Single and Listening

Single and Listening

Single Reviews by Release Date

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Today it’s a boys club with reviews of All-American Rejects, The Fray, and Jason Mraz who duets with the only female, Colbie Caillat, on this edition of Single and Listening.  Enjoy the reviews.  Check out the songs.

All-American Rejects “Gives You Hell” Released:  September 30, 2008
From Latest Release:  When The World Comes Down ♫♪
Great sing-along ditty.  Really like the acoustic version. Call-out response refrain works.  Doesn’t bust into the room, but does make its presence known subtly, gets your attention, and keeps it.  And that subtlety is better by far.

The Fray “You Found Me” Released:  November 21, 2008
From Latest Release:  The Fray ♫♫
Melancholic.  Nostalgic. Refreshing.  And makes you feel like you’re safe in a familiar someone’s arms all at the same time.  Nice beginning, middle, and end.

Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat “Lucky” Released:  January 2009
From Latest Release:   We Sing.  We Dance.  We Steal Things. ♫♪
A sweet, romantic duet.  If I was with someone I think I’d appreciate it more.  But, I’m not so it only gets 3 musical notes.  That’s not a bad thing and I’m not bitter.  I do like the song.  And, I think they pull it off quite nicely.  Echoes of a classic love affair in a period piece.

 

Single and Listening

Single and Listening

Single Reviews by Release Date

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all over the place	carries a tune	part of the chorus	featured soloist	conducting the choir

Today I review singles from two ladies that just recently dropped albums on the same day and a new girl group making their way on the scene with a forthcoming album.  That’s Lily Allen, India.Arie, and Electrik Red for those who need a roll call.  India.Arie’s track is on her MySpace Page and official site, but I didn’t see anything listing it as an official single.  With 2 singles out the box already, it very well may be her third.  I just know I went to her MySpace Page and this was the first song that played (“Therapy” which is her second single was inactive).  I was going to review “Therapy,” but “A Beautiful Day” spoke to me.  Read the reviews.

Lily Allen “The Fear” Released:  December 9, 2008
From Latest Release:   It’s Not Me, It’s You ♫♪
Seems bass-heavy.  Catchy.  I like it.  Haven’t listened to previous Lily Allen stuff, so can’t compare.  But, this synthy-80s-like ditty with clever sing-song-along lyrics earns a second listen.   

Electrik Red “So Good” Released:  February 3, 2009
From Forthcoming Release:  How To Be A Lady Vol. 1 ♫♫
Takes it back to the 1990s in a good way.  The ladies of Electrik Red have mouths like sailors and voices like sirens.  The naughtiness doesn’t take away from the track.  Smooth production, a chorus that calls to you to sing along, and just an overall dirty-diva lean (that I haven’t heard from a girl group in a minute) take you there.  “So Good” is oh so good.

India.Arie “A Beautiful Day” Unreleased
From Latest Release:  Testimony:  Vol. 2, Love & Politics ♫♫
A soul-sonic adventure.  India.Arie takes you on a journey and you want to go there with her.  You go up, crescendo, and come back down.  Perfect symmetry.  Soul for the heart and heart for the mind.

 

Single and Listening

Single and Listening

Single Reviews by Release Date

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all over the place	carries a tune	part of the chorus	featured soloist	conducting the choir

Two of today’s songs were released last year but have had some recent related releases.  The videos for the Pleasure P and Calle 13 songs premiered on MySpace yesterday and today, respectively.  Though, according to Wikipedia it doesn’t seem that Pleasure P’s song has had a radio or download release as of yet.  Bruce Springsteen’s album debuted this Tuesday, so I review the title track which some will remember was sung along the Obama Campaign trail.

Calle 13 “Electro Movimiento” Released:  September 23, 2008
From Latest Release:   Los de Atrás Vienen Conmigo ♫♪

Reggaeton gets an 80s makeover with this song that harkens back to the past.  The back-and-forth call out with the English-speaking female rapper is cute.  Silly lines (good ones), a female English hook, and a likeable electro beat make this a fun track. 

 Bruce Springsteen “Working on a Dream” Released:  November 21, 2008
From Latest Release:  Working on a Dream ♫♪

As dexterous a handling as any. For someone who has achieved great songs, you’re automatically going to compare any of their new stuff to those. Makes it a challenge.  That said, this is as good as anything he’s done before.

 Pleasure P “Boyfriend #2″  Released:  January 27, 2009
From Forthcoming Release:  The Introduction of Marcus Cooper ♫♪

Pleasure P from Pretty Ricky has proven he can sing and continues to do so.  This, is a lane others have driven in and he can handle himself.  That is, the same theme has been explored too often in hip-hop and R&B from Naughty By Nature’s “O.P.P.” to TLC’s “Creep.”  Not bad.  Now, he just has to find his own lane.

 

Single and Listening

Single and Listening

Single Reviews by Release Date

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all over the place	carries a tune	part of the chorus	featured soloist	conducting the choir

 

Allergies have been kicking my butt for almost a month now.  So, these are going to be short and sweet.

B.o.B “I’ll Be In The Sky” Released:  Final Quarter 2008
From Forthcoming Release:  The Adventures of B.o.B ♫♪

The OutKast influence is obvious in the name and now in the song, too.  Let me do my Wiki-research.  Okay, no stated OutKast connection.  Wonder if he’s connected to that camp at all.  An adept handling of this flavor of hip hop.  Nicely done.  The sing-song chorus is on point.

Kelly Clarkson “My Life Would Suck Without You”
Released:  January 13, 2009 From Upcoming Release:  All I Ever Wanted ♫♪

The electric twang of the guitar lick (no pun intended) is catchy.  The masses are going to love it.  Me?  Not so much.  Okay, it’s alright.  Closer to capturing the magic of “Since U Been Gone,” but not quite there.  Can you ever go back?  Can she come back?  Sure.  Why not?  With this song, she’s on her way.

Kelly’s  is the only new song I heard about today (January 13, 2009).   I picked random stuff for the other  two reviews.  MySpace is my friend.

Morrissey “I’m Throwing My Arms Around Paris” 
Released:  February 9, 2009 From Forthcoming Release:  Years of Refusal ♫♪

I wasn’t a big Morr-head back in the day.  Nor am I today.  I had friends, knew people who were into him.  Or his band, The Smiths, at the time.  This is a nice ditty.  I like it.  Not new territory, but definitely a nice ride reminiscent of familiar ground you look back fondly on and don’t mind looking on fondly today.

 

Single and Listening

Single and Listening

Single Reviews by Release Date

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all over the place	carries a tune	part of the chorus	featured soloist	conducting the choir

I’m overdue for one of these.  I decided to review David Archuleta’s latest since I reviewed David Cook last time.  Wanted to throw in some men because I’m trying to be more conscious of that and more gender-balanced in my content here on popolio.  So, Musiq Soulchild gets the single review treatment, too.  I love TLC and Left Eye’s posthumous release is due next month, so I review her first single.  Lastly, Idina Menzel got me in a Broadway way last time, so I include Shoshana Bean’s first attempt at a pop/R&B single.

Shoshana Bean “Superhero” Released:  October 3, 2008
From Latest Release:  Superhero♫♪

Nice voice.  Not the best use of it.  The song was waiting to exhale but never got it out.  Coulda’,  shoulda’ hit the spot.  Just didn’t.  Want Shoshana to get her groove and exhale.

Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes featuring Missy Elliott & TLC “Let’s Just Do It” 
Released:  November 2008 From Forthcoming Release:  Eye Legacy ♫♪

Need to say that TLC is my favorite group of all-time, so I am partial.  That said, I didn’t like it on first listen.  It’s hard to update an old track and put a new collaborator on it especially when the artist has passed.  I’ve listened to it over and over and now I do like it.  With an infectious quality, the beat’s just different sounding. There’s something to be said for the right flow over the right beat.  Missy compliments the track nicely.  

Musiq Soulchild featuring Mary J. Blige “IfULeave”
Released:  November 25, 2008 From Latest Release:  OnMyRadio ♫♪

Good collabo.  I like the song.  Seems like a collabo between these two should have been through the roof, though.  I’m still just dancing in the living room.

David Archuleta “A Little Too Not Over You” Released:  January 6, 2009
From Latest Release:  David Archuleta♫♪

Catchy.  Not bad for the American Idol pre-, tween, and teen set.  Not sure it’s adult fare, but it doesn’t need to be.  He’s not one.  Shows promise for growth into adulthood.

 

Single and Listening

Single and Listening

Single Reviews by Release Date

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all over the place	carries a tune	part of the chorus	featured soloist	conducting the choir

So, it’s been a little while since I posted one of these.  I apologize for that.  I usually hear about new songs that have been released, but haven’t heard about that many new ones of late.  I know Rihanna has a new one with JT.   Because my partner in crime, J. Dub, made such a big deal about David Cook, I’m going to review his first single even though it’s been out for a minute.  Because I’m a Rent-Head, I’m going to review Idina Menzel’s latest.  Lastly, I’ll throw in Tracy Chapman’s latest, to give you four solid reviews.

David Cook “Light On” Released:  September 30, 2008
From Latest Release:  David Cook ♫♪

The song doesn’t stand out, though he has a strong singing voice (I didn’t keep up with Idol).  Seems to me, he needs a track that allows him to make more of statement and let his presence be known.  Not bad, just not great.  I’d expect more from the reigning American Idol.

Rihanna “Rehab” featuring Justin Timberlake Released:  October 7, 2008
From Latest Release: Good Girl Gone Bad ♫♪

Not to be mistaken with Amy Winehouse’s “Rehab.”  Not bad on first listen.  I actually like it.  On an aside, who agrees that JT needs to stop doing songs with everybody and their grandmother?  Nice groove, though.  Good sing-along quality. I’d want to hear it again, so that’s good enough for me.

Tracy Chapman “Sing For You” Released:  October 31, 2008  
From Latest Release:  Our Bright Future ♫♫

This I do like.  I do have one of Tracy Chapman’s albums, Telling Stories, I’ll admit.  When it works, it just works.  There’s no accounting for taste, I guess.  Or there is accounting for mine.  I don’t know.  All I know is that I like this ditty.  I feel the grit of her voice and the vibrations of the guitar strings in my gut.  And my gut tells me, “It is good.”

Idina Menzel “Hope” Released:  November 10, 2008
For:  Major League Baseball (MLB) Stand Up To Cancer Campaign ♫♪

This is for charity, but I don’t want to give it a good review just because of that.  I’ll try to be objective.  The piano is pretty and so is her voice, but this doesn’t move me the way I think a charity single should.  Again, not bad, just not great.  Technically, the piano and her voice are well-wielded instruments, just needs a little of that human vulnerability to shine through.  I let it play through on her MySpace Page to the next song, “I Stand,” and I like that one much better.

Wow!  Just finished writing these reviews.  Am I too harsh?  I just don’t want to give everything 4 musical notes as not everything is above average.  And I wasn’t really feeling today’s songs.

Maybe I’m depressed because Thanksgiving is coming up.  Don’t stats show more people get depressed during the holidays?  And I think suicide rates go up, too.  No, I’m not suicidal.  I am lonely, though.  But, I digress, TMI!  Trust me, I know, and I’ll try to be better about it in the future.

 

Single and Listening

Single and Listening

Single Reviews by Release Date

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all over the place	carries a tune	part of the chorus	featured soloist	conducting the choir

 So, I should have posted this last week.  It’s a little late in coming.  I was in Dallas to watch Janet and treat myself to a mini-vacay.  Much needed.  Loved D-Town.  What I saw of it.  Do you blame me?

Anyway, a few pop divas have released some singles in the last month or so and one of them has 2 singles going at the same time.  This time around we have Ciara, Christina Milian, Britney Spears, and Beyoncé.  I’m going to try to keep these short and sweet. 

Before going on, I just wanted to point out that there seems to be a super hero and office worker theme (in some cases the office worker is the alter ego) going on with some of our pop-tarts.  Christina Aguilera had a super hero-themed performance at the VMAs earlier this month (with featured business-attired Clark and Clarka Kents) and so does Ciara in the video for this single.  Both Ciara and Britney are rockin’ the sexy secretary look, too, in their videos.  I am observant, y’all.  Let the reviewing commence.

Ciara featuring T-Pain “Go Girl”  Released:  September 30, 2008
From Forthcoming Release:  Fantasy Ride ♫♪

Didn’t like it on the first listen.  After a few more – it’s hot.  Like the cadence.  Not as strong a kick-off to a new project as “Promise” was, but a club-thumper, nonetheless.

Christina Milian “Us Against The World” Released:  October 6, 2008
From Forthcoming Release:  ??? ♫♪

I want to hate this, but I don’t.  Don’t love it, either.  I’m torn on this one.  You know what it’s like? It’s like she was right there on the edge and could have pushed it through to greatness, but it didn’t quite happen that way.  Makes me want to sing along, but I feel like I need a more bumpin’ track in the background.  Needs a good dance club remix to reinvigorate it. 

Britney Spears “Womanizer” Released:  October 7, 2008
From Forthcoming Release:  Circus ♫

Sounds like “Toxic” Part 2.  Sure it’s catchy, but it’s boring.  Britney has yet to graduate to that next adult artist level.  “I’m A Slave 4 U” excited me about the prospect, but then came “I’m Not A Girl, Not Yet A Woman.”  The speaking parts are hot, that I’ll give.  Still teeny-bopperish, though.

The next diva has 2 singles going at once.  Beyoncé  is kicking off a double-album with a debut single for each disc.

Beyoncé “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On it)” Released:  October 8, 2008

From Forthcoming Release:  I Am…Sasha Fierce  ♫♪

Sounds like one of ‘dem other songs from B’Day.  One in particular.  Repetitive and uninventive.  This is from the Sasha Fierce CD, which is supposed to be the adventurous side.  Not so adventurous.  A friend had to point it out to me, but, I have to admit, that under-groove is nice.

Beyoncé “If I Were A Boy” Released:  October 8, 2008
From Forthcoming Release:  I Am…Sasha Fierce ♫♫

Now this is the adventurous side, from the I Am CD, though it’s billed as the “more personal” side.  This is hot.  I have to give it to B for this one.   I’m really diggin’ on this.  The video made me like it even more.   Love the Obsession commercial intro.  The gender-twist is clever.  Not the execution you’d expect.  VMA-worthy.  You heard it here first.  Sometimes a simply pretty song is better than the ones with all the bells and whistles.

 

Single and Listening — 2008 MTV VMAs Edition

Single Reviews/2008 MTV VMAs Edition

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all over the place	carries a tune	part of the chorus	featured soloist	conducting the choir

 

Consider this the 2008 MTV VMAs Edition of Single and Listening.  I know it’s a little late in coming, but the songs are all still fresh as they were debuted as performances at this year’s MTV VMAs a few weeks ago on September 7, 2008.  Christina Aguilera and P!nk also performed, but their songs had debuted before the VMAs and I reviewed them in the last edition of Single and Listening.  This time around, I review the Jonas Brothers’, T.I.’s, and KanYe West’s latest offerings.

The Jonas Brothers “Love Bug” From Latest Release:  A Little Bit Longer Released:  August 12, 2008 ♫♪

My first introduction to the Jonas Brothers was all that blog, periodical, and TV fodder.  I had no idea who they were, where they came from, or that they were Disney product.  Now they’ve graduated to the big leagues with a number 1 album (Disney is becoming quite a musical force) and an MTV VMA 2008 performance.  I actually like this ditty.  Lyrically, it’s a nice sentiment.  I wonder if the parents who buy this stuff for their kids like to listen to it, too, or are really buying it for themselves.  I’m not a parent and I’m diggin’ it.  I like the slow start and hard pick-up.  That’s what I enjoyed about the MTV VMA performance as well.  The changes in setting and aesthetic for both parts (of song and performance) are a nice tribute to the past while embracing the present.  Original?  No.  But, it feels good to my ear.

T.I. featuring Rihanna “Live Your Live” From Latest Release:  Paper Trail  Released:  September 30, 2008 ♫♫

When I saw this performance I thought it was Rihanna featuring T.I.  Researching it now for this review, I find it’s actually the other way around.  Interesting tidbit.  Who knew Rihanna would be That (Next) Chick?  Anyway, the minute the performance started I loved it.  Re-listening to it now, still diggin’ it.  Party anthem!  The groove and “lift your hands up in the air from left to right” factors are through the roof.  Not sure how true the performance is to the album version, but even the short intro, sampling O-zone’s 2004 hit, “Dragostea Din Tei,” origin of the viral Numa Numa Dance video on the internet, is bananas.  The minute the crowd heard this song they went wild.  If I was in that crowd, I’d be getting my crowd participation on hard, too.

KanYe West “Love Lockdown” From Upcoming Release:  808s and Heartbreak ♫♪

Actors want to direct. Directors want to act.  Singers want to rap and rappers want to sing.  Another example, in a long line, of rappers trying their hand at talk-singing.  I must say that KanYe pulls it off. Simple melody and the chorus is a little too repetitive, yes, but it’s catchy and has a nice old school new wave sound to it, or just old school somethin’ sound. Seems that KanYe has been experimenting with an overall 80s affect of late.  He did get the prime spot of closing the show, which is not too shabby.  On a second listen, there does seem to be some lyrical meat.   Nice delivery and great sing-along quality.  Me likes.

 

Single and Listening

Single Reviews by Release Date

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all over the place	carries a tune	part of the chorus	featured soloist	conducting the choir

 

I’m am actually a fan of the following ladies,  Brandy, P!nk, and Christina Aguilera, believe it or not, but their latest releases have me underwhelmed.  I’ll let my reviews speak for themselves.  Am I being too harsh?

Brandy “Right Here (Departed)” Released: August 13, 2008
From Upcoming Release:  Human ♫

Not the strongest choice for a song kicking off a come-back, but not the lightest fair either.  Obviously, a tribute song for those who have passed, but is it meant to encompass a general “letting go” altogether, too?  Not a bad ditty for the subject matter with an okay sing-along quality.  Not sure if it’ll catch on.  In 1995, Mariah’s and Boyz II Men’s memoriam song, “One Sweet Day,” had mass appeal.  Maybe this will too.  It does bring to mind that Brandy has recently accidentally taken life and that makes one wonder if that’s part of what’s prompted this release.  Overall, not a memorable single, though it may be a grower.  Brandy’s recently leaked songs would have made stronger impacts.  Knowledge of her experiences the last few years and the title of her upcoming release, Human, are intriguing enough to wonder how those experiences will shape the lyrics and sound of the other songs and her growth as an artist.

P!nk “So What” Released: August 15, 2008  From Upcoming Release: Funhouse ♫♪*

Surprisingly, this single has peaked at Number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.  This song sounds like material from P!nk’s last album, I’m Not Dead.  Competent and catchy, the problem isn’t that it’s good, it’s that it’s not better.  It’s more of the same going nowhere new.  Name-checking L.A. Reid and Britney Spears in “Don’t Let Me Get Me,” which was part of a fresh sound from P!nk on Missundaztood, revealed her cleverness, insight, and vulnerability.   Satirizing young Hollywood “Stupid Girls” the last go around was deep and relevant commentary set to a catchy tune.  But name-checking her ex and Jessica Simpson becomes tired retread like the song itself.         

Christina Aguilera “Keeps Gettin’ Better” Released:  September 8, 2008
From Upcoming Release:  Keeps Gettin’ Better –  A Decade of Hits ♫ 

This is the first single from Baby Jane’s upcoming first greatest hits package.  Ms. A has been touting the futuristic, pop art, high fashion influence on her new stuff in the press lately, but this doesn’t sound edgy or forward-thinking at all.  Sounding like a P!nk left-over, this track makes me nostalgic for the nostalgia of Back to Basics.  She’s talked about a return to pop from the soul sound of the last album, but this pop song is missing the “snap,” “crackle,” and “pop”.  The electro blips don’t sound like something new, they sound like every other mainstream artist’s “futuristic” attempt since the dawn of Y2K.  The Super-Bitch and Super-Girl imagery is clever and that is in line with the bright colors of pop art.

*9/18/08 Update: Since this review P!nk’s single has taken the number 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100.