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 4/23/10 (U.K. Edition!)

Today marks my last full day in the UK, nearly a week after I anticipated staying here (yes, I'm an "ash traveler"), so I thought I'd celebrate what's hot right now in the country. It's mostly very good, actually.

Diana Vickers - Once
Hated her on X-Factor, but this is a cracking pop song. I guess I've been won over. It's shaping up to be quite the hit, as well. B+

Professor Green - Need You Tonight
This could have been very cool. The INXS sample works really well with a hip-hop song, but the tone of Prof Green's whiny vocals destroys it. They should've given it to Tinchy Stryder instead. C+

Scouting For Girls - This Ain't A Love Song
The video (with people hanging around an airport terminal) has certainly been apt this past week. I don't like everything this band does, but I like this. It's nice in that radio-soft-rock sorta way. B+

Plan B - She Said
Great video to this. The song's a little iffier, with a strong chorus but forgettable verses. I'm glad he does more singing than rapping, though. B-

Chiddy Bang - Opposite Of Adults
Another rap song built on a noticeable sample, but this one works. Using MGMT's Kids as a backbone, it's got a strong hook that's been lodged in my brain for days now. B

Florence + The Machine - Dog Days Are Over
Marvelous. It took a trip to the UK for me to fall in love with her, but I'm completely enchanted. The drums alone on this song are stunning. It's certainly an anthem-in-waiting. A

Tinie Tempah - Pass Out
A huge track over here, and the worst of the bunch. It's a case of unimaginative American-type rap, all about passing out because you drank too much. Charming. C-