Adventures In 2009: Top 30 Songs [#10-1]

And we're at the end of the line...my ten favorite songs of '09!

10. Drumming Song - Florence + The Machine
Pulsating...and it sure does make an almighty sound. Since I have an affinity for drums and have always wanted to let my Sheila E. out, this song was quite cathartic for me. As lead vocalist, Florence Welch and her machine of musicians crafted a grand album in the form of Lungs, “Drumming Song” is one of the moments on the album that just rattles and hums in its cannon, ready for an explosion. For some reason this song does indeed get louder and louder as it transcends and it truly is great.

9. Unfresh - Andy Allo
As mentioned, there is a lot to love about Miss Allo's debut, UnFresh, and one of those things to love is the grooving title track. The layers of this song, not to mention its perky bubbling synths are just some of the sounds that are to be heard on this electronic-hip-hop and R&B hybrid. This song rocks on the edge of being a full blown club thumper, but it is a little bit more sophisticated and manages to have a more laid-back vibe that is just the perfect balance of spunk and smoothness.  So like Andy said, let's soothe n' groove and have a good time...

8. The Spell - Alphabeat

I hopped, skipped and jumped on the late bus with this...but I'm glad I got to hitch a ride as "The Spell" is one of 2009's best pop songs. It just surges on in and just makes you want to wiggle in your seat. Since the band from Denmark, sampled the 90's song, "Get Serious" by group, Cut N' Move in the grooves of this song, it feels like taking a time trip back to when pop music wasn't so stuffy and had only one simple goal, and that was to make you just dance and shake sillies out.

Audio Diva 2000's: Lost & Found...and Trippin' The Light Fantastic [2007]

Welly wells, Adventurers, it has been oodles of fun reminiscing about music from the noughties and I hope you had fun taking a trip down memory lane with me. Now before you go..."but what about 2008?" recall we've adventured through the notes of that year...So now we come to 2007, a truly odd and frigid year for me. During this time, my parents decided to move to Nowheresville, Texas (okay, the Panhandle...and yeah, there is nothing up there but Dairy Queens, tumbleweeds and the smell of manure due to the meat packing plant there), thus I became accustomed to the more rural nature of what the Lone Star State has to offer. It was also a big culture shock for me, as I come from city slicker environments. I spent that summer battling killer spiders about the size of half-dollars and surviving the fact that the Wal-Mart there was Nowheresville's idea of a "shopping mall". Horror.

2007 is also odd because my musical tastes altered and alot of the music I listened to during that time wasn't necessarily fresh out of the oven and was dated to 60's, 70's, 80's and even some 90's. The music I did listen to that was dated 2007 was of varying tastes and consisted of a lot of non-mainstream stuff. I started listening to Feist on the strength of "1234", then I got into a lot of British Pop and Soul music around this time, with Beverley Knight, Mika, David Jordan, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, James Morrison and Mutya Buena. My modern soul tastes also resurfaced with the likes of Rahsaan Patterson, Ledisi, Chrisette Michele, Adriana Evans ("El Camino), Emily King ("East Side Story"), Kevin Michael, and Donnie ("The Daily News"). I became acquainted with Sara Bareilles' Little Voice album, and it was an album that got tremendous play and warmed up the discontentment I was going through at that time. Kanye West "graduated" and gave us an album that matched the greatness that College Dropout was. Amerie's Because I Love It was shelved which led to being the '00's biggest mishandling of an album. 2007 was also the year I started liking Ciara after being pleasantly surprised with her The Evolution album. Less I don't forget that I was one of few people in my circle of friends who enjoyed Mario's Go album, and had Kylie Minogue's X album. Strange bird I am. 

Adventures In 2009: Top 30 Albums [#10-1]

Now we have reached the end...the final installment of my favorite albums of 2009!

10. Pop Art - MPHO
Pop Art is probably the most fun you'll have without breaking any rules. Or getting messy drunk. The content of this is pretty basic, yet it all rests in the British poptress' energy and the electro-pop n' funk music production that makes it just a enjoyable pop experience. Simple Simon songs like "See Me Now" and the punchy "Fix Ya Face" could've been done by any overactive manufactured pop tart, but in MPHO's hands, they are adoring pop meets hip-hop nuggets worthy of multiple plays. The fantastic "Box N' Locks" is one of many standout tracks, as is the charging, "Paranoid Type" and the should-be-a-darn-single-by-now, "Morning After". Unscrupulous musical fun.

Notable Tracks: Morning After, S.P.A.C.E. Man 

9. Blacksummersnight - Maxwell

Maxwell might as well be in the top 10 for just coming back alone. It had been a seven year itch that I was willing scratch and it is a relief to alleviate that tingly feeling. Sure BSN doesn't no way near touches what Urban Hang Suite, Embrya or Now were, but this is still a fine long player of a serious and talented soul man. Oddly, the return of Maxwell was at a divided state due to purists and new fans. I'm one of those who couldn't care less if Maxwell sung the labels off of prescription pill bottles over the Walgreens drug store loudspeakers. I just want to hear his voice over intricate background music and that's what I got. BSN indeed rises to the occasion with Marvin Gaye sensibilities, Donny Hathaway instrumentation and Sam Cooke vibrancy, but all done in Maxwell's effervescent fashion. Songs like "Cold", "Help Somebody" and the graceful, "Pretty Wings" soothed the mind and gave us back a true music man.

Notable Tracks: Cold, Fistful Of Tears 
 

8. Do You Want The Truth Or Something Beautiful? - Paloma Faith
While Amy Winehouse does other extra curricular activities aside from singing, it was time for someone to fill the void, hence where Paloma comes in. Paloma Faith's stature was like this on paper: a white Briton who could convincingly sing 60's soul fodder. Yawn. Duffy and Adele did it last year...been there done that. Yet, we judge to swiftly. Opening up Truth is like breaking into an ordinary package with a plain bow, as looks can be hella deceiving. Inside the package we get an glistening affair of symphonic sounds that mix with soul and 60's pop qualities that is matched nicely with Paloma's voice, which hints at 50's cabaret singer. In short, 'Truth' is a gorgeous album. The music is sweeping, theatrical, inspired by the more glossier sounds of yester-year and each and every song sparkles. Definitely one of the pleasant surprises of my '09.

Notable Tracks: Do You Want The Truth..., New York 

Audio Diva 2000's: Gettin' Loose, Evolving and Going 'Back To Black' [2006]

2006 brought on my year of "responsibility". So after shaking off all the silliness and nervous jitters of my first year in college, I got to crackin' with the books and with the social activities. I joined a "young women's club" or rather this really lovely group called, Sister 2 Sister. In some sense we were a quasi-sorority with meetings, discussions about living life as a college girl of the 21st century, doing charity work and pigging out, just without all the pledging and keg parties. I oddly became a staff member and was probably the worst secretary they had ever had. Still, I do take pride in creating the club's website, which I believe is still in operation today. With that, my Internet and blogging career began as I began blogging towards the end of the year as a means to get out of a depression that cropped up after my mother fell ill. 2006 was also the year I said "hasta la vista" to the dorms and got my own apartment, and I learned how everything is rent...and that if you leave Stoffer's Mac n' Cheese in the freezer without your name on it, your ungrateful roommate will eat it, and not apologize for it.

2006 was another great year for music, in fact, its my favorite year for music, as I discovered so many sounds and artists around that time. The British Invasion of the 21st Century began with acts like Amy Winehouse, Lily Allen and Corrine Bailey Rae emerging, all with varying styles and all filled with promise. Justin Timberlake was "bringing sexy back" or whatever that was supposed to be...he didn't need that gimmick as his 2nd effort, FutureSex/LoveSounds did just fine with the single "My Love" ruling the airwaves. "Sexy Back" wasn't the only catch phrase as Omarion felt like an "Ice Box" and Fergie left the Black Eyed Peas' for awhile and let her "London Bridge" fall down....The collective of Cee-Lo and producer, Danger Mouse made Gnarls Barkley and gave us one of the finest songs of the 00's. Gwen Stefani was on solo album #2 and took us on a "Sweet Escape". The Killers had us enter Sam's Town which showed off their Americana rock sound. Food and Liquor was not a grocery list but Lupe Fiasco's debut album title, and it remains one of my favorite releases from the 00's. Pink didn't want to fool with "Stupid Girls" and Prince was working up a "Black Sweat". Christina Aguilera took us Back To Basics, with an ambitious double album and John Mayer made me become a fan of his through his stellar Continuum album. The musical movie of that year was the feather boas tossing and beehive hairstyle revival of Dreamgirls. Beyonce and Jennifer Hudson battled it out vocally (J. Hud won out though) and gave new meaning to the Diva Catfight. And that was just between the fans and stans, not the singers themselves....

Crisp N' Fresh: Getting Misty Eyed (Again) Over Michael Jackson With New Video

You might be going through stages of withdrawal concerning Michael Jackson's passing. Thus, this beautifully done video that Spike Lee has directed for, "This Is It", the theme song to the musical documentary of the same name, might bring you back to pulling out the tissue box and feeling the sadness from seven months ago. The video is a patchwork of images and videos of Michael in his youth and during slices of his life as a mega superstar. Also included in the vid is footage of  fans paying tribute by donning sequined gloves, fedoras and performing signature dance moves. Lee has put together a montage that is a lovely reminder of the legacy that the King of Pop left behind. This Is It, the DVD of the documentary that chronicles Michael's road to his comeback tour, will be released on January 26th of 2010.

Freebie Adventures: J*Davey's 'Great Mistapes'

And the gifts keep on coming even after Santa has left the building....As promised, the collective known as  J*Davey released their brand-new EP, Boudoir Synema: The Great Mistapes on Christmas Day, and it is a present that doesn't need a shiny bow as it's already decked out in the sonic funkateer style that the duo from Los Angeles are best known for, plus the set is free, and who doesn't like freebies? We got a taste of what was to come on the 5-song EP from tracks, "Outta The Window" and the excellent "Crawl Over Me" but there are three more treats to feast on. Now all that needs to occur is that J*Davey releases a brand new full-length album...but beggars can't be choosy. Download below and enjoy.

DL: Boudoir Synema: The Great Mistapes

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!

Hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and a happy holiday!

'Tis The Season: Thumpity, Thump, Thump...The Jackson 5 Bring The Holiday Spirit

Well Adventurers, today is Christmas Eve (and for you overseas folks already celebrating the season...Merry Christmas!) and so ends the series of holiday song spotlights. I wanted to close out with something cheerful, and what better to hear the jubilant sounds of a little Michael Jackson sing about Frosty the Snowman? Recently, I obtained The Jackson 5 Ultimate Christmas Collection  and I have to say its a wonderful set that combines all of J5's holiday cuts in one neat little package tied up with a sparkly bow. Well, the sparkly bow wasn't there, but it was there in the spirit that the Jackson 5 evoked on such cuts like "Give Love On Christmas Day" and my personal favorite, the infectious "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town".  So snuggle up with some egg nog (or hot coco...or a stiff drink), wiggle, sing-along and have fun with the Jackson 5 as they close out the Christmas season.

Santa Claus Is Coming To TownFrosty The SnowmanGive Love On Christmas Day

Adventures In 2009: Top 30 Songs [#20-11]

We're almost to number one! The second installment of my favorite tracks of '09...seems like I had an affinity for guitar sounds this year.

20. New In Town - Little Boots

People really hated this song for whatever reason, but since I'm an odd being and that I always tend to root for the underdog, I loved it to bits (sans the music video, which was a steamin' pile of garbage). True, "Stuck On Repeat" and her team-up with Human League's Phillip Oakley on "Symmetry" are much more refined electro-pop fodder, but "New In Town" is infectious to the hilt as Boots (aka Victoria Hesketh) "makes us feel alright" with a pop song laced with lots of swinging funk and techno elements. 

19. Don't Bring Flowers - Erik Hassle ft. MPHO
  How can a song, so morbid in fashion, be such a jammin' piece of work that has you bouncing around and playing air guitar? Well, Swedish musician, Erik Hassle has created such a song, that feels like a merge of classic rock, electro-pop, punk and everything else in-between. MPHO's addition to the song surprisingly makes the original quite obsolete, as the two's voices and attitude come together greatly. There is also a great guitar lick nestled in this, which is just A+. 

18. Mass Transit - Meshell Ndegeocello

This was a tough call, because I fully believe that Meshell's take on Ready For The World's "Love Come Down" is one of the best  covers (not to mention, the best underoo soakers in this day and age) but "Mass Transit" just plows on at full force and its a beautiful moment when soul and rock collide. The skittish-punk music styled lyrics meld nicely with Meshell's smoky alto making it a luscious contrast. As Meshell sounds seductive singing basically anything, her rich tone just smothers over this track, smoothing out all the frantic sounds on this. Fantastic guitar work is also present which will no doubt have you dabbling your fingers along an air guitar interface.

First Impressions: Mary J. Blige Is 'Stronger' Yet Not Much Has Changed...

Nobody can express human strength and spirit as poignantly as Miss Blige. As the reigning queen of hip-hop/soul, Mary J. Blige has built a catalog of albums that contain compositions about the roller coaster ups n' downs of life, and all the speed bumps inbetween. True, her stitch of album themes hasn't changed much since the 90's, still in a way with each album, a piece of Mary has become much more realized to her listening public. Now on the singer's 9th studio album release, we hear another fragment of her soul bared, yet, it's not as bold nor as incessant as in previous outcries.

The introduction into the fabric of Stronger With Each Tear, as lead-off single "The One" left a salty taste in the mouth and one that showcased that Blige has been moseying  down the thorny primrose path into auto-tune. Follow-up leaks, "Said & Done" and "I Am" weren't totally off putting, but seemed like they were missing that special something. In some ways, Stronger With Each Tear, while consistent in that it sticks to its guns, but as a whole really doesn't offer anything that is remotely "new"...and doesn't really show much growth. Yet, it is not without merit...

Crisp N' Fresh: Sia Takes Us Through the Comical Horrors of Sears Photoshoots

Well, what a pleasant surprise to end the day! Remember taking professional pictures when you were a kid either for the school yearbook or whenever your mother thought you looked so cute in that OshKosh Be'Gosh romper?  If you don't, be lucky you weren't involved in the torture. To this day, I cringe at the Sears Photo Studio photograph of me at seven with a cascade of trees and leaves in the background, that sits proudly on my grandmother's dresser. That's what this zany video from Sia reminds me of, those days of flash-bulbs and crappy photo backgrounds of laser beams in yearbook photos. The visual for her magnificent disco romp, "You've Changed" is just so hysterical, colorful and fun, that it's sure to bring about a smile, if you're stressin' over it being Monday or got jostled around too much during the holiday rush. Sia's new album, We Are Born is to appear in 2010.

'Tis The Season: Run-D.M.C.'s Holiday Ode

If you've ever seen the action/holiday flick, Die Hard, (yes, it's a holiday film...) you know that there is a part in the film where Bruce Willis' limo driver starts blasting some music in the limo and Willis complains about the music and how it's not Christmas music, and the limo driver responds back jubilantly saying, "This is Christmas music!"  One will know the song he was blasting in the limo was indeed, Run-D.M.C.'s "Christmas In Hollis", which to me IS Christmas music. Okay, long winded memory to introduce this spotlight, but if there is a song that ranks as probably the most creative, fun and one-of-a-kind of Yultide tunes, it's this one.  Interesting enough, 13 years after its release in 2000, the song reached #78 on the Hip-Hop/R&B charts. "Christmas In Hollis" first appeared on 1987's A Very Special Christmas (which also featured Madonna, Whitney Houston and The Pretenders), and continues to be one of those holiday hits, for even those who have a 'bah humbug' attitude for Christmas tunes.

The Audio Diva 2000's: Graduation, Higher Education & Emancipation [2005]

2005 was a monster year for me as I graduated high school AND started college. In a sense, 2005 was all about me getting a higher education, and well...I sure as funkle did. I experienced Senior Week with toga dress-ups and the Senior Prank (toilet papering the campus...so lame), and I was the only one of my friends bold enough to do Senior Skip Day. I also experienced prom, and it's an experience I'd like to forget due to my knot-head date (he asked me, and no one else was asking so what the hell?). Yet all in all, I closed out my adolescent years quite grandly as I ditched the retainer and threw the cap up in the air and gave a big double pink polished middle fingers to high school....

Then came freshman year of college, which was like being doused with a bucket of ice cold water and thrust out into the Antarctic winter without a parka. It was intense. I experienced two roommates who were seriously the Devil's Disciples, I received my first D ever (Government...I was kind of distracted in there by someone of the opposite sex) and I also learned how to wash clothes, got drunk for the first time (the balcony was swaying on its own, I swear) and not to eat the emapandas in the cafeteria (rat meat). So many good (and horror show) times, that the whole experience warrants a novel...

Crisp N' Fresh: How To 'Deal' With Eric Roberson and Lalah Hathaway

It's been awhile since a duet has struck me in a way that Eric Roberson and Lalah Hathaway's has. Their union together on the song "Dealing", from Roberson's Music Fan First, is in a simple word: perfect. You've got two top rated voices in the soul music game and together the two sound like melting butter on a flaky hot roll. Delicious.The visual for the tune is even more perfect, as we see the plight between ex-lovers (played by Roberson and Hathaway) who face being in the same vicinity with brand new significant others and when the feelings for each other haven't really erased over time. Seriously, whoever had these two at the same party is a poor party planner...talk about bad party hosting etiquette. Make sure you watch this vid up to the end for an interesting shift of events.

Adventures In 2009: Top 30 Albums [#20-11]

Round 2 for my favorite albums of 2009 is in full effect! Take note that debut efforts were a strong force this year :) 

20. Wild Young Hearts - The Noisettes
True facts. Shingai Shoniwa is fiercer than you. She really is, no denying there and her infectious personality is fully displayed on this eclectic mix of tunes. The Noisettes have finally graced a wider American audience and they have done so with their second album, Wild Young Hearts. A more polished sound from the trio is displayed here but the motive isn't absence, as the Noisettes continue to thread together folk, alt-rock, electronic pop and so much more. "Don't Upset The Rhythm" splashes and thrashes around, while the 60's pop-rock are recalled in tunes like "Every Now and Then" and "Never Forget You". What is impressive about Wild Young Hearts are the ballads (hear "Atticus"), which seem touched with such tender loving care that you had no idea that Miss Shoniwa and the boys were were such softies.

Notable Tracks: Every Now and Then, Atticus

19. La Roux - La Roux

Yeah, Elly Jackson is a sour little person as she complains about anything and everything in music. And yeah, she screeches sometimes when she sings "Bulletproof", but be damn...this album is pop-synth paradise. It's also one of the most 80's sounding albums for the 21st century. Almost like it was an unreleased treasure that got locked in a vault somewhere. In some ways, I don't want to like this album because its just "too much" all at once, but its so well-executed from tracks like the swiveling "Quicksand" and the bittersweet hymn of "Cover My Eyes". If the hair of Ms. Jackson didn't bring you in, then the revival of the neon age will.

Notable Tracks: Reflections Are Protections, Fascination

18. The Bridge - Melanie Fiona
A sound that harkens back the 60's Motown  is usually a winner, but it takes a special vocalist to give you that feeling that the album was pressed on black wax back when it was known as Hitsville U.S.A. Fiona is a noted Sam Cooke fan, and on The Bridge, she kind of gives us the undertones of that influence. A dazzling array of modern throwbacks are present on this cohesive display. Many hats Melanie wears throughout this record as she turns it Tina Turner loose on "Bang Bang", then she gets 60's girl group savvy on "You Stop My Heart" and then wallows in woman done wrong Blues with "It Kills Me". If we don't see more of Miss Fiona in 2010, it will be a criminal offense.  

Notable Tracks: You Stop My Heart, It Kills Me 

Buzzy Wuzzy: Wild Women Do, The Story Of 'The Runaways'

Ah. I love a good music bio pic, don't you? I still think of Laurence Fishburne as Ike Turner and I can't find Gary Busey too creepy (okay, he massively is) because he managed to become Buddy Holly, and then there is Purple Rain, which is basically a good two hours in the daily life of Prince, Lake Minnetonka, frilly dress shirts and all. It's an innate trait for me as a music nerd to enjoy a bio-pic geared towards stories about guitars, dressing room shoot-ups and ego tripping.

So of course when the news of a bio-pic based on the rambunctious 70's girl band, The Runaways broke, I was of course intrigued. Especially since I have a fondness for guitarist, Lita Ford and a few Runaways tracks. Judging from the trailer, the movie looks to be quite a sex, drugs, musical differences, cat fights, rock n' roll type deal, where we'll get to see how fame and estrogen levels take over and the music kinship is abandoned. Saucy and intriguing. Okay, actress Kristen Stewart isn't exactly going to convince me as Joan Jett (even though the hair is perfect) and actress, Dakota Fanning is making me feel ancient as she takes on the Runaways' lead vocalist, Cherie Curie with glossy lips and a sneering look. Still this looks like its going to be quite the ride.

Crisp N' Fresh: Corrine Bailey Rae Does It 'All Again'

As the anticipation for Corrine Bailey Rae's return to the musical gamut mounts, we are now blessed with a new video, in the form of single, "I'd Do It All Again". In a poignant visual, Corrine repeats her daily routine in a somber yet steadfast fashion. Even though this visual is conceptually simple, it speaks volumes considering the unfortunate event that occurred in the singer's life in 2008 when she experienced the tragic death of her husband. This video displays the continuing plight that happens when we have lost a love one and are simply just going through the motions, trying to get through those days without them. Elegantly done.

The Sea drops in stores January 25th.

Adventures In 2009: Top 30 Songs [#30-21]

And we continue...the first installment of some of my favorite tunes n' grooves from 2009.

30. Parallel  Lines - Joss Stone ft. Jeff Beck and Sheila E.
And...this won't get released, because everybody likes it when Joss Stone does all that vintage Aretha soul rehash. In honesty, this is probably Joss' best tune because she wades in dirty dishwater Blues and let's her inner Janis Joplin come up for air. Sure, Joss is a little softer around the edges, almost like a Snuggle Bear compared to Janis, but it's the most rambunctious cut off of this year's Colour Me Free, and it shows Joss at her finest. When Jeff Beck rips into his guitar solos, Joss takes the Goody hair tie out of her hair and lets it all hang out and its delightful.  

29. Beautiful - Jaguar Wright 
An ode to taking love slow and not rushing the good thangs..., you know what good thangs I'm talking about, we're grown....In seriousness, we need a song like this, and thankfully Jaguar Wright gives us all a lesson in romancing with this gem. This song kind of plopped into my lap and I instantly liked it due to its back-to-basics R&B mentality. It almost feels like a song from the 90's due to its sincere and loving approach, because you know everyone is too "edgy" in this day and age to fall in love. Jaguar has the perfect antidote for those who still are feeling the love. 

28. Mowgli's Road - Marina & The Diamonds
Whoops and howls invade on this punchy little quirk fest that shows Marina at her most lyrically and musically creative. She had me at the line: "Ten silver spoons coming after me" and from there this drum march infused with tribal thumps bops on in. The underlying message of this song is about finding your way without having financial support, which is quite a heavy theme for such a persistent pop of a song. Though Family Jewels, Marina's debut album, isn't due till next year, this song proves that its going to be an album not to miss.

'Tis The Season: Christmas Wrapping With The Spices

Spices go with the holidays. Cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, oh and a little ginger... The Spice Girls continue to be a group from my sticky fingers and frosted body glitter youth that I still enjoy blasting every once in awhile to no shame. It's also no secret that they are apart of my Christmas playlist every year with their two tracks, "Christmas Wrapping" and "Sleigh Ride". "Sleigh Ride" is a little janky with lots of mindless chatter and not much singing about taking a sleigh ride, but the cover of The Waitresses original, "Christmas Wrapping" is right on the money. It's in perfect Spice fashion, rowdy, spirited and meant to sing at the top of your lungs.   

Christmas Wrapping

First Impressions: Do The 'Crawl' With J*Davey

Is it Christmas yet? I ask this not because I'm anxious to rip open my presents, littering my living room floor with wrapping paper, but because there has been a lot of great things coming out of the J*Davey project, Boudoir Synema: The Great Mistape, that I'm becoming anxious for its Yuletide release. The newbie bundle of joy comes in the format of "Crawl All Over" which is sonically infused with squishy synths, booming   backbeats and just a fascinating blanket of sounds with Miss Jack Davey sensually swiveling in with her cooing vocals. Things get electronically fascinating towards the middle, where a hypnotic trance of synth sounds envade your mind. Oh, J*Davey you get a special plate of holiday cookies from me, just for this mind bending and engaging track. 

Crawl All Over

Audio Vision: Alicia Keys and Stephen Colbert Make Duetting Magic

As I'm wrapping up my final paper for the Fall semester, I decided to give you guys a study break in the form of when music and comedy collide. Alicia Keys was on The Colbert Report last night performing, "Empire State Of Mind II" off of her just released The Element of Freedom and was greeted with a surprise guest. The beginning of the performance is actually quite lovely, and then it gets some added spice when "MC" Stephen Colbert, host of the Colbert Report, steps in the shoes of Jay-Z and begins to rap and rally along with the song making it the "Upper Middle Class Remix" version of the song. It's really hysterical and definitely gave me some chuckles to get me out of my finals funk. How Miss Keys remained her composure to perform as Stephen was "rapping" and spinning around with an attached hoodie to his suit, I do not know.

Riddle Me List: 8 Mariah Carey Ballads You May Have Forgotten About

Memoirs sales are tanking 300,000 Leagues under the charts. The "I Want To Know What Love Is" and "H.A.T.E.U." videos are uninspired dry breadcrumbs of music visuals. Rumors of leaving Def Jam are circulating...its just not fun in Mariah Carey Music Land right now. Though there are rays of sunshine such as her star turn in the Lee Daniels' movie Precious and the announcement of a tour next year...but still she's touring with an underwhelming album in tow and that's a little disheartening. To lighten the mood (and to let me avoid wasting energy on spouting off about Mariah's musical mishaps this year), we are going to take it back, forget about "We Belong Together", "My All" and "Vision Of Love" for a moment, let's look back at some Mariah ballads that people seem to pass over, because for whatever reason people liked the insipid tall Adult Contemporary Metamucil of "Hero".

1. Till The End Of Time (Emotions, 1991)
Buried at the end of the singer's sophomore effort Emotions, "Till The End Of Time" knocks you sideways with its climatic build and sensual yet haunting makeup. It's a straight up power ballad, meant to show off Mariah's booming vocal chops, and well, it does it's job. The instrumentation in the song is also a focal point, especially during the climb of the chorus and then the fade out at the end. Simply gorgeous.


2. Melt Away (Daydream, 1995)
In 1995, Babyface was churning out those R&B love notes left and right, and here he pairs up with Mariah to craft a song that shows what happens when two music minds meet up and create a song that is divinely right. "Melt Away" has been a fan favorite since the Daydream album was released, yet in some ways its usually forgotten due to the power that "One Sweet Day" and "Open Arms" made on the charts. Also this one of those songs where we get to hear Mariah dip into a lower register, and it adds a certain something to the track.

First Impressions: Usher and Adam Levine's Collabo Warms Up The Soul

In all honesty. I stopped looking out for Usher's Raymond vs. Raymond testimonial due to the overwrought of leaks that just seemed to burst out of the seams of the information super highway. Usually when songs leak out from a project in that sort of capacity, my natural feeling is that its not going to be a pretty picture. If the releases are messy, so is the album. But I judge too swiftly.

  Amid all the gush of leaks and the lackluster, "Papers", I was still looking forward to his collaboration with Maroon 5's Adam Levine, once it had been announced  that the two were working together on Usher's new project. The song that came out of their time in the studio is the stunning, "I Love You 2".  The track, which is dedicated to his sons, is a breezy acoustic love fest that truly shines a light on the vocal stylings of Ursh, which can sometimes get drowned out by all that production work that usually clogs his songs. In some ways the vibe of the song reminds me slightly of some acoustic heart on sleeve soul that Babyface could have concocted back in the day. It's honest and down right "awww!" worthy. Even though the weather outside may be bleak and is making you shiver in your boots, this lush track almost feels as if you're in the summer sun sipping on some lemonade. Refreshing.

I Love You 2

Buzzy Wuzzy: Back 2 Basics

Because we all wanna know what's going on...

• Sade and the band came out of hiding to unveil their Solider Of Love album in New York. [Billboard]
  
• Glee snags four Golden Globe nominations. Don't stop believin'! [Idolator]
  
• Susan Boyle snags the #1 slot; knocking down Chris Brown's Graffiti. Bad pun in there somewhere [BBC]
• Kanye West is playing nice and auctioning off signed memorbillia for his foundation. [HHW]
  
• Timbaland claims Lady GaGa stole his style...and that Ciara is the next Aaliyah. Delusions. [TGJ]
• Sting's daughter, Coco is singing, and she has Robyn in the song and video. Interesting. [PJ]
• Jennifer Hudson's special, I'll Be Home For Christmas, aired on Monday...did you see it? [PB]
  
• Madonna and daughter, Lourdes are looking smashing at the premiere of musical, Nine [MuuM]

Adventures In 2009: Top 30 Albums [#30-21]

The Book of 2009 is closing its pages, and before we open up the fresh and crisp leaflets of 2010's novel, it's time to review what was pounding through the speakers of the last year of the "noughties" decade. Music was at a skittish pace this year, where if you were looking for something that was going to knock you off of your seat, you had to roll up your sleeves and do a little digging. Yet, that was all in the fun of it, so I wasn't complaining...well, too much anyways. Though I had to wade through the mediocre and disappointments pool of tunes, I managed to find 30 albums and 30 songs that struck my fancy and played like musical candy to my ears. It was a tough decision to whittle down my 2009 collection down to just 30 albums/songs, but I persevered! So indulge me for a moment as I countdown some of my favorites from this year, beginning with the first installment of 30 favored albums. :)

30. Anjulie - Anjulie

Canada has been having a stream of talent coming out recently and Anjulie is another one of those names that crossed the borderlines and whose music invaded my ear drums. Her self-titled debut album is a delightful blend of punchy pop, earthy soul and other funky things. The oddball smatter of eclectic percussion "Boom" sets the tone, and from there we are introduced to a patchwork quilt of sounds like the lounging, "Another Dumb Girl" and the perky tropical zing of, "Addicted2Me". An eclectic soul's dream record.  

Notable tracks: Love Songs, Another Dumb Girl

29. Let The Truth Be Told - Laura Izibor 
It's quite lazy for critics and the like to say that Laura Izibor is channeling Alicia Keys.The only thing these two have in common is that they can sing and jam on some ivory keys.The similarities halt once you soak in the Soul stunner from Ireland's impressive debut, Let The Truth Be Told as you find that Izibor has her own riveting style and a rich toned vocal in tow. The album takes on a homegrown and deeply personal touch as songs like "Don't Stay" and "What Would You Do"  sound like written notes ripped straight out of your journal. On top of all that talent, she's also a lovely person, who is down-to-earth and is living for the music. Truly, one of the voices to listen for well into the new year.

Notable tracks: If Tonight Is My Last, From My Heart To Yours

28. Straight No Chaser - Mr Hudson

A big thunderclap of electronic fervor rests insides this loose cannon of electronic hip-hop n' pop, and  its quite a slicing modern update of what 80's New Romantic consisted of. The fondness for Mr. Hudson's eerie, yet solid and accent riddled alto drew me into his Library project, whose A Tale of Two Cities still gets spins, but when he paired up with Kanye West on 808's "Paranoid", it proved to be just a small morsel of what was to come for the UK vocalist, and this is where Straight No Chaser comes in. The record is wall to wall sound of frosted pop, with soul and hip-hop elements smeared in for good measure, and its vibe is an instant attraction. Kanye assists on the soaring, "Supernova" while the slicing "White Lies" is just one of few heartbreak hotel stories residing on this intricate disc.
 

Noted tracks: There Will Be Tears,White Lies

Remember The Time Vids: "I Found The Masterpiece In You"

Ever had an early music memory? A memory so premature that whenever you're just washing dishes, minding your own business and the tune just pops into your head, and literally you are transported back into the time and place you heard the song. Just me? Okay, just checking.

In an odd way, out of all the Atlantic Starr songs that I heard throughout my youth, their 1991 single, "Masterpiece" is a song that I distinctly remember knowing every single word even though I was quite bitty at the time of its release and had no clue why someone was such a "masterpiece". Finger painting was all the art training I had at that time, so forgive me. Listening to this song now, its still as lovely as when it was first spun.  Yeah, Atlantic Starr really knew how to tug at those heart strings with their collection of ballads, making you feel like a complete sap, but this track is their most delicate and sincere, in my book. Here is a 1992 performance (oddly, the performance I remember seeing as a wee Audio Diva) the group did on The Arsenio Hall Show. Flat-tops and mulit-colored suit jackets...yep, its the early 90's alright.

First Impressions: In The Thicke Of It, 'Sex Therapy' Not The Perscription

Let me just point out the elephant in the room. Robin Thicke has sold out. Now before the tomatoes, chairs, hot combs and grits start to fly in my direction, Mr. Thicke has reason to pitch up his foreclosure sign in his musical front yard, thus the reasons why Sex Therapy: The Experience  is the way it is make me feel a bit of sympathy for Thicke.

After 2008's Something Else failed to attract an audience who were searching for the second "Lost Without You" come-on or even reprising what 2005's The Evolution of Robin Thicke or even his 2003 debut, A Beautiful World, possessed, Thicke possibly felt that going down a "radio accessible" route was the answer to him to not be pegged as a one-trick pony chart-wise. But album wise, his artistry is lost.

There was a growing monstrous fear of Mr. Thicke taking the expressway to Sell Out Junction, especially after hearing the atrocious, "Shakin' It For Daddy" last month and the Sex Therapy album as a whole hasn't comforted the fact that he has indeed opted for radio hits than actual substance. It's a career move that he shouldn't have to take, but these are desperate times, and since he's one of the few genuinely talented  R&B/Soul cats out there, and since the radio likes something a little gimmicky, Robin switches mindsets. The rap cameos are kicked up a notch, the content is less romantic, even more sleazy, the ballads are lazily done and at times, you can barely hear Thicke because he's sweet falsetto is drowned out by electronic grooves and hip-hop thunder claps. In seriousness, on Sex Therapy, Thicke abandons what got him the attention in the first place for a much more sellable sound, and that's really the big disappointment here.

Recycle It!: Rock Steady With Sue Ann's Take On An Aretha Classic

For those of you who want to sing an Aretha Franklin song and actually be serious about it...yeah, just sit your butt down. You can't do it. You'll get up start to warble out a couple of chords of "Chain Of Fools" and part way in, you're looking the fool. Still it's all forgivable, as it takes a special kind to be on the same level as the Queen of Soul and only few have managed to get to that zenith point.

In a way, Sue Ann Carwell latches onto Aretha's energy in her rendition of "Rock Steady" and just takes it too the next level. True, the cover is shellacked over with a shiny, patent leather New Jack Swing exterior, but it's Sue Ann's powerhouse vocals that drive this song into being a mighty fine tackle of Aretha's 1971 classic (of which you can see Aretha work it on out below in a vintage Soul Train clip).

Sue Ann's name isn't recognizable, as is this cover song, though her connections through Prince (she was once pegged as the lead vocalist for The Time) and Giorgio Moroder (he produced her 1981 debut album...to no audience) make her seem apart of the musical movement of the 80's, yet she was only standing in the wings. In 1988, she dropped Blue Velvet, a spicy album that featured production credits from Time alum, Jesse Johnson, was heavy on the attitude and hefty with the sounds. I have unabashed love for Blue Velvet because it's just what you'd want on an New Jack album and wedged in the middle of it, is this little dime piece. On first glance, I wasn't sold, thinking, "Cute, she's going to do Aretha", but after listening, it really stood toe to toe with the original. Dispell the obligatory late 80's rap, and synth/drum machine effects placed in here, and listen to Sue Ann really throw it down, rocking steady throughout.

'Tis The Season: 'Caroling, Caroling' With Cole

If there is any Christmas song that sounds like warm hot coco topped with melting marshmellows and cinnamon, it's this one. Natalie Cole's "Caroling Caroling" is just so frothy and warm, that right from the start of the chiming bells you'll have an instant glow of love for the holidays. While we usually associate Christmas classics with Natalie's father, the legendary Nat King Cole, Lady Cole has some Christmas tunage up her sleeve, and it's just as lush as the renditions her father made Christmas carol staples. From 1994's Holly & Ivy, Miss Cole dives right into the Christmas spirit jubilantly with this track. Oh, and of course there is a kid's choir backing her up, just to up the ooze factor. Gotta love it.

Caroling, Caroling

Buzzy Wuzzy: Afternoon Delight

Because we all need to know what's going on...

•  Cyndi Lauper and Lady GaGa are the new faces of M.A.C makeup's Viva Glam campaign...see someone else saw similarities between these two. [FWD]
  
• Mariah Carey is touring...and the show is called 'The Angel's Advocate Tour'. No, it's name is not based after that Keanu Reeves movie. [Billboard]
• Blondie have recorded their version of "We Three Kings" just in time for Yuletide. [HardCandyMusic]
  
• Kid Cudi punched the wrong person at a concert...smooth. [WSHipHop]
• The Jacksons trek on without Michael, in their new A&E reality series, Jacksons: American Dynasty. Sadly, no mention of the mystery behind Jermaine's "hair". [NYTimes] 
• Samantha Mumba...is that you? [TWorld]
  
• Paloma Faith has some of the best darn artwork this year, even for single covers. [XOMEight]
• Snoop Dogg reads 'How The Grinch Stole Christmas' on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon...and changes the story, naturally. [Idolator]
  
• Lady GaGa's album, The Fame dubbed 'Album of the Decade'...okay, stop reaching and get off the disco stick. [Examiner]
• Karen O., from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, snags a Grammy nom, after Miley Cyrus was disqualified. [Spinner]
  

Crisp N' Fresh: Something 'Beautiful' Occurs In Paloma's 'Truth' Visual

Paloma Faith should get an award being a walking cabaret act for 2009, as she's glamming it up more so than anyone this year with the plumbs, baubles, beads, boas, and looking straight out of the golden Hollywood age. Last month, Paloma released her third video, which happens to be the title track to her glorious debut, Do You Want The Truth Or Something Beautiful?, and yes, I'm just now getting around to checking it out. The video is physically a plush homage to torch singers of the 1940's and 1950's with glamorati fashions, gracious hand gestures and vanity table reflections. Lush life indeed. The single, "Do You Want The Truth..." is being released on December 21st.

Album Watch: The Social Studies Lesson Of 'New Amerkyah Pt. 2'

2010 is shaping up to be divine, especially with the inclusion of Erykah Badu following up with the second installment of her New Amerkyah opus. Billboard announced the unveil of New Amerykah Pt. 2: Return of the Ankh last week, and gave some insight on the construction of what the album consists of. Some familiar names pop up on the credits, names such as James Poyser, ?uestlove, 9th Wonder, J. Dilla, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Andre 3000, and surprisingly (and quite questionable) Lil' Wayne are all featured in some fashion on the new record that is set to hit stores February 23rd of 2010. ShowingOut.com got a sneak peek at what they heard at the incense lighting and star studded album listening party, and in the extensiveness of  descriptions on the list, you can almost hear the sounds tumbling around in your head. Some tidbits that caught the eye....

• "The track ends with a sudden psychedelic smear of noise." (describing track "Window Seat") 
• There is a song called "Incense" yes, its about those smelling sticks..what can this woman not write about? Wonder if it sounds like strawberries n' cream, or musk.
• There are two Notorious B.I.G references
• There are lots of bass guitars, vintage jazz, fat drum and something called "subtle, liquid butter keys" sounds swirling about the album.
  
• One track was produced by the late J. Dilla, and another track that sounds Dilla-esque. 
•  "This album is the sister of the left side of my brain -- it is the right side...the album is more emotional and flowy and talks about feelings. It reminds of the days of 'Baduizm'" (Erkyah describing the album's context).

Well, February 23, 2010, hurry the funkle up!

Oh, and Erykah is not done letting us explore uncharted territory in the nation of New Amerykah, as the third album in its set is called, Lowdown, Down Underground and is described that it "would be sung in the persona of her alias Loretta Brown, a woman that’s “from the ’50s but acts like she’s from the ’40s - the 2040’s.” Oh. I see.

First Impressions: 'Element Of Freedom' Hits Middle Ground

Maybe I've been living in a misty mirage, but there has been a lot of people questioning the caliber of Alicia Keys' talent. I've seen it here and here...and yeah, here too. It's an almost bizarre accusation as Keys is the last person who I would call untalented, considering the fact that she's one of few mainstream artists who can put pen to paper and fingers to instrument. Especially in this day and age of fast tunes and fast moving rumps, Alicia Keys is that window of opportunity so to speak. Yet, some are questioning Keys artistry and how she's "soulless" and has become "too accessible" or has simply "lost her touch".

The cries of disgruntlement are understandable. Keys has been in a slight plight with her current musical output, as to me, she's been dancing around the primrose bush too much, not really pushing the envelope lately. Yes, the talent from the songwriting to the piano playing to her voice is still all there, but Alicia is settling into a groove that she's having a hard time crawling out of, and it showed with 2007's As I Am, which left little to be desired in my book. Then we had the lackluster duo of newest singles, "Doesn't Really Matter" and "Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart", which were dropping hints of something bigger, but just didn't latch on. Still, we can't judge an album by two singles can we? Thus, we listen to Alicia's fourth installment, The Element of Freedom , in full.

Song Stuck In My Head: Alphabeat Have Put A 'Spell' On Me

"The Spell" - Alphabeat (2009) 

Once again the hazard of being a music blogger and a student has crept up and bit me hard in my tushy, as I must apologize to Alphabeat, for the sheer fact that I surpassed gracing my ears with their dazzling song, "The Spell". The pop sextet from Denmark managed to effortlessly slam a jam on me, as well as give me one of my new favorite tracks that emerged out of this quite mediocre year of music. Pop songs, in my opinion, should just latch onto you on arrival, right from the opening splash of sound, and this song does just that. While a lot of people are channeling the neon 80's, Alphabeat are tackling on the frosted glitter and grime of the 90's with this groover that recalls late 90's pop princesses, Ce Ce Peniston, La Bouche and Black Box all in one crafted package. The song samples has a heavy sample from Danish group, Cut n' Move's 1991 single, "Get Serious" which is why it sounds so divinely pulsating and addictive. A spoonful of sugar that will definitely help the medicine go down.