The Napster Blog

Whitney Houston, I Look to You

Whitney Houston is so entrenched in America's popular culture that it is hard to believe that I Look to You is only her sixth studio album. She hit such dizzying heights following her 1985 debut (not to mention the kind of well-publicized decline that many celebrities encounter) that no one would blame her if she simply retired and rested on her laurels. But lucky for us, that appears not to have been an option for this pop diva, and after seven years, we finally receive the fruits of her most recent labor.

I Look to You is a typically perfected Houston effort, aided by a superb team of writers and producers including Alicia Keys, Akon and R. Kelly. It's a quietly solid set that shows off her strengths, even if she no longer hits or sustains the high notes the way she once did. The mainly mid-tempo jams and ballads lend themselves to a voice that has done a lot of living but can still keep up with the best of them. The mix sounds like modern pop-infused R&B but doesn't attempt to make Whitney sound like just another young starlet; in fact, the album as a whole stands up better than some of her younger admirers' recent releases. It's an excellent announcement that Whitney is ready to take the spotlight once again, and all we can say is, "Welcome back, Ms. Houston!"

Mad Men, Entourage, Dexter, Rescue Me: TV Soundtracks

It's no surprise that some of the critically acclaimed shows on television these days feature good music. Mad Men, Entourage, Dexter, and Rescue Me are great examples.

Mad Men, a sterling epic about the advertising biz in Manhattan in the 1960s, is as wonderfully written as it is visually stunning. The producers have paired this aesthetic grandeur with classics from Bobby Vinton, Rosemary Clooney, and Vic Damone, to name a few. And "A Beautiful Mine" by contemporary electronic soul man RJD2 gives the show's opening an impressive kick.

Entourage features chill music from hip-hop acts such as Common, Flo Rida, and T.I.—tracks that fit perfectly with the show's slick Hollywood vibe. As protagonist Vincent Chase and buddies experience fame and all that comes with it, other acts including indie rockers TV on the Radio and Cold War Kids round out the soundtrack.
 

Dexter, a lovable psychopath (?), does some pretty bad things. But the dark, quirky comedy between killings keeps things eerily light, a mood that's aided by the show's vibrant music, which encapsulates the sound of Miami nightlife. Cuban icon Beny Moré, alternative Latin band Kinky, and composer Daniel Licht mix light and dark in just the right amounts.

Rescue Me follows a group of New York firefighters dealing with both dangerous situations and their own personal issues in an already-tough city—pretty heavy stuff. Well, the soundtrack includes some gritty and heroic-sounding numbers by The Twilight Singers, Our Lady Peace, The Black Keys, and The Subways, each of which support and enhance the heaviness all the way.

Electronica Staff Picks

Tosca is the project of Richard Dorfmeister (of Kruder & Dorfmeister) and experimental producer Rupert Huber. The duo's downtempo creations have for some time been the hallmark of ambient electronic music. The album No Hassle is their latest release, which they describe as an “audio massage” meant to be experienced as an album rather than track by track. Listen, relax, and enjoy.

1995’s Knowoneness was the first album from acid-trance  band Electric Skychurch. They included many live elements, with a vocalist against electronic soundscapes and a multimedia show that wowed crowds. They toured heavily in the rave scene during the mid ‘90s and released a string of albums through the renowned but now defunct label Moonshine. Knowoneness is one of their best.

New Jersey dubstep producer Yoni Oron (a.k.a. The Widdler) enters our staff picks with some wicked vibes released under his Alias EP. The title track is a mellow and compelling shuffler that only pauses to offer a reassuring vocal, “your secret’s safe with me.” The second track follows in the same pattern, but shifts into a higher gear with additive rhythms. It's tracks such as these that have put the Widdler’s name in the upper ranks of producers falling under the more minimal dubstep umbrella.  

UK DJ duo Layo & Bushwacka’s turned in the 33rd volume of the Global Underground series in 2007. The mixset is based off of their Rio de Janeiro appearance and includes a tribute to the classics with tunes dating back to 1987. Tunes like Kim Mazelle’s “Taste My Love” reach way back, but the duo follows up with a more modern mix of the recent best. Names like Adam Beyer, Guy Gerber, and Henrik Schwarz line the last bits of the album with a healthy dose of amazing.

Matisyahu, Light

Hasidic reggae star Matisyahu recently released his third studio album, Light. Fans will recognize the artist's distinct reggae-rock-rap style—at times reminiscent of Sublime—is intact, though leaning more heavily toward the non-reggae side of the equation than before. Light is by far Matisyahu's most polished studio effort to date, and its rich production could open the door to attracting those with more rock-oriented sensibilities. Napster's exclusive version of the album includes live versions of "I Will Be Light," "Thunder," and the hit "King without a Crown," recorded at the studios of CD 101.1 FM, an alternative music station in Columbus, Ohio.

Radney Foster and The Confessions, Revival

Over the course of his career, Radney Foster has covered a good portion of the musical map. As part of the late-'80s duo Foster & Lloyd, he hit up mainstream, commercial country and hit the big time. During the '90s and '00s, Foster's solo work wandered between spunky country-rock, R&B and folky, singer-songwriter territory. His songs have been recorded by Sara Evans, Brooks & Dunn, Dixie Chicks and Jack Ingram (to name just a few).

Three years after the contemporary country of This World We Live In, Foster is back with a new release: Revival, a rustically rocking album that sounds and feels like he has found a comfortable place for a bit of reflection. Revival is a remarkably personal record featuring a heartfelt set of gospel-themed tracks. Foster's impeccable lyrics resonate within the murky emotional contexts of the tracks, which portray a character seeking forgiveness, redemption and a spiritual revival. This is a fine album from a true artisan.

Parliament, Mary Jane Girls, Maze, Cheryl Lynn: Summer Funk Sauce (Napster Playlist)

Napster's Summer Funk Sauce playlist is the perfect soundtrack for "cuein' it up" as the end of summer approaches. Shake your salt and pepper to classics like Maze's "Before I Let Go," The Gap Band's "Outstanding," or Mtume's "Juicy Fruit."  Other funk mainstays include timeless hits from the Dazz Band, Rick James, and Cameo. And as the food coma kicks in and the coals turn to embers, the list ends with Kool & the Gang's "Summer Madness", wrapping things up with a little auditory dessert. So fire up the grill, chop up the onions, and marinate the steaks. "Summer Funk Sauce" will liven up any barbeque. 

Nervous Records on Napster

Oh boy! The legendary New York label Nervous Records has furnished us with not one but two incredible playlists culled from their extensive catalog, which we're proud to present as part of our "Label Showcase" series. The, "Nervous Records Now," features great tracks from their current roster; the second, "Nervous Records Classic" runs down their original hits dating back to as early as 1992. If you’re into the “old school,” the Classic playlist is definitely worth a listen. Original tracks like Nu Yorican Soul’s “The Nervous Track” and Armand Van Helden’s “Egyptian Magician” should bring back some fond memories. The "Now" playlist, meanwhilie, includes hit tracks from some of the biggest artists in dance music today. Songs from Chris Lake, Bellatrax, Ercola, and Oscar G are but a few of the highlights. Check out both playlists for some of that new-school versus old-school perspective. Enjoy!

Patton Oswalt, My Weakness Is Strong

The brilliantly acerbic Patton Oswalt is one of the finest stand-up comics of his generation: His writing is superb; his delivery, spot-on. Thankfully, fans of the lovable little ball of hate can expect more of the same top-quality comedy they've come to expect on his latest album, My Weakness Is Strong.

Patton begins with an extended set on himself and his family. He jokes about expecting his first child (update: Alice Oswalt was born April 15, 2009) and the changes he should make in his own life for her sake. He's essentially telling us that he's growing up—at least a little—and leaving behind childish things ("Whiskey and Weed and LSD"). Then he shares a hilarious story about house hunting with his wife ("Orgy") and getting older ("First").

The latter half of the album finds Patton covering popular topics such as racism ("Obama...and Time Travel...and Coolness"), George W. Bush ("Demons"), Religion ("Sky Cake"), and flying ("Airplane"). He finishes with a personal story about his early days as a stand-up comic ("The Magician"). In My Weakness Is Strong, Patton proves that, no matter the topic—be it personal or satirical—he's capable of finding that nugget of pure comedy gold hidden within.

Ellie Greenwich, 1940–2009

Songwriter and record producer Ellie Greenwich, famous for writing or co-writing (with husband Jeff Barry) many of the biggest hits of the 1960s, died today of a heart attack in her home state of New York. She was just two months shy of 69. Greenwich was a songwriting and producing ally of Phil Spector's, a rare woman in that side of the then-male-dominated music business, and with Barry, she scored hit after hit, including The Ronettes' "Be My Baby" (covered recently and very nicely by Leslie Mendelson), the Shangri-Las' "Leader of the Pack," The Crystals' "Da Doo Ron Ron" and The Dixie Cups' "Chapel of Love."

Interestingly, of the dozens of hit records she had a hand in writing or producing, she is said to have remarked that "Leader" and "Chapel" were the only two she was certain would either flop completely or be huge successes (the latter scenario, of course, proved true in both cases). Greenwich worked out of New York's famous Brill Building, where equally famous songwriting duo Leiber and Stoller gave her her start. She eventually helped a young Neil Diamond (a fellow writer) get his performing career off the ground, producing early records including "Cherry Cherry."

Napster's "Girl Groups of the '60s" playlist presents the sound and feel of the time in which Greenwich did her most popular work, and even includes her "Chapel of Love" and "Da Do Ron Ron." Greenwich's official website tells her tale more completely, for those interested in learning more about the career of a true pop music legend.

Clipse, “All Eyes on Me” featuring Keri Hilson

The third single from the upcoming Clipse album Til the Casket Drops is an uptempo party/club joint featuring current R&B favorite Keri Hilson.  Produced by The Neptunes, "All Eyes on Me" seems to be more on the "pop" side of things and offers another taste of the many different flavors the Clipse are coming with on their new album. Between the grittiness of "Kinda Like a Big Deal", the laid-back vibe of "I'm Good," and now the club feel of "All Eyes on Me," Til the Casket Drops is shaping up to be a convergence of various styles, but with The Neptunes producing the majority of the album, overall coherence is likely. We'll have to wait until October (as of now) to see.