Hi everyone,
Hope you're all good - working hard and playing harder!
As I'm sure you're all aware, Adele released her highly-anticipated sophomore album on Monday. For those who follow my tweets will know how much I love and admire Adele - I was so excited to buy the album. I had been waiting for that day to come since the release was announced in December.
For anyone remotely interested in music, save yourself the trouble of reading reviews and just buy this CD. It does not need any comparisons with '19' or the work of other artists. This is a standalone album - probably in hindsight it will be one of, if not the album of the decade. The songwriting and production are amazing, and it comes with emotional highs you will struggle to find elsewhere. Too late for Christmas, but an inspirational start to 2011.
Having already sold and incredible 100,000 copies in the U.K since its release two days ago, Adele has shown that there are people out there who appreciate real, good music. I salute every one of you!
'21' is a real music lover's album - forget all this tacky pop rubbish (Yes, you, Kesha). '21' is an album to cherish and immerse yourself into. I usually buy downloads, but I knew that '21' would be such a special and rare album that I had to buy the physical CD so I could touch the magic and pop it in the CD player whenever I feel like some great music. When I first played 'Set Fire To The Rain' I nearly cried as it encompasses so much emotion, with the sound so moving yet so enchanting and inspiring.
'Someone Like You' is such a calming track - just close your eyes and let your imagination guide you as Adele's powerful, yet soft, voice gives the song multiple dimensions.
This album really is worth the money - it's the best £7.99 you'll spend this year! Support great music.
Share you thoughts on '21' with me on Twitter. Tell me your favourite track etc.
Peace and love.
Until next time!
X :)
Wednesday, 26 January 2011
Monday, 10 January 2011
True Talent Shines Through
Hey y'all,
Hope your new year is going well so far!? Been following my advice in the last blog no doubt?! hehe, yes, I'm a part-time agony aunt.
I was in the car the other day and was listening to a radio interview with Jessie J. She was talking about her struggle to get where she is, but also her success as a songwriter - she co-wrote Miley Cyrus' 'Part in the USA' - and she's only 22. To date, she's written over 150 songs - really inspirational (I have to confess, the ink has run dry lately) Some of you may not be a fan of Jessie's first single 'Do it like a dude' (I LOVE it) but her next single 'Price Tag' is more toned down and has a great meaning to it - I can relate to it so much, as it voices my opinions so accurately. Check it out!
For me artists should be able to sing properly, but also write their own songs, and perform effectively too - these are the artists who get my money. I am a huge believer in artists writing their own songs, as music is about telling a story, and you can only do that if you've written the song yourself. I have big respect for Adele as she writes DEEP and is a great singer. She may not create pop stompers but she really sells the emotion.
On the other hand, I have no respect for Cheryl Cole as an 'artist' as she doesn't write her own songs, can't sing, but scrapes by in the performing stakes. She swans up to the recording studio, lays down some vocals and then vanishes off in her private jet to LA whilst the producers save the day with auto tune. Cheryl has been extremely lucky to be where she is - in theory she should still be a waitress in Newcastle. I'm probably just traditional, and not in touch with the modern way of music, but i love raw, spontaneous music from the heart. It seems these days, you no longer need to be able to sing to have a Number 1 just the right personality and a mainstream pop song - it's sad really. Like Jessie J says, music shouldn't be about money, it's a way of expression.
I love Alexandra Burke too, as she, in my opinion, is the best female vocalist in the UK.
Jessie J can write, sing and perform! I love the story behind her, it's really humbling.
Share your thoughts on this topic!
All for now people.
Adele's new album '21' is out on the 24th - support real music, forget Cheryl bloody Cole!
Peace and Love
xXx :)
Hope your new year is going well so far!? Been following my advice in the last blog no doubt?! hehe, yes, I'm a part-time agony aunt.
I was in the car the other day and was listening to a radio interview with Jessie J. She was talking about her struggle to get where she is, but also her success as a songwriter - she co-wrote Miley Cyrus' 'Part in the USA' - and she's only 22. To date, she's written over 150 songs - really inspirational (I have to confess, the ink has run dry lately) Some of you may not be a fan of Jessie's first single 'Do it like a dude' (I LOVE it) but her next single 'Price Tag' is more toned down and has a great meaning to it - I can relate to it so much, as it voices my opinions so accurately. Check it out!
For me artists should be able to sing properly, but also write their own songs, and perform effectively too - these are the artists who get my money. I am a huge believer in artists writing their own songs, as music is about telling a story, and you can only do that if you've written the song yourself. I have big respect for Adele as she writes DEEP and is a great singer. She may not create pop stompers but she really sells the emotion.
On the other hand, I have no respect for Cheryl Cole as an 'artist' as she doesn't write her own songs, can't sing, but scrapes by in the performing stakes. She swans up to the recording studio, lays down some vocals and then vanishes off in her private jet to LA whilst the producers save the day with auto tune. Cheryl has been extremely lucky to be where she is - in theory she should still be a waitress in Newcastle. I'm probably just traditional, and not in touch with the modern way of music, but i love raw, spontaneous music from the heart. It seems these days, you no longer need to be able to sing to have a Number 1 just the right personality and a mainstream pop song - it's sad really. Like Jessie J says, music shouldn't be about money, it's a way of expression.
I love Alexandra Burke too, as she, in my opinion, is the best female vocalist in the UK.
Jessie J can write, sing and perform! I love the story behind her, it's really humbling.
Share your thoughts on this topic!
All for now people.
Adele's new album '21' is out on the 24th - support real music, forget Cheryl bloody Cole!
Peace and Love
xXx :)
Sunday, 2 January 2011
New Year Motivation
Hey Guys,
I hope you all had a fun and relaxing Christmas and partied hard at new years - I know I did!!
I just wanted to write to you all to spread some inspiration and motivation for the next 12 months (and beyond)
We should all live our lives as if today was our last - do what you want to do, when you want, and don't let others get you down! Don't hold grudges either - especially with the ones closest to you - imagine if they died or became ill, you would regret ever holding a grudge against that person. Try hard to iron out any conflicts as soon as you can - let the ones you love, know that you love them. Treat others how you would want to be treated yourself. My approach to how I treat others is simple: Imagine one day that you got seriously ill and needed a blood transfusion or a bone marrow transplant for example, you should treat that stranger in the street as if they could be a potential life saver - show respect and thought - even if you don't know them. That doesn't mean to say you should let others walk all over you, but you also shouldn't be cruel. You should should respect to others all the time, not just around Christmas. Christmas time is proof that strangers can be thoughtful to others, so why not extend your kindness to all year round?!
Everyone has dreams, but not everyone chases them and achieves them. You all have the power to achieve whatever you want to. I always look at my goals like this: "Why should YOU have this job/lifestyle and not me?" That gives me the determination and motivation to achieve my goals and prove people wrong. Fellow humans are the only ones who stand in the way of you achieving your dreams. Why should they and not you? Prove to them that you are the best and don't ever give up! Hard work and determination is more important than bits of paper. It's not always about what you know, it's about who you know - so keep others on side. Remember, you can do whatever you want, and no one can stop you achieving what you want. Make the right decisions everyday - don't act without thinking - this way your 2011 can be the best year ever!
That's all for now
Peace and love
xXxXxXxX << :)
I hope you all had a fun and relaxing Christmas and partied hard at new years - I know I did!!
I just wanted to write to you all to spread some inspiration and motivation for the next 12 months (and beyond)
We should all live our lives as if today was our last - do what you want to do, when you want, and don't let others get you down! Don't hold grudges either - especially with the ones closest to you - imagine if they died or became ill, you would regret ever holding a grudge against that person. Try hard to iron out any conflicts as soon as you can - let the ones you love, know that you love them. Treat others how you would want to be treated yourself. My approach to how I treat others is simple: Imagine one day that you got seriously ill and needed a blood transfusion or a bone marrow transplant for example, you should treat that stranger in the street as if they could be a potential life saver - show respect and thought - even if you don't know them. That doesn't mean to say you should let others walk all over you, but you also shouldn't be cruel. You should should respect to others all the time, not just around Christmas. Christmas time is proof that strangers can be thoughtful to others, so why not extend your kindness to all year round?!
Everyone has dreams, but not everyone chases them and achieves them. You all have the power to achieve whatever you want to. I always look at my goals like this: "Why should YOU have this job/lifestyle and not me?" That gives me the determination and motivation to achieve my goals and prove people wrong. Fellow humans are the only ones who stand in the way of you achieving your dreams. Why should they and not you? Prove to them that you are the best and don't ever give up! Hard work and determination is more important than bits of paper. It's not always about what you know, it's about who you know - so keep others on side. Remember, you can do whatever you want, and no one can stop you achieving what you want. Make the right decisions everyday - don't act without thinking - this way your 2011 can be the best year ever!
That's all for now
Peace and love
xXxXxXxX << :)
Sunday, 12 December 2010
X Factor Final
So, the latest series of the UK's biggest TV show will reach its climax this evening, with either Matt, Rebecca or One Direction walking away with the mega bucks deal and all the trappings. But is that really such a good thing? I am a huge supporter of Matt - and his band Seven Summers - he is seriously talented and has filled a gap in the music industry. But, controversially, I don't want him to win the show. In the past few series, the finalists have proved that you don't need to win - and that all you need is the right songs, hard work and a bit of determination. JLS and Olly Murs have undoubtedly been more successful than their victors. Furthermore, Matt doesn't conform to Simon Cowell's stereotypical 'mainstream pop act' image, instead treading his own path and bringing his own creativity and style to the table. I hope One Direction win - not because I am a huge fan, but becuase they reflect Cowell's vision. I predict that they WILL win, due to the amount of screaming female fans who look no further than their good looks. The X Factor provides all contestants with an amazing platform, having been watched and admired by millions of television viewers. It's what they do once the show has ended, and the hype dies down, that will determine how successful they become. I would advise them to continue to grow their fanbase - be it Twitter, Facebook etc - and they must FEED their fans (releasing new material, doing gigs etc) or their following will rapidly decline as fans become bored of waiting (Laura White - who I love, by the way. Yes, I want to be a music manager! haha
All four finalists are great in their own right, and I can see, for once, that they will all be successful as they can each contribute something new to the industry.
So, everyone, vote for One Direction: 0901 61 61 103 but give Matt all your love and support once the show has ended! :)
This Week's Top 10 has to be:
What's My Name? - Rihanna&Drake
There's A Place For Us - Joe McElderry
Raining Men - Rihanna & Nicki Minaj
Perfect - Alexandra Burke
Lose My Mind - The Wanted
Hold My Hand - MJ & Akon
The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face - Leona Lewis
Deja Vu - Beyonce & Jay-Z
Don't Say Goodbye - Olly Murs
Busy - Olly Murs
p.s. I thought Rihanna's performance of 'What's My Name?' on X Factor last night was incredible! Go Rih Rih!
That's all folks
Peace and Love!
xx
All four finalists are great in their own right, and I can see, for once, that they will all be successful as they can each contribute something new to the industry.
So, everyone, vote for One Direction: 0901 61 61 103 but give Matt all your love and support once the show has ended! :)
This Week's Top 10 has to be:
What's My Name? - Rihanna&Drake
There's A Place For Us - Joe McElderry
Raining Men - Rihanna & Nicki Minaj
Perfect - Alexandra Burke
Lose My Mind - The Wanted
Hold My Hand - MJ & Akon
The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face - Leona Lewis
Deja Vu - Beyonce & Jay-Z
Don't Say Goodbye - Olly Murs
Busy - Olly Murs
p.s. I thought Rihanna's performance of 'What's My Name?' on X Factor last night was incredible! Go Rih Rih!
That's all folks
Peace and Love!
xx
Tuesday, 30 November 2010
The Murs
Hi Everyone,
Had to put a post on here: I am buzzing about Olly Murs' debut album - it's actually really good! It's position on the iTunes chart reflects this too. I'm really pleased it's No.1 on iTunes at the moment.
My favourite songs are 'A Million More Years' , 'Don't Say Goodbye' and 'Busy.'
I rarely buy whole albums, usually just a couple of my favourite tracks, but Olly's captivated me from first listening and just HAD to buy it!
It again proves that you don't have to win the X Factor to be successful, so stop the whinging, Cher! haha.
I hope everyone's enjoying their time in the snow, I've got hardly any which sucks.
Thanks for reading - short but sweet.
Forgot to add: Everyone follow @JoeHousleyMusic on twitter! He's really talented and I would actually love to manage him in the future. He's gonna be huge! :)
Peace :) xx
Had to put a post on here: I am buzzing about Olly Murs' debut album - it's actually really good! It's position on the iTunes chart reflects this too. I'm really pleased it's No.1 on iTunes at the moment.
My favourite songs are 'A Million More Years' , 'Don't Say Goodbye' and 'Busy.'
I rarely buy whole albums, usually just a couple of my favourite tracks, but Olly's captivated me from first listening and just HAD to buy it!
It again proves that you don't have to win the X Factor to be successful, so stop the whinging, Cher! haha.
I hope everyone's enjoying their time in the snow, I've got hardly any which sucks.
Thanks for reading - short but sweet.
Forgot to add: Everyone follow @JoeHousleyMusic on twitter! He's really talented and I would actually love to manage him in the future. He's gonna be huge! :)
Peace :) xx
Sunday, 21 November 2010
Sooner or later in life, the things you love you lose
Hey all,
I've had the laziest, most relaxing 3 days EVER! I did some Christmas shopping in London - OUCH! haha. I went to my Cousin's school Fayre on Friday and I have to be honest - it was rubbish. There was no Father Christmas, No Christmas music, no Christmas tree - it was so depressing! I don't see why they can't do it December...
My iTunes bill came through to my inbox yesterday - £43.75. Should probably cut down a lil.
I chose to call this blog 'Sooner or later in life, the things you love you lose' because they're really powerful words and come from a great song!
My current top 10 songs this week are (In no particular order!):
Happiness - Alexis Jordan
Hello - Beyonce
Love You More - JLS
Overcome - Alexandra Burke
Raining Men - Rihanna & Nicki Minaj
Safe - Westlife
Shine A Light - McFly & Taio Cruz
The Silence - Alexandra Burke
Your Song - Ellie Goulding
Thinking of Me/Sophie - Olly Murs
What are you top 10s this week?
My Album of the week has to be 'Some Kind Of Trouble' James Blunt - It's a really great mix of up-tempo and slow songs and has a good variety of material on there.
This year's X Factor finalists needn't worry if they don't win the competition, as JLS and Olly Murs have proven. JLS came second to Alexandra Burke, who has done well, but have sold nearly double the number of albums than her. Olly Murs' lead single of his debut album went straight to number one, with Joe's stuggling at number 6. Joe's album has dropped out of the iTunes album chart like a lead balloon, along with his single 'Ambitions'. Olly's single 'Please Don't Let Me Go' is sitting tight at number 65 after 3 months in the chart. So statistically, whoever wins will flop, and whoever comes second will triumph eventually. I can imagine them all backstage crying their eyes out 'No, I don't want to win, Mary, you win.... please, not me.' and so on.
Isn't Ellie Goulding doing well at the moment!?! Just goes to show, whoever you are, all you need is the right song. Her debut project didn't do spectacularly well - I didn't know she could sing until I heard 'Your Song' - I thought she was another auto-tune addict. Hopefully her second album will detract from the 'electro' vibe and focus on her vocals more - a bit like Adele.
That's all for now folks, have a great week. I'm looking forward to watching T4's Stars of 2010 at 2:25 this afternoon! Come join me!
Peace xx
I've had the laziest, most relaxing 3 days EVER! I did some Christmas shopping in London - OUCH! haha. I went to my Cousin's school Fayre on Friday and I have to be honest - it was rubbish. There was no Father Christmas, No Christmas music, no Christmas tree - it was so depressing! I don't see why they can't do it December...
My iTunes bill came through to my inbox yesterday - £43.75. Should probably cut down a lil.
I chose to call this blog 'Sooner or later in life, the things you love you lose' because they're really powerful words and come from a great song!
My current top 10 songs this week are (In no particular order!):
Happiness - Alexis Jordan
Hello - Beyonce
Love You More - JLS
Overcome - Alexandra Burke
Raining Men - Rihanna & Nicki Minaj
Safe - Westlife
Shine A Light - McFly & Taio Cruz
The Silence - Alexandra Burke
Your Song - Ellie Goulding
Thinking of Me/Sophie - Olly Murs
What are you top 10s this week?
My Album of the week has to be 'Some Kind Of Trouble' James Blunt - It's a really great mix of up-tempo and slow songs and has a good variety of material on there.
This year's X Factor finalists needn't worry if they don't win the competition, as JLS and Olly Murs have proven. JLS came second to Alexandra Burke, who has done well, but have sold nearly double the number of albums than her. Olly Murs' lead single of his debut album went straight to number one, with Joe's stuggling at number 6. Joe's album has dropped out of the iTunes album chart like a lead balloon, along with his single 'Ambitions'. Olly's single 'Please Don't Let Me Go' is sitting tight at number 65 after 3 months in the chart. So statistically, whoever wins will flop, and whoever comes second will triumph eventually. I can imagine them all backstage crying their eyes out 'No, I don't want to win, Mary, you win.... please, not me.' and so on.
Isn't Ellie Goulding doing well at the moment!?! Just goes to show, whoever you are, all you need is the right song. Her debut project didn't do spectacularly well - I didn't know she could sing until I heard 'Your Song' - I thought she was another auto-tune addict. Hopefully her second album will detract from the 'electro' vibe and focus on her vocals more - a bit like Adele.
That's all for now folks, have a great week. I'm looking forward to watching T4's Stars of 2010 at 2:25 this afternoon! Come join me!
Peace xx
Sunday, 14 November 2010
X Factor
Tonight's X Factor was a strange one. I was really excited for JLS to be back on stage singing their new single 'Love You More'. But the main event - Take That's comeback performance - didn't really live up to all the hype, and was, to be frank, a bit of an anti-climax. I feel that the magic isn't there any more and the band appear very fragile and are treading on egg shells around Robbie, which makes watching them perform quite awkward and uncomfortable. With regards to Westlife's performance, I thought it wasn't memorable or particularly spectacular - the song is a little one-sided towards Shane, whose vocals are great, just a little dominating...
Aiden's SHOCK eviction tonight really got me angry - but also reinforced my belief that I could make it as a 'mystic meg' afterall, as I, no lies, predicted that it would be sent to deadlock and Aiden would be sent home. This show is clearly a fix (what's the point?) and the producers are losing their ability to cover it up now. I was gutted for Aiden because it's so unfair that Katie has been in the bottom two like 5 times now, yet is still kept in the competition. She's clearly not popular, so why take her any further?!? Becuase it's fixed. The shock brought memories of the amazing Laura White back to me as I remember when she was evicted I cried for ages and was so angry that someone so talented went so early. I just hope that Aiden uses his exposure more wisely than Laura did, as most people have forgotten about her now and she still hasn't released an album yet. Also, I think Wagner's continued presence on the show is actually really disrespectful to the other contestants who are really talented. I think Wagner/Vagner should be evicted next week to allow the others to compete properly without a gimmick like him there.
In other news, Susan Boyle's second album has gone to #1 - this time without all the hype and fuss. So well done to her. I think she should now go away for two years, enjoy her money and lifestyle, and write some original material for a third album. I don't know about anyone else, but all those covers are getting tiresome now. She should also do a tour as well for after the release of her third album.
Some topics I wanted to post last week, but couldn't due to time constraints and technical issues, are as follows:
Alexandra Burke has announced details for the re-package of her stunning debut album 'Overcome'. Two of the 'new' tracks - 'Perfect' and 'Before The Rain' - were leaked on youtube last year and I know all the words! And they expect me to buy them? That's a tad cheeky!
Cheryl Cole released her second album which, predictably, went to #1. I have bought a couple of the tracks - Amnesia, Promise This, The Flood and Everyone -and they all feel so rushed, with the lyrics being so transparent and sloppy. A good song should contain lyrics which are mysterious and deep - the lyrics in her songs are obvious, predictable and run-of-the-mill - and none of them were written by her! So she can't write songs or sing?!? How is this possible that she is 'one of the biggest stars in the UK'? It's quite disrespectful to real artists like Adele etc.
I am a big supporter of Matt Cardle's band 'Seven Summers' and am really pleased that people are buying their music and it's doing well on iTunes. So thanks to everyone who has bought it!
I'm sorry if this blog is a bit long! I just have a lot to say tonight! I promise they won't be this long in future, hopefully!
Thanks so much for reading - comment, tell your friends, and that!
Have a great week, catch up soon!
Big Love xx
Aiden's SHOCK eviction tonight really got me angry - but also reinforced my belief that I could make it as a 'mystic meg' afterall, as I, no lies, predicted that it would be sent to deadlock and Aiden would be sent home. This show is clearly a fix (what's the point?) and the producers are losing their ability to cover it up now. I was gutted for Aiden because it's so unfair that Katie has been in the bottom two like 5 times now, yet is still kept in the competition. She's clearly not popular, so why take her any further?!? Becuase it's fixed. The shock brought memories of the amazing Laura White back to me as I remember when she was evicted I cried for ages and was so angry that someone so talented went so early. I just hope that Aiden uses his exposure more wisely than Laura did, as most people have forgotten about her now and she still hasn't released an album yet. Also, I think Wagner's continued presence on the show is actually really disrespectful to the other contestants who are really talented. I think Wagner/Vagner should be evicted next week to allow the others to compete properly without a gimmick like him there.
In other news, Susan Boyle's second album has gone to #1 - this time without all the hype and fuss. So well done to her. I think she should now go away for two years, enjoy her money and lifestyle, and write some original material for a third album. I don't know about anyone else, but all those covers are getting tiresome now. She should also do a tour as well for after the release of her third album.
Some topics I wanted to post last week, but couldn't due to time constraints and technical issues, are as follows:
Alexandra Burke has announced details for the re-package of her stunning debut album 'Overcome'. Two of the 'new' tracks - 'Perfect' and 'Before The Rain' - were leaked on youtube last year and I know all the words! And they expect me to buy them? That's a tad cheeky!
Cheryl Cole released her second album which, predictably, went to #1. I have bought a couple of the tracks - Amnesia, Promise This, The Flood and Everyone -and they all feel so rushed, with the lyrics being so transparent and sloppy. A good song should contain lyrics which are mysterious and deep - the lyrics in her songs are obvious, predictable and run-of-the-mill - and none of them were written by her! So she can't write songs or sing?!? How is this possible that she is 'one of the biggest stars in the UK'? It's quite disrespectful to real artists like Adele etc.
I am a big supporter of Matt Cardle's band 'Seven Summers' and am really pleased that people are buying their music and it's doing well on iTunes. So thanks to everyone who has bought it!
I'm sorry if this blog is a bit long! I just have a lot to say tonight! I promise they won't be this long in future, hopefully!
Thanks so much for reading - comment, tell your friends, and that!
Have a great week, catch up soon!
Big Love xx
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)