How Tacky of Me

To disappear for months (the first half of 2010 to be exact), then return w/ such a self-involved post. Below I've provided links to some of the more standout (as determined by: me) material from this blog's archives. Not necessarily because I like to look at myself, but because I like for other people to look at me.

Actually, this post functions more as a reference point. It's been more than a half-year since I committed any time to this blog, so I think a refresher course is due.

So whether you're new to my blog (keep coming!), or making a return (thanks!), these posts should sum up my blogging intentions fairly well:

First, I like Janet Jackson. A lot. But not enough to ignore her occasional shortcomings. But enough to insert a random picture of her to your right.

In my mind, Britney Spears is a study in commodification. I mean, a whole thesis statement. Abstract ready.

I'm fairly socially conscious. Actually, quite. But this isn't CNN. (Hey TJ!)

Tyler Perry does nothing for me.

Mariah Carey amuses me.

And nobody read this, so I'm trying to make it happen again. So fetch.

Ultimately, I'm back to blogging. And I apologize to my niche of readers that I left hanging. With no real excuse, I'll just say that life after college is a bitch. Don't graduate.

Expect regular posts from here until eternity. And don't forget -writers need validation. So comment!

Britney's Boring "3"some

I love this video for no reason at all. It's repetitive and boring, and Brit's hardly moving at all, much less dancing. In fact, the clip is basically a collection of glamor shots in motion, which continues Britney's Circus-era trend of looking fabulous, but functioning minimally. Trust me, I made it to one of the shows on her hugely successful Circus tour, and she's just as disengaged in person as she is on film. There's no spark left in Britney, but she's a business MAN, thus the train must keep moving.

All that being said, she's looking amazing in this clip. I bet if they would've slipped her a couple shots of tequila beforehand she would've worked that pole like she had kids to feed (wait...). Remember the Gimmie More video?

Ryan Leslie's Stagnant "Transition"

Why is Ryan Leslie releasing another album so soon? His self-titled debut dropped in February of this year. Transition, his sophomore effort, will hit stores during the first week of November.

Generally speaking, Transition isn't a bad album; it's just that his debut was so good. Not good in the sense that Leslie is a particularly dynamic producer or singer, but good because he managed to handle the album's material so well in spite of all of that. What Leslie lacks in vocal ability and musical diversity he makes up for in sentiment. Ryan Leslie didn't always sound good, but it always felt good.

In that sense, Transition is more of the same. In fact, it's basically the same album. Entirely written, produced and composed by Leslie (Dream complex much?), there's nothing remotely original here. If Transition were his debut I probably wouldn't be as disappointed in Leslie, but as it stands, there's really no reason to hail this offering.

Janet Jackson's "Make Me" & Mariah's "Memoirs"

Janet Jackson Prepares Greatest Hits

Just in time for the Holidays (is it even realistic to assume that people still receive cds as gifts?) Janet's returning with a new label, new single, and new(ish) project. Number Ones will pull together more than 30 of Janet's chart-topping hits, along with one new offering; the Darkchild produced "Make Me."

Janet can't do too much wrong in my eyes, and I'm excited to see her working on anything at all; still I can't help but think that Number Ones is a questionable effort at best. First, the last quarter of Janet's career hasn't been as lustrous as the first few, and this compilation makes that painfully obvious. I suppose a number one dance single is still a number one, but really, comparing the success (?) of "All Nite (Don't Stop)" (which I love) to "That's The Way Love Goes" is a stretch. More than that, "Make Me" sucks. It's the only new song on the album, and while it captures the throwback Janet vibe that fans have been looking for, it's too repetitive and predictable. If Janet couldn't catch a hit with "Feedback," I think "Make Me" is an obvious bomb. Lastly, the album art is recycled from her 2001 tourbook. Really Janet? When you're 43 looking 25, you photograph it while it lasts.

In any case, I've already pre-ordered an album full of songs I listen to everyday anyway. Again, Janet does no wrong.

Keep reading for a few words on Mariah