Album Reviews- Alicia Keys & Mary J. Blige

On Alicia's 4th studio album, entitled The Element of Freedom, she chooses a title that feels slightly contrasting to the lyrical content. Maybe the juxtaposition is relevant, acknowledging the freedom from a particular state, love. The album itself is brilliant, except the Beyonce duet, garbage. Each track is so seamlessly layered and intricate. The beat on the first [second] single 'Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart' is powerful. It has such a gratuitously infectious baseline for a [lyrically] emotionally gripping song. Alicia seems to be a slave to love, as she crafts songs that depict a journey filled with plenty of ups and downs. On tracks like 'Love is a like the Sea', 'Love is my Disease', and 'Love is Blind', she effectively taps into the heartache typically associated with being in love. It's a slow album; it's a sad album; it's a visceral album, especially if you've ever been in love. Download these tracks, 'This Bed', 'Un-Thinkable' and 'Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart'.

Stronger with Each Tear, Mary J. Blige again, does what she does so well, make empowering, confident, and introspective music. Blige is the kind of artist whom takes a song and finds that really honest core. And, it is where she connects with her audience. She's authentic. On each one of her albums, from her first release, 1992's 'What's the 411' to this latest, 2009's 'Stronger with Each Tear' Blige lets it all hang out. She's like an open wounded, on display for the world to see. And, to be that bold, takes some guts. Mary's no holds barred attitude on tracks like 'I am, 'Kitchen' and 'Said and Done' reveal a woman finally comfortable in her own skin. Finally, I would be remiss if I didn't mention one of the most vocally driven tracks Blige has ever recorded, 'I Can see in Color'. Blige invokes the blues and is so vulnerable, she captures what few female vocalist can, raw unfettered emotion.

Best of 00s

With 2009 quickly coming to an end, literally one day left, I thought I'd jump into the best of fray. .

Back to Basics- Christina Aguilera- Can't get anymore conceptual than this. The only major hit on the album was 'Ain't no other Man' but the album follows in line with that single's vibe. Unfortunately, I think she just included too much material. She should have limited it to one disk. Overall, undeniably some of the best singing by a female artist.

Hotel Paper- Michelle Branch - Another good album, it could have made my underrated list, but she actually did have at least two hits from this disk. If you're into singer/ songwriters, Michelle Branch is your girl. She's not the best singer, but like so many other pop girls, she's not trying to be. The lyrics on songs like the title track, 'Hotel Paper' capture her vulnerability as an artist.

Hot Fuss- The Killers - I'm a sucker for anything 80s and when an album has a quintessential 80s sound, I'm all over it. Enter The Killers, 2004 release, everything from cheeky lyrics, to bombastic style, these guys were definitely channelling 80s new wave synthpop/rock.

Other favorites,

White Stripes- Elephant- 2003

Lady Gaga- The Fame- 2008

Alicia Keys- Diary- 2003

Mary J. Blige- No More Drama- 2002

N.E.R.D- In Search of- 2001

Pink- I'm Not Dead- 2006

Madonna- Music- 2000

Sade- Lover's Rock- 2000

Underrated and Overlooked,Albums of the 00's

Two years ago I posted a blog, ranting about Vh-1's show about the 00's. It was another installment of their I love the Decade series. I thought, "it's too soon, it is fall 2007." Now, it is time, the exigence it's here. Vh-1 rollout the 00's. With all the discussion on blogs about the top selling albums of the decade, (Billboard just reported that NYSNC - No Strings Attached is the top selling album of the decade-10million) I thought I would devote a blog to some of the albums that didn't get the radio attention or acclaim they deserved.

En Vogue- Masterpiece Theatre- released May 2000

If you're scratching your head, you're probably not alone. En Vogue? En Vogue reached the height of there popularity in the early to mid 90s. They started as a 4-member girl group, Dawn Robinson left the group in 1996 before they dropped their 3rd album, EV3. In 2000, the remaining members released, Masterpiece Theatre. The first single 'Riddle' gained some airplay, but by industry standards the album was a failure. The album was some of the groups best work, showcasing a rich depth lyrically. And vocally,Cindy, Maxine, and Terry hit their stride on this disk. Their harmonies were powerful . Each voice, distinctive (you know who is singing) which for a girl group is quite refreshing. Were there no Destiny's Child, En Vogue may have done better in 2000. Go grab this album, or download these singles- 'Riddle', 'Love U Crazy,' 'Que Sera, Sera', and 'Those Dogs'.

Lamya- Learning From Falling- 2002

You may really scratch you head on this artist. Lamya found minimal success with two singles, 'Empires' and 'Black Mona Lisa', both were remixed and faired will on the Billboard dance charts. Sleek production and poetic lyrics color this album. Lamya was one of those introspective artist that don't come along often enough in pop music. Her voice was refined, yet unique. In the vain of Sade and Dido, Lamya was definitely a chanteuse worth consideration, unfortunately she passed away in January 2009, yet her music still lives. Download- 'Empires' , 'Never Enough', 'Judas Kiss', and 'Full Frontal Fridays.'

Little Jackie- The Stoop- 2008- This is just a really fantastic pop album. Imman Coppolla and Adam Pallin make up this duo. Live instruments, funny, catchy, and relevant lyrics make this album a gem.

Cyndi Lauper- Bring Ya the Brink- 2008- 80s infused pop flair, with that classic Cyndi sound sketched into each song.

Roisin Murphy- Overpowered- 2008- Eclectic and stylistically quirky, electric dance music at it's best

Jody Watley- Midnight Lounge- 2001- Seductive and mellow, a perfect blend of disco and electronic

Robin Thicke- A Beautiful World- 2003- charismatic Blue eyed soul , rich and bold, retro meets hip-hop.

Kelis hits hard with a new single & new album

10 years ago,an overtly eccentric, saucy, retro-stylish r&b/pop singer exploded on to the pop scene, her name was [is] Kelis. Her first single, 'Caught Out There' gained some traction on TRL [Total request Live], a show on MTV that actual focused on videos, go figure. In a time when Britney, Christina, and Jessica, dominated the airwaves, Kelis emerged as the sort of anti-pop girl. She was in-your face, raw, and well, interesting. Her curly afro-esque orange hair, her tall model-esque stature, combined with an articulate and not so urban dialect made for a divergent artist, one people weren't sure how to categorize. She wasn't quite pop because her music had a distinctive hip-hop flair [she was one of the Neptune's first production] and she wasn't completely r&b either. Unique, and street wise, she found an audience in Europe, where he first album did considerably well. Her second album, 'Wanderland', didn't fair well in the U.S. The first single, 'Young, Fresh and New' received minimal airplay at best. However, once again, the Brits ate it up. Finally, in 2003, Kelis scored big with 'Milkshake', the first single off the 'Tasty' album was a worldwide hit. In part due to the infectious Neptunes beat and her sultry sexed-up vocals, Kelis gained some much deserved attention. Unfortunately, 'Milkshake' was the album's only hit. Three years later, she released 'Kelis was Here' a mundane title for another underrated album. She parted ways with the Neptunes on this disc. Still, even with help from hitmaker, Will.I.am, there were some high and low moments on the disk. It lacked any real top 40 radio ready songs. Now, Kelis is about to drop her 5th studio album, due in 2010. I'm a fan and I can't wait. The first single entitled, 'Acapella' is a David Guetta produced electro/disco treat. Anything with Guetta behind it and I'm sold.

Fake is the New Real, but Compared to What?

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I'm sure most of you are familiar with the phrase "image is everything" if not, you probably have lived under a rock of some sort for the past 20 years. This phrase, although common and probably a bit nonsensical, still truly embodies a seemingly ubiquitous metaphor for reality television. Take for example the new reality show premiering on MTV tonight, Jersey Shore. The show follows the lives of self-identified "Guido's". What is a Guido? Someone of Italian decent, wears his hair high, [for guys this usually means spiked], is a gym rat, and uber tan. You've seen this guy in the gym, always looking at his abs; his muscles are juiced; and his attitude, well, cocky and arrogant are two adjectives that come to mind. And here it is folks, an image, one that is marketable , sellable. It's the commodification of a type, more specifically a style. Some critics condemn networks, like MTV for promoting and complicity perpetuating negative stereotypical images, in particular on Jersey Shore, the "Guido". And like most in its genre, the show has a particular audience that it will appeal to, young, tan, 2o somethings, that bask in overly indulgent narcissism. A network like MTV, isn't going to take the moral high ground here, remember "From G's to Gents", which was probably a euphemism for another word, beginning with "N" ending with "A". Shows like the latter are standard production for MTV. My point is that in a world of images, reality television will continue to glamorize any style that carries meaning for a particular culture. Any identity can be sold as real, even if it is really fake, as long as there are buyers willing to consume it.

I Look to You***

Last week Whitney Houston released her long awaited 6th, [I am not including The Bodyguard Soundtrack] studio album. I've contemplated ways to describe her latest set of 11 tracks and today, the analogy or should I say memory hit me.

It was Spring 1997 and like most high school seniors, I was totally ecstatic about Prom. I looked dashing in my tux [my mom told me so]. I had the hot girl [too bad I wasn't really into her]. I would have much rather had my secret crush, a guy I sat behind in my algebra I class my junior year. So, off my date and I went, hand in hand. After we ate dinner with my best friend and his date, we went on our merry way to the statehouse convention, where our Prom was held. We arrived about an hour after it started and stayed about maybe 45 minutes, long enough to take pictures and mingle with our friends. Then we left. I took my date home. Once we got to her house, I walked her to the door. She gave me a kiss and sent me on my way. I got back in my car,sat there for a moment, and thought "is that all there is." And, that is how my Prom night ended. I went home, got out of my dashing tux, and went to sleep. The next day I felt completely spiritless. Prom was so lukewarm. Were my expectations too high? I didn't expect to have sex, in fact it was the last thing I wanted. We were friends and I only wanted her on my arm because she was one of the popular girls, by high school standards anyway. But, Prom itself, the event was so underwhelming. And, that truly is how I feel about Whitney Houston's album, I Look to You. Like Prom, it's just ok.

If you're looking for Whitney of yesterday, then you'll be really disappointed. No soaring crescendo type ballads, leading to possibly glass breaking high notes. Instead, her vocal stylings are husky and hoarse, a distant departure from hits like, I'm your Baby tonight, or Didn't we almost have it All. Still, Whitney manages to keep her sound, the musicality of the album current. On tracks like Million Dollar Bill and For The Lovers, Houston does offer some head bopping, booty shaking bumping and grinding moments. And, if that's what you want, then you'll love the album. The slower jams are nice, good even, but not great. I Look to You is an acceptable relatively middle of the road type comeback. Although Whitney likes to say this album is not a comeback,.. well you be the judge.

Idiocracy: America Land of the what?

Current Health Care Reform debates, [I use that term loosely] and the town hall meeting discussions[even more loosely] both clearly illuminate America's tepid free fall into a land full of idiots. Harsh words, maybe, but simply take a look around at attitudizing customer service workers, entertainment news media, but really politics in particular. Words like Socialism, Fascist, Racist, Vampires, Rapists, Death panels, Nazi, Euthanasia, and the list goes on, continue to float out of mainly Republican pundits mouths way too easily, without any concern or regard for the outcome. Well, free speech is a wonderful thing and I would never advocate censorship. But, the reality is we live in a society in which opinion is often ingested as fact. I would discuss the birther movement, but that's too easy. Something so ridiculous should have never gained traction in this country, but again to the point of this blog, idiots consume and color the the landscape.

Simply look at health care town hall rallies across the country a place where sensible and reasoned discussion should take place has instead become a breeding ground for idiots and charlatans, taking their propaganda and spreading it like wildfire. People [citizens] should know that Nationalized Health Care will not take away anyone's ability to choose. Likewise, consider other government institutions, the postal service or public education, both compete against private corporations or entities.

For example, consider this, if you don't want your child to go to public schools, then guess what? Little Suzie or Johnny don't have to go. As a parent, you can choose to send them to a private school. And, do we all [American citizens] pay for public education? Absolutely! I am a single man with no dependents. Can you guess how much more I pay in taxes than a married couple with children? A lot! Do I care? No! I realize a function of the federal government is to empower it's citizens. Education is central to and for a well maintained and functioning society. It's no accident that a society which glorifies ignorance is also hell bent on opposing government programs that will ideally benefit the vast majority of Americans. Why? Because idiots generally lack empathy. They have a more nationalist worldview that eagerly attaches to "us" vs. "them" rants. The kind of thinking that leaves little room for progress.We can have discussions about controlling cost and reforming a broken system. Let's not have a discussion that is seeped in fear and trepidation. So to all those Americans who are so afraid right now, take note. Your country is still yours. No one has taken anything away from you. If you like a federal government that runs on autopilot then get ready for a weakened infrastructure, lack luster public facilities, and protections, when the storm approaches and the levees break, don't cry to the federal government because you supported cutting the program aimed at fixing and maintaining the foundation.