J.Says Online
  • Home
  • Entertainment
    • THE J. LIST
    • J.LIST BLOG
    • GENERAL HOSPITAL
  • Seriously Beyonce`, WTH?!?
  • Society/Culture
  • So This is Life?
    • J.Says Daily
    • J.Says & the "Quarter-Life Crisis"
  • Contact/ Info
  • Feedback

Rock&Rant: Bankruptcy! Mariah & J.Lo Can't Sell

6/24/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture(L-R) Lopez & Carey
Rock & Rant-When I need to quickly rant about music.

Much of entertainment medium (and Twitter users) have been making assessments about the status and quality of Mariah Carey and Jennifer Lopez’s music careers, given their dismal album sales: Carey’s Me. I Am Mariah…The Elusive Chanteuse reportedly sold around 60,000 copies and J.Lo’s new A.K.A. is projected to reach half of that (as of June 15, 2014). The singers have been laughed at and called washed-up (mainly on social media, which is ever-punishing); at best, examining and theoretical pieces have been written to answer the questions of “What happened?” and “What is going on?” 

Stop mocking these performers-- who have dedicated over a decade to entertaining you-- washed-up or “irrelevant” (I hate that word so much; it’s so overused, ill-applied and shoddily defined on social media), because they aren’t. Stop saying the albums are trash simply because they didn’t sell well; how many times have we seen great talent or music go unrecognized? In my opinion, Chanteuse and A.K.A. are the best records either woman has released since 2008 and 2005 respectively (see the reviews here and here). The real answer and bigger picture is much more frightening: the music industry is going bankrupt. Yes, bankrupt. Sound dramatic? I wish I was overstating. No one, I repeat, no one is doing substantial numbers, regardless of headliner status or promotion amount. Anticipated 2013 releases from pop power-players Katy Perry, Lady Gaga and Britney Spears all failed to garner certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Even hyped-up newbies with fierce radio-play like Ariana Grande aren’t seeing fat figures. Just to show you how bleak (as Mariah might say) things are, an artist can make the top 5 of the Billboard 200 Albums chart without even going gold (Chanteuse debuted at No.3). Pre-millennium (and pre-piracy), artists were selling 10 million copies left and right; now it’s a feat if you can do 1 million (maybe this is why Billboard ridiculously starting counting YouTube clicks and Spotify streams towards chart position). Acts are having to get creative (and perhaps desperate) to sell records. Lady Gaga’s Born This Way was $0.99 on Amazon for 2 days when it dropped in 2011. Jay-Z practically gave away 2013’s Magna Carta: Holy Grail; it was free for Samsung users and his 2011 Kanye West collaboration LP, Watch the Throne, was exclusively sold through Best Buy stores after an iTunes release to try to prevent a leak. Beyonce` had to issue her latest effort (complete with music videos) with no prior notice or singles for rapid purchases, only to match the sales of her previous 4 album (platinum).

I know what some of you are thinking. A ton of you are probably skimming through this next paragraph because you can’t wait to comment and say “Well, Adele’s 21 went diamond and long after its release.” Shut up, because you know just as well as I do that 21 was a complete anomaly. It did prove 1 thing, however: that “real” music--not mindless and heartless (but catchy) jabber sung by a pageant queen stunner or prom king stud muffin--sells. There are several reasons why people rather pirate than actually purchase an album, but 1 of them is quality- something the industry can actually do something about. They’ll never be able to take the joy out of getting something for free, but they can procure music we really want to buy. It’s funny how when Britney Spears started, even-better recreations of her popped up everywhere (ex. Christina Aguilera and Jessica Simpson), but Adele breaks bank and…crickets (although there were test trials like Amy Winehouse and Duffy before her). For record label executives to be the smartest people in the room, they’re doing a couple of dumb things. Well, several, but this is a “Rock&Rant,” so I’m only going to focus on a few. They need to stop signing acts purposely for the cause of having a few hot singles and get people with multi-dimensional talent, because they’ll make more money for a longer period. I assume a “flash in the pan” artist would be more expensive because the label has to pay so many other people to make the artist “hot,” whereas a singer-songwriter can do the bulk with less assistance. Once they get such a multi-talented act, let the artist be themselves; don’t sign Jewel and ask her to be Kesha. The worst trend and practice I’ve observed in recent years is focusing on the development of quick-buck fluffy singles instead of a comprehensive album. I’ve heard too many records where the singles were the strongest tracks and it seemed no effort was put into the rest. If you hear that type of album enough times, you’re not going to feel motivated to spend money or refer a friend. 90-95% of a record needs to be quality material. “Rolling in the Deep” was catchy and had some thought (how about that?!) and “Someone Like You” pierced the hearts of America and had us all in our feelings. People said to themselves “well, dang, what does the rest sound like?” and got their money’s worth because 21 was phenomenal. In future result, Adele’s next album will more than likely fly off the shelves because she’s now a brand people feel confident in and take seriously.

Now, that I’ve suggested what the industry can do, onto you: the consumer. At the risk of sounding preachy and cliché, please start buying music again. I know people hardly go on MySpace anymore, but you’d be surprised how many artists stream their albums in full on the site when they drop. Preview a record if you’re unsure about purchasing it. If you’ve already downloaded an album illegally and you like at least half of it, buy it. Push and plug the ones you like to your friends. If you’ve bought something you ended up hating, sell it on Half.com or EBay. Truly support the artists you’ve been tweet-gushing about. Otherwise, there won’t be much of anyone to gush about. 

0 Comments

Sam Smith: In the Lonely Hour

6/24/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
Album Review by @EddieJSays, Contributing Writer 
Likes: Restart, Like I Can, Good Thing
Dislikes: Stay With Me, Lay Me Down
Overall: Decent album, typical lyrics, great voice and production.

Scratching the itch of Adele fans or lovers of eccentric Euro-soul, the very talented Sam Smith arises with his 1st LP, In the Lonely Hour. Filled with mostly slow and mid-tempo numbers, the album treads on being a bit of a drag, only being saved by his vocal performance and the creative and crisp production of Jimmy Napes, Steve Fitzmaurice and E.G. White, among others. The songwriting is decent for the most part, but doesn’t delve far enough with creativity for my personal taste. Knowing that this album was Sam’s love letter to a guy he had a crush on, I expected a bit more expressive bang due to the fact that imagination was mostly involved in the making of these songs. Sadly his imagination ran thin, only jumping from the topic of “wanting” someone to the topic of “losing” someone (arguably the same person), making the album a bit too repetitive by the 4th song.

Aside from these issues, the album is still very enjoyable, relying on the same song structure, rhythms (e.g. “Like I Can” uses the same 8th-note driven rhythm of guitar chords from “Rolling in the Deep”), piano/acoustic guitar focus, melancholy and soulful delivery that made Adele a huge crossover success, minus obviously personal lyrics. The writing had such a feel of general application. Smith powerfully emotes, but there’s nothing in the lyrics to carry the emotion in an effective, honest, raw or hard-hitting fashion. In terms of production, it’s usually lazily done on albums in Smith’s genre when there are live instruments, with preset leveling and less attention to detail. In the Lonely Hour’s team was present and proactive: tracks like “Good Thing” and “I’m Not the Only One” keep the natural warmth and resounding timbre of Smith’s voice at the forefront, while maintaining the tonal integrity of the accompanying instruments, and bonus tracks like “Restart” and “La La La” incorporate Euro-pop and disco. Even with all this production magic, Smith played it too safe and ended up sounding like a watered down Adele, which isn’t “bad;” just not amazing. However, I’m now really excited and anxious for a new Adele album. 

0 Comments

Lana Del Rey: Ultraviolence

6/24/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
Album Review by @EternallyInAwe, Contributing Writer
Likes: Ultraviolence, Shades Of Cool, Old Money, Money Power Glory
Favorites: Black Beauty, Sad Girl, Brooklyn Baby
Dislikes: Florida Kilos
Overall: An audiovisual resurrection of artistry; a testimony to Lana’s intrinsic musicality.

Lana Del Rey follows no trends or familiar fads. She’s simply in her own musical universe that tends to make her listeners feel like they are dreaming. Her aesthetical technique is alluringly haunting, yet unfathomably beautiful. While the techno, electro and jazzy dance beats play on, Lana Del Rey sways with ethereal delight as her voice soars over melodic emotional outpour infused with solid production, taking you into a psychedelic state of reverie throughout her 2nd album, Ultraviolence.

I know everyone can’t or refuses to get into Lana Del Rey, simply because the music “depresses” them or her very sultry voice is often viewed as monotone. Her voice is on the dreamy, soothing alto side, yet she has a very texturized vocal pallet. She can’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but despite all the naysayers, Del Rey has truly brought something refreshing, different and I do dare say, new to the industry. Growing from her Born To Die breakthrough, Del Rey continues to take her individuality to the next level and manages to keep the remarkable uniqueness that sets her miles apart from all the pop tragedies of today. Ultraviolence will take a few listens to grow on you if you’re not the quintessential Lana fan. Nonetheless, there are stand out songs such as “Old Money,” “Sad Girl,” “Ultraviolence,” “Brooklyn Baby” and “Shades Of Cool.” “Old Money” is romantically nostalgic, laced with a deep yearning to go back to the time of classic movies and classical music. Nino Rota’s lovely composition for the theme of the 1968 Romeo and Juliet is sampled for this mystical track. Though lyrically not the best, the repetitive prose of “Sad Girl” gives an essence of air and humanism, as opposed to a completely showy tangent about being a sad girl. Del Rey sings about a life that makes you wonder if it was really hers. Another 60’s sampling of “He Hit Me (It Felt Like A Kiss)” by The Crystals, “Ultraviolence” invokes romantic despair and a love for the very violence that is causing the despair. “Brooklyn Baby” is a sweet sucker punch with a reminiscent touch of 70’s freedom and praise for simplicity. “Shades Of Cool” is the highlight of the entire album; the hypnotic, climatic guitar solo and rock driven sound absolutely has Black Keys guitarist/vocalist Dan Auerbach’s name written all over it. Another little gem is a  cover of Nina Simone’s “The Other Woman.” With Del Rey’s distinctive stamp and musical production that is a grandiose acclaim to the works of Ultraviolence, she’s on the brink of something and it might just be greatness.

0 Comments

Jennifer Lopez: A.K.A. (Deluxe)

6/24/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
Album Review.
Favorites: 1st Love, Worry No More, Troubeaux, Same Girl
Dislikes: Emotions, Booty
Overall: Jenny gives a happy medium between the block and the techno club.

Jennifer Lopez gives us everything we like her for on her 8th album, A.K.A.; or at least what I like her for, which is her effortless, street and sweet blend of hip-hop, R&B and pop. EDM.Lo was not the J.Lo for me. Although A.K.A. definitely carries the sounds of the dubstep and dance genres, it rests on an urban bed thick enough for Lopez’s Bronx roots to show through. Not surprisingly, things go horridly wrong when Lopez attempts to drive out of her lane into that of Celine Dion and tries to pull off the pop pseudo-ballads, “Never Satisfied,” “Emotions” and “Let it Be Me.” The worst of this set is “Emotions.” I’ve never heard an artist highlight their vocal weaknesses so boldly before. We all know J.Lo’s range is limited and her voice is thin. When she attempts to belt into “someone took my emotions,” it’s piercing and almost screechy and she falls flat when she trips into “don’t forgive me, I didn’t ask.” It’s embarrassing and I’m surprised that it was recorded and mastered like that. “Be Me” is vocally easier on the ears, but the performance is still unpleasant enough to taint the beautiful Latin-styled music. “Emotions” and “Be Me” would be great sung by someone else. Fortunately, the vocally-challenged trio is spread out, so it doesn’t ruin the flow of the album.

The content is accessible, including sassy kiss-offs, shake-offs and “I love my guy from around the way” cuts. “Bad-boy” songs commonly receive an apathetic response from me, but there’s a sadness and discontentment in “Worry No More” that makes me more attracted to it and I always enjoy when 1960’s folk and jazz get remixed into a hip-hop track: “Troubeaux” samples Jefferson Airplane’s “Today, which was re-spun by Tom Scott. Need a new vogue song for the summer? “TENS,” featuring Jack Mizrahi, is a ball of fun and a nod to the drag-ball culture of New York, as chronicled in the documentary, Paris is Burning. Rest in peace Dorian Corey, Octavia St. Laurent, Pepper LaBeija, Angie Xtravaganza, Willie Ninja and all others. The lyrics are sometimes too absurdly elementary (like “I feel good ‘cause I don’t feel bad” on “Emotions”) and even though part of J.Lo’s appeal is that she eludes marks of age (she’ll be 45 soon) with eternal hipness, the childishness of “Booty,” among others, is too much too take.

Jennifer Lopez is a perfect example of how expectation influences how we react to music. Was I expecting the vocals of a Broadway champ? Nope. Was I expecting lyrics the musical equivalent of Shakespeare? Definitely not. Something heartfelt or personal? Maybe a little; she has gone through a divorce. I got passionate from her though; she was convincingly heated on “A.K.A,” “Acting Like That” and “So Good.” What I was expecting, or at least what I wanted, was for Jenny to take me down the block and give me some of the same feel-good vibes I had when the “Ain’t it Funny” Murder remix, “All I Have,” “Get Right” and “Feeling So Good (no pun intended)” came out. I got closer to it with A.K.A. than I have in almost a decade, so I’m fine. J-to-tha-L-O, hello!

0 Comments
    Picture

    Entertainment

    Rants and raves about all things entertainment industry. Includes my own movie, music and concert reviews. You can find topics under "Tags and Categories" below.

    Note: Occasionally, articles will be posted by other writers and they will be marked as such. Want to be a contributor for this part of the site? Click the "Contact/info" tab and fill out the form to apply.

    Picture

    Archives

    February 2022
    August 2021
    July 2021
    March 2021
    July 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    October 2019
    September 2019
    July 2019
    December 2018
    September 2018
    July 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010
    January 2010
    December 2009
    November 2009
    October 2009
    September 2009
    August 2009
    June 2009
    January 2009
    November 2008

    Tags/Categories

    All
    1a. Album Reviews
    1b.Concert Reviews
    1c.Stuck In My Head
    1d.The State Of The Music
    1e.The Curious Case Of...
    1g.You Should Hear This
    1h. Song/Video Reviews
    1I. Rock&Rant
    1j. Artist Spotlight
    1k. Contributing Writers
    1 Music
    2a.movie Reviews
    2 Television/movies
    3 Books
    4:44
    50 Shades Of Grey
    98 Degrees
    Aaliyah
    Adele
    Aj Dugger
    Aladdin
    Alexis Jordan
    Alicia Keys
    Allen Stone
    Alt-pop
    American Idol
    Amy Winehouse
    Angela Bassett
    Anhayla
    Annie
    Ariana Grande
    Art
    Ashanti
    Ashford & Simpson
    Ashlee Simpson
    Ashley Tisdale
    Aston
    Aubrey O
    Babyface
    Banks
    Beauty And The Beast
    Being Mary Jane
    Bellamy Young
    Ben Savage
    Best Man Holiday
    Bet
    Bette Midler
    Beyonce`
    Biopic
    Black Community
    Black-ish
    Black Media
    Blink 182
    Blogging
    Blonde
    Bluebird Of Happiness
    B.O.B.
    Bobby Brown
    Bow Wow
    Boy Meets World
    Brandy
    Britney Spears
    Calling All Lovers
    Capra
    Carly Rae Jepsen
    Carrie Underwood
    Catfish
    Caution
    Celeb Journalism
    Changes
    Charity Music
    Charles Esten
    Chike Evans
    Chris Brown
    Chrisette Michele
    Christina Aguilera
    Ciara
    City & Colour
    Clarence Clemons
    Cletus
    Clipped
    Clive Davis
    Coldplay
    Connie Britton
    Conrad Murray
    Cookie Lyon
    Daley
    D'Angelo
    Danity Kane
    Daughter
    Dawn Richard
    Deacon Claybourne
    Dee Pimpin
    Deliver Us From Eva
    Delta Goodrem
    Demi Lovato
    Derek Yates
    Descendants
    Descendants 2
    Destinys Child
    Diddy Dirty Money
    Disney
    Disney Channel
    Divas
    Django Unchained
    Dove Cameron
    Drake
    Dreamgirls
    Eddie J.
    Empire
    Esperanza Spalding
    Eternally In Awe
    Etta James
    Evanescence
    Fantasia
    Feeling Myself
    Feminism
    Feminism In Music
    Fifth Harmony
    Fiona Apple
    Formation
    Franco
    Frankmusik
    Frank Ocean
    Fuller House
    Full House
    Gabrielle Union
    General Hospital
    Gil Scott-Heron
    Girl Meets World
    Girls Generation
    Gladiators
    Glory
    Gone But Not Forgotten
    Good To Know
    Grammys
    Grease
    Halloween
    Hayden Panettiere
    Hayley Reinhart
    Hip Hop & Rap
    Hocus Pocus
    Hugh Jackman
    Illegal Downloading
    Independent Artists
    Interviews
    It's Dio
    Jamaal D. Pittman
    James Lewis
    James Morrison
    Jamie Foxx
    Janelle Monae`
    Janet Jackson
    Jason Derulo
    Jay Z
    J.Cole
    Jennifer Hudson
    Jennifer Lopez
    Jessica Sanchez
    Jessie J
    Joe Jonas
    John Legend
    John Mayer
    JoJo
    Jonas Brothers
    Jordin Sparks
    Joss Stone
    Julianne Hough
    Juliette Barnes
    Jungle Book
    Junior Martinez
    Jurassic World
    Justin Bieber
    Justin Timberlake
    Kanye West
    Karmin
    Kate Winslet
    Katharine Mcphee
    Katy Perry
    Kelly Clarkson
    Kelly Rowland
    Kendrick Lamar
    Kenny Ortega
    Keri Hilson
    Kerry Washington
    Kevin Costner
    Keyshia Cole
    Kickstarter
    Kimbra
    Kings Of Leon
    K-pop
    Kris Allen
    Lady Antebellum
    Lady Gaga
    Lana Del Rey
    Lauren Alaina
    Lauryn Hill
    Leah Labelle
    Lea Michele
    Lee Crain
    Lemonade
    Lennon Stella
    Leonardo Dicaprio
    Lianne La Havas
    Liberation
    Lifetime
    Lip Synching
    Little Mix
    Luke James
    Madetobenow
    Madonna
    Man Of The Woods
    Mariah Carey
    Marie` Digby
    Maroon 5
    Match.com
    Mathew Knowles
    Meaning Of Life
    Media
    Megan Thee Stallion
    Meghan Trainor
    Mgmt
    Michael Jackson
    Michelle Williams
    Mick Jagger
    Miguel
    Miley Cyrus
    Misogyny
    Mj Johnson
    Morris Chestnut
    Mtv
    Musicals
    Music Business
    Music Consumers
    Music Nerd
    Music On Facebook
    Music Quotes
    Music Videos
    Nashville
    Nashville CMT
    Nelly Furtado
    N.E.R.D.
    Netflix
    Network Tv
    Nev Schulman
    Ne-Yo
    Nick Ashford
    Nicki Minaj
    Nick Jonas
    Nick Lachey
    Nick Nittoli
    Nikki & Rich
    No Doubt
    Now You See Me
    Octavia Spencer
    Olivia Rodrigo
    One Direction
    One Life To Live
    Pharrell
    Phylicia Rashad
    Pink
    Playlists
    Positions
    Power Rangers
    Prince
    Princess Jasmine
    Producers
    Proud Mary
    Queen Of Pop
    Quvenzhane Wallis
    Rare
    Raven's Home
    Raven Symone
    Rayna James
    R&B
    Reality Tv
    Reputation
    Rihanna
    Robin Thicke
    Robin Williams
    Roger Howarth
    Rolling Stone
    Ronald Matters
    Ron Carlivati
    Rowan Blanchard
    Roxie Bardo
    Ryan Tedder
    Sales
    Sam Smith
    Sam Sparro
    Sanaa Lathan
    Scandal
    Selena Gomez
    Seth Macfarlane
    Sex
    Sex And Cigarettes
    Shannon Bex
    Shannon Sanders
    Shonda Rhimes
    Simon Cowell
    Sister Act 2
    SNSD
    Soap Operas
    Social Media
    Solange
    Song Writing
    Sorry Not Sorry
    Sour
    Spell My Name
    Spotify
    Streaming
    Suga
    Superheavy
    Sweetener
    Sza
    Tamar Braxton
    Taraji P. Henson
    Taye Diggs
    Taylor Swift
    Tell Me You Love Me
    The Band Perry
    The Cosby Show
    The Day That Music Dies
    The Dealers
    The Dream
    The Exciters
    The Greatest Showman
    The Lion King
    The PinkPrint
    The Roots
    The Script
    The Seatbelts
    The Voice
    Three. Two. One.
    T.I.
    TIDAL
    Titanic
    Tlc
    Tlc Movie
    Tlc Story
    Toni Braxton
    Tori Kelly
    Trey Songz
    Tribute
    Tricky Stewart
    Tyler Perry
    Unbreakable
    Unbreakable Tour
    Unbreak My Heart
    Usher
    Vanessa Carlton
    Vanessa Hudgens
    Videoblogs
    Video Uploads
    Vontae`
    Wale
    Whitney
    Whitney Houston
    Whoopi Goldberg
    Will.i.am
    Women In Music
    Xfactor
    You Cant Win
    Younger Now
    Youtube Talent
    Zac Efron
    Zayn Malik
    Zendaya

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.