I'm Drunk And So Is Everyone Else, In This Devil Town

(Singles are italicized, recommendations are in red.)

Had I not gone to a concert last weekend that featured 3OH!3, Travie McCoy and Cobra Starship, I'm almost positive that I would still dislike 3OH!3 as strongly as I did when "Don't Trust Me" and "Starstrukk" were in heavy rotation on radio stations a year ago.

Luckily all that changed last weekend (mainly because the tickets were just $10 - Hell, I paid more for the CD than I did for the concert!). 3OH!3 was definitely the most memorable act of the concert, and they sounded just as good (maybe even better) live than they did on their record. They performed two songs from their new album (out June 29th in the U.S.), but the majority of the songs performed were from their major-label debut, Want. They did also perform a few songs from their independently-released, self-titled debut, but the songs they performed from Want really stood out and convinced me to go out and buy the album.

1. Tapp - The instrumental intro to the album. It's pretty pointless but awesome at the same time. It would have made for an awesome full-length song if it was a little longer and included lyrics.

2. PunkBitch - A fun and wild song that really sets the actual album off on the right foot.

3. Don't Trust Me - The huge smash hit that landed the band on the charts last year. It's been so overplayed, but that's not to say it's not worth the listen every once in a while, especially if you're listening to the album all the way through.

4. ChokeChain - The first of two songs that originally appeared on their self-titled independently-released album. This wild song with its crazy vocals and beat is very reminiscent of something Lil' Jon would do. Very much so that you almost forget that these guys are white...at least for 3 minutes and 32 seconds.

5. I'm Not Your Boyfriend, Baby - I'll sound repetitive if I refer to this song as being wild, fun,crazy, or a party song. That's just the nature of 3OH!3. But that's what this one is.

6. I Can't Do It Alone - This is different from all the other songs so far. They aren't screaming in this one, but it's just very interesting. I can't really explain it!

7. Starstrukk - After hearing the remix with Katy Perry about a million times, it's weird going back and listening to the original. I like it!

8. RichMan - They did this one at the concert, and I'm pretty sure their performance of this made me want the album. It's definitely one of the best on here.

9. PhotoFinnish - I don't really understand this one. Is the title a shout out to their record company? I don't like how one guy's vocals are distorted deep, and the other's is distorted high-ish. It's a weird song.

10. Still Around - A slow, mellow song by 3OH!3?! No way! Yeah, it is! No distorted vocals, no screaming. None of that. It's the best song on the album by far, and I could have it on repeat for hours on end.

11. Holler Till You Pass Out - The second song that was originally on their independently released self titled album. Again, too much distortion of the vocals, and the bass is insanely high.

12. Colorado Sunrise - Another normal one where they just sing! I love it!

13. Starstrukk (Featuring Katy Perry) - THIS is the version we've all heard. I think I still prefer the original one's music, buy Perry's vocals are pretty good and they really switch things up.

14. Don't Trust Me (Benny Blanco Remix) (Featuring Kid Cudi) - Essentially the same as the original, except the first verse of the song was replaced by a rap by Kid Cudi.

15. Still Around (Big Mix) - This is more or less an extended version of the original, but slightly remixed. Either way it's a good one!

After what we did the other night, I wanna be with you for all my life, and I'm so glad you're a freak like me!

(Singles are italicized, recommendations are in red.)

Macy Gray's second studio album is not called The I.D., it's called The Id. Though I wouldn't blame you if you got it confused. The lack of proper grammar on the album's cover threw me off at first too. An Id is a psychological term which is defined as, in the album's disc tray insert as "the part of the psyche that is the source of instinctual impulses and demands for satisfaction". The definition is then followed by a quote by Macy herself. It reads, "What you do before you think. The real you...unedited." Both the definition and the quote (which seems to be Gray's own personal continuation of the definition) hold true to the theme of the album. The emotions on the album are all over the place, but it makes for an intense album!

1. Relating to a Psychopath - Not the best way to open up the album, but it's a decent song.

2. Boo - An intense song about love. Macy sings about all the "b*****s on [her] a**" and how "If this is love // It's a good thing // You don't hate me!"

3. Sexual Revolution - In this one, Gray isn't feeling lovey, she's feeling frisky, and it really shows here! It starts off slow, but it eventually picks up into what turns into just an average song at best.

4. Hey Young World Part 2 - I like this one! It's an inspirational song to children. I'm not too familiar with Slick Rick's original version, but his appearance on here is nice!

5. Sweet Baby - This is such a great song. It was the lead single off the album, which is why I'm surprised the album didn't sell better than it did!

6. Harry - I never really liked this one. It's got a good rock-'n'-roll vibe, but the gospely voices of the background singers just really ruin it. They sound so out of place!

7. Gimme All Your Lovin' Or I Will Kill You - At first you just want to laugh this off as a silly humorous joke (in vein of "I've Committed Murder" from her debut album), but after a while it becomes excessively violent. So excessively violent to the point where it's creepy. A good kind of creepy, I think.

8. Don't Come Around - A sad little breakup song about the heartbreak of remaining friends with your ex. It's the most normal song on the album (alongside Sweet Baby), and it's a very good listen.

9. My Nutmeg Phantasy - This one's strange but you just have to accept it for what it is. I really like it though!

10. Freak Like Me - You'd think this would be a really explicit and in-your-face track, when in reality it isn't. It's more balladish, and it has that little hint of '70s funk!

11. Oblivion - I can honestly say, hands down, this is the freakiest song I have ever heard. It's got carnival / masquerade type backing music, and it's just so out of place on this album. It's refreshing, so I like it, but it's just plain freaky!

12. Forgiveness - Strange beat, and Gray sounds somewhat intoxicated or hypnotized in this one, but the message that we all need forgiveness is great.

13. Blowin' Up Your Speakers - I don't really see the purpose in this one. It's just an instrumental of random instruments...

14. Shed - Though not mentioned on the album's artwork, it's available on all editions of the album. It's nothing special, but it's good. It almost reminds me of "Rather Hazy" from her debut album.

I Really Wanna Know What We Did Wrong, With A Love That Felt So Strong...

Okay, I will admit, the resurgence of my love for Britney has certainly been reflected in this review blog. Hang on tight, after this single review there's only 2 more studio albums and 2 compilation albums by her to review! I probably won't review them all in a row, so we'll be taking a Britney break after this.

This song was released as her debut album (...Baby One More Time)'s fourth single in some European countries, and shockingly enough, there's quite a bit of history surrounding this song.

Originally, the song was a lot more sexual and mature than the final product, and apparently the only way the then- 16-year-old Britney agreed to do this one was if they altered lyrics and verses to become less explicit. I would sure love to know what the original lyrics were!

Another interesting fact I learned in my research of the song: For the original concept of the video, they were going to have Britney in a dream, dwelling on the past of her and her ex, but there's a twist! She was pregnant with his kid! Apparently the storyline leaked and there was lots of negative feedback, so the record company changed the concept. Would have been interesting to see how the video would have turned out had they gone with their original concept.

Sure, I did find this CD Single as an import in FYE for $6.99 tonight, and I would be lying if I said I didn't overpay for it. But I couldn't not pass this one up. This is probably my favorite Pop song of all time. It's just so sweet. Plus, this version of the CD single definitely offers the most material. Sure, I did already own mp3s of these 4 tracks, but i wanted the official release. Here's my short-but-sweet review:

1. Born to Make You Happy (Radio Edit) - The original, amazing song that has been butchered for radio airplay. It's bittersweet that they didn't release BTMYH as a single here in the U.S., because it's such a beautiful song. On the other hand, the radio edit cuts the last 30 seconds of the song, in which Britney belts out the final half of the song's chorus. It's absolutely amazing, but unfortunately, it was cut from the radio edit.

2. Born to Make You Happy (Bonus Remix) - I don't think I'd technically call this one a remix. More like an acoustic version. This one features Britney and a guitar, with minimal other instruments. It's great, and really shows off her vocal abilities. I'm not really sure if I prefer this one or the album version better.

3. (You Drive Me) Crazy (Jazzy Jim's Hip-Hop Mix) - The same vocals and lyrics are used here as the ones used in the "Stop! Remix", but they are placed over a different beat. It's really funky and cool, I just wish they had used the vocals and lyrics that they used for the original album mix.

4. ...Baby One More Time (Answering Machine Message) - A 21-second instrumental of Britney's debut single ...Baby One More Time, in which Britney tells people that the recipient of the call can't come to the phone, and that they should leave a message, and "Baby, they'll call you back...one more time!", followed by the "Hit me baby one more time!" used in the chorus of the song. It's clever and fun for some hardcore fans, but somewhat useless.

Its Only Your Shadow, Never Yourself, Its Only Your Shadow, Nobody Else, Its Only Your Shadow, Filling The Room, Arriving Too Late, & Leaving Too Soon

(Singles are italicized. Recommendations are in red).

First off, I must apologize for using "Its" in place of "It's" in this review's title. There wasn't enough space to use proper grammar AND fit the entirety of my favorite lyric in that one tiny title box. On that note, on to the review:

On her final, pre-breakdown Britney album, In The Zone, Britney Spears really shifted directions from her previous effort, Britney. Rather than songs about love, relationships and growing up, Spears serves up a batch of songs about sex, partying, and dependency (on another person, that is). Is it a bad thing? No, not necessarily. She doesn't totally overdo it, and not every song is about the same thing, which makes In The Zone such a fun record.

1. Me Against The Music (Featuring Madonna) - The first single from the album. For some reason, I have a tendency to not be a huge fan of singles, and this is no exception. Don't get me wrong, I like it, but something about it is just...odd. Madonna's vocals are just too weird and tweaked, making her verse almost painful to listen to.

2. (I Got That) Boom Boom (Featuring The Ying Yang Twins) - I love this one. Britney skillfully blends the Hip-Hop/Rap genre with country and pop, and it's great. The Ying Yang Twins' vocals really shake things up a bit on this really fun track.

3. Showdown - Okay, now it's time to cool things down. This is another really interesting one. It's a bit on the naughty side, but that's what's fun about it. The chorus starts simply with "Here comes the showdown // What goes around comes around // And the crowds are waiting".

4. Breathe On Me - Another sensual, sexy song. It's got a very techno feel to it, so it's another different approach for her.

5. Early Mornin' - This song, produced by Moby, is all about partying, coming home late, and "Getting drunk 'til the break of dawn", because "it don't stop // Til the early mornin'". Its got a spacey, blurry vibe to it, making you feel as if you're drunk or hungover yourself. I really love this one.

6. Toxic - One of Britney's signature songs. In a nutshell, this guy she's talking about...his love is toxic!

7. Outrageous - This has got to be the most bizarre song on the album. The R. Kelly-produced track has a middle-eastern sound, and it just feels so out of place on here. I hate R. Kelly, which is probably one of the reasons I hate this song - because his background howls and hoots, erm, I mean, "vocals" on here are annoying and unnecessary. But, if it's any consolation, I enjoy the Junkie XL Dancehall Mix of the song (that was on her Greatest Hits album).

8. Touch Of My Hand - This song about "lovin' yourself" (for lack of a better appropriate phrase), is so hypnotizing. It's bound to put you in a trance. A good, hypnotizing trance. Very well done!

9. The Hook Up - I really like this fun party song! This would have been a good choice for a single. Very funky, very fun. I just can't praise this one enough.

10. Shadow - I used to skip over this one, but now it's the song I go directly to! It's such a nice slow song that will move you but also has a killer chorus that will never leave your head. Genius.

11. Brave New Girl - Life's been bad? Can't catch a break? Get up, get out and move on with life! Don't dwell on the past! Or at least that's what Britney says in this feelgood song.

12. Everytime - A song about needing someone that it's hard to go on. It's a really sweet, yet haunting ballad. I love it, personally.

13. Me Against The Music (Rishi Rich's Desi Kulcha Remix) (Featuring Madonna) - This is essentially the same as the first track, just with a different beat. Not too much is changed.

14. Don't Hang Up - Only appearing on Non-North American releases, it's easy to see where this song would get on someone's nerves. The chorus is pretty catchy, though.

15. The Answer - Britney's in love, and she wants people to know it! This track is also not on North American pressings.

Don't Leave Me Waitin' Longer, Why You Wanna Make Me Long For Ya?

(Singles are italicized, recommendations are in red).

If there's any pop star who made the stealthiest, most gradual transition from wholesome, sweet teen to freaky and flirty free bird, Britney Spears would be the one. With her 1999 debut album, ...Baby One More Time, Britney came across as a sweet moral-driven teenage girl. That slowly changed in 2000 with her second album, Oops!...I Did It Again, which showed us a slightly more provocative Spears gracing the album's cover with her midriff, and a little more adult lyrics. By 2001, the sweet teen that once was Britney Spears was long gone and abandoned in order to make way for the new, grown-up, more risque Britney, and there was no looking back from there. With the release of Britney, we show a more mature Britney, who at this point in time was not completely trashy or tacky. She was just Britney trying to find out who she was as an adult and as an entertainer. It's not a complete mess, but it's one of my least favorite pre-breakdown Britney albums.

1. I'm A Slave 4 U - The debut single that shocked critics and fans alike! This steamy, sexy track manages to keep things semi-classy, yet addictive. From the moment the first line is spoken "I know I may be young // But I've got feelings too", it's clear that Britney wants us to know one thing: she's grown up, but she's still young.

2. Overprotected - Another song about growing up and being free. Britney talks about how she feels so overprotected. It's not the greatest song here, but it's not the worst.

3. Lonely - As if one didn't learn from Oops!..'s "Don't Go Knockin' On My Door", an angry Britney howls that she's moved on and she will not take you back. I like to think of this one as Don't Go Knockin' On My Door, Part 2.

4. I'm Not A Girl, Not Yet A Woman - Does the title not tell it all? It's a pretty song, and the message is clear that she's grown enough to make her own decisions, but still needs time to learn from her mistakes.

5. Boys - The beat and music for this song is... different, and I was in love with this song for that reason for a really long time. Looking back on it now and listening to it again, while I enjoy it, I can't say I enjoy it as much. Still recommended, though. I enjoyed the Co-Ed remix with Pharrell much better.

6. Anticipating - This is probably the best song on the album. It's all about going out and having fun with your friends, and that's what life at this age should be about.

7. I Love Rock 'n' Roll - It's a different style for Britney. I don't hate it, and it's a welcomed addition. Very fun song. On an interesting side note, by this point in her career, Britney had at least 1 cover song on each of her three albums.

8. Cinderella - Here's another song I used to love, but now I'm just not a fan. It's a good listen, but there's better on the album.

9. Let Me Be - Like a few other songs from this album, the title says it all: go away! You don't know the real me! It's not very angry, just Britney calmly telling the listener to leave well enough alone.

10. Bombastic Love - This is another unique song. It sounds like a typical pop song but at the same time it doesn't. Either way it's great.

11. That's Where You Take Me - A sweet ballad that will surely make your heart melt. I'm lovin' it.

12. What It's Like To Be Me - Her then-boyfriend Justin Timberlake partially wrote and produced, as well as provided backing vocals on this somewhat average song. Take it or leave it.

Non-North American Bonus Tracks:

1. When I Found You - It's okay, but when it's sequenced after That's Where You Take Me (as it is on international Special Editions), the message and themes of the two songs lose their meanings and things just start to sound repetitive. Either way, this song is just somewhat bland to begin with.

2. I Run Away - This one's a little weird. Her voice is too "airy" and "whispery" here.

3. Before The Goodbye - This is the best out of all 3 bonus tracks, though that's not saying much. This one's a tad bland too. I'm beginning to see why these three tracks weren't included on all editions of the album!