Day'Ja Vu?


Title: Day 26
Artist: Day26
Release Date: 3.25.08



Sean "Diddy" Combs, known for giving many artists their break into the industry has done it again. We've seen the rise and fall of many groups stemming from his series of Making the Band, this cycle will be the true test of his "magic".

Mike, Que, Willie, Robert & Brian A. were the last men standing of thousands wanting to make their lifelong dream come true. Throughout their journey they've fought, cried and dealt with tremendous pressure to make a compilation of hits that would stand the test of time. Working with a string of talented producers & song writers including Brian Michael Cox and Mario Winans, just to name a few, these young cats have all the factors to an equation made for nothing but success.

Introducing Day 26, a name which seems odd to a newcomer. However, those who have been tracking their journey will realize it marks the day their lives changed for the better: 8/26/07; the day they were no longer in competition with one another. This is the day these 5 guys were born again - as Bad Boys. The beginning of what I'd like to think of as the new era of Bad Boy Entertainment.

Their self titled debut album: Day 26, is full of hits. Strummed with melodic beats, vivid lyrical content & five voices meant to touch your soul, this album will have you wanting to dance, cry, and profess your love for that special someone. As you take a further look and listen, their vibe and sound is very reminiscent of groups such as Jodeci, Boyz II Men & more impressively New Edition even with bad boy himself, Bobby Brown.

With tracks such as "Got Me Going", their current single and a bonafide club hit, speaks of a woman whom has them in a whirlwhind, doing things they would not do. Sounds all too familiar, right? For those listeners looking to satisfy that inner sexual appetite, "In My Bed", you're invited to bring out the inner freak, "...Don't be shy, don't be scared, lets get right, take that chance, baby its alright, don't gotta rush, we got all night..." Hmm, sounds like a baby can get made that night! Slowing it down, with "Co-Star", a ballad, in which they make it known, they dont mind taking the backseat to their special someone, "...What do you have in store for me, girl...its your show, all I wanna do is Co-Star... " Everyone enjoys surprises, as long as they're beneficial!
Without spoiling the fun, enjoy the ride that Day 26 takes you on. Its full of emotional thrills. jolts and orgasmic fun! With an album like this, it'll have you anticipating their sophomore release. No matter how much BITCHASSNESS was portrayed on the show, it definately didn't carry on to the album. They may be rookies now, but with more experience, they'll be seasoned veterans for many years to come!

-Mello-

March of the Dolls


Title: Welcome To The DollHouse
Artist: Danity Kane
Release Date: 3.18.08

Diddy’s dolled-up dream team is back with their second chart topper Welcome To The Dollhouse. In the latest season of MTV’s Making The Band (which birthed Danity Kane and their male counterparts, Day 26) the ladies discussed their intentions to make this project for the international pop market. In that effort, Dollhouse is a departure from their self-titled 2006 debut, replacing most of the soul with fresher beats and improving vocals, production and lyrical content. The lack of soul however, contributes to the dollhouse concept, pointing out one simple yet potentially fatal flaw in the sound, look and feel of the album: it’s all manufactured.

This project kicks off with Diddy’s narration of the girls’ transformation, over the idyllic sounds of a child’s music box. A vixen’s anthem, Bad Girl featuring Missy Elliott leads into the first set of up-tempo dance tracks and is followed by the megapop lead single Damaged produced by Stereotypes. With a kicking bassline, strong vocals throughout, and a mastered harmonic blend, this track showcases the vocal growth, as well as the group’s growing chemistry. Damaged was chosen as the single in a fan poll, over the track that follows: Pretty Boy, produced by Danja. The remainder of this album is mostly upbeat and the other club bangers include 2 Of You(featured on the Step Up 2: The Streets soundtrack) and the spicy Lights Out, penned by group member Dawn Richard. Lights Out is a sassy, confident, seductive track that unleashes the sex kittens introduced earlier in the record, but only “when the lights go out”. For the fellas, Danity Kane takes a ride with Miami rapper Rick Ross to Ecstasy, a mid-tempo bounce track which incorporates layered vocals: a highlight of the album. Sucka For Love is also a notable track; much simpler in sound, but equally impressive.

After a fight with Diddy over an excessive number of ballads, the girls won and the album’s only ballad is Poetry, a mildly overproduced brokenhearted anthem that speaks to the ups and downs of a stormy relationship, equating the emotional changes to the temporal shifts of lyrical prose. The melancholy closer Is Anybody Listening presents expressions from a lonely heart, and could be the prelude to more introspection on the next project. Let’s hope so.

While this could be the album to establish Danity Kane more as pop stars, they’re presented less as real people. There’s not much more on this project than great vocals over tight beats. Most of the soul and emotion felt in their debut album is dwindled down to teases on interludes, while they would serve a greater purpose as full songs. Picture This, for example, is a poetic interlude that features great lyricism atop stirring vocals. During MTB4, vocal coach Ankh-Ra worked with the ladies on tapping into their emotions in their music. Dawn, arguably the group’s most talented member, could be the key to unlocking the sensitive side of Danity Kane as we’ve seen glimpses of her troubled past. Baring your soul to the world isn’t easy, but as shown in the past, it’s a critical step in the road to becoming not only stars, but legends. Musically this album is excellent, but if they plan to keep rising, Danity Kane will have to ditch Diddy’s manufacturing and become real girls.


-MackN2U-


Twisted Elegance: A look at Discipline

Title: Discipline
Artist: Janet Jackson
Release Date: 2.26.08

It's classic me, with a modern twist... -Janet

A new deal, a new label, and a team of new producers were the ingredients Janet Jackson put together to formulate her newest concoction: Discipline. After nearly 2 decades as one of the top hit makers on Virgin Records, Miss Jackson signed a new deal in August 2007 with Island Def Jam, following longtime beau Jermaine Dupri in a similar move. There she aligned herself with producers Rodney Jerkins, Ne-yo, The Dream, Tricky Stewart and Dupri for what appears to be one of her best albums in years.

Although Discipline comes with a more modern sound, it’s a classic Janet formula: heavy bass-thumping dance tracks, smooth ballads, mellow mids, and a signature baby-maker or two for good measure. It’s laced with playful and futuristic interludes that narrate the albums concepts. The album opens with the smash urban single ‘Feedback’, produced by Jerkins and follows into ‘Luv’ a metaphoric car wreck resulting in an open heart. If you’re ready to dance, skip ahead to the house-infused ‘Rock With U’, produced by Jermaine Dupri and it’s following number ‘2Nite’. The latter features 80’s synth beats and a funky groove. The ballads on this album are a clear departure from Janet’s cooing and whispering which plagued some of her previous albums and feature many layered vocal harmonies.

If there was ever a song to raise an eyebrow, it’s definitely “Greatest Ex Ever”. And yeah, it’s exactly what it sounds like: a memory ridden walk down the aisles of time to the best lost one of all. The album’s most sensual cut is the Ne-yo produced title track that, as only Janet can, transports you to the most enticing S&M fest your ears can handle without auditory overload: Blindfold me daddy, it’s better when I don’t know what to expect… I need some discipline tonight (Daddy make me cry…). ‘Can’t Be Good’ was also produced by Ne-yo and has a mid-tempo feel as does the album’s closer ‘Curtains’, a nod to the dozens of fans that have had the opportunity to be a part of Janet’s live performances around the globe. This track delves into fantasies beyond the close of the curtains for a more intimate show. The only guest appearance is by Missy Elliott on the hip-hop/dance track ‘The One’, where Janet’s harmonies sit atop an infectious beat, served up with a side of Missy’s raps. We can only hope for an equally impressive video from this creative duo (Son of a Gun anyone?).

Overall, Discipline is a great opportunity for Janet to once again dominate the airwaves. For longtime fans, there’s not much new content lyrically, but there’s definitely a new sound and bigger, better vocals. New fans will find themselves buying her ‘classics’ without a doubt and anticipating her next step. She’s designed over two decades since she first took control and, with that kind of discipline, one thing is clear: Janet Jackson isn’t going anywhere.



-MackN2U-