Rich Bongorno's Song of the Week
November 28, 2008
(9) Deep Purple -- "Burn" and (10) Deep Purple -- "Stormbringer"
From Burn (1974) and Stormbringer (1974)
(Click on the CD cover to download the song)
Back in the day (the was the 70's for me), hot bands would put out albums every six months or so. Today, it seems like it's two years (or more) for the top acts. Well, Deep Purple was a hot act in 1974 and they put out two great albums that year and each album led with a classic track (that named the album) that remain favorites of mine still today. If you are into classic rock, crank up the speakers and get ready to rock.
July 20, 2008
(8) Coldplay -- "Viva la Vida"
From Viva la Vida (2008)
(Click on the CD cover to download the song)
Unless you've been sleeping for a month and you don't own a TV, you've heard at least a clip from this SOTW from Coldplay's latest release. I was not a big fan of this band until they released their previous CD entitled X&Y (2005) where their prior "lo-fi" sound was replaced with more upbeat, rock tracks. See my SOTW from September 2005. They continue that new tradition with some success on this latest CD although, at this point, I would rate this CD far below it predecessor. The best track is definitely the title cut which was played often (if not more) as the "soundtrack" to the latest promotion blitz from Apple iTunes. They used some of that new high energy that Coldplay is emitting and it was an effective campaign (from my vantage point). The track includes some of the most effective (and simplest) rock violin ever recorded. If you haven't heard the full version, you're in luck to be on the SOTW list.
While I think this is a great tune, there is some doubt as to whether the band actually wrote it. Lee Zapis alerted me to a claim by an unsigned band by the name of Creaky Boards who claim they wrote a song well in advance of the Coldplay version that's called, ironically, "The Songs I Didn't Write". Check out the link to the song and see if you don't agree that the songs are too similar. The Creaky Boards claim that Coldplay front man Chris Martin attended one of their shows and heard this song live. You can read more about this claim at http://www.hypeful.com/2008/06/27/creaky-boards-accuses-coldplay-of-stealing-song/. There's also a video supporting the claim. Let's see how this one turns out.
July 13, 2008
(7) Mika -- "Grace Kelly"
From Life in Cartoon Motion (2007)
(Click on the CD cover to download the song)
One of the best pop albums from 2007 was this gem from a new Brit-influenced singer. I was surprised to find that Mika was not a natural-born Brit but a transplant from Lebanon. Still, he becomes part of the UK pop invasion that seems to be happening these days. Most of the "invaders" are women (Kate Nash, Lily Allen, Duffy, etc.) but there are at least a few from the male gender (Jamie Cullum, for one). When you here this SOTW you might not be sure this is truly a member of the male side of the ledger but rest assured that he is (his name is Michael). He has reminded many of UK pop stars of the past (Elton John being one of them) but I'll guess you will easily catch his channeling of Freddie Mercury which is, as they say in the UK, spot on.
The whole album is full of pop gems that, if you're into this sort of thing, is top quality from start to finish. While this will be too "pop" for the serious critics, I don't care. I think it may the best album from 2007. I also present "Billy Brown" as another example of this fine work. Have fun with these. If you like what you hear, buy them all.
Past Songs of the Week
Last Update = November 28, 2008
Total "hits" so far -