Music Is My King Size Bed

Posted: 27 Dec 2008 11:34 PM CST

So...I have a favor to ask. Is there anyone out there who could do a re-design of my banner? I don't have any art programs or I would totally do it myself. I'm just looking to give this blog a bit of a makeover.

I'm just looking for something with some pictures of some of the artists I talk a lot about. Take a look at the artists in my links section to get an idea.

Please email me! swardkj at gmail dot com.

Thanks in advance!

New Album Artwork

Posted: 27 Dec 2008 11:00 PM CST

Coverlandia is a great resource if you are in search of new or recent album artwork from your favorite artists. The talented crew of the Coverlandia blog posts official and fanmade artwork for top artists from all over the music charts! Here is some of my favorite official sleeve artwork from the past couple of weeks. What's your favorite? - Via Coverlandia

Still don't think I've heard this song all the way through. Love this album art though. Beautiful!

So glad Melinda Doolittle is back! Loved her on Idol, and while I though Jordin Sparks was more Top 40 material, Melinda had tons of talent, no question! Single artwork is on top, album art below.

I think Daniel Powter (of "Bad Day" fame) looks sexy here.

I love the campaign they are using for Lily's new record! She looks amazing! This is the single (top) and album (bottom) artwork.

Love the vintage look of this. Katy is gorgeous.

Beautiful and festive.

Not 100% sure this is official or not, but regardless. I'm SO excited that Kelly is back with some new material! Word is we can expect to hear this in mid-late January.

Danny Saucedo was a contestant on the Swedish version of American Idol. This is his new single off his new album.

Not sure if Ciara could ever come up with a better set of singles than she had with her last album. "Goodies" and "1-2 Step" were hot! Ts artwork is fun. Love the comic book inspiration!

I guess Beyonce is releasing two singles at a time now? I'm still stuck on "Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)" and "Diva" isn't really doing it for me. Perhaps it will grow on me. "Halo" is gorgeous, no doubt.

Love Anastacia. Still need to pick up her new album. Perhaps I'll wait to see if it gets released in the U.S. This is her new European single and the sleeve art is virtually identical to that of her first single, "I Can Feel You." The only difference is Anastacia is facing the camera. Her first single's sleeve had an off the shoulder shot. She's stunning! Kind of miss her sunglasses though.

This is the debut single from Alexandra Burke - the new X-Factor winner for 2008! It's a cover of "Hallelujah," most famously sung by the late Jeff Buckley.

Jennifer Hudson - If This Isn't Love Remixes & More Ebay Goodness

Posted: 27 Dec 2008 10:04 PM CST

I received the first of my recent Ebay orders the other day and couldn't be more pleased. It's the UK Promo Maxi for Amy Studt's "Nice Boys." 19 Recordings went all out with the artwork and packaging for this promo, which surprises me. Considering how poorly her last two single charted (or didn't chart, as the case was with "Furniture") it looks like the label is throwing some money into this single. I know there are now plans to release the album physically, so maybe this will be the re-launch single? Anyway, I'm still really feeling the WAWA remixes. The Soha & Adam K mix is alright...just wish there was an edit in the package. Oh well. Beggers can't be choosers!

Looks like all of my holiday money is going toward music this year! I just ordered another promo on Ebay...this one for Jennifer Hudson's new single "If This Isn't Love." Apparently it's a UK promo, though I think it's also being released as the next US single. I have the album, but honestly haven't listened to it much since I bought it. I love J Hud, but I haven't been in the R&B sort of mood lately. Maybe these mixes will get me inspired again! Here is the tracklist. Can't go wrong with StoneBridge! I've never heard of Fraser T Smith. Perhaps an urban mix? His MySpace profile classifies his sound as hip hop/electronica. We shall see!

Fanmade Single Artwork via Coverlandia Blog

1) RADIO EDIT (ORIGINAL)

2) STONEBRIDGE REMIX 6.36

3) STONEBRDIGE INSTRUMENTAL 6.35

4) FRASER T SMITH REMIX 3.39

5) STONEBRIDGE RADIO EDIT 3.15

OH! I completely forgot. I got the rest of my Ebay orders a while back...including Will Young's Grace promo, Sugababes "No Can Do" mixes and Bryn Christopher's mixes for "Smilin'." I already reviewed the Bette Midler mixes for "In These Shoes" and the Gabriella Cilmi mixes for "Sanctuary." Let's briefly go over these.

Overall I was a bit dissapointed by the Will Young mixes. "Grace," the song by itself is quite gorgeous so I was expecting more out of these mixes. I would have to say that the Fred Falke mixes are my fav. Tom Neville did alright with it. They are all just OK in my opinion.

I am happy with the "No Can Do" remixes overall. The WAWA mixes (once again) are hot. Bimbo Jones turned it out as well. The WAWA mixes definitely take the prize here. No doubt. Hands down! The Mowgli mixes are alright.

The Wideboys mixes of "Smilin'" are fierce. Love, love, love them! They are hard, and fast. Perfection. Moto Blanco also did a fabulous job here. Pleased overall.