Lopez Blogs

Big news today!! It was confirmed at www.jamiroquai.com today that the band's 7th album, titled "Rock Dust Light Star" will be released on 1st November 2010. More info at http://www.jamiroquai.com/site/news/227/jamiroquai's-new-album-is-called-'rock-dust-light-star' where you can also find a little taster of new song 'White Knuckle Ride'.

Jamiroquai is one of this country's most underrated acts - they seem to be more appreciated within Europe, where music fans seem to have better taste of course. It's been five years since the fantastic "Dynamite" was released, and Jay and the boys have been sooooo missed from the UK music scene, so I'm really glad to have them back at long last.

It doesn't take much to push me over the edge at the moment, and tonight, I am (at the very least) teetering on the brink.

Alex Gardner is one of the very very few British musical talents that I've got excited about this year: "I'm Not Mad" is one of the most underrated songs of 2010, so inevitably it followed that it wasn't a hit :( anyway the follow-up is called "Feeling Fine" and it is by all means a catchy tune, even if Popjustice delivered a very definite thumbs down here: http://www.popjustice.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4917&Itemid=206

I don't object to the song, but it's one thing dishing out the autotune-treatment to the likes of Iyaz, Sean Kingston, Jason Derulo etc...i.e. to cover up fly-by-night, musically redundant chart fodder, but it's another thing doing it to the chorus of a song by a very good singer whose talent does not necessitate this.

I don't have anything against vocoders, but autotune is really p**sing me off. Please make it stop.

Oh and one more thing, the chorus of the new Jack McManus song "Heart Attack" also slightly suffers from autotune-disease, although on a more bearable level: http://www.jackmcmanus.co.uk/.

(By the way, I'm very happy about Jack's return to the music world, and I promise I will do another separate Jack post soon, preferably when I'm not feeling so grumpy!)

Thanks again to Popjustice for bringing Dekade to my attention: formerly known as NiteVisions, they are none other than the sons of Andy and Roger Taylor from Duran Duran. Which is a good enough reason to get excited. And on the evidence of "Haunt You" on their MySpace, they're sounding good....

www.myspace.com/dekade

It's not always an easy task to follow up a no.1 hit single, and when that particular single was the mighty "I'm Not Alone" (still my favourite British single of the year so far) then it was a major challenge for Calvin Harris, who continues to be a big favourite on this blog.

So three cheers for "Ready For The Weekend" which presses all the right dance-pop buttons for me. I can only reiterate my previous view that he is breathing fresh new life into dance music. The single is out on 10th August; the album of the same name is out one week later. Have a listen to the new single at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2Z56le7-H4

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....!

Just thought I'd mention this wonderful idea. One of the many great music-bloggers out there, The Vinyl Villain, has declared today, 6th April, Paul Haig Day. This is in honour of that very underrated and inventive artist who many of us remember from his ahead-of-its-time music in the 1980s. Basically, the story goes that TVV had posted a Paul Haig track and had been ordered by those faceless DMCA people to remove it.....only for Paul himself and his management to fully support what TVV had been doing. If you go to TVV's website you'll find lots of links to other bloggers, many of whom are posting Paul Haig songs today on their blogs.

In support of this, here are a couple of YouTube links to a couple of my favourite Haig classics so you can discover the man's musical greatness. Enjoy!!

"Big Blue World" :

"The Only Truth" :

Dancey, trancey, and rather fab.

Welcome back Mr Calvin Harris. You have been missed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YXO5n7CMw4

Haven't seen tonight's show yet - will watch it tomorrow, although I couldn't resist a sneak peek at the Pet Shop Boys' medley which closed the show.

Anyway here's who won:

British Male Solo Artist: Paul Weller
British Female Solo Artist: Duffy
British Group: Elbow
British Single: "The Promise" - Girls Aloud
British Album: "Rockferry" - Duffy
British Breakthrough Act: Duffy
British Live Act: Iron Maiden
International Male Solo Artist: Kanye West
International Female Solo Artist: Katy Perry
International Group: Kings of Leon
International Album: "Only By The Night" - Kings of Leon
Critics Choice Award: Florence and the Machine
Outstanding Contribution to Music: Pet Shop Boys

A strange mix of unit-shifters and the critically acclaimed.

3 awards for Duffy? Huh? Is it just me?
"The Promise" as best single? Now I've long been a GA fan but it's ironic that they should finally win a Brit with (IMHO) their worst single.
Still it's not all bad. Scouting For Girls won zilch.

Well done PSBs though. I've always loved them, all the way from the original version of "West End Girls" and it's time they got the recognition they deserve which is long, long overdue.

EDIT 19.02.08: I watched the show tonight and drew the following conclusions:

1. Apart from Russell Brand - love him or hate him, but he was brilliant the year he presented the show - there is always a foregone conclusion that the presenters will be rubbish. Two people from some sitcom called "Gavin and Stacey" which I haven't watched, but if it's as funny as these two were, then I wouldn't anticipate cracking a smile. In fact I decided that James Corden - the one who used to be on "Fat Friends" back in the day - is possibly one of the unfunniest people I've seen in years.

2. Live Acts - I was impressed with the fairly high calibre of the live performances on offer, particularly the aforementioned Pet Shop Boys end of show medley which featured guest vocals from the lovely Brandon Flowers and Lady GaGa.

Coldplay - as usual they gave it their all, but I wonder how they must have been feeling - knowing that they were (unfairly) going home empty-handed?

Kings of Leon were also excellent on "Use Somebody" - what brilliant vocals.

Take That - well they always put on a show, although I think you'd say 'that was so not a good look' :)

My aversion to the Ting Tings prevented me from sitting through their 'who thought of this?' collaboration with Estelle. (I wish Kanye had been there instead - but he wasn't. Have to say his acceptance speech was quite funny though).

U2 opened the show with "Get On Your Boots", which - shock horror - I actually quite like - but live, it left me cold, because they always do now.

3. Shock winners: Iron Maiden - Best Live Act! Tonight we're gonna party like it's 1982.
Elbow - Critics' favourites of the last year, but Best British Group? A lot of people have never heard of them. (I have, although I've never really investigated their music).

As usual, with the Brits you should always prepare for disappointment, because disappointment's what you're gonna get :(

The annual British music awards ceremony takes place this Wednesday, I'll videotape it and watch it on Thursday night.

I suppose it's one of the worst years in a long time, and any British music I did get excited about got lost and would never ever make it to an awards ceremony like this....not when you've got absolute dross like Scouting For Girls around anyway :O

Here are the nominees, and some of my foolish predictions.

British Male Solo Artist: Ian Brown, James Morrison, Paul Weller, Will Young, The Streets.

Prediction: Will Young. He may not be topping the charts anymore but you can't deny that he's a quality performer.
Own choice: Will Young.


British Female Solo Artist: Adele, Beth Rowley, Duffy, Estelle, M.I.A.

Prediction: Duffy. She sold lots of records, and "the industry" likes that too.
Own choice: I'm not really keen on any of them, but if I was pushed then probably Estelle, if only for "American Boy".


British Group: Coldplay, Take That, Elbow, Girls Aloud, Radiohead.

Prediction: Take That. A loyal fanbase both old and new should do it for them.
Own choice: OK I love Take That, I really do, but it's Coldplay for me.


British Breakthrough Act: Adele, Duffy, The Last Shadow Puppets, Scouting For Girls, The Ting Tings. Otherwise known as the 'everything that was wrong with new British music last year' category - Shadow Puppets excepted.

Prediction: Duffy.
Own choice: The Last Shadow Puppets


British Album: Coldplay - Viva La Vida / Duffy - Rockferry / Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid / Radiohead - In Rainbows / Ting Tings - We Started Nothing

Prediction: Viva La Vida.
Own choice: Viva La Vida.


British Live Act: Coldplay, Elbow, Iron Maiden, Scouting For Girls, The Verve.

Prediction: Coldplay.
Own choice: Coldplay.


International Male Solo Artist: Beck, Neil Diamond, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Seasick Steve. Yes it's diverse, but was that the best they could do?

Prediction: Kanye West.
Own choice: Kanye West.


International Female Solo Artist: Beyoncé / Gabriella Cilmi / Katy Perry / Pink / Santogold

Prediction: Katy Perry
Own choice: Gabriella Cilmi


International Group: AC/DC, Fleet Foxes, The Killers, Kings of Leon, MGMT

Prediction: Kings of Leon
Own choice: The Killers


International Album: All the albums by all the International Group nominees.

Prediction: Kings of Leon
Own Choice: The Killers

Best British Single: Adele - Chasing Pavements / Alexandra Burke - Hallelujah / Coldplay - Viva La Vida / Dizzee Rascal featuring Calvin Harris and Chrome - Dance Wiv Me / Duffy - Mercy / Estelle ft Kanye West - American Boy / Girls Aloud - The Promise / Leona Lewis - Better in Time / Scouting for Girls - Heartbeat / The X Factor Finalists - Hero

Prediction: "Mercy"

Own choice: How cool would it be if "Dance Wiv Me" won!!!

At least we'll get something decent on the night: The Pet Shop Boys will get that long-overdue Lifetime Achievement award and if the rumours are true, they promise a very special live performance. Well we will need something to liven it up.

Sorry I'm so full of apathy about this, but compare this with the likes of the Swedish Grammys or the Rockbjornen, and you will realise where my musical heart truly lies (if you didn't know already of course!!) :)))

Rejoicing at the news today that the Pet Shop Boys are finally going to be given a long-overdue Outstanding Contribution award at next February's Brit awards ceremony.

About time too.

At the moment: listening to bits of Coldplay's "Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends". This getting-Coldplay-albums-on-their-release-date thing is becoming a bit of a habit for me as I remember getting "X and Y" the day it came out, and playing "White Shadows" and "Talk" almost until the CD wore out.

It's not that I am a big Coldplay fan, not really, but there's something that draws me in and I can't really explain it.

However, I still don't understand what Chris Martin is about though. I was listening to him being interviewed on Radio 4's "Front Row" and he walked out when it all got too much for him. Maybe he prefers to let the music speak for itself, but in that case why do interviews at all?

Anyway this album sounds rather wonderful, the bits I've heard so far. I'm loving "42" and the title track already. Is it just me or is "Violet Hill" one of the weakest songs on the album though?

On first listen, this sounds like a great, epic album and even if you're not a fan then you might still find something on it to love.

Remember I mentioned Paul Steel on here a few times last year and predicted big things for this musical genius? Well, tonight I've just found out that he's been dropped by his record label, Polydor. I know things are tough these days in the music industry, but what chance have we got of things changing for the better when original and outstanding acts like Paul are not being given the opportunity to be heard? I'm really gutted about this, and anyone who has heard and enjoyed his music will no doubt feel the same. (If he's escaped your notice so far, visit www.myspace.com/paulsteel)

Anyway we have to look on the bright side: his epic "Moon Rock" album will get released, someday. Good luck Paul, and hopefully you'll now find a record company that deserves your talents.

I've mentioned Jack McManus a few times on here over the last couple of weeks. Now I've discovered the existence of yet another curly-haired, piano-playing, singer-songwriter by the name of Julian Perretta, who has in the past week signed a 5 album deal with Sony BMG/Columbia Records. Well done to him, there is a very catchy song called "Wonder Why" on his MySpace (www.myspace.com/julianperrettamusic) it sounds a little bit Hoosiers-ish but don't be put off by that. At least he doesn't sound like Scouting For Girls, who are possibly (IMHO) the worst band of this decade. "Like I Do" is very good too, by the way.

Can I add Jack McManus to the list of people I want to rave about?

"Bang On The Piano" is rather fab, isn't it!! The video has now been added to The Box playlist and if you haven't seen/heard this then head over to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMla35_YWoM for a fine old slice of radio-friendly pop which is out on 21st April and which (I will foolishly predict!) will do major damage in the top 40 in the next few weeks. Jack is yet another one of these solo singer-songwriters (many of whom are also called Jack!!) but I am really impressed with what I've heard so far. Check out his MySpace (www.myspace.com/jackmcmanus) for some more of his fine tunes including "Not The Hardest Part" and "You Think I Don't Care" and "Either Side of Midnight".

Was reading an old interview with superstar-in-waiting (if there's any justice) Paul Steel and he mentioned another singer-songwriter named Aaron King, who also comes from his home town of Brighton.

It was enough to make me visit his MySpace page (www.myspace.com/aaronkingmusic) where there are a few demos to listen to. I'd describe Aaron as a musical cross between Paul Steel and the late great Elliott Smith, which I think is a good enough recommendation.

Yet another one to add to the growing list of great keyboard-playing-singer-songwriters out there who deserve to be stars!

Right now, right this minute, I'm watching The Feeling's new video on Channel 4. The song is called "I Thought It Was Over". Nice, although on first listen it doesn't grab me in the way that "Sewn" or "Fill My Little World" did. I still like them though, and it's enough to make me look forward to hearing the new album.

Since Leon Jackson won the latest series of "X Factor" last Saturday night, he has been a target for criticism, and not just from disgruntled Rhydian fans. Like many others, I thought Rhydian had it in the bag, whilst Leon and Same Difference were just there on the final night to make up the numbers.

Why did Leon win? Hopefully not because of the "sob stories" aspect, which IMHO ruins the show from the audition stage onwards.

Again in my own humble opinion, Leon clinched victory because in his rendition of "When You Believe" he made that connection with the audience, even an old cynic like me who hates everything about "X Factor" (although I still watched it every week). Yes, Rhydian was a note-perfect, professional singer who was too good for this contest, but in the end he failed to connect. I doubt if Leon has the emotional strength or charisma to survive in the cut-throat pop world, but what he does have is a great voice, and that's what impressed me in the end, and I like the way he sang that song.

I was genuinely delighted when Leon was announced as the winner, as it was one of those moments which hadn't really happened since the Will-Gareth "Pop Idol" showdown when you expected a foregone conclusion only to get a major surprise. Leon is no Will Young however, and his career will need to be carefully managed and the correct songs chosen for him, otherwise he may just remain a one-hit wonder.

Good luck to Rhydian though: a long career in musical theatre is virtually guaranteed, and in the end it may be more rewarding than the five minutes of fame and Christmas number one that being an "X Factor" winner brings.

For the moment though, I like Leon singing "When You Believe", and I've never liked an "X Factor" winner's single before. So there is indeed a first time for everything.

Agree agree agree with the posse over at Popjustice: why did Ali Love's brilliant "Late Night Session" only reach No. 125 in the singles chart? It's a great funky commercial tune which sounds great and should be in the top 20 at least.

So who's buying "1973" by James Blunt? Or for that matter "Beautiful Girls" by Sean Kingston? They'll have you suicidal....

There is no end to the craze of musicals build around artists and here is yet another one, "Never Forget" based on the music of Take That. Only thing is, Take That don't want anything to do with it. Whether they will be saying that when the royalties from the show come in is another matter. Don't get me wrong, I love TT and won't hear a word against them, but they should be cashing in at every opportunity rather than turning their back on a nice little earner.

Also, am I the only one to notice the similarity of "Shine" to Andreas Johnson's MF runner up "Sing For Me"?