Haley's in the studio.

[john]

Their videos certainly get high view counts. I'm having a hard time blending their styles in my mind to create something "urban." I'm not a big fan of the "synth" sound of LA LA LA.

Yeah, I'm a little leery of JD Walker. I commented after listening to quite a few Dave Bassett songs and he seems quite eclectic. There are a number of acoustic, folk-ish tunes as well as some with a metal sound. I posted some of the more powerful songs guessing that would be closer to the sound they are after with Haley. I can't see Haley letting things get out of hand. Haley has great taste as a stylist.

Funny when I listen to songs by various composers I often find myself noticing that Haley is a much better singer that the person performing the song. Haley could do much more that the average singer.

But while I was writing this I listened to a bunch of samples from http://www.theurbansound.com/ and found the urban beat monotonous and boring.

And then there's this: "Britney Spears Going For A More 'Urban' Sound, Danja Reveals"

[Miguel]

Yeah, I'm a little leery of JD Walker. I commented after listenin to quite a few Dave Bassett songs and he seems quite eclectic.

I noticed Basset's versatility as well (I had posted "Second Chance but deleted it in favor of "...Poison").

Here's more about JD Walker written about an album he put out in 2005:

This isn't necessarily the kind of album one would expect out of a fisherman from Maine, but JD Walker treads the path of experimental lo-fi rap quite successfully. With help from producer Sole, Walker and a series of guest rappers spout moody stream-of-consciousness vocals over dark musical loops. The result is somewhat unsettling at times and not that far removed from the fractured terrain of Themselves, as Walker paints in tones and themes that seamlessly blend cultures and genres. His own voice is a somewhat countrified, bluesy instrument, but it doesn't seem out of place among the more urban accents of his collaborators. Indeed, in this hybrid genre that blends together rap with rock where more commercial acts have historically been stilted by political correctness and spoon-fed messages, Walker takes a more personal, compelling stance. Offering up autobiographical and sometimes goofy wordplay over decent IDM beats and often melodic guitar passages, Walker's music gives voice to an urban Maine fisherman. As a slice of life and a piece of musical fusion, Them Get You...Them Got You is never less than interesting.

~ Tim DiGravina, All Music Guide

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[Miguel]

[John Brown]

Maybe she'll do a few interviews while in Chi-town to promote her new upcoming debut album. I'm hoping her first single is released shortly after she returns back to LA from the holidays. Indeed, I pray for her sake and ours too that it will be a hit single that helps to catapult her career and that contains plenty of those patented Haley growls and trademarked Haley wails we all love so much, with a touch of rock to spice things up, together with some of those cool bluesy, jazzy, sultry, and soulful runs that only Haley can do to perfection.

[john]

... that contains plenty of those patented Haley growls and trademarked Haley wails we all love so much, with a touch of rock to spice things up, together with some of those cool bluesy, jazzy, sultry, and soulful runs that only Haley can do to perfection.

John, I think you covered it.

Once again I'm glad to see Haley back at home base, and away from some of these producers for a while. I hope she has a chance to relax and recharge.

---

Walker's music gives voice to an urban Maine fisherman.

Oh. The urban fisherman sound. Cool. I'm at a loss for words on that tune -- Not pop? (At least i'm sure it didn't sell.)

[Miguel]

I think the single will be released early January. My fear is it will be too pop. But if it's something Mozella worked on, it may have a retro sound that lets Haley's voice shine. Mozella's music is kind of catchy but I think it would be better with [a voice that sounds less girlish].

[John Brown]

I think the single will be released early January. My fear is it will be too pop. But if it's something Mozella worked on, it may have a retro sound that lets Haley's voice shine (Mozella's music is kind of catchy but I think it would be better with a different voice).

I don't know but the way Haley describes her music sounds to me like it will be similar to some of the stuff Bruno Mars has put out, and if that is the case, then it should be pretty good stuff. But I'm guessing and going purely on her various descriptions. She has worked with an eclectic bunch of writers and producers that's for sure and some of their tweets make it sound like it's going to be amazing. So my hopes are up.

[John Brown]

I'm hoping that Haley's parents have been listening to Haley's new music for a while now and are providing realistic and honest feedback to her with respect to the commercial appeal of the various songs to be included on her new debut album. Indeed, they should be by now excellent judges of what is appealing commercial music and what is not after all these many years in the business. In my opinion, it is exceedingly important for Haley's debut album to be a commercial success to lay down a solid foundation and to solidify her career.

I'd hate for Haley's first new album to turn out like Allison Iraheta's debut album, for instance, which was absolutely terrible. Although Allison Iraheta is an excellent singer when it comes to singing cover songs, when it came to producing an album, she sure in the hell didn't receive the proper guidance. Of course, she was like seventeen years old when she recorded that first album.

[Miguel]

I wondered to myself if she had taken a copy of her single or her album to Chicago to share with them. I imagine the record labels have restrictions on sharing unreleased music and harsh penalties for doing so. i.e., producers that create unauthorized copies risk losing their livelihood.

Haley's parents know good music when they hear it but they may not have a good feel for what has "commercial appeal" in the present day. I imagine they like Adele but shake their head at many of the other chart toppers.

[Tommyo2000]

I'm hoping that Haley's parents have been listening to Haley's new music for a while now and are providing realistic and honest feedback to her with respect to the commercial appeal of the various songs to be included on her new debut album. Indeed, they should be by now excellent judges of what is appealing commercial music and what is not after all these many years in the business. In my opinion, it is exceedingly important for Haley's debut album to be a commercial success to lay down a solid foundation and to solidify her career.

I'd hate for Haley's first new album to turn out like Allison Iraheta's debut album, for instance, which was absolutely terrible. Although Allison Iraheta is an excellent singer when it comes to singing cover songs, when it came to producing an album, she sure in the hell didn't receive the proper guidance. Of course, she was like seventeen years old when she recorded that first album.

Well her parents would give her an honest assessment, but I would not expect her parents to be what you might call unbiased, so there is that concern. I agree that commercial success early would help establish beyond the Idol fans, which is what you want. As for Allison I dont think she got anywhere near the support Haley has had with the album so a concern about it being garbage is much lower. I am curious as to what we will see from her ....