New Music tuesday November 17th, 2009: Homoginized
Worst Enemy -Gucci Mane
To put it mildly! As Mane readies himself for a year in the hoosegow he falls into his epitaph with a first rate sample -a sorta flute backgroup sample. This guy has a great voice, and he writes a good song, but there is something a touch too slight about him, it’s like, and this is a problem with so much modern hip hop, he isn’t willing to risk anything and like so many hip hop artists before him he is overproduced and overweaned. But it is still a pretty damn good song.
Cousins – Vampire Weekend
VE, on the other hand, sound like Talking Heads meet a tree head on. “Cousins” is the first official release off the eagerly anticipated Contra. And it is really great. I don’t know how they make this sound at all, that sort of splinterry gutar, like they are pucking an electric guitar with a toothpick. The ending is a snazz, ringing bells somewhere in the back of your head.
I Got You – Leona Lewis
This seems to be the week of the homogenized sound, “I Got You” is a slow burning power ballad and a bit of a disappointment as well. Sophomore jinx for sure here.
How to Emcee – Rakim
The third song off The Seventh Seal is the charm. After the dour “Holy Are You” and dated “Walk These Streets” comes a throw down old school style. Rakim’s lesson is an energetic romp with a zig zaggy track and a hot rap, a firm flow, and a great chorus. Hallebloodylugiah. Single Of The Week.
Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart – Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys might well be hot enough to turn even Bobby Dylan’s taps, she is still a soporific live persona and unable to sustain any momentum over any album at all including diary. This aint “No One” but it aint a 007 theme either.
Mrs. Vanderbilt – Paul McCartney
I was there (Citifield) so that’s one excuse, and he called his album Good Evening, New York. Cmon dude, what could I do. I chose a favorite from the concert but it hasn’t sustained the trip home. I hope Paulie chokes on my hard earned buck.
No One Loves Me and Neither Do I – Them Crooked Vultures
Yeah, the bass player is pretty good and… what’s your point? A lousy blues boogie
Heartbreak Warfare – John Mayer
Dan Aquilante gave the album two and a half stars in today’s Post and isn’t that reason enough to give the guy another look? And the last single “Who Says” wasn’t the worst thing I’ve ever heard. This is, well, this is… er, listen even dan gets it right once in awhile.
Even Though – Norah Jones
Here’s a question and I think it’s an important question as well. If Norah and Alicia arm wrestled and if you guess who wins correctly you live and if you get it wrong you die, who would you bet your life on? I’d hafta go with Alicia.
