http://www.viewpoints.com/Music-Arts Thu, 15 May 2008 22:11:39 GMT Reviews about Music & Arts at Viewpoints.com http://www.viewpoints.com/Just-Me-by-Keith-Sweat-review-e0031 In the analog's of modern r&b music Keith Sweat holds a place in it's history with his late 1987 debut Make It Last Forever. That Cd (3X's platinum) flooded the r&b airwaves and was played to the point of hating because it was that popular. I personally was not a big fan of the Cd because it was IMO bland, repetitive, and quickly forgettable (although I bet just about everyone I came up with would beg to differ...LOL)! Fast forward to 21yrs and with Just Me you get just what you got back then.....a bland, repetitive, and quickly forgettable Cd! The only difference is that Keith is older and trying to fit back into a groove that is FAR different then 1987.  Bottom Line: — If there is one (a bottom line that is) Just Me will be below it! —... Thu, 15 May 2008 22:11:39 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Just-Me-by-Keith-Sweat-review-e0031 gitbean http://www.viewpoints.com/Frank-Sinatra-Nothing-But-the-Best-review-ebd11 "Nothing But the Best" says it all.  The man may be gone, but the music and the legacy will live forever.  "Ol' Blue Eyes" passed away exactly 10 years and one day ago from this writing.  I never listened to much of his music until after I quit spinning records in the "Discos" back in '79, and started doing portable DJ jobs.  I did everything from Jr. High dances to a FIFTIETH wedding anniversary. (The anniversary party was more fun.) Sure, there was always the typical drunk who wanted to hear "New York, New York".  But the more appreciative fan wanted to hear "Fly Me To The Moon", or "The Best Is Yet To Come", etc.  I was glad to oblige. — Go out and buy it...and don't forget the commenorative Frank Sinatra postage stamps now available from shop.usps.com  Track listing: — 1.Come Fly With Me  2.The Best Is Yet to Come  3.The Way You Look Tonight  4.Luck Be a Lady  5.Bewitched  6.The Good... Thu, 15 May 2008 07:06:46 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Frank-Sinatra-Nothing-But-the-Best-review-ebd11 OldHippie http://www.viewpoints.com/Madonna-Hard-Candy-review-53a13 I picked up Madonna's newest release, Hard Candy, at Target last weekend.  I've been a fan since I was a little girl and own almost all of her CDs.  I loved Confessions on a Dancefloor and saw the Confessions Tour twice in 2006.  I had high hopes for this CD and I plan to get tickets for her Sticky & Sweet Tour this summer, so I wanted to know what to expect.  — After listening to the CD almost a dozen times, I must say that this CD isn't very good.  Most of the songs are mediocre and forgettable while some are downright unbelievable--as in not credible.  In "Candy Shop" Madonna sings "Don't pretend you're not hungry, there's plenty to eat, come on into my store 'cause my sugar is sweet."  1) Gross and 2) the whole Madonna/sex theme is old.  During "Heartbeat" she tells the listener that we can find her working up a sweat on the dance floor on any given night.  Yeah right.  She's asleep and resting up for her... Wed, 14 May 2008 23:33:15 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Madonna-Hard-Candy-review-53a13 njchicaa http://www.viewpoints.com/Nickleback-review-3d173 Nickelback is awesome!  I don't know that band too well but every single song i have heard on the radio is just so catchy!  Savin Me is definitely the best song on their CD.  If Everyone Cared is definitely insipirational and emotional.  The video for that song is just amazing.  And of course, their older songs are also very good.  How You Remind Me was the first Nickleback song I have heard.  Nickelback is awesome!  I don't know that band too well but every single song i have heard on the radio is just so catchy!  Savin Me is definitely the best song on their CD.  If Everyone Cared is definitely insipirational and emotional.  The video for that song is just amazing.  And of course, their older songs are also very good.  How You Remind Me was the first Nickleback song I have heard.  Nickelback is awesome!  I don't know that band too well but every single song i have heard on the radio is just so catchy! ... Wed, 14 May 2008 17:20:39 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Nickleback-review-3d173 peterpanda http://www.viewpoints.com/Lil-Boosie-review-8b620 Now if you haven't heard about Lil boosie you should know that he is a rapper from baton rouge, La. he is a good rapper. some people can not relate to his music but most of the urban culture can relate to him, his music and how he is living. He represents to the fullest. If you haven't heard his music go buy his album of the self and listen and tell me what you think about... Wed, 14 May 2008 15:12:21 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Lil-Boosie-review-8b620 charitymoore http://www.viewpoints.com/Duffy-Rockferry-review-ad841 On a weekly basis Itunes offer's up a free download discovery of the week and some weeks back this young lady was featured with the single Mercy.....a song that would make clear influences like Dusty Springfield DAM proud. By the end of the song with it's tight 60's soul/pop feel you are up and ready for more! If that was not enough Itunes released the second single Rockferry but made a major mislabeling mistake by releasing instead the song Stepping Stone. That slip up sent me into overdrive because in complete contrast to the rousing Mercy, Stepping Stone is one piece of sublime musical beauty. The tone of the music is soft and Duffy's vocal delivery is equal parts sweet and pure. Upon first listen to these two tracks I was HOOKED on Duffy and began drooling for a full on release and today the painful wait is over! — Track-list: —... Wed, 14 May 2008 05:14:33 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Duffy-Rockferry-review-ad841 gitbean http://www.viewpoints.com/Taylor-Swift-by-Taylor-Swift-review-c6e6 I was born and raised in Nashville. My parents and grandparents are all in the music industry, so i grew up to understand the music business. Although her music is radio friendly and catchy, she is very unoriginal in my opinion. I like that she writes her own music, but that's about all I enjoy. I work with a bunch of people who went to High School with her and I've heard stories about her personality and how she's always thought she was better than everyone else. She grew up rich so that's why I think everything has been handed to her. It doesn't take a lot to do well in English and to understand music.... Tue, 13 May 2008 06:09:09 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Taylor-Swift-by-Taylor-Swift-review-c6e6 casiann http://www.viewpoints.com/Taylor-Swift-by-Taylor-Swift-review-f8621 I love, love, love every song on this CD!  Taylor Swift is a very talented you singer/songwriter and will go very far in her career!  If you haven't hear this album, you should definitely listen to it!  I can't wait for her next album to come... Tue, 13 May 2008 01:10:19 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Taylor-Swift-by-Taylor-Swift-review-f8621 Dezi718 http://www.viewpoints.com/Jamie-Lidell-Jim--151772-review-937d1 The sound is bold, the music is tight, and the singing is soulfully sweet complete with gospel style grooves and a taste of hillbilly funk pulling together to make one diverse album.  Jimis as strong as it is solid throughout and is a welcomed release in a sea "same ol music" styles that flood the current mainstream market. It is very possible that if you are not already familiar with Jamie Lidell that you have heard his voice featured on a series of Target commercials (a little bit more...a little bit more....a little bit more.....a little bit more...) and on Grey's Anatomy with the song Multiply which is featured on the show's second soundtrack. — Jim lays it down from start to finish beginning with the thumping opener Another Day with it's straight out of the 60's soul revival appeal followed by the even funkier spitting stomper Wait For Me that has a piano that sings as well a Jamie (SOLID piano playing). For me the one... Mon, 12 May 2008 14:33:39 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Jamie-Lidell-Jim--151772-review-937d1 gitbean http://www.viewpoints.com/Naked-Brothers-Band-I-dont-wanna-go-to-school-review-c6850 When i heard this song i could not believe what i was hearing.My son was listening to it on TV when I had walked by. I sat down and thought what was Nickelodeon thinking letting these kids sing this song? My wife had heard the song before so she already hated it.The song is about not wanting to go to school.I didn't listen to much more of it I had my son turn it down till it was... Sat, 10 May 2008 23:47:28 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Naked-Brothers-Band-I-dont-wanna-go-to-school-review-c6850 MDFBUZZ http://www.viewpoints.com/Jack-Johnson-review-87df5 This a great artist. Plays easy listening music that you can just chill too. Definitely will calm you down and relieve some unneeded stress. I would definitely recommend checking him out. Found out about him since 2002 and have been listening every... Wed, 07 May 2008 14:14:29 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Jack-Johnson-review-87df5 chadm1010spam http://www.viewpoints.com/Step-Up-2-The-Streets-Soundtrack-review-c1440 This soundtrack has all the music you love from the movie. It has the hits that have been all over the radio and even some hits the radio stations missed.  There's a great mix of hip hop and R&B that will make you think you can dance as well as they do in the movie. The major downfall is that it is so edited! For example, a song like "Hypnotized" by Plies featuring Akon has a decent edited version that you hear on the radio, but the one on the cd is the album version of the song with the swear words blanked out. A number of songs are like that on this soundtrack. You end up missing so much of the music when every few words is dead air.  I loved the movie, and I love this soundtrack, but if you prefer the songs as they are with explicit content, I would urge you to purchase the songs you like from their individual albums instead of this kid-friendly... Tue, 06 May 2008 18:18:52 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Step-Up-2-The-Streets-Soundtrack-review-c1440 hotlikeAjia http://www.viewpoints.com/Def-Leppard-Hysteria-review-8f917 This CD is classic Robert John "Mutt" Lange material, who is married to and produces Shania Twain.  He is an absolute productions genius.        Hysteria is probably Def Leppard's best work and is  one of the greatest rock albums ever.    Due to Rick Allen losing an arm in an auto accident, the CD almost never made it to the studio for recording. Also, the band had disagreements with producers, and the album was in shambles before Lange came on board, writing songs and producing.  — This is a CD for the record books, and for rock fans of all ages. —... Tue, 06 May 2008 15:43:42 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Def-Leppard-Hysteria-review-8f917 kc7brown http://www.viewpoints.com/As-I-Am-by-Alicia-Keys-review-cf3d3 This CD has great music, but when local stations play the same song or two every fifteen minutes it makes me not want to play the cd AT ALL! — Alicia, however, is a very talented pianist.  She has a true talent on the keys, and she is fully capable of entertaining.  The production is slick, but very commercial.  The sound quality is top-notch, as well. — ... Tue, 06 May 2008 15:35:19 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/As-I-Am-by-Alicia-Keys-review-cf3d3 kc7brown http://www.viewpoints.com/Tantric-The-End-Begins-review-23df1 I should rate this album as 4 stars only because I could not find an explicit/unedited version of it at any store, but that wouldn't be fair to the artist!  Two tracks are edited to remove the f-word even though it is still printing in the included lyrics.  I have only been able to find the explicit version of this album via MP3 download, but I would have loved to have the actual unedited CD since I am a bit of an audiophile and collector... — This is Tantric's third album.  The first one (Tantric) was awesome, the second one (After We Go) was pretty good could have been better, but one definitely ROCKS!  I love it.  It is just as good if not better (in some ways) than their first album.  The vocals are great, the guitar and other stringed instrumentation (e.g. fiddle) are excellent, and the album as a whole is wonderful.  I just love good rock with a slight bluesy edge.  What I also like about Tantric (on their first and third... Mon, 05 May 2008 23:55:46 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Tantric-The-End-Begins-review-23df1 shigadeyo http://www.viewpoints.com/Day-26-Self-Titled-Album-review-cf236 R&B was fallin prey to too much vulgarity in the lyrics with little in the way of decent lyrics particularly from male singers. Day 26 has managed to bring it back home to some degree.  This CD is smoking from the first to the last cut giving listeners a taste of everything from hot dance tracks with banging bass & drums to very sweet & sensual killing-'em-softly-in-the- bedroom-jams. I keep this joint in HEAVY rotation whether I'm in the car, at work or at home, okay. I'm almost embarrassed about how much I listen to it. My favorites are ALL of the slow cuts. Of course Diddy could've kept that crap featuring Danity Kane to himself as its' the only stain on Day 26's CD. I agree with most of what I've read about Day 26 having a 112 type of vibe ... but that's not a bad thing. Those brothers put it down too. All I can say is I'm a FAN and am anxious to hear more and hopefully they won't hit the sophomore jinx on the next... Mon, 05 May 2008 19:19:17 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Day-26-Self-Titled-Album-review-cf236 bdoll http://www.viewpoints.com/Monette-2000LT-Trumpet-and-Mouthpiece-review-d8431 These mouth pieces and trumpets in general are some of the best things that have ever happened to the trumpet world. They play more accurate, smoother,  and with more agility, but a  player with  bad technique will still have bad technique when they pick it up.  Its funny seeing  bad players pick it up and swear by it when the fact of the matter is they aren't willing to practice, so they spend a butt load of money thinking this awesome tool will bandade their bad technique. This instrument is a good tool, but it wasn't instilled with magic. It actually takes away from the tradition trumpet sound to some classical... Mon, 05 May 2008 06:50:46 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Monette-2000LT-Trumpet-and-Mouthpiece-review-d8431 jacope85 http://www.viewpoints.com/Awake-Limited-by-Josh-Groban-review-f5c40 Josh Groban's past two cd's were amazing.  He does it again with "Awake".  With songs like "you are loved" and "February song", his voice will turn anyone into a fan. My only wish is that the Cd was longer and had more songs in english.  —... Sun, 04 May 2008 08:23:12 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Awake-Limited-by-Josh-Groban-review-f5c40 u2fan01 http://www.viewpoints.com/Little-Voice-by-Sara-Bareilles-review-05d44 Music is my passion.  Without it, I am truly nothing.  I first heard Sara's song Gravity about six months ago.  I immediately listened to it about 5 more times and cried through most of them.  I have never heard anything so passionate in my life.  That evening, I went home and bought every other song I could find by her, from I-Tunes.  I burned a cd with all of her music and I brought it to work so I could burn it to my computer.  Then, the cd went in my car.  Every song she sings tells a story. Stories of heartache and pain but then stories of how she moved past it and became a better woman.  For someone so young, she tells sings like she has nothing else in this world to care about.  She sings with emotion, conviction and such passion that my heart cries out with joy with every note I hear.  I highly recommend purchasing this cd.  Listen to it one time and I guarantee you will have to listen a second, third and... Fri, 02 May 2008 13:47:23 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Little-Voice-by-Sara-Bareilles-review-05d44 musicalpch http://www.viewpoints.com/the-killers-review-c07d4 When I first heard The Killers wasn't too sure but the more I heard the more I liked! Every album they have put out I have loved! Great thing is that my children can listen along too.If you are not familiar with them you should check them out.They kinda have a retro sound to them which I love .They also have that sound that when you hear their song you know it is The Killers!Their most popular songs are Mr. Brightside , All these things that I've done or at least those are our favorites!Albums they have put out are Hot Fuss,Sam's Town,and Sawdust. —... Fri, 02 May 2008 03:40:38 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/the-killers-review-c07d4 dragonflyyk