"If Everyone Cared" by Nickelback from All the Right Reasons

"If everyone shared and swallowed their pride then we'd see the day when nobody died" sums up this song's message and pinpoints a Christian's hesitation with it. "If Everyone Cared" is the sixth single Nickelback released from its 2005 album All the Right Reasons in the U.S. and the fourth worldwide (with a few exceptions).

In "If Everyone Cared" the Canadian band declares that, if everyone cared enough to band together to help others, they would eliminate world problems, and the music video accents that with the tales it includes of people caring enough to work for betterment, improving others' lives. Apparently funds from the sale of this single go to certain charities like Amnesty International.

My hesitation comes from the assumption that everyone banding together would eliminate world hunger and such. I'd guess that the Nickelback members would claim that man (in the human sense) is basically good. In my worldview of people being innately selfish and sinful and unable to care for others apart from the grace of God, this philosophy doesn't fly so well. Though it could probably be argued that my issue's a matter of thinking the band's humanistic dream impossible.

The song's a standard short pop but softer rock with a nice beginning that doesn't go much of anywhere, musicwise. It sounds… normal. Nothing special, besides the older voice of Chad Kroeger that reminds me of Newsong. (I think of it as "rough"; I'm not sure what the technical term is, musically.)

Despite the short length of "If Everyone Cared", it's extremely repetitive. I grant them kudos for an admirable idea, but I really won't be looking for this song to listen to on my own; not my preferred sound.

The song's currently offered on the band's MySpace page if you want to listen.

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Lyrics: 3/5
Music: 3/5
Vocal(s): 4/5
Overall: 7/10

"Because of You" by Kelly Clarkson from Breakaway

"Because of you / I find it hard to trust / not only me, but everyone around me…" sums up this song. Kelly Clarkson, with her superb and amazingly flexible and strong vocals, sings the haunting song "Because of You".

With the music video, the song's narrator speaks to someone, probably her father, whose use of her as an emotional crutch when she was also hurting has handicapped her. He in his pain insisted that none around him show any signs of "weakness" (like crying), not realizing that others were also hurting.

The emotional pain comes through powerfully in the song, one of Kelly Clarkson's more personal ones. She wrote it at sixteen, though she says she's since recovered from much of the pain with God's help. "Because of You" still stands as a lament to her troubled background.

Though the vocals are, as usual, Kelly Clarkson's strong point, the music still melds with above-average quality with her voice. The music of this gentle pop rock ballad doesn't get noticed much if you focus on enjoying Kelly.

Overall, it's a lovely rock ballad, even if something about the sound doesn't make it my personal preference.

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Lyrics: 5/5
Music: 4/5
Vocal(s): 5/5
Overall: 9/10

"Even If" by ZOEGirl from Life

"If what's left of me is taken, I will not be shaken" from my faith in God, sing the friends that comprised ZOEgirl. For more upbeat pop rock—i.e., teenybopper—the band ZOEgirl probably helped define its sound in the Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) realm. The ladies can sing, and they have decent music, which is more than most CCM can claim.

"Even If" declares that no matter what happens in life, they will cling to Christ. No matter how lost and frightened, they'll "keep running back to" the Lord. They do say "Lord" and have Biblical allusions, but it's possible to listen to the song and miss them. I suspect some people perceive the song as talking about a significant other. Not the best lyrics they've done.

But it is some of the better music they've done. It's a kinda techno mix on this song, but it's not an annoying one (unless you hate synthetics entirely). It's a very organic flow to this song. It's pretty much a very upbeat teenybopper pop rock. Nothing extraordinary, but better than most uncreative tunes.

They sing together decently, soothingly, and the voices suit what they've done. A bit breathy to keep (or make?) the teen-oriented tone, and sounding much like Point of Grace, but they can sing. Fortunately.

For an upbeat clean pop rock song that doesn't grate on the ears, "Even If" fits the bill well.

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Lyrics: 4/5
Music: 4/5
Vocal(s): 3/5
Overall: 8/10

"Lion" by Rebecca St. James from Music Inspired by the Chronicles of Narnia

Oh, that's a comely star—

Or not. I grimace when Rebecca St. James starts singing in the too-predictable breathy style and note set that makes me immediately know this is CCM (Contemporary Christian Music). Ew.

Not that the style itself is icky; it's just so cliché. I wouldn't mind the cliché most of the song nearly so much if it didn't have such a promising foundation that appears at the beginning, bridge and end. Well, even that could've used a bit more work, but it at least was something. The song's the usual Christian pop rock that all melds together in your ears.

Lyricwise, it's also the CCM normal in its declaration that "This is just a world of Your own", that God is wise and loving to us and guides us through life. (I have a theological problem with that unbalanced image, but that's another issue.) Thanks to Narnia movie, "Lion" does own one memorable turn of phrase: "It feels like I'm livin' in a lion's mouth, but the lion is an angel…"

So much unrealized possibility. That, more than anything, makes this a disappointment for me. But if you're one of those people who likes CCM in general, you'll likely like this song.

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Lyrics: 3/5
Music: 3/5
Vocal(s): 3/5
Overall: 5/10

"5 Minutes of Fame" by BarlowGirl from Barlow Girl

"Was it worth it, what I gave away for five minutes of fame?"

The song's narrator "found that morals can't take you up to the top; your standards pull you down". Still, all she gained was "five minutes of fame", now "over; no one knows [her] name". She "gave up the only thing that mattered for this empty life".

The focus "5 Minutes of Fame" has on the perspective of someone who's lost her integrity for popularity's sake could be called a bit dark. Nonetheless, it is the strongest way to encourage girls fighting the desire to be popular at their beliefs' expense. The song further personifies the immaturity of giving up all that matters for a few empty minutes in the end, where the narrator whines about no one paying attention to her.

I would've preferred more singing from all the sisters rather than the one in this song, but it worked. Better than most, but not anything to say "wowsers" about. The most disappointing thing for me is the music; it's… pretty normal pop rock. Now, for Christian pop rock, it's especially good. Compared to pop rock overall, it's barely on the better end, and I'm not convinced that my liking of BarlowGirl isn't prejudicing me on that evaluation.

Okay, I'm distinctly reminded of Superchick with this song's music. It's a rapid-beat pop-rock that Superchick tends to prefer, but BarlowGirl still marks it with their standard thumbprint, mixing warning of what to avoid while encouraging those who've fallen that they can get out. "This time [they can say] no".

For edifying pop rock geared for young unmarried women, even BarlowGirl's first album has some pretty nice songs. Now, if I could just go and review some from their other CDs, including their new one…

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Lyrics: 5/5
Music: 3/5
Vocal(s): 4/5
Overall: 7/10

"Unwritten" by Natasha Bedingfield from Unwritten

"Today is when your book begins—the rest is still unwritten…"

After glancing through some random CD reviews, a comment about this artist caught my eye, so I looked her up to listen to her music. A pleasant surprise resulted.

This third single from British Natasha Bedingfield's album Unwritten achieved the best radio play in my native U.S., which is why I recognize it. The music is an interesting R&B-influenced pop rock. It's pretty much acoustic guitar with a beat added.

That interesting music mix isn't the only thing that's made Ms. Bedingfield popular. Her pop voice beats other popular voices of her slightly-breathy vocal style. It's not my favorite type of vocals, but it fits the music pretty well.

As her own songwriter, Natasha Bedingfield reveals a greater maturity than many other singers. (Considering she's some years older than me, I'm relieved at that.) Her point in "Unwritten" is that people are responsible to "write" their own lives; others can't live their lives for them. It's an encouragement to live as yourself, while realizing that you'll likely "make mistakes" on the way. But your writing continues nonetheless…

Christians must bear in mind that if we "break tradition" or are "outside the lines", those traditions or lines should be man's, not God's laws. But there's nothing wrong with breaking man's tradition. Indeed, Christians should break man's tradition when it conflicts with God's Word.

The music video for this song is a bit interesting, too. A book with a singing Natalie Bedingfield on the cover starts climbing through the library. What interests me most about it is her choice of clothing: the "worst' any of it gets is a speghetti strap dress with a V-neck of standard dip (low enough that I wouldn't wear it, but I know others who would). Evidently she refuses to wear anything for her music that she wouldn't wear in normal life.

A mature outlook, decent music, and clothes that don't hang out all over the place. I think I'll check out more songs from this artist.

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Lyrics: 5/5
Music: 3/5
Vocal(s): 4/5
Overall: 8/10

"Contagious" by Avril Lavigne from The Best D—— Thing

Lazy albeit familiar-sounding singing greets my ear on this one. Thinking how to describe it for this review, I abruptly wondered, is that Avril Lavigne?

Lo and behold, it is she who sings this song. Thankfully, it's not so horrid as "Keep Holding On" on the singing, but she sounds like she doesn't care about what she sings, that she's just singing for the heck of it. She tries to hide it by sounding appealing, but I get a languid sense of the singer herself.

The stock upbeat pop rock doesn't help that, I guess. It's not bad, but it's definitely not anything notable. The music aspect's a fun listen when I need something upbeat to help me wake up. It's nothing special, though.

"Contagious" starts out with the okay story of how people tend to long to be around someone they're interested in but have no idea what to say when they are near to that person. But it, like "Girlfriend" of the same album whose name I've edited, this song devolves into a "give me a chance" to be your girlfriend, and "I can prove I'm right."

As the (edited) title of this album and its released single "Girlfriend" have demonstrated, the singer has no qualms about cursing and misuses damn twice in the lyrics. The statement that the boy makes her "feel so high" might also be seen as a drug reference.

Ulgh, good-bye Avril Lavigne. If I ever review you again, it'll be even more of an accident than this one was. In short, I'd advise she—or at least this last CD—be avoided.

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Lyrics: *1/5
Music: 3/5
Vocal(s): 2/5
Overall: *4/10

*The song curses.

"Hanging by a Moment" by Lifehouse from No Name Face

Not bad guitar, but sing, dude! (I'm hardly one to talk about voice quality, but at least I don't try to sell myself singing.)

The lazish voice demonstrates in the chorus that Jason Wade can sing better than he does for most of the song. Why doesn't he? I get the distinct impression that he's trying to mimic someone else's sound on the not-so-good verses. Bad move.

Musicwise, it is, by and large, better than many songs. It has its faults, but it sounds like it would be a fun one to play or hear just in itself, apart from the singing. The initial guitar slowly adds other things, like the oh-so-standard drum. (I don't mind drums, but they're starting to get a bit predictable now that I'm listening for them.)

The lyrics are a standard love story—well, not-so-standard, I guess, in that it's clean and the guy's talking about the girl as if she's something worthwhile. He's "falling even more in love with" the girl, willing to give up of himself for her sake. But it is average in the shallowness of it.

Eh, it's okay. Call me spoiled, but I'd rather go listen to something else.

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Lyrics: 3/5
Music: 4/5
Vocal(s): 2/5
Overall: 6/10

"Behind These Hazel Eyes" by Kelly Clarkson from Breakaway

"Now all that's left of me is what I pretend to be," Kelly Clarkson admits in "Behind These Hazel Eyes". "Here I am, once again, torn into pieces," happens to all of us emotionally at one point or another.

Eh, so the song's obviously talking about a boyfriend. Those of us who can't relate to that can ignore those phrases and associate the song with a time when we've been "broken up, deep inside," not letting others "see the tears [we] cry." For me, it happens to be when someone I know dies; I'm strong for others, then break down weeks after they've gotten over yet—if I let myself. (That's an off-topic story that will likely turn up in one of my novels, someday.)

The lyrics "Behind These Hazel Eyes" are a refreshing shift from all the whining despite the obvious upset of the song's narrator. Bits and pieces of the well-chosen lyrics, like the "I thought you were The One," point to the shattering of the romantic dream as well as the relationship, so the narrator's likely wising up, too, or is at least headed that way. ("Swallow me then spit me out.") It's a more mature peek than most songs into the emotional rifts we all experience at some point, though not always from a boyfriend or girlfriend. And the song's clean! (Thank you, Kelly Clarkson! Regardless of who wrote it, you chose to sing it!)

From the songs I've heard by her, I'd have to call her vocals the best here. Her smooth vocal shifts in "No, I don't cry on the outside—anymore!! …Anymore," surprise me.

The music, too, is unusually good from her. Still mostly beat, but it sounds much better than she usually does. I'm giving her the benefit of rounding with the "above average" rating there, but it still could've been much better.

"Behind These Hazel Eyes" is likely my favorite song I've heard by Kelly Clarkson.

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Lyrics: 5/5
Music: 4/5
Vocal(s): 5/5
Overall: 8/10

"Keep Holding On" by Avril Lavigne from Eragon soundtrack

Yikes.

That's my thought as I listen to this song, and that's "yikes" in an "ouch" way. Moments make me really like how she sings, a few moments make me wince. Are you not aware of the words you're singing? I can't help but wonder when she sings with evidently so little emotion lines that should be some stronger. Picture "No, I won't give in" sung as passionlessly as if she's just sharing some information with the listener.

Her voice is a bit nasal, like is more common for country. Considering some of the other mixes I like, I'm not going to count off for an "odd" combination. In this count, they're culturally-based.

Musicwise, it's really average. In fact, it it gives me the distinct vague feeling I've heard this song many times before, though I know I haven't. (I'm a visual/kinesthetic learner; I'll randomly find myself singing along with a song I haven't heard in 10 years and can't remember where I know it from, but I'm still aware that I know it, somehow.)

The lyrics could be the perfect song for Eragon that they were intended to be had they been sung differently. (I'm speaking as someone who's only read the book.) Perfect song for Eragon, perhaps, but excellent in general, I'm not so sure of. What I do know is I don't want to hear this on the radio.

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Lyrics: 4/5
Music: 3/5
Vocal(s): 1/5
Overall: 3/10

"Never Again" by Kelly Clarkson from My December

Well, once again I'm a bit surprised at liking a Kelly Clarkson song—not from the title or bitter theme, but from the vengeful aspect that thankfully is referred to without crass language. ("I hope, when you're in bed with her, you think of me.")

That's one thing I like about what songs I've heard from Kelly Clarkson; clean language. Admittedly, "Never Again" does use "Bet it sucks" in the chorus, but not everyone considers that crude. Kelly's been burned by a two-timing boyfriend and sings this as a refusal to accept him back and as a warning to those who do accept him. ("He'll be through with you!")

Kelly's voice well manages the repeated shifts between loud and soft anger. She obviously knows how to sing and has a pleasing voice, but it's not exactly a "wow"er. (Unless, of course, you're comparing her to the people who don't know how to sing.)

She calls "Never Again" probably the most bitter song she's written; sometimes you just want something to yell along with. That this is more of an angry moment than one in a series of angry songs I consider a plus, but it still leaves me repeating a lot of others when I say I'm glad I'm not on her bad side—at least I hope not, since she doesn't know I exist.

Unfortunately, I can't say I like her choice of lyrics much. It's some nice imagery with the "Sunday School answer" and "trophy wife," but it strikes me as perhaps a bit disjointed. Granted, she's angry, and anger tends to produce less-than-ideal wordings, but… You're free to disagree with me on that one.

Also as usual is the average music backing Kelly Clarkson's song. I wouldn't mind if I happened to hear this song on the radio, and I'd be willing to look up more songs from My December to check 'em out, but buy the album in a few weeks? If I had enough extra money to splurge on that, I'd be donating to the missionaries I know.

An added dislike is the music video. It is pretty interesting, but I know my father (or brother) wouldn't let me outside in what she wears for much of it, and there's a reason for that.

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Lyrics: 3/5
Music: 3/5
Vocal(s): 4/5
Overall: 6/10

"Invincible" by Pat Benatar from The Best of Pat Benatar (& other albums)

Starting with an upbeat… beat, the beginning of "Invincible" by Pat Benatar promises a song of mostly beat with some of synthesized music and a focus on catchy lyrics, and it delivers on its promises. The song is '80s era pop rock by some definitions, but it's still attractive today for even modern fans who like upbeat without getting screamed at.

Initially released as the title track for The Legend of Billie Jean, a 1985 drama that didn't get the best reviews, "Invincible" offers an entertaining beat and catchy tune without cursing or inappropriate lyrics for those who like story-songs.

Though "Invincible" does, in a fashion, promote violence, the song's narrator only does so because she's trapped and has no other way to escape but self-defense. It's not violence for violence's sake. "We can't afford to be innocent;" "there's nowhere, nowhere we can run to anymore." By saying innocence can't be afforded, the narrator evidently wishes it could.

Pat Benatar didn't get awards as a top female rock artist without a reason. After hearing "Invincible" (several times), I'm now interested in looking up some more of her songs. I'll be sure to let you know what I think. I think "Invincible" is worth hearing if you like the older upbeat rock from the weird hair times.

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Lyrics: 4/5
Music: 4/5
Vocal(s): 4/5
Overall: 7/10

"He Is Always on My Mind" by Maarja from City Life

"In my dreams he's alive" instead of dead, always on the narrator's mind, and sabatoging her ability to grow and get on with life. Drat.

"He Is Always on My Mind" starts with a promising indication of action in the words "Here I stand… by your side." Unfortunately, that devolves into Maarja as narrator lamenting that the other must give her up because she can't love him—her lost love owns her, heart, dreams, and soul. At least, I suppose, she has the decency to tell him to "Go away; don't look back." Maarja as singer seems well aware of the narrator's stagnation in life, as that's the point of the song. And there don't seem to be any accent or translation issues from her being Estonian.

The music of "He Is Always on My Mind" is limited to some generic guitar and other sounds. Nothing particularly fetching about it. I'm sure I could find 900 songs with a very similar sound if I looked, which I'm not inclined to waste time doing; I'm sure I'll find them on my own, eventually.

Maarja does have a pretty voice; it's her singing that salvages "He Is Always on My Mind" from being less than mediocre. Sadly, it's a slight save.

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Lyrics: 2/5
Music: 3/5
Vocalist(s): 4/5
Overall: 6/10

"Complicated" by Avril Lavigne from Let's Go

I'll admit, when I first heard Avril Lavigne's "Complicated" on the radio, I thought she was a country singer. (Oops!) Evidently, it was only that edition that I'd heard, since other recordings of "Complicated" don't give me that impression.

"Lay back; it's all been done before," the narrator says to her boyfriend. He's himself alone with her, but he becomes "somebody else 'round everyone else" "tryin' to be cool." She insists he should be himself rather than complicating everything and making a fool of himself. Be honest to who you are; that's life.

For a self-written song by a teen, "Complicated" is particularly good. Many her age would still find the "tryin' to be cool" cool. Avril Lavigne does assume that he's himself with her and not still wearing a façade, though. In retrospect, that assumption might be a hint of the unappealing prideful personality that appears in such later songs as Girlfriend.

While I still suspect Avril Lavigne's voice would suit country music, she does fit this song. Her voice in "Complicated" powerfully expresses her frustration and declaration in this pop rock song as the standard guitars and drums accompany her. The song's nice enough that you might be pleased when it comes on the radio, though you won't necessarily want to pay for it.

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Lyrics: 4/5
Music: 3/5
Vocal(s): 4/5
Overall: 7/10

"Girlfriend" by Avril Lavigne from The Best D–– Thing

Okay, I admit, I edited the album title, but I'm not about to write out damn in that sort of context, or in any of the contexts that she says or refers to Hell in this song. Some have described the album as "bratty." If the single "Girlfriend" is indicative of the rest of the album, I have to agree with that assessment.

The gal doesn't like some guy's girlfriend and insists he needs "a new one": her. How much more shallow can you (or he) get? Some people have said they like this attitude 'cause the girl knows what she wants and is willing to go get it. I guess that's their perogative if they want to be selfish idiots who aren't interested in anything but what's in it for them. It still makes me want to yell "Grow up!" at those of my generation or a few years younger who live for that.

The selfish attitude in the song would be bad enough as a song premise, but there's more. The cursing I've already mentioned. "Girlfriend" is also horrendously repetitive. "Hey (hey) you (you)" comes every other line in the chorus.

Avril Lavigne has a nice voice for her music style (pop rock), but she destroyed her natural skill with a horrible song and attitude. I understand she writes her own songs. If that's so, I don't think I even want to buy one of her good songs; why add to her already oversized ego?

The music video for this single is pertinent to the song and "cool" on a teenage fun level. On a more meaningful level, watching her dance around in a short shorts, a T-shirt and fishnet stockings while making a fool of the girlfriend while she's stealing the guy only personifies a bratty attitude. Evidently, her unabashed definition of fun is what some people term a "good roll."

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Lyrics: *1/5
Music: 3/5
Vocal(s): 4/5
Overall: *4/10

*The song curses.

"Take Me Away" by Fefe Dobson from Fefe Dobson

Ooo, a song with the narrator lamenting that people are so intolerant, and they need to flee with their love to avoid the gossips. No, that's not cliché one bit. (Am I the only one getting a flashback of Evanescence's "Anywhere"?)

That's not to say that you won't find yourself singing along to some of it after listening to it once, and maybe you'll want to hear it again. "Take me away; take me far away from here" echoes all of our desires, sometimes, I'm sure, when we just wish we could pack up and leave… something. A relationship, a situation, an illness; a homework assignment. So, despite the cliché, "Take Me Away" pulls it off decently, keeping it out of the downright "avoid" list.

I don't think Fefe Dobson's the best singer, but she's not bad. She's just… normal, as far as I can hear. It suits her chosen genre of music, at least: pop beats. I don't mind a touch of synthesis of music, but a song needs more than only beats to really make the music memorable.

Overall, "Take Me Away" isn't bad, at least. Enjoy Fefe Dobson's pop.

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Lyrics: 3/5
Music: 3/5
Vocal(s): 3/5
Overall: 6/10

"Since U Been Gone" by Kelly Clarkson from Breakaway

Usually, when something uses netspeak, I flee in the other direction, especially when it can't get the grammar correct. "Since U Been Gone" should have been one of the victims of my flight. Thankfully, I'm curious enough about Andromeda's Rommie that I watched a music vid with this song and realized I liked it, much to my surprise after I saw the title, which I triple-checked in disbelief.

Kelly Clarkson's energetic young voice is precise and pleasing; she knows how to sing. The upbeat pop rock style she has chosen to produce isn't striking, but it isn't bad, either. Anyone with some experience in listening to pop rock will probably find someone to compare the sound to; it's little more than beat and a slight bit of emphasis. Kelly's voice is the attraction.

Despite using the usual concept of a boyfriend who ditched the song's narrator, "Since U Been Gone" is unusually frank about how idiotic most of those "stupid love song[s]" are. Rather than mope, the narrator is getting on with life. Hey, she made a stupid choice with a jerk boyfriend, but she's grown up from that circumstance. The story's a refreshing Breakaway from the too-popular complaining.

That mature handling of the topic with clean lyrics is refreshing. Kelly Clarkson even avoids the potentially offensive "shut up," the narrator singing "shut your mouth" with a tone that clearly portrays her frustration without the rude language. Her choice of clean lyrics sounds promising for the contents of the rest of Breakaway.

Overall, Clarkson's refreshingly skilled voice and decent lyrics bring "Since U Been Gone" above the "mediocre" rating into the "pretty good" range, in my opinion, and the lack of any annoying layers to the music keep it there.

Lyrics: 4/5
Music: 3/5
Voice: 4/5
Overall: 7/10