The Offspring has been going for ages! But this is definitely their most well-known song, and I was surprised that way back in 1998, it topped the UK chart (amongst other countries). The band are a four-piece rock band. Back then the band consisted of Dexter Holland, Noodles, Greg K. and Ron Welty. The latter left in 2003, and was replaced by Atom Willard, who then subsequently left in 2007, and then that's when Pete Parada came in. The band had major success back in the late 90s and early 00s, managing to get two more singles in the UK's top 10 which were "Why Don't You Get A Job?" at number two and "Original Prankster" at number six, with various other singles easily jumping into the chart. This is no small feet for a rock band. So where are they now? Well devoted fans will know they're still around and releasing, one quick look on iTunes confirms their new singles are being released. But once again, like so many others, they have fallen from their height of fame. On the other hand, some have managed to crawl all the way back to the top, and it wouldn't surprise me if they manage to do just that.
"Pretty Fly (For A White Guy)" was written by Dexter Holland. The song takes the mick out of a "wannabe gangsta" who is obsessed with hip-hop not because he enjoys it or understands it, but because he thinks it makes him cool and fly. The female vocals were recorded by Nika Futterman.
The music video portrays the song perfectly, showing a guy immersed in hip-hop stuff but not at all a part of it. He thinks he's all that when he really isn't. I like the ending and how he scares his little sister.
The performance side of this video is quite opposing. In the narrative it's sunny and fun. Then we have this dark, imposing side that is so engaging and full of life too. Only not the same. It looks like a total conflict, but deep down it relates just as well. It is definitely a perfect representation of what they would be like live.
The storyline shocks me every time I see it. It's practically over the top, but we all know that there are people who are that naïve, and you may know one or two of them yourself.
Overall a song that is infinitely catchy and will be well known until the end of the Earth. The music video links oh so perfectly, and we have added bonus of a performance scene shot through out. How can I not sit back and enjoy this while I have the chance? Well it's usually because shock replaces my happiness, every single time. I have no choice, this music video clearly deserves this rating, I just wish I could rate it higher.
This song has been stuck in my head all day, and can you blame me with how catchy it is? I had no idea who sung it, but later found the name with a jump of glee.
The Veronicas are a two-piece rock band from Australia consisting of twins Jessica Origliasso and Lisa Origliasso. The twins have released a lot of music, but this song along with "4ever" are the only singles that have ever charted, following an album called 'Hook Me Up'. This is the sort of popular music that enters the UK chart, so I was sort of expecting to only see those singles and albums to be released on iTunes, but one quick glance took me by surprise. A lot of singles have been released, so why are people not buying their music? Again I'm going to have to put it down to promotion. I didn't even realise they had released any new material, and I bet only their devoted fans know about the new songs, along with hearsay.
"Untouched" were written by Toby Gad (written many famous tracks and is definitely in high demand), Jessica Origliasso and Lisa Origliasso. The song is about the twins missing their loved ones. Their vocals are effortless and amazing to hear, especially their harmonies and for a rock group it turns it on it's head and makes this amazing. This looked like the perfect rock group to get high international success, but guess it didn't work out that way.
The music video is narrative and performance based, just like all my high rated music videos. And takes a different approached to the song, and although not exactly relatable, it can be considered to be linked.
The performance side is plain and boring. They are performing in front of a bunch of people who are rocking out, except they are not doing the same. It's as if they've been told where the camera is and to never take their eyes from it. The performance scenes are supposed to show their energy on stage and to show what they would be like to see live, and therefore encourage people to go to their tours and gigs. But if all they do is stand there and sing the song, I would never want to see them, and I don't think many others would too.
The narrative is so much better, but the integrated part with the performance as well, reminds me a lot of Avril Lavigne's "Losing Grip", amongst others. The story shows a guy who both girls meet separately. First off Jess is seen with him on the couch and she soon takes off not long after, clearly telling him to wait for her. Yet when he sees Lisa walking around the club he thinks it's Jess and goes after her. They have a passionate moment. We finally return to the couch and it is soon revealed that the guy is trying to make a move on both of them, so they walk away from him together.
Again we have another male actor who no one knows who it is. So if anyone does know please post below with source. Apart from that the storyline is very watchable and engaging (unlike the performance side of things), so much so that the second time I watched it I focused on it a lot more. This is one narrative I won't be forgetting.
Overall an extremely catchy song that will be embedded in history but never lost. The music video has two sides, if I based this video on performance alone the rating would be low, but the narrative is so capturing that it brings the video back, and even tips the balance. So therefore the video gets this rating below.
I seemed to have misjudged something this week. Last week I realised that two great songs would be going head-to-head this week for a high chart placing. So I decided to review one last week, which was Bridgit Mendler's "Ready Or Not", and I thought I'll wait until my 'New Release' to review Ke$ha's "C'Mon". However the latter is now an airplay release only, and we are unable to download the single on iTunes. Will it forever be like Taylor Swift's "I Knew You Were Trouble", highly promoted via radio, TV and the music channels and never ever get a proper download single? It seems highly likely, which really gets on my nerves, I want a single release, and it has also spoiled my plans for 'New Release', I could've done Bridgit Mendler's "Ready Or Not". So after searching at all the new releases, I finally lay my hands on this one, and with my rant now over, I'm ready to review.
Daniela Brooker is another new artist, I seem to be reviewing a lot of those recently. She is 19 years old and has been releasing a few singles on iTunes, under herself as well as Storm Records/Storm Management. She has a very authentic voice, and reminds me of Lana Del Rey. To be honest the start really made me think she was in a similar style straight away. However I soon changed my mind when she started singing, as she is a great emotional singer, and I believe every word she sings. On the other hand the music just isn't to my taste, but I can see why some people would like her. She just needs a break through, some sort of promotion to push her into the limelight. "Heartbreaker" is her fifth single overall, and no sign of any album release so far, but surely there's one just around the corner. Once again this single hasn't had any promotion, I didn't even know who she was before today, let alone this song, and it doesn't look like many others know about her either, and so there's been not many sales, even though it's early days, and it doesn't look like she will chart at all this weekend.
The music video is quite old school, reminds me a bit of old Jazz. The performance side is effortless, graceful and full of emotion. I personally wouldn't go and see her live, however I can tell I wouldn't be disappointed if I did go. Her emotion flows across the stage and reminds me a lot of Amy Studt's second album 'My Paper Made Men' which spawned three singles : "Furniture", "Chasing The Light" and "Nice Boys". Daniela Brooker will eventually get the respect she deserves, and when she does everyone's going to be speechless, just wait and see.
The narrative side is slow-moving, she's singing into the phone talking about a guy, possibly an ex. We could guess that she's talking to someone who might be thinking of going out with him, while we are shown scenes of him around a table with three girls all flirting with him at once, along with scenes in the back of a car. Showing him to be a player.
Overall a song to certain people tastes, however the more prominent she gets the more people will enjoy her music and soon enough we may have our British answer to Lana Del Rey. The accompanying music video is flawless, links in with the song, portrays a perfect performance, so is there anything bad about this video? Well I surely can't see anything except greatness. Hence the rating.
Paramore gets my Sunday revisit since I was surprised on Thursday when I reviewed Mandia Nantsios' "One Last Time", that this music video has yet to be reviewed. Well today I shall finally be changing that.
Paramore, back then, were a four-piece band consisting of Hayley Williams, Josh Farro, Zac Farro and Jeremy Davis. Since then Taylor York became part of the band and the Farro Brothers have left. Paramore still have a big fan base, with their most recent single "Now" managing to chart in the UK this week at number 39, making it their fifth highest charting position in the UK to date. Paramore will definitely continue to be a success.
"Misery Business" was written by Hayley Williams and Josh Farro.This is pretty obvious since, a) most bands write their own songs, I don't think I've ever come across a pop/rock band who don't write their own songs. And B) Hayley Williams performs their songs emotionally. The song is all about an ex-girlfriend to the boyfriend Hayley's going out with, and she's glad he's moved her away from her.
The music video doesn't exactly portray that. However on the other hand it does show one mean girl, who does need to be taken down a few pegs. There is also a good performance piece, which definitely portrays the energy they release on stage.
The narrative side is quite funny, and you can't help but laugh, and wish you could do those very things, and just be mean for a full day. Again the mean girl is another unknown actress, after fervent searches I came up with a few names who it isn't, which didn't help all that much. So if anyone knows, please post below and I need a source too.
The performance side is simple, but different as the background is pretty much the album cover, managing to promote the album 'Riot!' in the process of people watching the music video. Which is extremely clever in a subliminal way. There is a lot of headbanging, which also happened when I saw them live back in 2008, so it practically is a good portrayal of what they were like on tour.
Overall a great song, that needed to chart higher, although it was understandable, at that time, why it got to where it got. The music video is fun, great, and perfect. And when Hayley gets her own back, that was a comeback that was clearly needed, and I can't help congratulating them by showing that you don't need to fight to get your own back on bullies. And although the message is right up there, it fails to make a direct link with the song, however it does come close.
H "Two" O are a bassline/garage duo consisting of Solution and Oz, real names Selim Ben Rabha and Simon McDevitt. Since this, they have not released any more on iTunes, however they are still creating music, but I doubt they will be able to make anything as big as this song was. The featuring band is Platnum. they are a three-piece consisting of Aaron Evers, Michelle McKenna and Mina Poli. They were signed to 'Hard2Beat/Dance Nation' records (who also had Basshunter, September, Star Pilots and Sash!) and released a second single with them which was "Love Shy (Thinking About You)". But recently the record label is no longer releasing, and so Platnum had to find a new record label, which just happens to be 'All In Recordings'. Platnum has released a few Singles under this record label (none of which has charted), and they have a new track "Love You Tomorrow" being released in a months time, with an album (finally) being released later on in the year called 'Lost In The Music'. We've waited so long for this album, it's bound to be amazing.
"What It Gonna Be" became a UK hit managing to get to number two in the singles chart. Just missing out on the top spot thanks to Duffy with "Mercy". It's extremely catchy, and definitely was worthy of the top spot. Platnum have failed to keep in the charts since leaving Hard2Beat/Dance Nation, but their songs are still as catchy as ever. I have little faith in them being able to chart quite so high again, on the other hand, I can see them managing to crack the chart once again, they deserve much more success.
This music video is exactly what you kind of expected. The song influenced many school kids to buy the single (whether through downloads, or actually purchasing the CD single). It's a pure narrative piece, with a few performance pieces added throughout, and a complicated dance routine involved too.
The music video was set in Dulwich College, using a school theme as a back drop. According to the 'Behind the Scenes' video, the initial thought behind it was 'St. Trinian's'. And it sure represents that.
I can't help but laugh when Aaron falls into a day dream, it's very predictable and they must have had great fun filming that part. I like the ending too, it shows that he is devoted to her, and wouldn't stray.
The ending also includes H "Two" O in a few scenes, and they are also in the class room, however you rarely see them. Platnum, on the other hand, takes up the focus of the whole video.
Overall a very catchy song that should've got to number one, it also managed to chart in other countries in Europe. The accompanying music video, has everything you could possibly want and much, much more. I also like the complex dance routines. Especially when the geek dances, you can't help but laugh. This video is fun, sexy and full of everything, it's one of those videos you would definitely watch again and again.
