“I’m a dancer.” “Well today, in rehearsal…” “Sorry, I can’t, I have dance.”

In any short conversation with me, you’re bound to hear at least one of those phrases. I’ve been dancing since I was three years old, and I’m still pursuing the dream I had as a little girl to dance professionally. I’m a modern dancer, which is why I was excited to hear that on this season of MADE, MTV will be making Laura Crow into a modern dancer! This is how MTV describes the episode:

Laura Crow is a hardworking perfectionist struggling with body issues as well as her relationship with her father. Now she’s ready to move past her problems and express how she really feels by being MADE into a Modern Dancer.

Uh oh. There we go: body issues. Eating disorders seem to have become an integral part of our culture’s idea of what it means to be a dancer. In just about every Hollywood movie about dancers, at least one of them has an eating disorder. The most recent example of this is Black Swan, in which Natalie Portman’s character is bulimic. Not to mention the fact that both Portman and Mila Kunis ran around for months talking about how skinny they got for their roles.

The truth is that in order to be a great dancer, you have to be healthy. Dance is incredibly demanding, and professional dancers have long, strenuous days. Plus, it takes a lot of muscle to defy gravity. But because a dancer’s body is his or her instrument, there can be a lot of pressure to look a certain way. Which means that some dancers do suffer from serious body issues. Luckily for me, I was never pressured to lose weight or conform to warped body ideals. But I know that not all dancers are trained in such a positive environment.

However, because the stereotype of the anorexic dancer is so widespread, I often feel that a lot of the pressure for dancers to be overly skinny comes from outside of the dance community. I can’t tell you how often people go on and on with surprise when they see me eat dessert, or even just a full meal. People actually ask me if I’m allowed to do that. I never felt pressure from my dance teachers to eat less, but I certainly feel weird when everyone at a table stares at me while I eat. This attitude hurts dancers who do have body issues, too. Treating eating disorders in such a casual way, as a given thing for dancers, makes it difficult for those who are suffering to come to terms with their problem and get the help they need. Which is why it makes me sad to see MTV tie dancing and disordered eating together once again.

Now, it seems that Laura Crow’s eating disorder is a pre-existing condition, not one that was brought on by dancing. Which means that she’s taking a very brave step in choosing to become a dancer. As I said, when you’re a dancer, there is a lot of scrutiny placed on what you do with your body. For someone who has serious body issues, that could be incredibly difficult.

I can’t help but wonder – is MTV just using this girl for the ratings? In this sneak peek of the episode we see Laura in a dressing room with someone else. Maybe a friend or her MADE coach? She’s trying on a tight leotard and booty shorts. The camera pans up and down her body as she stares at herself in the mirror and talks about how she wishes she could see her hip bones and ribs.

The clip upsets me for several reasons. First, you don’t have to wear clothes like that to dance in. It looks to me like they’ve purposely put a girl who is recovering from an eating disorder in tight clothes that will make her self-conscious. Second, the person in the dressing room with her keeps saying that she “has to accept” that she “isn’t meant to be” really thin. That may be true, but that’s not the kind of thing you say to someone with an eating disorder. The whole problem is that someone with an eating disorder can’t see themself the way a healthy person does. They have a distorted self-image and they can’t just change what they see. The treatment process for eating disorders is long and difficult, and it seems like a pretty awful idea to me to put a girl who is struggling with her body image into skin-tight spandex and then tell her she just has to feel good about it.

To be fair, I haven’t seen the whole episode yet. I’ll have to watch and see what happens.

What do YOU think? Is MTV helping this girl achieve her dreams or using her for ratings?

Garnet is a student at Columbia University in New York City. When she’s not dancing or writing, she can be found exploring the city, and let’s be honest, spending way too much time on the internet. Follow her @garnethenderson.

I’m a dancer, so you can bet that the second anyone starts to dance in a movie, I’m paying attention. Sometimes I go on YouTube binges where I spend hours and hours looking at dance videos. But I don’t just enjoy watching videos of professional dancers onstage – I love movie dance scenes, too. And believe it or not, great dancing pops up in unexpected places. Sure, Dirty Dancing and Center Stage have big group dances. But do you remember the dance scene in (500) Days of Summer? Check out these videos of some of the best movie dance moments.

Garnet is a student at Columbia University in New York City. When she’s not dancing or writing, she can be found exploring the city, and let’s be honest, spending way too much time on the internet. Follow her @garnethenderson.

Ah, home for the holidays. An escape from school. Your soft, cushiony bed instead of your cardboard-like dorm room bed. Food, family, and friends. Long, lazy hours on the couch. Am I right?

As Thanksgiving and winter breaks draw near, I think it’s safe to say that everyone is looking forward to a little time off. But wait… you didn’t think I was going to let you off the hook, did you? Just because you’ll be visiting home over the next few months doesn’t mean you can’t use some workout tips. You’ll most likely have a bit more space at home to work out, so take advantage of it! I’ve got some tips to get you moving around a bit more than you could in your dorm room, but don’t get too crazy – we wouldn’t want to destroy any family heirlooms.

1. Dance

No, I’m not telling you that you have to do the polka with that random second cousin you don’t recognize. I’m telling you to have an all-out, crazy dance party in the comfort of your own room. After just a few minutes of this, you’ll see that it’s great cardio. There’s no one watching, so don’t worry about how you look. If you don’t want to wake up grandma with your music, you can put on your headphones and pretend you’re in one of those old iPod ads.

2. Stair Lunges

Do you have stairs in your house? Ugh, you are so lucky. I used to want to live in a two-story house so desperately when I was growing up. Extra luckily for you, stairs are great workout tools. Since you probably don’t have more than one flight of stairs in your house, running up and down them over and over again may not be the most practical workout. So try stair lunges! All you have to do is take the stairs two, three, or four at a time, depending on the length of your legs. You’ll feel the burn in your butt and thighs.

3. Work Out in Bed

I’d be willing to bet that your bed at home is much more comfortable than your bed at school. So why rush to get out of bed in the morning? Check out this great video featuring an arm workout you can do without even leaving your bed. That’s right. You can work out and be lazy at the same time. Who could ask for more?

Have you heard of “dick slang,” the newest dance sensation sweeping the nation? No? Well, watch and be all at once fascinated, turned on and disturbed.

I have tried to come up with so many things to say about this video but I just can’t do it. Really, it speaks for itself.

Watch at your own risk.

And ZOMG, I’m so happy I did!

Both Jason Mraz’s new live album and Snow Patrol’s compilation rocked my socks off. Yes, I said “rocked my socks off.” And, yes,  I already knew most of the music, but there was something new and exciting and different about hearing it all on a different album, in a different order, in a new way. I just want to hoard every CD/song/version they’ve got.

And then there was the new Dashboard Confessional album. A totally new album. It wasn’t live and it wasn’t a “best of”, but it somehow all sounded the same. In a good way, of course. Dashboard back again with the same great sound.  And you know what? It just might be the “best of “Dashboard.

Jason Mraz- Beautiful Mess (Live on Earth)

Is it possible to get any better than Jason Mraz? He’s absolutely adorable in a totally hipster, but down-to-Earth type way. He has a beautiful voice and comes up with the world’s best lyrics. Um, and he has his own avocado farm. YES, I would die to date a boy with an avocado farm. But unfortunately, Jason is the only boy I know with an avocado farm and I don’t think I really have a chance with him. Anyway, the bottom line is that his music rocks my world. I’ve been to two of his concerts in the last year and both times I left saying, “That was the best show of my life!” His shows are amazing, spiritual experiences. So it seemed natural that I had to get his new live album, Beautiful Mess (Live on Earth). And the album was exactly like both of the shows I’ve been to. And I think this is a good thing. I got to re-create my concert experience, though I sometimes felt like I wanted Jason to mix things up a bit and show me something I hadn’t heard already.  But Jason does drop one of my favorite lines of his on the album: “Please don’t ever let your mind stop you from having a good time.” Those should be words to live by for all! Then Jason breaks into “The Dynamo of Volition,” which I just can’t help dancing along to. Jason also does a roaring rendition of Gloria Estefan’s “All Night Long” and you can’t help but love that. Of course, I’d much rather see Jason Mraz live than simply listen to his live album, but since that’s not always possible (he’s gotta tend to his avocados at some point), this album is a really good substitute.

Snow Patrol- Up To Now

Snow Patrol is another one of my all-time favorite bands. I’m constantly frustrated by people who are so in love with Snow Patrol’s Eyes Open and everything after (no doubt because of “Chasing Cars”), but claim their older stuff is just so “different.” No, no, Snow Patrol’s new stuff is different. Their old stuff? Is Snow Patrol. Not to say I don’t love Snow Patrol’s new stuff because I really do! But I also like seeing where they’ve come from. Yeah, you have to listen to their older stuff a time or two to really get into it, but I like that it’s not all so radio-ready. If you’re a bit iffy on the old Snow Patrol, Up To Now might be the perfect album for you. It’s a big compilation featuring 30 of Snow Patrol’s songs. Many of them are from the last two albums, but it also has some of their absolute bests from the older albums. Listen to “Run” and tell me you don’t love it. Listen to “Chocolate” and tell me you don’t like Snow Patrol’s old stuff. This album really is the best of Snow Patrol. The only song I really, really feel like it’s missing is “Make This Go On Forever,” because I think that song needs to be on every Snow Patrol album in existence (and, yes, it’s a newer song!).

There are also 3 previously unreleased songs on the album, which definitely make the album worth it even if you already own everything else. “Just Say Yes” starts off like a techno-y type of song but then it sounds so very Snow Patrol. And “Dark Roman Wine” is so beautiful, it almost made me cry. No joke. But if you purchase this album for no other reason, let it be for Snow Patrol’s cover of “Crazy in Love” from Beyonce and Jay-Z. Their rendition is absolutely amazing.

Dashboard Confessional- Alter the Ending

So, Dashboard Confessional actually released a new album; nothing live and nothing old. But they’re still like old friends to me and they always seem to sound exactly the same. New (amazing!) lyrics, same feeling. It seems like Dashboard has been around forever and though I always find I have to be in the right mood to listen to them, I’ve been finding that lately it’s rare for me to not be in that mood. Alter the Ending is actually a very solid album and one I’ll definitely find myself coming back to again and again. One of my favorite songs on the album is the title track because it has classic Dashboard lyrics: “I know that yesterday is gone and it won’t come back to me/But I miss it after all it never really lasts as long as we meant for it to be/There’ll be twists and turns, they’re pulling us and tearing to the seams/But I’ll meet you where we started once again, cause I miss you.” Beautiful!

Another favorite is “No News is Bad News” because I love the title and the lyrics: “But if you’re alone/Are you lonely?/Well you just don’t have to be lonely/Anymore.” The song actually feels incredibly upbeat in a sad sort of way. Yes, Dashboard Confessional is known for being emo, but this is almost a happy, delightful kind of emo. We wonder if that’s what they mean by altering the ending? Dashboard certainly hasn’t altered their sound, but if they want to alter the ending, that’s fine with me. Who knows, maybe I would even listen to the live version if one happened to come out.

Do you ever listen to music that’s completely ridiculous? (Editor’s Note: Does Miley count?) To the point that you start feeling ridiculous and maybe even hide the fact that you listen to other people? (Editor’s Note: Miley definitely counts.) Or just sorta wonder what’s going on in the artist’s head?

OK, so clearly I can’t hide what I’ve been listening to this week – and I’ve already admitted previously to liking Demi Lovato – but that doesn’t mean this week’s new releases didn’t have me scratching my head a bit. And while that’s actually kind of what I’ve come to expect from Weezer and Say Anything, I was a little thrown by my homegirl, Carrie Underwood. Don’t get me wrong, she makes some amusing music, but have you ever stopped to listen to the lyrics?

Why does Carrie Underwood hang out with so many crappy men? Girlfriend needs some help!

Carrie Underwood- Play On

I am a shameless Carrie Underwood fan. Ever since the day she auditioned for American Idol (no lie), I knew she was going to make it big. And I was partially right; Carrie has made it huge. And she’s one of those girls you kind of just have to like. Seriously, do you really know anyone who has any hatred for Carrie Underwood? Her albums are non-stop good and full of hits. I first heard “Cowboy Casanova,” the first single from her new album, Play On, and I thought to myself, “Yes! Carrie Underwood is back again!” Carrie just has this sweet-girl-turned-angry kind of attitude and “Cowboy Casanova” displays that once again: “You better take it from me, that boy is like a disease/You’re running, you’re trying, you’re trying to hide/And you’re wondering why you can’t get free/He’s like a curse, he’s like a drug/You get addicted to his love.” Even though we may not know a whole lot of cowboys in our lives, we certainly know a lot of boys who can be described as “diseases.”

In a similar fashion is “Songs Like This,” with lyrics, “And if it wasn’t for guys like you/There wouldn’t be songs like this/And if you hadn’t gone and done me wrong/I wouldn’t go off like this.” And “Undo It” also reminds us a bit of “Before You Cheat” with another horrible guy: “You stole my happy/You made me cry/You took the lonely and took me for a ride/And I wanna undo it/You had my heart now I want it back/I started to see everything you lack/Boy you blew it/You put me through it/I wanna undo it.” Anyone else noticing a pattern here? Carrie’s got some seriously bad taste in guys. Who are all these jerks who have done Carrie Underwood so wrong?

We love you, Carrie; it’s time to find a man who will treat you right!
…But keep making amazing music while you’re at it.

Weezer- Raditude

From the very start of the album, you know Weezer is back in all their ridiculous glory. The first song, “Get Me Some,” starts off with “Right now everything sucks.” OK, so first of all, we highly doubt everything sucks for Weezer. And second of all, we’re pretty sure they’re getting plenty and don’t have much of a reason to be so unhappy. And after listening to this album, how could anybody be down?

I’m absolutely loving  “The Girl Got Hot,” which is a song about a girl who got hot after being nothing special in junior high. I also really like “The Prettiest Girl in the Whole Wide World” because it sounds a lot like the Weezer of the past… and because I want a guy to sing it to me: “And I got the prettiest girl in the whole wide world/And nobody can take her from me/And in the evening when she goes out walking alone/I wait at home patiently.” But honestly, the best song of the whole album is “Can’t Stop Partying” because, really? How amazing is that title? Oh, and did I mention Lil’ Wayne makes an appearance in the song. YES, LIL’ WAYNE. Holy awesome. And check out the lyrics: “Oh, I can’t stop partying, partying/I can’t stop, partying, partying/I gotta have the cars, I gotta have the jewels/And if you was me, honey, you would do it too/Screw rehab I love my addiction/No sleep no sleep I am always on a mission“

This might have to be our new club anthem. Bravo, Weezer, bravo.

Say Anything- Say Anything

I have never told anyone this, but I’ve been a fan of Say Anything in for awhile now. They definitely don’t sing the kind of music I typically listen to – it’s pretty angry, mean and snippy – but there’s just something about it that I totally dig. Just don’t tell my friends.  A few years ago, I listened to their song “Admit It!” non-stop for weeks and actually spent time analyzing the lyrics. (Don’t judge.) This album, Say Anything, is certainly no different. There may be no “Admit It!” on the album, but I’m certainly loving the lyrics just the same.

How about “Mara and Me,” which starts off with, “There are babies with guns beheading their friends/In shopping malls around the world/Yes somehow the Kings of Leon still find times to write about girls/I don’t suck much less/And if I claim revolutionary or I give to charity/They’ll all know it’s a plea for someone like me/Disgusted with lies and cut down by their own beatnik poetry.” See? Mean, snippy…. yet kinda awesome all at the same time. They’re angry (as proven by the song “Hate Everyone”) but everyone needs a little angry music now and then. If you’re jonesing for something a little rougher around the edges, I think this might be the perfect album for you.

Does music ever just make you so inexplicably happy? Maybe you can’t even describe why you’re feeling so cheery when you hear a certain band or song, but you just feel like you’re floating on air. Only you didn’t have to inhale/snort anything to get there.

All the artists this week make me happy. Even when the songs are sad, I’m happy. And I think that’s a sign of a truly great artist; they can sing about the saddest things in love and still put a smile on my face. And sometimes you just need music to comfort you and make you feel good. Like during midterms after spending 6 straight hours at the library and you’re only a third of the way through your reading.

Yeah, that’s what this week is all about.

Five for Fighting- Slice

I used to think I was the coolest person in the world because I was the only one who knew about Five for Fighting. Seriously, the only one. I was obsessed with “Easy Tonight” to the point where I included them in my senior bio. What? The line “I don’t know where I’m going yet, but I sure am getting there” was the most perfect line ever. Then the song “Superman (It’s Not Easy)” came out and more people discovered Five for Fighting. And now, I’m finally discovering that Five for Fighting is actually just a one person band made up of John Ondrasik. He (not them, he) just came out with a new album, Slice, and I’m totally enjoying it.

Five for Fighting just comforts me in this “sing to me and everything will be better” kind of way. Sure, some of the lyrics are super cheesy, like in “Note to the Unknown Soldier” (it’s a really sweet, meaningful song but “Well, you’re so tall/Did you play basketball?” are just kind of odd lyrics). And, OK, in some ways, Five for Fighting’s lyrics are just so predictable on this album. But predictable in a good way. Like in “Augie Nieto” when John Ondrasik sings “It’s not the breaths you take/It’s how you breathe,” I found myself singing along the very first time I listened to the song. It was just so logical; predictable but in a kind of unique way. And speaking of sweet, I’m in love with “Love Can’t Change the Weather” because how true is that? It’s just a lovely song that is hard not to like. I’m also a big fan of “Tuesday” because I feel like it’s a bit more creative than the rest. And it sounds like Five for Fighting, but a little bit more mature. Overall, I’m totally into Five for Fighting’s Slice. It’s not going to change your life, but it’s going to comfort you. And sometimes that all that matters. I’m so happy he’s back in my life.

Michael Buble- Crazy Love

I am crazy excited that Michael Buble has a new album out called Crazy Love. It’s about time the boy came out with some new stuff. Don’t get me wrong, I love everything he does including his live albums (and just standing there, smiling), but I’ve been craving new Michael Buble for a while now. When I first heard the first single, “Haven’t Met You Yet,” I was instantly in love. Not my favorite Michael Buble song of all time, but a happy, up-beat one that’s perfect for anyone looking for the one they’ll fall in love with. The lyrics are simple but super sweet: “And I know someday that it’ll all turn out/You’ll make me work so we can work to work it out/And I promise you kid that I’ll give so much more than I get/I just haven’t met you yet.”

I have to admit I wasn’t absolutely crazy about the album the first time I listened to it; not like I was about his others. But the more I listened, the more I liked. You know what I really love about Crazy Love? It totally showcases Michael’s voice in the best way possible. His talent comes through loud and clear and I remember why I love him so much. Well, besides those brooding, sexy eyes. I especially like “Cry Me a River,” which sadly is not like Justin Timberlake’s “Cry Me a River,” but makes me absolutely swoon for Michael Buble. My most avorite song on the album is definitely “Heartache Tonight” because it’s crazy big-band happy and I can’t help dancing around my room pretending Michael Buble is here with me. Then again, “At This Moment,” originally song by Billy Vera and the Beaters, has long been one of my most loved songs and hearing Michael Buble sing it is basically heaven. And wait. One more. His other original song, “Hold On,” made me cry a little. Because I think I want it to be my wedding song. If that song is ever needed. Bottom line: I swoon for Michael Buble non-stop and am seriously in love. I’ll stop embarrassing myself now. But clearly he makes me happy.

Built to Spill- There is No Enemy

Built to Spill is one of those bands I had on my iPod for a long time before I actually started listening to them. But then a song popped up on shuffle and haven’t stopped playing them since. I seriously could not stop listening to “I Would Hurt a Fly,” “Cortez the Killer,” “Car,” and “Singing Sores Make Perfect Swords.” So, I’ve been waiting in extreme anticipation for There is No Enemy, their newest album. More music to feel totally cool with while walking down the street (that’s what I do with it)! And do I love it? Yes. Built to Spill is just an awesome band and in my mind they can do no wrong.

“Life’s a Dream” is basically a lullaby that comforts and calms with its incredible guitar riffs. Seriously though, the song is kind of a take on “Row, Row, Row Your Boat.” And the lyrics are beautiful: “So I/Row on/Life aint nothing/But a dream/Realistic/As it seems.” I’ve also been obsessed with “Things Fall Apart.” It’s kind of an angry song, but an angry song that inspires: “Stay out of my nightmares/Stay out of my dreams/You’re not even welcome in my memories/Things are alright and I want what I’ve got/(It’s only momentarily thought)…Let’s go for a walk. Yeah, let’s go for a drive/Don’t know how to say, thanks for being alive/Let’s go for a lifetime. let’s go for a fling /Don’t know how to say anything.” The whole album follows in similar suit, which makes me a very happy girl. If you haven’t yet listened to Built to Spill, do it. They’re the perfect chill, downtime band. Or for feeling cool walking down the street. Whatever.

I’m a stripper.

Well, not really, but I have done a good number of amateur nights. I’ve danced on stage naked for strangers, swung around the pole, and even given private dances. I was incredibly nervous my first time, but realized quickly that it was EASY and exhilarating.

I thought this week I would share some tips with you guys on how to give the perfect striptease – I promise it’s easier than you think! Even more, it’s fun and definitely something new and exciting for you and your partner to share. He’ll love seeing you in a sexy new light and you’ll love the power you have to turn him to putty in your hands.

Pick Music Your Comfortable With
Pick a song you know and make sure it’s something you’re comfortable moving to. You don’t have to be a good dancer to give a good strip tease, you just have to be comfortably with whatever you’re doing. If you’re unsure of  your dance moves, pick something slow. If you love to bump and grind, pick something with a faster pace. The song choice doesn’t matter; it’s how you move with it that does.

Take Your Time
The most important component of a strip-tease is the stripping; once all your clothes are off you’re just dancing around naked (your boyfriend will probably love it, but you’ll feel awkward). Take your time removing each item, and wear clothes with buttons or zippers that you can undo slowly…and without awkwardly pulling them over your head.

Be Sensual
Like I said before, you don’t have to be a good dancer to give a good strip tease. Move slowly and sensually. It’s corny but I have to say it anyway: make love to the music. Look like YOU’RE the one getting sexual pleasure from the dance, not whoever is watching you.

Be Interactive
Make eye contact. Give a sexy smile. Play with your partner’s hair or clothing. Sit in their lap. Basically, make your audience part of the experience.

Have Fun
One night I was on stage swinging my legs around and my shoe flung off. Mortifying, right? I kept my cool and laughed it off, joked about it to the few guys who saw, and ended up making even more tips. I assume most of you will probably be dancing for a special someone rather than a group a strangers, so it should be even easier to laugh off any act of clumsiness.

Keep Clean
Believe it or not, the shoe incident wasn’t the most embarrassing stripping experience I’ve ever had. Once I was on stage and realized I had bits of toilet paper stuck in my naughty-bits. I was MORTIFIED and still had to finish my set. Since then I’ve never gone on stage before examining the area thoroughly and I suggest you do the same.

Have a Drink
It’s common knowledge that you feel a little less inhibited when there’s some liquid courage in your system. If you’re extremely nervous or uncomfortable, have a drink before your man arrives. But only a drink; getting woozy and face-planting between his legs isn’t the sexiest part of a striptease.

There you have it, a few simple steps to the perfect striptease. And who knows, if you enjoy it maybe I’ll see you at amateur night some time!

Wow, this week was a bit of a bummer. So much anticipation and a whole lot of disappointment. You’re probably thinking I deserve it. After all, I got my hopes all up about Mariah Carey and Selena Gomez, so what did I really deserve, right? But I’m still a bit let down because, yes, I was expecting a lot from Mariah. She’s had more #1 hits than any other artist in history and while I wouldn’t listen to her every day in my car, I did think I’d at least like it.

Turns out, you all might be best off just listening to Britney Spears’ new single, “Three,” this week. Or Zero 7. You may not know who they are, but they are great and they really restored my faith in music after that Mimi/Selena letdown. So, thanks, Zero 7!

Mariah Carey- Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel

I admit I’m not the hugest Mariah Carey fan in the world, but I’ve been known to get down to her music a time or two. In fact, I think she has so many amazing songs and has true talent. I saw her perform in concert a couple years ago and was amazed by how many hits she has that are all so perfect. But Mariah admits on this album that she’s “imperfect.” And imperfect this album is (right down to the super airbrushed cover photo). I was really anticipating Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel because I wanted some more hits from Mariah. But when I first heard “Obsessed,” I was anything but obsessed. I didn’t like it at all! But I still gave Mariah’s album a chance because, you know, it’s Mariah Carey and obviously there are going to be some hits on there, right?

Honestly? I didn’t hear any.

They all had her beautiful voice, but none stuck out or excited me. I think I was just really looking for a “Hero” or even “Always Be My Baby.”I had some fun with “Ribbon,” but I wouldn’t say it was a huge hit or anything. I know Mariah’s version of Foreigner’s “I Want to Know What Love Is” got a lot of criticism, but I actually think this is the shining moment of the album. It shows her true range and is truly beautiful. No, you can’t compare it to Foreigner, but it’s totally different and amazing nonetheless. I honestly do believe that Mariah Carey is totally talented and that she will be back in true fashion eventually. I don’t know if she just has some so-so producers or her marriage to Nick Cannon has been uninspiring, but she just needs a little something. Come back to us Mariah!

Selena Gomez- Kiss and Tell

Really, I don’t even know why I bothered reviewing Selena Gomez’s new ablum. I think I just thought, well, Miley Cyrus is straight from the Disney Channel and her music is awesome. I am basically obsessed with the music of Hilary Duff. Even Demi Lovato’s music makes me dance. Sigh. Not Selena Gomez. Don’t get me wrong, she’s not bad at all. Her music is pop-y and high-energy and pretty fun. But it’s just not quite as catchy as those other Disney girls. One of my favorites from Kiss and Tell is the title track, but even that sounds totally Disney. It feels like it should be in a Lindsay Lohan movie. Am I wrong? The lyrics are fun, though, and fairly innocent: “Kiss and tell everything I say stuck inside your little brain/Everybody wants to know yeah/Lips that lie caught in your track sold me out and you just/Laugh said we’re friends till the end yeah but you/Don’t mean it.”

Maybe it’s just me, but I feel like 17-year-old Gomez should be sounding more mature than Miley Cyrus, not less. Then again, maybe it’s Miley who’s too mature. I have to admit, “As a Blonde” is totally fun, but again, all I can picture is a Disney movie. I, however, was dancing around my room listening: “And come back as a blond, try a different lipstick on/As a blond, will I get whatever I want?/I’d be ever so incising, take a lot of icing, never have to watch my weight/Yeah when I’m gone, I’m gonna come back as a blond.” So, I just think Selena needs to mature a bit and get rid of that Wizards of Waverly Place image and then she’ll be on her way to pop success. And hopefully she doesn’t turn into Lindsay Lohan in the meantime.

Zero 7- Yeah Ghost

I don’t know a whole lot about Zero 7, but I do know I enjoy their song from the Garden State soundtrack. And there might be one or two more that I’ve heard and enjoyed. I also just learned that Sia used to be one of their female vocalists. Hello! I love Sia! So, I obviously had to listen to their new album, Yeah Ghost. It was definitely a lot better than I even thought it would be. Finally! Something good about this week! I seriously think I’ve listened to Medicine Man at least 50 times since I got Yeah Ghost. It’s so eclectic and fun; I just cannot stop! I love the singer’s raspy-ish voice and the way she sings “Outrageous.” This song really doesn’t sound like the rest of the album, but I wish more songs sounded like this! “The Road” is a really lovely mellow song. When I heard it at first, I just closed my eyes; it’s kind of like a lullaby. In a good way, though; not a boring way. This is the song I can most hear a Sia-ish sound in as well. I’m also a fan of “Mr. McGee” which is actually upbeat and fun. Apparently, the lead singer on this is Anglo-Zimbabwean and I can really get a feel for that. I literally started clapping and dancing along to this song. OK, so while I have been super negative about music this week, Zero 7′s Yeah Ghost is actually a gem. A gem I will keep listening to.

I feel like I’m having a major flashback this week. Like Wayne and Garth are running by me in my bedroom waving their hands in the air screaming “Do do do do. Do do do do.” And then everything gets all jumbled and I’m ten years younger and wearing something completely ridiculous.

Only they didn’t and I’m not. Instead, two of my all-time favorite musicians from about 10 years ago are back with some new stuff and I’m obviously over-joyed. I mean, when was the last time you heard about Vertical Horizon or David Gray? It’s been a long time; thankfully I wasn’t holding my breath. Now we just need to see if ten years was enough. I know I changed for the better in that time – what about them?

Vertical Horizon- Burning the Days

I used to love Vertical Horizon. Love as in “omg best music ever!” That was about 10 years ago. Since then, I’d hear them from time to time and have fond memories. Their old songs are still catchy and I can’t help myself from liking them. So, I kind of freaked out when I heard they were coming out with a new album. I had NO idea this was coming and I was excited beyond belief to hear about Burning the Days. First thoughts? It is so, so good to hear their voices again! They sound exactly the same and there’s something really comforting about that.

But I was also a bit disappointed. One of the things I really loved about Vertical Horizon was that on my first listen through that old album, almost all of the songs stuck out to me. I was immediately obsessed. With this new album, there weren’t any songs that really stood out. If I wasn’t to in love with their voices, I might not even give this another listen. But because I have a special place in my heart for VH, I’m giving them a chance. I think “Lucky One” is a sweet song with lovely lyrics: “Time goes fast when you wander/And nothing lasts forever/But I still feel the power/Of you and me together/And light that surrounds you/I know I’m the lucky one/Though I’m always the last to believe/I know I’m the lucky one/’Cause I’m here, and you’re with me.” I can see that being a hit, though it’s not overly catchy. And I do like the album’s first single, “Save Me From Myself” because it sounds a little bit more classic Vertical Horizon than the other songs. But man, do I miss “Best I Ever Had.” Oh well, I’ll keep giving Vertical Horizon a chance. For old time’s sake.

David Gray- Draw the Line

Back in the day, I was totally obsessed with “Sail Away” and  “Babylon”, but I kind of felt like after 10 years I had outgrown David Gray. Until I heard this new album, Draw the Line and I realized I am still very much a fan. Maybe even more so than before. The first song on the album, “Fugitive,” immediately hooked me in with its upbeat, but classic David Gray feeling. Oh how I love his “heyyy”s. And oh how I missed them.

There really aren’t any songs on the album that I hate, but I especially like “Jackdaw.” It has a bit of a different sound than typical David Gray, but still has his classic voice. The real treat of the album is the last track, David Gray’s duet with Annie Lennox. It’s so unique and beautiful; they have the perfect voices for each other. “Full Steam Ahead” is the perfect name for the song too, as the sound and the lyrics almost sound like a train chugging along. “Bullied, suckered, pimped and patronised/Every day your tawdry little lives/So lose your head/And step within/The silence deafening/Now you saw it coming/And I saw it coming/We all saw it coming/But we still bought it.” I don’t think I’ve ever heard David Gray do a duet with anyone and Annie Lennox was just perfect for him! Bottom line: after all these years, I’m still crazy for David Gray.

Islands- Vapours

Ok, so there is one album on here that doesn’t take me back to 6th grade recess and it is the Islands. But I did spend some time being in love with them and I am absolutely thrilled that they just came out with a new album, Vapours. And this one I just happen to be even more obsessed with! After listening through just one time, I could already tell it was going to spending a lot of time at the top of my playlist. In fact, I actually played the first song “Switched On” 3 times before I even continued on to the rest of the album. It’s SO good.  I have some strange obsession with songs about cities and loving cities, so that could partly be why I’m so fond of it, but also because the tune is just so perfect. And listen to the beautiful harmonies in “Disarming the Car Bomb,” another upbeat and happy song.

The band members’ voices complement each other so well. “Heartbeat” is done with a bit of autotune, but in a classy and fun Bon Iver-ish way; not a Kanye West way. For some reason, not many people I know have heard of or listen to Islands and I’m seriously confused as to why. Give this new album a listen and you’ll be confused too! Islands give us another reason to love Canada, besides Bryan Adams. Yes, Bryan Adams. Don’t judge me.