Unreality Shout - Music

American Music Awards 2009

Jay-D — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:52:42 +0000

Two weeks after the European MTV awards it’s time for the 37th American Music Awards 2009. After a quick glimpse at the list of nominees, it seems clear the night could turn into (another) Michael Jackson tribute (nominated for best pop-rock AND soul-R&B album, best pop-rock male artist and best soul-R&B male artist). The night will also be a new GaGa – Beyoncé dispute for best female artist (will little miss spoilt GaGa turn up this time?). The rest of nominees are the usual: Black Eyed Peas, the American beloved Taylor Swift and the hip-hop / rap category 2009 trio Jay-Z, T.I. and Eminem for best album and artist.

Rihanna's 'Rated R' Review

Jay-D — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:51:39 +0000

Rihanna is back on the hot spot, but this time it’s for her music, and that’s very good news. Her fourth studio album is decidedly her most complete, mature and personal work, taking into consideration she is the co-writer of nine of the thirteen tracks. A renovated Rihanna is back to stay. Now it’s her time to shine.

The semi-instrumental one-and-a-half-minute intro ‘Madhouse’ prints the new Rihanna intentions from the very start. The whole thing is grotesquely terrifying! Especially the freaky spooky organ notes that follow Rihanna’s voice inviting us to “come on, come on, come on in”.

The Saturdays - Ego - Single & Video Review

Gerard McGarry — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:23:07 +0000

This time last year, I didn't hold out much hope for The Saturdays breaking into the pop charts in any big way. However, aided by some cracking pop tunes and capitalising on the misfortunes of Sugababes and the slumbering Girls Aloud, they've miraculously returned for a second album, Wordshaker.

Personally, I'm glad they are, although they've ditched the bright colours that were their trademark throughout the promo for the first album. I loved Wordshaker's first single, Forever Is Over, for all its divaesque posturing and melodrama, though sadly I didn't review it.

Radio 1 Top Ten Weekly

Jay-Z ft Alicia Keys - Empire State Of Mind - Single review

Gerard McGarry — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:49:44 +0000

If there's one thing that Ghostbusters taught us it's that New Yorkers love their city. Am I right? And Sinatra's New York, New York might have a little competition as the city's anthem if this collab between Jay-Z and Alicia Keys has its way.

I first heard this track on the MTV EMAs, and it didn't initially make much of an impression. However, after some repeat listens the irresistable chorus was lasered into my brain. You find yourself running around sporadically yelling "Noo Yawk! The concrete jungle where dreams are maaaade up! There's nothing you caaan't do."

As a collaboration, it brings to mind that other hook-up from last year - Kanye and Estelle's American Boy. Except of course, Empire State Of Mind is far more of an anthem. You can see folks waving lighters and mobile phones in the air to this track.

Radio 1 Top Ten Weekly

Leona Lewis - Happy - Single Review

Gerard McGarry — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:26:06 +0000

Leading off her second album with a Ryan Tedder-penned track, Happy, the lovely Leona Lewis is clearly sticking to the formula with this one.

Now, we're obviously fans of Leona here on Unreality Shout - I've read brilliant reviews penned by RandomEnigma and Jay-D lately. Unfortunately, Happy gives me mixed feelings. With Leona, the voice is a given. It will always be flawlessly crystaline and beautiful, even on the high notes. But the song is a wrist-slashingly plodding tedderballad.

Radio 1 Top Ten Weekly

Vintage Lady Gaga Video - from 2005

Gerard McGarry — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:34:41 +0000

Back in the dark ages of pop (aka 2005), Lady Gaga was a pretty piano-tinkling brunette known as Stefani Germanotta. And this brilliant little video of Baby Gaga showing an electrifying performance without all the costumes and groin grinding shows another side of her completely.

This video is why I love Lady Gaga. It shows that she can do conventional performances, but she can also raise her game to an entirely new level as Gaga.

Well, that and the fact that the dual identities make her like a pop superhero...

Radio 1 Top Ten Weekly

Rihanna: Russian Roulette

RandomEnigma — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:41:32 +0000

The Noughties: The best bands of the 2000's

Gerard McGarry — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:17:21 +0000

As the decade known as "the Noughties" draws to a close, it's time to ponder what mark the decade made musically. In this post, I'm going to ask you which bands have made the most impact in the last ten years.

Now, to help you out, I've gone and scoured the internet for bands that you might want to consider. If you want to suggest another band - leave a note in the comments saying who they are and why you chose them!

Radio 1 Top Ten Weekly

A Skylit Drive - Those Cannons Could Sink A Ship - Single & Video Review

Gerard McGarry — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:38:47 +0000

Just when I was crying out for a head-clearing blast of metal, I got an email this afternoon about these Canadian metallers A Skylit Drive (contradiction in terms? I think not!) and their new single, Those Cannons Could Sink A Ship.

It's a slab of really heavy, melodic rock, with an accompanying video shot in the Blair Witch style. If you're not familiar with the band, check out the video below.

Those Canons Could Sink A Ship is from A Skylit Drive's second studio album Adelphia. You can listen to more of their music over on PureVolume.

Metal Gods

The Black Eyed Peas' 'The E.N.D.' Review

Jay-D — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:33:26 +0000