CATHERINE JENKINS - THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION
To be honest I am completely and utterly immune to the apparent appeal of Catherine Jenkins. Her participation in the bizarre commercial desire for dull compilations of over-played pop ballads, songs from musicals and opera-lite in a classical (typically soprano) style is at best tiresome and boring and at worst utter trash. Jenkins’ appeal seems to derive from her inoffensive persona, which shepherds grannies and dull mums to buy her records in droves. Her success certainly cannot be put down to her singing ability, which is completely unremarkable and would be put to immense shame if she were ever compared to a real opera singer. This is essentially in-offensive coma music for people who don’t really like or get music generally and are just in want of something to put on in the background instead of Coronation Street. If this sounds like you then you will probably enjoy it. 2/10
JAY-Z - THE BLUEPRINT 3
Jay-Z’s new album demonstrates well a continued softening in attitude of Mr Carter’s music as he gets older. His work has become more accessible and pop-orientated, which far from being a bad thing make this album enjoyably melodic whilst maintaining a distinct edge, much like that of early hip-hop from way back when. The samples in here are particularly great, and with a virtual plethora of stars from the world of hip-hop vying for a space on his new release, the album has a diverse quality that each separate guest star brings. Some are more successful than others - Rihanna’s involvement in the album, for example, could only really be enjoyed by fans of the singer; I personally feel the whiny mediocrities her vocals bring are not a plus. Conversely, Alicia Keys’ involved in The Blueprint 3’s lead single “Empire State of Mind” is fantastic, and this track generally has a real ambiance and personality that makes this one of Jay-Z’s best tracks for a while. So generally a good return from one of the expert rappers and producers in hip-hop. 7/10
