[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]
The cast of “Glee” must have a blast, because their job—and the show—is essentially glorified karaoke. The success in terms of sales for the soundtracks is impressive, and songs from both the ’80s and of last week get a temporary lease on new life after exposure on the show. Justin Bieber songs, on the other hand, don’t need “Glee” to help its popularity… but in this case, may make them more bearable. Chord Overstreet, who plays the all-American, ripped-straight-out-of-a-Hollister-ad golden boy Sam, makes the the ’00s teenybopper anthem “Baby” a little less squeaky, a little less pre-pubescent.
…. What, you thought Bieber Fever ended last year? I DARE you to listen to this and not get it stuck in your head for the next week. (You’re welcome.)
[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]
Finally, finally, finally: Corinne Bailey Rae drops her new EP of covers. Her version of Bob Marley’s “Is This Love” comes off a tinge woeful and hits you right where it should with its strong, soulful melodic imprint. “Lovely” is an overused word to describe CBR songs — but hey, it is what it is. Just in time for Valentine’s Day, love?
[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]
John Legend’s latest CD is disappointingly not an album full of husky crooning and subtly smoldering R&B grooves. Instead, Wake Up! is full of “socially conscious” songs from the ’60s and ’70s that Legend wants to apply to the current American political climate. The title track is a faithful cover of the original by Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes—maybe too faithful, because it adds no new flavor, and I found myself skipping over the original to listen to the 2010 upgrade.
Luckily, the final track on the CD is this live in-studio performance that sounds just as flawless as the album cut, if not better—John Legend always sounds less delicate, less sweet, and more raw (read: better) without the final polish of studio post-production magic.
