Music Artists for April

Here’s the New Music Added to My Class Playlists for April

Oh Land

Sweden’s latest import is indie music’s newest darling. You need to know Oh Land. She is the real deal. Buy her new single Son of a Gun.

James Blake

James Blake wrote all the songs, and played all the instruments on his new album. He recorded it from home. His soulful singing voice contrasts the heavy electronic elements of his orchestrations. Sometimes I think he misses the mark but when he’s on, I hear the next big thing. This album is still a step on the road of his artistic developmental. He has quite mastered his sound but invest in him today. One day you can say I knew of him before he was famous. All said, it is great musical journey to go on.

Britney Spears – Femme Fatale

In watching Tuesday’s GMA “live” concert with Britney Spears, it appears the Britney Spears, as we knew her in her early years, is a distant memory. She has been replaced with a less enthusiastic Stepford version of herself. (If you question that, go on YouTube and look at Britney Spears’ early MTV performances than contrast it to her performances today. The spark is gone, the electricity has faded, and the dancing tired and robotic.) Though she may not be in top form anymore, or in control of her life, the people who produce Britney sure know how to package her. The new Spears album Femme Fatale is no exception.

With this newest collection of sharp, crisp, cool auto-tuned dance music it seems Ms. Spears record label, Jive, wishes to restore her to top of the charts. They keep Britney away from journalists. (Every interview conducted recently is done via email, where her handlers can cherry pick the questions.) All performance footage is pre-taped for maximum damage control. Her latest album is strangely named Femme Fatale which based on how she is being handled, leaves me to conclude she is the largest danger to herself.

Her label will has done a fine job keeping their sheltered pop princess delivering what the people want. On Femme Fatale, Britney sings of men, suggests sex and coos about dancing. There is no introspection and no surprises. She seldom steps out of her comfort zone and why should she? Her fans don’t discriminate. They don’t care if she sleepwalks through her performances. They don’t care if doesn’t sing live in concert, just as long as she is alive in concert. The loyal Britney fans don’t want a message, they go to Gaga for that. Her fans just wanna dance and dance they shall.  So will you…The album itself is very good despite the fact that the artist has clearly passed her prime. Who knew 28 would become the new middle age?