Music review - Trouble by Pink

Sometimes I feel guilty about writing 'Music Reviews' as I rarely have 'new' songs on this blog, but mostly these are songs whose rhythm and/or lyrics and/or vocals I enjoy (or hate, like in the case of a remake of 'You Really Got Me Now"). This song, Trouble (by Pink) is particularly enjoyable.

While the video is themed as a 'Western' movie, the song itself is kind of rock-ish. But the video is hilarious. Pink basically starts a brawl (something I've always dreamed of doing -- yes I know, it does sound crazy). But mostly, this song is the first one that comes to my mind whenever any of my closest friends smirks and tells me "oh, Raul... you *are* trouble" ... and yeah, I got to admit, sometimes I can be a little bit of trouble :-)

Video from YouTube.

Music review - Somebody Help Me by Full Blown Rose

This is one of my favorite songs, and used to be the theme for a TV show with Eliza Dushku, "Tru Calling" - which by the way was filmed in Vancouver). I am sure that if you hear this song, you'll love it too.

It has rock sounds, nice vocals, and lyrics that make me cringe because I don't really think I need help right now (well, unless you wanted to give me the job opportunity of my life, but that's not the point right now). Apparently, Full Blown Rose is now defunct. Seems like people didn't heed the call for help on time (sorry, had to make this joke!)

Video from YouTube.

Band review - Delhi2Dublin

D2D in full force
Originally uploaded by Raul P-V (Rolex)

Great friends usually means great perks. And having a close friend who is a die-hard fan of talented local bands usually means getting dragged along (very willingly I might add) to impromptu gigs. So HZ brought JH and myself along with him to see a live, in-studio performance of Delhi2Dublin. His review of the evening is here.

I don't think I can add much more to his review. You have to listen to D2D to really understand the uniqueness of their music. They simply rock (and no, they don’t actually do rock – it’s a fusion of Irish, Indian with some overtones of African I’d say).

It had been a long time since I saw a live performance (admittedly I am a fan of the Backstage Lounge, which is one of the venues where you'd see local bands perform). But, back to the D2D review. I was absolutely transported, and thoroughly enjoyed the evening. One of the things that I would have personally enjoyed would have been to hang out with them after the performance (maybe have a drink or something). I've done that with other bands and the insight you get into their music and style is much better.

In this case, we ended up doing dinner (where our good friend BS joined us) and then a drink at 1181. More in-depth review forthcoming. But here is a picture of the performance last night. I am SO sorry that it's such poor quality, but I don't have the equipment. JH and HZ, on the other hand, are much better photographers and own better tools for their hobby. So, I am sure that at next D2D's gig you'll get better pictures. For now, you'll have to do with mine.

Music review - Give It to Me Baby by James Rick

If you grew up in the era of funk, you'll immediately recognize this song, which remains one of my all-time favorites! Since I'm planning to get my close friends to go out and do karaoke in the not-too-distant future, I am browsing through my old archives of awesome music, to decide which tunes I think I can sing and which ones I want to see them sing. This is definitely one of them.

Music review - Everyday People by Sly and the Family Stone

I've reached the 600 posts mark way faster than I thought! If you think about the fact that I am not a geek, don't do this for a living, and I reached 500 posts in December (and it's only February now), this is an important milestone for me.

So I thought I'd celebrate it with some music. The song featured here is "Everyday People" by Sly and the Family Stone. Admittedly, this tune has been listened to much more in Anglo-Saxon North America than it has elsewhere (for obvious cultural reasons).

I just heard it for the first time in the first 3 minutes of the movie "Definitely, Maybe" which I just reviewed. Again, I insist... The song sounds so much better in a movie theater with surround stereo sound. Great choice of song to begin the movie (you have to see it to understand what I meant).

Video from YouTube. This is not the actual video of the song, but I couldn't find a rendition that sounded similar to the one I heard during the movie.

Music review - D.A.N.C.E. (Version Finale) by Justice

While I'm ultra-busy with my own work, I have managed to still maintain some degree of social life. The weekend recap is coming up, but in the mean time, you can hear the song that is played in the trailer for the movie "27 Dresses" (which I recently reviewed). It's called D.A.N.C.E. and apparently it includes a homage to the work of Michael Jackson. And I just realized that it's nominated as one of the Best Dance songs at the Grammys. I love the music that Justice creates!

Music review - Who Knows by Natasha Bedingfield

This song is part of a number of awesome songs that are included in the movie 27 Dresses (which I just reviewed). I have to admit that the song, Who Knows by Natasha Bedingfield, sounds SO MUCH BETTER in a movie theatre. Or perhaps it was the fact that I was so into the movie that it just seemed to fit perfectly. You judge. I love the song. The video shown below is not the official one, but it's one I found on YouTube.

Music review - Love Song by Sara Bareilles

It's Meg Fowler's fault. I am an avid reader of her blog, and we've even corresponded a few times. She allowed me to borrow her idea of the Love Lists (the things we love) for my 500th post. Meg and I tend to like a lot of the same things, and music seems to be one of the things where we have similar tastes.

Sara Bareilles' Love Song is catchy, fun and very heartwarming. The video is awesome. I have to give Sara props for making great music, and thanks to Meg for getting me hooked on Sara's music. Here's the video on the Late Late Show.

Music review - You'll be in my heart (Phil Collins)

Very well remembered as the award-winning soundtrack of Tarzan, "You'll Be In My Heart" is a heart-warming, uplifting and beautiful song. Phil Collins is a master of his art, really. I've been a fan of his music for decades now, and I can say that I hope he will at some point decide to come back (I've heard that he did a farewell tour already).

Here is a video of a live performance of "You'll be in my heart". The song still brings tears to my eyes and gives me goosebumps. I dare you not to like this tune.

Music Review - Elsewhere by Paula Cole & Sarah McLachlan

When I lived in residence, this song was my anthem. I used to listen to the standard version by Sarah McLachlan in my room, at night, while pondering whether it was worth to fight to maintain a relationship that seemed doomed from the start (and perhaps the first relationship where I felt I was truly, madly and deeply in love). I became addicted to this version by Paula Cole and Sarah McLachlan after the Lilith Fair tour. I found this videoclip on YouTube, hope you enjoy.

Music Review - Bye, Bye Brasil by Bossacucanova

My good friend Nomade Moderne introduced me to Bossacucanova earlier this year, and to be quite frank, I was a bit shocked about how similar some of our musical tastes were. Mixing bossa nova with electronica and a bit of jazz here and there, Bossacucanova brings you amazing music. This is my very favorite song (although unfortunately I haven't been able to find the YouTube clip for the version I have on my iPod (from the album Brasilidade). The first clip I found is the actual song but it's not the Bossacucanova version. The second clip is a snippet of one of Bossacucanova's concerts (Samba de minha terra).

Music review - My Need by Janet Jackson

There are a number of songs that make me want to dance and this is perhaps one of my top 10. Janet Jackson has been criticized for a number of reasons (particularly the Super Bowl debacle) but her music is always amazing. This is one of the best tunes she has, IMHO.

Music Review - You Really Got Me (Van Halen, The Kinks and Boyband)

The best way to destroy a great song is to make a cover out of it. The original song by The Kinks is great, the Van Halen cover is ok, but OMG look at the Boyband remake and you'll have to agree with me that it absolutely sucks.

Music Review - Know Who You Are At Every Age by Cocteau Twins

I was first introduced to Cocteau Twins through my ex. While we are no longer dating, I took a liking to the wonderful voice of Elizabeth Fraser and the Cocteau Twins. This is one of the songs I like the most. As you may know, sometimes her words become gibberish. But that's irrelevant. Their music is great. Although I wouldn't recommend their music to people who are feeling blue.

Congratulations Bif Naked and Ian Walker

I have always liked Bif Naked's music, and since my blog tends to be Vancouver-centric, it's just fitting that I write about her wedding (which happened just recently). Her Wikipedia entry indicates that although she was born in New Delhi, she was raised in Vancouver. She married The Vancouver Sun's Ian Walker (a sports reporter according to the Sun's website) on September 29th, 2007.

Now, I saw the photo gallery on the Sun website, and I don't know what you guys think but her facial expression is somewhat shy and even a tad self-conscious. She looks overjoyed and happy (quite obviously) but I wonder if she was a bit self-conscious of all the attention (had I remembered when she was getting married, I probably would've just showed up -- judging by the pictures the wedding must have been beautiful).

One of the songs I like the most of Bif Naked is "My Whole Life". I have not been able to find the song either on iTunes (I must not be looking the right way) or a full video on YouTube, so this will have to do. And again, even though I've never met her in person, congratulations to her and her husband!

Music Review - Pictures of You by The Last Goodnight

Before the season premiere of Brothers and Sisters, I had never listened to The Last Goodnight, a great band that has produced a great song as the backdrop for this show's first episode of the season. I find the music an interesting combination between rock and ballad. Soft rock if you might. Here is the video, judge by yourselves.

Music Review - Heartbreak Hotel (Whitney Houston)

I hadn't listened to the Elvis Presley version of Heartbreak Hotel (I know - a sacrilege - sorry!) but I found a song with the same name by Whitney Houston recently and I really liked it, since it sounds so sexy and calming. This is not the best song I've heard of Whitney Houston but it certainly qualifies as one of those I really enjoy listening to. The video starts here:

Music Review - Because of You (Reba McEntire and Kelly Clarkson)

As mentioned before, I rarely watch TV, but recently I was watching a broadcast chat between Reba McEntire and Kelly Clarkson, where they were discussing that they kept in touch via email and what not. I kept wondering this until I switched channels and noticed that they had done a duo. I don't follow nor listen to country music myself, although some friends of mine do. But I like this song, included in Reba McEntire's "Reba's Duets" forthcoming album. This version is excellent. I loved Kelly Clarkson's version but I saw this video recently and it made me like this song even more. Yes, it does remind me of someone. No, you can't ask who :)

Music Review - Uptown by Aya (Original Version)

Few songs make me dance around like Uptown by Aya. Her style is amazing and the song just transports me to good times. This is the traditional version but the Trentemoller version is just as fun. This song could very well be my "emblematic song" if it weren't because it's too deep house and some people who think of me as the never-tiring hummingbird might think this is not my style of music. However, it is!


So much for not blogging more over the weekend!

Upcoming event? - The Tragically Hip

I don't give a damn if anybody thinks that The Tragically Hip isn't still Canada's top rock band. I love Nickelback, don't get me wrong... I am a fan for sure. But I always have had a soft spot in my heart for The Tragically Hip.

I swear that I read somewhere that The Hip was coming to Vancouver to give a concert. Their website doesn't show any concerts in Vancouver, though. If anybody has the 411 on this, could you please a comment below? Thanks!

The song below is "Little Bones"... the first song that I danced to when I first moved to Canada. As you can imagine, this song brings me great memories and I always feel re-energized when I listen to it.