Saturday, December 19, 2009

Robin Thicke: Sex Therapy


As soon as the beat dropped on Mrs. Sexy I thought Erykah Badu, Booty. Hmmm… I like though. Well, I like the vibe. Not the strongest lyrically but it’s a feel good song.

Can I just be honest for a moment? I’m not a huge fan of Sex Therapy. Sometimes the sexiest songs don’t have the word sex in them at all. I’m just saying.

“MeiplĂ©”?!?!? WTH…. Are you rapping now Mr. Thicke??!?! Please don’t ever again. Thanks. Beat was dope though.

Liked the hook on “Make You Love Me.” Also liked “It’s In the Morning.” It had me nodding from the beginning. Could have done without Snoop though.

I hated “Shakin it for Daddy”- Robin Thicke goes horrible wrong when he tries to make dance tracks. And Nicki Minaj, I just don’t get her at all.

“Elevatas” was misplaced, like it should have been on another album, Rihanna’s.

“Rollercoaster” was interesting. Think I liked that one too.

It seemed to lose direction (or find it) around track 8. He went from a distinct hip hop feel to more of the band sound that he has done well in the past. With that, he transitioned into love songs, as opposed to strictly sex. I like the latter better. It’s what makes him different.

“Million Dolla Baby” started so beautifully. It could have landed on the last album. Has an old school feel. Liked “2 Love Birds” too, musically- the lyrics were sound but nothing extravagant.

“Jus Right” was PERFECT.

“Diamonds”?!?!?! Talk about mom on the end of SEX therapy. Ick. Oedipus complex anyone? It was lovely song though, except for the random shout outs at the end.

I’m a Robin Thicke fan but as with Alicia Keys, I was quite skeptical about this album. He just released an album that I loved earlier in 2009. I just didn’t know what more he would have to say. But now I know, sex (which I guess explains why his wife is expecting because obviously sex was seeping from his pores). Again, as with Rihanna, I respect an artist that can carry a concept to the end. In that way, the album was a success. Every track had good moments, but overall, it didn’t do much for me. It’s alright.

OMG OMG!!!! SHE'S BACK, SHE'S BACK!!!!! - Corinne Bailey Rae, I'd Do It All Again




Wow… and is she back. I felt this song in my soul and it brought a tear to my eyes knowing what she’s been through. And can we briefly talk about how GORGEOUS this woman looked in the video. The hair, the body, the fashion. Beautiful and PERFECT for her comeback. Cannot wait for her album. FEBRUARY 2nd!!!

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Alicia Keys- The Element of Freedom

Admittedly, off bat I’m a little skeptical about this album. A. Keys doesn’t seem to have much of anything to say anymore. I was very unimpressed with the singles on the radio. Truthfully, I only purchased this album because it was $3.99 on Amazon MP3. So here goes…

I like “Love Is Blind.” Strong start. She incorporates a lot of different sounds, both musically and vocally. At points, it doesn’t actually sound like her.

Then this God-awful “Doesn’t Mean Anything”. I hate this song on so many levels. For starters it sounds like “No One” just slowed down a bit. And her voice is annoyingly nasal. I just can’t.

Ok. Am I the only that can’t listen to “Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart” with a straight face. I always think “what like Mashonda?” I know its awful but it’s true. I do like this song though. Guess it’s because its something I can relate to. And musically, its interesting. Holds my attention.

“Wait Til You See My Smile,” “Like the Sea,” “Put It In A Love Song,” “Distance And Time”- just why? No maam. [btw, put it in a love song is proof positive that putting Bey on a song does not mean it will be good]

“That’s How Strong My Love Is” sounds like “Tender Love.” HA!

I liked “Unthinkable” until we got to the chorus. HMMMM… apparently people think she’s crazy because she said that on about 3-4 of the songs so far, this is only Track 7. But do people really think she’s crazy? I can think of other things people think she is, but crazy is not one of them…

I just cringed on the opening of “Love Is My Disease.” Phew… that was rough. The song itself wasn’t terrible, just the beginning.

“This Bed” started strong, then she started singing and I changed my mind, but I’ve changed it back again. I kinda like it., all except the size and thread count of the sheets. Maam, I do not care. It reminds me of a good 80’s song.

I might like “Empire State of Mind” in a couple years after I forget about the other version. (or maybe not, since it sounds like the rest of this album)

The album a bit boring and lacks the focus I like. I get where she was trying to go, but it didn’t work so well. Sounds amateur-ish. You know what it sounded like? – That 5th grade poetry project we all had set to music. [Haiku, Similes, Metaphors, Iambic pentameter. I don’t even know how I remember that. Anyway…]

A. Keys can be so compelling with her music. Each of her albums has at least one song that can move me to tears (Songs- Butterflies; Diary- Diary; The last one- Lesson Learned). But this one lacks that song. However, I will say I’m glad to hear the piano again. It was very present here, last album not so much. Ummm… It’s not as tragic as I expected but I’m not crazy about it.


P.S. the album cover is quite lovely

The Glorified Mistress

[I wrote this a couple of a weeks ago at work when the story first broke, but the point is still the same]

So unless you have been living under a rock, I'm sure you have heard about el Tigre (Tiger Woods) catching a beat down from his wife after leaving the house at 2:30 in the AM. Of course with those allegations come speculations of affairs. But here's that part that gets me... Women are coming out the woodworks ADMITTING that they had affairs with Tiger Woods. Since when is it ok to sleep with a married man? I mean these women are coming forward VOLUNTARILY to say that they helped destroy a man's marriage. What happened to the days when the only way a person would admit to having an affair is when they are caught red handed or when women had to sneak around, listen on the other end of the phone to catch said mistress, after realizing that mistress and husband have a secret code (ring once, hang up, ring twice, call back). Now I know these are different times with better technology, making it easier to sneak around, and ironically easier to get caught, but the key word there is SNEAK! I also know that these women are merely coming forward to sell their story (which is a whole other problem) and some of them probably have never even seen the Tigre closer than behind those white ropes on a golf course but assuming they actually did have an affair, the fact still remains that they are ADMITTING, VOLUTNARILY that they were sleeping with a married man. They have no sense of shame about it. Not trying to extort him on the low. They are putting it on front street for the whole world to know. In a couple months they will be whining about the paparazzi... when they could have kept it to themselves and went about their day. Well MA'AMs... It is not cute that you are a stank. You slept with a married man. Period. Close your legs and be quiet. K thanks.

Rihanna: Rated R


Rated R is a very appropriate title…. Sex, violence and rock.

Really dark… set the tone right from the first second
Dark and angry… a little crazy too. It’s a concept album… shoulda been called EFF CHRIS BROWN!! I mean she put their ENTIRE relationship on blast. It’s one of those moments where I wish people would keep something to themselves. Its fine to be inspired by life but I DO NOT want to hear a recitation of you situation put to music. (*cough… cough* USHER)

Can hear her accent way more…. Guess that’s b/c shes really just talking

Something was amiss on “The Wait Is Over”

I do like Hard… don’t judge me… at least it has a point

Its either I’m pissed or lets talk about what I have. (but I guess that’s her entire life… get dressed and go eat and talk about the “incident”)

Pretty bored… its only track 5. Glad I only paid 99¢

This chile needs some help… like therapy… this just can’t be good. Russian Roulette is … disturbing

I like “Photographs” and “Cold Case Love”… both were very honest. The other songs felt like anger to mask hurt.

I liked the “Last Song”. It had the hard edge without being demented. Another honest song.

Welp, I guess it fits… once a good girl’s gone bad, she’s gone forever… I mean she went CLEAR to the other side of the spectrum. The album sounded like an act of rebellion.


Not my style but I respect the fact that she cared the theme ALL THE WAY out to the end. If your’re pissed off or going through a break up you may find solace in this album, or it might land you in jail, nevertheless… ummm yeah.