MMB

As an Israeli teenager I was, like everybody else, very much involved with everything about the Israeli singing contest “Kohav Nolad” (A star is born) which is very similar to what we all know as American Idol, The Voice etc.

In Season 5 there was a new contestant - A young girl, About 20 years old, not so pretty or thin... but she was different. She sang known Israeli rock and pop classics but took it to a new level of Jazz and folk versions.

I did not like her. She was too different. Too extravagant. Too much for me, Though there was something about her I could not argue with – her extremely unique and rare voice. But I just didn't like what she did with it.

Although she did not win the contest, the production really adored her and a major Israeli record company signed her. She began working on original songs in Hebrew.

I’m talking about Marina Maximillian Blumin. An extremely talented young woman. As a child of a classic pianist, she learned to play the piano at a very young age, preformed as a theater actress as a teen and wrote the music for an Israeli musical production by the age of 22.

Marina Maximillian Blumin a.k.a MMB, is well known for her dramatic romantic affairs, including a divorce at the age of 25, and numerous famous boyfriends.

Lately, she lost a lot of weight and released a brand new album entirely in English.

Now, I take everything back. Today, after 6 years of work, and due to this great new album called “Step into My World”, I can’t say I don’t like her. I have to admit I’m enchanted.

This new and improved MMB is a stunning beauty, with a divine voice and a brand new and marvelous album.

Her deep, unique and rare voice, combined with a very strict and accurate musical processing by Ofer Hameiri makes this album a true success.

I don’t have anything against Israeli musical production but I do have to admit we’re talking about production made in small scales. I really hope someone out there will notice this local beauty and will make her international.

With this kind of talent, stage presence and charisma, there’s only one way Marina Maximillian Blumin can go – and it’s up!

So dear MMB, you’re defiantly my most appreciated Israeli artist at the moment. And to all of you, outside Israel, take a few moments to stare at this girl while listening to that absolutely wonderful voice.

Images Sources: vk.com, YouTube.com

The Worst Name Ever

This band, by far, has the worst name ever!!! Really. It’s horrible. I know, I know... It’s like bold and fierce and scared of no one... Yeah… it’s bad.

Anyway, I’m talking about Starfucker. Also known as STRFKR which just a bit better. If you’re going to never say their name, that is. Totally useful.

Besides the bad name, they actually play really good music.

I bumped into them totally by chance. I was bored and was looking for something to do. One website wanted me to listen to some Synthpop music, and Starfucker were there. They were the most popular band in that site. More than a thousand people liked them, and for a very good reason.

I wouldn’t call them Synthpop, to be honest. It’s not entirely pop and it’s also not just Synth. The band members defined themselves as “dance music that you can actually listen to, that's good pop songs, but also you can dance to it”.

The band includes Joshua Hodges aka Sexton Blake (vocals, keyboard, drums, guitar), Shawn Galssford (bass, keyboard, drums) Keil Corcoran (drums, keyboard, vocals) and Patrick Morris (guitar, keyboard, vocals). Its’ seems like they all play every instrument there is… well, that’s very cool.

This music is something in between electronic indie and soft synthpop. The video clips are really diversified, interesting and beautiful and they bring a very clean, well ordered and fine angel of the band.

Starfucker covered Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” song. The cover became very successful and was used for a Juicy Couture ad in 2010. In the video clip you can see the band members dress up in ladies clothes, which apparently became a theme for them. Starfucker members known to preform wearing women clothes on stage.

So, Starfucker are really great. With a unique sound, which you can defiantly dance to, and four albums to listen to, I think I’ll forgive them for the worst name in music history.

Image sources: manchestersenewipe.co.uk, bandaidrecordes.com

Thirteen

Everyone begins somewhere. I begin here.

We all have those few albums that made us who we are, those albums that were there throughout our first years in music. Our first steps of our music identity. Those are mine.

Red Hot Chili Peppers – Blood Sugar Sex Magic
This classic was released in 1991. I was 6 years old at the time, so it was a bit difficult for me to know that I liked it, but it was there all along and all around me. About the time when I was 12, this album became one of my favorites. Luckily enough for me, these songs were such classics they remained a consensus in the musical mainstream. It’s still true for our days, even if it’s been over 20 years by now. My most favorite songs of that album are “Sir Psycho” “Give It Away” and “Breaking the Girl”.

Red Hot Chili Peppers were everything I needed back then, they were explicit in just the right amount, they were the coolest guys around and they played wicked rock music. I’m almost 30 by now and I still listen to this brilliant album almost every day.

Metallica – S&M
When a 6 year old tells you Metallica is her favorite band, you know something is up with her. So, something was definitely up with me.
Metallica was one of the first bands I ever knew and I loved it! Back in those days songs like “Nothing else Matters”, “One” and “Sad but True” were the top hits on Billboard and metal was just another legit music genre.

In 1999, I was a bit older and Metallica was well established in my playlist. That’s when S&M was released. A genius music collaboration between my favorite band and The San Francisco Philharmonic Orchestra. The result was mind blowing. Until this very day, this is one of my most favorite albums of all time, but back then, as a young teenager, those sounds made me shiver.

Radiohead – OK Computer
The year was 1997. I was 13 and heavily addicted to MTV. Yes, once upon a time there was no internet and we actually had to watch television and listen to radios to listen to music. Funny, right?

Anyway, I was watching MTV and a new video clip was on, something with a guy in a burning car.. Yes, that was Karma Police by Radiohead! I was 13 so I didn't get the magnitude of what I’m looking at back then, but I decided that I didn't like it.
It took a few months for the understanding to sink in, and once it did I totally understood I’m a witness to the formation of a musical classic.

Since then, Ok Computer is my safe album. When I’m sad it means it’s time for Ok Computer. It’s also true for when I’m mad, hungry, happy, lonely, need space, exited, tired, bored… well, always, basically.

No Doubt – Tragic Kingdom
Remember the song “Don’t Speak” by No Doubt? I do too. In 1996, I was 12 and this was my most favorite song in the whole world! I listen to it once or twice, and spent my entire dog walking job salary on the album “Tragic Kingdom”. Nobody knew who they were back then, except for me. I listened to that album 20 hours a day, and thought Gwen Stephany is the most beautiful woman in the world. Yep!
But seriously now, that is a very good album. It really is. I still like to go back to that music, that funky fun rock of No Doubt from the 90’s.
Unfortunately, I don’t really like the later material of No Doubt, could be due to the fact that they changed or that I grew up and away from that style of music. Either way, songs like “just a girl”, “Spiderweb” and “End It on This” are still my personal favorites and I still enjoy them from time to time.

Alanis Morissette – Jagged Little Pill
Still 13 years old, and its still 1996. And I’m an angry young teenager. I’m standing in a record store (yeah, we had those too back in the days) and I’m holding two CDs. I can’t decide whether to get the new Tony Braxton CD or maybe go for this new girl -  Alanis Morissette. Sounds really stupid, but I seriously treat that decision as a life changing moment. You know how it ended. I went with Alanis.

I just want to emphasize this- this was by far, the best decision I've ever made!

Jagged Little Pill means so much to me, Alanis morissette means so much to me, until this very day, For about 17 years now. Those years were extremely hard for me, not only because I was 13, but for so many serious reasons. Jagged Little Pill was there for me. I could be angry with “Unforgiven”, go crazy with “You Oughta Know” and dream of a happy end with “Head over feet”.

All the albums in this list made me who I am, But Jagged Little Pill still makes me who I am today. I just adore Alanis Morissette, and this album in particular. Jagged little Pill is a piece of me. And to me, it tells my story.

After going through all those albums it seems like most of them are form when I was 13. I guess this is when music happened to me. It all started there.

Dear MS MR

Last week, I wrote about Haim as one of the new icons in the indie scene, but I it seems I can’t get enough of new musical breakthroughs... So today, I want to talk about the amazing MS MR.

When talking about Haim, I mentioned how successful they are but just how not sure I am about liking their sound. This time around I’m writing about a band in which I’m totally in love with.

In the past two – three years more electro-indie bands started to show up. The first band I bumped into were The XX almost four years ago. Now MS MR are here, and they are putting a pretty good fight when it comes to this kind of intriguing sound.

MS MR- which is meant to be pronounced as “Miz Mister” are an American based duo consisted with Lizzy Plapinger and Max Hershenow. Both were graduated from Vassar College in 2010. Lizzy Plapinger is also the co-founder of the New York City/London based independent record label Neon Gold records, and is well known in the indie music world.

Their debut album “Secondhand Rapture” was released in May 2013 including the songs “Fantasy”, “Hurricane”, “Dark Doo Wop” and “Ash Tree Lane”.

When listening to MS MR, the first thing that came to my mind was that their sound is extremely similar to “Florence and the machine” and Lana Del Ray which by now, you all know I very much like.
In general, this kind of sound is something I really love and would want to see much more of. It’s a very intelligent way to play music, something to wrap your mind in, to put you in a good creative mood. The sound is a mix of clever electronical layers, smart beats and wicked lyrics served with a beautiful female mellowed voice. Just what I’m looking for in music in general.

And the best thing is – their video clips. Take for example “Fantasy” video clip. By far, one of the best video clips I've watched this year! Amazing shots, great ideas and an extremely strong massage. Don’t miss out on this experience!

Bottom line, I’m fell head over hills with MS MR. I think the songs “Twenty Seven”, “Fantasy” and “hurricane” are insanely good!

Do yourself a huge favor, stop whatever it is you’re doing, including reading this article, and go listen to those guys. It’ll be, by far, the best new thing for the beginning of your 2014.