Rolling Teenpop 2007 Thread

Jordin Sparks: s/t
"Tattoo"
"One Step at a Time"
"No Air" (featuring Chris Brown)
"Freeze"
"Shy Boy"
"Now You Tell Me"
"Next to You"
"Just for the Record"
"Permanent Monday"
"Young and in Love"
"See My Side"
"God Loves Ugly"
"This Is My Now" (Bonus Track)
"Worth the Wait"

It's like Good Girl Gone Bad 'cause "Tattoo" sounds kinda similar to "Umbrella" and "No Air" will soon replace "Hate That I Love You." Also, "Freeze" sounds sorta like "Question Existing" (but not as good).

Robyn wrote "See My Side." In my heart, I feel responsible for this (see, when I met her this summer, I gave her a mix cd with songs to inspire this album, and I circled two Robyn tracks and put a note about her history/awesome songwriting ability...I did the same thing with Annie, but she didn't work on the album), and I'm happy with the results.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b361/tapestore/sadface.jpg

Bullshit!

I mean, I'd rather she say, "I've only been asked by this one loser" than that.

So, uh, that Lil Mama album...

Hahahahahahaha!

So your campaign to turn her into a hipster was partially successful, your campaign to go out with her, less so.

;_;

She took my Converse and left my heart.

That didn't actually take me a half an hour.

No britney discussion yet?

I think the album is solid but not spectacular. Surprisingly, the strongest track is the confessional, tabloid-bashing "Piece of Me." Surprising because I didn't suspect that this sort of song would work from Britney, since reality has never been a part of her better songs.

The New Kylie is better. I actually prefer the earlier demo of "In My Arms" that leaked a few months back (they teased the hook longer), but all the songs I liked in demo form are still great. In typical Kylie form, the "bonus tracks" are a blast- "I don't know what it is" is the kind of inspirational, driving pop rock she's so good at.

and come on, Jordin is hot. Boys know this. But they also know she's way into Jesus, and probably super high-maintenance.

Commentary by a couple of teenpop thread regulars...Frank and Tom on the album. And I wrote about it all over the place (except here).

Amy Diamond's new single w/ Max Martin deserves a mention, I think (h/t Jessica Poptastic). I think this is the closest he's come to old-school Max since...what, 2002 or before? And weirdly, I think Amy might have had more of an influence on him than he had on her.

Ummmmmm other things. Keke Palmer's album is officially underrated teenpop album of the year, I think (other contenders? Megan McCauley? Lil' Mama -- haven't even heard this yet, woops). I'm going to put it (Keke) in my Top Ten just because no one else will.

Feel the opposite Matt, think that Britney's alb is spectacular but not...solid. It's uneasy, there's something a little off about it. I dunno.

Britney had her own thread.

The Teenpop thread bows to no one.

Publicist: Jordin, if you mention that Tape Store kid one more time, I swear, I'm walking straight out of here.

Jordin (in whiny voice): But I want to go with him...

Publicist: Tell the newspapers no one asked you. We're still working on your virgin image.

Britney just forged past Miranda Lambert as my number two album of the year. Both Brit and Miranda are hitting my Velvet Underground buttons.

I wonder what Jordin would think of Stacey Q?

Keke Palmer album looked promising if you can judge a book by its cover, I thought; isn't it supposed to have one song that applies to that newfangled Chicago subgenre that Kelefa talks about sometimes -- juke or whatever it's called? But anyway, I haven't heard the record -- along with Skye Sweetnam, the Venonicas, Britney Spears, Hanna Montana, Rihanna, Kelly Clarkson, Kate Nash, and High School Musical 2, it falls into the category "teenpop-associated 2007 albums there's a very good chance I might like but I haven't got ahold of a copy yet and I've been too lazy and/or busy to seek one out."

I do like "It's My Turn Now," Keke's track on the Jump In! compilation (which I finally, after it's been out for like 11 months or something, got around to paying attention to this week), but I like it more for the background party voices than for Keke herself, I think. Good album, though. (The soundtrack, I mean.) Favorite track is probably the J-Faddish electro-girl bubble-rap "Gotta Lotta" by Prima J, whoever she is (anybody know?), followed by "Jump To The Rhythm" by Jordan Pruitt (whose own album really hold up and looks like it may actually squeak its way into my year-end top 10 as things stand now) and the double-dutching Kris Kross update (but not cover) "Jump" by Lil Josh. (Three songs about jumping on the album -- four if you count "Go! [Jump In mix]" by Jupiter Rising, which has cute gang-shout-type things that go "go! go! go!.") "Let It Go" by Kyle is a sweet, vulnerable gospel-pop closer; "I'm Ready" by Drew Seeley has more aerobic electro beats underneath. Anyway, what do other people think of this album? Tried to search, but looks like it was barely discussed on this thread...

(Maybe I should add Jordin Sparks to that might-like-if-I-heard -them list too, come to think of it. Frank, are you saying she's Stacey Q-like? If so, how?)

And I meant J-J-Faddish, obviously.

(among other typos.)

(As of now, I have no Jordin Sparks opinion at all. As for Kelly, Britney, and Rihanna, I've liked but not loved what I've heard from their albums, which is one reason my motivation has been a bit lacking.)

Prima J (Wiki sez Mexican-American duo based in California discovered by a Wild Orchid member who isn't Fergie) was on the Bratz soundtrack linked a few months ago, Rockstar. Haven't heard "Jump In."

Keke is kinda scattershot, but I really like about half of it. Kinda dug the Soulja Boy album I just got (there's a pretty good teenpop-friendly track on there about yelling YAAAAAAH in someone's face when they won't leave you alone, also I saw a couple of kids doing the Soulja Boy the other day, not nearly as easy as the Chicken Noodle Soup).

They even go so far as to affectionately refer to each other as “chilosa", a made-up word that they feel defines Prima-J: two sassy, classy, spicy and feisty girls. They may be the girls next door, but they’re also fun and fearless, with an independent spirit and deep sense of inner confidence.

Soulja Boy LP was okay; not as good as the Shop Boyz or Pack LPs (or Rich Boy or Crime Mob LPs) (or Pack EP, which is better than their LP) (or the Webstar LP with "Chicken Noodle Soup" on it for that matter) (didn't get around to absorbing the new Pitbull or Federation LPs yet), though. I did think the song at the end of the Soulja Boy album, about how parents shouldn't be mad just 'cause all the kids only want to talk about Soulja Boy these days, was somewhat amusing though. (And Soulja Boy's album is no worse than Hurricane Chris's.) And yeah, it's fun watching teenagers do the Soulja Boy dance on the subway -- especially the "superman" part, though the youtube videos where people substitute other super-heroes (such as for instance "we don't superman no mo/we just spiderman that ho") are pleasingly goofy too.

How is the Lloyd album? ("You" featuring Lil Wayne will probably make my top ten singles.) I never got around to hearing that album, or the new Ne-Yo album either, for that matter. (I liked Ne-Yo's first one.)

And oh yeah, does the Lil Mama album actually even exist? It kept getting pushed back, but I've seen no evidence that it's actually out. I really need to hear that one, seeing how she's got my two fave singles of the year (as in "Lip Gloss" and the remix of Avril's "Girlfriend" with her on it.)

Mira Craig's "Leo" and Dragonette's "I Get Around" (both burned for me by Frank, as was "You" actually) will probably make my top ten singles list, too. I have no idea who either of them are, really; I think AMG compared Dragonette to the Scissors Sisters, which suggest maybe I should avoid their other stuff.

Also never heard Cupid's album, come to think of it; I doubt it's very good (and "Cupid Shuffle", though I like it, won't make my top 10), but who knows?

And with another one of my likely top-ten-list teen-rap choices (D.B.’z featuring E-40's "Stewy" from Hyphy Hitz), I'd very much like to know if anybody has any concrete evidence that it was ever actually a single (i.e., an airplay song, ringtone, whatever.) Though I'll probably vote for it anyway.

Just vote for Hyphy Hitz, that's what I'm doing. (And use your token hyphy singles slot for Mistah F.A.B.'s "Ghost Ride It". C'mon, I need backup.)

But Hyphy Hitz is not good enough! (Rap album of the year, obviously, but it still does not pass the "can be played from beginning to end" test.)

Jordan Pruitt now vying for Kid Rock for # 10 spot on my album list. I am thinking that maybe I should give Kid the benefit of the doubt affirmative-action-wise for being a talented guy in a year of talented girls (seeing how Taylor Swift, Miranda Lambert, the Gore Gore Girls, and Aly & AJ -- not to mention the Sirens and Little Big Town and the Motel Lovers Southern soul compilation, all of likely mixed-gender persuasion) are likely the make my list. On the other hand, the Sirens and Gore Gore Girls might make my list a bit too Detroit-heavy, which would work against Kid Rock's favor. (Jordan might be helped a bit if my copy of her CD actually had a CD cover on it, which would give me more of an idea of her personality. But alas, it is only an advance.) (She did push Lily Allen out of the running, though.)

I don't understand the Jordan Pruitt album at all. Maybe it's just that I keep getting stuck on "Outside Looking In," but it's way too mopey and sad-sack for me. Jordan Pruitt = the indie artist of teenpop?

Contrast to Aly + AJ, Britney, Hannah, or even Taylor Swift, all of whom have an explosion of: exuberant explosive emotion - snarling disgust - youthful wide-eyed naivety - lyrical heartbreak. Like, Pruitt is pretty music, but pretty stripped bare, and like my problem with Paris last year, she doesn't sell her emotions at all. "I'm sick of wasting all my time," she breaths out as though she can barely bother to articulate the sensation (or worst, that she believes that exasperation is a great interpretation.)

Mirroring the thread on Frank's blog, I think I've found out this year that I need music that risks something (or, alternatively, to revive a buzz word that always slips definition; that feels authentic). And Jordan definitely doesn't do it. But I'm posting this because I'm hoping someone can make the opposite argument. Cause I want to hear what you all are hearing. (I didn't like Taylor Swift the first time I heard her, but you guys converted me in February.)

But Hyphy Hitz is not good enough! (Rap album of the year, obviously, but it still does not pass the "can be played from beginning to end" test.)

I'm going to have to disagree. I've played it end-to-end into the dozens.

I can't believe I forgot about Hyphy Hitz. We should only vote on albums every 6 months, not every year. 12 months is too long.

Reverend: I'm making a decision about the Jessica Hopper thread. If it doesn't ever take off, I'm just moving all my emo discussion over to this thread. I wanna talk about Thrice!

Fair enough, I can't really say I've been keeping up on that end of things.

Xhuxk, that Stacey Q comment was just a response to this post by Tape Store:

Robyn wrote "See My Side." In my heart, I feel responsible for this (see, when I met her this summer, I gave her a mix cd with songs to inspire this album, and I circled two Robyn tracks and put a note about her history/awesome songwriting ability...I did the same thing with Annie, but she didn't work on the album), and I'm happy with the results.

So my idea was that maybe if Tape Store meets Jordin again he could slip her a Stacey Q album, so Stacey Q could end up as a writer on the next Jordin Sparks album. And maybe Stacey could also sing backup on the next Britney album, like Robyn did on the current one.

Mordy - Like Taylor Swift, Jordan Pruitt's got a burr in her throat that gives her sweet singing a dark ache.

kelly clarkson still in running 4 my list but only if fefe dobson's 2006 unreleased record (which i only heard this year thx to an illegal ysi) is dq'ed. sunday love is MONSTAR.

I think I just find Pruitt too highschool in a way that Taylor Swift seems a bit more mature and a bit deeper. It could just be that Pruitt's music video was a huge disaster for me. Of course, Frank, you probably love the highschool theme...

Mira Craig's "Leo" and Dragonette's "I Get Around" (both burned for me by Frank, as was "You" actually) will probably make my top ten singles list, too. I have no idea who either of them are, really; I think AMG compared Dragonette to the Scissors Sisters, which suggest maybe I should avoid their other stuff.

Mira Craig (if I can get this link to work):

http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/1105/miracraighn5.jpg

She's Norwegian, but her dad was born in Baton Rouge, and "Leo" uses a reggaeton beat.

As for Dragonette (currently number fifteen in my top ten), I don't know much, but a guy called brak55 just posted this on my livejournal:

That's great that you are recognizing Dragonette. I met their lead singer, Martina Sorbara, many times back in her tampon music days (her words, not mine) and she's a really nice and funny person.

I asked him to elaborate on "tampon music" (is that, like, Stevie Nicks? Tori Amos?) but he hasn't yet replied.

Try again:

http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/1105/miracraighn5.jpg

Also, Aly + AJ's Division is the weakest track on that album for me, precisely because it borrows the Graduation motif.

And wow. Think they're trying to sell Mira on her sex appeal?

Mira is a lion!

Speaking of Trina (which no one was), I'm streaming the new Pitbull album over on the AOL Listening Party, and as is usual with him I like about a third of it quite a lot and the rest makes me shrug. For the second album in a row he samples the riff from "When I Hear Music." Kind of does his own version of "Wanksta" with it (which he may have done last time, too; I don't remember). Anyway, "Go Girl" f. Trina is really good, and funny.

Well, Jordan is younger than Taylor (and younger than Jordin, too). I tend to ignore Jordan's lyrics, which aren't bad but are predictable; it's the delivery that works for me.

My favorite 2007 hyphy single is Keak Da Sneak's "That Go," hovering at around twelve on my singles list.

Dimension, what do you think of Miley Cyrus's "Start All Over," which has just started getting Radio Disney play? I like it quite a lot, uses her raw vocal cords very well. It was co-written by Fefe Dobson.

i just read that but i have not heard that song & have not tried v.hard to stomach anything about m.c. in any way so idunno, i'll give it 2 shots

also: http://swaymag.ca/summer2007/music.html

okay good song but take away the byrds/3 o'clock hippie stuff and its all fefe d -- slash guitars, big fat hoox

Top Ten Things about the New Aly + AJ Album (In No Particular Order):

1) "I'll bet my tears / I'll bet your tears / I'll bet our tears..." (Silence): Deferred meaning before she's wiping away the tears, the slow reveal lets you dwell in the tears first.

2) "If I could have you back again / I'd think about once or twice I guess / If I could have you back / I'd reconsider / Maybe I'd say yes. / On the other hand it would be better to have a life without the constant indecision over if I could have you back." (If I Could Have You Back): The frankness, the pragmatic decision-making hiding a deeper uneasiness, the admission 'once or twice I guess' that tosses off the consideration with light nonchalance.

3) "Please." (Flattery): Just heart wrenching beseechment.

4) "We both have tasty tears, my dear." (Flattery): The Dorothy Parker'esque 'my dear' coupled with the gastronomical eating of tears (they roll down your face and you taste them on your lips) plus the emotional battery that we're both crying, and both our tears are tasty (is she tasting his tears? has she tasted his tears in the past? is she just guessing?)

5) "Now all I want is just my stuff back / Did you get that? / I want my stuff back." (Potentional Breakup Song): In this line, they are clearly statement, as eloquently as possible in this kind of situation: Fuck off. I think of Dylan's "I don't mind / You just kinda wasted my precious time," and its the same kind of bitter kiss-off that makes Dylan (and Aly + AJ) so bloody devastating.

6) "You didn't ask me for my number / Wait, you didn't ask me for my number / I like the fact that you didn't ask that / Cause you already got my number huh." (Bullseye): I LOVE the Elvis-styled 'huh.' It's got the right verve, the right sex appeal that Elvis infused the word with. I can almost imagine Elvis gyrating his hips when they sing it, but they sell it as a feminine movement.

7) "I used to wear your shirt to bed / But now it's in the trash instead." (Closure): See #5.

8) "Everyday, everyday, everyday, everyday, everyday, everyday everyday..." (Closure): The distance, the time passing, articulating through repetition, and then through the drawn out echoes that sound like they belong on Beck's Sea Change.

9) "There is no finish line / Together we'll wait / Why don't you realize?" (Like It Or Leave It): It's a song about abstinence, and yet the lines are delivered sultry, like they want to tempt the male target in the song, even as they defer him. They'd be considered teases if the song itself didn't serve as a fulfillment of sorts.

10) "I want the days grow longer and longer..." (Insomniatic): Again, they do this earlier, but the words and drawn out, the music and vocals mimicking the theme. I love that kind of interplay of dynamics between the theme and the techniques.

So far my favorite on the Keke Palmer alb is "Game Song," which does a nice job of mixing spare haughty r&b nonchalance with mammoth musical harmony.

My favorite moment on the Aly & A.J. is "please," but the one on "Blush" rather than "Flattery."

(Isn't it "we both have tasted tears"? A good line, either way, though "tasted" makes it less likely that they've tasted each other's tears.)

My album of the year. I think "Division" is one of my least favorites, not because of the graduation theme, but just the metaphor being too intricately overworked (though I find the overworking charming), and the tune isn't as good as the others.

What? Blush? What? I don't have a song called Blush. What? (This is me frantically worried that I'm missing a song on the album)