Jamie Lidell - Another Day
With a new album out to follow 2005’s shocker, ‘Multiply’ Jamie Lidell seems to be turning up everywhere on the web these days. I’m one guilty party that bought the latest album, Jim, yesterday on Itunes. And I don’t know how I feel about it yet.

Weeks leading up to the release, one of my favorite websites, rcrdlbl.com was hyping him like it was Princes lost love child. He’s not. Not by a long shot. But, he does have something going for him, I’m still trying to put my finger on it.

Lidell was once known for his sonic sounds and soul, not necessarily his ability to conjur Las Vegas crooners, 80’s pop stars (Rick Astley included) or old Motown classics. It was the sophomore album ‘Multiply’ that shocked the Lidell following, and now, they’ve been waiting impatiently for what is next.

The answer is simple and easy enough, as yesterday, Lidell and crew broke out Jim. It’s not bad. But I won’t be going to any of his shows, or sharing the music with that many people. Maybe, if you can get into Maroon 5 and you enjoy anything that Quincy Jones or Clive Davis put their hands into in the 80’s - this is your 2008 record.



For me, there is just way too much interesting music out there to like something so blatantly a step backwards into the pop machine of the 90’s. I’m not saying Jamie isn’t talented, because he most certainly is. And from what I can tell, he seems like one hell of a show man. I just won’t be going. On the West Coast, he’ll be touring at the end of May, so you go check it out, and let me know if I missed out on anything.

I put a song in the post for your listening pleasure, not mine.

Why we like it: Finally, we get the taste of ‘Crazy’ out of our mouths. Yes, once upon a time, we did like that song, we’re just happy Cee-Lo and Danger Mouse teamed up again. Now, if Postal Service would follow suit, I could sleep easier. Once again, the production of Barkley is seamless. The two seem as if they’ve been together for years writing songs. The disc is great if you’re a fan of the duo, or even if you got sick of ‘Crazy’ too.
Why we don’t: After spending about a week with Gnarls, it’s not in my top 5. I was really hoping for more experimentation. I wanted them to get outside their comfort zone and test the boundaries of hip hop, soul, and funk. This record, while a good release, compares nothing to their first. At times Cee-Lo’s crooning is over the top. Oh, and don’t get me started on the track “Whatever.” (ugh)
Like Artist: Gorillaz, N*E*R*D, OutKast
Genre: Hip-Hop, Soul, Funk

Genre: Soul, Singer/Songwriter, Indie

Why we like it: A UK girl to hopefully change the image that Amy Winehouse so verifiably destroyed for UK women who sing. This is a great CD if you’re into poppy little numbers, and you’re tired of that Back to Black cd, already (it’s been a year, btw.) It’s a poppy little number, but as always, I’ll blame the producers. This girl can actually sing, and some of the tracks will get ya movin.

Why we don’t: After 12 tracks of Adele, I’m ready for something else. Something else UK based, like Arctic Monkeys. There’s not much variation on the production, and they’re purely trying to showcase her vocals (which are good!), but it’s just not enough to hold my attention. Pop Pop Poppy. That being said, the single ‘Chasing Pavements’ will be stuck in my head for the next 4 days. It’s not a bad thing.

Like Artist: Amy Winehouse, Brandi Carlile (the UK version), Amy Macdonald