Entartqirmnt
Thursday, March 31,2005 --Page 11
SB«11 TALK
Si
Rock
STEVEN MAGNUSEN
Entertainment Editor
“Hanging by a Moment”
was probably the biggest hit of
2000. It was a hard tune to avoid
for anyone living in
America, and got more
radio play than any other
song that year. That first
Cd, “No Name Face”
was a huge success
for Lifehouse and they
followed it up with
another great album,
“Stanley Climbfall.”
Their third project,
self titled “Lifehouse,” is
an incredible addition to the
collection.
The members of
Lifehouse are frequently
changing. While Jason Wade
has always been the lead singer
and guitar player, the bassist
and drummer have never been
constant. For the new album,
both of these positions were
filled by new members, Rick
Woolstenhulme played drums,
while Bryce Soderburg took
over on bass. Both of the
newcomers fit well with Wade’s
style and lyrics.
Jason Wade still writes
incredible lyrics. The depth
and emotion that he puts into
his vocals has always been the
heart of Lifehouse’s success,
and nothing about that has
changed. He shows plenty of
creativity with “Lifehouse,” and
the writing is definitely on par
with his earlier work.
While the sound of
Lifehouse has changed with
the new additions, it hasn’t
diminished at all. Instead the
music has evolved into a more
upbeat style. The artistry
remains the same, but the overall
mood behind the music has
changed.
Some fans who fell in
love with the mellow tones of
“No Name Face” may be a little
disappointed, but anyone who
enjoyed “Stanley Climbfall”
will find something to like in
“Lifehouse.”
I
R&B/Soul
DEMARIO CAMPBELL
Staff Writer
The story of a young
Mary J Blige is recorded in
“My Life.” Her sophomore
album, “My Life,” is a true
example of an artist singing
from experience. Out of all of
her albums recorded over the
years, I feel that this album is
her best.
It was recorded in late
1994 which was a very
rough time for Mary
in her personal life.
Being a product of the
ghetto in Yonkers, New
York, Mary has kept
it real and stayed the
same through her whole
career. Already having
platinum success with
her first album, and
being crowned the queen of
hip-hop /soul, this album also
followed successfully. “My
Life” captures the pure emotion
of Mary at that time.
With its seventeen tracks,
Mary’s command on each
song shows the power of her
emotion in the aspects of her
life. She gives every song its
own meaning and why they are
so important in her life. Her
first song on the CD, “Mary
Jane,” addresses the wants of
her relationship with her man.
This song is a classic in itself,
but remade by Mary, this song
adds a whole new meaning.
Track number seven, “My
Life,” explains the troubles
in life and the solutions to the
frequent problems. It seems that
when this song was written, she
may have looked at the current
problems in her life and saw a
need for change. Track number
ten, “I’m Going Down” is also a
classic remake that sounds great
with Mary’s
beauti fu 1
distinctive
voice.
Number
seventeen
“Happy,” is
a memorable
song that
shows
the wants
of Mary
emotionally.
“My Life” has many
memorable classics that justify
Mary’s title in music. Mary J.
Blige is remarkable, bringing
her soul through these songs,
so that her emotions are felt and
internalized in other people. I
would recommend this album to
anyone who wants to hear early
hip-hop and R&B at its best.
Mary J. Blige’s “My Life” is a
life worth listening to.
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