B101.7 Staff Picks

Each month B101.7 Air Personalities, Meg Summers,and Greg Thomas and Louie Linguini spotlight music they’re listening to.  You’ll find B101.7 Staff Picks featured at OZ Music located in the Parkview Center off 15^th Street Tuscaloosa.  Just look for the specially marked B101.7 display and get the CD’s for $10.17 each while supplies last during the month!   

Meg Summers’ Pick—For Your Entertainment, Adam Lambert

It may have been over a year since Adam Lambert competed on American Idol, but his star is shining as bright as ever. Lambert’s debut album, For Your Entertainment, is full of the funky falsetto and glam rock gusto that fans came to love on Idol. Tracks like “Whataya Want from Me” and “If I Had You” have helped Lambert cement his place as one of pop’s most original acts in years. You can hear the influence of Adam’s mentors in songs like “Soaked” (co-written by Muse’s Matthew Bellamy), “Pick U Up” (written with help from Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo), and “Fever” (co-written by the reigning Queen of Pop, Lady Gaga). Other great tracks on For Your Entertainment include “Sleepwalker,” “A Loaded Smile,” and “A Time for Miracles.”

Hear the Adam Lambert hit “Whataya Want From Me” and the new hit song “If I Had You” on B101.7!

Greg Thomas’ Pick: Paramore – Brand New Eyes

The Franklin, Tennessee group Paramore (featuring Meridian, Mississippi native Hayley Williams) broke out in a big way with their 2007 album RIOT! selling nearly two million copies worldwide. The group was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2008 for “Best New Artist” and even their live CD/DVD The Final Riot! has gone gold.  In 2009 Paramore released their third album Brand New Eyes which debuted at number 2.  Paramore’s current hit single “The Only Exception” gives the band their third charting hit single and the first from Brand New Eyes. 

Hayley’s honesty is evident in tracks like the acoustic ballad “The Only Exception” and album closer “All I Wanted,” both of which give an unapologetic glimpse into the inner workings of what was happening in her head over the past two years, a reality that was initially scary for the 20-year-old to advertise to the rest of the world. “Now that it’s all said and on paper I’m not as insecure about [these lyrics] because I think these songs form a full story that people are going to be able to connect with,” Hayley explains, adding that once the songs started to flow in the studio the band were instantly rejuvenated and remembered why they started Paramore in the first place. “There’s something Hayley is able to draw out of me that I can’t seem to do with anyone else,” Josh responds when asked how the band are able to craft music that defies gender and genre stereotypes. “Hayley hates the word ‘mature,’ but I think it’s really suitable for this record because there’s much growth that’s evident on this album.”

Hear the Paramore hit single “The Only Exception” on B101.7!

Louie Linguini’s Pick: Usher – Raymond v. Raymond

Time is testament to the mark of greatness, and for this era that mark belongs to Usher Raymond IV, the consummate entertainer who transcends the boundaries of popular culture, redefining the nature of superstardom. Usher's considerable achievements begin with over 45 million records sold world wide and a stable of five Grammy awards. The singer, composer, producer, actor, businessman, designer and philanthropist is the quintessential contemporary icon, celebrated for nearly two decades.

Raymond v. Raymond was made in Atlanta and Las Vegas studios, reflective of the contrasting themes Usher explores. “Conceptually, the recording process mirrored the album. This time I recorded the album in both Las Vegas (for the first time) and Atlanta. In Vegas, it's no-holds-barred, unlimited access. There are so many different places and experiences. Then I recorded in Atlanta -- the city represents to me the reality of emotion and feelings. One city represents perception and the other reality.”

Raymond v. Raymond features the B101.7 hit single “OMG”!

New picks every month from the B101.7 Air Staff