Chipmunk "Transition" Album Review

FROM A BOY TO A MAN

Chipmunk first appeared on our radio's with his own Slim Shady type anthem, “Chip Diddy Chip” back in 2009 and now he's back with his brand new album, “Transition”

Preceded by his massive hit single “Champion” featuring Chris Brown, hopes for Chipmunk's second album were certainly high.

Having recruited a plethora of US superstars for the album – Keri Hilson, Trey Songz, Kalenna Harper (of Diddy's Dirty Money) – the album has a definitive formula. First you get yourself a smooth radio refined beat, then you add a couple self indulgent bars and finally, call up every American RnB singer whose number you can find on your blackberry and ask them to lay down a highly infectious chorus. Successful formula, maybe, but it certainly doesn't show any growth on Chipmunks part.

It's as if he is being primed for world domination but not by standing out in his own lane. Instead, by becoming part of the “music by numbers” brigade that swamp the US billboard chart on a weekly basis.

For the most part, it sounds like he's been lyrically restrained. His cheeky rhymes and brash delivery seem to have been watered down for commercial purposes.

Rihanna and Britney Spears S&M Remix

Pop princesses Rihanna and Britney Spears have joined forces for the remix of Rihanna's monster hit "S&M".

It's not really a patch on the nympho anthem's original, with some new electro heavy production the track is headache inducing and Britney's sub par vocals don't really contribute anything.

That said, the furore surrounding it will no doubt ensure that it becomes a huge hit around the globe.  Hype over substance, as is often the case with both these ladies.

Check it out and see for yourself:

Emeli Sandé 'Kill the Boy' Acoustic

And so the unhealthy obession continues.......Check out this live acoustic performance by Ms Emeli Sandé, one of the most exciting new talents in the UK.  Having already featured on several hit singles (Diamond Rings, Never be your woman, Kids that love to dance), this soulful songstress is certain to be a star in her own right.  Her debut album CANNOT come quick enough.  That said, I'm glad it's not being rushed simply to capitalise on her success with Chipmunk and Wiley.

Watch her acoustic performance of 'Kill the Boy' below and love it:

The Brits

Despite the fact that viewing figures for the Brits seem to have plummeted in recent years, this years show wasn't half bad.

Okay, so James Corden should never present a live show EVER AGAIN.  And Labrinth should not go to the bog when he wins an award (with Tinie Tempah), but the rest of the show had much to offer.

The night was, of course, all about Tinie Tempah who had four nominations.  He managed to get his hands on Best British Breakthrough Act and Best British Single for 'Pass Out' and perfomed a medley of his biggest hits over the last year.

Other big winners included Rihanna, Laura marling, Arcade Fire, Mumford and Sons and Jessie J.

She may not have been nominated BUT the real winner of the night was Adele.  She opened the show with the beautiful 'Someone Like You' armed only with a piano and mic. The 'Rolling in the Deep' songstress stole the show with her raw talent and recieved a standing ovation.  Opening any big show with a ballad is difficult but Adeles ability to capture any audience made it look so effortless.

Check out the stunning performance below:

Is pop music too sexy?

When I was younger I used to love nothing more than singing and dancing around my bedroom to Steps or S Club 7. Nothing excited me more than the step by step dance instructions they sometimes enclosed in their single sleeves. Think 'Tragedy'. My friends and I would dance around perfecting these routines for hours and hours. All fairly innocent play for young girls I’d say.

So what do today’s' pubescent generation dance along to with their friends? 
Certainly not innocent pop music.
Last week I found myself on a train, sat behind three teenage girls. For the duration of my journey I was subjected to a full version of Rihanna's 'rude boy' by the trio. 'Come here rude boy, boy is you big enough', 'Boy can you get it up?’ they sang, and I almost choked on my latte. I estimate the girls were about thirteen. In between, they made sure to adjust their makeup and apply more mascara to their already thickened eye lashes.

On another occasion, I attended a Pussycat Dolls concert and felt like the oldest, most prudish person in the world. At only 21 my friend and I felt like we had crashed an inappropriate kids party. The average age in attendance I would estimate at 14. These young girls were dressed for a night club; skirts, belly tops, heels and excessive make up. Some even branded hoodies asking the question: 'Don't you wish your Girlfriend was a freak like me?'. As the group of girls in front of us danced on their chairs, booty shaking and whining along with the pussycat dolls singing: 'Can you loosen up my buttons babe?'. I found myself blushing and struggling for a place to look that would rescue my eyes from the inappropriateness going on all around me.

Are kids growing up too quickly, and who is to blame? MTV, Youtube, Pussycat Dolls?

The fact is, kids can access scantily clad women bumping and grinding seductively to provocative lyrics at any time of the day. And no one seems to be policing or regulating what these kids have access to on TV, online and radio.