Tony Bennett - Duets II

 
 

Amy Winehouse's "Body and Soul," even if it weren't arguably the most famous "jazz improv" tune (via Coleman Hawkins' 1939 recording of the standard, where, arguably for the first time, a soloist did not use the main melody of the tune
and struck out on his own, ushering in modern improvised jazz as we know it today), just KILLS her version of this song--

I don't doubt for a second (speaking purely sonically, this without knowing her extensive substance-abuse history or recent death) that she absolutely meant what she sang: hers was a voice with genuine and obvious experience.

It's also a great reminder why nearly everyone else on this pretty much sucks: they're all just doing covers-- they don't bother to try and make the song their own, it's just a re-hash, full of over-reverence for the source material.

Lady Gaga (surprisingly?) is actually really cool-- she's one of the only ones trying to do something new with her tune. She's having a lot of fun with "The Lady is a Tramp," and this sense of fun infects Bennett, whose performance seems boosted by this. There's no gravitas here (not that there has to be, just see Buddy Greco's version of this tune for evidence of this), but she's clearly enjoying herself-- and in this, she entertains you. Whereas Winehouse is a singer, first and foremost, Gaga is the most obvious entertainer, and she reminds you what this means as you listen to her with Bennett-- you want to keep listening.

Faith Hill is surprisingly a good (ranged) singer on "The Way You Look Tonight," but is bland overall; it's the Christina Aguiliera problem-- great, nearly-athletic voice, great range-- with nothing to say.

You know-- the polar opposite of someone like Billie Holiday, Paolo Conte, Leonard Cohen, Gil Scott-Heron or Tom Waits.

Especially when considering that there is a truly great Johnny Griffin version of that tune on A Blowin' Session, which also features John Coltrane and Hank Mobley. It's Epic company to try and match up to, and Hill utterly fails.

Willie Nelson, after Gaga and Winehouse, hits 3rd place-- he can barely sing (I love Willie, but don't you dare try and deny it), but is 20x more interesting than the others in his version of Ellington's (via Johnny Hodges) "On the Sunny Side of the Street."

Bennett himself is surprisingly (refreshingly) gracious, in that he essentially "backs up" everyone with whom he sings-- he gives them the spotlight. I already respected Tony Bennett, but this puts him in Ronnie James Dio "I am a gracious, well-mannered badass" territory.

--Horn

Ellie Goulding - Lights

I’m a sucker for blondes. Don’t ask me why, but I’m easily attracted to blondes. Some of my favorite actresses of all time are blondes: Meryl Streep, Scarlett Johansson, Carey Mulligan, Marilyn Monroe and Charlize Theron. There is some kind of quality they seem to possess over me and I can’t quite put my finger on it. Now I have a new blonde in my life.

Irresistible. Intelligent. Imaginative. No, I’m not just writing adjectives that start with the letter “I” or describing a girl I’m dating, but the voice of an angel named Ellie Goulding. Every once in a while a great singer comes along and in recent years we have been spoiled with the likes of Florence Welch, Adele, Katy Perry, Amy Winehouse and Lady Gaga. All these immensely talented women have created great music that has transcended genres and I believe Ellie Goulding is the next big thing.

Much like Florence Welch I believe it’s going to take a year after her debut before mainstream audiences truly catch on to this mesmerizing English beauty. Goulding released her debut album Lights in 2010, but Lights was only available in the United Kingdom. Fortunately for us Across the Pond, the album was released in the first of 2011.

English singer-songwriter Ellie Goulding is quite similar to artists like Lykke Li, Florence Welch, Lights, Pixie Lott, Little Boots, Sky Ferreira and Kate Nash. Goulding could be best described as the sweeter and more innocent counterpart to fellow UK pop songstress Jessie J. From the very first time I heard her, much like Lykke Li and Florence Welch, I was instantly drawn to her sweet, unique voice. To describe her voice anything less than heavenly would be a travesty. Ellie Goulding has the voice of an angel (And yes that’s my second mention of it thus far- it’s not a typo or mistake).

The titular “Lights” kicks off Lights in stunning fashion. Killer beats accompany this sensational song that eerily emulates Goulding’s idol Björk. The single version of “Lights” is the one featured on the album with several variations available (an acoustic version and remixes by Bassnectar, MK Charlee Dub, Max Gordon, Shook, Drop Lamond, Fernando Garibay, Captain Cuts, Ming, and RAC) on various EPs. This is the second time I have composed a review in just as many days that I absolutely adore the titular track. “Lights” is an excellent first track and sets the mood perfectly. There’s a great dance/electronic vibe that transcends genres filled with fantastic pop lyrics.

Goulding is able to convey her darkness, yet mix it with a sweet sound that you get caught up in the lyrics without knowing it. “You show the lights/ that stop me turn to stone/ You shine it when I’m alone/ And so I tell myself that I’ll be strong/And dreaming when they’re gone” keep me begging for more. This starry-eyed beauty is the future of indie-pop music and this song proves why.

“Starry Eyed” is my favorite song featured on Lights and is one of the music highlights of 2011. The keyboards and drum programming perfectly supplement Goulding’s gorgeous voice. An addictive angelic-like tune, it somehow encompasses the best of disco, pop, and dance without losing its universal appeal. Being able to let go is tough, but the wonderful and heartfelt message in “Starry Eyed” makes it easier to overcome.

In the vein of “Starry Eyed,” the song “Under The Sheets” is another terrific track balancing electronic/dance with pop. Goulding certainly has a way with words and this song proves it once again, “We’re under the sheets/ and you’re killing me/ in our house made of paper/ your words all over me/ We’re under the sheets/ and you’re killing me.”

What words best describe the ballad “The Writer”? It’s kind of hard to describe, but I understand where detractors dislike this song and disregard Ellie Goulding. There is no real, rhyme or reason with the majority of these tracks because there is some sort of universal appeal that transcends genres. Initially, “The Writer” feels a Taylor Swift song, something that is “mainstream and poppy” while remaining true to the artist’s genre. If the music is good, it doesn’t really matter if you can’t properly classify it. Good music is good music.

Throughout the album there are traces of electropop artists like La Roux and Frankmusik while at the same time remaining purely pop music. Songwriter and producer Starsmith does a fantastic job producing a great album, much like he did with similar sounding indie pop artists Diana Vickers and Marina & The Diamonds.

Lights concludes with the endearing Elton John cover of “Your Song.” This tender track is the perfect gift to close out the album. Her delicate sweet voice provides a passionate cover showcasing her vulnerability. Goulding gives her heart and soul to create an affectionate and awesome song which will linger with you long after you have stopped listening.


--Brownstone

Global Music Effort Launches "Songs for Japan" Album on iTunes to Benefit Japan Disaster Relief - Proceeds from Star-Studded Album to Support Disaster Relief Efforts of Japanese Red Cross

 In what stands as a major global music relief effort to benefit those affected by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, over 30 of the biggest names in contemporary music have joined together for the worldwide release of "Songs for Japan," an unprecedented compilation of 38 chart-topping hits and classic tracks, available worldwide on the iTunes Store for $9.99 starting today (www.itunes.com/songsforjapan). Proceeds from the album's sale will benefit the disaster relief efforts of the Japanese Red Cross Society.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110325/LA71496)

The "Songs for Japan" track listing features an all-star lineup: 
1.        John Lennon "Imagine" (Remastered)
2.        U2 "Walk On" (Radio Edit)
3.        Bob Dylan "Shelter From The Storm"
4.        Red Hot Chili Peppers "Around The World" (Live)
5.        Lady Gaga "Born This Way" (Starsmith Remix)
6.        Beyonce "Irreplaceable"
7.        Bruno Mars "Talking To The Moon" (Acoustic Piano Version)
8.        Katy Perry "Firework"
9.        Rihanna "Only Girl (In The World)"
10.        Justin Timberlake "Like I Love You"
11.        Madonna "Miles Away" (Live)
12.        David Guetta "When Love Takes Over" (feat. Kelly Rowland)
13.        Eminem "Love The Way You Lie" (feat. Rihanna) [Clean Version}
14.        Bruce Springsteen "Human Touch"
15.        Josh Groban "Awake" (Live)
16.        Keith Urban "Better Life"
17.        Black Eyed Peas "One Tribe"  
18.        Pink "Sober"
19.        Cee Lo Green "It's Ok"
20.        Lady Antebellum "I Run To You"
21.        Bon Jovi "What Do You Got?"
22.        Foo Fighters "My Hero"
23.        R.E.M. "Man On The Moon"
24.        Nicki Minaj "Save Me" (Clean Version)
25.        Sade "By Your Side"
26.        Michael Buble "Hold On" (Radio Mix)
27.        Justin Bieber "Pray" (Acoustic)
28.        Adele "Make You Feel My Love"
29.        Enya "If I Could Be Where You Are"
30.        Elton John "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me"
31.        John Mayer "Waiting On The World To Change"
32.        Queen "Teo Torriatte (Let Us Cling Together)" [Remastered]
33.        Kings Of Leon "Use Somebody"
34.        Sting "Fragile" (Live In Berlin)
35.        Leona Lewis "Better In Time"
36.        Ne-Yo "One In A Million"
37.        Shakira "Whenever, Wherever"
38.        Norah Jones "Sunrise" 

 
Proceeds from "Songs for Japan" will be directed to the Japanese Red Cross Society (JRCS) to support its disaster relief efforts. The society will use the funds for the ongoing provision of immediate relief and for eventual recovery support to the affected population. The artists participating on "Songs for Japan," the music labels and music publishers have waived their royalties and proceeds from the worldwide sales of the album to ensure that the JRCS receives as much support as possible from this global initiative.  iTunes will also donate its proceeds from the album's worldwide sales to the benefit of the JRCS, and has prominently featured the project throughout its stores worldwide.

Semi Precious Weapons - We Love You; You Love You

For a while now I have wanted to write a dual music review on comparing a band’s independent debut album versus their major record label release. However I have struggled to find a band that would be perfect for this type of review. Well, that’s partially true. As a matter of fact I have been wanting to write a review about a glam rock band I admire, Semi Precious Weapons, but have had trouble finding their major record label release. Ironic I know, but I had no trouble buying their indie CD at a local Best Buy a few years ago.

It all started back in December 2008 when I actually saw a music video on MTV. Shocker I know, but it was preceded by an episode of MTV’s “MADE,” where a girl wanted to become a rock star. In the episode, Justin Tranter, lead singer of Semi Precious Weapons, was the girl’s coach and helped her achieve her dream of becoming a “rock star.” When the episode ended, Semi Precious Weapons’ music video “Magnetic Baby” came on and I was immediately blown away by their catchy song. After getting over the initial shock of seeing a music video on MTV I did what any other normal person would do- I Googled Semi Precious Weapons.

From my initial research (MySpace and YouTube) I was pleasantly surprised by their music and enjoyed their brand of rock n’ roll. It was great seeing that glam rock was still being appreciated and also being recognized by MTV. Unfortunately, most people I know still had no idea who they were or even cared to learn about a New York glam rock band.

It wasn’t until October 2009 did I really get excited because Semi Precious Weapons was announced as the opening act for Lady Gaga on her Monster Ball tour after the Fame Kills tour with Kanye West fell apart. Finally, a well deserved band was going to be recognized. When Lady Gaga was still Stefani Germanotta, a struggling singer in New York, she became friends with lead singer Justin Tranter and the band Semi Precious Weapons. I think that’s awesome she would help expose her friends to a wider audience. Still, unless you were a fan of Lady Gaga or a fan of them from before, you probably wouldn’t recognize them.

Around that same time I was excited to learn that SPW had been signed by Interscope, Lady Gaga’s record label, and that their album was coming out June 2010. As a matter of fact, Lady Gaga executive produced their major label release, You Love You. Before I had a chance to listen to their new album I finally saw them perform live with Lady Gaga at Staples Center in August 2010. Although my date disliked Semi Precious Weapons I reassured her that she needed to give them another try by listening to their debut, We Love You. After lending her the album a few weeks later, she concurred that their “indie” album was much better than “their current sound.”

Despite me scurrying record stores and even major chains like Best Buy I had trouble finding You Love You. Now I know what most of you are thinking: why didn’t you buy the album on iTunes or buy it online? That’s not my style. I always like to physically buy my albums. I love looking at liner notes and having something to hold on when listening to the music. Plus I like supporting local record stores and try my best to visit at least one record/indie music store each week.  Sure I was discouraged for a long time, but I was determined to buy my CD in person. Recently I decided to take an Amoeba trip in between my two classes during a three hour break since Hollywood is only a short drive. As luck would have it I was finally able to pick up my very own copy of You Love You and a ton of awesome CDs. That trip to Hollywood definitely made my week, but I digress.

Semi Precious Weapons was originally composed of Justin Tranter (vocals), Aaron Lee Tasjan (guitar/backing vocals), Cole Whittle (bass), Dan Crean (drums) and Joe McCanta (keyboards). McCanta left the band before they recorded We Love You and Steve Pyne has since replaced Tasjan on guitar.

We Love You was released on September 30, 2008, through the Razor & Ties record label and came with a necklace from Fetty jewelry, Justin Tranter’s rock n’ roll jewelry line. Fetty has been one of Tranter’s passions besides music and has since become a successful jewelry line sold at Hot Topic, Urban Outfitters, and Barney’s. “Taste” kicks off this fantastic, fresh album.

Filled with heavy drums, exciting electric guitars and Tranter’s tremendous vocals, “Taste” is the perfect example of how the band has an eclectic music taste. Combine 1970s hard rock + glam rock + a dash of alternative music = Semi Precious Weapons. Tranter’s raw vocals seem reminiscent of David Johansen with the attitude of The New York Dolls, but with Lou Reed lyrics. Sure Tranter might emulate David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust, but he makes his look all his own.

By far the best song on the entire album and one of my personal favorites is “Magnetic Baby.” This was the first song I had ever listened to by Semi Precious Weapons. Tranter’s vocals and lyrics immediately hook you, “It’s not my fault I look better in her party dress/ It’s not my fault that you left your slutty girlfriend/ It’s not my fault that this is how my mamma made me/ I’ve been magnetic since I was a baby.”

Don’t disregard a song simply because it’s catchy, but this song utilizes the band’s energy to create a fresh, fun, and fantastic song. The same energy and intensity is carried over into their eponymous song, “Semi Precious Weapons.” What makes We Love You an amazing album is the band’s raw energy and intensity. Their sound isn’t flawless, but they have immense heart that carries over in all their songs. The passion is there and I’m loving it!

Other worthwhile songs on the album include “Her Hair Is On Fire,” “Jesus,” and “Rock N’ Roll Never Looked So Beautiful.” In addition, this album includes two radio versions of “Magnetic Baby” and “Her Hair Is On Fire.” For independent fans, this is an album you won’t be disappointed with because you definitely get a bang for your buck. Probably the band most reminiscent of Semi Precious Weapons’ sound is The Darkness since lead singer Justin Hawkins and Tranter have similar vocal styles.

Lady Gaga continues to champion them and I love that kind of loyalty, but their sophomore/ major label debut isn’t nearly as good. I am not going to bad mouth You Love You at all, but merely point out it’s “not the same band.” Their sound is more “poppy,” they have lost their “glamour,” and most of their glam/hard rock sound. But the most devastating thing is they no longer have the same raw attitude and that’s why I am disappointed.

Probably the best way to compare these two albums is one is better produced, You Love You, but We Love You is better executed. They no longer possess the sound that launched their careers, which is fine, but it’s just not the same. You Love You is still an enjoyable album, but it’s very different and only contains three songs from their debut “Semi Precious Weapons, “Magnetic Baby,” and “Rock N’ Roll Never Looked So Beautiful.” However, they are very different when compared to the originals.

How do I explain this? It’s like comparing an original album to a live album, sure they are the “same songs,” but they sound drastically different. Still, I recommend checking them out, but I personally prefer their debut over their “sophomore” album.


--Brownstone


Buy here: You Love You
Buy here: We Love You
Buy mp3: You Love You (Amazon MP3 Exclusive Version) [Explicit] [+Digital Booklet]
Buy here: We Love You (CD with Bonus USB)

What's been going on???

I've been super, SUPER MIA these past few days because as most of you know, I'm also a writer for a kpop news site and I had a little crisis with my grades this week (don't ask.) which all lead to me not being able to do any blogging here. That 'elements of a perfect Christmas song' might not go on as at the moment, I have no time to post anything during school days. It's hard enough trying to write one article a day over where I'm writing news, what more if I add in PRN. Apologies and I assure you, by mid-December at the latest everything will be back to normal.

So what the crap has been happening since I last did some writing? A LOT. Ugh. Here's a quick sum-up of everything I think is worth writing about. It'll be super, SUPER opinionated because over at omgkpop I have to remove all opinions and just do facts - I have to let everything out! I seriously miss being able to write like this. Hahah.

• Lady GaGa's Fame Monster was leaked and everyone freaked out. Well, almost everyone. I listened over to the album because everyone seemed to be adoring it thinking it would work like how Leona's Echo did but it didn't - I'm one of those few that thinks opposite the rest of the blogging world. (I believe I'm in this together with Paul!) I just don't find her music interesting. Yeah sure her clothes, her image and everything about her that doesn't have to do with music is a gigantic spectacle to the eyes but I don't care one bit about image - I don't like the songs, they just don't appeal to me.
• A few days ago I tweeted about Glee covering Jennifer Paige's Crush (I cannot stand people who only think Crush is by David Archuleta. PLEASE.) and although I'm not falling over my feet for the version, it's good seeing the song covered because it's so damn good! No really, as a kid I constantly heard it and a few years ago when I was re-acquainting myself with 90's pop I came across her again - brilliant song.
• Nick Jonas (credited as Nick Jonas and the Administration) has a new album slated for release and he's performing at the Grammy Nominations Concert. I should care because? Hahah.
• JoJo. There are tracks leaking almost every day and I'm sick and tired of seeing them - JUST GET THE DAMN ALBUM OUT ALREADY! Hahah.
• Is the Adam Lambert album any good? I mean, will I like it? Because I'm still debating on whether or not to spend time listening to it. Oh, and any new albums that you think are worth my time?
• There's a new Agnes track called You Rain from a repackaged version (is it the US one?) of Dance Love Pop and dammit, it's gorgeous. No really, absolutely stunning. I may have to change Agnes' entry on my year-end countdown - dammit, another round of organizing and UGH. Hahah.
• EDIT: I like the new Alicia Keys song. Hahah.
• The world of kpop has been very interesting lately. Start it off by the state of my beloved DBSK and you already have an entire roller coaster to deal with. Three of them got sued for fraud and are openly defying their talent company who also forged their signatures. They also have a Japanese single out January next year. Interesting? My article on that is here. Fans are at their toes trying to figure out what'll happen next - we thought things were gonna be OK when they released a clip of their upcoming Japanese single but apparently, they're not. Dammit.
• The big year-end awards show, The Mnet Asian Music Awards, although without SM artists (Super Junior, f(x), SNSD, 2 of DBSK) and Korea's Britney (Lee Hyori), are looking promising. No one knows for certain if this repackaging of the MKMF will work but yeah. Hahah.
• Anything else I missed that you think I should know about? I've been so out of the loop lately - apologies.

This weekend I start writing and scheduling the posts for my year-end countdown and it starts on December 1 with the rules and format of this year's countdown. Haven't compiled the November songs yet but yeah.

New Music!

It's been three days since my last new music post and there's already heaps more! That's what I'm talking about, people! Keep the new music gushing in!

• I've heard the new Lady Sovereign single in HQ already, I love it even more! Will be eagerly waiting for her album.
• There's a new Paula DeAnda song out called Roll the Credits, and I love it! I love her stuff, can you believe I actually bought her physical album? Haha, it's brilliant. I so cannot wait for her new album, if it's half as good as her first then it'll be brilliant.
• Thanks to Poster Girl, I am now addicted to Chris Brown's Froze. I mean, why wouldn't I? I'm pretty sure he won't be able to emulate what he did with Forever this year but this is close! Melodically it's just brilliant and then you add everything else and if he keeps on making songs like this, he might be able to give Craig David a run for his money!
• There's also another song with a similar title that I'm massively addicted to at the moment, Frozen. So it's a RedOne song by Tami Chynn(am getting her first album.. she seems interesting) with Akon, what a surprise. It's not the radically different but not RedOne that I want but it's pretty close! Still, RedOne makes the most amazing melodies you can ever have in dance songs so you gotta give some credit where it's due.
• Lady GaGa's Cherrytree Sessions EP is out, and I LOVE it! We've heard the acoustic version of Poker Face(which is brilliant..) and Just Dance already but Eh, Eh(Nothing Else I Can Say) is another song to add to my 'brilliance' playlist! With an electric piano and a human beatbox, you CANNOT go wrong! haha.
• Out On The Floor is the new JLO song and it's rumored to be her new single, I LOVE IT! The only JLO song I really loved was Hold You Down but this is brilliance, I might just be anticipating her album! I have Brave but for some reason I never listened to it, maybe I will tonight(any suggestions on which I should love or skip?). haha.
• A year late but I'm kind of, sort of, er.. loving last year's winning Eurovision song. I like it, it's Russian, right? Blame the British Eurovision show for letting me hear it!
• Speaking of the devil, the British Eurovision entry sucks! It's a bland, tasteless Idol winner's song, made worse by Jade's generic diva wannabe voice(I have this liking for the twins.. they're interesting and very Brit..).
• Nick Lachey? Covering, no slaughtering, Take That's Patience? I didn't think it was humanely possible but it is! He not only slaughtered the song though, I hear it's gonna be a single! Hmmmm. I like the song but he made it all wimpy, eeeeew.
• So now that the Cheetah Girls are no more, Adrienne has two songs on the Shopaholic soundtrack(I bought the book last Friday, haven't opened it yet though! haha.) and I'm liking them. Not loving yet but if I hear both in full I might love them. haha.

That much? In three days? I'm a happy blogger!

I'M BAAACK!

OK, so I said I'd take a week break but I actually just slowed down on the posting. This was a happy week for me music-wise(DO NOT ask about how my Math 8A and 8G exams were, DO NOT.), mainly because of quite a few new stuff I've discovered and some old sought-after albums finally found. hmm..

• I know I ranted about RedOne recently but I can't help myself, their new song is AMAZING. I'm dead serious. I know the formula is too obvious and repetitive and they can't manipulate it well yet but it's a pretty darn good formula. Jada's American Cowboy is actually quite good, but the title kinda sucks. Oh, and the girls kind of sound like Lady GaGa as well during some parts.
• Speaking of Lady GaGa, I heard somewhere that her next single is Eh, Eh (Nothing Else I Can Say) but only in Australia and New Zealand. Hmmm. I do like the song. haha.
• There's a new Leona unreleased track out called Stay, and it sounds a lot like a song someone from the Natalie generation would put on an album. You know, the piano-backed R&B ballad plus the thin, airy voices? Yeah. It doesn't actually go anywhere but the melody's nice. Nothing special or ground-breaking though.
• I'm now officially addicted to a Liberty X song, No Clouds. Not in the 'I like it, it's good' then I won't listen to it for the next few months kind of way, I ADORE IT. And it's all I've been playing today(OK, maybe not but it sure seemed like that!) but I haven't gotten sick of it. It's pop, I think that's the best way to describe it. Think a less sanitized Same Difference plus an early 2000's R&B girl group song. BUT, the melody's so addictive that I was actually singing it after like 2 plays. Will have to review it sometime this weekend.
• There's a new Lady Sovereign song out and may I say, I'm liking her new image much more than her old one. She's like Lily Allen mixed with Lady GaGa, at least that's what So Human is telling me.
• Calvin Goldspink, yes Calvin from S Club 8, posted a couple of songs on his MySpace and I'm loving them! I must say though, he sounds nothing like he used to(as if I actually heard him.. OK I did but it's just an excuse 'coz I kind of forgot what he sounded like during the I Dream era..) and the songs are amazing! Think an edgier sounding, smoother-voiced James Morrison.
• I'm addicted to another of these Chris Brown unreleased stuff, Takes Time. It's very commercial, I can imagine it on the ad for some kind of family-related product. I don't know, I think. haha. I love the melody though, even if the song itself is kind of short(2 minutes?).
• I've got a hold on a not so good copy of the Spectacular! soundtrack, am listening to it at the moment and I'm liking what I'm hearing. Will review it this weekend.
• I know it's all over the place but Kelly Clarkson's My Life Would Suck Without You has a video AND is number one in the US! Yay! I think that they're trying too much to re-create Since You've Been Gone with the video and all(look at it, it looks almost exactly like SYBG!), but it's something they'll never, ever, NEVER be able to do. Since You've Been Gone defined the generation and although I do think that this is a brilliant song, it's not as good.

Hmm.. I guess that's it, will get to the reviews now! haha.

New Music!

I interrupt the boyband special for some of my new addictions! A quick one today, I'm leaving in an hour.

• I'm now, officially addicted to The White Tie Affair. Think Panic! At the Disco + Metro Station, amazing melodies, cool instrumentals.
• My dad is now officially addicted to the Ting Tings. I like to think I had a hand in getting him addicted : ). Remember, annoyingly brilliant! haha. As I'm writing this, he's playing That's Not My Name on the stereo at max. YES!
• Never in a million years did I expect to like Peter Andre. I'm liking Insania, cool song, great melody but so-so vocals. He's done pretty well in music, apparently. haha.
• I'm liking Another Level's Freak Me as well. Amazing melody and the rest of their debut album is just brilliant.
• The GA b-sides are awesome! I'm loving the megamix more than Memory Of You but they're both amazing! Plus the fact that it's apparently on 7" vinyl. Heck, I don't even know what that is!(Ok, I know it's one of those big black round thingies but that's it.)
• A still addicted to the Lady GaGa acoustic thing, it's so different from the original one! Speaking of her, Just Dance is number one in the UK this week! James Morrison is number two as well, yay!
• Northern Line ARE AMAZING. Check out the boyband post tomorrow: 5 Boybands that Demand Your Attention for more on probably the most amazing boyband in that post! haha.
• Craig David + Monrose? Coolness! I don't like Walking Away to start with but the idea of him doing a duet with different people in different continents reminds me of the BoA/Christian Castro thing Westlife did for FWW on their GH1. haha.

Other than that, there's nothing really new or groundbreaking. Remember, the Varsity Fanclub album comes out TOMORROW!(at least that's that I saw on a few blogs and sites..) Yay! Something to review! Yipeeeeee!

Strange..

There's an acoustic version of Lady GaGa's Poker Face(strange, I know. I didn't believe it until I heard it). I kind of like the version, actually. It's very quirky unlike the very dance/edge-y original one. Actually, I really like it! haha.

BTW, she's also apparently number one right now in the US with Just Dance. YAY! I so love that song, especially the A capella version! haha.

Random, much? It's 5 in the morning and I'm supposed to be getting ready for school, which includes printing out my homework but noooooo, I just have to blog about this, don't I? haha. ANYWAY.

# 7: Lady GaGa - Just Dance

Read my initial review of Just Dance here

I don't know why and how I actually like Lady GaGa but I do.

Just Dance is this uber-catchy and even more infectious 'dance' track and I personally think melodically, it's brilliant. I said during my review of the song and album(it's on Pop Addicted!) that this song is like the basis of all the other songs on her album, like it was stripped into pieces and those pieces became the album tracks.

Then, I also noticed very RedOne elements, mainly because the song sounds a lot like Darin's Girl Next Door(thanks to Mel for pointing that out..) and the two songs have the same production team.

Now isn't that pure genius? haha.. The whole song is brilliant and the album is almost as brilliant, although I've gotten a bit sick of it.

New Music!

This week was full of amazing album leaks and releases, so what better way to celebrate than to look back at all the releases I've written about, and write about some more!

• Some amazing releases from Leon Jackson, The Saturdays and Craig David and the Clique Girlz came out/leaked this week. Check out my reviews!
• On the subject of the Clique Girlz, their album is worth at least one listen for you, but there are songs like So Hard, So Far and Who Wouldn't Wanna that are worth careful consideration, they rock! One issue I have though, is the amount of covers on the album, and the fact that there are two covers from one artist.
• The new Lady GaGa tracks from her US release are goooood! It's a nice shift from her regular album that I kind of got a bit sick of..
• HSM3 hit theaters here yesterday, and I was in one of the big malls. Tons and tons of kids watching! It's a good thing I won't be watching for the next week or so, mainly because there are too many people.
• Clips of the new Girls Aloud album have surfaced. Popjustice said not to listen to them, but when I read it, I had already heard the whole sampler. Still, it's proving to be a strong album, a worthy opponent to The Sugababes and The Saturdays.
• BoA has been planning a US launch, and Eat You Up is proving well with the music blog circuit. Some of the lyrics(yum, yum????!!) are strange, but the melody is good and the dancing is amazing, as usual.
• Britannia High starts Sunday night in the UK, I don't know what to expect, really. Start Of Something is not bad, but it sounds like an attempt to make another I Dream. I adore I Dream, but I don't see the point in another one.
• The new weekly top ten is up, a lot of new entries and a lot of exits, but all of this week's new releases are represented! Last week's number one song, Side Chick slips to number four, behind Leon Jackson's Ordinary Days, which enters at number three Craig David's Insomnia, which retains it's number two position, and The Saturdays' Work, which zooms into the coveted top spot. To see the whole thing, look for the chart on the sidebar!

What to expect this week:

• An X Factor Live Show Recap
• Some Taylor Swift?
• And let's hope we get more new releases!

Some random, spur of the moment, short reviews...

I haven't really had the time and will to write single, long reviews these past few weeks so I'll be writing a few short reviews for now..

1. New Kids on the Block with Lady GaGa - Big Girl Now

OK, I've been listening over to the NKOTB album these past few weeks but I've only pin-pointed a single favorite track, my favorite of the favorites and it's their duet with Lady GaGa.

I absolutely adore her(although I have gotten a bit sick of her album, I still think it's genius) and this song is probably a more modern NKOTB. I mean, I love the R&B stuff, but they're a bit too generic to compete with the heavyweights and this is probably the song that's most like an updated NKOTB pre-split sound.

Rating: 4.7/5

2. Taylor Swift - Love Story

I. Absolutely. Adore. This. Girl.

I loved her first album, loved 'Beautiful Eyes' just a bit more but I simply ADORE this new song.

Once again, the music industry has gotten someone right, in the form of Taylor Swift. She'll be making the shift from first album to second very gracefully by the looks of it. I mean, this song is amazing. Her first album showed us that she could sing and write good, solid songs well for her age but I think this second album will just blow us away, show us exactly what she's made of and get us hooked on her music even more.

Rating: 5/5

3. Karina - 16 @ War

Has anyone besides me noticed that she sounds like Beyonce + Rihanna + Keri Hilson?

Anyway. This girl HAS TALENT. Not the 'Charice Pempengco(or however you spell it), too big for her age' voice but the 'OMG, SHE'S AMAZING not too old for her age' voice. You can sense that she's maybe two or three years older than she actually is if you listen to the album but no more than that(although the song is a dead giveaway to her age...).

The song is amazing, the melody is priceless and it's just an amazing song. I cannot believe it only peaked at number 51 on the R&B charts...

Rating: 4.8/5

Lady GaGa - Just Dance

Once again, my apologies for ignoring this blog, I've been really busy with Pop Addicted! and school.. but I'm back!
I wrote a review for the whole album on another music blog(go here), but lemme just focus on this song now.

This song is probably the most infectious song I have ever heard that isn't really that annoying, mainly because it actually has structure and a concept. The song doesn't just have a killer melody and some very memorable instrumentals nestled within it, but you can clearly hear once you hear the whole album that it was actually thought through, not thrown together for the sake of recording a song. As I said, there are some very key and memorable melodic and instrumental elements in the song, the same elements that make it such an infectious song but at the same time, let you know that it was thought about.

Throughout the rest of the album, most of the elements that make 'Just Dance' the amazing song that it is are scattered among the songs. As I said in my full review, it's like 'Just Dance' was stripped apart and the result of that were all the other album tracks.

This song is sure to get you hooked on Lady GaGa, so don't forget to support her and buy a copy of 'The Fame'!

My Rating: 5!!!!!