The Music Court

Hey guys,

Sorry, I know I’ve been a really atrocious blogger…

Not to get too specific, but technology has been the bane of my existence for the past couple of months or so…

Anyhow something very exciting happened last night! E news, the authority on all things vital, premiered the latest Lady Gaga music video, Telephone. The vid is roughly 9 minutes long, and I’ve seen it three times already, sufficiently investing a half hour’s worth thus far in all things Gaga.

Telephone takes off where Gaga’s older single, Papparazzi, leaves off, except this time even trippier, and most likely, with a bigger Hollywood budget.  She enters the bowels of an all women’s prison, celebrating her admittance with gritty scowling and too perfect to be unrehearsed choreography. She’s not there for long though, after she is bailed out byher trusty friend Beyonce. Can you imagine if Beyonce bailed you out of jail?

Hey Beyonce could you do me a solid? It's a funny story...

In addition to mega stars Beyonce and Lady Gaga, the video features another celebrity cameo. The…um…Wagon from Quinton Tarentino’s Kill Bill!  The car was a great asset to the mini-movie. Afterall, Kill Bill is about the vengeance of a peeved off Uma Thurman, and from I’ve inferred, Telephone is pretty much about killing off dudes that are mean to ladies.

The costumes in Telephone act as a third character to Gaga and Beyonce’s starring roles. The level of visual excitement is so high you’re liable to blow out your retinas. Gaga dawns everything from sunglasses made of steaming cigarettes, a bodysuit made of caution tape, and a headdress made out of, you guessed it, a telephone. This music video follows within the footsteps of all great, somewhat lengthy productions (insert Michael Jackson reference here). Sure the plot maybe a little loopy and frenzied, but in the Haus of Gaga, what else would you expect? The one thing I didn’t appreciate were all the blatant product placements. Okay Virgin mobile and special Lady Gaga headphones, we get it! Nevertheless, witty one liners and hidden details (like the appearance of Lady Gaga’s actual self, Stefani Germanotta) make this video a must watch. Telephone is a product of art and entertainment, a manifestation of all things kitschy, wild and pop.

Hi there all,

I’m currently enjoying the last week of my winter break, just before I get thrown back head first into the brutal, biting  tundra of Bingahmton University. So before my fingertips decay at the Mr. Frost’s unforgiving mercy, I think a new post is in order. This morning I was channel flipping and came across an amazing new single by the likes of British singer Corrinne Baily Rae. The melody was simple but intoxicating, gentle, bluesy and warm. And so like any good music enthusiast would do, I listened to the song I’d Do It All Again on a loop. Rae’s newest album The Sea will be released in 2010, and I suggest you all check it out.

Hey Guys,

 I think you all should check out rising star Kina Grannis (no relation). Grannis is currently 24, and a California native of French, Scottish and Japanese descent. Most of all, she’s a really cool folksy/acoustic artist with one heck of a voice. You’d probably find her quite easily on YouTube, considering she has literally performed dozens of covers ranging from the likes of Leonard Cohen, John Mayer, and Michael Jackson. She currently has a loyal following, with nearly 30,000 fans on her Facebook page. Grannis been signed with Interscope Records since 2008, and her debut album Stairwells, is said to come out soon this year.

Hope you all had a great New Years, and if you’re reading this, you’re probably not still hung-over from the night’s festivities. Good job! Anyways, here’s the final chunk of the top ten female artists of the decade. We left off at number 5 last time, with performer M.I.A….

4. Beyonce Knowles: Now I don’t know if she had the best music video of all time (Kanye) but there’s no doubt that Beyonce is one of the hardest working artists of the last ten years. She’s built her career from the ground up, starting with Destiny’s Child in her pre-teen years. She’s come into her own, slowly shedding the signature, manufactured pop image typical of artists in early the 2000’s. With a blow-out album and worldwide tour in 09’, Beyonce’s prolific career is steadfast.

3. Kelly Clarkson– The first American Idol darling, Clarkson has long surpassed expectations of reality TV. She’s a paragon of talent, with a voice that easily sends chills down anyone’s spine.

2. Alicia Keys– A piano child prodigy, Key’s abilities were evident by the time she enrolled in Colombia University at 16. Her first major hit Fallen gained the attention of the music scene in the early 00’s, snagging buzz and Grammys alike. And since then, Key’s success is unrelenting. Whether she’s collaborating with the likes of Jack White or Jay-Z or partaking in solo projects, she has won the praise of fans and critics alike. In 2009, Keys was one of the best selling artists, selling 700,000 albums within two weeks of release.

1. Fiona Apple– The decade’s best female artists is Fiona Apple, producing the critically claimed album Extraordinary Machine in 2005. Apple emerged as an edgy young performer in the 1990’s, shocking the world with her sultry voice and provocative music video for the single Criminal. Apple’s voice is unlike any other; an alto potent with raw emotion. Her piano composition is remarkable, infused with disonance that is more  reminiscent of art than noise. Her lyrics too are catchy and gripping. Her language pulls the listener in, as she conjures images of love, loss, happiness, and rage. Extraordinary Machine is one of the top albums of this past decade, for it is in itself a narrative of the artist’s experience. Here’s an incredible video, a testament to Apple’s alarming talent.

Well the New Year is approaching folks. So I’ve came up with a list, ranking the top ten female artists of the past decade.

This week’s post features the first five:

10.Amy Winehouse– Amy, Amy, Amy… say what you want about this little fire-cracker. Yes she may be known for things other than her music, but Winehouse is still worthy of a spot on this list. She pretty much opened up the door for other musicians, allowing them to follow in her booze-chasing footsteps.  The 2006 record Back to Black is a powerful synthesis of jazz, rock and soul; and refreshing twist on standard sound.

9.Norah Jones– With a Grammy sweep in 2002 for her platinum album Come Away with Me, Norah Jones is one of the most notable artists of the early 2000’s. I’m sure you all remember the infectious I Don’t Know Why. Her mellow, bluesy vibe is relaxed and inviting—Jones is definitely a throwback to the great ones.

8.Ingrid Michealson- I love chicks that wear glasses! Michealson is a graduate from Binghamton University alumni and also one of the most talented songwriters of the decade. Her brand of indie-pop made its way to radio with the single The Way I Am (“…Cause I love the way you call me baby, and you take me the way I am”) .

7.Lady Gaga– Within a single year, Lady Gaga has transformed the pop scene. She’s challenged tradition fearlessly, bringing forth notions of sexual liberation and nonconformity to the mainstream consciousness. And with her wacky get-ups, Gaga is quite the hoot! Love her or hate her, she’s a real performer. She gives her all to every song, slamming the piano keys with both her fists and stilettos.

See? I wasn't kidding about the stilletos.

6.Regina Spektor– I think I’ve stated my case with this one in my previous post. But to sum it up, Spektor’s hardcore and rad as hell.

5. M.I.A-M.I.A came to fame with her hit single Paper Planes, from the Pineapple Express soundtrack. Although the song gained wide popularity for its catchy-coolness, it was actually a social commentary on illegal immigration. Of Tamil Sri Lankan origin, M.I.A. was a brought up as a political refugee of civil conflict. Her music thus reflects the turbulence of her youth. In Arular (2005) and Kala (2007) M.I.A generates both social meaning and funky sound.

Keep reading for next week’s final five, including the number one female artist on the decade!