Single Review: Lady GaGa - Born This Way

Album: Born This Way
Artist: Lady GaGa
Year: 2011
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
Style: Pop/Rock
Genre: Dance Pop

I must say I'm a little disappointed in this track. Don't get me wrong, I love the message in the lyrics, it's the lyrics that actually makes this work for me. But there's something musically that's bothered me all morning. The track sounded too familiar. Like eeirely familiar.

As I was listening, on first listen I couldn't help but want to dance, but several listens later a nagging musical pain began to hit me. I've heard this before, and no, not the message. The message has made many an author and artist rich. It's the standard Love-Yourself-And-Things-Will-Be-Fine lines. It was something else.

So after racking my brain all morning, I finally realized what the song reminded me of: Dancing with my friends back in the 90's. That set me on a path to go over songs I loved to dance to back then and thus to the obvzballs discovery of why this track hits me sonically.

It's no secret Lady GaGa is vieing for the crown of this generation's Madonna, and this track makes it pretty damn obvzballs. Listen to it closely, then pull up Lady Madge's "Express Yourself", suddenly things will become crystal clear.

Lady GaGa, G-O-D bless you for showing us one of your musical influences. But Madge gave is this track years ago, that's not to say it doesn't make me want to dance. I'm predicting this is gonna be one of those tracks I love forever, but it makes me highly curious for your album.

Is her new album an homage to Madge? Or an homage to 90's Dance Culture? Or a pastiche of her influences? Either way May 23rd can't come soon enough!

What do you think? What's your take on the single? Drop a comment, please. ;)

Album Review: Ryan Adams - III/IV

Artist: Ryan Adams & The Cardinals

Album: III/IV

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Genre: Pop/Rock

Style: Alternative Country, Indie Rock

Release: December 2010

I'm a huge Ryan Adams fan, that is to say, I own every album (minus Orion but this will be taken care of shortly... at least I hope). So to say I nearly jizzed myself when it was announced another album was going to drop culled from the Easy Tiger sessions is a bit of a understatement! I nearly doubled over with joy. So it was with great trepedation that I listened to the album. 'Cause, well, let's be honest, Ryan is pretty prolific. He's released a ton of music and some of it is pure awesome sauce, and some of it, well, sounds like something a three-year-old child dribbled out of their mouth right after supper.

Thankfully, the album didn't leave me disappointed, if anything, it helped me grow an even fonder appreciation for Mr. Adams. This is the Ryan Adams of Rock And Roll; he's in full-tilt alt-rocker mode, but if you listen closely you can still hear the slight influences of alt-country. The two disc set sounds like a continuation from Cold Roses, as if The Cardinals completely agree with Ryan. He's never sounded as good as he does when he's playing with them (just check Cardniology for example). So what makes these disk so good? Well...

Ryan's now an artist not turning out songs for the sake of numbers, but rather because you can feel he enjoys the art. It's also a fabulous look at the artist after the addiction. So many of the tracks linger on his former past ("Users" and "Numbers" for example), and "P.S." is probably one of the most SCATHING send offs to a former lover I've ever heard. He also experiments with song styles and formulas, so it's def worth a spin. For me, it's worth the money.

What do you think? Leave a note or a comment. :)

Top Ten Most Listened To Tracks From A 2010 Album

Every music blogger usually does a "year-end best of" list consisting of songs that came out during 2010 that they absolutly loved, adored, or just plan believed in. Why shouldn't I be any different? I mean, really, why shouldn't I tell you all about the songs that came out that I absolutly fell in love with? Why don't I you may ask? 'Cause I can't. I've not even made it through most of the albums I've bought from last year, and I'm desperately trying to keep up with what's coming out this year. So, instead, I offer up the songs that came off of a 2010 album that according to my iTunes, I listened to the most this year.





10. Heart On A String - The 22-20's


There's an infectious start to this track that kind of drives the whole thing beginning to end. I think the reason I had this on repeat all year was just for the music alone, it always made me feel like I was headed somewhere, anywhere at all. The minorish sound to the song completely suits the heartbreak that seems inevitable from a "heart on a string."



9. Animal - Neon Trees



This was probably one of my favorite albums I bought this year and Animal helped to seal that spot. It's classic 2008 pop punkin the vein of The Killer's first album. Lyrically, I love this song. I mean, really, who hasn't been out with a friend and discovered at one point in the night that maybe you see them a bit more than a friend and decide to give into the pressure... or not?



8. Latest Heartbreak - The 22-20's

Latest Heartbreak is one of those songs that sparks up memories of poor choices in the arena of relationships for me. It reminds me of key moments when I looked at someone and realized "This isn't going anywhere," and the desperation that follows to try to turn it all around.



7. Not Myself Tonight - Christina Aguilera

I'm a sucker for catchy upbeat danceable music and well, let's face it, Christina usually delivers. This track is no exception. It was easily the track of my summer when I was feeling blue and wanted a quick pick me up. Not to mention the lyrics, Lord knows I've been in that position in my life numerous times. Matter of fact, it really reminds me of Avril's 2011 single What The Hell (review coming soon) in that it's the good-girl-goes-bad-and-likes-it sense.

6. Diary - Tino Coury

Have you ever snuck a peak at your girlfriend/boyfriend's diary/journal? Tino's peppy track definatly warns against the dangers of that, after all, who really wants to discover the girl/guy you're with is no longer interested in you?

5. 1983 - Neon Trees

It's a sweet song, one about wanting to go back to the past and remembering the days of our youthful innocence. Ha! If I only could, but I def dig the track and the pulsing beat driving through out it.

4. White Rabbit - Grace Potter and The Nocturnals

Come on! It's White Rabbit! Though I still prefer the Jefferson Starship version, I'm a sucker for covers and I greatly enjoy how Ms. Potter handles her way around the song.

3. Draculina - Alkaline Trio

Alkaline Trio is by far one of my favorite bands so I was really stoked when they had a new album drop, This Addiction. That having been said, and while I enjoyed many of the song, Draculina happened to be the one that won out. Honestly, I can't tell you why. It just got stuck in my head.

2. Sins Of My Youth - Neon Trees

Coming in at the second position, Sins Of My Youth is a song that perfectly describes me. I've done some silly stupid shit in my past and they kind of haunt me, but heck, haven't we all? But the fun in this track lies in the fact that the guy is willing to break his habits just to fall in love. Lord knows we all try to change for our prospective partners, but this guy is taking it to the extreme... (just like someone else I know all too well, damn Scorpio blood!)

1. @!#?@! - Motion City Soundtrack

I. Love! This. Track! Yes, it's pop punk. Yes, it's kind of drival to a point! Yes, it's just the sort of song that sums up the summer for me. And it's another one of those songs that I feel perfectly sums me up in so many ways, no wonder it made it to the most played track spot!

Honorable Mention:
11. Shake, Shiver, and Moan - The 22-20's
12. Jamie, My Intentions Are Bass - !!!
13. Stylo - The Gorillaz
14. It's Working - MGMT
15. Me and Julio Down By The School Yard - Streetlight Manifesto

So what were you're most played songs from a 2010? Leave me a comment and let me know, you may just be surprised at what you discover. Lord knows I was!

Single Review: Britney Spears: Hold It Against Me

Album: Hold It Against Me
Artist: Britney Spears
Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
Genre: Pop/Rock
Style: Dance Pop
Year: January 2011

Oh, Brit-Brit, sometimes you just try too hard. You know, and I'm kind of sad to admit this, but deep down I actually do love you and your music. It's one of my guilty pleasures. After all, I couldn't really claim to be gay if I didn't at least somewhat enjoy you're music. But, let's face, a lot of Circus wasn't really.... great. I mean, most of us fell in love with you back when you did Oops! I Did It Again. That's what we want from you Brit-Brit, confectionary pop, bubblegum for the ears.

Alas, Hold It Against Me doesn't quite live up to those long forgotten memories of the past. That's not to say that it's not going to be a hit (it is) or that it's not gonna burn up the dance floors soon (it will) but it's just not what we really expect from you. I mean, come on Brit-Brit, give us Circus, give us something that's exciting, something that makes us wanna jump up and down and groove! And, while I'm in the midst of a rant here, I'd like to remind you, that this song and the themes reminds me WAY too much of Rod Stewart and If You Want My Body. I'm not advocating originality, I'm just asking, well, for something a bit more unique.

Overall, the song isn't a total waste of money. It is kind of fun to listen to, and it did wet my appetite for the upcoming album. I just hope there's better tracks on the album then what you've dropped on us, and being an album buyer, if this the best you've got coming out.... Brit-Brit, a dear closeted fan is sorely disappointed.

What do you think? Did Britney score a hit or did she not live up to you're expectations? Drop a comment, drop a line and let's see!

Location:New York, NY

Album Review: Social Distortion - Hard Times And Nursey Rhymes

Artist: Social Distortion
Album: Hard Times And Nursey Rhymes
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Genre: Pop/Rock
Style: Punk Pop
Release: January 2011

It's been said that I'm pretty much a punk boy, or a rocker, or as a dear friend would say: "A straight man trapped in a gay man's body." I don't have any issues with any of these terms or ideas, in fact I probably embrace them more than anything. I love my rock music, I love the grit of the guitars and the feel of the pulsing drums. But most of all, I love the Americana of it all. All this being said, it's really no surprise I should decide to relaunch my blog with a review of Social Distortion's Hard Times and Nursey Rhymes. Really, this shouldn't surprise you!

Social Distortion has been around since 1983 (when I was but a little lad running around in boots and underroos), and have developed a style of "punk" that's equal parts blues, alternative country, pop, and good old fashioned punk. There's a reason that we've so many Punk Pop bands today, they all cut their teeth listening to Social D. Like all "trademark" artists, these guys could just crank out endless album of trite songs hewn from a well-worned formula (after all look at most of the pop stars today.... ><) but they don't. It's been six years since Social Distortion's last album (Sex, Love And Rock 'N' Roll) and this album actually finds the guys taking a small step back. That's not to say the album sounds bad... in fact, it's one of the better albums I've heard so far this year.

One of the fun things about Punk Pop, or at least should be, is how the songs exist in a world of coolness that few can ever achieve. Perhaps that's why we have so many "punk" bands today, they all want to be cool. Mike Ness, the lead singer, guitarist, and writer for Social D gets this. He's crafted songs that lodge themselves in your memory after the first or second listen, and that's quite a feat for a song, much less an album now-a-days. I mean, let's face it, we usually have to use our iTunes to rediscover a song we bought a month ago! But the songs, for the most part, on Hard Times And Nursey Rhymes find a way to clear space in your brain for maybe an awesome melodic riff, or a lyric that strikes the heart and the mind. And that, my friends, is the sound of a band whose been around long enough to beat the odds and become a mainstay of American music.

Thomas's Picks: California (Hustle and Flow), Diamond In The Rough, Bakersfield, Alone And Forsake*, Can't Take It With You

So what's your opinion? Drop me a comment, or a line, or hell, even tell me you can't stand Social D and why! Whatever ya do, leave a message. :)