Lopez Blogs

My ear may well explode in the next however many minutes it takes to write this. So if an unattractive goo spaffs across your screen then you will know what has happened. Do not be alarmed. Repeat, do not be alarmed. Anyway, I was going to do a post a day as I am off work this week. This has almost happened. Frankly, even when I have time, I'm not a post a day person. 3 times a week seems to be my limit. Sometimes 4 if the mood takes me (ask Darren)! Anyhoo, I've put together a brief overview of some essential albums that have really brightened up my week off and helped me plow forward with some serious novel writing/book revisions. Merci beaucoup incredible artists :)

Gabriella Cilmi ~ Ten: I had absolutely no interest in the debut album of young Gabriella. That annoying (but probably fairly good) Sweet About Me seemed to be popping up everywhere and got right on my wick. Luckily her new album is a bit of a reinvention as an amazing disco diva - she channels the kids from fame, Donna Summer and solo Girl Aloud (but not in a ghastly Cheryl Tweedy sort of way). Lead single On A Mission is an incredible slice of pop that is a refreshing slice of chewing gum aceness; Hearts Don't Lie is the second single Xenomania track that sounds a bit like Mini Viva but is still quite good in that do-xeno-even-try-anymore sort of way; Superhot screams of single potential and will be one of the most criminally ignored singles of the year a la Beware of The Dog/I Said Never Again and Boys (dodgy lyrics aside) is entirely charming. For more thorough reviews check out AlienHits and Fabtasticmusic.

Goldfrapp ~ Head First: Another act I've never paid attention to is the chameleon like charms of Alison and her troupe. Each album they have released changes sounds from the last release and this is - like Gabriella - is a sumptuous disco dance extravaganza that channels string laden disco sound of Oliva Newton John, Abba and even ELO on some points. First single Rocket soars as it should, comes close to Kim Carnes territory and has a fun melody that positively fizzes. The electro-tinged synths continue throughout the album and there is rarely a miss here - Believer is brilliantly retro but in a way where the band seem to embrace the 80s rather than are inspired by it. It's rather marvelous to be won over by such a highly thought of, smart band because it gives me a full back catalogue to explore (much like when I swooned for St Etienne) - but for now, I'm suckered in by brilliance such as Hunt (so lovely, dark and breathy), I Wanna Life (out and out pop that Girls Can't Catch & the current girl group pretenders wish they could make) and the creatively bonkers Alive. All quite engrossing. For more thorough reviews check out AlienHits (again!), ADH and Chartrigger's interview!

Barenaked Ladies ~ All In Good Time: I've been a long time fan of BNL since all the counsellors at camp in Rochester were obsessed with The Old Apartment back in 1996. They've had ups and downs since then, most recently a bit of a line up change that seems to have shaped their latest album into something that has moments of brilliance but is tempered by some really disappointing tunes. Their last album proper (ie not the live or kids album) Barenaked Ladies Are Me/Men had sterling moments of lyrical creativity and great melodies. Some of that is replicated here in the coldplay-lite but totally engaging You Run Away ~ a totally melancholy sounding (band) break up song that could carry someone through to the final of American Idol if sung well. There's a genuine sadness in the delivery of the song that elevates it and it's a shame that it hasn't done better (perhaps it's a grower). Tracks like Summertime and Another Heartbreak are great straightforward pop tracks that deserve to be singles - great choruses with that 70s friendly ELO/Supertramp vibe that has been so popular with Take That and The Feeling of late (the latter has an exquisite Abba-esque middle 8 that is to die for). What's missing is some of the more quirky stuff the band are famous for - they come close with 4 Seconds, a cabaret romp that almost delights and is well worth the listen. The rest of the album - well it's not bad, but it doesn't sparkle and these four songs are definitely the highlights and way superior to the rest...

The Candle Thieves ~ Sunshine & Other Misfortunes: There is something entirely mesmerising about Scott and Glock's music. It's engaging, uplifting, welcoming and warm - cleverly written, wonderfully presented and touching on themes of love, loss and life that everyone can relate to. Debut single The Sunshine Song is practically Pushing Daisies the pop song - a cheerful, bright song on the surface with a peppy melody yet laced with undertones of sadness at the downside of love. We're All Gonna Die (Have Fun) is a delightfully effervescent tune that dazzles from start to finish and deserves to brighten up the charts when released on the 29th. The use of instruments throughout the album is carefully thought out and utterly rewarding because of this - whether it's the heavenly piano solo in the charming Bright Lights, or lilting casio on my fave album song My Love Will Clap It's Hands For You (best song title of the year so far). And the boys are capable of switching from the more jaunty tunes such as My Little Room to the more pensive Lonely Lonely Lonely. Definitely one of the most likeable and instant albums I've heard this year - it's my mission to see them live before they go too stratospheric. Next stop Birmingham please boys (the Bullring is lovely!)...