A Rhyme: "Next To Me" - Emeli Sandé

With a voice that sounds like a cross between Beyonce and Leona Lewis and a sound soulful and reminiscent of the orchestral elements of the Motown era, Emeli Sandé brings a classic sound to a genre that's populated by the latest innovations, with "Next To Me". Her refreshing vocals on the chorus soar into a smooth falsetto. Sandé has the kind of vocals that sooth the listener and still makes the song comfortable enough for you to get into the groove.

Like, Leona Lewis, Sandé hails from the U.K. and has the chops to go up against her and many other contemporaries. She currently has the U.K.'s biggest selling debut album of 2012 called Our Version of Events with good reason. The album is currently out stateside.



Source: EmeliSandeVEVO

A Rhyme: "Put It Down" - Brandy feat. Chris Brown

Brandy released the lead single from her new album "Two Eleven", due in May. The employs techniques used on R&B and Hip-Hop songs as of late--auto tune, rapid repetition, and other vocal manipulation techniques like stuttering and deepening of the voice. Chris Brown provides a rap in the bridge, different from how most would expect to hear him on a record.

The song isn't necessarily a club song but it can generate a nice dance video if need be. Chris could definitely have a routine in the video and it wouldn't be out of place. "Put It Down" doesn't sound much like what is on the radio as far as the instrumental is concerned but the repetition should make it good radio fare.

A Rhyme: "Fantasies" - Bootleg feat. Left Eye

Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes passed away ten years ago today and a song released by German label Block Starz Music leaked yesterday. The song is characterized by a smooth beat with a sweet flute and a steady protools beat. Left Eye's rapping is different than was usually characteristic of her--it is deeper and a more rugged, probably because around that time she was developing music under the persona of N.I.N.A. That version of Left Eye was on Suge Knight's Death Row records.

For that reason, this song is a departure from what people knew of Left Eye during her TLC days. It offers a glimpse of the type of music the rapper would have released had she not had that fatal plane crash a decade ago.



Source: Creative Loafing Atlanta

A Rhyme: "Every Single Night" - Fiona Apple

Fiona Apple released her first new song since 2005 today called "Every Single Night". The music is minimal only becoming enchanted during the chorus with backing vocals coming in behind Fiona's. With little instrumentation, Fiona's words are what needs to be payed attention to.  Her vocals on the song are like a cabaret singer allowing listeners to hear every blip in her delivery--it makes her more raw, something that she is known for.

The song comes from her latest release, The Idler the Wheel is wiser than the Driver of the Screw, and Whipper Chords will serve more than Ropes will ever do. It's lengthy title is reminiscent of her 1999 album When the Pawn... which has a much lengthier title. "Every Single Night"'s lulluby-esque tone makes it soothing but the punch in the chorus makes you really listen.

A Rhyme: "Party Girl" - Asher Roth Feat. Meek Mill

"I Love College" rapper Asher Roth returns with his new song about a girl who likes to party. Aptly titled "Party Girl," it samples Eddie Murphy's 80's hit "Party All The Time". Asher still has connections to college-oriented music with this song describing the party antics of a stereotypical college frat girl.

Backed by a club-dupstep based beat, it makes for a good track that any party girl would want to dance to. The song also serves to introduce younger audiences to the fact that yes, Eddie Murphy did attempt to sing at some point. It's good, it's straight forward and the rap provided by Meek Mill helps make it more hip-hop and less typically pop appealing to the college crowed. It's not necessarily mainstream but neither is Asher Roth.

A Rhyme: "Big Hoops (Bigger The Better)" - Nelly Furtado

With the release of a lyric video on VEVO, Nelly Furtado returns  to the scene for the first time since 2006's Loose with her new single about hoop earrings. It's a club song that focuses on a typical premise of a girl trying to catch a guy's eye. While that may seem like nothing new, what is new is the techniques Nelly used on this song compared to how we last heard her. Produced by Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, Nelly utilizes vocal manipulation not only through the ever-popular autotune but also on her own. The singer echoes current pop staple Rihanna, feigning a Caribbean accent on the track.

The most interesting part of the song comes in the last minute when the music stops and after a few words from Nelly and the chorus repeats with a fast-paced 90's-esque rave track racing in the background. That's something refreshing to hear considering it could have gone a more predictable route and launched into a dupstep break down. Even though the song is nothing especially different to what's on the radio now, it is different enough to stand out.

A Rhyme: "Lost" - Gorilla Zoe

Gorilla Zoe’s most popular track is undoubtedly “Lost” form his March 2009 album Don’t Feed Da Animals.  Like many artists, his song is about being lost in the business. He has his go-to vices to keep him sane: purple and a chick he met in the club. The words in the song smoothly flow from ear to ear with the slick familiar hip-hop beat in the background and a female vocalist that echoes more of the R&B genre.

This isn’t the most typical hip-hop song but it’s not completely original. Yet it still goes a little deeper than the usual: rapping about money, cars, girls, and the like. It’s a song anyone who is feeling at least somewhat overwhelmed can relate to.  And the song actually tells a story making it more relevant.

Image Credit: Bad Boy South, Block, Atlantic

A Rhyme: "Bright Lights" - Gary Clark Jr.

Upon first hearing Clark's "Bright Lights", you might mistake it for a blues song from the peak of the genre during the 40's and 50's. But once the smooth electric guitar joins in you'll recognize that this is something of a more recent caliber.

Clark sings about a city's social scene blowing up his ego and him not caring. And he shouldn't. With guitar skills like those showcased on the bridge that take years of training to perfect, he seems to have mastered it well. The crooner's solo sounds smooth but still gritty enough to for the listener to believe he's taken time to make it to this city where he's determined for you to know his name.

Image credit: rollingstone.com

A Rhyme: "Delusional" - Simon Curtis

From Simon Curtis' debut album released on his own independent label in March of last year, "Delusional" showcases electronic elements prevalent on 8Bit Heart. The first verse gives the impression that the song may focus on naysayers who write Curtis off as someone who won't make it in the music business:

Here's to all the people who've been trying to keep me down
Got their fingers in my collar trying to turn me all around
I find it so funny to hear how much they hate
Try to push me to the ground then say they love me to my face
Say what you mean and don't try to deceive me
I so want to believe it, yes I want to, yes I do
Say what you want and don't try to prolong it
If you want to so-long it, then I want you to, yes I do

This can be thought into the second verse where Curtis proclaims "Now I know you're gonna try to say I stole this verse from Tim'..." (though his voice is more reminiscent of Nick Carter of the Backstreet Boys, his musical styling is more in line with Justin Timberlake's) but the rest of the verse suggests he's really referring to a lover who left him for someone else. Whether this lover is a man or a woman is up for debate, as there is speculation if the singer is gay. All that aside "Delusional" is a song that easily fits into the current atmosphere of music, which is why 8Bit Heart was downloaded 150,000 times since its release.

Source: Billboard.com, simon-curtis.com

Picture credit: simon-curtis.com

A Rhyme: "Moves Like Jagger" - Maroon 5 feat Christina Aguilera

The new single from Maroon 5 and Christina Aguilera, "Moves Like Jagger" debuted today much to eager Xtina fans' delight. The song is infectiously catchy and relies heavily on it's funky disco-esque beat that is characteristic of some of Maroon 5's songs. Adam Levine's voice is smooth along side the notable guitar. (Which might echo Party In The USA from two summers ago). Aguilera supplies guest vocals on the bridge and announces her arrival on the track with her signature vocal stylings and gives the song a fresh feminine take. Though The Voice judges often bud heads on the show, they show great chemistry here. It's a tune that is sure to be something of a summer smash.

Listen:

A Rhyme: "Strawberry Wine" - Deana Carter

The debut single "Strawberry Wine", from country crooner Deana Carter, was released in 1996 from her debut album Did I Shave My Legs For This?. Before being recorded the year earlier, songwriter Matraca Berg shopped it around to labels but was shut down by companies who insisted the song was too long and controversial. Carter recorded the song and it became the most successful song of her career.

Listening to the song and viewing the lyrics, you get a sense of just how special the hometown is for the speaker (which is not necessarily Carter, since Berg wrote the song based on her experience growing up in Luck, Wisconsin). It's where she lost her innocence and first fell in love. Carter sings the song in a way that makes her fondness believable even though the fields become overgrown so many years later. The song has remained one of the most popular country tunes and was later covered in 2006 by country duo The Wreckers.

Picture credit: amazon.com

A Rhyme: "Turning Tables" - Adele

A song that makes you feel vulnerable is one of the best. "Turning Tables" by Adele is one of those songs. On her second studio effort, 21, Adele took inspiration from her past relationship which is how she wrote songs like this one. Because this song is so well written, her voice does all the explaining necessary, evoking emotion that can only be felt if you have experienced the lyrics. The way Adele sings the lyrics and the way the song is written make it an effective listen.

A Rhyme: "Since I've Been Loving You" - Led Zeppelin

Valentine's Day is here and what better way to celebrate than with a love song!

From the album, III, released in October of 1970, "Since I've Been Loving You" is a blues-rock song about a man in love. Thought it may seem so on the surface, this song isn't just any typical love song. Basically a guy is so in love with his woman, but since they have fallen for each other she's driven him crazy. Listening to the track you can definitely feel the sanity leaving Robert Plant's body. He's worried that his lover hasn't been treating him well--at least that's what everybody is trying to tell him.

This is a popular song of the band's and has been covered by British singer-songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae albeit in a modified slower, more relaxed version. The classic can be found below.



Image credit: Atlantic Records

A Rhyme: "There Is No Arizona" - Jamie O'Neal

Released in 2000 with the singer's debut album Shiver, Jamie O' Neal's "There Is No Arizona" remains one of her most popular tracks to date. I first heard this song probably a year after it was released when my grandpa started listening to country radio in the car. After that, I would watch GAC and see the video. Ever since then, I have loved the song. I came across it again recently and bought it from iTunes and upon listening to it again, I've truly understood what it is about.

The gist of the story is that a guy promises to take his girlfriend to Arizona where they'll live out the rest of their lives together and all their dreams will come true. As it turns out, he goes there without her leaving her waiting for him until one day, it dawns on her that he isn't coming back. The reason why this song is so poignant is because of the way the writers decided to relay the fact that a guy had promised his girl these dreams and now they were never going to be realized. They simply say that the hopes will never be true because Arizona doesn't exist. O'Neal does a great job of conveying the emotion evicted in the song. I feel it every time.

Image Credit: Mercury Nashville

A Rhyme: "Voodoo" - Alexz Johnson

Many know Alexz Johnson from the hit TV shows Instant Star and So Weird but Johnson's true passion is singing and that she does well on her debut disc. The title track, "Voodoo", is essentially about Johnson wondering what mystical or emotional power has her falling for her guy. If you're listening to the song thinking it'll sound like a tune from Jude Harrison (Johnson's Instant Star character) then you may be disappointed. Many site the song and the LP as a huge departure from the singer's TV show songs and I have to agree.

I came upon "Voodoo" when I was on the Internet one day and thought, "I wonder what ever happened to that album Alexz Johnson was supposed to be recording." I went to her official site, clicked on "Voodoo" and immediately loved the song. After streaming the album on alexzjohnson.com I downloaded the album from iTunes and have been playing the LP practically non-stop. Check out the title track below.



Picture Credit: Wikipedia

A Rhyme: "Red" - Daniel Merriweather

Released on Colombia records, "Red" is actually Daniel Merriweather's second single from his sophomore album, Love & War. The song debuted on the UK Singles Chart at number 5, Merriweather's second top 10 single. The singer says "Red is a song "about the blindness of war and the absence of compassion displayed by western administrations."

Currently featured as a Vh1 "You Oughta Know" artist, his song has been playing quite often on Jump Start in the morning. It was there that I first heard the song and liked it ever since. I'd describe Daniel Merriweather as a male version of British songstress Adele. If you like her song, "Chasing Pavements" you'll probably like this song too. Check it out below!

Source: Wikipedia

A Rhyme: "Eveyone's At It" - Lily Allen

A departure from her previous work on her 2006 debut album, Alright, Still, Lily Allen's latest effort features electro-pop songs that are similar to the trend in pop music this year. The song "Eveyone's At It" details people's use of prescription drugs ranging from "grown politicians to young adolescents". A striking line in the song to me is this one: "So your daughter's depressed well get her straight on the Prozac/But little do you know she already takes crack"

Many people around the globe abuse drugs. And prescription drugs are more easily obtained than many realize. King of Rock 'n' Roll Elvis Presley faked symptoms of various illnesses in order to obtain prescription drugs to help him during his concerts in the 1970s. He even bought a book that listed prescription drugs and their symptoms. Collage students take pills like Adderall, a drug used to treat ADD/ADHD to help them pull all-nighters. It is truly disheartening to think that young adults and teens would resort to such things. Would you take prescription medication if it helped your studies? Listen to the song on below and tell me what you think.



Source: lilyallenmusic.com, CBS.com

A Rhyme: "Make You Feel My Love" - Adele

On her debut album, 19, Adele covers the 1997 Bob Dylan song, "Make You Feel My Love". It was released as the fifth single from the album on November 3, 2008. After Adele performed the song on Comic-Relief it re-entered the UK iTunes top 100 songs at number 42 . This is a popular cover song, as Billy Joel covered the track for his greatest hits album in 1997 and country singers Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood recorded a version for the Hope Floats soundtrack in 1998.

I like this song because, like most of the songs on Adele's album, it focuses on her voice. The songs on her album are stripped down with little instrumentation. Adele brilliantly sings on the record (probably because most of the songs on her album are about a breakup or falling for the wrong guy) but then again, anyone can out sing Bob Dylan.



Source: Wikipedia
Picture Credit: Wikipedia

A Rhyme: "Do You Realize??" - The Flaming Lips

"Do You Realize??" is the first single from The Flaming Lips' 2002 album Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots. Coyne revealed during an interview that while recording the album Steven Drozd was trying to rid himself of a heroin addiction. During breaks from recording the album, he would have a hard time with his withdrawals. Coyne, listening to Drozd cry and thinking about his own late father, he wrote "Do You Realize??", a song often considered one of the bands' most popular songs.

The song has been used in many commercials including a 2002 Hewlett-Packard commercial and a 2007 Land Rover commercial. It has also been used in commercials for Vh1--which is where I first heard the song. What I like about "Do You Realize??" is the bass and the bells. The use of those elements evokes a majestic feeling, a light feeling. This is the kind of song that just makes you happy and gives you hope. Check out the song below!

Picture credit: Wikipedia

A Rhyme: "Hanging On Too Long" – Duffy

Duffy's debut album, Rockferry was released on March 3, 2008. The album won a Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album at the 51 Grammy Awards in February. Rockferry was ranked number 30 on Rolling Stone magazine's Best Albums of 2008. "Hanging On Too Long" is the 6th track on the record and was written by Duffy, Jimmy Hogarth, and Eg White.

I have to admit, when I first heard Duffy and her debut single "Mercy", I didn't see what all the hype was about. But when my favorite singer Britney Spears mentioned that she likes her in an interview, I decided I'd giver her album a listen. To my delight, I thoroughly enjoyed the album. On of the tracks that immediately became my favorite was "Hanging On Too Long". I've always wanted to hear a song that went the way that song goes--the melody, the rhythm, everything. That song is one of my favorites ever. Listen to the song below!

Picture source: Wikipedia