10 Songs: Thursday, May 7th, 2015
1 – Feeling Good – Avicii – The DJ-Producer continues on his electronic way into the middle of the road with this big brassy record reworking of Nina Simone’s epic track. Produced in league with Volvo, and I bet the commercial is a killer. Still, the entire enterprise is a little heartless, a brassy but minimalist. That’s Audra Mae from “Addicted To You” taking you out – B-
2 – So You Win Again – Hot Chocolate – The Englishness isn’t in the vocals it is the way the soaring strings are an answer to rock band vibe – A
3 – i) Alone – Mikal Cronin – How much like baroque pop rock is this guy? This is the first song off the rock opera side of his new album, and it sounds like Elbow – B
4 – Nasty Freestyle -T Wayne – Very catchy pop hop rapper, with sudden smash hit – B+
5 – Home Is Anywhere You Hang Your head – Elvis Costello And The Attractions – Not just one of the great second act Costello songs, but a specifically blueprint Costello song; a faux-country heartbreaker with the country taken out but mister misery well in – A
6 – Hood Go Crazy feat 2Chainz, B.o.B – Tech N9ne- Rap on the road track, taking the day off because merchandise sales are so good – B
7 – Marvin Gaye (feat Meghan Trainor) – Charlie Puth – “Let Marvin Gaye get it on…” Charlie sings on this seduction song… absolutely, let the soul man do the heavy lifting – B+
8 – Jackie (B.M.F) – Ciara – Ciara says she’s bad but not till they drop the beat – B
9 – Coffee – Miguel, Wale – Miguel is a real soul guy and Wale has some get out of jails free coming to him after the Seinfeld album…. but this is a little bland – C+
10 – A Woman Never Changes – Van Hunt – Van goes mainstream, a sweet soul song – B+
