Let it Rock: A Little Bit of Everything

I have pretty eclectic tastes when it comes to music. I’ll give most anything a chance and find myself loving everything from Kings of Leon to Escape the Fate to Rascal Flatts to Kelly Clarkson. You get the point. So, I was especially excited this week when I saw how crazy different each of the new releases were. I listened to some R&B, I listened to some rock opera, and I listened to some country.  And I liked something about all of it. What can I say, I’m just a well-rounded girl. I like my music like I like my men. Err, lots of it.

Keri Hilson- In a Perfect World

Who is Keri Hilson? That’s what I said. Then I figured out that she’s the girl singing in Timbaland’s hit “The Way I Are.” Ooh, I like that song, so I thought I’d probably like Keri’s new album, In a Perfect World. Mmm not so much. Honestly, I don’t think people are buying the album because of HER. I think they’re buying it because of all the awesome people she has featured on it. Most of the album was pretty blah to me; typical R&B and nothing she sang alone really stuck in my head. But all of the tracks that featured another star were the songs I kept going back to. I have a general theory that anything the Timbaland produces will be successful, and In a Perfect World just proves me even more right. I’m sure Timbaland’s pull has a lot to do with all the cameos on the album. One of my favorite tracks is “Knock You Down,” which features both Kanye West and Ne-Yo and has more singing from them than from Keri. I’m generally not the biggest Akon fan, but I found myself dancing along to “Change Me,” in which he also seems to play the main role. Other notable features on the album include Keyshia Cole, Trina, Lil’ Wayne, and Timbaland of course.  I might be deleting Keri’s solo tracks from my music library, but I know I’ll be listening to her duets again and again. Stick to the collaborations, Keri.

The Decemberists- The Hazards of Love

The Decemberists are one of those bands I’ve always meant to listen to, but just never got around to. Well, I finally did with their new album, Hazards of Love, and I’m so psyched that I already love them as much as I do. I would definitely describe this album as being a bit different….weird if you will, but in a super good way. Even the song names are a bit strange, with titles like “The Hazards of Love 1 (The Prettiest Whistles Won’t Wrestle the Thistles Undone)” and “The Abduction of Margaret.”  And then I realized the album is a “rock opera,” meaning all of the dialogue of the show is being sung and the entire album makes a complete story. If you didn’t know better, you might discount the album at that; but don’t. No matter if you pay attention to the story’s plot or if you listen to the album on shuffle, it is enjoyable. I’m a big fan of the voice of lead singer Colin Meloy and it works perfectly with guest singers Becky Stark and Shara Worden. I particularly enjoyed “The Wanting Comes in Waves/Repaid” and “Isn’t it a Lovely Night.” I’m not sure if the rest of The Decemberists’ albums are so quirky, but I’m definitely going to find out.

Martina McBride- Shine

I think it’s pretty impossible not to like Martina McBride. OK, so lots of people don’t love country, but seriously? “This One’s for the Girls” is such an incredibly uplifting and bright song, how can anyone resist? I feel the same way about “Ride,” the first single on Martina’s new album, Shine.  It’s the kind of song you listen to whenever you need a little sunshine in your life (get it? Shine?). “Shine while you have the chance to shine/Laugh even when you want to cry/Hold on tight to what you feel inside and ride.” The songs are fairly simple as most country songs are, but the lyrics all tell us the kinds of things we need to hear from time to time. One of my favorite messages on the album is in the song, “Wrong Baby Wrong Baby Wrong,” where Martina sings, “But if you think you’ll never move on/You’re wrong baby wrong.” Some of the other lyrics on Martina’s new album include, “today everything is so sunny side up,” “If you got love you don’t need money,” and “Everyone calls you amazing/I just call you mine.” As you can see, if you need some cheering up, all you need to do is pop Shine in your CD player (or pop it in your computer, or open it on your iTunes, or play it on your iPod). It’s impossible to still be sad after listening to Martina’s 9th studio album.