Released: November 15, 2011
Genre: Alternative hip hop, alternative rock
Label: Decaydance/Fueled by Ramen
Producers: Benny Blanco, Robopop, Emile, Ryan Tedder, Dr. Luke, The-Dream
This is Gym Class Heroes' sequel to their debut album "The Papercut Chronicles" back in 2005. Honestly, I instantly loved all tracks with featured artists because I have yet to LOVE a song from them without features. Of course, all of these featured artists makes the song with all catchy hooks especially Adam Levine's, Ryan Tedder's and Neon Hitch's choruses over vocalist Travie McCoy's rapping verses. Hopefully, in the future they will have a hit without the help of an artist to do the catchy choruses of their songs. But if that only works for them, then so be it!
Favorite Tracks: : "Life Goes On" (featuring Oh Land), "Stereo Hearts" (featuring Adam Levine of Maroon 5), "Ass Back Home" (featuring Neon Hitch), "The Fighter" (featuring Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic), "Holy *********, Batman!!"
JENNIFER HUDSON - "I Remember Me"
Released: March 22, 2011
Genre: R&B, pop, soul
Label: Arista
Producers: Alicia Keys, Chuck Harmony, Rich Harrison, HitBoy, Harvey Mason, Jr., Ne-Yo, Polow da Don, StarGate, Swizz Beatz, Ryan Tedder
For this sophomore effort, J. Hud is back with stronger, more confident, and of course, more better and impressive vocal deliveries in “I Remember Me”. Though the album is kinda forgettable and there were some fillers, at least, Jennifer commands every each song through the power of her voice and tone. Works with music couple Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys contributed on this album which delighted me. Her cover of Etta James’ classic “Feeling Good” is one of the album’s highlights and shows her own interpretation in this rendition. I wish Jennifer to be a reckoning force on her genre because with her voice and personality, she’s got a great potential to be much more successful, and more acclaimed.
Favorite Tracks: "I Remember Me", "Where You At?", "Angel", "Everybody Needs Love", "Don’t Look Down", "Feeling Good"
Date Premiered: November 18, 2011 Director: Arni & Kinski Favorite Scenes: Florence falls in the church where she's being caught and held by the choir, Florence being chased by the contortionist in a town
AVRIL LAVIGNE - "Smile"
Date Premiered: May 18, 2011 Director: Shane Drake Favorite Scenes: Avril walks over to people looking upset or distressed, and takes a piece of a broken heart lying by them and when she takes the piece, they begin to smile; Avril sprays different designs on the walls, such as love hearts, stars, and more smiling faces, and then plugs a red electric guitar into an amplifier.
"...You lie like a priceless Persian rug on a rich man's floor, Well, You lie like a coon dog basking in the sunshine on my porch, Well, You lie like a penny in the parking lot at the grocery store, It just comes way too natural to you, The way you lie..."
Album: The Band Perry Release Date: January 18, 2011 Genre: Country Length: 3:36 Label: Republic Nashville Writer(s): Aaron Henningsen, Brian Henningsen, Clara Henningsen Producer(s): Paul Worley
Weeks on Chart:7 weeks Peak Position:#09
After their country smash hit “If I Die Young”, which placed higher on last year’s list, The Band Perry earns a spot this year just shy on making it in the Top 100! This song proves more of Kimberly Perry’s great vocal delivery when she attacks the chorus and the bridge! The song is much more mature compared their past two singles before. I can definitely say, it’s one of the few country songs that I loved this year!
BRAD PRAISLEY & CARRIE UNDERWOOD - "Remind Me"
"...Been so long that you'd forget the way I used to kiss your neck, Remind me, remind me, So on fire so in love, Way back when we couldn't get enough, Remind me, remind me..."
Album: This Is Country Music Release Date: May 23, 2011 Genre: Country Length: 4:32 Label: Arista Nashville Writer(s): Brad Paisley, Chris DuBois, Kelley Lovelace Producer(s): Frank Rogers
Weeks on Chart:5 weeks Peak Position:#06
And starting off the Top 100, is another country song entry! Being one of my favourite country jams this year, a big thanks to Carrie Underwood which prompted me to give this song a try. And after that, it is indeed an amazing record to listen to, plus its lyrics are very meaningful to let someone you have to “remind about you”! Brad and Carrie’s vocals pretty sure makes fellow American Idol alumna Kelly Clarkson and Jason Aldean’s country duet for a comparison.
CHRIS BROWN - "She Ain't You"
"...I think I better let her go, Cause I can't leave you alone, Every day that I'm with her, all I want is you, I wanna leave but I'm afraid, That you don't even feel the same, And now I realize that she ain't you..."
Album: F.A.M.E. Release Date: March 28, 2011 Genre: R&B, pop Length: 4:08 Label: Jive Writer(s): Chris Brown, Jean Baptiste, Ryan Buendia, Kevin McCall, Jason Boyd, John Bettis, Steve Porcaro, Brian Morgan Producer(s): Free School
Weeks on Chart:5 weeks Peak Position:#09
So, this is the song that made me completely love Chris Brown and his music after all the negative backlash that he had been receiving since last 2 years with that Rihanna incident. The song which samples 90’s R&B group SWV’s “Right Here (Human Nature Mix)” and the king of Pop Michael Jackson’s “Human Nature” with its accompanying music video is a genius tribute by Chris to his Idol, MJ himself! I mean who else than Chris can do it better?! We better give him credit for it…