We talked about Lights, Orianthi and Domenica earlier. Next is this band.
KSM
-Introducing the girl group sensation KSM. This quintet took the chart by storm with their song Read Between The Lines. Their debut album picked up steam in the Summer and they had a bunch of airplay for their songs. These girls rock, and all have their own separate Twitter accounts. Shameless plug? Http://www.myspace.com/ksmofficial
+Plus
-All their songs were in the top 100 in airplay at some point. Their smash Read Between The Lines topped my chart 6 times on the weekly chart. You can't stop these girls on my list, they're great.
-Former member Sophia Melon also has made an impact on the chart. She was at one point #5 with In A While.
-Versatility. All the girls have their own special skills and talents. Kate Cabebe claims she's a Pokemon/Jedi master. LOL (running gag)
-Minus
-A report surfaced that the girls went their separate ways. They will get back together, I can promise you that.
-Reason To Love Them:
-They're cute, they rock and they are very gifted and sweet. They have a bright future. They have had some other videos like I Want You To Want Me and Don't Rain On My Parade which we saw earlier. Here's another video which is the aforementioned I Want You To Want Me rendition, heard in 10 Things I Hate About You show.
-Skills:
-Shelby plays keyboard and sings, Kate C. plays drums, Katie, Sophia and Shae played guitar/bass. Kate claims she raps. They have a plethora of talent.
Lastly of the 5, it's the talented Carrie Underwood.
Carrie Underwood
-Carrie has had more hits on my countdown than the rest of the top 10 combined. She's also had more billboard hits than just about anyone on this list. Carrie's on her 3rd album and she's staying very strong. Going back to 2005 when she won American Idol 4, she was born to be a star. Since then, she's had a lot of success, and has been the most successful Country singer on my chart in the last 10 years. The only other Country singer that can stake a claim to Carrie's dominance is Shania Twain, who dominated the 90s.
+Plus
-She's charted like 15-16 times on my countdown. With a few #1 songs under her belt, she is always dangerous on any chart she's in. Before He Cheats, All-American Girl and Cowboy Casanova have all topped my countdown. She's topped the airplay chart with 5 songs.
-Versatility and consistency. Some can argue Carrie is one of the greatest Country singers in recent memory. I wouldn't go that far yet.
-She's been in the top 20 on my endyear chart 2 different years, she's still looking to extend that.
-Minus
-The only knock on her is she's never finished on my year-end top 10. She's probably the best artist to not reach that mark. (No, Lady GaGa does NOT count)
-Reason To Love Her
-Simply everything. She rocks with her style. But how did she get her start? Take a look here.
-And then there's her best song to-date, Before He Cheats. She's come a long way since her Idol audition in 2005.
-Skills
-She plays piano, she is a singer-songwriter, she is building a seriously big fanbase. She doesn't play guitar that much, but occasionally. She sings with passion.
The next time we meet, the top 5 begins! Now that you've seen all the breakdowns, who will be #1? Stay tuned!
It's one of the most intriguing top 5s in recent memory. Let's waste no more time.
5. Domenica "Above Me"
PROS:
-Fast start. This song got off to such a hot start, it's remarkably amazing.
-#1 numerous times on the chart, airplay top dog for quite a while too.
-The highest Canadian on the list.
CONS:
-Pretty much up against 4 heavyweights.
NOTES:I posted their Myspace link earlier.
Now the top 4 is next. Frankly, it could go to any one of these songs. After going back and forth, I have decided on this top 4. Enjoy.
4. Lights "Second Go"
PROS:
-Lights earned another #1 hit with this song on my chart, and hit #1 in airplay. This girl is amazing. Definitely worth listening to.
-Consistency and chart experience. Lights has been so solid with this song, it's remarkable. Oh and Lights is <3.
CONS:
-Of the 4 top heavy-hitters, this was far and away the weakest. Lights only topped once.
NOTES:Her next song is set to make its debut next week, stay tuned.
3. Orianthi "According To You"
PROS:
-This Aussie powerhouse really made her mark, this hit #1 a lot of times.
-Dominated airplay for soloists. She really made a name for herself this year. Lots of fan support.
-Leads the way in Rookie Of The Year race.
CONS:
-Not really any downsides.
NOTES:She's a near-lock to win Best New Artist on my chart.
THE TOP 2 IS NOW. You could really flip a coin on this one, these two were evenly matched. But in the end, I decided that this was the right top 2.
2. Carrie Underwood "Cowboy Casanova"
PROS:
-Most successful Country artist to make the countdown this decade, 3 #1 chart appearances.
-This song topped twice on the weekly chart and hit #1 a pair of times on the airplay chart.
-Interesting concept video. She will certainly get a lot of nominations for my year-end countdown award show.
CONS:
-Her best was not good enough to take #1. Plus the lyrics are somewhat cheesy but I like them.
NOTES:She's the favorite to win Soloist Of The Year.
The #1 goes to.......KSM!
1. KSM "Read Between The Lines"
PROS:
-This mighty quintet took the #1 spot on the weekly countdown numerous times, and dominated the airplay charts and fancount (had 2nd most on the fancount votes, only 2nd to Bomshel)
-The song and lyrics are interesting.
-The favorite to win Best Group/Best New Group on my year-end countdown.
CONS:
-None, but the group disbanded for now.
