Part I: Bibliographic information
Title: Unorthodox Jukebox
Artist: Bruno Mars
Producer(s): Bruno Mars, The Smeezingtons, Mark Ronson, Jeff Bhasker, Emile Haynie, Supa Dups, Diplo, Benny Blenco, Paul Epworth
Writer(s): Bruno Mars, Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine, Jeff Bhasker, Emile Haynie
Label: Atlantic
Copyright Date: 2012
US Billboard 200 Rank (2012):
Reading Level/Interest Age: 13+
ASIN: B009IRVSVQ
Part I: Listener’s Annotation, Track List, Critical Evaluation
Listener’s Annotation -- A collection of romantic pop songs spiced up with retro and island beats that make for a highly listenable album. Unorthodox topped the charts upon release and remains in the mix of great albums of the past year with broad appeal to all ages.
Track List --
1. ‘Young Girls’
2. ‘Locked Out of Heaven’
3. ‘Gorilla’
4. ‘Treasure’
5. ‘Moonshine’
6. ‘When I Was Your Man’
7. ‘Natalie’
8. ‘Show Me’
9. ‘Money Make Her Smile’
10. ‘If I Knew’
Critical Evaluation -- This sophomore album by the eclectic singer/songwriter Bruno Mars topped and #1 on the Billboard 200 and presently still sits in the top 20 half a year later. It’s appeal is a blend of a musical eclectic style, Bruno’s easy on the ear vocals and a soulful pop sound that makes for more than one hit song. Though not exclusively aimed at the teen market, Mars, 27, has attracted a big following in the under 18 segment. His boyish good looks and charm certainly do not hurt his popularity but his feel good vibe and suave appeal also work in his favor with the younger listener. There’s a big dose of love gone south on this album but the songs are touching and even tender -- Natalie and If I Knew are stand outs. The popish Gorilla has sexual content and drug references and could be a challenge potential for younger listeners but distinguishes him from the Beiber effect. Several of the songs are soulful ballads like When I Was Your Man, which was a big hit on the radio. Young Girls is an upbeat song about young love and its eternal appeal that was also popular. Treasure is a full flashback to the 1970s sound of soul. Show Me has a reggae roots sound and is reminiscent of Mars Island background. The album is very easy to listen to and, while it has some sensual content, it’s not over the top or crude. He earns the final spot as my teen recommend only after quite a bit of hunting and pecking for a male artist with both talent and broad appeal. Mars has proven with this second album that he’s able to hold the fickle interest of younger listeners while also producing original, flavorful music.
Part III: Author Info
Bruno Mars is the stage name for Peter Gene Bayot Hernandez, born in 1986 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Raised in a family of musicians, his eclectic style of pop music blends soul, reggae, rock and funk sounds. His early career involved work as a production team member called The Smeezingtons, which produced songs for other artists. In 2009, he signed with Atlantic and became a recognized artist in his own right, according to the Bruno Mars wikipedia page (n.d).
Wikipedia (Bruno Mars, n.d.) Mars first album Doo-Wops & Holligans (2010) debuted at number three on the Billboard 200. Hits like “The Lazy Song” propelled him to fame and numerous Grammy and other awards followed. His second album is Unorthodox Jukebox (2012) and it hit number one on the Billboard 200. The single “Locked Our of Heaven” was an international hit and the singer/songwriter performed it on Saturaday Night Live marking his rise to pop superstardom.
Part IV: Curriculum Ties, Diversity, Booktalk Ideas, Challenge Issues
Curriculum Ties, if any -- Mars’ acting roles on shows like Glee make the idea of musical creativing cool again. For students enrolled in music courses, this album can be a study in musical genre.
Diversity of Cultures -- Mars is from a culturally diverse heritage and he celebrates his ethnic background. His father was from Brooklyn, New York, and was of Puerto Ricon and Hungarian and Ukrainian Jewish descent. His mother is from the Phillippines and has some Spanish descent. This diversity reflects the diversity that is American today and sets him apart as an artist who represent a broad cultural background.
Booktalking Ideas -- This album is unique enough to discuss how it may be a start to a new trend in music that breaks away from ethnically specific music in favor of a mix of influences. What other music today reflects this trend?
Challenge Issues -- There is some overt sexuality on this album. That’s something that’s fairly common in pop music and hard to avoid unless listener limits to a very narrow set of artists. The defense may be best in disclosure of content issues.
Part V: Reasons chosen -- It’s difficult to chose just three artists for teen listeners. Music has become so diverse these days and tastes vary dramatically and can be very specific to a certain genre or even band. Mars represents the opposite trend. He is a blending of numerous musical styles that began with groups like Blacked Eyed Peas, which features a multi-racial band membership. He also captured the heart of many teens perhaps due to his sweet, melodic vocals or his charming stage presence. So this choice reflects teens tastes and attitudes about music today -- or at least enough of them to propel his albums to the top of the charts.
Part VI: Citations
Unorthodox Jukebox. (n.d.). Wikipedia [webpage]. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unorthodox_Jukebox
No comments:
Post a Comment