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.

If you don’t know her from there, do you remember the last six minutes of the “Six Feet Under” finale and soundtrack that featured that ambient and sweeping piano and percussion? That was Sia.

Her voice is not one that is easily digested, but once you become accustomed to the newness and the rawness of it, you want more. Two years after releasing Colour the Small One, Sia and her glorious voice are back with Some People Have Real Problems.

According to Sia, the cover art of her album illustrates a running gag during the recording process, as one person is drawn under a spot of rain, holding an umbrella but still sad faced, while next to them is a person without arms or legs and smiling happily. A self reminder to not complain about her ‘rich people problems.’

Musically, the album is less electronic than her previous work. Quite a few of the songs are about relationships, whether leaving the toxic ones or finding the right one.

Among some of my favorites:

The opening track, “Little Black Sandals”, which is clearly about walking away from a bad relationship.

The second track, “Lentil”, which brought me to new musically emotional heights toward the end, as she so earnestly belts, “I never meant to you put down, I’m trying not to fall apart.”

My absolute favorite song is “Day Too Soon”. Gorgeous through and through, it is about finding your perfect match. I’m already singing this one in the shower, in the car, everywhere.

“The Girl You Lost to Cocaine” is a surprisingly fun and upbeat track, while “Academia” (which guest stars Beck on background vocals) is a quirky tune only Sia could pull off.

“I’m a binary code that you cracked long ago” she sings, “But to you I’m just a novel that you wish you’d never wrote / I’m greater than x and lesser than y /so why is it

While I sit here drawing circles I’m afraid of being hurt…”

Some People Have Real Problems is everything lacking in commercial music today – earnest, with incredible vocals, lyrical intensity, and depth. The album is the perfect winter blanket; wrap yourself up in Sia’s voice and let it warm you through winter’s chill.