Massive Album Artwork Update

OK...putting up a quick album artwork update while I have some computer access. Currently I'm in the Chicago burbs at my parents place...the tail end of a week long vacation that took me from Boston to Corvallis (Oregon) then to Portland and now, sweet home Chicago. I didn't really do TOO much shopping but while in Portland I stumbled upon a cute little indie music shop (Jackpot Records) and bought a couple of Girl Talk CDs (partially to prepare for November's show). I really fell in love with Portland on this trip. What a GREAT city. Lots of great shops, hipster boys around every corner and amazing food and coffee.

I'll be back in Boston on Monday night and blogging (semi) regularly from then on. For now, here's some cool new album artwork to keep you busy, courtesy of the always helpful Coverlandia and Covermania teams. In interest of getting a good night's sleep tonight...I will be posting three words that describe the album artwork, rather than my usual 1-2 paragraphs of commentary. Sometimes brevity is better.

La Roux - I'm Not Your Toy (SINGLE): Stoic, Regal, Elizabethan

Beyoncé - Broken-Hearted Girl (SINGLE): Sexy, Diva, Vixen

Beverley Knight - Beautiful Night (SINGLE): Classy, Stunning, Strong

Anouk - For Bitter Or Worse (ALBUM): Dirty, Raunchy, Erotic

Wale - Attention Deficit (ALBUM): Innocent, Creative, Retro

Luis Fonsi - Tu Amor (EP): Alluring, Mysterious, Sexy

Tokio Hotel - Humanoid (ALBUM): Unoriginal, Futuristic, Robotic

Carrie Underwood - Play On (ALBUM): Smoldering, Sweet, Suburban

Robbie Williams - Reality Killed The Video Star (ALBUM): Rebellious, Hollywood, Vintage

Robbie Williams - Bodies (SINGLE): Bad-ass, scruffy, Sexy

Shakira - She Wolf (ALBUM): Barbarella, Sequined, Animalistic

Madonna - Celebration (ALBUM): Retro, Iconic, Poptastic

Michael Bublé - Haven't Met You Yet (SINGLE): Jazzy, Classic, Suave

Leona Lewis - Happy (SINGLE): Free-spirited, Fun-loving, Fiery

Mariah Carey - I Want To Know What Love Is (SINGLE): Uninspired, Plain, Lacklustre

Basshunter - Bass Generation (ALBUM): Euro-trashy, Airbrushed, Tease

Natalie Imbruglia - Come To Life (ALBUM): Natural, Wide-eyed, Ingenue

Natalie Imbruglia - Want (SINGLE): Bold, Loud, Floral

New Album Art Tuesday!

While some might think that album art today as nothing more than iPod-sized squares, 100 pixels by 100 pixels each (which Hard-Fi alluded to with their last album artwork campaign) - for me, album (and single) sleeve artwork is one of the reasons why I still buy physical CDs. Here are some favorites that have come out over the past couple of weeks.

Frankmusik - Complete Me (Out Now)

While the album may have leaked before it's official release date, that's not going to stop me from purchasing it. Singles, "3 Little Words," "Better Off As Two," and "Confusion Girl" are good indicators as to what the whole album sounds like. Solid.

Madonna - "Celebration" (Single Out Now)

Unlike seemingly everyone else, I'm NOT all over this track. Sure, I downloaded it the day it was released on iTunes, but I haven't listened to it more than twice. Perhaps that's the problem! I think it's a grower.

Sugababes - "Get Sexy" (Single Out 8/30/2009)

I found this song addictive from the beginning. I love it! Sure, there are dumb lyrics (the entire Right Said Fred bit) but the beat is hot. The video is hot. The girls are hot...and the cover art is fittingly HOT. As if this wasn't a given...I cannot wait for this new album!

Mika - "We Are Golden" (Single Out 9/6/2009)

Mika. Love him. This is the first single and title track off of his new album, and while I haven't listened to it in it's original form quite yet, I'm sure I'm going to love it. There are already remixes by Don Diablo, Mirwais and Calvin Harris that have surfaced. Good stuff indeed!

Beverley Knight - 100% (Album Out 9/14/2009)

As I talked about before... first single "Beautiful Night" = HOT. Video for first single = HOT. Album artwork...well, have a look for yourself! I think it looks pretty damned hot! I love the red lettering up against her black jacket.

Mr. Hudson - Straight No Chaser (Out 10/5/2009)

Not gonna lie. I don't know who Mr. Hudson is...errr...I didn't until I posted the album artwork. The artwork just appeals to me. Apparently, Mr. Hudson is a British band (Ben Gunther Hudson [guitar & vocals], Joy Joseph, Rob Barron, Raphael Mann, Wilkie Wilkinson) signed to Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music label and Mercury Records. Straight No Chaser is the bands attempt at making a "mainstream record," and is a follow up to 2007's A Tale Of Two Cities. I'm game. Consider me listening!

Blake Lewis - Heartbreak On Vinyl (Out 10/6/2009)

OK. My love for Blake Lewis is documented. Love the look of the artwork. Love the colors and the post. Like a sunset! I'm counting down the months until this album is released!

Artwork via Coverlandia & Covermania

New Album Update - Whitney Houston, Beverley Knight, Queen Latifah & Avril Lavigne

With my Blog "To-Do" List growing by the day, I'm cramming a few updates into one right here in an abbreviated form. Here's a little bit of information about a few new albums I'm getting excited about.

Whitney Houston - I Look To You (Release Date: 8/31/2009 - UK - 9/1/2009 - U.S.): You know what? I don't think I own a single Whitney Houston album! Sad realization! I think I'm going to have to purchase a greatest hits/greatest remixes compilation one of these days. You might then ask WHY the new Whitney Houston album is something that has me excited. I think, more than anything, it's the hype. Houston is one of the finest vocalists of our time, and despite all of her tabloid-troubles - this woman's music is worth listening to. I wish Houston the best and I sincerely can't wait to hear her new material.

Houston premiered the album first in London on July 14th, and more recently on July 21st in New York City. The most recent "listening party" took place at Lincoln Center and was hosted by RCA mogul, Clive Davis. The list of notable invitees included Swizz Beats, Alicia Keys, L.A. Reid, Monica, R. Kelly, Martha Stewart and many more! According to Billboard, nine songs were played for the guests starting with the Swizz Beatz produced "Million Dollar Bill."

At her London listening party, Houston described the new album as a "labor of love," admitting that she was ready to retire when Davis stepped in and told her that the "people want to hear you." Davis is right, most definitely. This could be quite the comeback album. In order for this to happen, however, the album needs hit singles. I Look To You has been described as contemporary R&B which sort of worries me. To me "contemporary R&B" means BALLAD-OVERLOAD...but I guess that's not necessarily true. There are both up-tempo and slow jamz on the album which is promising. Among the collaborators -Alicia Keys, Diane Warren, Stargate, R. Kelly and Akon. I'm pumped. - Via Billboard

Tracklisting:

"Million Dollar Bill"
"Nothin' But Love"
"Call You Tonight"
"I Look To You"
"Like I Never Left" (featuring Akon)
"A Song For You"
"I Didn't Know My Own Strength"
"Worth It"
"For The Lovers"
"I Got You"

Check out Whitney Houston on the web: Official Site//Classic Whitney//Facebook//YouTube////iLike

Beverley Knight - 100% (Release Date: 9/14/2009 - UK): When I first heard Beverley Knight's new single, "Beautiful Night," this morning (via ArjanWrites) I was impressed. I was expecting just another R&B song but I really am digging this one. Knight not only looks stunning in the video, but the mid-tempo jam is actually quite catchy. Slick production, beautiful vocals...what more could one expect from an industry pro like Knight?

When I was in the UK a few years back, HMV actually had more than just one designated shelf for singles. I was perusing the ENTIRE row of singles and found Beverley Knight's cover of the Janis Joplin classic, "Piece of My Heart." I of course also adore her cover of Robyn's "Keep This Fire Burning." You can't really go wrong with Beverley Knight. I'm looking forward to this new record - her first album post Parlophone-split. With her own label (Hurricane Records), Knight's been hard at work with hitmakers including The Rural, Guy Chambers, DJ Munro and Jimmy Jam/Terry Lewis (Janet Jackson). Sounds very promising indeed.

Check out Beverley Knight on the web: Official Site//MySpace//Facebook//Twitter//Flickr//YouTube

Artwork via Coverlandia

Queen Latifah - Persona (Release Date: 8/22/2009): As dated as Latifah's '94 single "U.N.I.T.Y." might sound today, there's no denying it was a solid track. It seems like her days of rapping/singing are but a distant memory, with Queen Latifah (Dana Owens) focusing on acting, singing jazz standards and being a CoverGirl spokes model. The time has come for a return to form! Now that we know Latifah can really SING, put those pipes to use on something NOW...something HIP...something radio stations will latch on to. New album Persona, might just be the ticket.

While I don't really think Latifah needs to prove anything to anyone, I'm just anxious to hear her vocals on the radio. In a recent interview with Billboard, Latifah sheds some light on the new album and what we can expect to hear. In the interview Latifah said "I realize that I haven't been in the game for a while...I just want it to be heard." Working with Cool & Dre on much of the album, there will be singing and rapping as well as collaborations.

According to Latifah, "This album is definitely rooted in hip-hop, but there's a lot of singing too. I've always sung on my records. I was always a person who mixed a lot of melody with rhymes." I, for one, cannot WAIT to hear the Queen return to her hip-hop roots. Download the album's lead single "Cue The Rain." - Via Billboard

Check out Queen Latifah on the web: Official Site


Avril Lavigne - Untiled 4th Album (Release Date: November ??): I first heard Avril Lavigne's breakout track "Complicated" online and immediately was drawn to it's angsty chorus. It's been a love/like/dislike relationship with Avril Lavigne ever since. Loved debut album Let Go; liked follow up Under My Skin; disliked The Best Damn Thing. According to Billboard, her new, as of yet, untitled record is going to be more raw and stripped down.

"A lot of the songs are mainly the acoustic and my vocal. It's a lot different from anything I've done before," Lavigne tells Billboard. "It's not a pop rock record. This is more about emotion and feeling."

Interesting. I could possibly dig this. In listening to her ballads and mid-tempo singles, you can tell Lavigne has the pipes. It's when she starts jumping up and down and "rocking out" that her vocals get all wavery and inconsistent. After the album, which was considerably "poppier" than any of her previous efforts, Lavigne needs to take it down a notch.

While first single isn't a sure thing yet, it could be the full length version of the song Lavigne recorded to help launch her first fragrance called "Black Star." Not bad at all. Husband and Sum41 frontman Deryck Whibley produced much of the album, while Lavigne wrote. In addition, Lavigne collaborated with former bandmate (and aspiring solo artist) Evan Taubenfield. I'll definitely be purchasing the new record - if for no other reason than to complete my Avril Lavigne CD collection. Sounds like she's off on the right track. - Via Billboard

Check out Avril Lavigne on the web: Official Site//MySpace//Imeem//YouTube

New Purchases: Lesley Roy, Solange Knowles, Robyn, The Sounds & Andreas Johnson

I am clearly not very financially responsible. I recently bought a shitload of new music, despite there being smarter things for me to spend my money on right now. Oh well. Splurge a little. I've been buying more and more dance music lately. Rare CD promos as well as digital tracks. My two new favorite sources for dance remixes are Masterbeat and Discogs. Masterbeat is an iTunes-like site with a cool, sleek interface and tons of selection. They have frequent "exclusives" and while they are a bit pricier, I prefer to get my tunes legally whenever possible.

Discogs is a Wikipedia-like site where people upload their own music collections, filling out a detailed form with information about the music including writing credits, producing credits, even who was playing what instruments in the band. I've often used Discogs as a resource for hard to find dance remixes and album art but recently I've started taking advantage of the sites other services. Once you log in, you can create a "Want List" of tracks you find on site that you want. When other users decide that they want to sell these tracks out of their collection, you get an email letting you know that something is available from your "Want List." There is a ton of dance music on the site and I've recently purchased a few CDs and promos.

Let's review my recent purchases.

Lesley Roy - Unbeautiful (Remixes): Lesley Roy has been an artist on my radar for the past year or so. Originally from Ireland, she is signed to Religion Records and licensed by Jive in the U.S. Her album Unbeautiful was released last year and her first charting single "I'm Going, I'm Gone" served as the theme for MTV show Exiled. Her current single, "Unbeautiful" charted last year but recently has seen a resurgence in popularity. I first heard that Jason Nevins was on the remix but was pleasantly surprised to find new mixes by Mike Rizzo and Matt Pendergast as well. You can pick them up on Masterbeat. **(I recommend the Mike Rizzo or Jason Nevins remixes personally)

Solange - T.O.N.Y. (Remixes): Solange Knowles' new single appears to be "T.O.N.Y" off her brilliant second album Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams. First single, "I Decided" and follow up "Sandcastle Disco" both received an impressive slew of dance remixes and "T.O.N.Y" is following suit with remixes by Zoned Out, Lost Daze, Mark Picchiotti and Dan McKie. This was definitely one of my favorite tracks on Solange's album so I'm pleased that it's getting the remix treatment. Here's hoping for another Billboard Club/Dance #1! Get your copy on Masterbeat! **(I recommend the Mark Picchiotti or Lost Daze remixes)

Robyn - Keep This Fire Burning (Remixes): Off of her 2002 Swedish album, Don't Stop The Music (which I picked up when I was in Stockholm a few years back), "Keep This Fire Burning" is a track that went on to be covered by British R&B/Soul singer Beverley Knight in 2004 and more recently last year by British dance act, The Outsiders featuring vocals by Amanda Wilson. Robyn's version has always been my favorite and when the Maxi Single became available on Discogs, I snatched it up immediately! Remixes are by Cherno Jah, Martin Lanquist, Twin, DJ Benji and Sebastian Ingrosso. I'm so happy Robyn was at least nominated for a Grammy this past year and look forward to hearing what else she has in the cards. Also...if you get the chance to see her live...do it! She's fantastic!

The Sounds - Painted By Numbers (Remixes): Further proof that Sweden puts out some of the best music out there today! The Sounds are a New Wave band lead by lead singer Maja Ivarsson and backed up by Felix Rodriguez on guitar, Johan Bengtsson on bass, Jesper Anderberg on keyboards/piano/guitar and Fredrik Nilsson on drums. "Painted By Numbers" was a single off the group's 2006 album Dying To Say This To You. Remixes are by Soul Seekerz and Hassassins and I found the UK Promo CDR on Discogs.

Andreas Johnson - Glorious (Remixes): Andreas Johnson is another Swedish artist whom I have heard of before but never paid much attention to. While perusing Discogs the other day, I stumbled upon his 1999 single, "Glorious" which I had heard before. The single, off his album Liebling peaked at 4 on the UK single charts and was released in the US with quite an impressive list of remixes in 2001. With mixes by Hani, Hybrid, and Angelica Villella I couldn't NOT get it! The boy is quite cute, which didn't hurt. You can find some of his music on the US iTunes store.