Catch Up

I know it's been forever since I last spoke and there is no good reason why I haven't, so to make it up I have a lot of goodies for you guys! I have a few weeks worth of reviews.

The Fray: The Fray

This is The Fray's second studio album, and I've been waiting very patiently for it. There first CD was a slam dunk in my opinion, but their second album has left me a bit disappointed. Now don't get me wrong it's still a really good CD, however it's nothing new, nothing jumps out at you. The album for the most part stays at the same mood, which leaves you wanting to listen a bit more upbeat. Even the first single "You Found Me" fell a bit short. Is this it for The Fray? Is this all we're to expect from them? I really hope not, I really like The Fray and would hate to see them go.

Hot Download: Syndicate

Overall Ratting: C

Lily Allen: It's Not Me, It's You

 

 

I really enjoy listening to Lily Allen because her music is fun, clever, and funny. She'll sing just about everything from bad sex to being a Fag Hag. Her second studio album It's Not Me, It's you definitely delivers. If you've enjoyed her earlier stuff, you'll really like her new stuff. You can tell Lily Allen keeps her music fresh. There are curve balls thrown all over the place. One point your listening to her telling someone it will never happen  in Never Gonna Happen then all of a sudden she's telling a specific leader to leave and never return in Fuck You. Whether or not that song is really about George W. Bush or not, I kind of like to think that it is. This is definitely is a buyer of a CD.

Hot Download: Fuck You

Overall Ratting: A

 

Confessions Of A Shopaholic

I mainly got this CD because of the Lady Gaga song Fashion. Unfortunately iTunes knows how to screw you over. In order to get one song, you have to buy the whole album. I'm not a very big fan of the soundtrack. It's mostly just boring. I found myself constantly skipping almost of the music on there. There's only four songs that are worth listening to, Accessory, Fashion, Again, and Girls Just Wanna Have Fun. So with that being said, the CD isn't worth the trouble. Find a friend or wait until the library gets it or something. 

Hot Download: Fashion

Overall Ratting: D

The Lonely Island: Incredibad

The Lonely Island band have been featured on some of SNL shorts. Known mostly for Dick In A Box and Natalie's Rap. Musically the album is really good, however lyrically it's kind of sad. It's hard to take these three white guys rapping seriously. If this album is strictly a way to be funny than they're on the right track. Some tracks are really funny like Sax Man, when others just fall really really short for example Lazy Sunday. The album has a lot of guest appearances like Jack Black and Norah Jones, which are just two of the eight featured on their tracks. If you've really liked what you saw on SNL by The Lonely Island gang then you might enjoy the album, but if your scratching your head wondering what the hell is going on stay away from it.

Hot Download: Space Olympics

Overall Ratting: C+

Leona Lewis: Best Kept Secret

There is a reason why the album is called Best Kept Secret, because it should have remained one. The CD was made before her win at the European version of American Idol X Factor. How ever thought that releasing this CD was a smart move should be shot. It sounds nothing like Leona Lewis. I think if I didn't know it was Leona Lewis, I may have enjoyed it more, but because it is her I'm shocked. If you like Leona Lewis stay far away from this disaster. It will preserve the woman we all know and love who sang Bleeding Love. 

Hot Download:             -Blank for a reason

Overall Ratting: Z-

Kelly Clarkson: All I Ever Wanted

There was a slight glitch in the iTunes system, and it allowed the new Kelly Clarkson album to be purchased three weeks before it's original release date. This is her fourth studio album, and I stand by when I say she has yet to top her second CD Breakaway. The CD on a whole is good, but it's beginning to sound all the same. Usually when you get a brand new CD you can easily tell which songs stand out the most for you, however with Kelly's new CD All I Ever Wanted, it just sounds like the same song over and over so it's really hard to pick the good from the bad. I'm still waiting for her next "Breakaway" album, who knows if we'll ever get one. If your a Kelly fan, you'll enjoy the album, but if your a first time listener start with her Breakaway album first.

Hot Download: Long Shot

Overall Ratting: B-

Again sorry for the delay, I hope this will make up for my absence.

-The Artistic Stitch

Hooba Who?

As usual, this past Tuesday gave us new CDs to add into our iTunes and DVDs to our overcrowded cabinets. However two CDs really caught my attention: Hoobastank and Franz Ferdinand. First of all where the hell did they go?

Hoobastank: For(n)ever

One thing for sure is that Hoobastank has a track record of coming out with an album every three years. I've really enjoyed listening to their new album For(n)ever. It reminds me a bit of their first album Hoobastank. I actually had no idea the even had a third album until just recently. 

As a whole the album is on a constant roller coaster. They keep their tracks on an even pace by giving you some solid music and throw in a few ballads into the mix, which I tend to like. Keeps you on your toes. Some artists just like to separate them like *cough* Beyonce *cough*. 

This CD is definitely an album that should be purchased. Maybe they are in their right mind to wait every three years. This is CD is just what I've been looking for right now. I certainly don't regret it.

Hot Download: So Close, So Far

Overall ratting: B+

Franz Ferdinand: Tonight

For Franz Ferdinand this is their first studio album in the last four years. There seems to be a trend going on here. However, I think Franz Ferdinand should have either taken more time or just disappeared. Their third CD Tonight is nothing more than boring. I'm beginning to understand why I was never all that interested in buying their CDs in the first place. 

Their album as a whole just sounds like the same song over and over again. They have a few failed attempts on a couple "acoustic" ballads that are nothing more than just horrific. To be quite honest I gave up on the CD four songs through.

Someone please tell me when Franz Ferdinand actually has something good to listen to. I don't know if I'll be listening to it anytime soon. Don't waste your money, burn it from a friend or something, or just buy their first CD and you practically have everything else they've ever made.

Hot Download: Twilight Omens

Overall Ratting: F

This is The Artistic Stitch

Hello everyone!

This is The Artistic Stitch, AKA Mike. This is my first entry here on Blogger and to tell everyone why I am here and what you should expect from future blogs.

First things first, why Artistic Stitch? I want you to close your eyes and imagine a vibrant colored piece of string, now add another one, and keep adding until you have created the most beautiful artistic stitched artifact you've ever seen. 

That's what my blog is all about, each entry dealing with the Arts & Entertainment along with possibly other things on my mind. My blog as whole is my artifact, each string just as creative, open, and honest as the last one.

I hope you all enjoy. See you real soon

-Artistic Stitch