Zippy is right beside me most of the time when I’m in the writing and editing mode. Kipling is waiting by the door to go outside. She misses out on a lot of the tunes playing. Elvis Presley is currently on the spotlight with 50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can’t Be Wrong, an album that captures his charisma — Kipling’s barking out: Elvis who? Zippy loves Elvis though and shakes his head at the youth of today. The photo above is Zippy going all Warhol on the blog. He wanted equal time with Kipling.
In the writing and editing life right now, music is on constant play, and I repeat the albums, the songs that inspire me. At the moment, there are a few I have listened to and hit repeat. When the videos come up, on random play, I stop and watch them. I share these fantasy-driven videos below, and they are captivating. Some of these tunes are old, most are, but a few are current. Is there a song you can’t get out of your head?
I like discovering what music people listen to, the bands they have to share, the song that brings forth a great memory. Please let me know what your favorite music videos are that you are currently watching.
1. Of Monsters And Men are taking over the airwaves with their call and response song Little Talk, and it’s a pleasurable song, filled with wise lament and a catchy melody. The video is what thrilled me.
2. Katy Perry’s song Wide Awake is in later Pat Benatar mode, reminds me a lot of We Belong and Le Bel Age, two of her non-rock/poppier moments. The video is a big fantasy. I can only imagine how much fun it was to create the images. It reminded me of Tarsem Singh’s best work (pre-Mirror Mirror‘s The Fall especially).
3. Dorean Lives is a band that is on the verge of becoming a name in the music business. I also happily admit that the lead singer is my partner’s cousin’s son. What is great about Logan’s voice is the way he owns a song. Sometimes, as in the new track A Cold Fire From The One I Loved, available to listen as a Sampler download from Red Cord Records (click HERE), the phrasing and swagger remind me so much of Billy Idol and Charlie Sexton, but the sound is pure today — and I look forward to the day I hear Dorean Lives blasting from my favorite radio station. The tune I love that I am sharing today was chosen by Robert McCammon, the thriller and horror writer, as part of the promotional package surrounding his last great novel, The Five: Shiver, Breathe, Repeat. It’s a very good beginning.
4. Bryan Ferry hit this song out of the park and I love the beat. He has his suave cool aura intact. Harkening back to later Roxy Music days, You Can Dance, off his Olympia album, is a stirring track that has me listening again and again, and the video remix, You Can Dance (John Monkman Remix) is a heady and provocative concoction. Watch:
5. Elizabeta, a singer who is in the Sarah Brightman and Enya part of the pond, came out with Dreamer, and the accompanying video. It has a certain charm, and I hope her audience grows.
6. Beer On The Table, the song and the video are not new but whenever it comes up on random play it simply makes me laugh. Josh Thompson probably had a lot of fun on this shoot. Pure country in the Billy Ray Cyrus mode — song and look.
7. Alex Clare — Too Close — the song and video hit hard. The first time I heard this song it made me want to listen to it again and again. Big things in store for Alex Clare.
8. And The Boys by Angus & Julia Stone is a little song that grips with the peculiar and fresh delivery of the lyrics. The video grew stronger with each viewing. I wanted to meet the character in the story, and that is always a great moment between art, song, painting, book, and the creative drive.
9. Janelle Monae is one of the most exciting singers and performers today. Hands down my favorite live video in the past couple years. Discover and listen to Janelle. Here is Janelle singing Sincerely Jane (Live):
10. Lenka became a household word with her first single The Show, but it’s her sophomore album Two, and the catchy pop single Heart Skips A Beat, the one that didn’t make as huge a splash that keeps me listening. Give Lenka’s newer work a listen.
What are the current and past songs and videos that catch your eye, stop you from doing your own mundane chores, and make you listen and watch? Take care, and let the music play.
Justin
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Oh my god, Justin, now I really feel old since the only artist I listen to here is Bryan Ferry and he’s , what? 90?
Thanks for keeping me abreast of the current stuff.
xo
eden
haha, eden, I know you’ve heard of Elvis Presley. I really liked the Icelandic band’s fantasy video, Of Monsters And Men. They won a huge battle of the bands and received popular recognition. Their song is all over the airwaves. The film Once helped make a change for the better.
Have been off in K-pop land so thanks for English music list 🙂
You are very welcome, Lily. Let the music play.
Little Talks is one of my favorite songs right now. I also love how artistic the video is. Other great picks, too!
Little Talks reminds me of so many great tunes from the near and distant past. I’d love to go to a concert with you, A.