Demi Lovato’s fourth album, “Demi”, is her most consistent yet.  Her previous three albums all had strong stuff, but also had a fair amount of weak points. This is the first album where I don’t have to skip any tracks.  The tracks are well-produced, well-written, and always show off Demi’s talents as a vocalist.   And Demi’s vocals are stronger than ever.

“Demi” is a mix of upbeat songs and slow songs.  Most of the songs concern love & relationships. Sometimes it’s playful; other times the lyrics are reflective. It is a pure pop album, with shades of R&B and rock.  She doesn’t over-jump on the EDM bandwagon; only two songs have an electro-pop style. There are tracks that evoke Adele, Christina Aguilera, and Katy Perry.

Beside “Heart Attack” (which almost all of you have heard by now), “Made In the USA”, “Without The Love”, “Two Pieces”, “Nightingale”, “In Case” “Really Don’t Care”, “Shouldn’t Come Back”, and “Warrior” are the strongest tracks.  ”Made In The USA” and “Without The Love”, like “Heart Attack”, are catchy, playful songs.  ”Nightingale”, “Two Pieces”, and “In Case” are beautifully written, heartfelt ballads.  “Really Don’t Care” is peppy, upbeat song about living in the moment. “Shouldn’t Come Back” and “Warrior” are the most personal songs.  They are both about staying strong in adverse situations.  Demi’s emotions show in all the ballads and can be felt by the listener.  

“Demi” is one of the best pure pop albums of the second decade of the 21 century so far. (4.50 out of 5)

— Isa R Bufano

“Me, You, & The Music” is the debut album of American Idol Jessica Sanchez.  It’s a solid debut and introduction to what Jessica can do in the studio.  While stylistically it’s a bit generic, most of the songs are strong and Jessica’s talents are as strong as they were on television.

Sanchez melts pure pop and contemporary R&B together, and performs both ballads and upbeat dance songs. There are echoes of Beyonce, Rihanna, and Mariah Carey.

“Tonight”, the first single, features Ne-Yo.  It’s an electro-pop number that’s well-crafted and catchy. “Right To Fall” fuses disco with modern dance elements. I like the beat and positive message of the song.  “Crazy Glue” is a ballad that reminds me of Mariah’s earlier era.  “Don’t Come Around” is a pop-R&B track with dancehall inflections.  It sounds like mid-00’s Rihanna.  “No One Compares” is an electro-pop, mid-tempo duet with Prince Royce. “Plastic Roses” is a ballad that reminds me of a Beyonce number. “Drive By” is a pure R&B jam that is co-written by Jazmine Sullivan, who Jessica covered on American Idol. 

Sadly, there are no songs as strong as “Crazy In Love, “Umbrella”, or “Vision of Love”.  No songs are good enough to reach number one or even the top ten on the charts.  So Jessica has a long way to go if she wants to be successful as Mariah, Beyonce, or Rihanna.   

Jessica included a Spanish language version of “No One Compares”. It’s nice that she hasn’t forgotten her Mexican heritage.  It would have also been nice if she included a Tagalog song for her Filipino heritage.

If you were fan of Jessica on American Idol, you’ll be satisfied with this album. 

(4 out of 5 stars)

—Isa R Bufano (05.10.2013)

Paramore’s self-titled fourth album is a strong follow up to the band’s third release “Brand New Eyes”. The band’s sound has changed a bit. Not surprising, since the band’s members have changed.  Instead of a straight pop-punk sound, elements of electronic rock, retro new wave, and indie pop have been incorporated into their usual sound.  I do miss the band’s old sound a bit.  Hayley’s irresistible attitude is less present and the youthful rebellion has weaned. But bands, especially pop-punk bands, have to grow up. And their new sound works well, and they haven’t shed most of the things we’ve come to love about the band. The guitar riffs and percussion pack a punch, Hayley’s voice is still awesome, and often the songs are catchy and have great energy.  

The lyrical content isn’t as strong as their last album though.  The production of this album is their strongest, but the songwriting is a step down. “Brand New Eyes” has many reflective lyrics, but they are lacking on this album.

The opener, “Fast In My Car”, is a power-pop number the echoes girl-led 80s new wave bands.  ”Now”, the first single, is a edgy number that wouldn’t be out of place on their last album. “Part II” is one of a few tracks where get experimental.  ”Still Into You” is another power-pop number. “Anklebiters” is straight, unpolished pop-punk. “Hate To See Your Heart Break” is one of few ballads on the album. Like a few other tracks, it has an obvious influence of indie singer-songwriter Ingrid Michelson.  

(4.25 out of 5 stars)

—Isa R Bufano (05.09.2013) 

It’s hard to believe, but LL Cool J has been in the rap game for almost 30 years.  His first album, Radio, was released in 1985.  LL Cool J’s most innovative contribution to hip-hop was being one of the first rappers to combine elements of R&B balladry with rap.  Cool J is now on his thirteenth album with “Authentic”.  

“Authentic” has the most number of guest stars of any LL album.  Not only that, but the most diverse list of guest stars: Eddie Van Halen, Chuck D, Brad Paisley, Fitz and the Tantrums, Seal, Earth Wind & Fire, Tom Morello, Snoop Dogg, Travis Barker, Monica, Z-Trip, among others.

It would be inaccurate to call this a hip-hop album.  Like his previous albums, “Authentic” includes both hard-hitting rap and love songs. There is a significant amount of rock elements on this album unseen on his previous releases. 

Overall, “Authentic” is pretty solid. Not as good as his stuff from the 80s and 90s, but the best he’s done in the 21^st century.  “Bath Salt”, the opening track, is a hard hitting pure rap track where LL goes H.A.M.  “Whaddup” is an upbeat rap-rock track with a 90s sound.  “Not Leaving You Tonight” is a mid-tempo track that combines Fitz’s indie pop style with LL’s rap.  “We Came To Party”, featuring Fatman Scoop and Snoop Dogg, is an upbeat track that echoes 90s party rap.   “Between The Sheetz” is one of a couple sensual tracks on the album.  “Live For You”, featuring country star Brad Paisley, doesn’t have any country elements. Rather, it is a pop-R&B number.

I dig the diversity of this album.  Wish that there were a few more upbeat tracks though. The two strongest tracks (“Bath Salt” and “Whaddup”) are upbeat.

(4 out of 5 stars)

—Isa R Bufano (05.03.2013)

Started from the bottom…

…Now we’re here.

“Wheelhouse”, Brad Paisley’s latest album, exceeded my expectations.  I really liked Brad’s last two albums, and this one is just as good.  Brad experiments a bit on this album. Different genres are explored. The sonic textures of some of the songs are atypical of country. However, most of the album is still pop friendly and catchy.  As usual, Brad tells some great stories and can play guitar exceptionally.

The strongest tracks on the album are “Southern Comfort Zone”, “Beat The Summer”, “Runaway Train”, “Death of a Married Man”, “Karate”, and “I Can’t Change The World”.  “Southern Comfort Zone” is country-pop anthem about Paisley’s experience as a southern man traveling the world.  “Beat The Summer” has a relaxing vibe and is a great song for the summer of 2013. “Death of a Single Man” is a mid-tempo track that has a traditional country sound to it. A man’s life changes once he is married, not always for the better. “Karate” addresses domestic violence. Unlike other songs that address this topic, “Karate” is upbeat and lighthearted.  The subject of this story learns karate and will protect herself against her abuser. “Runaway Train” has that mixture of arena rock and country Paisley often does.

The track “Accidental Racist”, featuring rapper LL Cool J, addresses racial issues.  The message is that despite differences, we should try to understand each other better.  There’s been controversy over it, in part due to the fact that Brad proudly proclaims that he wears a Confederate t-shirt. I don’t think that it’s offensive; Brad is just stating where he’s coming from.  And it is unfair to say Brad is racist. Just watch the video “Welcome To The Future”. Brad is one of the least racist singers out there.  Regardless of the controversy, it is one of the weak spots on the album.  It’s quite dull musically.  I expected better, as LL Cool J is one of my favorites.  

All country fans must check out this album.

(4.25 out of 5 stars)

—Isa R Bufano