NMT 3/08/10 Corinne Bailey Rae, We Were Promised Jetpacks, The Temper Trap and more!

2010 - WELCOME TO THE YEAR OF THE HIPSTER!

Hey everyone, welcome to the first posting of 2010! W00t w00t for all you Nubes. I am really excited this week, cuz there are 2 bands in particular who I recently just learned about that I know you will love. I’m sure their cd’s were released in 09, but buying cd’s which were released in 09 in the year 2009 is so 2009. That being said, I just found out about them and couldn’t be more stoked! Gnarly brah! Get your hipster suspenders on, and remember one thing “My biggest fear in life is being ordinary” – an actual quote from an anonymous hipster

• Corinne Bailey Rae – THE SEA – After Losing her husband to an accidental drug/alcohol overdose, Corinne Bailey Rae returns with her sophomore effort. A little darker this time around (well, darker compared to her Put Your Record On days); Corinne produces a solid album that brings to mind something out of the late 60’s - but in a good way. Criticism? The album is front-loaded with the strongest material. When she’s on the songs are timeless, however the latter half gets dragged down by too many forgettable slow jams. 3 Songs really stand out to me: the effortlessly light yet emotional single I’d Do It All Again, the flirty come-on Closer, and her brooding/sexy The Blackest Lily. Check, check, check ‘em out along with a couple more!
o Are You Here
o I’d Do It All Again
o The Blackest Lily
o Closer
o Paris Nights/New York Mornings

•We Were Promised Jetpacks – These Four Walls – After being recommended WWPJ by a family member, I was interested to hear what these guys had to offer. After being told they’re often compared to Bloc Party (among other bands), I had VERY high expectations. As it turns out, the rumors are true, in a VERY good way! While at times their driving rhythmic guitar backbones seem to bite BP’s style, it is a style I happen to love. Some would say WWPJ is a one note band, meaning all of their songs are very similar sounding, but that is ok with me. While they don’t have the diversity of Bloc Party (especially apparent on their weak attempts at the slow-tempo ballads), these guys know how to make some melodic masterpieces; and who doesn’t love a great Scottish accent? CHECK THESE GUYS OUT!!
o It’s Thunder and It’s Lightning
o Ships With Holes Will Sink
o Roll Up Your Sleeves
o Quiet Little Voices
o Moving Clocks Run Slow

• The Temper Trap – Conditions – So after recently hearing this band on a Coke commercial for about the 3rd time, I finally asked Nate to use his fancy “iphone internetz” to identify this band (that app is amazing, thank you Nate). I am so glad I did, this band is tha coooolest. Check this out, (disclaimer: this comparison is on the itunes page as well) these guys sound somewhat like a mix of Cold-Play, U2, the Killers 1st effort, and Phoenix, with vocal stylings of the BeeGees. The song which sparked my interest, Sweet Disposition (500 Days of Summer), is something memories are made of. Buy it, listen to it while you are doing something you love or remembering it, and it will forever take you back to that event- no joke. I LOVE this band, Here are my favorites…
o Love Lost
o Sweet Disposition
o Fader
o Rest
o Fools


Some Great Singles to bring in the new year (in March?) well, the gypsy new year…

• Dirty Money – Love Come Down – Diddy comes off as an idiot yet again, but this time the end product is unique sounding and hits heavy on the bass. Reminiscent of early 90’s hip/hop R&B, but with a modern twist. This one grows on you kids.

• Nneka – After already conquering the music scene in Ze Germany (don’t say it Erin!), this Nigerian songstress debuts in the US of A with one of the coolest songs I’ve heard in a WHILE in Heartbeat. Adding to it, Beautiful has a cool reggae vibe to it.
o Heartbeat
o Beautiful

• V.V. Brown – Britain’s latest musical export, V.V. Brown is sporting more than just a great pair of legs, she can sing too! (imagine that) Though I don’t love her whole cd, these two tracks have perfectly balanced her 50’s roots with avant garde hit potential.
o Shark in the Water
o Everybody

• Lil Wayne & Nicki Minaj – Knock Out – Terrible c.d., GREAT song. Nicki Minaj’s chorus makes this song, backed by some infectious music. Baby 1,2,3…

• Fantasia – Even Angels – Fantasia may look a tad like one of THESE, (haha no seriously, right? p.s. it is hard to search for those - finally chin face worked..who knew?) but I’m a fan of her latest single. Very radio friendly, and corny lyrics, but good R&B pop

• Sade – Soldier of Love – There isn’t much to say about Sade, this lady knows how to make you sway. With just a touch of grey, she makes her critics pay with this full bodied sonic-display. With no further delay…

• Erykah Badu – Window Seat – The queen of cool (not to mention head-dresses), Erykah Badu delivers another blow to uptight people everywhere. Seriously, this song could have someone as awkward and stiff as Larry King loose-grooving to her hypnotic vibe. Light some candles for this one!

• Final Fantasy – This Lamb Sells Condos – One of the weirdest finds I’ve made in a while, This Lamb Sells Condos has an odd way of making me extremely happy and even nostalgic. The piano’s melody when it goes up and down into those high keys strikes a chord. No idea what the song is about, but the occasional funny lyric on top of everything makes this song one of my favorites.

• Vampire Weekend – People love the shit out of this band, and while the hipster in me can appreciate their style, I don’t quite get it. These 2 songs I get however. Horchata is the perfect soundtrack to a warm summer’s day cuddled up to a crunk bucket or 2 with the Fam (I also love me some Horchata). Giving up the Gun may take the cake for me though, what chuuu think?
o Horchata
o Giving Up the Gun

• Pink – Glitter in the Air – Did anyone miss the Grammy’s this year? Ashley called it, one of the best performances I've ever seen. Really incredible song, reminds me of Fleetwood Mac.

• Four Tet – For all of those fans of cool, relaxing electronic instrumental music (Maureezy where you at!), Four Tet makes some pretty stunning stuff.
o She Just Likes to Fight
o Plastic People
o Angel Echoes

• Dirty Projectors – Stillness is the Move –HIPSTERS UNITE! Whatever you want to call them: Hipsters, biketards, scene-bags, Canadians, etc…The year of the hipster is upon us and we can all celebrate this epic classic from the Dirty Projectors. Fill your fanny packs with expensive-foreign beer and patchouli, remove your shoes (unless in rollerblades) and get DOWN! (p.s. She totally looks like Michele Tanner's face on a grown woman's body)

• Guido – Beautiful Complication – This song will forever remind me of New Years Eve, thanks to Tron (Ro-bo-Tron) and Mr. “Seal” Magoat himself. It’s no JMac but it is as underground dub as I get. For now.

NMT 1/24/2010 - THE TOP 25 SINGLES OF 2009!

Top 25 Singles of 2009

It is time for my top 25 songs of 2009. While a few of the songs may have been released in 08, I've included any songs that I bought in '09. I left out any songs on my top 10 albums of the year for sake of variety. This way, some very random artists will get the exposure they deserve (by exposure I mean maybe 10 people will check them out!). In no categories nor in any particular order, here are my top 25 songs of 2009...

1. Turnin’ Me On – Keri Hilson
2. Happiness – The Fray
3. Mango Tree – Angus & Julia Stone
4. Chase Money – Trouble Andrew
5. Brooklyn Girls – Charles Hamilton
6. Addiction – Ryan Leslie
7. Broken Strings – James Morrison ft. Nelly Furtado
8. Come Over – Estelle
9. Must Be Love – Cassie
10. Waking Up in Vegas(Manhattan Clique Rmx) – Katy Perry
11. She Is Love – Parachute
12. Red Light – David Nail
13. Paradise Cove – Pete Yorn
14. Cosmic Love – Florence + the Machine
15. Houstatlantavegas – Drake
16. Drop it Low – Ester Dean ft. Chris Brown
17. Deep South – Cartel
18. Satellite Heart – Anya Marina
19. Don’t Let Me Down – Leona Lewis ft. Justin Timberlake
20. Un-Thinkable (I’m Ready) – Alicia Keys
21. Light Up – Tegan & Sara
22. Sexy Bitch – David Guetta ft. Akon
23. Low Light Low Life – P.O.S.
24. Assassin – John Mayer
25. My Beautiful Rescue – This Providence

NMT 1/20/2010 - THE BEST ALBUMS OF 2009!

THE TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2009

It has been a minute, but I have returned with a post that was both fun and challenging, and hopefully will be helpful; organizing my 10 favorite albums of 2009. While you may have heard of most of these artists, I hope you check these albums out if you don't own them already. I based these rankings on my most favorite/complete albums of the year. Expect my top 25 singles of the year to follow later in the week. Ahem - And now without further delay, in descending order of course, I give you my top 10 albums of 2009...


#10. Ursa Major - Third Eye Blind - Best “Oldie” Comeback In ‘09
Semi-charmed kind of return for these middle-school favorites, proving some bands never lose it.
Check Out: Bonfire



9. Grand - Matt & Kim - Funkiest Bunch to Breakthrough In ‘09
This 2 man (part woman) wrecking crew storm the nation with infectious funk; 1 set of drums and a keyboard can do THAT? Really??
Check Out: Good ‘Ol Fashion Nightmare



8. Unbroken - Katharine McPhee - 09's True Idol
American Idol’s best (not to mention best looking) finally brings her skills to the table in this folky, ethereal sophomore surprise.
Check Out: How



7. Miike Snow – Miike Snow – Best Album You’ve Never Of In ‘09
Swedish master pop-hitmakers Bloodshy & Avant team up with singer/songwriter to wrap up ’09 in synth heaven.
Check Out: Black & Blue



6. Rated R - Rihanna – Best Bounce Back Of ‘09
From battered to swaggered, Rihanna came back harder than ever with more attitude and identity than ever before.
Check Out: Rude Boy



5. Man On the Moon – Kid Cudi – Hip Hop’s Best Hope in ‘09
Take 1 part hip hop swag, 1 part indie skater emo insecurity, season with creativity and shake.
Check Out: Man On the Moon



4. Manners – Passion Pit – Electronic Breakthrough of ‘09
Who'd have guessed the Beach Boys on acid would sound so damn good?
Check Out – Little Secrets



3. Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix – Phoenix – Indie Standout of ‘09
Trendy AND cool? These Frenchmen have done it here, indie pop at it’s best.
Check Out: Lisztomania



2. Brand New Eyes – Paramore – Best Guilty Pleasure of 09,
Amazingly catchy, upbeat choruses backed by gnarly vocals.
Check Out: All I Wanted



AND FINALLY...


1. BLACKsummers'night – Maxwell – Masterpiece of ’09
Start to finish, the smoothest, most complete album out in 2009, hands down.
Check Out: Pretty Wings


Here's to an even bigger and better sounding 2010!

NMT 9/29 - 10/20 Whole lotta good stuff...

ROCK

• Paramore – Brand New Eyes – What I once considered my guilty pleasure, Paramore have followed up their catchy sophomore cd Riot with Brand New Eyes, and have proven themselves to be so much more. I will keep it brief, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t love this cd. I’ll narrow it down to 5 stand out tracks to sample (make that 6), but just about every song on the cd is solid. Great music, more mature lyrics, and damn can Hayley Williams sing!
o Brick by Boring Brick
o Turn It Off
o Looking Up
o Where the Lines Overlap
o Misguided Ghosts
o All I Wanted – @ 2:40, are you kidding me?...Crazy

• Cartel – Cycles – There’s something about Cartel that sets them apart from other similar sounding bands, an unidentifiable element that makes them more believable than the run of the mill punk/rock/pop band. Cycles keeps me a believer with the following 3 tracks. If you like these songs at all, I’d highly suggest checking out their older material (Burn This City, Wasted, Georgia, Minstrels Prayer, A)
o Deep South - best one in my opinion
o Typical
o Conventional Friend

R&B/ HIP HOP

• Usher – Papers – Usher, brah, brosef, I think you need to give Mary J Blige a call and learn a thing or 2 about a little thing called “Nooooo more drama, no mo drama, nomodrama, nmdrrrmaaaa (heart attack)” (you get the picture)…Seriously, the same autobiographical singles he keeps releasing are played out, boring, and whiny… At least confessions part II had a good beat to it.

• Justin Bieber – One Less Lonely Girl – I believe I called it with this kid, he’s blowing up! “I saw so many pretty faces, before I saw you…” really Justin? Did you? You’re 6, I doubt it. Another catchy song from “the fetal prince of R&B”. Also, in response to the video, what 12 yr old girl does her laundry at a laundromat? AND if you are lucky enough to make it to the end you get to hear him say “only you shawty” hahaha somewhere in a dancing with the stars green room, Aaron Carter is crying (again)

• Mariah Carey – Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel – What? I guess perfect angels know her outfit on the cd cover is a child’s t-shirt and not a grown woman’s dress…no complaints here. OK so she’s crazy, but at least there’s no butterfly reference for a change. Memoirs is a step back to the old ballad focused days for Mariah Carey. Produced by The Dream, I was expecting a lot more. For me most of the highlights aren’t even songs, they’re reprises, and interludes. If you really want to hear the bat shit crazy lyrics we’ve all come to love, check out Up Out My Face @ 2:50…Someone’s been “bathin’ in windex” a little too long
o The Impossible (the reprise)
o H.A.T.E.U.
o Angel (the prelude)
o Up Out My Face

• Snoop – Gangsta Luv (ft. The Dream) – Nothing ground breaking, but a catchy chorus provided by The Dream

• Joss Stone – Colour Me Free! - I hate to say it cuz I love Joss Stone, but Colour Me Free! (It’s the British spelling nay sayers) doesn’t stand out to me the way her last cd Introducing… did. That being said, Stalemate is an awesome duet, and Could Have Been You has her signature vibe that straddles the temporary and soul throwback sound.
o Stalemate (with Jamie Hartman)
o Could Have Been You

• Esther Dean & Chris Brown – Drop it Low – I HATED this song at first, then about 2 plays later, I LOVE this song. Let’s consider Esther the new latest one hit wonder, but damn if this song comes on when I’ve had a few drinks, you may as well call me Chris Brown and prepare for a dance fight, followed by a real fight. (I need help) 3:20 is the best part!

• Robin Thicke – Sex Therapy – Whoooooooeeeeeeee Yessir, Robin Thick is back with the ultimate slow jam. Produced by the uber talented Polow Da Don (Glamorous, Promise, Buttons, Throw Some D’s, Love in this club, Forever, Turnin Me On, DROP IT LOW, etc, etc…crazy huh?) Sex Therapy is the guy’s version of Promise, so smooth, matched perfectly with Robin Thicke. Hopefully this is a sign for things to come from Mr. Thicke after his less than stellar previous effort.

• Rihanna – Russian Roulette – First single of Rihanna’s upcoming cd titled Rater R, Russian Roulette, written with Neyo is not gonna be for everyone. Dark lyrics, eerie instrumentation, all together moody, this mid-tempo single may not be your favorite Rihanna song, but it does deliver when it comes to creating an atmosphere that (while gloomy and a bit ominous) is all Rihanna’s. If anything, I applaud her for taking a new direction with her new material. Rated R is sure to get people’s attention. Not on itunes quite yet, but soon.

POP/DANCE

• Britney Spears – 3 – Slightly annoying at first, 3 grows on you after a few listens. Although the lyrics are pretty lame, and the vocal arrangement during the verses are flat out bad, the chorus backed by the driving tempo has brought Ms. Spears to the #1 Billboard spot for only the 3rd time in her career. The highlight is when the bridge kicks in at 2:22 and the music technos out a bit, fading into the background only to come surging back. I guarantee girls will be reporting to the dance floor when this one comes on.

• Leighton Meester – Somebody to Love (ft. Robin Thicke) – This song has a really heavy 70’s vibe, but even though Leighton Meester isn’t really singing here, I’m a fan. Never would have thought she and Robin Thicke would collaborate, but oddly enough, it works here.

• Tiesto – Kaleidoscope – When reviews of techno releases say that it’s not techno enough for techno fans, that usually means normal people should be able to enjoy. Why not, you just might like it…
o Century (ft. Calvin Harris) - (excuse the lame lyrics, it’s still techno)
o Escape me (ft. CC Sheffield) – I like the music in this one
o It’s Not the Things You Say (ft. Kele Okereke) – That’s right, it’s Bloc Party’s lead singer Kele adding to this one, great song- he’s awesome.

INDIE

• The Twilight Saga: New Moon – While I wasn’t a huge fan of the first twilight cd, I do think it was a better collection than New Moon. That being said, Satellite Heart is a great song, and I’m a big Lykke Li fan, so the slow Possibility grew on me. I also like All I Believe In, but couldn’t find a full clip anywhere (plus it’s not for sale alone)
o Anya Marina – Satellite Heart
o Lykke Li – Possibility
o The Magic Numbers & Amadou &Mariam – All I Believe In

• Noisettes - When You Were Young (Killers Cover) – I really like this cover, the usually punked out Noisettes soften it down a bit bringing smoother instrumentation like the violins. Also, accompanied by 2 great back up singers, lead singer Shingai Shoniwa changes some of the vocal arrangement (and lyrics) to suit her slightly stylized voice. She kinda reminds me of Janelle Monae.

• Janelle Monae – Come Alive – This chick is CRAZY in the best way imaginable. Seriously, it’s a shame her music doesn’t appeal to the masses cuz she is extremely talented and entertaining, not to mention cute. James Brown WHAT NOW??

• Kris Allen – Live Like We’re Dying – The American Idol winner sings this song written by British group The Script (which makes sense cuz he sounds just like their lead singer anyways) not bad.

• Tal & Acacia – Clearview – Not really into “Christian music”, but I appreciate talent and after hearing this live version I had to post it, great voices and really nice harmonies. (Creepy lyrics though, “when I fly with my daddy high” don’t refer to God as daddy. Ever.)

• Pete Yorn – Bizarre Love Triangle (live cover) – Pete’s cover of the great 80’s song

• Robert Francis – Junebug – This is one of itunes best free songs to date I think. (check it out on itunes) But the REAL highlight is: When looking for the full clip on youtube I stumbled across this rare gem… WHAT?? 3:32 so sad! Yet oddly entertaining. She has others, and I have watched them all officially making me a fan of the Debbie Downer of youtube. Careful, if like me you listen to the whole thing, the song Junebug actually does play EXTREMELY loud at the very end.

COUNTRY

• Luke Bryan – What Country Is – And people say I never include country music on here. Well friends, this song explains what country really is. Some pretty funny lyrics, but I like the banjo in it, makes me feel like I'm in the South.

NMT9/28/09 Kid Cudi, Whitney Houston, Katharine Mcphee and more!

HIP-HOP, HIP-HOP-ANONYMOUS

• Jay Z – The Blueprint III
o Empire State of Mind – What a great collaboration Jay Z and Alicia Keys, 2 of NYC’s finest coming together to celebrate New Jersey, simply beautiful…The music is cool, Keys’s knocks it out of the park on the chorus, “…These streets will make you feel brand new, big lights will inspire you” especially on her last chorus where she harmonizes, they should have worked together long ago.
o A Star Is Born (ft. J Cole) – Tribute to all the famous rappers over the past couple decades, cool concept, good lyrics, great music. For me, this is the “Dirt Off Your Shoulder” of the album.
o Young Forever (ft. Mr. Hudson) – remake of the 80’s classic

• Kid Cudi – Man On the Moon – Basically could have listed 8+ tracks below as my favorites, but I had to narrow it down to 5 for space sake (get it? Man on the Moon? Space?) ATTENTION HIP HOPPERS, guess what happens when you step outside the box and bring some originality to the plate, you (sometimes) KILL it! I applaud Kid Cudi for numerous reasons: being original, experimenting with different artists and genres, but mainly for making damn good music. MOTM is a breath of fresh air in an otherwise smoky scene, Mr. Solo Dolo is here to stay, bravo! Now buy the cd foo!
o Soundtrack 2 My Life
o Alive (Nightmare) ft. Ratatat
o Hyyerr (ft. Chip Tha Ripper) – nod to fellow Cleveland natives Bone Thugs
o Up Up & Away – My favorite
o Man On the Moon – My other favorite, explains it all

• Tyrese – Mayhem Take Me Away (Logan de Gaulle Remix) – Tyrese takes a break from making some of the best films of all time, ie. 2 Fast 2 Furious, to sing some techno sounding comic book related single. Random, but pretty good.

• Matt & Kim ft. De La Soul – Daylight (Troublemaker Remix) – Not as good as the original, but a good listen nevertheless

• Juvenile – Hands on You (ft. Pleasure P) – You can always count on Juve to come through with the smooth single, Pleasure P just adds to the fun

• Drake – Houstalantavegas – I can’t say enough about this song other than it is my current favorite song out right now. Those of you who know me know I LOVE the Boom, Boom-Kat…Now add some spacey vocals and a ton of paper thin layered synth and I am in heaven. SUUUCH a cool song. Also, check out this version Trav found with a random girl singing over it, sounds awesome too, she did a great job.

• Q-Tip – Do You Dig U? (ft. Gary Thomas & Kirk Rosenwinkel) – Sooo smooth, Q Tip knows how to make a great laid back groove. Do you dig Do You Dig U? I sure do

R&B Time

• Whitney Houston – I Look to You - What happens when you take arguably the greatest singer of her era and feed her buckets of crack? Kiss my ASS! Bobbbaaay! Well that aside, Whitney Houston’s big comeback has finally arrived. There are 3 things I think you should know about her new cd I Look To You: 1) Her vocals have drastically worsened, 2) Her vocal phrasing and interpretation is still strong, 3) With the help of some great producers she’s created a few solid songs. Check them out…
o Million Dollar Bill – Written and produced by Alicia Keys, a throwback to 70’s soul train
o Nothin But Love – Really catchy chorus
o Like I Never Left – Akon lends his talents on this laid back track
o I Didn’t Know my Own Strength – The emotional slow jam

• Leona Lewis – Happy

• Mario – Thinkin’ About You – Another cool song from Mario, makes me excited to go out, it has that chills factor like Chris Brown’s Forever, just a bit slower. Solid back to back singles from Mario, his upcoming cd could be big news.

• Alicia Keys – Doesn’t Mean Anything – Another great song from Alicia Keys. Simple piano melody over a driving drum beat; this song builds and builds into something pretty awesome. I prefer this first single to her last, No One, but due to the repetition here, I can't say it's her very best. (She’s a victim of her own standards when it comes to my critique) Her cd comes out early 2010 and it should be nothing less than spectacular.


IN A GREY’S ANATOMY WORLD

• Matt Pond PA – Five – Great instrumental track, extremely relaxing. Can't find a clip, but sample on itunes!

• Sondre Lerche – Good Luck – Great melody on this mostly mellow track.

• A Fine Frenzy – Bomb in a Birdcage – a.k.a. Alison Sudol, A fine young singer/songwriter with a very airy sound to her songs. Reminiscent of Florence + the Machine. I think Happier is my favorite here
o New Heights
o Blow Away
o Happier
o Swan Song

• Nikki & Rich – Cat & Mouse – Cool 50’s doo-wop sound here, kinda like Duffy or Amy Winehouse, but with a bit more funk.

• Vedera – A World Apart – Think of the Fray with a female frontman. Sounds a little like Sixpence None the Richer, but I like this song.

• Katharine McPhee – Say Goodbye – Amazing vocals on this slow, stripped 2nd single off her upcoming cd Unbroken. I won’t say too much here, you simply should listen for yourself. The link is to her myspace where Say Goodbye is streaming, just click play


“RAVE” REVIEWS

• Tiesto – Excuse the creepy album art!
o Feel It In My Bones (ft. Tegan & Sara) - Tegan and Sara bring their cool harmonies over a dance track this time around
o Kaleidoscope (ft. Jonsi) – may build slow with layers of synth, but at 5:24 it takes off

• Basement Jaxx – Scars – Funky as ever, bringing something new to your music library
o Feelings Gone (ft. Sam Sparro) – awesome video
o My Turn (ft. Lightspeed Champion)
o Stay Close (ft. Lisa Kekaula)


AS CLOSE TO “ROCK” AS WE’RE GONNA GET TODAY

• Death Cab for Cutie – Meet Me On the Equinox – The 1st single off of the New Moon soundtrack, Meet Me is a pretty cool song but isn’t Death Cab’s best. Looks like it should work for the movie though.

• Pearl Jam – The Fixer – Never been a huge Pearl Jam fan, didn’t care for grunge at all, but their brand new single is pretty awesome. Different sound for sure, but great melody and a ton of drive behind the singing. Reminds me of Foo Fighters.

• Tokio Hotel – Automatic – Attention, this band’s lead singer may look like a girl, but I’m told it’s actually a dude. A German dude at that. Actually, Tokio Hotel is extremely famous throughout Europe, and are attempting to bring some of that success into the US. The girly-glam rock look is really creepy, but I do like the song.

August Recap; The Final Chapter

• Katharine McPhee – Had it All- The one and only Katharine McPhee, American Idol's hottest/most talented find ever, ditches the heavy production of her first album and comes off sounding better than ever, showcasing her amazing voice on her brand new single. Written by idol judge Kara Dioguardi, Had it All brings to mind a Sara Bareilles or Gavin DeGraw type sound. Expect big things from her Sophmore cd Unbroken out Oct. 6th. Looking good as a blonde too, can she do any wrong?
o God Bless the Child - For those of you new to McPhee, here is her American Idol audition
o Me - Lastly, an amazing live cover. If this doesn't win you over, not sure what will.

• Imogen Heap – Ellipse - The incredibly talented Imogen Heap brings us some more ground breaking electronic material.
o Tidal
o Between Sheets
o Wait it Out


• Colbie Calliat – Breakthrough
o I Won’t
o Droplets (ft. Jason Reeves)
o I Never Told You
o Out of my Mind

• Ingrid Michaelson - Everybody - Really talented singer/songwriter, best showcased when backed by instrumentation which she is on Everybody (rather than her last cd which was predominantly just ukulele and piano)
o Soldier
o Are we There Yet?
o Sort of
o Mountain and the Sea - my favorite one, and the only one I can't find a full length clip of
o So Long

August Recap Chapter IV: Hip Hop + R&B

• Really Doe - First Impressions - Like early Kanye, but less obnoxious
o Mesmerized
o They Say
o Sew It Up

• Mullage – Trick’n - Saw this on 106 & Park and really liked it

• Iyaz – Replay NOT Sean Kingston

• Mary J Blige – Stronger - Wasn't a big fan until I heard this amateur acoustic cover. Still like the cover better, but the recorded version is good too. *Written by Keri Hilson.

• Jason DeRulo – Watcha Say - Cool idea to put Imogen Heap into hip hop, but could have been done better, her clip in the chorus is the best part.

• Cassie – Let’s Get Crazy (ft. Akon) - I'm a big fan of her other new material, this one not as much

• Flo-Rida ft. Nelly Furtado – Jump (Malinchak club mix radio edit)
- Didn't like the original, but really like this remix. Can't find a full length clip so this will have to do.

• Basement Jaxx – Raindrops - This song is awesome

• Trey Songz - Ready - Should have been called Sunday Night Slow Jamz
o Neighbors Know my Name
o Say Ahh (ft. Fabolous)
o LOL :) (ft. Gucci Mane & Soulja Boy) - Worst lyrics ever, but good music
o Be Where You Are
o Love Lost