Starting 2013 Soulful

Simply Tweet (EP)

Tweet just released her EP, Simply Tweet and it's already my favorite album to start 2013. One thing about Tweet she is soulful with a voice like an angel. And since her 2002 debut album the classic, Southern Hummingbird she has been bringing the soul. And with this EP, she has done it again. But before I talk about this EP, I have to give a little background of how Tweet and her music entered my life.

Now we all remember Tweet for this:

Brings back memories huh but I remember Tweet for this:

This beat is sick, that's why Timbaland is one of the best. But back to Tweet (LOL)

I remember when I first heard this on HOT97 for the first time. I remember Angie Martinez played this during her 4pm countdown and I waited for her to say who the artist was. Now I knew it was Timbaland and Magoo but I wanted to know the girl singing the hook. It was something about her voice that caught my attention other than the beat. But Angie Martinez, never said who was singing. So, I remember going to Circuit City, (don't judge me) to look at the back of the CD to find out who this girl was. Finally, I found out her name and it was Tweet. Right after I went to the bootleg to see if he had a mix with this song on it, and he did. I brought the mix and played the song out. This is how Tweet entered into my life, but I didn't hear anything from her again until.....

I am bring yall back to those 00's huh, but I think this to me showed Tweet's voice in the right way. From the "All Y'all" she was singing but "Take Away" was right introduction for Tweet. It really showed her voice then I remembered in a interview when Missy said this is my new artist Tweet and she has a new album coming out entitled, Southern Hummingbird. I said, "Oh yeah I have to get this, to see what she is bringing because she is can sing" then this song dropped...

During this time, Power 105 was transitioning from a Oldies SOUL station to a HipHop/R&B station and they were commercial free. "Oops Oh My" was getting played every hour because it was the new hot song, so it was getting played so much that you were getting sick of it. But I said "I know Tweet's album is not full of songs like this". So, I was planning to go buy this album, but it was a week where my family was going to a family party. So I wasn't able to get the album but my brother Desmond (RIP), had it. I remember the intro had me.....listen to those harmonies 

Tweet told her story from that intro then it goes into this....

Sounds good don't it...her voice is so smooth and soulful... Southern Hummingbird became my favorite album of 2002. With this album she crossed all ages in my house. So, when it was time for family vacation, Southern Hummingbird was a must. This was an album that my whole family could enjoy. With songs like "Smoking Cigarettes", "Always Will", "Boogie 2nite", "Make Ur Move", "Motel", and "Beautiful" this album became a classic. But this one song that some of my family members hated because me and my mom would sing it to each other was "Best Friend" with Bilal this was our "current" Marvin & Tammi duet...she was Tweet and I was Bilal...

Soulful right?? OMG this album was extraordinary, then Tweet didn't release another album until 2005 which started my college years entitled, It's Me Again. And this was the first single....

I said "Tweet must have heard that me and my mother singing her song "Best Friend" with Bilal like we were Marvin and Tammi because she then decided to used the sample "If This World Were Mine" for "Turn The Lights Off". I was pleased with this single because it was soulful and Tweet's vocals were on point as usual. I was so ready for the album. Tweet brought it again with songs like "Iceberg", "Sports, Sex, Food", and "Small Change". But two songs really stood out "Cab Ride" & "Two of Us" with Tweet's daughter Tashawna. I dedicated "Two of Us" to my mother it became her ringtone for about 2 years, its a song that describes our relationship "The two of us just you and me"  My friends got sick of it, but they knew when that ringtone came on it was her. 

Listen to "Cab Ride" it's so smooth just vibe with Tweet

This is the song that describes me and my mothers relationship and the close bond NOBODY can break. "Two Of Us"

Then in 2007, Tweet was suppose to release another album but it never happened. But in 2012, Tweet started this #TweetTuesday with releasing songs like "Trouble" and "Daydreaming" every Tuesday. So I remember asking her on Twitter @ Ms_Hummingbird, "Tweet when are we going to get another classic like "Southern Hummingbird". She responded "It's coming". Then about 2 week ago she released "Enough" when I heard this song it instantly became my 2nd favorite song of the year. I couldn't stop playing it. 

DAMN that sounds so good. But I remember going to twitter again and asking Tweet "Enough of this good songs when are we getting an album" she said "Feb 26" I am releasing a  EP". That day is here and Tweet didn't disappoint she didn't lose her angelic voice and her soul. She is not following the trend she is staying true and I am so happy. I wish this EP was longer but it an EP so it's suppose to be short. Nevertheless, I know it will hold me over until the new album comes out. This album is my favorite "album" of 2013 so far. Thank you for this EP Tweet, I needed this....THE SOUL WORLD NEEDED THIS.. Songs like "Way of Love", "Enough", and "Sorry" this EP is a MUST HAVE for R&B/SOUL lovers. 

GO COP THIS!!

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/simply-tweet-ep/id600414640

Two Eleven

One of my favorite singers is back with a new album after 4 years. Brandy released Human in 2008, which I felt was a great album because it was so honest but she felt that her long time producer, Rodney Jerkins and label didn't give it the support album. After label changes , she finally got the music she wanted. But this album Two Eleven is very personal to her because her idol the great Whitney Houston died on her birthday, which is February 11. So Brandy thought that naming this Two Eleven it would be a dedication to her idol. From listening to this album Brandy didn't disappoint. 

Now we know that this industry has clearly changed since Brandy was on top of the charts, so with this album coming out I was nervous because I didn't know if the music world would accept Brandy again. Also, R&B music is not in the forefront of mainstream music anymore. As I stated before, I was nervous but Brandy brought it on this one. Now when her single "Put It Down" was released in May. I had mixed feelings but I just admired her swag on the song. After a few more listens, the swag took over and I love the song. I felt she was giving me Afrodisac era swag. I understand why this was the first single because it caters to the young music market but still the Brandy fans know B-Rocka is coming. So about 4 months later, I was on twitter and Brandy tweeted that she has a song for the fans. Then "Wildest Dreams" blasted into my headphones. Brandy's vocals is epic on this song, this is the Brandy that I have been waiting for. I started tweeting Brandy is back!. Now listening to this song everyday, Brandy tweets again "Starz I have another track for yall". Then she leaked "No Such Thing As Too Late". Brandy again amazed me again with her vocals on this mid-tempo. I tweeted "songs like this shows me why Brandy is one of my favorite singers". I knew then Brandy was NOT playing with this album.

After so many people wanted the album to leak, it finally did this Thursday. And when I tell you Brandy is back, I really mean she is back. This album is amazing and on October 16, I will be buying 3 copies. Brandy deserves to have this shining moment. 

After a little(lol) background for yall, time to talk about this AWESOME album....

The album begins with an Intro that most definitely into the album. Then the second single Wildest Dreams is the next track so epic as I explained earlier. Next song is So Sick, I remember a video on youtube when she was playing the beat for her brother Ray J. Brandy was riding this beat with her vocals, which is her specialty. Then we go into one of my highlights of the album Slower, on this song Brandy has so much swagger. I never wanted this song to end. Next is another favorite of mine, No Such Thing As Too Late. Brandy is giving me the Full Moon era with this song. I just love her vocals on this especially at the end, when she hits that note, vocal heaven. Next is the club banger, Let Me Go this song will definitely get you in the partying mood. Then Without You gives me Apart vibe from Full Moon. The vocals are great as usual it's such a laid back song. Next, is the first single Put It Down with Chris Brown, Brandy has to much swag on this. Like I said, I understand why this was the first single. Another favorite of mine is Hardly Breathing the melody and the Brandy vocals are standout outs. Next is Do You Know What You Got Have this song gives me Like This vibe from once again the Full Moon album. Very sexy vibe song. Now to my favorite song on the album, Scared of Beautiful. This song speaks to my soul, when I heard this it brought tears to my eyes. Frank Ocean murdered these words and Brandy brought those words to life. "Scared of the truth so much more than a lie" those words hit home for me. Next track, gives me the Full Moon era once again. Wish Your Love Away is a laid vibe song like Come A Little Closer from Full Moon. Paint The House & Can You Hear Me Now are good songs. Music is an anthem for me because I love the beginning "I wake up to you and go to sleep to you" and lastly "I am lost without you". This song is my life. And to close the album she has the banger What You Need. To me this song is Brandy's message to the fans telling us she has what we need, which is good music. That's what I take from the song. But she also singing this to her boo Ryan. 

Brandy with this album has proved why she is and should be forced in this game. This is such an awesome album. She gave us the classic R&B from the first album, Brandy. She gave us the pop appeal from the second album, Never Say Never. The epic vocals from Full Moon she was SANGING on this album. She was giving us the swag from Afrodisiac with songs like Slower, So Sick, and What You Need. And lastly, this album is as honest as Human with songs like Scared of Beautiful and Hardly Breathing. With all that, Brandy didn't lose herself on this album and I want her to win on this. 9.5/10

STANDOUT TRACKS

Wildest Dreams

Slower

No Such Thing As Too Late

Scared of Beautiful

What You Need

Top 10 Albums & Songs of 2011

Best Of 2011: According To My ITunes

2011 music was okay this year. Even though we had a lot of gimmicks, but real music still come out on top. The music I speak of is Adele, she brought that real music back. Her album 21 is the best selling album of the year. I feel that her album is very deserving of this honor. When you listen to her album you can tell that it's from her soul and comes out real. This is the type of music that I appreciate, honestly. This is definitely the year of Adele. But other artists that made real music included Lady Gaga, Kelly Clarkson, Jay-Z/Kanye West, J-Cole, and Mary J. Blige. The music this year, didn't make me stray away from my throwbacks.

As like everyone I would like blog about my top 10 albums & songs that I played a lot this year. My top is a little different because some albums I listened to this come out this year but I played them a lot. As a result, this top 10 albums list will be a little different. 

Albums:

Honorable Mentions

1. Adele- 19
2. Raphael Saadiq- The Way I See It
3. Marsha Ambrosius- Late Nights & Early Mornings

10. Born In The U.S.A - Bruce Springsteen(1984)

I always knew about Bruce Springsteen, but I didn't really play attention to his music. I only knew songs like "Dancing In The Dark" and "Born In The USA". I never really heard a full album from Springsteen. But Lady Gaga was promoting her Born This Way album she was explaining that Bruce Springsteen was a big influence on her because of her dad. So I felt that I need to gave a Springsteen album a try, so I downloaded Born In The USA and I fell in love with it. I listen to it at least once a week. With songs Like "I'm On Fire", "Working On The Highway", and "My Hometown". I understand while this album is such a classic. 

Listen to "Dancing In The Dark" that saxophone by late Clarence Clemons AKA Big Man is awesome

9. My Life II: The Journey Continues (Act 1)- Mary J. Blige (2011)

Mary J. Blige released her 10th album, which she entitled My Life II, as a big fan of the first My Life, I was very nervous about this project.  The first My Life album was very emotional, raw, and classic, I felt that was a era that Mary should have let alone. The My Life is dear to my heart, I didn't want it to be destroyed. So, the album was released Nov 21, and of course I loved it. But I still feel that this album should have not been called My Life II, because if you are a Mary J. Blige fan, this album seemed to be more her first album What's The 411?. I felt Mary could have just called this album The Journey Continues.  But this album is still in my best albums of 2011, with songs like "Feel Inside", "Don't Mind", "No Condition", and my album favorite "Need Someone", Mary showed why she has lasted so long in this industry, 20 years .

Listen to "No Condition" this song still gives you that soulfulness that Mary continues to still give us for 20 years.

8. Born To Sing- En Vogue (1990)

En Vogue in my opinion is the best girl group of all time. There harmonies are unmatched, this girls can SANG. I always knew about En Vogue's first album but I never listened to it. Their Funky Divas was the album that I have never familiar with. So, one day I was listening to "Waiting On You" and I decided to download Born To Sing as I expected the album was awesome. Anytime I feel like listening to some SANGING, the first album I think about is Born To Sing was the best album title for this first album.

Listen to "Part of Me" this song was leaves me speechless.

7. Amazing Grace- Aretha Franklin (1972)

God has always been in my life, I know who he is but I finally found a church that I can all my own. During this time, I have been listening to Amazing Grace every night because it makes me feel good and understand how bless I am.  Songs like "What A Friend We Have In Jesus", "God Will Take Care of You", "Never Grow Old", and "How I Got Over" makes me understand why this album is the greatest album of all time.

Be Blessed and listen to "Mary Don't You Weep"

6. Stronger- Kelly Clarkson (2011)

Ever since American Idol, I have been a fan of Kelly Clarkson. In my opinion, I feel she is the best American Idol winner. Her voice sings chills up my spine, her voice is the best out right now. Her vocals can across all genres, soul, pop, rock, jazz, etc. This year Clarkson released Stronger in October, which was a good album. But a lot of Kelly's song were leaked in the Spring, so when the album was released a lot of the songs I knew, but it didn't take away for the album. With Songs like "Honestly", "You Love Me", "Hello", and favorite track "The War Is Over". I listen to this album at least once a day, because it's a fun album.

Listen to my favorite track "The War Is Over", hear the aggression.

5. Cole World:The Sideline Story- J. Cole (2011)

I didn't know about J. Cole until one of my homeboys but me on to him. He told me that I should listen to his mixtape Friday Night Lights. When I listen to this mixtape, I thought he was ill on the mike. Then I saw him live on Rihanna's Loud Tour, I knew that I had to get his debut album. When I got this album, Cole didn't disappoint, he in my opinion was bringing that REAL hip-hop because he was rapping about REAL things. With songs like "Lights Please", "Nobody's Perfect", "Lost Ones", "Daddy's Little Girl", and my favorite track the emotional "Breakdown".

Listen to the emotion of the track and his rhymes on "Breakdown"

 

4. Watch The Throne- Jay-z & Kanye West (2011)

This album I was waiting for because Jay-Z & Kanye West are one of the best rappers out right now. When I heard "Otis" I knew this album was not going to disappoint. When the album was released on August 8, at midnight I brought the album. From "No Church In The Wild" to "Why I Love You", in my opinion is the best rap album of the year. With songs like the James Brown sampled "Gotta Have It",  "New Day", and "Who Gon Stop Me", this album was awesome. You can tell this album was Jay-Z album as well as a Kanye album. In addition, I had to opportunity to go to the Watch The Throne concert, it was an EPIC event.

Listen to my favorite track off the album, the inspiring "Murder To Excellence"

3. 4- Beyonce (2011)

Finally Beyonce made a album that I will be album to play for years to come. Albums like B'Day and I Am..Sasha Fierce, didn't do anything for me. I think Beyonce was more concerned about having hits than making timeless music. Her album Dangerously in Love was her best until 4 was released. Even though the album leaked, she made timeless songs like "Start Over", "Dance For You", "End Of Time", and the MJ "Off The Wall" album inspired "Love On Top".  When this album was officially released, I couldn't stop listening to it.

Listen to "End Of Time" this song needed a video, but I understand Beyonce was pregnant but this video had Michael Jackson all over it.

2. 21- Adele (2011)

As I said in one of the previous blog entry, I was introduced by Adele by one of my twitter followers. He asked me if I have ever heard of Adele before, I said yes, but he said I need to listen to her new album 21, it's very soulful. I decided to listen and I fell in love with it. I brought it before I listened to the album in full. One this album he was giving me soul, pop, blues, and jazz wrapped in one. With songs like "Someone Like You", "Turning Tables", and my favorite song "Take It All". This album is full with honestly and this album will be considered a classic. It was my best album until my number 1 album came out in May.

Listen to "Take It All" and her voice is so pure and soulful.

1. Born This Way- Lady Gaga (2011)

This album I listen to at least 4 times a day. When the first single was released, "Born This Way" I wasn't impressed. Even though I know that this song serves a purpose, but I wasn't a fan of it. But when I brought the album, I was impressed. This album was musically awesome. Lady Gaga put pop, rock, dance, and rhythmic sounds together and make a great blend. Many people think Gaga changed, but this album showed how she improved musically. Songs like "Marry The Night", "You & I", "Hair", "Bad Kids", "Judas", and the inspiring "The Edge Of Glory" makes the album the best album of 2011 in my opinion.

Listen to the New Years anthem "Marry The Night"

Songs:

Honorable Mentions:

1. Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, & Busta Rhymes  "Look At Me Now"
2. Jennifer Lopez & Pitbull  "On The Floor"
3. Pitbull & Ne-Yo  "Give You Everything"
4. LMFAO  "Party Rock Anthem"
5. Pink "Fuckin Perfect"

10. Beautiful People -Chris Brown

9. Marvin Gaye & Chardonnay- Big Sean & Kanye West

8. Til The World Ends- Britney Spears

7. The Living Proof- Mary J. Blige 

6. The Edge Of Glory- Lady Gaga

5. Rolling In The Deep- Adele

4. Niggas in Paris- Jay-z & Kanye West

3. I Care- Beyonce

2. Judas- Lady Gaga

1. Stronger- Kelly Clarkson 

HOPE SOME OF MY FAVORITES OF 2011 MADE YOUR LIST TOO!!

(IN THE COMMENT BOX PUT SOME OF YOUR FAVORITES OF 2011)

Hip Hop Mixtapes

With me loving soul music, hip-hop in my opinion can be considered soul music. I feel that soul music is music that is real. In my opinion, hip hop used to be real. Now it seems like it's a gimmick. Hip-hop is really a big young voice for the young community, but it seemed to have lost it way. About a week, I listened to two mixtapes from different artists, that made me appericate hip-hop on what it used to be. A rapper from Detroit/Baltimore named Results and New York native named Q-City. These two mcees mixtape was definitely raw and real. Both of the artists didn't use any gimmicks to draw you in, they let their skills speak for themselves.

I am going to start with Results with his mixtape "16 Minutes"

Knowing Results since college does not take away my opinion's about good music. Even though this is not his first mixtape, I have to say I like it best. First, I feel that it is very creative because to name a mixtape 16 minutes and for the mixtape to be 16 minutes is great. This mixtape is not used from his own original beats. He used beats from Drake, J. Cole, and Wale to need a few. By the end of this mixtape, you wanted more from the Detroit naive.

This starts the mixtape off with Heisman which more like a intro to the mixtape. But in his verse he raps "this is not an album it's a demo", which I feel he opened the mixtape right. One of the highlights of mixtape is Bullshittin because he just goes ham on this. It's like he rapping for his life on this one. When I heard this for the first time, I didn't want this song to end. Track 3 he uses Wale's Lotus Flower Bomb where he spits about a girl that wants to be more than friends and what he will do for her. What stands out about this when he sings at the end "Oooh girl, I like to make you mine". Track 4 is titled, Motto this song reminds me of how he rapped on Bullshittin it was like Results is rapping for his life, which is where he shines. I'm A Boss is not one of my favorites but I understand why he put it on his mixtape because it definitely fits. With this Meek Mills beat, Results just explains he's a boss. Track 6, is his version of J. Cole's Lost One, but instead of the song being about him, it about a girl that lies to her man about wanting to be with him. Headlines by Drake is a song that I don't like, but Results does this song justice he raps that everything he does will make headlines including music and girls. The next track I will have to say is my best song on the mixtape is his version of J. Cole's Breakdown. This song is my favorite song on J. Cole's album, but Results keep the emotion going on this. With this song, you got to know Results on a more personal level. In this he raps about how he didn't have a father and how he dealt with it when finally met up with him. I think Results need to do more songs like this because this song is so real and you feel him on it. Why You Mad is a track where he raps about people hating on his life but he is going to keep doing his thing no matter how they keep hating. Finally, he ends the mixtape with a song dedication to this TruE members, with Drake's Crew Love.

Even though this mixtape is short, it still shows that Results has skills with the a pen and pad. In this mixtape, Results need to be heard by the world because he has no gimmick which is what hip-hop needs today.

Download here: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=J8TYL4TX

Now to Q-City's "The Mixed State of Mind"

I meant Q-City through twitter because we are both knicks fans. But the rapper realize that I love music, so one day he asked me to listen to his mixtape and give him an honest review on what I feel about it. I must say when I listen to this album he is definitely representing for NY. 

This mixtape starts off with The Block which gives me a Wu-Tang vibe, it's like RZA made this beat. This song could have been fit on Wu-Tang's 36 Chambers. Q-City explains about the the different blocks in NY including his of Strong Island.  Track 2, Crash The Party beat is crazy, I love it. This is a track where you can be ride with your friends with the windows rolled down yelling "Aint no party, once we crash the party". New York Minute is one of the highlights of the mix-tape. On this song, he definitely represented for every borough NY. The sample that DJ Gumba used  gives me a Nas "Illmatic" vibe. Q-City raps about great things in NY, which includes the Knicks, Yankees, and the Giants. I wish the song was longer because this song is awesome, the beat takes you to a great memory if you from NY. Then it goes into the song Haters which is an anthem for everyone. The chorus is so catchy "I gotta stunt for you haters, I make my paper haters". This song makes me go to a couple of people and blast this song in their faces. The next club inspired track is All Eyes on Me when you walk up in the club all eyes should be on you, another club banger.  Mr. Right Now is a song that the DJ plays in the club to get it hype. Mr. Right Now Q-City and his family is letting the ladies know that they are the hottest dudes out, no need to look at anybody else. The next track The World is Mine, is a definitely a mix-tape kind of track. On this track Q-City is just rapping about how the world is his and he's not going to give up on his dream because he was "born to win". Walking Through the Streets is another highlight, which he dedicates it to his fallen soldier "Poet Da La Noche". This beat is so emotional and he rides this beat to the end. I feel in this song he poured his emotions out and you can feel it. I love songs like this because it shows an rapper vulnerability which shows they are real. To add to the emotion, the next track Lunatic he raps about his life on the street, and he accepts that his life is crazy but the's not going to make him, he was "born to win". His realness continues on The Trife Life. The words that stand out is "so far is a dark tunnel but at the end there's life". Those words are so real. The NyteShift Anthem beat is very dark, which through me off but this is one of the songs that I would do without. Drunk With A Gun, gives me the Nas "Made You Look" vibe. On this song, his homies definitely represent Strong Island to the fullest. Q-City ends the mixtape with Criminal Slang which he uses a excerpt from one of my favorite Nas songs of all time "Ain't Hard To Tell". I wanted Q-City to come harder on this, but in all the song was good.

My clear of opinion of Q-City "Mixed State Of Mind" is he represents New York to the fullest. He has a couple of highlights on the mixtape, which is really where he shines. Songs like New York Minute, Walking Through The Street, and Lunatic is real and emotion. But Q-City doesn't forget how to party with songs like Haters, All Eyes On Me, and Mr. Right Now. But in all he gives you that Jadakiss & Nas vibe. This mix-tape is definitely a good listen which should be heard because it's real and honest.

Download Here: http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/qcity-the-mixed-state-of-mind-hosted-by-dj-gumba-mixtape.34951.html            

   DOWNLOAD GOOD MUSIC!!

Stronger: Standard Version

The Queen of American Idol is back with "Stronger". Kelly Clarkson has been giving her fans quality music ever since her first album "Thankful". As a long time fan, I was expecting another "My December". I thought this album would be "Breakaway" & "My December" put together. But it's more of a fun album like "All I Ever Wanted", which is not a bad thing. I think this album will definitely give Kelly Clarkson continued success. Even though demos of the songs were leaked it still didn't take away the good of the album. 

The album starts with the albums' first single 'Mr Know It All'. I feel this single wasn't the best single to start the album with but it's still a great song. In addition, I wanted Kelly to really give me more adlibs at the end, but other than that the song is cool.  The second track in my opinion should have been the first single. But I understand that it was leaked, so she and the label felt they had to go with a song that wasn't. But 'What Doesn't Kill You' (Stronger) is an anthem for everyone. Her vocals on this song makes the song so much better. When I first heard this song in July, it became my favorite song of 2011. If you want an anthem like 'Since You Been Gone', 'What Doesn't Kill You' is it. The third and fourth tracks 'Darkside' & 'Honestly' gives me that "My December" vibe. 'Honestly', Kelly is singing her heart out especially when she says "Listen to the truth if it breaks me...if you hating me do it honestly". I can feel her when she sings that. The fifth track is entitled 'You Love Me', which I understand is the reviewer favorite song. Clarkson explained that she was in a dark place when she wrote this song and this song was her way of getting all that pain out. In my opinion, this song is an for anyone that experienced a bad breakup. Track six is another song that leaked entitled 'Einstein' (Previously 'Dumb+Dumb=You'). When I heard this song when it leaked, it became my ringtone because I liked it so much. This song you sing to a person that really hurt you and you are yelling this song to them. I love Kelly's emotions on this song you can tell she is angry but she seems happy to get all the pain out. Another leaked song 'Standing In Front Of You', I love this song as soon as I heard it. But I like the demo and little better than the album version. It seems that the added music takes away from the emotion and rawness of the demo. But the words are beautiful and Kelly's vocals are great as usual. The eighth track 'I Forgive You' was also leaked. This song was produced by Rodney Jerkins(Brandy, Beyonce, and Whitney Houston). I was surprise that Jerkins did rock music, but his sound and Kelly's voice shines on this song. This song give me a 'Walk Away' vibe, very soulful rock. 'Hello' is the ninth track, which I loved when I first heard it. This is song gives you a reminder of "Breakaway", this song gave me the song 'Gone' vibe. I love her vocals on this, when Kelly adlibs it sends chills up my spine. Now, my favorite song on the album has to be the tenth track 'The War Is Over'. This song gives me 'Hear Me' part 2. 'Hear Me' is my favorite song from her, but this song does something to me. The words to me applies to a situation that I experienced and this song tells it all. You know that person has a hold on you, but sometimes you have to let it go. When she sings "I won't let you pull me in because I know you gonna win, but the war is over and I won't fight you anymore, I never been so sure", it speaks to me so much. The next track is 'Let Me Down' which is a classic Kelly Clarkson song, great vocals and rocky. Another favorite of mine is 'You Can't Win', this song is for anyone that feels like that can't shine at anything. When I heard this song for the first time, it made me think of Barack Obama, because he can't win at anything with Congress. 'You Can't Win' is definitely another anthem for everyone. The last track on the album is called 'Breaking Your Own Heart' definitely goes back to Kelly's country roots. When I first heard this song, I cried because it's such an emotional song. This song really gives you that Patsy Cline's 'I Fall to Pieces' vibe. Kelly's vocals are extraordinary on this song. When I heard this song, it brought back memories of my mother and I on the road with my father and hearing country music at the truck stop.  


In all "Stronger" is a good album. Kelly vocals are extraordinary and the song contents are great. She definitely gives you a little bit of each of her albums, but it channels "All I Ever Wanted" because when through she gives you a memories of her older albums, Kelly seemed 
to have fun with this album like "All I Ever Wanted". (8/10)

STANDOUT TRACKS

The War Is Over

What Doesn't Kill You (Stronger)

You Can't Win

Breaking Your Own Heart

You Love Me

Beyonce: 4

Beyonce fans have been waiting for 3 years for this album. Beyonce wanted to take a break to get some inspiration to make new music. Now after about 4 leaked singles, the album is here. Beyonce in my opinion proved her staying power as an artist!!!

This album "4" I was really nervous about especially after the first single, Run The World (Girls), I prayed that she didn't take that route again like she did with "B-Day". Then End Of Time was release, I was excited because that's the Beyonce I love, the one that shows her vocals. Meanwhile a day after, 1+1 was released which caused me to say this album will be a "Dangerously In Love" part 2, which in my opinion is Beyonce's best album. On 1+1, Beyonce really sings with emotion that actually brought me to tears. Finally, she came with my anthem Best Thing I Never Had, that song to me was needed because it's says everything I wanted to tell the person that broke my heart. Now, that I have given you a  little background I will proceed to the review. Lastly, if you loved B-Day or the Sasha Fierce side of "I AM..SASHA FIERCE", this is NOT that kind of album.

She starts the album with 1+1, which I feels really shows Beyonce vocals. When I heard her sing this live I was floored. Beyonce in an interview explained that she will be showing us her vocals on this album, which is clearly obvious on this song. This song in my opinion should have not been released it should have stayed as an album cut. Then she goes into rock-inspired I Care, which gives me a anger type of feel, but I like it. Again she is really showing her vocals at the end of this song, while she keeps up with the guitar. I Miss You gives me a Destiny's Child's T-Shirt feel, which you can tell is very inspired by Jay-Z. Now, Best I Never Had in my opinion is one of the best songs on the album. This song is for anyone that has every been hurt and finally getting over it, this song is Irreplaceable to the 10th power. After listening to this song about 20 times, I finally got to Party. The Kanye West produced song took a little while to grow on me, which it took 30 mins. But this song is definitely a summer song, you can be riding in your car with all the window down and cruise. Another on of my favorites, is Rather Die Young. Another Jay-Z inspired song, it gives you that Walking In The Rain With The One I Love by Love Unlimited vibe. Songs like these show you that Beyonce is very happy in her marriage. Starting Over and Love On Top shows Beyonce's vocals which I love. Countdown is another favorite of mine, I love how she uses the countdown in Boyz II Men's Uh Uh. This song to me is very creative, she doesn't use the countdown like you think, which I really love. End Of Time was a favorite of mine because I didn't like Run The World, so I was happy to hear a much better song from her. On this song, I love the harmonies, clearly it was well produced. I Was Here was an Adele inspired song because even though I love Adele, this was a song that I really couldn't get into, but it might take time but for now I don't like it. (UPDATED..I loved I Was Here because of the lyrical content.) Lastly, Run The World (Girls) I didn't like the song because I feel like we have been waiting for Beyonce and she gives us this as a first single. I feel that Girls shouldn't have been released as a first single because it's not the mood of the album. But I guess she had to give the fans an uptempo song, but I could do without it.

In conclusion, I clearly understand why she named the album 4 because in my opinion I feel that she is talking about her and her husband relationship. Both of their birthday's are on the 4th of the month and their marriage as well. This album shows Beyonce has grown as an artist, in my opinion I was getting a little tired of SASHA, I wanted to meet Beyonce and I feel with this album we did. 9.0/10

STANDOUT TRACKS

I Care

Best Thing I Never Had

Rather Die Young
Start Over

Love On Top

Countdown

End Of Time