Posts tagged "The Singles Jukebox"

Lady Antebellum – Need You Now It’s a bit enthusiastic comparing this to “Time After Time,” but damn if it doesn’t have that same heartbroken pulse coursing through it; few songs this year have sounded as desolate. If my understanding of the rules of intoxication is correct, “I’m a little drunk” should be translated as “I’m thoroughly shitfaced” (no one drunk-dials while tipsy). It’s credit to the tune’s commitment to misery that even though, since this is a male/female duet, the late night plea of “I need you now” should expectedly result in a reunion, both singers sound like they will be falling asleep (or passing out) alone tonight.[9] Jukebox says [7.25].

Lady Antebellum – Need You Now

It’s a bit enthusiastic comparing this to “Time After Time,” but damn if it doesn’t have that same heartbroken pulse coursing through it; few songs this year have sounded as desolate. If my understanding of the rules of intoxication is correct, “I’m a little drunk” should be translated as “I’m thoroughly shitfaced” (no one drunk-dials while tipsy). It’s credit to the tune’s commitment to misery that even though, since this is a male/female duet, the late night plea of “I need you now” should expectedly result in a reunion, both singers sound like they will be falling asleep (or passing out) alone tonight.
[9]

Jukebox says [7.25].

The Singles Jukebox Music
Nov 16

Spit-take

cureforbedbugs:

So it should tell you how totally partitioned my “politics blogs” and “music blogs” parts of my brain are that I did not realize that the Spencer Ackerman who writes for the Singles Jukebox is the same one I read at Washington Independent. (I never really noticed it before, to be honest.)

I was talking shit at him on Twitter, and when I offered him a place on the panel, he took me seriously.

EDIT: I mean, I offered him the place seriously, but with the expectation that he wouldn’t be interested. Because, y’know, he spends most of his time writing about foreign policy.

The Singles Jukebox
Mar 16

New Boyz ft. Tyga – Cricketz “Oh my god, why they jeans so tight?” It’s really impressive the extent New Boyz have adopted an understanding of fashion as transgression, and they do it far more successfully than Lady GaGa, for instance, does. “You’ll never see me care about another man’s jeans,” Legacy lectures, responding to supposed implications of homosexuality with an implication of homosexuality. It’s not quite progressive, but there’s a cheeky refusal to engage with hip-hop’s oft-draconian prescriptions for masculinity. (Even while guest Tyga taunts “other niggas Brunos: homies with homos.”) The New Boyz aren’t looking at the haters, they’re looking past them, at the neon-colored sunshine of a Southern California ruled by wit, irreverence, and light-footedness. There are hints of the old trickster archetype, but Legacy and Ben J hardly seem to be concerned with subverting any system—the role the trickster is supposed to play—from within or without. FYI to those bogged down in 20th century hang-ups: the New Boyz don’t give an F-word about you.[8] Jukebox says [7.57]

New Boyz ft. Tyga – Cricketz

“Oh my god, why they jeans so tight?” It’s really impressive the extent New Boyz have adopted an understanding of fashion as transgression, and they do it far more successfully than Lady GaGa, for instance, does. “You’ll never see me care about another man’s jeans,” Legacy lectures, responding to supposed implications of homosexuality with an implication of homosexuality. It’s not quite progressive, but there’s a cheeky refusal to engage with hip-hop’s oft-draconian prescriptions for masculinity. (Even while guest Tyga taunts “other niggas Brunos: homies with homos.”) The New Boyz aren’t looking at the haters, they’re looking past them, at the neon-colored sunshine of a Southern California ruled by wit, irreverence, and light-footedness. There are hints of the old trickster archetype, but Legacy and Ben J hardly seem to be concerned with subverting any system—the role the trickster is supposed to play—from within or without. FYI to those bogged down in 20th century hang-ups: the New Boyz don’t give an F-word about you.
[8]

Jukebox says [7.57]

2
music jerk The Singles Jukebox
Apr 02

Jay-Z ft. Mr Hudson – Young Forever Hov can do wistful, as he’s proved on tracks from “Regrets” to “Allure,” but “Young Forever” suffers from a lack of genuine ache. The Alphaville interpolation provides a veneer of pain, and even with Mr. Hudson’s inert enunciation of the hook, it’s nigh impossible to make “Forever Young” impossible to like. But “Young Forever” claims emotion without working to create any; Jay’s delivery is noncommittal and ineffectual, and the rapper does little to distinguish it from the synth haze. He finds a bit of life on the third verse with a haltering, off-kilter flow that I’m convinced he’s used previously to better effect, but there’s nothing actually memorable about his use of it here. And let us try to forget the cringeworthy patois of the second verse; one of 50 Cent’s only effective jabs at Jay was his jibe about him being “gone so long [his] ahk-sent’s changed.” Overall, it’s quite nauseating.[3] Jukebox says [1.80]. Yes, [1.80]

Jay-Z ft. Mr Hudson – Young Forever

Hov can do wistful, as he’s proved on tracks from “Regrets” to “Allure,” but “Young Forever” suffers from a lack of genuine ache. The Alphaville interpolation provides a veneer of pain, and even with Mr. Hudson’s inert enunciation of the hook, it’s nigh impossible to make “Forever Young” impossible to like. But “Young Forever” claims emotion without working to create any; Jay’s delivery is noncommittal and ineffectual, and the rapper does little to distinguish it from the synth haze. He finds a bit of life on the third verse with a haltering, off-kilter flow that I’m convinced he’s used previously to better effect, but there’s nothing actually memorable about his use of it here. And let us try to forget the cringeworthy patois of the second verse; one of 50 Cent’s only effective jabs at Jay was his jibe about him being “gone so long [his] ahk-sent’s changed.” Overall, it’s quite nauseating.
[3]

Jukebox says [1.80]. Yes, [1.80]


music The Singles Jukebox
Apr 16

Drive-By Truckers – Birthday Boy “Birthday Boy” is unmistakable Drive-By Trucker gangstabilly, but there’s a strain of another Southern Rock in this tune, a back road these boys don’t usually go down. I’m hearing shades of mid-’80s R.E.M. here; a touch of the darkness of Reconstruction of the Fables combined with guitars reminiscent of the chiming, anthemic sounds Don Gehman produced on Lifes Rich Pageant. I’m a sucker for Southern Gothic, especially when it involves strippers (word to the Ying Yang Twins), and Mike Cooley smartly conveys the lap dance recipient’s discomfort by focusing all of his attention on the service provider. It’s not among the best Drive-By Truckers’ compositions; tunes like “Zip City,” “Marry Me,” and “The Southern Thing” are a clear notch above this. But worthy of a few dollar bills stuffed into a g-string? Certainly.[7] Jukebox says [6.00]

Drive-By Truckers – Birthday Boy

“Birthday Boy” is unmistakable Drive-By Trucker gangstabilly, but there’s a strain of another Southern Rock in this tune, a back road these boys don’t usually go down. I’m hearing shades of mid-’80s R.E.M. here; a touch of the darkness of Reconstruction of the Fables combined with guitars reminiscent of the chiming, anthemic sounds Don Gehman produced on Lifes Rich Pageant. I’m a sucker for Southern Gothic, especially when it involves strippers (word to the Ying Yang Twins), and Mike Cooley smartly conveys the lap dance recipient’s discomfort by focusing all of his attention on the service provider. It’s not among the best Drive-By Truckers’ compositions; tunes like “Zip City,” “Marry Me,” and “The Southern Thing” are a clear notch above this. But worthy of a few dollar bills stuffed into a g-string? Certainly.
[7]

Jukebox says [6.00]

The Singles Jukebox music
Apr 23

She and Him – In the Sun I was out the other night, and this great song came on. So I used my iPhone to figure out who the band was; downloaded their album right there. And the best part was, my iPhone told me when they were coming to town. So all I had to do was buy the tickets! I still don’t know how my iPhone does all that.[2] Jukebox says [4.22]

She and Him – In the Sun

I was out the other night, and this great song came on. So I used my iPhone to figure out who the band was; downloaded their album right there. And the best part was, my iPhone told me when they were coming to town. So all I had to do was buy the tickets! I still don’t know how my iPhone does all that.
[2]

Jukebox says [4.22]

1
music The Singles Jukebox Stop it Zooey Deschanel
Apr 27

I feel compelled to post Ian Mathers’ blurb as well:

She and Him – In the Sun

Who on earth does this appeal to? Let me rephrase that: who on earth does this appeal to who doesn’t already have a few dozen better examples of the form, ones that that aren’t weirdly mannered and teeth-grindingly ‘cute’? Extra points off for the truly awful video: if you’re telling me I have to choose between M. Ward’s glowering goatee or the happy-clappy mugging of the Zooey Deschanel Dancers, I’m going to Heathers the fucking school.
[1]

1
Stop it Zooey Deschanel music The Singles Jukebox
Apr 27

Minnow in a big pond.

aceterrier:

I’m as excited as I’ve ever been about any Internet-related project to note that you can now read even more of my half-cocked assertions about music at The Singles Jukebox, whenever I can be bothered to participate. Thanks to Dave for the suggestion and Will for the invitation; I’ll try not to disgrace the hallowed halls of the venerable institution.

It’ll probably be very unlikely that I’ll give out many low scores, since I’m not wired to hate, despise, or resent much; it’ll also be unlikely that I’ll give out many 10s, since I’m also not wired to give myself over completely to much. My usual focus has tended to be on what I can learn from a piece of music; trying instead to work out how I feel about it will stretch different muscles.

I’ll try not to bring my work home with me except in cases where I think there’s something larger to discuss than can fit easily into a blurb. And if you like reading smart people talk about pop but you haven’t been following the Jukebox before now — all self-promotion aside — what are you waiting for?

Welcome aboard, homes.

6
The Singles Jukebox music criticism
Apr 28

Hole – Pacific Coast Highway Oh, the girls on the radio: they crash and burn, they fold and fade so slow. “Pacific Coast Highway” is Courtney Love beautiful and dying in a California apocalypse, somewhere she’s been many times before. And why not keep returning, when the results have been so fruitful in the past? But the West Coast isn’t what it used to be and neither is Hole; “Pacific Coast Highway” has its deliciously decaying pose down pat, but its hooks aren’t as tight as those on Celebrity Skin and its emotion isn’t as excoriating as were the band’s earlier records. I can’t call new Courtney Love material unwelcome, but I do suspect it may be unrewarding.[5] Jukebox says [5.93]

Hole – Pacific Coast Highway

Oh, the girls on the radio: they crash and burn, they fold and fade so slow. “Pacific Coast Highway” is Courtney Love beautiful and dying in a California apocalypse, somewhere she’s been many times before. And why not keep returning, when the results have been so fruitful in the past? But the West Coast isn’t what it used to be and neither is Hole; “Pacific Coast Highway” has its deliciously decaying pose down pat, but its hooks aren’t as tight as those on Celebrity Skin and its emotion isn’t as excoriating as were the band’s earlier records. I can’t call new Courtney Love material unwelcome, but I do suspect it may be unrewarding.
[5]

Jukebox says [5.93]

7
music The Singles Jukebox
May 02

The National – Bloodbuzz Ohio Nothing about “Bloodbuzz Ohio” is surprising, but nothing about it is disappointing either. This is a band that has got so proficient at executing its sound that playing to type seems like a triumph, not a crutch. It’s classic National: a dusky Berninger baritone, a rhythm section hurtling pell-mell into disaster, a quiet storm of downtown dramaturgy. I could tell you that “Bloodbuzz” is sorrowful and impassioned and manages to come across as simultaneously beaten and triumphant, but I could communicate the same by telling you who made it. Also it has this nice bit where everything goes quiet and Berninger sings about being carried to Ohio by bees. Which you don’t get in every National song, I must admit.[8] If I sound lukewarm on this song, I’m not. It’s just that I pretty much said everything I have to say about the National here and didn’t want to repeat myself. Jukebox says [5.73]

The National – Bloodbuzz Ohio

Nothing about “Bloodbuzz Ohio” is surprising, but nothing about it is disappointing either. This is a band that has got so proficient at executing its sound that playing to type seems like a triumph, not a crutch. It’s classic National: a dusky Berninger baritone, a rhythm section hurtling pell-mell into disaster, a quiet storm of downtown dramaturgy. I could tell you that “Bloodbuzz” is sorrowful and impassioned and manages to come across as simultaneously beaten and triumphant, but I could communicate the same by telling you who made it. Also it has this nice bit where everything goes quiet and Berninger sings about being carried to Ohio by bees. Which you don’t get in every National song, I must admit.
[8]

If I sound lukewarm on this song, I’m not. It’s just that I pretty much said everything I have to say about the National here and didn’t want to repeat myself. Jukebox says [5.73]

The Singles Jukebox music
May 08


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