Summer Music Musings....

Diddy and Usher after a club shooting in 2008.
Courtesy of Getty Images.

In a previous post, I talked about how California drivers pretty much suck and that California does not help with its own road situation.  With all of this time on the road, I recently thought more about the music I listen to during my commute.  I have listened primarily to the radio on my rides to and from work and found certain anomalies or interesting personal insights about certain songs or artists that I would like to share.

1. Eminem - I am not a fan of Em, mainly because of the content of his lyrics.  However, you cannot deny the amazingly unique cadence of his rhymes.  It is pure magic to listen to him rap.  I just wish he could find more positive things to rap about.
2. P Diddy or Puff Daddy or Diddy - I am not quite sure what Sean Combs is calling himself anymore, but  one thing for sure is the man knows how to make money.  His new single, Hello Good Morning, is my guilty pleasure of the summer.  The beat line is solid and he threw Jodeci into his rap.  I give anyone respect who can throw a somewhat obscure R&B group into their song and have it actually flow and make sense.
3. Ryan Seacrest - Not really about music, but still relevant.  Ryan is on Star 101.3 as I drive home from work.  Come to find out Ryan is actually pretty funny.  I enjoy him the most when he interviews clueless "celebrities" and Ryan pretty much makes fun of them right to their face.  The best part is they are either a) too dumb to realize it or b) too enamored with Seacrest to care.  Props to you Ryan.
4. Usher - I will go on record to say that Usher is this generation's Michael Jackson.  Is he "the" Michael Jackson?  Definitely not.  But for this generation, this is about as close as they are going to get.
5. Whatever happened to rock music? - I admit the three stations I generally listen to are top 40 stations, but rock bands used to be in that mix.  I reject Rob Thomas, Kris Allen, and Adam Lambert as being "rock representatives."  Where is Weezer, Jimmy Eat World, The Fratellis, White Stripes, and so forth.  They are needed more now than ever.  Poor Kings of Leon is trying to hold down the fort all alone.
6. Kris Allen - He needs a new single, STAT.  Live Like Your Dying is legitimately killing me.  If I need to hear it one more time, I may kill myself.  Also it is eighty-six THOUSAND four hundred seconds in a day, not eighty-six four hundred.  86 400 is only 34,400 seconds.  He is not accounting for 60% of the day.
7. Justin Bieber - Initially I thought he was a girl.  He is not.  I also do not have Bieber Fever.  He is entertaining to listen to, but overall is a pawn in the music scene.  Create a permanent wing for him in a rehab clinic sooner rather than later.  Perhaps him and Lohan can have one named after each of them.
8. Ke$ha - What a joke!  I am not quite sure who told her that she had talent, but wow.  She is one delusional young adult.  She is totally a product of being told, "You're special," everyday by her parents.  I hope that this 15 minutes of fame burns out quickly.  A younger Lady GaGa she is not.  I have seen drag queens who do better impressions of Lady GaGa than Ke$ha does.  Please young Ke$ha, realize the error of your ways and go back to school or get a job before it is too late.

Just some thoughts about the Summer music scene...

In other news, J.E.W. releases a new album on 09/28 called Invented.  I encourage everyone I know to grab a copy.

Until next time...

-Justin