The Message
'The Message' is the debut album by the winner of the UK edition of 'The Voice', Andrea Begley.
For many - myself included - Andrea was a surprise winner of a commercially huge show. No doubt, she has an excellent voice and an excellent arrangement of 'Ho Hey', however many doubters including judge will.i.am didn't think she would be able to sell records as well as the other contestants. Man were they wrong.
Though the album is largely covers, you can hear the work that Andrea has put into the arrangements which sound nothing like their originals. In the case of her version of 'Dancing in the Dark', she has even beaten Bruce Springsteen as to how to portray the lyrics the best. Her country music take on 'Lightning Bolt' or her jazzed up version of Disclosure's 'Latch' are other excellent examples of how to create an album largely of covers. These are versions that are not only unique and original but surprisingly catchy and really easy on the ears (perfect for relaxing).
That said, she also compliments her own music into the tracklist to great effect. The title track is one of the finest on the album and works very nicely with the vibe she is trying to set.
In conclusion, I'd like to point out that it's so easy to create a debut album of mediocre covers. Andrea has worked extremely hard to make this music sound original and she succeeds. The album is an excellent start and already I am looking forward to hearing a second album of more of her own music, because if this debut album is anything to go by, good times are ahead for this young, partially blind girl from Northern Ireland.
Click here to watch the video for her debut single 'Dancing in the Dark'
Moon Landing
'Moon Landing' is the fourth studio album from Wiltshire crooner James Blunt.
James Blunt has had a pretty up-down progress line ever since the singer's debut album 'Back to Bedlam' came out in 2004. Here we are nine years later and a lot has happened to Blunt's image. In any case, 'Moon Landing' feels like a side of James Blunt that we've never seen before. On this album, he seems like more of a relaxed guy. Not worried about a record label or what the public would think, Blunt wrote and recorded in a year, without being concerned about any of that stuff. The result is a) jovial songs from a guy once known as the whiny British guy in popular music and b) a feeling of honest and original emotion which shows up in the songs.
The lyrics and the music represent this and the result is an album that is stripped away from the usual fanfare that one might find in a famous singer's album. Songs like the single 'Bonfire Heart' are a fresh and different perspective of the kind of music one might typically find in the charts and it works extremely well. Though the album is by no means entirely perfect, it is nice to see what Blunt has done with his music in giving it a fresh feeling.
While some songs are quite dull, there are also brightly shining stars on James Blunt's newest work. Listening to the album can be an invigorating experience, but if you don't have time, 'Bonfire Heart', 'Heart to Heart', 'Miss America' and 'Postcards' are all very good listens.
Click here to watch the video for the lead single off the album, 'Bonfire Heart'
Prism
'Prism' is the much anticipated third studio album from global pop star Katy Perry.
Unless you have been living under some kind of rock for the past fiver years, the name Katy Perry will probably have crossed you at some point. Whether it be one of her outrageously silly music videos or a cameo on your favorite TV show, you will have heard from her at some point. Add in the fact that 'Prism' marks a change in the type of music that she has been making and you have one of the most anticipated albums of the year.
Amazingly however, despite the amount of hype around Katy Perry, the album doesn't quite match it. There are brightly shining gems of songs on the album that are light years ahead of her last album. 'By the Grace of God' is the song I use to talk about this because this is the first song I have ever heard by her that isn't drowning her voice out in pop synths. It is for the larger part, just her and her piano and her soulful lyrics about the end of a relationship (obviously written about her divorce from Russel Brand)
In songs like 'Walking On Air' and 'Dark Horse', we get another chance to see how much Katy Perry's music has matured since the previous collection. The lyrics are well written, the music takes good influence from the days of disco and Juicy J's guest appearance on the latter track, truly makes the song something special. This said, there are still many fillers on the album that will prevent it from being up for any major awards (e.g. album of the year), 'This is How We Do' and 'International Smile' are ones to look at avoiding if ever you find yourself listening to the album.
Nonetheless, Katy Perry has to be give some credit. Her 'Teenage Dream' days brought her much glory and fame and making another album full of that same kind of music would have been so easy. However, she decided to branch out and make her album a more grown-up affair, something more people would be able to connect with. At this, I think she succeeds, a brave decision on her part. She's "got the eye of the tiger" and on this album you are going to "hear her roar". 'Prism' isn't the best album ever, but it's a step in the right direction for Katy Perry making really good music. I look forward to seeing what the present day Princess of pop comes up with next.
Click here to watch the video for the lead single off the album, 'Roar'
Of all these albums, the winner is...
Andrea Begley. For me this is because Andrea Begley was the person that put the most thought into the tracklisting and sound of the album. It was full of covers, but that doesn't take away from the fact that the album is unique and original.
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