Lopez Blogs

Vacancy: for radio-friendly pop act which will appeal to everyone from the trendy kids to the kind of people who only buy their albums in Tesco.

Ladies and gentlemen, The Script. Vacancy now filled.

In recent weeks, this Irish trio who call their music ‘Celtic soul’ have taken the UK charts by storm. This debut album has gone to no.1 in the album charts, whilst second single "The Man Who Can’t Be Moved" has been kept off the top by that Katy Perry tripe.

The band are no overnight success, as they have significant experience as producers and session musicians.

Debut single "We Cry" opens the album, and I still have a love-hate relationship with this song, sometimes I like it and sometimes it completely annoys me. You can’t deny that "The Man Who Can’t Be Moved" is a smashing little song, with well-thought-out lyrics that tell an interesting story.

I read a recent interview with The Script in which they said that their name reflects their emphasis on good songwriting and storytelling. I’d agree that they’ve put a lot of work into the songs on this album, which is a very strong and confident debut indeed. There are also other potential singles - the album’s standout track "Before The Worst", and "The End Where I Begin".

You can’t really pigeonhole The Script, one minute they’re pop, then they’re rock, then they’ve got these little hiphop moments and then they just go into nice ballad mode (two goodies at the end: "I’m Yours" and "Anybody There") They even manage to be just a little subversive at times: "If You See Kay" (say that song title, see what I mean).

I like this album a lot, but that’s the problem I have with it. The whole thing sounds as if it’s been ruthlessly designed for world domination. There’s just something a bit sinister about it all. Or maybe it’s just because they’re ridiculously talented, I don’t know.

Even lead singer Danny’s vocals are a bit Sting-meets-Adam Levine, lending some familiarity to the songs which are a pick ‘n’mix of different musical styles to appeal to everyone. Sometimes it sounds like the kind of music which would soundtrack something like "Grey’s Anatomy" (but it’s all a million times better than "Chasing Cars"!!).

The Script will probably be the world’s next biggest new band, and I wouldn’t be surprised as this is an album designed to appeal to a massive worldwide audience. New Maroon 5, anyone? They just need to make sure that they sustain the quality and success of this album if they are to have a long career. In the meantime, world superstardom beckons if this great debut is anything to go by. (8 out of 10)

J'ai retourne. Which of course is actually french, not german. But my german extends to ich bin droevig, so thanks Madonna for that. My week in Austria was gorgeous. Just so lovely and relaxing. Above is a youtube clip where i get very bossy when darren doesn't behave on the toboggans (check out around 1m50 for his comeuppance!) and two photos that I quite adore. There are a ridiculous amount of photos should you wish to be force fed them here, but I figured that not everyone would want them flashing across the main page :) Now before I go on with the catch up post, thanks to all those who continued to comment even though I was away all week. I shall of course be returning to my comment whore status on all the blogs listed in the blogfeeder roll. They are of course the very best out there...

The Haps This Week:

• Woo hoo! McFly and darling William Young both performed at the Olympic thingy and both did very ace if somewhat lyrically incorrect (McFly!) covers. You can see both above. I am dying a) for William's album, b) for the extended McFly album and c) for Adem's review of McFly. Don't leave me hanging.
• Sigh. Still obsessed with Marit Larsen's "If A Song Could Get Me You" - it sounds even more gorgeous in Austria. Those crashing piano chords in the middle 8, then the delicate and vulnerable "just look at me"? Heaven.
• Secret Diary of A Call Girl is back back back in all it's brilliant shallowness. Yes the draw is still Billie Piper Evans Piper and her glistening white teeth being an uberwhore (actually an independent escort now) but don't overlook the very charming Iddo Goldberg who plays friend Ben. Oh Iddo, I do... (or something. You get my drift!)
• Just a thought. One of the most overused phrases in pop journalism at the moment has to be "it's the album Madonna should've made instead of Hard Candy". Observer Music Monthly uses it twice in one issue (though different writers). Get over it you lazy hacks.
• God bless Gay Times (sept 08 issue). They hate Katy Perry (page 28); They like Avenue (page 29 - is their single out yet or did it just not chart?!); and they feel the same way I do about the NKOTB reunion (p.32). Don't get me wrong - i loved them in their day but the songs (and boys) have aged horribly and Summertime is just dreadful. I think the general consensus in the industry seems to be "oh take that are massive, so every other nostalgia group will be." Not so - like the Spice Girls, NKOTB were very much of their era and coming back with weak tunes just tarnishes the memory. TT had songs that lasted (2nd and 3rd albums anyway) and came back with a mostly solid collection. Plus Danny Wood was a total cunt in that upper street fiasco so he can just fuck right off.
• I'm not a massive fan of boy george or culture club, more a distant appreciator, but there is an ace interview with Mr O'Dowd in the Sept 08 issue of Q Magazine. My favourite quote is "I was living off a diet of tofu and sperm" :O Oh george. Tofu??? Yuck! Plus, one should really have the moto of Samantha from S&TC: "Oh i only swallow when surprised..."
• Viva Attitude for their men in suits photoshoot. Men in suits are hot. Feel free to submit your own men in suits pics :) Boo to attitude for their fence sittingness about Katy Perry though :( (Sept 08 issue - the Oct issue has Dan Gillespie Sells on the cover. Must read soon)
• Finally, don't think because all is quiet here on the Simon Curtis front that all is quiet on the Simon Curtis front! He is getting ready for the launch of the bound to be brilliant and already fizzypop guaranteed way better than camp rock Spectacular, shaved his head so now looks slightly menacing and foxy and is perfecting Alter Boy for it's ultimate and much awaited release. Aw, my little Simon's all growed up!!

Thanks to the ace gang (you know who you are) for keeping my inbox plumped with music this week. I'm sure you have all written about them on your blogs so once i get some time, I will add the proper linkage - or you could just save me the time and link it in the comments :) Here are my fave five!

1. David McAlmont - I'm A Better Man (gorgeous laid back tune, sounds like it belongs in a huge broadway musical)
2. Keane - Lovers Are Losing (ooo i think Keane are back proper styl-ee. Not like that 2nd album. With big proper tunes like this and Spiralling that make me excited in the inner trouser area)
3. Alphabeat - Boyfriend: Pete Hammond Mix (it's the late 80s all over again with this perfect end of summer vibe. And with hints of Rick Astley in the 12" version. Delicious)
4. Ben Folds - You Don't Know Me (i used to love Ben when he was with his five. He had a glorious kiss off song Song For The Dumped and this one features my new obsession Regina Spektor. It don't get no better than this, innit)
5. Pipettes - Shoe That Fits:Vocal Mix (it's all acapella, but there is no reason for pause on this still very pipettes glimpse into the new line up and 2nd album. Bring it already!)

I also got back to a book recommendation from the lovely pymo. He's suggested the Stephanie Meyer series Twilight, which i always meant to read but never got around too. Anyone else read it??

TOP 21 SONGS WHILST IN AUSTRIA:

21 ~ Jason Mraz, Make It Mine (NE)
20 ~ Madonna, Give It 2 Me
19 ~ Alphabeat, Boyfriend
18 ~ Kylie, The One
17 ~ BWO, Bells of Freedom
16 ~ Jack McManus, You Think I Don't Care
15 ~ Sophie Ellis Bextor, Heartbreak Makes Me A Dancer
14 ~ Keane, Spiralling
13 ~ Daniel Powter, Next Plane Out (vid)
12 ~ Jesse McCartney, It's Over
11 ~ Madonna, The Beat Goes On
10 ~ Little Jackie, The Whole World Should Revolve Around Me
09 ~ Bryn Christopher, The Quest
08 ~ Pink, So What
07 ~ Lily Allen, GWB
06 ~ Infernal, Downtown Boys
05 ~ Miley Cyrus, 7 Things
04 ~ Regina Spektor, The Call
03 ~ William Young, Changes
02 ~ Marit Larsen, If A Song Could Get Me You
01 ~ The Feeling, Join With Us (3 weeks)

***HAPPY 38th BIRTHDAY DEBORAH GIBSON!!***

In the immortal words of the great philosopher Homer (Simpson) : "Woo-hoo"!!!!!!

1000 posts eh! Almost a year and a half since I started my blogging journey and here we are 1000 posts later. It's been great fun. During that time were prolific periods of over-blogging (summer-autumn 2007); there were periods of writer's block (summer 2008). Recent weeks have not been the best of times, and there have been occasions when I questioned whether to continue with the blogging adventure. But... even in the darkest days blogging remains the best therapy, and being a blogger means never having to say you've got nothing to say.

So onwards to infinity (or at least another 1000 posts) and beyond. As another great (Swedish hip hop) philosopher Adam Tensta might have said, 'that's my blog and I can't take it off".

Thanks again to all of you who've ever visited, whether deliberately or by chance, you're all welcome to my world. Keep on visiting! Your comments are always welcome so don't be shy, if you come across this blog then please say hello!

Possibly one of the most significant European hits of 1995, and the ultimate holiday song. The one that seems to follow me on my twice-annual jaunts across the continent. Every time I turn on the radio in a different country, there it is, reassuring me that I am in continental Europe, and continental Europe will always love this song.

"74-75" is a timeless, strong, memorable hit song which will never grow old. I know nothing more about this band, nor what they have done since, but if you have to live off a classic song then make it this one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-ITv4OBV9c

What was my favourite album of 1998?

"Thirty Days Out" by The Montrose Avenue.

This band is possibly one of the most underrated British bands of the last, well, 10 years anyway. They existed between 1996 and 1999 and I discovered them thanks to Chris Evans regularly featuring their brilliant single "Where Do I Stand" on his radio show at that time, and I bought their fantastic debut album "Thirty Days Out" the first week it was released.

Influenced by close-harmony jangly guitar acts like Crosby Stills and Nash and The Byrds, which is a good place to start.

They are now defunct, but live on at their MySpace page at http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=60341757 where you can find songs like the wonderful "Start Again" and "Where Do I Stand" and "Yesterday's Return" and "She's Looking For Me" and .....oh just go there and enjoy them for yourselves.

Real name Thomas Robertson, best known for loopy hits like "She Blinded Me With Science" and "Hyperactive" but those of us who paid closer attention to this talented artist’s career would remember tracks like the fantastic "Airwaves" which had a lot more depth, quality and sensitivity.

Find "Airwaves" at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rP1RTAft_B8

Later on there was "I Love You Goodbye" which had a little Bruce Hornsby piano-vibe to it and the lyrics unravelled an evocative and interesting story:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_1dYljdOT0

As you know, my weekly musical flashbacks usually tend towards the more obscure end of things but after watching tonight’s "Pop Britannia" on BBC-2, I leapt off the sofa and exclaimed: "I MUST FEATURE ABC ON RETRO SATURDAY!!!"

"Poison Arrow" is just my most favourite ABC song ever - it tells a story and it’s immaculately produced by the brilliant Trevor Horn who is also one of the best producers of all time. This song is now 26 years old but has never sounded dated to me: it still sounds as fresh as the day I first heard it. Enjoy the mighty Martin Fry and his gold suit at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X69xQl-xF1k

American Life:
Oh look. It's Madonna preceding her album with a soundtrack song. She must get paid a fortune for these random tunes. Die Another Day probably fitted better as a coda to Music rather than an opening gambit for American Life, but is a groovy electro pop track with an appalling video. Around about the same time, Madonna was jotting down Justin's number as she duetted on Me Against The Music with Bertney Spears. Again a decent enough pop tune but neither's finest moment. And then came the unforgettable "i'm drinking a soy latte" song that a whole team meeting at work once turned into helping me learn the lyrical rap for no reason at all. Not only did the title track of the album have a cheeky little rap about material possessions perhaps not being worth a jot if people are dying at war (take that Material Girl madonna!) but the video was rapidly changed so as not to be too controversial. Oh. My. Days. The album was full of luxurious disco beats, electro beeps, and tender love songs - the best being Nothing Fails with it's slow crescendo into strings and a gospel choir. Love Profusion is a whirling dervish of a pop song, though a little restrained, and Mother and Father despite it's deep lyrical content is probably the closest thing to disco on the entire album. Rubbished by critics for being too serious (and now she's trying to be too youthful? She can't win!) it remains my favourite Madonna album released since Erotica...

Confessions on a Dancefloor:

Madonna is going to burn this disco down! She's calling 1-555-Confide! I may be getting my long running popstars confused... Basically Madonna decided to don a purple yoga, write to Benny and Bjorn and create one of the most enduring Madonna hits of the decade. Hung Up was a brilliant return to pop for her royal horseness, even if she had to sample Abba to do so. Sorry was gorgeous dance-pop even before the Pet Shop Boys provided a rather phantasmagorical remix of it. Plus I always like songs with a little bit of foreign language in them. It does feel like she might have borrowed and manipulated the bassline from the Jackson's Can You Feel It? but this is an album where she isn't particularly groundbreaking, but does a marvelous job of channeling disco sounds and sensations into modern pop tunes. Jump is another great tune where Madonna urges the listener to embrace the changes and therefore, it fitted perfectly into the final moments of the last season 2 episode of Ugly Betty. I do get a bit annoyed when, during Future Lovers, Madonna tells us all to forget about our problems and bills. Easy to do when you are Madonna, and you are lowballing your brother on some gaudy decorating. Some of us still have 5 years of mortgage to pay! Oh and way to alienate the listeners with I Love New York - not for slamming every other city but the new york/dork couplet. It's almost unforgiveable! Overall though, it's a solid album, not perfect. Not trailblazing, but frankly who cares?

Hard Mandy:

Let's get this out there. I like Hard Candy. I know a lot of people whose opinions I respect and who are much bigger Madonna fans than I (xo, danusa, yuri) aren't particularly enamoured of the album. Others feel Madonna is following not leading, though if you have read this far, you'll probably be aware that my view is that Madonna hasn't particularly been a leader for some years now. And she's probably just enjoying being the biggest female singer in the world and wanted work with some of the biggest hip hop stimuli in the world. And why shouldn't she indulge once in a while? So bizarrely and for the first time ever, I find myself wanting to defend Madonna. Grife! The horns and dance beats of 4 Minutes are intoxicating and i STILL maintain that Justin looked great in the video and that i STILL want to dance/walk on the conveyor belt at the supermarket. Give It To Me and Beat Goes On (instrumentation!) are top notch pop tunes, while Heartbeat and Miles Away in particular have deep grooves, beautiful guitar and some poetic lyrics. And don't forget the sheer genius of Devil Wouldn't Recognise You, a rather endearing ballad that gets better with each listen. Here are my original thoughts on Hard Candy from when it came out...

So that brings the flashback bang up to date. It's not the most comprehensive, but then I'm not the most dedicated of fans. I'm sure people like XO and DanUSA could fill in the gaps with rare and unreleased tracks for a 6th cd for this imaginary boxset :)

Greatest Hits Volume Three:

1. Me Against The Music
2. Die Another Day
3. American Life
4. Hollywood
5. Nothing Fails
6. Love Profusion
7. Mother Father
8. Hung Up
9. Sorry
10. Jump
11. Get Together
12. 4 Minutes
13. Give It 2 Me
14. The Beat Goes On
15. Miles Away

Miley Cyrus 50th Annual GRAMMY Awards

Kim Kardashian Traffic Shopping

Kim Kardashian Ultimate Summer Party

Kim Kardashian Radar Magazine

Kim Kardashian photo shoot pictures for the Radar Magazine. Kim Kardashian wears classic Calvin Klein as the ad campaign starring Brooke Shields. Kim Kardashian also does an interview for the Radar Magazine.

Kim Kardashian Pussycat Dolls

...OK I'm promising nothing as every time I promise something I don't deliver, but one certainty for this weekend is (big fanfare and drum roll) my 1000th post!!

Otherwise I'll just go with the flow and time permitting, I should post some charts updates and a couple of album reviews, and a bit of the old Retro Saturday too.