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. Makes Me Wonder
   
3. Little Of Your Time
   
4. Wake Up Call
   
5. Won't Go Home Without You
   
6. Nothing Lasts Forever
   
7. Can't Stop
   
8. Goodnight Goodnight
   
9. Not Falling Apart
   
10. Kiwi
    
11. Better That We Break
    
12. Back At Your Door
    
13. Infatuation (Bonus Track)
    
14. 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)

Imma Gleek!!

Every year there is a TV series that has everyone talking. For the last year, the teenagers of Upper East Side have been taking the cake with the very sexy and spicy Gossip Girl. A story revolving around a group of students who's lives are constantly in public eye thanks to an anonymous blogger titled Gossip Girl. The first two season were huge hits amongst the TV watchers. But this year, Gossip Girl has taken a back seat to the FOX newcomer Glee.

The story revolves around a group of teenagers, most of them who happen to be under-dogs in their high school's social scene. Really not belonging to any particular group as nobody wants them, are collected under the banner of their school's Glee Club, titled New Directions.

Their director is an ex-glee club member himself from the Class of 1993, William Schuester( Played by Matthew Morrison). The student initially is made up of the melodramatic vocal talent Rachael Berry( Played by Lea Michele), the flamboyant soprano Kurt Hummel(Played by Chris Colfer), the sassy plus-sized 'Beyonce' Mercedes Jones( Played by Amber Riley), the shy introvert Tina Cohen-Chang( Played by Jenna Ushkowitz) and the paraplegic guitar player, also my favorite of the bunch Artie Abrams( Played by Kevin McHale).

They are later joined by the football Quarterback Finn Hudson( Played by Cory Monteith). His joining throws the school's social status quo out of the window. Glee club gets another surprising entry when the head cheer-leader, Quinn Fabray( Played by Dianna Agron) who is protecting her best interests(Read; Love Interest). The last important member to join the Glee Club is the proud and cocky, Noah 'Puck' Puckerman (Played by Mark Sallings), not the best singer of the group by he's my favorite male character in the series.

Other characters include the Head Coach for the Cheer Leaders Sue Sylverster (Played by Jane Lynch), the hygiene obsessed school counselor Emma Pillsbury (Played by Jayma Mays; On a very personal note, she's freak'in adorable) who has feelings for Will Schue and Will's nagging wife Terri Schuester (Played by Jessalyn Gilsig). Although I have tagged this post with the label Musicals, the last three characters really don't have any singing opportunities except for Emma who sings once during an episode and is seen lip-syncing to a tearful track in her car at certain point in the series and Sue who's shown dancing.

The cast though very cliche has extremely powerful chemistry. I can pin-point very similar characters from other TV Series floating over various network. The only fresh characters I fail to identify anywhere else are Mercedes and Artie, both who happen to be my favorite characters. Also something relatively new I experienced is that the female lead - Rachael Berry is sometimes annoying which can't be said for most female leads. Kurt is another favorite of mine, but reminds me alot of Marc St. James (Played by Michael Urie) from Ugly Betty. I know this can be a very generic remark given both characters are gay and flamboyant, but truly speaking they do seem alot alike.

Being a musical, there have been numerous moments where the cast collectively or solo has burst into singing and dancing. The song selection is remarkable and the character's vocal ability is much to be praised. Some of my favorite are Don't Stop Believing, Bust Your Windows by Amber Riley, Maybe This Time by Rachael Berry and Kristin Chenoweth (Guest starring).

One of my favorite moments during the entire season was the football team breaking down into a very cool song mid-game. I'm not telling you the song but I will tell you to watch the video here and put your hands up!

The ninth episode titled Wheels has been my favorite episode so far. Because it gave deeper insight to the characters of Artie, Tina and Sue. Also the Rachael and Kurt duet on Defying Gravity is simply amazing. The other two songs performed on the episode are also really good, especially the entire cast performing Proud Mary and the Artie going solo on Dancing With Myself. Do check these out!

The first season ends on December 9th at after a total of thirteen episodes. A second season has been confirmed and will premiere sometime around fall next year, hopefully compromising 24 episodes. Get Gleeked!!

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

On the American Music Awards

On 22nd Los Angeles witnessed the American Music Awards aka the AMAs. There was a score of performances; some were just brilliant, other were watchable and then there were some which were a complete mess from the moment they started. 

The night opened with Janet Jackson performing a medley of her hits, including the newly released single 'Make Me'.

For her age, she did a remarkable job. I won't be saying it was the best of the night, but for a show-starter it was good enough. The choreography was on the part of her friend and the ex-American Idol judge, Paula Abdul.

Next one to take the stage was on of my all time favorite bands, Daughtry. Yup! That's right!

Frontman Chris Daughtry never fails to impress me. They sang one of my favorites, 'Life After You' from their sophomore effort Leave This Town. It is also their second single. I have featured the video on the side-bar, do check it out!

It was a rock solid performance and definitely one of the better ones of the night. I'm liking their sophomore effort alot more than their debut, the songs are more hard-hitting on a comparatively and lyrically pretty darn good.

After Daughtry, we have the Latin Diva Shakira shake her stuff on stage. I have never been a fan of Shakira, expect for the time she collaborated with Beyonce on 'Beautiful Liars'. I'm sure you must have seen the video, the song made history by jumping from #98 to #1 within a week. Coming back to Shakira, she released her new album She Wolf last month and so far she's put out two singles. Both of them are doing really good on the charts. Here she performed the joint effort of Lil Wayne, without him though(Thank God!). Plus she was looking smoking hot! :D

I'm still not a fan of the song, but the choreography is simply mind-blowing. That is one thing you can definitely count on Shakira for. The only one who could out-shake her is Beyonce, who unfortunately wasn't present on the night. But on a side-note, she did win the award for Favorite female R&B artist and announced that she will be releasing her new album sometime in 2010.

Next one up was the Country heart-throb, Keith Urban. He performed his chart-topping hit, 'Kiss A Girl'. To all the guys reading this, you need to check out this song. It's one of the most catchy country songs I've ever heard. And the fact that Urban is one of the best live performers ever just sweetens the deal alot more.

And I'm totally grooving to his finger-work! If only I could play a guitar that well! 

Keith Urban took the award for Favorite Country Male Artist. That has got to count for something. Enjoy!

Next one up is my all-time favorite pop rock female artist. Any guesses?

If any of you thought Kelly Clarkson, you are SO right! 10 points for knowing me so well!

Clarkson performed one of the best songs to be released in 2009, 'Already Gone'. I have been a fan of this song ever since I heard it for the first time back in March 2009, and it is still going strong on my personal play list. I've read quite a few comments on the complete mess she's looking like and I have to say, if you can sing like that you don't need to be all glammed up. I'm loving her completely!

How can anybody care about how she looks when she sings like that?! Uh-mazing!

Next up were two immensely talented African-American artists of the present time, Alicia Keys and Jay-Z. I have never been a fan of rapping. The only rapper I listen to is my cousin back in States, but that's cause I enjoy his funny take on rapping. 

Anyhow coming back to the AMAs, Jay-Z collaborations are pretty darn good. Pair him up with the vocal greatness of Alicia Keys, how can you not have a crowd-pleasing performance?!

The two presented 'Empire State of Mind' from Jay-Z's new album, Blue Print 3. Enjoy!

Next up was the winner of Best Pop/Rock Band, Group or Duo. Yup, I'm talking about none other than the Black Eyed Peas. I love how they came from underground. I know it's an age-old trick, but this entrance always sends chill down my spine. I've been a long time fan of Fergie! And any red-blooded male would also be!

This latin spice is just too hot and ever since she went brunette all over the world, she's just doubled her fierceness. People say Megan Fox is a hottie. I tell them to take a good look at Fergie and then say the same! The BEP start off with their new single, 'Meet Me Halfway' and about half-way into the performance they break out into their world-wide hit, 'Boom Boom Pow'.

I love Taboo working the crowd! I love Fergie shaking her stuff! On a side not, the BEP did not lip-sync. There is something wrong with the youtube video and I can't find a better one! Sorry!

Next up is the first disaster of the night and a very un-expected one at that. I'm talking about Rihanna! But given everything she has decided to do lately, it wasn't a big surprise that she fell through! The awful blonde hair, the new singles, the video direction! She's is totally off her game!

What was even worse was that the starting video had me expecting so much. But that was the only good part of the whole performance. Fortunately the next performance saved the momento of the show. 

Carrie Underwood took the stage next and performed the Country Chart-topper 'Cowboy Casanova' from her third album Play On. Awesome album, by the way!

Carrie appeared a bit more skimpier than I would have liked her to dress. She's a great singer and really doesn't need to sell herself with her skin. But then I agree that this song isn't a typical country number. Nevertheless, she delivers a very solid performance. Completely knocks Rihanna out of the park!

Now the performance I'm going to putting up is the best of the lot! This performance should have been the one to end the night. It's creative! It's dramatic! It's original! It's crazy! It's the one and the only! It's GaGa!

There is a reason she's the talk every where! And this is exactly why! No performance up till now was fused with this much soul! It's absolutely brilliant! The head-dress, the exo-skeleton, the dancing, the paino placed on a podium and let's not forget the flaming piano!

I loved it when she broke the glass bottles! She's simply amazing! Even before I had seen the video, I knew Gaga would be having the best of the night! And she did! She's out-pazzed everyone! And I mean, everyone! In case your wondering, the song are 'Bad Romance'' and 'Speechless' from her new album Fame Monster which was released just yesterday, that is November 23rd.

Next up we have the vocal powerhouse I have loved alot, Mary J. Blige.

This was a nice performance. She performed 'I Am' from her new album which is out sometime in December. I am no fan of this song but for some reason I liked it when she performed it. Not one of the great ones but definitely one of the good ones. Do check her out!

Next up is the another latin diva, any guesses?

C'mon, guys! This one is so easy! There are just three after all! Shakira, Fergie and J. Lo! And she did a great job with her very fresh single Louboutins, it's from her new album which will be released sometime in January 2010. It's a great song and I loved her performance. Her energy is remarkable and here's something really remarkable that happened during the performance. Let's see if you can spot it in the video.

Yup! She fell during the performance! But even then look at how composed she stayed! It was like that fall was meant to be! She kept going on strong! Go J. Lo! Oh and I'm totally crazy about this song! I can't wait for it's video to premiere.

Then we had Whitney Houston take the stage. She also won the International Artist of the Year. Ho hum!

Nothing really amazing happened here! I'm sorry but Whitney doesn't seem to have it in her anymore! After the number of stunning performances she gave, this one embarrasses her! But I won't be surprised if she wins a Grammy for her album the coming year!

C'mon, it's Whitney we're talking about here!

Alicia Keys comes on the stage again, this time she's got dancers! And she's singing her latest single 'Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart' from her new album out in December Element of Freedom. A truly awesome song! And it's Alicia Keys! Hullo?!

You can literally count on her to give the right stuff! And she does!

I loved this performance, especially how she ended it! Being a really quiet person in general, she usually doesn't put on much of a show! But this time she took a risk and it paid off extremely well. Great going!

No Award Night in complete without a performance filled with censor mutes! This time around we have Eminem along with Dr. Dre and Slim Shady.

They performed 'Crack A Bottle' and 'Forever'. It's actually enjoyable for about the first two minutes after which it just breaks down into insane swearing, which means insane censoring and hence a completely waste of a performance. Where is Kanye when you need him?!

I so needed something to cheer me up after the huge waste Eminem ft. Censor Squad made us watch on the night. Timbaland was just the thing, the doctor advised. He was accompanied by his very recent discovery, the french artist SoShy and the very gorgeous mama, Nelly Furtado!

Loved it! And you have an actual french woman in there! How can you not love this?! A catchy song! Beautiful ladies! This is just perfect! Do check this on out!

The night was seriously lacking on the part of rockers. The only rock artist to make an appearance for till now was Daughtry. And he too appeared sometime in the beginning of the show!

The night was majorly littered with pop and R&B performances, with the occasional country twangs. But Green Day gave the rock enthusiasts something to be happy about. Performing their latest single, '21 Guns' Green Day converted me once again to give another of their album a hearings. You can check out their performance here.

Green Day also took the award for the Best Alternative Rock Artist. Other contenders were Kings of Leon and Shinedown. I have no idea about the latter but Kings of Leon are pretty darn good. Do check out their track 'Use Somebody'. It's really awesome!

Lastly we have the most anticipated performance of the night. For those keeping track of the event and having memorized the names of all the performers (Like me) knew that the only remaining name one of the roster was of Adam Lambert.

Now this decision completely shocked me! The last performance is usually given to someone who's really big! Adam is no doubt a star but there were far bigger and better names to end the night with. Whatever happened to Lady GaGa, J. Lo, Green Day, BEP?!

There are so many that could have done this job and done it so much better!

I don't know where to begin in pointing the wrong-doings and mishaps that happened. Let me start with the crotch rubbing, crotch-punching, the tumble, the dry humping, the horrible high-notes, in-appropriate feeling-up and the very force-ful kiss!

Don't get me wrong! I know I'm no Glambert! But I really wanted him to have a good if not great performance because I really like this song and it was the closing act! But this was just a mess! Everything was so ridiculous and so over-done! 

But then it wasn't entirely his fault! Giving a new emerging artist the pimp-spot is just plain stupid! But then again I think that this way people would sit through the entire show and they would get more air-time! Aah, the drama of media and markey continues. And poor Adam was caught darn smack in the middle! 

I really hope his future LIVE! performances are alot better! 

 And yeah, one more thing that had me wondering. How in the world did Taylor Swift take home 5, that's right 5; F-I-V-E, AMAs! How in the world did she beat artist like Lady Gaga, Carrie Underwood, Beyonce, Jason Mraz, Eminem and Michael Jackson?!

Once again, she's not that great! She is not that great! Lord, this is so frustrating! But at least she didn't perform. She did everyone a huge perform by being in London on the night of the AMAs. Yup, she did! 

Hope you liked my take on the AMAs. See you on Grammys! 
All the videos have been removed by some company titled 'Dick Clark Production' and in my opinion, the first name says it all! There is not a single video left of ANY of last night's performances?! 
Sorry guys, you would just be able to read all the happenings! 

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

Broken Strings - James Morrison ft. Keisha Buchanan

Broken Strings is possibly the most famous track off the British soft-rock, blue eyed soul boy James Morrison second album, Songs for you, Truths for Me; which is perhaps the best album of 2008. I heard it earlier this year, when one of my very good friends switched his iPod with mine. 

Though originally the song features the Canadian sensation, Nelly Furtado. This particular version features te ex-Sugababes member, Keisha Buchanan. Coming to that, she was most definitely the best remaining members and the last from the original line-up. She's an amazing vocalist.

I still like Furtado vocally more on this, but Keisha has definitely done a very decent job. You can check out the original version here. I would recommend you to check that out as well, because aside from Furtado the song has one of the best videos I have ever seen. Creative but simple and also has a very 'personal' feel.

Enjoy!

She's Back!!

I just saw the official video for the 17 year old 4th place finisher, Allison Iraheta. I was pretty much obsessed about her during her entire run and was majorly bummed out when she was eliminated. Firstly it was because she was so much better than the other three remaining people and she was definitely better than most on the night she went home.

But all that is long gone and I'm really happy for her. She'll be releasing her debut album, Just For You, on 1st December. Sticking to her rock appeal, I'm definitely placing this album is going to be a solid hit!

Here we have the first single, Friday I'll Be Over You. Vocally she's reminiscent of a younger Kelly Clarkson and that was my biggest fear for her. Kelly Clarkson is an amazing artist and being told that someone is similar to it is a huge compliment. But given everything, nowadays you need to be original. That's the reason Lady GaGa is doing so good all over the place.

The video is amazing. I'm glad it's not the typical plot of a boy being thrown all over place and just shots of Allison and her band. Plus the video comes off slightly comic-ish, which is a good thing. She needed to stay to her age, because vocally she's got the chops to out-sing alot of the people in the industry.

Enjoy the video!

Lemonade & Backdoors!

When life gives you lemons, what do you do?

You make lemonade.....and then write a song about it! 

Enjoy my latest!

Backdoor

Verse 1

A day begins! A day ends! So quickly, it passes by!

And before you realize, your thinking about it at night!

When you lie to sleep at night!

Every moment flashes before your eyes!

Tears of joy, tears of sadness! You cry!

And your all alone in this race of time,

Your not sure how you feel

Everything you planned just disappears!

Chorus

There is no harm in dreaming! There is nothing wrong in dreaming!

Build all the castles you want!

It's not wrong! 

But if it all comes crashing down on your head,

Have a backdoor planned!

Have a backdoor planned!

Verse 2

We're human! Made of flesh and bones!

Not sticks and stones!

We do feel, at times incomplete!

Searching for something better! Something real!

We're unprepared for what's out there!

Riding on hope, nothing's clear!

But we keep going on!

On, we gotta keep going on!

Chorus

There is no harm in dreaming! There is nothing wrong in dreaming!

Build all the castles you want!

It's not wrong! 

But if it all comes crashing down on your head,

Have a backdoor planned!

Have a backdoor planned!

Bridge

When it goes wrong, slips out of hand!

You take a tumble, watch things crumble!

And then you stand! You start again!

Salvage what's left and build again!

Chorus

There is no harm in dreaming! There is nothing wrong in dreaming!

Build all the castles you want!

It's not wrong! 

But if it all comes crashing down on your head,

Have a backdoor planned!

Have a backdoor planned!

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

Carrie wuz ROBBED!!

The 43^rd Annual Country Music Awards also known as the CMAs were held on November 11^th. The star-studded night featured the best and the great country stars and a lot of memorable performances, some of which I would like to forget.

Hosted by Brad Paisley and the very lovable Carrie Underwood, same as last year, the night turned out to be a very memorable night. This can be specially said for the 19 year old Taylor Swift. At 19, Swift is the youngest ever CMA nominee. Standing strong in four categories; Female Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year, Best Country Video and Entertainer of the Year, she bagged them all. And surprisingly, made history!

Now I have absolutely nothing against Taylor Swift. I, myself, am a huge fan of the her sophomore effort Fearless. The album features a collection of extremely well-written songs hooked on to catchy and heart-stringing melodies. But the only basic problem with the album is that it is NOT a country album. It is a complete pop record! A very well-crafted pop record!

How it managed to beat Sugarland’s ‘Love On the Inside’ simply leaves me speechless. And the horror doesn’t end there!

Taylor also beat the likes of Keith Urban and Brad Paisley combined for the hit track ‘Start a Band’ with the sickeningly sweet and sappy ‘Love Story’ for Best Country Video. I know this may come as a surprise, but I simply can not stand this song from the entire album. It just oozes with sentiments and sensitivity that my mind simply refuses to comprehend. But people by the millions seem to croon it everywhere I go, so there must be something about it.

And then she bagged Female Vocalist of the Year!

Now this one is a real shocker. Swift left behind the likes of Reba McEntire, Martine McBride, Miranda Lambert and the Country Superstar Carrie Underwood. Underwood had been winning the award for the Female Vocalist since the last three years in a row. That means ever since her debut, she has been swinging it. Now Carrie Underwood is someone I can totally see winning it. And her being beaten by Lambert, McBride or McEntire is something I don’t want to see but I can believe.

But in what part of this world does Swift take it over Underwood?! Swift can’t perform LIVE to save her life, which can be noticed by viewing her two performances at the CMA. Yes, that’s right!

Swift opened the show with an off-key version of ‘Forever & Always’ and then much later performed an acoustic off-key (Yet again!) ‘Fifteen’. As a female vocalist, she has to be able to perform vocally!

She needs to take the whole book of Carrie Underwood and learn it to heart. Underwood blew her away in the very classy and amazing rendition of ‘Cowboy Casanova’. Now this is what I can a female vocalist!

Furthermore Underwood performed a few parodies in sync with Brad Paisley as a part of her hosting act. Just listen to her!

She can record it into an album and it would sell like hot cakes!

After all of this had happened, the night came to an end with the declaration of the Entertainer of the Year. As much as I can’t believe it, it happened!

Swift beat out Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban, Brad Paisley and George Strait for the category. How?! What?! Why?!

This is criminal!!

I’m glad the CMA night featured some of the most amazing performances by Daughtry, Keith Urban, Sugarland, Brad Paisley and Miranda Lambert otherwise the night would have been a complete loss.

Hopefully next year, Underwood is going to bag several CMAs with her the newly released album ‘Play On’. Do check it out!

Still SO Good!!

This week John and Edward a.k.a Jedward performed the Ghostbusters Theme of the X Factor LIVE show. This happens to be one of the better performances they have given, singing wise. However I was really mad and disappointed in this week's result.

The front-runner and clearly the most talented of the lot, Lucie Jones was sent home. I have no idea how it happened. The fact that she left before the likes of the incredibly boring Lloyd Daniels and terribly over-rated Jamie Archer amazes me beyond belief.

The coming week it's time for the music of Queen. I'll be watching and I'll be posting.

Enjoy!

Play On; Carrie Underwood

It's been a while since I have posted any album reviews. Well that's because it takes time to listen to an album, do a little bit of research involved in it's making and then writing it down. I simply don't have that much time during exams. But the just released effort by Carrie Underwood forced me to put down a review because it exceeded my expectations. Underwood's third record Play On released on November 3rd was one of the record I was eagerly waiting for, from the moment I caught the news of it's productions.

Underwood took alot more risks this time by working with many people who have a stable career outside the country market. With names like Kara Dioguardi, Raine Maida, Chantal Kreviazuk, David Hodges, Max Martin and Savan Kotecha, many were wondering if Underwood was planning on something besides country this time round. 

However all that was washed away after just one hearing of the record. Yes, it's still a solid country record with light strokes of pop and adult contemporary. Frankly I'm happy about it. She has matured in sound and it's a good thing she experimented. And after all that, she still gives a strong product. This is one country album that is going to be staying on my shelves for a very long time.

The track listing is as follows;

1. Cowboy Casanova
2. Quitter
3. Mama's Song
4. Change
5. Undo It
6. Someday When I Stop Loving You
7. Songs Like This
8. Temporary Home
9. This Time
10. Look At Me
11. Unapologize
12. What Can I Say ft. The Sons of Sylvia
13. Play On

As usual Underwood's vocals are a treat to experienced. The most compelling lyrics drenched in the finest country melodies, it's like a slice of heaven served to your pleasure. The album gives you a nice variety from love songs to power ballads to uptempo dance anthems to country finery. It's wholesome goodness.

If your looking for something to tap your feet and bang your head, give your ears a feast of 'Cowboy Casanova' and 'Undo It', where Underwood is heard going on about heart breakers and broken hearts. Her fiery vocals are enough to set any floor on fire and set you in the mood to strut your stuff. And if you're still in the mood for some more uptempo tracks, then lend an ear to 'Quitter', 'This Time' and 'Songs Like This'. These tracks offer you nothing but country and even more country. The latter is a particular favorite of mine, there is a playful sassy side to Underwood's vocal that you just can't help smiling upon hearing. The lyrics are really clever, got to hand it to the song-writers.

'Unapologize' is another fast number, I'm pretty sure if it is meant to be a single it will do crazy well on adult contemporary charts. Underwood's vocals are a masterclass, with the correct emotions to go along Underwood delivers a rock solid track. 

This record also features Underwood in her first ever joint effort in 'What Can I Say'. She brings around her fiddle player, Ashley Clark and his band-mates and gives an extremely smart love song. I find it quite surprising that Underwood's vocals are not out-shining Ashley's vocals. She has done an excellent job in harmonizing with her partner, and that my friends is the most important thing when you are recording a duet. It is supposed to look like a joint effort! Hats off to Underwood for a wonderful duet!

'Someday When I Stop Loving You', 'Temporary Home' and 'Look At Me' are some of the slower numbers on the record. Underwood gives her most heartfelt and soulful recordings ever on these track. The lyrics are crafted with excellence and Underwood's delicate finesse on the vocals is a joy. Very much reminiscent of her previous efforts but with more emotional sincerity and maturity, she simply amazes me! I'm damn glad she was discovered. It would have been a real shame for such a talent to go undiscovered.

And how can a Carrie Underwood record be complete without a thought provoking track?! Never!

That's one of the things I love most about the Country Queen. Besides the usual love, heart break, fun stuff and dance anthems she gives songs that make you think. Songs that are actually thought provoking. And this time around, she gives not one! Not two! But three such tracks!

'Mama's Song', 'Change' and 'Play On' are the three tracks that actually make a person think. 'Change' is a personal favorite of mine and the most favorite of mine amongst the whole bunch. Judge this by the fact alone, that I've played it 137 times since November 3rd. I'm that crazy about it! I would be extremely excited if this gets chosen as a single! It is my sincere request to all those reading the review to listen to it and drop in the comment section what you think about the concept of the song. I'm absolutely head over heels in love with it! 

Check it out here!

I can't say enough to describe how awesome this record has turned out to be. It definitely is one of the best records to be released this year and the wait has been totally worth it. I won't be surprised if this adds more millions to the millions she already has. And even with all that in her purse, the country super-star is extremely humble. 

Underwood, your the star! 

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