The Best of 2008-Hits & Comebacks

Talking about hits, we couldn't escape that this year 2 diva Mariah Carey and Madonna scores their latest No 1 single in US (Billboard 17th no 1 "Touch My Body") and UK (Singles Chart with 13th no 1 "4 Minutes") respective making them the most no 1 singles ever for a female artist to top their charts.

Rihanna also top the 2008 billboard chart multiples times from "Take A Bow", "Disturbia" and lastest guest featuring at T.I.'s "Live Your Live". This gain her 5th no.1 single and the most of this decade at the Billboard chart. With her reloaded version of Good Girl Gone Bad, Rihanna is still riding on the top of the waves.

The biggest no 1 singles of the year would be Flo Rida's Low, Leona Lewis's Bleeding Love, Lil Wayne's Lollipop, Katy Perry's I Kiss A Girl, T.I.'s Whatever You Like and Live Your Live.

As for the welcome comebacks, I wouldn't miss the pop princess-turned diva, Britney. Her 2008 album Circus is her best yet.The lead single womenizer also become the greatest leap in billboard chart from 96 to 1.

Pink, Mariah, Madonna and Beyonce all also sparks off their fire prior of their album releases.Pink & Beyonce incoperate their previous success formula into this year's Funhouse and I am...Sasha Fiercehad proven to be another success too.

The Best of 2008-New arrivals

The year started out with me myself waiting eagerly for Leona Lewis to reach our shores. Without a doubt, her "bleeding love" had become the biggest hits of the year. This british conquer the world and tipped as the next diva to come. Within a year her debut album SPIRIT had repackaged to celebrate her success.

Another hot on heels, imported from the same UK music, DUFFY is the other merciless chart-topper around the world with her album ROCKFERRY, and monster hit, MERCY. So much to the second Amy Winehouse, she continues the wave of soulful sound. The new voices which arrives along with the soul-sound waves includes, Adele, Sharleen Spiteri and the lastest sensation, Leon Jackson. Leon Jackson is tipped as the next Leona Lewis from the UK's X-Factor.

Talking about X-factors, of course you cannot escape American Idol, the yearly winner, David Cook had put out his debut album to shine for the coming months. His rival, David Archuleta also follows closely with his debut that includes the hit CRUSH. Long awaited previous finalist, but academy winner, Jennifer Hudson finally release her more commercially in trend album "Spotlights".

Katy Perry, another monster act which you could hardly miss as she breaking the charts worldwide with her I KISS A GIRL and HOT N COLD, which very much being the answer from US to UK's Lily Allen. Both fun, uniquely written lyrics of the teenage pop music.A transition into the english pop world, the swedish DJ/singer Basshunter had also pull of a strings of dance hits around the world with NOW YOU'RE GONE album.

ALBUM REPACKAGE

It used to be a common tactic used in Asian records, but lately it's getting to be common within the English records. There often had a small reason to starts off.

There are times where the artists happens to have a good track which too good to miss out, however would be at the wrong timing to put out in later records. Examples are Mariah Carey's The Emancipations of Mimi. "Don't Forget about us" is consider to be more comply with the record but was written just right after she release the album.

During USHER's Confessions, the re-release edition includes the leftover tracks from the original tracklist selections and adding "My Boo" a duet with Alicia Keys to complete the album as whole.

In Rihanna's Good Girl Gone Bad(2007) cases, due to the album success and her attempt to slow down her production rate, previously one album a year, the Reloaded edition is equipped another 3 remarkable singles(which 2 of it gone up no.1 spot) which able to retain her fame throughout 2008 before she release the new album in 2009.

However, the re-releases means a marks of celebration for the album's success. As like those above mention and also The Dairy Of Alicia Keys, Maroon 5's outbreak success of Songs About Jane, One Republic's Dreaming Out Loud.

There are also failure effort with the new re-release to attempt to make it success. Like Beyonce's B-Day, the re-release edition adding 4 extra tracks with hit singles of Shakira duets " Beautiful Liar" and a bonus DVD of 10 music videos of from the tracks on B-Day. When B-Day is released, the first two singles "Deja-vu" and Ring The Alarm" had not score her any no 1, and after the good sales of the initial selling upon release, the album received a lot of unfavourable responses. Not until the 3rd single "Irreplaceable" and "Listen", B-day start receiving more attention than previous. The quick idea of deluxe edition quickly employed to heighten the impact. Now its 3 times platinum record. Beyonce soon to be release album "I am....Saaha Fierce" will also follows the footstep of its precessdor with a deluxe version on plans.

Back in a couples years, repackaged album are mostly adding with new remixes of plugged singles or re-make collabrations or bonus music videos and B-sides are thrown along into the parcel. Examples as in Jennifer Lopez 's J.Lo. reissue with the remix of I'M REAL REMIX, which gives her a push back on top of the chart. Enrique Iglesias and Shakira also did the same on album 7 and ORAL FIXATION vol II, when they release singles NOT IN LOVE ft Kelis and HIP DON'T LIE ft WYclef Jean.

The repackaging album culture now had become almost a must in order to archieve the maximum sales. With Rihanna's Good Girl Turn Bad: Reloaded set off the trend of adding new materials and potential hit singles, more albums picking up the success formula. It proven to be sales encouraging.

Those forthcoming repackage albums being lined up to be release had Leona Lewis's Spirit (ft new single FORGIVE ME), Duffy's Rockferry (ft RAIN ON MY PARADE) , Alicia Keys As I Am, (ft ANOTHER WAY TO DIE).

It become an easier task to choose the next big hit for the stars by making a new track rather than risking to choose another track from the piles of left over.As usually by the time to put out another single, the remaining tracks are less interesting. When digital downloads are more convinient lately, often seen that album side tracks easily gather attentions without any publicity.

Downsizing of the big stars?

Already voiced out from the billboard commenter, this year of 2008, couples of big names trying hard to score the billboard chart top slot but come in a big flash and ended wounded or die trying. Let me list a couple down here.


Mariah Carey E=MC2
No 1 single “ Touch My Body” and No 1 album with satisfying sales result as this year’s 6th bestselling album up to date and certified as platinum.
Follow up 2 singles failed to reach the top 20.

Madonna/ Hard Candy
No 1 album and sold more than 3 millions and lead single “4 minutes” a no 3 on billboard while it’s a worldwide no 1
2nd single “Give it to me” failed to enter top 50.

Usher/ Here I Stand
No 1 album with No 1 single “Love In The Club”
Follow up singles failed to perform as the lead. Album sales had not match even half of expectations.

Janet Jackson/ Discipline
No 1 album in the debut week.
All four singles failed to make it into the top 10, making her label ceases all promotional activities. Album sales are poor still.

Does this sound corny? Or you do agree? The superstars are too hold on to their signature tunes, while those making the highlights are newcomers with a fresh breath of sounds like Leona Lewis, Katy Perry, T.I., Jonas Brothers, etc. Admit it, the waves of a new generations had come over on them. However, I am pretty sure the public stills welcome their comebacks. Hail to Britney and Pink!......

David Archuleta(US) vs Leon Jackson(UK)

The lastest rival to be produced by Simon Cornwell.David is the famous runner-up of the america idol while the latter is the 2007 winner of Britain's X-factor. FYI, both competitions also a creation by Simon Cwell. Leon jackson will be the latest instalments from the success of previous X-Factor winners just like Shayne Wards & Leona Lewis.

David's first solo single, Crush, the lead from his self-titled album for release in November 08, is heating up in the net and the radiowaves, had made its debut at no. 2. He is sounded more pop/soul/r&B, similar to Jesse McCartney.

Leon Jackson released 2 solo singles, When you believe (cover of Mariah & Whitney duet, a Xmas no.1 of 2007) & Don't Call this love (no.3). The latter become his lead single from his debut album, right now. Just similar to Leona Lewis's Bleeding love, first step into the industry as a recording artist, with some sounds of adult pop comtemporary, modern jazz, and soul.

Their similarity are their baby face looking (Image) and big voice singing skills which happens to be conquering the pop world from both side of the world. With their releases on Oct and Nov, they will become the pop icon in 2009.

Girl Group In Return

The long awaited members of Destiny’s Child are back. Michelle Willams had released 2 gospel album under her solo name had achieve a small success in gospel region. This new 3rd solo act of her had moving away into the territory of contemporary R&B. First single “We Break The Dawn”, already a no 1 hits on the dance chart, closely follows by the second single, “The Greatest”. Get back to you soon with a review, after I digest the album……

The famous DC member, Beyonce also returning with her third solo act, rumors to be the final from her, in end of year...... Kelly Rowland also releasing her Ms Kelly:Diva Deluxe, add wit 3 new tracks, ft "Daylight"

Pussycat Dolls, PCD, already hot on heels with their comeback single “When I Grow Up” will release “The Doll Domination” next month. But now you can hear their new-found 2nd generations, Girlicious, their preview of her album on the playlist in posted area. Founded from PCD’s reality show, the four members of Natalie Mejia, Nichole Cordova, Chrystina Sayers, and Tiffanie Anderson. Carrying mix of PCD elements but sounded more bumblegum pop as like Hilary Duffy, Miley Cyrus in a horny versions.

In 2005, P.Diddy formed Danity Kane in the MTV reality show, Making the Band 3. Danity Kane had returned to release their second studio album Welcome to the Dollhouse which debuted at #1 on the main charts, making them to be the first girl group in history to have both there debut and sophomore album make it onto the US Billboard top 200 charts at #1 in the first week of release. Already a hit in my playlist, “Damaged”, is now followed by the 2nd single from the album “Bad Girl”Another one just in, the Sugababes are also returning with their stunning new single "GIRLS" from their up-coming album in October 08. A rockier, up-tempo and yet still suga-soulfully taste....

Return of the NKOTB,

New Kids On The Block is another returning act from the late 80’s to 90’s. (Presuming everyone knew this) Hot on heels, after their waning popularity in 94, and couples attempts of reunion, this time they had make it with the first single SUMMERTIME.

They actually remind me that the times I was in my schooling times. The first English album I ever brought. “Step by Step” was a hit back in the days, and having me humming the song all the time. Fairly had much recognizes in them, their return had turned me back into their history and what they are famous for. Another sign to shows that I am riding on the moving timeline, and its traveling faster each year.

Now mature in a manhood version of NKOTB, are not weak as a pop act. Being the pioneer of the boy band, they certainly can create a new pathway for mature boybands’ comeback.

THE BLOCK is out now featuring singles "Summertime", "Single ft Ne-Yo"

Joger's Music Blog begins now

I had showcase my interest on multiply.com, facebook, now this is the blog will keep all my entries. See you around.