[Review] Melanie Amaro - Don't Fail Me Now

20 year old burgeoning pop star (and winner of the U.S. X-Factor's inaugural season) Melanie Amaro is prepping for the release of her bangin' new OFFICIAL debut single, "Don't Fail Me Now."  The Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins (Destiny's Child, Aaliyah)-produced, Livvi Franc (Cheryl Cole, Britney Spears)-penned  track premiered exclusively on US Weekly's website yesterday and is the first cut taken from Amaro's upcoming debut album, due out on Epic Records later this year.  Listen to "Don't Fail Me Now" BELOW.

 

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Australian Electro Duo PNAU Reinvents Classic Elton John with New Album

While we all eagerly await Elton John's upcoming 31st album produced by T-Bone Burnett, it looks like we have an exciting little side project the multiple award-winner and "frenemy" to Madonna, to keep our ears happy this summer.  John has paired up with Australian electronica duo PNAU, for the release of Good Morning To The Night, a new album which sees PNAU re-inventing classic Elton John songs from the 1970 to 1976 era of his career.  While PNAU have had a successful career as a duo, it was their 2008 breakout side-project Empire Of The Sun which gained them the most international attention.  The new Elton John collaboration album, due on July 2nd, will be preceded by the album's lead single (and title track), due June 25th, both via Mercury Records.

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Hot Video Alert: Agnes - Don't Go Breaking My Heart

Agnes Carlsson could very well be my SECOND favorite Swedish pop singer, next to the lovely Robyn, of course.  All the way back in September, the beautiful 23 year old former winner of 2005's Swedish Idol released a new dance-pop single called confusingly titled "Don't Go Breaking My Heart."  When I first heard the title, I obviously thought of a song by Elton John and Kiki Dee but didn't see any other vocalists featured on the album artwork. Come to find out, Agnes' "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" isn't a cover at all. It's a brand spankin' new song co-written by Carlsson herself, with help from The Nervo Twins, Vincent Pontare (Agnes' boyfriend!) and Magnus Lidehäll, the latter two of whom produced the synthy pop smash.  While not NEARLY as catchy as her international breakout single, "Release Me" or it's successor, "I Need You Now," "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" is certainly worthy of accolades if you ask me, as well as chart success.  Unfortunately for Agnes, the song was lacking in the chart department.

"Don't Go Breaking My Heart" became the first Agnes single to ever not chart in the top 60 on the Sverigetopplistan (AKA Swedish Single Chart). Astonishing, considering it followed the same basic pop formula as her previous hit singles.  Perhaps that had something to do with it? Was the new song TOO similar to past favorites?  Despite missing the singles chart altogether, "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" did manage to enter the Swedish Download chart at #3 and at #4 on the Svensktoppen (AKA Swedish Airplay Chart).  Reportedly the first single lifted off Agnes' forthcoming fourth studio album, "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" has been remixed to perfection by Niclas Kings, and Fredda L & Daif, which should have set things in motion for club chart success.  Here in the States, Agnes' debut American single, "Release Me" topped the Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs chart, so we know she has it in her.  I just hope that the poor chart performance of the song doesn't derail Agnes' plans to release a new album, which is still tentatively scheduled to come out sometime in 2012.

Check out the super sexy video for "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" below, directed by Mikeadelica and download the single on Swedish iTunes HERE.  Oh, and listen to the Niclas Kings remix HERE if you're feeling dancey.

Check Out Agnes on the web:

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Glee Star Matthew Morrison Releases Elton John Duet, Embarks on Solo Tour in June

Check out this cover that Glee star, Matthew Morrison recorded with the legendary Sir Elton John. It's a mash-up of "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" and "Rocket Man," and it's pretty good. While Morrison's voice can come off a bit too theatrical for me at times, it's a lovely rendition of two classic songs. Add to the fact that Elton John himself is singing on the track, and we definitely have a winner. Ryan Seacrest debuted a clip of the song last week, which you can hear below. If you like what you hear, you can download it exclusively over on Amazon.com HERE.

The self-titled album features collaborations with Elton John and Sting as well as Glee co-star Gwyneth Paltrow. Their duet, "Over The Rainbow" is available to download on iTunes HERE. Lead single, "Summer Rain" was co-written by Morrison, Claude Kelly and Norwegian/U.S.-based production team Espionage (Beyonce, Jordin Sparks, Jennifer Hudson, Train), who also produced the track. "Summer Rain" is out now in America (download HERE) and will be released in the UK on May 8th.

Matthew Morrison will be touring the States in support of his debut album, due May 10th on Mercury Records. The tour kicks things off on June 18th in Minneapolis and will hit more than 20 cities, concluding in Los Angeles at the Nokia Theatre on July 23rd. Tickets are on sale now, so go get them HERE if you're so inclined.  It's an interesting choice to have Morrison perform in such large venues.  I think they might be banking too heavily on his Glee fan base carrying him as a solo artist, but I guess we shall have to wait and see.  Whatever happens this tour will surely affect future Glee stars solo efforts.  What I do love about this tour is that Morrison is giving back and promoting music education. Working with the VH1 Save The Music Foundation, Morrison's tour will be giving Glee clubs the chance to compete for the 'opening act' performance spot. How great is that? Check out tour dates below and make sure you pick up a copy of "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters/Rocket Man" on Amazon.com now.

Tour Dates:

June 18//Minneapolis, MN//Orpheum Theatre
June 19//St. Louis, MO//Fabulous Fox Theatre
June 21//Rosemont, IL//Rosemont Theatre
June 22//Columbus, OH//Palace Theatre
June 23//Detroit, MI//Detroit Opera House
June 27//Philadelphia, PA//Mann Center for the Performing Arts
June 28//Newark, NJ//New Jersey Performing Arts Center
June 29//Boston, MA//Citi Performing Arts Center Wang Theatre
July 1//New York, NY//Beacon Theatre
July 2//Atlantic City, NJ//Caesar's - Circus Maximus
July 6//Washington DC//DAR Constitution Hall
July 7//Greensboro, NC//War Memorial Auditorium
July 8//Duluth, GA//The Arena at Gwinnett Center
July 10//Tampa, FL//David A. Straz Jr Center for the Performing Arts
July 11//Orlando, FL//Bob Carr Performing Arts Center
July 13//Boca Raton, FL//Mizner Park Amphitheatre
July 14//Jacksonville, FL//Moran Theater
July 16//Grand Prairie, TX//Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie
July 17//Austin, TX//Bass Concert Hall
July 19//Phoenix, AZ//Comerica Theatre
July 20//San Diego, CA//Humphrey's Concerts by the Bay
July 23//Los Angeles, CA//NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE

Check out Matthew Morrison on the web:

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Music's Biggest Night

What can I say about the Grammys? While it was certainly more enjoyable than the Golden Globes (YAWN!) I'm still glad I TIVO'd the whole thing because there are always performances that I want to FAST-FORWARD through (i.e. - Dave Matthews Band, Eminem/Drake/Lil' Wayne, etc.). I know that the Grammys are celebrating ALL music, which is great. I, personally, do not listen to all music, so having the option to skip those undesirables is...well...desirable.

Standout performances for me included the dramatic opener starring Lady Gaga and Sir Elton John, P!nk's high-flying (and soaking wet) number and the Michael Jackson tribute featuring Usher, Celine Dion, Jennifer Hudson, Carrie Underwood and Smokey Robinson (minus the 3D FX). Halfway decent performances included Green Day's "21 Guns" performed by the cast of the American Idiot musical, the Jamie Foxx/T-Pain/Slash & Doug E. Fresh spectacle, the Les Paul tribute with Jeff Beck & Imelda May and The Black Eyed Peas doing "Imma Be"/"I Gotta Feeling." Disappointing performances included Beyoncé's "If I Were A Boy"/"You Oughta Know" medley and Taylor Swift's off-key "Today Was A Fairytale"/"Rhiannon"/"You Belong With Me" (the latter two featuring an appearance by Stevie Nicks) medley. The Fast-Forward-Worthy performances for me included Bon Jovi, DMB, Lady Antebellum, Maxwell and The Zac Brown Band.

All in all it was a good show. I did get excited for a minute when I thought Stephen Colbert was going to be hosting the show, but then I realized that the Grammys typically don't have a host. All the better if you ask me. It was overall GREAT seeing all of the musicians and miscellaneous stars of film and television present awards and random Lifetime Achievement awards. It was also great hearing someone from the industry telling the television audience to help support the artists by buying music legally. We'll see if America listens. Hopefully they do.

The only thing I'm really left on the fence about is the whole appearance by Michael Jackson's children - Paris & Prince Michael. Did they want to be there or did someone else want them to be there? I would like to think that they wanted to be there to honor their father. Both kids were obviously nervous, but felt the need to speak out about their father. It was touching in a way, but also rather unnerving.

Music's Biggest Night was just that for CBS. 25.8 million Americans tuned in to watch the broadcast which is the largest audience for the telecast in six years. Pretty impressive!

Photos Via Grammy.com

Here's a rundown of some of the bigger categories:

Record Of The Year: Kings Of Leon - "Use Somebody" (given the choices, I would have to agree)
Album Of The Year: Taylor Swift - Fearless (not necessarily my first choice, but good for her)
Song Of The Year: Beyoncé - "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)" (DEFINITELY agree)
Best New Artist: Zac Brown Band (I personally was for The Ting Tings but whatever)

For a full list of the nominees and winners, check out Grammy.com.

Check out the Grammys on the web:
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