As always, this post is late and I'm a few weeks behind, but hopefully I'll be caught up by next week!
• Twista – Category F5 – Not entirely sure what Twista is referring to with “Category F5” maybe he’s talking about how big his gut has become. He’s at a Fat level of 5 (out of 5). At any rate, these 2 songs are cool. Wetter has been reviewed on here a while back, a classic Twista slow jam. On Top featuring Akon relies on an awesome sample from a Finnish techno song called “Sound of Arena”. The sample which is looped in the background makes the entire song. Very cool.
o Wetter
o On Top
• Owl City – In earlier years I probably would have given Owl City a better review, but my taste for electro-emo-indie-pop has become much more refined with age. Basically the singer comes off as a wannabe Ben Gibbard; lead singer of Postal Service (and Deathcab for Cutie). The electro backing tracks along with pitch perfect Gibbard-like phrasing makes the similarity a little too much for me. Not to mention the music is a little too poppy and bubbly. These 2 songs were the best in my opinion. All in all, if The Postal Service was a good iced tea, Owl City is a watered down version with a little too much sweet-n-low; not enough to give you cancer, but enough to make you feel a little sick.
o Cave In – Off their new album
o The Saltwater Room – little more laid back
• Shakira - She Wolf – What is there to say about She Wolf? I’ve made sure most of you heard it within 20 minutes of hearing it myself. Is it the worst lyric of 2009? Or is it pure genius? I’m going to half to say both. Taking an entirely new direction on her newest album (TBR in October) Shakira wanted a “bigger bottomed” sound - I swear she said that in an interview. What her Spanish to English translation was trying to say was that she wanted an album that was much more bass heavy, along with a more electronica-influenced sound. She definitely brings this sound out on She Wolf; the guitar loop that comes in periodically, almost a throw back to 70’s pop, is so incredibly cool you completely forget she’s just howled in all seriousness. Looking damn good in the video, but the dance moves are suspect, might want to stick to shaking your hips Shakira. P.S. Is that a she wolf in your closet? Or are you just happy to see me? Der…
• The Temper Trap - Sweet Disposition – off the 500 Days of Summer soundtrack, this song has almost a U2 feel to it with its big guitar layering and the way it builds and builds. Never heard of them, but this song really is a cool find. I bet you’ll like it.
• One Republic & Sara Bareilles – Come Home – To be brief, a good song gets even better with the addition of one of my favorite singers Sara Bareilles. The ending where Ryan Teddar and Bareilles start harmonizing and echoing each other is collaborating at its best.
• Imogen Heap – Imogen Heap is about to release her cd entitled Ellipse, here is her first single First Train Home. If you don’t know who she is, (best known for her song Let Go, from the movie Garden State) let me tell you she is RIDICULOUSY talented. Just in case you don’t believe me, I’ve included a video of her performing one of her older songs live, just sit back and be impressed by this very underrated artist.
o First Train Home
o Just for Now live
• Jordin Sparks – Battlefield – Her Sophmore cd is pretty solid, and has a few good songs. Unfortunately, first weeks sales are much lower than expected from this American Idol winner. Not sure why, she can sing and the production is there this time around.
o Walking on Snow
o It takes more
o Watch You Go
o Battlefield
• Mr Hudson & Kanye West – Supernova – Kanye’s latest find, Mr Hudson (who can be heard on Kanye’s own song Paranoid) releases his 1st single. As Paul Rudd in Forgetting Sara Marshall would say, “you sound like you’re from London!” …why yes he is! And he sounds a little like Chris Martin of Coldplay. Too bad the dude looks like the albino love child of Chris Martin and Silas from The DaVinci Code. Good luck marketing that guy Kanye…cool song though.
• Brooke Hogan – The Redemption – Hands down the worst album artwork I’ve seen in years. Please check out what this blog compares it to: here. Haha, I’m not sure that it isn’t worse than the Brailettes. You decide. Although Brooke struggles as a serious singer, she always has a song or 2 on her cds that have cool backing music. These are the 2 from Redemption:
o Handcuffed
o BeDDable
• Bill Frisell – Little Girl – Great jazz song; more folky than truly jazzy in my opinion, but this song gives me chills. Sorry, but I couldn’t find a video clip for you so the link will open up the itunes page. Trust me, it is so good and relaxing.
• Blue Roses – I Am Leaving – Weird duo make a really extraordinary song. Mostly just an acoustic guitar, with a little synth keyboard and some really beautiful harmonies. Give it a chance, just hear out the harmonies.
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