Hi! This is my first post for Halftime Hype, and I'm going to go over this week's iTunes top10, which is a pretty good indicator of today's most popular music.
At #10 we have "You Found Me," the latest pop-rock hit from mainstream band The Fray. It's a decent song, with a nice piano intro, but it comes off a bit cliche, and doesn't compare to their older hits, such as "How to Save a Life" or "Over My Head." 8/10
#9 this week is "Kiss You Thru the Phone," by upstart rapper Soulja Boy. Soulja Boy made it big last year when he came out with "CRank that", a very simplistic rap hit that inspired a very annoying yet popular dance. Kiss You is an even worse song, with cliche synths, a forgettable chorus by Sammi, some unknown R&B singer, and some absolutely horrible lyrics from the 16 year old rapper. "Baby, I know that you like me / You my future wifey." Overall, it's a terrible song. 4/10
#8 is "Day N' Nite," a spacey hip hop electro jam by Kid Cudi, Kanye West's latest protege. This song is not only catchy, but has thoughtful and original lyrics, with excellent production and a great hook. This is ten steps up from the last song I reviewed: its melodic, quality music, and a great addition to the rap catalogue on itunes. 9/10
#7 is the latest Miley Cyrus hit: "Hoedown Throwdown." In an attempt to channel her country roots, the teen disney star sings some ridiculous lyrics to a song that may very well be one of the worst country/pop crossover songs. It has a catchy, bouncy beat, yes, but the producer (whoever the lost soul may be) failed to bring together contemporary pop beats and hooks with awkwardly arranged blugrass fiddles and twangy instruments. Oh well, just another reason to hate Hannah Montana. 4.5/10
#6 is "Crazier," by country singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. I must say I have respect for Swift, as she writes her own songs, and produces catchy pop melodies without selling out to the latest pop producers as Miley Cyrus does. Its a nice waltzy ballad with a good arrangement. 8.5/10
#5 is "Right Round," another hit from pop-rap star Flo Rida. Interpolating a sample of "You Spin Me Round," Flo's producers create a catchy, synthezer laden backdrop for the rapper to spit his rapid lyrics over. It's OK as far as pop rap goes, but a rapper like Flo Rida can never compare to any of the greats, like 2pac, Biggie, T.I. Nas, or Kanye. 7.5/10
#4 is "Poker Face," another song by Lady GaGa. GaGa is a new electro-pop dance singer, and without much talent at all, most of her songs are boring, cliche, with dated production and stupid hooks. I wouldn't rate this song lower than a 7/10 if it weren't for her earlier hit, "Just Dance", which is almost identical to it, down to the beat and the exact same synthesizer hook. Desperate and a failure. 6/10
#3 is white rapper extraordinare Eminem's newest single, "We Made You." It isn't the party-starter rap posse jam that "Crack a Bottle," his first most recent single, was, but it's a decent track, with original production, and an OK hook from Jessica Simpson. Overall the lyrics remind me of the old Eminem, from the My Name Is days. I don't see the same genius, but it's a comeback for him, so I'm happy. 8.5/10
#2 is "The Climb," another song from Miley Cyrus. However, this song is much better than the former horrible song. The Climb is a floaty acoustic ballad with a good melody, and surprisingly impressive and mature vocals from Cyrus. If she continues in this vein of country-pop, I think she may gain some artistic dignity. 8/10
#1 is The Black Eyed Peas' newest single, "Boom Boom Pow," and I must say it's a very catchy and interesting track. The production is mostly very bare, but compelling, with a fast hip hop beat and a droning FX in the background. The band members all showcase their rhyming and singing skill, with a flew auto-tune flourishes. It's actually a pretty good song, with the reminder that it is cliche pop hiphop. Despite this, it's got a great hook and electro-dance breakdown with will.i.am showing off his trancey synths to turn the song around. If it were only a little bit more structured, for the song seems to be a bit like a moshpit of good ideas, it could be better. But I think the song is actually pretty good, and a hint of more decent songs to come from BLP perhaps. 8/10
So, there weren't that many great songs this week... I know, I was a bit mean to Soulja Boy and Lady GaGa but let's face it, they;re gonna be the death of music if good artists like Kid Cudi don't stop them. I hope next week shows a little bit more originality, but I may not post another iTunes review until some new trax surface.
Keep listening,
-Jeremy
