Ashlee Simpson - L.O.V.E.

For those of you who are unaware, Ashlee Simson is the younger sister of Jessica Simpson. Ashlee's music has turned a bit recently and it has a rock vibe to it now, which has totally gained my interest and I really can't help liking it (personally, I think she has a better voice than Jessica Simpson). Ashlee Simpson has had a lot going on recently. She married Pete Wentz (most known for being in the band Fall Out Boy), and also got an acting role on the new updated series on Melrose Place. Over the years she has changed her hair colour, she originally had black hair, she then died it blonde, and now it's red, I like the new red colour, it makes her look more like herself and makes her seem confident in herself. She hasn't done very well over the years on the UK chart but she is set to release a 4th album, and I believe it will be bigger and better.

L.O.V.E. was written by Ashlee Simpson, Kara DioGuardi and John Shanks. Kara used to be a judge on American Idol, and has worked with a number of artists over the years, John Shanks has written a number of tracks to famous stars such as Miley Cyrus and Bon Jovi. So in theory this song should have been a success, why wasn't it? I think it was due to the music video. The song is all about love, and the catchy chorus leaves you singing along to the whole song for the rest of the day "LO, LO, LO, LOVE, LO, LO, LO, let me hear you say".

The music video is simplistic, and it could have been a lot better. Obviously they had a house party with various people, and Ashlee Simpson had some choreography to do, which she works well. However the people in the background are pretty annoying, they're just trying to have fun, which includes jumping on top of people...

I don't think Ashlee Simpson suites the blonde hair, it seems like she's trying to be her sister, and that is definitely something you don't want to do. However now I think she's found herself and I can't wait for her return to music.

Now not many people have noticed this, so I'm a little unsure if it's just me.... But I think the guy who's sitting on the sofa, with the braces on but no t-shirt looks a little like Ashton Kutcher. I may just be me who thinks this, but I think he actually does. I suggest you pause the video at the bit where Ashlee ruffles his hair, and then find a picture of Ashton Kutcher and compare, because that is what I did, and their facial features are similar.

Overall I really am obsessed with this song, it's one of those songs that no matter how old it is, it'll get stuck in your head once again. However the music video doesn't match up as well as it could have done, an I think this is what lets it down. I have to admit if the people who made this music video knew about "heart hands" then it would definitely have got used quite a bit.

Love Bites - You Broke My Heart

The Love Bites were the first ever rock band I liked, and they were definitely the band who got me into rock music. I was a part of their street team and everything, I've still got the stickers to prove it. After just two singles they soon broke up, and their planned album never got released even though it was ready. The band consisted of Danielle Graham, Aimee Haddon, Hannah Haddon and Nicki Wood. The band split up in 2006 after just 2 years. There are a lot of rumours that they have reformed, but whether this is true or not, I don't know. We'll have to wait and see.

You Broke My Heart, was the first of only two singles this band released, other single being "He's Fit". The song performed really well on the chart, making number 13 here in the UK. There second single did not do as well, and probably was the reason for the demise of the band. Personally, I think they should have released the album anyway, then fans (such as myself) could have bought it.

The music video links in perfectly. I love the fact that the guy actually has blue tinted eye-brows and a patch on his nose to represent it's broken. And he still go out in daylight? Seriously, how on earth did he get someone to go out with, while looking like that? Besides, I can understand how the band could have broken his nose, but to colour his eyebrows blue, without him realising they are doing it.... "yeah, right".

I like the fact that the band kind of follows him, by just appearing. It must have taken AGES to film this music video, as there would have been a lot of pausing. Also I like the fact that they jump out of the cinema screen, I have no idea how they did that, and no other music video thus far has used that effect. Also wouldn't it have been difficult getting the drums into the bus? Or is that a different effect used?

Overall I love this band and their songs. They remind me of Evarose and Checking Pulse, and I so hope the rumours about them reforming are true. I think this music video is really good, although it is a little cheap looking, suggesting possibly a low budget? However I like the narrative style of this song and it's music video, so I hope you don't think I'm being biased but....

Checking Pulse - Best Girl

Checking Pulse is my new favourite band at the moment, you could say I'm a little obsessed with their music. I can't stop playing it, and I'm glad I have come across this band. The band consists of Emily Wilson, Adam Hughes, Henry Hopkins and Chris Ridgers. Checking Pulse is a band I NEED to see live when I get the chance, their music is amazing and I don't think I'll ever tire of listening to it over and over again. Best Girl is their first ever music video from their debut E.P. Definitely Alive, which I have bought and I can't wait to finally get it. Emily has a really great voice and it's really nice to listen to, well I think it is anyway. All of their songs are perfect and I can't wait for new music.

This is just a fun music video, compared to a lot of other first music videos it isn't that good, but it's not totally rubbish either. I like the fact that they've included one of their gigs and used it as the main focus for the music video, this gives us a nice in-depth understanding of what the band is like on stage. They look really energetic and clearly the little crowd they have loves them.

I have to admit I don't like Emily's hair being black, I don't particularly know why but in Checking Pulse's most recent music video of Aimeé, she has blonde hair. Blonde hair makes her look older and more in control, and also makes the band stand out more. So I'm glad it's now blonde, however if I hadn't have seen the video for Aimeé before seeing this one I would still have liked the band, so it's not only on image.

I can't help laughing at the many different short, sharp scenes that appear, it shows the band having fun and enjoying themselves. This is definitely a new band to watch out for.

Overall I like this music video as it shows the band being themselves, but their most recent music video of Aimeé is a lot better. I love their music and I can't wait to hear more of them, expect more music video reviews about Checking Pulse when they upload more onto YouTube.

Mike Posner - Cooler Than Me

Mike Posner is a very recent American artist. Personally, I'm not exactly a fan of his, I can put up with his songs and appreciate them for what they're worth, but that is as far as I can go. This is his first ever single, it was written by Mike Posner and Eric Holljes, and Mike said that he wrote and recorded it while at University, in his dorm room, he thinks it's weird how something that was really low-budget is now on radios across the world. The song was written about a girl who he had a crush on in his class, but it's also about a specific type of girl because everyone knows a girl who thinks she's cooler than them. He has recently released two more singles which only just made the UK chart, will he be a one hit wonder?

This music video is iconically different to any other music video that's out at the moment. Although it doesn't stand out, it's still really good. I like the start (I call it an insertion sequence, although I don't know whether that's the correct term or not). It adds extra sound effects that you wouldn't normally hear. I don't know why they do this but sometimes it's just a good technique that certain videos decide to include.

I like the amount of glasses he wears, the show that people's perceptions of things are different, and although they aren't necessarily as different as they show it, people will still see things differently. This really links in with the lyrics "You got designer shades, To hide your face". All the glasses Mike Posner wears are all designer including  Oakley Razorblades, Holbrooks, Jupiters, Frogskins, and 3D glasses. I like the ending and how he ends up walking away from the party wearing his original sunglasses. If glasses could really manipulate a party like that they all would totally fly out of stores.

There are a few well known people who appears as a cameo in this music video such as Louie Vito (a professional snowboarder) and Christopher Pfaff (musical producer and clothing designer). There are a few others to be found, but I don't have a clue who they are. I like it when stars make cameo appearances, but I think they should have a more prominent role in the music video.

There really isn't a lot to say about this music video. This song is definitely catchy once you hear it more and more, I have to admit I didn't like it the first time I heard it, but it's really caught on. The music video links pretty well, and I like the way they show different people's perceptions through glasses. It is definitely iconic but not very memorable amongst a crowd of music videos.
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New Release: Avril Lavigne - Wish You Were Here

Now a lot of you have been waiting for this music video to appear on here, well now it is. Avril Lavigne is definitely my favourite female artist, I'm not entirely sure why but she is. I recently bought her new album 'Goodbye Lullaby', and I've played it way too many times, it's so powerful and endearing. This song is definitely one of them. After two releases this one could be her last from this album. We've had the pop song "What the Hell", and recently "Smile" that failed to chart well here in the UK. Now we have this song, by the looks of the iTunes top 1000 downloads she is definitely not fairing well with this song, clearly she needs to do a lot more promoting, or it's just this country isn't taking in her new soulful songs, which is such a shame as I reckon they are her most emotional songs she's ever sung so far.

This song was written by Avril Lavigne, Max Martin and Shellback, once again. These three create a perfect song, and they should definitely team up some more in the future. Max Martin has once again appeared as a writing credit, which definitely suggests that he's in high demand, and who could blame the artists if great tracks come out of his head? This song is about wanting your partner to be near you when you need them. Clearly the person Avril is wishing for can't be there, and that's why she's so upset. A lot of people have said that this song was written about Deryck Whibley (Avril Lavigne's ex-husband), and I kind of think they might be right. For those of you who have been living under a rock (or abducted by aliens, you choose), Deryck Whibley is the vocalist for Sum 41 (I shall do a review of one of their music videos sometime in the future, mark my words). He and Avril got married in 2006, and in 2009 ended on good terms, they are still friends, and Deryck helped with her album Goodbye Lullaby. Anyway, thinking about it, this song could be based on when they were both doing their career's imagine going on tour and leaving your wife at home, you wouldn't see her for at least a few months (also vice versa), and that must be difficult on any relationship. And I think this is where this song comes in (this is all speculation and I have no sources to prove what I'm saying.)

This music video is obviously low-budget, but who cares? It's amazing. It's emotional and awe-inspiring, if this can be made from something so simple, then it begs to question what else is going to come from Avril? I like the tears, it makes it a lot more emotional and apparently they were real. I like the flower, it suggests that the person Avril is singing about gave her that flower and now she wants him to come to her but he's not there, so she takes it out on the flower, poor flower, but obviously it was already harmed because a flower doesn't go up in flames like that (well I don't think it does, I've never actually tried so I'm not entirely sure). I also like the bath and how she considers drowning herself, but seriously it isn't worth it, and I think she gathers that at the last second.

There is a lot of comparisons with this very emotional song and video. First up is Demi Lovato's "Skyscraper", which has not been released here in the UK unfortunately, but both videos portray an in depth emotion that shocks you to disbelief. Another video that's similar is Britney Spears' "Everytime", but that's purely only because of the drowning in the bath idea, but the two scenes portray different meanings.

Overall, it's another amazing song and a perfect accompanying music video. You may think I'm being biased because I'm a fan of Avril's but if you watch I really am not. I like how emotive the song and the music video is and I don't see how a better job of this could have been done.
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