The Fray

The Fray debuted back in 2005 with their first album How To Save a Life. They went double platinum in the U.S. thanks to their single being played on Grey's Anatomy. Now they're back with their self-titled sophomore effort, which is a solid one if I don't say so myself. Not much has changed in their musical direction. They are still producing Coldplay-like piano ballads. With The Fray, the majority of their songs will lose the listener because they can be a bit boring but then three quarters of the way through a climactic burst of instrumentals and vocals will wake you up and persuade you to re-listen to the song. If you were a fan of their last album then you ill enjoy this one as well, it's like disc 2.

Track List:

1. Syndicate

2. Absolute

3. You Found Me

4. Say When

5. Never Say Never

6. Where the Story Ends

7. Enough For Now

8. Ungodly Hour

9. We Build Then We Break

10. Happiness

RYAN LESLIE

Ryan Leslie, graduated Harvard at the age of 19 and has produced the hits, Cassie's "Me & U", Beyonce's "Keep Giving Your Love to Me", JoJo's "Like That", etc.., is finally seeing his self-titled album release. He's the male version of Keri Hilson in the sense that they're both extremely talented musicians, he a singer/ producer and she a singer/songwriter, and for some unfortunate reason keep getting they're albums postponed. He dropped his first single "Diamond Girl" in late 07' and second single "Addiction" in August of 08'. Neither garnered any major success but did fairly well on urban radio. As for the album itself, it's what I expected but that's not a bad thing at all, a solid effort filled with smooth/chilled R&B tracks. Due to the constant delay on this album he probably will not score any hits but that doesn't mean this album isn't packed with reapeat worthy material.

Usually we post the full allbum download link but since I'm a fan of his music I'm going to just give you guys a listen of the album. However I will post the download link for "Gibberish". This track is MY JAM, from when I saw the making of this song mannnny months ago I was hooked. Oh yes, R. Les. produced all of his own material for the album, genius huh? Don't forget Ryan Leslie, FEBRUARY 10th, pick it up.

Ryan Leslie - Gibberish

Ryan Leslie's Album Drops from Ryan Leslie on Vimeo.

Teddy Urban

I wish I came across this mash-up album earlier. These songs are seriously good. They all make for a good listen, with all the songs averaging around 2 minutes in length. Teddy Urban is a master at the mash-ups it seems, hmmph good to know now we have another person of interest to look out for. If you like what you here in the C.S. Box then head on over to his blog to download it.

Track List:

1. Lil Wayne Feat. Coldplay- Viva La Millie

2. Busta Rhymes Feat. Dream- Love Your Party Girl

3. Dream Feat. AC/DC & Audio Two- Top Billin Beotch

4. James Brown Feat. Jay Z, J.D. & En Vogue- Payback Aint A Thang

5. Beatles Feat. Van Halen & Lil Jon- All Good Children Go To Hell

6. Motley Crue Feat. J.T. Money & Santogold- Who Dat Shoutin

7. Beyonce Feat. The Cure- Emo Ladies

8. Corey Delaney- Party Intermission

9. E.L.O. Feat Doug E. Fresh- Ayo Evil Woman

10. Iron Maiden Feat. Tag Team- Whoomp There's The Hills

11. Journey Feat. Shawty Lo- Separate Ways Haters

12. Shawty Lo Feat. Billy Joel- Dey Know My Life

13. Dream- Ghetto Falsetto

14. Jay Z Feat. Kid Cudi- Party Day N Night

15. Terry Urban- My Ode To O.D.B.

16. Ol' Dirty Bastard Feat. Yuukichan's Papa- Shimmy Shimmy Mega Man

17. Jay Z Feat. E.S.G.- The R.O.C.ketship Has Landed

18. Wu Tang Clan Feat. Billy Idol- Cream Without A Face

19. Metallica Feat. Bust Rhymes & Lil Wil- Dougie Batteries

20. Surfer- So Pitted Intermission

21. Lil Wayne Feat. The Eagles- I Cant Tell You Why Ms.Officer

22. Bobby Valentino Feat. Martha Reeves & Toni Basil- Disneyland Heatwave

23. Bon Jovi Feat. Tela- Wanted Sho Nuff

24. MGMT Feat. Q Tip- Electric Stop

25. N.W.A. Feat. Jimmy Spicer- Dolla Bill Bitches

26. Clipse Feat. Slim Thug & Nu Shooz- I Can't Wamp

27. Lil Wayne Feat. Buffalo Springfield- Thinking Of What Its Worth

It's Been Awhile

Franz Ferdinand, the band named after the archduke whose assassination sparked the First World War, is back after an almost 4 year long hiatus. All I can say is the long wait was well worth it. They experimented a bit this time but not too far to the left, using electro, Afrobeat and ‘60's garage sounds that all blend well together. The album is an assured good listen, check it out.

Track List:

1. Ulysses
2. Turn It On
3. No You Girls
4. Twilight Omens
5. Send Him Away
6. Live Alone
7. Bite Hard
8. What She Came For
9. Can't Stop Feeling
10. Lucid Dreams
11. Dream Again
12. Katherine Kiss Me

Franz Ferdinand - Tonight: Franz Ferdinand

He Was and Still is Notorious

With the movie getting ready to be released in theaters on the 16th of this month, the soundtrack recently leaked. The anticipation and expectations for this movie are high, so listening to the full soundtrack just makes the wait seem longer. Some of Biggy's best classics are present on the album along with a few new ones, most notably Jay's "Brooklyn We Go Hard". If you're a Biggy fan then this is another one to add to the collection and if you're not you'll find at least one song you'll like. Check it out.

Track List:

1. "Notorious Thugs" (featuring Bone Thugs-N-Harmony)

2. "Hypnotize"

3. "Notorious"

4. "Juicy"

5. "Party & Bullsh--"

6. "Warning"

7. "One More Chance" remix (featuring Faith Evans)

8. "Brooklyn Go Hard" (Jay-Z featuring Santogold)

9. "Letter to B.I.G." (Jadakiss featuring Faith Evans)

10. "Kick in the Door"

11. "What's Beef"

12. "World Is Filled"

13. "One More Chance" (featuring CJ)

14. "The Notorious Theme" (composed by Danny Elfman)

15. "Microphone Murderer" (previously unreleased demo)

16. "Guaranteed Raw" (previously unreleased demo)

17. "Love No Ho" (previously unreleased demo)

Various Artists - Notorious

Jay-Z x Radiohead = Jaydiohead

Jay-Z, one of the greatst MC's, Radiohead, a superb avant-garde rock band almost at icon status are melted into one to form Jaydiohead for this ultimate mash-up album. Expect greatness along the lines of Jay-Z x Linkin Park mash-up album from years back. Head on over to the official site for your free download.

Track List:

1. Wrong Prayer

2. 99 Anthems

3. No Karma

4. Lucifer's Jigsaw

5. Optimistic Moment

6. Dirt Off Your Android

7. Dreaming Up

8. Change Order

9. Fall In Step

10. Ignorant Swan