When Media Collide

Best New Music of 2012: Pink, “Blow Me (One Last Kiss)”

Fred Graver — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 12:31:40 +0000

Couple of things… By the time I got to this point in putting the list together for you, I got SICK of seeing all the ads on the VEVO videos. ENOUGH! I know this music has to get paid for, but can Vevo find a way NOT to show me a full music video BEFORE I see the music video I want to see?

That said – Pink blew the roof off the VMAs this year, taking the “kids” to school on showmanship. (After reminding them who she is by planing a snippet of “Get The Party Started.” Here it is!

2012 VMA – Artists.MTV – Music – P!nk

Best New Music of 2012: Flo Rida, “Whistle”

Fred Graver — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 12:25:38 +0000

I know I know I know I know… I promise, my Best of list isn’t “Music to Spin By…” Frankly, the gym I spend time in is the JCC, which is home to more Jerry Stiller’s body types than Flo Rida’s. And every time I hear Flo Rida sing “You just put your lips together,” I think of Lauren Bacall… which puts me a lot closer to the Jerry Stiller demographic.

Best New Music of 2012: Rihanna, “We Found Love”

Fred Graver — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 12:21:15 +0000

That’s right… RIHANNA! SO exciting, so cool, so great when you just have to pump up the volume! You know what else? I had a REALLY hard time figuring out which track I’d pick… This, “Diamonds” or “Where Have You Been.” I have a lot of faith in a pop world that includes the puzzling, perplexing, sexy, exciting Rihanna.

Best New Music of 2012: Alex Clare, “Too Close”

Fred Graver — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 12:11:58 +0000

At first, it seems like the ultimate “It’s me, not you babe” breakup song. “I’m just TOO CLOSE to love you…” Then it turns into “Every Breath You Take” restraining order territory. As for the video — frankly, I cannot figure out the whole ninja thing here — it looks like a couple of guys decided to wear Ninja costumes today instead of dressing like Star Wars characters. Makes no sense.

Best New Music of 2012: Hanni El Khatib, “You Rascal You”

Fred Graver — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 12:07:18 +0000

It’s a B-Side! Who knew B-Sides even existed anymore! But if the label wants to tell me this is a B-Side, I’ll buy it, because B-sides are as much a relic of the music industry as the sound of this record, which feels like a late-night “one more for the road” track from some R&B band in the early 60s. Short and sweet and full of mayhem. I can’t wait to hear more from Hanni El Khatib.

Best New Music of 2012: The Heavy, “Big Bad Wolf”

Fred Graver — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 12:03:16 +0000

The Heavy were ubiquitous two years ago when “How You Like Me Now?” powered the soundtrack to The Fighter and a zillion stadium games. I can’t get over their scratchy old “when the hell was this recorded” sound. Here they are live at the El-Rey.

Best New Music of 2012: Jack White, “I’m Shakin’”

Fred Graver — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 11:58:46 +0000

This goes WAYYY back to Little Willie John, by way of the Blasters (whom Jack White confessed to never having heard on Marc Maron’s “WTF” podcast — and if you’re not listening to WTF you are missing out, my friends! . The addition of the female chorus is pure Jack White stuff. LOVE THIS! Watch the video — it’s full of little surprises.

Best New Music of 2012: Menomena, “Plumage”

Fred Graver — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 11:52:11 +0000

To me, this is in early “Flaming Lips” territory. Danny Seim and Justin Harris of Menomena use a “click track” machine to compose their songs, they’ve written an entire animal around their relationship with their Moms, they push it just a little into the weirdness at all times… what’s not to like?

BEST MUSIC OF 2012: Fun, “We Are Young” (feat. Janelle Monae)

Fred Graver — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 11:44:35 +0000

First off, at some point Janelle Monae is going to get the recognition she deserves. Last year’s “Tightrope” with Big Boi was just startlingly good. And her vocals on this are so powerful and winning! Her “I’ll carry you home tonight” at the end of this song are beautiful and turn this from a frat boy anthem into a generational song. I kind of loved this album, in a year when I didn’t listen to many.

BEST MUSIC OF 2012: Passion Pit, “Take A Walk”

Fred Graver — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 13:23:22 +0000

I love this as a “pairing” with Imagine Dragons… From “I won’t change” to “I’m moving on.” Somehow, the triumphant music that characterized the 70s and 80s (“Eye of the Tiger” anyone? A little Bonnie Tyler? Rock of Ages style?) gave way to the negativity of the 90s and the hope of the millennials… which is slowly giving way to “I’m just fine where I am, mofo!”