Best of 2000s: Keane - Under the Iron Sea (4.5/5)

Keane almost fell apart around the time of this album. That there was trouble brewing is evident its overall darker tone and louder sound when compared to their ebullient debut, Hopes and Fears. Under the Iron Sea succeeds with a sound similar to its predecessor and strong songwriting. In particular, "A Bad Dream" is my favorite song Keane has recorded yet--a gorgeous and moving ballad about a soldier's wartime despair. The album opens with the rather experimental "Atlantic," followed by hit single "Isn't It a Wonder," an upbeat track much peppier than anything on their debut. "Put It Behind You" is another upbeat standout, not too dissimilar from a Hopes and Fears track ("Bend and Break"). Although their third album didn't nearly impress me as much as their first two, I'm hopeful they have another great album in them. Best: A Bad Dream, Atlantic, Isn't It a Wonder, Nothing in My Way, Put It Behind You, Leaving So Soon.

Billboard Hot 100, September 12, 2009

1. I Gotta Feeling - Black Eyed Peas

Black Eyed Peas' "I Gotta Feeling" scores its 10th week at #1. This is only the second time in Hot 100 history that two back-to-back #1 hits have spent 10 or more consecutive weeks at #1. The last time it happened was the summer and fall of 2005, when Mariah Carey's "We Belong Together's" 10 consecutive weeks at #1 was followed by 10 consecutive weeks at #1 for Kanye West's "Gold Digger."

2. Down - Jay Sean ft. Lil Wayne
4. Use Somebody - Kings of Leon

Jay Sean is up a notch to #2. Will it be the one to finally unseat Black Eyed Peas? Maybe, although I have a suspicion that "I Gotta Feeling" is still way ahead of Sean in combined sales and airplay. Kings of Leon might be a better bet, who reach a new peak at #4 this week. This is the second week in row in which there are no new entries in the top 10.

11. Obsessed - Mariah Carey

Poor Mariah. This is "Obsessed's" fourth week at #1. It so desperately wants to be a top 10 hit, but just isn't.

13. Whatcha Say - Jason DeRulo

Jason DeRulo makes a nice 11-spot jump to #13 with "Whatcha Say," this week's digital gainer. Last week, I compared this to Imogen Heap, and I later found out that the song actually does sample her song "Hide and Seek."

18. Fallin' for You - Colbie Caillat

This single debuted at #12 weeks ago and then spent the last 6 weeks outside the top 40. It rockets back in a big way--up 28 notches.

27. Be on You - Flo Rida ft. Ne-Yo

Flo Rida scores his 6th top 40 hit and third from his second album. First time I heard this song I was rather taken aback for having mistaken the first letter of the title for a "p." This is Ne-Yo's 13th top 40 appearance.

Personal Chart, Sept. 5, 2009

By request, this week I'm posting the whole top 40:

TW ... LW .... Title - Artist
1 …. 2 …. You Belong with Me - Taylor Swift (1 week @ #1)
2 …. 1 …. I Gotta Feeling - Black Eyed Peas (4 wks @ #1)
3 …. 3 …. Remedy - Little Boots
4 …. 9 …. Holiday - Dizzee Rascal
5 … 12 … Get Sexy - Sugababes
6 …. 8 .… Celebration - Madonna
7 … 10 … Ready for the Weekend - Calvin Harris
8 …. 6 …. Good Girls Go Bad - Cobra Starship
9 …. 5 …. Use Somebody - Kings of Leon
10 … 20 … Sexy Bitch - David Guetta Featuring Akon

11 … 4 …. Knock You Down - Keri Hilson Featuring Kanye West & Ne-Yo
12 … 13 … Never Leave You - Tinchy Stryder Featuring Amelle Berrabah
13 … 7 …. Beat Again - JLS
14 … 11 … 22 - Lily Allen
15 … 15 … Sweet Dreams - Beyoncé
16 … 18 … Down - Jay Sean Featuring Lil Wayne
17 … 22 … Party in the USA - Miley Cyrus
18 … 26 … Young Wild Hearts - Noisettes
19 … 19 … She Wolf - Shakira
20 … 14 … Waking Up in Vegas - Katy Perry

21 … 25 … Obsessed - Mariah Carey
22 … 16 … Lovegame - Lady GaGa (2 wks @ #1)
23 … 23 … Strawberry Swing - Coldplay
24 … 17 … Bulletproof - La Roux (2 wks @ #1)
25 … 21 … 21 Guns - Green Day
26 … 32 … We Are Golden - Mika
27 … 27 … Impossible - Daniel Merriweather
28 … 37 … I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight - U2
29 … 35 … Already Gone - Kelly Clarkson
30 … 24 … In for the Kill - La Roux

31 … 33 … Uprising - Muse
32 <> Million Dollar Bill - Whitney Houston
33 … 31 … Paparazzi - Lady GaGa
34 … 40 … Boys and Girls - Pixie Lott
35 … 34 … Get Shaky - Ian Carey Project
36 … 39 … The Day I Died - Just Jack
37 <> New York - Paloma Faith
38 <> Bad Boys - Alexandra Burke Featuring Flo Rida
39 <> I'm Not Your Toy - La Roux
40 … 28 … Battlefield - Jordin Sparks

Listening to...

Hello. I was on vacation for a long weekend at the beach. It was lovely and now, tragically, it's back to work. But on the brightside, it's also back to blogging!

Here's what I'm listening to and loving these days:

Dizzee Rascal - Holiday. I can't imagine "dance rap" will ever catch on in the US. Pity, for this is really quite a fun song. I love the synth line and especially when the song gets really clubby at the end.



Sugababes - Get Sexy. My partner thinks this song is quite ridiculous. It is, of course, but that doesn't mean I'm not listening to it like 5x a day. More fun than "Girls," and definitely sounds like a play to pick up some Pussycat Dolls slack.



Ready for the Weekend - Calvin Harris. Yet another very fun late summer smash from the UK. If only I could figure out the lyric--"I'm gonna buy shoes, and I'm ready for the weekend?" That's what it sounds like to me.



Million Dollar Bill - Whitney Houston. Whitney's back! This song is great. I love the retro '70s sound.



Paloma Faith - New York. I just listened to this for the first time and really loved it. It's quite pretty; definitely better than "Stone Cold Sober" (which I liked too).

September new releases

Fall is here! And as usual, September is a fairly busy month for new albums, following the usually slow summer (although, I was pretty pleased with La Roux, Little Boots and Moby in particular).

Highlights

Madonna - Celebration (Sept. 28)
Fulfilling her commitment to Warner Bros. records, Madonna puts out her last release on the label--a career-spanning, two-disc greatest hits collection. A DVD of the videos will be released as well. While there's been much speculation about the track list (including my own posting of one that turned out to be a red herring), it still hasn't been confirmed, although we do know it will include favorites like "Vogue," "Express Yourself," and the recent hit "4 Minutes." Two new tracks are included as well, with "Celebration" already available for sale in the US.

Muse - The Resistance (Sept. 14)
Muse's Black Holes and Revelations was one of my favorite albums of 2006, and its solid reception helped solidify the band's reputation for weird, anthemic, gothic, melodic rock. First single "Uprising" is about as "pop" as this band has ever been while retaining their usual sinister flair. Love the colorful cover.

Mariah Carey - Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel (Sept. 29) Continuing in the same vein as her super-successful The Emancipation of Mimi and fairly sucessful E=MC², Mariah Carey's 11th album promises to be another collection of pop and R&B numbers ranging from hip-hopish upbeat numbers to torchy ballads. Previously collaborators Bryan Michael-Cox, Jermaine Dupri, The Dream and Christopher "Tricky" Stewart are in the mix, along with Timbaland. Stewart and The Dream-helmed first single "Obsessed" just debuted at #11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and is climbing radio charts. While it's no "We Belong Together" or "Touch My Body," it's a decent enough entree, although it could use a really massive follow-up to really make this album big. Twice already this has been pushed back from late August, to mid September, and now late September.

Dizzee Rascal - Tongue "N" Cheek (Sept. 21). The British rapper, who's enjoyed great chart success of late, having teamed up with big-name dance producers to churn out last summers "Dance Wiv Me," the spring's "Bonkers" and new single "Holiday," puts out his fourth album. It promises to be hip-hop for people who love dance music, which sounds like a lot of fun.

Other Releases

Jay-Z - The Blueprint 3 (Sept. 11). Jay-Z releases his 11th studio album, third in the Blueprint series following the 2001 and 2002 releases that gave us the hits "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)" and "'03 Bonnie and Clyde" respectively.

Pixie Lott - Turn It Up (Sept. 14). Pixie Lott, who recently topped the UK singles chart with her debut "Mama Do (Uh Oh, Uh Oh)," releases her first album. Contains the new single "Boys and Girls"

David Gray - Draw the Line (Sept. 14). The English singer releases yet another album.

Kid Cudi - Man on the Moon: The End of Day (Sept. 15). Another Kanye West protege releases his debut album, including hit single "Day N Nite." This got moved back from August.

Nelly Furtado - Mi Plan (Sept. 15). Canadian pop singer Nelly Furtado, who charmed the world in 2006 with her Timbaland/Danja-produced hits "Promiscuous" and "Maneaeter," returns with her first Spanish-language album.

Pearl Jam - Backspacer (Sept. 20). The revered '90s grunge band releases their ninth studio album, supposedly influenced by pop and new wave.

Mika - The Boy Who Knew Too Much (Sept. 21). Mika scored a major hit in 2007 with "Grace Kelly." Now the pop artist returns with his sophomore set. Early release "Blue Eyes" signaled something much more dubdued, but new single "We Are Golden" finds him just as peppy as ever.

Newton Faulkner - Rebuilt by Humans (Sept. 21). Newton Faulkner releases his second album, titled to be a sequel to his debut, Hand Built by Robots.

50 Cent - Before I Self Destruct (Sept. 28). The release date has been pushed back for this so many times that the title has become literal. Perhaps it will finally see the light of day (update: after I wrote this, it got pushed back again....to Oct. 10).

Best of 2000s: Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not (4/5)

After Coldplay, The Strokes, Franz Ferdinand, and The Killers, Arctic Monkeys was the last major new "find" of this decade's rock scene. Each of these bands, for a time, held a very special almost untouchable place in the spotlight, loved by critics and fans with buzz every other band would kill for. As such, it's still too early to tell what they're fate will be, but signs are pointing to continued success. Frontman Alex Turner has already gone off and formed a side band--The Last Shadow Puppets--a la Jack White. And their second album, Favourite Worst Nightmare, was just as beloved as this 2006 debut (some like me, actually liked it even better). At first, I wasn't sold on them, but over time I've actually grown fond of their rough-around-the-edges rock. Their short over-before-you-know-it songs alternate between being about social issues and just partying, typical guy stuff. Musically, it's quite tight, with rapid-fire guitars alternating between your ears on opening track "The View from the Afternoon" and good bass and guitar interplay on "I Bet that You Look Good on the Dancefloor," their first #1 hit. The energy pours forth from almost every song--"Riot Van," "Mardy Bum" and "A Certain Romance" are somewhat mellower moments, but even they have plenty of pep.

Best: When the Sun Goes Down, I Bet that You Look Good on the Dancefloor, The View from the Afternoon, Mardy Bum, Fake Tales of San Francisco, A Certain Romance

Personal Chart, 8/29/2009

TW LW Title - Artist
1 .... 1 .... I Gotta Feeling - Black Eyed Peas (4 weeks @ #1)
2 .... 2 .... You Belong with Me - Taylor Swift
3 .... 4 .... Remedy - Little Boots
4 .... 5 .... Knock You Down - Keri Hilson ft. Kanye West & Ne-Yo
5 .... 7 .... Use Somebody - Kings of Leon
6 .... 6 .... Good Girls Go Bad - Cobra Starship
7 .... 3 .... Beat Again - JLS
8 ... 10 ... Celebration - Madonna
9 ... 26 ... Holiday - Dizzee Rascal
10 .. 13 ... Ready for the Weekend - Calvin Harris

Billboard Hot 100, September 5, 2009

Pretty static week. No new entries in the top 10, where 6 of the tracks hold the same position from last week.

1. I Gotta Feeling - Black Eyed Peas

It's 9 weeks at #1 for Black Eyed Peas, extending the act's consecutive weeks in the top spot to 21. Oh yeah, and it's STILL bulleted. This may spend longer at #1 than "Boom Boom Pow." Wouldn't that be something?

2. Party in the USA - Miley Cyrus

Holding her ground at #2 for a second week is Miley Cyrus. Surprising that this single didn't fall off, but she's still #1 at iTunes, and the single is top 20 at top 40 radio now.

3. Down - Jay Sean Featuring Lil Wayne

Jay Sean climbs four spots to #3 and is this week's airplay gainer. It emerges now as a challenger for #1, although I doubt it will be as soon as next week.

20. Big Green Tractor - Jason Aldeen

Even the top 20 is pretty static, with this country single--up one place--the only new entry in the top 20.

24. Whatcha Say - Jason DeRulo

Here's something new. Jason DeRule jumps 30 spots to #24, scoring his first top 40 hit. The track has been around at top 40 radio for quite awhile, but is finally gaining some major traction. The highly processed vocal reminds me of that Imogen Heap track that was popular recently.

Celebration Confirmed Tracklist

After months of speculation, the tracklist of Madonna's upcoming greatest hits collection, Celebration, has been officially confirmed. Here it is:

Disc 1
1. Hung Up
2. Music
3. Vogue
4. 4 Minutes
5. Holiday
6. Everybody
7. Like A Virgin
8. Into The Groove
9. Like A Prayer
10. Ray Of Light
11. Sorry
12. Express Yourself
13. Open Your Heart
14. Borderline
15. Secret
16. Erotica
17. Justify My Love
18. Revolver

Disc 2
1. Dress You Up
2. Material Girl
3. La Isla Bonita
4. Papa Don't Preach
5. Lucky Star
6. Burning Up
7. Crazy For You
8. Who's That Girl
9. Frozen
10. Miles Away
11. Take A Bow
12. Live To Tell
13. Beautiful Stranger
14. Hollywood
15. Die Another Day
16. Don’t Tell Me
17. Cherish
18. Celebration

Observations: We knew "Everbody" would appear, but interesting that "Burning Up" does too, with all 5 Madonna singles appearing. Two Immaculate Collection snubs appear--"Dress You Up" and "Who's That Girl"--while three others--"Angel," "True Blue," and "Causing a Commotion"--do not.

Quite a few '90s hits get the shaft: "This Used to Be My Playground," "Deeper and Deeper," "Rain," "I'll Remember," "You'll See," and "Don't Cry For Me Argentina" all miss out. "This Used to Be My Playground" is the only US #1 not to appear, while UK #1s that do not appear are "True Blue" and "American Pie."

Interesting that "Hollywood" appears but not "American Life," as well as "Miles Away" but not "Give It 2 Me."

Overall the collection focuses most on the '80s, which makes up 18 of the 36 tracks--fully half, while there are only 8 hits from the '90s, and 10 from this decade.

Grammy Eligibility Period to End Soon

Because the Grammy Awards are going to be in January this year instead of February, the nominations will be announced in November (instead of December). Consequently, this year's eligibility period has been shortened a month, from October 1, 2008 to August 31, 2009. I imagine this irks record companies who planned major releases for September and weren't able to move them up in time. Whitney Houston managed to do it though, since it just meant bumping it up 1 day.

While it is a wee bit early to start speculating about this year's nominees for album of the year, well, what better thing to think about on this hot late summer evening?

Unlike last year, there isn't a really obvious frontrunner at the moment, but there are some definite contenders:

Frontrunners:

Black Eyed Peas - The E.N.D. For it: It's landed the year's two biggest international pop hits. Against it: "Where Is The Love" aside, no one is taking them very seriously these days.

Beyonce - I Am...Sasha Fierce. For it: It's Beyonce's most consistent album yet, and its managed to deliver quite a few hits. Against it: She's never been nominated for AOTY, although perhaps it's time then.

Whitney Houston - I Look to You. For it: An old Grammy favorite stages a massive comeback--soemthing the Grammy Awards live for. And the early reviews have been quite positive. Against it: So far, it's yet to produce a single that really connects with the public, although it's got a couple months to pull that off.

Taylor Swift - Fearless. For it: Massive country as well as pop crossover hit, which Grammy has a history of rewarding, especially for women (Shania Twain, Dixie Chicks, Carrie Underwood). Against it: Is it too pop, and thus will it be passed over by country voters in favor of something they view as more "pure?"

Bob Dylan - Together Through Life. For it: Grammy has shown it loves Bob Dylan, who awarded him AOTY in 1997 and nominated him in 2001. Plus, it's not a very strong year for rock, so he might edge out some of the other perennial favorites. Against it: The Modern Life was snubbed in 2007, and that was a more popular work (although snubs can sometimes work in your favor).

Other contenders:

U2 - No Line on The Horizon. For it: U2 has been nominated for AOTY four times--more than any other artist in the last 25 years--and won twice. Grammy has lots of love for U2. Against it: Mixed reviews and a lack of major hits could hurt its chances, despite my personal opinion that it is quite good.

Green Day - 21st Century Breakdown. For it: Another magnum opus from the punk band who continues to prove its musical chops. Against it: It may be deemed to similar to its more popular predecessor American Idiot, whom Grammy was quite kind to in 2004 and 2005.

Kanye West - 808s and Heartbreak. For it: Kanye West's other three albums were all nominated. Against it: Unlike those three, this didn't get universal acclaim, and his decision to sing instead of rap caused quite a bit of division.

Bruce Springsteen - Working on a Dream. For it: Another Grammy favorite, and the album got generally good reviews. Against it: It wasn't as well received as Magic, which was 2007's most significant snub in AOTY.

The Dream - Love vs. Money. For it: In a weak year for hip-hop, this may be the R&B album that segment of voters finds most appealing. Against it: It wasn't a major mainstream hit, so it could have trouble finding broad support.

AC/DC - Black Ice. For it: Definitely has that veteran comeback factor that Grammy likes. Against it: The Eagles' veteran comeback album didn't get nominated last year. And something tells me Whitney Houston will be this year's Grammy comeback love story.

Long shots

Guns N Roses - Chinese Democracy. For it: Again, the veteran comeback thing, this time a long, long time in the making. Against it: The album, once it arrived, didn't make very many waves (and generated no major hits).

Pink - Funhouse. For it: Pink has proven herself to be a consistent pop hitmaker over the last 10 years, and this is as good as any of her other albums. Against it: It's not significantly better than her other albums, and thus doesn't stand out as being a nomination-worthy. Like Madonna, she may have to wait for something truly huge to push her into the field.

Diana Krall - Quiet Nights. For it: Diana Krall, a 1999 nominee, makes another lovely jazz album. Against it: She's been making lovely jazz albums for years, and this one, while great, doesn't stand out from the others.

Eminem - Relapse. For it: Again, it's a weak rap year, and Eminem used to be a Grammy favorite, snagging AOTY nominations in 2000 and 2002. Against it: His cache has worn off, and this album received mixed reviews (and I didn't like it at all).

Slumdog Millionaire Soundtrack. For it: A popular and critically acclaimed movie delivered an interesting soundtrack with "Jai Ho" and other A.R. Rahman and M.I.A. tracks. Against it: Soundtracks haven't shown up in AOTY nearly as often this decade as they did in the '90s.

Ineligible

Lady GaGa - The Fame. There seems to be some debate as to whether this counts as a September or October release, but most sources say it was released in September, which makes it ineligible.

Kings of Leon - Only By the Night. This was definitely released in September, however I expect "Use Somebody" to be a strong Record of the Year contender.

Preview Whitney Houston's I Look to You

Whitney Houston's official Web site has the entire album up for streaming. Unfortunately, I don't have time to listen to it for the next few days, as I'll be vacationing at the beach (actually, I guess that isn't unfortunate).

I did, however, buy "Million Dollar Bill" this morning, and I'm loving it. Much much better choice for a single than the other two tracks we've already heard.

Whitney Houston discography

In just a week Whitney Houston will finally release a new album. Seven years us Whitney fans have been waiting for this! The event is the perfect occasion to look back on her impressive catalogue:

Whitney Houston (1985). From the opening notes of “You Give Good Love,” it was clear that young Whitney—just 21 at the time—possessed a powerful and expressive voice, and critically, the talent to control it. While so many of today’s young singers “oversing” their work, particularly their ballads, Whitney could keep her melisma in check, deploying it effectively for the big chorus but showing tender restraint at other times. Take “Saving All My Love for You,” in which Houston assumes the role of a married man’s mistress. During the verses, Houston quietly conveys without judgment such a woman's feelings, but lets the passion loose for the chorus (“tonight is the night for feeling alright” she intones with purpose to the would-be adulterer). While Whitey is known for her ballads, she’s pretty good at upbeat material too, as proven by sunny spirit-lifting “How Will I Know,” my favorite song here, as well as keyboard-heavy “Thinking About You” and “Someone for Me.” Other ballads such as megahit “The Greatest Love of All” ad “All at Once” seem less interesting now, if only because such stylings have become so ubiquitous by Houston and her contemporaries. While all the album is good, its duets are the weakest link, particularly the two with Jermaine Jackson. Best: How Will I Know, Saving All My Love for You, You Give Good Love, All at Once, Thinking About You, The Greatest Love of All (5/5).

Whitney (1987). Similar to her debut, and similarly good, Whitney continued to showcase the singer’s strengths as a pop artist, both with slow love songs and upbeat dance pop tunes, the latter of which were even stronger on this second album. “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” in particular is probably my favorite Whitey Houston song. I love everything about this sassy, vibrant and very late-‘80s tune. Darker-toned “So Emotional,” with its slight rock leanings, is another clear highlight. Power ballads “Didn’t We Almost Have It All” and “Where Do Broken Hearts Go” are effective, although predictable. Yet they, as well as the other two songs I’ve mentioned so far, were all number one hits. “For the Love of You” provides a nice contrast as an understated love ballad. This was my first Whitney Houston album, so while I recognize it's probably not as strong as her debut, nostalgia forces me to love it no less. Best: I Wanna Dance With Somebody, So Emotional, Didn’t We Almost Have It All, Love Is a Contact Sport, Just the Lonely Talking Again, Where Do Broken Hearts Go (5/5).

I’m Your Baby Tonight (1990). The sound of pop music changed during the late '80s/early '90s, with the heavy synthesizers and drum machines of the ‘80s being replaced more frequently with acoustic instruments (or least synthesizers and drum machines that sounded more authentic) I’m Your Baby Tonight sat at the crossroads of this change, and while it does give Whitney a new sound with a few songs, it does so tentatively as if to suggest uncertainty over whether doing so was really a good idea. Pushing forward are charging upbeat songs like #1 hit "I'm Your Baby Tonight" and "My Name Is Not Susan," while backward-looking "Lover for Life" and "I Belong to You" sound like Whitney leftovers. As if that wasn't enough confusion, "Anymore" sounds suspiciously like Karyn White's "Secret Rendezvous," which is a shame, since back them Karyn White should have been chasing Whitney Houston and not vice-versa. Despite these odd moves, the album's two hit ballads, "All the Man that I Need" and "Miracle," are timeless, tasteful Whitney at her best. Best: I'm Your Baby Tonight, All the Man That I Need, My Name Is Not Susan, Miracle (3.5/5).

The Bodyguard Soundtrack (1992). Enter the soundtrack years, a period of time during which Whitney Houston released no studio albums, yet had some of her career's biggest hits. The Bodyguard was the centerpiece of this time, a soundtrack collection half made up of songs by Houston, who also starred in the film. While the movie fared poorly with critics, it was a commercial hit, but the soundtrack was absolutely massive, becoming one of the five best-selling albums of the '90s and the best-selling soundtrack of all time. At its core is "I Will Always Love You," a pitch-perfect remake of Dolly Darton's classic love song that is Whitney's most famous single. Beyond that, ballad "I Have Nothing" and dancy remake of Chaka Khan's "I'm Every Woman" were also major hits, both representing then-current production standards for adult pop ballads and dance pop, the two genres the singer was already well known for. The non-Houston stuff isn't really that interesting, save for Lisa Stansfield's "Someday (I'm Coming Back)," but nobody bought this album for anything other than the Whitney Houston tracks. Best: I Will Always Love You, I'm Every Woman, I Have Nothing, Queen of the Night, Run to You (4.5/5).

Waiting to Exhale Soundtrack (1995). Whitney Houston contributed only three tracks to this, and as such, I think it deserves a mention, but not a full assessment. "Exhale" was another major #1 hit for the singer, and "Count on Me," her duet with CeCe Winans, hit the top 10. I used to own this album, but unfortunately no longer have it. Incredibly for a soundtrack, it was nominated for the Album of the Year Grammy--the fourth time for a Whitney Houston project. Best: Exhale (Shoop Shoop) (not rated).

The Preacher's Wife Soundtrack (1996). Does this count as a Whitney Houston album? Well if The Bodyguard does, then it certainly should given that while on that 1992 soundtrack the singer contributed half the songs, but here she sings on almost all of them. The album is a mix of pop and gospel, reflecting the theme of the film while also serving to give the singer a couple of hits. While not notable, "I Believe in You and Me" and Annie Lennox-penned "Step by Step" are decent songs. Best: Step by Step, I Believe in You and Me (not rated).

My Love Is Your Love (1998). While the 1990 attempt to "update" Whitney Houston didn't quite work, the 1998 effort worked like a charm, redefining the singer as not only a torchy balladeer but also a fierce interpreter of modern R&B-flavored pop. Working with Rodney Jerkens, then known for his massive Brandy and Monica hit "The Boy Is Mine," Houston turned out the cool opener "It's Not Right, But It's Okay" about a woman who realizes her man is cheating on her but refuses to be ruined by it. Other Jerkens-produced tracks, "If I Told You That" and "Get It Back" are almost as good. Love spurned is a recurring theme, such as on the album's biggest hit, "Heartbreak Hotel," or the album's best ballad "I Learned from the Best." Other big-name collaborators show up with positive effect--Wyclef Jean on "My Love Is Your Love" and Missy Elliott on "In My Business." The album's weakest moments are its traditional Whitney ballads, which just aren't as interesting as the upbeat R&B. While I liked the album's lead single, the Mariah Carey duet "When You Believe," it proved a lesson in the limits of calculation--that a Babyface-produced ballad between the industry's two hottest properties tied into a major animated film isn't a guaranteed hit. Best: It's Not Right, But It's Okay, Heartbreak Hotel, If I Told You That, In My Business, I Learned from the Best, When You Believe, My Love Is Your Love (4.5/5).

Just Whitney (2002). I don't own this album, although I've listened to it online quite a few times. It is by far the weakest of Whitney Houston's albums, coming at a very difficult time for the singer. There are a couple of good songs--"Try It on My Own" is rather lovely--but mostly there's little here that's memorable. And at its worst--the paranoia-fuled "Whatchulookinat"--the results are disappointing. Best: Try It on My Own (2/5).

UK Singles Chart, 8/29/2009

1. Sexy Bitch - David Guetta Featuring Akon

French DJ David Guetta scores his second #1 hit this year, becoming the fourth act to have landed two singles atop the UK chart in 2009. In fact, the last three #1 hits were all second #1s--the other two being Black Eyed Peas' "I Gotta Feeling" and Tinchy Stryder's "Never Leave You." Like his last chart-topper, this also features an American R&B singer, this time Akon, who, like "When Love Takes Over's" featured singer Kelly Rowland, is no stranger to the British charts. Akon topped the chart in 2005 with "Lonely" and again in 2006 with "Smack That" featuring Eminem. When you consider that this summer's chart toppers have included Cascada's "Evacuate the Dancefloor," La Roux's "Bulletproof," and Dizzee Rascal's "Bonkers"--in addition to the aforementioned Stryder and Guetta tracks--it's been a rather dance pop summer in Britain.

6. Remedy - Little Boots

Little Boots jumps four spots to #6 on the back of "Remedy's" physical release. Not the top 5 single it looked like it could be from the midweek reports, but so very very close. I'm rather glad this did well. I haven't heard what her next single will be yet, but I'm really hoping its time to give a proper release to "Stuck on Repeat."

7. Outta Here - Esmee Denters

Dutch singer Esmee Denters debuts at #7 with her first UK single. Not bad for first time out. While I'm still not won over by this song, it's not bad (see my post from earlier in the week).

11. The Day I Died - Just Jack

Just Jack just misses the top 10 with "The Day I Died," a much better single in my opinion than "Embers." The album, All Night Cinema, is out next week.

22. Jump - Flo Rida Featuring Nelly Furtado

"Jump" jumps up another couple places to #22. It's out in stores today--will it make a big leap next weekend? In the US, this song has already faded after peaking at #54 and has quickly been replaced by "Be on You" featuring Ne-Yo.

23. 22 - Lily Allen

Lily Allen climbs 14 notches to #23 with "22." It's out today; will it be her sixth top 10 hit this weekend?

33. Lovegame - Lady GaGa

Lady GaGa scores her fouth top 40 hit this week with "Lovegame." Selected as the third single in North America instead of "Paparazzi," "Lovegame" has already been a top 5 hit in the U.S.

37. Number 1 - Tinchy Stryder Feat. N-Dubz
38. Poker Face - Lady GaGa
39. Bonkers - Dizzee Rascal & Armand Van Helden
40. I'm Not Alone - Calvin Harris

Wow, look at all those former #1 hits bunched up together at the bottom of the top 40.

Albums Reviews

I have these two albums to review, both of which I've thought are okay, but not wonderful. So I haven't felt like writing a full blown review of either, and so rather than delay them further, I decided to write shorter reviews of both.

Florence and the Machine - Lungs (3/5)
Florence Welch, better known under her stagename Florence and the Machine is another one of the hotly tipped "new" acts of 2009. Lungs even scored the tremendous honor of a Mercury Prize nomination. Her sound is a blend of contrasts--the sweet melodies of acoustic strings (harps, violins, guitars, etc.) contrasting with loud bursts of percussion and amplified instruments. Even her vocals follow suit, shifting from warbly musings during the verses to full tilt howls during the choruses. It's the kind of music you expect will be scoring indie film trailers for the next few years. And while I like quite a few of the songs, overall, it's not really doing it for me. My biggest gripe is that after awhile, I feel like it's the same trick again and again. So I generally like the first few songs on the album, and by the time I've reached the end I'm really ready for something else. Preferably something other than Bat for Lashes or Feist, who makes music in a similar vein. Best: Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up), Dog Days Are Over, Kiss with a Fist, Hurricane Drunk, Blindness.

The Dead Weather - Horehound (3/5)
As if The White Stripes and The Raconteurs are not enough (as well as production duties for others), Jack White has gone and formed himself yet another band. And you guessed it, they make Southern-style indie-blues-rock. Only this time the results are moodier and darker. At its best, there are some rocking moments like "Hang You from the Heavens," "I Cut Like a Buffalo" and the middle section of "Treat Me Like Your Mother." "Rocking Horse" is pleasantly bass-heavy. The album's interesting, but not as much fun as listening to the White Stripes. Best: Hang You from the Heavens, I Cut Like a Buffalo, Treat Me Like Your Mother.

Best of 2000s: Other albums 2003-2005

Because I couldn't narrow it down to just 10, here are 12 other notable albums from 2003 through 2005:

Evanescence - Fallen
With its dark, but accessible tones, the gothic yet top 40 friendly Evanescence struck a chord in 2003 with its hit single "Bring Me to Life." Better yet was their gorgeous third single "My Immortal." I remember particularly enjoying this album walking around the city on cold but sunny winter days that year. Essential: My Immortal

Innocent Eyes - Delta Goodrem
Australian Delta Goodrem's debut showcased the pop singer as a classy act, as adept in front of the piano as she was in front of the microphone. Sadly, her tabloid romance with former Westlifer Brian McKnight seems to have completely eclipsed her musical career, but back in 2003, she looked on course to become the next Celine Dion. Essential: Lost Without You

Dido - Life for Rent
Dido's second album was almost as good as her first, continuing in the electronic adult pop vein with songs like "White Flag" and "Don't Leave Home"--the latter of which was about drug abuse but mistakenly assumed to be a love song and played at weddings (according to Dido, who told this story during her 2004 concert tour). Essential: White Flag

Sugababes - Three
Three was the Sugababes last great album. Although it lacked singles as good as its predecessor, the other tracks were more consistently good, such as the slamming "Whatever Makes You Happy" and cool "Conversations Over." It was with this album that the group tried but failed to break into the US market. Essential: Hole in the Head

Alicia Keys - The Diary of Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys' albums haven't quite lived up to their hype, but this, her second, was the best of the trio. I love its old school flair, and there are a lot of great moments here (like the spoken word confession of the diner waitress on "You Don't Know My Name"). Essential: If I Ain't Got You

Avril Lavigne - Under My Skin
Avril Lavigne's second album largely avoided the punky/pop sound she cultivated on debut Let Go. Pity it didn't work out for her, for I actually think this is by far her best album, with darker more mature themes. Essential: Together

Rilo Kiley - More Adventurous
As a stepping stone between their indie roots and their recent, more mainstream Under the Blacklight (which I'll be featuring later), More Adventurous effectively shows off both sides of the band. Essential: I Never

Gwen Stefani - Love.Angel.Music.Baby
Breaking from No Doubt in the mid 2000s, Gwen Stefani released two stylized dance pop albums. This, the first and better received of the two, showcased the singer's taste for fashion, dance, hip-hop and '80s synths. Essential: Cool

Mariah Carey - The Emancipation of Mimi
After seeing the quality of her albums decline from Daydream through Rainbow (and hitting rock bottom with Glitter and Charmbracelet), Mariah Carey reinvented herself with The Emancipation of Mimi, a winning set of modern R&B with a retro sensibility. Essential: We Belong Together

Gorillaz - Demon Days
With Demon Days, Gorillaz, the cartoon band side-project from Blur's Damon Albarn stepped off the page to become a legitimate musical act ("Feel Good Inc." was a much bigger hit than anything Blur's released in years). Essential: Feel Good Inc.

Kaiser Chiefs - Employment
The playful debut from the Kaiser Chiefs was upbeat and fun, with nods to punk and '80s new wave similar to that of the Killers (who broke out at about the same time). Essential: I Predict a Riot

James Blunt - Back to Bedlam
Earnest, acoustic male pop singers proliferated this decade (see John Mayer, Jason Mraz, Daniel Powter, etc.). While I'm generally not into this kind of thing, I rather liked James Blunt's 2005 debut. Essential: You're Beautiful

Personal Chart, 8/22/2009

TW LW Title - Artist
1 .... 1 .... I Gotta Feeling - Black Eyed Peas (3 weeks @ #1)
2 .... 3 .... You Belong with Me - Taylor Swift
3 .... 2 .... Beat Again - JLS
4 .... 6 .... Remedy - Little Boots
5 .... 4 .... Knock You Down - Keri Hilson Featuring Kanye West & Ne-Yo
6 .... 9 .... Good Girls Go Bad - Cobra Startship
7 ... 10 ... Use Somebody - Kings of Leon
8 .... 5 .... Waking Up in Vegas - Katy Perry
9 ... 13 .... 22 - Lily Allen
10 .. 17 ... Celebration - Madonna

Billboard Hot 100, August 22, 2009

1. I Gotta Feeling - Black Eyed Peas

Bravo! Black Eyed Peas break the record for most consecutive weeks at #1 for an artist. "I Gotta Feeling" spends its 8th week at #1. With the 12 weeks "Boom Boom Pow" spent as the immediate previous chart-topper, the group has now spent 20 weeks at the top, breaking the previous 19-week record set by Usher in 2004.

2. Party in the U.S.A. - Miley Cyrus
3. Run This Town - Jay-Z Featuring Rihanna & Kanye West

The Peas' achievement is all the more remarkable when you consider that there was pretty stiff competition for #1 this week. Two major singles were released last week, and they led the sales list by a wide margin. In the end, "I Gotta Feeling's" massive airplay was surely what saved it. Both of these new singles set new high-water marks for their artists. Cyrus lands her fourth and so far biggest top 10 hit, topping the #4 peak of her last top 10 hit, "The Climb."

"Run This Town," at #3, is the highest Jay-Z has ever charted where he is the principal artist, beating the #4 peak of "'03 Bonnie and Clyde." When appearing on others' tracks, Jay-Z has been to #1 on Mariah Carey's "Heartbreaker," Beyonce's "Crazy in Love," and Rihanna's "Umbrella." Rihanna, in her first chart appearance since her news-making fight, scores her 11th top 10 hit while Kanye West earns his 11th as well.

7. Down - Jay Sean
9. Good Girls Go Bad - Cobra Starship
10. Hotel Room Service - Pitbull

With two new singles jumping into the top 10 ten, three other tracks fall despite keeping their bullets. "Down" is the airplay gainer again this week.

29. I'm Yours - Jason Mraz

Breaking another big record this week is Jason Mraz, whose "I'm Yours" has now spent 70 weeks on the Hot 100--longer than any other single in history. He edges out Leann Rimes' "How Do I Live" and looks good for a few more weeks, possibly extending the record quite a bit.

40. Wanted - Jessie James

I thought this single was over and done and then it goes and jumps 32 spots to #40 and earns this week's digital gainer.

Esmee Denters "Outta Here"

So here's Esmee Denters, a Dutch singer whose first UK release looks set to land in the top 10 next weekend. What do you think? Frankly, I'm not impressed. This sounds like Miley Rihanna Clarkson to me. Not very original or interesting.

UK Singles Chart, August 22, 2009

1. I Gotta Feeling - Black Eyed Peas

Black Eyed Peas knock Tinchy Stryder & Amelle Berrabah from their #1 perch, reclaiming the top spot. It's the second time this year a former #1 hit has returned to #1--the other time being the same act's last single "Boom Boom Pow," which was knocked from #1 by Dizzee Rascal's "Bonkers," only to reclaim the #1 spot 2 weeks later.

3. Ready for the Weekend - Calvin Harris

Calvin Harris follows up his #1 hit "I'm Not Alone" with his fifth top 10 hit, "Ready for the Weekend."

4. Behind Closed Doors - Peter Andre

The enduring popularity of Peter Andre is a mystery to me. The single, who had a string of top 10 hits in the mid-t0-late '90s (including two #1 hits), resurged in 2004 on the back of a re-release of his "Mysterious Girl," which became his third #1 hit. Now 5 years later he's back again with another top 5 single "Behind Closed Doors."

10. Remedy - Little Boots

Little Boots's "Remedy" climbs four spots to #10, becoming her first top 10 hit. Yay! I'm very pleased to see her here, as it offers proof that she may have staying power despite the underwhelming chart performance of her last single. "Remedy" gets its physical release tomorrow, so perhaps next weekend we'll see her climb even higher.

15. One More Chance - Bloc Party

Bloc Party scores their 13th top 40 hit with "One More Chance," a one-off single that has been described as a leftover from the recording of their last album, Intimacy. Despite such status, it actually manages to chart higher than either of that album's releases.

17. Birthday Sex - Jeremih

Jeremih's "Birthday Sex," which was a top 10 hit in the US earlier this year, now becomes a top 20 hit in the UK. I still don't care for it.

21. Sexy Bitch - David Guetta Featuring Akon

David Guetta follow his recent #1 hit "When Love Takes Over" with Kelly Rowland by teaming up with another American R&B singer, this time Akon, who is no stranger to the UK singles chart, having scored two #1 hits plus a load of other top 40 ones. There's no official physical release for "Sexy Bitch" at this time, so while it may seem like it comes out of the blue, I imagine it will stick around and climb for awhile.

37. 22 - Lily Allen

Lily Allen scores her 8th top 40 hit with "22," out physically next week.

40. Man in the Mirror - Michael Jackson

Finally, we close the book on the chart resurgence of Michael Jackson following the icon's death about 2 months ago. "Man in the Mirror" benefited the most from fans' snapping up Jackson's biggest hits, sending the single to #2, despite it previously having hit only #21 in the UK.

Best of the 2000s: Madonna - Confessions on a Dance Floor (4.5/5)

Following the rather unpopular American Life, Madonna bounced back in true form with 2005's Confessions on a Dance Floor, a modern all-dance workout of a record showcasing Madonna in top form doing the kind of music she does best. In retrospect, it was a curious move, considering that her last dance concept album--the brilliant and underrated Erotica (1992)--had been her least successful work to date. Nonetheless, Confessions was a success, giving Madonna another U.S. top 10 hit with "Hung Up,"--a feat American Life failed to deliver. In the UK, it was her first album since True Blue to deliver multiple #1 hits--the aforementioned stomper, as well as darker clubby track "Sorry." While nods to '70s disco show up with the Abba sample in "Hung Up" and Donna Summer in "Future Lovers," there's little that's retro about this thoroughly modern album, thanks to production work mostly by Stuart Price, with a couple tracks from Bloodshy & Avant. If there's one gripe, and it's a small one, the continous mix, while a fun party, creates a bit too much sameness between the songs. Still, there's a lot of great songs here, from the bracing "Get Together" to the upbeat "Jump." Definitely a keeper.

Best: Get Together, Hung Up, Jump, Forbidden Love, Sorry, Future Lovers, How High