MICHAEL JACKSON

It’s weird to find out that the “King of Pop” had passed away while I was watching a semi-dark Korean comedy at the IFC Center for the New York Asian Film Festival.

There was no real response from my end, I know just how much of an impact this out of the blue news will mean to people around the world.  Sure, his “off the wall” antics and mediocre albums from the last almost two decades may have deteriorated his pop icon-ness.  But that’s not to say just how much his aura has left a mark in history.  The performance of “Billie Jean” in 1983, the coming together for “We Are The World” and his debut as a star with “ABC.”  The hits are relentless and countless.  He was a gifted performer and his natural vocal mastery was untouched.

With the news just coming in will soon have a gauge how much that mark will remain.  Oddly, street interviews only seem to recall how Thriller was an impact on their lives.  Maybe today’s youth will not recognize how much he was an influence on today’s pop icons such as Justin Timberlake, Akon, Kanye West, Usher and even across the planet in Korea’s Rain.  I am sure that his touch has graced numerous artists that have come out of the recent nu-disco revival and record labels such as DFA.  Indie pop acts such as Lykke Li and Little Boots all owe their roots to the “King of Pop.”  Dancing?  Let’s not even go there.

But alas, the “off the wall” antics that sent him into a reclusive figure for almost two decades may have tarnished his legend.  Only time will tell.

Lastly, I’d like to take the time to comment about my favorite album.  The realization for this was recent.  A few months ago Michael Jackson was playing in the background at a venue in the Lower East Side.  Everyone song delivered perfect blends of disco, funk and pop. The tracks playing were from Michael Jackson’s Off The Wall.  Sure, everyone knows Thriller and Bad.  But as a solo artist, Off The Wall really displayed Michael Jackson’s gifts in the forefront.  His work with Quincy Jones highlighted the natural born talent that he possessed.  This album transcends numerous generations with songs such as “Rock With You” “Working Day and Night” and “Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough.”  But my favorite is the album’s title track “Off The Wall.”  The funk guitar and killer chorus is just so memorable and hip thumping.  Just a perfect song to twine the 70s and 80s together.  Enjoy it below.

I’ll always remember dancing my ass off as a kid in the 80’s to “Bad” at my uncle’s house.  Just sweet sincere dance madness.

Take care Michael.

MP3: “Off The Wall“
Website: http;//www.michaeljackson.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/michaeljackson
Purchase: Off The Wall
Label: Sony

WALLPAPER. I Don’t Wanna (But I Gotta) Do My Taxes VIDEO

Well, folks TAX SEASON 2009 is almost over and I am sure all of you are itching to get some of that money money.  If everything that Obama promised comes true some of us may be getting some extra.  Let’s cross our fingers for that.  During this economic crisis every little penny goes a long way.

But to help the blues simmer down a bit Ricky Reed serenades us with a quick soulful rnb tune about taxes.  That’s right, TAXES.  He feathers it down on the keys while laying it down and soulful thick on the pipes.

Did you know he’s going to be dropping the Do Do Face on you some time this fall?  Keep peeping back.

MP3: “Evry Tm We Do It“
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/wallpaper
Purchase: T-Rex
Label: Eenie Meenie

POLLY SCATTERGOD Please Don’t Touch (The Golden Filter Pop Mix) MP3

You know a few months ago, there’s been this mysterious sexy act appearing from the smudgy sidewalks of New York.  Shimering through the repetitive corners of hot dog stands and pizza bistros were The Golden Filter.   Who were they?  Nobody knew, what were they?  Sultry and dusky nu-disco.

After having made their debut appearance a few months ago, they have been having a bloggerific career and found a spot opening up for The Presets.  They have also laid their electro fingers on some other contemporaries such as Cut Copy.

Now they grace their smooth synths on new Mute signing Polly Scattergood.  The UK singstress is quite sultry herself.  Her self-titled album borders between urgent longing sad love songs to shoegaze-incuded Dolly Partonesque songs.  The Golden Filter’s touch on Please Don’t Touch filters (pardon the pun) her vocals into a complimentary airy disco vibe making the song pounce your ears with funky bass and beats ala a futuristic ABBA.

MP3: “Please Don’t Touch (The Golden Filter Pop Mix)“
Website: http://www.pollyscattergood.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/pollyscattergood
Purchase: Fasciinatiion
Label: Mute

PASSION PIT The Reeling MP3

Where was I when all of this was happening?  I’m not sure, maybe I was being a Sleepyhead (pardon the pun). But I just did not catch on to the h ype and the buzz that Passion Pit were building up.  Hell, I missed them at CMJ when everyone was trying to see them, I missed their last show in NYC at a small venue before the new year and I missed them once again at SXSW.  For some odd reason, I still wasn’t enticed to see them live.  Am I really that out of the loop?  Am I not cool any more?  Was I even ever cool?

Either way, just like the MGMT route the band are now on Columbia Records in the UK while sticking to their indie cred with Frenchkiss in the United States.

I admit that “Sleepyhead” was indeed a “fun” little spazztic jam.  It’s the type of song that exuberates enough youthful joy to resonate with any demographic.  Almost.  But the rest of Chunk of Change didn’t do it for me.

And now with their upcoming single “The Reeling” I had some reservations. With the single running over 4 minutes, I thought that the yelping schtick over zany beats would just be to cliche and repetitive for my tastes.  But after a few more listens, the melodies and hooks did reel me in.  But did they really need to hire a chorus of little children to help out in about 4 second parts of the song?  Who knows.  It did work though.

Their debut full-length Manners is out May 19th.

MP3: “The Reeling“
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/passionpitjams
Purchase: Chunk of Change
Label: Frenchkiss

CLARE AND THE REASONS Obama Over the Rainbow MP3

Well, president Obama is now in office and though there have been mixed feelings and opinions that have been occurring for the past few days, weeks, months and years – the sense of “change” does seem to be in the air.  Listening to NPR at work and hearing opinions coming from all over the country and the world, the positivity feels quite relieving.  With an unpredictable downspiraling economy, an unsolved war with the rise of outbreaks rising elsewhere and instability in the minds and hearts of millions – this short break felt like a nice deep breath and relieving exhale.

So what better way to paint today’s events with a soothing melody in the background. What a better song to demonstrate the common feeling other than the adaptation of Harold Arlen’s “Over The Rainbow” by Clare and The Reasons.  Her rendition turns the song into “Obama Over the Rainbow” claiming his presidency as the possible light to possible “change” the crisis that everyone believes we are currently living through.

Hailing from Brooklyn, a city quite representative of today’s liberal youth – Clare and The Reasons sings the song making you feel as if you’re a new born baby being craddled in your mom’s arms being lullubied to bed.  Like an angelic voice in the heavens echoing above the clouds, the song prepares you for a new day.

MP3: “Obama Over the Rainbow“
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/claremuldaur
Purchase: The Movie
Label: Frog Stand Records