Key West Road Trip Soundtrack: Simple Plan, Andrew W.K., Nickelback, Dick Dale

Today's theme is Rockin' Party Tunes.  Here's a soundtrack for cruising down the coast, summertime is here!   Summer vacation starts Friday at 2PM!!

"SUMMER PARADISE"    SIMPLE PLAN with Sean Paul

This video was first released in Australia and featured K'naan.   When it finally came to the U.S., we get a new version, a collaboration with reggae artist, Sean Paul.  Nothing but a beach party jam!  Their style here reminds you of Bruno Mars/Jason Mraz, laid-back Caribbean flow.  Released on their Get Your Heart On!  CD, the band went poppy and lost some hardcore fans, but you've got to love the beach vibe here.

"PARTY HARD"    ANDREW W.K.

Andrew W.K. is an enigma, mega-talented musician who can play multiple intruments, including an accomplished classical piano player, but Andrew chose to primarily record frat party anthems.  He's an ultra-intelligent motivational speaker but he's better known for his crazy antics on MTV.   "Party Hard" has been used for many internet clips and I can't hear it without thinking about hearing it over and over as the intro to the Madden 2003 video game.

"THIS AFTERNOON"   NICKELBACK

Speaking of crazy parties, Nickelback's video for "This Afternoon" is epic.  To impress his boys, a nerdy guy kidnaps Nickelback to perform at their frat party.   The guys go "you got Nickelback??.... alright, fine they'll do".   Gotta love a band that can make fun of themselves.    Hot bodies, beer kegs, and rock n' roll, what's not to like?    This was the 8th single released on their "Dark Horse" CD, 8 singles on one CD??   Wow!

"NITRO"   DICK DALE 

Dick Dale For President, a famous surfer T-shirt.   He's the King of Surf Guitar, legendary for his lightning quick strumming, Dick Dale  was a surfer who wanted to make his guitar sound like the waves he loved to ride.   He essentially invented garage surf rock.  "Miserlou" was used in Pulp Fiction, "Pipeline" was recorded with Stevie Ray Vaughn, I chose Nitro for the party video!    I also included a Ford commercial where a cop is seen chasing a vintage Mustang and then halfway, the cars slam to a stop.  A second cop gets out of the Mustang and they say, "ok, now it's your turn to chase me" and they switch cars :)

Return of Keith Sweat and LSG!: Adrenaline Mob With Lizzy Hale of Halestorm, My Darkest Days

"COME UNDONE"  ADRENALINE MOB Ft. LIZZY HALE

Unexpected new cover by a new band, Adrenaline Mob, with help from Halestorm's amazing lead singer.   "Come Undone" was the last hit for Duran Duran during their heyday before their 2010 comeback.   Adrenaline Mob is a new Supergroup made up of members of Dream Theatre, Fozzy, and Static X.

"PERFECT"    MY DARKEST DAYS

"How dare she be this perfect" ;)   This CD should be a big seller, it's loaded with 3 or 4 potential singles.  My Darkest Days is a Chad Kroeger (Nickelback) project so you know it's a band built for rock radio.  "Perfect" sounds like a hit.   The first single "Casual Sex" isn't as memorable.

"KNEW IT ALL ALONG"  KEITH SWEAT, GERALD LEVERT, and JOHNNY GILL

Oh yeah, the return of LSG!!   Levert, Sweat, and Gill released their first CD in 1997 with the big hits "My Body" and "Curious" with LL Cool J.   They're back with a new single that features all three at the top of their game.   Classic R&B like this is missing from the charts today, old school jam with HEART, SOUL, and great PASSION!

 

Just A Kiss In Paris: Lady Antebellum, Nickelback, Bridget Kelly

"JUST A KISS"                  LADY ANTEBELLUM

Last Thanksgiving, I got to fulfill a lifelong dream to visit Paris.   It was an amazing adventure seeing the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, riding the Subway, and walking down the Champs Elysees after seeing the Arc de Triomphe.     This video captures a young couple falling in love on vacation in London and Paris.    It brings back so many great memories!   Thank you Barrie for such a great moment in my life.

"TRYING NOT TO LOVE YOU"            NICKELBACK

A future #1 hit for Nickelback.    This is so radio-ready with a great chorus, "trying not to love you only went so far!".   People criticize Nickelback for being predictable, looking for hits over writing deep material.    While this criticism has merit, music should provide an escape and Nickelback has many songs that you can't help but sing along, smiling, and rocking out!

"STRANGER TO LOVE"                   BRIDGET KELLY

Originally written and performed by Sonyae Elise, winner of the reality TV Show, Platinum Hit.    Sonyae is an amazing writer and performer.   Bridget Kelly is probably best known for filling in for Alicia Keys on live performances with Jay-Z of Empire State Of Mind.    The lyrics on "Stranger To Love" are amazing, here's a sample:


Was suffocating, and then you gave me life
And now I crave for, for only you inside
Can't put my thumb on exactly how I feel
It's unfamiliar, but pleasantly surreal


Chorus:
Keep putting smiles on my face, I'm constantly amazed by what you do
And I can't keep up with my heart, It's beating me into someone brand new
I love how you just know how bad I need to take this slow
Like I'm a Stranger to Love


Pushed all my strength and managed to kiss me weak
You woke up the woman, and put the girl to sleep