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

Pink: The Truth About Love (Deluxe)

9/19/2012

0 Comments

 
Picture
Album Review.
Likes: Try, Just Give Me a Reason, Slut Like You, Beam Me Up, Great Escape
Overall: Fun and relatable, redundant in spots

Unlike many these days, Pink’s 6th album actually reflects its title; “The Truth About Love” is an entertaining, funny and honest record about humanity’s greatest need. Occasionally deviating from the central topic to comment on society, life and annoying guys on the prowl for casual sex (ex. Are We All We Are, Slut Like You), Pink discusses the upsides, downsides and mood swings that come with romantic relationships in her usual, angsty pop-rock form. A few of the tracks too closely sound like her prior hits and parts of the record are musically and lyrically redundant as the singer seems to stretch out the same idea over several tracks without changing approach, but the album is so cohesively enjoyable that you might over-look that snag. Nate Ruess (of the band “Fun”), Lily Allen and Eminem have guest spots on the album, but Pink has such a strong general presence that you’d prefer her to stand on her own. Catchy and reflective, Pink presents another fantastic record. An album sampler of the standard edition is below.

0 Comments

MTV Video Music Awards

9/16/2009

0 Comments

 
Amazing show. I’ve always viewed the VMA’s as a more exiting, more hip and more casual Grammy’s, and I look forward to it every year. They’ve had some years that weren’t all that exiting, but this year didn’t fit into that category. This year’s show fit into the “classic VMA” box: exciting, entertaining, memorable, and of course with at least one “OMG! Did that really happen? ” moment.  There were several “OMG” moments. Let’s start with the amazing opening:  the tribute to Michael Jackson. MTV’s homage to the “King of Pop” was expected at this year’s show and was eagerly anticipated. If anyone NEEDED to do a tribute, it should have been MTV; considering he’s the 1st African-American artist to have his music video on the station and part of the reason why MTV is what it is now. Plus, MTV needed to make up for the lack of tribute programs aired in the days after his death (Yes, there was SOME tribute programming, but many of them were simple, underdeveloped and lackluster).
Giving an emotive and heartfelt speech, Madonna made several thought provoking points that captured the human and intimate essence of Michael that we often either forgot about and/or failed to see (see the post below for her speech in its entirety). When they panned to the audience to show their reactions to the speech, many of the recording artists present were either fixated on Madonna, had their eyes closed, or their heads bowed. Entrenched in every word and moment, it seemed as if the audience was in prayer or reflection. If you’re Michael fan, you were right with them.  She ended her speech with the phrase “long live the king”. I was really hoping someone would run with that and start a chant.  Madonna’s speech was followed by a dance team performance of his hit songs. Each dancer was dressed in a replica of a signature M.J. costume. The only thing that would have enhanced the performance more was to have someone who was obviously
influenced by M.J. (like Justin Timberlake, Usher or Ne-Yo) be a part of the sequence. The icing on the cake was JANET JACKSON (yes, J.J.) performing “Scream” (the only recorded M.J. and J.J. duet) as the music video played in the background. The choreography was synced perfectly with video. I don’t know about ya’ll, but I was jumpin’ around and screaming to the top of my lungs when Janet came out. It was the ultimate performance and the ultimate tribute, and it seemed like the crowd loved it. It only got sad when it registered that Janet was on the stage by herself without her brother, and we would never see them perform together again.

The rest of the live performances were awesome, including Taylor Swift, Muse, Lady Gaga, The Queen Bee (Beyonce`), Green Day, Pink, Kid Cudi , Jay-Z with Alicia Keys and a special tribute to the late DJ AM.
Taylor’s performance was interesting -it was shot following her through a New York subway and into the street in front of Radio City Music Hall. Several fans won a chance to ride with Taylor on the subway and dance with her in the street for the performance. That’s another thing I love about the VMA’s- they always involve the fans, and give them the best seats (right by the stage). Lady Gaga made me want to check out her album- I didn’t know she could actually sing. It’s hard to get passed her craziness long enough to notice that she can sing. She doesn’t realize that she’s distracting from her own talent. I find it interesting that Lady Gaga is considered to be “cool and different” for her eccentricities, but Michael was called “Wacko Jacko” and weird. Intriguing…......anyhow, on to Beyonce’s performance….Bee Bee, (as I affectionately call her ) NEVER fails to perform well (and believe me, I have seen enough performances to say that with confidence). The only reason why “never” would turn into “almost never” with her VMA appearance is because there were about 3 notes at the beginning that didn’t quite hit right. And she almost tried TOO hard to put the sexy on with one too many body rolls. Sometimes, I think she forgets that she’s Beyonce` and things like “sexy” just come natural to her, requiring no work. Her introduction was cool and creative; she made a tribal-esque remix of the bridge to “Single Ladies”. Looking like a small “Sasha Fierce” army, several dancers eventually joined her on stage to perform the infamous choreography.
Like Beyonce`, Pink is usually impressive live and was even more impressive as she performed “Sober” while being flung around in a trapeze act (believe it. It happened). If you thought THAT would be distracting or keep her from performing well, it didn’t. She sung in full voice and didn’t miss a beat. Now Keri Hilson really has no excuse for her poor live performances (See my June 29th Keri post). The coolest New Yorkers in music, Jay-Z and Alicia Keys, gave an excellent performance of “Empire State of Mind” from Jay-z’s latest album, “The Blueprint 3”. I LOVE THAT SONG! One whiff of that song and you’re gonna wanna pack your bags, put on your Manolo’s, and book lunch
with Samantha, Carrie and Bloomberg. I’m leaving tomorrow.  LOL It was a perfect ending to the VMA’S- the best of New York music, in New York, singing about  the aura of New York. It was classic. The only glitch in Jay’s performance, if you can call it one, was the random and sudden appearance of rapper and fellow New Yorker Lil’ Mama. Because she’s from New York, I initially suspected that she was supposed to be up there, but there was still a hint of “this wasn’t planned.” And it wasn’t. On NBC’S “Today” with Kathie Lee and Hoda Kotb, Alicia Keys was quoted as saying “We can appreciate her being overwhelmed and inspired, but we would have appreciated it if she would have done it from her seat."
There was another random and obnoxious interruption earlier in the show by Kanye West. Now an infamous and much talked about moment, Kanye interrupted Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech for Best Female Video, denoting that Swift’s fellow nominee, Beyonce`, should have won. “Taylor, I’m happy for you and I’m gonna let you finish, but Beyonce` had one of the best videos of all time” (referring to “Single Ladies”).  After his snide remark, West handed the mic back to Swift, shrugged his shoulders and left the stage as he was booed by the audience. The audience showed their support for Swift by chanting her name. Host Russell Brand, who was less obnoxious this year (thank goodness) mentioned that in the spirit of Michael Jackson, we should “love everybody” and that all the nominees were great artists. West has a history of and a reputation for making fuss over award wins and
losses, but over his OWN wins and losses. Kanye was being his typical self: rude, immature, arrogant and special edition. One of the things that irritate me the most about Kanye’s act was that he put Beyonce` in the middle of his bull. It’s one issue to act a monkey over your OWN awards, but someone else’s awards too? He called himself “defending” her, and yet he was putting her in the position to have to put out a P.R. fire. He stole Taylor’s moment AND Beyonce`s, as she had to use her moment winning Video of The Year (which better honors it as the pop-culture impacting video it was than Best Female Video, btw) to make up for his mess. RRR!!!! Like Lady Gaga, Kanye doesn’t realize he’s overshadowing his own talent with his chicanery. I’m surprised that he hasn’t matured, considering all that he’s been through with the death of his mother and his dramatic breakup (that he made a whole album about). It’s ridiculous.

On the note of who won and who lost, it appears that this year’s theme was “everybody’s a winner here.” The “heavyweights” of the past year (and therefore the expected winners-Beyonce` and Lady Gaga) won. The “authentic, genre impacting and legitimate” artists (Eminem, T. I. and Green Day) won. Old MTV favorites (Britney Spears) and the unexpected, yet fresh and new (Taylor Swift) won. It was everybody’s party and everybody’s night. No one was left out it seems, which makes for a good award show.
While Britney is still on my breath, I find it interesting that when Brit Brit was most deserving of a VMA (pre-“Blackout”), she never got one. She’s been nominated 26 times total, only winning 4 times. 3 out of her 4 wins were attained last year; her 4th at this year’s show. When she
won last year, I felt like that were just giving them away to her as thanks for seeming like she got her crap together and putting out “Circus”. I thought it was a spit in the face because MTV didn’t appreciate Britney and give her just dues until they thought they were going to lose her. Say what you will about her talent and whatever else, but she MADE MTV in the late 90’s and in the early 2000’s. MTV Asia and MTV Europe gave her props from jump, but no, not in America. Why is it that Europe treats our artists (including minority ones) better than we do? If you can’t make it America, start selling your junk in Europe and you’ll be rolling in doe, but that’s besides the point. I digress.
The 2009 MTV Video Music Awards were filled with lots “OMG!”, “sis-boom-pow!” and great performances, making it memorable one. Brava MTV.
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.