Review of My World 2.0

Disclaimer: I have a tendency to like that "pop" sound, but I appreciate all kinds of music. I am very outspoken and will speak my mind when it needs a-speaking. So if I tend to sound very biased, but that is because I am. You have to be biased if you're human, you just don't have to share it. Too bad I will...xoxo

So I was one of those people who preordered My World 2.0 :P and it's currently on repeat. So here's my attempt at a review of it without being totally biased...

On Friday, I came home to find a package with my name on it. I opened it and screamed...well, shrieked would be a better word. I get to be one of the first to hear this CD. My expectations were high or at least better than the first album. I looked at the track list and saw some familiar songs, and then I saw some not so familiar songs. Well, here it goes!

Tracks

1. Baby featuring Ludacris - 4.5/5
Like the first album, Bieber puts his first single as the first track of the album, which is a frequently used and very smart trick. Starting the album on a good note. The upbeat tune of this song gives a great, happy, and energetic start to the album. With Ludacris rapping, he brings in more fans, mostly female, to his...fanbase. The recurrent theme of puppy love in his songs is very age-appropriate, him being 16 years old. I give it my approval :)

2. Somebody to Love - 4.25/5
The song starts with an old-school, 80's sounding beat to give an exciting start to this song. Bieber then sings about the things he wants for love. The second song in an album isn't always necessarily good, but this song is decent. Personally, it's not my favorite, but it's very upbeat and very fun to listen to.

3. Stuck in the Moment - 4.25/5
When I first heard the beginning of this song, I swore I was listening to "Bedrock". I was DEFINITELY wrong lol. This song references great loves and their struggles through love. This song is slow and fast at the same time, having a slowish beat, yet still keeping up to the beat of the past two songs...kinda. Slightly explores Bieber's vocal range, but it could be better. Still very good.

4. U Smile - 4.5/5
FAVORITE SONG
I absolutely, positively love love love this song! The use of piano in this fan dedicated song makes this more ballady than Bieber's other up-beat pop songs. He brings back the old sounds of R&B and Soul while still bringing in his well-known sound. From the inspirations of Boyz II Men and Michael Jackson, Bieber's influences are very evident in this song. The melismas he delivers with his pre-pubescent voice is rather surprising, with his voice not hitting the peak quite yet.

5. Runaway Love - 4.5/5
When I first listened to this song, I didn't give it a chance. So I decided to listen to it a few more times. After extensively and constantly listening to it, I decided to redo its review: I LOVE THIS SONG. This song is reminiscent of a young Michael Jackson, showing his vocal range. The unusual-ness of the song makes it very interesting.

6. Never Let You Go - 4/5
You know how some songs sound better acoustically? Actually, most songs usually do, with the exception of Ke$ha, that dirty looking woman...not the point. Well, Bieber posted this song on Youtube acoustically first, raising the expectations of this song. This is another song that could've been better, yet its beat doesn't match the lyrics. The chorus' sound doesn't match the verses, yet it is very well-done.

7. Overboard featuring Jessica Jarrell - 4/5
As you may or may have not concurred by now, I love the sound of the piano. The beginning of the simplicity of the piano sets up for a good song. Also, duets between the girl and boy voice is perfect for good love songs. The chorus is just too cheesy for my likings, giving analogy between drowning and needing love. The vocals, however, are amazing in this song :). By the way, I'd be on the lookout for this Jessica Jarrell girl...very strong voice for being 14/15-ish.

8. Eenie Meenie featuring Sean Kingston- 4.25/5
I am not a huge fan of rap, but, being a "music critic" I must condone it. I think that mixing singing and rap is very good, and Bieber and Kingston deliver. They turn the phrase of "Eenie Meenie Miney Moe" from a simple picking game to describing a "player girl". This song is very friendly to the mainstream radio ears. Very versatile for the non-Bieber liker...

9. Up - 4.5/5
The slow beat doesn't do any good for this song, yet the lyrics in this song saves it from drowning in my pool of "I HATE SLOW SONGS". From the thought of going "nowhere but up", Bieber takes a new message of love into inspiration, by saying there is no other way but up. Also he borrows a lyric from Selena Gomez, "As long as you're with me baby," but we won't worry about any copyright mumbo jumbo.

10. That Should Be Me - 4.75/5
BEST SONG
This song is definitely a tear-jerker, and it is definitely hands down the best song on this album. 1. The lyrical content in this song. Definitely lyrics about unrequited love/lost love touch a tender spot in the heart. 2. The passion heard in Bieber's voice gives him a promising future after puberty. 3. The use of piano in this song makes it a ballad, the electric guitar makes it a rock ballad, and the back-up singers of soul and R&B makes it...Justin Bieber's style. This song not only sums up Bieber, but definitely is a great note to end on.

Overall Rating for Die-hard Bieber Fans - A+
Overall Rating for Normal People - B+
Overall Rating for Bieber Haters - C-
Overall Rating for the music enthusiast - B/B+

beautiful but you don't even try

Disclaimer: I have a tendency to like that "pop" sound, but I appreciate all kinds of music. I am very outspoken and will speak my mind when it needs a-speaking. So if I tend to sound very biased, but that is because I am. You have to be biased if you're human, you just don't have to share it. Too bad I will...xoxo

The Jonas Brothers is my topic today. I will evaluate their evolution today.

So if you're not familiar with the Jonas Brothers, or you've been living under a rock for the past five years, this brotherly boy band has been around since 2005, despite getting media attention for about three years. Since I've heard the story of how they became famous HUNDREDS of times, I'll keep this in annotated form:
- Nick got it started by getting discovered at a barbershop when he was about six years old; he then started doing Broadway musicals when he was seven
- Joe did a bit of acting, like in La Boheme
- Kevin has done a bit of commercials in his time, like this one (makes me laugh HARD) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wL1IiyRnm4
- Nick gets signed by Columbia Records, initially as a solo artist
- His album flopped :(
- Luckily, Steve Greenberg revived his career by signing his brothers too as a group in 2005
- Fun Tidbit: they originally considered the name "Sons of Jonas"...thank God they didn't pick that name lol
- They make their first album, "It's About Time"
- Greenberg gets fired, album comes out, it's a flop :(
- They decide to leave Columbia and join Hollywood Records, a.k.a. Disney!
- They get publicity for their next self-titled album by having a LOT of air time on Disney Channel
- Album drops in July of 2007; HUGE HIT :)
- They get featured on one of the highest rated Hannah Montana episodes
- They go on their Look Me in the Eyes tour while filming for their short-episode series, Living the Dream
- Go on tour in Europe, opening for Avril Lavigne's Best Damn Tour in spring 2008
- Camp Rock premieres in June of 2008
- Go on YET ANOTHER tour, Burning Up Tour throughout North America
- Third album drops in August of 2008; GINORMOUS HIT :)
- They start filming for their TV show, Jonas, in late 2008
- Nominated for Best New Artist award for the Grammy's in December of 2008
- Talk begins about their new album in 2009, Lines, Vines, and Trying Times
- They announced that they will be going on a World Tour in summer 2009
- Album is released, mixed reviews :|
- Do a ton of side projects during the rest of 2009; Kevin gets engaged AND married; Joe does...stuff lol (he does random, secret stuff); Nick does A LOT
- Nick announces that he will have a solo band, Nick Jonas and the Administration
Ah, finally! That was WAY longer than it should've been. Haha

It's About Time
- Pop, boy band sound
- Too typical, but great songs
- Good album to start up with
- Key Song: Please Be Mine

Jonas Brothers
- Great album, newer, more mature sound
- Many great, classic songs
- However, great songs get overlooked by overplayed singles, like SOS
- Key Songs: Goodnight and Goodbye, Inseprable, Still in Love with You

A Little Bit Longer
- Arguably their BEST ALBUM, tied with Jonas Brothers
- Great, eclectic sound
- Different, but a better different
- Key Songs: Shelf, Lovebug, A Little Bit Longer

Lines, Vines, and Trying Time
- Okay album, could've been better, WAY overhyped
- Tried too hard to make a different sound; should've just stuck with their older sound
- Still has great songs that are overlooked by the bad ones
- Key Songs: World War III, What Did I do to Your Heart, Black Keys, Turn Right

Best Songs: Please Be Mine, Goodnight and Goodbye, Lovebug, Black Keys

I shall leave you with these parting words: "Mama always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get." Like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get from the Jonas Brothers...good or bad.

haters look so small from up here...

Disclaimer: I have a tendency to like that "pop" sound, but I appreciate all kinds of music. I am very outspoken and will speak my mind when it needs a-speaking. So if I tend to sound very biased, but that is because I am. You have to be biased if you're human, you just don't have to share it. Too bad I will...xoxo

Justin Bieber. Four words: this boy's got talent. (That was technically 5 minus the apostrophe thingy lol)

When I was about 13, I was OBSESSED with this thing called Youtube. That is where I stumbled upon this boy. I heard about Esmee Denters and how she got famous on Youtube. I wanted to be famous, so I made a Youtube account. So I would look at related videos and just happened to find a video of a cute guy that looked about my age singing to Esmee. I thought he looked like just a skater boy with really great eyes, until I heard him sing. I thought a few things: 1. Holy Sh** 2. He sounds like a girl. Yes, maybe I was smitten by this pre-pubescent boy, but he had some talent. He sang "With You" by Chris Brown (back when he was in his "glory days") and he killed it. I got shivers down my spine and goosebumps. I literally told myself, "This kid's gonna be famous one day." Wow, I have some pretty good perception.

On a hot, late July day, on the way to Wawa, I hear this high pitched boy's voice on the radio. I listen to the song, thought it was too "pop" for my forte, but I liked his voice (NOT THE PITCH; I will rant about that at a later time). I then hear the name: Justin Bieber. I literally screamed and made my brother pretty angry. Not the point.

I would like to make a few points so this post isn't too too long:
1. Even though his voice is high pitched, THIS BOY CAN SING.
2. He has received high praise from big shot music peeps.
3. He is just too darn cute.
4. His story. He came from below the poverty line, singing on the streets to get his single mother a vacation, to "teen pop sensation".
5. He is a true musician. He plays four instruments (piano, trumpet, drums, and guitar) and he can conquer anything that he puts his mind to. His inspirations are Michael Jackson and various R&B/Pop sounds

Key Songs to Listen to Know Him:
One Time - just getting to know his style
One Less Lonely Girl - cute, puppy love ballad with a good beat

Key Songs to HAVE:
One Time (My Heart Edition) - voice change is evident, sounds WAY better acoustic
Baby ft. Ludacris - suits different genre likings, with a pop and hip hop feel, little bit of rap and R&B...kinda. Influenced by Michael Jackson, so definitely a must
Down to Earth - a touch of his songwriting skills that tackle a tough topic: divorce (his parents are divorced)

Key Songs to Keep on Repeat:
U Smile - a song he wrote for his fans; HUGE R&B influenced beat and a Motown feel
That Should Be Me - look at the title; listen to the passion in his voice (search for it on Youtube; look for the acoustic version recorded during QVC; take into account that he was sick during this performance)
Eenie Meenie - great collaboration with Sean Kingston; repetition is very key in the annoying factor, which makes is PERFECT

Key Songs that take A LOT to like:
Bigger - took me about four months to take into consideration of listening; just not my cup of tea; listen to the WHOLE entire song, as in don't stop in the beginning
Love Me - just not feeling it, but a LOT of people like it. Maybe it's just me :|

Remember: give him about two years. He'll be hot by then.

xoxo, sam :)