Music Review - Album: "In a Perfect World" by Keri Hilson

Keri Hilson – “In A Perfect World”

Track Listing:
1. Intro
2. Turning Me On (ft. Lil’ Wayne)
3. Get Your Money Up (ft. Keyshia Cole and Trina)
4. Return the Favor (ft. Timbaland)
5. Knock You Down (ft. Kanye West and Ne-Yo)
6. Slow Dance
7. Make Love
8. Intuition
9. How Does It Feel
10. Alienated
11. Tell Him The Truth
12. Change Me (ft. Akon)
13. Energy
14. Where Did He Go

Tamara's Take: C-, Not worth the money

Stand Out Tracks: Knock You Down
Songs on Repeat: Turnin Me On, Get Your Money Up, Alienated
Solid Tracks: Return The Favor, How Does It Feel, Tell Him The Truth, Energy, Where Did He Go
Skip It: Slow Dance, Make Love, Intuition (the beat is annoying), Change Me (I don’t like Akon’s voice)

I’m somewhat torn on this album. My first impression was completely negative; I don’t think that Keri has a particularly great voice and I think she is definitely a studio artist. I decided to give it another chance and I’m still not that impressed. I am really trying to hear what all the people I’ve heard praising the album must be hearing but I just don’t.

I can’t believe I’m even supporting “Get Your Money Up” because it is a very ghetto hoodrich song but I love Trina even though she fell off. The funny thing is that my favorite song on the track (Knock You Down) is only my favorite because of the guest artists, I could actually do without Keri’s part. I think it is a shame when the people you have featured on your album do a much better job than you do. Now I am a sucker for a sappy or sad love ballad but not by her, she doesn’t have the voice to pull it off. She needs to stick to the more Pop, catchy hook type songs.

I’m really surprised that there are several songs on here where I am just not feeling the production/beat AT ALL. I know that she has written for several other artists, I’m wondering if she gave her best material away…. I can understand why a lot of women/girls like the album though, I’m sure they can relate to the lyrics of the songs. This is not an album that I would just play straight through but I will add a select few of the songs to one of my various playlists.

Music Review - Album: "All I Ever Wanted" by Kelly Clarkson

Tamara’s Take: Heavy Rotation

This is Kelly’s fourth album and it is a lot better than the last album. She has said that this album is a mixture of several different styles; I agree. It is a wonderful, crazy mix of styles that creates something beautiful. I can listen to this album straight through which is always a positive. There are a few songs that I’m not crazy about but none that are terrible.

Track Listing
1. My Life Would Suck Without You
2. I Do Not Hook Up
3. Cry
4. Don’t Let Me Stop You
5. All I Ever Wanted
6. Already Gone
7. If I Can’t Have You
8. Save You
9. Whyyouwannabringmedown
10. Long Shot
11. Impossible
12. Ready
13. I Want You
14. If No One Will Listen

Stand Out Tracks:
I Do Not Hook Up – (“I can’t cook no but I can clean..up the mess she left”)
Whyyouwannabringmedown – (“So watch your evil attitude when you got me spending my time pleasing you”)
Long Shot – (“My heartbeat beats me senselessly, why’s everything gotta be so intense with me”)

Songs On Repeat:
My Life Would Suck Without You, Don’t Let Me Stop You, If I Can’t Have You, Impossible, I Want You

Solid Tracks:
Cry, All I Ever Wanted, Already Gone, Save You, Ready

Skip It:
If No One Will Listen

Music Review - Album: "It's Not Me, It's You" by Lily Allen

“It’s Not Me, It’s You” – by Lily Allen
Released February 9, 2009

Track Listing:
1. Everyone’s At It
2. The Fear
3. Not Fair
4. 22
5. I Could Say
6. Back to the Start
7. Never Gonna Happen
8. F*ck You
9. Who’d Have Known
10. Chinese
11. Him
12. He Wasn’t There

Artist Background:
Lily Rose Beatrice Allen born May 2nd, 1985 is an English singer-songwriter. Her first album “Alright, Still” was released December 2006. “It’s Not Me, It’s You” is her second album. Her most popular single from her first album was “Smile” and it did fairly well on the charts.

Tamara’s Take: Limited Airplay

Lily Allen has said in several press releases that she wanted to take this album in a “new direction” and that she did. This album in notably less angry, less party oriented, more grown-up and more political/socially conscious. Sadly, I don’t think that I like this new artist she has become as much as I liked who she was on her first album. I am happy for that she has grown as a person, I just don’t think that I want to listen to that person as much.

The album is far from terrible because she is a good singer. I like her voice and the musical arrangements. The album is just too full of propaganda with songs about war, pollution, homosexuality, etc. There was some of this on her first album but nowhere near as much as there is on this album. There are a few songs I might put on my regular playlist but this isn’t an album I would just let play through.

Standout Tracks:
*It’s Not Fair – (There's just one thing that's getting in the way. When we go up to bed you're just no good)
*Never Gonna Happen – (Now I know you feel betrayed, but it's been a week since I got laid.)

Songs on Repeat:
The Fear, F*ck You, Who’d Have Known

Solid Songs:
I Could Say, Chinese,He Wasn’t There

Skip It:
Everyone’s At It, 22, Back to the Start, Him

Music Review - Album: "19" by Adele

Track Listing:

1. "Daydreamer"
2. "Best for Last"
3. "Chasing Pavements"
4. "Cold Shoulder"
5. "Crazy for You"
6. "Melt My Heart to Stone"
7. "First Love"
8. "Right as Rain"
9. "Make You Feel My Love"
10."My Same"
11."Tired"
12."Hometown Glory"

Tamara's Take: Heavy Rotation

Adele is a fairly new singer from Enfield, North London. 19 is her first of what I hope is many more albums.

Since the Grammy's it seems that people want to jump on the Adele bandwagon. I think this is a good thing since she is an awesome singer. I have had her album since it first came out. I stumbled upon her song "Chasing Pavements" on youtube and fell in love with it immediately! I love her voice and the lyrics of the song. You all know how big I am on lyrics and this album has some great lyrics. You can feel the sadness in her voice which allows you to connect with her and really enjoy the music. This is a sad cd, most of the songs are sad which for me is great because I love sad songs. If you're looking for some "pick-me up" music then you probably want to listen to something else.

Stand Out Tracks:

*Best for Last - (Wait, do you see my heart on my sleeve?)

*Chasing Pavements - (If i tell the world,I'll never say enough, Cause it was not said to you)

*Cold Shoulder - (These days when I see you, You make it look like see-through)

*Melt My Heart To Stone - (And I hear your words that I made up, You say my name like there could be an us)

*First Love - (This love has dried up and stayed behind, and if I stay I’ll be a lie)

*Tired - (and for what and for what and for what, when i don't get nothing back, boy I'm tired)

Songs on Repeat: Crazy for You, Right as Rain, Make You Feel My Love, My Same

Solid Tracks: Daydreamer, Hometown Glory

Skip It: I wouldn't skip any songs on this album!

Music Review - Album: "Youth Novels" by Lykke Li

Youth Novels by Lykke Li

1. "Melodies & Desires"
2. "Dance Dance Dance"
3. "I'm Good, I'm Gone"
4. "Let It Fall"
5. "My Love"
6. "Little Bit"
7. "Hanging High"
8. "This Trumpet in My Head"
9. "Complaint Department"
10. "Breaking It Up"
11. "Time Flies"
12. "Window Blues"

Tamara’s Take: Heavy Rotation

Lykke Li is a 22 year old Swedish indie singer. Her music has been described as a mix of soul, electro and pop. This is her first album and it was released in the US on May 6, 2008.

I first heard her song “I’m Good, I’m Gone” which was featured on an episode of Grey’s Anatomy. I never followed through on finding out about the complete album until very recently. Now that I’ve had a chance to listen to the complete album I have fallen in love with it! I have been on a European kick lately and this fits right into that. The lyrics are amazing. I know I’ve said this before but I’m really big on lyrics – this is one of the main reasons I have been disappointed by a lot of R&B and Rap lately because the lyrics have been terrible. The beats and production are different from anything I’ve ever heard (in a good way). She comes off a little weird (at least to me) but I think it just adds to the whole package which is wonderful.

This is one of the best albums I’ve heard in a while. It isn’t new but if you haven’t heard it yet then I highly recommend that you check it out. *I thought I’d post my favorite line from each of the “Stand Out Tracks”, let me know what you think about that.* Also, check out some videos below!

Stand Out Tracks:
· “I’m Good, I’m Gone”(Well, say it now 'cause when I’m gone, You'll be callin' but I won't be at the phone)
· “Little Bit”( And for you I keep my legs apart, And forget about my tainted heart)
· “Complaint Department” (If you wanna complain, I'm not the complaint department)
· “Breaking It Up” (And I call you baby I will and I do, Persuade you in though I know that we're through)
· “Window Blues” (Don't lose your selfish ways for me)

Songs On Repeat: “Dance, Dance, Dance”, “Let It Fall”,

Solid Tracks: “Melodies & Desires”, “My Love”, “Hanging High”, “This Trumpet in My Head”, “Time Flies”

Skip It: *There are actually no songs on this album that I would skip.

Music Review: India Irie - Testimony Vol 2.

India Arie – Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics

1. "Intro: Grains"
2. "Therapy"
3. "Ghetto"
4. "Chocolate High" (feat. Musiq Soulchild)
5. "He Heals Me"
6. "Interlude: Grains"
7. "Pearls" (feat. Dobet Gnahore)
8. "River Rise"
9. "Yellow" (feat. Terrell Carter)
10. "Better Way"
11. "Interlude: Grains"
12. "Long Goodbye"
13. "Psalms 23" (feat. MC Lyte)
14. "The Cure" (feat. Sezen Aksu)
15. "Outtro: Grains"
16. "A Beautiful Day"

Tamara’s Take: Heavy Rotation

Released on Feb 10th, 2009 this is her 4th album and a follow-up to her last album Testimony: Vol 1., Life & Relationship. I have to be honest, while I have always enjoyed her radio singles, I have never really listened to any of India Arie’s albums after Acoustic Soul (her 1st). After listening to this album I have decided that I may need to revisit her last two albums.

The album is full of everything I love about music…enjoyable beats, exquisite lyrics and a wonderful flow. I love her metaphors and the way her words create a picture in your mind. Plus, I’m a sucker for a love song full of heartbreak and she does not disappoint.

Stand Out Tracks: Chocolate High, Long Goodbye

Songs on Repeat: Therapy, Better Way

Solid Tracks: Ghetto, He Heals Me, Pearls, River Rise, Yellow, A Beautiful Day

Skip: The Cure

Music Review: Rihanna - Hatin' On the Club

I have somewhat of a love/hate relationship with Rihanna. I truly don't believe that she is a good singer. I think her voice is weak and at times borderline annoying. That being said, I can't help but LOVE her songs! I am very confused by this, maybe it is due to the fact that she is forced down my throat by her media team or the fact that she does utilize talented producers/writers and therefore creates songs with catchy beats and lyrics. I can't ignore the fact that she dominated the charts in 2008 while simultaneously becoming a fashion icon.

Embedded below is a song of hers I recently came across on one of the (many) music blogs I read. I immediately liked it even though must of the comments on youtube have been negative. It reminds me of an old Motown song which is the main reason I like it. The beat is decent and the melody is catchy. Plus, I know there are a lot of women out there that can relate to the lyrics, LOL.

Take a listen and tell me what you think in the comments!

Band Review: Band of Oz

The Band of Oz is a Beach Music band that was formed in 1967 to play fraternity parties and high-school proms all over the South. Over the years they have had a variety of members and worked on refining their sounds. Today the band features a full horn section to total a dynamic eight-member group. They perform well over two-hundred shows per year for corporate events, festivals, concerts, wedding receptions and many other public and private events.

This weekend my company held an event where the Band of Oz performed and they were WONDERFUL! They performed a wide variety of songs ranging over multiple decades. They mainly stayed in the Motown era which is my favorite. They mixed in some disco and soul jams as well. The group members were very interactive and had parts of their show where they grabbed people from the crowd and had them come to the stage to participate in the performance. The band kept the crowd engaged and entertained.

The singers were excellent. Honestly I had my doubts on the quality of the group when I visited their website but I was pleasantly surprised when I actually heard them. They harmonized perfectly and the instrument players were great as well.

The best part of the performance was the last portion. The group did a medley of Temptation songs. I love The Temptations and this was one of the best medleys I've heard from this type of group.

Tamara's Take: A - Excellent
If you have the need to book a live band for an event then by all means book this one, they won't disappoint!

Music Review: Lisa "Lefteye" Lopez - Eye Legacy (Album)

Tamara's Take: No Airplay!

The music industry should just let the dead rest in peace. I really wanted to be able to say something positive about this album because I was a huge TLC fan. To be honest Left Eye was my least favorite member of the group and I didn't even realize that she had released a solo album prior to this one until I looked this current album up on Amazon. That being said, I tried to have an open mind while listening to the album but my overall opinion is still a negative one.

The album takes you back to the 90's when Da Brat and Queen Pen were popular. As much as I love to reminice, I did not enjoy this trip down memory lane.

Lyrics - As a whole, sub par. I'm confused as to why there really aren't that many skilled female lyricists. There are some excellent female poets but so few rappers. There are no "stand out" lines, nothing that particularly moved me.

Production - There are some songs that had catchy beats but nothing mind blowing. And it was very apparent that they just pulled the previously recorded lyrics and tried to fit them over some new beats. Which of course we all know that's what they did but they didn't have to make it so obvious.

I was going to go through and name the songs you should put on repeat, just let play, or skip but for this album that is kind of difficult. Honestly, I would skip the entire thing! There is too much good music out there to bother with listening to less than mediocre music.

Recommended(not highly) Tracks - "Block Part" and "Let's Just Do It"