New Release: Matt Cardle - Run For Your Life

Matt Cardle is the most recent winner of The X Factor in the UK. That series has possibly thrown out the most acts who have then gone on to release singles and albums, or are about to, these people include: Matt Cardle (winner) Rebecca Ferguson (second), One Direction (third), Cher Lloyd (fourth), Mary Byrne (fifth), Katie Waissel (seventh), Belle Amie (eleventh), Storm Lee (fourteenth) and Nicolò Festa (sixteenth). I did buy Matt Cardle's first single "When We Collide" as I rooted for him through out the whole of the X Factor, but I don't think I like this song and I definitely feel that he is going to be another male X Factor winner that is going to be dropped from the Syco label. But we'll just have to wait and see.

This song is written by, now X Factor judge, Gary Barlow. And to be totally honest this song definitely sounds like a song you'll find sung by Gary Barlow's band Take That. But further more Take That wouldn't even release this song as a single, and I really do feel sorry for Matt, he's definitely not with the right group of people at the moment. The song is about telling his partner to run off and leave him behind because there's better people than him in the world and she deserves better. I think it is a good meaning and Matt Cardle's voice makes it that little bit more special, however I really don't like the song and that's not at all Matt's fault.

The music video is okay, it looks really cheap and nasty though and compared to the various other X Factor winner's second singles, this obviously isn't the best, some may say it's the worse so far. The budget (if there was one) was obviously spent on those projectors, which is pretty stupid since there are much better ideas to create, and it just lets this song down even more. Matt obviously had little to say in it, and the camera shots used aren't that very good. I think this projector idea looked better down on paper, and it must have been too late to change it once they started filming it.

I don't really know what else to say, I can't really comment on the girl in the video because the video has been edited so there isn't a lot to say about her, although some may say that she could do a lot better than Matt, and that's probably what they planned on trying to show. I like the fact that they show her running as it definitely links in with the song. This song is very difficult to put into a video, and although lots of people can think of various ideas, would it really link in with the song as well as this does?

Overall, I really like Matt and I wish him the best on his future music career, however with the Syco record label behind him, it's going to be difficult for him to show off his real talents since he is very much an indie singer and that's not the classic pop that Simon Cowell is used to. I won't be buying this single or his album, but I hope that others will and I hope we'll be seeing him a lot more. I don't like the song that much although I like the meaning behind it, and the music video... I have to admit I avoid it at all costs, however it does link in with the song and definitely goes with it to an extent. Here's my rating and I hope a few of you agree with it at least.

Evanescence Featuring Paul McCoy - Bring Me To Life

I wasn't sure what music video I was going to review today, since it's a Sunday I always choose an artist I have reviewed in the past week, and choose a music video that is more than 4 years old. Out of the last week, this music video was an obvious choice, and I could watch this one over and over and over again, and although the song could possibly get on my nerves within that short space of time, the video itself would never become boring and it will still shock me every time I see it. Evanescence has had a few line-up changes in the past few years, as this music video is their first ever single, the band contained all original members, these members are: Amy Lee, John LeCompt, Terry Balsamo, Will Boyd and Rocky Gray. I have always, always thought that the male vocals on this track was sung by John LeCompt, but how wrong was I? I just looked it up and they are actually sung by someone called Paul McCoy, who also appears in the video. I constantly thought that it was John LeCompt who tried to help her up and then let her go, that's just shocked me, I'm surprised that for nearly 10 years I've never knew they were guest vocals.... Anyway, focusing back on this review. Paul McCoy is the male-vocalist of the band 12 Stones (who I've never heard of. But apparently they're big in the US).

I like this song, Amy's voice is clear, and emotional and you can definitely hear every note of sentiment as she's singing and this could be the reason it got to number one. The song's about being with someone for a bit of fun and then when they go their separate ways they realise that they are in love, but they're lost without one another and waiting for the other to "bring" them back "to life".I love Paul McCoy's rapping/heavy-rock verse, and although it's difficult at times to understand what he's singing, it works well and it's what makes this song stand out. If it were to be re-released it would still make number one (I think).

This music video is a little flickery on YouTube, but I admit it's nothing like that on the music channels. It has only gained 1 million hits which is a little weird as you naturally would have expected a load more, but maybe YouTube wasn't around in 2003? I really like this music video, and although it's simple and you kind of can see how it's been made, it's still an amazing video, and kind of links in with the song's meaning.

I like how Amy is dreaming of falling, it's something really interesting and suggests that she has no life without this guy in her life. So she becomes a daredevil (since the stairs and the elevators are blocked, why she doesn't use them I have no idea, maybe she wasn't thinking straight, too messed up about losing this guy than actually thinking clearly), and starts scaling the building. She gets to the top and Paul McCoy sees her and helps to get her in the room, but in opening the window, it pushes Amy off the ledge, she's hanging onto the ledge and Paul tries to help her up. This connotes the fact that maybe if they did decide to get back together then maybe it wouldn't work and he'll end up letting go of her again. Which is exactly what Paul does, and it shocks me every time I see it. Anyhow, it turns out to be all a dream anyway, which definitely suggests that even though she has a hole in her heart and that life may not be worth living without him, nothing good can come out of it, so it's best to forget and move on.

I like how the music video enchants the song into something much more than what it was written for, both the vocals and the video puts together creates this amazing outlook on life that just takes over and leaves you wanting to press repeat for the rest of your life. I like the fact that a music video can be this strong to make me feel this way.

Overall I love this music video, it's simple, basic, a little bit of a low budget, but it's so powerful that it leaves you breathless (and no, that isn't because it's difficult to sing both Amy and Paul's parts). The song is emotionally great and definitely worthy of that number one Evanescence scored, but I highly doubt they'll do it again, music has changed since their hiatus and it's really difficult for rock bands to make the top 10-0 let alone the top spot, but if anyone can change it, it will definitely be this band.

Big & Rich Featuring Gretchen Wilson - Fake I.D.

After seeing Footloose (2011) for free yesterday (Friday 7th October 2011), this song really caught my attention. For those of you who are wondering, I got to see it for free thanks to Paramount Previews and See Film First, it's their way of promoting films that may not become box office hits unless the public help to promote it, and trust me this film was amazing (my review of the film can be found HERE). It's soundtrack is really surprising, and I think I'm going to get it when I can. I was going to review "Footloose" by "Blake Shelton" however no music video is up yet, and I think it is a good rendition of the old song, other songs that caught my ears were "Holding out for a Hero" by "Ella Mae Bowen" which slowed down the original version to make it crisp and emotional. And then there was this one that is a country catchy song and if it doesn't make the UK charts I'll be very surprised, but it is difficult to chart here in the UK if you're music is country, as so far only "Taylor Swift", "Miley Cyrus" (occasionally) and "Lady Antebellum" are the only ones who can crack it. But could Big & Rich finally do it?

This song stands out and you just want to be in the movie dancing along with all the other extras and just letting loose and having fun. Big & Rich are BIG country singers in the US with a lot of chart hits over there. Big & Rich is a duo group made up of "Big Kenny" and "John Rich". But they've never attempted to crack the UK. Gretchen Wilson is another BIG country singer in the US, and she has even attempted to crack the UK, however it didn't work and after her first single she stopped trying to chart here. I don't really know where I've seen her before, I've probably seen her on TV or something but I'm not entirely sure where from, and I don't think I'll ever work it out, but she is a great singer and I hope she tries the UK again. I really like this song and I hope I'm not the only one. I like how country music can be about real life experiences, I bet you'll never find another music genre that talks about trying to get a fake I.D. from a guy called "mister". And it's hard to believe that if someone needs a fake I.D. that they're just there because "there's a band in the bar that" they're "dying to see"... That will never happen now, people just get fake I.D.'s so that they can go clubbing and stuff, but genuinely sometimes there are people out there who would get a fake I.D. just so that they can see a band. And although this song may get a few criticism's from parents as it's about getting a fake I.D., it's okay because it relates to Footloose and how the children aren't allowed to go and dance, yet they do anyway.

The music video is yet again a soundtrack music video, I always find these difficult to review because some of the clips used would have to be some scenes from the film, however I think they've done a good job here to be totally honest, because the song is played during the film then they can use that whole scene, which is clever and really interesting, as I see some clips that I don't think I saw in the movie, such as Big & Rich and Gretchen singing on the stage.

I really like the country dancing, it never hit off big here in the UK, and it's usually only the middle-age to old people who actually dance like this, and I find it surprising that it hasn't launched across to teenagers yet, but maybe that's due to the fact that country music is rarely in the UK chart, and so there isn't enough of a market here. I have to admit it does look really good in the film, but then again I've always thought it looked good no matter what I was watching, I just want to learn and join in.

Overall I'm not sure what to make of the music video, it seems like they took a large chunk of the film and just used that, including their stage performance which was obviously filmed by their own cameramen while the filming for Footloose was going on. It's definitely a difficult one to rate since narrative kind of goes out of the window. However I'm obsessed with this song and it's definitely going to be stuck in my head all day.

US5 - Maria


Us5 - Maria - UK Version Video by darklibra

I couldn't find this video on YouTube, so I ended up using other video sites in search for it. I had no idea before now, who US5 were, and by the looks and sounds of things they sound like they are the US version if the UK's band "5ive" who did really well here in the UK and worldwide. This band has got great chart positions over the last few years in Europe, but failed to make an impression here in the UK. US5 was made up of 5 people from either the US or the UK or Germany, however they have had many changes in the band recently and some of the people in this music video are no longer in the band. The line-up in this music video are Christopher "Richie" Stringini, Izzy Gallegos, Tariq Jay Khan, Michael "Mikel" Johnson and Christoph "Chris" Watrin. The band was formed thanks to a talent show that was broad casted across the MTV station in the UK, US and Germany called "Big In America". This is their first ever single, and the only one to have ever charted on the UK charts.

This song is very catchy and it's a little disappointing that they failed to make an impact here in the UK, however some people may say that they were 10 years too late, and to be honest it is reminiscent of the cheesy 90's pop music that surrounded the likes of "5ive" "A1" and "D-Side", and there just isn't room nowadays for this sort of music, and as much as I like it and find it catchy, there will be people who would detest it and therefore it would never be a hit, and it also explains why none of these bands have survived, and this is most definitely just another one to add to the ever-growing list of failed bands. The song is about falling for a girl called Maria and she's supposed to be really pretty and so she's got them all wrapped around her finger and they'll do anything for her.

I really like the music video, I like how they each have their own Maria (as people's fantasies are all different unless you're "One Direction" with "What Makes You Beautiful"). I also like the idea that each Maria is from a different country, it creates a whole new spin on things and also suggests that this band planned on worldwide success, it's just a shame it never happened. Also I bet you a lot of girls at that time wanted to be Maria for obvious reasons.

I really like the choreography steps, it makes you want to join in and learn the moves too (but that isn't going to happen now is it?) The song is really catchy and so it's clever how the dance moves aren't as cheesy as the song, and so it actually works, in whatever way. This song is seriously stuck in my head, and it is one of those songs that you can't get enough of, and you don't care what others think of you as you're singing a long, because it is so catchy.

Overall the music video is clever, it definitely reminds me of something "A1" would've done. The song and the band both reminds me of "5ive" and "D-Side", and it's a shame there is no place for any of these bands in the UK music industry at the moment, would cheesy-pop ever be in the charts again? Or are we just going to have to face it, and let it live on in the 90's as a past-time? We'll just have to wait and see.

Cobra Starship Featuring Sabi - You Make Me Feel...

I used to like Cobra Starship's songs, but since looking at their UK chart performances, and then realising that their music wasn't really for me, I went completely off them. However I really do like this song, but maybe that's because of Sabi. A lot of people have complained that their voices on this song is edited, and even though that may be the case, they are still confident in performing this song live on shows such as America's Got Talent. I am sort of expecting this to be a big hit here in the UK, that's if it's not already out yet. It's receiving a lot of radio and music channels play and so it could be this autumn's big hit.
Cobra Starship is a five-piece band that currently consists of Gabe Saporta, Ryland Blackinton, Victoria Asher, Nate Novarro and Alex Suarez. They have released a number of singles and albums, which have yet to make an impact on the UK chart, will they ever manage to do well? Well this song is the one that may just do it, especially since it's a collaboration with Sabi. I first came across Sabi when listening to Britney's new album "Femme Fatale", where Britney collaborated with Sabi on the track "(Drop Dead) Beautiful" which is a really catchy song on the album. Now Sabi (real name Jenice Portlock) is a new and upcoming artist, that is sure to hit the world by storm. She has been compared a lot to Rihanna and Shakira, and she might just be the next big thing.

This song is extremely catchy, I've had it in my head all day today, and I know after this review, it's going to be stuck in my head for a lot longer. It was written by Steve Mac and Ina Wroldsen, both of who are big UK songwriters. Is this Cobra Starship's attempt to crack the UK? The song lyrics represents liking this girl and doing anything you want for her, it's a nice sweet song, and would definitely be big if it is promoted enough here in the UK.

I really like the music video, it has not only a lot of celebrities that appear, but also it links in with the song perfectly and it is kind of funny. The video starts off with showing a "magic photo booth" that once it takes someone's picture, it prints how the person is feeling. Gabe gets his picture taken in the photo booth, and when he's waiting to grab the picture, 2 pictures come out one of him and one of Sabi which was stuck in the slit. Both picture's feelings read "Incomplete". Then Gabe makes his goal of the night to find the girl in the picture. While this is happening, Victoria Asher is seen dragging different people into the bathroom, these people including a pair of twins and a girl, hence her feeling being "kinky". Gabe goes around the club (which represents his "world" hence the lyrics "girl, I've been all over the world looking for you") trying to find Sabi and stumbling upon different people who embrace him in hugs or handshakes. Sabi is dancing around the club when her part of the song comes on. Nate Novarro instead of dancing, orders a burger through Victoria's iPad; his feeling is being "munchy". During the first two thirds of the video, all drinks seem to be taken away from Ryland Blackinton, hence why his picture's feeling is "thirsty". When Gabe finally finds Sabi, they give each other a look of sheer happiness, before they both enter the photo booth. The lights go off, and at the moment they go back on, Gabe and Sabi seem to be kissing. They take a new picture together, and it reads "Complete", and this is the end of the video. I'm not entirely sure if Alex appears in this one of not, I can't see him, maybe he wasn't there on the day?

Various celebrities appear such as Robin Williams and his daughter Zelda Williams, singer Wynter Gordon, DJ's Andrew and Andrew, a rap crew called Ninjasonik, and various other people, ones I've spotted and others I haven't. I like it when music videos have hidden celebrities in them, however I feel that they should have more of a prominent role in the music video, although I totally understand that a music video is only between 3 and 5 minutes long and so it is sometimes difficult.

Overall, I'm expecting a big charting position out of this song, there is no official UK release date yet, but it has made top 10 hits already in certain countries, so I'll be surprised if it doesn't make at least the Top 40. The music channels keep playing this video, and I don't mind at all watching it over and over again. I love the song and I hope it does well.
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