The end of my Northern Manitoba chapter is near. I have officially done my final on air shift at CJ1240 in The Pas, and after a few days of paperwork at the station, I will be hitting the road for Penticton, BC.
It's been a wild three years with Arctic Radio and I have learned a lot. I'd like to profusely thank the company for giving me my first opportunity in the industry and really teaching me so much more than I could have ever hoped for. Starting out as an announcer in Thompson, Manitoba was the scariest/greatest thing I've done to this point in my life. Not everyone can start there, become a music director, and work up to a program director's post in less than 2 years. The help I had to get there and the things I was taught about programming and station operations will be carried with me through my career.
I've also met some wonderful people and made some fantastic friends along the way. I am truly thankful for everyone who I've come in to contact with and everyone who has given me opportunities to host events, or even have other jobs along the way (Blockbuster video employee, Karaoke Host, DJ). It hasn't always been the smoothest road, but the experience has been invaluable.
I will miss everyone I've grown to know and love here, and I am super excited for what the next chapter will bring me with Astral Media.
I will still have this blog too. The internet moves with you, it's crazy yo.
Monday, 18 March 2013
Sunday, 17 March 2013
Wine and Decadence
This past Friday night, I felt much classier than usual. Instead of retiring in my pajamas to a night of catching up on the week's TV shows, I headed out to the Wescana Inn to join their MLCC Wine Club in experiencing some new flavours.
Seeing as I'd never been to one of these things before, it was tough knowing what to expect. Unsure of how to dress, I stuck with a pretty coral dress with some lace detail and a black bolero-style sweater with black suede boots and tights (it's still winter at -24 after all). I probably could have opted for a nice sweater and still been fine, but why not dress up if you're going to be experiencing fantastic food and wine right?
Let's roll through the courses, their pairings, and the party my taste buds experienced while I enjoyed fine conversations.
1st Course:
"Sweet Onion Marmalade Ravioli - Dressed with sage nut butter, shaved parmesan & arugula. Paired with a Trivento Golden Reserve Malbec 2011 - Argentina - Vibrant red colour, smooth tannins, and a bouquet of red fruit such as plum and cherry, combined with the sweetness of oak"
Reading that description may make your mouth water, but actually tasting it was a whole other thing. The balance of flavours in this dish made it a wonderful complement to the wine. The dish was sweet and savory. The familiar flavour of the parmesan with the sage nut butter was very welcoming as it encompassed the sweetness inside the ravioli. My brain couldn't process which part I liked best, and once it was paired with this robust red, it only tasted better (which I didn't think possible).
2nd Course:
"Cherry Blossom Vietnamese Duck - Served with rice noodles, asian style vegetables & cherry au jus. Paired with a Nederburg Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 - South Africa - Medium bodied, deep red and purple in colou. Sweet cherry, cassis, earth, licorice, and cedar tones. Soft tannins on the finish."
I don't remember ever eating duck before now, and as much as I love Duck Tales (a whoo-oo), I will definitely be eating it again. The texture and full flavoured taste of the duck topped on simplicity of rice noodles and veggies was a perfect mix. Personally, I didn't enjoy this red as much as the first, though it was a nice addition to the dish.
On a side note, I'm usually not too adventurous when it comes to food, I stick to the classics (mostly meat and potatoes), but I would order a dish like this again. It was divine.
3rd Course:
Smoked Roma Octopus a la Gremolata - Seasoned with gremolata and Chinese five spice, with a baked garlic calzone. Paired with a Monkey Bay Sauvignon Blanc - New Zealand - Aromas of gooseberry, bell pepper, and newly mown grass. This wine is fresh and lively with excellent balance on the palate."
First things first, I love Italian food, and that calzone was delish. Notice how I skipped right over the Octopus? Not because it wasn't great, I just really like calzones. Personally, I don't handle seafood well in general (because of the texture), and the only squid/octopus I've had before was deep fried as calamari. The seasoning on this dish however, allowed me to really enjoy it. The octopus was part of a salsa-like mixture with the gremolata on top, it was not only appealing to the eye, but quite tasty alongside the Sauv Blanc. This wine may have been my favourite of the night, except I'm partial to Moscatos, and dessert always has the upper hand, but we'll get to that. (Also, how much fun is it to say "Monkey Bay"? Seriously, it just makes discussing the wine extra fun)
4th Course:
"Korean Barbeque Shoulder of Pork - Pork shoulder dressed and marinated in Pad Thai barbeque sauce. Paired with a Santa Christina Pinot Grigio - Italy - Bright yellow in colour, intense fruit, particularly pear, green apple and orange. This pinot grigio has vibrant acidity and lasting finish."
It is as good as it sounds. There are a lot of places that offer pad thai flavoured options in Canada, and I really enjoyed this one. It was slightly different than most I've tried. The first bite was perfectly marinaded and then a little kick of spice at the end was just right. The spice was counter balanced nicely by the bright taste of the Pinot Grigio. This is a taste I would want to try and recreate at home, it was moist, flavourful and close enough to my comfort zone that it may get an add on to my "list of things to learn how to do/make" (it's a long list...).
5th Course:
"Dukkah Crusted Moroccan Salmon - Dukkah rubbed side of salmon, served with chili &lime dressing. Paired with a La Playa Cabernet Sauvignon Rose - Chile - Vivid pink colour with violet hues. Rich fruit aromas with distinctive notes of candied raspberry, strawberry and touches of herbs."
Talk about spice! The dukkah crusting on this salmon was fantastic. It had a curry-like kick to it that lent itself well to the salmon, which was perfectly flaky. A little spice, a little crunch and large sides - I could have made this a meal on it's own, but I do think it would be delicious over rice. The rose was very lively as well, it was a good pop of fruit to counteract the spice in the dukkah.
6th Course:
"Agave & Lime Creme Brulee - Burnt Sugar topped, infused with tequila and accompanied by lime. Paired with a Pfeiffer Moscato 2012 - Australia - This moscato is a highly perfumed wine, with aromas of musk and rose petals. It is light and refreshing, with fruity, tropical flavours and a light spritz."
I'm not sure there is anything greater than burnt sugar in this world. If there is, I haven't found it yet. I'd like to mention that the presentation of this dessert was adorable. Each one was made in a coffee mug and there was a lime, blackberry and raspberry on top of each burnt sugar top. This creme brulee was perfection, the texture was smooth, and it was decadent. The moscato they paired was delicious and summery. the Pfeiffer was a wonderful dessert wine, but I could also imagine sipping it on the deck on a warm summer's evening. Delightful.
Overall, I quite enjoyed my first Wine Tasting and I believe it will be great experience to have under my belt when I move to Penticton next week (aka - wine country, BC). I commend Chef Julius Jeppe of the Wescana Inn and Celeste from the MLCC for the wonderful job they did on the menu and wine pairings. Any evening filled with food and wine that good is worth a second visit, and a third, and many more.
Oh and don't worry, despite the -20 temperature, I walked home full and content.
Seeing as I'd never been to one of these things before, it was tough knowing what to expect. Unsure of how to dress, I stuck with a pretty coral dress with some lace detail and a black bolero-style sweater with black suede boots and tights (it's still winter at -24 after all). I probably could have opted for a nice sweater and still been fine, but why not dress up if you're going to be experiencing fantastic food and wine right?
Let's roll through the courses, their pairings, and the party my taste buds experienced while I enjoyed fine conversations.
1st Course:
"Sweet Onion Marmalade Ravioli - Dressed with sage nut butter, shaved parmesan & arugula. Paired with a Trivento Golden Reserve Malbec 2011 - Argentina - Vibrant red colour, smooth tannins, and a bouquet of red fruit such as plum and cherry, combined with the sweetness of oak"
Reading that description may make your mouth water, but actually tasting it was a whole other thing. The balance of flavours in this dish made it a wonderful complement to the wine. The dish was sweet and savory. The familiar flavour of the parmesan with the sage nut butter was very welcoming as it encompassed the sweetness inside the ravioli. My brain couldn't process which part I liked best, and once it was paired with this robust red, it only tasted better (which I didn't think possible).
2nd Course:
"Cherry Blossom Vietnamese Duck - Served with rice noodles, asian style vegetables & cherry au jus. Paired with a Nederburg Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 - South Africa - Medium bodied, deep red and purple in colou. Sweet cherry, cassis, earth, licorice, and cedar tones. Soft tannins on the finish."
I don't remember ever eating duck before now, and as much as I love Duck Tales (a whoo-oo), I will definitely be eating it again. The texture and full flavoured taste of the duck topped on simplicity of rice noodles and veggies was a perfect mix. Personally, I didn't enjoy this red as much as the first, though it was a nice addition to the dish.
On a side note, I'm usually not too adventurous when it comes to food, I stick to the classics (mostly meat and potatoes), but I would order a dish like this again. It was divine.
3rd Course:
Smoked Roma Octopus a la Gremolata - Seasoned with gremolata and Chinese five spice, with a baked garlic calzone. Paired with a Monkey Bay Sauvignon Blanc - New Zealand - Aromas of gooseberry, bell pepper, and newly mown grass. This wine is fresh and lively with excellent balance on the palate."
First things first, I love Italian food, and that calzone was delish. Notice how I skipped right over the Octopus? Not because it wasn't great, I just really like calzones. Personally, I don't handle seafood well in general (because of the texture), and the only squid/octopus I've had before was deep fried as calamari. The seasoning on this dish however, allowed me to really enjoy it. The octopus was part of a salsa-like mixture with the gremolata on top, it was not only appealing to the eye, but quite tasty alongside the Sauv Blanc. This wine may have been my favourite of the night, except I'm partial to Moscatos, and dessert always has the upper hand, but we'll get to that. (Also, how much fun is it to say "Monkey Bay"? Seriously, it just makes discussing the wine extra fun)
4th Course:
"Korean Barbeque Shoulder of Pork - Pork shoulder dressed and marinated in Pad Thai barbeque sauce. Paired with a Santa Christina Pinot Grigio - Italy - Bright yellow in colour, intense fruit, particularly pear, green apple and orange. This pinot grigio has vibrant acidity and lasting finish."
It is as good as it sounds. There are a lot of places that offer pad thai flavoured options in Canada, and I really enjoyed this one. It was slightly different than most I've tried. The first bite was perfectly marinaded and then a little kick of spice at the end was just right. The spice was counter balanced nicely by the bright taste of the Pinot Grigio. This is a taste I would want to try and recreate at home, it was moist, flavourful and close enough to my comfort zone that it may get an add on to my "list of things to learn how to do/make" (it's a long list...).
5th Course:
"Dukkah Crusted Moroccan Salmon - Dukkah rubbed side of salmon, served with chili &lime dressing. Paired with a La Playa Cabernet Sauvignon Rose - Chile - Vivid pink colour with violet hues. Rich fruit aromas with distinctive notes of candied raspberry, strawberry and touches of herbs."
Talk about spice! The dukkah crusting on this salmon was fantastic. It had a curry-like kick to it that lent itself well to the salmon, which was perfectly flaky. A little spice, a little crunch and large sides - I could have made this a meal on it's own, but I do think it would be delicious over rice. The rose was very lively as well, it was a good pop of fruit to counteract the spice in the dukkah.
6th Course:
"Agave & Lime Creme Brulee - Burnt Sugar topped, infused with tequila and accompanied by lime. Paired with a Pfeiffer Moscato 2012 - Australia - This moscato is a highly perfumed wine, with aromas of musk and rose petals. It is light and refreshing, with fruity, tropical flavours and a light spritz."
I'm not sure there is anything greater than burnt sugar in this world. If there is, I haven't found it yet. I'd like to mention that the presentation of this dessert was adorable. Each one was made in a coffee mug and there was a lime, blackberry and raspberry on top of each burnt sugar top. This creme brulee was perfection, the texture was smooth, and it was decadent. The moscato they paired was delicious and summery. the Pfeiffer was a wonderful dessert wine, but I could also imagine sipping it on the deck on a warm summer's evening. Delightful.
Overall, I quite enjoyed my first Wine Tasting and I believe it will be great experience to have under my belt when I move to Penticton next week (aka - wine country, BC). I commend Chef Julius Jeppe of the Wescana Inn and Celeste from the MLCC for the wonderful job they did on the menu and wine pairings. Any evening filled with food and wine that good is worth a second visit, and a third, and many more.
Oh and don't worry, despite the -20 temperature, I walked home full and content.
Friday, 1 March 2013
The Ultimate in Multitasking
Do you ever leave everything you need to do right until the last moment so that you can lounge on your couch and catch up on TV shows? This is my Friday night so far. Super thrilling, I know.
After spending a few hours after work giggling to myself on the couch, I looked at the clock and realized "Oh hey! The grocery store closes in an hour and I still haven't done a workout today and the wellness centre closes in an hour". Genius planning Aly. Yes, I do talk to myself, it happens.
Once I talked it over with myself out loud, hummed and hawed over whether my morning coffee or my fitness was more important, the solution came to me in a moment of clarity/insanity. I'll run TO the store. That's what I did.
...There's just one part I didn't think over, carrying the milk back. Visualize if you will, a woman running down the street in a multi coloured jacket, hot pink and yellow shoes, with 2 litres of milk under one arm and the other swinging in time with her stride. This was me 20 minutes.
To all the cars that drove be me. You're welcome. I'm sure it was quite a sight. I just hope there weren't any photos.
After spending a few hours after work giggling to myself on the couch, I looked at the clock and realized "Oh hey! The grocery store closes in an hour and I still haven't done a workout today and the wellness centre closes in an hour". Genius planning Aly. Yes, I do talk to myself, it happens.
Once I talked it over with myself out loud, hummed and hawed over whether my morning coffee or my fitness was more important, the solution came to me in a moment of clarity/insanity. I'll run TO the store. That's what I did.
...There's just one part I didn't think over, carrying the milk back. Visualize if you will, a woman running down the street in a multi coloured jacket, hot pink and yellow shoes, with 2 litres of milk under one arm and the other swinging in time with her stride. This was me 20 minutes.
To all the cars that drove be me. You're welcome. I'm sure it was quite a sight. I just hope there weren't any photos.
 |
| I'll just pretend I look like this instead, that's less crazy right? |
Friday, 8 February 2013
Pop Culture Punch Moves!
Hey y'all!
In the interest of more bang for our buck, Pop Culture Punch has used the internet as our realtor and found a new home on mixcloud!
http://www.mixcloud.com/PopCulturePunch/
This is where you can find the latest episodes and we'll keep updating there!
Our latest episode includes Michael Buble, get ready to swoon.
Thanks for Listening!!
In the interest of more bang for our buck, Pop Culture Punch has used the internet as our realtor and found a new home on mixcloud!
http://www.mixcloud.com/PopCulturePunch/
This is where you can find the latest episodes and we'll keep updating there!
Our latest episode includes Michael Buble, get ready to swoon.
Thanks for Listening!!
Tuesday, 15 January 2013
New Year, New Me?
It's been almost 6 months since I started my "workout" plan and now I've added another step.
Not that regular exercise isn't working (I've almost dropped a size - yay shopping soon!), but I have wanted to do something a little more concrete to curb my appetite and fix up my eating habits. It's far too easy to pull in to a drive thru instead of going home to cook. So now I've picked up on a plan that my Mom has been using to lose weight and get healthier over the past year and a bit. Honestly, this is the only reason I trust in it, because she's seen results. If you can't trust your own mother, who can you trust right?
In comes the meal plan!
Well sort of. It's really just an easy breakfast so I make sure I actually have breakfast. Mornings aren't always the easiest thing for me, so having something I can throw together in literally 2 minutes and take with me is a god-send. The SlimStyles mix with PGX isn't bad. It's essentially a protein powder that makes you feel full for longer. So far, I think it's working. Plus I really like it. The mix doesn't taste overly sweet so it blends well with just water or adding fresh/frozen fruit to it.
Plus my Mom also bought me a new blender for Christmas and it's wicked fast.
I used to have a magic bullet which lasted me about 2 years, but this new one is even quicker and it blends directly in to a sport bottle. It's called an Oster MyBlend and if you make smoothies/shakes, I would definitely recommend it. This thing crushes ice like nobody's business. It's awesome. My only issue is that I got a blue one, and the rest of my kitchen is a red/black theme. My mom almost didn't buy it for me because of that (she knows how OCD I can be sometimes, but I swear I'm getting over it). I know, I have issues...
The exercise is back on track this week after the holidays had me hitting a bit of a rough patch. Running around like a crazy person doesn't always burn the same calories as actually running or going to a boxing class. I'm glad to be back in to the swing of things, but my muscles were crazy sore last week when I went for a run after boxing last Monday, my abs and legs were straight up ANGRY at me. I may not do that again for a while, one workout a day will do for now.
Overall, I feel like I'm on the right track and things are looking up for 2013! I'll try to keep things updated a little more...
Thanks for reading! Hit me up in the comments if you have any questions/thoughts! :)
Another boxing class tomorrow!
Not that regular exercise isn't working (I've almost dropped a size - yay shopping soon!), but I have wanted to do something a little more concrete to curb my appetite and fix up my eating habits. It's far too easy to pull in to a drive thru instead of going home to cook. So now I've picked up on a plan that my Mom has been using to lose weight and get healthier over the past year and a bit. Honestly, this is the only reason I trust in it, because she's seen results. If you can't trust your own mother, who can you trust right?
In comes the meal plan!
Well sort of. It's really just an easy breakfast so I make sure I actually have breakfast. Mornings aren't always the easiest thing for me, so having something I can throw together in literally 2 minutes and take with me is a god-send. The SlimStyles mix with PGX isn't bad. It's essentially a protein powder that makes you feel full for longer. So far, I think it's working. Plus I really like it. The mix doesn't taste overly sweet so it blends well with just water or adding fresh/frozen fruit to it.
Plus my Mom also bought me a new blender for Christmas and it's wicked fast.
The exercise is back on track this week after the holidays had me hitting a bit of a rough patch. Running around like a crazy person doesn't always burn the same calories as actually running or going to a boxing class. I'm glad to be back in to the swing of things, but my muscles were crazy sore last week when I went for a run after boxing last Monday, my abs and legs were straight up ANGRY at me. I may not do that again for a while, one workout a day will do for now.
Overall, I feel like I'm on the right track and things are looking up for 2013! I'll try to keep things updated a little more...
Thanks for reading! Hit me up in the comments if you have any questions/thoughts! :)
Another boxing class tomorrow!
Friday, 7 December 2012
Pop Culture Punch! Ep .14 & 15 - Attack of The Christmas Carols - Day 4 & 5
Two more days of Christmas albums!! (yesterday and today)
Audio in the Pics!!
Thanks for listening!!
Audio in the Pics!!
 |
| Day 4 |
 |
| Day 5 |
Thanks for listening!!
Bruno Mars - "Unorthodox Jukebox" Album Review
I should probably start by saying I have an unhealthy obsession with Bruno Mars' first Album "Doo Wops and Hooligans" and Bruno himself. He is crazy talented.
You can listen along right now at http://www.unorthodoxjukebox.com/ - but only until the album is released Tuesday (Dec 11th).
Track by Track, here's "Unorthodox Jukebox"
Track #1: Young Girls
The First time I heard this song was Bruno Mars' SNL Performance a few weeks back. I was almost in tears the first time I saw it. There is no doubt that Mars is a soulful singer with real emotional punch. He himself was almost crying while belting it out in New York and it made me instantly fall in love with the track. The chorus really hits you with a wavering sadness that is unmistakable in his voice.
All you young wild girls
You make a mess of me
All you young wild girls
You'll be the death of me
The Death of Me
All you young wild girls
No matter what you do
Yeah you young wild girls
I'll always come back to you
Come back to you
Note to self: you're young, be more wild, and find Bruno Mars to serenade you.
Track #2: Locked Out of Heaven
I feel like you've probably heard this one.... at least if you've been on the internet or heard any top 40 radio since October. The internet is all up in arms because it sounds like The Police, but Bruno Mars himself said "Hell Yeah! You try to write a Police song". His honesty is refreshing and his attitude is admirable. The song itself has 80s-inspired mega-hit written all over it. It's fun, it's soulful, and it's got great lyrics. Here's the video:
Track #3: Gorilla
"Umm... what?"
That was my first reaction to this song. It's not a bad song, I may have been thrown by the falsetto "oohs" and the fact that most of the song is You and me baby makin' love like gorillas". Based on the track's first line, he may have been coked up while writing it, but that just shows he really is like artists from the 70s and 80s, right? Because of this revelation, I imagined Bruno Mars all crazy eyed singing this while doing some really manic dance moves before playing the piano breakdown with a little too much intensity. It made it super entertaining in my head. This is definitely more of a rock sounding song, and sadly, I think Nickelback could cover it. Not a high point in the album.
Track #4: Treasure
Funk? Check. Soul? Check. Extremely cheesy 70s smile? I guarantee it was pasted on his face during recording. This is a super fun track that I could see being a big summer hit. It sounds like sunshine. The song is about a girl, she's his treasure, his golden star, she's fine so fine. A few listens and you'll be toe tapping, head bobbing and singing the chorus. It's got that throwback sound. Start adding volume to your hair now, what's old is new again.
Track #5: Moonshine
I was waiting for this one. The track where you can hear a little growl in Bruno Mars pristine voice. It pops up in a few small moments in Moonshine and it really adds a perfect amount of grit to the 80s-sounding intensity of the track. I also really enjoyed the phrasing in this song. The way the words are pronounced and the slight changes in pacing and inflection make it different than your standard pop song. Different as in better, and I love pop music.
Track #6: When I Was Your Man
Is that a piano or a teardrop machine? Seriously... The longing you hear in his voice in the first few moments of the song sets up this heart-wrenching ballad that will make you want to give Bruno Mars a hug while your eyeholes fill with salt water. It's Adele calibre breakup tuneage. It's haunting and I can't get enough of it.
Also....
To the girl this was written for: He was wrong, he's sorry, take him back you evil beotch, he's pouring his heart out AND wishing you the best! What more could you want? Better yet don't, I'll take him, he's sweet and I like flowers and parties.
Track #7: Natalie
Holy rhythm and anger Batman! Then again I'd be angry too if some broad took all my money (not that I have any to steal at this point). Little miss snake eyes better watch her back indeed. This is the next generation's "Gold Digger" without the douchebaggery of Kanye attached. Well written, well executed, and it's wicked fun to yell sing the name "Natalie". There's so many ways to phrase her name before telling her she better run. #ThingsILearnedFromBrunoMars?
Track #8: Show Me
Steel drums and the promise of an oasis underscore this reggae "love" (read: unh unh unh) song. Show Me is lighthearted, fun, and may make you want to drive to the nearest airport to find a hot destination where you can use this song as a macking device. Hawaiian shirts await! For the record, between this and his Liquor Store Blues from Doo Wops and Hooligans, he could pull a lot of fans from the reggae crowd.
Track #9: Money Make Her Smile
Is "her" one of those Young Wild Girls or related to Natalie perhaps? In describing a good chunk of the female population Bruno Mars points out "It's not complicated, so it won't take a while, Music make her dance, money make her smile". This song may also be about strippers, but regardless, I'll still cruise to it. Another intense rocker.
Track #10: If I Knew
Ahh, regret in the face of true love. Many a man and woman have felt it, and Bruno Mars once again personifies heartbreak. The sweet guitar in this short track set up a perfect backdrop for him to croon out his feelings, and it's perfectly crafted.
---
This album makes me laugh, cry, dance and rock out. I'd say that's a win. The way that it mixes different moods and genres really makes the album title perfect as can be. Unorthodox Jukebox will definitely be put in to rotation with my cruisin' CDs in the car right next to Doo Wops and Hooligans. I also may be head over heels in love with Bruno Mars (as much as you can be in love with someone you've only seen from afar... now I sound creepy...)
If you've read through this and haven't listened to it yet, I commend you, now listen to it!! Here's the streaming link again: http://www.unorthodoxjukebox.com/
You can also pre-order the album and download the already released tracks while you listen.
Unorthodox Jukebox will be available online and in stores December 11th!
You can listen along right now at http://www.unorthodoxjukebox.com/ - but only until the album is released Tuesday (Dec 11th).
Track by Track, here's "Unorthodox Jukebox"
Track #1: Young Girls
The First time I heard this song was Bruno Mars' SNL Performance a few weeks back. I was almost in tears the first time I saw it. There is no doubt that Mars is a soulful singer with real emotional punch. He himself was almost crying while belting it out in New York and it made me instantly fall in love with the track. The chorus really hits you with a wavering sadness that is unmistakable in his voice.
All you young wild girls
You make a mess of me
All you young wild girls
You'll be the death of me
The Death of Me
All you young wild girls
No matter what you do
Yeah you young wild girls
I'll always come back to you
Come back to you
Note to self: you're young, be more wild, and find Bruno Mars to serenade you.
Track #2: Locked Out of Heaven
I feel like you've probably heard this one.... at least if you've been on the internet or heard any top 40 radio since October. The internet is all up in arms because it sounds like The Police, but Bruno Mars himself said "Hell Yeah! You try to write a Police song". His honesty is refreshing and his attitude is admirable. The song itself has 80s-inspired mega-hit written all over it. It's fun, it's soulful, and it's got great lyrics. Here's the video:
Track #3: Gorilla
"Umm... what?"
That was my first reaction to this song. It's not a bad song, I may have been thrown by the falsetto "oohs" and the fact that most of the song is You and me baby makin' love like gorillas". Based on the track's first line, he may have been coked up while writing it, but that just shows he really is like artists from the 70s and 80s, right? Because of this revelation, I imagined Bruno Mars all crazy eyed singing this while doing some really manic dance moves before playing the piano breakdown with a little too much intensity. It made it super entertaining in my head. This is definitely more of a rock sounding song, and sadly, I think Nickelback could cover it. Not a high point in the album.
Track #4: Treasure
Funk? Check. Soul? Check. Extremely cheesy 70s smile? I guarantee it was pasted on his face during recording. This is a super fun track that I could see being a big summer hit. It sounds like sunshine. The song is about a girl, she's his treasure, his golden star, she's fine so fine. A few listens and you'll be toe tapping, head bobbing and singing the chorus. It's got that throwback sound. Start adding volume to your hair now, what's old is new again.
Track #5: Moonshine
I was waiting for this one. The track where you can hear a little growl in Bruno Mars pristine voice. It pops up in a few small moments in Moonshine and it really adds a perfect amount of grit to the 80s-sounding intensity of the track. I also really enjoyed the phrasing in this song. The way the words are pronounced and the slight changes in pacing and inflection make it different than your standard pop song. Different as in better, and I love pop music.
Track #6: When I Was Your Man
Is that a piano or a teardrop machine? Seriously... The longing you hear in his voice in the first few moments of the song sets up this heart-wrenching ballad that will make you want to give Bruno Mars a hug while your eyeholes fill with salt water. It's Adele calibre breakup tuneage. It's haunting and I can't get enough of it.
Also....
To the girl this was written for: He was wrong, he's sorry, take him back you evil beotch, he's pouring his heart out AND wishing you the best! What more could you want? Better yet don't, I'll take him, he's sweet and I like flowers and parties.
Track #7: Natalie
Holy rhythm and anger Batman! Then again I'd be angry too if some broad took all my money (not that I have any to steal at this point). Little miss snake eyes better watch her back indeed. This is the next generation's "Gold Digger" without the douchebaggery of Kanye attached. Well written, well executed, and it's wicked fun to yell sing the name "Natalie". There's so many ways to phrase her name before telling her she better run. #ThingsILearnedFromBrunoMars?
Track #8: Show Me
Steel drums and the promise of an oasis underscore this reggae "love" (read: unh unh unh) song. Show Me is lighthearted, fun, and may make you want to drive to the nearest airport to find a hot destination where you can use this song as a macking device. Hawaiian shirts await! For the record, between this and his Liquor Store Blues from Doo Wops and Hooligans, he could pull a lot of fans from the reggae crowd.
Track #9: Money Make Her Smile
Is "her" one of those Young Wild Girls or related to Natalie perhaps? In describing a good chunk of the female population Bruno Mars points out "It's not complicated, so it won't take a while, Music make her dance, money make her smile". This song may also be about strippers, but regardless, I'll still cruise to it. Another intense rocker.
Track #10: If I Knew
Ahh, regret in the face of true love. Many a man and woman have felt it, and Bruno Mars once again personifies heartbreak. The sweet guitar in this short track set up a perfect backdrop for him to croon out his feelings, and it's perfectly crafted.
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This album makes me laugh, cry, dance and rock out. I'd say that's a win. The way that it mixes different moods and genres really makes the album title perfect as can be. Unorthodox Jukebox will definitely be put in to rotation with my cruisin' CDs in the car right next to Doo Wops and Hooligans. I also may be head over heels in love with Bruno Mars (as much as you can be in love with someone you've only seen from afar... now I sound creepy...)
If you've read through this and haven't listened to it yet, I commend you, now listen to it!! Here's the streaming link again: http://www.unorthodoxjukebox.com/
You can also pre-order the album and download the already released tracks while you listen.
Unorthodox Jukebox will be available online and in stores December 11th!
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| History may just repeat itself. |
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