Is Rolling Stone Crazy?

 If you've checked out the Rolling Stone list for the best songs of the last decade, the number one was arguably one of the best one-hit wonders of all time, "Crazy" by the duo Gnarls Barkley (Cee-Lo and Danger Mouse). If you read the comments of the readers of the webpage, you would have thought the editors committed an act of treason by selecting this song. I happen to like the song, but I'm not sure if it defines the decade.
 Sure "Crazy" was a great song, with it's retro vocal stylings and introspective lyrics. But I think it was mPublish Postore of a one-time fluke. Some critics would say it is a brilliant song in an era that is oft-defined by niche genres, overproduction and sampling. However, that can be said about the 90s and the 80s. The Aughts is just an extension of this. To me what makes a song is it's impact in culture and in life. It's just like when people say this song reminds them of their first kiss or their first school dance.
 "Crazy" is more or less a self-evaluation and reflection of what the narrator's life is like. Sure, you hear it in the grocery store but is anybody really going to say this song changed their life. The lyrics are brooding and haunting, but so are a lot of songs. To me, Rolling Stone missed the opportunity to put some great songs on the list and I have a couple of examples.
 "Dance With My Father" was the final hit for late R&B singer Luther Vandross. Composed with 80's icon Richard Marx, it was more or less a celebration of dancing with his dad as a child and his longing to relive those moments after his father's death when he was a child. This is one of the most moving songs of any decade and is arguably one of Luther Vandross' best efforts.
 "Family Portrait" by P!nk is undoubtedly one of my favorite songs by her. She wrote the song as a reflection of her parents' divorce. Her gritty soulful voice cuts through you like a knife and haunts you. Any child who has witnessed the affects of a divorce firsthand or to someone close can relate to the longing she expresses to just look happy with her family. With the divorce rate as high as it is, I'm sure there are many kids who can relate to this.
 Finally, Justin Timberlake's "LoveStoned" is arguably one of the best genre-bending songs that should have been bigger than it was. It didn't grab your attention the same way as "SexyBack" but in many ways is more expressive and artistic. The condensed single version is an injustice. To get the full experience you have to listen to the full seven and a half minute album version. Layers of beat-boxing provided by Timberlake and uber-producer Timbaland as well as rhythmic guitars send this song on a sonic journey from funky club music to tender rock ballad. You'll dance, you'll sing and more.
 I'm not trying to say Rolling Stone was totally wrong, but I think they could have gone beyond the charts to define the last decade. Well at least they didn't include that "Bad Day" song.

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/100-best-songs-of-the-aughts-20110617

Let's Hear it for the Boys

 A recent Ask Men survey, asked which celebrity is most irritating. The magazine broke it up by celebrities' respective genders. But the winner (or loser) of the females is Lady Gaga and the victor for male celebs is none other than the Biebs. Rounding out the top three for the women are Alaska's favorite former governor, Sarah Palin and Kim Kardashian. The other two in the top three for men are Charlie Sheen and the commander-in-chief. I agree wholeheartedly except with the fact that Ask Men considers are president a celebrity. While agree that Obama has had a strong amount of pop culture exposure, I don't consider him a celebrity. Anyone who can press a red button to is more than a celebrity, but I digress.
 I can see why men are irritated by Lady Gaga. And don't Twitter hate me little monsters, I have to agree. How many more meat dresses can we stand? I understand that she likes to express herself differently and I do like some of her songs, but every award show appearance has become more than theater, it has become a campaign of shock and awe. While every pop star does this to a certain extent, the fact that Lady Gaga does this every time she comes on a stage gets to be too much. I appreciate her creativity in music, but being boring  and posing for Rolling Stone in your underoos isn't always bad.
 Justin Bieber is also highly understandable. Any guy who can get every woman's attention by just walking by is a source of envy. But more than that, I think it's the fact that Justin Bieber doesn't even sound like he went through puberty and attracts more girls than a wet puddle draws mosquitoes is quite nauseating. Also, most male pop stars seem inaccessible to men because of them saying girl or baby every other five seconds in a song. It can get rather old.
 Now I know I just wrote in agreement to a survey of a men's magazine about two major Twitter celebrities, but someone has to be honest. One thing I can appreciate is that guys don't hold back. Just because someone is popular doesn't mean everyone has to appreciate what they contribute. I think it's also refreshing that in our celebrity obsessed culture than people can put things in perspective and say what they think. But I will admit, Somebody to Love gets me everytime.
News Source: http://omg.yahoo.com/blogs/now/askmen-com-survey-reveals-that-men-do-not-have-bieber-fever/171