Underground Bands and Indie Music Reviews

So as you may have noticed, i have been postponing making a post (no pun intended) for the past week.

The reasons being that I have had this strange desire to post about the music video, Pop! Goes my Heart, from the 2007 movie, Music and Lyrics. I’ve convinced myself that this post is too random and that no one would enjoy this post as much as me…

But since my desire to post about it has caused me to slack on posting anything for the last week or so, I am going to share it anyways (in hopes that we can move forward). And who knows; maybe you will enjoy this as much as I do!

So here’s a little background:

Music and Lyrics is a romantic comedy in which one of my secret celebrity crushes, Hugh Grant, is a pop star living off the aftermath of his band’s 80s one hit wonder. With an opportunity to get his name back and perform with a teen idol, he obtains a lyricist. Drew Barrymore plays the lyricist, whom saves Hugh Grants music and whom he falls in love with.

Overall, I wouldn’t place the movie in my top ten pick of favorite movies, but I would have to say that I absolutely LOVE all the music (except some from the weird teen idol) and I absolutely love Hugh Grant’s band’s one hit wonder. I bought the album on itunes right after I watched the movie and I even bought the sheet music for one of the songs.

So here’s the video, Pop! Goes my Heart, I have been thinking about and watching for over and over again for the past week. It is cheesy, catchy, and has Hugh Grant written all over it! I hope it makes you smile as much as I do:

It doesn’t matter how many times I watch this video, I enjoy it every time! It may possibly be the best cheesiest/worst music video ever. Gotta love the hip moves.

Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore also conglomerate in the movie, singing together the song which they wrote, Way Back into Love. It is beautiful and they sound GREAT together. I wonder how much they edited their voices and how much was real, because I might now find Hugh Grant now only a cute, hilarious actor, but also a talented musician.

Random Fact: Andrew Lloyd Webber’s mother was Hugh’s piano teacher when he was a child.

In fact I think Hugh Grant could look like a musician. He plays the son of another one hit wonder musician in About a Boy. I would both these movies to any Hugh Grant fans out there.

On a more musical note:

As well as getting some great Hugh Grant music and even some Drew Barrymore in Music and Lyrics , the rest of the soundtrack performed by The Sounds.

I had never heard of The Sounds until after I had watched this movie a few years back and I really like them. Check them out on myspace. I recommend listening to Tony the Beat.

Maybe later this week I will give you a real review about the band seeing as since I have now shared with you my addiction of the week.

Also, the entire soundtrack of About a Boy is done by Badly Drawn Boy. Likewise, after I watched that movie is when I really started to get into that band. good stuff.

Spend your Monday right. Listen to some Monday Music.

Throughout the years, there has been the rise of some truly brilliant musician “Bon’s,” who have all exceeded the definition of their root, meaning good. We have been immensely blessed to have Irish rock vocalist, Bono, performing with U2 since 1976, American hard rock band Bon Jovi rocking since 1983, and more recently indie-rock, folk band, Bon Iver feeding our souls with smooth tunes since 2006.

Bono, with U2, has become one of the most successful bands in popular music today, both critically and commercially. U2 is considered possibly the best of the best and likewise Bono as one of the greatest singers of all time.  I can say, I am a HUGE fan!

U2 has won 22 Grammys, which is more than any other band, has released 12 studio albums, and has sold more than 145 million records wordwide. They have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and are high on Rolling Stones list of the 100 greatest artists of all time. Bono, along with his band, has been involved in many humanitarian efforts, most in Africa with DATA organization and the RED campaign, but also with such benefit concerts at the one for Hope For Haiti Now just recently.

Bon Jovi one of America’s prided bands, consisting of leadsinger Jon bon Jovi, guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan, Drummer Tico Torres, former bassist Alec John Such, and current bassist Hugh McDonald.  This Jersey born band has received 11 studio albums and has sold over a 120 million albums worldwide.

They have been inducted into the UK Music Hall Of Fame and awarded Merit at the American Music Awards.  Also, just recently Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora have been inducted into the Songwiters Hall of Fame.  They are considered classics in music.  Personally I’m a fan of their famous song, “Livin’ on a Prayer.”

Bon Iver is the newer of these bands and less known, but has the potential to get it big, especially with the correlation of it’s groups “bon” or good title.  Bon Iver is an indie, folk rock band that was founded by Justin Vernon in Wisconsin, United States.  He joined Michael Noyce, Sean Carey, and Matthew McCaughan to form the entire band.

The band’s CD, “For Emma, Forever Ago” has just recently been released by indie rock label, Jagjaguwar.  Already this album was ranked number 29 in the Rolling Stone’s Top 50 Albums of 2008.  Their Music has been aired on tv shows, such as: House, Chuck, Grey’s Anatomy, Skins,David Letterman, etc.   Also, Bon Iver worked with St. Vincent in 2009 on the New Moon song, “Rosyln.”

I have recently become a huge fan of Bon Iver.  Their music really speaks to my soul.  Probably their most famous song and one of my favorite songs written by them is the lamenting and lovely, “Skinny Love.”

What do you think of Bon Iver? Do you think they could ever get as big as the other “Bon’s,” Bono and Bon Jovi?

Happy Groundhog’s Day!  Looks like we have another 6 weeks of winter! Today groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, saw his shadow  and is ready to get back to some more of his hibernation.

In celebration of this famous groundhog, underground instrumental band, The Opposite of a Train, is holding a benefit concert tonight! They are hoping to raise money for the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art in Charleston, South Carolina. The concert will be held tonight in the Memminger Auditorium at 8pm.

The Opposite of a Train, has a unique sound.  I just listened to them for the first time today and find them quite enticing.  Obviously their music has no lyrics,but it has a very interesting jazz, Cuban, rock sound to it. It seems that what makes this band worth while, is the fact that they are playing really unique and fascinating instruments. Their music takes you into a new way of thinking.

The band is composed of three members: Bill Carson on guitar and tenor banjo, Nathan Koci on accordion, brass and keyboards, and Ron Wiltrout on marimba, drums, and crash cymbols.

If you are interested, check them out on their myspace to hear their unique sound yourself and then let me know what you think. I am curious of the feedback.

And get a chance to watch Bill Murray in Groundhog’s Day, just to celebrate and to hibernate.

Sunday, January 31st, 2010 was an eventful night for the 52nd annual Grammy awards. Not only did we have Elton John and Lady Gaga team up for a duet song, Taylor win her first grammy for her album Fearless, which was given the title “album of the year,” but we also had Carrie  Underwood, Keri Hudson, Usher, Celine Dion, and Smokey Robinson joined in a Michael Jackson “Earth Song” tribute!

The song was in 3D and many celebrities, such as Beyonce were seen wearing glasses and you could have been too if you happened to have some glasses with you at home.

At the conclusion of the song, all the performers turned to look at the many pictures of Michael Jackson. It was a great tribute.

Lastly, Michael Jackson’s children, Prince Michael and Paris accepted their father’s lifetime achievement award.It was weird seeing the children so soon after their father’s passing, however they made a great speech, saying, “Our father was always concerned about the planet and humanity,” and continued with, “Throughout his songs, his message was simple: love. We will continue to spread his message and help the world. Thank you. We love you, Daddy.”

Seeing as tonight I also just saw, Michael Jackson’s documentary video, “This Is It” tonight, I thought this was a fabulous night! Michael Jackson has such great talent and I thought it was great to tribute him at the Grammys. Rest in peace MJ!

I hope you check out the new “This Is It” album on itunes. I LOVE the song, This is it.