Nelly Furtado: Say it Right

Say It Right

Grammy award winner Nelly Furtado whom was raised in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada grew into the music scene after spending countless summers with her mother cleaning houses. She turned to R&B artist like Mariah Carey, TLC, and Bel Biv Devoe. She also was exposed to rock artist like Radiohead, Oasis, the Verve, and U2 by sneaking into her older brother’s music collection. She became intrigued by music and deviled in playing the guitar and ukulele.

After high school she moved to Canada and worked by day and played in a hip-hop duo Nelstar at night. She let loose and began to merge all her styles of music together including Brazilian to create a funky sound.

Nelly’s third record, Loose, is another applause for this Portuguese-Candadian singer. She worked with producer Timbaland who definitely put his foot in this album. He laid down more than 60% percent of the tracks including Promiscuous, Maneater, any many more. One of Nelly’s latest single, Say it Right, was also produced by the hit making genius. They defenitely have a music chemistry that is undeniable.

Say it right starts sort of eerie with bass and drums and the tribal sounding voice of Timbaland. This is definitely a free flowing club hit. With lyrics like, “You either stand or you fall, When your will is broken, When it slips from your hand, When there's no time for joking, There's a hole in the plan” you cant help but sit back and think while you listen to the rhythmic drums and the dancing sounds of Nelly’s voice.

The video is also very basic which makes it a pleasure to watch. Now that a lot of videos look like movies...just to focus on Nelly, Timbaland and few dancers makes it easier to watch the video and pay attention to the lyrics.

In conclusion, if you do not already own the album, Loose, and you like more than two of her singles... why do you not have it? I rate this song a B++ BUT I give the beat an A!

Beyonce and Shakira: Beautiful Liar

Beautiful Liar

Beyonce will be re-releasing her B’day album on April 3rd. The album will include five new songs and six songs in Spanish. She teamed up with Shakira on her latest single, “Beautiful Liar”, on the re-release of “B’Day.” With two signature style voices like Beyonce and Shakira you can’t expect anything but a unique song from these divas.

Chuck Taylor from Rolling Style describes this song as an enterprising threading of an R&B rhythmic pulse and Latin horns, alongside fiery Middle Easter instrumental hooks.

The video is really what sales this song for me. If I had heard the song before I saw the video than I might not haven given this unexpected duet a fair shot. The video shows a sexy side of Shakira and Beyonce dancing like they would almost be twins.


Due to Beyonce’s light complexion and Shakira’s dark complexion the pair pull of this illusion very well. Their hair is styled the same and they dance and wear the same outfit in the second half of the video for a sexy treat. Beyonce can move her hips like Shakira and Shakira can shake that butt like Beyonce.

I give the video an A- for its creative and two beautiful women who know how to work it. The song on the either hand is very unique in it’s own right. For it to be two divas singing together…. they sing together not like they are competing and for that I give it B.

T-Pain: Buy U a Drank

T-pain

T-pain, the man in love with a stripper, is back. “Buy U a Drank”, his first single from his sophomore album “Epiphany” definitely is something you can bob your head to.

T- Pain is known for using a vocoder to make his voice unique and it seems to be working. This smooth R&B track is t-pain having a conversation with a woman at a bar. It does not have much depth or meaning but it is something that men in a club can relate to. Who hasn’t seen a man try to buy a women a drink in the club… after a few free drinks who knows what type of situation that woman can get in to.

This track also contains a feature from the platinum rapper Young Joc and with rhymes like, “Now were both bout tip sy, You say you in the mood , All i need is bout a hour , Better yet maybe two” you can’t help but visulize where this night be headed if he buys her a drink.

Charles Perez from Rolling Stone said, Mr. Pain has had a busy first quarter, already charting with R. Kelly's "I'm a Flirt" and Bow Wow's "Outta My System"—but now he's prepped for headlining glory, destined to follow previous top 10s "I'm Sprung" and "I'm in Luv (Wit a Stripper).” I must admit that I really thought T-pain was a joke when he first appeared in the music scene and know I can see that he is here to stay and I’m ok with that. He is entertaining and fun. I rate this song a B-.

Norah Jones: Thinking About You

Norah Jones

Blue Note recording aritst, Norah Jones was born March 30, 1979. She is an acclaimed young jazz vocalist with a sultry voice. Jones is also more than a voice she plays the piano and writes her own lyrics. Being inspired by musicians like Billie Holiday and Bill Evans, she is definitely an old soul.

Her latest album, Not Too Late, hit the shelves January 30th and it has been getting mixed reviews since the day of release. A writer from Buzzugar says " I have mixed feelings about Norah Jones. On the one hand, I think she's very talented, but sometimes, I wonder why someone my age chooses to make music that's so often stodgy. That said, however, I like what I've heard so far of Jones' new album"

Norah’s debut single from Not Too Late is entitled “Thinking About You” and she has not strayed too far from her original sound and Jones’ irresistible charm paints the material in warm, comforting shades of grey.

Metzger from BMG Records said, “Thinking about You” has Chicago-style horns and they become color to an arrangement that draws upon the easy-going sophistication of Steely Dan. The subsequent Broken bears hints of Bob Dylan and The Band, and its minimalist orchestration is sublimely moody.

With lyrics like, 'My cold hands needed a warm, warm touch and I was thinkin' about you', you might think the song is very basic and a little rhyme happy, but her voice and sound of the jazz band makes it all fit into this nice little package.

The video is also a very interesting creation with a lot of animation. Jones takes you into her head litrally. I give this song a C+. I like it but I don't love it, but that voice of hers will always get an A in my book.

The Lyrics

Yesterday I saw the sun shining

and the leaves were falling down softly

My cold hands needed a warm, warm touch

I was thinkin' about you

But here I am lookin' for signs to lead me

You hold my hand but do you really need me

I guess it's time for me to let you go

But I'll be thinkin' about you

I'll be thinkin' about you

Will you sail across the ocean waters

and you reach the other side safely

Well could you smile a little smile for me

Cause I'll be thinkin' about you

I'll be thinkin' about you

I'll be thinkin' about you

I'll be thinkin' about you

Chris Daughtry: Its Not Over

Chris Daughtry

North Carolina native, Chris Daughtry released his first album, Daughtry on 19 records/RCA. An American Idol contestant from season 5, is a now a rock star in his own right. With his new band Daughtry, a band that Chris hand picked himself, they may have scored a smash hit with their first single, “It’s Not Over” and it definitely wont stop for this American Idol singer in Hollywood.

“It’s Not Over” starts off with Chris' rough but smooth voice and a simple electirc guitar. As the hook approaches so does his emotions he belts out with harmony and axe leads. Daughtry might remind you of a smiliar sounding group, Nickelback and thier lead vocalist Chad Kroeger, but do not be fooled... he is no Chad. Chris Daughtry definelty has something that makes his his voice his own.

The lyrics of this song have power by just reading them. "It's not over" explains how a man and his love can not end... "My life with you means everything, So I won't give up that easily.I’ll blow it away, blow it away..." because no matter the pain they face, they are meant for eachother.

The "It's Not Over" video is a very heartfelt midway cheesy production. The story line focuses on a man who left his pregnant girlfriend behind as he spent years in jail. His girlfriend picks him up when he is realeased and he finally meets his at least 6 year old daughter. He struggles finding a job and it puts stress on his relationship. He ends up getting a job and a nice little surprise is left at the end of the video.

It's Not Over

I was blown away.What could I say?It all seemed to make sense.You've taken away everything,And I can't deal with that.I try to see the good in life,But good things in life are hard to find.I’ll blow it away, blow it away.

Can we make this something good?Well, I'll try to do it right this time around.Let's start over.I'll try to do it right this time around.It's not over.

’Cause a part of me is dead and in the ground.This love is killing me,But you're the only one.It's not over.I've taken all I can take,And I cannot wait.We're wasting too much time Being strong and holding on.Can't let it bring us down.My life with you means everything,So I won't give up that easily.I’ll blow it away, blow it away.Can we make this something good?'Cause it's all misunderstood.Well, I'll try to do it right this time around.

Let's start over.I'll try to do it right this time around.It's not over.’Cause a part of me is dead and in the ground.This love is killing me,But you're the only one.It's not over.We can't let this get away.Let it out, let it out.Don't get caught up in yourself.Let it out.Let's start over.I'll try to do it right this time around.It's not over.’Cause a part of me is dead and in the ground.This love is killing me,But you're the only one.It's not over.Let’s start over.It's not over, yeah...This love is killing me,But you're the only one.It's not over.

Carrie Underwood: Before He Cheats

Carrie Underwood

Underwoods' debut album cover.

Carrie Underwood, 23, former American Idol winner, has been making quite a name for herself. Her debut album, Some Hearts, has been getting a lot of buzz. After taking home two Grammys, one for best female country vocalist and for her No. 1 song “Jesus take the wheel” she showed the world that she is not going to be an Idol has been.

“Before her Cheats” is Underwood’s latest single and it leaves quite a message. As Underwood sings, she explains how her man is cheating on her with other woman as she speaks and he has no clue that Underwood is getting revenge while he is enjoying his night out on the town.

Right as the song starts, it becomes aggressive with a raging guitar, cymbals, drums, and everything a country song is. Underwood’s soft country twang voice comes out a little rougher in this song. She goes explaining what her man is probably doing with another woman as she speaks. The song takes an aggressive tone in the hook as she explains how she is destroying his precious 4-wheel drive to teach him a lesson.

With lyrics like… “I dug my key into the side of his pretty little suped up 4 wheel drive, carved my name into his leather seat... I took a Louisville slugger to both headlights, slashed a hole in all 4 tires...” he will get the picture not to cheat on this pretty little country girl again. The moral conveyed in this rocked out country song… think before you cheat on a woman because you don’t know what she is capable of.

Janelle Landauer, from Country Music Online said, “On ‘Before He Cheats,’ you find a more rough tone to Underwood's range, but it works for this song particularly. What a perfect way to share in the joy of sweet revenge than with a sassy, fun song like this one.”

The video for “Before he cheats” goes right along with the lyrics of the song. The opening scene is a hand keying the door of a beautifully red-coated automobile. Through out the video you see Underwood destroying a truck and a man kissing a woman in a bar. One of the last scenes is Underwood giving the key to the man in the bar with the girl. It is clear at that point that he got caught and punished by Ms. Underwood.

This is great catchy song, but I must say as a young woman like Underwood… I think this could be a bad message to send. You can go to jail for destroying someone property and being that she was an American Idol… I’m not sure if that’s good behavior. With that note of caution aside, Underwood is staking her claim in the music industry and I am looking forward to her sophomore album.

The Lyrics

VERSE 1Right now he's probably slow dancing with a bleached-blond tramp, and she's probably getting frisky... right now, he's probably buying her some fruity little drink cause she can't shoot whiskey... Right now, he's probably up behind her with a pool-stick, showing her how to shoot a combo...

{Hook}And he don't know... That I dug my key into the side of his pretty little suped up 4 wheel drive, carved my name into his leather seat... I took a Louisville slugger to both head lights, slashed a hole in all 4 tires... And maybe next time he'll think before he cheats.

VERSE 2Right now, she's probably up singing some white-trash version of Shania karoke.. Right now, she's probably saying "I'm drunk" and he's a thinking that he's gonna lucky, Right now, he's probably dabbing 3 dollars worth of that bathroom Polo...

{Hook}And he don't know... That I dug my key into the side of his pretty little suped up 4 wheel drive, carved my name into his leather seat, I took a Louisville slugger to both head lights, slashed a hole in all 4 tires... And maybe next time he'll think before he cheats. I might saved a little trouble for the next girl, Cause the next time that he cheats...

BRIDGE Oh, you know it won't be on me! Ohh... not on me... Cause I dug my key into the side of his pretty little suped up 4 wheel drive, carved my name into his leather seat... I took a Louisville slugger to both head lights, slashed a hole in all 4 tires... Maybe next time he'll think before he cheats. Ohh.. Maybe next time he'll think before he cheats... Ohh... before he cheats...

Ciara: Promise

Ciara: Promise

Ciara's Website

Ciara is on her sophomore album, The Evolution of Ciara, and her latest single “Promise” is all over the airwaves. “Promise” shows Ciara’s growth into becoming a young woman and now that she is finally an adult she can take a bigger risk in her lyrics and her message. The remix with R.Kelly is also climbing up the charts.

After her break-up with rapper, Bow Wow, a lot of her fans were expecting a personal album and with lyrics like… “I've been kind of lonely But I'm looking for somebody to talk to, Love me, someone who can hold me, is that you…” you can tell she has grown up and she is OK with standing on her own.

The “Promise” Video was her coming out to the world as an adult. She was able to be sexy on the microphone as she used it as a prop. Throughout the video she stayed true to herself and showcased her hip-hop dancing skills in a breakdown dressed up in hooded sweat-suits.

I give this song a B for her soft sensual voice and the continuous sexy drum and bass line. The song reminds me of an old 90’s tune that may have been song by groups like Blackstreet and Jodeci.

Christian Hoard from the Rolling Stone gave his two cents on Ciara and her sophomore album:

With big-name producers and songwriting contributions from the platinum girl herself, Ciara's second album banks on a lightweight version of the sexy-cool futurism of Justin Timberlake's latest. Packed with electro beats and Miami bass, cuts like "I Proceed" and "Bang It Up" blend hooks and underground club chicness. Ciara's still prone to diva blandness and silly little pop songs, which drags down the 50 Cent feature "Can't Leave 'Em Alone." But this time she's more interesting by half.

Hoard gave Ciara's album, The Evolution Of Ciara, 3 out of 5 stars. I must agree with him. Her album as a whole was not what I expected it to be. Due to the marketing of saying the album will be something you have never heard from the artist.... they put it on a pedestal it could not reach.

She had a few tracks that were promising, no pun attended, but as a whole the CD lacked something new. The lyrics as a whole were refreshing but she can't seem to get out of the dance feel good club hopping tracks. When Ciara can finally do that.... that is when she will evolve as an artist.

For this album to be the sophomore curse, she held her own. She gave the world a taste of what is in store for Ciara the artist and I can't wait to see what she does next.

The Lyrics:

Come enjoy the life Baby take your time I just wanna find you, you Baby you and I can have a good time Tell me what you like Oo oo

[Spoken] Now listen I've been single for a while now And I've been kind of lonely But I'm looking for somebody to talk to, Love me, someone who can hold me, Is that you?

I'm looking for somebody I can call boo Looking for the only one that I can give my all to Tell me if it's you, you, you What you wanna do, do, do Make your move You can be my teacher I'll do homework You can give me extra credit, baby I'll do more work What you wanna do, do, do Now it's me and you, you, you Make a move

This mood is so right It feels so right You can be my prince My knight You can be my superman Save me here I am 'Cause baby There's nothing I won't do To spend my life with you I'll give my all to you I promise that I will never lie to you boy There's nothing I won't do To spend my life with you I'll give my all to you I promise that I will never lie to you boy

You and me together Picture perfect I'll spend all my money all the time Because you're worth it It's just me and you, you, you What you wanna do, do, do Make a move Call me mama, spoil you like a baby Thinking about you, dreaming about you Got me going crazy What you wanna do, do, do Now it's me and you, you, you Come on babe

This mood is so right It feels so right You can be my prince My knight You can be my superman Save me here I am Baby There's nothing I won't do To spend my life with you I'll give my all to you I promise that I will never lie to you boy There's nothing I won't do To spend my life with you I'll give my all to you I promise that I will never lie to you boy

[Spoken] I mean everything that I say From the bottom of my heart I will never, never ever hurt you

I open my heart Open my heart Give it to you Tell the whole world that I'm in love with you Whatever you want Baby I'll do I know I don't want nobody I else but you There's nothing I won't do (there's nothing I wont do baby)

To spend my life with you I'll give my all to you I promise that I will never lie to you boy There's nothing I won't do To spend my life with you I'll give my all to you (I will give my all to you my baby boo my love is true oohhh) I promise that I will never lie to you boy [fading out] Baby boy you got me, i been waiting waiting waiting For you You can be my homie, i'll be waiting waiting waiting For you Baby come and hold me, I'll be waiting waiting waiting For you you can be my one and only,you can be my one and only