In My Stocking...

Let the post holiday spending begin! Last week I got myself a pair of the BOSE ear buds. So far so good. The sound quality is excellent and they are very comfortable. I think they are quieter than my iPod ear buds which is also a plus. I don't want anyone to tell me to turn my music down AND there's nothing I dislike more than hearing someone elses music on the train or bus.

In addition, I did a little shopping on CDWow.com. They were having a post-holiday 40% - 80% off sale for CDs, DVDs and other things, running till New Years Eve. With their free shipping and large selection of imports, I thought I'd stock up. Here's the rundown on what I got:

CHERYL COLE - 3 WORDS

I've been listening to Cheryl Cole's album non-stop since it leaked. It's really a quality pop album, if you ask me. While there is a little bit too much of will.I.Am for my liking, the tracks are all solid. I'm absolutely loving the second single, "3 Words," featuring Mr. will.I.Am. The video for that single is absolutely stunning. I also dig the forthcoming 3rd single which has been announced as "Parachute." Check out Cheryl on the cover of UK music magazine, Q, on newsstands now. Hot Tracks: "3 Words," "Parachute," "Fight For This Love," "Rain On Me," "Heaven"

ALICIA KEYS - ELEMENT OF FREEDOM

I haven't purchased an Alicia Keys album since her debut. I'm honestly not too sure why I purchased this, her fourth album. Keys is undoubtedly talented but lately her genre of music as a whole just hasn't impressed me that much. I think that given my state of mind of late, more mellow sounds are calming and relaxing to me, rather than the driving dance/electro beats that I've craved up until now. I'm always on the lookout for that next emotional ballad to unlock the waterworks in my eyes. With Keys' knack for writing emotive and passionate songs, combined with her crazy piano and vocal skills - it's pretty safe to assume that there are some cry-worthy songs on this album. Hot Tracks: "Doesn't Mean Anything," "Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart," "Wait Til You See Me Smile," "Love Is My Disease," "Put It In A Love Song," "Through It All," "Empire State Of Mind (Part II) Broken Down," "Un-Thinkable (I'm Ready)"

LEONA LEWIS - ECHO

Leona Lewis' second album has been growing on me in the months since my initial review. The more I listen to Echo, the more easily I am able to connect to it. My initial complaint was that there weren't enough up-tempo numbers, with Lewis instead resorting to her standard brand of "boring" ballads. Perhaps that was unfair. There's definitely a place for big ballads. Not every artist needs to sing up-tempo Gaga-esque dance tracks. At this time in my life, I need all of the big, beautiful sad ballads I can get my hands on. I guess you can say that this purchase was an emotional one. Leona releases "I Got You" next in the States and rumor has it that "Outta My Head" will serve as the next international single. Both are stand outs in my opinion. Hot Tracks: "I Got You," "Love Letter," "Fly Here Now," "Brave," "Alive," "Outta My Head," "Broken"

WILL YOUNG - THE HITS

Will Young is one of my biggest celebrity crushes. The handsome singer/actor has struck me ever since I first heard of him back when his career was just taking off in the UK. Not only is Young a talented singer, but he's also a role model, coming out as a gay man. He also had brilliant role in Mrs. Henderson Presents..., a beautiful little British film. It's hard to believe that this young talent (only 30 years old) has had four albums out since winning Pop Idol back in 2002. His greatest hits album (titled The Hits) features 12 songs taken from his first four albums, plus two new tracks - single "Hopes & Fears," and "If It Hadn't Been For Love." Young has a reportedly brilliant collaboration with Groove Armada and is rumored to be working on a more dance/electro album for his next project. Well...we know how well that turned out for Robbie Williams (see Rudebox) but I love Will and think a dance album will really suit his voice. Hot Tracks: "Leave Right Now," "Your Game," "Friday's Child," "Switch It On," "All Time Love," "Who Am I," "Changes," "Hopes & Fears"

ALEXANDRA BURKE - OVERCOME

I think Alexandra Burke's debut album was what I was looking for in Leona Lewis' second album. There are ballads but there are also plenty of up-tempo club friendly tracks. That being said, I think there's room for both artists. As I mentioned above, I've really become attached to Leona's Echo. Alexandra's album is definitely suited for the U.S. Top 40 market and may even get some play on U.S. R&B radio stations. Leona's album is definitely more suited for adult contemporary radio stations, though it seems to be getting some play on mainstream radio as well. Regardless, I have space on my iPod for both X-Factor winners. They both do their own thing and do it well. Burke will reportedly be re-tooling her debut album for U.S. markets, but will be releasing the same videos that have already seen a UK release. U.S. audiences can expect Burke's new album to drop sometime in 2010. Hot Tracks: "Bad Boys," "Broken Heels," "Nothing But The Girl," "You Broke My Heart," "Overcome," "It's Over"

In addition, I snagged these albums:

WHITNEY HOUSTON - I LOOK TO YOU

JOSS STONE - COLOUR ME FREE

THE SATURDAYS - WORDSHAKER

THE SATURDAYS - CHASING LIGHTS

ANNIE - DON'T STOP

JAMIE CULLUM - THE PURSUIT

DAVID GUETTA - ONE LOVE

Next week (January 5th) I'll likely be picking up brand new albums by Katharine McPhee (Unbroken) and the debut album, Animal by Ke$ha. Oh and January 26th sees the release of the much anticipated album The Sea by Corinne Bailey Rae. Lots of good music coming in the New Year.

Album Artwork Update

AHHH. More album artwork. Yay! Ironically enough, I just removed all of the artwork from my iPod as I needed to free up some space. Most of the artwork from this update comes to us from Coverlandia. The Bublé artwork comes directly from the artist's website, while other artwork comes to me from Cover-Mania. Enjoy!


Yummy. Michael Bublé's new album artwork has been unveiled and I love it. A nice pop of color. While the whole emergency tape artwork has been done before a few times, I love how it's framing his face. Who am I kidding, I am just looking for an excuse to drool over this guy...AND I'm excited that Mr. Bublé is releasing new material! The album, Crazy Love, comes out October 13th, preceded by lead single, "Haven't Met You Yet"out August 31st. Delicious.

This is the album artwork for French DJ, Producer & Singer Space Cowboy's (AKA Nick Dresti) brand new album, Digital Rock Star. Prior to hearing his recent RedOne-produced single, "Falling Down," which features guest vocals courtesy of Paradiso Girl Chelsea Korka - I wasn't aware that Space Cowboy had previous solo albums out. I quite enjoy the single (a remix EP was released on iTunes today) and I enjoy his remixes...so I'm excited about this release.

I blogged about the video for this song a little ways back and still love the song. I'm excited that Pixie Lott has herself a U.S. record deal. I hope and pray that we see some of here on this side of the pond. "Boys and Girls" is a catchy tune, and I'm loving the remix promo, which I purchased on Ebay - featuring remixes by Moto Blanco, Hot Pink Delorean and Fuzzy Logic.

This artwork is looking super cheesy. Mya looks like some sort of reality star hoochie, and the couch pattern isn't helping. This is the first single off her upcoming fall release, Beauty & The Streets Mixtape Volume 1. Featuring a guest appearance by Houston-based rapper Bun B, I haven't had the pleasure of listening to the track. I have liked some of Mya's past singles and there's no denying the girl's got talent...I'm just questioning everything about her styling in this artwork. The single is due to be released soon.

Finale night of American Idol Season 5 had one good outcome: Katharine McPhee. While she lost out to Taylor Hicks, McPhee emerged as the true talent. Her range and vocal strength impressed me and got me to call in, night after night. When she lost to Hicks, I was none too happy. Then she released her self-titled album. I wasn't much happier. I don't know how much creative control McPhee had over her album and how much RCA had...but the album was very empty for me. None of the songs connected with me. Everything sounded forced and contrived. I enjoyed the singles - "Over It" and "Love Story" (particularly the latter) but it was nothing new - nothing ground breaking.

When McPhee parted ways with her label and joined the Verve family- I was elated. "Had It All" is the debut single off of her upcoming second album, Unbroken (October 6, 2009). When I saw it for sale on iTunes, I snatched it right up. Not too bad. Written by David Hodges, Mitch Allan and Idol judge Kara DioGuardi, the song isn't what I expected. When I think Verve, I think of the jazz greats - Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday and the like. This song is more poppy than I thought it would be...but more adult contemporary than her previous efforts. It's growing on me and I think she looks gorgeous with her new blond bob.

"Up/Down" is the fifth single off of Australian singer, Jessica Mauboy's Platinum-selling debut solo album - Been Waiting. The album was recently re-released down under as a special "Deluxe Edition," complete with bonus tracks (including a Jason Nevins remix of "Burn") and a DVD with videos. All four of Mauboy's previous singles ("Running Back," "Burn," "Been Waiting," & "Because") have hit inside the Top 20 on the ARIA single charts (#3, #1, #12 & #9) while the album debuted at #16 on the ARIA album chart. Not too shabby for a 21 year old singer.

After she placed 2nd on the fourth season of Australian Idol, Mauboy released a live album and joined the Aussie girl group Young Divas (featuring other Australian Idol finalists Paulini Curuenavuli, Ricki-Lee, Kate DeAraugo and Emily Williams). After one album with the girls, Mauboy quit to focus on a solo career. According to an interview this past January, Mauboy was planning a trip to New York City, after having performed a showcase in front of Sony International big deals. It's coming upon a year since that meeting and no peep from Jessica here in the states. I wonder if that's still happening? I'd love to see Mauboy hit the states. She's a talented singer with the kind of sound that would really work well on U.S. radio.

I honestly don't know much about Vita but I want to know more! From what I've heard of her debut single, "Like Boom," it's hot and her single artwork is supporting that hot factor TOTALLY and completely. According to her MySpace music profile, her name is Vita Chambers and she hails from Barbados (like Rihanna!) and she was discovered after posting videos of herself singing on the web. Currently signed to SRP/Universal Motown, the single is set to be released soon, followed by her album, slated for release sometime this fall. I'm definitely ready to be re-VITA-lized, for sure!

"Songs Remind Me Of You" is serving as the official lead single off of Norwegian pop star Annie's long-awaited Don't Stop album. The track was written by Annie, Richard X and Hannah Robinson and is certainly quite catchy. It's considerably dancier than anything else she's done. Popjustice has called the song "amazing," while MuuMuse described it as a mixture of "lush disco, breathy vocals, and intergalactic swarms of electronica." This all sounds good to me. Can't wait to see what remixes are churned out for this club slammer. Get it on iTunes now.

Musical Snippets - Annie, Britney Spears, Guy Sebastian, Lady Gaga & More!

Britney Spears - "Unusual You": Britney Spears...I'm over "Radar" and ready for a new single...and with that said, I'm hoping and praying this rumor is true. On The Prophet the other day I saw a report that "Unusual You" will be the fifth single off of Circus. The Bloodshy & Avant track has always been one of my favorites...in fact...I voted for it when Brit's website gave her fans the chance to choose the new single. For the time being, I'll just treat this as a rumor...but a boy can dream.

Check out Britney Spears on the web: Official Site//MySpace//Facebook//YouTube//Twitter

Guy Sebastian - "Like It Like That": The last time I saw Australian Idol Season 1 winner Guy Sebastian was on World Idol. I thought he was cute at the time and had quite the voice. I was rather impressed. Recently, I saw that Guy was on Twitter and I learned that he was moving to and doing shows in New York City. Something is brewing! Well, it appears that he's releasing an album here in the states on October 9th. Awesome! First single, "Like It Like That" is a fun little number. It's got a beat and really shows off Sebastian's chops. U.S. iTunes also has 2007's The Memphis Album, full of soul classics (I just downloaded his cover of Otis Redding's "Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay" - not bad). His U.S. album is supposedly going to be a collection of both old and new tracks. I like Guy. I potentially could dig this album.

EDIT - Apparently October 9th is the Australian release date of Guy's new album. Due to some label personnel changes at Sony Victor, the U.S. release is up in the air. It seems likely that it will still happen, it's just not known WHEN or on WHAT LABEL. Bummer. Perhaps I'll pick up the Australian import? For more information, look HERE.

Check out Guy Sebastian on the web: Official Site//MySpace//Facebook//Twitter//YouTube

Lady Gaga on the cover of Out Magazine: Out.com has a little teaser up of the September cover of the magazine featuring electro-pop goddess, Lady Gaga. Coincidentally, Out.com links back to Lady Gaga's official site for another "sneak peak" of Gaga's Out cover. It appears that Lady Gaga is going to be mostly naked. SWEET! Check back on Out.com August 13th to see the full cover, read the cover story and check out more photos of the shoot (photographed by Ellen von Unwerth). I'm sure it's gonna be hot.

Check out Lady Gaga on the web: Official Site/MySpace/Facebook/Twitter/Imeem/YouTube

Natalie Imbruglia's "Want" is Properly Hot: Wow. The Popjustice Tuesday "Song of the Day" was the new Natalie Imbruglia single, "Want," that I blogged about previously. It's gonna be FIRE! It's a total 360 from the usual AC crap she puts out. Don't get me wrong...I've loved a few Natalie Imbruglia singles...but never more than 2 or 3 per album. Not enough to purchase the whole album. If this new single is any indication of what the rest of the album sounds like...I'll be buying the import.

Check out Natalie Imbruglia on the web: Official Site//MySpace//Facebook//Bebo//YouTube//Twitter//Vimeo

New Annie Album Due in October: This is GREAT news! Norwegian electro-pop star Annie was due to release her second album (follow up to 2004's Anniemal) Don't Stop in September of 2008, however Annie parted ways with her label before that happened. Having signed an international deal with Island Records, the planned album release was preceded by first single, the Richard X-produced "I Know UR Girlfriend Hates Me," and a promotional single, 'Two Of Hearts." At the time of the split announcement, Annie remained positive, adamant that her album would see the light of day. She delivered in the form of next single, "Anthonio," released digitally with a nice little remix package.

Now on Smalltown Supersound, the album has been retooled. Gone are all three previously released singles ("I Know UR Girlfriend Hates Me," "Two of Hearts," and "Anthonio"), nut never fear...there are some new tracks added into the mix. The album features collaborations with Richard X, Timo Kaukolampi, Paul Epworth, Brian Higgins, and Alex Kapranos (of Franz Ferdinand fame). The album is out in the UK October 19th and supposedly in the U.S. in November. Check out the track listing! I'm SO excited about this one. - Via Popjustice & Pitchfork

"Hey Annie" - Produced by Paul Epworth

"My Love Is Better" - Produced by Xenomania

"Bad Times" - Produced by Xenomania

"Don't Stop" - Produced by Paul Epworth

"I Don't Like Your Band" - Produced by Paul Epworth

"Songs Remind Me Of You" - Produced by Richard X

"Marie Cherie"- Produced by Timo Kaukolampi

"Take You Home" - Produced by Timo Kaukolampi

"The Breakfast Song" - Produced by Timo Kaukolampi

"Loco" - Produced by Xenomania

"When The Night" - Produced by Xenomania

"Heaven And Hell" - Produced by Xenomania

Check out Annie on the web: Official Site//MySpace//Twitter

DJ-KiCKS + Chromeo = AWESOME

Well this is exciting news! The new installment of the DJ-KiCKS series is coming soon and features the talents of none other than Chromeo! DJ-KiCKs + Chromeo = AWESOME. I'm familiar with the DJ-KiCKS series mainly because of Norwegian electro-pop singer Annie's contribution a couple of years back.

Photo by May Truong via MySpace

DJ-KiCKS is a series of albums mixed by various artists for the independent !K7 Records. Past compilers include DJs, producers, and musicians. Included amongst the names - Kruder & Dorfmeister, Thievery Corporation, Stereo MC's, Tiga, Chicken Lips, Annie, Hot Chip, Booka Shade and more.

Photo by May Truong via MySpace

Ever since I saw Chromeo perform live last year, I've been craving more from the Montreal-based duo, Dave One and Pee Thugg. With their last release, 2007's Fancy Footwork, I became an instant fan! If you sign up for the !K7 email list, you'll get an exclusive Chromeo synthesized cover of the Eagles "I Can't Tell You Why." This track will definitely keep me occupied until the new DJ-KiCKS album drops. Sign up and get your free Chromeo track HERE.

Check out Chromeo on the web: Official Site//MySpace//Facebook

Annie Searches for Ánthonio

Norwegian electro-Goddess, Annie will release her new single, Ánthonio towards the end 0f April, via Richard X's new label. The track is today's Song Of The Day on Popjustice and a 51 second snippet is currently playing on Annie's MySpace page. From the sounds of it, the track is light, fluffy and perfect for Spring/Summer. Annie's light-as-air vocals glide seamlessly over the electro-beats. I'm really excited about new Annie material and was disappointed that her planned 2008 album "Don't Stop" fell through, shortly before parting with Island Records. Hopefully this new single will kick start a summer of Annie! Remixes are forthcoming by Fred Falke and Designer Drugs.

Annie Plans to Release Album With or Without a Label

Woohoo! Good news for fans of Norwegian pop singer Annie ("Chewing Gum," "Heartbeat,") who made her debut in 2004 with her album Anniemal. Her new album (originally called Don't Stop) is supposed to see the light of day after all. After recently parting ways with Island Records, whom she just barely signed with, she is now a free agent and plans to release her album (in some form) in the next year. Released by Atlantic in the U.S. in 2005, Anniemal has gone on to sell 20,000 copies, according to Nielsen Soundscan. According to Annie in a recent Billboard interview, the deal fell apart after her biggest UK supporter at Island, left to join EMI, taking with him all of the necessary support and passion for her new album.

As for Annie's future, she's very busy! According to Billboard:

"Two singles, "Anthonio" and "My Love Is Better," are slated for release
sometime in the first quarter of this year. Meanwhile, Annie is building a
home studio in Berlin, designing the artwork for the singles and mulling
live dates in Europe and North America."

Remixes for "Anthonio" are expected by Fred Falke and Designer Drugs (according to an earlier blog post). I'm happy to see how enthusiastic and pro-active Annie is being with this project. Where as other artists might toss the record in the trash and move on to greener pastures, Annie is determined to get some new material out to all of her fans. Check out the Billboard article!