Best Songs of 2011

10) “Super Bass”, Micki Minaj

9) “Broken Record”, Katy B

8) “Shake It Out”, Florence + the Machine

7) “Countdown”, Beyoncé

6) “The Edge of Glory”, Lady Gaga

 

Poll: What is the the Best Number One Song of 2011?

I’m returning from my blogging slumber to review the year in music, to start off I thought I would give readers the chance to vote for what they felt was the years best number one on the Billboard Hot 100, because as of this week, the chart year has officially ended. Feel free to leave comments below and tell me how you felt about the past year in music.

 

Single Review: “Cheers (Drink To That)”, Rihanna

After releasing three hugely successful number singles, the Loud campaign reached a bit of a slump. Not only did her label choice to release what probably the two least commercial sounding songs on the record, but they released them so close to each other that neither or had the chance to really take off. So for single number six, Rihanna and her label have decided to go with something that sounds like a surefire hit. Does that mean it’s any good though?

 

Amy Winehouse’s Top 10 Songs

As a tribute to the late but great Amy Winehouse I have taken it upon myself to dig through her regrettably short discography and chose her ten greatest moments. While there may not be much material to sort through, it is still no simple task as Winehouse has made some truly spectacular music in her short time here, from her impressive debut Frank to her air-tight follow-up Back To Black.

10. “You Sent Me Flying”

One of the highlights of her debut album, “You Sent Me Flying” is essentially Winehouse rambling with some guitars before reaching a soulful breakdown part way through, but it’s that nonchalant casualness that makes this song so exciting. Well that and the excellent chorus.

9. “In My Bed”

Despite being her most “mainstream” sounding single, it still hosted some of her trademark sexually charged lyrics (“The only time I hold your hand/Is to get the angle right“). Plus the hooks on the chorus are so addictive you’ll find yourself singing along to it all day.

8. “You Know I’m No Good”

Back To Black’s second single continued to build on Winehouse’s bad girl image. The song uses very specific imagery that almost eliminates the need for a music video because you can picture the whole in your head. It is also producer Mark Ronson’s best fusion of hip-hop and retro soul.

 

Single Review: “Moves Like Jagger”, Maroon 5 featuring Christina Aguilera

     Maroon 5 know their way around a summer jam, last year’s excellent “Misery” is a fine example of such. Unfortunately, “Misery” never became the chart topping hit it deserved to be and the band’s ensuing album also underperformed. Much like another former chart-topping artist; Christina Aguilera. So it seems fitting that the fellow Voice judges/coaches would team up. And much like last year’s “Misery”, “Moves Like Jagger” feels destined to be a summer smash and with the extra push from a live performance on The Voice things look promising.

 

New Grading System

I know it’s been ages since the last time I posted anything new, but fear not there are plenty of new posts on their way! Along with this new posts I will also be introducing a new a new grading system for my single reviews. Rather than using the traditional letter scale to grade them, I will be assigning each song I review a number out of 100. This allows me to be more precise while criticizing a song. So, I hope you readers will enjoy this more exact grading system and I look forward to hearing back from you all!

 

Single Reviews: Housekeeping Edition

Alright, I must start this post of with an apology for being inactive for over a month. So since there’s been lots of big hits to cover in the past couple of weeks I decided to once again do a bunch of mini-reviews to help catch up.

“Til The World Ends”, Britney Spears

So it’s no big secret that I’m not a huge Spears fan, and unlike most I was not very impressed with “Hold It Against Me”. With that said, I must confess I’m really digging her latest “Til The World End”. It’s not a career-defining single by any stretch, in fact it’s less adventurous than HIAM, but it’s the first single of hers I’ve thoroughly enjoyed since “Circus”. What makes it so enjoyable then? Well I’ve narrowed it down to two possibilities, the first being that it’s simply a slice of thrilling and exciting dance-pop, so much so that I’d go as far as to say it’s uplifting. The other being my helpless love, erm, like for Ke$ha (she did help co-write the song…).

Grade: B+

 

Single Review: “E.T.”, Katy Perry featuring Kanye West

     I have to admit, Katy Perry’s had a solid run of singles going for her since she released her sophmore album Teenage Dream. Sadly, “E.T” brings what is hopefully a minor speed bump to this run of good singles (if “Peacock” ever gets released though, it’s pretty much hopeless). Whoever’s idea it was to get Kanye West on this track should be applauded since he adds some energy to this fairly lifeless track.

 

Single Review: “On The Floor”, Jennifer Lopez featuring Pitbull

     J.Lo seems to be using her new position as an Idol judge to her advantage, using the gig as a platform to advertise  “On The Floor”‘s upcoming music video and allowing fans to vote on the video’s ending. It’s a very savvy, if somewhat shameless, marketing strategy. Considering it’s spent the entire week behind only Gaga’s latest single on the iTunes chart, it appears to be working too.

 

Single Review: “Blow”, Ke$ha

     Cannibal era Ke$ha seems to be less concerned with being a popstar and more concerned with being the trashiest female act out there. “Blow” continues to push her further into the deep end, but it’s starting to feel like signature Ke$ha. She sings about glitter, clubbing, losing control, and taking over. Pretty standard lyrics, but Ke$ha puts her twist on it and gives us some insight into her grimy ways (“We’re young and we’re bored“).