Because I couldn’t think of a clear cut favorite for this week’s 5ive, I’m gonna be a lame-o and give it to a general concept: The Family Group. When you’re in a group or a band, the natural order of things dictates that eventually you’re gonna spread your wings and fly solo-at least temporarily. Once ego comes into play, that need to fly alone increases, especially in cases where more than one band member feels as though they are most […]
Posts tagged "The 5ive at 5"
The 5ive at 5: They Went Solo Too (#2)
Michael McDonald joined the Doobie Brothers in 1975 and almost immediately turned the band from a Southern rock-influenced group of neo-hippies into a smooth pop/soul powerhouse. By the time McDonald left the band six years later, they were the Grammy-winning alpha males of pop/rock. McD picked up right where the band left off, scoring a Top 10 pop and soul single in late 1982/early 1983 with the classic “I Keep Forgettin’”. As you can see from the video (or you […]
The 5ive at 5: They Went Solo Too (#4)
Almost a decade, and I’m *still* not sure why Dave Matthews decided to make a solo album. After all, his band bears HIS name, he’s the obvious frontman, and he does the overwhelming majority of the songwriting (or at least the lyrics) for the band. Particularly in light of 2001’s “Everyday”, an album that minimized the contributions of Stefan, Carter, Boyd and LeRoi (R.I.P.), the decision to record “Some Devil” struck me as kind of curious. Regardless, “Some Devil” was […]
The 5ive at 5: Reasons Not to Hate will.i.am (#2)
I’ve never been that big a fan of will.i.am to begin with, so he never really has to do a lot to impress me. When it comes to Nas, though, it’s a much different story. The gifted rhymer had been jumping in and out of my good graces for almost a decade and a half by the time “Hip-Hop is Dead” came out in 2006. His prior album, “Street’s Disciple”, still stands as one of the albums I’ve been most […]
The 5ive at Five: Reasons Not to Hate will.i.am (#3)
Remember when the Black Eyed Peas were actually good? Granted, the group’s first two (pre-Fergie) albums didn’t set the Billboard charts on fire, but they were both pleasant in that 2nd-era Native Tongues kinda way. They were hanging in that Dilated Peoples/Jurassic 5 lane, I guess. “Joints & Jam” was the first BEP single that made any noise, and it manages to host a catchy hook and supplement the hook with some head-nodding appeal. Hell, even “Elephunk” got started with […]
The 5ive at 5: Five Reasons Not to Hate will.i.am (#5)
I hate will.i.am. Don’t get it twisted. The founder and leader of the Black Eyed Peas is the textbook definition of a sellout. He found his sweet spot creating dumbed-down pop-oriented tunes, creating dark spots on the careers of artists like Kelis and Usher (seriously? How did “OMG” end up being a #1 single?). Wait a second, though. The most frustrating thing about will’s musical exploits is that there are times when he proves that he’s quite talented. There have […]
The 5ive at 5: Women Who Make Me Wish I Was Straight (A Little) (#3)
Sofia Vergara is…in a word, perfecto. Easy to look at, intelligent, sexy AND self-assured, able to poke fun at herself, and just a teensy-weensy bit crazy? Love it. Plus, she has the jugs of life. If I was hetero, I’d definitely be a breast man. She could feed a family of 12 on those bad boys. While each individual member of the “Modern Family” cast holds their own as far as acting goes and adaptability to their roles, I think […]
The 5ive at 5: Women Who Make Me Wish I Was Straight…A Little (#4)
Most of you might think of Norah Jones and fall asleep instantaneously. After all, if all you know of her is from her debut album, “Come Away With Me”-you know, the album that sold eleventy billion copies and won 48 Grammy Awards a few years ago, then your impression is that she’s like a female Harry Connick or Michael Buble. However, the lady some people still call Snorah Jones is a lot more multi-layered than that. She’s recorded with everyone […]
The 5ive at 5: 5 Women Who Make Me Wish I Was Straight (a Little)…(#5)
You gay dudes know the deal. Or maybe you don’t. You see a woman on the street, or in a bar…she’s incredibly attractive, has a great attitude, funny as all hell. Unfortunately, because of whatever cruel trick nature has played on you, you just don’t have the urge to have sex with her, so all you can do is enjoy her company and say to yourself “man, if I was straight…”. No? That’s just me? Anyhow, I don’t think all […]