[Review] Paloma Faith- "Picking Up The Pieces"

I didn't like the brand of quirky pop that Paloma Faith was peddling with first album. It felt contrived and forced, as did the kooky personality she brought with it. Surprisingly, according to an interview with BBC Paloma wasn't a fan either [source], claiming it was more the record company than her who was pushing the sound;

At the Brits you said you had mixed feelings about your debut album. What did you mean?
The first time round, I knew what I wanted but I didn't necessarily have the confidence to stick to my guns. There was a certain degree of manipulation because I felt indebted, somehow, to the record label for signing me.

Review: Alexandra Burke ‘Let It Go’

2008 X-Factor winner Alexandra Burke seems intent on becoming the Rihanna dance diva of the United Kingdom with her second album, HeartBreak On Hold, if its first single Elephant, and, just released, follow-up Let It Go are indicative of what to expect from it. Not a move I'm thrilled with, it has to be said.

Let It Go is giving us more synths, more chanty/shouty choruses, and,of course, a dub-step breakdown- all things that seem to be a prerequisite of getting radio play these days. But its all kept light and breezy with a production that's weighted more towards the treble than the bass, giving Let It Go a sound that is perfectly suited for summer. Emotionally, however, it rings hollow, despite the "inspiring" angle of the lyrics.

Annie Lennox: vocal Range/Profile [contralto/3 octaves]

Annie Lennox

Vocal Type: Contralto
Vocal Range:3 Octaves  3 Notes G2-C6
Whistle Register: No
Vocal Pluses: Powerful voice, that has a rich, weighty quality throughout its entirety.  Technically brilliant singer: able to switch between the different parts of her range with relative ease, and skill; able to sing melisma; and demonstrates excellent breath control that allows for well supported held notes, and long, uninterrupted ornamentation.

Review and Video: Jessie J ‘Laserlight’

I am a sucker for a song that makes me feel like I can take on the world single handedly [Mary J Blige knows what I'm talking about-link] and David Guetta has the ability to create that emotion down-to-a-tee with his derivative/reductive music production. So it's no surprise that it's just what Jessie J is serving up on new, David Guetta co-produced, track LaserLight.

Video Review: Jennifer Lopez "Dance Again"

I feel bad to be mentioning such things on as religious a day as Good Friday- hopefully those who would potentially be offended will be in Church praying for my soul- but I have to ask this question: has Jennifer Lopez's booty shrunk? I remember it being huge back in the day, like disproportionally big for her body. Perhaps it hasn't changed at all and Nicki Minaj has warped by perception of what it is to have an ample derrière in the 21st century....

Kelly Clarkson covers Britney Spears, Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston, with mixed results!

Who doesn't love Kelly Clarkson?

Funny, down to earth, kinda goofy and awkward, but with a voice that can crumble mountains.We fell in love with the gutsy singer on season one of American Idol back in 2002, and since then not only has she managed to maintain grounded and normal, but has also held on to a successful music career- unlike fellow season one runners up Nikki McKibbin and Justin Guarini, (remember them? I sure don't). As if to mark her decade in the music industry the singer just scored her latest Billboard number one with single Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You).

Here's to another decade of success!

Rant: Jennifer Lopez "Dance Again"

I am not even going to call this a review, because Jennifer Lopez's new single, Dance Again , is so AWFUL it doesn't merit my time analysing it. Instead I'll offer a few suggestions to those who had a hand in its creation: The singer, the producer, and the rapper.