The highly anticipated music video for Pop/R&B diva Mariah Carey's newest single, "Touch My Body" has been released. Accomplished video/film/TV director Brett Ratner reigns as director and concocts a surprisingly playful approach to the sensual song. Carey looks stunning as ever, and does a remarkable job of delivering on the video's good-humor premise. The video features a co-starring appearance from Jack McBrayer of Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby fame. McBrayer emphatically delivers in his nerdy role, and interacts with Carey exceptionally.
With its refreshing concept and undeniable humor, the clip for "Touch My Body" brings an instant spark plug shock to the catchy, yet ultimately monotonous song. (Click to read review of "Touch My Body") Carey and Ratner continue their illustrious winning combination making "Touch My Body" Carey's most creative video since 1999's "Heartbreaker."
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
* Q's Picks* America's Next Top Model Cycle 10
America's Next Top Model reached a new milestone as its tenth season (aka cycles) premiered last Wednesday night on The CW. While the show has yet to have produced a winner equivalent to the show's namesake, ANTM's insight into the various facets of the world of modeling makes it one of the more intriguing "reality" shows on television. Cycle ten's model hopefuls rank among the show's most eclectic selection ever, and there are a handful of girls who may successfully break into the world of modeling.
Q's Picks for ANTM Cycle 10
This stunning 19 year old from Honolulu, Hawaii undoubtedly posses a high fashion look. With a striking beauty similar to Ann, (Cycle 3) Anya has the looks to book work; whether she wins the competition or not.
Fatima
Born in the country of Somalia, the 22 year old Fatima has lived in the U.S. for seven years. She has a heart-wrenching background, (female circumcision) but her stunning, undeniable features make her an instant forerunner.
Katarzyna
The 22 year old Katarzyna was born in Poland. This ethnicity has bestowed her with a ravishing sexy/high fashion look. Combined with her apparent intelligence, (finance background) Katarzyna has the potential to perform extremely well in the competition.
Claire (Wild card)
Undeniably intriguing, Claire, the 24 year old New Yorker, seems to possess a subtle confidence. Her unique look is reminiscent of cycle four winner, Naima. Full of potential edginess, Claire could be a dark horse in the competition.
--Quinton
Q's Picks for ANTM Cycle 10
Anya
This stunning 19 year old from Honolulu, Hawaii undoubtedly posses a high fashion look. With a striking beauty similar to Ann, (Cycle 3) Anya has the looks to book work; whether she wins the competition or not.
Fatima
Born in the country of Somalia, the 22 year old Fatima has lived in the U.S. for seven years. She has a heart-wrenching background, (female circumcision) but her stunning, undeniable features make her an instant forerunner.
Katarzyna
The 22 year old Katarzyna was born in Poland. This ethnicity has bestowed her with a ravishing sexy/high fashion look. Combined with her apparent intelligence, (finance background) Katarzyna has the potential to perform extremely well in the competition.
Claire (Wild card)
Undeniably intriguing, Claire, the 24 year old New Yorker, seems to possess a subtle confidence. Her unique look is reminiscent of cycle four winner, Naima. Full of potential edginess, Claire could be a dark horse in the competition.
--Quinton
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Nicole Scherzinger- "Happily Never After"
"Happily Never After" is set to be the fourth official single release from pop singer Nicole Scherzinger's debut album, Her Name Is Nicole. Originally an unreleased song slated for The Backstreet Boys' album, Unbreakable, "Happily Never After" was written and produced by R&B extraordinaire, Ne-Yo, with Shea Taylor sharing songwriting credits. The empowering ballad paints a vivid portrait of rising from a scorned love. Vocally, Scherzinger sounds beautiful, but ultimately falls short of possessing the amount of amplitude needed for the splendidly written and produced song; turning the overall product disappointingly ordinary.
With her previous singles ("Whatever U Like," "Baby Love," and "Puakenikeni") failing to make an impact on the Billboard music charts and U.S. radio, the impending release of "Happily Never After" may seem puzzling. Scherzinger has been confirmed to be working full-time with the group she fronts, The Pussycat Dolls, on a follow-up to their multi-platinum international smash debut, PCD, and the status of Scherzinger's Her Name Is Nicole has been placed in limbo with no current release date available.
Listen: Nicole Scherzinger- "Happily Never After"
(Due to limited bandwidth, please only play the song no more than 2 times max. Thank you.)
© Interscope/A&M Records
--Quinton
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Danity Kane Sings Solo for Diddy
On this week's episode of Making the Band 4, (MTV Monday's at 10 pm ET/PT) along with relationship tribulations, (i.e. Aubrey and Donnie) Day26 and Donnie J. were put through extensive vocal training after Diddy decided to halt recording on their debut albums. Later in the episode, the girls of Danity Kane (Aubrey, Aundrea, Shannon, Dawn, and D.Woods) are featured giving Diddy a solo vocal assessment. Each member sounds amazing in this video clip and sings with abundant emotion. Partially surprising are Shannon's and Aubrey's performances; giving the fact that both members' vocals have been questioned in the past. In the end, each girl proves that they absolutely can hold their own vocally.
--Quinton
Friday, February 22, 2008
*NEW* Erykah Badu- "Telephone"
Grammy award winning artist, Erykah Badu has a new album, New Amerykah Part One (4th World War) that is set to be released February 26th. The album has recently leaked, and "Telephone" is one of the tracks that are featured on the set. While the majority of New Amerykah Part One can be quite discombobulating, "Telephone" is the most subdued song on the album. With its calming, stripped down production, symbolic lyrics, and superb soulfulness, "Telephone" is classic Badu. Even at its seven minute plus length, "Telephone" is absolutely captivating.
Listen: Erykah Badu- "Telephone"
(Due to limited bandwidth, please only play the song no more than 2 times max. Thank you.)
© 2008 Motown
--Quinton
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Jordin Sparks ft. Chris Brown- "No Air" (Music Video)
"No Air" marks the second single release from American Idol Season 6 winner, Jordin Sparks' 2007 self-titled debut. The Underdogs produced track teams Sparks with R&B phenom, Chris Brown. Sparks and Brown shine brightly on the beautiful rhythmic ballad. Brown displays some of his best vocals to date, while Sparks shows listeners unfamiliar with the Idol winner, that she has the chops to stand along the current batch of female pop contemporaries. With its passionate duet performance, thought-inspiring lyrics, and remarkable instrumental backdrop, "No Air" is a refreshing blast of originality to music airways.
The music video for "No Air" is ordinary, yet involving. The video does a solid job of directing out the premise of the actual song. Sparks and Brown look vibrant, and do a great job of relating; particularly in the video's final scenes.
© 2008 Zomba Label Group
--Quinton
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
*Q's Picks* American Idol Season 7- Top 12 Males Perform
Tuesday night, American Idol kicked off the semifinal rounds (that feature the Top 24 contestants) with the Top 12 males singing songs from the 60's. Overall, this year's males are absolutely stronger than last season's selections. While some guys managed to separate themselves from the pack, all the guys showed (or have proven in earlier auditions) that they are talented.
Best overall performance: David Archuleta
David Archuleta gave a rousing performance of The Miracles classic "Shop Around." While he is only 17 year olds, his voice is amazingly seasoned. Looking natural on stage while displaying his wonderful vocal tone, Archuleta's performance was a highlight of the night. While his vocals may have been off in a few places, there's no denying his vocal talent and overall "X" factor. Look for Archuleta to go quite far in this competition.
Honorable Mention(s): Michael Johns, Jason Castro, Robbie Carrico
Michael Johns closed out the show cruising through The Doors' rock anthem, "Light My Fire." The Australian born rocker certainly has a great voice, and an undeniable "it" factor. Johns' performance was dazzling, and managed to come off as the most contemporary singer of the night.
Robbie Carrico performed the hit Three Dog Night version of "One." The former member of Boyz-N-Girlz United, (the band toured with Britney Spears in 2000) sounded superb, providing some of the finest vocals of the night. While his rocker authenticity may be in question, there's no doubting his talent.
Jason Castro was the only male singer who took advantage of Idol's newly implanted "instruments allowed" during his performance. Castro took on the 1966 number two Billboard hit, "Daydream," originally performed by The Lovin' Spoonful. The Texas native sounded quite appealing on this nearly acoustic take of the song. Competitively, Castro's vocals aren't in the upper echelons, but they are optimistically sufficient. Castro also posses an unique aura that may potentially end up making Castro embrace the persona of a "wild card" in the competition.
--Quinton
Best overall performance: David Archuleta
David Archuleta gave a rousing performance of The Miracles classic "Shop Around." While he is only 17 year olds, his voice is amazingly seasoned. Looking natural on stage while displaying his wonderful vocal tone, Archuleta's performance was a highlight of the night. While his vocals may have been off in a few places, there's no denying his vocal talent and overall "X" factor. Look for Archuleta to go quite far in this competition.
Honorable Mention(s): Michael Johns, Jason Castro, Robbie Carrico
Michael Johns closed out the show cruising through The Doors' rock anthem, "Light My Fire." The Australian born rocker certainly has a great voice, and an undeniable "it" factor. Johns' performance was dazzling, and managed to come off as the most contemporary singer of the night.
Robbie Carrico performed the hit Three Dog Night version of "One." The former member of Boyz-N-Girlz United, (the band toured with Britney Spears in 2000) sounded superb, providing some of the finest vocals of the night. While his rocker authenticity may be in question, there's no doubting his talent.
Jason Castro was the only male singer who took advantage of Idol's newly implanted "instruments allowed" during his performance. Castro took on the 1966 number two Billboard hit, "Daydream," originally performed by The Lovin' Spoonful. The Texas native sounded quite appealing on this nearly acoustic take of the song. Competitively, Castro's vocals aren't in the upper echelons, but they are optimistically sufficient. Castro also posses an unique aura that may potentially end up making Castro embrace the persona of a "wild card" in the competition.
--Quinton
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