2006 Song Of The Year

Song Of The Year: "Dirty Little Secret" by All American Rejects.

My reasons for choosing "Dirty Little Secret" were many:

1. It had mass appeal, it's popularity gives it a greater chance the message will be heard and thus, the better the potential to have an impact.

2. It has a message that makes you think, pushing the boundaries of traditional pop subject matter.

3. It's irresistably catchy and rocks hard, an ironically joyful sound belies the darkness of it's content. Call it a musical spoonful of sugar, sweetening the raw medicine of it's message.

4. It gets bonus points for a great accompanying video.

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The way she feels inside (inside)
Those thoughts I can't deny (deny)
These sleeping dogs won't lie (won't lie)
And all I've tried to hide
It’s eating me apart
Trace this life out

I'll keep you my dirty little secret
(Dirty little secret)
Don't tell anyone or you'll be just another regret
(Just another regret)

Who has to know?
who has to know?

"Dirty Little Secret" addresses difficult subject matter- the hidden character flaws that drive dysfunction, personal crisis and denial- yet became a wildly popular anthem.

It's now a mainstream hit and that's the point. That this song became as popular as it did means people "got it". While your average Joe might not instantly grasp the complexity of the message, there's a chance they may be humming along to it for years to come.

The Plimsouls' Million Mile Journey

Peter Case

The Plimsouls took the stage at San Juan Capistrano's Coach House Friday night to the delight of many longtime fans. And a few who weren't even born when the band made it's first record!

You may remember The Plimsouls' early 1980's hit, "A Million Miles Away" from the "Valley Girl" soundtrack. It was a KROQ staple back in the day and helped launch The Plimsouls into the LA New Wave spotlight along side bands like The Go-Go's, X and The Knack.

Since the 80's, lead singer Peter Case has released several folk CDs and toured as a solo act. The Plimsouls released the mostly overlooked "Kool Trash" album in 1998. Their recent reformation is a long hoped for surprise for many early fans of the band.

Despite a harmonica malfunction, a guitar missing a strap and sporadic feedback problems, Case and his band mates stayed loose while forging through energetic versions of Plimsoul staples like "Now", "Oldest Story In The World" and "Everywhere At Once".

Between songs, Case joked that the band had just returned from an East Coast tour. A "28 year East Coast tour!", he said with a smile. Clearly, on stage is where The Plimsouls are in their element. Relaxed almost to the point of nonchalance, they retain the aura of local bar band made good.

A quarter of a century on, the band still features it's original members, with the exception of a new drummer. Case's road tested voice reveals a more gravelly singing tone than in the early days but just as much passion. Guitarist Eddie Munoz displays the bouncy enthusiasm of a kid who just discovered he could play. And bassist David Pahoa's steady rhythm helped get The Coach House crowd on it's feet and moving.

Case and company played a couple of new songs during their set and hinted that they are working on a new album. Then closed the show by giving an appreciative crowd what they came for- The Plimsouls playing a rousing rendition of the song that started their journey several decades and a "million miles" ago.

Into The Mystic

What is it about music that conjures up such strong emotions?

It ignites hearts and imaginations, inspiring joy and feelings of excitement. Music reanimates colorful memories of things long forgotten and instant transports you to places you've never been. Experiencing thoughts, feelings and pictures in one's mind could be thought of was the world's first video game. And still one of the best.

Listen to Sinatra and in your mind you're suddenly a tuxedo clad sophisticate sipping late night martinis with the jet set. Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl" takes you skipping and hopping through sunlit meadows to reconnect with your first love. "What A Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong warms your heart and renews your faith in the basic goodness of people.

In the span of three minutes your stress can be lessened considerably simply by listening and connecting to the right song. Science still hasn't explained how this happens. It is known that listening to music releases endorphins (opiate like substances) in your brain. Music can relax tension- even lessen migrains.

Centuries before newspapers, television or the internet, music was used to bond people together by sharing common ideas and feelings. Evidence of music dates back 3,400 years in the form of clay tablets with musical notation from the ancient Syrian city of Ugarit.

Music is a bringer of hope and a soother of pain. It commiserates with the downtrodden and lifts the spirits of the hopeless. It's mystical power may never be fully explained or understood.

In a world bombarded by a barrage of external messages fighting for your attention, music is the channel to reconnect with yourself and your place in the universe. It is a personal message sent from beyond that which we can consciously comprehend.

Black Eyed Peas Go Stale

B.E.P. singer Fergie

The popularity of The Black Eyed Peas 2006 smash hit "My Humps" was scary. A narcissistic ode to lead singer Fergies' own "lady lumps" and the reaction they get from pubescent young boys. As if getting horny young males to notice female body parts is a major accomplishment.

Using sexual salaciousness in place of actual talent is an age old formula that is about as challenging as shooting fish in a barrel. Whores of all types have been doing it for ages. They just don't try to pass it off as art.

Way to raise the bar, Black Eyed Peas.

Of course this was a huge hit with your average teenager and top 40 radio and MTV were quick to add it in heavy rotation. After a good run, it finally fizzled out as most pop songs do.

Just when you thought it was safe to listen again here comes "Fergalicious" from Black Eyed Peas singer Fergie's solo album. While not as sexually blatant as "My Humps", it is equally insipid.

The song uses the eighties club hit, "Give It All You Got" as a musical backdrop. Then defiles it with lyrics that sound like they were scribbled by a thirteen year old on the back of their school notebook during a quick recess:

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Fergalicious definition make them boys go loco
They want my treasure so they get their pleasures from my photo
You could see you, you can't squeeze me
I ain't easy, I ain't sleazy
I got reasons why I tease 'em
Boys just come and go like seasons

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A large part of the song is devoted to literally spelling out the words "tasty" and "delicious".

And then there's Fergie's lame attempt at rapping. No matter how hard she tries, ghetto she aint.

Naturally this is another huge hit, no doubt convincing rhyme challenged people everywhere that they too have talent.

Turn off your radio and maybe try again in the Spring...

Talk Of The Town

The Pretenders first two albums have been remastered and re-released through Rhino records. Both are now 2 disc sets with demos, live material and outtakes. Sound quality is excellent even on the live concert stuff.

Pretenders II remastered features live music from their 1981 Santa Monica Civic Show. Check out the spectacular concert version of "Kid"!




Off With The Bow Tie, On With The Jeans

Rod Stewart has finally returned to what he does best- stealing songs already made popular by other rockers and giving them the "Rod" treatment! Stewart's welcome return to rock after making three dismal "vocal standards" albums is long overdue. Frank Sinatra he isn't.

On "Still The Same", Rod covers 70's staples from the likes of Creedence Clearwater Revival, Bread, Van Morrison, Cat Stevens and notably, Badfinger. Stewart's cover of "Day After Day" puts Def Leppard's recent attempt to shame.

If not groundbreaking, the new album is well produced and very listenable. Please support this album, if for no other reason than to keep Rod away from crooning more lounge songs.




New Music Pick Of The Week:

Belt Loops- The Films

Smart, sassy lyrics, plenty of attitude and enough hooks to catch a school of tuna!