think I want you still/but there may be pills at work"

1. Snoop Dogg feat. Robyn - "Sexual Eruption (Fyre Department Remix)" (non-charting mix)
All the best parts of the original are here: the absolutely filthy lyrics, Snoop's vocoded singing, the rap. But add in a new chorus by Robyn (making her third entry on my chart, cause she rocks so fucking hard!) plus a greatly improved beat (dropping the flutes, adding the funk guitars) and you have the best remix of the year. "Sexual eruption/cuddle up little pup/sexual eruption/mama's gonna sex you up" is so hard core, and miles ahead of Lil' Kim's remix.

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Happy! (and I know it...)

It's not hard to make me happy most of the time. Even when I'm having a blue day, the little things in life can bring a smile to my lips, even if it's just for one moment. Here are a few things that made me grin like a schoolboy in the past week:

David Cook in his underwear. OK, it's not *just* underwear, but his Guitar Hero ad makes me want a hot dog real bad...

Katy Perry - "I Kissed A Girl" A slice of new wave heaven, plus a banger chorus to die for. Other hot shit of the musical variety: Santogold- "L.E.S. Artists", David Cook - "Always Be My Baby", Madonna feat Kanye West - "Beat Goes On" Fame is drug, you wanna hit that?

New underwear! I know, TMI, but these new Fruit Of The Looms briefs with navy stripes are super comfey and make my ass look good. Plus, they were on sale at the Target. Killer!

New Sheetz opening. Now I can get a chicken parmy sub and a Fresca at two in morning. My diet has never been more fucked up.

Artsfest 2008. Cool art, funnel cakes and couple of bits of guycandy. Yummo!

So You Think you Can Dance. I never watched more than one or two episodes before, but I planned on getting hooked on it now that I don't have Idol or Betty. But this shit is so hot, I would be hooked even if I had seventeen other shows on at the same timeslot.

Robert Muraine, I will have your babies. David Cook has right of first refusal, but since he is dating that ho Kimberly Caldwell, I think I'm all your, flexible guy.