Post View Tuesdays

Last Tuesday (December 7, 2010) - "Last Tuesday" is what you get when I keep missing the preview for the upcoming Tuesday. Anyhoo, here are the albums that came out last week that I totally didn't see coming, or I saw coming but totally didn't mention that I saw coming, in which case it just looks like I didn't see it coming even though I totally did...

1. Natasha Bedingfield, "Strip Me" - Wow, what a title! It's not what you think, though. The title track, and the video that goes with it, don't speak to anything salacious. It's more about seeing the person underneath the trappings of life - materialism, role playing, and the like. I am totally on board with Bedingfield's voice. I'm not quite on board with the production that I've heard so far. But I've only heard the title track. Hopefully, the rest of the album isn't as generic and nondescript as that track.

2. Daft Punk, "Tron Legacy" - This is the soundtrack to the movie based on the old Tron stuff from the '80s. I'm excited about Daft Punk doing anything. I'm not so excited about the movie. Seems like yet another way to cash in on ideas that have already been sold a few times in the past. There was a Tron movie, I think, back in the day, with merchandise to go along with it. Now here it comes again. It's like detergent. You get the original detergent. Then they come out with the lemon scented kind. Then there's the detergent that has fabric softener added to it. Then they sell you the one with a color safe bleach. Then they sell you another type in a goofy-shaped bottle. Then they sell it to you in individual sizes or family sizes. Then they have one that has a festive, holiday scent, like fresh pine cones. On and on...But Daft Punk - yeah, dig them.

3. Deadmau5, "4x4=12" -  Basically, it's like this: Joel Zimmerman, a Canadian DJ, is dropping a DJ-album. That *should* mean it's going to be built around previously released tracks, probably from other artists, and they will flow together in an interesting mix. Which *should* mean you can dance to it. Which *should* mean that sequence and mood and tempo will be paramount. Which *should* mean some thought will have gone into it. Which *should* mean it's not slapped together. Which *should* mean you'll dig it. But maybe not.

4. Duffy, "Endlessly" - Duffy is the blond and Welsh singer who is delivering her second album. Gotta admit, I didn't love her first one, but it wasn't because the songs weren't well written or well executed. I actually thought they were. I'm not a fan of her voice is all. It's a little too sandpapery and squeaky for my delicate ears. I don't see her voice changing much for the second album, so I don't think I'll be a fan. Her style often gets lumped into the same category as Amy Winehouse, although I'm not totally convinced the comparisons are apt. What I am convinced of is that neither of these women should be bundled under the label "neo soul", and that's what a lot of critics are doing. Don't believe the hype.

5. T.I., "No Mercy" - I'm interested in this. I actually own a copy of this. I've only listened to three songs so far. What I heard, I liked a lot more than I expected to. Not because I dislike T.I.; I've grown to enjoy his style and even his southern accent. I just thought this album would sound a little rushed, but so far, so good. I might have to say more about this as I listen to it.

6. Hinder, "All American Nightmare" - I'm interested, but I'm not sure why.

7. Jessica Simpson, "Happy Christmas" - Jessica Simpson? Hmmm...okay.  Christmas music? Bah, humbug.

8. Adam Lambert, "Acoustic Live!" EP - An idol from American Idol brings another release. I'm not really big on listening to American Idol contestants once they're done with the show, so I don't see myself getting into this. I'm not sure why I tie the singers so close to the show, but that's how it comes out. It's not fair, but it is what it is. I do, however, think Adam Lambert is talented.

9. Plain White T's, "Wonders of the Younger" - I'm completely not interested, but I'm not sure why.

10. Charlie Wilson, "Just Charlie" - Charlie Wilson was a member of the R&B-funk outfit The Gap Band. I dig the Gap Band tremendously. Charlie Wilson on his own? I like the idea that he is making music. I've even heard some of it. I've even kinda liked what I heard. But I'm always kind of "meh" about it. Can't figure out why. Wilson has done a great job keeping himself somewhat plugged in through hanging out with rappers and doing hooks for them and singing in the background on their records. Snoop seems to love him, so, yeah.