• Marvin Gaye Wins on Billboards as Well after 'Blurred Lines' Suit, as 2007 Greatest Hits Album Charts for First Time

    Society always celebrates the records that top the Billboard 200 album chart. Back of The Billboards is a Music Times weekly segment that looks at the opposite end: the new record that finished closest to the back of the Billboard 200 for the previous week. We hope to give a fighting chance to the bands you haven't heard of. This week we look at Number 1's, a collection of hits from Marvin Gaye that cracked the Billboard 200 for this first time last week, and whether a certain lawsuit involving a certain Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams single had something to do with it.

  • Junk Mail: Kendrick Lamar 'To Pimp A Butterfly' Album Review

    If you're looking for club bangers, this record isn't for you. If you're interested in a poetic, cinematic concept album about race, good vs. evil, depression, rap culture, government, the double edged sword of fame, how to use your influence for good and other realizations, then you will leave To Pimp A Butterfly satisfied.

  • Back of The Billboards: 'Still The King: Celebrating The Music of Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys'

    Society always celebrates the records that top the Billboard 200 album chart. Back of The Billboards is a Music Times weekly segment that looks at the opposite end: the new record that finished closest to the back of the Billboard 200 for the previous week. We hope to give a fighting chance to the bands you haven't heard of. This week we look at Asleep At The Wheel's third Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys tribute, 'Still The King,' which features guest spots from George Strait, Brad Paisley, Willie Nelson and more.

  • Junk Mail: 'Empire' Season 1 Original Soundtrack Review

    The Empire Original Soundtrack works great as a soundtrack to a musical soap opera. Outside of the show's context, most of the songs wouldn't have much commercial viability in today's market. So the show could definitely benefit from following current production trends in today's mainstream. The songs that are able to stand on their own usually don't blatantly follow the show's storyline. However, the vocal performances shine through on each song, proving that these cast members have a lot of musical talent.

  • Back of The Billboards: 'Awaken The Fire' by Like A Storm

    Society always celebrates the records that top the Billboard 200 album chart. Back of The Billboards is a Music Times weekly segment that looks at the opposite end: the new record that finished closest to the back of the Billboard 200 for the previous week. We hope to give a fighting chance to the bands you haven't heard of. This week we look at Like A Storm's 'Become The Fire,' a passable hard rock album that's at its best when native instruments make an appearance.

  • Junk Mail: Kelly Clarkson, 'Piece By Piece' Album Review

    Piece By Piece is solid, there's no doubting that, but there's no real risk here from Kelly Clarkson, and thus, it's hard to give her any real reward. While she shines in what she knows ("Heartbeat Song"), there's too much of that and too little of interesting pop music that's new here, though the tracks that do reflect that are major stars.

  • Back of The Billboards: 'Ibeyi' by Ibeyi

    Society always celebrates the records that top the Billboard 200 album chart. Back of The Billboards is a Music Times weekly segment that looks at the opposite end: the new record that finished closest to the back of the Billboard 200 for the previous week. We hope to give a fighting chance to the bands you haven't heard of. This week we look at Ibeyi's debut self-titled LP, which puts the talents of the French-Cuban twins, and pretty much only their talents, on display.

  • Junk Mail: Big Sean 'Dark Sky Paradise' Album Review

    I think Dark Sky Paradise was a solid effort for Big Sean. I don't think it puts him in the same league as Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole, but I definitely see a lot of Drake similarities as far as the way his style has developed. I think this is just the beginning of a strong career for Sean, who had been floundering for sometime in the hip-hop world, trying to make a name for himself. He can spit with the best of him and his sound has definitely matured. There are a handful of solid hits that I think will help propel him to the next level and give him a new audience.

  • Big Sean 'Dark Sky Paradise' Listening Party: Rapper Talks Ariana Grande, Kanye West, John Legend, Grandmother's Death & More

    Rapper Big Sean released his third studio album "Dark Sky Paradise" and gave a special listening party for Hot 97 and some die-hard fans in New York City. The Detroit native opened up about his track, "One Man Can Change The World" where he dedicates the emotional single to his late grandmother, Mildred V Leonard, who passed away in December and his relationship with singer Ariana Grande who is also featured on bonus track "Research."

  • Back of The Billboards: 'Beyond The Red Mirror' by Blind Guardian

    Blind Guardian has been around for roughly 30 years now, and at no point was it higher than during 1995, when it released the acclaimed Imaginations From The Other Side, a concept album tracing a typical sci-fi/fantasy storyline across two dimensions. Now, 20 years later, the band has returned to the same narrative.

  • Junk Mail: 'FIfty Shades of Grey' Soundtrack Featuring Beyoncé, Sia, Ellie Goulding, The Weeknd & More

    It's our first soundtrack for Junk Mail, and is there any better initiation than Fifty Shades of Grey? I feel like a critical virgin, just waiting for the goddess within to blossom with some major musical whippings. And even though Christian Grey may come at Anastasia Steele hard in this book/movie, the music is really tender and loving. There's also a definite sonic theme. Oh, and Beyonce. The FIfty Shades of Grey OST has Bey.
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