That too-full-but-oh-so-happy feeling

 

Today we give thanks… for about five minutes. Then we dive into third helpings of mashed potatoes and devour one too many slices of pumpkin pie. I’m talking about concentrated indulgence. Who can resist the unique flavors and time-tested consistency of each and every dish; from the kick in our sausage stuffing, to the new twist on apple pie, and of course the always delicious “green stuff?” For 21 years I’ve had the same thought, “that green stuff looks disgusting,” but each year, time and again, I end up relenting, “what IS this, and why is it soooo amazing???”

I think the varied traditions and new innovation of a modern Thanksgiving feast fits in well with mainstream music. First of all, there are a lot of Turkeys out there. (Sean Kingston????) We’re also seeing a lot of musicians bringing fresh people to the table, from different cultures and with different experiences to put together completely new and delicious sounds. For this, the ears of America and the world are very thankful.

I for one will try a helping of anything once. How else do you get to taste that new twist in the apple pie? For me this month its “As I Am” from Alicia Keys. Her music, inspired, this new album, amplified brilliance. She takes her vocals to an alternate level without leaving her core fans behind. Her hit, “No One,” even played during a set at a Dub Reggae night I recently attended. She’s pop, she’s soul, she’s jazz, she’s reggae. You can’t put your finger on the secret ingredient, but it is tasty.

This afternoon I saw the “green stuff” waiting in the fridge and I frowned. I was sure it was going to taste terrible, as always I was wrong. I feel the same way about T-Pain. I want to hate him SO bad. His voice is always computer enhanced and not all that unique or interesting, but the songs he collaborates on are surefire hits and more catchy than the autumn flu. Right now I’m digging his work on “Kiss Kiss,” with Chris Brown, “Good Life,” with Kanye West, and “Baby Don’t Go” with Fabolous. Like the initial turnoff of a dish that looks like fluffly sewage, T-pain seems awfully unsavory, but goes down real smooth.

I am feverishly looking forward to the full swing of Christmas. I already have my old favorites by my side, Wham’s “Last Christmas,” and Mariah Carey’s “All I want for Christmas is You.” I wouldn’t bet against “Love Actually” set to repeat in my DVD player. I also bring with me the new tastes and flavors I’ve explored during these fall months and those dropping just around the corner. Blake Lewis’ debut hits stores as advent calendars start counting down, and I have ADD just thinking about “Audio Day Dream.” The sound is totally unexpected. Like bringing a red curry to your grandma’s Thanksgiving feast. Its going to take over what Timbo and Kanye started this summer and bring pop music into a prolonged stage of euro-pop-dance-late 80’s- early 90’s-throwback anthems. Yum.

Each Thanksgiving I feel free. Free to bask guiltlessly in that too-full-but-oh-so-happy feeling. Free to purchase four weeks of Starbucks red cups while listening to Warm 106.9 Christmas classics. Free to indulge in my favorite artists and wander upon new ones breaking into the mainstream. Which artists will be back to see next year’s Thanksgiving? Who will be vetoed faster than overcooked yams?

I know only two things, 1. I hate overcooked yams. 2. There’s a piece of apple pie waiting for me in the kitchen. I’d better go eat that while I rock out to some Alicia Keys.

Happy Thanksgiving! Let’s indulge.

kanye, curtis and kenny

Let me tell you, Itunes blew up my email account last week. “Your pre-order is available for download…. Your pre-order is available for download….” Like I would forget to download the albums I’ve been waiting for all summer. Hardly.

At the end of the day, top honors go to Kanye West.

He is probably the worlds sorest loser and most habitually outspoken rap artist. Still, you gotta hand it to him, his outspoken music is groundbreaking and if he’s a sore loser, its not undeserved. This week he’s a winner where it counts. His second album, “Graduation”is #1 selling 971k copies, proving he is “Stronger” than the competition. His single of that name took the top spot and the new tune “Good Life,” also debuted impressively at #14.

50 Cent, who infamously promised to bow out of the solo spotlight if he lost the hyped head-to-head has not made a comment yet about his failure. On the other hand, just under 700k copies of “Curtis” flying off the shelves is not something to cry over. He may already have stumbled through three mediocre singles but, “Ayo Technology” with Justin “the savior” Timberlake is hitworthy. I’ve officially been converted, just call me “New Age.”

Third place and still strong goes to Kenny Chesney, country heart throb and former hubby to Renee Zellweger. I’m a big fan of “Wife and Kids,” a heart-breaking tribute to what he’s yet to accomplish in his life. Another winner for the most attractive bald man in the business.

In the world of 99 cent iTunes songs and AOL streaming music, its refreshing to watch the album make a comeback. Combined the three music studs sold almost two million records. Thats two million cd’s this week that people actually PAYED for. With real dollars and/or paypal clicks. Incredible.

The fall looks promising for music. I’m talking about you Celine, Mariah and Madonna.

Go ahead iTunes, fill up my inbox. I’m game.

Hey MTV: Play More Videos!

Well….. she finished.

That’s all I can say about Britney’s lackluster appearance at Sunday’s MTV Video Music Awards. It was more like a lazy walk-through in her underwear and the worst hair extensions known to man than a performance. Usually a performer bothers to lip-sync, or god forbid actually sing. Before the show, another new song leaked and it is fierce, but without some effort at the gym, hair salon, and with her psychiatrist Brit won’t even make it to her own Nov 13th release date.

Also dropping in November is the new Alicia Keys. She actually showed up for work last night bringing down the house to her single, “No One.” Another highlight came from Chris Brown’s Michael Jackson-esque routine across a sick stage made out of the audience tables. You know the VMAs suck when the best part is whats UNDER the performer’s feet. Chris, however, killed it.

The idea for this year’s awards was good. Move them to Vegas, party hard in the suites and gamble away the money from this summer’s arena tour. Let me tell you I’d have given my right pointer finger to attend JT & Timbo’s Southern Hospitality party. JT was the big man of the night. He walked away with two moonmen and closed the show that Brit barely opened with style. He even took a jab at MTV, challenging them to play more videos and less “Simpsons” (aka Ashlee and Jessica) reality shows. Ouch. Especially since the stars of “The Hills” presented him with the award. Now that’s funny. Take a cue Ms. Silverman.

Hot: JT, Timbo, Nelly Furtado, Kanye West, Chris Brown, Alicia Keys.

Not: BRITNEY, Sara Silverman, Rihanna (although she rocked out to “Shut Up and Drive” and her dress was to-die), Nicole from PCD, L’il Mama, and last but certainly not least…..the MTV VMA’s 2007.

Emmys Go Idol

Watch out Sutherland and Ferrera, you’re about to upstaged by the likes of Timberlake and Winehouse. Variety reports that the 59th annual Primetime Emmys will incorporate (as of yet unnamed) musical performances to celebrate television at its best.

After all, there’s nothing like the new Kanye jam to remind us of classic TV moments like that one scene in “Entourage” when Johnny accidentally sets the Hollywood mayor up with a transvestite. Two words: Emmy worthy.

Furthering the musical trend, Fox has bagged the biggest name in show business to host. I’m not referring to comedic heavyweights like Conan or Ellen, I’m obviously talking about the one and only Ryan. Ryan Seacrest (not a joke).

To be fair he does have hosting experience. Ryan currently leads the morning radio show “On Air with Ryan Seacrest”, “E! News Daily,” “American Idol,” AND is involved in a plethora of other projects including the halftime show of this years Super bowl (not a joke either), and last years Rockin’ New Years Eve. He even finds the time to fly to France for the Longoria/Parker nuptials and frolic on the beach with Teri Hatcher. This ridiculousness leads me toward two theories, that A) He’s a robot, or B) There are secretly three Ryan Secreasts. Honestly is there anything this guy doesn’t do????

Oh yes, that’s right- he doesn’t do comedy.

Ryan is really only good for a Simon quip and Paula jab. We know him for championing Lakisha when Simon’s rudeness goes to far, not delivering a gut-busting monologue. He’s more friendly than funny, sweet than sarcastic, welcoming than witty. Although I concede his self-mocking cameo on this spring’s hit, “Knocked Up,” wasn’t without comedic merit.

So will he succeed, or will we be forced to watch a stale Idol-esque 3 hour telecast that announces its winners “after this break”? Seacrest does acknowledge he’s no standup and suggests that his hosting will be more, “about elevating everyone on their night…. I’m not going to pretend to be something I’m not. I plan to honor the class and the heritage of the Emmy.”

All this talk of “honor” and “heritage” reminds me a little too much of that awful 30 minutes when the president of so-and-so thanks the academy of what’s-it-called, and we all head to the kitchen to make nachos.

If the Emmys lack laughter I for one will honor the triple-fast-forward on my DVR more than the nominees…… unless that transvestite scene pulls out a statue for “Entourage.” I love that Kanye song. It’s catchy.

surfing the charts

Hot shot Kanye’s “Stronger” is ALREADY up to #6 on the Billboard Hot 100, a dramatic airplay gain from #47 last week. He’s easily poised to enter the top 5 in August like I predicted and then some. I would love to see Timba/Kanye at 1 and 2. The “Stronger” video was nominated for the “video of the year” MTV VMA yesterday. Kanye picked up four nods in total including, “Male Artist of the Year.” Lets hope he loses and goes off like he did at the ‘06 MTV Europe Music Awards. Awesome. Set your tivos! (sept 9th)

Carrie’s new tune debuted at #20 on the country charts. No doubt it’s going straight to the top. “So Small” combines the true country soul she displayed in “Jesus Take the Wheel,” and the cross-over mass-market appeal of of “Before he cheats” and wraps it up in a message of “love conquers all.” This song is going to be so NOT small. It’s going to be huge, Jordin Sparks huge.

Timba’s “song of the summer” raises one notch to #4 and pushes Sean Kingston’s gf to #5 which brings me great joy. Its all about the small victorys in life.

Sean, however, is still #1. His  second single also debuted well at #23 and his album his stores this week in the top ten. This is wrong on so many levels. It’s like someone proclaiming britney spears is a sane person, that would be a stupid thing to say. Sean’s success is just that, stupid…. Also silly, needless, dumb, wrong, unnecesary…..

manic music monday

Hate it or love it

I love Daft Punk, and now in association I love Kanye West. I’m obsessed with the dance-tastic “Stronger,” off his next album “Graduation,” Kanyes’ europop follow-up to “Late Registration.” If you’re going to sample, might as well sample something fabulous like Daft Punk’s “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger.” I predict it will climb into the top 5 of the Billboard Hot 100 this August.

Anybody else hate “Beautiful Girls” by Sean Kingston? He is the male Rihanna, but with even LESS talent. Jurys out on who is skankier. Maybe they’ll get together and make the worst album of all time. (Tidbit: Rihanna was born in 1988 and Sean in 1990! Doesn’t that make you feel really really old?)

Making Music History This Fall…

New Timbaland pairings in the works! The mega-producer/platinum-artist can hand pick his match-ups these days. Have you ever heard of a certain songstress named Celine? How about Madonna? Timba’s in the studio with both. I’m more excited for these hits-in-the-making than as I was for ‘Nsync’s “Pop” release in 2001. Oh yes, we’re talking boyband-frenzy kind of anticipation.

Carrie Underwood’s first single off her sophomore effort, “So Small” (and also her first writing credit!) is everything a country song should be. I see it beating out Chesney for the top-spot on the country charts this summer, and crossing over into the top 20 of the popworld on the Hot 100. Can you say multiplatinum five times fast? Her October release is going to KILL.

Blake Lewis. Just wait. That’s all.

Last Words

Timba’s “Way I Are,” is THE song of the summer. Period. The end. No question. Fact.