Top 10 albums of 2010, part two.

5. KANYE WEST, “MY BEAUTIFUL DARK TWISTED FANTASY”

I tried hard to not include this album on my list because it ranked top five on everyone else’s, but Kanye West‘s fifth studio album is really too great to deny. The lyrics are never lazy, but instead powerful, clever (“Too many Urkels on your team/That’s why you Winslow) and sometimes laugh-out-loud hilarious. West collaborates with predictable colleagues like Kid Cudi, Jay-Z and Nicki Minaj, but an uncanny collaboration with Bon Iver proves itself to be a perfect closing track in “Lost in the World.” Rihanna, Alicia Keys, Cudi and Elton John are jam packed into “All of the Lights,” a drum-heavy, inevitable hit. It honestly might be one of my favorite songs ever written.
Favorite: All of the Lights

4. MARINA AND THE DIAMONDS, “THE FAMILY JEWELS”
Check out my full review here!

3. YEASAYER, “ODD BLOOD”

I heard “One,” a tropical-sounding, electropop jam, at a house party, and immediately demanded to know whose iPod was playing, who the band was and where I could hear more. Upon receiving Odd Blood, I was pleasantly surprised to find that all ten tracks are equally impressive. Yeasayer have figured out the formula of how to write absolutely incredible music with fantastic lyrics, incorporate just enough pop melodies to keep it catchy (at least on some tracks) all the while still maintaining their indie cred. The music on every single track is bold and profound. Sometimes it sounds like you’re on an African safari. Sometimes you feel like you’re at a rave. Sometimes you don’t even know, you just know that it doesn’t sound like anything of this planet. A slower track, “I Remember,” is hypnotizing and soothing; one of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard in my life. It sounds exactly what being in love feels like.
Favorite: I Remember

2. KID CUDI, “MAN ON THE MOON II: THE LEGEND OF MR. RAGER”

Creating anything original nowadays is nearly impossible, not because everyone is musically inept, but because after years of music, it’s hard to find something that hasn’t already been done or doesn’t remind you of something else. Kid Cudi’s vibe, sound, and lyrical content is pretty much the most original stuff out there right now, period. The songwriting is brilliant, imaginative and relatable- even through all of the success Cudi has had since his debut album, Man on the Moon: The End of the Day, he doesn’t alienate his fans by writing songs about all of the money and girls he gets now that he’s famous. On this record, you’re with him through his highs (“Mr. Rager” and “Ashin’ Kutcher”)  and you’re provided a glimpse of his lows (“Don’t Play This Song”). Songs like “Trapped in my Mind” and “The Mood” give me this gut feeling that Cudi is still playing it safe when it comes to how creative he is willing to get with production and genre bending.
Favorite: Ashin’ Kusher

1. RATATAT, “LP4″
Click here for my full review!

Top 10 albums of 2010, part one.

10. HOT CHIP, “ONE LIFE STAND”

Let me tell you a secret. I actually don’t like every single song on this album. There are a few that are complete misses for me, like “Alley Cats” and “Keep Quiet,” not to mention the album is entirely too short with only ten tracks. Hot Chip more than make up for it with brilliantly produced tracks like “Thieves in the Night” and “One Life Stand.” The last track, “Take It In” does an incredible job of summing up the entire record and the sound Hot Chip seemed to be going for: a little indie mixed with explosive electronic. There’s even some funky guitar and gorgeous piano in there, too.
Favorite: Take It In

9. BEACH HOUSE, “TEEN DREAM”

Accidentally stumbled on this gem during Teenage Dream mania. Had I had more time with this record, it probably would have ended up further down on the list; I think it’s one that has to grow on you – not easily digestible by any means. Beach House’s third studio album, Teen Dream is gorgeous from start to finish. The melodies are highly familiar, but not in a way that drives you crazy trying to figure out who they ripped off, just familiar enough to instill a feeling of nostalgia.
Favorite: Walk in the Park

8. MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE, “DANGER DAYS: THE TRUE LIVES OF THE FABULOUS KILLJOYS”

I never, ever thought that I’d more than tolerate this record. My music taste has changed drastically from years ago, when I was 15 and considered Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge my bible. I think I subconsciously expected My Chemical Romance to still be stuck in 2003 and that this record would be accompanied by the band in matching bulletproof vests, guyliner and the entire record would be Welcome to the Black Parade part two. I was pleasantly surprised to find that my assumptions were completely wrong. My Chem managed to completely update their sound on this record, it’s very current… maybe even trendy (occasional hints of electro-pop in several songs). Danger Days is a solid rock album, and while undoubtedly more pop than any of the band’s other records, they stayed true to themselves and it has a lot of heart – exactly what albums by their peers who attempted to go the same route have always lacked (cough, The Used).
Favorite: The Only Hope For Me Is You

7. KINGS OF LEON, “COME AROUND SUNDOWN”
Check out my full review!

6. GORILLAZ, “PLASTIC BEACH”

When an album is this good, I can completely excuse the fact that it took five years to make. Plastic Beach is incredible and totally genre bending while still being a cohesive and well thought out album. I love the mix of hip hop, pop, indie and electronic on this and how brilliantly they combine all three. I absolutely love the collaborations, especially “Empire Ants” and “To Binge” with Little Dragon. This record has so much to offer that I imagine it must be impossible to grow tired of it. I sure haven’t.
Favorite: Glitter Freeze

 

to be continued…

Kid Cudi, Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager OFFICIAL tracklisting

Act 1: The World I Am Ruling
1. Scott Mescudi Vs The World feat. Cee-Lo (Producted by Emile)
2. REVOFEV (Producted by Plain Pat)

ACT 2: A Stronger Trip
3. Don’t Play This Song feat. Mary J. Blige (Producted by Emile)
4. We Aite (Wake Your Mind Up) (Producted by Emile)
5. Marijuana (Producted by Dot Da Genius)
6. Mojo So Dope (Producted by Emile)

Act 3; Party On
7. Ashin’ Kusher (Producted by Chuck English)
8. Erase Me feat. Kanye West (Producted by Jim Jonsin)
9. Wild’n Cuz Im Young (Producted by Plain Pat)
10. The Mood (Producted by Emile)

Act 4: The Transformation
11. MANIAC feat. Cage & St. Vincent (Producted by Anthony Killhoffer)
12. Mr. Rager (Producted by Emile)
13. These Worries feat. Mary J. Blige (Producted by Emile)
14. The End feat. GLC, Chip Tha Ripper & Nicole Wray (Produced by Blended Babies)

Act 5: You Live & You Learn
15. All Along (Producted by Emile)
16. GHOST! (Producted by Emile)
17. Trapped In My Mind (Producted by Dot Da Genius)

Two Mary J collabs… wasn’t expecting that, but I cannot wait for this album to drop on November 9th. Just a few more weeks!

xx K

Kings of Leon, Come Around Sundown review

4/5 stars.
release date: October 19, 2010.

Come Around Sundown, the fifth studio album from Southern rockers, Kings of Leon, was easily my most anticipated album of the year. Its predecessor, Only by the Night will likely be one of my favorite albums of all time until the day I die and continues to blow me away every single time I listen to it, even two years after its release. Consequently, the Tennessee-native Followill brothers (and cousin) set the bar sky high for themselves while writing and recording the followup to their most commercially successful record.

Only a few songs into the record, it becomes apparent that the 13-track release was carefully crafted to be a crowd pleaser, bridging the gap between the raw, disheveled garage-rock sound of earlier albums like Aha Shake Heartbreak and the crisp, clean and calculated mainstream sound of Only by the Night. Where old school KOL fans were disappointed by the pop percussion of “Sex on Fire” and the squeaky-clean, though still authentic vocals of “Use Somebody,” they’ll find themselves pleased with new tracks like “No Money,” a gritty, guitar-driven tune where Caleb Followill‘s vocals sound lazy and unrehearsed, but soulful enough to convince the audience of his longing when he repeats, “I got no money/But I want you so.” Fans of the band’s poppier, mainstream sound will find solace in songs like “Pony Up,” an undeniably poppy melody reminiscent of summer. If it wasn’t for C. Followill’s unique croon, this song could find itself right at home on an All American Rejects record.

The bass-heavy opening track, ironically titled “The End” begins with an immediately catchy, thumping beat that resolves into perfectly balanced verses and a simple chorus: “this could be the end,” echoed by the same hazy and almost hypnotizing guitar effects used on many tracks on OBTN, like “Closer.” Though “The End” isn’t as epic of an opener as “Closer” was, it’s easily a favorite, along with the head bob-inducing “Mi Amigo” and “Mary,” in which the Followills take a stab at a rockabilly sound.

On the other hand, there are a handful of songs on Come Around Sundown that are complete misses. “Radioactive,” the album’s lead single is unbelievably simple and very unimaginative, especially for KOL. Additionally, after multiple listens, songs like “Beach Side” and “Birthday” can barely be recalled, with the exception of the less than impressive lyrical content of “Birthday.” The country genre is very hard for me to swallow in general, so “Back Down South,” a very country-driven ballad where the heavy guitars are replaced with a fiddle, hasn’t sat well with me either.

Come Around Sundown isn’t quite as genius as the last one from Kings of Leon, but it’s an undeniably solid album that has something for everyone.

favorites: “Pickup Truck” – Gorgeous melody with soft verses and an explosive chorus. Wonderful way to finish off the album.

“The Immortals” – This song is kind of a mess. Bass-heavy verses to groove to and a chorus that completely contradicts said verses- it’s epic in an Aerosmith, power ballad kind of way. I love the mix.

Catch ‘em on SNL this weekend!

xx K

Katy Perry, Teenage Dream review

3.5/5 stars.
release date: August 24, 2010.

“It’s 90’s! It’s Roller skating! It’s Ace of Base! It’s Cyndi Lauper! It’s Ace of Base! It’s like all these colors and more.”

This was hitmaker Katy Perry’s description of her follow up to multi-platinum One of the Boys — back in March, when Teenage Dream was likely just a bunch of demos and ideas.

After finally getting my hands on Teenage Dream, (the cover features a hand-painted picture of Perry, nude in a clump of cotton candy clouds by artist Will Cotton, and the physical copy is cotton-candy scented, too) I have to say that I almost completely disagree.

Aside from “California Gurls,” deemed song of the summer, the 90’s influence is hard to come by on the 14-track sophomore album. Perry had also mentioned repeatedly that the record was influenced by The Cardigans and ABBA, and though that evidence is missing as well, Teenage Dream is a colorful, well-rounded pop album, possibly even the best pop album released this year.

Perry evolves in Teenage Dream, from the snarky, poppier side of pop punk that is depicted on One of the Boys, into a more melodic, happy-go-lucky pop sound with melodies and hooks that are so sugary sweet, you’d be quicker to think think she would be singing about sunshine and rainbows rather than getting wasted and having a ménage a trios in “Last Friday Night” and experiencing wistful nostalgia of a past relationship in “The One that Got Away.”

The record isn’t completely cavity inducing, though, with the darker subject matter and rock-driven “Circle the Drain,” an ode to an ex-boyfriend (guess who) with a drug habit that Perry grew tired of. The Tricky Stewart produced “Who Am I Living For?” ventures the farthest from the safe, bubble gum pop depicted on the other 11 tracks, but it’s easily a favorite, with sophisticated production, a mix of electro-pop loops, heavy R&B-esque beats and lyrics that offer a bit more substance than the typical pop song, not to mention Perry’s raw vocals are portrayed beautifully.

Aside from “Pearl,” a slower song that would be a miss for me if it wasn’t for the beautiful, well-written lyrics that may be one of Perry’s best penned songs, practically every song on Teenage Dream is single-worthy and could easily crack the top ten. “Peacock” and “Firework,” already confirmed third single, are the most obvious single choices on the record. “Peacock” is absurdly infectious and naughty in a nonchalant way that will make listeners want to sing along just to get away with the double entendre. The track will be welcomed with open arms in the club scene and strays far from Perry’s sound on One of the Boys.

“Firework,” an inspiring lift-me-up tune, and Perry’s favorite, will have the greatest success of all of the singles she has ever released, including “I Kissed a Girl.” Mark my words, this song will be on the radio for years long after its novelty has worn off, likely on that easy listening station your parents listen to. Perry recently shot the music video for “Firework” in Budapest. The video, in which Perry shares the screen with real fans, is rumored to be released toward the end of this month or the middle of November.

Teenage Dream ends the typical way a pop album does – an emotional ballad (the only on the album) that shows Perry in a moment of vulnerability, “Not Like the Movies.” The only difference between the slow song at the end of this record and the slow songs at the end of other pop records is that this one doesn’t suck. Stripped of all of the chaotic production on other tracks, Perry’s vocals are raw and unedited and careful not to overpower the already theatrical lyrics.

favorites: “Hummingbird Heartbeat” – Possibly the only song on the record that is even slightly reminiscent of the One of the Boys sound, aside from “Teenage Dream.” Kids listening to this one probably wouldn’t catch how risque the lyrics actually are.

“Milk Milk Lemonade” – Not a favorite, but here’s a song initially recorded for Teenage Dream that didn’t make the cut. It’s a bit silly, quite perverted, but who actually takes Perry completely seriously? “You say I got the ripest melons on the street…”

Perry will tour on Teenage Dream in 2011, with international dates already confirmed from February to April. California Dreams will also include American and Australian dates.

Better start saving my pennies now; there’s no way this tour will be dirt cheap like the Hello Katy Tour was.

xx K

Kid Cudi’s music video for new single, “Erase Me”

Kid Cudi channels his inner rocker in the video for the first single off of his upcoming sophomore album, “Erase Me.” The video co-stars actor Christopher Mintz-Plasse (much better known as McLovin) as a bandmate in the 70′s-esque rock band that Cudi fronts, while donning a Hendrix look, complete with the headband and ‘fro. The video contains all of the clichés associated with a rock band: booze, ridiculously attractive women in high numbers and an annoying, yet ego-boosting journalist.

Wearing a crown of golden leaves rather than a crown of thorns, Kanye appears toward the end for his verse, and thankfully only has about a minute of screen time since he barely does anything for the video’s rock vibe. Check out the video below:

On the magazines and the TV is right, as Cudi is just beginning promotion for his new album, Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager, which hits stores on November 9th. This month, Cudi covers Complex magazine and reveals that he already has plans for his third album, his upcoming side project with electronic duo Ratatat, getting kicked off of the tour with Lady GaGa. Here are some excerpts:

 

Complex: Do you think there will be a time when you focus more on acting than music?

Kid Cudi: I have no desire to rap. It’s child’s play to me. I used to beat myself up about people saying that I couldn’t rap—but then I realized that my raps are so fucking advanced, I can’t expect people to get them. And people will still be like, “no, nigga, it’s because your raps are so weak.” I’m not trying to fancy you with different ways to speak the English language. I’m telling you some stories. If you don’t like the stories, okay, fine. But by no means is my shit wack; by no means can I not rap. And that’s why this shit is no fun to me. I’ve already proven to myself, “Scott, you’re good, you’ve delivered on the rap front.” I don’t need to prove that to anyone else. My fans will tell you all day that I can rap. That’s all I need.

Complex: Is that why you’re getting more into fusing rap with rock?

Kid Cudi: Yes, because it’s more fun, it’s a new thing for me to accomplish. It’s really dope people are riding with me, people are taking that journey, I know it’s hard for people to follow along with an artist like me, because I can do so much and have so many different styles.

Complex: Where do you see your third album going?

Kid Cudi: Oh, I plan on doing a rock album. I’ll probably start that shit now. Also, I plan on putting my music out for free. If I could right now, I’d put this album out for free. I don’t think it’s right to sell it, it’s too good, people just need to have it. It’s like the Bible. Why people sell the Bible when it’s supposed to be the word? A lot of people think I’m crazy, but if you think about it, I’m not making any money off that shit anyway. I make money off of shows. I’ll put my music out for free and tour for long as fuck. [Laughs.] I’m going to start my own band, and me and RATATAT are forming our own band, that’s its own thing. My next shit is going to sound like Boston, Cheap Trick, and Jim Morrison all thrown into one. It’s going to be real and authentic.

Complex: When you dropped “Cudder Is Back,” a lot of people got psyched about it. But you’re never one to really drop a lot of freestyles.

Kid Cudi: I just be doing that shit for fun, to show niggas I’m nice. I remember I heard Cam say that shit a long time ago. He was like “man, I just be rapping to show niggas I’m nice.” I thought that was so cool. I was like, “I can’t wait ’til I don’t feel like I need to rap because I’m too nice.” And just as I was telling you before, a lot of people that say I can’t rap or whatever, it just took me recently to realize that it’s not that I can’t rap, it’s that my shit is too advanced for niggas to even fathom or imagine it. You know what I’m saying? It’s like a couple years ago, niggas was just like, “aww, this fag and these tight pants!” You know what I’m saying? Niggas just couldn’t imagine everyone else wearing pants that were form-fitting. Now look. You know what I’m saying? So with the freestyles, I just do it for fun. If I hear something that I like, I’m rapping on it. Just like with the “All Talk” shit. Me and Big Chip were in the studio just doing shrooms, hanging out. You know we had some people there, just kicking it. That’s why my voice is like that. I’m fucked up. Like have you noticed my tone on the song? I’m so fucked up.

 

PS, I’m baaaaack.

xx Krystal

Travie McCoy, “Lazarus” review

3/5 stars.
release date: June 8, 2010

Thanks to popular Gym Class Heroes singles like “Cupid’s Chokehold,” “Clothes Off” and “Cookie Jar,” a lot of us are familiar with 28-year-old Travis “Travie” McCoy‘s sometimes humorous, sometimes earth’s-core deep, always honest rhymes. McCoy already writes much of GCH’s material and as the frontman, he already takes the spotlight for the band. When I first heard of his solo project, I had to wonder why and also feared that McCoy was pulling a Beyonce. Thankfully, according to recent interviews, McCoy promises that Gym Class Heroes doesn’t plan on stopping because of his new project.

Here is a word of advice for those who have yet to hear McCoy’s debut record, Lazarus: Don’t expect another Gym Class Heroes record.

It’s common for artists who break off from their groups for solo projects to swear up and down that their solo work will be much different, much more personal, yada, yada, so on and so forth. It’s rarely the case, but aside from hit single “Billionaire” featuring Bruno Mars and songs in which McCoy is accompanied by familiar acts, “Dr. Feel Good” featuring Cee-Lo Green, and “The Manual” featuring T-Pain (and his autotune), the remaining seven tracks truly have no business being on a Gym Class record.

McCoy works his vocal chords more than he ever has before, as most of the tracks on this relatable, summer record are sung rather than rapped, and McCoy actually has some decent pipes. “Critical,” a ballad-like pop rock ditty and the quicker “After Midnight (It’ll Burn)” some up this album’s rock/funk sound, although Lazarus is truly all over the place genre-wise. Another track, “Superbad” contains a John Mayer reference, hip hop-esque verses and explodes into a loud, anthem-like chorus with a hard rock influence. This song reminded me a lot of a Linkin Park song… minus the suck.

This record didn’t really blow me away like As Cruel As School Children and The Quilt did, but it contains many gems, it’s phenomenally unique and impossible to entirely categorize by genre, and does an absolutely incredible job of really showing another side to McCoy that both Gym Class fans and new fans will appreciate.

favorites: “After Midnight (It’ll Burn)” – Album opener, fast-paced song that would probably be received well at a house party.
“The Manual” – A chill, acoustic track for Gym Class fans that crave the hip hop side of McCoy. I really enjoy T-Pain’s chorus.
“Need You” – A rock-driven, personal one with a ridiculously infectious chorus that many will be able to relate to. This one really shows off his voice.

xx Krystal

Katy Perry, California Gurls VIDEO PREVIEW!

Katy Perry‘s lead single, California Gurls off of her sophomore album, Teenage Dream hitting stores on August 24th more or less exploded from the second it was released. Although the single has yet to reach a #1 spot, it has been bouncing back and forth between #2 and #3. Here is a preview for the candy-themed video she shot last month. Snoop is present!

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE CALIFORNIA GURLS PREVIEW!

Seems to me like Perry is ditching her guitar, mic stand and rock roots for choreography, back-up dancers and singers for this poppier record. Although she has warned fans subtly over the past few months about her changing image, it’s a little awkward and she’s on the verge of being a try-hard right now. I think she needs to leave the dancing alone, channel her inner Alanis and let someone else do Britney.

The video looks like it’ll be funny though, and Perry’s humor is a component of her image that is likely to stick around despite her evolving from album to album.

The full video for California Gurls is out on June 10th!

xx K

Sky Ferreira’s debut single, “One” review.

4/5 stars.
release date: June 1, 2010 (officially on Youtube)

Take a good look at this face and get ready to hear a whole lot about newcomer, Sky Ferreira. Just 17 years old, Ferreira is signed with EMI and currently working on her debut album which is slated for a 2010 release. This is the chick that apparently made the late Michael Jackson cry when she once sang for him!

Ferreira has already created an impressive internet buzz with her viral video for “17,” a great introduction to both her music and image. The video and song both make it clear why Disney never wanted Ferreira like the rest of her peers – not that she was barking up that tree to begin with.

The debut single, One, produced by Bloodshy & Avant (amazing producers responsible for a bunch of Britney tunes we all know and love) is electropop like everything else on the radio, of course, but musically offers a bit more than a Jason Derulo or Ke$ha song. Lyrically, this ditty won’t boggle your mind or anything, but the production on this song is incredible. In fact, I feel like it almost may be a little too smart for the radio. Although Ferreira’s sweet, poppy vocals help add the elements needed for a Top 40 radio-friendly tune (if that’s the route Ferreira & marketing co. plan to take), I’m having a hard time imagining One blaring from my car stereo after a commercial. Nevertheless, I can’t wait for an instrumental version of this to be released. It reminds me a lot of the English electronic group, Hot Chip.

The lack of depth in the lyrics (I might be expecting too much from a pop song, though) and the weird autotune/voice effects are what keep this song from being flawless. Ferreira has a beautiful, unusual voice, and sadly, One doesn’t show it off, whatsoever. Here’s to hoping that the songs on her album showcase her voice instead of burying it beneath autotune and effects.

“One”

New Lady Gaga video, “Alejandro” preview.

A preview for Lady Gaga‘s much anticipated music video for Alejandro premiered tonight on Larry King Live. The full video is set to premiere on June 7th. It already looks better than Gaga’s last video for Telephone. The video for Telephone was extremely chaotic, and although Chaos might as well be Gaga’s middle name, I think she shines brighter without all of the crazy props and jam-packed storylines.

What do you think?

Alejandro was also voted the official summer jam of 2010 on a MTV.com poll, defeating Katy Perry‘s California Gurls, 3oh!3 feat. Ke$ha‘s My First Kiss, Usher‘s OMG and B.o.B feat. Hayley Williams‘ Airplanes. I don’t hear a summer influence in Alejandro at all. It sounds more like a song for autumn to me…

xx K