Gone are the days when “celebrities” dominated one particular area. They’re now setting their sights on controlling all forms of entertainment.

Take for instance, Leighton Meester. You’re probably asking, “WHO?!” But she’s an actress on Gossip Girl. I’ve never seen the show, so I can’t comment on how great an actress she is. One thing’s for sure, though: if this music video is any indication of her singing abilities, she’s not much of a singer. In fact, she doesn’t really sing with her monologue verses easily trumped by blue-eyed soul crooner Robin Thicke.

There have been many actors who’ve tried their hand at singing. Some have succeeded, but many make for a great punchline. My point is instead of trying to take over, go with what you know and do what you do well.

Post Title Download: Tears for Fears – “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” from Songs from the Big Chair

Hard to believe it’s been 13 years. Even harder that the case is still unsolved.

Post Title Download: 2Pac -- “I Wonder If Heaven Got a Ghetto” from R U Still Down? (Remember Me)

Some time ago, brran1 tagged me in a meme, and although I hate having to pick favorites when it comes to music, the following are my top 25 albums of all-time.

Post Title Download: Junior Senior – “I Like Music (W.O.S.B.)” from Hey Hey My My Yo Yo

Oscar and Golden Globe-nominated actor Terrence Howard marches to the beat of his own drum (and I’m sure that drum is stuffed with baby wipes).

I’m also sure that when he announced he was recording an album, people were expecting something smooth and eclectic, just like the man himself.

And that’s exactly what you get with his highly-anticipated debut album, Shine Through It, which hits stores today.

In his promising debut of eleven songs, Howard tells a story of love and life just as singer-songwriters have done for years. But with flamenco, soul, folk and jazz influences, this album is like nothing you’ve ever heard before, and that’s a good thing.

The album opener, “Love Makes You Beautiful” has a similar guitar rift to Jim Croce’s classic, “Time in a Bottle“. The song begins as a soft, brooding track but builds into a lush masterpiece complete with a children’s choir.

The title track “Shine Through It” is a cinematic climax of strings and horns about allowing ourselves to experience the light of spirituality: “All I want to be/Is a little more like me/And all I want from you/Is to let some light shine through.”

“Mr. Johnson’s Lawn” is a childhood tale about trying to sneak around with the next-door neighbor’s daughter while staying off her father’s lawn set to a fusion of island rhythms, flutes and strings.

The soft, romantic “Sanctuary” was inspired by the singer-songwriter meeting Seal and Heidi Klum at a Hollywood party and being impressed by the level of commitment in their relationship: “Living like a Casanova was living/Feeling unsure but no one was missing/Then you called/And you found me/Heading on out to where I was restless… And it’s alright if part of the time/You’ve been looking for me”. Acoustic guitar (Howard taught himself to play) and strings fill this stirring track.

“No. 1 Fan” is a deeply personal, dark ballad in which Howard takes responsibility for his failed marriage: “You treat me like a walking mattress ad/And I don’t think I can love you anymore/If you want to leave girl/Do your thing/But don’t forget who you’re talking to/And I ain’t got no plans to change/So I guess you got some walking to do.”

“Spanish Love Affair” is an instrumental track with a Latin and Middle Eastern feel to it. Howard originally wrote it with Marc Anthony in mind: “I wanted him to recite some great Spanish poetry from 200 years ago over this beautiful music, but I couldn’t get in touch with him. I tried to do it, but I don’t speak Spanish. I can barely say, ‘Arriba‘.”

Then we get to the up-tempo and self-reflection “Plenty“, which has a very soulful feel. Followed by “I Remember When,” with its James Taylor vibe and whistling intro about young love: “I remember when/I was just a dude/You walked to school/Had some problems/And I talked them through.”

“All these songs are just walks through different avenues of my life,” explains Howard.

“It’s All Game” is largely smooth jazz instrumental with spoken words all about broken relationships. “She Was Mine,” however, is a blues-influenced joint about falling in love at a stop light: “Pleasure to meet you and let me be blunt/You’re a heavenly creature and that’s what I want”.

The album ends with “War“, which sounds like something from the early 20th century with its sax solo and jazz piano but speaks of an inevitable conflict between the East and West.

According to Howard: “Music has always been the road that leads to where I’m headed. Film is my vocation, my 9 to 5. In the movies, I’m doing what somebody else is asking me to do. Music is my own personal form of expression. My responsibility, like the sun’s, is to shine. Even if the planet is covered with clouds, I must say what I have to say.”

J.’s Joints: “Love Makes You Beautiful”, “Shine Through It”, “Mr. Johnson’s Lawn”, “Sanctuary”, “No. 1 Fan”, “Spanish Love Affair”, “Plenty”, “I Remember When”, “It’s All Game”, “She Was Mine”

Visit Terrence Howard on MySpace.

Post Title Download
Terrence Howard – “Love Makes You Beautiful” from Shine Through It

A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned that “If the rest of the album sounds like the songs I’ve heard, I think Chris Martin & Co. will have another masterpiece on their hands.”

Well, Coldplay’s widely anticipated fourth album, Viva la Vida, hits stores today and I was wrong about it.

Very wrong.

Coldplay’s latest is by far their greatest, transcending everything they’ve ever done. With this one, Coldplay leaves behind the lethargic feel of X&Y and builds upon the lush melodies and balladry from A Rush of Blood to the Head.

It’s been over three years since their last studio album, but the time certainly wasn’t “Lost!” This album is much more relaxed and much less stifled than the last. It’s also the group’s shortest one to date at just under 46 minutes.

Album opener “Life in Technicolor” is a brilliant instrumental that builds into something wonderful.

The haunting flamenco-folk “Cemeteries of London” follows and is reminiscent of another English group, The Animals’ “The House of the Rising Sun”. The juxtaposition between this track and the previous one is perfect.

“Lost” has this sort of tribal beat thing going on that I’d rather do without. Fortunately, the iTunes version of the album includes a bonus acoustic version of the song with nothing more than a piano and it sounds amazing.

“42” is next with its insistence that “Those who are dead are not dead, they’re just living in my head”. It features a soft melodic beginning and transforms into a driving rock beat not even halfway into the song. Before the end, though, it returns to the dreamlike beginning uniting the two and stating once again that “Those who are dead are not dead, they’re just living in my head”.

With “Lovers in Japan/Reign of Love“, there’s a two for one deal. The first, a U2-inspired upbeat track which I like, is joined by a soft, lulling one which I don’t.

“Yes” is another twofer, but it includes a hidden track, “Chinese Sleep Chant”. This time, inspiration is taken from Radiohead, which I like, and includes a more upbeat, lulling one which I don’t. Fortunately, I can set iTunes to stop the track at 4:04 right before it begins.

I’m sure everyone has heard the title track, “Viva la Vida“, from the iTunes commercial. I’m sure you love it too, right?

The album’s first single, “Violet Hill” is a dynamic piece of art that showcases a little more rock than anything I’ve ever heard from the group.

“Strawberry Swing” has a hint of Middle Eastern flair as a background to Chris’s description of the perfect day.

The final double track (as well as the album’s) is “Death and All His Friends” which includes the hidden “The Escapist”. The first begins with soothing vocals and a soft piano, while the second is more excited and has a pulsing guitar riff. Out of the three double tracks, this is the only one that I didn’t like at least one part.

Rife with allusions to God, ghosts and death, Viva la Vida is a sound departure from their previous work, which I’m sure will attract even more fans and satiate those who’ve been anxiously awaiting new material.

Visit Coldplay.com and check the band out on MySpace at MySpace.

J.’s Joints: “Life in Technicolor”, “Cemeteries of London”, “42″, “Lovers in Japan”, “Yes”, “Viva la Vida”, “Violet Hill”, “Strawberry Swing”, “Lost!” [Acoustic Bonus Track]

Post Title Download
Coldplay – “Viva la Vida” from Viva la Vida