John Mayer: Battle Studies

First of all.... please take a moment to dwell on this album cover... De-lish...

Now to the music....

Heartbreak Warfare sent me back to Heavier Things... vibe and lyrics. Same for All We Ever Do Is Say Goodbye

Half of My Heart went a little too country for me, but I like the lyrics so I'll go with it... (oh this is the song that Swift child is on. LOL... she irritates me, just in general.)

Who Says is a bit of unexpected comic relief (apparently it’s the single but I had never heard it. Hmmm)

Perfectly Lonely is the John Mayer I love.... the more bluesy side.

I like the chiming in the background of Assassin... sounds like someone is playing a xylophone… I wouldn’t be surprised. I would like to see a video to this one. I imagine a dark, Mr. & Mrs. Smith situation where he slinks out of the house just as the sun is coming up and the girl’s turning over reaching for a gun [to get him first] only to realize he’s gone. I don’t know… listen to the song… You’ll understand where I was going with that…

Edge of Desire was my favorite musically… from the time it started playing, it captured my attention. Do You Know Me was also beautiful.

Friends Lovers or Nothing brought Gonna Find Another You on the end of Continuum to mind… Its that closure track on the album (and usually a relationship as well)

I definitely like the songs starting at Perfectly Lonely to the end better. More my speed... somewhere on that line between blues and rock. Truthfully, there are always a good 2 songs that are too country for me on his albums, so I’ve come to expect them. This time, it was Half My Heart and Who Says… Just glad he got those out of the way up front. LOL.

The album is typical John Mayer fare... beautiful music, emotion evoking lyrics… I like it

Wale: Attention Deficit

He’s SOOO DC… Accent and all.

The beat on Let It Loose felt like an old video game to me. It made me smile. I really liked Beautiful Bliss… he actually gave me a Jay-Z vibe on that.

My favorite song was Shades… It spoke to me being that I am brown skinned. It addressed some of the intra race foolishness we have going on.
Its funny because I had thought about whether President Obama would have won if his skin was darker. HMMMM…

There were a lot of features… I definitely could have done without Gucci (I’m so over him) but loved the ode to Go-Go in Pretty girls. Liked Jasmine Sullivan on World Tour, loved Chrisette on Shades, I don’t know who this chick is on Chillin… sounded kinda like MIA, but I don’t think it was her [turns out it was Gaga]. The Rihanna sample was unexpected… I didn’t know people actually wanted to sample her…

Musically outstanding. The vibe was just so easy. The beginning was a bit monotonous… the music was hot but I really didn’t feel like he said much. Then it became more conscious around 90210 and that’s where the album actually started for me. I could tell he’s more a spoken work artist than a rapper. When he started flowing on the end Diary it all made sense. The end of prescription was dope too. I wanted him to keep going!!!

Overall a strong showing. Left me wanting more.

AMA Wrap-Up

Here goes.....

How I love Janet, how I hate harem pants (this outfit is sooooo not Janet)
Would have loved pleasure principle to make it
I like this new Janet song
Glad she did Together Again made it…. On of my favorites
Why didn’t Jermaine know the words
I was almost jumping around the house on that one

Yes Paula betta look good for a change!!! Even though she’s a touch overdressed

Fergie looks great.

Commercial: Is this really a Wyclef remix to the Harold & Maude song? Hmmm…
Commercial: Extreme Home Makeover should be called “Celebrities Tearing Up People’s Stuff”

Daughtry is one of my favorite people [now bands] to come out of American Idol (him and Carrie Underwood)

Shakira is giving me too much Gaga…. But not in a good way, like a biter way
Her hair looks terrible
That singing is terrible

Whitney looks great in the audience

I love Reba (and her show re-runs)- Don’t judge me.

I don’t know why but Kelly Clarkson really bothers me. Maybe b/c she doesn’t seem to have much personality or really anything that makes her different. Hmm.
Anyway- dress is a good choice, slimming
The arm covering is a bit much, need something to give her some youth…
She sounds good though

Glad they remixed Empire State of Mind… b/c I was kinda over it (although I love it generally)
Why does Jay have on a tux? So perplexing. Hmmmm. I get it w/ the beginning, just wasn’t crazy about the look with the song
I like the look A. Keys hair is giving. Like her fit too.
Yes Gaga u betta stand there and not rock!!! I love that she sticks with her image. LOL cracks me up
Ne-Yo… girl, why the stinky face. LOL
Keri Hilson, MJB… pretty and pretty

I really don’t care for the Black Eyed Peas… I respect what they do, just not for me
Fergie just had those lips done yesterday. I’m on the fence about Fergie’s fit.
Who is this non Will.I.Am black man… I kid but you forget he’s in the group sometimes
WTH does will have on… he’s just so bizarre
Like asian man’s jacket though
I’m feeling this It takes 2 and nirvana on the end.

I’m in hear about to cry… Mike still winning awards
But why were Jermaine’s kids on the stage… where’s Prince, Blanket or Paris?

Zac Brown Band- Synchronized talking (we off that)

Ne-Yo looking very pretty. LOL (let me stop… I like Ne-Yo I really do)

RiRi looks great… I love the blonde hair She’s giving a bit of drama
Do like the rock feel of this song
She really is a boring performer, this wasn’t as tragic as it has been in the past but still boring
Kinda like these songs (don’t judge me)
She looked like she was having a great time though

Commercial: Yesssss Morgan Freeman as Mandela!!!!

I LOVE some Carrie Underwood- WORK BISH!!!!

Know Gaga is gon bring drama…. LOVE her headpiece & shoes
This dance cracks me up…. Looks like shes channeling a dinosaur
Gaga’s hair looks good
YES BISH!!!!! U betta break glass and play a flaming piano.
I still couldn’t listen to her but she is a SICKENING performer… just wow
That was sooooo {something} WOW.

These clowns… hilarious though (Drake, Cudi, Jeremih)

LOVE Mary!!!! Love that dress, and with her body. SICK!! Her whole look is flawless.
I love Mary so much b/c she is who she is. You gon get that same foot tap and two step!!! But that’s enough sometimes
She sounds good…

Oh Girl… Colby Calliat – no maam

Yes Gaga betta look EXHAUSTED after that performance.

Who are these children- beat out all the knowns. LOL
Crowd ya’ll betta be honest- Who is Gloriana?!?!?

Jennifer Lopez?!?!?
No maam… just why??!?!?
Did she fall?!?!?

Whitney looks AH- MAZING wrong dress though.
Started off sounding good…. She can hit a note like no other, but sustaining an entire performance is another issue
She sounds like…. Well a smoker.
I do hate choirs on stage… but if anyone deserves one its her.
Bobbi Kristina has Bobby’s gap… poor kid

Leona Lewis has NO personality & WTH does Carrie Anne have on. She’s so random

Pop/Rock Male?!?!? TIP?!?!??! Eminem?!?!?!?! WTH?!?!?!?
This is not about the Jackson 5 Jermaine- saddown somewhere!!!! And we know Ms. Catherine jumping out of her skin, Jermaine up there praising Allah.

A. Keys…
Fit is a no maam
Her doing choreography is a no maam. Bish u can’t dance- that’s why you have the piano so u can sit when the dancing is going on
I need her to go back to Songs in A Minor and find some inspiration
This song is alright but it’s not moving me and this performance doesn’t seem to fit
Sleeping w/ a broken heart… you mean like Mashonda (I’m sorry I couldn’t resist)

Commercial: I could live without J. Hud but I do love Michael Buble

Eminem… classic Eminem… nothing exciting. I’m not really a fan but he does him well
Man… I thought I was going to have a Drake free evening- he really annoys me and all his songs sound the same to me

I love Timbaland… I’m obligated to, but I REALLY hate him as an artist [chants] STAY BEHIND THE BOARDS!!! STAY BEHIND THE BOARDS!!! STAY BEHIND THE BOARDS!!!
WTH does this chick have on.
Why do the dancers have black roots and blond ponytails.
Nelly Furtado’s tights are not opaque enough… they just look like stockings… but I like this dark look on her
Ok Thriller at the end

Not a Green Day fan… but this song is pretty dope. (Maybe need to reconsider my fan status)

Ok Keri Hilson looks pretty… Toni’s hair is a mess

Love this Guy… so dapper
You betta be a philosopher Hov….

Taylor Swift annoys me… I was trying to refrain, but she irritates me so. I just can’t

Alright Adam Lambert…
Yasss you betta give cabaret girl!!!
AHHHHHH… did he just get a simulated blow job from a man on TV.
He’s giving me male Gaga…. Well with some grooming
His vocals weren’t giving me as much I thought they would… WTH happened?!?!?! His screams weren’t even on point. No sir, maam


Well that was too long, as usual. LOL… but I thought they had a good mix of artists, most relevant and/or talented. There were a few exceptions, but overall, not too bad.

Janet: In the Spotlight

Can I just say I saw Janet live years ago and she is PHENOMENAL. The best live performer I have seen to date.

They started with my FAVORITE Janet video… LOVE WILL NEVER DO

She’s a little thicker… but still GORGEOUS….

She BEAMS when she talks about Mike. I love that. So pure.

Joe Jackson is old school alright- an old school bully… on his own kids no less.
I’ve always wondered about the Joseph thing

Owww Penny… chile, when she got burned with that iron…. ICK

Dang… divorced in 3 months…. can’t you still get it annulled in 3 months. (I kid)

“is that what you saying Robin” [with a grin and a wink]…. So charming

Janet looks like Joe when she’s straight faced.

YESSSSS!!!! I GET LONELY!!!!!

Janet… Janet?!?!! Wardrobe malfunction? I still don’t believe it

Yes for the dookie braids. LOL

SCREAM!!!!! They turned that.

I can’t wait for Janet’s album. Despite what the critics say, I love most of her music, past and present. Her songs (for the most part) make me emote. They make me happy, make me smile, make me want to dance, make me think, they take me to a different place. I love that!!

She has such a beautiful spirit…



P.S. Sorry for the lack of actual commentary… it was a typical Janet interview, just with a splash of Mike.

#BeyGaga - Video Phone

So here’s the thing… I’m not a huge Beyonce fan. I respect her craft, I respect her artistry and she is a HELL of a performer. I would love to see her live (but because I’m not a huge fan, I’m a student and I don’t believe in sitting in the nosebleeds, I have yet to be able to afford that pleasure.) I could say all the same things about Gaga... but I say all that to say this- I’m objective.

Poor Gaga… she has such a cute little shape… until she stands next to Beyonce. Then she looks like a pale waif. [sigh]

I liked the video. I thought it was fun. It’s one of those videos that could make me like the song (because I DEFINITELY hate the song, it was one of my least favorites on the album). BUT I thought it was going to be a little more out there. More BeyGaga instead of Gaga in Beyland. Maybe a cross between Sweet Dreams and ANY of Gaga’s videos… PICK ONE. Or even more drama, high fashion. More than a series of booty pops with connecting choreography. I truly believe that sometimes Beyonce rests on her sexuality too much… She’s a beautiful woman with a beautiful body, but there has to be more in there than just that.

I find it hard to believe that the two biggest, most dramatic artists of the moment collaborated and this is all they could come up with. Nevertheless… It was cute.

Chris Brown Speaking to His Fans on 106 & Park

[i think there might be more but anyway... u get the gest]

“Definitely” and “at the end of the day” are definitely his word crutches.If he said either one again it was going to be problematic for me. Its bad enough he is not the most articulate of all the people ever, but he’s from Virginia… so I have to claim him. [I kid, I kid… I actually like CB]

Rosci is annoying me. Even the way she looked at him at the end of the first half was giving me waaaaayyy too much. She was a very condescending interviewer, feeling it necessary to “explain” exactly what her questions meant. I didn’t think his answers were non-responsive- not eloquent by a long shot, but responsive.

I think CB is being sincere. He has come out and apologized to his fans, on Larry King and videos. He cannot mope around for the rest of his life. Its been 9 months. He has to smile to make it through…. HOW DARE ROSCI question the fact that he is smiling.

CB is giving credit to his team but his team is the damn problem. I really wish they would sit him down. He needs about a year or two hiatus to work in the community and stay OUT of the limelight. Date a normal girl, don’t beat her up. Now is not the time to be releasing a new album, going out on tour etc. It’s the time to prove himself a changed man.

Final thoughts: After watching both interviews, I think both CB and RiRi are sincere. They both care for each other still and they dealing with the situation the best they know how. I think RiRi has more to gain from revealing details than CB. I also think they should have taken a little more time from the limelight to fully recover emotionally. They are people, and must make peace within in order to progress.

Good Hair Reflection (Because I'm too late for a review...)

Again, I'm well aware that I am far too late for a review of the "Good Hair" movie, as it has been in theaters for some time. However, I never think it is too late to talk about self loathing within the African American community and one of my favorite things about myself... natural hair.

What struck me about the movie, and what has stuck with me, was not what was on the screen, rather the reaction in the theater. I thought it was so interesting that everyone in the theater was laughing the whole movie until the man said he would rather have a white woman so that he could run his hands through her hair. Only THEN was there an uproar. Personally, that was the least disturbing part of the movie for several reasons. I thought it was ignorant for starters because I love my natural hair, men have enjoyed running their hands through it, and I enjoy having their hands in my hair. LOL. So his comment was just stupid to me, I guess because I dont apply.

I found the children getting their hair relaxed troubling, even though I was one of those children. I believe I was about 5 when I got my first relaxer. I know often parents opt for relaxers is because it’s just easier than having to deal with coarse hair daily. But what most parents don’t realize is the choice they are making for their child has long-term ramifications. Most notably the psychology of long straight hair being better than what is natural to us, evidenced in the movie when high school girls said they would not hire someone with an afro, regardless of her intelligence. That is self hatred... and it is being instilled in OUR children.

For me being natural has allowed me to express my true self, but it has been a process. I got a bad relaxer, cut most of my hair off, dealt with the rest breaking off as the relaxer grew out, get used to not having a long, flowing wrap which I had become so accustomed, finding styles that suit my texture, and dealing with constant scrutiny today. All this because I wanted to be who I really am. I love the variety my hair gives me, before I wore 1 style- a wrap. LOL. Being natural fits the many dimensions personality, and I can change my hair to reflect accordingly.

I usually get a compliment on my hair at least once a week, and sometimes everyday. (Recently, people have been asking if it’s real, which I find hilarious) But I've also had my fair share of negative feedback from both white and black people about my hair. Honestly, white people are pretty receptive. Most often they think it's cool. And as long as I make it look like curls rather than "naps" they really don't care (and I don’t want to see naps either so I don’t think that is sacrificing anything). As for black people, I remember being at work and having an older BLACK woman tell me that my twists were "weekend hair." I've had a BLACK man tell me that I'm pretty but the reason I don't get male attention is BECAUSE of my hair. and the truth is, HE'S RIGHT. I don't get male attention. I don't even get a second look most times. I never had that problem in college, when I was still getting my hair relaxed and I look exactly the same. The truth is many black people don't even appreciate what grows out of their own scalp. I don't think everyone should be natural, I advocate choice. But I wish that we as black people would learn to embrace our differences and not just tolerate them (and we don't even do tolerance very well sometimes).

Takeover Much?

I was up this morning, before going to class unprepared, getting tickets to the Blueprint 3 Tour. So, I’m sitting here thinking about the effect this guy has had since Sept 8. I mean not a day goes by that I don’t say or hear somebody say “On to the Next One” or “We off that.” But that is only the tip of the iceberg… This guy performed on the World Series and the WHOLE Yankees team was rocking- I mean heads bobbing, recording the moment. This song was their anthem. And lest we not forget Oprah. OPRAH. To me it symbolized the merging of worlds. Acceptance. Forward movement. It was a beautiful thing. I was inspired. I am inspired. February 27th can’t get here soon enough.

At This Time

I went to see Algebra a little while ago (thanks Evita ☺) and I had to blog about it (late of course) because it was an unreal experience. I was there and at some points I totally forgot where I was, who I was with and frankly didn't care. She sings with just that much emotion and conviction. She performed 2 songs she had just recorded and it was as if she was reading into my soul. Then, I let a friend of mine listen to "At This Time" and at the end of the song, she said "wow... I don’t know where I was just now, but I was not here." Now THAT'S music

I so wish that more artists would appreciate their gift to inspire and control emotions, even if its only a 3:30 song.

My VERY Belated BP3 Review

Just go right in then Hov. I mean no intro, beat just drops and it’s a wrap!

What We Talking About is just a song about current events and there is no better way to start the album.

Thank you is flawless… it has been my feel good song for the last few months. Something about when the champagne flutes click *click* that puts a smile on my face.

My original review didn’t include anything about this song but As Real As it Gets is my ANTHEM! I listen to it on my way to class [too bad I have to calm myself down once I get in there], in the house, on the way to work. That song gets me HYPE!

DOA works in context, flows right in with Thank You. Likewise for Run This Town (But im sorry… Kanye still killed Hov on his track. So troublesome.)

On to the Next One kinda messed w/ my vibe at first. It was a Swizz Beatz track and his sound is so distinctive… it changed the direction and vibe. But it was so clear within the story [Another anthem track}

I’m a little disturbed by use of “Shawty” in Venus vs. Mars. Just sounds weird. Lyrics were clever but it was the first song I really coulda done without…. Glad that was a short track. [haven’t listened to that one again. 1 play STRONG on the iPod]

Already Home got my attention back- Haters kinda lost me. But as with Next one, it was a sharp change of direction but made sense

Tells a very clear story… I like that.
Get the haters out of the way up front
We Run This
Reminiscing
Progress
Star is born- ushering the new generation
But wait… Still Hov’s world!!!

It was well thought out and well done.