I love pop music. And when I say “pop music” I mean those infectious, catchy-as-hell, toe-tapping, hand-clapping, cleverly penned, wonderfully strummed, hook-laden songs with unforgettable choruses, unbelievable harmonies, and unrelenting head-bobbing beats. Four minutes max — and even that might be pushing it. Pop music makes me smile, reminds me of youth, lifts the clouds, and urges me to dance — even though I know I must look the fool. Most of the music I own falls into the category of pop and most of it is sweet and jangly, effervescent and fun.
Despite my affinity for pop, like most middle-aged-year old white males, before I experienced punk I was weaned on the tit of heavy metal — most of which, I would argue, was sheepishly pop music in wolf’s clothing — and I suppose I’ve never really lost my taste for it’s cathartic ear-ringing, head-banging, icky thump. Now I don’t want to split hairs over what constitutes true heavy-metal… for me its wailing guitars, thunderous rhythm, chaotic feedback and lots of bad-boy (or bad-girl) attitude. And it’s usually songs with titles hinting at malevolence and darkness but overcome by an underlying pop sensibility that can’t be denied. Songs like “Highway to Hell” by AC-DC, “Cities on Flame With Rock n’ Roll” by Blue Oyster Cult, or “Paranoid” by Black Sabbath: black, evil pop music that always sounds good — with a vengeance — and makes me want to sing along.
Today’s Happy Medium Song of the Day is “Black and Blue” by The Lizzies. It comes via My Space — all revved up with with playfully harmless S&M undertones, a driving beat, catchy riffs and swaggering vocals that remind me of Iggy Pop circa his come-back albums, The Idiot and Lust For Life. I can’t find out much else about them other than they’re from L.A. and they have yet to release a full length CD. I’ll bet their live show kicks ass.
(Please use the comments box to share your thoughts.)
Today’s Happy Medium Song of the Day is “Black and Blue” by The Lizzies. It comes via My Space — all revved up with with playfully harmless S&M undertones, a driving beat, catchy riffs and swaggering vocals that remind me of Iggy Pop circa his come-back albums, The Idiot and Lust For Life. I can’t find out much else about them other than they’re from L.A. and they have yet to release a full length CD. I’ll bet their live show kicks ass.
(Please use the comments box to share your thoughts.)