Review: Jessie J, Who You Are

With her feisty attitude and unique style, Jessie J burst onto the scene in the winter of 2011 with her debut album Who You Are. The record is a diverse collection of songs, blending elements of R&B and pop to create a sound she can call her own. Beyond the slick production values of the album, Who You Are strives to be a showcase of Jessie J’s powerful vocals and songwriting skills.

 

First and foremost, Who You Are is an accessible album that seems eager to please. Its lead single, “Do It Like A Dude,” takes inspiration from R&B superstar Rihanna. With its grinding guitar and thumping beat, Jessie J lays into the track with satisfying but predictable sassiness. The smash hit “Price Tag” fares better. Its laid back composition and smooth vocals are infectious. Its message is simple and clichéd but remarkably relevant. She also uses her music to fight back against critics. The most biting track in this collection is the anti-hater track “Who’s Laughing Now.” The song is a standard pop track but its lyrics and Jessie J’s attitude make it a standout. “Abracadabra” is another radio-friendly tune with a breezy pop arrangement. A major standout on the album is the Dr. Luke-produced bonus track “Domino.” It is sugary in its infectiousness, illustrating Jessie J’s mainstream appeal perfectly. While many tracks on the album seem intent on becoming hits, Jessie J refuses to ‘sell out’ and stands strongest on the downtempo songs. The acoustic ballads “I Need This” and “Who You Are” serve as affecting showcases for Jessie J’s husky vocals and incredible range. The latter is a particularly poignant anthem about embracing oneself. The message of self-empowerment filters throughout the album and it is illustrated no more beautifully than on this simple ballad. That said, Jessie J is at her best on the live track “Big White Room.” Stripped of the magic of the studio, “Big White Room” is the perfect marriage of an acoustic guitar, a big voice and a receptive audience. Jessie J’s range on the track is impressive and it proves that she is more than just some disposable pop diva.

It’s safe to say that Jessie J goes all-out on her debut album. Who You Are is impressive in its ability to adapt to mainstream trends as well as to more unusual sounds. While it has its share of filler, the album does its job of showing off Jessie J’s incredible vocals and unique persona. This singer/songwriter is singularly talented and Who You Are serves as a welcoming introduction to the British pop diva known as Jessie J.

Recommended Listening: “Price Tag,” “Abracadabra,” “Big White Room,” “Who’s Laughing Now,” “Do It Like a Dude,” “I Need This,” “Who You Are,” “Domino”

Grade: B

Top 5: Mariah Carey Songs to Listen to After a Break-Up

As one of the most successful artists of all time, Mariah Carey has built an empire for herself as a peerless vocalist and songwriter. Known for her emotional ballads, Mariah has documented love in all forms over the course of her illustrious career and has crafted some of the most heartrending break-up anthems within the past twenty years. She's helped a generation of music lovers through the trials and tribulations of love with her songs. For anyone looking for a musical remedy to heartbreak, here are the top five Mariah Carey songs to listen to after a break-up.

“Love Takes Time”

An old school ballad with a simple message, “Love Takes Time” speaks of the post-break-up pain with incredible honesty and relatability. It features Mariah at the top of her game and is one of her most evocative ballads to date.

“Can’t Let Go”

It’s inevitable that at some point we find ourselves unable to move on after a break-up and “Can’t Let Go” summarizes this occurrence perfectly. Mariah is wounded and vulnerable on the ballad while the lyrics are resonant in their frankness.

“Butterfly”

Even though it sucks to be dumped, sometimes it’s just as hard to let someone go. “Butterfly” is one of Mariah’s most personal records to date with its heartfelt lyrics of allowing a loved one to depart. The sweeping ballad can be favourably compared to the iconic break-up anthem “I Will Always Love You.”

“We Belong Together”

A return to form for Mariah Carey, “We Belong Together” is one of her most stirring ballads with its flawless vocals and devastatingly honest lyrics. The track is made all the more affecting due to the impassioned note Mariah holds during the song's conclusion.

“Someday”

Though she may be known for her weepy ballads, Mariah Carey can stand her ground and dish out sass like any good diva. On her classic track “Someday,” Mariah puts an ex in his place. The track proves nothing is better than the satisfaction of knowing who the ‘winner’ is in the game of love.  

Review: Villains United

When Lex Luthor and a handful of villains decided to take it upon themselves to form a secret society to protect criminals from the Justice League, there were inevitably a few stragglers who weren’t interested in playing by Luthor’s rules. Forming under the leadership of Scandal Savage and her enigmatic director Mockingbird, Catman, Deadshot, Ragdoll, Parademon and Cheshire set out to undermine Luthor and his cohorts in their nefarious schemes.

In the world of comic books, superheroes reign supreme so it is rare to come across narratives focused on the foes they face. Gail Simone’s Villains United combines an eclectic mix of rogues with suspenseful twists and witty comedy. There is an air of mystery about the narrative and Simone keeps the reader guessing. The characters are multi-dimensional and Simone masterfully fleshes out all six members of the team. Chemistry is palpable between the characters. Parademon and Ragdoll share a unique bond while there is some rather brilliant underlying sexual tension between Catman and Deadshot. Simone specifically places a focus on Catman and rescues him from the D-list by re-inventing the character as an expert tracker with the sculpted physique of a Greek God. He shines brightly over the course of the mini-series and acts as the linchpin for the narrative. Another standout character is Cheshire. She is devious and deceptive, playing the role of the femme fatale to a tee. Her capricious behaviour and manipulative machinations make her a character the reader cannot take their eyes off of. While Simone has always been known for her solid character work, she fumbles a bit with some of the characters. Her treatment of Doctor Psycho is inconsistent with the then-recent portrayal of the character in Greg Rucka’s Wonder Woman. She also fumbled with Scandal Savage. The character, while interesting, deserved more attention than she ultimately received. The reveal of her being Vandal Savage’s daughter was haphazard and random, in essence de-emphasizing the surprise element to it.

Dale Eaglesham’s art has its moments of brilliance. The way in which he illustrates Cheshire is nothing less than spectacular. Her slick hair and revamped costume are great but the grin is the best as it distinguishes her from the others. It’s also a nice little nod to the Cheshire Cat. Eaglesham does a good job differentiating many of the characters and most feel like unique individuals. Catman stands out with his flawless physique and Deadshot with his swashbuckling appearance. Unfortunately, the art also looks rushed at times and certain panels lack the details other panels are brimming with.

Villains United is a fantastic prelude to Gail Simone’s critically-acclaimed run on Secret Six. Her character work is incredible and she is to be commended for the way in which she re-invented Catman. The chemistry between the six main stars is palpable and the narrative itself is intriguing. There are some minor issues here and there but ultimately they do little to detract from the overall story. For anyone who enjoys villains or loved Cheshire in Young Justice, this is a must-read mini-series.

Grade: B+

Review: Wonder Woman v2 #170

After an epic crossover with the Batman family in Gotham City and a bloody civil war on her home turf of Themyscira, Wonder Woman takes a break from the drama in the one-off “She's a Wonder” story in issue #170 of her second series. The issue itself is a beautiful summation of who Wonder Woman is and offers a multi-faceted view of the character that has largely been ignored by most writers.

Told from the perspective of intrepid reporter Lois Lane, “She's a Wonder” sees Lois spending the day with Wonder Woman as she performs her duties as hero and ambassador. Far from being objective, Lois is looking for the cracks in Wonder Woman’s metaphorical armour from the get-go. Her slightly icy reception of the Amazing Amazon offers a fresh perspective and heightens the tension between the characters. Phil Jimenez writes Lois impeccably and her wittiness is on full display in this issue. Additionally, he takes advantage of Wonder Woman’s role as an ambassador to explore the Amazon’s life outside of superheroics. We see Diana meeting with dignitaries, devoting time to charities and giving speeches on her beliefs. Diana is met with antagonism wherever she goes. People are suspicious of her beliefs and she is unfairly criticized for desiring peace. The issue, in essence, holds up a mirror to society and highlights the cynicism with which people lead their lives. Also on display is her intelligence and generosity. Lois observes Diana as she familiarizes herself with alien technology that could lead to curing diabetes and Diana later spends time stuffing envelopes for a charity. Highlights from this issue include a brief sojourn at the Trevor household where Lois interviews Steve and Etta as well as the scene in which Diana meets with Lex Luthor, who was President at the time, after which Diana is notably upset. The most heartrending scene of the issue, however, features Diana lending her aid to an orphanage in Africa where she cradles the ailing infants until they pass away. Phil Jimenez truly paints Wonder Woman as someone who is a relatable role model. She acknowledges her imperfections and embraces her flaws. As can be expected, his art is just as fabulous as his writing. The characters are vividly depicted within a certain realm of realism and the expressiveness he uses is near unmatched. He also flexes his style muscles by depicting various characters in an array of casual and professional attire. Bravo, Mr. Jimenez!

For those interested in familiarizing themselves with Wonder Woman, they need look no further than Wonder Woman #170. It is an accessible story that provides a well-rounded cross-section of the character and effectively answers the question of “Who is Wonder Woman?” For fans of Lois Lane, this is a must-have issue as well. She is at the top of her game and her narration throughout is flawlessly rendered. The best thing about issue 170 is that it is a comic that has something to say. It leaves room for discussion and clearly shows that Diana is unique in her pursuit of peace in that she’s not just about busting bad guys but about inspiring change with her words. If anything can be learned from this issue it is that Diana of Themyscira is a true Wonder Woman.

Grade: A+

Review: Ayumi Hamasaki, MY STORY

As its title would suggest, Ayumi Hamasaki’s sixth full-length studio album MY STORY is a deeply personal record that is as diverse as it is consistent. The album features an eclectic collection of songs that range from head-banging rock tracks to wistful ballads to sugary pop songs. Its varied sounds and autobiographical lyrics make MY STORY an intimate portrait of the Empress of J-Pop.

Having experimented with the rock genre on previous releases, Hamasaki perfects her rock persona on many of the tracks on MY STORY. “About You” features a powerful rock arrangement with layers of guitars and slamming percussions while “GAME” marries a chilling piano melody with an electronic rock composition to create a sound unique to Hamasaki. Similarly, the midtempo track “Liar” and the ballad “HOPE or PAIN” blend rock with electronica enjoyably. The latter song is a standout due to its beautifully delivered vocals and vulnerable texture. Another standout includes the high-octane head-banger “Humming 7/4.” Its clashing drums and heavy guitar arrangement paired with its infectious chorus make it one of the strongest efforts on the album. For the pop-oriented tracks present on the record, Hamasaki takes on a fiercer and more confident tone. The female-empowerment anthem “my name’s WOMEN” is a catchy electronic cut that is brash and honest. The dance track “Inspire” is equally as aggressive with its halting synth composition and Hamasaki’s feisty vocals. Conversely, she takes a more playful approach on “HONEY.” The summery track features a lively arrangement and sticky-sweet vocals on Hamasaki’s part. Of course, MY STORY has its share of Hamasaki’s signature balladry. “HAPPY ENDING” is an exquisite ballad that layers an acoustic arrangement with electronic elements while Hamasaki’s vocals on the track are delicate and vulnerable. Equally as beautiful is “Moments.” The acoustic ballad makes use of a warmer tone in Hamasaki’s voice and is one of her more memorable downtempo songs. The wintry piano ballad “CAROLS” is beautifully sung and drips with vulnerability. Another standout is the self-empowering “walking proud.” The rock ballad has a simple yet effective composition that is paired brilliantly with moving lyrics and solid vocals.

MY STORY has many strengths. It covers a wide range of topics but displays an overall thread of empowerment. Hamasaki’s vocals on the album are as diverse as the genres she employs. She demonstrates her distinctive ability to morph her voice to suit her songs impeccably. Additionally, the album lacks filler and its structure paired with its cohesion is near perfection. That said, MY STORY doesn’t quite reach the same catchiness of its predecessors with its tracks. The songs are great but it doesn’t generate as large a stack of signature and iconic tracks as LOVEppears or I am…. Nevertheless, MY STORY is a solid effort on Hamasaki’s part and is one of her most unified works to date.

Recommended Listening: “About You,” “GAME,” “my name’s WOMEN,” “Liar,” “HOPE or PAIN,” “HAPPY ENDING,” “Moments,” “walking proud,” “CAROLS,” “Inspire,” “HONEY,” “Humming 7/4”

Grade: B+

Video: Kat Graham, Love Will Never Do Without An Escapade

Doing a cover song is never an easy task especially when the original was a huge hit. Comparisons are inevitably made and the singer responsible for the cover is often painted in a less-than-flattering light. That's perhaps why singer-actress Kat Graham, otherwise known as Bonnie Bennett from The Vampire Diaries, is to be commended for her bravery. She didn't only take on one massive Janet Jackson hit but two with her mash-up of "Love Will Never Do (Without You)" and "Escapade." The mash-up is fresh, modern and energetic. It feels like a tribute to the greatness that is Janet Jackson and brings together two of her most iconic songs into one neat little package. For anyone who hasn't checked out Kat Graham's Janet mash-up yet, be sure to click that play button!

Review: Ada Wong, Resident Evil 6

Originally introduced in the 1998 sequel to the first Resident Evil game, Ada Wong has long been a fixture in the zombie smashing franchise as a supporting character. With the release of Resident Evil 6, Ada was given a much-deserved spotlight and played an integral role in the narrative.

Despite the fact that she's considered one of the most popular characters from the Resident Evil franchise, Ada Wong had been no more than an accessory to the games she'd appeared in. While she may have had two mini-games in Resident Evil 4, Ada had never been placed on an equal standing with fan-favourites like Claire Redfield or Leon S. Kennedy. Resident Evil 6 addressed this head-on by building the narrative of the game around Ada and the producers are to be commended for that. Ada is finally given her own campaign within the main game and it is a major selling point for this particular entry. Her campaign is unique in that it combines the pulse-pounding thrills of espionage with the chills of zombie hunting. Ada's segment emphasizes stealth and encourages players to carefully analyse each situation. There is a sense of urgency and imminent danger in much of her campaign as well and, unlike the other campaigns, Ada does not have a partner to rely on when playing independently offline. That said, she does get to pilot a helicopter at one point and pwns just about everything in her crosshairs. It's also worth mentioning that Ada's campaign is essentially the linchpin that holds everything else together as it fills in all the holes in the other campaigns.

Upon beating Ada's campaign, she becomes available for play in The Mercenaries. Unfortunately, Ada's default has one of the most infuriating inventories in the game. While her crossbow was tons of fun in the campaign, it is now a burden. Its need to be reloaded after every shot is a pain-in-the-neck and the fact that it knocks singular enemies back is counter-productive to building up combos. That said, the pipe bomb arrows are useful for crowd control and for firing at boss-level baddies. Her Ammo Box 50 serves as her primary weapon and is more practical than the crossbow. It fires bullets like a machine gun but has the strength of a handgun. As such, there is the tendency to run out of ammo rather quickly so gamers need to be extra careful while using it since Ada doesn't have a good back-up weapon. The incendiary grenades she carries are ideal for tossing at the stronger bad guys when things get hairy. After achieving an A-rank with Ada's default, her alternate is unlocked. It is marginally better than the default. The MP-AF is her primary weapon and is a low-level machine gun that can be set to single or multiple fire modes. The latter mode is more powerful but tends to eat up ammo. Her secondary weapon is a snipe rifle. While the rifle may be high-powered and ideal for inflicting tons of damage, the reload speed is killer and places Ada in danger after each shot. The rest of her inventory contains hand grenades, flash grenades and two always-useful red herbs. The hand grenades will come in handy but the flash grenades should probably be discarded to open up her inventory for more helpful offensive items.

In many ways, Ada Wong is Resident Evil 6's greatest achievement and biggest disappointment. Her campaign is spectacular and serves as a major standout aspect of the game. It blends action perfectly with stealth and problem-solving puzzles. It's a diverse campaign and finally gives Ada the respect and attention she deserves. Conversely, she is one of the most poorly-stocked characters in The Mercenaries. It takes a lot of work to achieve high scores with Ada due to her counter-productive weapons that lack power and devour ammo. However, it's better to have a poorly-stocked Ada than have no Ada at all. After all, what is Resident Evil without its resident femme fatale?

Campaign Grade: A-

The Mercenaries Grade: C