Critic of Music

Perhaps the most famous YouTube cover star of them all, Christina Grimmie's second full length, With Love, made its full debut. Her debut album, Find Me, garnered mixed to positive reviews and a No.6 position on Billboard's Independent Albums and No.35 overall. How will this album fair reception wise on Critic of Music? Read on to find out.


Over Overthinking You: It starts off a little bit too hectic, she's trying to put some Black Keys into teen power pop, with mixed results. The chorus fairs better thankfully, having a decent hook and better production. Then, when the track seems to be heading in the right direction, the bridge tries to blend in reggae. Overall, its a shame the chorus is let down by the multiple genre disorder spattered across the rest of the track. Bruno Mars might not be too happy about the Locked Out of Heaven rip off either. C+

Absolutely Final Goodbye: The title alone seems to leave little to be desired; it comes off as immature before the music even starts to play. As the lyrics roll out, its definitely fairly generic. However, everything about the song is super catchy, from the piano riffs, the "I spelled it out for you" post chorus, and scathing vocals which make the lyrics forgivable. Super fun, super catchy. A

Make It Work: Sara Bareilles? Did you stick Brave on this poor girls album? You didn't? Well you had me fooled. It's a bit slower and laid back than the aforementioned Brave, buts its still enjoyable. Good, not great (but that note at the end is pretty great). B-

Get Yourself Together: The 60's have returned on a Teen Pop album of all places. That being said, Christina definitely pulls this off very well. Somewhere in England, Duffy feels a disturbance in the force. A

With Love: Finally, Christina is back where she belongs: the piano! While the piano part is beautiful (along with the rest of the song), the genuine interests of Grimmie feel drowned out by the obligatory cellos and Christina Aguilera riffs. A restrained rendition of this song would probably work better. All that being said, no Disney or Nick starlet of similar age would be able to pull this kind of ballad off as well as she does. B+

Tell My Mama: Pop culture references galore (IE I Knew You Were Trouble, Saved By The Bell) and more 60's influences can be found here. If anyone plans to make a vocal range video for this album, there are harmonized vocals all over this bad boy. It's catchy, sure, but the lyrics still feel very basic. B

Feelin' Good: Quivering organ chords fill the background of yet another 60's track. However, this one isn't nearly as charming as its predecessors. Whether its the formula running old, or the track itself being worn out, it doesn't feel like anything but an album filler. C-

The One I Crave: Im running out of different ways to say that there's a 60's influence. My brain is going numb, I'm genuinely sick of these tracks now. Differentiate Christina! D+

I Bet You Don't Curse God: Finally, a ballad. It was desperately needed. Rather than being yet another High School love song, Christina really connects here, saying: "I bet you don't curse God when you're child is gone and he ain't picking up the phone." Definetly a heavier song than the rest of discography in total, it will be interesting how her diverse fan base will react to her most blatant Christian song yet. A great Christian song and a good Pop one as well. A-

Think of You: Sorrowful cellos move into more optimistic string plucks very quickly. Christina shows a much deeper sense of maturity here, The Civil Wars and The Nocturnals would have no problems sticking a cover of this on their next album. If only we could've found this maturity and sophistication on the rest of the album. A+

My Anthem (Bonus Track): Ukelele's, interesting. Its sweet, but boring otherwise. Note: Super high falsetto notes can be found here, vocal range gold! C+

As a whole, Christina had some goods, and some bads with this album. The missteps include putting 4 songs back to back that sound the exact same, not using her notorious piano enough, and putting the best tracks at the back and forefront, making the middle half nearly unbearable. However, there were its fair share of good steps, with some super catchy pop songs, and gorgeous acoustic tracks, Christina showed a bit of versatility and maturity. For the next album, drop the 60's, its not you Christina. Keep the great pop songs for your fanbase, and add more acoustic tracks for your fanbase, and for some further appeal. Overall, a massive improvement from Find Me, but there is still work to be done.

Celebrating the 55th anniversary of the inception of the industry standard Hot 100, Billboard unveiled its Top 100 most successful songs of all time, where some interesting songs made interesting placements.



What is very important for fans and industry execs alike, is to understand that longevity is far better than a peak position. Slow and steady wins the race on Billboard. The biggest example of this perhaps, is LeAnn Rimes' How Do I Live. Though it peaked at No.2, it managed an all time No.4 ranking, after spending 69 weeks on the chart (including a record 32 in the Top 10). This put the song above songs like I Gotta Feeling by the Black Eyed Peas at No.6, which had an astounding 14 weeks on top the 100.

Another prominent example is the unstoppable Adele, who was seemingly the victim of an upset. After Rolling In The Deep clocked in at No.1 on the 2011 year end chart, it pulled in at No.31 for the all time chart. This put the song behind 2011's No.2, Party Rock Anthem (by LMFAO), which had the highest placement of any song from the 2000's overall, at No.5.

Other notable occurrences? the Pop smash Call Me Maybe ranked above Whitney Houston's iconic I Will Always Love You, even after its brief 2012 re-run, as Maybe pulled in at No.46, Houston came in at No.49 (Which is 19 spots better than the 2008 listing thanks to its 2012 re-run). And perhaps what shall devastate stans across the board, the likes of Katy Perry, Lady Gaga and Britney Spears were all absent from the list. Deep breaths, deep breaths.

Well, what was the No.1 song of all time? Chubby Checkers' The Twist, thanks to its two separate No.1 rankings, once in 1960 and again in 1962.

Check out the full list below:

01. Chubby Checker - The Twist 02:35
02. Santana - Smooth 04:56
03. Bobby Darin - Mack The Knife 03:08
04. Leann Rimes - How Do I Live 04:27
05. Lmfao - Party Rock Anthem (Feat. Lauren Bennett & Goonrock) 04:23
06. The Black Eyed Peas - I Gotta Feeling 04:48
07. Los Del Rio - Macarena (Bayside Boys Remix) 03:54
08. Olivia Newton-John - Physical 03:42
09. Debby Boone - You Light Up My Life 03:39
10. The Beatles - Hey Jude 07:08
11. Mariah Carey - We Belong Together 03:21
12. Toni Braxton - Un-Break My Heart 04:29
13. Usher - Yeah! 04:09
14. Kim Carnes - Bette Davis Eyes 03:54
15. Lionel Richie - Endless Love (With Diana Ross) 04:26
16. Rod Stewart - Tonight'S The Night (Gonna Be Alright) 03:56
17. Jewel - You Were Meant For Me 03:49
18. Bryan Adams - (Everything I Do) I Do It For You 06:33
19. Boyz Ii Men - I'Ll Make Love To You 03:57
20. The Percy Faith Orchestra - Theme From 'A Summer Place' 02:43
21. Chic - Le Freak 05:31
22. Bee Gees - How Deep Is Your Love 04:03
23. Survivor - Eye Of The Tiger 04:06
24. Rihanna - We Found Love (Feat. Calvin Harris) 03:35
25. Flo Rida - Low 03:48
26. Andy Gibb - I Just Want To Be Your Everything 03:47
27. Next - Too Close 04:19
28. The Police - Every Breath You Take 04:12
29. Gotye - Somebody That I Used To Know 04:04
30. Irene Cara - Flashdance... What A Feeling 03:57
31. Adele - Rolling In The Deep 03:48
32. Bobby Lewis - Tossin' & Turnin' 02:26
33. Horton, Johnny - Battle Of New Orleans, The 02:34
34. Mariah Carey - One Sweet Day [Mariah Carey & Boyz Ii Men] 04:43
35. Savage Garden - Truly Madly Deeply 04:39
36. Paul Mccartney & Wings - Silly Love Songs 06:04
37. Marvin Gaye - Let'S Get It On 04:50
38. Bee Gees - Night Fever 03:32
39. Queen - Another One Bites The Dust 03:34
40. Michael Jackson - Say, Say, Say (With Paul Mccartney) 03:56
41. Nickleback - How You Remind Me 03:43
42. Dawn - Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Ole Oak Tree 03:26
43. Tommy Edwards - It'S All In The Game - Tommy Edwards 1951 02:38
44. The Beatles - I Want To Hold Your Hand 02:26
45. Andy Gibb - Shadow Dancing 04:33
46. Carly Rae Jepsen - Call Me Maybe 03:13
47. Elton John - Something About The Way You Look Tonight 03:59
48. Alicia Keys - No One (Live) 06:10
49. Whitney Houston - I Will Always Love You 04:30
50. Boyz Ii Men - End Of The Road 05:31
51. Black Eyed Peas - Boom Boom Pow 04:12
52. Blondie - Call Me (Theme From American Gigolo) 03:32
53. Mario - Let Me Love You 04:09
54. Bee Gees - Stayin' Alive 04:47
55. Kenny Rogers - Lady 03:50
56. Kesha - Tik Tok 03:19
57. The Monkees - I'M A Believer 02:45
58. Kanye West - Gold Digger (Feat. Jamie Foxx) 03:28
59. Timbaland Ft One Republic - Apologize 03:03
60. Ace Of Base - (I Saw) The Sign 03:12
61. J. Geils Band - Centerfold 03:39
62. John Lennon - (Just Like) Starting Over 03:57
63. Monica - The Boy Is Mine 04:50
64. Stevie B - Because I Love You (The Postman Song) 04:20
65. Joan Jett And The Blackhearts (Cd 1 Of 2) - I Love Rock N' Roll 02:55
66. The 5Th Dimension - Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In (The Flesh Failures) 04:49
67. Tag Team - Whoomp (There It Is) (Radio Edit) 03:46
68. Maroon 5 - Moves Like Jagger (The Voice Performance) [Feat. Christina Aguilera] 03:21
69. Stevie Wonder - Ebony And Ivory 03:40
70. Paula Abdul - Rush Rush 04:52
71. Dionne Warwick - That'S What Friends Are For 04:14
72. Diana Ross - Upside Down 04:05
73. The Archies - Sugar, Sugar 02:47
74. Bruno Mars - Just The Way You Are 03:40
75. Nelly - Dilemma (Feat. Kelly Rowland) 04:49
76. Marvin Gaye - I Heard It Through The Grapevine 03:17
77. Shania Twain - You'Re Still The One 03:32
78. Donna Summer - Hot Stuff 03:51
79. Coolio - Gangsta'S Paradise 04:00
80. Steve Miller Band - Abracadabra 05:08
81. Michael Jackson - Billie Jean 04:53
82. Carly Simon - You'Re So Vain 04:17
83. Wild Cherry - Play That Funky Music 04:59
84. Lionel Richie - Say You, Say Me 04:01
85. The Knack - My Sharona 04:55
86. Lionel Richie - All Night Long (All Night) 06:22
87. Sinead O'Connor - Nothing Compares 2 U 05:10
88. All-4-One - I Swear 04:19
89. Mary J. Blige - Family Affair 04:26
90. Foreigner - Waiting For A Girl Like You 04:50
91. Elvis Presley - Are You Lonesome Tonight? [Laughing] 02:53
92. Roberta Flack - Killing Me Softly With His Song 04:48
93. John Mellencamp - Hurts So Good 03:39
94. Puff Daddy - I'Ll Be Missing You 05:43
95. B.J. Thomas - Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head 03:02
96. Phil Collins - Another Day In Paradise 05:22
97. Maroon 5 - One More Night 03:39
98. The Emotions - Best Of My Love 03:40
99. Fun. - We Are Young (Feat. Janelle Monáe) 04:10
100. Usher - You Make Me Wanna [Albumversion] 03:38

The Teenage Dream era is gone, and Katy means it. In the promo for her newest single, Roar, she ushers in a new era of Katy-ness.


After 3 years of riding the wave of her outrageously successful Teenage Dream album, including a re-release; Katy announced last week (with a golden semi-truck) that her new album, Prism, would drop on October 22, adding to an extensive list of new album drops this quarter from Pop Queens. In a jaw-dropping, adrenaline pumping move, she sets her infamous blue wig on fire, while announcing her new single Roar will drop in 10 days, August 12th. It's interesting timing, considering both her single and album will drop before Lady Gaga's respective works. Smart thinking, Capitol Records. A VMA comeback perhaps? We can only hope at this point.



So, the question everyone is for sure buzzing about on ATRL right now: will Blurred Lines keep the Katy cats from a No.1 debut in the coming weeks? After all, Robin did manage to fend off the throngs of Directioners from claiming a No.1 this week. Considering Katy has managed a No.1 debut before fending off Kelly Clarkson and Adele, I think she'll do it. Heck, this will probably be only the second time in American history that two songs debuted at No.1 back to back (Being partnered with the previously mentioned Gaga's Applause).

After months outside of the limelight, a few retweets here and there, and very little social presence, Lady Gaga has returned.

By now, unless you've been living under a rock while in a coma, you know ARTPOP is on it's way. But the news just keeps coming. Heres what's happened so far:

July 9th: Gaga's Twitter Shuts Down
Tweets were deleted, her bio was changed, and suddenly her AVI went from a tan color to the standard Twitter egg? Her bio was also changed too: "This interface has been shut down temporarily. Please check back for updates." This sparked the first ARTPOP rumors.

July 13th: We Get The Dates

Two weeks ago, we got the big release dates. August 19th brings the first single (see the title below), September 1st brings the ARTPOP Pre-Orders, and November 11th brings the album. The day before ARTPOP drops, there is also going to be this weird ARTPOP party, something outlandish for sure. And we also got what could very possibly be the ARTPOP album artwork, though it's not confirmed. Rumors also ignited of an iTunes Festival debut, and a VMA performance. The news spread like wildfire, and little monsters across the world fainted.

July 25th: ARTPOP Promo

Just two days ago, another ARTPOP promo came down from the heavens. It features Gaga nude, sitting in a computerized chair while wearing fierce techno-scientist glasses. The egg AVI from her Twitter was soon replaced with the electronic vision. Soon after, MTV confirmed that Gaga shall emerge from the stage in the Barclays Center in New York to perform her new single at the VMA's on August 25th. Little Monsters became in desperate need of life support.

July 28th: Applause

Just moments ago, Lady Gaga broke even further news, the ARTPOP app and album pre-orders have been pushed up to August 19th, and she confirmed her new single is titled "Applause." If you're going on iTunes on August 19th, and aren't looking for anything Gaga related, I highly advise you to reconsider.

July 31st - Applause, Lyrics and Video

As the dust settled from the Applause announcement, Gaga unleashed another dust devil by posting some lyrics from her new single, and announced some extra details about the ARTPOP app. Check it out below:

"give me that thing that I love
put your hands up make 'em touch
A-P-P-L-A-U-S-E

The ARTPOP app is Free, available in App Stores on your device. You can purchase the music through the ARTPOP app once it's downloaded. Or you can purchase the album at the music store+download the free app separately at the app store. The App is Available Worldwide. The APP is in essence, an interactive jewel case.

The single 'Applause' and its MUSIC VIDEO will BOTH debut on same day. ARTPOP. 8/19 -GAGA"

That is just the stuff that has happened this month. Things that have happened earlier this year (and before) include Zedd (ARTPOP's lead producer) giving an interview to Billboard where he called ARTPOP "pretty f**king cool," Lady Gaga posting a photo of ARTPOP lyrics, and confirmation of a documentary movie that would catalog the process around the creation of ARTPOP. Rumors have also ignited surrounding the song "Ratchet," as Azealia Banks, Gaga herself, and former collaborator Beyonce have all been seen showing off some "Ratchet" earrings. Other songs that have been thrown around include the Title Track, Tea, and Sex Dreams.

So, heres the big question, will it surpass the success Born This Way brought? I think it's either going to be the same, or well beyond. The formula for ARTPOP is the same as Born This Way, it's going to be a first-week-sales-fronted album, and the first single will likely surpass all following ARTPOP singles. Born This Way launched at No.1 on Billboard with 1.1 million sold (yes, everyone is aware of the 440K Amazon copies), while the single launched at No.1 with 448K copies sold and an incredible No.6 radio start. Oh, but that was in 2 days. Providing Gaga doesn't change the single date again, sales of above 700K seem very possible (thanks to the unreal anticipation, a full week of sales and radio and ensuing VMA performance). Album sales should be in the same ball park, especially with pre-orders. I'm going to throw my hat in the ring and say it will sell 850K in its first week. However, the real challenge will be for Gaga to have the ARTPOP era experience the type of longevity we saw Katy Perry's Teenage Dream experience, instead of a slow decline like BTW.

What are you expecting from ARTPOP? Are you excited? Flop or Smash? Comment below!

I won't even spare One Direction the little intro. We need to cut to the chase. This song is not the best song ever. In fact, I'd go far enough to say its everything wrong with the music industry.