And just in the year that I find my way back to pop music and discover an addiction to karaoke, Kesha arises. How dismal that in a popular entertainment landscape that welcomes Lady Gaga and Rhianna, Cee Lo Green and Janelle Monae (and in Canada such bands as Finger Eleven, The Arkells, Hedley, and Down With Webster), a thing like Kesha could rise to prominence, and the critics dare to foretell her continued success and even dominance. I think that nothing original resides in that girl, and her lyrics and music sound derivative and empty-headed to me. I watched an interview with her recently, and my D. nailed it: "She is admitting on camera that she is using everyone to get what she wants, her producers, her mother (co-writer on one of her hits), her fans, and that won't matter at all: they will still buy her and listen to her." Her honesty in that interview -- "So they said, 'Be a pop star [instead of a country music singer/songwriter],' and I was like 'Okay'" -- was almost refreshing, if not a little disturbing, and reminded me that some [read "many"] people do only participate in the music business for the business, the monetary success, not for the joy of sharing their music with an adoring public. So, all right, that interview, while difficult to watch with her eye-sparkles and fake-messy hair, and lazy attitude (thinly disguising her all-consuming drive and ferocious work ethic to MAKE it in the business), and constant winking/sly-nodding at the camera (like, I'm so HOT, right? right?) made an iota of respect for her grow in my otherwise disdainful heart, but only for her as a performer, a commodity, a person who knew what she wanted and went after it with complete commitment, never for the her who purports to be a singer and a songwriter. And, I will never ever buy her stuff or listen to her songs with any joy. And I really really really hate to admit this, but at some point, after I've had one tequila shot too many, I may try this song at karaoke: Blah blah blah Enough of her, makes me feel a little dirty that I wasted so much time thinking about her and writing about her, and makes me want to only listen to Scandinavian pop music from now on, now those artists know how to make music: Jónsi Cardigans sing "Lovefool" and Roxette, of course:
Now, 'members, I had a couple beers with my pizza for supper ... so, typing may not be perfect, and thoughts may be a little scrambled, 'cause I am a lightweight with alcohol. Wanted to review some music herein, blues, which I've newly rediscovered thanks to a Folk Music Club gathering last night at the Pheasant Plucker in Hamilton, and grubby boys's music, such as Cage the Elephant and Hedley, who actually aren't grubby but they're boys. I've always preferred male voices singing over female, unless the female happens to be very low contraltos such as tracy chapman or karen carpenter (who was also a kick-ass drummer apparently). And if I have to watch the videos, they better be grubby youngish men; what is that? Why do I like those grubby boys and their crazy music? See In One Ear by CtE:
Eminently danceable, often a fun story, silly lyrics, singable choruses, oh yeah, that's why I like 'em. I give Cage the Elephant's studio album and videos an A, for all the reasons just mentioned (I heard they're a little too crazy on stage, though); I especially enjoy their song and their video "Ain't No Rest for the Wicked." I give Hedley an A- because they aren't grubby enough, but I think they're hilarious, especially their Cha-Ching with it's biting satire of reality tv:
Everybody SING! And now to the blues, which I have liked for about 20 years, but I have this weird tendency to NOT buy any CDs. If I buy one album a year, it's a big deal. Yet I have very eclectic tastes in music, a little classical, a little pop, a little hard rock, a little rap, a little electronica, a little 80s, but now will be mucho BLUES after reinvigorating my interest last night. I had never heard live blues guitar/singing until last night, and it was a revelation, so wonderful, so fun; that Bo Basiuk was into the music with passion and verve and his music just filled me up inside. I tried to find an example of his talent on the internets-thingie, but came up blank. Instead, here's some classic blues guitar and singin' from Robert Johnson, the original and the master, whom Eric Clapton seems to think is a guitar god, which will hopefully win you over to the blues:
A+ for guitarin' singin' blues; I've listened to blues piano, and definitely prefer the guitar version. That's my ramble for tonight about music ... now off to sing a little living-room karaoke; they need to make a theme version of BLUES for the Xbox 'raoke game -- I would BUY IT tomorrow!
