Man, what can’t Adele do? 2011 saw the British soulstress release her sophomore album, 21, winning six Grammys, spending 79 weeks in Billboard‘s Top 10 (24 of them at No. 1) and selling nine million copies in the U.S. (an unheard of number by today’s sales standards – it’s the best-selling album of 2011 and 2012). Now, Adele ends her post-21 hiatus from the music industry this month with, of all things, a soundtrack song – a career move rarely taken since Lionel Richie said it for always (that’s the way it should be) . […]
Pop Music
Spin Cycle: Cher Lloyd, Sticks + Stones
Cher Lloyd is the latest pop challenger from across the pond. Will her American debut, “Sticks & Stones,” catapult the “X-Factor” contestant to the top of the charts?
The Viewfinder: Solange Knowles, “Losing You”
Plucky…that’s the word I’d like to use in reference to Solange Knowles. She could’ve been content to bask in the afterglow of the aura created by her sister, multi-hyphenate Beyonce. However, Little Sis is determined to make a name for herself as an artist in her own right. And no disrespect to Mama Carter, but if you ask me, Solange makes better music. “Losing You” has a cool, midtempo dance vibe, kinda like something I’d expect to hear maybe from […]
Spin Cycle: Mumford & Sons, Babel
Scottish hitmakers Mumford & Sons are back with another agreeable, hooky collection of stomping folk-rock. How does “Babel” stack up to “Sigh No More”?
Who The Hell Is…Pegasus Warning?
If you are starved for new music, boy, do we have a mother for you…check out Pegasus Warning!!
Singles Bar: Bruno Mars, “Locked Out of Heaven”
I’m a big fan for classic soul and R&B, especially the Stax and Muscle Shoals sound. I’ve also become a fan of the neo-soul sounds of artists like Ryan Shaw and Raphael Saadiq. Until earlier this year, though, I’d basically ignored Bruno Mars, dismissing him as just another disposable pop guy. That changed after I saw his James Brown inspired performance of “Runaway Baby” at this year’s Grammy Awards. I thought it was the most entertaining thing I saw all […]
Spin Cycle: No Doubt, Push & Shove
Gwen Stefani and No Doubt return with “Push & Shove,” and although 11 years have passed, it’s like they’ve never left!
Blerd Briefs: The BET Hip-Hop Awards, Jack White & Foo Fighters
Drama at the BET Hip-Hop Awards, Jack White melts down, and the Foo Fighters call it quits? Here are today’s Blerd Briefs.
Blerd Briefs: Weezy Topples Elvis, The Beatles on Vinyl & “Always Sunny”
In today’s Blerd Briefs: Lil Wayne topples a chart record, The Beatles arrive on vinyl, and…the “Always Sunny” cast changes?
Spin Cycle: Michael Jackson Bad 25
For its’ 25th anniversary, Michael Jackson’s classic Bad album gets the super deluxe treatment. Read our review to find out why you should own this.
New Whitney Houston Compilation In The Works: Are We Excited Yet?
The first compilation containing the original versions of Whitney Houston’s classics is scheduled for release in November, and we’ve got the track listing!
The Singles Bar: Rihanna, “Diamonds”
Rihanna’s back with the title track from her SEVENTH studio album-“Diamonds.”