Paramore Takes Top Honors At MTVu Woodie Awards

Perhaps accurately representing the iPod generation, no one artist or genre dominated at the 2008 MTVu Woodie Awards, held last night (Nov. 12) at New York’s Roseland Ballroom.

Motion City Soundtrack kicked off the night by winning the video of the year Woodie for “It Had To Be You.” They were followed by indie rappers Atmosphere, who picked up the Performance Woodie. Eighties revivalists Chromeo took home the Left Field Woodie, while NYU band the Bride Wore Black won for best music on campus.

The Breaking Woodie went to emo band There For Tomorrow. Jack’s Mannequin took home the Good Woodie for charitable work, and Paramore snagged the top prize, Woodie of the Year.

Live performances at the show included short sets by Cool Kids, Lykke Li (who was joined by Q-Tip), All Time Low, Santogold and Vampire Weekend.

George Strait, Brad Paisley, Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood Take Top CMA Honors

Despite standout performances by the Eagles and Kid Rock (with Lil Wayne in tow), the 42nd annual Country Music Association Awards belonged to traditionalists, with George Strait and Brad Paisley coming away the big winners last night (Nov. 12) at the Sommet Center in Nashville.

Strait picked up his 20th, 21st and 22nd CMA awards. Co-produced by Strait and Tony Brown, “Troubadour,” was named album of the year and “I Saw God Today” was named single of the year.

“A lot of people try to reinvent themselves and push the envelope and the envelope breaks,” Brown said backstage. “With George we don’t try to overthink it.”

Paisley, who co-hosted the show with Carrie Underwood, picked up his second straight win for male vocalist. He also took home the music video award for “Waitin’ on a Woman” which featured Andy Griffith and was directed by Jim Shea and Peter Tilden.

Paisley opened the show with “Start a Band,” a duet with fellow guitar slinger Keith Urban. He later performed “Waitin’ on a Woman” and also offered a brief music tribute to the late Jerry Reed. It was a busy night for the singer. “I won’t take too much time — I’ve talked enough,” Paisley said after winning the male vocalist award.

Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles was the night’s other big winner. “Stay,” which she wrote, was named song of the year. “It was a gift from the beginning,” she said in accepting the award. “It was a gift to write and I hope it was a gift and it touched your hearts.” The duo also picked up its second straight vocal duo award.

A glowing Shania Twain made a rare appearance to introduce Kenny Chesney as entertainer of the year. It was his fourth win in the category and third straight nod.

“The energy that I get onstage is pretty addictive,” Chesney said after the show. “I can’t tell you what it’s like to feel the energy of 60,000 people.”

The Wailers joined Chesney onstage earlier in the night for a performance of his recent hit “Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven,” which was greeted with a standing ovation.

Immediately following an emotional performance of “Just a Dream,” “American Idol” winner Underwood was named female vocalist for the third straight year. “I want to thank country music,” she said. “I came here an unconventional way and you didn’t have to accept me.”

As expected, Rascal Flatts picked up vocal group honors, their sixth straight win in the category. “It never gets old, especially when you’re in a category with your heroes like the Eagles,” the group’s Jay DeMarcus said backstage.

Lady Antebellum took home top new artist honors just two nights after group member Hillary Scott was named songwriter of the year by performing rights organization SESAC.

Meanwhile, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss took home musical event honors for “Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On)” from their highly acclaimed album “Raising Sand” (Rounder). Mac McAnally was named musician of the year.

Seal - Soul

Product Information, Audio Previews, Reviews and More On:
Q-Tip - The Renaissance

“Is there such a thing as being too smooth? Seal’s David Foster-produced tribute to classic soul is a figure skater of a collection, all elegance and grace. But some of these songs require the more aggressive approach of a hockey player. “It’s been too hard living/ But I’m afraid to die” (from Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come”) doesn’t have quite the same resonance when coated with the glaze of Seal’s preternatural voice. That same quality tends to sap the energy of uptempo selections like “Knock on Wood.” But on the love songs, the combination of Seal and the material offers something so new that comparisons to the original seem unnecessary. Otis Redding’s “I’ve Been Loving You for Too Long” gets smaller and sweeter, Harold Melvin’s “If You Don’t Know Me by Now” more mournful. And for those who just love the sound of Seal’s voice, it’s as intoxicating as ever. —Kerri Mason”

Q-Tip - The Renaissance

Product Information, Audio Previews, Reviews and More On:
Q-Tip - The Renaissance

“Between Q-Tip, Guns N’ Roses and Eminem, it’s a big fall for the long-missing. But will “The Renaissance” justify the wait for anyone besides those still rocking faded Tribe gear? Q-Tip’s honey-dripped vocals are welcome in any context, but this set shows him plunging hard into the loverman R&B that made women love the voice and brothers dig the lyrics—hence the cameos by D’Angelo, Raphael Saadiq and Norah Jones, who sounded considerably more comfortable guesting with Mike Patton. Tip hits his stride on “You,” a tale of suspicious minds with a nagging beat, and there are a few highly welcome moments of rat-a-tat freestyle on “Dance on Glass.” But his jazzy vibe, once novel and aggressively refreshing, seems buried here in a curiously midtempo sea of slow jams and hook-challenged R&B. —Jeff Vrabel”

M.I.A. - What I Got

Wow is this track strange. 2/10

Click below to listen (not the original video)

Vanessa Hudgens - Walk Away

Off the HSM3 Soundtrack, really nothing special. The only reason this would get play is due to the album it’s off. It’s not very good. 5/10

Click below to listen (not the original video)

Jadakiss feat Max B - When I Grow Up

Alright lyrics but the beat is lacking. The presentation is not very good, and neither is the hook. 3/10

Click below to listen (not the original video)

Se7en feat Lil Kim - Them Girls

Not usually a Lil Kim fan, but this is a sick track! 8/10

Click below to listen (not the original video)

Beyonce - Sweet Dreams

I can see this getting some airplay eventually. Once all her other singles die down. 7/10

Click below to listen (not the original video)

The Dream - So Real So Fake

Not impressed. 3/10

Click below to listen (not the original video)

Next Page »