TOPThisTune

Anna Vissi-Call Me

2009-08-07T00:04:00.004+01:00

This is an old song by the greek Maddona as her fans call, Anna Vissi. Anyway I just found this recently through a very funny contest organized by Chris in Paparizou Forum. My first reaction to this song was: It seems like it's going somewhere but then it does the same thing again, like it's moving in a circle, so I skipped it. Now I can't stop listening to it!

It was number 1 in billboard Dance Chart back in 2005.

Listen to it here

Rate:17/20

The Midway State feat Lady GaGa - Don't Give Up

2009-07-29T21:26:00.002+01:00

This is a new song by canadian rock band The Midway State and the ultrafamous newcomer Lady GaGa. You never liked a Lady GaGa? Well, you'll like this song, since it's nothing like her electropop, and she has a very good voice! You like Lady GaGa? You'll like the song.
To what this leads? A worldwide major hit. Soulful vocals, amazing beat, great instrumental.
Listen to it, buy it, download it from itunes 10 times...
Oh I just realized I look like one of those screaming girls who are crazy about their favourite fan and say that there's nothing better than them.

I forgot something, the lyrics are just perfect.

Listen to it here:

Rate: 20/20

Most Listened Song

2009-07-22T22:27:00.003+01:00

I came across this fact in my player data. It says that the song I've listened more last week was February Air by Lights. Shocking? No, the song is amazing.

If you don't know it, listen here. Amazing Pop Song.

Armin Van Buuren ft. Sharon Den Adel- In and Out of Love

2009-07-19T14:25:00.003+01:00

This song isn't new at all but I only found it recently. Sharon Den Adel is the vocalist of the symphonic Metal band Within Temptation and Armin Van Buuren is a dutch trance producer and dj.

I can't define a genre for In and Out of Love. It's a bit trance, it has a bit of electropop and her vocals remind you of her Within Temptation. The result would be a disaster if Buuren wasn't a brilliant songwriter. The instrumental fits the vocals, making them shine when needed. On the other hand there are times that the vocals are more like a part of the instrumental.

Genius song. I can't stop listening to it.

Rate:19/20

Cascada- Evacuate the Dancefloor Review

2009-07-15T13:58:00.006+01:00

This has been around for quite some time but since I never liked a Cascada song, except Everytime we Touch, I didn't listen to it when released. I finally decided to listen to it when I read that it was at number one in the Uk and the first impression I got was: "Another Just Dance?". I mean, the beat is so similar especially at the beggining, that I can't stop humming Just Dance. Seems like everyone is turning GaGa.

Actually Evacuate the Dancefloor is a rather good song, with a strong chorus and an infectious bridge-hook. Nevertheless the best part is the excellent rap(or should I say raps?), that reminds me of GaGa again.

There is nothing much to say about the song. I reccomend it to everyone who likes a good electro dance song.
Listen to it here

Rate:16/20, good

Listen to Shakira's new single "She Wolf"

2009-07-14T00:13:00.003+01:00

Here it is the english version of shakira's new single She Wolf. I am hooked with the song. I've listened to it the whole day! Another number one hit for sure! You can download legally the song for free in this site if you are a US resident

Mia Rose the youtube star

2009-07-09T23:13:00.007+01:00

Mia Rose was the first youtube star that captivated me when I listened to her singing the song Say It Right, this in 2007 or 2008 I'm not sure. What a voice she has. I did a little research about her and found out that she was planning on releasing an album. I eagerly awaited for it and when she finnaly released a songcalled Hold Me Now, which was too much R&B and didn't fit her at all. I was so disapointed that I never listened to a song by her until today.

I was in myspace looking for the most popular singer without a major deal in my country and there she was. I entered Mia Rose's page to see what has she been up to and a beautiful, amazing song started to play! It is her new single released some weeks again called Let Go. This song fits her voice, it has that acoustic feel that remembers her youtube songs at the beggining and then grows until it bursts in one of the best middle eights I've ever heard in my life!
This has to be a worldwide hit single now!

Listen to it here in her myspace or in this youtube acoustic performance

Rate:20/20, masterpiece!

Nelly Furtado new single- Manos Al Aire

2009-07-08T23:37:00.004+01:00

What I like in Nelly Furtado? She doesn't stick to a musical genre, she changes her sound from album to album. Loose had a urban feel in most songs, Folklore was an organic album about her roots. This new album Mi Plan will be totally in spanish and will carry a latin-felling for sure.

I'm a bit dissapointed with her since I was expecting a portuguese album and not spanish(I remember reading somewhere that she was recording a portuguese album) but this first single makes me forgive her because it's great! I love the instrumental with that catchy guitar intro, I love the chorus and the way the song evolves until it reaches that amazing outro!

Everyone should listen to it, you'll be instantly captured by the greatness of the song!

Rate:19/20

Sugababes new single listen to it here

2009-07-08T00:30:00.003+01:00

Here's the full version of the sugababes new single. My opinion doesn't change from the review I made some days ago.
Listen to it here

New paramore single- Ignorance

2009-07-07T20:16:00.005+01:00

The new paramore single from Brand New Eyes is out! It's great, I recommend it to everyone, even people that don't usually listen to rock. The first verse is average but the rest of the song is very good, I dare to say one of the best rock songs I've ever heard! Listen to it here in their official site.

Rate:18/20, very good

Random Monday

2009-07-05T23:39:00.002+01:00

I've been here for more than 10 minutes struggling with the backspace key, erasing everything I try to write for this post. Why is that? Because I can only think about two things: my exam grades that I'll know at midnight(what an efficient school I'm in lol) and the new paramore song that comes out tomorrow.
I know that I usually post here pop or pop-rock songs which makes everyone think that I only listen to pop but I like some rock bands, paramore included. Their new single, Ignorance, will be released tomorrow digitally and it is the first single taken from their last album Brand New Eyes which will hit the stores in september. I'm hoping for something like Misery Business or CrushCrushCrush

Apart from this I'm feeling this contraction in my gutt due to this painful waiting for midnight. If I don't get bad grades I won't get in the course I want in the best college.

PS: I'm totally hooked to Drama Fanatic an amazing song by RAEN that was posted in the FABTASTIC! Music blog!

Sugababes new single "Get Sexy"- Are they trying to go American?

2009-07-05T23:08:00.004+01:00

As of today I was only able to listen to this small clip of the Sugababes new song Get Sexy. What do I have to say about it? Too american-oriented for a act that only enjoys great popularity in the UK; too generic, there are so many songs like this now.
All this means that Get Sexy won't be in my mp3 player, I'm sure.
You can hear the song here.

A blast from the past-Spice Girls "Viva Forever"

2009-07-04T19:59:00.007+01:00

The Spice Girls were cheesy, sassy and made bublegum pop songs with a bit of hip-hop and other styles. They are always credited as writers in their songs including the pop masterpiece Viva Forever.

This isn't just another pop ballad with a catchy hook and heartbreaking lyrics, it's much more. I consider it the most beautiful song I've ever heard, so touching and so sad. The song has an amazing latin feel with the acoustic guitar playing througout it and a very good final of the song with Melanie C and Melanie B.

In their reunion tour the girls used a different instrumental, tango influenced. Very good too. You can listen to it here.

Unfortunately this was the first song released without Geri(although her vocals are present) and didn't get much promotion, therefore it only sold about 3 million copies and didn't become an all time classic.

Rate:20/20, masterpiece

Yohanna's "Butterflies and Elvis" album review- Part 2

2009-07-01T19:01:00.003+01:00

The first part of the album was good, with many ballads, but pleasant. The second part is great! The more uptempo happy songs fit really well with Yohanna's voice!.

08-Spaceman

The song starts a bit slow and the it rises until it explodes in the chorus, which is the best part of the song. As usual her vocals turn make this song sit in a level that many singers can't reach even with the best instrumental ever.
Rate:16/20

09-I miss You

The last ballad in the album. The start of the song reminds me a lot of another song that I can't remember the name. The same chords and the same piano notes and progression. Thankfully the melody is completely different and makes the song shine when the beat and the violin kicks in. The lyrics are beautiful and the ballad works well. The most similar track to Is It True.
Rate:18/20

10-Rainbow Girl

This song wins the prize of the most uplifting song in the album. I can't hear it without a smile. Unfortunately it works a bit around the same thing ending up being a bit repetitive.
Rate:15/20

11-The River Is Dry

This is a pearl in the album. The most beautiful song in my opinion. Great lyrics, amazing instrumental that runs smoothly envolving you in a cousy athmosphere.
Rate:18/20

12-Walking in the Water

Another great song. A song that works well and employs the sentence "throwing stones at you" in a way that it seems a completely different word. The instrumental is perfect with a perfect outro. I recomend you all this song.
Rate:18/20

13-White Bicycle

The most happy song. The whole vibe that the song transmit you make you happy. Unfortunately the overusage of the "nananananana" hook is the big let down of the song.
Rate:18/20

This album taught me that the acoustic guitar rocks. Most of the music I hear is very electronic with synthethisers, electric guitars and keyboards. This album is rich in physical sounds which makes it shine in my collection!

Rate 2nd Part: 17,2-Very Good
Overall Album Rate:16,3-Good

Shakira New Single- She Wolf/Loba

2009-06-30T20:33:00.004+01:00

Shakira new song spanish version premiered yesterday and I only heard a´n extremely low quality version of the song. It's different from everything she has ever done. It's more electronic and less, none to be honest, latin.

The chorus is catchy and the song works, but it doesn't seem the best comeback song.
I'll tell you more about the song when I finnally hear the HQ version.

To promote her new song she put up this website where videos of a she-wolf attacking people are posted by a wolfhunter.

Week Summary

2009-06-27T14:42:00.007+01:00

After thinking a lot about it I decided to change the name of my blog from PopThisTune to TopThisTune. Why? Although the majority of songs that I listen are pop. I like some other artists so this way I'll be able to review them too.

So what's up in my musical world?
-First, I've found this old portuguese girlband song ( thanks to Girlsbands the Satuday Divas blog). This song is great! It's called Refúgio and it's a really beautiful ballad with awesome lyrics. You should listen to it.

-I've been also listening to an old favourite of mine called Summerlove by David Tavaré. I don't know why but this song makes me feel really happy.

-After listening to the band KSM EP(support act of Demi Lovato in his Summer Tour) I have to say that I don't recomend it. That music is not for my ears and it's too childish.

-Jonas Brothers new album debuted at 3 in my country album chart. That's huge since these acts almost never get good positions in the album chart. For example the black eyed peas new album didn't break into the top 5. I'll be reviewing it soon.

-Another song that marked my week is the fantastic Gaivota. It has the most beautiful instrumentation I've heard in many time, a perfect middle eight and great vocals by Sonia Tavares. A must-listen!

Goodbye everyone!

Rest in Peace Michael Jackson

2009-06-26T00:00:00.003+01:00

I've just received the most terrible news. Michael Jackson, the pop King died this evening. At first I didn't believed in it so I looked in the internet, but everything said he actually died. I'm really sad since this man has some of the best tunes ever. I only discovered him when a friend of mine showed me his thriller 25th aniversary edition. Before that I had the idea that he was an old star with outdated songs. At this moment I'm not listening to a song of him a since I don't find it appropriate, but if you want to listen and don't know about his songs go to youtube and write:
-Beat It
-Thriller
-Billie Jean
-Gotta be Startin' Something
-Black and White
-Earth Song

Rest in Peace Michael Jackson.

Saturday's new single video- Work

2009-06-25T01:55:00.006+01:00

There's something that happens with me when it comes to the saturday's songs. If I like them I listen to them a lot for some days and then I cannot listen to it again without changing the song. I think work won't be an exception. I'm really into it, I can's stop singing the "Work, work, work" hook and I have to say that the outro(end of the song) is brilliant. Nevertheless it's an ok song. I can compare it with Up which is my favourite song by them. Will it get to number one? Perhaps... anyway it seems that they are cursed since all her singles peaked high but never at number one!

Break the curse girls... ah by the way here is the great video:

Grade:15/20, Good

Yohanna's album-Butterflies and Elvis

2009-06-22T23:48:00.005+01:00

I'm not much of a fan of ballads, but I'm a fan of a great voice. This year Eurovision brought to my attention the young Yohanna, with one of the most beautiful voices I've ever heard. After over-listening her second-placed song "Is It True" I decided to give a listen to her album and here is it's review.

1-Beautiful Silence

The first song gets you in the mood for the album. This song would be great as a soundtrack for a romance movie showing the passion-scenes. Unfortunately the midle eight doesn't work well for me, but the song is instrumentaly perfect and her vocals shine in the chorus!
Rate:15/20

2-Say Goodbye

A peaceful love song that runs smoothly. Not much to say about this song. It's not very bad or it's not very good. It fits the album.
Rate:14/20

3-Indian Ropetrick

Heartbroke ballad. Meaningful lyrics with a mellow instrumental. Not my type of song but many people will love it. Her voice suits well. Sadly there's no memorable moment.
Rate:14/20

4-Butterflies and Elvis

The title track. One of the best songs in the album. Excellent vocals and instrumental. Strange chorus lyrics, but in the end we get the point. I can't get tired of listening to it.
Rate:17/20

5-Funny Thing is

This song has a really strange title. It seems it's missing a word or an ellipsis. What I can say about this song is that it has a killer chorus. Her voice is more than amazing in it. The rest of the song is average to be honest.
Rate:14/20

6-Worryfish

The next song in the album is worryfish. When I listen to the intro of this song I picture someone playing guitar in a small fishing village by the sea. The song is really good and is another movie soundtrack candidate. It's my favourite ballad in the album. Well done Yohanna
Rate:18/20

7-Lose Myself

This song works as a breaker between the ballad section(the first part of the album) and the mid-tempo, happier section of the second section. It's jazzy with a whistle melody functioning as the hook. It only runs for 2:22 minutes.
Rate:15/20

First Half Rate: 15,3-Good

PS:Here's the first of the album. Be aware that this is the first album to use my new rating system, that's why it has this low grade.

David Fonseca-Dreams in Colour

2009-06-18T19:58:00.004+01:00

David Fonseca is the most acclaimed and known singer in Portugal. His fantastic pop-rock songs are always huge hits and his shows always sell-out. To be honest he is the only reason why I have portuguese songs in my mp3 player.
I'll review his last album(released in 2007) called Dreams in Colour.

The song kicks out with a 25 seconds instrumental intro that you will surely remove of your playlist after the first listen.

1-4th Chance

The first real song is 4th Chance, a great way to introduce you to Fonseca's mid-tempo pop-rock. It's a well built song with an addictive beat. You'll find yourself clapping along in no time. The lyrics tell you about the three times a couple broke up and how this is their 4th Chance. Surely a great way to open the album!
Rate:17/20

2-Kiss Me Oh Kiss Me

Here it's a slow tempo song. It was the third single of the album and it was released in Greece and Italy too(unfortunately it wasn't a hit). This is my second favourite song in the album. I really love the chorus and the piano-hook that plays throughout the song. The instrumentation in the song is fantastic and really reveals Fonseca's songwriting abilities.
Rate:18/20

3-Rocketman

The third song is a cover of Elton John's hit. The dark-poprock song really fits the lyrics! It's not my favourite in the album but doesn't hurt listening.
Rate:16/20

4-Silent Void

Thhe first seconds of this song reminde me of his old band silence 4 songs. It starts with a robotized voice saying: It's me and you and all the things we do and after that the song evolves into a great pop-rock song with that beggining rebel lyrics being remembered throughout the song.
Rate:18/20

5-This Wind, Temptation

When this song started I immediately remembered Riders on The Storm . The whispered-way he sings is very similar. Not very much to say about this album. It doesn't shine, but it doesn't annoy. A very good grade for the vocals.
Rate:16/20

And here it is the first part of the album reviewed. I advise you to listen to the album. It's great. Fonseca is a truly talented singer-songwriter.

First-Half Rate: 17/20

Papparazzi by Lady Gaga

2009-06-16T20:49:00.004+01:00

When I first listened to her album I didn't pay much attention to Paparazzi. It was just another song in the album. A few days ago I read that this was going to be her next single in the Uk and Ireland, so I went to my pc and searched for it. What was I thinking ignoring a song like that? It's not the pearl of the album, but stands out with it's heavily sinthethized instrumental and very strong beat. I'm not a fan of strong beats in songs but it works quite well in paparazzi. Why? Because in most songs the heavy beat is the dominant feature in the instrumental. On the other hand in paparazzi the beat is the skull and the synthetisers are the flesh in perfect harmony.
I hope to hear more dark songs like this from Lady Gaga in the future.

Rate:17/20

Ps: Sorry for the small post but I have a very important exam tomorrow.

Eurovision 2009 Favourites

2009-06-14T23:16:00.005+01:00

Eurovision 2009 was almost a month ago. What a great show it was, with many great songs! After the show I created a playlist with my favourite songs which play constantly in my mp3 player now!
I'm going to review my twelve favourite songs starting from number 1 to 12, like eurovision style votes(12 is the best, 1 is the worst of the best).

1- France

France's entry this year was very... french. Melodramatic, well sung with a touching instrumental. I got completely caught in the athmosphere of the song. I enjoyed the performance in the final. We saw that she was feeling the song deep in her.

2-Lithuania

Sasha Son represented Lithuania with the song "Love". Forgettable title, but a good tune. It's chances of a top 10 were denied by the terrible performance place, number 1. The chorus in the back of the stage was really weird. I couldn't figure out what they were trying to do if dancing or just feeling the song. The fire in his hand was the strongest point in the performance.

3-Albania

Kejsi Tola had the most weird performance in the final. Most people didn't understand why she was wearing a white tutu or there was a vampire and a green men dancing in the stage. In my idea they were representing her dream. The concept was well thought but badly employed. Anyway her vocals were impressive! She is only 16 years old but she already has a powerful and trained voice! The beggining of the song ruins it a bit because it's very generic. You will associate it with other songs and eventually forget but eventually the rest pays off.

4-Cyprus

When I saw that Cyprus didn't qualify I was in shock. The performance was very good, the instrumental so sweet and the message in the song wonderful. The worst thing was her voice, but everything together made the song a sure qualifier(in my opinion). What I have to say is listen to this great song(the studio version if possible). You'll be instantly hooked.

5-Azerbeijan

As usual there were many songs with oriental elements in the contest. As usual they got a good position. Azerbeijan's entry Always was, by far, the best. Great singers, simple but effective chorus and a very memorable female singer.

6-Germany

This is the most missunderstood country in Eurovision. They usually send great songs, but they almost never get good positions. In 2007 their song rocked, for example. This year they send the duo Alex swings, Oscar sings with the retroinfluenced-song Miss Kiss Kiss Bang. The song rocks. Really. I love it. The only reason I can find why it didn't get a good position was the rather-polemic and sex-appealing performance, with the burlesque star Vitta Don Teese. Should have ranked much higher.
I voted for this

7-Iceland

What a powerful voice! Yohanna has only 18 years but gave us the most vocal-astonishing performance in the evening. I don' know how she was able to hold that notes! The song was beautiful, both instrumentaly and lyricly from the beggining to the end. Why did it only get the second place? There was a fairytale there too.
I voted for this

8-Portugal

At first I didn't want this song to win. I didn't vote for it in the national final, but I ended up loving every part of it. Such an happy song with musical elements from many places. Although most of you don't understand the lyrics I can only say that they are beautiful. You should look for them translated. By the way, the title means "All the streets of love". It deserved a much better place.

10-Estonia

I already had this song in my mp3 player for ages. When I read that another symphony was going to enter the contest I listened right away to it in youtube and I loved it. The mystic athmosphere, the enigmatic vocals fitting perfectly in the instrumental made me fall for it. I surely need to listen to more songs of them.
I voted for this song.

12-Norway

For the second time my favourite song won. He had everything to win. A great catchy as hell song and an innovative performance. The song caught the majority of voters. He won by almost 400 points! What a record! I really recomend you to listen.
I voted for this song too
Ps: I'll be reviewing his album soon

I have to say that I loved this eurovision!

Anna Abreu Forum

2009-04-14T21:52:00.002+01:00

Anna Abreu is one of the most popular finish singers and it's starting to get recognition outside her country. I became a fan of her, but when I tried to conect with other fans I found no english forum of her, so I created one! :D
Check it out and register:

annaabreu.activeboard.com

Eurovision 2009-Slovenia- Quartissimo-Love Symphony

2009-02-06T21:35:00.003Z

It's February and the countries in Europe are starting to present their contestants for the Eurovision 2009.
The first country I'm going to present is Slovenia, that will be represented by Quartissimo with the song Love Symphony, composed by the one and only Andrea Balbic. The name doesn't ring a bell? It's the composer of many Eurovision songs including the portuguese song last year "Senhora do Mar".
The song is very particular. It has few vocals, and it's like a song from Jesus Christ Superstar musical, with the electric guitar allied to classical instruments(in this case a strings quartet). It's an amazing song that will surely please the juries.

Rate:18/20

Happy Birthday Elena Paparizou!

2009-01-31T00:39:00.005Z

27 years ago, in Borås, Sweden Mrs Paparizou gave birth to their daughter Elena. I bet they couldn't imagine that she would become on of the most known Greek/Swedish Celebs with an Eurovision Win and lots of success in a carreer that's almost completing 10 years!!

If you don't know her, I strongly advise you to go to youtube and listen to some songs by her. She has excellent songs and albums, all different. From her rocky last album, to more hip-hop songs to her classic dance-pop songs, you can't be full of Mrs. Paparizou.

At this time you already noticed she's my favourite artist, and to commemorate her anniversary I'll review some songs by her:

-Heroes is for me her best song. Different, epic and really well-done!!! It was number one in Sweden.
-Mambo is her biggest hit. The perfect summer and dance song, with a perfect instrumental and powerful vocals by Elena Paparizou!
-My Number One is her best known song. She won Eurovision with it. It's the traditional greek entry, with vocal elements to a dance beat, but with a brilliant performance!
-Teardrops is her most rock ballad. The combination of her strong vocals with the electric guitars is just fantastic!
-Iparhi Logos/It's Gone Tomorrow is another ballad by her, but this one is more piano driven. The normal ballad with a personal touch by Elena. A must-have!

Lady Gaga New Single- Eh, Eh (Nothing Else I Can Say)

2009-01-28T20:56:00.003Z

Lady GaGa skyrocketing album Fame is starting to be heard and seen everywhere. The first single Just Dance toped the Canadian, Australian and New Zealand's chart in middle 2008, failling to impress in the rest of the world.
Now in 2009, with a bit of promotion, while the second single Poker Face was topping the charts in New Zealand and Australi, Just Dance peaked at first in the Uk, Us and many other european charts!
This new found popularity didn't make her forget the markets where she's more famous therefore announcing the third single, only in Australia and New Zealand, named Eh, Eh (Nothing Else I Can Say).

It's another really good pop-electronic song by Lady GaGa, but this time with Reggae influences! The traditional reggae keyboard provides the hook to this summerish song, perhaps to summerish to be released in the Winter. This could be the perfect 2009 Summer hit!
The song is short, only 3:18 but it still has lots of repetition. A little more work on it with a proper middle 8 would turn this song into an instant Chart Topper.

Rate:17/20

Broken Strings-James Morrison ft. Nelly Furtado

2009-01-27T21:34:00.003Z

Long time, no see. Sorry for the absence of new messages in so many time, but I didn't have any ideas to post here. Nevertheless I'm back, telling you about the new James Morrison single with the collaboration named Broken Strings!

I had heard it a long time ago, but then the song didn't caught my attention. It wasn't my type, but some days ago I listened to it in the radio, and I got completly hooked on it. The soft beggining, the smooth beat and the amazing vocals by both make the song huge. I mean, it's plain beautiful.

On thing to note in this song is that they are never singing in the same tone, or in the same way. You might recall All Good Things when the Nelly verse starts, but suddendly James starts singing with her giving the song so much power!!!!!

I just love it!

Rate:19/20

New blog in Town -Faded Silence

2008-11-19T18:13:00.003Z

One of the things that makes me want to buy a physical cd it's the cover. It teels what the cd is about, why that name was choosen, and shows you the beauty of the singer/band. The photographers are important in this process, but the people who do the rest, add the effects and choose the font etc, are even more important.

Fortunatelly I have a friend from my favourite forum paparizouplace.com, Chris, who just makes wonderful artwork! It's a real gift, he has the potential to be know throughout the world, and he started a blog!

Go check it out at Faded Silence Designs.

I already added it to my blogroll!

Single Review- Hot 'n Cold-Kate Perry

2008-11-16T19:10:00.003Z

Last Summer radio stations were invaded by the great Kate Perry debut single I Kissed A Girl! The single topped charts in more than 20 countries and sold some millions...

After the huge single Hot'n Cold followed! A new dance song really cool and even more funny! The lyrics are awesome and he instrumental too! Another hit for her certainly!

The video is another great thing in the song. It starts in a marriage when the boy denies to say "yes" to kate. Then all the guest start to dance and then the whole scene just evolves!! Really cool!

I'm really happy for her! She is just so full of power, and her songs are really cool! I now must have the full album!

Rate:19/20

Another 2007 Great Song- With Every Heartbeat

2008-11-14T17:58:00.006Z

When you think of swedish music you normally think of good pop. They are the third largest musical exporter and the proof is that sometimes a musical group/singer burst into world market with a huge single. In 2007 the same happened, but this time it was a comeback. Robyn, the dance-queen of the late 90's brought fun pop back to charts(acheiving an impressive number one in the Uk) with the pop masterpiece "With Every Heartbeat".

At this time I was much of a radio listener and didn't look in the internet for great music(apart of Elena Paparizou). Unfortunatly With Every Heartbeat wasn't a hit in my homecountry but I had cable tv with the british VH1, and when I was watching the channel with every heartbeat started, and completly hooked me. I rushed to youtube to listen to it again... and again... and again...

In my opinion everything is perfect in this song. It's calm yet makes you want to sing along, the lyrics are meaningful adn touch you deep in you heart, and the instrumental is pure pop brilliance...
One curious aspect in the song is that it has no defined chorus, with the only line repeated being With Every Heartbeat...

Rate:20/20

Song Battle- Spice GirlsVsDestiny Child

2008-11-12T22:08:00.004Z

It's Wedenesday, song battle day. I choose a Girl Band battle, Spice Girls Vs Destiny Child, Wannabe Vs Independen Woman.

I'll start with Independent Woman. It was released in 2000 and peaked at 1 in Billboard Hot 100 staying in that position for 11 weeks. What a chart-run, impressive, but helped by the popularization of R&B in the beggining of the century. Nevertheless is a good song, very R&B(too much for my taste), with awesome vocals! Anyway is very powerful and recomended to everyone.
Rate:17/20

Wannabe is considered by many one of the songs that defined the 90's and a whole generation. Woman empowerment(Girl Power!), sassyness(I just made a word!) and fun of a delightful pure pop song (with some hip-hop bits) are mixed in a brilliant song! Yes, a brilliant song that topped charts all over the world sold millions and launch the carreer of the most famous Girl Band Ever!
Rate:20/20

Even thought Destiny Child were awarded the award for best-selling Girl Group, with unrealistica data(counting solo sales...Com'on...) , Spice Girls are better. They innitiated a World Movement, and were worshiped by millions as goddesses! In that time if the Spice Girls told you to kill yourself you would!
You might be saying that the SG didn't sold that much, but they sure did! 55 million worldwide releasing only 2 albums and 8 singles, in 3 years(1996/97/98!)! That's HUGE!

Sakis Rouvas, the Greek Hope!

2008-11-10T20:22:00.002Z

I was reading in Poster Girl blog when I came across this Eurovision post that talked about the 2009 Greek singer which is going to be Sakis Rouvas. Yes, the same Sakis Rouvas that represented Greece in 2004 with the usual greek dance-pop with lots of "folk" instruments and an amazing choreography.
Anyway this was only enough to ensure a third place for Greece, equalizing the 2001 Antique(Elena Paparizou) result. Next year, with a better song, choreography and singer they finnaly made it!

I can't say I'm a great fan of Sakis but I like some of his songs. One example is Kai se Thelo which was written by Dimitris Kontopoulos the same man that will write the song for the Eurovision Final.

Although everone is expecting a victory, I don't think this is going to be like Dima Bilan triumphant return this year or Elena Paparizou one in 2005. A high place will be guarenteed(isn't Greece the hope of all West Europeans?), but not a victory. It will be either to Ukraine or Russia who beneficiate from Diaspora and friendly vote(the introduction of a jury won't eliminate this problem, it will just soft it a bit), who will won Eurovision.
Anyway my bets go to a victory for Greece, a bad result for Sweden (Europe wants new music not the usual schagler-pop) and a possible good place for Portugal hihihi(I'm a dreamer :D)

In the end what I want is lots of great music and the victory of my favourite(that only happened in 2005. Thanks Elena!).

Right From the Basement- Who do You Thing You are!

2008-11-09T19:08:00.006Z

The year was 1997 and the Spice Girls were living their best moment. A worldwide number one debut album(including the Us), three singles in a row selling millions, and a handful of publicity deals were making them one of the most famous group ever and the biggest musical phenomena since the Beattles. If you read any review made to their debut album(Spice), you will find that everybody says that Who do You Think You Are? is the highlight of the album. It's a fun song, with a good melody, a great chorus and a real dance beat! It's a pure pleasure listening to it! There is almost no flaw here! It's diverse as it needs to be, there is the needed repetition and is catchy as hell! And this brilliant piece of pop was written by the Spice Girls, along with a co-writer! Of course, the lyrics, as usual, express the well know Girl Power!, which basicly says, along many other things, that if girls unite they have to power to rule the world.

And there is more to say about this song. If you are british you probably remember the iconic Brits 1997 that the girls opened with this very song, where they gave their best performance ever and where Geri(ginger spice) wore her iconic nationalistic proud Union Jack Dress. Yes a dress with the UK flag! This made the first page in all newspapers next day!

Apart from the controversy Geri sold the dress for US$66 112 and gave it to charity who had already beneficiated from the revenue of the 2,5 million copies the single sold, because this was the official Comic Relief single of 1997!
Rate: 19/20

Eurovision Songs- It hurts

2008-11-08T19:52:00.006Z

I'm a Eurovision fan. One of those who spends hours in youtube watching the videos of the contest and most of his ipod memory is filled with Eurovision songs.

In this post I'll talk to you about one of my favourite songs in Eurovision and my favourite in 2004, Lena Philipsson It Hurts!

Lena had already tried 4 times in Melodifestivalen but never won. In 2004 she tried again, and after a fantastic and innovative performance(with the famous microphonestand) she was crowned winner of the 2004 Melodiefestivalen and ,therefore, choosen as the Sweden's representative. As usual the swedes were hoping for a win specially after the 5th place in 2003 with Give me Your Love by the duo Fame, in the typical Schagler style.

It was perfomed last in the final, a very good place because the song will be the last heard by europeans. Nevertheless it ended sharing a 5th place with the cypriot entry. Maybe the swedish formula wasn't enought to guarentee another victory.

Anyway I really like the song. It's a simple pop song with a catchy chorus and a repetitive instrumental melody in the background with rather strange lyrics. But in the end it's a funny and enjoyable song the exact thing you expect from swedish songwriters!
Rate in Eurovision:12/12

Rate:16/20

2007 Great Singles-About You Now-Sugababes

2008-11-07T18:47:00.004Z

If you ask me if 2007 was a year of great music, I would say yes. We had lots of great songs. One of them is About You Now by british trio/GirlBand Sugababes which feed the radios with the electro-popiness it needed!

It's a simple, fun pop song with everything a great song needs- a good melody, a good instrumentation and a great catchy chorus! The song eventually wears off, not as fast as it gets into you, but quick enough to make it not a worthy deserver of the Best Pop Song 2007 Prize!
Nevertheless it won the Brit award for Best British Single which sit deserved.
Rate:18/20

Sorry for the small post but it's saturday and I'm really busy...

Friday :D

2008-11-06T18:09:00.009Z

Last day in the weak finally. I've been wanting this since sunday ...

I'm still new in this blogging thing but I'm liking this thing and the whole blogosphere scene. It's fantastic the quantity of information we find here!

Now let's talk about the thing we all love: Music.

These last weaks were really crazy for me in musical terms. First of all I've been totaly hooked in three songs Lady Gaga's debut Just Dance, Reach Out by Hillary Duff and the fantastic End Of Love by Anna Abreu... the funny thing about this is that two of this artists are completly new to me!

Anyway, Just dance is a really good dance song with electronic influences. The song features Colby O Donis (a stranger to me until now) and has already peaked at 1# in Canada and Australia. The song is so perfect and catchy that whenever I listen to the song I just dance!! Lady Gaga character reminds me a lot of Gwen Stefani because of her irreverance and her looks!
PS: Her hair in the video is beautiful! Congratulations to the hairdresser!)
Rate:19/20

End of Love is an example of what I call a strong, well done song. It reminds you of Hold On Be Strong by Maria Storeng(representative of Norway in ESC2008), but Anna's song was made before.
When listening to it you feel involved in the sweet atmosphere of the song. Every note of the piano, every line she sings... everything touches you deep in your heart...
The only thing I have against this song is the desnecessary repetition in the song. Some more hours in the making and this song would be perfect!
Rate:19,8/20

Tatu-Happy Smiles-Highlights

2008-11-04T21:09:00.006Z

The new Tatu album was on making for 3 years and the expectatives were high. I was never a great fan of Tatu only listening to their most know and best songs(All the things she said, Not Gonna Get Us and the downrated Ne ver ne broisia ne proisi), but I decided to give a listen to their new album. It was a mixed experience. There are some wonderful songs, some median songs and bad songs, therefore I'll just review the highliths of the album.

The first good song in the album is Beliy Plaschick. It's a electronic venture, with a synthetised intro. They sound good and the song happens to be very enjoyable with his catchy chorus. This was released as the first single in Russia and the video was, as always controversial. There are two versions, uncensored and censored. In the uncensored there are nudity scenes but the rest of the footage is the same as in the censored.
Rate:17/20

The second good song is You and I. This song is a reference to the Tatu film You and I, and the lyrics are about the way people look differently toward people who express themselves in different ways but if they keep together everything is going to be ok. The chorus reminds me of All The Things she Said because of the insistent repition of the line You and I but the verses are quite diferent, very calm actually.
Rate:17/20

Fly on the Wall is the next song in my list. It's hard to describe because it's the best song in the album. It has a great chorus, a good beggining, great instrumentation and a very good melody, and it has a thing that I love: In the end they change some words in the chorus. When released worldwide it's going to be huge!
Rate:19/20

Vremya Luny is a different song. The start is something tribal which soon grows into the rockiest sound I've ever heard from Tatu! However the tribal elements continue throughout the song making it something unique and really good!The second best song in the Album.
Rate:18/20 Final rate:17,75

2008-11-04T20:23:00.004Z

***It's wednesday! I decided to do a song battle every wednsday according to a theme. ***

Today's theme is going to be Disney Songs and I choose the most in Disney artists: Jonas Brothers and Miley Cyrus with the songs Burnin' Up(JB) and 7 Things(MC).

Miley, daughter of Country star Billy Ray Cyrus, started her carreer as an actress in the popular disney show "Hannah Montana" where she lived a double life, as a rockstar and a normal teenager. Not a great show to be honest but with some good pop-rock music which was released in 2 compilation albums topping the Billboard Albums Chart both.
Nevertheless she decided to venture herself in a solo(no Disney I mean) carreer. In July her first solo single 7 Things was released to radio stations in US.

7 things is a rather strange song and something you won't find in radio these days. A good song with pop verses and a rock-like sound in the chorus. I mean she and the guitars just explode in the seven things I hate about you!
This song is something the charts were in need, different,enjoyable and rocky!
Rate:18/20(Very Good Mrs. Cyrus!)

PS:The video is odd because it has 11 year old girls talking about past relationships, how natural!

Jonas Brothers is the new pop-rock band sensation in the world. It consists of three brothers Kevin(guitar), Nick(guitar and vocals) and Joe(vocals) who are supported by Disney, with Joe having an important part in Disney's Original Movie Camp Rock. The band formed in 2005 when the brothers were signed by Columbia Records after the president listened to a song written by them.The band released 3 albums, the last debuting at 1 in US with first week sales of more than 500 000 copies!

Burnin' Up, the first single from the last album, is a guitar-driven song with vocals shared by the two brothers. The best part in the song is the rap made by their bodyguard Big Rob to which the boys answer joyfully! The chorus is cool and I'm loving the way Nick sings.
This song would kill in the disco if a proper remix is done.
Rate:17/20

This battle was won by Miley because her song ROCKS, but both are very good young artists with much more to give. I'll be here ready to listen, if you don't fall in the evil hands of R&B!

PS: One thing important to retain. These two are making pop-rock fun again and returning it into the charts! The R&B reign is ending.

Yay for Pop!

Anna Abreu- Now!

2008-11-04T14:22:00.003Z

Anna Abreu is a finish-portuguese singer who was the runner-up in Finland Idol. Her debut album released last year debuted at number one in Finland and spanned two singles End Of Love and Ivory tower. The first single reminds me of Hold On Be Strong by Norwegian Maria Storeng(Eurovision 2008 entry to Eurovision).

Her second album Now was released 22 October and I'm goingo to review it now.

The album starts with Vinegar which departs from her original Pop-ballad style to a new club sound. The chorus is very catchy and the whole instrumentation really well done.If you know her previous work you might miss the parts when her vocal abilities are at their best! This is a certain hit in the dancefloor at least!
Rate:18/20

The second track is You Don't Get Me. It's the most powerful song in the album and I can't stop picturing it in a Horror-Action movie, in the persuing scenes! It's built around a guitar riff complimented with a keyboard section repeated some times during the song. Another dancey track and this time her vocals are at her best!
Rate:19/20

Something About U follows, continuing the dance trend. This song is rather dark and has a very good beat and pre-chorus which make this a very pleasent song to listen.
Rate:16/20

The next song, Silent Despair is a reminder of her first single. It's a powerful mid-tempo love song. The strong beat and the acoustic guitar make the song. It personally reminds me of some tracks in the last Nelly Furtado album. A big change of genre in the album.One detail of the song is the inclusion of some portuguese words in the middle of the song
Rate:17/20

Done With Her follows. This time we have a fun pop song! Another genre change. The song is simple, fun but nothing new.
Rate:16/20

The sixth track is Perdoa-me. The title is can be translated from the original Portuguese to English as "Forgive Me". A very latin track,sung entirely in Portuguese, which demonstrates her proud on being portuguese. One of the best tracks in the album(especially to me because I'm portuguese) very well produced.
Rate:17/20

Junkie for your love is the seven track. The awkward beggining forces you to change to the next song but if you continue to listen you might like it. It's a song that vagely reminds you of Amy Winehouse, but there are no memorable parts and you will probably pass it when listening. It's something to be called filler
Rate:13/20

Oh no, another song that compared with the rest is bad! Of course the lyrics are good and the vocals are amazing, but it's a song like many others. Come Undone is a song that only some people will like.
Rate:14/20

Finnaly another dance song, but this is a reagaeton song! No estragues el momento is the perfect song to launche her carreer in Spain. The pre-chorus is perfect and more catchy than the chorus.
Rate:17/20

The last song is Walking on Water. It's an ok song, dark, keyboard based. It's a good way to finish the album with a up-tempo song.
Rate:15/20

It's really a good album. You should really listen to it! You don't get me is my personal favourite along with Perdoa-me and Vinegar.

Final Rate:16,2

Right from the basement-What You Waiting For?

2008-11-02T19:03:00.007Z

***I decided to do a review on an old song I use to listen every monday. I'll start with one of my favourite.***

Gwen Stefani is what I call a woman with a great voice. She can do almost everything with her voice in all genres- rock, pop etc...
She was introduced to the world in 1995 when her ska-band No Doubt released the single Just A Girl. However the success of this single can't be compared with Don't Speak which spent a record 16 weeks at number one in the Billboard 100 Airplay. The band went on hiatus in 2004.
Gwen, who had already made a collaboration with Moby in 2000, decided to either do some collaborations for movie soundtracks or release an album under the name GS.

She eventually released her first solo single, the new-wave influenced What You Waiting For, in November 2004. It charted low in US(how come great songs floop in America so many times?) but did great in Europe and Australia!

The song is rather magnific! The slow beggining reminiscent of her band, the tick-tocks in the intro, the two personas in the lyrics, the empowering lyrics in the chorus, the instrumentation made by the eletric guitar and keyboard... almost everything is perfect!

A dancey tune, with a message in the lyrics and very pleasent to listen an obligatory song for everyone who likes good pop!

Game Of Love- Part 2

2008-11-01T21:29:00.013Z

The first part of this album was really great with some fabulous songs (Gigolo,Mambo). The second half, which is usually worse, has two of the best songs I've ever heard!

Heroes is the best song in this album. If you want to convert someone a fan of Elena show her this song. The intro is something epic(this was the official song of the 2006 European athletics championship) the verses really well constructed and the pre-chorus beautiful. The chorus is catchy, meaningful and well sung. The "ohh" after and before the chorus is as epic as the intro.
You might be thinking that I'm exagerating, but this is my favourite song EVER!
Rate:20/20(You will be singing "para siempre viva los heros!"even when you're sleeping.)

The next song, It's Gonne Tomorrow is a touching ballad with really great lyrics(the translation of Iphari Logos a big hit in Greece). I love the way the song bursts in the chorus, after the calm verses!
Rate:17/20

Heart of mine follows. It's a good song with a really good chorus! The perfect summer song.
Rate:17/20

The 11th track of the album is You Set My Heart On Fire. It's another summer song constructed under a creative guitar riff. One curious thing about this song is that the verses are as catchy as the chorus.
Rate:16/20

The next song is the funny Voulez Vous. Will you find it strange if I say that it's another summer track? No, because her voice suits this songs very well. The "Lalalala" turn this song even more fun because you will be singing along it after the first listen.
Rate:17/20

The next song, Seven days, is a beautiful, deep ballad with awesome lyrics. I love the way the powerful vocals mixed up with the electric guitars in the chorus. Well done Mrs. Paparizou!
Rate:18/20

The last song in the album is Oti Axizi Ine I Stigmes (Le Bonheur). It's different from the rest of the album(it's a bonus track). It's a good song but it shouldn't have been included in the album.
Rate:15/20

This is a almost perfect album! It's a total must-have!
Average Rate: 17/20
Average Singles Rate:18,6/20

Emma's Bunton- Free Me- The Singles

2008-10-31T19:58:00.008Z

The year was 2003 and the Spice Girls were on a permanent hiatus since 2001. All of the 5 girls had already released their own solo records with little success (except Geri who had a killer single "It's Raining Men"). All of them were droped from Virgin and there wasn't many hope for them.

Then Emma announces a new album and releases her first single Free Me, with a distinctive Motown-influenced sound. The single peaked at 5 in the UK chart. Maybe, I'll be there and Crickets Sing For Anamaria(a cover of the brasilian bossanova song "Os Grilos") were released after, all to commercial and critical success. Bellow there's a review of those singles.
Free Me is the brilliant crossover between pop and bossa nova. Imagine a relaxing song, mid-tempo that makes you think... that's free me. The soft, melodious Emma vocals are at their best in this song and really make it an enjoyable experience.
Rate: 16/20

Emma's second single was Maybe an up-tempo motown-influenced song even more brilliant than Free me. It's undoubtly Emma's best song ever! A pop masterpiece. The "ba da da da da" throughout the song, the whole atmophere, the well done vocals make me want to go back in time and buy all the cd singles of the single making this go 1# in Uk and then in Europe! The melody and the instrumental are brilliant! Well don Emma!
Rate:19/20

The third single,I'll be there, can be considered a let down if you compare it to Maybe, but alone it's another really good song. Here the motown spirit lives in a mid-tempo, funny tune. The video may look strange in it's black-and-white but it's like a remake of Emma's favourite movie.
Rate:16/20

The fourth single, Crickets Sing for Anamaria, is a remake of the song "Os Grilos" by the brasilian bossa nova singer Marcos Valle. It's a funny track whose lyrics are very enjoyable. It's low chart position(15# Uk) can be explained by the style of the song which is pure bossa nova.
Rate:15/20

This album is the best solo spice album and a serious rival to the group albums. The singles were well choosen, but there are other tracks in the album which are really good.
Average Rate: 16,5

Saturdays-The Singles

2008-10-31T18:00:00.008Z

To begin a little bio info about the band. The Saturdays were formed in 2007 and state in their own website that They're pure pop and proud of it. The girls admit that R&B and Indie dominate the charts but what the hell are we supposed to dance to?

This is a good question and the girls don't really seam to be the answer(at least that's what I'm thinking). Their music is fun up-tempo pop, eletronic influenced sometimes which really reminds me of Girls Aloud, but nothing really dancey.

Moving to music. Their first single If this is Love is a funny pop song, something that would top the UK chart in the late 90's/early 2000's (thank god for the Spice Girls). It's catchy at the first listen but eventually wears off... From the two singles it's the worse but a good choice for a debut.
14/20

The next song,Up!, is more eletronic(that's what reminds me of Girls Aloud) and fun, after a few listens. A grower, but a really fast one. I like the way the chorus is constructed and how the instrumentation is done. It should have charted higher than 5# in Uk.
18/20

One thing I want to say about them. They have been called the new Spice Girls, but they aren't. The new Spice Girls will be a group which songs intantly hook you on them, whit worldwide massive hits and influence that goes far beyond the music.

Average Grade: 16,5/20 (I'm really hoping to listen to the album)

Elena Paparizou-The Game of Love- Part 1

2008-10-30T15:45:00.015Z

The Greek-Swede beauty Elena Paparizou is my favourite singer/entertainer that's a fact. Her 2005 Eurovision-Winning song My Number One won my vote and got me interested in her tunes, but I only became a fan when I heard one of the most fabulous Pop Albums ever-Game of Love!

The album kicks off with a up-tempo guitar-driven song named Gigolo. Despite the fabulous first impression it gives it eventually wears off(after many days listening to it) but it gives an impression of what the album is. 17/20

When you are still recovering from all the headbanging during Gigolo, Somebody's Burning(put the fire out) starts! The first time I listened to it the intro sounded to strange but at the same time addictive. I gave it a chance and continued to listen to it. In the end I had found on of my favourite songs ever! The guitar solo, the diversity in the song, everything is well done.
Rating:18/20

The follow-up, game of love, is not as good as the previous song but it's preety enjoyable. The whole song is ok and well produced, being the instrumental part after the chorus the greatest part.
Rating:16/20

The fourth song is Mambo which you may recognize since it was a minor hit in Europe. Another killer song for Elena. The dancey beat, the great instrumental and the powerful Elena skills make this one of the best songs by Elena and one of the most enjoyable pop pieces I've ever heard. Rating:19/20

Mambo finishes and Capre Diem(Seize the day) starts. The philosophycal beggining is soon replaced with by the latin influenced instrumental where trumpets really shine!
Rating:16/20

The sixth song is Teardrops, the amazing powerful-ballad. Here Elena's powerful voice is used in all her strenght and the result is a rocky heart-breaking ballad! Well done again!
Rating:17/20

The next song is and up-tempo decent track named Let Me Let Go, but nothing compared to the other songs already presented. You will like it anyway, but it won't be your favourite in the album.
Rating:15/20

This was the last song presented in the Part 1 of this review. I will post the part 2 soon. Hope the links give you a hand.

Hillary Duff New Single-Reach Out!

2008-10-29T21:41:00.009Z

Hillary Duff is back with a new, sexy and more explicit style. Oh I forgot, a new song.

Reach out continues the style of her previous club-orientated album "Dignity". The instrumental is a modern remake of the Depeche Mode Song "Personal Jesus" and the vocals are really well done which makes this tune almost perfect!

Upon the first listen it seems really strange but it's a complete grower. By the third listen you are completly hooked on the song(I've been listening to it all day). This song is ,at least a certain hit in Europe, where club music gets lots of airplay. The inclusion of a rap on the video version by Prophet may get more airplay in America, but don't expect it to chart high on Billboard's Hot 100.

The only bad thing about this song is the anoying repetition of some elements in the song.

There are some remixes oficially released but the only one I like is "Richard Vission's Vocal Club Mix" which you can listen in youtube.

Rate: 17/20 (the repetition ruins the score)

Below there is the youtube linked video(rap Version):

Don't Believe in Love- Dido's New Single

2008-10-29T21:10:00.008Z

Remember Dido and her calm, relaxing, sometimes love songs? The unforgetable vocals in the huge hit White Flag, or the amazing beat in Thank you are some examples of the different, yet catchy Dido's tunes. Don't Believe in Love the first single of her long awaited 3rd album "Safe Trip Home" isn't something really new in her music. The same old formula still applies. The song runs smoothly through it's 3:50 minutes with no mood changes or anything close. Nevertheless it's still a wonderful Pop tune, probably the best in the album.

It starts with a wonderful basseline which can be heard during the "instrumental" parts of the song. The vocals are very Dido, and the lyrics are about the disbelief in love and why that is good for her.

"When I don’t believe in love nothing is new for me
Nothing is wrong for me
And nothing is real for me"

The video it's dark in it's whole. Driving scenes are intercalated with forest scenes where she wanders. It's a good video that captures the message of the song very well.

Rating:16/20

Well done Dido!