Well, I didn’t know if I would have five songs to bring to the table this Friday, and it turns out, I tend to underestimate myself! I found five great songs worthy of some praise, so I wanted to share them this week. Here’s the Friday five for this week:
Nadine Coyle – Insatiable
While I have seen a few negative remarks regarding Ms. Coyle’s new single, I have to say, I love it. A big thanks to my buddy Stu for bringing this delightful pop number to my attention. Listening to this song makes me remember with fond memories the time when I first heard of Girls Aloud; and subsequently, when I realized just how much I loved them. This song is a perfectly sexy, swanky ballad, that is very radio friendly. Love it or hate it, this song definitely has ‘hit’ potential all over it. Check out the video for Insatiable here.
A1 – Perfect Disaster
Man, I was surprised when I saw the news a few weeks back that A1, the once defunct Norwegian boyband I had loved from the late nineties/early 2000s, were not only back together, but releasing a brand new album. After a proper listen to their new album, Waiting For Daylight, I was surprised to find quite a few amazing tracks on it. This is one of my favorites, and one that they should definitely release as a single. While these guys split up, waited 10 years, and decided to give it another go, and I think that fans of theirs from yesterday and new fans alike will be happy to hear what new material they have waiting for them today. Listen to Perfect Disaster here.
Robbie Williams and Gary Barlow – Shame
Speaking of boy bands reforming… Robbie Williams recently got back together with his band mates in Take That, and while the verdict on whether this was a good move or not has yet to be handed down, I do find myself quite taken by this recent collaboration for Robbie’s most recent greatest hits release. I didn’t really care for it the first time I heard it (to be honest), but after seeing the homoerotic video with these two hunks (I definitely wouldn’t mind being between these two), I couldn’t resist any longer. Check out the video here.
Elizabeth & The Catapult – Do Not Hang Your Head
I was quite excited to see that Elizabeth & The Catapult released a new album last week, and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. After one listen, there are some definite standouts, and this for me, is one of the best. The song is delicate and grandiose at the same time; it fully commanded my attention with one listen. The arrangement highlights the beauty of her voice, and the vocal effect adds a symphonic quality to the track. Such a beautiful song from such a delightful band. Listen to Do Not Hang Your Head here.
The Script – This = Love
I love this song. I have been really enjoying the new album by the Script, Science and Faith (even more so recently!), and I have to say, this album seems to get better with each listen. I am almost at the point of declaring it better than their self-titled debut. That being said, I was actually drawn further into this amazing album because they played this song in the background on the Vampire Diaries in a recent episode. After hearing it, I ran to my ipod and played this amazing song on repeat. I cannot describe how much I love this song, it is full of energy, power, and the lyrics are incredibly inspiring. The Script is one of those bands that is really underrated, and hopefully, since this song made such a big show, it can get them some more of the attention they deserve. Listen to This = Love here.
What did you think? Let me know! Also, let me know what I’ve been missing, won’t you?
I’ll be honest, I didn’t like this song the first time I heard it. I don’t know why, because now, I LOVE IT. This song practically begs to be danced to. Perhaps it was because it was kind of different in the way that the chorus really assaults you, and switches up the melody of the song that initially put me off, but regardless of whatever it was, I am completely over it now; this song is truly a floor filler and I am ready to shake my booty to the rhythm. It is hard to sit still when this song is on, because again, it is just such a dance ready song. Toni should be getting some major love for this new single, because it deserves a warm welcome for her coming back to the music scene. 
The first time I heard this, I was bound to be critical of it, because of how much I loved the Pipettes’ debut album, We Are The Pipettes!. There were a few line up changes, which led to nearly 3 years of delays for new music from them, and the fact that they are pretty much an entirely new band now (one original Pipette remains), had me worried that the Pipettes that I knew and loved would be able to revive the spunk and joy they brought on their wonderful debut album a few years ago. After a couple of listens, I am happy to report that the Pipettes are very much alive, and still have that wonderful something that I fell in love with to begin with. If this is just a taste of what we can expect from their hotly anticipated sophomore album, I can say with certainty, that I really cannot wait for more from the Pipettes! Don’t make me wait much longer ladies!
What can I say? Melissa Etheridge is a tried and true musician who has an amazing knack for writing powerful, evocative love songs, and her newest release, Fearless Love, is chock full of great tracks. I have been listening to the entire album ever since it came out last week, and I already think it’s going to make my year end best of list. I’m glad that Melissa still clearly has the gift of making music, and continues putting out excellent albums like she has with this new one. Sometimes, you just need some feel good rock and roll, and Melissa proves that she’s still a staple that you can turn to when that’s just what you crave. 
I absolutely love this girl. The first time I heard this song, I couldn’t deny the clear similarity to JoJo, but I have to say, Charice and her producers were brilliant in their using this song as a single; they reel you in with the familiarity of JoJo, and blow you away with Charice’s vocal talent. The song itself is just different enough, that it stands on its own as something fresh, and the song is undeniably, completely radio-ready. The part that really won me over is around 2:49 in the song where she completely wails, and her amazing vocals give me chills each time I listen to this song. This girl can sing, and she has made herself a wonderful single that should (with any justice) be burning up the charts in the coming months. Hopefully the inclusion of Iyaz (while it is completely unnecessary for the song) will give it some “reputable” traction, and get this gem on the radio!
What would you get if you blended the Darkness, Queen, and threw in a dash of Mika? Why, you’d have the exuberance of Foxy Shazam. I love the blended melodies, and the way they have used so many different musical elements (piano, guitar, horns, drums, oh my!) on this track, and I especially love how lead vocalist carries this song right over the top (but in a good way!). The lead singer’s swagger certainly reminds me a lot of Freddie Mercury, which makes that Queen reference even more relevant. This is certainly a fun song, and one that is best listened to loudly, and I have been enjoying it more and more in the recent weeks. Also be sure to check out