[Review] Beyonce And Andre 3000 Cover Amy Winehouse's "Back To Black"

Beyonce's got the right idea: if you're going to cover an Amy Winehouse song, you better make sure it's as different as possible from the original. And that's just what she and Andre 3000 have done with their cover of the Mark Ronson produced classic, Back To Black.

Reworking the originals structure and sound, the pair have made a version that sounds, simply put, as high as a kite. However, whereas Beyonce manages to still sound great in her haze, the most immediate problem I can see folks having with this rendition comes from Andre 3000's intentionally (I hope) out of tune delivery. It takes some getting used to, but I suppose it works with the languid and minimalist production.

I don't think it needs to be said, but I'll say it anyway, this isn't a patch on the original. I just hope the version found on The Great Gatsby soundtrack is longer in length, because this "radio rip" sounds too short and, as a result, comes off lazy. A ratio of more Beyonce to less Andre might change all of that!

Rating: D

[Question] Is The Music World Missing Lady Gaga?

Am I the only one missing Lady Gaga and her crazy-ass antics? Sure, it was annoying when she was everywhere, hyped-up to the hilt, but her time away from the spotlight  recovering from surgery has me jonesing for some of her unique brand of over-the-top wackiness. I mean, the craziest thing she's done of late is cut her hair- see above. Heaven forbid she's mellowing on us!

I know I'm probably going to regret this post once the behemoth that is ARTPOP eventually chugs into town later this year, but as of right now, the heart wants what it wants...sigh.

[Music Video] Alicia Keys and Maxwell Get Steamy In Video For "The Fire We Make"

Alicia Keys and Maxwell join forces on new single, The Fire We Make. Taken from last year's album, Girl On Fire, single number four (I think?) is a surprise choice considering the hard time Rnb is having on the charts at the moment- don't believe me, just ask Brandy. But maybe the combined musical powers of these two great singers can reignite the public's love affair with the genre.

As for me, I just can't get into the song right now- what with the sun, blue skies and 22° temperature going on outside my window. Maybe you guys will have better luck! I'll try again once ol' Helios has gone to bed.

Check out the Chris Robinson directed video below.

[Vocal Profile] Emeli Sandé

Emeli Sandé

Vocal Type: Mezzo Soprano
Vocal Range: 2 Octaves 2 notes (D3-F5)
Whistle Register: No
Vocal Pluses: Her lower range, which sits just above the second octave, doesn't produce the healthiest of sounds, being foggy and pushed, but it quickly gains a surer footing as it climbs.

Being somewhat of a vocal chameleon, Sandé can change the tone and timbre of her midrange: lightening and imbuing it with a breathy, airy quality [Breaking The Law]; or keeping it fuller, darker and with a maturer quality to it [Read All About It Part iii], all depending on what is needed. Sandé can also play with her intonation to give her delivery a different sound: for instance the jazzier inflections in Daddy contrasted with the more contemporary delivery heard in Next To Me. These qualities work together to give the midrange brilliant dynamics and impressive versatility, all while highlighting the musicality and sensitivity of the singer.

Sandé  is equally as comfortable in her belting range as she is in her midrange, with songs like Heaven being sung almost entirely in the belting range of her voice. The quality of her belt is one that is clear, cutting and clearly well supported. Due to her excellent "mix" (between her head and chest voice), Sandé retains a fair amount of weight, character and texture even up to an F5. Her ease within this part of the range shows a brilliant technique is at work.

Her head-voice isn't used for protracted periods but instead Sandé switches to and from it to add interest to her melodic lines. The fact that she can do so at all, apparently with ease, suggests she has the skill to sing in this part of the range, but chooses not to. The notes themselves sound more akin to falsetto, being light and breathy.

Vocal Negatives: Underutilised head-voice, and weak lows. At times the chameleon like quality of her voice, though showing skill, makes it harder to immediately identify- for instance sounding like Leona Lewis here, and Beverly Knight here.

[New Music] Lana Del Rey Slays Us All With Great Gatsby's "Young & Beautiful"!

Ergh, Lana Del Rey you are just too perfect! Just released is her Great Gatsby contribution Young and Beautiful, and it's everything you (and I) hoped it would be.

Moody, broody with a melody- particularly at the bridge- that can take a listener's breath away, this song has already established itself up there with other classics like Video Games and Born To Die- and that's just after one listen! I really don't understand how people can get her talent twisted when she keeps writing sumptuous songs like this. Lana, you've done it again!

Take a listen to Young and Beautiful, below.

[New Music ] Lana Del Rey "Summer Wine"

Lana Del Rey keeps on doing her own thing, putting out music randomly. But let's get real, ain't no one complainin' about that!

Her newest release is a cover of Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood's Summer Wine, which comes hot on the heels of last month's Chelsea Hotel No. 2. It's another vintage slice of musical pie from our lovely Lana, and should keep those of us who are dying for new (original) music ticking over until we can get our greedy hands on The Great Gatsby soundtrack! On a selfish note, it's also the perfect accompaniment to this beautiful spring day!

*Runs back outside to enjoy*

[Review] American Idol Does Divas (Plus Theme: "Year They Were Born")

Season 12 of American Idol has officially become a sausage free zone, with the remaining five contestants all being of the female persuasion - it's almost enough to make me watch! This being the case, or not (I don't know how far in advance they pick these themes), yesterday's episode was Divas night! In honour of that, each singer was asked to pick a song by a famous female to perform in front of the judges. But how many were heroic enough to pick a Mariah Carey or Nicki Minaj song? Find out below- along with my two pennies on each performance!

(I've also posted each of their second performances of the night, which were supposedly chosen from their year of birth. Might help those of us who don't watch the show get a better grasp on the contestants.)