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Pop Rock Nation

Author: Money Mike

  • The Top 100 Singles of the ’00s, #92: “Oops (Oh My)”

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    You know, I was all set to call Timbaland one of the most overrated producers of his era, if not all time. Then I looked over this list and realized that there are seven songs on it (including this one) produced by Mr. Mosley, significantly more than any other producer or production team. More than The Neptunes, more than Kanye West, more than Dr. Dre (who I don’t think is on this list at all). So maybe it’s time to reconsider…

    Tweet’s debut single “Oops (Oh My)” was a step forward for all sexually liberated females, with lyrics that dealt as forthrightly with masturbation as any other hit record I can think of. It was also one of the most odd songs to hit the Top Ten on the pop charts, with the most purely tribal sound of any pop single in recent memory. Erase the unnecessary rap on the single version by Fabolous, and consider the cooing and moaning of Missy Elliott on the song’s bridge, and you might also have the most covertly sapphic hit single of the decade (the rumors about Elliott and Tweet actually being a couple add a new wrinkle to the song’s vibe). Think of this as the female version of “SexyBack”. Go on, girls-get your sexy on.

  • The SonicClash Mini-Review: Keri Hilson

    keri

    Keri Hilson’s debut has been one of the more anticipated recent releases in R&B. The beauty has made a name for herself as a songwriter, and a cameo on Timbaland’s hit “The Way I Are” raised her profile and set the stage for her first official album, In a Perfect World…. Having already spawned three hit singles, my curiosity was piqued. I had to find out what Keri was all about.

    I could’ve done without it. Perfect World is a mixed bag. Hilson has a pleasant singing voice. It’s a thin but deceptively versatile instrument very much like the voice of fellow R&B diva Ciara. The fact that Hilson writes her own material should vault her over the anonymous singers that share her style, but her songwriting is no great shakes. Unlike fellow soul singer/songwriters like, say, Ne-Yo (who co-stars opposite Hilson and Kanye West on the current hit Knock You Down, one of this album’s highlights), Hilson’s pen game is generic, and she hasn’t mastered the one art every great songwriter knows-melody.

    My other issue with In a Perfect World…? Everything sounds super-canned. I have nothing against synth-pop, usually. However, the best of that sub-genre usually has some feeling behind it. Keri Hilson? Not so much. Even Aaliyah had an air of concentrated cool that permeated her records. This album has no soul, and I would think that the average person looking in the R&B section for an album would be looking for some kind of soul, right?

    Keri Hilson’s definitely a talented lady, but maybe just not as talented as the press and hype machine would like us to believe that she is. In a Perfect World…sounds like it was focus-grouped into oblivion, tailor-made to fit onto pop and R&B radio circa 2009. The end result is listening to something like “Loose” or “FutureSex/LoveSounds” with all the character sucked out of it, which leaves you with danceable beats and not much else. And danceable beats alone do not make for a good album. So, ultimately, in a perfect world…, you’d be best off leaving this album in the rack at the record store.

  • First Look: DMB’s “Funny the Way it Is”

    What was the name of that ridiculous Adam Sandler movie where he and Kevin James played two straight firefighters posing as a gay couple for marriage benefits? I may not remember the movie’s title, but I do remember the brief appearance of Dave Matthews in the movie, a wordless cameo as a flamboyant clothing store employee. Based on facial expressions alone, it was obvious that Dave had the chops to be a fabulous comedic actor. Well, in his new video, Dave spends a ton of time mugging for the camera. “Funny the Way it Is” actually kinda reminds me of some of Peter Gabriel’s excellent 80s videos.

    One thing kinda weirds me out, though. This is a Dave Matthews Band video, right? Then where the hell is the band? Stefan and Carter appear in the clip for about 3 seconds each, while Boyd Tinsley isn’t in the video at all. Weird. Why do I get this sinking feeling that this current tour will be the band’s last?

    Anyway, check the clip out and let us know what you think.