Looks like things are starting to heat up again on the new release front, with albums out from a variety of current and former superstar artists.
First on the list is Christina Aguilera with her fifth English-language studio, non-holiday album. “Bionic” is the title, and if you’re an Xtina fan, you probably don’t need me to tell you about the album’s direction. After all, she’s been talking about it ever since she debuted “Keeps Gettin’ Better” on the VMAs two years ago. Moving away from the more soulful sounds of her last album, “Back to Basics”, “Bionic” finds Aguilera getting all electro on our asses. Public response has been pretty muted so far-first single “Not Myself Tonight” peaked outside the Top 20 on the pop charts. However, the woman’s voice can not be denied. Let’s see if a very interesting list of collaborators combines with that voice and creates a credible album.
Two years before Christina became a kid superstar, a trio of brothers from Oklahoma had that spot. It’s been well over a decade since Isaac, Taylor and Zac Hanson graced the pages of teen magazines everywhere, but the brothers have carved out their own little niche in the musical world with solidly constructed pop anthems. They’ve also managed to maintain a certain level of success without resorting to publicity stunts, without going on drugs or doing anything other than popping out babies every 20 seconds. If this were 1999, would I be excited about a new Hanson album? No. In 2010? Hell, yes! “Shout it Out” hits stores today and is certain to be one of those feel-good summery pop albums that the Hanson guys seem to specialize in.
Unless you’re a major hip-hop head, you probably don’t know who Rhymefest is, and that’s a shame. The Chicago emcee got his big break by co-writing “Jesus Walks” with Kanye West. It won ‘Fest a Grammy and was followed by his debut album “Blue Collar”. It wasn’t a huge success, but that has no bearing on the fact that it was one of the better hip-hop albums of that time (and it hasn’t lost it’s luster…I might actually like it MORE now). Anyhow, ‘Fest has kept busy on the mixtape circuit, most notably with a Michael Jackson tribute mixtape that dropped last summer. His second proper album, “El Che”, promises a familiar mix of knowledge and punchlines that should be familiar to any fan of “conscious”/backpacker/soulful hip-hop.
And that’s not it, ladies and gentlemen! Also in stores this week-a new album from anarchist punk rockers Against Me!, the second solo effort from Erasure’s Andy Bell, another country-flavored record from Jewel, the return of Lil Jon (WHAT???-yes, I know I’m five years late on that joke), the solo debut from Gym Class Heroes’ Travie McCoy, a covers album from Nada Surf, the soundtrack to the third volume of the “Twilight” series, and yet ANOTHER “Glee” album!
I’d be unable to complete this column without the invaluable assistance of Pause and Play. Make sure you check that site out!
7 comments
GG says:
Jun 8, 2010
Four songs into Christina’s album, and it’s not that good. But I have a long way to go.
That Woohoo song is terrible though. If I’m bustin’ Usher’s ass for OMG, I’m bustin’ her ass for this. It’s just not necessary.
blerdwords says:
Jun 8, 2010
Just the fact that nicki minaj is on it makes me want.to skip it.
GG says:
Jun 8, 2010
That’s as good a reason as any.
Greg says:
Jun 9, 2010
What I’ve heard of the new ‘Fest album is surprisingly good, given that it’s been five years since his last proper release and there’s been virtually no promotion for/information about it (I still have no idea who any of the producers are and annoyingly enough, none of the digital copies come with pdf booklets).
You know, I’m not theoretically opposed to Christina kinkying up her sound, but her new direction is derivative as fuck. It’s like your grandma doing a bad impression of Madonna doing a bad impression of Lady Gaga. I’m guessing it’s gonna sound like a second-rate club record with a couple of shitty concessions to indie kids thrown in for good measure (it does allegedly feature songwriting contributions from MIA, Sia and Peaches).
blerdwords says:
Jun 9, 2010
Has it been five years since “Blue Collar”? Good Lord!!
I’m about 80% of the way through Christina’s album, and believe it or not, I like it. It *is* derivative, though. Pretty much JT’s “Futuresex” meets Madonna’s “Erotica” in a dark alley and gets stuck up by Lady GaGa.
Greg says:
Jun 9, 2010
It might be closer to four now that I think about it. And that actually doesn’t sound like a horrible combination.
Antione Esponda says:
Sep 2, 2010
You never hear anything bad about the Christina Aguilera. She doesn’t seem to be a bimbo airhead like Brit or Paris, I idolize her for keeping straight accepting the people she has to work with. Plus, she has a killer voice!