A Lil Bitt of Review No #3 Lil Bitts - Sweetness

Lil little bit of sweetness

Okay so the First time I Heard this song the First words out of my mouth was RIPOFF!, and immediately dismissed it to the left. As time has passed I  somehow think I didn’t give this song a fair chance to impress me, so here is my Fair analysis of the main offering Of Lil Bitts for Carnival 2011.

Riding on the Honey Riddem for 2011, the Song Opens with a big up and shout out to the No less than Great (some say) Kernel Roberts...Now I have stated in my previous critiques that ego trips are one of my MAJOR pet peeves, but somehow this shout out skews that in favor of Kernel the Producer rather than Lil bitts herself so I’m going to let it slide for just this once. I think producers need a Big Up now and Again as a lot of the creative Genius of songs tends to flow through them, and this particular producer has influenced a few great songs. However I still think it’s inappropriate to have anything in a song that doesn't ADD or have anything to do with the song.

Now the writer of this song (Sherrard Churche) has let the influence of other music inspire the opening lines "word for word" and "bar for bar" it’s literally a sample of a song of years past  either he was influenced by "CJ Lewis -Sweet for my sweet" or the Older "The Searchers - Sweet for my sweet"  I believe the CJ Lewis version might be the one because I doubt the older one is of his era.

The Song continues with a real soca/dancehall vibe accompanied heavily with a lot of synthetic instrumentals, no live band here. Now, as the words progress with this song, it becomes apparent after a few replays that the song is HEAVILY CHARGED with sexual innuendo. Now I can't imagine how she got so many into this song without it being banned. It is amazing if you really ketch on to all the lines in the song... for example where she sings “Can you handle my sweetness? rough it up in my sweetness?"...Lawd aye. a cold shower is required after listening to this song.

I couldn't figure where the chorus of this song starts as it isn't clear but it does seem to be somewhere near, "Wine to the ground Boy Go down, Go down, turn it around boy go down, go down. (Go down, go down) x 10 times." Now I have a real Problem with repetitive lyrics but somehow this time it didn't seem Overdone as it sometimes is. A repetitive lyric for the sake of Extra lyrics as I have said before is dumb because it sits out there with nothing supporting it. While this Repetitive section is supported by the previous choral lines.

I do like that this song uses lots of References of Sweetness, e.g. KC dinner mint, honeycomb, sugar cane, sugar etc. I was however lost for how Cinnamon is sweet?  In all and all it remained within the Theme of the Song Of "sweetness" which is a big commendation for her and the lyricist.

Rating	Description
Out of 5
3	Lyrics Thought the first line was "borrowed" the song didn't seem to take much from anywhere else and the lyrics flow well and make sense. Good use of repetitive lyrics
4	Vocal Performance The Little Lady can sing can hold a note with style. However there seem to have words that get lost in song diction issues.
1.5	Musicality Singing on a Riddem is not that great unless you are the Creator of the Riddem it almost sounds like words were fit into it just to make up the timing.
4	Replay Worthiness and lasting Appeal Big winner in this category as the song is not locked into any situation and can be played Long after carnival without it sounding Dated.
2	Originality Sadly Being on a Riddem also hurts your originality as other songs tend to be similar. Taking a line from another song doesn’t help either. It only makes the song to a familiar listener a borrowed one.
14.5 OVERALL	Fair

I’ve given this song a sort of backhanded review; it has many great elements to it but couldn't escape the small things like "Riddem's" and "Borrowed Lyrics". While the remaining lyrics came together and made sense the Idea of "sweetness" isn’t a new one either. But this song did refresh the topic of "sweetness" for the season and most likely will remain in moderate rotation for the rest of the year.

In closing this is not the Best of “Lil bitts" I’ve heard Better, But defiantly worth listening to it’s a very likable song on the level of "Anthem for Hot girls" who want to tease men. It think gets a fair review.

Licks For De Boss! Review #2 Iwer George - Come Tuh Meh

If i said i liked Iwer's music over the years, I would Be lying,  actually i cant tell you how many times i would buss a big Sterupes every time i heard the "han-han-han-han....." song...Lawd Jesus!  Im getting an Migraine just thinking about it...But  Lo and Behold! when i heard the offerings' of  Iwer For 2011 I retracted my generalized opinion of  a waste of time, to a more open minded one.

The first thing i have to say about this song its that it is INFECTIOUS  Like a festering disease the more exposed you are to it, the more it takes you over.

Drums oh those drums! they compel you to release  your stiffened body and adopt a loosened attitude. I think i would put many an inebriated individual into a puppet like state, and force them to dance as though trapped in a bad episode of Fraggle Rock .

The First words "Selecta gimme de riddem" is a cliche' opener for any song and i have a pet peeve about this. I think It should Be left for LIVE Performances and never Be Recorded for replay....i think it was Totally Unnecessary in this song, as "the riddem" that he say to "Stop" , pauses for 1 second, and then Returns...
Um, that so doesn't make any sense...The lyrics of the first verse however are brilliant! its story like lament about giving up soca and going into retirement, is Believably a realistic and true story of his own. and as it progresses into the word where the "jab-jab singing in meh head" it blends  almost seamlessly into the chorus of  " Trini people ah say come tuh meh" .... The call and answer of "Come tuh meh!/Move!" really instills in your mind a struggle between the devils of your conscience and your better judgement...HOWEVER the seamlessness of the song becomes Blurred and disjointed as the first verse  seem to almost have no bearing on 2nd or 3rd. It almost descends into the lament of a whiny , jaded  musician, as the words tend to drive home the point that "everybody want to fight him dong"  so sad that its in there, as it changes the mood of the song to that of  either an aggressive or empathic emotion (if you pay attention to the lyrics). I personally feel empathic.
The song continues to do the typical carnival event explanatory thing  talking about the jourvert and carnival morning, the bridge of the song is a typical Iwer styled "repetative lyric mashup" which acts as more of a filler that anything else.. and ends typical soca style with the  chorus fading out.

Rating	Description
Out of 5
3	Lyrics The First Verse was seamless and has a story-like vibe.  Verse is Well done and Hook line "come tuh meh" is brilliant. Falls flat with the continuity and repetitive bridge.
1	Vocal Performance Not the best of voices it is true you can recognize his voice anywhere it is unique, not very many dynamics or singing technique to talk about.
5	Musicality The Jab Jab Drumming Is PARAMOUNT it keeps the pace of the entire song and doesn't get monotonous or boring. back up chorus added a little to it.
3	Replay Worthiness and lasting Appeal It is defiantly a Jouvert song with the theme of jab-jab and the drumming it has its place in a dark environment wouldn't convey the same emotion during the day so night time and jourvert morning would be the best experience of this song.
2	Originality Typical jourvert song, typical flag and Rag references but the first time Ive heard "Jab Jab rag/flag".
14 OVERALL	Fair

One other thing I noticed that i didnt like abou this song and also in many other songs. The Ego trip! If it is one thing i find unnecessary is an artist saying "who he/she is" in a song. LET YOUR MUSIC SPEAK FOR YOU.  It is totally unnecessary to say who you are unless it had absolute bearing on on  the song you're singing....Example of appropriate ego trip 'Eminem - My name is' (slim shady)... any other situation is just ridiculous. If your music is any good people will know who you are, quite Frankly Iwer i Knew it was you from the first word that came out you mouth...sheesh!... I didn't need to hear it in a airy voice hovering over the song reminding me that you are the singer....

Soca Artists Please For the love of soca, ego tripping  does NOT make Good Music!

Anyhow even though i gave a Fair Review to this song Guess what, I am 100% supporting Iwer George - Come tuh meh, for Soca Monarch 2011...

Why you may ask..?? Duh... the song was made for Nocturnal Bacchanal  and if the Live drumming Is as intoxicating and Infective as the  recording he is going to reduce the crowd to a mass of puppets compelled to "move" on command.. a disaster to pinkie toes everywhere but a absolute "Recipe for  2 million dollars"..

"Come tuh meh, Money oye , aye ya aye" :)

Introducing The Googly Eyed Man

Well It was Inevitable I Needed a Avatar / Mascot to be My Intermediary  as i have decided to remain an anonymous blogger. 

So i decided to Whip out the Adobe Illustrator and Crank Me out a lil guy to be my mascot.

and also at the same time Crank me Out a Logo. Killing 2 birds with one stone is fun!

Sorry No review till tomorrow...I ve already decided Victim #2 He is famous and is a BIG Contender in 2011 Soca Monarch...cant wait till Tomorrow :)

Its Here Review #1:Michelle Xaviar - Fetting For days

Im sorry Destra you know Youre my #1 But sadly I feel More Inclined to review the Underdog who is even more Underdog to You. But Talented non the less....

So On to the Review

When I first hear this song I didn't know who was singing it i thought Hmm it didn't sound as powerful as the other voices iv'e heard, and after a few seconds of listening i realized "wait nuh" that unified background vocal sounding very "Imij & company-ish" I soon realized my suspicion was correct but even more surprised to Realize That Michelle Xavier was the lead vocal.. Wow she's certainly stepping away from the background.

So now ah open meh ears and listen a little more attentively to the nuances of this song. and i must say listening 5 times to a song and picking it apart is Very Difficult and im glad i did because usually we take for granted a lot of what we listen to.

First off the Intro and Opening Lyrics create a really sublime mood which is mirrored in the words "Do You feel de Pressure building Up" it really sets the tone for the song with the subtle harmonious vocals which the lead vocalist interjects and punches trough to give you a sense of disrupting the calm of the pressure building. at at the end culmination in a synchronous jarring "Hurr", which ushers in the chorus that exude the "Fetting For Days and Night " etc. (listen to the Link)

The progression of the song tend toward a typical soca a-la Destra very Pop-ish , with enough varying lyrics describing the experience and scenario of fetting For Days, and at the same time encouraging the non fetters to desist from Blocking the fetters who seem to want to "fete for days"...?... Make sence.... It described many of the sentiment of the typical partying Trinidadian, Unity, Rag flags in the Sky etc Typical of the Carnival experience but generic in every sence of lyrics. But executed fairly well as the focus is not really Flags,rags etc. Is more the feeling of "fetting for days".

Rating	Description
Out of 5
3.5	Lyrics Great Opening mood setting at the beginning, tends to get generically obvious with over done words, Rags Flags etc.
4	Vocal Performance Backup singers have harmonious fills and support the lead. lead singer has been Help With a noticeable level of "Auto-tune" in the recordings. Bridge section has "exposed lead vocals" a which demonstrates the singers vocal ability.
4	Musicality Great Drumming in the Background and keyboard playing the almost unnoticeable Brass like instrument. Far from the super-synthesized background music usually hear in a lot of Soca. You can actually notice there is live music in there.
3.5	Replay Worthiness and lasting Appeal Sadly its a song lyrically locked into Carnival because of Heavy references to carnival , but ignoring the lyrics the emotion the Chorus "We Feteing for days" could give this song a life beyond Carnival.
3	Originality Utilizing Background Vocals is nothing new but i really appreciate music that sets a tone. nothing ground breaking in originality. But original enough to set it apart from the Mundane and uninspired.
18 OVERALL	Big Chune!!

In my final analysis i have decided this song is a true representation of musicians Just By the mere Fact that the song follows a tried and true recipe of including a bridge ie" intro- chorus-verse-chorus-bridge-chorus". Nothing New or exciting is introduced in the Lyrics but i has its moments where you wanted to follow the instructions, but it fell a lil flat because of the lack of absolute moving power i.e Attitude in the lead vocalist voice. Playing this song in the Correct Forum I.e the Road on carnival day would present a different Scenario as when it is amplified, the Emotion and Expression would Present itself in a different way.

I'm glad to hear this offering From Michelle and Imij & Co. Fetting For Days is a Great Hit and defiantly Not a miss.

The First Review...Or is It?

So I decided To Go With A Female For My First Review As we all Know Woman Is Boss In Soca so I Have Shorted My List To 4 of the Female Soca Artists I listen to to the Most for this season

So here is My List Of Candidates For the First Reviewing Session

(Ps i don't Claim ownership to the Photos Below)

Denise Belfon

Destra Garcia

Lil Bitts

Michelle Xavier

One of these lucky ladies is going to have the Privilege of Being put under my Microscope/Headphones and given at least a 5 x time listen to one or more of their songs and then review it. Stay tuned For the Review Tomorrow....:)

How I will Rate The Music Posted on this Blog????

So Ladies and Gentlemen Before i start Ripping Apart at the staves and crochets of our artists i would like to share with you my rating system, i think this is the best way i can make small statements about each individual part of the song while giving you a general insight on why i said what i did.

Rating	Description
Out of 5
5	Lyrics The content of the song in terms of structure & continuity. I.e de dam song make any sense?.
5	Vocal Performance The Quality of the “singing’ with focus on tone, clarity and vocal aptitude. I.e If de person could hold ah note. .
5	Musicality Quality of the accompanying Instruments and/ synthesized music, background vocals and general shape and dynamics of the song. I.e if the song go sound good without the lyrics. And
5	Replay Worthiness and lasting Appeal Is it Intoxicating to Be Replayed Over and Over again ,and can it transcend the current generation of music and continue on to become a classic.
5	Originality Is the work one of original ideas unlike anything heard before… I.e deh ent teef no sample or lyrics from nobodee else music.
25 OVERALL	MASTERPIECE

Final OVERALL SCORE

20-25 Masterpiece

MUSIC TO MY EARS, a Well Put together piece which can be played in anywhere and be classed as good music for generations to come. It is a representation of good taste creativity and worthy of musical accolades.

15 -20 Big Chune!

While it may have heavy appeal or great air-play some part don’t gel to make it a song of Epic Proportion, None the less it is worthy of the title “Chune”. You can place this song on you Pc and iPod and feel no shame as it generally is classified as Good Music

10-15 Fair

A general category For those that don’t quite make the Heavy rotations Of the IPod, reserved for generic music and fairly listenable songs.

5-10 Elevator Music

you will hear it now and again and ask who song is dat?, it sound familiar.

0-5 WAHDEMUDDER IZ DAT?

Like Nails on a Chalkboard it can hardly be called Music or even a good sound. Lack the

qualities of good and sensible music.

At the End/Beginning I will Give My general comments On the song and my own person feeling about it ,at the end please feel free to comment.

Today a Star is Born..?

Well Here we are day one Of Trinidad Soca Diary, My first post , i Welcome you to my Lil space on the Net dedicated to writing report and commenting on music which makes up my Twin Island Republic Of Trinidad and Tobago. Soca, Kaiso, Chutney, Calypso Rapso, Parang you name it i will try to write about Not promising you the world But Im sure i can Get in a Post a Day to fill you need to know more about the Music Im listening to.

You may visit other blogs and say "Its another Just another soca blog" Well yes and No My main focus is not going to to be Reporting News and Current Event those will be a Given, my main focus "WILL Be CRITIQUE" .....

After Reading that you Mus be saying Who de Hell IS this cross who wa criticize odder people Music......My response to that would Be. "I am someone with A pair of ears and an OPINION on what i like" So are you ...arnt you? feel Free to disagree or agree with me as you please Maybe you view may influence my opinion. (not promising you anything though).

So Let the Music Play .....Who shall I Rip Apart First?