Alexandra Burke - Number 1 again?

I have heard that the new Alexandra Burke single, 'Start Without You' is number one? Checking the mid weeks it would appear so... Ok do I like this song? Not really is the answer, BUT, and it's a but... its catchy in the annoying way that the GO COMPARE advert sort of is catchy. The video is not great but she looks good in it and there are a lot of half naked men dancing around. It is really just a random song, and I don't get how this single could get to number one when the brilliant 'All Night Long' feat Pitbull (a remixed version to the album) did not even reach number one!? I do think the team behind Alexandra have got it slightly wrong, when I first heard 'Overcome' the album, the idea in my head of how the campaign should have gone is as follows:

Single 1: Bad Boys, Single 2: All Night Long, Single 3: The Silence & Single 4: Broken Heels.

Now I am guessing there will be a re-release of the album which I think is an outright CON, I find it so frustrating when people do this, as if you have finished the album and released it, start on the next one, stop churning out the same old thing just with extra tracks on it (only GAGA can successfully pull this off).

I like Alexandra, I like that she came from Xfactor, I like her voice, BUT she needs to find her own identity away from rappers and features, and find a song that is JUST her that will sell. Otherwise people will get fed up of it. I just don't really like the new song I am afraid.

www.alexandraburkeofficial.com/

Alexis Jordan - One to watch?

I seem to write about a lot of people who never make it over here in the UK or are yet to 'make it' as I put it. People like Jesssica Mauboy, Dragonette & now Alexis Jordan, currently here showcasing some of her work I can only hope that we hear more from her. First single is called 'Happiness' and I really like it, it's a catchy dance track with plenty of humming ability attached to it. I like her too and the video is also good, check it out below.

From the same country that bought us Rihanna, Shontelle and even Livvi Franc, Alexis looks set to follow in the success of her fellow Barbadians. With a voice that has been described as 'perfect' she was first noticed by the judges of America's got Talent and despite making it past auditions was eliminated in the semi finals. Despite this she was signed to Jay'z records label Roc Nation where he became her mentor and all this before her 18th birthday.


I think 'Happiness' will become a huge hit over here when it is released.

Random Shuffle

Top 5 songs I just found on a random but brilliant shuffle:

1) Leona Lewis - Happy

I really love this song, in the same way I loved 'Bleeding Love'. Leona is such a success story from the X-Factor 2006 and I think will be around a long time. People say she sings too much of the same but I think that is what makes her great because she performs emotion and is believable and has so far had 3 UK number 1's. I have heard that she is working with top producers such as Dallas Austin on the third album and hopefully she will find a song that made Whitney stand out when she released 'I wanna dance with somebody' which showed she could do more than just a ballad. 

           www.leonalewismusic.co.uk/

 2) Brandi Carlile - The Story
This song reminds me of a really great holiday I had in Florida 2007. I went with my friend and at the time when we heard this song we laughed because there is a bit towards the end where it sounds like her voice goes a bit off key, but that is the genius part of the song! The song is a country and western song and Brandi plays with several different genres. This is a great track that never quite reached the UK which is common here, we miss a lot of good songs here because our charts are dominated by one genre at a time.

www.brandicarlile.com/

3) Jessica Mauboy - Burn

 Another good artist that has so far yet to make the UK, first single 'Running Back' featured hit helper Flo-Rida and was a huge success the other side of the pond (Australia & USA). 'Burn' was also a huge hit and I think with the right promo she would of been huge here as this is actually a really good song with huge club potential. Jessica was actually on Autralian Idol and formed girl group 'Young Divas' which did not work out, however proves she should be a good solo artist in her own right!

www.jessicamauboy.com.au/

4) Kasabian - Empire

What a fantastic tune, full of energy and a great timeless record! Always makes me want to jump around whilst throwing my head in circles like a complete loon!!! Kasabian are one of my favorite UK bands with other greats like 'shoot the runner' 'Fire' and 'Club Foot' a regular occurrence on my I-Pod, I can't wait to see what other greats they will create on new album when it is complete. Furthermore, I have heard that Kasabian are amazing live and would love to see them one day to perform my crazy head spinning antics..

www.kasabian.co.uk/

5) Jamelia  - Superstar

Jamelia, where are you? This was a brilliant song all those years ago! The follow up to the 'Thank You' album - 'Walk With Me' had probably one of your best tracks and yet it went unnoticed here in the UK, clearly missed a hot track with 'Beware of the Dog' which sampled Depeche Mode' Personal Jesus.' I will always protest it was clearly number 1 material, as was Superstar. Jamelia has the great potential to be a really big named diva to represent the UK and I hear rumours she is working with Pharrell and other such music producer legends so I can only hope she will fulfill her potential with the next album!

www.jamelia.com/

X Factor 2010

So to this years X Factor. 2 shows in and I have to say.. not a great load of talent going on.. I am a huge fan of previous X Factor's mostly for it's past contestants such as, Leona Lewis, Alexandra Burke, JLS, Diana Vicker's & Stacey Soloman, however this year I have not found someone I am really keen to see again like I have been in the past. So I am hoping they have saved the best until last. Although they are putting through an unusual amount of strange acts this year... then kicking them out again?! I am also strangely missing Dannii Minogue from the panel, which is odd as I did not want her on the panel originally. Also, Holly Willoughby is a big absence from the Xtra Factor.

With guest judges ranging from the random to the brilliant (Geri Halliwell, Natalie Imbruglia, Pixie Lott, Nicole Sch something or other and Katy Perry) and of course the build up to the big 'Cheryl Malaria' which they play clips of every week, plus the girl punching the other girl in the face! I have to think, sadly, they are saving the 'best' until last. As usual I will become a complete Saturday night hermit and set vigil at the TV week on and week out to see what this year has to offer, or skyplus it on the rare outings. Well, there will be nothing else to do in the winter months.

It seems to me even Simon knows something is wrong, next year he launches the US version and rumour has it the British version will no longer be running (or ruining) the (X)Christmas number one. Which it has been claiming for the past 4 years! Only time will tell if last years winner Joe McElderry will be as big as stars such as Leona, JLS, Diana and now Olly, I did at the time think not, however Simon has had him working with some big names so you never know..  

So lets wait and see, I will be reviewing again in a few weeks when I know who the finalists are.

I Blame Coco - but I don't Blame her at all..One to watch!

Daughter of Sting and Trudy Styler... how often is she going to be referred to like this? Forever most likely, in the same way that Lily Allen is the daughter of Keith Allen? Or La Roux's Elly is daughter of June from the Bill!!

 Well, I Blame Coco AKA Coco Sumner is a very exciting recording artist in her own right. Having now released 3 singles with the newest 'Quicker' being a very good treat to the ears indeed, I now think Coco will soon be heading the same way as Lily Allen and La Roux (coincidence both have famous parents?) in that America will catch on to their different musical style and sounds and they will be rocketed to allstar greatness.
Album 'The Constant' is released in the UK 27th September 2010. First single 'Caesar' was released in Feb 10 and featured vocals from the very unusual and talented Robyn, second single 'Self Machine' followed. It is with third single 'Quicker' that I really started to pay attention and admit that I was slightly less interested previously. But now I am excited and see Coco becoming a bit of a shiny star really. 2010's Florence maybe? Not the voice as they both have different singing styles.. but the potential rise to music festival and all round great performer fame - YES. 

www.iblamecoco.co.uk/
www.myspace.com/iblamecoco - dates of gigs have been added and may well be worth a purchase.

Katy Perry - Teenage Dream review

Teenage Dream is the follow up to 2008's 'One Of The Boys' which saw number 1 smash 'I Kissed A Girl' and other notable top ten hits, Hot'N'Cold & Waking Up In Vegas. So it was a wonder what Ms. Perry would return with.

Here is my opinion on Teenage Dream - track by track

1) Teenage Dream - the second single from the album, its a really catchy foot tapper. It has chart success written all over it. Talking about how she wants to 'go all the way tonight' and putting hands all over skin tight jeans will have boys of all ages and even some girls imaginations running wild.. 8/10

2) Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F) - Catchy pop song, talks about the antics of a Friday night drinking, dancing skinny dipping and pictures ending up online, probably an anthem for the celebration of a good social life. Is it single worthy? Probably yes, possibly fourth or fifth single - can imagine a good video for it. 6/10

3) California Gurls feat Snoop Dogg - The first single taken from Teenage Dream, it reached number one in the UK for 2 weeks, which is no surprise with its catchy chorus and rap from Snoop Dogg, does sound a bit Ke$ha, however Katy has built the star quality that Ke$ha is slightly lacking at the moment, and it worked.. Katy claims that this is the retaliation to the song  'Empire State of Mind' the smash from Jay-z Feat Alicia Keys.. Not sure it's as good but still a catchy Perry track that provided her second UK number one. 8/10


4) Firework - rumoured to be the third single from the album, which is a good thing, as this is one of my favourite tracks from the album.. a corker of a chorus that makes. Katy's voice shines on this track in the same way it does on Teenage Dream, has the same catchy feel -this will be a big hit. 8/10


5) Peacock - Oh dear, Katy goes a little controversial here, daring an unknown gent to show off his 'Peacock' pushing boundaries maybe? Defo not one for the kids this song - and probably the album again very Ke$ha, not single worthy I am afraid. 5/10


6) Circle The Drain - I like this side of Katy's music, its a bit more grittier, and lyrics like 'I want to be your lover, not your f*#king mother' show that yes, she is pushing boundaries but on this track its right unlike the previous song. Sometimes this track does not quite sit right with the rest of the theme of the album which seems to be nostalgic music that takes you back to your 'teenage years.' However still a good track. 8/10


7) The One That Got Away- A catchy track, a good album song, good beat and chorus. Keeping with the theme of the album, slightly less harsh compared to Circle the Drain, where she sings about a love who 'got away' which I think a lot of people can relate to.  6/10


8)E.T.- Good track, talking about someone who is out of this world 'your touch so Alien' wonder who she is talking about here?! Guess she is over kissing girls by the sounds of this song. Possibly a single but not as good as other potential singles. 6/10


9) Who Am I Living For - Perry's vocals on this track are probably a bit grittier than normal, and it suits. Slightly less adrenaline to this track, but not a bad thing! Takes a bit of getting used to considering the other tracks have a slightly retro-pop-funk feel and this is quite a recent feeling track. 5/10


10) Pearl - Back in the keeping of the 80's sound, this record makes a good upbeat/ballad, probably the best slower song on the album. Katy does do good upbeat pop better than slower ballads and has yet to create the sort of slow song that Christina, Leona and Beyonce can execute effortlessly. 6/10

11) Hummingbird Heartbeat - Another 80's influenced pop song, catchy and fun just how we like our Perry. Not much else to say, it's not necessarily a single but a good album filler. 7/10

12) Not Like the Movies - Another slower song from this album, again much like Pearl, has a different side to Perry's vocals. Her voice feels vulnerable in this song, and I think she is singing about personal experiences and is believable. A good effort. 7/10

Overall, Teenage Dream is mostly brilliant, not a record for the kiddies, and fits in brilliantly with previous offering 'One Of The Boys.' Perry is not trying to be overly different from record to record, instead she is just changing one type of genre with different catchy pop songs, that seem to reflect her life situations, as this album feels a lot more like a love record.

Teenage Dream is in shops and I-Tunes now. Overall 7/10.

www.katyperry.com/

Hurts - it actually does not hurt...

So to another one to watch.. Hurts are a Manchester band who have slowly been creeping their way to super stardom.

New single 'Wonderful Life' is literally nothing short of wonderful! With a really great video and something that is captivating to listen to, I think when the album (Happiness) hits the shops on the 6th September 2010 we will be hearing a lot more of them too. Already getting the interest of pop starlet Kylie Minogue, who even provides a duet on track 'Devotion' from Hurts Album, amongst many other big names showing an interest in this cool new act. The Band consists of Theo Hutchcraft on vocals & Adam Anderson – electronics & guitar. I think we will be hearing much more from this duo and I can't wait to hear the full album upon its upcoming release.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIJXqOvXb1A

www.informationhurts.com/