Month: May 2007 (Page 4 of 8)

Video Vault: Tracey Ullman, “Breakaway”

May 20, 2007 / David Medsker

I really wanted to include the actual video for this song, since it was right next to Berlin’s “The Metro” in terms of the sexual awakening of this particular writer, but it appears that Tracey’s former label is playing hardball with YouTube and will not let them show any of her videos. I could go on for hours about how ridiculous that is, but people far more eloquent than I am have already done so. Read them instead, then come back to me when you’re jonesing for ’60s girl pop done ’80s style.

For anyone who wasn’t of a certain age when this album broke, you might be shocked to learn that Tracey Ullman was a smokin’ babe when her record You Broke My Heart in Seventeen Places came out. But a smokin’ babe she was, and you’ll have to “settle” for her with teased hair in a leather mini-skirt than in ’60s go-go gear. Call it a win-win.

Warning: this link may be dead seconds from now. Tracey’s label seems to be extra-vigilant about a record that’s been out of print for over two decades. Go figure.

Pop, Rock Babes, Songs, Videos

Video Vault – Korgis

May 17, 2007 / Captain Capm

Beck completely crapped out his version of this song for the soundtrack for Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, so here is “Everybody’s Got To Learn Sometime” by the Korgis, who did it first and best. It was later resampled in 1992 by N.R.G. for their dance hit “I Need Your Lovin’.”

Artists, Videos

You heard it here first: Mark Ronson w/ Daniel Merriweather, “Stop Me”

May 17, 2007 / David Medsker

As in, “Stop Me If You Think You’ve Heard This One Before.”

Mark Ronson, whose name is on two of the best records released this year — that would be Amy Winehouse’s Back to Black and Lily Allen’s Alright Still, for those keeping score at home — is about to release Version, which is basically him teaming up with his mates to cover classic modern rock songs. Who’s covering who, you ask? Aside from Daniel Merriweather covering the Smiths:

Lily Allen covers the Kaiser Chiefs (“Oh My God”)
Kenna covers Ryan Adams (“Amy”)
Amy Winehouse covers the Zutons (“Valerie”)
Phantom Planet covers Radiohead (“Just”)

And lastly….
Robbie Williams covers the Charlatans UK (“The Only One I Know”)

If it’s half as cool as this Smiths cover, Amy and Lily may have some competition for the top slot on my Top 10 Albums of 2007 list.

Windows Media

Alternative, External Music, Pop, Rock, Songs

I give up, Mr. Fudd. What would Tenacious D sound like if they were into Barry White?

May 16, 2007 / David Medsker

They’d sound like the Conchords.

“Flight of the Conchords,” their new show, starts June 17 on HBO. Damn, I wish I had HBO.

Pop, Songs, Videos

American Idol: Are You Kidding Me?

May 16, 2007 / Mike Farley

So tonight the unthinkable happened on “American Idol.” Melinda Doolittle was voted off. I have this sick feeling in the pit of my stomach, kind of like when the Giants lost in the playoffs the last two seasons. But it’s more than that. Melinda was a lock. She had this thing in the bag. Well, this proves more than anything that the show is not a singing competition. We realized that when Sanjaya made it as far as he did. Melinda is simply this year’s Eliott Yamin–a great singer who didn’t have the marketable look that Jordin and Blake have. America can see talent, but it sure as hell can’t hear it.

It went down this way tonight….no farmer’s market, by the way….

They showed clips of each contestant when they went home last Friday and got to perform in front of and hang with their hometown friends, family and fans. Jordin in Phoenix, Blake in Seattle and Melinda in Nashville.

Elliott Yamin got to come out and sing his new single, and pimp his tour that starts tomorrow. He also got to sport his new teeth and hair. Dude looked like a weird cross between Greg Brady and Peter Brady, and his teeth looked so unnatural that it was disturbing. But he sounded great as usual, and gives hope for Melinda, who my wife predicted will be the next Clay Aiken.

Also, Maroon 5 came out of a five-year hiatus and performed their new single, “Makes Me Wonder.” The band sounded great but singer Adam Levine looked a bit disinterested, and frighteningly thin. But it’s good to have them back in action.

Then the results….first, Jordin was safe….and I felt like that was it for Blake. Then Ryan had Melinda come out front, surely to tell her she was also in the final. But no…it wasn’t to be…..when he said “Melinda, the journey ends for you tonight,” I thought it was a joke. And I know Melinda thought it was a joke. The judges all said the right thing, that she’s got a bright career ahead of her, blah blah blah. But you know they are all looking at each other now that the cameras are off, and shaking their heads.

Props to Jordin and Blake, but I’m telling you, America….you screwed this one up, big time. Enjoy the final next week that me and millions of others will not give a crap about. Then watch as Melinda sells more records than either one of the finalists. Yeah, I’m bitter. But I know I’m right. See you next week.

Alternative, American Idol, Country, Pop, Rock