It's sunday everybody, and although I've already posted 3 reviews I'm still going to give a quick rundown of the Billboard Top 10 songs. This is my first shot at this, so I'll try not to be too harsh, and Hopefull you'll grant me the same courtesy. Number 1. "Uptown Funk" by Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars. Now as far as I know, Mark Ronson is new to the limelight, but Bruno Mars has brought him to the party. This song has been on the charts for 21 weeks, and for good reason. It's funky, and fun as hell. Bruno Mars has the perfect image and personality to make this song the blast that it is. A simple funk song, with few complex chord changes to it, and a chorus that just feels sparkly wiith it's synth keyboard and resolving chord changes. This song is simple, but just so much fun.
Number 2. "Sugar" by Maroon 5
This song is not all that different from what they have been producing for the last few years, but it has an endearing sentiment to it. The groove feels good, with quiet background keyboard, and the focus on Levine's falsetto vocals make it exciting. A very simple radio tune. A very safe bet from Maroon 5 to keep them near the top of the class.
Number 3. "Love Me Like You Do" by Ellie Goulding
I'm not as familiar with Ellie Goulding, but from what I hear on the radio, it doesn't take much get familiar. She's got a nice voice that pulls off tender and vulnerable well, as well as powerful and bold. This is another typical trance type track. As a base for a vocal performance it works just fine, but for overall musical performance and expression there is little to nothing happening. Mainly drum beats and basic chords.
Number 4. "Earned It" by The Weeknd
Apparently this one is from Fifty Shades of Grey. I wouldn't know. I try to stay away from
crap. That being said, I'm actually okay with this song. It's in a style that hasn't been
largely popular since the Eighty's or early Ninetie's. That is unless you count Beyonce and the like. It's surprisingly soulful, if slightly overproduced. The song could use a more pronounced arc overall, but is still entertaining. If you like slow passionate R&B, this song's ranking at number 4 makes you quite happy.
Number 5. "Thinking Out Loud" by Ed Sheeran
This song has been around quite a while, and me feelings on it have not really changed since I first heard it on 'multiply'. It's a decent little song, but once the band comes in, it loses its acoustic identity that it tried to establish from the start. It's a decent song that, performed the right way, could be much better than it deserves to be. Unfortunately, Ed Sheeran doesn't quite get it right.
Number 6. "Trap Queen" by Fetty Wap
Now we get into the stuff that I don't really like. There's not much to make it stand out from any other mid tempo hip-hop track. Rhythmically, it's par for the course. Now I understand hip-hop/rap is largely about lyrical narrative, but it's often better done than it is here. This song is basically all about some hot girl at a club. Yawn. During verses, the lines sound they're being delivered by Don Corleone, in that it sounds like he's got something shoved in his mouth
muddling up his words. Not impressive.
Number 7. "Style" by Taylor Swift
Ah, the juggernaut that is Talyor Swift. I'm surprised this song isn't number 1. That's her thing right? Writing ridiculously popular songs? Anyway, this song sounds like an attempt at the classic eighties sound, at which it almost succeeds. The chord progression makes sense as a quasi ballad, and the synth style works too. If you like straight ahead time and simple droning keyboards that lay the groundwork for a uninspiring vocal performance. You're in luck. If you like interesting music, sorry.
Number 8. "G.D.F.R." by Flo Rida
Oh goody, more bland hip-hop. Another song about some party at the club that's gonna be off the chain. If you like going deaf from a way too loud bass system, then you'll probly enjoy this song. The rapped lines have no flow, and the phrasing is boring. Not to mention that if you listen very closely, you can hear a sample of War's "Low Rider". About the furthest jump in style that you could take from the original song. That makes me sad.
Number 9. "FourFiveSeconds" Paul McCartney, Rihanna and Kanye West
Now I'll have you know, in the Billboard song credits, the artists are listed as Rihanna, Kanye West & Paul McCartney. In that order. I've elected to put McCartney first because he's the main reason this song is good. He's actually a good songwriter, and I feel Rihanna and Kanye get to benefit from his talents on this one. That may just be because I don't like either of them all that much. About the song though, it's good. Great guitar work that sounds energetic but gentle, and to be honest Rihanna and Kanye sound fine. I think it would be better with different singers but, hey, maybe Rihanna and Kanye might get something out of the experience. Doubtful.
Number 10. "See You Again" by Whiz Kalifa feat. Charlie Puth
Another song from a movie. This time Furious 7. It starts as a sentimental piano croon from Puth, then whiz Kalifa takes it in a hip-hop direction. Both artists in the track give a pretty good performance. Unfortunately the contrast between the 2 styles, the verses and the chorus, is too pronounced and overall it comes across mildly confusing. After a few listens, this one kinda grew on me but I'm not in love with it. Overall, it's a pretty good track, and feels sincere.
There you have it folks, that's my rundown of Billboard's Top 10. Now I could speculate on where each of the tracks will go into next week, but I feel I would be terribly incorrect. I just don't have my finger on the pulse of today's pop music. I'll have a shot at it anyway though. I think "uptown Funk" will stay on top, but I don't think "Sugar" will stick around much longer. Earned it might climb a spot or two, but won't make it to Number 1. "Thinking Out Loud" will continue to drop, while "style" will hold it's position to the effect of gaining a spot. "G.D.F.R" will likely stay where it is. "FourFiveSeconds" will continue to drop, despite how good it is it doesn't have the energy to hold off other songs. And, lastly, I think "See You Again" will keep climpbing and get up to about the 4 or 5 spot. It might be fun to see how predictions turn out. In any case, it's not like I'll be listening to any of these songs until next sunday. Thanks for your time, everybody!
No comments:
Post a Comment