Welcome to 2009! Whether you're back at work or still on holiday we've got loads of goodies to help keep you feeling the summer love! Click here for a taste of what we've got...
We bring you the hottest CD releases this month. From Madonna to Alanis, right through to our very own Mareko check out what's hot here...
Madonna Hard Candy Madonna’s pretty sexy for a forty-something-year-old and she’s definitely got her game face on with her latest album. With all the big boys in the business, Justin Timberlake, Timbaland and Kanye West popping in for a visit, you are guaranteed some massive tracks but are left with the question as to who is actually running the show. Everything starts off well enough, but with the signature stamping of American song writing teams The Neptunes and Timbaland not so subtly smacked down on all the tracks, a little bit of variety, and a little bit more Madonna, would have been nice.
Mariah Carey E=MC2
Mariah is the best selling female artist of all time and this baby put her into second equal place (with Madonna) for most No.1 albums by a female artist. However this CD definitely isn’t her best work. Overall E=MC2 is a tad on the average side, and doesn’t show off her wicked vocal ability as well as it could. In saying that, the songs do grow on you and if you’re a die hard Mariah fan you’ll still find something to love about it! It's also packed with loads of breakup songs, so perfect to keep on hand for the next time you or a girlfriend has to get over a pesky ex!
Sad Songs II Compilation 40 tear-filled tracks perfect for a mope to, Sad Songs II, is just that. Sad. With all the golden oldies on there from Tom Jones to the Beach Boys and even a little bit of Elvis, your mum would be stoked to add it to her collection.
MGMT Oracular Spectacular Buzzing electro-psych which dabbles in British prog rock and mixed up some more with new-wave synth and even a little bit of funk, Oracular Spectacular is a playful yet dense album of acid drop goodness. Tune in, buzz out for a some feel-good tracks such as first single ‘Time to Pretend’ and the very funky ‘Electric feel’.
ELEMENO P Self Titled ELEMENO P are a band I’ve never been able to take that seriously which is why I was pleasantly surprised with their latest effort. A little bit deeper, more musically sound and finished off with a nice sprinkling of sunshine dust, this is a foot-taper of an album and a nice development from the New Zealand sweethearts. Catchy and upbeat even in some of the heavier moments, it’s third time lucky with the group’s best album yet.
Alanis Morissette Flavours of Entanglement Angsty songstress Alanis Morissette returns with her first album in four years and is sounding a little bit jumbled upon her return. Yes the angry relationship-analysing lyrics are still there but so is the useless euro-pop sounding track ‘Straightjacket’ (which sounds like it would have sat better with the Sugababes), and in another twist, Alanis has freshened up her sound with electro beats and loops. It’s an interesting comeback for Alanis, that’s for sure.
Mareko White Sunday 2 The Book of Mark
Smooth grooves and urban beats, Mareko delivers a solid follow up that balances soul and attitude to make a thoughtful and fun album. Another proud moment in NZ hip-hop, Mareko’s laidback style will keep urban music fans happy and with some good social comments in there, still demands the respect of non-hip hop fans alike.
For more Mareko click here to check out his special visit to the nzgirl HQ, where he cooked up a storm and made us his favourite dish! Yumo!
Radiohead The Best Of
While Radiohead may not have entirely sanctioned the release of this ‘best of’ (it was collaborated after they had left EMI and only includes songs the record company had the rights to) there is still no arguing it’s 29 tracks of freakin’ coolness. With all the hits on there including ‘Karma Police’ and ‘Creep’ down to the best b-side track ever ‘Talk Show Host’ (which FYI, was also on the Romeo and Juliet Sound track) it’s a pretty sweet deal.
.jpg)
Mariah Carey E=MC2.jpg)
pesky ex!
dabbles in British prog rock and mixed up some more with new-wave synth and even a little bit of funk, Oracular Spectacular is a playful yet dense album of acid drop goodness. Tune in, buzz out for a some feel-good tracks such as first single ‘Time to Pretend’ and the very funky ‘Electric feel’.
finished off with a nice sprinkling of sunshine dust, this is a foot-taper of an album and a nice development from the New Zealand sweethearts. Catchy and upbeat even in some of the heavier moments, it’s third time lucky with the group’s best album yet. 
there but so is the useless euro-pop sounding track ‘Straightjacket’ (which sounds like it would have sat better with the Sugababes), and in another twist, Alanis has freshened up her sound with electro beats and loops. It’s an interesting comeback for Alanis, that’s for sure.
laidback style will keep urban music fans happy and with some good social comments in there, still demands the respect of non-hip hop fans alike.
of this ‘best of’ (it was collaborated after they had left EMI and only includes songs the record company had the rights to) there is still no arguing it’s 29 tracks of freakin’ coolness. With all the hits on there including ‘Karma Police’ and ‘Creep’ down to the best b-side track ever ‘Talk Show Host’ (which FYI, was also on the Romeo and Juliet Sound track) it’s a pretty sweet deal..jpg){kind=small}
