Justin Timberlake; Justified

Released: November 2002
Label: Jive, Zomba
Producer: The Neptunes, Timbaland,
Brian Mcknight, Claus Norreen, The Underdogs,
Scott Storch

One of my big goals with this blog, aside from reviewing music, is to review a wide variety of music. Which is why I am reviewing Justin Timberlake's first solo release called "Justified".

As we all remember, Justin Timberlake and 'N Sync found plenty of success from 1995-2002. But as far as I am concerned his solo work is much more tolerable than his boy-band days.

I suppose I should take a step back. I consider myself a closet Justin Timberlake fan. I'm not really proud of it. But it's the truth. I have never gone so far as to buy one of his cds, but I have been known to tap my toe when his music is on the radio.

Ok, phew. I feel so much better now that that is off of my chest. On to the review!

I've tried listening to the entire album multiple times but I always find myself drifting. It doesn't really keep my attention beyond the singles. The songs that I really like are, "Cry Me A River", "Rock Your Body", and "Senorita". The other singles are "Like I Love You", and according to wikipedia, "I'm Lovin' It". Although "I'm Lovin' It" didn't appear on the original release but was included in versions of the album released in other countries.

"Cry Me A River" caught my attention with the video. It was an obvious sucker-punch at Justin's ex, Brittney Spears. In the video "Justin and Co." break in to Brittney's apartment and... let's say they "have some fun". The other video that I liked from this album was for "Rock Your Body". It had some cool effects and some decent dancing and stuff.

The album got all the way up to #2 on the U.S. Billboard 200, sold 4.5 million, and went platinum 4.5 times. Obviously this album was big. It put Justin Timberlake on the map as a solo power and put him where he is now. All in all, if you like pop music this is a must have. If you like music you can shake your booty to then this, again, is a must have. And if you are anything like me, you will listen to this cd in a dark closet with a locked door.

Ok, hit me up with your opinions on any of these reviews and don't forget to leave review requests in your comments.

PEACE!!

Third Eye Blind; Self Titled

Released: April 1997
Label: Elektra Records
Producer: Stephan Jenkins, Eric Valentine

The first and self titled release by Third Eye Blind was, in my opinion, their best. It was fun, it had catchy lyrics, and it rocked from front to back.

There were 5 singles on this disc: "Semi-Charmed Life", "Graduate", "How's It Going To Be", "Losing A Whole Year", and "Jumper". "Semi-Charmed Life" was by far the most popular release on the radio and on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, where it peaked at #4. But it would be pretty far fetched to say that those were the only good songs on the CD. For my money the best song was "Motorcycle Drive By." It was one of those songs where as you listen you can almost see the picture Stephan Jenkins (vocals) is painting for you. You almost squint as he sings about the sun crashing through the window. And your heart breaks just a little when he sings, "I've never been so alone, and I've... never been so alive." Stephan Jenkins says the song is "a journal entry made on a trip to New York to visit a girl I used to go out with. Needless to say, the trip didn't work out. I went back to San Francisco and went surfing which is what the last verse is about and wrote the song."

Something I have always found funny about 3EB's songs is that a lot of them have questionable content or topics, but because they have a peppy sound, and the lyrics aren't easy to catch on to at some points, you will catch lots of soccer moms and conservative people singing, unknowingly, about speed addicts and sex.

I saw Third Eye Blind in concert a short time after the album was released. They played a great show at the Memorial Theatre in Sacramento, California, but I honestly have to question the people who booked the show. The opening act was some DJ just spinning records and scratching, then Redman from Wu-Tang clan came on, then I think it was a group called Sebadoh played and then 3EB. It was pretty obvious that everyone there was only there for one group. Actually, I just looked up the band Sebadoh and I kinda wish I would have payed more attention to them at the time, but maybe that's for another post...

For those of you out there that loved this disc you should know that the 3EB boys are still recording, touring, and going strong. In fact, they released their 4th album, "Ursa Major", back in August of 2009. Hit http://www.3eb.com/ if you want to catch up with them.

So, hope you all enjoy this review. It came via request so if you would like me to review something from back in the day just leave it in the comments.

PEACE!

Cake; Fashion Nugget

It's taken me a while to decide what album deserves the first review on this blog. My first thought was an album from The Strokes. Then I thought about something really old, like the Beatles or maybe something by Elvis. Then I decided that my first review would be a cd that changed my life. Fashion Nugget, by Cake.

Released: Sept 1996
Label: Capricorn Records
Producer: Cake

How did this album change my life? Lemme tell you. In 96 I was a sophomore in high school and being in a town near Sacramento (stomping grounds for Cake) Fashion Nugget got a lot of air play. The biggest single on the album was, by far, "The Distance", but it also had a great re-make of "I Will Survive" which I personally loved.

Cake was playing a show in Sac to promote the new album, their second, and I got permission from the parental units to go with my friend. It was amazing. We got there early and stood in the front-center the entire time. We sang along to all the songs and it seemed to end way too soon.

My pubescent adoration aside, this album is exactly what Cake is all about. Beautifully simple songs with bitting lyrics and John Mcrea's half sung, half spoken lyrics. The song "Daria" stands out to me as a great example of the writing style of John Mcrea: Fun, rhymy lyrics that have just enough stab-in-the-back-ness to make the song great. One of my favorite things about Cake is their ability to successfully fuse indie-alternative and country music. "She'll Come Back to Me" starts with a gorgeous steel-guitar riff and "Sad Songs and Waltzes" is straight up "My woman just left me and now all I have is my guitar and my dog" country!

So in the end, there is a reason why I have every Cake album. It's simply great music and Fashion Nugget got it all started for me. In fact, they are still going strong and just released their 6th album titled "Showroom of Compasion". It's great as well.



Ok, for those of you out there reading this the plan is to post a review every week or so. I am also planning on having a few writers because frankly, even I don't really like my opinions that much. If you have any review requests just let me (and hopefully us) know in your comments. Thanks! And don't for get to follow this Blog. PEACE!