Happy Seventh Anniversary Girls Aloud!

It’s been seven years to the day that Girls Aloud formed as a band on Popstars: The Rivals! Congratulations girls, you’ve managed to become one of the greatest girl groups in history. 20 consecutive top ten hits in the UK charts (including four number ones and four number twos, also 15 top 5 singles) and  6 Platinum Albums!

Girls Aloud are my all time favorite recording artists and I just want to say…

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

I’m smitten with the past and I can’t wait for the future! Well done girls!

Cheryl Cole: 3 Words | Album Review

Initially I was thrilled to hear that two of the five member’s of the UK girl group Girls Aloud were going to release solo projects while they are on a break from the band. Cheryl has become one of the most lovable famous faces in Britain today and seems to be somewhat of a national treasure. Apart from the group and in addition she has been a judge on The X Factor, the new face of L’Oreal, and well if your here you probably know all about her so let’s get to it then, yeah?

3 Words is the solo debut and sixth studio album by the British popstar  Cheryl Cole. Her main collaborator was will.i.am and it definitely shows. Cheryl has said that she wanted to break away from the Xenomania-esque sound Girls Aloud has been known for and go for an album with an R&B feel, it was at that moment I sighed a little. What we ended up with was a less than stellar debut, filled with repetitive hooks, meh lyrics, and all in all lack luster tunes. The album itself is a not particularly bad, it’s just not as fantastic as I had hoped for. Cheryl’s 3 Words overall is a(n) occasionally dark,  mid tempo melody of songs about love and clearly reflects on her own life choices.

Here is my quasi-track by track breakdown of 3 Words:

1. 3 Words (featuring will.i.am): The album’s title track and soon to be second single is a strangely beautiful subdued tune that is among the best the album has to offer. It’s a bold choice for a single, but never the less I enjoy this song. Cheryl has said this is her favorite track on the album.
2. Parachute: Some of my favorite verses on this album happen in this song. “I don’t tell anyone about the way you hold my hand” backed by a military drum beat that plays throughout the song opens this great track. The chorus is used in just the right amount of moderation (unlike most on the album). Cheryl has said it was between this and ‘Fight For This Love’ for the first single, so maybe this will surface again as the third? Like the ‘3 Words’, this one shines above the rest.
3. Heaven (featuring will.i.am): Memorizing opening followed by a great intro by Cheryl. Everything about the song is fantastic, except for the over used bit “my heaven’s with you“, it can get a bit annoying. So far so good.
4. Fight For This Love: The album’s first single is most certainly a grower. I at first was fairly disappointed, but soon enough I began to love it. It’s catchy is a sneaky way! I do cringe a bit at the line “ain’t gonna be no picnic” though. Other than that I am that fool driving down the street singing loudly along to the chorus.
5. Rain On Me: This is where things take a turn for the worst. Horrible music, horrible lyrics, just an awful track that would be better left off the album. “What’s the price of thunder?” Really Cheryl? I have half a mind to just delete this track and pretend it never existed.
6. Make Me Cry: A really good R&B tune that is really catchy, but falters due to the extremely repetitious hook “Are you trying to make me cry?“. If they edited out about 3 of the uses each time it plays in repetition I think all will be good. Granted the likelihood of this horrible mistake being corrected is very small.
7. Happy Hour: Using alcohol as a metaphor, this track is easily one of my favorites on the album. It’s the best out of more upbeat tracks that are sprinkled throughout. A great chorus, great verses, and good production make this a standout track. Catchy enough to sing along to and upbeat enough to get a good dance going on.
8. Stand Up: This can join ‘Rain On Me’ as one of the worst track’s on the album. Taio Cruz wrote this for her and frankly I think she should have declined. I don’t even know how to explain it… tacky maybe?
9. Don’t Talk About This Love: Mrs. Cole is clearly talking about asking people not to talk about the whole Ashley Cole businesses. The title suggests that this might be a beautiful, soulful track, well it’s deceiving. The music is fairly light and the lyrics are easily delivered, but it just makes it sound like it was poorly produced.
10. Boy Like You (featuring will.i.am): Upbeat and seemly fun to dance to. It’s just very underwhelming. The open has me thinking “oh this may build up nice”, but nope. Cheryl’s delivery just makes the chorus and the entire song a borefest.
11. Heartbreaker (featuring Cheryl Cole): This a will.i.am that is unnecessarily included on her album. She’s in it for about 30 seconds! Cheryl’s part is so tiny is ridiculous. It’s an okay song, it just shouldn’t have been included.

In some final words let me say that I had high expectations for this album due to the fact I’m a huge fan of Girls Aloud. I knew I could possibly be in for heart break the moment I heard she wanted to do an R&B album, but my hopes stayed high. Needless to say she did a decent job on her first real solo venture (in music). Most of 3 Words had to grow on me, but when it did I really enjoyed it. C+

Sugababes | The Ups and Downs of change.

Trouble in girl band land is at a new high as we see the departure of Keisha Buchanan the last original member of the Sugababes. I’m not entirely sure why all of this is happening, but I’m sad none-the-less. Keisha was a great singer and will always be attached to some of the best pop songs of my generation.

And with most change there is good news and bad news!

As usual let’s start with a breakdown of the bad:

• Style wise it looks like the new line up is trashing it up with outfits that look like they rummaged through the Pussycat Dolls’ wardrobe.
• With all of the original members gone I’m a tad bit worried the new “Sugababes” may not keep the brand alive.
• Keisha left.
• Jade (the new member) is not in fact Keisha Buchanan. Not saying I’m not willing to give her a chance to prove herself a great member of the band! I was a bit leery during the 05 Mutya change, but I love Amelle like crazy mad so I’m open to the chance of accepting this Jade person.
• The new music video for their second single will possibly be pretty bad due to the tacky outfits as seen in this (Good) article about the making the new video and all of the “what is going on”.
• If the new album Sweet 7 gets delayed… I’ll cry.

Okay now the good news:

• ‘Girls’ will never be a single again (slightly not relevant, but it is good news).
• Amelle didn’t leave the band like I had feared.
• The album will still be released and the Sugababes will continue to exist.
• This album is almost definitely getting an American release! A little odd that the first time the Sugababes make it over here and it’s a new line up.
• They just might come to perform in Michigan!
• Keisha will still be signed to the same record label because now she’s a solo artist.

Now I shall leave you with Keisha’s last released Sugababes hit… ‘Get Sexy’.

okay so I can’t embed it here, damn! LINKAGE

Pixie Lott tops the UK charts… again.

Congratulations to Pixie Lott! She topped the UK singles charts yet again with her smash hit ‘Boys and Girls‘. The lucky English get to also enjoy the release of Pixie’s new album Turn It Up today. I’m a wicked amount of jealous over on this side of the atlantic. This single is by far one of my favorite of the year. It’s good to see her going places.

The Saturdays | New single, new album, already?

Okay whoa! Again? I’ve totally missed putting this possibly amazing upcoming album on my post about possibly amazing upcoming albums? I give up. But how and why are The Saturdays releasing brand new material already? Their last single ‘Work’ was like only a couple of months ago, beginning of summer kind of deal. I’m not upset, I’m just really excited to hear more from one of the greatest new girl groups to form since Girls Aloud.

The Saturdays’ sixth overall single and lead track from their second album is called ‘Forever Is Over’. It’s definitely something that has to grow on me, but I like the new sound and obsession will soon follow. I didn’t mind the old sound at all, but like Girls Aloud they seem to be maturing from album to album. All good things.

The music video isn’t available to view in my country because of damn restrictions, fml. I can still post the song, but it’s just a picture with the song (quality audio though!)…

The Saturdays new single ‘Forever Is Over’ will be released on October 5th followed by their second (TBA) album on October 12th.

Meet my new obsession of 2009: Pixie Lott

This summer I’ve discovered some wonderfully amazing new music and sometimes I come across artists that are soo good I just have to share. 18 year-old UK native Pixie Lott is one such artist and I already feel she is my new obsession of 2009. Earlier this summer Pixie released her debut single “Mama Do (Uh Oh, Uh Oh)” which reached the number one spot on the UK charts, impressive. Naturally I was super impatient and needed to hear more (after falling completely head over heels for this girl), but I couldn’t wait till September 14th when her debut album Turn It Up, so I searched the web and found leaks and promos of her other songs. That only made things worse. The other material she had as b-sides and album tracks were outstanding! Tracks like the amazing “Here We Go Again” and “What U Do” are stuck on repeat. I’m über-excited for her upcoming album release! Luckily I hear Pixie will take her act Stateside, which hopefully would bring her here for a concert in Michigan (I can dream can’t I?). No waiting till that happens though, I’m springing for the UK release. In recent news Pixie has just released a video for her second single “Boys and Girls” which is an amazing choice for a single! The video it’s self is hands down one of my favorites this year. Check it out:

Alrighty, I hope you enjoyed her as much as I have, I think she is brilliant and I can’t get enough of her killer vocals and brilliant tunes!!! Need more? Then check out some of the covers she did: “Use Somebody“, “Apologize“, and “Poker Face“.

New Single Alert!: ‘Get Sexy’, the Sugababes are back.

Yesterday the UK’s Radio One debuted the Sugababes‘ new single ‘Get Sexy’, but sadly I don’t live in the UK so I had to wait for the inevitable leak. Let me tell you! THEY ARE BACK IN BUSINESS! Granted they didn’t have a Mariah level of a fall from the spotlight, but their last album didn’t do too hot. Post-’Girls’ I was very worried because that was quite possibly their worst single to date, though after hearing ‘Get Sexy’ I must say my fears are gone. Now it’s a great dance track that plays with the whole “I’m too sexy…” song thing from back in the day, I can’t say that the whole thing is terribly original with all of the artist we have now using old song bits it their current hits, but eh. The choruses are great, the beat is easily danceable, and has a very urban feel. Hopefully they are going to make this their first American single because it has an undeniably American feel to it. I think the chances of that happening are high because they have been recording in America under Jay-Z’s record label (Roc Nation), which doesn’t hurt. The single is set to be released as a digital download on 16 August 2009 and physically released on 31 August 2009 in the UK. Popjustice has a snippet of  the single up as their ‘Song of the Day’ that you can head over and check out by clicking here. And here is a youtube post of the entire song (let’s hope it will stay up): Enjoy!

UPDATED: (Official Music Video)

I like boys in bands.

Okay we all remember the days of the countless boy bands that had even more countless girls (and boys) considering marriage at an early age. That pack seemed to be lead by groups like N’ Sync and the Backstreet Boys, well about two successful solo careers (Jessie McCartney, Justin Timberlake) later it seems that that wave was over.  But today ladys and gentleman I will reveal to you some modern day boy bands, that have come and gone, are here to apparently stay, or are the next up and comers. All are great pop groups and I promise it’s only the best. Let’s begin shall we?

*please not this is not a comprehensive list, it’s just what I listen to/heard.

First a moment of silence for the DEFUNCT:

NLT (Not Like Them) 2003-2009

(From Left to Right) V, JJ, Kevin McHale, and Travis Garland.

Sadly the best of the new modern boy bands are now recently defunct. NLT was an American boy band with member’s Travis Garland, Kevin McHale, JJ (love him), and what’s-his-face (V). Signed to a record deal in 2006, NLT got to work and by 2007 they came out with their first single ‘That Girl’ which sadly failed to chart… Except of my iTunes top 25 @ number 9. Due to lack of record support and a leaked album, the band never got to release a debut album but have left behind a few amazing tracks. Fear not (just in case you were)! Good news is Travis Garland has been working on a solo project (which sounds amazing, check the myspace), Kevin McHale landed a major role on the new Fox series Glee (here is the one in the wheelchair), and well that’s about it. Here is one their best songs. It’s their last single called ‘Karma’, aside from amazing beats these guys had great choreography. Ugh what a shame.

Menudo (the MTV one) 2007-2008

They are all so cute.

In 2007 MTV came out with a series called Making Menudo in order to recreate a new Menudo. After a the show was over five member were chosen. They were: Carlos, Christopher, Monti, Emmanuel and Jose. I’ll be honest I didn’t even know the show existed or that Menudo was back (and I guess that was the same problem the rest of America had). Their short run did produce two great tracks (‘Move’ and ‘Lost/Perdido Sin Tí’) that I can’t get enough of, yet I still don’t feel it is a big loss in the world of boy bands. Here is the best, it’s called ‘Move’:

Now that’s hear it for the one that is it to win it, The Current Hit Maker:

E.M.D. (2007 – present)

They are a Swedish boy band made up of Erik Segerstedt, Mattias Andréasson and Danny Saucedo, all of whom are former contestants of the Swedish version of Idol. Their name is simply the first letter of each of their names. In Sweden they are a very successful chart topping group with their first album A State Of Mind debuting at number 1. Since, the band has released four consecutive number 1 hit singles. Now Sweden is a country that knows it’s pop music and the alumni of the Swedish Idol are no exception, many great artist like Agnes, Darin, and Amanda Jensson have gotten their start from Idol. In addition to the group Danny also has a pretty successful solo career that you need to check out. As for the band, take a listen to one of my favorite singles called ‘Jennie Let Me Love You’:

And finally let’s take a look at those Up and Comers:

Varsity Fanclub (2006-present)

David, Jayk (style challenged), Thomas (left the band / hot) , Drew, and Bobby (cutie).

They are an American boy band consisting of Drew, Jayk, Bobby, David, and TC (a replacement for the hottest guy in the band Thomas Fiss, who left for personal reasons :/ ). In July of 2008 they band released their debut single ‘Future Love’ which is seriously the single reason why I love these guys! It’s such an amazing midtempo sing with great vocals and it’s pretty freaking cute (the song not the boys). Their debut album was set to release last year but has been pushed back and they are rerecording some tracks to include TC in them. There is only one thing that I can’t take… Jayk. It’s his style. It’s so obnoxious and it makes me scream “why does he like that’s something to be worn in public?” view a sample of the horror here. Okay back to the music.. here is the track written by Ryan Tedder called ‘Future Love’: (rehearsal video cos embedding is disabled for the real, which you can see here.)

V Factory (2006-present)

Click for a big picture of cute.

In February 2009 American boy band V Factory debuted with their first single ‘Love Struck’, an brilliant dance pop track written by Sweden’s David Jassy and Darin (an amazing successful swedish singer). I found out about this track when it was featured as the Free Single Of The Week on iTunes and I gotta say it blew me away. Currently they are set to release their debut album sometime this year, and have an EP out for download with some amazing tracks like ‘Round & Round’ (highly recommended). Where are my manner’s? I haven’t even introduced the band members! We have Jared, Asher, Nathaniel, Nick, and Wesley. Now here is the official music video for their debut single ‘Love Stuck’:

Well that’s all the boys I have for you today, I hope you found some bands that you liked. You know the drill.. leave me a comment, let me know what you think.

The Saturdays new single: ‘Work’.

JUST RELEASED: The Saturdays new music video for ‘Work’.

‘Work’ is the fifth single from their debut album Chasing Lights.

I’m excited about this single because it is one of my favorite songs from the album. I’d have to say I enjoyed the song more than the video. I was hoping for more of a plot, but whatever. They looked great, it sounds great, and I’m ready for this to dominate my summer playlist.

Do you like it? Comment and let me know what you think.

Discover This: BoA

Early this year South Korean artist BoA made her American debut with her self titled album BoA. In a random six degrees of Kevin Bacon way I found via Last.fm (great site).

Let me tell you though… this album is genius. It’s a great mix of electro dance pop with an R&B tinge with upbeat rhythms throughout. Perfect for the dancefloor. So far she has released two single’s off the album called “Eat You Up” and “I Did It For Love (feat. Sean Garrett)”. They are infectious, it’s amazing. Check out the music videos below, she has intense dancing skills too. (It’s like the packaged deal here)

She has wicked moves. Now if you wanna check out more of her music you can listen to her entire debut album on IMEEM here for free. If you like it you can get a copy for just $6.99 on iTunes here. I was so freaking happy when I bought it for that price cos I’m broke as a joke people. This is definitely one of my favorite albums of the year. Each track is one great beat after another!

I hope you give it a listen! And I hope you like it! Comment and let me know what you think…

(oh and for those of you thinking what does BoA stand for? it’s Beat of Angel.)