The A to Z of Pop - H is for Hollywood

The A to Z of Pop

by Jo Michelmore

Apparently there's this thing, it's quite popular, it's called the cin-e-ma. People watch these moving images on big screens in dark rooms and they call it 'going to the movies'. You know what else? Lots of people seem to like it. Ok, ok, I exxagerate, I do actually know what movies are, but the thing is, they've just never really been my thing.


When I was a small child, my parents never had the luxury of sittiing me down in front of a TV to entertain me for a while, because I was never that interested in it. When I was a teenager, all I wanted to know was which music channels were available on the pay TV packages and well, this disinterest in (most) film has continued into my current existense. When I get home, I don't chuck the telly on, I chuck my ipod on. Or on fancy days, I bother to put some vinyl on, old school style. It's just the way it is.  That, however, is not to say I don't like a good film, it's just not the first thing I think of when I think of entertainment. I'm more interested in the soundtrack than the moving pictures. Which brings me to the letter H in the A to Z of Pop, for this week, my lack of interest in cinema was bought to my attention when I heard that the soundtrack to 'Frozen' is now the number one selling digital soundtrack of all time. Frozen, huh? This is a film. I've barely heard of it, but I know that song.  This same phenomena has occurred many times in my life, like for example...

Yeah, yeah, I've never seen Moulin Rouge. What of it? I've seen THE Moulin Rouge, in the flesh. I sat outside it with one of my best friends while he recoiled in horror at the idea of me not seeing the film and proceeded to tell me of the entire plot, storyline and soundtrack to said film over numerous cigarettes. That should count for something. One day I'll sit through the whole thing but until then, it's just 128 minutes made to promote the song that taught us all how to say "do you want to sleep with me tonight?" Yes, I know you've forgotten, that's what that bit means.

Well, this will cause some controversy. It's true. The Lion King. I've never seen it. What of it? Maybe I fell asleep somewhere in between a hyena stampede and some kind of sunset over a rock. That happened in that film didn't it? Really, it was just 88 minutes designed to re-invigorate Elton's career, wasn't it?

I don't mean to alarm anyone, but yes, it's true, I have not seen Titanic. What of it? While the old saying "but I know the ending anyway" stands true, there is one other reason I've never sat through shots of Leonardo Di Caprio and Kate Winslet looking wistfully at each other and that reason is this. I have heard this song enough times to make up to the 194 minutes that were made to promote it. The sounds of those flutes send shivers up my spine everytime I hear them. Spoiler alert! The boat sinks. 

Which brings us to the song that inspired this whole 'H' thing anyway. Frozen. This one seems very dramatic, the keys, that broadway voice begging me to get emotional, the dramatic strings. Nope, I still have no interest in 102 minutes of a cartoon about winter. Wasn't that Ice Age? It's just a Danish fairytale and I'd rather go back to Denmark than sit through that. I really don't get this film thing, do I? Oh well, lucky for you I write on a music blog, not a movie blog. Maybe.

Where Is My Mind? - Everyone Does It

Do you think Christina Aguilera and her boyfriend do it even with a driver in the car?

Everyone's Done It

by Jo Michelmore

Everyone does it. I've admitted it a million times on this here blog. I've admitted it a million times not on this here blog. Probably more than a million times. In fact, I quite happily do it, loudly. I don't care who's watching. Or listening.


Someone I know posted something on facebook about doing it in the car with the windows down and nearby roadworks, while Christina Aguilera was playing.


Everyone who can, does it, no matter how much you deny it. I was doing this the other day with someone and afterwards we started chatting about the next songs to do this to. Their opinions were a little different to mine, which was awkward, since we'd just done it. Once I started chatting about it, I realised how wide and varied everyone's tastes are. So I asked a few people I knew what they thought were the best songs to do this to and the answers I got were wide and varied and since we left off last week on a song I've done this lots of times to, that is LOTS of times, let's look at some songs some others like to do this to.

How appropriate. We left on The Flaming Lips and we start with Eternal Flame. I think this one would be a little depressing to do this with, but you know, as I say, each to their own.

From one girl group to another, this one intrigues me. Cause which bits do you like the best, the vocal gymnastics or the 'whoa' every line in the chorus? I mean, the 'whoa' would obviously be the easiest part while you're pre-occupied with other activities, but who's to say?

Interesting choice, right? Some would like your Eminems, some would prefer your old school Beastie Boys, but the person I was doing this with recently not only chooses Mr Beyonce; Jay-Z, but chooses the track with the Broadway sample in it. You really can't judge what turns people on, can you?

One more, because Jay-Z has sampled them, as has one of the people I asked this weird question to. I know I've done it to this band. Hasn't everyone?


There you go, four songs people like to sing along to while driving. You do know I'm talking about driving songs, right? Singing in the car? Everyone does it. Don't you? And yes, this is where is my mind, why? Where is your mind?


Next week? Maybe something a little simpler so your mind doesn't wander so much.

The Candy Shop #23

Nothing Compares. Or Does It? 

The Comparisons And Cat Fights Continue…

by Nayt Housman

A lot of comparisons are made in the music industry and it will always be this way. Recently a certain young pop star made a comparison to a pop star of musical heritage that once covered a song by a music big gun, and the comparison was met with a letter that was met with twitter insults that was met with another letter and the saga goes on…


This is a blog post about rivals and the best way to introduce it is with this short clip. You’ll understand.

Miley recently said her 'Wrecking Ball' clip is like the 'Nothing Compares 2 U' of today...Sinead said Miley’s a music prostitute...Miley said Sinead is crackers...Prince doesn’t care...Miley licks sledge hammers because she’s told to...Sinead shaves her head coz no one tells her what to do...Prince makes purple rain....

Is Miley, the new Sinead? 

Is Sinead the new Prince?

Is Prince still alive? 

And speaking of Prince I remember the 80s/90s competition between Michael Jackson and the love symbol.

Prince...

Michael Jackson...

While I’m pointing out the obvious, we have the Gaga/Madonna comparison. I’m not going to lie, most of Gaga’s music doesn’t appeal to me much and Madonna has had some great moments but not for quite some time. Gaga’s antics are more comparable to Bjork or Grace Jones than Madonna but I guess her music is closer to Madonna’s and Grace Jones has weighed in saying she did it all first. I don’t even know what’s happening anymore. Madonnaga? Lady Bjordonna? Bjordaga? But what I love about these comparisons is the music mash ups that come out of the catfights.

Madonnaga?

Lady Gagonna?

Grace Jones?

So all these “who did what better” comparisons have been going on forever and in the 90s wasn’t it Britney vs Christina, Spice Girls vs S Club 7 and Mariah vs Whitney?

Britstina Aguilears?

Maritney Houstarey?

Spice Club 7 Girls?

Then there are some more obscure comparisons like Moloko vs Kylie or Gaga vs Spice Girls. HA!

Kyloko?

Spicy Gaga?

Why so serious? IT’S JUST POP MUSIC!

I love how heated people get when their fave pop stars get embroiled in online sledge matches and the debate boils over into the lives of everyday Johns who battle as if they’re personally involved. I love to get involved myself but I secretly just like to prod the coals and stoke the fire because in the end, who really gives a crap?

Artists are bound to be influenced by each other over the course of history and often will end up working with the same producers/stylists/directors/photographers etc, so eventually there has to be some convergence here n there. Am I going to stop debating when a new pop star brings out a single that sounds remarkably like something I already love? HELL NO!

To quote our blog’s beautiful Jo;

“The pop music industry needed Miley AND Sinead. It hasn't been this interesting in a long time.” 

Everyone just wants to belong to a team right? So whose team are you on? Sinead or Miley? Gaga or Madonna? Christina or Britney? If you ask me, they’re all crap! Now where’s my Spandau Ballet record?

Where Is My Mind? - Notoriously Bad or Notoriously Good?

Miley: notoriously underdressed and boring.

 Notorious: Bad Or Good?

by Jo Michelmore

Look, here's the thing. It was a few weeks ago now and while it was kind of amusing at the time, the Miley twerking VMA thing? Boooring. Every now and then I turn on a commercial radio station in the car and there it is again, someone talking about Miley. So she stuck her tongue out? So she wore very few clothes, it's not like she's the first pop star to do that. Whatever. At the gig I went to last week, even Amanda Palmer spoke about her. It took some impressive(?) marketing to come up with the whole VMA routine and it's going to take some impressive marketing to shake the whole VMA routine. However, one of the good things about the whole Miley thing is that it's had people talking about pop music and that can't be a bad thing, right? It's also had people talking about other pop stars and the controversial things they've got up to and since we left on Notorious B.I.G. last week, I thought we should look at some other notorious moments in music this week, sometimes good, sometimes bad...

Britney, Madonna. Christina (and Missy Elliot was there too!)

This one is hilarious. You can't tell me no one saw this coming when it happened? It was so ridiculous and while Madonna is notorious for all sorts of things, this incident was perfect marketing at the time for her single at the time 'Hollywood'. You know what I find more controversial about this? No one seems to get upset Madonna kissed Christina as well and you know what else? Missy Elliot was there! Missy was there! No one ever remembers that bit. Notoriously: good.

Courtney Love vs Madonna

This was just bizarre, in the way Courtney Love was best. Madonna is in the middle of an interview, looking all pretty like Madonna does, then Courtney interrupted by throwing her compact at Madonna and things got weird. Old Courtney, notorious was her middle name for a few minutes there and I kind of loved it. This was just bizarre and awkward TV and it was ultimately really, really weird. If you have a spare seven minutes to waste, press play and watch the mess, go for it. Notoriously: good.

Kurt Cobain, just in general

Of course, you can't mention Courtney without mentioning Kurt and he created his fair share of notoriety in his day. Notoriously miserable and slightly painful to work with, I guess they're the things that make great rock stars. After all, I can't imagine a go-getting, energetic and happy rock star writing 'Come As You Are', right? Do you hear him at the start of this? "Can we get on with this, we're like an hour late". Well, you're probably an hour late 'cause you were busy being notoriously difficult, Kurt. R.I.P. Notoriously: good.

Ozzy Osborne and the ants

So, if you're going to talk about rock stars and their notoriety, then you've got to mention Ozzy, who is most famous for biting the head off an animal on stage (a bat? chicken? I can't remember, just go with me) but my favourite story is about him being so intoxicated he challenged another rock star (someone from Aerosmith? Motley Crue? I can't remember, just go with me) to an intoxication challenge, to see who would be 'most extreme' with their substance. Ozzy took things one step further than rock had probably ever been, snorting ants. 'Crazy Train'? Yes, he's on it and he ain't ever getting off. Notoriously: bad.

L7

Speaking of weird stage antics and the crazy train, that brings me to L7, who were notorious for all sorts of horrible things, probably the most famous being the tampon throwing incident at Reading in 1992. I don't need to say much more about that, do I? The name of the incident should say it all. I'll just say it belonged to a member of the band and it had been used. Notorious for being gross? Yes, hello L7. Notoriously: bad.

Haim

Let's go from a notoriously bad girl group and finish on one that hasn't had time to be notorious yet. This is where is MY mind, so I get to do that. This is a girl band I'm liking more and more and hoping they end up doing something controversial that will make them notoriously: good. Whose to say? I just wanted an excuse to listen to this song again.

It's All Coming Back To Me Now - Dear Valentine's Day

Well, maybe it's true, but I don't require it acknowledged on stuffed bear, thank you.

A Love Letter To Valentine's Day

by Jo Michelmore

Dear Valentine's Day,

Oh what a long and confusing relationship we've had. I'm sorry, but it's not me, it's you. No, wait, it's not you, it's me. I loved you once, but how things change. Do you remember when we first met? Do you remember how things were? I was so young, so innocent, you delivered a card to me and I was so excited. It was all things fun and cute and the first Valentine I'd ever received. I read it over and over again; I kept it in a drawer beside my bed. How innocent I was.

"This thing, called love, I just can't handle it,
This thing, called love, I must get around to it"

Crazy Little Thing Called Love (1980)

by Queen

 

Things changed as we grew up. Valentine's Day after Valentine's Day went by and you began to ignore me. Whatever had I done wrong? Was it me? Was it you? Nothing, you gave me nothing, but somehow I kept hanging on just waiting. I knew you'd eventually come to your senses. Flowers and balloons and chocolates, I knew one day they'd all be mine.

"Don't you want me baby? 

Don't you want me now?"

Don't You Want Me (1981)

by The Human League

 

I don't remember when I started to actually wonder if we'd ever be together again. It wasn't when you started seeing other people, but it was when you started flaunting it, throwing it my face. Flowers for that mean girl next door, flowers for that ugly girl upstairs, balloons for that cute boy that made my coffee in the morning. Why? Why Valentine's? What had I ever done to you?

"Somtimes I feel so insecure

And loves so distant and obscure"

All By Myself (1996)
by Celine Dion

 

Well, you know what? I picked myself up Valentine's Day. I worked out I didn't need you. I was better than you and anything you could offer. I worked out how to live without you. You, Valentine's, you couldn't keep me down. I knew who you were and I was happy to face you. You come around once a year and I ignore you everytime. I laugh in your face. I'm more woman than you could ever cope with.

"You thought that I'd be sad without you,

I laugh harder"

Survivor (2001)

by Destiny's Child

 

Now, VD, you mean nothing to me. I barely know you. You mean less than nothing. You're a footnote in a long, long fabulous book. No chocolate? Whatevs. No flowers? Why would I want a dead plant anyway? Yep, it's fine. Actually, you keep doing your thing, I'll keep doing mine. You can have all those fools that love you. They're not my kind of peeps anyway. In fact, let's not even facebook friend. Nope. Nothing.

"Do you have an opinion?
A mind of your own?
I thought you were special
I thought you should know"

Special (1998)

by Garbage

 

Except, you and I both know that's not completely true, is it? No matter how realistic I am, there's always that tiny little girl, waiting, hoping, maybe just maybe, once, you'll be back, someday. I'd take you back Valentine's. Just for a minute. I would of course be mortified and embarrassed and horrified, but if it happened, you know I'd let you walk right back in that door.

Then you know what I'd do? I'd slam that door in the back of your head and say;

"V Day? Thanks. Thanks. For. Nothing. Jerk."

"Made me learn a little bit faster
Made my skin a little bit thicker
Makes me that much smarter
So thanks for making me a fighter"

Fighter (2006)
by Christina Aguilera

Top 20 - 4 November, 2012

Placebo!

1. Sarah Blasko - Cast The Net (NEW)


 


2. Texas Tea - I Love You Like I Love This Black Eye




3. Ghost Beach - Tear Us Apart (NEW)





4. Calvin Harris and Dillon Francis ft. Dizzee Rascal - Here 2 China (NEW)


 


5. The Presets - Promises

New Music Monday #25

G#

by Kitten

Album: Cut It Out EP (2012)

So you haven’t heard of Kitten? You’re going to want to do some research, quickly, because if this five piece keep recording songs like this one and making clips like this, they’re destined for great things. Heavy bass and filthy guitars drive the song with Chloe Chadez’s vocal floating beautifully above and you’ll probably keep on singing the end well after the song is finished; “I’ll see you all, I’ll see you all again...” see, I told you. The clip was filmed in a desert with friends of the band and the imagery reminds me of so many great films and bands; its apocalyptic, punk like and yet somehow totally beautiful. Take my advice; this is a band you need to know about. Watch. Love. Now. 

Jo Michelmore gives G# four Shirley Mansons out of five...

 

Got Me Wrong

by Alpines

Album: Early Hours EP (2012)

Alpines, Bob Matthews and Catherine Pockson, have come into our lives through the recommendation of one of our IMKOS Facebook friends (hey Jacob!) and with one song they've made me incredibly interested in hearing everything else they have to offer. That song is 'Got Me Wrong' and it handily sets up this London based duo to be the sleekest emerging electronic act around. Carefully balancing the fine line that separates style and substance, there's a healthy measure of both unleashed throughout the track. The gorgeous Catherine Pockson delivers her lines with a flair that drags you right into that 'eating out of the palm of her hand' territory. By the time you've heard the chorus, you're wishing that there's a club that's going to be playing 'Got Me Wrong' because its potential to be a true dance anthem is undeniable. "Cause you got me wrong, and you were so sure, that you had me all figured out, but you got me wrong." I feel like I've just listened to Azealia Banks' electronic equivalent. And I love it. 

Matt Bond gives 'Got Me Wrong' four Lady Gaga's out of five...

 

Die Young

by Ke$ha

Album: Warrior (November 30, 2012)

If someone was to die young, how unfortunate if 3 minutes and 33 seconds of their short and precious life was wasted on hearing this song.

Jo Michelmore gives Die Young one Dannii Minogue out of five...

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

Your Body

by Christina Aguilera

Album: Lotus (November 13, 2012)

Christina Minaj? Not quite, but freeze the video at 1:58. Boom. That's a booty. Go on down to Primark or Target ladies and get yourselves some leopard print tights. They do wonders for the junk in your trunk. I'll stop now. Yes, the original dirrty girl has dropped the video for new single 'Your Body' and despite some sort of attempt at a plot, multiple costume changes, horrifying dreadlocks, a potentially ridiculous new jewellery trend ('Rich Bitch' necklace anyone?) and the completely necessary and 100% seductive 'writhing around on a bed while wearing lingerie' scene... it's nothing memorable. Oh, except for the booty. You'll remember that. Yowza. 

Matt Bond gives the Your Body video two Ke$ha's out of five...

She Wolf (Falling To Pieces)

by David Guetta ft. Sia

Album: Nothing But The Beat 2.0 (2012)

Speaking of booty, Guetta's offering up some werewolf derriere. Seriously though, the video for 'She Wolf' is so much better than the actual song. Beautiful imagery, timed explosions, an actual story. It would only have been better if Sia was the werewolf at the end. Can't have it all, can we? 

Matt Bond gives the She Wolf (Falling To Pieces) video three Britney's out of five...    

Song of the Day - Moves Like Jagger

 

Maroon 5 ft. Christina Aguilera - Moves Like Jagger

Single: Moves Like Jagger (2011)


If there's one thing that we all know, it's that Adam Levine definitely does not have them moves like Jagger. And Christina? Poor, poor Christina Aguilera. She deserves better. Beware the opening whistle-tune... the potential for it to get stuck in your head is there and I can't think of anything worse to have on an unstoppable loop in my mind. And Christina? Poor, poor Christina Aguilera. Oh, I said that already. I'm expecting big things from her next album to make up for the somewhat disappointing Bionic. This isn't the best start, but that's hopefully just the Maroon 5 factor.

Rating: 2/5

10 and 1 - Worst Hair in Music

Fashion plays a huge part in making or breaking a star. We see "shocking" outfits all the time, as singers try to outdo (or outskank) each other. A musician's hairstyle can play as important a part as any outfit can, earning a world of praise or more scorn than one person should be able to handle. Since I spend far too much time looking at what's the 'best,' today we're going to focus on the worst. Get ready for ten of the worst hairstyles we've had the displeasure to witness, plus one good style to send you off happy. Enjoy!

The Ten:

The 'Crim-fro'

That's not going to help you get an insanity plea, Spector. 

The 'Blonde-house'

Understandably, the bee-hive got heavy and Amy got rid of it. Going blonde and ratty, however, was not a good choice.

The 'Defying Gravity'

Jedward; inspiring a generation of young British boys to look like massive twats. Also, proof that you need no talent or intelligence to make it in the music industry. 

The 'Limahl'

Top-deck mullet? 

The 'Ambiguous Gender Emo'

Seriously, what was this chick thinking? What? Oh. It's a boy? Really? Either way it looks like an echidna.

The 'Mash-Up'

Alicia Keys proves that two negatives do not make a positive. Suck it nerds! But seriously, just pick one bad hairstyle next time... 

The 'High-Maintenance Man'

Fine, I'll admit it... I'm just jealous my hair will never be as long or shiny as Whitesnake's. Plus I'll never have to waste seven hours of every day maintaining it. I don't know which one's the worst... five-way tie? 

The 'Achy-Breaky Mullet'

If you combine Billy Ray's hair with the girl boy from Tokio Hotel, you get Limahl! 

The 'Desperate Cry For Attention'

Since nothing else seems to be working, maybe Christina could try this style again... burrrrrn. 

The 'I Kidnap Boys, Chain Them Up and Whip Them'

No. No, it's not good. It wasn't good in the 80s. It was never good in any way. This is awful. Awful, awful hair. 

And 1:

The 'KISS'

Keep it simple, sluts.

Now that you know mine... what are your least favourite hairstyles in music?



Top 300 Songs of the 2000s, #190 - 181



Robbie Williams.


Before we get to our next ten songs in the countdown, I thought it would be my civil duty to make clear what you should already know... Lady Gaga's dropping her new track 'Born This Way' tomorrow. As you would know, this means that the Gagapocalypse is imminent. The world won't be able to handle what we're about to be hit with, so I just wanted to say thanks for reading, it's been a lot of fun! Yeah, I'm kidding, but only a little. This has been hyped up to be one of the biggest moments in the history of pop music and I've learnt not to be against my Queen, uh, I mean Lady Gaga. Moving right along, here's ten awesome songs from the 2000s...

#190 - Why Do You Love Me? (2005)

by Garbage

And I am not as pretty as those girls in magazines,

I am rotten to my core if they're to be believed...

Shirley... Shirley, Shirley, Shirley. Garbage managed to maintain their popularity throughout the 2000s but still ended up going on hiatus after the release of Bleed Like Me. But that's all about to change since they're reportedly back in the studio working on new material. This excites me. This excites me very, very much.

Song of the Day - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

It's My Kind of Scene wishes you a safe and very merry Christmas. Have a fun time with friends, family, yourself... whatever. Anyway, Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland and Christina Aguilera (aka the ghosts of Christmas past) would like to sing you a song... Enjoy!



Top 25 Singers, #7 - Christina Aguilera

#7 - Christina Aguilera

Speaking of stars that have never needed autotune... The one thing that has always separated Christina Aguilera from her fellow pop tarts is her amazing voice. She can belt it out like no other lady in music today. Gaga, Perry, Spears... all fail miraculously when compared to the original dirrty girl. Beyonce comes close, but not close enough to crack this countdown. It's because of her voice that it pains me to watch how bad Xtina's done this year. But it's also because of her voice that I know she'll rise to the top once more. Never underestimate the power of Christina Aguilera!





New Music - Xmas Coldplay, PJ Harvey, T.I./Xtina + More...

PJ is back baby!

Black Eyed Peas - Someday

It's better than 'The Time (The Dirty Bit)' but that's not really saying much, is it? I'm optimistic that there's going to be at least one song I'll enjoy from The Beginning, but 'Someday' isn't that song.

Rating: 1.5/5

T.I. ft. Christina Aguilera

It's no 'Love the Way You Lie' (hell, it's no 'Love the Way You Lie pt. 2), but it's still the best thing Aguilera's been involved in this year. T.I.'s looking for chart domination and this isn't a bad start at all.

Rating: 3.5/5

PJ Harvey - Written On The Forehead

If this doesn't make you wish for 2011 to come sooner than I don't know what will. PJ Harvey drops her new album, Let England Shake, mid February and 'Written On The Forehead' is the perfect appetizer. It's a completely different sound to White Chalk which could prove to be a very interesting new direction for Polly Jean. Get excited music fans!

Rating: 4/5

Hurts - Blood, Tears & Gold

So 80s it... hurts? Yeah that's bad. Thankfully, the song isn't.

Rating: 3/5

Hercules & Love Affair - My House

If you loved their breakthrough hit 'Blind' you're going to love 'My House.' Dance fans, this one's for you!

Rating: 3/5

Coldplay - Christmas Lights

In case every single retail store throwing it in your face didn't get through to you, Christmas is now less than a month away. Luckily, Coldplay have a Christmas song, so now there's absolutely no way you can forget. I have to admit, 'Christmas Lights' is nowhere near as offensive as many Christmas songs... it's a pretty good Coldplay track too. Well done Martin. Between this and your wife's appearance on Glee, it's been a good fortnight for your family.

Rating: 3/5

New Music From: Christina Aguilera, Kelis

Christina Aguilera - Not Myself Tonight
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eT12cKlxKeM


Poor Christina. It's almost as if she's accepted that it's a Gaga world and everyone else is simply living in it. 'Not Myself Tonight,' the first major release off her new album Bionic, is Xtina's attempt at staking her place in the fashionable realm of electro-pop, already populated by much more well suited vocalists like Little Boots, Roisin Murphy and the mighty Lady Gaga herself. There's not much to the song, Aguilera warbles over some fully sick electric beats about how she's just not the same girl we used to know, "and if you don't like it fuck you." Classy.

The main problem I have with 'Not Myself Tonight' is that the original Dirrty girl is selling herself just a little too short. She's got a powerful, distinct voice. She knows this. We know this. So what is she doing with it? Nothing. Christina Aguilera separated herself from the Britney's of the world by utilizing her greatest asset (her voice, not her amazing skank powers). Without the voice, all she's doing on this track is coming across like Nu-Gaga. At the end of the day this song's going to get a ton of airplay, people will get drunk and dance to it at the clubs (myself included) and it will probably chart well, being the big comeback song and all. But this doesn't bode well for Bionic being the commercial AND critical success that past albums like Stripped and Back to Basics were.

Rating: 2/5

Kelis - Acapella
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8D9xCBcfzw

I've always had a soft spot for Kelis. She's a bad ass. You don't think so? Do you remember 'Caught Out There?' She was so angry back then. Of course commercial success wouldn't come until she showed us on sophomore album Tasty that her milkshake is better than yours, damn right, it's better than yours. Even that success was short-lived with follow-up album Kelis Was Here not meeting record label expectations. You've got to give her credit though because she's back again with the pumping club track 'Acapella.' Produced by some random named David Guetta, the track is starting to get some serious play and not only in the clubs! Guetta worked wonders for Kelly Rowland and the Black Eyed Peas last year and it looks like Kelis is next to benefit from some studio time with the guy. 'Acapella' isn't in the league of any of Kelis' major singles like 'Caught Out There,' 'Milkshake,' or 'Bossy,' but it's a decent enough dance song that's bringing her widespread success.

Rating: 3/5