Beth Ditto - We Could Run

In the world of criminally underrated talent, Beth Ditto stands at the front of the list. This woman has one of the most powerful voices in the industry but you hardly ever hear anything from her. "We Could Run" is the lead single off her second solo album, "Fake Sugar". This song is everything. It's powerful. It's lasting and it's going to have an affect on those people that listen to it and hear her. It's a gorgeous vehicle for her voice and it shows off why she is one of the greatest vocalists of our time. I adore Beth. It's one of my goals to see her perform live because I think that would be just about the closest thing to a religious experience I could have in a venue. The video for the single is gorgeous. It's a beautiful story and it showcases the song in such an amazing way. She is everything.

Beth Ditto - In and Out

I can't describe properly just how amazing Beth Ditto is and I don't think she gets nearly enough recognition for the incredible body of work that she's put out. She's brash and she's bold and she's just an artist that has cultivated a sound that isn't like anyone else in the industry. Each track she releases just proves that she continues to grow and become a more realized version of the true artist she should be. She's got a lot of rebel in her and she makes me think of Joan Baez and Dusty Springfield and Janis Joplin. Her music is honest and it's just so freaking cool.

"In and Out" is a new single off her latest album, Fake Sugar and the bass line is just so chunky and it sounds so good against her vocals. She amazes me with what she can do when she sings. I adore her and everything she puts out. She does a great job telling a story about two people that are trying their best to be the best for each other but more often than not, we struggle to maintain the connections and ties that bring us together. It's a part of life that we have all felt at one point in our lives. We do everything we can to make sure we are being the most attentive partner we can but sometimes that just isn't enough. We just have to make sure that the fight we are fighting is worth it.

Beth Ditto - Fire

Beth Ditto is a goddess. She is everything and every chance I get to experience her more and more, I don't hesitate to jump on it as quickly as possible. I can't believe I missed the release of this track. Her voice is one of my favorites and I think that her attitude of "take me or leave me" is one that needs to be adopted by anyone and everyone that walks this planet. This song is so catchy and just funky. The guitar riffs are strong and they pair amazingly well with her voice. This is Janis Joplin and it's got this funky new sixties vibe with a little psychedelica mixed in and it's everything. So many artists aspire to be as confident and as talented as Beth and most never come close.

Gossip - Perfect World

Yes, ma'am. Miss Beth Ditto is back with Gossip and she isn't here to stake a claim in the music industry because she already has her place carved out. her voice is unmistakable, her charisma is undeniable and this song does not disappoint. With the melody and rhythms driving this song forward, Beth dances all over the track with such ease it's like she's sung this song for years.  I dare anyone to challenge the power that she possesses in her range and control over her voice.  Don't make comparisons to other artists because The Gossip has been paying their dues since 1999 and they deserve to be mega stars.

I lived for every track on her solo EP with Simian Mobile Disco, but this is where she belongs. Back with the band making music that is unbelievable. If this is just a taste of whats to come on A Joyful Noise then the music industry is going to be totally under Gossip's spell yet again. The album isn't out until May 22 and maybe this is enough to tide me over but it's gonna be difficult.

Top 25 Musical Happenings of 2011

Last year I made a list of the top 25 different things in the music industry that made me stand up and take notice and I feel like I should keep the tradition going.  I don't really like picking strictly albums or singles because I don't think that's representative of what's happened in the industry.  I want to do more as far as live music next year so that I can post more about concerts so that's in my plans.  This blog has been a great part of my life and it's allowed me to hear music I might have never heard in the first place and I hope that you are able to learn about new artists as well from this blog.  If you've been reading my blog, you know I can be all over the place and this list is no different.  These aren't just albums or singles or anything in particular, just things that were pretty amazing.  Music is a super important piece of my life and I hope it's part of yours as well.

Beth Ditto - Open Heart Surgery

You should know by now that I am a HUGE Gossip fan. I think Beth Ditto is gorgeous and her vocals are bar none. She has released an EP without the other members of The Gossip and I don't really understand why. I actually never really understand that because when the lead singer releases a solo project isn't it really still just them. Brandon Flowers, Rob Thomas, Gwen Stefani....they are all still pretty much the same as their band incarnations. And for the most part, I think I am gonna have to agree with that sentiment with this as well. It's still Beth on vocals without Brace and Hannah. This track is a collaboration with Simian Mobile Disco and it does a bang up job of showcasing her talents and I want to have high hopes for the EP. I hope that I can pop it in and be blown away by her vocals.