2008 Woodie Awards
Music reviews
byIssue date: 2/11/08 Section: A&E
As I am
By Mallory Dumas
The album title says it all. Alicia Keys' new CD, As I Am, is full of songs that represent different aspects of Keys' personality. The lyrics reveal Keys' dedication to her relationship. Her songs cover the usual topics of love found and love lost. John Mayer performs with Keys on Lesson Learned about what her failed relationship taught her.
Although Keys sticks mostly to common song topics, she steps outside the box for a few songs. Superwoman portrays a woman who is trying to do it all. I can relate to this song because I feel like the world is on my shoulders.
Teenage Love Affair is another song about love, but it is teenage love. I don't know whether Keys is reflecting on her past teenage relationship or singing from the point of view of a teenager presently in love. I don't get the point of the song.
Overall, Keys' new album is pretty great. The only bad side is that the song topics are similar. With her incredible talent all the tracks are unique.
In Rainbows
By Myron Phelps
Radiohead, as I know them, is a group that is not a follower. They don't do what other groups are doing; they don't copy the style of the Beatles or ride the current fad of pop music. They do just themselves. The problem for me is no matter how different or original the music is, I don't like it. The 2000 release Kid A had a few gems such as Idioteque. This seems to be the shining feature of the group. This music had a new sound and a great separation from what was being attempted, but the novelty has worn off. The majority of Radiohead is now just whiny, slow and pretentious, usually hailed by critics and slept on by consumers. I appreciate the original idea, but it's still got to be well proportioned.
Like most good bands, their ability to play their instruments has gotten better; their use of synthesizers isn't as heavy. Also ever present is two ways of singing, a high-pitched haunting tone and an almost angry, questioning voice. I find myself asking, "Haven't I heard this song already?"
By Mallory Dumas
The album title says it all. Alicia Keys' new CD, As I Am, is full of songs that represent different aspects of Keys' personality. The lyrics reveal Keys' dedication to her relationship. Her songs cover the usual topics of love found and love lost. John Mayer performs with Keys on Lesson Learned about what her failed relationship taught her.
Although Keys sticks mostly to common song topics, she steps outside the box for a few songs. Superwoman portrays a woman who is trying to do it all. I can relate to this song because I feel like the world is on my shoulders.
Teenage Love Affair is another song about love, but it is teenage love. I don't know whether Keys is reflecting on her past teenage relationship or singing from the point of view of a teenager presently in love. I don't get the point of the song.
Overall, Keys' new album is pretty great. The only bad side is that the song topics are similar. With her incredible talent all the tracks are unique.
In Rainbows
By Myron Phelps
Radiohead, as I know them, is a group that is not a follower. They don't do what other groups are doing; they don't copy the style of the Beatles or ride the current fad of pop music. They do just themselves. The problem for me is no matter how different or original the music is, I don't like it. The 2000 release Kid A had a few gems such as Idioteque. This seems to be the shining feature of the group. This music had a new sound and a great separation from what was being attempted, but the novelty has worn off. The majority of Radiohead is now just whiny, slow and pretentious, usually hailed by critics and slept on by consumers. I appreciate the original idea, but it's still got to be well proportioned.
Like most good bands, their ability to play their instruments has gotten better; their use of synthesizers isn't as heavy. Also ever present is two ways of singing, a high-pitched haunting tone and an almost angry, questioning voice. I find myself asking, "Haven't I heard this song already?"
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