Kirby Ball
03-01-2008, 07:17 PM
Jon asked me if I would start doing these biased reviews again, so here we go! :spshocked:
Remember, these are my biased opinions and would love to hear what others think of these new releases.
SHOUT – Donna Lewis (AC)
This song has a dreamy kind of instrumental backing, with a decent vocal. The chorus is kind of catchy and has grown on me.
I’M YOURS – Jason Mraz (AC) :thumbsup:
I’ll have to admit that I really liked “Curbside Prophet” and thought it was pretty clever. This song is nowhere as lively and has kind of a reggae-lite feel to it. Very pleasant sound and I enjoy his phrasing. Good background song.
YOUR LOVE IS A LIE – Simple Plan (AC/CHR) :thumbsup:
Nice little pop/rock song. Starts off with an acoustic guitar intro and uses the “power-guitar” chorus. I liked this tune the first time I heard it. It kind of reminds me a bit of some of the sounds that Green Day was going after on American Idiot.
BREAK THE ICE – Britney Spears (CHR)
Sounds like a Timbaland wannabe song; I absolutely despise her “voice-overs” and “heavy-breathing” and don’t feel that it adds anything to the song. Not much here for me, but I’m sure it will be popular for about 15 minutes with the kiddies. I have heard a lot worse, though.
ROCK WITH U – Janet Jackson (URBAN) :thumbsup:
Overall a fairly “tame” song, but has a very hypnotic sound to it. Janet provides some “breathy” vocals and overall it’s a decent track.
LUV – Janet Jackson (URBAN)
Did not like this the first time that I listened to it, but now it’s kind of grown on me. It’s going to be one of those that you’ll either like it or hate it.
LET’S WORK – Trick Trick (URBAN)
Starts off with that “We Will Rock You” beat, but then deteriorates into the normal thumping sound that permeates today’s unimaginative rap production. Probably won’t go over well in the hood with lyrics like, “Don’t work, don’t eat.”
SHE’S SO FLY (I’M SO HIGH) – Grind Mode (URBAN)
Slow groove song, not horrible but not real great. We’ve heard it all before and done better.
MY R&B – Randy Jackson Feat. Barbi Esco (URBAN)
I think the purpose of this song was to see how many modern R&B artists they could fit into the lyrics. Nicely produced but I don’t see the point of this song. Basically, a big snooze and easily ignored.
BACK WHEN I KNEW IT ALL – Montgomery Gentry (COUNTRY) :thumbsup:
The poor man’s version of Brooks and Dunn are back with another “back when” song. Starts off with that 12-string guitar sound, reminiscent of the early Byrds and a little Dylanesque harmonica. Nice little “toe-tapper,” and a pleasant song to sit back and listen to.
ROCKS IN YOUR SHOES – Emily West (COUNTRY) :thumbsup:
Starts off with the lyrics, “So you’ve had some bad luck, life sucks” which grabbed my attention right away! Fun little country-rocker, that might remind you a bit of Jo Dee Messina.
’73 – Jennifer Hanson (COUNTRY)
Yawn, that’s about all I can say about this tune. Very non-descript and boring.
A-PUNK – Vampire Weekend (ROCK) :thumbsup:
Quirky tune, but infectious as Hell. Kind of punkish with a bouncy beat. This song puts a smile on my face and makes me want to dance.
I’M NOT JESUS – Apocalyptica (ROCK) :thumbsup:
Oh yeah, this song rocks! You have to turn this sucker up and let those speakers wail.
IT’S NOT MY TIME – 3 Doors Down (ROCK)
Decent tune, and will probably do well on the radio. Not a real energetic song, but then again it doesn’t drag along.
PRODIGAL SON – Sevendust (ROCK) :thumbsup:
Guitar, Bass, Drums….what more can you ask for in a rocker? Another “turn this sucker up!” song.
FOOL (IF YOU THINK IT’S OVER) – Nemesis Rising (DANCE) :thumbsup:
Dance remake of Chris Rea’s 1978 song. Loved the original and I really like what they’ve done with this version. Doesn’t stray too far from the original, except it has a more up-tempo beat to it and is mixed for the dance floor.
COME THOU FOUNT – Jadon Lavik (CHRISTIAN)
Nicely performed and played, but boring. Definitely background music.
EVERY MAN – Casting Crowns (CHRISTIAN) :thumbsup:
Awesome song, has emotion with well played and arranged music. The chorus reminds me of George Harrison. 100% better than most tripe that we hear on today’s radio stations. Very “anthemic”….
A THOUSAND WINTERS MELTING – Myriad (CHRISTIAN)
Decent tune, but they sound like about a dozen other bands that have tried to imitate that U2 sound.
Remember, these are my biased opinions and would love to hear what others think of these new releases.
SHOUT – Donna Lewis (AC)
This song has a dreamy kind of instrumental backing, with a decent vocal. The chorus is kind of catchy and has grown on me.
I’M YOURS – Jason Mraz (AC) :thumbsup:
I’ll have to admit that I really liked “Curbside Prophet” and thought it was pretty clever. This song is nowhere as lively and has kind of a reggae-lite feel to it. Very pleasant sound and I enjoy his phrasing. Good background song.
YOUR LOVE IS A LIE – Simple Plan (AC/CHR) :thumbsup:
Nice little pop/rock song. Starts off with an acoustic guitar intro and uses the “power-guitar” chorus. I liked this tune the first time I heard it. It kind of reminds me a bit of some of the sounds that Green Day was going after on American Idiot.
BREAK THE ICE – Britney Spears (CHR)
Sounds like a Timbaland wannabe song; I absolutely despise her “voice-overs” and “heavy-breathing” and don’t feel that it adds anything to the song. Not much here for me, but I’m sure it will be popular for about 15 minutes with the kiddies. I have heard a lot worse, though.
ROCK WITH U – Janet Jackson (URBAN) :thumbsup:
Overall a fairly “tame” song, but has a very hypnotic sound to it. Janet provides some “breathy” vocals and overall it’s a decent track.
LUV – Janet Jackson (URBAN)
Did not like this the first time that I listened to it, but now it’s kind of grown on me. It’s going to be one of those that you’ll either like it or hate it.
LET’S WORK – Trick Trick (URBAN)
Starts off with that “We Will Rock You” beat, but then deteriorates into the normal thumping sound that permeates today’s unimaginative rap production. Probably won’t go over well in the hood with lyrics like, “Don’t work, don’t eat.”
SHE’S SO FLY (I’M SO HIGH) – Grind Mode (URBAN)
Slow groove song, not horrible but not real great. We’ve heard it all before and done better.
MY R&B – Randy Jackson Feat. Barbi Esco (URBAN)
I think the purpose of this song was to see how many modern R&B artists they could fit into the lyrics. Nicely produced but I don’t see the point of this song. Basically, a big snooze and easily ignored.
BACK WHEN I KNEW IT ALL – Montgomery Gentry (COUNTRY) :thumbsup:
The poor man’s version of Brooks and Dunn are back with another “back when” song. Starts off with that 12-string guitar sound, reminiscent of the early Byrds and a little Dylanesque harmonica. Nice little “toe-tapper,” and a pleasant song to sit back and listen to.
ROCKS IN YOUR SHOES – Emily West (COUNTRY) :thumbsup:
Starts off with the lyrics, “So you’ve had some bad luck, life sucks” which grabbed my attention right away! Fun little country-rocker, that might remind you a bit of Jo Dee Messina.
’73 – Jennifer Hanson (COUNTRY)
Yawn, that’s about all I can say about this tune. Very non-descript and boring.
A-PUNK – Vampire Weekend (ROCK) :thumbsup:
Quirky tune, but infectious as Hell. Kind of punkish with a bouncy beat. This song puts a smile on my face and makes me want to dance.
I’M NOT JESUS – Apocalyptica (ROCK) :thumbsup:
Oh yeah, this song rocks! You have to turn this sucker up and let those speakers wail.
IT’S NOT MY TIME – 3 Doors Down (ROCK)
Decent tune, and will probably do well on the radio. Not a real energetic song, but then again it doesn’t drag along.
PRODIGAL SON – Sevendust (ROCK) :thumbsup:
Guitar, Bass, Drums….what more can you ask for in a rocker? Another “turn this sucker up!” song.
FOOL (IF YOU THINK IT’S OVER) – Nemesis Rising (DANCE) :thumbsup:
Dance remake of Chris Rea’s 1978 song. Loved the original and I really like what they’ve done with this version. Doesn’t stray too far from the original, except it has a more up-tempo beat to it and is mixed for the dance floor.
COME THOU FOUNT – Jadon Lavik (CHRISTIAN)
Nicely performed and played, but boring. Definitely background music.
EVERY MAN – Casting Crowns (CHRISTIAN) :thumbsup:
Awesome song, has emotion with well played and arranged music. The chorus reminds me of George Harrison. 100% better than most tripe that we hear on today’s radio stations. Very “anthemic”….
A THOUSAND WINTERS MELTING – Myriad (CHRISTIAN)
Decent tune, but they sound like about a dozen other bands that have tried to imitate that U2 sound.