SINGLES First Things First: "Moving For- Cepts

Home , Waking Up in Vegas

i VI SINGLES First things first: "Moving For- cepts. Standouts include the title POP Writer: Amy Macdonald ward," the second album by for- track, with its crashing guitar and KATY PERRY Publisher: lhérner/Chappell. RICK ROSS FEATURING mer New York Yankees center - lonely piano, and "Últimos Días," Waking Up in Vegas (3:22) BMl JOHN LEGEND fielder Bernie Williams, is the an uptempo with soaring new Producers: Greg Wells, Katy Decca Records Magnificent (4:17) product of a musician with real wave synths.-ABY Perry Much of the world has already Producer: JU.S.T.I.C.E. League RICK RO$$ chops, not a celebrity dilettante. Writers: K. Perry, D. Child, discovered this well- crafted up- Writers: various Fill MS ! EGENC Once again, he serves up a pleas- A. Carlsson tempo folk /pop song, which Publishers: various ing mix of light jazz and pop THIRD DAY Publishers: various topped the charts last year in Def Jam numbers, includinga remake of Live Revelations: On Stage, Capitol Austria, Belgium, France and Pair two of the most distinctive voices in the music in- Jon Secada's 1992 hit "Just An- Off Stage, Backstage While the ballad "Thinking of the Netherlands, as well as dustry-a captivating rapper and a seasoned R &B vocal- other Day," with Secada himself Directors: Jonathan Erwin, You" didn't stir up the same reaching the top five in several ist -and the result is "Magnificent." Rick Ross features on lead vocals; the pretty instru- Andrew Erwin buzz as her previous danceable other countries. Now it makes John Legend on one of the chill -out anthems of the sea- mental title track; and "Go for It," Essential Records top lOs, Katy Perry turns it back inroads stateside, climbing 24- son and the stellar lead single off his third album, "Deep- featuring the jazz guitarist Mike Release Date: April 7 up a notch with her most radio - 19 on the Triple A radio chart. er Than Rap." For the high rollers, the yacht groupies Stern. Williams is a committed This 75- minute documentary friendly song yet, "Waking Up The 21- year -old's Scottish ac- and those elite few who demand perfection, clever, if student of his instrument, but lives up to its title by providing in Vegas." The fourth single cent shines through, while a illogical, lyrics abound: "I'm tha magnificent with tha he's also savvy enough to cater Third Day fans unprecedented from her platinum album "One memorable hook and ener- sensational style, when I decorate a home, marble floor- to his tri -state area Yankee fan access to the band's life on the of the Boys" pokes fun at the getic instrumentation make for ing like da Nile." The J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League production base, giving them a lovely ver- road as well as time at home pop tart's antics while in- a polished and distinctive outfit reteamed with Ross on four songs including sion of "Take Me Out to the Ball - with their families. Filmed dur- dulging herself in Sin City. Writ- sound uncommon in today's "Magnificent," a top 10 single on Billboard's Hot R &B/ game" and a recording of Bruce ing last fall's Music Builds tour, ten by "I Want It That Way" newcomers. Crossover poten- Hip -Hop Songs chart. Their magic is cemented by sam- Springsteen performing "Glory the two -disc set includes a live songwriter Andreas Carlsson, tial abounds: Adult Top 40 has pling "Gotta Make It Up to You," a sensual 1983 slow jam Days" at a charity benefit, with CD with riveting performances Desmond Child and Perry, the warmed to poppier sounds of as performed by Angela Bofill.-MM Williams on lead acoustic. But of songs including "Call My fun starts with the sound of late, such as those from Brit -

while the Springsteen track will Name," "This Is Who I Am," coins clinking out of a slot ma- ney Spears, but programmers help move a few more copies, "Slow Down" and "Otherside," chine. The momentum contin- would be smart to seek this Me," Hutchinson attaches his the country/pop line with great it's an awkward way to end an which features the steel gui- ues with hypnotizing guitar ef- Amy, too. -GT hip, soulful energy to a piano - success on her third single from album that otherwise keeps the tarist Robert Randolph. The fects that conjure a car's engine pop song that you can't help her chart -topping "Fearless" spotlight properly trained on footage demonstrates why as it speeds onto the Strip, a ERIC HUTCHINSON but foot -tap to. Reminiscent album. "You Belong With Me" is Williams himself. -LH this is one of the most - forceful drum set laying out the OK, It's Alright With Me of Billy Joel's bouncy material a driving country rocker with awarded bands in Christian foundation and Perry's infec- (2:31) from the beginning of his ca- enough of a pop sheen to music, shining a spotlight on tious vocal driving over. Bets Producer: Will Golden reer, Hutchinson's appeal is al- continue Swift's crossover ZOÉ the musicianship of drummer are on for this one. -MM Writer: E. Hutchinson ready similar to that of Jason success at multiple formats. Reptilectric David Carr, bassist Tai Ander- Publisher: Bayside High Mraz, with whom he'll tour this While some may scoff at the Producers: Phil Vinall, Zoé son and guitarist Mark Lee and ELLIOTT YAMIN Music, ASCAP summer-MM lyrical content, which for older the star power of frontman Fight for Love (3:35) Warner Bros./Let's Break listeners might seem like the Release Date: April 7 Mac Powell. The singer prowls Producers: Terry The online singer/songwriter COUNTRY Peter Pan world of high school, Since its release in Mexico last the stage with a smoldering in- "Maddscientist" Thomas, sensation Eric Hutchinson's TAYLOR SWIFT the singer herself just gradu- year, "Reptilectric" hasn't stray- tensity that rivals any main- Johnta Austin "Sounds Like This" came out in You Belong With Me (3:52) ated last year and has time to ed far from the top of the Mexi- stream rock legend yet moves Writers: J. Austin, T. Thomas May 2008, and it's an album Producers: Nathan Chapman, grow. Right now, teen fans are can album charts, for good rea- the audience with the heart of Publishers: various that "keeps inching along." The Taylor Swift living life through her songs, son. Zoé stands out among its an evangelist: Imagine Jim Hickory/RED first hit, "Rock & Roll," was the Writers: T Swift, L. Rose while their parents are reliv-

peers in the Latin alternative Morrison meets Ronnie Van "I'm ecstatic, I feel the magic," only No.1 single at Triple A by a Publisher: not listed ing their youth. Not a shabby scene, thanks to darkly sophis- Zant meets Billy Graham. Be- are the opening lines that en- new artist in 2008, and with fol- Big Machine way to connect with a wide ticated songwriting and epic yond the live footage, the inti- capsulate the spirit of the lead low-up "OK, It's Alright With Taylor Swift keeps straddling audience. -CW mixtures of the acoustic and mate, familial moments are es- single from the season -five electronic. The act evokes a pecially revealing, providing a "American Idol" finalist's soph- Ziggy Stardust -like theme of an glimpse into the challenges of omore album. Co- written by DAVID COOK SOLANGE isolated pod of a human float- balancing career and family. R &B hitmaker Johnta Austin Come Back to Me (4:08) T.O.N.Y. (3:54) ing across space, though one The DVD includes interviews (Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey) Producer: Rob Cavallo Producer: Jack Splash who's looking to connect with victims of Hurricane Ike and Theodore Thomas, Yam - Writers: A. Bjorklund, E. Lind, Writers: J. Splash, T DeCarlo through signals and satellites. and footage of the devasta- in's soulful delivery demon- Z. Maloy Callaway With the help of the noted British tion, underscored by Third strates that he is no one -hit Publishers: Zac Maloy Music, Publishers: various producer Phil Vinall, Zoé has cre- Day's poignant hit "Cry Out to wonder. Soaring over a laid - Sony/ATV Tunes, ASCAP; Stellar Songs, EMI Music World/Geffen /lnterscope ated music to match its lofty con- Jesus. " -DEP back, smooth R &B beat, his vo- Blackwood, BMI The third single from Solange's cals capture the essence of 19/RCA critically acclaimed "Sol -Angel tiaM]h being in love. This gem is al- David Cook's third single from his platinum- certified and the Hadley St. Dreams" 114 ready resonating with listen- self-titled album finds the current "American Idol" album could finally be the EDITED BY WAYNE ROBINS CRITICS' CHOICE A new *: ers at top 40 and should have champ in familiar territory. The Espionage writing team one R &B radio responds to. release, regardless of chart CONTRIBUTORS: Ayala Ben - potential, highly recommended no problem snugly settling in ( "Irreplaceable "), along with Zac Maloy, craft a laid -back Indicative of the overall '70s Yehuda, Alexandra Cahill, Gary for musical merit. at AC. R &B radio should also power Graff, Louis Heu, Laura Leebove, ballad with enough hooks to maintain Cook's vibe of the project, "T.O.N.Y." Jason Lipshutz, Michael All albums commercially available take notice: This is a guy who heat on the pop and adult top 40 charts. Cook gives an has enough charm to sway Menachem, Jill Menze, Fred Mills, in the United States are eligible. held his own duetting with earnest, restrained vocal performance, reflective of the the most current -minded R &B Gail Mitchell, Evie Nagy, Dan Send review copies to Wayne Ouellette, Deborah Evans Price, Robins (Billboard, 770 Broadway, Blige on "Idol," and he shows pensive lyric about letting a loved one go so that the heads. Philly -style horns, a Gary Trust, Alex Vitoulis, Chris Seventh Floor, New York, N.Y. those chops here. -AV person can grow. Credit producer Rob Cavallo and Cook Motown -inspired groove and Williams 10003) or to the writers in the for finding a nice balance between such an obvious pop spirited girl -group back- appropriate bureaus. PICK : A new release predicted AMY MACDONALD structure with enough muscle to hold the attention of ground vocals frame a clever to hit the top half of the chart in the corresponding format. This Is the Life (3:05) his more rock- minded fans. -CW lyric about a regrettable one Producer: Pete Wilkinson night stand. -CW

30 BILLBOARD MAY 2, 2009