First Impression On Nas, The Hold Steady, O.A.R., etc.
I might be one of the few people who dislike Nas' last album Hip Hop Is Dead. I think the album was plain and predictable. When his new CD was going to be released, what I heard about is all about the controversy Nas caused when he decided to use Nigger as the title, but later he dropped the name and the album became Untitled.Here I am not going to discuss the name of the album, but rather the whole CD Nas brought to us. Nas has created the best album in years, period. He not only stirred the public with the nasty word, but also in the end he delivered it quite well. The production of the album is impeccable, with a dark undertone. Of course Nas is still very political in the album. He even introduces us to the new president Barack Obama, which I think not many people would dare to do.
This week, Untitled is the best-selling album in the US. Did the controversy help?
Another LP that I would say that I was blown away is The Hold Steady's Stay Positive. It is the band's fourth studio and the first time for me to listen to their music. This US indie band apparently gained its momentum this year. The album even went to number 15 in UK album chart. For me The Hold Steady sounds like Hootie & The Blowfish in the 90's. It also reminds me of Blue October in a certain way. I like the vocal performance of the band and song arrangements, kind of bluesy.It is one of the best new discovery for me this year and definitely one the best indie album of the year.
O.A.R. finally released an album which got the public attention, or should we say commercially? They have been active in the music scene since the 90's, but failed to have a hit single and a hit album. All Sides doesn't see changes, or radical changes in O.A.R. They still have very accessible music, which have been compared to Dave Matthews Band, etc. Maybe the fact that their music is not very unique has cost their promising future, but I still think their new album deserves some praises, especially the single Shattered. Well, the song doesn't resemble to other hits by other artists, but I still like the track very much.Randy Travis also has a new album. It's been a long time. His Christian/country music sounds nice, but a little bit monotonous. Maybe I am tired of country music these days. I don't like John Mellencamp's new album either compared to his last success. It just doesn't attracts me musically. All in all he failed to impress me.
Labels: John Mellencamp, Nas, O.A.R., Randy Travis, The Hold Steady