5 James Morrison Music Videos That Can Tear You To F*cking Pieces!

From the first time I heard James Morrison's (no relations to the late, great The Doors front man Jim) raspy voice, I think I've fallen in-love. Too much? OK. You be the judge. Here are 5 of James Morrison's makabagbag damdaming songs.

Foster the People: Live in Manila!

One of the best breakthrough bands of 2011, FOSTER THE PEOPLE performs in Manila on October 6, 2012 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Los Angeles-based indie-pop trio was founded in 2009 by Mark Foster (lead vocal) and joined by Mark Pontius (drums) and Cubbie Fink (bass). Foster wrote and recorded “Pumped Up Kicks,” in March 2010 and posted it as free download on his website. The catchy song went viral and the band garnered enough attention to debut at the South By Southwest (SXSW) festival. Just a few months later, the band signed a multi-album deal with Columbia Records.

While hard at work on their debut album, the band was booked for a month-long residency at The Echo, a Los Angeles nightclub. The series of shows at the club helped grow the trio’s fanbase. The band also performed at the immensely popular Coachella music festival.

The launch of their first album Torches last May 2011 was a mainstream success. It debuted at number eight on the Billboard 200 chart. “Pumped Up Kicks” eventually peaked at number three on the  Hot 100 chart and was the sixth best-selling digital song of the year.

The band received nominations at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards for Best New Artist and Best Rock Video for “Pumped Up Kicks.” This year alone, they scored two Grammy nominations for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for “Pumped Up Kicks” and Best Alternative Album for Torches. They also had five nominations in the 2012 Billboard Music Awards and received a Top Rock Song award for “Pumped Up Kicks.”

Filipino fans of the band can look forward to hearing songs from Torches including the other singles “Helena Beat,” “Call It What You Want,” “Don’t Stop,” and “Houdini.”

Catch Foster the People live on October 6, 2012 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Tickets may be purchased from Ticketnet outlets or the Ticketnet Website www.ticketnet.com.ph. For inquiries please call 911-5555.

FOSTER THE PEOPLE LIVE IN MANILA is brought to you by: Midas Promotions and Dayly Entertainment; CO-PRESENTED BY: Jack TV and ETC; OFFICIAL RESIDENCE:  EDSA Shangrila Hotel; MEDIA PARTNERS: ABS-CBN, MYX, RX 93.1, Mellow 94.7, Business World, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philstar.com, Inquirer.net, Pep.ph, ClicktheCity, Manila Concert Scene, Philippine Concerts, My Music Store, WheninManila.com and Juice.ph; Special Thanks to: Sony Music and Ivory Records, Odyssey and Astroplus.

My Top 5 Favorite Songs by The Cranberries

 

I did not grow up listening to Irish band The Cranberries because by the moment that I’ve heard about them I was old enough to put their album No Need to Argue on loop for a long period of time. I played that album until my cassette player ate the damn thing. I am such a fan of the 4 piece band that when I had the chance to do a phone interview with front woman Dolores O’ Riordan for her solo endeavor Are You Listening? in 2007, I was so excited to hear her voice that it took me a while to say Hello. Imagine how excited I am now that they’re coming back to Manila for their “Greatest Hits Concert” at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on April 10. 

This gives me ample time to reminisce on my top 5 favorite songs by The Cranberries which I have to say is not an easy thing to do since 5 isn’t enough but here they are and in no particular order. 

1)      Linger

This is from their debut album Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We? This song is their first major hit. I remember playing this on my guitar and I’m not saying that I was any good but back then, I knew it by heart that I can play it even if my eyes are closed.

2)      Dreams

Again, this song is from their debut album. I would deem you a hypocrite if you listened to this song and denied ever perfecting that O’ Riordan keening and yodeling singing style. 

 

3)      Empty

This is one of those lesser known songs by the band but it’s a really good acoustic track from their album No Need to Argue. I love the bongos on this one.

4)      Ode to My Family

One of the most touching songs by the band and the first track from No Need to Argue album. It has one of the most familiar and simplest intros. Listen, you’ll know what I mean.

5)      Zombie

I think it would be such a travesty if I didn’t put this song here. If there is one Cranberries song that is surely abused over and over, it would be this one. When I was younger, this was my morning song, you know, that first song you want to hear when you wake up. No judgments, please, I was a kid and allowed to have all that angst. This is one of those tunes where O’ Riordan demonstrates her powerful voice.