Review: Blake Shelton's Loaded: The Best of Blake Shelton

Here's some country music as seen on The Ram

Released Nov. 9, 2010 WB Nashville

Blake Shelton is not really that big of a name outside of the country music world. He has had minor success in the pop charts, but he doesn't quite compare to the likes of Lady Antebellum, Taylor Swift or Rascal Flatts. Shelton does not need the pop success, though, as he is one of the biggest superstars in all of country music. This was proven in the awards he took home this year, gaining recognition from the Academy of Country Music, Country Music Television and the Country Music Association for his hit "Hillbilly Bone" (with Trace Adkins). The CMA also named him Male Performer of the Year. He was the big winner who stole headlines that night along with his fiancé Miranda Lambert, who won several awards as well.

While his last studio album was released in 2008, Shelton returns with a treat for country music fans everywhere. Loaded: The Best of Blake Shelton is his compilation release for 2010. The album maps out his top hits from his storied ten-year career. Obviously this would satisfy any Blake Shelton fan and should make any country music fan very happy. However, this album can also serve as a good starter for anyone not familiar with him or even the genre.

The fifteen tracks include his first hit, the moving "Austin," his most recent release, "Who Are You When I'm Not Looking." A great touch by the producers of this album was to arrange the songs in chronological order. This allows the listener to follow his growth as a singer, songwriter and artist. The songs are all radio friendly and give a great country feel. The compilation has a great mix of his upbeat tunes as well as his thoughtful ballads. Each song highlights his smooth vocals with lyrics ranging from moving away from home to experiences chasing girls in Mexico.

Overall, this album is as solid as they can be. Armed with fifteen hits, you cannot really go wrong. While Blake Shelton's name doesn't bring the same recall as Keith Urban, one can appreciate his uncompromising effort to keep a traditional country sound in all of his songs. This is a purchase well worth the price for fans or those who are curious about modern country music.

RATING: 8/10

Here's one of the songs off the great compilation

Review: Eliza Doolittle

The British blitz continues with some Eliza Doolittle! As seen on The Ram

UK release July 12, 2010 Parlophone Records

Not to be confused with the fictional character of the same name, Eliza Doolittle is making waves across the pond. A little more real but no less Cockney than her fictional counterpart, Doolittle is one of Britain's young rising stars.  Her self-titled debut album has reached top three status in the UK and has entered the top ten in Ireland. Her singles "Skinny Genes" and "Pack Up" have also achieved chart success.

Doolittle's debut album is definitely a good one for fans of easy listening. Thirteen tracks strong, the album delivers a good mix of upbeat and mellow tracks that showcase her songwriting and vocal abilities. Each track plays to her strengths, and possess a very retro feel to them, while at always staying relevant. Her first two singles "Skinny Genes" and "Pack Up" are two of the stronger cuts off the album, but it is the fifth track titled "Mr. Medicine" that I think is the stand-out song on the record. "Police Car" and "Rollerblades" are also songs of note, but overall, her album is a satisfying one. Nothing about it is groundbreaking, but it is a sufficient introduction for the 22-year-old into mainstream pop.

While I feel like she will struggle to gain much notice in America compared to her native UK, Doolittle is still a very good artist, and worth a listen. She brings a unique sound, which can be described as a mix of Lily Allen's playfulness with Norah Jones' sophistication. A quick search on YouTube will generate tons of videos of her, and I honestly think that with a little bit of exposure and distribution, she can win over an American audience in the same vein as The Ting Tings or Natasha Bedingfield. Doolittle's debut effort is a good one, and should see her gain sustained success in the UK. Whether she'd be able to achieve crossover success is the big question. One thing's for sure; I'll be one of the people who'd welcome her music to American radio with open arms.

Check out her hit, "Pack Up"

Review: Cheryl Cole's Messy Little Raindrops

More from across the pond! As seen on my review on Fordham's The Ram

UK Release Nov. 1, 2010 Fascination Records

Cheryl Cole gained notoriety as a member of Girls Aloud and as Chelsea FC and England footballer Ashley Cole's (now ex) WAG (wives and girlfriends). She is one of the UK's biggest celebrities with her music career, personal life, and her gig as a judge of arguably the UK's most popular talent contest, The X Factor. After her highly publicized separation from the Chelsea fullback, Cheryl has been looking to make a name for herself. While not completely defecting from Girls Aloud, she has now focused on her solo career. Last summer saw her smash hit "Fight for this Love" reach number 1 in the charts along with her solo debut album Three Words.

She certainly didn't waste time in releasing her follow-up album a little over a year after. Cole doesn't have trouble producing hits or selling albums with the first single "Promise This" and the album reaching number one in the charts less than a week after the release. Cole teams up with an array of producers and artists that include will.i.am, Kelis and Travie McCoy.

The album as a whole, though, is decent at best. "Promise This" is a catchy enough tune, but pales in comparison to her solo debut a year ago. The rest of the album seems overly produced, with not a lot of substance. She only helped write two of the songs, and there seems to be an emotional disconnect with most of the tracks. It's a lot of filler songs, and judging by the time frame of the release, the album seems a bit rushed. Although she's known for her upbeat, poppy dance tracks, it's the two slower songs that seem to be the strongest on the album. "The Flood" and "Raindrops" are probably the only two with any sort of emotion and really flatter her vocals (that aren't that strong to begin with).

Messy Little Raindrops is not a bad album, but she can definitely do a lot better. She is not impressing anyone with this effort, and she should take time off her incredibly busy schedule and write her own songs (if she can). It has been reported that she just signed a $6 million deal with Universal Records last week, so we can expect to hear a lot more from her in the near future. She is likeable enough and has enough charisma, which is evident in her success. Now she just has to back it up with the music if she wants to be taken seriously as a solo artist.

RATING: 6/10


Check out the carrier single, "Promise This"

Review: Devlin's Bud, Sweat, and Beers

Some British-born rap. As seen on my weekly reviews for Fordham University's The Ram

UK release Oct. 29, 2010 Island Records/Universal

Devlin isn't someone you'll hear on basic American radio or television. You probably won't even hear him on American satellite radio, bar BBC Radio 1, where I first heard his single "Runaway." After hearing the song, I immediately got his album, and I was pretty impressed by what I heard. The 21-year-old Dagenham rapper has an interesting sound to him that is very different from the current set of hip-hop we here on this side of the Atlantic. Following the grime tradition of the genre, Devlin combines strong beats with his forceful and passionate rapping style and lyrics. He is one of the UK's fastest rising stars, and for good reason.

Think of Devlin as an unpolished Eminem with a fairly thick East London accent. After the American ear sifts through his initially confusing accent, one would discover a fairly sophisticated rapping style and play on words. He certainly has a lot to improve on and learn, but he is at a good place, considering his age. His beats are fairly standard, often generic, but he more than makes up for this with his lyrics. One part autobiographical, the other part social commentary, Devlin raps about his search for a big break and the goings-on in the world around him. "1989" is a great way to start his album as he raps about growing up and his passion for being an MC. "Brainwashed" deals with his search for fame and attempts at making the big time in a competitive British hip-hop scene. Perhaps the standout cut from his album is "Runaway" featuring London DJ Yasmin. Here you find out about Devlin's struggle to break out of life's monotonies and his ultimate choice to chase his dream. At the same time, he discovers the harsh realities of the real world and the sacrifices he'd have to deal with in order to reach his dream. Another great track is "Our Father" wherein Devlin takes God's point of view about the current goings on in the world, as well as his own take on current events. "If I was God I'd be cross that my son had to die on the cross."

Don't let the title fool you. Bud, Sweat, and Beers is a competent album that is a good listen. It's a great way for Devlin to break into the UK music scene. He's already seen some success, entering the top 20 in the UK album charts, and with his songs "Brainwashed" and "Runaway" doing well in the singles charts. If you're looking for a different kind of rap or want a sample of what hip hop is like across the pond, then Devlin is definitely someone you should give a listen to. His star is on the rise, and he can only get better.

RATING: 6.5/10


Check out his AWESOME single with Yasmin, "Runaway"