Unbelievable but true, February is nearly over. Many videos have been released this month, with both Vevo and YouTube throwing 3 minute wonders at us all throughout. I have chosen a few videos in which I particularly feel are the best videos of this month. Videos in which are anthemic and cutting-edge.
First of all.. The Strypes - Hard To Say No
I am a huge lover of these boys and after Alex Turners now-famous speech at the BRIT awards last week, rock and roll definitely isn't dead and these boys prove it.
Haim - If I Could Change Your Mind
If it was possible to become a Haim sister, there's no doubt that I would. These 3 ladies are sensational, and their choreography? Not so much.
George Ezra - Cassy O'
After impatiently waiting for this since images of recording were released, the video was finally birthed. Incredibly good use of the letter O in this video.
The Pierces - Believe In Me
The girls' video for Believe In Me is very psychedelic. Mesmerizing.
The Pretty Reckless - Heaven Knows
With banging drums and rhythmic guitars, Taylor Momsen and co are back. Cast your mind back to 2010 and you may remember You Make Me Wanna Die. Creative and diverse video - remarkable.
Don't forget to check out Youtube and Vevo for more recent releases!
How many more songs does Flo Rida want to sample and recreate as his 'own'? Why does he feel the need to ruin perfectly good songs and make them into some shitty 'dance pop'? Why are we allowing him to do this? WHY WHY WHY? Yet again Flo Rida has used minimal creativity in 'his' songs. I must emphasis the use of the word 'his' in that sentence, because apart from adding a dance-like backing track and a couple of rap verses (if you can even call it rap), the songs are not his own. He has in fact just created his own version of the song - a remix if you like. This is evident in most of Flo Rida's work. Hold on, I shall prove it. Flo Rida's first work was pretty good, well pre-indie Paige loved it - SHAWTY HAD THEM APPLE BOTTOM JEANS, BOOTS WITH THE FURRRRR. Songs,from both Mail On Sunday and R.O.O.T.S, showed Flo Rida at his best. Okay, so yes I did rush out on the day of release to buy R.O.O.T.S, and I pretty much wore the album out. HOWEVER.. even on R.O.O.T.S Flo Rida sampled other songs! You all remember Right Round feat. Ke$ha, right? Original version being You Spin Me Round by Dead Or Alive.
More examples include:
Elevator;
Prove It All Night by Bruce Springsteen
In The Ayer; Jam The Box by Pretty Tony
Sugar;
Blue (Da Ba Dee) by Eiffel 65
Available;
Boom Boom Pow by The Black Eyed Peas
Take Your Time (Do It Right) by The S.O.S Band
Run;
Run To You by Bryan Adams
Good Feeling;
Etta James' Something's Got A Hold Of Me
(inspired by Levels by Avicii, which also samples Etta James' song.)
I Cry;
Cry (Just A Little) by Bingo Players
Let It Roll;
Let The Good Time Roll by Freddie King
And more recently
How I Feel;
Feeling Good by Nina Simone
(incorporates the Bassnectar remix of Feeling Good)
Crazy right!?
Gimmicky. Yet catchy. Annoying. Yet clever. Flo Rida is not a stupid person though. Obviously, his songs are catchy, and by using samples from songs which are clearly popular, he draws people in, brainwashing them to like his songs. And I guarantee he has made tonnes of money from them. But in no way is this right. Fair enough, if you've done it in one song it could be seen to be acceptable, BUT 10? (There may be more if you analyse each song critically.) I understand that Flo Rida isn't the only artist to sample other songs, Pitbull is also frequently guilty of this. Not forgetting the argument between Directioners and The Who fans for the debate whether Best Song Ever was in fact copying Baba O'Riley.
But whatever, if you're going to sample songs from other people, at least do it some justice. PLEASE.
After purchasing tickets to see him live after hearing one song, I was fully determined to see George Ezra live.
First up was the brilliant singer-songwriter Dan Cook. It's understandable that Cook would be pretty nervous opening for Ezra - predicted one of my 2014's biggest stars - on the first night of his headline tour, but surprisingly nerves were not at all evident. Instead, Cook surprised us with his eerie, hackney-sounding vocals. Hartlepool's very own Maverick Sabre. Brilliant.
With Ezra's outrageously superb performance on Thursday, there is no reason whatsoever for his career not to blow up this year. At 9.30 the presence of Ezra graced us all. With a 10-track set list - which was originally 9, but Angry Hill was added by request from a crowd member - Ezra didn't disappoint at all. His bluesy deep vocals cascaded into the room filling it with pride and resulting in silence from the crowd who admired him from start to finish.
Cassy O' and Budapest were seriously sexy live. (Can I call them sexy?) Cassy O' was performed brilliantly, even though Ezra claimed that it's a "bastard" to play.
(I'm still wondering whether the 'clock' Ezra refers to is in fact a Casio or not. Hmm.)
Luckily, we were all able to experience some tracks from his up and coming album which sounded superb. The album, we were told, should be out later this year.. Watch this space!
Each song Ezra performed was beautifully crafted and I would definitely see him again. However, with his popularity quickly increasing and with decently priced tickets, I am more than happy to have seen him so early on in his career before he sells out venues much more bigger than The Waterfront. I doubt I would get a front row viewing of Ezra again what with The Waterfront being a very intimate venue. Luckily I was able to get within touching distance, so close in fact I could see Ezra's blonde eyelashes. If you get the chance to see George Ezra live, I would whole-heartedly suggest that you most definitely should, he's down-to-earth and easily makes you smile.
