all of our hearts go out to this beauty-full young woman in light of her recent tragedies, but there are still some things to be said about her debut album, and hopes that her next film will not be of her acting as a servant of some sort (her role in SATC was basically the whipping girl of SJP, even though she was “empowered” and such, whatever, we’ll talk about this later). i wonder if this is going to be another case of jamie foxx syndrome (i’m also watching that that other chicago-an, Obama, doesn’t fall victim to this), someone with remarkable talent being stifled by limited song writers and producers. i can’t say that there is any standout track on this album, nothing that captures her energy, power, and impact like Dreamgirls, and in fact, the “woman to woman”, tired motif of “the boy is mine super ghetto” duet with Fantasia doesn’t do either one of them any favours, as well as reiterates the fact that the man should not get off scott free. don’t tear out the other woman’s eyes, man, she may not even know you exist, if he’s lying to you, who knows who else he’s lying to.
star track: this ain’t sex
is sorry for this man. i mean, it’s not like he doesn’t try hard for attention, cavorting with Superhead, sex tape with Kardashian (who isn’t as offensive as Paris Hilton only because she’s more attractive), even getting with Whitney for a minute, but i guess this one isn’t going to live down Brandy’s shadow, though he might be trying to outdo her with the “edgy” angle. whatever.
yes, a doubly use-full title. in the interests of brevity and ADD (no, i will not default to the mash-up equivalent to writing, but blogs are kind of that anyways). also, now that i have a full time job and stuffs, i am introducing the 5 point review:
the national parcs can do this: http://www.myspace.com/thenationalparcs
i interviewed these lovely gents on Friday for Watch Mojo (proof coming soon, i promise) and not only did they confirm the existence of electro-bluegrass, but they also embraced my coinage of “new lumberjack swing”, i think these fellas do it, yo. it’s about time we had an alternatimber already, sheesh.
but for evidence of vintage timbo (better with ginuwine than timberfake any day) check out this oldie but goldie:
http://bebo.com/watch/4414951420 the first of my throwback vids dedicated to su (miz “i quit facespace but still an internets hero to me”) this song’s been on repeat for me all damn day and has inspired most of my writing today, including this blog.
they’re trying, y’all. don’t dismiss them as completely wack. at least the commitee had the good sense to nominate these two cool cats (who may do musics together, because of their mutual collaborator..whom i have yet to meet, but believe me, i will, anyone that talented and dedicated to work on these two brilliant projects is someone i must know)
the old prince and goldrush, two of my favoritest joints of recent history. two stand-up guys too. for real.
is it me, or does mario just fail miserably in the market currently ruled by chris brown? (sigh) just gives me flashbacks to when r.kelly jacked aaron hall’s whole look and identity, and then when avant did the same thing to r.kelly
and to add insult to injury, does the kid look exactly like chris rock or what? comedian with that face, passable, teenage r&b crooner? hire some better songwriters, son. (i’m available 
and can somebody please tell me what minister farrakhan is doing playing violin on the new wyclef album?! and why wyclef has to preface each guitar solo with “and now i’m going to play some electric guitar..as an immigrant” (sigh) so ambitious, or so unedited…is the glass half empty, or is it half full?
(this was a terrible movie, but i couldn’t resist this ridiculously hot shot) but the album, yes. As I Am is strangely reminiscent of the last album, but the third album is always tough, ain’t it? this time, she’s traded the braids up for a weave, lost Kanye, but found God. the result is more of the same, though “Go Ahead” doesn’t have the spunk of “Karma”, calling yourself a “Superwoman” is like anointing yourself “Brick House” (you just can’t say it about yourself), and for all intents and purposes, this is a gospel album. I guess her and Kirk Franklin are trading places…it is no wonder that “No One” is all over the radio, its requisite two word chorus/hook/verse is just what heavy rotation ordered, and it’s no less annoying when John Mayer sings it live in NYC nightclubs (trust me, I know this) and like the second album, the middle tracks are the strongest. ”Like You’ll Never See Me Again” is the first time I believe her and the breathy voice (better than the trapped throat voice), though I get the sneaking suspicion that they’re all going to have this theme of regret and shouldawouldacoulda that comes out of grief (I know homegirl must be hurting so I’ma let the rain effect go). “Lesson Learned” is the breakup with a heart of gold song, with the notable, “falling down ain’t falling down if you don’t cry when you hit the floor”, she has a point here. and I don’t mean to be nitpicky, but isn’t it “reckless” and not “wreckless”? (sigh) the days when we used to proofread…somebody, anybody! “Teenage Love Affair” doesn’t make much sense, because, how old is this woman? but I guess if she wanted to make a pre-quel to “You Don’t Know My Name”, she succeeded, because it works as that, down to the spoken interlude, it’s just not as fly. “I Need You” is when she starts falling off again, professing love in binaries and all (“up needs down, no needs yes). she tries the whole Amy Winehouse thing with “Where Do We Go From Here”, sorry sis, try some of the crack, maybe it will be better. though not to be a complete hater, I’m totally feeling this from that track, “sometimes I feel so heavy-hearted but I can’t explain because I’m so guarded.” amen.
