I’m sharing this article from Rolling Stone, published in December 2015, on the 100 greatest guitarists. They assembled a panel of top guitarists and other music experts to rank their favorites and explain what separates the legends from everyone else. Check it out.
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/100-greatest-guitarists-20111123
Ricky Jarman – “Lucky” featuring Sam Harmonix
I loved the new dance track “Lucky” from Ricky Jarman featuring Sam Harmonix the moment it hit my ears like an sonic boom of musical pleasure. This is one hot tune! The song grabs hold with its sexy, pulse-pounding dance/pop beat and doesn’t let go. I literally hit ‘repeat’ five or six times, as I couldn’t get enough of it.
https://soundcloud.com/ricky-jarman/ricky-jarman-lucky-ft-sam-harmonix#t=0:00
Ricky Jarman is a talented, charismatic singer/songwriter and rising dance pop/R&B artist now based in New York. His beautiful vocals, good looks and charm – not to mention warm, friendly personality – have given him broad appeal to a growing base of fans. As if that weren’t enough, he’s also an accomplished model!
Born and raised in North Carolina, Ricky grew up in an artistic and musically-inclined family, learning to love music through listening to his parents’ Earth Wind & Fire, Kool and the Gang, Toto, Phil Collins and Boyz II Men records. Besides those artists, he says his greatest musical influences are Justin Timberlake and Michael Jackson, which is evident in his music style.
“Lucky” was co-written by Ricky and hip hop producer Sam Harmonix, who raps in the song’s bridge. The simple but optimistic lyrics speak to the joy of feeling passion for a new love. Production-wise, the song’s arrangement is tight, and the melodic dance beat keeps the energy flowing. The excellent video for “Lucky,” released on May 10, 2016, was written and directed by Ricky and produced by Harmonix. The video opens with a poignant scene of an elderly couple celebrating over dinner (their anniversary perhaps?) then transitions to themselves at a much younger age, falling in love, then closes with them back in the present together in bed. Take a look:
Ricky’s previous single “Get To Know Ya” is a fun, incredibly catchy and upbeat dance/pop track with a sensual hip hop vibe. He worked with a number of music producers to create a series of great remixes of the song in varying genres, including Latin, EDM, Funk and House. Check them out on Ricky’s Soundcloud page. The “Hot Vibe (Mumba Trap) Remix” is my personal favorite:
I’m certain that Ricky’s talent, charm and and drive will propel him to increasing success in both the music and modelling business. To learn more about him, check out his website, follow him on Twitter and Facebook, and subscribe to his YouTube channel. Listen to his music on Soundcloud, Spotify, and Reverbnation.
10 Best “Bite Me” Songs
A while back, a friend who knows I’m a music junkie asked me for a list of songs for a “Bite Me” mix she was putting together on her iPod. Naturally, I was thrilled by the challenge! After much thought, here are my picks for the Top 10 “You hurt me, you’re a jerk and I hate you” – in other words – “Bite Me” songs.
10. GIVES YOU HELL – All-American Rejects
9. IRREPLACEABLE – Beyonce
8. FUCK YOU – Cee Lo Green
7. I HATE EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU – Three Days Grace
6. BLOW ME (ONE LAST KISS) – P!nk
5. BEFORE HE CHEATS – Carrie Underwood
4. YOU’RE NO GOOD – Linda Ronstadt
3. I WILL SURVIVE – Gloria Gaynor
2. ROLLING IN THE DEEP – Adele
1. YOU OUGHTA KNOW – Alanis Morissette
Honorable Mentions:
You’re So Vain – Carly Simon
Go Your Own Way -Fleetwood Mac
You’re Breaking My Heart – Nilsson
So What – P!nk
What Goes Around (Comes Around) – Justin Timberlake
Since You Been Gone – Kelly Clarkson
What Doesn’t Kill (Makes You Stronger) – Kelly Clarkson
Let me know what you think, or if you have any others to add.
Top 20 Songs for May 15-21, 2016
1. THE SOUND OF SILENCE – Disturbed
2. RIDE – twenty øne piløts
3. SPIRITS – The Strumbellas
4. OPHELIA – The Lumineers
5. 7 YEARS – Lukas Graham
6. WALKING ON A DREAM – Empire of the Sun
7. COLOR – Finish Ticket
8. ALONE – Sun Arcana
9. SOMEBODY ELSE – The 1975
10. GENGHIS KHAN – Miike Snow
11. OFF THE GROUND – The Record Company
12. WOMAN, WOMAN – AWOLNATION
13. ONE DANCE – Drake, Wizkid, Kyla (N)
14. THE POP KIDS – Pet Shop Boys
15. REAPERS – Muse
16. I TOOK A PILL IN IBIZA – Mike Posner
17. PRAYERS / TRIANGLES – Deftones
18. HAND CLAP – Fitz & the Tantrums
19. GONE – JR JR
20. DESTRUCTION – Joywave (N)
Artist Spotlight – Tall Poppies
Tall Poppies are a delightfully eccentric indie-pop band fronted by identical twin sisters Susan and Catherine Hay, who originally hail from Perth, Australia. As the sisters note on their website, Perth is the most isolated (big) city in the world, and they dreamed of moving to London to have a music career. They followed that dream by emigrating to London in 2006, and named their band Tall Poppies. In their matching knee socks and bob hairstyles, both sisters provide melodic, harmonizing vocals for all their songs, with Susan playing bass, and Catherine on lead guitar. They later added violinist Diarmuid Nugent and drummer Doug Fink (formerly of Noah and the Whale) to complete their distinctive Tall Poppies sound.
The band is fiercely independent, handling all aspects of recording and production of their own material, as well as the quirky video clips that accompany the songs. Their latest EP High Time, a collection of old and new songs, was released in Autumn 2015 and they’ve been touring throughout the UK to promote their music. They plan on recording new material for an entire album to be released later in 2016.
“Heart Palpitations,” from High Time, is a cheerfully upbeat piece of pop confection. The twins’ intertwining harmonic vocals are perfectly complemented by deft guitar and soothing violin. The song’s fun, whimsical video of the two cavorting around the countryside was filmed over one weekend. Catherine, who’s currently studying at the London College of Fashion, designed the clever palpitating heart costume out of extra red fabric she had lying around.
Their latest single, “Cat Got Your Tongue?” is a deliriously catchy indie pop tune with a retro vibe. Its masterful guitar riffs, plucky violin and hammering drums that will have you dancing even if you’re a certified wallflower! The stylish, colorful video is so entertaining that I found myself hitting repeat so I could watch it over and over again.
An older song, “In Your Dreams,” is a lovely, gentle ballad that really showcases Susan and Catherine’s beautiful harmonizing vocals.
You can follow Tall Poppies on Twitter and Facebook. Their music is available for listening on Soundcloud and Spotify, and for purchase on itunes or their website.
Top 20 Songs for May 8-14, 2016
1. SPIRITS – The Strumbellas
2. RIDE – twenty øne piløts
3. THE SOUND OF SILENCE – Disturbed
4. OPHELIA – The Lumineers
5. 7 YEARS – Lukas Graham
6. WALKING ON A DREAM – Empire of the Sun
7. GENGHIS KHAN – Miike Snow
8. COLOR – Finish Ticket
9. SOMEBODY ELSE – The 1975
10. ALONE – Sun Arcana
11. REAPERS – Muse
12. OFF THE GROUND – The Record Company
13. WOMAN, WOMAN – AWOLNATION
14. THE POP KIDS – The Pet Shop Boys
15. I TOOK A PILL IN IBIZA – Mike Posner
16. 10,000 EMERALD POOLS – BØRNS
17. PRAYERS / TRIANGLES – Deftones (N)
18. UNDER THE INFLUENCE – Elle King
19. HAND CLAP – Fitz & the Tantrums (N)
20. GONE – JR JR (N)
Artist Spotlight – The Ninetyten
It was my lucky day when the alternative indie rock band The Ninetyten followed me on Twitter, because I had the pleasure of discovering their phenomenal music. It makes me happy when I hear music from a newly-discovered artist and love it at first listen. Their formidable guitar-driven sound is authentic and raw, yet richly melodic with arrangements that can only be described as perfection.
The four-member band hails from Britain’s West Midlands, and consists of James Graham (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Robert Skett (lead guitar), Bob Timmins (bass) and Darren Hanson (drums). This band has only released a few songs, but all of them are superb.
The band’s awesome guitar prowess is on full display in the song “Home.” The song starts out with a simple riff and James Graham’s tentative vocals, then gradually erupts with furious, swirling guitar and pulse-pounding drums. Graham’s vocals take on a passionate urgency that match the music’s power, leaving your hair standing on end. The lyrics are compelling too: “A million miles from home, million miles from everything/Got what I wanted…Only love can save me now.” Take a listen:
https://soundcloud.com/theninetyten/home
“Dust” offers more mind-blowing guitar and assertive percussion that only cemented my feeling that The Ninetyten are highly-accomplished musicians deserving of star status. This is some of the best guitar playing I’ve heard in a while.
In “Missing Person” the band unleashes its sonic weaponry with a barrage of heavy bass and unrelenting drums. Graham’s vocals once again soar to meet the merciless guitar riffs.
https://soundcloud.com/theninetyten/missingperson
Support this amazing band by following them on Twitter and Facebook. Listen to their music on Soundcloud and TONEDEN, and subscribe to their YouTube channel.
Twintwo – “Mr Winterburn” EP Review
I recently discovered a talented, hard-working young hip hop musician from the UK who goes by the name Twintwo. I loved his music the moment I heard it. Not only is he an amazing rapper, with a nimble, rapid-fire delivery, the music is joyously upbeat, with artful, melodically complex arrangements. His rapping with a British accent makes his voice especially appealing for me, plus he’s a nice, humble guy.
Twintwo was born 20 years ago as Robert Winterburn. Regarding the origin of his artistic name, he explained that he was the second of twins to be born, but before his parents could fully name him, he was designated “Twin II.” He’s been a big fan of rap music since the age of nine or ten, and started writing songs at around 16. In a recent interview with the blog Xustralia, he stated his music is influenced by Hopsin, Logic, Slaughterhouse, Machine Gun Kelly, and a bit of Calvin Harris.
He released his first song “Beggin” in June, 2015, and later that year dropped a 10 track mix tape All Day Everyday. That work featured original tracks, as well as his skillful rapping over a few hip hop songs by other artists, including the Logic/Ed Sheeran collaboration “All Along the Watchtower.” He ramps it up with fresh energy on his latest release, a semi-autobiographical EP titled Mr Winterburn. All five songs are awesome, but I’ll discuss three of them.
The first single, “Late Night Drives,” dazed my ears with its driving EDM-infused hip hop beat and Twintwo’s 100 mile-an-hour rapping. It’s impossible to listen to this exhilarating song without wanting to dance around the room like a crazy person. I never want the song to end so keep hitting repeat.
For the title track, “Mr Winterburn,” Twintwo sings about the challenge of growing up and struggling to have a music career, paying lyrical homage to Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” and twenty one pilot’s “Stressed Out” (two of my favorite songs). He sings “Yeah, I know I’m not taking this as serious as I should/I know if I could I would but I don’t understand the concept/Too immature for my own good.” Later in the song, he laments “I wish I could go back to when I was riding a bicycle.”
https://soundcloud.com/officialtwintwo/mr-winterburn
“Drug Dealers and DJs” has a jazzy, roaring 20s vibe set to a crushing hip hop beat. The old-time sounding horns throughout the song are a sonic delight, and perfectly tailored for the song’s theme. Since I wrote this review, Twintwo released a delightful video for the track.
Even if you’re not a big fan of hip hop or rap, I promise you’ll find yourself liking Twintwo’s music, which is available on Soundcloud and Bandcamp. Also, follow him on Facebook and Twitter.
Top 20 Songs for May 1-7, 2016
1. SPIRITS – The Strumbellas
2. RIDE – twenty øne piløts
3. THE SOUND OF SILENCE – Disturbed
4. 7 YEARS – Lukas Graham
5. WALKING ON A DREAM – Empire of the Sun
6. OPHELIA – The Lumineers
7. GENGHIS KHAN – Miike Snow
8. COLOR – Finish Ticket
9. SOMEBODY ELSE – The 1975
10. 10,000 EMERALD POOLS – BØRNS
11. REAPERS – Muse
12. ALONE – Sun Arcana
13. OFF THE GROUND – The Record Machine
14. UNDER THE INFLUENCE – Elle King
15. BAD REPUTATION – Adelitas Way
16. PRETTY PIMPIN – Kurt Vile
17. THE POP KIDS – The Pet Shop Boys
18. I TOOK A PILL IN IBIZA – Mike Posner (N)
19. TRIP SWITCH – Nothing But Thieves
20. WOMAN, WOMAN – AWOLNATION (N)
CelloVein – “Bad Cellist” Album Review
How can a cellist be bad, you might ask? “Bad Cellist” is the name of the debut album from CelloVein, the alter ego of Halley Feaster, a gifted cellist who really wanted to be a badass rocker. She started playing the cello at the age of nine, but deep down just couldn’t imagine herself becoming a classical cellist – “much to the dismay and confusion of some of her teachers” she notes on her website. By bucking convention, Feaster was being “bad.” This album is the culmination of nearly 10 years of hard work and dedication to her passion: making music steeped in rock, metal and blues, all with her acoustic cello and 6-string electric cello. Who knew there were electric cellos?
While working at other jobs to make a living, Feaster wrote songs and perfected her craft by playing cello with cover bands, pit orchestras and local symphonies, and recording as backup to several artists. But realizing her music style was not the radio-friendly stuff that most music studios seem to demand, she founded her own music production company, Rock Solid Productions. She and her husband Michael built their own recording studio and, with her father’s assistance, produced this work of musical art.
Other than the two rock classics she covers on the album – “White Rabbit” and “Stairway to Heaven” – Feaster wrote the music and lyrics for all songs, which range from mellow, folksy tunes to heavy metal. The song “Isle of Apollo,” a bombastic barrage of screaming cello and wobbly bass, is metalcore confection and one of my favorites on the album.
“Bleus” is a superb instrumental that weaves back and forth between languid bluesy interludes and sensual, scratchy jazz riffs demanding your attention.
The beautiful cover of the Led Zeppelin epic “Stairway to Heaven” does justice to my all-time favorite song. Other than the acoustic guitar of Jon Finn, the rest of the strings are cello, which sound amazing!
Support CelloVein by following on Twitter or facebook. Check out more of her music on Spotify or purchase on itunes.
ECLECTIC MUSIC LOVER 