Remebering Prince

It happened. But to someone we all never expected to leave us at such an early time.
Prince has passed away.

He was an artist we all knew and loved. His music has touched, changed, inspired, transcended and moved the world for over 4 decades. His unique and brilliant productions have left millions of fans gobsmacked and breathless, with beautiful mixes of R&B, pop, rock, funk and the Minnesota sound. And his persona was memorable; his outfits were fabulous and swagger-iffic and there is a reason he is named The Purple One.
All of these elements have made him one of the most iconic and memorable figures in all of music. He was and still is.

I've always listened to his music by chance on the radio. And when I do, turn it up and jam. I've loved Prince's music and appreciated his style, sound and vocals. Like Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston, He truly was God's gift to the world, even when his moments on stage, in his music videos, and in his films were not holy or pure. This music was music for grown folks, but-like the music of MJ and Whitney-is so amazing that young people like me can listen and enjoy and be fans to it. And it's something you cannot go through life without hearing.

I had that feeling that he'd live on forever a long time. He's a very healthy and happy working man (to me) and didn't look sick till that day. But when that day came, I was shocked beyond belief. I couldn't think it could happen.

When I heard of his passing, I thought this was a hoax. Just some sick twisted lie someone threw at news agencies and companies just to feign outrage and bewilderment. But as time passed, I couldn't think it anymore and that it all settled in. He's gone. I was heartbroken and scared.

He will live on in his music. It will continue on forever. And Prince's legacy will rise and live forever until the end of time.

Remembering Doris Roberts

The world has lost yet another legend in the world of acting.
On Sunday evening, Doris Roberts passed away at the age of 90. The news was first reported by TMZ with many other news outlets picking up the story the following evening.

She, of course, was best known as Barone matriarch Marie Barone for nine seasons on classic late 90s/ealry 2000s sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond.
I always watched the show ever since I was a kid (previously on WPSG in Philadelphia when it was a UPN station) and during the Barone family's many tirades, goof-ups and moments, she was always at the center of them dishing out shade (especially at Debra), snark (especially at Debra) and sweetness (even at Derba) everywhere she goes. It was her immense talent and timing that made Marie a truly unforgettable character. And for all of Raymond's nine-season run, she was one of the reasons to watch laugh and love.
Whether you loved her, hated her or loved to hate her, Marie was just a brilliantly written and acted character, and Ms. Roberts damn well brought her to life and played her like the acting savant she was. (Her Emmy Awards prove it) And she has been one actress everyone loved and looked up to before and ever since then.

She had other roles in other beloved and legendary series such as Angie, Soap, Barney Miller, Remington Steele, The Love Boat, Fantasy Island, Murder She Wrote, Cagney & Lacey, Law & Order and MadTV.

She was 90 years old. And she will be missed. We'll hope know she'll reunite with Peter Boyle and Sawyer Sweeten in Heaven.
We love you, Doris Roberts. Everybody Loves You.

A Great Day for Women, Blacks and Currency: Harriet Tubman to be Featured on $20 Bill

As the title says, today is a great day for Women, African Americans and American currency. Earlier today, Jacob J. Lew of the US Treasury Department announced that Andrew Jackson--the 20th President of the United States, will be replaced as the face of the American $20 bill by Harriet Tubman.

Tubman, a former slave and forever abolitionist, created the Underground Railroad, helping other Black slaves escape racial confinement during the Confederacy era and run to freedom in the North.
I don't have to tell you, but the Treasury's decision is a great one on so many levels, and a great idea for Tubman to be the face of any bill, let alone the $20 bill. She fought hard for the rights and freedom of African Americans during the Confederation era and had the intelligence, wisdom and strength to do so. She was-and still is-an icon not only for African American history, but also for women's history. She truly is a woman to look up to, whether you're black, a woman, both or neither.

That's more than I can say for previous face Andrew Jackson, who up until this point in my life was just a President whose name I knew--and shared. But as I knew about from an article on my Facebook feed a while ago, I learned more about him than I bargained for. He was a slave-owner and infamously killed Native American upon his belief of the common man. But as of now, I believe he's a common thief and murderer who believed in a horrible twisted logic that would've ruined the American spirit that would've made this country the wonderful (if not questionable) melting pot country that it has been for the past couple centuries.

As for the news that Alexander Hamilton will stay on the $10 bill, I can only wonder why.



But no, seriously, I'm happy we have Hamilton: The Musical, not only in our lives (please check out the cast recording sometime soon; it's brilliant), but also to thank of sparring the Founding Father on the $10 bill. He was a true American man--he co-created the Constitution; founded the American financial system; was the Father of the Coast Guard; founded a party that believed in financial growth, a strong sturdy government and a friendly relationship with Great Britain; established a bank; and founded the New York Post. A badass if we've ever seen one until the very end.
Had he been removed, we would've been stuck with an INDIAN GIVER and KILLER on our legal tender alongside Harriet Tubman and Abraham Lincoln.

Another great thing about this new change in American currency is that images of women in history will also be featured on currency. Lew also announced last year that he wants to change (and revolutionize) American bills by printing historical images of women making change on the backs of other American bills like the 10 and 5 bills, including a depiction of a 1913 march in support of women’s right to vote that ended at the Treasury building, along with the images of Lucretia Mott, Sojourner Truth, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Alice Paul and Susan B. Anthony (which you may remember as the woman who appeared on the $1 coin until printing ceased).

I stand with Mr. Lew's decision to put women on American currency. Women have shaped the history and revolution of this country as much as men have and have fought long and hard to be treated as equal as men (some of them have even been killed in their efforts), and I believe that putting them on money is only a step toward a country of true equality of gender.

There is still more to go. Women deserve to be paid as much as men, deserve job as high and mighty as men and should not be categorized for unflattering things like sex, children and laziness. And many other things that cruelly and unfairly separate women from men. And if there are people who cannot get behind that, then you're not a true American and your shitty sexist backwards thinking can be kept quiet or can go somewhere else.

Bravo, Mr. Lew.
Bravo to you for continuing and succeeding in your fight to change American currency for pioneering women to be recognized as much as pioneering men. This is a great decision on so many levels and I cannot be any more proud to stand with it.
I cannot wait for the day the new $20 bills to be printed, minted and released, not only to say I have one, but to also be proud of our country making more steps to become more of the melting pot country we said we were.

Toony Tuesday 2016: The Loud House

Hi everyone.
It's Drew with another Toony Tuesday for you(...sday)!
This time I'm reviewing Nickelodeon's newest Nicktoon--which I'm sure they should stop calling in general and also do so for cartoon that deserve it. But I think this one deserves it.

Are you a part of one of those families that have so many siblings that it drives you crazy on account of all the sharing and fighting and having to go to war over just the bathroom...and all other that stuff? Yeah, so am I, and just as this little guy Lincoln. And he's gonna tell you all about it.

It's The Loud House.



Created by Chris Savino and based on his real life growing up in his childhood home with 10 other siblings (11 total by the way), this series features the adventures--and misadventures of 11-year-old Lincoln Loud, and his 10 sisters--Lori, Leni, Luna, Luan, Lynn, Lucy, Lola, Lana, Lisa, and baby Lily--as they (especially Lincoln) navigate throughout their young lives though the hurdles and craziness of sharing a house together. With his best pal Clyde by his side, Lincoln does his best to break through the clutter and tries his best make it through the day. And get to the bathroom and TV first. And along the way, tell us about it. No really.

Since we all know what Nick is as a network and company as of late, I had low standards toward their recent fare as announced by their 2016 upfront. There were a lot of new programming to debut later this year, and I felt compelled to watch none of them. The titles had little appeal and the descriptions sounded pretty stupid. But there was one of the new shows that held me in for a bit, with a title that's short and sweet and a description that could make for an interesting half-hour.

When I watched a preview of it last month (below),

going in, I had low standards and felt like just another cartoon/Nicktoon to avoid. Surprisingly...It wasn't. It actually was an enjoyable experience. And after it ended, I then thought "Hmm. This isn't as bad as I thought. Not at all. I really enjoyed it! Now I'm really excited to watch it".

Then Nick released two episodes earlier in the month
(A Tale of Two Tables/The Sweet Spot and Hand-Me-Downer/Sleuth or Consequences)
and this bolstered my enjoyment.

It's definitely different and sticks out from other Nicktoons airing right now: it's light, nuanced, not too fast-paced and more homey. And I love it!
Don't get me wrong; I enjoy some of Nick's cartoons right now, too. (Examples: Harvey Beaks and Pig Goat Banana Cricket)
But I really enjoy The Loud House for what it is.

Lincoln and his 10 4-letter L-named sisters

The characters are some I like right now, and not very complex (from what I've seen so far), with personalities we've seen/noticed before, but are very well created here:
-bossy Lori
-sweet-but-ditzy Leni
-rocker Luna
-goofy jokester/prankster Luan
-extreme & sporty Lynn
-goth/emo Lucy
-prissy & bratty Lola
-tomboy Lana
-dull genius Lisa, and
-baby Lily (who is pretty much an excuse for stinky diaper jokes)
--and lastly, the one guy in the middle (literally, he's the middle child), Lincoln
All of the Loud offspring have wonderfully fleshed-out personalities that are written and voice-acted well, and you'll have a hard time finding a favorite (but don't worry, Lincoln is one of mine; so that's less of a hassle at this point)

But what makes them great in my book is this: they're all not crazy, scatterbrained, extremely annoying or hateful; Just some of the most normal characters in a Nicktoon in a long time. A breath of fresh air.

Also a character I like is Lincoln's best friend Clyde.
He's there to assist Linc on whatever scheme he's planned and always has his back. He's also a bit of a nerd (IE his love of doing his parents' taxes with them) and has a crush on Lori. He's definitely not a boring character; he's also really funny and a great source of humor.

The animation isn't bad at all; I wouldn't say "Give it an Annie!" or anything yet, but I really enjoy the sketchy, simplified style, which fondly resembles the drawings of comic strips from our childhoods. And I also got some Gravity Falls vibes from it (especially because Lori looks like Pacifica), as the characters do kinda-sorta resemble some characters from the latter show, especially with the shapes of the eyes on their faces.

Also, their house looks really cool, too. I'd definitely want to live in a crib like that; sibling number be damned.

I also love the element of Lincoln Abraham Breaking the Fourth Wall to talk to us-the viewers-about what he's been up to and what trials he's come up against and the lessons he's learned thanks to sharing a home with ten sisters and what he deals with involving them. This very fondly resembles Malcolm in the Middle, is a very nice element and gives us more to learn about his character and personality, which is a cool one already.

And I don't have to tell you, but the love, fights and bonding across the Loud family is wonderful and genuine. Even if most of the time two or more members (Lincoln almost always one of them) squabble, it's clear that at the end of the day, they all love each other and wouldn't any of the others for anything. You can hear and feel it in the voice acting and in the animation. Just let Lincoln Log himself tell you that from "Left in the Dark".

"You know, I may have missed my show, but sometimes, it's not about being there first. Sometimes, it's about being there together — all of us."

Now this concept of sharing the family home with a bunch of siblings isn't a new thing on TV--it's happened before in many shows and movies, but I think this is a relatively new spin on it, since this is a definite number of sisters involved.

This series' concept is the first to be greenlit to series from it's annual Animated Shorts Program, chosen from over 950 titles from around the globe.
And for that, I'm even more proud and for it.

Just as proud I am is of the theme song and title sequence.
It perfectly captures the overarching plot, tone and goofiness of the series and is definitely catchy. The pop rock production is amazing and the singer is really good at the lyrics, which are memorable when you learn them. Ever since the first time I've heard the line "In the Loud House, In the Loud House", it's never left my head (although I'd never want to) and I'll sing it every chance I get. (I'm probably doing it right now as you're reading this.)

As for the title sequence, it's very well-drawn and--like the TS--also perfectly captures the plot, tone and goofiness. The brilliant piece of it is this: here, while Lincoln Motor Company is normally drawn, the Loud girls are colored-coded in different colors (matching the colors on their clothing in the series proper), making them different and . And the "1 Boy/10 Girls" line is also great. I love that; it's really unique and helps drive the sequence home. And the Loud House itself is also amazingly drawn. I love this open and it helps make the series even more fun to watch and worth

Random Thoughts:
Lincoln
--Looking at one of the cast photos for the first time, what stuck out the most was Lincoln's white hair. I thought it looked weird at first (as all other family members have either blonde or brunette hair), but soon after I now find it awesome and can't stop thinking over it. Savino said in an interview that it actually isn't his natural color (no duh) and it makes me wonder. Stay tuned.
--I just enjoy the fact that a boy (Grant Palmer specifically) is voicing him instead of a grown man.
--Lincoln's bedroom is a closet. I don't know if CBBC's Broom Cupboard from back in the day is bigger, but hey, if put the position of living in a house with ten girls all fighting for dominance somewhere, I'd rather take the micro space too. Your own room/space is key to a sane childhood. ...sometimes.
--I wish my name is Lincoln too. Waaaay better than Andrew (although sharing a name with a US President [...well, a likable one] can be pretty cool).

Loud Sisters
--All of them are all different kinds of cute. That is all.
--Some of my favorites so far are
-Luan (her jokes and pranks are corny, but super cute and funny)
-Lynn (it's been a while since I've watched an animated female character who plays/loves sports, and she's awesome at it)
-Lucy (cutest little goth girl ever, her love for--of all things--"Princess Pony" is adorably hilarious)
-Luna (she can rock!)
-Lisa (she graduated from college at four. Don't ask, don't think, don't wonder; just go with it. Plus her lisp and monotone behavior are undeniably adorable.
She's pretty much Little Daria.)
-and Lana (Handy Manny, watch out! No seriously, she's a fiend with a wrench.)
--As for the full diapy jokes from Lily, I don't mind them...as long as there's a maximum of two per...every other episode.


I've always had fond respect in Chris Savino as an animator. From working on season one of Johnny Test (universally the best season of them all) to later working on Kick Buttowski and Friendship is Magic, he's definitely a dude I can get behind in television animation. And now that he's got his own show where he's calling the shots, I surely can and will get behind this one too. And I'm glad I did, as you read earlier.

It's already gotten some good promotion and reception from Nick, with two episodes already released on its website (both were great views for me [obvs]) and--if TV Tropes counts as a source--the episode count for Season 1 doubled to 26. A great start for what could can (and will) be a popular and long-lasting Nicktoon. I can feel it...

Thanks for joining me for my review of The Loud House, a Nicktoon that should be called a Nicktoon.

See you guys later!!

Short/Long Music Review 2016: March

Hi, everyone, and welcome to another month of songs on the charts checked in and reviewed for Short/Long Music Review.

There was some nice movement in the Top 10 in this month of March, as I’ve already reviewed most of the singles that have appeared in the top--or have risen or fallen since I’ve discussed them month.
-“Work” is still #1 for the past month (Good)
-”Love Yourself” rose to #2 (Great)
-”7 Years”-a song I don’t like much-actually rose to #3 (to my shock)
-”Stressed Out” dropped 2 spots to #4 (Grown on me)
-”My House” held on to the #5 spot (Meh)
-”Pillowtalk” dropped from the top and the top five. (Good)
-”Sorry” is still hanging at #8 (Cool)
- and my prediction just might gain some traction: DNCE’s debut “Cake by the Ocean” is second to last at #9. Hope it either goes higher or stays in the Top 10 in general.

Because there isn’t much to discuss there as we reach Month 3, I’ll just start with the bottom half of the Top 20. Let’s start with Ariana Grande’s latest single, the “title track” of her third LP Dangerous Woman.

I...don’t know where to go with this one.
When I think of a song where a woman (in Ariana’s case, an adolescent trying to be grown) turns bad, I expect the beat to have more speed and drive, not this slow percussion-heavy slow jam groove best for first-time sex with a guy picked by the music video director based off his looks on the summer ads for American Eagle.
I like the beat a lot, but it clearly doesn’t sounds like one for a song about a dangerous woman.

Also, this “stretching out the last word of every line after almost smashing the whole stanza together” thing she has going on with her vocals is really annoying. She sounds great here, but the execution is just near grating. Also near grating, the guitar solo in the bridge is clearly affected, and doesn’t sound right to me. What does sound right to me is the affected vocals at the end, which--not gonna lie--is kinda hot.

This track isn’t laughable, but it is questionable; but I think it can grow on me as the year progresses.
What is laughable is this: if Ariana wants to look like a “Dangerous Woman”, she should take off the bunny ears mask and show off a skinny, tight leather jacket and pants over a bustier on the album cover. That would be FIRE!
And that mask doesn’t make her look dangerous. It makes her look like a discount Catwoman...or a superhero (or super-villain) alter-ego for Louise Belcher...or the biggest fan of Halley from Astroblast! by ten years. (...look it up).
--
And now, Meghan Trainor has returned (even though she never left) with a new hairstyle and a new attitude to match, in preparation for her second album Thank You. And to start off the single collage around that, here’s her first single--or piece of shit on skewered feminism, depending on your view, “NO”.

When I first read the title, I thought this song would something of a female empowerment anthem discouraging domestic abuse. When I heard it, I was only a little disappointed. While It’s not against abuse, we did get something as good in showing your clear disinterest to a man who won’t quit hitting on you. Basically if you’ve ever watched Victorious, you may have heard one of the songs “Take a Hint”; it’s just like that.
I love the beat; an eclectic mix of electropop and R&B from the 90s and early-2000s that reminds me of Lauryn Hill, Britney Spears and Dangerously in Love-era Beyonce. And the lyrics are also great; pretty much showing what you usually hear in songs like this without losing the point or going overboard.

Although....one gripe about this song is this line:
“Lick your lips and swing your hips/And all you have to say is”
You ain’t gotta do all that. You REALLY don’t have to do all that. Hell, it won’t even help your case. That’ll probably just make the guy even more hornier and lustier. Just say “no” and walk away. And if the dude really doesn't give up, just throw a glass of alcohol at him and then run.
One thing I don’t like about it at first is Trainor’s vocals try so hard to emulate Rihanna’s vocals from at least the start of the latter’s career. I couldn't understand some of the lines because her voice was so thick and try-hard. And no one asks for their sign anymore.

Other than that, I really like this one. It’s much better than almost all of her singles, especially “All About That Bass” and “Dear Future Husband” and that dogshit collab with Charlie Puth, “Marvin Gaye”. If her second album Thank You (or at least future singles from it) are anything like this, then I just might like her again. MIGHT.
Shit like those can take a while to change me.
--
Fifth Harmony seems to be driving the “I’m a boss with a lot of money and a lot of sex appeal” thing to the ground (See the album cover) with “Work from Home”...which has to be the most bland, uninteresting and lifeless song I’ve ever heard yet.
And I’ve wasted a chunk of my life listening to “Only” and “Fancy”.

Okay, seriously! This is so uninteresting, boring, lifeless and laughable that--after listening to it and watching the video for the first time--it left me with NO reaction; I was left just flabbergasted and speechless.

None of the girls have lyrics that are memorable (or even more than basic), or vocals that have any personality, or much cadence, substance or even talent (surprise surprise). All of this just left my soul with the same disgusting feeling I felt from watching the pilot of Tales from the Darkside. (Seriously, don’t watch that if you don’t like horror media.)
Plus, their vocals clearly are affected, but not Auto-tuned. So of course, they have to rely on halter tops, jean short shorts under tool belts and grinding on every construction material in sight to carry the video.

As for the beat, I was left at a crossroads.
Between this and “Worth It”, this beat had nothing to offer, but I like it and is pretty catchy. Whereas with the latter, I didn’t like it, and it had more to show and is more memorable, for better or worse. But there’s one thing that’s still the same: All beats in Fifth Harmony songs are terrible and have nothing of excitement, joy or even interest. They’re just another novelty at best and a horrible girl group at worst, and I cannot--for the life of me--like or support me for anything they put out or perform.

I largely expected featured artist Ty Dolla $ign to rap(-sing) something horrible; but somehow, like Kid Ink on “Worth It”, he actually puts out something more interesting than the group. Sure, most of the verse is just “Shake dat ass fo’ me, mami”, but it left me with a more better taste in my mouth. And I really don't want what he sells.
Shocking, I know. I’d be surprised as shit if the next time I hear this, I’ll be tapping my foot in anticipation for Ty’s verse to come up. It’s shocking that Fifth Harmony can make a shitty rapper look better than themselves in their own songs. I scared for what happens next; maybe Rich Homie Quan? Tyga?? Young Thug?!?

Screw Fifth Harmony. I never want to hear or see them again.
--
“Never Forget You” - Zara Larsson & MNEK

This next song follows a basic “I’ll always love you and I’ll never forget you” formula in some songs. But this isn’t really bad. Larsson has a really nice voice, reminiscent of Rihanna but doesn’t sound forced or irritating, like Selena Gomez tried and failed to do. Also, the other artist in this, MNEK, also did a really good performance. Honestly I thought that he was a rapper or a DJ--because of his name and the appearance in the video. He has a nice voice reminiscent of Sam Smith (in fact if you didn’t know of this song, you would’ve thought that was Smith there).
Both artists are pretty talented (if not similar to other artists), but can carry this song pretty well.

The beat is one of the better parts of this. It has a nice drive that goes hard during the post-chorus, but not too hard. And it fits the concept and tone of the track well.
As for the video, it’s very creative and cute. It follows a little girl and her imaginary friend as they grow older and wiser as time passes. And throughout the clip’s timeframe, the no-so-girl and the creature grow but have still stayed together. It’s a lovely, bright visual that I’ve enjoyed watching.

I don’t love it, but I really like and enjoy this song, and I think it can become a nice minor hit as the months pass.
--
Alessia Cara is an artist I really like. You may remember I proved that in a tweet back in December, showing my love for her breakthrough "Here".

Lemme tell you right now.
I'm officially obsessed with @alessiacara's #Here. So dour, so gloomy, so anti-fun. SO BRILLIANT too.

— EDREWtorial (@EDREWtorial) December 24, 2015

(3 people liked it. She was one of them.)
Anyway, she has a new song out called "Wild Things" and I kinda like it.

Remember that line in "Here" where she mentions wanting to be with her friends and chatting about world domination:
"And we'll discuss our big dreams, how we plan to take over the planet"
She took that and turned it into a song. Which is really good.
I like the beat; the sound of what probably is hands banging on a surface and little cymbals (?) like in that "Cups" song from Pitch Perfect, but this is much different here. Also, Alessia's vocals are much more expansive, expressive and better than in "Here". I like this one a lot.

Also, I listened to her EP Four Pink Walls; and while not great, I pretty much enjoyed it is most places. I suggest giving it a quick listen before checking out her debut LP Know-It-All.
--
If you’re noticing a trend here, the last few songs I’ve reviewed were by women.
Happy Belated Women's History Month!!
--
“Sugar” - Robin Schulz ft. Francesco Yates

Robin Schulz is yet another DJ on the scene with his debut single “Sugar” featuring Francesco Yates. This song isn't much special, but is still a light fun song. There isn't much that gives off a club or a breakdance vibe (no bass or drive, just something of modern disco), but it's best for a little radio play once in awhile.

I've only heard of Yates from his appearance at last year's MMVAs, and because I’ve never heard a lick of his music, he’s mostly remembered for his nice-as-hell white-dude afro, which already made me a fan. So I had to see what this track is all about
He has a really nice voice; not extravagant, but pleasant to hear. What isn't pleasant is the guy's looks. While watching the video, I noticed that Yates does not at all look 20. He looks frickin' 12!

Like a male Annie. That's kinda scary.

From seeing the title, I’ve had thoughts of this song being similar to the song by Maroon 5, and from hearing the beat, my thoughts may not be so hollow. It goes along the same district, but thanks to the EDM feel, that’s all for comparisons.
While this isn’t a song I would break the replay button for like everyone else is on YouTube (over 150 million views as of this post), this is still a song I would enjoy in general.
Congrats, Robin.
--
The Chainsmokers have, in my opinion, made a major rebound in their musical catalog after their obnoxious abomination/appreciation of douchey self-portraits known “#SELFIE”, with two songs doing really well on the charts,
“Roses” featuring...ROZES (heeeh)

And “Don’t Let Me Down” ft. Daya


“Roses” is kinda amazing. It’s got a catchy sweet beat and a kickass chopped production that make you do the robot with each frame cut of the chorus. I don’t mind the one verse that partially repeats as it progresses; it's a really cool line to sing along to.

Meanwhile, “Don’t Let Me Down” is more darker track about trying to gain the trust of someone you love, hoping they down ruin it; with a fast, hard drive in the production to match. I love the beat of “DLMD” slightly more than “Roses”, but the drop in “Roses” is just damn brilliant. Some of the comments on YT prove it hilariously.

I really like (maybe even borderline love) these songs, and I think I can start appreciating The Chainsmokers as an EDM duo that deserves to be listened to, and not be avoided at all costs.
--
And now that the pop and EDM is over with here, let's get to R&B and Hip-Hop. And what way to start this section than with...
--
“Back to Sleep” - Chris Brown
Aww, dammit!!

My sisters listen to him. This feels like the biggest disgrace to my family.

Chris Brown continues to become a disgusting embarrassment to the R&B genre (at least in my eyes) with “Back to Sleep”, which at first glance...is clearly about fucking until the girl passes out from the vileness.
I mean, come on. What do you think this crap is about? Reading the song’s title before Brown’s name was enough of a perfect guess. But after hearing the song, I knew that his credibility and creativity has continued to dwindle lower and lower...and lower...and lower.
And the beat tries its damndest to make all this sound sensual and even sexy with a fake 90s sound, but it’s not.
Plus, after hearing the chorus, I then thought “If you’re banging her back to sleep, does this mean you suck at sex?” Because that’s my only thought. Either that or the woman wasn’t in the mood, but went along with it--which may be the same thing. ...or rape. (either way, *pbbt*.)
Ohh, and the bridge basically says "I don't care if you got a job; take a day off. We bangin' til noon. I don't care if you fired; I want to get inside you, and you're gonna let me. Got that?"
But you said earlier you'd fuck her back to sleep, which is before she goes to work. What kind of mindset do you have!? Well, probably one that inspired "Loyal", apparently.
So Chris Brown doesn't want you to work; he's spent hours away from you touring and making music, and he wants to do something important with you that he could've done at another time. He wants to fuck you. And according to him, you have nothing else to do (sleeping is that), so you must comply.
Yeah...that's rape. Well, close to that.
Chris Brown...fuck you.

Anyway, this garbage song sucks pure ass and I wouldn’t touch it with a 10-yard iron pole. But don’t count out BET still hiring him to perform this song (or any others) at this year's BET Awards. I don’t blame them; they still need someone to help keep them semi-relevant for at least one night a year.
--
“Oui” - Jeremih

Speaking of BET being desperate--Jeremih? Who? Oh yeah, “Birthday Sex” and “Don’t Tell ‘Em”.
Anyway, he somehow is still relevant and has yet another hit on the charts.
This one being “Oui”, which I think is better than the aforementioned songs and more. The soft-and-smooth R&B beat actually sounds nice and fits the tone nicely. And Jeremih’s vocals don’t annoy me as much. Granted they still annoy me since the start, but I can handle them here.
I also like the part of the song near the end where he vocalizes “Oooohh-”
This isn’t a bad song. I really enjoy this one.
--
Fetty Wap has another song on the charts called “Jimmy Choo”. And I must ask: WHY?!?

This song is shit for many reasons:
-The beat sounds like it was made in 2004
-Fetty still sounds like his mouth was filled with novocaine before he reached the microphone
-His continued use of his dumb-ass catchphrases
-The lines and rhymes are complete garbage
-Clear product placement of the Jimmy Choo shoe brand, and
-the fact that he’s still around.
This is his worst song to date in my eyes (although he’s never had a good song in my eyes ever), and I must ask another question: Why did we make him popular again? Well, no--actually, why did you people make make him popular again? I didn’t do jack shit for this to happen and I’m happy for that.
--
“Panda” - Desiigner
I wanted to talk about this song because the title reminded me of Panda from We Bare Bears.
I reeaaally wish it didn’t.

Okay. What fresh hell...
Was this...recorded by ISIS!? Seriously, who thought the bright idea was the constant sound effect of some dick cleaning out an AK magazine at target practice in Arizona? That is fucking creepy, while at the same time is annoying as hell.

The guy, Desiigner? What kind of stage name is that?? If rap is still trying to be masculine and hedonistic...this is a major example of it failing. And the two I’s? Smooth.
His voice is really unrecognizable at times; muttering every line, both sounding lazy and untalented and a fucking blessing because I really don’t want decipher. And the background voice pretending to a real nigga gansta is annoying as all fuck.

The title of the song is pretty much the musical equivalent of Clickbait. While it’s clearly not about pandas in general, I still expected something other than the usual bullshit drowning rap nowadays in this song. Which is funny because, in this song, Desiigner sounds like he’s drowning.

I hope to God that this guy will be a one-hit wonder. This song is garbage, should not have been made, should not have been popular and should not have been listened to--by me at least.

Also, that artwork? Stares at you at every direction. #Creepy
--
I can't stand Kid Ink. And I can't stand Fetty Wap.
And yet...I listened to a song by both. It's called "Promise".
I hate myself.

Fetty isn't as annoying as he is in his own songs, but it's still Fetty Wap.
And Kid Ink? He's...tolerable.
This song is still terrible. But slightly better than I thought it would be.
--
Rascal Flatts? Haven't heard that name since after they did that song for Cars.
Well, they're back with a new song called "I Like the Sound of That".
I Don't Like the Sound of This.

The frontman's vocals and twang are slightly un-listenable and all-the-way irritating and lead a thin premise that we've heard in most R&B and hip-hop songs in the last several years: killing the lonesome-ness and going to a girl's house for sex.
The production is good and the chorus is pretty fine. But this isn't a good song by them. Good thing I don't listen to them much. And Cars is a great film.
So...Not despise-able.
--
And finally, Justin Bieber has another song from Purpose that's landed on the charts. And...to be honest...I'm absolutely excited. This time, it's one of my favorite tracks off the album, "Company".

This song is the best in so many places.
The composition (it's about Justin pursuing a girl for a friends-with-benefits relationship) is really good. It's simple and straightforward, but layered nicely and very enjoyable.
The vocals (which are light and breathy in the first half of the song) are actually some of Bieber's best from the album (and maybe even his career), and definitely carries the song all the way.
The beat is awesome; it perfectly fits the tone of the track, has a use of Trap percussion that I actually quite enjoy, has a great touch of R&B, and gives me chills every time. AND I LOOOOOOVE IT!
I've listened to Purpose all the way through and I can say that this is his best album. Period. Justin Bieber has gotten better as an act and a person, and I can find it in my heart to actually enjoy him without coming close to projectile vomiting from the thought of him.
And this is one of the best parts of it. I wanted this to be a single sooo bad, and now that it is, and as he's performing it live now (like he is at the iHeartRadio Music Awards), I hope this becomes a huge hit. This is a Purpose song that has to become a hit. ...which isn't saying much because all other singles reached #1 anyway.

Toony Tuesday: The (New) Powerpuff Girls

Hello, everyone. And welcome to the first edition of Toony Tuesday. And what way to start off a new segment on a new blog than with a review of...a revival of an old animated series?
Yep.
It's the 2016 revival/reboot of The Powerpuff Girls.



When Cartoon Network announced in June 2014 that it would revive The Powerpuff Girls--one of its best and most beloved original series of the Cartoon Cartoons era (and still memorable today), I just rolled my eyes in annoyance and irritability.

In my opinion on revivals, I don't like the concept very much, especially during this decade. Many of them have come from the woodwork as of late, and while some are deserving of a resurrection (Fuller House, Hey Arnold!, Arrested Development, Gilmore Girls, DuckTales, Twin Peaks and the upcoming return of Samurai Jack), almost none of others were/still are needed (Coach [which was later cancelled], Heroes Reborn, Legends of the Hidden Temple [A MOVIE!!], MacGyver Celebrity Deathmatch and The Tick).

One of the latter in my opinion was The Powerpuff Girls, an supremely awesome show from when I was a kid, and still is now that I'm an adul(lescen)t. But after the announcement (and the terrible "Dance Pantsed" special from 2014, which I'm not touching with a 20-foot pole), I was really peeved. (What also makes me peeved is the new voices/actors of the titular Powerpuffs, but I'll get to that in a little bit.)

But I alas thought, "It can't be that. I mean, they're putting effort into this." So I thought it's best to try it our with fresh eyes and not let the original series get that nostalgia bug up my butt for too long. So let's check it out for my sake.


The animation is really nice. I like and enjoy the smooth fluid look throughout; it's not like the original, with its harder, rougher style (hey, that was the 90s; things were different then). I really enjoy the movements of the characters and specially the fight scenes, as what "Man Up" gave us. (the 'fire and waaaater" scenes were really cool too.)
Also, the new design of the Girls' and Professor Utonium's house looks super cool to me. This one adds some color and a layer of interest into the house, making the original look even duller than it was years ago (and I don't mind it at all).
That's one reason to watch the series without thoughts of the original blocking it.

The new(er) Powerpuff Girls

The Girls themselves are more or less (definitely less) the same crime-fighting, preschool-learning young firecrackers we've known and loved since adulthood, with nice little new(er) looks in designs, hairstyles and voices.
-Blossom now sports a bigger, rounder bow,
-Bubbles now wears scrunchies on her pigtails, and
-Buttercup has a cowlick over the left side of her hair.
It's not major, but still noticeable and is a nice indicator of the reboot.
What is major, though, is their voices, which (I don't even have to tell you) are definitely different.

The Girls, in this version, are voiced by Amanda Leighton, Kristen Li, and Natalie Palamides; they are replacing Cathy Cavadini, Tara Strong, and Elizabeth Daily of the original. I was pretty crushed to learn that the latter three wouldn't return for this series, but I understood why. Cartoon Network didn't even contact them about offering them to reprise their roles, and that they'd plan to replace them.
(Umm...HELL TO THE NO.)
Even more frustrated and heartbroken about it was Tara, who posted this tweet:

I don't remember ordering a stab in the heart today https://t.co/wmomYvtCDG

— tara strong (@tarastrong) June 8, 2015

You can definitely feel her pain and betrayal.
Alas, she wished no ill will to her (and her former co-stars') replacements, with this tweet sending solidarity and good luck:

I have NO ILL FEELINGS 4 the actresses in the new #ppg, We were just beyond hurt we were NEVER asked..every role I breathe life into I love

— tara strong (@tarastrong) June 9, 2015

I need a bit of luck myself trying to adjust to these new voices.
Blossom's is a little more high-pitched, Bubbles' is less cutesy and slightly more deep, and Buttercup's is much less gruff and much more...Max Black.

Seriously, there has to be a comparison between them.
To be honest, I actually kinda like new Bubbles' and new Buttercup's voices more than new Blossom's, which to be honest, sounds like a kid Caroline. Which goes back to--and even expands--my Buttercup/Max parallel.
I am very mixed with the new voices of the Powerpuffs. I like them a lot in their own right...but they're not those of Cathy, Tara and E.G., so that really hurts my heart (Maybe from a stab). I don't feel malicious at all towards the new actress at all, and I do wish them well as the voices of the Girls from now on.
Even more happily, some of the other voice actors from the original have returned, like Tom Kenny as "The Narrator" and The Mayor, Tom Kane as Professor Utonium and Jennifer Hale as Ms. Bellum (the woman we all wet-dreamed to in childhood) and Medusa. Having them all still work on this version is a brilliant decision, makes the series more exciting and memorable and saves it from outright outright condemnation. It still doesn't feel right without the main three, though; it would've felt like a perfect reunion with our childhoods.

The humor of this series is a lot different than the original: It feels a lot more girly. What made the original so awesome is the fact that it didn't just cater to girls; but to boys and adults too. That was a major reason why my siblings and I (who were almost all boys) loved this show when we were kids. And now watching this...it just doesn't feel right. At all.

The fact that original series creator Craig McCracken is not taking part in this revival series is the second worst of the whole ordeal. He basically built the original with his own hands and put a lot of sugar, spice and...you know into it, along with a lot of love too. And our love, dedication and devotion to it was proof. And now that he's not there, it just hurts.
I have some faith that the producers here, Nick Jennings and Bob Boyle, will do their very best to make this a close to memorable as the original. I like what they've done so far, so I hope their future plans will keep me around.

There's one last thing I'd like to say here. It's because of the new PPG that I had to go back and revisit the original after so many years. And the feeling of watching it again gives me intense feels of watching it as a kid again. I loved watching it with my family, so watching this now, today, was a hugely great feeling.

Well, those are my thoughts on the new Powerpuff Girls.
There are things I really like (the return of the original supporting voice actors and the nice animation style) and things I don't like (the original three voice actors didn't return, the fact that CN ordered a revival in the first place, and that the revival craze still hasn't died down yet)

Thanks for checking out this Review of the reboot of the Powerpuff Girls.
I'll be back soon with another one. See you later!