Worst of the Day
"The Lazy Song", Bruno Mars
I don't know whether to like Bruno Mars or hate him forever. For every nice pop confection he puts out like "Billionaire" or "Grenade", he goes with something awful like "Just The Way You Are" or this. While "Just The Way You Are" had a problem with its sappy "Girl you so pretty just the way you are" message, "The Lazy Song" is, ironically, terminally lazy. Its melody is shamelessly derivative from the likes of Jack Johnson and Jason Mraz, and its lyrics about a "grand day in bed" are generic and rather boring. As someone said to me today, "Cool strory bro".
(1 out of 5 stars)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLexgOxsZu0 (WARNING: Monkey nudity)
Pop Review
"Run the World (Girls)", Beyonce
"Judas", Lady Gaga
This week, something incredibly surprising happened. Both Lady Gaga and Beyonce flamed out spectacularly on there new songs. We here at Bulldog Beat Music Blog feel both songs deserve another chance at success, and here's why.
Lady Gaga impending album
Born This Way is the most hyped and talked-about album of perhaps the last 10 years, in no small part due to her supernova status as pop's reigning queen. Whatever you think about Gaga, you can't deny her talent for shock and self-marketing. "Born This Way", her kinda underwhelming lead single about gay rights, was a smash success. However, "Judas", a religious shock-piece, hasn't caught on nearly as well as her other (possibly due to overhype or even to Catholic scrutiny). It's inexplicable why it isn't a hit; Gaga does some of her most daring work yet. "Judas" borrows a little bit from her only masterpiece "Bad Romance", it's tribal-techno breakdown and interesting lyrics make it so much her own. It's her third best song (tied with "Alejandro", which kinda rocks), but it is a must-download. There will be sick remixes of it in the near future.
To be honest, I had no idea that Beyonce had a new album coming out; as I'm sure many others did too. "Run the World (Girls)" has bombed spectacularly on the charts, but as with Gaga, this is possibly the most innovative song Beyonce has ever done. Its awesome percussion and Beyonce's great "F*** you I'm awesome" style does the lyrics and song justice. The main knock on this song is that it's entire background is taken from an infinitely better song: Major Lazer's "Pon da Floor". Otherwise, Beyonce has carved herself a new pathway musically that deserves to be explored. She will never even come close ever again to the musical paradise-jam that was "Single Ladies", but damn if she tries.
Lady Gaga: (4 out of 5 stars) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAWpkZSCMXU
Beyonce: (3.5 out of 5 stars) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syCPQH4UQRY
Rap Review
"Freaks and Geeks", Childish Gambino
Childish Gambino is easily the funniest rapper out there. For good reason too: he's on NBC's hit show (and DJ Dreamsicle's favorite!)
Community. That lyrical wizardry doesn't always translate to good beats. "Freaks and Geeks" has an instantly forgettable xylophones and cello based beat that doesn't worm its way into your ear the way that, say, Wiz Khalifa's "The Race" does. Childish Gambino is like a diamond in the rough: all the talent is there, but it just needs a little polishing.
(3 out of 5 stars)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otPxoVQiIGo
Alternative Review
"Will Do", TV On the Radio
TV On the Radio returns with a beautiful dream-rock/folk hybrid song from their new album
Nine Types of Light. Frontman and actor Tunde Adebimpe sings about a love he will spend all his time with, and his voice conveys a huge sense of both heartache and loneliness. Its guitar and harp line is gorgeous, and the vocal harmonies as a whole are stunning. The lyrics get a little repetitive by the end, but its a nice sonic experience well suited for relaxation.
(4 out of 5 stars)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXLpXu9T7j0
Skipping R&B (pretty much covered by Beyonce) and Rock today.
Electronica/Dance Review
"In the Dark", Dev
Dev, of "Like a G6" and the great "Bass Down Low", roars her abilities on this crazy new track from her untitled upcoming album. "In the Dark" is once of the weirdest singles to come out this year: Dev's vocals are like a sober Ke$ha, the sax is perfect, and its bassline is redonkulous. Sure, its lyrics are pretty subpar, but in this genre that's not what you go for. This is ultimately a rip-roaring club-banger that deserves to be on everyone's playlist.
(4.5 out of 5 stars)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jbii3QsmIB4
HARDCORE INDIE Review
"99 Tears", Sky Ferreira
Sky Ferreira, a 19-year old singer/songwriter/actress, has been quietly putting out pretty solid ska-pop for a while now, but with her new EP
As If!, she makes a switch to alt-electro. So far, the most-buzzed about single is the perfectly fine "99 Tears". Its James Bond-esque intro and outro are great, but the rest of the song is kinda bland. Its still summery, and catchy enough. It just isn't as amazing as many others say it is.
(2 out of 5 stars)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9wa--eH6Pw
Best of the Day
"I Follow Rivers", Lykke Li
"I Follow Rivers" serves as a perfect introduction to the magical world of Swedish supermodel Lykke Li, the "Empress of Alternative Music" at the moment. From the very beginning, the smokin-hot Li fills the air with chilly silence and the sound of icicles dropping...then begins to sing in a voice that sounds like a dark angel at best. "I Follow Rivers" is perfect in almost every way; its uptempo rhythm sustains an air of tension throughout, Li has a way with producing her beats, and the lyrics are simple and devastatingly powerful. Its great that Li is finally breaking through after two masterpiece albums; "I Follow Rivers" was recently covered on
Glee (well) and she is set to be featured on Timabaland's upcoming album. As of right now, this is the top song of 2011. Download it now!
(5 out of 5 stars) but only because I can't give it a 6:)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZYbEL06lEU (Also, the music video makes the song even better.)
