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Court Links: Foreign Phrases and CD Releases

24 Nov

Labelle

Everything is getting a day pushed back this holiday week. Today I am posting some links for your pleasure and then tomorrow, supposing I have some time at night (for I will be driving home for Thanksgiving during the day) I will be posting the next lyricist on the seemingly endless list of top 100 lyricists (well it definitely has an end, it just may take several years out of my life, someone should do the math…someone that is not me).

Anyway on to some awesome linkage. The A.V. Club has some awesome articles and I suggest everyone who checks out this blog to check them out. Today I bring you their list of 19 foreign phrases we would not know had they not been in popular songs. My personal favorite is “Voulez-vous coucher avec moi (ce soir)” from Labelle’s “Lady Marmalade.” Everyone knows this song but do you know what they are singing. If you speak French you do and you are laughing. It means Would you like to sleep with me (tonight). Just tonight, how about the entire day. Well thanks for being subtle about it…I’ll get back to you…just kidding.

Check out the rest: http://www.avclub.com/articles/ca-plane-pour-wha-19-foreign-phrases-we-wouldnt-kn,35644/ 

For Your Entertainment

Notable  CD’s Release Yesterday (Monday, Nov. 23)

“For Your Entertainment” by Adam Lambert

The American Idol runner-up’s debut album featuring guest appearances from Lady GaGa, Pink and even Matthew Bellamy of Muse. The Huffington Post calls the album, “An Instant Classic” and I will have check it out because I am intrigued. Could this be the biggest album from any American Idol contestant. It certainly may be the most anticipated. From Lambert’s flamboyant album cover to performance on the American Music Awards he has certainly drawn a lot of interest. Personally, I can care less what the man does on stage or on his CD’s. If the public does not like it then they do not have to buy it, or watch it. It is only for your entertainment!

Buy the album: http://www.amazon.com/Your-Entertainment-Adam-Lambert/dp/B002QEXN3O

 

 

 

Court Polls Christmas: Christmas on Death Row

23 Nov

Ah. the monday of the week of Thanksgiving, so close to going home for the holiday, yet, quite literally so far away. Looking at the several hours of driving I will be partaking in over the next couple of days would usually make me cringe, but heck I got music and I will be driving with my brother and girlfriend so it should be virtually painless.

But, do you know what is painful? “Christmas on Death Row,” my choice for the worst and most utterly hilarious Christmas album ever recorded ever. The vote was a tie at one between only three of the potential albums, which I will admit are also quite terrible. Yes, something about this miserable album of the most cheery and happy songs of all time being recorded by musicians with names like Bad Azz and 6 Feet Deep just leaves me wondering, was this needed.

How can a Christmas music album have a Parental Advisory warning. Well, I guess one should listen to "Baby, it's Cold Outside," which may need a warning. Yes, it's rape!

You see I am confused. Besides the tremendous first track, “Santa Claus Goes Straight To The Ghetto,” put together by Snoop Doggy Dog, because that is what Snoop does, most other songs are normal Christmas tracks. We have “Silent Night,” “Frosty the Snowman,” and even the most beautiful Christmas melody, “Party 4 Da Homies.” I feel like I am Wayne Brady on “Whose Line is it Anyway,” being instructed by the pleasantly plump new Price is Right host to make up crafty lyrics to a made up song. But, these songs exist and they were cut, put together and made into an album. An album that sold 200,000 copies. 200,000! Well, it was for charity, but come on let us do the charity and yourself a favor and just donate the money straight to the charity, so nobody has to hear 6 Feet Deep sing “Frosty The Snowman.” Well, actually, if one looks at this song it may be just quite crafty. Frosty does inevitably seep into the ground in a post-Christmas melt.

The fact is, these musicians may be talented, but recording “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” under an artist title that suggests death is just funny. Funny to the point that, however painful the music is, you find yourself hysterically laughing at the absolute absurdity of the music being played and the artist’s titles. Heck, if it was for a good joke then it is well taken, but, please, if this was at all serious, leave the Christmas music to musicians like Bing Crosby, Johnny Marks, Irving Berlin, Nat King Cole, and, of course, The Brady Bunch (joke on the last one).

Court Links: Ringo’s Talking Head

20 Nov

I don’t care what anyone says, I like Ringo Starr.

What is there not to like, he was a Beatle, he is talented, and he seems like a genuine nice guy. Starr continues to release albums for the love of music and he does it with class, and other musicians. On his new release, the closest thing we all have to a Beatles’ reunion comes true with a Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr duet which will certainly require a listen. Also featured on the album are musicians like Joe Walsh and Ben Harper.

Link: http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/story/starr-duets-with-mccartney-on-new-album_1123072

You know who I also like, The Talking Heads. I also like interesting concerts on German rock television shows. I also like the song “I Zimbra,” which may sound and look like gibberish, but is actually adapted from a poem by Dadaist poet Hugo Ball. And, would you look at that, this link has everything.

Link: http://www.fark.com/cgi/vidplayer.pl?IDLink=4782230

 

Court Polls: Christmas

19 Nov

I caved. It is not even Thanksgiving and the need for Holiday cheer (not to mention the perpetual playlist) has led to a disgusting amount of Christmas music played on the radio. It seems as if this holiday begins earlier every year. Eventually, Christmas will end, we will celebrate New Years, and then we will have Christmas preparation for the entire year following. Every year will be Christmas, it will be a year-long event.

People have great memories of the holidays. I celebrate Hanukkah (so Anthony likes to poke fun at me that I will never have the experience of running down and seeing presents under a tree) but it does not matter what holiday you celebrate, there is just something about the time. The weather is cold, you sit bundled up in a warm blanket with hot cocoa and presents, wrapped up and mysterious. You may know what you are going to get, you annoyed your parents enough about that new video game, but there is still this sense of the unknown. There is sincere excitement. It does not matter how old you are. The holiday season is just wonderful.

But, does it need to start so soon. I want to be able to stuff my face with my grandmother’s stuffing before I have to start listening to Christmas cheer. I like getting the gluttony out of my system first. So, in honor of the early Christmas music, the Music Court will start off the holiday right with a poll about Christmas albums…The Worst Christmas Albums Ever!

There are a lot of worthy candidates. Do your research and make a choice. I know it will take me a while to decide. Good Luck!

Song of the Day #68: “First Floor People,” by Barcelona

18 Nov

Folks, I am experiencing a serious unintentional problem. I am apparently obsessed with Seattle, Washington bands and performers. Maybe, just maybe, there is a mass conspiracy and the only state releasing new artists is the northern Pacific, coffee fueled, rainy Washington, but, I must assume that I am just falling into the trap of Seattle music.

Seattle has been consistent in their musicians. They are talented, melodic, and smart. Not all of them, but most certainly most of them. So, today, I bring you Barcelona, a recent piano-based band whose brand of indie rock is both haunting and horrifyingly catchy. I think that is why I listen to so much Seattle music. You see, coffee is addicting. You drink a few cups and you become hooked, needing your daily dose to wake you up and eliminate any withdrawal. Same with music from Seattle. You need your daily dosage. Some people may like Starbucks, Seattle’s Best, heck even Folgers, but my current bean of choice is Barcelona.

“First Floor People,” is one of those songs that people easily skip over on an album. It does not attract much attention to itself as a quiet piece with a strung-out piano and an odd vocal. But, take one listen, and like Seattle coffee you are hooked. The first line that sings the title of the song will immediately stick itself to your mind and you will find yourself singing it over and over again. The song, which appears on their album “Absolutes,” definitely deserves a listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZozapblQAys.

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