Randomly updated and mostly about music videos, Florida, and anything involving sequins, spandex, or saxophone solos.
On occasion, I address something of relative importance.

23rd September 2010

Video with 7 notes

For a low-key birthday celebration, my friend and I attended the metal karaoke night in our neighborhood. Not only do you receive a free shot if you sing a metal song, but you drink free all night long if it is your birthday. Needless to say, I had an excellent time.

I appreciate that this particular karaoke venue is not exclusive in the least. There is no eye-rolling from the die-hard metal dudes that work the bar if you sing Alice Cooper’s “Poison”, Motley Crue’s “Home Sweet Home”, or even Steely Dan’s “Dirty Work”. They, along with the crowd, love it all and if you are lucky, they will even work some light show magic by pressing some mysterious switches behind the bar. Usually this only happens if you perform an Iron Maiden, Dio, or Scorpions song.

One of the bartenders always closes out the night with a heartfelt rendition of one of his favorites; he usually opts for Robbie William’s “Angel”. This sounds odious, but it is actually quite impressive. Other highlights from last night included Van Halen’s “Unchained”, Eddie Money’s “Shakin’ ” and ZZ Top’s “Legs”.

It is really the post-karaoke music, though, that makes this place shine. I love indulging in boisterous, raw sing-alongs of “Looks That Kill” or “You Got Another Thing Comin’”. Last night, the lead-off track from the bar’s closing time mix was Enuff Z’Nuff’s “Fly High Michelle”. I had totally forgotten about this late 80s gem. It’s rather ethereal and sweet for a “metal” ballad. It comes on like an urgent whisper, a dreamy, somewhat haunting, confection of glam-pop-metal bliss about Poison’s “Fallen Angel” seeking redemption and becoming an actual angel. Which is to say: it seems to be about a blue-eyed girl’s suicide. And the video deftly conveys the feeling of the song: it’s all rainbows, white doves soaring, balloons floating, and the band coasting on their own cloud, singing earnestly about losing a girl to the wind of change that approaches so gently and swiftly that it is too late before you notice. Sort of like this song.

  1. foryourpleasure posted this