Song Of The Day: Nickelback- "When We Stand Together"

That's right, everyone's favorite band is back!  New album November 21!  Multiple singles already released!  There's no better time than a Nickelback release!  Brings all the haters out of the woodwork.

In all seriousness, I have always been baffled by the irrational hatred of Nickelback.  I have never in my life met anyone who proclaimed themselves a Nickelback fan (maybe I hang out with the wrong crowds), and I have met many, many people who legitimately believe Nickelback is the lone reason for the demise of the music industry.  Yet somehow they're the most consistently successful rock band on the charts these days.  Perhaps it's because of their success that they inspire so much hatred.  I think it's more because rock music fans have become such post-ironic, cynical hipsters, and Nickelback is so straightforward, that Nickelback manages to embody a lot of those fans' inner insecurities.  Oooh, ouch.  I went there.

Either way, I genuinely enjoy a lot of Nickelback songs.  This, however, is not their best work.  It's pleasing enough to listen to, but it never really gets going.  Hopefully the rest of their album will contain some gems, but we'll just have to wait and see.

Song Of The Day: T-Pain feat. Wiz Khalifa & Lily Allen- "5 O'Clock"

If you were putting odds on which two artists were most likely to collaborate, T-Pain and Lily Allen would have some of the longest odds of any two artists in the world.  And after only listening to this song one or two times, I'm not totally certain the pairing really works.  But it doesn't really matter- it's T-Pain.  Therefore, it's a jam.  And I'm really excited that he's expanding his range and pairing up with some outside-the-box acts.  The first two singles off his next album, rEVOLVEr, were lackluster, and this is much better.  It gives me hope that the album will come close to some off his classics like Rappa Ternt Sanga and Epiphany.

Songs Of The Day (RAUNCHMODE): Chris Brown feat. Ludacris- "Wet The Bed," Plies feat. Ludacris & Jeremih- "Just The Tip"

There is just nothing better than a tender, awkwardly oversexual R&B babymakin' jam.  Preferably one with a name that leaves less than zero doubt about the subject matter of the song.  And right here I think we have the two winners for the Best Song Name of 2011 award.  I don't think ANYTHING will even come close to "Wet The Bed," let alone "Just The Tip." 

Seriously.  Just when you think Plies can get any more sexually explicit, he comes out with a song that's actually called "Just The Tip."  Bravo, Plies.  I've loved you since Day 1, and you're only getting better as time goes on.  You've never been one to beat around the bush, and it makes for fascinating listening.  Just The Tip.  Unreal.  And Chris Brown makes his first (to my knowledge anyway) foray into the world of not-really-disguised-at-all audio porn with the incredibly, uh, open "Wet The Bed." 

And in case you're wondering which one to download, yes, "Wet The Bed" is about 10x better of a song than "Just The Tip."  But that's not really the point here.

P.S. How much of a stone-cold lock was it that Ludacris would make an appearance on both of these songs?  He's contractually obligated to appear on every song with an embarrassingly specific sexual title, right?  In both of these songs, when Luda came on I just went, "Yep, and there's the Ludacris verse, knew that would be coming at some point here."  Not even the tiniest bit surprised.

Song Of The Day: B.o.B. feat. Lil Wayne- "Strange Clouds"

I'd like to take some credit for being one of the people who "knew" about B.o.B. before mainstream America.  His song "I'll Be In The Sky" was one of my favorites from the moment I heard it, and I knew he would hit it big someday.  Well, someday has already arrived, and now he's hoping he can keep it going for a while longer.

"Strange Clouds" is not his catchiest song to date- hard to do that when you're rapping over a pseudo-dubstep beat.  But it does feature some real lyricism, and that dark, lush beat hits real hard.  Plus a guest spot from Lil Wayne never hurt anybody.  All in all I'm a fan of "Strange Clouds" and I hope B.o.B. continues to tear it up.  I just hope rumors of him now having a big head are untrue.

Song Of The Day: Gavin DeGraw- "Not Over You"

It's been a long time since we last heard from Gavin DeGraw, but I, for one, am very excited to see him back on the scene.  On "Not Over You" he seems to be picking up where he left off, creating the same sound that won him so many fans in the first place.  This will fit right in on Top 40 and Adult Alternative radio, so get used to it.  The video bothered me a bit, though, because every second they were showing Gavin DeGraw equated to one second they weren't showing his girl, who may be on my short list for All-Time Hottest Chicks (that will have to be its own post someday).  Let's just say I can understand why he's not over her.

Song Of The Day: Rihanna feat. Calvin Harris- "We Found Love"

NEW RIHANNA SONG HERE!!! (Click "Open in New Tab" so you can read what I wrote)!!!

No idea if this link will continue to work, but it does right now, so: mission accomplished.  If/when she puts up the official audio on YouTube, I'll embed that instead.

Obviously this is a big day here at CMN.  A new Rihanna album is roughly a once-a-year event, and the first single is a huge, huge moment.  And it came as a complete surprise to me too; I had no idea Rihanna was working on new material, then I opened the iTunes Store today and boom!  A new Rihanna track, featuring Calvin Harris, staring me in the face!  And promises for a new album to be released November 21!  I couldn't click play fast enough.

My thoughts: this is a very, very good song.  It's pretty hard to go wrong with Rihanna and Calvin Harris.  However, last year's "Only Girl" hit me like a ton of bricks the first time I hear it.  I haven't warmed up to this one quite as quickly.  The beat's a little sparse, and the melody's a little repetitive.  Also, it's more of a pure house track, not as much a pop song, although "Pop" is what it's labeled.  However, like I said, it's very good, very catchy, and it WILL hit #1, and be a club jam in the upcoming months.  As long as Rihanna keeps making songs like this, I'm all good.

Song Of The Day: Sean Paul feat. Alexis Jordan- "Got 2 Luv U"

Once again I could understand about 15% of the words coming out of Sean Paul's mouth without using a cheat sheet.  This is in keeping with the vast majority of Sean Paul songs.  In fact, probably every Sean Paul song.  Doesn't matter, though.  Nobody outside of Jamaica can actually understand this dude.  Hasn't stopped him from selling millions of records, or at least millions of singles.  Honestly the best part of this song is the chorus.  No idea who Alexis Jordan is, but I'd say she's got a future, if only as a featured artist used in choruses in songs like this.

Song Of The Day: The Rej3ctz- "Cat Daddy"

Most of the songs featured on this blog can more or less be described as "guilty pleasures."  Which is why for me to actually specify that a certain song is a true guilty pleasure, must mean that song is really, really dumb.  But I have the softest of soft spots for jams like this.  The artistry involved here is negligible, but that's not the point.  The point is that they rap about Spongebob, do a dance that incorporates a pantomime wheelchair-rolling, and, best of all, elaborate that they're "In the club, all black, goin' Akon."  Not to mention they're dressed like complete goons*.  Just impossible not to love something like this.

*Yes, that's Goons, with a G.  Nothing else.  Come at me, NAACP.  I dare you.

Songs Of The Day: Jennifer Lopez- "Papi," The Script- "Nothing"

These two songs couldn't be much more different from each other, but if you watch each of these videos, it's pretty easy to see their similar messages: love sucks.  First, we have the J-Lo video.  Thousands of guys going after one girl.  It's hard not to feel like the situation is pretty similar every time you go out, and in the end it turns out she's taken.  But let's just say you do manage to beat the odds and "give her the flower."  Well then at some point she's gonna dump you and then you're gonna feel like the guy from The Script and drunkenly try to commit suicide so you can be back with her in heaven.  Let's just hope your friends are as good as his, and jump into the river after you so you can live to start the process over again.

Or maybe your life is more like this...

Another Set Of Hot Dance Jams You Need To Hear Right Now

It's been about a month since I've done one of these, and in that time, thankfully, Europe has averted falling into continent-wide chaos, allowing them to get back to what they do best- making dance jams.  Here are eight of the best out there right now.  Once again, major credit goes to the folks at Energy 98, where I discovered a majority of these.


Foster The People- "Pumped Up Kicks (Gigamesh Remix)"

Yes, this was the first Song Of The Day I ever featured, and I slammed it.  But guess what?  Sometimes remixes do wonderful things.  Now this is one of my favorite songs.

The Potbelleez- "Hello"

Pulsating bass is always a sure bet to make a jam.


Zoe Badwi- "Freefallin'"

Soaring female vocals are also a guarantee to please the eardrums.


Bailey feat. Jodie Connor- "Higher State"

This is a bit more trance than dance but it's still awfully catchy.


Morgan Page, Sultan & Ned Shepard, and BT (feat. Angela McCluskey)- "In The Air"

You want epic?  Here's some epic buildup, followed by an only slightly disappointing beat.

Sak Noel- "Loca People"

Literally the craziest, most hilarious, yet most bangin' song I've heard in a long, long time.  It's already dominating the European clubs, and get ready for it to blow up here in the States soon too.  If anyone can tell me what this vocal sample is, it would be greatly appreciated.

Armin Van Buuren feat. Laura V- "Drowning (Avicii Edit)"

What good would a Dance Jam playlist be without some Avicii?  He's a must these days.

Dash Berlin feat. Jonathan Mendelsohn- "Better Half Of Me"

A little more trance to close you out.

Check back next month, when hopefully I'll be able to yet again find a bunch more badass dance jams for you to rage to.

Song Of The Day: LMFAO- "Sexy And I Know It"

You can hate on these guys all you want.  Just know that 1.) Their tongues are firmly in cheek in pretty much every song they make and 2.) They really do rage like that in real life- just ask Mitt Romney.  And they're the nephew and grandson of music industry legend Berry Gordy, which is kind of shocking considering how vulgar and lowbrow their music is.

LMFAO are not my favorite act out there, not even close.  But I respect them for going out there and making such pointless music that doesn't even really get you that amped up to do anything, yet still somehow cashing a #1 single as well as a bunch of other hits.  That's not an easy feat to accomplish.  Anyway, this song is the follow up to "Party Rock Anthem" and it's on the rise, so if you hadn't heard it before just now, you certainly will hear it in the future.

Song Of The Day: David Guetta feat. Usher- "Without You"

And I promise this is the LAST David Guetta song I'll feature for a good while.  But after I featured two or three other songs from his latest album, Nothing But The Beat, and this one turns out to be the one to chart the highest, I felt obligated to feature it as well.

I always feel like there's something missing from David Guetta's songs.  He does a consistently better job than just about anyone of building up the beat-drop, and of making songs stick in your head.  And he has access to the most top-level talent of any DJ on the planet.  But when that beat actually drops, when it actually reaches its biggest point, it tends to be a letdown.  His beats almost never hit as hard as I'd like them to.  For instance, this song.  "Without You" is easily one of the better songs out there right now, but it could be better if the beat came in harder, had more elements, and lasted longer.  But I'll cut Guetta some slack.  Not everyone can be Eric Prydz.

PS- Anyone else think David Guetta looks a tiny bit like Jay from "The Inbetweeners?"

Song Of The Day: Coldplay- "Paradise"

It truly is incredible how Coldplay manages to update their sound with each album.  They started out as basic, yet very melodic Brit-rock, then went more orchestral with 2008's Viva La Vida, and now they have a little more bass going on as they count down to the Oct. 24 release of their newest album Mylo Xyloto (don't ask, I have less than zero idea what that means or even what language it is).  But all their shifts in sound have only been minor alterations in the overall scheme of things, because lead singer Chris Martin's voice is such a constant, allowing the listener to immediately recognize any of their songs as distinctly Coldplay. 

I should mention, also, that all of these slightly different Coldplay sounds have been done with the utmost care and production value, which means they all sound really good.  And "Paradise" is no exception.  I've always taken Coldplay a little bit for granted, but maybe I should start getting excited for this new album, because it could be one of the best of the year.

Song Of The Day: Lady Antebellum- "Wanted You More"

First of all, huge thanks to my close personal friend Richard Branson for providing me with exclusive free tickets to Virgin Mobile FreeFest on Saturday.  I got to see a bunch of great concerts, all for free, while I'm pretty sure everyone else around me had to shell out some serious dough.  It sure is great having connections!  Now onto the Song Of The Day:

I'm generally not a huge country fan, but for some reason, duets are a major exception (along with anything overtly patriotic).  This is not my favorite Lady Antebellum song (those would obviously be "Need You Now" and "Just A Kiss"), but it's still an enjoyable listen.  Their album drops next week, and I fully expect it to debut at number one.  Country fans are a voracious bunch, and their numbers are growing rapidly as they encompass the people that in another era would have been rock fans, but due to the apparent death of rock n' roll, are now country fans instead.  But more on that another time.

CMN Takes On Virgin FreeFest: Expected Highlights*

Tomorrow, Consider Me Named will travel to Merriweather Post in Columbia, MD for Virgin Mobile FreeFest, a free (duh) music festival featuring a whole bunch of decent artists.  Here is the entire lineup, but listed below are the only songs truly worth getting excited about seeing performed live.

Two Door Cinema Club- "What You Know:" 

These Irish alt-rockers sound a little bit like Vampire Weekend, except way less pretentious and way more likable.  This is their big single, and luckily also their best song.


Big Sean- "My Last:"

This was a big urban radio hit this summer.  The studio version featured Chris Brown, but unfortunately, I doubt he'll show up tomorrow for one gig.  If he did, it might make the rest of Big Sean's set more enjoyable.


Calvin Harris- "Bounce:"

This house DJ actually has a few other enjoyable tracks, but this one (which normally features Kelis) is certainly the best.


Cut Copy- "Lights And Music:"

This Australian electronic act makes some of the catchiest music you've probably never heard if you only listen to the type of music I normally write about here.  This is their standout track, though, and it promises to be a big hit tomorrow.


Cee Lo- "Fuck You:"

That's right, big Cee-Lo's gonna be at FreeFest, and if he doesn't play this i'm going to be sorely disappointed.  Also I apologize for the use of profanity here- as you can tell, I almost never use it, but sometimes the situation just calls for it, so let's just be mature about it.


The Black Keys- "Howlin' For You:"

Most people know these guys for their big hit "Tighten Up," but in my opinion, this one is better.  It doesn't hurt that it was used in the trailer for Moneyball.


Deadmau5- "Ghosts N Stuff:"

To be honest, Deadmau5 is the biggest reason I'm even going to FreeFest.  Aside from the fact that it's free live music and everything.  I can't wait to see his act in person, and this is by far the song I'm most excited about, since it's his best one.


*In lieu of a Song Of The Day, obviously.  Sorry if you were actually, like, excited to see what I chose or something.

Song Of The Day: Kelly Clarkson- "Mr. Know It All"

Well, this is an eminently forgettable song.  Of course, that means it will undoubtedly top the charts very soon.  Oh well.  I suppose there are worse songs to hear endlessly.  Like this one.  Or this one.  However, I do have to give Kelly some props for her career's longevity.  Most American Idol winners have not been able to extend their careers like she has.  But when I look back on this era in music, I don't think her name will be one of the first to cross my mind.

Song Of The Day: David Guetta feat. Nicki Minaj- "Turn Me On"

Welcome back- I hope everyone had a good Labor Day weekend.  Don't forget to throw out all your white tees, preferably in favor of more seasonally appropriate attire.  Today's featured song is the highest-charting non-promotional track off David Guetta's brand-new Nothing But the Beat album.  I don't seriously believe this song will make a lasting impression on the charts, but it's certainly the most interesting song I could find for today, mostly because of what it contains: an Auto-Tuned, singing Nicki Minaj. 

Minaj has, to this point, spent her career mostly just rapping, and doing it quite well.  But she has found her greatest chart success to this point on songs like "Moment 4 Life" and "Super Bass" where she sings at times, especially on the chorus.  So naturally, a song like this raises the question of whether this is a true change in approach for Nicki, or just a one-time aberration.  Her true fans will definitely hope that's not the case, but people who like hearing songs like this probably won't care too much.  Either way, it's a pretty sonically pleasing switch-up.

Song Of The Day: Kreayshawn- "Gucci Gucci"

My opinion of this song can be summed up pretty succinctly: Ugh.  To expand: nobody should have let this girl near a microphone.  Why does she think she cool?  What, exactly, is she even saying?  Is this supposed to be a joke?  If so, why is it not in the Comedy section?  And if not, why in God's name is it now in the Billboard Hot 100?  What a disgrace.  But hey, if people out there actually like this, like, genuinely like it as a piece of music, who am I to judge?  And how can I criticize "Kreayshawn" if she's managed to shove a hit single down our throats?  I can't really.  I can just whine and then be jealous that she's richer than me.  Whatever.

Song Of The Day: Dev- "In The Dark"

As we can see, horns are clearly the hot sorta-new thing in club beats.  Synths are great and all, but the percentage of bangers with prominent horns in the beat has risen sharply in the last few years.  First we had "Calabria" by Enur, which is still the benchmark for the genre.  Then we had "Infinity," "We No Speak Americano" and "Mr. Saxobeat," and now this track, which has the potential to really take the horns to the next level in terms of popularity, since Dev has already hit #1 once with "Like a G6."  There's just something about hearing horns in a club song that makes it sound so much bigger (even, at the risk of sounding stupid, epic).  We'll just have to wait and see if this song can get as big as it sounds.