Why I’ll never [openly] admit to being a fan of the Jonas Brothers

The Jonas Brothers

If you were to ask me what I thought of the Jonas Brothers about 6 months ago, I would have said, “who? Are they those tight-pants wearing disney stars?” but oh what a few months will do to a person’s already broken spirit.

I made the mistake of getting hooked on their single, “Burnin’ up” (no thanks to a dear friend of mine who suggested it) and ever since, I can’t help but to find myself youtubing the night away to listen to more songs of theirs, and I really hate to admit it, but their talented andgenerally likable too! Go figure.

Too bad I grew up in the backstreet boy/98 degrees/nsync generation, otherwise I might just be a bit more obsessed with those dark haired boys. It’s just not socially acceptable for a 22-year old to openly admit to being a fan of the jonas brothers….so until it is, I’ll just youtube away at night, and jam away in my car with the windows closed by day.

Ten Artists You Probably Don’t Have on Repeat.

Behold the quote that inspired this entire blog entry:

“What are you listening to? Something lame I know, you have no taste in music…” -identity withheld.

That may be true, but I have found some decent music lately, despite my continued strike against the radio stations here. I’m sorry, but I refuse to listen to Lil Wayne’s 5 hit singles on heavy rotation all day. I’d much rather shit a brick than hear anything else about “rainin’ on them hoes,” “da cater”, and my personal favoriate, “cuz bitch, I’m the bomb like TICK, TICK.” (So ok I secretly love that line).

So here are my 10 artists that you probably don’t have on repeat. They aren’t in any particular order, no more so than the order of the tracks on my MP3 CD in my jetta. To be honest, I really had like six…but no one makes a “SIX artists you probably don’t have on repeat” list, that’s just odd. So without further aude’…here is my list.

Jesse McCartney

 Jesse McCartney. I must give mucho props to this former Disney Channel Star, I didn’t think he had it in him to actually put out a half way decent album. I mean he looks decent, but his music was starting to not really fit him as a person. Who told him he could go and get all grown and sexy…talking about Sexin some girl and “walkin it out”. (sorry this isn’t a really recent photo of the former pop star). I’m probably a little late getting on the Departure train, but he’s got some good material up there. It’s certainly worth a listen. He kind of sounds like a combination of Chris Brown and Robin Thicke. Some namely songs to listen for are: “It’s over”, “leavin”, “Relapse”, “How do you sleep?” Ohhh and he has a badass rendition of T-Pain’s “Buy u a drank” on youtube, it’s certainly worth your three minutes.

Eric Benet

 Eric Benet…whenever I listen to him it reminds me of my parents, because all they do is listen to mellow R&B, but Benet’s music is timeless. He’s a talent that many often overlook. He has a new song out called, “You’re the only one”. It’s very smooth. A great song to drive to. Also to go to bed to, much less other things I won’t mention on such a publically available blog space.

 

Shwayze

 Shwayze. I’ll be honest. I didn’t take them too seriously, particularly after seeing their mtv reality show….forgive me for not taking the time to look up the name, but I didn’t find it important enough to watch more than 10 minutes. Aside from their antics, they’ve got a good groove going with their hits, “Corona & Lime” and “Buzzin.” They sound very summer/beach like. I listen to their music and imagine a chill day at the pool or beach, with no worries in the world (almost too chill to the point of being stoned). Its kind of slow rap over bluesy guitar cords. Quite unique. They almost remind me a mellowed out version of Gym Class Heroes.

 

New Kids on The Block

 New Kids on the block…they were singing before I was conceived. So I missed their prehistoric boyband craze…until recently. Now I will admit I like their hit, “The Right Stuff”,  it just bleeds cheap 80s pop culture. Anyway, through total accident, I stumbled across NKOTB’s newest single, “single” from their New Album. It has an R&B feel to it, thanks in part to Ne-Yo, who is featured on the song. Matter of fact, it might as well be a Ne-Yo song featuring NKOTB. Mucho props goes out to the kids for putting out an R&B based track that I’m not afraid to blast through my sound system.

The Jonas Brothers

 The Jonas Brothers….Ah, I jumped on the J-Brother train real late. Matter of fact, I didn’t even know who they were until just shy of a month ago. I didn’t even know their names…but alas, thanks to wikipedia, I am now able to know that they go by (from left to right) Nick, Joe and Kevin…Booyah and they range in age from 15 to 20? Eh, enough ramble blurbs about them, I’m so ashamed to admit that I’m 22 and I like listening to their catchy pop tunes. They kind of remind me of a polished “manlier” version of the Hanson trio. It just puts me in a good mood. My personal favorites from their latest CD are, “Hold On”, “When you look me in the eyes” (a pop ballad), and “Burnin’ up”. I’m sorry but their music is catchy as hell and you’ll find yourself humming it all day. My favorite Jonas brother you ask? Why Joe’s my favorite! I dunno…Nick’s a little overrated to me and well, Kevin seems a little absent out of the media. Yeah, if I were a 14 year girl, I’d have Joe Jonas slapped all over my walls

 

Leona Lewis

 Leona Lewis. I had mixed feelings about her at first. I was a little slow to catch onto “Bleeding Love” and once I half way liked the song, I had the pleasure of listening to my suitemates (all of which were music majors) sing the song 30 times a night. Needless to say I haven’t listened to “Bleeding Love” since march. Anyway Leona reminds me of a remodeled Mariah, like back when Mariah was truly pop quality and not so focused on being mainstream R&B. My favorite songs of hers are, “Better in Time” and “I’m you”. I haven’t really gotten into any of her upbeat songs, although I suppose those would be interesting as well. She has wide range in her voice, I’m sure she’ll go far in life.

Ne-Yo

 Ne-Yo…that suave guy. I’ve been a Ne-Yo fan since “So Sick”. The producer/song-writer/singer has got some major talent. A lot of his lyrics are fairly deep as well. Now I already mentioned his duo with NKOTB a few paragraphs above, but aside from that song, I’d have to say that, “Miss Independent” and “Trouble” are great ones. His new album Year of the Gentlemanis highly polished. I can tell he spent tons of time with every track to make it nothing more than the best. I suppose I like both of these tracks because their innovative. Every time music gets boring, Ne-Yo goes and wakes us up with his soulful sounds. I’m sure he’s new CD will have no trouble hitting platinum status.

 

Danity Kane

 Danity Kane. Now, I hated Making the bands 1-4…and 5 if there is a 5, I don’t know, I rarely watch mtv these days. All I know is that Diddy annoys me, so in terms so should Danity Kane, but despite my love hate relationship with mtv and the show, Danity Kane shockingly puts out good, “getting ready to go to the club” songs. Every time I hear any of their songs, it makes me want to dance, meet up with my girls and hit the hot spot in town…which in my town wouldn’t be many places. “Damaged” and “Bad Girl” both have great beats to them…probably because they are diddy inspired. Maybe they’ll keep pushing out good hits so Diddy won’t have a reason to have a making the band 6. Unless he wants to dominate the free world with his dictatorship presence.

Robin Thicke

Robin Thicke. He makes me realize that there is no such thing as “blue-eyed soul”. Soul is soul regardless of who is singing it. Matter of fact I believe Mr. Thicke is highly under-rated.  He’s right up there with Ne-Yo and Eric Benet in my books. His music is very soothing and modern, like a breath of fresh air. Check out his latest single, “Magic”. Very catchy, a very nice feel-good type of song.  

Jennifer Lewis

 Last but not least, let’s not forget about Mrs. Hudson (yes I know it says “lewis” up there but I’m not editing that–it’d take too long). Jennifer Hudson. Aside from her extraordinary acting career (loved her in Sex in the City), she’s a brilliant singer. Recently, while screwing around with my FM radio settings, I stumbled across her hit, “Spotlight” to which I asked my mother, “wow, who in the world sings that?” And to my surprise it was Jennifer Hudson. I suppose I keep associating her with songs that have already been done like all of those songs in “Dream Girls” and all of those Whitney Houston classics…not that they weren’t good, they just were original. This song is so hers though. I can see this one going done in history.

Well, that’s been what’s been on repeat in my car. Like I said, I don’t listen to the radio much these days. I just blindly rely off of friends, youtube, and billboard.com. If I had to pick one group or artist on this list that I’ve had on repeat the most, I’d have to go with J Mac for sure. Home slice did his thing on his new CD. Hell, I’d probably buy it if I hadn’t stopped doing that sort of mindless thing ages ago. It’s all about itunes…so get to ituning….Behold, J Mac.

 

Music Speaks

If I had to choose one thing that I couldn’t live without, hands down I would choose music. Music has gotten me through some of my darkest days, followed me through my proudest moments, reminds me of the good times, bad times and young times etc.. From morning to night music plays some sort of role in my life, rather I am listening to it, singing it, playing it or watching someone play it. Music tells a story and often speaks to people more than they think and if I go a day without it, I feel empty.

 

 I thought about that the other day while watching a friend of mine play a gig in this quirky little tea café’ downtown. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from him or the gig, seeing as how the only thing I had ever heard him sing had been Michael McDonald’s ‘I keep forgettin’, (at our weekly trivia night and it was a joke). But as I sat there listening to him seriously sing and play his own original work (on guitar and harmonica), I took a glance around the room a few times. Everyone in that room dug him. Some of those people probably weren’t even there to specifically see him, but when they stopped in and saw him performing they became locked in a trans. I don’t know about everyone else in there, but a lot of his songs reminded me of past relationships gone wrong, love interests, traveling, holidays and so on. It took me back to specific times in my life. It commanded my entire attention.

 

 Then it came to me. Rock Stars or Musicians shall I say, are some of the most interesting people you’ll ever meet. Now I’m not talking about Brittany Spears or Milli Vanilli (didn’t think I knew who that was, did you), but realmusicians. Luther Vandross, Maroon 5, Sara Barellies, Ne-yo, Mariah Carey, (…fill in the space with your favorite band here…) etc. These people have the unique gift of communicating with their audiences through song, rather it be sad or happy, they connect with their audiences all over the world, from all walks of life.

 I guess that’s why growing up I’ve always been automatically connected with other musicians. Being in band in school through-out much of my life has given me that advantage of expressing myself in other ways besides words.

 

 Outside of the tea gig, I hadn’t really talked to my friend about anything outside of the here and now. He just seemed like a typical happy-go-lucky nice kid that goes to school and occasionally likes to mimic/quote music and television shows. Almost as if I had only met his outer layer. As a musician, that kid sheds light on a lot more than what’s on the surface and becomes 3-D (figuratively speaking of course). It’s like he was telling the audience why he is the way he is. What’s occurred in his life to mold and construct who he is as a person.

 

 My point here is that music says what words cannot. It’s that happy medium for times when words just won’t do. I mean my friend could have just told me, “Yeah, I had this girlfriend who cheated on me,” but hearing that through a song places more emphasis on the situation and the emotion involved. Music conducts some sort of mood or feeling deep down inside of you, and often times helps you relate to a similar time frame in your life.

 

 Music always has been, currently is and always will be a part of my life.

 

 PS: Check out the website to hear some of the great music I described from that gig:  http://personal.ecu.edu/DMT0925/