The Verve - Forth

Is it just me, or all the 90's British bands coming back. Like Oasis and The Verve. You probably remember The Verve from their hit single "Bittersweet Symphony". It was one of the big hit in the 90's and used in lots of teen dramas (a little late. Don't you think).

Now from nowhere they have come out the closet to make a Coldplay replication of an album that does not have much originality.

I'm just going to let you know that I was anticipating this album. For one I thought "hey maybe they will get better with time". But they did not.

The album to my ears just sounds like a band way past their prime trying to get back into the spotlight. But frankly they will have a better chance of being into my house nightlite. (Choice Cuts: Love Is Noise)

Rating: 23/100 (I know most will find that I am being hard on them. But it just is not worth the money in my opinion. And is very much a dissapointment)

Lykke Li - Youth Novels

How is it that Sweeden keeps popping out Indie Pop? To tell you the truth I never really payed attention to Sweeden as a music powerhouse. But since Robyn they have been on my radar. Now we have another Lykke Li.

Born in Stolkholm, Sweedem. She grew up with hippie parents who played in Jazz bands.

Her debut has been hyped by such publications such as Rolling Stone, Blender etc... And it seems it sort of deserves it. Her hit "Little Bit" is one of the highlights of the album. But the rest of the album seems like a group of songs just trying to match the quality of her hit. Which is not all bad. "Tonight" is another good song which sounds like a European pop star would have made.

I don't know if I would reccomend this album, but for pop fans they probably will like this album.
(Choice Cuts: "Little Bit", "Tonight" and "Dance, Dance, Dance")

Rating: 67/100 (Its a good album. But not great.)

Solange - Sol-Angel And The Hadley St. Dreams

Its usually a good thing coming into the music industry with a sibling who has previously reached a high amount of commercial success. But it seemed not to be so when Solange Knowles (sister of Beyonce) first album was released. It under-achieved and many were wondering if she was going to release another. She has. And it is much better than her debut.

If the one thing Solange has that her sister Beyonce does not it is that she has substance. Her music does not seemed to be packaged and wrapped with a bow on it. It seems more like raw talent.

In terms of their voices. It seems like their voices are exact replications of the other. They have that same sort of range and it sounds pretty good.

It seems that Solange has finally stepped out of her sister shadow and given it to us with love.

But its not all good in the world of Solange. The slow-jam moments just lag the albums progression and you might as well just skip those. (Choice Cuts: Sandcastle Disco, I Decided Pt.2 and Ode to Marvin)

Rating: 62/100 (A good album just too many slow tracks to make a 80% album)

This Weem On Amplifier Reviews...

I will probably be reviewing the following albums:

1. Lykke Li "Youth Novels" (Released August 19th 2008)

2. The Verve "Forth"

3. Solange "Sol-Angel And The Hadley St. Dreams"

4. The Week That Was "The Week That Was"

I was going to review Slipknot but I don't have any credibility or real knowledge. But my friends who like Slipknot said the album was pretty good.

Shwayze - Shwayze

I can't ever find in recent memory an artist/group that was on an MTV show that was actually good. This is no different with Rap/Acoustic/... Shwayze. Their lyrics consist of chessy L.A. love songs that only 12 year old boys would find somewhat good.

Their only actually average song is "Corona and Lime". It has a rather good chorus and lets face it's a summer hit and it sort of deserves it.

But no other lyric this year is this bad as on "Lazy Days" it goes a little something like this:

"...Walkin' through malibu not a thing to do/
Got a find a fine young little girl to screw..."

Need I say anymore... (Choice Cut: Corona and Lime)


Rating: 16/100 (Let's face it lyrics are horrible and the tune is not at all fresh)

Pink - So What (Single)

I am amazed that Pink has still has some sort of credibility. Her music over the years has deliberately tried to make Pop and Rock fans alike happy with her music.

Her first single from her upcoming album is no different. It has a wimpy/predictable 'riff' with a poppy chorus that just won't leave your head. I don't usually say people are posers but Pink I believe is one of the biggest.

I do appreciate some of her work like "Dear Mr. President" but other than that her music to me is garbage. If you want real pop listen to Robyn or rock listen to the other 1,000,000 musicians who make it better than her. I don't hate her, I just hate her music.

Rating: 21/100 (Garbage)

Ra Ra Riot - The Rhumb Line

Who ever thought of the group name Ra Ra Riot? Whoever did it is genius. This is the debut from Syracuse, New York band that has garnered crititical acclaim from such publications as Rolling Stone, The New York Times, Entertainment Weekly and many others.

This is an interesting release because their drummer had died from drowning in July 2007. But most of the album was cut previous to his tragic death. Their are some track names that are kind of foreshadowing his death like "Dying Is Fine" and "Ghost Under Rocks" since his body was found in a bay.

The sound of this album is interesting and fairly arty because of lots of violin that make them create an original sound. This band recalls in my mind Bedouin Soundclash without the Afro-Pop mixed with violin. Which makes this debut pretty interesting and fantastic. This album is more than an indie album. Its an album that represents life for others after death. ( Choice Cuts: "Each Year", "Can You Tell" and "Too Too Too Fast")

Rating: 91/100 (A brilliant debut!)

This Week On Amplifier Reviews...

I will be reviewing the following:

1. Lady Gaga "The Fame"

2. Ra Ra Riot "The Rhumb Line"

3. Pink "So What"

4. Staind "The Illusions of Progress"

5. Shwayze "Shwayze"

6. Lindstrom "Where You Go I Go Too [EP]"

Kreesha Turner - Passion

Needless to say the Canadian music community has always brought up artists to be compared to their American counterparts. Recently Kreesha Turner an artist from Alberta, Canada has been compared to mostly Rihanna.

That comparison between the two has just been broken with her debut "Passion". It has a mix of slow jams and songs that just want to make you dance. But when I listen to the album it seems she is at her best when she does more up-tempo tracks rather than the more slower tracks. (Choice Cuts: Chains of Love and Don't Call Me Baby)

The Pack A.D. - Funeral Mixtape

It seems like we have a White Stripes clone band on our hands. Everything about this group screams White Stripes. The loud drums, the quirky vocals and heck lets just throw it out there they have 2 members.

The greatest example of their WS sound is the track "Don't Have To Like You" where the 3 examples I listed are at their most boldest.

But thankfully for them I love the White Stripes and this to me is to keep me sane until (hopefully) their next album.

They are their own band and show it on some great tracks like "Worried" and "Underground". But the best cut of the album is "Dannemora Blues". Where the lead singer almost sounds like Cat Power with a little more of a rocker kick and a little less breathy vocals.

Overall this album is above mediocre but a little less from great. If you like the White Stripes say hello to White Stripes "J.R."

Rating: 71/100 (Give it a chance and it could be a favorite record of the year...)

Jonas Brothers - A Little Bit Longer

The mass hysteria that follows the Jonas Brothers has been compared to The Beatles and other mega groups of that time. But most of the time that hysteria was justified. But it seems the Jonas Brothers mega-fame has been contributed to one thing their looks. Until now.

Their newest release is a big step up from their previous record "Jonas Brothers". But it still seems how do you say...dull. After the first few songs on the album grasp your attention because it feels like something new. But as the record progresses it get more and more dull. Another problem with the record is that Nick Jonas' voice still needs developing because it still sounds whinny.

Although their are some great cuts like "A Little Bit Longer", "Tonight", "Burnin' Up" and "Lovebug". But it seems that they either hit it out of the park or just strike out... Their are no in between when it come to the Jonas Brothers. But I would not give up on them yet. They show some promise as a Power-Pop group with their catchy hooks. But for now its just mediocre.

Rating: 65/100 (They rock out sometimes and are good sometimes...)

Divine Brown - The Love Chronicles

Most of Canada has already been introduced to Divine Brown. Through her track "Old School Love". But it seemed her debut had so much potential but was sort of a disappointment. But this album is 100% better than her debut! Her voice is more sultry and you are in no short stalk of those high notes (because of her 5 octave voice). So in short this is everything a R&B record should be. But its not only R&B on this record it has tons of Funk that is reminiscent of Erykah Badu. Its a shame that this album will probably not be a commercial success like other great albums. But even if she does not sell alot I don't think this is the last time you will hear from her.

Rating: 87/100 (This record and the Erykah Badu record is R&B like no other this year)

(To Be Released: August 19th [Canada])

My Current Guilty Pleasures...

Everyone has them. That poppy jam that comes on Top 40 radio that you can't help sing-a-long to. But hide like your unwanted child. I admit it, I listen to Top 40 radio occasionally. I listen sometimes painfully but sometimes singing along like never before. So here is the list of my favorite guilty pleasures:

1. Kid Rock "All Summer Long"



It's practically impossible to say you like this song without sounding like a dork. Another reason its a guilty pleasure is it's Kid Rock. But I can't help but sing along with this rip-off of "Sweet Home Alabama".


2. Jonas Brothers "Burnin' Up"



It's a typical tween anthem from the Disney Corp. . It's as catchy as herpes and so darn cute you just have to have some sort of liking toward it. Even those you deny ever hearing of it. (I will reviewing their sophomore album "A Little Bit Longer" this week)

3. Duffy "Mercy"



I know she has received some critical acclaim but as a straight male. How do you tell your friends you listen to Duffy? Never thats how. I knew about her since she made it big in the UK but ever since shes made it onto North American radio I've been an even bigger Duffy fan. So much so that I went to a festival she was at and pushed and shoved 13 girls out of the way to get a close up.

4. Estelle feat. Kanye West "American Boy"



Like Duffy she has been received well by critics but still... Have you heard that beat!? It's so poppy and infectious that when you hear it around your friends it's like going into withdrawals from not tapping your feet and dancing. (I thought her album was great...not as poppy as this cut)

5. Madonna "Give It 2 Me"



I am one of the biggest closeted Madonna fans ever. Just this year on my blog I came out and said it "I love Madonna's album Hard Candy". It's kind of embarrassing that I think it is one of the best albums of the year (I know, right!) . This cut from her album has been a hit up here in Canada and its dance feel recalls her previous album "Confessions On The Dancefloor". If I were to give one reason why it is a guilty pleasure is...its Madonna!

So their you have it take a listen to these tracks and tell me what you think... What are your favorite guilty pleasures???

This Week On Amplifier Reviews...

I will be reviewing the following reviews...

1. The Pack A.D. "Funeral Mixtape"

2. Kreesha Turner 'Passion'

3. The Subways 'All or Nothing'

I probably will review more but I just can't come up with them...

Re: Has Rolling Stone Lost Its Touch

(Here is the article in which I am making a response to)

Once I had read this article needless to say I reflected on this. I am a loyal subscriber to Rolling Stone magazine and anxiously await every 2 weeks for the sound of my mailbox opening and closing and sometimes looking for the mailman down the street like a 7 year old child. Here and their I am pleasantly surprised by their reporting and reviews. But all in all only around 20% of their articles/reviews are even worth reading. Which is pretty disappointing. Another complaint about the magazine in the past few years is it has become advertisement heavy rather than article heavy. I actually counted my latest issue and how many ads their actually are and I came up with 58 ads in a magazine with 111 pages. That is more than 1 ad for every 2 pages! I also agree that lately Rolling Stone has been off with several reviews. Such as:

1. N.E.R.D. 'Seeing Sounds' (underrated)
2. Amy Winehouse 'Back to Black' (underrated)
3. Bruce Springsteen 'Magic' (yeah it was good...but 5 stars!)
4. Adele '19' (underrated)

Yeah I have been disappointed with the magazine lately. But I don't think it's lost all its credibility. In my opinion I still think that it is a landmark for a musician to be on the cover. So I won't unsubscribe from the magazine. If it does lose all it credibility I will. So be careful Rolling Stone your going down a slippery slope...

I'm Back!

I've missed my blog so much! So here are some albums I missed... (I will only be giving the rating + a comment)

1. The Faint 'Fascination' 62/100 (Electro infused Alternative...average)

2. Randy Newman 'Harps and Angels' 79/100 (His unmistakable voice is still in mint condition and I'm digging it)

3. Conor Oberst 'Conor Oberst' 67/100 (It's a good debut...nothing more in my opinion)

4. Lloyd 'Lessons In Love' 40/100 (Trying to be like the King of Pop too much and its just undercooked)

5. Yo Majesty 'Kryptonite P***y - EP' 80/100 (Hyper active Hip-Hop and I love it (but its not for all)

So thats about it...