Fall is often the biggest battleground for music, as artists and labels release albums that are aimed to garner both critical praise (eligibility for the Grammys ends every year on Sept. 30th), and commercial success (the biggest album sales weeks of the year are always from American Thanksgiving thru Christmas). So it's no surprise that many a music uberstar is shilling their latest single, in hopes of getting a large piece of that album-sales pie. Hit after the jump to check out critiques of the latest singles from Britney, XTina, Kanye, Akon and more!!!
"Womanizer" by Britney Spears: I've tried. Oh good lord have I tried to like this song. After being skeptical of her "comeback' after her success at the VMA's, I though to myself that a strong single would vanquish any doubts from Britney's critics (myself included). And since "Womanizer"'s release last week, I've made valiant attempts to like the song. The verses are incredibly catchy, but then she gets to that idiotic chorus, and it just goes all downhill. The repetitiveness isn't catchy, it's downright annoying, and reminds me more of a Sarah Palin speech. Couldn't they have added just one more line to the chorus, aside from "you're a womanizer?". Regardless, the song will probably be a hit, and solidify that much-ballyhooed comeback.
Rating: 5/10
"Keeps Getting Better" by Christina Aguilera: The little girl with the big voice debuted this new track, of her upcoming Greatest Hits album, at the MTV VMA's back in early September, but it's only started to gain ground now. Perhaps it took everyone awhile to get hooked on the song, as her performance at the VMA's was slightly bizarre and may have hindered interest. Needless to say though, it has grown catchier with age, and radio seems to agree, as the song rocketed to number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 this week. Aguilera may have shamelessly stolen her new look from Lady Gaga (who, in turn, shamelessly stole her look from a Cher drag queen), but when it comes to belting out a tune, XTine just keeps getting better.
Rating: 8/10
"Right Now (Na Na Na)" by Akon: I've been an unwitting slave to Akon and every single song he's been featured on since "Smack That" two years ago. Yet that streak seems to be broken here, where he's falling into the same repetitive chorus rut that's also effecting Ms. Spears. Is everyone in the music industry losing their creativity, or are they all learning new tracks from a producer with a stutter?
Rating: 4/10
"Love Lockdown" by Kanye West: Captain Ego has brought forth an interesting new track, one that consists of sparse, steady beats and a vocoder-enhanced singing voice, in place of blazing horns, egotistical raps, and Daft Punk samples. The result is insanely compelling, even if it's a rare Kanye track you can't dance to. Props to Kanye for boldly going where very few rappers have gone before (namely, singing). Clearly it's more "Diamonds are Forever" than "Gold Digger" in terms of mainstream accessibility (as witnessed by its plummet from 3rd to 15th in its third week on the Hot 100), but creativity has never gotten in the way of Kanye's success, so don't look for it to start now.
Rating: 9/10
"Human" by The Killers: I'm in the minority of people who found The Killers' venture into arena rock, Sam's Town, an enjoyable affair. Most prefer the hot dancing mess that was Hot Fuss (which overall, is the superior album of the two). This songs seems to be an attempt to get The Killers back to their dance-rock, 80's synth-inspired roots. Produced by Stuart Price, who brought Madonna back to the dancefloor with "Hung Up" in 2005, "Human" has all the elements that should make it a dance-rock hit, yet there seems to be something missing from this tune, something that ultimately won't lead it to having a constant rotation at Phil's on a Saturday. Maybe it's the lack of hard electric guitar and bass running a current through the song, like they so wonderfully did in "Somebody Told Me". Maybe it's the fact that the songs catchiest synth beats aren't even in the chorus. Or maybe it's that the song contains the most ridiculous lyric of the year: "Are we human? Or are we dancer?" Gee, I don't know Brandon Flowers, can't we all be both? Unfortunately, this lead single leaves me with very little to be Mr. Brightside about.
Rating: 2/10
What do you think/ Agree? Disagree? Got another single you love/loath right now? Post in the comment section below!!
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