Tag Archives: Alternative Music

Rhode Island DJ Music Chart – 2013 Year End Alternative

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This years ending DJ Music Chart for the genre Alternative has Imagine Dragons on top with “Radioactive” in addition to “Demons” at number ten! The top five are rounded out with Capital Cities, Neighborhood, Muse and Of Monsters and Men. If you are looking for the DJ Music Chart for Top 40/ACH 2013 Year End Chart, I have that posted as well.

Rhode Island DJ Music Chart - 2013 Year End Alternative - Rhode Island Wedding DJ

Rhode Island DJ Music Chart – 2013 Year End Alternative

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Rhode Island DJ Music Chart - 2013 Year End Alternative - Rhode Island Wedding DJ

Rhode Island DJ Music Chart Year End Review – Muse Madness

“Madness” is a song by English alternative rock band Muse. It is the second track on the band’s sixth studio album, The 2nd Lawand is the second and lead single to be released from the album. It has spent 19 weeks on the summit of Billboard‘s Alternative chart, making it the longest running #1 on the chart, and beating out the previous record by Foo Fighters‘ “The Pretender“.

The song was released on 20 August 2012 after its premiere on BBC Radio 1 and NRJ. The music video premiered on 5 September 2012. The song earned a nomination in the Best Rock Song category at the 2013 Grammy Awards.

The band performed the song on Turner Broadcasting‘s promotions for the 2013 March Madness games on TBS and TNT.

“Madness” has been featured in several television programs including CSI: NY and Criminal Minds.

Rhode Island DJ Music Chart - 2013 Year End Alternative - Rhode Island Wedding DJ

Rhode Island DJ Music Chart – Muse “Madness” Music Video

This video saw the second collaboration between the band and director Anthony Mandler, who previously directed the music video for “Neutron Star Collision (Love Is Forever)“. It was edited by Jacquelyn London. The director of photography was David Devlin. Devlin’s work on “Madness” was nominated for a 2012 Best Cinematography Award at Plus Camerimage. The video was filmed on the Red Line platform at Los Angeles Union Station. The two main characters are played by models Erin Wasson and Max Silberman.

The video begins with Wasson and Silberman sitting behind each other smoking cigarettes while authorities and dogs swarming outside their train attempt to stop a riot in full swing. Throughout the video, the camera flashes to the band playing outdoors at night, among many strobelights and psychedelic effects. Though the chronological order is unclear, Wasson and Silberman are then seen walking through and then wandering among the subway station, at first alone and then amid a violent riot (though it seems they are untouched by the violence occurring around them). The physicality of the models (Wasson occasionally standing above or walking away from Silberman; other times following him and reaching for him) could suggest a parallel to the subject matter of the song: the emotional phases of conflict in a relationship. Eventually, as the song builds to a climax with the lines I have finally realized (realized) / I need your love / I need your love, Wasson grabs Silberman forcefully by his collar and shakes him, screaming soundlessly. This again parallels the simultaneous emotional release and musical catharsis in the song, as well as the long-awaited progression and revelation in the lyrics as Bellamy at last sings of what he has realized. The characters then kiss and end up seated on the train, seemingly back to their original positions. This could also signify that this emotional exchange is repetitive.

Rhode Island DJ Music Chart - 2013 Year End Alternative - Rhode Island Wedding DJ

What song or songs did you think would be represented in the Rhode Island DJ Music Chart  2013 Year End Alternative Chart and which did you think were left out?

Rhode Island DJ Music Chart - 2013 Year End Alternative - Rhode Island Wedding DJ

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & Boston DJ

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Mumford & Sons I Will Wait

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It has taken nearly a year since its original release but Mumford & Sons I Will Wait is finally getting the commercial success it deserves!

“We wanted to do something unashamed,” says Ben Lovett. “We’re confident and happy to be where we are as a band — everything that’s happened with us has exceeded expectations, and it’s all been a surprise, it’s all much bigger than what we were prepared for. So when we came to recording this record we had a choice: to shy away from that, or to realise that people dig what we’re doing, and make something robust, with that energy.” Mumford & Sons Website

Mumford & Sons I Will Wait with Rhode Island Wedding DJ

Mumford & Sons I Will Wait Critical Response

The song has received generally favourable reviews. Grady Smith of Entertainment Weekly gave the song a positive review, saying how the song “hearkens back to their Grammy-nomination-festooned single “The Cave” with its shouted refrain, triumphant horns, a driving kick drum, and an earnest lyric about a relationship so perfect it has Marcus Mumford kneeling down in reverence, raising his hands, and wishing for his mind to be “freed from the lies.”” Stephanie Middleton of The Celebrity Cafe said, “With untouched vocals and harmonies, the boys manage to create yet another genuine Mumford & Sons track.”

Katie Hasty of HitFix gave the song a B+, saying “Marcus is a softie, but he’s got a problem with repetition,” but also said “they bring it home when they jump up an octave and beat the hell out of the chorus.” She concluded with, “This song could be really huge.” Liv Carter of Urban Country News awarded the song a ‘thumbs-up’. Reviewing the song after it started receiving airplay at country radio, she called it “a perfect piece of folk-rock that more than deserves to be introduced to the wider country radio audience.” Rolling Stone magazine named the song the 13th best song of 2012.

Mumford & Sons I Will Wait Music Video

The Mumford & Sons I Will Wait Story

During the year, the band had been releasing new songs from their second album online or performing them at concerts. Marcus Mumford told MTV that the song “reflects the band’s hectic life on the road – which shaped the new album’s sound.” Ted Dwane told Rolling Stone, “Being away so much for the last couple of years is inevitably a theme on the record, because it’s something that we’ve all shared.” The song was played live in various forms through 2010-2011 under the working title ‘Nothing Is Written’.

What is your favorite part of Mumford & Sons I Will Wait?

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & Boston DJ

973.908.8147

Crash Test Dummies Superman’s Song

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I love Crash Test Dummies Superman’s Song! It is such a unique song with all kinds of fun and curious pieces. Crash Test Dummies Superman’s Song was the first single of the Canadian folk-rock group Crash Test Dummies and came from their 1991 debut album The Ghosts That Haunt Me. The single was the group’s first hit, charting in both Canada (#4) and the United States (#56). It was also featured in the pilot of the Canadian TV series Due South and appeared on the first Due South soundtrack album.

The song was covered by Lucy Wainwright Roche, daughter of Loudon Wainwright III and Suzzy Roche of The Roches, on her second EP “8 More.” It also has been covered by Nataly Dawn.

Crash Test Dummies Superman’s Song Music Video

Crash Test Dummies Superman’s Song Story

Crash Test Dummies Superman’s Song is a slow funeral dirge, mournfully telling the story of Clark Kent/Superman, as if he had recently died. The central theme is the death of the selfless hero. The song notes that Superman had the power to commit great evil and bring himself unfathomable riches, but instead chose to use his powers for good, while expecting no payment for his deeds.

The chorus emphasizes this theme:

Superman never made any money
For saving the world from Solomon Grundy
And sometimes I despair the world will never see
Another man like him

Throughout the song, Crash Test Dummies Superman’s Song, Brad Roberts contrasts Superman and Tarzan, whom he considers a crude, rough, and uncivilized antihero.

This tribute to the Man of Steel predates his eventual death and his replacement by four new heroes claiming to be the “new” Superman.

Crash Test Dummies Superman's Song with Rhode Island Wedding DJ

Crash Test Dummies Superman’s Song Video Story

The music video for the song was directed by Dale Heslip and features the band singing at a funeral for Superman attended by various aging superheroes. Some depicted are a middle aged Wonder Woman-like character, The Green Hornet, and possibly Green Lantern (Alan Scott). It won the MuchMusic Video Award for Best Video in 1991.

There is no mistaking Brad Roberts’ voice. He may look like an average guy, now in his mid- 40s, but then he opens his mouth and his majestic baritone voice immediately conjures fond memories of such Crash Test Dummies hits at “Mmm, Mmm, Mmm, Mmm” and “Superman.” Perhaps best remembered for the acerbic folk rock sound of 1991’s The Ghosts That Haunt Me and 1993’s God Shuffled His Feet, there have nonetheless been enough hits for the band over the years to merit a couple of greatest hits packages. Through it all, the band with Roberts at the helm has touched on funk and soul, folk, electronic music and even Christmas tunes. Yet it is Roberts’ voice and offbeat lyrical sensibility that have been this beloved band’s calling cards since their founding twenty years ago.” Crash Test Dummies Official Site

Where did the Crash Test Dummies get their name?

“Crash Test Dummies was adopted initially as a joke, at the suggestion of a friend in medical school. Apparently through constant use, the name stuck. Among other monikers considered were Skin Graft and the Chemotherapists.”

Crash Test Dummies Superman's Song with Rhode Island Wedding DJ

“I think that when you are dealing with popular music, unless you have a strong melody, sympathetic chords, and a good set of lyrics you ain’t got nothing,” Roberts points out. Foreshadowing the highly entertaining shows for which he is so well known, Roberts adds “I want to have a little room to digress into an anecdote while Stuart strums the guitar, if that’s what I feel like doing.”

I think Crash Test Dummies Superman’s Song is such a compelling and interesting tune. Somehow the somber elements contrast so nicely with Roberts Baritone voice and superhero tone and lyrics. It is a fun song for a DJ to play in unique situations.

Crash Test Dummies Superman's Song with Rhode Island Wedding DJ

 

It has been suggested that Crash Test Dummies Superman’s Song would also be a fun ad interesting Father-Daughter Dance at a Wedding for a Bride that wants a song about she feels about her father. Most Father-Daughter Dance Songs are typically about how he feels about the daughter. Crash Test Dummies Superman’s Song makes for a nice change of pace if you feel moved to do so. I invite you to contact me about other unique Father-Daughter Dance Songs or any special songs you need ideas.

What do you find most compelling about Crash Test Dummies Superman’s Song?

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & Boston DJ

973.908.8147