song – Page 2 – NZ Film Freak

Gone to the Dogs – Billy Roberts and the Rough Riders

Gone to the Dogs - Billy Roberts and the Rough Riders song review

This is the third song I’ve reviewed of Billy Roberts’. Seen It All Before, No More Mr Nice Guy and now Gone to the Dogs.

This latest tune has lived up to the country-rock sound of Billy Roberts and co..

As I’ve mentioned in my previous reviews, the vocals are wee bit flat, in a spoken-word tone. This doesn’t quite live up to the energy of the electric guitar and sliding guitar sound.

Having said that, the classic country -rock genre of Billy Roberts and the Rough Riders remains, leaving their fans surely satisfied.

My favourite element of the band remains – their storytelling. Dark and interesting lyrics for sure.

For the most part, I really enjoyed the songs of Billy Roberts and the Rough Riders. You can check out their YouTube page here:
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Fj5L70KfWvrhORMjkF6fQ

And their website:
http://billyrobertsandtheroughriders.bandcamp.com/

Jodie.

Humanity – Radio Drive

Written as a reminder to people that “deep down we are all the same,” Humanity is certainly meaningful and relatable.

It is a very well produced song for sure – produced by Stuart Epps. You can definitely hear the work that has gone into it.

Because of the band’s name, I was expecting a Radiohead Karma Police sound – intense and deep – which was why I was surprised to hear a relatively bright pop song.

Side by side, hand in hand,
we’ll get the word across the land
Everyone, one by one,
we won’t stop until we’re done
Though we might disagree,
we are all one family
Love and hope and unity,
that’s what makes Humanity

Humanity reminds me of a celebrity charity pop song, with melancholy, choired vocals. The message of standing together is a strong one, and perhaps would have been translated more powerfully in the form of an acoustic song.

This may give it a bit more grit and integrity; one musician, one guitar – Bob Dylan, Alanis Morissette, John Lennon kind of deal.

But, it’s certainly a song that deserves recognition and credit; it’s well-written, and well produced.

Check it out: http://www.radio-drive.com/music.htm and follow Radio Drive on Twitter and Facebook.

Jodie

Seen It All Before – Billy Roberts and the Rough Riders

Seen It All Before - Billy Roberts and the Rough Riders song review This is the second song I’ve reviewed of Billy Roberts’.

Seen It All Before has a different sound to No More Mr Nice Guy. The last one was more country, but this one sounds more like a garage band; a bit rockier!

But this song still carries the same unique sound of Billy Robert and the Rough Riders, with the same spoken-word kind of singing style.

It’s an upbeat and fun song with great electric guitar parts mixed in with an organ, making an interesting and distinct sound.

The chorus is very catchy! My only critique would upping the energy in the vocals a bit! As the vocals aren’t carrying much emotion like he rest of the instruments.

Looking forward to hearing more from this band!

Jodie.

Come on Girl – AJ Smooth

Come on Girl song by AJ Smooth Easy listening for the over 25-year-old single or broken-hearted ladies out there.

Every Bridget Jones-esk spinster, or recent singletons, would have this track on repeat during their Sunday afternoon wine.

It is the new smooth sound – quite literally. You may have been equally deprived of this fact, but New Smooth Sound is a legit genre combining R&B, pop, and jazz.

With the cool lyrics that any Michael Bublé listener would love, and casual banter similar to the monologues one hears in sixties songs to kick the song off, I can see this tune being a hit.

Very well mixed and recorded, with talented singers and musicians for sure.

Reading about AJ Smooth he seems like a genuine guy who is ‘known to dip an occasional fry into mayonnaise’, and whom writes his own songs.

This is not a song easily disliked, this is atmospheric coast music at its best.

Check him out here and listen to his tunage here.

Jodie

Council House Opera – Warme

Council House Opera - Warme single song review I really love this track!

They remind me of Radiohead, mixed with a sort of Shihad kind of deal – sort of grunge, but upbeat.

I cranked this baby up, and the layering of the vocals is what makes this song! His gravelly voice raises the song above a typical pop song into a something with a sound I haven’t really heard anywhere before.

The music video is super cool! Thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s pretty much just one shot the whole time. I’m assuming it’s shot in the UK – I’d love to know where.

Council House Opera - Warme song review I reckon their music would suit movies like The Lost Boys.

If you’re into grungy, catchy, punk rock tunes, check Warme out! Facebook and Twitter.

Check out the song: Council House Opera

Jodie

Top 5: Forgotten Music Videos

Forgotten music videos from the 90s These may have slipped your memory because they are from the late 90s/early 2000s. But for some, they are embedded in childhood brains.

Here It Goes Again by OK GO
Don’t tell me you weren’t mesmerised by their choreography using treadmills. Or at least fascinated by their costumes.

Weapon of Choice by Fatboy Slim
A favourite of my parental’s. Played on repeat throughout my impressionable years.

Praise You by Fatboy Slim
A favourite of mine. Their dancing reminds me of my current style of expressive dance that I like to impress people with at nightclubs. I actually didn’t realise Praise you and Weapon of Choice were by the same artist until just now…

Freestyler by Bomfunk MC’s
My brother’s favourite song, played on repeat in the car. Everywhere. Great video though.

Sophie by Goodshirt
From us Kiwis comes ingenuity. One shot. Straight through. Who can be bothered with editing? So why not just… Let the camera roll. Well done, guys. A humble and funny video.

What do you reckon? Basically, I like quirky videos.

Oh! Weezer’s Say It Ain’t So video was narrowly cut out! I love how the singer pauses to take a sip of milk. That’s it. Fantastic moment.

Jodie.

Wild

Wild film poster Director: Jean-Marc Vallee
Writer: Nick Hornby (screenplay), Cheryl Strayed (novel)
Released: December 2014 (USA), January 2015 (NZ)
Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Laura Dern, Thomas Sadoski, Michiel Huisman and Gaby Hoffman
—

Based on a true story, Cheryl Strayed (Reese Witherspoon) battles the ghosts of her past: heroin addiction, divorce, the death of her mother and the abandonment of her father. As a way to start fresh, she goes on a 1000-mile journey along the Pacific Crest Trail.

Reese Witherspoon in counselling scene in Wild film To be frank, the flashbacks made me feel really uncomfortable. But… I guess the world of heroin addicts shouldn’t exactly be attractive.

A classic ‘runaway movie‘, although I’m not entirely sure if this is actually a sub-genre. Nevertheless, Wild fits into this category along with Into the Wild, Thelma and Louise.

Find out more about the runaway genre here!

Wild film with Reese Witherspoon In fact, if you enjoyed Into the Wild (also a biographic), then you’re likely to enjoy Wild. It’s basically the same story but from the perspective of a woman, with different life problems.

I honestly had little doubt in Reese Witherspoon. I knew she would play this complicated character well. I’ve really enjoyed her more serious roles ever since Walk the Line.

When I walked out of the cinema, I needed time to process. I really felt moved by this film, not only because I love the ‘runaway genre’, but because the film makers portrayed Strayed’s emotions so convincingly that I started to take her problems on board.

Wild Reese Witherspoon film I’d like to point out that the screenplay was written by Nick Hornby, who wrote About A Boy. Whatta guy!

Wow, almost forgot to mention the soundtrack! The songs include a perfectly fitting Portishead song (Glory Box) that plays during flash-backs to Strayed’s lowest of times as an addict.

Other amazing artists on the soundtrack include Simon & Garfunkel, an R.E.M cover by First Aid Kit, Wings, Leonard Cohen, Bruce Springsteen… It goes on.

I think the best movies make you laugh, cry and leave you with something to ponder. Wild certainly does. Some parts are hard to watch (not quite on par with the dreaded Requiem for a Dream though), but for the most part, I enjoyed it.

Life, eh!

Jodie’s rating: 9/10

Chandelier – Sia

Chandelier song video of Sia's While we are on the topic of Sia, I love her earlier song: Chandelier.

It’s just as emotionally-charged and high energy as Elastic Heart. In fact, I see Chandelier as the prequel to Elastic Heart, because the videos are both directed by Sia and Daniel Askill and features the same dancer in the music video, Maddie Ziegler. You can definitely tell the dancing was choreographed by the same person too, Ryan Heffington, as some of the moves are the same, and so is Ziegler’s costume.

It’s still fantastic though. The video was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Music Video, and became the seventh most watched YouTube video of 2014.

The lyrics are great. It reminds me of Tove Lo’s song High, because it’s about the plights of a party girl. (Which, I personally find a frightening subject matter after seeing the music video to High.)

I’m gonna swing from the chandelier, from the chandelier
I’m gonna live like tomorrow doesn’t exist
Like it doesn’t exist
I’m gonna fly like a bird through the night, feel my tears as they dry…

But I’m holding on for dear life, won’t look down won’t open my eyes
Keep my glass full until morning light, ‘cos I’m just holding on for tonight
Help me, I’m holding on for dear life, won’t look down won’t open my eyes
Keep my glass full until morning light, ‘cos I’m just holding on for tonight…

I’ve found a lot of covers – including one by Sara Bareilles. But they’re either too slow, which I don’t think gives the song justice, or (in the case of some of the singing contestants on tv) are just plain out of tune.

Sia’s original performance is the best, and I don’t think it will be beaten. No one can match her vocals – especially live!

Jodie

Elastic Heart – Sia

Elastic Heart music video Sia I am so slow to the party.

This song was on The Hunger Games: Catching Fire soundtrack, and boy is it powerful.

I think the song can speak for itself, but it’s a chilling story of the singer’s two emotional versions of herself. Each side wrestles to become dominant.

I imagine it’s the side that’s strong, flexible, and can cope with trauma, versus the side that’s negative and fragile:

I’ve got thick skin and an elastic heart
But your blade it might be too sharp
I’m like a rubberband until you pull too hard
I may snap and I move fast
But you won’t see me fall apart
‘Cos I’ve got an elastic heart

Gorgeous voice.

The music video is equally as powerful – but has been rather controversial. Shia in Elastic Heart Sia music video

This concept of dominance is portrayed by 28-year-old actor Shia LaBeouf and 12-year-old Maddie Ziegler through interpretive dance. It is directed by Sia and Daniel Askill, and choreographed by Ryan Heffington.

Wearing nude-coloured clothing, they dance inside a giant cage, that I assume represents Sia’s head. Ziegler being the protective, flexible side, LaBeouf portraying the aggressive and restricted side.

They both try to fight to be the one that gets outside the cage and be expressed. But at the same time they do want to work as one and get out together. Unfortunately, opposite emotions can’t be expressed at the same time.

Shia LeBeouf in Sia music video (Toward the end of the video, Ziegler softly hits LaBeouf on his forehead. Each time she does so he changes his expression to show the emotions he represents: scared (he’s holding his breath – claustrophobia?), sarcastic, angry and depressed.

Some (in the twittersphere) are saying the video is referring to paedophilia, or could offend victims because a young girl is dancing with an older man.

It is a video that looks primal and raw, but I don’t really think it’s sexual at all.

Elastic Heart music video with Shia LeBeauf Personally, I didn’t realise how young the girl was until I read about it. However, it hasn’t changed my view on the video. I find it creative and expressive. But I suppose you can read into anything if you have an angle in mind.

I think the video shows an incredible amount of talent and power to match an energetic song.

Sia has since tweeted an apology to those who were offended.

All I can say is Maddie and Shia are two of the only actors I felt could play these two warring ‘Sia’ self states. I [apologise] to those who feel triggered by ‘Elastic Heart’. My intention was to create some emotional content, not to upset anybody.

A behind the scenes video of Elastic Heart has been released.

Jodie.

And what it would sound like without music:

Never Tear Us Apart – Paloma Faith’s cover

Paloma Faith - Never Tear us apart song Never Tear Us Apart was written and performed by Australian rock band INXS in 1988. However, it was originally written in a bluesy genre with a similar sound to Fats Domino.

Oh how I would have loved to hear that version.

I do like the INXS version, but mostly because of the gnarly saxophone solo – which simply isn’t long enough!

However, Paloma Faith covered their song in 2012. She brought her jazzy/pop/blues sound to it, making it spine-tingling. I love it. Particularly the high note she pulls on this line:

I told you, that we could fly. ’cause we all have wings, but some of us don’t know WHHHHHY!

The only thing that’s missing from Faith’s version is a lengthy saxophone solo! Perhaps I’ll try to edit INXS’ sax solo into the bridge of Faith’s version.

Check it out:

Jodie.

Are You Thinking What I’m Thinking? – Bernie Journey

Are You Thinking What I'm Thinking? - Bernie Journey Are You Thinking What I’m Thinking? is a funk/electro track being released by Bernie Journey. He is New York-based and a self-described dance/pop singer-songwriter.

His sound reminds me of a psychedelic/glam 90s band. So certainly not a typical ‘pop/dance’ sound, but a perfect karaoke track. I think a heavier bass and bit more variety would make it the JAM.

Check out the promo for the single here:

The song, produced by Phunk Junk Records, is to be released on December 30, 2014.

Are You Thinking What I'm Thinking? - Bernie Journey — Bernie Journey

In addition to this single, there are two remixed versions that will be available by Ros Garcia and El Brujo.

P re-order it from Amazon or wait for its release on iTunes.

Jodie.

My Idol: Paloma Faith

I have always been a fan of Paloma Faith because she was funny on chat shows, and her singles I heard on the radio were catchy. However, I have since become a slightly more dedicated fan.

I have done my research: Paloma Faith Blomfield is 33 years-old and she grew up less than an hour away from where I grew up in England. She also has an overbite like I do. So I’m clinging on to the idea that if I had stayed in England, and despite my crooked teeth, I would have become a pop star. Just like Paloma.

*Heavy breathing*

She seems so humble and so much fun to be around! If I could party with any star, it would be Paloma.

Paloma’s always done what she wanted. I don’t think she’s ever had a boring job, from a magician’s assistant to a trained cocktail waitress. And she never even meant to be a pop star! She wanted to be a movie director.

Yes. We are both huge film fans.

Her voice is spectacular. She almost sounds gospel-like and is influenced by 50s and 60s music. She’s like Amy Winehouse, Duffy, Florence Welch and Adele mixed into one.

Yes. We are both huge 50s/60s music fans.

Paloma loves fashion and always wears bold outfits (like a conservative Lady Gaga). Therefore, I have bought a 40s style hat. That I now wear.

I love her confidence and how witty she is. Also, she sounds like my nan so I just feel a warm wave of nostalgia every time she talks.

I hope to go to one of her concerts one day!

Also, I’m pretty sure we would be best friends.

I feel like I’m sounding like a creepy stalker.

Jodie

My favourite song of Paloma’s at the moment:

What Was Yesterday – My Secret Island

This is a song by the German band named My Secret Island. I was going to call them a goth-rock band based upon their latest single: What Was Yesterday because of their zombie-themed music video and heavy guitars.

However, looking through their back catalogue I found a fantastic range of genres including a cover of T. Roe’s Sheila from the 1960s and a more upbeat electro-rock sounding song named Evil Fire.

What Was Yesterday is a rock song with a well done music video portraying a sort of Frankenstein-zombie apocalypse story. It’s awesome to see a band take as much time with their music videos as they do with their songs.

If you isolate each component of this song you will get the essence of this genre mash-up.

The drumming reminds me of sixties rock ‘n’ roll during the verses, but along with the heavy guitars, it becomes a darker sounding goth-rock throughout the chorus. The vocals are definitely has a pop-punk sound which keeps My Secret Island from slipping into being too mainstream or too metal. Which I like!

I haven’t heard anything like them before, yet it sounds so recognisable… They’ve thrown our favourite genres and sounds into a pot, creating a Frankenstein sub-genre (which matches their horror music video perfectly!).

I thoroughly enjoyed this single, and I loved that music video! It’s off beat and fun… Yet dark and intense.

Their Facebook page is here.

Check our their new single, What Was Yesterday below.

You can purchase their music here:
Musicload: http://goo.gl/N43Nz4
Amazon: http://goo.gl/aiqr0O
iTunes: http://goo.gl/BNV4xd

Jodie.

Book me to independently review your favourite song, music video or film here.

Breathe – Jen Hannah

This is a soulful and soft number with talented singer, Jen Hannah.

I can see this song being used on a film actually. Although a tad slow and with repetitive lyrics, I certainly feel the overall emotion and idea of the song has impact. It would support a romantic-comedy, after the ‘crisis’ and during ‘turning point’.

I really enjoy the violin in this song, it binds the whole composition together. The piano is a perfect choice too.

A “primarily self-taught musician”, Jen Hannah is a fantastic singer and deserves much success.

A beautifully composed song for easy-listening, like Norah Jones, Brooke Fraser Kate Bush or Bic Runga.

Check out Breathe and Jen Hannah’s many other tracks on her website HERE.

On her YouTube account is an acoustic version of Breathe

Worth a listen on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Jodie.

Book me to independently review your favourite song, music video or film here.

Piano Man – Billy Joel

This song is as American and as inspiring as the iconic the Don Mclean song American Pie and the Bob Dylan song Times are a-Changin’.

Sing us a song, you’re the piano man
Sing us a song tonight
Well, we’re all in the mood for a melody
And you’ve got us feelin’ alright

I love songs that tell stories. In Piano Man, Billy Joel is playing the piano is a bar on a Saturday night. In each verse he sings about a regular customer. My favourite story is about the barman who is the nicest of men, but wants to be anywhere but here…

Now John at the bar is a friend of mine
He gets me my drinks for free
And he’s quick with a joke or to light up your smoke
But there’s some place that he’d rather be

He says, “Bill, I believe this is killing me.”
As the smile ran away from his face
“Well I’m sure that I could be a movie star
If I could get out of this place”

Billy Joel has a gorgeously soft, yet strong voice. I heard his song Vienna on the movie 13 going on 30 (aka: Suddenly 30). I looked it up on YouTube and I recognised the song named Piano Man on the side of the page.

The final verse is so powerful!

And the piano, it sounds like a carnival!
And the microphone smells like a beer
And they sit at the bar and put bread in my jar
And say, “Man, what are you doin’ here?”

Give it a listen!
I love the music video too…
Jodie.

Flo-Rida & Ke$ha – Right Round (†∆$ Remix)

Flo-Rida’s cover of Dead or Alive’s 1980 dance-floor filler You Spin Me Round (Like a Record), was pretty good – a modern take on a high energy crowd-pleaser. Flo-Rida’s version was a new take on this club classic.

The original was featured on the fun ’80s-based film, The Wedding Singer, and the cover featured on Pitch Perfect. (Both versions were very well utilised in these comedies.)

But Thomas Sturges’ remix of what was a fantastic rendition of a great song, and has put a whole new spin on it.

His dub-step / club version has taken the song in a different direction. His remix of Flo-Rida’s track should be released by the singer’s label. Yes, it’s that good. I reckon it’s much better than Flo-Rida’s version.

Thomas Sturges has, with this remix, proved himself to be a music producer.

In his mix you can hear Flo-Rida’s unmistakable vocals, but instead of a ramble of words, it has become an echoed and vibrant verse.

I can’t fathom how Sturges actually achieved his remix. It must have taken hours. I wouldn’t be surprised if his version gets snapped up by a record company.

Well done, Thomas.

Check the remix out on SOUNDCLOUD. Follow Thomas on TWITTER.

Jodie.

Book me to review your favourite song, music video or film here.

Step Out – José González

The first time I heard this song was on the Walter Mitty trailer… It gave me chills!

I thought it must be Of Monsters and Men, who also had music included in the movie. But it turned out to be José González! This guy is so talented.

I first heard of him via a chill-out album which included two incredible songs; Crosses and Heartbeats.

Step out has a thumping drum beat, inspirational lyrics and vocals that give you shivers.

Time to step outside, time to step outside
Time to step outside you.

House on fire, leave it all behind you.
Dark as night, let the lightning guide you…

…living life, feeding appetites.
Stayed through every hard stop, every go.
Being blank
Breathing half the time…

His music is so emotive… Such a beautiful song.

Jodie.

Everlasting Light – The Black Keys

Everlasting Light on their album, Brothers.

That. Bass. *Drool* The distorted vocals. That beat. Phwaaaar!

The backing vocals are such an unexpected surprise. The fifties “shoo-shoo-shoowah” is such a cool twist!

Let me be your everlasting light
Your train going away from pain
Love is the coal that makes this train roll
Let me be your everlasting light

A wicked song! Will be on repeat for a while!

Jodie.

Hurricane – Junior Turner

Hurricane is the second song I have reviewed of Junior Turner’s – the first being Natural and Nice.

This is a country-pop sounding song with upbeat melodies. It’s really quite inspirational-sounding!

In my last review for Junior Turner’s song, I said his voice sounds “like David Bowie mixed with Robbie Williams”, but I can hear Nick Cave in this one! Pretty cool.

This song has been fantastically recorded and produced – a very clear and professional sound.

A solid beat with great vocal harmonies between the singers. Hurricane is an easy listening song, bound to please many listeners.

A digital version of this song will be available on iTunes, Amazon & Play.com on September 27th, 2013.

Keep track of Junior Turner here:
www.juniorturner.co.uk
Twitter
FaceBook
YouTube

Jodie.

Book me to review your favourite song, music video or film here.

I Can’t Take It – Tegan and Sara

This is one of my favourite songs by Canadian twins, Tegan and Sara.

These indie rock singer-song-writers have been around since 1995, now with seven albums. This song is from their fourth album, So Jealous.

I guess my favourite thing about I Can’t Take It, is the pace of the song. As soon as the guitar starts it suddenly makes me feel super relaxed.

I love those songs that are so emotive!

Check out their other tunage. Most of my favourite songs are on the album called The Con, but So Jealous is close behind.

The more you listen, the more you can tell which song is written by who, and who is singing. Tegan and Sara have very distinctive writing and singing styles.

Such awesome musicians!

Jodie.

Ignite the Fuse – Linzi Stoppard (FUSE)

I have always loved the electric violin, but this has been taken it to a new level.

Dubstep + electric violins… Who would have thought it could work so well! Particularly in this song, Ignite the Fuse.

FUSE, featuring Linzi Stoppard, is an English-based group who has been around since 2007. I recently heard about them and enjoyed their originality and energy. Perhaps a little theatrical, but a breath of fresh air for the music industry nevertheless.

Looking at their website, I actually really enjoyed the song they’re performing on the front page. Their violins sound like electric guitars in a James Bond intro.

What an interesting sound! I can see some awesome remixes being done with their work.

Jodie.

Book me to review your song or film here.

I Put a Spell on You – Nina Simone

I have rediscovered this sixties gem!

It begins like an intro to a James Bond film with the orchestra.

Nina’s voice is so distinctive! It’s like she’s bantering with the absolutely spine-tingling saxophone. It sounds like they’re just jamming.

Her first line is “I put a spell on you” and it sounds like she is bitterly angry with someone… You can so tell from her voice!

Nina has such emotion in her voice. I can totally imagine her just getting all up in some dude’s face and being all like, “And I don’t care if you don’t want me! I’m yours right now!!” *saxophone which gives you shivers*

It is such an emotive song! I’ve got it on repeat at the moment… Really listen to the lyrics, Nina delivers them like she’s really raging at somebody.

I put a spell on you
‘Cause you’re mine!

You better stop the things you do
I ain’t lyin’
No I ain’t lyin’!

You know I can’t stand it
You’re runnin’ around
You know better daddy
I can’t stand it cause you put me down
Yeah, Yeah

I put a spell on you
Because you’re mine
You’re mine!

*epic sax solo*

I love you, I love you, I love you
I love you anyhow
And I don’t care!
If you don’t want me
I’m yours right now

You hear me
I put a spell on you
Because you’re mine!

So amazing. Check out the live versions on youtube!

Jodie.

Hurdy Gurdy Man – Donovan

I first heard this song on the trailer for The Conjuring – I. LOVED. IT. Works SO well with the horror genre.

It was recorded in the sixties and became a hippy-related song. George Harrison actually helped write the song, however, his verse was not included in the single that was released.

Awesome song. Psychedelic and creepy!

Jodie.

Who’s Sorry Now? – Connie Francis

This is one of my favourite 50s songs!

Connie Francis did this cover in 1958, but there have been many versions with some of the earliest being in 1923 by Marion Harris, Irving Kaufman and an orchestral version by Isham Jones. Ella Fitzgerald also covered this song in 1960.

But none of these beat Connie’s version, which is probably just as slow, but more ‘jukebox’…

I love 50s and 60s music.

In case you are interested, this is Marion Harris’ version:

Jodie.

The Wanting Comes In Waves/Repaid – The Decemberists

This band was recently recommended to me. :)

I had never even heard of them before, but I have loved every song of theirs so far.

This one stood out. The Wanting Comes In Waves/Repaid. It is like two songs alternated, as though two people are talking to each other. It is a really powerful and theatrical song, unlike some of their other songs, which are a little more folk-sounding.

Jodie.