Jason Mraz- We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things.

Jason Mraz – We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things

( Release Date: 5/13/08 )

Amazing. Frankly, that is all I really need to say.

So, WAITING FOR MY ROCKET TO COME will always be my favorite Mraz album. I have seen Jason Mraz in concert 6 or 7 times since his first release and they will remain some of the best times I have had at live music venues (except for the one time at the House of Blues in Orlando where the ass behind me decided he was going to be Jason Mraz and sing every song at the top of his lungs in my ears. Mind you, he didn’t know the lyrics. SHOOT ME).

Following up the success of WFMRTC, Jason released Mr. A-Z (clever title, holla) and I was stumped. Stumped because I didn’t know what to make of it. The first few listens, I didn’t like it. I was heartbroken and didn’t know what to do with myself. But it was Mraz, so I HAD to continuing listening. Lo and behold, I grew to love the album (excluding the song BELLA LUNA). Oh how I enjoy O.LOVER and SONG FOR A FRIEND.

So on the heels of the release of WE SING. WE DANCE. WE STEAL THINGS., I prepped myself for a stinging disappointment (just in case). Well, ladies and gentleman, I AM NOT disappointed in the slightest. This album amazes me and just makes me happy.

From what I read, Jason was burned out when Mr. A-Z came out so he took some time off and reconnected with friends and family and found himself again. He wrote what he felt like and got back into his groove. We all get to share that journey and his reborn passion on this new album.

My favorite tracks are DETAILS IN THE FABRIC ft. James Morrison (another favorite of mine), LOVE FOR A CHILD, and A BEAUTIFUL MESS. The lyrics and the music are written so well. I just get it and thats what I love. LUCKY ft. Colbie Caillat (if you remember, we have a “history” ) is not as great as I thought it might be, but after a few (thousand) listens, I enjoy it along with the rest of the album.

I can’t say enough good things about it. So I am done. A solid listen from beginning to end. I want to give this beast a 10! Ha. (I am so biased.)

From DETAILS IN THE FABRIC

If it’s a broken part, replace it
But, if it’s a broken arm, then brace it
If it’s a broken heart then face it

And hold your own
Know your name
And go your own way
Hold your own
Know your own name
And go your own way

And everything will be fine
Everything will be fine

Julianne Hough – Julianne Hough (Debut)

Julianne Hough – Julianne Hough ( Street Date: 5/20/08 )

To be gorgeous, to be on a major TV show, to be a world champion dancer, what else can a woman do? Well, Julianne Hough has added a professional singing contract to her pot. Julianne’s country debut CD will be released on May 20th.

THAT SONG IN MY HEAD, Hough’s first single, was at #29 on the Country Billboard charts. Pretty impressive for a two time champion of Dancing with the Stars. A true country ditty with an infectious chorus. In my opinion, great first single to get yourself noticed in a saturated country market.

Surprisingly, this album is completely enjoyable. I guess I went into it aligning her with actors-turned-singers, but she isn’t. Apparently she has always done both.

On this debut cd, Julianne has played it safe, but to her benefit. A handful of radio friendly hits, including DREAMING UNDER THE SAME MOON, a duet with her dancing brother, Derek Hough. Side note, Derek is in a band “Almost Amy” with Mark Ballas (also of Dancing With the Stars fame). DUTSM is a nice song that showcases sibling harmonies on a pop-country track. I wouldn’t be surprised if this song was released as a single next.

Other highlights include, HELP ME, HELP YOU and YOU, YOU, YOU and LOVE YOURSELF. I’D JUST BE WITH YOU is a pretty ballad that closes the album fittingly.

Julianne proves that she has the vocal ability to compete in this market. A well rounded debut that is definitely worth the $6.99 on Amazon. It will come to me who she sounds like, but it’s definitely someone. I figured it out!! She sounds somewhat like Amanda Wilkinson from The Wilkinsons (a country trio from Canada).

Go get this CD. What do I give it? Hmmm. I enjoy it, so 7/10.

Listen to the stream of the album, HERE.

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Besides the music, Julianne returned with Dancing With the Stars winner Apollo Anton Ohno to dance on the 100th episode of the show. This dance was insanely hot. I think they might be doing it since she broke off her engagement to Dance War star Zack something or other awhile back.

Uh, rewind…what was that?

So this is late, I know, but for some reason I was waiting for it to appear on youtube so that I could prove it.

I am an avid watcher of TOP CHEF on Bravo (big shocker, huh?). Although I am not a fan of this season’s contestants, I do still enjoy watching the show. Everyone seemed to have stepped up the cockiness this season, including the judges. Tom is so condescending this season and Padma has found her inner bitch. Its all pretty humorous.

I can’t stand half of the people left in the competition, but thats not really what this post is about.

I was watching an episode the other day and after the previews for the next week’s episode, Andrew (one of the contestants) was in the interview room and said, “I have a culinary boner.” Um, what? Rewind. “I have a culinary boner.” Wow, I wasn’t hearing things. The things we can say on television will never cease to amaze me.

I wish I could find the video

(When Andrew said it in the following episode, it wasn’t quite as funny. As a stand-alone statement, it was great; in context, not so much.)