happy and sad

Some random music I'm liking right now: one happy and one sad.

Noah & The Whale - "5 Years Time"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8YCSJpF4g4

Matthew Mayfield - "First In Line"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvmr8yspdGs

*If you like The Swell Season/Glen Hansard

Get Involved 2011

First of all, songs that have the year in the title are lame (see "Calabria 2007" as evidence, although I guess "1999" by Prince is the exception to the rule). Second, why can't Timbaland and Missy make something inventive and fresh? Unrealized potential here...

Beyonc-meh

However ridiculous amazing the video is (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2nmgcVbfKE), Major Lazer's "Pon De Floor" is still better than this boring song.

Waiting and waiting and waiting for Kelly

This might be a song from Kelly Clarkson's next album which her record label has delayed the release until September. I'm sold.

Idol10 - My Top 8

So the (female) black diva was rejected and I believe, rightfully so. Every other contestant brought their A game while Ashton... well she sucked.

I have ammended my selections and added stars to those that I like the best AND believe should make it all the way.

WHAT DO YOU ALL THINK?

I'm just saying...

American Idol Season 10 - My Top 9

The focus is back on singing and not a moment season too soon! I have been keeping on Idol this season solely through the magic of the internets which has an interesting benefit of keeping a lot of the judge's opinions out of my head.

So, based only on my impressions of their singing performances, I present my Top 9 for this season (short commentary on each below):

I will title this season as the Season of Individuals... there are truly some unique and distinct voices and I am so glad that America gets to hear them.

SCOTTY MCCREERY - A favorite for me since he opened his mouth at his first audition. Not only does Idol need a male country winner to round out it's stable of champions but I personally like that he is representing those of us that don't sing tenor!

LAUREN ALAINA - Another favorite of mine from the get-go, she's a little bit Kelly and a little bit Carrie... she's one of the only youngins that I worry about nerves. She also has a little backlash going because she has been so heavily praised up to this point.

STEFANO LANGONE - He's undeniably happy and cute but he didn't win me over until his Wild Card performance of "I Need You Now". Now I know he has depth and he knows he has another fan.

THIA MEGIA - Another one that I wasn't convinced of... sure she's got the voice but little girls who try to hard to sing like women (i.e. Charice) always bug me. But I've realized that she isn't trying to sing like an adult, it's that way naturally. She's poised, confident and I would be scared of her if I was a girl in Top 13.

PAUL MCDONALD - I don't think America is ready to crown someone like Paul as The American Idol but I am so glad he made it this far! Pllllleeeeease give him a chance to sing some Ray LaMontagne!

ASHTON JONES - I need a black diva in my life (and in this competition) but let's hope she can break the curse and make it farther than the other greats like J.Hud, Trenyce, etc.

CASEY ABRAMS - Another super unique singer that I doubt America is ready to see go all the way. He's one of those that surprises me with his song choice and arrangements. I can't wait to see what he does next!

JACOB LUSK - OK, maybe I need TWO black divas in my life. His control and range are INSANE.

PIA TOSCANO - First it's fun to say her name. Second she is crazy good. If she can make an up-tempo song sound as good as a ballad she may be unstoppable.

A New Kind Of Promo

I'm really digging the idea behind promoting a CD with a "music video" that highlights the style and sound of the album. Here are a couple of examples:

MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE:


MARK RONSON:

Can Sheryl Cole Make It In America?

Some people may know her from the group GIRLS ALOUD or as the sweet (but very competent IMO) judge from the UK show THE X FACTOR but few know her as a solo artist.

Fitting in somewhere between KYLIE MINOGUE and BRITNEY SPEARS, Cheryl is a bonafide popstar... but she has yet to breakout or even be tried out here in the States.

Her first album was heavily produced by WILL.I.AM and created some tasty pop jems including "Fight For This Love", which has lodged itself firmly into my Top 10 songs of all time. Also listen and watch the hypnotizing video for "3 Words".

There is speculation that SIMON COWELL could be bringing her over to be a judge on the US version of X-Factor... could that be her big break?

Nicki Minaj

It's no secret that I love female rappers.

...and NICKI MINAJ is filling that special place in my heart in a special 2-for-1 kind of way: she is a fantastic combination of MISSY ELLIOTT (where have you been!?!?) and LIL' KIM.

Semi-insane lyrics meet a tough girl/foul-mouthed sex pot. Count me in.

Besides guesting on almost every single hip-hop song over the last year she is now readying her first solo album Pink Friday. The first single from the album "Your Love" samples Annie Lennox and provides a surprising change in style for Nicki; she wants us to know that she isn't JUST a rapper she can sing (a little) and actually produce a sweet track with real emotion embedded in it.

The supposed follow-up track is "Right Thru Me" which continues the idea that her style of music will be hard and sweet.

I fully expect other tracks on the album to be more of the former but it's nice to know she isn't expecting one side of that coin to sell all her albums.