My Virgin Ears

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My Virgin Ears 04.27.09, Pop edition

April 28, 2009 By 1 Comment

The-Dream & Mariah Carey

I’m trying to crunch out this posting on Mondays thanks to Twitter’s #MusicMonday, but it isn’t quite happening yet. I’m sure you missed my posts the past couple of weeks, but Spring Break got a bit of an extension. Here are this week’s new releases! Remember to click on the tracks to review and leave your own comments!

Lady GaGa, LoveGame

  • Without a doubt, Just Dance was catchy and a huge first hit for LG, but I couldn’t get into Poker Face and considering how quickly it’s disappearing from the radio, you couldn’t either. LoveGame has got a promising beat, but never delivers. Considering the audience that is usually attracted to her music, the lyrics aren’t really appropriate for the kiddies either, but then again that’s been the case with the whole album.

Taylor Swift, You Belong With Me

  • Taylor Swift tip-toes into the Pop world with a song that I can only assume she recorded on a country album first. It’s a pretty safe song to run with and certainly will appeal to her current and new audience she’ll find on Pop radio. It’s a sweet song about the girl-next-door type making her case against Ms. Popularity. I think she crossed over a long time ago without having to sell out to her country roots. Jessica Simpson better be taking notes.

Jeremih, Birthday Sex

  • If the title alone didn’t clue you in on how awful this song would be, let me save you the trouble. The only way anyone could pull off a song like this would be if their name was R. Kelly or… R. KELLY. That’s it. No one else pulls off an intentionally stupid and overtly sexual song as he does, and for a very good reason. To avoid from other idiots like Jeremih  from putting out crap like this.

Seether, Careless Whisper

  • How do you make a really cheesy 80′s song from a really gay lead singer cool again? Throw the straightest and one of the hottest alternative groups out there right now to do a cover on it. If one of your radio stations aren’t playing this song, start calling to get people fired. It’s a great song, and certainly not an easy one to cover.

Ashley Tisdale,  It’s Alright, It’s OK

  • Trying to keep riding that High School Musical wave, Ashley Tisdale has this new single out which has obviously been torn from the Kelly Clarkson School of Songwriting. Amazingly enough, it’s not on Disney’s record label, which after hearing this track may have been a good move for Ashley. As long as she holds on to some decent songwriters, she can certainly earn a little cash on the side from this gig.

Kristinia Debarge,  Goodbye

  • Yes, it’s spelled Kristinia and yes, she’s THAT DeBarge. Although if you clicked the song before reading any of this, you might think it’s a new track from Rihanna. Nowadays with all the post-production that goes into pop music, it’s tough to tell if these girls have any actual talent. Being that she’s a DeBarge, let’s give her the benefit of the doubt. Let’s see, releasing a song with a sports anthem for a hook = free publicity. I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before the NBA or NHL use it in one of their broadcasts much like I predicted the same use of Kevin Rudolf’s song some months ago. The kiddies will like this song, but it doesn’t have much of a shelf life.

Rob Thomas,  Her Diamonds

  • Rob Thomas must eat musical instruments for breakfast, because he craps out songs like it’s nobody’s business! Although if I were married to his wife, I might have something to sing about too. Here’s another feel-good song with what starts out as a pretty new sound for RT, but then glides into his hit-making safety zone with his pop-rock signature sound. Nothing memorable here, but a good song nonetheless.

The-Dream, Walking On The Moon (f. Kanye West)

  • When I first saw that I’d be reviewing a song by The Dream, I was hating life thinking that P. Diddy’s failed attempt at an all white girl group was trying to make a comeback. Fortunately for me, I was VERY wrong. The-Dream we’re listening to here seems to be quite talented, having written songs for B2K, J. Holiday, and Chris Brown. Like the featured artist on this track, Kanye West, it seems as if it was only a matter of time before The-Dream got behind the mic. This song has a very reminiscent sound of the early 80′s Michael Jackson tracks and even fits Kanye in real nicely with a pretty smooth delivery. It’s a chill track and fun to listen to.
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My Virgin Ears 4.07.09, Pop/Hip Hop edition

April 7, 2009 By 2 Comments

00019139

Hey! Lots of music to get to this week. We’ve got some artists we haven’t heard from in a long time so check it out. Remember, hit the links to check out the tracks and leave your own thoughts below.

All-American Rejects

The Wind Blows

Doghouse/Geffen/Interscope

I’m definitely liking what I’ve heard from AAR since the group broke out, and they’ve really kept their momentum with their latest tracks. “The Wind Blows” and “Gives You Hell” have really helped them define their sound and set them apart from the other groups they broke out with. These last two songs they’ve released have been good, but aren’t as catchy as they songs that got them their popularity.

Bow Wow

You Can Get It All (f. Johnta Austin)

Columbia

Bow Wow samples TLC on this “comeback” track, and seems to have brought Nelly’s career with it. It’s not a bad song, it just sounds like every Nelly R&B track from 10 years ago. Try again, Bow Wow.

Cascada

Perfect Day – Rock Mix

Robbins

Hey, Cascada? Leave the pop-rock ballads to Kelly Clarkson and Miley Cyrus, ok? I haven’t heard the dance version to this track, but I sure hope it’s better than this.

Tinted Windows

Kind Of Girl

There are times when members of various successful music groups get together and form a great new band. This? Is the opposite of that. Ready for this? Tinted Windows consists of Taylor Hanson of “Hanson”, Cheap Trick’s Bun E.Carlos, Smashing Pumpkins’ James Iha, and Fountains Of Wayne’s Adam Schlesinger. I’ll be amazed if this song doesn’t end up on some new high school movie soundtrack starring Hillary Duff or Amanda Bynes.

Eminem

We Made You

Shady/Aftermath/Interscope

Eminem unleashes “Slim Shady” once again and recaptures his signature sound. There were rumors that he recently put out another single, but I refuse to believe it. Mostly because I heard it and it was CRAP. He may be doing the stupid voices, he may be trashing celebs again, but that’s the Eminem/Slim Shady we love. This song will be drowning the airwaves soon enough. We missed ya, Em.

Hinder

The Best Is Yet To Come

Universal Republic

Here’s a pretty sweet rock ballad from Hinder. Oh, and wouldn’t you know it? Just in time for graduation. Kiddies, if you haven’t picked a class song, step away from the over-played Green Day’s “Time of Your Life” and write this one down. Great message, and a safe recipe for airplay.

Sean Kingston

Fire Burning

Epic

Not long ago, you couldn’t turn on the radio for 5 minutes without hearing a Sean Kingston track. Now that we’re gliding into spring and getting ready for the summer, this song makes me wish we were already there. I honestly don’t even know what the hell he’s saying in this song with exception to the 911 part, but puns aside, it is a hot track. Right off the bat I’m picturing a group of hot girls just tearing it up on the dance floor to this Jamaican doughboy’s new track, and that makes me happy.

BONUS TRACK:

I won’t touch this one, but give it a listen and leave me some feedback below.

David Cook Come Back To Me RCA
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My Virgin Ears is back! 03.31.09

March 31, 2009 By Leave a Comment

I apologize to everyone who may have enjoyed previous posts of My Virgin Ears, but it’s extremely time consuming and exhausting to have to listen to music you would probably NEVER listen to, only to find the tracks you would. Leave me some feedback and let me know what you’d like for me to cover! Remember, click on the track titles to preview for yourself and let me know what you think in the comments.

Dorrough

Ice Cream Paint Job

Wow. Where to begin? I think if I had a ride with 20′s and a tricked out sound system this might sound great, but only because I wouldn’t be able to hear what the hell he was talking about. It’s got a great beat, but it’s a song about automotive paint jobs. Really.

Gorilla Zoe

Echo

Well, I guess the Auto-tune went on sale this year because EVERYONE is using it. Diddy tries to remind us that he can rap on this track, which probably means people are forgetting who he is or he doesn’t think the track is strong enough to stand on its own. Which it’s not. It’s sounds like just about every other mainstream rap track that Akon/T-Pain/T.I./Lil’ Wayne has put out recently. Sadly, lots of radio stations are picking it up so enjoy.

Paula DeAnda

Roll The Credits

OMG, I threw up. I might actually call the record company and have them replace my laptop for releasing this garbage. Sadly, this QT is on a major label too. Listen with caution if you dare.

Melanie Fiona

Give It To Me Right

This song has a great sample from The Byrds and a great sound all around. A pretty sexy song, as a matter of fact. It has that throw-back that many artists are trying to take from Winehouse, and although it’s a good song, this maybe be a one hit wonder we’re looking at.
Kelly Clarkson
I Do Not Hook Up
I’m starting to think that the people behind Kelly Clarkson just rewrite lyrics to the same music tracks. Here you go, this might help: (INSERT GENERIC KELLY CLARKSON COMMENT HERE). See? It’s that easy.
Madcon
Beggin’

Awwwwwww YEAH!! Again, what did I tell you about the throw-back sound? This song is infectious from the minute it starts. It almost sounds like something OutKast might put together. I might have to check to see if Mark Ronson is behind this one, because this song made this whole post worth it. Check it out!
Mike Jones
Next To You

Hey! I didn’t know JaRule and Ashanti were back on the map! What?… It’s not?… Mike Jones? Really? Wow. Oh. Umm. Crap. Yeah, let’s just stick with that… crap.
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Jack White, a Triple-Band threat!

March 13, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Happy looking bunch, aren't they?

Happy looking bunch, aren't they?

Already a member of The White Stripes and The Raconteurs, White unveiled his newest rock band, The Dead Weather, on Wednesday.

“The bands are all still happening. Everything is still occurring. This is a new one to add to the mix,” said White, who wore his curly black hair askew and puffed on a cigar during a party at his Third Man Records label to announce the project.

During the party, White and the three other members of the group – Alison Mosshart of The Kills, Dean Fertita of Queens of the Stone Age and Jack Lawrence of The Greenhornes – previewed their new album “Horehound” due out in June.

@ AP

I’m a huge fan of The White Stripes, and then anything else Jack White has done in that order. Although I think The Raconteurs took JW slightly more towards the mainstream, it seems like his new band The Dead Weather, is taking him back to the JW we all know and love. I’m not crazy about the two tracks they’ve released so far, so I’ll hang on to my White Stripes albums a little tighter.

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Space Invaders fans: Röyksopp’s “Happy Up Here” takes me back!

March 3, 2009 By 1 Comment

Whether you’re a geek for old school video games or just love some fun, up beat, feel good music, this song embodies all these things. This video brings to life one of the most beloved video games of all time, Space Invaders. Now although you may think you haven’t heard of Röyksopp, I’m sure you have. They were the ones responsible for the catchy song in the Geico Caveman commercial where he’s at the airport traveling on the moving walkway and sees the billboard illustrating the caveman stereotype. It’s a fun song, and very cool video! Enjoy.

Happy Up Here from Röyksopp on Vimeo.

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U2, can be disappointed!!

January 21, 2009 By Leave a Comment

u2cover

Get On Your Boots, the first single from U2′s new album No Line On The Horizon, will be released as a digital download on February 15th. Released on March 2nd(March 3rd in the US), the album will come in a standard format with 24 page booklet and in digipak format. The digipak includes an extended booklet and the album’s companion film “Linear” by Anton Corbijn. A limited edition 64 page magazine will also be available, featuring the bandin conversation with artist Catherine Owens, and new Anton Corbijn photographs. No Line On The Horizon will be released on 180gm vinyl.

Well, I must admit that I made the mistake of reading someone else’sreview of this song before I wrote my own. Although, their review was pretty much what I expected from someone who gets paid to write those reviews after they’ve been sent an advanced copy of the album along with some goodies freebies. I’m sure over the next 4 years Bono and Obama will become like Ebony and Ivory, but U2 did what any capitalist (not that it’s a bad thing) attention fiend in the music industry would do. They took advantage of one of the largest national celebratory events and turn into a self-promoting vehicle. Performing at one of the Inaugural events, U2 decided to break away from their incredible repertoire to perform a song that nobody gave 2 Lincolns about. Get on Your Boots is probably the biggest disappointment since Joe Biden was picked for VP. Lyrics such as: Night is falling everywhere/Rockets at the fun fair/Satan loves a bomb scare/But he won’t scare you make you wonder if this is the same group that survived the 80′s! Correct me if I’m wrong but I don’t see the connection with getting your boots on… and whatever that means. GOYB takes me back to another pointlessly lyricized hit, Elevation, with an equally up tempo beat. Unfortunately there’s no memorable guitar riff, just an annoying hook that leaves you wanting to pull out your old U2 albums and lock yourself in a closet. Once you realize how ridiculous the rest of the lyrics are it pretty much ruins your chances of ever enjoying this song. To add insult to injury, it seems like whoever they hired to do their album art cover wasn’t very creative either. Here’s an article where a musician here in the U.S. is claiming they stole the artwork from one of his albums. Not that I’d be bragging about it.
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