Pop Blitz 7/21/2011

Rebecca Black - My Moment
The subversive part of me really wants this girl to carve out a career based solely on her WTF story. However, this song isn't gonna do it. It's neither good enough to leave an impact, nor bad enough to laugh at. C

Selena Gomez & The Scene - Love You Like A Love Song
Selena's got some team surrounding her. It's not like she's a powerhouse singer (at all), but her brand of radio pop keeps getting better and catchier. This is another surprisingly excellent, dub-step influenced, hit. A-

Calvin Harris - Bounce (ft. Kelis)
Essentially a Kelis song wrapped in Calvin Harris production, this is a summer dance tune that certainly goes down easy. It's nothing revolutionary, but the instrumental hook works and Kelis's vocals sound nice. B+

DJ Fresh - Louder (ft. Sian Evans)
More UK dance music, though the aggressive production makes this a little less clubby than the last track. It's grown on me, but I don't think I'll be playing this beyond the Summer. B-

Six D - Best Damn Night
This was featured heavily on American reality show The Dance Scene, and that's probably the only reason I sort of like it. Now that I've heard it more often, though, I'm convinced it is a little too harried and derivative for its own good. C+

Hot Chelle Rae - Tonight Tonight
Every summer, America seems to pick one "rock" song to get obsessed about (last year it was Neon Trees' Animal, btw). This is not as good. It actually reminds me a little of a borderline novelty song from the 90's. It could be a whole lot worse, but it doesn't do a lot for me either. C+

Rizzle Kicks - Down With Trumpets
While I'm not really sold on this song, I think this rap duo has heaps of potential. They do need a better hook, though. This feels just a bit lazy, even with the nice sample and funny lyrics. B-

Pop Blitz 6/17/11

Black Eyed Peas - Don't Stop The Party
I'm not sure that BEP has released any singles from this latest album that I've liked. This definitely doesn't break the pattern. It's not as irritating as a few of the others, but it's not as effortlessly catchy as their best work. The production's better than the hooks. C-

Selena Gomez & The Scene - Bang Bang Bang
Not technically a single (just a promo release), but I wanted to include it because I (surprisingly) have really fallen for this song. It's like a tween version of La Roux's Bulletproof. I LOVE the synth production and the general laid-back coolness of this. She's growing up! A-

Nicole Scherzinger - Right There (ft. 50 Cent)
It's not up there with the prior two singles (particularly the brilliant Don't Hold Your Breath), and I hate the unnecessary 50 Cent feature, but this has grown on me. I like the hook, and that's about it. Problem is, it doesn't have much of an impact when all's said and done. B-

Eric Saade - Hearts In The Air (ft. J-Son)
It's not as strong as Popular, but this is still a decent follow-up. The verses are better than the chorus (which sounds a little too familiar). It's enough to get me excited for the album, though. B+

Shania Twain - Today Is Your Day
It is so GOOD to hear Shania again. This gets instantly higher marks just for that. The song itself is pretty underwhelming... not one of her better ballads. But she sounds great and there's a catchy guitar hook buried somewhere in here. B

Jason Derulo - Don't Wanna Go Home
This is probably the most important single for him as far as longevity is concerned. The multiple samples used make this more of a hodgepodge than an actual original song, but the production's reliably glossy. I think the jury's out. All this has done is confused me. B-

Cher Lloyd - Swagger Jagger
Oh, how I loved Cher Lloyd in X-Factor last year. However, this track is all of her worst tendencies thrown into one song. Whereas I'm not sure about the Jason Derulo song, the sample here (Oh My Darling Clementine? Really??) does not work at all. What the hell did they do to her? D+

MTV Movie Awards 2011

The MTV Movie Awards were last week and in true fashion I'm posting a blog about my favorite outfits :)

Selena Gomez

I think she looks really pretty, but the dress is just ok for me.

Mila Kunis

Again, she looks cute, but the outfit is just ok. Kinda boring.

Leighton Meester

I like this outfit, but I'm pretty sure it's the same one that J.Lo wore to another awards show this year already.

Chelsey Handler

Simple, but cute

Cameron Diaz

Kinda boring. At least it's not a bad outft.

Katie Cassidy

I like this dress, but not really for the MTV awards. It's like a summer dress.

Brooklyn Decker

I love this dress, but it doesn't really show her shape and I don't really like her hair.

Worsts

Amanda Bynes

Her shoes are a weird color for the dress. They cut off her legs and make her look stubby. The clutch doesn't match. And her boobs look really funny. Not a great look.

Jessica Szohr

This is seriously so bad. Why would you buy this? As point out on "Fashion Police", it looks like a uterus and ovaries...where they should be...

Nicki Minaj

She is so terrible. That's all.

Elle Fanning

I just don't like this. Not a fan of the pattern or the style for this awards show.

Crystal Reed

I just don't know what is going on here. There is way too much going on with the shoes and the flowers, and the poof...

Nikki Reed

What in the world is up with the sheer pants? Yuck

Bests

Emma Watson

I think she has the best style. She always looks so cute. I love the sleeves on this dress.

Reese Witherspoon

She always looks good. Fun dress.

Rosie Huntington

I love this dress for this show. So fun.

Nina Dobrev

I love this dress and fits her so well. I like her hair a lot too.

Kristen Stewart

I love this dress on her. Usually I don't like her outfits, but she looks so cute here!

Blake Lively

So simple, but so put together. Love it. Love the color.

Emma Stone

I love. That's all. My favorite.

Pop Blitz 3/17/11

George Michael - True Faith
Michael comes back with a midtempo track (a cover of the New Order hit) that overuses vocoder effects. He's got one of the best pop voices of all time, so what's with the electronics? And why can't we get something more uptempo (or at least with a better melody)? C-

Glee Cast - Loser Like Me
Glee remains as frustrating as it is entertaining. There's more potential than this radio-friendly track displays, but it's not bad, either. Next time, they need to opt for a more unique sound that capitalizes on their use of choral harmonies. B

Selena Gomez - Who Says
It's a brief (hopefully) pit stop to "uplifting" Taylor Swift-esque material for the Disney star. It's actually not as bad as I feared. The production's catchy enough, but I wish it was in another language so that I couldn't understand the lame lyrics. C+

The Wanted - Gold Forever
They're really building up a strong set of singles. This is the exact direction I was hoping they'd follow -- more electronic, more dramatic and uptempo. It's a promising sign for their second album, whenever they decide to release it. A

Martin Solveig & Dragonette - Hello
If this is what it takes to give Dragonette a world-wide audience, I'm totally okay with it. It's not the band's best track (and yeah, I know it's Solveig's song, but it sounds enough like Dragonette to be classified as such), but even their average material is heads above most everything else. A-

Jessie J - Price Tag
Honestly, isn't the chorus to this exactly the same as Pink's "F**king Perfect" (another song that completely underwhelmed me)? I just don't get the hype over this. It's dull, predictable and forgettable. What am I missing? C+

Black Eyed Peas - Just Can't Get Enough
How can one band be responsible for both some of the worst songs and best songs on the past few years? This isn't close to their low point (that would be previous single, the vomitatious "The Time (Dirty Bit)") but it's no "I Gotta Feeling," either. It's simply alright. B-

Oscars After Parties

Ok I figured I'd post about the after parties too, because most of the outfits I saw I did NOT love...really? have fun, but still look good people!

Madonna

ohmigosh I want to hurl. I know it's Madonna, but it doesn't make it ok. Yeah she looks better than when Britney did something like this, but still...just say no.

Jessica Biel

I thought she looked really good. I just liked this dress. Nothing bad to say.

Emma Stone

This picture she looks cute in...but I don't like her dress. And in the next one...she does not. Plus you can see more of the dress. I hate the weird train thing it has on the back and it's just too busy or something.

Heidi Klum

I think I would like this if it was a short dress. But it's too much as a long dress.

Cameron Diaz

This is ok, but I don't love the ruffle. I like that it's just fun though.

Gwyneth Paltrow

I thought she would have changed :( I think it looks good on her though.

Selena and Biebs

They look like they're going to prom, but I think they both look really good. Her dress is so pretty on her. I love the color against her hair.

Lea Michele

I really like this dress, but it's heavy on her. For an after party I would have worn something shorter and more fun. I do really like her hair and make up though.

Kim Kardashian

I like this dress a lot. I think it looks really good on her. But again I think she looks too dressed up or something. I would have worn a lighter material if I was wearing a long dress.

Chace and Emma

I love this. I think she is one of the best dressed for the after parties. I love the detail.

Taylor Swift

Loved her dress. Thought it was perfect. Short and fun, glitter, shoes matched perfect....so good!

Grammy's...a little late

Grammy's 2011

I just felt that since I didn't have to work today I would take it upon myself to judge some outfits from the Grammy's. I know it was a week ago, but better late than never right...besides, I'm probably nice than Perez. haha. My worst dress and best dressed come later. Here are just some that caught my eye.

First though...

Rihanna

This is the biggest disappointment of the night...REALLY?? What is this? I couldn't even put this in my worst dressed category because it's so bad. I had to "feature" this. She usually is so good. It's some see-through ruffly crap of a dress. Also it looks like she didn't even brush or color her hair for it. So sad...

LeAnn Rimes

I like the dress a lot, but she looks way too skinny. I think maybe her look would have been better if she had softer hair also.

Jewel

I like this dress. I think she looks like she was going for the greek look, but it's simple and it's a good color on her.

Dianna Argon

Usually she looks really pretty, but I think I like her better when her makeup is softer. I think she looks pretty and I like the outfit, but I'm not in love with her hair. I actually liked her better live on tv than in these pictures also.

Eva Longoria

Not a big fan tonight. I think the dress looks too 80s. She also looked better live on tv than in these pictures. I think her hair would have looked better if it was softer as well. I think her makeup is pretty though.

Jennifer Hudson

Not my favorite dress, but she looks amazing. The dress looks good on her and her face is gorgeous.

Kelly Osbourne

I really don't like her, but I do like this dress. I think she could have done something different with her hair. But I love her shoes.

Lea Michele

Not loving the hair or lips, but I do think the dress is very interesting. It looks good on her. Stunning.

Selma Blair

Such a cute dress for a pregnant person. I think she looks great.

Nicole Kidman

I love this dress. She always wears such simple things, so I really like this choice. It's very different and I love the color. It looks so good against her hair. She looks amazing.

Jennifer Lopez

I think she kind of looks like a giant disco ball, but I like it! I would totally wear it! And she freaking looks amazing! But I do think her extensions are a little bit too long!

The Worst:

Lady Gaga

She is just crazy...she literally came in in this egg. Then she "incubated" in the back until her preformance....there's not a lot to say.

Miley Cyrus

The dress itself wouldn't be that bad, if she wasn't like sucked into it and her boobs weren't popping out. This picture doesn't show it as much, but I couldn't bring myself to put that on my blog. Also she has WAY too many bangles on.

Ciara

WTH? That's all. Disappointed.

Katy Perry

This could have been worse too...but really? Wings and a bare tummy? I don't know...she's usually really pretty, but her face just looks tired or something.

Hayley Williams

Her stomach panel is see through...she's got like pink feathers or something at the bottom, but it clashes with her bright red hair, which has really short bangs...and the red lipstick...I just...ugh.

Nicki Minaj

I don't even have anything to say about this. It's just bad.

Snooki

What are her shoulder pad things doing? This could have gone in a lot better direction, but it didn't. She just overall doesn't look very good. I guess I've seen her look worse though.

My Favorites:

Selena Gomez

She actually isn't my favorite person...I can't really put my finger on why...maybe because her disney show is sort of annoying, but I actually think she is really pretty, and I just thought her dress choice was great. I loved it.

Florence Welch

Ahh...loved this dress. It's totally unique and interesting. I love the colors and the fabric.

Miranda Lambert

Love this dress. 3 of my top dresses are gold glitter, which is sort of funny, but gold was a big color this year and the dresses were amazing that were picked. This looks great on her.

Mya

Silver Sparkles...not much to say. I just think she looks amazing.

Heidi Klum

She totally redeemed herself after the Golden Globes! I LOVE THIS DRESS! So glamourous. I can't decide between this one and Kim's below.

Kim Kardashian

I absolutely love this dress too, and her hair. I think she looks fabulous.