Week 05: Feb 5- Feb 12, 2013

+ Justin Timberlake releases cover art AND tracklist for his March release (March 19) album; 20/20 Experience. And if that's not enough, after the Grammys JT also released his first single off the album called 'Mirrors'. Obviously it's great. Obviously.

+ Gary Clark Jr. is launching his own music festival, "Maverick Music Festival". The festival will take place in GCJ's home state of Texas. It will feature local musicians during the day, and when the sun goes down you can look forward to performers like GCJ himself, as well as The Toadies, Girl in A Coma, Arum Rae, and Henry and the Invisibles. Gary Clark Jr also played 'Numb', and 'Ain't Messin' Around' on Kimmel this past week. He's so damn good.

+ New Queens of the Stone Age is described by Dave Grohl as "ridiculous". I assume in a good way. The album is going to feature major players in music including Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails), Jakes Shears (Scissor Sisters) and Elton John who claims to be a big fan.

+Jenny Lewis will be appearing on both new Postal Service tracks. Including: 'A Tattered Line of String' that was released this week.

+Phoenix owns the recording console used for Thriller (Michael Jackson) and is recording their new album on it. That there is some good juju.

+ With 'channel ORANGE' not even a year old Frank Ocean is riding his wave of success and will be heading back into the studio soon. He is currently in the creative stage, but hopes to be recording shortly.

+ The man with a million ideas, and stamina of a cocker spaniel on speed, Jack White, is back to work on his follow up to Blunderbuss. If that is not something to get excited in this cold winter, I don't know what is. White reportedly has about 20-25 tracks all in varying styles. He is not sure if the album will be released this year, and just wants to flow with his inspiration.

GRAMMYs

+Congrats to Gotye and Kimbra who took home a golden gramophone for Record of the Year AND Best Pop/Duo Performance {Somebody That I Used to Know}. The two were so gracious, so humble. Gotye also grabbed a Grammy for Best Alternative Music Album {Making Mirrors}.

+ Album of the Year went to Mumford and Sons!! {Babel} Well deserved. And, they also take home an award for Best Long Form Video with Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros and Old Crow Medicine Show for {Big Easy Express}. So thrilled to see Big Easy do well. Phenomenal.

+ fun. took home a Grammy for Song of the Year {We Are Young feat. Janelle Monae}. The group also won Best New Artist. Congrats!!

+ Adele took home Best Pop Solo Performance {Set Fire to the Rain}. Really though, that was a no-brainer. She deserves it.

+ The Black Keys did quite well taking home a Grammy for Best Rock Performance, Best Rock Song AND Best Rock Album {Lonely Boy/El Camino}. Dan Auerbach also wins Producer of the Year!

+ Best Urban Contemporary Album goes to Frank Ocean {channel ORANGE}

+ Best Jazz Vocal Album went to Esperanza Spalding! {Radio Music Society}

+ Dr. John takes home a golden grammy for Best Blues Album {Locked Down} !!

+ Best Folk Album went to Yo-Yo Ma, Chris Thile, Edgar Meyer, and Stuart Duncan deservingly {The Goat Rodeo Sessions}

+ Jimmy Cliff takes Best Reggae Album {Rebirth}

For the complete list of Grammy winners find out: here.

This years Grammy performances were ridiculous. I want to relive those performances over and over again.

Here is a list of my favorites from the night:

+ Elton John joins Ed Sheeran to play 'A Team'
+ fun. performs 'Carry On'
+ Justin Timberlakes big band performance of a few new tracks; 'Suit and Tie' with Jay-Z, and 'Pusher Girl'
+ Mumford & Sons perform 'I Will Wait'
+ The Black Keys get on stage with Dr. John and Preservation Hall Jazz Band to play 'Lonely Boy'
+ Try not dancing when Sting and Bruno Mars perform Mars' first single off Unorthodox Jukebox, accompanied by a Sting hit 'Locked Out of Heaven/Walking On the Moon'. Followed by a Bob Marley tribute with Damian and Ziggy Marley and Rihanna; 'Could You Be Loved'
+ Lumineers perform 'Ho Hey'
+ 'Love Interruption' and 'Freedom at 21' by Jack White and his two traveling bands.
+ Adam Levine and Alicia Keys, 'Girl on Fire'
+ I don't care much for Wiz Kahlifa, but Miguel performs and its great: 'Adorn'
+ Frank Ocean performs 'Forrest Gump'
+ LL Cool J, Chuck D, Tom Morello and Travis Barker pay tribute to MCA
+ Elton John, Mumford & Sons, Brittany Howard, Mavis Staples, and T Bone Burnett play tremendous tribute to The Bands' Levon Helm by playing 'The Weight'

*click the highlighted link to view video. Do it!

2012 Album Roundup; Bruno Mars (Unorthodox Jukebox)

Bruno Mars - Unorthodox Jukebox
Released: December 11, 2012

I’ve been receiving more than my fair share of flack recently regarding Bruno Mars’ latest album Unorthodox Jukebox. I like it. The album, not the flack.

Like the vast majority of friends and acquaintances I surround myself with whether it be through work, play or twitter I too did not expect UJ to be my cup of tea. When I explain to someone that I do in fact think that Bruno Mars did an excellent job in representing his skill set on this album, in a more than appealing way I am faced with the same dumbfounded looks - more often than not.

With that said, let me break it down for you. Unorthodox Jukebox is not my favorite album of the year. Not even close. But that does not take away from the fact that it was well done, and has many parts of which appeal to me.

Bruno Mars is a keener. He is that kid in class who everyone likes, and wants to hate, but really just loves. He’s the kid who can say something to make the teacher blush, and talk his way out of lunch detention. He’s also the kid who will help you with your homework and ride bikes with you afterward. It’s difficult to dislike the guy.

Coming from a genuine place with an obvious understanding of primitive music origins, with attention to styling details, Bruno Mars has released a genre varying musical expose. At the forefront it is an R&B album with an unrequited dose of pop music. Delving into the depths of UJ, you can find so much more.

Have you even wondered what it would be like if Michael Jackson had been the forefront of The Police rather than Sting? No, I hadn’t either. But on Mars’ first single off UJ , ‘Locked Out of Heaven’ you get a feel of what that experiment would be like. And while it sounds like an awful idea, it works. ‘Locked Out of Heaven’ is unbearably catchy leaving you helplessly repeating “eh-eh/eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh/oooh” alongside Mars. The beat is steady, easy to follow and enjoyable.

By the way, the theme of this album is sex. Whether Bruno Mars is talking about having her, or getting her back, the pith of his message is what he did or wanted to do to her. This is clear in ‘Gorilla’, another MJ inspired track frothy with sweat.“You’ll be banging on my chest/ bang bang/gorilla. You and me baby makin love like gorillas”. The vocals sound like a clean, tuned up version of the Weeknd. From ‘Gorilla’ Mars moves to ‘Treasure’ a pop funk jam revealing his versatility and influence.

Like every experimental artist Bruno Mars dabbles in reggae/dancehall on ‘Show Me’. It’s typical and what you would expect of the keener. But, it’s good. And will end up on someones stoner soundtrack. Well done Mars. ‘If I Knew’ is a favorite of mine. The lyrics are not particularly tonic, but as his soul effort off Unorthodox Jukebox I think Mars nailed it. Otis would be proud.

The album ends with a duet with jazz sensation Esperanza Spalding called ‘Old and Crazy’. It’s a lovely end to the genre infused trip. I want to put on a frilly dress and transport back to post WWI. The old timey piano, and sax is a fun, daring final attempt.

Bruno Mars has corrected all the errors he made when creating Doo Wops and Hooligans. Unorthodox Jukebox is eclectic, it’s thought out, it’s really good. And, while it is clear that his sound resembles that of so many others; Michael Jackson, Prince.. - not so unlike a popier Mayer Hawthorne - he has donned his genres with his own special touches. This will likely be Bruno Mars’ greatest piece of work. He is damn talented.

Excuse me while I go listen to it again.