Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Flops & Tops - Flops


The first half of '09 was littered with bad movies. I was generally disappointed with a good majority but that was maybe because I had high expectations for alot of them.

To kick off the list of the bad movies, we have Bride Wars., starring the adorable Anne Hathaway and fiery Kate Hudson. Personally I though the movie would be pretty darn good given the two female leads are reigning starlets. But it just kept going on from bad to worst. Fortunately the movie had a much better ending and sort of made it worth sitting through the whole thing.
Slasher flicks have never been a personal favorite of mine. I just can't stand the gross spurting of blood and body parts being chopped. It is a huge injustice to anatomy. Unfortunately we were presented with a slasher right at the beginning of the year, My Bloody Valentine.

Jensen Ackles, popularly known for playing Dean Winchester in the CW TV Series, Supernatural, took the lead for the movie. There was a good twist in the end and as usual the psycho-killer survived, which means a sequel is due. Given how the first one was, I don't have high expectations for it.

As far as I can re-call ever since Harry Potter burst into the movie scene, it's been a general trend to turn every novel series that went successful with the audience into a movie. This year we started that trend with Inkheart. The lead provided by the hero of Mummy, Brendan Fraser. It also features Paul Bettany, Jim Broadbent. I read the novel after watching the movie. Now I don't normally do this but the movie had left several blanks in my head. Not wanting to watch the movie again, I picked up the book which led further negativity towards the movie in my eyes.
Another horror psycho-killer that came abit later was The Uninvited. The movie's story-line was sort of predictable to tell the truth. But I did like how they had captured it. I didn't see any recognizable faces in the cast but they all seemed to have done it to the best they could. On an average, I would rate it 5.
The Sci-Fi thriller, Push burst into the scene. This was a movie that I was honestly looking forward to. With actors like Dakota Fanning and Chris Evans in the cast, I expected this movie to go high. The plot though very interesting seemed as if was thought up of quickly and once again fell short at alot of places. In my opinion, the story-line would have adopted better had it been used on the TV rather than a reel. The first half of the movie is really nothing. It's the last 30 minutes that actually make the viewer cling to their seat. 7 out of 10, but I'm being generous.
Evans, having previously played the Human Torch on the two Fantastic Four movies, I thought he would be extremely well suited for the role. But there was something missing. I guess a brooding character doesn't settle with his boyish appearance. Fannings as always did an amazing job with her character and was most definitely the a very interesting character. She's a real prodigy no doubt.
Jason Chronicles have been done to death. This time served up as Friday the 13th. Having been around for as long as I can remember and there is nothing more that can be done about him. The movies always follow the same lines. He witnesses some brutal incidence, goes wild with rage killing everything that moves on two legs. Everyone in the movie dies, except for the lead male and female. One of the two surviving character manage to kill Jason, but only to have him come again.
Ironically while Jensen appeared as the villian in the earlier slasher thriller released this year, Jared Padalecki, the other half of the TV Series Supernatural, plays the leading man this time. Weird, no?!

Question; Why are movies plotted around college scenes are so popular?                                   Answer; High School Cliches, weird teachers, hot cheerleaders and lots of pent-up unmentionable highly objectionable energy.                               This year we had Fired Up. Starring Nicholas D'Agosto and Eric Christian Olsen. The humor is good and timing is right, however the plot is weak. You see it once and laugh it off, but you don't go for seconds.
Madea Goes to Jail was just destined for failure and doom. There have been numerous movies that seem to believe that they would be the next Dr. Do-Little and employ a certain actor donning multiple characters. Much like Fired Up, you don't go back for seconds.                                                      Honestly speaking, I couldn't sit through half of it.

The Fast & Furious series have been around for like the last eight years. This year we witnessed the fourth installment.                                        The previous installment released in 2006, Fast & Furious; Tokyo Drift bombed badly. This time around they decided to play up to their best strength and bought back Vin Diesel along with Paul Walker.                                                       The movie is good, however there are a three main story-lines mixed, the third lead being played by Jordana Brewster. The plot lines tend to get too mixed up at times, the movie could have been a little more planned. There are still a dozen of car chases in wide open spaces. Enjoy if your a fan!
Next up is Hannah Montana; the Movie. OMG! Seriously?! :p I won't lie. As much as I'm mega-embarrassed to say this but I'm a huge fan of the Hannah Montana TV Series. So when I got the news of a movie in process and it being formulated by Disney I knew we were in for uber-cheesiness. Still my praise for Miley's acting (Note; I said acting and not singing, I have never been a fan of her singing and if I continue to be sane, I won't ever be one) I went ahead with the movie.                                                                 The plot has been done to death. Once a farm girl made her way to fame, fortune and success. Has now forgotten the simpler life and gotten addicted to the fast life. On a weekend retreat, finds where her heart truly lies and what her priorities should be. And then using her awesome fame 'powers' she saves her farmland. Cool, na?                                                                                                         No!
When Zac Efron said he's going to taking more mature roles after the High School Musical Series, where do we find him?                                          In another movie, 17 Again, is based around the high school runs of an every-day teenagers. Being the very coveted golden boy during his high school days has his life turned upside down in a moment of a hasty decision. At the present scene, Matthew Perry (Didn't I mention him earlier? ) now leads a pathetic life where his whole family hates him.       By magic, he manages to become seventeen again (Hence the title, Genius!) but this time round, it's still 2009. So he attends the same school as his children and does what is best for them. The idea though enriching could have been abit more mature. Four out of ten!
Beyonce once again makes her way to Big Screen with a crime thriller, this time round in the movie Obsessed. Appearing along side her are Ali Lanter and Idris Elba.                                                 Once again the movie is flat. Though Beyonce really doesn't do a thing for me this time round, Ali is simply amazing.                                          Having played the multi-personality assassin and conspirator in Heroes, scheming seems to come natural to her. The only word I can use for her is exquisite and the only good thing in the whole movie.
One of the biggest disappointment of this year was the flick, Ghosts of Girlfriends Past. Although it has two of my favorite actors of all time, the style icon Matthew McConaughey and the ultra-sexy Jennifer Garner. McConaughey plays the ultimate womanizer who doesn't notice the girl who's heart he has repeatedly broken over the years when he couldn't say the words Garner wants to hear. Though littered with cliche hilarious moments, the movie never really gain any steam. Complete failure!
When the X-Men movie was announced, one of the roles everyone was looking forward to see who would be cast in was the rabid no nonsense Wolverine. Hugh Jackman had some serious boots to fill and he did a remarkable job. Though the second and third part didn't reach the same success as the first one, Jackman was constantly praised for his uncanny acting.                                                              The only logical step after the third movie where four major characters witnessed their demise. It was only logical to pick up the most popular character off the line-up and put it under the solo act. And that was where the era of Wolverine began. Unfortunately Wolverine completely fell flat for me. I had huge expectations and I didn't get much of what I wanted. The biggest mistake that was made in my opinion was the casting of Gambit. I would have been much more satisfied had they picked up someone like James Franco or Johnny Depp for that part.
If you happen to be looking for a campy, lame, down right atrocious horror movie then we had a steller one this year. Drag Me To Hell has got to be the biggest summer flop ever. I can't say much on it because there really isn't much to say. It's pure unadulterated mush!
Another summer flop was the highly anticipated sequel to the 2007 mega-hit Transformer 2; Revenge of the Fallen. Now this movie had me so pumped up through out the entire summer. I happened to be in States when it was released and I was there to catch it on the second day of it's release. For a movie that I put so much effort in seeing, it didn't amaze me much. It seemed as if they had taken all the things that we loved in Transformers Part One and amplified it in Part Two. Expect more geekiness from Shia LeBouf, more hotness from Megan Fox and alot more fighting from the machines. If your a fan by all means, you have my blessings!
As mentioned earlier, not all great books can be made into great movies. No exception to this rule was the summer slated release of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. Though the cast has obviously grown older and developed their acting skills really well. The older cast out-shine them. Though Emma Watson portrayal of Hermione Granger is once again the highlight of the movie, majority of it didn't work for me.                        One a better note, this would be final time I would be witnessing the horrible rendition of Sir Michael Gambon as Dumbledore.

Another summer release that bombed was the Hayden Panettiere starring comdey flick I Love You, Beth Cooper. It was a complete snore fest honestly speaking. At most of the part, the cast seemed confused and nervous. There was also a certain level of lack in the finesse of the final product. Hayden who has always annoyed me ever since her appearance as the ever-healing cheer leader in the TV Series Heroes once again manages to pull it off really well. Wouldn't advise it to my worst enemy!
When Transformers 2 fell down I had not entirely lost my hope on movie based upon comics. But after I saw G.I. Joe; The Rise Of Cobra I had no option but to surrender. While the movie gets 10 out of 10 from me on the cinematic and special effect category, it fails on the story-line department. I have been a huge fan of G.I. Joe ever since my cousin introduced them to me sometime back in 1996. So when I got news about the movie I was pretty excited. The line-up of cast was amazing but unfortunately the lacked chemistry. Besides the earlier stated, Sienna Miller in a leather suit! Forget the popcorn I'll feast on her!

Besides Scream and the Jason Chronicles, another movie series that has been done to death is Final Destination. Not only the plot seems mega-predictable after all this time, it seems that the makers don't realize it and believe that the audience will buy anything they put on the big screen. There is really nothing I can say except tell you not to watch it. You'll only be wasting precious time!

The world can never have enough of psycho/slasher thrillers! Or so the big wheels behind the movie industry tend to believe. This time basing the plot around a sorority, the movie is titled Sorority Row, which only lead to one thing. Loads and loads of screaming, eventually murdered girls!                                                  The movie is an absolute mess and honestly, just by the reading the name, I knew what I was in store for. But being the douche bag, I tend to be at times. I went along to see it. The acting is convincing enough and most of them look completely whacked out most of the time. The movie is absolutely useless!

Question; Who's the hottest man-eater ever?                                                            Answer; Megan Fox in Jennifer's Body. Truly speaking I didn't have much expectation from this movie and the sole reason I watch it was because my friend who thinks Megan Fox is the hottest girl alive (Note; He also supports mud wrestling and open bath houses). So when I sat down to watch it, I had two things in mind. Firstly munch on as many popcorn as possible and secondly, not to let my friend get too close to the screen. A fame ritual gone wrong transforms an every-day all-so-popular high-school girl into a man eating demon. The funny thing is that the ritual goes wrong because their sacrifice aka Megan Fox isn't a virgin. Honestly I had a riot of a time laughing over this little bit.
Though Megan has done an amazing job with her character and at times did give me the heeby-jeebies, I can't deny the lack of commitment in the vast majority of the cast. If your a Megan fan, then watch it. But then if you are one, you probably would have. Bon appetit!
With just two months short of the new year, the movie industry gained momentum like crazy with many good if not great flicks. They had seriously saved the best for the last. I'll be posting about them soon or maybe tomorrow!
 Copyright © Saad Khan 2009 (Karachi, Pakistan; saadkhalidkhan@gmail.com)

Monday, December 28, 2009

La Roux; La Roux



During the last few years  a number of British artist have crossed over into the American Market and have achieved reasonable success. One of the acts that made it there and now has spread over to other parts of the world is the English electropop duo La Roux. Having fashioned themselves behind the shock of red hair the lead singer possesses, it is a very interesting musical act no doubt. Previously having little to no exposure, the duo burst into the scene over the summer and proceeded to quickly climbed the chart, giving Little Boots some serious competition.

La Roux released their debut album also titled, La Roux on June 29th. The lead singer, Eleanor Jackson, has done a crazy awesome job over the record. Her input can be noted clearly all over the place from song-writing to music production to video direction. It's just not how she sings, but also in how she looks, that makes her destined for greatness.

In the third wave of British Invasion compromising largely of female musicians, it is easy to get lost in the sea of colour, glitter and curves. But not in the case of La Roux, everything about her screams original.

The album has in total of twelve tracks as follows;
  1. In For The Kill
  2. Tigerlily
  3. Quicksand
  4. Bulletproof
  5. Colourless Colour
  6. I'm Not Your Toy
  7. Cover My Eyes
  8. As If By Magic
  9. Fascination
  10. Reflections Are Protection
  11. Armour Love
  12. Growing Pains
The album has taken all the great things from the echo genre and thrown it in with a modern twist. The song-writing has devilish tint to it, with majority of them written by La Roux themselves. The slight naughtiness along with wit full flirt is a sure-fire way to a fun record. Ben Langmaid who creates the invisble half of the duo is a genius at music production. The beats are super-catchy.

The opening track 'In For The Kill' indeed tells us what La Roux is up to. It's an excellent starting track and totally sets the listener into the mood for the album. Elly aka Eleanor sings effortlessly in falsetto through out the song. The five tracks to follow 'In For The Kill', follow it along the lines of creativity.

Up tempo, strong beats, cheek-in-tongue lyrics and killer tunes!

'Bulletproof', 'Tigerlily' and 'I'm Not Your Toy' are particular stand outs. 'Quicksand' and 'Colourless Color' are also good tracks, but the former are simply amazing. 'Bulletproof' is an instant stand-out. Ben Langmaid has done an awesome task at creating a catchy stream that Elly has wrapped beautifully with words. This album definitely has alot of thought involved, all of which resulted in an overall A+ record.

Another really interesting aspect of the duo is the awesome music videos. 'Bulletproof' and 'I'm Not Your Toy' have really cool video. Do check them out!

Half way through the album and all you'll be listening to are dance anthems. So when the seventh track 'Cover My Eyes' turns out to be a ballad, one would be pretty amazed. I didn't have much expectations at this point, I had cast her into the category of dance artists. But after this little number, I had to change my mind. It's absolutely amazing!

Elly's vocals are probably the most important factor as to why this track shines so much. They are completely heartfelt and thoroughly genuine. One of the reason La Roux straight away struck me as different from alot of the other acts out there right now was the lack of the presence of background vocalists. This track however is an exception to that trend and we do find background vocalist crooning. A very focal point for a good ballad, this is definitely one of the best songs of the record. A treat to listen, no doubt!

Though there have been no reports of further singles being released, but if there has to be a fifth single I'm hoping it is 'Cover My Eyes'.

Unfortunately the album takes a tumble downwards from here. While 'As If By Magic' though still retains some of the magic noticed in the first six tracks of the record, 'Fascination' and 'Reflections Are Protection' completely disappoint me. The song are good no doubt, but they seem abit too amateur for Elly. It seems as if she unintentionally crossed over to a dancey pop genre, it doesn't suit her well.

'Armour Love' which is the eleventh track off the record and the second ballad also fails to impress me. It is somewhat better than the two tracks previous to it, but it lacks the depth 'Cover My Eyes' had. It didn't grow on me at all and really didn't stay in my library for long.

Fortunately the album closes on a much better note with the song 'Growing Pain'. La Roux embrace their earlier sound and give some of the much needed goodness that was needed. It's really sad to see a well planned and brilliantly produced album end on a bad spot. La Roux has sealed the deal with a solid record with seven awesome tracks. A very good dance album no doubt!

While the US of A may have the very awesome Lady GaGa, UK has La Roux. A stand-out recording artist! The only possible artists I can think who can match the potential of La Roux are Little Boots and Pixie Lott.

Currently they have started writing material for the second album but no date has been announced for it's release. They are trying for a different sound this time round, I'll be looking forward to what they produce but I'm hoping they do not fall into the cliche of a pop duo.

Copyright © Saad Khan 2009 (Karachi, Pakistan; saadkhalidkhan@gmail.com)

Friday, December 25, 2009

Pretty Darn Amazing!

Computer Animated flicks almost never go wrong. Not only do they cater to a very wide range of audience, which makes them extremely suitable for family time. But they sort of have an unwavering, never dying charm to them. It's no wonder that whenever I'm bored out of my head, I pull out any computer animated title at random from my collection.

The year '09 was a very good for computer animated flicks. Over here I'm putting up my Top 5 favorites. We're starting with Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs at the 5th spot.

I saw it's trailer sometime during the summer and the concept of food falling down from sky has always been a secret fantasy of mine. Food and Kelly Clarkson concert tickets with backstage passes.

The movie is extremely enjoyable and if you have a little one with a penchant of eating, this movie is a must-see. Mutated food, spaghetti tornadoes, ice-cream rainfall, talking monkey; what in here is not to love?!


Number four spot goes to the Reese Witherspoon starring Monsters vs. Aliens.

The animation reminded me a little of one of the earliest CA flicks, Monsters Inc. Incredibly cute and hysterically funny. The cast chemistry is absolutely top-notch. I can't seem to have a favorite. Scenes involving Missing Link and B.O.B. are undiluted pleasure.

And it has a very awesome surprise in store towards the end. A must watch, guys. A must watch!

Coming to the third spot, we have a Computer Animated Classic. There are only two, so not really that hard to figure out. Yes, I'm talking about Ice Age 3; Dawn of the Dinosaurs. In case your wondering, the other CA Classic is Shrek. The plot is completely fresh with all of the four characters; Manny the Mammoth,  Sid the Sloth, Diego the Saber-toothed Tiger and Scrat, the Saber-toothed, Squirrel. I was especially surprised and extremely happy to see that my favorite character, Skrat; got a rather engaging story-line. And though this needs not to be mentioned, but John Leguizamo nails it once again with his character Sid. Ice Age 3; Dawn of the Dinosaurs is definitely going to be staying in my library for a very long time. That is as soon I get it back from my nephew.

Just a step down from the best, we have the genius Tim Burton's Fall masterpiece, 9. Personally speaking CA flicks involving action are flops on my personal scale, but 9 is a definitely exception to that rule. I absolutely loved the movie. I love the concept behind the movie that one is not responsible for what others do as long as he/she stays true to his motives and that no matter how messed up things can be, we can start over. Also whoever decided to cast Elijah Wood into the lead role of Number 9 is an completely precise at getting the right work done. Elijah has done an amazing voice-over job.
On the final spot we have the summer blockbuster, Up. This movie absolutely drove me crazy. I love this movie and is my favorite CA movie of 2009. The casting especially of the kid, Russell and the dog, Dug is pure genius.I saw this movie five times in the theaters and also happens to be the very first movie I saw in States. Hahahaha, I know that fact is kind of stupid but I'll always remember this wonder.
Before I leave you, there is another CA movie I want you guys to check out. It's really short, it can't be of more than 6 minutes. It's titled Partly Cloudy and it ran right before Up in the theaters. It's hilarious. If you don't have stomach cramps from laughing by the time the movie ends, then you don't know how to laugh. Do check it out.
Copyright © Saad Khan 2009 (Karachi, Pakistan; saadkhalidkhan@gmail.com)

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Gleeked Out!



Sometime ago I had put up a post of my fall/winter TV addiction, the TV series Glee. On 9th December, the first season of Glee came to an end with it's 13th episode Sectionals drawing the highest ever viewing since it's Pilot. So when I say the season ended with a bang, I'm not kidding!

Being the huge musicholic I am, it pretty much made sense that Glee would win me over easily. But it proved to be the 'It' show. This was something that surprised many people as High School Musical didn't recieve major success beyond it's first part. Glee had ensnared it's followers right from the day it's Pilot test-aired right after the Season 8 American Idol Finale on May 19th.

The songs featured during the series are pretty darn amazing and sung my the cast itself, which makes the songs a tad bit more original. The cast which compromises mostly of Broadway novices won over the audience. The American Idol reject - Amber Riley - happens to be my favorite of the lot. I'm a huge fan of her big belting ballads. She brings nothing but the best forward. Other interesting characters in the line-up are Chris Colfer, Kevin McHale, Mark Sallings and Jane Lynch. also portray very interesting characters. Lea Michele who plays the female lead somehow manages to annoy me but she's a pretty darn amazing singer.

Though my fall/winter addiction has come to an end, my spring/summer addiction is about to start. Yes, people. American Idol Season 9 makes it debut on January 12th. Excited, na?

I am!

On a closing note, Glee is running for four categories in the 2010 Golden Globe Awards. Best Comedy Series, Best Actress (Lea Michele), Best Actor (Cory Monteith) and Best Supporting Actress (Jane Lynch). I'm guessing they would definitely be bagging the Best Comedy Series and Supporting Actress. But let's see!

Copyright © Saad Khan 2009 (Karachi, Pakistan; saadkhalidkhan@gmail.com)

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Fearless; Jazmine Sullivan



Jazmine burst into the music scene last year with her debut album, Fearless. Truly speaking I had no idea about her till a few weeks ago. I came across one of the songs from her songs on Glee and traced it back to her album. After a few minutes of waiting I had the album and after one listen I was pretty much hyped about it. To pit it in just a sentence I'd say; One of the BEST R&B albums ever!

No denying it at all!

Jazmine is undeniably one of the best R&B artists of the current generation. Previously she had appeared on writing credits for artists like Jennifer Hudson, Cristina Milan and Fantasia. It was later that the rapper Missy Elliot took interest in her. She took Jazmine under her wing and signed her to J Records.

The following songs can be found on the record;
  1. Bust Your Windows
  2. Need U Bad
  3. My Foolish Heart
  4. Lions, Tigers and Bears
  5. Call Me Guilty
  6. One Night Stand
  7. After the Hurricane
  8. Dream Big
  9. Live a Lie
  10. Fear
  11. In Love With Another Man
  12. Switch!
  13. Best Of Me (Bonus Track)
Being a songwriter herself, Jazmine co-wrote many of the songs. My favorites from the album are 'Bust Your Windows', 'Lions, Tigers and Bears', 'One Night Stand', 'Dream Big' and 'Fear'. I would especially recommend the 'Lions, Tigers and Bears' and 'Fear'. These are pretty much Jazmine at her best.

Being a R&B album, it is definitely not complete without a few club bangers. 'Bust Your Windows', 'One Night Stand' and 'Switch!' provide some snazzy upbeat tunes for the listeners to bust a move. As mentioned earlier, 'One Night Stand' is a definite stand-out.

'Bust Your Windows' claimed the #1 spot on the US R&B Charts, but for me it somehow lacks somewhere. The Glee cast member, Amber Riley (Playing the character Mercedes Jones) did a much better version of it during the show's run. But I guess also somewhat influenced by Jazz artist, Jazmine included that it to a certain deal. Personally speaking it seems like an R&B version of Carrie Underwood's Country Hit 'Before He Cheats'. What do you think?

'Need U Bad' which was the first single off the record and has writing credits to Missy Elliot is also a good one. Somehow I'm not entirely feeling it. It's good but not great.

Being an R&B artist, there have to be some cool ballads and we get a plentiful classy ones right here. The best of all has to be 'Lions, Tigers and Bears'. It is the third single off the record and I am pretty much crazy about the video and would totally recommend you to check it out. Another ballad that caught my attention is 'Call Me Guilty', though I'm not a big fan of the message the song is delivering. It's sort of a guilty pleasure.

'Fear' which features writing collaboration with the great Stevie Wonder is an absolute classic. To have a song like this cut out for a debut album is a huge deal for a starting artist. This is probably a track that's going to be staying in my play list for a long-time. Do give it a listen, I have a feeling it will soon be your favorite as well.

'My Foolish Heart', 'After the Hurricane' and 'In Love With Another Man' are three other ballads that can be found on the record. Good stuff but they didn't grow on me as compared to the other tracks. 'Dream Big' was the first single to be charted in the UK and did a successful run over there. It's a cool song, as mentioned earlier it's one of my favorites.

If your an R&B enthusiast, then you're denying yourself a real treat by missing on Fearless!


Copyright © Saad Khan 2009 (Karachi, Pakistan; saadkhalidkhan@gmail.com)

Sunday, December 20, 2009

I'm Not Dead; P!NK



Being the amateur song-writer I am, I sort of have a habit of looking up to other song-writers out there. When I'm looking for an artist, one of the major factor I consider when rating them is their ability to write songs. Given that situation it must be pretty darn clear that P!NK would be one of my favorite artists.

P!NK has always amazed me with her ability to write songs. She sticks to what she knows and comes up with the most brilliant lyrics one can listen to. This album has a slight different pattern to it. Her previous album, Try This released in 2003. She took a gap of three years before she put out her fourth effort, I'm Not Dead.

How is this album different from the rest you may ask?!

Well, it turns out that many of the songs you would find on it were originally the poetry she had written during her experimental phase. It seems she has written a song of just about everything; death of a friend, loneliness, growing up, masturbation. It seems just about her entire life is bunched into an album consisting of 17 tracks.

The songs you can find on I'm Not Dead are as follows;
  1. Stupid Girls
  2. Who Knew
  3. Long Way To Happy
  4. Nobody Knows
  5. Dear Mr. President ft. Indigo Girls
  6. 'Cuz I Can
  7. Leave Me Alone (I'm Lonely)
  8. U + Ur Hand
  9. Runaway
  10. The One That Got Away
  11. I Got Money Now
  12. Conversations With My 13 Year Old Self
  13. I Have Seen The Rain
  14. Heartbreaker (Bonus Track)
  15. Centrefold (Bonus Track)
  16. Fingers (Bonus Track)
While the underlying genre still happens to be punk, P!NK throws in her soul and makes it sound alot mature that one could normally expect from punk songs. The process of making the album made P!NK grow wise beyond her years, which can be clearly noticed in some of the more intense tracks which deal with matter beyond love.

Though I'm a complete fan of her up-tempo material, I seem to be more drawn into the slower paced creations this time around. 'I'm Not Dead', 'Nobody Knows', 'Conversations With My 13 Year Old Self' and 'Who Knew' simply take my breath away. There is a reason I look up to her and these songs clearly tell why. If I could write like this, I'd die from happiness. All of these are simply stellar. Why am I saying that with such surety?!

Well it's been about 3 years since the album has released and I'm still having them around in my playlist. Its so hard to pick a favorite. I simply can't. I'm pretty much leaving it up to you guys whether to listen to the album after reading my reviews, but I really want you to listen to these four. They're a-m-a-z-i-n-g!

Coming back to the uptempo songs, one can simply not listen to 'Stupid Girls' and walk in another direction. It's amazing how P!NK can wrap such a crazy theme into a song. This song is why people love P!NK. The song talks about the lack of role model for the female of the new generations and how they are beginning to think in the direction that are turning them into blond bimbo clones and erasing individuality amongst them. It's super catchy and clearly meaningful at the same time.Plus the video is completely awesome, Dave Meyers is a genius. He also directed the video for 'So What' from the fifth album Funhouse.

Other fast paced dance floor bangers include 'Cuz I Can', 'U + Ur Hand' and 'Leave Me Alone (I'm Lonely)'. After a few of the brilliant slow numbers, P!NK gives the listener a huge adrenaline rush with these track and knocks it out of the ball park. 'Long Way To Happy' is a complete rock track and very reminiscent of her song 'Last To Know' from her third album Try This.

The bonus tracks are cool stuff that had some real potential to make it to the album, but there is a limit to the number of songs you can put on an album. 'I Have Seen The Rain' is written by P!NK's father, James T. Moore. It is about his experience in the Vietnam War. It is another favorite of mine, there is something about this song that gives me goosebumps. 'Fingers' is a very naughty track. Very seriously speaking I was very shocked when I heard it and was very much amazed of P!NK's ability to pen songs. But yeah, I must admit it reminds me abit of Kylie Minogue's 'Love At First Sight'.

P!NK adopts the rocker chick in her once again with the bonus tracks, 'Centrefold' and 'Heartbreaker'. They're definitely good songs so if you can get them do give them a listen.

As I'm about to close this one up I simply couldn't resist put in a small word for 'Conversations With My 13 Year Old Self' . Even though it's all about her world, it does happen to make you recall the first fall into one of the most important years of our lives, how easily it is to get caught up in the things around ourselves and how we wish we could have done things differently back then. I'm a huge huge huge fan of this song.

P!NK has continued to amaze me and even in her fifth album she blew me away. She could possibly be coming up with her sixth effort sometime late in 2010 or early 2011, but it is not for certain right now. Anyhow with me loving her four albums in a row, I'm hell sure that I'll be madly in love with her sixth as well whenever that might be.

Copyright © Saad Khan 2009 (Karachi, Pakistan; saadkhalidkhan@gmail.com)

The Fame; Lady GaGa



One of the most impact making albums released in the history of music has to be the very solid Lady GaGa's debut effort, The Fame. It received numerous rave reviews and has been an immense commercial success. The album did so much for GaGa. It literally propelled her into the ranks of fame and fortune at warp speed, this can be attirbuted specially to the amazing dance numbers, 'Pokerface' and 'Just Dance'. The latter being the debut single of the mega-star, featuring guest vocals from Colby O'Donis.

The album is a true pop record to the core with blazing dance anthems, jump-start floor bangers and a few heart wrenching ballads. All the while being embedded with fierce techno beats and crazy catchy hooks. The albums has spawned six singles, three of which have four have gone to become chart-toppers; 'Just Dance', 'Pokerface', 'LoveGame' and 'Paparazzi'. 


The track-listing for the record are as follows;

  1. Just Dance ft. Colby O'Donis
  2. LoveGame
  3. Paparazzi
  4. Beautiful, Dirty, Rich
  5. (Eh Eh) Nothing Else I Can Say
  6. Pokerface
  7. The Fame
  8. Money Honey
  9. Again Again
  10. Boys Boys Boys
  11. Brown Eyes
  12. Summerboy 
  13. I Like It Rough (Bonus Track)
  14. Starstruck ft. Space Cowboy & Flo Rida (Bonus Track)
  15. Paper Gangsta (Bonus Track)
I remembered watching Channel V sometime in the summer nights of May around 3am when they show-cased the video for 'Just Dance'. By the time the song had ended I was hooked on it. They showed it again on the following day and then I knew that I need to download it now. 


By 5pm I distinctively remember having it on my iPod by 5pm on the same day, bless the infinite source of wisdom and fun a.k.a internet. After that I was pretty much following any GaGa related news. When her album released on August 19th, I downloaded it instantly and played it back to back. And I can truly say it was one of my favorite albums from 2008.


I'm still hooked on the songs 'Just Dance', 'Pokerface' and 'LoveGame'. It's been a stable of the audio CD I keep burning to play for my car. These are no doubt my favorite tracks from the album, along with the ballad 'Brown Eyes'. 


Speaking of ballads, 'Again Again' is also really good. For an artist who's staple creativity is vented out in the form of dance anthems, a decent ballad is a very good thing. A fantastic ballad is simply an amazing deal. Lady GaGa can do it all no doubt.


'Paparazzi' is another favorite of mine, but it took time to grow on me and for some reason I prefer the LIVE! versions alot more than the one on the record, you guys can check out the video over here. The video is no doubt one of the very best that have appeared in 2009, it's so creative and original. Everything from the Mickey Mouse inspired get-up to the metal-plated armor with crutches. I really don't know what fuels her but whatever it is, it burns bright baby!


'(Eh Eh)Nothing Else I Can Say' is an interesting track no doubt, however it doesn't have the huge impact on me. I would rather have one of the ballads as a single. It seems to be a cross-over to soft pop but somehow I think GaGa can do alot better than this. Firstly because there are several tracks on this album that out-class it and there are several tracks to be revealed later which leave this one in the dust.


'Beautiful, Dirty, Rich' is nothing but catchy catchy catchy. From the moment it starts, it literally starts slipping of the tip of your tongue. The only two songs catchier than this are 'Poker Face' and 'LoveGame', especially the later. To the few dance parties I attended, these three were often present somewhere along the playlist. Definite crowd pleaser!


Colby O'Donis is not the only musician making an appearance on the record. Close personal friend of GaGa, the Space Cowboy and Flo Rida both make an appearance on the track, 'Starstruck'. Too bad this was a bonus track, had it been featured on the album itself I am very much sure it could have been a single. The other two bonus tracks are also pretty cool, 'Paper Gangsta' is a catchy track. I would definitely recommend it. Oh wait, I already have! :p


'Money Honey' and 'The Fame' pretty much revolve around the same concept. It's about the love and longing for the high and fast life-style, the never-ending parties and the desire to have it all. Lady GaGa is definitely one of the most powerful new-age songwriters. The only other person I can think of who writes very good song on her own is the original punk rock chick, P!NK


Having emerged in mid-2008, Lady GaGa very quickly became the most-talked about and the most sought-after musician in just a matter of few days. Her record was simply her and I think that was the most important factor of all. Great producers can do alot but not everything. For the rest, it's up to the artist himself/herself. After writing for several musical acts, GaGa got her shot at fame and she made nothing but the absolute best out of it!


Copyright © Saad Khan 2009 (Karachi, Pakistan; saadkhalidkhan@gmail.com)

Saturday, December 19, 2009

I'm Back!!

My internet connection had been malfunctioning since December 5th. After many trips to my service provider, some very strongly-worded fights which I swear I never knew I was capable of and long hours on the telephone with the Service's 'Emergency Service', my net connection is finally restored. 

It's been terrible being away from the blogosphere!

Seriously, no kidding! I never knew it was such an addiction for me. Putting up new posts and reading what you guys have put up. But the absence gave me some very awesome ideas for new posts, which I'll be putting up very soon. With the new year coming up soon, I've got to post at least once daily if I want to cover all that stuff that I have planned to do before 2010 starts. 

I don't know yet how that will work out but the fact that I have my vacations till 4th January is a huge plus point for me. So buckle up readers!

Saadi's back...and possibly alot better!

Friday, December 4, 2009

Battlefield; Jordin Sparks



One of the most anticipated summer releases of 2009 was the sophomore effort of the 19 year old American Idol Season 6 winner. Her debut album generated the lowest first week sales of any Idol winner. However it also stayed for considerable time amongst the radio-waves, this success can be attributed largely to the collaboration with the young hip-hop and R&B sensation, Chris Brown, on 'No Air'. By the way, he is also releasing an album this year. Titled Graffiti, out on December 8th.


Battlefield released on July 17th, features a much stronger Sparks. However the album leaves much to be desired. Sparks is a pretty darn good vocal artist, however to give her the commercial appeal her label has dampened the artist inside of her. Truly being a R&B artist, Sparks was pushed to cross-over to pop. Her previous album though was a mix of the two genres as well, but was more rooted to Sparks. 


The standard edition has twelve tracks, with the deluxe edition adding two more to the group. The track listing is as follows;


  1. Walking On Snow
  2. Battlefield
  3. Don't Let It Go To Your Head
  4. S.O.S. (Let the Music Play)
  5. It Takes More
  6. Watch You Go
  7. No Parade
  8. Let It Rain
  9. Emergency (911)
  10. Was I the Only One
  11. Faith
  12. Cure
  13. Papercut (Deluxe Edition)
  14. Postcard (Deluxe Edition)
If someone would ask me to rate this album out of 10, I would give it 6.5. And I really hate doing that to Sparks, but this album just doesn't give me the spark I was expecting from her. My biggest argument with the record is that why was Sparks made to cross-over to pop?! 


'Walking On Snow', 'Battlefield', 'It Takes More', 'Watch You Go' and 'No Parade' are the real tracks off the record. The ones that hold Sparks' true element in form. The pop ballad 'Papercut' is a surprising pleaser as well. 'Battlefield' which has the genius touch of One Republic frontman Ryan Tedder is a brilliant piece of pop and the only pop number which seems to get some credit. If they wanted Sparks to fight for the title of Princess of Pop, they should have gotten Tedder to put more effort into the record and give Sparks some more song. 


'Battlefield' is most definitely one of the best songs of 2009 and I'm totally recommending you to listen to it. 'No Parade' and 'It Takes More' are two other songs, I would be recommending here. Do check them out!


One track I was particularly surprised of was the cover version of Fefe Dobson's rock wonder 'Don't Let It Go To Your Head'. I just don't get what their label was thinking of making Sparks do a cover version. If I wanted to hear her sing covers, I would go back to the time she was on Idol. Taking a pretty darn good song and making a cross-over pop singer try a hand at it is not a very smart move. Dobson clearly outclasses her and there isn't much Sparks can do about it. Dobson is vocally very superior. If you are interested in Spark's version of the song, check it out here.


Another track that has me baffled is 'S.O.S. (Let the Music Play)'. It appears that the label tested how Sparks would do as a dance artist. Relying heavily on techno beats, it gives a touch of disco fever. I do like the song but I'm not crazy about it. Sparks could do well as a dance artist but then give a chimpanzee a mike and go techno, so would he. Remember the dude who claims his music can cure cancer?!


I'm not a fan at all of the songs 'Emergency (911)', 'Postcard' and 'Was I the Only One?'. Lyrically speaking, they seem completely useless. And therefore really hold no weight for me. Especially the first of three! I gave it one listen and I wanted to erase it from my memory. I know I'm being really critical but it's just not worthy of Sparks.


'The Cure' is okay, nothing really special about it that makes me want to go back to it again but then I don't skip it either. I also have a decent amount of liking for 'Faith', but I want R&B. I do not want pop. Sparks gives it her best shot and put her heart and soul into the piece, but even then she's no pop artist. 


Sparks is possibly one of the most under-rated artist currently present in the music industry. This can be clearly evaluated from the fact that her label has yet to organize a tour with her as the head-lining act. She won American Idol and you are having her be the supporting act for the Jonas Brothers. It doesn't make any sense at all. They have yet to promote it the correct way, singing National Anthem at Super Bowl is not album promotion. Spend a little bit more on music videos so it doesn't seem like some kid with a handy-cam made them (Referring to Battlefield) and plan them abit more as well S.O.S (Let the Music Play). 


And for the sweet love of Lord, no cover versions! Hopefully this all would change with her third record. I really hope there is a third record, I would really hate to see such a talent being shot down because of the label's short-sight.




Copyright © Saad Khan 2009 (Karachi, Pakistan; saadkhalidkhan@gmail.com)

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Change - Carrie Underwood




If there is anyone I'm freak'in crazy about besides Kelly Clarkson, is her fellow American Idol alumni Carrie Underwood. Just having released her third album, Play On. Having sold almost 318k in just it's first week, one can most definitely believe that it will going Platinum soon. 

I have already put up a review of the album shortly after it was released. And if you have read it, you must be knowing that Change is the best track off the record in my opinion. I have played it countless number of times in my iTunes, iPod and my cell. I've transferred it to anyone who was willing to lend his or her cell for a couple of minutes. And yes, I did manage to convert a few. :D

Carrie Underwood performed the song LIVE! on the CNN Heroes Award about 2 weeks ago behind a full orchestra. And I gotta say it!

I'm crazy in love about the song! I've already tagged it in my favorites! And by the way, she got a standing O from the crowd! At least some people can still recognize a vocalist when they hear one!

Do check it out! 

Oh and on a side note, I will be putting up the album review of Orianthi second album very soon. Those of you who are not aware of her. She was the guitarist chosen for the late King of Pop Michael Jackson for his comeback concert, This Is It!. It is one of the best rock albums from a female artist I have heard this year! Keep in tune for that!

Friday, November 27, 2009

It Won't Be Soon Before Long; Maroon 5


Maroon 5 burst into the scene in 2002 with their debut album Songs About Jane, the album was well recieved. But then they produced no album for almost 5 years. Their follow up effort It Won't Be Soon Before Long came along in 2007. Yes, after five years of nothing but extensive touring Maroon 5 laid out their sophomore effort. And from what I've heard, the wait was totally worth the waiting.


The album has a very retro 80's feel to it. Incoporating that with the modern electro influence, their alternative rock album not only bought something very new to the table but also nobody has been able to reproduce it with the same perfection ever since. All the tracks have been penned down by the band members with most being done by Adam Levine. The tracklisting is as follows;
  1. If I Never See Your Face Again
  2. Little Of Your Time
  3. Nothing Lasts Forever
  4. Can't Stop
  5. Not Falling Apart
  6. Kiwi
  7. Better That We Break
  8. Back At Your Door
  9. Infatuation (Bonus Track)
  10. If I Never See Your Face Again ft. Rihanna (Bonus Track)
The album spreads it's roots from the themes of obsession, possesiveness, wanting, physical attraction, young romance, falling relations, odd and self-destructive behavior with a slight comical and satirical approach to the whole theme at time.


My favorite tracks from the whole bunch is 'Won't Go Home Without You' and 'Nothing Last Forever'. Levine's vocals are classy, no doubt. Before I start taking on the songs, I want to start with the best of them all; 'Won't Go Home Without You'. Amazing song with one of the most amazing videos ever! A definite pleaser, especially the leading lady. Pretty falls short to describe her. However we're not talking about her, we're talking about the band Maroon 5. Still, she was really pretty!


The faster, up-tempo tracks take much influence from club music. It can be clearly noted in the tracks like 'If I Never See Your Face Again' and 'Makes Me Wonder'. It's a bold approach that indeed does seem to work. Other fast paced tracks include the racy 'Wake Up Call', but it is more alternative than funk in my opinion. This happens to be another one that I like alot.


'If I Never See Your Face Again' was reproduced as a bonus track. Also this time, Rihanna was featured on vocals in a duet with Levine. The song recieved major air-play, but as much as I have started loving Rihanna since Good Girl Gone Bad, I didn't like her collaboration with Maroon 5. She should stick to dance anthems and R&B chart toppers.


'Little Of Your Time' and 'Can't Stop' are two more fast tracks from the album. Levin's hurried vocals are impressive. 'Nothing Lost Forever' as mentioned sometime ago, is one of my two favorite track. I love the smoothness with which it flows, it's definitely one of the best Maroon 5 tracks ever. I was very dissappointed when they chose 'Goodnight Goodnight' as the fifth and last single from the album. The former has the lyrical depth that is just so immaculate. Absolutely amazing!


'Goodnight Goodnight' is more of a pop track than a rock song in my opinion. It's nice, but there is nothing about it that will make me go back to it. As I said just a while ago, it's nice! However the track recieved huge success in Brazil. Good for them!


Two tracks that particularly carry the 80's feel in concentrated amounts are 'Not Falling Apart' and 'Better That We Break'. While the ballad 'Back At Your Door' is heavily piano driven. Levine commented on having drawn inspiration from Alicia Keys and it clearly shows in this track, as the R&B singer is widely and commonly known for her strong piano melodies.


'Kiwi' and 'Infatuation' are two more fast tracks. 'Kiwi' is simply far too sexual and creeps me out on most of the parts. 'Infatuation' is another bonus track, it's good not great. It's a clear pop track but it's a Maroon 5 pop track. The group's emblem is there, nothing to worry about!


Maroon 5's third studio album is out sometime early next year. There has been no definite date announced as yet. Sadly that will be their last studio effort, Levine has commented that he wants to go in a different direction. Also that he doesn't see himself together with the band in his 40's and 50's. It's sad news but I'll be keeping my ears out for any stuff he comes out with. And yes, you will be notified!


Copyright © Saad Khan 2009 (Karachi, Pakistan; saadkhalidkhan@gmail.com)

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