This week's additions to the Billboard Hot 100 are as follows:
92 The Band Perry -- "If I Die Young"
94 Fantasia -- "Bittersweet"
98 Rick Ross -- "B.M.F. (Blowin' Money Fast) Feat Styles P"
99 Dierks Bentley -- "Up On The Ridge"
"If I Die Young" and "Up On the Ridge" are pretty mediocre country songs. I wasn't very impressed, so I'm not even going to talk about them. Fantasia's R&B tune "Bittersweet" was also pretty awful. In this song, there is a sitar played sparsely throughout the verses; this made me laugh a hearty laugh. It's like the producers were thinking, "how can we turn this song into something unlike every other R&B song?!" "Oh! We'll put in a sitar! Yeah?" Finished!
The one song I actually did enjoy was Rick Ross's song "B.M.F. (Blowin' Money Fast) Feat Styles P." I have no idea what he's talking about or who Larry Hoover is, but Rick Ross has a nice, obese voice, and I can really appreciate that. When I listen to the song, I feel like he is sitting on my face and suffocating me. That's a nice feeling.
Wow, it's been quite a long time. Longer than healthy. Longer than long. I never thought it would take this long for me to complete a song of such popped nature, but it did. Well, actually, it didn't. It was probably only two days of actual work… but I have other things to do, too. Like sit around and eat. And sleep. I like to sleep.
Aside from working on my own stuff, I've been involved in a few other various musical projects. I have been playing a couple shows a month with my cover band, Standard Groove. They are a really nice group of people, and they're seasoned musicians; it's been a huge pleasure playing with them. Plus, cover bands get paid money. Mmm money.
The other project I'm working on is Sunshine Jackson and the Temple of the Righteous Beach Party with Evan Campbell, Mark Haugen, David Maixner, and Sam Dorrance. Right now, we're working on a record and playing some small shows and open mic nights. I think the new album is sounding really good so far. Writing and working on songs with them has definitely been the most pleasurable writing experience I've ever had. They all have an incredible ear for pop music, and the melodies and harmonies are especially fantastic. Plus, they're a fun group of guys to be around.
As far as the rest of my musical life is concerned, I've been listening to a lot of Marvin Gaye lately, particularly the album What's Going On. I think it's safe to say it's my #2 favorite album, after Plastic Ono Band by John Lennon. The basslines are just incredible.
I've also been trying to listen to mainstream pop; in fact, I've started a habit of listening to the Billboard Top 100's new weekly additions. I burn a CD of all these new songs and put it in my car, and it's the only thing I can listen to in my car all week. Some of it is pure shit, but I sure appreciate the craftiness of it. Kanye West's "Power" is the best track this week, hands down, but Lil Jon's "Outta Your Mind" is just too hilarious and catchy to not mention here…
I think that's a good note for my white, blogwriting ass to end on.
Remember when I said I was working on that song? Well, I was. And then I stopped. And then I started again. And then I deleted it. Then I recorded it again. Then my computer died. Then I reformatted. Now, it's nearly complete. What do I mean by "nearly complete?" Well, everything is laid out; now it just has to be laid down… like a beautiful woman by the fireside. The feelings and the plans are all there; now all we need to do is play. Ah yeah, baby. I'm expecting it to be complete in no less than two weeks, again, just like my lovemaking.
The thought of recording enters my thought process each day, and each day I do nothing, I feel awful about it. Not because my millions of fans are expecting something new to listen to, but because I feel unfulfilled. So really, this slacking will end, and I'm going to knock this bastard out of the ring. Pow! Like that. I'll give it a grade three concussion. Then more songs will enter the arena, and I won't be able to do anything but knock them out, too.
I may start posting more blogs, thoughts, and musical ideas on here as time rolls along. I don't know how many people will pay attention, but at least I'll have the satisfaction of knowing I'm beating both Byron T. Watts and Byron T Bear on Google's pagerankings. So if you're looking for a Byron T page, don't go to the competitors. You have all you need right here. In the meantime, grab a snack or perhaps a beverage and enjoy the rest of your time on the computer.