I was a fan of Danny Noriega from the 7th season of "American Idol" and I'm a loyal fan of "RuPaul's Drag Race". So I was very excited to see that Adore Delano was competing. Even though she didn't win the title of America's Next Drag Superstar, Adore Delano's star still shined bright making the Top 3. "Till Death Do Us Party" was released on June 3rd, 2014, coming in at #1 on the iTunes Dance Albums chart. PARTY!
1. Speak My Sex
The album opens with the fun party track "Speak My Sex". Unlike most of the drag queens who release music, "Speak My Sex" is actually a listenable, catchy, pop song. Even your straight friends will like it. "Speak My Sex" will be stuck in your head for days.
3/5
2. D T F
The official first single from "Till Death Do Us Party", "D T F" was released on iTunes on May 20th, 2014 along with its video on Youtube. A great party song about, well, being down to fuck. The chorus will replay in your head all day. As a first single I think it might be a bit much but never the less it's another solid pop song.
3/5
3. Party
In a nod to her catchphrase "Party!" on "RuPaul's Drag Race", Adore Delano releases a fantastic pop song that could bring her mainstream. The beat, the hook, the lyrics, it all comes together to make a great song that should have been the albums first single. Perfect for the summer parties, and a must have for every summer playlist.
5/5
4. I Adore U
The second single off "Till Death Do Us Party" is "I Adore U". "I Adore U" is a mid-tempo jam that Nicki Minaj will wish she had recorded. If Adore Delano had anything to prove, she proved it on this song. She is a force to be reckoned with.
5/5
5. Calling All Goddesses
"Calling All Goddesses" seems to be a tribute to the female pop stars of today. The song is club and party ready for this summer. While "Calling All Goddesses" is a good song, it's easily forgettable when compared to the rest of the album.
2/5
6. Jump the Gun
The 6th song off the album is "Jump the Gun" a laid back bop perfect for summer BBQ's. Good luck not singing "jump the gun / we got the boom boom bang" in your head and out loud for the next few days.
3/5
7. Give Me Tonight
"Give Me Tonight" is an 80's throw back in all the best possible ways. Adore Delano's voice sounds silky smooth and sexy on the track. The beat is everything. With retro style music on the rise, Adore Delano could strike gold if "Give me Tonight" is released as a single.
5/5
8. I Look Fuckin Cool (feat. Alaska Thunderfuck)
This is a club banger that is a guaranteed hit for the gay clubs. On "I Look Fuckin Cool" Adore Delano teams up with Alaska Thunderfuck to create what is now one of the best songs in drag music history. The song will give you life for weeks. Make sure to add it to your "getting ready" playlist, whether you are gay or straight.
5/5
9. Hello, I Love You
"Hello, I Love You" is a bubble gum pop "Fatal Attraction" starring Adore Delano as the psycho girlfriend, and she plays that character really well. This is a great pop song with a funny and catchy chorus. Add this song to all of your beach trip playlists! Your friends will love it too.
5/5
10. The Creeps
I'm not exactly sure what to say about "The Creeps". The chorus will definitely be stuck in your head, but otherwise the song is kind of all over the place, in the best way possible. All I can say is listen to it yourself and you be the judge. The beat is really good though.
3/5
11. My Address Is Hollywood
"My Address Is Hollywood" is a mid-tempo track about dreams and aspirations to be a star. It's the perfect way to end the album. Anyone with dreams of being a star will relate to the song. Adore Delano's vocals really get to shine on the song. Great for listening to while getting ready for a night out.
4/5
Final Thoughts:
"Till Death Do Us Party" is a solid album with no filler tracks. Gay or straight you will love it if you enjoy party music. Adore Delano is the first drag queen since RuPaul who actually has what it takes to make it mainstream, and I really hope she does.
Stand Out Tracks:
"Party", "I Adore U", "Give Me Tonight", "I Look Fuckin Cool", "Hello, I Love You", and "My Address Is Hollywood".
"The Secret" is the debut album from young rising star Austin Mahone, released on May 27th, 2014. Austin Mahone was discovered on Youtube. On June 10th, 2013 his first single "What About Love" debuted on iTunes. "What About Love" peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at #66, but peaked at #18 on the Billboard Top 40 for radio. Critics called him "the next Justin Bieber", but "The Secret" proves that Austin Mahone is so much more than that.
1. Till I Find You
The album opens with "Till I Find You", a song made for opening concerts in arenas filled with screaming girls. A perfect pop song with a catchy chorus that will be stuck in your head for days. Austin proves here that he's not just some Youtube one hit wonder. He has the chops to have a long successful career given he stays far away from the path of a certain other Youtube star. The pop vocals mixed with the hard heating beats make this a contender for song of the summer, if it's released as a single.
5/5
2. Next To You
"Next To You" gives you all the amazing feelings of a boy band song wrapped up in one guy. Another catchy hook and chorus. Austin's vocals shine as well. If you don't bop your head to this, I suggest seeing a doctor as soon as possible.
4/5
3. Mmm Yeah (feat. Pitbull)
Released on January 26th, 2014, "Mmm Yeah" was the first official single from "The Secret". Featuring your standard/basic Pitbull verse. The beat and catchy chorus promises there won't be a single person sitting down and not dancing. Although it was released in the winter, "Mmm Yeah" is still as good as it was when it first premiered. Feel free to include it on your summer playlists. Now if only Pitbull wasn't on it.
4/5
4. Secret
The track that gave the album it's name "Secret" is about the person you love being able to tell you anything and feel safe while doing so. Another perfect pop song. The part where "tell me your secret" is spoken right before the final chorus is sure to make the girls and gay boys swoon. Wanna know my secret? I've been singing this song for a week.
5/5
5. Can't Fight This Love
Putting the club dance beats on the back burner in exchange for this mid-tempo gives Austin Mahone a chance to show off his vocal chops. Boy can sang! "Can't Fight This Love" is great for when you are driving to the beach and laying out on the beach. Or even relaxing in your yard on a nice summer day with a spiked lemonade, if you're old enough of course. Most of his fan base is consisted of teenage girls. But rest assured, he's 18.
4/5
6. All I Ever Need
"All I Ever Need" is the first ballad on "The Secret". Austin slows it down to tell a girl how much he loves her. The song reminds me of Chris Brown's ballads. It's catchy and could easily smash if released as a single. The whole song will just make you fall in love with Austin Mahone, if you weren't already.
4/5
7. The One I've Waited For
Bringing back a little bit of a beat, "The One I've Waited For" is a mid-tempo love song. It's a good song, but nothing really stands out about it for me. I didn't want to hit next, but I didn't want to replay it either. Kind of a let down considering how great the rest of the album is.
2/5
8. Shadow (Acoustic)
I'm a sucker for anything acoustic, and this is acoustic at it's finest. The album closes with "Shadow", an acoustic song that puts all of Austin Mahone's talents on display in a beautiful fashion. There's nothing left to say, just listen to it yourself.
5/5
Final Thoughts:
"The Secret" is one of the best pop albums since Britney Spears' 2011 album "Femme Fatale". It's cohesive, it knows what it wants to be and executes that perfectly. The album shows that Austin Mahone is in an entirely different lane when inevitably compared to Justin Bieber. I'm officially a "Mahomie".
It's been over 4 years since Mariah Carey last released an album, making this her longest break between albums. By no means did she just sit around and not do anything though. She had twins, released a few singles, was a judge for a season of American Idol, fractured her ribs, and dislocated her shoulder. She's been busy. "Me. I Am Mariah...The Elusive Chanteuse" was originally slated for a September release with the title "The Art Of Letting Go" but was pushed back a couple of times after failing to release a Top 10 single. At the end of April rumors began to spread that Mariah Carey was going to "surprise drop" her album, like Beyonce sometime in May. This proved to be false (or was Mariah just confused? No one is still sure exactly what happened.). The album was finally released on May 27th, 2014, debuting on the Billboard 200 chart at #3. Further proving the point that an album doesn't need to go #1 to be good.
1. Cry.
The album opens with the ballad "Cry." Mariah is notorious for being the one who picks what order the songs appear on the album, and she knew exactly what she was doing by choosing "Cry." to open the album. "Cry." is a homage to the Mariah Carey of the early 90's. Mariah's voice is silky smooth while singing about wanting an ex back. "Cry." is a reminder of why Mariah Carey is one of the greatest vocalist of our time.
5/5
2. Faded
Produced by Mike WiLL Made It (famously known for working with Miley Cyrus), "Faded" does what Mariah does best; mixes R&B vocals with hip-hop beats. Backed by her famous whistle register, Mariah reminisces about an old love. "Faded" feels like a sequel to Mariah's #1 hit "Don't Forget About Us" in an "I'm older and wiser now" type of way, and is every bit as good. My only complaint would be that the bass doesn't hit hard enough, but that doesn't discredit the song in anyway. 4/5
3. Dedicated (feat. Nas)
Mariah Carey is no stranger to bringing in rap artists to feature on her songs. Normally however, the song is actually good. The song begins with Mariah talking to a man who I am going to assume is Nas, talking about nostalgia and the good ol' days. Mariah's vocals are on point, but the song is forgettable. If this feature is any indication of why Nas hasn't had a hit in awhile, I completely understand it. Once a great rapper, now seems watered down and weak compared to rappers of today. "Dedicated" ends with the two laughing and it's clear they are laughing because they know they just wasted our precious 4 minutes and 17 seconds on this filler track. 1/5
4. #Beautiful (feat. Miguel)
Rebounding 100%, the next song on the album is the official first single "#Beautiful (feat. Miguel)". Released May 6th, 2013, "#Beautiful" peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at #15 and #3 on the R&B/hip-hop charts, becoming Mariah Carey's 33rd Top 20 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. The song takes everything she is good at and throws it into 3 minutes and 21 seconds of perfection. There is no doubt in my mind that this song would have went #1 on the Billboard charts had she not fractured her ribs and dislocated her shoulder in the middle of promotion. Never the less, the song is a fantastic mid-tempo summer jam that could have been. 5/5
5. Thirsty
Mariah Carey has never been one to shy away from throwing some shade (check out her songs "Obsessed", "Up Out My Face" and "Shake It Off".). Coming out the park swinging "best thing that happened to your ass was me / pull down them Tom Fords and act like you see", Mariah lays a beat down on a man who did her dirty. It's not blatantly obvious who she is talking about, but signs point to Eminem. If he catches wind, be sure to check back here for my review of his reply track. I love a good Mimi smack down, and this is one of the best. Now if only Nicki Minaj and Mariah could kiss and make up, we could get a killer remix. 4/5
6. Make It Look Good
"Make It Look Good" has the words "summer hit" written all over it. Picture it: the sun goes down, the tiki torches get lit, drinks are pouring. You are laughing and talking with friends and family. This song is perfect background music. Whether you are having a chill night with friends, or relaxing on the beach, this song is a must have for every summer playlist. "Make It Look Good" is about wanting someone who you know is no good for you. Everyone loves a song they can relate to, and we have all been there. Let's tweet Mariah and trend #MakeItLookGoodForSingle. 5/5
7. You're Mine (Eternal)
Released on Valentine's Day 2014, "You're Mine (Eternal)" is your standard Mariah Carey love song. But don't let that turn you off. I don't know about you, but i certainly do not mind Mariah Carey painting pictures in my mind on what love is supposed to be like. She sounds great on the track (Okay, let's be honest. Does she ever really sound bad?), I know I've said it before but I feel the need to tell you every time. I'm not exactly sure why the song didn't become a hit, but to try and make it one Team Mariah released a hip-hop remix single and dance remix EP, both of which are also good so check them out on iTunes (links will be at the end of this post). All that said, "You're Mine (Eternal)" is simply just kind of basic, with the remixes being far better.
3/5
8. You Don't Know What To Do (feat. Wale)
"You Don't Know What To Do" starts off with Mariah Carey belting a few lines before Wale chimes in from the background to say what we were all thinking "yes, sing it girl!". Of course she does just that for a few more lines before a sick retro beat drops. Wale spits out a verse with ease, Nas should take some notes on how to do a feature. With EDM beats on the out and retro beats on the rise, Team Mariah would be smart to release this as a single. The song takes you back to a time when things were less complicated. "You Don't Know What To Do" is a feel good song that everyone will love so feel free to play it at your parties this summer. 4/5
9. Supernatural
On "Supernatural" Mariah is joined by her kids, or as she calls them "Dembabbies a.k.a. Ms. Monroe & Mr. Moroccan Scott Cannon a.k.a. Roc n' Roe" (God bless her). The song is about her love for her kids. It's cute and heart warming, but my bet is the average listener will skip this 9 times out of 10 while listening to the album. "Supernatural" is your typical song that an artist puts out after having a baby. Ms. Monroe saying "I'm a chanteuse!" at the end of the track is really adorable. Nothing new here though really. Still worth at least one listen for the cute factor. 2/5
10. Meteorite
"Meteorite" is a chill out jam. Put it on in the background at a BBQ or at the beach and you're set. But don't go running to your friends about it, it's kinda underwhelming. It's lost somewhere between a dance track and a mid-tempo track. I like it, but it is just okay. If Team Mariah were to release a dance remix, it'd be a major hit at the gay clubs. Until then, just look on youtube for some fan-made dance mixes. 3/5
11. Camouflage
Mariah brings her ballad A-game on "Camouflage", a song about being insecure in a relationship. You can really feel and hear the heartbreak and struggle in her voice. Everything about the song is perfect, from the vocals to the producing. Fans of faster songs most likely won't like this, but for those of us who can appreciate a good ballad, this is great. 5/5
12. Money ($ * / ...) (feat. Fabolous & Hit Boy)
Another solid R&B/hip-hop mixed mid-tempo summer jam. Mariah knows what her fans want and she gives it to them on a silver platter with "Money ($ * / ...)". A summer playlist must have. Fabolous and Hit Boy's verses are really great and don't feel forced. The rap verses mix perfectly with Mariah's vocals about love being more important than money. 5/5
13. One More Try
Originally recorded by George Michael for his album "Faith". Mariah breathes new life into a song about love, or God, it depends on how you look at it. It definitely has that soul/gospel vibe. "One More Try" is a 6 minute Mariah Carey vocal love fest. When all is said and done however, it's kind of a filler track. 2/5
14. Heavenly (No Ways Tired / Can't Give Up Now)
"Heavenly (No Ways Tired / Can't Give Up Now)" is a soulful reminder that things always get better. Mariah's voice backed by a choir tells us "there will be mountains that i will have to climb / and there will be battles that i will have to fight / but victory or defeat, it's up to me to decide / but how can i expect to win if i never try", something we all know in the back of our minds but tend to forget when things are tough. No matter how many different ways we hear the same message, "life's a climb" type songs always leaving you feeling good after listening. 4/5
15. It's A Wrap (feat. Mary J. Blige)
"It's A Wrap" was originally supposed to be on Mariah Carey's album "Angels Advocate" which was a re-working of her album "Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel", but the album was never released. I don't know if the song was re-worked for "Me. I Am Mariah...The Elusive Chanteuse" or if "Angels Advocate" was way before it's time (check out the two songs from the album that were released, links are at the bottom of this post), but "It's A Wrap" is an R&B masterpiece. The song opens with Mary J. Blige reminding Mariah of exactly who she is to give her confidence to leave a loser guy, but I can't help feel that she is really telling the fans and the general public exactly who Mariah Carey is why she is as successful as she is. This is one of the best album tracks Mariah Carey has ever released. Normally stealing all the spotlight, Mariah let's Mary J. Blige shine on the track as well. For R&B fans this is a must have for every collection.
5/5
16. Betcha Gon' Know (feat. R. Kelly)
Another track originally supposed to be on "Angels Advocate". "Betcha Gon' Know" is a song about catching your partner cheating on you, him/her trying to lie his way out of it, and you leaving him/her. This song is further proof that "Angels Advocate" was an album way before it's time. "Betcha Gon' Know" is perfect for today's R&B market. R. Kelly doesn't make you cringe and run for an umbrella either. 4/5
17. The Art Of Letting Go
Released on November 11th, 2013 exclusively on Facebook, "The Art of Letting Go" was the official second single from the album. After the wrong version of the song was uploaded to Facebook by mistake, all promotion for the single stopped even though critics raved about the song. Mariah Carey later spoke about the incident in an interview saying something to the effect of "I didn't know it was so hard to click a mouse". I'm siding with Mariah on this one, seriously how hard is it to upload the correct file? It's 3 clicks max. That's neither here nor there. "The Art of Letting Go" is a return to the song that gave Mariah Carey her first taste of fame, "Vision of Love". Vocally, it is on the same level. Song quality, is on the same level. It is the perfect closer to the album. Reminding fans why they fell in love with her in the first place and giving them every penny of their moneys worth.
5/5
Final Thoughts:
"Me. I Am Mariah...The Elusive Chanteuse" takes everything fans love about Mariah Carey and puts it all on one album. A must have for every Mariah Carey fan, and for music fans in general. It has something for everyone.
Stand Out Tracks:
"Faded", "#Beautiful", "Thirsty", "Make It Look Good", "You Don't Know What To Do", "Money ($ * / ...)", "It's A Wrap", and "The Art of Letting Go"
This will be a very vague review because it’s so easy to give too much away! My hubby and I sat down to watch “Willow Creek” tonight. I had heard about this movie a few months ago and had forgotten all about it until I saw that it was out. Reviews were mixed. I didn’t have high hopes but figured what the hell? There was nothing on TV anyway.
My lord was I surprised! Not a whole lot happens in the first half of the movie (the film is only about 80 minutes long). But enough happens to keep you interested and to build suspense. At one point my hubby turned to me and asked “is this a horror movie?”. I understood his question because up until that point we were just laughing (not because it was bad, but because you were supposed to laugh. the couple in the film genuinely had me LOL’ing. they have a sharp, dry, sarcastic sense of humor which is right up my alley). By the time the couple ends up in the tent in the middle of the woods, we were on the edge of our seats. The suspense was at a level 10. I can’t remember the last time a horror movie made me actually turn away from the screen in fear of something happening. I’m not going to tell you who, what, where, when or why. All I’m saying is to go into the movie knowing nothing about it and you will be blown away.
Final Thoughts: I have never experienced such suspense in a horror film. The tension was at an all time high. It was like balancing on the mouth of hell just waiting for it to open up and suck you in. Also, the lead male is great eye candy! The “found footage” style of filming is getting really old, but works brilliantly for this movie.
The film opens with a young Maleficent exploring an enchanted forest/swamp called the Mores (spelling?). The special effects are top notch when it comes to the world surrounding Maleficent. Popping, vibrant colors. Seeing it on an IMAX screen in 3D just really made you feel like you were in the Mores. This is when we are introduced to the new back story for Maleficent. Maleficent meets a young boy (who turns out to be a young King Stefan, but more on that later). The two quickly fall for each other.
Quite a few years pass when Stefan returns to the Mores to see Maleficent. Now this is when things get a little sticky. *some spoilers to follow, but nothing huge*. Maleficent is overjoyed that Stefan came back to her. They fall “madly in love”. While sitting on a ledge overlooking the Mores, Stefan hands Maleficent something to drink. Within seconds she is asleep. Yes, you read that correctly. Stefan “roofies” Maleficent, only to chop her wings off once she is asleep. Sounds a little date rape-y if you ask me. I’m sure it goes right over little kids heads, but I’m also sure the adults picked up on it. This type of situation isn’t something Disney would normally tackle. I’ll come back to this point later.
Stefan cuts Maleficent’s wings off to trick the King into believing Maleficent is dead. The reward for completing such a task? Stefan becomes the new King.
Another time jump. King Stefan is married, and they just had a baby. Sound familiar? This next scene was one of the most magical in the whole movie. As a kid you remember watching the christening scene in the animated movie. Now just picture it with live action characters. It was like the animated movie had come to life in the realest way possible. Word for word, movement for movement. It was brilliant. Here is where we finally get to see Angelina Jolie in all her Maleficent glory, and it is nothing short of amazing, magical, phenomenal, epic, iconic.
The movie continues to be everything it could be. My favorite scenes were the ones between Maleficent and a young Aurora (played by one of Angelina Jolie’s children).
The rest of the movie is equally as good as everything before it. My only complaint would be that it seemed a bit rushed. With a 97 minute run time, you can’t help but imagine what they could have done with an extra 20-30 minutes. I didn’t want this movie to end. I’ve been following the film since it was first announced a few years ago and I was so so so so satisfied. It really was everything you could want from a retelling of one of the most iconic movie characters of all time.
Final Thoughts: DO NOT WAIT FOR THE DVD! Go see this in theaters! IMAX 3D if possible. Angelina Jolie is perfection. Enjoy it while it lasts, because it’s over in the blink of an eye.
