Alexander Klaws - If I'm Not the One

Name: Alexander Klaws
Song: If I'm Not the One
Label: Sony BMG
Released: 2006
Genre: Pop
Style: Ballad, Piano
Language: English
Format: MP3 / 128kbps
Version: Album
Time: 4:07

I posted the cover by Nana Tanimura a while ago, and was right when I thought that it sounded incredibly westernized. Alexander is known for being on the German Pop Idol, but I know nothing else about him. His voice is, theoretically, better than Nana's. But it's so generic and kind of bland. You may say I'm crazy for thinking Nana's voice sounds more interesting. Well, call me crazy. Tanimura's huskier vocals grab me. The arrangement on the Japanese version is also superior. Klaws' seems too borderline CCM for my liking.

Robert Pattinson - I'll be Your Lover Too

Name: Robert Pattinson
Song: I'll be Your Lover Too
Label: N/A
Released: 2008
Genre: Rock
Style: Acoustic, Ballad, Cover
Language: English
Format: MP3 / 128kbps
Version: Demo
Time: 3:40

I'm a little thrown by my odd on and off obsession of this English actor. He's dirty hot and looks severely depressed (who wouldn't be with Twilight on their resume). So, I gave in and listened to some of his music. This is a Van Morrison cover, I believe. If you can ignore the mumbled lyrics and partially shoddy arrangement (it's clearly not finalized), you almost can't help but be swooned by Robert's voice. It's harsh and thick, and barely coherent. Yet it's still stuck in my ears.

Meisa Kuroki - Like This

Name: Meisa Kuroki
Song: Like This
Label: Sony
Released: 2008
Genre: Pop
Style: Dance, R&B
Language: Japanese
Format: MP3 / 192kbps
Version: Single
Time: 3:21

Model and actress Meisa Kuroki has a unique look (father is American, mother is Japanese) that really makes you do a double take. She recorded her first official single this year. It was never released physically and was only made available through digital means. "Like This" sounds like a cooled over Namie Amuro track - bouncy and dancing hip-pop. Kuroki's got an average voice, but this type of song isn't really vocally demanding. "Like This" was used as a song for Toshiba's media player, Sportio/W62T.

MC Solaar - La Belle Et Le Bad Boy

Name: MC Solaar
Song: La Belle Et Le Bad Boy (The Beauty and the Bad Boy)
Label: Elektra, Wea International
Released: 2001
Genre: Hip-Hop
Style: Rap
Language: French
Format: MP3 / 192kbps
Version: Album
Time: 3:12

This song garnered a little popularity outside France when it was featured in the last season of Sex and the City. It's a mellow track guided by the vaguely sensual raps of MC Solaar. The instrumental was produced by Hassan Ansari, and is rooted in French based hip-hop. Nothing dirty south, club or gangsta here.