Michael Buble - "Hollywood"

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After the release of a third consecutive #1 hit album, Michael Buble finally broke into the pop top 40 in the US earlier this year with "Haven't Met You Yet." He is looking to repeat the success with another flashy tune. "Hollywood," the title single from the Hollywood EP, certainly has a musical cheese factor, but ultimately Michael Buble's charm sells the tune.

Lyrically, "Hollywood" is another meditation on the spiritual emptiness of the pursuit of fame. Instead, Michael Buble suggests, "Keep on loving what is true and the world will come to you." It is a genuinely uplifting sentiment, but the whole song is nearly drowned in instrumental and production flash.

Choral "na na's" and horns kick off the song and then they are followed by handclaps and a shuffling, swaying beat. The overall effect is a bit like a souped up Glee style jazz choir number. This would all work well onstage, but the effect on pop radio is a little less sure. Bob Rock, best known for rock production with the likes of Aerosmith, Motley Crue, and Metallica, was at the helm here and, sure enough, there's a little rock guitar thrown in as well. Judicious editing of the mix could have caused a little less to be more.

Michael Buble's "Haven't Met You Yet" was a very charming addition to pop radio. Beams of sunshine practically radiated from the lines of the song. However, this time it feels like he is stretching a bit much to generate a smile on the face of listeners. A significant element of Michael Buble's success is that he so often makes entertaining and performing seem positively effortless. When he tries a bit too hard, like here, there is a cringe or two instead of simply the smile in recognition of delivery of a surefire song.