Time for a little re-assessment. Bumping two songs from the last batch of four star songs up a notch. Also dropping back for two final “B” songs. “Butterfly”, on its face, is a prototypical big ‘90s Mariah ballad. That’s where the comparisons to “Hero” (which is awful), “One Sweet Day” (which is pretty bad), or her cover of “I’ll Be… Read More “Butterfly” (Mariah Carey, 1997)/ “Bye Baby” (NaS, 2012)
Joe Jackson was one of the most chameleonic musicians of his era. “Is She Really Going Out With Him?” sounds nothing like his cover of “The Harder They Come”, which sounds nothing like “Steppin’ Out”, which sounds nothing like “Breaking Us In Two”-and those last two songs are on the same album! I’m a sucker… Read More “Breaking Us In Two” by Joe Jackson (1982)
I don’t even know who The Script is. Had to look them up on Wikipedia (it doesn’t help that the CD doesn’t have a photo of the band on it). They’re from Ireland! The more you know… Anyway, the band itself is as anonymous as anonymous gets. But “Breakeven” is a stone jam. One of… Read More “Breakeven (Falling To Pieces)” by The Script (2008)
“Blame Game” is the song that best strikes a balance between Genius Kanye and Definitely-Off-His-Meds Kanye. Clearly inspired by a breakup, “Blame Game” is a mournful piano ballad, intro-ed by a literal sigh by John Legend. Talk about setting a tone. As mournful as the song begins, shit gets truly unhinged in the second verse. Kanye… Read More “Blame Game” by Kanye West (featuring John Legend & Chris Rock, 2010)
Bitter was the first of many stylistic shifts for Me’Shell NdegeOcello. Recorded in the aftermath of a romantic breakup, the singer/songwriter/bassist’s third album largely eschewed the socio-political funk and hip-hop jams that dominated her first two efforts in favor of intimate folk/pop with an orchestral sweep. The lyrics followed suit. Bitter’s title track is a… Read More “Bitter” by Me’shell NdegeOcello (1999)
Five Star Jamz 