Rihanna - Cheers (Drink To That)

September 30, 2011 Critic Jonni 0 Comments

So here I am again reviewing another Rihanna music video, only I think this song is probably my least favourite song by her. But maybe I'm a little biased, since I think it would have been a lot better if Rihanna, real name Robyn Rihanna Fenty, had decided to collaborated with Avril Lavigne, and although there was a report from Digital Spy, that announced Rihanna had planned on doing a collaboration, but when it was recorded they had already added Avril's vocals from the song "I'm With You". But at least Avril isn't upset by it, and also showed that she was happy because she even appeared in the music video. However I think it's chart success would have been a lot better if it was a collaboration because both artist's fans would've bought the single and therefore should have boosted up sales. Here in the UK this song managed to get to number 15, which is quite a low chart position for Rihanna since she has managed to gain a lot higher on many of her other singles.

This song is the seventh single from her album "Loud" and she is finally getting around to recording her sixth studio album. It was written by many people who are  Andrew Harr, Jermaine Jackson, Stacey Barthe, Laura Pergolizzi, Corey Gibson, Chris Ivery, Lauren Christy, Graham Edwards, Avril Lavigne and Scott Spock. It's nice to see that they included Avril in the writing credits, and I am surprised to see Jermaine Jackson there too (most notably known as one of the Jackson 5, but also came 2nd in the UK Big Brother 2006). To be totally honest the song does sound right up Jermaine Jackson's street. This music video now has over 29 million YouTube hits which is really good for Rihanna, although I do think her other videos may have gained a lot more. This song is a very party-drinking song, and imagine that you have shots in front of you and this song comes on and you have to drink a shot every time you hear "I'd Drink To That", I bet you you'll a) not be able to keep up, and b) you'll probably be having way over 10 shots with only one play. That would definitely turn this song into the ultimate drinking game.

The music video kind of annoys me, if you haven't already guessed. I really dislike music videos that has too many things going on, or if the editing of the clips is too quick, or when a crowd audience don't really know all the words to the song. Unfortunately this music video incorporates all three of my hates, yet the song gets stuck in my head, so another reason why I'm writing about this music video is to hopefully prevent it from getting stuck in my head ever again. However the lyrics are pretty difficult to craft into a storyline so they left any potential narrative out, and this is constantly used for many artists and bands when thinking up a good concept is difficult. This video reminds me of the "Black Eyed Peas" video of "Don't Stop The Party".

Many stars appear in this music video, first off you see Rihanna (obviously), she's on stage at times, she's on a boat every now and again, but the majority of times she is with friends having a fun time. The first star you see is Avril Lavigne, who's first shot is drinking from a cup, then someone pushes her into a pool while she is sitting on a skateboard, the last scene is her riding the skateboard into the pool. However the amount of times she sings "yeah, yeah" in this song, I would've thought she would have appeared more, maybe she sent a lot of footage, and it was edited down a lot. Cee Lo Green makes a quick performance, having a drink with Rihanna. And then you have Kanye West & Jay-Z who both performed on stage with her.

Overall, this song and it's accompanying music video doesn't wow me at all and it's one I watch on the music channels if there's no better videos on the other channels (yes there are worse videos out there). I have to admit, the editing must have been really difficult as they would have been unsure where they want to cut certain parts, and which shots were the best, I presume there was hours and hours of footage to try and reduce down to just under 5 minutes, this is probably the only reason that saved this music video from getting only 1 star, but also I like the fact that they did include Avril Lavigne, they didn't have to, but they did, so that was nice of them too.

Britney Spears - (You Drive Me) Crazy

September 29, 2011 Critic Jonni 0 Comments

Jennifer Lopez - Papi

September 28, 2011 Critic Jonni 0 Comments

Jessie J - Who's Laughing Now

September 27, 2011 Critic Jonni 0 Comments

I've had to think long and hard about how I'm going to write about this music video... This song means a lot to me and probably to the dozen of others too who also got bullied at school. However I'm still young, I haven't even started what I want to do so I can't even start laughing just yet, but I so hope I do at some point and I hope I'll be able to say "who's laughing now?". I also bet it was a little difficult for Jessie J to write, especially bringing up all that emotion of her first few years in the music industry. However she explained that this song always makes her laugh as she said she's had "so many supporters but also many non-believers and this track is 'ha-ha' to them. As I say: 'Let the haters hate, they're like way too late!'" This song gets stuck in my head, and also makes me believe I can actually become something like so many others have. I hope for the younger audience who are probably being bullied right at this moment, or got bullied a few days, months, years ago, can listen to this song and totally believe that if they stride hard enough they can achieve anything and that when they're ready they can start laughing too.

Jessie J, real name being Jessica Cornish, is a very talented singer. I really like her songs and sometimes there is one song from her that I end up disliking but after constant playing on the radio and other music sources, it ends up getting really catchy and I can't help but like it. I'll never become a big fan of her purely because I'm not usually a fan of her songs first off, however I will be following her career and can definitely see her becoming a world-wide star in the next couple of years. She said she'd always been a good singer whereas her older sisters were more into sums and other academic intelligence. She joined the school choir but some of the parents complained that their child was upset because she was too good, and she was only 11 at the time. She also has an irregular heart beat and so she doesn't take anything for granted and looks after herself. Before releasing her album she wrote songs for many famous stars such as Chris Brown and Miley Cyrus. Her most well-known single she wrote for another star was Miley Cyrus' "Party in the USA".

This song, as I have already mentioned is about Jessie J's music and when she first started. There was a lot of haters and critics who didn't like her, however she turned things around and now have dedicated a song to them to tell them that they were wrong. It was written by a number of people, mainly by Jessie J, but with the help of Kyle Abrahams, George Astasio, Peter Ighile, Jason Pebworth and Jon Shave. I really like how this song is constructed and it tells a story right from the beginning. It's extremely catchy and I don't think there is any other song out there that expresses similar thoughts and opinions, thank God Jessie J came onto the scene. It's extremely catchy and I'm surprised it has yet to make the Top 10 of the UK chart yet, maybe there's just too many haters that hate...

This music video's theme is bullying, as you probably guessed. I think it is a brilliant revengeful song on all the past bullies people have had and I can't help liking it even if some critics have said that they don't like it.. I really like Jessie J's mini-me's performance, Adrianna Bertola. She is very talented and definitely looks like a young Jessie J, and I think she'll be one of those big young actresses and I hope to see her sometime in the future, and definitely in more of Jessie J's music videos, as it shows a side of Jessie J that is difficult to display. For those of you who is wondering, a different Mini-Jessie was used in the music video for "Price Tag" so don't go about mixing them two up.

Jessie J gives us a great inside into her acting, especially since she appears as four different people in this music video, which I have only just found out. First you have her sitting in the chair that Adrianna sits in during some of the shots, then you have her dressed up as the teacher behind the desk, which doesn't at all look like Jessie J, then you have the janitor who I still question whether or not it's actually her because she really looks totally different dressed up as the janitor. And then finally she is dressed up as the dinner lady. I like how she has different characters and it's really funny to see how they change within the music video. I have to admit I thought they were all extras and until now didn't realise that they were Jessie J.

Overall I love this song and its music video. I like Adrianna's slow walking when she's stomping down the hall in her angry outburst, I sometimes wish that when I'm walking I could go in slow motion, I don't really know why it just looks amazing on-screen and I really want that to happen to me, I can still dream, right? I also like the ending with the fire extinguisher which is really funny and I'd love to do that too. Adrianna must have had the best time on set while filming this music video. I also like her T-Shirt "U R Boring", however I do not feel inclined to buy one, like I did for Room 94's music video "The End" where I bought the "I'd Do Me" T-Shirt that Dean Lemon is wearing. Anyway this is probably my favourite Jessie J video so far, and I am really hoping she uses Adrianna a bit more to show the younger side of her, and if she gets to act out different people I'd definitely say go for it! She is becoming really big so watch out for her.

Inna - Un Momento

September 26, 2011 Critic Jonni 0 Comments

After a week out because I've been ill, I am NOW back and I'm ready to give my opinions on music videos. First up is Inna, real name Elena Apostoleanu. Inna has made me like club/dance music a lot more, and has managed to open this whole new genre to me. Her first single "Hot" was a chart topper hitting number 6 here in the UK, since then she has dipped in and out of the charts some cracking the top 20 and others not even making the top 100. After some playing in the car I have managed to make my cousin also enjoy Inna's songs, and although she has yet to hear the 2 most recent songs, I'm sure she'll enjoy them just as much as I do. So Inna is now back with a new single "Un Momento" which gets stuck in my head and although it is a simple song and isn't as good as some of her other songs, it's very catchy and I hope that it gets high on the charts especially since the music channels are definitely in favour of this song. Inna is from Romania, and she is quite big over there, and I guarantee most people in the UK knows who she is, and so she is definitely becoming a world-wide star. People have referenced her as Romania's answer to Cheryl Cole, even though Inna has no idea of who that is (as she confirmed on an interview with Radio 1's Chart Show). Romania is hitting out some big stars lately from "Inna" to "Alexandra Stan" to "Edward Maya", with new and up-coming stars such as "Akcent" and "Radio Killer" set to hit our charts real soon.

This song has quite a few different versions out. Here in the UK they have shortened it so that we understand what is being said, they have cut "Juan Magan"'s featured lyrics out which is a shame, but I presume they couldn't translate them for the British audience, however some of Inna's lyrics aren't translated such as "No quiero que tu pienses que esto es normal", I can just about follow that bit when she's singing it, and no way can I sing a long, a lot more practice is definitely needed. Un Momento is Spanish for "In a moment" or "Give me a second", however I thought it meant "one moment" as in, a moment in someone's life sort of thing, and although that is probably the direct translation, we'd probably say "one moment please" during a phone conversation or something more formal, however un momento sounds like a phrase that the Spanish say. Anyway, the song sounds like she is singing to a specific person and I think it is a nice direct link from "Sun is up", which ended up being in the UK chart for ages, and so could this song potentially do the same? We'll just have to see.

What to say about the music video..... Well let's start off with what others have said, some have mentioned that it's boring, it's different to her other music videos. And I have to agree, I like how it references Inna in a total different lime-light, a fun and totally friendly sort of light. Here in the UK people automatically think of Sun Is Up's music video whenever someone mentions her name, and although the music video is good, I'm sure Inna isn't the sort of person who wants attention purely because of her looks, if that was the case then all her music videos would be similar, and I also very much doubt she would be in the music industry.

I like the start especially the "hand job" as people have started called it and I can't help but laugh, however on a more natural tone it links in perfectly with the opening verse, which is what I sort of expected. The first verse is also my favourite bit of the song, it sort of shows Inna's voice off a bit and I really do like it, maybe there will be a few more vocal tracks on her new album maybe? The other bits of the music video are okay, I like the use of the Polaroid camera, although I don't like the fact that we don't get to see the photos, which could suggest that they were all rubbish, or they couldn't be bothered to edit them in, the closest we get to them is the transition between the videos, although I really think they were asked to hold up any of the photos and they'd edit it in, and although I like the technique they could have done it more often.

I really like how the cameraman is taken into account as a real person, which is quite a different idea and could be showing Inna's friendly side, I especially like it when she passes that cup towards the cameraman. I also laugh at the fact that when she's trying to grab the camera she loses control of her bike and she has to look away and control it again. I like how at the house party they all hold up one finger which references "un momento", and I do like the ending, although I don't understand what it has to do with anything.

Overall I'm obsessed with the song and it's nice for Inna to show who she is personality wise, however it doesn't seek to impress and is considered "boring" to quite a few people. I hope the song does well on the chart when it is released, but I definitely don't see the music channels playing this music video much more.

Buy on iTunes

New Release: Nicola Roberts - Lucky Day

September 19, 2011 Critic Jonni 0 Comments

To be honest I am really unsure what to think of this video, I really like the song even though it is about a certain something, but it's so catchy I can't help it. Anyway.... Nicola Roberts auditioned for Popstars: The Rivals, in which she won to form a band called Girls Aloud who have scored several top ten hits and have done amazing here in the UK chart. They are currently on hiatus, and 3 out of the 5 members have gone solo, who are Nicola, Cheryl Cole and Nadine Coyle. Apparently the other 2 members: Sarah Harding and Kimberley Walsh are rumoured to be recording their solo albums. This song is Nicola Roberts 2nd single from her 1st album "Cinderella Eyes" which is out next week.

This song represents Nicola in a different way, her first single "Beat of my Drum" showed people that she isn't vulnerable and she deserves to be where she is. This single blasts everyone who disregarded her, and proved that once again she isn't that little innocent girl from almost 10 years ago, and that shows in the song and the music video. The song is about sex, which is very difficult to express in a song and many different people go out of their way to try and enter it into the charts. This single is very interesting and I really like how she sings about the fact that this could be her "lucky day". I think it would be difficult to create a music video for these lyrics, but I think they have done a good job, even though some bits are a little over the top for some people's liking. This song has recently been compared to Katy Perry's "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)", the song was produced by "Dragonette" who are an electro band who are attempting to get into the UK chart. I can definitely see this song entering the charts.

The start shows a coin spinning, this is a really good idea as it suggests that it's a 50/50 split on whether it will be her lucky day. We see Nicola walking down the road in a really, really short dress, that many critics have commented on being too short, however I think it shows what the song is all about and that she can be bold, and can show that she's no longer in the background. Then the music video takes a turn for the worse, with the use of neon lights to distort the picture, I think it makes the video look really cheap and makes it seem surprisingly different, this could be both a bad thing and a good thing. On the off chance that music channels allow this music video to be played during daylight hours, it will attract the attention of children who like pretty colours. But adults just detest it and it really doesn't make me want to watch the music video over and over again. Once is enough in my case.

Controversy on this music video is all about the wall with the worm like creatures on it, those of us who are old enough know exactly what they are and could be the reason why I have not yet seen the music video on any of the channels, and although it references the song in the light it ought to, I feel it is wrong to try to appeal to the younger audience but at the same time put something up that could uncoincidentally make adults write in complaints. Therefore this music video is a difficult one, on one hand it appeals to the younger generation, but then on the other hand, they go and do something to this wall which totally ruins the music video for me.

Overall, I don't understand this music video, and although I totally get why certain bits are done here and there, it just makes it look cheap, low-budget, and just totally not right. I feel bad for Nicola as I think this isn't how she is meant to be displayed to the public, whereas all her band mates are referenced a lot better. It'll be a shame, but I totally see her career going downhill, and although I do like her songs and I am kind of a fan, I still see that she will not get enough people behind her to make her a big artist.

Avril Lavigne - Complicated

September 18, 2011 Critic Jonni 0 Comments

This was Avril Lavigne's first ever single, although I have to admit I could so see it being a band rather than Avril herself, obviously it didn't work out that way. This song was originally written by Avril Lavigne with the help of her producers, which kind of surprised me as I always thought that she had only recently started songwriting. Avril looks so much like a tom-boy in this video, and it's hard to think that she has managed to become as stunning as she is in her most recent video. Some people prefer her this way, of course, people prefer artists in their original format, but she's different and has shown she has developed in her most recent albums. This sing was taken as the first single from her first album "Let Go", it took me a while to realise I enjoyed her music, and by that time the second album had come out "Under My Skin", so I'm missing some of the singles that I would have bought, but there's places I can get them from, as long as I have extra money. For those of you who care.... Abbey Dawn and Black Star and Vaio and Forbidden Rose and any other product placements that now appear in some of her most recent videos weren't even around let alone thought of so you're saved from product placement.

As I have previously mentioned, Avril wrote this song alongside her producers: The Matrix, which consists of Scott Spock, Lauren Christy and Graham Edwards and they have worked with a number of artists, from Korn to Hilary Duff. This song is really good and Avril has mentioned that it is about people being fake. I think it is a clever song talking about "preppy clothes" and "dressed up like you're something else", I like how she sings about high school dramas, because that's where people being fake come from, as they need to fit in with other people to create these cliques. When high school finishes some people become their selves whereas others get stuck in this sort of look that isn't them as they aren't sure what to do next even though their personality may be totally different to what they look like. Thinking of Avril here, I believe she has never changed to try and fit in, she obviously have always wanted to be herself, and it's worked for her.

The amount of times I have watched this music video is a little surprising, if I had bothered to count. I know everything that happens in this music video, and still it makes me laugh, I like lots of different aspects, and now I really enjoy seeing the backing band, who are no long her backing band, as she has a new backing band now. The old backing band featured Mark Spicoluk, Matt Brann and Evan Taubenfeld, who are all doing their own thing now. Mark is now the founder, president and owner of a record label/management company called Underground Operations. Matt is working on projects with other bands as he plays the drums. Evan recently collaborated with Avril on her most recent album "Goodbye Lullaby" and has started his own solo career along with a few acting roles here and there.

This music video is really good, I like how some things have obviously been edited to fit in with the lyrics especially when she sings "we fall and we crawl" a skater falls over. I like how they mess about in the mall and every single time Avril jumps out of the clothes rack to scare that woman I laugh, I also like how she tricks her backing band into jumping into the pool, when she doesn't actually jump in, although personally I would have laughed about it then jumped in anyway, or if I were one of her backing band I would've dragged her in. I like how they ride on the mall karts and when the boys dress up for Avril.

I like how the narrative side includes Avril and her backing band, and this is one of only a few of her music videos where they are shown, which I do feel a sorry for the band, but then again they're lucky to get a few glimpses, some singers take them for granted and don't even bother filming them. I like how they try running up the down escalator, I think that's really funny and I bet you everyone has done that once in their lives, or at least gone down so far and then ran to get back to the top. There's so much I like about this video, but it's also very simplistic but that's to be expected since the producers and director didn't expect Avril to be as big as she is.

Overall I like the freedom and fun elements in this video, I like the skater as it makes it more real, I definitely like the fact that the band gets to play a part in the narrative storyline, and although the music video doesn't reference the song in it's meaning, it totally makes up for it by flipping it upside down and including certain parts into the lyrics. So, although you may call me biased, I feel that this rating suits this video and it definitely deserves it.

Buy on iTunes

Avril Lavigne - What The Hell

September 17, 2011 Critic Jonni 0 Comments

Buy on iTunes

One Direction - What Makes You Beautiful

September 16, 2011 Critic Jonni 0 Comments

Maroon 5 Featuring Christina Aguilera - Moves Like Jagger

September 15, 2011 Critic Jonni 0 Comments

I first heard about this band back in 2002 with their single "This Love". I actually did think they were a British band, but by 2004 I had lost interest in the band, and although I kept up to date with their releases I was no longer interested. Recently I have worked out that they are an American band, which kind of makes sense since collaborations with Rihanna and like this one with Christina Aguilera would have been very rare if they were a british band. They've done fairly well over the years in various different charts succeeding expectations in 2002, but slowly failed to do any better. However this song has got everybody talking about it, it is so catchy you can't help but sing-a-long.

Maroon 5 is a 5-piece pop/rock band siding more to the pop side than the rock genre, but personally I'd class them more as an indie band. The band consists of Adam Levine, James Valentine, Jesse Carmichael, Michael Madden and Matt Flynn. The band was previously known as Kara's Flowers but soon changed their name in 2002 because it would stop comparisons to their earlier music which was considered quite different. As I have already mentioned they collaborated with Christina Aguilera with this track. Now she was in the spotlight for a number of years, starting off with the Mickey Mouse club, alongside Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake (to name a few), and then soon became Britney's biggest threat, it was always Britney Vs. Christina, and it looks like Britney came out on top, since Christina disappeared for a few years, but she is crawling back to the top, and Britney once again has this unstoppable competition, and Christina still has the voice. This battle will be fierce once again, but will Christina win this time? We'll have to wait and see.

This song is about Mick Jagger, which kind of explains the title, since at first I used to be confused about who "Jagger" was, but since this video, I've clicked. Mick Jagger is probably best known for being in The Rolling Stones, he has very iconic dance moves and has been described as one of the most influential front men of rock & roll of all time. I love the beat of this song it is so catchy and you can't help but like this song, it has amassed over 20 million YouTube hits and it'll soon grab a lot more attention soon. I love the lyrics especially Christina's, I also like how the song references certain things that can be related to Mick Jagger. I don't know why Maroon 5 has once again grabbed my attention, I really didn't think it would be possible, but they've done it, and although I will not be a fan of them again, I can't help but like their music.

This music video is really good, I really like the start and the ending which shows some old clips of back in the days of Mick Jagger. The band has a lot of respect for Mick Jagger, and I really like how they've managed to show old clips of him in a new light and to be able to show it to the new generation is always a good thing (shush, don't tell anyone but I was unaware of who Mick Jagger was until I started researching for this review, I knew his name from somewhere but wasn't sure where). Adam Levine wanted to expose Mick Jagger to the new generation as many people haven't experienced how great he was. The clips they used was endorsed by Mick Jagger himself, and he even gave the footage to them, which is such a nice thing to do, and I bet Maroon 5 was really happy.

The video is very authentic and goes with the whole Mick Jagger style, I like how many people try to "move like Jagger" including Adam Levine who claims he's "got the moves like Jagger"..... Girl fans of Adam Levine would definitely like his shirtless appearance showing his colourful tattoos off but don't worry guys there's eye candy for us too, with many provocative girls, if you look closely you'll see what I mean. Christina's short verse fits perfectly and her style, with the big floppy hat and the mascara eye-lined eyes makes her a big part of the group, and if Maroon 5 is ever looking for a 6th member, she's right there in front of you. This collaboration is perfect in every way.

Overall I really like this song and the two artists collaborating. I have just found out that Adm Levine and Christina Aguilera were both mentors on "The Voice" (the American version), which could have formed this collaboration. "The Voice" is planning on getting a UK version hosted by the BBC, which I'm certainly looking forward for. The music video is pretty good, like the concept of using a figure icon to express the song, and it relates perfectly since the figure icon is mentioned in the song. The narrative side may be missing a bit, but you really can't help but have joy in your face while watching this video. I have to give this video this rating, for the groovy music video that I'm loving every time I watch it.

Buy on iTunes

Checking Pulse - Aimeé

September 14, 2011 Critic Jonni 0 Comments

Here's another new band for you lot to check out. I have only just recently become obsessed with this band, and I'm sure they will get a lot more fans the more people who listen to them. There is no band I can think of that is at all like them. Some of my friends have said that the line-up is pretty similar and possibly a younger version of The Pretty Reckless, but the comparisons go out of the window after listening to this awesome track. They are really unique and there is definitely a place on the chart for these guys. If they gain enough popularity, which I can definitely see happening, since music channels like Scuzz and Lava TV are obsessed with playing this music video, then this band will definitely achieve UK success and hopefully worldwide, but let's take one step at a time, right? I first saw this music video on Lava TV (which is now called "Greatest Hits TV", but they still have a show for Lava called: "Lava Showcase" which promotes new songs from bands along with unsigned bands), and had the song stuck in my head. Today, it's been in my head again, the song is so catchy that I'd be surprised if there is someone out there that doesn't get it stuck in their head.

Checking Pulse is a 4-piece electro pop/rock band comprising of Emily Wilson, Adam Hughes, Henry Hopkins and Chris Ridgers. They describe their sound as a mixture of Paramore, You Me At Six, Lady Gaga and Forever the Sickest Kids, which I have to admit is quite a mixture, and definitely suggests they are unique in their music, in my opinion. I can definitely see this band becoming really big, they could be the UK's answer to Paramore, if they get enough popularity, which I'm sure they will sometime soon.

I love this song, it's so catchy as you probably know, and it has just a perfect meaningful story that people can relate to. I really like Emily's voice it is really nice to listen to and I'm definitely going to buy all their singles and CD's as they are soon to be the next big thing (I hope). I like the chorus as well with the rhymes at the end such as "Her make-up is running down her face, so wasted she won't give up the chase", they are simple yet really effective, and I can't stop clicking the repeat button, as I'm loving this song! The song is about this girl called Aimeé, who is best friends with Emily, only Emily has seen behind "all her lies" and behind "her pretty eyes", and has decided to break up the friendship between them.

The music video is perfect, it relates well with the meaning of the song, and although it isn't exact, it doesn't need to be, they show everything they need to and also shows Checking Pulse performing on a stage which shows what they are like live which is always good. According to their website, many people who have seen them have expressed views saying that they are a hell of a lot better live than on the CD, which is such a great comment, and I'm eager to see them live.

On YouTube they have amassed 4,000 hits so far for this music video, which isn't too bad since some bands get less than that. However I hope this number goes way up as they definitely deserve it. Checking Pulse has mentioned that the girl who plays Aimeé is a model, however I really think Emily shines out at you and is prettier than the girl who plays Aimeé, sorry.

The storyline is amazing and is definitely interesting. I like trying to spot where all the band members are, they appear in certain clips in the background, which is fascinating as it shows a true representation of a house-party, that isn't out of control. I like the ending it works fine, but I do think it would have been that little bit better if you saw Aimeé crying at the end, as it would link perfectly with "her make-up is running down her face". However not everything can be perfect, and I also believe I'll be playing this song again and again and again, and I am really looking forward for this band to get success as they clearly deserve it, and they have totally captured me in their perfect essence of music, there is definitely a place for them in music.

Overall, without being biased, I have to give this video this rating, because it's fun to watch, it's well-thought through, I really am obsessed with the song, and everything works out nicely, especially the picture at the end, which explains a lot. I like the band being on stage, they seem very up-lifting and I'm on the look-out for when they tour, so hopefully I can catch them. For those of you who are now interested in this band (and I hope you are) here's the Checking Pulse website: http://www.checkingpulse.com/ and those of you who want the CD, go to the store and order it, which is exactly what I'm going to do now.

Paramore - Decode

September 13, 2011 Critic Jonni 0 Comments

Benny Benassi Featuring Gary Go - Cinema

September 12, 2011 Critic Jonni 1 Comments

I haven't heard this song much, I remember it gaining top 20 status in the UK singles chart a few months ago, but I don't think I actually listened to it fully until today. I was flipping (as usual) on the music channels, and there was nothing else on, so I watched this music video and I was just surprised at how catchy the song is, and I've had it in my head all day. But I haven't got a clue what the music video is about, I understand parts of it but I believe it is pretty weird.

Benny Benassi has released loads of singles and albums, and has remixed quite a lot of well known songs. But this is the first time I've heard of him, so I really am interested in exploring his other singles. This song was written by Benny Benassi and Alle Benassi who both appear in this music video, if it's really them. Along with Gary Go who also appears in this music video (he is the first one to sit in the chair). Gary Go is a British singer who has released a few singles back in 2009, but that's about it. This single could possibly help him to do well in the UK chart, or not.

I really like this song, it kind of reminds me of The Saturdays single "All Fired Up", but also I think it's quite similar to Avicii Featuring Sebastien Drums "My Feelings For You". I could so see this song being in all the clubs and I am quite surprised the song only managed to get to number 20, as I think it is quite a cute and interesting song. The lyrics are pretty adorable at times, and I can't stop singing them "you are a cinema, I could watch you forever". The sound behind it is really catchy and very dance-like. You wouldn't expect these lyrics would go with this music but it fits perfectly and this song will definitely be stuck in my head for a while.

As I have previously mentioned, I do not understand this music video, therefore it goes in to my list of music videos I do not understand. At the moment I have only one other music video in that list, which is: Kids In Glass Houses "Matters At All". I'm sure there will be many more appearing in this imaginary list pretty soon, and I really can't wait to see which other music videos confuse me.

I have to admit, I do like the helmet idea and how it is possible that they are watching a part of their past, well that's how I think of it. And that all these girls are people they like and they go to this place so they could watch their girlfriends forever. Even though there is only one girl, she plays different characters. Which I find really interesting. But then I don't get the last part because Benny Benassi's girl walks in with her own card. Does that mean she thinks he is also a cinema and she can watch him forever?

This music video really does confuse me and I've tried lots of different ideas, like, the three guys didn't know who the people they were watching, as if they were dreams, so that would make sense that she surprised them. Maybe these three girls are supposed to be dead and so the only way Benny Benassi, Alle Benassi and Gary Go can remember them is to go to this place and watch them forever, this also would explain the ending. However these are just theories, and there is nothing online that supports any of my ideas, so this music video has definitely totally baffled me.

Overall I really like the song and I can't stop listening to it. However the music video, although has a really great idea and I really do like it, has mystified and puzzled me making me unsure if I like this music video or not. I can't wait to see what other music videos they have released and I hope this is the only one that will puzzle me. I hope you all think my rating is fair, and I'm sorry if people have come on her hoping I have an answer to what this music video means. I'd be interested in your thoughts....

Buy on iTunes

New Release: Box Bottom Featuring Big Babba - Bounce 'N' Boom

September 12, 2011 Critic Jonni 0 Comments

Linkin Park - In The End

September 11, 2011 Critic Jonni 0 Comments

This was possibly the first Linkin Park song I ever heard, and this song definitely was what drew my attention to this band. To be totally honest, with my hands up, I have never ever watched this music video before today. I don't have a clue why; it has never come up on the music channels, or it's either been on when I haven't been watching, or when I'm flipping through. But I have to admit it is quite bizarre. But this song is so amazing that it gets stuck in my head every now and again, and it's all to do with the radio stations playing this song every time I listen to them. And I still don't know the lyrics off by heart yet, which is usually a good thing, because if I knew the lyrics it would never get stuck in my head again, and I really don't like it when that happens.

Linkin Park, as I have recently mentioned a couple of times, are a 6-piece rock band consisting of Chester Bennington (vocals on chorus), Mike Shinoda (vocals on verses), Rob Bourdon, Brad Delson, Joseph Hahn, and Dave Farrell. I definitely like the way in which this song is sung, and the use of the two lead vocalists, it kind of splits the song up, and kind of suggests that it is real, and I don't really know what it is about it, but it makes the band stand out over many other bands, and they seem to do well when they split the vocals up (well lately they haven't been doing too well here in the UK, compared to the high charter of number 8 this song managed to achieve, but still...) I have to admit many bands have tried this concept, some have done well with it such as Evanescence (who only did it for their first song, but still managed to get a number 1), and some have done poorly such as We Are The In Crowd (although they are a fairly new band so they could still turn it around, hopefully). This song was released as their fourth single from their first studio album: Hybrid Theory, which people believe is their best album they've ever released, but people say that about most bands, because their first studio album is usually raw and fresh and new, and it's quite hard for bands to compete with the popularity of their first album.

As far as I can work out from the lyrics, it suggests a betrayal. It suggests that they trusted someone and to be stabbed in the back instead, and they tried so hard and only "got so far", could suggest that they tried to be with someone and it obviously wasn't working out, "but in the end, it doesn't even matter". It sounds as if they are over the betrayal and are realising that she/he wasn't a good friend in the first place. Don't quote me on that, I could be totally wrong and I'm sorry if I am, but that's what I get out of the song and what I can interpret from it. I'm not sure if it is such a good song to turn into a music video, would there be much you could do to link it? I'm not entirely sure and I have to admit as much as I want to not like the music video because I don't see the connection, I kind of find it enjoyable to watch. I'm blaming the song, it's possessed me into liking the music video.

Starting with Mike Shinoda and his rapping, he is usually seen in a wasteland, where thorny vines are appearing out of the ground and enclosing around him and shattering into dust. And then during the second verse grass and plants are sprouting up around him. When Chester Bennington sings the choruses he is standing on top of a platform with gargoyles on the edges. There is a door behind him which is shaped as a trapezoid (which is the lower half of a triangle). Near the end of the video the sky turns grey and it starts to pour down with rain, and the band still plays on. When the rain stops you are left with the piano playing, which also starts the song. And the camera pans outwards revealing the wasteland where Mike Shinoda was rapping, and it is now a lush Greenland. Also a whale pops up here and there although the significance is not as obvious.

I really like the concept of this video, it is very thought out and extremely imaginable and also out-of-the-box kind of thing. For those of you who haven't worked it out yet, the music video mostly uses CGI animation. The band originally performed this at 2001's Ozzfest tour, and it was also filmed there, then editing came in so that it became the way the band wanted it to be. The wasteland signifies the betrayal, and that it is quite hard and difficult to get over, but the vines and the grass and the plants covers it up, and suggests that "In the end, it doesn't even matter". I like the ending as well when it shows what used to be the wasteland. It kind of suggests that they've started a fresh, or even, they are better off now.

The band decided to let water pipes off during their performance at Ozzfest tour, which is how they managed to show the rain in the music video, and also proves that a hell of a lot of planning was involved. Now onto the whale... The whale appears quite a lot and is quite different. It was Joe Hahn's idea to put it in, although he has yet to reveal why he did it apart from the fact that "it made sense" to him.  The only idea some people have come up with is that the whale could be identified as a "space whale" which takes the concept that life (or time) is too short for one to absorb all its mass surroundings. Which definitely goes alongside the song.

I'm not totally sure what all the statues are for, the only thing I can think of is that they first decided on the wastelands and then thought that the band had to be on top of something because they performed on stage during Ozzfest tour. On top of the statue is a winged soldier this is similar to the front cover of Hybrid Theory.

Overall I really do like this music video, and can now see the similarities with the song, and I have to admit, I think it is a very clever and a very ambitious music video that I could probably watch again and again. Some people may not understand the links at first (like I did), but it doesn't take an expert to see a few of them, and there is probably a lot more behind it than what I have uncovered. I hope you all agree that this music video deserves this rating, and I hope to see more weird and different music videos from this fantastic band.