Orianthi - Courage

So far I've posted about artists from Canada, USA, Romania, and Britain; now I can add Australia to that list. Orianthi's new song "Courage" starts out with a tender, yet powerful vocal sound that proves that Orianthi is more than a guitarist. Throughout the song her strong voice continues with the sweet tune; along with some swaying "Whoa whoa"s which I'm sure you've guessed I'm not too fond of, but they work well with the song. Orianthi still has her awesome guitar skills that she's famous for in this song making it all come together for great music.

I find the lyrics a little unclear though. At the start I can believe that she's talking about a relationship, yet by the chorus she branches out to courage and metaphors. Of course, this would be fine if there was so connection to something, yet I don't see that connection. It seems like they wanted a complex love song, but it just transformed into a bunch of cliches. One could always argue that there is a deeper meaning that you have read between the lines to see; but I feel if you really have to analyze a song to get it, it's not worth it. Songs can be complex and metaphorical, but I want to believe that the artist knows what she's talking about.

This doesn't ruin the song though. It's still sweet and the lyrics do make sense for the most part. Orianthi displays that she's not just the guitarist from "This is it" she actually is her own artist. The question is, will she remain a one hit wonder or will "Courage" become her second hit?

Shawn Desman - Electric

Taking a break from bigtime divas to give a little time to a Canadian male artist, Shawn Desman. There's one major problem with this song that I need to get off of my chest right off the top; let me put it this way, Desman's younger brother recently released a song called "Automatic." The songs sound quite similar and both describe as girl with an unrelated adjective (automatic or electric), of course the reason for this is that both songs follow a common dance song formula. "Electric" offers nothing particularily new from Desman or from anything in the dance genre. The lyrics speak of dancing with a girl, nothing special there. You could argue that describing someone as electric is pretty unique, but artists often describe women with interesting vocabulary and "Electric" doesn't have much depth in this comparison. The lyrics really don't seem too intelligent are just repeated over and over again. Overall the song is typical Shawn Desman and typical dance.

It's not all bad though, stylistically the song seems quite cleverly done. With the use electronic effects and sound altering the song achieves and creative interesting feel. The chorus is catchy, and musically it's more unique than other parts of the song. With the effects it creates a bounchy, uneven swinging sound that works quite well. So the song is quite danceable and fun, but if you're looking for something new and unique you won't find it here.

Natalia Kills - Mirrors

Yeah, I know I promised that I'd do a post on Britney Spears' "Hold it Against Me" but I found someone else much more worth my time. All you need to know about the new Britney song is that it's the classic heavy dance sound that she has; hit material but nothing too interesting.

Anyways, onto the main event. "Mirrors" has been out for a while in Europe, but I've just heard it recently. Let me say that Natalia Kills has come up with something that is much more powerful than anything Rihanna, Xtina, or even Lady Gaga could come up with. "Mirrors" is a strong S&M sex song with true passionate feeling that few artists can actually make believable. By combining a rock base with poppy dance vocals the song is incredibly catchy and danceable. By the bridge Natalia has entered a sexy chant with and underlaying repitition from the chorus.

Instantly the song can draw you with Natalia's fearless attitude and the immediate dancy sound. The lyrics are direct with the message though, and not some manufactured dance attempt at sounding provocative. The song clearly means sex, but it can still make a great tune with it which is really impressive. I'm still hoping this song will get realized internationally as the masterpiece that it is, but it's getting unlikely considering how long it's been out.

Also, more divas to look out for in the near future, Ke$ha with "Blow", Rihanna with "S&M", Lady Gaga with "Born this Way", and Katy Perry with "Peacock". I probably won't get around to all of them, but just keep an eye out for all these songs that will no doubt be huge this year.

Avril Lavigne - What the Hell

Possibly one of the best artist to come out of Canada, Avril Lavigne is back after what seems like an eternity. Avril says that she wants to return to her old style and "What the Hell" is exactly that, a classic Avril song that is sure to be a hit. The carries the message of having fun and with its bouncy beat it's sure to get everyone in the same mindset. The song begins with a familiar Avril sound and the song evolves into a pounding dance feel. Overall the song does an excellent job of just expressing a carefree attitude without sounding manufactured and forced.

As this is supposed to be a classic Avril Pop track I can forgive the "Whoa whoa"s that are mixed in with the chorus, but I can't overlook the annoying "La la la"s. This part doesn't ruin the song, but it's out of place and nothing creative. I'm sure there could have been a way to make this work, but the way that it's just a bunch of whiny "La"s doesn not work. Still this is only a small imperfection in a wonderful song.

Altogether this is such a great party song when you're ready to have fun. Due to this fun nature it makes the song harder to get old as it's still catchy and lovable. We've only just entered 2011 but I've already found a new favorite song for the year.

P!nk - Perfect

Remember earlier when I mentioned that there was going to be a surge of female powerhouses; well it's defintely in progress. Recently I've heard new stuff from Avril Lavigne, Britney, and P!nk and I plan to comment on all of them, so expect a lot of posts during the next few days. Anways onto the song; it's named accurately as it's nearly a perfect song. It takes many great aspects from P!nk's voice, but unlike "Raise Your Glass" it's not so much a party song as it is something emotional. It carries a similar message as Katy Perry's "Firework" but it actually has a soul. It's not an uplifting lovey song, but a plea to not let life struggle's get someone down. With a realistic view on problems in a lovelife, P!nk begs her loved one to remember that he was always be perfect to her. Eventually the song evolves something deep and personal from P!nk.

As for problems...well the noticeable profanity comes to mind. P!nk has often used swearing as a way for her to express true emotions and I have nothing against that, but I can certainly say that it's unnecessary for this song. The song speaks a heartfelt plea; it's not something that requires any nasty language to make it anymore powerful. The word really just seems out of place and an attention grabber rather than any actual meaning. Then of course, there's the radio edit which just removes the word and also sounds quite awkward. Whether you mind this kind of language or not, I still stay that it is unnecessary and just makes the song awkward.

Still musically the song is genius, as can be expected from P!nk's greatest hits collection. Starting slow, but building into something emotional without getting overboard with power. The song always keeps a nice balance between tenderness and intensity so by the end we have a beautiful and strong ending. P!nk definetly hasn't lost any of her perfect talent and with a perfect song she could be a major player in 2011 music.

Justin Bieber - Pray

Alrighgt time to start off 2011 with an artist who defintely made an impact in 2010. Usher has recently stated that he wants to fill Michael Jackson's shoes and it looks like Justin Bieber is following his mentor's idea as he wants to have his own "Man in the Mirror". Justin has already proved that he have a hit, and he might be able to grow in 2011 if he continues to improve. "Pray" certainly has a much more evolved sound compared to Justin's previous songs. His voice has changed from whiny and immature to something alot smoother and more mature. His song's message has matured too, he's no longer singing about some cute girl but about the suffering in the world.

One problem that I've always had with Bieber is how fake he can sound, his songs aren't always believable, but he demonstrates that he is improving from this. "Pray" offers a truly universal message and makes a strong point about troubles on earth; yet it is realistic as all we can do is pray. Overall Justin can display a very tender emotion about a true problem.

Sadly they're are a few things that keep me from giving the song a perfect. For starters the song is lacking anything musically that makes it special. It's not particularily dancy or catchy, but as a tender song that's not necessary. But's it's not really beautiful either; the message is serious, yet there's nothing about the song that truly makes you think or cry. This may also have to do with the problem I mentioned earlier about being too fake. Like I said, Justin is improving and this song is quite pure, but I still don't think he has a true connection to the idea. He might understand it, but let's face it, he's 16 can he really make a heartfelt connection to something so distant to him?

The song still contains an important thought and Justin delivers it smoothly. It's onlt lacking a bit of heart, which I feel that Justin will be improving more in the future. Perhaps he will has it greatest hit yet sometime this year...