Lopez Blogs

Usually the November playlist is jampacked with exciting autumnal hits for your listening pleasure. I'm not saying this isn't a great one, but I'm not as excited about it as I have been the past few years. Still the inclusion of the first song on the list pleases me greatly, and there are many wonderful pop ditties within to keep you going til the double disc Christmas special! And if that isn't enough to cheer you up, the red cups are here! RED CUPS!!!

1 ~ Simon Curtis, Delusional: Really, how much more can I write about this song that I haven't said here, here or here! So instead I'll repeat what Larry Flick said about it on Sunday when he played it for the first time on his Feel The Spin radio show - "it's one of those songs that once you have heard it, you can't stop singing all day long. It sounds like a massive number one anthem, and I can't wait to hear more from this promising young artist!" Amen! Check out reviews by Ken and Aaron also!
2 ~ Darin, Viva La Vida: Ah lovely little Darin. He's come a long way since his Idol days yet he's happy to return to his roots to promote the show with this Coldplay cover that just sparkles with Euro-pop sizzle. It perhaps doesn't work outside of that setting but Darin is getting ready to launch his forward thinking Flashback album in the UK pretty soon. Oh, and I can only imagine what a PSB cover of this might sound like!!
3 ~ Madonna, Revolver: Not her finest ever moment, but a spunky bit of fun to pad out the not bad Celebration collection. Frankly it could be sung by anyone, but I do like the way she makes the refrain sound like she's singing about a vulva. Whatever one of those is :)
4 ~ Shakira, Did It Again: Not a Kylie cover nor the best choice for second single from the She-Wolf album. However, this does showcase Shakira doing what she does well - slinking along with a singalong hook. And in terms of a long term album campaign, it just means there is much better to come in terms of foxy single (*cough* men in this town *cough*)
5 ~ Little Boots, Earthquake: The Little Boots phenomenon is finally taking off properly isn't it? Everyone loved Remedy and I can only imagine that this sweet little pop ditty will only seal the deal for her increasing fanbase. Unfortunately, it's being released at a very tough time of year so may suffer chartwise but that doesn't mean you have to love it any less :)
6 ~ Marina & The Diamonds, Mowgli's Road: Another campaign gathering heat is that of the nearly popstar career of the internet savvy Marina. After the quirkiness of Obsessions and the sheer beauty of one of the year's best songs (I Am Not A Robot) comes this Kate Bush inspired moment of joy. Will it break her to a wider audience? I'm not entirely sure, but it's a listening treat for your ears all the same...
7 ~ Mini Viva, I Wish (above): I know I only got around to featuring Tokyo on last month's list, but I Wish is so lovely that I couldn't bare to wait my requisite 2 months before featuring an artist again. Yes, it's the Girls Aloud mid-tempo ballad that would have been released had the 5 piece not been on a break, but that doesn't make it any gorgeous or sweeping in it's production or delivery.
8 ~ Sugababes 3.0, About A Girl: You know, I was sad-ish when Keisha left/was flung out but it wasn't until the Keisha Sweet 7 sampler leaked that I properly missed her. Yes, Heidi probably staged a coup to cling onto the group at any cost and yes it's not their finest work ever, but it is the last proper chance to hear Keisha sing her little socks off and it's catchy enough so I'm totally on board!
9 ~ Bananarama, Love Don't Live Here: Why Love Comes wasn't a bigger hit is a bit of a crime and a mystery really. Get Ruth Rendell on the case! This epic little number from the Viva album is awash with strings, grandiose production values and a chorus as big as all outdoors. It's almost the Bananarama version of Untouchable. Only not quite. Still mega though.
10 ~ Backstreet Boys, Bigger: Ah, I'm vaguely disappointed with the latest BSB album. It's not quite the grown up boy pop I wanted from them. Having said that, I do think their last single Straight Through The Heart was immense, and this Max Martin ditty is both brilliantly singable and wonderfully delivered. It's a crime they only got to sing it on the Xtra Factor instead of the main stage (see link)...

11 ~ Mika, Blame It On The Girls: While I don't hold with all this "different singles released in different areas of the world simultaneously" malarky, I have remained a lot more fond of Mika than most people who bought his debut album (or so sales of his second album would suggest). This song is like candy floss - it's sugary goodness and you know what you are getting before you even bite into it. It's bold, it's brash and it's a little ray of aural sunshine in a cold damp autumn...
12 ~ Neo, Bachelor: Neo first came to my attention as Linus via Bobby's Don't Stop The Pop site. And now as I pick a fourth single from his delightful debut, he is still out Mika-ing Mika with this effortlessly contagious gem of a song. Like Rongedal, there are plenty of joyous melodies to be found floating around Europe if you know where to look :)
13 ~ Take That, Hold Up A Light For Me (above): Either the That or the record company get antsy when after a 3rd single, the Takers are not racking up top 3 hits and basically stop promoting the album with any more singles. Still it's a bumper Christmas for thatties as there are 2 gorgeous photo biographies, a live CD/DVD combo of the stellar tour and of course the perfect opportunity to rediscover this classic Mark sung track from The Circus. Immerse yourself!
14 ~ Westlife, What About Now: You know the world is all akimber when the stench of failure surrounds a number 2 charting single. What else is there to say about the song other than it's what Westlife do and you will either love it or hate it. Sure, I would have preferred something more along the lines of When You're Looking Like That but the world isn't perfect. Nicky is though and that is the important thing. It does scream of "rush job to fit in with an X Factor appearance" though - rubbishy single sleeve, no video and album not out for weeks yet. Tut Louis and Simon, tut.
15 ~ Whitney Houston, I Look To You: But done right an X Factor performance can boost a career no end. Look at Whitters. Million Dollar Bill hovvered outside the top ten, then she goes on, breaks her dress, disses Dermot, stares at the floor and bam! She is top 5. I like a nice Whitney ballad around Christmas so if a second single were to be rush released for the festive market, this uplifting little number would do nicely. And played back to back with the next tune you would think it was 1992 all over again!
16 ~ Mariah Carey, I Want To Know What Love Is: Yes, yes, it's a bit dated now and linked to one of her less overwhelming albums (more underwhelming?), but that doesn't stop her Foreigner cover being a powerhouse performance from start to finish. She's probably on autopilot all the way through, but it still reminds you how great she can be when she tries!
17 ~ Industry, In Your Arms: At this rate, the debut album by Industry will be a greatest hits collection :P It's perhaps their most organic and raw sounding song to date, that really showcases their vocals and they get to emote for ireland in the video (particularly Donal). Passes the time nicely until a big UK launch next year with a massive pop number that no doubt several acts will be entirely jealous of...
18 ~ Kelly Clarkson, Cry: Oh dear. Single number three (Already Gone) was lovely but ever so reminiscent of Halo by Bouncey. That's what happens when you sell your soul to Ryan Tedder. This is actually the song that kelly wanted to release instead of Already Gone but didn't get her way with. I bet there was some footstamping at Clive Davies' house that day!!
19 ~ Taylor Swift, Fifteen: Oh dear. She wins an award for video of the year and kanye comes onto the stage and basically shits all over her face. Though not literally because that would be a) gross and b) worse than seeing Janet Jackson's nipple. Luckily she came out of it as the darling of the downtrodden and her stock is worth more than ever. Lucky really because while this song is entirely pleasant, it's not really earth shattering. That is no doubt being saved for a revenge track about Kanye. ooooo!
20 ~ Dashboard Confessional, Belle of the Boulevard: Much like the Indigo Girls, I don't really spend enough time talking about how much I like Dashboard Confessional, yet often listen to their music and avidly follow their releases. This is much more acoustic indie-pop DBC than their Jennifer's Body release (which was very reminiscent of Sex and Candy by Macy's Playground) but not quite as brilliant as one of my fave songs of the decade - Hands Down. Still can't complain if the album is as good as this!
21 ~ The Killers, A White Demon Love Song: Oh where to start when picking a Killers song for this month's compilation. Do I go with this, the wonderful low-key tune from the (ugh)(overrated) Twilight saga? Or should I have gone with their quite decent cover of Hotel California (best cover since Wilson Phillips did it!) or should I wait til December for their annual Christmas single? Uh, obviously I went with this, but don't be surprised if their festive treat ends up on the double "disc" next month!!

Back Friday with a wrap up, then Sunday with the usual x-factor "gumpf" - see you then!