New Music Tuesday (Week of December 1st)
Rihanna, “Rated R”
Rihanna beckons listeners “To come on in” on intro track “Mad House” the sound is darker and the organs give a spooky element to the track, “to those of you who are easily frightened we suggest you turn away now. To those of you, who think you can take it we say welcome to the Mad House,” states a sinister male voice before Rihanna croons, “Come on, come on in.” The track is followed by “Wait Your Turn” where the songstress sings, “Sometimes it takes a thousands tries to win, the wait is over.” Not only is she declaring her return to the music scene but she’s acknowledging the turbulent year she’s had. It’s hard to separate the darker moodier tracks and honest lyrics with the headlines that rocked the singer’s life. On track “Stupid in Love” she sings, “My new nickname is you idiot, that’s what my friends call me when they see me yelling into my phone. They telling me let go he is not the one. I thought I saw your potential guess that’s what made me dumb.” Rated R is a blend of confessional, dark and even hopeful lyrics. So don’t worry about Rihanna she’ll be just fine cause “Baby [she's] a rock star!” Key tracks: “Rock Star,” “Stupid in Love,” “Wait Your Turn” and “Fire Bomb.”
Miles Benjamin’s Anthony Robinson, “Summer of Fear”
“Summer of Fear” opens up with “Shake a Shock” a mellow soothing track that like the album’s cover will have you feeling like you’re in the middle of the ocean with soft waves crashing behind you. Songs like “Always an Anchor” and “Losing 4 Winner” will have you humming along to the soothing sounds of Miles Benjamin’s Anthony Robinson’s “Summer of Fear.”
White Denim, “Fits”
White Denim’s “Fits” is a foot tapping, head shaking good time. From the explosive opening track, “Radio Milk How Can You Stand It” to the ballad “Regina Holding Hands” this Austin Texas trio has a unique blend of soul and blues infused rock n roll. With tracks like “I Start To Run” and “Paint Yourself” it’s easy to see why these fellas have been generated buzz across the globe.
Various Artists, “A Blackheart Christmas”
Joan Jett’s Blackheart Records is gearing up for the holidays with a disc full of holiday tunes performed by label mates Girl in a Coma who perform a touching rendition of “Blue Christmas” The Vacancies and their original Christmas tune, “The Elf Song” and other classic covers performed with a harder edge like “Santa Baby” performed by The Dollyrots and “Little Drummer Boy” by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts.
