Autotune

The great thing about pop music is that it reserves itself in your memory as a distinct representative of a time in your life. Every once in awhile, the song goes beyond this idea and becomes a cultural icon, something to define a generation, at least in a canonical sense. Think MMMbop. But when that happens, the song really only puts things in an historical perspective. When I hear MMMbop, I don't dance, because I may or may not be having a history lesson from 1997. Thus, I must cling to the pop songs that succeed in attracting only MY eye, and not the general population. And, you know, it's amazing how fast a pop song can become absolutely miserable to endure. Bleeding Love may go down as the best song of 2008, but after 8 months of that song, it's like pulling teeth. So fuck that song. What we (or less pretentiously, I) must do is record the three pop songs from 2008 that will hopefully be retrofied by college students in 20 years. That thought comforts me.

3. Leaving by Jesse McCartney- Forget the lyrics or message; the initial happiness created from the opening computer twerks of this song never lets up.

2. Can't Believe It (Remix) by T-Pain and Justin Timberlake- Fuck you Lil Wayne. This version never lets go with its catchiness. Try not humming it. Try it. Also, the argument over Autotune has to stop. Who cares? Whether or not it adds to the song, it's part of it. No one wants to hear this song live anyways. It's best to listen to in the car or with all your white friends.

1.Forever by Chris Brown- Impossible not to smile when this song comes on. If anyone can step up to the ranks of Michael Jackson, look for Chris Brown and perhaps Timberlake. A Herculean task, yes, but have you listened to these songs? Forever undeniably challenges the rift between art and kitsch. Whereas film has established a post-apocalyptic trend, Chris Brown just wants to dance.


Fuego.