Visually Delicious: The Killers Edition

Day & Age dropped this week, and to further promote not only a great band (The Killers) but a great album as well, Visually Delicious this time around is going to be devoted in its entirety to The Killers. Enjoy, and buy their g-ddamned album.

The Killers -- Smile Like You Mean It

To kick things off, a throwback to Hot Fuss, the album that started it all. I didn't pull out the 2002 favourite, "Somebody Told Me" in order to introduce some of you's to one of the lesser-known singles off of Hot Fuss. The video is a bit dark, making the lyrics a scoche more depressing, the fact that Mr. Flowers and the rest of the band are wandering around as ghosties doesn't cheer things up either. Still interesting.


The Killers -- For Reasons Unknown

The 4th single off their sophmore effort, Sam's Town, and my favourite track of the aforementioned album, "For Reasons Unknown" has the boys prancing around the desert on ponies, and stopping occasionally to perform. Okay, I made it sound way lame, when it really isn't. Just watch the damn video.


The Killers -- Tranquilize (feat. Lou Reed)

Collaboration with G-d-among-men Lou Reed, "Tranquilize" is an amazing track. The twangish guitar in the beginning and the western sound carried throughout it is perfect. The video is probably their darkest with seances and other spooky stuff. So much love for Mr. Reed.


The Killers -- Don't Shoot Me Santa

By far my favourite Killers video for the sheer hilarity of it. Watch it and you will not be disappointed.


The Killers -- Human

Of course this post wouldn't be complete without this song. The video I posted isn't of the highest quality compliments of all the good quality ones having embedding disabled. The Killers return to one of their favourite video past times: performing in the desert. You'd think it would get boring after awhile, but with Brandon Flowers image re-vamps it keeps people on their toes.Though I must say, I am sad to see the 'stache gone. Also, pardon the other video after it. It just comes with the embedding-disabled-territory.

Just another white trash county kiss

Completely putting aside the fact that I'm am in lust love with Brandon Flowers, I must say that The Killers new album, Day & Age is monstrously good. I've listened to a barrage of new albums in the last three days, but by far Day & Age is my favourite. The genres are definitely blurred on the album, though rock alternative remains its core, the funk and up-tempo beats prevalent throughout the tracks are so seamlessly woven in with The Killers "sound" that it just adds the oomph of the album. Yes, while The Killers have always carried up-tempo numbers on their albums, Day & Age finds the beats a lot cleaner. Listening to the album on repeat at work last night, I honestly could not find a weak track.


The album is set for release next Tuesday, and I encourage everyone to go out and purchase the album to show their support. Also? The Killers are currently on (or about to embark) tour for Day & Age, the tickets are cheap (already got mine!) so hit up ticketmaster to see if they're playing at a venue near you.


The Killers -- Joy Ride

The Killers -- A Dustland Fairytale

The Killers -- Human

Cotton candy kiss, can't wait for my sugar rush

Shitty Photoshopping aside, let me say this now: Circus is brilliant. I was a major fan of Ms. Spears last effort, Blackout--an album grossly overshadowed by the singer's batshit crazy antics at the time, but dayum! has Circus got it beat!

Warmer, more playful, more Britney in general, and with two ballads thrown in for good measure, Circus is bound to quickly become a fan favourite. It's funky and utilizes the synth a lot less in comparison to it's predecessor. It's an awesome pop album. Yes, some of the lyrics are completely nonsensical, and the cover is trash (though admittedly, not nearly as bad as Blackout's), but the album is so damn catchy and charming, dammit! "Kill the Lights" is brilliant, turning the tables once again on the paparazzi, best line? "Is that money in your pocket, or are you happy to see me?" Catchy, sassy, and dancey--who could ask for more? Circus possesses the heart that Blackout was lacking. Don't get me wrong, I loved Blackout and believe it would have been better received if not overshadowed by that not-nearly-as-terrible-as-everyone-makes-it-out-to-be VMA performance as well as Ms. Spears's odd behaviour. It's a 90 minute dance-a-thon. But Circus, ah, Circus--will hopefully be the comeback we fans have been hoping for (now if only Michael Jackson would get the memo). You best believe that is Britney goes on tour, this bish is seeing her. Fo' realsies.

Circus is slated for release on December 2nd, BUY IT.


Britney Spears -- Out From Under

Britney Spears -- Kill the Lights

Britney Spears -- Leather and Lace

UPDATE Sorry, folks, I've been told to remove the files.

He lost his soul to a woman so heartless

Anyone who knows me, is fully aware of my undying musical love for Kanye West. His music is just so damn addicting--it's like crack, I swear.

Anyways, yesterday I said I wasn't aware of the current happenings in the music world, so today I thought I'd remedy that, and am I oh so glad I did! Kan-yeezy has released a million songs since I've been away! Okay, so I exaggerated a bit, he's released six from what I gather, two featuring Lil' Wayne, and one featuring Jeezy. Crazy dumb good! Can 808's and Heartbreaks drop this instant? Please?

And I know there are haters out there. The tracks do depart from typical Kanye fare, less hip-hop and more electronic with their heavy synth, but they're still dumb good. Seriously. I mean, if "Love Lockdown" isn't stuck in your head after one good listen, then there is something flipping wrong with you.

I'd love to yap on about my love of Mr. West's latest efforts, but there are two things beckoning me away, 1) last night's True Blood (yes, I watch that crap STFU), & 2) sleep, since I keep the opposite hours of the rest y'all. Also? Having scored Britney Spears latest, Circus, prepare yourselves for a nice update, and perhaps even a few treats.

ENJOY!

Kanye West -- Love Lockdown

Kanye West -- Heartless

Kanye West -- Coldest Winter

Kanye West feat. Young Jeezy -- Amazing

Kanye feat. Lil' Wayne -- Tell Everybody You Know

Kanye feat. Lil' Wayne -- See You In My Nightmares

Mashing! Not Just For Potatoes, Vol. 9

Yelle vs Kanye -- A Cause De Kanye

DJ Geometrix -- Intergalactic Takeover (Beastie Boys vs DJ Khaled)

DJ Zebra -- Roxanne Should Be Dancing (The Police vs Bee Gees) *fucking love this*

Divide & Kreate - Every Bleeding Breath (Leona Lewis vs The Police vs Snow Patrol)

The Whites Stripes vs The Eurythmics -- Sweet Dreams Are Made of a Seven Nation Army *must listen!*

The Hood Internet -- Can't Believe It's Life Like (T-Pain vs The Rosebuds)

The Kickdrums & The League -- Electric Touch (MGMT vs Justice vs Kanye West

Goldsmith -- Thriller Genesis (Michael Jackson vs Justice) *so seamless it hurts*

My smile will mislead you

Long hiatus, eh? I'm not going to promise you I'll update more, since I've promised you many times before, and have yet to do so.

As of late, instead of discovering new tunes and acts, I've been re-discovering some old favourites: Third Eye Blind, New Found Glory, Incubus, Nirvana, etc. Third Eye Blind has definitely hit me hard, their self-titled album is pure pop-rock brilliance in a 90 minute package. Seriously. Though the sound can be pinned to the 90's alt-rock movement, the lyrics lose none of their intelligence and potency.

Released in 1997 with killer singles like "Jumper," "Semi-Charmed Kind Of Life," and "Narcolepsy," that album followed me throughout my formative years: 7th to 12th grade. Yes, I was a mega Backstreet Boys fan, but Stephen Jenkins was that older, jaded college boy who played guitar--and how is that not attractive to a thirteen year old who grew up with two older brothers who idolized Kurt Cobain? Yes, while Jenkins has never been, nor will he ever be Kurt Cobain, you can see the connection my hormone-addled brain made. And come on, at thirteen, any guy with a guitar is hot by default, it's written down somewhere, I know it is.

Anyways, that album at twelve and thirteen didn't mean as much to me as it does now and when I was sixteen and seventeen. Re-discovering an album can be magic in what you take away from it after listening to it again. Lyrics take on a whole new meaning as your world gets bigger, and the trove of your experiences deepens. Lyrics that went above your comprehension level suddenly become prophetic if only because they've grown more relatable.

And in the current music climate, I'm afraid the magic of rediscovery is slipping. No one buys albums anymore, with iTunes selling songs separately, people download what they know and that's it. Albums are meant to be journeys, not hot spot vacations.


Ignore the fact that it says "Eric Valentine" as the artist, it's a lie.

But you're just a boy, you don't understand

Stripped of the booty-shaking riffs, given the opportunity to showcase her vocal range, and filled with enough relationship and gender angst, "If I Were A Boy" is shaping up to be an autumnal anthem for the ladies. Beyonce sounds amazing on the track, the only thing amiss are some of the lyrics--not to mention the interesting (for lack of a better word) video for the song. Some of the lyrics thrown in are a little "what the hell?" Granted, Beyonce has never been known as a brilliant songwriter, but still. Regardless, the track has definitely increased the anticipation for her upcoming album, I Am.

A broken heart that's still beating

Lifehouse, a band whose debut album saw me through my first major high school crush and my first love. Seeing as those events happened over half a decade ago, I feel old. Well, at least that is how I felt yesterday when I heard their latest single, "Broken," for the first time. The song is a solid broken-heart power ballad, and Jason's soulful voice provides that extra oomph in it. A song that I can definitely connect to.

I guess that is why this song is so potent for me. Loving and losing is hard business, a business made all the more bearable when given an anthem. "Broken" is my anthem. Now excuse me while I dig out Lifehouse's first album and relive the olden days.










And I apologise for being m.i.a. as of late, compliments of another move, and then balancing a hectic work schedule, and a busy social calendar, a girl just ain't got the same time to blog. I promise some kick ass tunes though, for realsies.

50 years of Excellency

Pardon being m.i.a. for the last month, between moving, working, and catching up with friends, this girl hasn't had time to catch her breath, let alone blog.

Why the return today? Well, the pop love of my life, Michael Joseph Jackson turns the big 5-0 today (also a birthday shout to mi amigo Dan, who runs am.fm.pm). Michael Jackson, Michael Jackson, Michael Jackson. While most don't understand you, my ears love you and are grateful to your 40+ year career. Owning all of your work from the Jackson 5 to the Jacksons, and all of your solo work (early releases like Ben included)--I just can't get enough of you.

Not having access to either of my personal computers, I can not celebrate proper, linking you all to my previous MJ posts. Everyone needs a little MJ in their life. Also to make up for lack of superb celbratory posting, I shall share a Jackson related mishap today:

Showering today, I decided to blast some MJ. Spazztic as I am, showering, singing, and dancing at the same time is not a bright idea. "Rock With You" was the culprit, sending me out of the shower and onto the floor. Embarrassing, yes, but completely and utterly hilarious.




Respects Not Given It's Earned

The Visually Delicious 5

MJ Edition of Cover Me This, Cover Me That

Thriller 25

Cover Me This Cover Me That:: The Eighth Edition

Black Keys -- No Fun (The Stooges)

Keane -- With or Without You (U2)

The Morning Benders -- Dreams (Fleetwood Mac)

Kate Nash -- Irreplacable (Beyonce)

Bridges and Powerlines -- Song #1 (Fugazi)

Two if By Sea -- Transmission (Joy Division)

Alicia Keys & Adam Levine -- Wild Horses (Rolling Stones)




Bonus!Video!Jam!
Georgie Michael -- I Can't Make You Love Me

Mashing: Not Just For Potatoes, Vol. 8

The Faint -- The Geeks Were Right (Boys Noize vs D.I.M. Remix)

10000 Spoons -- Walk teh Phant0m!!!1 - (Justice vs. Was (Not Was)) [way fun]

Flosstradamus -- Overnight Star (Twista Vs Sigur Ros)

Ursula 1000 -- Sweaty Wet Cream (Frederico Franch vs Gameboy Gamegirl vs 2 Killa Queenz)

DJ Gaston -- I Fought The Punk (Vampire Weekend vs. The Clash)

Immuzikation -- One More Time To Pretend (Daft Punk vs MGMT vs The Doors)

Starters -- Cream Your Friends (Justice vs Wu-Tang Clan)