Category: Beautiful

The 888

8/5/2016

There's nothing like a road trip and some Sirius XM radio to discover some new music. I was spending the weekend with Rosencrantz and Sacajawea. Rosencrantz taste in music tends to run more alt-rock. Through enough repitition and a stop in a McDonald's parking lot I take the time to write out the name of a song and the band singing it.

The 888 are my new musical obsession. I don't know if I can call them an obsession. They only have four songs out, all of their debut EP Decades.

Four songs is hard to judge an artist's merit, but the four songs they've released so far are bangers. The song that grabbed me was the opening “Critical Mistakes”. It's complete with lyrics discussing the desire to wash all of the mistakes they've made in the past. Specifically referring to , “critical mistakes”. The song holds up well with some extremely well timed electronica, ocean waves, and radio worthy alternative pop.

Buy "Critical Mistakes"

I've noticed the song is in rotation on the radio at work, so it might not be long before the trio breaks through and becomes this years Foster The People.

The trio consists of Danny Stills, Danny Cooper, and Aaron Rothe. This isn't the first time they've worked together. Previously they were all involved in the metalcore band Drop Dead, Gorgeous. They've since dropped the screamo with the 888.

Drop Dead, Gorgeous was not a success worth mentioning. They mined their MySpace followers for chart placement and found them harder to get out into the stores to buy their music. Only one of their albums charted. The Hot N Heavy at 197.

The ever switching line up with Drop Dead, Gorgeous (eleven people switched in and out of the main group) and it's lack of commercial success lead them to disband.

This isn't the first new band to come from the ashes of the group. Bleach Blonde was convened in 2013, but the project no longer has any backing. 888 is their chance. A rebranding from the boys you can't bring home to mother, to the boys with the beautiful souls your mother will swear are on antidepressants.

The 888 have not created anything groundbreaking with these four songs they've released. Greg Prato wrote in a review of Drop Dead, Gorgeous that “they sound identical to all the other bands mining similar sonic terrain, with not much separating them from the rest of the pack.

I don't listen to enough alt-rock to tell you if they've successfully separated themselves from the rest of the pack with the 888, but the four songs they've released although not moving the genre in new directions are damn good. If they can deliver an album with that level of song craft, they should have no problem.

One thing missing from the 888 is their Mattie Healy. They don't have a heartthrob strung on heroin for all the college girls to throw their panties at. They also don't have Matty's artistic vision that's made The 1975 so popular.

Mattie Healy

Still if “Critical Mistakes” is anything to go by. The 888 are a band to keep an eye on.

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Best Albums of 2015

1/1/2016

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This list is a review of all of the albums I've bought this year. They are all rated on a scale of 1 to 5 bubbles. My favorite song is listed along with the album. This is determined solely based on how many times I've listened to it individually.

Music comes in so many different forms and textures that it's hard to say definitively what album is “better” then another. I never did buy Adam Lambert's The Original High, but from what I've listened to it's a stellar return to form. The same goes for Selena Gomez's Revival. When I heard Justin Bieber's new album Purpose I found it to be acceptable plodding mid tempo fair. However that said, I know quite a few people who really enjoy his new musical direction. Ellie Goulding's Delirium is not in my taste, but if you're a fan of her earlier work her new seventeen track epoch should satisfy

The most important news in music this year is the continuing lawsuit between Kesha and Dr. Luke. She is asking to be released from her contract after revelations of physical and mental abuse on the part of her record producer Dr. Luke. Sony Music has refused to let her out of her contract and is siding with Dr. Luke. A growing protest has started, creating the trending hashtags #FreedomForKesha and #SonyMusicSupportsRape.

Sign the petition to release Kesha from her contract here.

Buy Badlands

Badlands: Halsey
4 Bubbles
Halsey has been the breakout indie artist of the year. Her brand of electropop has yet to conquer radio, but her debut album shows what has made her such an internet phenom. The album starts out strong, and although lingers a little too long on it's closing sixteen tracks shows that there's only room for her to go up from here.

Most Played Song: “Ghost”

American Beauty/American Pyscho: Fall Out Boy
4 Bubbles
This was the first Fall Out Boy album I've ever bought. A true sacrilege. This is what modern rock is supposed to sound like in 2015. Every track is a fiery stomper and after fourteen years proves that Fall Out Boy still has the passion that made From Under The Cork Tree so spectacular.

Most Played Song: “Uma Thurman”

Buy American Beauty/American Pyscho

Broke With Expensive Taste: Azealia Banks
2 ½ Bubbles
The album originally dropped too little digital fanfare in 2014 finally saw it's physical release in 2015. Azealia Banks is the beleaguered rap artist more known for her trans-phobic discourse and public melt downs. Her first album, although full of solid moments tends to drag and concepts run into one another. And, nothing on the album quite replicates the viral sensation of “212”. The best cuts off the album tend to be the singles.

Most Played Song: Tie between “Heavy Metal and Reflective” and “BBD”

Buy Broke With Expensive Taste

Breathe In. Breathe Out.: Hilary Duff
5 Bubbles
The much besieged fourth studio album, it finally saw it's release after being pushed from it's release date in October of 2014. This album's concept has ranged from folk to a mainstream pop sound courtesy of Swedish hit maker Tove Lo. Released eight years after her groundbreaking Dignity, the album is pure pop. Not every song is a five star experience, but it plays like a cohesive album. Every song is good, many are excellent, all can stand by themselves, and it reflects the dedicated affection that Hilary paints it with. Album standouts range from the Ed Sheeran penned “Tattoo” to lead single “Sparks” or the cute duet of “Nights Like This”. My favorite song off the album happens to be shared with current taste maker, Taylor Swift.

Most Played Song: “Breathe In. Breathe Out.”

Buy Breathe In. Breathe Out

Buy Cry Baby

Cry Baby: Melanie Martinez
4 Bubbles
Concept album by former Voice contestant Melanie Martinez it's responsible for some of the darkest pop moments in 2015. Rape and family dysfunction are just some of the themes Melanie touches on as “cry baby”. This album is full of some of my favorite songs of the year such as “Dollhouse” and “Pity Party”. It's also responsible for the worst song of 2015. “Sippy Cup” is the best example of what this album does wrong. But, on the same flip of the coin, some people adore this song. Melanie Martinez is not good at subtlety, but the albums flair for remaining true to it's core makes it a compelling and worthwhile artistic statement.

Most Played Song: “Cry Baby”

Double Vision: Prince Royce
2 ½ Bubbles
Intended to be the global breakout for Latin superstar Prince Royce, Double Vision is his debut English album. Known for hits like “Darte Un Beso”, Double Vision was primed with A-List heavy weights in the form of Snoop Dogg, Jennifer Lopez, Pitbull, and Tyga. Neither single “Stuck on a Feeling” or “Back It Up” took off on American radio the way they were supposed to. When this album sticks towards it's pop leanings it stands strong, however when it slows down it tends to lose a lot of it's focus. Although, a consistently playable record it doesn't have the fun factor of Enrique Iglesias's Sex and Love or the charming personality of Enrique's breakout record “Hero”

Most Played Song: Tie between “Stuck on a Feeling” featuring Snoop Dogg and “Back It Up” featuring Jennifer Lopez and Pitbull.

Buy Double Vision

The Eephus: Wondaland
3 ½ Bubbles
A joint EP released by Janelle Monae's recording mates on Wondaland none of the songs on the EP live up to the fun of singles “Classic Man” and “Yoga”. The bonus remix of “Classic Man” featuring Kendrick Lamar does little to liven up the final two songs off the EP, which are both slow burns.

Most Played Song: “Yoga” featuring Jidenna.

Buy The Eephus

Emotion: Carly Rae Jepsen
4 Bubbles
The much lauded album by Canadian singer Carly Rae Jepsen it features “Really Like You” a song that intended to return her to the top of the charts with a cameo studded music video. The album is a glossy, easy breezy, down your throat listen, even at 17 tracks long. An accomplishment that goes much further then any of the album's singles did.

Most Played Song: “Your Type”

Buy Emotion

Buy Deja Vu

Deja Vu: Giorgio Moroder
4 Bubbles
Disco heavy weight Giorgio Moroder returned to the studio with a list of musical superstars. See the tracklist complete with names like Britney Spears, Kelis, Kylie Minogue, Sia, and Charli XCX. The album's taste in the past is also what makes it current. As DJ, Giorgio gives us a playlist of ecstatic songs, and though his musical wizardry tends to work better for his female counterparts, Deja Vu is a constant and thoroughly rewarding record.

Most Played Song: “Deja Vu” featuring Sia

Fifty Shades of Grey: Soundtrack
4 Bubbles
Bolstered by hits “Earned It” and “Love Me Like You Do” this is the soundtrack that chronicled 2015's response to Basic Instinct is best to listen to on a slow rainy day. Full of slow burns and quintessential love songs, it's darkly atmospheric and features two Beyonce remixes that could hold the album down by itself. Album closer “I Know You” is a must listen by Skylar Grey.

Most Played Song: “I'm On Fire” by AWOLNATION

Buy Fifty Shades of Grey

Home: Soundtrack
3 Bubbles
Rihanna not only voiced the lead for animated film Home, but also lent her voice to 3 of the album's 8 songs. The best of these additions is “Towards The Sun”. The album also features tracks from Kiesza, Charli XCX, and Jennifer Lopez. This album will just have to bridge the gap until we get Anti. Jennifer Lopez shines on the delicate ballad “Feel The Light” that closes the album.

Most Played Song: “Feel The Light” by Jennifer Lopez

Buy Home

The Fool: Ryn Weaver
2 ½ Bubbles
This album hinges on an experimental electronic influence that is well captured on buoyant songs “Pierre” and “Octahate”. Ryn Weaver never quite matches the magic that made her contemporary, Halsey's debut so fascinating. It's a listenable if unremarkable debut. The Fool also features one of the most pretentious songs of 2015 finalized with the spoken word outro on “Traveling Song” that consists of talking about “turtle soup”

Most Played Song: “Octahate”

Buy The Fool

Honeymoon: Lana Del Rey
4 ½ Bubbles
Arguably her most critically lauded album yet, Honeymoon finds Lana Del Rey reveling in her own brand of off kilter pop. This album although not quite as good as last years Ultraviolence still has plenty of moments that reinforce why Lana Del Rey is such a popular staple. No more clear than in the explicit and summery lead off “High By The Beach”. Honeymoon stands as one of the most consistent pop releases of 2015 that's unlikely to in over anyone not impressed with her prior releases. A perfect addition to Lana Del Rey's ever growing canon.

Most Played Song: “Terrence Loves You”

Buy Honeymoon

How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful: Florence and The Machine
4 Bubbles
The first release from the indie rock band in four years it finds Florence Welch deepening her outlook on themes explored on their other two studio albums. The album is bolstered by her voice and big strings. Some songs falter in their length and remarkability, but the album is focused none the less and features some of the most anthmetic and personal work of her career.

Most Played Song: “What Kind Of Man”

Buy How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful

Skrillex and Diplo Present Jack U: Jack U
3 ½ Bubbles
One of the most celebrated DJ releases of the year it features production work by two of the most boundary pushing producers of this decade with Skrillex and Diplo teaming up to form the power duo Jack U. The expectation I had for this album was set high and oddly enough the album doesn't consistently push hard enough. That however doesn't stop it from being a wild 35:25 minute ride featuring the worldwide hit “Where Are You Now” that catapulted Justin Bieber back into the spotlight.

Most Played Song: “Febreeze” featuring 2 Chainz

Buy Jack U

Buy Love Stuff

No Good: Ivy Levan
4 Bubbles
Despite featuring production from Diplo and guest vocals from icon Sting, none of the singles released from No Good found a mainstream audience. Ivy Levan powers through with her trademark husky voice and material that places a different spin on the fifties aesthetic that Meghan Trainor made popular in 2014. Ivy Levan shines the best on the roof shakers and mid tempo fare, rather then when she slows it down on closing tracks like “Misery” and Whitney Houston inspired “It Ain't Easy”.

Most Played Song: “The Dame Says”

Love Stuff: Elle King
3 ½ Bubbles
Daughter of comedian Rob Schneider, Love Stuff finds Elle King snarling her way through a debut of modern rock. While some of the material pushes her too far (see “Last Damn Night” and “I Told You I Was Mean”) the album regardless has numerous highlights including the surprise sleeper hit “Ex's & Oh's”. She's at her best on tracks that showcase her fiery personality and when she's at her most vulnerable like “Make You Smile” or “Cocaine Carolina”.

Most Played Song: “Make You Smile”

Buy No Good

Peace is the Mission: Major Lazer
3 ½ Bubbles
Another Diplo helmed DJ set, his production as Major Lazer is decidedly reggae themed. Featuring global smash “Lean On” the album powers through some of the most fun dance music produced this year. The album features guest vocals from superstars Ellie Goulding and Ariana Grande.

Most Played Song: “All My Love (Remix)” featuring Ariana Grande and Machel Montano.

Buy Peace Is The Mission

Pitch Perfect 2: Soundtrack
3 Bubbles
The album fares just as well as the movie did. The more you liked the movie, the more you'll appreciate the accompanying soundtrack. As so often is the case the sequel proves to be not as good as the original. Besides the movies chronicled performance it also features new music from Ester Dean and Jessie J.

Most Played Song: “Crazy Youngsters” by Ester Dean

Buy Pitch Perfect 2

Rebel Heart: Madonna
4 Bubbles
Plagued by leaks, Rebel Heart turned into the longest album of Madonna's career the final tracklist coming in at 19 tracks long. While this album doesn't find it pushing boundaries the way previous Madonna releases like American Life and Ray of Light have it does find Madonna engaging in mainstream sound, much to her credit. The album features work by Diplo and Kanye West and an intriguing guest spot by Mike Tyson. The album is unwieldy and at times aimless, but mostly it is a positive reflection of what Madonna can contribute to music in the 21st century.

Most Played Song: “Bitch I'm Madonna” featuring Nicki Minaj

Buy Rebel Heart

Storyteller: Carrie Underwood
4 Bubbles
Carrie Underwood returns with a studio set built to tear country music apart. It's not a Carrie Underwood album if there's not a murder and there's plenty of that here. Carrie Underwood takes a back seat on this album, largely relegating herself to telling other people's stories. The album has everything that a blockbuster country album needs to shine. It's plays more consistently then 2012's Blown Away, which lost some of it's steam near the end and only works to reinforce how much we've missed Carrie in our life.

Most Played Song: “Dirty Laundry”

Buy Storyteller

Reflection: Fifth Harmony
3 Bubbles
An initial glance at this album would show it to be one of the glossiest releases of the year. The first five opening songs are exemplary of what processed pop is supposed to sound like. It's the final six tracks that sink into the nineties influenced R&B that Ariana Grande does so well, except on Fifth Harmony they play like throwaway B-Sides. The album although promising doesn't show the full potential of the group.

Most Played Song: “Top Down”

Buy Reflection

Sremm Life: Rae Sremmurd
4 Bubbles
Rap's latest and greatest duo, Rae Sremmurd dazzle with the ridiculous jangling of “No Flex Zone” and “Unlock The Swag”. The album benefits from guest appearances by Nicki Minaj and Big Sean. A thoroughly fun ride and the antithesis of what Kendrick Lamar is trying to do with the genre.

Most Played Song: “No Flex Zone”

Buy Sremm Life

Title: Meghan Trainor
3 ½ Bubbles
Chronicling the joys of a heteronormative world, Meghan Trainor does little to push or offend the base line of American values. The album is full of quirky oddities that make it more then just eleven different versions of “All About That Bass”. Title is at it's best with songs like the titular title track and “Dear Future Husband”, which go down just as sweet if you don't put too much stock in the lyrical content. However, she's surprisingly fun when pushing boundaries as she does on “Bang Them Sticks”.

Most Played Song: “Bang Them Sticks”

Buy Title

True Colors: Zedd
2 ½ Bubbles
German DJ, Zedd delivered his second studio album with the Selena Gomez led “Want You To Know”. The album often times finds him not pushing boundaries or giving us parodies of the top 40. Although, this works on “Beautiful Now” that is strongly reminiscent of something Ryan Tedder would produce. Despite a few notable tracks it falls short of an engaging concept album.

Most Played Song: “Papercut” featuring Troye Sivan

Buy True Colors

Buy Wild

Wild: Troye Sivan
2 Bubbles
The preview to his debut album Blue Neighborhood, this EP shows Troye Sivan's inability to replicate more then one substantial moody electro pop ballad per musical outing. “Wild” shines much like “Happy Little Pill” did on Tryxe. The EP would have benefited from the inclusion of “Papercut” an equally somber number found on Zedd's album True Colors. The other 5 of the 6 songs on Wild fail to make any impact and only undermine the fact that Troye Sivan can make amazing music. Instead of working on creating more thoughtful engaging songs like “Wild”, the EP is full of songs that serve as a canvas for experimental electronic influences that are supposed to count as his artistic vision.

Most Played Song: “Wild”

Savages: Five Knives
3 Bubbles
Unknown dance pop group Five Knives dropped one of the most fun and disposable albums of the year. Kicked off with the banger “Savages” and followed by a stream of trashy similarly minded ilk, the album although not about to redefine mainstream sound is exactly the kind of music to listen to when you've got your lip gloss on and the wind in your hair.

Most Played Song: “Savages”

Made in the AM: One Direction
4 Bubbles
More then likely this will be the fifth and final album by One Direction. Their upcoming hiatus a chance for them all to grope for Justin Timberlake stardom. Building on the mature pop/rock sound they've experimented with on their past two albums, Made In The AM is a testament and tribute to the reasons boy bands work their way into our hearts.

Most Played Song: “Perfect”

Favorite Album of The Year: Breathe In. Breathe Out by Hilary Duff

Buy

Favorite Song of the Year: "Breathe In. Breathe Out" by Hilary Duff

Buy "Breathe In. Breathe Out."

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Quan To The Co

10/16/2015

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ABC is killing the game. Literally and figuratively.

In a highly inventive new television show Quantico there will be FBI recruits, sabotage, golden boys, and terrorism. All playing into America's deep rooted fears of a terrorist attack. The show is going to play with those conventionalities that have made Homeland such a runaway hit for Showtime.

The reason I discovered this show is because of actress Priyanka Chopra. I did a Snapshot Saturday on her entitled Drop Dead Priyanka (read here). I was trying to title it as a variation on “drop dead beautiful” and looking back on it I realize I didn't do a great job on that.

She is a beauty pageant queen. She was very successful at it. Imagine Vanessa Williams in the eighties. Priyanka is gorgeous. She's also a phenomenal actress and women's right's activist in India. She's really an amazing woman.

She will be starring as the lead Alex Parrish. From what I've been able to gather from the trailer, she is an independent woman. She is very confident with her sexuality.

This show is set up to be a thriller. The central concept is that it's a flashback to her days in training at Quantico. One of the people she trained with committed this terrorist act on American soil and she's been set up for it.

Over the course of the season it should focus on her times training and her current situation of trying to discover who set her up. There's the golden boy. The one who's beautiful to look at, but only got in because his parents are agents. Jake McLaughlin is set up to be her love interest. More then likely he will not be the traitor.

Jake McLaughlin

Graham Rogers

There's a whole slew of other characters here to misdirect and throw suspicion. It will be intersting to see if this show does well. It airs on Sunday's. A tough time slot to say the least. Pan AM, GCB, 666 Park Avenue were three shows canceled consecutively in the same time slot Quantico is set for.

This is going to be Priyanka's debut to American audiences who are widely unaware of her superstar status in India. She's tried to launch a music career here, but neither Pitbull assisted “Exotic” or Bonnie Raitt cover “I Can't Make You Love Me” clung to American radio.

If this show is the success it has the possibility of being, this could be what gives Priyanka a leg up in the music industry. See Jennifer Lopez and Ariana Grande for examples.

I haven't been able to watch it, yet. Tragically I work on Sunday's, but I have high hopes for it. Honestly, I'm going to catch up over the winter break and report back to you. Trying to keep up with Scream Queens and America's Next Top Model is the struggle right now.

Make sure to checkout Quantico on ABC. It airs on Sunday's at 10/9 central. They've only aired a few episodes, so there's still time to catch up before it's season finale later this year.

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The Easy Road

4/3/2015

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I am so excited about this Friday Favorites. This was actually going to be the last Friday Favorites. That was on Jenny Lewis and her boyfriend Jonathan Rice, I love them. I don't regret making the Friday Favorites on them, but what I originally wanted to do was an article on this Swedish duo, First Aid Kit.

I had to order their album Stay Gold and it didn't come in early enough for me to blog about it for you. I bought so much music recently and all of it deserves a Friday Favorites. It's all amazing. They all had a song that said fuck in it, though. Am I surprised when rapper Rae Sremmurd and Snootie Wild drop a few fucks and shits. No, of course not, rap music is embedded with vulgar language. It's practically part of the culture. However, when sweet little Betty Who casually sings “those kids (…) fucking around” on her song “Runaways” I am mouth open shocked. There is not explicit label on your album. Children could be listening.

Buy Sremm Life

Buy Go Mode

Buy Take Me When You Go

Buy "Runaways"

I am even more shocked when I'm jamming out to First Aid Kit when their song “Master Pretender” elicited the line “shit gets fucked up” and they even said “god damn” at one point and I'm just like what is happening. I am not weak of heart or offended by any of this, but I just wasn't expecting any of this.

I found out about First Aid Kit last summer. I didn't listen to them. A lot of people were talking about them, I thought their album cover was beautiful, but I just didn't make the time out to invest. Then, their album Stay Gold made a lot of year end lists. Cosmo put them on their list. What I love about Cosmopolitan’s year end lists is that it is always girl powered. You don't see men on it. They don't say this is the best albums by women in 2014. They just say these are the best albums of 2014 and ignore the men. I love it. It's very girl power and awesome and it's one of the reasons I need to get me a subscription.

You probably haven't heard of First Aid Kit. They haven't had a radio hit. They are this indie folk band that's heavily inspired by the sixties and seventies culture. Those are my decades and I am absolutely obsessed with this album. I can't stress enough that they nailed it.

The first song I heard by them was “My Silver Lining” and it's dreamy music video. It's epic and these sisters are absolutely beautiful and I am jealous. I ordered this album after hearing this song, hands down, I didn't question it. After I ordered it I looked at the other music videos from this album. The two I watched were for “Stay Gold” and “Cedar Lane”. Honestly these would have put me off from buying the album.

Buy "My Silver Lining"

For some reason out of the context of this work as a whole, these songs are almost too heavy. So, if you like “My Silver Lining” just trust me and buy the album. Just go for it. You won't regret it. I'm honestly so upset I didn't buy this album last year, because it would have no doubt made my year end list of best albums. I want to make an exception this year and add it, but I'm not going to.

They are on tour right now, if you see them, tell me, I'm so jealous. They really aren't coming to the United States. Like, their coming, but their coming to the most basic as fuck places. Kentucky. Who goes to Kentucky? Not me. I do not live in Kentucky. I am not driving to Kentucky for some music festival. Any music festival in Kentucky is never going to match Coachella, and if you're not trying to match Coachella what are you doing.

Buy Stay Gold

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Living For Madonna

1/9/2015

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X-mas is coming early! Pre order my album and download 6 tracks! Happy Holidays! ❤️#rebelheart pic.twitter.com/YBiJccfQQ4
— Madonna (@Madonna) December 20, 2014

Around Thanksgiving two Madonna tracks leaked onto the internet. “Wash All Over Me” and “Rebel Heart”. Over a week before Christmas 13 more demo tracks leaked out. At the request of Madonna, I did not listen to any of the songs leaked after Thanksgiving. Partially, because she asked me not to, but more because I didn't want to hear the unfinished version of a song. What if I grew attached to this unfinished version and then Madonna switched it up for the album. So, I abstained.

Rumors continued to go around that a video for the lead single “Living For Love” would be filmed in January. After all the leaks she declared it “artistic rape” and “terrorism”. Maybe a little to strong of language, but Madonna was throughly pissed the fuck off. I would have said the same thing.

Now as far as who I think is behind the leaks, I think that fucker Diplo might have something to do with it. I get it. Diplo brings the beats, but you're Madonna. Who gives a fuck.

The real surprise came on the 19th of December. I was horribly oblivious to it as that was the day I was having a house party. But, Madonna released her album for pre-order on iTunes. Not only that, but with six songs that came with it.

The Madonna fandom erupted as it should have. We now had an album cover along with six official Madonna songs. And, a release date of March 10th. Along with the title of Rebel Heart. Madonna was coming for us. This was her way of taking back control of all the leaks and I praise the lord for it. We found out that we were going to get the lead single “Living for Love” on Valentines Day in February, but now here we are with it now.

I am going to break it down for you step by step the six songs that have been released and give you my opinion. You might be saying to yourself why the fuck has it taken you three weeks to write a Friday Favorites on your Queen. Let me redirect your attention to the 12 Days of Bubbles and let you figure out why I wasn't in the blogging mood.

Let's start with lead single:
“Living For Love”
With enough radio play this song will be another hit for Madonna. The hooks runneth amok over the entire song. This song might displace the potential for an Alicia Keys feature on the upcoming Madonna album as Alica Keys is listed as one of the writers for this song. This song goes every which way and I am feeling it. I'm excited to see the video and of what we've heard so far. I think it's a good choice.

Listen to "Living For Love"

“Bitch I'm Madonna” featuring Nicki Minaj
This song goes every which way and I really like seeing Nicki and Madonna back together. I would love to have seen this song as the lead single. However, if Queen Britney can't get “Work Bitch” to the tops, the radio will not be playing this song. I enjoy the electronic screaming, that dog barking thing, the immediate call to party. “Bitch I'm Madonna” is everything I could have wanted it to be.

Listen to "Bitch I'm Madonna"

“Illuminati”
Break downs abound, filtered vocals. Madonna name checks a list of celebrities in her sing songy rap voice she honed during American Life. I hate to say it again, but I like this song better then “Living For Love”. I would love to see a video for it and I tentatively feel like it could be a massive hit for her. It is immediately ear catching. The only problem she would have getting it on the radio is that radio at this point is biased against her. They obviously haven't heard this song, yet.

Listen to "Illuminati"

“Unapologetic Bitch”
Remember way back when I wrote on all the speculation surrounding Madonna's 13th album. I suggested this should be lead single featuring Nicki Minaj and Miley Cyrus. It features none of the above, it's not the lead single, however I really like it. It is not the brash in your face song I expected. It's actually very introverted and honest. And heartbreaking. I really relate to this song. Everything except for the part of “You didn't know how much you loved me until you lost me.” That part doesn't relate to me at all.

Listen to "Unapologetic Bitch"

“Ghost Town”
RuPaul named this as one of his favorite songs from the six that were released. This one is not like the others in that this what you might call a ballad. It's beautiful and haunting. She out did herself.

Listen to "Ghost Town"

Yes! #livingforlove #Ghosttown @17days RT @keith_caulfield: @Madonna Hi Ru! Any songs stand out for you, yet? pic.twitter.com/Kyc78gJMev
— RuPaul (@RuPaul) December 20, 2014

“Devil Pray”
What an interesting song. It's about Madonna's drug use, something she talked openly about in Interview Magazine. Another song I enjoy. Everything about it is very relateable. I don't think it could ever be a hit. What teenager wants a 56 year old woman's knowledge on how to drop acid and sniff glue. They don't.

Listen to "Devil Pray"

If we're basing how great her new album is off of these six songs, I can tell you it's going to be Ray of Light part two. Make sure to pre-order Rebel Heart on iTunes if you're not like me and insist on having the CD. I think you can also download the songs individually if only one of these caught your interest.

6 songs for you now...http://t.co/TIckUvJEw9 #rebelheart Happy Early X-Mas! ! 13 more to come for album 13 !!! ❤️❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/iBLfZ5wfLT
— Madonna (@Madonna) December 20, 2014

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Best Albums of 2014

12/27/2014

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Let's be really clear about this list. It is simply a review of the albums I have bought this year. I could never numerically list my favorite albums for a year. I could knock some out of the top ten, but let's be honest. I love music too much. Now almost all the music I got this year, I bought the day it came out.

You know I like my CD. That means some albums I may have talked about or have wanted, I do not have. RuPaul never released Born Naked in a physical format, Troye Sivan didn't release TRYXE physically in the United States, and Azealia Banks will be putting Broke With Expensive Taste out in January. It will make next years list.

I'm going to try to be a cold calculated bitch to my faves. Will see how well this goes. I'll give you a general rating out of five bubbles and include the song I played the most individually according to my computer.

Buy Lights Out

Lights Out: Ingrid Michaleson
3 ½ Bubbles
I bought this album as a spur of the moment seven dollar purchase at Target. I really do enjoy it's acceptable hit “Girls Chase Boys” and its a nice album. It's a good folk pop. It's not my favorite, though. Like, I think it's good album, but I don't listen to it very often. The ballads are what bring this album down. It just drags. That being said there are some standout tracks including “Warpath”, “Time Machine”, and “One Night Town”.

Most Played Song: "One Night Town"

Buy 1989

1989: Taylor Swift
4 Bubbles
Who else was shocked at how great this album was. I bought it the moment it came out. The Target staff was still putting it up and I had to reach past them to get it. This album is so much better then “Shake It Off” predicted. I know I said I wouldn't it. Of course I did. I'm so glad, I did. I am now a proud and out Taylor Swift fan. This album is everything.

Most Played Song: Tie between “Welcome To New York” and “Blank Space”

A.K.A.: Jennifer Lopez
3 ½ Bubbles
This is Queen J.Lo's latest album. I was hyped for it. I wanted it so badly. And, it was kind of a disappointment. One of my favorite albums ever was her previous studio album Love? A.K.A. Really wasn't going to top that. As much as I've listened to the album it's not my favorite. And, this rating is actually based on the standard ten track album. I really love this album until “Booty” ends and then it just slides down. If you're not a Jennifer Lopez fan and you want this album. Get the standard edition. Its a more solid performance over all, then the deluxe.

Most Played Song: “Booty” featuring Pitbull

Buy A.K.A.

Aquarius: Tinashe
3 ½ Bubbles
Critics adored this album. I think it's solid, but like many albums I don't enjoy listening to it per say. I see the artistry and I think it was executed well, but Tinashe wanted to be both an R&B starlet and an expiremental mix tape girl. She tried to make it work. I don't know if it did. Some songs I thoroughly enjoyed were the title track, “Bet”, “All Hands On Deck”, and “Wildfire”

Most Played Song: “2 On”

Buy Aquarius

Cheek to Cheek: Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett
4 Bubbles
I bought it for Lady Gaga. Real talk. That's why the world bought it. This is a jazz album. I tentatively think it was well executed. I don't listen to jazz. When I do listen to this album I jam, but is it going to take the place of ARTPOP? Absolutely not.

Most Played Song: “I Can't Give You Anything But Love”

Buy Cheek to Cheek

Food: Kelis
4 Bubbles
This is an album. I don't listen to the songs individually when I listen to Kelis it is the full experience. This is a soul funk R&B album. I love it. It may not be for everyone, but it's an insanely well executed project.

Most Played Song: Tie between “Bless The Telephone” and “Jerk Ribs”

Buy Food

Flashing Lights: Havana Brown
3 Bubbles
I know technically this album came out in 2013, but the version I have of this album came out in 2014. So, I'm going to include it anyway, you know I love Havana Brown. That said it's surprising how not good I thought Flashing Lights was. Like it's everything to me, but I'm like wow this isn't actually tht good of an album. This happened, because of the lackluster quality of some of the filler tracks that are strung together four songs long. When this album is at it's high. It can't be beat. At it's lows it hurts. It also come as a surprise to me that the most played song I had was not “Warrior”, “We Run The Night”, “Big Banana”, "Naughty” or “Flashing Lights”. All songs I would say were better, but a song I would label as filler, but apparently incredibly enjoyable filler.

Most Played Song: “You'll Be Mine”

Buy Flashing Lights

Buy It's The Girls!

It's The Girls!: Bette Midler
3 ½ Bubbles
Legendary Bette Midler released yet another studio album. It is a collection of standard girl group songs. Executed well, not as well as other albums by her. I thoroughly enjoyed it.The album also offers great love advice.. Take the staggeringly over optimistic “Tell Him”. Sure just tell your crush you'll never leave him in his whole life. That you'll love him forever. That's not creepy. Side note do not go out of your way to get the Target edition. It's just two sappy ballads that are sub par for the set and don't add much to the record.

Most Played Song: “He's Sure The Boy I Love”

Going to Hell: The Pretty Reckless
4 ½ Bubbles
One of the best albums of the year. Obsessed. I love. Every song is almost perfect. It strays a little too hard rock for me at times, but that's because I'm not usually one of hard rocks biggest proponents. Buy this album. It's fronted by Gossip Girl alumn, Taylor Momsen, and man does she kill it as a provocative Lolita figure.

Most Played Song: Tie between “Heaven Knows”, “Why'd You Bring A Shotgun To The Party”, and “Fucked Up World”

Buy Going To Hell

Motion: Calvin Harris
4 Bubbles
DJ Calvin Harris has hit his stride. This album is everything you want, radio friendly pop fodder with plenty of bangers. The fantastic Big Sean feature with “Open Wide” or the Tinashe led “Dollar Signs”. He did a great job creating a flowing record. It also doesn't hurt that he back loaded the album with it's best songs. Another collaboration with Ellie Goulding hit home and you should check this album out before these songs hit the top ten.

Most Played Song: Tie between “Pray to God” featuring Haim and “Dollar Signs” featuring Tinashe

Buy Motion

Buy The New Classic

Nick Jonas: Nick Jonas
3 Bubbles
I wanted more from this album. There are no shirtless pictures in the booklet, so what the fuck Nick. But, just at it's core I'm not in love. It doesn't turn me off. I'm not opposed to buying another Nick Jonas album, I'm just not entirely bought into this Nick. The lyrics really do bother me on some of these songs. “If I can't have you, no one will”. It's kind of creepy. His duet with Mike Posner is disgusting. There are just some things that turn me off to this album. That said I was pleasantly surprised at how good the duet with Demi Lovato was, and you know I don't like her.

Most Played Song: “Numb” featuring Angel Haze

The New Classic: Iggy Azalea
2 Bubbles
I want to read this album, but the hits bolster it just enough for me not to tear it apart. I am not a fan of this album. The Reclassified is probably the shit. Streamlined with the best. All the effort was put into the hits. I don't know. She makes stabs at 'real' hip hop and it just doesn't strike home like her pop renderings. There were some album only songs that I adore like “Fuck Love” and the ridiculous “Lady Patra”. I even like “Walk The Line”. But, when paired against the hits. The other songs fall flat. This doesn't fulfill the joy of an album experience.

Most Played Song: “Fancy” featuring Charli XCX

Buy Nick Jonas

Platinum: Miranda Lambert
3 ½ Bubbles
Miranda is my country darling, I love her music. This is a rambling album and it works. It does, but as a rambling album some songs turn me off to the overall aesthetic. “Little Red Wagon” being the biggest put down. And, I read in a review that they consider it a stand out track, so I might just be missing something. There's her trademark humor in tow with “Old Shit” and “Gravity is a Bitch”. I am also not impressed with lead single “Automatic”. It's kind of condescending and it doesn't really sound like Miranda. It also must be known that I am overwhelmed with both “Smokin' and Drinkin'” and “Platinum”. They barely missed being the my most played song.

Most Played Song: “Something Bad” feauturing Carrie Underwood

Buy Platinum

Queen of the Clouds: Tove Lo
3 Bubbles
Another album I want to get into. I didn't it. It didn't click for me. “Like Em Young” did resonate with me. I just want to send this song to my crush anonymously and say how does this make you feel. The concept of splitting the album into three distinct parts of “The Sex”, “The Love” and “The Pain”. That was really cool. I know someone who loves this album. Give it a shot. I'm going to keep trying. Tove Lo as a pop star intrigues me.

Most Played Song: “Not On Drugs”

Buy Queen of the Clouds

That's Christmas to Me: Pentatonix
3 Bubbles
People went gaga for this acapella Christmas album this year. I bought it because of Mitch and Scott. It's acceptable Christmas fair. It does not compete with Celine Dion or Bette Midler. If you want it I say go get it.

Most Played Song: “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy”

Buy That's Christmas To Me

Shakira: Shakira
3 ½ Bubbles
Shakira did a stint on The Voice and tried her damnedest to get American radio play by throwing Rihanna onto the lead off single “Can't Remember To Forget You”, but never the less her latest album didn't produce a sizable hit in the United States. I enjoy this album. I don't think it's as good as say Laundry Service, She Wolf, or Sale El Sol. But, it's an easy breezy listen that stands up stronger then either part of the Oral Fixation series. I also thoroughly enjoyed her duet with country superstar, Blake Shelton that was trashed by more then one critic.

Most Played Song: “Can't Remember To Forget You” featuring Rihanna

Buy Shakira

Sex and Love: Enrique Iglesias
3 Bubbles
This is one of those weird albums that works, but I can't honestly tell you it's a good album. It's Enrique Iglesias. I've listened to this album numerous times and I love it. Also, the song I trashed when I compared him to Shakira is my most listened to song. This is just a thoroughly good ride. You can't take it as artistry, but more as good fun. Whether that be “Bailando”, “There Goes My Baby”, “Physical” or “Beautiful”. It works because Enrique plays off of his public persona. If you like his public image. You should really enjoy this album.

Most Played Song: “I'm A Freak” featuring Pitbull

Buy Sex and Love

Buy Sheezus

Sheezus: Lily Allen
2 ½ Bubbles
Thunder and J.Lo bought me this album for my birthday. I still like Lily Allen, but this album blends. Most of the tracks are too similar. There are definitely some songs I jam out to, but it's just not my favorite thing this year. I wouldn't avoid it, still it's not on the top of my list. Some of the songs I really enjoyed were the title track, “Close Your Eyes” and “Silver Spoon”. If you are a die hard Lily Allen. Buy this album. You need it as part of your collection.

Most Played Song: “Hard Out Here”

Sound of a Woman: Kiesza
3 ½ Bubbles
Solid and unique debut by dance singer Kiesza. This is artistic dance music in the highest regard. It doesn't hit home for me quite hard enough and some of the more R&B inspired tracks leave me bored. However, I like her and would look into her next album. If you didn't hear her almost hit “Hideaway” that's something you should get on.

Most Played Song: “Hideaway”

Buy Sound of a Woman

Super Critical: The Ting Tings
4 ½ Bubbles
The Ting Tings are one of the winners this year in music. True they are my favorite band, but this album got to me. First listen I was set on three bubbles. A few more spins later and this new disco sound was everything I wanted from The Tings. It's light fun filled and some of the tracks I initially questioned, I am now in love with. The only two that haven't quite clicked are “Wabi Sabi” and “Green Poison”, but I still like them. Of the two singles released so far, I believe “Do It Again” is the best.

Most Played Song: “Failure”

Buy Super Critical

Volume 3: Pentatonix
3 ½ Bubbles
3rd EP from acapella group Pentatonix it includes covers of some of the years most popular songs. When you play a game like that it comes down to whether you like the original version better or not. They usually hold there own when it comes to the covers. It's the original song “Papaoutai” that features violinist Lindsey Stirling that disappoints me the most. I had so much hopes, because it's Lindsey Stirling and it did not come through.

Most Played Song: “See Through”

Buy Volume 3

Ultraviolence: Lana Del Rey
4 ½ Bubbles
Moody songstress Lana Del Rey came out with her second album the same day as Jennifer Lopez. I like this album better. Maybe not at first, but it's sunk into my soul. Every song is a masterpiece. I've played each individually and I don't know what keeps it from being a five bubble experience for me. Lana Del Rey knew what she wanted for this album and she delivered. I would recommend it to anyone. My mother and Boomer both claimed that they preferred Born to Die better. I told them to never talk to me again.

Most Played Song: “Ultraviolence”

Buy Ultraviolence

The Voyager: Jenny Lewis
4 ½ Bubbles
Adore would be too light of a word for how I feel about Jenny Lewis. If you want to know what emotional state I was in for a better part of 2014, you can listen to this album. It's soft, modern rock. It's easy listening. The only reason it's not a straight five bubbles is that one of the final songs “Aloha & The Three Johns” just didn't quite sit well with me. If I was to tell you an album you need to buy this year, it would be this one. Both Cosmopolitan and Billboard included this album on their year end lists.

Most Played Song: “She's Not Me”

Buy The Voyager

Buy The Pinkprint

Sucker: Charli XCX
4 Bubbles
This album could be a grower or I could hate it. Do not be fooled by “Boom Clap” this is not a traditional pop album. Like it is, but this is kind of punk rock with pop thrown in. “Boom Clap” doesn't really fit the album that well. It was just a major hit. I enjoy this album, but I am on the fence. High on the fence, but on the fence none the less. Enter into this album at your own risk, but I think Charli created a winner. Fans of her last outing True Romance may be disappointed. It is not even close to the same release as True Romance and that came out just last year.

Most Played Song: “Break The Rules”

Buy Sucker

The Pinkprint: Nicki Minaj
4 Bubbles
I really haven't had a chance to live with The Pinkprint. I am a huge Nicki fan, and I'm just so excited with the new Nicki music. It's introspective, but mantains that rap braggadocio, and there are some solid pop moments as well. The one that really stands out to me is “The Night Is Still Young”. Download it. It's going to be released as a single. Something I am holding against Nicki on this album is under utilizing Beyonce on “Feeling Myself”. Not that the song is bad, but you have Beyonce and this what you give us. What happened. At 21 tracks long, some of the songs could have been cut, but that's a hip-hop album for you. There are too many songs and it's too long and you love it. Queen Nicki, slayed it.

Most Played Song: “Bed of Lies” featuring Skylar Grey

Favorite Album of the Year: Tie between Going to Hell by the Pretty Reckless, Super Critical by The Ting Tings, Ultraviolence by Lana Del Rey, and The Voyager by Jenny Lewis.

Buy

Favorite Song of the Year: “Failure” by The Ting Tings

Buy "Failure"

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Only Lies

12/13/2014

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By now you are probably aware that Nicki Minaj stirred up some controversy over her lyric video for her third single “Only”. This song is very minimalist hip-hop. Those Nicki Minaj fans who like their “Va Va Voom” and “Super Bass” are not likely to be that impressed. I however really do like the song.

I also really like the lyric video aesthetically. It is very well done, but I really can't justify the fact that Nicki Minaj is Hitler in this scenario. I tried to come up with some form of symbolism for why she would do this. I came up with no good reason.

I would have never seen the lyric video if Tumblr had not erupted, and also proceeded not to explain why they were upset. All the comments were “so offended” without really explaining why they were so offended. Something, I thought was very interesting.

I don't feel like this was a necessarily smart move on Nicki Minaj's part, but I ambivalent to the lyric video. I suppose I'm supposed to be completely offended. I really am not.

I am, however, obsessed with Nicki Minaj's apology. It is me as a pop star, basically. It has a sorry not sorry mentality. Nicki has been hanging out with Madonna too much.

The artist who made the lyric video for “Only” was influenced by a cartoon on Cartoon Network called "Metalocalypse" & Sin City.
— NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) November 11, 2014

Both the producer, & person in charge of over seeing the lyric video (one of my best friends & videographer: A. Loucas), happen to be Jewish
— NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) November 11, 2014

I didn't come up w/the concept, but I'm very sorry & take full responsibility if it has offended anyone. I'd never condone Nazism in my art.
— NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) November 11, 2014

The only thing, I really don't like about her response is when she justifies it with two of the people involved happen to be Jewish and they weren't offended. Well, Nicki let's just scroll back and remind everyone that the Jews weren't the only people killed in the holocaust. It included a lot of other 'inferior' minorities.

I love the last tweet, where she says I take full responsibility. She does this after explaining how she wasn't involved. It's beautiful. Her apology is very well worded, but also completely full of shit.

She knows she offended people, and the lyric video has not been removed.

Also, the part of the influence for the video was inspired by “Metalocolypse” and Sin City is a lie. The visual artist Jeff Osbourne also did not apologize, but he said it was inspired by Nazi imagery. You can read his statement below. Much like Miss Minaj it also well worded and defiant to anyone who was offended. He definitely gives a more artistic explanation for the concept of the video, basically saying that America is the new Germany.

There is also the question of if Nicki saw the lyric video before it was uploaded to YouTube. We will never know the answer. This is not a huge dent in her career by any means, but I do think she knew exactly what was happening.

Nicki Minaj is very involved with her career as most female megastars are. Nicki saw and Nicki approved of it. In my opinion.

Her new album does come out this Monday on the 15th if this scandal hasn't put you off. We also have a new pop offering from her with “Bed of Lies”. It's in the vein of “Pills N Potions” and will no doubt be sent to pop radio. Considering the lack of impact that “Pills N Potions” had I'm surprised she went for yet another downbeat song. Nicki may not be thinking through everything, but she certainly has a plan.

The statement by the director of the "Only" lyric video, Jeff Osbourne, released to Myspace

Before I start, be clear that these are my personal views and not the views of Nicki Minaj, Drake, Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, or Young Money.

First, I'm not apologizing for my work, nor will I dodge the immediate question. The flags, armbands, and gas mask (and perhaps my use of symmetry?) are all representative of Nazism.

But a majority of the recognizable models/symbols are American: MQ9 Reaper Drone, F22 Raptor, Sidewinder missile, security cameras, M60, SWAT uniform, General's uniform, the Supreme court, and the Lincoln Memorial. What's also American is the 1st Amendment, which I've unexpectedly succeeded in showing how we willfully squeeze ourselves out of that right every day.

Despite the fact heavy religious and economic themes were glossed over, there's also Russian T-90 tanks, Belgian FN FAL, German mp5 (not manufactured until 1966), an Italian Ferrari, and a Vatican Pope.

As far as an explanation, I think it's actually important to remind younger generations of atrocities that occurred in the past as a way to prevent them from happening in the future. And the most effective way of connecting with people today is through social media and pop culture. So if my work is misinterpreted because it's not a sappy tearjerker, sorry I'm not sorry. What else is trending?

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