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1st Review

Sounds Like: Tata Young's showbiz career took off at the tender age of 11 when she beat more than 5,000 others to win a national singing competition in Thailand. Soon after the victory, Young prepped herself for a career in pop music through regular gigs. By age 14, she had released her debut Thai album Amita Tata Young, which shot up the charts and sold more than a million copies in less than five months. Almost overnight -- and at only 15 -- Young had become the biggest pop sensation in Thailand.

You May Have Heard: Yes, she's the one who caused the uproar awhile back when she let slip that she was dating Thai tennis sensation Paradorn Srichaphan. But it was seen by many as a publicity stunt because it coincided with Young's release of her seventh album I Believe.

We Fancy: Of late, Young's less-than-wholesome image has caused her stardom to dip. To her credit, Young makes the timely and bold move of foraging into the international market. Her mixed Thai-American parentage puts her a notch above the rest in terms of looks and confidence. And what confidence too as she strides through the opening tracks -- "Everybody Doesn't," "Sexy Naughty Bitchy," and the title track -- with audacious cheek. When she takes it slow on the urban soul number "Call Him Mine" and the power pop ballad "I Think Of You," she has a sashay that works. The highlight of the album is the pop-rock track "Sorry Anyway," which boasts memorable hooks and a soaring chorus.

We're Not Sure About: It's never easy when one decides to take the plunge into the big bad unknown. Young knows she has to go for broke, and she has repackaged herself with a new sizzling image, pushed along by a sexy music video for her lead single "Sexy Naughty Bitchy." Young's star may rise abroad, but sadly, she could risk losing her shine back home.

Verdict: I Believe is a fine bet. It is full of cheery pop bounce, which makes it infectious. Held together by upbeat tunes, the full-bodied pop production serves its purpose well. As a crossover, there's a good chance that Young has got enough to swing it through.

2nd Review

28-year-old Grammy-winning Shaffer Smith, better known as Ne-Yo, presents the very picture of Rat Pack-slick (think: well-pressed suits and ties), in his third studio album, Year of the Gentleman. And this couldn't have been a better title. Having previously penned songs for Rihanna, Beyonce and Mary J Blige, it is of no surprise to find the album packed with 12 luscious songs spilling over with love, sadness, warmth, and then some.

With an immediately addictive bassline, "Closer" is a smooth and danceable genre-bending opening tracker, that is already a hit single making the rounds on the charts and club circuits. The hits just keep on flowing as "Nobody" heats up the dance floor - a pumping soul track, not unlike pre-controversy Jackson disco era, complete with falsetto in tact.

If you happen to be a "Single" lady at a club, why, Ne-yo proposes in a cheeky but suave manner, to be your boyfriend for the night, or rather, just till the end of the song. Let the graceful, affectionate "Mad" show off Ne-yo's silky vocals, as well as his genius for contriving genuine, heartfelt lyrics.

Kicking into snyth-R&B mode, "Miss Independent" is a song about independent women, of course. This paean to women who can hold their own, is a bouncy and instant classic that will leave you head-over-heels. "Why Does She Stay" is a slow, smoldering track, with a tint of piano and electronic fizzes. An old-time groove takes you through "Fade Into The Background," an emotional number slightly laced with the bitterness of breakup.

Ne-Yo channels his inner Stevie Wonder with "So You Can Cry," a snappy, finger-clicking, harpsichord number with layered harmonies. "Part Of The List" is a mellow and beautifully wrenching number, reminiscent of a lover long gone. Guitar riffs and little twitches of synth, pepper "Back To What You Know." Who knew the synth swatches, strings, and moody bass and piano of "Lie To Me" would make such a compelling rhythm? The album closes with a big elegant bang, as the elaborate arrangement of cello, violins and viola pulls "Stop This World" to its lush conclusion.

Year of the Gentleman is undoubtedly a sensitive, stylish and sophisticated record. Who else is able to successfully affirm the allure, strength and power of the fairer sex, to deliver a well-orchestrated balance of club hits, wistful R&B ballads and funk-soul pop? With his undisputed songwriting genius, Ne-Yo is able to create exceptional situational lyrics that set the scene, tone and mood of his music perfectly. And in doing so, he has since proved that this is, indeed, his Year.

3rd Review

When you're 11 and want a record deal, what most kids would do is whine about it to their parents, get a cookie and move on to their next dream. Not country pop darling, Taylor Swift though! With sheer conviction about what she wants to do for the rest of her life, she moved her entire family to Nashville, home of all the big Country stars to pursue that dream. Fast forward to today, now 19, Swift is not only an accomplished singer-songwriter but one with 2 albums, a bunch of awards and a whole load of nominations to her name.

With her sophomore album, appropriately titled, Fearless, (also her first international release) Taylor Swift gives us a taste of why her name is one of the most talked about ones these days (apart from a certain Jonas saga). Title track, "Fearless" starts off simple with signature country twangs and may sound like any other pop song but what keeps you tuned on is not only Swift's rich vocals, but also the unique, story-telling style of lyric writing she's oh so well known for.

Moving down the list, tracks like "Love Story" and "You're Not Sorry" (featured on an episode of CSI where Miss Swift is a guest star) steers towards mainstream country pop with its musical arrangement. If you're looking for something to tap your feet or jam to, you might find the answer in "You Belong With Me" and "Should've Said No" which features heavier instrumental works and choruses that echoes the minds of the many tween girls out there.

But how can anyone forget the song that propelled this young songstress to fame? "Teardrops On My Guitar" is a simple pop tune with true to the heart lyrics about a heartbreaking tale of liking a guy and not having your feelings reciprocated. And no, it's not some anonymous guy - with this lady, what you hear is what you get.

The album does have its low moments in the middle though, when tracks just pass you by but that doesn't last for long, thanks to her witty choice of words.

With honest lines, catchy beats and innocent guitar strums, Fearless lives up to its name and might very well be the motto for Taylor Swift herself, for at her tender age, she shows no fear in writing what she believes in.

4th Review

With raw emotion leaking through every chord, it's safe to say that John Vesely (better known as Secondhand Serenade) wears his heart on his sleeve. While not downplaying Secondhand Serenade's immense listenability, the follow-up to 2007's Awake is just plain emo. By now, you should know how much of a sentimentalist this guy is, coining his moniker as a reference to the fact that his songs are serenades to his wife, with us being the lucky secondhand listeners.

This MySpace phenomenon's latest release A Twist In My Story is radio-ready and already has a highly successful single ("Fall For You") preceding it. With heartbreak flavoring his vocals, he croons with amazing conviction, but by the end of the album, the staid homogeneity begins to grate.

Easing gently into a drum-and-guitar accompaniment, "Like A Knife" is a sap-drenched, painful account of a love gone wrong. Carrier single "Fall For You" features building blocks of repetitive melodic peak and descend. "Maybe" is mellow and supported by solid instrumentals, while "Stranger" starts off quiet and fluidly crescendos into an impassioned chorus.

Soothing, emotive guitar plucks of "Your Call" rolls into a deeper and richer harmony with the aid of the choir. Rocking out a little is "Suppose," a welcome and energetic deviation, with harder guitar riffs and clever little drum throbs. Vesely would do well to explore this area in his next offering. The title track starts off calm, before elevating into a lush swirl of strings midway, becoming almost big and sweeping.

"Why" has all of Vesely's achingly tender vocal resonances, and "Stay Close, Don't Go" oozes with palpable desperation. Penetrating, acoustic guitars make "Pretend" a simple, down-to-earth number that doesn't engage in its predecessors' rousing choruses. Closing the album at an extended 5 minutes, "Goodbye" seals the sound of Secondhand Serenade, that should leave fans satisfied indeed.

To sum up, A Twist In My Story is a mood-album. Meaning, you have to be in the right frame of mind to appreciate it. It was an album Vesely crafted in an emotional moment, and you'll need to be at that same moment in order to relate. Failing which, you'll probably find all that maudlin emotion pretty hard to stomach, not to mention wearisome. As it is, Vesely's sophomore album recycles the formula of piano/guitar-backed melodrama. Where is his distinguishing factor? Where is the "twist," so to speak? You'll be hard-pressed to find it here.

5th Review

Colbie Caillat's smash 2007 debut single, "Bubbly," established her as, well, bubbly — a slightly ditzy Southern California gal specializing in folk-pop ballads about getting "the tingles in a silly place" when she sees a cute boy. On her second CD, she's still crushing on guys. "I think I felt my heart skip a beat/I'm standing here, and I can hardly breathe," she coos in "You Got Me." Caillat has a fine voice — clear and ringing, with a hint of a rasp — and she can write hooks. (She co-composed every song here.) But the simpering puppy love grows wearying over 12 tracks, especially because Caillat fails to convince as a romantic heroine. She sounds too goofy — too bubbly and tingly — to be lovelorn.

Credited from: www.mtvasia.com
Colbie Caillat: www.google.com