Yet Another Year In Pop: 16

[katstevens.livejournal.com]

Calvin still at number one, Eminem's comeback single makes the top 10.

[Poll #1386707]

Lower reaches watch: Keri Hilson and Timbaland sneak in at 83; Deadmau5 & Kaskade are bafflingly up to 64 with a minimal house track from last year (not that I'm complaining!).

Comments

[koganbot]

Eminem "We Made You": Alex Wisgard in the Singles Jukebox says that initially Eminem "seems like he's working against the beat rather than with it." That's exactly what draws me into this, Eminem sounding exhausted but compulsively robotic, struggling uphill against the beat - as if he can't stop himself from grinding out these words. The lyrics don't come within miles of his past glory (more sign of exhaustion, talking about Britney as if she were still with K-Fed; he probably wrote that verse two years ago and couldn't bother to update), but this isn't a simple celeb trash rehash, either. The analogue isn't "The Real Slim Shady" but "Stan": we made you so we should get to fuck you. Like Stan, he gets no response. Has no real chance. BORDERLINE TICK.

The Enemy "No Time For Tears": Ridiculously self-important singing that identifies The Detritus That Represents The Slog Of Reality ("Screwed-up wrappers from a takeaway dinner scattered all over the floor"); then the music shifts to gospel for the part that signifies escape, but the whole thing sounds oppressive. NO TICK.

Miley Cyrus "The Climb": She makes the struggle - the climb - sound a lot more inviting than Em or Enemy do. Smart to court the country audience with a vulnerable-sounding power ballad. TICK.

Frankmusik "Better Off As Two": I just don't get this. The dance beat is too fast and choppy for actual dancing; blips and echoes harry the singer like mosquitoes; I just want to bat away the sound. I perceive in all this a likable, offhand melody, am baffled by the arrangement. NO TICK.

Green Day "Know Your Enemy": Catchy half-bar melody repeated relentlessly. Strange. About a minute and a half in we get a brief verse, then some repeat riffing, then a slight variant on the melody, then back to the original relentless repetition. I like the elements, don't think this quite works, but it could be a grower. BORDERLINE NONTICK.

Girls Aloud "Untouchable": This is the first Girls Aloud single I've loved since "Call The Shots." A great lift from the music, while the singers sound poignantly in need of lifting. Hearts. TICK.