Sunday, May 17, 2009
First shots with the Nikon D40
So I finally got to take some test shots with the new DSLR at Hofstra. I'm pretty impressed!! As Yoda said, "I have much to learn." But am looking forward to learning all I can! These shots are all unedited and are pretty much raw since I don't have photoshop on this comp yet. Let me know what you think!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Utada - This is the one and BOA-BOA Album Reviews
Today Utada Hikaru's English album debut is released in stores. Well not really her first attempt, but mainstream attempt to the American market. Therefore, I thought it would be a perfect time to do a review, especially if you were even considering on purchasing the album. In related news, BOA Korean superstar who has ventured and captured the Japanese market also released her English Album in the American market. So sit back, read the reviews and hopefully it will help you decide if the albums are worth the purchase.
Utada- This is the One
The album surprised me. After hearing Utada's first attempt at an American release, I honestly was expecting the second release to flop, utterly flop... But I was wrong. To me, this was a success. As a die hard Utada Hikaru fan from her Japanese Release of the hit single "Automatic," I have been an avid follower/fan from the jump. Therefore, to avoid any biasness in this review, I decided to ask a few friends to give me their feedback, being that they have never heard of Utada in their life.
First lets talk about the positives. After reading a bit about the production of the album I found that Utada has branched out to some top producers Stargate and Tricky who have produced tracks for Mariah, Britney, and Madonna. To me this shows throughout the album, as the production and lyrics are a lot better. Some fans critique this as a bad thing as it shows that Utada has "sold out" from no longer strictly writing and producing her own songs. However, I don't see this as a bad thing at all. A lot of her songs are still written and produced only by Utada but she is dealing with a whole new market and let alone a new language. What she is used to with the Japanese market and Japanese songwriting won't necessarily work with the mainstream American market. Utada still made most of this album, but just got some help from the pros that knows the mainstream market more. Nothing wrong with that.
My favorite tracks include "Apple and Cinnamon" and "Come back to me" Both are very catchy, and needed for airplay in the states.
Now a few negatives. I really hate the cover of the album. I saw a few other shots that they took for the album and would take those over the one they chose. When you are going for a mainstream release, you need to catch the consumers eye, and this cover definately does not do that. Epic fail on whoever chose this cover. Second, I think the marketing is horrible on Utada's team. "Come Back to Me" is catchy and definately radio worthy on pop stations, yet you don't hear it on a heavy rotation. I guess its our jobs as fans to request it in. Utada's marketing team should have got her name out there a lot more, and push to have her on as many radio shows, tv interviews, collaborations with other artists, etc. As they say, "go big or go home."
One other small gripe I had was the genre of music. I know Utada is a pop/R&B artist, more heavy on the pop side. But it would be good to see her release some tracks that are more R&B heavy. Like a solid R&B ballad opposed to a pop-like one. Half her Japanese debut album was heavy R&B tracks, would be good to hear a similar style in her English songs as well. A lot of the songs are also missing the "bump" that other pop songs, maybe the producers behind the boards should pump up the bass and treble in their production.
Lastly, I would really have loved to see more collaborations on the album. There were a few tracks that could have used a nice rap verse or collabo. Being that the album was released on Island DefJam records, im sure they could have signed someone to be on some of the tracks that could put Utada in a good light and give her more of that mainstream push. Maybe like a Lil Wayne, Pharrell, Keyshia Cole, or even another Japanese artist collabo that's trying to get out there in the American market like Verbal from M-flo. Imagine how great an Utada track would sound with a Rihanna collaboration! Why not? They're both DefJam artists.
Overall, great start to a possible American release attempt. I recommend buying the album and supporting the artist. Hopefully, we will see more of Utada in America in the future.
BOA- BOA
Another album that I was surprised with. I was expecting the very worst from this album, but the production definately keeps it together. There are some solid dance tracks on the record including its hit Single "I Did it for Love." One thing that I feared prior to giving the album a chance was that I believed BOA's "fobby" accent will drown out the lyrics of the songs and that will bother me the most and distract me from actually appreciating the piece. This was not the case however. It turns out that with the right production, and autotune, they were able to 'mask' that "fobby" accent to sound pretty legitimate. The tracks sound similar to a Lady Gaga track with solid beats and good production. Just like Utada's marketing sucked so did this one. I didn't even know the album came out, and its been out since March 17th! However, I feel its definately worth a listen. Not quite immediate purchase material, but you may like, you might not. Overall, I liked it.
Utada- This is the One
The album surprised me. After hearing Utada's first attempt at an American release, I honestly was expecting the second release to flop, utterly flop... But I was wrong. To me, this was a success. As a die hard Utada Hikaru fan from her Japanese Release of the hit single "Automatic," I have been an avid follower/fan from the jump. Therefore, to avoid any biasness in this review, I decided to ask a few friends to give me their feedback, being that they have never heard of Utada in their life.
First lets talk about the positives. After reading a bit about the production of the album I found that Utada has branched out to some top producers Stargate and Tricky who have produced tracks for Mariah, Britney, and Madonna. To me this shows throughout the album, as the production and lyrics are a lot better. Some fans critique this as a bad thing as it shows that Utada has "sold out" from no longer strictly writing and producing her own songs. However, I don't see this as a bad thing at all. A lot of her songs are still written and produced only by Utada but she is dealing with a whole new market and let alone a new language. What she is used to with the Japanese market and Japanese songwriting won't necessarily work with the mainstream American market. Utada still made most of this album, but just got some help from the pros that knows the mainstream market more. Nothing wrong with that.
My favorite tracks include "Apple and Cinnamon" and "Come back to me" Both are very catchy, and needed for airplay in the states.
Now a few negatives. I really hate the cover of the album. I saw a few other shots that they took for the album and would take those over the one they chose. When you are going for a mainstream release, you need to catch the consumers eye, and this cover definately does not do that. Epic fail on whoever chose this cover. Second, I think the marketing is horrible on Utada's team. "Come Back to Me" is catchy and definately radio worthy on pop stations, yet you don't hear it on a heavy rotation. I guess its our jobs as fans to request it in. Utada's marketing team should have got her name out there a lot more, and push to have her on as many radio shows, tv interviews, collaborations with other artists, etc. As they say, "go big or go home."
One other small gripe I had was the genre of music. I know Utada is a pop/R&B artist, more heavy on the pop side. But it would be good to see her release some tracks that are more R&B heavy. Like a solid R&B ballad opposed to a pop-like one. Half her Japanese debut album was heavy R&B tracks, would be good to hear a similar style in her English songs as well. A lot of the songs are also missing the "bump" that other pop songs, maybe the producers behind the boards should pump up the bass and treble in their production.
Lastly, I would really have loved to see more collaborations on the album. There were a few tracks that could have used a nice rap verse or collabo. Being that the album was released on Island DefJam records, im sure they could have signed someone to be on some of the tracks that could put Utada in a good light and give her more of that mainstream push. Maybe like a Lil Wayne, Pharrell, Keyshia Cole, or even another Japanese artist collabo that's trying to get out there in the American market like Verbal from M-flo. Imagine how great an Utada track would sound with a Rihanna collaboration! Why not? They're both DefJam artists.
Overall, great start to a possible American release attempt. I recommend buying the album and supporting the artist. Hopefully, we will see more of Utada in America in the future.
BOA- BOA
Another album that I was surprised with. I was expecting the very worst from this album, but the production definately keeps it together. There are some solid dance tracks on the record including its hit Single "I Did it for Love." One thing that I feared prior to giving the album a chance was that I believed BOA's "fobby" accent will drown out the lyrics of the songs and that will bother me the most and distract me from actually appreciating the piece. This was not the case however. It turns out that with the right production, and autotune, they were able to 'mask' that "fobby" accent to sound pretty legitimate. The tracks sound similar to a Lady Gaga track with solid beats and good production. Just like Utada's marketing sucked so did this one. I didn't even know the album came out, and its been out since March 17th! However, I feel its definately worth a listen. Not quite immediate purchase material, but you may like, you might not. Overall, I liked it.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Freestyle Bonanza!
First video is an awesome Folk song done in a Taco Bell Drive Thru.
Next up we have Eminem freestyling on an international TV show
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Friday, May 1, 2009
Rising Stars
Listed Below are three stars that are up and coming, and hopefully if my judgement serves me right will become big stars in the near future. You may have heard of them, but if you have'nt yet I suggest you check out their newest stuff, so you can tell your friends that Jason told you all about them before they became big!
1. Mike Posner (R&B, Hip Hop)
Album/Mixtape: Mike Posner and the Brain Trust
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If you haven't heard Mike Posner's newest mixtape, I suggest you get it now. Hell, its free on iTunes for download!! He has a unique voice that is smooth as butter, but a trackset and lyrics that pierce your heart and eardrums like a silver arrow. I haven't heard new talent like this come out with such a solid debut mixtape in awhile. This kids only 21! He makes his own beats and has so much talent. I'm not sure if he is signed w/ Kanye's label yet but i'm sure he will be soon since his friend Big Sean has just been signed.
2. Big Sean (Rap/Hip Hop)
Album/Mixtape: Finally Famous , Unknown
Newest member to be signed to Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music label. This guy got skills. Lyrically ill, flow is straight, and lots of potential. Similar style to Kid Cudi, who is also a rather new artist that has made his shine, but I think this kid got more potential honestly.
3. The Ting Tings
Album: We started Nothing
Ok so the Ting Tings may not be new to many of you, but im sure to a few they are. They had their U.S. debut a few months back with We Started Nothing, and slowly singles have been coming from the album. Coming from a big fan base in the UK and Europe, the Ting Tings are one of those bands with a unique flavor that any music fan will fall in love with. They kinda have that White Stripes feel, with a cheerleader type rhythm. Check it out for yourself!
1. Mike Posner (R&B, Hip Hop)
Album/Mixtape: Mike Posner and the Brain Trust
If you haven't heard Mike Posner's newest mixtape, I suggest you get it now. Hell, its free on iTunes for download!! He has a unique voice that is smooth as butter, but a trackset and lyrics that pierce your heart and eardrums like a silver arrow. I haven't heard new talent like this come out with such a solid debut mixtape in awhile. This kids only 21! He makes his own beats and has so much talent. I'm not sure if he is signed w/ Kanye's label yet but i'm sure he will be soon since his friend Big Sean has just been signed.
2. Big Sean (Rap/Hip Hop)
Album/Mixtape: Finally Famous , Unknown
Newest member to be signed to Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music label. This guy got skills. Lyrically ill, flow is straight, and lots of potential. Similar style to Kid Cudi, who is also a rather new artist that has made his shine, but I think this kid got more potential honestly.
3. The Ting Tings
Album: We started Nothing
Ok so the Ting Tings may not be new to many of you, but im sure to a few they are. They had their U.S. debut a few months back with We Started Nothing, and slowly singles have been coming from the album. Coming from a big fan base in the UK and Europe, the Ting Tings are one of those bands with a unique flavor that any music fan will fall in love with. They kinda have that White Stripes feel, with a cheerleader type rhythm. Check it out for yourself!
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