Category: Pop (Page 104 of 216)

Random Acts of Listening: The Lotus Eaters, “Sara”

October 15, 2008 /

In celebration of the new look for Eat Sleep Drink Music – otherwise known as ESDMusic, of course – let’s roll out a new column, shall we? As you can see, it’s called “Random Acts of Listening,” and the idea is to hit “shuffle” on one’s iPod, listen to the first song that turns up, and write about it. The resulting piece might be personal, critical, or just straight up informational, but the ultimate goal is that it prove interesting, and I’d like to think that anyone who writes for the site can manage to pull off such a task.

First up: “Sara,” by The Lotus Eaters, from their 2001 album, silentspace.

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Alternative, Artists, External Music, Pop, Random Acts of Listening

Seen Your Video: Natalia, “Perfect Day”

October 14, 2008 /

I’m going to be honest, and the publicist will hate me for this, but I have to do it: “Perfect Day,” the debut singer by UK pop/R&B starlet Natalia, does nothing for me. It’s a nice sentiment, but a bit moon-eyed in its optimism for my tastes (which of course makes it ideal for its intended teen audience, but that’s another discussion). The video is even sillier. Having said that, and at the risk of being labeled the perviest perv in all of Pervville, look at her. She’s flat-out gorgeous, and rocks that mock turtleneck like no other. Most of today’s popsters come with the powerful voice and the over-produced music, but are completely lacking a unique look or personality. Natalia may not have the tunes yet – one of the songs on her MySpace page uses a huge chunk of Adam and the Ants’ “Prince Charming,” which sounds cooler on paper than in execution – but hot damn, does she have the voice, and she’s got the look. What in the world can make a brown-eyed girl turn blue, etc.

Natalia was gracious enough to shoot a personalized intro for Bullz-Eye’s readers, and lets rip with a little singing to show that she’s not some auto-tune charity case. Good news indeed, but we’re curious to see what she would do if she had Mark Ronson in her corner. Just a thought when it comes time to make album number two, my dear.

Artists, Pop, R&B, Rock Babes, Seen Your Video, Videos

Army Navy: Army Navy

October 10, 2008 /

I am going to say something Army Navy will love, followed by something that will make them want to kill me. Army Navy’s self-titled album is a dandy collection of jangly pop rock that will have fans of Robyn Hitchcock and Teenage Fanclub jumping for joy. Singer Justin Kennedy has a delicate but steady voice, and his melodies are instantly hummable. Now for the part that will make their blood boil: they’re a power pop band, which is usually the kiss of death for a band’s commercial prospects. Still, who knows: Jack’s Mannequin’s first album was a power pop record, and they’re doing just fine, thank you. That said, Jack’s Mannequin never wrote anything as dreamy and harmony-laden as “Dark as Days” or “Slight of Hand,” the latter of which just scored a spot on the soundtrack for “Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist.” Will Kennedy’s connection to Ben Gibbard (they were both in the band Pinwheel) carry Army Navy over the power pop barrier? God, we hope so. We understand the bias against power pop – most of the bands that play it admittedly suck – but Army Navy deserves better than that. Here’s hoping they get it. (The Fever Zone 2008)

Army Navy MySpace page

CD QuickTakes, CD Reviews, Pop, Power Pop, Rock

The Little Ones: Morning Tide

October 10, 2008 /

The Little Ones are one of those indie pop bands that are able to create music that transcends the makeup of each member. And even then, that describes so many bands that you have to be very special to stand out. Well, what the Little Ones do on their debut, Morning Tide (on Alexandra Patsavas’ Chop Shop label), is create catchy, witty and well-arranged music that is equal parts modern cool (think the Shins) and retro bounce (think a more guitar-driven Erasure). It’s the kind of album that sticks in your head and makes you pay attention without even realizing you’re paying attention, deeming the Little Ones the kind of act that should have staying power in a messed up music industry. But that’s not to say Morning Tide is anything more than very good. Let’s face it, the high tenor, almost-falsetto vocal thing of Ed Reyes and others is getting old (the Shins’ James Mercer and Radiohead’s Thom Yorke receive a pass here). That, and some of these tracks are riveting (the title track, “Rise and Shine” or “Like a Spoke on a Wheel”) while others are just bland and derivative (“All Your Modern Boxes” or “Gregory’s Chant”). See what the fuss is about, and temper your expectations just a bit. But the Little Ones will likely be around for a while. (Chop Shop)

The Little Ones MySpace Page

Alternative, CD QuickTakes, CD Reviews, Indie Labels, Pop, Rock

UB40: Greatest Hits

October 10, 2008 /

Another singles compilation from a band that has already assembled 18 such collections? Yes, and here’s why: singer Ali Campbell, after 30 years with the band, has left the group (his brother Duncan is replacing him), so if you’ve just gotta have that comprehensive – if not exactly definitive – Ali Campbell-led UB40 compilation, this is it. The most shocking thing is how tolerable some of those questionable covers feel today; indeed, the version of Al Green’s “Here I Am (Come and Take Me)” sounds pretty damn good here, though perhaps that’s because it comes after their (ahem, million-selling) cover of “(I Can’t Help) Falling in Love with You” and before they suck the soul out of “The Way You Do the Things You Do.” The originals obviously are the prize moments here, and the band’s best singles are all present (“If It Happens Again,” “Don’t Break My Heart”). UB40’s music didn’t change the world, but they did make it a happier, more peaceful place. Buy this and Labour of Love (the first album, not the second or third), and your collection is complete. (Virgin 2008)

UB40 MySpace page

CD QuickTakes, CD Reviews, Pop, Reggae

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