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.

I remember going to the circus once in my life and not being particularly enchanted by it. The modern acts didn’t thrill me at age 6, and I certainly wouldn’t pay a couple hundred dollars now to watch unhappy, mistreated animals plod around with their heads down, or to laugh at completely generic, mindless slapstick comedy routines (that’s what George Bush and Britney Spears are for). There’s something I’ve always loved, however, about antique circus art, be it from the harlequin-oriented Victorian era or the tattooed 20′s. Where are today’s knife throwers, horseback dancers and puddle divers?

I suppose most of them probably died practicing their craft, and not many have attempted to recreate the feats more recently. I know I wouldn’t.

I’ll tell you what I would do, though: I would wear the aforementioned ruff, or a daintily-puffed princess sleeve (or maybe even a full-blown mutton like Lanvin showed last season). Most of us are already wearing leotards as outerwear thanks to American Apparel’s (head scumbag) Dov Charney — why not add some sequins to the equation? As an aspiring editorial wardrobe stylist, I have been dubbed “steam punk” in my garment choices- and, though I’m not fond of the term — (Hi, Dances of Vice holds a Victorian-to-30′s-themed party?! Queen Victoria’s reign began in 1837, which makes that theme a century-long time span. Take a quick second to look at Wikipedia and see how much fashion evolved during that period.) I find that, alright, sure, I do own about 12 Dover clip art books full of Victorian art from my brief obsession with becoming a tattooer, I appreciate the subject matter of many of The Decemberists’ songs, and I like pocket watches, monocles and compasses! So sue me. What I’m trying to get at is now, of all times, is probably the easiest time to ever walk around New York in a majorette-type ensemble and not get beat up.

Okay, so you hate me now. You think I’m the most pretentious 1850′s hipster you’ve ever (not really) met and you think, if I dislike the 21st century so much, maybe I should go back to my own time/ maybe I should marry the 19th.

But, shit, I own J Brands, and I’m blogging here. And I just think it’s time to clown around!

The last time I saw Laura Veirs she was opening up for Colin Meloy of The Decemberists.

She did a duet with Mr. Meloy on The Crane Wife, The Decemberists newest release, before getting some serious attention as a solo artist.

Check out “Galaxies” and then head over to lauraveirs.com to hear more from her!