One Direction-Live While We're Young

Love or hate One Direction, you have to admit that they are a very popular and successful group, but, the music just doesn't change. I am talking about new single Live While We're Young. Sure, it's a song that you cannot help but tap your foot to, but really, is it anything diverse to what they've already done? The answer is simply no. Listen to the structure of this song, and then their debut single What Makes You Beautiful. Acoustic guitar intro, talk about love, have a great climax towards the chorus and a heartfelt bridge. Yawn. The beat is addictive, yet the lyrics in the chorus are pretty dire. Every directioner will worship this song and fans of the group will love it too, but to a neutral, it just doesn't work and it's pretty clear that 1D only have one direction.

Rating: 5/10

Totally agree with me? Think I'm talking shit? Tell me your opinion by commenting below.

Listen to "One Direction-Live While We're Young" here>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbPED9bisSc

The Campaign

Both Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis star in some of the best comedies of the 21st century, and now two stars have teamed up to create a film about an election for congressman.

The plot starts with current North Carolina district 14 congressman, Cam Brady (Ferrell) - a sleazy, politician who does anything to win, goes unopposed in the election year. However, after a public gaffe, a couple of billionaires (Dan Akroyd and John Lithgow) decide to put a candidate up to oppose Brady's candidacy. This is found in the shape of timid, friendly, slightly camp family man Marty Huggins (Galifianakis) the director of the local tourism office. After an embarrassing start in the election campaign, the billionaires hire a tough campaign manager to help Marty and after a few trash talks, speeches and baby punches, the two go into election day fairly even.

The poor thing about The Campaign is that it lacks great jokes. It has a bunch of funny moments, but not many are very memorable or hilarious. However, Galifianakis' ability of not talking and being funny just by the way he acts helped to make this film funny. One disappointment about this film is the fact that Ferrell plays such a nasty character, which changes from his usual randomness. I mean, sure he played Mugatu in Zoolander, but you couldn't take him seriously. His usual quirkiness wasn't present and his humour wasn't the same unfortunately. To sum up, there isn't enough laugh out loud moments to make this a classic, and with the Presidential Election coming up, I think everybody expected more from this film. Average and they were saved by the leading cast.

Rating: 6/10

Loved The Campaign? Tell me what your favourite Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis films are by commenting below.

Mika-Celebrate

Yes the high-pitched chipmunk that is Mika is back with a new single, and as much as he is annoying and excruciating painful to listen to, the new song isn't as poor as we all thought it would be. Although the chorus irritatingly stays in your head longer than Sam and the Womp, Mika's new single Celebrate has a cool electro-funk sound to it. The beat is actually quite relaxing, and there's no shrieks from the Beirut-born singer. As much as he is as annoying as the High School Musical cast doing a duet with One Direction, I have to give him this for at least being listenable. Well apart from that last 20 seconds of mashed up music that ruins the overall quality of Celebrate. Congratulations Mika, you are no longer unlistenable, unlike that second album. Really what the fuck was We Are Golden?

Rating: 5/10

Still find Mika annoying? Think I was too harsh on the new single? Comment on this post and express your opinion.

Listen to "Mika-Celebrate" here>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PM8z_MR3Fc8

Lower Than Atlantis-Love Someone Else

Since the break up of Fall Out Boy, many British punk-pop bands have been trying to emulate the originals. The likes of You Me At Six and Kids In Glass Houses have done a decent job, winning fans and changing their style as well, however, Lower Than Atlantis sound like a tribute Fall Out Boy band, except with an obvious English accent. I mean come on to fuck, the word "eye" comes out like "oy". Anyway, enough slagging the band for their strange singing accents, they have a touch of Foo Fighters as well as FOB in their new single Love Someone Else which is full of crashing, thumping drums and cool guitar crunches, but yet again doesn't show any real originality. Nostalgic punk fans may love these guys, but when (if) the likes of Fall Out Boy and Jimmy Eat World make a return they'll fade away.

Rating: 5/10

Love Lower Than Atlantis and disagree with me? Think they don't rock that much? Leave a comment.

Listen to "Lower Than Atlantis-Love Someone Else" here>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxTiisa3Sl0

Richard Hawley-Seek It

Former Britpop, now country music artist, Richard Hawley returns with his single Seek It. To be honest the song is a bit like sliced ham - there's nothing bad about it, but there's nothing that great about it either. Just a romantic country song, not much to say about it but it's more average than a Hot Chip album. It's a little, meh. It's a bit of a drop from Blur to country music, and doesn't seem to work that well.

Rating: 5/10

Listen to "Richard Hawley-Seek It" here>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDYMftcOZlg

Flo Rida-I Cry

Flo Rida hasn't had a great track since Low which was a few years ago, and since then we have been greeted with second-fiddle rubbish (like a review from last week). That is until now, where his newest song I Cry is getting rave reviews. Whether you think the verses are great or not, the chorus is really dance filled and catchy, and this song really is meaningful, with it based around his childhood struggles. Although I've already said it, the chorus is sublime and more songs like this and Flo Rida won't be viewed as an artist who is obsessed with chucking sexual innuendos into his songs. We can only pray.

Rating: 8/10

Listen to "Flo Rida-I Cry" here>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLuWHr6-0YQ&feature=related

Ellie Goulding-Anything Can Happen

Ah, you can't beat a pretty blonde girl who has the voice of an angel. Ellie Goulding has returned with her single Anything Can Happen from her up and coming album, Halcyon. The Starry Eyed-star's new track is a little bit folk, with bursts of electropop in it. Although the chorus is mainly just a weird noise, there's something gorgeous about this song. The bridge really shows how strong Ellie's voice is and how much soul is put into it. The song is catchy, electro and beautiful. Well done Ellie, hopefully this will not go unnoticed like Lights did.

Rating: 8/10

Listen to "Ellie Goulding-Anything Can Happen" here>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hzgS9s-tE8

Drake feat. Rick Ross-Lord Knows

From the man who brought you the most annoying phrase in the world that is YOLO, comes Lord Knows. American R&B artist Drake has collaborated with rapper Rick Ross on this track, and despite being overshadowed by the great rappers, he does a competent job on this single. Despite being so overshadowed and criticised, he is still good ol' egotastic Drake who talks himself up more than Kanye West with cocky lyrics like "I'm a descendant of either Marley or Hendrix" which doesn't do him many favours for such an idiotic comparison. However, lyrics aside, this song is ain't that bad. Both Drake and Rick Ross make a decent rap and the background vocals are lovely as well, making a good contribution to the song. He may be overrated, by this song is actually worth a listen.

Rating: 6/10

Listen to "Drake feat. Rick Ross-Lord Knows" here>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyBU0JZ3RbY

Dog Is Dead-Talk Through the Night

If you have a decent memory you will certainly remember Dog Is Dead from one of my previous blog entries with their summery-pop track, Glockenspiel Song. Their Mumford and Sons similarity stops there, as their brand new single Talk Through the Night is a step in the right direction for the boys. It is slower, but has a good rock edge to it, with a soft guitar riff and a touch of Vampire Weekend's slower work. Although this is a soft rock song, Dog Is Dead still manage to stay close enough to their original indie pop, but this song has shown what Dog Is Dead could become, and I really expect them to move up the set lists at festivals next year.

Rating:8/10

Listen to "Dog Is Dead-Talk Through the Night" here>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZTLJP74bLg

Alt-J - Something Good

With a Mercury nomination and viewed as one of the best newcomers of 2012, Alt-J are doing better than they ever have before, so releasing a single fits nicely right now. The triangle loving hipsters have been associated with acts such as Bombay Bicycle Club and Radiohead, but yet make themselves different from these acts. Such a hipster thing to do.Their Bombay Bicycle Club-esque sound is relaxing and enjoyable, with easy-to-learn lyrics, which comes across well in their new and exciting single, Something Good. The introduction is full of tribal-like drums and a peaceful guitar twang. Lead vocalist, Joe Newman's voice is so soothing it could put a crying baby to sleep, as well as the more upbeat chorus that still manages to keep a harmonising sound. The wide variation of instruments is also a great touch, with pianos here and bass guitar there, making Something Good very, very unique. Just remember, that I heard of them before they became mainstream ok? Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to retreat back to organically growing my own food and being ironic in every way possible.

Rating:9/10

Listen to "Alt-J - Something Good" here>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNYjOVo5IEw