...Twin Peaks, by American indie rock band Surfer Blood. Surfer Blood debuted in 2009 with their Swim single. They released their debut studio album in January 2010, which is titled Astro Coast, and which reached #124 on the Billboard Albums Chart. Surfer Blood are based out of West Palm Beach in the sunny and recently well oiled state (in more ways than one) of Florida. Not too much other info about them on wikipedia so look them up if your keen. Got to love that album cover, ShazaM!
...Pursuit of Happiness (Nightmare) (featuring MGMT & Ratatat), by American rapper, singer, and producer Kid CuDi. Kid CuDi has been posted before on this vlog, but this song hasn't yet, so a brief re-hash and then the song. He is based in Brooklyn, New York and has just recently produced a new album/sequel to the album this song came off of called Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager (2010). This song comes off of his Man on the Moon: End of the Day album, which was released in September 2009. Blah blah blah...and now the song...
Well, it is officially Summer here in the northern hemisphere, and the longest day of the year is past, which unfortunately that days will begin to get shorter, but not to be noticed til autumn or some shiznit like that. The FIFA World Cup continues to be unpredictable which actually makes it a lot more interesting, but like I have said before, going down to your local casino and placing some bets on who wins or loses always makes it more interesting and nail-biting to watch, although I can't say I felt the urge to do so in this round of matches. Wimbeldon is also on now, for all of you out of the know. Now, my astrologer has said that tension is mounting from the end of May all the way til the first week of August or so and on a global scale I can definitely see that what with all of the politics, war shiite, sporting events, oil spills and economic turmoils, but by September there is supposed to be a real ebb in the conflicts, at least for a short time, so all y'all should keep mindful of that if there is heaps of tension in your personal or professional lives right now, it is that way for just about everybody. But in the short term, he says that June 26th, this Sunday is a time of massive death/rebirth and change, so hopefully that doesnt mean nuclear assaults or anything crazy like that...what I think is it has to do with this oil spill and all the ocean and bird life it is eradicating, and no doubt it will wreak havoc on human populations as well, and in the meantime some brilliant judge just decided to life the ban on offshore drilling despite all of the warning signs of this current spill. It is truly amazing how people will make decisions based purely on their personal interest, or what they believe is in their personal interest, because no matter what they think we are all connected at multiple levels, and when we create hell-on-earth for others it always comes back at us. I believe Newton stated it as for every action in the universe there will be an opposite and equal reaction, so for all of you invincibles out there, think again, it is only a matter of time, and as they say "every dog has his day," and yes, I know that includes yours truly. Let's see, what else can I rant about to make this blog a bit more spicy, or as my nephew says it, "picy." Blah!
...10:10, by Australian roots band The Beautiful Girls. The Beautiful Girls have been around since 2000, and have released 6 studio albums and 3 EP's in that time (according to wikipedia). The three current band members are Mat McHugh on vocals and guitar, Paulie B on bass, and Bruce Braybrooke on drums. 10:10 appeared on their Spooks album, which was released in May 2010. I haven't listened to much of their stuff except this song, which definitely has that reggae-roots vibe to it.
Welcome back to VJ Samsonite's top 100 80's Dance Hits Countdown! Today we are presenting #80 of the top 100 countdown, and starting to really get into it! And the song is...Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'by the King of Pop himself Michael Jackson. Now if you don't know who Michael Jackson (R.I.P.) is than I can't help you out. For those of you who don't know much MJ-trivia, he was born in Gary, Indiana in 1958, and he was 50 years old when he passed away just last year on June 25th (almost a frickin year already!!) in Los Angeles California. You might find it interesting to know that Madonna and Prince both also turned 50 years old last year, officially being the Queen and Prince of Pop during the 80's with recently deceased King M.J.. Now I know that there has been speculation about who will be the next, but as far as I am concerned no one currently can sit in the throne, so its empty until someone who really "has it" comes along. I have heard people say they think that Lady Gaga is making her way as the next Queen of Pop, however I remain skeptical on that one as I reckon you have to be extremely prolific and consistent with pop-hits over an extended period of time to take the throne, not that Lady Gaga isn't capable of this, but it remains to be seen. This discussion has me on a bit of tangent so back to the topic at hand. Wanna Be Startin Somethin, was the first track of Jackson's epic Thriller album which won Jackson a record-breaking eight Grammy Awards in 1984, including Album of the Year, and numbers are uncertain but it has been estimated as having sold approximately 78-110 million copies worldwide as of 2009. Shockingly enough youtube actually allows posting of the actual music video, so enjoy.
...Coca Cola, by Australian indie-rock band Little Red. Little Red are from Melbourne, Australia consisting of Adrian Beltrame (Guitar, Vocals), Dominic Byrne (Guitar, Vocals), Quang Dinh (Bass, Vocals), Tom Hartney (Vocals, tambourine and harmonica) and Taka Honda (Drums). Wikipedia says they have been compared to the Beach Boys in their sound, either way they definitely have an upbeat sound, no depressing grunge here. Coca Cola comes off of their Listen to Little Red album, released in 2008, so yes it is a bit old, but probably new to you, def check it out.
...Bang, Bang, Bang, by English guitarist, music producer, and co-founder of Allido RecordsMark Ronson & the Business INTL (feat. QTIP and MDNR). Mark Ronson is known for working with other artists, primarily as a DJ and producer in producing hit pop-hop and electronica tracks such as his 2003 release"Ooh Wee" (feat. Ghostface Killah, Nate Dogg & Trife), which appeared on the Hitch movie soundtrack that year. Mark Ronson has released 3 studio albums, and has won a BRIT Award for Best Male Artist in 2008. Bang, Bang, Bang comes offof his still unreleased Record Collection album, due to come out sometime in this year of 2010. This video is pretty cool, especially the beginning bits with the flashing lights reminiscent of japanese animation and 80's cartoons the likes of Voltron and Thundercats. Don't miss this one, its an instant Summer hit fo sho!
...Light It Up, by British alternative rock duo Blood Red Shoes. Blood Red Shoes come out of Brighton, England consisting of Steven Ansell and Laura-Mary Carter, they formed in late 2004. Light It Up was released in February 2010 and appears on their Fire Like This album. Not much else to say, pues nada...
...blah blah blah, I haven't done a written post here for a few days now. So the Snakers won the Finals, the World Cup Continues as the United States ties yet again with Slovenia this time meaning they must beat Algeria to not be knocked out of the next round) and The Oil continues to spew into the ocean with predictions of an Oil-Hurricane storm on the horizon, Yippee! The world news is always the same isn't it, just a bunch of negativity, but then again I suppose I should try and be more positive about it :-o June is almost over too! craziness, the world keeps on turning, I don't know why I always have this idea that certain events will somehow slow it down or stop time, it never works that way. Lets see here... something interesting to talk about that isn't negative or news-related...I went hiking all day yesterday to a really sacred and not to mention secret spot here in my home-state, and maybe if you ask me nicely I might take you there someday. Ha! But seriously a cool place, lots of wildflowers this time of year, great stuff fo sho! Went and saw "Take Him to the Greek," and "Iron Man 2," both of which are quite entertaining and qualify as proper distractions from real-life. And so also the solstice is coming up, and I have a feeling that all of the death/rebirth that he has predicted for June 26th, 2010 and that much of the death has to do with the oil leak disaster, which it really qualifies as a true disaster of epic proportions (you'll agree with me when you revisit this entry 3 years from now and the oil is still leaking out and turning the see black, and I can't say I am impressed with what any of the parties involved are doing about it, they are all just sort of twiddling their thumbs and having little panels in which they yell at (or in some cases apologize to) the companies involved in the disaster, and fining each other, but who is taking actual steps to stopping the leak?? I figure that the worse it gets perhaps the better, and that the more damage, death, and destruction it causes and the more people that are affected the more likely "True Change," (God-forbid I recommend actual change in people's daily lives) could actually happen in regards to our oil-addicted culture, but probably not. It reminds me of yeast, which during the process of fermentation slowly eat up sugars and produce toxic waste (to the yeast called alcohol) which the yeast eventually drown in and die.... that's right they actually die in their own toxic waste which inevitably halts their consumption...think about it but don't get scared because fear doesn't solve any problems either. Which reminds me to remind you that there is a difference between being fearful (anxious, nervous, unsure, panicked) and cautious (confident, cool, calm, alert) in life's little challenges...blah blah blah blah
...Golden Child, by Aussie Electro-Indie band World's End Press. Now I don't have much data or facts on them except their location and origin. This song starts out with a sort of minor-progression but contains all sorts of goodies, especially the keyboard jam towards the end of the song. The Aussies are producing lots of good music these days. Now, there is only a live version of the song on youtube, which is pretty shiite sound quality, but go to their myspace page and listen a decent quality version of the song. The mp3 is still for free on the triple J free mp3's page here.
Welcome back to VJ Samsonite's top 100 80's Dance Hits Countdown! Today we are presenting #81 of the top 100 countdown, and starting to really get into it! And the song is...Under Pressure by artists David Bowie and Queen. Under Pressure was a collaboration between these two outstanding artists, and the first of its kind for David Bowie. The song was recorded in 1981, and was featured on Queen's 1982 album released titled Hot Space. Under Pressure reached #1 on the UK singles chart, and was ranked #31 on VH1's 100 Greatest Song's of the 80's. The song started out as a song by Queen called Feel Like, which transformed into Under Pressure after a jam-session with David Bowie took place in Montreux, Switzerland, thus Freddie Mercury was considered the song's primary writer, but all contributed to the work. This song has always been one of my favorites, and many may be surprised its not further towards the top of my Top 100, but we will see why as time goes on. Enjoy #81!
...Skeleton Boy, by English dance-punk band Friendly Fires. Friendly Fires was formed in 2006 in St Albans, Hertfordshire, UK and they have released 3 EP's and 1 studio album. Skeleton Boy was released in March 2009. In 2009 the band was nominated for Best Breakthrough Award at The South Bank Show Awards and for ‘Best Dancefloor Filler’ at the NME Awards, as well as for the Mercury Music Prize. Their self-titled studio album reached #21 on the UK albums chart. Enjoy!
...Blood, by Australian indie-folk-rock band The Middle East. The Middle East are a musical collective from Townsville, Queensland formed in 2005. The band broke up and then subsequently reconvened according to wikipedia, then to release their EP in the US and Australia. The band has received lots of airtime on Triple J (the National-Radio-Network) and this song came in at #64 on the Hottest 100 countdown. Don't have any other info on them, check out their EP for more.
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