March is approaching which means this infernal, unending winter is almost over (I hope). March is also the time when most youths get a week off school and can jet to exotic locals that contain beaches and/or a lot of alcohol. But even if you’re not luckily enough to spend a week getting alcohol poisoning in the sun, you can still have a fun time at home. Fill your bedroom with sand and pretend you’re at the beach, or if your parents/roommates/cats object to that (as I am most certain that they will) turn up this playlist and jam out to these island-ish tunes while you spend every day of your break on Tumblr.
1) Island in the Sun – Weezer
To me, this is the quintessential vacation song. It just conjures images of floating around a pool with sunglasses on, while being fed grapes by some male servants (…or something like that, I definitely haven’t thought about it that much…). It’s also a great uplifting track to make you feel better when it’s March and it seems like the sun may never surface again.
Best for: starting the week, reminding yourself that you’re on vacation.
2) All Eyes on You – St. Luica
You might know this song from a recent series of Victoria’s Secret ads, but it was my official song of Summer 2012 (“I knew it before it was cool,” she said pretentiously). There’s just something so relaxed in the tone of this song, I think it’s perfect for unwinding during your at home vacation. You can bop your head enthusiastically while dancing around your kitchen as you eat Oreos or some similar domestic activity.
Best for: going to the pretty beach in your head
3) Cake – Toro y Moi
For me, vacations from school are doubly relaxing because I get to have the house to myself as everyone else slumps their way to work. I frequently use this alone time to play music obnoxiously loud while dancing/eating/instagramming. Toro y Moi is one of the reigning kings of chillwave and this track off his latest album “Anything In Return” is one of my favourite booty shakers.
Best for: pretending you’re in a Harlem Shake video but with better music.
4) Feel It All Around – Washed Out
You’re going to need some seriously relaxing tunes for this break. After all, you lead a stressful life. I mean, all those books about medieval England didn’t just read themselves this semester did they (full disclosure: I didn’t even read them. LOL)? Dedicate one day of your break to wearing a onesie all day, reading books, and drinking tea and/or the caffeinated beverage of your choosing and play this song while you do it. Whenever I hear this, a movie-like montage runs through my head: sitting on the counter boiling water, scratching a cat’s ears while you read, napping peacefully while your hair fans out like a halo around your head (I may watch too many movies). Feel the relaxation all around.
Best for: being a sluggish as humanly possible.
5) Domino – Jessie J Read more…
After being accused of copying a riff from The Clash in their new single “Live While We’re Young”, One Direction has admitted that it was “on purpose.”
Having recently released the lead single off their second album “Take Me Home”, fans of The Clash have sparked several comments claiming that the group has ripped off the rockers’ classic hit , ‘Should I Stay or Should I Go.”
However, Harry Styles says the similar sound was completely intentional.
“It’s a bit like the first single (‘What Makes You Beautiful’) where the opening riff sounds similar to a certain film (‘Summer Nights’ from ‘Grease’). It’s kind of on purpose though, it’s a great riff,” he said to the Associated Press.
But despite the minor controversy, Styles tells fans that they should expect the same catchy pop style of their first album.
“There aren’t too many surprises. We’re just really happy with how the album’s come out. We all agree that it’s better than the first one … we’re proud of it.”
Well since that matter’s settled, I can’t wait to hear the new album!! (One Direction is my guilty pleasure)
With all the songs floating around these days, it’s inevitable that a couple of them will sound similar — whether the resemblance is intentional or not. If you’ve noticed any songs that sound alike, we want to know. Share them with us in the comments!
One Direction versus The Clash
The boy band just released a music video for their fun pop single “Live While We’re Young,” however, Clash fans weren’t too happy about the track’s uncanny resemblance to “Should I Stay Or Should I Go.” Fans of the punk classic are lashing out on Twitter. Though the majority of the messages are pretty angry there are a couple gems: @GavanCasey said “One Direction’s new song sounds like what I imagine Satan’s tribute to The Clash would sound like, but slightly more melodic.” Even if it does have a slight resemblance, we’re still loving 1D’s version. It will be on their upcoming album Take Me Home on Nov. 12.
Lady Gaga versus Madonna
Madonna famously started a feud with Lady Gaga when she claimed the 26-year-old singer was trying to imitate her career. At a few MDNA concerts Madonna has merged Gaga’s “Born This Way” with her 1989 classic “Express Yourself,” implying that Gaga was paying homage. A few days ago in Atlantic City, the Material Girl dedicated her track “Masterpiece” to Gaga, saying: ”I’m gonna dedicate this next song to Lady Gaga. ‘Cause you wanna know something? I love her. I love her. I do love her. Imitation is the highest form of flattery…”
Katy Perry versus Kesha Read more…
Canadian band the Constantines will celebrate their 10th anniversary at Lee’s palace on December 11-12, chartattack.com reports.
The Guelph-native rockers have enjoyed incredible success over the past decade in Toronto’s thriving indie scene, and have been compared to bands like The Clash and Nick Cave.
Pre-sale tickets, being sold through the Gallery A&C website, will include a download of the Too Slow For Love EP – the electronic-only companion to their last studio album, Kensington Heights.
For around $25, Constantines fans will enjoy a show that, as they said on the website, “will feature special guests, and many other surprises.” Sounds promising.
It should go without saying that unless you are The Clash, you should never open your album with a track that outshines the rest of the songs. Too often, musicians put everything out there all at once in the form of a single: the catchiest song, the defining song, the best song. All in one neat little bow.
Take Peter, Bjorn and John. The band penned “Young Folks”, undoubtedly one of the hottest whistle-chorus songs since Gene Kelly. They slot it in as the first song of their debut album, “Writer’s Block” – a promising start. Yet the rest of the album is completely useless. Boring, ambling, flat pop. They blew their premature load all over the place, and never recovered.(Their sophomore album was released in April and committed the same offence. “Lay It Down,” though appearing later in the track list, is an adorable and danceable hit. Every other song, however, is filler.)
Now, as annoying as this is, I too am guilty of perpetuating the curse. It’s so easy to fall in love with one song and never give the rest of the album a second thought. Especially when it’s the first song you hear. For example, I recently fell head over heels for “Daylight” by Matt & Kim. I made the world very aware of my infatuation, playing it for everyone I knew, Facebook status-ing the shit out of it, and listening to it on my own at least four times in one sitting, four times a day.
