OMG (feat Will. I. Am) – Usher – The new usher has been coming under fire though I think mostly because people wanted a marital mea culpa on his divorce album, and, from what I’ve heard, except for “Papers’ they haven’t gotten one. What they got was a first rate R&B dance album. This is the thir to knock me out in a room and always a pleasure to hear the autotuned B.E.D. in his element.
Window Seat – Erykah Badu – The only song I’ve heard fom the newbie, and sure I am influenced by the terrific video. Listened to rationally this is only a superior take on Badu’s endless jazz soul pan-Africanism. But who wants to be rational? Song Of The Week.
Every Now And Then – Alan Jackson – When it comes to straight upno chaser country, only George Strait is better. But Jackson is a nicer guy, a better ride, more fun and more for me. A country ballad and a goodie.
Nothing (from “Did I get Married Too?”) – Janet Jackson – Last years “Make It” was such a powerful dance number I thought for sure it would break pop and was disappointed it didn’t. I love Ms. Jackson’s soprano enough to be able to listen to this pretty but pointless ballad without throwing up.
Work Hard, Play Harder – Gretchen Wilson – Tough country gals work hard for the money but when it comes to weekend “she’s honky tonk bound”. Country rock with the emphasis on country.
Better Than A Hallelujah- Amy Grant – Experience is the best teacher so I don’t really believe in love and I love a love song. And I feel precisely the same way about spirituals. The sentiments here are pretty vacuous, “god loves a lullabye and a mothers’ tears in the middle of the night better than a hallelujah,” not to mention purely conjecture but the break is pretty and it has a sweet count lilt.
Die By The Drop – The Dead Weather – Jesus Christ, will Jack White please shut the fuck up. The only good thing about this song is the only good thing about the band, Alison Mosshart who is used to much better effect with the Kills. The song is yet another bluesy metal romp. The sorta White can (and apparently does) write in his sleep.
Whip It Up (feat Gucci Mane) – E-40 – I was never a big Click supporter. The West Coast band, E-40 is a member, are journeymen but a little draggy. Even here with the jailed Gucci mane lending his voice.
Out Of Our Minds – Melissa Auf der Maur – Like a toxic nightmare in Goth black and power ballad mode, this is all very doomed romantic hard rock sexiness.
Endlessly – Renee Fleming – Yup, the Muse song covered by the great American soprano from her June release of modern covers (why is it always arcade fire?). I don’t like Fleming in pop mode for the most part. Here she is a soprano singing an octave lower and it doesn’t remotely work.
It Only Takes One Night – the Dum Dum Girls – You know who produced this? Richard Gottehrer that’s who. The new wave master who has worked with Blondie, the GoGos, the Voidoids, others. Which may explain why despite the DDGs playing a pop drone noise most rcently mined by the Vivian Girls, the songs stand up very well. Yeah, this one too.