Posts Tagged ‘Commercial’

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The Hours – "Ali In The Jungle" (2007)

2010/02/18


I hear music everywhere. The radio (online and AM/FM), out and about in the world, friends, family, my own collection, but also on TV in shows and commercials. The advertising jingle is all but dead in part because quality music is finding its way into commercials. Some may see this as bands "selling out". Maybe. I see it as a way for bands to get to a lot of ears and help catapult their careers, and make some money at the same time. It is business, but it is also a channel for their music. "The xx" for example have their song "Intro" featured in an AT&T commercial with Olympic Speed Skater Anton Ohno, a song that I have previously named a song of the day.

What is nice about the Olympics, and even the commercials during these Winter Olympics, is there is a lot of inspiration to be had. Sure the commercials may be trying to sell you something but they're also motivating and emulating the Olympic spirit of self competition. For most athletes you really get that sense of the competition being just as much, if not more, about surpassing their own limits. Today's song is no exception. It is "Ali In The Jungle" by The Hours, currently featured in a Nike commercial. Along with the awesome visual stitching of athletes competing with themselves, this song plays with the key lyrics:

Everybody gets knocked down,
Everybody gets knocked down,
How quick are you gonna' get up?
How quick are you gonna' get up?

I'm inspired. I've recently hurt my knees. They are stiff. They hurt when I move them. They crack several times a day. They wake me in the night. My leg muscles are totally foobar as a result too. I cannot sit the way I use to either. What drives me more crazy is I don't know what I did to hurt them. I don't know if this is something I'll be able to solve easily, or how long it will take. Is it even solvable? I may never be able to do certain activities ever again. I ran 7 miles just a couple months ago… will I ever be able to run so far again? Will I be able to climb mountains? Will this pain be a new dark companion? Will my slight limp go away? I don't know. But last night I decided it doesn't matter. Yes, I will do what I can to heal my knees, but if they never heal, then I am not going to let it stop me from living. I'll do what I can within my new limits and press those limits. I may not be able to run, but I'm going to be an excellent walker then. Yes I am knocked down, but I am going to get up.


Song Recommendations

If you like this song, I also suggest:

I also suggest the music genre:


Click here for more info on The Hours – Narcissus Road – "Ali In The Jungle".

The MP3 may be purchased here…

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Felicia Day and Jed Whedon – "(Do You Wanna Date My) Avatar" from "The Guild" (2009)

2010/02/01


I feel like something fun today. My nephews and cousins have been raving about this video. They are the sort that play Dungeons & Dragons. I suppose I am almost that sort too with my Axis & Allies. Anyone in touch with their inner geek should be able to relate.

Other than this video I haven't watched "The Guild" at all but I am going to have to check it out now. (I guess the song works then.) It is an online sitcom, which you can find here.


Song Recommendations

If you like this song, I also suggest:

I also suggest the music genre:


Click here for more info on Felicia Day and Jed Whedon – The Guild – "(Do You Wanna Date My) Avatar".

The MP3 may be purchased here…

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Chairlift – "Bruises" (2008)

2009/05/28


I got to see Chairlift a few weeks ago open for The Killers in Cleveland. I was impressed with how each of them played multiple instruments and there was no distinct "lead", though I really think the energy of Caroline Polachek outpaced both Aaron Pfenning and Patrick Wimberly. Also without her voice I don't know if they would be distinctive enough to have made it as far as they have. I liked several of their songs, today's song being their prize jewel. Most of you have probably heard it a gazillion times already on iPod commercials.

G made an interesting observation about the "ooo"-ing of Caroline, which occurs in several songs. G thought she must have grown up listening to a lot of Björk. It does make for a distinctive sound, but hopefully they won't over do it and make it their shtick. I did love the use of the cowbells. "I got a fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell!" (Click for SNL video of Christopher Walken and the cowbell skit.) Given how passionate Caroline seemed, I think we can expect a lot more out of her, Chairlift, and definitely her cowbell.


Click here for more info on Chairlift – Does You Inspire You – "Bruises".

The MP3 may be purchased here…

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Tim Myers (ft. Lindsey Ray) – "Brand New Day" (2008)

2009/04/18


This song is too good. You may know it from several Target commercials. It is so happy in an almost 70s-ish pop + folk kind of way, and so catchy too, it is hard not to love. It actually made me want to see more Target commercials (congratulations to Target for having musical taste). If the commercialized music and advertising industries are going to pump out songs like this, then I say "Please, sir, I want some more."

PS: The song appears to only be available for purchase through iTunes. I hate iTunes so I don't suggest it unless you absolutely need the song because you're a music freak like me. (Boo to songs only being available on iTunes! Boo I say!) You'll just have to come back to this blog post and listen to it every time you want to hear it!

PPS: I really like Lindsey Ray's voice, both in this song, and her one song being sold on Amazon, "Goodbye from California". I just bought that MP3 actually. That "1-Click" buy and download feature is dangerous!


Click here for more info on Tim Myers – "Brand New Day".

Click here for more info on Lindsey Ray.

The MP3 may be purchased (via iTunes) here…