Today over on poptimists...

Today over on poptimists (starting about noon London time):

THE GREATEST AVRIL LAVIGNE SONG, amazingly fucking massive, her voice climbing a mountain of lava. Guitar and production by Clif Magness (who worked a similar miracle on Kelly Clarkson's "Hear Me"). "Unwanted" (the song is 3:41; this vid plays it twice):

"Avril Lavigne - Unwanted" (Watch on YouTube)

THE GREATEST CELINE DION SONG, laser voice, laser disco; "When The Wrong One Loves You Right":

"When the Wrong One Loves You Right" (Watch on YouTube)

THE GREATEST BRANDY SONG. I've heard relatively few Brandy songs, but this is the one that rivets me, her warm voice forced into somersaults with the rhythm, the warmth triumphing after a long struggle.

Brandy "What About Us?"

Top Country Singles 2009, Three Quarters Through

While barely paying attention I'm hearing one country single after another that's Top Ten worthy. What really floors me is that a piece of Lady Antebellum mush that's just as mushy as any of their previous mush, and nothing special in style or message, is so warm, lopes right into a Little Big Town place in my heart. Good hook helps. Other tracks that I've not said much about previously: Sarah Borges "Do It For Free": a respectable alt-country band does my neo-new-wave tuff girl track of the year. Jack Ingram "Barefoot And Crazy": southern dance is further defined as Mellencamp. Holly Williams "Keep The Change": with Borges being Chrissie Hynde, Girl Hank III gets to be a rocking Borges singer-songwriter type. Phil Vassar "Bobbi With An I": country transvestite novelty is a pretext to sing "Barbara Ann."

( Top Country Singles 2009, Three Quarters Through )