Maybe it has to do with being from Barbados or using Madonna as a source of inspiration, but Rihanna is definitely a pop star who falls into the category of “can’t stop, won’t stop.” On the heels of her previous two albums, Rated R (2009) and Loud (2010), Rihanna has just released the dance-tinged Talk That Talk. Already, the album has spawned a number one, “We Found Love” featuring Calvin Harris, and, based on the other songs on the siren’s sixth LP, this is only the beginning of her record-breaking success.

Fierce.

Produced largely by Dr. Luke and StarGate, much of Talk That Talk is suffused with the raw sexual energy that Rihanna has become known for. Songs like “Cockiness (Love It)” showcase the artist’s lack of inhibitions with lyrics like, “Suck my cockiness, lick my puh-suasion/Eat my words, and then swallow your pride down, down.” The lasciviousness continues on “Birthday Cake” as she croons, “Come and put your name on it/It’s not even my birthday, but you wanna lick my icing off/I know you want it in the worst way.” So yeah, Rihanna’s pretty comfortable with innuendos.

Talk That Talk album cover

But that doesn’t mean the Barbadian sex goddess isn’t fond of singing about a holding hands type of love. Tracks like “You Da One,” “Where Have You Been,” “We All Want Love,” and “Farewell” are all a bit less sexually explicit, focusing on either the euphoria of finding love or the sadness of losing it.

Deluxe edition of Talk That Talk

Another highlight on Talk That Talk is the song of the same name featuring Jay-Z. Although they’re never going to recapture the perfection of “Umbrella” together, it still works as a great track to bump in your car or on the dance floor. As far as Behind the Hype is concerned, this album is among her best, proving that quality is actually possible with quantity. Because no one in the music industry has been this prolific since Missy Elliott (where is that ho anyway?).

Just when you thought Kanye West and Jay-Z couldn’t get any better musically, they decided to release Watch the Throne, an entire album of their collaborative efforts together. It was obvious even before that, as individual acts they are the only source for meaningful mainstream hip hop, but when they combine their styles, the result is even more incredible.

Partners in crime

Opening with the visceral “No Church in the Wild,” the tone of the album is set as being extremely political and often lyrically provocative. Of course, what would anything Jay-Z related be without contributing vocals from Beyoncé, which appear on “Lift Off”? The first few songs on Watch the Throne, in fact, are much more dominant on Jay-Z’s part, with Kanye’s voice demure (relatively speaking) on tracks like “Ni*%as in Paris” and “Gotta Have It” (though the beat on “Gotta Have It” is distinctly Kanye).

Video still from "Otis"

Kanye’s standard form of unrelenting honesty is especially heightened on “New Day” when he talks about how he is going to raise his future son, affirming–with his typical brand of tongue in cheek–”I mean I might even make him be Republican so everybody know he love white people.” The track following “New Day,” “That’s My Bitch,” is arguably the best on the album. Jay-Z’s voice is once again prominent as he comments on the prevalence of white women as the norm for what men are supposed to consider beautiful:

“I mean Marilyn Monroe she’s quite nice, but why all the pretty icons always all white?”

"Who Gon Stop Us?"

“Murder to Excellence” is another standout track for its lyrics. Opening with a chilling high-pitched vocal harmonization, the song drives home the overall message of “Black excellence, truly yours.” “Made in America” is perhaps the most disappointing offering on Watch the Throne, both in terms of music and lyrics, smattering together the names of historical black figures with the repetition of “Sweet baby Jesus.”

The understated opulence of the Watch the Throne album cover

As the album winds down, the sound shifts slightly to a more rock-tinged beat, as on “Why I Love You” and “Illest Motherfucker Alive,” reverting back to its original modulations on “H*a*m.” Jay-Z still manages to take all of the good lyrics, including “I played chicken with a Mack truck” and the usual referral to his Bed-Stuy days with “See the shit I saw growing up.”

So happy together.

What Watch the Throne will leave you feeling is the desire for Jay-Z and Kanye West to always collaborate. I get the sense that this is just a glimmer of the musical magic they are capable of making together. Until then, look out for The Throne Tour in the fall.

The nominees for the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards have been announced. Eminem leads all artists with ten nominations, while Bruno Mars follows closely with seven, and Lady Gaga, Jay-Z, and Lady Antebellum each clinched six. Other BTH favorites to receive nods include The Roots, Alice in Chains, Them Crooked Vultures, Janelle Monáe, and Cee-Lo’s Fuck You(!).

The nominees:

Album of the Year:
Arcade Fire – The Suburbs
Eminem – Recovery
Lady Antebellum – Need You Now
Lady Gaga – The Fame Monster
Katy Perry – Teenage Dream

Record of the Year:
B.o.B Featuring Bruno Mars - Nothin’ On You
Eminem featuring Rihanna - Love The Way You Lie
Cee-Lo Green - Fuck You
Jay-Z & Alicia Keys - Empire State of Mind
Lady Antebellum - Need You Now

Best New Artist:
Justin Bieber
Drake
Florence & the Machine
Mumford & Sons
Esperanza Spalding

Song of the Year:
Ray LaMontagne, songwriter (Ray LaMontagne and the Pariah Dogs) – Beg Steal or Borrow
Cee Lo Green, Philip Lawrence & Bruno Mars, songwriters (Cee-Lo Green) – Fuck You
Tom Douglas & Allen Shamblin, songwriters (Miranda Lambert) – The House That Built Me
Alexander Grant, Skylar Grey & Marshall Mathers, songwriters (Eminem featuring Rihanna) – Love The Way You Lie
Dave Haywood, Josh Kear, Charles Kelley & Hillary Scott, songwriters (Lady Antebellum) – Need You Now

Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals:
“Glee” Cast – Don’t Stop Believin’ (Regionals Version)
Maroon 5 – Misery
Paramore – The Only Exception
Sade – Babyfather
Train – Hey, Soul Sister (Live)

Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals:
B.o.B, Eminem & Hayley Williams – Airplanes II
Herbie Hancock, Pink, India.Arie, Seal, Konono No. 1, Jeff Beck & Oumou Sangare – Imagine
Elton John & Leon Russell – If It Wasn’t for Bad
Lady Gaga & Beyoncé – Telephone
Katy Perry & Snoop Dogg – California Gurls

Best Dance Recording:
Goldfrapp – Rocket
La Roux – In for the Kill
Lady Gaga – Dance in the Dark
Rihanna – Only Girl (In the World)
Robyn – Dancing On My Own

Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals:
Arcade Fire – Ready to Start
Jeff Beck & Joss Stone – I Put a Spell on You
The Black Keys – Tighten Up
Kings of Leon – Radioactive
Muse – Resistance

Best Rock Album
Jeff Beck – Emotion & Commotion
Muse – The Resistance
Pearl Jam – Backspacer
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers – Mojo
Neil Young – Le Noise

Best Hard Rock Performance:
Alice in Chains – A Looking in View
Ozzy Osbourne – Let Me Hear You Scream
Soundgarden – Black Rain
Stone Temple Pilots – Between the Lines
Them Crooked Vultures – New Fang

Best Rock Song:
Neil Young, songwriter (Neil Young) – Angry World
Ted Dwane, Ben Lovett, Marcus Mumford & Country Winston, songwriters (Mumford & Sons) – Little Lion Man
Caleb Followill, Jared Followill, Matthew Followill & Nathan Followill, songwriters (Kings of Leon) – Radioactive
Matthew Bellamy, songwriter (Muse) – Resistance
Dan Auerbach & Patrick Carney, songwriter (The Black Keys) – Tighten Up

Best Rock Instrumental Performance
Jeff Beck – Hammerhead
The Black Keys – Black Mud
Los Lobos – Do the Murray
Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds – Kundalini Bonfire
Dweezil Zappa – The Deathless Horsie

Best Alternative Music Album
Arcade Fire – The Suburbs
Band of Horses – Infinite Arms
The Black Keys – Brothers
Broken Bells – Broken Bells
Vampire Weekend – Contra

Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals:
Chris Brown & Tank – Take My Time
Chuck Brown, Jill Scott & Marcus Miller – Love
Ronald Isley & Aretha Franklin – You’ve Got a Friend
John Legend & The Roots – Shine
Sade – Soldier of Love

Best Contemporary R&B Album:
Chris Brown – Graffiti
R. Kelly – Untitled
Ryan Leslie – Transition
Janelle Monáe – The ArchAndroid
Usher – Raymond V. Raymond

Best Rap/Sung Collaboration:
B.o.B featuring Bruno Mars – Nothin’ on You
Chris Brown, Tyga & Kevin McCall – Deuces
Eminem featuring Rihanna – Love the Way You Lie
Jay-Z & Alicia Keys – Empire State of Mind
John Legend, The Roots, Melanie Fiona & Common – Wake Up! Everybody

Best Rap Song:
Jay-Z and Alicia Keys – Empire State of Mind
Eminem featuring Rihanna – Love the Way You Lie
Eminem – Not Afraid
B.o.B featuring Bruno Mars – Nothin’ on You
Jay-Z and Swizz Beatz – On to the Next One

Best Rap Album:
B.o.B – The Adventures of Bobby Ray
Drake – Thank Me Later
Eminem – Recovery
Jay-Z – The Blueprint 3
The Roots – How I Got Over

Best Country Collaboration with Vocals:
Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert & Jamey Johnson – Bad Angel
Dierks Bentley, Del McCoury & The Punch Brothers – Pride (In the Name of Love)
Zac Brown Band & Alan Jackson – As She’s Walking Away
Blake Shelton & Trace Adkins – Hillbilly Bone
Marty Stuart & Connie Smith - I Run to You

Best Country Song:
Casey Beathard, Dean Dillon & Jessie Jo Dillon, songwriters (George Strait) – The Breath You Take
Zac Brown, songwriter (Zac Brown Band) – Free
Tom Douglas & Allen Shamblin, songwriters (Miranda Lambert) – The House That Built Me
Rivers Rutherford, Annie Tate & Sam Tate, songwriters (Gretchen Wilson) – I’d Love to Be Your Last
Kimberly Perry, songwriter (The Band Perry) – If I Die Young
Dave Haywood, Josh Kear, Charles Kelley & Hillary Scott, songwriters (Lady Antebellum) – Need You Now

Best Country Album:
Dierks Bentley – Up On The Ridge
Zac Brown Band – You Get What You Give
Jamey Johnson – The Guitar Song
Lady Antebellum – Need You Now
Miranda Lambert – Revolution

Best Americana Album:
Rosanne Cash – The List
Los Lobos – Tin Can Trust
Willie Nelson – Country Music
Robert Plant – Band of Joy
Mavis Staples – You Are Not Alone

Best Traditional Blues Album:
James Cotton – Giant
Cyndi Lauper – Memphis Blues
Charlie Musselwhite – The Well
Pinetop Perkins & Willie “Big Eyes” Smith – Joined at the Hip
Jimmie Vaughan – Plays Blues, Ballads & Favorites

Best Metal Performance
Iron Maiden – El Dorado
Korn – Let the Guilt Go
Lamb of God – In Your Words
Megadeth – Sudden Death
Slayer – World Painted Blood

For a full list of the nominees, have a look here.

I’ve spent a long time over the past few weeks trying to determine what role Kanye West plays in the mighty hip hop royalty family. Why he doesn’t quite fit into the normal hierarchy, Kanye West of more of the Lord Baron of hip hop, with a firm grasp on his kingdoms’ craft. This dark lord brings his fifth studio album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy to the table today, and it may just be his best work yet.

Let the BaRFing begin!

BEATS: 9/10

It’s only right that all the shit Kanye talks is properly backed up. He’s been flipping the world off for a long time, telling us that he knows he’s the best, and I have to give credit where it’s due; the beats are definitely some of the best I’ve heard this year.

Gorgeous is the second track on the album, and really got the guitar right, without sounding like a rap/rock collaboration was forced upon it. The chorus following the guitars, with a light piano dressing and hip hop drums sprinkled on top was a hell of an appetizer for the rest of the album.

The third track was so damn catchy, and caused such a stir with its imagery; POWER was my first favorite. The chanting women I wasn’t sure about to begin with, but sooner or later, I found myself chanting along, with the bass beats vibrating the room.

By far though, the best beat on the album is the seventh track, So Appalled. The strings were beautifully put together, with the heavy bass hits, the vox-filtered yelping, and spaced out noises, this didn’t climb the top of my list; it flew.

RHYMES: 7.5/10

While not usually known for his subtle words, Kanye impressed me on this one. I can’t put a finger on what songs I loved the best really, but I felt like Kanye has grown up. Turns out the huge amount of tweets he puts out in ALL CAPS every day were for a reason.

Kanye is like a hip hop version of the current affairs, telling us “The systems broken/the schools close/ the prisons’ open” from his hit track POWER. He talks about love in his track with John Legend, Blame Game, talking about the very real arguments we go through in our weaker moments. He even admits to his many faults in the ballerina ballad, Runaway. While some may say it was a cheesy song, I really did feel like it was honest.

FEATURETTES: 9/10

I was a big fan of all the contributors on the album on both the producer and singer credits, with Kanye’s mentor, No I.D., penning two of my favorite track on the album.

Emperor Hova took time out to respond to the MC Hammer beef (which btw, what the hell is Hammer thinking?) on So Appalled, and instantly put the issue to rest whilst talking about the recent 30 million dollars he just spent. Owned.

Fresh from her recent album, Princess Rihanna joined in for the beautiful chorus of track five, All of the Lights. I’ve developed a lot of respect for her this year, with good feature roles, and an even greater album that just came out this month as well. Combine that with Nikki Minaj on Monster, and we have an even bigger winning album.

The best collaboration was obviously on So Appalled. Jay-Z, Pusha T, Prynce Cy Hi, Swizz Beatz and the RZA make a supergroup worthy appearance. RZA was the biggest surprise, coming in for a few bars towards the end of the track. I feel like this was a nod to Kanye being the next hit maker of the beat world.

For the new Kanye listeners (is that even possible) this is his best work yet, or at the very least, on par with his first album. For the old listeners, do you feel like Kanye is making a step in the right direction? Sound off in the comments, and go get the album ASAP!!

Until next time my friends,

~Flak

Maybe it’s just that I’ve been paying more attention to the sultry Barbadian princess known as Rihanna because of her clash with her old flame, but she’s been very busy lately. I feel like the rare times I do turn on my radio, she’s the feature voice on a track. Either way, I’ve enjoyed having the princess around.

She’s already released her fifth studio album, Loud, overseas, but tomorrow the rest of you will have the chance to get your copy. While her single Only Girl (In the World) being so addictive, this album is going to be a sure chart topper. As always, I gave the album about half a dozen or so run-throughs, and picked my favorites. Spoiler alert: I was pretty impressed. Shall we?

What’s My Name? is my first favorite off the album, with a verse from Cash Money/Young Money superstar, Drake. The verse by the new prince fits in perfectly with the pop princess, and of course follows the seductive-lyric formula that’s made Drake so popular. The beat is a very danceable one, with what I consider the perfect beats per minute to still keep the track sexy.

At first, I thought the seventh track, Man Down, was an apology letter to her ex boyfriend Chris Brown, or maybe even a bad dream she had about shooting the dancing maniac down. I’ll let you decide later. Either way, the beat was a very well balanced blend of reggae and pop, with Rihanna’s strong Barbadian accent. Additionally, this may be one of the best examples of just how high and low Rihanna’s vocal range can go. (BONUS: She calls her pistol Peggy-Sue, the same name of Jay Z’s)

While Only Girl and Raining Men (feat. Nikki Minaj) were close to my top three, I had to hand it to the girl, but the tenth track, Skin, was a damn sexy track. First of all, the only thing clean about this song was the digital kick drum. I’ll put it this way; this is definitely going on the late night rendezvous playlist for many a lover across the world. Toss in a Prince-esqe (how fitting) guitar solo at the end of the song, and you’ve got a sex beat to boot.

It’s getting close to the end of the year, and it’s almost time to make my favorite albums of the year, and this is a sure contender. For the new listeners, if you aren’t a big pop lover, this one might pull you in for a big kiss. For the old listeners, this may be her best work since her first album, if not ever. Also, this album has the second part of Love the Way You Lie and of course features our boy Eminem. For some, you may want to come for that track, and stay for the other goodies on the album.

November 16^th is the US street date for this one, so be the first in line, kids.

Until next time my friends,

~Flak

Like its simplistic album title, /\/\ /\ Y /\, heretofore to be referred to as Maya (because it takes a lot of fucking effort to type out the hieroglyphic emblem), opens with the equally simplistic, fifty-seven second “The Message.” Though I usually hate it when artists use intros to start their album since it’s generally just a way to make it look like there are more tracks than there really are, it actually works as a nice transition to track 2 on the record (yes, I say record. Fuck you, digitalism), called “Steppin Up.” This finds us in the familiar electro sound MIA promoted on her debut, Arular. Following that is the second single from the album, “XXXO,” recently remixed by Jay-Z to ensure success.

MIA doesn't just make prophetic music, she wears prophetic t-shirts too

Some listeners have had mixed feelings about the deliberate and generic pop sound of “XXXO,” but doubts about MIA’s musical fearlessness are immediately assuaged by the futuristic beats of “Teqkilla,” a song that sounds like something you might hear if there were jungles in space (and who’s to say there aren’t, really?). After “Teqkilla,” “Story to Be Told” takes us to another far off place, beginning with the jets of a plane taking off and MIA’s voice ethereally echoing, “All I ever wanted was my story to be told.” It is easily one of the best cuts off the album.

Sri Lanka, bitches!

“It Takes a Muscle” changes the entire tone of the album midway through, altering the mood to the tranquil ambience of relaxing on a beach (preferably one in southern Italy). “It Iz What It Iz” continues this sound with a somewhat 80s backing track for the music. However, while musically enjoyable, it gets kind of old to just hear her repeat “It iz what it iz/This is how I feel” without realizing that there’s more to a song than just a chorus.

MIA's album cover: A tongue in cheek homage to YouTube and the 21st century

Next is another single from the album, “Born Free,” already well-known for the video being briefly removed from YouTube due to some graphically violent imagery (but really, is there anything the American public hasn’t seen already?). This is the track that truly ignited the fever for MIA’s album release, a thesis for what was to come–not just musically, but also in terms of MIA’s extremely vocal opinions about life in the twenty-first century, including the assertion that Google and Facebook are implements of the CIA (um, totally agreed).

Portrait of a Lady

“Meds and Feds” is probably the only song with a rock vibe out of all the tracks, contrasted by the succeeding song, “Tell Me Why,” making use of MIA’s actual singing talent as opposed to her knack for harsh shouting. Maya concludes with the airy and tenuous modulations of “Space,” a perfect disunion from how the album began. Because MIA is all about confusing and discombobulating the expected order.

Now tune it to the Mutha F**in' greatest!

Welp, all Coach goers feel victim to the rumors of hip-hop (ex: surprise appearances from Dr. Dre, Eminem etc. etc.).  Hey, at least the gossip spiked audience desires to be at the main stage for all the hip-hop performances but even though no rumor bloomed into truth, Jay-Z, B.o.B, Gorillaz and De La Soul all still delivered straight gangster performances. My boys are smart, their rumors got all those hipsters away from their usual indie rock love and had them standing through whole sets and not simply awaiting the guest appearance, stunned at how awesome hip-hop can be live.  Hellz gggeah! I love that not only did the Gorillaz and De La Soul come with a full band so did Jay-Z and B.o.B

No pretending like you are on stage and oh yes, when your beat dropped, we went insane.

Not even five problems, not even five. - Scratched Diamond

Old school but keepin it real cool. Photo by Scott Dudleson

Jay was out a voice and still put forth a 100% love for the game performance, it was worth the stress of making my way to Indio, CA to be there for that alone.  Also, Jay-Z did better than bringing Dr.Dre out, he brought the woman he loves, Beyonce Knowles, and tell me what would could be better than showing off your beautiful wife, listening to her sing and capping off  day one of a hippie festival with thuggish ruggish romance?

Thank you for waking up. - Scratched Diamond

Then Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros straight killed it with a smashing performance and heart felt entrance.  All I can tell you about them, is if you have the chance to go see these guys live, don’t hesitate just buy the tickets.

You won't catch this act being sold for dimes, they keep it classy.

Then came the Gossip.  Recently, Bill Withers was speaking during a panel at the ASCAP Expo at the Renaissance Hotel in Hollywood and I had the pleasure of being part of the niche audience in the room.  Bill told an endearing tale where he was asked to leave a recording studio by an artist who had just arrived for their session, just as Bill got into his car the artist who had previously asked him to exit the facilities came running out with an apology, where he cutely shrugged and stated, “Hey, in my day nobody knew what I looked like. I didn’t have my own line of shoelaces either.” Beth Ditto is like that for the American appetite. Her voice is stunning, her band rocks, they are everything that modern music and promotion should be – real and really bloody good.

All you skinny brats can talk all the sh*t you want, Beth will always be able to wail harder than you, punk better and look rad all while doing so. - Scratched Diamond

A kiss with her fist is better than none - at least that is the hersay. - Scratched Diamond

Wow!  You’d think I’d be done with highlights, but I am not. Florence and the Machine was extraordinary. Florence Welch her self is more than an UK dame, she is a quite riot.  Her vocal range is stunning and for it to come to life on stage and not just on her first album release “Lungs” that won the 2010 title for Best British Album, really makes you smile because she is a woman who has honestly landed where she was always flying to be.

Clap your hands for another successful year of Coachella. - Scratched Diamond

Oh Coachella, I will return next year and better prepared.  Check back next year for your Coachella forecast. <3

Hova! Hova! Hova! - As much as I love Jay, I still know if the audience knew better they'd be screaming Flak! Flak! Flak! Why you ask? Simply because he always keeps us loving life and well informed.

P.S. If you thought you lost your shit checking Jay-Z and then really lost your shit, visit here to find out the details of Coachella’s lost and found.

My latest interviewee has been heard with the likes of Q-Tip, will.i.am, Sergio Mendes, Sa-Ra, Ricky Martin and more; with her sultry, seductive voice with a gorgeous look to match. Shining bright like the name suggests, Debi Nova had me at hello when we got together recently to talk about life in Los Angeles, what’s next for the young songstress, and the answer to the question of just how sexy Ricky Martin actually is. Join me?

Flak: Hey Debi! How are you?

Debi Nova: Good! And how are you?

F: I’m doing quite well actually. It’s a nice day today. Are you in LA today?

DN: I am in LA, did you say you were in LA too?

F: Yeah I am.

DN: Nice! So you’re enjoying the beautiful weather…

Several lines of our cute small talk later…

F: So tell me what’s going on, I’ve been looking up what you’ve been up to, and I’m very impressed; and I’m happy you’re in the music game right now.

DN: Oh well thank you so much! Yeah I’m really excited to put out this record, which I think will come out at the end of April and… well I don’t know if you’ve heard any of it but it’s basically a combination of songs that I’ve written over the years, and it’s partly in Spanish; because I’m from Costa Rica. And I guess that’s what’s major about the album; combining those languages and… I’m excited!

F: Yeah I’ve heard parts of it actually. Drummer Boy, one of my favorite songs…. And I don’t know if I’m pronouncing this right but Cora… Corazon Abierto?

Post her laughing at my feeble attempt at Spanish

DN: Heh yeah Corazon Abierto!

F: Yeah…I’m working on it… but I love the guitar in that song. That song is amazing!

DN: Thank you thank you! That’s the idea, and I think that one of my goals for this album is that some people will learn some Spanish words you know? That would be really cool!

F: Yeah I think that would be cool too; especially in Los Angeles…it’s very Spanglish, and I’m still working on it myself. I keep telling myself I’m gonna learn…

DN: Yeah and it’s good if you live in LA!

F: So tell me, what’s your favorite song on the album? That track that everyone should be looking out for?

DN: Well I love all of them but hmmm… I really love all of them like they were my children but… I think the last song was very special to me because I wrote it at a time when I was a little bit disappointed with where my life was going and its song that means Get out of me…you know, my fears, and I really wanted to get them out of me.

F: And that song is called Get Out of Me?

DN: Well Leave Me…would be a better translation actually. Yeah Leave Me.

F: Awesome. And I’ve been looking at all the people who you’ve worked with, like Q-Tip, Will.I.Am, Illa J… the most interesting though, and the one that shocked me when I realized it, and I didn’t realize until a little before we did this interview, was that you worked with Sa-Ra (aka Sa-Ra Creative Partners), who are one of my favorite artists. I mean those guys are awesome!

DN: I did! And that was amazing because they’re…as you know they’re very special…they’re on their own…

F: Planet! Exactly!

DN: Yeah! And I was so fortunate to meet them! We were in the studio in downtown LA actually; at a house slash studio and it was just a very creative space, and for a while, I just loved to go there and get inspired and I remember I got there one day and Herbie Hancock just happened to be there..

F: Whaaaat?!

DN: Yeah! So yeah they were just really interesting and really inspiring guys to be around. All three of them and really deep into music and jazz…and were just really really interesting characters. And yeah they’re my friends and we did this thing called (I thought she was saying Space Street) Spacefruit.

I believe she was referring to the first track on the latest Sa-Ra album, which I reviewed several times.

F: So did you challenge Herbie Hancock to piano battles?

DN: Heh, I basically sat in a corner; star struck and trying to act cool, and shook his hand at the end of the session but ummm.. but it was a really nice treat for me actually.

F: That’s awesome. But a lot of lady friends were asking me, how sexy is Ricky Martin to dance with in person?

DN: VERY! VERY VERY SEXY!

F: They watched videos of you guys dancing saying “she’s the luckiest girl on the planet!”

DN: Well I have to say, my job did not suck, that’s for sure.  I really enjoyed working with him, and besides the, you know physical parts of it, he’s also a wonderful person so that was also great; working with somebody who’s nice, humble, and a super human being.

F: How long have you lived in LA now?

DN: I’ve been here for about mmmm…seven years.

F: And you moved here when you were 16?

DN: Oh I moved here when I was 17. Right after high school.

Do the math gentleman. She may be the one for you! Actually, no matter what your age, she’s the one for anybody…

F: And also you went to the Los Angeles Music Academy correct?

DN: I did. I went there for a year, for singing and playing piano as well.

F: I also read that you play guitar, piano, bass, and a couple other things as well? What’s your favorite?

DN: Well piano is definitely my first love, because I’ve played piano since I was very very young… Four years old and so piano is my favorite just because I know it so well.

F: Aww I was hoping you’d say bass…I’m a bass player myself. But that’s ok. *tears*

DN: Well wait! The truth is, I started playing bass, and I think it’s the coolest instrument in the world…

F: It is!

DN:  Well it’s…it’s cool because it’s not only holding down the rhythm…I know drums hold rhythm, but really bass is the pillar I think of a good band.

What a sport. She tried to ease the blow.

F: Well I’m glad we have an understanding of that!

DN: HAHA! We do!

F: Alright alright… so of all the people….you’ve worked with a lot of random people who’ve toured the world doing sold out crowds… but who do you want to work with next over the next couple years?

DN: Oh…well I have a long list, but I would have to say at the top of my list would have to be Sting… another bass player… I’m just the biggest fan…

F: Oh I’m a huge fan as well…

DN: …yeah and he and I are label mates so maybe one day my dream will come true and I will work with Sting.

F: Yeah, and honestly, all it takes is a phone call, and you’re already have the in… you’re already on the label…so that’s better than what I’m working with.

DN: Heh I really hope so, cause I’m a big fan…but I don’t know if I’d be able to sustain my cool with him you know?  But I’m going to try for sure.

F: Wonderful!  Well I only have a couple more questions for you… have you ever been to the Coachella Music Festival before?

DN: I did! I’ve been there twice. I actually went last year.

F: Yeah me too…I didn’t see you there unfortunately.

DN: Heh it was really nice there.

F: Are you going again this year?

DN: I don’t think so. I don’t think my schedule will let me. But I would love to go. I actually just saw the lineup. Whose playing? Jay-Z…

F: The Gorillaz…

We went on at lengths about various artists we want to see, and the overall badass-ness of Coachella.

F: And so what about a tour for you? I just realized that Coachella is in April, the same month as your album, so it will be busy for you.

DN: I think that right now we’re just going to be doing promo for the album, and also we’ve been talking about a fall tour in maybe September-October. Although…. I just heard that we’ll possibly do the Lilith Fair… So I want to be able to perform in a couple of those (dates). That would be amazing.

F: That would be amazing and I’m hoping for that for you.

DN: Thank you!

F: Well that’s all I’ve got for you today, and hopefully when you guys do the tour we can come out and meet you and the band, and see everything you’ve been working on.

DN: Cool yeah we have some time so I’m sure we can do it.

F: Well thank you VERY much for talking to us today.

DN: No problem, thank you so much!

And there you have it kids. The alarming and disarming Debi Nova. If you haven’t already, check out her tunes on her MySpace and feel the Latin love right along with me. Shes also got her new video for my favorite song, Drummer Boy, so don’t forget to check it out!

Until next time my friends,

~Flak

The crew and I (sometimes) take the time to enjoy the smaller things in life. Album covers are rapidly becoming the flair to any album, and adding another item to the endless digital vs. physical copy of owning a cd. Below are the album covers that some of the crew and I thought got us going in 2009. Let’s take a look back shall we?

Dagan’s Decisions:

Animal Collective-Merriweather Post Pavillion

“Holy crap it’s moving! IT’S GONNA KILL US ALL”

Eminem-Relapse

“Dammit, I dropped all my pil-.. oh hey, you don’t see that every day”

Fever Ray-Fever Ray

“What’s really creepy is that this isn’t a drawing, it’s an actual portrait”

Maps-Turning the Mind

“This guy can work his glowsticks like you would not believe”

The Paper Chase-Someday This Could All Be Yours Vol.1

“Twister 2: The Breakdance of Death”

Flak’s Favorites:

Bat For Lashes-Two Suns

Her album, and its cover were one of the dreamest things I’ve ever experienced in 2009.

A Fine Frenzy-Bomb in a Birdcage

My one celebrity crush. Alison Sudol, redhead of my dreams.

Fall of Troy-In the Unlikey Event

Loved the stitchwork look on this one, coupled with the dread of the little girl.

Portugal the Man-The Satanic Satanist

I feel like this may be what acid trips are like.

The Almost-Monster Monster

Gumby:Rated R

Cheese Sandwich’s Choice:

Baroness-Blue Record

Creepy blue fish with big eyes being held by naked mermaids/nymphs? There was no way this wouldn’t make my list of album art of the year.

Brand New-Daisy

A little fox in the woods. Simple, elegant, random (is the fox Daisy? Is there a Daisy?) Fitting artwork for Brand New’s most eclectic and varied album thus far in their career.

RX Bandits-Mandala

Continuing the trend of RXB using cool artsy images at album covers (look at 2006′s …And the Battle Begun), Mandala features another bizarro painting, this time created by visual artist Sonny Kay. I don’t really understand what’s going on in the picture, but I dig it.

The Flaming Lips-Embryonic

Looks like a gorilla giving birth to a human child or a hand pushing a child into some kind of hairy beast’s face. Either way, whatever the hell this Flaming Lips cover is supposed to be, it looks like straight-up drugs.

Them Crooked Vultures-Them Crooked Vultures

Simple, cryptic, badass. The booklet has no photos of Grohl, Homme, or Jones either, so why should the cover? Most supergroup albums have the faces of the participants everywhere, but TCV isn’t about that. Instead, you get a drawing of a vulture wearing a jacket of some sort. Rock on.

Ge Oh’s Gold:

Kid Cudi-Man on the Moon:The End of Day

I loved both this and the Deluxe version of the Cover. Yet another HipHop (of sorts) cover that refuses to fall into the bling, drugs, and women Stereotype.

Jay Z-The Blueprint 3

More interesting, perhaps, than the cover itself, was the fact that everything in is was real, and unPhotoshopped, making this more an artpiece than CD Cover.

Drake-So Far Gone

Dinosaur Jr.-Farm

Although I hardly know what to make of it (Looks like reject creatures from Lord of the Rings AND Neverending Story had a Babies), the smooth texture of the Illustration leaves me rather impressed.

Animal Collective-Merriweather Post Pavillion

Very trippy Cover, presumably MUCH more interesting on LSD.

But that’s not all folks, join us next time as we reflect on the best singles of 2009, followed by 2009′s albums of the year.

Until next time my friends,

~Flak

A heavy emphasis on sex isn’t exactly a unique approach in R&B. The very nature of the genre, in fact, evokes sexual imagery perhaps more than any other – hell, songs like Ginuwine’s Pony absolutely ooze it, and that’s a large part of what makes them so great. Occasionally however, some artists will overshoot in their attempts to be sexy, which makes the aim painfully obvious and renders the effort an utter failure. Justin Timberlake’s Future Sex/Love Sounds is a perfect example of this; past the fact that this album was good almost entirely because of Timbaland’s production, Timberlake has absolutely no real charisma. And when he’s constantly talking about sex over the course of a twelve song LP (with the exception of downright embarrassing attempts to make statements, like Losing My Way), it just begins to look over the top and silly. A number of male R&B vocalists have fallen prey to this misstep, but Robin Thicke is one who has never had this problem. Which is all the more impressive now, because his latest, Sex Therapy, is completely devoted to it.

Parental Advisory - Axe Body Spray commercial in filming

Sex Therapy could have very easily ended up an awkwardly forced record like Future Sex/Love Sounds did at times, but Thicke, armed with some excellent beats that range from seventies soul to modern day hip-hop, pulls it off splendidly. His confidence and charm, something that has been evident since his breakthrough hit When I Get You Alone, shines through from genuinely seductive tracks like Make U Love Me and Start with a Kiss to playful and even goofy ones; Meiplé, which features Jay-Z, is a silly but simultaneously endearing idealistically romantic ode to women. It’s a real testament to his charisma that he can get away with lines like “I can pay for acting lessons, you’ll become a movie star and make more than me, babe.” From most other singers, it would sound completely ridiculous, but Thicke’s knowing and fun delivery makes it clear that he’s taking his lyrics maybe half-seriously, at best. Another good example of this is the exotic sounding I Got U, which starts out with blatant references to clichéd aphrodisiacs. The song is built around a woman visiting with him as a doctor, presumably dispensing the sex therapy the album’s title promises. In the middle, she says “My man don’t take me nowhere!” and he responds, “ah… I have just the thing for that.” In that pause, you can almost feel him giving that comical, fourth wall breaking look to the listener, like “oh yeah, I’m gonna bang this broad.” When he does cut loose and really sing though, he shows that he truly is one of the best of his kind today; his falsettos on Million Dolla Baby and Elevatas in particular (even his amusing Michael Jackson-esque “woo”s in the latter) sound fantastic, showcasing his rich, expansive voice but also understating more than enough to keep from overdoing it.

As mentioned earlier, the beats are a huge part of why this album is a success as well, particularly in their eclecticism. Cuts like Jus Right and Mona Lisa have a tropical, calypso-esque feel to them, which are starkly different from but still fit in well with, say, Rollacoasta, which has a throbbing, synth heavy funk to it and a catchy hook that could stand next to the Gap Band’s best. Speaking of hooks, while Thicke hasn’t come anywhere near his first hit, he still hits paydirt here. His vocal melodies on Meiplé, for instance, are outstanding, as they are on It’s in the Morning, which features Snoop Dogg and should be completely generic: it’s a song praising morning sex in the typical slo-jam style, but the melodies and silliness of the lyrics make it quite appealing. Other big standouts are the neo-soulful Mrs. Sexy, and the glitchy, futuristic hip-hop of Shakin’ It 4 Daddy with Nick Minaj.

Taking time out of his... er... busy schedule to shoot a smile at his fans

Sex Therapy is the kind of album that most R&B artists wish they could make. It’s fun, playful, and even authentically sexy without ever falling into the pitfalls of taking itself too seriously (or not seriously enough, for that matter).  Much like how Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds approached their Murder Ballads album, Robin Thicke is very blatant with how he tackles the subject matter, but at the same time keeps a good sense of humor about himself, and this could well be the album’s greatest strength. A great way to close out the year for R&B.