Innocence - Avril Lavigne

Avril Lavigne is definitely one of the most recognized names in the music industry at the moment. Known for her emo/punk style, fast uptempo songs and touching ballads she has attained a huge following.

But for some reason I was never an Avril Lavigne fan, to me she seemed to be another P!NK wannabe except with a slight more dose of the color pink. However opinions change and mine did!

My opinion about the Princess of Pop changed after she released her third studio album, The Best Damn Thing. 'Innocence' is one of the track off the album and most definitely most favorite of the whole lot.

This LIVE! performance hits the spot as Avril takes the stage and chills everyone with this earthy ballad. I may not a emo but I certainly do know a great Avril song when I hear one.

Copyright © Saad Khan 2009 (Karachi, Pakistan; saadkhalidkhan@gmail.com)

Hero - X Factor 2008

The X Factor finalist of the 5th Season performed this song for the first time on the live show on October 25th '08. And a day later it was released as a single, it was announced that it was supposed to benefit the Help of Heroes and The Royal British Legion charities.

Upon it's release, the tax implied on it's sale was eliminated by the Chancellor so that the entire proceeding may go straight to the given charities.

Later on the official music video was also released and is given as below, do check that out. The video features all the the finalist along with images of the soldiers spread along the video.

Though the LIVE! performance is every bit as good as it should be, but the hand movement is too weird and it sort of distracted me from the vocals of the finalist. Alexandra Burke, the winner of this season, definitely is a stand out both in the LIVE! performance and the video. And yes, both of these were shot and released before she was announced as the winner.

Copyright © Saad Khan 2009 (Karachi, Pakistan; saadkhalidkhan@gmail.com)

Fairytale - Alexander Rybak

I don't know how to put anything down here without sounding like crazy tween-tard, so I'm leaving it blank but do comment. I scourged alot of blogs for him and couldn't find anything in the English Language! Points for me!

Copyright © Saad Khan 2009 (Karachi, Pakistan; saadkhalidkhan@gmail.com)

Tell Me Girl

Verse 1
Can I press rewind, go back a few moments in time?!
Go back to when you could still feel,
Go back to when I could still breathe,

Cuz you..you just took everything away
I got nothing...
I got nothing to say!

Chorus
How could you go ahead all by yourself
Didn't think of me! Didn't think of our world!
You got rid of him! Or was it a her?
Tell me, girl! Tell me, girl!!

Verse 2
What made you think telling me would make you lighter?
Telling me would be wiser?!
You could've kept it to yourself
Just like ever since it started happening
Is that why you've been avoiding....me?

Hook
Tell me, girl! Tell me, girl!!

Bridge
And I used to think you're so smart
But you turned out to be stupid,
Didn't think of me once? Didn't ask me once!
Don't say you're sorry!

Chorus
How could you go ahead all by yourself
Didn't think of me! Didn't think of our world!
You got rid of him! Or was it a her?
Tell me, girl! Tell me, girl!!

Copyright © Saad Khan 2009 (Karachi, Pakistan; saadkhalidkhan@gmail.com)

Just Plain Bad!

Can she fall any lower?! Heidi Montag makes yet another falls in the walk of her career...that is you can call what she does a career. After the much tacky playboy spread where she looked constipated and dazed in most shots. And even if we overlook the shameless self-promotion by Spencer Pratt when he carried it all over at the Red Carpet Event. And their earlier stint on the reality show I'm a Celebrity...Get Me out of Here!, there is nothing she's left untouched.

The much rumored and waited for performance at the Miss Universe 2009 Beauty Pageant was a complete waste of airtime. I'd rather have the beauties do a simple walk instead. Everything she does manages to make an impression. However the basic problem over here is that, it's always hilariously or embarrassingly bad.

Claiming to be 'Womanizer' of 2009, the track 'Body Language' which gave us a taste of Montag's debut music album slated to be released on September 29th 2009. And it's just not anywhere near the Britney masterpiece.

The lyrics are trashy. The dancing is plain ridiculous. And she looks drunk at times along the video. Go figure....if you have the time!

Copyright © Saad Khan 2009 (Karachi, Pakistan; saadkhalidkhan@gmail.com)

Funhouse; P!NK

Being a pop-crazy person, I've always looked forward to the records that P!NK puts out. When she released her debut album back in 2000, Can't Take Me Home, but it was more R&B. She earned herself a spot on my favorites after her second album, M!ssundaztood got releeased. It was then, that she really my world by storm. And ever since she's just been getting better and better!

Her fifth studio album Funhouse is no exception. Being released sometime in October 2008, I made sure I have it within 24 hours of it's release time - and I managed it! And it was just in one listen that bought me back to the immense love I have for P!NK!

Though her album are generally built around the same themes, but even then once you've heard her stuff you realize she has made progress. She isn't the cookie-cutter pop princess image, and that's great! That's the thing about her I love the most; she's darn unpredictable and totally herself! At this time when there are a million others new artists coming out, P!NK still kicks some major butt in the music industry.

The track listing of Funhouse are as follows;

1. So What
2. Sober
3. I Don't Believe You
4. One Foot Wrong
5. Please Don't Leave Me
6. Bad Influence
7. Funhouse
8. Crystal Ball
9. Mean
10. It's All Your Fault
11. Ave Mary A
12. Glitter In The Air
13. This Is How It Goes Down ft. Travis McCoy (Bonus Track)
14. Could've Had Everything (Bonus Track)
15. Why Did I Ever Like You (Bonus Track)
16. Boring (Bonus Track)

'So What' is the most entertaining track from the entire album, therefore the album starts off brilliantly. The best thing about the whole song besides having an awesome video, is her calling her husband a 'tool'. 'Bad Influence' is another track along the same lines, though it is something I'd expect more from a Britney Spears record but P!NK has done it justice. It's fun! It's rebellious! It's crazy! A guarantee crowd pleaser!!

Another foot stomper from the album is the track 'Funhouse', under the same name as the album. Indeed this track is the latest single from the album and is the absolutely bomb. Lately this song has been making alot more sense to me as a few facts have dawned on me. P!NK, you speak directly from my heart! 'Please Don't Leave Me' is another purely rock track where she describes another side of her relationship with her ex-husband, the same person who inspired the opening track of the album.

P!NK exposes her vunerable side more than ever before in the power ballads like 'Sober', 'I Don't Believe You', 'Crystal Ball' and 'Glitter in the Air'. All of these songs bring forward her softer but still a very powerful side. In these track P!NK revels about the mistakes people make, the things they take for granted and the love they refuse to let go. The first two are amongst my all time favorites, and remind me alot of 'Who Knew' from her fourth studio album I'm Not Dead. All of these are immensely beautiful and very thought provoking. Like I said earlier, P!NK exposes her vunerability letting down her rebellious front. The result is just something beyond amazing.

'Ave Mary A' is a track much samilar to 'Dear Mr. President' from her I'm Not Dead as well. It's related to the social issues and the bigger problems facing the world. It's amazing how she can fit it all into a song, without much difficulty. I definitely wouldn't mind a few one on one session with her on song writing.

P!NK goes slightly more uptempo with more guitar play on tracks like 'One Foot Wrong', 'Mean' and 'It's All Your Fault' but keeps the sensitivity of the song alive through out the verses. It's during the chorus that she bursts into her punk side and gives her big lungs a real exercise in going up and down and belting it out.

The bonus track 'This Is How It Goes Down' which featues Travis McCoy is another track I feel I'm more likely to find Britney lending her voice too. But P!NK has changed it more to her comfort by adding her punk spice to it. Seriously, is there anything she can't do?!

The bonus track 'Could've Had Everything' and 'Why Did I Ever Like You' are two other tracks that have all her neccesary elements packed in three minutes(Give or take a few) but there is nothing about them that's going to make you sit and take notice. Even for bonuses, there is nothing special about them.

Now the last bonus track 'Boring' is the exact opposite of the title. It's pretty darn good! P!NK is a complete sassy version of herself with a power pop chorus, she brings nothing but her best forward. The album could have accomodated one more track and been even better - but I'm not complaining because I absolutely love the album!

With her fifth album out and hitting the stores, she shows no signs of stopping for a breather! She's going high! She's going strong! Forever P!NK!

Copyright © Saad Khan 2009 (Karachi, Pakistan; saadkhalidkhan@gmail.com)

Sober - P!NK

P!NK has pretty much always blown me away with her vocals skill. She's got this rich, deep, throaty voice which suits perfectly to her comfort zone of rock songs with raging anthems. However every once in a while she comes along with a power ballad that is just so good, you just can't help but to listen to it again. It pretty much becomes the 'Most Played' track on your music player.

P!NK released her fifth studio album and confirmed 'Sober' as her second single, I was pretty darn excited! This is definitely one of the best PINK songs that I've heard and the LIVE! performance falls nothing short of amazing, I specially liked the part towards the end when they break into a gospel style chorus! Forever P!NK!

Copyright © Saad Khan 2009 (Karachi, Pakistan; saadkhalidkhan@gmail.com)

Jordin Sparks (Deluxe Edition); Jordin Sparks

The Deluxe Edition of Spark's debut album hit the stores soon after the release of the original edition. It had the same tracklisting as of the previous and featured three new songs. Also the cover of the album was revised to this one, and this cover was carried on to albums that were sold after the launch of the second single 'No Air' ft. Chris Brown.

The three new tracks featured on the album are as follows;

1. Worth the Wait
2. Virginia is for Lovers
3. Save Me

'Worth the Wait' is a smooth R&B number, that displays the inner Mariah Carey of Sparks. She channels out the belts and harmonies with skilled perfection, with a required tenderness. This is a very wise choice on her part since she is not much a vocal powerhouse. Her territory lies in the lower register with a more pop sound feel.

The second song 'Virginia is for Lovers' is another pop song. It's not great, like the ones featured on her album. But is just likable enough for the ears to go through it.

'Save Me' is the real shine through song her. I was completely blown away by it. The strong drum score from the background is a perfect combination for this feet-stomper. Sparks delivers a strong front and gives the whole song a very 'army' feel. This track deserves to be on the album so badly, I would have loved it if this song was there instead of 'Freeze'.

If you can get the whole deal good for you, otherwise 'Save Me' is one song I'm definitely recommeding.

Copyright © Saad Khan 2009 (Karachi, Pakistan; saadkhalidkhan@gmail.com)

Decode - Paramore

Though I'm no big fan of Twilight, I'm not even a minor fan of Twilight. Infact I'd say I'm allergic to it, now you all maybe surprised to read this but yeah, it's true! I happen to be severely allergic to Twilight! But more on that later!

Anyhow when the Twilight craze with the world I was pretty darn sure that sooner or later someone would get the not-so-brilliant idea of making it into a movie! And I was right...but then it's something anyone would have accomplished since nowadays every other movie that gets released is either based on a famous novel or a comic book series!

So the movie was no surprise for me! But what did catch me off-guard was when I got to know that my beloved Paramore is recording a song for it. I have to admit my first reaction was negative, I'd hate to see them shot down with a sappy love ballad. But even then I looked forward to it just because at the end of the day it is Paramore!

Now the movie got released, the song gets available on the WWW so obviously I waste no time in downloading it. Five minutes later I'm in complete love with the song. Ten minutes later I'm telling all my friends to hear it now. Thirty minutes later I'm arguing with my best friend against watching the movie, still convinced it crap! But how can one resist free popcorn with extra butter?! So I agree and put myself through the misery of watching that utter crap of a movie...but yeah, the popcorn helped me immensely.

Anyhow so I ran into this LIVE! version of the song on Tuesday and I knew that this week it's going up on my blog! And here it is! Nobody can rock the house like Paramore. Nobody!!

I've added the official video for the song at the end, you can view that too at your pleasure!

Enjoy!!


Copyright © Saad Khan 2009 (Karachi, Pakistan; saadkhalidkhan@gmail.com)

Jordin Sparks; Jordin Sparks

Jordin Sparks won the sixth season of American Idol on May 27th 2007 against the beat-boxer, Blake Lewis. And ever since then, her debut album has been highly anticipated by the pop crowd. Being the first in the series to own the image of a pop artist perfectly, Sparks had a large crowd of devoted followers.

The album was released on November 20th 2007 and has plummeted Sparks to stardom. The album spawned four Top 20 Billboard singles, one Top 10 Billboard singles and one Top 3 Billboard singles. Sparks worked with the crowd who have previously written songs for the likes of Destiny's Child, Beyonce, Mariah Carey, Britney Spears and the more recent Katy Perry. Two more collaborators worth mentioning are the young hip-hop star, Chris Brown: and the swedish Grammy nomiated artist, Robyn. With such a talented bunch behind her, Sparks no wonder gave one of the best pop albums of all time. The song choices were perfect, her vocals were spot-on, the singles were chart-toppers. What more could a person ask for?!

The tracklisting for the album are as follows;

1. Tattoo
2. One Step at a Time
3. No Air ft. Chris Brown
4. Freeze
5. Shy Boy
6. Now You Tell Me
7. Next To You
8. Just For The Record
9. Permanent Monday
10. Young and in Love
11. See My Side
12. God Loves Ugly
13. This Is My Now

As mentioned earlier on, the song choice is remarkable. All of the songs have given Sparks the base she needed to propell herself into the air waves. Upbeat tracks like 'Young and in Love' and 'Shy Boy' express the hip-hop orientated side of Sparks extremely well, they really make you want to dance. 'See My Side' which happens to have Robyn as one of featured writers on the album is a pop song, which seems to fit extremely well. Sparks can handle pop tunes with the proficency of a skilled craftsman, it's no wonder that track like 'Tattoo' and 'One Step at a Time' gained success quickly.

Further on the album, Sparks displays her R&B friendly side more with the likes of tracks like 'Next To You', 'Just for the Record' and 'Now You Tell Me'. Her soulful side, which was the primary reason she was my favorite in the sixth season comes across like a breath of fresh air in song like 'Permenant Monday' and 'No Air'. The latter is a particular favorite of many people, the collaboration with Chris Brown was a stroke of genius. They both seem to push eachother to the better ranges of their voice. Inputted are the required emotion and the melody is strings the heart. It's one of the most beautiful songs of 2008.

'God Loves Ugly' seems to be picked up from the Disney shelf, and is a tongue-in-cheek tuned to melody response to the numerous shout-outs made to the general public accusing Sparks of being over-weight when she was on Idol. 'This Is My Now' is the main reason she managed to take the crown from Blake Lewis, is the last track on the album and is the perfect closing material. It encapsules the idea that Sparks is headed for fame and recognition. The debut album was definitely a success. Great going, Sparks!

Copyright © Saad Khan 2009 (Karachi, Pakistan; saadkhalidkhan@gmail.com)