Following last week's musical offerings, this week brings us MySpace rap tournament winning Professor Green's album 'Alive Till I'm Dead', (shouldn't that be 'until' Green?). Admittedly I'm not one of his biggest fans, but with latest release 'Just Be Good to Green' featuring Lily Allen being, rather annoyingly, on loop in my head I gave the album a listen. Also this week, M.I.A's recent release 'XXXO' makes it's way into the prestigious Top 40 at a respectable position of 26, catching my attention.
So, as always, without further ado...
So, as always, without further ado...
Professor Green - Alive Till I'm Dead:
On the surface, Professor Green's debut album appears promising, with collaborations with hot head Lily Allen and summer hit maker Example. Of course, previous releases 'I Need You Tonight' and 'Just Be Good to Green' are as expected the strongest tracks, but I'm disappointed to say that the appeal ends there.
Opening track 'Kids That Love to Dance' jumps straight in with Ronson-esque riffs and vocals from big-haired urban songtress Emeli Sande being the perfect buffer to Green's underground drawl. Having previously worked with the likes of Wiley, her husky vocals are the song's best feature. Perhaps Green will use this catchy pop tune in his next release - he'd be a fool not too.
Sampling The SOS Band's 1983 hit 'Just Be Good to Me', second track 'Just Be Good to Green' is to follow, featuring Lily Allen - despite her adamant temporary retirement from the music scene. Much like Sande's vocals, Allen's child like pitch compliments Green's voice, with the all too familiar beat being the key to the track's success. Frustratingly catchy and something I'm sure will continue to be played on radio stations and music channels alike, this might just be Green's 'Wonderwall'.
INXS's chart topper 'Need You Tonight' is next to feature on Green's adaptation, an already successful dance floor filler. As expected, the fact it is yet another sample track adds to it's appeal and familiarity, despite it's cringe worthy introduction in which we hear Green making a pleading call to a blonde haired love interest.
So, is Green capable of his own material or was his opening track somewhat of a lucky fluke? Unfortunately it appears to be the latter, as after only three tracks Green's harsh voice begins to grate, with lyrics that lack in depth, despite trying his hardest to reflect his struggles in life. Track 10, 'Closing the Door' is slow, monotonous and depressing, It's almost laughable in comparison with previously released singles, with the sudden transition in style being somewhat unsettling.
Overall it seems as though Green should stick to the sampling, with his own material currently lacking something. Whether that said something is another dose of 80's pop melodies or a well thought collaborator, here's hoping his next offering will be his best, rather than a collection of ditties that you'd expect to be heard blaring from the back seat of a bus.
And, just in case you've not heard it enough times, here is hit 'Just Be Good to Green'.
On the surface, Professor Green's debut album appears promising, with collaborations with hot head Lily Allen and summer hit maker Example. Of course, previous releases 'I Need You Tonight' and 'Just Be Good to Green' are as expected the strongest tracks, but I'm disappointed to say that the appeal ends there.
Opening track 'Kids That Love to Dance' jumps straight in with Ronson-esque riffs and vocals from big-haired urban songtress Emeli Sande being the perfect buffer to Green's underground drawl. Having previously worked with the likes of Wiley, her husky vocals are the song's best feature. Perhaps Green will use this catchy pop tune in his next release - he'd be a fool not too.
Sampling The SOS Band's 1983 hit 'Just Be Good to Me', second track 'Just Be Good to Green' is to follow, featuring Lily Allen - despite her adamant temporary retirement from the music scene. Much like Sande's vocals, Allen's child like pitch compliments Green's voice, with the all too familiar beat being the key to the track's success. Frustratingly catchy and something I'm sure will continue to be played on radio stations and music channels alike, this might just be Green's 'Wonderwall'.
INXS's chart topper 'Need You Tonight' is next to feature on Green's adaptation, an already successful dance floor filler. As expected, the fact it is yet another sample track adds to it's appeal and familiarity, despite it's cringe worthy introduction in which we hear Green making a pleading call to a blonde haired love interest.
So, is Green capable of his own material or was his opening track somewhat of a lucky fluke? Unfortunately it appears to be the latter, as after only three tracks Green's harsh voice begins to grate, with lyrics that lack in depth, despite trying his hardest to reflect his struggles in life. Track 10, 'Closing the Door' is slow, monotonous and depressing, It's almost laughable in comparison with previously released singles, with the sudden transition in style being somewhat unsettling.
Overall it seems as though Green should stick to the sampling, with his own material currently lacking something. Whether that said something is another dose of 80's pop melodies or a well thought collaborator, here's hoping his next offering will be his best, rather than a collection of ditties that you'd expect to be heard blaring from the back seat of a bus.
And, just in case you've not heard it enough times, here is hit 'Just Be Good to Green'.
M.I.A - XXXO:
Famed for 2008's 'Paper Planes', activist and artist M.I.A's latest single 'XXXO' is set to cause waves, hitting the charts at 26 this week after it's original release in May. A rather helpful blimp informed fans during Jay Z's performance at the Coachella Music and Arts Festival of her upcoming album release - and let's face it, you've got to be pretty good to pull that one off. And after taking a listen or two, 'XXXO' is living up to it's potential.
Staying faithful to her alternative roots, 'XXXO' echoes previous works, oozing in M.I.A's alternative style whilst remaining charmingly popular as far as pleasing the radio waves are concerned. Perhaps a dig at social networking sites, she accuses admirers to want her to be '... somebody who I'm really not', after '... tweeting me like tweety bird on your iPhone'.
Whether she'd like it or not, with a comeback single like this, M.I.A will be getting more 'tweets' than ever before. A summer song definitely worth a listen, 'XXXO' looks to be the start of something special; let's hope her recently released album 'MAYA' doesn't doesn't disappoint. (Full review to be found in next week's TalkLessDanceMore blog).
Here is 'XXXO'.
Famed for 2008's 'Paper Planes', activist and artist M.I.A's latest single 'XXXO' is set to cause waves, hitting the charts at 26 this week after it's original release in May. A rather helpful blimp informed fans during Jay Z's performance at the Coachella Music and Arts Festival of her upcoming album release - and let's face it, you've got to be pretty good to pull that one off. And after taking a listen or two, 'XXXO' is living up to it's potential.
Staying faithful to her alternative roots, 'XXXO' echoes previous works, oozing in M.I.A's alternative style whilst remaining charmingly popular as far as pleasing the radio waves are concerned. Perhaps a dig at social networking sites, she accuses admirers to want her to be '... somebody who I'm really not', after '... tweeting me like tweety bird on your iPhone'.
Whether she'd like it or not, with a comeback single like this, M.I.A will be getting more 'tweets' than ever before. A summer song definitely worth a listen, 'XXXO' looks to be the start of something special; let's hope her recently released album 'MAYA' doesn't doesn't disappoint. (Full review to be found in next week's TalkLessDanceMore blog).
Here is 'XXXO'.
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