James Maguire article "Hits of the Week"

This Week's Hits: Eminem, Justin Timberlake, Clay Aiken
From James Maguire,
Your Guide to Top 40 / Pop.
FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!

And the voting continues...
9/4/04
Eminem has a new rap tune that's making its way into America's ears, not to mention its iPods and hit music charts. Called "Just Lose It" the new track is really quite cool. It's bouncy and catchy. And it's Slim Shady at his best -- irreverent without being nasty, bouncing around as if it's all just for fun, but really creatively crafted.

One of his real innovations – and why he became so popular – is that you can clearly hear his lyrics. In this tune the words jump here and there, taking swipes at modern life (and Michael Jackson) and making wide ranging cultural references (like James Brown.) Eminem still has the stuff.

The best-selling album in America this week is Green Day's American Idiot, which hit No. 1 in its first week out.

Having built a fan base during the '90s, the art rock band is still blowin' strong, with its blazing guitars and rapid drum beats.
If you sit at Starbucks sipping an espresso and listening to Green Day on your iPod -- which millions of joyfully underemployed slackers are doing right now -- your heart rate resembles that of a humming bird. 1700 beats minute. I'm not sure it's healthy but it's oddly fun.

Right behind Green Day is Nelly's Suit, followed by country hunkster Keith Urban's Be Here. Urban has a sensitive but strong sound that really works.

Funny thing is, right behind Urban is Nelly again -- yup, that's right, Nelly has both the No. 2 and No. 4 albums on the chart. He released them at the same time -- and they're both doing well. How's that for success?

And I almost have to chuckle as the Norah Jones CD vaults up the charts. Her second disc, Feels Like Home, has already moved 4 million units, and this week catapulted from No. 59 to No. 38. If this one keeps going -- like her first disc did -- every man, woman and child on the planet will have one.

The Top 40 chart has a new No. 1. The tune is "Goodies" by Ciara and Petey Pablo. It's music at its most disposable. Totally formulaic, made by machines not humans, it has a vague R&B groove. Though I shudder to sully the term "R&B" by associating it with this song.

On a lighter note, I still get a giggle out of the stage name "Petey Pablo." It's impossible to say it out loud without hearing how silly it sounds. Years from now, Mr. Pablo -- whatever his real name is -- will wonder what his manager was thinking.

Then again, the tune is also No. 1 on the Hot 100. So what do I know? He's laughing all the way to the bank. Jeez, I maybe I should change my name to Petey...

Right behind Mr. Pablo on the Top 40 chart is Maroon 5's "She Will Be Loved," followed by Avril Lavigne's "My Happy Ending." The tune keeps climbing. Avril's brand of to-hell-with-you unhappiness resonates with today's young women, which says something profound, if you think about it. I guess they need it.

Ms. Lavigne will sing the theme song to SpongeBob SquarePants in the animated movie about the popular character. I'm sure that when historians are trying to figure out our civilization 4,000 years from now, they'll be completely mystififed by Avril's rendition of SpongeBob. Huh? what's this? they'll ask.

I'm not even sure I get it right now. Asking a melancholic singer to render a light-hearted character's soundtrack? Maybe it will work out better than it sounds.

The most downloaded single in the universe this week is U2's "Vertigo." The tune has a pared down, hard-driving sound -- it's classic U2. But it won't be remembered as one of their better tunes. In place of a melody they just sort of jam. It's okay, just not too memorable.

Amazingly, Kelly Clarkson's "Breakaway" is at No. 7 in the popular download list. The tune has legs -- it won't stop. A major achievement for Clarkson.

Yes, it'll be a red letter day in the ClayNation. Due out this week -- on October 5 -- is the Aladdin DVD with Clay Aiken's "Proud of Your Boy" video. I've heard of no bootleg versions, so this will be a first glimpse (though concert goers got a sneak peek). Expect a sales tsunami as the disc flies off the shelves. Probably an even bigger blitz, however, will be when he does his marathon of talk show appearances in mid November, before his book release. He'll talk about his life for an hour with Larry King -- the longest interview ever by the mild-mannered tenor.

Justin Timberlake will act in the upcoming film "Alpha Dog," about the youngest drug dealers ever to make the FBI most wanted list. Timberlake looks pretty tough in the publicity photo -- well, sort of. At any rate he has now officially left behind his boy-toy image as a member of N'Sync. There's an image shift: from cuddly boy band member to hard guy actor. I guess we've all changed...

About poll: Who's your favorite artist -- this week? Go to poll

Choices: Eminem, Green Day, Kelly Clarkson, U2, Hilary Duff, Keith Urban, Avril Lavigne, Nelly, Clay Aiken, Justin Timberlake.
Computer/Web Hosting Services Provided by Blogger and HostDepartment.com. Thank you.