Boys Like Girls - Self-Titled Album

I'm usually not susceptible to in-store marketing gimmicks with the exception of free shows, but a few weeks ago I had a breakdown in the SF Best Buy. I was there to buy the Britney Spears album for the company gift exchange (I had to buy a present with the initials BS), when I was thinking I needed new music. The little red sticker on the Boys Like Girls album saying that they were a SPIN artist of the year caught my eye and I took them home with me.

They are the All-American Rejects music with the vocals from The Used softened. On some tracks it works (like the hit "The Great Escape"), and on others it's less successful, see above. This may be the shortest review ever, but after playing the album in my car for about a week, I still couldn't tell the songs apart. There's a real lack of breadth in their sound, but it remains catchy.

As a side note, if you pause the video at 0:01, you can see a guitarist/bassist on the left in a really awesome T-shirt of a bridge. I happen to own that shirt as well, but it was so Urban Outfitters three seasons ago.

Final Note
HATE

Cobra Starship - The City is at War

HOTNESS ALERT!!! Cobra Starship has steadily been gaining popularity to my dismay. I recently tried to get tickets to their upcoming show at one of my favorite venues only to find they were sold out and tickets on e-Bay started at $50. This is more than a month in advance of the show and they're not that big....yet. It reminds me of The Killers, but I got my tickets for that 3 months in advance.

But with such danceable beats in their pop-punk, it's no wonder. And what Cobra Starship does best is add camp to the genre that felt it was so rebellious. Lyrics like "designer drugs and designer friends" with a video that substitutes pies for bullets and narcotics really adds a classic touch of happiness.

Cobra Starship, as the name might not imply, is sort of an All Star band. All Star in that each of the members has a full-time gig in another band. The lead singer is from Midtown, and Maja from The Sounds is involved and a few others. Their music, however, is not All Star quality. But as the name implies once again, this is about fun, not art, unless art is social commentary, and then it's still not.

But what have you, it's hot right now. So get on it.

Final Note
LOVE

Flo Rida - Low

If there was ever a song since "Drop It Like It's Hot" that made me want to pop my booty, this is it. I just want to pop-pop till I can't stop.

The song starts with a rather grandiose intro as though we're getting a gangster anthem, but then it breaks into a club beat. And that's when you hear about the Apple Bottoms, boots with the fur, sweatpants, and Reeboks with the straps.

The versus aren't very special. They kind of morph into the back like so many hip hop songs. I'm sure the lyrics rhyme, or something. But then the chorus comes back. I've so far made this my 2008 New Years Eve anthem and driven one of my roommates crazy and then to fall in love with the song.

I best be gettin' me to my local urban-apparel retailer for my ABs, know what I mean?

Final Note
LOVE

Britney Spears Blackout

I sort of dropped the ball on Britney's big release a week or so ago. It may be late, but I feel it's still worth comment. The media has been abuzz saying it's a surprisingly good album without all of Britney's drama. Word on the street also has it that Spears is refusing to do any promotion for the album. It will be an interesting case: can a well known artist sell a decent album without working?

Gimme More is the obvious best track, but the album has enough to sink one's teeth into. Piece of Me has follow up single status and has biting lyrics more Pink than bubble gum. The chicken sound actually fits in and gives the song a sound that could provide future sampling opportunities as it is so unique. Radar also deserves some play alongside Cold as Fire.

The rest of the album isn't filler, but it's not stand alone either. The last two tracks slow the album to a crawl, which clearly disrupts the more dance-genre sound Britney moved toward.

Final Note
LOVE

Let Me In

Hot Hot Heat is back with more suck for us to choke on. Their latest single Let Me In comes off a new album that I was hoping would be more akin to their first album Make Up the Breakdown than their sophomore release Elevator.

The Hot Hot Heat situation is a good example of why fans are so against "going mainstream". It's not really about the band becoming well known, selling out, or not signing a billion things after concerts. It's about changing your sound in a way that eliminates uniqueness. Make Up the Breakdown was unique, if not perfect. It was early new new wave, before new new wave was in vogue again, pre-Killers. Elevator was the great leap to mainstream that sounded nothing like the previous album and made up HHH's own let down.

The latest release was a place to reach back or stay the course, and we've seen what they chose. Let Me In is completely indistinct. It sounds like a bunch of noise, I can barely understand the vocals. The music is bland and constant--no highs or lows, no emotion. What happened to the wood block, the funky beats, and the lack of production?

Final Note
HATE

Under the Blacklight

Rilo Kiley is back in action and I'm super excited about it. The latest issue is not much of an improvement on More Adventurous, but more of the same lesser quality tracks.

As evidenced in Close Call, the group has the uncanny ability to vocalize almost any topic without imposing judgment. The fist single and attempt to break mainstream, The Moneymaker, is my least favorite track because it leaves all folk sensibility aside in favor of blase climactic moments. A better choice would have been Breakin' Up, a happy medium with minor electro pop sounds, actual climactic activity, and a hook while staying true to Rilo Kiley's sound. If it weren't to have competed with Umbrella, it could have been a summer hit about self-reflection/actualization a la Suddenly I See:

Oh! It! Feels good to be free!

The best part about Rilo Kiley albums though is the variety in tracks and the unexpected stories that are told. In 15, we hear an ironically playful story about a guy who has sex with too young of girl, which calls Sublime's Wrong Way to mind for musical as well as topical reasons. Then you spin into Smoke Detector, which finds a million puns for smoking. Close out with the encouraging Give a Little Love and go on with your fabulous day.

Final Note
LOVE

Gimme More Video

Britney Spears's video for Gimme More is building a lot of buzz, not only because it's Britney, bitch, but also because America has been following the drama of her "everyday" life. Despite the devastating VMA performance and mounds of awful publicity, Gimme More is a triumph of pop music even if Britney isn't. It's hot right now, yo.

I'm going to insert a mea culpa in here. I originally said that I did not like the song, but oh how it has grown on me. I turn it up everytime I hear the first beats.

With it's recent debut on TRL and a host of other places, like iTunes, it seemed fitting to review the video. We see Britney in her usual environment as of late--a club. We see her drinking with friends and watching a pole dancer, who turns out to be Britney too! Is this art imitating life?

Let's talk about the dancing. It's no VMA performance. It looks good, but there's a lot of camera cuts and you realize Britney really isn't doing that much. There's no breakdown dance routine, a crushing blow to my enthusiasm for the video. In fact, the video actually seems more suggestive than sexual, if one disregards the revealing dress code.

And there's a part where Britney actually smiles. When was the last time we saw that?

Final Note
HATE

Lovefest 2007

This blog is becoming more difficult for me to keep up. With that said, there are going to be some changes. First, I'm scrapping the posting format. You'll still get the links you need, but I can't say as much or as little as I want trying to write in a framework so rigid.

Anyway, so Lovefest is an amazing dance party in San Francisco's Civic Center once a year. There's a parade to lead it off before the floats crowd around for daytime ravers.
If there was a trend in the floats, it was more speakers and fewer people than last year. The emphasis was put front and center with no room for gyrating bodies. Those would have to be down below.

Captains and slutty flight attendants ruled the friendly skies last Saturday. This picture was one of the better with bumpin' beats and an airplane theme.

Final Note
LOVE

Paper Planes
M.I.A.
Lyrics

Anticipation Children's voices, gunshots, and a cash register ring harmoniously together. This is by far one of the most unusual combinations that comes together better than peanut butter and chocolate.
Vocals M.I.A.'s voice is great and provides much depth--something the song survives on.
Music As mentioned, the sound effects in the chorus combine to actually sound like part of the melody. It's the centerpiece set upon a dreamy background.
Verses Rap-packed lyrics can make the message easy to miss, but it provides content for multiple listenings.
Chorus I can't spoil it here. You have to hear it yourself. I can't normally say that, but in this case, you just must.
Hook Obviously what you have to hear in this song. My greatest sadness is that you can't sing along with the gunshots.
Breakdown Steadiness in sound with stoicism in voice drive sincerity home.
Lyrics Try this on for size:
We pack and deliver like ups trucks Already going hell Just pumping that gas
Hit Potential
None. Could you imagine a radio station playing gunshots? Just the thought makes me laugh.
Final Note
LOVE

1234
Feist
Lyrics

Anticipation She's not only a VH1 Artist to Watch, but also a Starbucks cafe broadcastee. With such cred, we dive in.
Vocals The best word to describe Feist's voice is genuine. It's slighty scratchy, flater than you might expect, but clearly demonstrates range. While the music emphasizes a regular, staccato speech pattern, the words come out more song than sentence.
Music It took a while to grow on me, but this is like indie updating big band music. It's bold, brassy, and but a gem.
Verses Is she meloncholy, whiny, remeniscent, or hopeful? All combine in her tone and lyrics during the verses.
Chorus The mood turns to be more in your face about life lessons. It's wishfully unapologetic and whimsical.
Hook Something as old as counting has been reinvented.
Breakdown It just makes me want to run through a field. And maybe fly a kite.
Lyrics Feist deals with her conflicted emotions about a cheater in a way that confronts her partner without gushing with rage. It's tasteful, tactful, delicate, and simply a complex tune. There is more than appears at first listen.
Hit Potential Low. Maybe on the adult alternative side.
Final Note
LOVE

Young Folks
Peter, Bjorn & John
Lyrics

Anticipation A surprise favorite coming straight out of indieville, Young Folks appears to be popular with Europeans.
Vocals They're spot on, but sound a lot like talking. They put you into a sing-songy daze perfect for foot tapping.
Music It's catchy, especially at first. But it doesn't go anywhere. It very clearly sounds indie.
Verses Deep, intimate conversation between potential friends and more.
Chorus The conversation becomes a sing together. With sunburst sounds of joy the two find they want to be closer. Doesn't it sound so indy you want to throw up a little?
Hook What exactly does "We don't care about the young folks" mean? Seriously lacking.
Breakdown Whistling makes it's come back. It's like a Jetta commercial or something.
Lyrics The true mark of indie shows itself. But I'm yawning.
Hit Potential Low to moderate.
Final Note
HATE

I Want Your Soul
Armand Van Helden
Lyrics

Anticipation Giant dance artist release new track possibly the next Call On Me. Yes, that Call On Me with the strippercize video.
Vocals Blah blah blah. Sounds excellent. They're not what this track's about.
Music There's something about the synth that just grabs you. Very simplistic, but it works so so so well as the second-largest climax EVER.
Verses There are only three lines to this song; I felt ridiculous when I did a google search for them. As such, it's difficult to separate the verses from the chorus.
Chorus I really should be critical, but I don't have a problem with it. I guess there could be verses.
Hook I want ya!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I want ya to be on my radio all day long!
Breakdown It leads to the biggest climax ever. Play it loud or don't bother.
Lyrics Frankly, they make no sense. Ok, they kind of do if you don't use soul literally. Surprising that it isn't just more blunt, then again, I Want Your Soul is a pretty bad ass name of a song.
Hit Potential None on mainstream radio. Pretty standard.
Final Note
LOVE

Gimme More
Britney Spears
Live Performance at VMAs

This is the first ever performance review for LMSP, but it only makes sense to expand in this new direction when pop is all about the sound and performance.

There is one problem, and only one problem, with Britney's VMA performance: commitment. Britney is not committed to the performance art--and apparently neither was her hair stylist as her flat, even length hair said over 30 and preggers with more than a hint of a stripper's apathy. Everything, from her robotic body movements to her lack of facial expression said that Britney was not back. She had no plans on playing the role of seductress anymore. She may have wanted to be a slave 4 U, but that time has come and gone, and now she doesn't really want more.

When I watched the clip, I felt like she was outdone by her backup dancers, which would have had a great show without Britney in the middle. There's Britney's pretend cover her mouth giggle, when it's clear she's not giggling. There's 50 Cent's face of confusion and Rihanna's orgasm by way of shadenfreude in the front row. You know who would have been great for this song? PCD.

Final Note
HATE

Clumsy
Fergie
Lyrics

Anticipation Don't wet your pants on this one, but I think this will be Fergie's next hit--almost sure of it. I've been saving this review, but now is the time as last weekend I finally heard it on the radio. I just can't hold it any longer.
Vocals Fergie works it bouncing between coy and innocent.
Music Sounds like there's an atari game in the background, and the jazzy chorus-lead in define this song.
Verses Strong performances. A full part of the song working hand-in-hand with the chorus.
Chorus The girl can't help it, it's just too catchy. But the drums, more than the lyrics, are what get stuck in my head.
Hook Is there one? I guess it's the music.
Breakdown I think I'd like this song better without the Fergie heart-to-heart.
Lyrics I'm not sure "clumsy" is the word to describe this song's subject. It works, but I could have imagined a song about being "clumsy" and "fumbling" as being more touchy feely in the literal sense.
Hit Potential Drink lots of water for this one, it's going to be HOT.
Final Note
LOVE

Umbrella
Marie Digby
Lyrics

Anticipation One of you loyal readers sent me this article about the manufactured-ness of pop, to which I say who cares. Pop is all about being fun to listen to, no matter how you find out about it or how good the artist is. It should be fun, catchy, and memorable. With that said, I decided to take on the artist, Marie Digby, who is a blatant liar about her climb to fame. But she does something that perhaps even she did not intend: Digby answers the Rihanna question.

The song has kind of had a life of its own, getting radio play and, where I heard it first, on an episode of The Hills, which really boosted its popularity. The artist also has history: she attended UC Berkeley for a year and even had a story in the Daily Cal for her singing ability at the time.
Vocals More sincere than Rihanna, the singing actually makes this song sound like it's about friendship and not electronic rain or something. But, c'mon, it's not like Digby's that much more talented than robotic Rihanna.
Music It's acoustic guitar. That's it.
Verses I like the verses understatedness, but the chorus is a much stronger performance.
Chorus Well sung, but boring with only acoustic guitar behind.
Hook BECAUSE...when the sun shines
Breakdown Wait, where's Jay-Z on this version?
Lyrics Whoa! It's a song!
Hit Potential It has a life of its own, although it's living off the original. Popular, but not a hit.
Final Note
LOVE

Gimme More
Britney Spears
Lyrics

Anticipation When America's Mickey Mouse Club superstar turned whore of a mother pop star is staging a comeback, the stakes don't really get any higher. Unless it's divorce. Or child custody battles. Or vag flashing. But then, that's just what it took to get Britney to her new place.
Vocals Britney doesn't really have to try on this song as no talent is required. It sounds more like talking than singing everywhere.
Music Reminiscent of I'm a Slave 4 U's more club oriented sound than radio appeal, Gimme More comes from the same vein. It's flat for a dance track, however. One might wish that the track gave us more.
Verses The song is actually the best in the verses. Britney shines in a low, red light.
Chorus Clearly the worst part of the song. It's only two words. Not even Britney can pull off a two word chorus.
Hook I guess it's the two word chorus.
Breakdown Instead of the breakdown, I'd like to discuss the intro. The first, radio-unfriendly line of the song had me ROFLCOPTERing. It will be the hook that everyone throws around. I already have started.
Lyrics
They're bad, even for a pop song. I don't understand why the slut trys to veil her desires through bad puns:

Center of attention, even when you're up against the wall You got me in a crazy position If you're on a mission You got my permission
Hit Potential I don't think it will be enough to stage a comeback a la Hung Up. This is definitely a Princess of Pop comeback.
Final Note
HATE

Me Love
Sean Kingston
Lyrics

Anticipation The follow up single to the MTV-censored-to-death-for-no-good-reason "Beautiful Girls", I was interested to see if Sean Kingston was a one trick pony.
Vocals Average performance. The backup are better than the lead.
Music It's a Carribean-esque track with big, proud steel drums and a reggae beat. I'm feeling the tropical heat just writing about it.
Verses The first a little slow, but you're getting in the tropix groove. Then comes the rhyming and you know you're looking for pina colada.
Chorus Ruled by the hook, the chorus could have drunk beach partiers going for hours.
Hook "Oh, oh, oh, oh, ooooohhhh, why'd you have to go away from home" is sooooooooooo fun!
Breakdown The break down sizzles up to the scorching hot final chorus.
Lyrics Miss you song belied by its fun Carribean beat.
Hit Potential Already on it's way up. It ends when the heat starts dissipating.
Final Note
LOVE

Don't Stop the Music
Rihanna
Lyrics

Anticipation After reading Pitchfork's review of Rihanna's latest album, Good Girl Gone Bad, I was anxious to hear more. I was also interested to see if Rihanna had more than Umbrella up her sleeve and if the other singles would leave me with the same question: What would this sound like if anybody but Rihanna had done it?
Vocals In a rather chant-like tone, Rihanna gets this song out on the beat. Production effects make it sound like she was carrying the note, but it's really just echo.
Music Sharp beats. I wish the beat that starts the song were used more, especially at the end. There's an MJ sample, particularly well used in the breakdown. It has a mashup-like quality.
Verses To steal a word, "robotic". Verses are toned down compared to the rest of the song, but still provide enough to dance out to.
Chorus Starts with a powerful crescendo of beat, sample, and saturated vocals. Rihanna could be saying anything to this beat-sample combo.
Hook While you can certainly sing-along, the song's a little flat.
Breakdown The MJ sample makes you wonder why the King of Pop was never making dance tracks.
Lyrics It's unfortunate that the more fun lyrics are in the verses where they're not highlighted and the chorus has rather dull ones. Every Rihanna song seems to fit "naughty" in someplace, as does this one.
Hit Potential I smell big success, but it won't reach the heights of Umbrella unfortunately.
Final Note
LOVE

I Got It From My Mama
Will.i.am
Lyrics

Anticipation Usually songs with any Black Eyed Peas members succeed, especially when it's all four together. With the BEP future undisclosed (with Fergie's solo career in progress), can the rest of the group find solo success?

Disclaimer: a lot of P2P searches turn up saying this song features Nicole from the Pussycat Dolls. It doesn't.
Vocals Will.i.am delivers a solid performance. The chick voice tight-ropes on a line of tweeniness and tartiness.
Music The beats are simple, and go on a little too long before a change up.
Verses I'm listening to this song on repeat, and I can't remember what the verse sounds like. Unremarkable apparently.
Chorus This track proves word economy has no impact on catchiness.
Hook Definitely there. A sugary "I got it from my mama" x4 is all it takes to have you coyly looking at yourself in your rear-view mirror reading the line with a different face each time.
Breakdown Made for a club, the "if you're pretty making some noise" will have crowds cheering. YEA-YEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lyrics I'm left confused whether this song is praising mamas or hating on their daughters.
Hit Potential It'll get some respect from the masses.
Final Note
LOVE

I'm a Flirt
R. Kelly vs Broken Social Scene
Lyrics

Anticipation As opposed to the usual mashup problem (good song + good song = shit), I was told this one was more like good*good=good^2. And this was from a person without mathematical qualifications.
Vocals Do you remember Trapped in the Closet? The vocals are like that at the end of each line--an extension toward higher notes, similar to asking a question. So annoying. The MCing is pretty fast, though, R. Kelly doesn't do any of it.
Music Broken Social Scene brings the house down in this one. It makes the song both interesting and unique.
Verses Underwhelming. Most attention is focused on the MCs who spit words deadpan.
Chorus Clearly the best part of the song. Particularly the later chorus that also takes the place of the breakdown.
Hook The song really lacks a hook. "I'm a flirt" maybe singable, but it doesn't get stuck in your head.
Breakdown See chorus.
Lyrics There are a lot of words to this song, but none of them particularly interesting. I don't really wanting to worship R. Kelly by singing his ladies man warning to all the b/fs out there.
Hit Potential None. Mashups have no potential.
Final Note HATE