The Singles Guy 03.25.09: Sometime Around Midnight

Posted by Jacob Crogie on 03.25.2009

This week we get a format change! YAY! The Airborne Toxic Event blow this critic away while The Gaslight Anthem reminisce about music past. The latest from Kanye and Saving Abel also drop this week, while Carrie Underwood does Crue. It is as weird as it sounds...

Well, this has been a rather boring week however, I would like to announce a small format change, the Kickass 5 is no more! I am far too damn lazy for that every week, it will be replaced by a new feature, The Jacob Crogie Seal of Awesomeness wherein I will give you a song that most of you have never heard to listen to. Saves me trying to come up with themes every week and allows me to focus more on that one song. Furthermore, The Epic Moment of Insane Awesomeness is dead...for the last couple weeks I've been forcing it which kind of defeats the purpose. Well...with that out of the way, let's get down to business then with another Kanye track.


Kanye West- "Paranoid"

Can we move on from this album soon? There is hardly anything worth releasing on here to begin with and now we are on to the 5th single. I can't see this one lighting up the charts, it merely exists, you have no idea where your four and a half minutes are gone by the end of it. Lyrically it isn't anything special with a rather unweidly hook on top of that. Musically, it lacks the power as the synth on this track just doesn't move me. There is very little bass, and none of the sheer drum banging that made "Heartless" and "Love Lockdown" hits. It doesn't revolutionize anything, or impress me in anyway. One of those songs I generally skip on the album, although it is listenable. Worth a listen or two but lacks the staying power to make a conquest of the charts.

The Arbitrary Rating of Goodness: 2.5/5

What I'd Rather Be Listening To: "Heartless", "Golddigger"




The Veronicas- "Take Me On The Floor"

This song is set for American release this week, its an Australian invasion! Quick, somebody get Alex Lloyd! Generally, I am a sucker for dance-pop, there is something so infectious about it. This track is no different, by the time the chorus kicks in, I am hooked. The lyrics aren't really important here, its all about the beat and what a beat it is. It's all about going to a club and having a kickass time, how can I fault dance-pop for being about dancing? These girls can really sing, with great harmonies and all around strong vocal performance especially in the quieter parts. The music is great in its simplicity, there is nothing complex about the chord progression or rhythm which makes it all the more familiar. This track borrows heavily from the 80s, and for that alone it deserves recognition. This is just a fun song, with some awesome synth that deserves a listen especially in a dance setting.

The Arbitrary Rating of Goodness: 3.5/5

What I'd Rather Be Listening To: "Less Talk More Rokk"- Freezepop




Birdman ft. Lil' Wayne- "Always Strapped"

Ick. Nothing to see here, let's move on. Lyrically its basically verbal ego stroking, they are so awesome after all. This is not good rap, its basically all about how pimpin' they are without the listenability of "Pop Bottles". There is no catchy lines here, the hook is utter crap. The instrumentation is mediocre at the best, it tries to sound more important than it is. Just a poor attempt from beginning to end, with Weezy even off of his game here. Horrid. This is why people hate rap music. No more verbal circle jerks please, or at least do it with some artistic flair.

The Arbitrary Rating of Goodness: 0/5

What I'd Rather Be Listening To: "Swagga Like Us"- T.I., Kanye West, Lil' Wayne & Jay-Z




David Cook- "Bar-ba-sol"

FINALLY! David Cook shows some testicular fortitude here. However, this song is far from perfect. Lyrically its all about the day after a crazy night, which to be far is typical rock fare. Musically, its rather generic as well, leaning more towards Theory of a Deadman than Alice in Chains. Although, I'll give them some props for a pretty awesome guitar solo and the heavy feel overall. Some critics are saying that this is a cross between Pearl Jam and Alice in Chains, to them I say, what the hell are you talking about? This is an example of quality post-grunge, which came after those two aformentioned bands. Although it borrows heavily from them, it cannot come close artistically, it is generic stadium ready, radio rock. It sure kicks the living hell out of "Come Back To Me" though and finally Cook gets the rock out.

The Arbitrary Rating of Goodness: 3/5

What I'd Rather Be Listening To: "Rooster"- Alice In Chains




Saving Abel- "Drowning (Face Down)"

Great. More radio rock...these guys are almost as bad as Creed, almost. Nice little acoustic intro starts us off, with typically horrid lyrics over top. There's the radio friendly chorus with pathetic and tired cliches. Musically, there is a nice piano undertone, but its just stock chord progression otherwise. How much longer must I be subjected to crappy hackwork like this track? This is basically songwriting by the numbers, not even a guitar solo saves this one. Although, anytime there is a guitar solo in a track is a major plus. I can barely stand to listen to this tripe more than once, clearly geared towards a female audience. What is it going to be guys? Cock-rock or power ballads?

The Arbitrary Rating of Goodness: 1.5/5

What I'd Rather Be Listening To: "Rescue Me"- Buckcherry




The Gaslight Anthem- "The '59 Sound"

Surprise, these guys are from New Jersey. If you have listened to any of their songs, you can immediately pick up their #1 influence, and it sure is a good one. These guys borrow heavily from the Boss while incorporating elements of punk-rock leading to a truly awesome result. Lead singer Brian Fallon even sounds a little like Bruce, incorporating some throaty growl as he spits out lyrics about Americana and cruising around Main Street. The lyrics sound like they could have come right off of "Born To Run" and that is a compliment. These guys remind be vaguely of Canadian Matt Mays who produces much of the same kind of music. They take the thematic content of Bruce and throw in some new-school jam producing an amazing tribute. Hopefully they keep this up, there is nothing wrong with cribbing notes from one of the best. I'm gonna pick up the rest of their music, and you should too.

The Arbitrary Rating of Goodness: 4/5

What I'd Rather Be Listening To: "Cocaine Cowgirl"- Matt Mays & El Torpedo




Carrie Underwood- "Home Sweet Home"

Carrie Underwood covers...Motley Crue. What the hell? It's not as bad as you would think, but it sure as hell isn't necessary. Apparently she did this for American Idol which makes it seem all the more pathetic. This style suits Carrie though, she can go over the top on this power ballad. There isn't that much of a difference between her vocal stylings here and what Vince Neil did back in the 80s. This one just took out alot of the power from this power ballad and all that is left is kitschy lyrics and weakened musicality. Carrie continues to disappoint me, this is a novelty cover that has already lost it's novelty.

The Arbitrary Rating of Goodness: 1.5/5

What I'd Rather Be Listening To: "Home Sweet Home"- Motley Crue




Trace Adkins- "Marry For Money"

Nice blues riff to get us going on this track. Great guitar work throughout this track that really carrys it along, especially the little solo section. Lyrically, the content matter is hilarious at best but often comes off as kitschy. The rest of the instrumentation, save for the previously mentioned guitar, is stock country, and lacking any originality. Trace's vocals are merely adequate, it is the subject matter that will carry this one to the top. This has all the makings of a novelty country hit, but is desperately lacking in originality and is very short, clocking in at just over three minutes. This is why some people hate country music, I for one, enjoyed this track, although, it is a guilty pleasure.

The Arbitrary Rating of Goodness: 3/5

What I'd Rather Be Listening To: "Save A Horse (Ride A Cowboy)"- Big & Rich




SONG OF THE WEEK!

The Airborne Toxic Event- "Sometime Around Midnight"

I've been sitting on this track for over a month, trying to decide if it was worth putting up a review for a song that has been out for a little while. When you hear the song you will understand why I couldn't let this one slip through the cracks. Beautiful use of orchestration in the intro, and although seldom used, it sounds awesome throughout the rest of the track. Lyrically, this song is more like poetry than anything else with some of the best similies I have ever heard. The band stays in the background for most of the track allowing the lyrics to shine through, all the while building nice forward momentum. Best part of the song comes after the bridge, where everything is just blown to hell, the band goes over the top with the lead singer absolutely screaming the ending lyrics. This is one of the best tracks I have ever heard. I strongly recommend this to anyone, with any kind of taste in music whatsoever.

The Arbitrary Rating of Goodness: 6/5

What I'd Rather Be Listening To: Nothing. At. All.

Universal is being stupid...so you get a live version. Look up the music vid though, its pretty good.




The Jacob Crogie Seal of Awesomeness

Marianas Trench- "Masterpiece Theatre III"

Marianas Trench's new album "Masterpiece Theatre" dropped on February 24th, I just got my deluxe edition a week or so ago. Let me tell you, it is awesome in every way. The most amazing showcase of their musical talent is in the "Masterpiece Theatre" Suites, of which there are three. Each part is a standalone however, part III incorporates lyrics from the rest of the album into an amalgam of awesome. The vocal harmonies these guys are capable of are simply mind blowing. They are incredibly accomplished musicians allowing them to explore numerous genres and establish themselves somewhere in the middle of punk, pop, emo and indie. Pick up their album, it is simply a masterpiece.




So that's it for another week, be sure to tune in same time next week when we get all the latest and the greatest plus all the crap that everyone else likes...

SHAMELESS PLUG
The SuperHeroes In Training

Until next week, keep your pimphand strong and your rawkfist in the air!