dirrty feature:

Lily Allen - "It's Not Me, It's You" Album Review

Mar 26th, 2009; 1:15 pm (GMT+8) 4





Prior to the album release, Lily Allen posted a number of demos in the MySpace page. Most of which would appear as full versions in the album, meaning they made the cut. =)

Being her sophomore album, expectation are high as many albums tend to suffer from a sophomore slump. Most of the songs are written and composed by Lily Allen and Greg Kurstin, with Greg producing the album too. It was released in the United Kingdom on February 9th 2009 and on February 10th 2009 in the US.

First Impressions
Listening once through, it is an impressive album. Lily has grown as an artist and in person since her debut. You can feel the maturity displayed in the album. Nothing to complain about. With brillant, sharp lyrical wit that she's known for, she's gone electro-pop from her previous offering, which is more alternative-pop.

Standout Tracks
  • Everyone's At It - Album opener. It describes about drug consumption for the 'It'. I particularly like the 2nd verse. Sets the tone for the album with it's electro elements in the song.

  • The Fear - A very good first single choice. Spend 4 weeks on top of the UK chart. Love the vid too. As usual, the lyrics is Lily's style.

  • 22 - "It's sad but it's true, how society says her life is already over". Taken off the chorus. Would be a better 2nd single choice as compared to 'Not Fair'.

  • Back To The Start - My fave track off the album. The pulsating electro beats are insane. Has a hint of the modern 80s feel to it.

  • Fuck You - Whoops, am I allowed to type this uncensored. I prefer to listen to every song uncensored. Holds the song in it's original spirit. This song is for all the haters out there. Only Lily could pull off a happy tune and curse at the same time. Strange, but it works. One of my fave tracks too. Cynical like me.

  • Who'd Have Known - A soothing ballad in the same reign with 'Littlest Things' from the first album. Shows Lily her sensitive and vulnerable side. A nice song to dedicate to your partner. =)

  • Chinese - It's means eating chinese food. Westerners always says chinese for short. Getting chinese and watch TV with your partner seems blissful as this song portrays.

  • Fag Hag - Being a bonus track, I think it fits into the album really well. It's a fun song."'We're both in our in element when we're on our knees, whatever the work are." Love the sexual innuendo. =)

Final Verdict
This album is a breath of fresh air from the more stereotypical pop in the industry nowadays. It exudes originality and creativity to the max. The innuendoes and references made are very witty and clever. Who could resist. =) An album to be appreciated. A slight flaw would be with it's 2nd single choice. 'Not Fair' sounds country-like, aiming for the US market I guess.


This album deserves:



What do you think about the album? Rate below!


feature:

Pet Shop Boys - 'Yes' Album Review

Mar 24th, 2009; 1:30 pm (GMT+8) 0

After a 3 year hiatus from their previous studio album, Fundamental, the Pet Shop Boys are back with 'Yes', their 10th studio album. Having won an award for Outstanding Contribution to Music on the recent 2009 BRIT Awards, PSB shows no signs of slowing down, as one would think that getting such awards are the final awards they would be getting and the recipient's finest work are long gone in the past. This album is released in the UK on March 23th and in the US on April 21th.

First Impressions
Compared to 'Fundamental', which is kinda have dark electro and moody elements in it, I only like 'Minimal'.

As with 'Yes', this album is sorta like unapologetic, straight up, electro-pop. Exuberant as with the album cover, a tick with different colours. =)

This album is classified as pop and sythpop. Having co-produced this album with Xenomania, the album results with upbeat and catchy tunes, similiar to their work in the 80's and 90's. The good old disco days, most songs are ready-made for the dancefloor.

Standout Tracks
Love Etc. - Lead single off the album. Chorus sounds abit like their version of 'Go West'. Bouncy syth beats. It's a grower, but you'll be singing along in no time.

All Around the World - It's very different from your modern day pop, quirky I would say. Only PSB would produce this. =) As featured in their BRITS awards 2009 medly which they performed. Single worthy.

Beautiful People - It's sounds like a modern twist to 80's music. Catchy as hell.

Did You See Me Coming - My fave track off the album. It's so disco-ey. Makes me wanna dance under the mirror ball. I predict that it would be the 2nd single. Or a single at least. It's TOO good not to be a single, I'll be DAMNED if it aint. It fits right in summer too, just in time for summer. =)

Vulnerable - My fave electro ballad from the album. Uh, ok. It's more to mid-tempo. "I'm so vulnerable without you." =) Taken from the chorus.

More Than A Dream - Another disco-ey track. Dancefloor ready. Surefire Club hit. Need me to say more?? =) Another Single worthy track.

Pandemonium - A Classic PSB track. Irresistable and Irrepressible. Sounds like it could be from their now classic album, 'Very'.

The Way It Used To Be - This song has depth. Reflective lyrics, package in syth fashion. Another one of my fave electro ballad.

Final Verdict
There are a few slower songs off the album, like 'King of Rome' and 'Legacy'. Definitely not fillers, but it does not fits well as compared to 'Vulnerable' and 'The Way It Used To Be'. To me, this album is considered as their finest album in YEARS. Poppish beats, PSB is here to stay for good.

Though Neil Tennant's voice might sounds abit weird for those who just listened to PSB. Rest assured. It's unique in a positive sense. Paired with Chris Lowe's skills on the turntable and Neil's sheer intelligence, PSB is unstoppable.

This album deserves:




triple treat:

Keri Hilson In a Perfect World... Album Review

Mar 19th, 2009; 3:10 pm (GMT+8) 2


In a Perfect World...
The album can finally see the light of day! It's coming out from the dumpster to the cd shelves next week, March 24th! Orignally slated for October 2007 release but the album was pushed back so many times. According to Keri herself, it was mainly due to budget cuts at her record label. I think its more to the fact her singles, Energy and Return The Favor were big flops. I can understand why Return The Favor is yucky, but Energy is such a hot track (at least to me).

dirrtysean
For her debut release, she has enlisted big big names to launch her solo career. Names like Danja, Timbaland, Polow da Don and even Justin Timberlake. Keri herself wrote 10 out of 14 tracks. I love artists who write their own songs. There are enough of "hand me a hit" artist our there.

At first listen of leaked tracks like Slow Dance and Turn Me On, i thought Keri Hilson was trying to revive the 90s with this album! It reminded me how much i missed those RnB tunes back in the day. But after listening the whole album, its much more diverse than i thought.

rickified
On the first listen once through without skipping any tracks, the album doesn't 'hits' directly at you as compared to most mainstream albums, which is usually easy to pick up on the first listen. The main album with 14 tracks in total, not sure whether there would be bonus tracks for it. Was hoping that some of the leaked tracks would be on the album, like Get It Girl, Mic Check and Control Me, which would fit in the album very well.

And since this is a R&B/Hip-Hop album, most tracks have Hip-Hop and Rap elements to it. As a result, this album is a grower as you give more spins to it. The overall feel of this album is mostly on slow jams or Rap-infused tracks.

airotcivqueen
This album has a mixture of slow, and slightly more upbeat tracks, I would not say this is a fantastic album, with me liking every single song, some are pretty good, and an improvement from before. Although I personally feel that the album does not have alot of stand out tracks, there are pretty much "sure-win" favourites. Like "Make Love" for example and the already successful "Turning Me On" Although Keri's "Numba 1 (Tide Is High)" was a flop single, I actually liked the song. To each his own, they say.


Tracks We Like
  • Turnin' Me On
    dirrtysean - I didnt like Turnin' Me On at first. But after hearing the various remixes of the track... it finally hooked on me... i love the phrase "Dime Divas Give It To Me!"... i hope club remixes of this track will leak soon (if there are any)!
    rickified - Third Single of the album (!!!). Featuring Lil’ Wayne, who is infamous for using the vocoder and auto tuner. Already in the Top 20 in the Billboard Hot 100 chart, the beats are addictive. =)
    airotcivqueen - This is already a winner, needless to say.

  • Set Your Money Up
    rickified - Featuring Keyshia Cole and Trina. Loved how fast-pace this song can get. A Booty-shaking song in a R&B Club.

  • Return The Favor
    rickified - Featuring Timbaland (Head Honcho, LOL). An underrated song. 2nd single off the album. Hate the album version, prefers the Radio Edit as the album version runs too long at the end. The chorus is pretty unique. The ways she sings ‘Hey’ in ascending order. 2 times, 3 times, then 4 times.

  • Knock You Down
    rickified - Featuring Kanye West and Ne-Yo. 4th single off the album. A grower and the slow jams starts from this track onwards. Ne-yo makes reference to his single, ‘Miss Independent’ (Keri guest stars in that vid). I can do without the Rap from Kanye though.
    airotcivqueen - Possibly remix worthy, sung with Kanye and Neyo, which makes the track slightly different.
    dirrtysean - I really like the Miss Independent line... it's so hot!

  • Slow Dance
    rickified - Justin Timberlake has writing credits to this song. Could easily fit in his ‘FutureSex/LoveSounds’ album. Timbaland influenced track.

  • Make Love
    dirrtysean - The "Love Love Love Love Love" part so reminds me of 4 Non Blondes - Whats Going On! Really! It gives me that vibes!
    rickified - Kanye West is supposed to contribute vocals to this song, but was ommited out last minute. Can do without it. As the title suggest, play this song while making out. =)
    airotcivqueen - My favourite in the album. As the title suggests, this song is sweet raunchy. Kanye West also appears in the video.

  • Alienated
    airotcivqueen - Interesting title, I've liked this since it came out months ago.
    rickified - A mid-tempo. The ‘Outta ma system’ part gets stuck to your head. In a good way. =)

  • Change (feat Akon)
    airotcivqueen - Collaboration with Akon, a slightly more upbeat track.
    dirrtysean - This is such a hot song. Akon's singing vocals in this track is very different. Something new!

  • Energy
    airotcivqueen - This track has a Brandy feel, I love Brandy, so this is good.

Rating
dirrtysean:      
airotcivqueen:
rickified:        


Overall
rickified
This album features a stellar cast of guest singers, Keri can do no wrong. But it worries me that this album might be a flop as it lacks mainstream appeal. This gal is uber talented, so do give this album a chance, spin it at a CD store and buy it. =) Given the intensity of this album, this would be a nice make-out album, in the same reins of Ne-Yo’s stuff.

airotcivqueen
Anyway, Keri's career might possibly steer upwards, if this album becomes successful, well hopefully, because I think she has the looks and charm, plus a pretty good voice, which is a headstart to success. All the best Keri! As for whether to spin it or trash it, I'd say spin it, it ain't perfect but it doesn't suck.

dirrtysean
It took 3 singles to make her team to decide to release the album. If her 3rd single didnt perform as well as it did, i doubt we will be doing this review at all... But Keri deserves to make it big. She totally does!
triple threat:

"Kelly Clarkson - All I Ever Wanted" Album Review

Mar 13th, 2009; 10:30 am (GMT+8) 0


After having shunned by having full creative control of her 3rd album, 'My December' (a minor hit, the CD went single platinum, phew!!!), Kelly Clarkson is back on full force with her fourth studio album, 'All That I Ever Wanted'. Released on 6th March 2009 in Australia and Germany, and on the 9th 10th and 13th, in the UK, New Zealand, Canada, USA, Italy respectively.


dirrtysean:
Although i L-O-V-E Kelly but this album to me is tooo mainstream and i feel like she's trying too hard. It's too poppish rock for my taste. She's just like another Avril Lavigne. Maybe i prefer those dark rock tracks like "Never Again" and "Behind These Hazel Eyes". The Kelly Clarkson i learn to like and love can't be seen on this album. But in comparison with "My December" i think this album definitely tops it. But the track "Sober" from that album tops every single track in "All I Ever Wanted".

Everybody's raving on how good is Cry, but I like "Already Gone" even better. "Already Gone" writted by OneRepublic's Ryan Tedder. He also wrote other tracks like "If I Can't Give You", "Save You", "Impossible". If you hear properly, you'll probably hear him sing the background vocals. But If I Can't Give You sounds like Miley Cyrus' Fly On The Wall. The beat sounds 90% same!!!!

American Idol's Kara DioGuardi together with Katy Perry wrote "I Do Not Hook Up". Probably Katy Perry leftovers...

I thought Dr Luke and Max Martin will have more important roles in her album but they only wrote/produced her lead single - My life Would Suck Without You. Yes! It's a mouthful just to say out her single name.

Overall i like all Ryan Tedder productions more than the others. He did 4 tracks (and 1 bonus track).


airotcivqueen:
Honestly, I only like these few songs out of the whole album of 14 songs Which puts it to 7/14 tracks (without counting bonus tracks), thus, I probably would not buy this album.

Pardon me,I am not a KC hater, she's had amazing songs before, that we can all totally relate to, or would already have the tune in our heads after hearing it countless of times over the years, some so catchy, you instantly can sing along to once you hear the intro, but this album doesn't stand out very much, But I will not deny that Kelly has a great voice, she just needs to work on more stand out tracks, and as you can see, she has been singing a lot of her old songs in her recent performances, and not much of the current album, as yet.

airotcivqueen's fave tracks

  • My Life Would Suck Without You: We have all heard this track, it has a very similar feel to all her old songs
  • I Do Not Hook Up: A jumpy track
  • Cry: A rather sad and emotional track as the title states, but nice though
  • Already Gone: Another emotional one, which I kind of like as well
airotcivqueen also listed "Long Shot", "If No one Will Listen", "Don't Let Me Stop You" as okay tracks.


rickified:
First impressions, surprisingly that I could listen to this album once through without skipping a track. Kudos for her. It's abit too mainstream, very safe I dare say. Given Kelly's excellent vocal prowess, she could be a successor to Pat Benatar (whom she's compared to at times). It seems that this album is made to pacify the mainstream people and her record company (I sense a multi-platinum record yet again with tons of ka-ching). Nevertheless, I could digest the album easily, aint an easy feat since I'm could be quite harsh.

Lead single 'My Life Would Suck Without You' sets the tone of the album, which is filled mostly with uptempo, high-NRG tracks. The tunes mirrors too much on 'Since You Been Gone'. The 'tried-and-tested-confirm-success-formula' is being applied to the next few tracks, the first 5 to be exact, with 'Cry' being the lone exception of the pack. My sixth sense tells me that 'Cry' would most probably be the 3rd single off the album (with the 2nd confirmed on 'I Do Not Hook Up').

Maybe the first few tracks is to build the momentum towards mid-album, which is the highlight of the entire CD (holds my fav tracks consecutively).

rickified's fave tracks

  • Already Gone: The 'Goose-pimples' song of the album. Intro sounds abit like Beyonce's 'Halo'. Cause it's co-written by Kelly with Ryan Tedder. I could really 'feel' this song. Triggers the Emo button in me. Deserves to be a single. My fave Power-ballad so far this year.
  • If I Can't Have You: Even thought it's abit too 'Fly on the Wall' sounding, it's way better than that annoying Cyrus, and I can groove to the beat. Disco-rock tune I must say. It's remix-ready too. Could be a club hit.
  • Save You: The verses sounds abit like Britney's Quicksand (Bonus track off 'Circus'). And the chorus, it's similiar to 'Sober', from Kelly's 'My December' album. A good thing though. 'My December' is so damn underated.
  • Whyyawannabringmedown: First thought that crosses my mind, sounds like Paramore's 'Misery Buisness'. Aint half bad. It's Kelly with the punk attitude. =)
  • Long Shot: I could imagine a MV (Music Video) for this song. Single-worthy. Katy Perry is one of the writers for this song.

rickified feels that the album cools down towards the end. With the next few tracks being alright only. Not really filler material, but aint single material either. 'If No One Will Listen' closes the album with a quiet note. Quite a number of peeps like it, but I think compared to 'Beacause of You', it's miles away. The 3 bonus tracks are just icing on the cake. Nothing to be excited about. Fits well with the album. Nobody would complain having extra tracks to listen to if it sounds acceptable rite. =)


Rating
dirrtysean:
airotcivqueen:
rickified:

Final Verdict
airotcivqueen: This album, apart from "My Life Would Suck Without You" and maybe "I Do Not Hook Up" does not have that "OH IT'S KELLY!!" feel I get whenever I hear her songs. Anyway, we'll see how she progresses in the next few years, you go girl!

rickified:
As I said, this album is too safe for my liking. But a good record I admit. This album lacks a strong ballad like 'Because of You', which most people could relate to. This album proves that Kelly is here to stay and she's has one of the best voices in the music industry now, along with CA. =) Awaiting for a breakthrough for her next album.

dirrtysean:
I still love Kelly Clarkson no matter what. In time this album may grow on me. After listening for around 4-5 times, it still hasnt.

doubletrouble:

"Lady Gaga - The Fame" Album Review

Jan 15th, 2009; 11:15 am (GMT+8) 0

[ljuser]dirrtysean[/ljuser]: I've been very busy for the past few weeks. So I didn’t have time to write a review. This time around I handed the review job over to my trusty editor who you all either hate or love. She’s just like my own personal assistant! Now I can tell the everybody I have a P.A.! w00ts! Bragging rights! Major HOTNESS!

Anyways, this time around, we're doing a review on an album by our Artist Of The Month, Lady Gaga!

[ljuser]airotcivqueen[/ljuser]: “The Fame” is Lady Gaga’s debut album. It was released in August 2008 by Interscope Records. A revised edition with new tracks and different track-listing was released in Australia on November 15, 2008, in the US on October 28, 2008 and will be released in the UK on January 12, 2009.

Her album however has received some bad reviews, with some uh, absolutely, f**kin’ comments that her album has explicit metaphors like “I wanna take a ride on your disco stick” in Love Game, and about her being a dirrty girl in the sexed up club scenes.  Here’s my take on this. If you hate Gaga please pardon me. However, on all neutral grounds. Pray tell, at this day and date how many songs out there do not insert some form of sexual innuendo? We’ve got 50cent and Candyshop, Khia - My Neck, My Back and loads of other songs which mention getting in between legs, Gucci bikinis on the bed and all. However, I guess, when we hate something or someone we do go about picking on nitty gritty details too. (I am no angel either) Whoopsy! Come on it is human nature, so I guess it is alright, to each his own ain’t it.

Back to the album review, I’d say on the whole, this is a great album. Unless, you are the type who prefers slow songs, then perhaps not. The Fame brings on a very different feeling from other albums, and for that matter so does Lady Gaga. She’s probably done the right thing in order to stand out in the entertainment scene by being different. After all successful business gurus will tell you that in order to market yourself, you have to be unique, which is what she has done. The songs in the album, are mainly dancey tracks, which feels a little 70s, 80s, retro infused, disco, rock, electronic beats.
My favourite songs in the tracks are, ALMOST ALL. Really, this is an amazing album. Im having a hard time doing this review,  because I do not have any songs that I absolutely loathe. Before you say “You obviously sound like a Gaga stan, thus the good review” I’d tell you, take a listen to her songs, and you will know why it is good.

Here’s a few picks from me:

  • Paper Gangsta:  My favourite track (if you don’t include Poker Face & Just Dance) This song is for the feminist women. Who not will accept any man who is just out to play and is not as fabulous as she says  (Think Miss Independent) >> ME LIKEY!!
  • Beautiful,Dirty,Rich: How superficial, yet how true. This world is full of filthy rich & beautiful people.
  • Eh Eh (Nothing Else I Can Say): This is a really cute breakup song.
  • The Fame: It has the same name as the album, so I kinda tend to expect more from the song (how daft I know), But it is a pretty okay track, but not one of the best, another superficial track.
  • Boys Boys Boys: I like how the intro sounds so movie-esq, and then it moves on to a cheerleader-ish part “We love them! We love them!”
  • Money Honey: Dancey and upbeat, that’s money honey!!
  • Paparazzi:  Another of my favourite, I love the sexy mysterious way she sings it.
  • Again, Again: This song stands out in the album in a sense, it is rather slow compared to the rest, but you’d still wasn’t to sing along and play it again, again!

[ljuser]dirrtysean[/ljuser]'s fave:
Just Dance
Poker Face
Again, Again
Brown Eyes


Verdict:
[ljuser]airotcivqueen[/ljuser]:
[ljuser]dirrtysean[/ljuser]:

Perhaps, she is refreshing, perhaps, I like the fact she is unique, perhaps you think Im a biased slut , but whatever the reason it is, I think this album is worth the spin. Whether it is to shake your booty, or for you to sing along loudly at home or in the car, there is a song for all. Well, perhaps no emotional tracks unfortunately. I say BUY BUY BUY BUY the album!!!


The Fame Give Away
And we are giving away 3 The Fame CDs:
https://dirrty.remix.es/2009/01/11/give-away-lady-gagas-album-giveaway/
Click here for more information...


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