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Noel Gourdin - After the time review

August 18th 2008 21:04
Release date: July 22, 2008

Genre: R&B

Length: 47:57

Label: Epic Records

Browsing through the U.S. Billboards charts, I found this album called After The Time released only three weeks ago. Since it reached the top 5 of R&B albums, I thought I'd give it a listen and tell you what I think.


The album starts with the song One Love in which Noel realizes the importance of his girlfriend who just dumped him. It's a nice ballad coupled with an energetic piano. Noel has a beautiful voice that he uses really well in this song. Furthermore, his transition from bass to soprano is very similar to Mariah Carey's singing.

Better Man is the second track. Noel's voice – sometimes low and high-pitched – is very reminiscent of African-American gospel singers. Although this song has a lot more drums and bass than the previous track, One Love carries a lot more energy; Better Man simply has too many breaks in the rhythm. Lyrically-wise, the song has Noel telling a girl he loves that she deserves better than the guy she wants, and that he could offer much more.

The River is the most popular song of the album. A nostalgic and sentimental track, The River talks about a lost love.

Open, a sensual slow, begins like Usher's “Moving Mountains.” In it, Noel is open to whatever a girl wants to do to him and he has imagined this moment a long time ago.


Hurts Like Hell
is about a man's honor and has vocally telling chorus. Noel says that his girlfriend took advantage of him, he's really hurting but she's never going to see it.

On Led You On, there's a disconnection between the verses and the chorus. The chorus is a lot more energetic. In the lyrics, Noel apologizes to a girl for leading her on. He knows she loves him so he wants her to know that he doesn't feel the same.

I Fell is my favorite song of the album. It's a high-tempo song and I have no problem imagining the tight dance routines they could do for a music video. In fact, I fell for this song. The lyrics talk about how Noel fell for a girl, how he gave her his trust from the first moment even though it's been hard for him to trust someone since a heartbreaking relationship from his past. He's falling but he doesn't want to play, he doesn't want to be up and out of love.

P.Y.T. is another high-tempo song with an acoustic guitar and a great rhythm. Noel sings his love to his girlfriend. He's very in love and talks about how they're meant for each other, and says that she's his “Precious Young Thing” (thus P.Y.T.).

Sorry is a slow that begins and ends on the same musical note. Noel asks his girlfriend to forgive him for cheating on her because he doesn't want to lose her. He tries to explain why he did it (the girl was very attractive and he was weak). Pretty controversial lyrics since Noel is trying to justify his infidelity.

Summertime is another slow and very sensual song. Personally, I don't like songs that are too slow because they have a dampening effect on my state of mind. In the text, Noel tells a girl that he finds her sexy; it's cold outside, she should get closer so they can feel the summer heat. Just like song, the lyrics are pretty sexy.

Too Late has a nice little flow and makes for a good listen. The lyrics are touching but lack originality. It's the story of a guy who took his girlfriend for granted, and asks if it's too late for her to forgive him and take him back.

The last song of the album, Make The Most is a slow song but sounds more like a ballad compared to Summertime which is really slow. It has a double bass which resounds agreeably throughout the song. The lyrics talk about being unafraid to love someone. When you love someone, you have to reveal your feelings and always give your best because when you give in love, you receive a lot in return.

All in all, this album is really slow. Practically all the songs are slows as the listener gets a demonstration of Noel Gourdin's beautiful voice. It's a relaxing record with a couple of high-tempo songs such as Reach and I Fell. In short, it's a good listen but lacks songs you can dance to.
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Who will the Grammy go to??

January 29th 2007 01:04

I want to have a little contest. I have some of the top Grammy nominations. I will list the category and the nominees. I want to see who you think will win in these categories. The 49th Annual Grammy Awards will be aired on February 11th. I will make my predictions and you make yours. The person with the most matches next month when the awards are handed out will win the contest.

1. Album of The Year: Taking The Long Way (Dixie Chicks), St. Elsewhere (Gnarls Barkley), Continuum (John Mayer), Stadium Arcadium (Red Hot Chili Peppers), FutureSex/LoveSounds (Justin Timberlake)

2. Best New Artist: James Blunt, Chris Brown, Imogen Heap, Corinne Bailey Rae, Carrie Underwood

3. Song of the year: "Be Without You", "Jesus, Take The Wheel", "Not Ready To Make Nice", "Put Your Records On", "You're Beautiful"

4. Best Pop Performance By A Duo or Group with Vocal: "My Humps" (Black-Eyed Peas), "I Will Follow You Into The Dark" (Death Cab for Cutie), "Over My Head (Cable Car)" (The Fray), "Is It Any Wonder" (Keane), "Stickwitu" (Pussycat Dolls).

5. Best Rock Album: John Mayer Trio's Try!, Tom Petty's Highway Companion, the Raconteurs' Broken Boy Soldier, Red Hot Chili Peppers' Stadium Arcadium, and Neil Young's Living With War.

6. Best Rap Performance by Duo or Group: "Ridin" (Chamillionaire featuring Kyrazi Bone), "Georgia" (Ludacris & Field Mob featuring Jamie Foxx), "Grillz" (Nelly featuring Paul Wall, Ali & Gipp), "Mighty "O" " (Outkast), "Don't Feel Right" (The Roots)

7. Best Rap/Sung Collaboration: "Smack That" (Akon featuring Eminem), "Deja Vu" (Beyonce featuring Jay-Z), "Shake That" (Eminem featuring Nate Dogg), "Unpredictable" (Jamie Foxx featuring Ludacris), "My Love" ( Justin Timberlake featuring T.I.)

8. Best Country Song: "Every Mile A Memory" (Dierks Bentley), "I Don't Feel Like Loving You Today" (Gretchen Wilson), "Jesus Take The Wheel" (Carrie Underwood), "Like Red On A Rose" (Alan Jackson), "What Hurts The Most" (Rascal Flatts)

9. Record Of The Year: "Be Without You" (Mary J Blige), "You're Beautiful" (James Blunt), "Not Ready To Make Nice" (Dixie Chicks), "Crazy" (Gnarls Barkley), "Put Your Records On" (Corinne Bailey Rae)

10. Best Female R&B Vocal Performance: 'Ring The Alarm' (Beyonce), 'Be Without You' (Mary J Blige), 'Don't Forget About Us' (Mariah Carey), 'Day Dreaming' (Natalie Cole), 'I Am Not My Hair' (India.Arie)

11. Best Male R&B Vocal Performance: 'Heaven' (John Legend), 'So Sick' (Ne-Yo), 'Black Sweat' (Prince), 'I Call It Love' (Lionel Richie), 'Got You Home' (Luther Vandross)

12. Best Rock Song: 'Chasing Cars' (Snow Patrol), 'Dani California' (Red Hot Chili Peppers), 'Lookin' For A Leader' (Neil Young), 'Someday Baby' (Bob Dylan), 'When You Were Young' (The Killers)

Okay gang, instead of copying and pasting you can just give you predictions for 1, 2 etc. The winner of the contest will get to chose next post topic.

Sources cited from www.Grammy.com
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Shirley Temple's what???

January 10th 2007 03:20
Shirley Temples' P...y was the name of the band that we know as "The Stone Temple Pilots". I was told this years ago when they first came out, but I believe its true. I decided to make them my artist of the week. They changed their name a couple of times before coming up with the "Stone Temple Pilots". They stayed with the "STP" because they liked the "STP motor oil" logo.

I put them in my CD player last night and it's still in there. I have Core and Thank You which is their greatest hits. I suggest their greatest hits to everyone. 'Plush' is a great song, the original or acoustic version. There is also the Tinkster version which isn't bad. I was in Florida with my sister and we decided to go out one night. We went to a bar on the beach, and a two man band started playing "Plush". I immediately was on the floor jammin. The next thing I know they motioned me to come on stage with them, and I sang the song while they played. It was very cool. I want to give you the lyrics to a different song though. I like the seduction of this song and I wanted to share it with you.


'Sex Type Thing'
"I am, I am, I am
I said I wanna get next to you
I said I gonna get close to you
You wouldn't want me have to hurt you too? Hurt you too?
I ain't, I ain't, I ain't
A buyin' into your apathy
I'm gonna learn ya my philosophy
You wanna know about atrocity, atrocity?
I know you want what's on my mind
I know you like what's on my mind
I know it eats you up inside
I know, you know, you know, you know
I am a man, a man
I'll give you something that you won't forget
I said ya shouldn't have worn that dress
I said ya shouldn't have worn that dress
I know you want what's on my mind
I know you like what's on my mind
I know it eats you up inside
I know, you know, you know, you know
Here I come, I come, I come
I am, I am, I am
I said I wanna get next to you
I said I wanna get close to you
You wouldn't want me have to hurt you too? Hurt you too?
I know you want what's on my mind
I know you like what's on my mind
I know it eats you up inside
I know, you know, you know, you know
Here I come, I come, I come"


I was lucky to see the "Stone Temple Pilots" before they broke up. I saw them and others at the Hard Rock Festival in Chicago,Il. They played 4 songs. They played 'Plush', 'Sex Type Thing', 'Vasoline', and 'Interstate Love Song' . I was delighted.

Scott had trouble with heroin like many other artist, and it eventually caused the band to break up. He is now with "Velvet Revolver" and I hear that he has cleaned up his act. Good for you Scott! I have not gave "Velvet Revolver" a listen and I am not sure why.


Okay people let me know some of your favorite "STP" songs or lyrics. If you like them or hate them? Do you like the new band that Scott is in? Am I stupid for not buying a "Velvet Revover" CD? Come and talk to me

Information sited from www.stonetemplepilots.com
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The Fr......

January 6th 2007 01:38
In 2005, I had probably heard this one song every other morning on the way to work. There was only one station I would hear it on, and I would never hear the whole song. I didn't have to...I loved this song just from the little bit of it that I got to hear! It had a great melody with piano and the only lyrics I knew were 'Everyone knows I’m in over my head...’ and at the time it was fitting for me. When the song ended the damn radio station would never tell who it was.

A couple of weeks later I was out at the local pub and checking out the jukebox. I was looking at a “hits” CD, and I found it….it said ‘Over my Head’ so my eyes searched over to see who sang it. I looked in disbelief, as I read it. 'The Fr'. That’s all the tag said. 'The Fr'?? The edge of the tag in the jukebox had been torn off. Perfect


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Hello, everyone this is Tinkster. I am very happy and grateful to be doing Muzikal Mafia.

My interest in music came at a very early age, thanks to my parents and my siblings. I was a young child when my sisters and my brother were in high school. Instead of Sesame Street, I was doing 'Houses of the Holy' with one sister, 'Baby I Love Your Ways' with another, and 'Carry on my Wayward Son' with my brother. This was quite the sing along


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Saying Goodbye...

December 30th 2006 20:35
This is my final post as the moderator of Muzikal Mafia.

My friends, my family, it is time for me to hand over the reins to someone else. My schedule has gotten the best of me. I am unable to keep my committment to Orble regarding posting on this site


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I am emotionally worn out from the events of the past several days. I went to work today and didn't take my usual suitcase of cd's with me. I didn't have anything in it that really fit my mood, anyways.

As I was sitting at work, thinking, as I tend to do way too much of, I realized I needed to listen to something. I had to stop thinking so I could focus on my job. Well, that requires a lot of thinking, too. Just not the kind I was doing. I was depressed. Angry. Let down. Frustrated


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Reasons NOT to like Alice in Chains...

December 24th 2006 03:00
There is nothing that aggravates me any more than for someone to discuss music with me and to express their opinions of groups or bands without any basis on which to form their opinion.

I was talking to someone tonight and Alice in Chains came up in the conversation. (No, I didn't bring it up.) This person I was talking to did and said, "I hate them, a bunch of queers


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Deorre recently had a post about a good old-fashioned ventilation of anger. I participated and it got me to thinking about...of course, music. I was thinking that music is really the backdrop to our lives. Right now, my backdrop is very loud, very angry Godsmack.

When I am highly pissed off, I need good, loud, angry music. Alanis Morrisette pre-naked in a grocery store thanking India...Godsmack, Alice in Chains...I need someone to scream for me. I can't do it


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The Seattle Sound Series Update:


Most of my readers know I am passionate about music, in particular, the Seattle sound and the groups which contributed to it. I still have a long way to go before I will be upto the task of paying tribute to the genre. A friend was going to help me out with the series but that has fallen through. It's just not meant to be right now. I will school myself a bit and get back to you later on with a series that will do it justice, I promise


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Who's Your Favorite 80's Hair Band?

December 9th 2006 02:28
There is nothing in the world that will get me school girl giddy (catholic uniform, if that helps you pervs out there with an image), than a really great heavy metal song from the '80's. I have memories for all of them...especially Cinderella.

Cinderella <I>'Night Songs'</I>
Cinderella 'Night Songs'

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Seattle Sound Series, An Update

December 5th 2006 00:55
JUST A QUICK UPDATE...

I am a newish fan of grunge music, more specifically the bands that made the music referred to as 'The Seattle Sound'. A few weeks back, I decided to announce, a bit prematurely, that I would be starting a series on 'The Seattle Sound'. I want to do something in depth to honor these groups and this genre but honestly do not feel like I can do it justice at this point. And you know how I feel about that sort of thing...know your shit or shut up, right? Well, I have decided to shut up on the topic for now and hand over the reins to someone with a bit more experience in the area


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No pretty pictures or catchy titles, just short and to the point today...that's not always a bad thing!

'Tis the season and all that...I was digging through my music collection for my Christmas music and it got me to thinking about how music can set moods, it can release emotions and how we turn to it in times of need, intentionally or not. How integrated it is in our lives. It made me thankful for the talent, the art and the drive of the artists who do what they do so that we may enjoy it


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I have kept my mouth shut about the breakup and Britney's 'new old look'. I have kept my mouth shut about K-Fed and all the unfortunate child abuse-ish events. I have shut up about hair extensions and black roots, and white trashiness. Mainly, because if I say something about Br*tney S*ears, google jumps all over it and plasters her shit all over my site, which I cannot stand. I don't want to give her any type of notice all on this site.

However, enough is enough. This girl has been absolutely crucified in the press for the last two years. She gained weight, lost it, gained weight...wait...no...oh that's right, she was too dumb to read the instructions on the spermicide and used it in her mouth instead. I digress


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