susan susan: 7 things (miley cyrus cover).

dl: SUSAN SUSAN - 7 Things (Miley Cyrus cover) (Z - YSI)
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Since I don't have a TV in my apartment, I occasionally like to indulge in watching some awful reality television with my parents when I'm visiting in the Jerz. This guilty pleasure reached an extreme low when I got hooked on Here Come The Newlyweds, yet it mostly results in watching a few episodes of American Idol or So You Think You Can Dance? every now and then. While Idol is essentially nothing more than a glorified karaoke contest, I enjoy watching it and debating with my father over the cultural relevance of Carrie Underwood and Fantasia Barrino. However, I was not enjoying Idol when this happened...

"Wow. That's pretty awesome. That song could be on a movie soundtrack right now. It really could. And who knows? Maybe it just will."---Paula Abdul commenting on David Cook's cover of Mariah Carey's "Always Be My Baby"

This is the performance she was commenting on. BLECK! But while we're on the subject of cover songs that could appear on movie soundtracks, let's talk about Denver duo Susan Susan's cover of Miley Cyrus tune "7 Things". Oh sure, it's not like this cover could pop up in an episode of Grey's Anatomy, but I have a very clear image of an imaginary (kind of lame) indie movie with Jena Malone in it. She plays an emotionally unstable teenager, and in this particular scene she is riding a red bicycle down a country road after a particularly embarrassing encounter with her love interest. The song stops when her bike crashes, and as she's lying on the ground she experiences some sort of epiphany on the depth of life. Then she cries and shit.

You see, I had a total crush on The Mae Shi's cover of the awesomely self-referential Cyrus jam "See You Again", but it seemed too self-aware that it's an ironic indie cover. I can't quite tell how sincere dear ol' Billy and Lindsay's "7 Things" cover is, but as trite and Paula Abdul as this sounds---they really make the song their own without throwing away too many aspects of the original, right down to the introductory "Sha"s. They manage to take a bratty tween love anthem and turn it into something quirky but not quirky-annoying. And just when you thought it couldn't get any better, they bring out a brief vocal mash-up with Carly Simon's "You're So Vain", likely referencing Nick Jonas. Maybe I'm just being Miley. Or maybe this is awesome.

The cover was created for the Denver Show & Tell Project, in which a pool of Denver "bands/musicians/noise makers/friends" come together to make songs within certain guidelines. I believe July's theme must have been to cover a top 10 pop song, as you can listen on the page to Denver locals' reinterpretations of Rihanna, Katy Perry, Coldplay, Natasha Bedingfield, Leona Lewis, and Usher. This months theme is "collaboration song", and Susan Susan appears to be on board to contribute once again. Apparently they're sort of obligated to contribute because they created it. But as they say "not obligated in a bad way, because it's fun". If you're in Denver and happen to make sounds with your mouth or instruments, you should experience such fun!

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- SPACE IT -

fantasia: broke.

FANTASIA's lack of popularity among hipsters baffles me.

Did I just say that? Yes. I did. Am I suggesting that hipsters should embrace a winner of American Idol, a show which by nature turns out cookie-cutter pop stars? Yes, I mean, they were all over Kelly Clarkson's vagina when she released "Since U Been Gone". So what's wrong with Fantasia? Is it because she's black? Do hipsters hate black people?

No.* I've been to many a basement party in which skinny white kids pump their fists and flail their bodies around to Amerie's "One Thing", Beyonce's "Crazy in Love", and Kanye West's "Gold Digger". I think this is evidence that hipsters totally love black people. But why not Fantasia? Is it because she was illiterate? What if you found out that Amerie was illiterate? Would you take her off your pod? Also, what does reading have to do with singing? What's love got to do with it? These are the questions that have been plaguing me through many a sleepless night.

When I ask these questions, I'm completely dismissing Fantasia's 2004 album Free Yourself as a point of attraction for hipsters. There's an ounce of hope that some could appreciate "Baby Mama" for ironic purposes, but this album includes a bit too many sentimental ballads and the upbeat numbers rate zero for hipster-appeal.

But seriously. How have all the people who posted Amerie's "Gotta Work" or "Take Control" completely ignored the fist-pumping, critically-adored, soulful tunes "Uneligible" and "Bore Me (Yawn)"? I suppose most of them ignored the leak of Fantasia, expecting that it wouldn't suit their palates. They were wrong...well, at least about these two songs. If any of you are reading this, get to the nearest iTunes store and download those jams. Even if you don't like them, can you at least admit that they make you respect Fantasia a bit more?

I guess this entire entry stemmed from my love for an unreleased Fantasia song by the name of "Broke". I was listening to it at work one day, noting the similarities to "Gotta Work". Inspirational message? Check. Driving soul vibe? Check. Powerful vocals? Check. Plus, she sounds so cute when she's like, "My headphones ain't workin'!"

Hipsters may not hate black people, but they certainly don't care about them. Otherwise, they'd give Fantasia a second listen and realize what they're missing out on.

dl: FANTASIA - Broke (YSI)
(R&B soul jam)
- buy it - site it - space it - wik it - hype it -

* Well, at least not all of them. I bet you are a hipster. You hate black people, don't you?

fantasia: free yourself (live)

download: FANTASIA- Free Yourself (live) (YSI)
(Third season American Idol winner)
- buy it - site it - space it - wik it -

I was inspired by Different Kitchen to post this. I don't think I have ever confessed my love for Fantasia on this blog. I'm not ashamed of it, so I'm going to tell you that Fantasia is the shit and so is her new album. The New York Times even said that her song "Bore Me (Yawn)" is the shit. Because it is. "Baby Makin' Hips" is my jam, and I've been trying to convince my friends that it's genius but they're not hearing it. I think she may just be too fresh for you. I'm sorry that you just can't understand this freshness.

If there is anyone who DOES understand her freshness, cop this acappella and make me a remix. I will post it IN A HEARTBEAT.