Album Reviews: Yeah Yeah Yeah's, Metric, Dirty Projectors, Animal Collective, The Prodigy

So I had become a little bored with the music in my library. Listening to the same old R&B, or Pop, or The Beatles. I just wanted to hear something new and totally different. I checked in Rolling Stone magazine, iTunes, Wikipedia, Metacritic and asked for recommendations from IMDB's Music General page, and here are the four best that I found.

Now I'm usually really late when it comes to discovering the new Rock talents, but even I knew about the Yeah Yeah Yeah's. I still discovered them pretty late in their careers (their 2006 smash "Gold Lion" caught my attention, and at that point they were already on their 3rd album), but I was aware of the release of their 4th album "It's Blitz!". On top of seeing them perform this year on "Saturday Night Live", I remember seeing raves of the album on the aforementioned Music General page. After finally checking the album out, and allowing it to grow on me, I have to say this probably is one of the better albums released this year. Having not heard any of their previous albums, just a few select cuts, I can't really comment on if this album differs from the sounds of the other work in their catalogue. What I can say is this album is full of energy, with excellent vocals from front woman Karen O, and the band (drummer Brian Chase, and guitarist Nick Zinner) jamming with full energy. Matched with the production from Nick Launay makes this album a seamless mix of 80's era New Wave, Punk, Rock, Electronica and even Dance. The albums first two tracks "Zero" and "Heads will Roll" are more than appropriate album openers that grab you with their intensity, and the album never really disapoints afterwards. "It's Blitz!" has a great balance with some great slower tracks like "Soft Shock", "Runaway" and "Skeletons" thrown in the mix to show the bands full versatility, and they get plenty of opportunity to display some great lyricism as well. There's not a wrong step on this album, though it does taper off towards the end, it is a better than average effort with everybody and everything working to their full potential.

Another similarly praised album with a similar sound that also has a lead front woman was "Fantasies" by Canadian rock group Metric. Though this album hasn't had the time to grow on me, I will say that it was a great listen. I can't pick any stand outs, other than the albums opener and first single "Help I'm Alive" which has amazing production value and an addictive hook "Help I'm Alive, My heart keeps beating like a hammer. Hard to soft, tough to be tender". Their sound is a little more authentic Rock as opposed to the more electronic assisted "It's Blitz", and though there are occasional variations of sounds for the most part this album suffers from being a little one note. Which is fine because that one note is a great one, everything I heard I liked. The band is definitley skilled and brought alot to the album, and the lyrics actually kept my attention while listening thanks to the clarity of voice provided by lead singer Emily Haines. I may have to get more into the album, which shouldn't be a problem. I do have to say that in comparison to Karen O, I did have a slight issue with Haines' voice which sounded a little Pop-ish which sometimes didn't match the major Rock sound backing it. Still overall, great listen.

Venturing totally out of the Rock genre and into a true Electronic sound, I listened to Dirty Projectors "Bitte Orca". This is the first album I've heard in a long while that takes so many risks. In fact I shouldn't even say this is an Electronica album, It's probably more in the realm of "expiremental rock" or "jazz fusion" or a fusion of the both of those with Electronica. Whatever it is, it's truly a sound that I've never heard before. A sound that is so unconventional that I'm actually surprised I like it. There is alot of tweaking of traditional melodies and rhythm tracks. There are elements from all different types of music including Folk, R&B, Country. With so many different techniques they use with the instrumentation you'd think the album really shouldn't work, but somehow it does. The end result is actually a really chilled out sound despite all the electro blips and heavy percussion sound. I think "Stillness Is The Move" or "Temecula Sunrise" might be the best ways to describe this indescribably amazing album. It's almost like listening to an album twenty years before it's released. Simply put it's a mindbending listening experience.

An album that's a little more familiar comes from Animal Collective, whose "Merriweather Post Pavilion" is one of the best reviewed album of the year. The album is clearly Electronica meets Psychadellica and in that way it definitley works. The group works almost exclusively with electronic equipment, so the sound is very current with very minimalist tracks that build up into pretty amazing sonic experiences. The obvious nods to The Beatles (in "Also Frightened" and "Summertime Clothes") and The Beach Boys ("Bluish" and specifically "Guys Eyes" has a real "Good Vibrations" feel to it) soften the sounds out. The album on the whole is another perfect Chill Out album, and by far the best track on the album is the first single "My Girls". Easily one of my Top 10 Favorite songs released this year.

Lastly, I took a listen to The Prodigy's recently released 5th album "Invaders Must Die". I'm actually a fan of The Prodigy, so I would have listened to this album anyway. I was a little surprised by the album because while sticking to their normally agressive and intense style they've added a bit of musicality and melody to alot of their tracks. I like the group, but I've never really been all that fanatical about any of their albums outside of their US Breakthrough album "Fat of the Land". 2004's "Always Outnumbered, Never Outgunned" was a solid album in their collection, but just a little too loud and abrasive for repeated listens. This effort definitley softens it up, with tracks "Thunder" and "Omen". However, I've only listened to the album in full one time, and I'm sure that I'll be re-visiting the album in the coming months because there were a bunch of standouts, including the aforementioned tracks and "Warriors Dance" and "Colours" among them. Not my favorite album I've heard this year, but definitley a keeper.

Album Reviews: Maxwell, Ginuwine, Jordin Sparks

Probably the most anticipated album in years was finally released about two weeks ago. I'm talking of course about Maxwell's "BLACKsummers'night", his first album in over 8 years. In today's industry, going 8 years between albums is unheard of. Especially without releasing ANY material within that time frame, like a Greatest Hits or Live album or even a Remix or Duets album. And to be honest, at about year 4 I wasn't sure if we'd ever hear another Maxwell CD again. It actually surprises me that his label allowed such a long break, but I guess it takes a truly dynamic and unique artist to get away with that. And Maxwell definitely fits the bill, and this album shows why.
Now, was the album worth the wait? Of course. The thing is, Maxwell is very much driving in his own lane. He's true R&B, he's never given in to gimmicks physically or musically to help sell records. And that definitely makes him stand out amongst all the rest of the R&B crooners out there. In fact he's so beyond most of them, that he practically has no peers anymore. So if he was gone for 10 or 15 years, any album of his would be worth the wait because you aren't going to get truly genuine R&B out of anybody else but him. At certain points, like the opening track "Bad Habits", you can hear definite inspiration vocally from Marvin Gaye and Prince yet it never sounds like he is mocking their style, just adding hints into to his own very unique vocal delivery. And the writing on this album is pretty amazing. The album might seem on the surface like a Love Story, the musical accompaniment is very smooth and sweet R&B but the lyrical content illustrates a relationship gone terribly wrong thanks to a woman who turned so "Cold" (one of the stand out tracks on the album... "Global warming ain't got nothing on this chic she's not to play wit"). The albums first single "Pretty Wings" is a perfect example, one of the sweetest R&B songs you can imagine, except you get lyrics like "You toyed with my affliction, Had to fill out my prescription, Found the remedy, I had to set you free".
I think the most exciting thing about Maxwell coming back is that we finally have an ARTIST in the record stores again. True artists are few and far between these days, you even have great artists that buckle under label pressure to conform to what is popular for radio play. Maxwell definitely delivered something that is thought provoking, and is simply great music. There are a few songs that maybe could use some work, but with only 9 songs at least everything works well together. And an additional note, whatever session band he used for this album (I did read that it was the band he normally tours with), they did an EXCELLENT job. In fact, I'd put the instrumentation on this album above the vocal and lyrical work he excelled at.

So, part of me thinks that last review was a little harsh on the other R&B dudes out there. Sure Anthony Hamilton still puts out quality R&B, Musiq Soulchild is up there just not necessarily on the same level. Stepping outside of the Neo-Soul realm, there aren't many really great Male R&B Arists, and I say that simply because they all generally sound the same. And about 4 years ago I would have said the same thing about Ginuwine, who released his sixth album "A Man's Thoughts" at the end of June. His previous album "Back II Basics" might have been good, but it seemed that since him and Timbaland parted ways earlier this decade, that he didn't have much to offer the music world. He's had the occasional hit since, but hasn't put together a truly solid album since his sophomore 1999 album "100% Ginuwine". "A Man's Thoughts" finds Ginuwine in a much more mature place, don't get me wrong there is definite filler, but for the most part it's a pretty satisfying R&B record. Mainly because he's not going through the cliched Male R&B concepts... "Your man ain't nothing... get with me" or "I'm gonna sex you down like a (insert non-clever euphemism)" or "I cheated on you, so why won't you forgive me". This album he's really talking about being with ONE woman, appreciating her, and owning up to responsibilities as a man. The true stand out, and probably one of the best songs he's recorded in about 7 years, is the albums first single "Last Chance" a song about realizing what you have in a woman and doing whatever you can to make it work "I'm gonna do it, from a boy to a man, like Barrack and his plan -- if this is my last chance to love you, I'm gonna play it like a grown man ought to". Such a refreshing song to hear on the radio, although it's unfortunate "Birthday Sex" is heating up the charts instead (I actually do like that song by the way). Good Job Ginuwine, not the greatest release of this year by any means but definitely a job well done on his part and something people should definitely check out.

Enough about guys, let's talk about chicks man (LOL, "Soup" reference. GET IT?) Jordin Sparks has just released (today July 21st) her sophomore effort "Battlefield". And yes, she did release a debut... it's just without the huge hit of "No Air" with Chris Brown a lot of people probably didn't even notice. Her debut was literally a paint by numbers pop album, and I'm not going to pretend her follow up isn't. However, on this album you do get more of a sense of who exactly she is. She has definitely grown vocally, and mainly because she seems to bring a lot more attitude to her performances on this album. "Emergency (911)" might be the best example, it's also a great example of how age-appropriate this album is. The song talks about a boyfriend who isn't showing enough attention and the girlfriend who is practically begging for it and at the same time is giving him a final warning. Sparks definitely is treading the line of a teen Icon and a burgeoning adult Diva, and she does a fine job of not over stepping either line with the material on this album. Of course it is a pretty Safe pop album, covering all the basics. There's a little Pop-lite Rock, there's Pop-lite Dance and Pop-lite R&B. There's even a few Whitney/Mariah type power ballads (specifically "Was I The Only One"). This isn't a great album, but it doesn't have anything on it that is terror to the ears. Sometimes you don't need amazing material for people to notice you, just some sort of a personality on said material and she actually does a really fine job of bringing that out on this album finally. I've always been a Jordin fan from her days on Idol, I was pleased with her win (even though I was a bigger fan of Blake and Melinda) because she was the contestant with the highest chances for Pop Domination and she's getting that much closer. I'd expect to hear her second single "SOS (Let the Music Play)" all over Pop radio in the coming weeks (though I could be wrong, because I predicted the albums title track would be huge and it's slowly creeping up the charts)

And I'm DONE!!!
I might post a few more album reviews this week... i DO have a bunch to review that I've been really lazy about.

Concert Review: Beyoncé "I Am... Tour" Oakland, July 10th

A Few things before I start.
I Love Beyoncé, I'm not a total Stan but I'm a pretty fanatical admirer. I definitely look out for flaws in her performances and music, but even being as critical as I can be it seems I love everything she does. So I knew I'd have the time of my life at her "I Am... Tour" which touched down in Oakland, CA this past Friday July 10th.
Another thing I wanted to mention before I post my review, somehow I was blessed with an amazing ticket upgrade that literally had me interacting and Touching Mrs. Jay-Z!!! It was a concert experience I never had before and one I'm sure I'll never forget.

Now, on to the show. When I say Beyoncé is THE best entertainer in the industry we have right now, Believe it. I don't think I've ever seen any pop performer rip through so many songs within a 2 hour set, singing live, doing high energy dance routines and genuinely engaging the crowd at the same time. Which is par for the course for Beyoncé, being that this is her third solo headlining tour since 2003. The "I Am... Tour" shows that she has been learning with all those previous tours how to give the perfect show. One that shows off her vocal talents, showcases her now pretty extensive catalogue, and entertains everybody in the arena. She did it, and did it well in Oakland. What amazed me is she was able to do a big spectacle of a pop show, with explosives, video montages, and stunts like her flying through the air to "Baby Boy". However, somehow she was able to have this huge show but still make the show totally personal to her fans. There were several instances where she talked to the crowd and had them participate in the songs that they made successful. And the video imagining during her stellar performance of "At Last" showed the African American struggle in the US and culminated with images of our first black president Barack Obama, (where she emphasized the "At Last". I have to admit, I found it a little self-centered and egotistical for her to repeatedly show pics of herself in "Cadillac Records" and her singing to the Obama's at their Inauguration, but I'll give her a pass). Since that was an experience all of us lived through, we all could relate in a very personal way.
Same goes for when she had the crowd sing a verse and hook of her #1 hit "Irreplaceable" or when she actually went into the audience to touch her fans during the show closer "Halo". Beyoncé did an excellent job of making you feel that she's both a Superstar Celebrity Entertainer as well as just a regular 27 old woman sharing the same experiences as everybody in the arena.

I honestly don't know what more to say about the show. Like I said before she basically went through all of her big solo hits but mainly focused on a lot of the material from her latest album "I Am... Sasha Fierce". Her "Ave Maria" mixed with Sarah McLachlan's "Angel" was as breathtaking live as it was on the BET Awards last month. "Smash Into You" and "Broken Hearted Girl" sandwiched that performance, and she put a lot of dramatics into the performances of her ballads and it worked to keep the crowd interested. Of course she had loads of uptempos, including her Electro'd out "Radio", 2007's dance ready "Get me Bodied", her first huge solo hit "Crazy in Love" and her mega-Iconic recent #1 "Single Ladies". One thing I did notice, it seemed like every song she performed was a performance that was prepared for an award show. Her performance of "If I were a boy" was probably my highlight of the night.It's a great song to sing along with, and it was the only song at the show where she got to Rock Out. With some of the interesting poses and moves she was doing with the mic stand she really reminded me of the great Tina Turner in her "What's Love Got to Do With It" heyday. During that performance she mixed in Alanis Morrissette's hit single "You Oughta Know" and did a number of head bangs. Again, her performances of each song were all like Award show performances in that she devoted 110% to make each song pitch perfect, perfect choreography and entertaining. Yet it's still amazing that she was able to do that with each song... back to back... for as long as she did.

The sad thing is, she performed on stage for a good 2 hours and the show was so much fun and so lively and entertaining that it only felt like half of that. I would definitely go again if that was an option. And if anybody is ever contemplating seeing her live, GO! You won't see a live Pop show better, no matter where you look.

Classic Album Review: Michael Jackson "Off the Wall"

Another Great One has left us. Yes, Michael Jackson shocked the world when he died this past Thursday. The great thing is that radio and video stations have been playing his classic music non stop since the news spread. And if you look on iTunes, his videos singles and albums are dominating the chart. Which is definitley a great thing because after about 2 decades of him being the "Weird" pop star with more legal battles than charting singles, the younger generation didn't really know how talented he was and how deserving of the "King of Pop" title he actually was.

Now the younger generation will get a chance to appreciate his music without being inundated with stories of the negative aspects of Jackson's life, and I just wanted to recommend to any kids reading this my personal favourite MJ album. That would be without a doubt "Off The Wall" his 1979 Disco/R&B opus that really re-introduced him to the world as a full grown Star, this was his first success as an adult without Jackson 5.

This is without a doubt one of his best (and possibly the best of all time) party albums ever recorded. Produced by Michael and his mentor Quincy Jones, this album is a great time capsule, mixing the popular sounds of the time with major Disco influence coupled with Funk and classic R&B. This album includes some of his most familiar hits including the laid back dance groove of "Rock With You" and the more uptempo funked up Disco of "Dont Stop Til You Get Enough". And those start the album off, it continues with more Disco/Funk songs that rival those hits. "Workin Day and Night", the title track (which Mariah Carey sampled a bit from on her recent album), "Burn this Disco Out" (although this sounds like a bit of filler on this album, it would probably surpass plenty of the more popular Disco hits). Possibly my favourite song from the album is "Get on the Floor".

Not only did Jones do a knockout job on the production end, mixing all these styles masterfully into a perfect Pop and R&B hybrid, but it shouldn't go without saying that Vocally Michael was in a very confident zone during the recording. He sounds amazing on the aforementioned songs, and when the album is slowed down temporarily his emotions are felt through his voice on somber tracks like "She's Out of my Life" and "I Can't Help It". "Girlfriend" (written by Beatle Paul McCartney) is a midtempo track that's a perfect example of his skills, matching the smooth nature of the production with a very confident smooth vocal styling.

His follow up 3 years later would make him the Star he was in the 80's, and justify his King of Pop title. And while "Thriller" is another excellent album in his catalogue, "Off the Wall" I think is a perfect Starter album for anyone wanting to know more about Michael's history. And this album is probably the Most R&B he had ever been in his career. Excellent album. Just a Perfect start to what would be a rollercoaster of a career.