The Veronicas - '4 Ever'
Poor the Veronicas. All the international fame in the world did not stop them from feeling the sharp edge of Courtney Love's tongue (ask Russell Brand). Despite claims of admiration from them (yup, they admitted to Courtney love), there was some kind of spat on Twitter, possibly about stolen clothes or a stolen image or...something to do with stealing and getting dressed...and the end result was a typically long-winded, rambling, sweary rant from Courtney about how she hates pop music, and how the people who make it should feel ashamed next to her ability to play the guitar and write songs.
If you have ever seen Courtney's Twitter feed, you'll appreciate that this is a heavily edited version of what she actually said. For all that she can "shred", and "play a rock show", and "create a look", she clearly types with her elbows.
(. Ummm! They are gonna get DONE when their parents come home.)
Anyway, the row, such as it was, served to highlight the two worlds that the Veronicas are attempting to straddle. On the one hand, scary old rock - as represented here by the caustic, spiny guitar lines in the verses and the big anthemic breezeblock wall of distortion in the chorus - and on the other, fluffy pop - the super-hooky melody, the high-sheen pop production and the perky/sexy pop singing, the kind which always drives grizzly old rockers to distraction. Shredding? Pah!
We've been over the differences between pop and rock here many times, and in reality there shouldn't be such a massive divide. Both sides make music to demand your attention. Sex and love are themes which are visited often, almost to the exclusion of anything else. And it's always important to try and sound like you mean what you're singing, even if you did not think of it yourself (and it's a bit stupid).
In fact, apart from lipstick rivalry and the fear of being upstaged, it's hard to see what Courtney's problem with the Veronicas is. They're only girls mucking about with guitars after all.
Download: Out now
CD Released: September 28th
91Èȱ¬ Music page
(Fraser McAlpine)
Comment number 1.
At 25th Sep 2009, flatknees wrote:really average really... they are so impatient to get to the chorus that the whole song is wrapped up after a minute.. 2 stars personally.
Great track: George Harrison - I got my mind set on you. wow.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 1)
Comment number 2.
At 25th Sep 2009, flatknees wrote:would also like to add that 'untouched' is one of the biggest let down's in terms of the intro being great but it is followed by their singing
Complain about this comment (Comment number 2)
Comment number 3.
At 28th Sep 2009, BloggingLiam wrote:Disagree completely! I absolutely love this single, not quite as much as I loved Untouched though. I think they have great potential and need to get hold of the album.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 3)
Comment number 4.
At 30th Sep 2009, keithfusco wrote:Courtney Love is better than The Veronica's, it has to be said!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 4)
Comment number 5.
At 5th Oct 2009, DanRhyn wrote:The chorus reminds me too much of Pink's U & Ur Hand, and the verses are just a bit bland. Untouched was OK, though I agree that most of the song is a huge letdown after a very promising intro, but this one doesn't match it.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 5)
Comment number 6.
At 5th Oct 2009, spirit wrote:Totally agree Dan ,the chorus is "U and UR hand " by Pink , and to me part of the verse melody is " Since you been gone " by Kelly Clarkson .
Complain about this comment (Comment number 6)
Comment number 7.
At 5th Oct 2009, BloggingLiam wrote:All songs can be vaugly linked to others. I myself am guilty of doing this quite a lot. Doesnt alter the fact its brilliant.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 7)
Comment number 8.
At 5th Oct 2009, spirit wrote:Totally agree Liam .
Nearly every song is derived from others in some minor or major way .
And YES , this Veronicas song does have some good qualities .
Complain about this comment (Comment number 8)
Comment number 9.
At 8th Oct 2009, spirit wrote:In at 17 , another top 20 single for Veronicas .
The album Hook me up is out on Monday .
Complain about this comment (Comment number 9)