ANNIE LENNOX Songs of Mass Destruction

When I was VERY first listening to Annie's new cd, I must have also been smoking crack. Because I only thought that it was good. And I thought it paled in comparison to her other solo cds.

But since (a) seeing her concert at McFarland Auditorium and (b) listening to the cd (a LOT) more, I realize THIS cd is brilliant, and just may be her best yet.

It has now been stuck in my car's cd playing for about 2 weeks. I took it out, and brought it inside only to load it onto iTunes so I could put it on my IPOD as well. The next time I got in my car to drive somewhere, I realized I had left the cd inside. And then I thought, "Well, maybe I can just stick in some other cd." But then, I realized, that was mad thinking and I went right back in the house to get it.

If you like Annie (and really, who doesn't?), then you should LOVE this cd. It's got some slow tempo-ed songs that are gorgeous, and then it's got the up-tempo ones that are equally great. It is a perfect balance.

Lori Mckenna- Bittertown

I wanted her new cd because I read about it in Paste magazine, but it wasn't out yet. So I bought an old one, Bittertown, instead.

She got tons of hype because she appeared on Oprah a year or two ago. Faith Hill recorded several of her songs, and titled her last cd, Fireflies, from one of the songs. On Oprah, they made it sound like Lori was this quiet little housewife and mom that secretly wrote songs in her kitchen late at night. Her fairy godmother, Faith Hill, discovered her, loved her songs, recorded them, and made her semi-famous.

But alas, the story wasn't altogether true. Lori's worked her butt off for years writing, touring and putting out cds.

The cd's OK, but if I were Faith Hill, I wouldn't have been so blown away. Maybe I'm just jealous. That's entirely possible. Don't take my word for it.

Brandi Carlile-The Story

Oh my gosh!
This cd is so good.
Huge talent.
Great songwriter.
Sometimes she's a bit too Melissa Etheridge for me with the hoarsy voice, but she keeps it under control for the most part.
She's the new Patty Griffin for me.

Nelly Furtado- Loose

I loved "I'm Like a Bird" and it's a song a cover.
Then I LOVED Nelly's second cd that barely anyone else bought. It was kind of acoustic. Very eclectic.
And then I heard the first single from this cd and didn't like it at all. But then I heard "Say it Right" and decided to brake down and buy the damn cd.
And I love it. Even the song Promiscuous Girl that got SO on my nerves when I first heard it.
Nelly's a cool chick. She can do lots of different types of music and it doesn't feel contrived- I think she really loves it all and is able to create all different sorts of music...So if she can, she should!!!

Justin Timberlake- FutureSex/LoveSounds

I always regretted that I never bought the Justified album.
Justin just keeps getting cuter and cuter and now I'm on the bandwagon. So I bought his cd after seeing the Love Stoned video because THAT is a cool song. And I knew my IPOD needed him.
I don't love the cd as much as I thought I would. A few of the songs seemed boring to me.

And oddly, I like the Maroon 5 cd better even tho I think they're trying to copy Justin right now.

If I could watch Justin sing the songs, I think I'd like them more.

Maroon 5 - It Won't Be Soon Before Long

Great title, don't cha think?
I think Adam Levine is like a boy a use to have a crush on in Jr. High- Really a jerk, very conceited, I pretend not to like him, but I really do. But I couldn't help myself- I couldn't stay away. And I bought the cd, loaded right on to my IPOD and ran with Adam singing in my ear day after day.

Most of the cd is upbeat. It seems like he's trying to rip off Justin Timberlake these days with the skinny suits, skinny ties, skinniNESS and the style of music. But if you're going to rip off anyone these days, JT's a smart choice.

Maroon 5 also seems to be trying to sound like the Police did about 20 years ago- Altho, the Police where unique and really talented, and I don't really think Maroon 5 compares- But they try.

And I try to act like I don't like them. But I do.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

Have I really not posted anything hear since JUNE? That is madness! I've probably bought at least 10 cds since then. I just forget to write about them here. Well, I've got a lot of catching up to do. My apologies. I'll try to be better...

The Reminder by Feist

I am in love with this cd. Especially the 2nd track, "I Feel It All". Also "1, 2, 3, 4" which she performed on Conan last night- Her voice reminds me of Leona Naess, her music...hm. Well, pretty eclectic- Some songs are moody, some are more upbeat- She's kind of got 3 types of songs- I would stack them in the 3 piles for you, but I don't know what the category titles would be...But it's all great.

I realized today that she has previous cds! I was at the library (imagine!) and I saw a cd of hers of remixes and collaborations. I of couse checked it out and just now googled her and saw that she's got several other cds. I'm just now dicovering her. And that is so exciting.

Gwen Stefani- The Sweet Escape

I bought this the day it came out, stuck it in my player but didn't love it immediately. I took it out and forgot to listen to it anymore. So I can't say I gave it a fair chance really. Sometimes it takes a little while for new music to grow on you.

I got it back out over the weekend because I was needed something upbeat to listen to. After giving it some more thoughtful attention, I am happy to report that most of the songs ARE catchy. Some are pretty good. And some are annoying. But it's hard not to love Gwen. She's just so cool. I really loved her first solo album for some reason. Initially I thought this one wasn't as good. But now, I think it probably is. Neither one is great but they each have some memorable songs that are kind of cool. And, being a big fan of the Sound of Music, I love that she paid homage to that on the first track...

Martina McBride- Wake Up Laughing

I love Martina's voice. Her voice. But on this cd, I just don't like the songs. So many of them sound very sort of cheesy and dramatic to me- like the one that is a single called "Anyway" The first part of the chorus says, "God is great, but sometimes life ain't good..." Urgh.

I've had a few of her cds, and even tho in the past she hasn't done any of the songwriting, she has chosen some great songs. To her credit, she co-wrote 3 of the songs on this album, so I'm glad she's branching out in that way. But I don't think she picked as good as songs as she has in the past.

But Martina has a great voice. That's the great thing about the cd. BUT, I don't really enjoy this one... Except her voice. Did I make that clear?

Jonatha Brooke- Careful What You Wish For

God I love her!

So I ordered this prior to its release date and got an autographed copy. Actually, I'm not really one for autographs, but I am for early-ness and from what the email she sent out to fans said, I'm not so sure where I could purchase the cd anyway. Apparently with the closing of several of the big music stores, we're left with very few options.

Anyway, you can visit her site and hear all of the songs on the cd to see how you like 'em. I prefer her acoustic guitar based songs the best. The first time I ever saw her or heard her was in a Borders bookstore acoustic performance. So that bare-bones sound is what I associate and prefer when it comes to her.

My favorite songs on the cd are:
1. I'll Leave the Light On
2. Never Too Late for Love
3. After the Tears
and I like the song in French, but WHAT does it mean? What is she saying? I need an interpretation!!!

I also love the song called Baby Wait.

But check it out for yourself- You can hear it at www.jonathabrooke.com (Sorry, don't think I can hyperlink here)

Damien Rice 9

Ahhhhh, Damien- He IS the prince of melancholy. His melodies are haunting and once you listen to the cd once or twice, if you like sad music, you will be hooked. I was a little peeved that the words weren't inside the "jacket" of the cd- There's a few mysterious lines I just CANNOT figure out what he's saying...But half the time, I don't really understand his lyrics anyway. I just know they're sad. Is he just a very sad man, I wonder?

Compared to his other cd "O" this one seems more consistent but doens't have any HUGE stand- outs like "Volcano", "Cannonball" or "The Blower's Daughter" like that one did. BUT there is only one song on it that I would take off the cd if I could because it sorta messes up the flow for me.

I've already heard one of the songs from this cd during "Grey's Anatomy" so I hope that's a sign that Damien will find lots of new fans with this cd.