Track of the Week

"Rain On Me" by Cheryl Cole from the album 3 Words

Cheryl Cole returns to our blog this week with Rain On Me, the rumored 4th single from her debut album. Cheryl's voice isn't the best but she really belts it out on this song. I thought I'd offer up a more upbeat ballad than Change from last week. Rain On Me has a buoyant beat and an uplifting melody with lyrics that are reminiscent of Madonna's Rain, though without the overt sexual connotation. No video yet, so here's the song.

Other songs I'm enjoying at the moment are the epic "Outta My Head" and "I Got You" by the indomitable Leona Lewis, the fun-time song "Let's Get Crazy" by Miley Cyrus, and the rocking "Wrong Baby Wrong" by Martina McBride. I'm thoroughly sick of "Telephone" by Lady GaGa and Beyonce, and it's disgusting protect placement advertisement, er, music video. I'm over Ke$ha: "Tik Tok," "Blah Blah Blah," "Your Love is My Drug" and "Kiss and Tell," while fun electro-pop, are really the anthems of a culture I'm not too keen on. Christina Aguilera released "Not Myself Tonight," earning 'you copied GaGa' cries, but the song is just so bad to earn any comparison to anything other than a rubbish heap. Her froggish vocals are no match for the beats. Speaking of GaGa, she promises her 2010 release will be her best yet. While I am excited for new music, I'm over her whole 'grateful to the fans' persona and weirdness, she's someone I don't admire as a person, but I like her tunes. Kylie announced the June release of her new single, "All the Lovers" produced by the maverick behind Madonna's comeback album Confession on a Dance Floor, and the album is to follow in July. I'm over the moon. I've heard Coldplay has tackboards up in a studio whittling down which tracks to put on their new album, and Britney is 70% done with recording her seventh, according to some record label person on twitter. Meanwhile, the Queen is not recording any material, at all, despite rumors to the contrary. Give it to her to wait years to release something new, let's hope it's a right proper album and not pandering to a market that already changed like the last one. Let her enjoy her Kaballah-water AC in the meantime.

Track of the Week

"Change" by Carrie Underwood from the album Play On

Carrie's voice is perfect and soaring. On this song, about how an everyday person can make extraordinary changes only if they're willing, Carrie belts out an inspirational song. The violin backing music doesn't overwhelm her, but instead bolsters up the already emotional tune.

Carrie preformed it on Idol Gives Back last night and it was a show-stopper. Carrie is blessed with such a beautiful voice. It's not a single, but I think it should be after "Undo It" inevitably tops the country chart. There's no video, so this is Carrie's performance from last night.

Country may be cliche, but songs like this prove that uplifting messages can transcend genres. Carrie is an angel.

Track of the Week

"I Keep on Loving You" by Reba from the album Keep on Loving You

Reba described this song, her newest single, as a message to her fans for sticking by her through the years. It was written by her friends Brooks and Dunn but fits her vocals very well. The song is your standard Reba fare: couples have ups and downs but stick it out. The electric guitar bridge near the end is jarring, but Reba's voice is epic.

In the video, Reba plays a relative attending a wedding, and the camera focuses on different couples going through the story of the song. I don't normally consider Reba much of a looker, but she's really pretty in this video in a stately sort of way.

The song won't be as big as Strange or Consider Me Gone, but it's already in the top twenty which is decent, considering Reba's singles for the previous few years haven't done as well. But she said she back to focusing on music now that her sitcom has been done since three years ago. Her tour is extending in the fall, so hopefully she'll grace Chicago with her presence.

I consider her the Oprah of country music, she's on top but it's all business for her in the guise of feel-good.

Track of the Week

"The Time of Our Lives" by Miley Cyrus.

It's pretty pathetic at first that Miley is the track of the week this week. But Miley is ubiquitous and thus hard to escape.

This song, from her most recent (and eponymous) album is actually a stunning slice of pop. On one hand the song is so sad that I can't bear it, but on the other, it's a celebratory anthem of youth, however transient being young is: "let's have the time of our lives 'til the lights burn out." People grow up but that doesn't mean you can't live life when you're young. This is surprisingly deep for Miley, a bildungsroman song. This is one of the first songs in a long while to move me so much; it makes me want to tear out my eyeballs and put them in acid because the pain of that would be easier to process than the emotional pull of this song.

There's a mellow dance beat that picks up during the chorus, mirroring the melancholy-triumphant dichotomy of the song's theme. Her vocals on the choruses sound robotic almost, but it's not as bad of a use of auto-tune as in hip hop. Her smokey vocals have emotion to them rarely found pop music, and she can belt out a tune when she wants to.

Track of the Week: This One's for the Girls

This One's for the Girls by Martina McBride, from the album Martina (2003).

This is song is one of the reasons why country music is so darn good: it's a real life, relatable, uplifting, inspirational song. Martina's songs always have very positive messages, and this is no exception. The opening verse is about teens holding on to innocence when every one's giving in, which really touches the listener. The next one is about twentysomethings who are starting life fueled by "dreams and spaghetti-os" which is a very country/Reba "strong woman" line. The next one is about forty year old woman who are beautiful because their laugh lines show their experience, which is very Oprah audience.

Comments on YouTube range from "no thanks, id rather smoke, drink, have premarital sex and do any damn thing i'd like" to "Its so cheesy how good this song makes me feel haha." The sentiments of the latter sum up my thoughts on the song. It's so positive and sweet that you can't help but feel good and mushy.

The video displays some pretty horrific fashion, but Martina's so radiant that she's angelic. Go Martina! Overall, the song is inspirational but very country/Oprah/Reba, which could be cringe-worthy, laughable, or wonderful, depending on the listener.

Fun fact: Faith "Stepford Wives" Hill sings backing vocals.

Track of the Month: Alice

As Alice in Wonderland is our favorite movie of the year, today is a special selection in the track of the week series. This month's track of the month is:

"Alice" by Avril Lavigne, from the album "Almost Alice"

Haunting, powerful, emotive, resonant....

Featured during the end credits sequence (with the growing 3D mushroom), "Alice" is a haunting piano ballad. Sung from Alice's perspective, the lyrics relate how Alice is "trippin out" when she ventures down the rabbit hole. The song relies on Avril's soaring vocal work, and the powerful heavy notes of the piano. "When the world's crashing down...don't you try and stop me," is a really uplifting message of empowerment and triumph over obstacles.

It's most poignant moment is when Avril softly, almost wistfully, sings "I found myself in Wonderland."

The video is like any other movie theme song music video, in that it has Avril playing Alice, and she falls down a rabbit hole and attends the tea party. There are, of course, scenes of the film interspersed, and a mad hatter impersonator spliced together with Johnny Depp's portrayal. There's a particularly scary sequence where Avril's mouth seems to unhinge and get impossibly wide. Avril said she wanted a lot of scenes to feature her playing the piano, to prove that she can.

Sadly, youtubekeep is down, so watch the video from this link.

Track of the Week: Papa Don't Preach

It's a dry spell in music, same artists on the charts, nothing new released. I'm bored with the industry at the moment so let's go back in time to 1986.

"Papa Don't Preach" by Madonna, from the album "True Blue"

"Papa Don't Preach" is one of the greatest Madonna songs, songs of the 80s, and pop songs ever. It caused a stir when it was released because of its pro-life message, it's anti-authority lyrical content, and the controversial video where Madonna plays a teen mother. By today's standards the song and video aren't provocative or controversial, but this was the 80s.

The song follows the standard production values of Madonna's 80s material, a dance track with some pop-rock instrumentation, and high pitched vocals. A departure for Madonna, the song features some string instruments, evoking classical music. It reached number one around the world. The video is really as memorable as the song; it is one of Madonna's more iconic music videos. It also introduced a new incarnation for Madonna, with short blonde hair and more of a department store, rather than thrift store, look.

The song was dedicated to the Pope on her Who's That Girl World Tour in 1987. A highlight of Madonna's career was preforming this song to a crowd of nearly 150,000 in Paris. In 1986, Madonna was the most famous woman in the world, and at the top of her game...

Track of the Week: "3 Words"

Can't believe it's already the fourth week! With Track of the Week, we've been trying to highlight some current or forthcoming music. This week we're taking a trip across the pond.

"3 Words" by Cheryl Cole, from the album "3 Words"

A tabloid fixture in her native Britain, and a member of the supergroup "Girls Aloud," Cheryl Cole recently launched her solo career to great acclaim and commercial success. She's astonishingly beautiful, and that can sometimes distract from her work.

"Fight For this Love," was the typical dance pop of Girls Aloud, but for her second single, Cheryl Cole released "3 Words," a laid back, slightly electronic/acoustic song. Will.i.am from the Black Eyed Peas features on the track, but he doesn't detract from the song's appeal. The song slowly builds momentum until it hits the chorus, a quiet confession about someone being "the love of my life."

The video is really more interesting than the song itself, with long tracking shots, kaleidoscope effects, and somewhat of a Dali/Elizabeth Taylor vibe.

Hopefully Cheryl gets back with Girls Aloud, but until then the cool electronica of her solo album is a real treat.

Track of the Week: Monster

"Monster" by Lady GaGa from the album "The Fame Monster."

Seeing as we reviewed Lady GaGa and The Wolfman movie this week, I've chosen Lady Gaga's "Monster" as the Track of the Week.

"Monster" is one of the best tracks from the album. It is dark, eerie and epic all at the same time. The opening robotic cries of "He ate my heart" practically make the song excellent by themselves. The electronic dance track is as dark as the lyrics, which relate the story of Gaga's Monster consuming her completely. We get the sense that this wasn't a nice guy. The bridge of the song is astonishing, as Gaga sings "we french kissed on a subway train, he ate my heart and then he ate my brain." The prechorus, in which Gaga sings about wondering who the Monster is on the dancefloor, has the best melody on the entire album.

Gaga performed monster in an homage to to Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds" (an excellent campy horror film!) on her Monster Ball Tour. Dressed in a black feathered cape with feathered mask, images of ravens and a forest flashed across a red background video.

The song isn't single worthy, as say "Alejandro" or "Bad Romance," but it is a highlight of the album. It's dark, entrancing lyrics, powerful dance beats, and arena-sized melody, makes for an enjoyable and bewitching three minutes.

Track of the Week: What is Love?

It’s a new week, and in honor of Valentine’s Day we’ve chosen a love ballad. But this song is really about someone trying to find love, because they’ve been hurt in the past. So this isn’t exactly a love ballad. But we at “Something’s wrong with Esther” are known to eschew the rules.

“What is Love?” by Jennifer Lopez from the album “Love?”

Sure, I know what you’re thinking: Jennifer Lopez?! Why, why, why? But this song is actually uplifting in its own way.

This a leak from her forthcoming album “Love?” due sometime this year. J-Lo isn’t a spectacular singer, nor is she the best actress (but her romcoms are better than her songs). Yet “What is Love?” manages to soar, albeit unexpectedly.

If you’re thinking the melody sounds familiar, you’re right. “What is Love?” blatantly steals the melody and “na na na na” parts from Nelly Furtado’s masterpiece “All Good Things” and the Pussycat Dolls’ touching “I Hate this Part” (yes, PCD can be touching when they want to be). Both were decent songs in their own right, so the combination of the best parts from both manages to strike gold in this song.

The song starts off with a hip hop/dance beat similar to the songs it steal from. What makes this song shine is J-Lo’s vocal work. Her voice has never sounded better, especially in the end when she belts out over the choruses. The lyrics are actually poignant, reflective and touching, and semi-autobiographical.

Is it original? No. It actually sounds like any other ballad on the radio. Is it decent, in its own way? Listen and decide for yourself.

No illegal activity was intended by posting this video. Go and buy the album when it comes out to make up for listening to this.

Track of the Week: Revolver

So this may be the start of a new feature of the blog, track of the week...nor will they all be Madonna songs.

"Revolver" by Madonna, from the album "Celebration."

"Revolver" was issued as a single using this One Love remix. It is short but assuredly sweet. The album version is horrendous: it sounds like the most trite Top 40 American music you'd ever hear. An obligatory Lil' Wayne cameo, Madonna's cheap attempt at getting radio play and sales, marred the track. Loud, crashing music overpower Madonna's voice. I even detected some auto-tune, that over-used bane of music. The album version sounded a lot like Britney's "Radar" and was unlistenable. Fortunately, Warner had its screws tightened right when it decided to issue its last Madonna single. Remixed by David Guetta (producer of the Black Eyed Peas), the One Love remix of "Revolver" takes dust and turns it into a diamond. Madonna's voice is clear, not drowned out as on the album version. Her singing on the choruses harkens back to the high pitched vocals of her youth. The choruses are catchy and will easily get stuck in your head. The song ends with Madonna showing off her singing talents by holding her note on the melismatic glory of "I line them up and watch them fall." The lyrics expertly and intelligently compare love to a murder weapon, while the music is electronic and pop at its most current best (the song very much has the sound of '09). I'm glad David Guetta rescued this song, it turned out to be solid gold, without the Lil' Wayne rap, and by highlighting what Madonna had always done best: singing catchy lyrics over a dance track.

As of this post, "Revolver" is at 5 on the Dance Charts, and will probably be her umpteenth number one. Esther can't really climb up to the top of the real chart anymore...

(I stole this video from YouTube and couldn't find a version without the Lil Wayne rap, I apologize to your ears in advance).