Posts filed under 'cd reviews'
ok, i am currently listening to the new idol cd that drops TODAY! (you can listen to it in its entirety here, too)
Lets get the rundown:
Melissa (what about love) – I think she sounds amazing in a studio. Her voice is still raw, but cleaned up ever so slightly so it doesn’t sound quite so straining and manic. The song choice is great for her, and maybe this is because i also love the song, but I think it is one of the best performances on the CD.
Bucky (superstition) – This was just ok for me. I’m not such a fan of the instrumental background on this one. I think it acutally overpowers him. His studio voice is just eh for me.
Mandisa (i’m every woman) – listening to this recording reminds me that she definitely ranks third behind predecessors Trenyce and Baby v. Her studio voice doesn’t come across as powerful as her stage performance and presence. Her voice actually sounds a bit squeely instead of powerful.
Chris (dead or alive) – i was a bit disapointed at the first half of the song because it sounded like the pulled a bo bice on him and wussed everything out. However, the last half of the song is great. His recording voice is AMAZING, but the instrumental is a bit lacking. I guess thats what happend when idol tries to do Bon Jovi. Chris will totally rock w/o 19 ent. involved.
Ace (father figure) – This is another one of the top tracks on the cd. Ace has a great studio voice that is perfectly suited to take on justin timberlake any day. The arrangement is great, and he just sounds so much better on the cd. Stay in the studio ace (but send us pictures so we can all see your pretty face.)
Taylor (taking it to the streets) – Actually the track is better than i thought it would be, but i had very low expectations. Taylor loses alot because he is much better suited for stage performances, but his vocals were ok. Again the background instrumentals (and background vocals) were distracting on this one.
Lisa (Signed sealed delivered) – This is one of the worst tracks on the whole thing. They took a stevie song and made it some terrible remake by the a-teens. the instrumentals were awful, and lisa sounds like shes 10 years old on this. It really doesn’t feature her mature vocals that were always so hyped. Definite disappointment.
Kellie (walking after midnight) – ugh! Another bad track. Her voice is so annoying and she is trying so much to be “raw” and grovely-sounding with her vocals and its just not good. If your self-preservation instincts kick it, you will skip this one.
Elliott (Moody’s mood) – It is a pretty good track. very Harry connick jr. as expected. His cd will be very well done and enjoyable for all elliott fans.
Kat (think) – I don’t think the studio particularly helped or hurt her. It was a pretty good performance (though i still prefer degarmo singing this better…i know kat fans, stone me now) but i think she could have chosen a more ballady song for the cd. I think that would have showcased her range better. I do have to be thankful that the song wasn’t too manic or filled with crazy vocal runs, but it probably ranks in the middle range as far as this cd goes.
Paris (Midnight Train to Georgia) – She sounds amazing in the studio. Her voice really comes across well. She is vocally strong and the performance and song choice was great for this. I mean, too bad gladys night got to this song first, because the sigle could be great. I am now looking forward to a Paris cd (as long as it is nothing like the babymama cd came out)
Kevin (When i fall in love) – I think the fad of kevin has worn off. He comes across as awkward and uncomfortable on the track, and his voice in inconsistent throughout the track – random and weak vibratos, the instruments are way too much for this song…its just bad. I have to admit that he went out with a bang with this song on the show, but it has lost all appeal with me following this recording.
Rank (based on performance on the cd):
Paris
Ace
Melissa
Chris
Elliott
Taylor
Kat
Bucky
Mandisa
Lisa
Kevin
Kellie
Listen yourself and let me know your thoughts!
May 23rd, 2006
good god…so bo’s album (entitled “the real thing”) came out tuesday. you can gauge my enthusiasm on the fact that i’m posting about this two days late. If you haven’t heard it yet, you’re not missing much. its an absolute piece of crap. If there was ever one idol contestant that i thought wouldn’t get idol-fied, it would be bo. but nevertheless, his songs are completely wussed out. its sort of nickleback meets kelly clarkson, but girlier. Where is the hard-rockin-southern-lynyrd-skynyrd bo we all saw in the finale? 19 Entertainment apaprantly kidnapped his manhood and is keeping it in a jar until his idol contract times out. Til then, I’d skip “The Real Thing” and find some other stocking stuffers.
December 14th, 2005
Today is the day, folks! Carrie’s album came out at about 9am and i have listened to it all the way through once. my initial reaction is its just ok – a bit bland if you ask me. It is part Dixie Chicks, part Michelle Branch with a splash of DeGarmo mixed in. I enjoy the next single (the title track) “Some Hearts.” Some songs are just bad (i.e. i aint in checotah anymore) It was an ok first attempt, but there is just no oomph to it, i guess. all the songs start to sound the same. i am a bit disappointed, but not at all shocked. After i listen to it a few more times, i will write a track-by-track report.
November 15th, 2005
today Latoya London’s debut album comes out: “Love and Life.” Thanks to the magic of Rhapsody (and my $10 a month) i have been sampling her cd today at work, and can i just say that it is heads above fantasia and her babymama album. Latoya’s album can be summed up in one word – class. it’s very “background music and a posh cocktail party” but i can’t really see it being on the radio other than during the john tesch radio show. although the powers that be at rhapsody list similar artists as amerie and ciara, i personally think it sounds way more alicia keys, early whitney, or maybe even a little bit (just a little bit) nelly furtado. she even has a very jazzy undertone to some of her ballads (like “how i love the rain”)
i am confused at the fact that they released the song “appreciate” as the single becasue i think that song sucks in comparison to the rest. if you feel so inclined, check out the tracks “practice makes perfect” “non a whatcha do” and “scandalous.” and of course the album is topped off with her cover of “all by myself” that we all remember.
she’s no kelly, but the album is pretty well rounded and has a good sound overall. if you are looking for music for your next dinner party, check it out.
September 20th, 2005
i finally broke down and bought carrie’s single tonight. like, the actual cd, not a digital download or anything. they did get it on rhapsody, but only “inside your heaven”, not “independence day” so out of curiosity and also to support my fave season 4 idol, i bought it. its good! – i was hoping the graphics on the cd case would be a bit more substantial, but i guess thats what happens when you rush to get a cd out the door.
oh, and whats this about celebrity idol? i don’t know how i feel about this – it will probably suck. Though as of late i have been watching “hit me baby, one more time” which i have enjoyed–though i am glad i don’t have to watch these performers week after week. because really – one week wathing vanilla ice is one week too many. so anyways, celebrity idol might get really old really fast.
in other news, i have been researching webhosts so i can move this site and host multi-media content/have more freedom in design and codes etc etc. right now i am looking at bluehost.com and omnis.com so if anyone has any suggestions, let me know.
June 28th, 2005
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