Category: Music

Ear Candy: Britney Spears — “Hold It Against Me”

Britney Spears is hitting the music scene again with her first single, “Hold It Against Me” off her seventh studio album slated to be released later this year.

With all the hype for Ms. Spears’ new album coming out this spring, I was expecting her first single to be the best we’ve ever heard from her. Frankly, it’s just not.

“Hold It Against Me,” which is the work of producers, Dr. Luke and Max Martin, is a definite club thumper. The beat immediately makes you want to get up and dance, but maybe not sing-a-long to.

The lyrics definitely leave much to be desired. They seem so amateur and ridiculous in comparison to lyrics from past lead singles. Britney songs aren’t literary masterpieces by any means, but usually they have some kind of substance to them. Also, during my initial listen of the song, I feel like the lyrics are too slow for the song during the verses.

The one part of the song that I did enjoy is the breakdown. The beats are fantastic. I hope that there will be some excellent choreography to be paired with it for the music video.

I really expected a lot more from Britney’s first single. This doesn’t scream to me that she’s back; It actually feels like she picked out a leftover song from 2007’s Blackout. As a longtime fan of Britney’s, “Hold It Against Me” is an absolute letdown.

Take a listen to “Hold It Against Me” below.

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Ear Candy >> Avril Lavigne — “What The Hell”

It seems that Avril Lavigne is continuing to embrace the pop side of her musical self that we were introduced to on her 2007 album The Best Damn Thing. The infusion of pop in her music is continuing to work out in her favor. Her latest single “What The Hell” (co-written and produced by Max Martin) was released earlier this week and climbed to number three on iTunes within a matter of hours.

Lavigne continues to do what she does best, which is make songs that people, especially women, can relate to. “What The Hell” is about tossing caution to the wind in life and relationships, and doing things that we normally wouldn’t do. What person doesn’t at least daydream about doing this?

The melody sounds pretty simple upon first listen, but when you listen closely there are a lot of layers to the track which in turn give it that kick of fun, bop-around-to-it-pop sound.

Overall, the song is produced well, the beat is catchy, and the lyrics are relatable and easy to sing-a-long to. Those are definitely the necessary ingredients of a hit song in the making.

“What The Hell” is available of iTunes now. Avril Lavigne’s fourth studio album, Goodbye Lullaby is due out March 8.

For more information on Avril Lavigne, please visit her official website.

Take a listen to “What The Hell” below.

Originally posted on BlogCritics.

Follow me on Twitter! @KirsCoachman

Ear Candy: David Archuleta — “Senseless”

Earlier this week, a new David Archuleta track hit the internets called, “Senseless.”

Take a listen!

I have to say, I like it! I really dig the r&b vibe meshed with Archie’s voice. I think it suits him really well. I don’t think it would have fit in well with the songs on The Other Side of Down. However, it would have fit in with the mix of music on his self-titled debut. This track actually reminds me of “Desperate,” which was one of my favorite tracks from his first album.

Maybe it’s just me, but I kind of prefer him doing more r&b style music. He has the vocal chops, he would just need a good pop/r&b producer. Not that his producers aren’t great now, I love the songs Eman has worked with David on. I just think that maybe for his third album he should bring back a little bit more of this type of sound.

So what did y’all think of “Senseless”?

Follow me on Twitter! @KirsCoachman

Audition For ‘The Glee Project’ in Fort Worth, TX

Want to be in season three of Glee?

Glee’s Darren Criss and casting director Robert Ulrich are in an online video promoting the upcoming casting session this weekend for Oxygen’s The Glee Project.
Check it out!

For more information on the casting session and eligibility requirements go to thegleeproject.oxygen.com!

Follow me on Twitter! @KirsCoachman

Brooke White and Randy Jackson Discuss Their Upcoming TV Movie, ‘Change of Plans’

You probably best remember Brooke White as the lovable and talented folk-pop singer-songwriter from American Idol season seven, winning you over every week with performances like “Let It Be” and “You’ve Got a Friend.” White is making her acting debut in the movie Change of Plans, which is apart of FOX’s Family Movie Night, airing this Saturday at 8 p.m.

White plays Sally Danville, a singer-songwriter married to fighter-pilot, Jason (Joe Flanigan). She learns that her best friend from college died while serving in the Peace Corps; on top of that, Sally also learns that she has been named the legal guardian of her friend’s four kids, three of whom were adopted from third-world countries. Sally and Jason have to adapt quickly into parenting, learning how a change of plans sometimes becomes something better than they could have imagined for their lives.

Earlier this week during a conference call, White and the movie’s soundtrack producer, American Idol judge Randy Jackson, discussed  Change of Plans, the lack of hit songs coming from the Idol winners and former contestants, and what’s in store for the tenth season of American Idol.

White explained that she had not set out to do any acting in her post-Idol career, and the opportunity for the movie came out of nowhere. She said that she was “shipped off to Toronto” for filming within a couple days after being cast in Change of Plans. She was initially nervous on set, but was soon bit by the acting bug. The hardest part of her new gig? The wake-up calls.

“What can I say was the hardest part about acting? Probably my 4:30 a.m. pick up every day. That was probably the hardest part. I have to say, there were certain technical aspects I wasn’t super savvy to, but other than that it felt super natural just to get in,” she said.

“I think I was concerned [about memorizing lines]. I’ve been known to forget lyrics here or there. I was worried I would forget a line or two. But really, it wasn’t a big deal, you get in there, memorizing the dialogue isn’t a big deal when you get there. I thought it was more fun, than hard.”

White mentioned that she had just watched Change of Plans a couple days ago, and experienced what she called the “answering machine syndrome,” while listening to herself talk during the movie.

Continue reading Brooke White and Randy Jackson Discuss Their Upcoming TV Movie, ‘Change of Plans’

Darren Criss Performing at Young Actors’ Theater Camp

Glee’s Darren Criss recently taught a master class and performed during the winter session of the Young Actors’ Theater Camp.

Check out his performances of “Get Back to Hogwarts” and “Teenage Dream” below!

I love that he’s performing this by himself! It’s ‘totally awesome!’

Video Source: 1

Follow me on Twitter! @KirsCoachman

Kris Allen on ‘Hard Rock Cafe Hollywood Blvd. Presents’

Over the weekend, Kris Allen appeared on Hard Rock Cafe Hollywood Blvd. Presents, where he did a short interview, and they showed him performing “Live Like We’re Dying” with KAB.

Check it out!

Whoever edited this segment together seems to have an appreciation for Cale Mills and Andrew DeRoberts. Haha!

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Follow me on Twitter! @KirsCoachman

Music Teaser & Vlog from David Cook & David Archuleta

Both of the David’s from American Idol season seven put out videos earlier today.

In case you forgot that David Cook did not release his sophomore album during 2010, he released this music teaser today as a reminder.

Check it out!

David Archuleta put out his first vlog of 2011 and remained adorable. He also talked for awhile about how awesome his 2010 was.

Check it out!

Nice to get updates from both the guys!

And how awesome did the short clip of “Paper Heart” sound?

Here’s hoping DCook can get his album out soon and that Archie can keep his New Year’s resolution to vlog more!

Follow me on Twitter! @KirsCoachman

NKOTBSB Perform on ‘Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Years’ Eve’

All I really can say about the NKOTBSB performance from last night is that it was such a great improvement from the hot mess performance from the AMAs.

The Backstreet Boys sounded so much better last night, although I think the definitely were out-performed by the New Kids. (This is something I never thought I would see myself say. But, it’s true.) I do have to add that the high note Brian Littrell hit during “I’ll Never Break Your Heart” was fantastic, and took  me straight back to high school.

Check out there performance from NYE below!

Video Source: 1