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

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

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

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

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

Emancipation Proclamation

Never ceases to amaze me, you are my diva.



Music: Stay The Night - Mariah Carey

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:

Audio: The Emancipation Of Mimi - Mariah Carey

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.

Audio: Let It Die - Feist

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.

DVD: Will & Grace

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.

Electronics: Maxtor OneTouch Storage

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.

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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

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

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

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