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Album Review - Drink Sound

Jewel's New CD - Perfectly Clear

June 3rd 2008 21:13

This is the first release from Jewel in a while, and it may be because I'm not the hugest country music fan, but her new release "perfectly clear" is kind of a disappointment to me.

I understand that she was influenced greatly by her father who was the ultimate in cowboy singing and songwriting, but I just don't like it. I think if anything she should have reverted to the style of her first release. You remember right? The "singing in your ear" passionate, real lyrics, real melodies, just original stuff. She went down hill with her last release when she tried to sell herself off to the pop crowd, and now selling to the country world.

Now I have nothing against country music, I just think she should stick to what she is good at and stop selling herself to new styles of music to try to sell a couple CDs.

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Posted By: Chris Beazer - Category: Album Review

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The best part of Gettin' Rich

June 20th 2006 08:55

It isn’t often that I buy DVDs. In fact, the only movie DVDs I own are the two Star Wars Trilogy sets and the Indiana Jones Box Set. Equally as rarely do I purchase a movie soundtrack. This is probably because it is a rare occurrence that I come out of a movie cinema commenting on the music. An enjoyable movie for me is always accompanied by a great soundtrack. However there is a difference between a soundtrack being great because it suits the movie and a fantastic soundtrack that stands alone.

Yet exactly 5 months ago, I exited the cinema after seeing Get Rich or Die Tryin’, walked straight to JB HiFi and purchased the soundtrack. $21.95 and over 60 hours of listening pleasure later, I’m glad I made that buy... Although I can’t say my neighbours are - 50 Cent is generally best listened to LOUD.

courtesy www.amazon.com

Each track on the album has its own appeal, and its own role in the story of Get Rich or Die Tryin’. I do, of course, have my favourites.

Track 1. Hustler’s Ambition is one of those songs that, whether you like 50 Cent or rap music at all, you can appreciate. The base of the song is a heavy bass drum beat. A minor guitar/bass riff is laid on top. Colloquially, it got a mad deep beat dat hot, yo, so pump it up on da sub and drive like you cruzin’.

Track 11. Window Shopper is another such song, with a similar feel, though the emphasis is on the offbeat. 50 Cent’s vocal break - where his voice literally sounds like it’s breaking (in the verse, at the beginning of the phrases) - is reminiscent of I’m Supposed To Die Tonight from the album The Massacre, and is particularly endearing (though I’m loath to use that word to describe a massive, tattooed “gangster” rapper).

Track 16. When It Rains It Pours is another depressing track. Yet the sublime melodic line belonging to a mellow yet high pitched electric guitar/synth is mesmerising. The message in the song is touching. And the seemingly pointless nonsensical syllables (e.g.. oooh, aaah) sung by a female vocalist add an extra layer that really completes this song.

from the movie, courtesy of images.allmoviephoto.com

Track 17. Best Friend is easily my favourite song on the album, perhaps of al 50 Cent songs. Its upbeat, relevant to a greater portion of listeners than any other song on the album - and it’s fun to listen to because of this. It sounds good loud, soft or in-between. Moreover, 50 Cent once again ingeniously uses a seemingly simple drum and synth loop. Yet to create interest he changes his phrasing in each verse. The remix featuring Olivia is great too (just look at the high rotation of the song on radio stations).

Track 18. I’ll Whip Ya Head Boy is nasty gangsta-rap if ever it existed. While the message isn’t particularly friendly, nor the minor keyed low synthesised brass welcoming, there is something catchy about this song. Indeed, I find myself listening to it on repeat trying to figure out what it is I like so much about this song. It could be the simplicity... I’m not sure, it’s still playing...

Album Review - Drink Sound

Jewel's New CD - Perfectly Clear

The best part of Gettin' Rich

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