Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Friday, August 20, 2010
Music Review: Fantasia "Back To Me"
"
With the lead single slowly gracing the charts, and negative media attention Fantasia remains to stay strong and focus on her 3rd project; Back To Me. Coming from starring on Broadway as Celie in the Oprah Winfrey produced The Color Purple, and successful VH1 reality show, 'Fantasia For Real,' she releases the 12-track album on J Records.
With the lead single, "Bittersweet," only being on the charts for seven weeks and only reaching a peak of #52 on Billboards' Radio Songs chart,
.(#90 Hot 100, #10 R&B/Hip-Hop, #88 Japan Hot 100 & #14 R&B Contemporary) previous buzz has been lackluster. I personally thought both of Fantasia's first albums were strong but lacked tracked for track a strong album, even though Fantasia charted well (#19 Billboard 200, #3 R&B Billboard 200), garnered three Grammy nominations and sold over 400k albums... her label failed to promote the album after two singles, "Hood Boy" & "When I See U." After four years, features a sole guest appearance by Cee-Lo Green and songs writting and/or produced by Ne-Yo, Claude Kelly, Chuck Harmony, Rico Love, Jim Jonsin, KP & Malay, Fantasia is ready to step back on the music scene, for real!
The intro track "I'm Doin' Me" can be taken so many ways with light of recent drama, but this song exclaims as the album title states, is about a woman getting back to her, after an epiphany during a typical relationship. I think it's the perfect intro for the album which leads into the lead single, "Bittersweet," which I've think we've all felt about an ex... as the lyrics proclaim: "...part of me wants you, part of me don't, part of me is missing you, part of me is gone..." they hit home. "Man of The House," a great mid-tempo where theres' no real sign of who's exactly wearing the pants in the relationship, Fantasia demands "Be a man, then be a man, then if you can't baby I can..." Okay, 'Tasia pull up those jeans! "Who's Been Lovin' You?" can honestly be a third single, a favorite of mine, really epitomizes everything a strong single needs, great production, strong lyrics... kinda brings the same vibe as Mary J.'s "I Am." My next favorite track, "Collard Greens & Cornbread" samples the classic, in which Tasia talks about her loving being a good as her mother's soul food dish. Personally, not a fan of collard greens but I'm just going to assume they're good... this track really screams Fantasia to me, much of the album to me seems constrained... like she's not going hard on the vocals, but also give me this feeling she wants to focus on the depth of the album. Now on her VH1 reality show, she pushed hard to J Records to get "Move On Me" as a lead single, and I'd have to say that would've been a horrible move! The flow of the verses are very likeable but as the lyrics of the hook being strong, the production is all over the place, makes it difficult for me to get into the song.
The Novel-penned, rumored single third single "Trust Him," seems to be everyone's favorite that I've spoken to... and it's actually my lease favorite on the album, with the 50's doo-wop mixed with hip-hop beats really takes away from the song... I really admire the song on a lyric aspect... but the song will grow on me! Everything about "The Thrill Is Gone" (features Cee-Lo Green) says potential single, really gives me old school Aretha... followed by Cee-Lo revives his Goodie Mob roots on the rap verse. The Rico Love (Usher, Kelly Rowland, Beyoncé, Dirty Money) and Jim Jonson (T.I., Lil' Wayne, Slim Thug, Michelle Williams) produced up-tempo "Falling In Love Tonight," is a feel good, club anthem, the vibe is great and it's not overdone. Turn the lights on! Next to 'Bittersweet' as overplayed in my iTunes is "Even Angels" the album's intended lead single, which was not promoted and failed to chart, dubbed by J Records as a promotional single, an inspirational track that is a really great start to a day! Also available for the first time as a bonus track, "I'm Here," Fantasia's the gut-wrenching signature song from acting role as "Celie.' "The Worst Part Is Over," the bonus track for the Japanese pressing, has an 80's Prince-inspired track, if wasn't featured as a bonus track, also have single potential.
In an era where album sales are lackluster, record stores going into non-existence and constant push backs of release dates, it is clear that Fantasia pushed for a strong, classic R&B album... auto-tune and 'swagger' excluded! ;)
With the lead single, "Bittersweet," only being on the charts for seven weeks and only reaching a peak of #52 on Billboards' Radio Songs chart,
.(#90 Hot 100, #10 R&B/Hip-Hop, #88 Japan Hot 100 & #14 R&B Contemporary) previous buzz has been lackluster. I personally thought both of Fantasia's first albums were strong but lacked tracked for track a strong album, even though Fantasia charted well (#19 Billboard 200, #3 R&B Billboard 200), garnered three Grammy nominations and sold over 400k albums... her label failed to promote the album after two singles, "Hood Boy" & "When I See U." After four years, features a sole guest appearance by Cee-Lo Green and songs writting and/or produced by Ne-Yo, Claude Kelly, Chuck Harmony, Rico Love, Jim Jonsin, KP & Malay, Fantasia is ready to step back on the music scene, for real!
The intro track "I'm Doin' Me" can be taken so many ways with light of recent drama, but this song exclaims as the album title states, is about a woman getting back to her, after an epiphany during a typical relationship. I think it's the perfect intro for the album which leads into the lead single, "Bittersweet," which I've think we've all felt about an ex... as the lyrics proclaim: "...part of me wants you, part of me don't, part of me is missing you, part of me is gone..." they hit home. "Man of The House," a great mid-tempo where theres' no real sign of who's exactly wearing the pants in the relationship, Fantasia demands "Be a man, then be a man, then if you can't baby I can..." Okay, 'Tasia pull up those jeans! "Who's Been Lovin' You?" can honestly be a third single, a favorite of mine, really epitomizes everything a strong single needs, great production, strong lyrics... kinda brings the same vibe as Mary J.'s "I Am." My next favorite track, "Collard Greens & Cornbread" samples the classic, in which Tasia talks about her loving being a good as her mother's soul food dish. Personally, not a fan of collard greens but I'm just going to assume they're good... this track really screams Fantasia to me, much of the album to me seems constrained... like she's not going hard on the vocals, but also give me this feeling she wants to focus on the depth of the album. Now on her VH1 reality show, she pushed hard to J Records to get "Move On Me" as a lead single, and I'd have to say that would've been a horrible move! The flow of the verses are very likeable but as the lyrics of the hook being strong, the production is all over the place, makes it difficult for me to get into the song.
In an era where album sales are lackluster, record stores going into non-existence and constant push backs of release dates, it is clear that Fantasia pushed for a strong, classic R&B album... auto-tune and 'swagger' excluded! ;)
Monday, August 16, 2010
Something's Gotta A Hold On Me...
Check out Christina Aguilera singing the Etta James tune, "Something's Got A Hold On Me," above in a clip from her upcoming movie, "Burlesque." Christina pretty much sang this song up and down, delivering some killer vocals. There's no denying that she can always give an awesome vocal.
Christina will star alongside Cher in the movie and the two will be doing lots of singing in the upcoming musical. Cher is said to have recorded two songs, the movie's opening number and a powerhouse ballad produced by Diane Warren. Christina worked with Sia Furler, who she also worked with on her ill-fated "Bionic" album, and contributed a couple songs as well. The likes of Danja, Tricky Stewart and Claude Kelly also produced for the movie.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Parker Hurley!!!
Check out this model's profile... Gorgeous, Tats, Piercings & All! http://www.modelmayhem.com/1086028
Thursday, February 11, 2010
R.I.P. Alexander McQueen
"ON BEHALF OF LEE MCQUEEN'S FAMILY, ALEXANDER MCQUEEN TODAY ANNOUNCES THE TRAGIC NEWS THAT LEE MCQUEEN, THE FOUNDER AND DESIGNER OF THE ALEXANDER MCQUEEN BRAND HAS BEEN FOUND DEAD AT HIS HOME. AT THIS STAGE IT IS INAPPROPRIATE TO COMMENT ON THIS TRAGIC NEWS BEYOND SAYING THAT WE ARE DEVASTATED AND ARE SHARING A SENSE OF SHOCK AND GRIEF WITH LEE'S FAMILY. LEE'S FAMILY HAS ASKED FOR PRIVACY IN ORDER TO COME TO TERMS WITH THIS TERRIBLE NEWS AND WE HOPE THE MEDIA WILL RESPECT THIS."
—Alexander McQueen Office, Official Website, 11 February 2010
I found the news out at work today... was heartbroken then I got an email from an ex... like honestly he's one of the designers I grew up admiring... his designs, concepts, runway shows were innovative, dark, avant-garde thought-provoking, and controversial... From about 11/12 til early 20's I watch Style Network like people watch CNN... Always dreamed of going to Fashion Week in New York, Paris... Milan. I unlike most around my pre-teens could pronouce Versace, Yves Saint Laurent, Prada... watched runway shows, took notes... I even got to visit one of his stores while in Vegas, I was so in awe... like a kid in a candy store... I wanted to buy... but I did take of photo... not inside the store didn't wanna seem like a lame tourist. I'm truly saddened... and distraught anyone who feels they need to judge him for committing suicide... the man's mother passed away... it can be alot to handle when she means the world to you... my prayers are with his family & friends... whom I leave thoughts from and a video of a recent interview with CNN about his Fall '09 runway show, his infamous Fall '09 Men's Runway show... and an archive of his Fall show from '98... your provocative, awe-inspiring, ground-breaking runway shows and fashion will live on! Rest in peace, Lee Alexander McQueen!
"His talent had no boundaries and he was an inspiration to everyone who worked with him and knew him," she said in a statement released by her publicist. "This is a sad day to all who loved him around the world and my condolences are with his family. I will miss him so much, he will never be forgotten." - Naomi Campbell
Designer Carolina Herrera called McQueen "one of a -kind" and said in a statement that he was "one of the most talented designers of his generation. This is a big loss for the world."
A manager at the Alexander McQueen store in New York said the shop would be closed Thursday and Friday in light of the designer's death.
Appearing on CNN Thursday before news of McQueen's death broke, singer Lady Gaga -- known for her ground-breaking fashion -- spoke of her admiration for the designer.
His brilliant imagination knew no bounds as he conjured up collection after collection of extraordinary designs.
--Alexandra Shulman, British Vogue
--Alexandra Shulman, British Vogue
"He is so -- He is on his own planet. He doesn't need to respond to trends or what anyone else is doing," Lady Gaga said in an interview on 'American Morning.' "He is so pure and from within and I -- he just generally inspires me ... and I love when I can wear his clothes and sort of synthesize for my fans what it means to me, because I want them escape through his clothes the way that I do."
According to a biography of McQueen on Vogue's Web site, he was born in 1970 in London's East End, the son of a taxi driver.
He trained in London's Savile Row at a company that made suits for Prince Charles. One anecdote that helped cement his bad-boy image claimed that he had once embroidered a suit for the Prince of Wales with a profanity sewn into the lining.
His clothing line was purchased in 1991 by stylist Isabella Blow, who became a close friend. She committed suicide in 2007, five years after his label was brought into the Gucci Group, based in Paris, France.
In an interview with CNN's Jim Bittermann in October, McQueen -- whose work was also worn by Sandra Bullock and Gwyneth Paltrow -- talked about how the traditional runway shows for fashion designers are changing.
His latest show was an invitation event for 1,000 people and was streamed live on the Internet.
"It's got to progress, and it's got to move on," he said. "I've been doing these shows for over 15 years now; I must have done about 60 shows. Even I get bored with the same concept, so this way, I can see a brighter future for fashion."
The designer was honored as a commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II in 2003 and won numerous other awards in the fashion world..
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
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