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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