My Beautiful Dark Twisted Brilliance

         Quincy Jones was correct in saying you shouldn't compare him and Kanye West as producers; that's only because in comparison West is still pretty young in the game. In twenty years West can be every bit as prolific and varied in his producing as Jones. Jones' remarks came off hostile and as bitter as Lil' Kim's reaction to Nothing But Ass Nicki Minaj's rise. He has the career to back up his claims, but he clearly didn't notice how Kanye(extremely arrogant) he was being when he made the comment. Sounds like they have more in common than he wants to admit.
          Anywho, that brings me to West's new masterpiece 'My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy', which will no doubt be the #1 album this week. I have not come across a single site, magazine, blog, facebook/twitter status that says anything negative about this album. If interrupting the golden child's(Taylor Swift)acceptance speech caused him to reflect and create an album like this, than I think that was the best thing the golden child has done. I don't care what anyone says every one of West's albums have been all the way live(sorry for the dated slang)from start to finish.

Well Deserved

Since it was Thanksgiving, I didn't report on the Billboard charts.  I just took a look and there have been some interesting developments.  On the Hot 100, Pink's 'Raise Your Glass' is #2, I didn't know how far this single would go, I'm glad her greatness is being appreciated. And Cee Lo Green's 'Forget You' is #9; I had given up on this making the top 10.  With a 22 to 9 jump, Cee Lo just makes it.  It didn't make any sense to me that the song hadn't cracked the top 10.  I guess the cover on Glee boosted the sales and rank.  Congratulations to them both.

Pink Thanksgiving

Courtesy of Billboard.com

Nicki Minaj, a.k.a is her butt real?, took over Thanksgiving to celebrate the release of her debut album "Pink Friday." Special guests included Fabolous, Lloyd Banks, Keyshia Cole, Rihanna, Drake, and the biggest surprise Kanye West(he needs to stop wearing that black headband thingy). In a vegetarian world, no beef (get it?), Lil' Kim could have been a surprise guest. I wish Queen Bee had welcomed Nicki in to the game instead of embarrassing herself like she has. I'm not saying I'm on team Nicki, but Kim is a grown ass woman who already had her time to shine. She should have put in work at the studio, came back with hot stuff, and there would not have needed to be any question who the baddest is. That's my two cents.

Someone should have turned the mic up and the backing track down. For most of the show, it looks like everyone is lip syncing. Or maybe it's the artists, cause Drake and Kanye were loud enough...hmm.

'Anyone But Him'

'Anyone But Him' is Mr. Hudson's new single, featuring Kanye West. If the name doesn't sound familiar, he is the guy who sings the hook on Jay Z's version of Forever Young. He resembles a Nazi youth character in The Sound of Music; pale and very blonde. I'm a Mr. Hudson fan, but this single hasn't lit my fire like 'Supernova' did. At least not yet. I'm gonna give it a couple more spins before I give up on it.

Not That McCartney

One of my misters, Jessie McCartney, is releasing another studio album "Have It All". The first single, 'Shake', is pretty similar to what you would find on his last album "Departure" which I loved. If you were sleeping on Mr. McCartney, you should wake up and listen to that album, he might surprise you. He did co-write Leona Lewis's huge hit 'Bleeding Love,' so he has the chops. McCartney is working hard to be taken seriously as a blue-eyed soul singer, not just another ex-boybander. Hopefully this new album will get more people to recognize his talent.

Kanye Bowl

Last week, if you haven't heard, Kanye West did a sort of surprise concert at the Bowery Ballroom in New York.  If I had the money and means to have been there, I surely would have been.  He did the whole "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy" album from start to finish.  Complete with all the featured artists on the album.  My jealousy meter broke when I heard that.  I can only hope he does something similar when his tour stops in D.C.  The videos above are courtesy of idolator.com, go there to read Kanye's thoughts on Taylor Swift, George Bush, and Matt Lauer during the show.

Jive Turkey

As I love to impose my eclectic music taste on others, I thought I would start making playlists to share with the masses.  Today's playlist, entitled Jive Turkey, is mostly lounge music to have playing during your Thanksgiving festivities. I hope you enjoy it and Happy Thanksgiving!

Burlesque

Yesterday I went to a screening of Burlesque.  I did not expect to see the next Chicago or Moulin Rouge, and that is exactly what I did not get.  The movie was sweet and entertaining, but with some minor adjustments it could have been a Disney Channel Original. I used to love Disney Channel movies so that isn't quite that bad of an insult.  Basically the movie could have been better and it could have been drastically worse; i.e Glitter and Crossroads.  Christina Aguilera was much better than Mariah Carey and Britney Spears were in their respective movies.  Clearly she paid attention during her Mickey Mouse Club training.

No matter what you think of her acting, you can't argue with the woman's vocal talent.  If I could sing like that, I would never talk; everything I did would be in song.  On that note, the music was very good, but once again it could have been better.  I feel like it was missing that great ballad to make everyone tear up.  There was one ballad that she sang excellently, but it just wasn't connecting.  Which is what I think was the general feeling of this movie from the viewers; there was no true emotional connection to the characters and story.  I give the movie a solid B( would have been a B- but Cam Gigandet nearly naked was worth the extra points).

AMA's.......why?

The American Music Awards were on last night, and for various reasons I did not watch it.  Today I check twitter and the majority of the comments were hilariously negative. My favorite: "congrats to Ellen Degeneres for winning 4 AMA's."(they were referring to Justin Bieber). This was to be expected.  So I decide to watch videos of the performances on idolator.com. All I can think is these people should apologize to the true artist from the 50's and 60's, who performed live on a regular and were amazing doing it.  My coworker put it best ",there is no talent anymore, just theatrics." On that note, the please don't sing live awards go to:

Swedes Please

My love for Swedish musicians goes back to elementary school, when I first heard Robyn, Ace of Base, and The Cardigans. Robyn is still one of my favorite artist, as well as other Swedes Lykke Li, The Sounds, Jonsi(video above), and Shout Out Louds. So this week's Foreign Friday goes out to Swedesplease.

"Swedesplease was the first daily mp3 blog devoted to Swedish music. It's gone on to be recognized by Swedish Public Radio, Swedish press, The London Times, The Guardian, The Chicago Tribune and on and on. If Swedesplease has a slant or plays favorites it's a mostly due to an insatiable love of Swedish indie pop, electronica and twee."

The blog focuses on Swedish artists but has featured artists from around the globe; making it a great site to get your international music fix.  Peruse the blog and find your new or first favorite Swede artist; perhaps Ji Nilsson.

Someone Like You

I wonder if she knows how great she is.  I forgot to post this video of Adele singing 'Someone Like You,' one of her new singles off the new album.  Bask in her young talent.

Didn't See That Coming

Far*East Movement's 'Like A G6' is back at #1 on the Hot 100, after Rihanna's 'What's My Name' falls #7.  I don't really like the song that much, so I'm not that surprised that it didn't hold the #1 spot.  What is interesting this week is the movement of Pink's 'Raise Your Glass' to #4.  If Ke$ha was a bad-ass and had a great voice, this is what one of her singles would sound like. 

Over on the Hot 200 Susan Boyle's "The Gift" tops the chart, selling 318,00 copies in it's first week. That is a great sales number, but last year she debuted selling 701,000.  Looks like Taylor Swift's album will be the most sold album of the year....again.  Other noteworthy entries include Kid Cudi's "Man On The Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager" debuting at #3. This is Cudi's best sales week and chart debut.  Maybe a little cocaine here and there isn't

Experience It Live

Unfortunately for me, I haven't been to a live concert in quite some time.  I do not count the shows I attend for my job.  So I am going to start promoting the shows, in the DMV, that I would love to go to but can't this week.  If you've never been to a live concert, or have not been to a concert at any of the venues below, take a look and try something new.

Concerts:
The Frames at the 930 Club

Venues:
The Black Cat
Rock N Roll Hotel
Jamming Java
U St. Music Hall

Gwyneth Paltrow's Spanish Is Impressive...

video from EW.com

...except for the lisp. Another Tuesday has gone by, so that means another Glee episode was on. It is beyond not fair that Gwyneth Paltrow can sing, and so well. She killed it on Glee; setting the bar high for future guest stars. I'm pretty sure she will get an Emmy nomination for this. Favorite quote: "She was like an attractive Biggie Smalls." Since she already has an Oscar, and might get a Grammy for her work in her new movie "Country Song," she will be that much closer to EGOT-ing(look it up if you don't know it). Take a look above at her version of Cee-Lo's 'Forget You' if you haven't seen it already.

Where are all the elaborate costumes and sets coming from for these performances? It's a public high school, they don't have money to have a wall of lights that explodes like fireworks, and all that water would have flooded the auditorium. Come on Fox.

What's A Playlist Album?

The Ting Tings are back! iPod's most beloved marketing band continue to prove they are more than that.  Above is their acoustic performance of new single 'Hands'. Go over to idolator.com to read their interview about the new "Playlist Album."

That New New

Thanks to aheartisaspade.com I bring you Adele's soon to be new single, and Lykke Li's new video. Enjoy!

Adele Streams Track From New Album
Lykke Li Debuts New Video

I'm so excited, Lykke Li is doing a North American Tour. I'm going to get my tickets as soon as they go on sale.

Foreign Fridays: France and Nigeria

I was crazy busy last Friday, so I didn't get a chance to do a Foreign Friday. So this week, despite being even busier, I'm going to feature two artists. First up, Camille, a singer/songwriter who acts sometimes. You might know who she is and not know it; if that makes any sense. She sang the theme song(above), 'Le Festin', for Ratatouille, and also did voice over for the French version. Camille has this refreshing European sound, that is more audio art than just music. To try to classify her, she is sort of a mix of Regina Spektor and Madeline Peyroux(who is also French). If you haven't heard either of those ladies, then add them to your list too.

Next up, Asa, the so-called Corinne Bailey Rae of Nigeria. Who just so happens to have been born in France and lived in Paris for a while. What are the odds? Anywho, Asa is that eclectic singer songwriter who seems to make music for herself not for the masses. This makes for great music, that has substance, and a message. The biography on her website best describes her sound:

"songs delivered in both English and Yoruba, with a winning fusion of contemporary soul, pop, reggae and funk, complete with strong vocals and soul-stirring melodies...a powerful songstress, unafraid to tackle serious issues with intelligence and confidence."

Asa's new album, "Beautiful Imperfection", is everything an artist hopes for their second album, it's better than the first. Become acquainted with Asa below, and at Asa's website

What's My Name Indeed

Rihanna skyrocketed to #1 this week, on the Hot 100, with her new single 'What's My Name?' featuring former friend with benefits Drake. Despite the hype and greatness of Drake's singles, this will be his first #1 song.  I guess getting his heart broken is the cost he was willing to pay for a #1; I kid...I kid.  Having not heard the song yet, I have no judgment on its placement on the chart, but I'm sure its catchy and what the people want right now.  I still can't believe 'Whip My Hair' isn't even in the top 10. Eh, she will have her day.

Unless you are a country fan and know who Jason Aldean is, debuted at #2, you will not be interested in the Hot 200 this week. Nothing has really changed; Taylor Swift is still #1 as expected.  It is pretty cool that Eminem is still in the top 10 after twenty weeks on the chart; quite a comeback.

Twenty Something Dream

Hulu is my, no sacrilege meant, savior. As I don't have cable, and am too lazy to trek to Best Buy to buy a suitable antennae, I can't even watch regular television. Which means I miss all my favorite shows; including Modern Family, How I Met Your Mother, Cougar Town, and of course Glee. After watching this weeks episode, what I took away from it was Kurt has an amazing stylist, and finally they are delving into what it is like to be gay in high school. Whether you are out and proud or closeted and confused, each person is dealing with it in their own way. I definitely understand why someone would choose not to come out, but to take it out on others is morally reprehensible. Not to give away anything for those who have not seen it, but I am glad it wasn't a entirely happy ending. No matter what the It Gets Better videos say, for some people it doesn't get better and I think that should be addressed. Teenagers should know that some people will always be bigots and try to take it out on others. The important thing is to not internalize that hatred, stay positive, and be true to yourself.

Anyway, the best cover of the night was The Warbles version of Teenage Dream. If you haven't seen it already take a look at what talent looks like above.

The Power of 30 Seconds to Mars

2010 MTV2 EMA Site

Kanye West made a surprise appearance at the EMAs during the 30 Seconds to Mars performance of 'Hurricane'. Hurricane is one of my favorite songs on their album "This Is War", but the version with Kanye West is not included on the album so this performance was that more special.  This version will be on the deluxe edition of the album, minus the 'Power' intermission.

The only way this performance could have been better is if Jared Leto took off his shirt. The man can get it....as the kids say. For proof go to jaredleto.com and look through his pictures. You will find several shirtless ones.

A Milli, A Milli, A Milli

Taylor Swift is still America's sweetheart. Country's biggest star has sold over 1 million records of her new album, "Speak Now", in one week. The last person to sell a million in one week was Mr. A Milli himself, Lil' Wayne. I personally don't see what the big deal is about her, but you can't argue with the numbers.

Over on the singles chart, Ke$ha's 'We R Who We R' is projected to debut at number 1. Only a few handful of artist have been able to have a single debut at number 1. No matter what you think of Ke$ha's hygiene, she is putting out hits. Congratulations to both ladies. Read the full articles at Billboard.

If You Don't Know, Now You Know

All I can say is that I hope she never becomes addicted to anything. Her shine should never be dimmed.

Amy Winehouse + New Music = ?

Hearing Amy Winehouse's voice on new music didn't quite quench my thirst.  It made me curious about what to expect from the troubled songstress.  Loyal fans like me have been waiting too long for that voice to grace us with something new. It's My Party isn't a single off of a new Winehouse album.  It's a track on the Quincy Jones tribute album. But this could be an indication that she is getting back to form; hopefully a sober form.
It's My Party Feat Amy Winehouse (Prod Mark Ronson) www.pinboardblog.com by PinBoardBlog.com

Thanks idolator.com for the heads up.  Great website for music lovers.

It's a British double header; it has been announced that Adele's sophomore album, '21', will be released February 22 in the U.S.  The first single, "Rolling in the Deep", will be released January 16.  Patience is a virtue I am not very friendly with, so I am going to do my best not to go crazy waiting.  The new Kate Nash album came out sooner than I expected, and I was quite disappointed.  So I will wait patiently if it means the album won't suck.  You can read the full article on Billboard.