THE HIT GRADER

XTina Doesn't Deliver

2010-06-03T23:56:00.000-07:00

CHRISTINA AGUILERA

Bionic

2010

RCA

118:56

Don't Buy

Best Tracks:

(3) Woohoo

(15) You Lost Me

Christina Aguilera's highly anticipated album is finally here after four (4) years of waiting. The controversy surrounding Aguilera and Lady Gaga's battle for 'who-originated-the-look' has only helped to hype Aguilera's come back. What will she bring to the table? After if we think back ten years ago we will remember that it was Aguilera who came out on top of the Grammy's Best New Artist Category beating out Kid Rock, Susan Tedeschi, Macy Gray and most importantly Britney Spears. Will Aguilera have the edge to be back on top?

From her unfortunate first single, "Not Myself Tonight" we were left wondering if this album would be a total flop. But as usual, we can assume that releasing such a radio friendly first single was probably the decision of the executives at RCA. Luckily, however, that was only one of a handfull of tracks that Aguilera does not have a creator credit on.

When the album starts you are hit in the face with the title track. Where is classic Xtina? She started her comeback album with a weak generic Ke$ha/Gaga fake edge. When you role into the dismal "Not Myself Tonight" one is ready to turn the album off. Did this song really reach the 20's on the Billboard Hot 100?

One song I genuinely enjoy is the next song on the track. Rapper Nicki Minaj is mostly the reason for my acclaim. She brings such a gritty and powerful feel to the track. This song is relaxing somewhere in the 70's on the charts. It may continue to rise. This is the first time of the album we really heard Xtina sing, as sparse as it is in the songs verses. The song is clever vocally and features a strong late-night style beat. It definitely will be receiving a lot of club play.

The next song "Elastic Love" riffs off of the hard driving "Woohoo," but resorts to the out of fashion robotic-sound that we already heard in "Bionic." This song lacks any serious hook and is another track to skip.

"Desnudate" is thankfully next. The song title means 'get naked' in Spanish. The song certainly evokes a sexually powerfully ambiance, reminiscent of her "Dirty" days. This song feautures some old school Aquilera riffing, however I wish they would take it further.

The obvious weak Lady Gaga influenced song "Glam" follows. Aguilera continues her weak interpretation of 2010 pop music with "Prima Donna." This song feels very much like a cut song from Beyonce's I AM SASHA FIERCE or something that would be featured on Danity Kane's first album.

The song "Sex For Breakfast" features Aguilera as a shadow of her incredibly powerful vocal past.

Following is the Linda Perry produced track "Lift Me Up." It is reminiscent of her "Beautiful" days. The song is truly 'beautiful' and she sounds incredible but it is not her best ballad on the record. It seems for a second that we are out of the woods. When you reach the track "All I Need" you've sat through one really powerful ballad and she now Aguilera brings the tears by chronically her thanksgiving for her son, who is featured in the tracks introduction. Thankfully songwriters Sia Furler and Samuel Dixon have taken the reins from Polow da Don and provided Aguilera with at least one great corner of the record.

Aquilera keeps it coming with another powerful mid tempo, "I Am" is a genuine functional ballad.

The next track is my absolute favorite song on the album. Aguilera chose to perform it over Not Myself Tonight on American Idol. The studio recording is just as remarkable a vocal as her live performance. Her subtle vocal decoration commands the albums four (4) and a half minutes of beautifully executed accompaniment and back-up harmonies. You will want to put this song on repeat, close your eyes and pretend it is still 2000. Aguilera should be incredibly proud of this song. By itself this track is an A+

After this incredible ballad the listener is startled by the immature Avril Lavigne-style track "I Hate Boys." Aquilera follows it up with a strange crowded track "My Girls" produced by Le Tigre. Just like "I Hate Boys," this song would function better on a Disney Records female not a nearly 30-year-old mother.

Aguilera wraps up the album with another generic sass-track. "Vanity" is a weak song to finish an ultimately weak album.

The last line of the album is "Let us not forget who owns the thrown..." Not you Christina, not you.

Do not buy BIONIC. You will be so disappointed. Aguilera only delivers on about four songs and even they are not worth purchasing the full album. It's a shame to say, but Aguilera has delivered a flop. You should download the song "You Lost Me" on iTunes, because it really is brilliant. Unfortunately, that is the only song on the record worth having. C

Woohoo ft. Nicki Minaj, You Lost Me (Live on American Idol)

This Really Is Happening! LCD Soundsystem Doesn't Dissapoint

2010-06-03T20:24:00.000-07:00

LCD SOUNDSYSTEM

This is Happening

2010

DFA/Virgin Records

01:55:33

BUY

Best Tracks:

(1) Dance Yrself Clean

(2) Drunk Girls

(6) You Wanted a Hit

(9) Home

LCD Soundsystem is the project of producer James Murphy who is the groups front runner. When performing live, Murphy performs with Nancy Whang, Pat Mahoney, Tyler Pope, Gavin Russom, David Scott Stone and Matt Thornley. The group is based out of New York City.

Debuting at number one (1) on the Dance/Electronic charts is quite a feat considering Lady Gaga has pretty much held that position for 83 weeks. This shocking debut from LCD Soundsystem made this album worth taking a look at.

THIS IS HAPPENING is LCD Soundsystem's third studio release. The rumor is that this will be Murphy's final album as LCD Soundsystem, a sad retirement.

The album is a fresh examination of the Indie-Dance king's limited career. Murphy brings so much attitude and personality to a genre that is often mistaken as impersonal.

The album begins with the most talked about track "Dance Yrself Clean" an almost nine (9) minute slow build to the three (3) minute mark when things really get going. You are transformed into the world of LCD Soundsystem's eternal dance.

Ironically, but not surprisingly, the next track "Drunk Girls" was chosen as the first single. Unfortunately this track seems the most out of place of the whole collection. "Drunk Girls" with some commercial tweaks would fit perfectly on an artist like Ke$ha's album. I enjoy the song as a single and I think it will get alot of serious club play, however it seems out of place on the album.

The next track of mention is "I Can Change." The song has a David Bowie feel to it and Murphy meets the challenge head-on. The 80s inspired dance track is a cool mix of nostalgia and 2010.

Perhaps my favorite written track on the album is the snarky over nine (9) minute song "You Wanted a Hit." Murphy is in his lyrical full force here. Here he retracts any attempts at commercialism (perhaps "Drunk Girls") His sarcasm and wit are what drive the listener through the exceeding lengthy song. Murphy joins vocally right after hand-claps start to really move the beat. It's safe to say that Murphy is absolutely capable of producing "a hit."

"Pow Pow" is next. Murphy seems to have completely returned to his musical origins. This track is a stripped down "Daft Punk is Playing at My House." It does not have the same power however. This is the weakest track on the album. The hook is weak and there's no real build. I can imagine taking a break and getting a drink when this song started. This song is trying to hard to be off-colour.

Following "Pow Pow" is the cool and smooth "Somebody's Calling Me." Murphy finally takes advantage of a acoustic piano sound. The listener gets a great surround with this realistic accompaniment along with his usual dissonant synths.

The final track on the album is the track "Home." I am glad Murphy saved this song for last. It's build and percussive nature make it a killer pull-out-the-stops finale. After sitting through a couple duds this song was worth waiting for. If this infact is the end, this song will be a suitable closer to an 8-year-project.

I say pick up this album. Maybe it's just hype but this album certainly has the feel of a farewell tour. This album will have you dancing all summer. B

Drunk Girls, Dance Yrself Clean

The Black Key Riff and Wail Their Way Across Killer Album, BROTHERS

2010-06-03T16:03:00.000-07:00

THE BLACK KEYS

Brothers

2010

Nonesuch Records

55:27

B+

BUY

Best Tracks:

(1) Everlasting Light

(3) Tighten Up

(12) I'm Not the One

(14) Never Give You Up

The Black Keys are an American blues-rock duo from Ohio. Vocalist Dan Auerbach and drummer Patrick Carney make up the group.

BROTHERS is their sixth commercial release. It reached the third (3) spot on the Billboard 200 and number one (1) on the rock chart. The highest any of their previous albums had reached.

BROTHERS is an excellent fusion of R&B, rock, blues, and jazz with a contemporary perspective. The album spans limitless influential stylistic choices. This incredible blend will have you returning to this album again and again.

What this dynamic duo accomplishes is truly remarkable. Their album is reminiscent of our beloved deep-south-back-woods American rock while making it relevant and vital to a modern audience.

Above all is their musical prowess and talent. Hidden among the guitar riffs and vocal wailing is real accomplished song-writing. Their driving musical accompaniment brilliantly blends with the despair of the emotional vocal line.

The pre-release single, "Tighten Up" is situated perfectly in the album. It follows the psychedelic and powerful chronicle "Next Girl." The song is by far their most commercial feeling track. The duo takes advantage of their whistled hook. This is the first time on BROTHERS you really get to hear the vocal prowess of Auerbach. When the song eventually reaches its pile-up in the last 50 seconds of the track you are hoping it will keep playing. While the song is still not necessarily radio friendly it is certainly worth playing for your friends.

Another great mention is the opening track "Everlasting Light." It is reminiscent of Amy Winehouse's BACK TO BLACK album. Its functional distortion brings the listener into their smokey underground blues vibe. It has strong forward moving energy and is a great set up for the album.

Another track I particularly enjoyed was the dark organ ballad "I'm Not the One." It showcases Auerbach's emotional wail and story-telling abilities. The song features brooding choral harmonies that accompany Auerbach's fried tone in an eerie juxtaposition.

Overall BROTHERS is a great rock album. The Black Keys manage to assemble a gritty, dark and cool group of stories and melodies that remind one of their garage-dwelling beginnings while maintaining a 2010 perspective on these old tales. Ultimately pick up a copy of BROTHERS, you won't be hearing much of it on the radio so you'll want to have this album in your collection. B+

Tighten Up, Never Give You Up