NMT 3/17/08-3/24/08 Keri Hilson, This Providence, KFlay etc...

Apologies for not getting an update out last week, but as it was a pretty slow week in good new music, I didn't have much to update you with...SO I combined the last 2 weeks this time around...


• Flo Rida – Sugar – Sampling Blue, FloRida uses the same EXACT bouncy rhyme scheme and delivery, but the hook sung by Wynter is catchy and 100times better than right round

•Britney Spears– If You Seek Amy – New video for a great song. Not award winning, but she’s lookin mighty fine.

• Lil Wayne – Hot Revolver – Not a fan of his first “rock” focused song Prom Queen, but Hot Revolver is a different story. The constant base line and chorus faintly bring to mind Jessie’s Girl or Just what I needed.


• This Providence – Who Are You Now? – This Seattle based band releases their latest album, and it is surprisingly good. I’d never heard of them before, but after sampling their entire album, I wouldn’t be surprised if this effort brings them more success. They’ve seemed to mature from a more whiny emo sound to more of a grown up indie group. Threw in a highlight from their older album too. Not that you need to buy songs EVERY week, but if you are itching for a new alternative band, check them out.
o This is the real thing
o Squeaking Wheels and White Light
o That Girl’s a Trick
o My Beautiful Rescue - Live version, look up the real thing on itunes

• Estelle ft. Sean Paul
o Come Over – This isn’t a new song, but I had to showcase it this week because 1) it was a weak week anyways and 2) I heard it out on St. Paddy’s day and at night on a crowded dance floor, it sounds really good. Unfortunately this version with Sean Da Paul is only for purchase on itunes if you buy the video...

• KFlay – The suburban rap queen at the top of her game…After the murder mystery party, I thought it was only fitting to rep...
o Coastin - actually Zion I ft. K Flay, a great song
o Lazy Days - you'll have to itunes this one, couldn't find a clip sorry

• Keri Hilson – In a Perfect World - Songwriter and hit maker (part of the R&B writing group The Clutch) Keri Hilson FINALLY drops her debut album after a number of push backs. After being featured on a number of Timbaland tracks, Keri’s 1st solo effort may not take your breath away, but definitely showcases her talent. I anticipated an up-tempo beat heavy album similar to Timbaland’s Shock Value, but instead In a Perfect World takes a much slower path, filled with slow to mid-tempo songs. While the tempo may be mildly disappointing, most songs here have enough swagger to pull through, the best utilizing classic Timbaland-esque production. In a Perfect World shows that not only can Hilson make great music, but she can perform it as well. In fact, her voice is one of the biggest standouts on the album as it floats along effortlessly from slow jam to slow jam. Now all we need is for someone to hook her up with a decent hair cut and she should be on her way!
o Turnin Me On – Great song, tons of swagger, already released as a single, but if you don’t have it, better get on it! Oh and the dancing she does in this video is tha coooolest
o Slow Dance – Sunday night? Already? On this slow jam it sure feels like it…
o Intuition – Asian flare to this slow creepin, almost crawling track. This is Timbaland doing what he does best, a bit reminiscent of 90’s Tim. Great song! My favorite on the cd...
o Alienated – Cool track, pulsating synth and high pitch keyboard chimes add to the space theme of the title; sounds like you’re cruisin in a rocketship
o Do It – unfortunately this song is sold album only, but it is one of the better ones in my opinion. Speeding up a sample of LL’s “Doin it Well” done just that way… done well.

• Lil Kim ft. T Pain
o Download – dumb theme, dumb lyrics, but the music is solid. Before you jump at me regarding the whole T-Pain vocoder thing (I know it's beyond old, it's crispy as Ashley would say, time to take it out) it works here because the music is so throw back to when the vocoder was first used in late 80’s R&B. But the T-Pain electronic voice blurs the line between the two eras.

• Utada – Taking a big risk here highlighting this one…Japanese R&B/pop star comes to the States with her debut English album, and as always with Asian singers, I’m intrigued but hesitant. Interigued because there isn’t a single mainstream Asian singer out there, (at least not one I can think of) and hesitant, well for the exact same reason! Is this weird to anyone else? Why is that? Anyway, Utada is not free of accent, but there is something more to her effort than past attempts. The weak lyrics coupled with the accent will most likely destroy any chance of liking her, but these 2 songs caught my attention for some reason.
o Apple and Cinnamon – haha I know… but check out the chorus, something about the way it is sung is unique and catchy
o On and On – Again, something not necessarily about her voice, but how the chorus is sung is so foreign that I kind of like it. Slow week, what can I say…

Random Clip....

Thought I'd throw this in there, cuz THIS CLIP of choreography to a really cool Danity Kane interlude is one of my favorites. Hope you like it!

NMT 3/10/08 Kelly Clarkson, The Dream, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and more!

Quote of the Week: Robin Thick on being asked what has happened to R&B music:

"Everyone's singing about the car they're driving and the model on their arm, everyone has everything they want. There's no blues anymore, it's just rhythm."

Word to your mother.


• Kelly Clarkson – All I Ever Wanted – Due to the album previews on MTV and VH1, I’ve had the ability to listen through the entire new cd, and if anyone wondered whether Kelly Clarkson could match the success of her 2004 hit Breakaway, take one listen to All I Ever Wanted and you’ll discover the answer is a resounding YES. After her very personal, raw, less polished and at times gloomy My December she’s put aside her alternative side for a radio friendly, (Clive Davis approved) pop-rock smash of an album. This one will be on the charts for a while and here’s why…Great production, catchy hooks, and an amazing voice. What more could you ask for? Kelly’s new album stacks radio hit after hit which in the hands of a regular pop artist would suffer from lack of originality, but with her bluesy tone and HUGE range, All I Ever Wanted takes off at track one and never comes down. Almost every track is good, but here are my favorites:

o I do Not Hook Up – Self described as the crowd participation song come concert time, this song has a ton of energy and is very heavy on the guitars, defining pop rock. In the hands of a weaker voice (perhaps one of it’s co-writers katy Perry?), this song could sound corny, but Kelly’s strong voice holds it up, more than making up for the lyrics. Caution: this one will get stuck in your head!
o Cry – One of the best songs on the album, Cry shows exactly why Clarkson has risen to the top, her crazy vocal ability. Her bluesy tone is showcased perfectly here, Big guitars, big production, big voice. BIG ballad.
o Don’t let me Stop You – Another of my favorites, this song has a hard hitting chorus and again is heavy on guitars. Sounds like a band’s song, not a pop singer singing with a band. - 10/10
o If I can’t have You – Electronic/dance beat is the driving force behind this song. Vocals layering effects are used to give it a more futuristic sound. But the highlight here is the echo on the chorus “…If I can’t have you, then I don’t want anyone (I don’t want anyone)”
o Save You – Vocally, my favorite song on the album. On this Ryan Tedder (One Republic) produced track, you feel like you’re in a giant venue hearing her live. The guitar echoing behind her voice brings to mind U2, and when all the elements come together, along with her riffs towards the end of the song, this track elevates into a category of its own.


• The Dream – Love Vs Money – The R&B songwriter/producer responsible for numerous smash hits (Umbrella, Bed, Leavin, Single Ladies (put a ring on it), just to name a few) comes out with his 2nd album, picking up right where his first left off. Similar sounding to his 1st album, Dream sticks to what he does best; futuristic music covered in his signature layered vocal arrangements. While not as groundbreaking as the first time we heard his style, Love vs Money doesn’t disappoint, producing more than a few noteworthy tracks, if anything moving slightly towards the slow jam end of the spectrum…
o Walkin on the Moon (ft. Kanye, terrible puff mullet West)
o Put it Down
o Love Vs Money
o Right Side of my Brain
o Mr. Yeah

• Yeah Yeah Yeahs – It’s Blitz! – From punk rockers to new wave/electronic riders, the group most famously known for their smash hit Maps back in 2004, put aside their loud punk past for a new direction. While I have a feeling Yeah Yeah Yeahs main fanbase will not love this new direction, I certainly do! Lead singer Karen O really lets her wacky colors shine over much more melodic tracks, rather than competing against loud guitar riffs and sporadic drums. One small step in the mellow direction, one huge improvement in my mind.
o Soft Shock
o Skeletons
o Hysteric

• Ballas Hough Band – BHB – (pronounced Ballas Huff Band) So up until now I had never heard anything about this “band” (note the quotations) But after sampling what sounded like a mix between a Disney tv band and a pop group from the UK, I'm torn between laughing and liking. Turns out I was pretty damn close, this group hails from the UK and their 2 lead singers were on Dancing with the Stars. They sound very high-school musical-ish but as terrible as they are, the following tracks had potential in a Jessie McCartney sort of way.
o Do It For You
o Together Faraway


• Taylor Swift – You’re not Sorry (CSI remix) – Not a huge Taylor Swift fan, but this remix made for her CSI appearance is pretty damn cool. Completely new sound for her, much darker and grown up. If you are like 90% of the US who think Taylor Swift can do no wrong, this won’t disappoint, can’t say the same for her CSI acting.

Weekly Entertainment!!

o Mariah Carey in her and the Dream’s new music video. I heard Nick Cannon was gonna produce her next video, and while this isn’t exactly her video (Belongs to The Dream) I really hope Mr. Mariah Carey was behind this one. The video should be titled “Mariah Carey is hood you guys, no for real..” Check it out for yourself, and count how many stereotypes Ms. Carey is thrown into. 1) Intro argument about bills 2) Half rows/half afro puff – ok, a little forced but ok…2) On the porch of a busted house with about 10 others as she braids a dude’s hair – you expect anyone to believe she has any idea how to do that? 3) Someone hands her a pit-bull puppy – really? 4) She is making Cool-Aid – why on earth is that necessary? So awesome!

o I have to credit Erin with this next one… In the new Akon single ft. Snoop and T.I. Opening lyrics…”Shirley Temple on ice, she mix it just right, that extra grenadine got me feelin’ so nice” …wait, what? hahahaha here is Erin’s question, does Akon know what grenadine is? I’m not entirely sure he does…Maybe it does make you feel nice. I’d ask Mariah Carey, but she doesn’t drink Shirley Temples, she sticks with Cool-Aid.

NMT 3/03/09 - James Morrison, Estelle, Carolina Liar and more...

Sorry for the slight delay, what started off as a potentially small post turned into something a bit bigger after some searching...Hope you enjoy!

• James Morrison ft. Nelly Furtado
o Broken Strings – James Morrison has a really cool late 60’s early 70’s classic R&B tone to his voice, but his music at times sounds dated. Broken Strings is much more current than most of his other work, and with the underrated singing ability of Nelly Furtado, this song really is a stand out. While Nelly doesn’t have the strongest voice, she too has a unique tone, and always comes through in duets with great harmonies. CHECK this one out!

• Carolina Liar
o Show me what I’m lookin for – *Free download of the week* a solid pop rock song, it was even featured on 90210. OMG, TTYL, ROFL, and of course TMB... I mean it’s no Hills, but featured on 90210 must mean something right? Worth the free download? Sure

• Ray J - Sexy Girls - So bad, almost as bad as his reality show on VH1. He is a joke…

• Estelle
o Star (Crystal Light Mix) - So funny that it is featured in a Crystal Light commercial, and that is the name of the single. Have to admit after seeing the commercial, Star loses some of its shine. That being said, there is something about this song that is refreshing, like a nice glass of lemonade, crystal light to be exact. Sorry, sidetracked…The chorus is freakishly catchy, a fun up-tempo song.

• Keith Urban
o Sweet Thing – Not a huge fan of country, but this song makes the cut for me. I’m sure country fans will know it, and it’s available now!

• Friendly Fires – A lot going on in this Indie/Electronic band, (too much at times) but when all the instruments and effects come together, some pretty cool songs come out…
o Jump in the Pool
o Skeleton Boy

• Wild Light
o California On My Mind – The harmonica makes this song for me. Unfortunately the only video I could find is a live clip which isn’t the best quality, but hopefully it will get the point across.

• Neko Case
o This Tornado Loves You – This one isn’t for everybody! Neko Case is a pretty weird lady, not gonna sugar coat it, total hippy. Most of her songs follow suit, however, this song stands out due to it’s fast tempo and cool melody when she sings “this tornado loves you”. Unfortunately the only link I could find is a live version, so you may want to check it out on itunes for the actual album sound.

• The Dream ft. Mariah Carey
o My Love – The Dream stays true to his trademark sound on this new song, and it is getting a little monotonous for me. While there isn't anything groundbreaking here, his melodies and production happen to be a perfect match for Mariah Carey as well.

• Angus & Julia Stone
oMango Tree – I’ve posted one of this Duo’s songs before “Just a Boy” and if you liked that one, you’ll probably like Mango Tree too. Soft vocals over plucking strings and a kick-drum beat, really relaxing…

• Stee Downs
o Asunder – Off the cd titled Sonar Kollective…which features various kwazi electronic/Jazz sounding artists, Asunder is a funky, oddly paced song which brings to mind a smoky New Orleans jazz club, but with a modern twist. It’s different, in a good way…