4/29/11 Spin Review

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.)

Back From Spain...Can You HAndle The Madness???

SOOOOOOOO DJ Dreamsicle just got back from his trip to Spain.  I heard a lot of Euro-beats at this rave we went to....and it all sounds like "Stereo Love" (which I kinda love now).   So no new stuff there.  However, I discovered two fine upstanding young gentlemen who might just be the suavest most romantic playas ever to come out of Atlanta.  They've written some legit V-Day jams perfect for a romantic candlelight dinner, like "Ass Cheeks On My White Tees" and "Georgia Dome" (get it?).  Anyways, their masterpiece is "Pull My Hair".  Its a total mindfreak experience, like Inception or the 5th season of Friends.  It's all right here on Bulldog Beats....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBz6KcFJ4Ag


Special shoutout to Svetlana, Daequan, Igor, Patty the Pokemon Princess, Olga, Nadia, Babushka, and the rest of the bunch for a sick week!

4/14 New Beat

This is the new cobeatmaster that the original beatmaster has given some power to put up songs so i will post occasionally as well as the beatmaster.
Some good new techno, its a long song but with a gradual crescendo that draws you in.
 Swedish House Mafia- "One" i give it a 4 outa 5 its pretty good if you just want a little pick me up. It could have a stronger beat the whole time, but I like the effect.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkQ5rEJaTmk
- Master Fresh95

ARE U READY

ITS TIME

I'm Sorry Ms. Jackson

OK.  Due to popular (lol jk) demand I'm starting up Bulldog Beats again as a full time thing.  I've added a new beat master to the page, and hopefully creative juices get flowing again.

1/24/10 Spin Review

Sorry it's been so long, I've been really busy doing cool-people stuff.  Without further ado, lets begin!

Worst of the Day-  "Hold It Against Me"

If Britney wasn't totally batshit crazy enough, she had to go remake a cheesy-country-novelty song that most people listen to while they ride mechanical bulls.  I'm generally pretty intolerant of Britney; "Toxic" and a few other songs are mindlessly catchy, and she's hot enough to make me ignore the fact that she can't form a sentence.  This song makes me want to shave my head, and it will probably do the same for you.
0 stars out of 5


Pop Review- "Sleazy" [Remix], Ke$ha feat. Andre 3000

Andre 3000 remixes a pretty average Ke$ha song into some kinda funkalicious ghetto stompa thats pretty classy.  3000 has a swaggering guest verse that raps about his awesomeness and how weird Ke$ha is.  Ke$ha also comes as close to rap as she's ever done in her career at this point, and actually sounds like she could kick your ass for "tryin to circle jerk it and work it".  The song is pretty good; it just needs more Andre 3000 and a little less twinkle in parts.  Recommended.
4 stars out of 5


Alternative Review- "Jar of Hearts", Christina Perri

I just heard this song three days ago, but apparently it has been around for ages.  "Jar of Hearts" isn't really my kind of song; it's a poorly-written piano ballad that moans for ages.  However, Perri has a great voice that conveys a lot of emotion.  If she wants to avoid being a one-hit wonder, she should probably follow the Sara Bareilles path of secretary rock.  This song shouldn't be her only know song.
1.5 stars out of 5


R&B Review- "Down on Me", Jeremih feat. 50 Cent

I wanna punch Autotune in the face.  It ruins EVERYTHING.  It made the terrible Jeremih song even more terrible.  From the Mozart who brought you "Birthday Sex", "Down on Me" is stupid and pointless; a forgettable song pasted over that generic R&B beat.  As I said before, Autotune wrecks the song even more. Jeremih's voice isn't too bad, Autotune wasn't even necessary.  50 Cent sounds like a zombie, and one has to wonder why he even showed up to the studio.  YUCK.
.5 stars out of 5


Rock Review- "Shake Me Down", Cage the Elephant

I didn't think these guys could top themselves after the awesome "Ain't No Rest for the Wicked".  Well, they still haven't, but they came pretty damn close.  Cage the Elephant specializes in jangly guitar sounds, punchy percussion, and the occasional synth.  The only reason that "Shake Me Down" isn't as good as the other song I mentioned before is that the lyrics aren't as cutting and brilliant.  Still, this track really breaks through the January music doldrums.
4.5 stars out of 5


Rap Review- "H.A.M.", Kanye West and Jay-Z

I'm really disappointed.  An album collaboration between Jay-Z and Yeezy could have been spectacular.  The   disappointing first single off the upcoming Watch the Throne, "H.A.M." suggests another vanity project.  Everything is lifeless, from the beat to the lyrics to the rapping itself.  It is so uninspiring! I just don't want to talk about it.
1 star out of 5


I'm dropping hardcore indie and electronica reviews for today, there just isn't enough new stuff to review right now.

Best of the Day- "What the Hell", Avril Lavigne

Yay! Avril Lavigne comes out with her best single yet, a surfer-punk kiss-off with a sing-along chorus.  Avril channels all of her rage into a perfect song that sounds like it should have come out in the summer.  Its surfer-guitars make for a perfect California song, even though Lavigne is a known-Canadian (HISS!BOO!HISS!).  What is likely to be the best song of January, and thats good enough me.

5 stars out of 5

Other Songs From the Past Decade That Are Worth Listening To: Part Deux

Continuing from Thursday's list...

"Howlin' For You", The Black Keys
"Hung Up", Madonna
"I Bet You Look Good On the Dancefloor", Arctic Monkeys
"Icky Thump", The White Stripes
"Conquest", The White Stripes
"I Don't Like Your Band", Annie
"If The Stars Were Mine", Melody Gardot
"Ignorance", Paramore
"I'm A Slave 4 U", Britney Spears
"I'm Good, I'm Gone", Lykke Li
"In the End", Linkin Park
"Island In The Sun", Weezer
"I Say A Little Prayer", Dianna Agron
"It Don't Move Me", Peter Bjorn and John
"It's My Life" No Doubt (YESYESYES)
"I Want You", Common
"I Will Possess Your Heart (Radio Edit)", Death Cab For Cutie
"I Write Sins Not Tragedies", Panic! At the Disco
"Jerk It Out", Caesars
"Je veux te voir", Yelle
"Just Dance", Lady Gaga feat. Colby O'Donis
"Kids", MGMT
"Konichiwa Bitches", Robyn
"Lasso", Phoenix
"La Tortura", Shakira feat. Alejandro Sanz
"Le Disko", Shiny Toy Guns
"Lovesick", Lindstrom and Christabelle
"Love Song", Sara Bareilles
"Lucky", Jason Mraz feat. Colbie Caillat
"Make Her Say", Kid Cudi feat. Lady Gaga, Kanye West, and Common