In the past couple years, Usher went through a few personal crises, which caused a musical mid-life crisis for the artist. Usher’s top singles since 2010 were overloaded dance floor tunes like “DJ Got Us Fallin’ in Love” and “More.” This phase of Usher’s career resembled the excesses and lost…

If I were in a more adventurous, cool-hunter mood, I’d bemoan British singer Estelle’s latest album, All of Me, for being too conventional, and say it would get crowded out by the likes of fellow British singers Adele and Emeli Sandé. However, I’ve recently found a role for Estelle’s music…

Since the beginning of the year, Nicki Minaj has blazed across entertainment media like a supernova, all on the run up to her next album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded. Along the way, she’s managed to incite controversy with vindictive misogyny in “Stupid Hoe,” and used religious imagery in her Grammy…

At the end of last year, I took back misgivings I had about Drake since his studio debut, Thank Me Later, dropped in 2010. One reason I changed my mind “aboat” the Canadian rapper was the title track from 2011’s sophomore album, Take Care. The single, “Take Care,” samples Jamie…

At the end of last year, I took back misgivings I had about Drake since his studio debut, Thank Me Later, dropped a couple years back. One of reasons I changed my mind “aboat” the Canadian rapper was the title track from his sophomore album, Take Care, released last year…

When I saw Katy Perry last summer, one scene that stuck with me occurred during “Hot N Cold,” where Katy donned a number of costumes under a hula-hoop curtain. I think that represents Katy’s career: A series of cut-away costumes replaced behind a magical curtain. Katy Perry’s latest, “Part of…

Those of us who aren’t distracted by novelties like “significant others” on Valentine’s Day like to think up odd rituals to pass a lonesome day decorated with buttocks-shaped stationary, candles and boxes of chocolate. My odd Valentine’s Day tradition is having a nice, home-cooked, candle-lit dinner with a human-sized inflatable…

Among the colorful palette of artists in pop music today, I’ve noticed parallels between M.I.A. and Kanye West. Both have taken their wealth and branched out into other artistic media, both rarely watch their words, and both apparently like making videos set in the desert with cars. The difference between…

Among the electronic music producers who have cashed in on dance music’s popularity in the States, I’m most ambivalent about French DJ/producer David Guetta. Last year’s album, Nothing But the Beat, took its title pretty literally with two discs of beat, and a couple cameos to keep things interesting. Guetta’s…

Last year saw a wave of popular bands from a few decades ago reuniting and releasing new material. The wave continues this year with new albums from Van Halen, puzzling announcements by Fiona Apple, and the Irish yodeling of Dolores O’Riordan and The Cranberries. The band will release a new…

After a year of being the single most popular woman in hip-hop, Nicki Minaj is getting some competition from all sides in 2012. On her right are jealous industry perennials like Lil’ Kim. On her left are blog-buzzed upstarts like Azealia Banks. This might actually turn out good. Competition breeds…

When reviewing previous Train songs in my column, I imagined lead singer Pat Monahan as one of those guitar-playing guys on college campuses who hasn’t grown out of it. A few years later, I’m starting to understand Train’s target demographic might be the women who were captivated by these jerks…

After a merciful summer and fall without The Black Eyed Peas, the group announced they would take a hiatus. My first reaction was relief. However, my second reaction was wordless dread. This means Fergie and Will.i.am’s egos are no longer contained by editorial buffers Apl.de.ap and Taboo. Will is releasing…

Between her worldwide Speak Now Tour and controlling her possible mania, pop-country star Taylor Swift had quite a 2011. If Swift’s latest single is any indication, we might see another side of her in 2012. A dark, apocalyptic side straight out of an early Stephen King novel. “Safe & Sound”…

About this time of year, I like to visit a rundown diner called Reflet. It serves fancy French dishes like corneille, an entrée made of crow; chapou, made of my hat; and creme de la mot, a tart dessert made of my words. I don’t think this diner will show…

Tell the world, rock is coming home This year saw a wave of rock bands catching up to a new generation. We got Soundgarden touring again, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Blink-182 and even less renowned bands like Urge Overkill and Bush releasing new albums. After living up to its namesake…

It’s been quite a year enduring the Top 40 in “The Problem With….”. Looking back at the year and my reviews, I’ve noticed three things about music that I loathe and think need to change. Too many collaborations (feat. Rihanna, Lil’ Wayne, Pitbull, Jay-Z…) The less we talk about Lou…

I often wonder how youth culture thinks up slang for something they like. For example, I wonder how the phrase “out of sight” came along. If something is out of your sight, how do you know it’s good? I also wonder where this New York musician in business-casual dress and…

I’ve noticed that I pick on Beyoncé a lot in my columns. Here’s how I know – I’ve memorized the alt-key number sequence to type the accented e in Windows, and I don’t even type in Spanish or French. (That code, by the way, is Alt and 0233) I rail…

Mary J. Blige has always struck me as a more well-balanced and humble singer than her contemporaries. Instead of overpowering the music with diva crescendos, Mary lets the music flow with her. This anti-diva approach is the reason she’s abided twenty-plus years and two generations of boisterous divas from Whitney…

When a new, hyped-up rapper appears on the charts, I play a game in which I compare a rapper with others on the charts and judge whether they positively contribute to the hip hop. I call that game “What’s! Their! Niche!!!” Today’s contestant is … Mac Miller from Pittsburgh! Come…