Happy Anniversary, Blackout!

Britney Spears' 2007 album turns 3 today and I think it's only fitting for STM to dedicate this special post to celebrate the anniversary of this kick ass album. Dubbed as "Blackout," the album's title refers to "blacking out negativity and embracing life fully". True enough coz this album turned out to be a pivotal point in Britney's personal life. She may not be at her best state at the time but Spears managed to come out with one of the best pop-dance-rnb driven albums ever! She was even the executive producer of this album, something she's never done before with her previous efforts.

The album sold 124,000 copies on its first day of release in the US, with sales of 290,000 units in its first week, making it debut at number 2 on Billboard's 200 albums chart. It went on to sell like hot cakes and to date, it has already sold 987,000 copies in the US alone, with total sales of 3.1 million copies worldwide. It also gave Britney a year full of awards including her three-peat win at the 2008 MTV VMAs for "Best Female Video", "Best Pop Video" and "Video of the Year" for the hit "Piece of Me".

With 4 singles "Gimme More", "Piece of Me", "Break The Ice" and "Radar", Blackout is a testament that Britney Spears is the true queen of the dance floor and the only pop artist this generation who could make the bitches go wild on stage.

STM World Premiere: Firework - Katy Perry

It's finally here! Katy Perry's new video for "Firework," the third single off her latest album "Teenage Dream" and follow-up to monster hits "California Gurls" and "Teenage Dream" has finally been released! Checkout the video below! Enjoy!

STM Teaser: Firework - Katy Perry

Can hardly wait for Katy Perry's new video? Well, the teaser for Katy's music video for "Firework" is now out and you can check it below in full HD glory! Enjoy!

The STM Experience: Adam Lambert's "Glam Nation Tour" Live in Manila

I was lucky enough to have been able to watch one of this year's best-selling concerts! Courtesy of my friend's friend, who happens to be working with the concert's production team, we were able to get hold of VVIP tickets to Adam Lambert's "Glam Nation Tour" at the Mall of Asia Open Grounds last 10.10.10 (October 10, 2010). This is another "dream concert" for me so I was very excited to go.

We arrived at the venue at exactly 8pm. No problem though, coz concerts in the Philippines rarely start on time. (Haha!) The opening act Paraluman already up the stage at 8pm and performed for 30 minutes. When they finished their set, a playlist consisting of current pop music was played to include Lady GaGa's "Bad Romance", Ke$ha's "Take It Off" and Katy Perry's "Teenage Dream". The audience never got bored waiting for Adam Lambert's set which didn't start until 9:30pm. While preparing the stage for Lambert's set, his picture suddenly flashed on the LCD and the audience screamed!

The concert was divided into three parts which Adam describes: “In the beginning, it is mysterious, seductive and a little bit dark. And then the middle section is very vulnerable, strip down, acoustic arrangement, very honest. And the last one is very over the top and fun and lots of dancing.”

When Adam finally went up the stage at 9:30pm, the concert grounds with 20,000 people went wild! The concert started with a medley of "VooDoo", "For Your Entertainment", "Down the Rabbit Hole" and a rendition of Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire". People started to get off their seats and dance. Very nice crowd, I should say. Very participative. After the number, Adam uttered these words: "Finally, a concert in Manila! Finally in the Philippines!" which received a loud response from the audience. Though I think the most memorable moment during this part of the concert was when Lambert kissed, yes, kissed (in the lips) his bandmate-boyfriend who happens to be the same person he kissed during his controversial performance at the American Music Awards. I believe it was during his performance of "Fever" which is by the way, a song written by Lady GaGa.

The second part of the concert includes some of Adam's slow tempo tempo songs like "Soaked", "Aftermath" "Broken Open", "Sleepwalker" and the fan favorite "Whataya Want From Me" in acoustic style! It was very heart-warming. Adam feeling each and every song he's singing. Definitely sang from his heart.

Come third part of the concert, the energy was already up the ceiling and when Lambert started singing "Strut" the audience had no choice but stand up and dance. The best part I should was the ending song when he started to perform the mega hit "If I Had You". Audience sang their hearts out and were literally jumping in excitement, me included. There was also an encore song, which is his signature AI song, "Mad World".

Overall, I would say that this is definitely the best way to celebrate 10.10.10 and I surely had a blast. It was a night of pure glam rock, dancing, having fun and letting it all out! Truly one memorable concert for me.

Thank you very much, Mr. Adam Lambert! Mahal ka namin!

SET LIST:

• Voodoo
• For Your Entertainment
• Down The Rabbit Hole
• Ring of Fire
• Fever
• Sleepwalker
• Whataya Want From Me
• Soaked
• Broken Open
• Aftermath
• Sure Fire Winners
• Strut
• Music Again
• If I Had You
• Mad World

Checkout some pictures (courtesy of Ed Arevalo) and videos (courtesy of suz526) below:

OPENING MEDLEY

FEVER

STRUT

IF I HAD YOU

MAD WORLD

STM Album Review: The Other Side of Down - David Archuleta

TRACKLIST:

1. The Other Side Of Down
2. Something ‘Bout Love
3. Elevator
4. Stomping The Roses
5. Who I Am
6. Falling Stars
7. Parachutes And Airplanes
8. Look Around
9. Good Place
10. Complain
11. Things Are Gonna Get Better
12. My Kind Of Perfect

Two years after the release of his self-titled debut album, David Archuleta is now ready to give us “The Other Side of Down.” Having written 10 out of the 12 cuts from this CD, Archuleta describes “TOSOD” as a “more personal” and “meaningful” album. If I am to describe this album, I think I’d use the same words as Archuleta’s. This is another side of David we have yet to hear, know and discover, very different from the pop-R&B sound of his debut album.

If “David Archuleta” is an awesome pop-R&B album, then “TOSOD” is a perfect album. Literally “perfect” lyrics-wise and melody-wise. Add to that Archie’s “perfect” vocals and you have one of the best pop albums this decade.

Archuleta and his team of writers were actually able to duplicate the feeling of excitement we got from Archie’s debut album and not only that, I think the excitement was multiplied 12x this time around. I literally have no tracks to skip on this effort and I just love the fact that each cut has a different feel to it. There’s a little dance-pop element on “Something ‘Bout Love” and “Look Around”; a little pop-rock flavor on “Good Place”; there are David’s heartfelt love songs like “Complain,” “Things Are Gonna Get Better” and “My Kind of Perfect” and not to forget the awesome pop cuts like “Parachutes and Airplanes,” “Who I Am” and the new single, “Elevator”.

My favorite cuts from this album would definitely include the pop-rock anthem “Stomping the Roses”. You just gotta love the addicting melody of the song. I also find it amusing that Archuleta is finally singing an “I-Hate-You” song. Very Kelly Clarkson!

Another “TOSOD” cut I love is the tear-jerker “Falling Stars”. Produced by the people behind David’s mega hit “Crush”, “Falling Stars” starts as a piano-driven ballad and eventually turns into a pop-R&B track with killer bits. Not to mention the genius lyrics about lost love and breaking-up.

Last but definitely not the least, who wouldn’t love the album’s title track, “The Other Side of Down”? If you wanna get inspired, I suggest you listen to this song with killer lyrics about trying to stay positive about anything and everything in life.

Overall, I would say that TOSOD is a very solid pop album. This disc is something that pop music lovers would definitely enjoy listening to, over and over again. There’s no way for this boy but up. He has truly managed to grow a lot on this effort. And I think, aside from the beautiful melodies on “TOSOD”, an added bonus is the fact that David Archuleta was able to translate all his feelings into great pop songs which aren’t only great to listen to, but great to relate to as well.

REPEAT: Stomping The Roses, Falling Stars, The Other Side of Down, Parachutes and Airplanes, Who I Am

SINGLE-WORTHY TRACKS: Stomping The Roses, Falling Stars, The Other Side of Down

STM RATING:

"The Other Side of Down" Blog Contest

Calling all Archietects!

To celebrate the release of David Archuleta's new album, "The Other Side of Down", STM is giving away one (1) copy of the CD to one (1) lucky blog reader of STM!

Here's what you need to do:

 1) Follow STM's official twitter account @stmusicblog.

 2) Tweet the following message: "@stmusicblog I deserve to win a copy of David Archuleta's new album, "The Other Side of Down". You only have to tweet the message once.

 3) When you're done tweeting, let your friends comment this message directly under this particular blog post: "STM, my friend (your Twitter account here) deserves to win a copy of David Archuleta's new album, "The Other Side of Down"."

Example: STM, my friend @stmusicblog deserves to win a copy of David Archuleta's new album, "The Other Side of Down".

 4) The person with most recommendations from friends wins!

Winner will be announced on October 22, 11:59pm (Manila Time) and will be contacted through Twitter.

NOTE: Contest is open WORLDWIDE but you have to be a follower of the blog's official twitter account (@stmusicblog) to be eligible to win.