Lopez Blogs

Happy Boxing Day + 1 everybody!! I hope Santa stuffed your sack with all your hearts desires :) It was a nice Christmas with just Darren and myself, and we have treated ourselves to an upgraded new laptop which is very fast indeed and much swisher than the old piece of tat i was spewing this crap out on :P Lots of other little gifts found their way under the tree too, and DazCook did an amazing and lovely chicken dinner for us both. Yummy. Then we sat and watched the Dr Who Christmas special (amazing. Bravo sir indeed), the Gavin and Stacey Christmas special (very amazing indeed) and the Royle Family festive episode (yawn). And then I thought, ooo at some point I must do my best of the year lists. I mean they are a bit arbitrary at the best of times, and almost rendered useless now by the brillo lists cooked up by everyone in my blogroll, but here it goes any"hoo"...

25 - The Saturdays, Up: They came to challenge Girls Aloud's crown, and while their patchy album shows they are not quite in that league yet, they certainly have a chance to shine if they keep pumping out amazing pop ditties like this. It wasn't til I heard it every weekend in my pub of choice and at a very loud volume that I appreciated it, but now it's a getting ready for the weekend staple...
Previous end of year placings? No
Featured in other end of year lists? #19 on AdemwithanE;

24 - Madonna, 4 Minutes: Ah, not everyone was enjoying sucking on their Hard Candy, and it's not like it's been a massive seller (but really when was that last album of Madonna's that matched the superstar sales of say Like A Virgin or even Ray of Light?), but this horn filled track (which DID work better as a Justin featuring Madonna number) was rather catchy and still entertains me to this day. Possibly because i like people walking on conveyer belts, i don't know....
Previous end of year placings? No
Featured in other end of year lists? #6 worst single at Chartrigger; Miles Away is #18 at OlgalovesYuri; On best remixes at fabtastic; tracks feature at #6 and #10 at DanUSA; #158 at AdemwithanE; #44 at Europecrazy;

23 - Jesse McCartney, Leaving: Who would've thought that Jesse would come out with a track that was both incessently addictive and actually a little bit cool? Ok, cool is a bit of a stretch, but once you'd heard it, you couldn't help but singalong to it. And what it really did was showcase how ridiculously early the Shayne Ward album was abandoned. Sigh. Far too rich with singles - unlike the disappointing album that this came from :(
Previous end of year placings? No
Featured in other end of year lists? Told You So is #67 at popreviewsnow;

22 - Kylie, Wow: The plinky piano at the beginning. The sultry whispered "wow". The simple construction of a song that lead into a chorus so euphoric I often wondered if Darren was waving poppers under my nose again without my permission. It made lots of people's 2007 lists, but it was the video and lingering around the UK charts forever and a day that earns it's place on this years countdown. X wasn't perfect, but this very nearly was.
Previous end of year placings? 2007 - #19 (2 Hearts)
Featured in other end of year lists? #26 at Poptrashaddicts; on best remixes at fabtastic;

21 - Leona Lewis, Better In Time: This song came out in the UK around the same time Bleeding Love was blowing up stateside, and suddenly I was rather addicted to both (having appreciated but never fell in love with BL back in October 2007). Leona does what she does very well - powerhouse songs with epic choruses that used to belong to Mariah long before she got all ghetto (non) fabulous on our asses. The hopeful lyrics struck a chord as I was going through a crappy time and often, that's enough to propel a song into the "love it" category for me. Just lovely.
Previous end of year placings? 2007 - #13 (Bleeding Love)
Featured in other end of year lists? Run (my #26 song) is #2 at OlgalovesYuri;

20 - Regina Spektor, The Call: How beautiful is this song? I have to thank Yuri for pointing it out to be, and it became not only a rather touching elegy at the end of the underrated Prince Caspian movie, but is bound to strike a chord with anyone whose gone through one of those moments in your life when you know everything will just be that little bit different. Stunning vocal delivery and a muted production lets the beauty of this song shine through. Amazing piano and strings combo to. Sigh.
Previous end of year placings? No
Featured in other end of year lists?

19 - Blake Lewis, Got To Get Her: Sigh. Why Blake is not a global or at very least European superstar is beyond me. Of course that goes for Shayne Ward also. Anyway, this Putting On The Ritz jazzed up jam was by far the highlight of his very good ADD album and would probably sound very lovely on British radio. That time has probably passed though. Check out the video link for a quite cute choreographed dance routine! Will the more original Idol alums ever get their day?
Previous end of year placings? No
Featured in other end of year lists?

18 - David Jordan, Sun Goes Down: February was certainly brightened up by this funk driven pop track by taking-metrosexual-to-unnecessary-new-levels David Jordan. It even did proper ok on the UK charts, proving that sometimes my tastes are in line with the rest of Britain. Why the rest of his album didn't do very well is a mystery (I call it the Bryn Christopher factor). Delivered with passion and energy, I still think David is a star to watch...
Previous end of year placings? No
Featured in other end of year lists?

17 - Infernal, Downtown Boys: Whether it be the choral beginning, the slick beat, the cute as a puppy dance routine in the video or just the fact that Infernal weren't milking their From Paris to Berlin album anymore, this song was at the forefront in a year where disco inspired tunes by The Saturdays, September and (ugh) Blahblah were all over music television. I'm not sure if it was even released in the UK but it certainly was a deserved club smash. Everytime i thought i had played it to death, it would catch me unawares and be brilliant all over again. The album was also an utter delight...
Previous end of year placings? No
Featured in other end of year lists? Punk Disco is #4 at OlgalovesYuri; #59 at AdemwithanE; #42 at AlienHits;

16 - Alphabeat, Boyfriend: Of course it was the Pete Hammond remix that got all the attention, but underneath it there was still an immense song which built up to a chorus that put songs like Don'cha to shame. I mean really - if someone comes up to you and sings don'cha wish your boyfriend were hot like me, they really are very basically saying your beau is quite ugly. How rude. This is the perfect antidote to those moments, and the "cray-seee in love" bits were just too lovely for words.
Previous end of year placings? No
Featured in other end of year lists? What Is Happening is #9 at DanUK; Best remix at Chartrigger; Fascination is #33 at Poptrashaddicts;

15 - Kylie, The One: Quite possibly one of Kylie's most stunningly elegant moments. A swirling dance cum disco epic that couldn't be held back by lack of promotion and quickly became beloved by pop afficianados the whole world over. Her plain but urgent plea of "love me love me love me" was pop desperation at it's most heartbreaking. This should've been a massive smash and i hope record company execs are sitting chagrinned in their mansions right now :)
Previous end of year placings? 2007 - #19 (2 Hearts)
Featured in other end of year lists? In My Arms is #3 at Chartrigger; #2 at Poptrashaddicts; on best remixes at fabtastic; #114 at AdemwithanE;

14 - Miley Cyrus, 7 Things: Like Aly and AJ's Potential Break Up Song before it, i ignored the mocking potential from my friends of this song and just embraced the nonsensical chorus and acoustic pop-rocker thrash wannabe-ness of the tune. Ultimately, it's like marmite - you will love it or hate it and rather shamefully, this isn't the only Miley song on this countdown. Quite amazing considering the album was a complete dud for me :( Note to Miley - no one should shout at a teddy bear in a video. I don't care if you are 15.
Previous end of year placings? No
Featured in other end of year lists? Breakout is #69 (oo-er) at popreviewsnow; #43 at AlienHits; #176 at fabtastic;

13 - Jason Mraz, Live High: It was the two year old demo, I'm Yours, that finally launched Mr A-Z into the stratosphere of global hitdom (everywhere except the UK of course. BAH) but it is this uplifting and positive track that struck a chord with me. Like his beautiful 2005 track, Life Is Wonderful, Jason is at his best when he muses philosophical on life and why being a jolly decent person will serve you a lot better in the end. Plus the dude got ripped this year too and joins the uncoventionally cute list of popstars around the world...
Previous end of year placings? 2006 - #11 (I'm Yours)
Featured in other end of year lists? not one though I'm Yours was everywhere...

12 - Coldplay, Viva La Vida: oh i was very late indeed to this track and it only caught my attention while I was in the cultural wasteland of Orlando. Eschewing guitars and rock elements, Mr Paltrow and the boys have created a lush orchestral epic that just soars as an anthem, as a pop song and as proof that no matter how dull you think a band are, they can totally win you over with a song that creates goosebumps every time you hear it by building to a positively orgasmic conclusion. Stunning.
Previous end of year placings? No
Featured in other end of year lists? #8 at XO; #9 at Chartrigger; #7 at DanUSA; #20 at AdemwithanE; #8 at Europecrazy; #57 at Popreviewsnow;

11 - William Young, Grace: So is William joining the likes of Maroon 5, Scissor Sisters and The Killers who only do well with first singles from their albums and then experience the law of diminishing returns with subsequent singles? I hope not. Grace underperformed in the charts, and was probably too elegant for the vicious festive season anyway. William's vocal is smooth and nonchalent as he chastises the person who really doesn't deserve any more time spent on them. Karma's a bitch and William makes it sound quite delicious.
Previous end of year placings? 2006 - #14 (All Time Love)
Featured in other end of year lists? Let It Go is #13 at XO; Let It Go is #9 at DanUSA;

10 - BWO, Bells of Freedom: It wouldn't be an end of year list if it didn't feature my beloved Swedish-matured-Steps. They haven't particularly tampered with their sound since they came to my attention in 2005, but they always put out an amazing selection of pop tunes each year and this year, this gay anthem was their best. Beneath the synths and disco bells is a message of tolerance and acceptance that goes all too unnoticed in this world today (ironically you have to sign in to see the video at youtube because it has "adult content". For fucks sake)...
Previous end of year placings? 2006 - #5 (Temple of Love), #12 (We Could Be Heroes), #20 (Chariots of Fire); 2007 - #21 (Rhythm Drives Me Crazy), #4 (Destiny of Love)
Featured in other end of year lists? #40 at fabtastic;

09 - Take That, Greatest Day: The comeback that makes all others pail in comparison continues unabated. A triumphant X Factor appearance. An ITV special. A stunning album. And a band more at ease with working together than ever before. A song that was all verse and middle eight with seemingly no chorus in site worked a treat and confirmed that they are indeed Britain's premiere pop band for creating an amazing array of tunes...
Previous end of year placings? 2006 - #4 (Patience); 2007 - #10 (Rule The World), #3 (Shine)
Featured in other end of year lists? #14 at XO; #101 at AdemwithanE;

08 - Lily Allen, GWB: To paraphrase love, actually - whenever I get gloomy or depressed about the state of the world I listen to this (well i listen to her Cheryl Tweedy diss song first, but this is a close second). Before the electro-tinged cool of The Fear came along, this amazing casio inspired rant about George Bush, the BNP - whoever - came along and became another of Lily's so simple but so brilliant sing a long anthems that I really can't live without.
Previous end of year placings? 2007 - #16 (alfie); 2006 - #16 (LDN)
Featured in other end of year lists? The Fear is #20 at OlgalovesYuri;

07 - The Feeling, Join With Us: Embedding disabled by request may be just one reason The Feeling didn't keep their stranglehold on the UK charts with their second album. Tragic really as any of the amazing tracks from their sophomore set could've graced this list, as well as the top 20. This title track is particularly amazing and worthy of this list due to the fact that it's almost the xenomania of play-our-own-instrument songs with about 5 different parts of the song, all catchy, all brilliant and all a little bit bonkers. Fabbo
Previous end of year placings? 2006 - #1 (Fill My Little World), #8 (Never Be Lonely)
Featured in other end of year lists? Without You is #18 at DanUK; I Thought It Was Over is #45 at Alienhits;

06 - Miley Cyrus, See You Again: Sigh. And so the teenage girldom of the top part of my list is kicked off with this sweet as a berry pop gem from America's sweetheart Miley. I do have to sort of ignore it's her actually as she gets on my very last nerve, but you can't deny the catchiness of the song. And the brilliant lyric "Oh she's just being Miley" means it can only be covered by Kylie. Or Myleene Klass. Possibly. Still catchy. Still a little annoying. Still ace. Pity it wasn't quite the smash it deserved to be in England then :(
Previous end of year placings? No
Featured on other end of year lists? #5 at OlgalovesYuri; on best remixes at fabtastic; #31 at AdemwithanE; #14 at AlienHits;

05 - Marit Larsen, If A Song Could Get Me You: Rarely does such a simple refrain and melody transform itself into such a gorgeously layered and giddily triumphant middle 8. Her wistful vocals are powered by a crescendo of piano chords that keep growing until the payoff - a whispering piano-vocal moment of earnest yearning. Cleverest song title of the year by far and an entirely amazing creation that I never grow tired of. The album it came from was good, but sadly not this great.
Previous end of year placings? No
Featured on other end of year lists?

04 - Cast of Britannia High, Start of Something: S Club/I Dream returned to prime time this year in the form of the kids from fame-esque drame-esque Britannia High. I instantly loved this free download from the show, and it kept growing on me in a way that often happens with these throwaway pop songs for me - i just get entirely too obsessed with them. For 30 something year old men? Probably not, but nothing wrong with enjoying music that makes you feel a little bit frisky. It's obsessive hold over me continues - after several weeks in my top ten already, it replaces Jason Mraz as my number one track this week. Brillopads.
Previous end of year placing? No, but Hairspray Cast made #24 last year with You Can't Stop The Beat
Features in other end of year lists? Picking Up The Pieces is at #35 at the ace Pop Reviews Now;

03 - Same Difference, We R One: Everything I wrote about Britannia High above could apply equally for the smiling Portsmouth duo who came third in last years infinitely more interesting than this years (til they were kicked off) X Factor Finale. Sure the brief may have been "I want Breaking Free but it shouldn't be Breaking Free - at least not in a very legal they could sue our asses sense", but this Steps-esque pop tune bought back the fun pop of the early millenium and came from an equally perky and equally unappreciated album. Dance routines and smiley pop are back - let's just hope they get their time to shine :)
Previous end of year placing? No
Features in other end of year lists? Turn It Into Love is 4 places lower than their debut single peak - #17 at OlgalovesYuri;

02 - The Killers, Human: OK, some of the lyrics veer towards alanis hokeyness (she only just missed this list by the way), but classic corn like "pay my respects to grace and virtue, send my condolences to good, give my regards to soul and romance, they always did the best they could" and "Will your system be alright when you dream of home tonight" just touched a chord with me. I guess my list shows I'm not the most discerning guy, but ultimately I like what i like and this song continues to be amazing. That synth breakout after the first chorus gets me every single time - talk about euphoria through your speakers!
Previous year end placing? 2006 - #6 (When We Were Young)
Features in other year end lists? #22 at DanUK; #12 at OlgalovesYuri; Joyride is #13 at DanUSA; #65 at AdemwithanE; #30 at AlienHits; #116 at fabtastic;

Song of the year - Girls Aloud, The Promise: So with their fifth album and my entirely consuming distaste for one of their members, the Girls had a tough task to pull off a successful single that would make me fall in love with it. The Promise was that single - they took the fashion of 60s sounds and turned it into their own. Nicola sounds enchanting on her bit (I got my hands all ready to touch your soul) and Cheryl actually adds an enormous amount of pathos to the tune with her spot on delivery of "if you wanna convince me start again, if you wanna be with me in your arms". Perfection the whole way through - and the track that made me realise the brilliance of Kimberley. Who knew?
Previous year end placings?: 2007 - #12 (Sexy No No No); 2006 - #17 (Something Kinda Ooh)
Features in other year end lists? Loving Kind is #2 at XO; #4 at DanUK; #14 at OlgalovesYuri; #57 at AdemwithanE; #13 at AlienHits;

Coming soon - albums and television!