New Music Tuesday: VV Brown, Dan Black & More

And I wonder where all of my money goes...in addition to dropping just over $100 on that Girls Aloud Singles Boxed Set, I bought some full length albums as well this week. Here's the rundown...

Regina Spektor - Far: I love, love LOVE this album. I really got hooked on Regina Spektor with her commercially successful single "Fidelity" (another thank you owed to "Grey's Anatomy") but I went back and started listening to some of her older stuff as well. I liked it. While I still prefer Begin To Hope, to previous effort, Soviet Kitsch - Far may be my new favorite. I was surprised to read that Jacknife Lee produced a few tracks on the album. Why surprised? Because I knew Jacknife Lee as a remixer only! He did remixes for Christina Aguilera's "Can't Hold Us Down," Pink's "Just Like A Pill" and U2's "Vertigo" to name a few.

Top Tracks: "Laughing With," "Wallet," "One More Time With

Feeling," "Dance Anthem Of The 80's"

Check Out Regina Spektor on the web: Official Site//MySpace//YouTube

VV Brown - Travelling Like The Light: [SEE PREVIOUS POST FOR FULL REVIEW] I ordered the debut album from British artist VV Brown on Monday morning from CDWOW, in addition to two other CDs.

Top Tracks: "Shark In The Water," "Crying Blood," "L.O.V.E.," "I Love You"

Check Out VV Brown on the web: Official Site//MySpace//Facebook//Bebo//YouTube//Twitter

La Roux - Self Titled: As for La Roux, I don't know much about them, other than what I've read and what I've heard. I know I love singles "In For The Kill," "Quicksand," and "Bulletproof," as well as all of the associated remixes. I also know that I love Elly Jackson's vocals and personal style. Finally...I know that I'm disappointed that La Roux isn't coming to Boston as part of their small U.S. tour. My hope is that this tour is just a small teaser and that they will be back. Next single in the UK is "I'm Not Your Toy," and I'm looking forward to familiarizing myself with that track as well as the rest of the album.

Check out La Roux on the web: Official Site//MySpace//Facebook//YouTube

Dan Black - ((Un)): You've heard me rave about Dan Black as well. Well, truth be told, other than this online sampler that's been floating around (including the now defunct single "Hypntz" - a cover of Notorious B.I.G.'s "Hypnotize") and clips of his new single "Symphonies," I don't know the first thing about Dan Black! I know he's cute and talented. I also know that I like his style of electro-pop and that he has HUGE remix potential. He kind of reminds me of Sam Sparro, another electro-pop artist that I enjoy. Like La Roux, Dan Black is another artist I am looking forward to familiarizing myself with. Check out previous singles "Alone," "Yours" and the acoustic version of "U + Me =". Order the album HERE.

Check out Dan Black on the web: Official Site//MySpace//YouTube//Twitter

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AND THERE'S MORE...on iTunes today I purchased the new Shakira single "She Wolf," the long-awaited digital remix EP of "It's Your Love" from Melinda Doolittle, "First Train Home" from Imogen Heap and a couple "Love In July" remixes by Sally Shapiro.

What a week! And it's only Tuesday! Ha! I think I'm good for a little while...at least until the new Jordin Sparks album drops on July 21st.

Any other new music I should check out?

Album Review: VV Brown - Travelling Like The Light

Surprise, surprise. I adore the entire VV Brown album, Travelling Like The Light. I knew that I would. There are a couple of strong contenders for follow up singles to "Shark In The Water," but before I get into that I wanted to discuss one of my pleasant surprises...and that is the STRONG retro-influence on the album!

When I first saw photos of VV Brown, I loved the whole vintage/retro vibe she had going on. Why was this vintage throw-back sound missing in her music? Don't get me wrong...I loved "Crying Blood," "Leave!" and of course, "Shark In The Water," but there wasn't much old soul coming out musically. While I wasn't expecting a "new Amy Winehouse" (come on now...how many artists can we peg as the "new Amy Winehouse"?) I was kind of expecting more of an obvious influence from jazz greats like Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan. Well, upon listening to the album...rest assured...that old school vibe I was expecting is very much present. Perhaps I was judging a book by it's cover...VV looks the part of a 50s gum-chomping, soda-fountain-frequenting girl, but with an edgy soul-tinged rock voice to boot. Who knew! There's a lot of soul in there and it definitely makes more than one appearance throughout the album.

Tracks like "Crazy Amazing," "Travelling Like The Light," "Game Over," "I Love You," "L.O.V.E." and "Quick Fix" all are saturated with old school soul, mixed with some rock & roll. That's almost the entire album, with the exception of the 3 released singles. Even in re-listening to the singles (especially "Crying Blood"), there's an oldie-but-a-goodie vibe going on. It's almost like I expected one thing and was listening so hard for it that I missed it completely. I'm wondering in fact, if the singles were chosen by the label because they were the LEAST retro-sounding? Who knows. I'm just ready for this lady to do a U.S. club tour! Come on Island/Universal! Send her across the pond!

All in all, this a very strong debut album from the 26 year old Brown. My choice for a new single...either "Everybody," "L.O.V.E." or to slow things down a bit..."I Love You." VV...I'm hooked on you.

Check out VV Brown on the web: Official Site////Myspace//Facebook//Bebo//YouTube//Twitter