The Monster Ball Tour

Wow.

Gaga knows how to put on a show.

The concert consisted of 20 songs including all the hits and 7 of the 8 songs on the new The Fame Monster. The concert had everything you would expect from Gaga, multiple wardrobe changes of fashion that does not disappoint, live singing, amazing dancing, acts of sexuality and stripping, etc. All the usual from Gaga and I loved it.

The openers are Semi Precious Weapons, who I was not a fan of until I saw them live, and Kid Cudi. Kid Cudi knew that it was a room full of Gaga fans because it was a very techno/electronic set that breathed new life into some of his songs, if this is the next style Cudi is going into, then it will be a good one. I really enjoyed "Embrace the Martian" by Crookers feat. Kid Cudi in the set.

When Gaga came on, nothing I had seen so far that night could compare. Dance in theDark started the set, not a huge opening for Gaga, but a consistent one. Once Just Dance and Lovegame came on though it was a full blown Lady Gaga fest that had the crowd pumped and thrilled as Gaga demanded screaming and hands up. At one point Gaga even laid down on the stage saying she was Tinkerbell and needed us to clap for her so she'll live.

Speechless and Poke Her Face went beautifully, I must say that I'm proud to have been at one of the concerts that her father attended, (Speechless was written for him). After her acoustic set came more glamour with Gaga coming onto the stage dressed as cleopatra for the song, Fashion. Paparazzi was another interesting song/art installation curing the show as she sang it with lengthy braids as long as the stage being carried by dancers. Bad Romance ended the show on a high note as her dancers and herself gave all they could even though they hadn't stopped through the whole show really.

If you're going to go to a pop concert. This is the one to go to. The Monster Ball will make a fan of any Gaga haters left out there.

Be Mine Cover

Robyn created one of the best albums of the decade, in my opinion, with her self titled Robyn. Erik Hassle and Ellie Goulding have created a glorious and beautiful cover of "Be Mine" from that album. Erik is a swedish indie singer, new to the scene still, and Ellie is a British singer who has toured with Little Boots and been on remix's of Passion Pit. It is a simple acoustic song that just reminded me how awesome Robyn is....and made me more interested in these two up and coming acts.

Check it out here...

http://hypem.com/track/965186/Erik+Hassle+and+Ellie+Goulding+-+Be+Mine+Robyn+Cover+

Review: Lady Gaga-The Fame Monster

The finest pop of the year. Eight perfect pop songs, ranging from Euro-pop to Seventies piano rock, its all covered immaculately. Gaga has definitely taken her artistry to another level. The major influence on this album seems to be Madonna because she plays with "La Isla Bonita" in "Alejandro" and the "Vogue" rap in "Dance in the Dark." Unlike her fashion, Lady Gaga's music is VERY mainstream, it is perfect sugary pop, and only Gaga does it this well. My hat's off to you Gaga, 2 brilliant albums in 2 years.

A

Download....

Buy it.

Awesome Songs This Weekend

Hollywood Holt- "Freshman"

A funky song that makes you move with swagger, "cause I'm fresh man." This song really is all about moving through the party with swagger, all I can say...

http://www.myspace.com/holtgoestohollywood

Ke$ha- "Fuck Him (He's a DJ)" and "Boots and Boys"

Screw "TiK ToK," the Ke$ha has a whole bunch of kick-ass party songs waiting to rule your speakers! They're both catchy, upbeat, and 100% hot-mess sexiness. This girl is obviously the new Katy Perry.

http://www.myspace.com/kesha

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiHEbpHb41o

Shakira feat. Kid Cudi- "Did It Again Remix"

The Kid Cudi rap doesn't do much for me, but the the remix is sexier and better than the original. A definite party starter.

http://www.myspace.com/shakira

Lil Wayne- "Sweet Dreams"

From the No Ceilings Mixtape, this version almost puts Beyonce's to shame.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOdxSauIiGs

Review: Shakira- She Wolf

Shakira is the strangest pop star currently in the mainstream. How she bends her unusual voice, that has been compared to a goat, is so fascinating and interesting to the ear. I love Shakira for being a little quirky and just outside the mainstream norms, she continues this trend by having both indie producer John Hill (Santigold's album) and Pharrel on the same album. It also works somehow with good results.

The title track has been out now since the summer so most have heard it by now, it is a thrilling, catchy, and odd song, in which, Shakira howls. John Hill produced this track along with "Men in This Town" and "Mon Amour;" they are the best of the album. Especially "She Wolf" and "Men in This Town," a sexy and upbeat song that has Shakira as the mature dominant female demanding "where are all the men in this town? whats a girl suppose to do?" In a trend of Shakira it has its quirk though, this time the lines "Im fresh, so fresh and so clean" which is in contrast to the rest of the song. I love it, "Men in This Town" will be one of my favourite tracks of the year.

"Gypsy" is a cute break from the other beat driven songs on the album. The music without the vocals is almost reminiscent of Joni Mitchell's "Free Man in Paris" era. The Wyclef duet "Spy" is a classic back and forth duet, the twist being Shakira's vocal instrument mimicking a saxophone. If it weren't for that, this would be a boring song. The track that is most similar to Oral Fixation would have to be "Mon Amour" because of the use of guitar here, unlike the rest of the album. "Give It Up To Me" is a late American only Timbaland production. I was not thrilled with the song at first, jaded because it seemed like a tainting of the album to gain success. It has grown on me, I can't resist the catchiness of the song. It will not be a lasting song, but a hit for a while.

Shakira's She Wolf covers a wide range of sounds and textures. It is a universal album covering Timbaland American beats, to middle eastern and Parisian accordions. Somehow Shakira's unique presence and voice makes it all work together so well.

B+

Download these now.

She Wolf

Men in This Town

Did It Again

Review: Rihanna- Rated R

Rihanna is grown up now. She wants you to know that. If Good Girl Gone Bad was her last album, than this is where girl will never be associated with Rihanna again.

Rated R is a remarkably cohesive album that is clearly Rihanna's best, but still shows that better might still be to come form the still young pop star. The first three songs are the roughest and most gangster. "Wait your Turn" and "Hard" is Rihanna bragging like a rapper over heavy bass. "Hard" may be the closest thing to "Umbrella" on Rated R with its "I, I, I, I'm so hard" chorus, the only thing similar to "Umbrella-ella-ella-eh-eh."After "Hard" Rihanna brings up Chris Brown quite obviously for the first time with a ballad titled "Stupid in Love."

There are six modern-day ballads, meaning slow songs, but still with beats, (most famously done by Justin Timberlake's "What Goes Around/Comes Around" and Leona Lewis's "Bleeding Love"). They all work, some better than other, "Cold Case Love" being the best overall, followed by "Russian Roulette." "Photographs" started off brilliant, orgasm for the ears came to mind, it thrilled me, until, sadly, Will.i.am. started rapping. That rap ruined the song for me after that. "Te Amo" surprised me in the fact that I wanted to compare it to "Alejandro" by Lady Gaga (both albums are being released the same day). What is most important about the ballads for Rihanna's new album is that they show off how strong her voice has gotten over the past years, this is her fourth album and Rihanna has never sounded better.

"Rude Boy,""Rockstar 101," and "Fire Bomb" are fill out the rest of the album, I'm ignoring "G4L" because it is the least exciting song in an otherwise good attempt at an amazing album. "Rude Boy" should be a single because it will be a number one for sure. It is a touch of the old Rihanna, being the funnest and sexist song on the album. "Rockstar 101" has great verses, but the "I'm a Rockstar" chorus seemed silly to me. "Fire Bomb" is an excellently written pop song that could be performed by anyone in the pop world, very radio friendly, maybe Kelly Clarkson even singing it. It's simple beautiful pop.

Rihanna has truly developed with this album and has created a more interesting and adult record. The same dark, mature atmosphere flows throughout the album. This album will be, hopefully remembered, as a step into the direction of a mature and pop-savey artist.

A-

Download these...

Rude Boy

Hard

Cold Case Love

Fire Bomb

Saga-Basement Jaxx feat. Santigold

Santigold is one of my favourite artists and can do no wrong in my opinion. Her contribution to Basement Jaxx's new LP Scars is called "Saga". This crazy song is classic Santigold, meaning unusual, a little dub, a little electro, a little awesome! It is reminiscent of "Creator" with the odd vocals from Santigold that aren't really words just another beautiful instrument.

Check it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndOvhIhvuG0

Review: Dragonette-Fixin to Thrill

Dragonette's first album, Galore, was a perfect, pop meets glam rock meets synth pop meets a million other things. "Take It Like A Man," and "Jesus Doesn't Love Me" being two of the most outstanding songs of the year. This time around though the extremes are even greater. The rock is bolder with the lead single, "Fixin to Thrill," but the soft synth pop is calmer and more beautiful, such is the case with "Easy." The album as a whole seems more coherent and shows how Dragonette has grown. They can still do weird, just listen to "Gone Too Far," possibly the oddest song they're done yet and also the most interesting use of Banjo I've ever heard. Dragonette is convincing me that they will be one of the best pop bands never to become popular. It is a shame because they have the talent and balls to pull it off.

B+

Download these now!

Fixin to Thrill

Pick Up the Phone

Liar

Gone Too Far

Alicia's REAL comeback single

"Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart" is Alicia Key's newest single of the December 15th's Elements of Freedom. It is a compelling and edgier single than the first. Although the video leaves a lot to be desired, the song is pure 80s/prince sound that made "No One" a hit. Hopefully the new album leans on songs such as this one, and not the prior single, "Doesn't Mean Anything."

See the video for "Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart" here....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xm0R5XB2CWk

Ra-Ra-Ah-Ah-Ah

As Lady Gaga's The Fame Monster draws near I can't help but be excited. Having already heard half the tracks on repeat for a month....(Alejandro, Dance in the Dark, Telephone, and Bad Romance) It is looking to be one of the pop albums of the year. Although some are arguing that Gaga should've added a track or two and just created her sophomore album, instead of this EP. I believe she is doing the right thing, EPs are becoming popular again for one thing (Miley Cyrus's new EP is doing well on the charts), and why add filler to a perfect record? So many reviews discuss about "if only the album had a few less filler tracks...." well this one takes care of that issue. November 23rd can't come fast enough....

Welcome

Welcome to Sleepyhead, the blog about the newest in music.

The title of the blog was created because of the song by Passion Pit, and also because I am....a sleepy head. The photo with the title is three of my favourite artists right now. La Roux, Little Boots, and Florence and the Machine.