Cartel – “Faster Ride”
The third single off of the third album for Cartel, “Faster Ride” is one of the better songs the Georgian band has put out since “Honestly,” which was five years ago. The new record is solid overall, but this latest single is our personal fave from the album.
Donnellshawn – “Learning Love”
This is unapologetic pop R&B, but it’s exactly the sort of unapologetic pop R&B that, if given the air time, ends up getting pimped by Ryan Seacrest on Sunday morning radio. Donnellshawn is a new artist about which not a whole lot is known (his tweets are “protected” for cripe’s sake.), but we’re digging the guy. This right here is a good track. Give her a gander…
Peedi Crakk & Li’l Cease featuring Black Rob – “I Don’t Know”
Long-time readers will know that there are a few artist and groups who can do no wrong in our eyes, and The Roots are one of them. So if they love Peedi Peedi, I’m going to love Peedi Peedi, too, and this new track featuring hip-hop mainstays Li’l Cease (formerly of Junior) and Black Rob (Whoa!) is right up the alley of rap super-sweetness, as we’d expect. The instrumental sounds like something from the Robin Hood/Braveheart era but with bass and a beat, and the hook is oddly catchy, hitting unexpected minor chords in a high-pitched chipmunk voice. All awesome. The whole caboodle.
“Happy Halloween” – The Blanks
We love The Blanks. We have known the guys for several years and we know them as straight up mad musical geniuses. If you need proof of their musicality and comedicality , you can check out our exclusive video interview with this band of merry men.
Their original homage to Halloween, through the aptly titled “Happy Halloween”, is hil-ari-ous. Pumpkins rule!
Buy “Happy Halloween”
“Monster” – Kanye West
Let’s keep the Halloween theme going with this track about monsters. Rick Ross, Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj, And Bon Iver join Kanye West on this ghoulish hard hitting track. I must admit, something about Nicki Minaj captivates me. She makes me laugh and freaks me out all at the same time. “Monster Mash” of 2010?
Buy “Monster”
“Dead Man’s Party” – Oingo Boingo
We go back to the 80′s to unearth this little gem. With Halloween this week it is only fitting we break out some New Wave music, right? Plus, the track was recently featured on NBC’s Chuck, so that totally reminded me of how awesome the song is. If you can’t get out to the Buy Mart, you can click below for the digital shopping equivalent.
Buy “Dead Man’s Party”
Skillet – “Awake and Alive”
I know a lot of people enjoy rocking out as long as the lyrical themes are hardcore and frightening and angst-ridden, but Skillet has made a name for themselves by rocking out rather positively and optimistically. “Awake and Alive” is something I’d let my kids listen to, had I children of appropriate music-listening ages.
Ne-Yo – “Everything’s Alright”
Ne-Yo is the kind of unapologetic pop R&B that’s usually plastered all over top 40 radio, but “Everything’s Alright” is too good to ignore. If you hurry, you can enjoy this one for a couple weeks before it, too, get overplayed on your favorite FM station.
Saving Abel – “The Sex Is Good”
This probably isn’t one I’d let my hypothetical children listen to, but that doesn’t mean we adults can enjoy the musicality of the track, which is undeniably mellow and fun. It’s got a fun hook, too, which is normally the secret to good, modern music.
Jukebox the Ghost – Empire
Think good enough to open for Ben Folds. That’s pretty much all you have to know, but I’ll give you more anyway ‘cause I’m nice. This rock trio has a distinctly indie flavor, but just like Folds they keep it on just this side of pop so it actually sounds pleasant to the general public as well as the indie purists. “Empire” is typical of their style, and it’s a great track. Taste it, savor it with all your buds of taste. Or sound. Image like you could taste in your ear. Do that.
Stromae – Alors on Danse (Remix)
I’m not 100% sure how Kanye West got mixed up with Belgian singer Stromae, but this collaboration between one of America’s most influential artists and one of 2009’s hottest European songs is definitely interesting enough to warrant a listen.
Crooked I – Light Up Freestyle
We’ve featured damn near everybody in rap supergroup Slaughterhouse except Crooked I, so here ya go. It’s an extremely up-to-date social commentary that rides the beat hard enough for any hip-hope head to both bob and weave. Plus, it makes you think, which is what rap was invented to do.
Maximum Balloon – “Tiger”
The video for “Tiger” reminds me a lot of a cake induced nightmare I had after one of my childhood birthday parties. Maximum Balloon is the brainchild of TV on the Radio’s Andrew Sitek. Sitek brings his creative indie flair to this track which also features Aku, the frontman for Dragons of Zynth. Meow, meow, and meow.
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KT Tunstall – “Fade Like A Shadow”
We have enjoyed KT’s music ever since her debut with Eye to the Telescope. This Scottish firecracker always brings the goodness. “Fade Like A Shadow” is the lead single off of her upcoming release, Tiger Suit. KT Tunstall’s career is certainly showing no signs of fading…like a shadow.
Buy the Single
Dirty Heads – “Lay Me Down”
Hold on to the last remaining days of summer with the music of Dirty Heads. These dudes are the embodiment of Southern California reggae rock. “Lay Me Down” definitely has a Sublime feel to it. Oh, that maybe due to the fact that Rome Ramirez of Sublime with Rome appears on the track. Chill yourself out with this summertime hit.
Buy the Single
