Status: Drunk.
Music: It Ends Tonight - The All American Rejects

I know counting down the top performers is a little too early for my yearender but what the hell? December is about to end so here goes my first entry for my 2006 Entertainment Yearend Charts. But first, a disclaimer. You have to understand that the chart below is based on my own taste and my own assessment of the international music from January 2006. So, no matter how much you dislike my chart, and no matter how many times you rant, nothing will be changed. After all, it’s MY list. If you disagree, then I suggest you create your own chart and post it here on my comments page, hehe. A’right?

Before we start, let’s have a recap of the Top 10 International Performers of 2005.
10. Craig David
9. James Blunt
8. The Pussycat Dolls
7. Keane
6. Gwen Stefani
5. Tori Amos
4. The Black Eyed Peas
3. Kelly Clarkson
2. Green Day
1. Mariah Carey

And here’s my list for this year.

10. CARRIE UNDERWOOD — Goin’ Kelly Clarkson, eh? Not yet. She will still have to bag a couple of Grammy’s to be like Ms. Independent. But surely, Carrie Underwood is making a name, not as another American Idol, but an American Idol who entered the business to stay. It’s amazing how she was able to popularise materials like Jesus, Take the Wheel and Don’t Forget to Remember Me. And Before He Cheats is just sooo fun, I smiled secretly the first time I heard it. I’m a huge fan of country music but my love for it kinda had a hiatus but I’m starting to like it again the way Shania Twain and Leann Rimes made me like it years ago. Go for Grammy, Carrie! (She’s nominated: Best New Artist.)

9. KEANE — Wait for my list of the Most Promising Young/New Bands, and you’ll see that Keane is actually one of the top 3 (oops, spoiler). But yes, that’s how I love Keane. It’s not because they almost sound like U2 and you know that U2 is my all-time favourite band. But because they are great, Keane that is. Got a copy of their album Under the Iron Sea? If not, then stop reading this entry now, go to the nearest record store, and grab one. Is It Any Wonder and Crystal Ball are truly wonders. They rock, baby, so good. And they all look good. Haha.

8. PARIS HILTON — Admit it. Every time you hear Stars Are Blind, you find yourself singing with her. Admit it. You love the song Nothing in This World because you love its beat, and it comes with a very, whatyacallit, cool video. Admit it. You’re starting to like her. Okay, okay, you may not agree to the previous sentence, but at least admit this, she has nice songs and they fit her. She may not be the best singer out there (definitely not), but don’t you just like her for being THE topic of conversation whenever you and your friends meet? Admit that.

7. BEYONCE — Disappointing. This was my first reaction when Beyonce released Deja Vu. Crazy In Love is just much much much much better than that. And Dangerously In Love is much much much much better than this not-so-impressive new album of hers. But it would be unfair to Beyonce to compare her with herself, right? After all, the album is pretty good. Again, not as good as her first solo album, but yes, it’s good. When I first heard Ring The Alarm, I said, “Oh, that sounds a little nicer than Deja Vu.” But it still was not enough for me. The hopes of including Beyonce to this chart were flying away when Irreplaceable was released and damn, that saved it! That was it! And see? Irreplaceable is now at the #1 spot of Billboard, earning Beyonce the 7th top spot of this chart. Deja Vu? Nah. She was #1 three years ago. Now, she’s #7.

6. RIHANNA — S.O.S. please, someone help me! It’s not healthy to listen to Rihanna all night long. Pon De Replay is her very first single but SOS is her first song that got my attention. This Caribbean beauty did not stop at capturing me. I just found myself singing “I don’t wanna be… a murderer” one day without knowing what that song was or who sang it. I already memorised the song by heart before I even knew what its title is. Later, I got answers through TRL. It’s been a nice year for Rihanna especially after winning that Europe Music Award for Best R&B Act. And before I forget, she is HOT!

5. RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS — A comeback is not a comeback without a hit, and Red Hot Chili Peppers came back with a BANG. Enough said. I love them.

4. THE PUSSYCAT DOLLS — It’s funny how a man only thinks about how hot they all look, when they actually have talent. Yeah, it may only be Nicole Scherzinger singing, but at least, the five other members give justice to it by offering incredible dancework. And whoa, I’m going straight again. Haha. But seriously, they opened the year with Beep which is a massive hit especially here in the Philippines, and I’m just amazed by the song and how they used the censoring sound *beep* to create an awesome beat. Sweet. And then came Buttons. Fantastic. From #8 last year to #4 this year…. Hmmm… Go Pussies! *cough, cough*, I mean, DOLLS!

3. CHRISTINA AGUILERA — I can smell another Grammy for this lady, but she must fear to lose it to Nelly Furtado or Justin Timberlake. But no worries, Aguilera fans. Grammy or no-grammy next year, it doesn’t matter, her latest album Back to Basics is a treasure in itself. At first I doubt whether she would be able to pull something like that off, and whether she would be able to market it properly, but behold, it debuted at #1 in the Billboard 200 charts. That’s a first in her career. Besides, Ain’t No Other Man is a great, great record. It didn’t hit the top of the chart but if it proved something, that would be: Aguilera can sing anything with grace and poise. And just when you’re getting tired of her 30’s act, P. Diddy released his collaboration with her and it has just entered the upper half of the Billboard Hot 100. Still Dirrty? Yes, and still powerful.

2. NELLY FURTADO — From being like a bird to being powerless, Nelly Furtado returned with Timbaland, and ho, ho, ho, she’s now promiscuous. Nice, nice, nice. I loved the song. And can somebody tell me how long it was on top of the Billboard Hot 100? Damn, I lost count! Maneater followed that song, which did pretty well. And now, another song in the top10. She’s changed and it’s a survival strategy knowing how much a failure her previous album was. Yep, her second album, Folklore, was not a hit. But she managed to survive the fall and come back with a new package, new sound, complete with a Queer Eye for the Weird Girl make-over. Finally, the word “beautiful” suits her and not just her music. Haha. But somehow, I miss the old Furtado. Thanks to her collaboration with Coldplay’s Chris Martin, she sounded her old self. I guess not all good things come to an end.

1. JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE — He’s bringing Sexy Back? Hell yeah! In fact, he already did. His sophomore solo effort’s carrier single stayed at #1 for a very long time, only to be beaten by another Timberlake record, My Love. Ain’t that sexy? Best Pop Performance by a Male Artist Award for the next Grammy’s is sure his. I will even bet my boss’s pinkie. Haha. But seriously, Sexy Back is his biggest hit so far. Looking at Timberlake now makes me wonder whatever happened to the other boy band guys who TRIED to pursue a solo career? I guess it’s just Justin now. Just Justin. Hmmm. Sexy. Go ahead be gone with it.

The Runners-Up: Mary J. Blige, John Mayer, Ne-Yo, Akon, The Fray, The All-American Rejects, Snow Patrol, Kanye West, Fergie, and Stacie Orrico.

*I just googled the pics. I’ll mention the URI’s of the sites I got these pics from later. I have to look for ‘em again. Hehe.

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