Top 11 Remixes of 2011

Spyke

After overcoming my slight obsession of trying to always hunt out the newest remixes of every new song I heard, in 2011 I took a much more refined approach and became very selective. So there are no longer over 30 remixes of One Republic's Apologize on my itunes and I'd be quite surprised if I added more than 30 throughout the entire year. So here it is my run down of the remixes of the year that you might have missed out on....

1 Ke$ha - Blow (Cirkut Remix)

I was meaning to write a post about this for ages at the start of this year but after it never really took off in the UK I opted to review the more subtle but superior The Harold Song. For all of you who have seen The Inbetweeners Movie then you may well recognize this version as it features on the official soundtrack. I jsut think it is a fantastic version of an already high energy track.

2 Katy Perry - ET (Tiesto Remix)

This song helped me understand the popularity of Katy Perry's 4th cut from her Teenage Dream album. Having Kanye West feature on the single helped boost the success of the track (whilst removing the amazing middle eight of the track) but in every sense, I could not fathom why this distinctly average 6/10 track was selling just SO well (in the US in particular). This remix really helped it click; and I was actually pleased to hear both Little Mix and Amelia Lily perform highly effective versions of the track on this year's X Factor.

3 Labrinth Feat. Tinie Tempah - Earthquake (Star One Remix)

Great single from Labrinth here which had quite a bit of longevity on the charts (holding stronger than the song that kept it off the top - Read All About It). I think this just puts an entire new spin on the track, especially through the opening minute, even having heard the original single mix I had no idea where this was going to take me.

4 Rihanna - S&M (J Cole Remix)

Unintentionally my friend and I discovered this remix a matter of hours after it had been leaked online. What sort of countdown would be complete without some for of Rihanna feature? At the time it was fair to say that we had definitely listened to S&M enough but this gave the song a whole new leash of life for us, and it wouldn't be the last we'd see of J. Cole in 2011...

5 Nero - Promises (Skrillex Remix)

I'm pretty sure that Cher Lloyd is challenging Nero for this to be the lowest selling #1 of 2011 (probably an accolade neither really want). As far as Nero tracks go it is ok but this remix does gives it the edge to make it into my top 5 of the year.

6 Calvin Harris - Feel So Close (Nero Remix)

From a Nero track to a Nero remix. It really has been Calvin Harris' year! If he was slightly disappointed that both this and Bounce were unable to top the UK charts I'm sure being the sole writer and producer behind Rihanna's global #1 We Found Love acts as some pretty good consolation!

7 DJ Fresh Feat. Sian Evans - Louder (Flux Pavillion Remix)

This is the only version of the track I own and it is just so energetic - there's no wonder Lucozade got behind this song, but whenever I do hear the original it does sound lacklustre in comparision.

8 Example - Changed The Way You Kissed Me (Mensah Remix)

In 2011 some artists went for the 'On Air On Sale' tactic and some went for the 'Let's wait over 2 months before we release it' tactic. Needless to say they didn't coincide very well and the latter approach usually lead to some large opening week numbers. By the time this track got released I was well and truly over it; thankfully this remix was on hand to help me out.

9 LMFAO - Party Rock Anthem (Benni Benassi Remix)

When a song is all set to become a UK million seller, I do try and appreciate it for what it is and this remix helped demonstrate that it is just a really good partying song. Does it deserve to be one of the 150 biggest selling singles EVER in the UK? No.

10 The Wanted - Glad You Came (Alex Gaudino Remix)

Great summery song. Good remix to go with it.

11 Britney Spears - Till The World Ends (Ke$ha & Nicki Minaj Remix)

In some senses this track is a superior version of Ke$ha's Blow - it has better production, video and star quality. So why is this track #11 on the countdown and not #1? Firstly having a guest is a very risky business and there is a very fine line between what works and what does - here having Nicki Minaj clucking does not work. Secondly as much as I do love 'Woah oh oh oh' moments in tracks - having 30 seconds intervals of them does not compensate for a chorus unfortunately.

JLS - 3D

A ridiculous and ridiculously fun album track off 'Jukebox'

McLovin

This song is a lot of fun. But it is also very silly. It has one of those incredibly clunky lyrics that makes you stop what you're doing and listen to it again and again just to make sure you correctly heard what Aston just sung:

'I wanna love in 3D, I'm gonna turn you on just like a TV'.

It's not like they've tucked it away in the second verse or anything sneaky like that. It's in the song roughly 47 times. But this post isn't to heap scorn on an obviously hilarious line. Aside from potential sexual tension with electrical appliances, '3D' is in fact an incredibly catchy song that is a highly enjoyable part of JLS' third album, 'Jukebox'.

The opening spoken word intro reminds me of Michael Jackson's '2000 Watts' (another quite silly song). Where JLS's track differs is that they remembered to write a tune. I have always been a fan of Aston's light vocals, and there's an earnest quality in his delivery here which I find really endearing. The harmonies in the bridge are lovely, and aside from the synths sounding oddly crunchy in places, the production is lively and bouncy.

Part of me wishes they'd released this as their next - albeit career-suicidal risky - single. Considering they're going to begin their 4D tour soon, this would have served as the perfect run up to it. Imagine a fantastically absurd video with plenty of nods and winks from the group, knowing essentially that what they're singing is pretty stupid, but they're in on the joke as well so it's okay to have a bit of a giggle about it all. 'Do You Feel What I Feel?' is perfectly acceptable as a third cut, but it's hardly a daring choice (and definitely not the third best song on the album: the hit rate on 'Jukebox' is impressively high).

'Do You Feel What I Feel?' is out January 1. It is well worth checking out the video is you haven't already. It's sort of like Justin Bieber's 'One Time' house-sitting promo, except with more snow.

Rihanna - Talk That Talk

THE biggest star in the world right now releases her 6th album (in almost as many years!)

Spyke

Today I was very excited to go and purchase this album on my lunch break from work.  Despite only being released yesterday I have been indulging in this treat since it leaked over a week ago; after a lack of internet for the past month I had to venture into a Weatherspoons to use their Wi-Fi to download the album.  So with the album only being a moderate 38 minutes long it means that I have been able to give the album a full run through on both my commute to and from work - it really does make traversing the tube so much more fun.  So here is my blow by blow account of this little gem...

01 You Da One

After releasing the incredible What's My Name as the second cut from Loud I had high expectations for what this album was going to offer in terms of follow up to We Found Love.  Quite frankly I was disappointed.  With Dr Luke behind the track as a producer, I was expecting something more than this non-event given his back catalogue with Katy Perry (Hot N Cold, California Gurls, ET, Last Friday Night).  That said - just like Teenage Dream this track is a grower and the subtlties really just take a while to shine through.  Second single wise I'd have personally prefered Drake and Rihanna's recent release Take Care as that is a total 10/10 moment for me.

02 Where Have You Been

Just brilliant.  It's always great to have a gem like this on your album to keep those sales going well through in to the next year.  This really is the S&M of Talk That Talk; so immediate and in your face, just so so catchy and almost guaranteed to get a release as single #3.  No doubt (like S&M) this track will suffer from massive overplay and is definitely not going to rank as highly in my estimation this time next year.  This track is really the single to set the mood of the album and really builds the mood and pace up ready for the true star of the show...

03 We Found Love

You can here my thoughts about this here and it really is fantastic; currently enjoying a nice stint as a transatlantic #1.  After her performance on the X Factor on Sunday, Rihanna has set herself up for a fantastic sales boost and for the song and great opening numbers for the album; she managed to place over 22 songs within the top 200 in today's midweeks as all her tracks see a surge.

04 Talk That Talk

The title track from the album is currently the best performing album track on itunes at the moment and is likely to chart in the top 40 on Sunday.  Jay Z teams up with Rihanna for a third time in her career on a toned down Rude Boy esque track.  This track falls somewhere in the middle ground between Umbrella and Run This Town and has a great load of synths but just falls short of being *great*.  Given how Rihanna is one for mining an album for all the potential singles possible, then this track will no doubt get a single release.

05 Cockiness (Love It)

I don't Love It at all really.  There is a great play on words: 'Suck My Cock[iness], Lick my persuasion' which is very much a testiment to Rihanna's playful and sexual nature.  However I find the 'Boy I wa-ant [Yooooouuuuuuuu]' just really awkward and offputting.  Easily the worst track on the album.

06 Birthday Cake

I was very much in two minds about this to begin with; it just felt so incomplete and yet it fades out at just the right time to leave you wanting more!  The track says all it need to in just 78 seconds, and after learning from Oli that the track is that that way because Rihanna ran out of time to record it all, I'm not sure what the remainder of the track was going to offer us.  Having initially rated this track 1 star on my itunes ratings; I have subsequentially given this quite the boost.  Though the track listing amuses me as Rihanna sings 'I wanna fuck you right now' just as this track fades into We All Want Love.

07 We All Want Love

It's at this point I began to think that we were falling into the filler teritory.  After the killer first few tracks this is definitely where the album tries to take a step back, it's the dilemma of how to keep  the uptempo energy going whilst taking the pace down a notch.

08 Drunk On Love

If you hadn't noticed already this album has a theme of love running through it.  I think for me this album represents the drunken pull to Loud's night in the club.  After having a night of partying this album tries to capture the excitement and sexual nature of what happens after; I can only wonder whether we'll get the hangover next.  This track seems to be quite a popular choice among several of my friends but it has yet to strike a chord me yet.

09 Roc Me Out

This is just incredible; it took me a few plays to realise just how intense and gangster this track really is.  It's like Rated R's G4L but with just ten times more swagger (yes I used that word, but mean it without the pop essensce it has recently garnered from Maroon 5 and Cher Lloyd).  I really feel this is going as hardcore as pop is ever going to get; I would love this track to get a release but can't imagine it not getting a sexually explicit video to go with it.

10 Watch n' Learn

This is the sort of track I would expect to find on Beyonce's 4.  I don't really understand what the lyrics are trying to say, why can't you kiss back Rihanna?  I just don't get it.

11 Farewell

What happens when you take my favourite Rihanna album track and re-work it slightly for the new album?  Well you automatically get me as a fan.  This track is basically just a Firebomb part two (if you don't know the song then I suggest you get on it asap) with some verses which aren't quite good but a much better chorus.  What a magnificant ending to the album.


I would compare this to a highly sexual charged Good Girl Gone Bad.  With the that incredible power 5 used to open the album most people will be sold.  Then the album takes a bit of a dip as we fill it out a tad then we end on a lovely Farewell/Take A Bow to say bye.  Plus we get to see Rihanna go all guns blazin' on the track Roc Me Out.  After educating my parents to Rihanna's entire discography over the summer whilst I was at home (both mum and dad know Loud word for word) I was tempted to buy parents a copy so they could be reminded of me and stop the house from being quite so quiet.  However think this album might be a bit much; it's one thing naively pretending that What's My Name is nice and innocent but getting them to listen through Birthday Cake is another.

Nadia Oh - Beauty & A Beast

I'm enjoying this a lot at the moment...

McLovin

If you're into the dance maestros Swedish House Mafia, that's a good chance you'll like this album track from Nadia Oh's second album, 'Colours'. It shares a similar euphoric-synth vibe, with a fine performance from Nadia Oh.

Like her 2008 debut album 'How Like Wow', Space Cowboy is the producer at the helm. By far and away his most famous collaborations are with Lady Gaga, including 'Starstruck' and 'So Happy I Could Die'. Seeing as these are two of my favourite Gaga cuts, it's no surprise I like his work with Nadia Oh.

However, unlike songs such as 'My Egyptian Lover' (vid here), 'Beauty & A Beast' is a lot more conventionally accessible. While it still retains some wonderful Nadia Oh idiosyncrasies (like her many 'Raaaaawwwrrrrr's!), it is happy to be a straight up pop song rather than an edgy dance number. This is probably why I like it so much. Plus any song that rhymes 'She's a beast, yeah/in the sheets, yeah' has got to be a winner in my book.*

*(My book of 'Slightly Embarrassing Yet Highly Enjoyable In A Kinky Way Lyrics', that is).

Cher Lloyd Feat. Mike Posner - With Ur Love

Da-da-da-da-dum-dum-da-dum-dum...

McLovin

Looking set to chart in the top three on Sunday, Cher Lloyd's second single is an effortless improvement on the divisive 'Swagger Jagger'.

Cher was by far my favourite act on the X Factor last year. Although many find her the musical equivalent of marmite, I thought her 'Turn My Swag On' audition was incredible, with only her subsequent performances of 'Stay' coming near to reaching its benchmark. So I've always had high hopes that, with the right song, Cher could demonstrate some of that natural exuberance we initially saw. While 'With Ur Love' isn't quite it (look out for album track 'Beautiful People', which may be the song I've been waiting for), it comes very close.

Owing a passing resemblance to Nicki Minaj's 'Your Love' - as did her live performance on the X Factor last Sunday -the single is a relaxed mid-tempo number which improves with each listen. Although I was originally worried that the chorus wasn't particularly memorable, it's quite possible I was distracted by the bridge, by far my favourite part of the song. 'All of them other boys can walk away/they ain't even in the game, You've got this swag, You've got this attitude/wanna hear you say my name'. I love Cher's higher vocal range, and it's here that it's put on best display.

It may not be a typical response, but I feel there's a really endearing side to Cher's personality which often gets obscured by 'swag' this and 'hater' that. This single restores my faith in the possibility of her having a long-term pop future. And even if Mike Posner's lame 'first base, second base' verse detracts and slightly derails the song's progress, it's amazing to think it's just over a year ago that Cher and her sore throat were wheezing over a version of his 'Cooler Than Me'. No matter which way you look at it, that's some progress!

Westlife - Greatest Hits (Part 4)

So from here on out Westlife went for a Turnaround - but it wasn't all for the better!

(16) Hey Whatever - #4



Dire cover. Dire lead single. Just Awful

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆


(17) Mandy - #1



This is probably the best Westlife cover there is. Originally a #12 hit entitled Brandy for Scott English in 1972, the track was renamed Mandy and managed to go one better at #11 for Barry Manilow in 1974 (but did manage to hit #1 on the Hot 100). Westlife introduced the classic track to a brand new generation, and this was the highlight of seeing the band live. It encapsulated everything the band had achieved up to that point, and with the fireworks at the end of their video (and set) really seemed like a celebration; and yet there was a hint of sadness with the track. With Brian McFadden just about to announce his departure from the band, this would be the final time we would see the band on the top of the charts as a five piece.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★


(18) Obvious - #3



So Brian left and this gets a release as a third and final cut from the album before the band head off touring again. I really like the light bulbs hanging from the sky in the middle of the desert in the video, but this song is about as generic Westlife as you can get really.

★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆


(19) Ain't That A Kick In The Head - Didn't Chart
(20) Smile - Didn't Chart



So what do you do when you lose a band member? Record a Rat Pack covers album. 'Allow Us To Be Frank' charted at #3 in the UK's album chart but I think it's time to move on...

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆


(21) You Raise Me Up - #1



The band make a return to form and top the charts once again. During my days in sixth form this track actually garnered some popularity with several students (much to my surprise); the simple chorus really hit a chord as you would hear people singing it around school - something I never thought I'd see!

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆


(22) When You Tell Me That You Love Me [Feat. Diana Ross] - #2



This was a rather guilty pleasure of mine; it is the last song that I can remember actually recording the latter part of the music video onto an actual video cassette so that I could watch it back. Then I actually got a Westlife loon from my school to actually burn a copy of the song to CD for me (oh how times have changed!) At the risk of missing out on the Christmas #1 again the boys actually released this a week early; rather ironically they were held off the top spot by yet another child favourite Nizlopi with the JCB song.

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆


(23) Amazing - #4



You know you're turning into a fanbase act when your new single goes in at #4 and then disappears from the top 40 the very next week! This is the band's lowest selling single; probably quite a key factor in the decision which made this the final time Westlife gave us a third cut from an album!

★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆


(24) The Rose



So Westlife's final #1 (unless they pull out something amazing with Light House) and with this lazy song choice being the one to do it I'm quite pleased they haven't managed any more since. In their attempt to make a 'Love Album' they almost released Total Eclipse of The Heart (Turn Around) as a second cut from this album - and I think we're all quite happy that that didn't happen!

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆


(25) Home - #3



So Westlife cover Michael Buble! Unfortunately for them Michael Buble was on the cusp of replacing them as the 'Christmas present for mum' act. Then with Take That's returning to Rule The [Pop] World there wasn't really room for two mature man bands!

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆


(26) Us Against The World - #8



I don't really know why in retrospect but this was one of the 'few' songs I actually downloaded from itunes during my first year of University - no doubt it was all those itunes vouchers I'd got for Christmas.

★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆


(27) What About Now - #2



Yes, I have embedded the Daughtry version. It was one of my highlights of 2008, a song that was all over the radio in America. Daughtry is the rock group fronted by American Idol contestant Chris Daughtry. Their self-titled album is one of America's (let alone American Idol's) biggest success stories of the decade - it sold over 4 million copies and along with Taylor Swift, earned them an award for the longest running debut album to reside within the Billboard Hot 100 albums (it spent 101 weeks unbroken and has since amassed a further 17 weeks). What About Now was the seventh, and final release from the album - and their only song to chart in the UK after it was prominently used in Britain's Got Talent and The X Factor. The track was written by Ben Moody, David Hodges and Josh Hartzler (the first two former members of Evanescence, the latter married to Amy Lee) and is every bit the cinematic, dramatic, arms aloft rock ballad. I suppose I have to acknowledge Westlife's version, which reached #2 in 2009 - but there is absolutely NO comparison. What gives the song that sense and depth of epicness is Chris Daughtry's gruff vocal, and the way the electric guitar serenades him during the final choruses is fantastic. Take that away and whilst the chorus hook is still there, the song lacks a massive amount of feeling it has in its original form.

Westlife appeared on The X Factor to promote this with enough strobe lights to send the entire nation into epileptic fits - I like to think that they obscured enough people's vision to get them accidental purchases to reach #2 (any other week would have seen those sales put the band at the top of the chart). For me the Westlife version is just too polished and removes the emotion and raw passion the original conveyed so effectively.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★


(28) Safe - #10



When the lead single from your album only hits #10 it's time to be concerned!

★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆


(29) Light House - TBR

Let's wait and see if they can end on a high....

★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Westlife - Greatest Hits (Part 3)

Album 3 sets off to a great start and enables the band to get in an early Greatest Hits...

(11) Queen Of My Heart - #1



Easily my favourite Westlife ballads; and I don't think I'm the only one thinking that, with opening numbers which sent it shooting up Westlife's biggest sellers list and gave the boys their 9th #1.

 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★


(12) World Of Our Own - #1



After missing a trick with When You're Looking Like That on their previous album; Westlife released their first uptempo single.  Most people seemed to like it - I didn't.

 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ 


(13) Bop Bop Baby - #5



They were getting a little bit more creative with their videos at this point but I think there is a reason that this became the band's first single to miss the top 2!  Need I say more.

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ 


(14) Unbreakable - #1



So the lead single off the album of the same name and Westlife were back doing what they do best! 

 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ 


(15) Tonight/ Miss You Nights - #3



Up to this point I had been very up to date in terms of my Westlife singles releases; but this one really did bypass my attention.  I think it very much got lost in all the Christmas hype that year and I suppose I wasn't really expecting anything else to be released from the Greatest Hits.  Miss You Nights is a Cliff Richards cover; but Tonight on the other hand is a real gem.  I remember one frosty Sunday morning my parents had got me up early for a family trip out and I was not enjoying the bitter cold, I had the chorus (or what I could remember of it) stuck in my head.

 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ 

Westlife - Greatest Hits (Part 2)

So with their first four #1s under their belt Westlife started their second year on a role...

(5) Fool Again - #1



When I was reading about Westlife's split in a newspaper last week I was relatively surprised to see this listed one of the band's 3 hits that were mentioned. I remember listening to the chart on the radio as this reached #1 and they were moving straight on to their next project. I think this could well have been the last time an act managed to get five #1s from an album in the UK - sometimes we're lucky to even get a 3rd cut these days.

★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆



(6) Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now) [feat. Mariah Carey] - #1



With Mariah having had topped the Hot 100 each year of the nineties in the US, and Westlife looking to break the record for the longest run of consecutive #1s since their debut - this was a combination of two artists very much on top of their respective games. This is a bit of a lazy cover with a lazier video but it still topped our charts!

★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆


(7) My Love - #1



This was SM:TV live and CD:UK at their best; well this along with a certain Kylie performance that Oli is quite partial to. Possibly my favourite Westlife single up to this point, it had been a year since we'd been Flying Without Wings and this was just what the band needed to launch their second album 'Coast To Coast' which I seem to remember giving the Spice Girls a run for their money in a chart battle to become a #1 album. Oh how predictable the charts were at this point when the Spice Girls, Steps and Westlife each scheduled their single releases in consecutive weeks so they all could take a temporary perch atop our singles chart.

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆


(8) What Makes A Man - #2



After so easily obtaining the Christmas #1 the year before, why not try again? I didn't realise this was a cover until a few years ago when I truly discovered the true magnificance of their version. At the time I was unimpressed and quite pleased to see Bob The Builder hold them off the #1 as he (with the help of Scoop, Muck and Dizzy) racked up the sales over the Christmas period to make his way into our exclusive million sellers club.

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆


(9) Uptown Girl - #1



Speaking of million sellers, Westlife teamed up with Comic Relief in 2001 and covered a Billy Joel classic.

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆


(10) When You're Looking Like That - Not Released



It's hard to believe that one of Westlife's greatest and most loved tracks was never granted a singles release in the UK or Ireland for that matter. It seems bizarre that a Westlife album track was actually a staple at our University Cheesy Pop night. They had broken their #1s streak by this point so why it never got the release it was crying out for is beyond me! Acts often struggle to follow up their million sellers effectively (see Gnarls Barkley) so maybe the management just decided to move on and focus on the preparation for album number 3. Since the inclusion of downloads in the chart this track has reached the lofty heights of #118 but I reckon there are quite a few people out there who have downloaded this gem.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Westlife - Greatest Hits (Part 1)

After 12 years the group decide to call it a day

Spyke

It was right back in 1999 that Westlife first began their assault of the charts; and what a way to start! With their first 7 singles debuting at #1 they broke record after record - until Bob The Builder got in their way and Brian left. From there on out they struggled to try and recapture that initial magic they had and very much became a 'Housewives' act and with Take That making their outstanding return to the forefront of the Pop World, Westlife became quite redundant to be honest.

When the band came to headline at Carlisle Live (the Cumbrian attempt at a music festival) my friend dragged* me a long; it was around the time they had just released The Rose as a four piece and I was very impressed with them both vocally and in terms of how they commanded the stage and their audience. This autumn sees the band release their second greatest hits - which doesn't build too much on their first one which came out 9 years ago! They have been one band that I have grown up with and it seems a little bizarre that they are calling it a day just as Steps are making their return to the top of the album charts - a mere 10 years since their split. Anyway as a tribute to their long and successful career here is a full and comprehensive review of their singles and how my music taste has developed over the past 12 years.

*I say dragged - it was probably just as much my idea!

(1) Swear It Again - #1

Not being the avid chart follower that I am now, at this point it had rather bypassed my attention who this new boyband were. Just as we were saying good bye to Boyzone, Louis Walsh and Simon Cowell were working hard (out of the public eye) to get their new group launched. It was only when this appeared as one of the better tracks on a free 'Top Of The Pops magazine' CD that I really gave it a listen. I think it's clear from this very first single that Shane and Mark were the ones in the band who were their for their voices; Kian and Nicky for their looks and Brian there to make it a five piece.

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

(2) If I Let You Go - #1

So at this point the hype was starting to build and my cousin (a year older than me) already had a poster of the band on her bedroom wall. Compared to the ballads that JLS and The Wanted are offering in 2011 I'd take this mid-tempo track any day. Selling relatively well I can't help but feel that this song has been completely overshadowed by what was to come next...

★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆


(3) Flying Without Wings - #1



This was the game changer. If you're after longevity then this is what you need; Robbie had his Angels, Rihanna her Umbrella and Steps their Tragedy. This track hit the commercial big time and even became the first single to top the downloads chart in 2004. Much against the band's wishes the track was released by the second winner of American Idol - Ruben Studdard who saw the track reach #2 on the Hot 100, which kind of scuppered their hopes of cracking the US.

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆



(4i) I Have A Dream




Coming off the back of Flying Without Wings and ITV's Abbamania, this track would easily have been enough to secure that coveted Christmas #1 position all on it's own without the need to be part of the double A side option that seemed all the rage a decade ago. Whenever I would hear the opening few bars to this track on the radio I used to get rather excited; only to be disappointed that it was this and not Steps' After The Love Is Gone.

★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆


(4ii) Seasons In The Sun - #1



Wikipedia informs me that the Terry Jack's version is one of only (about) 30 tracks that has managed to sell over 10,000,000 copies globally. I think this double A side release of covers should have been a sign of what was to come from Westlife; and it really wasn't cool to have youe parents know the words to the song that you liked which had just topped the charts. Probably about as cool as my friend Jacqui makes her pupils feel when she makes Rihanna/Drake references to the square root of 69 in her Maths classes!

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Rihanna - We Found Love

The best video of 2011 - amazing!



Spyke

Sometimes a music video can make a song (see Lady Gaga's Telephone), and this one certainly upgrades the track to 10/10 status. Obviously a new Rihanna single was always going to rack up the play counts on my laptop's itunes and so this soon hit it's 100th play within a few days. However I wasn't fully convinced that the track was really all that. A year ago we were able to compare Rihanna's return to commercial heights (album wise at least) with Only Girl (In The World) against Kelly Rowland's second team up with David Guetta on Commander. Both songs are similar in terms of structure, sound and vocal delivery but Only Girl soars above the latter for some reason; it has that rare finesse that allows songs to claim their millionth sale in the UK. With Love The Way You Lie becoming the 108th million seller just last week, Rihanna looks to be set to claim her second with Only Girl by the end of 2011.

We Found Love sits very nicely within the UK's music scene at the moment. In a year that has seen the likes of Nero, Example and Calvin Harris at the top of the charts this track feels very much at home. I was slightly concerned as to whether the same sound would cross over just as effectively in the US; but given the boost the video has given this track on itunes it will only be a matter of time before Rihanna ends Adele's reign at the top of the Hot 100 to claim her 11th US #1. So given the repetitive lyrics and standard Calvin electro magic, what makes this 7/10 track able to compete with Rihanna's impressive back-catalogue? The video.

Lady Gaga listen up - this is how you make a GREAT video in 2011 - I have high hopes for Marry The Night! I love the cinematic feel; right from the intro I'm hooked. Controversially filmed in Belfast, this video is unashamedly British; the field rave, the council estates and the drink/drugs culture. It has the feel of 'This Is England' and tells a story. The spoken 'It's like you're screaming, and no one can hear; you almost feel ashamed, that someone could be that important' that opens the track are moving; they are very reminiscent of All Saints' Never Ever. The beginning shows vulnerability that reminds me of The Artic Monkey's When The Sun Goes Down; I can only imagine the marvel of seeing the video for the first time without knowing where the song is about to go! I'd have been getting excited for another Rated R esque ballad until the Thunder kicks in; breaking the mood and throwing you full force into the electro sounds that are just about to hit in.

Calvin Harris ended his DJ Set with this track when I saw him supporting Rihanna at Manchester's MEN Arena. That was the day Rihanna first hit #1 in the UK with this track after being rush released earlier that same week; unfortunately it was one of the notable exemptions from Rihanna's 26 song set (along with the incredible Russian Roulette). With the track's original release date planned for two weeks time I would be very surprised if it is still being omitted from her later tour dates in the UK (namely before Christmas when Oli goes to see her at the O2).

Snoop Dogg & Wiz Khalifa feat. Bruno Mars - Young, Wild & Free

This trio give us a nice laid back tune



Spyke

Imagine if you took Kanye West and Adam Levine's Hear 'Em Say with R Kelly's Ignition (Remix) and added a touch of Rihanna's Cheers (Drink To That) then this is exactly what you'd get. It's the chilled back sound that R Kelly captured so well in 2003 preparing for the Freakin' Weekend. Add to that the piano riff that Adam Levine brought to us, when he featured on Kanye West's third cut from Late Registration in 2005, and this track just sounds oh so familiar.

Now for me the worst element of Rihanna's Cheers (horrible Avril Lavigne sample aside) is the bar break down near the end. Although it helps encapsulate the Friday feeling with the crowd raising their glasses, I just don't like it. This track goes for exactly the same approach near the end; relaying that chilled back atmosphere to the listener. But with the coughing (probably as a result of smoking too much pot) the cackling and group laddy singing, it just gives me the impression that this is nothing more than a little something they through together whilst knocking back a few joints - which I wouldn't put past Bruno Mars with his track record.

The single shot to #1 on US itunes but didn't say there long so it's hard to predict the success it might have over here. There is a chance that it will take off right up the chart like Afroman's Because I Got High did back in 2000. However that was catchier and at the time I thought it was just about getting drunk; I can't see this having the same appeal with people singing along about how they are going to roll up. Though I am quite partial to songs making reference to the artist's previous hit (Lighters).

Chart Predictions:
Spyke 32
McLovin -
Actual -

Taio Cruz - There She Goes & Hangover

Two leaks from Taio's upcoming album

When you have delivered two of the biggest pop tracks of the past few years then the pressure is on to get the next one. Taio has come a long way since he first he hit the charts with Come On Girl; we've had the phenominal global #1s Break Your Heart and Dynamite. Here we are, in the build up to the release of album number three and there certainly have been plenty of demos floating around. One rather good track Believe Me Now got a bit of circulation on a few mix-tapes earlier this year but it didn't seem to get a release. These two tracks see Taio jump hot on the heels of Enrique down the very generic yet successful sounding RedOne route.

There She Goes: (Feat. Pitbull)

This RedOne produced track sits very well with some of the massive hits of 2011: On The Floor and Give Me Everything. It also has the common denominator of featuring Pitbull; so make of that what you will but he is exactly how you would expect. Later the track introduces the sort of synths you might recognize from Enrique's Tonight (I'm F**kin You). The production here is the key element, really going all guns blazing to make sure that it will get you on the dance floor - or just have you nodding your head along on your headphones. Unfortunately it falls shorts of being Dynamite part 2 but it is a good attempt.

Hangover: (Feat. Flo Rida)

This has just been released to US itunes as the actual lead for the album. Right from the opening 'Whaoooohooaah!' this song has you hooked. From my personal experience being hungover is never as fun as Taio is leading us to believe. 'So I can go until I blow up (hey); and I can drink until I throw up (ay)' Oh Taio you make it all sound so fun!

This track is very much a bit of a party anthem, much like a very polished and meticulously refined version of Rihanna's Cheers (Drink To That). I just can't really take Flo Rida seriously; whenever a song breaks into one of his raps I almost have to laugh at how much it cheapens it. If only he put as much effort into his music as he did whoring himself out to producers (RedOne and Guetta) then I'd be a bit more interested to see what he has to offer. However, when this get its UK release I can see the track going nicely top 5.

Charlene Soraia - Wherever You Will Go

An attempt to re-create the (Ellie Goulding) success of Your Song



Spyke

If you were one of the millions of people tuning into this weekend's X Factor then you may well have noticed this during one of the ad breaks. It would seem that Twinings have taken inspiration from last year's very successful John Lewis Christmas advertisement. 2010 saw Ellie Goulding soar back up the charts with her take on Elton John's Your Song (but of course you've read all about that here). Selling strong well in to the new year, her cover version managed to shift an impressive 600,000 + copies in the UK; a feat that only 9 singles have achieved this year so far.

Given that we have the Goo Goo Dolls' Iris currently sitting at #3 on our UK charts as result of the X Factor, this is very much the sort of track I imagine that has been selling rather consistently on downloads over the past few years. It was a surprise to me to find that the original version of this track actually managed to chart as high as #3 in the UK (and #5 in the US) when it was released by The Calling in 2001. I think this is one of those tracks that really benfits from being sung in a slightly hoarse, deep imperfect style. As the track opens 'So lately, been wondering . . .' you can feel the passion and emotion behind the vocal; as though the singer has 'just' been through a break-up. You just need to compare Westlife's version of What About Now to that of Daughtry and decide for yourself which one portrays more passion and hurt in their delivery.

So it won't come as much of a surprise to you that this track doesn't really do much for me. I very much expect that it's the sort of version that X Factor's Janet Devlin will be providing us with for the next few weeks... and after losing my favourite Amelia Lily last night then I don't think I'll be too switched on by them. This track is currently sat at #13 on itunes so I imagine it could continue to climb up in to the top 10 any day now...

Chart Predictions:
Spyke 9
McLovin 10
Actual 3

Marina & the Diamonds - Radioactive

New scorcher from Ms. Diamandis

McLovin

Back in early 2010, Marina & the Diamonds, aka Marina Diamandis, came second in the BBC Sound of...poll, beaten only by Ellie Goulding. Throughout the year, the two artists were often lumped together as their career trajectories mirrored one another. Both had one big breakthrough single (Marina with Hollywood, 12; Ellie with Starry Eyed, 4) and high-charting debut albums (Marina with the Family Jewels 5; Ellie with Lights, 1). It didn't help that they also appeared together on magazine covers, such as this one, fudging the distinctiveness of each performer.

While Marina's campaign quietly faded into the background, Ellie's was given a new lease of life thanks to the Your Song-John Lewis-Christmas ad campaign. Buoyed by this number 2 smashed, Lights was re-released as Bright Lights, with seven additional tracks, including her take on Elton John. Being handpicked by William and Kate to sing at the Royal Wedding reception in April helped raise her profile even further.

However, it seems Marina has pipped Ellie to the post with her second album, Electra Heart. The lead single Radioactive was released at the end of September, and will hit the top forty this Sunday. Hopefully it will rise to the top ten as it builds an audience; it is certainly my favourite Marina single so far. While I've always liked her voice (especially when she's channeling Kate Bush), this is the first time one of her songs has been noticeably racking up my playcounts.

Radioactive is an infectious dance single, driven by a pulsating synth line and Marina's emotive performance matching its anthemic nature. It is no surprise to learn that the producers are none other than Stargate, the team behind monster hits such as Rihanna's Only Girl (In the Word) and Katy Perry's Firework. What I really enjoy about Stargate productions is that their songs tend to have an instant appeal, but, unlike a Guetta single, continue to reveal hidden subtleties after repeated plays. Even if Radioactive doesn't hit its chart stride immediately, due to its pedigree, I wouldn't be surprised if it eventually makes a more substantial impact.

Chart Predictions

McLovin: 5

Spyke: -

Actual: -

Alexandra Stan - Mr. Saxobeat

I succumbed to its charms...

McLovin

For our non-UK readers, you might be surprised to hear that, contrary to expectations, the past few days have seen the country basking in unexpectedly glorious sunshine. Yesterday as I was walking along my local river, I saw children diving off a bridge into the water, a rather noisy steamboat and an independent ice cream vendor. In October. These are sights I did not see once throughout the summer, so to observe them as we reach autumn has been a real pleasure.

Equally delightful has been my ears decision to finally embrace Alexandra Stan's Mr. Saxobeat. It is a song I grudgingly accepted a few months ago, but am now openly choosing to listen to. Last week at a wedding disco, I found myself contently head bopping away to it. And at a friend's party this weekend, I demanded its presence on the playlist (alongside Rihanna's What My Name, obviously).

When I first heard it around May, I initially dismissed the distinct saxophone hook on the grounds it doesn't really sound like a saxophone, more a sneaky kazoo in disguise. Alexandra Stan's vocal performance, while enjoyable, didn't really stand out for me. In a Romanian pop star battle for survival, I'd probably choose Inna over her. So why have I decided to become better acquainted with Mr. Saxobeat?

First, I really like how simple it is, reminding me of ATB's 1999 hit 9pm (Till I Come). There isn't any added complication, no dub-step breakdown to fit in with the contemporary landscape. The single is happy to use the sax/kazoo loop in tandem with Stan's singing. Second, this simplicity is achieved using just three chords throughout the song: B minor, E minor and F# minor. Typically used to create a 'sad' sound (against the 'happy' major chords), if I were to write a song using these chords, I'd be ecstatic to come up with anything half as toe-tapping and uplifting. I'm quite a sucker for minor chords, so I take my hat off to the Mr. Saxobeat team for producing such a catchy single comprised solely of them. I'm really happy that the recent sunshine has swayed my opinion over this summer hit. With hindsight, its number 3 chart placing was thoroughly deserved.

The Wanted - Lightning

The cracking new tune from The Wanted.



Spyke

This is awesome. A point I thought needed to be made clear from the beginning. After this summer's sensational anthem Glad You Came I presumed we were about to get the standard 'second single from the album ballad' but it's not to be; the boys have gone one better and given us a corker of a tune. The infectious beat will have you nodding your head and tapping your foot before you know it. As the verses progress up you can feel the momentum build up; the breathy vocals really give you the impression that the song is going somewhere and the boys are in a hurry to take you there.

On my first listen, the chorus might seem like a slight anticlimax after all that build up but in fact it works really majestically as the calm before the storm. Just like those first few seconds before a kiss; the uncertainty, the excitement and the rush of adrenaline. As the song develops each chorus brings a new level of excitement and feeling of celebration; having conquered the nerves the confidence is beginning to skyrocket again. During the final chorus you can really sense the energy bursting through on the second "We touch . . " as though the atmosphere is electric.

Maybe it's because it has been many a year since I used to buy Smash Hits or Top Of The Pops Magazine but this group are on to their second album and I still don't really know what the boys are called. A quick look on Wikipedia tells me that we have: Max, Siva, Jay, Tom and Nathan - of which I wouldn't have been able to guess any more than 3 (tops). Similarly it surprised me to discover which of The Saturdays is pregnant! As they launch their '4th' album I still don't really know who is who (Frankie aside). A decade ago this would never have been an issue. We had the Spice Girls with their alter-egos, S Club 7 singing about each other with "Tina's doing her dance, Jon's looking for romance..." and Girls Aloud taking the time to sit on correctly named chairs.

I actually thought that Katy Perry's Firework would be the track to celebrate Bonfire Night last year (though it actually fit the New Year's celebrations just as effectively) but this will no doubt be the Guy Fawkes song of choice for 2011. My only concern is that The Wanted should maybe be a bit more careful where they are throwing their dynamite in their videos as I don't think that sort of behavior should really be encouraged!

To conclude: this is awesome.

Chart Predictions:
Spyke 1
McLovin -
Actual -

Professor Green & Emile Sande - Read All About It

Quite refreshing, if slightly unoriginal



Spyke

When I saw the title of this track I was a bit hesitant about actually giving it a listen. Prof Green has trouble the UK top ten twice before with I Need You Tonight and Just Be Good To Green, but I wasn't overly inspired by either one. This track shows development and maturity from the rap star as he launches the lead single from his sophomore album 'At Your Inconvenience'. Rather than going for an obvious sample or famous featured artist this demonstrates that the British rapper, formerly known as Stephen Paul Manderson, has set his sights high and made an effort to produce a single that could put in a challenge for Eminem's crown.

That's not to say that he's going it alone; Read All About It features vocals from Emile Sande who reached #2 with debut single Heaven last month. While Heaven made for nice easy listening I felt that it just lacked that edge that would allow it challenge for that one position higher in the UK. This record benefits from each artist's unique style helping to complement the other. The stark contrast of Emile's beautiful harmonies and Pro Green's rapping helps portray the story behind the track. Maybe I've just been listening to Game Over a little bit too much but you can definitely hear similiarities in the rapping style of Pro Green and Chipmunk (Champion).

So why do I question the originality of the track? Well you just need to rewind 14 months and see what brilliant duet was spending week upon week stuck at #2 behind X Factor related acts (in much the same way Moves Like Jagger is doing now). Emile's R&B hook in this track follows in exactly the same vein we've seen so successfully achieved by Rihanna (Love The Way You Lie), Skylar Grey (I Need A Doctor) and Bruno Mars (Lighters). The pace of delivery throughtout this track is almost identical to that of Eminem's Love The Way You Lie; but when a track is close to selling its 1,000,000th copy in the UK, it can't be a bad template to follow!

This single is due for release on 24th October, so it'll face competition for the top spot from Labrinth (Earthquake) and the guest performers on that Sunday's X Factor but it should have no trouble hitting the top 5.

Chart Predictions:
Spyke 2
McLovin -
Actual -

Labrinth Feat. Tinie Tempah - Earthquake

This duo are back together again.



Spyke

Just a quick post for you today, as I'm meant to be preparing for an interview tomorrow (which coincidentally is on Catastrophe Modelling). I heard this yesterday and the thing which really struck me about the track is the brilliant production the song has. Of course we've see Tinie Tempah and Labrinth together before on massive hits of 2010 - Pass Out and Frisky. I think their chemistry just works so well to complement each other's vocals. While we have been treated to a Labrinth solo single Let The Sun Shine, I just wasn't too switched on by it. The verses delivered just as I wanted them too but the chorus just felt a bit cheesy, hence my surprise when it actually managed to chart at #3 in the UK.

I wonder if this track will continue to follow Labrinth's downward trajectory of his single chart positions. So far he's started at #1 (Pass Out), dropped to #2 (Frisky) and then shone at #3 (Let The Sun Shine) could we feel some seismic activity in the charts at #4 in the near future?

Chart Predictions:
Spyke 4
McLovin -
Actual -

Lascel Woods - Use Somebody

My favourite X Factor audition so far...

Spyke

So we're over half way through this year's X Factor auditions and so far it appears that the quality of talent has been a little bit sparse. With only a couple of stand out performances per show the poorer auditionees are getting plenty of screen time. But as we saw with this year's American Idol, the live semi-finalists were almost the only good performers to get shown during the earlier rounds. Plus after seeing the backlash after Gamu was knocked out prior to the live shows last year, the producers will be careful not to encourage favouritism of acts which they know are going to get knocked out before the viewers get a say.

I must say that I am really enjoying the new judging panel and they have definitely helped freshen up a show that was on the verge of getting a little stale. Gary Barlow has managed to fill Simon Cowell's shoes rather effectively as the head judge; much to Louis' disappointment. However, I presumed that it would be Tulisa that would be bringing the personality to the panel but at this stage it very much seems to be Kelly Rowland who is the one to watch. She usually has something to say and is regularly brought to tears - I think all those years in Beyoncé's shadow have taught her to stamp her mark with anything she does.

So here we are with my favourite audition so far. As youtube embedding is disabled you can watch it here. Lascel gives his own acoustic version of Kings Of Leon's massive #2 hit Use Somebody. Well technically it's not all that original as we saw Pixie Lott add her similar style cover of the track to her re-release of her debut album, after she originally performed it on Radio 1's Live Lounge. I think Lascel has a brilliant voice and the potential to do very well in this competition especially when you know which judge is in charge of his category this year. I would be very surprised if Lascel didn't make it to the live shows even though there is a long way to go yet; if he does make it then he'll be the one that I'll be backing for the win (though in the past two years my favourite have gone out in 8th (Lucie Jones) and 9th (Aiden Grimshaw) so I'm not the best good luck charm).