Lopez Blogs

It has more oft than not been bemoaned of late that there are a paucity of decent shows on television to perform your pop wares. I'm not sure this is entirely true anymore - there are numerous day & night time talk shows, X Factor and Dancing on Ice, and if you are particularly lucky you might end up in an episode of Hollyoaks while Ste snogs the moustache off Brendan in the background. Lucky bastard. However, these shows tend to be for those acts that are already (more or less) established (though The Overtones & Julian Velard managed to break through last week). The "Comic Relief" telethon managed to continue that trend by reeling in some big names to perform their latest music - often in a slightly unusual way. Here are some of my favourites...

JLS ft Miranda crew ~ Eyes Wide Shut. I absolutely what I like to call love Miranda. Her sitcom is a reasonable facsimilie of what my life is like on a day to day basis. So of course I was delighted that she was doing a little Comic Relief sketch (which was amazing - click here to view) AND dancing/rapping with the JLS boys. The dance routine is the culmination of the sketch show prior to it, which included such classic dance lessons as "Lady Gaga Feel The Beat/Lady Gaga Dress of Meat" and a cameo from oft quoted in the show Heather Small. If you haven't learned to love Miranda yet, how in the hell are you gonna love yourself? Can I get a "what have you done today to make you feel proud"?! Now enjoy the clip above, and bare with while I pause on lovely Gary in a tank top...


Peter Kaye ft Subo ~ I Know Him So Well. The anthem (though not "Anthem") from Chess is one of my fave songs. Steps did it well. Whitney and Cissy souled it up. John & Daniel excelled at it. But nothing tops the original Babs/Elaine version and Peter and Susan Boyle have done a rather good parody of it for the show. I'm not sure anyone who hasn't grown up knowing and loving the original video as much as I have will appreciate some of the finer points, but it's a jolly good chortle nonetheless...(it's the original above as the PK/Subo version is being sold on iTunes and all proceeds go to charity. Go forth and purchase)...


Take/Fake That ~ Happy Now. Oh! Kidz is barely over (after all that money spent on the video) and suddenly we're on to single 3 (good choice though) from Progress. The video concept above is basically some of Britain's finest comics (including lovely Catherine Tate) auditioning to be a Take That tribute band by recreating some of their iconic looks. These include the Do What U Like video, Back For Good and The Flood. They also performed the song sans Fake That earlier in the show, which you can watch by clicking here. Waiting for single 4 please. It's BeeGees does 2011-tastic.


McFly ~ All About You (sort of). It is common knowledge that the best Comic Relief single ever released is Bananarama ft Lanananeenanoonoo, Help. Instant classic. Second to that is the bonkers Who Do You Think You Are by Spice Girls. However, a very close third is the lovely tender ballad by my McFly ragamuffins. They didn't perform this on the show the last night in it's original version, but rewrote the lyrics to thank the staff at OxFam who had raised millions for comic relief. It's just Danny and Tom, but it's quite sweet anyway and makes me sad that their very tremendulent song That's The Truth didn't have a more sterling performance on the UK charts.


Other highlights:

• The Wanted performed their very good indeed single Gold Forever, not to be confused with One Direction's Forever Young. Read Nick's latest pop update for a spot on and concise review :)
• Adele performed Someone Like You. That woman is everywhere and unstoppable and I for one am not complaining. I have recently mastered this on the piano and I sound brilliant ;)
• Not music, but Dr Who returned for a madcap mini adventure with La Pond and a strangely foxy Rory. I have no idea what was happening but I'm hoping DanP76 will enlighten me. Can't wait for the return on April 23rd

Top 21 songs of the week:

21 ~ Julian Velard, Love Again For The First Time (RE)
20 ~ Andrea Lewis, She (NE)
19 ~ McFly, That's The Truth
18 ~ Deborah Gibson, Snake Charmer
17 ~ Kylie, Put Your Hands Up
16 ~ Maroon 5, Never Gonna Leave This Bed
15 ~ The Moniker, Oh My God
14 ~ Take That, Kidz
13 ~ Take That, Happy Now (NE)
12 ~ Tove Styrke, High & Low
11 ~ JLS, Eyes Wide Shut (RE)
10 ~ Same Difference, Best Mistake
09 ~ Danny, In The Club
08 ~ Le Kid, Oh My God
07 ~ Lady Gaga, Born This Way
06 ~ Love Generation, Dance Alone
05 ~ Andreas Johnson, One Man Army
04 ~ Sanna Nielsen, I'm In Love
03 ~ The Wanted, Gold Forever
02 ~ The Feeling, Set My World On Fire
01 ~ Eric Saade, Popular (4 weeks)

Last night in intimate if somewhat grotty surroundings, one of my favourite acts - The Feeling - lit up Coventry with a mixture of old and new songs, all eagerly lapped up by their adoring fanbase. If you're not familiar with The Feeling, then you really should be. They appeared on the pop scene late 2005 with a glorious tune (Fill My Little World - still one of my all time favourite songs of the 2000s) and broke through with thoughtful quasi-ballad Sewn. They mixed a reverence of seventies harmonised pop rock with a modern day sensibility and came up with one of the most delightful debut albums I've heard in many years. While there were sunny, effervescent tunes like the aforementioned Fill My Little World, Never Be Lonely and the ebullient Love It When You Call, it also produced more contemplative moments like the heavenly tune Strange; indeed this song about acceptance, freaks, outsiders and anyone who has felt different lifted me skybound long before Born This Way came on the scene. A second album (Join With Us) produced more musical magic, including the title track, which I still believe is one of the most accomplished musical productions i've heard in years. Definitely up there with modern day classics like Viva La Vida and Rule The World. And then it all went a bit quiet while the boys regrouped and prepared for that all important third album...

So thank god that 2011 will see the launch of The Feeling's 3rd album. It's preceeded by the single Set The World On Fire which got a rollicking reception when performed live. It's a classic feel-good Feeling tune that details what happens when your relationship is built around fiery passion - the rows, the dramas, the splits, but ultimately the love that proves too strong to sever. It seems quite unassuming at first and indeed, the video above doesn't really do it justice though you get a good idea of what to expect. However, it's delivered with a sincerity and commitment that just draws you into the song and the chorus is stickier than a toffee bun - it will remain with you long after the song's finished. There's a genuine beauty in the tune too with some lovely harmonies and studied moments of tenderness that provide added layers to the mid-tempo tune. Definitely going to be a huge singalong favourite in months to come and bodes well for their upcoming album. Heavenly.

Top 21 songs of the week:


21 ~ JLS, Eyes Wide Shut
20 ~ Brandon Flowers, Jilted Lovers & Broken Hearts
19 ~ Scissor Sisters, Whole New Way
18 ~ One Direction, Forever Young
17 ~ McFly, That's The Truth
16 ~ James Blunt, Too Far Gone
15 ~ Kylie, Put Your Hands Up (NE)
14 ~ Tove Styrke, White Light Moment
13 ~ Avril Lavigne, What The Hell
12 ~ Britney Spears, Hold It Against Me
11 ~ Westlife, Beautiful Tonight
10 ~ Le Kid, Oh My God (NE)
09 ~ Maroon 5, Never Gonna Leave This Bed
08 ~ Shayne Ward, Obsessions
07 ~ Rochella Danishei, Michelle
06 ~ Neo, Underground
05 ~ Same Difference, Karma Karma
04 ~ Take That, Kidz
03 ~ Deborah Gibson, Snake Charmer
02 ~ Andreas Johnson, One Man Army
01 ~ Lady Gaga, Born This Way (NE/1 Week)

I do like a good boy band album I do. And I appreciate it even more when it's a boy band with longevity who has honed their craft over the course of many albums and tours and come back with something rather spectacular. Or at least a solid collection of tunes. Two of my faves (one from the early millenium, one taking over from them a few years later) have recently put out their latest albums and jolly fine they are too. Boy bands rule!

McFly ~ Above The Noise:

You will probably have heard a lot of "noise" (ho ho) about McFly's latest album being a bit of a departure into the electro-synth sound; working with Dallas Austin; having Taio Cruz guest, etc. And how this has essentially changed their sound. This is very true - it has changed their sound, but it's not genre specific. Embracing synths, electro beats and a funkier vibe has completely freed up the boys and they do sound more glorious than ever. Remember Buffy The Vampire Slayer? In year four, it wasn't really as good as it used to be and while there were some outstanding moments ("hush"; "this year's girl") it was essentially treading water. Then year five came along and it was all inventive, reinvented and utterly quite brilliant. Above The Noise is McFly's Buffy, Year 5.

The album kicks off with End Of The World - a track as grandiose, theatrical and cabaret infused as anything they have attempted before. It sets up the album as something of a thematic album - those super McFly boys saving the world, one damsel in distress at a time and thus, Above The Noise works well as both a jolly good album and a jolly good concept album. It's an energetic, effusive track and one that launches their return with gusto. It leads into the (by now familiar) single Party Girl, whose down and dirty beats sound even better in the confines of the album. iF U C Kate (ooo those little scamps) is actually quite a sweet love song, despite the saucy title. It's a million miles from Britney's If You Seek Amy in terms of music and flows melodically like a smooth brook on a summer's day. It actually weaves both lyrically and musically into the current single - the better and better with each listen marvel that is Shine A Light. It's number 3 in the midweeks and rightly so - a gorgeous track that just shimmers as a midtempo ballad and acts as a fine showcase for their vocals and instrumental unity. Tremendous chorus that just flies from the speakers and hovvers in the ether long after the song has finished.

There are a number of synthy Prince inspired love songs littering the album that are actually veering on heavenly. I'll Be Your Man is the type of ballad that every guy/girl would love to have McFly sing to them, while the motown harmonies of I Need A Woman show a new maturity from the boys both lyrically and in terms of knowing how to successfully experiment with new genres. Elsewhere, their proven knowledge of putting out a chorus as catchy as a winter cold is evidenced in single worthy songs like This Song, which practically effervesces pop goodness in front of your eyes and the album closer Foolish, which brings their hunt for their preferred lady friend full circle. It's a tremendously enjoyable album, recognisably McFly but also different enough that there is a frisson of excitement and adventure built into each track. Je t'adore...

A1 ~ Waiting For Daylight:

Hurrah! A1 have returned after years in the wilderness (although I'd followed both Ben - who put out some promising solo stuff and had ace hair & Christian - vg solo albums and fine christmas album plus also ace hair) as a threesome (fancy losing Paul) and essentially build on and perfect the sound they were honing on their last album Caught In The Middle. Weirdly, I've always thought that album was perhaps a bit too ahead of it's time - it saw the poppy-dancey boy band embrace instruments and a more organic sound. Songs like the title track and Make It Good were some of their best tunes, but like my beloved BB Mak, it was a bit too early (though it certainly benefitted McFly a few years later). Their fourth album proper is a solid return, full of soaring pop tunes crafted around solid knowledge of melody and engaging instrumentation.

The three singles already released from this opus are of course instantly familiar, yet still sound fresh and breezy some months on. Take You Home and Don't Wanna Lose You Again both have an energy and drive to their beat, each with a solid memorable chorus and a punchy vocal style that catches this listener straight away and draws them into the new A1 world. The standout single (for me) is their latest, the glorious, screams worldwide smash, In Love & I Hate It - it's reminiscent of a Coldplay stadium pleaser and the tradeoff of vocals between Christian and Ben works really well. There are a couple of other single ready tunes that are have a bit of an A-Ha influence to them - album opener, It Happens Every Day, is a fine introduction for the set and, as previously stated, continues the sound they layed out on their last album. This has more of a rock edge to the proceedings as does Six Feet Under with some surprisingly adept falsetto vocals.

The album is mixed up a bit with some nods to electronica - Bad Enough has a throbbing beat and a relentless rhythm to it that soon invades the synapses. 80s influences continue on Good Things Bad People and like all decent 80s inspired tracks lately, it has one foot in the 80s but one foot definitely giving the track a modern twist that is most pleasing. Ballad fans will be disappointed that there is only one traditional ballad on the album - but it's a doozy. The title track closes out the album and is a beautifully arranged, emotive track that shows the pain and heartache that can occur after a difficult breakup. Some insightful lyrics and a glorious chorus really bring this track to life. Overall, it's a brilliant return for the multi-national boyband who have really grown up and presented the world with a solid collection of singalong anthems. Tres bon.

I'm ill :( Again. I think I have a recurring bug. How hideous. And I'm meant to be seeing my beloved Candle Thieves tonight but think I will have to pass. Lucky for you, i typed these video breakdowns at the weekend inbetween mammoth X-Factor viewing. Enjoy :)

Take That ~ The Flood:

• Ooo, it starts in a tunnel. Tunnels are often metaphors for sex, so perhaps this is a continuation of the cock tease that was Grobbie's Shame video?!
• There is a rowing boat. It is called Progress. This is part of the lyrics of The Flood and also the title of the first Robbie-involved Take That album in 15 years. Five sets of oars and five pairs of feet appear to reinforce the fact that Robbie is back! Back in take that! As a five piece! just in case you didn't know. Which you probably did, but visual stimulation is a very effective memory tool...
• There are facial shots of all of them. Mark doesn't look as chagrinned as he possibly should, but maybe he is acting. They leave Robbie til last like it is the dramatic cliffhanger to a soap opera - like season one of Dynasty when Alexis Morrell Carrington (the Colby Dexter Rowan came later) marched in to give evidence at Blake's murder trial. God I'm showing my age.
• I like the fact that at 45 seconds they all walk in perfect union to pop the boat/canoe/pedalo into the river. It is more visual emphasis that Take That are back and more in sync than ever. Never Forget, etc.
• Robbie starts singing while they all limber up, eye up the competition (a rather foxy dude in a posh college sort of way) and give each other reassuring pats on the shoulder. I am loving Robbie's perfect, not a hair out of place side parting. It's tres derigour.
• Beardy guy fires the starting pistol and they're off! It's stroke, stroke, stroke (ooo calm down there pervs) and lots of strained sex faces. Team Take That don't seem to be doing very well (ie, they are coming second out of two)and there is lots of paddle bashing.
• (for more specifics on the sex faces, pause at 1m39, 1m43 and 1m48 to see Mark, Gary and Howard respectively. It's enough to give you a mini cosmic horn)...
• There's more Robbie singing in the second verse, interspersed with some arty shots of splashing water and some kids on the banks who look like they've escaped from the set of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. Narnia rules!
• I love the architecture of the bridge at 2m10s (arty) and if you pause at 2m26 you get a fairly accurate insight of what it is like to be Robbie Williams' dentist! Amazing!
• Then we go into Mark Owen's eye for a view of what it is like to be rowing for your life if you are General Zod in that prism thingy in Superman II. Luckily this doesn't last long as it is a bit offputting and they are soon all back in the changing room looking spiffy in shorts and white socks. It's an Eton College porn-lite fantasy waiting to happen!!
• Take That came second! This is what Grobbie felt like when Cee-Lo beat them to number one! it's a visual representation of what has come to pass! ooo it's almost biblical isn't it?!
• (Pause at 3m11s and Gary has got a definite expletive forming on his lips, the naughty boy...)
• Team Cee-Lo are rightly very happy with themselves (though in chart battle terms, this will not be happening to Take That when they go head to head with JLS. They will annihilate them!) They will probably go for tea at a quaint countryside cafe where they will victory feast on (each other) ginger beer, strawberries and lashings and lashings of cream...
• But lo! What madness is this?! Team Take That are still going! because it is not about the race, but the team work that helps them progress. or something. I really should have been an English Literature professor.
• The camera pans out at 3m39s and there is an ariel view of the river! how much did Eastenders pay for this advertising opportunity?!?!
• They are going to have brilliant arms after all this rowing. Perfect for holding you down (in a consensual non-rapey way of course!!)
• Rather predictably, they have ended up in the ocean in the middle of a storm. They have made progress in terms of miles covered and in terms of working as a team to get there. This should be used as a motivational tool at sales conferences etc.
• The song and video are both very good aren't they?

McFly ft. Taio Cruz ~ Shine A Light:

• It starts off all very underground resistance in an industrial looking setting, all bars, chains and makeshift computer terminals. Danny manages to hook up to some (probably not password protected) wi-fi and has a butchers at his own McFly supersite. I love a bit of cross promotion in a video...
• Oh my bad. Actually it's foxy band chick in her room who is disturbed from her reading to look at the new supersite, which features Tom having a good old singsong, possibly in the indoor rain...
• She asks the band what she needs to do... they basically carry on singing, while Dougie rubs his nose, probably deep in thought. What a conundrum!
• Don't worry though! Taio Cruz has popped along to help out and he has bought some quite bright backing lights and sexy dancer ladies to assist him! They climb all over the bars and do some robotic sexy dancing.
• Taio wisely keeps his sunglasses on. This is because the literal interpretation of Shine A Light is quite bright and just looking at the screen has hurt my retinas ever such a little bit.
• While this is going on, The Buff Judd is finding his rhythm at a rhythm factory. Good for him. This involves looking at a dancing dog costume fella on the internet. What some people do to pass the time, eh?!
• The boys a mini concert inside their industrial revolution basement. It's like a futuristic Johnny Cash gig!(1m30s)
• Skin head guy is helping out foxy band chick with her internet problems. What a nice fella. He is actually quite good looking and temporarily distracts from the all consuming allure of The Judd.
• There is a bit of multi map going on by a blonde lad. Perhaps he is trying to track down the location of this underground prison gig going on. With Taio Cruz! It's where all the kids are hanging out, pending this imminent nuclear apocalypse (I assume)...
• At the 2m mark, Taio is well getting down with his bad self, while the band energetically strum along (steady) beside him. I haven't seen such an enthusiastic response to a guest star since Blue duetted with Stevie Wonder and Antony Costa was all agog...
• Just before 2 and a half minutes, Tom and Dougie are playing in front of some nice tv screens. Black and white though. perhaps the colour is on the blink.
• It's Taio's solo. He takes his glasses off and there is no shining light. But (never start a sentence with conjuncture) the robotic dancer ladies are still bopping away and more and more people are arriving at the underground prison gig.
• There is lots of pogo-ing going on in the final choruses and everyone seems to be having a rollicking good time. This is probably because it's quite a joyous final chorus and the song itself grows and grows to this point and it's all very splendid.

Tomorrow (possibly) ~ A1 and Big Time Rush reviews; Weds (possibly) ~ Swe-pop update!

I am full of cold. My nose needs a plunger. My eyes have porters to carry the bag (don't forget to tip). Every part of body aches (except bizarrely, my left foot). And I accidentally just took 2 headache tablets with the same ingredients as the lemsip which i took an hour before, so I may very well be dead by the end of this post. How ghastly. I feel like the Balderlaire children in A Series of Unfortunate Events (that should have been a series of 1 hour Nickelodeon cartoons rather than a movie franchise). I am getting delirious. On with the posticles...

The pop stalwarts...

• P!nk ~ Raise Your Glass: I am loving all the nitty gritty dirty little freaks in P!nk's new single from her upcoming 10 years in the biz greatest hits album. It - like the majority of P!nk singles - is a very good song indeed and smashingly catchy. It's a Max Martin number so it has pop goodness baked into the very core of it's essence and is one of those communal, come and join the party, singalong numbers that P!nk does so well - and delivers with such irreverent bombast. Lyrically, it's very fun and a great getting ready to go out on a Saturday night type tune with a brilliant celebratory feel. So not only a champion single, but a blasting choice to represent the greatest hits. Score (PS check out the comments for what I think should be the greatest hits tracklisting)...
• McFly ft Taio Cruz ~ Shine A Light: Aw, those crazy McFly scamps are all grown up (and buff). They continue to go back to the future with their more dance orientated sound and even rope in Taio Cruz to give them a hand on their new single. The result still remains a bit of a shock compared to their older stuff, but it's fair to say that the shimmering pop sheen of this tune still has all the elements of their earlier music (big chorus, catchy, energetic) just wrapped up in a different bow. What's rather good (other than those enticing "eh eh eh"s in the chorus) about this track is that it actually gets better and more rewarding with each listen compared to the more immediate Party Girl. It's a new McFly but one I'm totally down with...
• Westlife ~ Safe: You really can't go wrong with a bit of the 'Loife if that is your cup of tea. And it is (my cup of tea). I'm still a bit sad that their last album was abandoned far too quickly - an X Factor performance weeks before it was released and then no other singles, though I could have chosen at least four. Yet it still sold over 600k in the UK, so still has a sizeable fan base out there. Their new song is an uplifting and soaring tune that Westlife are well known for. There are some lovely harmonies and young Mark does a sterling vocal effort on the second verse that shows what a gifted fella he is. It's also nice to prominently hear Kian and Nicky (rar!) in the mix too. Looking forward to the inevitable X-Factor performance of this :)

Coming soon: Brandon Flowers & Darin video breakdown; F**k you, but not who you think; singles from pop up and comers; singer songwriters spesh! PLUS THE X FACTOR LIVE SHOWS!!!!!

Cor blimey, luv a duck. It seems the McFly return to record labelly goodness is more of an event that anyone anticipated. How magnifico. Because, let's face it, McFly are the Girls Aloud of boybands - churning out totally catchy, yet inventive and forward thinking pop tunes that have kept them a sustainable pop option in the 00s while enabling them to re-launch as a bonafide act for the new decade. Brilliant. Party Girl has been floating around for a while now prior to it's September 5th release and there has been a "new McFly teaser video" (full overview here); now, however, it's time for the Party Girl video. And what a Buffy The True Blood Vampire Dairies Slayer affair it is too...

• Red blood is dripping from a cymbal. It's actually making quite a mess all over the guitar on the floor below. Something wicked this way comes...
• It's Dougie. He's using his new found muscular status to hold a church door shut. I suspect he's being chased. Not in a Larry Grayson "chase me, chase me" way, more of a "oh poo i might die if I don't run pretty darn smartish" sort of way. Which is quite alarming really isn't it?
• A scantily clad lady dance-drops down a stripper pole in a sort of really slutty James Bond music video way. She then walks over to the boys who are in some sort of club (the sort of club where Party Girls hang out one should imagine). The Judd is paying no attention whatsoever.
• Pause at around 21/22s however and Tom is looking very confident (with a phallic champers bottle near his head) while Dougie has got this "whoa, get a load of them funbags" sort of look on his face. Boys eh?!
• There is then lots of pole dancing while the band play on a quite nice sound stage. The stripper lady walks off with The Judd, which is just typical. They always go for the ones who show them the least interest!
• The stripper pole is in some sort of painted vampire doorway. Like being in some freaky funhouse. With lady bits.
• The boys then arrive at a stately home. Oh this is all over the place. Is this after the club? I'm confused. Still, if you pause at 49s, there is a shot of someone's bottom. Amazing.
• Oh, I think the club/party is taking place in the stately home. The Judd is having a right good snog with some waitress in a pink dress. or maybe that is her going out kit. It's always so embarrassing when you dress like the staff. That happened to me when waistcoats were all the rage.
• Judd takes his top off (this should essentially happen to The Judd ALL THE TIME!) and bites the girl's next. She is now undead English (the PC term for vampires).
• Yup, she's a vampire. Her teeth have gone all fangy and she does a big "rar" at the camera. There is a very quick flash of Tom doing a "she's got fangs" moment. Either that or he is doing an amazing bunny rabbit impression :)
• At around 1m25s, things get amazing. Essentially The Judd pushes an equally attractive fella into some deserted store room and is all up in his business. This could get interesting!
• But nooooo! It cuts away, and The Judd is now getting a bit naked and vampirey with some ladeez. It's always the drummers. Every time.
• Some biting goes on, Dougie pumps some weights, The Judd and his scultped torso howl at the moon and Tom dusts a vamp. That's right, dusts a vamp. I am so down with the vamp lingo.
• Finally, the band, sans Harry, realise that something is very wrong with these slutty party girls and run away tout de suite. They are chased by some fangers as they run into the parking lot. Some people (not in the band, ergo extraenous characters) are already dead. A moment's silence please!
• Blimey - more band playing and we're back at the bit where Dougie runs into the church and holds the door shut and...
• ... that's it! how cruel! What the fuss is going on? It's all part of a larger story telling canvas, so the video just leaves you craving a bigger picture. Nowhere To Run is coming. And i need it now...
• (Incase that inflamed your senses, here is a nice CD-UK-esque performance of the song!)

A'right me old muckers? The weekend is flying by far too quickly for my liking. And as usual it's been a bit of a let down, though i did have a lovely Saturday afternoon watching the glorious Barefoot In The Park with a spunky young Robert Redford. Someone needs to remake that film with Jane Fonda playing the mother... Anyway, I got dragged out last night even though I was a right moody so and so (I really just thought, ugh, you can f***ing jam it) but ended up having a nice time with a reduced Ace Gang. I did manage to trap a nerve in my foot though, which now only hurts if I put pressure on it, move it or think about it. Agony! Ah well, enough of my moanings, on with the post!!

THE RETURN OF MCFLY:


Crikey! Haven't those little McFly ragamuffins turned into uh, fine young men. Not only have they come back with something totally outside their comfort zone (the increasingly exciting with each play new single Party Girl), but they have proper buffed up as evidenced by the Attitude mag cover above. This has caused many people across the twitterverse (you know how you are!) to adjust the comfort of their undies and get sticky fingers. And now as if the ante needed upping around the new album, they have released a "theatrical trailer" for their new album called Nowhere To Run (see below). It's basically very good indeed. Here are the highlights!

• Coming this September! That is like, literally only four of our earth weeks away! This is very exciting indeed.
• This is also very dramatic. They are playing some quite ominous classical music in the background. Part of me expects to see Damien from The Omen appear. The other part of me expects the X Factor Judges to be in the car racing through the lovely green countryside!!
• Instead, there is a rather iconic shot of a guitar handle with some blood running down it. This isn't your older sister's McFly anymore...
• There is a rather grand country house atop of a cliff top road. It's all very nice having these grand places to live but a) the upkeep must be a nightmare and b) the council tax must be horrific. Surely one should save those pennies for the new McFly album. "Dougie, don't go into the woods!" somebody shouts! Oh no!
• Dougie runs into a church (i'm a bit disappointed he didn't cry "sanctuary, give me santuary" but you can't have it all!) and it actually is getting me as excited as when I saw the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows trailer :) I'm just a big kid at heart...
• La Judd is getting all sorts of the cosmic horn with some very limber ladies who seem to be a bit vampiric. His back muscles are insane. Insanely hot.
• At thirty seconds there is a pleasing new shot of their new logo.
• "It's McFly as you've never seen them before. All is not what it appears to be". Oh my.
• There is lots of running and some smashing up of a guitar and all too brief glimpse of Tom's very good popstar hair. Oh and an all too brief glimpse of Dougie pumping iron. Those tattos practically come to life when he does! Lumme!
• Vampire Judd is out of control. As are my hormones now. Thanks McFly.
• Love the whole concept of "exclusive to citizens of supercity" - ace marketing campaign! Oh just bring on the album already!!

TOP 21 SONGS OF THE WEEK:

21 ~ Le Kid, Mercy Mercy
20 ~ Dirty Disco, White Room
19 ~ Alesha Dixon, Drummer Boy (NE)
18 ~ Magic Numbers, Pulse
17 ~ Ace of Base, All For You (NE)
16 ~ Eric Saade, Masquerade
15 ~ Eric Saade, It's Gonna Rain
14 ~ Ola, All Over The World
13 ~ Kylie, All The Lovers
12 ~ Gabriella Cilmi, Love Me Cos You Want To
11 ~ Scissor Sisters, Any Which Way
10 ~ McFly, Party Girl (VID)
09 ~ Bright Light x 2, Love Part II
08 ~ Same Difference, Shine On Forever
07 ~ Darin, Can't Stop Love
06 ~ Brandon Flowers, Crossfire
05 ~ Kylie, Get Outta My Way
04 ~ Kelly Rowland, Shake Them Haters Off (NE)
03 ~ Maroon 5, Misery
02 ~ Amy Meredith Band, Lying
01 ~ Darin, Lovekiller (1 week)

Things I want to write about this week: The Reclusive BBs; Swe-pop update inc Jonathan Fagerlund, Anders Fernette and Tim Berg; The Unconventionals; X Factor/Idol video breakdowns. AND A NEW ERIC SAADE VIDEO!! It will never all happen!

Golly, what an eventful week it's been. All these popstars regrouping/rejoining/relaunching really takes it out of you!! So I had a nice relaxing Saturday (shopping - so many sales on; reading - Withering Tights is brillopants; Buffy Season 7 - I always get emotional when Xander tells Dawn that she isn't special, she's extraordinary; Harry Potter 7 trailers - very exciting, plus nice poster (above); and Toy Story 2 - in prep for Toy Story 3 at the Imax on Weds) which then lead into a drunken, Pimms fuelled Saturday night (I'm sure I strained something re-enacting the dance moves to Britannia High and I really shouldn't pretend to be the Tree of Temptation from BigBro 11)... So I'm opting for a lazy Sunday so getting the blog up and at you early today. Enjoy, etc...

Essential happenings...

• Take That ~ unless you were on another planet this week (I hear Raxacoricofallapatorius is just lovely this time of year), you cannot have failed to hear that Robbie Williams has re-joined the re-formed Take That for at least one album and a tour. Ka-Ching! Not only will this now be the must-see tour of 2011 (along with Kylie of course), but has fulfilled a boyhood dream of mine to see the defining boyband of my youth back together properly. Both Take That and Robbie's last albums were fine pieces of work respectively that produced some brilliant pop moments so a full on famous five collaboration should be all sorts of stunning. Of course the first hints of what is to be will be the Robbie/Gary songs on Robbie's now more appropriately timed than ever career spanning hits collection. Part of me has the "oh god, i have such high expectations how could they possibly be met" worry, but most of me is just as giddy as giddy can be with anticipation...
• Ace of Base ~ The Sign is still one of the greatest pop songs of the 90s. Always Have Always Will still makes me deliriously happy whenever I hear it. Alejandro is basically a remake of Wheel of Fortune. And while their last reunion attempt, Da Capo, didn't set the world alight, it really should have. But they are back - again! With a rather nifty little snippet of a new single, All For You, on their webpage and a demo floating around of the entirely catchy Mr Replay. The real delicious drama comes from a near Dynasty proportions Krystle-Alexis style smackdown between remaining bloke members and ex/current/future (depending on what you believe) singer Jenny. See Scandipop for the details, but this could run and run...

• McFly, Party Girl ~ I was not expecting this. My adored McFly have returned and it's fair to say that they have come back with something that doesn't exactly fit in with their previous canon of sound. This was a little jarring to me at first (reflected by a low debut on my charts) but over the past few days I've come to be besotted with their new, "futuristic r'n'b" sound. What is most brilliant about it, is you strip back the production values and at the core of it you have a traditional McFly song - catchy, instrument led, smartly constructed pop. The whistles and bells of the electro-tinged production take the boys out their comfort zone and in doing so shows that the boys are actually adept at adapting to a new challenge. The whoas and ooos, combined with the joyous refrain "i love this little party girl" make this a bold, confident and exciting step forward for one of Britain's most talented boy bands.
• Sherlock ~ Lord luv a duck. Barely is nu-Who scribe Stephan Moffat done with sprucing up Doctor Who in a bow tie, now he's turned his attentions to another British legend - good old Watson and Holmes. A new tv series starts on Sunday and hopefully will be way more brilliant than the most recent film. The promo pic (below) looks great and the trailer looks like it could live up to the hype. 3 90 minute episodes are airing and hopefully this will lead to more (particularly as Mark Gatiss has written one. Brillo!) Very exciting stuff...

Top 21 songs of the week:


21 ~ Bjorn Johan Muri, Circles
20 ~ Chanee & N'Evergreen, In A Moment Like This
19 ~ Scissor Sisters, Fire with Fire
18 ~ McFly, Party Girl (NE)
17 ~ Ola, All Over The World
16 ~ Simon Curtis, Beat Drop
15 ~ Scissor Sisters, Any Which Way
14 ~ Kylie, Get Outta My Way
13 ~ Le Kid, Mercy Mercy
12 ~ Bright Light X 2, Love Part II
11 ~ Dirty Disco, White Room
10 ~ Bang Bang Club, Chemistry
09 ~ Kylie, All The Lovers
08 ~ Eric Saade, It's Gonna Rain (Pic above - thanks Scandipop!)
07 ~ Amy Meredith, Lying (NE)
06 ~ Magic Numbers, Pulse
05 ~ Same Difference, Shine On Forever
04 ~ Brandon Flowers, Crossroads
03 ~ Darin, Can't Stop Love
02 ~ Darin, Lovekiller (NE)
01 ~ Maroon 5, Misery (3 weeks)

There was quite a lot of good pop music in the decade that launched the new millenium. But it didn't half evolve over the ten years - at the start of the new century it was steps-esque pop that reigned supreme and now it's a more red-one Lady Cuckoo type vibe that takes over the charts (although frankly Joe's The Climb could have been out in 2000 and not sounded any different)... So here are some of my favourite pop stars born in the 2000s (ie, didn't have any music out before January 1st 2000 - few exceptions to that non-rule though!) in alphabetical order...

A*Teens: Now I'm pretty sure that the A*Teens were going before 2000, but I almost always ignore their first album of Abba covers and delve straight into the original material (littered with more covers) that they recorded. As Steps and S Club were dying off, A*Teens were the best place to go for some pounding, in your face, melodic, singalong, brilliant swedish pop music.
Best tracks: Halfway Round The World; Hi and Goodbye; One Night In Bangkok; Perfect Match

Lily Allen: Who would have thought that an actor's gobby daughter would make such delightful pop? Her debut album was a spunky treat, and her follow up album showed that she had the makings of a fine popstar once her tunes had been given a glossy production. Always outspoken yet strangely charming, I'm hoping she doesn't give up on pop and makes at least one more album...
Best tracks: LDN; Alfie; The Fear; Fuck You

BWO: To me (even though really they were nothing alike), BWO were the mature version of Steps (though I can see Steps banging out a corking version of Chariots of Fire). Their uptempo pop was just insanely euphoric, while the ballads were lush and sincere (and could easily have been shopped around to Mariah, Leona and the ilk). Visually creative as well, this is one pop group that was perhaps too quirky for worldwide domination. Yes it can be a bit samey, but when the bar is set this high, who cares?
Best tracks: 16 Tonnes of Hardware; Chariots of Fire; Bells of Freedom; Destiny of Love

Simon Curtis: Ah the young Mr Curtis isn't even fully formed yet as a pop star yet is still leaps and bounds ahead of many of his contemporaries. I addressed Alter Boy on new years eve, so won't go into that again. His turn in Spectacular was both cute and witty, and showed that he had a pure pop voice under all his love of electronica pop. And this is something that has merged best on the AMAZING 2010 anthem Diablo. I suspect 8 Bit Heart will be just incredible.
Best tracks: Put Your Make Up On; Broken; Pop Messiah; On The Wings of A Dream; Diablo

The Feeling: Bringing together Wilson Phillips esque harmonies (only from dudes, and two of them quite attractive :P), mixing that with a love of 70s pop and rock, focusing on huge melodies and an organic band sound, The Feeling couldn't fail to be amazing. Their debut album was completely massive and although not as big commercially, I thought the second album showcased not only what fine songsmiths the lads were, but that they had a huge knowledge of how to create brilliant pop music. Can't wait for album number three in 2010. Oh and their live shows are just so energetic and fun!
Best tracks: Fill My Little World; Love It When You Call; Without You; Join With Us

Girls Aloud: It seems incredible now that such an exciting, ground breaking and revolutionary pop act would come out of the popstars format (or considering Joe, any of it's ilk)! But yes, One True Voice were just that! I kid i kid! Girls Aloud were a breath of fresh air and really shooed away the last of the turn of the century pop for a brand new era. Finding the perfect partners in xenomania, they weren't afraid to take chances and just throw in completely off kilter out there pop that shouldn't work but did (Biology - one of my top ten songs of the decade). And long may they reign - or at least til Greatest Hits volume two...
Best tracks: Sound of The Underground; Biology; The Promise; Sexy No No No; Loving Kind

The Killers: Well they certainly have been busy since they stormed the scene with the blistering Somebody Told Me back in 2004 haven't they? 3 albums, a b-sides collection; a live album + dvd and numerous Christmas songs and soundtrack donations! And while some say that they haven't matched the giddy heights of Hot Fuss, I disagree. I think their evolution has been quite fun to watch. They haven't rested on their laurels and each album features some great tunes. Plus Brandon was wearing "creative" fashion choices (remember the shocking pink blazer?) way before Lady Cuckoo took her performance art pop. And All These Things... is another of my top ten songs of the decade...
Best tracks: Somebody Told Me; All These Things; Human; Great Big Sled; When We Were Young

Kylie 3.0: well there was S/A/W Kylie, then 90s Kylie and now Kylie that ruled the decade with a mixture of sleek dance pop and fluffy disco tunes. As I've mentioned before, everyone always has an opinion on what should and shouldn't be on a kylie album (partially because most of the stuff that doesn't make it is leaked) but that's just because people love her. She's the Madonna who would hug you rather than slice you with her arm muscles! 4 albums plus change, some great live shows and a dignified and mercifully successful battle against cancer make this a lady to be reckoned with. And she'll be back for more soon.
Best tracks: Your Disco Needs You; Can't Get You Out Of My Head; I Believe In You; The One; Red Blooded Woman; White Diamond

Maroon 5: It wasn't just the allure of the fine fine Adam Levine that kept me drawn to this group; oh no - it was their ability to make great pop tunes by sourcing inspiration from funk, pop, rock and r'n'b and yet making it seem like it was all their idea!! They may only be two albums old, but they were stellar albums, ones I still play quite often and a whole host of other tracks have been released in the mean time. The third album is out early 2010, and I really couldn't be any more excited.
Best tracks: This Love; Harder To Breathe; Makes Me Wonder; Wake Up Call; Pure Imagination

McFly: Although their punky boy pop with guitars (and drums. Harry. Rar.) was the temporary nail in the coffin (til JLS clawed their way out) for traditional sounding boy bands, McFly soon proved they were way way more than a Busted clone by producing some of the greatest pop this decade. Had they been an indie band, they would have had far more favourable press than they did and it's a tragedy that they are so underrated as performers and writers. Motion in the Ocean remains their finest achievement, but don't write them off just yet. Talent like this always resurfaces with something brilliant...
Best tracks: All About You; Ballad of Paul K; Sorry's Not Good Enough; Transylvania; Last Song

Nerina Pallot: Why on earth she has to restart her career with each album is beyond me. Here is a great singer, brilliant lyricist, wry observer of life and creator of some amazing pop tunes, complex balladry and inventive songs; yet she isn't quite the megastar she should be. She's really quite charming and witty in person too as her embracing of video blogs has proved - and I love how she reinvents her songs in different genres for her fans too. Make sure you don't skip her aces debut record, it's got some wonderful tunes on there...
Best tracks: Jump; Watch Out Billie; Geek Love; Sophia; When Did I Become Such A Bitch

Same Difference: The only one album act on here, and perhaps (rivalling Shayne) my biggest obsession to come from the X Factor. There was something about Sarah and Sean that made it ok to love pop whatever the format, and though their debut album Pop was somewhat steered by Simon Cowell, they had some really great original tunes on there that hinted at a longer career than We R One might indicate. Their new image, new record label and some brilliant new music should serve them well in Europe and Asia in 2010 as long as they don't forget to come back to England soon!
Best tracks: Better Love Me; All Roads Lead To Heaven; Turn It Into Love (PWL Mix)

Scissor Sisters: My god, they were brilliant when they came out with their first album. It just seemed to knock socks off everything else pop at the time and was like an icy blast of water in the face - thoroughly invigorating. Another act that were visually creative long before giant pianos and bathtubs, they were seen to go a bit tame on their second album, though I absolutely loved it and could have easily milked it for six or seven singles. And again, another act returning in 2010. Hurrah. PS - their work with Kylie (particularly the ballad White Diamond) was examplary.
Best tracks: Laura; Filthy/Gorgeous; I Don't Feel Like Dancing; I Can't Decide; Just Might Tell You Tonight

Take That 2.0: A documentary about the post take that years (and the massiveness of Robbie) relaunched the group in a wave of nostalgia. Soon the greatest hits album was a top seller and a tour sold out. However, had they not come back with some incredibly accomplised pop that, with The Feeling and Coldplay, puts them at the forefront of composition in the UK, it all could have ended there. Luckily two albums in and some amazing tunes that reflect the talents of all the band and Take That are arguably bigger now than they were in the 90s. And it's not easy to replicate - many reunions have taken place and failed since. Their live shows are a theatrical wonder to behold.
Best tracks: Shine; Rule The World; Greatest Day; The Garden; How Did It Come To This?

Shayne Ward: Poor Shayne. He won the X Factor the year after Steve Brookstein, potentially saving the show from becoming an embarrassing footnote in the history of reality music tv. He was by far the best hope for pop (at the time) that the show had produced and his weekly performances were far more contemporary and exciting than anything recent acts have done. Then Leona happened and being a star in England wasn't enough anymore and Shayne got shuffled to the sidelines. Still two albums of pop - the second being quite good indeed has endeared me to Shayne and news that he is recording in Sweden has me very pleased indeed.
Best tracks: That's My Goal (remains best XFactor winner's song to date); Over The Rainbow; If That's Ok With You; Melt The Snow; Damaged

William Young: Despite not being flavour of the month anymore, Will just plods along like a male Annie Lennox - churning out quality timeless pop that will stand the test of time. He's picked his collaborators perfectly and managed to produce some wonderful tunes. The fact that his Hits album (with minimal promotion) continues to be a perennial seller over the Christmas period is proof that people are just now remembering how very brilliant he can be. The disco album though - I'm still impatiently waiting.
Best tracks: Your Game; Leave Right Now; Switch It On; Hopes and Fears; Let It Go

The five that got away...

And here are five acts from the 00s that only and tragically had one album (or in some cases didn't even make it that far :/)

1. AllSTARS ~ they possibly just came to the scene a little too late to replicate the success of Steps, S Club and the like, but that doesn't mean their debut album didn't have lots of fun moments including the very fine Love Is. Plus Back When was an ace ballad that Cathy Dennis should have been proud of :P
2. Digital ~ they could have been Boys Aloud but it all fell apart :( They had some great pop tunes that were feisty, punchy, filled with electro-dance moments and more importantly memorable. Sadly it was not to be, but I still have a good singalong to Get Your Kit Off in the shower on an almost weekly basis :)
3. Mohair ~ quite simply a brilliant rock-pop act who had some killer tunes that came across like a rockier McFly on their splendid debut album Small Talk. End Of The Line was excellent bombastic pop and Stranded showed their softer, more melodic side but all the tunes were a riot to listen to and managed to capture their live energy in a studio setting. I miss them :(
4. Upper Room - it was really the first act that XO and I bonded over, so I'll always like them for that. However, they also had some quite brilliant melody driven indie pop on their album Other People's Problems. Black and White and All Over This Town could quite easily have been big top ten hits if Britain was paying attention. Sadly Britain was not. Dammit.
5. V ~ ah V. Five lads. Brilliantly camp in your face pop. And yet some more accomplished moments on the album too. Chills in the Evening (with McFly) really showcased their voices while Fools and Earth Wind And Fire showed their cooler xenomania side off. But Hip to Hip, Can You Feel It and Blood Sweat and Tears remain a fine trifecta of singles to make you dance, smile and sing.

So this week's show comes after 7 days of bitterness and resentment at Laura White being kicked off. Louis was blamed! The show is a travesty! etc. I mean, let's not forget that she ballsed up her performance by trying to be clever playing the piano and that actually the public voted her into the bottom two! And Laura has become all bitter and twisted this week, so I am done with her. No one likes a sore loser. Anyway, this week's X Factor saw their global triumph return to the show - Leona Lewis (I kind of wish I was writing Shayne Ward - he really should be a bigger star than he is). And despite wearing a weird black tutu-ish dress - the sort that some rich new gold digger widow would wear to the funeral of her recently deceased 97 year old husband - of course her rendition of Run bought the house down. She did actually perform with grace and passion which made me love the song even more than I currently do. Astounding stuff, particularly when the choirs joined in. I was goosebumperised. Anyway on with the less impressive performances of the night (theme? "best" of British)...

• Cheryl - no, she's not a contestant, but good grief! Who chose her lipstick colour this week? It's like she had her make up gun set on whore...
• Daniel - GAH! Daniel is increasingly believing his own hype which makes him incredibly annoying. And must he always wear black? He must open his wardrobe and think he is being sucked into a black hole. Go black and bold, not black and old Daniel. His performance of It's Not Unusual is rather cheesy, and cabaret like. He would have a brilliant career in Benidorm. Thank god that finally he is in the bottom two and voted off the show. I was not impressed that he went home to his dead wife's daughter and couldn't believe how much she had grown! I mean good grief! How little does he see her?!
• Alexandra - after her rather good performance last week, Alexandra is bugging me. She is wearing this really really bizarre top that looks like it has been painted onto her naked body. It's freaky. Vocally she is very solid, but she is an absolute mess of performance tics and mannerisms. Plus she seems very cocky about how well she is doing. Humility is a nice virtue people. Cockiness isn't. Her song You Are So Beautiful is actually a bit boring. Yawn. Another ballad.
• JLS - ah they may well be my second favourite act on the show now. They are just rather adorably cheesy and do the most outrageously "pop" performance this year since Scott's doomed Matt Bianco campfest. They do the Take That version of the Beatles medley (from their Everything Changes tour) and it's all rather fun - even if Louis is singing along to I Wanna Hold Your Hand, though to which poor boy god only knows. My guess is Marvin. He looks like a bottom.
• Rachel - she doesn't live at the X Factor house. She lives at home with her kids, one of which only sneezes. This is a good thing considering that Daniel clearly hasn't seen his daughter in months. Rachel and Dannii are BFF again and Rachel sings that Amy Winehouse song (You Know I'm No Good) that she sang at her original audition which made her collapse and thank the lord when she got threw. Problem with Rachel is that she hasn't been good ONCE since she got onto the live show and even though this is quite good, it's nothing new as she did it just as well the first time the nation saw her. So in the X Factor script meetings this means that she will deemed good, but be in the bottom two enabling another week of "debates" stating how talent shouldn't be in the bottom two. Last week's scripted boot off of Laura worked perfectly!
• Eoghan - young yorkshire pudding hair has gone home to visit his baby sister. Who, unlike her parents, is absolutely adorable. So now that Daniel and his deadwife stories are gone, Eoghan can replace them with his justbornsister stories which will be equally as emotional and effective on the nation's grandmas. And goddammit that his performance of One More Try is actually quite good. Despite the wardrobe department screwing him over ONCE AGAIN on the fashion front, i - for the first and hopefully last time ever - like (like is too strong a word really, nothate is better) him.
• Diana - still ill, so a VT full of lots of snot and tears. Cheryl has picked one of her all time favourite songs for Diana to sing, which is really Cheryl's way of showing that she has good musical taste rather than picking a decent song that matches Diana's strengths. Yellow is not a good choice - mixed with her illness and her continuing reliance on performance tics, the vocal is off and the energy is gone. I'm not sure really what to say about this - should she get through because she is ill again? What if she is ill right through to the final and wins on a sympathy vote? Clearly I think she is talented enough to win, but it's new territory here. Any international idols ever had this problem?
• Ruth - oh she has got to be the sexiest person in this competition. In a non bi-sexual way. But i can tell when women are sexy. Occassionally. Or perhaps i am drawn to Ruth's funbags. She does that old staple Angels, which not only is very good indeed, but also has a rather pretty stage direction thing going on with some weirdy dancers. All in all, Ruth has now solidified her position as my favourite.

Next week Take That are on the show. I will of course miss it being in Florida. Oh well. That is what youtube is for. Some new act called Same Difference are also on the show...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY:
Happy blogging birthday to the lovely Adem! He is one year old today (although older if you include always right) and has treated his site to a bit of botox. Very lovely it looks too. Loving the logo!

TOP 21 SONGS OF THE WEEK:

21 ~ Jason Mraz, Make It Mine
20 ~ Pink, So What
19 ~ Infernal, Whenever You Need Me
18 ~ Rongedal, Hello Euphoria
17 ~ McFly, Do Ya (NE/see vid - totally cute Christmas ad for album!)
16 ~ Marit Larsen, If A Song Could Get Me You
15 ~ Lenka, The Show
14 ~ Leona Lewis, Run (NE)
13 ~ Mariah Carey, I Stay In Love
12 ~ The Feeling, Won't Go Away
11 ~ Alphabeat, What is Happening
10 ~ William Young, Grace
09 ~ Darin, Breathing Your Love
08 ~ Alesha Dixon, The Boy Does Nothing
07 ~ Take That, Greatest Day
06 ~ Kylie/Dannii, The Winner Takes It All
05 ~ The Killers, Human
04 ~ Britney, Womaniser
03 ~ Britannia High, Start of Something
02 ~ Girls Aloud, The Promise
01 ~ Same Difference, We R One (2 weeks)

Oh I am in a phenomenally good mood this morning (don't i look all pleased and jolly at my desk at work!) I woke up to a nice bonus in my paycheck, the news that Barack Obama is the new President of the USA (is it me, or does the world actually feel a little bit different and more hopeful today?), and knowing that more importantly, on a global scale, red cups are totally available in Starbucks from today. All this combined made me feel incredibly jolly and festive, so I am beginning my Christmas activities alarmingly early this year (I usually wait til Thanksgiving) and had a right bop around the apartment this morning to The Greatest Christmas Song Ever (aka All I Want For Christmas Is You). I like to pretend I am the little boy from The Greatest Christmas Film Ever (aka Love, Actually) who plays the drums while the pretentious American girl sings that song. Then i get a bit carried away and run around pretending I am running through the airport (it's a lengthy clip but all of it is rather uplifting - i mean look at "me" go at 4m30s!) to vaguely inspirational music breaking all sorts of law to tell a girl I barely know that I like her. God it is so like my life. Boo you whore to Darren for refusing to take part though...:(

McFly ~ Do Ya/Stay With Me : Ooo, those little McFly scamps (love them!) are determined to keep their consistent streak of top ten singles by releasing a third single from their album with a brand new Rod Stewart cover on the flip. And it's for charidee (Children in Need) - and can't be worse than last years CIN single (Spice Girls - Headlines). Do Ya is one of the most perky, make your nipples stand on end McFly tracks I've heard for a while - it's positively stuffed with finger clicking, cheesy grinning goodness. It also lends itself well to a nice acoustic version which will then fit in well with the more rocky Rod Stewart cover (I'm hoping for some great McFly piano work in there!) It's a tough chart week though - they are up against Britney, Take That and Same Difference in the war for a top five singles chart placing and my loyalties are torn (except for Bertney. She can piss off). Oh! And just maybe the boys will re-re-release their album with Stay With Me on :) Radio:Active V3!

Magnus Carlsson ~ Walking In My Shoes: Credit due to lovely poppostikipediagirl for alerting me to the return of amazing Magnus. While the initial bass line to this makes me want to sing Material Girl, this is another of Magnus' tunes about acceptance and tolerance. Oh sure, it's disguised as a love song but actually there are bigger things at play here and it's the perfect companion piece to anthemic I Was Born This Way. It's part disco, part cheese, part terrific singalong chorus and all Magnus. Compared to the disappointing dross Alcazar have comeback with (so far) this is a fizzyfabby uplifting piece of pop to warm the winter nights. Delish. And if you don't already have some of his marvy Christmas tunes then now is the time to get your festivosity on and go seek them out. Wrap yourselves in paper. it's SO worth it :)

Mans Zelmerlow ~ well nothing really, his album has been delayed until next year but it's a quite nice picture that goes with my festive feeling today :)

Sorry this post has been a bit parenthesis heavy!

• NOTICE! Incredibly important update to the Same Difference album preview. Miss it at your peril!!
• For the first part in this series, click here...
• For part two, well you might as well click here...

You can so totally tell when Christmas is around the corner, because there is just an onslaught of new pop merchandise heading towards the stores. XO and D'Luv pretty much have the circus that is the new Take That release covered (love Yuri's comment - it's very blue! CLASSIC!), while Mike PTA (the new Harper Valley?!) takes time out from his busy Boyz whoring schedule to bring us the diva classic releases this festive season (my fave? The one where tina turner looks like she has a serious case of botty worms!). And Auspop is pretty much the most reliable place on the web for antipodean releases. Plus they like Same Difference. Ergo I adore them. However, here is what is and/or should be happening in a store near you in the coming weeks (if record companies weren't run by complete nutters. Which they obviously are!)...

• I can forgive McFly a lot of things and luckily covering a song by Evil Harlot Who Cannot Be Named is one of them. Their deliciously winking, almost vaudevillian cabaret romp through I Kissed A Girl is a shuffling two step beat corker of an interpretation that will work nicely on Christmas Party mix cds, and make an excellent flip side to their forthcoming single "Down Goes Another One". Now would it kill them to release a cover of "Sweet Transvestite" for Hallowe'en?
• If there was any justice in the world, Sophie Ellis Bextor would have had a massive early Autumn smash with the marvy Heartbreak Makes Me A Dancer and would be preparing On and Off as her festive contribution from a greatest hits album. And as I'm in a covers mood, she should totally put her bluegrassy acoustic cover of Jolene on the flip for added appeal. This "Beautiful People" soundtrack addition showcases SEB-Jones lovely voice and just drips with pathos and hurt. Ah Sophie, why England abandoned you much like they did Rachel Stevens (oh don't get me started! Her second album was near perfection!) is way beyond my powers of comprehension. This is another corking interpretation of hers to stand alongside One Way Or Another, Physical and, er, that other one she did...
• Talking of abandoned pop stars on the Beautiful People soundtrack, The Feeling have not one, not two but three songs on there! Three! It's practically a new album! Of course, two songs are billed as "Dan Gillespie Sells" but they are so drenched in Feeling type piano and harmonies that it is like saying H&Claire was a complete reversal of the Steps sound that made them famous. She's Gone is the Hall and Oates cover that was on the flip of the criminally ignored Join With Us single, while the theme tune (Beautiful People Theme) and another new tune (confusingly called Beautiful People, with a lovely middle 8 refrain of "Don't let them go, dreams may be foolish but don't let them go...") are just exactly what you would expect from Dan - solid choruses, beautifully blended harmonies and so darn catchy they should come with antibiotics. Perfect additional tracks for my suggested fifth single Won't Go Away...
• I'm a little ashamed to admit it but the track High School Musical (from the third in the movie series) stands perfectly alongside Britannia High's Start of Something as an utterly delightful flashback to the halcyon days of S Club and All*Stars perky pop that I just can't get out of my head. And honestly, I really don't want to...
• Lily Allen is finally back. Although GWB was a brilliant way to pass the time while a new official single was forthcoming, Everyone's At It simply can't wait til new year for a release. It is slightly more electro (but only a dusting) than her debut album, but this isn't really a departure from anything else she's ever done and there is no need to depart because frankly she does it so well. Yes, there are some Alanis sized lyrical clangers ("your daughter's depressed get her straight on the prozac/little do you know she already takes coke) and i'm not convinced the world needs a don't do prescription drugs anthem, but i'm just so darned happy for Lily to be back and kick Evil Harlot Who Cannot Be Named's arse from her back to the street corner she came from. Job done.

What a lovely weekend it has been. The sun is shining. Birds are singing. Bees are making out with them (as is my understanding). The latest Eragon book is released (Brisingr - though not a trilogy anymore, a fourth book is coming? Milk that cash cow). I had a lovely White Cafe Mocha at Starbucks served by the hot young twinky barista who was so flirting with me and please that is so not going to happen. Merlin started on tv and was officially *quite good*. And had a lovely night out with DazPecs and Bernice. Let's see what else went on this weekend...

• AS many of the news sites are saying, "anyone who was anyone in young hollywood, turned up for the annual Teen Vogue party..." and frankly, once again, I was quite happy that elite list now includes Simon Curtis! Fresh from looking satorially elegant at the MTV VMAs, he pops up in a lovely blue shirt and tie set with some gorgeous accessorising in the form of Victoria Justice. They are the new BFFs of Hollywood and rather adorable with it too. Sigh. I am BURSTING for Spectacular :)
• I can't even remember whether I have mentioned Sky One show Hairspray: The High School Musical yet? It's basically Denise Van Outen going into an ordinary school to get them to put on Hairspray within four weeks, then treating them like shit and threatening to take the roles off them when the 14 year olds don't deliver Broadway quality performances. It's incredibly frustrating, but there are some adorable kids in it and now they are releasing a single - Nicest Kids In Town/You Can't Stop The Beat. Which obviously as a HUGE Hairspray fan I am very excited about!! Hurrah.
• Talking of frustrating, thank God the audition process is over on The X Factor. It's incredibly formulaic week after week. Lots of bad auditions. Then one good person opens the floodgates and everyone gets a yes. Then plinky plinky music and someone who needs it more than most because of a dead relative/can't stop getting pregnant/drugs in past auditions and has a slightly above average voice. Cheryl does the perfect single tear and it's all over. Every week. Bring on boot camp! I am loving poor sidelined Dannii more and more each week as much as I dislike Cheryl more and more each week. Don't know why either than she just doesn't come across as likeable (to me) in the least...
• Will W continues to be blog ubiquitous (read my review of his album here) and is now giving away a signed copy of his album here, here, here and here! And if you haven't already entered, just email Will here and tell him what you want written on your cd. May I suggest something quirky like "Hi my name is Dita, i'll be your mistress tonight". Just a thought...
• Finally, don't even get me started that McFly are only number four on the singles chart. Behind Katy Perry!! Unbelieveable. Still William is at ten on downloads alone, and The Feeling re-enter the albums top 40 with Join With Us so it's a pretty decent week.

The fizzypoptastic 21 songs of the week:

21 ~ Keane, Spiralling
20 ~ Alphabeat, Boyfriend
19 ~ Bryn Christopher, The Quest
18 ~ Little Jackie, The Whole World Should Revolve Around Me
17 ~ Regina Spektor, The Call
16 ~ Ben Folds w/Regina Spektor, You Don't Know Me
15 ~ Infernal, Downtown Boys
14 ~ Leon Jackson, Don't Call This Love
13 ~ Jason Mraz, Make It Mine
12 ~ Annie, My Love Is Better
11 ~ Daniel Powter, Next Plane Home
10 ~ Lily Allen, GWB
09 ~ Sugababes, Girls
08 ~ Girls Aloud, The Promise (NE)
07 ~ Miley Cyrus, 7 Things
06 ~ Pink, So What
05 ~ Madonna, The Beat Goes On
04 ~ William Young, Changes
03 ~ McFly, Lies
02 ~ The Feeling, Join With Us
01 ~ Marit Larsen, If A Song Could Get Me You (3 weeks)

Coming this week: The Killers get Human, more William of Young, Deborah Gibson catch up, Golden months in pop part two!

For the first part in this series, click here...

To be honest, I used to get my annual tinglings for Christmas when the red starbucks cups appeared in stores (remember last year when people sent me their red cup photos? Aces!) I would dust off Love, Actuall and Beauty and the Beast: An Enchanted Christmas and start playing Girls Aloud Christmastry cd (anyone else think the ace new single sounds like the track on there that goes "bish bash bosh wooo, you give me something i never get from santa claus"? No? Just me then)... This year, while I'm not actually going to get my christmas crazy on until at least the Florida holiday (Nov 22nd holiday date fans), I'm still intruiged and fascinated by the whole seasonal promotional push that popstars commence in September. Here are some of the latest updates:

McFly wisely followed my advice (read: did the sensible thing which had nothing to do with my advice) and released a non-free album giveaway track as their second official Radio:Active single. Lies is still a deliciously jaunty kiss off romp that sits somewhere between the guitar riffs of Garth Brooks 'The Thunder Rolls' and honkytonk piano of Scissor Sisters 'She's My Man', but it's the lovely lovely b-side I'm currently lusting after. While the world patiently awaits the Dannii/Kylie duet of this particular Abba song, McFly present a rather lovely acoustic reading of The Winner Takes It All. I'm always wary when other acts tackle the genius of Abba, but McFly give the song a genuine emotional fraughtness to match the lyrics. Totally worth the price of the cd single... It sets up the Radio:Active campaign nicely for the festive season, and I assume that something EPIC like Last Song will be a near Christmas single.

Quite rightly, it will be a big uptempo party in the world of pop this festive season. Girls Aloud have made The Promise to be shaking their respective cooties, er sorry - booties, and Sugababes are bringing us the Girls to bop along to. Add to that a new single that hopefully comes with appropriate spelling for the territory from Britney (WomaniSer) that sounds like it will be upbeat, and the fact that all are officially not out til late October/early November, and they will have us bopping through the Christmas period. It worked for Steps in 1998 with Tragedy. That was around for AGES!

One girl group that hasn't really taken off (yet) in the UK that i have recently and belatedly become attached to is The Veronicas. Shame because their album Hooked Up is full of punky pop-dance gems. However one song that would fit an office Christmas perfectly is the delightful Revenge is Sweeter (Than You Ever Were). It starts off with this restrained acoustic vocal, then builds up with drum beats, hand claps and finally then gets wild with some electro beepy stuff going on, while the vocal and music crescendos to a swirling disco epic/ Brilliant. I may be obsessed. About 3 years later than everyone else.

William of Young (who Mark Frith - former Heat editor - says is his least favourite celebrity. Boo you Mark whore) has a rather restrained lead in to his latest album in the form of the rather elegant but sometimes forgettable (not that I think the song is forgettable, more i sometimes forget to play it if that makes any sense) Changes which is finally out next week (like Switch It On, it seems to have been around MONTHS before it's official release). However, the album sampler that did the rounds recently showed that he has the uptempo-ish Won't Look Down hidden up his perfectly tailored sleeves. Combine this with I Won't Give Up which is produced by the Freemasons and the closest thing to (crazy) disco on his new album. If this pairing isn't a christmas AA single, then I will have to give William a firm spanking. Ooo, actually.... :P

There is not much of a boyband onslaught this year (though frankly I still think The Killers - new single Human out soon - and Kaiser Chiefs [Never Miss A Beat] are more boyband than McFly) until the return of Take That in November (and the Britannia High soundtrack just before that). Boyzone have returned though - now, I always preferred TT to the zone, but I did like some of their tunes. Their comeback single Love You Anyway seems to be perfectly, well, Boyzone. It's not particularly flashy or dancey but it certainly has that sing a long pop element to it. I guess I expected something more spectacular. Oh well...

Other "genres" launching their christmas offensive very soon:

XFactor ~ Same Difference, Leon Jackson, Rhyddian and even the dinner lady from last year all have debut singles and albums out in October and November. Plus Leona Lewis has that boring Forgive Me out... sigh...
Popera ~ yes classically trained pop-opera boyband are back with songs like Closest Thing To Crazy and Chasing Cars. Meanwhile ex G4-er Jonathan Ansell has an opera-pop album out with songs like Who Wants To Live Forever and If You're Not The One on there. Glorious...

Back tomorrow with a catching up with the Killers post, something Priscilla Queen of the Desert related and then something else, possibly a William Young post...