Oops, she does it again . . .

I know what you're all thinking. Why the hell are we talking about Britney Spears on Moxie & Mayhem? Well, since I (Dyllan Brown) am an avid reader of this blogsite, and the world's biggest B fan, I find it only necessary to fill your mind with B. Spears.

Her newest single, "3" which hit airwaves on Tuesday September 29th, is an instant hit--and the chorus is guaranteed to be stuck in your head for days. "1, 2, 3. Not only you and me. Got one eighty degrees. And I'm caught in between. Countin' 1, 2, 3. Peter, Paul & Mary. Gettin' down with 3P. Everybody loves (uh) Countin' . . ." Of course, it wouldn't be a true Britney hit without some controversial content, and "3" takes it to the max with it's sex-laced religious remarks-- "Peter, Paul and Mary, gettin' down with 3P," to the M&M readers who do listen to the occasional Britney song--you'll find the controversial tune similar to that of "If You Seek Amy" with it's provocative lyrics, but also take you back to a simpler time with it's tempo, and singing style which is reminiscent of "Brave New Girl" from Brit's 2003 album, In the Zone.

The video is sure to be nothing less then sexy, quintessential Britney, no doubt, but we'll just have to wait and see--production on the music video begins in about four weeks in Los Angeles. The song itself has no depth (but neither does any of her other songs, really, except maybe "Everytime") but it surely will be a radio, and club hit so get ready to hear it ad nauseum (but B fans like me don't mind, am I right?) for the next few weeks. "3" is pop music at it's finest, and the single will be available for sale on October 6th, 2009. That's right--the single-- as in Brit-Brit is releasing an album on November 24th. Don't get too excited B fans, because it's not all new material. It's called the Singles Collection (must I explain what that means?)

Start requesting it on your local radio stations!

Love,
Dyllan

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MIKA: The Boy Who Knew Too Much

The first time I came across Mika’s music, I was a senior in high school and my choir director handed us an arranged piece-Mika’s "Happy Ending". Initially I thought it was a pretty song (and a kind of weird music video) but it grew on me, and I would occasionally YouTube some of his other music to see if I liked it. And I did! It was unique and totally new to me! Never before had I listened to a male artist who could transition so easily into falsetto and back down again, and make it sound great! Once I got to college, I found out one of my roommates was a Mika fan too, and could often be spotted rocking out to Mika as we neti-potted in the bathroom. So when I heard that he had a new album coming out this fall, I was pretty excited.

Mika’s sophomore album, The Boy Who Knew Too Much hit stores last week on Tuesday. According to my highly reputable source (Wikipedia), Mika pitches the new album's songs as "gothic Tim Burton-esque fantasies.” This description is spot-on. The album reflects not only the fun parts of being in your teens, but the hard parts too. Each time you listen to the album, you’ll take more away from it. For all of you new to Mika’s work, or uncertain what to expect in this album, here’s a run-down of the tracks:

1. We Are Golden- I love this song! By far my favorite on the album. Mika says this song is “about being a teenager and hiding . . . in order to make yourself feel like you have value.” But the song doesn’t make me want to hide away at all. When it comes on I feel like running through my dorm and starting a dance party in the lounge. Plus the gospel choir that joined in at the end pretty much makes my day.

2. Blame It On the Girls- A fun little pop song that is reminiscent of classic late 90’s pop groups like the Spice Girls and S Club 7. Tells you to look on the bright side of life.

3. Rain- Could be the next big chart-topper in all the clubs with it’s pulsing techno-esque beat.

4. Dr. John- A song about a character Mika made up in his teens. He said that when “things went wrong I could always turn to the doctor.” Reminds me almost of something that would be sung at a summer camp because of the happy-go-lucky feel of the harmonies in the piano.

5. I See You- Another of my favorites on the album. I get lost in it! Such a beautiful little love song.

6. Blue Eyes- Has a very Caribbean feel to it throughout the piece. If you listened to the harmonies in the instruments alone, you would never think this song is about heart-break and sorrow.

7. Good Gone Girl- All about good girls who are flaunting their naughty sides. Snarcastic “oohs” in the chorus are reminiscent of mainstream early 60’s preppy pop music. The kind that makes you think of the Beach Boys and "California Girls".

8. Touches You- Seems like an ode to the late King of Pop’s song, "Black and White". Both the harmonies and general tone of the lyrics remind me of Jackson’s hit.

9. By the Time- This is the type of song you would listen to if you’re feeling blue and just want to curl up in a blanket in your dark room and cry. The music could be compared to Imogen Heap’s "Hide and Seek". Probably sounds so similar because Imogen herself is featured in this lovely song.

10. One Foot Boy- Another fun song that’s very danceable. Not the most memorable song on the album, but nice nonetheless. Lyrics talk about how wonderful it is to be independent. A concept many of us aged 15-25 can relate to.

11. Toy Boy- "A Wandering Minstrel I" . . . but not. The whole song is one big metaphor and intended to get the listeners to think on what mainstream society’s views of acceptable relationships are.

12. Pick Up Off the Floor- This song has a very bluesy feel to it. This song could easily be sung in a sultry nightclub. The lyrics are telling girls what any good best friend would. “Don’t worry about it girl! All boys are stupid! Forget him!”

13. Lover Boy- Begins with a wonky piano from the boot-leggin’ bar. The lyrics talk about how love is fickle and blind.

14. Lady Jane- This song is a fairy-tale. But this isn’t your classic, happy-ending Disney fairy-tale, people! The prince and the princess don’t end up married happily ever after.

Mika’s The Boy Who Knew Too Much is a fantastic album! Equal to or perhaps greater than his first. Good on the first listen, and it only gets better with repetition.

~Ally

In These Shoes?

This is my TGIF present to all you wonderful Moxie readers. Just listen to the whole song. It's sexy, fun, and perfect for playing while your getting ready to go out. Trust me, it's awesome.

"In These Shoes?" by Kirsty MacColl

Have a good weekend!

~Ellie, Grand Editor Supreme



P.s. This is the video for "In These Shoes?". Personally, I think they could've done better, considering how amazing the song is. Or at least included more, y'know . . . shoes. Just sayin'.

The Swell Season: As Real As It Gets

ONCE Fans, Listen up!!!

I’m fairly certain that most readers of this blog have already seen the movie Once by now…but if you haven’t, I strongly recommend seeing it ASAP.

Now, most of you know the movie…but I’d be willing to guess not all of you know that the two main characters are a couple in real life. To anyone who’s familiar with Once, this is a sweet note after an already sweet movie. However, the sweetest thing is that they decided to continue to play music together. The Irish couple formed a band named The Swell Season and coming this October 27th they will release their second album (titled Strict Joy) featuring 12 brand-new songs. The primary songwriters are Glen and Marketa.

Glen Hansard (formerly of The Frames) and Marketa Irglova are, by my account, two of the most talented songwriters of our time. As an added perk, they are two of the most humble musicians I know of, and by their performances it’s easy to see that music is what they live for, not money or fame, but music. Always passionate, and always real, their music is heartfelt and packed with raw emotion. It’s a blessing to hear people who still care about the songs that they are singing, and that’s exactly what sets The Swell Season apart.

If you're like me and find passion to be one of the most important aspects of music, this band is perfect for you. Unlike the artist from my previous post featuring Miss Li, this artist has none of the spunky pop-sound that dominates the popular music charts. Their songs can be best described as "human". Full of doubt, confusion, happiness, and anger these songs take you on a journey through the deepest depths of human emotion. It's as real as music gets.

Lucky for us, they performed several of the songs off the new album for NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert. They even do an encore, which NPR says is the first encore in the program’s history. In the 33-minute video, it is clear to see that the characters we know from the movie aren’t a far leap from their real selves. So, I say to anyone reading this blog who fears this video will ruin the novelty of the movie…be at ease. I guarantee this video will engage to the level at which you feel like you are right in the room. I hope you enjoy watching this as much as I did!

Also, if you want to know more about Glen & Marketa's relationship and how it relates to Once, you should read this excellent interview article!

-Evan
Senior Asst. Editor

Miss Li: Infectious Swedish Pop

New (…kinda) Artist Alert!!!

Apple has done it again! The user-friendly company has repeatedly catapulted virtually unknown artists into the spotlight every time they release a new commercial. I’m not sure how they find such wonderful artists, but one thing’s for sure: that must be a sweet job.

The newest artist flung to fame by way of Apple is Miss Li. Appearing in the new Ipod Nano 5G commercial, her candy-coated brand of pop is infectious to the ear and diverse in style. The song featured in the commercial is named "Bourgeois Shangri-La" and it is guaranteed to get your feet a-tappin'.

Important things to know about Miss Li: She hails from Sweden, her voice could be easily mistaken for Regina Spektor, and that her newest release Dancing the Whole Way Home is her 5^th studio album to date.

I’ve done a bit of research into the rest of her catalogue, by no means comprehensive, and I believe I can say two things:

1. If you are looking for an entire album matching the same intensity as “Bourgeois Shangri-La”, you will be slightly disappointed. The closest that the album gets to matching the energy of that song is the first track “I Heard of a Girl”. This is not to say that the album is not worth a listen, but I wanted to make it clear that “Bourgeois Shangri-La” stands out on the album as the catchiest tune. However, you can prove me wrong; decide for yourself.
2. The other song from Dancing The Whole Way Home that I would recommend is the title track. Give it a listen.

-Evan
Senior Asst. Editor

Billy Boy On Poison: Raw and Seductive Rebellion Rock (by Libby)

I have recently come to know a fantastic new band. It's been a while since I've come across a band that truly has a different feel to it than about fifteen other bands that are all popular at the moment, and . . . what a breath of fresh air.

Billy Boy On Poison is rock, but deserves a better classification that just that, I feel. Whatever it is, it's undeniably rock 'n' roll-- dirty rock 'n' roll, completely with all the angst that rock is supposed to be known for. It has a base almost Stones-esque,. . . but all feels harsher, rasher, and somehow naked-er; nothing feels toned down. Finally-- a band who shuns censorship, but whose final product isn't full of useless profanity and candy-licking sex metaphors. It's raw, and free from any sort of weak sugar-coating.

Billy Boy on Poison doesn't lie about emotions, which is what I found most seductive. They embrace all the emotions that people are taught to ignore, to never feel-- desperation, anger, lust . . . reminiscent of any sort of hot, out-of-control mess anyone has ever been. The end result is a gritty mix of of lyrical love, sex, bitterness, impatience, and raw rebellion-- all the things that our society (and your mother) likes to cover up with niceties.
Their CD "Drama Queen Junkie" is available now, but I can't afford it. Such is the life of a college student.


A list of all their songs said mother wouldn't want you to listen to:

"On My Way"- Sex.

"If it's love that you want from me/ No way!/ I'm just a boy with a melody/ There's no way I'll stay here all night."

"Angry Young Man"- Masochistic love.

"Baby, mess me up, and, honey, bring me down/ Wanna fall on through to the underground."

"Saturday's Child"- Teenage rebellion.

"Hey, you dyed your hair, you ripped your jeans, tattooed your ass/ What does that mean?/ Your parents just don't understand."

"Happy Valentine's Day"- The corruption and irony of religion.

"If Jesus was a sinner, then the devil is my friend . . . . You can walk the streets for a virgin/Or you can go to church for a whore."

"Standing Still"- Angst.

"Maybe I hate the taste of sugar/ Maybe I love rainy days/ Maybe I like to smell chloroform/ wake up and choke on the haze."

Up-and-Coming Local Artist: JAKE WOLLER

Jake Woller, a singer-songwriter from New Berlin, Wisconsin, uses his guitar and his piano to create gorgeous melodies that will twist themselves into your mind like a pleasant dream that lingers on long after you open your eyes. Even though he hasn't released an full-length album yet, he's definitely an artist to keep an eye on.

Jake Woller's Myspace

Listen and Download: "By the Morning Light"

Catch Me if You Can: The Musical (by Ryan)

Alright, so when Ellie asked me to write for Moxie in the Musical Theatre department, I had a little trouble deciding where to start. There are so many amazing shows out there, each one unique in its own way. But since Moxie seems to be about new and modern music, I decided to start from there. I sat on the computer and looked for musicals of 2009. And there I saw it, with shining lights and angel choirs: Catch Me if You Can: The Musical.

The musical hasn't hit Broadway quite yet, it is currently on the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle, WA. It is based on the movie of the same title, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks. If there are any other Broadway freaks out there reading this, then maybe you will understand the excitement of the following sentence: Carl Hanratty is played by none other than Norbert Leo Butz (also noted in Wicked, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, etc.) He has a fantastic voice and really pulls the show together.

An official soundtrack for the show has yet to be released, however 5th Avenue Theatre has posted a few of the songs on YouTube:

Breaking All the Rules: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RSV9GQNR7Y&feature=related

"When you steal somebody's money, screw his daughter or his wife, you don't think of repercussions as you tap dance through your life!"

Live in Living Color: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0B446pk1kI&feature=related

"I've got a story of dreams come true, sing along with me for a bird's eye view."

The song "Jet Set" from the show is offered as a free mp3 download at this link: http://www.5thavenue.org/show/catchmeifyoucan0910/CMIYCPromo.aspx
(If it asks for a "Promo" code, just click the Enter button underneath it.)

"Just left Wisconsin, where there's cheese enough to start this rat race. But, thanks to the Brothers Wright, we don't know where we'll sleep tonight."

Show Hightlights: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KV1_3iGUZfg&feature=related
The music doesn't seem to be that world-changing kind of stuff, like "Defying Gravity" or "Tomorrow", but in my opinion it's pretty good. The costumes aren't super-fantastical (if that's a word) but from the music videos I can see that color really speaks out in this show. Whether it be Frank's yellow jacket in a crowd of green, or the black-and-white effect of the office, it really enhances the show. There are rumors of this seemingly awesome show coming to Broadway, and I'm positive it would be a hit.
So there we have it folks, my very first review. These last few years have really brought a lot to Broadway and to Musical Theatre, and I'm looking forward to sharing with you whatever it is they throw at us next.


Editor's Note: Welcome to the staff, Ryan!

Lord of the Rings: The Musical

When I first heard that they were going to make a stage musical version of Lord of the Rings, I thought they were absolutely insane. I'm an avid (some who knew me in middle school would say "obsessive") lover of Tolkien's books and Peter Jackson's films, and I guess I was afraid that the musical would have tap-dancing orcs, Frodo singing "On My Own", or Gandalf singing "I Am Not Dead Yet".


However, when I saw the preview trailer for the show, I was blown away. They seem to have succeeded in making an epic piece of musical theatre while retaining all the excitement, beauty, and soul of the original series. With all the intricate moving stage sections, stellar lighting and set design, gorgeous costumes, intense dance and fight scene choreography (the actors had to run an obstacle course during auditions), and an extremely talented cast of 50 actors, it's not surprising that this production cost around $25 million to make.



















I wasn't lucky enough to see this spectacular show during its runs in London and Toronto (although there's a petition for a DVD), but I did buy the soundtrack, and believe me it was totally worth it. The music was a joint-composition between A. R. Rahman (of Slumdog Millionaire fame), and the Finnish folk music band Värttinä, resulting in a perfect blending of their individual styles.

Here are some of my favorite tracks:

The Road Goes On - This track really captures the innocence of the hobbits at the beginning of the story, and has the sweet simplicity of a traditional folk song. It's based on Tolkien's poem "The Road Goes Ever On and On", which both Gandalf and Bilbo can be heard singing in Jackson's version of The Fellowship of the Ring.

"Under moon and star, take the road, no matter how far."

Cat and the Moon - You really must watch the video for this one, because the hobbits' dance will make your day a whole lot brighter! The idea (and a good portion of the lyrics) for this song comes from the chapter "At the Sign of the Prancing Pony" from The Fellowship of the Ring.

"Called by the fiddle to the middle of the muddle where the cow with a caper sent the small dog squealing. Moon in a fuddle went to huddle by the griddle but he slipped in a puddle and the world went reeling."

Now and For Always - This is a really touching shared moment between Frodo and Sam, but the best part is how this song transitions into a creepy, twisted refrain sung by Gollum.

"Sit by the firelight's glow; tell us an old tale we know."

Saruman - Värttinä's influence is the most obvious on tracks like this one. Slightly sinister and beautifully haunting, the vocal harmonies on this track reminds me of the Bulgarian State Radio and Television Female Vocal Choir.

"Eä arda ainulindalë. Aratar maiar rána nénar."

Star of Eärendil - A lovely song showing the departure of the Fellowship from Rivendell.

"Ever shining perfect light, emblazon the sky."

Also on the soundtrack are some brilliant instrumental-based pieces that set the mood for the battle sequences with driving drum beats, blaring horns, and dramatic vocals.
Rating: Buy if you loved The Lord of the Rings books, movies, and soundtracks, or even if you're just a fan of musical theatre in general.


Editor's Note: Here at Moxie & Mayhem, we're continuing our crusade to add more diversity to our sound, so we're going to start writing about the wonderful (and often insane) world of musical theatre! We'll be adding a few more theatre-junkies to the writing staff. We'd love to hear some suggestions of which musicals we should write about!

Darling Parade (by Juno)

I used to hate Twitter but for the sake of the blog I made one. Oh, the reluctance I felt! But now that I’m being followed by Fran Drescher, the bassist from SafetySuit, and Cartel my opinions are being revised. Ya know who else is following me? This little-known band called Darling Parade. When I checked out their MySpace and listened to a track I was blown away. I sent them a message of admiration, one thing led to another, and now here I am preparing myself to listen to their album online and write a review for them.

Track 1- “Bells Are Ringing” (The one that will be stuck in your head)

Wow, I didn’t even get a chance to prepare myself! There is no instrumental introduction; lead vocalist Kristin Kearns immediately draws you in with her powerful alto baseline. A grand selection for the first track, ‘cause we all know the first song is what leaves the biggest impression. The fiercest of the five.

Track 2- “Lose You” (The sing-along song)

The anthem of every adolescent female. The vibe is all-too-familiar but the lyrical and musical presentation help it stand out from the lovelorn, love lost, love songs of the Hollywood poptart singers. Edgy and unforgiving, the very first song I heard by them (prior to writing the album review). So far it's my favorite. It’s the most played on their MySpace and with good reason, ( . . . said the unbiased reviewer . . . ).

Track 3- “Never Fall Down” (The feel good song)

Kristin definitely shows off her range here. It’s never easy for lower-voiced females to make those high notes attractive, so kudos to you ma’am! Not only are the vocals impressive but it’s lyrically laced with philosophical gems in the vein of the Tao Te Ching. Reminiscent of "Lose You", but a lot more unforgiving.

Track 4- “Far Away” (The song that will be on a movie soundtrack)

For some reason the beginning of the song reminds me of Green Day. But of course when Kristin’s God awesome vocals hit me I’m reminded of the estrogen-fueled rampage I’m listening to. Like every good song should, this one tells a story, and that story is about feeling distanced from the one you love. It has an incredible amount of pathos pumping through it.

Track 5- “Tangled” (The soulful song)

Is that a piano I hear in the beginning? Yes, yes it is. This is the moving, deeper song of the 5-track EP, but that doesn’t mean you can chill to it. Like the rest of the album it’s packed with oodles of energy, but the approach is softer. It almost has a Kelly Clarkson feel to it at certain parts.

Looks Like-

Sounds Like- Early Fall Out Boy (Take This To Your Grave era), Paramore, Automatic Loveletter, Hey Monday . . . just way more mature, this is not for the kiddies. Or a female fronted Daughtry. I’ll categorize them as pop-rock, alternative rock, and piano rock (just for "Tangled" though).

Feels Like- A peanut butter jelly sandwich when you’re one the verge of starvation.

Should Open For- Daughtry, SafetySuit, OneRepublic, The Starting Line

Overall Score- The Mona Lisa of MySpace bands.

Juno commands you go to their MySpace and listen right now!

And All That Jazz

Feeling Good - Michael Bublé
Mr. Bublé does a superb cover of this already excellent song. The video is a really funny send-up of all the classic Bond films, and I must say that Michael looks quite dashing.

Junkie Jazz - Red Knife Lottery
Really bad-ass jazz/punk group from Milwaukee. Apparently the cocktail lounge where they filmed this video actually exists: http://www.bryantscocktaillounge.com/Home.html

She Likes Me - Gene Kelly - It's Always Fair Weather
Gene Kelly tap dancing on FREAKING ROLLER SKATES! Was there anything this god-like man couldn't do?!

Puttin' on the Ritz - Fred Astaire - Blue Skies
Fred Astaire being his usual sexy self.

Pick Yourself Up - Rogers and Astaire - Swing Time
Watching Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire dance together is like candy for the soul. Seriously, just play this video at the UN and it will bring about world peace.


Editor's Note: Thank you all for putting up with my week-long hiatus. Moxie & Mayhem will now return to its regular posting schedule of Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and whenever we feel like it.
~Ellie