My Humps - Black Eyed Peas (A&M)

For those out there who would make general assertions that pop audiences are lacking in taste and serious consideration of the quality of music, "My Humps" is an easy target. This weak pastiche of elements used in a clever fashion by the likes of Ciara and Kelis shoved the Black Eyed Peas' original single release "Don't Lie" aside to land in the pop top 5. A single like "My Humps" seems an embarassing grab for pop acceptance by a band that is much better than this.

Rate it yourself.

This is an opportunity for Fergie, the female member of Black Eyed Peas, to take the clear lead on vocals. Unfortunately, the song is seriously flawed and, the third or fourth time through, boring. Initially, "My Humps" was not planned as a single release by the group, but, after radio stations were underwhelmed by the single "Don't Lie," they instead jumped on "My Humps" and forced its release, or so the story goes. In less than 2 months the song has landed in the top 5 of the pop singles chart, well ahead of "Don't Lie."

"My Humps" sounds like the musical equivalent of a bad Farrelly Brothers movie. It mistakes real humor for sophomoric jr. high level sexual titllation. In light of the band's previous triumphs as an inventive, socially conscious hip hop group, Black Eyed Peas releasing a song that trades on obsessions with female breasts simply to have a hit song is rather depressing. Ciara's "Goodies" and Kelis' "Milkshake" covered similar territory with much greater wit and self awareness than Fergie's adventures here.

Clearly a significant portion of pop audiences disagree with my opinions here, but I maintain hope that Black Eyed Peas may yet return to their previous concentration on challenging, high quality music.