[Hot Video Alert] Robin Thicke - Exhale (Shoop Shoop)

Seeing that it's Father's Day today, I'm feeling sort of reflective and a bit emotional. No better time than now to share with ya'll Robin Thicke's heart-stirring cover of Whitney Houston's 1995 #1 single, "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)," taken from the Waiting To Exhale soundtrack.  While the song doesn't appear on Thicke's latest album, Love After War, he released it as a promotional single back in April as a tribute to the late, great Ms. Whitney Houston.  

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[Hot Video Alert] Kelly Clarkson - Dark Side

American Idol's first lady of pop, Kelly Clarkson, released the video for her latest single, "Dark Side," on May 24th to her official VEVO page.  Shot in Los Angeles at the end of April, the video was directed by Shane Drake ("Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)") and features actors portraying several sad and depressing scenarios including unemployment, body image, war, divorce and bullying.

 

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X-Factor UK Runner-Up Marcus Collins Covers The White Stripes, Preps for March Album Release

While the UK (and the rest of the world) eagerly awaits new music from Little Mix, winners of The X-Factor series 8, runner up Marcus Collins is already prepping for the release of his own debut single and album, both due this March via RCA Records.  Collins, the openly gay (former) hairdresser from Liverpool, came in second during his season of the popular reality music competition.  While Collins was never really one of my favs, the 23 year old was consistent throughout the competition and always put on a show.

Marcus Collins - Seven Nation Army (Audio) from mike roda on Vimeo.

For his first single, Collins is releasing a cover of "Seven Nation Army," a 2003 Top 10 hit by American alternative rock outfit The White Stripes (now defunct).  Certainly an interesting choice for a singer who's genre is pretty tightly confined to pop/R&B.  Collins sings the song well enough, incorporating plenty of funk, flare and a Robin Thicke sort of vibe, (complete with a vibrant horn section) but I can't really get over the oddness of the song choice.  Considering how much flack the contestants got last season for "poor song choice," I wonder who actually selected this song to cover.  Immediately upon releasing the single onto his YouTube page, the negative feedback started pouring in, both from fans and critics alike, with NME calling the song

"Disposable and as forgettable as a McChicken sandwich, yes, but not 'bad'."

Yikes. Not exactly a glowing review.  The magazine goes onto question what exactly has music fans so worked up - the fact that Collins is giving a mainstream makeover ("mainstream pillaging," per NME) to an "alternative" classic or the very fact that he's covering the song to begin with.  What does Collins have to say for himself?

"I’ve always been a fan of the original version of ‘Seven Nation Army’ and hope people like my take on it.”

Ah. So it's the typical "I've always been a fan" defense.  Fair enough, I guess.  In the end, NME decides that Syco/RCA are seeking to capitalize on the musical formula that has served Olly Murs so well these past few years and I happen to agree with that point.  There's no doubt in my mind that Marcus Collins is a talented singer, I'll simply have to reserve any final judgement until after I've heard the full album.  I've learned over the years that you can't really judge a new artist by their first single.

"Seven Nation Army" is due out March 4th (backed by some fierce club mixes by Cutmore), followed by the release of his self titled debut album on March 12th (see album artwork above).  The album was executive produced by Gary Barlow and features additional production from Brian Rawling (Girls Aloud, Kylie Minogue).  The album, in addition to original tracks (thank God), features three covers including the single, a Jackie Wilson cover, "Your Love Is Lifting Me Higher," one of his better X-Factor performances, as well as a cover of "Tightrope," originally performed by Janelle Monáe. Catch Marcus on tour with the rest of his X-Factor finalists throughout February, March and April.

Check out Marcus Collins on the web:

Official Site//Facebook//Twitter//VEVO

Hot Video Alert - Robin Thicke feat. Snoop Dogg - In The Morning

Oooh Robin Thicke. You're so dreamy. The video for his new Snoop Dogg-assisted single, "In The Morning" was premiered on VEVO yesterday. While I much preferred previous single, "Rollacoasta" featuring the vocal stylings of Estelle, this isn't half bad. Throw Thicke's smooth-as-silk vocals on any track with Snoop Dogg and I'm sold.

A NOT-SO-QUICK QUICKY Album Art Update

It's super late so I have time for one more QUICKY. With so much STUNNING album artwork out there, I just had to post some of my favorites. Oh and speaking of beautiful album artwork, DEFINITELY check out my last post on Ms. Katie Melua as well as my posts on Sarah McLachlan, Jewel and Cyndi Lauper - all of whom have new albums/singles coming out with some beautiful artwork. The artwork for this new album/single are beyond gorgeous. Thanks to Coverlandia and MuuMuse for the artwork. Oh - I should also mention that release dates listed below are mostly for UK.

Sia - "Clap Your Hands" (Single/Out Now on iTunes)

Check out the video for Sia's new single, "Clap Your Hands." How fun is this? Such a creative, cooky artist. I absolutely ADORE her. Check out fun remixes by Fred Falke and Diplo.

Robyn - Body Talk Part I (Album/June 7th)

Thanks to Bradley over on MuuMuse for posting this. I love this artwork. I love Robyn even more. Body Talk Part I is one of my most hotly anticipated summer records. Robyn's released three songs on iTunes to tie us over. Check out "Fembot," "Dancehall Queen" and "None of Dem" on iTunes (in the U.S.).

Robin Thicke w/ Estelle - "Rollacoasta" (Single/Out Now)

While the artwork might not be anything special, there's a big honkin' photo of Robin Thicke. Enough said? Oh...and R&B superstar Estelle makes an appearance. Check out the video. I am loving this song more and more.

Macy Gray - The Sellout (Album/June 28th)

Macy Gray is back and better than ever! In looking through my CD collection, I have more Macy Gray CDs then I remember purchasing. As quirky as she is, she's talented. I am very excited about the new record and while "Beauty In The World", the first single off of The Sellout is still growing on me, the Cutmore remix of the track already has me sold.

Kylie Minogue - Aphrodite (Album/July 5th)

*DIES* After having seen Kylie Minogue on her first ever North American tour, I am STILL riding that high and don't plan on stopping any time soon. Lucky for me (and Kylie fans everywhere) the wait for new material won't be much longer. New Kish Mauve-produced single "All The Lovers" will be released on June 28th, followed by the album Aphrodite on July 5th. *DIES*

Kelis - Flesh Tone (Album/May 17th)

I already blogged about the stunning music video for the new Kelis single, "Acapella" and now we have the official album artwork. It's a little bit gaudy for my tastes but I still kind of love it. I cannot WAIT for this album. I haven't been this excited about a Kelis album since Tasty. Lookout for the Kelis-assisted Benny Benassi collaboration, "Spaceship," the video for which has already been shot.

Kate Nash - My Best Friend Is You (Album/Out Now)

While this artwork is CUTE, it's not really blog-worthy by itself. I just wanted to include it b/c I'm going to see Kate Nash live next week at Great Scott in Allston, MA (outside of Boston). Small, intimate gig - the same place I saw V.V. Brown actually (WHICH I still need to post about - oops!). I'm beyond excited. The new album came out this week and I am still warming up to it. There's so much to love about her first album, but I'm sure that in time I'll love the new one as well. If the streaming concert I listened to today (live from Cologne) is any indication, her live set is going to be AWESOME! Check out the video for her new single "Do-Wah-Doo."

Janelle Monae - The ArchAndroid (Album/May 17th)

Janelle Monáe is a talented young lady. I remember when her first EP came out a while back with the song "Many Moons" - I loved her look and voice and now...FINALLY she's back with a full length album (due out May 17th in the UK and the following day in the U.S.). This is going to be a hot album...which by the way is sort of reminiscent of Kelis' new artwork. It's also channeling the movie poster for 20s silent film Metropolis. Very cool. Watch the video for new single feat. Big Boi (of OutKast fame) called "Tightrope."

Diana Vickers - Songs From The Tainted Cherry Tree (Album/May 3rd)

Former X-Factor contestant Diana Vickers' debut album drops on May 3rd and features lead single "Once" (which has glorious remixes from Manhattan Clique). Having heard part of a leaked album sampler, I'm very excited for Songs From The Tainted Cherry Tree. Vickers is a talent, and while her sound is similar to that of Little Boots and Ellie Goulding, I think her talent stands on it's own. I'm interested to see what the finished product sounds like. Check out the video to her single "Once."

I'm Back!

Wow. It's been since June since I've last posted? Really? Insanity! Lots going on I guess. It's also a lot of work maintaining a blog! I've started a blog about lighting as well at work. Check it out! Anyway...back to the music.

There sure has been a lot happening with music since the last post. For one thing...the Jennifer Hudson album is due out tomorrow! I don't know yet if I'll buy it or not. I've heard clips of several tracks and I was hoping for more uptempo jams...not so heavy on the ballads. But I guess it makes sense, given Hudson's range.

So...let's talk about some of my favorite singles our right now - both Stateside and abroad.


Britney Spears - Womanizer

The one thing I keep hearing people say about this, Britney's new comeback single off her upcoming album Circus, it's how it's repetitive, yet addictive. One girl on Ryan Seacrest's radio show compared her to Rihanna (saying she was NOT a fan) however I couldn't agree more. While yes, both Rihanna & Britney have limited vocal talent (without the assistance of electronic vocal manipulation and pitch control devices, this song is quite irristable. With the inevitable barage of remixes that are sure to be forthcoming, this is sure to at least top the club charts. Thank God Brit Brit is back in full form.

Writers: Nikesha Briscoe, Rafael Akinyem

Producers: The Outsyders

Radio Release Date: September 26, 2008(Worldwide Radio)

Digital Release Date: October 7, 2008

Sugababes - Girls

While initially, this song took some time to grow on me, I wound up really starting to dig it once I saw the video. The girls look hot and I enjoy most of the remixes - particularly the Funkerman remix. It's a fun up-tempo dance/club track mixed with a little bit of an urban vibe. Can't wait for their new album, Catfights & Spotlights, due out on October 20th in the UK.

Writers: Allen Toussaint, Amelle Berrabah, Keisha Buchanan, Heidi Range

Producers: Si Helbert and Melvin Kuiters

Release Dates: September 20, 2008 (digital)/October 6, 2008 (physical)

Will Young - Changes

I've loved Will Young for a while. Not really watching him on Pop Idol, I do have two of his older albums and a couple of his singles. Not only does he have a sweet, soulful voice, but he's pretty cute too! Oh...and he was in one of my favorite movies, "Mrs. Henderson Presents." His new single is kind of mid-tempo/ballad-like but I don't mind that at all. I like the musicality of it and I'm just glad that he's back doing music! Of course, first single 'Changes' already has some remixes and I'm hoping some more get commissioned for other album tracks. I'm also excited that Freemasons (UK Dance group) have produced some tracks (or one track?) on the album. Can't wait!

Writers: Will Young, Francis 'Eg' White

Producers: ??

Release Date: September 15, 2008 (digital & physical)


Little Jackie - The World Should Revolve Around Me

Little Jackie is made up of singer Imani Coppola and DJ/Producer Adam Pallin. This song is hot. Hot, hot, hot. Again, it was a song that took some time to grow on me. I wasn't sold initially. I thought it was...nothing special. The video didn't sell it for me either...it was just a matter of rinse and repeat. I kept listening to it as it randomly came up on my iPod and saw them on Conan O'Brien one night. Awesome live. I loved it ever since. Wideboys have remixed it too...not half bad.

Writers: ??

Producers: ??

Release Dates: August 25, 2008 (UK)

Bryn Christopher - Smilin'

Bryn Christopher is a young singer from the UK who had a song featured at the end of Season 4 of Greys Anatomy. 'The Quest' was a ballad...not too bad...a little too sweet for me. I'm generally NOT a fan of ballads. This single is way more up-tempo and fun. The video is a bit oddball but Bryn is a cutie and he has an interesting/good voice. He opened for Amy Winehouse in the UK through June 2007. Looking forward to hearing more out of him in the coming months!

Writers: ??

Producers: ??

Release Dates: August 31, 2008 (UK)

Robin Thicke - Magic

I've loved Robin Thicke (son of Alan Thicke) since he called himself 'THICKE' and released his album 'Cherry Blue Skies.' Good stuff has come since then and he's now kind of a big deal. 'Blue Eyed Soul' is what they call his style of R&B...and he's damn good looking too which doesn't hurt. I got his first disc when I was writing reviews for the Indiana Daily Student and at that time, I had no idea who he was. Magic Touch is actually a remix of album single 'Magic', with added vocals from Mary J. Blige. Both are good. Moto Blanco has turned it up on the remix.

Writer/Producer: Robin Thicke

Release Date: May 20, 2008 (U.S.)

Anastacia - I Can Feel You

Anatacia! Welcome back! It seems like it's been a whole eternity since your last record. She sounds (and looks) amazing. Ditching her signature shades, joining up with Universal Records, her new single is a definitely a smart mid-tempo jam. I can't wait for her new album, Heavy Rotation, due out at the end of October in Europe.

Writers: Ne-Yo, Chuck Harmony

Producer: Chuck Harmony

Release Dates: September 12, 2008 (digital download)/October 13, 2008 (physical)

Brandy - Right Here (Departed)

Finally, Brandy is back as well. After some personal drama and legal troubles, she's back on a new label (Epic) and she looks and sounds better than ever. AGAIN, this song took some time for me to like it...and once I saw the BEAUTIFUL video, I fell in love. I can't wait to hear more from this superstar and wish her the best of luck!

Writers: Evan "Kidd" Bogart, Victoria Horn, Rodney Jerkins, Erika Nuri, David "DQ" Quiñones

Producer: Rodney Jerkins

Release Dates: August 13, 2008 (US)