Shine Brighter : DJ Earworm

Besides beaucoup end-of-year lists, we can always look forward to DJ Earworm's annual mashup of the year's top 25 hits. For 2012, he brings us "United State of Pop 2012 (Shine Brighter)" which highlights a surprising number of references to fire and other bright shiny things. Take it for a spin to find out how out of the loop you were this year.

DJ Earworm : World Goes Boom

If you haven't had your fill of year-end retrospection, here's the anual DJ Earworm mashup up of the top 25 songs in pop music. It's loaded down with Rhianna, Pink, Katy Perry and Bruno Mars, to name a few. Happily, Foster the People make an appearance, as well as Adele (not that we're surprised).

Here's a link to the mashup from last year, which was pretty stellar.

You Belong to Me Now : Candy Butchers

Here's a testament to pop music at its best. Check out this tune from 2002. It's "You Belong to Me" by the Candy Butchers. What you need to know about said Candy Butchers is main man Mike Viola, a way under rated songwriter and musician, in my opinion. Aside from constructing a really a solid and enjoyable pop song, Viola is responsible for the music you hear in many Judd Apatow flicks like "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story," or "Get Him to the Greek." Apatow might not be your cup of tea, but you can hardly find fault with the dead-on Roy Orbison-esque "A Life Without You (Is No Life at All)." It's impressive. And it's not a mere ability to mimic, Viola absorbs and synthesizes style, which I think is one reason he can produce really good pop music. P.S. He's also the lead singer on "That Thing You Do."

But I digress. Check out the video and take a spin through some of his other stuff. It will not dispoint. 

"Don't Stop the Pop"

I've long had an uneasy relationship with pop music. After years of turning my nose up at it in favor of bands like the Bealtes or the Rolling Stones, it's hard to admit that you've had multiple KeSha songs stuck in your head, or that while Katy Perry shouldn't be allowed to sing live, you'll crank the volume knob when "Teenage Dream" comes on.

My internal musical struggles aside, this video is quickly making its way around the internets, and for good reason. It's a mashup of the top 25 song of 2010 by one DJ Earworm, and it's fantastic.

So, I beseech you– no matter what your inner music snob says, "Don't Stop the Pop."

Musically Inclined "Things," For Lack of a Better Word

Well folks, TMI's been laid up sick since Friday, and by TMI, I mean yours truly. In the spirit of not having the focus to write about one thing, here are a few items of interest that I thought were worth mentioning.

- Obligatory Beatles/iTunes post: We all knew it was going to happen at some point. There's just way too much money there. Though, before the news leaked or whatever last night, I was hoping the announcement had something to do with the fabled iTunes Cloud. Gizmodo did a funny post on the the matter.

- Avett Bros in unexpected places: There's a website called Design Sponge that I nothing short of adore, we'll say. While perusing my Google Reader this morning, I saw they posted about the Avett Brothers and upon scrolling realized they did an interview with Scott Avett about his artistic pursuits. Great stuff!

- Speaking of cool brothers: The Gregory Brothers turned up on the Today show recently. Points to the dweeb reporter for the stiffest, most out-of-touch explanation of Auto-Tune. Speaking of Auto-Tune, it couldn't even save the Today Show crew from the most painful a capella cover of "Dynomite."

- You Can't Tell Me Nothin': Apparently some guy put out a book with lyrics from rap songs, saying what fine poetry it is, without ever actually having listened to the songs. NPR sent him links to the songs on Youtube and had a conversation with him about his impressions and the relationship between the lyrics and beats/rhythms of rap. I just thought this was really interesting because for the most part, I always thought the rhythms were rap and hip-hop's saving grace. Then again, one of my mottos for a happy life is "quote Kanye whenever possible."

- Make it stop: Pop is so much better than it was in the 90s. Evidence: I can't get this song out of my head. I'm mildly ashamed, but mostly perplexed by why it works at all. Stupid Glee. I think I will be blogging about the value of a solid pop song very soon. Lady Gaga, Ke$ha, Katy Perry-- your credibility will suffer death by cotton candy.