A Fortnight of BANGERZ: Miley Cyrus, “We Can’t Stop”

On day two of this Bangerz fortnight, and on partying with all my friends Netflix alone in the dark Saturday night no less, it couldn’t be more fitting to pick apart track two of Bangerz, the comeback/transition/quintessential party hit, “We Can’t Stop.” Take a listen below if you haven’t heard it enough:

Oh, Milers. The first time I heard “We Can’t Stop” it felt like a breakup. We’ve been through our ups and downs, with “Can’t Be Tamed” and your “film acting” phase, but this was a new level. On first listen, I was afraid you’d changed too much for me. “You’re trying too hard.” “This isn’t you.” “Why don’t you call me back, best friend Miley?” Wait. Uh.

My initial reaction as played by the always relevant Ron Swanson. (source)

Anyway.

After a little time apart and a lot of bargaining, I listened again. And again. And again. I couldn’t stop.

Thanks for the rep, Ron. (source)

And then and there I decided this was a change for the better. I think we can work this out. Missed you.

If you couldn’t quite deduce, this song came as a big wakeup call to me; an in-your-face introduction to the new (and improved?) Miley Cyrus, the electronic r&b shock artist. I wasn’t quite ready for it but like most pop music, it was drilled into my brain and after a few listens I realized it wasn’t going anywhere but up.

“We Can’t Stop” is an unmistakeable hit with more layers than the world’s biggest onion shallot:

(source)

It has plenty of Auto-Tune for an electronic kick, a little bit of rap for a hip-hop flair and of course, an ear worm formed into a repetitive-yet-catchy dance pop beat.

The main gripe of the song is the uninspired lyrics. Some examples include:

“La-da-di-da-di. We like to party.”

“Shakin’ it like we at a strip club.”

“Dancin’ with Molly.”

“(Insert the entire song here).”

I get it, Miley, you’re edgy now. You like drugs, alcohol AND sex. You are wild and cuh-RAZY! But did you have to shove it in our faces in a way that made 2 Chainz sound like a modern day Shakespeare? Relevant analogy: “Got a big booty so I call her Big Booty” :: “Shall I compare thee to a Summer’s day.”

Now it’s not like I’m arguing for a more intelligent set of lyrics for “We Can’t Stop.” Just something a little more inspired and less elementary. But this song is the beginning of a transition, and a perfect representation of Miley’s reintroduction into the pop-o-sphere. All we can do now is sit back and see what she does, writes, prays, or smokes next.

Check back tomorrow for a comb-through of Bangerz’ track 3, “SMS (Bangerz)” featuring bad bitch BRITNEY SPEARS.

A Fortnight of BANGERZ: Miley Cyrus, “Adore You”

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If you haven’t yet heard that Miley Cyrus, Queen of the Modern Pop Universe, released her new album Bangerz this Tuesday, then you must have been living under all the rocks. Her crazy antics have been absolutely plastered (much like her) all over the internet and most of the physical world, including this guy:

(source)

Bangerz immediately reached #1 in 70 countries, solidifying the fact that it is now Miley’s time to shine, twerk, bump, grind, and what-have-you.

If you know me in real life and somehow know my deepest secret, then you know I am madly in love with Miley. For a good chunk of my teen years I watched Hannah Montana when no one was around and spent much of my free time learning the words (and maybe even dances) to such hits as “Nobody’s Perfect” and “Hoedown Throwdown.” Do you wish we hung out in high school now? Don’t answer that. I’ve been with her through all the ups and downs and although I was a little confused at some points I’m so damn happy that she’s finally made it.

In order to commemorate the release of Bangerz and my true love of Miss Milers, I will be giving you “A Fortnight of Bangerz.” That’s right – every day for the next two weeks I will be bringing you a new song from the album along with my professional, highly-esteemed opinion. This will culminate in a final review of the album as a whole, which will thusly shape your opinion because of said esteem (/s). In all seriousness, what you’ll find is my honest-to-goodness opinions of every song. While I do love Miley, that doesn’t mean I love all her music and you don’t have to worry about any bias here (unless it’s about Miley’s hair because YOU CAN JUST LEAVE YOU IF YOU DON’T LIKE IT.) Ahem.

Today’s ditty is Track #1 off Bangerz, the ethereal-yet-digital ballad “Adore You.”

Now THIS is what I’m talking about. Right off the bat, Miley showcases her fantastic vocals. Much like Justin Bieber, people have written her off as a one-of-a-million pop star and lumped her into the auto-tune generation because of her background (“famous” Dad, Disney star, etc.). While I’m not going to pretend there’s no auto-tune in this album, this song is one of many that shows off her genuine emotional vocal range. You can feel her yearning as she chants, “No, I need you more. I adore you.” You have to wonder if this song is about falling in love with Liam or just a generic “boy.” (Though the fact that Miley isn’t credited as a writer really makes you wonder.)

Or maybe Justin Gaston?

(source)

Probably Jake Ryan.

(source)

Both viable options. Definitely more so than Liam.

Either way, Miley’s heartache is right there on her sleeve as she calmly riffs each line. The slow, floating music adds a dash of empathy and a sprinkle of No Doubt – that’s right, I just compared Miley to a group of professional badasses who defined the 90s ska-punk/new-wave movement. Even if you don’t want to accept it, Miley has absolutely killer pipes and an ear for a great tune – there’s no doubt she’ll be around the pop charts for a long time (pun not intended but I feel like I should say it was for good looks). “Adore You” is a fantastic intro to Bangerz – it lets you easily and comfortably slide in to the new Miley Cyrus as you let go of those late night Hannah Montana memories.

Check back tomorrow for a review of the unmatchable hit and Bangerz Track 2, “We Can’t Stop.”

New Music: Fall Out Boy, “My Songs Know What You Did In the Dark (Light ‘Em Up)”

So my middle school heart almost exploded when the rumors officially became true – Fall Out Boy is back and they have a new song (and tour!) to prove it. After weeks of speculation, the boys have released a brand new song that has further polarized their dedicated fan base. As a lifelong fan (and by life I mean since 6th grade), I was a bit torn when I first heard the track. It’s absolutely NOT the FOB from An Evening Out with Your Girlfriend or Take This to Your Grave. But, then again, that Fall Out Boy died a long time ago. And while that death was sad, it did make ample room for the new and improved From Under the Cork Tree version… which died again when Infinity on High came out. MAKE UP YOUR MIND GUYS.

“My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light ‘Em Up)” is much more reminiscent of Infinity on High and Folie A Deux – pop rock infused with a touch of electronic. Whether you like it or not is your decision, but try not to like it too much – their tour sold out within mere minutes and, unless you have hundreds of dollars to buy a scalped ticket off of StubHub, you won’t be hearing it live anytime soon.

Give it a listen and let me know what you think:

New Music: Nelly, “Hey Porsche”

I was very recently (as in an hour ago) turned onto this new Nelly song and I almost had a heart attack. Does anyone remember the Nelly that told everyone to take their clothes off because it’s getting “Hot in Herre”? I remember carrying his CD around and telling everyone how I had a huge crush on him. Like… where did he go?!

Why is NO ONE else concerned that he is all of a sudden singing a song that should be sung by Hot Chelle Rae? (If you don’t know who that is, don’t bother Googling them, you will cry.) Yes, it’s catchy. Yes, I have been singing it for an hour. BUT THIS IS NOT NELLY. WHAT IS THIS?!

I don’t know if I want to ask for your opinion because I am nearly heartbroken at what Nelly now is. Check it out… if you dare:

Beautiful Music: Last Dinosaurs

If you listened to me in my heyday on WTBU (I was a huge campus celebrity, NBD), you know I am a MAJOR fan of Last Dinosaurs. I played their songs “Honolulu” and “Zoom” on endless rotation. If I had my way I would have only played their music half the time. But then I risked losing one of my two listeners, and that just didn’t seem worth it.

The quartet hails from Brisbane, Australia, the land of colossal spiders and really nothing else. Besides Chris Hemsworth. But then I see this (NSFW/NSFL/NOT WORTH IT/SPIDER MONSTER – also credit YouTube user totalstrikegently) and I am reminded that Australia is full of HELL SPAWNS and it clouds my vision.

Either way, if you haven’t heard Last Dinosaurs yet, you are missing out on some amazing music. They are a mix of pop rock, electronic, and magic. Not one song of theirs that has disappointed me yet.

Check them out and let me know what you think:

The Darkness LIVE at Paradise Rock Club – 1/19/13

Expert photography via iPhone.

One of my wildest dreams came true at one of my favorite venues in Boston a couple weekends ago. I stood in the VIP box at the Paradise as I watched hundreds of people attempt to reach the high notes in The Darkness’ “I Believe in a Thing Called Love.” What, that’s not your wildest dream? Well, you’ve come to the wrong corner of the internet, my friend.

A friend of mine had been begging me to get tickets to see The Darkness ever since she found out they were coming through town. All I could remember about them was their fantastic sense of style and even more fantastic falsettos – obviously, I was sold right away. I was able to procure us a pair of tickets and a (surprise) pair of VIP passes through my super #swaggy connections and off to the show we went. Of course, beforehand, we drank a bottle of wine and a fishbowl. What, you thought I was going into this sober? THIS ISN’T THAT CORNER OF THE INTERNET, FREAK.

We hit the Paradise about an hour before their set, because we are not the people that enjoy jumping around in a sweaty mess of people and spraining our knees before the headliner even comes on. At the box office, I put on my most professional face, pulled out my ID, and said “We’re on some list… I think…” The girl behind the glass was so impressed that she gave me THREE tickets, TWO VIP passes and ONE MILLION DOLLARS. Wait, what?

Well, unfortunately for me, the million dollars were not available at that time. We strolled into the show feeling like those million bucks, though, because WE HAD VIP PASSES! Now what does that get you at The ‘Dise? Well, for this show, it gave us the privilege to stand in the VIP box on the balcony with the best view of the set, and a chance to meet the band afterwards. So many dreams were coming true that night.

Around 10:30, the band strolled onstage in some of the most gorgeous outfits I’d seen outside of fashion magazines. Justin had his signature double-V-down-to-the-crack spandex in a chic prison stripe, and the rest of the band was also there.

Now, when I was heading into this show, I was not expecting showmanship or impressive musical abilities. I was instead expecting loud, shrill high notes and frequent use of the distortion pedal. While my expectations were met, they were also WILDLY surpassed. The Darkness put on one of the most spectacular shows I’ve seen in a very long time. Strangely enough, I could actually feel the passion in Justin’s voice as he sang “Friday Night” (Lyric sample – “I used to sit next to you in school… We indulged in all the extracurricular activities.” WAT).

The crowd went wild the second the band came on. I genuinely felt like I had been teleported back twenty years and was watching Poison come onstage in Vegas. The screams were THAT high. Right off the bat, they jumped into “Every Inch of You” off their newest album, Hot Cakes. Although I am not a true Darkness fan and had not listened to the new album before that night, I swore to myself that I would learn every word after that performance. Still working on that.

Notable parts in the night came when Justin pulled a fan out of the front row and had him dance on the stage during the set. If you look really closely in the EXPERTLY TAKEN PHOTO ABOVE, you can see a fan dancing on the drum stand. I was so jelly I was jam.

The most important part of the night, however, came at the very end of the show. After the band came back for encore, I was feeling a bit miffed that they hadn’t played “Love on the Rocks with No Ice,” which I believe is their very best song. Halfway through, Justin jumped on the shoulders of Cody, a fan with whom he made an intimate connection throughout the show, and RODE HIM THROUGH THE AUDIENCE. He literally rode him. He told him where to go and when to stop. He also had him sing “Love On the Rocks.” I was so jelly that I had officially turned into marmalade at that point. He then proceeded to climb UP TO THE BALCONY, JUMP OFF, CLIMB UP A POLE, CROWD SURF, and finally make it back to the stage to finish the last chorus of the song. Video evidence can be found here. (Credit to YouTube user jasonkorolenko). If you weren’t enthralled when watching that, you are not a human being. My apologies.

After the show ended, we stood around for about thirty minutes while the band “took showers.” Since we were 21 year old girls and definitely the youngest people at the show that night, we decided we no longer wanted to be skeeved on and left without meeting the band. Also, my knees were throbbing from standing up. Yes, I am an old woman. (Contradictions.)

So, the moral of this very LONG story is, if The Darkness ever comes through your city, you MUST see them. They are fantastic showmen, and weirdly, better musicians. Check out their new album Hot Cakes by clicking here.  Your face will melt from the rock.

Playlist 11/29

Tasty Jams with Emily – Thursdays 12PM to 2PM on WTBU – The Beat of Boston University

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Kimbra “Warrior” from Vows

Gentlemen Hall “All Our Love” from When We All Disappear – EP

Alberta Cross “Lay Down” from Songs of Patience

Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti “Baby” from Mature Themes

The Avett Brothers “The Once and Future Carpenter” from The Carpenter

The Polyphonic Spree “Do You Hear What I Hear?” from Holidaydream: Sounds of the Holidays

Blondfire “Where the Kids Are” from Where the Kids Are – EP

Wild Nothing “Paradise” from Paradise – Single

Tame Impala “Feels Like We Only Go Backwards” from Lonerism

Purity Ring “Fineshrine” from Shrines

Norah Jones “Happy Pills” from Little Broken Hearts

Mean Creek “Do You Know?” from Youth Companion

Matt & Kim “Let’s Go” from Lightning

The Helio Sequence “October” from Negotiations

Grizzly Bear “Yet Again” from Shields

Frightened Rabbit “State Hospital” from Pedestrian Verse

The Starting Line “Ready” from Based on A True Story

Hey Mercedes “Unorchestrated” from Loses Control

The Academy Is… “Automatic Eyes” from Fast Times At Barrington High

Say Anything “Eloise” from Say Anything

Ace Enders & A Million Different People “When I Hit The Ground” from When I Hit The Ground

Gatsby’s American Dream “The Giant’s Drink” from Volcano

The Early November “Sesame, Smeshame” from The Room’s Too Cold

Death Cab for Cutie “Your New Twin Sized Bed” from Narrow Stairs

Carolina Liar “Last Night” from Coming to Terms

Playlist 11/15

Tasty Jams with Emily – Thursdays 12PM to 2PM on WTBU – The Beat of Boston University

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Avett Brothers “Once and Future Carpenter” from The Carpenter

AWOLNATION “Sail” from Megalithic Symphony

Dirty Projectors “About to Die” from About to Die – EP

Guided By Voices “Waving At Airplanes” from The Bears For Lunch

The Helio Sequence “October” from Negotiations

Kimbra “Settle Down” from Vows

The Wallflowers “Reboot the Mission (feat. Mick Jones)” from Glad All Over

The Early November “A Stain On the Carpet” from In Currents

Grizzly Bear “Yet Again” from Shields

Matt & Kim “Let’s Go” from Lightning

Mean Creek “Do You Know?” from Youth Companion

Last Dinosaurs “Zoom” from In a Million Years

River City Extension “Welcome to Pittsburgh” from Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On Your Anger

The Lemonheads “Its A Shame About Ray” from It’s a Shame About Ray

Annuals “Hot Night Hounds” from Such Fun

Shiny Toy Guns “Somewhere to Hide” from III

Tame Impala “Feels Like We Only Go Backwards” from Lonerism

Weezer “The Greatest Man That Ever Lived (Variations On a Shaker Hymn)” from Weezer (Red Album)

I Can Make a Mess Like Nobody’s Business “Stop Smoking Because It’s Not Good for You” from The World We Know

Cloud Nothings “Stay Useless” from Attack on Memory

Wild Nothing “Paradise” from PARADISE – Single

Alberta Cross “Money for the Weekend (Pocket Full of Shame)” from Songs of Patience

Frightened Rabbit “State Hospital” from State Hospital – EP

Steel Train “Bullet” from Steel Train

The Like “Bridge To Nowhere” from Are You Thinking What I’m Thinking?

The Maine “My Heroine” from Pioneer

Kimbra “Warrior” from Vows

Playlist 11/8

Tasty Jams with Emily – Thursdays 12PM to 2PM on WTBU – The Beat of Boston University

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Alabama Shakes “Hold On” from Hold On

AWOLNATION “Not Your Fault” from Megalithic Symphony

River City Extension “Welcome to Pittsburgh” from Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On Your Anger

Matt & Kim “Let’s Go” from Lightning

Norah Jones “Happy Pills” from Little Broken Hearts

The Early November “Smell of This Place” from In Currents

Last Dinosaurs “Zoom” from In a Million Years

Weezer “Heart Songs” from Weezer (Red Album)

Good Old War “Coney Island” from Only Way to Be Alone

The Wallflowers “Reboot the Mission (feat. Mick Jones)” from Glad All Over

I Can Make a Mess Like Nobody’s Business “Stop Smoking Because It’s Not Good for You” from The World We Know

The Wombats “Girls/Fast Cars” from The Wombats Proudly Present… This Modern Glitch

David Bowie “Suffragette City” from The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars

The Smiths “Girlfriend In A Coma” from The Sound of the Smiths

The Avett Brothers “Live And Die” from The Carpenter

The Wallflowers “One Headlight” from Bringing Down the Horse

Mean Creek “Evel Knievel” from Youth Companion

The Cure “Mint Car (Radio Mix)” from Galore (The Singles 1987-1997)

The Like “The One” from Are You Thinking What I’m Thinking?

The Cult “She Sells Sanctuary” from High Octane

Steel Train “You Are Dangerous” from Steel Train

AWOLNATION “Sail” from Megalithic Symphony

The Beatles “Sexy Sadie” from The Beatles (The White Album)

Ty Segall “Thank God for Sinners” from Twins

The Clash “This Is Radio Clash” from THE SINGLES

Unnatural Helpers “Mexican Borders” from Land Grab

The Early November “Something That Produces Results” from The Room’s Too Cold

Tame Impala “Feels Like We Only Go Backwards” from Lonerism

Foster the People “Call It What You Want” from Torches

Ace Enders & A Million Different People “Take The Money And Run” from When I Hit The Ground

Playlist 11/1

Tasty Jams with Emily – 12PM to 2PM Thursdays on WTBU – The Beat of Boston University

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Weezer “El Scorcho” from Pinkerton

AWOLNATION “Sail” from Megalithic Symphony

The Helio Sequence “October” from Negotiations

Kimbra “Warrior” from Vows

I Can Make a Mess Like Nobody’s Business “Connected” from Gold Rush

Grizzly Bear “Yet Again” from Shields

Good Old War “I’m Not for You” from Only Way to Be Alone

River City Extension “Welcome to Pittsburgh” from Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On Your Anger

Coconut Records “Nighttiming” from Nighttiming

Wild Nothing “Paradise” from Paradise

The Early November “Close to You” from In Currents

Bat for Lashes “All Your Gold” from The Haunted Man

Ace Enders & A Million Different People “SOS” from When I Hit The Ground

San Cisco “Awkward” from Awkward EP

Dum Dum Girls “I Got Nothing” from End of Daze

The Early November “Ever So Sweet” from The Room’s Too Cold

Annuals “Hot Nights Hounds” from Such Fun

K.Flay “Mason Jar” from I Stopped Caring in ’96

Last Dinosaurs “Zoom” from In a Million Years

The Lemonheads “It’s A Shame About Ray” from It’s a Shame About Ray

The Like “June Gloom” from Are You Thinking What I’m Thinking?

The Black Keys “Little Black Submarines” from El Camino

Weezer “I’m Your Daddy” from Raditude