Archive for the ‘Music’ Category

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Captain Obvious, I know!

To keep it elementary, Maria Mena has an uber-unique voice. I can remember the very first time I heard this voice, years ago when I instantly fell in love with her American hit single, You’re The Only One, with its undeniable charm and quirkster yet vulnerable lyrics.

Now, the Norwegian pop singer/songwriter is back with a just-released video for new single Viktoria, the title track off her fifth studio album, out now on Columbia Records/Sony Music.

I really love how fragile and honest this girl’s music is.

She’s a stunning talent that deserves a lot more recognition.

Case in point…

By: Caitlin Hoffman
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Taking me back to those ripped jeans with the mud on them, those starry nights invaded by crackling speakers, broken headphones. Hmm? Oh, sorry. Just listening to The Hussy. Who? Oh, just one of those bands that transmit trippage without forsaking quality of sound. Weed Seizure is their second LP and it was just released two days ago. (Oh yeah, I’m on the ball.) All their instruments play as if through rust; the vocals sing through smog, stuck somewhere in a time tunnel. Listening to them, you’re transported to an almost-place, a nearly-there-place, a fuzzy in-between that dazzles.

How a collaboration of two can come up with this material is beyond me. Their skulls must be busting with creative exposure.

I can just imagine their concerts (they’re touring mighty soon). All those medicinal herbs flowing through the air, all those dreadlocked kids marching to their own drummers. Love the imagery. It’s a memory-to-be made for a Polaroid.

With little to no effort, they resuscitate garage rock and add an extra hunk of spit to polish it up.

They are a full service machine. Drums, vocals, guitar and keyboards, all rolled up in two talented people.

By far one of the most uppity tracks would have to be Stab Me; those fingers are teaching the guitar strings how to dance! But I have to say my favourite jig is Undefined, a stunning breach of musical ability combined with freakalicious visuals in their music video.

This one will be in my head for weeks, and I’m in no hurry to make it leave. It can rent out a corner of my cranium for all I care.
　

The Hussy – Undefined (Official Video) from High Frequency Media on Vimeo.

By: Caitlin Hoffman
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Royal Canoe is sailing down the river of weird, and I’d like to join them.

They are a band from Winnipeg that sort of got together by accident. It all started with making an album that was never meant to be played. Then came an alteration of manpower, and before anyone knew what was happening, they were touring like there was no tomorrow. Royal Canoe has since made a beautiful break on the local music scene. The quirky melodies splice up your auditory canal with multi-layer oddities.

I’m not saying I’ve sparked up a love affair with them. They are a sample on my Ipod; I doubt they’ll become a feature on the menu. Still, for someone else they may be a long term staple of a delicacy.

I leave you with their video for Nightcrawlin’, a little tuneage from their upcoming album. It’s nightmare material, but in a good way. Paranoia is good for the skin.
　

By: Maria Ciezak
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Does this girl do anything wrong? Upon request, Miss Kelly Clarkson continues to wow us with an amazing cover of Paramore’s The Only Exception. Whether this song is her own or not, she owns it. I am continually inspired by her kick-ass attitude, astonishing pipes, and stick-to-her-gun ways. This may not be the best video quality, but the quality of her voice is always top notch. Enjoy.

[Related Post: Kelly Clarkson Soars At Radio City]

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Whoa! This video is CRAZY…good!

Melbourne natives, DEJA, have just released the music video to their new single, Atrophy, the first release off their forthcoming debut album. The track, which was created in the band’s home studio, pulsates with an erratic punch.

The video presents the jam with haunting, creepy ass scenes, focusing on themes of fear, death, and loss. Sad face!

For real though, it’s a visual feast.

Electro pop has never been so creepy and neurotic. And I love it.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

“I have a special pair of poop shoes under my desk. Whenever I need to drop a deuce, I slip them on and scurry to the restroom, and no one ever knows it’s me. Like, if I’m wearing Louboutins that day, and my producer sees Earth shoes in the stall…well, you get the idea. It was truly a lightbulb moment when that came to me.”

–Oprah Winfrey

And to switch the subject from poop to music (since hey, this is a damn music blog after all), if you haven’t seen Oprah’s special on rock legend Steven Tyler, I’d highly recommend it. It’s absolutely fascinating.

Watch in full below.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Talk about an electrifying way to enter the scene…

Neon Hitch, known to many from her feature on Gym Class Heroes’ Ass Back Home, has unleashed a rather titillating video for Love U Betta (also known as F*ck U Betta), the first single from her upcoming album Beg, Borrow, and Steal. In the Chris Applebaum-directed clip, the volcano-haired artist writhes on the floor nearly naked, rolling around in black paint.

I seriously cannot stop playing this damn song.

Straight guys, prepare to be bonerfied!

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Ok, so y’all know how much I love Lights, right? I’m sure it’s obvious considering the fact that I rant and rave like a lunatic pretty much over everything she releases. I will say though, that a few tracks from her new album Siberia had to grow on me, but most were an instant love affair — tracks like Frame and Focus, Flux and Flow (see below yo!), and Everybody Breaks A Glass. Oh yeah! And Toes, too.

I just love you to death, Lights.

Lettuce be friends? (I have a feeling you don’t eat meat.)

Watch the just-released video for Banner + Flux and Flow audio following.

By: Maria Ciezak
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Eve 6 always takes me back to my youth, when Inside Out was my anthem, lit with that infectious energy. In present day, this rock group is back with a new single entitled Victoria. If you liked Horoscope Eve 6, you will fall head over heels for this one; ingenious lyrics, attractive hooks, and staple Eve 6 circa the year 2000. Okay, one pseudo flaw — there are more digital/electronic effects on this track and it’s less guitar-driven. Don’t get me wrong, the drumming skills are still present, but the new production shows how their style has evolved as a band. After all, what band ever sounds the same as they did on their first record?

Some may call it more poppier for the band, which is fine, but it’s pop with substance. Plus, this song could be an anthem for many people, specifically for distrusting boyfriends the world over, hitting their spirits like a target. Plain and simple, this track centers around the suspicions that “Victoria” did not go to bed as early as she claims. It captures the feeling of paranoia and mistrust perfectly.

I have high hopes for their new record, Speak in Code, due out April 24th.

Pick up the new single!

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

You can create an image.

You can sign a recording contract.

You can sell a million albums.

But talent as real, raw, and authentic as this, cannot be duplicated.

Johnny Cash is the truth. I say is, because to me, he’s still very much alive — one of those brilliant musicians that make you feel like they somehow understand your pain when they sing, their presence entering the room with the press of a button.

(The fact that he’s a certified bad ass is just an added bonus.)

Rest in peace, buddy.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

If elephants can paint, why can’t dogs shoot music videos?!

South African synth-pop artist, Johnny Neon, has released a super cool video for the song Hearts, with the help of a rescue dog named Lemon, who spent some time with a GoPro camera on her back. The footage captured by the lovable animal (who was found on the side of the road and nursed back to health, sad face) makes up the entire clip.

Director/filmmaker Dave Meinert directed the video, while he was dogsitting the pooch for a friend.

Clever!

And such a fun track…

Win/Win, people!

Johnny Neon ‘Hearts’ from Dave Meinert on Vimeo.

By: Maria Ciezak
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

John Mayer has recently been teasing the crap out of his new music with snippets and cover art. But today’s the day he’s officially back on the scene after an oh-so-long hiatus, finally releasing in full, his new single Shadow Days, off of his forthcoming album, Born and Raised. This is such easy-living music, and it will put you at peace no matter where you are.

The album drops in full on May 22nd. Check it out!

Are you excited for John’s comeback?

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

“My goal is to always come from a place of love, but sometimes you just have to break it down for a motherf*cker.”

-Ru

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

This is crazy! So naturally, I like it…

’80s hitmaker, Richard Marx, the dude who gave us the smash Right Here Waiting, has created an acoustic cover to Katy Perry’s The One That Got Away.

Marx recently stopped by VH1’s Big Morning Buzz Live to debut his version of the track, explaining: “You know, I’m just sitting listening to my iPod and I love the last Katy Perry CD… I loved the production but I heard this other really heartbreakingly beautiful song inside of ['The One That Got Away']. So I was really bored that day and I went in my studio and made an acoustic version.”

Go on with yo bad self, Mr. Marx.

By: Maria Ciezak
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Punk rock tends to have some slow years, and in my opinion, 2011 was one of them. Although, to anyone who thought the genre died in the late nineties, be prepared to experience an authentic rebirth…

It gives me great pleasure to say that one of my favorite groups, The Menzingers, are back with their third LP, entitled On the Impossible Past. For those of you that are unfamiliar with this group, I recommend you familiarize yourself with their discography. Every album in their collection is commanding.

After listening to the new record through multiple times, I have come to the conclusion that each song carries a dissimilar message, and the tone of the album as a whole is flawless. It’s full of honest emotion without melodrama; a raw sound with catchy tunes. Fans will not only see The Menzingers growing stronger, but also growing up, and in a way that highlights their music for the better.

This is exactly what a punk rock album should sound like.

Pick this one up!