What I'm listening to...

Here some newly added songs to my iPod over the course of the week...

• "Love Drunk" Boys Like Girls. I'm really loving this song. A friend sent it to me via MSN on Sunday night, recommending I give, Boys Like Girls a listen. With my recent exanpsion in my musical taste, I shouldn't really be surprised I love this breezy alternative rock piece so much. It's got a brilliant chorus and melody. "Love Drunk" is the first single released from the bands forthcoming sophomore album, Love Drunk.
• "Don't Trust Me" 30H!3. This song has actually been around since July last year, as I discovered a couple weeks ago, but it's only started receiving airplay in the UK not too long ago. 30H!3 are a brilliant electronic-pop band and this is a fantastic song. I'm planning check out their album, Want, soon.
  
• "Goodbye" Kristinia DeBarge. I've listened to this a lot. Newcomer, Kristinia DeBarge I've unfairly overlooked over the past couple weeks, her debut single "Goodbye" is infact a pretty good offering. Thumping a catchy bassline, measuring out kinetic handclaps and sythn. I also like the chant of ("na na na") just after the chorus.
  
• "We Don't Care" Akon. I never wanted to be the type that only noticed a good song when it became a single. Akon's "We Don't Care" has been on my iPod for awhile now (since I bought his latest album, Freedom) I haven't really paid it much attention until I heard it on the radio. I really like it. Aside from it being a bit more uptempo, it's not that different from "Right Now" or "Beautiful."
  
• "Never Say Never" The Fray. Foolishly, I don't talk about rock band, They Fray as much as I should, they're a fantastic band. I only own a couple of their songs. "Never Say Never" is a beautiful song. Starting out a classic piano and vocal venture, eventually progressing into a more alternative style sound.
• "Evacuate the Dancefloor" Cascada. I haven't really liked anything Cascada have put out since their smash "Every Time We Touch" (I didn't think "What Hurt the Most" wasn't as epic as the mass made out). "Evacuate the Dancefloor" is their best offering since "Touch."
  
• "Sweet Dreams" Beyonce. As with most of the stuff on Beyonce's latest album, I Am... Sasha Fierce, I didn't like this to begin with, but it grown on me tremdously (the crappy video had nothing to do with it). It's a great song, backed with a fantastic, funky bassline.
  
• "Hush Hush (I Will Survive Mix)" Pussycat Dolls. This is a nice offering from the girls. There really isn't much to it, apart from the simple link between dark R&B and the sudden change into light '70s influenced disco, featuring an embedded cover of Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive," It's really quite compelling.
  
• "Diamond Rings" Chipmunk Featuring Emile Sande. I really wanted to hate this song, I really did. I'm not a fan of Chipmunk and I hated "Chip-Diddy-Dip" with a passion, but his latest "Diamond Rings" is actually quite decent.
  
• "Work" The Saturdays. This isn't bad. The Saturday's new single "Work" is a firey pop song, with a great chorus, why couldn't I get behind this before?
• 21 Guns - Green Day. Green Day's new single "21 Guns" is a brilliant ballad, maybe not as compelling as "When September Ends" but it's almost as good. I love the chorus and melody it contains.
  

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Album Review: Maxwell - BLACKsummers'night (4.5 / 5)

In almost every case, when an artist waits nearly a decade to release new material, following something really spectacular, the results are generally underwhelming. Thankfully, in Maxwell's case the eight years were well worth the wait. Whilst his last album, Now, was a facile but fresh compelling agglomeration of R&B and soul soaked songs, BLACKsummers'night ventures swiftly into '70s and '80s influenced funk, rounding off with the much needed urban edge. Whilst, Now, was indeed a great album, it did lack songs that stuck, Summers'night, doesn't have that problem.

Getting the album off to a sweltering start is "Bad Habits," a soothing mid-tempo, thumping a melodic rhythm, backed placidly by rhythmic handclaps, clicks and Maxwell's broiling vocal. Following swiftly and kicking up the tempo a notch is "Cold," a heavy trumpet backed number, pulling off a '70s jazzy vibe. It also features some pretty cool percussion and kinetic handclaps. I like the lyric ("how could you be so cold") it reminds me of the lyric in Kanye Wests' "Heartless," ("how could you be so heartless").

The lead single "Pretty Wings," admittedly I wasn't too pleased with when I first hear it. I thought it was cloying and repetitive. A daft take on the song, I know. How could I have missed its radiant melody, wallowing smoothly against Maxwell's high-pitched and sultry vocal. Backed with light strings, harps and claps. The folksy "Help Someday," is a somewhat left field occurrence; it's Nora Jones style folksy, but with the clanging acoustic styled drums and running electronic guitar, it does acquire a country-esque vibe. Definitely something new for Maxwell -- but R&B or soul artist using an electronic guitar for a more folksy or rock sound isn't new. Along with Maxwell, the only other artist I know of to do this successfully is, Brian McKnight's "Superhero," from his album of the same name.

"Stop the World," digs itself into a sultry groove, brewing the perfect recipe for the perfect '70s motown reminiscent. Using the same blueprint is "Love You," which actually has one of the albums best choruses. "Fistful of Tears," also has a distinctive '70s feel, but has a stronger melody than the other 2.

I've never been a sucker of acoustic guitar only ballads, but lately I've been gravitating to any song that acquires that composition. I loved Kelly Clarkson's "Chivas" from her, My December album. Although "Playing Possum" isn't quite the same, it is only string backed and it is my unlikely favorite from the album.

The album is limited to a hard 9 tracks, which leaves no room for filler, which is what I like about it most. Closing the album is the spacey but still urban contemporary, "Phoenix Rise" which starts off as an instrumental. BLACKsummers'night, is indeed a great follow up to, Now, providing a solid 9 tracks. Maybe next time we won't have to wait for song for a new album.

Best: Playing Possum, Pretty Wings, Bad Habits, Stop the World, Help Somebody, Cold

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Billboard on Erykah Badu

Billboard report that soul singer, Erykah Badu is currently recording her upcoming fifth album, tentatively titled, New Amerykah, Pt. 2: Return Of The Ankh, It's the second installment in the, New Amerykah, series. Last years' New Amerykah, Pt. 1: 4th World War, was a decent affair; maybe a bit to subtle for my liking. It definitely wasn't up the standards of her previous albums (notably, Baduizm and Mama's Gun) but did churn some killer tracks, such as "My People" and the single "Honey." I can't wait for the album.

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Best of the 2000s: Madonna - Music (4.5/5)

After the outstanding and possibly groundbreaking, Ray of Light It was always going to be hard for Madonna to top it with something twice as brilliant. Music, wasn't nearly as introspective or innovative as, Ray of Light but doubt it was meant to be. Not looking too deeply within itself, it made for a brilliant club and dance-pop album. Brimming with catchy, throbbing club-ready numbers, "Runaway Lover" and "Impressive Instant" are fantastic examples. The funky title track, "Music" has always been a favorite of mine--always remembering the classic line ("Hey Mr. DJ, put a record on, I wanna dance with my baby"). Among my favorites is the acoustic, country-styled, "Don't Tell Me" --which was the first physical Madonna single I bought and "What It Feels Like For A Girl". Between, Ray of Light and Music, I'd say Ray of Light is the superior but in no means does it dampen, Music's brilliance (there's only one or two tracks on here I'm not too fond of) but apart from that, Music is indeed among Madonna's greatest work.

Best: Don't Tell Me, Music, What It Feels Like For A Girl, Imressive Instant, Runaway Lover, I Deserve It, Nobody's Perfect, Gone

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Flo Rida "Jump"

Flo Rida's "Jump" is the third single released from his latest album, R.O.O.T.S. Featuring Nelly Furtado, it is my favorite 'current' song of the moment (dismissing P!nk's "Funhouse"). It's got a great chorus, sung nasally by Furtado; it's a great party song and as the summer holiday's approaches it matches my mood perfectly. I actually prefer this to "Right Round."

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Billboard Hot 100, 18/09/09

1. I Gotta Feeling - Black Eyed Peas
2. Boom Boom Pow - Black Eyed Peas

The Black Eyed Peas continue their reign at #1 with "I Gotta Feeling," which remains at #1 for a second week and is also this weeks airplay gainer. Despite Michael Jackson's sudden sales increases, "Feeling" remarkably maintained steady download sales as it remains atop the Hot Digital songs tally; fending out competition from Jackson's biggest seller "Man In the Mirror." After finishing its 12 week run at #1 last week, "Boom Boom Pow" remains bulleted at #2.

4. Knock You Down - Keri Hison Featuring Ne-Yo & Kanye West
5. LoveGame - Lady GaGa

Both Lady GaGa's "LoveGame" and Keri Hilson's "Knock You Down" remain in the same position, still bulleted. This week Ms. GaGa's "LoveGame" claims the top spot on top 40 radio, so I'm guessing should finally see a position somwhere in the top 4.

6. Fire Burning - Sean Kingston
7. Birthday Sex - Jeremih

I still haven't really gotten into Sean Kingston's new single "Fire Burning," maybe I'll just let this one pass and wait until the next release. This week the song rises a notch upwards, landing at #6. With the release of his self-titled debut album this week, Jeremih's "Birthday Sex" also rises up a notch. I am kinda surprised the song didn't claim the top spot, or enter the top 3.

9. You Belong With Me - Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift's new single "You Belong With Me" has really been on fire this week; the songs been around for ages now, but a lot of people have only started giving the song credit now. The songs scored Swift her second top 10, following "Love Story," which peaked at #4, but can "You Belong With Me," go any higher?

10. New Divide - Linkin Park

Not much news here, but I love this song so I thought I'd say something about it. Linkin Park's new single "New Divide" dips a notch to #10, but still stays bulleted.

12. Falling for You - Colbie Caillat

Colbie Caillat makes a strong debut at #12 with her new single, "Falling for You" which gives Caillat her highest debut on the chart ever, scoring up to 118,000 copies in digital sales.

37. 21 Guns - Green Day

Green Day score their 20th top 40 with their latest single "21 Guns."

Bubbling Under:

1. Obessed - Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey's new single "Obsessed" rises 12 spots to the #1 position on the Bubbling Under Hot 100, which measures the top 25 songs beneath the 100 spot on the Hot 100 (technically it's 101th on the Hot 100). It's in a good position to make a pretty strong debut on the Hot 100 -- I wanted to say "a debut at #1" and although she's accomplished this many times before, it's almost impossible to acquire this feat these days. "Obessed" is currently gaining airplay points, but where it's really excelling is with its digital sales -- which is most likely going to be the songs biggest pusher.

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Personal Airplay, 09/07/09

TW LW Title - Artist
1 .... 1 .... When Love Takes Over - David Guetta & Kelly Rowland (2 weeks @ #1)
2 .... 2 .... Knock You Down - Keri Hilson Featuring Ne-Yo & Kanye West
3 .... 6 .... Untouched - The Veronicas
4 .... 3 .... Mama Do (Uh Oh, Uh Oh) - Pixie Lott
5 .... 7 .... New In Town - Little Boots
6 .... 4 .... Release Me - Agnes (1 wk @ #1)
7 ... 19 ... Bulletproof - La Roux
8 ... 13 ... Paparazzi - Lady GaGa
9 NEW> Obsessed - Mariah Carey
10 .. 15 .. I Gotta Feeling - Black Eyed Peas

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Preview Maxwell's BLACKsummers'night

R&B singer, Maxwell is probably the most important artist when it comes to the development of the neo-soul genre. His last album, Now, was a breakthrough for the singer--possibly among the best contemporary R&B albums of the decade. Eight years later and Maxwell returns with his fourth album, BLACKsummers'night, a slight detour from the sultry urban grooves which made up, Now, for the most part--venturing into a more '70s influenced funk and light R&B territory. "Help Somebody," was the first cut to standout upon my initial listen to the album, a melodic and breezy number; very old school, backed with horns and acoustic styled drums. "Stop the World," is another highlight; a great motown inspired ballad. Taking a closer listen to the lead single "Pretty Wings," I'm beginning to appreciated it more, I wasn't too won over before.

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Whitney Houston's albums

With Whitney Houston's forthcoming comeback album just over 2 months and a bit away, I thought it would be nice to look through her past albums. I've left out all her soundtracks released through the '90s (The Bodyguard, Waiting to Exhale and The Preacher's Wife), focusing completely on her studio albums.

Whitney Houston (1985) (4.5/5). Houston's eponymous debut album was a simple but great blend of slick urban contemporary and fantastic '08s upbeat adult pop songs fueled by Houston's magnificent vocal; making for an incredibly strong debut. It's limited set displayed a solid ratio between its ballads and uptempos -- making almost every moment a notable occurrence. Producing a string of #1s (which included the bluesy ballad "Save All My Love for You" and the thundering '80s pop soaked "How Will I Know") the album verges on '80s urban pop perfection. Essential: Saving All My Love for You, Nobody Loves Me Like You Do, How Will I Know, Greatest Love of All, You Give Good Love

Whitney (1987) (4/5). I didn't like Whitney's second album as much as her first. Spawning 4 #1s, Houston's second album pretty much acquired the same formula as the first, maybe capitalizing more the fun '80s uptempos and smooth midtempos rather than the ballads (I've always preferred the ballads on the last album) but "Didn't We Almost Have It All" and "Where Do Broken Hearts Go" are great. The real gem of the album is the classic "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" which pretty much sums up upbeat '80s pop. Essential: I Wanna Dance With Somebody, Where Do Broken Hearts Go, Didn't We Almost Have It All, So Emotional, Just the Lonely Talking Again

I'm Your Baby Tonight (1990) (3.5/5). Houston's third album is very scatty for the most part; only really working well upon a few moments such as the albums best moment, the funky, synth soaked "My Name Is Not Susan" and "All the Man That I Need" which is a pretty nice dramatic ballad. The title track is quite decent too. Essential: My Name Is Not Susan, All the Man That I Need, I'm Your Babe Tonight

My Love Is Your Love (1998) (4.5/5). Houston's fourth album was her first in almost 8 years, she'd released the biggest selling soundtrack of all time, followed by 2 other relatively successful soundtracks and featured in 3 box office smashes. With the help of the likes of Rodney Jerkins, Babyface and Missy Elliot, My Love Is Your Love updated Houston's image--arriving at a slick urban contemporary sound. The album really hits the mark when it approaches the more R&B fueled moments, such as the acoustic styled "Heartbreak Hotel," "It's Not Right But It's Okay" and "In My Buisness." The album also measures up well with its balladry, the eerie duet with Mariah Carey on "When You Believe" is just stunning. I also love the incredibly dramatic "I Learned from the Best" and the broadway styled "Until You Come Back." Essneital: When You Believe, It's Not Right But It's Okay, Heartbreak Hotel, Until You Come Back, I Learned from the Best, In My Buisenss, You'll Never Stand Alone, My Love Is Your Love

Just Whitney (2002) (3/5). While Houston's fifth album received heaps of backlash, I didn't think it was largely disappointing -- there maybe a great number of tracks on here that fall into the generic R&B field, but there a couple that really work. The lead single "Watchulookinat" is probably the albums greatest moment. "Tell Me No" and duet with Ex husband, Bobby Brown "My Love" are actually quite good too. Essential: Watchulookinat, My Love, Tell Me No, Dear John Letter, On My Own

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Whitney Houston update

Here are some short tidbits on Whitney Houston:

• Houston's forthcoming comeback album is to be titled, I Look to You. I think this comeback should be just as dazzling as Mariah Carey's comeback in 2005. After her last album, 2002s Just Whitney, Houston's forthcoming album should be mindblowing--both in commerical and quality terms.
  

• The supposed lead single "I Didn't Know My Own Strength" surfaced a couple days ago (check out the song here) I haven't been hearing that much positive news about the song -- some say ("it's not a strong lead single") ("it's sounds dated") ("it's too bland"), whatever, I think it's a good song with a relative message -- ballads aren't as popular as they were in '90s, so admittedly this probably won't do that good on the Hot 100, but I'm sure it shoot up the adult contemporary charts.
  

• More on the single, I think the title should be shortened to "Know My Own Strength" or "My Own Strength" the full thing is a bit of a mouthful.
  

• Producers/Artists thought to be working on the album are the Black Eyed Peas' Will.I.Am, John Legend, Ne-Yo, Swizz Beatz, Sean Garrett, Stargate, Alicia Keys, Akon and R. Kelly (shouldn't he be working on his own album?) with all this talent, this album should be a masterpiece, (of course there've been many cases of too much = lackluster).
  

• I Look to You, is due in stores September 1st. Here is the supposed blueprint for the title track sung by R. Kelly (check out here).
  

• Lastly I'll be doing a full discography review on all Whitney Houston's albums.
  

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Colbie Caillat "Fallin' for You"

Ken's Beat Review reported this last month. Colbie Caillat's new single "Fallin' for You" is a fantastic song; carrying on her acoustic styled, folksy sound she so wonderfully portrayed on her debut album, Coco, which was a brilliant piece of work. Check out the song below:



Earth Times report her second album, Breakthrough, is currently in the works -- set for the tentative release date of August 25 (same as Mariah Carey's, Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel). Whether it does well on the charts or not, I still can't wait to check it out. Maybe I'll do a review of Coco soon.

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Album Review: Dave Matthews Band - Stand Up (2005, 4.5/5)

After being completely enticed by Dave Matthews Band's seventh album, Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King, I decided to check out some of their previous releases. Their sixth album, Stand Up, was a commercial success for the band, but it wasn't that well received. DMB teamed up with Mark Batson, who had produced hits for the likes of Beyonce, Joe and India.Arie -- and with DMB's alternative edge; it seemed that many fans and critics thought it was softened on this album. Big Whiskey, is indeed the Superior effort, but, Stand Up was a crossroads of their archetypal heavy alternative rock and more softer rock.

The acoustic styled opener "Dreamgirl" backed itself nicely with strings, drum and piano, it's a really pleasing opener. "Old Dirt Hill (Bring the Beat Back" follows up well as a nostalgic reminiscent about first love, the lyric ("the first time I kissed you, I lost my legs") is really cute. The album picks up a more funky endeavor on the title track "Stand Up (For It)" incorporating some brassy horns and a more funked up styled guitar. Very 70's throwback now that I think about it.

The album takes a Coldplay-ish venture on "American Baby (Intro)" before emerging into the main course "American Baby" this was the only hit spawned from the album, peaking at #16 on the US chart; and the band's first top 20. The more grand piano based "Smooth Rider" is the albums first (non-traditional) ballad, brimming with lushes of funk -- it does carry some swagger -- I guess you could tell from the title. The breezy "Everybody Wake Up (Our Finest Hour Arrives)" is a fantastic track, it reminds me of the stuff on the Kings of Leon, Only By the Night album, of course this was done prior. Backing nicely with a distorted guitar just carelessly running through the song, also joining are some country-ish, twangy strings.

The heavily piano based "Out of My Hands" is another favorite -- I love the progression in the song, the drums start out vaguely faint before showing itself to the ears more reaching into the grittier parts of the song. Taking some influences from Rascal Flatts, "Hello Again" probably shows the most country presence on the album -- it's also probably one of few tracks that have yet to win me over. The lighthearted "Louisana Bayou" finds a faint showing of their rap-singing venture, I'm not too fond of this one either.

"Stolen Away On 55th and 3rd" probably carries the best melody on the album -- it's definitely the best acoustic styled, backed sweetly by Dave Matthew's frail but compelling vocal. The percussion soaked "You Might Die Trying" kinda seems like a lazy attempt to lengthen the album or to fake essenticity, but I do love it anyway.

"Steady as We Go" is the albums only traditional ballad, it's not bad. Closing the album is upbeat "Hunger for the Great Light" which is another personal favorite.

I still have a couple more of their albums to check out, there's at least 4 or 5 I've got my eyes set on. Dave Matthews Band are officially my alternative favorite band, bumping Kings of Leon, Buckcherry, Coldplay, The Killers and Snow Patrol down a notch. Although it's not perfect like, Big Whiskey, it's still a good album--when the more lackluster tracks are put aside, and there aren't that many.

Best: Everybody Wake Up (Our Finest Hour Arrives), Old Dirt Hill, Dreamgirl, American Baby, Stolen AwayOn 55th and 3rd, Out of My Hands, Smooth Rider

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Michael Jackson on my iPod

Since Michael Jackson's passing last week Thursday, I've been playing his music non-stop, it was also a good chance to re-discover some music (mostly stuff from the, Off the Wall, and Bad, albums) I hadn't really paid attention to in the past. Here are how my listenings have fared between 25/06/09 - 03/07/09 (singles and album cuts are separated).

Singles:

1. "Remember the Time" (29)
2. "Man In the Mirror" (24)
3. "Thriller" (15)
4. "Scream" w/ Janet Jackson (13)
5. "Billie Jean" (13)
6. "Rock With You" (9)
7. "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin" (8)
8. "The Way You Make Me Feel" (8)
9. "Bad" (7)
10. "You Rock My World" (7)
11. "Smooth Criminal" (5)
12. "White or Black" (5)
13. "They Don't Care About Us" (4)
14. "Beat It" (4)
15. "Stranger In Moscow" (3)
16. "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" (3)
17. "The Girl Is Mine" w/ Paul McCartney (2)
18. "You Rock My World" (2)
19. "You're Not Alone" (2)
20. "Liberian Girl" (2)

Album cuts:

1. "Childhood" (22)
2. "Why You Wanna Trip On Me" (19)
3. "Unbreakable" (15)
4. "The Lady In My Life" (14)
5. "Butterflies" (14)
6. "Baby Be Mine" (11)
7. "2000 Watts" (11)
8. "Tabloid Junkie" (11)
9. "She Drives Me Wild" (8)
10. "Keep the Faith" (6)
11. "Heartbreaker" (6)
12. "Workin' Day and Night" (4)
13. "Little Susie" (4)
14. "Smile" (3)
15. "Invincible" (2)
16. "Cry" (2)
17. "Speechless" (2)
18. "The Lost Childeren" (2)

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