The most anticipated video of the moment (sorry, “Alejandro” fans) is finally here. “All the Lovers” has such an epic sound that I expected to be completely blown away, but sadly, the video is less than the sum of its parts. From a visual perspective, it’s an impressive clip, with the building mound of humanity reaching the height of skyscrapers. There just isn’t a connection with the viewer (or at least THIS viewer), and that’s disappointing. There are also some odd placements in the video (white horse, white elephant) that may not have any meaning to the average fan, and all it does is distract from the central concept of “all the lovers”. I want to be in love with this and I want to rave about it, but to me the video is a bit of a misstep, given the undeniable momentum of the song on its own.
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All posts for the month May, 2010
Ah, JLS. So much promise, so much talent, so much success. Well, in the UK, anyway. While the buzz for their next single “The Club Is Alive” continues to grow over in England, the boys are in the US working on tracks for their second CD along with promoting their current single “Everybody In Love”. Now, “current” is an interesting word to pick, because the song has already peaked in the past two weeks at Top 40 radio, getting as high as #37. That’s got to be a disappointment, given all of the folks that seem to have their back, including Jay-Z. In fact, that’s right about where V Factory peaked last summer with “Love Struck”.
Based on both of these failures, I have been wondering what it would take for a boyband to break out here in the US. V Factory fits one of the boyband prototypes, with white boys of varying looks, while JLS falls into the Boyz II Men model with tight harmonies and handsome guys. Neither song is bad, and there’s also a variety between ballad and jam. So what’s missing? Do we really need to go in the direction of vocoder production? One of the tenets of boybands is that, even though they may not be Pavarotti, they still have to have tight harmonies and at least one member that can knock the vocal out of the park (see: New Kids on the Block).
So what if we create a supergroup built out of pieces that are successful in one form or another? Would that work? Here’s what I’m thinking:
– Jason DeRulo – Dude’s got a hit formula going for singles, but it isn’t translating into album sales. Maybe that has something to do with Beluga Heights being tagged on almost every track on his CD, or that there isn’t as much diversity sonically in his music to sustain the listener’s attention for 10 tracks. He’s got the songwriting skills, and we know he can tear it up live (as he proved on Idol back in March). Maybe giving him a chance to shine surrounded by a couple of other like-minded and talented guys would help push it over the edge.
– Jay Sean – Jay will always hold a special place in my heart because it was he who knocked the Black Eyed Peas out of the #1 spot last summer with “Down”, but his efforts to replicate that success only got him a brief Top 10 with “Do You Remember”, and the album fared even worse than DeRulo’s, only getting to #37 in the US. Would Jay even consider this concept? Probably not…he’s done quite well for himself, even releasing independently before getting signed by Cash Money for distribution in the US, where he promptly blew up. He’s currently on the charts again with Kevin Rudolph on “I Made It”, but I don’t think they have even announced a third single to be released. Does that mean he’s already done? Hopefully not, but if that’s a case, maybe being part of a songwriting powerhouse with Jason would be one way to take these first steps and capitalize on them.
Travis Garland – I’m probably going to catch some flak on this one, but here goes…you can take the boy out of the boyband, but it’s rare that you can take the boyband out of the boy. Such may be the case with Travis Garland, who has shown some serious promise since the dissolution of NLT in 2009. Perez Hilton has even gone so far as to say that Travis’s version of “Dead and Gone” is better than Justin Timberlake’s. Good luck selling that, but then again, I have a serious bias against Mr. Hilton. So I watched Travis perform “Believe” on Idol, and while the song is good, the production was a mess, and I fear that Travis is losing his window because a rookie like Perez Hilton is at the wheel. So what if we free him from that business model and put him in with a seriously talented crew of singers and songwriters? Could it work?
– Alex Gardner – Plenty of folks have already talked about Alex and his over before it starts attempt at hitting the pop charts in the UK. To me, it seems that working with Xenomania has now become the kiss of death (as the ladies of Mini Viva can now attest to). So what’s a talented young guy with a great voice and pin-up looks to do? Perhaps he joins forces with three other talented vocalists and attempts to conquer the music charts in that form. I don’t know if it would work, but my brain goes in odd directions at times. It’s safe to say that he’s going to need a back-up gig if his next single isn’t an out-of-the-box smash.
I have been a fan of mashups as long as I have known that they existed. One of my all-time favorites is a mix of Kylie Minogue’s “Can’t Get You Out of My Head” with Ludacris’s “What’s Your Fantasy”, which fits perfectly despite the mismatch that it sounds like. There were mashups long before amateurs were able to do their own mixing, though. Pop stars performing their own songs regularly drop other songs into the middle of a performance to mix things up and get a response from their audience.
Yesterday I got an IM from Canadian singer/songwriter and Pop Culture Maven Will-W. that he had a little something for me to listen to, and I honestly couldn’t stop listening once I started. He recorded the instrumental track for Kylie’s “All the Lovers”, and then recorded vocals over the track from the Dream Academy’s “Life in a Northern Town”, with a little bit of “Lovers” on the chorus and bridge. Brilliant stuff, I tell ya. He’s put it up on YouTube this morning, so check it out, and also check out his blog if you want to keep up with all that’s new and worthy in pop culture.
– If you’re not on board the Marina and the Diamonds bandwagon yet, here’s your chance: “I Am Not a Robot” is the iTunes Single of the Week here in the US. The full-length is also released today, so if you haven’t checked it out, now’s a great time to.
– Tonight is the season finale for American Idol season 9, and you can hear the collective yawn around the country from people who really don’t care. I have gotten pulled in this past week based on Lee DeWyze’s version of “Hallelujah”, which by all rights should be retired and put out to pasture, but he does a great version of it. He’s definitely got a David Cook vibe, although I gather he will be a bit more like Dave Matthews in his own musical style. If you like the live version, I strongly recommend the studio version as well.
– June is going to be an amazing music month, with full-lengths from Robyn, Scissor Sisters, Crowded House, Christina Agui…oh, wait. No one seems to care about that one anymore. Anyway, my most anticipated release for the month is not anything current, but the 20th Anniversary reissue of the Cure’s Disintegration. I was convinced back in 1990 that I was “deep” because of my love of this record. I now know that it was more the vibe than the sentiment that I really related to, but that CD was played on more than a few late-night road trips. To celebrate, why don’t we take a look at what used to be one of their lesser known singles here in the US until it became a go-to track for Hewlett Packard, “Pictures of You”.
To keep the music rolling, here’s the second batch of tracks that are making my Spring mix a must-hear. There isn’t a ballad in the bunch.
– Wonder Girls “Two Different Tears” – After “Nobody” peaked at #76 here in the US, I figured that the Girls would not get a second chance, but it looks like JYP had some extra cash laying around to put together another English video for “Two Different Tears”. Now, remember what I said about Bobby Lee in a video being a good thing? Not so much here, but at this point, the only thing I care about is the music, and these ladies are two for two on their US-geared tracks. I doubt it will be a hit, but stranger things have happened, like the Girls touring the US and stopping in Denver. Oh, wait. That actually is going to happen.
– Robyn “Dancing On My Own” – How often do you get excited about a preview clip for a video? When it’s a stylish as the one Robyn posted for “Dancing On My Own”, you might as well just give in. I’m a bit confused by the behind the scenes clip, though. Robyn is definitely not a slouch in the looks department, but there is something about her in black and white that is stunning. I could handle a black and white world with that kind of beauty. Does the final product in color deliver? Absolutely. Now here’s hoping the tour with Kelis is a) a reality, and b) coming to Denver.
– Kelly Rowland “On and On” – Trust me when I say that I am a huge fan. She was heading in the right direction with Miss Kelly, but “When Love Takes Over” took what she started on “Work” and multiplied it by 10. Now she’s getting ready to drop a new album on Universal Motown in September, and while “Commander” is the official single, a Brian Kennedy-produced track called “On and On” leaked, and it’s just as good as any other dance-pop track you have heard this year. Brian also produced “Crash and Burn” for Jesse McCartney last year, which ended up on my Top Pop Singles at #11 last year. Unfortunately, Universal has done a killer job of yanking the YouTube clips of “On and On”, so instead, here’s the still-worthy “Commander”. To check out “On and On”, head on over to Idolator.
– Kylie Minogue “All the Lovers” – Everyone’s heard it, everyone loves it, but I have to do my thing and show some love. Every time I hear the song on satellite radio or check out the video clip before, I just kind of get lost in the vibe for the next 3.5 minutes. Kylie’s in her element here, and it’s a great return to form after the disaster that was “Two Hearts”, her first single from X. The collaborations on the album sound promising, and they are going to release the record worldwide at the same time, including the US, which I believe is a first. To top it off, I feel a more personal connection to the track, so it doesn’t really matter how good it is. To get that AND a great track is just bonus.
One of the cool things about being a diehard music fan is seeing how an artist builds buzz among other music fans. Such is the case with Tino Coury, who I originally featured back in March of this year when his single “Diary” first hit the scene. Two months later, and Tino has a single on iTunes, a decent-budget video, and a whirlwind radio tour that looks to morph into a summer concert tour. In the midst of all the touring and promotion, he took a little time to field a few questions about what the immediate future looks like, along with his ambitions for his career.
Pop Music Notes: First off, congrats on the single. How does it feel to know that you have a single on a major label that’s officially going up for sale on iTunes on the 4th?
Tino Coury: Thanks so much! It feels so amazing…I put a lot of work in… and to finally have that chance to launch my first single is unbelievable. I feel very blessed.
PMN: What’s the plan for you leading up to your album being released later this year?
TC: I plan on doing a lot of shows this summer. I will promoting my single “Diary” and performing a lot. I am very excited to get in front of my fans and start doing shows!
PMN: Here’s the inevitable question. Is “Diary” from real life, or is it just really good storytelling?
TC: My inspiration for the song came from real life experiences, and seeing other people go through the same situation. In todays world no one picks up the phone anymore, everything is in writing, text/email/ etc. I think everyone has seen something in writing they didn’t expect to see before. So I think everyone can relate to it.
PMN: What’s the rest of the material on the album going to sound like? Any producers or co-writers you want to mention?
TC: What I try to keep consistent throughout my album is having a great story people can relate too, but a great beat you can dance too at the same time. There has to be meaning. Like the combination in “Diary”… but with some more live instruments, and ballads, etc. A lot of depth and variety for sure!
PMN: If you could model your career on anyone that’s come before you, who would it be?
TC: It would have to be Justin Timberlake. I think he is an amazing performer/entertainer. And a great songwriter. I went to his Future/Sex/Lovesound tour and it was honestly amazing. If I can sell out arenas like that one day that would be a dream come true.
PMN. Do you have any long-term ambitions besides music?
TC: Right now my full focus is music and I set a lot of goals for myself within the music industry. I never thought about trying to do anything else!
PMN: Thanks for taking the time to talk with us, and good luck with the single. Any final words for those who haven’t quite been won over by “Diary”?
TC: Def keep checkin back for more songs/updates cause I am much more then just one single. I think that I bring a lot of elements to my music that has not been shown yet. Don’t give up on it just yet!
Once again, I bow in the direction of Paul over at Fizzy Pop for turning me on to one of the most perfect pop songs I have heard this year. Enduring his endless admiration of Måns Zelmerlöw (kidding) has paid off, as his new duet with Maria Haukaas Storeng is an amazing update of Phil Seymour’s “Precious To Me”, which hit #22 here in the US back in 1981. I was thinking it had been a hit in the 70s, but either way, I have not thought of that song in at least 20 years.
There’s a lot of praise to go around on this track, but first and foremost, big props to whomever came up with the idea of using the song in the first place. It retains the charm of the original, but updates it in a way that sounds retro and current at the same time. Here’s hoping that this duet escapes Scandinavia and takes over the rest of the world.
After a few months where it seemed like pop music was hibernating, things have definitely picked up. I’ve got more than enough great music to create a Spring mix. Here are a few of the tracks to make the cut:
– Bright Light Bright Light “A New Word To Say” – I don’t remember whether Fizzy Pop or XOLondon gets first credit for bringing this to my attention, but they both deserve an award for having great taste, because this song is brilliant. The way this struck me on first listen reminds me of the first time I heard songs by the Thompson Twins, Howard Jones and Eurogliders back in the 80s. It’s an electronic song with an organic soul, and the melody, vocals and production come together to create an upbeat, light (in a good way) and fun track. Too bad the general public cannot be trusted to make a song of this quality a hit. In the meantime, head over to BLx2’s website and pick up the track for free (registration required).
– Jenna Andrews “Tumblin’ Down” – Think Corrine Bailey Rae with a bit more bass, and you’ll have a good picture of Jenna’s debut single. “Tumblin” also has a lot of Erykah Badu influence as well, but without all of the heavy baggage. She’s signed to Def Jam Island, and based off of this initial sample, I can see why. And guess what? You can pick up this track for free as well. Enjoy!
– Sia “Clap Your Hands (Fred Falke Edit)” – If there is one remixer out there who is not getting enough respect from the mainstream, it’s Fred Falke. Following killer remixes for folks like the Gossip (“Heavy Cross”), LaRoux (“Bulletproof”), Will Young (“Tell Me the Worst”) and Mini Viva (“I Left My Heart in Tokyo”), he has now put his touch on Sia’s “Clap Your Hands”. The song in its original form is fun and perky, but Falke’s remix gives it a depth missing from the original mix. Please let Sia break through with this new album…
– Toni Braxton “Make My Heart (Chris Malinchak Indigo Mix)” – I am all about Toni’s Pulse, which came out on Tuesday. Highlights for me include the back-to-form ballad “Woman”, and the mid-tempo “Wardrobe”, which shows her having fun with a song you could hear Jordin Sparks singing once she’s grown. My favorite track remains floor-filler “Make My Heart”, and that love is perpetuated through this mix. Please let Toni come back with this new album…
Towleroad.com is reporting today that, after weeks of speculation, it will be Country singer Chely Wright coming out in this week’s issue of People magazine. While coming out stories seem to be popping up more and more frequently, this one should be interesting to watch develop.
The TMZ quote that Towleroad cites that “Wright is the first major Country artist ever to come out”, and several commenters argued that kd lang should be given that distinction. However, kd never had a big hit on the Country charts, with “I’m Down to My Last Cigarette” and “Full Moon Full of Love” being her only two top 40 Country hits at #21 and #22 respectively. Chely had a massive #1 record with “Single White Female”, which was pretty much everywhere Country music was played in 1999. Her most recent hit came in 2005 with “The Bumper of My SUV”, a powerful song that questioned the black and white responses to the war in Iraq. Chely caught a LOT of flak for this song from both sides of the debate because she wasn’t fully on one side or the other, but I respected her that much more for allowing gray into an otherwise black and white debate. The video below tells the whole story.
I have been a fan of Chely’s since the mid-90s, when “Shut Up and Drive”, her first Country top 20 record, proved to be my mantra after the breakup of my first serious relationship. Chely doesn’t have a problem fitting into the mainstream when she wants to, but there’s always a bit more depth to her music than many of her contemporaries, and the personal connection is usually quite evident. For me, one of the big missteps of her career was “Jezebel”, which was written by Jay DeMarcus from Rascal Flatts. It was kind of a fun song, but it sure didn’t strike me as Chely Wright song. I would much rather you listen to a song like “I Already Do” which connects much more directly with the listener. For some more highlights of her career, you have to check out Kevin’s recap at Country Universe.
So who knows how this plays out, but I wish her well. There have been a few country artists that have been out in the business without being out in public, so I don’t know that you can draw any full-fledged comparisons between them and Chely. Hopefully the people who have known and worked with Chely behind the scenes will continue to visibly support her now that she’s done keeping up a facade simply to be more widely accepted. If the first single from her new album Lifted Off the Ground that comes out this week is any indication, she’s got a lot of potential hits left in her.
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