When I was first contacted by Team Mom about reviewing new music, I was almost giddy with excitement.  I love discovering good new music and new artists.  This is my first, of what I hope to be many, such reviews.

The release of The Birth of Cornelius doesn’t just mark the arrival of a major new artist on Motown Records. The album chronicles the latest chapter for a musician who has already had a remarkable career—and an extraordinary life. Though virtually unknown to an American audience, Corneille sells out arenas in other parts of the world. His albums have reached monumental, Diamond-selling status in France. And those accomplishments follow struggles and challenges in his personal history that are truly beyond comprehension.

 

 At first, I didn’t care for this CD.  In fact, I thought it was downright boring.  I enjoy all different genres of music, so that isn’t a factor here.  Upon listening to it many more times, I was able to find some good things to say.  I really wanted to like this CD for two reasons.  The first reason was that this was my first review, and although it was made very clear to me that Team Mom wants honest reviews and I’m not being compensated in any way, it just made me feel bad to write an unfavorable review my first time around.  The second reason was that I absolutely love Corneille’s quote above.  You know how much I adore quotes.  Plus, I feel exactly the same way.

Part of my initial distaste for the CD was due to the fact that almost every song is about lost love, unrequited love and/or blatant co-dependency.  Ick.  Yes, ”ick” is a technical music-industry insider term that you may not be familiar with.

I’ll start with the bad news….

Track #5 – Murder.  The lyrics are bizarre, and frankly, creepy.  For example:  “I’m out of options baby / And tricks to make you stay / This is not a threat / But if you walk out that door / It’ll be like / Simply killing me, don’t you understand / It’ll be like murder”.  Any sentence that begins with, “this is not a threat…”, is in fact, a threat.  Tricks to make you stay?  Ugh.

Track #10 – Sweet Dependency.  In this song, he refers to being dependent on and addicted to his “girl” and invites her to join him in this dependency.  Yikes.

Most of the lyrics are uninspired, clichéd and as I mentioned, creepy.  Some of the music is reminiscent of a fairly decent wedding band.  He’s lived through a lot of significant pain.  You can read his entire bio HERE and more HERE.  I’ll bet that he’s got a lot more in him than these sappy, pining lost-love songs. 

Now, for the good news….

His overall sound can be described as, “chill”.  He has a smooth and pleasant voice, although I would like to hear more of his range.  On the rare occasion when he drops down into lower registers, his voice sounds like it might be even more interesting.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Y9vLeYlbLc]

If you can ignore the fact that most of the lyrics leave something to be desired, several of the songs have an overall good sound.  My favorites are Track 1 – Back To Life, Track 3 – Liberation, and Track 7 – Too Much Of Everything (pretty hot video too!).

On a scale of 1-10, I’d rate this CD a 6.  He’s clearly talented, this is his first release in the U.S., and he’s got Universal Motown behind him.  I’m looking forward to hearing more from him.

You can check out his website at www.corneillemusic.com.  The CD is also available at www.amazon.com and on iTunes.

Thanks for stopping by!

“Bitch (noun): A woman who won’t bang her head against the wall obsessing over someone else’s opinion – be it a man or anyone else in her life. She understands that if someone does not approve of her, it’s just one person’s opinion; therefore, it’s of no real importance. She doesn’t try to live up to anyone else’s standards – only her own. Because of this, she relates to a man very differently.” — Sherry Argov

So, off and on for the past couple of days, I’ve been trying to figure out how in the hell I can add a song to my blog so that when you visit my blog, the song automatically plays.  I still can’t figure it out and it’s really pissing me off.

The song I want to add?  “Bitch” by Meredith Brooks.  I love it.  If I were a character on Ally McBeal, this would definitely be my theme song.  What would yours be? 

Yes, I know I’m dating myself with references to a song released in 1997 and a tv show that ended in 2002.  So what?!  I’m 38, that’s no secret.  What of it??!!

See!  My frustration over not being able to add this song to my blog is actually making me FEEL bitchy!  It’s perfect.  If any of you readers know how to do this, help a sister out, please?!  In the meantime, I’ll just have to post the lyrics…

I hate the world today
You’re so good to me
I know but I can’t change
tried to tell you but you look at me like maybe I’m an angel
underneath
innocent and sweet
Yesterday I cried
You must have been relieved to see the softer side
I can understand how you’d be so confused
I don’t envy you
I’m a little bit of everything
all rolled into one

Chorus:
I’m a bitch, I’m a lover
I’m a child, I’m a mother
I’m a sinner, I’m a saint
I do not feel ashamed
I’m your hell, I’m your dream
I’m nothing in between
You know you wouldn’t want it any other way

So take me as I am
This may mean you’ll have to be a stronger man
Rest assured that when I start to make you nervous
and I’m going to extremes
tomorrow I will change
and today won’t mean a thing

Chorus

Just when you think you’ve got me figured out
the season’s already changing
I think it’s cool you do what you do
and don’t try to save me

Chorus

I’m a bitch, I’m a tease
I’m a goddess on my knees
when you hurt, when you suffer
I’m your angel undercover
I’ve been numbed, I’m revived
can’t say I’m not alive
You know I wouldn’t want it any other way

Thanks for stopping by!