Listen Up

Politics and such aside, it's time to talk music.

John Legend - Evolver
Haven't listened to it enough to give it a fair hearing, but I can say I was not particularly enthusiastic about it, the middle of the album was a muddle of mid-tempo fluff and guest artists (Kanye, Estelle, Brandy) all sounding like will.I.am re-hash. Even the songwriting seems off compared to Legend's previous efforts. He leaves the signature grand piano at home for the most part, favoring synths and strings and drum machines. I never thought 'generic' would be a word that would apply to a John Legend album. It's not bad, mind you. There are some solid songs and Andre 3000 offers an entertaining rap verse on Green Light (which I understand was the first single, so if you listen to the radio or watch music videos, you've no doubt already heard it).
Quickly feat. Brandy



Robin Thicke - Something Else
Robin Thicke shows John Legend how to make 3rd album. Not content to simply replicate the soft-spoken manner of his breakout hit, "Lost Without U" (which, incidentally, I thought was one of the weaker tracks on his last album, but I digress) for 12-13 tracks, he dug deep and pulled out, well, something else. A throwback 70s funk/soul sound made fresh. Unlike the current (mostly) Mark Ronson-produced or imitating British retro-R&B which is digging up every Motown riff and drum beat from the 60s, Thicke looks to the 70s for inspiration and finds it in spades. And then he doesn't stop there; he drops a little Lou Reed meets Curtis Mayfield gem on us called Shadow of Doubt that stands out simply by being different from the rest of the album, and yet completely at home with the rest of the songs. It just works. And he makes room for his rap buddy Lil Wayne to take the lead on the album closer while Thicke just sings the chorus. That takes confidence that you know what you're doing. And he does. An excellent effort.
Sidestep


Leigh Jones - Music in My Soul
The first find and project from Kerry Gordy, son of Motown founder Berry Gordy. Carrying dad's endorsement, Kerry gives us Leigh Jones, a jazz-soul-pop-blues chanteuse, filling the gap between Alice Smith and Chrisette Michele. The first time I listened to her album I was more impressed by the songwriting/production (which are both top-notch) than by her as a singer. Then, I kept listening because the songs are so good and it just kinda grew on me. And then I realized why...it's fun. Sure, it's mostly jazzy ballads, but she knows how to sing the songs incredibly well, even though she's not the best singer, so they come alive. And when the bluesy I'm Leaving You comes on, I defy you to not sway along with that familiar groove.
Have It Your Way


One Flew South
One Flew South is basically a pop vocal harmony trio who play country music. Imagine The Eagles/CSNY singing Rascal Flatts (if the thought don't cause you to go into convulsions). The guys are older than most new artists coming out, but that only serves to make the songs sharper/better-written and the harmonies tighter. I know country is a divisive genre for some reason, but this should be tolerable to anyone who appreciates a good vocal. Having grown up on a steady diet of Beach Boys and Boyz 2 Men, I'm something of a sucker for a harmony group.
Life


Willie Nelson & Wynton Marsalis - Two Men With the Blues [Live]
Willie. Wynton. 'nuff said.
That's All


That's all. For now.