Hot Video Alert: Rihanna - Cheers (Drink To That)

I'm all about a good weekend anthem, and Rihanna's "Cheers (Drink To That)" is definitely that.  The song is the sixth single to be lifted from Rihanna's fifth studio album, Loud and was written by Andrew Harr, Jermaine Jackson, Stacey Barthe, Laura Pergolizzi, Corey Gibson, Chris Ivery, Lauren Christy, Graham Edwards, Avril Lavigne and Scott Spock and produced by Harr & Jackson under the name 'The Runners.'  Featuring a heavy sample of Avril Lavigne's 2002 Grammy nominated, Billboard Hot 100 top 5 single "I'm With You," "Cheers (Drink To That)" becomes the third slow tempo single in a row that Rihanna has released.  Since the January release of the clubby, party-friendly "S&M" RiRi has released 3 SEVERELY down-tempo tracks starting with "California King Bed," in May, "Man Down" in July and now with "Cheers (Drink To That)" in August.  While I'm all for the occasional ballad, I think it's probably a better idea to mix things up rather than fire off three club tracks followed by three slow jams.

One can't help but notice that since "S&M," Rihanna hasn't had a single #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and this after having three #1s in a row with "Only Girl (In The World)," "What's My Name" and "S&M."  While "What's My Name" doesn't necessarily have a thumping bass line, it's got Drake which makes it ripe for both the urban club market as well as top 40 radio.  I might be jumping to conclusions here, but I absolutely see a correlation between the tempo and the chart position.  The faster the tempo...the higher the chart position. "California King Bed" nearly didn't make the top 40 while "Man Down" charted one space down from 60 on the Billboard Hot 100.  Rihanna did manage to turn things around with "Cheers (Drink To That)," as the song pulled off a top 10 spot, likely due to the song's pre-weekend shout out.

Check out documentary-style video for "Cheers (Drink To That)" directed by Evan Rogers, below.  The video, which premiered on iTunes and VEVO August 26th features a small cameo by Avril Lavigne herself and appearances from both Cee-Lo Green and Jay-Z.  Download "Cheers" on U.S. iTunes HERE! Cheers to the freakin' weekend!
  

Check out Rihanna on the web:

Official Site//MySpace//Facebook//Twitter//VEVO

Ones to Watch in 2011: Avery

Let me introduce you to Avery, a 16 year old singer/songwriter from Phoenix, Arizona. Recently signed to Universal Records as one of the youngest artists on the roster, Avery's latest single, "Go Screw Yourself (GSY)" is an attitude-filled pop-punk anthem guaranteed to make you move. Very reminiscent of Avril Lavigne in her prime, "Go Screw Yourself" has HIT written all over it, and seeing that Avril just released the last single-worthy track off her latest flop album, Goodbye Lullaby, now is as good a time as any for Avery to swoop down and corner the pop-punk music market.

In January of 2011, Avery was named 'The Next Big Thing' by Entertainment Tonight and seemingly for good reason.  Passionate about music at a young age, Avery played Gabriella in a local production of High School Musical as well as performing in her hometown choir. Before signing with Universal, Avery was discovered on YouTube and flew out to Orlando FL where she signed with Plush Records, recording her first single, "Love Me Or Let Me Go." The video was shot and uploaded onto her YouTube account in May of last year, amassing over 1 million views in just three months time. AMAZING!  "Love Me Or Let Me Go" is another Avril-worthy pop-punk jam, complete with a catchy chorus and fiery attitude.  The video follows Avery as she takes a box filled with memories of an ex boyfriend and ultimately dumps it off the roof of a building.  The video is interspersed with clips of Avery rockin' out to the song in a club, performing with a band and an amped up crowd of teenagers.

Currently at work on her debut album due out later this year, her new single "Go Screw Yourself (GSY)" was released May 28th on Plush/Universal.  Download the single on U.S. iTunes HERE and watch the lyric video below.

Check out Avery on the web:

Official Site//Facebook//Twitter//YouTube

Hot Video Alert: Avril Lavigne - Smile

So...yeah. Still playing catch up here. Forgive me. The video for pop/punk singer/songwriter Avril Lavigne's latest single, "Smile" is cute. Just like the video for previous single, "What The Hell," it features Lavigne rockin' out with colored streaks in her hair, looking girly and badass at the same time. The song was written and produced by hitmakers Max Martin (Britney Spears, Katy Perry) and Shellback (P!nk, Usher), with Lavigne serving as co-writer on the track so it really should be a chart-topping amazing hit...but it's not. Don't get me wrong, I'm really not an Avril hater. I just hate the fact that the two singles that have come out thus far are the ONLY TWO songs on the album with Lavigne's trademark pop-punk sound. The rest of the album is a much darker affair. I hate to say it but it feels like this whole campaign is all a big sham!

"Smile" is really the last possible song off of Goodbye Lullaby that the label could have released as a single...at least if they were looking for a pop hit along the same lines as "What The Hell," which managed to just barely miss the top ten on Billboard's Hot 100 chart. Unfortunately for both Avril AND RCA, "Smile" bombed here in America, failing to chart at all. While "Smile" did manage to chart in Australia and New Zealand (#26 and #30) as well as Lavigne's own Canada, (coming in at #98) that's little consolation for all of those Americans who bought the album and brought it up to it's top five debut on the Billboard 200, thinking it was going to be full of radio-friendly pop hits.  Granted, those people probably should have done some research before buying the album, but still! Having such a catchy lead single is dangerous if the rest of the album doesn't match up.

"What The Hell" was fun, up-tempo and, according to Avril in the press, not the kind of music she wanted on her album in the slightest. If an artist publicly speaks out against her own music, it's never a good sign. Lavigne had been going on about wanting to do a darker, less poppy album however it looks like the label still got her to put two Top-40 friendly tracks on there. The big question for me is, now what? This whole debacle really does have me asking "What the hell?"  Download "Smile" on iTunes HERE.

Check out Avril Lavigne on the web:

Official Site//MySpace//Facebook//Twitter//VEVO

Hot Video Alert: Avril Lavigne - What The Hell

Well, here we have the new Avril Lavigne video and, just like I said about the song, I like it but I'm worried about what other tricks Lavigne has to pull out of her sleeve with this album. She's already said that "What The Hell" is the only really "POP" song on the album so what does that leave us with? I guess we will have to wait and see, but in the meantime let's take a peak at the video for "What The Hell."

Directed by Marcus Raboy (Shakira, Dixie Chicks) the video portrays a typical rebellious Lavigne playing hard to get with a sexy male love interest. Despite being riddled with obvious product placement (Sony, Black Star and Forbidden Rose - Lavigne's own perfume lines) the video is a fun little romp and the perfect parallel to the Max Martin-produced song. Watch out for a cameo by Lavigne's own mother, who appears as a store clerk in Abbey Dawn. Precious.

Chart performance-wise, "What The Hell" seems to be doing alright. It debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at #13 and on the Billboard Hot Digital Songs chart at #6. The song managed to peak at #8 on the Canadian Hot 100 and debuted at #4 on Canada's Digital Songs chart, becoming her third best debut to date following "Girlfriend" and "Keep Holding On." Over in the UK, "What The Hell" debuted at #29, becoming her twelfth Top 30 hit.

Watch the video (BELOW), download "What The Hell" on iTunes HERE and look out for Avril Lavigne's fourth studio album, Goodbye Lullaby, due out on March 2nd through RCA Records.

Check out Avril Lavigne on the web:

Official Site//MySpace//Facebook//Twitter//VEVO

Avril Lavigne Rings In The New Year with a New Single and Free Download

Avril Lavigne got an early start on her promotional duties for new album, Goodbye Lullaby (March 8th, RCA Records) this past New Years Eve, performing new single "What The Hell" live on Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest. While the performance was lackluster at best, Lavigne treated fans to a free download of the single on her official Facebook page starting on New Years Day. I'm definitely diggin' the free download trend that artists like Avril and Ke$ha have started. Definitely a smart promotional tool if you ask me.

Now - what do I think of the Avril single? I totally agree with Prophet when he says that "On it’s own, “What the Hell” is a total winner and sounds like a surefire Billboard smash." The problem I have is also the same problem Proph is having. Lavigne has gone on record repeatedly, saying that this single is nothing like the rest of the album, and that her upcoming fourth studio album is more mature and acoustic. If this is the case, 'What The Hell' is the point of having only one surefire radio hit on the record? I understand, it's album number four, it's Avril's chance to push her boundaries and do something different to prove that she's a grown up little pop star but on that same token - it's been 4 years since you've had a hit, girl. You might want to keep the momentum going (assuming "What The Hell" does well). Granted, Avril's had chart success with ballads and mid-tempo songs before (most notably break out single "Complicated," not to mention "I'm With You," "My Happy Ending" and "Keep Holding On") but still - launching your first album in four years with an up-tempo, poppy song and then not having anything similar to follow it up with is kinda misleading. It's really nothing more than a big tease.

We will have to see how well "What The Hell" does but it has all the makings of a chart hit - namely hitmaker extraordinaire Max Martin (Britney Spears, P!nk) on production duties. Here's hoping that the rest of the album is able to sustain itself beyond the first single. "Like" Avril Lavigne on Facebook now and download her single, "What The Hell" for free HERE.

Check out Avril Lavigne on the web:

Official Site//MySpace//Facebook//Twitter//VEVO

Flashback Video Alert: Amy Studt - Just A Little Girl

I remember Amy Studt being pegged as England's answer to Avril Lavigne...angry girl pop music. Having first heard of Amy Studt through her song "Misfit," and then "Under The Thumb" I finally got around to buying her album, 2002's False Smiles. I then realized that some people already knew her for THIS, her debut single, called "Just A Little Girl, which was used in some TV promo spots for the final season of Buffy The Vampire Slayer. The single managed to peak at 14 on the UK charts and this fun video, directed by Sophie Muller features a young Studt, before label politics ultimately drove her into a less mainstream direction. Check out the videos for her last three singles from 2009's My Paper Made Men, "Furniture," "Chasing The Light" and "Nice Boys" (the latter being considerably more mainstream). After having been dropped by her label (19 Entertainment) Studt is currently at work on new material. Can't wait to see what new stuff she comes up with, cos this girl's really talented.




Amy Studt 'Chasing The Light' (Dir Cut) from PTE on Vimeo.


Amy Studt "Nice Boys" from Logan Hefflefinger on Vimeo.

New Album Update - Whitney Houston, Beverley Knight, Queen Latifah & Avril Lavigne

With my Blog "To-Do" List growing by the day, I'm cramming a few updates into one right here in an abbreviated form. Here's a little bit of information about a few new albums I'm getting excited about.

Whitney Houston - I Look To You (Release Date: 8/31/2009 - UK - 9/1/2009 - U.S.): You know what? I don't think I own a single Whitney Houston album! Sad realization! I think I'm going to have to purchase a greatest hits/greatest remixes compilation one of these days. You might then ask WHY the new Whitney Houston album is something that has me excited. I think, more than anything, it's the hype. Houston is one of the finest vocalists of our time, and despite all of her tabloid-troubles - this woman's music is worth listening to. I wish Houston the best and I sincerely can't wait to hear her new material.

Houston premiered the album first in London on July 14th, and more recently on July 21st in New York City. The most recent "listening party" took place at Lincoln Center and was hosted by RCA mogul, Clive Davis. The list of notable invitees included Swizz Beats, Alicia Keys, L.A. Reid, Monica, R. Kelly, Martha Stewart and many more! According to Billboard, nine songs were played for the guests starting with the Swizz Beatz produced "Million Dollar Bill."

At her London listening party, Houston described the new album as a "labor of love," admitting that she was ready to retire when Davis stepped in and told her that the "people want to hear you." Davis is right, most definitely. This could be quite the comeback album. In order for this to happen, however, the album needs hit singles. I Look To You has been described as contemporary R&B which sort of worries me. To me "contemporary R&B" means BALLAD-OVERLOAD...but I guess that's not necessarily true. There are both up-tempo and slow jamz on the album which is promising. Among the collaborators -Alicia Keys, Diane Warren, Stargate, R. Kelly and Akon. I'm pumped. - Via Billboard

Tracklisting:

"Million Dollar Bill"
"Nothin' But Love"
"Call You Tonight"
"I Look To You"
"Like I Never Left" (featuring Akon)
"A Song For You"
"I Didn't Know My Own Strength"
"Worth It"
"For The Lovers"
"I Got You"

Check out Whitney Houston on the web: Official Site//Classic Whitney//Facebook//YouTube////iLike

Beverley Knight - 100% (Release Date: 9/14/2009 - UK): When I first heard Beverley Knight's new single, "Beautiful Night," this morning (via ArjanWrites) I was impressed. I was expecting just another R&B song but I really am digging this one. Knight not only looks stunning in the video, but the mid-tempo jam is actually quite catchy. Slick production, beautiful vocals...what more could one expect from an industry pro like Knight?

When I was in the UK a few years back, HMV actually had more than just one designated shelf for singles. I was perusing the ENTIRE row of singles and found Beverley Knight's cover of the Janis Joplin classic, "Piece of My Heart." I of course also adore her cover of Robyn's "Keep This Fire Burning." You can't really go wrong with Beverley Knight. I'm looking forward to this new record - her first album post Parlophone-split. With her own label (Hurricane Records), Knight's been hard at work with hitmakers including The Rural, Guy Chambers, DJ Munro and Jimmy Jam/Terry Lewis (Janet Jackson). Sounds very promising indeed.

Check out Beverley Knight on the web: Official Site//MySpace//Facebook//Twitter//Flickr//YouTube

Artwork via Coverlandia

Queen Latifah - Persona (Release Date: 8/22/2009): As dated as Latifah's '94 single "U.N.I.T.Y." might sound today, there's no denying it was a solid track. It seems like her days of rapping/singing are but a distant memory, with Queen Latifah (Dana Owens) focusing on acting, singing jazz standards and being a CoverGirl spokes model. The time has come for a return to form! Now that we know Latifah can really SING, put those pipes to use on something NOW...something HIP...something radio stations will latch on to. New album Persona, might just be the ticket.

While I don't really think Latifah needs to prove anything to anyone, I'm just anxious to hear her vocals on the radio. In a recent interview with Billboard, Latifah sheds some light on the new album and what we can expect to hear. In the interview Latifah said "I realize that I haven't been in the game for a while...I just want it to be heard." Working with Cool & Dre on much of the album, there will be singing and rapping as well as collaborations.

According to Latifah, "This album is definitely rooted in hip-hop, but there's a lot of singing too. I've always sung on my records. I was always a person who mixed a lot of melody with rhymes." I, for one, cannot WAIT to hear the Queen return to her hip-hop roots. Download the album's lead single "Cue The Rain." - Via Billboard

Check out Queen Latifah on the web: Official Site


Avril Lavigne - Untiled 4th Album (Release Date: November ??): I first heard Avril Lavigne's breakout track "Complicated" online and immediately was drawn to it's angsty chorus. It's been a love/like/dislike relationship with Avril Lavigne ever since. Loved debut album Let Go; liked follow up Under My Skin; disliked The Best Damn Thing. According to Billboard, her new, as of yet, untitled record is going to be more raw and stripped down.

"A lot of the songs are mainly the acoustic and my vocal. It's a lot different from anything I've done before," Lavigne tells Billboard. "It's not a pop rock record. This is more about emotion and feeling."

Interesting. I could possibly dig this. In listening to her ballads and mid-tempo singles, you can tell Lavigne has the pipes. It's when she starts jumping up and down and "rocking out" that her vocals get all wavery and inconsistent. After the album, which was considerably "poppier" than any of her previous efforts, Lavigne needs to take it down a notch.

While first single isn't a sure thing yet, it could be the full length version of the song Lavigne recorded to help launch her first fragrance called "Black Star." Not bad at all. Husband and Sum41 frontman Deryck Whibley produced much of the album, while Lavigne wrote. In addition, Lavigne collaborated with former bandmate (and aspiring solo artist) Evan Taubenfield. I'll definitely be purchasing the new record - if for no other reason than to complete my Avril Lavigne CD collection. Sounds like she's off on the right track. - Via Billboard

Check out Avril Lavigne on the web: Official Site//MySpace//Imeem//YouTube

Amy Studt is back!!

Much to my surprise, I found out via LastFM that UK singer Amy Studt is back with a new label and a new single, come this December. Amy Studt used to be on the Polydor label and had some success with two singles, "Just A Little Girl" and "Misfit." Originally pegged as UK's answer to Avril Lavigne, further singles proved to be less successful on the charts and she was dropped from her label.

Now however it appears that she has been signed to 19 Recordings and is releasing a new single, "Furniture" on December 3rd. You can hear a clip on her official site (http://www.amystudt.com/). I was a fan of Studt's first album, "False Smiles" and am ecstatic that she's back.

- EDIT - Apparently I've included some errors on this posting, brought to my attention on LASTFM. Polydor Records is a subsidiary of Universal Music Group. According to my copy of Amy Studt's album, there's a logo for Polydor AND 19 Recordings. I guess Wikipedia is not a reliable resource. I knew that but I always wind up going back there for music information. Perhaps that's not such a smart idea. Wikipedia says that Amy Studt was dropped from Polydor and is now signed with 19. It appears that she's still with 19...maybe she never left? I don't understand. Perhaps someone can explain this to me. ALSO, according to the source on LASTFM none of Amy's singles performed strongly in the UK and that she in fact came before Avril Lavigne. Also, turns out that Just A Little Girl was released as a single in the U.S. Interesting fact...apparently the single was also used in television spots promoting the final season of Buffy The Vampire Slayer. Anyway, any Polydor vs. 19 insight someone can provide would be helpful :-) Sorry for this misinformation!