Filed under: Indie | Tags: Breathe Me, Buttons, In the Waiting Line, Sia, Zero 7
There are some artists that just keep jumping out at you, even when you’re not looking for them. Each time they come to you it’s a welcome and enjoyable experience, but for some reason you only keep listening to the one song you have without looking for more.
Sia (Furler) was, for me, one of those artists.
She came to me twice: first, as the singer of a Zero 7 song in the soundtrack of Zach Braff’s movie, Garden State; then, as a solo artist with her new single, “Buttons”.
Since it’s the newest thing, let’s start with her new single:
“Buttons” – Sia [DOWNLOAD]
It’s upbeat, catchy and, frankly, weird. “Buttons” is the least generic piece of music you’ll hear today. Sia’s vocals shift back and forth from spoken to sung, magnificently complimenting the beat. But the music is even more interesting: The opening of the song reminds me of bad grocery store muzak and I think I hear a tambourine in the mix, too. It’s great! The song doesn’t only consist of odd instrumentation, though. The base, drums, guitar and piano really add to the funky feel that’s much too hard to explain. The lyrics are, in places, as loopy as the song itself. Just listen to it, already!
“Breathe Me” – Sia [DOWNLOAD]
This song is from Sia’s previous album, Colour the Small One. Yes, you’ve probably heard it somewhere before. The song seems like it has been everywhere since its release in 2004. ( The song closed the series Six Feet Under in 2005 and gained much airplay in 2006, reaching #14 on Billboard’s Heatseekers.) What I love about ”Breathe Me” is that it is most assuredly not a precursor to “Buttons”; you might not believe that the same artist produced these two songs. “Breathe Me” is a beautiful cry for help whereas “Buttons” is much more playful about emotional pain. The song is stunningly gorgeous, the build to the climax is genius. Here’s the thing: Sia does not have a particularly beautiful voice, but it is perfect for this song. It’s beautiful, download it.
[Check out the video, it's awesome.]
“In The Waiting Line” – Zero 7 [DOWNLOAD]
This was my introduction to the vocal stylings of Sia. She’s not really part of Zero 7, who use several different vocalists on their tracks, as most electronic artists do. This song is one of their most popular, probably because if was used in Garden State, Sex and the City and House. ”In The Waiting Line” lends itself to great cinematic moments; however, it stands on its own much better. I would categorize it, lyrically, as a “life is a long, winding road” song. It’s sound is dreamy, almost surreal. It has a good late-night feel (most electronica does, I’ve found). This is one of those songs that creates a scene in my mind: I’m driving on an empty freeway at night, the city lights are speeding by, but I’m still in “the waiting line”. Whatever that may mean to you. Give this one good number of listens, it grows as you do.
What do you think of Sia’s versatility and vocal/musical talent? Please leave me a comment!
Filed under: Pop, Review | Tags: 50 Cent, Ayo Technology, Curtis, Graduation, Kanye West, Kanye West vs. 50 Cent, Stronger
iPods across the nation are filled with the victor of this year’s hip-hop war (no bullets this time, folks: just music).
50 Cent vs. Kanye West.
If somehow you’ve missed both MTV’s Video Music Awards (gasp) and this month’s Rolling Stone cover [shown above], don’t sweat it: I can remedy your ignorance of pop culture. And, let’s face it, hip-hop is now pop culture. That’s lesson one.
On Tuesday, September 11th, 2007 Kanye West graduated and 50 Cent showed the world that he was not Fifty, but Curtis. The two giant names dropped their new albums into record stores on the same day with great press. Does a simultaneous release always make the cover of Rolling Stone? Not usually. It’s only cover material when the career of one of the artists is on the line.
50 Cent made headlines in August when he threatened to retire from the music industry if his album, Curtis, did not sell more than Kanye West’s Graduation.
50 quickly recanted, of course, but the news of his possible retirement out-voiced news of his change of heart.
As of yesterday, Graduation has sold 900,000 copies compared to Curtis‘ 600,000. 50 Cent has since postponed his European tour to further promote Curtis.
But what about the music?
Since music is what is important, I present to you the two lead singles of both Curtis and Graduation.
“Ayo Technology” – 50 Cent (featuring Timbaland and Justin Timberlake) [DOWNLOAD]
“… 50 Cent, Justin, Timbaland, god damn!” Three of the biggest names in hip-pop in one track? “Damn!” is right (along with the fact that, somehow, miraculously, in the hands of Fifty all of those words rhyme). The result is a danceable, catchy and incredibly well-produced single that is playing on a radio station near you. Unfortunately, there is not much more to offer.
The hook of the song does not stray much from traditional hip-hop territory: “She wants it, so I gotta give it to her” and the lyrics are not much better: “Ayo, I’m tired of usin’ technology. Why don’t you sit down on top of me?” The hypersexual nature of the song is seductive because, although we might not want to admit it, sex sells (and we’re the ones buying it). In essence, the song is incredibly well-manufactured fluff. I’d recommend a download; I enjoy the beat and the fun fact that these names are collaborating and making each other’s names rhyme.
C+
Kanye West – “Stronger” [DOWNLOAD]
“That that don’t kill me, will only make me stronger.” We’ve heard this saying ten-thousand times over, but Kanye keeps it cool. The coolness is helped with his sampling the vocoded electronic hit “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger” by Daft Punk. The best part of the sampling is the creation of a hook that only a masterful producer could create. After listening to Daft Punk’s song, one might note that the vocoded “vocals” are in a completely different octave than in Kanye’s “Stronger”. The synthesis of Kanye West’s witty rhymes with Daft Punk’s electronic brilliance (synthesis by Kanye West featuring drum beats by Timbaland*) creates a monster single with undeniable force. Not only is it a delicious meal for the ear, but it comments on itself while still remaining a hip-hop track. “Stronger” is Kanye West’s response to the media’s “fakeness” but still (in accordance with hip-hop) making a self-aggrandizing statement.
*Timbaland has his hand in everything that is pop today, even indirectly (see: Britney Spears’ “Gimme More” produced by Timbo protoge, Nate Hills).
A
In comparison with “Ayo Technology”, Kanye’s single is obviously the (forgive the pun, it is much too fun) “Stronger” of the two. Don’t let me be the judge. Download the tracks.
What do you think of the hip-hop battle and/or the singles? Do you agree on my opinion on which is the better? Please leave me a comment!
