Pop Blitz 5/3/12
Cheryl Cole - Call My Name
One of many Calvin Harris-produced tracks out right now, this would probably benefit more if it didn't sound so much like everything else. Still, it's far from her worst single. B
Alexandra Burke - Let It Go
Another new dance track from another X-Factor related (in this case "winner of") singer. I don't like this as much as her last single, and there are parts that are stronger than others (the bridge, in particular), but (like Cheryl's) it's a solid B
Maroon 5 - Payphone
I had to give it to them with that Moves Like Jagger song (though it was ridiculously overplayed), but this is back to the downward spiral I feel the band have been in since their first album. It's so generic and... boring. C
Tulisa - Young
Back to the X-Factor related girls, and the fairly forgettable dance tracks. Despite a little more oomph in the vocals, I just don't think this holds together as well as Cole or Burkes' tracks. It's a little all over the place. B-
Justin Bieber - Boyfriend
I'm not sure it's the track he needed to officially break through as an adult artist, but it does become mildly addictive after a few listens. The production, in particular, is refreshingly weird. B+
Pitbull - Back In Time
I'm baffled by why we need a Men In Black III, but apparently we do and this is on the soundtrack. It's actually pretty good until Pitbull starts rapping. The production and samples are really interesting, but I would have preferred it as an instrumental. C+
Karmin - Brokenhearted
This is like Jessie J meets Ke$ha meets every other Katy Perry wannabe. I really can't get into it, mostly because it just sounds so trend-chasing. And the "cheerio" parts are very irritating. C
One of many Calvin Harris-produced tracks out right now, this would probably benefit more if it didn't sound so much like everything else. Still, it's far from her worst single. B
Alexandra Burke - Let It Go
Another new dance track from another X-Factor related (in this case "winner of") singer. I don't like this as much as her last single, and there are parts that are stronger than others (the bridge, in particular), but (like Cheryl's) it's a solid B
Maroon 5 - Payphone
I had to give it to them with that Moves Like Jagger song (though it was ridiculously overplayed), but this is back to the downward spiral I feel the band have been in since their first album. It's so generic and... boring. C
Tulisa - Young
Back to the X-Factor related girls, and the fairly forgettable dance tracks. Despite a little more oomph in the vocals, I just don't think this holds together as well as Cole or Burkes' tracks. It's a little all over the place. B-
Justin Bieber - Boyfriend
I'm not sure it's the track he needed to officially break through as an adult artist, but it does become mildly addictive after a few listens. The production, in particular, is refreshingly weird. B+
Pitbull - Back In Time
I'm baffled by why we need a Men In Black III, but apparently we do and this is on the soundtrack. It's actually pretty good until Pitbull starts rapping. The production and samples are really interesting, but I would have preferred it as an instrumental. C+
Karmin - Brokenhearted
This is like Jessie J meets Ke$ha meets every other Katy Perry wannabe. I really can't get into it, mostly because it just sounds so trend-chasing. And the "cheerio" parts are very irritating. C