Just Because

Camp Classic

Don't Stop Shakira!

Shakira gave two great performances on network TV this past week. She performed her second single of her upcoming album She Wolf on Jimmy Kimmel Live. It's called Did it Again. It's quite wonderful and danceable. It's poppy but doesn't really sound like the other electro-dance-pop songs out there now. As with everything she does, Shakira puts her own stamp on it. The middle eight after the second chorus has what sounds to me for some reason like an Asian influence with the pulsing synth. I love the way the verses and the presence of the drums throughout. The chorus soars with Shakira singing "Can't believe it" followed by her chanting of "eh, eh, eh," then getting quieter with "aha, aha, aha". It is as good as She Wolf. I'm very excited for the album.

Did It Again-Jimmy Kimmel



She Wolf-America's Got Talent

This performance is original, sexy, and quintessential Shakira. This song is fantastic.

Tidbits

-Across the pond in the UK, super cute British singer, Pixie Lott, has scored her second number one of the year with her infectious retro single, Boys and Girls. Those Brits have fallen for this gal. Congrats, Pixie.

-Tyler Perry's latest film, I Can Do Bad All By Myself, has topped the box office making 24 million over the weekend. His films always do well. He has a built-in audience. This movie actually got good reviews (most of his films don't) with the Boston Globe giving it 3 out of 4 stars. There's a part of me that wants to see it now especially cause Taraji P. Henson (Benjamin's adopted mom in Benjamin Button) plays the lead role.

-Shakira's new album, She Wolf, will be released in the US on October 13th. I am so excited.

A Plethora of Pop

Shakira-She Wolf
The beloved Shakira has returned with a funky, disco jam, She Wolf, and here is the video in all its body rolling glory. The video is pretty crazy. I particularly enjoy when Shakira dances in the red sparkly cave in her oddly cut black jumpsuit. Also, the whole thing with her in the cage is fantastic, vampy, and slinky. A good comeback video.

Shakira - New Music - More Music Videos

Sugababes-Get Sexy
Okay, this is a really good Sugababes video. It's really visually appealing. Heidi (the blond one) doing her bit in a room with mirrors and green lights all over creates a very cool effect. Amelle (short hair) vamping it up in a cage. The wall graffitied pink and blue with variations on Get Sexy written. The girls dancing with glitter falling, and the girls chained together by their wrists doing herky jerky movements. It brings another aspect to the song. I still don't think it's their best single, but the video makes it better. Well done, Sugas.

Girls Can't Catch-Keep Your Head Up
Yet another British gal group to herald the arrival of. Ignore the slightly odd name and listen to their catchy electro-pop debut single. The verses are sung deliciously fast. The guitar riffs grind. All and all, a group to keep an eye on. The single was released today. Good luck in the UK charts, girls. Also, I love the concept of the video. Very random.

Madonna-Celebration
Madonna's new dancey single off her Greatest Hits collection is a good summer song. The best part is when she just talks over the beat. It's awesome. Very Confessions on a Dancefloor circa 2005.

Ashley Tisdale-Erase and Rewind
Okay, for some reason a part of me is drawn to Ashley Tisdale. She's not a very good actress and her music isn't that good either, but I thought I might find at least one gem on her new album and I did. Erase and Rewind is not original, her voice is nasal, the song is pop Slice and Bake, and it almost has a sheen to it. That being said: it's a lot of giddy fun. Best parts: "I don't wanna sound desperate but I am" and near the end of the song when everything drops out and Tiz just sings "I don't wanna feel like this, I don't want to" then she proceeds to go up the note scale singing 'Yeah ah ah ah ay" and everything comes crashing back in. I really like it.

Kelly Clarkson-Already Gone
Kels Clarkson's new single is a beautiful, sad ballad. The best lyric is "We were always meant to say goodbye". From the master of piano, drum, synth ballads: Ryan Tedder. Really pretty.

Demi Lovato-Here We Go Again
Demi Lovato is somewhat more legitimate than the Tiz. Demi knows how to rock, and she throws herself into her songs with abandon. I like some of the songs on her new CD which debuted at number 1 by the way. This is the first single Here We Go Again and even though the opening guitar part sounds like the theme song of a nineties sitcom, I still really enjoy the song. She just belts the heck out of it.

Little Boots-Remedy
Little Boots new video is not that interesting sad to say. She needs to move around more, but the song is a wild beast. The chorus is a colossal behemoth. An irresistible tune.

Tidbits

-Yesterday, La Roux hit number 1 in the UK for the first time with their fantastic new single Bulletproof. Their album is released today in the the UK. Congrats! Florence + the Machine debut at #12 with Rabbit Heart (Raise it Up), their wonderfully odd new single. This song would never even crack the top 100 here.

-Sales of Michael Jackson albums and singles have shot through the roof since his death last Thursday. 8 songs in the iTunes Top 10 are MJ, the number 1 spot occupied by Man in the Mirror. 7 of the top 10 albums are his as well.

-Here's a clip of a Jordin Sparks demo called Vertigo that should totally be on her new album which comes out July 21. It's super fun and dancey.



-The Spanish version of Shakira's new single has appeared online. The song is called She-Wolf and it is a big change of pace for Shakira. It's got a funky bassline, a disco feel, and it's overrall very pop. It suits Shakira well. I'm really loving it. Can't wait for the English version.