New Music Tuesday, Love Monkey, and 24

In the World of Music

It's odd not having anything to really write about with a new music tuesday having come and gone, but yet again, I've been nothing but underwhelmed with the albums that have come out. Here's a look at some of the major releases that came out yesterday:

Bruce Springsteen We Shall Overcome- The Seeger Sessions
Preview Verdict: I know critics and Springsteen fans will drool over this album, because, honestly, Springsteen has reached the point where he could release a blank album and have audiences raging. As I'm personally not much of a fan, I can't really recommend it, you're either going to love it or hate it, just like everything else he's ever done.

Goo Goo Dolls Let Love In
Preview Verdict: I mentioned when discussing the release of their single that they appeared to have reached the point of releasing totally generic music. That pretty much sums up how I feel about the album as a whole. I'd only recommend it if you're a fan of elevator music and yet need something that will make you feel current.

Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris All The Roadrunning
Preview Verdict: It seems like albums like this have been done a million times before, but despite being formulaic, it does seem to work to a certain extent. While I personally could not put down the money to purchase the album, I could see why a person would want to.

Avant Director
Preview Verdict: Yeah, I know he's from Chicago and all, but that doesn't give permission to be an exact carbon copy of R. Kelly. True there are worse artists to rip off, but copying a confused artist isn't exactly the best move a person can make. I mean seriously, what's next, a series of twelve songs entitled Trapped in the Basement? Really, just stop now.

The Streets The Hardest Way to Make an Easy Living
Preview Verdict: I read the reviews that were building prior to the release and couldn't believe that there's any way that Mike Skinner could've lost his touch, but it appears as if he might've made the first misstep of his career. I could forgive a few tracks here and there having Skinner singing the choruses, but every track is a bit much, not to mention the seemingly forced and calculated nature of the production and rhymes. It almost sounds too polished for it's own good, and that's too bad because he's a truly talented artist. You may like it, but I have a feeling a number of fans will leave scratching their heads thinking "wtf mate?"

So yeah, as you can see it's been a pretty disappointing week. Something else that's been interesting to me is the string of releases from Nelly Furtado. I know that she's been very well-connected with many in the hip-hop community, but I never thought she'd be one to get involved in the mainstream reggaeton/hip-hop fusion hype that has become somewhat popular lately. "No Hay Igual (Club Mix)" is almost like a mainstream take on M.I.A., while her newer single "Promiscuous" is almost dominated by Timbaland's hard hitting beats. It always takes an album or two before fringe artists like Furtado take their crack into the mainstream, so I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised, but I didn't think she would take such a watered-down approach.

At this point I've been addicted to Pearl Jam's "Worldwide Suicide" and am anxiously anticipating their new album (which I've already pre-ordered), which is strange because up to this point I have never been much of a fan, but they really seem to have gotten everything together on this album. Also, of course, I'm heavily anticipating Red Hot Chili Pepper's latest, but considering that's a further while off, I'll just have to be content with "Dani California" for now.

In the world of TV

Love Monkey, which has been airing once again on VH1, is really progressing nicely and given the character development taking place, it confuses me even more why CBS was so ready to ax the show. I won't give away any details, but once again I encourage you (particularly if you were a fan) to watch them again, and I do think that there's a chance that the show will be picked up for additional seasons at some point. Other than that, I'm starting to get the feeling that the writers of 24 just spin a wheel to determine what character they decide is going to be somehow involved in a plot that has become so convoluted that it would easily outdo the zaniest storylines from any Mission Impossible or James Bond-related flick. In a way, however, it is very smart in a creating such a conspiracy theory given today's environment where the nation as a whole heavily doubts anything that our president and cabinet are up to, and in that sense I greatly appreciate the story line... it's still absolutely nuts though.