JLS are back with the lead from their 3rd album
Spyke
The three best bits:
1.
The song is just so infectious and the production is great. After being concerned that the Red One production had had its time (ending with the Sugababes and Sean Kingston), this year he has managed to evolve and produce some top notch tracks including J-Lo's On The Floor and a few of Lady Gaga's Born This Way tracks like Judas and Scheiße.
2.
It's not The Club Is Alive.
3.
The thought that after they heard Britney's Till The World Ends they set down to write a song with more 'Woah oh oh oh' moments; and they tried bless them. Unfortunately Britney wins and sings 'Woah Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Woah Oh Oh Oh' 24 times throughout her single, with JLS just falling short with 23 and a half lines of 'Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh'.
The three worst bits:
1.
Dev sounds like the girl you get to feature on your record when you don't quite have the budget to stretch to getting Ke$ha (so much for wanting to try and get Rihanna on this album).
2.
It very much sounds like a track you'd find on Outta This World, which isn't such a bad thing but there are just better tracks left unreleased that could have been single between Eyes Wide Shut and this (see the title track Outta This World).
3.
Its not released for 2 months; which is just far too long. I wasn't expecting an 'On Air/On Sale' approach from the boys but I can tell you now that I will be well and truly over this by the time I can buy it. I would say 3 weeks after the premiere would have been better - the same is true for Example's Changed The Way You Kissed Me which is still yet to hit our charts after I reviewed it at the end of March!
Chart Predictions:
Spyke 1
McLovin 1
Actual -
Monday, 30 May 2011
Saturday, 21 May 2011
Birdy - Skinny Love
Still in the charts three months on...
McLovin
Over the past few months, there has only been one young female performer that people have been talking about: 13 year old Rebecca Black. Her debut song Friday has been parodied, analysed and scrutinised; but above all, it has been watched over 100 million times. There is even a (brilliant) Glee version, surely the quickest release-to-cover-version the programme has ever produced.
Over in the UK however, 14 year old Jasmine Van den Bogaerde aka Birdy has been firmly lodged in the charts for most of the year with her moving cover of Bon Iver's Skinny Love. Demonstrating a tenderness and restraint that defies her age, Birdy evokes the piano-led singles of early Kate Bush, as well as the world-weary sageness of Joni Mitchell. Her delicate reading of Skinny Love highlights the song's fragility and offers a clarity to the lyrics which are deliberately obscured in the Bon Iver original. Its extended chart run is a ray of light in the currently rather dismal charts; a world where Bruno Mars gets to number one with The Lazy Song (has a song ever been more appropriately titled?) and Pitbull gets to number one with ANYTHING is not a world I want to live in. (Slightly melodramatic? Yes, but also very true).
Having celebrated her 15th Birthday earlier this week, I'm surprised Birdy's understated success hasn't been brought to further attention. It seems that people are more eager to ridicule Rebecca Black's naff, silly, but nevertheless harmless Friday than praise an effortlessly more interesting song. Indeed, any discussion of Birdy's cover seems to swerve on the negative side, following the oft-repeated but clearly nonsensical idea that the original version of a song will always be the superior one (I leave you Bon Iver's version at the bottom so you can make up your own mind over which one you prefer). More generally, I wonder if the excessive coverage Friday received reflects a culture more willing to discuss why something is 'bad' (and in doing so, placing itself in a position of superiority to the object in question), than truly engage with why something might be particularly affecting or beautiful.
Wednesday, 18 May 2011
Haley Reinhart - I Who Have Nothing
The performance of the Season!
Spyke
At the start of this season of American Idol I could not stand Haley Reinhart's growly and snarly voice. When she was in the bottom two for the first two weeks of the live shows it really didn't seem like she'd hanging around for too much longer; two months later and here she is in the final three. Whereas the majority of this year's contestants knew the artist they wanted to be, Haley seemed to lack any direction and major support.
However, over the past few weeks she has gone from strength to strength and now has Adam Lambert and Kelly Clarkson backing her to win. My friend and I have done a complete U-Turn on this contestant and would quite like her to challenge Scotty McCreery for the winner's crown. After a string of good performances of Rolling In The Deep and Lady Gaga's new You And I, Haley pulled out all the stops and gave us a spectacular version of The House Of The Rising Sun.
A mere week later she's getting criticised for not being good enough again by the judges for her rendition of The Earth Song; surprisingly she seems to be the only contestant the judges have ANY criticisms of (where's Simon Cowell when you need him?). Once again she came on to perform her second song and blew us all away with this.
After Jordan Sparks gave a breathtaking performance of the track during her time on the show I was concerned as to whether Haley could even match it. But match it she did! With some added theatrically thanks to Lady Gaga's mentoring, Haley gave a passionate and intense rendition, leaving Randy Jackson and J-Lo to give her a begrudged standing ovation.
Haley for the win.
Spyke
At the start of this season of American Idol I could not stand Haley Reinhart's growly and snarly voice. When she was in the bottom two for the first two weeks of the live shows it really didn't seem like she'd hanging around for too much longer; two months later and here she is in the final three. Whereas the majority of this year's contestants knew the artist they wanted to be, Haley seemed to lack any direction and major support.
However, over the past few weeks she has gone from strength to strength and now has Adam Lambert and Kelly Clarkson backing her to win. My friend and I have done a complete U-Turn on this contestant and would quite like her to challenge Scotty McCreery for the winner's crown. After a string of good performances of Rolling In The Deep and Lady Gaga's new You And I, Haley pulled out all the stops and gave us a spectacular version of The House Of The Rising Sun.
A mere week later she's getting criticised for not being good enough again by the judges for her rendition of The Earth Song; surprisingly she seems to be the only contestant the judges have ANY criticisms of (where's Simon Cowell when you need him?). Once again she came on to perform her second song and blew us all away with this.
After Jordan Sparks gave a breathtaking performance of the track during her time on the show I was concerned as to whether Haley could even match it. But match it she did! With some added theatrically thanks to Lady Gaga's mentoring, Haley gave a passionate and intense rendition, leaving Randy Jackson and J-Lo to give her a begrudged standing ovation.
Haley for the win.
Monday, 16 May 2011
Lady Gaga - The Edge Of Glory
Fresh off the back of Radio 1's Big Weekend
Spyke
As far as Lady Gaga's Born This Way campaign is concerned, there has been quite the contrast of opinion between Oli and myself. Despite loving The Fame Monster I had a few issues with both Born This Way and Judas. But with the release of this itunes promo single, Lady Gaga has delivered everything I had hoped for and more!
After parading Speechless around like it was the best thing since One Republic's Apologize (possibly the best single of the past ten years), I was waiting for a 'ballad' that lived up to the hype and was worthy of all that exposure. This has everything from 90s throwback to a saxophone break down in the middle! I can't think of a better way to close the upcoming album than have over five minutes of this gem.
Having topped itunes during the middle of last week I had hoped this track might challenge for #1 - unfortunately it only managed to debut at #6 (leaving Bruno Mars to undeservedly top the chart). Having already out peaked Judas this can only bode well for the track, and I do hope it climbs in the next few weeks as the promo sets in.
Yesterday Lady Gaga headlined the Radio One Big Weekend in Carlisle; living only half an hour away I was a little bit jealous of all my friends who got tickets. It wasn't the most consistent set I've seen her deliver but her debut live performance of The Edge Of Glory was just incredible. Stripping the track back to just the lone vocal and piano emphasised the emotion poured into the lyrics, in exactly the same way as Adele's Someone Like You really touches a nerve. I find it just magical when the crowd sings back (to a song that we all heard less than a week ago!).
Chart Predictions
Spyke 3
McLovin 1 (Come on!)
Actual -
Spyke
As far as Lady Gaga's Born This Way campaign is concerned, there has been quite the contrast of opinion between Oli and myself. Despite loving The Fame Monster I had a few issues with both Born This Way and Judas. But with the release of this itunes promo single, Lady Gaga has delivered everything I had hoped for and more!
After parading Speechless around like it was the best thing since One Republic's Apologize (
Having topped itunes during the middle of last week I had hoped this track might challenge for #1 - unfortunately it only managed to debut at #6 (leaving Bruno Mars to undeservedly top the chart). Having already out peaked Judas this can only bode well for the track, and I do hope it climbs in the next few weeks as the promo sets in.
Yesterday Lady Gaga headlined the Radio One Big Weekend in Carlisle; living only half an hour away I was a little bit jealous of all my friends who got tickets. It wasn't the most consistent set I've seen her deliver but her debut live performance of The Edge Of Glory was just incredible. Stripping the track back to just the lone vocal and piano emphasised the emotion poured into the lyrics, in exactly the same way as Adele's Someone Like You really touches a nerve. I find it just magical when the crowd sings back (to a song that we all heard less than a week ago!).
Chart Predictions
Spyke 3
McLovin 1 (Come on!)
Actual -
Tuesday, 10 May 2011
The Midnight Beast - The Dance Routine
Fine comeback single for the kings of youtube comedy
McLovin
The Midnight Beast were certainly one of my favourite bands of last year. Following the parody hits of Ke$ha's Tik Tok and Jay Sean's Down, they produced a string of wonderfully original songs of their own. I will always enjoy Ninjas, House Party and Booty Call, but the one I hold dearest is Lez Be Friends. Detailing how the only possible reason a girl would turn them down is if they're a lesbian, it displayed the group's ability to write witty, self-deprecating lyrics over enormously catchy and memorable choruses.
After recent parodies of Katy Perry's E.T. and Rebecca Black's Friday, 2011 appears to be 'The Year of the Beast' (again!) with their latest single The Dance Routine. The song picks up on previous storylines, including Dru's Daddy issues, Ashley questionable sexuality and dance moves, and the awesomeness of Stefan's hair.* After my first listen, I wasn't sure if it was as immediate as some of their previous singles. But this is where the brilliance of the group lies; their videos are always packed with moments you want to repeatedly view. I particularly enjoy the colour-coordinated hoodies and jogging bottoms, Donald duck appearing in Stefan's name, Ashley's 'wait around for a while...I'm back!' and, of course, the Selena Gomez appearance. Before you realise it, you've watched the video over and over, with the song revealing itself to be equal to the best of the Beast's back catalogue. Three cheers to the finest thing that has come out of youtube!
*Not strictly speaking a storyline, but it is pretty amazing hair.
Sunday, 8 May 2011
Fort Minor - Where'd You Go
Not sure how I managed to miss this.
Spyke
Being the avid Linkin Park fan it seems quite strange that I missed this little side project from Mike Shinoda. Despite not being released here in the UK it made quite an impact globally and actually reached #4 on the Hot 100 (Shinoda having only charted higher with the Linkin Park song In The End which reached #2).
The track seems very reminiscent of an early Love The Way You Lie or I Need A Doctor. Well, there is a reason for that: Holly Brook (she co-wrote the first and featured on the latter). Some popstars don't quite hit the big time straight away. Take Katy Perry for example; she released an album back in 2001 under her real name Katy Hudson and even starred in P.O.D.'s music video for Goodbye For Now before we all heard about her kissing girls in 2008. It turns out that Holly Brook is getting a second chance under the name of Skylar Grey. I mentioned her predominantly in my I Need A Doctor post as she very much does seem to be a rising star with several labels competing to sign her.
The song itself opens subduedly with Holly singing 'Where'd you go, I miss you so, seems like it's been forever that you've been gone' until the drum beat kicks in at the 20 second mark. This leads the way for Shinoda's emotional rap about long distance relationships and the conflicts this has with a career, very much an Eminem issue at the time.
Fort Minor only released the one album, with this being the significant single from it. Linkin Park reformed a year later to release Minutes To Midnight but have since failed to return to their original form that we saw in Hybrid Theory and Meteora. The only notable tracks have been the Transformers soundtrack singles What I've Done and New Divide. Their new song Iridescent is set to feature in the third film in the series 'The Dark Side Of The Moon' which is set for release on the 1st July this year, and I for one am very excited about this.
Spyke
Being the avid Linkin Park fan it seems quite strange that I missed this little side project from Mike Shinoda. Despite not being released here in the UK it made quite an impact globally and actually reached #4 on the Hot 100 (Shinoda having only charted higher with the Linkin Park song In The End which reached #2).
The track seems very reminiscent of an early Love The Way You Lie or I Need A Doctor. Well, there is a reason for that: Holly Brook (she co-wrote the first and featured on the latter). Some popstars don't quite hit the big time straight away. Take Katy Perry for example; she released an album back in 2001 under her real name Katy Hudson and even starred in P.O.D.'s music video for Goodbye For Now before we all heard about her kissing girls in 2008. It turns out that Holly Brook is getting a second chance under the name of Skylar Grey. I mentioned her predominantly in my I Need A Doctor post as she very much does seem to be a rising star with several labels competing to sign her.
The song itself opens subduedly with Holly singing 'Where'd you go, I miss you so, seems like it's been forever that you've been gone' until the drum beat kicks in at the 20 second mark. This leads the way for Shinoda's emotional rap about long distance relationships and the conflicts this has with a career, very much an Eminem issue at the time.
Fort Minor only released the one album, with this being the significant single from it. Linkin Park reformed a year later to release Minutes To Midnight but have since failed to return to their original form that we saw in Hybrid Theory and Meteora. The only notable tracks have been the Transformers soundtrack singles What I've Done and New Divide. Their new song Iridescent is set to feature in the third film in the series 'The Dark Side Of The Moon' which is set for release on the 1st July this year, and I for one am very excited about this.
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