Depeche Mode / Sounds of the Universe

1. In Chains (9.5/10)
Starting off the album, this track sinks into the first vivid words spoken "The way you move has got me yearning". This song really proves that the album has potential, because the first track of the album has to really summarize the album in its entirety. I also sense a little rock 'n' roll in this song, some vintage guitars. Pretty cool if you ask me. A nice long electronic track, great song to listen to when you're enjoying a nice car ride or perhaps a breezy bike ride. I also love how the song goes into a sudden transit, when Depeche start with "You've got me dying for you..." This song kind of reminds me of the U2 track "Unknown Caller" in a way. This song really has a great ending as well, what with using the starting out beats into ending beats, there's some genius hidden in there. Really starts off the album nicely.

2. Hole To Feed (9.5/10)
This track starts out with the bolting sound of maybe balls against the ground? Than Depeche start out with the rebellious striking chorus, great stuff man. I love how bouncy this song is, it's very addictive and I do tend to play this song a lot. This is a possible next single because the song was featured on the sticker on the album. Hmm... The stomping chorus kicks in, and the guitars start rocking and rolling and the song is ready to go! Absolutely great track. And than suddenly once again like track one, the song goes into transit starting out with the chorus "We are here..." and slowly creeps its way back up to the original rock version. The background vocals are also fantastic, great job to the boys, lol. If this is a single, I can't wait for the remixes.

3. Wrong (10/10)
The first single, the comeback single! Yes the boys are back with a fully stomping rebel song about someone living the wrong life and doing the wrong things. Amazing track, as well as the slightly creepy music video. They have really outdone themselves, what with the fabulous performance of the song at the Echo Awards, the music video, and the zapping remixes, this single has really got it all. Not to mention the cover art, I love the whole 'circle and sticks' idea, I'm looking forward to see it again with future releases. Oh, and I forgot to add in the "Too looooooonngggg...." vocals, they were mesmerizing, I'll be hearing their voices in my sleep, lol.

4. Fragile Tension (8.5/10)
Well this song starts out with some pop electronic dance beats, than digs into the vocals. A little bit dry on the verses, but the song makes up for itself in the chorus. I really love the metal guitar in the chorus, it really compliments the song. At first I really favored the song, but I realize that (and no offense but) there's really nothing special about this song. It doesn't really have the 'kick' in it as much as the other songs on the album. But I do like the little beeps and bops throughout the song, very dance-y, lol. Oh and the ending bridge, it totally rocks! Really like it.

5. Little Soul (5/10)
Nope, don't really like this song, as well as the remixes of it. I guess it's just a little bit too 'weird' for me, the verses sound really weird to me. Plus, I think this song has a bit of disturbing sounds, I don't know, I guess it's just too experimental for me. In my opinion, this song didn't really go with the rest of the album.

6. In Sympathy (10/10)
I really like this song, very great vocals and beats with this one. Has potential to be a single. And the chorus! Whoa, it totally makes the song 110% better. Elegant, yet going with the song at the same time. Love the guitars as well, this song really does have lots of potential. Can't wait to hear some remixes!

7. Peace (12/10) +2 extra
YES YES YES! Wow, what a perfect track! It's almost... wrong .... hahaha just kidding. The song starts out with "PEACE WILL COME TO ME...." and yes they mean it. Everyone just has to listen to the song, it gave me goosebumps my first time hearing it and it still gives me goosebumps. Verses are fabulous, chorus is great, everything is just great. Better be next single! :)

8. Come Back (3/10) -3 negative points
No, no, no, no, no, no, no. This is just wrong, literally. I really don't like the loud noises, the loud verses, and the annoying 'chorus'. Nope, sorry, try again.

9. Spacewalker (Instrumental) [9/10]
Haha, great instrumental, very circus-like.

10. Perfect (10/10)
Oh yes, here we go! Dance-aholic, delicious, enthralling, and just downright sexy. Fantabulous track to dance to in the clubs, I need to hear some remixes, lol. The chorus then kicks in with everyone singing along, like a campfire song. Also sounds like it could be about murder, lol. Love this song, could be a hit!!! :)

11. Miles Away (2/10) -4 negative points
Once again, a no, no, no, no, no, no, no. Damn, this song just sounds really messy. A bunch of guitars everywhere, not even going with eachother. The remix is MUCH better, they should've replaced this one with that one. Once again, the song's vocals and beats don't really 'go' with eachother, a big disappointment.

12. Jezebel (6/10)
See, I really don't have a 'problem' with this song, except that it's boring, stale, and not really exciting. I understand that it's not really supposed to be a slow song, but I mean come on, it is just really boring to listen to and you just want it to end.

13. Corrupt (10/10)
What an incredible song, they have really outdone themselves with picking the opening and ending tracks, the opening track opened up the album, and this ending track really sums up the album. Starting out quiet, than busts out with the awesome synths. Than, the mesmerizing "I could corrupt you in a heartbeat" drums in, and oh boy I just know by the sexy lust in his voice pretty much means the rest is gold. Oh, and the "YOU'LL BE CALLING OUT MY NAME" just blurts out, and the metal guitar kicks in, and whoa this song is just non-stop excitement. Not to mention that if you listen throughout the silence at the end, they threw in a one-minute Wrong interlude to end the album. Fantastic job!

Calculated Grade:
99.5 / 130
77% C+

Overall Grade:
B+

I really think that with their new album, they are definitely where they wanna be. I really think they just need to relax a little, and not worry about the charts, but they need to have more busting out music, I really think the electronic / rock / dance / pop genre with this album is really great, and I think they should stick with it for future albums.

Lady GaGa / The Fame

1. Just Dance (10/10)

I loooove this song, and this was definitely a fabulous debut single for Lady GaGa, the sound has become massively popular, and this song is just def killer. The beats are freaking awesome, and the voices of GaGa's friends are portrayed as well. This entire song is VERY catchy, it's a song you just can't hate. :) Great job

2. LoveGame (9/10)

I like this song, it has a great catchy chorus, and beats to die for. This song is a great example for single.

3. Paparazzi (5/10)

No, I don't really like this song. Too many weird beeps and bops, I did not really like it. The verses also don't go with the chorus. None of it makes sense. Sorry, GaGa.

4. Poker Face (10/10)

Fantastic song! Sexy, daring, and downright brilliant. Best single on the record so far. Verses are sexy, and I like the effect of the verses as well. The chorus is amazing, and showcases GaGa's striking vocals. The ending rap is also likable, adds a hot touch to the song. Fantastic :) (Also, check out the Space Cowboy remix of this song, it's better than the original)

5. Eh, Eh (3/10)

Eh, eh, there's nothing else I can say.

6. Beautiful Dirty Rich (9.5/10)

VERY sexy, as well as the sexy music video. Should've been third single.

7. The Fame (10/10)

Cherry cherry BOOM BOOM! You know what they say, the title track of an album is always the best. I love this song with a passion, and everyone else should to. Awesome chorus, btw. *cough*fourthsingle*cough* ;)

8. Money Honey (6/10)

Honey, money won't help out this song. It's okay, I'll give it that, definitely not a hit-screamer like others. That's D-E-C-E-N-T.

9. Starstruck (10/10)

This track is SCREAMING TO BE A SINGLE! Although a bonus track on International editions, this song definitely proves what GaGa has, a hit. A definite undiscovered hit. VERY SEXY.

10. Boys Boys Boys (9.5/10)

I like you a lot lot, think you're really hot hot. Great track, I like it a lot. Delicious.

11. Paper Gangsta (10/10)

This song definitely has potential to be a single, although not as 'bright' as others, that doesn't necessarily mean it's bad. Yes, GaGa has a tendency to do horrible with slow songs, but this one is definitely not like the others. The chorus catches up with the song, and tops it all off. This song is a hit-screamer as well, and probably will do successful if chosen as a single. I'm not sure that this may be a radio-hit as Just Dance or Poker Face, but hey it'll do better than Eh, Eh. Love this song GaGa, great job.

12. Brown Eyes (0/10)

No no no no no no. I'm disappointed with you Lady! :(

13. I Like It Rough (6/10)

Erm, this song is okay, probably not as catchy as the others, but fits in with the album.

14. Summerboy (0/10)

No no no no no no. Yet, another disappointment. :(

Calculated Grade:

98/140

C-

Average Grade:

A-

The Fame is FULL of potential hits and singles, but some were just decent, and even some were just horrible. I expect the remainder of the singles to be picked from this album wisely. But other than that, good job GaGa. Great debut. :)

Britney Spears / Circus [Deluxe Edition]

1. Womanizer (10/10)

What can I say, Britney definitely came back with an outstanding comeback, and this music video was just amazing as well. Britney showed that she is not going anywhere anytime soon, and the lyrics, the video, the beats, the vocals, everything was just top-key. Fantastic job, Britney.

2. Circus (10/10)

Once again, an amazing single from Britney. This video was also awesome, what with the whole theme and everything, it's awesome to see Britney putting on a show for us. This song is really catchy, and I love every bit of it. Another job done fantastic.

3. Out From Under (7/10)

This is a nice little ballad from Britney, I don't particularly favor it, but it is listenable. Hope this isn't really a single, though, although I could picture it.

4. Kill the Lights (8/10)

This song is really cool, although may seem a little cheesy, I still like it. It's a good dance track, with a bust-out rocking chorus.

5. Shattered Glass (4/10)

I don't like this song, but at least it has good beats.

6. If U Seek Amy (10/10)

Awesome! This song is just a fantabulous party song, and very catchy as well! Is promised to be a hit! (And by the way, to all the mothers out there saying their kids say the f word, go fuck yourselves. As Chris Crocker said, pop is sex. Sex is pop. Get over yourself.)

7. Unusual You (10/10) BONUS POINTS: +3

Probably the, best song on the album. Let's talk about the beats. Truly mesmerizing, and I have fallen in love with them. The vocals, always amazing, I mean, it's Britney. ;) The lyrics, beautiful but don't really make sense, why would Britney want someone to break her heart? It's called being a good boyfriend, that's just one thing I don't get. But anyway, this song better be a single, it has so much potential. I can only dream of the remixes..... :)

8. Blur (0/10)

What were you thinking Britney? This song just sucks!

9. Mmm Papi (9.5/10)

Yes, Britney! Yes! This is a very sexy song, great beats and fantastic guitars! Mmm Britney, love you! :D

10. Mannequin (10/10)

What a sexy song. The song starts out with the classic booming bass, and the siren beeps (classic Britney). I particularly favor the vocals collaborating together, very sensual. VERY good song. :)

11. Lace and Leather (2/10)

This sounds way too like Paris Hilton. Sorry, Britney.

12. My Baby (1/10)

SOUNDS YUCKY. 1 point for the cute lyrics. :)

13. Radar (10/10)

One of my favorites from Blackout :) This song is just fantastic, and I love how they made it a bonus track on Circus, since it was supposed to be released a single from Blackout. Really hot track from Britney.

14. Rock Me In (9/10)

I like this song a lot, and the chorus is just so awesome! Love the beat and the bass, as well as the vocals! :)

15. Phonography (10/10)

SEXIEST SONG ON CIRCUS. No lie. This should be released as a single, lol. Or at least as a b-side. :)

Calculated Grade:

113.5/150

C

Overall Grade:

A

Britney has definitely outdone herself, as proved with Circus, and this album is bound to be full of hits. Fantastic job, Britney, I know you will do awesome the next time as well. :)

Royksopp / Junior

1. Happy Up Here (9/10)

I really love the jams and beats of this song, and mentioning the awesome light sample from "Eple", this track really opens up Junior. Great choosing for first single.

2. The Girl and the Robot featuring Robyn (9.5/10)

This track opens up with some awesome bass sounds and kicks in with Robyn's striking vocals. This track literally gave me goosebumps, which automatically entails that the song must be a hit. Definitely worthy of being a single.

3. Vision One (10/10)

This song is the stand-out for the album. Let's see-- great vocals, awesome lyrics, sexy beats, and definitely should be a single. Whoever that woman is who sings in this song is definitely a great singer.

4. This Must Be It (8.5/10)

Very interesting song actually, I like all of the bass sounds, as well as the background vocals sound definitely interesting. I gave it an extra .5 for the awesome ending beats.

5. Royksopp Forever (9/10)

This track starts out with the busting bass booms and the mesmerizing strings, then busts out with a sort-of Eminem feel to it. The strings kick in more heavily, and so do the special effects. This track has really got an epic feel to it. This instrumental track has really got it all, actually. Great job Royksopp. :)

6. Miss It So Much (7/10) 

This song has a great feel to it, and the woman's voice is definitely unique. This song may have something special to it, I just haven't figured it out yet. I'm gonna have to get used to this one.

7. Tricky Tricky (8.5/10)

Great dance track, really stands out from the others. This track is a big bust-out song, and I like that a lot. Sounds decent.

8. You Don't Have a Clue (6.5/10)

This woman's voice is very soft but very strong and dreamy. Her voice really compliment's the interesting beats and boops of the song, as well as the striking opera bolting out voices. Unfortunately, it's one of the "ehh" tracks on the album, kind of really slows down Junior. :( I gave it an extra .5 for this woman's voice. :)

9. Silver Cruiser (7/10)

I do favor the piano takes in the beginning of the song, and also the strings compliment the song. This track is boring though, and also slows down Junior, but it is a nice track, and I'll give it that.

10. True to Life (9/10)

Dance track! Majorly! :) This track totally rocks, I love the woman's voice and the awesome drums. The beat is also awesome, as well as the lyrics. I also like the chorus a lot. :) A lot of great electronic beeps and bops, great track to dance to. :)

11. It's What I Want (2/10)

I would like this song more if it was an instrumental. :/ Sorry Royksopp, this was not good. At all.

BEST SONG: "Vision One"

WORST SONG: "It's What I Want"

Calculate Grade: 

86/110

C+

My Overall Grade:

A-

I thought Junior was a great album because it had a lot of great dance / electronic songs, and the beats were just literally amazing, as well as the vocals. The album had some slow - downs, but the album usually just picked up and went on with greater tracks. Great job, Royksopp.