UK Pop Star Leona Lewis is on her way back with the as-yet-untitled followup to her debut album Spirit. Once again, it looks like she's got an all-star lineup of writers and producers on her second project, and it sounds like this one will be just as good if not better. Check out Let Me Down written by and featuring vocals from Justin Timberlake. I like this song, it has that ballad feel to it. Reports are showing her album is slated for a November release followed by a supporting tour, but with pushbacks these days we may have to wait a bit longer. Let me know what ya think...

Don't say I didn't warn you about the set of pipes on this girl! I Will Be is the third US Single from her debut album Spirit released last year in the states. In this clip she turns up the vocals as well as the drama, but that voice is just a little too sweet for her to make a believable bad girl. In fact, I don't really see how the video makes any sense with the story of the song. Stick to singin Leona... acting is NOT your ministry...


Yet and still, Spirit was one of the best female pop releases of last year, so if you ain't got it, you're slippin!! Read the review here!

Overall the performances were very high-energy. It was definitely a night for the backup dancers. Almost everyone, even the folks who could have done just as well without, brought their crews with them to rock the show with their acrobatics and athleticism. Despite all the extra effort though, the show’s performers failed to produce anything memorable or ground-breaking. The result became a string of music-video-esque type performances with no antics or over-the-top stunts to create a buzz. Here’s what I observed:

Christina Aguilera opened the show with her sensational voice and about as many outfit changes as songs… She began with a few lines from Beautiful and then transitioned into an amped-up performance of Keeps Getting Better, where she was accompanied by her dancers. In my opinion, this is what the music video really should have looked like. She also took a stroll with her hits Genie In A Bottle, let the vocals rip on Dirty and brought it home with Aint No Other Man.

NKOTB – is it time to sit down yet? Jordan’s singing was sooooooooo off most of the time and they looked about as uncoordinated as bad as they sound

Pink’s performance of her second single Sober was a highlight for me. It’s definitely one of the best songs on her album, and this performance was totally rocked out. Not to mention she looks amazing. Pink sure knows how to kick in the emotion when it’s time.

I’m now officially checkin for Taylor Swift. She did a great job, and I think I'm gonna review her CD

Miley Cyrus' performance of Fly On The Wall had great energy and the song is kinda catchy. Is she this decade’s Britney Spears?

Jonas Brothers - blaaaaaahhhhhh…

Ne-yo… white shoes tho? Feelin the horn arrangement and the dance routines were amazing but uh… I think he forgot that he was actually supposed to SING the words. If you’re going to dance that hard and forget to deliver the lyrics, join the rest of the “cool kids” that lip sync their live shows!

Leona Lewis took the stage with her perfect vocals and she looked great!! She is one of few artists I dare to say sings better live than on her album! Another highlight of the night for me.

Beyonce showed up gloveless for a performance of Sasha's current smash Single Ladies. Of course she looked amazing and had great energy, but that vanilla honey on the right was killing it. So I guess that answers my previous question: even without the glove, she still gives the love...

Fashionably, Rihanna rocked! She tried some new things with her vocals, to prove that she can actually sing, contrary to what a lot of folks seem to think. I really hope Rehab is the last single from this album.

I’m gonna try not to say anything bad about Kanye West. His performance of Heartless was cool, nothing amazing, but his vocals were quite off in a lot of places. Which brings me to my next point…What’s he gonna do when he goes on tour?? Oh and Kanye… from now on just take your award, say thank you, sit down and shut up. Thank you and you’re welcome… (Hey, I said I'd TRY!)

Sara McLachlan and Pink singing ‘Angel’ – That is one of the most beautiful songs ever written, and this duet was amazing. Really took me back to Pink’s Can’t Take Me Home album, her R&B flavored debut.

Alicia Keys performed Superwoman with some help from Queen Latifah and Kathleen Bennett (presumably a professional opera singer). Good look with bringin out the Queen and diversifying her performance, but I think the opera may have been a bit much. I see what she was trying to do and I appreciate it, but it was a bit much all at once.

-Mack-

Title: Spirit
Artist: Leona Lewis
US Release Date: 4.8.08

Everybody needs someone who they can pour their heart and soul into… Here I am… - Leona Lewis

The US version of this album kicks off with ‘Bleeding Love’, and it’s everything a lead single should be: it showcases Leona’s smooth soaring vocal range, and really embodies the themes and sounds of her entire album, giving an accurate taste of what’s in store. ‘I Will Be’ embodies a gray piano melody similar to Lavigne’s other jam ‘When You’re Gone’, and we forgive Akon for recycling the ‘Sweet Escape’ beat on the upbeat but borderline scandalous 'Forgive Me’. Re-used production aside, Lewis uses the power of her vocal range to make each song her own. This holds especially true on her stunning cover of the 50-year-old classic, ‘The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face’ where the rises and falls of her voice completely capture the sensitivity of the lyrics. Her rendition easily contends with those done by some of music’s legends: Roberta Flack, Celine Dion, Johnny Cash and Lauryn Hill to highlight just a few.

At first, I thought a voice this big was best served over balladry, but she’s equally impressive on the up-tempo ‘Misses Glass’ and the bitter mid ‘Take a Bow’ (cause you’ve taken everything else). Johnta Austin (where’s his album anyway??) took the helm on ‘Angel’, another mid-tempo love song complete with the syrupy sweet lyrics ‘For every night I say a prayer, well I swear you are the answer, you’re an angel…’. Undeniably, one of the greatest contributions to this project is ‘Footprints In The Sand’. Accompanied by a tear-jerking video (YouTube it!), the lyrics are meant to touch the soul, and her voice ensures it. This song, among several others, gave me chills.

Like all albums some songs excel beyond others, but there’s really not a bad song on this album. There is a lot of catchiness to the hooks, but hey it’s pop music. The bottom line is this: Leona Lewis may have been discovered on television, but her ‘Spirit’ attests to the fact that she’s no manufactured talent. She’s hailed by many as the second coming of Whitney Houston, and after one listen, you’ll understand why. So clear some room in your MP3 player for some ‘Spirit’ – you’ll be glad you did.

-MackN2U-