Album Of The Year

The biggest award always comes down to a firefight between at least two main competitors, and we’ve got some real contenders here. There’s also quite a few surprises although they probably don’t have much of a chance of winning.

21- Adele – it won’t be a shock if we go on record by saying Adele is the front runner here. This is her award to lose and she’s got enough momentum to carry her through to the big prize. Her timing has been perfect and her songs still dominate the airwaves just a few short days or weeks before the Grammys. We’ll be shocked if she doesn’t win.

Wasting Light – Foo Fighters – we’re not a huge fan of the foo fighters although they stand for a good number of great things. They still promote rock ‘n roll like no other band, unfortunately their brand of music can hardly be considered rock ‘n roll. All their songs tend to sound the same, and it’s clear that they haven’t had as much impact as Adele this year.

Born This Way – Lady Gaga – if Adele loses this award it will definitely be to Miss Gaga. Her selection this year is no surprise, and her album is well deserving. It has a distinct feel and she definitely took a few chances that no other artists have taken in recent years. Take a listen to Adele’s record for example, and all of her songs seem to follow the same themes and tones. Lady Gaga provides a much more eclectic collection of songs, and her album is a powerhouse all the way through.

Doo-Wops & Hooligans – Bruno Mars – previously somewhat unknown but definitely a major part of the music scene thanks to writing a few hits, Bruno Mars is definitely a dark horse. We could conceivably see him winning although chances are slim. Having said that, this is definitely a hit producing album that deserves a lot of recognition. He’s got a good voice, a seemingly great personality, and it’s been his dream to be on the stage since a young age. This probably isn’t his year but will undoubtedly see him back in this category sometime in the future.

Loud – Rihanna – her album produced no shortage of hits and many of them were catchy tunes that took us through the entire year. Unfortunately, she doesn’t quite have the prestige that other artists in this category possess. She’s a talent no doubt, but could her personal life and tabloid exploits prevent her from winning? Even if she wasn’t featured so regularly on TMZ, it’s unlikely he would win this award anyways.

Best New Artist

The Band Perry
Bon Iver
J. Cole
Nicki Minaj
Skrillex

This seems to be a weak group of artists this year with one clear contender. Nicki Manaj is going to win this hands-down. She’s made the biggest impact and collaborated with some of the hugest stars in the music industry. You are actually surprised to find out she was considered a new artist since it seems she’s been around for a lot longer. Her charming turn on Ellen will also probably win her some votes as well. None of the other artists on this list are all that memorable, and some of them probably won’t make it to next year. We’re talking one hit wonders they got lucky, and some that are just token nominations.

First off, let’s start off with Gene Simmons by saying there is perhaps no more disgusting human being on the face of the planet. He’s just gross. He’s gross to look at and he doesn’t seem like it particularly good human being. Obviously he’s got great charisma and he’s managed to raise a couple of nice kids. But were going to give credit to his plastic surgery lady and wife over any involvement he might have. The main knock against the man is his slimy nature and constant attempts to make money in any way possible. He can tie almost any product into his band and he’ll gladly profit as much as he can. Let’s not mention the fact he’s been with thousands of women and been less than subtle about his adventures.

But if there’s one thing that we can say positive about him, it’s the fact that he makes his own music. Sure he hasn’t really had a hidden a long time, but when the band was at their peak, KISS produced a few classics. So he’s able to play his own instruments and he knows how to compose a song. But is that enough to forgive him for claiming a much bigger star is actually a karaoke Singer?

We’re assuming that Mr. Simmons has made this claim because Madonna doesn’t really write her own music. But as far as we can tell, she does play a role in creating her own music. She might not be as adept at composing and dealing with the technical aspects of producing a song, but she definitely has a role. She’s not just someone who simply sings another person’s song in her own voice. So it’s not really like karaoke when she hits the stage, as she also adds her own personal flair and charisma to her performances as well.

The fact is, Madonna is a much larger star than Gene Simmons will ever be. Is she has had any impact on music that is still felt today. KISS definitely has fans but they are aging and form a more cultlike group than anything else. When all is said and done, Simmons will never be able to hold a candle to the overall cultural impact and importance of Madonna. She has paved the way for far more artists and continues to produce hits that actually rank in major charts.

At the end of the day, it was rather unfair for Mr. Simmons to label Madonna as simply a karaoke singer. She has far more talent than that and she is a legitimate artist with deep and long-lasting impact. Having said that, we think that choosing her for the halftime show is an absolutely horrible choice. It’s a match that doesn’t fit, and we think rating a real rock performance in the halftime show for a long time. Unfortunately, rock has somewhat fallen by the wayside which means there are fewer bands capable of starring during this coveted spot. So for now, it seems like the NFL is going for nostalgia and maybe trying to reach out to a female demographic. Who knows, Madonna has surprises before with brilliant performances and she might be able to add to your long list of memorable live performances. See the video here for what Simmons says

Reasons to Download Garmin Map Updates

But firstly why should you download new Garmin maps?  If you are planning on driving to an unfamiliar town or city then it’s essential that your GPS maps should be completely current.   The reason being is that local government often build new roads and junctions, plus businesses will change address from time to time – as a result any pre-loaded Garmin maps on your Nuvi GPS will be out of date.  Without the local knowledge of the area you are driving in you could find that your GPS takes you the wrong way and become confused.

People who drive for a living such as delivery staff, cab drivers, truck drivers, and even law enforcement officials should always have the latest mapping data.  Plus any families who are planning on visiting distant relations or a long road trip vacation could save themselves time, money, and stress by downloading Lifetime free Garmin map updates.  So with that in mind what Garmin map update options are there available?

nuMaps Guarantee – Free Maps to Download

The most compelling and popular Garmin map download is the free update.  It will give you the latest maps, however in order to qualify for this download the customer will need to fulfil a certain amount of criteria that is based around length of ownership, registration, and when the Nuvi GPS first received a satellite signal.

Garmin state that a customer can download free Garmin map update during the initial 90 day period that their GPS device first received a satellite signal – so in other words when you first turned it on and started using it in your car or other vehicle.

nuMaps Onetime Offer – One Off Map Refresh – $49.99

If you own a Garmin and don’t qualify for a free map download then you will instead need to pay a small fee to purchase one.  The costs aren’t too high, and the nuMaps Onetime software download costs less than fifty dollars.

By paying this fee the customer will receive the most up to date version of the Garmin routing database including millions of business addresses and POIs – which are also known as Points of Interest files.  POIs let you access items on the Nuvi display such as restaurants, ATM locations, tourist attractions, emergency services, and shopping malls – you simply touch the icon shown, and the GPS will then take you there via the quickest or shortest route depending on your preferences.

nuMaps Lifetime Offer – Life Time Map Updates – $89.99

Despite the name, this payment will not give you Garmin map updates for the rest of your life.  When Garmin say lifetime maps, they mean for the lifetime of ownership of the Nuvi GPS you registered the purchase too.  Despite this slight confusion this is without doubt the most cost-effective Garmin map update solution.

It will give a customer up to four map update downloads every year, in every quarter.  This is the frequency at which Garmin update their City Navigator NT software database – which is where the mapping data, address, routes, and directions are all stored in.

How Easy is it to Download Garmin Map Updates?

Once you have chosen the map option for you then the actual download process is relatively straight forward.  Garmin are very good with the user experience and after purchase you will be sent into a download and install flow which uses step by step instructions on how to get the new map onto the Nuvi GPS device.

All you will need is the compatible USB cable that came with the GPS when you bought it, a reasonably standard Internet connection, plus around 45 minutes maximum of time to do the download and full install.

Conclusion on Garmin Map Updates

Whether you drive for a living or simply are planning on some travelling, then you should always make sure that your Garmin maps are up to date.  The three solutions offered give a cost effective solution for most budgets – and ultimately will save you time, stress, and problems when driving in unfamiliar territory.

For more information on Garmin Map Update options visit www.freemapupdates.com.

Shopping for one of these portable music players can be confusing. There are various features, attributes and functions to consider. Below please find a simple explanation of the various features and functions to consider when buying your player that will help you make an informed and sound choice.

Types Of Players

Flash Memory

- Smallest in size
- Lowest capacity
- Very lightweight
- No moving parts so the least chance of breaking
- Brands: newest Apple iPod Nano 6th generation player, Creative Muvo line, the iRiver iFP series and Sony Walkman models

Hard Drive

- Come with the highest storage capacities
- Usually the largest in actual size of the device
- Can be heavier than other players
- Have moving parts so can break easier
- Brands: iPod Classic

Micro Hard Drive

- Have smaller hard drives
- Lighter than hard drive MP3 player
- Lower storage capacities that hard drive models, but more than flash memory MP3 players
- Brands: Creative Zen Micro

What To Consider When Choosing An mp3 Player

1. Uses and Purpose

For Travel  And Mobility
Micro hard drive and flash players tend to be the most mobile because they are smaller in size, but they also generally hold less music than other models.

For Fitness And Active People
Flash memory MP3 players are best for the active workout people, because they have no moving parts they will not skip when used while running, or working out at the gym The new iPod Nano comes with a Fitness feature that tracks workouts and progress.
For Stationary Uses And Dock Stations
Hard drive MP3 players hold a lot of music and so are perfect for home and stationary use with dock stations ad speaker sets.

2. Memory And Storage Capacity
The storage capacity is one of the most important considerations when choosing an mp3 player. The particular needs related to this feature will vary from person to person and should be a major determining factor as to what player to buy. Some players come with expandable memory, in the form of an SD card slot as well, such as the Microsoft Zune models and Sony Walkman players. This allows the player to grow as your music library grows.

3. Display screen
Some MP3 players have color screens, some have touch screens and some just do not have any screens at all. The iPod Touch has a very large screen which is great for surfing the web, watching movies and videos and the like. When looking into players with color screens make sure to compare battery life, user interface and the options for creating home pages and accessing player features and music libraries.

4. Compatibility And Music Downloads
Consider whether you want to be a part of iTunes which is required for all iPods. Other players are compatible with PC and can download mp3 files from all types of resources.

5. Battery Life
An important consideration when buying an mp3 player is the battery life. Some have short ones, while others last all day on a single charge, like the iPod Nano 6th generation.

6. Functionality And Extra Features
Some MP3 players have extra features such as voice recorders, FM radio, Internet browsers, like the iPod Touch and Zune models, access to apps, like the iPod Touch, video players for movies and YouTube, social media access, picture storage and viewing and others that should be checked to fit individual needs.  Keep in mind that the more features a player has the more expensive it will be.

7. Connectivity
There are two main options to transfer files from your computer: USB or FireWire. USB supported by both PCs and Macs whereas FireWire is supported only on Macs. For PC users, they need to ensure that the MP3 player supports USB ports that are 2.0 which is much faster than USB 1.1 and all MP3 players on the market today support USB 2.0.

Linkin Park – can you imagine anyone actually going to a store and buying a Linkin Park CD? Or anyone looking for tickets because they actually want to attend a Linkin Park concert? It just seems so weird that this band that makes horrible music that sounds all the same actually has fans. But supposedly there are some people who think Linkin Park is still the coolest thing around. Haven’t they noticed that all of the songs are interchangeable? It wouldn’t be so bad if the songs were catchy and listenable, but that’s definitely not the case here. It’s music that’s whiny and filled with high-pitched complaints – who wants to listen to that?

Aerosmith – on the other hand we have this classic band, and it’s totally understandable that they have a huge fan base. We are not knocking their musical ability or showmanship at all. They have some classic tunes in their catalog and that will never change. But for a while there, you cannot deny that Aerosmith songs all started to sound the same. It was around the time that the features Alicia Silverstone in all of their videos, not that were complaining about that. It was rather strange that they saw fit to release three songs in a row that were relatively the same and had the same video theme as well.

Red Hot Chili Peppers – Beep boo ching da doo dee da! This is a great band anyway you look at it, but even hard-core fans have to admit the sameness of their songs. There’s always that familiar baseline with the “plucka plucka plucka” and then Anthony Kiedis does his best Fred Flintstone impression somewhere along the way. When they get it right, the song is catchy and memorable. But when they’re not careful, it just becomes another forgettable song that sounds like everything else.

Motorhead – this is definitely a band that is an acquired taste, but if you happen to be a fan of the WWE and they are definitely one of your favorites whether you realize it or not. They are responsible for creating some of the best wrestler entrance music ever. And as a band, prior to their involvement was wrestling had already built up a loyal fan base who appreciated the music. Having said that, a lot of their songs still sound the same due to the mix of the lead singer’s voice in addition to familiar guitar riffs.

Coldplay – this band definitely has a couple standout hits that don’t sound like each other. But if you were to compile all of their lesser-known songs from previously released CDs, you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between a lot of them. One major complaint about this band is a make music that is melancholy, and that’s usually not an emotion that is conducive for great songs. Music that is sad is wonderful, and so was music that is joyful – but melancholy? Who wants to go around listening to music that makes them feel that?

Nickleback – this band is perhaps the King of the bands who make music that all sound the same. While every other band on this list has at least one song that is their defining moment that definitely stands out from everything else, Nickelback doesn’t have that. There isn’t one song we think of where we can point to as an example where they chose to experiment or strike out in a new direction. All of the music lessons together in one ball of noise and horrible lead vocals. And yet somehow they continue to sell millions of records and there are people willing to pay good money to buy tickets for their shows. So strange, but that’s how the music industry works.

More info here on finding the best karaoke songs.

This interactive music station lets your kids record their own music they can listen to it on a detachable music player. They will have up to 20 preset songs to choose from, all of them familiar tunes that can be taken to the next level with a bit of creativity. There are 10 separate musical instrument sounds they can be used in addition to different types of music styles that really hit home in the way they can be used to put a spin on traditional songs. There is also a keyboard with light-up functions that will allow children to play along with their favorite songs while keeping in step with the action. Your kids will also feel in charge of the action thanks to a microphone that comes complete with various voice effects.

Upon first glance, this toy looks rather complicated because of all of the various features and functions. But everything is clearly laid out and a user-friendly interface ensures that kids won’t be confused for long. With a bit of help, they’ll have no problem learning the functions of different buttons while bringing songs to life in brand-new ways. It’s a great toy that can be enjoyed across a wide range of ages because kids will be able to find their own way to get the most out of this device. Smaller children will have a blast pushing the buttons and seeing different sections of the keyboard light cup. Older kids will be able to mix their own songs and record them to show off to friends and family with a detachable music player that is like a kid-version of the iPod. There’s no doubt children will be fascinated with this toy right out-of-the-box, and they’ll keep coming back because there’s so many ways to play with this great toy.

This music player is compatible with most digital formats, and you won’t have any problems loading your favorite songs using your computer. It works with all of the current operating systems and if you have iTunes, it will be a breeze to download music your kids will love. It’s essentially a child’s version of an iPod player that features a clear LCD screens so that kids can find the songs they want. When you add in a handy microphone and an impenetrable design, you have the perfect package for rough-and-tumble kids who want music on the go.

The great thing about this product is you can use it in creative ways to connect with your children. It can easily be an educational tool if you want to print out lyrics and sing along with your kids. It’s also a nice wholesome way to spend time with your children in an age when a lot of kids are more in-tune with technology than their parents. You’ll appreciate the ability to adjust the volume so that things don’t get too loud in addition to a relatively long battery life (requires 4C batteries). It will hold a good number of songs which means you have enough room to accommodate all types of musical tastes. And while the drop-proof design might seem like a novelty at first, you’ll really appreciate its durability once kids put it into action. It’s definitely built to last and many parents are thankful for this line of Kid-tough Fisher-Price products that essentially save money over time.

Overall, this product would make a perfect birthday or Christmas gift and it’s a great way to let kids explore their musical side. When you consider you don’t have to spend more money for music and that rechargeable batteries save you even more money, this is an incredibly cost-effective choice that pays for itself quite quickly. Your kids are going to love singing on their own or showing off their skills surrounded by all their friends. A top-notch winner that is fun for parents and kids alike.

Keep in mind this is a portable model so you’re going to need a little bit of help from other electronic devices. Unlike other offerings from Singing Machine, you don’t have the benefit of a self-contained display. Luckily, there is an easy access connection to any television device. All you have to do is hook it up and you’re good to go with lyrics that will scroll across the screen. With the addition of a USB port, you get added value with the ability to use compatible devices. This raises the bar in terms of overall options and you’ll have a blast using various devices in creative ways.

You’ll appreciate the basic design of this machine that keeps things simple but with a certain level of sophistication where you can really amp up the fun level with the right configuration. All of the buttons and controls you’ll need are easily accessible from the top of the machine. With a simple twist of your thumbs you can control things like overall volume while differentiating between audio and vocal tracks. Kids will love the autotune function and adults probably won’t mind a chance to improve their own performance as well. Digital key controls give you push button access to other features that will allow you to fine tune the sound that fills your room. This machine is karaoke CD/CDG compatible and that means you’ll have plenty of options in terms of music. And with the addition of MP3 playback and record, you can turn this small machine into your own personal sound studio where you can try out different tunes and produce your own music.

Overall, this is a safe bet if you already have a bit of experience with karaoke technology. For example, if you already have a main system and a collection of CDs, this will be the perfect supplement that allows you to share it on the go. It can also be the perfect beginner karaoke machine for someone looking for an introduction to karaoke. It’s reasonably priced and a perfect first step to get you into the groove of singing at home. You’ll have enough money left over to build up your CD collection and rest assured the SMD-568 will pay for itself over time.

Everything you want from a PC audio device is contained within this product. You’ll be able to turn your personal computer into a music station that will rival even your best stereo system. With the touch of a button, you can access all of your songs and hear them with crystal-clear precision. You’ll love the ability to enjoy music in this way especially when you have the freedom of wireless movement. Another application that the Plantronics Audio 995 is perfect for is with Internet chat. You can make calls to friends and family from around the world without any hassle at all. You’ll be able to hear every word and rest assured that the person on the other side will be able to do the same. It’s so clear it will be as if you are sitting in the same room, especially if you combine it with video chat. You won’t believe the quality of sound you get overall thanks to a surround system that brings things to life whether you’re enjoying music, video, or chatting with friends.

You’ll have the benefit of noise canceling headphones that fit comfortably, and this is one feature that definitely stands out from the rest. You’ll be able to wear this headset for as long as you like without experiencing any level of discomfort. It features one of the more likely designs around, and you’ll be able to see a difference simply by looking at it. Practical design features include fast meet technology for when you are on the go or have to multitask several things at once. You can also control the music right from your ear piece with the touch of a button, and it’s nice that you don’t have to slow things down completely in order to configure sound the way you like.

Overall, if you have never owned a wireless headset before, this is the perfect place to start. You’ll definitely notice a difference and it’s incredibly liberating not to be tied down by cords. It’s a whole new type of experience where you can increase productivity or take personal entertainment to a whole new level. And the fact that you can use this for several practical applications comes in handy while giving you full value for your money. You can use this for listening to music, making Internet calls, watching DVDs, as a wireless gaming headset, and for speech recognition programs. And when you add in the fact that this product is ready to go right out-of-the-box, true plug-and-play increases the value even more. It’s a safe bet that this will be a welcome addition to your home electronics and personal computing collection.

There was something lackluster about the first few episodes that featured auditions. Of course things were different because there was a live audience and singers had the option of being backed up by music. One differentiating factor between American Idol and X factor is that this show allows contestants of any age. Didn’t really add anything to the process? Not really. There was still the usual collection of weirdos and freaks, except now some of them aware older or younger. Accenture also features groups but none of them were terribly exciting because these solo artists seemed a lot better. The addition of a live audience didn’t really help because now it seemed like there was just a laugh track to go along with the judge’s comments.

The panel of judges includes L.A. Reed, Nicole Sherzinger, Paula Abdul, and Simon Cowell. The first episode also featured Cheryl Cole who was inspired supposedly because Americans wouldn’t be able to understand her accent. The judges are strong and it’s nice to have people involved in music who actually know what they are talking about. L.A. Reed is a powerhouse and responsible for signing some of the most popular acts today. He clearly knows what he’s talking about and sodas Cowell. The other two judges come from a performer perspective and they have produced enough hits to respect their opinion as well.

There was a general feeling of déjà vu when it came to watching episodes of X factor. It is a very reminiscent of American Idol, but in its current state it can be argued this show is more entertaining. There might be one reason for that and his name is Simon Cowell. He really made American Idol and now he’s doing his best to create the next music start. For American Idol, they haven’t been able to really do anything with their winners for the past two seasons. Anybody who has one night show has faded into obscurity or been relegated to playing strip malls across middle America. You get the feeling that with X factor, the winner is going to go onto something great. This is especially true since this is the first season and they’re going to put every ounce of energy into turning the winner into a star.
Overall the show is watchable and you’re not going to be terribly disappointed. One of the problems is that we’ve seen so many of these shows now that nothing in this genre seems fresh. The next step for the following weeks is breaking down the singers into groups who will then be mentor to buy a judge. The groups are broken down into the girls, the boys, groups, and people over the age of 30. It will be interesting to see how each celebrity judge will be able to help their groups respectively. It’s interesting to note that The Voice also follows this mentor approach so again, nothing terribly new under the sun here.

The future of the show will depend on the talents of the singers and their relationship with the celebrity judges. Who knows, if one of the singers breaks out in the next few weeks then we can have a really exciting show on our hands. As of now, we seen all of this before and it’s going to take something really spectacular to make you think that X-factor stands above every other show help there.

Here’s our favorites so far: