Lopez Blogs

Yesterday opening of popular Swedish open-air festival organized by radio-station RIX FM has provided debut of probably most expected pop-project of the year Love Generation. The name behind it is not less than Nadir Khayat world-wide known as RedOne - Moroccan-Swedish producer/songwriter who provided biggest world hits of last years for Lady GaGa and also worked with Darin, Sugababes, Cinema Bizarre, Alexandra Burke, Little Boots, Pixie Lott and many others. Recently RedOne announced casting to brand new Swedish girl band project and finally it's here - five young and talented pretty girls Roshana, Melanie, Mikaela, Cornelia and Charlie Q with their new single "Love Generation". Although release was planned for May but for now we can check only snippet in LG commercial and live performance, I have very positive impression taking into account that I didn't listen to full hq version, the song has classic RedOne's sound, huge catchyness and it has to be great hit of this Summer at least in Sweden.

You can check other performances of Love Generation, Rebound, Timoteij, Broken Door, Erik Hassle and Darin yesterday here and here.

It turns out that Volume Six of le chronicles de pop au fizzay could actually be one of the most amazing in a while. I mean they are all quite amazing to be modestly frank with you, but next month's could be spectacular. Rumours that Kylie will be back in June, coupled with Maroon 5 being closer and closer to release make me very excited indeed. However, today I was all nippleated at the news of the Scissor Sisters return also in June. You can check out the news of this on almost any blog (though Chartrigger is always a good bet!) and listen to a new track "Invisible Light" on their website. It's a very bonza indeed track and somewhat reminiscent of a Frankie Goes To Hollywood track - a view the very wise Vinny Vero shares... Expect mucho coverage of this album when it gets released because I adored their last set...

The Essential Playlist for May 2010...

• Elouise ~ Pretender: Listening to an Elouise track is like flopping onto a perfectly formed mattress and/or man after a long day at work - it really is quite heavenly. I've espoused the virtues of this track many many times now, so I won't go on about it. Why not read Aaron's review of the EP instead?! Delightful.
• Christina Aguilera ~ Not Myself Tonight: Since I last wrote about this track, it's grown on me somewhat. Though not enough to debut in my top twenty tracks I post each week. At least I'm recalling the chorus now which is a positive step. I like Christina a lot though and am quite excited for her Bionic album...
• Mika ~ Kick Ass: It's a little bit We Are Golden part two and I am more than fine with that. This track is taken from the movie of the same name, though honestly *sshhh, gather closer* I find it a bit tittersome to imagine Mika kicking anyone's ass. Still I do find myself poncing along to the chorus as I get ready for work in the morning and that'll do me quite nicely.
• Bananarama, Every Shade of Blue 2010:It's one of my favourite 1990s Bananarama tracks and it's back! in 2010 format! Which basically means it's a bit more modern sounding, not as frantic as the original version but unmistakeably and deliciously Bananarama. Plus massive bonus points for choosing a not very obvious track to remake. Out to buy now everybody as part of the Love Don't Live Here single package!
• The Saturdays ~ Wordshaker: I, bluntly, am much better at picking singles from the half good half not very good latest Saturdays album. They should have followed Ego with One Shot (maybe JLS fans would have got confused and purchased that as well) and then released this little stomping pop gem. It's perky and upbeat and has a cracking little chorus and would actually remind people that they have an album out called Wordshaker. Sigh.
• Leona Lewis ~ Outta My Head: Inexplicably, SyCo have decided to go with the not as good Love Letter for the third single from Echo. This again is record company lunacy. They should be on the fourth single now (they missed a trick not releasing Stop Crying Your Heart Out at Christmas) and it should be the most energetic Leona single to date, Outta My Head. It's a right disco inferno in my bedroom when that comes on I tells ya - which is more than can be said for Leona when she performed it on Jimmy Kimmel (who?!)...
• Shakira ~ Gypsy (Freemasons edit): Oh my god, she looks like Marina :P I absolutely insist that you only listen to the Freemasons version of this tune. It takes a nice guitar twangle during the alluring verses and then builds it into a seductive and addictive chorus in a most pleasing and radio friendly manner. Much improved from the album version and therefore totally worthy of single status. Even if the label continue to ignore the superior Men In This Town.
• Sugababes 3.0 ~ Miss Everything: I'm still sticking to version 3.0 otherwise this time next year I'll be writing about Amelle, Jade and Josh Dubovie!! I've actually quite amused myself with that sentence. How tragique I am sometimes. Anyway, this has Sean Kingston on guest vocals/rap and isn't too shabby. It fits in quite well with their Sweet 7 sound and yet is a little bit quirky for them. And I can't abide Sean Kingston!
• Little Boots ~ Symmetry: I'm not one to give up on an album I like until I've milked it as dry as Darren on a Saturday night. Symmetry is a blindingly good duet from Little Boots' Hands album with Phil Oakley of Human League fame. It's a modern day version of any 80s song and sounds absolutely magnificent. Sometimes I wonder how epic and immense this would have been if performed by Kylie, but then I realise I'm quite happy with this version - particularly the talky bit in the middle...
• Marina & The Diamonds ~ Shampain: She's quite rightly re-releasing I Am Not A Robot "for the masses" to enjoy, but I (and bajillions of others) was writing about that back in February 2009 so it's time to move onto a new potential single from the excellent Family Jewels. Shampain is a bit Kate Bush meets xenomania (no, really) and sounds like nothing else in the charts really. If only we were all drinking champagne made by the angels, the world would be a tippsier place :) And oh my god, she looks like Shakira!
• Maria Mena ~ All This Time: No don't run away. It's not a cover version of the Michelle McManus song! It is in fact a) the debut UK single from very good indeed Norwegian singer Maria Mena and b) an incredibly pretty and lovely aural diary entry set to a lovely shuffling uptempo beat and delivered with an engaging and impeccable vocal. It's also known as the Pick Me Up song and a less "rocky" but equally gorgeous original version can also be found on youtube. If you like artists like Judie Tzuke and Marit Larsen, you could do a lot worse than this absolutely soaring and heavenly little ditty. Je t'adore to the power of a million :)

More tomorrow, with added Glee!

Picking my favourite albums is quite difficult. There are those albums that I like that are critically acclaimed and I recognise the genius of them, yet they are not my favourite favourite albums. Then there are those albums that are largely ignored but I end up loving anyway. And then there are albums that are generally massive and everybody loves them. So rather than have a specific order for the top 25, I've just listed them alphabetically and then done the top 10 in order of preference if (as Shayne Ward once said) that's ok with you... :P

• Alphabeat ~ The Spell: They mixed 90s rave and house energies with the pop sensibilities of the noughties and came up with a winning combination that didn't even come close to outstaying it's welcome or being samey over the 10+ tracks. Minimum of 4 massive singles should be forthcoming...
• Bananarama ~ Viva: Ian Masterson did a bang up job with this album and then it was grossly ignored by the public. The swines. The girls had some future classics on here that were designed to be danced to - Love Don't Live Here, had it been by Kylie, would have been top ten for weeks...
• Michael Buble ~ Crazy Love: He was always quite popular, but this year he has hit the stratosphere and quite rightly so. Excellent stage presence, great voice, thoroughly nice chap but with the personality to back it up and duetted with Stacey. Plus had a bonafide pop hit with crazy catchy Haven't Met You Yet. It's only the beginning - this album will run throughout 2010...
• Alexandra Burke ~ Overcome: Well I had no interest in her at the start of the year and then gosh darn it she comes back with a banging pop tune and one of the more interesting X Factor winner albums in a long time. By keeping the tempo up and varied, Alexandra is assured a longer pop career than the boy who stole her crown...
• Dragonette ~ Fixin To Thrill: It was one of the pop delights of 2009, and they took the bold route of giving away half the songs on it before it was even out. You'd have been a fool not to buy the whole thing - in a year bereft of new Girls Aloud, this filled the smart-pop void perfectly and should have been entirely more massive...
  

• Florence + The Machine ~ Lungs: It's both a demanding and seductive debut album that is a joy to listen to; full of nuances that add dimension and layers to each song, it's powered forward by a voice that is both mesmerising and intoxicating. Critics were gushing all over it and luckily fans snapped it up in their droves to. Phew...
• Gossip ~ Music For Men: Not just an amazing album of catchy disco pop, a smart album that sent a message to a still disappointingly homophobic world. Luckily that message is overburdened with seriousness - it's about getting on your feet and dancing, because let's face it a wise woman once said 'music brings the people together'. No one is doing more for that cause than the Gossip on this ace cd...
• Erik Hassle ~ Hassle: Didn't it seem like every few weeks a new Erik Hassle video appeared for either Hurtful or Don't Bring Flowers, and that he was about to be very big indeed? The world is still waiting for that moment, but that didn't make this any less of an astonishing debut for such a young chap. Brilliant lyricist able to match his passionate outpourings to clever music. 2010 must be his big break...
• Whitney Houston ~ I Look To You: The voice was a little different. A lot had happened over the decade. Yet when Whitney returned it was like she never went away, and while it was not quite the triumphant comeback it should have been, it certainly wasn't subpar. Million Dollar Bill (particularly the freemasons mix) powered her to heights she hadn't seen for a while, but there is plenty more to come from this album yet...
• Natalie Imbruglia ~ Come To Life: Has this actually been released yet? Frustratingly delayed, it soon became a torrent favourite. tragic really because the first half of the album plays like side A of an LP. Cohesive, some brilliant tracks and all single worthy, particularly the amazing scars. Side B (or the last 5 songs) are more experimental and don't work quite as well, but for the first 5 alone this features strongly...
  
  

• JLS ~ JLS: You know, I was a little disappointed with this album at first, but the more I have listened to it, the more it grew on me. And a large part of that is to do with just how charming and enthusiastic the lads are. They make me want to love their songs and they make songs that are easy to love. Enough said ;)
• Blake Lewis ~ Heartbreak on Vinyl: Blake came back with an album that pillaged the 80s but in a loving tribute way, not in a La-Roux aren't I unique and ace (no) sort of way. The title track was by far the best, but the rest of the stuff was pretty fine too. His new 80s hair was not though. Minus one point for that!
• Nerina Pallot ~ The Graduate: It pains me that Nerina seemingly has to build her popularity up from scratch with each album release. She has a winning writing style, amazing melodies and lyrics and an enticing voice. Plus she's lovely and witty to boot? She's given you gro-lite and mineral supplements, whaddyawant from her, blood?! BUY IT ALREADY!! :)
• Westlife ~ Where We Are: I didn't really have high expectations for this album, but if you liked Westlife already it was ideal for you and if you don't, then why continue blathering on about it? They are probably not gonna change now, are they?!
• Mans Zelmerlow ~ MZW: Horribly chosen singles didn't really help the album but overall it was a great pop effort with some outstanding tracks on there that deserve a worldwide audience. Hope and Glory remains a magnificent anthem to this day...

Honourable mentions: Darin-Flashback; Marit Larsen-If A Song Could Get Me You; Neo-Neo; Annie-Don't Stop; Danny-Set Your Body Free; Julian Velard-The Planeteer; Leona Lewis-Echo...

10 ~ Mika, The Boy Who Knew Too Much: It was the year that Mika should have come back in a blaze of glory, but returned amidst general apathy and disinterest. Not from me though ~ I was quite happy to see him back with his bombastic Belinda Carlisle meets Chumbawamba We Are Golden and am still revelling in the other pop gems on the album. Rain is absolutely lovely. I could easily milk 5 singles from this :)
09 ~ Paloma Faith, Do You Want The Truth?: I was surprised by how much this album stuck with me throughout the year. I found myself wanting to return to it over and over again. XO has had some of the most passionate coverage of her, and is right in his assessment of the complexity and beauty in her work. Hopefully her medium range popularity will increase into fervent critical devotion next year - based on this excellent collection of tunes, she deserves it...
08 ~ Pet Shop Boys, Yes: If I combine this with their Christmas EP, then it gave me two number one singles this year (Love etc., and It Doesn't Often Snow At Christmas) and hours of delicious pleasure. Filled with amazing innovative yet totally PSB tracks like All Over The World, Beautiful People and the lush Did You See Me Coming, it was an album that solidified they have lost none of their pop edge. Plus dear god please someone leak a demo of The Loving kind...
07 ~ Alcazar, Disco Defenders: Oh my gosh but this album was overflowing with pop sensibility and dancefloor heavenliness. Overflowing with singles, attempts at nearly every pop genre going and shameless pastiches to Abba it was definitely hard not to love this album. In a perfect world this would have spawned five top ten hits in England and made the world see that lovely a fella as Joe is, he's got a long way to go before he can do pop like this. Thank You. In every sense of the word/song...
06 ~ BWO, Big Science: It was the "difficult" post greatest hits album and kicked off with the gothic You're Not Alone. That was a bit of a misnomer really in terms of the entire album because they still had their big Chariots of Fire moments (right here right now) and epic Open Door ballads (Kings of Tomorrow) to thrill the fans. Basically even when they are operating at less than 100%, BWO are still miles better than alot of other pop groups. And quite simply one of the best pop-births of the 2000s (post on that coming soon!)...

• 05 ~ Take That, The Garden: Released in late 2008 on the back of the inspiring, anthemic Greatest Day, this was the album that kept giving throughout 2009 - largely aided by the visually stunning and highly entertaining tour they put on to accompany it. Sure, Up All Night was Shine part 2, but there were plenty of other gems on the album (including the title track, the Jason Orange led How Did It Come To This and showstopping Hold Up A Light For Me) that merely proved that Gary and the boys are some of the finest tunesmiths to come out of Britain at the moment. Lovely stuff.
• 04 ~ Little Boots, Hands: It was the album that Kylie could have recorded and been a lot more massive than the ridiculously hyped Little Boots ever was. The music was actually great - so many ice cool, radio friendly electro-pop tracks that were seemingly made for extensive radio play. An utterly enjoyable album - it was the persona of Little Boots that seemed to be at odds with being a pop princess. She lacked any of the sparkle Sophie Ellis Bextor or Kylie add to their performances and seemed more intent on being a serious, rarely smiling musician. Still, Remedy, Earthquake and Hearts Collide are top notch tunes!
• 03 ~ Lily Allen, It's Not Me, It's You: Brilliant album title and odd quitting music statements aside, I totally enjoyed this album despite (like Mans Zelmerlow) an odd choice of singles. The Fear and It's Not Fair were ace tracks, F*** You improved on the demo from last year, Chinese was a sweet ode to recession induced nights in (with a gorgeous choral tribute floating around) and Lily continued her knack for providing witty, insightful lyrics set to lovely singalong melodies. It's ace because it's true - I mean, no one likes the wet patch in the middle of the bed...
• 02 ~ Same Difference, Pop: Another remnant from 2008, Pop was the album that encapsulated all that was amazing about the charts at the turn of the millenium and bought it back with an updated beat. Sean and Sarah were two of the nicest people you could wish to have gracing the charts and put out an album of singalong tunes that would have done so much better had it been marketed completely differently. There were at least 5 singles here that could have been flying up the UK charts, and I'm just relieved they get a second nibble of the cherry in 2010. Bring it on I say...

01 ~ Robbie Williams, Reality Killed The Video Star: It wasn't so much a comeback, more of a reaffirmation that Robbie was one of the nation's most reliable pop acts who was maturing nicely with age, rather than chasing fashions and trends he had no business dabbling in. It's an album that gives more with each listen, has some great melody driven songs and has Robbie still sounding absolutely ace. You Know Me is one of his more lovely mid-tempo ballads, Morning Sun is almost a Take That tribute sounding song and Difficult for Weirdos is the anthem of many and proudly so. So get hysterical and historical over this album because I suspect it will feature on next year's list too...

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!

No no, I haven't gone gorgeous in a suit on the rocks of the beaches of Gran Can. More on that pic in a mo, but first just a quickie this week (ooo that's what he said, etc.) - being away on holiday is lovely and relaxing and I'm sure I will be telling you all about it shortly whether you want to hear it or not (say you do or my fragile ego will shatter onto the floor like that badly placed White Russian. I still mourn it. The White Russian, not my ego). While I've been busy investing a little time in new albums from Mr Hudson, The Saturdays, Alexandra, Blake Lewis, Dragonette and Faydee, the one album that I keep returning to because it best suits my "sit back relax and chill as I thrill" mood (bonus points if you know what song those lyrics are from!) is the ever so gorgeous to look at and listen to Daniel Boys. If you haven't checked out his album So Close yet, you are missing out on some gorgeous tunes. I insist you at least have a little toe dabble right away! Or at least gaze for a while at the picture above and dreamily sigh :P

So i'll be back on Sunday with the latest X Factor news and gossip and then probably sometime next week catching up on everything I've missed! Has the Robbie album leaked? Are Westlife back? Do the Sugababes still exist? Is Jan Moir still a rancid old bitch? These and other questions will all become apparent in the fullness of time! It's a bit of transition time once I return - only one week left in my current job before I go to be Director of Operations for a national charity. Scary! I also really do need to pull my finger out with the novels I'm working on and stop pussyfooting around. I've said it before, but this time I'm all motivated and determined. So that may mean slightly less posting again for a while (though i do miss the daily rants about life I used to do back on thezapping - they may return in some form, though maybe not here). And then Christmas!! So lots to do. Hope you'll stick around :)

TOP 21 SONGS OF THE WEEK:

21 ~ Mini Viva, I Left My Heart in Tokyo
20 ~ Madonna, Celebration
19 ~ Shakira, She Wolf
18 ~ BWO, Love Comes Crashing Down
17 ~ Whitney Houston, Million Dollar Bill
16 ~ Mariah Carey, I Want To Know What Love Is
15 ~ Sugababes 3.0, About A Girl (NE - blame in on Bar Tubos!)
14 ~ Alexandra Burke, Bad Boys
13 ~ Alphabeat, The Spell
12 ~ The Dolly Rockers, Boys Will Be Boys
11 ~ Leona Lewis, Happy
10 ~ Madonna, Revolver
09 ~ Mika, Blame It On The Girls
08 ~ Robbie Williams, Bodies
07 ~ Nerina Pallot, Real Late Starter
06 ~ Little Boots, Earthquake (VID)
05 ~ JLS, Everybody In Love
04 ~ Blake Lewis, Heartbreak On Vinyl
03 ~ The Killers, A White Demon Love Song
02 ~ William Young, Hopes and Fears
01 ~ Darin, Viva La Vida (2 weeks)

Lots going on this week. I'm hoping to have some good news. But probably not til Tuesday (remember that group?) Anyhoo, I haven't put the second half of my holiday diary up yet (I will soon), I haven't done my top 20 acts of this millenium (i might soon) and I'm moving the weekly round up (often the only blog entry of mine for the week!) to Fridays so I can blog about the X Factor on a Sunday morning. So here are some of the things that have been absolutely super and lovely this very week...

You know, it seems like my very favourite group in the entire world (Abba) are even more prevelant this year than they were last year when Mammia Mia (the filmsical) ruled the world (or at the very least the UK). There's been the cheesetastic but entirely brilliant Second Best To None. And as that consumed every second of my waking life and I thought nothing could top it, along came my song of the year Story Of A Heart, which still remains as enchanting today as when I first heard it. Not quite as good as those but still better than most things out there is a lovely remix (via Popjustice) of Agneta's Wrap Your Arms Around Me. Basically this Belgian act Villa take the 27 year old song and make it sound utterly relevant and modern. And of course Agneta's voice is one of the best ever to exist. Absolute fact. Expect more "abba" on my weekly chart then...

You know, I used to blog about Live Lounge on radio one on a ridiculously regular basis. Frankly I should have been on commission. It's all got a bit meh of late, but of course nearly top 5 star Little Boots was enough to draw my attention back - and doing a JLS cover no less! Tops! It's not quite as brilliant as it should be, and it loses some of the genuine charm that JLS bring to it (plus no pointing to watch dance moves), but it shows that Victoria can give the tune an almost eerie gloss of indie cool that after too much listening becomes a bit creepy. Strangely moreish...

Ah Sliimy. I wrote about his rather interesting take on Womanizer and this single back in May, and almost tragically since then he has been signed to uh, a record label I can't bring myself to discuss (not least because it has the distasteful practice of adding "icious" onto the end of it!).Still the wonderful Larry Flick got me back into the song and there is something very novelty song about it, yet also oddly rewarding. A definite example of "earworm" and perhaps if Mika's We Are Golden is too brash for you this might be a slightly more straightforward pop alternative. I did have the opportunity to interview Sliimy on Monday, but honestly I can't think of anything to ask! Tell you what, all listen to the Sound of Arrows insanely astonishing new single Into The Clouds instead. It's honest to god proper decent. Who would've thought anything could be better than M.A.G.I.C?

TOP 21 SONGS OF THE WEEK:

21 ~ "Abba", Second Best To None
20 ~ Elouise, One Night Only
19 ~ Ola, Sky's The Limit
18 ~ BWO, Love Comes Crashing Down (NE)
17 ~ Lily Allen, 22
16 ~ Industry, Burn
15 ~ The Yeah You's, Getting Up With You
14 ~ JLS, Beat Again
13 ~ Marina & The Diamonds, Obsessions
12 ~ Erik Hassle, Don't Bring Flowers
11 ~ Blake Lewis, Sad Songs
10 ~ Whitney, Million Dollar Bill
09 ~ Benny Andersson Band, Story Of A Heart
08 ~ Bananarama, Love Comes
07 ~ Preston, Dressed To Kill
06 ~ Sugababes, Get Sexy
05 ~ Backstreet Boys, Soldier Down
04 ~ Little Boots, Remedy
03 ~ Same Difference, Better Love Me
02 ~ Madonna, Celebration
01 ~ Mika, We Are Golden (2 weeks)
Bubbling under: Julian Velard ~ steve mcqueen; sound of arrows - into the clouds; kelly clarkson - already gone; psb - all over the world

Work has been horrific this week. Ridiculously long hours. Ridiculously short tempers. On the plus side, I had a rather lovely day out with Mr Pants of Daz in Stratford Upon Avon yesterday (e.g. one of the most lovely places in the world ever and one of the most lovely people in the world), though i clearly scrimped on the sun protection lotion as now I have quite red arms with a big white line where my "bracelet" was. On the other plus side (can you have more than one? Let's celebrate the plusses and say yes you can!) I also finished re-watching season two of Buffy (ie the one where Angel goes a bit mental, Buffy gets stabby and Willow grills Jonathan about the dark arts - hereby planting in him the seeds needed for year six? Discuss) and got all misty eyed again over that Sarah McLachlan song that soundtracks the closing moments. And on the final plus side, I was very lucky to get sent a proof draft (one of 42! In newspaper format!!) of the new Hitchiker's Guide To The Galaxy Book by the Artemis Fowl creating genius Eoin Colfer. I'm scared to touch it in case my fingers have destructive oils... :P OK, on with a plethora (good word - try and use it in a sentence today) of new(ish) acts...

NEW AND NOTEWORTHY:


Killian Wells: It's been a while since I wrote about Killian and stated that he had brilliant pop star hair! His hair is still quite popstar, and he has now released a proper single (VIP) that is actually quite hook laden and gets multiple extra points for spelling out his name at the beginning of the song. It's a great commentary on the fame game, with an almost robotic sounding middle 8 that is instantly on my "sounds brilliant done in a posh british accent" rap list that I have to walk around quoting. The song is just proper bonza, and it name checks Nelly Furtado which really more songs should do. On top of all this, Killian was one of the first pop singers to do the admirable NoH8 campaign in the USA - taking a stand for gay rights. It's both brilliant and sad (inasmuch that the campaign has to exist at all)... Now come to the UK to launch your pop career young sir, and let me take you shopping. I still maintain you will be popstartastic in a bow tie :) Be prepared to ask Who The Hell is Killian Wells, because I suspect the answer will be very forthcoming!

Daniel Boys: Earlier this year I was very taken indeed (ie obsessed for a few months) with the flawlessly performed I Know Him So Well that Daniel did with John Barrowman on the latter's most recent album and tour. Since then, Daniel has resumed his run in the hilarious Avenue Q and been busy releasing his debut album. I really need to write more about both, but for now I'll just point out my current favourite track on the album - the piano driven One Day More. I just need a song that is filled with hope and optimism in my life right now, and this delivers. Not only is the piano riff glorious, but the added strings and the fact that I could listen to Daniel's voice all day make this a total winner. No wonder I was called a west end wendy at school - musical theatre rocks. Plus of course i may have noticed that Daniel is quite charming to look at too :P

Daisy Dares You: Oh aces, another pop star that spells out her name. That sounds sarcastic, but i love spelling in pop songs. DDY has been all over popjustice (and a good write up on the always reliable Ademwithane) recently and with good reason ~ she produces punky-pop electro tinged songs like the epononymous Daisy Dares You (that you can legally download here) and the sweet meets indignant anger of No. One Enemy (again free and legal here!) I suspect that she may be the love child of Transvision Vamp and Fuzzbox, which is a very good thing indeed as I worshipped both acts "back in the day". It's the amazing Talk About The Weather though that got me totally hooked - particularly the lovely piano trinket that starts the song. Quite an astonishing talent for a 15 year old and perhaps my fave Electric Youth since Debbie Gibson hit at an early age in the 80s :)

Mini Viva: Another popjustice beloved act. What with Girls Can't Catch (great song that The Saturdays could've sung) and the spunky amazing Dolly Rockers (new Gold Digga video is the logical extension of Je Suis...), I wondered what Mini Viva could bring to the table. Basically they have a xenomania sound that updates the Mel and Kim vibe from the 80s, mixes in some Girls Aloud friendly verses and sprinkles it with some Betty Boo type rapping. It's like a tour through the greatest hits of pop and could well bring the girls some attention and success. I quite like it, but I can't help but feel the best is yet to come from these girls... (Aaron's views here!)

Ben Montague: I honestly thought I'd written about Ben before, but I guess I didn't. Shame on me, because I have been loving his brand of piano charged, good old fashioned timeless melodic pop for a few months now. The very gorgeous tune Haunted is a classic ballad that digs deep into your soul and gently strokes your emotions, and the absolutely rollicking honkytonk Can't Hold Me Down channels the best of The Feeling and Elton John into a tightly produced pop tune that Ben commands from start to finish. Apparently a debut album is on the horizon so I'm quite looking forward to more tunes that embed themselves into your brain and refuse to budge for days.

Other bonza tracks heard this week:

• The new Backstreet Boys song "Soldier Down" is exactly what I wanted a BSB song to sound like in 2009. Quite funky, melodic, harmonious and entirely uptodate. I'm liking quite a lot so far... (Nikki likes it too! Hurrah!)
• Whitney's I Didn't Know My Own Strength has really grown on me, so I'm pleased that her latest leak I Look To You is quite lovely also. After reading D'Luv's exclusive run through her album, I am committed to continuing loving her come what may...
• The Sparkling Arrest (who I first wrote about here) have released the epic tune I know they had in them. The Seventh Sigh is a gently increasing wall of sound that crescendos into a terrific arms in the air stadium anthem. Crashing piano, blistering guitar and an impassioned vocal - it belongs on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury. People would "lose their shit" as the kids on the street say. Quite wonderful.
• Finally, i've long loved the ska-pop stylings of the lovely Just For Kicks - in their latest tune C-c-c-crazy, there's a definite mariachi influence from The Last Shadow Puppets; it's a spaghetti western of a song that cleverly builds the frustration of the lyrics into the backing tack - an urgent instrumental that powers the song through. It's quite subtle at first, but the more I listen the more I go back for, well, more. Bring on an EP or an album already boys!!

TOP 21 SONGS OF THE WEEK:

21 ~ BWO, Right Here Right Now
20 ~ LeKid, Mercy Mercy
19 ~ Jordin Sparks, Battlefield
18 ~ Dan Black, Symphonies
17 ~ Mans Zelmerlow, Home
16 ~ Marina & The Diamonds, Obsessions
15 ~ Erik Hassle, Don't Bring Flowers
14 ~ Ola, Sky's The Limit
13 ~ Dolly Rockers, Je Suis Un Dolly
12 ~ Blake Lewis, Sad Song (NE)
11 ~ Lily Allen, 22
10 ~ Jason Mraz, Try Try Try
09 ~ Sugababes, Get Sexy
08 ~ Mr Hudson, Supernova
07 ~ "Abba", Second Best To None
06 ~ Elouise, One Night Only
05 ~ Mika, We Are Golden (NE)
04 ~ Little Boots, Remedy (VID)
03 ~ JLS, Beat Again
02 ~ Preston, Dressed To Kill
01 ~ Benny Andersson Band, Story Of A Heart (7 bloody weeks!)

This week, if work doesn't get in the way - a madonna post, some unsolicited career advice for take that, BWO and Mans Zelmerlow and a new fizzypop chronicles...

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


TOP 21 SONGS I HAVE ENJOYED MOST IN 2009:

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

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

JONAS BONUS MENTIONS:

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

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

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

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

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

Hello dears. It has been an exceptionally busy week and I have spent most of saturday and sunday sleeping! Perhaps I have ME!! Although more likely, it is because i have been hit really hard by hayfever (worse than ever before) and the new tablets I am on just make me like a zombie. I have got to sort something better out than this, I'm like the living undead :S On the plus side, I have been nominated for an award this week - it's all work related and probably very dull, but it is all to do with a programme of support I designed for older people with dementia using outside space more (e.g. gardens, parks, flowers, plants) to stimulate memory and social interraction. Hurrah for it working, apparently :) I'm not normally the type of person to shout about accomplishments (I was horribly embarrassed when i got nominated for a blog award earlier in the year!!) but i'm sort of vainly proud of this, even if i don't win :P Anyway, on with the highlights of the week...

BEST IN SHOW THIS WEEK:

• TV - it was the first full week of Big Brother and by golly, I have decided that I dislike the majority of the contestants (although there are some I dislike less than others just because they haven't really done much yet. Um hello is Rodrigo even in there? And Freddie is a bit out there really, even for me). Saffia mercifully took her dated Bridgette Nielsen haircut and walked, stating it was because she needed her kids. Lovely, although she had no qualms abandoning them to go in there in the first place. Strangest, most creepy contestant has to be Sree - Srapeey as I call him. Best-worst moment involving him was when he basically called Karly a slag, then rubbed her boob and told her she was naive and immature to cheer her up. SCORE! PS - on a vapid shallow note, for the first time ever there is NO ONE in the house i fancy :( This year's star and becoming increasingly attractive is bloody George Lamb (BBLB)
• TV - Greek has turned into one of the smartest, wittiest shows on tv. Season finale this week and thank god it's coming back for a third season :)
• TV - 2/3rds of the brillo team behind the delightfully macabre League of Gentlemen tv series (and disappointing movie, whose script was pillaged for the latest grossly horrible Red Dwarf reunion) have a new show starting on Thurs called Psychoville. With a killer clown! And Dawn French. Ergo is clearly unmissable.
• BOOK - have finished Johnny Mackenzie and The Spirit of London. Sort of came across as a junior Doctor Who adventure and was quite good over all. Best thing was it was in 13 chapters and so each chapter felt like an episode of a tv show. Time travel does make my head scratch a bit though!
• MUSIC - Everyone and his dog are raving about Le Kid's debut single Mercy Mercy (above), and quite rightly so. It's quite a lovely summer pop song, even if it does owe a rather large debt to Girls Aloud's Can't Speak French. Still, trying not to smile while this plays is utterly useless and I am eagerly anticipating the album. Bonus points for spelling out their band name in the middle 8! Check out Bob's interview with them...
• MUSIC - talking of kids (and I was), Popjustice is rather appalled by the new Kid British single Our House is Dadless. I thought their last song Sunny Afternoon was a brilliant slice of Bradley S Club meets The Streets. This isn't quite as brilliant, but the lyrics are quite witty and clever and of course The Madness sample makes it entirely catchy. Overall then I am secretly (not so much anymore!) liking it...
• MUSIC - poor Adem felt that he was the only person in the world that liked both the new Aqua song and the accompanying video Back To The 80s. Not so fine sir. I adore both and the tune is number one in Denmark :) Can't wait to see what the british public make of it later this summer...
• MUSIC - I still find Lady GaGhastly not for me, but I was reminded via the lovely Melismatic of the brillo Wynter Gordon's Surveillance the other day. It's such a brilliant tune, that had it had a bigger push would have predated the GG sound by a good 12 months. I have shared this opinion with several people, and only one agreed with me and he was a drunk DJ. Oh well :) It's still brillo!!
• MUSIC - I am in absolute love with the Little Boots album. It is clearly the best album that Kylie never made. It's not exactly groundbreaking or edgy, but there are some glorious lyrical and melodic highlights strewn through every single track. Remedy is indeed going to make a marvy second single, even if it does channel the thematic lyrical content of Heartbreak Makes Me A Dancer!! (As Ghost channels Madge's Supernatural, but it's still all rather aces)
• MUSIC - Well good on Mika, I say. I continue to adore his low-key release Songs for Sorrow EP which arrived in the post this week. I didn't realise, but it comes with a rather brillo-pad book which really enhances the music contained within. Good on Mika for going for some he is creatively passionate about, and roll on the new album (Excellent article on his new EP and album in this month's Observer Music Monthly!)
• MUSIC - Tom Baxter put out one of the most underrated albums of the past couple of years with the outstanding Skybound, and now his unconventionally attractive hottie brother Charlie Winston is churning out equally excellent music. His debut single In Your Hands is very charming - a carefully constructed folk-pop song with a great chorus and imbued with personal lyrics that give it added appeal. I've downloaded his massive French hit album Hobo and it's bonza.
• CAN'T WAIT - The cover feature on this month's attitude magazine has totally changed my opinion towards The Gossip. Their new album sounds absolutely immense and of course I trust XO's valued opinion. Also impatiently waiting for - the Maxwell album, Mr Hudson's Straight No Chaser and the new Whitney single :)
• TESTING OUT - The Vagabond album is basically the third album that Rooster never got around to releasing because they split up. I can't work out whether I like it or not - it's not bad per se, and elements of it I really like. I'll have another few listens and get back to you. On Phil's recommendation though and two listens, I'm hooked on the Cicada album.
• FINALLY - I'm so over Pixie Lott. I can't believe the song, which admittedly briefly won me over before I came to my senses, has topped the UK charts :S Apparently slapping a boy in the face during the videos "dance-clap fight off" scene is an appropriate way to resolve conflict. Hideous...

ESSENTIAL LINKS:

XO has a brilliant mixtape post up which are always amazing; Chartrigger presents the Pet Shop Boys doing Viva La Vida; Mike has this week's poptrash panel (booo you whores for not loving JLS!); Poppostergirl is back (thank god); Aaron introduces me to The Dimes and my fave new (to me) website of the week comes courtesy of Trixie - Karinski! It covers brillo new tunes like the aforementioned Le Kid, and upcoming popstart Daisy Dares You. Good luck with XOXO!

TOP 21 SONGS OF THE WEEK:

Bit of a chart revamp week this week. I've been subtly playing the Benny Andersson Band new abba song for a few weeks, but really got hooked on it this week. And JLS and Dan Black are just entirely too moreish for words :) BWO rises a couple of slots thanks to Donal Industry's recommendation of the Oscar Holter remix...

21 ~ Annie, Anthonio
20 ~ Same Difference, All Roads Lead To Heaven
19 ~ Alesha Dixon, Let's Get Excited
18 ~ Mr Hudson, Supernova
17 ~ Take That, The Garden
16 ~ Pet Shop Boys, Did You See Me Coming?
15 ~ Dan Black, Symphonies (NE)
14 ~ JLS, Beat Again (NE/VID)
13 ~ Alcazar, From Brazil With Love
12 ~ Industry, My Baby's Waiting
11 ~ Marina and The Diamonds, I Am Not A Robot
10 ~ Mans Zelmerlow, Home
09 ~ Jason Mraz, Try Try Try
08 ~ Freemasons ft SEB, Heartbreak Makes Me A Dancer
07 ~ DollyRockers, Je Suis Un Dolly
06 ~ Jordin Sparks, Battlefield
05 ~ Little Boots, New in Town
04 ~ Elouise, One Night Only
03 ~ BWO, Right Here Right Now
02 ~ "Abba", Second Best To None
01 ~ Benny Andersson Band, Story Of A Heart (NE/1 Week)

Hello chums. Darren and I have had a lovely week away in the south of England. Lots of historical sites related to the Tudors, some theme parks (including the incredible amazing Saw the Ride rollercoaster) and a lovely day out at the theatre in London (more on that in a bit!). Our evenings were taken up in the lovely sunshine watching what actually is possibly the worst show on television - Britain's Got Talent. You would think I would love this show and it's totally my sort of thing, but my god what a hideous beast it turned out to be. Some of the lowlights included the very public breakdown of Susan Boyle (who, lets face it, was just a woman with a somewhat above average voice who nobody would have glanced twice at if she had been a curvy 25 year old attractive blonde), a 10 year old girl bursting into tears on live tv when she fluffed a song, the glorification of two chubby men with no discernable talent whatsoever performing a joke i failed to get and more tears from contestants (including the same difference of ballroom dancing) as Simon tells them they weren't as good as they should be. Couple that with some hideous decisions on who to put through by the judges (a florist?! A man in a darth vadar mask who dances badly?! A man who makes saxophone noises with his nose?! REALLY?!) and the piss-poor voting of the british public made a show I should love (and have never really watched before) one of the most repulsive yet compulsive things I have ever seen. On the plus side Diversity (video above!) are the most exciting dance troupe I have seen for years and Aiden (from Birmingham! Yay! Birmingham pride, etc) is a right cocky yet loveable little dancer (despite the cameraman obviously having a stroke during his performance - he's barely on screen half the time!) whose moves I have been practising to a funky soundtrack all morning (with disappointing results. I'm no George Sampson!). Ok, rant over - on with the musical highlights of the week...

MUSICAL APPRECIATIONS OF THE WEEK:

• I wasn't convinced that The Saturdays should actually release Work (above). I thought perhaps they had waited too long with the release of the perfunctory Just Can't Get Enough in between. But lo and behold they have not only reswizzled it ever so slightly so it still sounds brilliant fresh but actually gone and produced a video that looks like they aren't just playing popstar in Girls Aloud's heels anymore. And Frankie still has the most stunning voice and gorgeous looks, and should clearly marry brilliantly cheekboned Dean Lennon and have amazingly attractive children.
• (BTW, having seen the Dolly Rockers at Birmingham Pride, je suis une dolly for life. Or at least the forseeable future...)
• Yes, I'm still entirely enthralled by Hotel Rival's lovely Benny/Bjorn written Second Best To None. Their other "new" song (by the Benny Andersson Band) is more of a grower than a show-er. Don't get me wrong, Story Of A Heart, with vocals by the lovely sounding Helen Sjoholm, is utterly exquisite with gloriously emotional lyrics and a soaring chorus. It's only available in a low quality radio rip at the moment, but everything - EVERYTHING - in it speaks to me as a perfect example of how "Abba" can still craft the most beautiful moments in pop. Unlike Second Best To None (which I still play regularly and often!) I'm being a bit more reserved with this until the full high quality version is available.
• Observations from driving around with Darren this week ~ Battlefield (i'm with poppostergirl on preferring the Ryan Tedder version ever so slightly) is essentially an updated remake of Kim Wilde's Never Trust A Stranger; Little Boots' Stuck On Repeat is essentially a more sultry version of Can't Get You Out Of My Head; and which came first - Martika's Coloured Kisses or George Michael's Too Funky because they have exactly the same backing beat...
• Talking of the lovely Little Boots, I'm absolutely thrilled with her chart success this week (about #11 in the midweeks). Totally deserved and what a great first hit for her. I think things will get bigger and better from here. Her duet with Phil Oakley (Symmetry) is brilliant - as XO pointed out to me, something very Kylie about it. There are at least 3 more smash hits from her brillo debut album Hands (the aforementioned Symmetry and Stuck On Repeat; the aces Remedy) which drops next week...
• Sister Act The Musical was very good, but not quite in the amazing category. All new songs ranging from seventies sounding disco numbers to disney-esque ballads. The show wisely ups the story about the unlikely friendship between Deloris and the Mother Superior (brilliantly played by Sheila Hancock) and bought it all to a conclusion so joyful and glorious that I nearly wept from the happy :) Download two legal tracks here...
• Some albums I am currently enjoying which are outside my normal range of pop delights: Paolo Nutini's Sunny Side Up (key track = Coming Up Easy); Indigo Girls' Poseidon & The Bitter Bug (key track = What Are You Like); Dave Matthews Band's Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King (key track = Funny The Way It Is); and Island Life: 50 Years of Island with excellent contributions from the Sugababes doing a funkytastic cover of Teardrops, Keane bringing it with Disco 2000 and the faultless Feeling covering This Is Love. Magnif. Mini reviews coming soon.
• Finally has anyone else been following Radio 2's Great British Songbook? You've been missing out on more ace cover versions if so :) This week, the increasingly brilliant boombastic pop of The Yeah You's gets an airing and they do a rather lovely version of Ordinary World. Aces.

TOP 21 SONGS OF THE WEEK:

New Entries ~ Well, I really haven't written about Mr Hudson & The Library as much as I should. XO and I bonded over them, Captain and Upper Room in 2006/7 and I loved their debut album, particularly the groovesome cover of On The Street Where You Live. Luckily, XO has carried the Mr Hudson banner for the world, but don't think I love them any less than I did in 2007. Supernova is really quite amazing, and their recent concert very spectacular indeed...

21 ~ Mr Hudson, Supernova (NE/Vid)
20 ~ Alcazar, From Brazil with Love (NE)
19 ~ Mans Zelmerlow, Home (NE)
18 ~ Infernal, Redefinition
17 ~ Lily Allen, Not Fair
16 ~ Mans Zelmerlow, Hope & Glory
15 ~ Pet Shop Boys, Did You See Me Coming?
14 ~ Same Difference, All Roads Lead To Heaven
13 ~ The Killers, The World We Live In
12 ~ Paolo Nutini, Candy
11 ~ Industry, My Baby's Waiting
10 ~ Annie, Anthonio
09 ~ Take That, The Garden
08 ~ Alesha Dixon, I Get Excited
07 ~ Jordin Sparks, Battlefield
06 ~ BWO, Right Here Right Now
05 ~ Marina & The Diamonds, I Am Not A Robot
04 ~ Elouise, One Night Only
03 ~ Freemasons ft Sophie Ellis Bextor, Heartbreak Makes Me A Dancer
02 ~ Little Boots, New In Town
01 ~ "Abba", Second Best To None (3 weeks)

Mid week special! Fizzypop chronicles vol 6 on Weds! Then back on Sunday...

Sigh. Another year, another birthday over. I am officially approaching middle age :( Though i am happy to be with someone who will always always be older than me :P It's the best gift a boy could have. Oh and it's our 9 year anniversary tomorrow! Lumme! Anyway the weekend was fun. A bunch of us went to see Singing In The Rain in Liverpool and songs like Fit As A Fiddle, Moses Supposes, Singing In The Rain and of course the aces Good Morning never fail to put a smile on my face. We also had a gorgeous lunch at an "authentic" 50s diner (Best. Milkshake. Ever) and a fun evening back at Ruthies where Darren tragically revealed that he thought Eskimo was the place where Eskimos live!! That is on a par with me not knowing that reindeer were real until a couple of years ago :S On with the highlights and lowlights of the week methinks!!

BOO & HURRAH!

• BOO ~ Pushing Daisies aired it's final episode on Friday in the UK :( It was as bonkers brilliant as anything they had done before. I won't give too much away but there is a brilliant shark related death with crap CGI, some excellent quotable lines and a decent cliffhanger ending - that is then ruined by a rubbishy "lets-wrap-it-all-up" voiceover. Honestly i would have just preferred the cliffhanger. Bring on the zombie-esque DC comics!!
• HURRAH ~ Heroes and Private Practice made up for generally awful seasons with quite good finale episodes. Bryan Fuller is back working his Pushing Daisies magic on Heroes, while the final few minutes of Private Practice were generally harrowing. Naughty Megan from Felicity!!
• BOO ~ Talking of tv, I'm still wary about embracing some shows that I think I would really like for fear of them being one season wonders. Dollhouse surely looks amazing but surely is an outsider for renewal prospects? And what about Fringe? It lures me in but i've never found time to watch it. Ditto Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles... Any recommendations?
• HURRAH ~ At least some of the offerings for next year look a lot better than most of this years disappointing output. Flash Forward could be amazing if handled correctly; Eastwick could be a new sudsy smash (btw the Widows of Eastwick book is challenging me at the mo!) while Masterworks could replace my need for illogical bonkers hi-octane drama that Prison Break currently offers. The Gossip Girl spin off is clearly on my radar, as is the remake of V (though i am already annoyed with ABC over casting for that show. Maybe one day you'll know why!). Anyone else seen anything they like?
• BOO ~ what the ecky thump is going on with Sam Taylor? He managed to wangle himself two tracks on the Beautiful People soundtrack alongside luminaries like Dan Gillespie (Sex)Sells, Kylie & Dannii and SEB, builds up a following on the internet and then uh, auditions for the live stage show of High School Musical? Ok....
• HURRAH ~ The pressure is off for Girls Aloud! While Untouchable will be remembered as the first song not to make the top ten, it had to happen sometime and surely coming off the best selling album to date and a sold out tour is success enough. Singles chart positions are increasingly irrelevant in the world of pop success and it's time to embrace the new regime. Whatever that is... :P (And of course it may go top ten next week!!)
• HURRAH ~ I'm quite looking forward to the return of A-ha and The Lightning Seeds. I was quite obsessed with the latter for quite a while in the 90s...Thanks Kulpop for the info!

TOP 21 TRACKS OF THE WEEK:

21 ~ Kevin Borg, With Every Bit of Me
20 ~ Pet Shop Boys, Love etc
19 ~ BWO, You're Not Alone
18 ~ The Killers, The World We Live In
17 ~ Taylor Swift, Love Story
16 ~ Paolo Nutini, Candy
15 ~ Kelly Clarkson, I Do Not Hook Up
14 ~ Neo, Flower Power Super Girl
13 ~ Girls Aloud, Untouchable
12 ~ Alesha Dixon, Let's Get Excited
11 ~ Simon Curtis, Things We Do For Love
10 ~ Annie, Anthonio
09 ~ Alcazar, Stay The Night
08 ~ Infernal, Redefinition
07 ~ Lily Allen, Not Fair
06 ~ Sophie Ellis Bextor, Heartbreak Makes Me A Dancer (RE)
05 ~ Same Difference, All Roads Lead To Heaven
04 ~ Take That, The Garden
03 ~ Little Boots, New In Town (NE/VID)
02 ~ Mans Zelmerlow, Hope and Glory
01 ~ Marina and The Diamonds, I Am Not A Robot (NE/1 Week)