Track-by-Track: Joe McElderry - Wide Awake

As much as I LOVE X-Factor, the inevitable albums from contestants are more often than not pretty disappointing. I wasn't much of a fan of Joe McElderry on the show (he was so boring), but he's managed to produce one of the more interesting winner's albums. Other than a couple of tracks that go down the easy, predictable route, he's developed a surprisingly uptempo sound.

1. Ambitions - The original was one of the best singles of 2009 and, luckily, Joe doesn't mess it up. It's more uptempo and layered than Donkeyboy's version, which gives it a completely different feel. A good choice for opening single. 9/10

2. Someone Wake Me Up - Coming right off the last track, the sound and structure here is very similar. Putting that aside, it's an example of the uptempo, melodic pop that Joe does best. An obvious choice for the next single (though if the public didn't bite with Ambitions, this is really just more of the same). 9/10

3. Superman - I really disliked this song when it was a hit a few years ago. Schmaltzy, whiny... way overplayed. Amazingly, Joe's improved it and I don't hate this. The production's great and his vocals add some much needed drama to the mix. 7/10

4. Real Late Starter - Another cover, but this one really works. Joe goes all Scissor Sisters here, pumping up the glam strut and using his falsetto to full effect on the chorus. Not sure if he totally sells the lyrics, but it doesn't matter because this is a jolt of pure energy. 10/10

5. Until The Stars Run Out - I wrote about this yesterday. It's not a track that stood out on first listen, but it's the one I go back to most often. The sampling of George Michael's Faith is ingenious, and the soaring melody is dance-pop heaven. 10/10

6. Feel The Fire - It might as well be a rewrite of Alphabeat's Fascination because the sound is so similar. Joe just about gets away with it. It's a pleasant uptempo, but suffers a bit coming after the last two tracks. It's clear he was going with a trend here. Too bad the trend's two years old. 8/10

7. Fahrenheit - This is total over-the-top, Eurovision style pop music. I'm actually shocked that his managers let him record something so campy. It's not a complaint on my end, as I think this is the type of music he's best off doing. From the processed drums to the layered chorus, it's a lot of fun. Some people will hate this! 9/10

8. Wide Awake - The obligatory ballad. It's not a cover, which is promising, but it's not very memorable either. Bombastic production's grafted onto a melody that doesn't quite deserve it. I can't imagine that this is the best ballad that he recorded in preparation for the album, but who knows... 7/10

9. Smile - One of the worst singles in recent memory, and Joe only makes it worse with bland production and vocals. I hate to drag the entire album's grade down with one track, but I literally can't even get through this. Everything I hoped his album would not be. 2/10

10. Love Is War - Whew! Back to some quality. This is a strange uptempo that feels short and unfinished. What's there is quite good, though. The warped hook is one of the most mature and interesting on the album and shows some potential for future recordings. 8/10

11. The Climb - Bonus track, so I won't review. To put it shortly, it's totally unnecessary.

Album Grade: 7.9/10

Track-by-Track: Joe McElderry - Wide Awake

As much as I LOVE X-Factor, the inevitable albums from contestants are more often than not pretty disappointing. I wasn't much of a fan of Joe McElderry on the show (he was so boring), but he's managed to produce one of the more interesting winner's albums. Other than a couple of tracks that go down the easy, predictable route, he's developed a surprisingly uptempo sound.

1. Ambitions - The original was one of the best singles of 2009 and, luckily, Joe doesn't mess it up. It's more uptempo and layered than Donkeyboy's version, which gives it a completely different feel. A good choice for opening single. 9/10

2. Someone Wake Me Up - Coming right off the last track, the sound and structure here is very similar. Putting that aside, it's an example of the uptempo, melodic pop that Joe does best. An obvious choice for the next single (though if the public didn't bite with Ambitions, this is really just more of the same). 9/10

3. Superman - I really disliked this song when it was a hit a few years ago. Schmaltzy, whiny... way overplayed. Amazingly, Joe's improved it and I don't hate this. The production's great and his vocals add some much needed drama to the mix. 7/10

4. Real Late Starter - Another cover, but this one really works. Joe goes all Scissor Sisters here, pumping up the glam strut and using his falsetto to full effect on the chorus. Not sure if he totally sells the lyrics, but it doesn't matter because this is a jolt of pure energy. 10/10

5. Until The Stars Run Out - I wrote about this yesterday. It's not a track that stood out on first listen, but it's the one I go back to most often. The sampling of George Michael's Faith is ingenious, and the soaring melody is dance-pop heaven. 10/10

6. Feel The Fire - It might as well be a rewrite of Alphabeat's Fascination because the sound is so similar. Joe just about gets away with it. It's a pleasant uptempo, but suffers a bit coming after the last two tracks. It's clear he was going with a trend here. Too bad the trend's two years old. 8/10

7. Fahrenheit - This is total over-the-top, Eurovision style pop music. I'm actually shocked that his managers let him record something so campy. It's not a complaint on my end, as I think this is the type of music he's best off doing. From the processed drums to the layered chorus, it's a lot of fun. Some people will hate this! 9/10

8. Wide Awake - The obligatory ballad. It's not a cover, which is promising, but it's not very memorable either. Bombastic production's grafted onto a melody that doesn't quite deserve it. I can't imagine that this is the best ballad that he recorded in preparation for the album, but who knows... 7/10

9. Smile - One of the worst singles in recent memory, and Joe only makes it worse with bland production and vocals. I hate to drag the entire album's grade down with one track, but I literally can't even get through this. Everything I hoped his album would not be. 2/10

10. Love Is War - Whew! Back to some quality. This is a strange uptempo that feels short and unfinished. What's there is quite good, though. The warped hook is one of the most mature and interesting on the album and shows some potential for future recordings. 8/10

11. The Climb - Bonus track, so I won't review. To put it shortly, it's totally unnecessary.

Album Grade: 7.9/10

Joe McElderry - Until The Stars Run Out

"I am good at falling in love, not so good at falling out"

Poor Joe McElderry. I could be wrong, but I'm not seeing great things for him in the coming weeks as his album is released. The single, despite being one of the best debuts by an X-Factor winner thanks to Norwegian band Donkeyboy, has been less than successful and the amount of buzz over the album isn't nearly as high as it should be. It's a shame because, other than a few tracks (the godawful Uncle Kracker cover, for one) it's a nice piece of highly processed, melodic pop. And there are a few absolute gems. Until The Stars Run Out is one of the most interesting dance tracks he's recorded. It samples George Michael's Faith in a very creative way. It's strung throughout the song in small pieces--unrecognizable to a point where you might not notice it if you didn't know it was there. To be honest, the melody didn't hit me on the first listen, but I've grown to love this song (and a couple of others on the album). He's really got a great voice for this kind of stuff. Nothing's as good as the b-side that I posted last week, though. Album review to come!

Joe McElderry - Until The Stars Run Out by tattoowesley

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Buy the album here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.

Joe McElderry - Until The Stars Run Out

"I am good at falling in love, not so good at falling out"

Poor Joe McElderry. I could be wrong, but I'm not seeing great things for him in the coming weeks as his album is released. The single, despite being one of the best debuts by an X-Factor winner thanks to Norwegian band Donkeyboy, has been less than successful and the amount of buzz over the album isn't nearly as high as it should be. It's a shame because, other than a few tracks (the godawful Uncle Kracker cover, for one) it's a nice piece of highly processed, melodic pop. And there are a few absolute gems. Until The Stars Run Out is one of the most interesting dance tracks he's recorded. It samples George Michael's Faith in a very creative way. It's strung throughout the song in small pieces--unrecognizable to a point where you might not notice it if you didn't know it was there. To be honest, the melody didn't hit me on the first listen, but I've grown to love this song (and a couple of others on the album). He's really got a great voice for this kind of stuff. Nothing's as good as the b-side that I posted last week, though. Album review to come!

Joe McElderry - Until The Stars Run Out by tattoowesley

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Buy the album here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.

Joe McElderry - If You Love Me

"I see your face when they put my record on"

I'm knee deep in X-Factor right now (Nicolo should not have gone home, by the way). It's one of those things, like Melodifestivalen in February, that just kind of takes over the world during this time of the year. I get way too into it, and this season already has so many more to root for than last. Joe McElderry, last season's winner, was a pretty boring contestant but he had a great voice. And, surprisingly, he's turning into a good little popstar. I'm so happy he's gone for an uptempo sound rather than the tepid ballads most winners are given. As much as I prefer the original, Donkeyboy's Ambitions was an inspired first single choice, but the b-side is even better. In fact, listening to the samples of his upcoming album, I predict this song will be the best thing he's recorded. It's total, unabashed dance-pop with one hell of a hook. The chorus is so great that it completely barrels over everything else (which is good because some of the lyrics in the verses are lame). It sounds like a big, singalong Eurovision track--very cheesy but in the best possible way. I don't know who wrote/produced this but I wouldn't be surprised if they were Swedish. I always thought Joe should inherit George Michael's throne. Songs like this could do it for him.

Joe McElderry - If You Love Me by tattoowesley

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Preorder the album here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.

Joe McElderry - If You Love Me

"I see your face when they put my record on"

I'm knee deep in X-Factor right now (Nicolo should not have gone home, by the way). It's one of those things, like Melodifestivalen in February, that just kind of takes over the world during this time of the year. I get way too into it, and this season already has so many more to root for than last. Joe McElderry, last season's winner, was a pretty boring contestant but he had a great voice. And, surprisingly, he's turning into a good little popstar. I'm so happy he's gone for an uptempo sound rather than the tepid ballads most winners are given. As much as I prefer the original, Donkeyboy's Ambitions was an inspired first single choice, but the b-side is even better. In fact, listening to the samples of his upcoming album, I predict this song will be the best thing he's recorded. It's total, unabashed dance-pop with one hell of a hook. The chorus is so great that it completely barrels over everything else (which is good because some of the lyrics in the verses are lame). It sounds like a big, singalong Eurovision track--very cheesy but in the best possible way. I don't know who wrote/produced this but I wouldn't be surprised if they were Swedish. I always thought Joe should inherit George Michael's throne. Songs like this could do it for him.

Joe McElderry - If You Love Me by tattoowesley

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Preorder the album here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.

Pop Blitz 10/7/10

Joe McElderry - Ambitions While I can't say I'm happy that this perfect Scandinavian hit is being repackaged by another artist, this could be a lot worse. Sure, it's been stripped of the delicate melancholy of the original, but the new Jai-ho peppiness of it all makes this a different kind of treat. A good song is a good song. A-

Nelly - Just A Dream
I can't say I expected this comeback. As far as hip-hoppers go, I've always found Nelly pretty charming. This is more gooey ballad than rap thumper, and it's all the better for that. A nice surprise. B+

Kings Of Leon - Radioactive
Unlikely to chart as high as past hits, but this percussive, rootsy rocker has its own charms. Pleasant, even if it isn't the most memorable thing in the world. B

Robbie Williams & Gary Barlow - Shame
They deserve a stronger song. It sounds like a b-side. That being said, I'm a fan of any song Robbie touches, and the laid-back orchestral flourishes bump this up a little for me. B-

Pink - Raise Your Glass
She's never really released a bad single, so the quality here is no surprise. I'm more fond of the verses than the chorus, though. B+

Kanye West - Runaway
I'm not aboard the Kanye train. When this was performed on the VMAs, I thought it was ridiculously stupid. Presented here without the added spectacle, it's just pretty stupid. C-

The Saturdays - Higher
As far as girl groups go, the Saturdays have done little to impress me. This is utter crap. It's so derivative that I can't believe there were actual songwriters involved. So devoid of any personality. And any semblance of a hook. D

Pop Blitz 10/7/10

Joe McElderry - Ambitions While I can't say I'm happy that this perfect Scandinavian hit is being repackaged by another artist, this could be a lot worse. Sure, it's been stripped of the delicate melancholy of the original, but the new Jai-ho peppiness of it all makes this a different kind of treat. A good song is a good song. A-

Nelly - Just A Dream
I can't say I expected this comeback. As far as hip-hoppers go, I've always found Nelly pretty charming. This is more gooey ballad than rap thumper, and it's all the better for that. A nice surprise. B+

Kings Of Leon - Radioactive
Unlikely to chart as high as past hits, but this percussive, rootsy rocker has its own charms. Pleasant, even if it isn't the most memorable thing in the world. B

Robbie Williams & Gary Barlow - Shame
They deserve a stronger song. It sounds like a b-side. That being said, I'm a fan of any song Robbie touches, and the laid-back orchestral flourishes bump this up a little for me. B-

Pink - Raise Your Glass
She's never really released a bad single, so the quality here is no surprise. I'm more fond of the verses than the chorus, though. B+

Kanye West - Runaway
I'm not aboard the Kanye train. When this was performed on the VMAs, I thought it was ridiculously stupid. Presented here without the added spectacle, it's just pretty stupid. C-

The Saturdays - Higher
As far as girl groups go, the Saturdays have done little to impress me. This is utter crap. It's so derivative that I can't believe there were actual songwriters involved. So devoid of any personality. And any semblance of a hook. D