Tag: self titled

June 12th, 2020

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Note: The post is uncharacteristically light on material this week. We would apologize for that, but we don’t produce the banality that got released on June 12th. When an artist does something of note, we’ll comment. Feel free to argue for your favorite artist that we slighted this week. Or any week for that matter.

Chloe x Halle – Ungodly Hour (Parkwood Entertainment)

Sisters Chloe and Halle Bailey have both lived a full life in the entertainment world, despite being only 21 and 20 years old, respectively.  From acting credits including The Fighting Temptations, Meet the Browns and Let It Shine, to being discovered from covers performed on YouTube; following all that up with a mixtape, two EPs, and now their 2nd studio album, Ungodly Hour – and their first charting single on the Billboard R&B Songs chart.  At this point, you’ve already got a pretty good career.  Or, in the case of Chloe x Halle, a pretty good start.

The superstar that discovered the Chloe x Halle duo on YouTube was none other than Beyoncé, who sought them out after listening to their cover of Bey’s “Pretty Hurts”.  The influence is palpable; all three women are strong, sensual, introspective and unapologetic.  The production is at the perfect level, enough so that it doesn’t just fade into the background, but not so much that it overshadows the work of the two songstresses.

The best song on Ungodly Hour, in my opinion, is also the charting single. “Do It” is a legit earworm through and through, with a great beat and fun lyrics (“He say, ‘Where you from?’ Tell ’em, ‘Outer space’/’Cause a bag the only thing I’m tryna chase”).  “Overwhelemed” is a short track that highlights the more emotional side of the duo, while closing tune “ROYL” (short for “Rest Of Your Life”) is a nice nod for doing your thing in the limited Earth time you have left.  In all tracks, the sisters are balanced, both within themselves and together as a single entity.

Even with all the success they’ve had already, the future remains bright for the pair.  Halle will be starring as Princess Ariel in the live-action version of The Little Mermaid soon, with Chloe nabbing a role alongside Russell Crowe in upcoming horror flick The Georgetown Project.  I’m sure it won’t be long before the two get back in the studio to start work on album #3 – and if I had to guess, we’ll be talking about how they just keep improving a few years from now.  Beyoncé better watch out, lest the students become the teachers.

FFO: Beyoncé, Solange, Teyana Taylor

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June 5, 2020

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This cover image released by Keeping The Blues Alive Records shows “Blues With Friends,” the latest release by Dion. (Keeping The Blues Alive Records via AP)

Dion – Blues With Friends (Keeping The Blues Alive Records)

It has been nearly 60 years since Dion first appeared on the scene with his first hits, “Runaround Sue” and “The Wanderer”, songs that will live forever. He is a living legend, and at 80 years old, has given us his 18th studio album. Taking a note from Santana, Dion asked a different guitar icon to join him on each track. 

Among those he counts as friends are the prodigious talents of Joe Bonamassa, Billy Gibbons, Brian Setzer, Jeff Beck, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, and several others. Each of those tracks takes on the personality of the guest artist, varying the styles of blues from swing – to folk – to rock – to traditional. Through it all, Dion’s voice provides a unity between the songs. Age has most assuredly not weakened his voice. On the contrary, he sounds as vibrant, powerful, and relevant as he ever did. 

I defy anyone to listen to “My Baby Loves To Boogie” (John Hammond), “Bam Bang Boom” (Billy Gibbons), or “I Got The Cure” (Sonny Landreth) without feeling the need to move. Equally difficult would be ignoring the emotional grip of “Can’t Start Over Again” (Jeff Beck) or “Told You Once In August” (John Hammond, Rory Block). 

From the first track to the last, Blues With Friends is a trip worth taking.

FFO: Eric Clapton, Alabama Shakes, any of the artists named above

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May 1st, 2020

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Cumgirl8 – Cumgirl8 (muddguts records)

So we’re in week 317 of quarantine, and if you’re anything like me, your ambition is starting to wane a bit.  Maybe the living room is getting cluttered, or the sink is full of dishes.  Maybe you haven’t showered in a day… or two… or whatever, we don’t judge here.

The point is, things are a bit messy right now.  And cumgirl8’s self-titled cumgirl8 EP is the perfect embodiment of that messy, filthy, dirty side that is coming (cumming?) out in all of us.

cumgirl8 is fronted by Veronika Vilim, who made the familiar jump from model to punk band frontwoman.  The vocals are rough, but in the way that they should be: with such messy guitars and drums behind, a classically-trained singer would sound out-of-place.

It was difficult for me to get into most tracks, as they tend to skew toward a ridiculous level of disjointedness.  “Blue Planet” (a song about planetary colonization?) and “Waffles” (a song about breakfast foods?) aren’t bad, but neither one hits my wheelhouse – and the rest dive too far into insanity without providing a rope to pull out if it.  Definitely check it out if it’s your thing, though.

FFO: Surfbort, Death Valley Girls

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