REVIEW - "808's & Heartbreak"

"808's (which refers to a Roland TR-808 drum machine) & Heartbreak", heralds in a softer Kanye West. A stretch from his last offering "Graduation", Kanye has done what most artists, in my opinion, should do when they've achieved his stature and popularity: experiment and break down new artistic barriers. Even if that means failing to out-sell previous records or satisfy reviewers. Simply put: he is an artist who commits to his projects and to his image (regardless of how people perceive that image). To that end, the sound of this new record is brilliantly fresh. The first single "Love Lockdown" sticks out from most hip-hop and r&b music being played on radio right now with an awesome drum beat chorus. Kanye also takes a risk by singing on this new record, yes with the help of Auto-Tune, you'll say (that device use by a-many for vocal corrections in studio) but to that end, it's not entirely distracting, because I don't think Kanye's intention was to ever prove that he was a better singer then Josh Groban. But though the musical soundscape is abundantly atmospheric and highly satisfying, where the record lags is with redundant lyrics pertaining to the death of his mother and recent break-up from fashion designer Alexis Phifer. Already it's been said that this will be Kanye's legacy to hip-hop music. I just hope it doesn't stop here.

"Love Lockdown" - Kanye West

"Angel" - duet by Sarah McLachlan and Pink.

Here's one more reason why I'm tickled Pink these days! This beautiful duet between Sarah McLachlan and Pink at the American Music Awards. Pink has a bit of Janis Joplin going on! Luv it!

"Sober" - NEW P!nk

"Sober" is the second single off of P!nk's brilliant, brilliant, 5th studio album "Funhouse". It's a perfect stocking stuffer. The CD, not the video, I mean.

"Love Lockdown" - NEW Kanye West

This is a really great song! We aren't used to hearing Kanye West sing quite this much though. The beat is great and the video is original. Too bad he's such a DB in real life.

"Beautiful U R" - NEW Deborah Cox

Long before Jully Black (and hopefully long, long, loooong after) the R&B music scene in Canada was dominated by Deborah Cox. She disappeared for a few years and started a family, did a few movies, appeared on Broadway (you know...doing nothing, really!) but is back with a new album, "The Promise". The album is somewhat lack-luster but the first single "Beautiful U R" has been doing very, very well on the charts. It's got a really catchy beat and chorus and I really like the positive message it sends out. It actually figures a very, very pregnant proudly showing off her belly. I love it! Luckily we have I-Tunes, so you can purchase the song without purchasing the whole album. I can't wait to hear the remixes!

"Beautiful U R" - Deborah Cox

"Appelle mon numéro" - NEW Mylene Farmer

I first heard Mylene Farmer's music at a street rave in Montreal, a few years ago. The song was "Désenchantée" and although I was hearing it for the first time some 15 years AFTER it was released, it still struck a chord. For much of that year it had become my own personal anthem and to this day is still one of my favourite songs of all time. Originally from Montreal, this ex-pat has become the most successful recording artist of all time in France, selling more then 25 million albums. She's often heralded as France's Madonna, filling stadiums time and time again. She's released her 7th studio album "Point de Suture" an electronic-driven record that has spawned this new hit "Appelle mon numéro". It's already gone to number one in France and has helped Mylene break another record: the most number ones in French chart history.
After listening to this song, I suggest you check out "Désenchantée", the 1991 version.

Seal is a soul-out!

Seal, who I have always thought to be one of the most talented, under-appreciated and under-estimated artists today has just released a really, REALLY mediocre and useless album of covers called "Soul". Why? That's a good question I can't seem to answer while I listen to this project. It's unfortunate, because I think the singer-songwriter was on the right path with his dance-heavy "System" album realeased last year (which topped my Top 10of 2007 but had lukewarm sales), that was produced by Stuart Price. This new record is produced by heavey-weight David Foster. Seal's voice is pristine and velvety as usual, but Foster just spreads on the sugar and makes this record as glossy as Mr.Clean's forehead. You can't help but question Seal's artistic integrity.
This entire record spells out "marketing ploy" and an attempt to break into that market dominated by artists like Bublé and Winehouse. There is Seal's soul here, but unfortunatley he sold it to the devil that is the record company.

VIDEO SPOOF - "Single Ladies" featuring Justin Timberlake

A hilarious skit that aired last week-end on SNL. It features Justin Timberlake as a back-up dancer on Beyoncé's "Single Ladies" video shoot. He can definitely still shake it in a pair of heels.

Let Andrea House's CD find a home with you!

Edmonton singer-songwriter Andrea House has released her second album called "The Same Inside". A stunning collection of songs, some reminscient of Norah Jones (Ocean), others of Patsy Cline (Marrying Kind). It's a melting pot of country, folk, blues and jazz music with a touch of world music, that brilliantly showcases Andrea's beautiful, beautiful voice. It also includes a french track "La Maison Délabrée". "The Same Inside" is on sale right now on I-Tunes.

Beyoncé is...Sasha Fierce!

Beyoncé is back with a new studio album called "I am...Sasha Fierce". A sexy alter-ego she's made up that has the the confidence and fierceness Beyoncé says she lacks. If Beyoncé has self-esteem issues we're all doomed! She's got a body that was probably carved by God himself, she's gorgeous, talented, rich and famous...and she's nice! Why do we need Sasha Fierce? Regardless, we like this chick. This is a much stronger record then her previous "B-Day".
There is the usual serving of r&b club-hoppers like "Single Ladies", "Radio", "Scared of Lonely" and "Hello". But there is also some grittier songs like "That's why you are beautiful". However, "Ave Maria" is not only a horrible song but Beyoncé rips-off the famous "Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans" from John Lennon. "Halo" which has a Leona Lewis "Bleeding Love" piano intro that leads into a Rihanna-ish "Umbrella" chorus will be a big, big, BIG hit for Beyoncé, this year. It soars like "Umbrella" on ectasy and is a good showcase for Beyoncé's vocal prowess.
"I am...Sasha Fierce" is in stores on November 18th.
Until then take a look at the "If I Were A Boy" music video, below.

Beyoncé - "If I Were A Boy"

REVIEW - Rachel Getting Married

One word describes this movie: tedious. That is until you realize you are sitting in a movie that is so anti-Hollywood and so normal you hate yourself for walking out of the theater and saying "that's it?". The story follows Kim (Anne Hathaway, who could get an Oscar-Nom for her role) fresh out of rehab and on her way back home for her sister Rachel's wedding. It's there that we find out why she's in rehab and about the tragic accident that tore this family apart. Contrary to Hollywood films, the back story comes out late in the movie, but, that's life! There are no montages in our lives that gives us context. It just unfolds before us. And that's precisely what this movie does. Unfolds over the course of a wedding week-end. We walk through the front door with Kim when she returns home and three days later we walk out with her. What we see is only but a glimpse of her life and that of her family's. There is no "titanesque" soundtrack, there are no bombs or special effects or funky editing, most of the time, the director relied on natural lighting for a lot of the scenes to keep it as normal as possible. And there are no out of this world beautiful actors: everyone looks....normal! But again that's life. Question is: does it make it any less interesting?

"Love You Baby" - FULL LENGTH Colleen Brown video!

A few days ago I gave you a sneak peek at Colleen Brown's video. Here now is the full length version! She's a real sweeatheart being all flirty with the homeless. One of the homeless guys is played by local francophone actor Vincent Forcier (wearing the orange shirt with cut-off sleeves). Colleen has a gig in Calgary on November 27th and she's even thinking of doing a Christmas show. For more info on Colleen you can check out www.colleenbrownmusic.com

"Give Me The Music" - NEW Eva Avila

Here's a girl from my hometown of Gatineau QC. Winner of Canadian Idol, she's back with her second album. Catch her tonight on Radio-Canada @ 6 and 11 p.m.

PREVIEW - Colleen Brown's "Love You Baby"

Ever heard of Colleen Brown? If, not you're missing out on a great songwriter who has a rich-like-molasses voice and some pretty witty and catchy tunes to boot. This is a preview of her video "Love You Baby" taken from her CD "Foot In Heart" CD, currently for sale on I-Tunes.
Colleen, next we want a video of "Ain't got no man (To have problems with)"!

Back to the 90's we go...

It's an old song and its singer has long since vanished. But this little diddy that mixed a whispy-voice, a mid-tempo beat that shifts gears at least 3 times in the song, and a "can't get it out of your head" chorus carried Donna Lewis all the way to the top of the charts for weeks and weeks in 1996.
On the radio I often hear it being requested by people (that just proves that it stood the test of time). So perhaps for some it's a flash in the pan but some people, like me, will always love it...always, forever.

"Réverbère" - NEW Ariane Moffatt

"Tous les sens", Montreal-based Ariane Moffatt's, third studio album won the coveted "pop-rock album of the year" at last night's, Gala de l'ADISQ. The award show was held in Montreal.

"Lever l'ancre " - Alfa Rococo

Here's a Quebecois duo worthy of discovering. They walked away with two prestigious awards last night at the ADISQ: best new artist and pop album of the year.
The ADISQ is a gala (yes, one of those) that rewards the best in french music in Québec. It's Québec's equivalent to the Junos.

"Don't believe in love" - NEW Dido.

"Don't believe in love" is the first single off of Dido's forthcoming album "Safe Trip Home", set to be released on November 18th, in North America. The song reminds me of Feist's "Inside + Out"and has a great loungy vibe to it. What do you think?

Review - Madonna in Vancouver

It was the only Western Canadian stop on her “Sticky & Sweet Tour” and her first time, ever, in Vancouver. 52-thousand eager fans packed into BC Place to see her. But before actually getting to see her we would wait. And wait. The opening act ended at 8 p.m. but Madonna didn’t take the stage until 9:15. When she came on, she stayed on for a solid 2-hour, non-stop tour de force. Much can be said about all the plastic surgery she’s had of late, but there is no injection in the world that can give someone that amount of energy and stamina at the age of 50. Madonna has, without a doubt, a rigid and disciplined routine that enables her to carry off this show night after night. On came the Queen of Pop (after a lengthy and dull video), on her crown, winking at the crowd and singing “Candy Shop”. She sang new songs like “The Beat Goes On”, “Devil wouldn’t recognize you”, “Heartbeat”, “Miles Away” and “She’s not me”. She went back into some of the oldies and gave them a fresher although not always interesting sound. “Human Nature”, “Borderline”, “Ray of light” were infused with a rockier sound. “Hung Up” got the same rock treatment and was as utterly botched and butchered as bad plastic surgery. Madonna is now trying to prove that she is a musician. Could it be the she realizes that she won’t be able to depend on her capacity to move and dance on stage to keep her in the game? She also sang “You must love me” from the film “Evita”, another low point in the evening that did nothing to increase her vocal credibility. “Like a prayer” got an entire face-lift and made us feel like we were in a rave with 52-thousand people. Other stand-out moments where the latino-music infused “La Isla Bonita” with real life flamenco musicians on stage and the “Give it 2 me” closer. The only interaction with the crowd was during a rendition of “Like a Virgin”, otherwise, Madonna spoke very little. Which is fine because the no-talking kept the show moving at a break-neck pace. She also gave the finger a few times and someone really needs to tell her that we are in 2008. In the '80s that may have been cool but now it's nothing compared to what you can see on the Internet of even on TV. She ages herself by doing that and defeats the purpose of plastic surgery.