Showing posts with label TIYMLI. Show all posts
Showing posts with label TIYMLI. Show all posts
TIYMLI: An Alien From Outer Space
Artist: Janelle Monae
Album: Metropolis - The Chase Suite
Release Date: 8.12.08
What's up Sound-Savvy readers, wanted to hit you with Bad Boy's newest, freshest talent: a cybergirl by the name of Janelle Monae. Don't expect this to be your traditional Bad Boy sound. It seems Puff let go of all the creative strings, and the result is something a lil out of this world. Check her out, we think you may like her.
Mack: aight Janelle Monae, what can I say?
Mello: a very colorful artist to say the least
Mack: yeah very imaginative, she does a great job painting the story
Mello: as most artists should
Mack: I like her cause she brings something different. She's like straight outta left field
Mello: luckily, I caught the ball. I feel her on each track, from beginning to end
Mack: a lot of people won't though; her content will go right over their heads
Mello: of course, some people will judge her book by its cover and won't give her a listen
Mack: but even her voice is very strong. I could tell she was holding back a little but she's got a tiger in there
Mello: she might be saving that 4 her full album, just giving those willing to listen, something to look forward to
Mack: yeah. I really liked Sincerely Jane and Smile. Smile kinda has that old school feel to it almost like somethin out of the 60s. Well it is a remake, but her voice gives it that old school touch, keeps it classic. Nat King Cole did the original
Mello: yea, I really love the lead track, Violet Stars, its so different
Mack: I like her fresh vibe... not really R&B, not really pop, she's like an alternative mesh between them all with a techno spin
Mello: like an Andre 3000
Mack: I could hear her teamin up with him
Mello: that'll be explosive, two random personalities on one track
Mack: yeah, and I would also love to hear her work with N.E.R.D. They both have such alternative styles. That would be one colorful ass song… and one high ass recording session! Shrooms and purple pills!
Mack: from what I read about her, she's got some background in broadway too. That's probably why her instrumentals sound so good with her vocals. She's used to that big band sound. I like her, definitely interested to see what she’s got next.
TIYMLI: I Kissed A Girl
Artist: Katy PerrySong: I Kissed A Girl
Album: One Of The Boys
Aight, so I'm riding into work this morning, and I heard this song... I'd like to know what you guys think about this song: A chick is in the club drinkin, not enough liquor to lick her (lol) but she moved in on the urge to kiss her. Ladies, ever had that feeling? Ever done it? Fellas, ever seen your girl get tipsy enough to do it? Or if she ever did, would you have a problem? The song's aight by the way, nothing spectacular, but the lyrics caught my ear. Her previous album was titled Ur So Gay (yeah, go figure), but this time around she's just One of the Boys... really? Listen to the track and please leave your comments... I'm interested...
-Mack-
TIYMLI: Thank You Disillusionment
It's been a while since we hit you with a TIYMLI (Try It, You Might Like It) album... but this one, I couldn't resist. There's definitely some relatable content, so try it...you know the rest...
Artist: Alanis Morisette
Album: Flavors of Entanglement
Release Date: 6.10.08
I had a few reasons to be pissed off this week, so Flavors of Entanglement, the newest release from Alanis Morisette came in extra handy. I’ve been a longtime fan of Alanis, ever since I first connected with her pain and disillusionment on Ironic and You Oughta Know (circa Jagged Little Pill, 1995). On this new project, Alanis is back in that familiar place, where sorrow hangs on her lyrics, and her melodies are born in a place of hurt, and her music connects on a very deep emotional level. After a few forgettable albums, we can finally re-connect, back in the place we first connected. Isn’t it ironic…
Appropriately titled, Flavors of Entanglement delivers many different flavors of Morissette’s personal emotional turmoil: from guitar- heavy rocked out anthems to the soothing piano-led balladry. She rocks out on Versions of Violence, and the album’s opener Citizen of The Planet; both feature the heavy rock guitars and match well against the rage in her voice. On the dance-ready Straitjacket lives the Alanis Morisette I remember from her earlier work, lyrically speaking. She strips away the metaphors and the sugar-coating and pours on the scorn full force: “I don’t know who you’re talking to with such fucking disrespect…” Um, yeah…she’s pissed! On the piano-led ballads Not as We and Torch however, the more vulnerable side is revealed and the songs themselves seem to cry. The latter features a gray marriage of piano and guitar, resulting in a somber melody. Tapes is a song of self-evaluation leading to discontent; displeasure with the person in the mirror. The closing song, Incomplete is one of my favorites; Alanis expresses her faith in better days to come and the ultimate desire of the human experience: a life of fulfillment.
Appropriately titled, Flavors of Entanglement delivers many different flavors of Morissette’s personal emotional turmoil: from guitar- heavy rocked out anthems to the soothing piano-led balladry. She rocks out on Versions of Violence, and the album’s opener Citizen of The Planet; both feature the heavy rock guitars and match well against the rage in her voice. On the dance-ready Straitjacket lives the Alanis Morisette I remember from her earlier work, lyrically speaking. She strips away the metaphors and the sugar-coating and pours on the scorn full force: “I don’t know who you’re talking to with such fucking disrespect…” Um, yeah…she’s pissed! On the piano-led ballads Not as We and Torch however, the more vulnerable side is revealed and the songs themselves seem to cry. The latter features a gray marriage of piano and guitar, resulting in a somber melody. Tapes is a song of self-evaluation leading to discontent; displeasure with the person in the mirror. The closing song, Incomplete is one of my favorites; Alanis expresses her faith in better days to come and the ultimate desire of the human experience: a life of fulfillment.
This is a solid album, not just musically, but because it’s so relatable. Sure, there’s rage, there’s anguish and hurt, but there’s also an exposure to the vulnerability that’s less often expressed. It’s clear that Alanis Morissette’s best work is born out of her pain – this album was inspired by her recent breakup with actor Ryan Reynolds. Sucks for her, but its good for fans like me who need something like this in our moments of rage – something we can relate to. Flavors of Entanglement is a moving story of heartbreak, recovery and restoration, well-crafted and fully expressive. Give it a listen, you’ll thank me later...
-Mack-
Hard Candy: Sweet or Sour?
You lie to me right through your smile, I've seen behind your eyes
Now I'm sober, no more intoxicating my mind, Even the devil wouldn't recognize you… - Madonna, Devil Wouldn’t Recognize You
Artist: Madonna
Album: Hard Candy
Release Date: 4.25.08
Enter a digital battleground of rhythm and beats. Hard Candy is a clever disguise for a war raging between Timbaland’s team and Pharrell’s posse to save our pop diva in distress from an inevitable fade away from relevance. The verdict: a valiant effort on both parts as Madonna narrowly escapes the dying of her limelight with this compilation of hip pop. I didn’t know much about Madonna musically beyond her unavoidable singles in the past and her videos. I’m not now, nor have I ever been a Madonna fan but at the request of readers on Sound-Savvy, I gave it a listen...
Appropriately titled, this album mixes Madonna’s sweet pop style with some hard-hitting hip hop beats. On the lead single 4 Minutes, which features Justin Timberlake, Madonna gets into the groove and goes one place she’s sure to have a hit: the clubs. Opening the album is it’s Neptunes counterpart Candy Shop, a percussion heavy dance number by the
Mack’s Pick: My personal favorite track is Devil Wouldn’t Recognize You. The beat is super hot, and is by far the best meshing of Madonna’s vocals with any beat on the CD. The piano lead on the beat sticks out, and Justin rips the bridge with an operatic-esque solo that could curl toes.
If you can overlook the fact that Timbaland’s beats are so busy that you forget whose album this really is, along with the fact that Skateboard P overshadows her on the rest of the tracks, then it’s actually just okay. Nothing really new here, but then again, Madonna’s pushin half a century with a tenure in the biz that’s half her age. There isn’t much new ground for her to cover and be successful. That being said, I hope Madonna realizes that there’s no longer a need to justify her love of the music anymore, she can take a bow while she’s still ahead.
-MackN2U-
TIYMLI: American Idol Edition
TIYMLI (pronounced 'timely') - Vol. 2
Try It, You Might Like It
On this edition of TIYMLI, I decided to cover a few of the American Idols and some of their recent releases. Brooke's tearful exit last night prompted me to check in on some of the rest of them (don't get it twisted, I'm glad she's gone). Okay okay, so you might not like the show, but you do like good music, that's why you're here. Try something different, you might enjoy it. Happy listening....Try It, You Might Like It
Song: Sober
Idol: Kelly Clarkson
Album: My December
Video Link (Fan-made, not official)
Song: Celebrate Me Home
Idol: Ruben Studdard
Album: TBD
Video Link (Fan-made, not official)
Ruben, oh Ruben… wherefore art thou? If you don’t watch Idol, then you probably wouldn’t know that this is the song to boot this year – literally. This is the song that’s played when contestants get the boot just before their tearful farewell performance. Don’t get your hopes up though, this isn’t new material from Ruben, it’s a gospel-y cover of an old Kenny Loggins song. Still makes for a good listen though…
Song: One Word
Idol: Elliott Yamin
Album:
Video Link
He was a favorite during his season of Idol, and R&B crooner Elliott Yamin is making some great music these days. If you’re a true fan of R&B music, there’s no way you can pass up this guy’s music. If I had to choose one word to describe One Word, all I can say is amazing…
Song: What About Now?
Idol: Daughtry
Album: Daughtry
Video Link (Idol Gives Back performance)
What About Now is a charity single for Idol Gives Back, is a cut off the debut album, Daughtry, from the prominent Idol rocker Chris Daughtry. The video clip I’ve included is to the live performance from this season’s Idol Gives Back episode, and totally captures the sensitivity in the song. You can’t help but feel it. As for the album: I highly recommend it, probably the best debut of all the Idols in the history of the competition.
Song: Permanent Monday
Idol: Jordin Sparks
Album: Jordin Sparks
The current American Idol, Jordin Sparks’ self titled-debut is already gold. Permanent Monday isn’t an official single, but it’s a cut off her CD that’s getting some airplay. There’s no official video for it. It’s a little bit country and a little bit of rock n’ roll…
-MackN2U-
TIYMLI: Try It You Might Like It
TIYMLI (pronounced 'timely') - Vol. 1
We live in an era where artists aren’t so limited to genres anymore. Everyone’s crossing over, branching into different areas to widen their fan base. And why not? I mean, if Big Boi can do ballet, then anything’s possible, right? (I’m not kidding…)
Sound-Savvy wants to put you on to some music that you might not listen to on a regular basis, or if you did, you might not admit it…LOL. It’s okay, we’ve all got our guilty pleasures, and we just like to share ours with you. So here’s the first in our set of TIYMLI articles. After all, they’re your ears - satisfy them. Happy listening…
Song: Wake-Up Call
Artist: Maroon 5
Album: It Won't Be Soon Before Long
Video Link
Artist: Maroon 5
Album: It Won't Be Soon Before Long
Video Link
Say what you will about Adam Levine and his posse, but they’ve got hits with some of your favorite artists (Kanye, Alicia Keys, etc.). On ‘Wake-Up Call’ they funk it up and rock it out. After hearing this song, I bet you’ll think twice before you cheat again…
Artist: Drake
Song: Replacement Girl
Album: Comeback Season
Video Link
10 points for ‘keepin’ it real’. Rebound chicks stand up! Degrassi alum Drake has no qualms about it: He ain’t lookin’ at you, he’s lookin past you, whoever you are. Any takers?
Artist: Janelle Monae
Song: Violet Stars Happy Hunting
Album: Metropolis Suite I of IV -"The Chase"
Video Link
Artist: The Jonas Brothers
Song: When You Look Me in The Eyes
Album: The Jonas Brothers
Video Link
10 years ago it was ‘Hanson’ (I dare you to front like you don’t remember "MMMBop!"). Now it’s the Jonas Brothers. They’ve been on tour with kid sensation Hanna Montana, but these youngins got a bit of pop-soul on this sentimental little love song. Cheesy…yes!
Artist: Duffy
Song: Mercy
Album: Rockferry
Video Link
She’s being hailed as the next Amy Winehouse. Yes, her sound is comparable, and if she hopes to avoid that inevitable comparison, she might wanna write a different hook instead of ‘Yeah, yeah, yeah’, which mirrors Winehouse’s ‘No, no, no’ on Rehab. Still, she’s got an old school sound delivered by a great set of pipes. Addiction sold separately…
All the songs listed here can be found on the Sound-Savvy Myspace Page playlist. If you’ve got a song that you think should be a TIYMLI feature, feel free to hit us up.
-MackN2U and Mello-
