AMA Recap: The Good and the Bad.

Pop biggest nights are always the music award shows, and the awards never mean much anymore. Generally the American Music Awards are all about the performances, so each performance will be graded.  Trying to link the performances is hard due to all copyright, so I will not be posting the videos here.  I made it to Pitbull performance before my eyes decided to call it quits on the AMA's.   Here are my notes I took during the show.

1.     Taylor Swift – Blank Space

·        Seems to be some echo with her microphone on this song overall she doesn’t sound bad. Squares are a plenty on a stage, and we dance with picture frames. I guess it relates to the music video. I keep thinking she is saying starbuck lovers in the song.  Overall not bad performance and I am not a big Taylor fan. (3.5/5)

o  Pitbull may not a be a great rapper, but he knows how to pump up a crowd though not at the same level as Lil Jon. Dale! Pitbull may be mistaken on Obama policy on immigration as it is not sign into law just yet.

o   No surprise on the first award (pop/rock group)  going to One Direction as this is a fan voted award show but next year 5sos will be give them trouble for it.  They got a lot older looking the last time I saw them.

-         First Break –

o   More screaming girls for Charli XCX performance, Shocking! More for the good looking guy than Charli since she looks like Lorde.

2.      Charli XCX – “Boom Clap”

o   I have to admit this song is pretty freaking catchy is a runner for one of my favorite songs of the year. Simple performance and Charli XCX sounds pretty decent though where is the attitude I hear from her voice in the original song.  Probably one of those good, but forgettable performances, but who will be next.

o   Break the Rules- I feel like this song was more appropriate during the fall season rather than the winter .  I do like the rock feel of the song, and Charli XCX is one of the pop artist that can do rock and pop.  Also audio technical difficulties at the end of the performance. (3/5)

3.     Magic! Feat. Wyclef Jean - Rude

a.     Awful sounding vocals from Magic, but Wycelf Jean was too strong with the hype. He is trying his best Lil Jon impression. This was a bit of a letdown from the last two performance, and they sounded a bit out of tune at certain points in the song. Maybe this will cement  MAGIC as a one hit wonders. (1/5)

b.     Wyclef Jean is a legend in reggae?

-Second break –

-         Pitbull joke with Spanish viewers is already getting old. Up to three mentions.

-         Jamie Foxx looks good, but surprised the rap award went to Iggy. Popularity contest strikes again.

4.      5Sos – “What I like about you.”

-         A little high pitch for my ears, but the band sounded pretty good. A lot better than Amnesia.  One of band members has pink hair?  The punk side of them was favorably more enjoyable.  (3/5)

-         Break-

5.     Imagine Dragons – “I Bet My Life.”

a.     Mumford and Sons inspired single. This was a different side of Imagine Dragons than I was expecting though way better than Demons.  These guys always put on a good show, so I can't hate on them too much. (4/5)  

    This another make or break single for another group in the pop music landscape. Can they become the next big rock group on pop?

b.     Male Artist - Sam Smith deserves the award this year. Guy has been everywhere in 2014 and one of the brightest and best new talents in pop this year. Good choice America.

6.     Sam Smith – I’m not the only one

a.     Simple but sounds great.  Once again one of a better talents this year.  Not sure what Asap Rock adds to this song. I prefer just the sam smith only version. (3.5/5)

7.      Iggy Azalea feat. Charli XCX – Fancy

a.     Charli xcx sounds a bit off in the chorus. Iggy sounds okay

b.     “Beg for It” – IGGY sounds okay, but the fake American deep south accent has always bother me with Iggy. She can rap, but Fancy 2.0 somehow works better with me than Fancy. I guess it is less bratty than fancy. (3/5)

8.      Lorde – Yellow Flicker Beat

a.     She once again proves to be memorable force with her vocals and funny dance moves.  Lorde is another top talent and force to be reckon for many years to come. The song is pretty good. (4.5/5)

Enough of the taylor dancing shots.

9.     Ariana Grande – Love Me Harder

a.     Too much over singing on the previous singles. Hurts my ears. Control of the vocals is important.

b.     Ariana sounds okay on Love Me Harder. Sounded better on SNL.

c.      The Weeknd sounds great though I don’t know his work too well. I do like the song. (3/5)

10.                         Pitbull Ne Yo –“ Time of our lives”

a.     The party never dies with him.  Fireball is pretty good party track and I honestly Pitbull has never sounded better.

b.     Give Me Everything part 2. I like Ne- Yo but on party tracks his sad voice doesn’t work.  Also this song lacks the excitement of Fireball.

c.      Ne Yo seems to be doing more of work on this song. Pitbull is really the backseat on this.

d.     This will be a New Years anthem next month. Pitbull is a hit maker.

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December - The Month of Awards

Hard to believe, but we are getting close to year end of 2014. December will be the month of pop countdowns here on the site. Countdowns of best, worst, and songs that I wish were big will be written up.  I will have a voting categories  for specific awards for pop artists this year.  Pay attention to the site in December as we finish 2014.  

"L.A. Love (La La)" - Fergie - Pop Song Review

Hot 100: 63

Pop Radioplay: 21

It has been a while since Fergie was on a hit song by herself.  The Dutchess was released in 2006 and had two years of pop singles that came from the album.  I have always been neutral on Fergie. She is one of those artists  you don’t want to admit you like, but unfortunately like. 

In terms of pop radio time, Fergie last single on the radio was in 2011 with the Black Eyed Peas.  I am sure you forgot about that album, The Beginning. Trust me it was not good at all. In my opinion too much of will.i.am and Fergie on the album. Those two other guys of the Black Eyed Peas never get any exposure anymore.

Fergie has always been one of the highlights of the Black Eyed Peas, so maybe she’ll makes something good.  She really made the Black Eyed Peas turn from minor success story to major success globally.  Link below is the new single , “L.A. Love (La La).”

Oh! This is an urban flavor song. My expectations are dropping faster than the recession of 2008 for this song. 

Production wise this is another DJ Mustard production, the hottest producer in hip hop and probably pop music in the future.  It shares some similarities with Tinashe's song, "2 On" in terms of the bassline. I feel like it is missing excitement in the song when it gets to the chorus. Overall the song production feels uninspired to me.  

Fergie vocals are blah here. She sticks with that annoying voice from "London Bridge" and applys here again. I never like that tonal quality of Fergie. She is not a thug at all, and in fact is the complete opposite of it.  The song itself is catchy after a few listens, but not one of those songs you want in your head.

Originally I thought the lyrics would be about Los Angeles from Fergie point of view.  I wouldn't mind another city anthem if it relates to the city, and their viewpoint. We don't get that here. Instead we get a insert city here, and add urban slang to fill three minutes.  As always let's analyze the lyrics. 

"Uh, tell 'em where I'm from
Finger on the pump, make the sixth straight jump from SoCal"

Fergie is "gunning" down the competition.  This urban form Fergie is not working for me at all. Fergie is not an urban artist at all.

"Hollywood to the slums
Chronic smoke get burnt by the California sun"

Fergie tells the listener of LA wide range demographic of rich to the poor. This line is important because this is the last time LA is ever mention in the rest of the song except in the chorus. We are only four lines into the song not including the chorus.

"Just got to New York like a gnat on a jet

To London, to Brazil, to Quebec
Like the whole damn world took effect to Ferg
Tell 'em"
Yes, Fergie I remember you took over the world with that last album. It was six singles deep though, I think most pop music fans forgot about it.  This is the start of the city shout outs. I am surprised those crazy French Canadians got a shout out, eh.

"Lay back, slow down
Better represent when we come to your town
So lay back, slow down
What you represent when we come to your town
Say, get in with the business
I'ma be there in a minute"

Your city is important too, just not enough for a shout out from Fergie. Sorry Scranton.

"L.A. Got the people saying (la la la la la)

Brooklyn saying (la la la la la)
Hacienda saying (la la la la la)
Vegas saying (la la la la la)
Rio saying (la la la la la)
Tokyo saying (la la la la la)
Down under saying (la la la la la)
Miami saying (la la la la la)
Jamaica"

Normal saying (la la la la la)

Boring OR saying (la la la la)

Bacon, IN saying (la la la... yum)

Intercourse PA saying (la la la to Climax PA)

Pretty catchy city names if I say so myself.

Uh, tell 'em where I'm at
From the plaques to the uh uh
Everything fat
Got Mustard on a track

Fergie meaning behing "plaques" is awards. Once again stupid hip hop non slang. We already know DJ Mustard made the track from the audio watermark earlier. Pretty sure he isn't going away anytime soon from production.

"You on that Cali shit (la la la la la)
Puff it, feel whatever (la la la la la)
You like to like it (la la la la la)
We legalizing it (la la la la la)"

When did Fergie become such an advocator for weed? I don't care if people smoke it, but it is odd coming from her. 

I am done with this song. There isn't much to it besides more city shout outs, and urban slang you heard before.  This is a major disappointment song, and while I didn't have a high hopes for a Fergie comeback single being good; this is worse than I originally thought.  Everything about it is weak, boring, or awful.  I hope Fergie might change course here on the album.  

Final Score: (1.5/5)

Production: Uninteresting, and uninspired.

Lyrics: Boring, and don't suit Fergie at all. This is song about LA not the world. Make sure you are giving the people what the title tells them.

Vocals: Bad.

The remix version with YG is odd combination, but at least he stays on topic about LA. This YG guy might be sticking around longer if DJ Mustard remains indemand producer.

New Pop Tunes 3

Time for another edition of New Pop Tunes after an extended break. 

1. Kendrick Lamar - "i"

Kendrick Lamar got a mixed reaction on this new single for the forecoming album due out this year. I actually like Kendrick on this song. It is a song about depression, and provides a positive anthem for those who struggle with it. The music video has the debut of Kendrick Lamar dancing to hilarious results as well. The Isley Brothers sample, Kendrick lyrics, and positive message make this a song not to miss. Good to hear Kendrick Lamar on the airwaves again. Only con of the song I have is ,who left the "world premiere" audio mark on the final version.


2.  CHVRCHES - "Get Away"

Featured on the soundtrack for Drive, Chrvches provides an 80s tinged ballad.  Chrvches is one of those bands for me that has improved since moving on from their big hits of "The Mother We Share" and "Recover."  The synth sounds were a bit too powerful in my taste in those two previous songs.  I prefer this sound from them, and I hope to hear more from them.


3.  ZHU - "Faded"

This underground dance song has been floating around ,slowly becoming a big hit in each country. I think give it time will follow a similar route to Martin Garrix's "Animals."  I don't expect another Calvin Harris or David Guetta level of success for ZHU. Overall, do I think it will be a big here in the States? This is a coin flip for me, but I hope so.