Long Time No Post

As always I get wrapped up i the nothing-ness which is my life and neglect this blog, but again.... I am trying to be better about posting! It's important to me and more importantly, sharing the music is important!

So as of now the music scene is not as exciting as it usually is due to all of the holidays and what not, but there are a few albums to look at.

Rihanna - Loud

This album is no doubt a defining moment in Rihanna's career as it could probably release any song onto the airwaves and receive nothing but great reviews. Although Rihanna didn't write any of the music on this album, you can tell that every song was picked with the utmost importance and they all mesh well to meet the ideas that she had in mind with this new more adult album. "Only Girl (In The World)" is probably the best single in her career and an obvious first choice for the album. "What's My Name" was released as the second song from the album, which I love and was Rihanna's choice for the first single. The song is very catchy and light, making it an instant classic in the Rihanna catalog. She is now doing somewhat of a Beyonce move and releasing one song on the Pop Charts ("S&M") and one on the R&B Charts ("Raining Men" featuring Nicki Minaj). "S&M" was the song from the album that i felt was the greatest portrayal of her new choice of image. The video will no doubt be spectacular and I cannot wait for the tour that will accompany this album and will hopefully get to attend! Other notable songs on the album include "Fading" which samples Enya and is a great 'moving on' anthem, "Cheers (Drink To That" which samples Avril Lavigne's "I'm With You". "California King Bed" and "Complicated" are some of the standout ballads on the album, but to be honest the whole album is worth every penny and I actually received the Deluxe Couture Signed Edition of the album as a Christmas present. Eternally grateful!

Keri Hilson - No Boys Allowed

Keri Hilson really surprised me this album around, because I feel like she actually was able to kick it up a notch from the last album which was pretty good. "Breaking Point" was the Promo single off the album and to be honest with you I don't think I've listened to the song all the way through. It's a slower single and doesn't catch my attention immediately therefore making it not a good first single choice. The second single, was "Pretty Girl Rock" which was not my favorite song, but after receiving the album in full I have come to really enjoy it. The newest single, "The Way You Love Me", is a completely different story. It's a more sensual Keri that is kind of shocking and enjoyable. Parts of the song actually sound like she is screaming the lyrics but after a few listens the song has become addicting and a good departure from the cleaner Keri that we have expected. Other notable songs on the album are "Buyou" which plays with a child-rhyme sounding chorus and an amazing beat. "Gimme What I Want" has to be a single. There is no question. It is one of the best songs on the album, although when listening to it I kind of fit in the lyrics to "Womanizer" by Britney Spears because there are parts that sound very similar (which is probably why I like it). I love that the woman is taking charge! Gotta love it! "Toy Soldier" (Another Britney reference to me) is a great slower song that shows of Keri's talent and successfully is able to hold my attention for more than a few listens. I think this album is definitely worth the purchase and a good stepping stone in what is hopefully a long career for Keri.

Natasha Bedingfield - Strip Me



I hadn't heard anything from Natasha in a while until I heard "Strip Me" in the commercial for the movie Morning Glory which I enjoyed. I wasn't hooked onto the song, but the message was brilliant and I definitely felt the need to purchase it. Anticipating the release if the album I listened to the streaming on her myspace and heard a few standout tracks. "Touch", which was the first single released from the album about 6 months ago, is amazing. I usually keep up with new releases from the artists I listen to but I think that I had been burnt out on Natasha after Pocketful of Sunshine. The album is amazing but I feel as though I had worn out my copy and needed a break. I am now hitting myself on the head for not having heard this song half a year ago, because "Touch" is probably the best song on the entire album. GREAT SONG! Another amazing song from the release is "Weightless". To be honest the song makes me pretty emotional because it hits you in the right place with wanting to feel free and her voice is angelic on the track. "Neon Lights" is another hit song from the album that I am addicted to. The Indian influences on these songs makes me so excited and the messages in them just blows them out of the park. Natasha has taken a more mature approach to music and I hope that she promotes this album well and releases a few successful hits in the U.S. seeing as how she usually does pretty well here.

Along with these great albums, there are a few things that I am looking forward to in the near future.

1. "Hold It Against Me" by Britney Spears. Of course from the second I heard that Britney had new music coming out, I have had trouble sleeping. The fact that they keep changing the release date for the single is making me nervous and I always worry that I am not going to love it, but of course I will. Patience is a virtue (that I don't possess! lol)!

(Not Official Artwork)

2."Born This Way" by Lady Gaga. She has released hit after hit, and I have no doubt that this next single and album will meet and exceed everyone's expectations. So excited!

(Not Official Artwork)

3."What The Hell" by Avril Lavigne. This song, although very simple and not as mature as Avril claimed that it would be, is amazing. Produced by Dr. Luke and written by Lavigne Max Martin, this song is an anthem for doing what you want, which I feel is a better formation of the ideas that she wanted to express from the last album. I'm very interested in hearing the rest of the album Goodbye Lullaby. I'm never really disappointed in Avril (except for "Alice") so it should be a great album (That hopefully won't have to compete with Britney's new release)!

This is just some of the music that has been key to my life at the moment and I will do my best to continue to update as things are released and inspiring me!