one-hundred thirty-one.

[cabaretlights.livejournal.com]

Work
Iggy Azalea
Work - Single
2013

♥: When Nicki Minaj was first hitting the pop music scene, I remember being excited about her stance on things: honest about what it took to get where she was, and she seemed to genuinely want to pave the way for more female rappers. Fast forward a couple years, and I'm not so excited (this happens all too often in pop...sigh, Skylar Grey). Nicki Minaj is now far more annoying than she is interesting -- but nonetheless, she did one thing: paved that road for female rappers. Even white girls from Australia like Amethyst Kelly -- or, more commonly, Iggy Azalea.

As far as I can figure, she -- and everyone else who's come out the past few years -- got her start on YouTube. She's not really an amazing rapper (though that Southern American accent, jeez! good job Aussie girl.), but she has a certain star quality totally evident from the video for this song (which is worth watching). I don't know what I think about her other stuff -- she doesn't have a full album out yet -- but there is something about this song that just tugs at me. It might just be the production (the beats and instrumentation throughout the verses & bridge are phenomenal) ---- but I'm willing to give her a chance.

I fully expect to be let down...but at least "Work" is a killer!!

132 THEME

[cabaretlights.livejournal.com]

one-hundred and thirty-one

[amethysting.livejournal.com]

A Horse That Will Come When I Whistle
Umbrella Tree
What Kind of Books Do You Read?
2006

No, not that Umbrella Tree (i.e. the Canadian children's television show, Under the Umbrella Tree, that ran from 1986-1993--featuring Holly (upon reflection, I think I had a major crush on her when I was a kid), Jacob the bluejay and Gloria the gopher and Iggy the Iguana).

This Umbrella Tree is a now-defunct band from Nashville.  I only have this one song by them and, despite that fact, was disappointed when I recently found out that the band had broken up.  For a few years--around 2006, I think--I downloaded these monthly Indie Rock Playlists from some torrent-based site.  The playlists featured hundreds of songs and, while many of the songs and bands I came across were pretty forgettable, some stood out.  Sometimes I discovered an artist and sought out their entire discography.  Other times, like in the case of Umbrella Tree, my interest never went beyond that one song.

I heard "A Horse That Will Come When I Whistle" again a few days ago when I was listening to a mix CD I made in August of 2008 and was just so completely thrilled over how good it is.  It is cutesy without being nauseating and the lyrics are quite smart (I love that the song is this kind of one-sided dialogue; an introduction--I love that "What kind of books do you read?" is the opening statement, the first interaction between the speaker and this imaginary other).  The combination of very sweet-sounding female lead vocals and strange (I can't think of a way to describe them...whiny?  mournful?) male background vocals is perfect. This song twangs.  It seems to trot like a tired and slow-moving horse.