web analytics

Pop Rock Nation

Author: Pop Rock Nation

  • New Music In Stores & Online: 5-27-08: Usher, Al Green & More!!


    It looks like the quality of music releases will be picking up a little bit this summer, with everyone from Coldplay to Robin Thicke putting albums out. The season kicks off with a bang, as the long-awaited follow up to the biggest selling album of the past five years or so hits stores.

    Usher-Here I Stand: Did Justin Timberlake make people forget about Usher? I don’t think so, but JT has gotten the lion’s share of accolades and publicity even though Ush’s last album, “Confessions”, sold double the amount TImberlake’s “FutureSex/LoveSounds” did. “Confessions” is also the most recently released album to be certified diamond (for shipments of 10 million copies) and it was the last album to sell over a million units in it’s first week…not to mention it was a better album. All this to say, Usher is the *real* current King of Pop, and “Here I Stand” is much more highly anticipated than folks may think. He’s already scored a #1 with “Love in This Club”, and “Here I Stand” is supposed to be a trip through the mind of a married family man. Let’s see if Mr. Raymond can jolt some life into a depressed industry.

    www.usherworld.com

    Al Green-Lay it Down: I’ve had this argument with many a friend. Who’s the greatest soul singer of all time? Whether the mention goes to Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye or Stevie Wonder, Al Green is a name that always makes it into the Top 2 or 3. Reverend Al has the smoothest voice in musical history, sounding like butter melting atop a stack of pancakes. After a handful of stabs at contemporary pop & R&B, Al has settled into a comfortable recording routine, and “Lay it Down” is his third album in the last five years. The production is handled by The Roots’ Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson and James Poyser, who promise to bring an organic, sympathetic sound to Al’s music. Regardless of the production, anything Al utters is worth hearing. Guests include Anthony Hamilton, John Legend and Corinne Bailey Rae.

    www.algreenmusic.com

    Cyndi Lauper “Bring Ya To the Brink”: Although she didn’t quite deliver on the promise set by her 1984 debut, “She’s So Unusual”, Cyndi Lauper has created quite an interesting body of work over the past quarter-century, dabbling in styles ranging from rock-etched material to standards. “Brink” finds Cyndi hitting the dance floors hard. She’s no Al Green, but she does have one of the most distinctive and powerful voices of any female singer around, and everyone needs a good danceable album for the warm weather, so this album might be worth checking out!

    www.cyndilauper.com

    Elsewhere, rootsy singer/songwriter John Hiatt returns with “Same Old Man”, electronic/ambient combo Spiritualized resurface after a half decade with “Songs in A&E”, and the soundtrack to “Sex & The City” hits stores, featuring tracks from the aforementioned Al Green as well as artists ranging from Fergie and Jennifer Hudson to Jem and Joss Stone.

    Happy shopping!

    Oh: get your full list of this week’s releases here: http://www.pauseandplay.com/cdfront.htm

  • It Wouldn’t Be The Start of Summer Without It

    The all time greatest summer song ever. 17 years later, this song puts a smile on my face every time I hear it (and I’m not terribly fond of Will Smith, so that says a lot). Hope everyone had a restful weekend.

    P.S.: Check out the new main page of musichelpweb, which will now be updated, well…a lot more often that it was updated before. You’ll find some new music by a singer/songwriter by the name of Mitch Hood. Don’t forget to e-mail with feedback!

  • Chart Chat 5/25/08: Duffy, Keith Sweat & More!!


    Y’all know what it is…here are this week’s Top 20 Singles & Albums, courtesy of the folks at Billboard.

    Top 20 Singles:

    1) “Lollipop” Lil’ Wayne feat. Static Major
    2) “Bleeding Love” Leona Lewis
    3) “Take a Bow” Rihanna
    4) “Love in This Club” Usher feat. Young Jeezy
    5) “No Air” Jordin Sparks & Chris Brown
    6) “Sexy Can I” Ray J. feat. Yung Berg
    7) “4 Minutes” Madonna feat. Justin Timberlake
    8) “Pocketful of Sunshine” Natasha Bedingfield
    9) “Touch My Body” Mariah Carey
    10) “Damaged” Danity Kane
    11) “Love Song” Sara Bareilles
    12) “Leavin’” Jesse McCartney
    13) “Bust it Baby Pt. II” Plies feat. Ne-Yo
    14) “What You Got” Colby O’ Donis feat. Akon
    15) “Say” John Mayer
    16) “Low” Flo-Rida feat. T-Pain
    17) “With You” Chris Brown
    18) “Love in This Club Part II” Usher feat. Beyonce & Lil’ Wayne
    19) “Bye Bye” Mariah Carey
    20) “Forever” Chris Brown

    Top 20 Albums:

    1) “Narrow Stairs” Death Cab for Cutie
    2) “Nothing But the Best” Frank Sinatra
    3) “We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things” Jason Mraz
    4) “Rockferry” Duffy
    5) “Spirit” Leona Lewis
    6) “E=MC2” Mariah Carey
    7) “Home Before Dark” Neil Diamond
    8) “Hard Candy” Madonna
    9) “35 Biggest Hits” Toby Keith
    10) “Just Me” Keith Sweat
    11) “Taylor Swift” Taylor Swift
    12) “Division” 10 Years
    13) “Now That’s What I Call Music 27” Various Artists
    14) “Greatest Hits: Every Mile a Memory” Dierks Bentley
    15) “Gavin DeGraw” Gavin DeGraw
    16) “Awake Live” Josh Groban
    17) “Lyfe Change” Lyfe Jennings
    18) “On My Way Here” Clay Aiken
    19) “Juno” Soundtrack
    20) “Sleep Through the Static” Jack Johnson

    *So…um…who the hell is 10 Years? Not that I profess to be the beginning and ending of all things music, but it’s a bit rare for me to have never once heard of an artist in the Top 20. Oh,well.

    *A nice cluster of newbies in the Top 4, including a well-deserved bow at the top from Death Cab for Cutie.I’d imagine the biggest surprise would be from British soul singer Duffy at #4. Her single “Mercy” also rockets up the chart, landing in the Top 30 this week.

    …and is it me, or does this song sound suspiciously like…

    *As tipped off last week, Usher cruises into the Top 20 with his “Love in This Club” remix, which features the beyond-ubiquitous Lil’ Wayne as well as only slightly less ubiquitous Beyonce. Personally, I think it’s time for *both* of them to take a vacation.

    *Clay Aiken, I think it’s time to say bye-bye to your career, eh?

    *Keith Sweat is in the Top 10 of the album charts for the first time in almost a decade (and hits the #1 spot on the R&B albums chart for the sixth time). Proof that begging will *never* go out of style!

    Let’s take it back!!!