Paramore is a three piece band, who has been through it all, break-ups, fall-outs, hiatuses, and awesome music, with verifying degrees of genres. This is a band that will be forever with us, whether dishing out new music, or just in our hearts, they'll never be far from our minds, YouTube playlists and iTunes music or Spotify. The band consists of Hayley Williams, Taylor York and Jeremy Davis. A few hardcore fans think they should return to their more rockier days, but I like how they've grown and this song is just perfect, I even think it's better than their previous single "Now".
"Still Into You" was written by Hayley Williams and Taylor York. The song is about Hayley's feelings for Chad Gilbert who she has been in a long-term relationship with, and how those feelings are still the same as when she first met him. Chad Gilbert is mostly known as the lead singer of New Found Glory. The song was released in the UK alongside it's radio release, this is usually a daring thing to do, yet they succeeded, and managed to get to number 26 on the UK chart.
The music video is filled with so much fun, I want to be there and just jump into that room full of balloons, I want to light up my sparkler while fireworks go off in the background. I want to ride my bicycle in that posh house. I want to have as much fun as they did. Guess this is what Amy Studt was on about in "All I Wanna Do", a cover version of Sheryl Crow's "All I Wanna Do".
There's a lot to like about this video, and it's obviously a performance piece music video, showing that they are a fun, mature band, and that you definitely won't be disappointed seeing them live. It makes me want to see them again, but a) I can't afford it, and b) no one to go with, guess I'll have to deal with all their music.
The problem I have is that this has nothing to do with the song. This is a main thing for me, and although her butterflies in her stomach whenever she sees Chad Gilbert is probably similar to all this fun she is having, I think this video could be for any upbeat song, and failing to add anything to properly connect with the song.
Overall, a great song, that should've charted higher. This band is still looking for a UK Top 10, as well as a number one, surely they'll get it in the near future. The music video is fun fun fun, but fails to represent the song in the meaning of the lyrics. However I want that house, filled with so much fun.
So waking up this morning with no song stuck in my head, makes this blog hard to keep up with. So I decided to add some more rock, and was surprised I have never reviewed Papa Roach before. Well it's time to change that right now...
Papa Roach is a four piece rock band who have been going for a number of years. They consist of Jacoby Shaddix, Jerry Horton, Tobin Esperance and Tony Palermo. They've been on my radar ever since their first song "Last Resort" that surprisingly got to number three on the UK chart. But I never became a fan of theirs until they released "Hollywood Whore" along with the album 'Metamorphosis'. I remember buying the album and playing it non-stop. It also invigorated me into buying their previous albums and a couple of singles such as "Time And Time Again". However they have not breached the UK top 100 since "Getting Away With Murder" got to number 45 back in 2004. However "...To Be Loved" reached number 171 in 2006 and "Hollywood Whore" reached 139 in 2008. However their albums keep breaking into the top 100 Album chart. So why are the singles not? It's down to airplay, and rock isn't that popular at the moment, but also only a few of their singles are getting released here. Once again it's all down to promotion.
"Lifeline" was written by Jacoby Shaddix, Tobin Esperance and James Michael. It was originally titled 'Hanging On' but was soon changed to what it is now due to the lyrics being changed. The song is about hardship in America, and being able to live with who you actually are. This was a well-received song and should've charted in the UK, unfortunately it failed to get the sales it needed.
The music video fits in well with the song. As per usual there is a performance and a narrative piece, this is definitely not uncommon for a rock band. The performance piece is full of energy, Jacoby Shaddix just can't help but move around. There is a lot of energy vibes coming from this band, and you definitely would have a good time if you went to one of their gigs.
The storyline is engaging, although short. I like how he kind of cracks under pressure. The kind of thing that everyone does once in a while. Bills are a common problem with people attacking their inner worries. He is pushed over the edge with an eviction notice, and you can't help but feel sorry for him. He is very relatable.
He soon is seen running from another person, who is later identified as himself, but a broken, bruised and bloody version. I like the incorporation of the lyrics as words as they say "I'm never going to fade away" then the one we are following turns round and says "I'm looking for a lifeline". They collide, and they wake up as one.
At the end he goes home and is happy when he is greeted by his family. I like the happy ending, proving that family and friends are what is most important in life and not money struggles.
I like the whole concept of this video, battling inner demons as well as making them a part of who we are as people, and realising that in some cases there is nothing more you can possibly do.
Overall a song that is now stuck in my head, I really can't stop singing along to it. It's accompanying music video is just perfect. There are no faults, and the imagery behind the concept is inspirational and pertinent to many people in the world. I have a lot of love for this music video, and I'm sure I'm not the only one. You can all probably guess my rating, but here it is anyway.
Jenn D was reviewed by me last month. My plan was to review this song the week after and include her as my Artist of the Month. My problem arose when I had exams to revise for and to complete along with essays to hand in and 'News Days' to deal with (the latter is where trainee journalists, such as myself are journalists for a website for a day). With all this university work I had little time for my blog. But I'm ready to rectify that right now.
Jenn D is a new artist currently signed to All Around The World Productions. She used to be in a band called Soft Toy Emergency, now she is hitting it out on her own, but had struggles as she wanted her name to be Vela but had to change it due to someone else using that name. She has released a second song: "You Keep Giving Me Love", which also failed to chart. Could she disappear before she's started? Or can her fan base help her get prominence when she really needs it? I hope her third single brings the popularity she needs it.
This music video fits well with the song. I have to admit a lot is going on, and when the skater jumped over that guy sitting on the steps, I knew I was in for a treat with this video.
There is a lot to like about the video, I'm sure many people like the topless guy at the start, and clearly Jenn D enjoyed that part too, but the choreography is interesting to watch, as like in her most recent music video, she is doing little compared to the dancers behind. I like how she is centre of attention, always a good thing.
The idea of her being arrested for disrupting the peace, which is what she is doing with her loud music. And then she escapes and climbs on top of the police car, which is a complete shock, she is definitely showing her daring side.
Overall a song that is catchy but failed to chart, and a music video that is engaging to an extent, but looking at it in a different way proves that there isn't much going on, however they've made it so that there is not one thing you focus on, apart from Jenn D. There's so much going on behind her, but she's doing very little. Here's my rating.
Little Mix, a winner of The X Factor here in the UK, yet this song; probably one of their most catchiest songs, got their lowest charting position to date, what happened? Well a push release is what happened. High demand is what made it get released in the middle of the week, and as we all know, it is difficult to get a high charting position when so many singles have been bought already, especially since some of us wasn't aware of it's release until the next week (some of us includes me myself). Little Mix is a four-piece group consisting of Perrie Edwards, Jesy Nelson, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jade Thirlwall. They were the first, and so far only, group to win The X Factor, and they are currently working on a second album. Second was Marcus Collins, released an album and now in a musical. Amelia Lily came third, who has three singles and an album which keeps getting pushed back. Fourth is Misha B, following in the footsteps of third place, with three singles and an album to be released. Next was Janet Devlin who is just starting up. Sixth place follows suit, but has much exposure recently with his new look, and that's Craig Colton. Kitty Brucknell came seventh, she's touring at the moment with new songs. Eighth was Frankie Cocozza, who got ejected, appeared in Big Brother, and went on to release two EPs. Presenter Johnny Robinson came ninth, he also released a Christmas song. Tenth was The Risk, who released single "Missiles". And finally 2Shoes came joint fourteenth, and released "Turn Me On (Turn Me Out)". Could this be the most acts signed and released from one single series? And some critics said that series wasn't up to scratch, guess the finalists had the last laugh.
"How Ya Doin'?" was written by Darren Lewis, Iyiola Babalola, Shaznay Lewis, Perrie Edwards, Jesy Nelson, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Jade Thirlwall, James Stanley Carter, Glenn Francis Skinner, Ben Volpeliere-Pierrot, Nicholas Bernard Thorp, Julian Godfrey Brookhouse, Miguel Drummond and Missy Elliott. This is a lot of song writers, however it is because the song samples two songs (hence why those writers have to be named in the song writing credits), the songs that have been sampled are Curiosity Killed The Cat's single "Name And Number" and The Walnauts' single "Help Is On The Way". Both of these songs have previously been sampled on De La Soul's "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)". The song should've been a hit, and I was expecting it to hit the top 10 at least, if not, go straight to number one. But it was pushed out in the middle of the week, and some fans (including me) were unaware until it was too late. If the record label had waited until the Sunday and announced that they were going to bring it a week or two forward, it would've got the promotion it needed.
Long paragraphs behind, let's start to focus on the music video. Another performance piece from these guys, reminding me of "Wings" as well as Belle Amie's "Girls Up". It has the bubblegum pop feel, and suggested that this should have been a hit. I am definitely blaming the record label, since airplay was strong.
The video links in with the song, adding various phones that Missy Elliott snips with a pair of scissors. The choreography is short but still noticeable.
There is Product Placement. Not as much as Avril Lavigne's "What The Hell" but still there. This time Little Mix promotes Live Colour XXL in a sponsorship deal. Hence why each of the girls have bright colour hair.
Overall a song that should've topped the charts and shouldn't have been pushed out by the record label. But it happened and there's nothing we can do about that. As for the music video it features the awesome Missy Elliott, whose credits are incredible, she's one rapper who will never disappear. It also features great dancing, phones to link in with the song, and catchy colours. This is their last single from this album, leaving me disappointed that 'Going Nowhere' co-written by Nicola Roberts (from Girls Aloud) will never get a single release.
Miley Cyrus, real name Destiny Cyrus, is called Avis Cyrus in this music video for no reason I can think of. Maybe it's another alter ego? Or is she playing a part? Is this not who she is, or a whole different side to her that wanted to come out and play? This is the song and music video that hit major controversy for Miley Cyrus, leaving her 6-12 year old fan base to try and get credibility between her own age which is young adults. Now she is 20 years old (same age as me) and has short hair, and is working on a fourth album. Could this be her most daring album yet? She has left her old good-girl image behind her, much like Britney Spears did with "I'm A Slave For You" and Christina Aguilera did with "Dirrty". So this new album could take any form she wants.
"Can't Be Tamed" was written by Miley Cyrus, Antonina Armato, Tim James, Paul Neumann and Marek Pompetzki. The song can be taken and be seen in various different lights, I always saw it in a relationship side and how she doesn't want anyone to turn her into someone she isn't. However it can also be seen as a school situation and trying to be oneself instead of being involved in a clique. The song hit the UK chart at number 13 making it her fourth highest charting position behind the joint firsts of: "See You Again", "The Climb" and "Party In The U.S.A.". Will Miley Cyrus ever get a UK Top 10 hit? Or will she constantly be getting number 11?
The music video is held in a museum and it starts off with the cage keeper announcing: 'a creature so rare it was believed to be extinct. In captivity for the first time, the rarest creature on Earth, Avis Cyrus'. Miley Cyrus is in the cage and when someone takes a photo she protects herself with those awesome wings.
The music video continues with her and her backing dancers taking over the museum and causing a bit of a havoc.
There is a lot of choreography, which is performed well and shows that she can dance (although we already know that from various previous music videos). The setting is extremely interesting, teaching younger audiences that it is cool to go to a museum and learn about extinction.
The ending proves that everything will end up in rubble. Again, I believe this also manages to hit out at the paparazzi, with the camera at the start, and the song could also be linked to them, she doesn't want to be a good-girl, she wants to be who she is, and would rather the paparazzi leave her alone.
A lot of people have referenced this to Britney Spears, the paparazzi angles can be found in "Hold It Against Me", "If U Seek Amy", "Everytime", "I Wanna Go" and "Piece Of Me". Miley has even done her own music video that hits at the paparazzi which was "Fly On The Wall". Is there never going to be an end to music videos hitting out at the media? On the other hand, some of them are the best videos I have ever seen.
Overall a song that has been stuck in my head, and should've also hit the Top 10 of the UK chart, and a music video that is perfect in every way. I do think they should've used the wings more as they were only in a few scenes for a few seconds. The video portrays the song exactly the way we want it to and also manages to show off her dance ability.
