About This Site

Each month I select 20 songs (10 songs twice a month) that I am either hooked on or am curious about. Most of the music I select are rock, hip-hop, R&B and pop songs.

My song selection comes from 20-30 CDs I get from various sources each month, as well as recommendations from iTunes and Amazon. I also check out the charts in US, UK and Japan.

December 29, 2007

Beanie Sigel - All of the Above /ft. R. Kelly

Album: The Solution

One of Jay-Z's protege comes back (he had a hit "Roc the Mic" with Freeway five years ago) with a new album. This song featuring R. Kelly has a good beat.

Delta Goodrem - In This Life

Album: Delta

One of the biggest stars in Australia holds lots of records for most top hits, awards received, and so forth. Like a lot of the Aussie female popstars (like Kylie Minogue, Natalie Imbruglia, Holly Valance), she's from the soap opera, Neighbours. At age 18 (2003), she was diagnosed with cancer, but she has recovered and this is her first single off of her third album.

DJ Felli Fel - Get Buck In Here /ft. Akon, Lil Jon, Ludacris & Diddy

Album: Get Buck In Here (Single)

DJ Felli Fel is a producer, so he only makes beats and has guest rappers on all of his songs. On this track, Diddy actually raps fairly well (maybe he is actually getting better), and the lil' bit in the end by Lil Jon is priceless.

The Dream - Shawty is a 10

Album: Lovehate

This is his debut album. He's famous for writing Rihanna's "Umbrella" and J. Holiday's "Bed" both songs containing lots of "eh" and "ellas" like this song.

Duran Duran - Falling Down

Album: Red Carpet Massacre

This 80s band made a comeback in 1993 with "Come Undone" and "Ordinary World" and they try to do it in tihs decade, this time enlisting help from Justin Timberlake (produced this track) as well as Timbaland (produced several tracks on the album).

Flo Rida - Low /ft. T-Pain

Album: Low (Single)

I have to have at least one T-Pain song each month, so here it is (no, that's not true, he just happens to be pretty busy on the charts recently). This song has been #1 on iTunes download for several weeks now, and is also on the Step Up 2 Soundtrack (did anybody watch Step Up 1?)

Girls Aloud - Call The Shots

Album: Tangled Up

This five girl group was formed on the UK Reality TV show series. Since then they have released record-breaking 17 consecutive Top 10 singles (in UK). Guinness World Records lists them as "Most Successful Reality TV Group" since most Reality TV Group fail miserably. All of their songs are well produced dance-pop music.

Hi-Tek - My Piano /ft. Ghostface Killah, Raekwon & Dion

Album: Hi-Teknology 3

Hi-Tek is a producer, so all of his songs have guest rappers (mostly eastcoast rappers). His most famous production is probably 50 Cent's "Best Friend." This track has great rapping from Ghostface and Raekwon.

Jack Johnson - If I Had Eyes

Album: Sleep Through The Static

The surfer, filmmaker easy going guy, Jack Johnson, is releasing a new album next February. Just like rest of his singles, this one is fun, catchy and gets you in a good mood.

Jay-Z - Fallin' [Live]

Album: VH1 Storytellers (not available)

Jay-Z performed all of his tracks from his latest album, American Gangster on VH1 (the video is available online). This song was my favorite performance, so I recorded. I think it sounds better live than from the album.

John C. Reilly - Royal Jelly

Album: Walk Hard The Dewey Cox Story Soundtrack

He's an actor (he played Will Ferrell's brother in Talladega Nights) that can also sing (he was nominated for Chicago). In the movie, Walk Hard, he plays a fictional legendary singer, Dewey Cox. This particular song mimes Bob Dylan's poetic mannerism, except it goes overboard and funny.

John C. Reilly - Walk Hard

Album: Walk Hard The Dewey Cox Story Soundtrack

The theme song from the movie, Walk Hard. The entire soundtrack chronicles fictional rock legend, Dewey Cox (played and all songs sung by John C. Reilly). The producers spent a lot of time and money on these songs, and it shows. Elvis-ish song, "(Mama) You Got To Love Your Negro Man" is also worth checking out.

Joss Stone - Tell Me 'Bout It [Live] /ft. LeAnn Rimes

Album: CMT Crossroads (not available)

I never watch CMT (Country Music Television) channel, but recently I noticed that they have a show called Crossroads, where they have a country musician sing along with modern day pop/rock artist. The two artists sing each other's hit songs together, which makes it quite interesting such as these two artists. Next year Lenny Kravitz and Maroon 5 are supposed to pair up with some country star.

Lupe Fiasco - Superstar

Album: Lupe Fiasco's The Cool

A lot of people are saying Lupe is the best rapper out right now (even Jay-Z said so), and I'd have to agree. His first album was great, and his second album, which just came out is even better.

Rogue Wave - Lake Michigan

Album: Asleep At Heaven's Gate

Not to be confused with Rogue Traders (which is a dance-pop group from Australia), Rogue Wave's music get used on a lot of TV shows and movies (The OC, Heroes, Friday Night Lights, Spiderman 3). Good chill out rock music.

Spoon - Underdog

Album: Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga

One of the most popular Indie-rock bands out right now. I'm usually not impressed by Indie-rock bands (like The Shins or The Decemberists), but this band sounds catchy and fun.

Tokio Hotel - Scream

Album: Scream

They are the biggest emo band in German speaking countries right now. Since they were so popular, they decided to translate all of their German hits into English to crossover to US and UK. Their English album sounds pretty good. Makes me wonder how the songs sound in German.

Trey Songz - Can't Help But Wait

Album: Trey Day

From his second album, Trey Day. Japanese people may know him being featured on AI's single, "Beautiful" though I've never heard of him until I randomly picked up his album recently.

UGK - Int'l Player's Anthem /ft. Outkast

Album: UGK (Underground Kingz)

UGK is formed by Bun B and Pimp C. Pimp C was found dead this month for unknown reason (he was not shot). They are most famous for being featured on Jay-Z's, "Big Pimpin'". This song, featuring Outkast is their biggest hit. Rest In Peace, Pimp C.

Wu-Tang Clan - The Heart Gently Weeps /ft. Erykah Badu, Dhani Harrison & John Frusciante

Album: 8 Diagrams

It's been six years since their last album release, and since then Ol' Dirty Bastard has passed away. This song features Erykah Badu as well as George Harrison's son, Dhani Harrison & Red Hot Chili Pepper's guitarist, John Frusciante. This is the first song that legally samples a Beatles track (hence the involvement by George's son)

November 29, 2007

Astra Heights - Choices

Album: Good Problems

Formed by four Latin-American brothers named Morales, and a Chinese guy named Bernard Yin as lead guitarist, their debut album had been delayed and delayed, and finally it's being released digitally.

Avenged Sevenfold - Almost Easy

Album: Avenged Sevenfold


Probably the most mainstream heavy metal band out right now. From their second album, "Avenged Sevenfold"

Baby Bash - Cyclone /ft. T-Pain

Album: Cyclone

T-Pain is everywhere. I feel like every month I select some song with T-Pain in it. This one sounds a lot like Lil Jon's "Snap Yo Fingers."

Blake Lewis - Break Anotha

Album: Audio Day Dream

This Seattle native (Bothell to be exact), won second place on last year's American Idol. This track was produced by Blake and his friend from OneRepublic (band famous for "Apologize" featuring Timbaland). Kinda has a modern day James Brown feel to it.

Cobra Starship - Guilty Pleasure

Album: ¡Viva La Cobra!

The whole album was produced by Patrick Stump (lead singer of Fall Out Boy), and most of the album sounds a lot like Fall Out Boy, (except this song, which is very pop/dance). The lead singer acts and sings comically, like Ben Stiller (kinda looks like him, too). Extra note: the female keyboardist in the group is cute.

Faber Drive - Second Chance

Album: Seven Second Surgery

These Vancouver guys were discovered by the producer that brought Nickelback to the charts. Though they aren't that well known in the US, they have a couple of decent hits in Canada including this one. They won the Vancouver's Best Band Award in 2006.