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"