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?

Musical Snippets - New Michelle Branch, VV Brown, Sugababes,Carrie Underwood & More

As I sit here after a long day of work, watching the Michael Jackson funeral coverage from this afternoon, I find myself inspired to blog. First off...in case you couldn't tell by now, there's no rhyme or reason to this blog or it's posts. I don't focus on type of music, I don't post music for download...it's purely and simply my stream of consciousness, likes and dislikes.

Now...onto the music. This post is all about various snippets that I've read on various other sites

and blogs.

Melinda Doolittle - It's Your Love Remixes: I discovered this morning that Doolittle's remixes for "It's Your Love" were not released today as originally reported. I'm hoping they come out soon, cause I'm itchin' to hear them.

Michelle Branch - Sooner Or Later: According to Michelle Branch's official blog, her first official single ("Sooner Or Later") from her upcoming new album Everything Comes and Goes will be released digitally on July 21st. Branch will premiere it the day before on her official site, MichelleBranch.com. I kinda dug her promotional single, "This Way" when Branch premiered

the song, as well as a video on her site a while back. Not really being a country fan, I was

counting down the days until Branch left The Wreckers behind, even for just a moment, and went back to being a solo artist.

VV Brown - Shark In The Water: You all know how much I love this girl. She's absolutely fabulous and I'm dying for her to make her American debut (no word yet on whether or not that will happen). She's just released her new single "Shark In The Water" in the UK this week, preceding her album Travelling Like The Light which is out next week. Brown's released this acoustic version of her new single on Bebo. Part of the Black Cab Sessions, Brown shows off her

true talent. I love the ad libs. Such a stylish lady. (P.S. - The Crazy P remix is my favorite of the bunch).

JoJo - All I Want Is Everything: JoJo's released another blog post, expressing her frustration over the label politics that appear to be keeping her anticipated third album from being released. The new album is supposedly complete and just waiting to be released. Production by Chad Hugo, Kenna, DJ Toomp, Toby Gad, Danja, J.R. Rotem, The Underdogs and Madd Scientist and B-Cox. JoJo is a very talented girl and I'm looking forward to this release. Hopefully those politics sort themselves out soon. - Via The Prophet

Sugababes - Get Sexy: Holy hit Sugababes! I am loving the girls new single. The new single (produced by The Smeezingtons) premiered today in the UK on BBC's Radio One and is out digitally on August 31st. The Babes, who recently signed with Jay-Z's Roc-A-Fella records in attempt to break the U.S., are gearing up to launch their new album. The Babes have been busy since the release of their last album, 2008's Catfights & Spotlights, forgoing a tour to instead work with producers like Red One and Stargate on this new album. More electro-pop than anything they've previously done, this song is hot and has hit written all over it. While the girls certainly don't NEED to break the U.S. market, I hope that they do. - Via The Prophet

Carrie Underwood - Untitled: OK, I know that I just said how country wasn't my cup'o'tea. True enough, however I make an exception for certain artists --Carrie Underwood in particular. Not only is she stunning, but she's got a voice! While Underwood has remained pretty adamant that she won't pull a LeAnn Rimes and do a pop-crossover album - the hitmakers she has lined up to work on her Fall 2009 album tells a different story. While Mark Bright returns as her producer, additional production is expected from Jim Jonsin (TI, Soulja Boy Tell 'Em), Johnta Austin (Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson), Kara DioGuardi (Britney Spears, Kelly Clarkson) and Darrell Scott (Dixie Chicks). While I'm sure this album isn't going to be anything DRASTICALLY different than her previous efforts, I think it sounds promising. - Via The Prophet & CMT

Britney Spears - Radar: All I can say about this song is WTF. Apparently the label was contractually obligated to release this as a single, since it was originally slated to a single off her last album, but was shelved temporarily in favor of Britney recording a brand new album (anyone know the real story here?). The video is lacklustre and blah. She looks good but seriously? "Radar?" I'm hoping songs like "Unusual You," or "Out From Under" or even "Shattered Glass" get released as singles eventually.

Melinda Doolittle - It's Your Love Remixes

Oh the stresses of life! Once again, the delay between this post and my last is unforgivably long. I started bidding on Ebay for a "rare remix promo" of American Idol Season Six finalist, Melinda Doolittle. I typically jump at the excuse to purchase a rare promo on Ebay if there's a 1-click buy option. This time around, there wasn't that option, so I bid the minimum $10.00. Sure enough, I was out bid. I went up to about $25.00 and next thing I know, it's all the way up to $80.00! Holy shit! Quite the jump. I'm sorry, but a 7-track promo for $80.00 + shipping does not seem like a good deal to me. Such is the nature of Ebay, I guess. Remixes are by Jason Nevins, Mike Rizzo and Smashmode. Damn you, big spender!

Here's the gloriousness that I missed out on:

Melinda Doolittle - It's Your Love - Remixes

1. It's Your Love (Jason Nevins Club Mix) 6:52

2. It's Your Love (Mike Rizzo Club Mix) 6:36

3. It's Your Love (Smashmode Mix) 4:28

4. It's Your Love (Mike Rizzo Dub Mix) 6:36

5. It's Your Love (Jason Nevins Radio Mix) 4:03

6. It's Your Love (Mike Rizzo Radio Mix) 3:27

7. It's Your Love (Smashmode Radio Mix) 3:06

[EDIT] - According to a wonderful member of the Melinda Doolittle Street Team, the remixes will be available for download on iTunes and on Melinda's official website - www.melindadoolittle.com on July 7th!

Check out Melinda Doolittle on the web: Official Site/Twitter/MySpace/YouTube/iLike/Blogger

New Album Artwork

Coverlandia is a great resource if you are in search of new or recent album artwork from your favorite artists. The talented crew of the Coverlandia blog posts official and fanmade artwork for top artists from all over the music charts! Here is some of my favorite official sleeve artwork from the past couple of weeks. What's your favorite? - Via Coverlandia

Still don't think I've heard this song all the way through. Love this album art though. Beautiful!

So glad Melinda Doolittle is back! Loved her on Idol, and while I though Jordin Sparks was more Top 40 material, Melinda had tons of talent, no question! Single artwork is on top, album art below.

I think Daniel Powter (of "Bad Day" fame) looks sexy here.

I love the campaign they are using for Lily's new record! She looks amazing! This is the single (top) and album (bottom) artwork.

Love the vintage look of this. Katy is gorgeous.

Beautiful and festive.

Not 100% sure this is official or not, but regardless. I'm SO excited that Kelly is back with some new material! Word is we can expect to hear this in mid-late January.

Danny Saucedo was a contestant on the Swedish version of American Idol. This is his new single off his new album.

Not sure if Ciara could ever come up with a better set of singles than she had with her last album. "Goodies" and "1-2 Step" were hot! Ts artwork is fun. Love the comic book inspiration!

I guess Beyonce is releasing two singles at a time now? I'm still stuck on "Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)" and "Diva" isn't really doing it for me. Perhaps it will grow on me. "Halo" is gorgeous, no doubt.

Love Anastacia. Still need to pick up her new album. Perhaps I'll wait to see if it gets released in the U.S. This is her new European single and the sleeve art is virtually identical to that of her first single, "I Can Feel You." The only difference is Anastacia is facing the camera. Her first single's sleeve had an off the shoulder shot. She's stunning! Kind of miss her sunglasses though.

This is the debut single from Alexandra Burke - the new X-Factor winner for 2008! It's a cover of "Hallelujah," most famously sung by the late Jeff Buckley.