Volume 14: Bollywood and Bouncy Beats!

Hidy ho there, poptarts. Had the pleasure of watching a Bollywood movie last week, and since then, I cannot get songs from the soundtrack out of my head. Yes yes yes, it was "3 Idiots" -- a classic, I've heard, and one of the best-selling Bollywood films of all time. A great movie with a great message. Meanwhile, on the internets, a certain Ellie Goulding released her new song, "Burn." While I didn't love "Burn," a youtube commenter turned me on to the greatness that is "Figure 8."



Aal Izz Well - 3 Idiots
Ah, yes. Bollywood's greatest. There is just enough silly in this song to make it 100% fun and no regrets. I can dance my ass off to this all day, ever day. So what makes it so great? One word: Indians. "Life o Out of control"! "Aaaaal izzzzz welll!" I love the intermittent English splashed in with lines in Hindi. All is good. The drumming and the horns are on point also. Not sure about the guitar. LOVE the lyrics.

"Confusion hee confusion ha! Solution kuja buta na hee! Solution yup minna ta salad Question fiyat ha na hajja hi!"

Isn't that enough to make you want to watch it?

*Dances like crazy, complete with arm-flailing!*

Giggu-gigga-ga ga! All of the different voices and sounds in this song make it so detailed and delicious. If you don't like it the first time, I encourage you to listen to it a couple more times. There are some real gems in terms of vocals and mouth...sounds.

Worth watching?: It's damn funny and crazy.
Downloadable?: Def.


Ellie Goulding - Figure 8
This song is straight up powerful. It gives you the sense of buildup, urgency, and fear at times. I like haunting stuff like this, and I am so glad it exists. Her sound is somewhat similar to Goldfrapp or Imogen Heap, so if you like them I think you'll like this, too. There's a bit of dubbysteppy thing going on, which is always fun. I picture really awesome landscapes when she breaks into the chorus, which I love. The little melodies and electro-sounds throughout out are fresh and very, very welcome.

In terms of the vocals, I'm not totally sure if they are unique. I do like "Lovers hold on...to everything/ Lovers hold on...to anything." BECAUSE IT'S SOOOO TRUE.

In general, I think this a good bedroom track, a good riding the ferry to work song, and in general a very spiritual and moving piece of work. It echoes some of that celestial sound that is so popular nowadays. IF YOU'S A POPTART, you'd better appreciate! :) Toward the end of the song there are some serious keyboard jams going on. Not to be missed.

Worth watching?: Haven't seen it yet. At work.
Downloadable?: Very much.

That's all for now!

Volume 5: Something electro & something not

Hello hello. Celebrating this week madcore because a friend who visited my lovely third world apartment left her ipod by misteak (mistake) and I ripped all of the music off onto my work computer, which has left me basking in pop and non-pop for a happy few days.

In the treasure trove are some not-so treasures, but among them I found this gem:

Crystal Castles - CELESTICA
What kind of music is this? Think the effeminate version of Kraftwerk and mix it with something Goldfrapp and we're getting there. Or maybe is does actually fall into a genre. Electronic experimental, the wikipedia tells me. Well, okay.

Anyway the song is lovely, but most of theirs are, especially "Courtship Dating" and "Crimewave." The reason I've chosen this song for y'all is becuuuuuuz she and her faux band are in Highgate Cemetery (I think). I recognize it and I did spend  a full day there when I was passing through Londontown. I think there are also some shots of Karl Marx's grave but then again, I could be making all of this up.

Anyway, a total winner. I'm so glad I discovered this band. I'm digging it. Upon a quick survey of the youtube commenters' reviews, it seems that a prerequisite to listening to this type of music is being something they call "high." Take that as you will. I enjoy it in plain form at my work desk while editing lame articles about nothing.

Worth watching?: Yes!
Downloadable?: DOUBLE YES! & DONE!

Princess Chelsea - The Cigarette Duet
This is epic, in every sense of the word. Everything about this song turns a pop tart on, and even though its a little forced...force hipster, that is...I am in love. The mixed up cosmic space music box feel here is inimitable and completely new to my ears. Beyond that, I love male-female vocals that are freaking Gotye. This is 1,000,000 times better than "Somebody That I Used to Know."

The lyrics are hilarious, and meaningful. I've had the same conversation with half of my boyfriends. When the guitar solo expands in the end, I really feel as if I'm part of some epic conversation like this. It also gives the impression of swimming slowly, or passing through into a different dimension known as alien 60s.

I'm not terribly fond of the "la la la"s at the end, but they have to be there for this to be a forced hipster masterpiece. Please listen and download, you will not regret it.

The music video is crafty as well, which is always a plus. Although somewhat amateur, it makes the whole thing feel a bit more real, doesn't it?

Worth watching?: A resounding yes!
Downloadable?: For every occasion.

Well it has been a successful day in the pop tart world. I'm a happy bumpkin. Until the next!