The Cataracs - Fall In Love

After loving Far East Movement's album, and jamming to Dev's music, I thought I'd give The Cataracs a try. Hailing from California, the duo's mix-tape is interestingly titled "...I Thought They Were Black?" Guess not.

Anyway, one of my favorite tracks is the Ya Boy featured "Fall In Love." And that's what I did. Fall in love with this new age rap/dance/pop. I like.

Chris Brown - Beautiful People

Chris Brown is REALLY pushing the euro-pop sound with this one and I'm not sure how successful it will become; however, considering "Yeah 3X" has recently become his first Top 10 Pop hit since "Forever" I'm all for "Beautiful People" smashing at Top 40 radio. In this one, Chris claims that the "beauty is inside you, so don't let them bring you down." Point taken, Mr. Brown. Point taken.

Jennifer Lopez - Good (S)hit

You know, I have definitely learned to never count anyone out. I remember finding Ms. J. Lo's previous album "Brave" pleasant; however, I wasn't sure if she could put out another smash. "Good (S)hit," a buzz song from her new album "Love?" proved she can.


Produced by Tricky and The-Dream, the song is upbeat and full of energy. The "Buy me louis stuff, buy me Gucci stuff, that I love lucy stuff" line gets me every time I hear it. This is a strong track, and if this is a "buzz" single them I'm surely amped for the rest of the LP.

Jennifer also shouts out a plethora of notable styles from various cities and them proclaims "don't you want to have my baby, don't you wish I was your boo? I got that good (s)hit!" And I would answer yes, because not only does she appear confident in the video clip, she looks GOOD and I mean, amazingly GOOD. Bring on "Love?"

Taylor Swift - Back To December

Off of her currently three times platinum album, "Speak Now," Taylor Swift has released the video (which serves its purpose) to her second single "Back To December." Specutively dedicated to none other then her ex-Taylor Lautner, "Back To December" is a moving ballad about regret and lost love.
The songwriter proclaims that she would "go back and time and change it" but recognizes that she can't. Unfortunately, Taylor made the decision to move on from her relationship when her apparent love interest wanted to move forward. Now she sees that "freedom ain't nothing but missing you" and must deal with the fact that their relationship may never be the same.

Kanye West & Jay-Z - H.A.M.

This week has been full of pleasant surprises and releases from some of the biggest starts in the game. At midnight, Kanye West and Jay-Z released "H.A.M." which stands for hotter than a muthaf*cker, apparently. The Lex Luger-produced track is the first single from their joint release "Watch The Throne," and finds the heavy weight rappers trading verses over an ethereal beat.

On first listen, both verses are standard fair, even with Kanye taking a line from Lil' Wayne ("kicking chicks out, like Pam"); however, the hook is relatively strong and has the potential to become an Urban anthem similar to Luger's other production/hook-heavy, work (Waka Flocka's "Hard in the Paint" and Rick Ross' "Blowin' Money Fast/MC Hammer" immediately comes to mind).

Britney Spears - Hold It Against Me

As expected, Britney Spears' new single "Hold It Against Me" has been released. Produced by her go-to production team, Max Martin and Dr. Luke, the track is dance-pop winner. She questions a number of "ifs" that her her lover could possible hold against her, but as usual, Ms. Spears gets what she wants.



The breakdown bridge where she professes "give me something good don't want to wait I want it now...show me how you work it out" is the highlight of a breathtaking track. Brit should kill an up-to-par dance performance of this one and I don't think that anyone could possibly hold it against her.

Marsha Ambrosius - Glass

In high anticipation for Marsha Ambrosisus' "Late Nights & Early Mornings" LP, I found some of her mixtapes and gave them a listen. On her most recent, 2010's "Yours Sincerely," I found a true gem. "Glass" is a stunning R&B song where Marsha relays that her heart has been broken and that her spirit is now synonymous with glass. Vocally, this track is a flawless representation of control and the emotive ability to Ms. Ambrosius.

Here, she has found a new love who "can see through all the tears I've cried," however, like glass, she declares that due to her past (and even the turmoils of her present love affair) she is "breakable, handle me (her) with care and for you I (she) have (has) tried to be there...I'm (she's) like glass." It has instantly become the best song that I have heard so far in 2011.

Dirty Money - Last Train To Paris

I've been waiting to write this review for quite some time. First, of course, I have to shout out Diddy. From one Howard University Alum to another, "Last Train To Paris" by Dirty Money is a winner. Notably, the production on every single song is on point; however, Dawn Richard & Kalena Harper's vocals take it to an entirely different level.

The album begins with the alternative tracks "Yeah Yeah Yeah You Would" and "I Hate That You Love Me." Both, encompass the direction I feel that this album intended. Hip-Hop beats, smooth vocals, with old school funk mixed with new age swing.

The album continues with current promo single "Ass On The Floor" and I must stress that Dawn and Kalena kill it with the vocals. A love ballad, mixed with an intensely hype hook, the song is quite unique. Also somewhat verbally explicit, the track is overall a winner and makes me wonder why it wasn't released as a single earlier.

In fact, that notion is prominent through out the LP. "Yesterday" and "I Know" both featuring Chris Brown, "Your Love" featuring Trey Songz, and "Looking For Love" featuring Usher are all stronger then the majority of the singles released from LTTP and have high potential to be hits. I suppose this is a #kanyeshrug moment.

Never quite sold on the original, "Last Night Pt. 2" is similar to the aforementioned tracks in that it perfectly mixed hip-hop production with an R&B outer layer. Demoted to a bonus track, I feel the song is the strongest song on the LP and describes a relationship where one person is giving more then the other. However, they are willing to stay and work this situation out in the name of love.

Pop single "Coming Home" is currently Top 5 on the Billboard charts and of course, the third Urban single, also the song that inclined me to buy the album, "Love You Know More" featuring Drake perfectly closes "Last Train To Paris."

All in all, I really feel that this is a cohesive album that its solid from start to finish. I, personally, could have without the rap verses, but most of them do contribute to the hip-hop core purpose of the project. I've got to hand it to Diddy for crafting and LP that has me hopping I don't ever miss the last train.

Chris' Picks: Last Night Pt. 2, Looking For Love, & I Know

Nelly - Gone

After over eight years, Nelly has released the sequel to his 2002 smash hit "Dilemma" featuring Kelly Rowland. Similarly featured, "Gone" finds Kelly and Nelly trading verses and professing their affection for each other. Produced by hit maker Jim Jonsin (Lollipop, Whatever You Like, etc). and Rico Love the song picks up where the former left off.


The pair sing "I'd do it all again if I had to, throw this money at you, girl you know you got me gone...I'd do it all again if I had to, you ain't got to ask boo, boy you know you got me gone...Kelly got me gone, gone, gone gone...Nelly got me gone, gone, gone, gone..." Currently set for release as the next single from Nelly's "5.0," this should be a sizable hit.

Interestingly enough, I find that Nelly's album is quite enjoyable. The rap/pop evolution is noticeable; however, the music remains pretty good. "Long Gone" with Chris Brown, "Live Tonight" with Keri Hilson," and the solo "Making Movies" are notable album tracks that deserve a listen (and the single treatment).

Mariah Carey - Outside

The sultry ballad, "Outside" will probably always remain one of my Top 10 favorite Mariah Carey songs. Produced for her fifth album "Butterfly" in 1997, this song is arguably, lyrically, the most powerful song that I have ever heard. It's message is clear that many people simply will never be able to "fit in" and that's alright. One day, we all find ourselves and our place in the world. Please remember that, and live, so that one day, you'll be able to see for yourself.

It's hard to explain
Inherently it's just always been strange
Neither here nor there
Always somewhat out of place everywhere
Ambiguous
Without a sense of belonging to touch
Somewhere halfway
Feeling there's no one completely the same

Standing alone
Eager to just
Believe it's good enough to be what
You really are
But in your heart
Uncertainty forever lies
And you'll always be
Somewhere on the
Outside

Early on, you face
The realization you don't have a space
Where you fit in
And recognize you
Were born to exist

Standing alone
Eager to just
Believe it's good enough to be what
You really are
But in your heart
Uncertainty forever lies
And you'll always be
Somewhere on the
Outside

And it's hard
And it's hard
And it's hard

Irreversibly
Falling in between
And it's hard
And it's hard
To be understood
As you are
As you are
Oh, and God knows
That you're standing on your own
Blind and unguided
Into a world divided
You're thrown
Where you're never quite the same
Although you try - try and try
To tell yourself
You really are
But in your heart - uncertainty forever lies
And you'll always be
Somewhere on the outside
You'll always be
Somewhere on the outside