Fresh on Comedy Central’s new Thursday lineup is The Ben Show. It’s an original hybrid of sketch comedy and man-on-the-street reality starring Ben Hoffman, whose previous writing credits include Sports Show with Norm McDonald, MTV Movie Awards, and Current TV’s infoMania. Whether in real life or fictional situations, Hoffman’s humor is outrageous, as you’ll see in this week’s first episode, when he attempts to buy his first gun, imagines obituaries as announced by a rapper, and interviews Diff’rent Strokes star Todd Bridges for a wild animated cartoon.
Hoffman is also a big lover of music — fun fact: His brother Scott Hoffman, aka Baby Daddy, is in a little group called the Scissor Sisters! Every Thursday The Ben Show shares Hoffman’s exclusive playlists, including this playlist of songs that inspired the first episode “Ben Buys A Gun.”
Make sure to follow The Ben Show on Rdio and catch the program when it premieres on Comedy Central tonight!
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Ready for some brand new beats in your ears? The last release date in February includes the long-awaited full-length debut from Seattle’s Ivan & Alyosha, the latest from Berlin techno DJ Ellen Allien, and the fourth LP by Kansas City rapper Kutt Calhoun. We also have a little somethin' extra for you today: Rdio-exclusive bonus tracks from California indie pop act Finish Ticket's debut album.
Our New Music Tuesday playlist will quickly give you an idea of the breadth and depth of this week’s offerings. The Playlist Notes below point out more key releases, and if you’re like Depeche Mode and you “Just Can’t Get Enough” (music nerd humor alert), there’s even more to explore in the Rdio New Releases.
PLAYLIST NOTES
Kavinsky - OutRun
After seven years of dropping singles, the French house producer emerges with a full-length debut said to be influenced by Miami Vice and early video games.
The Mavericks - In Time
Miami’s platinum-selling, neotraditional country band has reunited to release the first album in a decade (and seventh overall).
Shout Out Louds - Optica
The fourth album from these Swedish indie rockers pays tribute to ‘80s pop stylings.
Boy - Mutual Friends
The debut from this Swiss-German pop duo called Boy (who are actually two women) has been described as reminiscent of Feist.
Mount Moriah - Miracle Temple
North Carolina’s favorite “alt-Americana” act returns with its Merge Records debut.
Icona Pop - "I Love It” (Remixes Pt. 2)
The Swedish duo’s Charli XCX-guested single gets a dozen re-dubs from the likes of Cobra Starship and Sick Individuals.
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While there might be some discussion about which films or people might have been snubbed at this year’s Academy Awards, the nominees in the music categories have been praised for being both diverse and deserved.
We’ve assembled three playlists below for your pre-Oscar partying pleasure. The Oscars: Nominees for the 85th Academy Awards - Original Song pits Adele against Hugh Jackman, while The Oscars: Nominees for the 85th Academy Awards - Best Original Score finds pictures like Skyfall and Lincoln duking it out for top honors. But the big “award” here goes to The Oscars: Academy Award Winning Songs, an epic retrospective of all of the Oscar-winning songs from 1934 to the present.
Use these to get in the mood for the 85th Annual Academy Awards, which is hosted by Seth Macfarlane and airs live on February 24 on ABC.
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This week’s music releases finds the spotlight shining on a number of unique artists. Among the diverse selection of offerings are Buckcherry’s rock opus about the seven deadly sins, a live album from British soul singer Emeli Sandé, Oklahoma folk singer-songwriter Samantha Crain, and the latest “jamtronica” from Lotus.
Our New Music Tuesday playlist brings you what we consider to be the best songs of the week. The Playlist Notes below point out the week’s sonic highlights as you listen. And if too much is never enough, make your next stop at the Rdio New Releases for even more new music.
PLAYLIST NOTES
Beach Fossils - Clash the Truth
The Brooklyn indie rockers aim for a wider palette of sounds on the second album.
Jamie Lidell - Jamie Lidell
After making music in his native England and in Germany, Lidell’s fifth album bears his name and the influence from living and recording it in Nashville.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Push the Sky Away
The legendary group’s 15th album is the first recorded in France and without original member Mick Harvey.
Kylie Minogue - "Whistle"
The Aussie pop star turns in a beautiful and unexpected collaboration with Iceland’s experimental group múm.
Phoenix - "Entertainment"
Coachella’s French headliner offers the first taste of the fifth album Bankrupt! Expect it to drop in April.
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The Virginmarys, who just released their debut album King of Conflict took a moment to ponder their favorite songs of 2012 and put together this playlist for the Rdio massive. This young British band’s reputation for making intelligent rock songs is reflected in the selections on this playlist, which includes Tame Impala, Alabama Shakes, and Arctic Monkeys, to name a few.
Press play on this immaculate conception below.
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Darwin Deez is both a boy and a band, but not quite a boy band. The affection that the double Ds have for bright and bubbly pop records shines through in their work, including the group’s new (and second) full-length album Songs For Imaginative People.
Frontman Darwin Deez (born Smith) blessed Rdio with a playlist of tunes he consideres to be some of the most underrated of all time in the pop and rap music categories. Listen to it below and read his playlist notes to see if you agree with his calls, which includes a multi-generational palette of artists such as Toto, Aly & AJ, Garbage, and Princess Superstar.
PLAYLIST NOTES
will.i.am featuring Britney Spears - "Scream & Shout"
Nice droopy club beat. will.i.am is a pro, he always writes a bridge for you. This is just a favorite of the moment.
Avril Lavigne - "I'm With You"
From The Matrix in their heyday. Where are they now?
Aly & AJ - "Potential Break Up Song"
Disney got beatz too y'all.
Toto - "Afraid of Love"
Excellent use of the major scale.
Earth, Wind & Fire - "Can't Hide Love"
Just so good.
Huey Lewis and the News - "Back In Time"
How much do you love the movie? That's how much I love the song. It's a cheap trick and it's working.
Garbage - "Special"
The harmonies!
Mystery Jets - "Two Doors Down"
People just don't know it in the USA.
Paramore - "All I Wanted"
Their best song in three albums. Monster chorus.
The Bird and the Bee - "Meteor"
So jazzy and infectious. Go Geggy Tah!
The-Dream - "Shawty Is Da Sh*!"
His best song. So timeless. Should have been bigger.
Busta Rhymes - "Woo Hah!! Got You All In Check"
His originality is underrated in general and the sample is so amazingly timeless.
Princess Superstar - "Bad Babysitter"
So funny and I love Mr. Lif or is it eon on the last verse?
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Tomorrow is a holiday for beaus to make beautiful music together — figuratively and literally, so we’ve created the ultimate Lover’s Rock Playlist. Serenade your significant other with a diverse mix featuring some of the most loved recording couples throughout the ages, from Sonny & Cher and Matt & Kim to John & Jehn and Dean & Britta.
The Lover’s Rock Playlist teaches us that love may not be forever but these tunes are timeless.
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The most romantic week of the year brings plenty of new music to fall in love with, whether you’re solo or have a Valentine. Highlights include lively debut albums from Golden State pop group Psychic Friend, London dubsteppers Modestep, and British rockers The Virginmarys as well as the fourth full-length by Mexican norteño quartet Calibre 50.
Our New Music Tuesday playlist will quickly bring you up to speed with the latest offerings for your ears. The Playlist Notes below point out the week’s key sounds, and be sure to stop by the Rdio New Releases for even more of what you’re looking for — great music!
PLAYLIST NOTES
Foals - Holy Fire
The British band unlocks unexpected funk with a heavier and dirtier sound on this third album.
Matt Costa - Matt Costa (Deluxe)
The SoCal singer-songwriter waited until his fourth full-length release to name his album after himself, a true sign of pride in this work.
Darwin Deez - Songs For Imaginative People
The indie pop band named for its deliciously odd lead singer avoids the sophomore slump with this fun follow-up to 2010’s self-titled effort. Deez himself also put together an exclusive Rdio playlist of the most underrated rap and pop songs out there.
Drake - "Started From the Bottom"
This first taste of the Canadian rapper’s third album has already inspired numerous covers, remixes, and freestyles.
Escape the Fate - "Ungrateful"
Get the first taste of the hardcore Vegas band's new album, slated to drop this summer, with the first single which also happens to be the title track.
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It’s Valentine’s week, and you can’t hurry love. With this sweet sentiment in mind, the mighty Questlove of The Roots has created a 12-hour “Pro Creation Nation” playlist so that you can serenade your sweetie with slow jams. Ever the passionate lover of music, Questo has left no stone unturned in collecting songs for the perfect V-Day soundtrack.
Included in this epic set are all the iconic singers who only need one name (Janet, Prince, Luther, Aretha, Sade) as well as music’s consummate babymakers of all time (Barry White, Isley Brothers, Isaac Hayes). Warning: These songs are hot!
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Bob Dylan’s 35th studio album Tempest has been regarded as one of the most mysterious offerings of his illustrious catalog of music. Rolling Stone called the album, which includes a 13-minute title track, an ode to the sunken Titanic, and a tribute to the fallen John Lennon, “the single darkest record in Dylan’s career.”
Dive into Tempest on Rdio and see if you agree.
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