You Make Me Sick
There’s nothing I hate more than listening to an album and not liking a single song.
I do you artists the honor of listening to your work, something you’ve claimed to put your heart and soul into, and you, in turn, give me crap! Not cool, man…not cool at all.
It all started with Mariah. After her Emancipation, I expected nothing short of greatness. I couldn’t even get a gr. When my friends got a hold of the album, though, they all talked about how great it was. I thought either I needed to get my ears checked or I needed to get new friends. So far, I’ve done neither because another listen or two could possibly redeem Mrs. Carey-Cannon.
Such is not the case with the others.
Gavin DeGraw’s eponymous third album was next. Have you seen Tristan + Isolde? If you have, you heard “We Belong Together“, one of my favorite songs of 2005. If you haven’t, you should; it’s a good movie, but I digress. I’m mad it took Gavin five years to come up with this. If it takes anyone five years to release a new album, I expect a masterpiece, and that, this is not.
I like Scarlett Johannson. She’s a phenomenal actress, but a singer? Not so much. Well, I take that back because I couldn’t really tell, thanks to what was supposed to be background music. Was the intent to drown out her voice? If so, mission accomplished. I can’t even entertain the thought of suffering through this one again.
I was visiting one of my long-time favorite blogs, Jesus Hearts Music, and saw pictures of Jesse McCartney out with one of those girls from Danity Kane. Like I mentioned there, they don’t even register to me, so whichever one she is doesn’t really matter. It reminded me that I hadn’t listened to his new album, but, when I did, I was instantly forced to think that Jesse should have been in the studio revamping this mess of an album that I spent my afternoon listening to when I could have been doing something much more productive. I expected more out of him because I really like the “She’s No You” remix, but not too much more, you know? But more, nonetheless. Less is what I got, unfortunately.
Last, but definitely not least, is Usher. I had been hearing leaked tracks for a while, but was hoping that he was saving his better material for the album. After listening to the album in its entirety, all hope is now lost. I’ve been a fan of yours since the beginning, so I know you can do better than this, man. Is it Tameka? Did she do this to you? I mean, every time we see pictures of you now, she’s not far behind. How about you head back to the studio, tell her to stay at home with Little U and you do what you usually do because I don’t know who this is, and frankly, I don’t want to know him. You can’t become Michael Jackson’s heir apparent releasing crap like this, especially when you have this little whipper-snapper yapping at your heels. Way back when, you asked us if we could get wit it. Now, I’m asking you.
brran1 said:
I think many artists are forced to put out new albums so that they have the chance to capitalize on the success of a previous album. It all translates to sales for the record company, and a BS album for consumers.
Cortney said:
I have every single album Mariah has ever released, but when I BOUGHT E=MC2 and listened to it, I was so reluctant to put it with the rest of my collection. Very very very disappointing, that CD was so child-like and it made my ears hurt.
Scarlett….I saw a clip on YouTube of her singing, so I knew better than to download that CD
I just got Usher’s CD, so I’m gonna give it a try. I actually like ‘Moving Mountains’ (I’m probably the only one though) so I want to give him a fair chance.
I like the title of this post, it’s right to the point lol
J. Dakar said:
Thank you kindly.
I don’t know if many have noticed, but all of my titles are actually song titles.
Queen.B.D. said:
LOL I know exactly the feeling!! Nowadays some albums are not even worth a download lol its like they throw em together quickly
DiabolicalDeva said:
You have read my mind … I’ve heard 3 of those albums and couldn’t agree more. I think Tameka did cause Usher to stumble and FAIL. As for Gavin … Yes, I saw Tristan and Isolde … LOVED THE MOVIE, loved his song and his previous albums, this one was bum garbage to me. *sigh* … Mariah is pretty good but it’s not something I would listen to on a regular basis, doesn’t stick out to me. Still alright though.
kaykay said:
J. Dakar, please tell me you loved Erykah’s latest effort. So many of her fans online hated it and I couldn’t understand the hate to save my life so I’m curious to see how you rate it…
J. Dakar said:
I like Erykah’s latest. According to my rankings on iTunes, it’s a 4-star album and includes all of the tracks.
That says a lot because if I think a song is less than a three, it gets deleted. No questions asked.
Stuff FlyPeople Like said:
I Blame Tameka! Its like he can’t concentrate…something is off. I was dissapointed with every leaked track…What was he thinking? And Mariah….no comment.
kaykay said:
cool, that helps me gauge where you’re coming from musically, lol
Dustin said:
While “Here I Stand” isn’t his best to date, I can’t say that the whole album isn’t any good. There are actually only a few tracks that I skip over, and will probably end up deleting off of my iPod, but that’s it.
It’s no “Confessions,” but it’s still a pretty good album never-the-less … to me at least, lol.
Dustin said:
Haha, that’s dope! Are you gonna keep it up throughout the life of the blog?
JMarie said:
I completely agree with your comment about Mariah’s latest effort…I am a die hard fan and I still love her but I think piece of my love for her died with this E=MC2 crap. It was sooo disappointing that I did not even buy her album. The lyricism in some of the songs is just so elementary and just not reflective of an iconic singer like her self.
As for Usher, I don’t know if you remember but in a response to why Andre 3000 didn’t have someone special in his life. Andre 3000 said that a serious relationship kills the creative soul. I think it was in a magazine a few years back.
C said:
I think MImi was good for what it is, holdovers from Emancipation. I haven’t listened to Usher yet – I’ll do that today. The others – I’m going to have to take a pass on anyways. Scarjo knows better than to cut an album, HAS to know better, ALTHOUGH I will say I liked her rendition of Summertime a lot
J. Dakar said:
I must remember that the next time someone asks why I’m single. Haha.
J. Dakar said:
Definitely! For the most part, I’ve done that on all of my sites for years.
JMarie said:
Haha I think I may start using that too.
J. Dakar said:
Exactly! I say we put an end to this nonsense: take the time it takes to get yourself and your music together, but if it takes five years and you give us nothing but crap, you tear up your recording contract and find another career.
Ernest. said:
“To each, is own”
Terrell said:
What’s good J., now I cannot agree with the Usher & Mariah because MC and Ush got some hot tracks on these albums. How can you not like “Trading Places” and “Love In This Club Part 2″ or MC’s “Thanx For Nothin’” or “Bye Bye” any of thoses…..
Star said:
I am a die hard Mariah fan and after listening to some snippets of her latest cd off I-tunes I refused to buy it. I finally caved in and I must say: I Stay in Love, Love Story, and Last Kiss truly redeems her. She needs to stop singing in her higher register though.
J. Dakar » Dr. Carter said:
[...] Some, namely Diddy, are calling it a classic. I wouldn’t go that far, but I will say it is definitely worth a listen and I’m sure you’ll find a track or three you love…unlike these pieces of crap. [...]
Cassandra said:
Thanks for the heads up on Gavin. I too love Tristan and Isolde (so much that I was one of the ten people who brought the DVD).
J. Dakar said:
You’re more than welcome. I don’t want anyone else to have to suffer like I did. Haha.
Ay Ay Ay said:
i like Usher album the most out of the 5. MiMi’s 2nd the rest hell no. but all the songs on Here I STand are hot!! i’m still fightin wit Love You Gently but aside from that all the songs are great
shawnee said:
I couldn’t agree with you more. As much as a fan I am of Mariah…I just could NOT get into it. “Bye Bye” is so cliche’ and the remix with Jay Z made me hate it more. Usher gets two thumbs down and I know I don’t know him personally, but he seems way different this time around. I know Jesse could do a little better but his cute factor is gone now. And Scarlett…I’ll pass.