1 post tagged “michelle williams”
I'm always excited when new singles come out. Most of the time I'm disappointed, but today's a good day. All R'n'B too. (I didn't do it on purpose, I promise)
1. Ne-Yo - Closer: Classic Ne-Yo. Great voice, lovely lyrics, with a fast beat that is unusual for him, but he makes it work. One of the most talented singer/songwriters in this decade, I think, and he'll stay in that set for a while yet. 4.25 stars
2. Chris Brown - Forever: Now, I can't compare Ne-Yo to Chris Brown as an artist, as they do very different things, but Chris Brown does the same thing with the faster beat as Ne-Yo does - he makes it work. I think that electro is the next big thing in music (though I'm sure everyone already knew this. Forgive me for being staler than month-old bread. Moving on.). But anyway, good song. Chris Brown is going places. 4.5 stars.
3. Michelle Williams - We Break the Dawn: So our favorite underappreciated child of Destiny has turned away from
the gospel circuit, and brought out a new song with a new sound. Are you shocked? (Did anyone notice the name of her new album is "Unexpected"? Clever girl, that Michelle) I'm not particularly surprised. It was a surprise when she came out with "Heart to Yours". I was like, "Destiny's Child doing gospel?!" Her albums did okay - I personally preferred the first. But clearly Ms. Williams is looking to match her former group mates in success. The song, again, has an electro feel to it, and it's good listening. My only problem with it, and with the next song slated for release from her album, "Stop This Car" is that the amazing vocalist I knew in Michelle is missing. While the electro compliments Chris Brown and Ne-Yo's voices, it seems to take precedence over Michelle's vocals here. Not that I'm surprised. Solange Knowles, who has no vocals to speak of, had a hand in making this song. No offense, Solange, but let Michelle do her thing. 3.5 stars. and that's only because Michelle looks SO fly in her album photo shoot. Can I get those heels, please? (see above)
4. Jesse McCartney - Leavin': My first reaction: "Did he just say 'cruising in our G-5???' " Jesse McCartney turning away from the Disney sound and finally giving us the smooth R'n'B his voice was meant for. I was a little sad that he left the pop sound, to tell the truth - "She's No You" is still one of my favorite songs. The violins on that track kill me every time, and the boy can sing. A piece of art, in my opinion. This one is good too, but it has The Dream written all over it, and I felt that Jesse didn't quite fit the mold our new favorite writer/producer has made for him. But it's a good comeback, and bodes well for our boy. 3.75 stars.
5. Girlicious - Like Me: So problems up front: 1. They sound just like Danity Kane. 2. "Girlicious"? I mean, seriously? 3. They are only an attempt to replicate the fame of the Pussycat Dolls. BUT, I have to admit - this song is hot. Jazze Pha doing his thing as usual, and the girls may not have the vocals, but they have enough attitude to take them to the top. I just love the bravado of this song: "Wanna walk like me/ wanna talk like me/ wanna get all the boys in the club like me". Always a fan of the girl power, me. And they dance. Danity Kane don't dance, so they don't have the energy to pull off this song. So Girlicious (you know, I can't say their name anymore, it's too ridiculous), surprisingly, gets my 5 stars this weekend - I just keep playing that song.
Alright, that's enough for today. The abundance of R'nB makes me uncomfortable. I'm going to have to talk about something very random in my next post to correct the imbalance. The songs are here on an imeem playlist for you to check out for yourselves.
