Wednesday, December 25, 2013

2013 Countdown: Top 10 Dance Songs


And with the worst of 2013 behind us, now let’s start looking at the best! Here’s to the songs that got us dancing. It’s refreshing to know that not EVERYONE makes the same repetitive techno song.
 
10.) “Work Bitch”
Britney Spears
It may not have been the most memorable first single in her career, but it still was pretty catchy. The radio edit was pretty amusing (“you better work work”) and the video was hot. She may be past her prime, but there’s still a little spark left.
 
9.) “Harlem Shake”
Baauer
It’s not the REAL Harlem Shake dance, but it certainly was quite a spectacle seeing all of the YouTube videos that followed. And man oh man, Baauer really knows how to put on a show!
 
8.) “I Love It”
Icona Pop & Charli XCX
The ultimate kiss-off anthem of the year, these ladies had us all declaring ourselves “90’s bitches”!
 
7.) “Burn”
Ellie Goulding
Ellie Goulding’s voice is suited for great alternative/electronic/pop music. It’s sweet, soothing, and quite a refreshment from the generic singing voices on the radio. So it was quite a sweet surprise to hear her on this adorable summer anthem with such gusto behind it.
 
6.) “Feel This Moment”
Pitbull & Christina Aguilera
It would appear to me that Ms. Aguilera is a lot more successful singing choruses on other songs for other artists than she is singing on her own (see “Moves Like Jagger” or “Say Something”). I’m still hoping for her to have more solo moments, but for now, let’s just enjoy the dance song king Mr. 305 with the dynamite Christina and this “Take On Me” inspired jam.
 
5.) “Latch”
Disclosure & Sam Smith
Not all DJs are doing dubstep. Sometimes a classic-sounding techno song can make you move just as much. What makes this song even more fantastic is the incredible choreography Sanya Tayeh taught during Vegas week this summer on So You Think You Can Dance.
 
4.) “Blurred Lines”
Robin Thicke, Pharrell Williams, & T.I.
Was there ever a moment when listening to the radio this summer that this song WASN’T playing? It may have worn out its welcome, but there’s no denying how fun and funky this song is and how much it gets us all grooving (regardless if it is a straight up rip-off of Marvin Gaye’s “Got To Give It Up”).
 
3.) “We Can’t Stop”
Miley Cyrus
Hannah Montana grew up, and she’s a twerking hot mess! BUT WE LOVED IT! This was the ultimate party jam, proving that she’s not the same little girl she used to be. 
 
2.) “A Little Party Never Killed Nobody (All We Got)”
Fergie, Q-Tip, GoonRock
Although not officially released as a single, it was one of the great highlights from the stellar Great Gatsby soundtrack! It is without a doubt one of the best workout songs created!
 
1.) “Get Lucky”
Daft Punk & Pharrell Willams
Daft Punk came back in a big way this year, bringing back funk and R&B dance music to mainstream 2013. And along the way, they got us on our feet, brought in Nile Rogers, AND re-introduced the world to the genius that is Pharrell Williams.

2013 Countdown: Top 5 Not That Great Albums


While 2013 had its share of pretty amazing music to share, that’s not to say that there were a few flops that didn’t impress us that much. I’m not saying that these are the WORST, but more like the top 5 less than stellar albums of the year.

 

5.) The 20/20 Experience – 2 of 2
Justin Timberlake
 
The first half of his 20/20 experience was already a lot to live up to, but this second half of the experience didn’t really live up to the hype of being a continuation. With a less-than-exciting first single “Take Back the Night”, expectations were starting to get a little low. The album was way too long with songs that sounded more like sloppy seconds from the first half released earlier this year. This is not to say that this album was horrible. Moments like “Cabaret”, “Only When I Walk Away”, and “You Got It On” made up for the lack of imagination with the rest of the album, especially for the ridiculous 9-minute “True Blood”.
Best Song: “Cabaret” 
 
4.) Britney Jean
Britney Spears
Britney Spears made it known all year that her new album was going to be more personal, the best of Britney! Yet the album seemed to fizzle in all the wrong places. She has never been the strongest singer in the business, but what’s worked is her ability to turn pop songs into memorable pop culture moments in music videos and live performances. The first single “Work Bitch” was eh, having will.i.am as an executive producer didn’t help at all, and overall the album was trying too hard to be “personal”. It’s sad to say that Ms. Spears may be a little past her prime.
Best Song: “Perfume”
 
3.) Me, You & the Music
Jessica Sanchez
I rooted for Jessica on American Idol last year, but all because of a horrible winner’s single, she lost to Phillip Phillips. People knew she’d still get a record deal no matter what, but where this album went wrong was in her age. They tried to play to a more mature fan base, but her youthfulness got in the way. They tried to make her older than she was, and she was trying her best to catch up. It wasn’t a good representation of her dynamite, powerhouse voice.
Best Song: “Tonight”
 
2.) Magna Carta… Holy Grail
Jay-Z
Sorry Mr. Carter, but this was an utter disappointment. It had all of the ingredients to be another fantastic spectacle: collaborations with Bey, JT, & Frank Ocean, production from Timbaland, an exclusive release on a mobile app. But what we got was over-production, Miley Cyrus twerking references, incoherent lyrics, and app malfunctions.
Best Song: “Part II (On The Run)”
 
1.) ARTPOP
Lady GaGa
And then there’s GaGa. Talk about trying too hard. GaGa is no longer pushing the boundary of art and pop, she’s over-doing it nowadays. She’s almost become a joke. This concept was bigger than what the album actually ended up being. Another example of a bad first single with the forgettable “Applause”, the bad streak continued with the weird cover art and even more ridiculous outfits while promoting. I’m definitely looking forward to her jazz album with Tony Bennett, but until then we’re stuck with this dud.
Best Song: “Do What U Want”

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Beyoncé Album Ranking


Beyoncé just made everyone’s Christmas a little better – no, scratch that…A LOT better! In what is now THE best kept secret of the year (or ever), she released her self-titled 5th studio album a couple days ago, a beautiful “visual album”, proving why she is who she is AND sneaking in at the last second to bring us the best album of the year! This is not to say that her other albums aren’t as good, they have their own special moments too. And in keeping with her love and connection with the number 4, for every Queen Bey album in my opinion, there are four signature songs to look out for: the Bey standard, the fiercest track, the best ballad, and then the personal favorite. So now let’s look at how her albums rank and what songs fit this criteria!
 
5.) I Am…Sasha Fierce (2008)
I have to admit that if there was any album of hers that I honestly did/do not like, it would be this one. Sure, it has its moments of pop culture greatness (“Single Ladies” anyone?) but the album as a whole felt very incoherent and jumpy, if those descriptions make any sense. We all knew about Sasha Fierce already, but did it require its own separate disc? Regardless, there are moments of sheer perfection that must be highlighted.
 
Bey Standard: "Halo"
Ryan Tedder’s great production (regardless if it sounded just like the other 4 songs he produced around the same time) is what makes this song epic. Not to mention that she now uses this song to close out every show of hers…it’s a classic!

Fiercest Track: "Ego"
It’s fierce already, but what really makes this song amazing is the vocal breakdown towards the end of the song when she riffs and vulnerably shows off her raspy notes in all of its glory. Fierce enough indeed! Why it was considered a bonus track is beyond me.

Best Ballad: "Disappear"
A slow and steady build of a song that really shows off her lower and higher registers simultaneously, it’s beautiful and heartfelt.

Personal Favorite: "Smash Into You"
Producer and songwriter duo Tricky Stewart and The-Dream definitely made a statement alright with their work on “Single Ladies”, but it’s their ability as R&B producers to incorporate elements of rock, pop, AND R&B together that makes this song truly special. Not to mention that Beyoncé sounds so incredibly beautiful as always.
 
4.) Dangerously In Love (2003)
Beyoncé was already doing it big on her own outside of Destiny’s Child, but this is where she finally made her declaration of independence. Hard to believe that her own label told her that she wouldn’t have a single hit on this album. But like she says “they were right…I had 4”. The singles alone made this album truly special and solidified her mark as one of the world’s best entertainers.
 
Bey Standard: "Crazy In Love"
I mean come on…this song NEVER gets old! Going on its 10th anniversary, this song still makes anyone bump and shake when the “uh-oh’s” start. With a little help from Jay-Z, Beyoncé proved this whole solo thing she was doing was very much paying off.

Fiercest Track: "Naughty Girl"
With a sample from Donna Summer and a little cameo help from Usher in the music video, she hits all the sweet spots, showcasing her sexy fierceness in the high register and growling sex appeal both in the way she sings AND the way she moves.

Best Ballad: "Dangerously in Love 2”
It was already a Beyoncé solo when this song originally appeared on Destiny’s Child’s third album Survivor, but with a re-done production, she truly shines in this epic romance ballad of being too dangerous in love.

Personal Favorite: "Baby Boy"
Mixing reggae and R&B together never sounded better with a little help from Sean Paul and producer Scott Storch. It’s another fierce track that helped her score another number one spot on the charts, as it deserved!
 
3.) B’Day (2006)
With just 10 songs, Beyoncé was able to show off parts of her personality and self that no one had a chance to really see. It was a celebration of everything that people already loved about her, but times 100! She manages to funk it up with “Déjà Vu”, bump it with “Get Me Bodied”, sass it up with “Ring the Alarm” and everything else in between. THIS should have been her Sasha Fierce album all on its own.
 
Bey Standard: "Irreplaceable"
Another staple in her growing catalogue of hits, this one gave her fans the ultimate shake off when it came to leaving our significant others. There’ll always be another one here in a minute. And thanks to this, we all know what direction to shake them off to… (I’m talking about the left, the left).

Fiercest Track: "Freakum Dress"
Fierce can’t even begin to describe what this song is: it’s monumental, epic, hot, freaky! Rich Harrison’s productions were all started to blend together, but it seems like he kept the best tracks for Bey. Here, she gets to show us all a little glimpse of what happens when every now and then, she goes to the back of the closet to pull out that freakum dress.

Best Ballad: "Resentment"
A sweeping, heartbreaking recollection of feelings that is all parts epic and beautiful. It’s a slow and steady build where Beyoncé’s vocals soar from beginning to end.

Personal Favorite: "Kitty Kat"
It’s a sassy highlight from producer Pharrell, but honestly, you wanna know what makes this song my personal favorite? The fact that she raps AND manages to quote the movie Friday: “you ain’t gots ta lie, Craig!” Thank you.
 
2.) 4 (2011)
And then she goes and releases her most coherent, well thought out album thus far. 4 was a beautifully crafted album from start to finish, bringing to light the many influences in Bey’s career. From 70’s funk, 90’s slow jams, Chi-Lites songs, Jackson 5 dances, this album brought back R&B for a moment. It’s without a doubt the most underrated album of her career, but certainly one of the best.
 
Bey Standard: "Love On Top"
I mean really! From the moment I first heard this song, I knew it was going to be a hit. And before she officially released it as a single, she performed it as her pregnancy declaration at the VMA’s. The feel-good vibes and old school feel make this song a standard, but it’s the key changes at the end that make it legend!

Fiercest Track: "Run the World (Girls)"
Who run the world? Who do you think?! Beyoncé was not willing to let anyone forget that she’s all about women and independence. She growls, she belts, and she conquers in both the song and video. She didn’t hold anything back in this beast of a first single (that might I add should have done a lot better than it actually did).

Best Ballad: "1+1"
What a way to open up her album with this beautiful love song. It’s epically romantic and heartfelt, from feelings of desire, longing, and a need for that special someone, knowing that two people are meant for each other. It’s just beautiful all around.

Personal Favorite: "Countdown"
It’s fierce AND gets you moving! What more could you want? It’s a bouncy hip-hop club track with excellent production from The-Dream and Beyoncé herself, bringing to mind a lot of funk and party jams complete with its own marching band rhythm. Another Beyoncé jam that you can’t help but dance to, no matter how old the song gets.
 
1.) BEYONCÉ (2013)
And just when you thought she couldn’t out do herself again, she goes and surprises us all once more with this visual album. Beyoncé has always had a love for creating music videos for her songs, even if they were not being released as singles. Here she really shows us how special each song is just by showing us the visuals and what the song means to her. Not to mention that this is probably the most open Queen Bey has been ever when it comes to sex, marriage, and her kids. It’s without a doubt the best work of her career…so far.

Bey Standard: "Pretty Hurts"
In what is sure to be a classic soon, this track emphasize beauty and imperfections, the need to look and find what really is beautiful. It hurts…it really does.

Fiercest Track: "Yoncé/Partition"
Damn Bey! You can’t help but pop pop pop to this two-for-one track. With amazing production from Timbaland and Justin Timberlake, she brings out her fiercest performance yet! Yoncé is on ALL our mouths like...

Best Ballad: "Heaven"
You can’t help but tear up with the last two songs on this album, but its here as she takes us through her unfortunate miscarriage before Blue Ivy that really showcases her honesty and heartfelt emotions. Heaven couldn’t wait, and it’s gut-wrenching to hear those words, but so true at the same time. Well done.

Personal Favorite: "XO"
Listening to this album four times back to back in the past two days, every song on this album is a favorite for one reason or another. But it’s this Ryan Tedder track that is just feel-good, fun, and all around great! She always seems to out-do herself no matter what!

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Emmy Predictions 2013

Outstanding Drama Series
Breaking Bad
Downton Abbey
Homeland
Game of Thrones
House of Cards
Mad Men
Should Win: House of Cards
Will Win: House of Cards
 
Outstanding Comedy Series
The Big Bang Theory
Girls
Louie
Modern Family
30 Rock
Veep
Should Win: Girls
Will Win: Modern Family
Outstanding Miniseries/Movie
American Horror Story: Asylum
Behind The Candelabra
Phil Spector
Political Animals
The Bible
Top of the Lake
 
Should Win: American Horror Story: Asylum
 
Will Win: Behind The Candelabra
 
Lead Actor (Drama)
Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey)
Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad)
Jeff Daniels (The Newsroom)
Jon Hamm (Mad Men)
Damian Lewis (Homeland)
Kevin Spacey (House of Cards)
Should Win: Kevin Spacey (House of Cards)
Will Win: Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad)
 
Lead Actor (Comedy)
Jason Bateman (Arrested Development)
Louis C.K. (Louie)
Don Cheadle (House of Lies)
Matt LeBlanc (Episodes)
Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory)
Alec Baldwin (30 Rock)
Should Win: Louis C.K. (Louie)
Will Win: Alec Baldwin (30 Rock)
 
Lead Actor (Miniseries/Movie)
Michael Douglas (Behind The Candelabra)
Matt Damon (Behind The Candelabra)
Toby Jones (The Girl)
Benedict Cumberbatch (Parade’s End)
Al Pacino (Phil Spector)
Should Win: Michael Douglas (Behind The Candelabra)
Will Win: Michael Douglas (Behind The Candelebra)

Lead Actress (Drama)
Connie Britton (Nashville)
Claire Dane (Homeland)
Michelle Dockery (Downton Abbey)
Vera Farmiga (Bates Motel)
Elisabeth Moss (Mad Men)
Kerry Washington (Scandal)
Should Win: Vera Farmiga (Bates Motel)/Kerry Washington (Scandal)
Will Win: Vera Farmiga (Bates Motel)

Lead Actress (Comedy)
Lena Dunham (Girls)
Laura Dern (Enlightened)
Tina Fey (30 Rock)
Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation)
Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Veep)
Edie Falco (Nurse Jackie)
Should Win: Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation)
Will Win: Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Veep)

Lead Actress (Miniseries/Movie)
Jessica Lange (American Horror Story: Asylum)
Laura Linney (The Big C: Hereafter)
Helen Mirren (Phil Spector)
Sigourney Weaver (Political Animals)
Elisabeth Moss (Top of the Lake)
Should Win: Jessica Lange (American Horror Story: Asylum)
Will Win: Elisabeth Moss (Top of the Lake)

Supporting Actor (Drama)
Bobby Cannavale (Boardwalk Empire)
Jonathan Banks (Breaking Bad)
Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad)
Jim Carter (Downton Abbey)
Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones)
Mandy Patinkin (Homeland)
Should Win: Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad)
Will Win: Mandy Patinkin (Homeland)

Supporting Actor (Comedy)
Adam Driver (Girls)
Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Modern Family)
Ed O’Neill (Modern Family)
Ty Burrell (Modern Family)
Bill Hader (Saturday Night Live)
Tony Hale (Veep)
Should Win: Adam Driver (Girls)

Will Win: Tony Hale (Veep)
 
Supporting Actor (Miniseries/Movie)
James Cromwell (American Horror Story: Asylum)
Zachary Quinto (American Horror Story: Asylum)
Scott Bakula (Behind The Candelabra)
John Benjamin Hickey (The Big C: Hereafter)
Peter Mullan (Top of the Lake)
 
Should Win: James Cromwell (American Horror Story: Asylum)
Will Win: James Cromwell (American Horror Story: Asylum)
 
Supporting Actress (Drama)
Anna Gunn (Breaking Bad)
Maggie Smith (Downton Abbey)
Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones)
Christine Baranski (The Good Wife)
Morena Baccarin (Homeland)
Christina Hendricks (Mad Men)
Should Win: Maggie Smith (Downton Abbey)
Will Win: Maggie Smith (Downton Abbey)

Supporting Actress (Comedy)
Mayim Bialik (The Big Bang Theory)
Jane Lynch (Glee)
Julie Bowen (Modern Family)
Merritt Weaver (Nurse Jackie)
Jane Krakowski (30 Rock)
Anna Chlumsky (Veep)
Should Win: Jane Krakowski (30 Rock)
Will Win: Julie Bowen (Modern Family)
 
Supporting Actress (Miniseries/Movie)
Sarah Paulson (American Horror Story: Asylum)
Imelda Staunton (The Girl)
Charlotte Rampling (Restless)
Alfre Woodard (Steel Magnolias)
 
Should Win: Sarah Paulson (American Horror Story: Asylum)
Will Win: Sarah Paulson (American Horror Story: Asylum)