Lopez Blogs

I love love I do. Every Christmas you'll find me curled up in my snuggie, watching Love, Actually and having a good old sniffle as the little boy unfeasibly runs through security after his 10 year old love of his life all set to a stirring score. It's magic. And what's not to love about Valentine's Day? People buying tat that will be in the trash by the weekend and bars taking cheap alco-pops, adding pink chapstick to them for flavouring, throwing in a manky old flower and charging up the wazoo for them! It's magic!! I'm a bit late with this whole love song malarky, but here are a few that you might have missed, are definitely worthy of your attention and show that love (and it's associated joys and pains) is not limited to just one day of the year...

• Bright Light Bright Light ~ How To Make A Heart: "Do what you want with me" sang Rod Thomas on his glorious disco passionata "Love Part II" (a song that could have indeed made this very list). And he sang it with such intensity that you get the impression you could have dimmed the bedroom lights and suggested your filthiest desires and he'd have happily obliged. My kinda fella... Anyway, BLBL is back with a far more sombre affair entitled How To Make A Heart. It's an incredibly engaging tune that questions the fragility of emotions and love, set to an industrial-influenced soundscape (recalling Depeche Mode and even Pink Floyd) that is littered with drum beats and synth chords that flow and swell until indeed your heart beats for this tune. It's taken from the forthcoming album Make Me Believe in Hope, which should be out later this year and based on this, Love Part II and Cry At Films promises to be one of the more heavenly cool disco pop sets you'll hear this year. MAGIC.
• Xylos ~ Darling Dearest: You will of course already be aware of the lovely Xylos because of their extremely charming song Not Enough. Lyrically, this is the opposite of that as the band craft an elegant tune that tells of how love should be unconditional regardless of the faults your special fella/lady might have. The chorus is full of hope that this will be the relationship that works, yet within the delivery there's a tinge of melancholy that adds a gravitas and sadness to the tune. Musically, it's full of lovely drum beats, warming synth riffs and harmonies to die for. The debut album (out in April) promises to be most wonderful indeed. MAGIC
• Deborah Gibson ~ Just Say Yes: When she's not busy charming snakes, defeating giant gators and delivering classic lines such as "get off me you crazy snake loving bitch", Deborah of the Gibson is busy churning out twee, romantic gorgeousness such as this standout track from her current album "Ms Vocalist". It's a classic sounding tune filled with delicious piano and elegant strings that has the vocalist yearning for her love object to let them into their heart by just saying yes. And sometimes love is about just letting yourself go and embracing the possibilities. it's not the most cutting edge song in the world, but it is full of emotion, hope and optimism. MAGIC!
• Sanna Nielsen ~ I'm In Love: How shameful. Two weeks into melodifestivalen and already I've taken a break from coverage to write about The Feeling on Sunday instead (another lovely love song - check it out here!). Anyway, while Brolle, The Moniker and Christian Waltz delivered sterling performances on Sunday, the standout for me was this absolutely booming tune from Sanna. It's a swelling mix of ballad set to a stomping dance tune that is utterly euphoric from start to finish. It's particularly hard to find on the net at the moment, but if you do track it down it's well worth your time. If you can't, well it's similar to Celine Dion's Love You More. Kind of. But that doesn't do it justice. MAGIC times a milliion!!

Throughout 2010, I did a monthly visit to Sirius OutQ's Morning Jolt radio show hosted by the incomprable Larry Flick. I bring a selection of sparkling euro-pop tunes (and occasionally further afield - i've also included Amy Meredith, Simon Curtis, Adam Tyler, Kyle Brylin and Andrea Lewis) and usually talk about which fella is the most attractive out of the acts on offer :P I've been fortunate to be asked back yet again (I always feel like surely there's someone better for the job!!) for the first one of 2011, so here's the playlist that's going on air today...

Also played ~

• Xylos ~ Not Enough (read my thoughts on the song here)
• The Scarletz ~ Messed Up (read my thoughts on the song here)
• Neo ~ Underground (read my thoughts on the song here)

The week in review:

• Watched ~ Season 2 of Pushing Daisies. God I miss that show. I must really start to let it go...
• Read ~ finished the first Timeriders book by Alex Scarrow. Tres bon. New series I shall have to follow. Started the third Percy Jackson book. Yes, I'm an "independent reader" section guy this week...
• Starbucks ~ copious amounts. I did shame myself a little bit by asking for a pink fairycake when i meant strawberry covered cup cake. Potato Potarto (who says potarto?!) Still can't beat a White Caffe Mocha...
• Latest obsessions ~ all tv related shamefully. Dancing on Ice is back. Tower Prep on Cartoon Network has been a most pleasing viewing (hello Drew Van Acker!). Pretty Little Liars is back (hello Ian Harding!)
• Listening ~ aside from new Britney and the chart below (lots of new entries), I've been immersed in soothing calming ballads this week. Done well, a good ballad can be a heartwrenching or soul settling tune. I've already written about some of my faves (Carpenters, I Need To Be In Love (above); Rumer, Some Lovers; Viktoria Tolstoy, When All Is Said & Done) - here are two more that are just radiant and lovely...

Didrik Solli-Tangen ~ Compass: I've become ever so slightly smitten with the seemingly very charming Mr Solli-Tangen ever since he performed the heck out of power ballad extraordinaire, My Heart Is Yours, at Eurovision. Whereas that tune was all bombast and grandiose, this reveals a more stripped back, vulnerable side of Didrik and absolutely works a treat. Built around an ever so elegant piano melody that literally floats around Didrik's most gorgeous vocals, the addition of some subtle strings gives it a timeless feel. It really is a beautiful song to behold. It's all wonderfully sincere with production that is just right - the song is tempered to just the right degree and although Didrik could really blast this he holds back just the right amount. Do check out his delightful debut album Guilty Pleasures and follow his webpage - he's a blogging fiend :) Just lovely.

Deborah Gibson ~ Tsunami: Doing an album of Japanese pop covers probably wasn't the most logical move for Ms Gibson but it's one that has worked out rather well. Her lead off single, I Love You, was a sumptuous string led affair and this track - like the Didrik song above - is stripped back to let the beauty of the melody, sentiment and vocal shine forth. What works well about the song is that although it is a cover version, it stands alongside many of Deborah's previous self penned ballads such as One Hand One Heart and With All My Heart. The acoustic guitar adds a bit of layer and depth to the proceedings but it's the simplistic nature of the song and it's lovey dovey lyrics that are the real draw here. Plus, I really like the way the instrumentation ebbs and flows, crescendoing and falling as if to match the lyrics of the song that detail the wave of emotions love brings. Again, just lovely. Good to have her back. Now release "Rise" please :)

Top 21 songs of the week:

21 ~ Westlife, Beautiful Tonight (NE)
20 ~ James Blunt, Too Far Gone (NE)
19 ~ Daniel Boys, To Make You Feel My Love
18 ~ Brandon Flowers, Broken Hearts & Jilted Lovers
17 ~ Maroon 5, Never Gonna Leave This Bed
16 ~ Le Kid, We Should Go Home Together
15 ~ JLS, Eyes Wide Shut (VID)
14 ~ Shayne Ward, Obsession
13 ~ Scissor Sisters, Whole New Way
12 ~ Gravitonas, You Break Me Up
11 ~ Darin, Drowning
10 ~ Britney, Hold It Against Me (NE)
09 ~ Take That, Kidz (NE)
08 ~ Jessie J, Do It Like A Dude
07 ~ Elouise, You'll Never Walk Alone
06 ~ Avril Lavigne, What The Hell
05 ~ Matt Cardle, When We Collide
04 ~ Tove Styrke, White Light Moment
03 ~ Rochella Danishei, Michelle
02 ~ One Direction, Forever Young
01 ~ Same Difference, Karma Karma (2 weeks)

I love me some Deborah (back to Debbie now) Gibson, I do. For nigh on 22 years now, she's been my American Idol and although she might not have had what people class "mainstream success", she's done incredibly well in terms of carving out a career as a singer and performer. It has been about 7 years or so since her last studio album came out (the Broadway covers album Coloured Lights) and nearly 10 since her last album of original material (the amazing and underrated MYOB). So getting new music in whatever shape or form is always a treat. Sure, there's been enough odds and sods to make a somewhat disjointed album in the meantime (highlights include Sounds Like Love from Coffee Date; Someone You Love from the O'Neill Bros album and Say Goodbye, her duet with hunky spunky Jordan Knight) but Ms. Vocalist represents her first proper album since Coloured Lights. It's a collection of cover versions (or as I like to call them "interpretations") of famous Japanese pop songs sung in English. You can hear clips of all the songs above in the youtube video and I'm most reserving judgement until my import copy arrives (currently it's only available in Japan, though an iTunes release may be pending). I would, however, like to comment on 2 of the clips in particular:

1. Lost In Your Eyes (2010) ~ Forward to about 40 seconds in the video above and you get a heavenly new piano-vocal version of her 1989 US #1 smash. She's reworked the song before (for the aforementioned O'Neill Bros collaboration) in 2006 and gave it a more rhythmic feel. This takes it back to its roots and the subtle differences in the piano riff and a more mature vocal makes it a wonderful new experience - and as the clip draws to a close around 1m10s, it absolutely sounds like some new Disney movie theme. Delightful - someone get One Direction singing this on the x-factor stat!
2. Rise ~ (9m40s) I'm not sure if this is on the album or not, but it is a brand new tune from Deb that was written especially for the movie "3 Billion & Counting" (which she also scored). I am dying to hear the full version of this - it's absolutely anthemic; a cross between an Idol/X-Factor winner's song and an Olympics theme tune. Quite, quite brilliant - loving the choir. More please - and soon...

And of course, that leads me nicely into the lead single from Ms Vocalist - why not watch the video below first, then read on ;)

I'm not familiar with any of the tracks on Ms Vocalist (other than of course LIYE) so they all are going to seem new to me - and Deborah has done a brilliant version of a Japanese pop song in the past with the epic Portrait of Loneliness so I'm ready to be won over. It's an elegant ballad that wisely focuses on the piano melody and Deborah's soaring vocal. What works really well with the song is that it absolutely sounds like a Deborah Gibson tune - lyrically, it fits well with her previous canon of ballads. She also nails the vocal delivery - often with this type of ballad there is a tendancy to go wailing off all over the place. X-Factor contestants do it all the time. Sometimes less is more and the restraint in the vocal is matched perfectly by the gentle orchestral sound that softly plays behind the main tune. There is also beautiful use of violin at around the 2m10 seconds mark. Don't get me wrong - Deborah's vocal is strong when it needs to be, but is never overpowering. She uses her voice as an instrument and demonstrates a thorough understanding of the tune she sings. Love is often fire and passion and drama and energy. As demonstrated in this song, it is also the quiet moments of tenderness and intimacy that make it work. Must mention the video too - it's an understated affair but totally works. My favourite moments (especially as a pianist) are at the start where you see Deborah playing the piano and the music score flashes by. Also the violin solo mentioned previously is presented beautifully. Oh god, i'm utterly smitten...

Random Deborah Gibson thoughts:

• If Deborah were to enter the X-Factor now as an unknown contestant, she would totally nail it. She has such versatility in her vocal style that she can deliver heartbreaking ballads, theatrical magic, uptempo dance and modern day pop genius...
• Glee needs Electric Youth. It is a crime for New Directions to go to Nationals (for surely they will get there) without a big ol' dance number and Electric Youth perfectly matches the energy and message of the show. Failing that, how about a Hellcats cheer routine to it?!
• Based on the new reading of Lost In Your Eyes, I can't help but feel that Deborah would produce absolute magic if she got together with one Mr Steve Anderson...

What a week it has been. I'm absolutely shattered this early Friday evening to be honest with you. And this is going to be one of those mega giant ridiculously long posts that i'm so good at because there is so much going on this week that I'm behind with! Highlight of the week was definitely my latest slot on the Larry Flick show. I think the exhaustion of the week had caught up to me, so I took an hour's lunch and got a bit saucy on air. Check the comments if you want to hear it :P Right - most of the pop I've been interested in this week has been bought to us by the letter J! Let's see how this works out...

The week that was...

• J is for Jessie J (Price Tag): Oh didn't the world and his wife just fall for the extremely talented ways of young Jessie this week? The Doctor Luke (he always comes up with the perfect pop prescription) produced Price Tag just screams massive world wide hit. Jessie delivers a pop song that is essentially a social commentary with such gusto and brilliance that she puts to shame some of her longer established pop peers. It's a laid back groove, extolling the virtues of getting back to basics but without ever sounding preachy - rather it invites you in to it's simple but outstanding chorus and you just want to stay for days...Altogether now "we just wanna make the world dance/forget about the price tags"! Inredibly talented new act to watch (PS her song on the Step Up 3D soundtrack is TO DIE FOR)
• J is for new Jason Mraz duet (with Hope - Love Love Love): Hurrah! My beloved Jason Mraz has added his vocals to a single by delightful new artist Hope on her effervescent song Love Love Love. I've heard a solo version and this duet, and their vocals blend so well that at times I forget I'm not listening to a self duet (a la Janet's Love Will Never Do). It's musical alchemy of the highest order with a sweet as honey chorus that stays the right side of cheesy and just remains romantic. Quite heavenly. Perfect for the I'm Yours brigade. Keep an eye on Hope too - I really like her sound :)
• J is for Jordin Sparks (Beauty and The Beast): I actually mistyped that and put Beauty and the Beats, which - if it hasn't been already - would be a great girl group album title. But I digress. Anyway, Disney are putting one of my favourite movies of all time onto blu-ray and Jordin is joining Celine & Play in being the latest artist to cover the title track. It's got a lovely acoustic lilt to it for the first few bars which are so charming. Of course, it all then gets a bit A/C and Disneyfied, but that's to be expected and it's a fine version. Million miles from Battlefield of course but I'm so excited about the blu-ray that I can't help but not really care and sing along anyway.

• J is for Japanese comeback (Deborah Gibson - Ms Vocalist): Well bless my barnacles! 7 long years after her broadway album, Deborah is back to being Debbie and is releasing an album of Japanese pop songs! Apparently it was done fella style by Eric Martin (from Mr Big, 90s ballad fans) and now Debs is doing 10 Japanese hits and a new version of Lost In Your Eyes (it's been 4 years since she rerecorded this last as an acoustic song with The O'Neill Bros). I was mightily surprised by Larry Flick lason Thurs when a sexily purring Deborah spoke to me on the phone for a little while. I was so flabbergasted I came across as right blustering tit (see the comment section!) but it was quite lovely. I got the scope from Deb that she is working on adding her new song Rise to the cd (from her fella's new documentary and potentially one of the best things she's done in a long time) and looking for a US iTunes release. Brillo.
• J is for Japanese bonus track (Maroon 5 - Crazy Little Thing Called Love): I did quite a positive write up of the new M5 album in the week. Since then, i've got their acoustic version of the Queen classic. It's a pretty straightforward cover version, but Adam's vocals stand out and are quite lovely against the rockabilly vibe of the tune. Definitely worth a moment or two of your time...
• J is for Elton John (duet with Leon Russell - If It Wasn't For the Bad): Apparently Leon is one of those grizzled old American singer songwriters. He's teamed up with Reginald for his new album The Union, and this dark little ditty is apparently the first fruits from that collaboration. It comes across as a sort of nicer version of the True Blood theme tune, with lots of enjoyable piano and a sort of wisdom to the simple message of the chorus that younger singers wouldn't be able to convey. I really like it as it happens...
• J is for James Blunt (Stay The Night): La Blunt is back! I've never been in the "lets revile him" camp and found lots of songs I enjoy by him. His comeback tune is a very pleasant indeed, upbeat little swinger - powered forth by an energetic guitar riff and fun chorus, with chanty vocals during the middle 8 (which I always adore in pop songs). A couple of listens and you're entirely hooked. Aces.

Top 21 songs of the week:

21 ~ Brandon Flowers, Only The Young (NE)
20 ~ Alesha Dixon, Drummer Boy
19 ~ McFly, Party Girl
18 ~ Bjorn Johan Muri, Once Upon A Time
17 ~ Bright Light x 2, Love Part II
16 ~ Jesse McCartney, Shake
15 ~ Nadine Coyle, Insatiable (NE)
14 ~ James Blunt, Stay The Night (NE)
13 ~ Ace of Base, All For You
12 ~ DeeDee, Balls
11 ~ Kelly Rowland, Shake Them Haters Off
10 ~ Scissor Sisters, Any Which Way
09 ~ Jessie J, Price Tag (NE)
08 ~ Kylie Minogue, Get Outta My Way
07 ~ Sophie Ellis Bextor, Not Giving Up On Love
06 ~ Eric Saade, Masquerade
05 ~ Darin, Lovekiller
04 ~ Elouise, The Winner Takes It All
03 ~ Maroon 5, Give A Little More
02 ~ Gravitonas, Religious
01 ~ Robbie Williams, Shame (2 weeks/vid)

Next: X Factor double bill. Oh Lord...

It has been a brilliant few days for pop already. Elouise has released a limited edition of her debut EP (buy here; read interview here; read review here). Sir Simon of Curtis has broken twitter with the excitement surrounding his release of 8BitHeart (download here; read review here). And if that wasn't enough, loads of other bloody stonking great pop has come forth and multiplied (or something) and deserves a mammoth catch up post to reveal to you all the outstandingness of it all. Stand by to be stunned... (oh and pity me too please. I have a massive sore throat. I look like I have swallowed two tennis balls)!

• Deborah Gibson ~ Guy Like You: Can you believe it's actually been 22 years since Foolish Beat hit the number one slot in America? I feel so old. Deb is still working on a new album, but in the mean time has been putting together a musical called The Flunky, which now has a website online (she worked on it with Jimmy Van Patten - above). From that site, you can get a taste of a demo she has written and performed called A Guy Like You (track 2 on the musical player). Now remember, this is not a pop song but part of a larger musical soundtrack - inevitably, I have fallen totally in love with it. Gorgeous piano ballad, heartfelt vocal, lovely melody in the chorus - all reasons why I have followed her for 22 years. Quite exquisite. Oh, and with all the excitement around The Bird and The Bee doing Hall & Oates, it's time to revisit Deb's own version of Rich Girl - it's grown on me over the years and I'm quite enamoured of it now...
• Carsten Andersson ~ Fun: There is a lot of discussion around who will be the new male Lady Gaga (fact: Simon Curtis and Darin were the male Lady Gaga before Lady Gaga existed. And honestly, isn't Lady Gaga the male Lady Gaga?!) - Carsten is another name thrown into the hat. Based on his debut single, Fun, he's entirely worthy contender for some boy-pop attention. It's all throbbing beats and catchy chorus designed to enflame the senses and leave you wanting more more more - and it's all done in a decidedly brilliant eurodisco way. Check out his website for a clip of the tune and some rather,uh, titillating photos of young mr Andersson :P
• Dirty Disco ~ Vulture: The amount of times I am writing about Dirty Disco is now getting ridiculous. They will be taking out a restraining order shortly. But my blog love of them (tongues and everything) continues with this marvelous new ditty. Available as a free legal download over at ArjanWrites, it's a worthy successor to the still excellent Sista! Their own remix of the track is an intense whirling world of synths, disco, house and a chorus so supersonic it's worthy of it's very own club night. Astonishingly catchy, I'm practically salivating for a full album (and some Birmingham club dates)...
• My Robot Friend - Waiting: How have I not listened to this song before today (thankyou Gay Times)?! It features Alison Moyet and is on the act's 2009 album but is such a heavenly slice of vintage retro pop that it could have easily been tacked onto a Yazoo album from 1982. Not only is the track entirely engaging from start to finish, but it has this almost tribal beat breakdown in the middle eight that makes me giddy. Couple this with the 2010 version of Situation i heard on Larry Flick this week and i've Alison fever all over again!!
• Veronica Falls ~ Found Love In A Graveyard: It's like the spiritual successor to Kylie & Nick's Where The Wild Roses Grow via Annie Lennox's immense Love Song For A Vampire (which should totally be rereleased). It's a haunting piece of music which builds into a jangling piece of indie pop that sounds totally like the band are playing the song wherever you happen to be listening to it. Clever lyrics, dreamy vocals and lots of ooos in the backing vocals make this quirky, unusual little tune a total winner for me. More please...

Also don't forget to check out a stunning Steve Anderson pop piece courtesy of Spanish vixen Edurne (via Dontstopthepop), the new Ke$ha (already?!) (via poptrashaddicts), the wonderful new Sophie Ellis Bextor video (via Chartrigger) and a brillo and bonkers new Pipettes video (via DanProject76). And if that wasn't enough, there's Dannii Minogue looking blooming radiant in the new M&S advert, and a new Glee promo (LIKE A PRAYER!?!?!?) to spaff your wad over :)

Back tomorrow with reviews of Candle Thieves, Barenaked Ladies and Half Priced Hearts. Back Friday with Goldfrapp and Gabriella Cilmi reviews!

There's no denying that when I choose a pop act to adore, I tend to follow them through good times and bad. Hence 22 years after I bought Out Of The Blue, I'm still trotting after Deborah Gibson like a lost puppy dog. Sure, she hasn't done an album of original material since 2001's epic MYOB (though there was a broadway album, 2 demo albums and numerous one off tracks) but I live in hope that she will achieve an immense pop comeback a la Tina Turner. To tide me over, there is a video of her surfaced on youtube duetting with Jaron (from Evan and Jaron - those catchy ditty makers from late last century) on the Dawson's Creek-esque smash Crazy About This Girl. I just love to see her pound those keyboard keys and make pop sound so effortless. Plus, I quite like that Jaron calls her "my dear". For a more uptodate Deborah sound check out this website for a clip of a new (?) single by her called Cougar. It's very Britney via The Saturdays with a hint of Lady Cuckoo. Despite the autotuning in the verses, that I'm not a fan of, it's still got undeniably Deb moments ("give momma some sugar!") that make me want to hear more AND make it sound like a new top 40 smash. Yes I'm still that dedicated... Now before I get onto the chart of change (my top 21 always undergoes a bit of a revamp in January), here are some new songs I'm belatedly getting into...

• Ke$ha ~ TikTok: Oh I am so very late on this, but I haven't been able to escape it on Larry Flick lately, or while I was in vegas and I'm enjoying it quite a lot in this snowy weather. The album isn't quite a slam dunk but it's a lot of fun and I can see why D'Luv has luvved writing about her so much :)
• Adam Lambert ~ For Your Entertainment: Once again blame Larry for this one too (it's a lovefest!) - he has tirelessly promoted this album and got me into another American Idol when I swore I was only concentrating on XFactor. Plus Nick's enthusiasm didn't hurt either!
• Owl City ~ Fireflies: I thought actually that this would make one of those lovely surprise Christmas number ones like Mad World or that one about the JCB. It's not even out in the UK yet, but it's entirely cute, singable and lovely. And has already won over the rest of the world!
• Eva Simons ~ I Want To Make Love To The World: The title of it makes me think of that crazy actor from The Piano when he made his unforgettable oscar speech. The song makes me want to get up, dance, boogy, grab the one I love and shimmy. It's so much more than the addictive Silly Boy :)
• Barenaked Ladies ~ You Run Away: Thank heavens John reminded me they were still around. BNL (like Dashboard Confessional and Indigo Girls) are one of those groups I absolutely adore but don't blog about as much as I should. I have always thought they do quite brilliant ballads, but this is one of their more anthemic ones and I am already far more in love with it than I should be. Constant repeat. Lovely piano, lovely vocal, great layered harmonies, crescendos. EPIC.

TOP 21 SONGS OF THE WEEK:

21 ~ Mans Zelmerlow, A Stranger Saved My Life
20 ~ Simon Curtis, Delusional
19 ~ Whitney Houston, I Look To You
18 ~ Natalie Imbruglia, Scars
17 ~ Nerina Pallot, When Did I Become Such A Bitch?
16 ~ Alcazar, Thank You
15 ~ JLS, Close To You
14 ~ Leona Lewis, Stop Crying Your Heart Out
13 ~ Industry, My Mistake
12 ~ Pet Shop Boys, It Doesn't Often Snow At Christmas
11 ~ Blake Lewis, I Left My Baby For You
10 ~ Dangerous Muse, I Want It All (NE/VID)
09 ~ Alphabeat, Hole In My Heart
08 ~ The Saturdays, Ego
07 ~ Alexandra Burke, Broken Heels
06 ~ Robbie Williams, You Know Me
05 ~ Agnes, Love Love Love
04 ~ RyanDan, Can't Help Falling In Love
03 ~ Ryan Ferrada, Room 501 (NE)
02 ~ Barenaked Ladies, You Run Away (NE)
01 ~ Simon Curtis, Diablo (2 weeks)

There are lots of brilliant end of decade lists flying around. Some have been particularly amazing (ADH, J Mensah and especially XO & Dluv spring to mind). I didn't have the time or the memory to be as brilliant as those guys so I have stuck with just doing my favourite five albums of the new decade/century/millenium so far. Strange fact: My absolute favourite song of the past 10 years doesn't even feature on any of these albums...(It's Will Young - Your Game)...

5 ~ The Feeling, 12 Stops and Home: I think this has a lot to do with the fact that Ruthiepoos and I saw this band live at a very early stage, watched them blossom and become radio darlings and saw each gig we attended get larger and larger, though the fans were equally as enthusiastic in the early days. Plus it was the very first act that I blogged about back in February 2006. It was a refreshing break from the gloomy indie sounds and thrust a bright dazzling harmonic sunshine sound firmly back into the charts. The songs are effortlessly feelgood - particularly the near perfect opening trifecta of I Want You Now, Fill My Little World and Never Be Lonely. Love It When You Call is possibly the best 70s mor song never released at that time, and even outside anthem Strange (which should have been the 5th single over live fave Rose) seems oddly inspiring. The guys were perfectly in sync with each other during every note and harmony on the album and their genuine affection for what they did shone through in live shows and on record. Also of note: the lovely b-side Sun is Shining which is epic enough to be on the album.
My singles: Fill My Little World; Sewn; Never Be Lonely; Love It When You Call; Strange

4 ~ Maroon 5, Songs About Jane: It was the dulcet, seductive sounds of The Sweetest Goodbye playing in a dirty white van in Love, Actually that had me rushing out to buy Songs About Jane just minutes before the band blew up and became massive. The fusion of rock, pop and r'n'b wasn't particularly unique, but the band did it so well. Frontman Adam Levine positively dripped sex appeal in his lyrics and vocal delivery (particularly in Harder to Breathe) and guided fast songs to an urgent fruition, while showcasing his more tender "let's spoon" side on the slower stuff. Again, a near perfect trifecta of single releases introduced the world to different facets of the band - Harder To Breathe was hard rocking, explosive and dirty; This Love was a great sing a long pop ditty and She Will be Loved because a massive romantic anthem. The whole album had me coming back for more though and i was soon thoroughly immersed into their world. Also of note: Their Spiderman movie contribution Woman and cover version of Pure Imagination, which has a quite terrifying middle 8.
My singles: Harder To Breathe; This Love; She Will Be Loved; Must Get Out; Sweetest Goodbye

3 ~ Kylie Minogue, Light Years: Ah the return of Kylie to her pop roots (although I'd argue she never left them) had fans capitulating with delight. It was an utter delight from start to finish like the soundtrack to some quirky camp cocktail party. And Kylie threw herself into it, without ever giving the audience the impression that this was novelty or beneath her. And that's what made it all so magical. Nearly every track on here could have been picked to be a single and nearly all of them sound brilliant 10 years on. Quite simply it was addictive, fun pop that had no hidden agenda other than to leave you feeling good at the end of it. Just listen to Kylie singing "la disco a boisen de vous" on Your Disco Needs You and try not to shimmy with incredible pleasure...
My singles: Your Disco Needs You; Spinning Around; On A Night Like This; Kids; Please Stay; Light Years


2 ~ Simon Curtis, Alter Boy: It was the album that still hasn't been released (although there are numerous bootlegs out there all with hideous tracklistings!) and perhaps it's time has passed now that the steam of the 8BitHeart campaign is gaining rapid momentum. However, it was one of the most exciting and rewarding albums that I had the pleasure to listen to, and one that gripped more than most in recent years. I've probably written more blog posts about this album than any other, so I won't go on about it too much again now. Simply put, it's an astonishing piece of work that shows a great symbiotic relationship between producer Jadion's music and Simon's lyrics. Challenging, edgy, smart and witty in equal measures, it provided me with great pop music long before Lady Gaga came on the scene. Simon wasn't afraid to tackle current issues on the album either including sending troops abroad - and their behaviour while there (Left Right Left), the intolerance of religious groups (Religion Reduced) and racism/phobias (Sugar Sugar White). Add to this some deliciously malevolent tracks (Vicious) and down right sultry (Casual Encounter) and it all added up to an album that rarely left my earphones. Also of note: The Simon penned Fadyn track Hypnotic and Disney-commissioned tune Flashback...
My singles: Answer; Broken; Put Your Make Up On; Resist; Religion Reduced

1 ~ Deborah Gibson, MYOB: And this was when Deborah the popstar returned. I'm still a bit baffled as to why this didn't set the charts alight - was the perfect companion album to Light Years for example. An excellent collection of pop/dance tunes interspersed with radio friendly ballads and the odd diversion into jazz-tinged torch songs, every single track on the album was strong enough to be a single. The title track was a punchy pop effort with brilliant kiddie-chorus refrain that worked incredibly well against the more adult nature of the lyrics. What You Want and Your Secret are also ace pop numbers with a harder dance edge than people might be used to from the Deb. Down That Road, The One (co-written by Chynna (wilson) Phillips) and Wishing You Were Here are a more subdued but no less enticing pop entry on the album, while the funky What Part of No continues the vibe and lyrical tone of When I Say No (from Body Mind Soul). In Blue and Jaded stand out as bluesy smokey torch songs that showcase a different side to Deborah's vocal and musical arrangements. It's a winning album that really needed a large label behind it to get it the publicity it deserved. Also of note: her millenial ballad (just her and her piano - spinetingling) With All My Heart; Right on Time from a charity album is an epic timeless slowie as is Run To Her (from Memory Lane). Plus a bootleg remix of Wishing You Were Here turns it into a frenetic dance number. Aces
My singles: MYOB; Wishing You Were Here; Your Secret; Down That Road; Wishing You Were Here

TOP 21 SONGS OF THE WEEK:

You know, every year since I was a little boy I've listened to Abba's Happy New Year song at some point between waking up on New Year's Eve and the big ben chimes of midnight. This year will be no different. I do particularly love this song, how it glosses over past regrets and looks to an optimistic future. Plus it was obviously recorded at a difficult time in the abba dynamic and the round the piano video makes me want to weep. So here it is again. Do also check out the A*Teens version - I particularly like how they say decade and make it sound like dickhead!!

21 ~ Nerina Pallot, When Did I Become Such A Bitch? (NE)
20 ~ Natalie Imbruglia, Scars (NE)
19 ~ Alphabeat, Hole In My Heart (NE)
18 ~ Mini Viva, I Wish
17 ~ BWO, Kings of Tomorrow
16 ~ Industry, My Mistake
15 ~ Darin, Viva La Vida
14 ~ Whitney Houston, I Look To You
13 ~ Alexandra Burke, Broken Heels (NE)
12 ~ Blake Lewis, I Left My Baby For You
11 ~ Mans Zelmerlow, A Stranger Saved My Life
10 ~ Simon Curtis, Delusional
09 ~ The Saturdays, Ego
08 ~ Agnes, Love Love Love
07 ~ RyanDan, Can't Help Falling In Love
06 ~ Alcazar, Thank You
05 ~ JLS, Close To You
04 ~ Leona Lewis, Stop Crying Your Heart Out
03 ~ Pet Shop Boys, It Doesn't Often Snow At Christmas
02 ~ Robbie Williams, You Know Me
01 ~ Simon Curtis, Diablo (1 week)

I'm all cockahoop. After decorating the en-suite yesterday (i seriously despise decorating and it usually ends up in a massive argument between me and the big D; not this time though - surprisingly harmonious), Dazpainter and I had a nice stroll around town (despite the intermittent and vicious rain), and then watched Mega Shark vs Giant Octopus, starring my beloved Deborah Gibson!! D'luv emailed me saying he couldn't believe I hadn't blogged about it yet, so here it is - any chance to see Deb on screen is a-ok with me, and while this is merely a SeaQuest DSV episode (with approximately the same budget!) if you take it for what it is (a campy, 50s throwback done very tongue in cheek and not taking itself too seriously), you are in for 90 minutes of highly amusing brilliance. With clearly amazing lines like "you mean a prehistoric giant shark ate my whale", Deborah Gibson goes about saving the world as renegade shark bait Emma MacNeill (who incidentally drives a mini cooper, so clearly is feeling super dooper and is obviously a trooper) while the octopus wrestles with oil rigs and the definitely much cooler shark takes bites out the golden gate bridge and rather amazingly eats a plane. Through all of this Deborah/Emma not only manages to snog a bespectacled scientist, but also give Lorenzo Lamas some super withering looks :) What's not to like?! Only gripe was no bond-esque theme song at the end sung by Debs. Now lets get a sequel going - how about Super Squid vs Lovelorn Lobster?? On with the weeks essentials...

THE FIZZYPOP MUST LIST:

• I totally miss writing about new music from Simon Curtis. Yes, I've been spoiled with an album I adore (Alter Boy) and of course his poptastic contributions to Spectacular (which I also found in HMV last week. Woo!) which showed off a different side to his vocal style. While I (im)patiently wait for new stuff, I'm more than happy to continue my love affair with Candy Coated Chaos who Simon and his producer Jadion introduced me too. Both are involved with CCC - their amazing new single is written by Simon and produced by Jadion. It absolutely spits out dance floor ready beats and a frenetic groove that builds up in such an intense way that by the time you get to the chorus, it explodes out your speakers. If that's not enough to convince you (and it should be) try the glorious Masquerade which is so radio ready, it stands head and shoulders above anything Britney has done lately. Make these songs hits by purchasing them now. Don't disappoint me :) (See also: Previous posts on CCC; Mel's blog)
• Oh Industry! I see no shame at all in loving sunny pop songs like My Baby's Waiting by new Irish popgroup Industry. While Same Difference are off seeking success in Asia and Australia (their concert last week was mega - all of the album plus their version of When You Believe. And they are utterly adorable people - fizzypop SD page updated with more live vids!), I'm embracing the latest pop combo to hit - their debut single is perfect pop fare harking back to the glory days of Steps/All*Stars/SClub. It's string laden chorus and catchy hooks are custom made for people like me. And of course they are all ridiculously gorgeous and make me feel slightly prettier just watching them :P (See also: Previous post on Industry; D'luv's discovery; PosterGirl feels the love; Nikki approves!)
• Lovely Samuel Taylor has put up his version of The Cardigan's epic song Communication up on his myspace. I absolutely adore this song and hearing it sung by Sam's soothing tones is an utter treat. It's very understated, beautifully elegant with Sam's vocal being the focal point of the chorus despite a crescendo of strings. It's enough to bring a tear to your eye, and nearly did when I was feeling melancholy and slightly drunk last week. Exquisite :) (See also: previous post on Sam)
• Hurrah! Bonkers pop star Mika is back. And his new EP doesn't seem to have set the blogging community alight, but I actually quite like the introspective Mika sound. Blue Eyes is the perkiest (and most Jason Mraz-y meets Rusted Root) of the bunch, it's the sumptuous Toy Boy that I like best. As I stated last week, it's entirely Disney in it's execution but has some deliciously dark lyrics juxtaposed against the perky pop. I'm quite excited now for his second album later this year... (See also: If you are tired of waiting for Mika to return "proper", you might want to check out another bonkers popstar who could quite easily be the French Mika - Sliimy's Wake Up is not quite as immediate as you would hope but soon hooks into your brain with it's part brilliant pop song, part novelty chorus. Check out his version of Womaniser too!)
• IDOL GOSSIP: Jordin Sparks new single (the quite good actually Battlefield) has to be the most overtwittered song of all time. I went from being bemused by it, to OBSESSED to what-is-the-fuss-about to actually quite liking it (though I've had to stop playing it for a while so i don't fall out of love from it's inevitable overexposure!). Overall, it's clearly the best idol single since 8th World Wonder. Meanwhile Blake Lewis not only looked extremely spaffleable on AI Extra but turned in a kickass version of Rihanna's Disturbia. (Check out PPG for album news). And JLS have premiered their debut single Beat Again (clearly not a song title Chris Brown should use!) - it's only ok, but they are so charming and adorable that I am allowing it to grow on me! (See also: Nikki's opinion; Ken's views!)
• TV FINALES: I'm probably going to break my new once a week blogging habit already by doing a tv overview of the latest US season on Weds, but for now some very quick opinions on some of the most recent finales - Lost I thought was utterly epic. A bit barmy, but love the Man in Black and his connection to the island. Prison Break - as inconsistent and frustrating as ever, but overall a decent end to the show that had me sniffling ever so slightly. Thought Bro & Sis was nicely understated and set things up well for next year. Half way through Grey's Anatomy but they have totally turned it round from the near-unwatchable show it was for the first 3/4 of season 5...
• While I am reading Henry: The Virtuous Prince by David Starkey (as I love the Tudor period and it's the 500th anniversary of his ascension to the throne), my latest literary obsession is the amazing Johnny Mackenzie by Keith Mansfield. It's described as Alex Rider meets Dr Who and so far is entirely brilliant. Hurrah!
• FINALLY! Paolo Nutini was brillopants in concert earlier in the week. I nearly wept of course at his epic These Streets, but the new material sounds epic. Candy of course is already garnering hits at youtube but Pencil Full of Lead sounds like it was created in a test tube and engineered perfectly for summer festivals. Chorus is out of this world. Glorious :)

TOP 21 TRACKS OF THE WEEK:

Thanks to the utterly delightful, 60s influenced, delicious slice of perfect pop Since You've Been Gone being back on her myspace, Elouise has the highest new entry of my playlist this week. And fast becoming a pop obsession on par with Simon Curtis and Same Difference. Every track is a drop of heaven. Check out her full show at Stratford Circus on 20th June - backing band, full set, the works. A labour of love for a new artist. Can't. Wait.

21 - Neo, Flower Power Super Girl (Official video)
20 - Simon Curtis, Things We Do For Love (Movie video)
19 - Industry, My Baby's Waiting (NE/Official video)
18 - Kelly Clarkson, I Do Not Hook Up (GMA video)
17 - Pet Shop Boys, Did You See me Coming (Official video)
16 - Alcazar, Stay The Night (Melodifestivalen video)
15 - The Killers, World We Live In (Official video)
14 - Paolo Nutini, Candy (Official video)
13 - Lily Allen, Not Fair (Ant and Dec video)
12 - Infernal, Redefinition (Official video)
11 - BWO, Right Here Right Now (Live video)
10 - Same Difference, All Roads Lead To Heaven (Concert video - ace!)
09 - Mans Zelmerlow, Hope and Glory (Acoustic video)
08 - Alesha Dixon, I Get Excited (Feelgood Factor video)
07 - Annie, Anthonio (Static video)
06 - Take That, The Garden (Official video)
05 - Elouise, One Night Only (NE)
04 - Freemasons ft Sophie Ellis Bextor, Heartbreak Makes Me A Dancer (Official video)
03 - Marina & The Diamonds, I Am Not A Robot (Static video)
02 - Little Boots, New in Town (/Jools Holland video)
01 - "Abba", Second Best To None (1 Week)
Previous number ones: Marina - Robot (2 weeks); Mans Zelmerlow - Hope and Glory (4 weeks); BWO - You're Not Alone (4 weeks); PSB - Love Etc (1 week); Sugababes - Every Heart Broken (4 weeks); Simon Curtis/Victoria Justice - On The Wings of a Dream (4 weeks)
(Check out Mike Poptrash singles of the week with comments from respected and wonderful bloggers)

Midweek TV Season report! Then back next week with Bham Gay Pride update!

Janet Jackson - Miss You Much (from my no. 6 album)

Jason Donovan - Too Many Broken Hearts (from my no.4 album)

Deborah Gibson:

Ah, what I wouldn't have given to be in Quebec this very weekend. One of those 80s nostalgia tours rolled into town and this one featured booby Sam Fox, brillo S/A/W popstar Rick Astley, mall queen Tiffany and of course my beloved Deborah Gibson. I would have actually sat through a burst of 80s hits from any of those perky popstars - Sam performed (among other hits)her saw-tastic version of I Only Wanna Be With You and Nothing's Gonna Stop Me Now; Rick got She Wants To Dance With Me, Never Gonna Give You Up and Whenever You Need Somebody (as well as the glorious post S/A/W Cry For Help); Tiffany did her staple of "girls aloud classic" I Think We're Alone Now, I Saw Him Standing There and lush ballad Could've Been (though i would have preferred the cornlicious I Always Thought I'd See You Again from the Jetsons, but oh well :P) and Deborah performed all 5 singles from her Out Of The Blue album along with Lost In Your Eyes and Electric Youth (Surely EY is ripe for cover/total reinterpretation by one of today's teen stars? Miley? Same Difference? Simon Curtis?! Dont let me down!!) Of course my main interest is in the Deborah performances - it was the first time she has performed her single Staying Together since the Out Of The Blue tour (i virtually made myself ill to enforce my mom to take me to London Astoria to see it in 1988. What a little shit i was back then :P) She also translated part of Foolish Beat into French which sounded quite lovely. And in a "on this day in history" moment, she played the piano for Tiffany while the latter sang Could've Been. Sigh. To top all of that off, all four performers did a joint performance encore of Together Forever by the Rickster. That song will just never die. And quite rightly so. I really should have flown over, but it's pricey and well, the Doctor Who special was on :P Hereis Tiffany and Deb sort of duetting from the night :) (All links are to performances from the night wherever possible)

Simon Curtis:

Meanwhile Simon Curtis has been enjoying his post Spectacular success by embracing all things twitter. He's keeping his thousand or so followers updated on his top secret auditions and teasing them tantalisingly with the promise of two brand new tracks he has recorded that are bound to be "da bomb" (or whatever it is the kids like to say to indicate that things are quite pleasing these days). On the plus side, his guest spot on Hannah Montanna airs on May 3rd (my birthday, date fans - it's the only reminder you are going to get so get posting those cards now :P) and there is an interview coming up (apparently) on the teentastic (and therefore daily necessity for me) Just Jared Jr. I'll link it as soon as it comes up. For the meantime, enjoy Simon singing something a bit out of his comfort zone above and prepare for the urge to watch episode after episode of the trashtacular One Tree Hill :)

PS - i am now on twitter. Not in a this blog is on twitter but more in a "ooo what did i have for breakfast sort of way". Thrilling. Feel perfectly free to entirely ignore :)

Hello everyone. What a lovely weekend I have had, and it's not even over yet. This situation is 84.2% marvelous in the very extreme. Darren and I took ourselves down to London (a place i like in principle but can't wait to leave once i'm there) to visit our ever so lovely friends Simon and Mark (who score extra points for hating Katy Perry and thinking Lady GG sounds like a constipated robot) - and of course to see the new stage version of the ace movie Priscilla Queen of the Desert. More on that tomorrow. The weekend was marred somewhat by a trip to Thorpe Park this morning to go on the hugely hyped and advertised Saw The Ride, only to find it was broken. Aces. Oh well, on with the week...

• I do enjoy Comic Relief. You get to see lots of pop stars perform things and comedy sketches. Out of the performances, I thought the Take That were rather aces with The Garden (above), but Alesha Dixon also excelled with her new single Let's Get Excited as did Annie Lennox who seemed the most genuinely moved and may even get top 40 this week. Oh and when Just Can't Get Enough played over the montages of fundraising across the country, it seemed to make perfect sense as a Comic Relief single choice. Tidy.
• French and Saunders (and Patsy!!) were also amazing with their Mamma Mia pisstake :) (which is best viewed at Phil's site). Now I love mamma mia the movie, but i'm comfortable enough in my love for it to rip it to shreds. Love that in the sketch the director says its about a slut who doesn't know who her daughter's father is :P (I also love Titanic but it only took me one viewing to know which bits would bug me forever - the whole Fabrizio character, Billy Zane regularly chewing the scenery with lines like "i put the diamond in the coat" (flails arms ridiculously) "I put the coat on the girl"; that daft old lady chucking a priceless artifact into the ocean with a feeble "eh"!!). PS, no one is ever allowed to make fun of Love, Actually. That movie is off limits. Ditto Stardust.
• BTW that was a bit of an edited The Garden from Take That wasn't it? Talking of edits and single mixes Untouchable has leaked and will be seen by millions tonight on Dancing on Ice. The edit isn't entirely horrible - a little less Nicola than I would have liked and Cheryl sounds a bit screechy in the chorus. I am concerned though that with them appearing on the UK's current top rated show they will get people snapping up the song 5 weeks before release. This is good because they will have to buy the album version. This is bad because it will probably affect their overall chart position.
• Horne and Corden (from my beloved Gavin and Stacey) debuted their sketch show this week. It was a little bit hit and miss, but I liked it overall and chortled out loud at least three times.
• The Saturdays performed Work on the increasingly baldy Ant and Dec Saturday Night Takeaway. I'm hoping this means it IS the next single :) Oh. It does mean that. Skill.
• I am off to Gran Canaria with the Pants next saturday, which means I am ploughing through my latest book - CJ Sansom's Revelation (see I can be classy!) I want to finish it before next Sat because it is vair intruiging and I do not like taking half read books on holiday. I like to start something fresh. I will probably take this (though was disappointed with book 2) and this (destroyed all classiness). And a back log of entertainment weeklies. Tidy.
• Finally congrats to XO on 5 years of blogging. He celebrated with one of his brilliant mixtapes. And curse Adem for being the latest blogger to make me spend money - his brilliantly written Coldplay live review had me feverishly downloading their back catalogue now I am a Viva convert. Can't wait to see them and GA live this summer :)

TOP 21 SONGS OF THE WEEK:

(I have to say that since my original review I have become increasingly smitten with Deborah's Already Gone, including the high bits - and the video was just the icing on the cake. Blows If You Seek Amy out the water!)

21 ~ Marit Larsen, The Chase
20 ~ Jason Mraz, Dynamo of Volition
19 ~ Lily Allen, The Fear
18 ~ William Young, Let it Go
17 ~ Alesha Dixon, Breathe Slow
16 ~ Deborah Gibson, Already Gone (NE)(VID)
15 ~ The Days, No Ties
14 ~ Take That, Up All Night
13 ~ Simon Curtis/Victoria Justice, On The Wings of a Dream
12 ~ The Saturdays, Just Can't Get Enough
11 ~ Lenka, Trouble is a Friend
10 ~ Same Difference, All Roads Lead To Heaven (NE)
09 ~ Alcazar, Stay The Night (NE)
08 ~ Kelly Clarkson, My Life Would Suck Without You
07 ~ Kevin Borg, With Every Bit of Me
06 ~ Sugababes, Every Heart Broken
05 ~ McFly, The Last Song
04 ~ Mans Zelmerlow, Hope and Glory
03 ~ Taylor Swift, Love Story
02 ~ PSB, Love, Etc.
01 ~ BWO, You're Not Alone (2 Weeks)

Coming mon ~ Priscilla: The Review

Deborah Gibson ~ Already Gone: I spent an inordinate amount of time yesterday glued to the tinternet waiting for the new Deborah Gibson single to "drop". Of course, then John pointed out that California was a good 7 hours behind me so they were sleeping while I was feverishly anticipating and it eventually got uploaded sometime last night. While You Were Sleeping (which - movie fact fans - is one of my fave movies ever). Obviously I am a huge fan of LaGib and simply cannot wait for a new album any longer. This track is a "teaser" rather than the first single proper from her forthcoming cd of original material (excluding demo albums, this will be her first album of original tunes since MYOB in 2001!!) The song itself is an uptempo gentle rocker about splitting up, and being the person brave enough to do that. Positioning itself firmly in the femi-rock mode of Pink and Kelly Clarkson, the guitar riff is fairly prominent throughout the song with a lot less piano than I'm used to from Ms Gibson. However, the melody is firmly delivered through Deborah's impassioned vocal, particularly in the fist thrusting chorus - perfect motorway driving music! I particularly love the line "ignore the signs, the neon is blinding my eyes" which may be my favourite lyric of hers since "hard to go on, it's like waiting for/the other shoe to drop, i'll never stop believing in you" (No More Rhyme, 1989). Oh, also get ready for a totally 80s guitar solo in the middle 8 which is custom made for air guitar/guitar hero (whichever your preference is nowadays). Overall, it's an interesting direction for Deborah and if radio could get over their prejudices, this would be a perfect fit at top 40 radio and a lovely spring hit as the weather gets warmer and the tops come down.

I think Deborah is vastly underrated as a songwriter and performer, and this track not only works in it's current format, but would also be perfect in an acoustic mix. This would probably highlight the country "twang" in the song and give it a more gentle feel which would then maybe accentuate the really quite sad lyrical content. Perhaps that is forthcoming? It also follows on nicely from her last internet only song Famous, which had a sprinkling of fuzzy guitar throughout and is also available as a free download at the link below). A video to accompany the track should be up on Wednesday, and i'll add it into the post then :) Now don't be shy everyone - you can't wait can you? :P

EDIT (10 Hours later) ~ oh! What's occuring....?! I've listened to the track now a number of times and have some additional thoughts. I'm not disappointed, but I am a little bit deflated - i appreciate it's not a single release, but a teaser for the album, yet I was expecting something that resonated more with me. It's the vocal in the chorus that gets me most - perhaps I'm not used to Deb singing so rawk-high like that and it grates a little. I still think it's a terrific tune, but would have prefered a different version of it that let the melody shine a little more.

LINKS:
MP3 DOWNLOAD - for Already Gone and her 2007 track Famous at Reverbnation
MYSPACE - preview the song first on Deborah's myspace page
FIZZYPOP - my 2007 interview with Deb and review of Famous

Oh my golly, what a week it has been. It's currently snowing outside. Gentle white snow washing away the annoying trials of a week gone by. Too much going on at work. Annoying stalling on my novel. Darren's operation wound becoming infected. Bad health news for my pops (though best prognosis for a bad situation for thankful for that). Let's see what the new week brings as I focus on nice happy pop music to get me through...

• Sigh. The blogs love the Pet Shop Boys don't they? (And almost quite rightly so - bring on Love, Etc!) But in a very real debbie gibson vs tiffany sort of way, I've always loved Erasure just that little bit more. They have another (!) greatest hits collection coming, and this one is preceeded by a 2009 remix of one of my fave Erasure tracks of all time - Always. Plus the video has snowing in so it seagues nicely from my snowing intro doesn't it? Check in tuesday for a mega erasure post :)
• Talking of Deborah Gibson, she has finally relaunched her website, which sees her FINALLY back in the studio recording new music with Collective Soul of all people. It's been far too long since MYOB and Coloured Lights were released so I am itching to hear new music from my fave female popstar.
• ACE TOUR NEWS - now that I have finally fallen in love with Coldplay, the news of their tour with Girls Aloud supporting them is very welcome indeed. Add that to the Take That dates (and hopefully inevitable The Feeling summer dates) and it will be quite the summer of shows to remember. PLUS! I just saw that the newly-signed-to-Epic JLS are supporting Lemar on his tour, and there's a tiny new photo of them looking all swish on that advert in the music press. Also McFly are doing some ace outdoor dates which should be fun :)
• ACE MAGAZINE COVERS - it's been a good month for pop stars being epic on magazine covers; and more importantly pop stars I like being on magazines I like. First off, with world domination in their sights, The Saturdays grace the front of FHM magazine; and of course Take That had four different covers for Attitude; the That also have an ace interview in Q Magazine, which features lovely Killer B-Flo with a grace jones do on the front. And I don't have it yet, but lovely Lily Allen has a salubrious headline on the front of this month's Gay Times. Sheesh.
• The new Starsailor album is really quite something, and I have never really liked anything they have done in the past. Review coming soon. Maybe.

TOP 21 SONGS OF THE WEEK:

So I think I can finally and safely say that the song that has righteously and deservedly topped my charts for the past four weeks is of course Simon Curtis with his fourth fizzy number one (following Broken, Put Your Makeup On and Pop Messiah). Woohoo. And this week I've gotten ridiculously obsessed with Sugababes Every Heart Broken. Cannot just play it one. I feel things would've been a bit different if they had this as single number one. Stunning.

21 - JLS, Hallelujah
20 - Leona Lewis, Run
19 - Britannia High, Start of Something
18 - Same Difference, We R One
17 - Taylor Swift, Love Story (NE)
16 - Little Boots, Meddle
15 - Neo, You Make Me Feel Like Dancing
14 - Jason Mraz, Live High
13 - Leon Jackson, Creative
12 - Darin, See U In The Club
11 - Annie Lennox, Shining Light
10 - Danny, Radio (Acoustic)
09 - Alesha Dixon, Breathe Slow
08 - Girls Aloud, The Loving Kind
07 - Same Difference, If You Can't Dance
06 - Lily Allen, The Fear
05 - The Killers, Spaceman
04 - Take That, Up All Night
03 - Kelly Clarkson, My Life Would Suck
02 - Simon Curtis/Victoria Justice, On The Wings Of A Dream (4 weeks at number one)
01 - Sugababes, Every Heart Broken (1 week/NE)