Ke$ha - Dirty Love

It's pretty much common pop knowledge that Ke$ha is tangled in some kind of label trap.  Her fans have started a petition to free her of Dr. Luke's creative control and Wayne Coyne of The Flaming Lips voiced his disappointment with the situation after their collaborative Lip$ha record was cancelled.  We also can't forget Ke$ha's now deleted tweets where she claimed that she was forced to sing her hit single, "Die Young".  Less than fantastic single sales only make the situation even more complicated.  The label could claim that the numbers are a result of her failure to cooperate, while Ke$ha could argue that it's the perfect reason to be released from her contract.  What happens when the pop star no longer wants to be a pop star?

It was somewhat surprising to see a the release of a new music video from her Warrior album, as promotion pretty much fell through after "Crazy Kids" fizzled out.  The video for "Dirty Love" drops Iggy Pop's dated-upon-release verse and features a new solo verse, along with some stripped down production.  Directed by Ke$ha with a seemingly low budget, it's probably her best video since "Blow".  And as much as I love Iggy, this new version of the track is way more rock than the original duet.

Check out the video for "Dirty Love" below and if you never gave it a listen, head this way for the full Warrior record.  Although buying that may just help her label, so maybe tour tickets are the way to go.

Best Albums Of 2012: #20 - 11

The Soundtrack Of My Life's "Best Of 2012" list is finally here!  2012 was full of so many amazing albums, so this list was a challenging task.  I know I say that every year, but I really mean it this time.  I've decided to cut the list to twenty albums instead of my usual overflow.  Due to that limiting factor, quite a few albums that I adored will not be featured here.  Survival of the fittest!  Another new element is that instead of a top five, I've actually ranked each individual album on the list.  With all of this said, let's get started!  Here's the first part of the "Best Albums Of 2012" list...

20. Marina And The Diamonds - Electra Heart

Marina And The Diamonds suffers from the same symptoms as Robyn in the United States.  They're both amazing pop artists, (Let's be honest, though. Robyn is to Beyoncé as Marina is to Kelly Rowland.)  but they can't seem to achieve a superstar level of success in the mainstream market.  As far as alter egos and musical characters go, Marina is dedicated to Electra Heart.  With tracks such as "Teen Idle", "Radioactive", and "The State Of Dreaming", Electra Heart is solid pop polished to its finest form.

19. Paloma Faith - Fall To Grace

Paloma Faith could and should be the next Adele sensation of America.  She has the voice and the style, and as an added bonus, "Picking Up The Pieces" is a "Rolling In The Deep" sized anthem.  Fall To Grace is powered by Paloma's powerhouse vocals and some wise production choices.  "Let Me Down Easy" might be under three minutes, but with its thundering bass and smokey vocals, it stands out as a shining highlight.

18. Trust - TRST

Right around the mark of 1:07 during "Shoom", the first track on TRST, there's a moment that hits me so hard every single time I hear it.  It's ridiculously haunting, and at that very instant Robert Alfons, the man behind Trust, has claimed you to himself for the entirety of the record.  TRST is a dark electro album that sounds like something from the more mysterious side of 80's new wave music.  Just look at that album cover and tell me you're not already hooked.  This album is such a magnificent debut for Trust.

17. Scissor Sisters - Magic Hour

Let's have a kiki!  Scissor Sisters fourth album, Magic Hour, is the follow up to 2010's Night Work, aka "that album with the guy's butt on the cover".  Honestly, I wore out Magic Hour towards the first half of 2012.  It was on repeat so often that I had to take a break from it.  It was just recently while creating this list that I started playing it again.  From the classic Scissor Sisters vibes of "Baby Come Home" to the electro-rap sounds of "Fuck Yeah", I really do love Magic Hour.  But the real star of the show is "Let's Have A Kiki".  I can't even begin to tell you how many people in my Twitter stream were ranting about having a kiki.  It was the summer hit that never managed to break into the US charts, aside from the Hot Dance Club chart where it went number one.

16. Crystal Castles - (III)

(III) is actually the first Crystal Castles album that I've listened to.  I know, call me a bad blogger/hipster/listener of music.  I've traveled back since then and listened to their previous releases, so you can't say I don't try.  With that said, I absolutely fell in love with this album.  I so desperately want to experience this album in a live setting.  Everything is chaos and I never want it to stop.

15. The xx - Coexist

This album received some mixed feedback and critics claimed that it was too similar to their debut album, but I feel like Coexist is an ideal sophomore record for The xx.  The xx manage to execute minimalism brilliantly.  It's more of an atmospheric record rather than one you may pop on as a crowd pleaser.  Be advised that I don't know what kind of crowds you hang out with.  With some of the year's most sensual vocal work, Coexist is beautiful.

14. Zedd - Clarity

I'm calling it now, Zedd is the electronic producer to watch out for in 2013.  He's already worked on a song with Justin Bieber and Nicki Minaj, which may not be such a great thing, and he's currently producing Lady Gaga's upcoming ARTPOP album.  His debut solo record may feature standout vocalists such as Ellie Goulding and Matthew Koma, but it's Zedd's solo tracks that glue the record together.  Clarity adds more to the genre than the other players in Zedd's realm of electronic production.  SHAVE IT UP!

13. fun. - Some Nights

The radio can really kill a song.  "We Are Young" and "Some Nights" have to be two of the most overplayed singles in every media format that existed during 2012.  With that unfortunate fact, fun.'s second album was a monumental step for the band.  They went from a group that found their home in the Fueled By Ramen crowd to one of the biggest pop acts in the country.  The album shows it, too.  Every track could be a hit and they made a few risky moves with songs like "One Foot" and "Stars".  Lucky for them, it paid off.

12. Bat For Lashes - The Haunted Man

While I'm not making a "best singles" list, "Laura" was definitely one of my favorite songs from 2012.  Natasha Khan's piano ballad is so beautiful that is almost overshadows the rest of the album, which is perfectly outstanding as well.  I could easily write paragraphs about that one song, but this is about The Haunted Man, an album that even further solidifies Bat For Lashes' discography.

11. The Killers - Battle Born

Ever since the release of Hot Fuss, The Killers have earned a spot as of one of my all time favorite bands.  That's not to say that they haven't had their ups and downs through the years.  I had a slip in faith when Day & Age came out.  But if it's one thing that I've learned, it's that every Killers album is a grower.  At the beginning of the year, I had projected that Battle Born would top this list.  While it instead sits at number eleven, Battle Born contains some soon to be Killers classics.  Just as I now love Day & Age, I'll probably love Battle Born even more a few years down the road.

Ke$ha - Cannibal

Have you ever wondered at what point do lyrics cross the line from being mediocre, maybe even a little embarrassing,  to completely unacceptable?  If so, then look no further than Ke$ha's Cannibal.  As the follow up to her debut Animal, the album is packed with synths, bass beats, and auto-tune.  Animal contained several hit singles that became staples on the Top 40 charts.  When I wrote about her newest single "We R Who We R" last month, I described it as positive, simple, and fun.  Cannibal is also fun... if you can get past the words that are coming out of Ke$ha's mouth.  It's shocking in a new way.

I admit, whenever "Your Love Is My Drug" came on the radio I would sing along.  The lyrics were bratty, but the beat was always catchy.  When I pressed play on Cannibal for the first time, I expected the same dance club singles.  As the title track of the album started, I heard Ke$ha's strange roaring-growling sounds.  "I eat boys up, breakfast and lunch. Then when I'm thirsty, I drink their blood - I am a cannibal."  When I heard the first verse of the title track, my first reaction was to laugh.  The lyrics aren't so much funny, but instead unbelievable.  There could be a metaphor mixed in those lines, but that really wouldn't make it much better.  The majority, if not all, of the lyrics are for dancing and only dancing.  Cannibal is a party record.

After the title track, the record continues at a similar pace.  "The Harold Song" seems to be the turning point of the album.  The song has a similar sound to Katy Perry's "Teenage Dream".  It's also the first track on the album that isn't strictly about partying, boyfriend bashing, or sex.  "The Harold Song" is definitely the highlight of the album.  "C U Next Tuesday" also stands out from the other songs.  The synths on the track remind me of a Wham! single.

If you scan over the track listing on the back of the CD case, you'll get a good description of the album.  Songs titles such as "Sleazy", "Blow", "C U Next Tuesday", and "Grow A Pear" represent the mood of the record.  Cannibal doesn't have much substance at all due to the nature of the lyrics.  There are some great melodies on the album, but unfortunately that's about it.  Unless you're a rabid Ke$ha fan, I would skip Cannibal.  There are countless new pop albums worth listening to that are better than Cannibal.

Ke$ha - We R Who We R

Instead of releasing another full album, Ke$ha has decided to put out Cannibal.  Cannibal is an eight song extension to her debut record, Animal.  This may sound familiar, as Lady Gaga made the exact same move with The Fame and The Fame Monster.  While eight songs is perfectly acceptable for a full record, the industry will probably consider Cannibal an EP.

The first single from Cannibal is "We R Who We R".  Due to the recent string of teenage suicides caused by bullying, Ke$ha stated that "The songs on Cannibal were made to inspire people to ignore any hate or judgment and be themselves unapologetically".  She hoped that the new single would become an anthem in a way.  The song's lyrics are very random and have a "we don't care what you think" attitude, but the single really just winds up sounding like a party song.  There aren't any specific lyrics directed towards the situation.

"We R Who We R" starts with a light synth line just as her other hit songs did.  The single sounds like a mash-up of every successful tune she's ever had.  It isn't innovative or ground breaking, but it does sound like a club hit.

The one element that's missing from "We R Who We R" is a bridge.  Instead of a bridge, there's a small instrumental section.  It really takes away a large part the formula.  The bridge was always the most exciting part of "Your Love Is My Drug" and "TiK ToK".  The song seems incomplete without it.

In the end, "We R Who We R" will probably burn up the charts.  It's very positive and fun, even if it's overly simplified.  The single will be released to iTunes for downloading on October 26.  "We R Who We R" is crazy and care free, but what matters the most is that it's catchy... and it is.

3OH!3 - My First Kiss (feat. Ke$ha)

"My First Kiss" is a single from 3OH!3's upcoming album, Streets Of Gold.  3OH!3 is an electronic duo made up of Sean Foreman and Nathaniel Motte.  Electro-pop newcomer, Ke$ha, returned the favor of "Blah Blah Blah" by singing in the verses of this song.  While "Blah Blah Blah" wasn't a standout song on it's own, "My First Kiss" lacks even more.  The song doesn't make progress from their previous hits and Ke$ha's addition seems more like a gimmick than anything.

The song features a clapping beat similar to "Hollaback Girl" or even "Blah Blah Blah".  The song starts with back and forth verses delivered by the two artists.  Kissing sounds can be heard several times through out the song.  This seems to be the hook that they hope radio stations will pick up on.  Overall, the song just lacks star power.  The chorus is bland, unlike "Don't Trust Me" and "Starstrukk" from their previous album, Want.

Recent fans of Ke$ha or 3OH!3 will eat up this song so fast that they'll want more.  The problem is, I doubt the group will gain any new followers from this single.  They may even lose some long time listeners due to the Ke$ha cameo.  I would pass on this song.  The melody, beat, and lyrics aren't memorable or innovative.  If you do decide to check it out, the single is available for download now and their album, Streets Of Gold, is out June 29.

Ke$ha - Your Love Is My Drug

Ke$ha is taking over the radio at an incredibly fast rate.  First it was "TiK ToK".  This song was completely everywhere.  Her references to "jack" and P. Diddy caused her to go straight to number one on the Billboard Hot 100.  After her first single, she released "Blah Blah Blah" with 3OH!3.  While the song hasn't yet beat "TiK ToK's" record, the song is still making it's impact.  The third and upcoming single from her album, Animal, is "Your Love Is My Drug".  The song follows the same formula as her previous hits and isn't really groundbreaking in any way.

"Your Love Is My Drug" is by far the catchiest of her singles.  The song is about her addiction to a boy, he is her "drug".  I'm not sure who Ke$ha's target audience is, but I don't feel that using the term "crackhead" to describe herself is a great example for teenage girls.  She tends to glorify drugs, sex, and alcohol in her music. Ke$ha's definitely not a great role model, but nobody said she was trying to be one.

The most interesting part of the song is the ending.  The music is stripped down significantly, and the pop singer starts blurbing out random words.  Giggling and the odd line, "I like your beard." are just some of the things that are heard.  She definitely has a strange attitude.

In the end, the song isn't doing anything that hasn't already been thought of.  Ke$ha's songs are all very computerized and rely heavily on a bass filled beat.  It's bratty club music.  If you enjoy this style, you can find all of her hits on her debut album, Animal.  "Your Love Is My Drug" will most likely go to number one on the charts, but that doesn't mean it deserves that title.

Ke$ha - TiK ToK

I featured this song in a previous post but never wrote a full review on it.  I figured with all of the hype surrounding it and with all of the records it's breaking, I should write a complete review.  I have a different opinion of the song now.  I've kind of seen it for what it is.  Ke$ha (born Kesha Rose Sebert) found out what people what right now in pop music.  Fun.  It's plain and simple, this song is fun.  If you focus on the lyrics and song structure, you'll soon find out that Tik Tok is simple and shallow.  But if you sing along to it and party carefree, you'll have fun.  This is Ke$ha's key to success.  It's the kind of song that teenage girls will blast in their car with the windows rolled down.  They'll get excited when it comes on the radio.  I mean, when you spell your name with a dollar sign, you can't be serious.  Sure, the song is pumped full of auto-tune, but that doesn't really matter in the end... at least not for Ke$ha.  Download this song or pick up the album if you need a catchy party song.  Skip it if you can't tolerate songs about beer, swagger, and Mick Jagger.

January's Albums

Here's a look at some of this month's major album releases, along with a couple thoughts of my own.  Leave a comment if I missed your favorite band's album.  Also, tell me which album you're waiting for.

Jan. 05

Ke$ha - Animal

You know her song Tik Tok by now.  This album will determine if she's here to stay, or a one hit wonder of the last decade.  For some strange reason she reminds me of Katy Perry, appearing out of nowhere and all.  Personally, I'll pass, but it does include a song featuring 3OH!3 for those who are interested.

Jan. 12

OK Go - Of The Blue Color Of The Sky

I haven't heard from them since their single Here It Goes Again.  Everyone remembers the music video, right?

Vampire Weekend - Contra

This is the follow-up to their self-titled debut.  The entire album is on their Myspace for listening, but I'll wait a week to hear it.  Build up a little suspense, if you know what I mean.  I already like Horchata and Cousins, so I hope for the best.

Jan. 19

Spoon - Transference

Need some indie rock?  Transference is Spoon's seventh studio album and follow-up to Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga.

Motion City Soundtrack - My Dinosaur Life

The pop-punk band's fourth album.  It was produced by Blink-182's Mark Hoppus.

Jan. 26

Lady Antebellum - Need You Now
This is the Country group's second album.  I'm not a big fan of the genre, so I don't have much info on this album.  However, I do know that it's highly anticipated.  Just being honest here.  I really need to listen to more country music.

Never Shout Never - What Is Love?
The internet sensation's debut album is here.  Never Shout Never (formerly NeverShoutNever!) is a one man band who plays primarily the ukulele.  He recently won an mtvU Woodie Award.

Rah Rah, Ooh La La?

Today I signed into Blogger, and realized that it's been almost a month since my last post. Sorry, I've been neglecting my blog. Anyways, I'm back. I thought it would be fitting to return with something new. Instead of just one review, this post will have three. I know, I know, it's exciting - isn't it? The theme for the reviews will be "Upcoming Hits". Now that's catchy. These will be songs that I think have a pretty good chance in becoming radio super hits. I'm not saying the artists need to be new, only the songs. Let's see how this goes...

Switchfoot - Mess Of Me

I think that this song could go to No. 1 on the rock and alternative charts. Switchfoot have already established a pretty decent radio reputation with "Meant To Live" and "Dare You To Move". This might actually be my favorite song of theirs. It's more exciting than their previous singles.

Ke$ha - TiK ToK

This one is very unfortunate. As much as I dislike this song, I fear it will shoot up the Top 40 chart. The song's chorus seems like something stolen from Lady GaGa, and the verses... wow. She sings about beer and "swagger". The song could be seen as a fun party tune, but I see it as trashy.

Lady GaGa - Bad Romance

I probably gave this one away in the blog title. Bad Romance is going to be No. 1. She's already done it four times in a row. I don't know why everyone is fascinated with her. I guess she's just something different. I have to admit, her songs are catchy. (Check out the music video, whoa creepy.)

There they are, my predictions. I know, Lady GaGa isn't a very risky guess. By the way, what do you think of Owl City? Fireflies has taken over. Who else thinks that Owl City is here to stay? Fireflies just sounds so... happy. Well I'm going to try to update the blog on a regular basis now that I'm back. See ya next time.