Tag: Charlie Puth

Charlie Puth feat. Boyz II Men – If You Leave Me Now

“It is good at what it is meant to be.”

Tom: I wouldn’t normally touch Charlie Puth’s high-pitched low-effort pop whining with a bargepole—

Tim: Ooh, that’s a bit…

Tom: (and if you think that’s harsh, you didn’t have to hear Attention on US radio stations every damn hour while in California).

Tim: Oh, fair enough.

Tom: But that’s a hell of a “Feat.” up in the title, so I gave this a listen.

Tom: I expected a Boyz II Men song. I got a Boyz II Men song. And somehow that made it all okay. Because they are still going; they are still, I think, the best at what they do; and while this is still a long way from the Europop we once set out to talk about here, I think it’s still a good track for its genre.

Tim: Hmmmmmmm….yes. I mean, I kind of have to agree with that, because it is, but it’s also, for me at least, throughly dull. But yes, I will grant it that it is good at what it is meant to be.

Tom: Yes, maybe it’s a minute too long. Yes, maybe a few more beats per minute would be a good idea. And, yes, of course we’d both prefer it if someone added a banging donk to it.

Tim: Well, obviously.

Tom: That said, it’s got a key change and a middle eight, so I’ll take it.

Charlie Puth – Dangerously

“That sounded a lot less harsh in my head.”

Tim: Tom, I am DONE with Tropical Fridays – it’s November now, single digit temperatures and I’ve spent the last two weeks moaning about it, so let’s call it quits. Though that does leave me with nothing right now. What’ve you got?

Tom: The fourth single from Charlie Puth’s album. I know, but stick with me.

Tom: Ooh. Actually good, I reckon. It’s as if OneRepublic replaced their lead singer with someone with a more generic voice. Hmm. That sounded a lot less harsh in my head.

Tim: No, I’d take that as a compliment – it’s is good, and very listenable. The guy gets a lot of flak, and I’ve never really understood why – he’s got a great voice, even if it is somewhat generic.

Tom: The composition is great, and the production is some of the best I’ve heard in a while. That subtle harmony effect on the choruses is lovely. In fact, it’s a rare song where the middle eight is worse than the verse, but that’s happened here. Damn it, that also sounded a lot less harsh in my head.

Tim: Yes, but only because it’s a fairly high standard you’re comparing that middle eight to – still better than many.

Tom: That said, I’m now going to ruin this song for you, and for anyone else who reads this: “I love you, Dangerous Lee.”

Tim: Ha, glad I’m not the only one who heard that. Think we need to investigate who Lee is and what he’s done.

Charlie Puth feat. Meghan Trainor – Marvin Gaye

“That’s an awful lyric but an amazing song.”

Tim: Prediction: we’ll disagree here.

Tom: Oh bloody hell, that’s an awful lyric but an amazing song.

Tim: Huh. I guess not, then. So, we’ve a video straight out of one of the more risqué episodes of Glee (I really hope those kids have had decent sex ed classes) and a song from a PG rated High School Musical.

Tom: With a bit more blatant product placement, too. Although this is one of those videos that probably isn’t suitable for kids despite being, you know, technically suitable for kids.

Tim: I happen to think it’s a very enjoyable track, though that may be because I heard it on the radio before knowing what it was. That probably says something about my predisposition to dislike some artists, actually, but we can discuss my shortcomings some other time. For the time being, well, there’s not actually much to say.

Tom: It’s lovely!

Tim: Well there’s that I suppose, and it is.

Tom: Apart from that horrible, cringeworthy lyric. The rest of it is wonderful, the composition, the performance, everything: it’s just an amazingly clunky line.

Tim: You see I don’t mind it, though that may be because the melody of the lines is just brilliant. It is very much of the no messing around variety, often pleasantly refreshing, while the music is performing the potentially daring act of slightly channelling the indicated style. All very nice, really, and I’m pleased I heard it before knowing who sang it.