Lopez Blogs

So the Michael Jackson deluge didn't quite materialise in time for Sunday's UK top 40 chart, although this could all change next week.

"I don't understand why you're number one"

If I may borrow a lyric from the recent (ironically) number one hit of the same name by Tinchy Stryder....I don't get La Roux. And I don't know anyone else who likes them either. Maybe it's because they remind me of the Eurythmics, and I used to hate the Eurythmics. "In For The Kill" is my joint-top most hated single of the year, it makes my ears bleed equally with Beyonce's "Halo", my other joint-top most hated single of the year. Anyway, today I was off work and off to the big city for some retail therapy. Almost every shop we went into was either playing Michael Jackson or La Roux. I don't object to Michael Jackson, but La Roux on the other hand....anyway, why is that "Bulletproof" song no.1? (Probably because it sold the most downloads this week, duh)

Whilst I'm on the subject of overrated female acts - Pixie Lott. If I hear that "Mama Do" song on the radio once more I might just scream. Still, she's much less objectionable than Duffy....

Back to number ones. David Guetta was no.1 last week with "When Love Takes Over" featuring Kelly Rowland, which is a great dance track. And by a French act too! Apparently he was the first French act to reach no. 1 in the UK since Modjo (which was also a great dance act - I loved their album). Anyway I digress...David Guetta's released a lot of quality dance music over the last few years so he finally deserves a no.1 at last.

I was disappointed by the poor chart showing of Little Boots' "New In Town". She may be yet another one of those over-hyped female electro acts, but I think she actually deserves her success, as her album is full of memorable pop songs. (I'll get round to reviewing it here someday). Maybe the follow-up "Remedy" will do better?

If you want some serious UK chart analysis (as opposed to these ramblings) then check out the wonderful James Masterton's chart blog which is updated weekly at http://new.uk.music.yahoo.com/blogs/chartwatch/

(Mr Masterton is also responsible for a blog of such musical-statistical-fabulousness and total quality that once you start reading it, you'll wonder how you ever lived without it. http://blog.masterton.co.uk/)

Doing any sort of "best of" list is a bit of a nightmare really. It's objective and subjective! It's hard to set parameters - do I limit it to songs that only got released in 2009 (thereby perhaps missing out on acts that released songs last year, but I didn't discover til recently)? And how have songs stood the test of time - I might have loved them when they were released in January but be more enthusiastic about more recent songs because they are more fresh in my mind?! Good gravy. So ultimately, I've just done it. The top 21 songs that i have enjoyed most in the first half of 2009, regardless of when they were released :) And I guarantee that this will change dramatically by year end - not just because of 6 months worth of new songs, but also because I'll have a new perspective on how songs have stood the test of time throughout the year. So enjoy - and let me know if you agree or are thinking "no Lady Gaga? Are you a mentalloid?"...


TOP 21 SONGS I HAVE ENJOYED MOST IN 2009:

21 = Pussycat Dolls, J'Ai Ho/Hush Hush: Well i'm as bloody surprised as you are as I really don't care for PCD. But J'Ai Ho has the ace Slumdog Millionaire connection and Hush Hush is such a marvy disco epic, that I had to make an exception. Hell must be so cold right now...
20 ~ JLS, Beat Again: I just can't get bored with this song - it becomes more appealing and more-ish with every single listen. It really shouldn't work (using the medical metaphor of being heartbroken with lines like "i need you back in my arms/I need love CPR"!) but the charm of JLS oozes through and totally won me over. Hurrah, etc.
19 ~ The Days, No Ties: Explain to me again why this song wasn't massive? Possibly because it was released early in the year when anyone who listens can tell that actually it is a huge summer anthem just waiting to happen.
18 ~ Julian Velard, Love Again For The First Time: Rollicking piano riffs, witty lyrics and chorus harder to shake than swine flu. Plus I'm a sucker for songs about overcoming heartache and finding love again. He's like a more relevant Billy Joel and with better popstar hair. Ace.
17 ~ Erik Hassle, Hurtful: I suspect that this song will still be hovering around this point or higher by the year end. It's just lyrically poetic and instrumentally enticing. I've tried to hold off playing it too much because I suspect Erik is going to be mammoth by 2010...
16 ~ Pet Shop Boys, Love Etc: What a brillo comeback this turned out to be - and while the masses didn't really come running this song showed that Neil and Chris are just as culturally insightful today as they were 25 years ago. Now lets all chant "don't want to be/a big bucks hollywood star"...
15 ~ Jason Mraz, Try Try Try: I wrote about this already on Sunday. It's the optimism that shines through this melodic gem that makes it a real winner. Plus Jason Mraz really is the best sunshine singer this side of the Magic Numbers.
14 ~ Jordin Sparks, Battlefield: It's Ryan Tedder colour by numbers writing and production, but really the guy does it so well that it doesn't seem to matter. Great lyrics, epic chorus and a belting delivery from Jordin means this will be played long after summer is gone...
13 ~ Same Difference, All Roads Lead To Heaven: Industry have shown that pop can flourish and thrive in the era of 80s synth throwbacks, and this ignored classic from the bro-sis duo's debut album Pop was and is an unheralded Steps-esque pop masterpiece.
12 ~ Simon Curtis/Victoria Justice, On The Wings Of A Dream: Talking of pop masterpieces, what would Simon sound like if he went pure pop for a while? The answer is this great tween sing a long ditty from Spectacular. Simon's vocals have never been more clear showing the boy really can sing :)
11 ~ Elouise, One Night Only: Oh boy am I obsessed with this old song. I could have chosen any one of a number of versions but for me Elouise transports me into the song. Perhaps it's her spot on vocal delivery or her swinging sixties chick dance moves? Or maybe i'm just mesmerised by the glittery dresses she wears each time she performs it. Whatever, it's magic.

10 ~ BWO, You're Not Alone: Another BWO comeback single, another triumph. The group mix some gothic fairytale magic into the song which ultimately makes it perhaps their most ominous yet glorious sounding single to date. Worldwide domination has probably passed them by, but I will never forsake them :)
09 ~ Taylor Swift, Love Story: Even if the rest of the song was absolute crap (and i'm sure some people think that it is!), the key change and doe eyed romanticism of the line "marry me juliet you'll never have to be alone" gets me tingly every single time. Every. Single. Time :*)
08 ~ Mans Zelmerlow, Hope & Glory: There are many reasons why this works. Great hook. Fun production values. Oddly done but appreciated key change. Smooth and enthusiastic vocal delivery. All coming out of one of the most genetically perfect human beings to currently walk the planet. The defense rests...
07 ~ Little Boots, New In Town: It wasn't quite the mammoth debut single I'd hoped for but there was something entirely likeable about Victoria's first single proper. It was just quirky enough to stand out from the crowd and perhaps i liked it most because, like me, LB tried to cram far too many words (into the chorus) when fewer would have sufficed. I'm wordy. What can I say?!
06 ~ Lily Allen, The Fear: Lily transcends from perhaps one off album wonder to proper pop star with her lushly produced song about how life can be a bit crushing at times. Genius video with it to boot, and perhaps the most prophetic credit crunch lyrics this side of Shania's Ka-ching. Definitely a big "F*** You" very very much to the doubters :P
05 ~ Kelly Clarkson, My Life Would Suck Without You: It's just blooming euphoric pop genius. It may be Since You've Been Gone 2.0 but when you've got a chorus this giving and a vocal that powerful these trifling little matters seem not to make a jot of difference to the fun factor contained within :)
04 ~ Marina & The Diamonds, I Am Not A Robot: There's a delicate vulnerability about this pretty, ethereal, floating jewel of a tune that I am addicted to. It's been quite the year for robots in pop, and this is by far my favourite contribution. A bit out there, slightly bonkers and utterly utterly brilliant.
03 ~ Sugababes, Every Heart Broken: I often sit and ponder why this excellent tune was not a single. It's based around the most simple of melodies and the most simple of metaphors (one that works better than JLS, although theirs is more endearing). Definitely not the sort of song I could listen to just once and evidence that the 'babes still have it in them to create brilliant pop tunes 6 albums into their career.
02 ~ Benny Andersson Band, Story Of A Heart: Abba remain one of my most beloved pop acts of all time. I have yet to tire of their music. This is as close to a new Abba song as I will probably get. Exquisite lyrics, gorgeous arrangements, beautifully sung and ultimately a little bit devastating. The only minor thing wrong with it is that it isn't the lovely ladies singing. If I don't see them live on Saturday in London then I am an entire disgrace unto myself :(
01 ~ Hotel Rival, Second Best To None: It's not really a pop song per se, but one can see how it really could be. As it is written by the boys of Abba, it has brilliantly catchy chorus, bonkers lyrics and quite a nice love them within the verses. Production is probably about 20 years ago in sound but it's just all too charming and totally designed for me to fall in love with it. Adore the video too, especially the love affair between the only-looks-good-between-my-thighs sexy barman, the slutty blonde and the eye brow raising dwarf. I would die to see what someone like BWO, Industry or Simon Curtis would do to this song :)

JONAS BONUS MENTIONS:

Best "by the numbers" ballads (but beautifully executed): The Saturdays - Issues; Alesha Dixon - Breathe Slow

Best non-album comeback cover versions: No Doubt - Stand & Deliver; Scissor Sisters - Do The Strand; The Feeling - This Is Love; Taio Cruz - Everybody's Changing

Best squandered opportunity: The Saturdays - Just Can't Get Enough (It was totally fun and did it's job, but if it was all as brillo as the harmonised moment at 2m16 on this video, then it would have a lesson in astonishingosity)

Best old songs resurfacing: Heartbreak Makes Me A Dancer (SEB now with Freemasons from last June); The Show (Lenka from last June now slowly breaking the UK); F*** You (Lily Allen's demo from last June is now a European single and still delightful); Single Ladies (Beyonce tune that I didn't like last year but now love).

See you Thurs for the July Fizzypop Chronicles kicking off the second half of the year.

It's almost the end of June - can't believe we are halfway through the year already!

I've been checking my list of favourite songs of the year so far and my list already has 40 songs in it.

Only 10 of the songs have been released in the UK; and some of these songs are likely to drop out of the final listing as some (hopefully better) European tracks enter my chart over the next few months.

If the British charts have been pretty dire, then it's been an absolutely amazing year for European music so far - all my favourite acts have released new material, and there's so much more to come...

I'll begin unveiling the 2009-50 from Thursday 19th November - two tracks per night, you know the formula by now!

(and yes, there may be one or two Salem songs in there :))) )

"I'm just in awe of what's in front of me"

Firstly, can I just say that this album review is 6 months late, as I ordered the album back in January and it was delivered on its initial release date: but due to circumstances, time went on and one month turned into another...so here we are at the end of June 2009, with EOTS finally having broken into the UK singles chart with "We Are The People" so I thought it would be a good time to publish my review. Better late than never.

The unique selling point about this Aussie duo is that they neither look, nor sound, like anyone else. They have a distinctive image, which once seen will never be forgotten. Their music is almost always compared to another duo who achieved fame over the last 12 months, MGMT, but in my opinion EotS are much much better.

The main thing about this album - dare I say a stumbling block - is that the first four tracks "Standing on the Shore"/"Walking On A Dream"/"Half Mast"/"We Are The People" - are so stunning that they overshadow everything that follows, to such an extent that it could be described as an album of two halves - the outstanding first four tracks are probably the only ones you will need, and if they are to define EotS' career, then that would be a fine quartet to remember them by.

The lyrics of "We Are The People" make reference to 1975. There is perhaps a retro feel to some of EotS' music which sounds as if it could have come from that time, and that's maybe what makes it special for me. I'm really glad this song made the UK top 20 - but I was also pleasantly surprised too, that something of such considerable quality could break through into a chart mainly consisting of dire tedious rubbish.

If you do manage to get beyond the first four tracks, then well done. The bad news is that there is nothing to match their greatness - although "Delta Bay" is weird and wonderful with its falsetto vocals; instrumental "Country" is reminiscent of the Twin Peaks theme (remember that?); "Swordfish Hotkiss Night" has the duo channelling their inner Prince; and closing ballad "Without You" definitely sounds as if it was lifted off an 80s film soundtrack.

Empire of the Sun is a unique act with lots and lots of promise for the future - they've delivered a great (if uneven) album but if they keep on developing their musical vision then they will become a real force to be reckoned with.

It's Glastonbury time again, so it's a bit of a telly marathon for me this weekend....last night I was channel-hopping through the BBC channels covering the music festival and was very lucky to come across BBC4's coverage of The Specials set on the Pyramid Stage.

Absolutely fantastic. The band recently reformed for a 30th anniversary tour (we weren't quick enough off the mark for tickets) but despite the passing of time, it could have been 1979 all over again, such was their freshness, energy and enthusiasm. The set included "Gangsters", "Rat Race", "Blank Expression", "Monkey Man", "Concrete Jungle", "A Message to You Rudy", "Do Nothing", "Too Much Too Young", "You're Wondering Now" and last but never least, "Ghost Town". That song for me summed up the turbulent summer of 1981 and is every bit as relevant today. And yes, Terry Hall kept a straight face throughout....nothing ever changed :))

Their set was the highlight of the festival for me so far. I didn't see much else apart from bits of Little Boots, VV Brown, Ting Tings, and notably Lady GaGa - I never thought I'd see the day when someone like her would wow a festival crowd, but that's indeed what she did do.

Neil Young headlined last night, but I gave him a miss as he's not my cup of tea.

Tonight: Bruce Springsteen, Kasabian, Franz Ferdinand. Off to set the video....!

In a week where the world lost Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett, it's hard to be too cheerful isn't it? Michael the performer remains one of the world's greatest musical influences with a back catalogue so vast that it's hard not to be in love with at least some of his tunes. Farrah - well anyone who can handle such an undignified disease with such poise and grace is always astonishing in my book. So i'll watch Charlie's Angels reruns, listen to Man in the Mirror and admire those people who do tributes so much more eloquently than I ever could.

WHAT GOT ME THROUGH THE WEEK:

It was the always delightful Nick at Alien Hits that drew my attention to The Baseballs (I love how Nick just gracefully showcases excellent obscure music on such a regular basis). An album full of rockabilly covers of some of the greatest pop hits of recent years? On paper it just sounds quite hideous. Yet the album Strike is one of THE pop gems of the year. Clever arrangements, always perky and uplifting, excellent choices of songs and great enjoyable Elvis-esque vocals. Check out the video above to the first single Umbrella - it's totally quirky yet if you are even close to liking it, it has pulled you right in by the time it finishes (And try telling me that the melody at the beginning isn't lifted totally from Kylie and Jason's exuberant All I Wanna Do classic!!). I am just loving this band so much right now - as much for their music as for the fact that I didn't even know I needed a rockabilly covers album in my life. And hurrah - shallowness alert: There's at least one dude I'd like to get down to a bit of rock'n'roll with in the group. Oh and wouldn't they just have gone down a treat at Glastonbury this weekend? Heaven.

Jason Mraz has turned into the ultimate feelgood geezer hasn't he? If you look through his back catalogue (and I do regularly) not only is he the purveyor of some very fine pop songs that deserved to be much bigger internationally than they were (The Remedy, Wordplay, Geek In The Pink, Curbside Prophet) but there are some just beautiful songs in there that rank high on the playlist when I want a positive message to listen to. I mean take the still-selling I'm Yours. A song so full of being able to open up and give yourself wholly to someone that the simple lyrics have made Mr Mraz a worldwide star. Want more of the same? Try the ever so wonderful Life is Wonderful where he ponders all the strange vagueries that make up the world we live in, and still concludes that it's a pretty great place. Then of course there is the best affirmation this side of Affirmation with the inspiring Live High. The lyrical themes of this song are continued in Try Try Try - both urge the listener and the subject matter of the song to at least continually strive to be a better person, and there's certainly nothing wrong with that. We all have our flaws - god knows I do. It's how I try and get better at overcoming them on a continual daily basis that I hope makes me a nice person :) Oh, and yes, it may all sound a bit new age and touchy feely. I don't care - I'm all for throwing off city life and living in a very big house in the country. Growing avacados. Delish.

It seems almost weekly that I am writing about Elouise. She is my greatest obsession on this blog since Simon Curtis and Same Difference. This week, I've been glued to the videos of her performance at Stratford Circus last Saturday. The girl is a consumate performer :) I've literally begged her to at least at some point put her version of the glorious One Night Only on an album, b side or EP. I just need a euphoric studio version by her to dance to. (BTW, check out the lovely Rachel from Dutch X Factor performing it in the finals a few weeks ago. Sadly she didn't win, but i'm quite pleased with Lisa - even if she did get stuck with a carbon copy of Alexblandra's Hallelujah). Other highlights from Saturday include one of my fave Diana Ross songs ever, When You Tell Me That You Love Me and a gorgeous acoustic version of When Will I See You Again which really highlights her vocal ability. I also accidentally let onto Elouise that i thought the guitarist in the vid was a fox, and she informed me it's her brother Tom. Good grief. When will i learn to keep my big mouth shut? :P So long story short: Elouise = amazing future star. The end.

TOP 21 SONGS OF THE WEEK:

21 ~ Take That, The Garden
20 ~ Pet Shop Boys, Did You See Me Coming?
19 ~ Mr Hudson, Supernova
18 ~ Le Kid, Mercy Mercy
17 ~ Erik Hassle, Don't Bring Flowers (NE)
16 ~ Industry, My Baby's Waiting (#1 in Ireland!!)
15 ~ Alcazar, From Brazil With Love
11 ~ Marina And The Diamonds, I Am Not A Robot
13 ~ Dan Black, Symphonies
12 ~ Little Boots, New In Town
11 ~ Freemasons ft SEB, Heartbreak Makes Me A Dancer
10 ~ BWO, Right Here Right Now
09 ~ Mans Zelmerlow, Home
08 ~ Dolly Rockers, Je Suis Un Dolly
07 ~ Elouise, One Night Only
06 ~ JLS, Beat Again
05 ~ Jordin Sparks, Battlefield
04 ~ Jason Mraz, Try Try Try
03 ~ "Abba", Second Best To None
02 ~ Michael Jackson, Man In The Mirror (NE)(VID)
01 ~ Benny Andersson Band, Story Of A Heart (3 weeks)
Other Michael songs on repeat: Will You Be There; Keep The Faith; You Are Not Alone

Coming this week! It's like i'm on senokot! I'm getting regular again :) Best 20 0f the year so far on Tues! July Fizzypop Chronicles on Thurs. Back on Sun with weekly round up. Hurrah, etc.

I woke up this morning to the news that Michael Jackson died yesterday, aged 50. He lived his life in a big, bold, bizarre and controversial way and the more I think about it, it's not so surprising that he died so young. He was probably the first worldwide megastar of 'our' generation, and the first to leave us.

Predictable things followed....notably those phoney showbiz obituaries, and his songs were, unsurprisingly, all over the radio.

Everyone's talking and writing about him today. I don't have anything new, or original, to add. All I will say is that MJ made two fantastic albums which still sound so fresh today - "Off The Wall" and "Thriller", and nothing recorded after them came anywhere near their greatness. As a performer, his influence lives on in many of today's artists.

Just like Elvis and John Lennon before him, Jackson's records will sell again in their millions -so you can expect every top 40 singles and album chart in the world to be dominated by him this week.

Britney Spears Shopping Beverly Hills Photos

The photos of Britney Spears out for shopping in Beverly Hills shopping for clothes with her bodyguards pics pictures.

Megan Fox The 'Late Show With David Letterman' Pictures

The pictures of Megan Fox visits The 'Late Show With David Letterman' in New York City pics photos.

Leighton Meester MTV Studios New York Pics

The pics of Leighton Meester at the MTV Studios in New York for her taping of "It's On With Alexa Chung" pictures photos.

'Bruno' Los Angeles Premiere Photos

The photos of 'Bruno' Los Angeles Premiere Celebrities Grauman's Chinese Theatre, Hollywood, CA pics pictures.