Song of the Day - Not a Bad Thing - Justin Timberlake

Here's the newest single from Justin Timberlake. Sweet! 

Song of the Day - Give It to Me - Timbaland, feat. Nelly Furtado and Justin Timberlake

I'm the type of girl to look you dead in the eye-eye
I'm real as it come if you don't know why I'm fly
Seen you tryna switch it up but girl you ain't that dope
I'm a Wonder Woman, let me go get my rope
I'm a supermodel and mami, si mami
Amnesty International got Bangkok to Montauk on lock
love my ass and my abs in the video called "Promiscuous"
My style is ri-dic-dic-diculous, 'diculous, 'diculous

When Timbo is in the party, everybody put up they hands
I get a half a mil' for my beats, you get a couple gra-an-and
Never gonna see the day that I ain't got the upper hand
I'm respected from Californ-I-A, way down to Japan
I'm a real producer and you just a piano man
Your songs don't top the charts, I heard 'em, I'm not a fa-an-an
Niggas talkin' greasy, I'm the one that gave them they chance
Somebody need to tell them that they can't do it like I can

I had trouble picking a song for today and came across this one.  I hadn't heard it in awhile...that's the shame about today's way of listening to music.  Songs get lost in playlists.  Anyway, Timbaland's style was so hot a few years ago and it's still so danceable, especially with Nelly Furtado and Justin Timberlake on vocals.

Timbaland feat Nelly Furtado Justin Timberlake... by reitor

Music News Bytes: NSYNC Reunion?; New J.T., Gaga and Katy; Cher's Woman's World Vid

Music News Bytes is a collection of short news items that I follow on the Web. If you're into the same type of music I am, that is pop, dance, R&B, and such, check it out...

Ooh, I've been away from music news for too long!  A lot has been happening since my last Music News Bytes and I'm going to try and play catch up...

Huffington Post

NSYNC Reunion?

There have been hot rumors flying around all week that 90's boy band NSYNC will be reuniting for a performance at the VMA's this Sunday night on MTV.  Justin Timberlake, who got his start with the boys, will be receiving the show's Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award and so wouldn't this be a perfect time for an appearance together?  

Maybe not, as Mr. J.T. is doing very well all by himself these days, but for fans of the band, who competed hit for hit with the Backstreet Boys during the decade, this would be a treat.  The rumors are just that, rumors, and no one knows for sure if the reunion of the boys will take place.  I guess we'll just have to watch the VMA's to see if it really happens.

eonline

New music to get excited about...finally!

There are three new music releases of note in my world.  The first is from Justin Timberlake, whose lead single to his forthcoming The 20/20 Experience Part II, was released just about a month ago and it's more of the same type of music that appears on the former album.  The tune is called Take Back the Night and it is very good R&B, which I've always said if that's what ya like. I still miss the old Justin!  Take a listen for yourself right here.

There were two other new noteworthy music releases that happened in the past couple of weeks, and if you haven't heard either of them I'd like to know what rock you're living under.  Both Lady Gaga and Katy Perry released long-awaited new material last week and judging from the response to both, it looks like we'll be hearing a lot from the two in the coming months.

philly

It's hard to believe, but it's been almost three years since Lady Gaga released Born This Way. With an endless, almost two-year tour that was abruptly halted due to injury right towards the end (and right before her stops here in NY), it looked like Gaga had quickly faded from memory.  All along it had been written that she'd been working on new material for her upcoming ARTPOP album while on the road, but no one really knew just when she'd be releasing any new songs.  And then came Applause.

Applause is a hard-driving, electro-ridden and high energy tune that's already been given great accolades from Gaga fans especially.  Like with any other song, it's going to take me time to really grasp its popularity like other fans have thus far.  To me it's good, but certainly not as catchy or uplifting as Born This Way.  Check out the recently released video for Applause and let me know what you think.

Another much-anticipated new release is Katy Perry's Roar.  After reaching the stratosphere with her last album, Teenage Dream, fans have been patiently salivating at the mouth waiting for something new from Miss Katy and from the look and sound of things, she's got another winner with this song.  Roar is vintage Perry, mid-tempo, with a soothing music track and pleasingly singalong lyrics.  The song is from her upcoming Prism album, which you can read all about at Fuse.   

Cher's New Video

In anticipation of her soon to be released new album and in support of her newest single, Cher has released a new video for the dance floor anthem, Woman's World.  As one might expect from the diva (and the song), this one's full of the singer in a variety of flashy wigs, wigging it out with, you guessed it, women.  Check it out on eonline.

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Flashback Friday Song of the Day - It's Gonna Be Me - NSYNC

cartoondollemporium

In anticipation of the rumored reunion of NSYNC at this Sunday's VMA's, here's a little tease from 2000...

  

N Sync - Its Gonna Be Me by aerom83

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Song of the Day - Mirrors - Justin Timberlake

Here's one of Justin's most recent hits as we begin a new work week.  The song is one of my favorites off The 20/20 Experience. It's very sweet.  Oh, and by the way, Justin will be storming Yankee Stadium later this week for two shows with Mr. Jay-Z.  Should be a slammin' show!

Justin Timberlake - Mirrors by CineStars

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Music News Bytes: Music in 2013...so far!; A Timberlake Tease; Pitbull's "International Takeover"

Music News Bytes is a collection of short news items that I follow on the Web. If you're into the same type of music I am, that is pop, dance, R&B, and such, check it out...

Billboard Mid-Year Music Awards

Well, the year 2013 is halfway over and I think it's as good a time as any to take a look at the year in music so far.  Billboard just released its own Mid-Year Music Awards, which was voted on by fans and dominated by Taylor Swift.  Here's a look at some of what the industry expert's poll found, of course with commentary by me:

Billboard

First Half MVP - Taylor Swift

I'm not sure exactly what MVP would entail, but Billboard fans voted Taylor Swift as their Most Valuable Player in music for the year so far.  I suspect that the voters who voted are pretty much the same type of people who vote in shows like Idol and such.  You guessed it, pre-teen girls.  I mean, okay, I'm not a Swift fan, so I can't really argue here, but Justin Timberlake and Beyonce finished 2nd and 3rd respectively.  Really?

Best Newcomer - Ariana Grande

With a little help from Mac Miller on her hit, The Way, teen actress turned singer Ariana Grande won in this category, further proving just who the voters are.  Can anybody repeat pre-teen girls?  Jeez!

popnotes

Best Song - Just Give Me a Reason - P!nk, featuring Nate Ruess

Yeah baby, finally something I can agree with!

Other Billboard Mid-Year Music Awards went to artist I would expect to see, given the results of the major categories.  Swift, Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez, and the rest of the usual tennie bopper crowd that are found all over pop music these days rule the roost.  For more on Billboard's list, check out their web page to see winners in other categories such as Best Video, Best Comeback, Most Memorable Feud, Most Shocking Moment, and more.

bars and pickups

My Top Ten Songs of the Year...so far!

I've just published my own list of my picks for the ten best songs of the year so far on the Yahoo Contributor Network, and there you'll see much of what I like in music.  Many of the songs listed have been featured on my Song of the Day posts and I like my picks much better than what the Billboard readers, or voters, would have selected.  Check out The Top Ten Pop Songs of the Year, So Far.

npr

Justin Timberlake Teases New Stuff

I mentioned in a previous Music News Bytes that Justin Timberlake would be putting out yet another album in September.  Well, Timberlake recently released a snippet of a new song from The 20/20 Experience II.  The tune, Take Back the Night, is tantilizingly good and you can check it out here.

Pitbull's Gonna Rock Your Summer!

Before I ever got to finish track reviews of Pitbull's Global Warming (I'm gonna get to it, I swear!), Mr. 305 just dropped a new album called International Takeover.  It's a compilation album of summer ready dance tracks with the likes of Trick Daddy, David Rush, Qwote, and more.  Pick it up at iTunes below, and stay tuned for track reviews of this one!



Well, that's all she wrote for this edition of Music News Bytes. Stay tuned for more on music, music, and a little bit of life as I see it on John's World.

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Music News Bytes: Another New Album for Justin?; Lauryn Hill's Got a New Song

Music News Bytes is a collection of short news items that I follow on the Web.  If you're into the same type of music I am, that is pop, dance, R&B, and such, check it out...

Another New Album for Justin?

The email came in around 4:30 yesterday from Justin Timberlake's website.  The subject line of the email read, "World Tour, New Album, and The Tennessee Kids."  When I first saw it, I thought, 'no big deal.'  I already knew he was going on tour, and well, I've already got the album, The 20/20 Experience, so what could be new?  The Tennessee Kids are mentioned in the intro to That Girl, so maybe that was it.

Well, as it turns out, yes, The Tennessee Kids are J.T.'s newest online fan-kinda club, which you can join right here for pre-sale tickets and other such stuff.  But that's not the real news...are you ready for this?  On September 30th, Justin Timberlake will be releasing another brand new album.  Word is the record will be called The 20/20 Experience II, but that isn't mentioned on J.T.'s website.

I've got to admit, the first thing I thought when I heard this news was that maybe this will be the new album I'd been waiting for for so long, something of a continuum of FutureSexLoveSound.  I haven't tried to hide the fact that I've been a little disappointed with the change in Justin's musical direction on the new record, even though it's grown on me since its release.  Perhaps my thoughts will be verified in September, which would be exciting.  Stay tuned...

Billboard

Lauryn Hill's Newest Song

I told you in the last Music News Bytes that Lauryn Hill has been working on new material, the first new stuff from the former Fugees member and solo phenom.  Well, the singer has put out a single, admittedly to satisfy a legal deadline (the singer reportedly owes big money in back taxes).  The new song is called Neurotic Society (Cumpulsory Mix), and at first listen, it sounds a little neurotic to me, with quick-paced vocals and a mish-mosh musical track that matches the title.  It might take a few more listens for me to buy this one.  Check it out right here.

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Flashback Friday Song of the Day - Bye Bye Bye - NSYNC

whitneyport


Here's a boy band blast from the past for your Friday with a very young Justin Timberlake and his NSYNC mates from January 2000.  Enjoy and Happy Friday!



nsync - bye bye bye by dicha44







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Justin Timberlake's 'The 20/20 Experience' Track Reviews: 'Blue Ocean Floor'

rapgenius

The last cut on The 20/20 Experience is my least favorite, and I cut it out of my Currents folder straight away.  The seven-minute plus track is a slow-moving downer, and I don't care if you like Justin so much that you find what I say appalling, but I absolutely hate this one!  Check it out if you must right here.

Also, check out the rest of my track reviews from The 20/20 Experience:

Pusher Love Girl

Suit & Tie

Don't Hold the Wall

Strawberry Bubblegum

Tunnel Vision

Spaceship Coupe

That Girl

Let the Groove Get In

Mirrors

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Justin Timberlake's 'The 20/20 Experience' Track Reviews: 'Mirrors'

The 9th track on The 20/20 Experience is also the album's second single, and it is much more radio-friendly than Suit & Tie.  Like many other tunes on the album, this one is long, coming in at a total time of eight minutes, six seconds.  Of course, the song is pared down for the single release, which is fine because the last couple of minutes of it is kind of a waste.

Mirrors is a nice love song, with a nice melody and a nice hook.  Billboard culls the tune a more "whole"  Timberlake than the brokenhearted one on his earlier song, Cry Me a River.  Indeed, just check out these lyrics:

Aren't you somethin' to admire?
Cause your shine is somethin' like a mirror
And I can't help but notice
You reflect in this heart of mine
If you ever feel alone and
The glare makes me hard to find
Just know that I'm always
Parallel on the other side

Sweet, huh?  Yes, this one is going to do well I think.  Check out Mirrors for yourself, and check out my reviews of the first 8 tracks on The 20/20 Experience:

Pusher Love Girl

Suit & Tie

Don't Hold the Wall

Strawberry Bubblegum

Tunnel Vision

Spaceship Coupe

That Girl

Let the Groove Get In

AZ Lyrics

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Justin Timberlake's 'The 20/20 Experience' Track Reviews: 'Let the Groove Get In'

thatgrapejuice

Are ya comfortable, right there, right there

Let the groove get in, feel it right there

'Groove' is the key word in this song, as that is its main appeal. Let the Groove Get In is a fast and funky track that'll have em' moving on the dance floor, with the above lyrics repeated over and over again to a nice, rhythmic beat, and Timbaland's backing vocals only add depth.  Love it!  Check it out right here. 

Also check out my reviews of the first seven cuts on The 20/20 Experience:

Pusher Love Girl

Suit & Tie

Don't Hold the Wall

Strawberry Bubblegum

Tunnel Vision

Spaceship Coupe

That Girl

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Justin Timberlake's 'The 20/20 Experience' Track Reviews: 'That Girl'

popdust

Ooh yeah, I absolutely love this song!  This one sounds like one of those great R&B tunes from the 80's, with a smooth, smooth groove and a nice hook.  Oh, and the song starts out with a little skintro by Timba...kinda cool!  I can just hear this one now playing in the background at a nice summer beach party.  Check out a live performance of That Girl.

Also check out my reviews of the first six cuts on The 20/20 Experience:

Pusher Love Girl

Suit & Tie

Don't Hold the Wall

Strawberry Bubblegum

Tunnel Vision

Spaceship Coupe





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Justin Timberlake's 'The 20/20 Experience' Track Reviews: 'Spaceship Coupe'

skreened

Spaceship Coupe, the sixth track on The 20/20 Experience, is a nice smooth ballad.  Justin's vocals on this one are silky and the arrangement is relaxing, even though the interstellar theme is a bit off.  There's even a little hint of funk in music track, which is a nice touch.  Check out Spaceship Coupe.

Also check out my reviews of the first five cuts on The 20/20 Experience:

Pusher Love Girl

Suit & Tie

Don't Hold the Wall

Strawberry Bubblegum

Tunnel Vision





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Justin Timberlake's 'The 20/20 Experience' Track Reviews: 'Tunnel Vision'

Don't know why but girl
I'm feeling close to you, maybe this ocean view
I'm so emotional, and all these stars been dancing on my head
Too long, too long, too long
I wrote a song for you, I wanna sing to you
But every time I'm close to you, the words wanna come out, but I forget
It's so strong, it's so strong, it's so strong

AZLyrics

rapgenius

Now this one's more like it: smooth, quick beats, nice vocals, and a lil bit of hip-hop thrown in!  Tunnel Vision is definitely more my speed, and Timbaland's contributions to this one and the background "I know you lied's" give this one a quality not seen on the first few tracks.  One of my favorites!  Check it out on YouTube.

Also check out my reviews of the first four cuts on The 20/20 Experience:

Pusher Love Girl

Suit & Tie

Don't Hold the Wall

Strawberry Bubblegum






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Justin Timberlake's 'The 20/20 Experience' Track Reviews: 'Strawberry Bubblegum'

popdust

Okay, here's where The 20/20 Experience starts to get a little sleepy for me.  To get a nicer view of this song, check out what Billboard Magazine has to say about it:

The intensity of "Don't Hold The Wall" evaporates, and a cloud of electronic blips, string stabs and snappy percussion tears at the seams of a (relatively) simple R&B tune. Timberlake has rarely sounded more at peace as he does when he intones, "She's just like nothing that I've ever seen before/And please, don't change nothing, because your flavor's so original." The sashaying outro is pleasant, but the main track is sumptuous enough on its own.  

Way too nice for me!  I'm sorry, but Justin does not have deep enough a catalog for me to give him a pass for changing up his style so much.  I've already taken this, and a couple of other songs, off my 'current' playlist on my iPod.  They make me sleepy....Disappointed!  Check out Justin performing the song on Jimmy Fallon if you like, and let me know whether you agree with me.

Also check out my reviews of the first three cuts on The 20/20 Experience:

Pusher Love Girl

Suit & Tie

Don't Hold the Wall





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Justin Timberlake's 'The 20/20 Experience' Track Reviews: 'Don't Hold the Wall'

whotalking

The next track on The 20/20 Experience is a long, complex one, with soothing tribal beats, smooth singing, and background vocals by Timbaland.  The track gets a little funkier and even sexier about halfway through and it definitely grows on you with a few listens.  This one would work well as a late-night groove in a club.  Check out a shortened version of the more than seven-minute song on YouTube.

Also check out my reviews of the first two cuts on The 20/20 Experience:

Pusher Love Girl

Suit & Tie

And you can pick up The 20/20 Experience here:




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Justin Timberlake's 'The 20/20 Experience' Track Reviews: 'Suit & Tie'

The second track on J.T.'s album is also its first single, and I've already reviewed it in a Music News Bytes from January.  Here's what I said about the song back then:

Okay, now that I've had about two weeks to digest Justin Timberlake's newest song, I've concluded that I'm still not crazy about it.  Compared to 'SexyBack' from his last album, 'FutureSexLoveSound,' this one's a real sleeper.  Oh, it's not a bad song, but hardly a jump-out-loud, must-have song that one might expect from such a huge comeback.  The track is a little too slow for my taste, and like the new Destiny's Child record, it is very R&B.  I've still got confidence, though, that the new record's gonna be slammin! 

I think we're seeing an overall theme to this one, right?  Not FututreSexyLoveSound by any means, but a new Robin Thicke-ish R&B sound...not bad, but a little disappointing for anyone who loved the singer on his earlier stuff.  It's not all that bleak, though.  Just stay tuned...


Justin Timberlake Ft. Jay-Z - Suit & Tie from Timbaland Passion on Vimeo.





Check out my review of the first track on The 20/20 Experience:

Pusher Love Girl

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Justin Timberlake's 'The 20/20 Experience' Track Reviews: Pusher Love Girl

Okay, it's been almost a week since The 20/20 Experience was released, and it's time to start breaking it all down.  The record is a bona fide hit already, almost reaching the 1 million mark in albums sold over the past seven days.  Is that because it's that good, or is it because of the impact FutureSexLoveSound had six years ago and the time that's elapsed since?  There's no doubt that this was one highly anticipated CD, and from my early estimation, the record is good, but it's not that good...not good enough to have done so well so far on its own merit.



I've already mentioned here that the album is more R&B than anything else, and unless you like that sort of Robin Thicke style music, then you might not like it at all.  For what it is though, it is pretty good R&B for the most part, with only one song reminiscent of the last record and a couple of what I like to call "throwaway" tracks.  Most of the tunes on The 20/20 Experience are curiously long...too long for my taste, and for sure must be chopped down for radio play.  The shortest track is the 4th track, That Girl, coming in at 4:58, so that tells you a little of how this one's gonna play out.

We begin our track by track reviews with the first cut, an R&B tune called Pusher Love Girl.  Now this one's got a really nice, soulful groove, and sets the tone for things to come. There's no doubt from this tune that Justin surely has a talent for this type of music and already it's one of my favorite tracks.  Check him out performing the song on Jimmy Fallon:


JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE " Pusher Love Girl " Live At... by UnderProject





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