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Pop Rock Nation

Author: Jason Matos

  • Still Got That “Somethin’”: Nikka Costa

    A few weeks ago I found myself sitting at a crowded bar, arms resting on the well worn bar, drink in hand getting lost in the music (as usual).  I’m one of those guys that taps along to the beat or nods his head to whatever is playing–whether I know the song or not.  I’d had a rough day at work and needed to escape my reality for a bit with music.  As the songs cross-faded I’d heard something I’d often only heard play in my headphones from my iPod–but never out loud at a bar before.  Immediately my face turned from a somber, “I just had the longest day of work ever” to a “Am I really hearing this?” face.  I can’t keep the smile down as I find myself nodding along and mouthing the words to Nikka Costa’s “Everybody Got Their Something” from the album of the same name.  After listening to her sing for a bit I found myself singing along with Nikka on the chorus and look around to see if it’s quite possible that anyone else is feeling it like I am–and one person is:  the DJ. 
    My love for Nikka Costa dates back to when “Like A Feather” appeared in a Tommy Hilfiger commercial.  I couldn’t escape the commercial and I desperately searched to find out who was singing and where I could get this song–I had to have it…and I wanted more.  I should give her some credit for my interest in soul (that has truly expanded since Costa’s 2001 debut). For me, there was nothing wrong with her debut–“Everybody Got Their Something”.  I wouldn’t say perfect, but a damn good introduction to this girl who was such a fusion of funk, soul, blues, rock…and so much more.  It was all over the place–funky jams and slow jams–but it made you think, “Who is this girl and where’d she come from?”
    Four years later after some delay, “can’tneverdidnothin’” landed in stores.  I was happy to know she hadn’t disappeared into oblivion, though it’s hard to live up to a great debut–although here in the U.S. she had never really receieved the love and praise she’d deserved.  Album opener “Til I Get To You” was a nice romp through the alphabet, though I was more partial to the ballads “Fooled Ya Baby” and “I Gotta Know”.  Overall, the album was ok and satisfied my need for some more Nikka Costa.  The following year she popped up on “Mean Sleep” a duet with R&B singer Van Hunt.  
    Finally this year after a three year absence she re-emerged this year signed to classic soul record label, Stax.  Maybe she picked the right time to put this album out–as the “old soul” sound has become insanely popular in the last few years.  This album “feels” old to me–definitely worthy of the Stax imprint on the record.  “Stuck To You” the album opener had been floating around a bit online for quite a while and gave me the impression that the album would have that classic sound.  Maybe I’m just a sappy guy, but for me the most impressive tracks are the slow jams, “Without Love” and “Loving You”–which is not a Minnie Ripperton cover.  I find myself in a smoky jazz club when listening to “Loving You”.  Crowd snapping, nodding along, shouthing, “Uh-huh” and “Yeah” to agree with Costa while she sings.
    Will she ever recieve the priase she deserves?  In my opinion, probably not–though it happens. She’ll always kind of be a “best kept secret” I share with friends on mixes and playlists.  She’ll always be out of this world–but in a good way.
    As “Everybody Got Their Something” began to crossfade into the next song I got up from my seat and finished my drink.  I walked over to the DJ, put my hand on his shoulder and said, “Thanks…that was just what I needed…some soul to take me back and end this day on a good note.”

  • There’s Something About Melody Gardot

    It was a magical moment.  I was urged to “..give this CD a chance…it’s pretty good…”.  I put it in the CD player and had that funny feeling in my stomach. Upon closing my eyes I felt transported to a jazz club–granted I’ve never been to one–and felt the room had gotten dark and smokey.  All of a sudden I hear the sultry vocals of Melody Gardot and I was in love.  As I made my way through the ten tracks on her first full length album, “Worrisome Heart” I couldn’t move. I wanted to take it all in without any interruptions.  I’d never experienced 30 minutes pass by so effortlessly as I nodded along, tapped my foot and hummed along to songs I’d never heard before.  
    The journey to get to WORRISOME HEART is quite a story.  People (myself included) often find it hard to believe that this woman was once disabled after being struck by a jeep while riding her bike.  Gardot was only 19 at the time and spent months in bed unable to do much.  You could say one of the attending physicians is to thank for Melody’s career in music.  This doctor believed music would help her brain injury improve as in the past music had been known to produce great results in improving one’s cognitive skills and ability after a great trauma like Melody’s.
    She followed his advice, and this led to her first EP, “SOME LESSONS – THE BEDROOM SESSIONS” that were recorded while she still couldn’t walk.  One thing led to another and the EP started to receive some play on local Philadelphia station WXPN (where Norah Jones had received some early airplay).  People were talking–about how great the music was, but also about what had happened to her and how amazing it was that this record came from a woman who was practically bed ridden.
    Hearing the record is one thing–a mix of jazz and pop with some bits of folk and blues as well, it can’t really be pigeonholed into one thing.  I like to think it’s a great anytime record–put it on if you’re having a cocktail party, if you’re having a cup of coffee and reading the Sunday paper, when you’re happy, when you’re suffering from heartbreak…doesn’t matter.  If you’re fortunate enough to have a chance to see her live, I’d take advantage of it.  Earlier this year I had a chance to see her, in an intimate setting (the best way in my opinion…I’m not sure she’d translate as well in a huge venue like Madison Square Garden…) being mere feet away from the stage.  It was one of those nights where I was sitting in my seat and kind of misty eyed the entire show.
    So this album isn’t exactly new (it came out in March), BUT it has a place in my favorite albums of 2008.  I just feel bad for not sharing her with you earlier.  I’ve played this record countless times and friends have asked if I was listening to Norah Jones or Fiona Apple–while I can say I hear bits and pieces of these women in Melody, she has a sound like no one else. There seems to not be one type of person that likes this record—it truly is a record for everyone I’d like to think.  Maybe it’s that last minute holiday present for a friend–or a last minute treat for yourself.  Trust me on this one–it’s worth every penny of your money and every second of your time to listen (over and over again.)

  • The Best You’ve Never Heard..or Have You? Shiver by Coldplay

    The Best You’ve Never Heard..or Have You? Shiver by Coldplay

    I love Coldplay.  When I say I love them I genuinely mean I LOVE them.  Now maybe I’m not crazed enough to know Coldplay Shiver Covereveryone in the band’s birthday and favorite food and color, but there’s something about this band that can make me happier on a happy day and mellow me out and make me stop for a second on a bad day.  I met Chris Martin once and shook his hand–I kept my cool but was almost sure I was going to have a heart attack.
    They have quite a catalog of songs now as they’ve released four studio albums, and sure many of their singles have a special place in my heart that remind me of people and places.  There’s one song in particular that I always come back to and wish I could’ve convinced the folks at their record label that they should’ve worked a bit more aggressively here in the US (and well..in the UK too as it’s peak chart position across the pond was 35).
    SHIVER is a logical next step right after the quick DON’T PANIC on the bands debut, PARACHUTES.  DON’T PANIC gives you a little taste of what’s to come on this album, and is quick enough to set the tone then lead in to one of the gems in their catalog.  It rocks, but not too hard.  What bums me out the most is it’ll probably take a miracle for me to EVER hear this song performed live.  While I (obviously) can’t confirm this, I’ve heard countless times the song was written for/about Natalie Imbruglia and well why would Gwenyth want to hear her husband perform a song about another woman?  Speaking of Imbruglia, she released a song called SHIVER in 2005 from her album COUNTING DOWN THE DAYS (which wasn’t release here in the US, but was actually a good album–more about that some other time), and I immediately thought there could be a connection—nope, I was wrong…unless I’m really right?
    For the longest time I wanted to believe that SHIVER was “my” song.  Meaning people must pass it by and not think of it as a favorite or even being a “quality” track in the Coldplay song catalog.  Sure it didn’t do a ton here in the US and I’d wager most people might not know what I was talking about if I struck up a conversation with someone who wasn’t a big fan.  Fortunately for me, a few years back I got a feeling that the song might be bit more well known than I’d thought.
    (INSERT DRAMATIC FLASHBACK MUSIC)
    It was a cold, rainy, wet night.  A buddy and I were out and about running around the city.  We stopped to see a friend and asked him if he’d get a drink with us to catch up.  After waiting around he declined, so we set out in search of a drink, but having no clue where we’d stop.  We vowed to walk until we found a bar to have that one drink or if not, when we came across a subway station we’d go home.  As we continued to walk it started to drizzle and we got wet, as did our brown paper bag we were carrying with some CD’s we’d picked up earlier from an industry friend.
    Maybe about 30 minutes later we found ourselves up near Times Square (don’t ask me where we started…I have no clue) and the Port Authority Bus Terminal.  Exhausted, I remember seeing a number of neon glowing BAR signs.  Finally we ducked into a place–that felt a bit more upscale then your regular NYC dive bar where some young guys would grab a beer.  Somewhat defeated we sat up at the bar, set our bag down and removed our damp coats and jackets.  We both ordered a beer and shortly after the magic moment happened.
    The previous song had faded out on the jukebox and what I heard next amazed me.  I heard the opening notes of SHIVER and lit up.  I was so excited and couldn’t believe I was hearing this song at a bar.  It was that moment that I started to sing along with Chris Martin at a low volume level, not wanting to be that weirdo in the bar.  But I heard more voices gradually and then in that “TV sitcom moment” it appeared that EVERYONE in the bar was singing along and singing loudly as Chris and the band backed us up.  Everyone was singing–everyone except my buddy.
    (FADE BACK TO PRESENT DAY)
    Anytime I go to a bar now and see Coldplay on a jukebox it makes me immediately like the bar.  Of course it’s usually their later albums, and that’s fine.  It’s nice to get a little Coldplay action while I have a drink at the end of a bad day or to celebrate a triumph.  While their might not be a “happy ending” who doesn’t enjoy a good tale of, “Hey…I like you, but I’m not sure you know I even exist…”  I’d be too nervous to ever ask Chris Martin about the song if I ever did meet him, but I’ll admit I’d love to hear the TRUE story right from the source.