One of the artists that made their debut in 2009 and quickly caught my attention is the English singer/song writer Victoria Louise Lott, better known as, Pixie Lott. The album is utterly awesome and possibly one of the best debuts of 2009. She is a pretty darn good vocalist no doubt, but even better than that, she is an amazing song writer. There is a wittiness in her lyrics that I've witnessed before in Katy Perry's debut album, One of the Boys.
While Perry is more inclined towards rock and pop, Pixie here goes along the R&B and soul route. I feel that she has made some really sensible decision at her debut disc and it's no surprise that two of her three singles have reached #1 in UK.
The album has mostly easy going pop tracks, with the occasional presence of ballads. There are two dance numbers, I'm glad Lott didn't let her label push her into that direction. With so many acts bursting into the market and every other being a dance act, is making lots of acts sound cliche. Really happy Lott stuck to what she knew best.
'Boys & Girls', 'Turn It Up' and 'Here We Go Again' are the three dance numbers. 'Boys & Girls' has become the second single from Lott and has achieved great success. It's also one of the my favorite tracks. Plus the video is really awesome. Nothing really high tech about it, but it just seems like such a cool party song being played in a really cool party. It's awesome!
'Here We Go Again' is produced by Red One, famous for producing hits like 'Pokerface' and 'Just Dance' for Lady GaGa. This track is another dance floor anthem and a darn good one.
'Mama Do (Uh Oh, Uh Oh)' is a perky fun number where Lott describes her distress if her parents get to know of her lunatics. It happens to be her debut single and is another really awesome track off the record. It is one of the only two tracks which does not have Pixie on writing credits, but she has made it her own with her one of a kind vocals.
'Band Aid' is a fun pop number, kind of seems like a Natasha Beddingfield song if you ask me. But there is a young generation vibe in Pixie's voice and it's totally playful. There is abit too much noise from the back ground singers, but it's a good track. This playful and originality is also noticed in the track 'Jack', where she turns the everybody knows nursery rhyme into a quirky song.
'Cry Me Out' and 'Gravity' are two of the better ballads off the record. 'Cry Me Out' has been released as the third single, while 'Gravity' is slated to be the next. I'm glad 'Gravity' is selected as a single, it's easily the most noticeable track off the record. I absolutely love the piano play in this track, very Alicia Keys. 'My Love' is another shining track. Somewhat of a more pop ballad than I would have expected. But it is good no doubt.
'Nothing Compares' is a heart wrenching ballad, however this is one track which I have yet to grow a liking too. My best friend thinks this is one of the best tracks from the record, but I don't. Give it a listen, maybe you will like it.
'The Way the World Works' and 'Hold Me In Your Arms' are the last two tracks. While the former is one of my favorite, the latter doesn't do much for me. 'Hold Me In Your Arms' is also the other track which doesn't have Lott on writing credits. It's a strange world! One track she's not there and I love it. Another track she's not there and I don't like it at all.
Pixie will be introducing herself to the US market sometime this year. When I am not sure, but I'm sure she will be doing great. 'Boys & Girls' has already charted in US and has received ravings, so I'm guessing she'll do pretty well.
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.
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!
I had totally forgotten about this LIVE! version until I saw it yesterday on Channel V. And out went Cyndi Lauper's 'Time After Time' and came in 'L'isten' by Beyonce.
This has definitely got to be one of the best LIVE! performances ever by Beyonce. Don't get me wrong here, I love the booty humping, sassy Beyonce like any other red blooded male out there. But this one gets me most! :p
And here is another post of the one and only Kelly Clarkson from yours truly. Yes, I know! I'm addicted to her like crazy!!
So anyhow given the obvious, I ran into this clip of Clarkson a few days ago when I was browsing YouTube randomly and I remembered how ballistic I went about her after she sang. Although it was pretty much set and done about her appearing on the very first 'Idol Gives Back' during Season Six, but there was some rumor drama going on about how her fool of a label wanted her to promote her then to be released album My December.
Instead of listening to her label, Clarkson went with her guts and performed the soulful ballad by Patty Griffins. The review of her performance were very positive, with many saying that Clarkson did the right thing by not listening to her label.
Avril Lavigne is definitely one of the most recognized names in the music industry at the moment. Known for her emo/punk style, fast uptempo songs and touching ballads she has attained a huge following.
But for some reason I was never an Avril Lavigne fan, to me she seemed to be another P!NK wannabe except with a slight more dose of the color pink. However opinions change and mine did!
My opinion about the Princess of Pop changed after she released her third studio album, The Best Damn Thing. 'Innocence' is one of the track off the album and most definitely most favorite of the whole lot.
This LIVE! performance hits the spot as Avril takes the stage and chills everyone with this earthy ballad. I may not a emo but I certainly do know a great Avril song when I hear one.
Being a pop-crazy person, I've always looked forward to the records that P!NK puts out. When she released her debut album back in 2000, Can't Take Me Home, but it was more R&B. She earned herself a spot on my favorites after her second album, M!ssundaztoodgot releeased. It was then, that she really my world by storm. And ever since she's just been getting better and better!
Her fifth studio album Funhouse is no exception. Being released sometime in October 2008, I made sure I have it within 24 hours of it's release time - and I managed it! And it was just in one listen that bought me back to the immense love I have for P!NK!
Though her album are generally built around the same themes, but even then once you've heard her stuff you realize she has made progress. She isn't the cookie-cutter pop princess image, and that's great! That's the thing about her I love the most; she's darn unpredictable and totally herself! At this time when there are a million others new artists coming out, P!NK still kicks some major butt in the music industry.
This Is How It Goes Down ft. Travis McCoy (Bonus Track)
Could've Had Everything (Bonus Track)
Why Did I Ever Like You (Bonus Track)
Boring (Bonus Track)
'So What' is the most entertaining track from the entire album, therefore the album starts off brilliantly. The best thing about the whole song besides having an awesome video, is her calling her husband a 'tool'. 'Bad Influence' is another track along the same lines, though it is something I'd expect more from a Britney Spears record but P!NK has done it justice. It's fun! It's rebellious! It's crazy! A guarantee crowd pleaser!!
Another foot stomper from the album is the track 'Funhouse', under the same name as the album. Indeed this track is the latest single from the album and is the absolutely bomb. Lately this song has been making alot more sense to me as a few facts have dawned on me. P!NK, you speak directly from my heart! 'Please Don't Leave Me' is another purely rock track where she describes another side of her relationship with her ex-husband, the same person who inspired the opening track of the album.
P!NK exposes her vunerable side more than ever before in the power ballads like 'Sober', 'I Don't Believe You', 'Crystal Ball' and 'Glitter in the Air'. All of these songs bring forward her softer but still a very powerful side. In these track P!NK revels about the mistakes people make, the things they take for granted and the love they refuse to let go. The first two are amongst my all time favorites, and remind me alot of 'Who Knew' from her fourth studio album I'mNot Dead. All of these are immensely beautiful and very thought provoking. Like I said earlier, P!NK exposes her vunerability letting down her rebellious front. The result is just something beyond amazing.
'Ave Mary A' is a track much samilar to 'Dear Mr. President' from her I'm Not Dead as well. It's related to the social issues and the bigger problems facing the world. It's amazing how she can fit it all into a song, without much difficulty. I definitely wouldn't mind a few one on one session with her on song writing.
P!NK goes slightly more uptempo with more guitar play on tracks like 'One Foot Wrong', 'Mean'and 'It's All Your Fault' but keeps the sensitivity of the song alive through out the verses. It's during the chorus that she bursts into her punk side and gives her big lungs a real exercise in going up and down and belting it out.
The bonus track 'This Is How It Goes Down' which featues Travis McCoy is another track I feel I'm more likely to find Britney lending her voice too. But P!NK has changed it more to her comfort by adding her punk spice to it. Seriously, is there anything she can't do?!
The bonus track 'Could've Had Everything' and 'Why Did I Ever Like You' are two other tracks that have all her neccesary elements packed in three minutes(Give or take a few) but there is nothing about them that's going to make you sit and take notice. Even for bonuses, there is nothing special about them.
Now the last bonus track 'Boring' is the exact opposite of the title. It's pretty darn good! P!NK is a complete sassy version of herself with a power pop chorus, she brings nothing but her best forward. The album could have accomodated one more track and been even better - but I'm not complaining because I absolutely love the album!
With her fifth album out and hitting the stores, she shows no signs of stopping for a breather! She's going high! She's going strong! Forever P!NK!
P!NK has pretty much always blown me away with her vocals skill. She's got this rich, deep, throaty voice which suits perfectly to her comfort zone of rock songs with raging anthems. However every once in a while she comes along with a power ballad that is just so good, you just can't help but to listen to it again. It pretty much becomes the 'Most Played' track on your music player.
P!NK released her fifth studio album and confirmed 'Sober' as her second single, I was pretty darn excited! This is definitely one of the best PINK songs that I've heard and the LIVE! performance falls nothing short of amazing, I specially liked the part towards the end when they break into a gospel style chorus! Forever P!NK!
Alicia Keys is no doubt one of the most amazing artists ever to surface. Besides placing a bif fat check mark on an amazing soulful voice, she's an amazing songwriter and an ever better LIVE! performer! Her brilliant piano playing coupled with her powerful strong vocals that are so apprpriately required for any performance make her a treat to watch!! Enjoy folks!
The one word I can use to describe this is smooth. Bedingfield put forward one of her many brilliant works beautifully. I love how the song goes up and down yet never looses it's feel. She's spot on with her vocals; and definitely deserves the spot for the best performance this week.
Adele released her debut album, 19 on January 28th 2008 and it was no doubt one of the two most remarkable debut albums from a female artist. The other being from Katy Perry. Adele proved herself as a rising star in the rapidly developing music industry and definitely earned a spot on the most recent generation of the British Invasion.
Just a few months short of turning twenty years, Adele's debut album is very appropriately titled 19. At a very tender age having released an album which majorly was under her own creative wing is something not many artists manage to do. Even the older ones!
The album opens with the very classy track 'Daydreamer'. It's a soulful ballad which displays on of Adele's strongest skills; vocal ability. One of the things I've liked most about her is that she actually sounds british. Leona Lewis's accent can only be detected during her speech and not while she sings. Adele expressions also gets ten out of ten from me. And for being the opener, the track is a definite winner.
'Best For Last' is the second track off the record. Adele takes a slightly more upbeat approach as she displays her spunk in a jolly good way. The track is easily one of the most likeable tracks from the album. After dispalying maturity way beyond her years in 'Daydreamer', 'Best For Last' is the perfect song to make the listener realize that she's just nineteen and so immensely talented. A personal favorite reason behind this song is how it goes up and down like a wave. It's really something very fresh and definitely worth a notice.
The first single off the record is the third track 'Chasing Pavements'. This song is one of the best songs I've heard from the whole bunch of songs I took time out to listen last year. And it's no wonder that it is going strong and can still be spotted in my playlist. The song won a Grammy Award for 'Best Female Pop Vocal Performance' defeating a very strong competetion that included P!NK's 'So What', Leona Lewis's 'Bleeding Love' and Katy Perry's 'I Kissed A Girl'. The music video of the song also bagged a nomination for choreography during the 2008 MTV Music Video Awards. Adele slips gracefully into her classy self again.
'Cold Shoulder' is the fourth track and the second single from the album. The song has a slight influence of jazz on to it and to tell the truth, it works like a charm. The best thing that the listener grasps about Adele by now is how diverse she really is. Once again she goes into her sassy mode and displays the attitude you would find in a nineteen year old. It's definitely a crowd pleaser. The music video has to be one of the coolest(Pun intened!) ever!
The fifth track 'Crazy For You' is another smooth flowing ballad. My favorite part of the song is when she goes into these falsetto for just a blink moment and then again goes into it towards the beginning of the chorus where she repeats the title of the song twice. Adele's vocals here are impeccable. She's definitely a master of her art. Someone clearly born with the talent and is using it very much in her favor.
'Melt My Heart To Stone' is the sixth track off the album. This track goes into a comparitively slower moods. Yes, even slower than 'Daydreamer' but then slowly builds up to a power structure. This song is very much appropriate to her self-imposed title of 'Heartbroken Soul'. By now I've gone through half of the album and I'm thoroughly pleased. Great going, Adele!
'First Love' is the seventh track. It is a gentle song with soft progression but it's abit too slow even for me. A friend of mind is totally head over heels with it but then each to his own. It's good but I liked the previous six far more.
The eighth track 'Right As Rain' brings us back to the jazzy, sassy Adele that goes perfectly after the very slow number, 'First Love'. Adele is magical with her vocals over here and there is no doubt that this track one of my favorite ones from the album. I'd definitely recommend you to check this one out. I was disappointed when it was not chosen as a single.
The ninth track is the third single from the album. It is a cover version of Bob Dylan's 'To Make You Feel My Love'. Though I prefer Kris Allen's version far above even the original version but Adele displays the adequate composure and emotional depth to the song. Though it's a cover version taking along the original melody but Adele's vocals surely leave their trademark on it. During the video, Adele's vocals are a live recording. Isn't she just amazing!!
'My Same' takes the listener back to her younger side. Though Adele appears more in her zone around ballads and slower number but there is no doubt she can wrap nearly every song around her vocals and pull it off with expertise way beyond many artists of the same age. Her faster tracks have a slight touch of Jazz to it and I'm so not complaining. This all suits her vocals beautifully!
The eleventh track 'Tired' is another up tempo number from Adele. The song was released as a single in Spain but no music video was shot. Though it is a good song for some reason it doesn't make me come back for a second listen so it falls lower than the other tracks I've heard.
The final track 'Hometown Glory'. Adele penned this song when she was sixteen years old and this was the song which led her to stardom after a friend of her put up a demo version of the song on his MySpace page. If I could write song anywhere near this at this moment, I'd be floating on Cloud Nine. Adele is definitely one of the most talented people to emerge in the previous year.
The album over all gets 9 out of 10 from me. Katy Perry also displayed creativity in her major debut release 'One Of The Boys' but Adele gives everything that Katy did with a touch of maturity and class. Plus her image goes very well with her music, she's definitely an old white soul singer at heart with a very magical voice. Adele's sophomore album is slated for a 2009 release and I'm definitely looking forward to it. Talent like her can't be kept from the world! No way no how!
Kris Allen is the 23 year old college student from Conway, Arkansas. He didn't have any camera time at all till Hollywood Week, he was in the group White Chocolate along with fellow Top 36 finalist Matt Giraud.
I really like his song choice. So far he's got the best pick of songs so far. Every single week he's been spot on.His style is more suited to ballads but he's proven himself to be pretty good at the up tempo ones as well. Good for him!
His Grand Ole Opry Week's rendition of To Make You Feel My Love was one of the best performances I have seen so far on Idol. He needs to work somewhat on stage presence as sometimes he appears shaky.
Lil Rounds is my second favorite in the running competition. She's a 23 year old married mother of three. And she's a really classy singer.
Its no surprise that I'm finding myself on her band-wagon. Every season I'm rooting for the black girl who can sing R&B and Soul with amazing ease. And she's one of the best to come along after a good time. Last season we had a R&B Diva but at times she missed. But Lil, she never misses! I'm predicting she'll go far but she won't be a winner. American Idol already has a R&B winner so the chances of their being another one are really slim. Still what the heck! I'm rooting for Lil Rounds!
Kelly Clarkson’s fourth studio album All I Ever Wantedwas no doubt one of the most anticipated releases expected during 2009. After the numerous controversies that surrounded the song writing talent behind her third studio album My December, the songs featured in this album were written by the dark times that Clarkson went through her Breakaway Tour. Along with the conflicts, there was also an on going feud with Clarkson’s record label who wanted her to pursue a direction similar to her second album Breakaway.
Clarkson refused to take it that way and eventually settled down with the album she wanted. The record did well in her circle but failed to generate as well as her previous album. Songs like Never Again and Don’t Waste Your Time were good starters but later on it didn’t give as much as the people hoped for knowing how terrific Clarkson really is. Besides the given history, another important factor that had people waiting on their toes for this album was the fact that Kelly has done a couple of tracks in collaboration with One Republic frontman, Ryan Tedder; who has been previously identified by hits like Bleeding Love by Leona Lewis and Love Like This by Natasha Bedingfield.
All I Ever Wanted totally strips down Clarkson to the same brilliance that was noted in Breakaway. I'm not a big fan of the cover art as Clarkson definitely seems photo-cropped and the background is too psychedelic for my taste. But given the pop, fun commerical feel to the album it goes along with it really well.
The album starts off with My Life Would Suck Without Youwhich also happens to be the first single off this record, and this is the perfect starting no doubt. The track gets your blood pumping with its catchy beat and the brilliant songwriting of Dr. Luke and Max Martin who gave her the more refined tracks in Breakaway. The song made billboard history by jumping from #97 to #1 breaking the record previously set by Beautiful Liars from Beyonce and Shakira in 2008(And in no way does this have to do with gyrating hips and seductive dancing). The video made its debut on January 28th. This video clearly depicts why Clarkson sets herself apart from the million of others female singers out there. She doesn’t need to put on an outfit worth millions for a song; she simply uses her vocal ability.
I Do Not Hook Up is the second track from the album is written by newest American Idol Kara DioGuardi and the very famous Katy Perry. This song has the most beautiful starting verses ever. It builds up nicely as it moves towards the chorus and leaves you dancing on the floor. A purely commercial track that will no doubt creep into iPods all over the world along with the rest of the album.
Cry is a slow power ballad that gives you a softer touch of the album. Though Breakaway is still my favorite ballad from her but this one is quite a tough competitor for the title. The heart breaking lyrics touch the chords instantly and her vocals do the remaining magic.
Don’t Let Me Stop You is the fourth track and it’s just the right medicine after a slow track like Cry. It is built along the same lines as Since U Been Gone but out stripes it by a mile. And I have a sneaky feeling this just might be the second single from the album. Every single cheated-on soul is going to feel right at home with this track and they can have a nice time listening to it while throwing darts at their ex’s pin-ups. This is my second most favorite track from the album.
The fifth track is the title track, All I Ever Wanted. Though it starts really silently but the moment Clarkson starts singing you can’t help tapping your feet. It’s typically catchy and irresistibly sing-along song. The chorus blows away her powerhouse vocal and puts up another tack of reasoning as to why Clarkson won the first season and helped the show find more winners like Carrie Underwood and David Cook.
Already Gone happens to be my favorite track from the entire album. The moment I had listened to it for the first time I was hoping that this would be selected as this year’s farewell track. This is seriously uplifting and it’s my request to all of you to take a sneak at it’s lyric. If this doesn’t make you start moving forward then you just haven’t listened to it properly. This track is the shining star of the entire album. A possible factor to it’s brilliance is probably the fact that it’s written and produced by Tedder.
If I Can’t Have You is the second track from the album to which Ryan Tedder has contributed. Frankly speaking this track was somewhat of a disappointment to me. This song utilizes heavily the vocoder effect which almost nearly every other person in the industry happens to be using. Clarkson’s vocal prowess isn’t properly delivered. If it’s meant to be a dance track it’s okay, since you really don’t need to pay attention to the lyrics but just groove to the beat. It’s merely a filler for the next track, Save You. This is the third ballad from the album. The only thing I can say about it that it’s haunting and beautiful. The songwriting process certainly involved a lot of thought that comes out. No doubt a brilliance on Ryan Tedder’s part.
Whyyouwannabringmedown is the ninth track of the album. And guys is this a blood pumper! If you’re a fan of collecting songs that will make you want to bang your head then this track definitely deserves a spot on your playlist. It’s fast! It’s contemporary! It’s now! Just be careful around the time the chorus starts because if you get too much in the vibe you’re going to hurt your neck really bad. Ouch!
Long Shot is a song that seems as it’s written by Katy Perry. Honestly speaking, even before I had found out who had written it I thought “Man, this song should have been sung by Katy!” But have no worries, Clarkson works her magic as well. Impossible is yet another Clarkson and Tedder co-operative work. Lyrics are superb; this is the song which caught my attention from the first second it got to my ear drum. There’s something about this song that clicks in your mind and you can relate to it.
Ready is so not the song I would have expected to find in a Clarkson album. This song is like a Natasha Bedingfield track with repetitive drum beats and a simple rhythm. It’s good but not great. Another power ballad or heart break number could have done a better job.
Ever heard one of those cheesy sixties number from Disney where the background singers really get a good chance at their 15 minutes of fame?! Well this is exactly what I get in my mind from the thirteenth track I Want You. This is a big disappointment!
If No One Will Listen is a beautiful track. It will instantly crawl into your mind and you will find yourself having your heartbeats fused with the tune of this song. It’s just so good!
Now if you have had the chance to own the Deluxe Edition then a track worth lending your ear to is Tip Of My Tongue. Left up to me, I would have swapped it with I Want You any day of the week. But what the heck, it’s fine. Coming back to it, this track in the starting gives you a hip hop feel with the foot stomping and clapping noises but Clarkson insures that it does it not only stay to her zone but roots itself firmly there.
The Day We Fell Apart and Can We Go Back seem like the track that could’ve been on the album but then the album would have had too much heartbreak stuff to it’s theme and gone quite opposite to the title of the album since no sane person under the sun wants a heartbreak every now and then.
All I Ever Wanted is certainly a keeper no matter whether you’ve been a Clarkson fan over the years or not! I’ve already gotten two of my friends to get hooked on her!
