The one that Timbaland listened to: Crystal Castles - Courtship Dating
So, I was under the impression that Timbaland had totally lost his mind. Fist he started turning up more and more in other peoples videos and then finally 'BLAP!', he was a solo artist.
It upset me to see Timba losing it so publicly, I thought he would never redeem himself. But then a song came along, AYO Technology was its name. It's a 50 Cent song that features both Timbo and JT.
The song isn't that special, but, in a stroke of Timbaland genius, it samples Courtship Dating by Crystal Castles. Now, to think of Timbaland listening to Crystal Catles makes me very happy indeed, there is life in the old dog yet. As for the original, it is ok, not the Castles' best work. I guess the whole Timbaland thing kind of steals the song's thunder.
Click on to listen to the song and watch a video made by somebody else
The one for the oldies with the punk in it: Gogol Bordello - American Wedding
Oh I don't know about this one bit. Here are some lyrics from the song - "Have you ever been to American Wedding, Where is the Vodka? Where is the marinated Herring".
It's obviously Gogol having a bit of fun, which seems to be his thing. But I'm not a huge fan really. Gogol Bordello is kind of acceptable punk for Middle aged folk, because it's 'gypsy' punk i suppose. But, there is better punk out there.
Madonna got them on stage at Live 8, I seem to remember; I'm sure that boosted their sales. Strikes me as strange though that people still see Madonna as a taste-maker, she has after all just written a rap album with Justin Timberlake.
Oldies, a message. Listen to The Electric Eels or Sum 41 if you're after some punk, just because it's foreign sounding, doesn't mean it's good.
Click on to listen to the song while watching somebody else's homemade video
The one with the enlivening soundeffects: M.I.A - Paper Planes
I remember when The Pussy Cat dolls released that 'Beep' song. At the time i thought it was pretty clever of them to try and make the censored 'beeeeeep' sound part of a chorus. Ultimately the Dolls failed, they got the poncy one out of Black Eyed Peas to join in and he messed it up something rotten. The good news is though, that M.I.A has done something in a similar vein. We have 3 gunshots, a cash register button and finally the 'Ching' sound of the cash register opening. Admittedly, written down it's perhaps less catchy, but wait till you hear it.
(PS If you like gunshot sounds in your choruses you should probably listen to 'Rifle Love' by Raphael Saadiq). Click on to watch the video - not the bootleg version etc
The one that is well rebellious: Cage The Elephant - In One Ear
If you like funky-rappy-rock then this one is for you. C The E are a bunch of Dudes from America, you know, America! You can say what you like about them, but they ain't gonna listen. According to them it'll just go "in one ear and out the other".
If I was 14 and living in Devon I would go mad for this song, it's got the word shit in the chorus which would really upset my mum. I'd listen to it at parties wearing my long sleeve Pearl Jam T-shirt supping Hooch. Alas I'm not 14 anymore so it's not for me, they just sound a bit like Reef. Who, by the way, are still massive in Devon.
Click on to watch the video
The one with the excess of tattoos: Gnarls Barkley - Run
I've been told that Cee-Lo is a bit mental. He's got lots of tattoos and he cross dresses. In this song when he sings "Run Children, run for your lives" it scares me a bit, but that fear soon fades into boredom. Run sounds like a Propeller Heads song, it's kind of Lite funk music. It' a shame that Crazy kick-started the Barkleys' collaborative career, that song will surely stand the test of time, it has a depth that subsequent singles haven't captured. Run won't stand the test of time, it's jut not very good.
Click on to watch the very video
