Song Of The Day: Grouplove- "Tongue Tied"

Apparently this song is featured in the new iPod Touch commercial, which I have yet to see on real TV.  That would explain its otherwise completely unforeseen rise on the charts this week.  Not that I have anything against the song- like most songs in Apple commercials, it's insanely catchy and fun.  It's just that, before this week, who had ever heard of Grouplove?  Now, there's a decent chance they'll be the Next Big Thing in alternative (or perhaps they already are, given how fast things move these days).  I mean, if Foster The People can top the charts, these guys certainly can too, right?

As for this video, I didn't really get it until the very end, when we see him un-eating the chocolate bar.  Pretty sure the bar was, uh, "laced" with some psychedelic materials that would cause him to act the way he did.  However, there are still a fair amount of plot holes in the video (how does his shirt change?  Why do the Lucha Libre dudes decide to chase him?), but forget about those and just focus on what a catchy jam this is.  Trust me, you'll be happy you did.

Song Of The Day: Tyga- "Rack City"

*Note: this video has an age restriction, so if you don't have a YouTube account...well, who doesn't have a YouTube account at this point?  Go get one.

Judging by the content of this video, I'd say Tyga wants this to be a strip-club jam.  If that's the case, there's a good chance he'll succeed.  Not that I have any idea what they actually play in a strip club (nor do I particularly care to find out) but I imagine it's something like this.

"Rack City" is obviously a follow-up to YC's hood anthem "Racks," but I'm still not sure if "racks" are your stacks of money, your actual racks of stuff you have back at home (which, if you're rich, you obviously would have a lot of), or, in the case of this video, you know, racks.  Yes, that's an ebaumsworld link, so you know it's good. 

Also, by far the most interesting part of this video is the awesome hat that Tyga is wearing.  What logo is that?  It looks sort of like a sphinx to me.  And where can I get one?  I said I'd never buy a snapback, but I might have to reconsider for that one.  Bootleg non-official hats are my favorite type.

Song Of The Day: Breathe Carolina- "Blackout"

First, sorry for the relative lack of posts over Thanksgiving break.  Now that I'm back on a regular schedule, I should be able to keep up my one-post-a-day regimen.

Now, onto the song/video.  And you should definitely watch the video.  Let me start by saying that if blacking out was that awesome, I wouldn't put the bottle down, ever.  Also, these guys are a fascinating combo of 3OH!3 and LMFAO and every other tongue-in-cheek alt-electro party-all-the-time act out there.  Or, actually, they're more like a copy of all of them.  But still- damn, this song is a jam. 

What's interesting is that it was a 69-cent special for quite a while on iTunes, but now it's full price, and it's still selling pretty well.  It's not hard to see why, either: this type of music is BIG these days.  Throw a little dubstep in there over a hot beat, make sure the lyrics are sufficiently pro-partying, and, obviously, make sure the video is well-stocked with dope chicks, and you've got a hit.  All of which they did.  Rock on, Breathe Carolina...and make sure to keep blacking out!

Song Of The Day: Will.i.am feat. Jennifer Lopez and Mick Jagger(?): "T.H.E. (The Hardest Ever)"

This is one of those jams that only sounds good when you listen to it on high-quality speaker or headphones.  Like these Beats By Dre™ headphones I'm listening to it on right now.  That bass has my ears bleeding.  Thanks Dr. Dre.

And yes, Mick Jagger is really on this track, you just have to wait for the end of the song to hear him grunt out a guttural verse about "going hard or going home."  At least Mick's keeping up with current slang- gotta give him some props there.  But I don't really think this motley crew is the "hardest ever."  That would have to be these guys.

Album Review: Rihanna- Talk That Talk

Here's a link to the album on Grooveshark in case you can't find anywhere else to listen to it.

For me, this was the most anticipated album of the year, except for maybe Born This Way, and it finally came out today, so I just had to review it.  Rihanna has slowly crept her way to the top of my favorite artists, and she also grabbed the top spot in my Pop Music Fantasy Draft this summer, so clearly this was not an album to be missed.

The question is, though, how does Talk That Talk stack up against her previous two releases, Rated R and Loud?  It would have to be mighty good to reach those two, since they're some of my favorite albums of the last five years.  In short, I'd say this one comes very close to being as good as those two, but it suffers from its lack of a true knockout "pantheon" song, like "Rude Boy" or "Only Girl."  But it may produce a couple candidates, so let's break it down song by song:

"You Da One": Already reviewed this one.  The short version: the verses got me excited that it could be a truly catchy standout, but the chorus is weak and doesn't deliver on the buildup given to it by the verses.  Overall: 7/10

"Where Have You Been": Starts off by ripping off that song from the hotel commercial.*  Builds up nicely, to the point where I'm expecting an epic beat drop.  Then it delivers a sparse, totally out-there instrumental.  It's seems out-of-place, but it kept me tapping my toe, so I can't knock it too hard.  But again, this song sets everything up nicely then disappoints at the big moment.  Overall: 7.5/10

"We Found Love": Not only have I already reviewed this one, but it's gone to #1 on the Billboard charts.  Pretty much an established commodity by now.  But it bears repeating that this is one of the best songs on the album, and it's grown on me quite a bit since its release.  Calvin Harris knows what he's doing in the studio.  Overall: 8.5/10

"Talk That Talk (feat. Jay-Z)": The title track, and one of Rihanna's only "urban" songs on the album, this midtempo jam features everyone's favorite rap mogul.  He delivers a somewhat uninspiring verse, but then Rihanna takes over for the rest of the song, and it really gets going.  This is probably the best song on the album, and thus the best bet to join her Greatest Hits.  Overall: 9/10

"Cockiness": This is a truly pathetic gimmick song.  At least Katy Perry's "Peacock" was catchy.  This is just dumb. It's only 2:58, but trust me, you do not need to listen to the whole song to get a good feel for it.  Skip this one.  Overall: 4/10

"Birthday Cake": This one's only 1:18...so I'm not really sure what its point is.  I would intentionally NOT buy the whole album, just so I could avoid songs like this one.  Maybe if it was a full-length song, or even a skit or an interlude, I'd understand its inclusion a little more, but as it is, it makes no sense.  It cuts out after only 78 seconds!  What's going on here?  Is this a glitch?  Whatever.  Skip it.  Overall: 2.5/10

"We All Want Love": And with that, the album takes an abrupt turn toward emotional ballads.  I guess nobody buys whole albums anymore, because this maneuver has just zero flow.  Anyway, this song is sort of forgettable, but it's definitely more positive than negative.  It'll never be a single, but it's a solid album track.  Overall: 6.5/10

"Drunk On Love": Three songs with "Love" as the last word in the title?  Probably just a strange coincidence, but worth mentioning nonetheless.  This song samples the beat from "Intro" by The XX, who are some hipster band your weird friend is probably always raving about.  Surprisingly, though, the beat is one of the most quintessential Rihanna beats on the album.  It sounds a lot like "Te Amo" in my opinion, which is a very good thing.  This is a solid song, but it's not one of the best on the album.  Overall: 7/10

"Roc Me Out": Aaand here's the "Rude Boy" sound-alike.  And it's pretty damn successful.  Big-time mid-tempo jam right here.  I definitely recommend picking this one up.  Really no complaints about this one; I hope it gets released as a single at some point.  Overall: 9/10

"Watch n' Learn": "Just because I can't kiss back, doesn't mean you can't kiss that..." Geez, Rihanna, you're making me blush!  Seriously, that's a hell of a line to drop into the bridge of a song.  Sadly, it's the most memorable part of this track.  Which isn't to say it's a bad song, but it's not one of my favorites.  Certainly not gonna disabuse anyone of the notion that Rihanna likes to get freaky, though...like, a lot.  Overall: 6/5/10

"Farewell": This is a real slow, thoughtful ballad about a friend/lover leaving forever.  It would be a great song if it was sung by, say, Avril Lavigne, but it sounds a little weird coming from dedicated sexpot Rihanna, especially on the heels of the how-to guide "Watch n' Learn."  Her quality vocals save the song from obscurity, though.  Overall: 7/10

"Red Lipstick":  This is 2011, so every major pop album must have its obligatory dubstep-flavored electro jam.  This is appears to be an ode to some sort of drug-fueled backroom VIP chill sesh/sex romp, complete with, I guess, red lipstick.  Obviously, Rihanna's got pretty much the highest production value of anyone out there, so this sounds pretty awesome.  But it's certainly not earth-shattering.  It does a great job of setting a mood, though.  Probably a great night-time driving song.  Overall: 8/10.

"Do Ya Thang": And just like that, we jump back to upbeat mid-tempo pop songs.  This is a completely forgettable song, unfortunately.  But it's Rihanna, so at least it's a good forgettable song.  Overall: 5.5/10

"Fool In Love": I don't know if people doubt Rihanna as a vocalist, or if she just never gets mentioned as a heavy hitter in that category.  Well, judging from this song, it seems like she's desperate to be considered a real singer.  And, in my opinion, she knocks it out of the park.  I love her voice on this track.  I actually just love this track in general.  It's a bit slow, but it's definitely memorable, and much more personal than most of the others on the album, as she addresses her parents and asks if they're ashamed of who she's become.  I always thought Rihanna had her lyrics written for her, but here, maybe she's finally getting some creative control.  If so, she should be given more!  Overall: 9/10

Well, there you have it.  Talk That Talk.  Some filler, some crap, but a few definite standouts.  Not unlike her last few albums, really.  My guess is it delivers three or four solid singles (you can probably guess which ones I want them to be), and hopefully it goes platinum.  If you're not going to buy the whole album, here are the tracks I recommend: "Where Have You Been," "We Found Love," "Talk That Talk," "Roc Me Out," and "Fool In Love."  Those are the only ones I bought, actually. 

And the album as a whole: 7.5/10.  As I said, just a shade below Loud and Rated R, but still a pretty great album start to finish.





*Which, upon further review, is revealed to be "I've Been Everywhere" by Johnny Cash.  Probably should have known that...

Friday Night Throwback Song Of The Day: Young Dro- "Shoulder Lean"

Oh, MAN.  Turn the bass up on this one and let ya shoulder lean.  I bet you forgot about this one, huh?  Well I sure didn't.  I've been bumpin' this one since t came out in '06.  I'm not even sure what the best line is in this one- "Everybody know me in the club cause they smokin' me," "Then I pimp a ho, take a bitch to Berlin," "Hood n***a from Bankhead, I stay by Grandma Nana, I lay by my banana, dumpin' and punkin' monkeys, Don't nobody live with my mom but a bunch of junkies..." Oh wait, it's obviously the last one.  Top-notch lyricism there from the ludicrously named Young Dro. 

I mean, I wonder how much weed you have to smoke to decide to make your stage name Young Dro.  I hope it's a ton, cause otherwise it would be kinda lame.  Nonetheless, this is a banger of the first degree.

Song Of The Day: Rihanna- "You Da One"

Still not a proper official YouTube video for this one yet (this one is pitched up so it shouldn't get taken down), so I'll give you a supplemental Grooveshark link here. 

Nonetheless, this is a noteworthy song.  It's Rihanna's second single from her album Talk That Talk, coming out Monday.  In no way is it as good as "We Found Love," the first single, but it's still pretty listenable.  The first verse got me really excited, but the chorus was a big-time letdown.  A remix would do this one well, I think.  But maybe it'll grow on me.  And it's still better than most of the mediocre fluff out there right now.

Seven New Dance Jams You Need To Hear ASAP

Well, it's the middle of the month, which is normally the time I give you whatever epic dance jams have been blowing up my speakers lately, so here's seven more for your ears!  As always, listen to these on good speakers if you want the full experience...

Nero- "Promises"

While this is a wildly awesome futuristic electro/dubstep jam, I have to ask what Nero was trying to do with this video.  You can't just put a bunch of people in futuristic outfits and have them vaguely attempt to rebel against "the man," but have no discernible plot.  Well, actually, you can, because they did...but you shouldn't!  Either way just listen to the song and you'll be happier.


Dillon Francis- "I.D.G.A.F.O.S."

This song is apparently a prime example of a new type of sub-electro called "moombahton," which was, according to its Wikipedia page, invented at a high school homecoming party.  Tells you all you need to know about music these days.  But more importantly, this crunchy video-game music is actually pretty hot, and definitely danceable, so get down to it!  Also, bonus points if you can guess what the letters stand for (answer at bottom of page).

Gemini- "Blue"

I already featured this once, when I was discussing better dubstep alternatives to Skrillex.  But it's so good it deserves mention here, too, as an example of how good dubstep can be if done right.  And it might be featured in the new North Face commercial, but I'm awaiting verification on that.


Bellatrax feat. Sophia May- "Find My Way Back Home"

These two are responsible for one of the best dance tracks of the last decade (in my opinion), "I Can't Help Myself," so I was justifiably excited for their next release.  It certainly didn't disappoint, although it does blatantly rip the lyrics from The Clash's "Should I Stay Or Should I Go."  Nevertheless, this is absolutely worth repeated listens.

Kaskade- Turn It Down (Le Castle Vania Remix)

This song's been out for a while, but this particular remix is an absolute must-listen.  It combines the classic Kaskade trance banger feel with an impossibly catchy beat drop.  Easily one of my favorite tracks of the whole year.

Radio Killer- "Don't Let The Music End"

Seriously another epic banger.  I only heard this for the first time the other day, and it was as I watched this video.  When it got to the chorus, I wanted to join them in that room and rage alongside them.  And when they broke out the paint, I just gave in, turned it all the way up, and pretended I was there.  What's weird is how much Romanian music is hitting the dance charts recently- what are they putting in the water over there?  Probably ecstasy, actually.  Easy answer.


 David Guetta vs. Kaskade- "All You Paris"

 This is a kind of weird mashup of high-profile artists that nobody seems to know about.  The thing with Guetta is, if you don't turn his stuff all the way up, it sounds kind of cheap and boring.  So, uh, turn this one way up.  Obviously.  Then you'll be blown away by the trance of Kaskade and the ferocious Guetta beat it's mashed up with. 

*"I.D.G.A.F.O.S."= "I Don't Give A Fuck Or Shit." How much better did that song just get...

Song Of The Day: Drake feat. Rihanna- "Take Care"

Yeah I know Rihanna's got her own song out today too, but Drake just came out with his whole album today, and this is the title track, and it features Rihanna anyway, so I thought it deserved the spot a little bit more.  Also this one has a good-quality video to go with it, as opposed to Rihanna, whose record label people do a better job than just about anyone of shutting down bootleggers.

Anyway, some crazy stuff going on here.  We've got a collaboration from two of the biggest stars in the game right now, who apparently had a little fling too if you listen to the YouTube commenters.  And we've got a sample from Gil Scott-Heron, whose song "I'll Take Care Of U" was apparently the inspiration not just for this song, but for Drake's whole album, if you go by the title.  The sample doesn't really fit in the song, though, so I can't say I'm too psyched about this track.  But it's solid, and it's definitely going to be a hit given its performers and its pulsating bassline.

Check back tomorrow for our monthly Dance Jams column, and maybe I'll get to that Rihanna song on Thursday...

Song Of The Day: J. Cole- "Work Out"

This one's been lurking in the shadows for a while, but the time is finally right for it to get featured.  J. Cole is a no-longer-up-and-coming rapper from North Carolina via New York, and this is the big single off his debut album Cole World: The Sideline Story.  Of course, you probably already knew all that, since the album hit #1 on the charts.

J. Cole clearly has his videos figured out, too.  Here he's got the classic ghetto summer love story- basketball court and lawn chairs in the daytime, and house parties with conspicuously featured Hennessy at night.  Oh, and a cute girl and some friends and a young kid who balls with all the grown-ups too, of course.  And a Raiders hat. 

And the song itself is just too damn catchy, and J. Cole seems to have some real personality shining through.  I like the whole package here.  I know everyone's been fawning over J. Cole for the last year or so, but now I can safely say I understand why.  Now the question becomes, can he make a truly dominant smash hit single?  This one's coming close, but he may have to try one more time to really cement himself as a big-time rapper.  Of course, now that he's been featured here, he may finally get the popularity bump he needs.

Friday Song For Your Party Playlist: Cherish feat. Yung Joc- "Killa"

Oh, man...this was an absolute JAM back in like 2008.  Like seriously one of the best songs of the year.  Never got quite the credit it deserved.  Maybe cause it was on the soundtrack to a corny-ass movie like "Step Up 2."  But then again Flo Rida's "Low" was also on that soundtrack, so who knows.  All I know is this song is a must for your party playlist.  If you wanna get things poppin' anyway.  If that's not so much your thing, then I suppose you could go with something more like this.  Yuck.

Song Of The Day: The Band Perry- "All Your Life"

Latest single from their debut album, which was released over a year ago.  Somehow the song is just now picking up.  Must have just been released on country radio.

Anyway, I love this song.  It's got truly top-notch melody, vocals, and harmony.  I also enjoy the instrumentation, but since their first single, "If I Die Young," got the pop-mix treatment, I would say this one is in line to receive the same.  I certainly wouldn't have any complaints if it did; it's not like I'm a country purist or anything.  Ha. 

I do have a minor complaint, though, about this video.  I don't know about you, but I like my country videos to be timeless and traditional slices of Americana, and The Band Perry seem to be going for more of a folk-revivalist hipster thing, what with their hairstyles, clothes, and the general theme of the video (a covered wagon?  Do they not even have steam engines where they're from?)  So I can't say I like the way the video's "alt" image contradicts the band's relatively straightforward contemporary-country sound.  But the song is all good, so just, uh, close your eyes and enjoy.  Except don't close your eyes, cause then you'll miss out on lovely lead singer...the female Perry, whoever she is. 

Song Of The Day: Taylor Swift- "Superman"

For some reason, even though this song has been on YouTube for a year, it's only just now being released, as part of what appears to be an upcoming re-release of Swift's most recent album, Speak Now.  Anyway, this is some classic T-Swift right here, just a feel-good song all the way through.  She has a way of keeping the status quo and making it work perfectly.  I swear she's like a positivity machine or something- always with a smile, impeccably poised, graceful, etc.  Surely there's a skeleton somewhere in her closet?  Aside from dating John Mayer?

Song Of The Day: Big Sean feat. Nicki Minaj- "Dance (A$$)"

This one is blowin' up urban radio right now.  That's three Big singles for Big Sean now off his first album, Finally Famous.  Can you believe he and Mike Posner did a show near me a couple years ago and I didn't go because I'd never heard of them and thought this song was no good?  I wish I could get that decision back.  Either way, this song is kinda dumb, but the beat is heavy and Nicki Minaj stays just barely on the good side of annoying the hell out of me.  So it's a positive review from me.

"We Found Love" Hits #1 On Hot 100

Just as I predicted the day it came out, Rihanna's newest single has reached the top spot.  I have to admit, for a few weeks I didn't think it was going to happen- after an initial rush, it slipped a bit on the charts, but it's since rebounded to climb all the way to the top, where it belongs.  I guess everyone else loves Rihanna just as much as I do.  And what a career boost for Calvin Harris, huh?  One day he's toiling in obscurity, then some of his jams start to reach popular consciousness, Rihanna's people hear about him, and next thing you know, BOOM!  Number 1 hit.  Way to go, guys.  Keep up the good work.

Song Of The Day (CORRECTION): Skrillex- "First Of The Year (Equinox)

Whoops, looks like I went with my breakout-dubstep-track SOTD a day or two early, because this one is now suddenly surging towards even more hallowed chart territory, and not to mention it's AWESOME.  No other way to put it.  Video had me in stitches, but also feeling the drop big-time.  The way the little girl's hand motions go in time with the beat is just genius.  And it would have been an absolutely perfect Halloween song, but alas, it's November 2 already.  Whatever.  Just pretend it's still October and jam to this wild banger.  And I promise no more dubstep for at least a few weeks.

CALL 911 NOW!!!!!!!!

Song Of The Day: Gym Class Heroes feat. Neon Hitch- "Ass Back Home"

You want brand new?  Here at CMN, we give you BRAND NEW.  This video is still unsearchable on YouTube, but I've got it for you here.  It's only cause I'm a technical wizard, obviously. 

Anyway, this is the newest single from Gym Class Heroes, and this video, like the vid from their last single "Stereo Hearts," features a couple mostly only shown from the shoulders down.  I guess they want us to believe we could all be a stand-in for them?  Except they show the guy's face a few times in this one, which sort of defeats the purpose for me.  Maybe the girl was just butt-ugly and they didn't want to show her face, I don't know.  But the song is sweet- like, in a sugary-sweet cutesy type of way.  I love the singer on the chorus, though.  Her name is Neon Hitch and she had previously only done uncredited background vocals, so this is a big break for her.  I hope to hear more of her in the future!

*Actually, as I watch the "Stereo Hearts" video, I think it might actually be the SAME couple in both videos?  Why is this not explained?  Am I the first one to even pick up on this?