Respect for Beth Ditto

Heavy Cross

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I was always curious about Beth Ditto, being a Fashion Design major I always come across her on Style.com etc. Today I watched a video of her about fashion of course (what else?), she's amazing. I will probably blog about the fashion stuff later on my own fashion blog, but that aside her band The Gossip is also fabulous. Their music is categorized as Experimental, Soul and Punk. (Experimental means that they create a specific genre of music in unorthodox ways...I hope I wasn't the only one who didn't know that) I love it. I've only listened to Heavy Cross so far, cause that's the song that was featured in the video I watched. Anyways everybody check it out! =]

As I Am -Alicia Keys

It's funny I've been having lots of convos about marriage and career lately subjectively--generally about the future in life. And i thought Alicia Key's As I Am is quite appropriate in this way. Not that she mentions anything about getting married or anything. But in a way this album is what represents her in the way she's grown as a person. Quote on quote: [it's her] becoming a better person.

When the first song of her fourth album came out, "No One" I was slightly disappointed. Her vocals were not as impressive as i always thought they were. But as i continued to hear it over and over again on the radio, on the internet...i thought it was a very interesting approach to the soulful sounds she's known for. I think "No One" is a interesting attempt in mixing a bit of reggae into the RnB.

The second single that she came out with is "Like You'll Never See Me Again". A decent love song. It touches base on the vulnerability of love and more importantly love. Recently, there seems to be events putting life on the line. And this song, especially the video, is appropriate for reminding us of how fragile life can be.

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But out of the album, or at least the songs I've heard so far from it, I like "The Thing About Love" the most. I love her vocals. One thing I noticed though, I don't know if it's just me, her voice seems to have become more hoarse. The song is not just about romance but about the love between friends too.

Go out and get her CD! If you buy it through itunes, two bonus tracks comes with it! Enjoy!

Mark Ronson

Mark Ronson is well known producer and well respected DJ (he has a show on East Village Radio call Hello Echo). He's English but grew up in NYC. He's probably the most well known by the song "Ooh Wee", you know the song from Honey. He's also produced many other hits for artists such as Christina Aguilera, Amy Winehouse, Lily Allen, Britney Spears (ew, i dont think so highly of her. not my fault) just to name a few. He doesn't only produce HipHop/RnB, he also worked with Radiohead and Coldplay. I've heard only a few songs from his new album 'Version', his music is a good mix of rock, soul and hiphop. 'Stop Me' ft Daniel Merriweather is a catchy cover he did, although it takes some time to get use to the style of the song. There's also 'Oh My God', a tune he did for Lily Allen. Both really different styles, but check them out. I think my fav has got to be 'Valerie' ft Amy Winehouse. It's such a sunday song, listen to it then you'll know what i mean. Oh and coming up soon, Nicole will be posting a (Mark Ronson inspired) 'Toxic' covers entry. For now here's a sample of what Mark Ronson's cover for 'Toxic' sounds like.

On another note, you might have also heard of Samantha Ronson, if 1) you catch up with celeb gossip, esp concerning Lindsay Lohan or; 2) you own the Laguna Beach/Mean Girls soundtrack. I think for me i would be guilty of the former, too much gossip blog reading. Sam Ronson is an interesting character, from what i gather from articles about her, although her profile for music is much smaller/less impressive compared to her older brother's. Sam Ronson's music is more Alternative and Rock. She's also a Dj (irrelevant but she knows DJ AM) and singer. Out of the songs that i tried to listen to by her...i've got to say 'Built This Way' is the best...which i'm not sure if that's a good or bad sign..check out her myspace and see for yrself. She also has her own official site...but there's not much there unless you want to book her for Djing.

Okay so one last Ronson...Sam Ronson also has a twin sister, if you're into fashion (hahaha, me) you might kno her. Charlotte Ronson is a fashion designer, her stuff looks pretty comfortable, i've yet to check out her clothes in person though...looks can be deceiving. Just thought i should comment on all the Ronsons. =p

Enjoy <3