Could the Darkness of Chris Brown and Rihanna's Situation Stay Black or Evolve into Something Red Hot?

As most of us know, Chris Brown was arrested a week ago today for domestic violence with Rihanna(Click here for some of his statements about the incident), apparently hospitalizing Rihanna and causing both her and Brown to miss the Grammy Awards, where they were both nominated and put on schedule to perform.

Although this is a terrible incident, it makes me wonder whether or not this will, in fact, improve their upcoming careers as musicians. I'd like to believe that musicians compose their music and lyrics through feeling and life experiences. If this is true, will Brown or Rihanna end up writing a song about this? Although it would be extremely personal for both of them, I have a strong feeling that any single released about the situation would top the billboards without a doubt (especially because they're both extremely popular artists). Even if they don't release a song about the situation, i can already see the press releasing comments like, "Chris Brown's first single since his arrest..." or "Rihanna finally back in the recording studio after her tragic assault...".

Regardless of what is in the future for both artists, I suppose the silver lining could be the potential popularity for both of the artists. All we have left to do is wait for the new music to be released by either one or both of them, and see where that takes their careers.

As Promised...

For the most part, the new Red Jumpsuit Apparatus CD, "Lonely Road" is disappointing. Their first album, "Don't You Fake It" completely blew my mind away, causing extremely high expectations for their new and long awaited album.

My two favorite songs, also the two early released tracks from the album, are "You Better Pray" and "Pen and Paper". They both relate to some of the central themes of the album, to be yourself and not be afraid of what other people think of who that person is, and to do what you want and have fun while you're alive because you can't relive any second of what you've already lived. These two tracks along with "Senioritis" and "Pull Me Back" are more upbeat songs compared to the rest of the album's more low key, slow tempoed vibe.

One thing RJA fans will never have to worry about is the band having mediocre lyrics with little meaning. Although the album is not as impressive as the one before it, the meanings and lyrics to the songs are still as rich as ever. "Believe" talks about changing the world and how we shouldn't give up on people, great message. Another lyrically complex song, "Pull Me Back", thanks God (without completely coming out with it), along with begging to keep them on the right track in life.

My final thought on the album is that it's completely up to your personal choice. Most of the songs on the CD are slower paced, which will appeal to some listeners, and turn off others. On the contrary, there are also some upbeat songs on the album that could hold your attention. The lyrics are still deep, and although some of the vocal stylings have changed, it still sounds like Ronnie Winter. It isn't as good as their first album, which will eventually hurt them as a band, but from interpreting their lyrics I doubt that will bother them too much.

I wish the best for The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, and I still consider them a good band.

For more:
A thorough review on the album click here
For lyrics and other thoughts of the album, as well as other songs they have click here

BLINK 182 BACK TOGETHER!!!!!!!!!

YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Ehem, I guess the more formal way to say that would be how exciting! But I can't contain my excitement.
Almost as exciting as meeting Morgan Freeman's brother a few weeks ago, which I did at a Panera.
Anyways, I thought I'd share my excitement with the rest of the world. Or at least anyone who reads this blog, which is probably only Mrs. Lester (PS I just did this as a bonus, so please only grade the bottom two haha)

OKAY
More Grammy time.
Hope everyone had a good weekend! :)

The Grammy's > Promises...Well At Least This Week They Are

OK I know I said I'd make comments about the new RJA album (which is pretty good), but I'm sitting in on the most comfortable couch in my house, about ten feet away from our TV, trying to keep myself from drooling over Justin Timberlake, so I decided I'd write about what I think about the Grammy's..or at least from what I've seen so far.

First off, I'm not completely satisfied with The Rock, or I guess now he prefers being called by his real name, Dwayne Johnson, being one of the starting speakers. He's OK but they could have done better. Especially because he was introducing Justin Timberlake (aka my future husband, well i actually have a lot of those so i guess he's just one of the lucky men on the list). Oh well, not many people will remember him after the incredible collaboration Timberlake and Al Green just sang.

Also, CONGRATULATIONS JENNIFER HUDSON!!!! I could not be happier for her. After all she's been through this year with her life and her family, she deserves this kind of reward for her hard work. Hudson is someone we should all be looking up to, not bad actresses or singers or both..like Miley Cyrus (you'll eventually catch on to the fact that I'd rather crucify myself than listen to twenty seconds of her music). She's performing later on the show and I'm excited to hear her sing, i always get goosebumps after she performs.

And speaking of performances, Kerry Underwood completely rocked her song. I've watched the idol since the season she competed and I've loved her ever since. She's already won a Grammy tonight for the song that she sang just now, "Last Name", which I happen to adore (the lyrics are hysterical). We'll see if we hear more from her later in the awards show.

There's tons left of the Grammy's tonight, but I'm getting off to enjoy it myself. I'll write about the RJA album next post...and this time I mean it. But hey, it's the Grammy's, there had to be an exception.

Good luck to all the nominees! Check back soon for RJA :)


Anything you'd want to know about the 51st Grammys

NEW RED JUMPSUIT CD!!! - part one

The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus's first CD, Don't You Fake It, went platinum with a five star rating. I personally LOVED the CD. The vocals were great and most of the lyrics hit you deep.

Just this Tuesday, February 3rd, the band came out with a new and highly anticipated CD, entitled Lonely Road. In late 2008 and early 2009 the band released two singles from the album ("You Better Pray" and "Pen & Paper"). The singles were highly praised by some and rejected by others. "You Better Pray" is a good song. Although it's not too similar to the other songs from RJA, i still liked the vocals and electric guitar playing the music. "Pen & Paper" is also exceptional. I liked the main singer, Ronnie Winter, here a lot and i think he did a good job of singing it.

With high expectations, the band released the CD. Although so far it only has a rating on iTunes, but we'll see if these ratings increase. Although I haven't heard the CD in its entirety yet, I feel like its one of those CD's that you start to love after you listen to it a lot.

I'll be back tomorrow (after i listen to the whole CD again) with more about the tracks on the new CD!

A Little Bit of Country...

The Rascal Flatts have been one of the top country artists since their first self titled album in 2000. Founded in Columbus, Ohio, these big country music stars have worked their way to the top with songs like "Skin", "What Hurts the Most", and "Fast Cars and Freedom".

Their latest album released, Rascal Flatts: Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 (Remastered), was rated a big five stars on iTunes and won over the hard-core Flatts Fans. Although the remastered songs kept their fans happy, they're soon to come out with a new CD, titled Unstoppable, sometime this year. Their song, "Here Comes Goodbye", from the new album was released on the radio on January 20th of this year, but no other tracks have been officially released from the band.

Their album is highly anticipated and their music is incredibly appreciated in the country music world.

Don't You Feel Good When Local Bands Get All The Way To iTunes? I Do.

The Fastest Kid Alive originated in the Chicagoland area a few years back, and have been playing shows ever since. Their first and only demo album on iTunes, "Listen Up!", released last May with a rating of four and a half stars, and their newest single, a cover of Cyndi Lauper's "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" was released last November.

The most popular song on the demo, "Dance With a Match" suprisingly decent. Although the music in the back are a little unoriginal, it's a good start for the potentially famous band. Their other songs have an All Time Low kind of sound to them, and the singer's voice isn't all that bad at all.

Their cover of the ever-famous 1984 classic is also pretty good. It adds an upbeat vibe to it, and BY FAR beats Miley Cyrus' remake of the song. Then again, almost anything could beat something Miley Cyrus sings...Anyway, the remake is pretty popular on iTunes and with the fans (just January 30th they themed their show, Crazy For the 80's Night, after this single) and is played at most of their shows.

With their almost 50,000 friends on Myspace and their 27 upcoming shows in eleven different states, i wouldn't doubt they'll eventually rock their way into more stardom and hopefully more releases on iTunes!