Lucky - Twice Lucky

...Yes, I have fallen for another pop/dance, young girl, new singing hit. It is almost inevitable for me to do these days. This group, Twice Lucky, is composed of of two Swedish girls around 15 years old. Their music has a very catchy tune to it and gets stuck in your head as you hear the lyrics. I discovered this song as I was coming into work at abercrombie kids right after we received our predictable bi-monthly cd of new tracks to play in the store. As I was standing there folding clothes, there came a sound over the system reminiscent of the old record players when they scratched from dust on them. It then turns into a a hard dance beat with pop lyrics. The girls reach the chorus and repeat "I'm so lucky lucky, I'm so lucky lucky, I'm so lovely lovely...You can fool yourself I promise it won't help...." It drills itself into your subconscious. It makes one want to dance. I enjoy this song a lot from its pop/dance feel and the fact that they are a non-American group.

Kaskade - "Be Still"

We all seem to have those days where we are in a very mellow mood. There is a relaxed feeling to the day. Today was one of those for me. The overwhelming need to write 16 pages worth of papers and work on my interior design project with the overwhelming feelings of college in general as Thanksgiving break approaches did it for me.
As I head to bed I tune into an artist who just recently released a new CD. Kaskade released the album Love Mysterious on September 26, 2006. He is known for his light smooth melodic dance tracks, something like the opposite of the Benassi Brothers. The most successful single of off his album is the song called “Be Still”
It had a light and airy, yet still a dance feel to it when it picks up in the chorus. This song has a calming and uplifting tone to it.
Another great dance track I could listen to over and over has been added to my list.

Vanessa Hudgens - "Come Back To Me"

There is just something about pop female vocals that magnetically attract my interest to them. Is it their catchiness or the stories they tell. Maybe it is their often closeness to electronic and dance music.
My most recent female fascination is Vanessa Hudgens. She is a lively, beautiful girl with a mix of heritage. Her father is of Irish and Native American decent, while her mother is of Filipino, Chinese and Spanish descent. This melding obviously worked out wonderful for her. Her popularity has come greatly from the Disney channel, as she was part of High School Musical. It seems that the Disney channel has a knack for creating mini-stars from their television shows. Lindsay, Hilary, and now Vanessa.
Vanessa’s single right now is the song “Come Back To Me.” It has strong vocals with a background of hard beats…again dance like. Her voice sounds to me like a mix of J. Lo and the recent artist Cassie, both of which I also love. The song speaks of relationships once again…seems that it is a very sellable and popular topic in today’s pop culture. The song speaks of a guy she has let go and now wants back. This reminds me of the people that I have cut loose, whether I want them back in my life or not.
I would say I’m in a pretty good mood with Vanessa streaming in my iTunes, and brunch from Blazer digesting.

The Dixie Chicks - "Not Ready To Make Nice"

Early in the morning I arrive back to my dorm after a contemplative walk back from the classroom building. I find myself questioning why am I at college. Why is it that I feel as though I can not accomplish anything in my studies and that I am a complete failure. Why do I have one professor that completely hates me.
Much like this story, the Dixie Chicks have run into a near same situation. Their comment about being ashamed of our President, not that I disagree, a few years ago plummeted their career and made them the target of much hate. In their song “Not Ready To Make Nice” they profess how content they are with where they stand and what they believe in. The fact that they are mad and not going to back down by bringing themselves to do what people think they should shows their determination to create music. Similarly I am utterly mad, not to mention confused about my situation. The use of guitar and a low key piano gives the song that slow, somber, but fighting nature.
It looks like my day has got off to a bad start before 10:00 am with school and they fact that I’m sick. Hopefully I will get something accomplished today instead.

Ashlee Simpson - "L.O.V.E."

So I just sat down from my usual long Monday. Every Monday I have class from 8am-7pm and normally work at abercrombie afterward, tonight from 7:30-10:30. Nearly all day I’ve been tired and falling asleep in classes but yet when I’m doing something I like such as listening to music or working at crombie I’m wide awake! This presents a bad situation when I need sleep for the next day of classes…OHH the perils of being young!

In my light, jubilant mood, knowing I’m about to watch my all time favorite show Will & Grace before I lay down to sleep I play the song “L.O.V.E.” from my iTunes library. This pop song by the follow-along-with-your-sister singer Ashlee Simpson, complements my mood. She talks about her close group of girl friends that stick together through men and other problems. These lyrics remind me of my fellow Interior Design girls that I am good friends with. Ashlee also points out how she has her own things and can stand alone…much like I feel with a sense of accomplishment after working. Her main idea in the song is obviously about love. It is something that I, unfortunately, am having trouble with at the moment. So to pair the idea of love with the idea of standing on your own and with friends really affirms my being.

Daft Punk - "Around The World"

Today has been a fairly uplifting day. Running through my minda all day has been the phrase, thank god it's Friday! Shortly after studio today a friend of mine and I went 'around the world' of Lexington. You know, the usual errands of picking up Aquafina water, getting my check at abercrombie, and food consumtion while driving. Unfortunately, my friend neither likes techno, dance, rap, hip-hop, or pop music! What a bummer while riding around lexington listening to some no-name country group, garage band, or christian band. Way to dampen the Friday mood! So I return to my dorm and immediately pop in my mixed cd and it hits track three...the party is now here! The song streaming through my freaky Friday aura is none other than Around The World by Daft Punk.
This named group is made up of two guys from France. They are widely thought of as one of the most successful electronic music creators of all time. Their record sales are high and critics love them. Their music is catchy and fresh as well.
I can not explain why, but dance music is my favorite thing in the world. It gives me that sense of excitement and happiness. This song, Around The World, is one of the best examples of this. The lyrics contain nothing more than the actual title of the song. The phrase 'around the world' is just reapeated the whole seven minutes of the song. It is seven minutes of pure electronic sound with drums and synthesizers. It is amazing how few components a song can have but still carry greatness. Go listen to one of their numerous albums!

JoJo - “Too Little Too Late”

Sometimes when I am in a high spirited mood, I start to consume the notes of ‘powerful’ ballad songs. Most often these powerful songs actually speak of hardship and break ups, and are mainly created by female singers, or at least those are the ones that stick out in my mind. After spending two days in Louisville, KY this weekend at the International ACADIA conference hosted by the University of Kentucky I have returned in a high spirited mood with my friends and class mates. One of the first songs I thought to play was JoJo’s new single “Too Little Too Late,” her come back song from he last one in 2004 called “Leave.” Joanna Levesque is her real name and she is a very young singer born in 1990!
She sings in a very pop and R&B manner. Her songs are often about relationships with guys who do not meet the standards of what they should. Such is the topic of a cheating guy in her song “Too Little Too Late.” She is able to reach extremely high notes in the end of her song as she professes the guys ignorance. The instrumentation is a little varied. There is a guitar used that you can hear for the whole length of the song. There is also a drum set used that picks up more in the chorus section. JoJo has a talented voice that creates this strong song. Near the end she is able to reach extremely high notes, showing off her vocal range.
JoJo’s ballad, along with those of others, give me a sense of empowerment that I like to feel and carry when I am in a good mood. I think this could probably be said for other people as well. Give a listen and see for yourself.