New Music: Mika Says 'Blame' the Girls...I'm With Him

It is gloomy here today in New York City; it has been raining since early morning, and, of course, today's significance is enough to put a dour fog on any day. So, when I'm feeling glum, I play music to cheer myself up and who better to put a smile on my face than the ever adorable Mika? Isn't it just serendipitous then that I got my mitts on Mika's brand new single this morning?

Blame It On the Girls is fantastic pop. The opening drums, handclaps, and piano draws you in immediately and Mika takes you for a ride. The lyrics are characteristically fresh, the melody customarily infectious and the song overall is less polarizing than lead single We Are Golden. Everyone can get into this.

Check out Mika's second single, Blame It On the Girls below. Mika's second studio album, The Boy Who Knew Too Much, will be available on September 21. I've also thrown in a live performance of We Are Golden. Allow Mika's joyous music and smile to brighten your day. I think I see the sun peering out...


Blame It On the Girls
Mika
The Boy Who Knew Too Much

Oh, look. Summer.

It's July and it's finally feeling like summertime here in NYC. Joy!

This month, our favorite wizard starts his search for Voldemort's horcruxes in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. I was pretty disappointed in the last movie but, I still have high hopes for this one -- the trailers look great. After this, there's only the two movies comprising the final book left. Damn, time flies. Check out HP6 in theaters on the 15th.

Happy 10th anniversary to Miss Crystal Kay. I hope you're around for decades to come. 愛してるよ。♥♥♥

Finally, Brüno comes to American theaters on the 10th. I was worried that Cohen taking on this character would be something like a white person in blackface, but early reviews have allayed my fears and I'm actually excited to see it.

Hope everyone had an awesome Independence Day! And, Happy July!!

Current♥Fancies - Passion Pit, Jordin Sparks, & Chester French

These are a few songs that have been released recently that I've taken a liking to. They've caught a hold of my ear and haven't let go. They demand that I listen to them (at least) once a day. They're my Current♥Fancies.

Passion Pit, after receiving acclaim for their EP Chunk of Change, released their debut album Manners last week to, you guessed it, more acclaim. I've yet to check out the entire album, but I need to get on it if Little Secrets is any indication of what's to come. When I first heard it, the beat immediately drew me in. So I'm rocking in my seat already when the chorus comes along. Then I'm up dancing around, really feeling it when the kid's chorus comes in. Then I'm singing along, dancing around, grinning like a damn fool. Isn't that at least one of the desired effects of music? Good, fun pop. Check it out.


Season six American Idol winner Jordin Sparks is ready to release her sophomore album this summer and has recently dropped her first single, Battlefield. At first listen, the Ryan Tedder penned mid-tempo seems like an odd choice to spearhead an album, but it's a quick grower and I can actually see it having some longevity on the charts. It marks a dip into different territory for her and even though it opportunistically calls to mind the Pat Benatar classic, I like it a lot.


Chester French released their debut album, Love the Future, last month and I've had a crush on them (on both D.A. and Max separately and Chester French as a band) ever since. They were opening for Lady GaGa for a while and so when she suggested to check them out, I did. Not Over You is my favorite track by these Harvard boys; while not the best example of their overall sound, I challenge you not to sing along.

May! Summer Movies & A New American Idol!

Yeah, I've been gone for a while. I'm embarrassed. Let's not get into it.

The summer blockbuster season is officially open, bub. X-Men Origins: Wolverine slashed its way into theaters and wallets on the first of the month. Reviewers collectively branded the film mediocre, but apparently adamantium sells. The film has already raked in approx. $275 million worldwide. Snikt.

Star Trek kept things moving, entering theaters a week later with outstanding reviews. The eleventh film based on the Star Trek franchise, Star Trek has received nearly universal acclaim from critics and has proved to be a moneymaker as well, grossing nearly $216 million worldwide to date. I've yet to see either film, but I'll be in theaters soon enough. Though Hugh Jackman is ripped and rugged and ridiculously hot, I think I may see Star Trek first. Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto? Two for the price of one ^_^. Not to mention Zoë Saldaña. Girl is smokin'!

And in the center is MY American Idol, Adam Lambert. We'll find out if he's yours as well tomorrow night when the winner is announced. I'll be pissed if Adam doesn't take it, though. I mean how did we get through eight seasons without a gay Idol? Totally not changing my banner if he doesn't win...

Happy May (...what's left of it)!!!

New Music: Julian Perretta, Leighton Meester, and Heidi Montag

Julian Perretta has been the recipient of much good buzz thanks to bloggers like Perez Hilton who praise his music regularly. The 20-year-old's debut album isn't set to be released until this autumn, but if the few tracks that have made their way onto the web are any indication, it will be quite the delight. Wonder Why sounds a bit like a Mika track, but without the camp. Which, is still a lot of fun. The little quirky instrumentations give the track personality and Julian's earnest vocals sell the song. Definitely an artist to watch for this year.

I've never seen even one episode of The Hills and generally ignore all of its stars when they make their way onto headlines. But, Heidi Montag seems determined to put out an album and after leaking track after track she's finally decided on two official singles. The better of the two, Your Love Found Me, is really catchy and I'm not ashamed to admit that I like it. It's solid, fun pop with a hint of ska for flair. She's not at all a very capable vocalist but the chorus is crack and the song is well produced. Heidi and Spencer have to be two of the most obnoxious people in the public eye at the moment, but after pulling in $3 million in the last two years alone, you have to admit they know what they're doing. Can not, will not knock the hustle.

Leighton Meester, better known as everyone's favorite, fabulous frenemy on Gossip Girl, leaked Birthday late last week. She's reportedly been shopping around for a record deal for some time now, and while I expected she'd eventually get one, I didn't foresee her actually being good. She's not the next Christina or anything, but her vocal style is surprising in a good way. Birthday, an Awesome New Republic cover, is also a bit more edgy than I'd expected from her. Overall, Leighton, with Birthday, doesn't sound like someone trying to get into the game by emulating what's popular. She actually seems to have a particular direction for her music and Birthday shows promise. Here's hoping she follows through.

These newcomers have provided the beginnings for a fun spring soundtrack. These songs are great to listen to on a sunny day while walking home from class or work. If only it would start to feel like spring here in Chicago... Anyway, hope you enjoy. ^_^

It's March!! - Damn, did I really get this out on time...? Featured Artists: BoA, Utada Hikaru, and Kelly Clarkson

Please, excuse my... promptness? It's been forever since I got a new header out on the first of the month! I'd advise you not to get used to it... >__>

This month, arguably the most popular Asian pop stars are trying their luck in the American market. BoA will release her self-titled debut English album on the 17th. The singles have been nothing spectacular, but I'll be interested in listening to the finished package, not to mention the Bloodshy & Avant productions. I was actually more impressed with UNIVERSE and Eien, her singles for her second compilation album, Best & USA, to be released a day later in Japan. Can't knock the hustle.


Utada Hikaru will be releasing her second English album, This is the One, on the 24th. I really can't say she has pushed hard enough in the States in support of her album, and I'm afraid she'll see the same results she did with Exodus. Come Back to Me has grown on me, but I think it was obvious from the beginning that the track was not going to garner the sort of attention necessary for big success. The tracklist for the album is a bit skimpy for my tastes, but it does include Automatic Part II, reason enough for me to check it out. Automatic is one of my favorite Hikki songs -- an updated, English reworking sounds awesome.


It's true, neither BoA or Utada did the kind of promotion they probably should have to secure big sales, but with Kelly Clarkson releasing an album this month as well, it would not have made any difference. Kelly, redeeming herself from the debacle that was My December, is poised to reclaim her title as American Idol. First single My Life Would Suck Without You has already broken records on the Billboard's Hot 100 and her return to the sound she cultivated on six times platinum Breakaway can only lead to success. I hated My December with a fiery passion, but I'm happy to say 'Welcome back, Kelly!'


Happy March, luhvahs.

The Best of 2008 in Music

Well, it's that time again. Time to reflect upon the last year in music. And, in good holiday cheer, we'll focus on the positive! So, without further ado, here they are, my 30 favorite songs of 2008.

30. Spaceman - The Killers
Hot piece Brandon Flowers describes Day & Age as the band's most playful album, and I'd have to agree. I've never really found The Killers to be engaging before, but both Human and Spaceman have a bit more mainstream appeal that surely expanded their audience. And Brandon is smokin'! I'm definitely a new fan...and I like the music, too.

29. I Kissed a Girl - Katy Perry
Katy Perry is unfortunately one of those artists who have more appeal underground. When I was the only one I knew singing along to UR So Gay and I Kissed a Girl, it was cool. But when all of America joined in, it became somewhat annoying. Though snubbed by the Grammys in the Best New Artist category, this #1 hit about experimenting with homosexuality put Katy on the map.

28. Green Light - John Legend/Andre 3000
John Legend takes a step away from his comfort zone (and his piano) to shockingly good results. I love the care-free vibe of this track and Andre 3000's flow definitely doesn't hurt.

27. Blind - Hercules and Love Affair
I'm usually not a fan of house music, but Hercules and Love Affair is so quirky and this track is so infectious, I can't help myself. The NYC based band has garnered veritable oodles of critical acclaim but little mainstream success in the States. Somehow, I feel like they're right where they wanna be.

26. Leavin' - Jesse McCartney
Jesse McCartney had a decent year. After having a hand in penning the mega-hit Bleeding Love, he made his own mark on the charts with Leavin'. Though he'll never be Justin, I think he's found his niche towing the line between pop and R&B.

25. Daylight - Kelly Rowland/Travis McCoy
It's probably safe to assume at this point that no other Destiny's Child member is destined for the stardom that Beyoncé enjoys. Nevertheless, Kelly keeps trying. The lead single off her re-release of Ms. Kelly, Daylight is such a cool, feel-good song.

24. 4 Minutes - Madonna/Justin Timberlake/Timbaland
Madonna pretty much sold out in '08 and did what everyone else was doing: working with Timbaland. Though Hard Candy was not as innovative as I would have liked, some great tracks came of the collaboration. 4 Minutes, with the aid of JT, was nigh inescapable. Madge turned the big 5-0 and was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year.

23. Decode - Paramore
Paramore is looking to put out their third album sometime next year, but in 2008, they contributed to the phenomenon that is Twilight in the form of two cuts on the soundtrack. Hayley sounds great on the album's lead single, Decode.

22. When I Grow Up - The Pussycat Dolls
This track took a while to grow on me, like most of PCD's material these days. But once it took a hold, I couldn't shake it off. After Nicole's failed solo career, the Dolls regrouped and released their sophomore album (made up mostly of Nicole's solo material) to disappointing sales. When I Grow Up and I Hate This Part are cool enough, but they can't really compare to Don't Cha and Stickwitu.

21. So What - P!nk
Constantly improving as an artist, P!nk released Funhouse with lead single So What and put a lot of other b****es to shame. Whenever I'm in a club and this track plays, everyone in the place belts the lyrics and bops their heads.

20. Starstruck - Santogold
Another fabulous new artist, Santogold is, by some estimation, this year's answer to M.I.A. Mixing different genres of music for an eclectic, unique sound, Santogold's eponymous debut album garnered its fair share of critical acclaim and snagged her a Grammy nomination. Starstruck is one of my favorite tracks; it probably doesn't sound like anything you've heard before, but when you bump to it, you feel cool.

19. Damaged - Danity Kane
They say that all good things come to an end, and when Diddy is involved, that end is certain. Danity Kane, by all appearances, disbanded towards the end of this year, but not before experiencing sweet success with Damaged. This song was ubiquitous and catchy as all hell.

18. Right Here (Departed) - Brandy
Brandy returned from a four-year hiatus with Right Here (Departed) this year. I still play this song to death. Brandy, to me, is the perfect example of a girl who works with what she's got. She doesn't have the biggest voice, but her libs and runs are always perfect; she's capable of breathing life into seemingly mediocre songs. Brandy really knows how to lace a track. She still kinda looks like Mewtwo with a weave, though.

17. Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa - Vampire Weekend
The breakout band of 2008, Vampire Weekend has received nothing but accolades for their self-titled debut album. Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa, the band's fourth single, is an enjoyable listen with a sort of calypso vibe about it and is a great song to leave on repeat.

16. Mannequin - Britney Spears
Another year, another comeback album. Britney's back again, but unfortunately it's becoming clear that the Britney we knew and loved may never return. Producers continue to give her that good s***, though, and there are more than a few solid tracks on new album Circus. Mannequin is my favorite; detached, prosaic vocals are all that Britney is capable of pulling off.

15. Genie 2.0 - Christina Aguilera
Christina released a greatest hits album this year commemorating her ten years in the industry and Genie 2.0 was the cherry on the sundae. Christina managed to successfully reinvent her first chart-topper and it stands as the best example of this new sound she's polishing.

14. Just Dance - Lady GaGa
My favorite new artist of the year, Lady GaGa can do no wrong in my eyes. Just Dance, her lead single from debut album The Fame, is just picking up steam in the US, but she's had more success internationally. I constantly have her album on repeat; her playful, fresh, cocky pop speaks to my gay soul.

13. Violet Stars Happy Hunting! - Janelle Monáe
I can't wait for Janelle Monáe to become mainstream. Just so she can put out music whenever she wants and not when her label (cough, Diddy) decides they want to take a chance. Her debut EP is short, but oh so sweet and she stands to bring something innovative and fresh to R&B.

12. Black and Gold - Sam Sparro
So everyone knows I've been sipping Sam Sparro's kool-aid. He's just so dreamy. His debut single Black and Gold put him on the map and still gets regular play in gay clubs across the land. Loved his album and can't wait to see what he pulls out of the bag in '09.

11. Bust Your Windows - Jazmine Sullivan
Ah, I wasn't ready for all these fantabulous b****es to come out of the woodwork. Jazmine, with her soulful pipes, inspired fear in brothas everywhere with second single Bust Your Windows. Up for five Grammys next year, including Best New Artist, Jazmine is poised for a great career. Get her on your iPod if she isn't already.

10. Rock With U - Janet Jackson
Janet placed in last year's list with Feedback and I thought there was no way she could be denied success with Disclipline, her tenth studio album. I was wrong. Feedback was apparently the only thing Janet and her label agreed upon and promotion was stunted after that. Such a damn shame. Rock With U is my s***.

9. Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) - Beyoncé
Beyoncé came back hard in 2008 with two singles, If I Were a Boy and Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It). The latter's video quickly became a sensation and fan-made YouTube videos (some fabulous, some ridiculous) ensued. Everyone who listens to pop music knows at least some of the choreography. Can't deny the shine, or knock the hustle.

8. Poker Face - Lady GaGa
My biggest dance track of the year, I couldn't leave it off the list. Americans are slow on the uptake (about GaGa and trends in general) but the track has already reached #1 in Australia and Canada. It'll be annoying hearing about "that new girl Lady GaGa" all throughout 2009 but as long as she gets the credit she's due, I'll be happy.

7. ONE - Crystal Kay
Crystal Kay did it again with ONE. Like 恋におちたら and こんなにちかくで。。。 before it, ONE is a mix between ballad and up-tempo and reaffirms my love for Crystal. This year's album, Color Change!, wasn't as successful as her last, but saw her work with a few prominent American producers and hopefully brought her dream of crossing over into the States a little closer to fruition.

6. Run - Leona Lewis
Americans, despite Bleeding Love and all its glory, are slow to embrace Leona, but soon enough they won't have any choice. Run was recently released as a single, and the song's pull is undeniable. I doubted Leona's potential because of her apparent lack of personality, but with songs like this one, she doesn't really need to do anything but sing.

5. Anti-Love Song - Raven-Symoné
Whenever I hear this track, I have to turn my volume up to max. The production is so tight and Raven's vocals so on point, it makes me sad that all the haters are willingly missing out. The standout track from her eponymous album released early this year, I'll be playing Anti-Love Song well into 2009.

4. American Boy - Estelle/Kanye West
Estelle's crossover hit, American Boy started as a cult hit amongst hipsters and soon found its way to major mainstream success. Arguably the best thing Kanye did all year, his rap certainly helped the single along in the States. Parodies and covers followed, but the original must be mentioned when discussing 2008 in music.

3. Stay Gold - Utada Hikaru
2008 marks the year I officially became a fan of Utada Hikaru. Stay Gold is my favorite track from Heart Station: a simple, piano-driven ballad made special by Hikki's light, emotive vocals. I can listen on repeat for hours.

2. It's a Crime - Crystal Kay
Crystal hooked up with Bloodshy & Avant, and this masterpiece is the result. I was dying for a new Crystal Kay song in English and this track exceeded my expectations. It's a Crime is hotter than the summer sun and catchier than winter influenza. It's a damn crime this song wasn't released as a single.

1. Disturbia - Rihanna
I'm all about giving credit where it's due. Even though Rihanna has marginal talent, she has had another phenomenal year. Just when you thought she was through making hits, she dropped Disturbia in the summer. Definitely my all-time favorite Rihanna song and my pick for song of 2008.

Well, that's the list. Sound off if you agree, disagree, whatevs. And if you're like me and are drawn to music lists like flies to exposed light bulbs, check out last year's list.

Happy Anniversary, nodnarb!

Yay, a year has passed since I began writing here. Go me! Hopefully I'll make it to next year this time.

Using the blog as an outlet for my, at times, wacky commentary has been fun. I appreciate my fellow blogger buddies Random J and Junlee, and my friends who have come, read, and commented. Special shout-out to Sarah!!

Hope everyone had a Happy Christmas!!!

Damn, it's December!

Wow, time flies. Here it is December, and nodnarb is coming up on its first anniversary! I hope someone, somewhere has enjoyed my ramblings thus far and I'm looking forward to talking more trash in 2009! Here's what's going on this December:

Yesterday, Brandy released her first album since 2004, Human. Britney Spears released Circus, her second "comeback" album in two years, last week. Brad Pitt stars in the film adaptation of the F. Scott Fitzgerald short story The Curious Case of Benjamin Button due on Christmas Day. And, Will 'Blockbuster' Smith will star in Seven Pounds on the 19th.

Oh, and how could I forget. Happy Holidays, lovers!!!

...It's June...I'm still in school -_-

I know, I know. I'm late. Blame finals. That's right, I'm still in school. I still have an unsettling amount of pages to write before I can leave this place and return home to NYC. Sweet, blessed NYC.

So, yeah. It's June! Hooray for summer!! I went to Six Flags the other day. It wasn't quite the usual experience; I don't think it's warm enough yet here in Chicago to fully appreciate Hurricane Harbor. But, it was fun. Up until the part where my bag was stolen. Mmhmm.
This month, Crystal Kay releases her new single, 涙のさきに (Namida no Saki ni) from what I'm sure will be her fantastic forthcoming album. The video for the single is sort of like the こんなに近くで (Konna ni Chikaku de) video, except on crack. But Kuri looks good, channeling Michael (always a good idea), and stepping out of her box.

The Incredible Hulk smashes into theaters this weekend. The trailers look good, and honestly, it really couldn't be any worse than that other Hulk movie. Rumor has it that Marvel is setting up a film adaptation of The Avengers, with Ed Norton and Robert Downey Jr. reprising their roles as the Hulk and Iron Man, respectively. Sounds hot.

Finally, industry darling Rihanna repackages last year's Good Girl Gone Bad with a few extra songs. Lead single Take A Bow has already been a #1 hit, her collaboration with Maroon 5 has been well received, and I'm really starting to dig Disturbia. Can she do no wrong?

Enjoy June, bitches!! Hopefully I can manage a return to form over the summer months and update this sucka a little more regularly. Maybe, maybe not. ^_^

Current♥Fancies

Here's what's playing on my iPod these days...

Take A Bow - Rihanna

It's no Umbrella, but it's really quite catchy. It quickly shot to #1 on the Hot 100 chart last week, so clearly someone, somewhere agrees with me. I doubt it'll inspire many people to go out and buy the re-release of Good Girl Gone Bad but, it's another hit Rihanna can add to the list.

When I Grow Up - The Pussycat Dolls

I love it now. Love, love, love. Check out the performance below if you haven't already.

American Boy - Estelle/Kanye West

I'm kinda late catching on to this song, but it's definitely poised to be the crossover hit Estelle has been waiting for. She owes a lot to Kanye, though; his flow takes the track to the next level.

Ur So Gay - Katy Perry

Katy Perry is quickly climbing the charts with her single I Kissed a Girl, but I love the catchy kiss-off that is Ur So Gay. I'm going to go ahead and predict that Katy will garner a lot of attention this year. She's a new artist who can actually sing and she's got clever lyrics to boot. Not to mention, gorgeous.

Damaged - Danity Kane

I've been singing "How you gonna fix it, fix it, fix it" for months now and it hasn't gotten old. I'm surprised that five girls with minimal talent being managed by Diddy have been able to last this long, but I won't knock the hustle.

It's been May for an entire week already. Bitch.

So, I'm almost a week late in writing my "It's May, Bitch" post. What can I say? May kinda snuck up on me. There's not really very much going on in the music scene this month, with a few heavy hitters releasing albums last month. Hopefully they're good enough to keep us satisfied until June, which will at least see a single from Crystal Kay (all the music I need).

While May doesn't mean much for music this year, it does signal the start of the summer blockbuster season, which started strong with Marvel's Iron Man. I have yet to see it, but with a current rating of 94% on Rotten Tomatoes and a $100 million dollar opening weekend in the US alone, I think it's safe to say that Mr. Stark delivers on the hype. Sound off if you've seen it.

May 19th sees the release of Nintendo's brainchild Wii Fit in the US. Though I most likely won't be purchasing this day of, or in the foreseeable future even, it will undoubtedly be something to talk about this month, especially if the rumors of it making it onto the Oprah show come true. America is a fat country, among other things.

Ah, and finally, the girls who brunch are coming back in a big way on May 30th, and I can NOT wait. Sex and the City: The Movie is definitely my most anticipated film of the year; I need Samantha Jones back in my life. My bestie thinks I'm waiting until school ends nearly three weeks after the flick comes out to see it with him, but he's sadly mistaken. Hopefully it's good enough that I'll have seen it three times by then.

So, I know it's a bit belated but, Happy May, bitches. Thanks for reading! ^_^

Best Music Videos!

Though the last thing my last post needs is a supplement, what is music without the music video?
This list is far shorter, thank heaven, because there weren't that many great videos, I don't think. There may be more of a language issue with this list, but keep in mind, music is universal.
Here's my top five.

5. The Sweet Escape - Gwen Stefani



4. Sweet Impact - BoA



3. Love Don't Cry - m-flo L♥Ves Crystal Kay

M-flo loves Crystal Kay - Love Don't Cry
Uploaded by dcbape

2. きっと永遠に (Kitto Eien Ni) - Crystal Kay



1. Candyman - Christina Aguilera

Christina Aguilera - Candyman
Uploaded by iroonimusic

The Best of '07 in Music

At the turn of every new year, we look back fondly (or not so fondly) at our memories from the previous year. And often enough, music is a great marker for remembering what was going on in the background of those memories.
So, as all the professionals roll out their year-end list, I figured I'd make my own. I'm sure many will disagree with my choices, but it's my list, so there! The only criterion a song had to meet to get on the list was, duh, it had to be made in '07, not released in '07. So, here they are, my favorite songs of 2007.

30. If That's OK With You - Shayne Ward
X-Factor champ Shayne Ward just makes the list with this, the first single from his album Breathless. The lyrics are cheesy as all hell but, the melody is nice, and I enjoy his voice.

29. Open Toes - Katharine McPhee
Generic AI runner up Katharine McPhee managed to not be so generic on this track, easily a standout on her eponymous debut album.

28. Potential Break-Up Song - Aly & A.J.
Hated this song for quite some time, but there's only so many times you can hear "la la la la la la" and not sing along. Though they've been pushing hard on the Disney circuit for some time now, this song sort of solidified their awkward place with the current MTV generation.

27. He Said, She Said - Ashley Tisdale
Seemingly very eager to break the High School Musical image, Ashley's borderline annoying vocals take the backseat to the bangin' beat on this track. Can't help but dance. *shrugs*

26. Over It - Jordan Pruitt
This girl's a rarity; she got her start from the Disney Channel but she can actually sing. Cute little number from her cute little debut album, but young Jordan's pipes should take her far.

25. Boyfriend - Samantha Jade
Hands down, the best new talent I've heard all year, Samantha Jade can sing your socks off. However, apparently having trouble getting exposure, Samantha has yet to release an album. Get to know this voice early, though.

24. いきがい (Ikigai) - Tanaka Roma
Another newcomer, Tanaka Roma released his self-titled debut early this year and considering he wrote most of the songs himself, it's pretty decent. He's bilingual; this is the only English track on his Japanese album, and he shows a lot of promise. Looking forward to what he does next.

23. This Ain't A Scene, It's An Arms Race - Fall Out Boy
Great song from a band that was able to give us more of what we liked the first time around, but better.

22. Before He Cheats - Carrie Underwood
I can't stand Carrie Underwood. (May have something to do with her dating Chace Crawford...). But, the lyrics in this song are just too fresh to ignore. "RIGHT NOW, he's probably dabbing on $3 worth of that bathroom Polo..." lol.

21. COLORS - Flow
The opening theme to the anime Code Geass, it's sure to become the song all the anime heads will be singing when the series comes to Cartoon Network's Adult Swim this year. The song and the anime are both awesome.

20. Fuego - The Cheetah Girls
As humiliating as it is to include "Growl Power" on my list, this song is f***in' catchy, and I've been singing it for three months now. Don't hate.

19. She Said, I Said (Time We Let Go) - NLT
Four young men also having trouble kick-starting their careers, NLT is a solid pop boy-band reminiscent of N*Sync. This Timbaland-produced ballad is a pretty good way to start out.

18. Super Villain - Nicole Scherzinger
Nicole has not exactly been riding her solo success to the bank as of yet, but this track off of her serially delayed album is a jumper. And, she "just wants Batman alone."

17. Love Like This - Natasha Bedingfield
Huge NB fan, love her voice and her music. Love Like This is her first U.S. single for her new album to be released this year. She teamed up with Sean Kingston for the radio edit (God knows why) but I prefer the version where Natasha flies solo.

16. Headturner - Joss Stone
Joss Stone allegedly f***ed for some of the tracks from her Introducing Joss Stone album released early this year. And if she did, it was worth it! An amazing, amazing album, and this track is one of my faves.

15. Whine Up - Kat DeLuna
One of my favorite club jams of the year. 2007 wasn't all that kind to newcomers to the game; Kat is struggling to find her spot in the industry as well. But, she definitely has talent and a unique flair.

14. You Know I'm No Good - Amy Winehouse
Everyone's new favorite crackhead (later, Whitney), Amy Winehouse's awesome talent and amazing album have been overshadowed by her tabloid-worthy antics and drug issues. I doubt that will get in the way of her winning the 'Best New Artist' grammy, but here's hoping she cleans up her act in '08. Love this song.

13. Everything - Michael Bublé
I love Michael Bublé, his voice is just phenomenal. Everything is a great little ditty and Michael's voice shines.

12. We All Want the Same Thing - Kevin Michael
Yet another new, stunning talent, I can't wait for Kevin to become mainstream. His music deserves to be heard by as many people as possible. He's so dope.

11. Way I Are - Timbaland/Keri Hilson/D.O.E.
The hit-maker himself! Not satisfied with having his hand in everyone else's album, Timbo put out his own this year, and this is my favorite track. Be on the lookout for Scream, though - that joint is fly, too.

10. Gimme More (Remix) - Britney Spears/T.I.
I didn't want to like anything Britney put out this year, but as soon as I heard this remix I knew the battle was over, and I had lost. Say what you will about Britney (and I say a lot), this song is inescapable.

9. No One - Alicia Keys
This song took a while to grow on me; I only really started to enjoy it once she performed it live. Another classic to add to the list. Alicia should make music for the rest of her life.

8. Love Don't Cry - m-flo L♥Ves Crystal Kay
My favorite collab of the year! (Beautiful Liar can go suck an egg.) Crystal and m-flo work so well together, and practically anything Crystal sings I can listen to on repeat forever and ever.

7. 4 In The Morning - Gwen Stefani
Didn't perform too well on the charts, but I absolutely love this song. Definitely my favorite song from The Sweet Escape. Can't wait for the No Doubt reunion!

6. Feedback - Janet Jackson
I know it just dropped, but this song is fire! Janet always brings the heat! Her last album was totally underrated, but this year she will not be robbed! Discipline me, Janet, Discipline me.

5. Love Today - Mika
Ah, Mika, where have you been all my life? Life in Cartoon Motion is one of my favorite albums of 2007, and Mika is just so brilliant. Like, uh, yes.

4. You Give Me Something - James Morrison
I love this song so much that I bought his album just to hear what else he had come up with. New artists came from every which way in '07. I wasn't prepared...

3. Bleeding Love - Leona Lewis
Another X-Factor champ makes the list; Leona Lewis has such a fantabulous voice she could sing me the ABCs and I'd shiver. Can't wait 'til she comes to the U.S.
Download 'Bleeding Love'

2. Umbrella - Rihanna/Jay-Z
How could it not make the list? Ubiquitous throughout most of 2007, Umbrella was the hit nobody was expecting. Breaking Rihanna into the world market, this track definitely pushed her career to the next plateau. And, I hear Breaking Dishes will be a single in '08!

1. こんなに近くで (Konna ni Chikaku De) - Crystal Kay
Hands down, my #1 song for 2007. My iTunes logs 337 plays. Uh huh, it's that serious. This song is perfection. Perfection, I say!
Download 'Konna ni Chikaku de'

That's the list! Feel free to comment if you agree or disagree, or have never heard of most of these damn songs anyway.