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Alain
JennYMarch Music Madness
March 31st 2010 22:16
Snow is melting, the sun is shining an the birds are slowly coming back. Yep, it's the end of winter and with it comes another Muzikal Mafia Playlist. This month features more pop artists (Backstreet Boys, Westlife, NSYNC, Daniel Bedingfield, Michael Jackson), a couple of indie bands (Look See Proof, Carolina Liar) as well as some punk and blues-rock. Of course, there's also the ever-present rock and hip hop songs. So, read, listen, learn, and most of all, enjoy!!!
Full Tracklist
1. Enemy – Scars On Broadway – Scars On Broadway – 2008
Although Scars on Broadway fell way short of matching System Of A Down's success, their debut album compiled a nice amount of experimental rock tracks. To me, “Enemy” sounds like what a modern-day hippie would listen to.
2. The One – Backstreet Boys – Millenium – 1999
If I had to name my top ten favorite albums from the 90's, the Backstreet Boys' Millenium woud be close to the top. Ten years later and it still sounds as great as it did when it first came out. “The One” was Millenium's fourth single and although it didn't chart as high as “I Want It That Way,” “Larger Than Life,”and “Show Me The Meaning Of Being Lonely,” it is still a solid track.
Backstreet Boys - The One (Official Music Video) - A funny movie is a click away
3. A Different Kind Of Pain – Cold – A Different Kind Of Pain – 2005
“A Different Kind Of Pain” was the second single of the album of the same name. Unfortunately, no video was made for the song. Many critics dislike Cold's softer side, but their slower songs are usually my favorites. “A Different Kind Of Pain” is no exception.
4. Please Forgive Me – Bryan Adams – So Far So Good – 1993
The second appearance of Bryan Adams on our playlists is another classic. “Please Forgive Me” is one of my favorite Bryan Adams tracks, just the way he sings it and the great guitar-work – it's all breathtaking.
Bryan Adams - Please Forgive Me - The most popular videos are here
5. Suicide – M.O.P. ft. Teflon – St. Marxmen – 2005
“Suicide” is a great rap song in my opinion if only for the excellent beat by the one and only DJ Premier.
6. Last To Know – Three Days Grace – Life Starts Now – 2009
“Last To Know” is the perfect illustration of Three Days Grace's new sound. A ballad dealing with first love break-up, it's a far cry from their original alternative metal sound.
7. Here & Now – The Ernies – Meson Ray – 1999
“Here & Now” reminds me of the good old days, firing up the Playstation to play some Tony Hawk's Pro Skater. Good times.
8. In These Arms – Bon Jovi – Keep The Faith – 1992
“In These Arms” makes the third appearance of Bon Jovi on our playlists and you'll probably see the band several times on future playlists. Their songs are simply infectious and fun to listen to.
9. I've Got News For You – Gregg Allman – Searching For Simplicity – 1997
“I've Got News For You” is a blues classic. Just a great song to listen to when relaxing at home.
10. The Racing Rats – Editors – An End Has A Start – 2007
I discovered the Editors after reviewing Twilight's New Moon soundtrack. “The Racing Rats” is the third single from their sophomore album An End Has A Start. The song reminded me of Mike Shinoda's remix of Depeche Mode's “Enjoy The Silence.”
Editors - Racing Rats
envoyé par wonderful-life1989. - L'info video en direct.
11. American Psycho – D12 – Devil's Night – 2001
Get a haunting instrumental, six rappers who each have their own style on a track that starts off with Eminem in his prime as well as having him on the chorus and you've got “American Psycho” – a psychotically brilliant rap song.
12. Blame It On The Tetons – Modest Mouse – Good News For People Who Love Bad News – 2004
I discovered Modest Mouse in the Rock Band 2 videogame with the song “Float On” from their Good News For People Who Love Bad News album. “Blame It On The Tetons” is an acoustic ballad from the same album. Just a fine track to listen to.
13. Save The Last Dance For Me – Michael Bublé – It's Time – 2005
Like Westlife, Michael Bublé has made a career of covering classic jazz, swing, blues, rock, and pop classics. “Save The Last Dance For Me” is no exception. Originally a R&B/pop song by The Drifters, Bublé turned it into a semi-salsa/pop hit.
14. Swallowed In The Sea – Coldplay – X&Y – 2005
Coldplay are world-famous for their hits such as “Yellow,” “Clocks,” “In My Place,” “The Scientist,” “Speed Of Sound,” “Fix You” and “Viva La Vida” but it's songs like “Swallowed In The Sea,” “Til Kingdom Come,” “Warning Sign” and “Sparks” that make me count them among my favorite bands. For this list, I had to make a choice between “Sparks” and “Swallowed In The Sea.” I chose the latter because unlike many people who worship A Rush Of Blood To The Head, X&Y is my favorite Coldplay album.
15. Michael Nobody aka Poetic Death – Snowgoons w/ Savage Brothers & Lord Lhus – A Fist In The Thought – 2009
I didn't think much of this song when I first heard it. It felt like just another “story from the streets” kind of song. The video gave me a new appreciation for the track. Although the video's story isn't really related to the song's story, the two combined together bring a tear to my eye every time.
16. The Violet Hour – Sea Wolf – The Twilight Saga: New Moon Soundtrack – 2009
Sea Wolf is one of those indie bands who are quite good but haven't been propelled into the mainstream just yet. Maybe things will change after this gem which was on Twilight's New Moon soundtrack.
17. Angel – Westlife – World Of Our Own – 2003
Originally sung by Sarah McLachlan, “Angel” is a deep and emotional song often played after national tragedies and frequently used in TV dramas. Believe it or not, I was only familiar with Westlife's version until I heard McLachlan's version on a ASPCA commercial last year. I think the boys did a great work especially the leads, Shane Filan and ex-member Brian McFadden.
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18. Furious Angels (Instrumental) – Rob Dougan – The Matrix Reloaded: The Album – 2003
I'm not really a fan of electronic music but Rob Dougan's songs which featured in The Matrix trilogy are among the best non-traditional (non-orchestrated) film score tracks that I've heard. Although “Clubbed To Death” is my favorite, I picked the less gloomy “Furious Angels” to feature on this month's list. Per Wikipedia, “Furious Angels” “features big beats, strings and other orchestral overtones. From The Matrix Reloaded initial fight scene between Neo against several agents, to buy time for the other Zion captains and crew (such as Morpheus and Niobe) to escape.”
19. Thriller – Michael Jackson – Thriller – 1982
Is there anyone on this planet who hasn't seen the famous zombie choreography from Thriller's music video? A true classic, this song is appreciated by young and old alike. When studying it however, you come to realize how simple and repetitive the whole instrumental is. Michael Jackson's voice turns it into magic and the video's choreography made it even more unforgettable and this how you get a timeless song.
20. I Was Wrong – Social Distortion – White Light, White Heat, White Trash – 1996
I first discovered this track in the videogame Rock Band 2. After playing it countless times, I fell in love with the sing-along chorus and the lyrics themselves.
21. Gotta Get Thru This – Daniel Bedingfield – Gotta Get Thru This – 2002
British singer Daniel Bedingfield flew to the top of charts all across the globe in 2002 with this catchy dance-tune. Although Bedingfield has somewhat faded from the spotlight since then, the song is still as good as when it was released.
22. Have You Ever Loved A Woman – Derek And The Dominos – Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs – 1970
When I originally conceived the playlist idea, I promised myself that I wouldn't put the same artists on consecutive lists unless one of the lists had a theme such as the St. Patrick's playlist. This is the first appearance of Derek And The Dominos so technically I'm holding my promise even though both Eric Clapton and Duane Allman (of the Allman Brothers Band) featured on the February playlist. I simply could not ignore this track when it came up as a choice. Superb work by the two masters and the vocals were also well done.
23. Good Money – Move.meant – The Good Money EP
You would expect that a rap song titled “Good Money” would be about mansions, fast cars, jewelry, and all the benjamins. Instead, Move.meant give us a song about working hard to be able to live comfortably instead of struggling to make ends meet. As the man in the video says, “you're trying to make good money, you're trying to make money that will last you a lifetime.”
24. The Difference – Matchbox Twenty – More Than You Think You Are – 2002
There are so many great Matchbox Twenty songs. “Bright Lights” is my favorite by far but it unfortunately didn't come up this month. Instead, it's “The Difference,” the last track on More Than You Think You Are. Here's an acoustic performance of the song.
25. Faust, Midas And Myself – Switchfoot – Oh! Gravity – 2006
“Faust, Midas And Myself” is a great song by Switchfoot. The song's message is open to interpretation but I'll just write the final lines:
“You've one life
You've one life
One life left to lead.”
26. When You Are Near – Carolina Liar – Coming To Terms – 2008
I first discovered Carolina Liar on the soundtrack of Electronic Arts' UEFA Euro 2008 videogame as their song “I'm Not Over” constantly played in the demo's main menu. “When You Are Near” is a great ballad from a great album that I recommend to every music fan.
27. Casualty – Look See Proof – Between Here And There – 2008
I discovered Look See Proof in the same video game as Carolina Liar. “Casualty” was the first track I heard by them and I still get a silly smile on my face when it comes up in my Zune's “shuffle” mode.
28. I Thought She Knew – NSYNC – No Strings Attached – 2000
The main knock on boy bands was always that they were a bunch of pretty boys who didn't write their own music and relied on obsessed teenage girls to buy their records. Most of the boy bands vehemently denied these claims and often found different ways to prove that they were actually talented. Both the Backstreet Boys and NSYNC put out acapella tracks on their records to show that they could sing to great success.
“I Thought She Knew” is the last track on NSYNC's blockbuster album, No Strings Attached, and is the only song on the album to have four leads as Justin, JC, Joey, and Chris each get a turn to shine. Joey in particular impressed me on that track. He had a nice voice and it's a shame that he had to be in the shadows of Justin and JC for most of his career. Below is a live performance video of the song.
29. Superhero – Anthrax – We've Come For You All – 2003
Anthrax are the lone representants of metal in this month's list. "Superhero" was my choice among the vast number of picks simply because I like the lyrics.
30. Paying The Cost To Be The Boss – B.B. King – The Ultimate Collection – 2005
What needs to be said about a song featuring the King of Blues? I'm just glad that I managed to find a live performance video of this track.
31. Libérez-nous des Libéraux – Loco Locass – Amour Oral – 2004
We conclude this playlist with Quebec rap group Loco Locass and their massive hit, political song “Libérez-nous des Libéraux” (Liberate us from the Liberals). The tree rappers show off their mastery of the French language in this anti-Liberal track which denounces the views of Quebec Prime Minister Jean Charest.
So that's it for this month's list. Did you discover a new band while listening to it? Or do you have some recommendations of other interesting bands? Let your voice be heard in the comments!
By the way, you can now follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/MuzikalMafia. Hope to see you there.
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