I know it's been a long time since I posted anything on this blog. Between the death of a parent, loss of a job, new job, new baby, and finishing my Master's, this blog has fallen to the wayside. I'd like to pick things back up though.
To help me catch up with all of the music I've missed, I've decided to look over the Billboard Hot 100 for the year of 2012. A lot of these songs I am hearing for the first time, so you're getting my unfiltered first reactions.
Let's start with Number 1:
Gotye - Somebody That I Used To Know (ft. Kimbra)
This is the number one song of the year on Billboard? This pleases me. It's not a perfect song, but it was an awesome change of pace from the past couple of years. A nice male/female story perspective shift, great vocals, and minimalist production show that occasionally talent does rise to the top. Now, this track did end up being overplayed, but when you have something unique, popular, and not easily reproducible, that is going to happen.
Buy it on Amazon.
Let's now flip it upside down.
Number 100:
Linkin Park - Burn It Down
Hey, I remember high school when these guys were popular. This track sounds pretty much like you expect Linkin Park to sound. Nothing stands out, but I wouldn't rush to turn this off it came on.
But it on Amazon.
Number 99:
Eli Young Band - Even If It Breaks Your Heart
This is my first spin of this song as I type this. Honestly, country music isn't really my thing (that makes me a bad southern white guy, right?). This however, is enjoyable. It's more rock/country hybrid music, and better for it. I can take an accent singing, so long as it's missing that country twangyness. I like the sound and sentiment on this track, and I'm going to check out the Eli Young Band.
Buy it on Amazon.
Number 98:
Jason Aldean - Fly Over States
Here is an example of country singing I can't stand. Glorifying the idea of the central US "fly over states," Aldean is clearly reaching out to the people you think of when you think about country music listeners. This doesn't come off as sincere, instead it's patronizing. Sound bites about how great the blue collar middle of the country is. This is bland, safe music for a different demographic than typical pop music.
Buy it on Amazon.
