In this week's episode of Hellcats, Aly Michalka performs a cover of Sting's Brand New Day! She does an amazing job!D O W N L O A D
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Brand New Day
In this week's episode of Hellcats, Aly Michalka performs a cover of Sting's Brand New Day! She does an amazing job!D O W N L O A D
See You In Another Life
A longer clip of See You In Another Life has leaked! The original just abruptly ends, so I edited it to fade out. Enjoy!D O W N L O A D
Monday, September 27, 2010
How to Believe (Music Video)
Check out Bridgit Mendler's new music video, How to Believe, from the newest Tinkerbell movie!
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Hot Video Alert: Marina & The Diamonds - Shampain
"Shampain" is arguably my favorite song from Marina & The Diamonds' The Family Jewels album. The recently released Kim Gehri-directed video features Marina waking up in the gutter from a night of drinking. Following a burger wrapper, she's lead into some misty horror movie-landscape where she meets up with a troupe of drunk girls/zombie dancers. A bizarre scenario for sure, but it kind of makes more sense if you hear Marina describing the meaning behind the song:
"['Shampain' is about] the depressing side of getting drunk, the obliteration side of having a good time. This was actually the first co-write that I ever did...It was good to write a simpler pop song because when I write on my own the melodies are all over the place. It was good to do something a little bit lighter, and this probably is my lightest track on a record. It's about insomnia and the joys of champagne." - via iTunes PodcastThe song was co-written by Marina, Pascal Gabriel, Liam Howe and will be the fifth single lifted off Jewels, released October 11th. The song is backed by remixes from Fred Falke, Oscar The Punk, Pictureplane and The Last Skeptik. Listen to the Pictureplane remix below and watch the video!
Shampain (Pictureplane's Deep Dolphin Remix) by Marina and The Diamonds
Check out Marina & The Diamonds on the web:
Hot Video Alert: Selena Gomez & The Scene - A Year Without Rain
Disney star Selena Gomez is becoming QUITE the little pop star. To date, Selena Gomez (together with her band, The Scene) have released 4 singles, the latest being "A Year Without Rain," the title track of of Gomez' sophomore album. The song is an infectious dance/pop number complete with a nice big chorus and synth-driven beat. Appearing alongside Gomez we have the "The Scene" which is comprised of Ethan Roberts on guitar, Joey Clement on bass, Greg Garman on drums, and Dane Forrest on keyboards. "A Year Without Rain" is the follow up to "Round & Round" which managed to peak at #24 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #6 on Hot Dance Club Play chart. The new single was written by Lindy Robbins (Jordin Sparks, Leona Lewis) and Toby Gad (Alicia Keys, Beyoncé) (who also served as producer). The track was released on September 7th in the U.S. and on the 17th internationally. The beautifully shot video, directed by Chris Dooley, was shot in the desert in Lucerne Valley, California. So nice to see Gomez graduating from teenybopper bubblegum pop to something slightly more sophisticated. I love this song!
Check out Selena Gomez on the web:
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
Everybody
While recording tracks for their debut solo album, The Cheetah Girls recorded the song, Everybody, but then it was given to Britney Spears to record for her album. Here is the cheetahlicious version of the track!D O W N L O A D
credit: Jonny
Shayne Ward To Release Nickelback Cover in November...World Asks 'Why Nickelback?'
**This post had been flagged for COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT. I'm not sure why. The artwork above is from Shayne Ward's official MySpace page. The embedded video below comes from Shayne Ward's official YouTube channel. Embedding is not blocked for this video so I assume it's fair game to post on a blog. I WAS linking to two unofficial YouTube videos not authorized by the artist. I have since edited the blog so that all video links are coming from official sources.**
It seems like it's been an ETERNITY since X-Factor star Shayne Ward has had new material out but the wait is finally over! "Gotta Be Somebody," due out November 7th, will serve as the first single off his upcoming third album, Obsession. "Gotta Be Somebody" is an interesting choice for a single...considering it's a Nickelback cover. "Gotta Be Somebody" was released off of the band's 2008 album Dark Horse where it went Top Ten on the Billboard Hot 100 and Top Twenty on the UK singles chart. Ward's new album features production from RedOne and Taio Cruz and is due to be released on November 15th on Syco Music. Listen to a 30 second clip of the new single below. Not much to go on really. Guess we'll have to wait and see if this is good or if this is shit. I'm on the fence at this point. WHY NICKELBACK?! WHY? (via Digital Spy)
Check out Shayne Ward on the web:
Paloma Faith Unveils 'Smoke & Mirrors' Artwork, Remixes
I had to do a QUICKIE post about Paloma Faith, as I just found the artwork for her final single lifted off Do You Want The Truth or Something Beautiful?, "Smoke & Mirrors." As if the AMAZING video wasn't enough to get excited about, we also have remixes coming from Widower, Pete Phantom and the ever amazing True Tiger. "Smoke & Mirrors" is due out October 24th. Faith has also contributed a version of the 1970 hit "Lola" to a new compilation album from Ray Davies. The album features songs first recorded by Davies with The Kinks. Faith is currently hard at work on her sophomore album. UK fans can check out her Fall headlining tour beginning next month with opener Eliza Doolittle.
Tour Dates:
Oct 30 Newcastle City Hall
Oct 31 Manchester Apollo
Nov 1 Wolverhampton Civic
Nov 2 Edinburgh Corn Exchange
Nov 4 Plymouth Pavillions
Nov 5 Leicester De Monfort Hall
Nov 7 Portsmouth Guildhall
Nov 8 London Hammersmith Apollo
Check out Paloma Faith on the web:
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Hot Video Alert: The Wanted - Heart Vacancy
Nathan, Jay, Siva, Max and Tom (AKA The Wanted) are back with "Heart Vacancy," single #2 off their forthcoming debut self titled album. The follow up to the more up-tempo "All Time Low," "Heart Vacancy" calls to mind CLASSIC American boy band ballads of the late 90s/early 00s. Bands like the Backstreet Boys, *NSYNC, LFO...those guys had it all. The Wanted are VERY much in that same vein and I think that's a compliment to the boys, their producers and their record label. I also think that it was wise to first release a snappier, up-tempo pop song like "All Time Low" which wound up going all the way to #1 on the UK Single Charts. While it was inevitable that The Wanted would release a ballad eventually, starting out strong with something a bit dancier is always a wise move.
The sappy video channels the Giuseppe Tornatore classic, Cinema Paradiso, complete with a cast of characters including a little boy and a projector. All throughout the video The Wanted boys mope around this little picturesque Italian town, singing sadly as they make their way through the narrow streets. The song showcases EACH boys' vocals, not to mention their good looks. While "All Time Low" might be more my cup of tea, I do appreciate that these
Check out The Wanted on the web:
Hot Video Alert: Cheryl Cole - Promise This
Whoever thought that there'd be a "malaria anthem" as hot as this? While it's no "Insatiable," "Promise This" is a decent return-to-form for Cheryl Cole. "Promise This" is the first single off of Cole's forthcoming sophomore album, Messy Little Raindrops and is a nice, up-tempo dance/pop track that "celebrates her victory over malaria." While the track was actually written months ago, the timing couldn't be more perfect to release it as a single now. Messy Little Raindrops is shaping up to be even more "commercial" than Cole's will.I.Am-heavy debut album 3 Words, as she is rumored to be clocking studio time with the likes of Ryan Tedder, Mark Ronson, Jim Beanz, Ne-Yo and more. While all of those guys are fine and good, I'm REALLY excited about planned collaborations with Ellie Goulding and electro producer Starsmith. FIRE! "Promise This" is due out on October 25th and is backed by remixes from Almighty and Nu Addiction.
UK Promo Track Listing:
1. Almighty Club Mix
2. Nu Addiction Club Mix
3. Almighty Dub
4. Nu Addiction Dub
5. Almighty Radio Edit
6. Nu Addiction Radio Edit
Oh and apparently it's already been confirmed that Cole's second single will be called "The Flood." More information to follow. Looks like Cheryl Cole is BACK! Hopefully with her reported U.S. X-Factor duties combined with UK X-Factor and her upcoming new album release, she doesn't overdo it and exhaust herself. I'm rooting for you Cheryl! Check out the beautiful Sophie Muller-directed video below.
Check out Cheryl Cole on the web:
Ammended Opinion: The Saturdays feat. Flo-Rida - Higher
I should have given it a hot minute before unleashing on the new video for "Higher" by The Saturdays. I re-watched the video a few times and subsequently became hooked. I still think it sounds like manufactured, cookie-cutter imitation-RedOne-inspired dance/pop but it's effing catchy. I can't help but dance in my seat! Sorry Saturdays. I was too hasty. Carry on...maybe without Flo-Rida though. I get that you're trying to be funny and all, since he keeps beating you in the charts but you girls can do it fine all by yourselves.
"Higher" is out in the UK on November 1st and is backed by a pretty decent-looking remix package from StoneBridge, 7th Heaven, Ultimate and Fascination. Check out the tracklisting for this remix promo. I'm already salivating slightly.
Track listing:
1. StoneBridge Anthem Club Mix
2. 7th Heaven Club Mix
3. Ultimate Club Mix
4. Fascination Club Mix
5. StoneBridge Dub
6. StoneBridge Anthem Radio Edit
7. 7th Heaven Radio Edit
8. Ultimate Radio Edit
9. Fascination Radio Edit
10. Radio Edit ft Flo-Rida
11. Album Version
Check out The Saturdays on the web:
Hot Video Alert: Kylie Minogue - Get Outta My Way
"Get Outta My Way" is the TREMENDOUS new single by the reigning QUEEN of electro-pop, Ms. Kylie Minogue. Due out in the UK on September 27th, the single is backed by a bangin' remix package including mixes by Paul Harris, Kris Menace, Sidney Samson, 7th Heaven, Bimbo Jones, Stuart Price and more! The song was written by Lucas Secon, Damon Sharpe, Peter Wallevik, Daniel Davidsen and Mich Hansen and produced by Cutfather, Wallevik, Davidsen, Sharpe, Secon, and Stuart Price. The second single to be lifted from the pint-size pop star's eleventh studio album Aphrodite, "Get Outta My Way" is currently climbing the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart where it sits at #14. The video (which premiered while I was away) was directed by UK outfit AlexandLiane and features a STUNNINGLY beautiful Kylie Minogue laying on a gigantic Light Bright light board of some kind, surrounded by a myriad of sexy dancers. The light board pulsates with every move Kylie makes, creating a pretty cool visual effect when shot from overhead. Very nice! Kylie + Cool FX, a "sexy electro disco" track and hot boys. What more could you want from a Kylie video? Definitely one of my favorites.
Kylie Minogue - Get Outta My Way
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Check out Kylie Minogue on the web:
Hot Video Alert: Eliza Doolittle - Rollerblades
If you've been reading my blog with ANY sort of regularity, you're already familiar with British singer/songwriter Eliza Doolittle. I've been obsessing over her since the first time I heard her witty little ditty called "Skinny Genes." By the time she released "Pack Up," I was already head-over-heels smitten with her music. So smitten was I that I purchased the import of her self-titled album, preaching it's gospel to any music-loving friend who'll listen to me. Looks like it was all worth it in the end because Eliza Doolittle is getting ready to launch in the U.S. in early 2011 via Capitol Records. Brilliant! Back in the UK, Doolittle's set to release her third single "Rollerblades" on October 18th. "Rollerblades" was produced by Craigie Dodds and Jonny Sharp and written by Dodds, Sharp and Doolittle. The song is the follow up to her most successful single to-date "Pack Up" which peaked at #5 on the UK singles chart. While Doolittle was only briefly in New York City to film the summery video for "Rollerblades" I have no doubt that she'll be back to promote the album sometime next year. Hopefully I'll be lucky enough to see her do her thing on stage. The video is adorable, matching the islandly vibe of her previous single. Check out Doolittle in the "Rollerblades" video below:
UK fans can check out Doolittle on tour this fall, including a stint supporting another of my favorites, Paloma Faith. Check out the dates below and tell me how she is live! U.S. fans can purchase both "Pack Up" and "Skinny Genes" on iTunes now.
Tour Dates:
Oct 8 2010/Birmingham o2 Academy 2/Birmingham
Oct 11 2010/Liverpool Masque/Liverpool
Oct 12 2010/Nottingham Rescue Rooms/Nottingham
Oct 16 2010/Bristol Thekla/Bristol
Oct 17 2010/Brighton Komedia/Brighton
Oct 20 2010/Glasgow Classic Grand/Glasgow
Oct 21 2010/Dundee Fat Sams/Dundee
Oct 25 2010/London Bush Hall/London
With Paloma Faith:
Oct 30 2010/Newcastle City Hall
Oct 31 2010/Manchester Apollo
Nov 1 2010/Wolverhampton Civic
Nov 2 2010/Edinburgh Corn Exchange
Nov 4 2010/Plymouth Pavilions
Nov 5 2010/Leicester De Monfort Hall
Nov 7 2010/Portsmouth Guildhall
Nov 8 2010/Hammersmith Apollo
Check out Eliza Doolittle on the web:
Hot Video Alert: Lauren Pritchard - Not The Drinking
Lauren Pritchard is one TALENTED young lady. At only 22 years old, this Tennessee-born singer/songwriter has been making SERIOUS waves over in the UK, where she is focusing all of her promotional efforts for the time being. While I wish she'd give her homeland some love, I've been assured via Twitter that she will in fact be back here at some point. Hey...if the UK is embracing her I'm all for it. Considering how many talented artists from across the pond we have on loan it's only fair that we share some of our amazing talent, right? "Not The Drinking" is the follow up to Pritchard's last single "Painkillers," which was a considerably more melancholy affair. "Not The Drinking" may start off a little slow but about 30 seconds or so in Pritchard gets her groove on, changing the pace and the tone for the entire song. Pritchard's voice is near perfection. A little bit Adele, a little bit Duffy, a little bit Joss Stone. She's got an AMAZING talent that really turns this soulful little ditty into something special. "Not The Drinking" is taken off of Pritchard's debut album Wasted In Jackson (via Spilt Milk/Island Records), due October 25th and is accompanied by a fun'n'sassy video (complete with choreography!) directed by Wendy Morgan. Check it out below:
In addition to releasing her new single and album, Lauren Pritchard will be taking part in a new live initiative put on by Island Records called 'Island Life.' The inaugural Island Life UK tour brings together Pritchard, alongside Zimbabwe-born singer Tinashé, Welsh singer/songwriter Pete Lawrie and Celtic singer Pearl & The Puppets. Make sure you check out this AWESOME-sounding tour this October all over the UK. U.S. fans make sure you pick up "Not The Drinking" on iTunes now, as well as her EP The Jackson Sessions. Not to be missed!
Tour Dates:
Oct 1/Birmingham/Glee Club
Oct 2/Cardiff/Buffalo Bar
Oct 4/Bristol/Cooler
Oct 5/Cambridge/Haymakers
Oct 6/Brighton/Audio
Oct 7/Leeds/Cockpit
Oct 8/Glasgow/Oran Mor
Oct 10/Manchester/Deaf Institute
Check out Lauren Pritchard on the web:
Hot Video Alert: Joe McElderry - Ambitions
Way to go Joe McElderry! You exceeded my expectations with your new single "Ambitions." Any doubt has since vanished. I am now left wanting more. "Ambitions" is actually a cover of an already brilliant song by a Norwegian band called Donkeyboy. Joe's version is what it needed to be. It's up-tempo and it's the perfect vehicle to showcase McElderry's vocal ability, specifically his upper register. The boy's got a strong falsetto, kind of reminiscent of Jake Shears from the Scissor Sisters. Having not seen McElderry's season of X-Factor I really wasn't sure what to expect. Before hearing "Ambitions," I was relying solely on Joe's first single, "The Climb" (a Miley Cyrus cover for God's sake) and various live clips. Not a lot to go on. I knew Joe had the chops. I knew all that was left was being paired up with the right team of songwriters, producers and publicity people. Working with producers like John Shanks and Dallas Austin, Joe McElderry's album Wide Awake is looking to be a hot one this Fall. Wide Awake is due out October 25th, preceded by "Ambitions" on October 11th. Check out the fun and sappy video directed by Nigel Dick. Well done Joe. This song will surely go straight to #1, as it should.
Check out Joe McElderry on the web:
Hey!
Hey everyone! Hope ya'll like the new banner! If you have yet to pick up Selena Gomez & The Scene's new album, A Year Without Rain, go get it! It's amazing! Also, if your looking for something fun to do this week, make sure to go see Easy A, starring Aly Michalka!
Saturday, September 18, 2010
The Saturdays Release Another Cookie-Cutter Pop Song
Listen to the new single, "Higher" by The Saturdays and tell me what you think.
There's no denying that The Saturdays' new single featuring American rapper Flo-Rida is catchy. I even sort of agree with a co-worker of mine who called it a "female version of "Break Your Heart" by Taio Cruz...which is the problem. The song is too generic...it's all been done before. I'm not saying I don't like it. Not at all. I'd work out to this song. I look forward to the music video and the inevitable dance remixes. I just wish that The Saturdays would have gone ahead and pushed some pop boundaries. That all being said I guess this whole Headlines miniature album is serving it's purpose as a place holder before their next studio release...so all hope is not lost. I will admit that the story behind how THIS version of the single came about is rather amusing. After being beat at the Top of the Charts twice by Flo-Rida, The Saturdays finally decided to collaborate with their competition in the hopes that they'd have a #1 record. Hopefully they'll get that #1 when the single is released on November 1st. Check out the video teaser below (the video has been released but I can't find an embeddable version that works here in the US). "Higher" was produced by Arnthor Birgisson and will feature a song called "Had It With Today" as a B-Side. No word yet on remixes.
Check out The Saturdays on the web:
Friday, September 17, 2010
Hot Video Alert: Owl City - To The Sky
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| Photo by Pamela Littky |
Check out Owl City on the web:
Hot Video Alert: QWECi - Not Afraid (Remix)
I honestly don't know too much about QWECi but I kind of want to now. Check out this video for "Not Afraid," a remix of the first Eminem single off his latest album Recovery. QWECi has a beautiful voice bringing a whole new sound to Eminem's already powerful track. I'd love to hear an official remix of Em's single with QWECi doing the chorus. Maybe one day. The self proclaimed "citizen of the world," QWECi is signed to an indie label called Higher Life Music. According to his bio, the artist hails from Ghana but is now based in America where he's created his own genre of music called "world pop." If this is world pop, I want more. Good stuff. The slick video was directed by Glen Graham II. Check out his iTunes store and pick up his debut album Higher Life. Looking forward to hearing more from this talented guy.
Check out QWECi on the web:
Hot Video Alert: Pixie Lott - Broken Arrow
"Broken Arrow" still isn't one of my favorite Pixie Lott songs but the video definitely makes it a sit a little better with me. She looks great in this beautifully shot clip, despite the hokey choreography. Why does a ballad need choreography anyway? "Broken Arrow" was produced by Toby Gad and definitely sounds like it was in that cookie cutter pop ballad sort of way. It's the first single off of the forthcoming re-release of Pixie's debut album, Turn It Up Louder, due out October 18th, preceded by the single release on October 11th. An official promo featuring remixes by UK house music producers The Shapeshifters (Simon Marlin and Max Reich) will be out sometime next week. Check out an edit of the mix below.
Pixie Lott - Broken Arrow (The Shapeshifters Remix - Soundcloud Edit) by TheShapeshifters
Loving the remix, just liking the original. I'm still holding out for the Jason Derulo duet. Watch the video below. Remember, U.S. fans can download Pixie Lott's debut American single "Boys and Girls" on iTunes now.
Check out Pixie Lott on the web:
Hot Video Alert: Sheryl Crow feat. Justin Timberlake - Sign Your Name
Sheryl Crow keeps getting sexier and sexier with age. WOW. The stunning singer/songwriter seduces the camera in this video for "Sign Your Name," the second single from her seventh studio album 100 Miles From Memphis, which peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200 Chart. The song is a cover Terence Trent D'Arby's 1987 Billboard Hot 100 top 4 hit and features Justin Timberlake on background vocals. The single is a follow up to "Summer Day," which peaked at #2 on Billboard's Triple A Chart back in June. My only complaint...no JT in the music video.
Check out Sheryl Crow on the web:
UK Soul Singer Duffy to Release New Single and Album in November
I've been waiting for new stuff from both Adele AND Duffy since they released their respective 2008 debut albums and while both imports have been hard at work on follow ups, it appears that Duffy is going to be the first one out of the gate. I'm fine with this...in fact I'm excited by this! The 6.5 million selling, BRIT and Grammy-winning Rockferry is no doubt a solid album through and through but as soon as "Mercy" came out...that was it. While the album had loads of other good songs, NONE of them possessed the same energy that "Mercy." The rest of the songs were soulful ballads. Nothing wrong with a good ballad, but "Mercy" sort of set a bar for any subsequent singles in my mind. "Warwick Avenue" was great but by and large, the rest of the material she had to work with (not to mention new track "Rain On Your Parade") was snooze-city.
The upcoming release of Duffy's follow up album, Endlessly was announced yesterday. Due out November 29th on A&M Records, the album will be preceded by "the infectious lead single" "Well, Well, Well," which features The Roots on rhythm section. I'm excited already! The new album was written and recorded in New York and London this past year with the help of Albert Hammond and "together they have written and produced the next chapter of Duffy's meteoric career." Duffy has a lot to prove with her sophomore album, especially considering how successful her debut was and I honestly wish her nothing but the best. Definitely one of the most anticipated album's of the Fall. "Well, Well, Well" is due out November 21st.
Check out Duffy on the web:
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