Shakira's New Singles

Shakira's She Wolf, which was released in Europe in October, gets its North American release soon (Nov. 17 for Canada, Nov. 23 for the US). For the album's second single, most countries get "Did It Again," produced by The Neptunes. Like "She Wolf," this song is okay, but I'm really not into it (the video is somewhat cute, however).



In the US, however, the second single is "Give It Up to Me," featuring Lil Wayne and produced by Timbaland. The track is only available on the North American version of the album, presumably because it was recorded more recently and wasn't done for the European release. I like this better than "Did It Again," better than "She Wolf" even (which I didn't care for particularly).

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Britney Spears - The Singles Collection

Britney's The Singles Collection arrived in stores and on-line today in the US. I knew the physical release was a 17-track set spanning her entire career, but I didn't realize that the digital version would be so different--it's a 58-track comprehensive set that includes all 29 of Britney's singles with a remix or B-side for each one. Each of these two-track singles is also available separately on iTunes, and in 2 weeks, the set will be released as a box set with individual packaging for each single. Here's what that looks like:

Listening to her 29 singles in chronological order brings to sharp focus the rollercoaster of a career she's had. I see 5 distinct periods here:

1. The Early Swedish Pop Years (1999-2001)

Like her Jive label mates Backstreet Boys and 'NSync, Britney's early work was the result of collaboration with Swedish pop music producers, namely Max Martin, who wrote and co-produced her iconic first single, "...Baby One More Time." Britney won over the world with her kittenish growl and bad schoolgirl video. "Oops...I Did It Again" basically repeated the same trick, while "(You Drive Me) Crazy" and "Stronger" upped the tempo. "From the Bottom of My Broken Heart" wasn't the biggest hit for her, but it's nice to have the single version, which is slightly different and shorter than the original album one. There's also the single edit of "Born to Make You Happy," the superior track that was the fourth single in Europe instead of "...Broken Heart." The only single from this period I don't care for is the Mutt Lange-produced "Don't Let Me Be the Last to Know." Best: ...Baby One More Time, (You Drive Me) Crazy, Born to Make You Happy, Oops...I Did It Again. Worst: Don't Let Me Be the Last to Know

2. Awkward Transition (2001-2003)

For her third album, Britney, Britney went for a more grown-up sound, ditching the Swedish dance pop for a more American pop/R&B sound. Enter superproducers The Neptunes, who helmed the album's first single, "I'm a Slave 4U," most famous for its snake-around-her-neck MTV Music Video Awards performance. Interestingly, my favorite song from this period is a ballad, the Max Martin-produced and Dido co-written track "I'm Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman." It's title alone easily summarizes this period of Brit's career, but beyond that, it's also a lovely pop ballad. So much better than the regrettable remake of "I Love Rock 'n' Roll." Best: I'm Not a Girl Not Yet a Woman, Boys (Co-Ed Remix). Worst: I Love Rock 'n' Roll

3. Electro-Pop Success (2003-2004)

While Britney was a bit awkward, In The Zone was a confident success, giving Britney the major hit her previous album lacked in "Toxic," the refreshing, sexy hit produced by Bloodshy and Avant (with a cool flight attendant video too). If that wasn't enough, she also put out her fun collaboration with Madonna, "Me Against the Music," and the emotional ballad "Everytime." Looking bad, everything looked so right before it went so wrong. Best: Toxic, Me Against the Music. Worst: ?

4. Tabloid Fodder (2005-2007)

Then came the downward spiral. Following In the Zone, Britney made a series of public missteps that turned her into the decade's trashy tabloid queen. Her two-day Vegas marriage, barefoot convenience store trips, paparazzi fights, troubled marriage to Kevin Federline (and the related reality show) and shaved head overshadowed her music, which really wasn't that regrettable, since the music suffered too. First their was the greatest hits collection, with tepid new singles "Do Something" and remake of "My Prerogative" (further proving that Britney should stay away from remakes). Then came Blackout, which was supposed to be a big comeback, but didn't quite do the trick, as Britney was still quite troubled (remember that embarassing MTV performance of "Gimme More?). Best: Break the Ice. Worst: My Prerogative, Do Something

5. Return to the Top (2008-2009)

Then, miraculously, Britney really did pull it together with Circus, which gave Britney her first US #1 hit in nearly 10 years with "Womanizer," plus two other winning hits in "Circus" and "If U Seek Amy." It was a remarkable turnaround after all her troubles and established a winning streak that continues with this hits collection's single, "3," which recently gave Britney another #1 hit. Best: Womanizer, Circus, If U Seek Amy. Worst: Radar

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UK Singles Chart, November 14, 2009

1. Everybody in Love - JLS

JLS tops the chart with their second single, "Everybody in Love." It the year's 26th #1 hit and it makes JLS the 8th act to have scored a second #1 this year. The single was produced by J.R. Rotem, who also produced Sean Kingston's #1 hit "Beautiful Girls," as well as "Better in Time" for Leona Lewis. Speaking of Leona, she's the favorite to unlodge JLS next week with her new single, "Happy."

3. Meet Me Halfway - Black Eyed Peas

Fully released Black Eyed Peas' "Meet Me Halfway" climbs 3 notches, closing the gap, um...halfway...between #1 and where the single was last week. It becomes their 8th single to reach the top 3. Of course it's a far cry from their last two singles--both #1s--but they were among the decade's biggest hits, so that's hardly a fair yardstick.

5. Bad Boys - Alexandra Burke feat. Flo Rida
6. T!k T0k - Kə$#@

Kesha debuts at #6 with her first solo single. Kesha was the featured vocalist on Flo Rida's #1 hit from earlier this year, "Bad Boys." Now she's just one spot below her former host's own guest turn as the rapper on Alexandra Burke's "Bad Boys," down 1 spot this week to #6.

9. End Credits - Chase & Status feat. Plan B

Electronic duo Chase & Status score their first top 40 hit this week with "End Credits." Its from the upcoming thriller Harry Brown and will presumably be playing over the credits. The tune sounds really familiar, and I've been trying to figure out if it samples something else, but so far, I haven't had any luck.

10. Bad Romance - Lady GaGa

"Bad Romance" climbs four notches to #10, becoming Lady GaGa's 4th top 10 hit. The CD single's release is still 2 weeks away. Due to the upcoming X Factor Finalist's single (a remake of "You Are Not Alone"), it's unlikely GaGa has a shot at #1. But hopefully #2. Although...

11. Empire State of Mind - Jay-Z feat. Alicia Keys

...Sometimes singles reach their peak on downloads before their physical singles, especially if there is a long delay between the two. Case in hand: 5 weeks ago "Empire State of Mind" was #2. This week, with its CD single out, it limps up just two spots to #11. Hardly a boost.

15. Just Say Yes - Snow Patrol

"Just Say Yes" is a new track from Snow Patrol's upcoming greatest hits collection. It debuts at a respectable #15, becoming the band's 11th top 40 hit. The band released its first album in 1998, but flew under the radar until the single "Run" from their third album became a major hit in 2004, hitting #5 (it subsequently became a #1 hit last year when covered by Leona Lewis). Several other top 10 hits followed, including most notably "Chasing Cars" in 2006, which was the 14th best-selling single of the year, despite having peaked at #6 (thus out-selling quite a few of the year's #1 hits).

18. Flashback - Calvin Harris

Calvin Harris' third Ready for the Weekend single charts significantly lower than his #1 hit "I'm Not Alone" or its #3 follow-up, "Ready for the Weekend." Frankly, I'm not that surprised, as I didn't hear many hit singles when I reviewed the album, apart from those already out.

19. Don't Stop Believin' - Journey

I don't need to watch ITV or read Wikipedia to know that this is here because of X Factor. And here I was hoping it was because Glee had started airing in the UK (apparently that doesn't happen until next year).

25. We Weren't Born to Follow - Bon Jovi

This was on X Factor too.

29. I Can Transform Ya - Chris Brown feat. Lil Wayne

Interesting to see how Chris Brown's new single is doing. This is his first tentative attempt to return to the charts following the rather public assault on his ex-girlfriend Rihanna (who has also reappeared with an interview and a provocative new single, "Russian Roulette"). So far the reception for Brown appears to be rather tentative (in the US, the single is currently #24 for a second week). This gets a physical release in 3 weeks--we'll see whether the public is ready to embrace him over the next few weeks.

32. You Should Have Known - Laura White

Speaking of tentative embraces, Laura White, an X Factor finalist from last year, fails to find chart gold with her first single.

Next week: Look for Leona Lewis's "Happy" to challenge JLS for #1, N-Dubz looks for a top 5 hit with their single, and the Sugababes release their first single with new member Jade Ewen.

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Album Review: Natalie Imbruglia - Come to Life (4/5)

It's been 4 years since Australian pop singer Natalie Imbruglia released her last album, Counting Down the Days. That album boasted one major hit--"Shiver"--but unfortunately faltered after that, and "Glorious," the single from her 2007 greatest hits set, also was not a major hit. Then she divorced in 2008. Things were definitely looking down for the singer, who 12 years ago conquered the world with her first single, "Torn."

Thankfully, things are looking up on Come to Life, her engaging fourth album, which takes a new direction from her previous work. Where Counting Down the Days was mostly warm and sounded calculated to appeal to the masses (and radio), Come to Life is more experimental and darker.

If it's the case that CDs and digital media have destroyed the ability to divide albums into 2 parts (since you no longer have to turn them over), Come to Life is argument for preserving that ability, for the album divides rather neatly into two programs--the first half being more acoustic and traditional Imbruglia territory, and the second being more electronic and experimental.

The first half also features two tracks written by Coldplay, both of which are apparently leftovers from earlier albums. "Lukas" is even produced by Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends producer Brian Eno, and its clear musically that's where this song originated. "Fun" is their other track, produced by Ken Nelson, who worked with Coldplay on their first three albums. Of the two, "Lukas" is superior, bright and broadly scored like so much of Viva La Vida, it pulses with a warm piano and guitar melody. "Fun" is good too though, quieter and emotional, as the singer reflects on a failed relationship ("I know it hurts like hell when you can't be with someone").

"My God," although it's not one of the Coldplay tracks, reminds me of their "God Put a Smile Upon Your Face," as it has a similar insistent guitar and drum rhythm. Its' a real rocker of an opening track. "Twenty" has a lot of power behind it too, while "Scars" is old-school Natalie guitar-based pop.

"Want" kicks off the rougher and more experimental second half. It's a remarkable song, dark and driven, with lush strings and an insistent, robotic beat. The song is based on Imbruglia's "Be With You," a track from her greatest hits collection, going as far as recycling that song's beat and using its first verse in the middle section. It's meaning is quite different though--whereas earnest "Be With You" finds the singer pining that she can't be without some guy ("I don't want to live if I don't want to be with you"), "Want" is a sarcastic kiss-off, and given the recent divorce, probably quite personal ("I hope you get all that you want, 'cause I didn't").

"WYUT," which stands for "what you up to," is another charging song, this time driven by the unusual coupling of a prominent bass beat and acoustic guitar, with the later addition of synths. "Cameo," a '80s throwback, also has a surprising edge, dominanted by synths and processed guitar. "All the Roses" is a lovely ballad, with piano and milky synth chords. "Wild About It" closes the album on another strong note, its plucky rhythm underpinning a rousing sing-along melody.

This is a really great album. So why isn't it a bigger deal? What's with the soft release in the UK? The album arrived "digital only" with barely a whimper--no major British music outlets have reviewed it yet--with a physical release supposedly on the way early next year. I hope it gets a fair chance.

Best: Want, Lukas, Fun, Wild About It, My God

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Best of 2000s: Robyn - Robyn (4.5/5)

While finding an audience can't be a snap for any hit album, it's difficult to imagine any album having as hard a time as Robyn. Released in 2005, the set was a success in Scandinavia, but the English-speaking world, which had made a hit of her "Show Me Love" in 1998, largely ignored it. Then new recording "With Every Heartbeat" came along and topped the UK singles chart in the summer of 2007, renewing interest in the album. Suddenly Robyn was a hit, scoring three other UK top 40 hits. The Swedish singer manages to imbue more than an average amount of attitude into her unique brand of electro-pop, such as on "Handle Me" and "Be Mine," in which she declares herself untouchable to her would-be male suitors. Sadly, this wasn't a hit stateside.

Best: With Every Heartbeat, Be Mine, Handle Me, Who's that Girl, Crash and Burn Girl

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Personal Chart, 11/7/2009

TW LW Title - Artist
1 .... 2 .... Fight for This Love - Cheryl Cole (1 week @ #1)
2 .... 1 .... Bad Boys - Alexandra Burke feat. Flo Rida (2 wks @ #1)
3 .... 4 .... Happy - Leona Lewis
4 .... 5 .... Want - Natalie Imbruglia
5 ... 15 ... Paparazzi - Lady GaGa
6 .... 7 .... Sweet Dreams - Beyonce
7 .... 6 .... Oopsy Daisy - Chipmunk
8 ... 17 ... Fireflies - Owl City
9 ... 10 ... Already Gone - Kelly Clarkson
10 .. 11 ... 3 - Britney Spears

Click on the pic below to see the full top 40.

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Album Review: Glee - The Music, Volume 1 (3.5/5)

The Glee soundtrack is a nice guilty pleasure for fans, but I doubt it would appeal broadly to others, since, after all, this is mostly remakes of recently popular tracks performed by mostly unknowns (at the moment anyway).

Divorced from the show, the music shows which actors are the strongest musical talents. In particular, Lea Michele (Rachel Berry) really shines, and if she isn't shopping her own music contract yet, she should be. She aptly covers Kara DioGuardi's "Taking Chances," rivaling Celine Dion's 2007 cover. Also good is Mark Salling (Puck-whom we're all in love with), who shines on Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline," and Amber Riley (Mercedes Jones), who delivers the goods on "Bust Your Windows."

For a real show stopper though, check out Heart's "Alone," covered by major Broadway talent Kristen Chenoweth--who stole the show when she guest-starred--and Matthew Morrison (Will Schuester), who is so much more engaging when he's singing than he is when rapping ("Bust a Move," "Gold Digger"). Among the full-group numbers, nothing tops the pilot's "Don't Stop Believin'."

Despite coming in at 18 tracks, there are still some notable omissions. Most surprising is the absence of the mash-ups "Halo/Waking on Sunshine" and "It's My Life/Confessions," which were so integral to the plot of one episode and were both top 40 hits. Download them separately to round out this set. And if you still haven't gotten enough of a Glee fix, don't worry, Vol. 2 is coming out next month.

Best: Don't Stop Believin', Alone, Taking Chances, Sweet Caroline, Bust Your Windows, Somebody to Love

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Billboard Hot 100, November 14, 2009

1. Whatcha Say - Jason DeRulo

Jason DeRulo climbs to the Hot 100's summit this week with "Whatcha Say," his first single. He's the fourth artist this year to top the chart with their first single, following Lady GaGa, and more recently Jay Sean and Owl City. "Whatcha Say" is the year's 11th #1 hit.

3. Empire State of Mind - Jay-Z Featuring Alicia Keys

Jay-Z and Alicia Keys climb to a new peak this week for "Empire State of Mind," which climbs 10 notches to #3 and is the week's airplay and digital gainer.

9. Bad Romance - Lady GaGa

Lady GaGa debuts at #9 with the new single from the upcoming re-release of The Fame, titled The Fame Monster. It's GaGa's first single to debut in the top 10 and her fifth top 10 single. The Fame joins Usher's Confessions, Fergie's The Dutchess, and Rihanna's Good Girl Gone Bad, as albums released this decade with 5 top 10 hits. Actually this week, another album joins this list as well (see below)

10. Jump Then Fall - Taylor Swift
19. Untouchable - Taylor Swift
22. The Other Side of the Door - Taylor Swift
27. Superstar - Taylor Swift
30. Come In from the Rain - Taylor Swift
34. Forever & Always - Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift's Fearless was re-released with new tracks last week, resulting in 6 entries in the top 40 this week--5 new entries and a re-entry for "Forever & Always." Along with official singles "Love Story," "White Horse," and "You Belong with Me," and other promotional tracks "Change," "Fearless," and "You're Not Sorry," Swift's Fearless has now charted 12 tracks in the top 40, making it the album with the most top 40 hits ever. And #13 is on the way, as "Fifteen" will surely soon enter the top 40. Leading the pack is "Jump the Fall," which becomes the album's fifth top 10 hit.

33. Baby By Me - 50 Cent feat. Ne-Yo

50 Cent debuts at #33 with the first official single from his upcoming album, Before I Self Destruct. Other singles have appeared from the album, such as "Get Up" and "I Get it In" from last year, neither of which cracked the top 40 and both of which have been excluded from the album, which has been pushed back and reworked multiple times.

37. Love Me - Justin Bieber

Canadian teen singer scores his third top 40 hit.

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Preview Robbie's New Album

Robbie's Web site is offering full previews of 3 tracks per day from his new album, Reality Killed the Video Star. Today it's the first three tracks:

1) Morning Sun. This is a lovely opening track, a classy piano pop ballad.

2) Bodies. We all know this one already. Fantastic.

3) You Know Me. The next single. Got a bit of '60s feel to it. And like "Morning Sun" and "Bodies," no lack of grandeur.

This is a great start. I like all three of these songs.

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The Script "Breakeven"

Irish band The Script, who scored a major hit in the UK and Ireland last year with "The Man Who Can't Be Moved," appear to be on the verge of scoring their first US hit. Not with that brilliant single, but with "Breakeven," which hit #21 in Britain. Surprised? Apparently they performed it on Ellen's show. Currently the track is #47 at top 40 radio, up from #56 a week ago.

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