The Dream- In This Moment

One of my favorite metalcore bands is In This Moment, their first CD "Beautiful Tragedy" was amazing so when I heard they had a new album coming out I was very excited! I love their single for the album "Forever" radio friendly and catchy. However, I got the CD and my precious little metalcore band went soft. About 95% of the album is all singing, which is fine and dandy but that's not why I love In This Moment. I love In This Moment for Maria's (lead singer) vocals and screams. A thing I miss most are the power breakdowns found in their first album especially "Daddy's Falling Angel" I could find anyother female fronted alternative band and In This Moment would fit right in, they became generic. I loved the fact that people were shocked when this petite blonde busted out the full on metal vocals. I hope they return back to their metal roots on their next album, then maybe I'll buy it.
Highlights: Forever, The Great Divide, Her Kiss
If you like alternative rock with female vocals this album might work for you but it's not what I wanted from In This Moment.



For me this album is
DENIED.

Try their debut, if you like a harder sound.

Tha Carter III- Lil Wayne

The most anticipated album of 2008, Tha Carter III, sold 1,005,545 in it's first week alone. Even after the whole album basically leaked. All this hype got me wondering, "What is so good about this CD? There must be something good if it did that well." So I gave it a listen, the first song "3 Peat" is amazing. I'm still addicted and I was ready for an amazing CD. However, none of the songs on the CD are like "3 Peat" and song after song I got even more disappointed. The beats aren't anything like "3 Peat" but are more singing as the beats. I will cut the album a little slack because there are a few good songs, but it's the songs he released on the radio so there was nothing new for me to enjoy but "3 Peat". My hopes were probably set to high, but what do you expect when you hear someone has sold over a million copies in one week. His popular songs definatly made me think his sound was way different then what is shown on Tha Carter III. They fooled me.
Highlights: 3 Peat, A Millie, Got Money, Lollipop

Verdict:
DENY.

The Fame- Lady Gaga

"Has anyone seen my disco stick?" States the electronic Lady Gaga as she takes the stage. Lady Gaga puts on an extravagant show to match her extravagant album. The album kicks off with the perfect mood setter for the album her number one hit "Just Dance" and since all of you have probably heard the song I won't go into detail. Next singer-songwriter Lady Gaga gives you a look into her electronic side that will be prominent throughout the album with "Lovegame". This song is catchy and danceable as is the whole album. And it comes with a killer video. Track 4 shows off her catchiest song yet, "Poker Face". I'm sure you all have caught yourself singing this song involuntarily and have heard it everywhere. The first songs will set the tone for the whole album, but there is something for everyone on this album: blazing electronic beats, break up ballads, and hip-hop influences. Lady Gaga's best song on the album however is "Starstruck" ft Flo Rida. It starts off with huge bass and Gaga's robotic voice. Then it turns into a 'club hopper' with fast verses and catchy tunes. Starstruck is the most danceable and seems to be loved by everyone. Lady Gaga is the future of Pop music. She knows how to perfectly balance hip-hop, pop, electronica, and rock all in one. Oh yeah and she writes ALL her songs.
Download These: Starstruck, Poker Face, LoveGame, Paper Ganster, Nothing Else I Can Say

Verdict:
BUY.

In A Perfect World- Keri Hilson

Keri Hilson, singer-songwriter, has been writing songs for your favorite artists for some time now including, Gimme More by Britney Spears, Wait A Minute by Pussycat Dolls, and Runaway Love by Ludacris to name a few. Now it's Ms. Hilson's turn at stardom. Her debut album faced some pushbacks but finally released March 24th. The album starts out with a rythmic Intro that definatly creates excitment and antecipation for the album and is a perfect opener for her hit "Turnin Me On" ft Lil Wayne. If you haven't heard this song it is very radio friendly, catchy, and fun song. Keri keeps the hits coming with "Get Your Money Up" ft Trina and Keyshia Cole. I am a fan of both these ladies so I was very excited to see how the song will turn out. And it definatly didn't disappoint. Very dance and sing worthy. Next is my LEAST favorite from the whole album, "Return The Favor" ft Timberland. I wasn't surprised when I didn't like it because I'm not a fan of Timberland's unorigonality. The song isn't even catchy or fun. Bad choice. My favorite song at the moment is "Knock You Down" ft. Kayne West and Ne-Yo. Awesome lyrics, catchy, and great featured artists (Even though I don't like Kayne he did well on this song). The song is perfect for those who sing in the shower (And who doesn't?). This album is definatly slower than I expected but it did not disappoint. Keri Hilson's writing is very good and she earns kudos for writing all but 2 songs on the album. She knows how to balance fun with good lyrics, which is a rarity in modern day R&B and Rap.

Best Lyrics:
Change Me ft. Akon

Catchiest:
Energy

Danceable:
Get Your Money Up ft Trina and Keyshia Cole

And the verdict:
BUY.