Simon Says

I know this season sucks, but I can't not talk about American Idol. Last night Usher ushered the contestants along as they attempted R&B Soul songs. I won't even get started on Usher and his man handler that stood up every time he did protecting him from what,I'm not sure. I'm going to focus at the task at hand. It's my turn to be Simon and rip these contestants a new one.

In my eyes the talent is not that good this season. I don't even have a favorite that I'm routing for...and I always have a favorite. Siobhan sounded good singing Chaka Khan's "Through the Fire" for the thirty seconds of the rehearsal footage they showed...then she never sounded good again. The guy with the glasses whose parents are ex-gangbangers was interesting last night. I like the idea of stripping down a song for an intimate acoustic set, though I'm not sure Chris Brown's "Forever" has the lyrics that would provide the moment he meant to have. I will say it was definitely better than his performances the last couple of weeks. Why are they pumping Big Mike up so much? He's already pumped up enough. Is it me, or does anyone else think his clothes are going to rip at any moment? Why can't he just put on a larger size? Anyway, he's got a decent voice, but he's not as great as they're making him out to be. I understand...in a sea of mediocrity, he can seem like greatness, but let's not fool ourselves. His version of "Ready For Love" was no where near as good as India Arie's and his rendition of "This Woman's Work"can't even hold a candle to Maxwell's. The girl with the dredlocks was good, as usual and the guy with the blonde ponytail sounded good. My favorite performance of the night came from the former paint salesman singing "Treat Her Like A Lady". I love the tone of his gritty voice...and he's really cute too. I'd buy some paint from him...and I don't even need any paint.

I predict DiDi, who sang "What Becomes of a Broken Heart", will get kicked off tonight. Check back tomorrow to see if I'm psychic.

New Releases

It's Tuesday! In the music biz, that's new release day...and though it pains me to do it, I may as well review Usher's latest release, "Raymond vs. Raymond". I'm not a fan, but a lot of people are and though I hate to admit it, he's got some great hits.



Hey Daddy - Unless he's talking to his kids...and I have a sneaking suspicion he's not...this is gross. I'm not into calling anyone, other than your father, Daddy.
There Goes My Baby - This reminds me of Charlie Wilson's song with the same title, yet this song is much more tolerable.
Lil Freak feat. Nikki Minaj - Uhm...who said she was any good? It's like someone in a high position said she is the next hot female rapper and everyone believed it just because they said it was so, but she sucks.
The next four songs aren't even worth talking about.
Fooling Around - Sounds like Confessions Part 16. These type of songs always work for him. He should stick with it.
Papers - I know I shouldn't like this song, because divorce is said and all that stuff, but I do. I love a bitter song and I like that he's admitting his mistakes....not to mention its a catchy tune.
More - Is perfect for the NBA commercials... and nothing more.

Listen, there are a few good songs on here, but as a whole the album is mediocre. He'll never top "Confessions"...Maroon 5 will never top "Songs About Jane"...that's just the way it is.

Okay Erykah...its your turn.



20 Feet Tall - Uh oh...Erykah's smoking that weed again.
Window Seat - Was a really good song...until I saw the video.
Agitation - Maybe I don't get it because I don't smoke weed. You probably have to be high to relate...kind of like George Clinton and the Parliament Funkadelic's music.
Gone Baby, Don't Be Long - I like this one. Pretty funky.
You Loving Me - Drugs are bad...emkay?

For those of you who enjoy all types of music, like myself, check out Gretchen Wilson's "I Got Your Country Right Here".

Music Videos: Have they gone too far?

I saw on the web that India Arie thinks the new Lady GaGa video featuring Beyonce goes too far. It's no secret sex sells and unfortunately artists that don't play that game don't always get the recognition they deserve. I've always thought India Arie doesn't get the credit she's due becuase of her look...and it's a shame this site used a picture of her looking worse than Harriet Tubman to drive the point home.





Don't get me wrong, I'm guilty of it too. I enjoy a little eye candy in a music video. However, she raises a good point...when does it go too far? Check it out for yourself. Telephone Video Dancing in a thong is a bit much. I see it as an act of desperation. GaGa needed to do something to stand out next to Beyonce and to distract the audience from the fact that the song really isn't that good. I did enjoy the dance break in the superwoman outfits, but the rest of it was a waste.

It's true that sex sells, and we definitely buy it, because a sex tape or a naked music video usually jumpstarts a career. It's been going on for years. Madonna and Janet did it. Even D'Angelo, who I believe is a musical genius and doesn't need to play these games because his music is just that good, didn't become a household name until his naked video. (BTW, someone please go find D'Angelo and check him into rehab asap. The industry needs him back. It's been way too long.)

I guess Erykah Badu needs to breathe new life into her career because I can't for the life of me fathom what would posess her to do this....

Window Seat Video