Month: February 2021

HOUSE OF LOVE (by Amy Grant & Vince Gill: Greatest Hits, 1986-2004)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date February 2, 2021

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:17 Min.

“House of Love” is Amy Grant’s 1994 romantic pop duet with her future husband, Vince Gill, off her same-titled album. That same year, it served as the love theme for the Michael Keaton-Geena Davis romantic comedy, Speechless. This tune subsequently appears on Grant’s 2004 Greatest Hits: 1986-2004 album.

REVIEW:

With some country flavor thrown in, it’s a charming romantic duet. Amy Grant’s vocal chemistry with Vince Gill is terrific. Certainly recommended!

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars

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Digital Songs & Albums Electronica & Epic Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles) Music & Radio Shows Pop, R&B, Soul, & Dance

MYSTIFIED (by Leah: Knifed)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date February 2, 2021

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:26 Min.

This European-style, dance-pop tune was released by Canadian songstress Leah McHenry (aka Leah or LEAH) as the first track off her 2012 EP album, Knifed.

REVIEW:

It’s an intriguing departure from Leah’s usual Celtic metal style. Though it’s repetitive, the pulsating electronica melody is definitely catchy. Perhaps the song’s best asset is that the instrumentals don’t overshadow Leah’s appealing vocal performance. “Mystified” isn’t remarkable, but it gets the job done in terms of entertainment value. The song’s most practical use is as a download for workout playlists.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars

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Individual Tracks (CD's) Music & Radio Shows Rock, R&B, Pop, Soul, & Metal/Symphonic

LOVE IS A CONTACT SPORT (by Whitney Houston: Whitney)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date February 2, 2021

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:19 Min.

It’s the seventh track off Whitney Houston’s second album: 1987’s Whitney.

REVIEW:

Two of the three vital ingredients are there: specifically, Whitney Houston’s exuberant vocals brings to life the song’s radio-friendly melody. Yet, even a phenom of Houston’s caliber can’t disguise the song’s lukewarm (and, to some degree, silly) lyrics. At times, she makes some of her playful lines sound great, but, as a whole, the overtly flirtatious lyrics don’t age well. As compared to other Houston efforts from that time, “Love is a Contact Sport” is clearly a second-tier song.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6 Stars

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Digital Songs & Albums Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles) Music & Radio Shows Soundtracks (Digital)

MIAMI HEIST (by John Ottman: The Losers movie soundtrack)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date February 2, 2021

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 2:20 Min.

Performed by composer-conductor John Ottman, this ominous instrumental track appears on 2015’s The Losers film soundtrack.

REVIEW:

This track’s sinister tone is reminiscent of Nox Arcana, Shadow’s Symphony, and Midnight Syndicate. While its semi-creepiness isn’t distinctive by any means, “Miami Heist” offers a solid option worth considering for any spine-tingling instrumental playlists.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6½ Stars

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Digital Songs & Albums Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles) Music & Radio Shows Pop, R&B, Soul, & Dance Soundtracks (Digital)

HOT NIGHT (by Laura Branigan: Ghostbusters {1984} movie soundtrack)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date February 2, 2021

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:22 Min.

This dance tune was recorded by Laura Branigan for 1984’s Ghostbusters film soundtrack.

REVIEW:

With Laura Branigan at the top of her game, the mid-80’s vibe of Hot Night is well worth re-discovery. Reminiscent of Pat Benatar, Branigan’s confident vocals combined with can’t-miss rock instrumentals makes this up-tempo track an ideal download for any number of potential playlists, including workouts.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars

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Individual Tracks (CD's) Music & Radio Shows Rock, R&B, Pop, Soul, & Metal/Symphonic

IT’S NOT LIKE HIM (by Carly Simon: Have You Seen Me Lately?)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date February 2, 2021

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:30 Min.

From her 1990 album, Have You Seen Me Lately?, Carly Simon performs this track. She collaborated with Jacob Brackman in composing this tune.

REVIEW:

Channeling the concerned voice of a wife observing her husband personal transformation, Carly Simon’s storytelling is in vintage form. Precision details of an unfaithful spouse’s mid-life crisis, both subtle and expanded upon, demonstrate her mastery of melding articulation with emotion in this downbeat tune.

How easily Simon packs it all into her insightful vocals is truly impressive. Yet, the less-than-sunny subject matter isn’t going to make “It’s Not Like Him” an option for any easy listening playlists. It’s very much a song one has to be in the mood to listen to.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars

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Country, Folk, & Bluegrass Digital Songs & Albums Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles) Music & Radio Shows Soundtracks (Digital)

KEEP YOUR EYES ON ME (by Faith Hill & Tim McGraw: The Shack movie soundtrack)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date February 2, 2021

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:11 Min.

For The Shack’s 2017 film soundtrack, husband-and-wife duo Tim McGraw & Faith Hill recorded this ballad.

REVIEW:

This poignant love song about devotedly keeping a troubled relationship alive delivers an inspired country-pop sound. Not only is this track well-performed, the elegant and gradually soaring melody completes one of Tim McGraw & Faith Hill’s best-ever efforts. “Keep Your Eyes on Me” is definitely worth adding to any number of playlists.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8½ Stars

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Digital Songs & Albums Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles) Music & Radio Shows Pop, R&B, Soul, & Dance

LOVE IS A BATTLEFIELD {Cover} (by Maysa Leak: Love is a Battlefield)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date February 2, 2021

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:58 Min.

Maysa Leak revisits Pat Benatar’s 1983 soft rock ballad, “Love is a Battlefield.” Off her same-named 2017 cover album, it’s Track # 3.

REVIEW:

Impressively, Maysa Leak re-imagines this Pat Benatar radio hit by transforming it into a traditional R&B tune. With an even slower tempo than the original version, Leak takes her time pumping fresh life into the song. Still recognizable from the original song, the accompanying melody is ideal for her classy vocal performance. Making it sound like her own, all too easily Leak’s version could pass for a vintage R&B tune from the 80’s. If not for the familiar lyrics (at least, initially), one probably wouldn’t recognize Leak’s “Love is a Battlefield” as an actual cover.

This cover is definitely worth adding to a favorite R&B/Soul/pop-rock playlist.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars

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Individual Tracks (CD's) Music & Radio Shows Rock, R&B, Pop, Soul, & Metal/Symphonic Soundtracks (CD's)

NEVER SAY DIE {Young Guns II} (by Jon Bon Jovi: Blaze of Glory)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date February 2, 2021

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:54 Min.

As Track # 7, this upbeat ‘inspired-by’ effort appears on Jon Bon Jovi’s 1990 Blaze of Glory soundtrack for the Young Guns II movie.

REVIEW:

Despite its anachronistic reference to a ‘jukebox,’ this rollicking track is another quality effort from Jon Bon Jovi. Conveying Billy the Kid and his pals’ shared attitude as fugitives/moving targets, this underrated rock tune gets lost behind Blaze of Glory’s higher-profile tracks as top-end filler. If anything, the catchy “Never Say Die” ages well, as it’s worthy of any number of possible playlists, especially workouts.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars

Individual Tracks (CD's) Music & Radio Shows Rock, R&B, Pop, Soul, & Metal/Symphonic

NO EVIL (by Magic!: Don’t Kill the Magic!)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date February 2, 2021

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:22 Min.

From their 2014 album, Don’t Kill the Magic!, Canadian reggae fusion band Magic! performs this track.

REVIEW:

Bolstered by its hip reggae sound, the catchy “No Evil” is catchy. Even if it’s by no means a gem, “No Evil” is still worth gambling on as a solo download.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6½ Stars

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