Well Well Well, Does She Kiss And Tell?

Today, as I strolled through Manhattan, with not a care or destination, I imagined a scenario where I'd meet the Gossip Girl cast, and get to ask one question (am I watching to much TMZ?). I came up with a great question though, to ask Taylor Momsen if her band is "Taylor Momsen & The Pretty Reckless" or just "The Pretty Reckless."

I couldn't give a hoot about her answer, personally, but the question itself is a good one. It reminds me of a story about the Doors. They were introduced one night as "Jim Morrison & The Doors" and Morrison emphatically claimed that it was just "The Doors."

Attaching one's name ahead of the band implies that the person is not in the band, but instead they are two entities collaborating. By just having the band name, there is a sense of togetherness, and a lack of ego. Imagine "Hayley Williams & Paramore" or "Paul McCartney & Wings" (ok, bad example on the second one.)

Although, actually, that does lead me into where the use if the name ahead of the band makes sense. Paul McCartney was a performer before and after Wings. Wings themselves were a backing band, made of rotating talent (aside from the constant presence of wife Linda, and Denny Laine.) Paul wrote the material, and aside from 1975-76, when Wings was a more conventional and democratic band, it was really just Paul and musicians.

Anywho, this goes into the real topic of today's post: Selena Gomez. She has an album in the pipelines, called "Kiss And Tell". It is due out September 29th. The tracklisting is still unknown, but a bonus track has been talked about, a new recording of "Tell Me Something I Don't Know," which in original form came out last year, but was probably recorded much earlier. The album is to be by "Selena Gomez & The Scene." That's right, unlike Miley or Demi, Selena has a band name. Now, I already discussed the implications with having a name tagged ahead, but I wonder if perhaps Selena did not want to have her name there. I say that because when she first talked about making an album, she said she wanted to not have her name attached. So, I'm guess label Hollywood Records had the final say. By the way, the name is The Scene, because Selena says people jab at her by saying "she thinks she is scene" and the like. I'm just glad it rolls off the tongue nicely. Has that alliteration to it.

Then there is Miley. What a week. She stirred the pot a bit with her Teen Choice Awards performance. While singing her new single, "Party In the USA," part of her routine had her on a pole. Like a stripper. That, plus her argueably age-inappropiate attire got her some bad reviews, but also wound up stirring support from her fans, evidenced in the Twitter Trending Topic "#weloveyoumiley". Okay, not the best evidence. I concur.

I already posted about how the press likes to play up her sexual undertones (okay, overtones), and adds perception that is not necessarily there (I think that is what I said...). Either way, her new song is a hit, and she has her new EP coming out August 31st (with 7 songs, including "Before The Storm" live with the Jonas Brothers, and her song from the film "The Last Song.")

Miranda Cosgrove has a new song called "Raining Sunshine," which will be played during the credits of the film "Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs."

Emily Osment is taking over Radio Disney tomorrow. What a coup! Heads will roll! Wait, nevermind. Anyway, she will premiere "All The Way Up," and discuss an new EP. (My guess is that the EP will contain songs that will later be on her 2010 album, but that is yet to be seen.)

And finally, "Send It On" and the Wizards Soundtrack were released. "Send It On" sounds like a lost eighties charity single, with its' gospel/hip hop beat. Except the singers were not born in the eighties. (Well, Kevin Jonas was. Maybe Joe too?)

The Wizards soundtrack was cool for the Selena songs (althought the absence of "Make It Happen" is a slap). Selena had good songs to work with. Sure, this is the equivilant of Hannah Montana, in that Selena had no creative imput. But she sure can sing, and these tracks make the best of that!

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.)