Quick Hits - January 2010

Just because I haven't assembled a playlist lately doesn't mean I have been avoiding noteworthy music; I just haven't been able to compile something 100% useful. Yes, I took most of December and January off, but now BP is back with some "quick hits" on some recently-acquired albums. Feel free to explore these on your own -- at your own risk, in some cases.

ORIANTHI - Believe
Released: October 26, 2009
Label: Geffen Records
ASIN: B002NPUCP8 
 

Echoing Wikipedia here in that Orianthi is probably best known for being Michael Jackson's guitarist on the This Is It tour, and Micah in the question, "Where do you go from there?", Orianthi answers by releasing her own album, Believe. But do we really "believe?"

No one in their right mind would question her talent on the guitar but, unfortunately for her, Believe is not merely an instrumental album. The track Highly Strung hints at an instrumental leaning, but the rest of the songs should appeal to a more "pop" crowd. Unfortunately, again, I don't feel the album is a mixture of Orianthi's guitar talents and Pop sound. I can't really decide what it is, to be honest, but I know what it's trying to be, and I don't think it's particularly good enough to stand out.

I imagine producing this album was difficult, since instrumental guitar appeals to a much smaller demographic than bubblegum pop, but the two genres mix about as well as chocolate sauce and burritos. Far from a molé dish, though, Believe hides in the safe zone of pop and fails to really declare its own identity. Hopefully it does somewhat well, because I want to hear more from this obviously-far-beyond-talented musician.

HEIDI MONTAG - Superficial

Released: January 11, 2010

Label: Pratt Productions

ASIN: B00334Y1IW

Yes, I went there. We here at BP like to take risks and enter musical territory better left alone by the average listener. To that end, I took on the task to consume the entirety of Heidi's overproduced cinderblock of noise, Superficial. As if the title wasn't telling enough, the recent controversy over her latest round of plastic surgeries further exposes Heidi to more criticism of her character than her comment about being a modern Mother Teresa.

But, since we must set aside a person's character and behavior and just focus on the music here at BP, on to the actual review of the album itself.

Despite all the decrying of "autotune" on Amazon and elsewhere, I don't think all of the computer programming in the world could save this album from negativity. It's more than obvious what the album is trying to be -- a collection of Dance Floor hits that underdressed girls can "get down" to. With that in mind, perhaps my criticisms will hold less weight.

The dance beats on the album are probably the only mark of success. Sadly, this excludes Heidi herself from the equation, since any good-looking female could have fronted such an album. Her lyrics are bad, just patently bad, like "ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha" as a lyric bad. Add to that that you can barely hear her throaty renditions throughout, and you begin to wonder why she bothered to sing on the tracks at all.

DELPHIC - Acolyte
Released: January 19, 2009

Label: POLYDOR UK
ASIN: B002USCGOS

 

Labeled an "alternative dance" band, Delphic brings us a number of airy and trance-like tracks. There isn't a whole lot to say about it, except that I much prefer a group like Pendulum to this style, but in no way should that reflect badly on Delphic. It's decent music, decent sound, decent singing, but it doesn't really blow me away. Perhaps with a little more time, it'll grow on me.

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That's all for now. Check back soon for more quick hits on Eels, Lady Antebellum, Matt and Kim, and You Me At Six.

Acts I heard of in 2009

I don't have a December playlist for you, but I can share a few acts you may not have heard of. These are the big stick-outs, new to me in 2009. I'm attaching some YouTube videos so you can see them in action, rather than the standard album information.

ALOHA FROM HELL - No More Days to Waste

This band's name caught my eye on display in an electronics store in Japan. I was so curious that it stuck with me all the way home, and I'm glad for it. These guys sound a bit like a happier Paramore; fun, poppy, and yet sometimes a little bit deep. Not necessarily your standard pop (and not Japanese, to my surprise) but well worth a listen.

AYUMI HAMASAKI - Next Level

Another artist I heard while I was in Japan. Same store/same trip as above; Ayumi is apparently THE hawtness in Japan this year (according to one of my sources). If you like J-POP, you've probably already heard of her... but if not, give her a try. The song I posted above is my favorite on her Next Level album, called LOVE 'N' HATE.

PENDULUM - In Silico

My brother (yes, the same one who likes Owl City) actually turned me on to these guys from Australia. Since then I have delved into both their albums, Hold Your Colour and In Silico, the latter of which is more mainstream than the former. In Silico is also the album that the above track, Propane Nightmares comes from, and it is a glorious smattering of musical sounds. Their previous album, Hold Your Colour, I'd recommend for someone more Trance-minded. Good stuff.

THE DRESDEN DOLLS

Probably the not-newest of the choices here, I'm not sure where I've been all this time but Dresden Dolls is kind of right up my weird alley. It's interesting music to listen to, as well, because it really seems like its purpose is to put you off -- as if the music itself doesn't want to be listened to. Strange, I know, but if you're familiar with them at all you probably know what I mean. It begs the question, though, can you possibly get more Indy than this? The above track is probably my favorite of theirs, called Good Day despite its depressing lilt, although many people prefer the well-known track Coin Operated Boy.

So, there you have it. The first few months of Beethoven's Playlist and here we are at the end of a year. Keep your eyes open for a January playlist once all these holidays get over, and here's to 2010 being an even more exciting music year than 2009!

Happy Holidays!

(Sorry this is a few days late!)

Happy Holidays from

Beethoven's Playlist!

United State of Pop - a 2009 Mashup, courtesy of Karla

Ripped straight from Karla & Phill's blog...

Alright, are you ready for two thousand ten, twenty-ten or whatever the heck we'll call it? Can you believe it's been a decade since we were worried about Y2K? Day-umm! Time sure does fly!

2009 was an epic year for many reasons. And here's a mashup of all the Top 25 hits to prove it... put on your dancing shoes and celebrate the end of an awesome year and an amazing decade!

Here's to 2010 everyone! Cheers!

On Fascinations with Lady Gaga and Owl City, guest post by Micah

Another guest post from Micah on a couple of current musical phenomena.

The past few months have given us music listeners much to consider in the way of music. I was asked the other night, by my husband, "What is the deal with Owl City?" This question came on the heels of a text message from his brother telling him that he "has to check out this band!", which we'd been listening to for months. The reason this came as a surprising text message is that my brother-in-law has traditionally listened to either current or classic rock, depending on the day, mood, or workout. So to hear that he quite enjoys this techno-pop band from Minnesota came as a bit of a shock.

All of this led into a discussion about why the universe at large is so completely entertained and enthralled with the weird girl from NYC and the mellow techno kid from Minnesota. I offer now my thoughts.

When Lady Gaga first hit the music scene about a year ago, none of us really knew what we were getting ourselves into. Her first single, Just Dance, gave us barely a minimal amount of insight into the talent that this big-eyed blonde really offered. The song is poppy with easy, heavy hitting dance beats, perfectly suitable for any club in America. The lyrics offer nothing exciting, nothing poignant. In fact, for me, it got old pretty quickly. But then came Poker Face, Love Game and most recently, Bad Romance which gave us far more depth in lyrics, but not only that. We were now fully entrenched in Gaga Fever! Her bizarre costumes, new dance moves, and bi-curiosity had us all waiting for what she'd do next. Outside of Kanye's annoying behavior, the most exciting thing the VMA's gave us this year was Gaga's fake-blood laden suicide show of Paparazzi. And her shout-out to "God and the gays" was nothing surprising at all.

A collage of VMA Gaga

Then, she appeared on Saturday Night Live. Typically, the last 15 minutes of the show is reserved for one last musical guest number followed by a crappy sketch and cast thank-yous. When Lady Gaga appeared, the final fifteen minutes were given solely to her and, far from disappointing, she came out and blew us all away. Her number began in one of her weird outfits, but she moved quickly to the piano to perform a slowed down, jazzed up version of Poker Face while inserting here and there her takes on growing up NYC. We recorded that episode (as I am prone to recording all SNLs) and kept it on the DVR for months just to watch that final fifteen minutes umpteen times. As a classically trained pianist, clothing designer, and power house vocalist, Lady Gaga has provided television audiences and concert-goers the world over with creative lyricism and, frankly, one hell of a show. Those of us that experienced the rave scene of the early 2000s know what kind of crap techno there is in the world. If only we'd have had something like Lady Gaga to dance and party to.

Maybe that's part of why she is so successful and intriguing. She doesn't play games with her music or her life. When interviewed by Barbara Walters (and wearing a Chanel suit and simple pumps--oddly conservative), Lady Gaga was asked how she feels about her portrayal by media and what her goal is. Her response was simple and powerful: "This is who I am. I want to show other kids who are called weird and crazy like I was that it's okay to be yourself. It's okay to be weird."

And then we have this crazy techno pop band from Minnesota. Bursting onto the scene in late 2009 with Fireflies, it was initially hard to figure out what all the hullabaloo was. Out of nowhere, they were on VH1's Top 20 Video Countdown and on every radio station, regardless of (seeming) genres. I think they're success is due in large part to their massive departure from the standard sounds of male bands of late (Nickleback, Daughtry, even Bon Jovi), not only in sound, but in lyrics. Among my personal favorites are tracks Hello Seattle and Fireflies.

He's right, I would not believe my eyes.

Hello Seattle offers quirky lines like:

Hello Seattle, I am an albatross
On the docks and moored boats
I sail above your inlets and interstates
Through the wind and open rain

which, for those of us that have lived in or traveled to Seattle, makes perfect sense and paints and remarkably serene and insightful picture of the Emerald City.

Elsewhere,

A foxtrot above my head
A sock hop beneath my bed
A disco ball is just hanging by a thread

from Fireflies mixes easily with the video's childlike bedroom filled with toys of the 80s, taking us all back to an easier time. The lyrics combine with the electronic melodies to provide something fun to sing along with and dance to that doesn't have the heavy messages of living life to the fullest, living like today is your last, making a better tomorrow for the world, or any of the other rock songs on the radio lately. While there's nothing inherently wrong with writing, producing, and releasing a song with a "message", there comes a time why people just want to dance, relax, and live in an easy moment. Thank you for that, Owl City!

So, there you have it. My takes on why in the world these two very different genres have suddenly taken hold of mainstream American sound.

Congratulations and much success to you both!

Christmas Favorites, Guest Post by Micah

Here is a Guest Post from Micah Newton, my wife. She is the household authority on Christmas Music (and pretty much all things Christmas) so I thought it would be best to hit her up for recommendations. Enjoy!

The Christmas season is definitely upon us.

I heard they dip their hands in glue

and broken candy canes (Kickboxer reference)

I'm probably the only person I know that loves this season as much as I do and, as such, I'm probably the most qualified to offer what are my most favorite songs of the season. To steal a line from a guy I went to college with, "That's like choosing a favorite air molecule. I kind of need them all."

And so, without further hesitation, here are my favorite Christmas songs by category:

Favorite Traditional:

This is always a toss up for me between O Come, O Come, Emmanuel and It Came Upon A Midnight Clear. The first really captures the essence of what Christmas is really about (redemption) while the second captures (what I believe to be) the stillness of that night. I have no idea what season it was when this all went down and I really don't care. I just feel like there was a peaceful stillness in the air that ushered in the quiet evening. However, my favorite "carol" to sing is definitely O Holy Night because of the range...

Favorite Sentimental:

Colorado Christmas by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. This Colorado girl will never be able to give up hope for white Christmases! This song makes me all weepy and teary whenever I hear it (which isn't often enough, *cough cough* KOSI 101.1). If you're a native of Colorado, you know what this song means. If you're not, you'll eventually get to a place (if you haven't already) where this song really captures what a Colorado Christmas is all about.

Favorite Wacky:

Without a doubt, I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas by Gayla Peevy is my fave! It's so random and weird. Her voice is a bit bonkers. And how many of us haven't asked for something this bizarre as a kid? I LOVE singing along with this song...it can actually alleviate the pain of traffic (and if you know me at all, you know that this is a true Christmas miracle). Another quirky fave is I'm Gettin' Nuthin' for Christmas, but only when my dad sings it. He really "gets" it haha!

Very funny! Now, who filled my stocking with leaves?

Favorite Grown-up:

This category is hard to describe. It's the song that doesn't really mention the religiousness of Christmas at all, but somehow still manages to own a "message" of some sort. For me, that song is Happy Christmas (War Is Over). Originally recorded by John Lennon, my favorite version of this song is by Celine Dion. Really, don't judge until you've heard it. The woman can sing, if nothing else. I also really enjoy The Fray's rendition of this tune.

Favorite Album:

My husband would disagree, but since I do not own every Christmas album ever released, I'll have to choose from the ones I have. I think there's a three-way tie for this one:

These Are The Special Times by Celine Dion

Released: November 3, 1998
Label: Sony 
ASIN: B00000DHR0

A Christmas Story by Point of Grace

Released: July 2, 2002

Label: Word Entertainment
ASIN: B00006BTCN

Christmas with The Rat Pack by Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis, Jr.

Released: October 22, 2002
Label: Capitol
ASIN: B00006IJWZ

So there you go, happy listeners! If you hate Christmas music, maybe I've enlightened you a little bit and if you love Christmas music as much as I do, share your own personal faves!

Happy Christmas, all!

November Playlist #2: A Study in Extremes

Spin the dial and click the button, or just grab your handy touch-screen and hit go. No one ever said I'd only publish one playlist a month, and November seems to be shaping up as "mixture month" for better or worse. This playlist, however, is a little bit different. Feedback is always welcome. Enjoy.

THE TEMPER TRAP - Conditions
Released: August 10, 2009
Label: Glass Note
ASIN: B002MXA7TC

It was completely by random chance that I happened upon this group and album, but I'm quite glad I did. Labeled "a rock band from Melbourne, Australia" by Wikipedia, The Temper Trap actually fell into my Indy folder sharing space with Tori Amos and Everything Absent Or Distorted.

There's no other way to bill this music to me but a balm. It's a sweet mixture, some places referencing more of the BeeGees than any "rock" music I've ever heard, and at other times sounding like a local Denver artist on stage with nothing but his acoustic and a spotlight.

Sure, there are tracks with a bit of growl and tribal drum essence, but overall this is probably the most soothing album I've heard this year outside of the ones I put in my Ambient folder. Though not quite "easy listening," if we had to label this as rock music, we'd have to call it "pretty rock."

I recommend this to anyone who needs the occasional chill pill.

Of particular interest: Love Lost (Track 1), Soldier On (Track 5)

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH - War Is The Answer

Released: September 22, 2009

Label: Prospect Park

ASIN: B002IC1RR8

Going from The Temper Trap to this is a bit of a shock to the system, but isn't purely for randomness that FFDP wound up on this playlist. For a metal album akin to Pantera's greatest works (think Far Beyond Driven), War has a surprising amount of depth. Of course, you might miss it if you blink, but, then again, that's why I'm here.

Rather than sounding like a carbon copy of the aforementioned Pantera, FFDP showcases a decent mixture of styles that stray from the common "heavy metal" formula. I'd actually liken this album more to a cross between Pantera, Disturbed, and (not surprisingly) Hammerfall. The Disturbed mention is mostly for the non-angry parts, which are even apparent from the beginning. If you manage to make it a short way into the first track, Dying Breed, the range of Ivan "Ghost" Moody's vocals might surprise you.

Make no mistake, however; this is about as far across the spectrum from The Temper Trap as you can go. The name of the band is apt, and the name of the album is indicative, of the style portrayed. It punches you in the face while halfway attempting poeticisms that may or may not mean anything. This is angry, raging, unadulterated music as it was meant to be.

Of particular interest: No One Gets Left Behind (Track 4), Bad Company (a cover, Track 12)

RIHANNA - Rated R
Released: November 23, 2009
Label: Def Jam Recordings
ASIN: B002UXRH10

If you recall from the [ill-fated] prevous November playlist, I suggested that Rihanna's voice on a single track of Jay-Z's Blueprint #3 was the only high note on an otherwise bland piece of work. Therefore, it was only natural that she receive her own slot with the recently-released Rated R.

With the media storm and controversy around Rihanna of late, it's particularly difficult to separate her music from her life. She's very much the "battered woman," and yet as an icon she stands for the strength and resilience of women everywhere. Still, as again we saw with Jay-Z, the album must be judged on its own merits without the influence of the artist's character.

Since her debut in 2005, Rihanna has gravitated more toward the darker side of Pop music. She's the kind of artist who will sing you a song while she kicks your ass, frankly, and we eat it up. From the opening track of "R," called Mad House, we see that Rihanna is "here for the party." With tracks like Russian Roulette and G4L, it's easy to picture her as the attractive "trophy" girlfriend of some blue- or red-bandana-wearing street archon.

And yet, with tracks like Te Amo and Cold Case Love, she shows the extreme opposite--a softer side that hasn't quite been eradicated or overshadowed by the violent and angry rest. Some have called the album more of a throwback; an old-school hip-hop array that we've all heard before. I can't speak to that, for reasons already mentioned, but I can say that this album displays all of the quality and effort that I wish all albums did.

Rihanna may not stand alone within her genre, but she definitely has no trouble standing on her own.

COBRA STARSHIP - Hot Mess

Released: August 11, 2009

Label: Fueled By Ramen

ASIN: B002EZLP1C

Albums like this are why BP is a labor of love. I'm fairly certain everyone and their mother heard the song Bring It (from the baffling Snakes on a Plane film). It was what made me fall in love with this group, and why I originally thought they were a One Hit Wonder. I couldn't have been more wrong.

Wikipedia uses the label "Alternative Dance" for the kind of music Cobra Starship creates, and it really does make sense in this case. This music makes me want to dance, but I could not in good conscience lump it together with Lady GaGa or Kylie Minogue's more "traditional" dance anthems. No, I really just want to listen to this music, and whether I actually dance is irrelevant.

With Hot Mess, Cobra Starship rolls out the red carpet of Pop music to those of us who enjoy the various aspects and mixtures of music itself. It's neither angry nor happy; more of an adventurous jaunt through the urban extremes we who live in cities know full well. Nightclubs, pubs, even supermarkets will get some use out of these tunes, and for very good reason. This is one of my favorite "entire" albums this year, probably in my Top 5 for 2009. But that's another entry entirely.

I would be remiss if I failed to mention the major publicity track on Hot Mess. With some assistance from Gossip Girl star Leighton Meester, the track Good Girls Go Bad (and its accompanying 3 remixes) is The Ultimate Nightclub Anthem. It incorporates the best of "music" and "synthetic production" to give slutty girls the best excuse to dance I can think of: a great song with a great beat. Meester's contribution, a response rap tying up the latter half of the song, is probably not going to win her any awards (not that she needs any) but it is a surprising show of "talent" from an actress.

Overall, this album has a lot to offer if you're even a sometimes fan of Pop and Alternative. Keep your eyes on this group. If they can stay together, I sense even more hits in the future.

Of particular interest: Nice Guys Finish Last (Track 1), The Scene Is Dead; Long Live The Scene (Track 9)

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I'm still looking for guest-posters! Shoot me an email (initialdraft@gmail.com) if you're interested!

"She Wolf" reviewed by NPR

This week, NPR music critic Tom Moon reviewed Shakira's latest, She Wolf. This caught my attention because it was recently reviewed by BP.

Sadly, Moon shares none of my concerns about taking up space on the album with identical English and Spanish tracks, but focuses more on Shakira's apparent abandoning of her ethnic roots in favor of standard "dance beats," and thereby labels her as "just following the pack."

Full review here.

November Playlist #1: Complete Mixture

Spin the dial and click the button, or just grab your handy touch-screen and hit go. Here come the 2009 picks for November, and it's not looking all that pretty. Hey, I never said I had to like these playlists, but here's what BP is listening to this month.

JAY-Z - The Blueprint 3
Released: September 11, 2009
Explicit Lyrics (GASP!)
Label: Roc Nation
ASIN: B002DMJM66

Let me just begin by saying Jay-Z is not usually my flavor of music. You can thank NPR that this album wound up here, for their semi-bland and somewhat-critical review of The Blueprint 3. While I'm aware that I can only appreciate Hip-Hop so far, I found exploring this album fairly compelling.

The reason I say the above (that my perspective on Hip-Hop is limited) is not because of the dreaded "I'm white" defense, but because I don't have much experience with the genre. I have, on rare occasions in the past, revelled in DMX's angry assaults, and probably have a few Biggie tunes rolling around in the memory, but on the whole I lean more toward the Funk side of Hip-Hop for whatever reason.

After a thorough exploration of this album, however, I can honestly say that the only reason I included it in the playlist is for the song featuring Rihanna (Run This Town). Unfortunately, the track also features Kanye West and, after the 2009 VMA debacle, I'm torn between appreciating his ability to rap and his absolute disregard for Taylor Swift. Who, by the way, kicked ass at the CMA Awards last night as well as on Saturday Night Live. Take that, K-West.

I really don't have much more to say than that. The mixup of Young Forever left me wondering why Jay-Z made some of the decisions he did. Since nearly every song is "featuring" another artist (Alicia Keys, Kid Cudi, the aforementioned Rihanna and K-West) it's difficult to judge Jay-Z on his own merits. However, being that this is his 11^th studio album, I think his longevity probably speaks for itself at this point.

Of particular interest: Run This Town (Track 4)

GOSSIP - Music for Men

Released: October 6, 2009
Label: Columbia
ASIN: B0027VSTCG

I think many people's immediate reaction to Beth Ditto is one of complete confusion. As in, "who gave this girl a microphone? She's not waif-y enough." Far from Avril Lavigne and Hayley Williams' (Paramore) trend-birthing hotness, Gossip (fka The Gossip) hits no less hard in the musical quality department. Ditto is sort of famous for her appearance, however, so we must do the right thing and set this aside.

Gossip is a band I found whlie browsing available downloads, but I'm sort of surprised that I had not heard of them before. To me, the album speaks the same language as the indie-blues-rock slowly taking over the pop scene, but with sort of an angry twist. According to The Independent, Gossip's style is described better as "a soul or gospel" voice with "a sort of funky punk soundtrack."

Call it whatever you want, but the music is certainly different. There's something here, something worth finding, and it's apparent very early on tracks like Dimestore Diamond and Heavy Cross (the latter of which is, I believe, a radio release). It's not easy listening, and I wouldn't exactly paint my house to it, nor would I "rock out" to this particular album, but it is certainly worth a look.

Of particular interest: Dimestore Diamond (Track 1) and Heavy Cross (Track 2)

HALESTORM - Halestorm

Released: April 28, 2009
Label: Atlantic
ASIN: B001SGEUNI

Now, THIS is something I can "rock out" to. Not only that, but the album cover really completes the experience, pulling me back in time to when Joan Jett loved Rock N' Roll and Def Leppard was still worth pouring some sugar on.

Halestorm's rocktastic and voyeuristic anthem, I Get Off, was what pulled me violently toward this album. Lzzy Hale's vocals are grating in the best way possible, and the accompaniment invades your ears like not many modern bands can. This being their first "fully" released, full-length album, Halestorm dresses to impress.

Unfortunately, the majesty of I Get Off isn't quite matched by the remainder of the album, for me. Still good, rocking tunes, but it constantly feels like something is missing. Perhaps my hopes were too high, but it is not a good sign when I can't pick a "2nd favorite" song on an album. Blueprint 3 has this same trouble.

Even so, I recommend this one for those nasty November days when you need to get the blood flowing.

Of particular interest: I Get Off (Track 2)

WEEZER - Raditude

Released: November 3, 2009
Label: Geffen Records
ASIN: B002P8KOMY

Weezer has one of those odd success stories where the indie band becomes so mainstream that you're uncool unless you like them. Sort of like Cake, but in a completely different way. I remember watching the Buddy Holly video (back when MTV played videos, which seems to be a catch-phrase these days) and wondering how far this band would actually go.

Let me just say before going any further that if you haven't heard I Want You To yet, jump on whatever kind of device you can and check it out. The spark of quality present in Weezer's work is enough to light up Cincinatti just from that song alone.

And yet, there is an eerie "sameness" to the whole album.With Raditude, Rivers Cuomo and the bunch reprise their roles as "the band born 40 years late." Earlier in the 20th century, these guys would have competed with bands like The Beatles for the award of "band that can sound exactly the same on more than 4 albums."

I don't mean this as an altogether bad thing, since I actually like Weezer (and not just because it automatically makes me cool), but it gives their latest production a very "lazy" feeling. Not many bands from my high school days are still around, and yet the few who are have done at least something to reinvent their style. Green Day, the aforementioned Cake, hell even Metallica all sound differently than they did in the mid-to-late 1990's. Weezer... just... doesn't.

Of particular interest: (if you're wondering if i want you to) i want you to (Track 1)

...

I'd apologize for the lack of energy that this playlist exhibits, or rather the energy I have for it, but I don't have to. October's entry, while on the depressing/angry side, at least had more to offer in the way of recommendations than this. And yet, fate has led me to present these albums to you as they are.

Give them a shot and, if you don't like what you hear, come back next month.

...

Also, I'm looking for guest-posters! If you love music, know an artist, or just have something extremely opinionated to say that's on topic, send me an email: initialdraft@gmail.com.

Album Review: Shakira - She Wolf

Shakira - She Wolf
Release Date: November 23, 2009
Label: Epic
ASIN: B002T45VX6

Back from another 4 year break, Colombian Pop icon Shakira hits the scene with a new album. Flavored with influences from her native heritage, the She Wolf album is an expression of primal female energy layered with growling synthesizers, Español, and the powerful vocals showcasing her trademark lilting tones.

Shakira has a distinct sound, at least in her voice, and it comes through just as well on She Wolf as it has before. The first release of the album, She Wolf, has already garnered attention and praise for its provocative music video. Rightfully so, I think; as we've never been under any delusions that Shakira is afraid of being a sex symbol in the spotlight.

"an expression of primal female energy layered with growling synthesizers, Español, and the powerful vocals showcasing her trademark lilting tones."

Aside from the impressive visuals, however, the album does bear its own weight as far as complexity. Previous contributor Wyclef Jean (Hips Don't Lie) is back on a track titled Spy, wherein he regales us of his James-Bond-like prowess. Tracks like Good Stuff just scream to be danced to while Did It Again sounds like something I'd find on a Utada Hikaru album. Then again, her bilingual nature speaks to Shakira's place on the international Pop scene.

A-wooooooooooo.

Speaking of bilingual, one particularly low point on the album is the song Lobo -- which is just She Wolf en Español. Why she chose to record the song twice, in different languages, is sort of beyond me. Nothing is gained, as it is the exact same song (not a remix, as we would expect to traditionally see). The production might have benefitted from mixing the two versions together, as she does commonly use tracks with both lanugages included, but unless you feel strongly about listening to one over the other it is somewhat of a wasted track.

All in all, Shakira's latest effort is a good showing of her skills and talents. If you're a fan of Christina Aguilera or Lady GaGa (as I am), or of dance music on the fence of eroticism vs. feminism, I heartily recommend you add She Wolf  to your collection.

Genre Exploration: Metal

Metal is such a deceptive genre, and I mean that in a nice way. Just the word, "metal," implies so many things. While labels like Pop are vague, broad, and only imply things like the music under their umbrella-ella-ella is "popular," Metal actually tells us something about the music. It's descriptive.

Hard. Possibly sharp. Possibly shiny. Something that was forged with heat and repetitive hammer blows. But, how does this relay a musical message, particularly as a genre label?

Many people only have a general idea of what Metal means. It's like asking an innocent bystander what Impressionist Art is. They've probably seen some, at some point. People like Jack Black, however, are exposing one of the most obscure genres to the general public.

With a vengeance.
(image of Brutal Legend)

From what I've seen, people seem to want to attribute a very "immature" label to Metal. If not "immature," then... say... "rebellious." What Rock & Roll started, Metal took to school for 'show and tell.'

See what I mean.

Hammerfall is just one example of  what I'm talking about. Their lyrics, while exciting and different, aren't exactly Shakespeare. Then again, neither was Britney Spears' last album (no offense, Britney).

Lyrics aren't what defines an artist to a genre (except, possibly, with Indy music) -- the sound does. So what does Metal sound like? What are the features of Metal?

Guitars.

They call them Axes for a reason.

Whether growling or squealing, it's pretty much not Metal without strong guitars. Outside of that, there is a lot of room to define what "flavor" of Metal you have. Here's my "short list."

Heroic Metal

What I call "heroic" includes bands like Hammerfall. Basically, it would make a good soundtrack for your next AD&D campaign. (What, did you think D&Ders listened to Enya?) Bring in some Nightwish and you've got a balanced playlist.

Hawt.

Death Metal

The kind of metal I associate with the appearance of LA Raiders fans, where you can't understand a damn word the "singer" is choking out because he's just growling through the microphone... when he's not screaming at it. I'd even lump Rammstein in this category (since I sure as hell can't understand what Richard Z. Kruspe is saying).

Coherent Angry Metal

Godsmack. Enough said.

Classic Rock

The kind that Jack Black talks about when he says "Metal" but is known as "Classic Rock" to everyone else (Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, etc.). Though, I think the first word is more effective now that we're in 2009. To define something as "oldies" or "classic rock" is starting to get very slow and tiring, since time marches ever forward. What do you think the next generation is going to call the boy-band outbreak of the 1990's?

Modern Classic Rock

I'll even include some of my favorite modern acts in the Metal category. Bands like Wolfmother and The White Stripes have taken the "classic rock" formula and breathed new life into it. Twenty years ago they would have been written off as generic "hair bands" (regardless of their actual hairdon'ts), but today with acts like The Darkness to share the couch with, we get to experience what the first listeners of Zeppelin must have felt.

Plug in, turn on -- it's time to bang some heads.