I called our local Tower Records for its top 10 CDs, as I do every week, and this week's No. 1 made me cringe.
Fergie? Really? I was shocked. I thought people in Fresno were smarter than this.
What really could Fergie have to offer as an artist? Honestly, I'd like to know. I just don't see it. Not even in that shallow way people make excuses for liking doo-doo artists because they're attractive. That's not Fergie. But I guess with that Black Eyed Peas resume behind her, the record label figured they could shove this out there and maybe sell a million records.
In an effort to make sure no one else wastes $15 bucks, I'm providing this track-by-track breakdown of Fergie's debut solo CD, "The Dutchess," which hit stores this week.
You're welcome.
1. "Fergalicious" -- Oh, it's gonna be one of those kinda albums. This song borrows leisurely from JJ Fad's "Supersonic" and Afrorican's "Give It All You Got." But Fergie's average demographic wasn't alive when those songs came out, so I'm sure they could care less. Also interesting: She says, "I ain't promiscuous." Ohhhh, kick her butt, Nelly!
2. "Clumsy" -- Fergie admits she's clumsy. Now if she could just admit she's a talentless hack, we'd be getting somewhere. There's some weird electronic noises in here, like KITT is singing back-up or something. Kinda annoying.
3. "All That I Got (The Make Up Song)" -- On this song, Fergie tries to do that whaling Mariah Carey thing. Who thought that was a good idea? Speaking of good ideas, her Black Eyed Peas' boss will.i.am comes on and "raps." He gives us stellar stuff like "One and two, I'm in love with you / Three and four, you're all I adore." Yeah, I think I wrote a love poem like that once. In fourth grade.
4. "London Bridge" -- How come every time I heard this song, my IQ points go down?
5. "Pedestal" -- How's this for backward. On this song, she uses the melody "London Bridge is Falling Down." I'm not the only one who that's a little odd, right? I mean, the song after "London Bridge." She also does some wannabe Christina Aguilera voice stuff. Basically, avoid this song at all costs.
6. "Voodoo Doll" -- The imitation continues. This sounds like a wannabe No Doubt song, except for with Fergie's not-quite singing, not-quite rapping, kinda-just-talking-loud style. I tell ya, this girl is an innovator.
7. "Glamorous" -- Fergie starts this one spelling out the song title. A nod to her earnest beginnings perhaps. "K-I-D-S! Yeah!" Anyway, this song was better when Gwen Stefani made it, too. Ludacris drops by for an underwhelming appearance and we keep snoozing along.
8. "Here I Come" -- Here, Fergie and Will pull a Puff Daddy and jack some Temptations. The Motown classic "Get Ready" becomes "Here I Come." Once again, Fergie is trying to rap. And once again, my ears are trying to kill my brain.
9. "Velvet" -- This is Fergie's sexy song. It's a basic smooth-sounding ballad. There's no rapping, shouting and other crazy noises going on. It's just you and Fergie's voice. Scary, isn't it? Pay special attention to when she tries to carry a high-note near the end and gets all Kermit the Frog.
10. "Big Girls Don't Cry" -- And bad singers don't sing. OK, that was mean, I'm sorry. Mediocre singers shouldn't sing. At least not in situations where their talent has to carry the song. For the record, if someone else was singing this song, it would be a good song.
11. "Mary Jane Shoes" -- And the song-jacking continues. I guess since Paris Hilton has a reggae sounding song then ol' Veruca Salt over here has to have one, too. Actually, Will and Ferg go off and taken "No Woman, No Cry." Come on, The Fugees just did that. Keep tryin' Will, you're not Wyclef.
12. "Losing My Ground" -- Losing your ground eh, Ferg? You mean like this? Just kidding. This song is about her ex-boyfriend Meth.
13. "Finally" -- My sentiments exactly. Even John Legend can't save this.
Overall rating: 2 out of a possible 10.
Best song: "Big Girls Don't Cry"
Worst Song(s): "London Bridge, " "Fergalicious" and "Pedestal."
Final thoughts: There's no reason this woman should be famous. She's repulsive to all five senses. This album embodies everything that's wrong with pop music -- contrived songs, repetitive themes and the mass marketing of artists based on image rather than talent.





Mike,
Kudos on this post. It's the funniest thing I've read in a long time. I'm talking laugh-out-loud, co-workers-wondering-what's-wrong-with-you funny.
More of this please.
wow mike..thats a very nice article..lol...you better not be that mean to jessica!
DUDE, OFCORSE FRESNO IS NOT SMARTER THAN THAT. YOU KNOW HOW MANY AMAZINGLY HOT CLUB GIRLS THERE ARE OUT HERE? LET ME TELL YA EVEN WHEN I WAS IN SAC I USED TO LOVE TO VISIT THE FAMILY OUT HERE BECAUSE OF THAT. POINT. GIRLS AND ESPECIALLY THE HIGHSCHOOL CHICAS LOVE TO HAVE A REASON AND AN EASY ATRACTION TO THE "LONDON BRIDGE" SHAKE YOUR ASS EASY-BEAT CLUB SONGS. THE GO NUTS OVER THE 15 MINUTE CHICK SINGERS WHO COME OUT WITH CATCHY TUNE. BUT YOU KNOW WHAT. THATS OK WITH ME. ITS LIKE WHEN THE THONG SONG CAME OUT, STUPID SONG BUT NOBODY COMPLAINED WHEN ALL THE GIRLS STARTED PULLIN THEIR SKIRTS UP FOR IT. THEY ARE GONNA PLAY IT AT ALL THE BARS AND CLUBS AND GIRLS FREAK WHEN THEY HERE IT. DEEP DOWN THEY ARE ALL DIRTY DIRTY LITLLE GIRLS AND IT GIVES THEM A CHANCE TO ESCAPE FOR A FEW MINUTES AND HAVE SEX WITH GUYS LEG ON THE DANCE FLOOR. NO COMPLAINTS HERE. I DONT DANCE I JUST BECOME THE POLE. WE WILL HAVE TO ENDURE THE ANOYING SONG FOR A BIT BUT LIKE ALL THE OTHERS IT WILL BE SHORT LIVED. I SAY ENJOY IT WHILE ITS AROUND. BUT DONT BUY THE ALBUM. I GUESS I CANT TALK TOO MUCH CRAP SINCE MY EX IS PLANING THE TOUR AND I WILL BE INTERVIEWING HER WHEN SHE COMES THROUGH. OH WELL.
WORD!
Mike,
Thanks to your shameless self-advertisment, I decided to check your blog out. I agree with Joshua. Definitely a laugh-out-loud, co-workers-wondering-whats-wrong-with-you funny.
I think I'll subscribe to this bad boy.
PS, you gave me more music than my computer has room for :( So, I can't even upload all 7 cds until I get a new computer! Thanks for everything.
- Emily
not true!!! u lie & maybe u should lesson 2 Pedestal again cuz shes talking 2 people like u!