Undiscovered pop gems

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 6/17/11 at 11:37am

I'm not satisfied with much of the current pop dreck, so if anyone wants to share some under-rated music that I may not be familiar with, it would be much appreciated.

An amazing Swedish artist I listen to on repeat...

Salem Al Fakir - Keep On Walking

Updated On: 6/17/11 at 11:37 AM

[scott68]

Posted: 6/17/11 at 12:09pm

She might not be underrated, given that she's in Girls Aloud, but I'm a big fan of Nicola Roberts' new song (and video) "Beat of My Drum." Very typical Diplo (he produced it), but lots of fun.

http://vimeo.com/24643722

[uncageg]

Posted: 6/17/11 at 12:41pm

Saw Janelle Monet on the Grammy's and her look interested me and I liked the song she did. I went out and bought her ArchAndroid CD and can't stop listening to it. I don't hear her music around anywhere but this CD is really good. It kind of runs the gammut in styles. Really glad I picked the CD up and am going to get her first one, "Metropolis-The Chase Suite".

[PetitPoisson]

Posted: 6/18/11 at 12:18am

I don't post much on her, but I had to chime in about Janelle Monae. Uncageg is right, her CD is fantastic. She's so much more than a singer...she's an artist. I was lucky enough to see her in concert last month and she's stunning live. What a visionary!

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 6/18/11 at 12:33am

Bearstronaut, "Moniker"

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 6/18/11 at 12:37am

Get out your hankies.
Gem Club, "Animals"

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 6/18/11 at 12:39am

8in8, "Because the Origami"

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 6/18/11 at 12:43am

8in8 gets more upbeat with "Nikolas Tesla"

Updated On: 6/18/11 at 12:43 AM

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 6/18/11 at 1:47pm

Thanks for the suggestions - particularly that first one from FindingNamo, Bearstronaut....it hit the spot nicely, I listened to it twice in ten minutes, a slow burner that doesn't wear out it's welcome too soon.

I've been meaning to check out Janelle Monae for a while now too - I like my pop singers to have a spark of personality and a strong sense of image, and Janelle seems to certainly fit that bill!

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 6/18/11 at 1:55pm

Wouter Hamel

[Plum]

Posted: 6/18/11 at 3:03pm

Shingai Shoniwa of the Noisettes.
Never Forget You

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 6/18/11 at 7:36pm

An eighties oldie you might have missed.

This was a hit in the UK, but didn't crack Top 40 in the States. I still think it holds up as typically-overstuffed late-eighties pop.

Oops! And yes, that is Andy Warhol in the video circa '87...it must have been right before he died

Updated On: 6/19/11 at 07:36 PM

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 6/18/11 at 8:55pm

This is exactly what I was hoping for, thanks guys - especially love that Noisettes song. My iPod is in serious need of some new stuff.

I love 80s music, borstalboy. I think you forgot to post your link?
Le Kid - fun 80s style song with hot guys

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 6/18/11 at 9:17pm

A less cheerful one.
Lykke Li - Sadness Is A Blessing

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 6/18/11 at 10:05pm

Okay, last one.

Bell X1 - The Great Defector

Updated On: 6/18/11 at 10:05 PM

[BWF]

Posted: 6/20/11 at 6:21am

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQloiwkmwFE

Fleet Foxes are a new find for me, I bought the album last week and this track is my favourite.

Great intro, Om pah pah, om pah pah...

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 6/20/11 at 7:51pm

Just found out Janelle Monae will be appearing on Katy Perry's tour as support - I guess I'll be seeing her! Also looked up Tightrope on youtube...I knew the song already, just as "whether I'm high or low"!

And yes, I guess a lot of you may see Katy Perry as the "pop dreck" I referred to earlier...

Updated On: 6/20/11 at 07:51 PM

[broadway86]

Posted: 6/21/11 at 5:43pm

This song was released last year, and I can't believe neither the song nor the video has caught on. It's splendid, and perfect for the summer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eW7f54tVRmQ

[son_of_a_gunn_25]

Posted: 6/21/11 at 8:52pm

Broadway86. You just made my day!

I have been trying to find this song for over a year. I heard it somewhere last year, but all I could remember was the "this house is falling apart" lyric. (Actually I think I remembered it as "this house is falling down on us".)

When I googled it I could never find it.

Thank you!

[Mandi Moo]

Posted: 6/22/11 at 1:13am

The Wombats - "Tokyo (Vampires and Wolves)"

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 6/22/11 at 2:10pm

Ok, so this probably isn't what you're looking for, but I have to give a little shout-out to one of my favorite schlocky bubble-gum pop groups...STEPS. I discovered them on my first trip to London in 1999 and was immediately obsessed. They were a British product of the mass produced boy-band/girl-band craze providing a mix of 2 males and 3 females. Their one major hook was providing a guide of dance steps in their CD singles so you could dance along with their music videos. Apparently, the hook worked well as they were hugely successful in the UK, Australia and Japan. They never caught on in the US (having little marketing other than their successful cover of "Tragedy" and a live concert broadcast on The Disney Channel) with about half their material not appearing on the US album releases. I overlook the schmaltzy lyrics to most of their original material due to the infectious melodies and the beautiful blending of their voices. These are some of my favorites...

Say You'll Be Mine (my personal favorite)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDZoefLylcY&feature=related

Deeper Shade of Blue (fun dance song)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RtjfvK7rXw

Stomp (retro disco)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMblBLQQ-O0&feature=related

5, 6, 7, 8 (silly country/dance crossover that has to be heard to be believed)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NO-h9PFum4&feature=related

One for Sorrow (one of their biggest hits)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwYGuccrQM0


One of my favorite songs of theirs is "If You Believe", a sappy power-ballad a ala "My Heart Will Go On" never released in the US co-written by Cyndi Lauper.

PS - Both boys appeared in the West End in the past few years as replacements in Grease and Joseph.

[scott68]

Posted: 6/22/11 at 2:18pm

Cosmo Jarvis is British, straight, and awesome:

"Gay Pirates"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dysG12QCdTA&feature=artist

"She's Got You"
http://www.youtube.com/user/CosmoJarvis#p/c/18AED3FD18854186/3/Y7XKW4vcKv8

[uncageg]

Posted: 6/22/11 at 2:30pm

Jay, I suggest listening to Janelle Monae's CD from beginning to end in one sitting for the first time you listen to it. I just like the flow of the cd. I have had it for a few weeks and have listened to it all the way through each time I have listened. I am just now picking out tracks to put on my Zune.

[strummergirl]

Posted: 6/22/11 at 3:48pm

One of my favorite current bands, Against Me, recently cut ties with Sire records. Some diehard fans thought the Sire move was their big sell-out as New Wave was a mainstream success, yet White Crosses practically came and went with no real crossover. I would argue though that some of their best songs came under the Sire label, thanks in part to the production led by Butch Vig. It may not be like their older sound but that does not make it a lesser sound. "Spanish Moss" is arguably the best of the Sire period, the true hidden gem of White Crosses and really should have gotten more recognition during its 2010 release. So catchy and always puts a smile on my face.

Updated On: 6/23/11 at 03:48 PM

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 6/23/11 at 6:02pm

More great suggestions, thanks guys. My schlock threshold is pretty high, Mister Matt - you may have guessed from my Le Kid link, which is actually not too dissimilar to the Steps links you posted.

I'll do that uncageg - Janelle seems like a pretty high-concept artist, so I'll be sure to experience her properly. The more I look into her the more I like her!

Updated On: 6/23/11 at 06:02 PM