Mark Knopfler & Emmylou Harris|All the Roadrunning

Type: New Release.
Genre: Pop-Folk.

Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris have been sneaking away for the last seven years to record "All the Roadrunning." The result is something that's a little bit country and a little bit rock and roll, with the songs alternating between Knopfler singing lead and straight out duets. The album gives the feeling of driving on open expanses of road in an old convertible Chevy with no discernable destination, but also seems to tell the tale of a romance gone south - the type of fare that is good for both of their voices. Some songs in the middle such as Donkey Town and Right Now fall flat, but they're more than balanced out by the rest of the album.

There are several excellent songs on the album. If you don't have time to check out the whole thing, be sure you give these a play:
This is Us: Fast tempo, and an actual duet - would be an excellent song for an afternoon drive.
Rollin' On: Slow. Story-song. Reminiscent of an old Celtic folk/traveling song. Heartbreaking.
All the RoadRunning: Sad tale of regret. Wistful. The type of song that suits both of their voices well.
If This is Goodbye: Poignant lyrics combined with Knopfler's distinctive guitar stylings. When you consider that this album was a labor of love for seven years, it takes on an even greater significance. An excellent way to end the album.

Nelly Furtado|Promiscuous(single)

Type: New Release.
Genre: Pop/Pop-Hop.

Warning: the following review references a rapping Canadian which may bring back horrible memories of Snow.


Prominently located on the Rhapsody New Releases is a single by Nelly Furtado. She took it upon herself to release a song Promiscuous with Timbaland, who apparently told her it would be a swell idea for her to rap.

He lied.

Furtado spends the song alternately rapping the verses and singing the chorus in a grating falsetto backed by a forgettable dance beat. The soulful voice, so prominent in songs like "Turn Out the Light" is nowhere to be found, and lyrics like "Promiscuous Girl, you teasing me, you know what I want and I got what you need" don't help. I know I get ten kinds of excited when someone calls me sexually indiscriminate. I would be remiss, however, if I didn't throw Ms. Furtado some mad props for referencing NBA basketball player, and fellow Canadian Steve Nash.

All in all, the song will probably make some kind of showing in the club scene, but unless you take your music with a side of unintentional comedy, I'd stay away from this one.

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The purpose of this blog is to act as a music review site. How novel! But this site will mainly focus on reviewing albums available on the Rhapsody Music service. If we find something exceptional (good or bad) outside of Rhapsody, of course we'll publish it; however, our main focus is the Rhapsody catalog.

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