Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Album Review: Adele 21



It is without a doubt the highest selling album of the year and is still selling over 100,000 copies a week in the United States, 9 months after it's release, all of this in the same country that has made Ke$ha a superstar. 21 is quite the fitting name for the album, as it has went #1 in 21 countries. The pride of England has definitely made her country proud, but the real question is, has she made me proud?

The album starts out strong with the mega-hit "Rolling in the Deep" and the beautiful "Rumour Has It" which has a familiar feel to the opener. Then we change the pace on the next couple of tracks that could make any breakup victim cry tears of memories. No worries though, Adele gets our feet tapping and our head nodding with the *Prediction* next mega-hit on the album "Set Fire to the Rain". "Set Fire" is an up-tempo ballad that portrays Adele's naivety in a relationship as she thought she was some guys special someone. Guess what? She wasn't. I'm sensing a theme here.

The next song "He Won't Go" has more of an R&B feel to it than any other track on the album, which makes it stick out like a sore thumb. Six songs into the album and we have found the first flaw, not a bad ratio. Track 7 "Take It All" is vintage Adele, it doesn't have quite the emotion or hook that some of her ballads have on it but it is a solid space filler that is sure to strike a chord in some poor soul with a broken heart. A gospel sounding choir makes a small appearance on the track and might have made the track great only if only they had a bigger more resounding part in the song, moving on. One of my favorite songs on the album is "I'll Be Waiting" it has one of the best hooks and incorporates a great flow with the backup singers, jazz band, and Adele coming together to make this upbeat track shine.

The final 3 tracks of the album consist of brilliant emotion in the down-tempo jazzy ballad "One and Only", a sweet remake of The Cure's Lovesong, and finally the #1 song in America. You know that old saying "save the best for last"? There is no better example of that then "Someone Like You". It is so rare to hear a song portray so much raw emotion while connecting such impeccable lyrics to a melody that would give anyone cold chills. America rarely gets it's #1's right, but this gives me hope that true artistry can be appreciated in todays world which consists of an abundance of auto-tune. "Someone Like You" is a perfect ending to an almost perfect album. Adele is at her best in 21 and I for one cannot wait for her next effort. 23 anyone?

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Song Review: Mistletoe - Justin Bieber




Well, the teen sensation is now moving on to dominate a new market, holiday music! The first single off of his Christmas album is called 'Mistletoe' (album in stores Nov. 1st) and first things first, his voice changed! It sort of made me uncomfortable at first but it could have been worst and it seems like he is making a smooth transition through puberty. 'Mistletoe' has a nice vibe and should please fan girls every where! Will this be the next big Christmas tune that will soon be hammered into your head at local malls everywhere? The jury is still out. One thing is for sure, the fan girls are super amazingly like O.M.G. excited as the new single sits #1 on the iTunes charts!

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

GOP Debate: The Review


Tonight is the 547th Republican debate or something like that. I am a progressive person so I think I offer a unique objective look, because I simply don't care who wins the debate. I'll post grades on all of the individual candidates tomorrow.

Will Rick Perry fall asleep?
Will Mitt Romney change his mind?
How many times will Herman Cain mention pizza and his 9-9-9 plan?
Will Santorum.. heh, I just wanted to say Santorum.


The Grades:


Mitt Romney - A- I thought he was the adult in the room. As other were yelling at him he was just trying to make his point. Was his point the right one? That's subjective, but he was at least not screaming at me to get his point across.

Rick Perry - C+ This guy is just terrible at speaking. He doesn't know what he is talking about most of the time unless the subject is executions. I think the goal for Perry was to stay awake and fight. He did that. So I gave him a C+

Michelle Bachman - C- The screams of "Anderson, Anderson, Anderson" will probably haunt CNN's Anderson Cooper for the rest of his life. I thought she played well too her cooky base so that's something I guess.

Rick Santorum - C+ He engaged Mitt Romney a couple of times and did an okay job at it. When attacking Romney, Santorum followed suit with Perry by not letting him respond by talking over Mitt. I think his goal was to get Mitt riled up and I think it worked.

Herman Cain - F Well, I think this was the nail in the coffin for the Hermanator. The new front runner was exposed last night even before the debate began by flubbing a foreign policy question from Wolf Blitzer. Then once the debate had actually started his 9-9-9 plan was finally exposed by his fellow candidates. It's a shame I was hoping he'd win the nomination, for obvious reasons.

Newt Ginrich - C+ He did a good job taking on Cain but got a smack down from Romney when Newt tried to confront him about hiring illegal immigrants.

Ron Paul - D+ Was he there? He did nothing to help himself.

Jon Huntsman - B He gets a B because he wasn't there. He is the only grown up in the field that is true to his values and not changing with the winds like Gov. Romney. Huntsman is focusing all of his efforts on New Hampshire and decided to boycott this debate.

In the end... we witnessed the end of Cain's reign as the front runner and once again the back up plan Romney will reside at the top unless the tea party can allow itself to fall in love with another. No matter who they fall in love with between now in Iowa, nothing has changed in my mind since the beginning. Mitt Romney will be the Republican nominee for President.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Pop Song of the Year: Maroon 5 - Moves Like Jagger FT. Christina Aguilera


I'm calling it now. This is the pop song of the year. I have tried for a couple of months to get it out of my hand and have failed to do so. Nothing the rest of the year could come close to this smash hit by Maroon 5 featuring Christina Aguilera. From the first whistles to the home run bridge by Xtina this tune will keep you singing along all the way through. This is brilliant pop music and the way it should be! Great job by Kara's Flowers.. err I mean Maroon 5.

Short Movie Review: Random Edition

I know what you're thinking, "dude you're too lazy to write a full movie review" and you know what? You're right. So I am now going to spout off some reviews of some newish movies I have seen recently!

Hall Pass: Starring SNL's Jason Sudeikis and Owen Wilson, the most recent Farrelly brothers comedy offers plenty of gross out laughs(or cringes) that we have come to know and love from the pair of brothers. Though a solid effort, it offered nothing great. There were far too many dull, 'why did that scene have to be there moments'. in the middle of the film from the leading ladies Christina Applegate and Jenna Fischer, at no fault of their own. There were a couple of good belly laughs, but fell short of being memorable.
My rating for Hall Pass is a solid B-


Gullivers Travels: Leading man Jack Black puts forth a good effort as Gulliver in the film based on the ancient 1726 novel. The film does not try to portray itself as anything other than fluff and that is exactly what it is. While it could have been more fun, it was at least entertaining. The movie does kind of suck, but it kept me entertained for it's 1 and a half hour run time. There are some major plot holes that will leave you scratching your head, but who really cares? Only watch this movie if you need to waste some time not thinking.
My rating for Gullivers Travels is a C


And for our random movie review of the day we have...

Back to the Future: Best movie ever made. A+

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Song of the Week: Hot Chelle Rae - I Like It Like That Ft. New Boyz

This song is as poppy as it gets and it's a heck of a lot of fun! Preppy frat boys and teenage girls everywhere will be jamming to this soon to be chart topper. Following their first hit "Tonight, Tonight" Hot Chelle Rae will assuredly prevent itself from entering the lost realm of one hit wonders. "I Like It Like That" is fun, mindless, and silly which definitely secures its place atop the charts!

The Beginning


Well, here it goes. I have officially entered the blogosphere. Why? Because I think I have opinions unique to others, and want to express them. Don't judge me, but I'm here to judge others and their hard work. I hope there isn't a blog critic somewhere because quite honestly, I don't know what I'm doing. Kind of like if Michael Bay wound up at the Oscars.

This blog will consist of reviews of many things including music, movies, television, sports, and even politics. In the words of boxing referee Joe Cortez, my reviews will be "fair but firm". I know my bounds where I can stay objective, you will never hear me review a metal CD, nor will you hear me review a horror movie, simply because both make a little bit of pee come out at each passing moment I allow myself to be subjected to them.

This is going to be a fun adventure of judging the hours of hard work of others while I sit on my Macbook eating bon bons. I hope you will join me as I take my first steps into the blogosphere! Hopefully the force will be strong within me.

Kenzie