2013 Grammy Nomination: Best Dance Recording for "Let's Go" (feat. Ne-Yo)
I don't know much at all about Calvin Harris aside from having heard his name a whole bunch of times as a featured or guest artist on a lot of popular tracks. But his site has this cool little timeline along the bottom that is an awesome idea when you're trying to portray a musical career. It's especially helpful when you can't readily find the 'about' section of the artist's site.
And we're off! No, seriously, "Green Valley" sounds extraterrestrial, not very valley-like. But I think this is a DJ anyway, so we'll deal with it. There's layering a-happening, just to get you warmed up and ready for what I'm sure is about to hit all at once. Ready, set, go.
"Bounce - Radio Edit" (feat. Kelis) is up next, and it's made for a bouncy house you see at a carnival. I have no idea who the hell Kelis is, but like what makes David Guetta so great to me, there are lyrics and fun vocals. Oh shit, wait, I pressed her name on Spotify - this is the chick that brought us "Milkshake" back in 2003! At least, I think it's the same chick. Looks the same. | |
| Anywhos, that should've got you up and moving. I have a puppy in my lap, so I couldn't, but in my head I'm moving like crazy. "Feel So Close - Radio Edit" does not feature anyone else doing vocals, so cheers Calvin, you do more than I thought! This is a pretty simple one lyrically and certainly gets people grooving on the dance floor when it hits. It's not too intense to give you a headache in the club, and actually has a nice groove to it that makes you do a little more than just jump around. |
Want to feel like you're in a video game? Because that's what I'm getting from "We'll Be Coming Back" (feat. Example). It's just that computerized bounce sound that can be a hit in the club and a total miss at home sitting and listening. Plus, the line you're getting hit over the head with is "We'll be coming back for you one day." I mean, not exactly something that's going to sit pretty in my head at least. I feel like we could do better for sure.
"Mansion" is one of what seems to be a handful of short songs basically used to show off his ability to layer beats and sounds to create something that'll at least get your shoulders moving. Or toes tapping? Come on, no one else out there dances with their shoulders, even a little?
Next one on tap is "Iron" (feat. Nicky Romero). Lots of lovely synth going on here, and computerized scratch beyond belief. It'll get your heart racing for sure. It's almost Daft Punk reminiscent, though I'm a purest and am partial to the original. The amping up every minute or so also sort of messes with my heart. It throws you upward with no wonderful relief. Then the lyrics come in, ever so simply over a piano. Oh but then they all crash together. Actually, on the whole, a pretty decent track.
"I Need Your Love" includes Ellie Goulding. There's something about chick's voice that I adore. She has an easy sound about there that doesn't necessarily require singing, but she lets you be a part of the experience. I know Calvin is still bopping about with these blips and boops throughout, but I can get over that with a good vocal track on top. | |
| I could maybe see the appeal of "Drinking From the Bottle" (feat. Tinie Tempah). I mean, maybe. It's a little too loud and in-your-face for my particular taste, but in the right setting with the right amount of alcohol pumped in, I could see the appeal. |
"Sweet Nothing" (feat. Florence Welch) (yes, THAT Florence, god how many do you know?) is up next, and is also a single from the album. I think I've flipped passed it a few times on the radio dial. Dance music is just really hard to get into while driving to rehearsals, you know? But the crossover of Florence into this realm adds something extra to the song. Her ghost-like vocals create a trance-like sound to an otherwise upbeat dance song. It's unique, that's for sure. | |
I'm coming back to this first thing in the morning, and starting with "Here 2 China" (feat. Dillon Francis and Dizzee Rascal). I don't think we've gotten a real rap song yet, but this one fills that quota. The chorus is basically a sung amp-up you get in a lot of electronic music. The words are a little, well, hard to understand. Beat-wise, it works all right, though I'm actually thankful for the words on top because I think that music alone would have really grated on my last nerves on its own.
"Let's Go" (feat. Ne-Yo) sounds familiar. Either this is a single that I've flipped passed on the airwaves, or I've heard it in a commercial. It's a party song for sure, I mean, listen to how high that beat gets - little doubt on genre this time around. There's a cool 1-2-3-4 beat going on that I like the feel of a lot, surprisingly. It's even got me moving a little in my seat. Though I'd prefer to hear it in a club, this is for sure a good contender on the album.
If you didn't at least giggle a little when you saw the title "Awooga," there's something inhuman about thou. Say it out loud, I dare you. Ha. Anywhos, the song's got an infectious little jumping bean beat that isn't half bad. I'm watching "Twilight" right now (there's nothing on TV on Saturdays dudes) and it's completely changing the nature of this black-and-blue film. Kind of hilarious if your me.
"Thinking About You" (feat. Ayah Marar) is the final track. Pretty normal dance beats to go in, and the lyrics make it a generally good mood for an ending track. The song's just a theme of falling in love and being a better person because of it overall. I like it generally. It doesn't stick with me terribly, but for a quick listen, it's pretty good. Nice little toe tapper to finish out a good beat album.
Added to My Playlist:
- "We Found Love" (feat. Rihanna)
- "Iron" (feat. Nicky Romero)
- "I Need Your Love" (feat. Ellie Goudling)
- "Sweet Nothing" (Florence Welch)
- "School"
Ah dance albums, always a weird anomaly of music collections that I never know if I love or despise. There's always highs and lows, but if you ask me how I feel about a collection like this, I'm liable to lump it in to the genre as another album, nothing that stands out in particular. However, he has managed to pull some great hits out of here, and the beats don't suck. So bring on the club party and pump up this album!