Category Archives: Hot Music
My thoughts on what’s out on the music scene.
New Website, New Look, New Mailing List….
HOWDY WORDPRESSERS,
I have exciting news for you… I’ve switched from Word Press to my own personal website… I’m really excited about the freedom I will have to share with you all more Music, WTH Moments, and more inspiration… If you would like to continue receiving emails and updates from Peauxetic Expressions, please click on the link below.
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Thanks again for joining the Peauxetic Expression Family….
Carlos
Music Monday: Throwing Another Tantrum
I was first introduced to Fitz and the Tantrums on Halloween of 2011. I was featured on a radio interview with DLD the Eclectic (check out his show tonight at 7:00 pm CST, http://www.fishbowlradionetwork.com/fkshow.html) on the FK Show. I’m always open to new music and DLD was telling me about an overseas group that he was listening to. I heard a couple of songs and immediately started asking him more information on the group and their music. A few days later, I went out and purchased their CD, Pickin’ Up The Pieces. Although I can’t quite categorize the group into a certain genre, if I had to describe them, they would be “vintage soul, pop and rock”. The group has an old school vibe, and a female singer who is reminiscent of Lauryn Hill in her glory days. If you could mix the pop funk of Maroon 5, the soul of The Fugees, and the chemistry (without the domestic violence) of Ike and Tina Turner, then you have something close to Fitz and the Tantrums. But part of what makes them so cool is that they really can’t be conformed to any specific genre.
The group tries their hand at such topics as politics, gold diggers, heartbreak and society’s current values system. And they not only try, they succeed and win. Only 10 songs strong, Fitz and the Tantrums seem to realize what so many artists of today’s time seem to miss….less is more. An 18 track CD usually means 11 of the songs are worth listening to. Although I have my favorites, there’s not one song on here I can say I dislike. My most favorite track here though is the song, “MoneyGrabber”. The lyrics are extremely addictive and it just sounds like something epic you’ve never heard before (Like the time you said you could buy it for me/Cuz I’m in trouble/Here’s my advice/I don’t pay twice for the price of a cheap dime whore). Who needs vulgar profanity? Tell us how you really feel Fitz! LOL. But seriously, this CD has great instrumentation, singing, and lyrics….a combination that’s severely lacking in much of today’s music. Other highlights on the CD include “Pickin Up the Pieces” (a vulnerable, upbeat declaration of love gloom….if there is such a thing), “Dear Mr. President” (a wake up call to pay attention and put our foot down to the real issues of the world) and “Tighter” (a pleading declaration of deep regret).
Look for a new album from Fitz and the Tantrums to be released soon, but in the meantime, check out Pickin’ Up The Pieces. And if you want to try out a sample of their music, go to www.fitzandthetantrums.com and download their free EP, which includes live songs from their House of Blues Boston performance. I’m sure their new album will make an even bigger splash on the music scene than their current project. Something tells me Fitz, Noelle Scaggs, James King, Ethan Phillips, Jeremy Ruzumna and John Wicks will be around for many years to come.
SWV: They Missed Themselves…Do We?
Three groups. Nine women. Each broke their own ground and placed their permanent stamp on the music industry.Ironicially, something as simple as their stage names were intertwined at some point in their careers. First there was the most successful all female rap group, Salt N Pepa. We know them as Salt N Pepa today, but what you may not know is their original name was Super Nature. A few years later, another girl group composed of 2 singers and a rapper was formed….three women called 2nd Nature. We know them today as TLC. And then, there’s SWV…one of the premier R & B female groups of the 90s whose members consist of Taj, LeeLee and Coko….yep TLC. But T-Boz, Left Eye an Chilli beat them to the punch on the name and they became known as Sisters With Voices. After 15 years since their last hits (“Rain” and “Can We”), they’re back on the music scene, hoping to once again rule the charts. But has too much time passed for this to be possible? Or is the music just not up to par?
90s R & B. One of the greatest times in music. SWV had a string of hits that left us wanting more. Who could forget “Weak”, “Anything” and “Downtown”? After a solo project, reality TV, and mortuary school, Taj, LeeLee and Coko have regrouped to give us their new project, I Missed Us. They start off on a promising note with the first single “Co-Sign”. I wouldn’t say the song fits comfortably next to some of their biggest hits, but it was a good choice for the first single. The first few tracks on I Missed Us are uptempo, and a bit dated. The group seems to be stuck in their heyday, but with less spark that we heard on songs like, “Right Here”. “Do Ya” is a nice club track that samples the Rufus hit “Do You Love Me”. However, the songwriting lacks here, as it does on many of the tracks. Lines like “I’m a 10, so go run to your 3” seem a bit juvenile for a group that has such seasoned tenure. I’m just saying…
SWV slows things down after the uptempo tracks with “The Best Years”, a song where they tell a man that they gave him the best years of his life. As cocky as it sounds, they could have really worked this concept, but unfortunately it’s a lackluster track. “I Missed Us”, the title track, is a decent slow groove that I could see going over well with an older contemporary R & B audience. Interestingly, the group takes turns leading verses on several tracks, although Coko still takes most of the leads. Two of the CD’s standout tracks, “Love Unconditionally” and “If Only You Knew” (a remake) are not until the very end of the CD. Unfortunately, many listeners may not last until this point.
To declare, directly or indirectly, that you are missed by fans after a lengthy hiatus is a bold statement. I Missed Us has some potential, but SWV’s earlier works still reign supreme. The tracks are almost solely produced and written by Cainon Lamb could be partly to blame for the lack of variety on the project. They would have done better with a more diverse set of producers, and maybe a couple big names sprinkled here and there (I could see Timbaland and Rodney Jerkins working with them). So is SWV missed? Yes, but I think the fans were expecting….eh, dare I say, more quality music. Time will tell how the CD fares on the charts, but in a fickle music business, they may need to quickly regroup and try again. I Missed Us gives enough for us to remember SWV, but the dated sound and generic lyrics are what makes it fall short….or “Weak”….and not weak in the knees.
10 Years Later… Remembering Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes
If you read my recent post “VH1 To Produce TLC Biopic” (or heard in the news), then you know that TLC will be releasing a biopic produced by VH1 on their lives that will be released this year. Sadly, April 25, 2012 also marks the 10 year passing of the group’s most vibrant and outrageous member, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes. Their new movie is supposed to be released in conjunction with a new CD and possible tour dates, but TLC’s image was as big as their sound. Their efforts may be bittersweet at best, without the presence of Left Eye. I’m very anxious to see who will be cast as TLC in their upcoming movie…and especially Left Eye. That will be some quite large and colorful shoes to fill.
It would be really interesting to see where TLC’s place in music would be now if Left Eye were still alive. Ironically, through all of the bankruptcy, arson, illness, and fighting they never really broke up. And with over 65 million albums (not even counting singles) sold worldwide, they’re still one of the greatest selling female groups of all time. But it was Left Eye who was the mastermind behind wearing condoms on clothes to promote safe sex, the concept behind the international success CrazySexyCool and even designing the stage setup for tours. Plus, she understood that controversy sells…something she nor T-Boz and Chilli were strangers to. Artists like this are rare and almost extinct in today’s music arena…..Left Eye, you are still missed and your legacy will always live on.
What’s your favorite Left Eye moment? What do you think her greatest memory with people will be on today? Or better yet, how do you want to be remembered?
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