Week One went smashingly, so here we are again. This week, we have two of the most acclaimed alterna/power-pop bands of the decade (Rilo Kiley and The New ****ographers), who both coincidentally released albums last year that were somewhat critically ignored. Rilo Kiley, has a lead singer that was a child star right around them time Chris Brown was born. And now he's a teen star! A few years older is newcomer Leona Lewis, who's about the same age as Pink was when she started out. And they've both had more success than Amerie could ever dream of!

Oh, and we also have two of the greatest pop stars the world has ever seen, who both released their first material in 1982. Today, one's inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, while the other is ... most remembered for :janet:. Have fun guys!



Rilo Kiley, performing It's a Hit



Muse, performing Time is Running Out



Chris Brown, performing Yo (Excuse Me Miss)



AFI, performing Girl's Not Grey



Amerie, performing Gotta Work



Janet Jackson, performing Son of a Gun (I Betcha Think This Song is About You)



Madonna, performing She's Not Me



Garbage, performing Androgyny



Leona Lewis, performing Misses Glass



Pink, performing U + Ur Hand



The New ****ographers, performing Letter From an Occupant

Now the rules, again. You'll post your comments about all eleven songs in this thread, and send to me your rankings via pm (please title the pms RANKINGS.) They'll be like this:

RANDOM HYPOTHETICAL
11 - Girl's Not Grey
10 - Son of a Gun
9 - Misses Glass
...
3 - Time is Running Out
2 - She's Not Me
1 - U + Ur Hand

WITH YOUR NUMBER ELEVEN CHOICE BEING YOUR FAVORITE, AND YOUR NUMBER ONE CHOICE BEING YOUR LEAST FAVORITE. YOU WILL HAVE UNTIL SUNDAY NIGHT TO SEND ME YOUR RANKINGS.

Cheers!

Also, you can start sending me your top fours for next week. Here are the artists playing:

Kylie Minogue
Gwen Stefani
Vanessa Carlton
Aaliyah
Paramore
Papa Roach
Pussycat Dolls
Kate Nash
M.I.A.
Jewel
The Strokes
Or, as I'm calling it, hell week. I mean, how can I choose? Also, this week is guaranteed to get Yankee04 and Mikal playing!

And some FYC's/anti FYCs:

FYC:
Kylie Minogue
Disco Down
Bittersweet Goodbye
Loveboat
I'm So High
Butterfly
Fever
Love Affair
The G-House Project
Chocolate (THE ALBUM VERSION)
Someday
Sweet Music
Promises
Obsession
Cruise Control
On the Up
Loving You
I Believe in You
Giving You Up
Made of Glass
Do It Again
Spell of Desire
In the Mood For Love

ANTIFYC: RED BLOODED WOMAN. NO - PLEASE DON'T DO IT.

Gwen Stefani
The Real Thing
Fluorescent
Now That You Got It
Luxurious (SINGLE VERSION)
U Started It
ANTI FYC: ORANGE COUNTY GIRL. JUST TRASH, PURE TRASH.

Vanessa Carlton
White Houses
The One
Who's To Say?
She Floats

Aaliyah
I Refuse
It's Whatever
What If
I Can Be
Messed Up
I Miss You

M.I.A.
M.I.A.
Bingo
Sunshowers
10 Dollar
U.R.A.Q.T.
AMAZON!!!

Why not "red blooded woman"?

It's awful. Terrible awful. But now that I'm responding:

PEOPLE, PLEASE SPECIFY WHICH VERSION OF A SONG YOU'RE VOTING FOR. (eww, I just ended a sentence with a preposition. Gross!) For instance, if you want to vote for the Fischerspooner remix of Kylie's Come Into My World (which is substantially different from the album or the single versions), please say so.

I like "Red Blooded Woman."

Bart I'm definitely submitting RBW. Just a forewarning. It's one of the only Kylie songs I love.

It's a Hit - This is the first time I heard a song by them, and I must admit I am quite pleased. Their style is very country and this song also has some excellent horns in the middle. The lyrics also seem to be quite interesting. The only downside is that it is almost instantly forgettable. Above average, but far from excellent.

Time is running out - Very Muse-ish.....which is an awesome thing. Despite the fact that it fails to be as unique as Supermassive Black Hole, this is still one piece of great rock. The hook is probably the best part, and even the chorus is groundbreaking. My only complaint is the slightly mediocre beginning verses which initially fail to stand out.....Definitely one of my Top 3 this week.

Yo - This is actually much better than I anticipated. It's got a relatively laid-back approach and is much more interesting as a song than his other mainstream efforts. Its not very original in terms of style, but all RnB is pretty much the same unfortunately. Still, this is surely one of his best.


Girl's Not Grey - Hmm....I'm trying to like it, but after listening to Muse this one just seems far too average and mediocre, instead of being unconventional. The chorus is catchy, to say the least, but that's pretty much it because in my opinion there is nothing spectacular about it.

Gotta Work - Mrs Jay-Z had better start stepping up her game, because this is one infectious Pop/RnB song. The music here is awesome and everything about it is extremely energetic. I think its a pity she's not so popular because she puts most other artists to shame. I hope this song will be followed by other great hits, because this one really raises the bar.

Son of a Gun - Compared to the rubbish Discipline was, this song redeems Janet a bit. Its quite catchy and has a decent beat, but her voice is terrible and she is certainly an overrated artist in my opinion, especially if you her something as energetic and alive as "Gotta Work" just before it.

She's Not Me - Okay, I know 80% of ATRL members have the worst taste in the world, but to place this in the Top 4 is utter craziness. Its boring and proud of it. The only thing praiseworthy about it is the key-change about after 1.30 mins I think, but unlike Incredible's dance transition, this one doesn't build up and there is no climax. It just keeps going on and on and on, repeating the same words all the time. Very bad choice.

Androgyny - Garbage huh.....Well this song certainly isn't "garbage". It's actually one of the week's best. The chorus is a departure form the somewhat misleading verses, but in a good way. THe only thing I didn't like was the lead singer's rather monotonous tone throughout the entire song.

Misses Glass - Fair enough. At least the song is upbeat and its miles better than her less sophisticate ballads, so I actually think that this is a good choice.I like the way it changes after she sings a couple of verses, but the main chorus is an epic failure unfortunately. Still, bar Forgive Me, this is her best venture into RnB yet.

U+ Ur Hand - One of the only Pink songs I like. Despite the unnecessary rude theme and stupid lyrics this is still one of the freshest hits of 2006. The song is epic in nearly all ways, but nothing is better than the chorus which is a loud, savage but still radio-friendly anthem.

Letter From an Occupant - I am in two minds about this one. On one hand, this song is quite fresh and multi-generic, but at the same time there is nothing particularly striking about the song. I just hope the Top 3 will be marginally better than this uninspired effort.

It's a Hit - Rilo Kiley is <33333 and more people need to hear their stuff. If this is #4, I can't wait to see what is higher.

Time is running out - Gotta be amused by Muse! Lovely tune. Same with RK, wonder what is ahead of this.

Yo - I find this song to be boring, no offense Chris....not a good 2nd single choice.

Girl's Not Grey - How can you not like this song? It's very catchy and I find myself actually dancing to this song despite the title name. Very hot song.

Gotta Work - Honestly, I wasn't impressed by this song. She's had better from her first CD.

Son of a Gun - After Just A Little While subsided, Janet never really impressed me ever again....this was one of her better songs. Nice beat.

She's Not Me - I don't think this song is great. Very boring.

Androgyny - Maybe the best of the 11. I loved this song when it came out.

Misses Glass - OK, but certainly no Better In Time or Bleeding Love. I give a B for effort.

U+ Ur Hand - Probably Pink's best song besides Just Like A Pill. Very danceable pop-rock tune

Letter From an Occupant - The name is nice and the song is nice too.

FYCS:
Vanessa Carlton
A Thousand Miles
Ordinary Day
Pretty Baby
Nolita Fairytale
White Houses

Paramore
Crushcrushcrush
Misery Business
Let The Flames Begin
Emergency
Born For This
Halleujah

Papa Roach
Scars
Forever
She Loves Me Not
Last Resort
Time & Time Again
Getting Away With Murder
Broken Home
Tightrope

The Strokes
Last Nite
Reptilia
Hard To Explain
14:59

I would choose Kylie and Aaliyah but that'd be a 5th and 6th choice for me....however I can't submit a 5th or 6th due to the rules. Message sent to you with my rankings.

"Scars"
You know they have a song called "Tightrope", right? It's a hidden track on Infest. Everyone better put that on their lists.

It's A Hit - What makes this song such a gorgeous one is its lyrics. Well, and the fact that Jenny Lewis' voice is so sublime. It's Rilo Kiley near the peak of their powers, and that should be enough for MOST people.

Time Is Running Out - Inevitable, but this also means that "Hysteria" could be left out in the cold, since there's no way "Starlight" wasn't in the top three, and I imagine that "Supermassive Black Hole" is there, as well. Still, it's Muse, and no Muse is bad Muse, and, for many of us, this was the song that introduced us to Matthew, Chris, and Dominic, so it will always have a soft spot in my heart for that alone. And the most amazing thing of all: this is a rather *average* Matt performance on vocals, when compared to his other performances. *Average*.

Yo (Excuse Me Miss) - Nothing we have never heard before, definitely not unique, but, for a Chris Brown song, it's not too bad, almost as if it's a call-back to the days when R&B was a respectable form of music.

Girl's Not Grey - The song that introduced me to AFI, so it will, like Muse, always have a soft spot in my heart. It's not even one of their best singles, but it still has a charm to it that I very much enjoy, and I still dig the bridge area of the song.

Gotta Work - Nice use of the classic Sam & Dave tune, "Hold On, I'm Comin'", I have to say. Reminds me a lot of 60's era Tina Turner, but amped up for the 21st century. This surprised me on first listen, because I've never been a big fan of Amerie. If she has more music like this out there, though, I might be interested in seeking out more.

Son of a Gun - I'm annoyed, even today, that Carly Simon signed off on this, but it has NOTHING on Jimmy Page giving Sean Combs free reign on "Kashmir" for "Come With Me", so it has that going for it. I do really dig the main beat, though the opening/ending and chorus still annoy the hell out of me. Janet's voice is kind of sexy here, though, I'll admit. Not nearly the best of the week, but it's not as bad as I remember it being.

She's Not Me - This is the first time I've listened to anything on Hard Candy that's NOT "4 Minutes". Seriously. No joke. Can't say that I'm too impressed with the main beat, but the lyrics are interesting, if nothing else, and the beat that comes afterward is very nice.

Androgyny - No surprise at all that this song made it. Didn't choose it as one of my four, but not bad, all the same. It does have an interesting sound, albeit one that isn't quite unique, and Shirley's vocals are always fun, so I would say it's worth listening to, though they have better, even from this era.

Misses Glass - First, let's get the obvious out of the way: Why the HELL is Leona Lewis even in the top 100? She's only had one album. I mean, yeah, she's obviously big right now, but her and Katy Perry both being on the list is just...odd. Anyway, the song itself is not offensive or anything, but I think it was pretty forgettable and average. Just like "Bleeding Love". Yeah, that's right, I went there.

U + Ur Hand - Ugh. It always annoyed me at first that "Who Knew", the far superior song, was a flop, while this song was a big hit. Luckily, "Who Knew" was re-released, and justice occurred. I'm sorry, but this song never clicked with me. It always struck me as way too much as a Kelly Clarkson clone the first time I listened to it, only with just a bit more bite, and that opinion has not changed one bit since. I admire what she tried to do here, but I just don't enjoy it.

Letter from an Occupant - Now, I will admit something that I'm sure will make Bart blow a gasket: I haven't heard a lot of TNP's stuff. Everything that I have heard before this song was annoying and just not enjoyable to listen to. THIS song, on the other hand, sounds nice and much more like I hoped for. It doesn't hurt that Neko Case's vocals are the only ones heard in the entire song, which is much appreciated, since I love me some Neko. The music sounds relatively like TNP sounds, but Neko's vocals override any ill feelings I may have had.

It's A Hit: More people should hear this. It's so chill. I had never heard the song, but it's surely going to have me checking out more of their stuff.

Time Is Running Out: The verses don't attract me as much as their others, still a good song.

Yo! (Excuse Me Miss): This is the song that did it for me. Sure, I had heard "Run it!" and I liked it, but "Yo!" is what caught my attention, and made him one of my favorite artists. It was more laid back. and wasn't like the other teen R&B that gets put out, and isn't degrading or foul. and i LOOOOVe the lisp on "Atte-ten-tion" lmao. It's a good, laid back r&b/pop hit.

Girls Not Grey: I was a huge AFI fan up until this point. There's nothing special about this, and I tried to like it when it was released, still not feeling it.


Gotta Work: Geeze the song grabs your attention from the beginning. Sometimes Amerie's high pitch voice is too much. The chorus is catchy, but I dislike how it's sung. She sounds very energetic on this. She deserves more attention than she gets, but surely not with this song.

Son Of A Gun: I like the lyrics. It'd probably be better if she wasn't monotonous on the verses. I like the chorus, it sounds good. I just can't stand her voice on this one.

She's Not Me: I like the intro beat. I don't like songs like this usually, and this time is no different. It sounds like a filler, and is pretty boring.

Androgyny: It's an alright song. Her voice is something chill. Probably a song i'd cruise around to if I was alone, lol.

Misses Glass:The song is weird. The beat is odd. I think Leona should stick to ballads. I probably wouldn't listen to it again.The change in octave helps keep me awake though,

U + Ur Hand: An amazing song from Pink! I had honestly thought she was done until the release of this song as well as "who knew". It reminds me of "just like a pill" sort of, maybe that's why I like it. It sure let us know she wasn't dead.

Letter From an Occupant : Nothing about this song really catches my attention. If it came on the radio, i'd probably change it, unless forced to listen to it in a friend's car. It's not horrible, but it's tolera

Rilo Kiley, performing It's a Hit
This song has style. I like it, more like i love it.

Muse, performing Time is Running Out
Even though i don't like Muse i must admit this song is okay, not great, just okay

Chris Brown, performing Yo (Excuse Me Miss)
When i first heard this song i realized Chris was gonna be on my playlist forever, as an R&B hit maker. This song is great.

AFI, performing Girl's Not Grey
Nothing really special, AFI is a great band though

Amerie, performing Gotta Work
Even though her voice isn't divaish, he has a unique style and proves it with this song, it's a bit 1 thing part 2 but it's also hot part 2.

Janet Jackson, performing Son of a Gun (I Betcha Think This Song is About You)
Janet is one of my faves, and this song is a pretty hot example why. Catchy, classy, hot collabo btw.

Madonna, performing She's Not Me
This song is one of the best songs Madonna has ever made and OWNS every other song on HC.

Garbage, performing Androgyny
Shirley Manson is one of the greatest band frontgirls ever and this song is pure hotness, i didn't even remember this song existed, they have maaannnyyy better songs.

Leona Lewis, performing Misses Glass
Never heard this song before, but this proves she's able to make hot upbeat songs, and that's what she needs to appeal younger audiences.

Pink, performing U + Ur Hand
One of the hottest songs by pink im surprised it was #4.

The New ****ographers, performing Letter From an Occupant
Can we say horrible, i can because this song is.

BTW. How many from each round we've evoted for will make it.

Lik we have 11 on this round. How many will make it for the second

Either 30, 32, or 36. I haven't decided yet. If it's 36, thirty two of those will be based on how they do this round. If it's 30, twenty four based on this round. The other four/six will come from the wildcard, where everyone will have a chance to vote people back in - if their songs didn't get the points necessary.

Like, not to give anything away, but from last week already, I have a strong feeling that Mr. West and Ms. Aguilera will figure heavily in the wildcard round.

*edits that*

I've probably only heard it maybe once.

Rilo Kiley, performing It's a Hit
This is the first time I hear this song. It's good, I like it.

Muse, performing Time is Running Out
One of my favorite songs of them.

Chris Brown, performing Yo (Excuse Me Miss)
A little boring, but not a bad song.

AFI, performing Girl's Not Grey
The first song I heard of them. Pretty good.

Amerie, performing Gotta Work
Nothing special about this song.

Janet Jackson, performing Son of a Gun (I Betcha Think This Song is About You)
Amazing song by Janet & Missy. That collaboration was perfect.

Madonna, performing She's Not Me
One of my favorite songs of Hard Candy. Pharrel and Madonna did a great job with this song.

Garbage, performing Androgyny
Amazing song and the best of this week for me without any doubt.

Leona Lewis, performing Misses Glass
It's ok but I prefer her ballads.

Pink, performing U + Ur Hand
I still like this song even when I overplayed. I love the lyrics.

The New ****ographers, performing Letter From an Occupant
Not bad but a little annoying.

Don't forget your FYCs guys!

Ok, time to review this week

It's A Hit: For a first heard, I have to say that it's a great song... The lyrics are good and the tune is catchy... One of he best song of the week...

Time Is Running Out: I haven't heard so much stuff of Muse... But this song is good, a bit boring in some parts but I like the lyrics....

Yo (Excuse Miss) I like the most part of Chris songs, but this one is boring really... Doesn't seem to catch my attention and the lyrics are repetitive.... Sorry, he has better songs

Girl's Not Grey This is like the 4th or 5th song I have heard about them... Not that good but not that bad.. Just nothing special about the song really

Gotta work For me, it's a definition of a catchy song... The music & lyrics are fun to me... and I like it... Her voice is pretty good

Son Of A Gun This is good... I'm interested to hear more janet stuff... Great collaboration, Missy part is really good and has a catchy chorus.. Good song

She's Not Me If you ask me, this could be one of the last song I would put in a Top 4.... It's good but how can this own the masterpieces of Devil & Miles Away... The song starts good but it's starting get repetitive after the 4th minute... Though I love the lyrics... But overall, not a good choice...

Androgyni OK, not of my top 4 choices but still a great first single, the tune is very good... Though I have to agree that are better songs in beautifulgarbage....

Misses Glasses I'm actually surprised that this made it... One of top 4 choices, this song has a good vibe and i can see a single potentially, well not too much but it has...

U + Ur Hand Yay, I love this song... One of P!nk best yet.... The song has a catchy vibe and though the lyrics are rude but it's Pink style...

Letter From an Occupant Ok, this song is not that bad, but it really annoy me in some times and some it's just OK... but not to hate. One of the least songs i liked

Can I just say something? It is amazing how many people submitted top 25 lists, at the start of the game, and have do nothing at all since then? (Hello, Mikal and Rok'r!) It's just ... why, you know, make this top 110 look the way it does (Leona Lewis. Come the **** on.) and not participate?

Rilo Kiley- It's A Hit Really nice song, this is a type of song Lily Allen would do, lyric wise.
Muse- Time Is Running Out They are a great band, but not one of my favorite songs by them.
Chris Brown- Yo (Excuse Me) Not one of my favorite songs by him, he has much better songs
AFI-Girls Not Grey One of my favorites from them
Amerie- Gotta Work This chick is so underated, & she shouldn't be, this song is awesome.
Janet Jackson- Son Of A Gun This is one of my favorite Janet songs
Madonna- She's Not Me Not one of my favorites from Hard Candy
Garbage- Adrogyny I had no idea they sang this song! I heard this song a while back, but wasn't sure who sanged it. Great song
Leona Lewis- Misses Glasses One of my favorites from her album
Pink- U & Ur Hand By far one of the best Pink songs
The New ****ographers- Letter From An Occupant Average song


FYC:

Aaliyah
1)More than a woman
2)Are you that somebody
3)Try again
4)4 Page letter
5)I care 4 U
6)We need a revolution


Anti FYC: Rock Da Boat

Kylie Minogue
1)Red blooded woman
2)Secret (take you home)
3)Wow
4)All I See (regular version)

Anti FYC: Fever

PCD
1)Wait a minute
2)Beep
3)Bite the dust
4)Buttons

Anti FYV: I don't need a man


Gwen Stefani
1)Cool
2)The Sweet Escape
3)Wonderful Life
4)Danger Zone

Anti FYC Luxorious