Ashanti: The Declaration

Released on June 3, 2008 Ashanti's fourth album, The Declaration, is a musical representation of Ashanti freeing herself from the restraints of her career. After officially living "The Inc Records" Ashanti returns with new producers, collaborations, and a new sense of self.

First single "The Way That I Love You" was an instant hit, evident by its #2 peaking on Billboards R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. The song displayed Ashanti returning to form with a powerful ballad about a women discovering that her partner is cheating. Other LT Hutton productions include the infectuous "You're Gonna Miss" and the beautiful ballad "Struggle", which must be a single.

The Darkchild produced "So Over You" is similar to recent hits by Keyshia Cole and Mary J. Blige; however, the song is so heartfelt that after the first verse everyone will remember why Ashanti is still the princess. "Things You Make Me Do" featuring Robin Thicke and "Girlfriend" are very sexual and they give me goosebumps everytime I listen to them.

"In These Streets" is a decent album cut; however, it tends to drag on after the bridge. Subseqeuently, the album itself seems very short. I appreciate Ashanti for dedicating a song to her mother ("Mother") and to those who have ever doubted themselves ("Shine");however, I doubt that they'll be tracks that most people will put on repeat.

For me, the album ends after track #10, "Body On Me" featuring Akon and Nelly, which seems like an overt attempt at a commercial hit. And even though I adore Jermaine Durpi productions, "Good Good" is a little over the top for me, even though I think that it has fourth single hit written all over it. Oh, and the title track is a must hear for anyone who has been left out to dry by someone that they trusted.

Tracklist
1. Intro
2. The Way That I Love You
3. You're Gonna Miss
4. So Over You
5. Struggle
6. Girlfriend
7. Things You Make Me Do
8. In These Streets
9. Good Good
10. Body On Me/Can't Let Go*
11. Mother
12. Shine
13. The Declaration

Top 3 Tracks
So Over You ~ You're Gonna Miss ~ Struggle

Usher: Here I Stand

Released on May 27, 2008 Usher's "Here I Stand" is a testament of growth. After 2004's 10x Platinum album "Confessions", Usher returns with a solid album. My only hope is that people take the time to listen to the album itself and stop comparing it to his previous albums.

"Here I Stands" opens with the #1 hit "Love In This Club" and the album also includes the Pt.2 of "Love In This Club." However, there are a plethora of better songs on the album, including second single "Moving Mountains" were Usher's talks about dealing with the hardships of a failed relationship.

Interestingly, Usher stated that he wanted to "bring something new to R&B music"; however, many of the tracks seem instantaneously familiar, especially in terms of production. Even so, Usher brings his signature energy to the songs and makes them his own.

"Something Special", "Before I Met You", and "Love You Gently" are amazing slow jams, while "What's A Man To Do", produced by Stargate, tells a the story of being in love with two different people. Usher gets creative on "Trading Places" where he imagines literally trading places, in terms of social norms and sexual positions, with his love interest. "Appetite" is a Danja banger that absolutely screams single, as does the JD track "Best Thing" with Jay-Z where both artists confess their love for their spouses.

The album may not be "Confessions" (even though he references it often) but is a solid album that I'm enjoying more and more with each listen.

Tracklist
1. Intro
2. Love In This Club
3. This Ain't Sex
4. Trading Places
5. Moving Mountains
6. What's Your Name
7. Prayer For You
8. Something Special
9. Love You Gently
10. Best Thing
11. Before I Met You
12. His Mistakes
13. Appetite
14. What's A Man To Do
15. Lifetime
16. Love In This Club Pt. 2
17. Here I Stand
18. Will Work For Love (Bonus)

Top 3 Tracks
Best Thing ~ What's A Man To Do ~ Appetite

Mariah Carey: E=MC²

My most anticipated album of the year, Mariah Carey's "E=MC²" was released on April 15, 2008 and I'm glad to say that I wasn't dissappointed. When I first heard the first single "Touch My Body" (Mariah's 18th #1 song) I wasn't sure that I would enjoy the album. After hearing the album and seeing how carefree and happy Mariah seems to be, I must say that Ms. Mimi has done it again.

Second single "Bye Bye" is a tearjerker; however, there are a lot of stronger tracks on the album. Most notably is "Migrate" featuring T-Pain. With lyrics such as "From the car into the club, we migrate, from the bar to V.I.P., we migrate, from the party to the after party, migrate, after party to hotel, migrate" Mariah has crafted what should be the summer anthem of 08.

Mariah experiments quite a bit on this album, while at the same time sticking true to her roots. The Jermaine Dupri produced songs don't knock as hard as they did on Mariah's last album but "Love Story, "Thanx 4 Nothin", and "Last Kiss" are all growers and have become some guilty pleasures of mine. The B. Cox joints bring it home, though. In fact, either "I Stay In Love" or "For The Record" must be released as a single during this era.

The reggae-themed "Cruise Control" featuring Damien Marley is pure bliss, and although its one of my least favorite songs, I can't deny how good Mariah sounds singing in French, Spanish, and Italian on "O.O.C." That's out of control, for those not in the know. "Side Effects" featuring Young Jeezy (why, I'll never know...) brings a tear to even my eyes with its sincerity about one of Mariah's past relationships.

All in all, the album's pretty good. The DJ Troop produced "I'll Be Lovin' You Long Time" is my personal favorite. You should cop the album just to Mariah sing "long as I know you've got me...I'll be lovin' you long time." Because, I'm sure she will.

Tracklist
1. Migrate
2. Touch My Body
3. Cruise Control
4. I Stay In Love
5. Side Effects
6. I'm That Chick
7. Love Story
8. I'll Be Lovin' You Long Time
9. Last Kiss
10. Thanx 4 Nothin'
11. O.O.C.
12. For The Record
13. Bye Bye
14. I Wish You Well
15. 4 Real 4 Real (Bonus)
16. Heat (Bonus)



Top 3 Tracks
I Stay In Love ~ I'll Be Lovin' You Long Time ~ For The Record
Bonus: Migrate

Day26: Day 26

Day26's debut album, the self-title "Day 26" was released on March 25, 2008. Although I was skeptical at first, the guys from the fourth season of Making the Band proved that talent can overcome all obstacles. First single "Got Me Going" went Top 30 on the R&B charts, but I am expecting much more from the up-coming singles.

Up-tempo's "In My Bed" and "I'm The Reason" prove that Day 26 can be versatile; however, they truly shine on the ballads and mid-tempo cuts. Honestly, I don't know where to begin. "Are We In This Together" and "Since You Been Gone", both produced by B. Cox, are truly heartfealt ballads. Sensual songs such as the seductive "Come In", the lovely "Co-Star", and the inticing "Come With Me" are absolutely orgasmic.

One downside of the album is that the songs seem to blend together. In fact, it's hard for even me to list any truly standout cuts because they are all "decent" R&B songs. Eitherway, all five of the members of Day26 can sing and they prove their vocal abilities on "If It Wasn't For You" a truly inspirational tune that was my most anticipated songs on the album.

Tracklist
1. I'm The Reason
2. Got Me Going
3. In my Bed
4. Silly Love
5. Come With me
6. Co-Star
7. Come In
8. Are We In This Together
9. What It Feels Like
10. Since You Been Gone
11. If It Wasn't For You
12. Don't Fight The Feeling
13. Aint Going
14. Exclusive (Bonus)
15. Just Should've Told You (Bonus)



Top 3 Songs Are We In This Together ~ Co-Star ~ Come In (My Doors Open)

Danity Kane: Welcome To The Dollhouse

Danity Kane's second album "Welcome To The Dollhouse", released on March 18, 2008 demonstrates that the ladies of Making The Band 3 have matured and are ready to take the music world by storm. First single "Damaged" is a high-energy dance number and has given the group their second Top 10 hit.
Second single "Bad Girl" featuring Missy Elliot and album track "Strip Stease" craftily display Danity Kane's naughty side. However, "Lights Out", co-written by group member Dawn Richards, is the true standout cut on the album. When an artist can spell out their name and still sound hot (D.A.N.I.T.Y.K.A.N.E) you've got a winner as far as I am concerned.
Although the album has its misteps, look no further than the emotion-less "Key To My Heart", ballads such as "Poetry" and "Is Anybody Listening" making up for it. Another standout cut, "Ecstasy" absolutely must be a single at some point. Overall, the album is a definite step up from their debut album. Oh, and did I mention that the harmonies on "Sucka For Love" gives me chills? Tracklist

1. Intro

2. Bad Girl

3. Damaged

4. Pretty Boy

5. Strip Tease

6. Sucka For Love

7. Secret Place (Interlude)

8. Ecstacy

9. 2 of You

10. Lights Out

11. Picture This (Interlude)

12. Poetry

13. Key To My Heart

14. Flashback (Interlude)

15. Is Anybody Listening

16. Aint Going

Top 3 Songs

Lights Out ~ Ecstacy ~ Poetry