Stereophonics: Just Enough Education to Perform

I came across this album, like so many others, when the single from this record, "Have a Nice Day," was released. Its definitely a top 10 sounding song, but, it just barely scratches the surface or enjoyability of the album.

The lead singer, Kelly Jones, has such a raw intensity to his voice that on the more rockin' songs, you feel that power, while on the quieter songs, you get the emotion.

The other members, Richard Jones (Bass) and Stuart Cable (Drums, sacked in 2003 and replaced in 2004 with Javier Weyler) do a good job of accenting both the lyrics and the vocals of singer Jones.

"Education" is a strong rock album that should not be ignored. Their latest one, Language. Sex. Violence. Other? I've only had the opportunity to hear once, but It defnitely took them in a few directions at once. Look for a review later next week.

Highlights on the album are Vegas Two Times, Step on my Old Size Nines, and Every Day I Think of Money.

In the End: If you like rock, you'll like this and probably any other Stereophonics album. Its quite British (even if they are Welsh), but it is also quite enjoyable.

Ludacris: The Red Light District

What's that you say? "Adam's listening to Ludacris, he must have lost it?" No, no, no. Luda's "The Red Light Dirstrict" is actually a solid hip hop/rap album. I like his voice, its very smooth I feel.

Again, I was attracted to this album by the VH1 video. The single "No. 1 Spot" has background samples of the Austin Powers' theme, mixed hip-hop style. Well done, but not hugely original.

What I enjoy about this album, and a lot of things from the genre, is that its both serious and silly, and I think they Ludacris knows this. He trades off from "traditional" (ie pop/rock) music's very descriptive and elaborate writing to be more rhythmic and less double speak. (If you can't tell, i'm having wording issues today.)

Hip Hop and Rap, it seems, is less about painting some literary masterpiece and more about a great rhyme and good backbeat. You get a story, but it feels more like an honest story. A story just about some small piece of his life, as opposed to yet another crappy love song. I find it interesting.

My favourite track of this disc is "Get Back." With lyrics like "Get Back mofucker, you don't know me like that," its beautiful.

In the end: Not everyone likes this, I get it. But this is a great album, well done, quite enjoyable, and if you were thinking about venturing into Hip-Hop or Rap, this may be a wonderful gateway album.

Natasha Bedingfield: Unwritten

I'll start with the fact that this is one of those albums with some chick playing over synthed/hip hop beats. Rather British Clubbing in many senses, but very enjoyable.

Before I get to the audio, i'd like to talk about the shit side of the disc. You can't rip it on a PC with anything but Windows Media Player. If the music industry sees this as a feature, not a bug, they are fucking dumb. I put it on the Mac, ripped to empeethree, and was quite happy.

What sold me on this purchase was video I saw on VH1, and I liked the single they were pusing from this album, "Unwritten." Its got good flow, her voice works, it all feels very well done. Its not the best track,but we'll get to that in a minute.

What made me sad, actually, was that the last track, "Wild Horses," isn't a Stones cover like I had hoped. Its a small thing, but important if you thought it would be keen.

My favourite track from this disc is "If You're Gonna." Its an energetic anthem of *NOT* sitting on your ass. I was very excited when I listened to it, and have played it 20 times since I bought it Friday. You can check out the full lyrics here, but one of the key lines that grabbed me was:
"Life is music, play it louder."

That's just hott and true.

Some of the songs are a bit lovey dovey and cute, but overall the album is solid. My friend Sean said that she released something a few years back and it was subpar. If this is true, I think Bedingfield has made up for it with this release.

In the End: Not for everyone. Club-goers, chick rockers, and any one who likes synthed beats will dig this. Otherwise, you may enjoy it, but no promises. But you don't know until you try, right? I'm glad I spent th $9.99 on this. You may be, you may not be.

Greatest Hits Packages (Off Topic)

Where do greatest hits packages fit in the scheme of album review?

The concept of albums Vs. greatest hits seems weird. An album is put together in a certain scheme, to convey a certain feel. Pulling indiviual tracks from various albums onto one ruins the artistic energy that an album is meant to convey.

I only ask because I wanted to discuss the Better Than Ezra greatest hits package, but I feel that would be like shooting ducks in a barrel.

What do you think?