Chocolate & Controversy

Tuesday, April 19, 2005

Angel In Disguise





These days everyone is releasing a greatest hits collection. It seems that even those who had one great hit a couple of misses and a myriad of b-sides and remixes are releasing a collection, The Very Best Of Dr. Alban anyone?. Back in the day, a collection was an anthology, only a few greats reached that level of grandiosity. Now even Britney is scurrying to put one together at any chance. They have become big business. As a consumer, one would want a collection of supposed sure-fire hits than an album that requires time to digest.
However, as a result of this overproduction of ‘greats’ the title has become sort of a cliché and only a few hold as much substance as The Immaculate Collection or #1s.
This one, however, is a keeper. Brandy, after four amazing albums in a row, released the hits that made her a voice of a generation.
Bursting onto the scene with the innocent and instantly infectious “I Wanna Be Down,” Brandy has yet to release a miss. Even when the sales went down, she released one of the best albums of 2004 – Afrodisiac.
This Best Of includes all the hits from the global number one “The Boy Is Mine” with Monica to the heavy on staccato “What About Us?.”
The ballads a ever-present with “Have You Ever?,” “Almost Doesn’t Count,” and “Brokenhearted” with Boyz II Men front man Wanya Morris.
It comes as no surprise that this record embodies 90’s nostalgia as the feminine urban sound was kept alive by Brandy, her duet mate Monica and the late Aaliyah.
Tracks like “Baby” and “Best Friend” will bring back memories. The collection also includes a remix of “I Wanna Be Down” with Queen Latifah.
Other cuts that did not make albums are also included like the Phil Collin’s cover of “Another Day In Paradise” with brother Ray J and Quincy Jones’ rehashing on “Rock With You.”
The latest hits “Who Is She 2 U” and the Kanye West aided “Talk About Our Love” add some new sounds.
Brandy has always created music for the people. Great melodies, simple lyrics and groovy sounds are all part of what makes Brandy still a star.
This album is a record to listen to and a record of our times. Brandy is set to switch labels after this package, let’s just hope she continues her legacy.

Music:

U Don't Know Me
Brandy
Best Of Brandy

Monday, April 18, 2005

Feeling Anew





As you can tell, if you are an avid reader of Chocolate & Controversy, that I have changed the look of my mind-wanderings (blog). SheWrites recommended a new counter and when I inserted the script everything disappeared and nothing functioned, much to my faith in my HTML expertise.
So, I decided that I never really liked the other layout I just picked it because of haste. Plus, I feel rejuvinated these days. New school, new crush, new Mariah album, new trip, new summer, new issue of Q magazine and a new more optimistic outlook. Partly because I decided because intellegence and conservativism will never find a middle ground, so why bother?

Or, maybe it's the centrum speaking.

This new look marks a change. You like?

P.S. I am adding the album title and sleeve to my daily music choices because it's important and I want to. The last one is the album title.

Music:

Alright
Supergrass
I Should Coco

Sunday, April 17, 2005

Officially Infatuated





Girls, Boys, Trannies and the Intersexed: I am officialy crushing. I thought, due to recurrent heartache, the butterflies that once fluttered so freely in my stomach have forever cocooned. You see, I haven't felt like this in a long time and I thought that it had faded by reason of my aging and my disblief in true love and/or the monogamous bond. Although the latter still subsists, I am happy that I am feeling alive in that sense.

The ever-present prude in me will get the best of me, I know. For I am not used to starting it. But curt SMS and some he-said-she-said should do the work. Let me tell you, it's a great feeling. I want everyone to have a crush and have it reciprocated. I feel like Katrina did when she found her Waves.


You make me love this song.

Music:

We Belong Together
Mariah Carey
The Emancipation Of Mimi

Saturday, April 16, 2005

Sidewalk Of Shame

I am having parking problems because our sidewalk and the whole block's is under construction. Which is fishy, since the sidewalk/car parking space was in perfect condition and new. I mean, it was as great as a sidewalk can get minus the pink paint. Why are they re-doing it? Those workers digging under the hot sun, making noise and causing detours, for what? The thing was almost in mint condition. Must be some new business venture to make some rich man richer. I know this land has given us black gold, but I am not sure it is in the right hands.

Music:

Galang
M.I.A
Arular

Friday, April 15, 2005

Glossed Out




I came to have a party / Open up the Bacardi



Let me just tell you peeps, that I know how to throw a wicked party! Fabulous time, woke up with many great sms compliments and many empty cups and cigarette butts everywhere and the stench of the morning after. Delightful!

Music: Get Your Number - Mariah Carey & Jermaine Dupri

Monday, April 11, 2005

Emancipation Proclamation




Never ceases to amaze me, you are my diva.



Music: Stay The Night - Mariah Carey

Sunday, April 10, 2005

April Recommendations

This lull of summer's arrival never gets old. April is here making friendships florish and the clothes shed. I sit here in my spring stupor and a pealing tan - the haribinger of glee. Here are the recommendations for April:







For obvious reasons. But, the Voice is here to bestow upon us a gift so irridescent it shifts as you listen. More to come on the album in the form of a humungous review. I'll keep you posted.

Covers are rarely made better than the original. This Canadian songtress rehashes the Bee Gee's "Inside And Out," with excellnce. The album is surprisingly laid back considering the fact that she was Peaches' roommate and buddy.




The funniest thing on TV. It is seriously the only DVD that made me laugh hard since the last season of Ab Fab. I still think it should have been called "Jack & Karen." Season 5 is out now on DVD and if you want it you're gonna have to .co.uk it.





Just imagine what you can do with 300GB: backup all your mp3's, limewire more porn, store all your documents and still you have more than enough.
    Thing: Partying

Let go and dance. If they see us dancing maybe they'll want to, too. You know how it's contagious. Play Janet's "The Pleasure Principle" and let me see your feet try to avoid a-tapping.

)|(


    April's De-commendation: Wristbands

I know the Live Strong wristbands around for a while now, why the sudden hype in Kuwait. The idea was well-intentioned, but now its out of proportion. Five KD for a Malaysian imposter, no thanks. These people (the makers and the some of the wearers) wouldn't know a good cause if it raised its high heel and bludgened them.



Get them and tell me what you think!

Music: Inside And Out- Feist

Saturday, April 09, 2005

Tanning Oil

Today, I was laying by the beach watching what is visible of Kuwait City and I wondered for a minute: what would other tiny countries do (like, say the Armenia-Nauru-Dominica's of the world) with our country's wealth if it was available to them. I mean there is so much money in this small fenced desert by the shore, yet we fall pray to the shackles of a plutocracy and, more importantly, the pestilence of conservatism that holds what should be a thriving society captive to a "moral" conduct that was never there to begin with.
In my contemplative session, I realized that conservatism is purely a control issue. It is a method for the priviledged (the rich, men, ...etc.) to inflict a supposed social construct in order to control the power and corner it to thier side in insularity. That way, the rich get richer at the expense of the poor and underprivildged (for example: if women do not vote - a man's vote has more value, since the rest of the population has been "morally" eradicated). Becuase, I know for a fact that under this sun with this much oil pumping, Kuwait can easily be a better polished Seychelles in tourism, thus bringing in money rather than just wasting it. But, we are here trapped under the instructions of narrowminded bigots who wave the flag of thier interpretation of organized religion whenever science proves them wrong.

Music: Rome Wasn't Built In A Day - Morcheeba

Friday, April 08, 2005

Rock Electronica





Amidst the rise of the chill-out genre, Moby prospered with his pop-leaning yet smooth electronic sounds. It was only until Play came out that Moby found his niche among the myriad of chill compilations and trip hop creations. Slightly over-hyped, Play made him a household name with its blues samplings and lounge grooves. Then 18 came, which wasn’t received as warmly with its off-kilter experimentalism.
His eclecticism doesn’t wane with his latest offering. Hotel merges the old Moby with his rock roots. The album is a direct tribute to Moby’s idols from David Bowie to New Order, who receive a rehashing of “Temptation” on this record.
“Raining Again” offers a glimpse of the entire album as it follows the intro, with it’s Brit-rock influence. The stirring “Beautiful” continues this trend. Then you see recent inspirations like the Travis-tinted “Where You End” and the Coldplay soundscape of “Slipping Away.”
Moby’s new wave inspiration is made visible by “Spiders.”
Unlike his other efforts, the vocals on this record are primarily Moby’s from the politically-anxious first single “Lift Me Up” to the aforementioned tracks. Then there are the damsel-fronted elevator favorites such as “Dream About Me” and “Temptation.” The tribute to 80’s ambient-dance with a Donna Summer touch “Very” is the stand out track. The others fall below average with their mellow demeanor and filler content.
Moby’s catalogue doesn’t far short of the making of a music legend, from his groundbreaking innovation to his ear for marketable songs. In pop culture he also remains one of the true liberal voices standing up against Eminem’s much-celebrated bigotry and continuing to voice his opinions whether in promotional interviews or his CD booklets. Not bad for a self-proclaimed geek.
Along with this CD comes another that features down-tempo mood music with elegant consistency. Hotel is definitely a rise from 18 but not quiet Play. Get it if you like the singles.

Music: Very - Moby

Thursday, April 07, 2005

Bull Ship




Really, doesn't make a difference. Magazine and electronics are not sent internationally and that's how its good. Other than that, if you use DHL straight from Amazon.com then it's faster and for the same price. Probably one of the most over-hyped services. Plus, the service is trash, have you ever tried calling them?

Music: Black Horse & The Cherry Tree - KT Tunstall

Wednesday, April 06, 2005

Mimi's Emancipation


I am very grateful right now, for I have in my hands the long-awaited highly-anticipated The Emancipation Of Mimi. I have been talking about it on my rant-a-thon (blog) for a while now, and I have been waiting for it since Charmbracelet came out. Mariah looks like a million bucks on the cover and the songs are of a calibre all her own. Today, even my friends knew not to make any Mariah comments. I love pop music, I love glossy music and I love happy divas and I am not afraid. Doesn't mean I can't appreciate Kid A or Tidal, I just simply love music whether consider mainstream or deep or whatnot. I am not here to be "credible," I listen to be taken somewhere. And, in my culture, diva-worship is as evident as cruising. You can tell alot about a person by thier diva.
Reasoning aside, I love the album and I think anyone missing it for fear of being typecast as a radio-bunny is missing out on the Voice of our times. It's more than I expected and Mariah never lets us down. You all secretly hummed a Mariah tune or two in your lifetime so stop clutching your Norah Jones CD and let go. Maybe you'll be Emancipated.

Plus, I am giving free copies of the album when my package from the US arrives, so sign up if you want one.

Music: Mine Again - Mariah Carey

Tuesday, April 05, 2005

The Plague Of Conservativism

I woke up to the sound of a Kansas churchie equating homosexuality to pedophilia and bestiality, while the liberal guy in the box next to him on the MSNBC screen sat quiet (because we are polite and understand what freedom of expression is all about).
Then I found out that Al-Tabtabaie is being sued for saying that being giving women thier political rights homosexuality and bastard children will be on the rise. Great news that Tabtabaie is being taken to court, not so great news for that cause. Kuwaiti liberals are not liberal enough, actually they are just like the conservatives. What's wrong with gay people and aren't bastard children just as human? Set your priorities straight. There are millions of things that Tabtabaie said that are worth a fight, plus if anyone would ask him for the research I am sure he won't be able to fetch.
Then, a veiled women cut me off on the street and then refused to acknowledge my discontent because I am a male. Now, if you are veiled to detract sexual attraction from the "uncontrollably"-horny hetero-male, then why do you need to apply pounds of vivid make-up? Doesn't that defying the whole purpose. As tantalize would say... such a useless-a.
And, today, Bush is still ruling, Eminem is still selling, Women can't vote, and my friend was recently ticketed for having a tiny women's rights sticker on the car not on any windows. I have seen some pretty big stickers on the backshield that surely block the driver's view that have gone un-ticketed, if you know what I mean.
I am seriously considering Scandinavia, anyone wanna come? We can start a Kuwaiti diaspora.

I felt better when I stumbled on this site. I love liberals, we speak the truth.
Check this out.


Music: I Don't Think We've Met - Nikka Costa

Monday, April 04, 2005

The Big Issue





I have always made sure I collect everything that Mariah graces the cover of. So far, I have done a good job. But, this time, I don't know how I am going to lay my hands on this one. The Big Issue is a magazine sold only in London and by homeless people trying to work, hence the "working not begging" motto. Thier articles are well-written, too. All my fellow peeps are stateside and around here. I want it! It's not like I can Amazon.co.uk it.

Music: It's Like That (David Morales Club Mix) - Mariah Carey

Sunday, April 03, 2005

Get Gone



"Welcome to the freakshow, here we go"

I don't give a flying fuck about the pope. First, I am not catholic and second I don't think he is of that importance to hog all the news all the time. Did everyone forget how much of a homopobic sexist he was? Seriously, CNN, BBC and all other news channels, not all your viewers are christian. I'm glad this shegang is over and lets get back to real politcs. The guy was a speaking corpse anyway.

Music: Go Gone - Estelle

Friday, April 01, 2005

No Fool No More

It's April's fools and I haven't been fooled. I get fooled one way or another every year. This time I haven't been... is it because I have out-witted everyone or is it because of Kuwait's impact on downspiraling someone's social life. Lol, I don't know but, hey, I never liked April's fools.

Music: Lift Me Up - Moby