Category Archives: Music Maniac

As soon as I saw this new cover of Gaga’s new single, I thought of Miss Grace Jones.  After my long and hard research, I realized that the writing and look and feel were so similar. They say “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.”  GRACE and GAGA united. Two of my favorite idols both with the same mission. They help liberate and are “BORN THIS WAY.”

NOW: BELLE & SEBASTIAN – WRITE ABOUT LOVE (2010)

The return of one of my favorite bands. It took years for this new body of work to come out. Many side projects delayed this new CD. Here it is! This time it is classic Belle… Mellow, Groovy, Story Telling, Psychedelic and, this time, Love. They even brought in the adorable actress Carey Mulligan to sing background vocals on the title track. I love it and so will you. All I can say is it is never too late to start on some Belle and Sebastian.  Start here and work back.

THEN: DONOVAN – HURDY GURDY MAN (1968)

Remember I just said Mellow, Groovy, Story telling, and Psychedelic… Well this is where is all began. The fey voice of Donovan influenced Stuart Murdoch of B & S. The orchestrated music also is a big reminder.  Every once in a while it is cool to lay back, and drink some tea and relax into the world of Donovan!

NOW: MARK RONSON & THE BUSINESS INTL. – RECORD COLLECTION (2010)

“I want to be in your record collection.” Mark Ronson is a DJ/producer/singer. He is the king of combining elements and coming up with a fresh new sound. On this  album, he adds  many synthesizers from the 80’s. He has guest singers Boy George and Simon Le Bon from Duran Duran pitch in. The retro sound he made famous with Amy Winehouse is also apparent here. This is a fun upbeat and swinging sound. Every song is packed with a punch.

THEN: MARK RONSON – VERSION (2007)

I couldn’t think of any older cd to compare because I feel these two Mark Ronson albums are so unique and belong together. On VERSION, he uses covers of older songs and has other vocalist sing on them. He covers The Smiths to Britney. Go figure. It is also fun and packed with punch. Amy Winehouse sings a song and again Mark likes to mash it up!!!

I Wanna Be Adored is one of the classic songs from the late 80’s. The sound was moving into guitar and fuzzy sounds and blurry voices. The Stone Roses were the first on the scene and now, going back to this album, I realize how much they influenced bands like Nirvana and all the early 90’s bands including the current band Deerhunter.

Take a trip back to the warmth and density of this music.

The cover is only the beginning. It is a photo from the Miss Starlite Pageant  which is a female impersonation pageant.  It is by the photographer George Mitchell. This moody and eerie picture puts you in a dream like space which Deerhunter provides the soundtrack. I saw this band twice and they are great and talented musicians. This album takes them to a new level. It is beautiful music with a fuzzy guitar and voice to bring you into a land of mystery.

Now that everyone has a flat screen with many many speakers why not try a rock and roll documentary . The year is the spring of 1971. The Rolling Stones reluctantly departed the UK for France. They recorded the most famous stones album called Exile On Main Street. The fashion from 1971 looks as good as today. Bohemian chic lives on and rocks on….

I LOVE LISTS. I named the artist that I recently bought their latest, but instead of the title of the CD I created my own to give you a hint…. Have Fun!!!

ANNIE-  ELECTRO POP
KELIS- SOUL ELECTRO SAVIOR
ARCADE FIRE- POWER POP
THE LIKE- MOD SQUAD
GOLDFRAPP- FLOAT ON AIR
MARINA AND THE DIAMONDS- RICH BITCH
MGMT- SGT PEPPER COMES ALIVE
FLORENCE AND THE MACHINE- DARK LADY
SCISSOR SISTERS- MAPPLETHORPE UNDERGROUND
LIZ PHAIR- INDIE CHILD
THE ROLLING STONES- EXILE TODAY
THE NATIONAL- MOODY FOR YOU
TRACEY THORN- SMOOTHY LOVE
HOLE- SHE’S BACK
EDWARD SHARPE AND THE MAGNETIC ZEROS- BOHEMIAN CHIC
ROBYN- FEMBOT

Marina and the Diamonds- The Family Jewels NOW (2010)

“I am not a Robot”. Marina is so “kooky” that I love it! She is a new singer with a unique voice that I can’t even explain. This cd is soooo catchy and fun. I’m in love! Who doesn’t like diamonds? The energy is on this CD is amazing. She works so many styles and mashes it up to her own. I’m going to see her in September at Webster Hall in NYC. I know I will be jumping and singing! How much fun does that sound. It is my first fall highlight (9/2). I know I will be rich after that concert. Go get rich now with Marina.

Lene Lovich-Stateless THEN (1979)

31 years earlier. OMG I can’t believe it has been that long. One of my favorite “kooky” singers was Lene Lovich. She was my “lucky number” and “new toy”. She was before Lauper, Madonna, and the rest. She exploded on the scene with a unique voice to pop music. All I could do was dance with my crazy hand movements. I was wearing blue leopard and capezio dance shoes. Black wrap arounds and spiked hair. I think some of you have been there. After listening to Marina, all I could think of was Lene.

Join the Robyn club! I just joined and ran to see her live at Webster Hall in NYC. This Swedish pop star can put on a non-stop cabaret of song and dance. She is sooo sweet and her voice is sooo sweet–but her beats will go through your body like a electric shock. Enough said! Her fans know every word and love to jump and dance like crazy. It is contagious. Her anthem “Dancing on my own” is a leader in strength and power. Alone time is always good and healthy. I have been “Dancing with myself” for years.

The Swedish GAGA. I had to say it! Well not as imaginative costumes, but great POP music. She is the under rated diva on the current circuit. All you hear about is the others. Well if you want something different…  a little more electronic go for ANNIE. This is her 2nd CD and it really gets you going. I love her! She is sweet and sharp. Hey Annie, your “songs remind me of you”. This is some quality POP!