Whatcha Say: Rihanna’s ‘Unapologetic’, Ellie’s ‘Halcyon’ & Kelly’s “Breath” Got Our Readers Talking

Over the past week, Rihanna unveiled her Unapologetic album cover, nominations for the American Music Awards were announced, The Voice entered into the Battle Rounds, Ellie Goulding‘s sophomore album Halcyon was released and Kelly Clarkson‘s new single “Catch My Breath” premiered. Our readers had plenty to get off their chest regarding all this pop fuss, and we gathered up several of their missives below. Read on, music nuts!

:: Jed Camara Ocot made no apologies for his thoughts on Rihanna Unveils Unapologetic Album Cover, Confuses Everyone Over Title: “it’s not very original or creative. i just feel like i’ve seen it done already…and better. I feel like most artists now are just running out of ideas. Between her, Ke$ha, Christina Aguilera and even Nicki MInaj these album covers just lack any creativity.”

:: Danny talked that talk about RiRi: “I love the cover. Never seen a tracklist on the cover. Maybe she’ll show something else on the backside ;-)”

:: Evan got loud on Rihanna’s Shirtless Unapologetic Album Cover: The Internet Reacts: “Honestly, I don’t think the cover is very well designed. When I first looked at it, I couldn’t even figure out which word was the title… In fact, this whole era feels rushed so far. “Diamonds” isn’t a bad song, but the ‘shine bright like a diamond’ hook is kind of annoying and is so repetitive, esp. towards the end of the song, that it seems like Sia ran out of ideas when writing it.”

:: Mae spun her chair around for The Voice: Trevin Hunte & Amanda Brown Thrill As The Battle Rounds Begin: “I’m so glad the battle rounds have finally started. The blind auditions seemed endless this season. The only thing that makes me sad about the battles is that people who don’t deserve to go home always end up getting kicked off.”

:: P3P wasn’t exactly starry-eyed over Ellie Goulding’s Halcyon: Album Review: “Definetely agree with you. Halcyon is still not comparable to Lights. But it is a complete new sound. I just keep listening to Figure 8 and its dubstep sonorities like a freak! Very good album.”

:: Naomi felt defeated on Nicki Minaj & Rihanna Top 2012 American Music Awards Nominations: “*Sigh* Every year, the same people are nominated and the same people win. Are award shows even worth watching anymore if the artists who REALLY deserve it, don’t even win?”

:: Alex wasn’t exactly panting for Kelly Clarkson’s “Catch My Breath”: Hear The Feel-Good Single: “generic, cheesy and pedestrian… dark side 2.0, wake up kelly, you can do much better”

:: Theo agreed: “Sounds the same as every other Kelly Clarkson song, would be interesting if she changed it up just once.”

:: Kerry thought the song was stronger than those other two made it out to be: “Really proud of how far she’s come, and it’s great to hear a happy song from her. Just a simple, happy song. Makes me look forward to what else she’s going to create. Especially since she fulfilled her contract with RCA.”

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