Another Year In Pop: 43

[katstevens.livejournal.com]

We have a new number one! That makes it 18 singles going straight into the top ten for Girls Aloud (only their third #1, mind), round of applause there.

[Poll #1285924]

Bonkers re-entry watch: Purple Rain by Prince. Any ideas?

Comments

[katstevens.livejournal.com]

I still think it's a notable achievement for GA - I have no idea if anyone else has managed to rack up that many top ten hits this side of the millennium. I do think you're being a bit harsh on 'The Promise' - I agree the verse is pretty weak and the production is a bit Brand New Heavies but I still love the chorus, definitely any good at all.

I missed out 'Walk This Way' when I was counting it all up btw - everyhit has Sugababes listed first so it missed it off! Probably for the best, all things considered.

[lockedintheatti.livejournal.com]

It's also the best first week sales of any record this year, and their best first week since Sound of the Underground. Which is quite surprising to me as it's OK but not that good compared to what they've done in the past.

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

D'you think Cheryl's turn on the X Factor has helped? That's the only thing I can think of.

Well, that and the modishness of the sound they're going for.

[lockedintheatti.livejournal.com]

I think it's more likely the fact that they performed the song on X-Factor, thus exposing it to far more people than would have seen / heard it otherwise. Cheryl's more regular TV presence probably helps a little.

[alexmacpherson.livejournal.com]

It's the chorus which annoys me most actually - it feels really hollow and bleh. The melody goes nowhere and it may as well be about nothing for all the emotion they put into it. (As a side note, GA have never been great at conveying emotion - 'Whole Lotta History' is probably their most moving performance to date - they've always got by on attitude and production. Here they're trying to do a love song but sound as though they haven't even read the lyrics, they're just singing words. Cf Amerie, who's tackling much the same subject on '1 Thing' but you can hear the thrill in every note. And J-Hud, whose performance on 'Spotlight' manages to convey every tiny nuance of a complex emotional situation.)

[alexmacpherson.livejournal.com]

Also my harshness is partly a response to their totemic status...I mean, the only defence of 'The Promise' that I've seen is "it's not THAT bad" but somehow the idea of Girls Aloud as Beloved National Institution has taken root, and it's that I'm reacting against b/c their material hasn't warranted it for ages now.