Soul | LovetheMusic

Random MP3 Friday, except that its Thursday v.2

Even though Damon and I agree on a lot of our shared music tastes, this doesn’t mean I always listen to the music associated with his posts. Which has bitten me in the ass, sort of. A few months ago he did a post on an SLC show he attended, in which the Cold War Kids performed. He even attached the mp3 I like to it, and I didn’t listen.

But I firmly believe that I love this song NOW, and if I had heard it a few months ago, maybe I wouldn’t have fallen in love with it so hard? Perhaps. Anyways, here it is. Thanks to Sirius AltNation station, I’m in another love affair.

Cold War Kids // MySpace // Buy Robbers & Cowards

Cold War Kids - Hang Me Up To Dry [3:39m]: Play in Popup | Download

Lily Allen - Alright, Still

So how much fun is Lily Allen's latest release, Alright, Still? Lots.

Allen actually played at Bonnaroo, but I think I bypassed her performance to see someone else I was more familiar with. I now regret it a little.

This album is super cute, super fun, and super funny. Perhaps I'm biased towards British performers, but I don't think so. I mean, I never loved Eternal.

I love this album for a few reasons:

People always ask me, as though I am an authority on linguistics in music, why British musicians mask their accents whilst singing. I won't hear that question here, because her British accent is quite clear, and warms my heart a bit.
It's funny. The lyrics aren't sentimental and sappy and emotional, it's fun words to sing along to, and hearing "Tesco's" in the track LDN made me feel a bit nostalgic. Tesco's has the best Cornish Pasties, fyi.
Her voice isn't harsh or belty, it's sweet and simple, and uncomplicated.
The album is boppy to the point of wiggling my bum around my seat. It's not washed down pop music, it actually has elements of other genres of music in it, and I can appreciate that.
It has a decent variety of beats and sounds. Listen to "LDN" and then "Shame For You".

If you're discriminating when it comes to your musician's personal life, Allen might not be for you. She's similar to Amy Winehouse–the bad girl reputation and the lot. I couldn't give two shits either way.

Definitely take the time to check her out.

Lily Allen Official Website // MySpace (which she personally updates, I think) // Buy Alright, Still

LDN

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/03%20%20Lily%20Allen%20-%20LDN.mp3]

Take What You Take

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/09%20%20Lily%20Allen%20-%20Take%20What%20You%20Take.mp3]

Shame For You

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/07%20%20Lily%20Allen%20-%20Shame%20For%20You.mp3]

Review : Amy Winehouse - Back to Black

Jazz // Contemporary R&B // Soul

Ooh, a fabulous combination of a hot voice, sound lyrics, smooth beats, and a hint of reggae, unless my ear is wrong….straight out of England, too! What could get better? A little bit, actually. While Amy Winehouse's new album is impressive in style, bold lyrics and bringing an old genre of music back to the forefront and mainstream, her album sounds tired. The album is almost entirely set in the sixties, reminescent of The Supremes and Diana Ross, which makes for a good change of pace but also a lack of originality. Theres a traditional snappy beat, with backup vocals that remind me of a 'Dirty Dancing' summer. "Rehab" is the first track on the album, and a single, I believe, which is understandably popular. "They tried to make me go to rehab/I said No, no, no/They tried to make go to rehab/And I won't go, go, go" is autobiographical in nature, according to some sources on the net. Drama aside, my personal favorites are "Rehab" and "You Know I'm No Good". Have a listen, it makes for good music but not a breakthrough album. I'm a tough critic, apparently. Final Verdict : Take it for a spin and make up your own mind. Jazz and soul is always good (in my book), but don't expect a favorite.