New Music Video – Katy Perry “California Gurls”
Katy Perry's new video is out, and, as much as I resented her debut single, I really think she couldn't be in a better position right now, commercially speaking. Not only is she looking great, she's really channelling the kind of quirky fashion sense that Gwen Stefani showed us in her L.A.M.B. era, on top of this, the song is catchy, the video is bright and funny, and she is now engaged to one of the most popular comedians at the moment, Russel Brand.
The video itself is definetly well done, I love that it is almost a parody of itself, and it may not have a message behind it, but it really encapsulates pop music in 2010, fun! I hope you enjoy the video and please leave a comment below, I'd appreciate it!
Performance – MTV Movie Awards Christina Aguilera “Bionic Medley”
So, Christina performed at this years MTV movie awards, and did a medley of three songs from her upcoming album. I was expecting another horrible mess like her performance on Oprah, and judging by the fact that almost everything in her album campaign has failed miserably so far, I wasn't far off the public sentiment. To add to this, I personally listened to "Bionic" Christina new album, and whilst I really enjoyed a few songs, however it did not need to be so long, and certainly good have done without her talking it up so much.
BUT, I watched this performance and must say I really enjoyed it, she had a good stage presence, seemed really fired up and energised by what she was doing. I also though she looked great for once, no clown makeup, no massive frizzy hair, she was definetly making all the right moves. So basically, things are starting to look up for Christina's latest album campaign, it has since been #1 in the UK midweeks, which is a great sign considering she hasn't really promoted there as of yet. I think what is most important, is that she stops taking long breaks in between albums, as expectations can become too high. Anyway, checkout the performance and let me know what you thought in the comments section!
NO DOUBT – NEW SINGLE "Stand and Deliver"
They're Back!
No Doubt are finally back! Just before their tour rockets around the United States, they have released a cover single for "Fans" who purchased the tickets, unsurprisingly it spread all over the internet like Bai Lings Legs.
The song is... quirky,and that makes it true to the original (thank god she didn't try a British accent!) they did a great job, and Gwen's Vocals are fantastic. Keep in mind this is just a cover song of Adam and the Ants 1981 single "Stand and Deliver", it wont be on their new album, in which case the song is not the be all and end all but it's a very nice song!
The best part is, it completely draws you back to their yesteryears of raw ska and new wave music, like their independent album "Beacon Street Collection" . I think it helps bridge the gap between Gwen's iconic solo career and her roots with No Doubt. It's a way of saying, we're the same as always, and we haven't changed.
All I can say is that their cover captures a more feel-good essence than the original, and I give it Three stars, and wait with baited breath for some original material from this talented band.
Check out No Doubt, May 1st Live on the Today Show (America) and also (If you watch it) They will be performing a cameo in Gossip Girl with "Stand and Deliver" on the episode airing 11th May.
To listen to the song simply google the song name and you'll find a link from somewhere, it's everywhere at the moment so you won't have much trouble, unfortunately Youtube is trying to turn all Big Brother on us so they are deleting videos, restricting people not from the United States from watching a lot of videos. Don't bother with Youtube. They are just hindering the publicity that artists deserve.
Black Eyed Peas – Boom Boom Pow – Single Review
The Black Eyed Peas, Dressed in Black.
So due to overwhelming demand from not just fans, but radio stations in Australia, America, and let alone the general public, the released was significantly pushed forward to 30th of March. GOOD MOVE. This is easily one of the main reasons that the song has shot straight to the top slot of the iTunes charts in America, and the top 5 in Australia. The song is currently sitting on three times the sales of the next biggest selling single "Poker Face", which is definetly a sign of phenomenal sales, given Lady Gaga's popularity of late.
To the song, I'm no huge fan of Fergie these days, I was definetly into her solo stuff and work with the Black Eyed Peas, except when I noticed how much she was completely ripping off Gwen Stefani she lost a little bit of credibility. Not to mention the simply ear-bleedingly good 'Labels or Love', living proof that 80% of women(and some men) will consume anything affiliated with Sex In The City, no matter how vapid and dull.
The song incorporates simply incredible beats, fantastic, and that is what the songs about, without a doubt. There are a few similarities to Kayne West (Not in a good way) and Lady Gaga, first of all, the use of autotune makes Fergie sound like a tween chipmunk, and it doesn't sound very original when Will I Am sings "Stronger better Faster" under the influence of autotune, it's a ripoff of a song that is a ripoff (Kanye West's "Stronger" which stole the entire song off Daft Punk), it's like 'meta-plagarism'.
But after a while you look past the abhorrently shrill and misplaced vocals, and you begin to see that behind all the stupid and predictable "rap battle-isms" like "We So 3008 you so 2000 and late" (Snap Fergie) is what the Pea's really stand for, Hot beats, a vocal diversity that is unmistakable even with autotune, and an energy in the delivery of their songs. Which leaves little to be argued about their fifth album, which I love because it is "The E.N.D" which just works up their hardcore fans into thinking they are breaking up, when it really means Energy Never Dies.
Now I will refer to exhibit A, this encapsulates the core problem I have with the lyrics in the song.
"Beats so big I'm steppin on Leprechauns, shittin all ya'll with the boom boom"
Will.I.Am is effectively stating, that he is squashing leprechauns while defacating on the listeners, what makes it worse is that it's not even said in jest, he just...declares it. What happened to the lyrical style of "Where is the Love"?
So let's just ignore the fact that the lyrics make Soulja Boy sound like a 47 year old Arts Graduate, and accept that the song is great, it's not as invigorating as "Don't Phunk With My Heart", but they are being smart by choosing to take the direction of captivating and strong beats, fast pace nonsensical bullshit is the new thing, and there is nothing wrong with listening to this song, so long as you don't draw some emotional meaning from it. (Unless you have something against leprechauns)
My Final rating is possibly misleading, so let me explain it
Beats: 5 Star
Tempo: 5 Star
Lyrics: 0 Stars
Vocals: 1 Star (The autotune on one hand is horrible, but on the other isn't altogether unbearable)
Final Rating: 3 Stars - this song is good, but the Black Eyed Peas could've done the same song with decent lyrics, the lyrics in it aren't really interesting, they don't add anything to the song as a whole. Still I just love that the Black Eyed Peas are back.
1000 Stars – Natalie Bassingthwaighte – The Review
1000 Stars
Many words can describe Natalie Bassingthwaighte, she's sexy, sophistacated, but also funny and down to earth. Yet, she's so talented, she really is an amazing performer, with a powerful and edgy vocal style that exudes audacity and the extent of her experience and maturity.
Now there is a Television show in Australia called "Neighbours", filmed in Melbourne, where I live, which launched the career's of countless successful artists, for example Kylie Minogue and Natalie Imbruglia. Yet whilst these two are talented, a string of semi-talented runts like Stephanie Mcintosh, released absolutely appaling albums, which is why Natalie hesitated to go to her audition for Neighbours back in 2003 when it was offered to her.
Natalie always planned to become a succesful music artist, and this is why she didn't want to be tainted by the stigma of "Another bloody Neighbours star", personally I don't blame her, yet she suddenly became a very popular television personality.
The Rogue Trader's
She secretly joined the Rogue Traders, a band of which had little success apart from an Aria for their only single until she joined them. After she joined them she kept her identity under wraps to prove her talent, she had done countless musicals but this was different. Their first single went multi-platinum "Voodoo Child" and from there on they had a string of platinum singles throughout their second and third albums.
In 2006 Natalie was offered a record deal for a solo album, to which she immediately accepted, but never got around to until her and the band amicably parted in 2008. Then in 2008 she begun to write the album, and now it has been released, 1000 Stars her debut album.
The album begins with the devilishly retro "Catch Me If You Can" , this is fantastic, and it shows how diverse her musical talents are, and the song is electro inspired also which makes instantly catchy. If you like Adele and Duffy, despite this not being soul music, this is a song that you will certainly enjoy.
Natalie's first single "Alive"
This album reminds me of Beyonce's "I am Sasha Fierce" album, because there is evidently a dichotomy of musical styles on the album, on one side there is the honest and vunerable side of Natalie, on acoustic songs like "In His Eyes" , the title track "1000 Stars" , the sharp "Turn The Lights On", the philosophical "Why do I?", and the inspirational "Someday Soon" of which many of you will have heard.
But then there is the side that I didn't exactly expect from Natalie, she's been the rock chick and then the soulful balladeer, but now she is the new Kylie Minogue as far as I'm concerned, evidence of this is in the ubiquitous hooks of "Supersensual" a song which is skeletally based on Blondie's "Heart Of Glass" no doubt a source of inspiration that is paramount to this side of her music. Yet then songs such as "Love Like This", and "This Can't Be Love" take you away with the tempting beats and the energetic vocals.
"Feel The Flow" and "Superhuman" both show us the mellow and pensive side of Natalie, her vocals are somewhat mystical in these songs, they are some top quality tracks.
But overall this album ticks every box, it's catchy, emotional, btouching, and danceable all at the same time. 1000 Stars is about Natalie the woman, not the character she played in the Rogue Trader's, it's the difference between Gwen Stefani singing "A Simple Kind of Life" and "Sweet Escape", this is Natalie Bassingthwaighte, it is 100% her, she wrote it, she sang it, and we're going to love it.
I believe this album will do well, and will easily go platinum, but if they release the correct singles, then she will certainly catch on and become a musical phenomenon in Australia, I look forward to her next album and I hope the success from 1000 Stars will inspire her to new levels of her career.
1000 Stars recieves 4 and a half stars, which whilst is a little short of 1000 is still a hit, there are some amazing songs on it, however at times some songs became a little too subtle and modest, which I understand was the point of the album, but it could do with more of her attitude in some places.
Purchase the album instore unless you really wish to buy it on itunes, you get a physical copy, higher quality, and it costs about a dollar extra, so why wouldn't you just get the real thing!
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Single Review – Natalie Bassingthwaighte "Someday Soon"
Natalie "Someday Soon"
To those not from Australia or the United Kingdom, you will mostly be unaware of Natalie Bassingthwaighte, former front woman for the Rogue Traders, but not for long. "Someday Soon is the second single from her debut album 1000 Stars, which she has been working on for almost two years, and believe me, from the first two singles, it shows.
First there was "Alive", the debut single from her solo album, which I loved, but due to it's staggered release did not receive the lofty chart accolades it deserved, a stunning electro-pop song, with character, Natalie's voice and look is one of a kind, except in some instances she can look alot like Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas, but that's a tale for another time. Now "Someday Soon" reminds me of Mariah Carey's "We Belong Together" and Natasha Bedingfield's "Unwritten", it is an inspirational song, and before you know it, it's stuck in your head in a great way.
"Someday soon you're going to catch that dream you've been chasing, Someday they're gonna write your name in the sky"
The song combines a dreamy beat which is quite similar to Gwen Stefani's "The Real Thing" and Natalies inspirational vocals are truly spectacular, she is a talented singer for sure, and also knows how to bring her personality into a song without seeming forced. Overall I rate it 4 and a half stars and I'm positive it will be a hit, the single will be released both digitally and physically on January 10th, obviously Sony BMG learnt not to drag out their releases!
Listen to this euphoric Pop Song Below on the official music video
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No Doubt Reunited Touring Whilst Producing Album
They're Back
The epic No Doubt, with Gwen Stefani, have announced they will be touring next year before releasing their new album, which is very exciting, obviously since Gwen was pregnant, producing the new album had to be postphoned quite a bit, but they are going to tour in the meantime and hope to release the album in the third to last quarter of 2009, which means we should expect a lead single around about June-July!
Checkout this new photo of the band taken recently, found on the bands webpage. I'm already pumped for their tour after over a year of waiting for some decent news on Gwen Stefani or No Doubt, (Musically speaking) finally there is something new from the band, and it looks classy and I like the new style of the band, this indicates that they know a new direction and shouldn't be trodding on old terriritory. When Gwen Stefani takes a chance on something new, history shows that she usually kicks ass at it.
Music Video Review – Lady Gaga "Love Game"
Lady Gaga Channelling Britney Spears
Evidently, Lady Gaga has filmed two music video's at once, because they have been released so closely together despite LoveGame's release not even due yet in the United States for months. But first let me say, whilst the start of both the video's seems cheap and tacky, just hold on a minute, bear with it, and BAM! You realise how good the video's are.
However both videos make it very clear where Lady Gaga has gotten her inspiration and drive from, in Love Game we see Ms. Gaga revisiting the classic Michael Jackson dance for the "Bad" video, and she does it well, something which Love Game proves, she can really dance quite well!
Love Game is a fantastic song, and the music video encapsulates this, the energetic intense dancing which represents the beats in the song, and the inevitable and sort of creepy gyrating of the hips which obviously conveys the indiscreetly sexual nature of the song.
Lady Gaga's crotch is mainly the subject matter of the first quarter of the video, and to be honest, she is a little bit too unflatteringly skinny to be wearing her outfits the way she is... "Downstairs" especially the chain mail chastity belt panties as I shall deem it that she thrusts at her backup dancers.
Gaga Chanelling Gwen Stefani
Lady Gaga's crotch is mainly the subject matter of the first quarter of the video, and to be honest, she is a little bit too unflatteringly skinny to be wearing her outfits the way she is... "Downstairs" especially the chain mail chastity panties as I shall deem it that she thrusts at her backup dancers.
Then we move into a bus where we see Lady Gaga looking like a dead ringer of Britney Spears, alongside snippets of her looking exactly like Britney when she wore Swarovski crystals in her Toxic videos.
Oh yes, and people said Katy Perry "Pushed a few buttons", well if that is so, then in "Love Game" Lady Gaga Bashes those buttons with either a fork or her crotch, whichever you prefer. Lady Gaga makes out with a female cop, just as the words "It always starts the same, with a boy and a girl", which personally I love, because she's bringing another dimension to what she is saying, becuase to be honest that lyric without this fabulous soft-core cinematography would sound like your local catholic priest's take on "The sanctity of marriage".
After this Lady Gaga turns into an absolute dead ringer of Gwen Stefani, more so than she already is, she dresses exactly like Gwen did in her "Hey baby" video with No doubt, she even wears a boob tube that makes her look flat chested, this is no accident people! Then she grabs her smoking crotch and does a verbatim replica of Michael Jackson's Bad dance, and she does it really, really well!
So it may sound like I didn't enjoy the video, but the truth is, this is the sort of video I've been waiting for from Lady Gaga, Poker Face was good, but not great, Just Dance was just home-video quality, but Love Game is a true pop megastar video. The choreography is amazing and the camera work is phenomenal, this is truly a fantastic video, and Lady Gaga would do so well to just ditch the mankini and the chain mail chastity crotch guarding panty's and to wear some hot pants... I'm not being prudish but it's a little off putting and almost insanely contradictory, she's practically wearing armor on her Swimsuit area and begging someone to have sex with her, is it her idea of birth control?
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