Ninjas, Bocephus, and A New Band To Discover: Rihanna and Coldplay, Dead Sara, Hank Williams Jr.

"PRINCESS OF CHINA"    COLDPLAY and RIHANNA

Rihanna describes her look in this video as "gangsta goth geisha".  This blending of styles and my combination of bands in today's blog show that music is universal and mixing genres sparks unlimited creativity.    Chris Martin of Coldplay calls this collaboration with Rihanna as his favorite track on Mylo Xyloto.   When I first saw the pairing, I was curious about how they would blend.   It's a song that will grow on you during repeated listens.  The video is epic.   Ninjas, Chinese imagery, costumes, and the incredible screen presence of Rihanna is visually stunning.

"SORRY FOR IT ALL"    DEAD SARA

Here's a new band I just discovered with such intense vocals that I want to learn more about them.  Emily Anderson is their lead singer and they've recently released their first full CD.   Dead Sara just made their network TV debut on Jimmy Kimmel this week.   Their lead single, "Weatherman" is powerful and striving for airplay but this post-hardcore ballad has me mesmerized.  

"THAT AIN'T GOOD"    HANK WILLIAMS JR.

Bocephus is back!  "Old School, New Rules" is his latest CD due out in the next few weeks.   Like the CD title, this is the classic Hank Williams Jr sound with a little update.   Rockin' guitars, defiant, tongue-in-cheek lyrics of Southern Pride, and Hank's attitude of speaking his genuine, don't give a damn mind(often times politically-incorrect but we love it!).    He also has a duet with Brad Paisley that will likely put him back on the top of the charts as the follow-up single.