Kings of Leon - Come Around Sundown

Artist: Kings of Leon
Album: Come Around Sundown
Out: October 19th, 2010 (Last week!)

I have an interesting relationship with Kings of Leon. I'm not really a fan, and had no idea who they were until Use Somebody and Sex on Fire came to be huge. I like the fact that they have a very interesting sound and a lead singer with a distinctive voice. What I don't like is, the same thing I don't like about MGMT, this "we're not mainstream, so we're gonna make sure we don't make a mainstream record next time." This is complete and utter bull shit! If you made a record that made you mainstream, then that means you were making "not mainstream" music while you were recording it. So "Come Around Sundown" is a very interesting listen, because I can hear the band holding back. Efforts like this and MGMT's "Congratulations!" are trying so hard not to be mainstream, that they end up trying too hard and fail at being decent listenable music. Luckily that last statement is only partly true for this record.

Sundown starts with a slow moving rock opus, similar to Sex on Fire, entitled The End. Now, this could be a hint to the fact that they are going to try and end their "mainstream popularity" by being "different." Regardless, its listenable. The chorus soars and actually has a catchy hook. It's not exactly rock out type music, but I never really thought Kings was anyway. First radio single, Radioactive, swings in to pick up the pace. It's the most "single" worthy of the cuts on the record, and I like that it was chosen as so. But I fear for the long term goals of this record. The single itself has a heartbeat unlike any of the other cuts. Its quick and fast paced and will keep you jogging in place.

Pryo is a predictable and boring album cut that was axed from my iPod before I could get a full listen. It went no where, it moved slowly, and its not catchy. In an effort to be "indie" they've stabbed themselves in the foot and made a boring song, which I assume will happen more often on this record. The song Mary is a nice surprise after the predictable tracks before it. It's a throw back jam that hints at late 50's music, with a 90's grunge flare. It's cute and lyrics are like a love song, thought Leon's lead vocalist doesn't quite have a love song voice. It's still a keeper.

The Face is what is being talked about as the next single. Now, I can see how this might fit in well on Rock centered stations, but it sounds like a direct rip off of Use Somebody, if not a direct relative of it. It's a slow moving rock anthem that picks up toward the end of the song. This won't do anything for anymore Top 40 radio play. PS - don't ever ask someone to give up New York City for Tennessee. That's just... unacceptable!

The Immortals is such a boring song, and it sounds so much like a typical Kings song, it doesn't even dignify a review. One listen and it was deleted, and I usually don't do that. I like to give each song a fair amount of listens before I decide to remove it. That being said Back Down South doesn't exactly do much for me either. It has a country flare to it, but just like so many of their songs it doesn't quite sound like its even begun. It's slow moving, but its not a ballad, a feat I will never understand. This does not give me the idea of good home Southern living, but then again I'm not from the South. So who knows.

Now Beach Side was a critic favorite in the reviews. So I was excited to listen to it. Sadly it did not live up to its reviews. It was actually, too short. It also didn't go anywhere. It seemed like more of a interlude than a song. And if that's what people are saying is the best song on the record, you can't expect the rest of the show is very good. No Money is a medium paced (which for this band generally means fast) song that I thought I'd probably be able to relate to, seeing as a poor as shit! Sadly its a muddled mess of sappy love lyrics and desire. I desired for it to be a better song.

Feeling a little worn down from all the depressing and disappointing material, I was happy to stumble across Pony Up. It's not ground breaking by any means, but its actually a bit of different material. It doesn't sound like a typical Kings of Leon song. It sounded like the evolution that should have occurred on this record. It has an undeniable pop influence, and maybe my pop music taste pallet is whats holding me back from truly diving into this record, but I liked this song a lot. The song Birthday is not one of those happy go lucky celebratory songs. It's not awful, but I didn't keep it on my iPod either. Mi Amigo doesn't have the Spanish flavor I wanted it to have, but it is as well, not as bad as the beginning of the record. (I'm trying to decide is Pony Up put me in a better mood or not). Still, Amigo was not kept.

The final song on the record, Pickup Truck, is not the Nickleback mud-slinging rock anthem I thought it might be. It does, however, posses some of the best vocals from Leon's lead singer I've ever heard. Very rock and roll and very gritty. I enjoyed the over direction of the song, but again, its not exactly for me. But I chose to keep it, because I think it'll grow on me.

Bottom line: You need to have the right kind of 'muscial taste' for a Kings of Leon record. This album was nothing ground breaking, but those who enjoy them will be very happy with the results.

Buy Kings of Leon's "Come Around Sundown"

More new songs!

Let us jump in, shall we?

Artist: Rihanna
Song(s): Who's That Chick & What's My Name? (featuring Drake)
Album: LOUD
Out: November 16th, 2010

So, Rihanna has a couple new songs floating around the Internet. All looking to have the single treatment for the masses, complete with music videos and all. The thing I really respect of Ri, is that when she does something, she not only fully commits to it, she visually and sonically assaults us with her vision. Just as we were are starting to settle into our Only Girl (in the World) listening patterns, she hits us with the album's next single, which will be the Drake featured What's My Name? She's already shot the video, and has sent the new single to radio stations to play. It's a pace backward from the Euro-charged Only Girl single. It's a more laid back R&B track with a little bit of island flavor. I find this track interesting, because though I am not a "hater" of Drake, I am also not a fan. I really just stand with my cocked in confusion as to how he is such a respected rapper. His flow is... awkward. Not awful, but... awkward. Maybe I'm still looking at him in a wheel chair. In any case, Drake's flows and beats are rather "generic." And Ri was just caught calling her BFF Katy Perry's (along with Lady Gaga and Ke$ha's) music generic. So as you can imagine, when she releases what I would consider a "generic" song, I have to wonder whats going on up there. The song itself is good. It will top the R&B charts and its something that will get you grooving. It will be stuck in your head, but I doubt it'll be your favorite (at least, its not mine). I personally prefer the David Guetta produced Who's That Chick. It's bass is thumping and its chorus is soaring. It fits right in on the dance floor next to Only Girl, but its not a direct rip off of it. But, RiRi has decided she'll be using this in her Doritos commercial ads instead (wtf?) and it will serve as the first official radio single for Guetta's forthcoming album, One More Love, due out latter this year/early next year. It may (or may not) appear as a bonus track to Rihanna's LOUD.

Bottom line: Each song is a keeper, it just depends on your preference.

Artist: Black Eyed Peas
Song: The Time (The Dirty Bit)
Album: The Beginning
Out: November 30th, 2010.

B.E.P is at it again! After and incredible two years, with four number one hits and a huge World tour, the Peas are ready to release their follow up to 2009's massive The E.N.D. (Energy Never Dies). Traveling with a studio on their tour bus, recording for The Beginning (clever!) began during the summer of this year. Originally planned as a re-release and accompanying EP to last years album, they began to realize that what they were creating was an album all its own. It had been rumored for a very long time that the album would be out before Christmas, and I was wondering where the first single was. Normally, you like to give about two and half (or more) months before a release, but the end of September and the beginning of October passed and no new material for the Peas. Which had me thinking we wouldn't see the new album til after the new year. But just last week The Time (The Dirty Bit) made its way onto the Internet. I very much dig the song... for when I'm sitting at a table in a club here in Los Angeles popping bottles of Grey Goose. Other then that, I'm not sure how well this will catch on. Now, I liked Boom Boom... Pow! and was instantly hooked to the last album when it premiered. I felt as if the BEP was ahead of the game. Most people didn't initially like the new material, but as we can see, it grew on them. I'm not sure this will grow on me. It samples the famous song I Had The Time Of My Life  and heavily auto-tunes Fergie's already brilliant voice. And really, it sounds like two songs that are painfully being pushed together. But I have faith in the Peas. They know what they are doing. And I think we can all plan on still having the album by November 30th.

Bottom line: It's not favorite song in the world, but I'm sure it'll blow up in the clubs!

Artist: Ke$ha
Song: We R Who We R
Album: Cannibal
Out: November 22nd, 2010

Just as I mentioned above, artists like to do re-packages of their original releases, which sometimes include a brand new EP with upwards of nine new songs. Also, when you hear a definite release date, but no new material on the radio, you have to wonder if the company will stick to said release date. Well, Ke$ha has decided to stick to the repackage and new EP format (made famous by Lady Gaga last year). Animal + Cannibal will be available November 22nd, as will Cannibal by itself. Now this is always a good way of doing things for the record companies. Because for every person that buys Animal + Cannibal it will count as a sale unit toward the original markings of Ke$ha's first album (which has just surpassed Platinum status). This almost guarantees that Animal itself with go double Platinum, solidifying Ke$ha's place with the likes of Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Britney Spears and Rihanna. This will also make the EP sell even better. Just look at Gaga's The Fame + The Fame Monster. They both have monstrous sales, and that is because they have also been packaged together. But still, you want to have enough promotional time to make sure that the general public knows when to go out and gobble up these new goodies. But with a song like We R Who R at a time like this, she could have released this a week before and it all would have done phenomenally. The brilliant thing about this song (other then its subject matter) is that it doesn't alienate Ke$ha's original audience, yet still shows an incredible amount of growth. The lack of "Jack Daniels" in this song is actually rather frightening. She still uses the same amount of "sing-talk" fun as she did before, and the electronic bass is ever present, but she has now created an anthem for those who don't feel like they are good enough. I'm loving this "It Gets Better" movement. Because it does, it really does. And if I had songs like these when I was growing up, I would have been able to get through anything. The uplifting messages isn't tacky or over played, its a subtle nuance in the material itself. The words "we are who we are" sound like a battle cry to those who don't believe in you. This song can lift you out of any funk. It took me a hott minute to grow attached to the song, but now it is non-stop plaing on the Pizzle.

Bottom line: Grab this mother fucker for free on her website (http://www.keshasparty.com/) and blast this shit out the windows of your car!



Artist: P!nk

Song: Raise Your Glass

Album: Greatest Hits... So Far!!

Out: November 16th, 2010.

Another one of my favorite out spoken ladies of Pop music is releasing a greatest hits collection. After five multi-platinum records, countless awards, and number one hits, P!nk is finally giving us a collection of her best. Now, if you're like me, you already have all of her best patiently waiting for you on your iPod. So to offset that fact, P!nk has recorded a few new songs to add to the end of the disc for those of us true fans. Side note: If you ever get a chance to see P!nk live in concert, DO IT. I can't stress to you enough how brilliant (and over looked) this woman is! When I heard the first single Raise Your Glass, I had to play it ten more times in a row, because I was instantly hooked. Its classic P!nk, and she has teamed with hit maker Max Martin to create a soaring new pop tune that sits perfectly next Ke$ha's new song. Its a generational song that speaks to the more seasoned crowd. So many people are looked down upon for being "different" and this track really makes it clear that everyone has a reason to be the way they are. Again, like Ke$h, she has managed to stay away from cheesy, and invoke power. This is a song that you jump up and down to when you're getting ready to go out. This is a song for US!

Bottom line: Put this song right next to We R Who We R on your play list, and blare them as loud as you possibly can at all your haters. Seriously.



Artist: Lee DeWyze

Song: Sweet Serendipity

Album: Live It Up

Out: November 16th, 2010.

I'm sorry, who is Lee DeWyze again? Oh yeah! He won American Idol this year. Whoops. Forgot all about him (and his cast mates). Now lets be honest here. Lee could use this to his advantage. One of the reasons contestants have such a hard time launching careers after Idol (aside from the iron clad contracts with 19 Entertainment) is because they have attachment to professional karaoke. They are... characters on a stage really. Most people play along from January to May, and vote and become "fans." But they are really becoming fans of the girl who does Joni Mitchell really well, not what that girl does (Like my subtle Crystal Bowersox reference? Yeah, me too). So when they are thrown into the wild with a song of their own, most of their audience has already left the building. So they have to build a career as if they were already a has been. Luckily for people like Kelly Clarkson, she was able to re-invent herself after the first album. And Carrie Underwood and Fantasia have built in Country and R&B markets that are very very loyal. Most of the people who are fans of the above performers did not watch them on Idol. So really, the fact that virtually everyone has forgotten who Lee DeWyze is could work in Lee's favor. Steer clear of Idol references, and produce good music, and I think he'll be on to something. Though his team has already made a mistake. They released first single Sweet Serendipity rather late in the game. Mid-October for a first single from a debut artist and a mid-November release usually don't work. It won't even be until early January that radios will begin to pick this stuff up. And at that point, his album release has come and gone. This song is so good and so sweet though. Its as if Jason Mraz and John Mayer had a baby. Its an uptempo singer song writer kind of song. Its an uplifting song about how no matter how bad things are, there is always tomorrow. And I know that sounds cheesy, but the song is surprisingly adult. This song keeps me jogging and puts a smile on my face when it comes across my shuffle in the car. We'll see how Lee fairs in the end, and I hope its good, but I won't hold my breath.

Bottom line: Listen to the song. If you like it, go buy it. Request it on your radio stations. Lets see if we can make someone out of nothing.

PLENTY MORE TO COME, BUT I'M TIRED.

JoJo - Can't Take That Away (Mixtape)

Artist: JoJo

Album: Can't Take That Away From Me

Out: September 14th (for FREE!)

We all remember JoJo. She had a string of hits in the early millennium, and no one could believe how young she was after they heard her sing (Willow Smith anyone?). Then she moved into a semi-successful acting career (RV anyone?). Then she moved into ... obscurity. 

I'm guessing no one ever thought they'd hear from JoJo ever again. Well, her record label would have loved for that to happen as well. As JoJo has matured over the years, as has her sound. Gone are the days of her bubble gum R&B infused pop melodies. She's begun to embrace her more urban side and that's what makes her happy. Unfortunately transitioning genres is a difficult thing, and often requires a lot of label support, something this singer does not have.

So after a long legal battle with her label to get them to pay attention to her or let her out of her contract so she could go somewhere where they did, she won and now she's getting the push she needs.

Buuuuut...

I'm not sure this is the right direction.

I've never truly understood the concept of a "mixtape." Its an interim of half way decent rap songs that were all produced by one person late one night when said rapper and producer got stoned and thought it'd be cool to make an album in one night. They usually aren't very good, and they are always given away for free. It's something that the Hip-Hop community uses to tide fans over while they work on the real music. So when I see R&B artists/Pop acts doing the same thing, I have to scratch my head a little bit.

When listening to this record, it is not a mixtape by any means. It is a completed and finished product. Are there hits here? Not really. Are there good songs here? Of course. Will you find something you like? Absolutely!

The "tape" opens with the title track, Can't Take That Away From Me. JoJo promised that each song would be a different type of sound you've probably never heard from her before. This title offering infuses rock and an 80's vibe that soars with her clear and mature vocals. I get 'old school' early Mariah/Janet vibes from her voice and this song. It's a repetitive soaring track that I enjoyed on first listen.

The next track Running on Empty takes a page out of its own name and falls flat. Its a one of those meandering R&B tracks that I hope she stays away from on her next full length effort. Pretty Please picks up the 'empty' slack with a titillating throw back to 70's R&B. Its a bit under-produced, but its a fun "getting ready with the girls" kind of a song.

The next two songs (Why Didn't You Call and Just A Dream) were so boring I've already forgotten what they sounded like, and deleted them immediately from my iTunes. Experimental for sure. Just not my cup of tea. When Does It Go Away, which features Travis Garland, picks up the previous tracks slack. This is a modern pop gem ballad. The song soars into your brain and finds a strange place in your heart. We've all felt this feeling before. It's an absolutely beautiful track, that was most likely recorded for Garland's derailed album, since he seems to featured prominently. But I love this track, and find myself humming it from time to time when I'm on my own.

The pop gems keep coming with My Time Is Money. This is a female empowerment song that you can dance to. It will keep your girls night out party going and get everyone amped for being young sexy single independent women! I'll admit, I've been jamming to this song for over a month now. I just can't get enough. It's pure Beyonce pop music.

Moving back into the lifeless R&B that she seems to enjoy exploring on this effort, What You Like, is a dreary piece that does nothing to keep my ears interested in listening, and I doubt it'll do the same for you. In the Dark, which was the first Internet single from the tape, is a dark sexy moody piece that delves into subject of sex (gasp!). It's pure R&B, but its the kind of baby making R&B that was produced correctly and its delivered properly. I dare you not to catch yourself touching yourself a little when this song comes on your shuffle.

Boy Without A Heart is that perfect bluesy R&B song I've always wanted to hear from her. Throwing me back into the 60's. Live instrumentation, instead of computer produced beats. The lyrics are heart-wrenching, and reflective. I can't get enough this kind of JoJo. I hope she keeps moving forward in this direction.

The shows closer, All I Want Is Everything, is the title for her forthcoming LP. I have to wonder if this will be a track on the upcoming release, or if its just a pre-cursor for the new material. Either way, its a jam that fits into the TLC R&B from the mid-90's. It's medium paced and its a lyrical anthem to the musically stunted JoJo of the past few years. It's kind of like a lion roar from the sparky 19 year old who's already had 7 years of a career before it was even legal for her to drink. Awe, young money! What have you done lately?

Bottom line: It's free, so I may have been easier on it, but I think its a worthy download. Figure out which JoJo you like.

Download JoJo's "Can't Take That Away From Me" Mixtape from Rap-UP.com for FREE!

Wake me up, when September ends...

So, I kind of left off what happened in September... ish.

So lets just jump right in, shall we?

Artist: Nadine Coyle

Song: Insatiable

Album: Insatiable

Out: November 8th, 2010 (UK!)

Ever find yourself longing back to the days of late 90s pop. Those songs were always a mixture of rock and big band, in my opinion. That's exactly what this supremely produced piece of pop candy is. Nadine has been around in UK for nine years now, as apart of singing girl group, Girls Aloud, the biggest thing since the Spice Girls. Last year, Cheryl Cole broke out and did some solo material, and Nadine caught the appetite to do the same. Amidst rumors that she had a serious falling out with the other girls (as all girl groups go through) Nadine has delivered an interesting blend of pop and top 40 material that could do well here in the States. I'm extremely interested in hearing the rest of the album, and it shouldn't be long now until we do. But first, Cheryl has a new album to drop just one week before, and we'll see who can best who!

Bottom line: If you're looking for something new (and you live in the US), I would suggest checking this stuff out. You may like it, you may not. I do...

Artist: Kelly Rowland

Song: Forever and a Day & Forever is Just a Minute Away

Album: One Woman Show

Out: ... God knows when...

The troubling thing about Kelly Rowlands recent releases is that everything she does is so gooooooood! So as a fan of the fact that she continuously puts out consistent euro-pop flavored anthems and hits, you can imagine how frustrated I can get when I hear they refuse to put out these gems in the American market. In fact, they plan on releasing two different CDs, one for America and another for Europe. The American CD being more urban flavored, (ie, Rose Colored Glasses, Grown Ass Woman, etc.) and the European CD focusing on her club anthems (ie, Commander, Forever and a Day, Forever is Just a Minute Away, etc.)

My question is, with the recent Lady Gaga movement, and artists like her, why are we so afraid to let our current artists take the idea even further. These songs seem to capitalize on the fact that the American market is moving further towards a Euro flavor, but the industry has just decided that some artists don't get to par-take.

Both of these Forever songs are strong Eruo dance flavored pop gems. They will get you dancing on the dance floor and they'll keep you running on the treadmill. Either way, they are must haves for anybody with good dance music taste. Revolt against the American record companies and listen to good dance muisc!!

Bottom line: Get this music out there. It's too good to go un-noticed. I prefer Forever and a Day to the latter, but both are good dance music.

Artist: Willow Smith

Song: Whip My Hair

Album: TBA

Out: Next year some time

I am so offended by the talent that this little girl posses. Not only does she have extremely talented and amazing parents, she is 9 years old and FIERCE as shit! It's just not fair. The fact that 9 year old girl is singing my jam right now. I mean... Somewhere, Beyonce is very upset she didn't get to this song first.

Sometime just after I stopped having time to blog (my move!) this song made its way to the internets, and then Ryan Seacrest premiered it on his morning show. And basically long story short, Jay-Z signed this gifted child to a record deal. And hopefully sooner than later we'll have a whole album filled with in your face jams like this. This song is one of those amazing guilty pleasures that you shouldn't feel bad about loving. It came completely out of left-field in a world of music that is trying to blind side you with how "different" it is, this is a song we've all heard before, but because it was so superbly executed, we are listening with full attention. This girl is going to BLOW UP! Mark my words on that one.

Bottom line: Try to pick your jaw up off the floor that she's only 9, btw! ;)

Now, I'm sure I had plenty more to discuss, but it's my loss for not being able to come back and inform you. So we have two or three more album reviews for September, then its on to the lost time from October!

Meanwhile, in the land of GLITTER...

First things, first...

Moving SUCKS.

I mean, not really sucks. Because, being on the verge of realizing your dreams is amazing thing. Being in a new place is fun. Change is good.

But getting to know a new part of your life takes time. It takes patience. And unfortunately, it doesn't leave much time to blog :(

But, I'm baaaaaaaaaack!

Get ready.

It's happening.

It's been a month...

So I have plenty of blog about.

But no internet to do it.

I just moved last Friday to my new apartment here in Los Angeles, CA. I have no interent. But, tomorrow morning they man is coming to install it. I'm excited. But I also have a big weekend ahead of me. I'm going to San Diego Friday night to see Carrie Underwood and love all up on the Downtown SD scene! On Saturday, I'll be hitting up Laguna Beach to see a few friends who are in town from Manhattan. And Sunday, I'm hoping to be going to Disneyland Gay Days with my bestie Marisha!

So, on Monday I'll be wrapping up all of September's releases (believe me, we have A LOT to discuss) and then we'll be starting October fresh!

Selena Gomez & the Scene - A Year Without Rain (album)

Artist: Selena Gomez & the Scene
Album: A Year Without Rain
Out: September 21st, 2010 (NOW!)

Tweens rejoice! Selena Gomez and her band, the Scene are at again!

Let's be honest. We all still listen to the youngster's music. Miley, Demi, JoBros, Justin Bieber, and Selena. I'm guilty, and I know you can admit it too.

Luckily, both Demi and Miley are moving toward a far more mature sound and look, and Biebs has had the help of Usher and Kanye West to make him not look like a total tool.

So here's the deal. Selena Gomez had two awesome songs on her last CD. The infectious Falling Down and the, dare I say, brilliant Naturally. Yeah, I said it. It was brilliant. So when they decided to start recording the follow up, I was happy to hear that they were going to try and focus thier effort toward that kind of a sound.

Selena has a medioce voice, and a barely there delivery. But I knew if she got the right producers behind her, she'd have quite the little tween album on her hands. I believe she's even stated that she wants to move toward a move grown up sound as well, seeing as she is growing up herself. I respect the fact that it doesn't mean she has to take her clothes off. Yeah, I'm looking at you MileyBird.

But the songs on this record sound like Naturally's cousins, not the direct offsprings. Each song is good. Each song has a purpose. But nothing on this disc is getting me off my ass and dancing the way Naturally always does.

The album opens with first single, Round & Round, which carries the dance hall vibe of Naturally over into the new record, with just a little less spark and pizazz. Moving into title A Year Without Rain, second single, that continues to solidify the fact that I don't think this record is going to catch the same sparkle that Naturally, and even Falling Down, possessed.

Rock God is an interesting direction for Selena and her boys to take. Originally a Katy Perry demo for her first album, about the struggle between her religious convictions and her desires to be a rock star, Rock Mafia has taken the gem of a song and produced it into a tween dance anthem, something they have a knack for. I definitely still like it, but do yourself a favor and look up the Katy Perry version. It's less produced as Selena's, but its delivered with far better confidence.

Off The Chain is a mild-tempoed song produced by Pop duo Rock Mafia. A cute little love song for the tween set, but it is sure to get you dancing. A song that takes what made Naturally such a big hit, and expands on the idea. As stupid as the song title sounds like, the lyrics make up for it with a innocent type of maturity.

Here's the deal. Sometimes, no matter how old I get, I like to feel like a kid. I like to dance around in my underwear, and pretend that I don't have any of the grown up responsibilities that I have now a days. Summer's Not Hot is my jam, for this reason. Its ridiculously up-tempo, and it has no hidden meaning, like a lot of Disney songs do. It's literally about how the summer isn't even hot without the presence of your school yard crush. The song is young and somewhat refreshing. Deal!

Do yourself a favor, and just ignore the sixth song ont he disc. Its bad, its just bad. Intuation is not Selena's, nor is it Toby Gad's, best.

When reading some interviews with Miss Gomez before the album was released, she said she was going to experiment with some reggae sounds. Needless to say, I wasn't thrilled at the idea. I thought, "what train wreck of a song is going to come from this?" Well, I am pleasantly surprised. Spotlight is a fun party jam, with innocent lyrics, and simple party vibe perfect for your middle school get together. Again, its nothing special, but its fun and dancey. 

Surprisingly grown up mid-tempo ballad Ghost of You comes after a slew of dance hall jams, and really gives your ears a rest from tween pop mediocrity. The lyrics are surprisingly grown up and beautiful and could apply to many situations that I've seen twenty somethings go through. It's a nice addition to the album and one of my favorites.

Sick of You is cute. Real cute. Its the tween version of Kelly Clarkson's legendary hit Since U Been Gone. But, its nothing special. It fits the whole vibe of the disc, but I'm not jumping up and down for it. That's for sure.

The final cut fits perfectly with the band's first effort, and closes the show with a rock-piano based ballad. Live Like There's No Tomorrow gives me hope that the younger generation is truly a more socially liberal generation. The message of love everyone is definitely cheesy, but its her strongest ballad vocals I've ever heard.

Bottom line: Cute. But cute doesn't really sell records in the mainstream.
Must hear song(s): Ghost of You & Off The Chain.

Buy Selena Gomez & the Scene's "A Year Without Rain" Album!

PS ...

I know I've been slow on getting you the low down on September's music goodies, but moving is hard, y'all!

In the process of packing and moving, but that should be done within the week.

PS - if y'all like the song below, and you're friends with me on FaceBook, go to my wall. You may see something that could help you get the song on your iPod ;)

Jessie J - Price Tag

Artist: Jessie J
Song: Price Tag

So this time last year, I called a glitter covered party girl a future pop sensation. I said, everyone will be singing this song and you will know this girls name. Her name was Ke$ha. Well, you know how that one went, and I think she's doing pretty well for herself.

So now, I'm here to tell you, Jessie J is a future hit maker. If she's anything like Ke$ha, she knows how to parlay the same amount of ear candy lyrics into every song she sings on. Ke$ha has a distinct pur to her presence on a track that makes your ears perk up. Sure, there are plenty of far better undiscovered singers in the world, but to get a hit has nothing to do with 100% talent, and it didn't even back in the beginning of music. Delivery is half the battle as well. Why do you think people like Britney Spears and Madonna are revered as Pop music's biggest female contributors? Because they deliver a song in such a way that makes a majority of a crowd listen or watch. That, to me, is talent. It's my personal belief, that we all harbor some sort of talent in our body. We express it however feel. And some people even make millions of dollars off of it.

Anyway, Jessie J is a 22 year old girl from London, UK. She's credited with being one of the writers for the song "Party in the USA" made famous by Miley Cyrus. This is how she met Dr. Luke, the incredible pop producer everyone is dieing to work with. Since then, she's made magic in the studio with him while carefully crafting her first record. This story is similar to Ke$ha's, who met Dr. Luke writing hits like "Circus" and "I Kissed A Girl." So if Dr. Luke is the perfectionist I know he is, the album we'll be hearing from this chick is bound to be MAJOR.

Her writing style is a little simpler than Ke$ha's and gone are the rap-sing lyrics of "Tik Tok," replaced with a beautiful mix of Katy Perry vocals and Pixie Lott charm. The woman has incredible range, even if it isn't truly seen on this track. This song is a feel good end of summer jam about bringing everyone together in love and dance and not worrying about material things. But, its not as hippie as you think. This is a song that everyone can get behind and relate to, which is what makes it the perfect choice for a first single for a brand new artist. As we've all noticed, you really can't be a new artist in the industry without having hit after hit. Because the big suits are still scared to put any money behind something that they don't have tests and market research behind. But something tells me, this will grab the attention and the ears of the American public, and with a viral campaign similar to Ke$ha's and then some big name push, she'll be someone we'll be hearing a lot from in 2011!

Bottom line: GET THIS SONG ON YOUR IPOD. NOW! ... you won't be sorry.

(I don't have a purchase link for this song because its so brand new, and there is no legal download link for it. If you like it, find it like you know you can, and then buy it when its available!)

Just a quick moment...

Yeah.

THIS...

... actually happened.

No. I didn't dream this.

No. I didn't make it up.

It really happened. All four of music's most exciting women at the moment stood next to one another. And yes, Ke$ha is wearing a trash bag.

Be still my beating heart...

Linkin Park - A Thousand Suns

Artist: Linkin Park
Album: A Thousand Suns
Out: September 14th, 2010

I feel like Linkin Park is almost every one's guilty pleasure. They make out of the box rock-rap-metal-pop music. Its a bizarre collection of sounds, that generally comes out a bunch of ear-candy.

The coolest part of Linkin Park? They don't need to throw their release date and promo in your face to get a hit record. Only a month ago, the public was treated to a new single by the band called, The Catalyst. It was a dark, moody, electro-metal song that was instantly catchy. The songs that Park creates, are layered heavily. It requires many listens to fully comprehend the idea behind the lyrics, the amount of instruments that are used and everything that encompasses the song. Shortly after getting a listen to this song, the band announced that their new album would be out September 14th. If you did the math, that was less than five weeks away. The average wait time for most artists from first single to album release is two and half to three months, now a days, some even longer. A lot of bands and artists need to release two or three singles before the album fully hits shelves, so that the public knows they are going to get a good album.

Well, needless to say, I was excited. I hate the waiting game.

Linkin Park, delivered. Last week I listened to the album for the first time, and its their most theatrical and diverse album yet. They've thrown a huge element of euro-trance beats in to the mix with this one, but the heavy rock and hip hop flows are still intact. Being a theatrical person, I also enjoy the album. I'm not one to keep things like interludes and intros and what not on my iPod, because when listening to the album out of order, it just doesn't make sense. This album has plenty, its technically has seventeen tracks, but a good four or five of them are intros/interludes/etc. In fact, the album opens with an intro to the album, and then continues to an intro to the first song, meaning the first real song doesn't come until track number three. I've never seen this on any record, and it really sets the tone for the theatrics.

Linkin Park's music has always been super industrial, and its apparent on the album's first legit track, Burning In The Skies. It has a soft piano line, with a melodic harmony line in the lyrics. A track about accepting life as it is and building forward with your accomplishments. A severe guitar line brings the song home in a way only a modern rock band can.

After yet another intro, the album begins to show you what its going to accomplish, with When They Come For Me. A huge underground style drum beat sits aside an electric beat, and slowly Mike Shinoda, the groups MC, gives you the heavy hip hop style Linkin Park is known for mixing in with their heavy rock beats. A soaring electro chorus of computerized noises swell the song through the end, giving you chills, the only way they know best.

Without an intro or an interlude, Robot Boy explodes with a piano intro and quick electro-beat. Background harmonies swell through the song. Typical Linkin Park song, political and outspoken.

Another interlude, and then Waiting For The End. A strongly political song, with a violent rhythm. There is a Jamaican under tone that plays through the song, mixing both Chester Bennington's vocals and Mike's MC skills as well. It makes you stop and think, which Linkin Park loves to do. I definitely listened to this song multiple times while thinking of how I can help make a change, in my own life and in the future of America.

The next song Blackout, is rather skipable and completely unmemorable. It's too slow moving and the lyrics just don't stand out. But Wretches and Kings is a stand out track from this seriously focused and experimental album. With an attached intro from Mario Savio's famous "Put Your Bodies on the Gears" speech from 1964, its a heavy, dark and moody number that once again combines Chester and Mike's vocals and dives deep into a political stance. This has no potential to be a radio hit, but this song will course through you. Its a hard song, with deep meaning.

The next intro is my favorite intro on the entire album, and actually stands as one of my favorite tracks on the whole CD. It is a Martin Luther King, Jr. speech set to a piano under tone. It's a beautiful one minute track that nearly brought me tears. A beautiful moment in the middle of a heavy album. The track Iridescent follows the brilliant intro as a beautifully deep ballad about forgiveness, strength and the ability to over come. This a serious stand out section on the entire disc. It gives young people hope.

Final interlude before first single The Catalyst appears before the surprise ending. Linkin Park closes A Thousand Suns with a simple accoustic ballad called The Messanger. A simple song about death and love. A beautiful moment in a disc filled heavy electro-rock, and politically charged and angry songs.

Bottom line: Political, strong, beautiful, dark, deep, moody. Its everything we've come to know from Linkin Park, with a few surprise turns thrown in.
Must hear song(s): When They Come For Me & Wretches & Kings.

Buy Linkin Park's "A Thousand Suns (Deluxe)"

Kanye West - Runaway

Last night, Kanye West closed the MTV Video Music Awards with a new song. A song her wrote about last year's fiasco that happened after her so maliciously jumped on stage to interrupt Taylor Swift.

People were already talking, because earlier in the night, Taylor Swift premiered her song about the whole incident as well. Most had already jumped on the "Oh, get over it Taylor" bandwagon, without even recognizing that Kanye was slated to have a moment at the end of the show. And even after the show ended, most people refused to realize that Kanye did the same thing Taylor did that night. I don't quite understand it.

They are both medioce songs at best. I haven't heard the studio version of Taylor's, and we just got the studio version of Kanye's. Its long, its meandering, and its ridiculous. Once again, this man has made everything about himself. Regardless, the song isn't exactly memorable, and thats the problem I'm having with Kanye this year. Nothing is up to par with songs like Stronger and Jesus Walks. Epic beats, mixed with sick raps, and that ego. The piano on this track is creepy, and the singing at the begining is barely bareable.

I expect Taylor to sing a song about this, but I wanted Kanye to disappear for a while and then come back rapping about what he knows best. I don't quite mesh well with this "new" Kanye. But from what I can tell, quite a few people like this new leaf Kanye is turning, so hopefully he'll have something in store for me later on when the album drops.

Bottom line: It was probably become a hit, purely because its Kanye, but that doesn't mean its good.

Let's talk VMAs...

So, lets talk about the VMAs, shall we?

Let me get right to it; I was less than impressed with this years telecast.

The MTV Video Music Awards are all things wacky tacky pop culture. They are vibrant, fun and completely outlandish. They are supposed to give off a sleek, modern vibe, and give you something to talk about the next day. That last part, definitely still came true this year, but I can't help but think its more about how much they sucked compared to last year's epicness.

Let's talk about the things I did like...

Chelsea Handler KILLED it. I don't care what Perez says, and I don't care what Entertainment Weekly thought. Chelsea Handler is hands down one funny woman, and lets face it, anyone is better than Russell Brand.

Anything Eminem does, is sick, even if RiRi couldn't have looked anymore interested. Oh - and keep the short hair, babe. Not a fan of that Trya lookin' weave we had goin' on there!

Florenece + the Machine made a splashy debut into the homes of Americans, and I can't help but think, with a night of lackluster performances, she will stand out as the highlight for many, only doing wonders for her future record sales.

Yeah - That's it.

Oh, I did like Linkin Park's performance, only because they sounded good live. A lot like they do on the CD, but noticeably live singing.

Now - Lady Gaga was the top woman of the night, as if we all didn't know already. With 18 nominations total, 13 of them being solo noms for Bad Romance, you would expect the night to have a little more Gaga. WRONG, I guess. I don't know if MTV had their head so far up their ass or something, but they forgot to ask the biggest pop star in the world, who was going to be there regardless, to perform on their little show. This boggles my mind. You know this woman makes people's mouths go a flappin' the next day, why not get her to perform. You know she'd do something INSANE. In fact, why didn't you get her and Beyonce to do a mash-up Video Phone/Telephone. That would have been epic, but MTV missed their chance with that one. Instead, they chose to sit her on a throne in the front row and have her watch as people with a lot less talent paraded around in front of her like a bunch of court jesters. Her dress made of meat should not have been the biggest moment for Gaga last night, and unfortunately it was. This was a huge mistake on MTV's part last night.

I heard someone say on the white carpet, that "tonight is all about the collaborations." Well, you fooled me. Because Rihanna and Hayley Williams showing up for a performance of their own songs they share with rappers, doesn't really give me a "collaboration" vibe. Putting people like Ke$ha up next to Taylor Swift would have been a collaboration. Katy and Rihanna. Or Usher and Maroon 5. Could you imagine? And aside from the fact that Lady Gaga wasn't performing, MTV missed the mark and not having some of today's more exciting performers, like Ke$ha, Katy Perry, Rihanna (solo), Maroon 5, and Mike Posner. And putting acts like Robyn and Travie McCoy on during the commercial break was also a big issue.

One collaboration I would have loved to have seen would have been Taylor Swift and Kanye West. Now you know MTV had a serious hand in getting these two to perform their perspective tracks they wrote about last year's "incident." The reason the whole thing truly blew up in the first place is because most people in America have morals and realize how rude that incident was, and secondly, because Taylor Swift is so young and niavely sweet, most can see her as their little sister. Wrong move on Kanye's part, which kept us all talking for an extremely long period of time.

Now I have beef with the public, especially the ones to so quickly jump on the "I Hate Kanye" train, jumping off just as quickly this year and complaining about how "Taylor Swift just needs to get over it." First off, if you believe that, you didn't listen to the song. She's clearly, over it. She's also showing off an extreme amount of maturity with this track. And lastly, art stems from reality. This is a song she wrote when she wasn't over it, and now she is. It just so happens its on her new album. So how about you get over it, and just listen to the damn song. What I didn't understand is that Kanye sang a song about the whole thing as well, and no one told him he had to get over it. Why's that? We live in a hypocritical society, my friends. Hypocrites!

The last thing I need to say about the VMA's, is that they should be a New York City mainstay, and stop jumping from place to place as they do. MTV knows what they are doing when they hold this award show at Radio City Music Hall. The editing isn't awful, like last night (WTF?). and everything is as exciting as New York itself. I say, bring it back to its home and keep it there next year.

All in all, MTV did not out do itself, and last year remains one of my favorite VMAs ever. I have higher hopes for next year, but thats only because we'll have new music from VMA legend herself, Britney Spears!

Pre-VMAs. Party time.

Ke$ha performing at MTV's pre-VMA party.

Ladies and Gentlemen...

The moment is upon us. That wonderful amazing time of the year. September leaves are falling, and drunk starlets are falling out of clubs. Its the MTV Video Music Awards!!!

This is like fucking Christmas for the gays!

Last year, we got everything we ever wanted. All things were checked off our list (even without an appearance by Britney). It was a roller coaster of a ride. It was gut wrenching. It was politics. It was tear jerking. It was cringe-worthy. It was disgusting dirty filthy pop culture.

So this season, MTV has moved the festivities from NYC to LA. Last year, I was in NYC during the VMAs, so I like to think they moved them for me. Basically, its party time this weekend. And party we did.

Me and the roomies went out for an insane Saturday night.

First up, MTV's fundraiser bash, sponsored by LifeBeat Aids Foundation. The Victorious Secrets, Ke$ha and B.o.B. were performing. There was an open bar (yeah, I know! Me too!). It was a mess, and all for a good cause. Dinner was served upstairs, and then we were moved into the main area to take in the shit show of performances. I, naturally, gravitated toward the front. (The pictures above was taken by my phone... without a zoom). And then I began drinking.

The Victorious Secrets, yeah, yeah, yeah, whatever. Anyway...

KE$HA! This bitch. I can't... I can't even handle her. If you get a chance to run off to one of her shows, do it. Drink, dance and party with the best of them. She's a riot and a half. She has a sense of humor and blind self-abandonment to her performance style. She plays almost all instruments on stage, and her energy is undeniably rock and roll. She's got glitter falling out of every pour of her body and a ridiculous sense of style. I loved it, for the second time. She played a few more songs this go around from when she opened for Rihanna, and I enjoyed every minute of her wild presence.

B.o.B. was up next, giving an energetic passion filled set of his HUGE hits. I did gravitate toward the back at this point, to be the first to leave (which I did before B.o.B. was actually finished) so I could get to my next event.

N.E.R.D. performing at Perez Hilton's party

Across town at Los Angeles' famous Wiltern Theater, Perez Hilton was hosting his "One Night in: Los Angeles VMA event." The line-up included Florence + the Machine, Taio Cruz, Pitbull, Kevin Rudolf and N.E.R.D. I missed Forence's set and the first half of Taio Cruz, but what I did see from everyone at this event was wonderful. N.E.R.D. completely surpassed my expectations for the night and blew the crowd away with a energy filled set.

Snooki was seen hanging in the wings, and Lolene was spotted sippin' on vodka sodas (or water!) in the VIP area. All in all, a star packed night.

Perez was a gracious host, and gave us all what we wanted. A huge party and a lot of GREAT music. The VMAs should be quite the show this year, and I can't wait to see what they have in store for us. Chelsea Handler is an epic comic to have at the helm of anything, and Lady Gaga's hush hush attitude toward the whole thing makes me think she has something huge in store of us.

Tune in tonight at 9pm local time on MTV for all the fun!

Quick Update!

So I know not a lot of people read my blog, but I just wanted to share a quick update.

Don't want to abandon this thing ;)

I've been extremely busy and in that time span, we have plenty of stuff to discuss. We have a new JoJo mixtape, Linkin Park album, Maroon 5 album, The Script album and Trey Songz album. As far as songs go, we've seen a new R. Kelly song making the rounds, as well as debut singles from Girl Aloud singer Nadine Coyle and future super-star Willow Smith (daughter of Will Smith).

So believe me, you have PLENTY of updates coming your way.

On Wednesday, I wanted to leave the Rihanna post up, because its a big one. But then Thursday and Friday have just been super busy/crazy.

I'm not sure how much I can get to this weekend, because I have plenty to do as well. I'll be VMA party hopping tomorrow though, from MTV and LIFEbeat's charity show featuring Ke$ha and B.o.B. to Perez Hilton's: One Night in Los Angeles VMA party (so far featuring: N.E.R.D., Florence & The Machine, Pitbull & Taio Cruz), so I'll have a little post about that (and probably pictures!). And of course, since my blog is about the music industry, I'll be sharing my thoughts with you about the MTV VMAs this Sunday night as well!

Rihanna - Only Girl (In The World)

Artist: Rihanna
Song: Only Girl (In The World)
Album: Loud
Out: November 2nd, 2010 (Tentatively)

"I want you to love me, like I'm the only girl in the world. Make me feel like, I'm the only girl in the world."

Well, geeze. Wouldn't that be nice? Little un-realistic though, don't you think RiRi?

Listen Rihanna, we're going to continue this love affair as planned, but it doesn't mean I'm not still seeing Britney, Gaga and Beyonce. I just... can't stop with them either. But if you want me to tell you you're the only girl, then fine. You're it for me, honey.

Today, Ryan Seacrest, old queen that is, premiered a new Rihanna track, slated as the first single from her brand new 5th album, Loud, due out in November. It's upbeat, it's a love song, its a club track. Everything Rihanna wasn't last go around on Rated R.

Here's the problem...

Rated R was FUCKING brilliant!!!!!!!

OK, I'm done.

Here's one of my biggest pet peeves in the industry. When singers or performers are stunted from gaining any sort of creative control of their own work. We've, as a society, micro-managed our entertainers to be in tiny little categories. I mean, as a society we've micro-managed our lives to be in little categories, from Twitters to FaceBooks to blogs to BlackBerries (I have all four). But in a failing record industry, we have executives that are calling the shots and playing it safe.

With Rated R, you have a classic case of mismanaged marketing and promotion. Whoever decided that hitting us with the moody (but still amazing) rock ballad Russian Roulette first, was a God-damned IDIOT. The world was on bated breath waiting for what the Princess RiRi was going to give them next. She ended her last era with quite the bang (no pun intended) and we were ready for something more. Giving us the in your face attitude of Hard as a first single would have been perfect. It would have set the tone for the dark pop grinding music she was about to give us. It was infectious, it was playful, but it was also a warning shot. A "don't fuck with me, because I'm here to stay" kind of moment for Ri. But Russian Roulette got us all worried. The typical pop fanatics, a-la Perez Hilton and such, went a flapping their gums about how the next album was going to be a drab dull look into her tortured past year. Well, this may be half way true, because life influences art. We weren't expecting Rihanna to sing about rainbows and butterflies post beat-down, were we? I sure as hell wasn't. I was expecting grit, glamour and power.

Now, I know I'm not the only one who enjoyed the Rated R era. After a successful sold out tour (don't listen to the haters, my show was SOLD OUT) and three top 10 radio singles, and platinum status (which is hard to come by these days) Rihanna is ready to move on to her next effort. *Fun fact, the picture above was taken with my camera at the concert I attended two months ago at the Staples Center in LA.

Only Girl (In The World) is fun, is upbeat, is 'little-miss-sunshine' and its safe. In other words, its a bonafied hit. We've seen this episode before, though. Go back to 2007. Kelly Clarkson has just released her scathing new power anthem for scorned women everywhere, Never Again. Its dark, its gritty, its exactly what she was feeling at that moment in time. It went top 6 on the Billboard charts. It sold healthy. But the public and the industry worried, are we getting angry Kelly on the whole record? Clive Davis agreed and pushed and fought to get Kelly re-record some future pop hits and replace half the record with something a little more... fun. Problem was, and this is where I gain my complete adoration and respect for Kelly Clarkson, that My December was her baby. She had painstakingly hand crafted every song on the album to be just hers. Her exact message. Take away six or so songs, and replace with pre-recorded, pre-written songs, and it just wasn't hers. Fast forward, and unfortunately the record bombed. Why? Because the industry didn't even try. They had already placed Kelly Clarkson in the section of pop power anthem girl. And showing her vulnerable side was just too risky. Forget that she's probably one of the top five best female voices of all time and that she could sing the phone book and it would sound incredible, lets just put her box. Make sure she keeps recycling everything she's ever done. Enter All I Ever Wanted album.

This is what we're doing to Rihanna. Now, is Rihanna really the greatest artist of our generation? God no. But does she deserve respect and the freedom to express herself how she sees fit? Yes, yes she does.

Let me bore with one more story before we get back RiRi. It was 2006. Pre-shaved head, just a touch of the the insanity, and the beginning of the spiral. Britney Spears had been working on her 5th studio album for some time, and had a majority of it finished. It was something all her own. We don't need to get into what kind of place she was mentally, because... well...

I'm pretty sure the picture says it all... Anyway, she had all but finished the new record and was ready to send it to be mixed. It was dark, it was fresh, it was different and it was moody. It had string sections, and acoustic guitars. It had European trance beats, and urban hip hop guest appearances. In 2006, the biggest song at the time was Big Girls Don't Cry by Fergie, so this record was the complete opposite of what was going on. But beneath all that insanity, Britney is one smart cookie. But Jive didn't go for it. They shelved the project, and ordered her to begin work with more contemporary producers and professional song writers. (Songs like Heaven On Earth, Been A While and Outta This World would later be moved to her Blackout project)

The record executives are the bosses. At the end of the day, the artist or performer is working for them, to make their business money. So you have the top earners, which have to follow a path. The surprise money makers (a-la Lady Gaga, Weezer, Susan Boyle, Taylor Swift etc.) that are allowed to do whatever they want, so long as it continues to make money. Then you have your indie bands, with less promotion, a lot more creative control, and a lot more freedom. Most likely, only told to write a hit song for someone else every once and a while.

But I can't help but get angry when big name top-billed artists are forced down a path that they didn't chose. Now, did I ask Rihanna if this is what she wanted to do? No. For all I know, Rated R could have been something she just needed to get out of her system. A therapy. And this is now the exact kind of path she wanted to take. Only Girl is a club banger, complete opposite direction from her previous work. What I will give her, is that she's ahead of the trend (so to speak) because no one has truly broken the US market with such a heavily Euro-influenced song. And if there's anyone that can get mainstream America to listen to this new wave of exciting music, its probably Rihanna. It was produced by Stargate, the production team responsible for Rude Boy and Don't Stop The Music. It kind of sounds like the later on crack. The chorus is infectious, and you will be throwing your hands high above your head when song comes on in the club. And perhaps if this song truly hits it big for RiRi, it will make way for far better Euro infused music to finally crack the market, like Kelly Rowland's far superior to this song Commander. Or Flo Rida's new out of the box idea Club Can't Handle Me. Because I'm tired of record labels sitting on top of these brilliant songs because they are afraid it might not work. Just as they did with Rihanna's last album.

Take a risk, you never know what you might get.

Bottom line: Get this song on your iPod, because everyone else will too. Put it on your party playlists and your gym workout playlists as well. Its a jam!

Buy Rihanna's "Rated R" Album (if you haven't already)

Weezer - Hurley

Artist: Weezer
Album: Hurley
Out: September 14th, 2010

So, did you watch LOST?

Were you as lost as the people on the island?

Well... I didn't watch LOST. Yeah, I know. I'm not human, blah blah blah, whatever. I also don't care for Harry Potter, whatcha gonna do about it?

Anyways, when I heard about Weezer's forthcoming album, Hurley, aptly named after the LOST series character, Hurley, I was a little lost myself. Weezer's last record was so... good. I mean, completely underrated, and had plenty of potential hits. It was completely mind-shocked that they would give up work on such a great album so quickly. I later read that front man Rivers Cuomos stated that the band was just on a roll over the past couple of years writing music and loving life. So, I gave in, and eagerly awaited the next album.

Sometime in mid-August we got the first single, Memories. I was very disappointed. After such a strong single from the last album with (If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To, I just couldn't help but be disappointed. Memories, which also serves as the album's opening track, is at best an album filler track. Catchy to an extent, but lyrically lacking something. I understand the purpose of showing their respect and adoration for the show LOST, but this just wasn't gonna sell any records anytime soon. But Weezer has never truly been in the business of selling records. They are group of four guys just doing what they love. They don't write songs to intentionally top the Billboard charts, they just happen to. Nobody could have seen the out of the box success of Buddy Holly and Beverly Hills actually taking off.

So now we have the new album, and I'm very pleased to report that most of the tracks are right up to par with classic Weezer.

Over the past couple of months, Cuomos has gained quite a bit of street cred in his own right, but he doesn't let that effect the classic sound of a good ol' fashioned Weezer album. After trudging through the mediocre-but-still-kind-of-good Memories, the album moves onto the fun pop-alternative piece Ruling Me, which picks up the pace nicely. With a heavy explosion of rock instruments, its the classic nerd-wants-hott-girl type song. It had me bopping my hands and head along with it while I drove. There is an endearing sort of charm that Rivers possess more than your average rock-nerd, and it comes through on this song.

In today's day and age of actresses turned rehab spokesperson, and pop stars turned tabloid cover story, it was only a matter of time before someone wrote a song truly praising their existence. If you've ever wondered what it was like to be Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton or Britney Spears (in her hay-day), then Trainwercks is your song. Lets all be honest, deep down inside, there is a small sick part of us that wonders what it would be like. It's a heavy bass-anthem kind of song. I can only hope Lindsay listens to it, and feels a little better about herself.

Unspoken is a surprisingly good love song which goes from acoustic to hard rock in the matter of an instant. Not exactly memorable, but still a good listen. Where's My Sex is a dark and twisted, incestuous look at the art of sex. Its not exactly what you think though, because its rather good. And really, its not all about sex, but is about how he wants to get laid. Oh, you just have to listen to it!

Rnn Away is entirely skipable with its bland instrumentation, and no meaning lyrics. A far better tune is Hang On, which proves Weezer's ability to still hang with modern day punk-pop bands. A desperate plea to keep a dying relationship going.

In Smart Girls, the hilariously cute jam about how being a nerd usually gets a smarter girl, which really, at the end is the most attractive quality in someone. It takes a completely shallow (but good) beat and makes a completely not shallow song. It's definitely a must listen for this record.

Brave New World is about as heavy rock-n-roll as you'll get from Weezer on this record. A true LOST anthem, so lyrically, it just kind of went over my head. Though I'm sure most LOSTies will disagree and tell me its a tune for everyone. To you I say, go ahead and keep your song. Its nice. I guess.

The standard album sadly closes with a whimper with Time Flies, an extremely forgettable song about how quickly the journey ends. Sadly, the song couldn't end quickly enough.

I would personally recommend getting the deluxe version for a cute little diddy titled All My Friends are Insects and a great cover of Coldplay's Viva la Vida. But all in all, either way, you're getting a classic Weezer album.

Bottom line: A great Weezer album for all the Weezer fans.
Must hear song(s): Ruling Me and Smart Girls.

Pre-Order Weezer's "Hurley"

Selena Gomez & The Scene - A Year Without Rain (Single)

Artist: Selena Gomez & The Scene
Song: A Year Without Rain
Album: A Year Without Rain
Out: September 28th, 2010

Awh, cute little Selena Gomez and her band The Scene have a new song.

Isn't that precious?

That's all I can think when I see this little tyke. She's just... too cute. Ladies and gentlemen, we have this generations Hilary Duff. Sweet, pure, wholesome, a good role-model and mediocre talent.

Now, now. I can't be too hard on this one, because she's just so... cute. Have I said that enough?

But admit it. You've caught yourself humming along to the insanely brilliant and amazingly catchy Naturally. There you are drivin' along, caught in mid-day traffic, and thumbs are bouncing on the steering wheel. Or, there you are, getting ready in your room, in nothing but your underwear, hair brush in hand, singing every word at the top of your lungs. Maybe that last one is just me, regardless, you can't deny how good that song was. So when I heard that Gomez and her boys were off to the studio to record a follow up to their first LP, immediately following the success of Naturally, I was hoping for a CD filled with similar dance-hall type stuff.

It was later announced in June, that the first single wold premiere soon, and it was produced and written by Kevin Rudolf and FeFe Dobson. The little tween in me began to applaud Ms. Gomez and her team for bringing on such amazing pop heavy-weights. I mean, these people know how to write songs, not really for themselves, but some people are just better behind the scenes. So when Round & Round premiered, I was a little disappointed. The bland production, mixed with the less then catchy chorus, I ended up somewhat writing off this next effort.

Several weeks later, and a few plays later, I liked Round & Round. It's not my go to jam, but I like it.

For the next single, Gomez and the boys would be releasing title track, A Year Without Rain. Needless to say, from my lack of excitement with the first single, I wasn't rushing to the computer to download when it finally hit the iTunes store last Tuesday. I read the production credits, and I wasn't mildly impressed. Toby Gad is phenomenal producer, when he wants to be. Boasting some of my favorite songs like; Fergie's Big Girls Don't Cry, Beyonce's If I Were A Boy, and Jordin Sparks' Vertigo. The man really shines with his mid tempo emotional ballads. But I wasn't sure I wanted to hear Selena's thin voice trilling through a similar song. I wanted more songs like Naturally, dammit!

In any case, I was pleasantly surprised. There is a steady club beat, mixed with a beautiful piano melody, something very Coldplay meets Naturally. This is a tween song about a love you just can't get enough of, and really, we can all relate. You know, when you get your new boyfriend or girlfriend, and you just completely ignore the rest of your friends. We've all been there, if we're not there already. There's even a thunder storm that makes its way into the song by the end. Now that's marketing!

Bottom line: I'm enjoying the new material, but I'll wait for the Dr. Luke and RockMafia productions to get truly excited.

Buy Selena Gomez & The Scene's "Round & Round" (Single)

Kanye West - Devil in a New Dress

Artist: Kanye West
Song: Devil in a New Dress
Album: Dark Twisted Fantasy (Tentatively)
Out: November 16th, 2010 (Tentatively)

So how many of you absolutely despise Kanye West?

Yeah, me too.

But Yeezy is an interesting phenom in himself. He has this strange, "Most Hated Man in the World" kind of vibe to him, but you can't help but jam to his music. Admit it, you were bumpin' Jesus Walks back in middle school when it was big. You even know all the words to Heartless.

But it seems the last straw for the world, and Kanye himself, was when he so heartlessly barged on stage as cute little Taylor Swift accepted her very first ever VMA, like O-M-G! If you don't give yourself the distinct honor of following West on Twitter, do yourself the pleasure, and hit follow. Early this morning, Kanye went on a two hour tirade, at 140 characters a piece, on why he is/was a monster, and how much he hurt Taylor. He blabbered on about how he wasn't a racist, how he realized that when you google the word, "asshole," you'll find his face within the first two pages, and other, truly, deep stuff. Great moments with Mr. West, really.

Earlier this month, Kanye decided that in an odd marketing tactic, he'd release a new song every Friday until Christmas. Now I applaud West for a being a true business man here, and realizing a lot of your business is viral now, but he's practically releasing the entire album before it even comes out, if he doesn't watch it. In reality, Kanye doesn't need anymore album sales, he's got quite a bit. So if he wants to work for free to redeem his tarnished reputation, I'm fine with that.

He's so aptly titled these Fridays, as GOOD Fridays. So far, three GOOD Fridays have come and gone, all with new Internet releases from Yeezy. This week its Devil in a New Dress, a mid-tempo throw back to the old 1970s releases from the likes of Marvin Gaye. Sadly, I haven't really been a fan of anything he's thrown at us on the Internet these past few days. The first, See Me Now with Beyoncé, was a long droning song with a repetitive beat. The next, Monster, picked up the slack a little, but lets be honest, that was because Nicki Minaj slayed the boys on this one. As she should. And now, with Devil in a New Dress, you have another song that doesn't seem to go anywhere. The subject matter, isn't really anything important, and the overall production is weak. I guess, I should just be happy you don't have to pay for any of these tracks, and hope that Kanye is just trying to wet our appetites with cuts that he ended up axing from the final product. Alas, right now, who knows. Kanye is on a odd promotional path with this one, but I can't say it hasn't gotten us talking. So at the end of the day, we'll see who wins, the consumer, or Kanye. Only time will tell.

Bottom line: Stick with your repeat play of Power in anticipation of this new record.

Buy Kanye West's "Power" (Single)