Jesse McCartney: Departure

Released on May 20, 2008, Jesse McCartney's third album "Departure" is very interesting indeed. The first single "Leavin' is currently the #1 most played song on Pop radio and the rumored second single "It's Over" is by far one of my most admired songs of the moment.

Although he may be pushing it a bit with these hip-hop tenged beats, Jesse usually comes across sincere. After the smash that was Leona Lewis' "Bleeding Love" (which Jesse co-wrote), he covers the track amazingly as a bonus track on this album.

Other standout tracks include the Sean Garrett produced "Into Ya" and the J.R. Rotem produced "My Baby", both of which are definitely crossover single material. Other songs such as "Relapse" and "Freaky" are also of noteworthy mention.

Although decent, tracks such as "Runnin", "Rock You", and "Make Up" annoy me, thanks to Jesse' interesting, and somewhat uninispiring delivery of the hook. In the same vein, "Told You So" and "How Do You Sleep", although not as catchy, are great for their simplistic delivery.

Tracklist
1. Leavin
2. It's Over
3. Rock You
4. How Do You Sleep?
5. Into Ya
6. Make Up
7. My Baby
8. Told You So
9. Relapse
10. Runnin
11. Freaky
12. Not Your Enemy
13. Bleeding Love (Bonus)

Top 3 Tracks
It's Over ~ My Baby ~ Into Ya

Mariah Carey: I'll Be Lovin' U Long Time

As noted before, Mariah Carey's lastest studio album "E=MC²" was released this past year. With the debut of the video for the 3rd single, let's take a moment to officially premiere that "I'll Be Lovin' U Long Time" (Remix) featuring T.I. here on Zd5!

Lil' Wayne: Tha Carter III

Let me start by saying that I usualy only listen to Ludacirs & T.I.;however, it was literally impossible for me to go without doing a review on Lil' Wayne's "Tha Carter III" released on June 10, 2008.

The album was led by the #1 single "Lollipop" which is currently being followed up by the smashing single "A Milli", a personal favorite. Having never listened to a previous Weezy album, I can only comment on what I've heard on this one.

Standout tracks include the Jaz-Z assisted "Mr. Carter", the T-Pain assisted "Got Money", the Babyface assisted "Comfortable" the Robin Thicke assisted "Tie My Hands", and of course the aforementioned "A Milli."

Although not particularly a Bobby V. fan, he does justice on "Mrs. Officer" where Lil' Wayne's flow and delivery is just insane. Speaking of instanity, Weezy's "Dr. Carter" and "Phone Home" make me wonder about him, even though both tracks are enjoyable and laughable at the same time.

Already the #1 selling album of the year in the U.S. I can't wait to hear & see where Lil' Wayne goes with this taste of mainstream celebrity.

Trackslit
1. 3 Peat
2. Mr. Carter
3. A Milli
4. Got Money
5. Comfortable
6. Dr. Carter
7. Phone Home
8. Tie My Hands
9. Mrs. Officer
10. Let The Beat Build
11. Shoot Me Down
12. Lollipop
12. LaLa
14. Playing With Fire
15. Ya'll Ain't Got Nuthin
16. Don't Get It
17. Lollipop (Remix)
18. Prostitute 2

Top 3 Tracks
Tie My Hands ~ A Milli ~ Comfortable

Rihanna: Good Girl Gone Bad

Keeping up with releasing an album, Rihanna re-released her third album Good Girl Gone Bad on June 17, 2008. The original album was led by the #1 worldwide single of 2007 "Umbrella" featuring Jay-Z. Rihanna followed up with the Top 10 smashes "Hate That I Love You" and "Don't Stop The Music"

The re-release was led by Rihanna's fourth worldwide #1 single "Take A Bow." The album itself, proves that Rihanna is truly talented at making hit worthy songs. Each of her albums have been better than the last and GGGB is the best of them all.

High energy tracks "Push Up On Me" and "Breakin' Dishes" are outstanding pop tunes. Simultaneously, slow jams "Rehab" and the title track prove that Rihanna can slow it down when necessary.

My personal favorite track is the mid-tempo "Say It" with its light and summer-y feel. Upcoming single "Disturbia" is equaly amazing and sure to be another bonafide hit.

My only questions, is how and is it even possible for Rihanna to top this commercially viable album, specifically in terms of potential singles as nearly every song on the album could have definitely gone Top 40, at least.

Tracklist
1. Umbrella
2. Push Up On Me
3. Don't Stop The Music
4. Breakin' Dishes
5. Shut Up & Drive
7. Say It
8. Sell Me Candy
9. Lemme Get That
10. Rehab
11. Question Exisiting
12. Good Girl Gone Bad
13. Disturbia (Re-release)
14. Take A Bow (Re-release)
15. If I Never See Your Face Again (Re-release)
16. Cry (Bonus)
17. Haunted (Bonus)

Top 3 Tracks
Say It ~ Disturbia ~ Rehab

Chris Brown: Exclusive

Originally released on October 30, 2007, Chris Brown's sophomore album "Exclusive" was re-released on June 3, 2008. The album was preceeded by "Wall To Wall" an up-tempo number which unfortunately failed to prove as success as the singles from his previous album.

However, subsequent singles "Kiss Kiss" and "With You", which respectively reached #1 and #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, solidified Chris Brown's return to form. Although not initially as good as his first album "Exclusive" is definitely a grower.

"Picture Perfect" and "Hold Up" are standout up-tempos, although uniquely so. Ballads "Damage", "I Wanna Be" and single "Take You Down" show a maturing side to Chris Breezy, even if two of them are a bit...detailed.

The re-release featured the Top 10 single "Forever" which is a testament to the acceptance the euro-dance scene in America. Also included is a duet with Keri Hilson "Superhuman" which is quite similar, if albeit not as good, as Chris Brown's Top 3 duet "No Air" with Jordin Sparks.

All in all, the album is pretty good. It has it's weak points including the bland "Lottery" and the pointless rap by The Game on "Nice" However, tracks like the superb "I'll Call Ya" and "You" make this an album worth purchasing. No sophomore slumb here.

Tracklist
1. Throwed
2. Kiss Kiss
3. Take You Down
4. With You
5. Picture Perfect
6. Hold Up
7. You
8. Damage
9. Wall To Wall
10. Help Me
11. I Wanna Be
12. Gimme Whatcha Got
13. I'll Call Ya
14. Lottery
15. Get At Ya (Bonus)
16. Mama (Bonus)
17. Nice (Bonus)
18. Down (Bonus)
19. Fallen Angel (Bonus)
20. Forever (Re-Release)
21. Superhuman (Re-Release)
22. Heart Ain't A Brain (Re-Release)
23. Picture Perfect (Remix) (Re-Release)

Top 3 Track
I'll Call Ya ~ Damage ~ Hold Up

Leona Lewis: Spirit

Although released worldwide in 2007, Leona Lewis' debiut album "Spirit" was released on April 8, 2008 in the United States. #1 worldwide single "Bleeding Love" has broken a plethoa of airplay and sales records all around the world.

One of the standout tracks "Better In Time" is being prepped for the second U.S. single, even though it to has done quite well in most other countries. The album is filled with old school ballads that remind me of when music was "good" in the early 90s.

Such track include the beautiful power balllad "Yesterday" which tells a tale of remembering a couple's last day together forever, no matter how far or long they are apart. "Angel" and "I'm You" are personal favorites while the up-tempo "Take A Bow" seems to be screaming for an eventual release as a single.

Released in the U.S. with a slightly altered tracklist that includes "Misses Glass" and the upcoming worldwide single "Forgive Me", Spirit shows the limitless potential of Leona Lewis. Oh, and lets not forget about her whistle-register coloratura.

Tracklist
1. Bleeding Love
2. Better In Time
3. I Will Be
4. I'm You
5. Forgive Me
6. Misses Glass
7. Angel
8. The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face
9. Yesterday
10. Whatever It Takes
11. Take A Bow
12. Footprints In The Sand (Bonus)
13. Here I Am (Bonus)
14. The Best You Never Had (Bonus)
15. You Bring Me Down (Bonus)
16. Forgiveness (Bonus)
17. A Moment Likes This (Bonus)

Top 3 Tracks
Yesterday ~ Take A Bow ~ I'm You

Keyshia Cole: Just Like You

The second album from R&B songstress Keyshia Cole, "Just Like You", was released on September 25, 2007. More polished than her first, the album proves that with a little taste of commercialism, even the most the rough stone can become a flawless gem.

The open opens with the first single, and Keyshia's first #1 hit, "Let It Go" featuring Missy Elliot & Lil' Kim. And after the street anthem "Didn't I Tell You" with Too Short, the ballads begins.

In addition to "Fallin' Out" (which must be the fifth single...), the #1 singles "I Remember" and "Heaven Sent" prove that Keyshia Cole is emerging as a truly amazing talent, artist, and a hit maker. Other standout cuts include the double-side cheating tale "Work It Out" where Keyshia admits that both she & her love interest have stepped outside the home, but they can still work it out.

My personal favorite track is the iTunes only bonus track "Trust" which is one of the few love songs on the album (Keyshia otherwise mostly talks about someone cheated...). The album also includes a duet with Anthony Hamilton and "Last Night" with Diddy.

Most importantly title-track "Just Like You" is a testament to how relatable Keyshia Cole is, which is a rare find these days in music, period.

Tracklist
1. Let It Go
2. Didn't I Tell You
3. Fallin' Out
4. Give Me More
5. I Remember
6. Shoulda Let You Go
7. Heaven Sent
8. Same Thing (Interlude)
9. Got To Get My Heart Back
10. Was It Worth It
11. Just Like You
12. Losing You
13. Work It Out
14. Last Night
15. Let It Go (Remix)
16. Trust (Bonus)

Top 3 Tracks
Fallin' Out ~ Heaven Sent ~ I Remember
Bonus: Trust

Carrie Underwood: Carnival Ride

Carrie Underwood's sophomore album, Carnival Ride" was released on October 23, 2007. It was preceded by the #1 hit "So Small" and later produced the #1 hits "All-American Girl" and "Last Name."

Not as perfect as her debut, Carnival Ride sure does close to a second wind of perfection and includes more country twang. Album opener "Flat On The Floor" is as country as it gets. As is the up-tempo "Get Out of This Town" However, like most singers, Underwood shines on her ballads.

"I Know You Won't" is by far one of the best vocal productions of the year and tear-jerking ballad "Just A Dream" is a definite contender for the fourth single. My personal favorite "You Won't Find This" is very reminiscent of the gem "That's Where It Is" from the previous album.

Though quite pop/country, feel-good track "Twisted" is another single-contender. Even though it may be a little too pop for country radio, I'd love to see it released. Underwood also covers a classic, with "I Told You So" and her vocal control allows the remake to hold its own against the original.

All in all, Carrie Underwood is sure to find success with this album and is likely to continue that success for years to come.

Tracklist
1. Flat On The Floor
2. All-American Girl
3. So Small
4. Just A Dream
5. Get Out of This Town
6. Crazy Dreams
7. I Know You Won't
8. Last Name
9. You Won't Find This
10. I Told You So
11. The More Boys I Meet
12. Twisted
13. Wheel of The World
14. Sometimes You Leave (Bonus)

Top 3 Tracks
Just A Dream ~ You Won't Find This ~ Twisted