After "Confessions on the dancefloor", this new Madonna CD had to reach a certain level. Unfortunalety for first listeners, you will think that you are listening a Nelly Furtado alike mixed by Timbaland. Yes, this is certainly a RnB CD, but there's no originality; pretty sad for Madonna. Track such as "She's not me" or "Devil Wouldn't Recognize You" are raising the global level, but tracks like "Spanish Lesson" or "Voices" are pretty strange on this L.P. "Voices" even seemed to be very badly recorded. To be quiet frank, the "real" masterwork of Timbaland can be curiously only heard at the end of some tracks.

After "Hotel", Moby is back with "Last Night". I had a lot of expectations concerning this Moby CD. To be brief, you won't get that "18" or "Play" feeling because some of the tracks ("Mothers of the Night" are too close to "Porcelain". Tracks such as "Hyenas" are mixing French lyrics with catchy music. The other "gospel" like tracks reminds me of the 90s with all the techno scene, but in some ways it will sound outdated. Perhaps we have heard too much of "Moby"-style to be completely surprised by this album.

Duffy is called the new "Whinehouse". It's true. Duffy has really a Amy-like voice and of course has talent (and hasn't that drug'n messy Amy lifestyle). When you listen to this album it will remind you the 60s. Ballads like "Rockferry" or "Stepping stone" are wonderful. Of course the hit "Mercy" is also included, and to my opinion it is the only track on which you can dance ;-). "Distant Dreamer" reminds me of Robbie Williams "Ghosts", because there is no refrain and the song seems to be "opened". I can't wait for her second album to come out. Duffy is definitely one of the voices of 2008.

Trentemoller, is a well known electronic music producer and made a lot of remixes. The Chronicles is a compilation of Trentemoller successes including the "Snow" . Deep sounds with really cool beats caracterize this L.P. Some tracks are unfortunately following the minimalistic trend of the electronic scene. Like "Burial-Untrue" (see next review) the best way to appreciate this CD is to listen it on a high quality surround system.

I'm not a dub fan.I bought this Burial album, because it's a beautiful mix of deep-far sounds. This album is so well mixed, that you can't tell if instruments or voices are playing. It's hard to describe what your are listening to, some noisy sounds will remind you of an underground. some of rain falling down. It's original, it's fresh but very dark. The best way to enjoy Burial's "Untrue" is to listen it on a Hi-Fi system. You will get each bass sounds, that you wouldn't hear with normal earphones.

The biggest deception of the year. Minimalistic sounds with stupid lyrics. And what about this last track ("Rhapsody In Pain" by Pepe Bradock) which mixes sounds produced by suffering persons !? No thanks this is really too weird for me to call it music. This CD is really the worst of the "The Sound of" serie. No originality and I can't believe people are chilling on Ibiza with those tunes. You can't even dance or rock on those tracks! It deserves its null star, even Paris Hilton's CD was more interesting than this CD. Sorry Sven, but next year I won't buy your album, my "The Sound of" collection will stop with this CD.

Why did I buy this album? For only one track and I wasn't disappointed : "Synchronized". It's a cover/reprise of "Bonnie & Clyde" by Serge Gainsbourg. Why is it so interesting? Because a French rapper, called MC Solaar took the same sample back in the 1997's to produce it's hit "Le Western Modern". Funny enough to become a positive argument to buy this album. The rest of the album is a mix of electro pop à la Britney-Madonna, not bad, but not very original. Pure Kylie fan's won't be too disoriented...

The first time I heard Justice I thought that this group was really cool especially when you see the "D.A.N.C.E." clip. The first time I listened to this album, I tought : is this music or just noise? Yes this album is noisy sometimes inaudible, but after having listened to it over 50 times I can say: yeah it's music. "Waters of Nazareth", "D.V.N.O" are great powerful tracks, the other tracks are also great, but unfortunately in some case too crazy!

If you're a looking for some well mixed dance tracks, this compilation is for your. Mixed by Miss Nine, a model and DJane, this trance-dance-house-electro album will certainly transport you to a typical I'm feeling good state. "Smaller" is certainly the most catchy track of the whole album. If you like this album be sure to visit Miss Nine's website, because she's also posting new mixes.

Mister Timbaland produced Aaliyah, Bubba Sparxx and other stars in the past. More recently he featured Nelly Furtado's "Loose" album, Now he's back with a lot of new sounds and featuring artists such as long time friends Justin Timberlake, Missy Elliott, 50 Cent and of course Magoo. You will have several potential hits such as "Apologize" with One Republic, "Throw It On Me". With this album, Timbo shows his whole producer/mixer talent! One new voice : Kerry Hilson in "Scream".

Ok, Ok, everyone knowing me, will say : "5 stars for Robbie isn´t fair because you´re a Robbie fan ". My answer : althought I´m a Robbie fan this single is really cool and earns its 5 stars ;-) The beginning of the track reminds me of the Sega game "Sonic and Knuckles" ( here you can see that I´m a real computer freak ;-). The track in itself is bastard pop, very close to the Sugababes "Red dress", and is a cover version of Stephen 'Tin Tin' Duffy´s track.

Fergie from the B.E.P has finally launched her solo album. What can I say ? It´s a juxtaposition of very poor RnB lyrics such as ( "Fergalicious" or "Glamourous"). Why the damn singing on first classes flights and champagne ?! Don´t expect too much concerning the music. The tracks are all in the current minimalist "à la Pharell" dirty south style sound except some "slows". A track such as "Pedestal", deserve an Award for the most ridiculous track... Listen carefull to "Big girls don´t cry" and you´ll hear Madonnas "Like a Prayer" : compare both tracks ;-) it´s too obvious

I´m just giving 3 stars because Justin´s new album doesn´t meet the high expectations. Produced by Timbaland, this albums lacks on inspiration.
The sounds heard in this album, are too close to Nelly Furtado´s one. Here are some track comparisions and probable inspirations : "Take away your love " is a nice"How deep is your love" by Take That "Losing my Way : "They don´t care about us" by Michael Jackson "Pose" with Snoop Dogg reuses the "Gin and Juice" sample. You´ll rediscover Nelly Furtado´s "Wait for you" and "Maneater" with a small sample by X Zbit (Front to Back) in "FutureSex/LoveSounds". The tracks "What Goes Around" and "Summer Love" are for me the bests and one (and only ?) possible reason to buy this album.

Oh my god! After crashing parties being in the newspapers Paris sings... or what we call "singing".... Thanks to computer and good sound technicians we can say : yes it´s possible to launch a CD even if you aren´t a singer or talentous. If you´re mediatic and have a lot of money than you can reach the "high" talent of Paris Hilton : well selling your image. A ridiculous album !!!! "Jealousy" reminds me of the german girl group "No Angels" . That´s enough for this review, the other tracks are so mainstreamed and could have been sung by each first coming teen wannabe popstar that I´m not loosing my time to comment Paris new album !

I must say this CD is one of the best of Christina´s closely following the style of her tracks "Hello" or "Singing my song" or "Stripped". Well mixed with hiphop samples and even sample from "The chorus/Les choristes" (by Bruno Coulais) Xtina´s new CD is a nice combination of 30s old jazzy tunes, urban music with a gospel touch! She also give us the real good surprise to hear the full range of her beautiful and powerful voice. We are far away from "Genie in a bottle" and poor teeny lyrics ! The usage of hiphop samples (thx to DJ Premier) gives a power to each of the tracks

The love is certainly back, but not the inspiration ! This CD is a real dissappointment. I tought I will get the new Loveparade feeling, but instead I`ve discovered poorly remixed tracks such as "We are alive" or "Insomnia". Not very new !!! . For a electronic music fan like me, this CD is very poor and can´t reflect the actual trends of the electro scene. The CD is a compilation of minimalistic songs with no spirits. We are far far away from the 1995 or 1996 compilations. Hopefully the upcoming Loveparade won´t be as boring as this CD ! Only the anthem "United States of Love" is really original

To go straight to the point this 5th Tiesto album doesn´t bring something new. The sounds remind "Tiesto-pure" with an uncompared touch of trance and vocal mix. Everyone knows DJ Tiesto from the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. After his performance Tiesto became very famous and was often compared to Paul Van Dyk (especially for taking place #1 in the DJ list).

The first track and video I´ve heard in May was "Promiscuous" feat. Timbaland. The combination of the clip gave this track a real good R&B feeling. Unfortunately "Maneater" (samples ressembles to "I´m a maniac") was choosen in Europe to be her first single of this album. Nelly in this album wanted to take some distance to her original "world music" style. This can be heard permanentely through the album. The ballad with Juanes is too "pop" and not very original. The rest of the album is a real good mix between R&B and the co-working with Timbaland.
The tracks "Afraid" and "Do It" reminds to JLos first tracks: funny to listen to, but not all day long ! In track "Somebody to love" you´ll recognize a short guitar riff from "Suga Suga".

After each goal this track was played loud in the stadium during the World Cup 2006 in Germany. It`s interesting to know that this track was firstly used in a french TV program called "Star Academy" on TF1. During each commercial break before and after the TV show the sample "Feel the love generation" was played. Also funny was the transformation of the video clip : in october we suddently saw a Goleo in the video. For me this track will be always linked to the fantastic World Cup in Germany and I´m sure this track will take its place between "Football is coming home" by Three Lions or "1954-1974-2010" by Sportfreund Stiller for the next World Cup. Thanks to Bob Sinclar, the french DJ and composer for this track !

After having changed (or swapped ?) Mutya for Amelle, a new cover and a new version of the "Taller in More Ways" CD was released. This new album is in the same style as "Three" with some cool bastard pop inspirations. The ballads are very beautiful (especially "2 Hearts" , "Now you`re gone"). The track "Follow Me Home" reminds me of the Spice Girls (;-) ) with a kinda "Viva forever" and "Two become one" with a touch of "Mother". The pop tracks "Red Dress" and "Obsession" are really nervous and powerfu. "It Ain`t Easy" has a similar guitar sample like in some Goldfrapp´s tracks. "Ace Reject" ressembles to "The Beach" by All Saints (someone can remember this UK Girl group ?).

The first time I've heard something about "Division Kent" (it's a swiss band) it was in March 2006 on my favorite radio station: Unserding.de. The track was called "Faraday Cage" and the melodic, with "Moby-synth" and a filtered voice.
The track begins with a guitar riff (it reminds me of the first tabs of Oasis. Tango 2000 is very "Wir sind helden" near with german lyrics. "Sweet and vicious" is one of the "popiest" track of the CD, and the first I've heard this song, I thought it could be one of the newest Kylie Minogue's track gently mixe with 2Raumwohnung touch. As you might have understand, it's hard to define the music style. To make it short, I would say electro-pop with rock tendencies (like the track "Bordello Affair"). My feeling is simple: Division Kent will be the next big electro-pop band in the coming years, so go and buy this CD!

Hum... This is the first album where I'm asking myself in which music direction the BEPs wanted to go. The only track that is "new" is "Don't phunk with my heart" with some oriental rythms. Some tracks are completely uncomprehensible such as "Bebot" that is a philippino rap (!). "Like that" and "Dum Diddly" are so boring because the lyrics have really no sense and the rythm is very minimalistic... Very disappointing.
James Brown the godfather of funk is also appearing in this album with "They dont' want music". The result is a really cool dancing track !

Release year: 2005
Artist's official website

Here is another album by Lenny Kravitz. This album is really nice with a subtile mix between fast tracks such as the aired "California" or "Where are we running" and ballads 'Destiny" or "The other side". The beginning of the track "Storm", reminds me a german artist Patrice with "Sunshine"

Perhaps purists will throw me a stone, but Lenny Kravitz has a real Jimmy Hendrix inspiration that can be found in some 60's flavoured tracks such as "Lady" or "I don't wanna be a star". We all know that Lenny also likes to put some special guests in his songs, but the Jay-z appearance in "Storm" has nothing to do in this track, it breaks the whole track, because the Jay-z's rhymes has really no senses, it reminds "Me and my girlfriend" or "Crazy in Love".

To be quite frank I've expected more of this album. Listening to electro music each day I was a bit disappointed because I heard tracks I used to listen to several monthes ago. My favourite tracks are : "Second Day" Jose Amnesia Vs. Serp . The track "Nothing" by Holden & Thompson or "Tangerine" by Calmec were taken SO many times in DJ sets around the world that to my ears these are old tracks and give this "already heard" impression to the whole album. In fact there's no new music style introduced : the rythm remained in the good old PVD style. Some experts may redistinguish samples and effects taken from the "Reflections" album... By the way the only original track is in my opinion "The Other Side". I really hope that Paul will launch his self produced album soon !

The fellowship of the ring :
Beautiful soundtrack, well orchestrated by Howard Shore. The irish passage are beautifull and really gives the whole film a special atmosphere. The Enya track "May it be" perfectly matches to this soundtrack. To be quite frank, Enya could have made the whole soundtrack because there are so many tracks especially on "Memory of trees"

The tower towers:
Althought the film doesn't completely correspond to the J.R.R Tolkien book, the continuation of the sound track is well done. You will find the same atmosphere in this second CD.
The return of the king:
Hum, sad to say but the soundtrack isn't so good as the first two ones. On this CD you will find. What strickes me a lot is the apparition of tracks with lyrics. I think that the final track "Into the West" due to the fact that the song is sung breaks the atmosphere. A pure musical track may have been better to "quit". I was also sad not to find the complete song of the trailer. Just a short extract from "The steward of Gondor" reminds me of the epic trailer music. This CD should have been better...