Fabulous New Music, hmm...maybe

June 5th, 2007 marks the release of R&B/Pop princess Rhianna's third studio album. Yes, folks it is her 3rd album in three years. It would seem Rhianna maybe taking a page from Mariah Carey's bag of tricks. In the 90's Carey dropped an album about every other year; Rhianna says, "I can do better, how about a new album every year." Although I love and appreciate new music, being the Cancer that I am, I long for the days when you had to wait at least two or three years for a pop star to release new material. Remember the anticipation; you could not wait for that new Prince or Micheal Jackson album.

Anyway on to the new Rhianna album, well, I have only sampled a few tracks on itunes, but it sounds very promising. The beats are current and hip, the Jay-Z influences are very noticeable. Whether or not her music has grown in three years, I am going to take a wild guess and say, um NO. All these songs could have come from her first album, let's face it she's only 19; how much growth can you get in two years? But, I will give "Good Girl Gone Bad" the benefit of the doubt until I can hear every track. So far my initial knee-jerk reaction, 3 stars, stand out track "Shut up and Drive".

July 3, 2007 look forward to Beyonce's Children..oh sorry Destiny's Child's founding member Kelly Rowland to release her second solo project appropriately titled "Miss Kelly". If the first single "Like This" is any indication of what's to come; I am going to love it. I have always loved Kelly's voice and often felt she was overshadowed by Beyonce's insipid vibrato. Maybe this is Kelly's time to shine. Simply because I like her, without even hearing the material, I'm going to give it 3 1/2 stars. Of course, I am known for changing my mind; I'll keep you posted if I do.

Mythical Paragons

I just read an article entitled "Who Says all Gay Men are Stylish" in the June/July 07 issue of Details magazine. It is about gay men and fashion. I have to admit; it hit the nail on the head. Sure, there are many gay men whom are very fashionable fashionistas if you will. But, images in popular culture would have you believe that gay men are all florid icons of fashion. Think Carson Kreesley of "Queer Eye For the Straight Guy" a show devoted to helping straight men realize their inner metro-sexual. The author quotes fashion designer Issac Mizrahi who says fashion experts like most authorities on various topics are schooled and trained. Style is a personal thing and it's very subjective; so asking your best gay friend for fashion tips may not always be a winning combination. If you are a gay man maybe you can relate; or if you a straight man or woman, I bet you think know a gay man with "great" fashion sense. This article helps debunk that myth. That's right folks, myth. You know myths, those generalizations we tend to associate with certain groups, simply because we know people who often really fit the stereotype. You know cultural myths such as all Black people can dance, or all Asian students are smart. I am sure that everyone out there is aware of these myths and you don't buy into them. Of course, at some point we are all guilty of thinking it. How can we help it; our pop culture has its roots in sustaining and perpetuating myths about certain groups of people. For example take recent popular movies such as "Bring it On," "Stomp the Yard," or "The Rink," all depict young urban Black teenagers engaged in some type of dancing activity. Yes, some Black folks have tons of rhythm, but a lot don't. When I am going to see the movie about the Black kid with two left feet? Okay, I slightly digress, but my point is that these myths/stereotypes we see in popular culture seem to serve only one purpose-maintaining very flawed representations.

Summer Movie Preview- I feel a little sick

Spiderman, Pirates of the Caribbean, Shrek 3, Mr. Brooks, and 1408 are all but a few of the summer movies to hit big screens across America. Yet, if you lend me your ear; I will make a plea for a movie that deserves all the attention and publicity it can get. That movie my friends is 'SICKO' and if you haven't heard of it, ...I'll repeat it again 'SICKO'. What is it about? Micheal Moore [Fahrenheit 911] in case his name doesn't ring a bell; SICKO is his new documentary about the shameful state of the United States of America's health care system. If you are not a fan of Micheal Moore; don't let that keep you from seeing this movie. The subject of the disastrous state of health care in this movie is not a partisan issue; this film is not for Democrats or Republicans only; it's for everybody. If you are an American and desperately want the government to wake-up and change our nations health care system, then this movie is the sounding board you have been waiting for. Moore exposes some hard to swallow facts about our nations health care system. For example, why the United States, if not the richest and most profitable nation on earth, ranks 37th in health care quality compared to other nations?

It is time we raised the level of discourse in this country and started talking about things that matter. I know I am guilty here too, most of my blogs have been about superficial meaningless banter. But, there is a time and place for everything; so the banter will continue. Nonetheless, when the time is right, when the exigence is present; we as a nation need to become more politically active, involved, and aware. Ask me what movie I am most excited about; and I will reply SICKO, my friends.

Visit this website and checkout the trailer

http://video.aol.com/video/sicko-trailer-no-1/1911879

Hot New Summer Music

Mandy Moore: Wild Hope

Release Date: June 19, 2007

It has often been said that "the third time is the charm" in Moore's case it may be the fourth or possible fifth time that works for her music career. With the release of her fourth studio album, [she released her first album twice; with two different titles 'So Real' and ' I wanna be with You'], 'Wild Hope' could in fact be the album that really showcases Moore's vocal talent. Appropriately titled, 'Wild Hope' is sure to offer Mandy Moore in a different light than previous albums. The young Hollywood starlet is almost famous for her failed projects more so than her successful ones. Movies such as the flop 'Because I said So' and albums such as 'Coverage' and her self-titled second release all had mediocre success. Now, 'Wild Hope' hopes to shuffle Moore into a more adult contemporary direction alongside the likes of dare I say it, Norah Jones, Fiona Apple, and Jewel. If her first single 'Extraordinary' is any indication for what's in store on the rest of her album, then 'Wild Hope' should prove to be a very lyrically engaging album. 'Extraordinary is getting a lot of air play in radio stations and the music video is in heavy rotation on V-h1 and MTV. In the chorus Moore muses, /now I am ready, now I am ready to be Extraordinary/ and I for one, believe her. Way to go Hilary Fay!

Kelly Clarkson: My December

Release Date: June 26, 2007

We got our first taste of Miss Clarkson when she captured the American Idol title back in 2002. Fast Forward five years later and she is a mega-star, pop icon, well maybe that's a stretch, but she has legions of adoring fans who will attest to her musical genius. Now, Clarkson is about to release her third studio album entitled 'My December' one in which she is hoping will have the same success as her triple platinum sophomore set 'Breakaway' did. Although she should have titled 'My December' as 'My Hope', because I predict this album will not live up to the status or success of its' predecessor.

Clarkson took a lead role in a lot of the writing and producing on this album. With that in mind and if the first single 'Never Again' is a hint of what's to come, then I have my doubts. Although the 'Never Again' is a good song, it's raw and somewhat edgy; it lacks the authentic maturity that artist such as Christina Aguilera and Pink have been able to invoke into their songs both lyrically and musically. 'Never Again' sounds like the B-side of 'Since you Been Gone' it's inflated pop/ wanna be rock. With lyrics like, / I hope the ring he gave you turns your finger green/ I am left to assume that Clarkson is still a fan of school yard taunts and not quite ready to join the ranks of some of her contemporaries. The true pain and anger left over from failed relationships are not effectively showcased in this song; listen to Aguilera's 'Fighter' and you will know what a I've been done wrong song should sound like. Maybe 'My December' will prove to be some of Clarkson's best work; but with a title like the aforementioned, I find it truly hard to get excited about an album with 'December' in the title being released in June, although I am sure it is a metaphor for something, possibly buying shoes or eating ice cream.

American Idol and the Winner is……

Tonight was the first installment in the two-part Idol finale. Was it a knockout drag out fight to the finish? Hardly, in fact it was a lukewarm show, much like the rest of this seasons shows-post Sanjaya’s exist. Not to digress too much, but I did not particularly like Mr. Malakar, but he did add some much needed spice to this season’s idol. Now, back to the point of this blog; who will win; who will our next American idol be? Honestly, of course you expect nothing less from me, right? To digress one more time, saying “honestly” is like saying “hopefully” both are over used nonsense adverbs. Check out Strunk and White’s Elements of Style, you’ll catch my drift. Back to idol, well once again much like this season’s idol, distractions are not easily avoided sense the show can’t keep my attention very successfully; why should this blog be different?

I really can’t say with any certainty whom will win this year’s idol; it is a toss up. Both Jordin and Blake have a lot of things working in their favor. First, Blake may not have the vocal ability of his competitor, but he has got the performance in the bag. He knows how to effectively work the crowd. On the other hand, Jordin has that great showstopper voice that Idol loves. She is a younger Kelly Clarkson, Fantasia, or Carrie Underwood. So who will take the prize? Let’s face it; Idol needs a real winner in the pop scene after Taylor Hicks. Runners-up Katherine McPhee, Chris Daughtry, and Elliot Yamin are all making more of an impression on the pop music scene than Taylor. Reuben Studdard comes to mind when I think of Hicks. Now, with that in mind, I’ll try to pick the winner. If Idol wants another clone of former successful female pop singers, then Jordin is your winner. Yet, if they want something a little different, something not so typical, then I believe Blake is the man. Although his beat boxing is played out, Blake is the “it” man, in terms of image and style. He is a cross between what is really hot in pop music right now, blue-eyed-pop/soul artist. Blake is somewhere between Justin Timberlake, Maroon 5, Robin Thicke, Usher, and Neyo rolled all into one. Idol needs a male artist that can nail a hit album unlike the two predecessors, Studdard and Hicks. Blake has the superficial teenage bopper image to do it. But, on that same note, so does Jordin; the difference is that Idol has produced female singers like Jordin; Blake would be in a class to himself.

Finally, I have always wondered what it would be like to hear Brittany Spears and Christina Aguilera sing the same song, tonight on the overly cheesy original song; I found out. Jordin did a wonderful job; Blake..umm not so good, but in his defense the song is so much more suited for a young vibrant female such as Sparks. Again, who will win? JORDIN, her vocal ability will seal the deal. Blake will be successful without Idol, and if he’s smart; he wants it that way.

American Idol's Blake & Chris

Tonight American bid adieu or good-bye to two American Idols. I must admit; I was not disappointed to see Phil go. He was never a standout, and lets face it in a sea of mediocrity standing out should have been easy, right? Actually, this season has not been too awful, I mean there was Sanjaya. Now it looks like we are down to the final four with Chris taking his final salute in song. It was good to see all the contestants hug and show there love and support for each other as Chris belted out "Wanted Dead or Alive." With only four left I see it coming down to either Blake vs. Melinda or Jordin vs. Blake. I believe all those girls and guys voting for Chris will now turn their attention towards Blake. Unless Lakisha can pull a rabbit out of her breast, I don't see her sticking around past next week. Although Melinda has been pretty consistent, she has gotten quite boring. She's good but Idol tends to like contestants that evolve. Jordin has an energy and spark that I think a lot of voters can connect with, plus she is young. A would prefer to see a Blake vs Jordin showdown; I think it would be a lot more spicy, exciting, and riveting. Besides with a third place finish Melinda is a shoe in for a record deal.