New Picks of the Week August 8, 2010

It truly is a passion of mine to find new music out there that is worth while. Every now and then I am very proud of what I’ve stumbled upon. “Don’t Unplug Me” by All Caps is one of those. The duo consisting of youngsters Kristina Horner and Luke Conard have only been together for a year. Based out of Los Angeles, they combine techno and pop with a sound that isn’t all that original. But the lyrics of this tune are very clever. “Don’t unplug me or just shut me down. Please just love me with your steel heart. I’d reboot you if you looked at me with those cold eyes one more time.” Or better yet: “I remember when our software was compatible.” And it’s not very often that I notice a song based on its lyrics before its music, or in this case, in despite of the music. Yet, I recommend giving it a listen.


Speaking of getting one of the first scoops on new music, it was a little over a year ago that I was very impressed with this young artist from right here in Minnesota, Adam Young, a.k.a. Owl City. Now of course, he is a national sensation with his #1 smash “Fireflies”. What is not extremely well known is that he is a Christian and often makes references to his faith in his music. “Tidal Wave” is definitely a song that calls for God’s glory and salvation. He sings “Lift your arms, only Heaven knows where the danger grows and it’s safe to say there’s a bright light up ahead and help is on the way.” Looks like Mr. Young has another hit on his hands.


Pop-punk has died a slow death this past year, but there are plenty of bands that continue to have fun jumping and singing to their power happy beats. “I Don’t Wanna Dance” by Florida rock quintet Hey Monday definitely fits the mold. It’s a fun dance rock tune led by the simple yet powerful lyrical singing of 20-year old Cassadee Pope (who by the way got her start in her middle school jazz band...I like that!). And this is not my first pick by this band. You might remember “How You Love Me Now” from last fall which made my cut.

Chart Highlights:
It’s been a pretty sweet chart run so far for 37-year old rap superstar Eminem. His latest hit, “Love The Way You Lie” featuring Rihanna spent its first three weeks in the Top 100 at #2. Now it spends its third straight week at #1. The song it displaced from #1 was “California Gurls” by Katy Perry featuring Snoop Dogg which had a six week run at #1. It now spends its third week at #2. So these two megahits have been throwing a 1-2 punch at us now for six consecutive weeks.

And wouldn’t it be something if the 25-year old California girl returned the favor knocking Eminem back out of the top spot. It could happen with “California Gurls” or her brand new hit, “Teenage Dream” which rockets from 20-7 this week making it easily the biggest mover in the Top 40 this week.

Last week “Teenage Dream” was the highest debuting song in the Top 40 when it came in at #20. The highest debut comes in at the #20 position again this week. This time it is Atlanta country duo Sugarland that bows with “Stuck Like Glue”. It is already their second biggest hit to “All I Want To Do” which reached #18 in 2008.

Also debuting this week in the Top 40 is past Pick of the Week “Club Can’t Handle Me” by Flo Rida featuring David Guetta at #33. It is Flo Rida’s fourth Top 40 career hit. Another Pick of the Week from just last week, Bruno Mars’ “Just The Way You Are” debuts at #36. And Cali Swag District’s “Teach Me How To Dougie” is in at #37.

For more, visit my website www.songerstudio.com.