From Above - Not The Same Girl

From Above is a new 5-piece girl group. Before today I had no idea who they were, I hadn't even heard this song, never mind watched the video. Today however a music channel put it on, and I sort of skipped over it, thinking there might be better music videos on, but I was wrong and ended up watching this anyway. And it's really caught my eye, and I've been looking forward for finding out more about this new girl group, who I bet will be compared a lot to Little Mix (this year's X Factor winners), as their style is similar and their sound will probably be alike when Little Mix start releasing songs.

Since this is a new girl band I'm struggling to put names to faces. The group consists of: Daisy Evans, Seyi Joshua, Monique Robert, Chelsey Reynolds and Ashley Shaw. Right, because none of you know who this band is, and probably wondering why I've listed their names and who is who, I am going to put name to face so you know exactly who I'm talking about later in this review. So, Seyi Joshua, who was known as Seyi Shay and had limited success as a solo artist, is the the first member of the girl group to start singing. She has a strong voice and you can understand why she is one of two lead singers from the band. The other lead singer is Daisy Evans, depending on who you are, you may be aware of who she is... She first hit the music scene in a band called S Club Juniors (who then went on to become S Club 8), since then 2 former band mates, Rochelle Wiseman and Frankie Sandford are in a well-known band called the Saturdays, Calvin Goldspinks is quickly becoming a well-known actor and is launching into a solo career, and many other band mates are appearing here there and everywhere, I bet it won't be long until we see all of them in different projects. Back onto Daisy, she was one of the younger members of S Club 8 and I really didn't think much of her, but she has really come out and shined, and I had to do a double take, when I noticed she was in this band, it gave me quite a shock. A lot of people have commented on the other three girls, who seem to look like backing singers for the two lead singers, this is the usual problem with girl bands, and why they rarely have lead singers. But this looks like it might just work, and this song has really implanted itself into my head. Monique Robert is the girl wearing the denim-like top in the style of Britney's "...Baby One More Time". Chelsey Reynolds is the girl with the long blonde hair, you may recognise her from a TV show called "Dance X" along with Ashley Shaw, who is the girl I have yet to mention.

So what do I think of this new girl band? I reckon they have a shot; the music industry is missing a new girl band, and with Little Mix winning the X Factor this year, it proposes the chance that girl bands have a shot. Maybe next year, The Saturdays may finally get a number one for a change, and Girls Aloud may come off their hiatus... Maybe, just maybe The Spice Girls will return for good this time. 2012 looks promising and I bet "From Above" maybe one of the girl groups to get those important chart numbers.

From Above have been together since 2007, and have quite a few line-up changes, with Daisy being the only original member, could this be foreseen as one of those bands who don't stick around for long? I definitely hope not, since the vibe of their music is really interesting and I hope they get enough people behind them within the next few years to get chart topping hits. They have their own TV show "Breaking From Above" which is shown on MTV. This girl band could seriously make it and I hope they all stick by one another and stay together. They are managed by Matthew Knowles (notably known as the father of Beyoncé Knowles). And I hope they manage to get high charting positions soon, as I want to see Daisy Evans become prominent in the music industry. The song is interesting and becomes really catchy after a while and I hope you all agree after you've played it a few times. Personally I think it sounds similar to Avril Lavigne's "Losing Grip", and that may just be the reason why I like this song. The song's lyrics suggests that the song is about a guy who they really liked and he cheated on them. The music video fits perfectly!

I love the fact that the music video fits with the meaning of the song, I like how it's been made and it kind of leaves you wanting more. I want this UK girl band to make their videos similar to Basshunter's or Alexandra Stan's music videos, but knowing my luck that isn't going to happen. But then again, you never know... Not only that but the video is quite similar to Rudenko's "Everybody", which I have yet to review (I wonder if I'll ever will...), but it's much more understandable.

I find there are a few problems with this video, and those would be... The fact that all 5 girls had gone out with the same guy, or had at least dated the same guy. In this case, wouldn't you be angry at your friend for going out with the guy you were going out with? Or maybe you kept it a secret... Which then suggests you don't trust your friends, and then realistically, if this video was based on a true story, the band will split up soon. However since I don't think they wrote the song, although they may have had an input, you shouldn't take this video as a representation of real life, as it clearly is not.

The video reminds me of the film "John Tucker Must Die", and if this was released around the same time as the film, I reckon it would've made the soundtrack, which would've boosted the band's popularity, somewhat.

Overall, it's a very catchy song, and I wish this girl group the best of luck, I hope they get some chart toppers as of next year, and if they do, I can see myself backing them all the way. The music video has little going for it, yet it is presented well, and you can tell what they are trying to convey. They had obviously spent quite a bit here and there, and I hope that it's all paid off, and I wish From Above the best of luck cracking the UK and elsewhere!

Jessie J Featuring B.o.B - Price Tag

Jessie J, has released quite a few songs so far, I have currently reviewed only one of them, and I hope I'll be reviewing more in the future. It's taken Jessie J sometime to finally hit the music industry, after trying for so long, but someone finally found her and that person has introduced us to this international star. Jessie J (real name: Jessica Cornish), started off writing songs for artists, one hit includes Miley Cyrus' "Party in the USA". Now she's tipped to be one of the biggest female artists to come out from the UK, and she's done all this in less than a year.

This song was written by Jessica Cornish, Dr. Luke, Claude Kelly and Bobby Ray Simmons, Jr. The latter being B.o.B who is featured on this song. The song's meaning has been blown out of proportion by the media, and the accompanying music video even more so. In my opinion, the song is all about spreading music throughout the world, to unite everyone and everything, especially since some of the lyrics are "we just wanna make the world dance" and "When music made us all unite". You could say it sounds like a charity single about world peace and it sort of is. Other people's perceptions is that it's about everything being too expensive and costing too much to buy this and buy that. The song has even received comments saying that if Jessie J sings: "it's not about the money money money, we don't need your money money money", then why do we have to pay to buy the single? I kind of understand where these comments are coming from, and people's perceptions of certain lyrics become more apparent. I like it when I come across a song that can mean multiple meanings to different people, it usually is what makes a song that little bit special.

The music video is cleverly done. To start off with, it's simple and basic, some may say it's low-budget, but the people behind Jessie J have got the money to make it better. So in theory they've made it look low-budget. There is a lot of "toys" that appear to be broken, such as the teddy bear at the beginning and the doll's head Jessie J is holding at one point. This could suggest that those toys are like the world. We are all broken because we aren't united, there's all these wars going on and ones in the past too that have separated us all.

A little mini Jessie J appears in this music video This is not the same mini Jessie J that appears in "Who's Laughing Now". Also at the start Jessie J sings "Okay, coconut man and moonhead", then in the music video a coconut man appears on her right hand, and a moonhead appears on her left hand, I've always wondered why she says that and now I know, she says it because they are references to Dr. Luke and Claude Kelly, coconut man being the former, and moonhead being the latter.

The song is really catchy, and after too many listens to it, it can get on your nerves, but then again it gets stuck in your head. The music video is pretty good, even if it's meant to look low-budget. It has become controversial due to some of the pictures shown, such as Jessie J doing an "a-OK" sign with her hands, which apparently means she has an alliance with the Illuminati.... Yeah, right, again media has blown it out of proportion. The music video is enjoyable and pleasant and that's why I'm giving this 4 stars. The only problem I have with it is that it doesn't exactly link with the song that well, the links I have suggested are vague and could have been a lot better, I think.

We Are The In Crowd - On Your Own

We Are The In Crowd came to my attention when I first saw their music video for "Both Sides of The Story". Since then I have kept my eye on them, knowing that with enough promotion this band could be the next big thing. They are different and unique and oh so perfect in every way, and I'm sure it won't be long until they get some chart numbers behind them. Ever since I started this blog, I've been waiting for one of their music videos to be shown in the morning and today their most recent music video was shown, and I'm happy to finally get around to reviewing this band. I also know that DJD has been asking me when I'll be doing this band, so it looks like I'm not the only one who's been waiting.

We Are The In Crowd is a 5-piece rock group, that has 2 vocalists, making them really different to anything that's already out there. The band consists of Taylor Jardine, Jordan Eckes, Mike Ferri, Rob Chianelli and Cameron Hurley. This song is their ninth single overall, and haven't made the UK chart as of yet, but I'm pretty sure as of next year, a lot of people will be listening to them and I know that it won't be long until they get a chart number, I can see it!

This song and it's accompany music video doesn't match all that well in terms of storyline. The music video is all about fun, fun, fun, and I really do like it, but there is next to no narrative (which isn't always a bad thing people) especially since the song is about breaking up with someone but knowing that your strong enough to go it alone and you don't need the other person in your life anymore. Taylor Jardine's voice reminds me of Emily Wilson's from Checking Pulse, both bands will hopefully make it big next year.

What we do have in the music video is a stage performance which shows how the band's energetic vibe is sent across the fans, and you can tell all those people are enjoying it, making me jealous as I want to see them live. The fans reaction shows to whoever may watch this music video that they are great live, and that it's something you should discover.

I like the little clips of the band on the street and elsewhere. I like the inclusion of "All Time Low"'s vocalist Alex Gaskarth, I wouldn't have spotted him unless people on YouTube hadn't have commented, so thank you. These clips show the band as themselves, how cool they are and what they are really like. It goes with the narrative of the song slightly because they are doing what they want, they clearly don't need anyone else, and it only slightly fits in with the song, but that's a good thing too.

Overall, I love this band and can see them getting really far in the music industry. The song is amazing and after a few plays it is stuck in my head, screaming at me to go and buy it now. The music video is good to an extent, some of the camera shots make me dizzy as you can tell it was a handheld camera they used, which suggests a low-budget music video? But apart from certain bits this is a really good song and the music video is one I can watch again and again, I hope you all agree with my rating.

Avicii - Levels

I saw this video when it was first released, there was very little hits on the YouTube video sharing site for this music video, and it's surprising how much it has got now. The first time I saw this I burst out laughing and couldn't stop until right at the end. There's many reasons why some people like it whereas others don't, and I'll explain those reasons later.

Avicii (pronounced ah-vi-chi) first came into my life by his almost proper name Tim Berg (real name being Tim Bergling), with his song "Seek Bromance", which I found to be amazing and that was the day I got hooked onto this artist. Not only that but the music video for Seek Bromance upsets me a little at the end, and I hope one day I get to review it. Sooner rather than later. Avicii got his name while choosing a MySpace profile, he remembered his friend telling him about Avici which is the buddhist term for the lowest level of hell. He has gone on to create a number of different songs, all of which have made the UK chart including "Seek Bromance" (13), "My Feelings For You" (46), "Fade Into Darkness" (195) and I bet there is more to come, definitely. He has also collaborated with the likes of Leona Lewis and David Guetta. He will definitely be the next big thing, if he isn't already. It's definitely the time for Club/House music. I have to admit, there was a time when I hated this sort of music, but as I've grown older I've learned to appreciate it and love it.

The song was written by Tim Bergling, Ash Pournouri, Leroy Kirkland, Pearl Woods, Etta James. The music is written by Avicii (Tim Bergling) and Ash Pournouri. So therefore the other three must have written Etta James' song "Something's Got a Hold On Me", which Avicii has featured a sample of in this song, to probably add some lyrics into it. I love this song and it's probably played in the clubs a lot. I'm surprised it managed to get a UK charting position of number 4, and I hope it manages to go all the way to number one, although I doubt it will. This is definitely one of those songs you can't help but like, whether you love it or you hate it.

The music video... Hmm..... What to say about it, I think it's hilarious personally, but I also understand why some people think it is rubbish and they expected better. I can see both sides of how people think but personally it makes me laugh every single time.

First we see a building, after a few restarts I worked out that it says "Levels Inc." at the stop of the building. I'm not sure what type of work our main protagonist does but it includes a lot of paper work. I'm not entirely sure if he hears music or anything, maybe Avicii is going off inside of his head, or maybe he just feels like dancing and writing "Avicii" but that is exactly what he does. But is it really ordinary dancing, it's the sort of dancing that you would know how to do and would easily copy, but it's so embarrassing that only that guy is brave enough to dance like that.

I love the Taser bit and where he is hiking up that mountain trying to get the boulder to the top, which is very reminiscent of Sisyphus, who appears in Greek Mythology as being a king who was punished by being compelled to roll a boulder up a hill, only to watch it roll back down the hill, and he was to repeat this for the rest of eternity. Not only that but he also appears in Roman Mythology.

Before he wakes up a flower sprouts from his mouth and infects his male nurses, who then go on to infect a few other people. The flower disappears back in to his mouth and everyone who gets infected has an fit on the floor, next thing they're back up dancing weirdly and grooving to the music we presume is playing in their heads.

I love this music video, I'm not even watching it now and I'm laughing. All I'm doing is listening to the song on repeat, and imagining the music video in my head. Personally I don't know what else they could have done with this song, they could have made sure that guy wasn't dancing in that suit, it really doesn't work (take note: NEVER dance while wearing a suit). I'm not sure what everyone expected with the hype of this music video. I couldn't have come up with any ideas at all, and I marvel at how they even thought about this idea.

Overall I laugh every time I see this music video, I think it sort of goes with the song since it is dance music and the people in the music video are dancing. But it's low budget and I think that what puts people off because it's so obvious that they didn't spend that much money on it, but then again maybe they did, we can never be sure. So to keep everyone satisfied I've gone with a 4 star rating.

New Release: Britney Spears - Criminal


After being ill for the last week and a half, I'm back to reviewing, I'm sorry for being away so long, but I had next to no energy and rarely went on the computer. So kick starting this week off is New Release, and it's Britney Spears once again. Apparently this was released last week, but on other sites it says it is released this week. And I was going to do the X Factor Winner's single as new release, but I thought, since I have not yet seen this music video on UK music channels yet, due to it probably being banned, I thought I might as well as a little treat.

Over the years Britney has released a hell of a lot of singles. This one is definitely one of those songs that eventually grow on you, but thus far has yet to make the chart, and I doubt it ever will, it's such a pity as this song is really good, and has totally grown on me. This is her 2nd single off her latest album "Femme Fatale" that hasn't charted in the UK Chart. It has also been ages since she has had a number one hit in the UK, the last song being "Everytime" back in 2004. Will she ever  become the star we all used to love and like? Or will she end up having chart failures for the rest of her singing career. As long as she keeps releasing in the UK, I'm happy.

"Criminal" was written by Max Martin, Shellback and Tiffany Amber. The song is about being in love with a Criminal, a bad boy, an outlaw, and pleading to her mom that it's going to be alright and not to worry. The song was chosen as the Fourth single from her album via facebook, where Britney held a poll for which song her fans wanted to see as her next single, and "Criminal" won.

This music video links in with the song perfectly. I love a lot about this music video, and I'm a little upset that it isn't shown on the music channels often (if at all). I think that was one of the main reasons the song didn't chart here in the UK. The music video has caused a lot of controversy, especially in the UK, due to the fact that it shows the use of guns. Internet video sharing sites such as Vevo and YouTube has commented saying that there is explicit sexual scenes within the music video that shouldn't be there. Britney's director for this music video: Chris Marrs Pilero has commented saying: that it surprised him that it has a lot of controversy "because don't you guys have television shows out there that show crime? It's really strange to me. I don't understand why pop stars are put on such a high pedestal over other celebrities" (To see more of what he said click here)

I love the start of this music video, with it's opening sequence. Britney is seen with this guy, she doesn't really like. I think he's showing off and she's not smiling at all. He gets annoyed with her and she runs away with tears coming down her face. After putting some of her own perfume on called "Radiance". The starting theme is inspired by the film "Can't Hardly Wait". After coming out the bathroom she finds her boyfriend playfully chatting to this girl. Britney tells the girl "So you're not working the street corner tonight I see?" and this makes him angry. He then shoves her outside and slaps her across the face. Then this guy (a criminal played by Jason Trawick, Britney's real-life boyfriend), punches him and then they escape, but not after Britney does some damage of her own by kicking him in a certain place using the words "wait.... [kick] now I'm ready". I love this opening sequence and I could watch it over and over again.

There is another cross-reference with another music video, and that is Green Day's "21 Guns". Because Jason and Britney are kissing as bullets go through their apartment and somehow misses them in the middle. Also a lot of people has stated that it links in with Rihanna's music videos "Man Down" and "We Found Love".

Overall this music video links in perfectly with the song, and the controversy around the music video is fair enough, but it isn't as bad as others try and state it to be. Furthermore, the prevention of showing this music video at certain times in the UK (not sure if that's right, but I have yet to see it on the music channels), may have been the reason why this has yet to chart.
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