I first encountered Postmodern Jukebox (whom I referenced in yesterday’s post) through this doo-wop performance of Miley Cyrus’ ‘We Can’t Stop.’
I was impressed by the arrangement, the performances, the visual style and most of all the concept. Scott Bradlee, the mastermind behind Postmodern Jukebox, says that he was dismissive of modern pop music until he really dissected it and approached it from a more classical perspective. Then he was smitten.
Speaking of ‘Royals’…
Last week a cover version of the blockbuster Lorde tune was released by a musical project called Postmodern Jukebox.
The brain child of mega-talented musician Scott Bradlee, Postmodern Jukebox reimagines modern tunes in older styles — a doo-wop version of a Ke$ha song, say, or a lounge band version of Kanye West. Bradlee usually plays piano on these tracks and brings in an assortment of guest vocalists.
With only two months left in the year, I’m starting to compile my list of 2013’s best songs, which I’ll kick off in the middle of December.
I’ve never been completely satisfied with my criteria for the year-end list, but it works well enough. I limit myself to one song per album (though not per artist, if a particular artist has released multiple records) and I choose the songs that had the greatest impact on me personally, not necessarily the culture.
Sometimes the iTunes “randomness” is downright creepy.
A week ago I wrote about the difference in quality between Adele’s first and second albums, and this week the Random iTunes Fairy serves up a track from her debut to either prove or refute my point.
I’d argue that this little ditty completely supports my description of the album, 19, as a “bore.”
I feel about Belle & Sebastian the way Pulp Fiction‘s Vincent Vega feels about Europe — they’re similar to other alternative bands but just a little bit different.
It has something to do with the makeup of the band, I’m sure. Seven members, several of whom trade off lead vocals, playing traditional rock band instruments as well as cellos, violins and plenty of woodwinds. You’re pretty much guaranteed to have a unique sound given that lineup.
