Here We Go Go Go Again!

Before I start my review of Demi Lovato's "Here We Go Again," I'd like to mention my journey to buy it.

My friend and I were taking a long walk to the local Barnes & Nobles. On the way, we saw Anthony Anderson filming the movie "The Backup Plan" in a park ("The Backup Plan" stars Jennifer Lopez, who was not there at the time.) We eventually reached the book store, but they were selling the CD a bit overpriced. My friend had to get home, but I had all the time in the world, so I decided to walk to the mall. Another couple of miles. Once there, I found the CD in Best Buy, for a good price. But I still had to get back home. I could have taken the bus, but that would have defeated the purpose of going to the mall to save money. So I walked home (flipping through the CD booklet on the way). It was a long walk, but it was a nice summer evening.

Anyway, that was a week ago, and now, a week later, I have listened to and reviewed the album.

"Here We Go Again" is Demi's #1 charting sophomore album. It is meant to be more a work of her own (as versuses her debut, which featured much input from the JoBros.)

The album opens with 4 songs about heartaches. All kinda sound similar, perhaps even too similar. The title track is included here, and it is a standout. The other pretty much retread (although "Solo" has a nifty pun, as in "so low.")

But, before I could write off the album, track five marked a turning point. "Quiet" is a schizo-pop arrangement of a song, and, especially the way Demi sings it, recalls Björk's "It's Oh So Quiet."

"Catch Me" could be "Don't Forget" redux, but also is a great example of both Demi's growth as a singer (she shows more control than on the latter), and also in style (this one is less Jonas-y, and is in fact written solely by Demi). With the string section, it is a beautiful number.

The next few songs are pretty good too. There is "Everytime You Lie" (a jazzy track), "Got Dynamite" (a fuzzy, slow rocker that many reviewers hail as a standout, but not my favorite), and "Stop The World" (with Nick Jonas, and it is too obviously Nick Jonas).

Demi's one collaboration with John Mayer that made the album is "World Of Chances." It has some of Mayer's signature guitar thrown in, plus some of Demi's prettiest, lightest vocals out of any track on here (making the lyrical themes of missed chances all the more tragic and subtle.)

"Remember December" is a great track, the combines a techno beat with a fast and crunchy rock arrangement. It shows offs, especially Demi's voice, and might be the most in your face, not too mention perhaps the album's best rocker.

The album closes with "Everything You're Not." In this song, Demi sings "All I want/ is everything you're not" to a boy. She has finally learned her lesson not to keep going back (like in the title track.) Unless she does wind up go go going back....

The album includes to bonus tracks. "Gift Of A Friend" is Demi's song for a Tinkerbell movie. It is characteristically a Disney ballad, and with its' celtic flavor, calls to mind Selena's Tinkerbell song, "Fly To Your Heart". Lastly, included is "So Far So Great", the "Sonny With A Chance" theme song. Sure, it is not as mature as the rest of the album. But after all the deeper emotions and teen-love angst and dramatics, it is nice to close with a cheery rocker.

The album jumps across many styles. But the arrangments still have similarities, which keeps the album from feeling unfocused. Instead, Demi shows how varied she can be, and more importantly, that she is capable of handling all these styles. Far from being a one trick pony.

Many reviews excitedly claim that this album is better than "Don't Forget." But I love "Don't Forget." I don't want to betray it. Besides, the two albums are very different. "Here We Go Again" is maturer, somewhat darker, and features more slow songs over rock cuts. And both are very good. I'd leave it at that.

Rumors of a future deluxe edition are out. Of course, Demi has three known songs she left off the album. "For The Love Of A Daughter" was originally on the album, but removed when Demi decided it was perhaps too mature a theme for her listeners. "Shut Up And Love Me" also intially made the album, but is now rumored to be saved for the deluxe edition. Either way, Demi has said it is one of her favorites.

There is also another John Mayer track, "Love Is The Answer," which may be another track for the deluxe edition.

Some good news to end this post! "Send It On," featuring Demi, Selena, Miley, and The Jonas Brothers, will premiere on Dsiney Channel on August 7th, and on iTunes August 11th.

And, of course, on Tuesday, the "Wizards Of Waverly Place" soundtrack comes out, featuring 3 new songs by Selena (along with the show's theme song.)

Party In The USA

So, Miley's new song "Party In The USA" has been confirmed as her next single. And it will be released on an exclusive Walmart EP (in conjunction with her MileyMax clothing line). The EP will be called "The Time Of Our Lives" (not "Voyage To India," as rumors erroneously stated). No tracklisting has been announced, but a release date of August 31st has been given.

There are no Walmarts in NYC. So I'm gonna have to take a busride to Nassau county to get the EP. What an adventure a simple task of buying an album can become.

Still to come is my review of "Here We Go Again" (as I've been too busy to actually listen to it.)

What Goes On?

I wish I could give some great news today. Instead, all I have is great speculation and rumors. How exciting and mysterious!

First, Miley Cyrus. Yesterday, she was in the news for reportedly auditioning for Batgirl for the next installment of the current Batman franchise. But, Holy Hockeypads, there's more!

Today, a new song leaked. Titled "Party In The USA," it is obviously up for future release, as record labels had it pulled from youtube already. What the song is for is up in the air. Some say it will be used as a promotional tool behind Miley's Walmart-exclusive clothing line, perhaps as aprt of an EP. Others say it is from a new album. Miley herself twittered the other day that she recorded 3 songs in one day, and has apparently been working on music all summer, when not filming for the Last Song. Busy kid. Anyway, she seems to be working fast, and will probably have an album out soon. Perhaps it will come out before her tour? Or, like Demi, during her tour? It would be no surprise if Miley has eyes for an autumn release. She has enough time to promote it and such. And, like I said, she is already going to be a hot topic (I mean, even more so than usual) with her first tour in 2 years!

Okay, that aside, there are the Beatles.

Insider information says that "Now and Then," and 1979 demo by John, augmented by the rest of the Beatles in the nineties, is finished. More over, in someway, it, along with other rarities, will be released in conjuction with the Beatles downloadable catalogue. This has NOT been officially announced, but is rumored to be in the coming days or months. Songs rumored to be connected include "Granny Smith" (a non-Indian take 1 of "Love You To"), "Carnival Of Light" (the infamous sound-rave from '67), "Revolution 1" (the full 11 minutes, which has been leaked), and an instrumental "Doctor Robert" (yeah, I don't know either). I'd like to add to this rumor, with no source or backing, "What Goes On" as recorded solely by Paul.

I'm really excited about the future coming up. We also have Yoko's album, Selena's album (which is very close to getting a release date/press announcement), Emily Osment's album, Jennette McCurdy's album (my money is that it is finished, but Capitol is working on how to promote it, package it, etc), and a Miranda Cosgrove release (no word on her album, but she has done a song for the film "Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs", one of my favorite books as a kid.)

And who can forget Selena's 3 new tracks on the "Wizards Of Waverly Place" soundtrack?

Also, since earlier this year, the Rolling Stones re-issued all their post-Abcko studio albums. Except "Exile On Main Street." That album is up for deluxe treatment. What that entails is right now unknown. However, the album suffers from poor mixing (Mick Jagger mixed it after the produced got to involved in drugs to function, and Mick Jagger is not known for his mixing). The Stones have not done bonus tracks for any albums, so this deluxe package, no matter what is will be, is quite the anomaly.

I'm out of breath just thinking about all these rumors/future releases.

Next post should be a review of Demi's "Here We Go Again", plus my story of how I got it.

Holy Hockeypads!

Summertime, Summertime, Sum Sum Summertime

So, now that summer is here, let's take a look at the new releases you can listen to while you're at the beach, or bike riding, or massaging senior citizens (you can do that all year round!)

June 30th - Jennette McCurdy's debut album? McCurdy once stated her album could come out on the 30th, but since that is tomorrow, it seems very unlikely. No Amazon.com spot. No direct message from McCurdy (she only mentioned the 30th in interviews once or twice). Stranger things have happened, but it looks like we will have to wait a bit longer for this one.

July 3rd? - Klaus Voormann, artist/bass guitarist has spent his career as a great session man, most notably with Apple Records, where he played alongside George, John, Ringo, and was even rumored to replace Paul McCartney in a never formed Beatles-follow up band the Ladders. Now, he is releasing his first solo album, a collection of collaborations with artists like Yusuf Islam and Bonnie Bramlett (or Sheridan, as she goes by now.) Notable is "I'm In Love Again," a Fats Domino cover, with Klaus on bass, Ringo on drums, and Paul on vocals.

July 7th- Hannah Montana 3. In a strange marketing scheme, Disney will release 11 singles to promote this album. That mostly means showing Miley sing these songs live on a special concert (more on that in a moment) along with playing the song on Radio Disney. Anyway, the album is out next week, and features 14 songs, including a duet with Corbin Bleu ("If We Were A Movie," and this version is actually from season 2), and a duet with David Archuleta ("I Wanna Know You," also featured in a solo version.) Mitchel Musso has one song on the disc. "Let's Do This," and "Let's Get Crazy" are recycled from the movie soundtrack. A little dissapointing, but no biggie. The concert Miley did was a special taping, to make music videos out of, and will somehow be included on this album (probably enhanced CD).

July 21st - Demi Lovato's sophomore album, "Here We Go Again." Demi's new disc will feature John Mayer, Jon McLaughlin, and William Beckett. It is to be less of the power-pop of "Don't Forget," and closer to Demi's taste ("Don't Forget" was, in some ways, very much a mix of then beginner Demi being shown the ropes by the more experienced Jonas Brothers, whose flavor definatly comes across.) Expect there to be many foreign edition bonus tracks, itunes bonus tracks, and other things down the line for this one. Especially a track only on an Australian 7" steel vinyl, played at 12 rpm, backwards, on a Tuesday, if it is sunny, at exactly 6 o'clock, with a mouse, in a house, on a plane, near a train, I do not like green eggs and ham, I do not like them Sam I Am. Two songs were cut from the original tracklisting. They are "For The Love Of A Daughter," and "Shut Up and Love Me." (there is no Australian 7'', by the way.) All editions are set to include 2 bonus tracks already: "A Gift From A Friend", a song from an upcoming Tinkerbell movie, and "So Far So Great," the Sonny With A Chance theme song, already released on "Disney Channel Playlist."

August 4th- Wizards of Waverly Place Soundtrack. This album only features 5 songs by Selena, and oddly excludes her song "Make It Happen" from the series. And, one of those 5 songs is "Everything Is Not What It Seems", the shows theme song, already released on "Disney Channel Playlist" (wierdly still only 50 second long.) The album is filled out with other Disney artists, and features 4 different songs all titled "Magic." Selena has more output here than any other album, but it is surprisingly little.

September 9th - Beatles Remasters. 'Nuff said.

September 15th- Between My Head And The Sky. Yoko Ono is back, and she is bringing back the conceptual Plastic Ono Band! Yoko has released an EP already called "Don't Stop Me!" on itunes, which has an alternate version of a new track, a remix of another new one, a two other songs. It is great to see Yoko, and in full experimental unleashed mode.

Autumn? - Emily Osment and Selena Gomez both have debut albums currently set for a Fall release. Selena already has a place holder on Amazon.com. Emily is on a smaller label, so expect less promotion. That said, she does have a music video done (or is still working on it.) Selena already had the Demi duet from Princess Protection Program "One And The Same", and Emily had the Dadnapped song "Hero In Me", both on the album "Diseny Channel Playlist."

Then there is "Send It On." This song is part of Disney's environmental campaign, trying to raise 1 million dollars, and then offering viewers to decide what environmental projects the money should go to. This track, still unreleased, plays in the background during the TV spots, and even has a music video filmed, but also unreleased. It is an all-star recording with Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato, and the Jonas Brothers. I would have traded the JoBros for Jimmy Page, Jack Bruce, and Ringo Starr, but that is not the point. The point is that it must have been awkward with Miley, Nick, and Selena? No, the point is that I want to know the release date.

Also in the loop are a possible new Paul McCartney album, and a box-set of outtakes and unreleased material. Ringo has hinted at a new album too.

And that leaves Miranda Cosgrove. She has stated she that is working on a new album, and once hinted at a summer release, but has been mum since, leaving me to wonder. Even Autumn releases are getting nods now, so if she doesn't speak up soon, we may not have a new album until at least late Fall/Winter.

I look forward to all of these (well, honestly, I don't have very high hopes for the Wizards soundtrack, but that is mainly due to quantity, not quality. At least there is a new Wizards movie, which the soundtrack ties into.)

Stella May Day

Well, I took to my blog last week complimenting and supporting Miley Cyrus after happening upon her Twitter comments @ Perez Hilton in regards to same-sex marriage and homosexuality. But now I feel even more compelled to soap-box it for a moment. Since Miley made her comments, she has been catching some negative responses from various organizations, who think Miley is "confused" and no longer a good influence. As I see it, Miley is the perfect scapegoat. Aside from the usual factor that she is so famous, and the easiest way to go through for publicity, she is not gay. Therefore, it comes off as less offensive to attack her. Had these organizations said nary a word against Perez Hilton, they would be in quite a stew.

It is not all bad news. Miley is going around the world, in promotion of her new movie. And, in an upcoming episode of "Hannah Montana," a duet between Hannah and American Idol runner-up (oh, I bet he wishes he could lose that epitaph) David Archuleta will be premiered (and on Radio Disney a day later.) I saw a clip of the two together on the show on youtube, and heard a bit of the song. Personally, I'm not a fan of Archuleta, but he does have a good voice, and I liked the duet. Hopefully, it will be on the long-delayed "Hannah Montana 3" soundtrack, which had been slated for January, but pushed back due to the movie soundtrack (and most confusingly, some season 3 songs were put on the movie soundtrack.)

Demi Lovato is busy to, doing some big concerts before her first headlining tour (with Archuleta as a supporting performer, by the way.) And, she has somehow managed to cut another album.. The girl works fast! She was already twittering to William Beckett of The Academy Is... that she is working on choosing a title (and may name the album after a song the two did together for it). She seems to be pretty confident on a July release, so, if that holds, I expect a single soon. I also learned that an International Edition of "Don't Forget" has been released, and carries an exclusive song, entitled "Back Around." It is a rock number that fits in with the rest of the albums heavier cuts.

Paul McCartney is very slowly popping up in the news in regards to a new album. A new album was hinted at when some reports claimed Paul and Ringo would play together on it, which would make it the first studio collaboration in over a decade. Now, it is said Paul has written a song about his girlfriend Nancy Shevall (who I think lives by my school, just to mention), and this song may appear on a new album. But before that, Paul appeared on a song "Boots And Sand", by Yusuf Islam (the artist formerly known as Cat Stevens.) Dolly Parton also appears on the song. Also, a deluxe edition of Paul's Fireman release "Electric Arguments" has been delayed since January, but finally, on the MPL website (MPL is McCartney's publishing company), short samples of new tracks are available. There will be seven new tracks. They are remixes of songs from the album, often with less instruments or no vocals. A track like this called "Sawain Ambient Accapella" has already been on iTunes. This song it the album track "Lifelong Passion" minus bass and drums.

All this is exciting, but I am left wondering about Paul's next classical album. In 2007, Paul had made a mention or two about a guitar concerto album. Nothing has developed since. Perhaps dealing with the divorce derailed the project a bit. The album would be a quite a departure from his other classical works, which have been very symphonic.

Emily Osment has gotten a Twitter (so you can stop follow all the fakes now.) Her address is Twitter.com/emilyosment.

Speaking of Twitter, Miranda Cosgrove tweeted something about putting together a final tracklist for her full-length debut. For a while now, fans have been able to hear a song named "Adored", which was briefly on Miranda's myspace (probably by accident.) It, along with the two new songs from Miranda's EP "About You Now", show great promise for her album.

On a personal note, I met Lady Gaga. Well, sort of. I was at a performance at her alma mater in Manhattan, where her sister attends. Her sister played the bongo for a rather dada-esque take on the "Ave Maria" (also played on violin and piano.) Lady Gaga was standing like two feet away from me at one point, taking pictures. However, I didn't even see her. In fact, I didn't know she was there. She chose not to stay for refreshments later on.

Also, the Virgin Megastore is closing its' doors soon. I'd go on a rant about the death of CD's and such, but rather than do that, I'll just say that I will miss the store and its' slightly overpriced merchandise (but I will be there when they start slashing prices! They only cut CD's by 20% for now, but they will probably go down more eventually.) Tower Records closed for good three years ago, and that was really sad for me. Borders Bookstores are eliminating their CD sections (and I managed to hit one having a 50% sale, and picked up Cream's "BBC Sessions" and McCartney's "Ecce Cor Meum" there.)

If you're wondering what today's blog title refers to, "Stella May Day" is a song Paul McCartney recorded for daughter Stella to use on the runway while presenting some clothes she designed, while she was still in school. The song is on bootlegs only, but it is a cool track.

The Whole World Is Just One Big Love-In (And That Is Just Fine)

So, the theme of this post is Love. No particular reason, but it felt right, so I'll go with it.

First off, here is a link to a song called "Love'n"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gx9pWgN0g2c

The song is credited to The Beatles. It may very well be a fake, but no one knows for sure at the moment. It is also listed as an early version of "Getting Better". This could be the Rutles for all we know, but I figured I'd share it anyway.

So, love. Everyone should love. Miley Cyrus has publically stated (perhaps somewhat unintentionally?) that she supports gay relationships, via Twitter comments @ Perez Hilton. "jesus loves you AND your partner and wants you to know how much he cares!" This is came about after Hilton asked Miss California er posistion on gay marriage, to which she gave her "biblically" inspired negative response. It is interesting, because Miley is a Christian and very devouted to the Bible. I for one am glad that Miley is displaying to people a sense of openess and acceptance ('specially to fans who are either gay and perhaps forced into a corner of shame, or those who make them feel that shame.) If only this feeling of love could be embraced by our whole world.

Miley's twitter is found here:
http://twitter.com/mileycyrus

Following that, I must say Twitter is perhaps the coolest of all the internet crazes as far as following celebs is concerned. It only takes second to update, meaning even the busiest celeb can update often. There is no html coding or wierd things like that. Myspace and Facebook and Xanga (not that any celeb I know of ever did Xanga) took investments of time, and often become more like giant internet advertisements for celebs, which is kind of a waste since celebs can do the same with there own website.

At the same time, Twitter (and for that matter Facebook status) can become kind of creepy and stalkerish. Sometimes.

But, getting back to love, Paul McCartney got lots of love from indie fans at the Coachella festival. Also, McCartney showed love for The Fireman, his side project, which released a new album last November, by doing two Fireman songs live, the first time he ever did so. Paul performed "Sing The Changes" (the proper single, and one of my favorite new Fireman songs), and "Highway" (one of my least favorites.) Also, on the big screen behind Paul, footage from the Beatles Rock Band was shown. The game comes out September 9th, the same day as the remaster discography of the Beatles. Dhani Harrison (son of George Harrison) says the game will feature previously unheard material.

I don't even know what love has to do with this, but in a seperate interview, Dhani Harrison talked about working on a box set of unreleased George Harrison material. The idea of this set is nothing new, going all the way back to when Harrison was alive. Dhani wants to get the set out, and thinks the material he would release is better than the bootlegs fans have of George outtakes (and George outtakes are somewhat slim, and often instrumental versions or rough mixes of songs, stuff that is often boring and similar to commercial material). Dhani is cheesed off at EMI, which instead of putting out the set, or even finishing the remaster series, is putting out a lame greatest hits. So sad.

Oh, just for kicks, here are some more Twitters:
http://twitter.com/MirandaBuzz - Miranda Cosgrove
http://twitter.com/jennettemccurdy - Jennette McCurdy
http://twitter.com/selenagomez - Selena Gomez
http://twitter.com/ddlovato - Demi Lovato

News Of The Day

So, let's start off with some news bites.

Jennette McCurdy has written, or "twittered", if you will, that her debut album (still unfinished) may be hitting shelves June 30th.

Demi Lovato is going on tour, and David Archuleta will be the opening act. She also has done a song with Academy Is member William Beckett.

Paul McCartney has a few interesting bits. He may be doing some Fireman tracks live at the Coachella Festival (he has never done a Fireman song on stage before, and was originally going to do so last year on TV, but had to cancel in order to do his show in Israel.) Paul is also supposedly doing a new album, and has as many as 20 new songs already. Ringo is rumored to be involved. Paul may be considering a fall release date, to coincide with The Beatle Remasters. There are also rumors of a box-set of outtakes and such. Such rumors have persisted since the phrase "box-set" was coined, but with Paul's 40th anniversary as a solo artist approaching, it may finally be time (maybe.)

George Harrison has a new greatest hits package, which is cool for those who know little about him, but annoying to big fans who still await remasters of "Dark Horse" and "Extra Texture," not to mention a box-set of unreleased cuts.

"Hannah Montana The Movie" broke some records, and is estimated to make a bajillion dollars (okay, real numbers are much more modest than that.) I hope to see the film soon.

The Beatles remasters have conjured up rumors that the DVD accompanying the new discs will feature the acoustic "Love You To," an instrumental "Doctor Robert," and even a brand new, 10 minute remix of "Carnival Of Light." My bet is that take 20 of "Revolution 1" will also be included, seeing as EMI practically burst an artery when the song was leaked.

I am very excited about all these new projects and releases. I have long awaited Beatle remasters, and if the rumours of new songs being included are true, I all the more anxiously await September 9th (note 9/09/09 is the release date. Number 9, Number 9, Number 9...)

Jennette McCurdy's album also has me waiting. It will be the next new album to come out that I look forward too, and will be a great way to kick off the summer (and Jennette's 16th birthday is in late June, so it will be really cool for her to have her first disc out and all.)

I'm glad Demi is working on a new album, and can't wait to hear more about it. The only real items we know are that the guy from Academy Is... did a song with her, and that Demi likens her new direction more to "Behind Enemy Lines" than her previous work. (By the way, in film footage on the DVD, Demi is seen holding a 12 track CD of a rough "Don't Forget," meaning "Behind Enemy Lines" was at least considered to make the disc. I guess they originally cut it since it wasn't like the rest of the songs, but thought as a bonus track, that wouldn't matter.)

McCartney's stuff is always great, so I can't wait for more info on his projects. No one has reported any specifics on his new album, and I suspect Paul will keep the album under wraps until he has a release date. As for the box-set, Paul has been trying to do an outtakes album since "Hot Hits/Cold Cuts." The album was to be a double set featuring a disc of hits, and a disc of outtakes spanning from "Ram" up to "Back To The Egg". Paul decided just to release a hits disc, called "Wings Greatest." He worked on "Cold Cuts" up into the eighties, remixing and overdubbing, before giving up. Many songs from the proposed track list have since gotten out.

• "A Love For You"- saw release in 2003 on the "In Laws" soundtrack. First done during "Ram"
• "Lunch Box/Odd Sox" - B-side of "Coming Up". Recorded during "Venus & Mars"
• "My Carnival" - b-side of "Spies Like Us" (also made into a "Party Mix.") Recorded during "Venus & Mars."
• "Hey Diddle" - released version from a home tape on "Wingspan." Studio version first done during "Ram," later worked on in 1974 Nashville, sort of early "Venus & Mars" sessions
• "Mama's Little Girl" - released on "Put It There" single. From "Red Rose Speedway" sessions
• "Same Time Next Year" - released on "Put It There" single. From "Back To The Egg" sessions, done for a film of the same name.
• "Wide Prairie" - a portion released on Linda's "Wide Prairie" album. Done after "Band On The Run" sessions
• "I Would Only Smile" - Denny Laine cut released on his album "Japanese Tears." Done during "Red Rose Speedway" sessions
• "Send Me The Heart" - Denny Laine and Paul duet released on his album "Japanese Tears." Done during 1974 Nashville sessions
• "Oriental Nightfish" - Linda McCartney song first released in a music video, later on "Wide Prairie." From "Band On The Run" sessions.

But, there are many songs still unreleased from this collection.

• "Tragedy" - a cover song from "Red Rose Speedway" sessions.
• "Night Out" - from "Red Rose Speedway" sessions
• "Tomorrow" - this song was released on "Wild Life", but during "Venus and Mars" sessions, Paul did an instrumental version
• "Proud Mum" - an instrumental from Nashville (plus a short reprise version)
• "Did We Meet Somewhere Before?" - from "Back To The Egg" sessions, and a small portion was played in the film "Rock & Roll High School" but otherwise unreleased
• "Best Friend" - a concert song from 1972, with studio overdubs (like the song "The Mess")
• "Robber's Ball" - an outtake from "McCartney II"
• "Cage" - a "Back To The Egg" song originally slated to be on that album, before cut in favor of the similar "Baby's Request"
• "Waterspout" - a pre-"London Town" home studio recording

These songs have been overdubbed and remixed and many have new lead vocals from Paul done in the eighties. But a new box-set would feature much more, and will hopefull cover Paul from his early years up to the present.

"Don't Forget" Won't Be Forgotten

With the threat of the "Conficker" virus, my family decided no computer use in the household for the past week. Thankfully, that spell is over, and I'm back.

And so much has happened!

First off, Paul McCartney & Ringo Starr together at Radio City! As part of a charity show for teaching children Trancendental Meditation (an, er, interesting cause), Paul and Ringo appeared in their own sets, plus an encore together! During this encore, they did "With A Little Help From My Friends", "Cosmically Conscious" (a Paul song from 1968, which he recorded solo in 1993), and "I Saw Her Standing There." Paul and Ringo had last appeared on stage in 2003 for the George Harrison tribute concert. Look up this show on youtube.

Miley Cyrus is working hard to promote the "Hannah Montana" movie. She is on the radio, on daytime talk shows, on late shows, singing "The Climb", doing interviews, and making sure you see her movie out this Friday (in America, anyway.) I hope to see it with my friend Chris, and some lady friends of his.

Miley's song "Butterfly Fly Away" will see a re-release tomorrow on Billy Ray's "Back To Tennesee" album, promising an extended version of the beautiful duet (I assume Billy Ray will take on some solo vocals on this version.)

Selena Gomez has returned to the continental US after spending an extended period in Puerto Rico with her castmates working on the "Wizards Of Waverly Place" TV movie. But before we get too excited by that, she will star alongside old pal Demi Lovato in "Princess Protection Program" due on TV soon. Looks interesting, especially to see the two friends on screen together for the first time since Barney.

Speaking of Demi, I purchased her "Don't Forget" album, in the deluxe format. The album was very good. It had a heavy pop-rock feel, with crunchy guitars on "La La Land" (which, by the way, may very well have been called Hollywood Land, 'cept for the fact that it might clash with the fact that her record label is Hollywood.) Demi's voice is in top form, more trained and powerful than on her demos. The production of the album works well too, giving it some glisten, but without sterilzing it. Aside from strings, and the dynamics of the arrangemnts, all of this album could be recreated on stage (well, even the dynamics could, I guess. It would be pretty clever and tricky, though)

The singles are great. "Get Back" is kind of cocky, kind of desperate, and very catchy. Demi wants to "get back" with and old flame, and with the guitars blazing, plus some buried keyboards creating a bed of sound for the quieter moments, it is a kickin' song. "La La Land" is defiant, as Demi claims she won't be changed by her stardom. It is cleverly written and performed, with the lines "Well, some may say I need to be afraid /Of losing everything /Because of where I /Had my start and where I made my name ", a thinly veiled reference to her beginnings on Disney (not more than a few months past.) "Don't Forget" is a very simple song, its' arrangement calling to mind the JoBro's "Lovebug." However, Demi's is even more subtle, after breakining into a full rock peak, it comes back with strings, and then piano, with effects making it sound as though Demi is coming off a crackly vinyl.

Some of the slower songs don't do as much for me as the more rock ones, while "Party" is a bit of confusing one. It calls to mind Led Zeppelin with the riff, but I thought Demi was uncharacteristically tame. "Two Worlds Collide" has a great, sweeping melody. Overall, the album is tops.

The new tracks are "Lo Que Soy" (the acoustic "This Is Me" with spanish lyrics) and "Behind Enemy Lines." This song was probably left off the original album because it is very different. But we should get used to it, as Demi has said on TV that it is the direction she will be going on as she continues her music (despite not having started at the time, the ambitous Demi said back in February that she hoped to have an album out in the summer/fall.) The song is very jazzy, with her vocals up close in front of a bluesy arrangement. She seems to channel her hero, John Mayer, whose influence on her is otherwise non-existant on this album. I'm excited for Demi, and hope for much more in the same vein as "Behind Enemy Lines." It is a very original, artsy, and creative direction.

I also hope for a duet between her and Selena, but I digress.

This edition also has a DVD. The best parts here are her singing "Don't Forget" live, almost crying, channeling the inspiration of the song perhaps too well (although still breathing full life into the song.), as well as scenes of her being driven to a show, shouting out the window, waving at fans who don't at first recognize her. It is the most candid part of the set, and is very pleasant and satisfying. It is hard to believe when Demi first started concerts last year, she was just another up-and-coming talent hoping for recognition. Now she shines brightly.

I also picked up a copy of "Hannah Montana The Movie" soundtrack, but perhaps I will review that tomorrow (spoiler: it is not Miley's best, though certainly not bad.)

Just Loving Lovato

Demi Lovato has only been super famous for less than a year, since last summer's "Camp Rock," but already she has made such a career for herself. She is starring in "Sonny With A Chance," a her first full-length sitcom, has recorded an album ("Don't Forget," which will see a deluxe editon on the 31st), is doing many concert dates globally, and is planning if not already begun to work on album number 2.

I hope to do a more in depth post on Demi after I purchase "Don't Forget" deluxe in a couple of weeks, but for the time being, I thought I'd just do a more general survey of her short career. Her first gig was "Barney," where she, along with best friend and fellow Disney star Selena Gomez, was one of the children who Barney the Dinosaur would play with a teach life lessons. I only saw her on the show in repeats when my sister was a bit younger (and didn't have a clue who Demi was yet.) My formal introduction came from the same place it did for many, "Camp Rock."

It was already September or October when I first saw the movie, and I was wholly impressed with Demi's voice (her acting wasn't half bad either). "This Is Me" is a great song in general, with her and Joe Jonas singing over each other and such, but just on her own, it really shows her impressive range.

Her new show, "Sonny With A Chance," is a comedy about a girl named Sonny (Lovato) who joins the cast of a popular sketch show called So Random!. Lovato herself compares the premise to that of "Thirty Rock." The plots focus on relations between castmates, as well as between the cast of So Random! and the cast of their rival show, a moody teen drama called Mackenzie Falls. The show has been generally well-recieved. I find it a bit campier than other shows like "Wizards" or "Hannah Montana," but in of itself it is an entertaining show.

Aside from her album, Demi has done other musical releases. She has five "Camp Rock" songs:

• "We Rock" - with the full cast
• "Our Time Is Here" - with Meaghan Jette Martin & Aaryn Doyle
• "This Is Me" - with Joe Jonas
• "Who Will I Be?"
• "This Is Me (Acoustic)" - a solo version released only as a single

Demi is also on The Jonas Brother live album, on a concert performance of "This Is Me." (Maybe next year Demi will be the one with a "3D" concert film!)

There are also two songs she has done for compilation albums:

• "That's How You Know" - a cover of the song from "Enchanted" on "Disneymania 6"
• "Wonderful Christmastime" - a cover of Paul McCartney's Christmas song on Hollywood Records "All Wrapped Up" (a Target exclusive)

There is the song "Moves Me," that Demi did for a DVD called "Be Like A Pop Star With Demi Lovato." She was much younger when she recorded this number, which accompanies dance moves. It is sold on iTunes with the regular version, as well as extranous 'Karoke' and 'Instrumental' versions. Demi came a long way from this bland number. Her song "La La Land" was remixed (the "Caramel Pod D Remix") for the Japanese version of "Don't Forget."

All the above items are officially available (many on iTunes), but she also has a Demo album, only available as a bootleg (although with songs this good, maybe she'll get around to releasing them.) The demo has 10 songs, some only in fragments. Some cuts may be older than others, as some embrace a darker rock vibe, probably what she was refering to when she said her songs were too dark, and she needed the Jonas Brothers to lighten her material a bit. Others a cheesy bubblegum tracks, not dissimilar to "Moves Me"

• Stronger - The lyrics are "heavy," but the arrangement itself it quiet. Demi gives it both her breathy whisper like vocals as well as a few loud and forceful bits
• Shadow - again the lyrics are cool, but this one has more of a rock vibe.
• Open - The last two are from happier perspectives, but this one is about being in a bad / somewhat abusive relationship.
• Trash - in this song, Demi sings as a girl whose learns her boyfriend left her for another. She never uses the title, but that is what the character of the song must feel like.
• Ride - a forty second fragment about "strawberry bubble bath" or something, with really cheesy music. Not the stuff that Demi does now.
• Mirror - a fragment with okay vocals (she's trying a bit to hard, or the pitch is off) and basic and trite music.
• Not Yet - she sound like she's very young on this fragment, with piano (is it her playing?) accompaniment.
• I Can Only Imagine - a snippet of Demi singing this song
• Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
• The Christmas Song - two Christmas numbers with little arrangment (again, is Demi playing?) and two oppurtunities for Demi to stretch her voice over well known numbers.

(Demi may well have other remixes, by the way, but I don't keep up with them.)

Demi has many upcoming projects, like the "coming soon" Disney TV Movie "Princess Protection Program," which will also star Selena Gomez, many more concert dates, a new album, and a sequel to "Camp Rock" (which Lovato has been saying she hopes to get a funnier role from, I guess since she has been enjoying working on a sitcom so much.) She is on a success-laden path, and seems ready to take it on.