rickified's rants:

Jennifer Hudson - Pocketbook

Mar 30th, 2009; 2:40 pm (GMT+8) 1




With 'If This Isn't Love' released a month before around Feb 10, it's really quick to put out a new single. I think it's a great song, but not being properly promoted. A short review on Billboard.com suggest that 'Pocketbook' would be J Hud's 3rd single.

This song gives Beyonce a run for her money. Much sass and attitude could be felt without goin over the top. Produced by Timbaland, the beat-boxing element in the song gives it a little twist. Without a doubt that this song is catchy. My only problem is that Ludacris kinda overshadowed J Hud a little with his rap. But I give this single choice a thumbs up. Being uptempo and all.

At present time, she would be on tour with Robin Thicke in the US. Which brings focus to what Robin had wrote and produced a song for her in the album. 'Giving Myself' is one of the best ballads I've heard in years. It feels really haunting, and the lyrics is great too. This song is a classic in my books. =) I'll be really DAMNED if it aint being released as a 4th single. A strange fact is that her singles are released in numerical order as with her album. LOL

Having recently dealing with the loss of her family, she's still going strong and brave despite of that. My condolences to her. Support her!!!! Her debut album won a Grammy for Best R&B album. =)

Tracks

Rickified's Rants:

Rihanna - Breakin' Dishes

Mar 28th, 2009; 1:30 pm (GMT+8) 5




According to sources, the Soul Seekerz Remix of 'Breakin' Dishes' would serve as a single for the 'Good Girl Gone Bad: The Remixes' album. A really underrated song, the record company was supposed to release this instead of 'Rehab' in the first place. With 'Rehab' being only a minor hit, I could see this song chart better than 'Rehab', given the promotion and stuff.

I LURVE this song when the album first came out and when she performed live with this song in her setlistto promote the album. And I went to her concert back last year when she toured here. Sounds real good. This song sorta fits what she's going through now. =) The Chris Brown incident. A pity. Love the remix too. I've included the Edit version of the song btw, since the Remix album version is kinda long. Enjoy!!! =)

Remixes
*A Side note* - Flo Rida's 2nd album is surprisingly good. I thought he would be a one note, but he has proven himself that he aint. Stay tuned. =)

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!


rickified's rants:

Lady Gaga - LoveGame

Mar 25th, 2009; 1:30 pm (GMT+8) 1


Hey Guys and Gals. =) This new section here is Rickified's Rants. What would it be all about??? Well, I'll do chart commentories, new music you people should be watching (listening) out for, songs that deserves to be hits but didn't have the chance to (underrated stuff is what I do) and flashback stuff too. Please do try to give me comments whether all of you like this section or not. Appreciated!!! =)

Ah, about Lady Gaga's 'LoveGame'. Would most likely be the 3rd single for the US and the Europe market and 4th single for the Aussie, France and Switzerland peeps. I'm 110% behind this single choice. Would definitely be a huge hit after 'Just Dance' and 'Pokerface'. A vid has been done for it. (Backtrack the blog to view it)

Since it is already number 6 on the Canadian chart so far and 96 on the US Billboard Top 100, this would be the Summer hit for Lady Gaga.

On a side note, 3 weeks in the Top 10 on the Billboard Album charts for 'The Fame'. This gal is going stronger and stronger. This album would be like 'Good Girl Gone Bad', except it's even better. Filled with hits and single-worthy songs. Let's hope the album and 'Pokerface' hit number 1 on the Billboard charts soon. ('Pokerface just hit number 1 in the UK. WOOTS!!!)

Track
Remixes

Remember to show your love and feedback to me!!! =)

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:




Follow this blog

Get a weekly email of all new posts.