Singles Going Steady, Week of January 5th, 2011
Speak Now – World Tour Live – Taylor Swift – Fan only memento except three covers in the middle, I wish the "I Want You Back" was longer. If they had any imagination, they'd release another album just covers. The DVD is the show on video. Grade: B
The Very Best Of Neil Diamond – Neil Diamond – Just what the world needs, another compilation. The selling point appears to be the inclusion of "Pretty Amazing Grace" and a coupla remastered tracks. And, hey, a new picture! If you don't havea better one, it's not thorough enough. If you do have a better one, irrelevant. Grade: B
rEVOLVer – T Pain Not bad at all. Plenty of guest stars -Nee-Yo, Weezy, r,kelly, Chris Brown, others. Necessary because T's vocals can sound a little samey. Quality of songs is pretty good as well, though it might be missing the knock out punch. Grade: B+
Love After War – Robin Thicke – More of the same from the blue eyed soul man so if you like, white boy r&b from a pure soprano with hip hop production values, here you go. Grade: B
Live from Beyond Heaven/Hell – Volbeat – Heavy metal via Denmark, though so fast at times it's a close relation tp punk. They are on the Gigantour and on the strength of this raver, deservedly so. Grade: A-
Pioneer – The Maine – AP love em,. Me? I like their modest but powerful rock and roll. Grade: B
Undun – The Roots – Dense, difficult to get to, and immensely depressive pop opera. Doesn't work even slightly for me. Grade: C
Red – Dia Frampton – As pure as pure pop gets in 2011. A very lovely, very catchy collection of pop songs. Grade: A-
Glee Music 7 – Glee cast – Who else is going to cover "Hairspray" songs? Grade: B
