Pop Blitz - U.S. Itunes Top Ten

Time for a little snapshot of Summer 2013 on U.S. itunes. These are the top ten tracks at the time of writing. Do they stack up against other summers?

1. Robin Thicke - Blurred Lines (feat. T.I. & Pharrell)
This is the Summer of throwback jams. I'm continually amazed that Thicke still has such a strong career. This gets a little annoying after repeated listens, but there's no denying nostalgia. B+

2. Miley Cyrus - We Can't Stop
Didn't like it at first, but the track's druggy weirdness won me over in a big way -- enough to become my favorite American Summer track so far this year. A

3. JAY Z - Holy Grail (feat. Justin Timberlake)
Timberlake just annoys me, but his vocals are almost unrecognizable here. I actually really like the first minute or so, but then it becomes all too murky and forgettable. The Nirvana reference doesn't work at all. B-

4. Imagine Dragons - Radioactive
This has become more and more inescapable as the months have gone on. It's not really my thing (a little too dark), but I can appreciate it -- and it's definitely got that big hook. B

5. Daft Punk - Get Lucky (feat. Pharrell Williams)
A nice compliment to song number one, this disco throwback has become a surprising hit. It's deservedly soundtracking the Summer. A-

6. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - Same Love (feat. Mary Lambert)
For some reason, I thought this was Frank Ocean for the longest time. The track never really surpasses its "message" status, but it's an important message and I'm certainly happy that it's become so big. A-

7. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - Can't Hold Us (feat. Ray Dalton)
I'm actually kind of amazed at how much success these guys have had. I'm not as big a fan of this track as the last one, but it's cool enough, I guess. B

8. Florida Georgia Line - Cruise (Remix) [feat. Nelly]
Country and rap... is not something I usually enjoy. Add a healthy bit of vocoder and you've got this weird track. I just don't know... C

9. Anna Kendrick - Cups
She must be absolutely shocked that she suddenly has a top ten hit. I was a fan of Pitch Perfect when it was first out, but have cooled on it quite a bit as it's gained so much popularity. This is... fine (for a little cup ditty). B

10. Bruno Mars - Treasure
I don't know why I've never connected with Bruno Mars. On paper, he should be everything I like. I just can't get into it. This is a nice throwback and better than I expected, actually, so I'm hoping it'll grow on me. For now I'm gonna have to give another B

Pop Blitz: 90's Revival Edition

This Fall, the big story is a 90's revival in the music world. Not only do we have artists that sound like they could've been at home back then (I'm looking at you, Carly Rae Jepsen), but we've got a slew of big 90's acts releasing new music--often their first in years. Here's what I think of a few of the singles. And while we're at it, I'd like to request the return of Shania Twain and Janet Jackson (at least in her 90's heydey).

No Doubt - Settle Down
I wrote about this song when it was first released and said that, while I liked it, it didn't strike me as being strong enough for such an anticipated single. I still think this (and its chart placement echoes my thoughts). The song's still great, but it's more of an album track than hit single. Even so, they're by far my most anticipated comeback on this list. B+

Green Day - Oh Love
Well, they never really went away, but it has been a few years. Unfortunately, I just don't think this is one of their best. It straddles the mid-ground between their older, punkier stuff and their newer, more ornate rock. Melody-wise, though, it's just a little repetitive and unsurprising for my tastes. B-

Matchbox Twenty - She's So Mean
They were a band known for making excellent radio hits, even if they didn't always have the critical respect behind them. This is no bad thing in my book, and this new single follows their template exactly. This might sound like a gripe, but in 2012 their sound is downright refreshing. A very pleasant surprise. A-

Alanis Morissette - Guardian
Alanis has never really reached the heights of her breakthrough album, Jagged Little Pill, since its release, though she has put out some good music. This is a nice little comeback and definitely in keeping with her better work. Plus, it's awesome to hear her distinctive voice again. B+

Pop Blitz: 90's Revival Edition - Your Choice!

No Doubt - Settle DownGreen Day - Oh LoveMatchbox Twenty - She's So MeanAlanis Morissette - Guardian

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Pop Blitz 6/13/12

Kylie Minogue - Timebomb
This is the freshest and youngest Kylie's sounded for awhile. I love that this isn't trying to be a big "event" single. It's just an excellent pop song firing on all cylinders. A

Nelly Furtado - Big Hoops (Bigger The Better)
It's been a long time since Furtado's peak of popularity. This tries to recreate that sound, but to lesser effect. There are parts that I like, but the verses grate in a way her voice hasn't before. B-

Katy Perry - Wide Awake
Her gazillionth single from this era. The thing is, though, they've all been pretty good. This lush ballad is the perfect way to conclude an epic run of singles. A-

Kelly Clarkson - Dark Side
I know many will disagree, but I've never been a fan of Clarkson's sulkier singles. This is perfectly serviceable, but it just doesn't stick with me the way her best material does. B-

Rita Ora - R.I.P. (ft. Tinie Tempah)
Is this even a song? I really can't see any reason for this existing. There's no effective hook, no sense of discernible melody, and so many synths that it drowns everything out in a soup of messy production. D+

Usher - Scream
Usher's had a long career, hasn't he? I definitely prefer old 90's Usher and not this new "Ursher" as he annoyingly calls himself. I like that he's "discovered" dance music, but this sounds like everything else out there right now. C

Rudimental - Feel The Love (ft. John Newman)
Could've used slightly more of a vocal hook, but what's there is pretty good. I like the production. It's not overwhelming and the brass is a welcome surprise. I'm not sure I understand why it was #1 in the UK, but it's nice enough. B+

Pop Blitz 6/13/12 Your Choice!

Kyle Minogue - TimebombNelly Furtado - Big Hoops (Bigger The Better)Katy Perry - Wide AwakeKelly Clarkson - Dark SideRita Ora - R.I.P. (ft. Tinie Tempah)Usher - ScreamRudimental - Feel The Love (ft. John Newman)

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Pop Blitz 3/8/12

Carly Rae Jepsen - Call Me Maybe
I remember Carly from all the way back during Canadian Idol. It's great to see her rack up a worldwide hit. The song's good, too. It's the kind of straight-up pop track that doesn't come along very often anymore. I'd argue that that's why it's been so successful. People want this kind of music back. A-

Gotye - Somebody That I Used To Know
Speaking of massive worldwide hits, this is pretty much conquering the planet. And like with the last track, I think much of its success is down to the fact that it's a complete 180 from what's popular right now. That hook doesn't hurt either. B+

Madonna - Girl Gone Wild
Though her last single was a little embarrassing, it had its moments. This is straight up dance, which is really where she should be at this stage in her career. The verses are pretty forgettable, but the hook sticks. B+

Nicki Minaj - Starships
This is really a pastiche of popular 2011-12 tracks. There are the guitars borrowed from Pink's Raise Your Glass and the dance elements borrowed from almost every song of the last year. Yeah, it's catchy, but it's almost ridiculously unoriginal. B-

Katy Perry - Part Of Me
This track's been floating around for ages, but I'm happy that it's now a single. It's up their with Perry's best--uncomplicated, glossy power pop. Her strong singles reign continues. A-

Carrie Underwood - Good Girl
It's Carrie in uptempo, rocking "he done me wrong" mode. I really like the sound of this, but I feel like it's missing something extra that would have pushed it over the edge. B

Train - Drive By
I dread a new Train single. But, with expectations as low as they can be, this isn't too bad. However, it's not horribly, drill-into-your-head contagious like their worst hits, so it probably won't do that well. C

Your Choice: What's your favorite Pop Blitz song this week?

Pop Blitz 3/8/12 Your Choice!

Carly Rae Jepsen - Call Me MaybeGotye - Somebody That I Used To KnowMadonna - Girl Gone WildNicki Minaj - StarshipsKaty Perry - Part Of MeCarrie Underwood - Good GirlTrain - Drive By

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Pop Blitz 1/26/12

Santigold - Big Mouth
This definitely has some bonkers M.I.A. influence to it. I like the production (especially that frenetic hook), but I wish there was a little more focus on melody. Still, a promising return. B

Alexandra Burke - Elephant
I would have never expected such a lush, electronic sound from Burke. It's a pleasant diversion from the more straightforward pop of her debut. In fact, it doesn't sound anything like her. She's following trends, but this totally works. A-

Lana Del Rey - Born To Die
Lana's not the easiest artist to love, and the verdict's out on her album, but I really enjoy her singles. This has an epic atmosphere, though it's really pretty subdued. I love the hip-hop elements of the production and the melody's quite haunting and memorable in its simplicity. A

Chris Brown - Turn Up The Music
It's no surprise that he's continued to explore the clubby side of his music after his success in that genre, but unfortunately this isn't quite as strong melodically as past singles. Not bad, but not particularly memorable either. B-

Emeli Sande - Next To Me
Emeli's certainly going for the more serious side of pop music. This isn't particularly fun or innovative, but the melody's nice enough. Still, I can't say that this track would warrant my undivided attention if it came on the radio. It's pleasant. B-

Kelly Clarkson - What Doesn't Kill You (Stronger)
To me, this is Clarkson-by-numbers. I like Kelly's music, but I have trouble picking this one out of the crowd. It's anthemic, yeah, but the melody feels recycled. It sounds like the commercial to some reality show. C+

Jason Derulo - Breathing
Shania Twain recorded a song a few years back with almost the same lyrics in the chorus. That's the thing about Derulo. Nothing ever feels new. He samples in nearly every single and the sample here (is it a sample?) is by far the best part. In other words, the parts where he's not singing are awesome. The rest... not so much. C+

Your Choice: What's your favorite Pop Blitz song this week?

Pop Blitz 1/26/12 Your Choice!

Santigold - Big MouthAlexandra Burke - ElephantLana Del Rey - Born To DieChris Brown - Turn Up The MusicEmeli Sande - Next To MeKelly Clarkson - What Doesn't Kill You (Stronger)Jason Derulo - Breathing

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Pop Blitz 12/8/11

Flo-Rida - Good Feeling
The sample used in this track is an interesting sidestep for Flo-Rida. After that, it's pretty much what you'd expect. Still, for the sample, this deserves at least a solid B

Rebecca Ferguson - Nothing's Real But Love
The song's about as sleepy as I'd expect from this X-Factor runner-up. It's better than Cardle's debut, but nothing I'd listen to regularly (or remember in a year's time). C+

Jason Derulo - Fight For You
What is it up with this guy and samples? I'm sorry, but you don't touch Toto's Africa. This is about 0.000002% as good as the original. D

Avicii - Levels
Where have I heard this before? Ah, yes... two tracks ago with Flo-Rida's song. Yeah, this is the track he sampled (stole?). It's about as good here as it was there. Nothing revolutionary, but pleasant. B

Kelly Rowland - Down For Whatever
Rowland continues with her successful club sound. It's not as good as her prior singles, but this is definitely the genre she should be recording in. I just wish the melody was a little more inventive. B-

Justin Bieber - Mistletoe
It's not easy to write an original Christmas song. This is far from a trainwreck, but it's still pretty stupid. Luckily, it's too damn catchy to dismiss entirely. B-

Jessie J - Domino
I'm no fan of this girl, but this is at least one of her better singles. I would've preferred it sung by someone like Katy Perry. Still, it's solid radio fodder. B

Your Choice: What's your favorite Pop Blitz song this week?

Pop Blitz 12/8/11 Your Choice!

Flo-Rida - Good FeelingRebecca Ferguson - Nothing's Real But LoveJason Derulo - Fight For YouAvicii - LevelsKelly Rowland - Down For WhateverJustin Bieber - MistletoeJessie J - Domino

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Pop Blitz 10/26/11

One Direction - Got To Be You
Not as strong as their last single, but this is pretty much everything you'd hope a boy band ballad would be. Bonus points for the interesting choice of harmonies in the chorus. It's a very winter-sounding track. A-

Olly Murs - Dance With Me Tonight
His last single was the single best thing he's done. This isn't, but it's still better than the tracks they chose to release off his debut. It's certainly catchy, but I feel it has a very limited shelf life. B-

Professor Green - Read All About It
His voice is like nails on a chalkboard to me. It's like everything that bugs me about Eminem amped up even further. The hook is alright, I suppose. C

Will Young - Come On
That's two great singles in a row from Mr. Young. This is excellent stuff. Not quite as excellent as Jealousy, but very enjoyable. A-

Rizzle Kicks - When I Was A Youngster
Their ascent to total domination continues unabated. It's not necessarily my thing, but I can appreciate this. I really like these guys, and this may be even better than their last single. B+

Yolanda Be Cool - Le Bump
I was a huge fan of the deliriously We No Speak Americano. This is not up to that level, even though it tries to be. In fact, I'm finding the hooks pretty forgettable. C+

Coldplay & Rihanna - Princess Of China
It's a neat collaboration in theory, and this isn't bad. However, I think I was expecting more from the caliber of stars involved. Like Coldplay's past few singles, it just doesn't go anywhere. Still, it's much better than Paradise. B-

Your Choice: What's your favorite Pop Blitz song this week?

Pop Blitz 10/26/11 Your Choice!

One Direction - Got To Be YouOlly Murs - Dance With Me TonightProfessor Green - Read All About ItWill Young - Come OnRizzle Kicks - When I Was A YoungsterYolanda Be Cool - Le BumpColdplay & Rihanna - Princess Of China

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Pop Blitz 9/29/11

Kelly Clarkson - Mr. Know It All
It's a breezy return for Clarkson, and this song goes down real easy. I'm actually surprised how much I like it. Her vocals sound so amazing on the chorus. A-

The Wanted - Lightning
I love this melodically, but I can't help but feel that there's a little something missing in the production. Even so, this easily keeps up their run of brilliant pop singles. B+

Rihanna - We Found Love
It's another big hit, and a new venture into a very European sound. Thank Calvin Harris, whose production is gonna sound very fresh in the US (even though it's getting pretty stale worldwide). Still, this is more anthemic than she's sounded in awhile. A-

Jason Derulo - It Girl
I like how everyone's jumping on the whistle craze now that Maroon 5 have found such success with it. Unfortunately, the whistling is by far the best part of this forgettable slow jam. C+

Bruno Mars - It Will Rain
It's an odd choice for a Twilight soundtrack, for sure. For me, his singles have either been amazing or dire so far. This is oddly somewhere in the middle. Certainly not bad, but it doesn't have that "wow" factor, either. B-

Pixie Lott - All About Tonight
If she's looking for a US career, she would be wise to offer this as her opening salvo. It never breaks away from trendiness, but it's her catchiest single to date by a mile. B

B.O.B. - Strange Clouds (ft. Lil' Wayne)
A lot's riding on this comeback single. It's certainly not the crossover hit he needs for pop radio, but it's not hideously mediocre either. It's a little Tinie Tempah-esque, except not as good. C+

Your Choice: What's your favorite Pop Blitz song this week?

Pop Blitz 9/29/11 Your Choice!

Kelly Clarkson - Mr. Know It AllThe Wanted - LightningRihanna - We Found LoveJason Derulo - It GirlBruno Mars - It Will RainPixie Lott - All About TonightB.O.B. - Strange Clouds (ft. Lil' Wayne)

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Pop Blitz 9/19/11

Leona Lewis - Collide
Lewis's career needed a real kick in the butt, and I think this is it. I love hearing her staggering voice over anthemic dance production. This could do for her what When Love Takes Over did for Kelly Rowland. A

The Saturdays - All Fired Up
Similar dance sound, but I just don't really get the appeal of this group. I think I keep comparing them to Girls Aloud and they're suffering from that. It's just a little anonymous and forgettable to me. They've done better. B-

Dappy - No Regrets
The chorus is pretty strong, but the verses let it down. It plods along like a typical Chris Brown song, but I don't think there's a lot of staying power. C+

Coldplay - Paradise
It's a new sound from the band, playing around with an epic, electronic soundscape. Beyond that, though, it's more of the same. I'm not sure it's one of their stronger songs melodically, but it's not bad. B-

Florence + The Machine - Shake It Out
I'm liking this more each time I hear it, but I still think the hook is ten times stronger than the verses (which take awhile to get going). It's no Dog Days, but it'll do for now. B+

Darren Hayes - Black Out The Sun
I'm a huge Darren Hayes fan. Have been since the 90's. Sadly, though, I'm finding this new single kind of... boring? I don't know what it is. It just feels like it's all epic and grand with something missing. Maybe it just sounds too much like all of his other stuff to me. B-

Will Young - Jealousy
This is stunning. It easily leapfrogs over every other Will Young song as my favorite single of his career. I'd like about twenty more of these in his future. This is the kind of thing that'll make him the next George Michael. A

Pop Blitz 8/19/11

Nero - Promises
This is by far my favorite single they've released. It's got the poppiest song structure yet, but an indie edge reminiscent of La Roux. This just screams "crossover hit" to me. A-

Joe Jonas - Love Slayer
Well, it's certainly a jump into the dance/r&b genre for him, but like the first solo track, this has a gaping hole where melody should be. Listen to Darin's Love Killer instead. You won't be missing anything here. D+

JLS - She Makes Me Wanna
This is actually a lot better than most of the stuff they've released. It's nowhere near classic, and is completely trendy/derivative, but for what it is, it's alright. I wouldn't switch the radio if this was on. It's very similar to the Wanted's new single, though (and that one's better). B

Lil' Wayne (ft. Drake) - She Will
I've never really had any interest in Lil' Wayne. I honestly don't even know how to review this, since it's really not my thing at all. I guess it's alright? Pretty dirgy, though, for a rap song that's #1 on itunes. C-

Olly Murs (ft. Rizzle Kicks) - Heart Skips A Beat
Another artist I don't like (he's annoying). But, I've got to admit that I sort of like this song. You really can't tell it's Olly Murs. I wish it wasn't, because then I'd probably love it. As it stands, it's still quite enjoyable. Although I do find it really strange that Rizzle Kicks agreed to be featured on this. B+

Jessie J - Who's Laughing Now
I definitely like this better than her last single, which I hated, but there's still something totally missing in this popstar package for me. The laughing parts are so freaking scary sounding. I feel like the chorus slightly lets down the verses, too. But I do like the video. C+

Example - Stay Awake
Well, it's not as epic as his last single (one of the best of the summer), but this is still very good. I'm obsessed with Example's sound, and really believe that it could be as popular over here as it is in the UK. This is growing on me with each listen. A-

Pop Blitz 7/21/2011

Rebecca Black - My Moment
The subversive part of me really wants this girl to carve out a career based solely on her WTF story. However, this song isn't gonna do it. It's neither good enough to leave an impact, nor bad enough to laugh at. C

Selena Gomez & The Scene - Love You Like A Love Song
Selena's got some team surrounding her. It's not like she's a powerhouse singer (at all), but her brand of radio pop keeps getting better and catchier. This is another surprisingly excellent, dub-step influenced, hit. A-

Calvin Harris - Bounce (ft. Kelis)
Essentially a Kelis song wrapped in Calvin Harris production, this is a summer dance tune that certainly goes down easy. It's nothing revolutionary, but the instrumental hook works and Kelis's vocals sound nice. B+

DJ Fresh - Louder (ft. Sian Evans)
More UK dance music, though the aggressive production makes this a little less clubby than the last track. It's grown on me, but I don't think I'll be playing this beyond the Summer. B-

Six D - Best Damn Night
This was featured heavily on American reality show The Dance Scene, and that's probably the only reason I sort of like it. Now that I've heard it more often, though, I'm convinced it is a little too harried and derivative for its own good. C+

Hot Chelle Rae - Tonight Tonight
Every summer, America seems to pick one "rock" song to get obsessed about (last year it was Neon Trees' Animal, btw). This is not as good. It actually reminds me a little of a borderline novelty song from the 90's. It could be a whole lot worse, but it doesn't do a lot for me either. C+

Rizzle Kicks - Down With Trumpets
While I'm not really sold on this song, I think this rap duo has heaps of potential. They do need a better hook, though. This feels just a bit lazy, even with the nice sample and funny lyrics. B-

Pop Blitz 6/28/11

Maroon 5 (ft. Christina Aguilera) - Moves Like Jagger
I haven't been a Maroon 5 fan for a couple of albums now, but this is easily my favorite single they've released since at least 2008. That whistling hook is the strongest part and carries the entire song for me, while Christina is very misplaced and only distracts. A-

Coldplay - Moving To Mars
Definitely different for them, and more than a little Bowie-inspired, this is an interesting promo single. I'd like it better with a different single, but that's more personal preference than anything. B

Kelly Rowland - Motivation
Though this single's doing well, moving from dance to staccato r&b was not a decision I'm happy about for Rowland. Like Beyonce's most recent efforts, there's not enough melody in this. C-

One Republic - Good Enough
Like most of their songs, this single's bread and butter is in its repetition. It's a style of songwriting that I'm getting a little sick of (including the trademark Tedder drum beats). This doesn't do much for me. C+

Beyonce - Best Thing I Never Had
Her album may be a disastrous disappointment, but this is at least one of its better tracks. It's a big, soulful ballad with some rock 'n roll production in the chorus. It's not up with her best, but it's alright. B-

Ed Sheeran - The A Team
The lyrics are definitely the standout here. Beyond that the melody's pretty forgettable and I'm actually surprised this is as popular as it is. I guess Europe needs its John Mayer too. B-

Cobra Starship - You Make Me Feel
Embracing rather than setting trends, this is catchy but sounds like EVERYTHING ELSE and very little like Cobra Starship. It's a disappointment after their last album, which was actually pretty strong. C+

Pop Blitz 6/17/11

Black Eyed Peas - Don't Stop The Party
I'm not sure that BEP has released any singles from this latest album that I've liked. This definitely doesn't break the pattern. It's not as irritating as a few of the others, but it's not as effortlessly catchy as their best work. The production's better than the hooks. C-

Selena Gomez & The Scene - Bang Bang Bang
Not technically a single (just a promo release), but I wanted to include it because I (surprisingly) have really fallen for this song. It's like a tween version of La Roux's Bulletproof. I LOVE the synth production and the general laid-back coolness of this. She's growing up! A-

Nicole Scherzinger - Right There (ft. 50 Cent)
It's not up there with the prior two singles (particularly the brilliant Don't Hold Your Breath), and I hate the unnecessary 50 Cent feature, but this has grown on me. I like the hook, and that's about it. Problem is, it doesn't have much of an impact when all's said and done. B-

Eric Saade - Hearts In The Air (ft. J-Son)
It's not as strong as Popular, but this is still a decent follow-up. The verses are better than the chorus (which sounds a little too familiar). It's enough to get me excited for the album, though. B+

Shania Twain - Today Is Your Day
It is so GOOD to hear Shania again. This gets instantly higher marks just for that. The song itself is pretty underwhelming... not one of her better ballads. But she sounds great and there's a catchy guitar hook buried somewhere in here. B

Jason Derulo - Don't Wanna Go Home
This is probably the most important single for him as far as longevity is concerned. The multiple samples used make this more of a hodgepodge than an actual original song, but the production's reliably glossy. I think the jury's out. All this has done is confused me. B-

Cher Lloyd - Swagger Jagger
Oh, how I loved Cher Lloyd in X-Factor last year. However, this track is all of her worst tendencies thrown into one song. Whereas I'm not sure about the Jason Derulo song, the sample here (Oh My Darling Clementine? Really??) does not work at all. What the hell did they do to her? D+

Pop Blitz 6/3/11

The Wanted - Glad You Came
The world's most relevant boyband (currently, at least) returns with a new single inspired by European dance hits of the past few years. It's a natural transition and an interesting choice for them. The production definitely works. I think I'm going to need to give the melody a chance to grow, though. B+

Coldplay - Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall
I didn't even know they were releasing a new single this month. I've never been as big a fan as some (always preferred Keane, to be honest), and although this doesn't have the wow factor that Viva La Vida had, it's much better than I expected. I dig the power pop melody, though the production feels a little muddled. B

Pitbull - Give Me Everything
Does it sound like all of the other urban/dance hybrids out there? Yep. But it's at least a pretty solid example of the genre. It'll sound dated in about a month, but there are definitely worse things out there. B-

Joe Jonas - See No More
This project had so much potential, but this song is not very good. The verses are nonexistent and the chorus sounds like a weak Jesse McCartney track. I never really liked the Jonas Brothers, but their singles were better than this. C-

Aloe Blacc - I Need A Dollar
This is a real throwback, and I'm happy to see such a strong soul track doing well in the UK. It's the Adele factor, I guess. People are into this kind of stuff. It's got a real authenticity to it and is spot-on lyrically for this particular moment in time. B

Nicki Minaj - Super Bass
I've tried to get into the whole Minaj thing, but it hasn't been easy. I do like this. It's got that crazy sound you want with Nicki's music, but doesn't forget a strong(ish) hook. B

Alex Gaudino - What A Feeling
Kelly Rowland again ventures into the dance realm with this collaboration. It's, as usual, a great match for her vocals. The song could be stronger, but it'll do for the Summer. B+

Pop Blitz 5/6/11

Friendly Fires - Live Those Days Tonight
Like their past singles, this has that distinct electro-indie vibe. I can appreciate it, and I actually quite like it, but there's something holding me back from loving it. The production is probably the strongest aspect. B

Jordin Sparks - I Am Woman
She's recorded exactly two brilliant pop songs in her career and everything else has really failed to impress me. This, unfortunately, will be filed with "the rest." From the cluttered production to the girl power lyrics, it's like a subpar Beyonce b-side. C

Hard-Fi - Good For Nothing
It's been a long time. The band definitely suffered from the sophomore slump, but I'm not sure if this is enough to bring them back out of obscurity. They've lost much of their electronic influence in favor of guitars. C+

Lady Antebellum - Just A Kiss
They're clearly aiming for the kind of crossover success they achieved with their breakout single, as this isn't all that country. Instead, it's a calibrated-for-radio-success ballad that sounds an awful lot like their last one. Nice vocals and melody in the verses, but it's a little sleepy. The chorus should be stronger. B-

Jennifer Lopez - I'm Into You
It's certainly a comedown from the excellent On The Floor. This midtempo, slightly Latin sounding pop song has some of the dippiest lyrics of the season, but the melody is infuriatingly catchy. B

Rye Rye - Never Will Be Mine (ft. Robyn)
I never thought something that sampled Robyn could be so bad. Rye Rye basically takes on of the best songs of the last decade (Be Mine, the acoustic version in this case) and craps all over it. My only hope is that this would lead people to listen to the original. D-

Cody Simpson - On My Mind
He's tried to be the next Justin Bieber so hard, but it was never gonna happen. Now that his voice has changed, he's aiming to become the next Chris Brown, apparently. As derivative as this is, it's still the best thing he's recorded by far. B-

Pop Blitz 4/29/11 (UK Edition)

In honor of the Royal Wedding (which I really don't care about), today's Pop Blitz only features music from the UK (which I really care about!)

The Feeling - Set My World On Fire
The formerly popular soft-rockers return with an uplifting, breezy single that has an undeniable chorus. This could easily be irritating, but I'm really loving it. It's got such a buoyant sound. A-

Nero - Guilt
A dark, sleazy beat supports airy vocals. It's an interesting contrast and sets this club track apart from all of the other hundreds out there. Not a classic, but very enjoyable. B+

Wretch 32 - Unorthodox
This features Example, which can only be a good thing, but still fails to make much of an impact (even with a hooky Stone Roses sample). At least it's not offensive to the ears like many similar tracks are. B-

Clare Maguire - The Shield And The Sword
Maguire's singles just keep getting better (and there are plenty more ready on her album). This is slightly more uptempo than her releases thus far, with a powerful, grandiose melody. A

Olly Murs - Busy
Well, if you've heard his other singles (or any of Jason Mraz's), you've heard this. I really have a bit of a thing against this "back porch" throwaway rock. It's supposed to be "chill" and everything, but it just fizzles into nothing. C

Jessie J - Nobody's Perfect
I've yet to understand any of the hype surrounding this artist. Her first single was alright, the second was horrible, and this one goes nowhere. I still don't get why people like this. C-

Birdy - Skinny Love
Now this seems a little more special, especially taking in the artist's age (she's only 14). The song's a cover, but the voice is the true standout here. With only a piano for support, it's really pretty stunning. A-

I've had my say, now it's time for yours! What's your favorite song of this week's blitz?

Pop Blitz 4/29/11 Your Choice!

The Feeling - Set My World On FireNero - GuiltWretch 32 - UnorthodoxClare Maguire - The Shield & The SwordOlly Murs - BusyJessie J - Nobody's PerfectBirdy - Skinny Love

Free polls from Pollhost.com

Pop Blitz 4/19/11

Lady Gaga - Judas
Yes, it's basically Bad Romance Part Two, but you can't deny that the thing's catchy. A little more innovation would have bumped this up a notch, but Gaga by the numbers is still something to get excited about. A-

Alexandra Stan - Mr. Saxobeat
The latest European dance hit, sampling a saxophone loop. It's hardly original, and it's not as catchy as either We No Speak Americano or Stereo Love, two similar hits in this genre. It's just a little dull. C+

Jennifer Lopez - Papi
After On The Floor, which I loved, Jennifer Lopez suddenly got interesting again. This isn't quite up to that level, even though it strives for the same international appeal. Still, it's better than the stuff she's been releasing the past few years. B

Tinie Tempah - Written In The Stars
After hitting it big in the UK, this seems to be Tempah's American breakthrough. It's got a nice hook that reminds me of that Airplanes song from last summer. It's better than that, though nothing that's really knocking my socks off. The surging production is the best part. B-

Owl City - Galaxies
A couple years ago, I hated nothing more than Owl City and his whiny Fireflies song. The vocals in this are so much more tolerable and the melody and production is shockingly good. What ruins it are the cheesy religious lyrics. I wish they were in another language so that I could ignore them. B

LMFAO - Party Rock Anthem
A hit around the world, this has (weirdly) yet to strike in America. Give it time. This will be everywhere. It's irritating, yet somehow it's almost impossible not to like. It's what BEP could sound like if they didn't take themselves so seriously. The video's better than the song, though. B-

Bruno Mars - The Lazy Song
After a pair of strong singles, this Jason Mraz castoff is a misstep. I can't believe this was chosen as a single. It's a weak album track, at best, with annoying lyrics. I hope to god I don't have to hear this over and over on the radio. D+

Pop Blitz 4/6/11

Noah & The Whale - L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N.
I've been very much enjoying this band's reinvention as a slick, melodic aor rock act. This isn't one of my favorites from the album, but it's got a laid-back nostalgic sound. B+

Usher - More
Usher delves even further into club sounds, and this is one of his strongest singles in years. It's very Taio Cruz, which means it's gonna sound old fast, but for now I'm enjoying this. B+

Pitbull - Hey Baby (Drop It To The Floor)
Empty calories. I'm not a fan of the heavily distorted vocals that make up the chorus to this. Pitbull's part is passable, but I don't think this is all that memorable. C

Alexis Jordan - Good Girl
There's something refreshing about Jordan's simple, airy pop. The drums on this are fantastic, but on the whole it's not as strong as her debut. The chorus is pretty strong, though. B+

Mumford & Sons - The Cave
Melodically, this is like a slowed down version of their last single. It's a nice, strummy, Summer-sounding single. Very pleasant, but I'm already a little sick of it. B

Willow Smith - 21st Century Girl
Not a bad song, necessarily, but the delivery is very annoying and the lyrics are just ridiculous given who the singer is. Give this to Rihanna, switch it up a bit, and it could be pretty good. B-

The Strokes - Under Cover Of Darkness
Their much-lauded return to form kicks off with this pleasant, jangly single. They've had stronger, for sure. I love the sound of it, but there isn't really much of a hook beyond the guitars. B-

Pop Blitz 3/17/11

George Michael - True Faith
Michael comes back with a midtempo track (a cover of the New Order hit) that overuses vocoder effects. He's got one of the best pop voices of all time, so what's with the electronics? And why can't we get something more uptempo (or at least with a better melody)? C-

Glee Cast - Loser Like Me
Glee remains as frustrating as it is entertaining. There's more potential than this radio-friendly track displays, but it's not bad, either. Next time, they need to opt for a more unique sound that capitalizes on their use of choral harmonies. B

Selena Gomez - Who Says
It's a brief (hopefully) pit stop to "uplifting" Taylor Swift-esque material for the Disney star. It's actually not as bad as I feared. The production's catchy enough, but I wish it was in another language so that I couldn't understand the lame lyrics. C+

The Wanted - Gold Forever
They're really building up a strong set of singles. This is the exact direction I was hoping they'd follow -- more electronic, more dramatic and uptempo. It's a promising sign for their second album, whenever they decide to release it. A

Martin Solveig & Dragonette - Hello
If this is what it takes to give Dragonette a world-wide audience, I'm totally okay with it. It's not the band's best track (and yeah, I know it's Solveig's song, but it sounds enough like Dragonette to be classified as such), but even their average material is heads above most everything else. A-

Jessie J - Price Tag
Honestly, isn't the chorus to this exactly the same as Pink's "F**king Perfect" (another song that completely underwhelmed me)? I just don't get the hype over this. It's dull, predictable and forgettable. What am I missing? C+

Black Eyed Peas - Just Can't Get Enough
How can one band be responsible for both some of the worst songs and best songs on the past few years? This isn't close to their low point (that would be previous single, the vomitatious "The Time (Dirty Bit)") but it's no "I Gotta Feeling," either. It's simply alright. B-

Pop Blitz 12/08/10

Jessie J - Do It Like A Dude
I like this girl because I think she's got charisma. But... I'm not crazy about this song. It grates a little and I just feel like for as much hype as she's getting, she could've come with something more original. B-

The Wanted - Lose My Mind
Their debut album was stronger than it had to be and really quite a good listen, but this song has never screamed "single" to me. It's one of their more skippable tracks, particularly because it sounds way too much like Kings of Leon. As an album track, I love it, but I wish it would've stayed that way. B

Bruno Mars - Grenade
He was smart to release this, one of his album's strongest tracks, as a single. If he continues this quality, he's going to have quite a career. The vocals are amazing. A-

Coldplay - Christmas Lights
If any band were made to write a Christmas song, it would be Coldplay (especially after Clocks). This is somewhat underwhelming, mostly because it really doesn't sound like Christmas at all. That's probably the point, but to me it's a missed opportunity. C+

Sugarland - Stuck Like Glue
I first heard this a couple of months ago and thought: "hey, this country song could totally cross over to pop radio." And it did. It's dangerously catchy. I'm not even sure if I like it, but I can't resist it, which means once it becomes even more ubiquitous I'm sure I'll hate it. For now, it's an A-

Wiz Khalifa - Black And Yellow
I was all prepared to hate this, but the beat's actually really good and the hook's not bad either. I could see this easily pulling 50 Cent In Da Club type success and crossing over. It's not really my thing, but for what it is it's solid. B

Natalia Kills - Mirrors
This reminds me a little of what Lady Gaga sounded like when she first came out. It's great, but the only problem is that we have a Lady Gaga already and it's just a little too similar. Even the vocal delivery is the same. That being said, I'm liking this more each time I hear it. A week ago this would've been a B- at most. Now it's a B+