This is how acapella is done, folks. I’ve been a fan of Karmin – comprised of tandem turned love couple, Amy Heidemann and Nick Noonan – since their pre-fame YouTube days covering top-40 singles (released as an album in 2010). I became an even bigger fan when my sister told me they’d studied at Boston’s Berklee College of Music (i.e. they’re legit).
The two take a page out of “Pitch Perfect” with their latest swag-pop (yes, this is a thing) single, “Acapella.” The only thing this video is missing: Rebel Wilson!
Want more? Allie Van Dine of PolicyMic discussed the vid in a recent article, listing 10 reasons – complete with gifs – why the song achieves musical perfection. I’d tend to agree.
In the matter of a few short weeks, Baauer’s “Harlem Shake” has shaken up the online universe like few viral sensations have in history. The 30-second flash mob trend whose titular song is currently No. 1 on the iTunes chart has caught fire across the world, taking workplaces, college campuses and sporting venues by storm. Heck, the trend has even gone underwater and taken to the friendly skies.
Since I’ve watched my fair share of Harlem Shake vids these last several weeks (counting the hours would be pointless), I thought I’d share some of my favorites from the thousands that exist and the more than 4,000 now uploaded each day.
While I’m gladly riding the wave of the phenomenon, I think we’re quickly approaching the point where this is no longer a new trend and the videos are becoming old news. This seems to be the growing sentiment I’ve found in my long hours of recent informal research.
Nevertheless, the trend isn’t over yet, which is why my workplace is planning to create our own Harlem Shake video on Monday. With viral videos like these serving as essentially free, proven methods of gaining instant viewership, there’s no reason not to jump on the bandwagon, especially when there’s a means of publicity behind it.
If you’re interested in learning the dance (like I’m attempting to do), then wait no longer. And I came across the Daily Beast’s interview with the man behind the Harlem Shake, Baauer, whose take on all of this is definitely worth the read.
Maryland may have set the bar for college campuses. They do a range of dances, but the Harlem Shake begins at 1:30 mark…
Jon Stewart’s twist on the trend has been a definite success…
Even Lucy and Linus are into this thing…
The Coast Guard is one of many military schools to create a video, but theirs is the only one featuring a guy who falls off the stairs (guy in brown jacket to left at :20 mark)…
Watch this video. Now. Oh, you’ve already seen it? Well watch it again. Then read the rest of this post. Whoops, forgot to say please…
Part of an ongoing YouTube series, this vid has become a viral sensation, and with good reason. This little guy’s on to something. He proves that kids not only say the darndest things, but at times speak the most profound things as well.
I mean, can anyone else see him as our president in 2062?
Not only could we all regularly use this kind of pep talk in our lives, but so many of his quips can be applied to our world today on a macro level. This is especially true coming on the heels of November’s election and the seemingly unending crisis and near-crisis situations spanning the globe.
Some of my favorite lines from the vid are below; what I believe to be the most meaningful and relevant is in bold.
The world needs you to stop being boring… Boring is easy.
Life isn’t a game, people. If life is a game, are we on the same team?
It’s time to do something.
Two roads diverged in the woods, and I took the road less traveled.
Not cool Robert Frost.
If there really were two paths, I want to be on the one that leads to awesome.
It’s like that dude from Journey said, ‘Don’t stop believing… unless your dream is stupid.’ Then you should get a better dream.
What will be your Space Jam? What will you create that would be make the world awesome?
This is your time. This is my time. It’s our time!
We can make every day better for each other. If we’re all on the same team, let’s start acting like it.
You were made to be awesome.
It’s everyone’s duty to give the world a reason to dance.
And if you’re like me and dug the background music, here’s the song…
After a few months time and the turning of a new year (#bpt), MuZach Mondays is now back and better than ever. I suppose time got away from me after starting my new job back in September, so along with the new year comes the football offseason and my renewed commitment to some consistency with these posts.
Resolutions aside, for those who also value a diverse array of musical genres, this may be my best and most manifold lineup yet. And I’m actually now able to embed the videos for the tunes directly into each post, so hopefully that’ll make it easier for you to check out my ear candy – Yes, I realize “ear candy” sounds pretty douchey, but it’s an apt term given the gratification I derive from listening to these songs, which you can enjoy below along with a few personal thoughts after each.
If you’re on Spotify (which you should be), you can check out these tunes and a number more in my public “muzach” folder. Happy listening!
Probably my favorite song as of late coincidentally comes from one of my favorite bands, Vampire Weekend. I was reminded of my affinity for it after hearing it played at the end of a recent episode of “Girls.” I’d say the boys did total justice to Springsteen with this one.
Move over Katniss Everdeen, Alicia Keys is the new girl on fire. I can’t wait to hear her sing (not lip sync – ahem, Beyoncé) the National Anthem at the Super Bowl. Someone actually dubbed the song over some “Hunger Games” highlights, which you can amuse yourself with here.
Another cover of sorts comes here as Austin Mahone puts a pop spin on Biz Markie’s “Just A Friend.” It’s quickly become one of the favorites on my workout mix.
I heard this one on XM the other day and thought it served as a good reminder to keep the (emotional, physical, etc.) baggage to a minimum in the new year.
Another recent XM find. This group has a solid girl rock sound about them. Digging the heavy guitar and upbeat acoustics.
I was listening to an old soundtrack from “The O.C.” the other day and was reminded how much I used to love this song. And while I don’t miss Mischa Barton, I do miss the show, or at least the first couple of seasons before shit got cray thereafter.
An ’80s gem that I’ve found myself dancing around my apartment to… with the blinds drawn, of course.
A band I’ve come to increasingly appreciate after its first few albums, “Two Weeks” is a true dandy from good ol’ Grizzly Bear. I’m a big fan of a band’s use of the piano, so this song’s a clear favorite.
Janelle Monáe has a sublimely unique sound about her. She’s way more than the accompanying singer on fun.’s “We Are Young.”
Ra Ra Riot became one of my favorite groups after its 2010 album “The Orchard.” They recently released their fourth album, “Beta Love,” with a revamped, synth-filled sound with this serving as its title track.
While it’s not quite to the level of an LMFAO anthem, this tune’s funky and has a party rock feel to it. Makes me want to put my hands up in the air like I just don’t crrr.
I’m fairly sure it was Vampire Weekend’s Ezra Koenig in a recent issue of Rolling Stone who likened Tame Impala to The Beatles had they stuck around for the 70s. Holla. They undoubtedly have a throwback feel about them that we don’t often have the pleasure of hearing from bands nowadays.
Taylor Swift’s admittedly catchy new single, “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” is all the rage after its release this past week. The fact that the song centers on her breakup with a former flame is about as surprising as last week’s gaffe by Joe Biden, which I maintain was in no way intended to infer race.
But getting back to America’s fav breakup queen, her single’s got nothing on my nine MuZach ditties this week. Eat your heart out, Taylor.
1. Chain of Fools – Aretha Franklin (inspired by you, Mr. Biden)
2. D.A.N.C.E. – Justice (worthy of being dedicated to MJ, and such a funky vid)
3. Domino – Van Morrison (equally worthy of its dedication to Fats Domino)
4. Fix You – Coldplay (added this as a workout cool-down – clutch & beautifully done)
5. God Only Knows – The Beach Boys (appreciate ballsiness of using “God” in 60s)
6. Hurt Me Tomorrow – K’Naan (his best song since the World Cup’s “Wavin’ Flag“)
7. National Anthem – Lana Del Rey (She’s strange, as is vid – bit obsessed w/ both)
8. Not Your Fault – AWOLNATION (a really stellar mix of several different genres)
9. Take A Walk – Passion Pit (totally kickass tune & vid from one of my fav bands)
A Prepster's Prattles 