Eminem's latest music video debuted last night, surprisingly on MTV. I didn't realise they still played music. Joining Eminem and Rihanna in 'Love The Way You Lie' is Megan Fox (Transformers, Jennifer's Body) and Dominic Monaghan (Lost, The Lord of the Rings). The unlikely pairing of Fox and Monaghan turn up the heat (quite literally by the end of the video) and deliver one of the best videos of the year. This could do wonders for Fox's dwindling career as she turns in a top notch performance as the crazy hottie and she also donated her pay for the clip to a women's shelter. Well played Megan. Rihanna puts in her usual guest performer effort in the same vein as 'Live Your Life' and 'Run This Town.'
Looks like it's 90s month here at It's My Kind of Scene. Mmm (Bop), the 1990s... the era of grunge, experimental dance music and the reemergence of studio-controlled trash pop. It was quite the decade; Madonna managed to reinvent herself a million times, Kurt Cobain's suicide left the world in a state of shock and Michael Jackson was.... um... white. In other news, The Simpsons was still funny, Tom Cruise was still a viable box-office draw and Justin Bieber wasn't old enough to annoy us.
I'll be kicking off my countdown of the Top 200 songs of the 1990s next week. It will be celebrating the best music the decade had to offer. Before we get to that though, I wanted to highlight some of the songs that didn't quite make the cut (i.e. these songs didn't even come close). These songs only worked because they were released in the 90s. What I'm trying to say is, don't judge us for liking them... it was acceptable in the 90s.
Scatman John - Scatman
Aqua - Barbie Girl
Eiffel 65 - Blue
Babylon Zoo - Spaceman
Vengaboys - We Like To Party
Rednex - Cotton Eye Joe
Beavis & Butthead!!! You've got to love the 90s...
Like I said, I've been listening to A LOT of 90s music. Why? Because, coming soon dear readers, I'll be counting down the Top 200 songs of the 1990s!! Get excited! Unfortunately, 'Sweet Like Chocolate' didn't find a place on the countdown (neither did 'Ghetto Supastar' for that matter). Both songs can take solace in receiving some exposure as the Song of the Day!
'Sweet Like Chocolate' was a huge hit in 1999. It came out of the independent UK music scene and would top the British singles chart and go top 10 in Australia and New Zealand. The animated video was a bit of fun, but it always makes me hungry. I don't know why.
Pras Michael ft. Mya & ODB - Ghetto Supastar (That Is What You Are)
Talk about a blast from the past. I've been listening to A LOT of 90s music lately (for my next big countdown - stay tuned!) and stumbled upon 'Ghetto Supastar,' which I'm pretty sure I haven't heard since the late 90s! Pras, as you may or may not know, was a member of The Fugees and this was his attempt at emulating the solo success of fellow group members Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean. It didn't do amazingly well on the charts (#15 - US, #2 - AUS) and was the only notable moment for Pras as a solo act. 'Ghetto Supastar' is generally remembered for the cool film clip, though anything that reminds me of Halle Berry having to make out with Warren Beatty in Bulworth is not a good thing. If you haven't seen it, trust me.
I would have just done this as a Song of the Day, but I'm thinking there's a lot of people out there in the big bad world that have either forgotten this one, or worse, haven't heard it at all! 'Deeper Water' was the greatest chart success for Melbourne rockers Deadstar. Released in 1999, it topped out at #28 on the ARIA Top 50. Not a huge success, but it was pretty big on radio... even on JJJ! Deadstar would break up in the early 2000s, seemingly forgotten. Until now. Enjoy!
Nelly was a consistently reliable hit-maker during the majority of the first decade in the 2000s. Evidence? Billboard magazine listed him as the third most successful artist of 2000-2009 in the USA. He was one of the biggest names in rap during its commercial golden age. Unfortunately, with comeback single 'Just A Dream,' it would seem he's sticking firmly in the 'was' camp. Nelly seems like he's just going through the motions here, offering nothing that's actually memorable in terms of lyrics and music. It's a shame, considering this is the same guy that gave us hits like 'Hot In Herre,' 'Dilemma' and 'Ride Wit Me.' Grammatical errors aside, there's some decent tracks in his catalogue. Hopefully we'll see a return to form, but it's not going to be with 'Just A Dream.'
Rating: 2/5
Katy Perry - Teenage Dream
Katy Perry doesn't have dreams of changing your life through her music. She offers serviceable pop music that will get stuck in your head and she looks good while doing it. 'California Gurls' (seriously, we need to start spelling song titles correctly) has become the song of the summer in North America and spent time at the top of the charts in the UK, Australia and New Zealand. Moving away from the electro-pop of 'California Gurls' to the more standard pop-rock of 'Teenage Dream' would appear to be an interesting move. Why not stick with what's working for her now? Could it be, Perry herself has chosen 'Teenage Dream' as her single instead of her record label Capitol shoving more of the same down our throats (or ears, whatever). Regardless, 'Teenage Dream' is much better than 'California Gurls' but not as good as 'Hot N Cold.' Worst review ever?
Rating: 3.5/5
Lissie - Bully
She's being talked up everywhere you turn. Magazines, online, tv, radio. Everyone LOVES Lissie and you HAVE to listen to her. Weirdly enough, she's deserving of the hype. 'Bully' is a great track off her debut album Catching a Tiger and you can be sure that it will be making an impact on It's My Kind of Scene's Top 20 very soon. Highly recommended!
Rating: 5/5
Estelle ft. Nas - Fall In Love
I feel like you could sing 'American Boy' perfectly over the beat and tune for 'Fall In Love.' In fact, while I'm listening to 'Fall In Love' I feel like I'd much rather be listening to 'American Boy.' Nas does his best Kanye impersonation... translation, his rap segment fails. No one can do Kanye but Kanye. Estelle is clearly talented. She's got the look, the voice and the attitude down pat. It's just a shame she hasn't lived up to the expectations put upon her following the overwhelming success of her debut song. 'Fall In Love' isn't bad, but it does leave you with the feeling that you've heard it all before.
Rating: 3/5
Twin Sister - Lady Daydream
One of the best songs you could treat your ears to this year. Need some music to relax to? Try 'Lady Daydream.' Seriously, just listen to it.
