Busy Mom Reviews

I received a copy of Norah Jones' second (oops) third album, Not Too Late.

The first thing you notice is that the cover is a little "darker" than her previous CDs. As a matter of fact, the kid said it was "kinda scary". But, be assured, the album isn't scary.

There are no covers on here, I think she wrote all of the songs. She is a talented young lady ("young lady"? When did I turn into an 80 year old man?), and, like her other albums, her songs are a sultry blend of jazz, blues, some country, and, soul. There are a couple of songs with a political slant, which is not my preference from a recording artist, but, it's not a show stopper, I liked the album, anyway.

I'm trying to avoid the cliche of describing someone's successive collections as "more mature" than the last one, but, well, I can't. It is more mature, the songs are deep, and, there's not a lot of a "pop" feel to it. Norah's music isn't the kind that makes you want to get up and dance, but, it's best enjoyed on a lazy Sunday morning with something warm to drink.

Actually, you can and should enjoy it anytime, just work with me here to set a mood, OK?

Check out "Not Too Late" (Windows Media, has sound) and "Thinking About You" (Windows Media, has sound), and, I believe you can catch her over at Rehearsals.com, too.

Drake Bell, of Nickelodeon''s Drake and Josh fame, has a new CD out. We love Drake and Josh around here, so, Busy Girl was eager to listen to it.

It's Only Time is an 11 song collection of upbeat, pop songs. She loved it, and, you know what? It's something we can both agree on, I kind of like it.

Go ahead, give it a listen, and, Drake is touring selected cities, he may be coming to your town, soon.

It's Only Time would make a great birthday gift or Easter basket treat for the tween in your life.

Catch and Release is a new romantic comedy featuring Jennifer Garner. In the movie, her fiance dies in a tragic accident during his bachelor party, and, she tries to come to terms with the secrets he never told her.

The Catch and Release Soundtrack is in stores now (I was sent one for review) and it features songs from artists such as Foo Fighters, Gomez, Death Cab for Cutie, and, The Lemonheads.

I've not had a chance to see the movie, but, I've really enjoyed the laid back soundtrack. And, no, I am not too old for this stuff. It's been compared to the popular Garden State soundtrack, and, definitely worth checking out.

Just in time for Father's Day, The Rolling Stones and Best Buy are joining forces to release, The Biggest Bang, a four-DVD set featuring seven hours of content including two full length concerts, two behind-the-scenes documentaries and classic favorites such as, “Honky Tonk Women,” “Sympathy for the Devil,” and “Satisfaction.”

The Biggest Bang offers fans an all access pass including a behind-the-scenes look from the Rolling Stones’ recent tour, A Bigger Bang – the biggest selling concert tour of all time.

Additionally, the DVD set features full length concerts from the Rolling Stones historic show on Rio de Janeiro’s famed Copacabana Beach, which was attended by two million concert goers, and a concert in Austin, Texas - a highlight of the U.S. tour.

The Biggest Bang is loaded with rare songs and music. It includes duets with artists including Dave Matthews, Bonnie Raitt and Eddie Vedder. There are also never-released tracks including “Get Up, Stand Up” and “Mr. Pitiful,” from a 2005 performance in Toronto.

The Biggest Bang features over 55 songs (heh, I thought all the songs were "over 55". Kidding,) and footage from around the world, including concerts in Argentina, Japan and China.

The Biggest Bang will be available starting June 12 for $29.99 exclusively at all Best Buy stores in the United States and at online at BestBuy.com.

NOW That's What I Call Music Vol. 25 is in stores, well, "now".

The world’s best-selling multi-artist album series, NOW That’s What I Call Music!, returns this summer with a scorching collection of today’s hottest tunes. NOW That’s What I Call Music! Vol. 25, to be released July 17, 2007, features 20 smash hits from the current Pop, Modern Rock, Rap and R&B charts.

NOW That’s What I Call Music! Vol. 25 spotlights 20 of today’s hottest chart hits, including #1 Pop hits "Girlfriend" by Avril Lavigne, “Glamorous” by Fergie w/Ludacris, and “Buy You A Drank” by T-Pain w/Yung Joc; Top 10s “The Sweet Escape” by Gwen Stefani w/Akon, “U & UR Hand” by Pink, “Summer Love” by Justin Timberlake, “Pop, Lock & Drop It” by Huey, “I Tried” by Bone Thugs-N-Harmony w/Akon and, from a trio of “American Idol” stars, “Never Again” by Kelly Clarkson, “Before He Cheats” by Carrie Underwood and “Home” by Daughtry.

Busy Girl immediately took to this one, and, I actually like it, too. With a young teen, I get really worn out with her radio station in the car.

However, there are some current top 20 songs I like. This CD has been a good compromise, and, it has been quite timely since I inadvertently lost most of her music on her iPod.

Anyway, I'm old, and, this isn't too bad.

Because, much to my childrens' chagrin, I loves me some Soulja Boy (I am so busting out my moves when I chaperone the Jr. High Christmas dance in a week), I was excited to see Now 26 in the stores.

The 20 hits on NOW That’s What I Call Party Hits!, selected and sequenced to keep every celebration jumping from start to finish, include MIMS’ “This Is Why I’m Hot,” Chris Brown’s “Run It!,” Kanye West featuring Jamie Foxx’s “Gold Digger,” Chingy’s “Right Thurr,” Amerie’s “1 Thing,” Nelly Furtado featuring Timbaland’s “Promiscuous,” Rihanna’s “SOS,” Missy Elliott’s “Get Ur Freak On,” and many more.

Full list:
1. Soulja Boy - Crank That
2. The Way I Are - Timbaland
3. Lovestoned - Justin Timberlake
4. Shut Up & Drive - Rihanna
5. Wall To Wall - Chris Brown
6. Beautiful Girls - Sean Kingston
7. Can't Tell Me Nothing - Kanye West
8. Make Me Better - Fabolous
9. Bed - J. Holliday
10. Cyclone - Baby Bash/T-Pain
11. Big Girls Don't Cry - Fergie
12. Who Knew? - Pink
13. When I'm Gone - Avril Lavigne
14. Pictures Of You - The Last Goodnight
15. Hey There Delilah - Plain White T's
16. Over You - Daughtry
17. Rockstar - Nickelback
18. Never Too Late - Three Days Grace
19. First Time - Lifehouse
20. I Don't Wanna Be In Love - Good Charlotte

I like most of the songs, and, I'm old.

If you are the parent of a teen, the NOW CDs are a good way to keep in touch with current musics, and, you may even find some new favorites of your own.