Artist: Various Artists

Artist: Jls

Better than the original, 2010-07-19
Strangely enough I heard this song in a bar on a night out only two days ago. After hearing it, I immediately went home to download the song. However, the song wasn't available yet. Had to patiently wait 2 days. Bizarrely enough the song is not on iTunes. The song is much better than the original, with a bit more dance feel to get you in the right sprit for whatever you're doing.

Artist: Beyonce

The latest outing from former Destiny's Child starlet Beyonce is an intentionally schizophrenic affair. Splitting herself into two separate characters--herself and alter ego Sasha Fierce--is the artist's way of presenting what she obviously sees as an artistic duality. The first set, I Am... is intended give a glimpse beneath the surface of her usual R&B-pop persona. Featuring recent single "If I Was a Boy," the soaring "Halo", and ballads like "Disappear", and "Ave Maria", it seems her "real" self is way more saccharine than the lady that brought us sassy pop moments like "Crazy in Love" and "Baby Boy". That side of her personality comes rushing back out on Sasha Fierce, a more rousing collection that kicks off with the infectious handclaps of "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)", ventures into Euro-dance territory with "Radio" and gets surprisingly risque with the voyeuristic "Video Phone". Which part of the album you enjoy most will depend on your musical proclivities, But the new, bifurcated Beyonce ensures there's enough diversity to satisfy the most demanding pop aficionado. --Danny McKenna
A very well produced collection of pop, 2010-07-03
There's only so long you can argue with the apparent world domination this woman is close to achieving before you have to stand back and just applaud the sheer variety of material that she can deliver.
I had never really bothered that much with Beyonce (a couple of singles here and there aside) but I finally had to convert with this album. Showcasing her vocal and pop range with everything from the elegant balladry of 'If I Were a Boy' (which seems bland at first yet winds it's way tightly round your brain and stays there), 'Halo' and 'Broken Hearted Girl' to the energetic 'Sweet Dreams' and future classic 'Single Ladies' Beyonce proves she has complete mastery of both herself and her career. Though the tracks here are re-ordered from the original album it's not really a bad thing and the bonus DVD features some of the videos to her recent major hits.
A very well produced collection of pop

Artist: Stevie Wonder

Songs in the Key of Life was the highest high-point of Stevie Wonder's career. More sprawling than Innervisions and Talking Book, this 2 LP-plus-EP was also less of a consistent stunner than either of those masterworks. That Songs retains an enormous amount of visionary relevance, though, is demonstrated not only in Coolio's borrowing of "Pastime Paradise" as a template for "Gangsta's Paradise", but in the cold-as-ice synthesized string quartet of "Village Ghetto Land". This is Stevie, so naturally that cut's anger is balanced by the ultra-buoyant "I Wish," "Sir Duke", and "Another Star". --Rickey Wright
The Greatest of one of the Greatest, 2010-05-02
Simply the greatest album he ever did. He composed, produced, sang and played most of the instruments (bar the horns, bass, and some female backing vocals, I think).

There has rarely been such a consistently stunning album by any artist. One wonderful track is followed by the next. It still sounds great today.

My very personal favourite is the very first track 'Love's In Need Of Love Today', but that is just a personal choice.

It marked the zenith Stevie Wonder's career, following 'Talking Book' and 'Innervisions', great albums in their own right.

He did only little more good stuff thereafter on his next two albums; 'Hotter Than July' had some good moments ('Happy Birthday'), and 'The Secret Life of Plants' has not been recognised for its greatness in trying to show the non-blind how a blind person can 'see' with sounds and music. However, by but then his zenith was clearly over and nothing since has ever come anywhere near the stellar heights of 'Songs In The Key Of Life'.

Artist: Leona Lewis

It’s not often a former Pizza Hut waitress gets to perform on TV (X Factor) then makes a debut album (Spirit) that outsells the Spice Girls’ Greatest Hits compilation two to one. But while the career of Leona Lewis has been an undeniably successful experiment in ‘democratic’ pop, most critics have patiently awaited her sophomore effort before deciding if the singer has what it takes to move beyond a “one album wonder” phenomenon. Simon Cowell and Clive David have subsequently thrown all their weight behind Echo, bringing in a prodigious team of producers that includes Ryan Tedder, Justin Timberlake, Kevin Rudolf, and 90s hit-maker Max Martin. Strangely, this hasn’t yielded much in the way of diversity. With a couple of exceptions – the surprisingly upbeat electro song “Outta My Head” for example - Echo plays it safe with a mix of slowies (“Can’t Breathe”, “My Hands”), plenty of power ballads (the single “Happy,” “I Got You,” “Broken,” and Timberlake duet “Don’t Let Me Down”) - and a bit of bouncier saccharine pop such as “Love Letter” and “Naked”. There’s no question that some of these son...
Better Than Spirt, 2010-07-30
I have both of her albums however even though her first album has the global success which was 'Bleeding Love' on it I found I enjoyed this much better. Every single track I loved with her powerful voice bursting through each song. There is a mixture of songs here ranging from the dancy track 'Outta My Head' to the very moving 'Broken'. Her best work so far and I'm waiting eagerly for her next album. OVERALL, FANTASTIC!!!! :-D

Artist: Drizabone Soul Family

great to have them back!, 2010-07-31
Fantastic album,great vocals,great songs, listening to this makes me wonder why this group haven't had a top ten hit!

Artist: Alicia Keys

Great Buy, 2010-07-13
Great purchase. I have always liked Alicia Keys music, I originaly wanted to buy these albums as my wedding song is on one of them. After listening to them, all three albums are great in different ways, they have lots different songs I hadn't heard. Would really recommend, especially as they are a great price.

Artist: Jason Mraz

Since 2002’s jaunty Waiting for My Rocket to Come, Jason Mraz has developed into a more mature, well-rounded pop artist. We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things is his most multi-dimensional work yet, covering everything from groove-based material to ballads. While tracks such as "Make It Mine" and "Butterfly" refer back to the catchy style of previous albums, there are many other styles and textures on display here. His duet with Colbie Caillat, "Lucky," for example, explores his folkish, acoustic side, as does the compelling "Details in the Fabric," both of which are excellent songs. Mraz gets a little more experimental on "Coyotes," which toys with a clubby electronica and strangely seems to work, and on "The Dynamo of Volition" for which he employs a hectic, rapping-style of vocal over a typically contagious rhythm. His ballads, such as "Love For A Child", "If It Kills Me" and "Beautiful Mess" (these last two saved for the end) show a more sensitive side; and even when his lyrics are occasionally clumsy, Mraz manages to make his point in an emotive way. Easy-going and sunny, but with laudable elements of depth and innovation, this is Mraz at his best so far.--Dann...
Love this album, 2010-07-09
I've bought extra copies of this album to give to friends because I think good things should be shared. Jason Mraz has got a wonderful voice and his lyrics encompass young love, sexy-sex and poignant memories of childhood. I haven't taken this on holiday with me yet but I think it would be perfect.