New Albums: Maroon 5 & The National

I've been waiting for these 2 albums to be released for a while now... haven't listened enough yet to firmly evaluate - but so far, I'm disappointed by the M5 (why should it surprise me that it's overproduced?) It's not bad or anything -- much of it is instantly catchy... which is kind of what scares me. I'm a little weary of it being too immediately accessible and then getting really stale really fast. I always liked the live versions of Songs About Jane better (they sounded much more alternative/rock live... they're actually all talented musicians - esp. James Valentine on guitar)... and, anyway, this album is more commercial pop than the last album. I'm sure it makes sense from a business perspective to go this route, but I'm not looking forward to even more shrieking teenage girls at their concerts.

As for The National's Boxer... so far, I gotta just say it's wonderful. I've been trying to pinpoint their musical influences - there are many, and they tease you with their subtlety (the best kind). This seems to be an album (unlike the new Maroon 5) that is not going to grow old fast... (or ever?). Anyone have extra tickets to any of their sold out shows at Bowery Ballroom next week?

Savion Glover's Feet (Even Webbed) Make Me Happy

I love Savion Glover. I love Robin Williams. I love animated penguins who can talk and sing and DANCE. Make sure you watch the clip long enough to see the big dance scene.

Betty Davis: An Original Funk/Soul Diva in Reissues

This woman has been rocking my computer speakers all day long. Please go check out the reissues of her self-titled album & They Say I'm Different.

I guess it should come as no surprise that her personal story (good summary via Seattle Weekly)is pretty darn interesting too... once married to Miles Davis (she was probably the influence that sparked his Bitches Brew stage), around 1980 she just disappeared ... though plenty of other fierce women in music owe her a lot (Madonna, Kelis, Macy Gray, even Lauryn Hill, amongst others...haha, even Melinda Doolittle - I always liked the gritty Melinda best - better for her career that she got cut from American Idol anyway, btw).

Betty Davis MP3s available via Pitchfork

Random Thoughts

• Happy birthday to Julianne & Janet Jackson!
• I kinda hate to fuel any ego this big, but his new song is good
• I think my sister would like the new Cassie song (it's catchy) - and while Cassie def. is influenced by Janet, make sure you honor the original too today - like, watch the video the other birthday girl dug out for the occasion (why don't they make dance videos like this anymore!?!?)

American Idol: Bye Bye Blake

My friends Emily & Peter like him, but I thought the judges were overly kind to him tonight. He had pitch problems in all 3 songs - not awful awful pitch problems, but the bottom line is that his voice is not as good as those of the ladies. And btw his rendition of This Love was a total "copycat" performance, and Adam Levine also has a much better voice than he does. That's actually really not an easy song to sing - his version was ok, but felt like a good karaoke version to me. Between the other two, I'm kind of torn for the first time in a few weeks. Jordin sang well tonight, but her song choices were a little weird -- her last song was def her best. Melinda was smack on every song tonight - her Whitney song was not as good as the judges said, but she can hold her own. Her last two songs were great - and she was totally sparkling tonight in terms of her energy & confidence. It was great to see!

Jon Pareles is Reviewing Everyone I've Seen Recently: Stephen Marley

I just saw Stephen Marley (feat. Damian too) at Jazzfest, so in reading Jon Pareles' review of their recent NYC show in today's NYTimes, I was really surprised to read that Stephen did so many of his father's songs at the Nokia theater show too. (he did the same thing at the N.O. fairgrounds, but I thought that was b/c the audience there would be more likely to come see him based on his last name than his whole name...) I agree that, as much as I love the elder Marley, he really doesn't need to play as much from Legend as he does. His own sound (esp. combined with his songs from his brother's stuff) can more than make for a great show on its own.

BTW, Damian has the longest dreads I've ever seen in my life. They're like down to his knees. Crazy cool.

And at jazzfest, they had an adorable little kid dancing around with a flag onstage (maybe one of Stephen's sons?), and I also loved that the band included some elder Rastafarians. I'm a sucker for seeing multiple generations on stage. That's actually very common to see in New Orleans in general... I wish it were more common more broady.

Go to Idolator For Leak of Common Track

Geoff, that means you! ;)

Seriously, "The People" is really good. I can't wait for the whole album. Julianne told me I'm gonna love it, including (especially) a track feat. Lily Allen... ooh, can't wait!

For a track-by-track preview, see The Fader .

And, yes, he's been accused of being a bit corny (Gap commercial) / reportedly has carried a notebook that proclaims "God Is Love" to his hosted listening sessions... but I gotta tell you... I could be accused of being inspired at times:

Little kids (they get me EVERY time):

I want to be a governor...

I want to be a doctor...

I want to be a ballet dancer...

I want to be a Aaaastronaut!...

I want to be a... gym teacher...

I want to be a DUCK...

I want to be the first African-American female President

I want to be a police officer...

I want to be a suuperstar!

Deep wise "Pops":

Be...

be here, ... be there,

be that, ... be this

Be grateful for life, be grateful to life

Be gleeful everyday,

for being the best swimmer among 500,000...

Amen!

AND, like Julianne, I will never get tired of the song "Faithful".