Tuesday, November 25, 2014

The Voice S7: The FATE of S7 II: ULTRA MECHA SEQUELOO

Tonight is another night to determine if S7 stays or gets booted from my eyes until the Finale Results show.

Let's find out if the last artist within my declaration, Anita Antoinette is still in the competition...


Anita is...in the bottom 3...goddamn you voters.

The bottom 3 were...Anita, Not Kelly Clarkson and Vanilla Cookie of Team(s) Gwen and Blake.


East Coast Twitter saved...Vanilla Cookie of Team Gwen

Getting the boot...Anita and Not Kelly Clarkson of Teams Gwen & Blake.

Wrong decision voters. With Anita gone, Season 7 is now officially the worst season of the show.


All in all, my interest in recapping S7 is gone. My favorites went home too soon and some of the worst singers the show has ever had still remain. I should've seen the writing on the wall when only one person made it past the Live Playoffs, but I was foolish enough to have faith that the voting block would do the right thing.

Up next for scrutiny, the Season 7 Finale Results show.

Monday, November 24, 2014

The Voice S7: TENsion Mounting

Another night, another round of questionable things the NBC Program with Ratings parlays at the 8/7c time slot. Tonight, the Top 10 give their pleas for voting for them, though the only competitor worth a damn this season is Anita Antoinette.

These are the nouns, pronouns, gerunds, marklar, banter, fuckery, FlirtCruiting, Wild Gimmickry and Scruffy Carson Daly that transpired...

Let's play rough and get it on!


First up, Chicken Little of Team Adam. He ended up singing "Fix You" by Coldplay. Rehearsals indicate that "versatility" in rock is his biggest obstacle. Also, his confidence is called into question when his falsettos seemed like they were off. Come showtime, it seemed like he was trying but his higher notes are so off. Like he's trying to whisper but emit a falsetto at the same time. He gets even more negative points for hugging some random person in the audience. CHEATER! The coaches are more positive than the nubby end of a battery. Critique is considered obscene to these people.

Second, Anita AntoiYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAS of Team Gwen. She ended up singing "Let Her Go" by Passenger. Rehearsals indicate the song took a little long for her to get. Confidence is something she's still working on, but even that takes years to improve. Come showtime, whoever gave her the Janelle Monae look deserves a raise. Her vocals are consistent but the arrangement isn't indicating much of a difference. We get she's reggae but damn. The coaches are more positive than the nubby end of a battery. Critique is considered obscene to these people.

Third, Waterworks of Team Adam. He ended up singing "You and I" by Stevie Wonder. Rehearsals indicate that hitting the correct money note is his biggest obstacle. Come showtime, his presence feels R&B and as much as I can't stomach him, he actually did a decent showing this week. Not enough to be a new favorite, but whatever. Close enough is just that. The coaches are more positive than the nubby end of a battery. Critique is considered obscene to these people.

Fourth, Not Kelly Clarkson of Team Blake. She ended up singing "Fancy" by Iggy Azalea. *vomits* DQ HER FOR SONG CHOICE IMMEDIATELY. Rehearsals indicate she's going to be a victim of self-sabotage. Come showtime, it was horrible from start to finish. Stuff like this is just a miscast on paper and in execution. The coaches are more positive than the nubby end of a battery. Critique is considered obscene to these people.

Fifth, Goldeneye of Team Pharrell. He ended up singing "Try a Little Tenderness" by Otis Redding. Rehearsals indicate he can't fuck up the song like he did last week. Also, Diana "I'm Coming Out" Ross was on The Voice. Come showtime, he remembered the pacing of the arrangement. So there's that. Alas, he's still beige and overrated and reeks of tryhard habits. The coaches are more positive than the nubby end of a battery. Critique is considered obscene to these people.

Sixth, Studmuffin of Team Blake. He ended up singing "I Walk the Line" by Johnny Cash. Rehearsals indicate this song and his personal story might have to intertwine. At the very least, he's hot with a heart. Like a country teddy bear. Come showtime, he managed to get the vibe of the song and hit a damn strong money note in the end. The coaches are more positive than the nubby end of a battery. Critique is considered obscene to these people.

Seventh, Vanilla Cookie of Team Gwen. He ended up singing "Starlight" by Muse. Rehearsals indicate he can't fuck up twice in a row...good luck gurl. Come showtime, my spirit animal in this moment was Lyndsey Parker of Yahoo! fame. We must've sensed misery inducing blandness from ol' Vanilla Cookie & were sadly not proven wrong. The coaches are more positive than the nubby end of a battery. Critique is considered obscene to these people.

Eighth, Wannabe Whitney of Team Pharrell. She ended up singing "I Have Nothing" by Whitney Houston. Rehearsals indicate she had the balls to sing that in front of Clive. Davis....O_O Come showtime, it was a sign that Whitney songs shouldn't be done in public again. It wasn't Tessanne pitiful, but no more Whitney songs. The coaches are more positive than the nubby end of a battery. Critique is considered obscene to these people.

Ninth, Hat of Team Gwen. He ended up singing "Come Together" by The Beatles. Only the most pretentious people cover The Beatles at all. Nostalgia poison multiplied by 1000. Rehearsals indicate that he's trying to do something original with the least original source of musical inspiration. Come showtime, he couldn't break through the dense vibes of pretension that come with picking a Beatles song to cover. Also, he looked like a hipster Karate Kid. The coaches are more positive than the nubby end of a battery. Critique is considered obscene to these people.

Closing out the Top 10, Beige Boy-bander of Team Adam. He ended up singing "Uptown Funk" by Bruno Mars and Mark Ronson. Rehearsals indicate making the song less "phonetic" and more "natural". Come showtime, he tried but he was still really off by at least 5 miles. The coaches are more positive than the nubby end of a battery. Critique is considered obscene to these people.


All in all, save Anita Antoinette or I set fire to the rain.

Up next for scrutiny, the Results of the Top 10.

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

The Voice S7: The Fate of S7

Well, tonight's one night that can determine if S7 limps on another day or if it becomes the WORST. SEASON. EVER. and I don't watch until the finale results show.

Let's find out the fate of S7 by simply finding out if my only favorite left, Anita Antoinette of Team Gwen is still here...

*APPARENTLY; a 4th Wild Card finalist will be determined once the Final 3 are set...I have no idea what this is intended to do.*


Anita is...the SECOND PERSON SAVED! Thank God the voters got it right this week.

Other highlights from this episode are:

Coach's Corner must've felt awkward in some way after a BuzzFeed Brews chat on Facebook revealed Blake siding with Taylor Swift RE: Spotify and Adam being on the side of Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters.

DaNica being the 3rd saved that night...O_O That was a helluva shock considering her "Creep" cover felt a bit too Mariah Carey.

Competition show crossover happened as X Factor UK alumnae Ella Henderson performed her single "Ghost". Cody Belew has yet to be invited to perform, but they'll make room for someone from another show across the pond...-_-

Adam Levine was featured in the weirdest Nissan GT-R commercial I've ever seen. He can still "perform" even though things are going fast. If I want a sex joke without the subtext, I'll stick to my Comedy Central Roasts, "kthnxbai".

Contrary to personal theory that she was working at Blockbuster Video that night, Paula DeAnda from S6 was in the Kohl's style ad the show has...YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAS get that exposure coint.

Jessie of Team Blake, Ryan of Team Gwen and Sugar of Team Pharrell made up the bottom 3. East Coast Twitter ended up saving Ryan [Side shade: Craig of Team Blake asked people to save Ryan and not Jessie, his teammate. At least a competitor is here to stay.]


All in all, this season just got another chance to right the wrongs of eliminating my favorites before the Top 10 (at least this week.)

Up next for scrutiny, The Performances of the Top 10.

Monday, November 17, 2014

The Voice S7: DOCE of Reality

[Tonight's episode recap doubles as a Spanish lesson. Doce is Spanish for the number 12. There's 12 left even though only Anita is the good one left. : )]

Last week's results show had me pissed off something wicked. The declaration is in tact but is yet to be enforced. Please vote for Anita Antoinette so I can like one person who's won the show. Now for the nouns, pronouns, gerunds, marklar, banter, fuckery, FlirtCruiting & poor decision making that transpired...

Let's play rough and get it on!


First up, Sugar Joans of Team Pharrell. She ended up singing "Take me To the River" by Al Green. Rehearsals indicate that at least Sugar was aware that without Pharrell's lack of logic, her ass would've been done. Come showtime, Sugar's singing sounds even worse than in previous weeks. Strained notes and half baked growls made this horrible to listen to. Also, in terms of looks she now has her version of weird hats. With their decisions thus far, ask yourself if I care what the coaches have to say. -_-

Second, Ryan Sill of Team Gwen. He ended up singing "Ordinary World" by Duran Duran. Rehearsals indicate that Gwen was trying add some cinnamon to the VANILLA Sill. Apparently, self-doubt was also plaguing him. Come showtime, he was given the James Dean styling Gwen must've inferred. -_- Yet Ryan was still a touch too peppy for a Duran Duran song further proving Gwen is not the smartest coach. With their decisions thus far, ask yourself if I care what the coaches have to say. -_-

Third, Jessie Pitts of Team Blake. She ended up singing "Don’t You Worry Child" by Swedish House Mafia. Rehearsals indicate that Jessie is trying to turn a lump of coal into a cubic zirconia. Come showtime, she was decent as she could be with the song. Then once the band kicked in...that's when the performance went South. Passport and all. With their decisions thus far, ask yourself if I care what the coaches have to say. -_-

Fourth, Damien of Team Adam. He ended up singing "He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother" by The Hollies. Rehearsals indicate that for all of his emotive content, this song is apparently tough as shit. See, this is one of those "challenging self" song picks. Come showtime, the vibe threw everything off. It didn't come across like an R&B singer looking to break mainstream. It felt like a church service and that's fine if he was looking to break into Gospel through the show, but he's R&B. With their decisions thus far, ask yourself if I care what the coaches have to say. -_-

Fifth, DaNica Shirey of Team Pharrell. She ended up singing "Creep" by Radiohead. Rehearsals indicate that she might be setting herself up for self imposed destruction. So much clash in style that it takes immense talent to make it right. Come showtime, the clash was less blaring than I thought even though she tried to add some Mariah Carey notes to it. By the way, to the stage design crew for DaNica, you are fired. That fan setup looks so cheap. With their decisions thus far, ask yourself if I care what the coaches have to say. -_-

Sixth, Taylor John Williams of Team Gwen. He and that damn hat of his ended up singing "If" by Bread. Rehearsals indicate that Gwen wanted this to be a "risk" for him. Also, he was told to not throw away lyrics. Come showtime, the butterflies in the background had me hooked...oh him. Some of the notes were just bum and not even close to decent. With their decisions thus far, ask yourself if I care what the coaches have to say. -_-

Seventh, Reagan James of Team Blake. She ended up singing "It Ain’t Over til it’s Over" by Lenny Kravitz. Rehearsals indicate nothing other than she's the youngest one left. Shut up about her age, show. Come showtime, the arrangement was so off from the kind of sassy white girl thing Reagan is good at. Granted the band and the crowd and band sounded louder than her. With their decisions thus far, ask yourself if I care what the coaches have to say. -_-

Eighth, Luke Wade of Team Pharrell. He ended up singing "Thinking Out Loud" by Ed Sheeran. This is like typecasting and eye hope I'm not the only one who thinks that. Rehearsals indicate he needs to loosen up again. Come showtime, he kept looking like he screwed up in his head and at one point, he missed a cue. Like, he was feeling like shit afterward. With their decisions thus far, ask yourself if I care what the coaches have to say. -_-

Ninth, Matt McAndrew of Team Adam. He ended up singing "Take Me to Church" by Hozier. Rehearsals indicate he needed to adjust for this "different" song. Whatever; I'd never heard of it until tonight. Come showtime, it was not something worth reliving especially that cheap little bowing at the end. With their decisions thus far, ask yourself if I care what the coaches have to say. -_-

Tenth, Craig Wayne Boyd of Team Blake. He ended up singing "You Look So Good in Love" by George Strait. Rehearsals indicate that country is his bag. I appreciate the fact that he's hot. Come showtime, he sounded committed to his bag. Really, country artists don't necessarily have an arc of growth. They're measured more so on consistency and anybody that listens to country is bound to have a better thought of this than me. With their decisions thus far, ask yourself if I care what the coaches have to say. -_-

Eleventh, Chris Jamison of Team Adam. He ended up singing "Jealous" by Nick Jonas. Boot him for song choice. Rehearsals indicate that his falsetto (which can't be hit by him) is his biggest obstacle. Come showtime, for all the purple color scheme this was just beige. Plus, his falsettos still sound horrid. With their decisions thus far, ask yourself if I care what the coaches have to say. -_-

Closing out the Top 12, Anita Antoinette of Team Gwen. They ended up singing "Redemption Song" by Bob Marley. ANOTHER Bob Marley song? GURL, you need to switch shit up. You're my last hope. Don't pigeonhole yourself. Rehearsals indicate that the original key was too high at first. Come showtime, some of her mid to low registers brought about the Lauryn Hill vibes she has and needs to maintain. With their decisions thus far, ask yourself if I care what the coaches have to say. -_-


All in all, Anita better survive or S7 is by default the worst season yet.

Up next for scrutiny, the Results of the Top 12 performances.

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

The Voice S7: DANGER; DANGER; HIGH VOLTAGE!

[Tonight's episode title is a reference to the Electric Six's one hit song "Danger! High Voltage".]

Well, tonight is another crucial time in which S7 viewing will be put to the test. Remember; my recapping stops if Anita, Elyjuh and Jean are all eliminated. Even if one is left, I recap until heaven forbid, they get the boot. Let's see how that ragtag group of imbeciles known as the voting block of The Voice could've possibly screwed things up...

Let's play rough and get it on! *Remember; my favorites are Elyjuh Rene, Jean Kelley and Anita Antoinette.*


Team Blake saved: Reagan James & Craig Wayne Boyd. Blake personally saved Jessie Pitts.

James David Carter & Taylor Brashears get the boot.


Team Pharrell saved: Luke Wade & DaNica Shirey. Pharrell personally saved Sugar goddamn Joans.

Elyjuh Rene & Jean Kelley were robbed due to Pharrell obviously being deaf around Sugar.

Yup, two favorites...GONE.


Team Gwen saved: Taylor John Williams & Anita Antoinette. Gwen personally saved Ryan Sill.

Ricky Manning & Bryana Salaz get the boot.

Screw their misery, Anita is still in. THANK THE LORDE.


Team Adam saved: Damien & Matt McAndrew. Adam personally saved [with one minute left to go...] Chris Jamison.

Mia Pfirmann & Taylor Phelan get the boot. Any way you slice it, Team Adam sucks. But at least Mia's gone : )


All in all, I'm down to 1 favorite out of a field of 12. This season sucks out. loud.

Up next for scrutiny, The Top 12 Performances.

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

The Voice S7: IT'S (Barely) ALIVE!

My declaration was in tact yesterday as it was Teams Adam and Blake that performed yesterday. I ain't recapping shit that ain't my favorites for the Playoffs. Tonight, Pharrell and Xtina Stefani's teams perform for votes. Voting for Jean, Elyjuh and Anita are correct. Anything else is bullshit.
Let's see the transpired nouns, pronouns, gerunds, marklar, banter, fuckery and such that happened tonight.

Let's play rough and get it on!


First, Ryan Sill of Team Gwen. He ended up singing "I Lived" by OneRepublic. DQ HIM IMMEDIATELY. Rehearsals indicate his case of the caucasians or being averse to rhythm could bite him in the ass. Come showtime, he gave beige realness like it was Dez Duron in S3 again. At least his stage presence...improved? Coach's Corner says nothing totally helpful.

Second, Jean Kelley of Team Pharrell. She ended up singing "Piano in the Dark" by Brenda Russell. Rehearsals indicate that consistency was a bitch until Pharrell up and revises the arrangement for her...an old trick meaning that she wasn't bringing it at first. Come showtime, her theatrics seemed to be overpowering her singing but she eventually caught on. Yet at Live Playoffs, she can't afford a "diesel engine" moment. Coach's Corner says nothing totally helpful.

Third, Elyjuh Rene of Team Pharrell. He ended up singing "Latch" by Disclosure ft. Sam Smith. Rehearsals indicate Elyjuh's self-doubt is a pain in the ass to deal with. OK; his confidence is shaky for no reason. Come showtime, his dulcet tones added that missing something from the original song. Coach's Corner says nothing totally helpful.

Fourth, Bryana Salaz of Team Gwen. She ended up singing "Amnesia" by 5 Seconds of Summer. Rehearsals indicate she needs to learn how to sing...and how to "expand" beyond this wannabe Ariana Grande thing she's trying to be. Come showtime, she remembered the lyrics so there was something good -_- ("Aren't all contestants capable of remembering the lyrics?" Shut the fuck up). Coach's Corner says nothing totally helpful.

Fifth, Luke Wade of Team Pharrell. He ended up singing "Let's Get it On" by Marvin Gaye. GURL. White guys can't sing soul music like that. Rehearsals indicate he's apparently a front-runner who can't soil himself or something. I can't get past this Nicholas David thing he's trying to do [which didn't even work for Nicholas David.] Come showtime, gurlfriend was so bad I was more interested in an Adam Levine picture than his performance. Coach's Corner says nothing totally helpful.

Sixth, Anita Antoinette of Team Gwen. She ended up singing "All About That Bass" by Meghan Trainor. Rehearsals indicate she be needin' more o dat dere reggae vibes. OK stop with this need for "MOAR REGGAE, GYAL!" Come showtime, she was good but this fucking reggae fixation needs to stop. Thank GOD for those money notes Anita hit. Coach's Corner says nothing totally helpful.

Seventh, DaNica Shirey of Team Pharrell. They ended up singing "Help Me" by Joni Mitchell. Rehearsals indicate that she needs to be a hummingbird to a flower or something [Pharrell, I love you most of the time, but my GOD...] Come showtime, DaNica's projection was better than it had been in the past. However, most of her lower registers were really off. That and she tried to do some mid-range Mariah Carey thing. Ugh. Coach's Corner says nothing totally helpful.

Eighth, Sugar Joans of Team Pharrell. She ended up butchering "I Say a Little a Prayer" by Aretha Franklin. Rehearsals indicate that Pharrell is tone deaf around her. Come showtime, I felt wanting to hear this from S1 reject Joann Rizzo moreso than Sugar. Coach's Corner says nothing totally helpful.

Ninth, Ricky Manning of Team Gwen. He ended up singing "Lay Me Down" by Sam Smith. Rehearsals indicate he apparently has potential he needs to maintain. He hit a horribly bum note in rehearsals. Grab your passports, because this is heading South. Come showtime, even some modicum of vulnerability couldn't come across as he kept he same icy expression and his vocals were really flat. Coach's Corner says nothing totally helpful.

Finally, Taylor John Williams of Team Gwen. He ended up singing "Stuck in the Middle With You" by Stealers Wheel. Rehearsals indicate Gwen is tone deaf in his presence. Come showtime, he did some schmoozy bullshit in the name of being "unique". Coach's Corner says nothing totally helpful.


All in all, my favorite(s) better survive or the declaration will be enforced.

Up next for scrutiny, the Results of the Live Playoffs.

Friday, November 7, 2014

ALL MALE (Music) REVIEW: Broke with Expensive Taste by Azealia Banks

After so much shit going down with a previous label, Twitter and a whole shit load of other things, the debut effort of Harlem rapper/singer Azealia Banks is now in existence. Broke with Expensive Taste is intended to be a mix of 90s house and East Coast rapping (Think Lauryn Hill on acid concerning this album.)


Here's how my review will work. All of the tracks will be judged individually; cohesion will determine the grade of the album later. Obvious factors like singing ability and the instrumental of the song will be included as well.


# of tracks- 16 (I happen to be using Spotify as means of having the album.)

# of interludes- 0

Total time of album- 60:19





1. "Idle Delilah"- Although it takes 30 seconds for the song to kick in, once it does it has a mix of Caribbean like steel drums mixed with thumping bass driven club music. This song serves as a great reminder that Banks is more than a rapper as she sings rather cleanly for breaking out into rap. Her flow once the rap kicks in is as tight as ever. What an opening track.

2. "Gimme a Chance"- Opposite of the opening track, this track kicks in with a Broadway meets East Coast witch-hop. Pretty much, this is like if the show In Living Color was set in NY and all the cast and crew were on psychedelics. Banks made it known in her interview with The Process, she's obsessed with rhythm. This is evident as ever. And apparently, this bitch sings in Spanish. ORALE Azealia!

3. "Desperado"- This track starts off and eventually ends up a mix of jazz lounge in the middle of a spaghetti western movie on the moon. Banks' obsession with rhythm fostered a disciplined consistency in terms of how she delivers the lines. With any other artist this could result in electroclash. Not Banks; she knows what she's doing.

4. "JFK" ft. Theophilus London- For those who don't know, London is a rapper who first made waves c. 2012. This track has Banks starting off with her intentionally slow/almost breathy flow. Considering this is called "JFK", it helps serve as a template for her sexually charged lyrics. 4 tracks in, and I'm calling it; Interscope has fucked up. London's contribution to the track is no afterthought. His speed is perfect on this type of tempo.

5. "212" ft. Lazy Jay- The track that started it all. Compared to the other tracks, this is relatively tame for the album. Yeah she uses the word "cunt" 9 times, but with the other type of vibes exuded from the album, it's clear she put this on to remind people how she broke on to the scene. No T, No Shade but this track was on the 1991 EP as well for exactly the same reason it's on Broke with Expensive Taste. The track itself is not my personal favorite, but I can understand its presence on the album given her penchant for sexual lyricism.

6. "Wallace"- This track...it's like Mortal Kombat had sex with Banks' brainwaves. Her singing voice while unique doesn't seem like it's being icy enough (which given her sexual praying mantis like being is probably just a sign of artist repression being expressed.) This was one of the earliest sections of BWET made known through The Process (the "lick the left one" verse.) Her rapping speed is the fastest yet I've heard.

7. "Heavy Metal and Reflective"- The first post Interscope single released, this track is possibly her edgiest in sound and flow. The gripe here is that this track is too fucking short. Its run time? 2:36. Another minute or two and this could easily read as a banging ass song. It still is, but my GOD that run time is way too short. Bonus points for the lines, "I be in Osaka with the papa took the best trips/Buy me Tamagotchis, sipping sake and moetses."

8. "BBD"- One of two tracks ported from her mixtape, Fantasea. At first, I wasn't feeling the song. Then I remember that this is a track she performs better live and she performed this live best at Glastonbury 2013. In terms of cohesion, this kind of suffers from "212" like setbacks. It's supposed to remind some people who she is and what she tried to do with Interscope. It's a cool song, but she performs the shit out of this live.

9. "Ice Princess"- This might be the only non-ported track on the album that feels out of place. This type of track falls under Miami trap music (Rick Ross type of song) before the tempo progresses to a sort of...bland take on EDM. In terms of flow, Banks commits to the style presented, but this track just feels out of place. It isn't a shit track, but it isn't one not for immediate replay.

10. "Yung Rapunxel"- The last single released while with Interscope. Audio or video, this track goes hard as fuck. Inspired by a tumultuous relationship with an ex, this expression of anger also shows off Banks' alter-ego, "Yung Rapunxel" (hardcore black girl with a fuckton of rage). When first released, critics ate this up and its clear why. Banks at her angriest makes for some damn fantastic music. The fans? Split down the middle (not unlike "#ATMJAM" which thankfully remains off this album). Let this serve as reminder or introduction that her fans are not blind loyalists.

11. "Soda"- Via her Twitter, Banks revealed this song is about "self-medication" or escaping pain through alcohol or drug use. Instrumental wise, it's deceptively cheeky and weird (which any good self-medication song is supposed to be.) Singing wise, her lower registers still seem shaky as hell but it's nothing to detract from the album let alone this song.

12. "Chasing Time"- Perhaps, the best use of Banks' singing is heard on this track released as the third single from BWET. There is honestly nothing to critique about this song. Her singing is highly developed; her rap meets the instrumental and tempo as always and the lyrics are well crafted.

13. "Luxury"- The other track ported from her mixtape, Fantasea. One of the few tracks in Banks' discography where singing is intended for foreground to her rapping. As well as "Heavy Metal and Reflective", the song is too fucking short. 2:48? No. There needs to be another 1-2 minutes. Personally, this is when I first learned that Banks also sings and show off her unique singing sound. Not a lot to say other than it's too short of a song.

14. "Nude Beach A-Go-Go"- Thanks to the comment section of Rap-Up, this turns out is a cover of a song by Ariel Pink of the same name. At 2:19, this song is the shortest and that is bullshit. Add another 2 minutes top. Especially because this sounds like her take on a B-52s song. While it's the greenest of the thumbs on the album, this is from a recording artist who treats convention like utter trash. Her singing is perhaps the most exuberant which is weird considering rage and sex make her music what it has been.

15. "Miss Amor"- Back to the psychedelic side of BWET, this instrumental is the most reminiscent of the 90s house scene. Plus, this is how she should do icy vocals from now on. The rap scheme indicates that this was probably recorded the same day as "Count Contessa" (from her upcoming mixtape sequel, Fantasea II: The Second Wave). "Ice-house" meets the West Indies is probably Banks' signature on top of everything else she's capable of.

16. "Miss Camaraderie"- The introduction to the closer of BWET sounds like a Street Fighter: The Third Strike outtake and that is glorious. The lyrics do kind of sound like "Luxury" with more verses. This isn't a total setback, but this is something of a disappointment. She's capable of a lot, so anything that kind of sounds like another song is disappointing. Still, this is a perfect closing track to an album that can't and shouldn't be place into one category.


OVERALL Grade: A-/B++
Don't get me wrong. This album has signature all over it and that is the biggest strength Banks has. Broke with Expensive Taste is the type of album only she can release. However, she needs to take some righteous hits for the following:


- Having three songs clocking in at under three minutes.


- Porting tracks from other works that with the album seem utterly out of place with the new material she's been crafting like fine liquor.


- "Miss Camaraderie" having some really eerie structural crafting a la "Luxury".


- Not porting "1991" or "Jumanji" to BWET given what she decided to port anyway.


However, that last one is the most personal of the gripes laid out of an otherwise unique work Banks should herald as a personal achievement in her career.

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Declaration of a Fed-up Viewer of The Voice S7

It's time to say it now. Despite three favorites of mine moving on to the Live Playoffs against all odds, S7 of The Voice is the absolute worst in the history of the show. Much worse than I could ever fear.


As I hinted in my last posts, I vow to get selective as hell. With Elyjuh Rene, Jean Kelley and Anita Antoinette being on Pharrell and Gwen's teams here is my full declaration from a fed up viewer:




Declaration for the Remainder of S7 of The Voice
I hereby swear to recap the Live Playoffs portions that contain these three contestants:


Elyjuh Rene & Jean Kelley of Team Pharrell

Anita Antoinette of Team Gwen

Should either Pharrell or Gwen's teams be consecutive with either Adam or Blake's teams, I shall only focus on Pharrell and Gwen's sections.

Should the instinctive pairing of Pharrell and Gwen's teams happen in one night, I will only recap that night; be it the Monday or Tuesday episode.

If none of the aforementioned contestants make the show's finale, I hereby declare that I stop recapping until the Finale Results show in which the winner of S7 shall be named.


***End of Declaration***

This is my promise to a really bad season of the show I usually try to love.

Monday, November 3, 2014

The Voice S7: Thin Ice Ahead

With Elyjuh Rene being the only favorite of mine to advance to the Live shows, S7 of the NBC Program with Ratings has hit thin ice levels. The yet to be determined favorites of Anita Antoinette and Jean Kelley Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, dance on air will determine just how waist deep the show is from being flat out un-watchable.
So let me declare this now. If memory serves me correct, Live Playoffs go with two coaches in a night. So, due to the lack of bearable contestants thus far, I'm watching the night Elyjuh is supposed to be on. The full declaration is yet to be determined.

These are the nouns, pronouns, gerunds, marklar, banter, fuckery and FlirtCruiting that transpired...

Let's play rough and get it on!

First up, Allison Bray vs. Taylor Brashears of Team Blake. Allison picked “Sin Wagon” by Dixie Chicks. Her biggest obstacle is trying to tone it down and loosen up. Taylor picked “Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac. Shit song choice, baby. Her biggest obstacle is dropping the notes at the end of the words. Points to Taylor Swift for giving solid advice for both contestants.
Come showtime, Allison had something of a natural stage presence taking Swift's advice. However, she was smiley during way too much of the performance and botched the end notes. Taylor on the other hand sounded so monotonous and beige (On top of an already bland as hell song.) In the end, Blake picked Taylor to advance to the Live shows. Allison gets the boot from S7. Oh well.

Second, Ryan Sill vs. Beth Spangler of Team Gwen. Ryan picked “Miss Independent” by Ne-Yo. His biggest obstacle is having more charisma or "swag" (If you have a low brain cell count.) on stage. Beth picked “Too Little Too Late” by JoJo. Her biggest obstacle is having to dial back her tone on the chorus.
Come showtime, Ryan while decent just came across so frigid and forced in overall ebb and flow. Also, he tried these coyote howling falsetto notes that were just horrible. Beth improved compared to her previous outings, but relied on decent lower notes and half-assed higher registers. In the end, Gwen picked Ryan to advance to the Live shows. Boooooooo. Beth ends up getting the boot from S7.

Third, Jean Kelley vs. Menlik of Team Pharrell. Jean picked “Chandelier” by Sia. Her biggest obstacle is living up to Taylor Swift's unusually quick to praise accolades. Menlik picked “Could You be Loved” by Bob Marley. His biggest obstacle is opening his eyes because apparently open eyes equates to being a better performer.
Come showtime, Menlik was bland. His lucid effects were like a less enjoyable cough medicine. Jean in the first few notes popped her plosives. Then her "tender" chorus sounded too underdeveloped. Once she was actually singing she sounded better but not Battle Rounds good. In the end, Pharrell picked Jean to advance to the Live shows. Menlik finally gets the boot from S7.

Fourth, Blessing Offor vs. Chris Jamison of Team Adam. Blessing picked “Your Body Is a Wonderland” by John Mayer. His biggest obstacle is improving a certain line in the song. Chris picked “[Sittin on] the Dock of the Bay” by Otis Redding. His biggest obstacle is stage presence mixed with his developing talents.
Come showtime, Chris still sounded like a good X Factor contestant *shaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaade*. Blessing sounded consistent yet again and even tried to get cute in the middle of the performance. In the end, Adam picked Chris to advance to the Live shows. Xtina Levine y'all. Blessing is unjustly booted in the Knockouts. He ain't a favorite and I cry ROBBED.


In WHY WAS THERE A RANDOM ASS MONTAGE News: Matt McAndrew won over Rebekah Samarin to finish off Team Adam. Matt sang “Drops of Jupiter” by Train and we'll never hear Rebekah Samarin AT ALL. Triple Crown Montage Victim.


Fifth, Grant Ganzer vs. Reagan James of Team Blake. Grant picked “Apologize” by One Republic. His biggest obstacle is working a falsetto to its full potential. Reagan picked “Hit ‘Em Up Style” by Blu Cantrell. Her biggest obstacle is fluidity on stage. Again, solid advice from Taylor Swift.
Come showtime, Reagan started off already better than Nic Hawk singing this song. Consistency was her friend until this little trill vocal run made it sound screwy. Grant tried making a diamond out of coal, but just ended up with a dirty stocking. In the end, Blake picked Reagan to advance to the Live shows. Grant ends up being booted from S7.

Finally, Anita Antoinette vs. Craig Wayne Boyd of Team Gwen. Anita picked “Rude” by Magic. Goddamn poor song choices. Her biggest obstacle is amplifying the performance even further. Craig picked “Can’t You See” by Marshall Tucker Band. His biggest obstacle is trying to be less "bro country" and more "crossover" considering Gwen be ska n reggae.
Come showtime, Anita did the impossible and made "Rude" sound reggae. She was also serving a touch of Lauryn Hill in terms of stage presence and I approve. Craig sported a new look (Where he looked a beefier Nickelback member. Yeesh.) and sounded really twangy almost in a caricature. In the end, Gwen picked Anita to advance to the Live shows. Last round means the steal is used here and Blake steals Craig.


All in all, these Knockouts have been bloody messes.

Up next for scrutiny, The Live Playoffs (at least where Elyjuh, Anita and Jean end up).