What Are You Listening To?

[Music Head]

listened online



Good old fashioned funk/soul. Used to be called r&b, but that genre has been hijacked by something else. On Daptone Records, the Dap-Kings are the session band for the label. Supposedly a revivalist movement to bring back that soul sound. We all know that's not gonna happen. Courageous effort though. Members of The Dap-Kings performed on various tracks of the Amy Winehouse album Back To Black. This is the fourth album by the group. First I have heard them and although I like the sound, and there are a few nice tracks, overall this album didn't do it for me.

I DO NOT LIKE THIS ALBUM

Worst Track - The Reason

Best Track - If You Call

1) That Game Gets Old - 1.5
2) I Learned The Hard Way - 1.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vX3-nGYJKwc
3) Better Things To Do - 2.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wtt7F_yEcy0
4) Give It Back - 1.0
5) Money - 1.5
6) The Reason - 1.0
7) Window Shopping - 2.0
8) She Ain't No Child No More - 1.5
9) I'll Still Be True - 1.5 - live
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIjus1mwEMU
10) Without A Heart - 1.0 - live
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtHTxrimq6E
11) If You Call - 2.5 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwRbV-L0Qoc
12) Mama Don't Like My Man - 2.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZEpxqwtyJk

Average Rating - 1.5

[Iota]

Madvillain - Curls

[Music Head]

listened online



Philadelphian r&b soultress/pianist with her 4th studio album. Has written songs for Britney Spears and Boyz II Men. Five years since the last release, which went top 20, this sounds much the same and will probably sell the same. Standard pop r& b fare with a couple of decent tracks, and the rest, mush. Not for me. Assuming the title track is the single.

I DO NOT LIKE THIS ALBUM

Worst Track - Better Man

Best Track - Beautiful

1) Beautiful - 2.0 - - video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqRur_lxJmM
2) When We're Apart - 1.5 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rp8aS-zQRw
3) I Know How - 1.5
4) Better Man - 1.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_paM-9kyd8
5) Save Me - 1.5 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4tz3ONaHg0
6) Too Intense - 1.5 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZM972IB7lE
7) Somewhere - 2.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOlyFWBpA08
8) Caught Up - 1.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Nj7217tALc
9) Search Is Over - 1.5 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9EgKKO7t0c
10) So Far Gone - 1.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ll25NA8Y9EY
11) Jordans Song - 1.5 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRtckSHA70A

Average Rating - 1.4

[Tiggi]

Blast from the past.

Classic instrumental R&B/Soul.

I love the sound of Hammond Organ (I presume that's what he's playing), so this is a treat. Great band.

BTW this sounds great, and considering it's a mono recording from '62, it shows that recording technology had really come of age.

[Music Head]

listened online



Should be called Devin The Dud, cause that's what this was. One track I would ever care to hear again, which does get my head moving and has nice music, but not for the kids. Well, none of it is. Houston rapper. Been around for 6 albums, so somebody must like him. Been reaching the top 10 on the rap charts, but the highest on the mainstream is #30. Most of the tracks giving kudos to the benefits of the weed, with others touting his bitches and ho's (not dogs and garden tools). The same 1-2 beat on every track.

I DO NOT LIKE THIS ALBUM

Worst Track - Twitta

Best Track - I Gotta Ho

1) Cultural Coughee - 1.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jqdUqZCoFU
2) We Get High - 1.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jqdUqZCoFU
3) Still Comin' - 1.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yftnltxPZqM
4) Pick My Brain - 1.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzNZRB7Un3M
5) That Ain't Cool - 1.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OivLG1vLm7g
6) I Gotta Ho - 1.5 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dL_fhHw337I
7) What I Be On - 1.0 - video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Vemm9YWqgk
8) Ultimate High - 1.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCmzU4wb1x4
9) I Can't Handle It - 1.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7DfxCYQDeo
10) Where Ya At - 1.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSG-TsjdPxo
11) It's On You - 1.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsJdzglxwV4
12) People Talk - 1.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oz3BR7Mix2U
13) All You Need - 1.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qTkrU7AdO4
14) Twitta - 1.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OotUsvaPSg
15) Funky Lil Freestyle - 1.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMuDcegke4c

Average Rating - 1.0

[Music Head]

listened online



Big in the 90's winning six grammys, she's back with her sixth album, the first in 5 years. Only took a year and a half to make it. It's on to a new label (Atlantic) for this one, with the first single of Yesterday featuring Trey Sonz being released way back in September. Never heard it till now, but I don't listen to top 40 radio. Even so, would have thought the video would have gotten play, but never saw it. Yes I do watch the video stations. Anyway, typical r&b Whitney Houston style on the slower tracks and pick your sound alike for the upbeat numbers. Only one track that interested me. Hands Tied and Make My Heart are also singles.

I DO NOT LIKE THIS ALBUM

Worst Track - Hero

Best Track - Woman

I worked late but you don't wait up
My bones ache and i'm cleaning the place up
Sometimes i don't even know i care

I sit down take off my make-up
I lay down but you don't wake up
Sometimes i wonder if you know i'm there

I can't remember the last time you
Told me i'm beautiful, and i can't remember
Last time you said anything at all

I'm a woman
A woman with a heart
And i deserve your all
I'm not some girl who don't know what she wants
I'm a woman
And i need to be touched
And i need to be loved
'cause being just your woman is not enough

Now i hope that you don't wake up
When it's too late to make up
You'll be the one that's alone and that's sad

In time you'll find somebody
The truth is she'll never be me
And that's when you're going to miss what we had

When all i really needed to hear was "you're beautiful"
All i really needed to hear was anything at all

I'm a woman
A woman with a heart
And i deserve your all
I'm not some girl who don't know what she wants
I'm a woman
And i need to be touched
And i need to be loved
'cause being just your woman is not enough

I'm not your friend who only needs you sometimes
And if i'm your lady
You got to treat me like...

I'm a woman
A woman with a heart
And i deserve your all
I'm not some girl who don't know what she wants
I'm a woman
And i need to be touched
And i need to be loved
'cause being just your woman is not enough

A woman needs your heart
A woman needs your all
A woman needs your everything
I'm a woman
And i need to be touched
And i need to be loved
And i deserve your everything
I'm a woman
I'm a woman
I'm a woman

1) Yesterday - 1.5 - video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cETtDC59-I
2) Make My Heart - 1.0 - live
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LWrW7YnM7U
3) Hands Tied - 1.0 - video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6HVKXK8G70
4) Woman - 2.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqVpeGY-6b0
5) If I Have To Wait - 1.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBagXEvzzW8
6) Lookin' At Me - 1.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7f6zBISfSKY
7) Wardrobe - 1.5 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vyd8H-blOLA
8) Hero - 1.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmFYmR11sII
9) No Way - 1.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqeZlwcm248
10) Pulse - 1.5 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmGkczH3Jf4
11) Why Won't You Love Me - 1.5 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdF443e124A

Average Rating - 1.3

[Tiggi]

Re-release of a '68 Stax compilation, with loads of bonus material.

Sam & Dave, Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Solomon Burke etc etc all feature.

Fine, fine music...

[Music Head]

listened online



Now why'd they have to go and do this? One of the greatest soul groups of all time. Respect out the window in one listen. Fifty years in the biz, and all it takes is 1 album. Of course I'm sure these are all different members, as the lineup has changed so many times, but still, come on, Temps on auto-tune? There were a couple of decent tracks, one really good. Other than that, all crap. All in an attempt to grab a new audience I guess. Hey guys, most of the old one is still out there, but you lost 'em now. Brand name demolished. I'll stick to My Girl.

I DO NOT LIKE THIS ALBUM

Worst Track - One Of A Kind Lady

Best Track - Soul Music

1) Still Here (Prelude) - 1.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vA09nxD3iUc
2) Change Has Come - 1.5 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBZJzKrRzVA
3) One Of A Kind Lady - 1.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUFRCvizRck
4) Let Me Catch Your Diamonds - 1.5 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPxm-MpRhNc
5) Hold Me - 1.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDTKAgFpS2U
6) Warm Summer Nights - 1.5 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OffLKs40s18
7) First Kiss - 1.5 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R78TWW1QhFQ
8) Shawtyismygirlooyeah - 1.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhR9hfriMZk
9) Still Here With Me - 2.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkY01tW6LQU
10) Soul Music - 2.5 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIHmmfhiq6A
11) Woman - 1.5 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50XGBBVk5Wg
12) Listen Up - 1.5
13) Going Back Home - 1.5 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giE4Omy6OTg
14) Still Here (Reprise) - 1.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIyEQBjgVZE

Average Rating - 1.4

[Music Head]

listened online



Ohio r&b/rap/hip-hop group formed in 1991, out with their 8th album. Three singles have already been released, See Me Shine, Rebirth and Meet Me In The Sky. The group has not had much success after the early years, and this reformation of the original 5 hopes to turn that around. Not much here for me with only one track falling into the like category. That don't mean you won't like it.

I DO NOT LIKE THIS ALBUM

Worst Track - Everytime

Best Track - Wanna Be

1) The Law (Intro) - 1.5
2) Rebirth - 1.5 - video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsBV-P9gIC0
3) See Me Shine - 1.0 - video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9nYzSqzTe0[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUG7mbeN7Zw][/url]
4) Only God Can Judge Me - 1.5 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0BGMJT8r54
5) Wanna Be - 2.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2jRwQSSQ58
6) My Life - 1.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tjn-nUPDTCo
7) Everytime - 1.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QbbYZl6Ia0
8) Fearless - 1.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAmQeL_so3Y
9) Gone - 1.5 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjbGtdXHYBY
10) Meet Me In The Sky - 1.0 - video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ci7ZVjV7CHQ
11) Universe - 1.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pA5Ol3FvS8w
12) A New Mind = A New Life - 1.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYb68-GWvq8
13) Pay What They Owe - 1.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aX1xCwnSQEo
14) Facts Don't Lie - 1.5 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgAGmUjzb6s

Average Rating - 1.3

[Music Head]

listened online



Tennessee rap/hip-hop duo debuted in 1993, out with their 8th album. Three gold albums to their credit, it's off to a new label, this one headed by T.I. (Grand Hustle). A slew of featured artists and producers here. First single is Bring It Back.

I DO NOT LIKE THIS ALBUM

Worst Track - Life Goes On

Best Track - Billy (Truth Be Told)

1) It's Going Down - 1.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0K5AjuAYOA
2) Bring It Back - 1.5 - video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYZJ5pxrBLw
3) I Don't Give A F*** - 2.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Yb4mH6YQfI
4) Ten Toes Down - 2.0 - video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRt6lkalLss
5) F*** U Mean - 1.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w71-aBhfygA
6) We Come From - 2.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rm1KAWM6DEY
7) She's So Fine - 1.0
8) Grinding - 1.5 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRMbVADz_bo
9) Spotlight - 1.0
10) Right Now - 1.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCKedsfCfdo
11) What They Do - 1.5
12) Billy (Truth Be Told) - 2.5
13) Life Goes On - 1.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhKTkwnaRwM
14) Still Will Remain - 1.5 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiEnPJuG_4E

Average Rating - 1.5