Lopez Blogs

It's essentially been a mega week for pop (new P!nk!) - but especially for boybands. There's the return of Big Time Rush. A sizzlingly seductive new McFly song. An inspiring and soaring number from Westlife. JLS have charmed with their children in need snogathon Love You More. And Robbie battled for number one with his still very charming Gary duet Shame (and the equally aces Heart & I on his greatest hits is a belter). However, the best was saved for the end of the week - and lead a huge influx of boy band songs into my hot 21 songs of the week...

TAKE THAT ~ THE FLOOD:

Crikey. Stuart Price's involvement with the new Take That album has elevated their already considerable talents to an all new level. It's true that the track is "flooded" with Robbie's vocal (yes, we get it, he's back), but it's a tremendous tune that I keep returning to over and over again. Lyrically, it's a bit like Shame in the way that it addresses what has personally happened within the group over the past 15 years or so and the chorus is so unified and soaring that it gives it an almost celebratory feel. Crashing drums, strings and solid harmonies propel the track to greatness and I think I am only going to be more excited when the video drops on Friday 15th...

Top 21 songs of the week:

21 ~ Eric Saade, Masquerade
20 ~ Darin, Lovekiller
19 ~ McFly, Shine A Light (NE)
18 ~ Jesse McCartney, Shake
17 ~ Bjorn Johan Muri, Once Upon A Time
16 ~ P!nk, Raise Your Glass (NE)
15 ~ Maroon 5, Give A Little More
14 ~ Nadine Coyle, Insatiable
13 ~ Elouise, The Winner Takes It All
12 ~ Westlife, Safe (NE)
11 ~ Brandon Flowers, Only The Young (Vid)
10 ~ JLS, Love You More (NE)
09 ~ James Blunt, Stay The Night
08 ~ Charlotte Church, Back To Scratch
07 ~ Gravitonas, Religious
06 ~ Joe McElderry, Ambitions
05 ~ Jessie J, Price Tag
04 ~ Shayne Ward, Gotta Be Somebody
03 ~ Robbie Williams, Heart & I (NE)
02 ~ Robbie Williams, Shame
01 ~ Take That, The Flood (NE/1 Week)

Tomorrow! THE X FACTOR LIVE SHOWS #1

Hurrah! JLS are back. They seem to reinvent themselves with every single. Beat Again was slick pop-cool that solidified their status as boyband du jour following on from their runner up status on the X-Factor. Everybody In Love was cheesy boyband brilliance with enough feel good factor to power a smile a minute. One Shot took them into ravey dance territory. Club Is Alive mixed barely recognisable musical theatre with auto-tuning and modern pop trends. As they clearly missed a trick by not releasing the delightful Close To You last Christmas, this stands as their first ballad single. And quite lovely and traditional it is too. It's for children in need and demonstrates some luscious layered harmonies, as well as the dreamiest, most romantic middle 8 I've heard for a while. I'm a smitten little kitten. So here's the video breakdown :)

• Ooo, it's in black and white. This means they are being arty and serious. I feel sombre already.
• There is a nice shot of a lamp on the wall. I think we had a lamp like this in the house I grew up in. I cracked my head on it when my dad was playing aeroplane with me when i was a lad. The pain of this memory is eased by the sight of Marvin looking fine and chiselled in a nicely fitted peacoat (is that what they are called?)
• Marvin has a nice singalong in some deserted cafe. This is very unrealistic. If JLS were in a cafe (no matter how bad the decor) it would be beseiged with screaming tweens and moms. And me. While he is having a singalong, there are some close ups of the other boys. Including what I assume is JB's eye. I could be wrong. If I am correct though, he would have made a good Big Brother eye circa year one.
• Now JB is having a nice singalong in a rather fetching coat. They have made good fashion choices in this video. Oddly, at 42s, there is an upside down reflection of Marvin giving his legs a good rubbing. Perhaps he was a bit chilly (though if he keeps his peacoat on inside, he won't feel the benefit when he goes outdoors)...
• Aston is going backwards down an upwards moving escalator. I have never done this in my entire life and I am 36 (I know, I only look 25). Yet Aston is living the dream and is about 12. Or something. I'm too scared I will fall. I haven't lived :(
• During the chorus, everyone joins in. They try to make the cafe look a bit more full by sitting apart from each other. This works, but isn't very sociable is it?
• They are emoting like crazy. Clenched fists, big "why me" type hand shrugs, head bobbling. This is not a criticism. Nay, this is essential behaviour when you are creating a classic boyband video that will stand the test of time. Blimey, next they will be on a beach doing Christ-like poses a la Take That and Pray.
• 1m30s!! Marvin has got a lot of bottle. ho ho, etc. Oh god, this stuff just writes itself doesn't it?!
• There are some weird lighting effects going on - perhaps Marvin is looking at people through his bottles? It does make Aston look a little bit angelic though. Bless him (and so on)...
• 1m59s - the boys are now all sitting in a row at the greasy spoon cafe (where they haven't even been asked for their order yet. No wonder it's deserted!) Perhaps this is because they now love each other a little bit more?! :P
• From about 2m11s to 2m20s, there's a frenzied build up to that glorious middle 8. and very lovely it is too. Lush, layered harmonies and gorgeous vocals. It's taking the song to another level just in time for this...
• (BTW, pause at 2m20s and there's a decent shot of Aston doing a clenched fist emotional moment in a bathroom that's far too posh for that cafe. Good mirror reflection too. I always get the camera in the way!)
• THE MIDDLE 8! It's marvelous. they do some digit work to signify day one and two. How pleasing. It reminds me of I Can Hear The Bells from Hairspray but less theatrical. I'm loving the dreamy middle 8 and it's shot beautifully. I particularly like the cheeky but seductive "come hither fair maiden/dude" look (depending on your preference) that JB gives the camera at 2m42s...
• Yay! They are at the beach. And the arms outstretched poses abound. The best is at 3m01s when Ortise does an upside down pose which turns the archetypal boyband stereotype on it's head to show JLS are ahead of the curve. Or i'm probably just reading too much into it.
• The clip ends with the boys staring at the crashing waves; the intensity of the sea mirroring the intensity of their feelings. And gazing. Oh I love a bit of symbolism in pop, I do.
• (See chartrigger for their new album cover btw)...

OTHER VIDEO ESSENTIALS:

• Princes & Rogues: If, like me, you are mourning the loss of Princes & Rogues from the X-Factor live shows, then you will need something to get you through the pain. I have just that something. I love Princes & Rogues. They wear bow ties and manage not to look silly (and as the latest Dr. Who said "bow ties are cool"!); they have an effervescent charm about them; the dark haired one in bowtie/jumper combo at the back of the video above is VERY cute indeed (Cosmic horn alert)(I really must learn their names); they could have been - and still could be - a quirky, cool addition to the boyband genre. They have done an entirely pleasing acapella cover version of Nadine's In-in-say-satiable that not only nimbly showcases their vocal ability, but manages to sound like it was written for a boyband to sing! Je t'adore. I feel a new obsession coming on (dear god i hope there's more to come from them)...
• Robbie Williams & Gary Barlow: As the world and his civil partner know by now, Robbie and Gary sang the brilliant Shame on Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday. This is not a show I watch as I can only commit to the X-Factor and The Apprentice in the reality tv genre this autumn. However, the live performance is well worth a gander. It's like an indoor dinner party attire version of their video - all coy looks and shuffling feet dancing. can't wait for The Flood to hit radio this Friday :)

Coming soon! McFly! Singer songwriters! Something else!

I love a bit of Robbie Williams I do. I've raved about him many times on this blog (and its former incarnation thezapping). It's a bit of a career wrap up for Robbie at the moment, what with a fairly definitive greatest hits album called In & Out of Consciousness and his photo heavy book You Know Me (currently only available at Tesco in the UK in a deal that must have netted Robbie some dosh through an exclusivity deal - hasn't Nadine got the same sort of deal with her forthcoming album?). The book is a lavish, lush look through the past 18-19 years that Robbie has been in the public spotlight from the early days of Take That, through the early solo years, megastardom and his current standing as something of a pop legend in the UK. Each photo takes long time fans back to a bygone era, evoking memories of their own lives that have been intertwined with the music of Robbie Williams. It's quite the accomplishment, and one that Robbie should definitely be proud of. His career (at least this stage of it) has seemingly come full circle as he is now back with Take That (see above) for a new single (The Flood) and album (Progress) - and what with the book, greatest hits and TT album, it's a bumper crop this Christmas for Robbie fanatics such as myself...

Heart & I

Shame (written by both Robbie and Gary, and featuring both on vocal duties) must have been the obvious first choice for the lead off (& possibly only) single from In & Out of Consciousness. It not only has the draw of publically reuniting the bumpy, complex relationship of Gary and Robbie, but it's also an entirely radio ready John Denver inspired lovely lilting tune of regret tempered with a new found maturity and perspective on the future. Then of course there is the video. And let me preface my next statement by saying I absolutely adore Shame. It's been number one for four weeks on my chart and is bound to make a big splash in the UK when officially released on Monday. Taking all this into account, Heart & I is definitely the better first single. Still a Gary co-write, it sees Robbie take the vocal lead on his own - something he's done admirably since 1996 (Freedom not withstanding) and is much more reflective of his musical style he's perfected since that time. It initially comes across as pulsingly similar to Scissor Sisters Fire with Fire anthemic single and occupies the same soaring airspace as it progresses. I initially classed it as an uptempo tune on twitter earlier this morning, but actually has more in common with Robbie's mid-tempo successes such as Bodies, Come Undone and Love Supreme. It's definitely got a rocker's energy to it with some prominent guitar and a enduring beat that propels the song forward. Lyrically, parts of the song are a mea culpa to Robbie's own career ("i thought i'd be fixed by now") while there is still his trademark heart on sleeve nature as he passionately delivers the refrain "we don't lie, my heart and I". Ultimately it's a sumptuous, layered tune that acts as a fine closing act to the current stage of Robbie's career. It's been one hell of a ride. Let's see what's next...

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

The week that was...

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

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

Top 21 songs of the week:

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

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

It's been a pleasant day all told. I'm slightly pleased that my beloved Josie has reunited with John James. We got a nice new funding contract at work, plus another bit of super news so lots of hard work has paid off. I got to listen to a very exciting bit of new music that I can't write about til next week (ooo, embargo, get me, etc.) AND! on top of all of that, I've spent the day saturated in the new Robbie Williams single. Which I am about to tell you about now...

Shame ~ the single:

It's the much lauded Robbie greatest hits single, following on from his criminally underrated last album Reality Killed The Video Star (I could have easily picked another 3 singles from it, but oh well). It's gotten a lot of extra attention (though a new Robbie single still quite rightly attracts attention) for two reasons:

• It's from his new greatest hits album which celebrates an astonishingly successful 20 years as a pop star...
• He's returning to Take That (full circle and delightful symmetry alert) and someone called Gary Barlow duets on this track...

A small part of me was hoping for some sort of camptastic duet a la the boy version of Your Disco Needs You or some sort of testosteroned Enough Is Enough. This has not come to pass. What you do get is an entirely delicious semi-country tinged ballad that pairs a pretty melody with some insightful lyrics that could quite easily be describing the bumpy Gary-Robbie relationship of the late 90s ("what a shame we never listened/i told you through the television"). There's some lovely harmonising during the wistful chorus that is tinged with sadness and regret. It's not the brash stomper I was hoping for, but there's such honesty and relatability within the tune that everyone who has ever regretted lack of contact between friends/lovers/family because of words of hurt and anger will find hauntingly real. So i'm full of bittersweet memories, but ever so ever so in love with this wonderfully crafted tune...

Shame ~ the video:

• The song starts as a visual representation of the wistfulness of the lyrics - Robbie is staring into a tumble dryer (something I find brings about my most thoughtful and melancholic moments) then wanders through anytown, USA...
• Gary is across the road, sporting some manly stubble and leaning outside a dog grooming parlour. Surely there is a hidden message in there somewhere?!
• Robbie has some nice boots on. I can't believe that I have fancied Robbie since about 1991. He's still fairly handsome, but it is the Barl that is just blossoming as the years tick by...
• Both have been for a bit of shopping and have their groceries in the very American brown paper bags. England has never cottoned onto this have we? We're more "a bag for life" (which lasts about 6 months, but at least you get a free one at the end of it...
• More shoe shots at 40s. It's like a cowboy Sex and The City...
• Rather endearingly, Robbie gazes at The Barl while singing (in his head) "out of some sentimental gain, I wanted you to feel my pain". The Barl just looks down. It's very touching.
• There are some longing looks as they get into their cars. It's very Brokeback Mountain (as the world and his wife has pointed out) but I suppose it could easily be two estranged brothers. Whatever. I'm still eager for Robbie to, uh, "take that" if you know what i mean :P
• Ooo, a proper American bar. They are so different to pubs aren't they? Robbie and Gary are dancing with some girls, but sharing some very meaningful looks. I'm starting to get aroused.
• The visuals are amazing. Gary HAS a beard and is dancing WITH his beard. Literally aceballs on a piece of toast.
• They are now at the old watering hole, throwing stones, having a reet good laugh and if you pause at 2m26s Robbie is either having a very melancholic pause, or eyefucking The Barl. Either works. One provides me with a much better night's dreaming though ;)
• The middle 8 has glimpses of hand holding, some loving shoulder touching and this rather lovely almost imperceptable nod from The Barl which a) makes the bridges that were burnt now rebuilt and b) acts as permission for their relationship (both in the real world and in the video) be ok for what it is. I may shed a tear...
• Oh this is a homoerotic dream - is there anyway to slow-mo youtube? Robbie and Gary are stripping to have a nice dip in the lake. It could still all be entirely bromancey or fraternal, but my pervy mind works over time, and I sense that they would be absolutely ok with that :)
• During a karaoke montage, they run topless to the quite high cliff top, but then decide that it is not the best idea and walk off (into the sunset?) arm in arm. Like the song, this is very lovely indeed.

SMITTEN!

Blimey, the day just flew away from me today and I've actually got a lot accomplished work, piano and novel wise! Hurrah. I would pat me on the back but my shoulder's playing up and I can't bend that way (that's what he said)... that said, the blogging world is fair alight with news of some video that is a bit jackson meets madonna meets marilyn manson meets a porno movie and doesn't say alejandro (loosely translated as la isla bonita over ace of base's wheel of fortune) nearly enough between the 5 and 8 minute mark. I'm sure you know what I'm talking about - your best bet for a decent excited review of it is ademwithane... I have gone with updating you all on some spunky boys who have, uh, got my musical juices going....!!

Boys boys boys:

• Kyle Brylin ~ The Star: I wrote about his track If They Only Knew back in April. It was proper good then and it's proper good now in remix form on his aces new EP, Discrepency. This new EP is filled with delicious treats such as the sparsely clubby title track (with brilliantly furiously spat out verse lyrics); gloriously gothic electro-ballad Make Things Right and intense I Always Play For Keeps. The lyrics are clever, the music ranging from electro to industrial and the singing always enticing. However, the highlight for me is the deliriously joyful ode to love, The Star. Filled with optimism and hope, it's the most pure pop moment on the EP and absolutely soars because of it. It's like JLS' One Touch and Girls Aloud's Untouchable got together for a date and ended it with a lovely romantic cuddle. Yes it's that good. Check out Kyle on twitter and his Last FM page here (where you may be able to download The Star for free!!). AMAZEBALLS!
• Sam Taylor ~ Every Time We Fall: It's rather pleasing indeed that It's A Mistake seems to be popping up all over the web, particularly at Chartrigger and the latest Pop Trash Addicts panel :) Hurrah! Read my review from a while back here. Sam previewed this latest song on youtube a while back, then it disappeared. But good things come to those who wait, and a full version of the tune has popped up on Sam's soundcloud page. It's a dreamy yet melancholy big percussive mid tempo ballad that tells a story of love gone wrong, mistakes and regret. All classic themes, all sounding even more devastating coming from Sam's lovely vocal style. Follow Sam on twitter here and read his new blog here. Now next time, can the world have a big ol' camp disco number please - that would be most amazing...
• Juvelen ~ All-Time High: Juvelen, the upcoming swedish-popdude-singer from a couple of years ago has quietly crept back onto the scene with a jolly good new ditty, called All-Time High. This is very good news indeed, as Juvelen had a rather excellent album out back in 2008 (review here) called "1", which was tres bon as it goes and a few other bloggers soon found him most pleasing too. This is typical of his debut album - an 80s synth driven sounding electro ditty, infused with some rather cool sound effects and a pleasant vocal that - knitted together - make a smashing pop tune for people to enjoy. I hope this means a second album is forthcoming... You could probably hear the song here if you were that way inclined...

Other ace news...

• Darin ~ all hail. Lovely little Swedish pop dude Darin is returning. Following on from his all too epic melodifestivalen ballad, You're Out Of My Life, he is releasing a brand new single soon called Love Killer. It's another ballad and from the LQ clips popping up on youtube, promises to be all sorts of magnifico. Jacket aside, I like his spiffy new look :)
• Eric Saade ~ oh Eric. I still have eric-tion fever, and while I am very much in love with It's Gonna Rain, i've accepted Break of Dawn as the next single. So much so that I am quite excited about the video premiering on Thursday. And part of me thinks that the song would make a lovely Shayne Ward comeback single...
• Robbie Williams ~ I'm partially annoyed by the fact that Robbie has seemingly given up on his rather good latest album before he even had chance to release the very good indeed Starstruck as a single. Bah Robbie, bah! But D'Luv reports that my favourite Take Thatter from the very moment I bought the 7" posterbag pack of Do What U Like has teamed up with my second fave thatter on a new duet called Shame. I was strangely unexcited by this at first, but within a day my nipples have gotten erect and now I can't wait!!
• Simon Curtis ~ has been particularly busy opening for La Roux (aka The Eurythmics Tribute Act) and doing pride performances of his 8BitHeart album tracks. I change with which song is my favourite, but I am rather liking the ferocious Beat Drop at the moment. Particularly the militant dance opening of the Show Mix (though boooo to it ruining the theme of all 8BH songs ending in binary code digits!!)
• Ola ~ apparently Overdrive is out (or out today) and yet I have not heard this potentially glistening pop gem. What gives?! :P (This is worse than the utter seemingly non-promotion of tres bon new Bjorn Johan Muri single, Circles!) If anyone can point me in the right direction, please do so. I thank you!
• Bjorn Johan Muri ~ talking of Bjorn, I've finally tracked down a fairly decent performance of his new single. About blooming time I say. With a dance routine and everything! Immensicles! Magnifico! See below!!
• Jonas Oakland ~ ooo isn't Jonas Oakland looking very fine nowadays? I'm quite the smitten little kitten :P I do like a handsome dude in a shirt and tie, plus he sings so he ticks all the boxes. His new single Beat of my Heart is all sorts of dancetastic amazingness and you can hear some remixes now on the always excellent and delightful Scandipop. AND! If you check back sometime Fri/Sat, there will be a free download of said song on that site. Bonza!
• Finally ~ Maroon 5 (Adam LeFine) and Brandon Flowers SO need to release their singles to radio sooner rather than later. That will be all.

Back thurs. With Disco Lemonade!! and the latest Larry Flick show!!

Hello folks. I've been a bit absent without leave this week, despite planning a record 4 - yes 4, gasp, how does he do it, etc. - posts and only doing one. A - because i've been a bit immersed in the Eric Saade album (hence the slightly odd picture above) and B - it's a bit nice outside and blogging has taken a back seat to watching tv with the window open :P It is season-finale week after all ;) So to be going on with, here is the latest play list (tweetable style-ee for quickness)...

IMMENSICLES SONGS YOU WILL BE PLAYING ALL JUNE LONG:

• Kylie ~ All The Lovers: Beautifully melancholy yet uplifting delightful summer pop anthem. Would post my lovely piano-no-vocal ballad version of it, but some bugger beat me to it. Epic return.
• Scissor Sisters ~ Fire with Fire: Not quite Invisible Light, but entirely anthemic elton-meets-sexonfire type enormity ensues. Not entirely representative of Night Work but brilliant nonetheless
• Kelly Rowland ~ Commander: Totally amazeballs summer dance floor filler in a new genre of music that right now i like to call bossy-pop. Right now she commands you to dance, and I for one ain't arguing :)
• JLS ~ The Club Is Alive: Sure it loses some of the naievity and innocence of their first few singles, but still retains some charm under the vocoder. A definite grower. Boo to inclusion of shawties tho :/
• Infernal ~ Love Is All: Another grower, but a bit more instantly pleasing than JLS. Plus it has this bizarrely bonkers video that has nothing to do with anything like Steps Chain Reaction clip!
• Enrique Iglesias ~ I Like It: Ah Enrique does come out with some solid pop gems from time to time and this is another one to add to the canon. It feels a bit like it should soundtrack a football commercial and samples All Night Long and features Pitbull. So essentially the man-pop version of the Alexandra song. And still not as good as Taking Back Your Love!
• Gravitonas ~ Kites: What more can I say about this that I haven't said already? It's entirely amazing soaring electro-rock with bonkers lyrics and a constant crescendo of sound. Brill
• Le Kid, Mercy Mercy: Finally got a release, it's the swedish version of Girls Aloud's Can't Speak French. Which I can. as my twitter today proves! Song is fabbo btw. More Le Kid please.
• Eric Saade ~ It's Gonna Rain (above): Ignore ballad Break of Dawn as next single, I'll save that til Christmas. No, this Hung Up By A Guy track should have been single 3 from his new (and very excellent) Masquerade album. It's pop pomposity from start to finish with a screamingly epic chorus and spine tingling key change. Eric, new obsession, je'tadore...
• Simon Curtis ~ Beat Drop: The show mix of the tune is as entirely wonderful as the 8BitHeart album version. I toyed over what would be my next single from SC's album and this relentless dance-pop won out over the down and dirty but equally enjoyable Joystick :)

• Bjorn Johan Muri ~ Circles: The Yes Man returns with another song that reeks of classy Donkeyboy-esque pop. Catchy hook? Check! Big singalong verses? Check! Potential for Bjorn to do a quality pop album that will be quite pleasing? Definitely. Style make over still needed though...
• Chanee & N'Evergreen ~ In A Moment Like This: Still bloody love this The-Best-meets-Every-Breath-You-Take-meets-Nothings-Gonna-Stop-Us-Now cheese on toast duet. So very charming and endearing indeed. This is what Same Diff will be doing in ten years time :)
• Lady Gaga ~ Alejandro: Oh pick your jaws up from the floor. Yes i quite like this pop pilfering song - it's La Isla Bonita over Wheel of Fortune and quite snappy with it.
• Lovestoned ~ I Know Nothing: They are toning down the cod-reggae ever so slightly for this more straight forward pop kiss off. It's most pleasing indeed but won't please everyone. I'm easy though (but you knew that from the graffiti on the toilet walls)
• Alphabeat ~ DJ (above): I like songs about dancing (See I Don't Feel Like Dancing; If You Can't Dance; Commander) and this is perfectly acceptable and jolly and makes you want to pogo around before resting your head on Anders lap. Possibly!!
• Goldfrapp ~ Rocket: Beautifully melancholy yet uplifting delightful summer pop anthem (see also Kylie, obv). Amazing album where every track could be a single. Heavenly...
• Diana Vickers ~ The Boy Who Murdered Love: Brilliantly titled, ethereal second single from "the claw". As good as Once which is a bit of a bonus and possibly best crime ridden pop song since Sugababes Murder One. Frankly retitling that was the start of all their problems, but I digress. Buy this. It's immensicles!
• Natalie Imbruglia ~ Lukas: Did her album even get released properly? It was half brillo pop, half brave experimentation and this came from the former category. I'm saddened by the lack of label support. She and Nerina (next) should really work together!! That would be magnif...
• Nerina Pallot ~ Everything's Illuminated: Another person who should be absolutely massive - perhaps the Kylie tracks on Aphrodite will place her back in people's radars of pop excellence. This is yet another gem from her grossly underrated & enjoyable The Graduate album.
• Robbie Williams ~ Starstruck: Surely Roberto has not given up on the album already? If so how Westlife of him? Ignoring this as a single is criminal - it's a lovely slice of radio ready summery pop with a shimmy in every note. Gorgeous - and version linked is AMAZE.

Cliptacular Same Difference news to keep me going: Le Diff are back. And as "regular readers" will know, I adore Le Diff! Sean is one dreamy cup of hot chocolate. They have previewed a clip of their absolutely what-the-word-amazeballs-was-invented-for brilliantly titled single Shine On Forever (Photo Frame) on the perennially amazing Popjustice site. I'll write much more about it when I hear the whole thing next week but for now let's just say it has some subtly cool electro tinged verses and a big ol' chorus that is appropriately Glee levels of massive and singalong. Potentially very brilliant indeed. Sigh.

Back on Sunday. With something no doubt...

For Volume 3 - Part one click here. You know you want to...

• Dan Black ~ Gimme Into Cloudbusting: Possibly the most genius Madonna inspired cover/mash since Irish group Fifth Avenue blended a song about Infidelity over the Papa Don't Preach melody. It's a rather wonderful lo-fi reading of the song, seemingly seamlessly fused together with Kate Bush's tune alluded to in the title. It kind of just hovers at the periphery of sheer amazingness without even realising how special it is. And that is what totally makes me get into the groove about it. And all from a free mixtape! Aces!
• Blake Lewis ~ Love or Torture: Much like Jordin of the Sparks, Blake should have whizzed out three singles from his superior Heartbreak On Vinyl set at the end of last year (including the two he did, plus I Left My Baby For You). But he didn't and the title track of his album continues to win hearts through a more grass roots approach. That's ok - I still love it, but am paying more and more attention to this fiery electro-corker which sizzles from the very start. Please don't stop indeed. Blake knows how to use his 80s influences to great effect and if the world were paying attention this would be huge. True story!
• BWO ~ Rise To The Occassion (above): Ok, yes this was actually the third single from last year's Big Science, but I ignored that little fact back then and chose Love Come Crashing Down instead. I stand by that choice. This still works as a final single from an album - and one that bids farewell to BWO for a tiny while as thingy is concentrating on his new band Gravitonas. It represents all that is good about BWO - their ability to just knock out a solid pop tune that is instantly memorable and singalong, even if they aren't quite as groundbreaking as they used to be. Always enjoyable though. Hurry back.
• Agnes ~ Secret Love: Little Agnes is taking the Annie route to pop stardom - releasing a number of versions of her album all with different tracks on (apparently there is one with an Erik Hassle duet on?) Anyway, this is probably a decent type follow up to Release Me although not quite as pecs on the dancefloor tastic as that little number. It's all explosive disco beats and nowhere at all in the vicinity of being close to a Doris Day cover. She don't half wail the chorus though...
• Whitney Houston ~ Nothing But Love: Ah Whitters. Gawd bless her for continuing to try and most the time at least landing in the vicinity of the area she needed to be. This is probably a very sensible and well thought out follow up to Million Dollar Bill as it's essentially the same song with different lyrics. Now if the Freemasons do a remix it will go down proper bonza and climb from it's number 12 peak - particularly if she comes and does a bonkers performance of it on current show du jour, Dancing On Ice. Can you imagine?
• Mariah Carey ~ Up Out Of My Face: Ah Mazza. Gawd bless her for continuing to try and ... well you've heard this song before. And the Mariah one - she's not come out with her remixed Angel with anything new. At least it's familiar and inviting, if not her best work (that remains songs like Make It Happen, Always Be My Baby and All I Want For Christmas) and the video is a typical Mariah hoot. I stopped caring as intensely a long while ago yet the feelings still linger (longer than she does)...
• Miley Cyrus ~ Time of our Lives: I do have a soft spot of old Miles. I like when she sings "and the gaga song was on" in live performances of Party and does crazy cat moves. When I Look At You was a much better choice of download at Christmas than Joe's The Climb because essentially it was an updated version of her own song, but better. And with the EP that keeps giving this is a typically goofy fun tune that I can't help but have warm fuzzies for!
• Lady Antebellum ~ Need You Now: Damn you pop music notes for making me fall and fall hard for this song. It's just lovely isn't it? I have to be in the right mood for country music, but this gets me everytime. It's plainative, emotive, reckless and relatable in every note. Gorgeous melody and quite heart tugging. I can see why it's such a huge hit stateside and would be quite foolish to bet against the same thing happening here very soon...
• Amy MacDonald ~ Don't Tell Me: I have finally forgiven Amy for being very rude to a friend of mine at her concert once. Perhaps she was having an off day. LIke me today :/ Anyway, much like the tune above, this is one of those great emotive relationship songs that will probably fit in with you at some point in your life - future or past. Ergo it's instantly relatable and she does have quite a distinctive accent that makes the song memorable and lovely at the same time...
• John Barrowman ~ The Doctor And I: I can always count on John to deliver at least 2 knock out tunes on his albums. The last one had the Gary Barlow composition and of course the more than brilliant duet with gorgeous Daniel Boys on I Know Him So Well. He's back with a rewriting of the Wicked! musical song The Wizard and I. Reimagined here as almost a love song between Jack Harkness (Torchwood) and Doctor Who, it cleverly works in references from the DW universe ("do you think the doctor is dumb? Or like Oods so small minded?"). Of course the genius of the Wicked! version is that the lyrics pointed towards forthcoming events we all knew would come to pass ("I'd be so happy I could melt"/"there'll be a celebration all through Oz all because of me") that don't quite work as well here. And it gets a bit weird in the middle eight when the Doctor offers to, er, defabricate him! Oo-er. Overall though, it's quite engaging and very nearly amazing. (Ps - his duet with Jodie Prenger on the Enchanted song So Close is lovely too)...
• Robbie Williams ~ Morning Sun (below): Bit of a grower rather than a show-er; allegedly written about Michael Jackson, this third single is also the sports relief charity single (actual video here). Whatever happened to original one off songs for things like that? Anyway, it's very grand and lush and splendid, because, well, it's Robbie but really something like Starstruck or Difficult For Weirdos would have been more adventurous. Oh well. There's always single 4...

New artist special coming soon!

Oh I am getting lazy with blogging aren't I? I blame a) Twitter - because it's a bit addictive isn't it? I've put up a nice new pic on mine if you want a butchers as well as a pic from Darren's birthday celebrations and dinner at Ruthies... b) Debbie Gibson ~ I'm so addicted to youtubes of her Japanese concert promoting the Anything Is Possible album from 1991. Another Brick Falls is one of my favourite tracks from that album - look at the gorgeously intricate piano work in the vid above (though ignore the dreadful Carmen Miranda outfit!!)... c) Work. It's all go at the moment which is both brilliant, exciting and time consuming and d)Novels. Tinkering away. Still despite all that, there is plenty of time to have a gander through upcoming and rumoured singles from some of my favourite acts...

Whitney Houston: Why does it already feel like Whitters is on single 4 from her latest album? Possibly because various tracks floated around for a while before Million Dollar Bill was settled upon as a lead-off, dress-popping single from I Look To You. Nothing But Love is probably a sensible second single because with a bit of reswizzling it could be as dancefloor and dance your tits off as Million Dollar Bill was. And that can only be a good thing. A Song For You next though please...

Nerina Pallot: Why must Nerina work so hard for success? It should be oozing out her ear'oles by now so marvelous is she. Darn. As my current obsession from The Graduate is When Did I Become Such A Bitch, I haven't spent nearly enough time with I Don't Want To Go Out. This is as much a crime as Nerina not being huge as it's an incredibly catchy track and a whip-smart choice for second single. Brilliant video too - features giant lipstick!! What more could one want?!

Sugababes 3.0: I'm still being obstinate and refusing to move on, so sticking with the 3.0 version of Wear My Kiss. Still not the most brilliant next single choice for the 'babes (that would be Wait For You, far superior in my opinion) and everytime they sing "wear my kiss all over my body", I just launch into the rather excellent stood-the-test-of-time Dress You Up by Madonna instead. Oh well...

Bananarama: I'm still all over Viva like a rash and Love Don't Live Here was my choice for second single on the fizzypop chronicles last year so it's nice that the record company has caught up. It's one of the most dramatic and grandiose pop tracks on the album and although I feel I've done my "tour of duty" with that song, I'm very excited it's getting a wider release and a video. Also very exciting is the news that the "flip" side will be a buzz junkies remix of The Runner. It's going to be Bananaramarific!

Robbie Williams: I'm reluctant to let go of how lovely I find You Know Me, but if the rumours are true that the fabbo Starstruck is the third single then I'll be more than satiated by the Robster's output (oo-er)... It's a rather engaging, lush and warm gentle disco epic track where Robbie shows off his best George Michael influences (and Kate Bush - he's vaguely reminiscent of Running Up That Hill when he sings about his deal with God). Plus following on from Bodies and You Know Me, it shows how diverse the album is and will hopefully add to it's already not bad sales tally...

Westlife: I almost didn't want to like Shadows because I thought it would just be another Ryan Tedder cast off. It is in a way, but the production and the vocals make it really stand out and the help of AJ from BSB must have added some boyband sparkle to it because (for me) it really works. Although it's not guaranteed to be the second single, it's a pretty decent choice and they've been hawking it on a few tv shows of late. Personally, I'm still loving Sound of A Broken Heart but the popjustice interview with Mark seemed to rule that out singlewise :/ Bugger...

Back tomorrow (or poss Thurs depending on how busy work is) with mini-album reviews of Matt Morris, Billie Myers and Maria Mena...

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...

It's always a bit difficult to subjectively pick your favourite songs of the year. Songs I may have gushed over earlier in the year have had their glow dulled by time; songs I may not be as enthusiastic about in a few months are currently hot stuff for me - so I've put together a list that more or less showcases my favourite songs I listened to this year. So not necessarily released this year (though the majority were) and not necessarily singles, but just what I ended up still really liking as I sit and type this :) Enjoy and let me know your thoughts...

RELAUNCHED SINGLES FROM 2008: Lily Allen's F*** You; Lenka's The Show; Marit Larsen's If A Song COuld Get Me You...

BEST NON SINGLES OF THE YEAR: Deborah Gibson's Already Gone; Scissor Sister's Do The Strand; No Doubt's Stand and Deliver; that choir version of Lily's Chinese...

BEST OF THE REST (in no particular order): Saturdays ~ Just Can't Get Enough; JLS ~ Everybody in Love; Mini Viva ~ I Wish; Sugababes ~ Get Sexy; Miley Cyrus ~ Party in the USA; Cascada ~ Evacuate The Dancefloor; Pussycat Dolls ~ Hush Hush; Kelly Rowland ~ When Love Takes Over; Pet Shop Boys ~ Love, etc; Jason Mraz ~ Try Try Try; Annie Lennox ~ Shining Light; Sound of Arrows ~ M.A.G.I.C; Take That ~ The Garden; Whitney Houston ~ Million Dollar Bill; Mika ~ We Are Golden; BSB ~ Soldier Down; Erik Hassle ~ Hurtful; Leona Lewis ~ Happy; Lady Gaga ~ Bad Romance; Lady Gaga ~ Love Game...

MY NUMBER ONES:

• Simon Curtis/Victoria Justice ~ On The Wings of A Dream (4 weeks)
• Sugababes 3.0 ~ Every Heart Broken (4 weeks)
• Pet Shop Boys ~ Love etc.
• BWO ~ You're Not Alone (4 weeks)
• Mans Zelmerlow ~ Hope and Glory (4 weeks)
• Marina & The Diamonds ~ I Am Not A Robot (2 weeks)
• "Abba" ~ Second Best To None (4 weeks)
• Benny Andersson Band ~ Story Of A Heart (7 weeks)
• Madonna ~ Celebration (2 weeks)
• Mika ~ We Are Golden (3 weeks)
• Robbie Williams ~ Bodies (4 weeks)
• Blake Lewis ~ Heartbreak on Vinyl (2 weeks)
• Darin ~ Viva La Vida (3 weeks)
• Simon Curtis ~ Delusional (2 weeks)
• Pet Shop Boys ~ It Doesn't Often Snow At Christmas 2009 (6 weeks)
• Simon Curtis ~ Diablo (1 week)

TOP 30 SONGS OF 2009:

30 ~ James Leon, Purple Heart: Sultry, seductive, a deceptively addictive beat and chorus plus remixes by our very own Worrapolava. What more could one ask for in a rising star?
29~ Alexandra Burke, Bad Boys: Not quite as inventive as Sound of the Underground but a huge step forward for a winners first single proper and even better without the Flo-Rida bit!
28 ~ Mini Viva, I Left My Heart In Tokyo: They went back to the 80s in the best way possible with a Pete Hammond remix, but even in normal guise this was one pop treat to satiate fans during the Girls Aloud year off...
27 ~ Robbie Williams, Bodies: It didn't work for some people because it was a hotch potch of every Robbie single to date but that was exactly why it worked for me - even with his crazy X-Factor eyes!
26 ~ Little Boots, Remedy: Not quite the massive star she was lauded as early in the year, something about Victoria didn't quite click, but she certainly had a way with creating beautiful pop-dance tunes like this one...
25 ~ Jordin Sparks, Battlefield: It caused a near twitter meltdown of excitement when it was first released; six months on, it's a solid enjoyable pop tune that didn't exactly tax Ryan Tedder but is still a belter to listen to.
24 ~ Same Difference, Better Love Me: Sigh, if there had been any justice in the world, this glorious Steps-It's The Way You Make Me Feel homage would have done much better. It's lovely anyway.
23 ~ Same Difference, All Roads Lead To Heaven: Massive pop tune that had this been used as a lead off single, the world might now be appreciating what I already know - Same Difference know pop. Thank God for more from them in 2010...
22 ~ Alphabeat, The Spell: Back to the 90s, back to rave. It was Black Box, C&C Music Factory and faceless dance wrapped up in a charming singalong tune that made the Danish band more appealing than ever...
21 ~ BWO, Right Here Right Now: It may be You're Not Alone that topped my chart for a while, but this classic pop tune lingered longer in mixes and duets that it felt like it was around for half the year without ever overstaying it's welcome...

20 ~ Blake Lewis, Heartbreak On Vinyl: More 80s homage in a year overflowing with 80s homage. However, this tune had glorious lyrics matched to a synthy beat and a passionate charm to the song that made it - and Mr L - a total winner...
19 ~ Will Young, Hopes & Fears: Criminally ignored by the public (was it even released?), at least the album did well. If Annie Lennox were a man, this is what some of her tunes would sound like. Timeless, melody driven pop. Aces.
18 ~ Madonna, Celebration: Not her finest ever moment but a strong entry for Lady Ciccone. Danceable, singalong, feel good, uplifting - it even felt age appropriate for Madonna to be singing it. Ace fan-filled video for it too...
17 ~ JLS, Beat Again: Still the real winners of the X Factor as far as I'm concerned, they have certainly proved it by becoming a massive phenomenon not seen since the early days of Take That. This was sleek, up to date, non-threatening pop at it's best.
16 ~ Mans Zelmerlow, Hope and Glory: Gorgeous to look at, effortless to listen to, Mans is what every country needs in a popstar and while people scoffed that this was Cara Mia 2, who cared? It was utterly brilliant and had a rather groovy keychange. Let's not forget the amazing acoustic version too. Job done.
15 ~ Simon Curtis/Victoria Justice ~ On The Wings of a Dream: The standout entry from the Spectacular! soundtrack, this showed for the first time Simon as an out and out pop singer ably assisted by Victoria. Proof that he is destined to be a major major star someday.
14 ~ Taylor Swift, Love Story: I think the Kanye jokes have been run into the ground, but this really did have quite the charming video, great cutesy lyrics, the best country crossover chorus this side of Shania Twain and a key change on a par with Don't Cry Out Loud. Of course it won me over!
13 ~ Lily Allen, The Fear: She seemed a bit more polished this time round and had as insightful lyrics as ever on this credit crunch anthem to modern life. Lush video and a brilliant chorus added to her bonkersosity made this a massive song all year round. Why didn't Stacey do it on the X Factor?!
12 ~ Sugababes 3.0, Every Heart Broken: When I belatedly fell in love with this tune I had no clue there would be a 4.0... If they ever sing this song, I won't be able to listen because everything about this slick, addictive nugget is nigh on perfect and can't be topped.
11 ~ Marina & The Diamonds, I Am Not A Robot: Wasn't she also a big pick for 2009? Whatever - she's rolled over to 2010 and I'm sure that one day this lovely simplistic minimalistic song will get the kudos and success it deserves. Quite quite amazing.

10 ~ Simon Curtis, Delusional: Kicking off 8-Bit Heart with this song (though I would have plumped for the more audacious Pop Messiah followed by this) was a work of genius. It was free, it was brilliant, it was dancey and it was completely what the blogosphere and twitter-ites needed. Smart boy-pop that matched Gaga step for step. And it was going to get even better...
09 ~ Robbie Williams, You Know Me: As I'm writing this in early December I worry that this song got a bit lost in the Christmas Chart deluge. Shame if it did because it's gentle, it's restrained and it's a bit heartbreaking and it definitely shows that Robbie hasn't lost his knack for creating utter magic.
08 ~ Kelly Clarkson, My Life Would Suck Without You: Yes yes, it may be the most audacious rewrite of a hit song (Since You've Been Gone) ever, but it was also one of the years most instant and grabbing ebulliant hits. Massive from the first note, a soaring chorus, it rampaged along at breakneck speed and was totally enjoyable from start to finish.
07 ~ Sophie Ellis Bextor, Heartbreak Makes Me A Dancer: Floating around for a while in demo format, the freemasons kicked it up a gear and while it didn't quite match the chart heights it should have it was a brilliant slice of ice cool pop. Now if Victoria Little Boots could look as natural and confident as Soph, she might be in a much stronger position now...
06 ~ Darin, Viva La Vida: Take one of the best penned compositions of recent years, add one of Sweden's most likeable pop exports and give it a europop sheen and you've got the recipe for an enormously enjoyable tribute number. It takes the magic of the original number and makes it sparkle a little bit for the dancefloor. Heaven.

05 ~ Pet Shop Boys, It Doesn't Often Snow At Christmas 2009: I already loved this song so wasn't sure what a remix could do for it. Make me completely and utterly obsessed with it, that's what. Whether it be the addition of organ laden carol melodies or the dramatic "BING CROSBY" or the melting of cynicism in the chorus, everything about this already theatrical number was more more more. Magnificent. If only for 2 months of the year...
04 ~ Elouise, One Night Only: I've only ever heard it sung by her live but I instantly loved this song and her ballad-to-disco interpretation of the DreamGirls classic. Plus she sang it so well, had brilliant but learnable dance moves and made it my go to saturday night anthem. Big things in 2010, mark my words...
03 ~ Simon Curtis, Diablo: Yes it was held off by Pet Shop Boys over Christmas, but I've taken into account my seasonal addictions and completely realise that Diablo is perhaps, nay indeed, one of the greatest pop songs of the year. Wry, funny, catchy, groundbreaking and as instant as instant porridge oats, it is just a massively brilliant, brilliantly massive pop tune from someone who eats sleeps and breathes pop and then channels it all into their music. And you can so tell. Amazing, amazing stuff and quite deservedly the last number one of 2009...
02 ~ "Abba", Second Best to None: I still maintain this would have made a much better X-Factor charity single but what do I know? Whatever, the staff at Hotel Rival took the Benny&Bjorn penned track and made it into their anthem, then shared it with the world. Thank heavens they did - ridiculously catchy, moderately cheesy, an completely amazing promo video to go with it (introducing the world to another doable bar man) and filled with pathos and regret. It was totally Abba and the only thing wrong with it was that Frida and Agnetha weren't singing it. Other than that, I drove my friends mad with it for weeks on end.
01 ~ Benny Andersson Band, Story of a Heart: As if the emergence of Second Best to None wasn't enough, Benny then came back with another track he penned with Bjorn and it was perhaps the most affecting Abba song since Day Before You Came or Winner Takes It All. A glorious melody, a wonderful chorus, a devastating breakdown in the middle eight and then a passion filled plea to take you to the end of the song. I could never and still haven't been able to listen to it just once. Quite quite magic, and would have made an amazing X Factor winners single.

What came to pass...

• Top 25 songs of 2008

I love Christmas I do. Obviously, or I wouldn't have spunked so many posts on it recently...However, popping into town for some last minute "party favours" and christmas gifts was a bit of a mistake, as was getting a Dark Cherry Mocha first. It was blooming heaving like a fat girl's bosom. Elbows everywhere and people shuffling along at a ridiculously slow pace. I got a little bit impatient behind this one woman and muttered "Jesus Christ" a little bit too loudly. She turned around and gave me a filthy look (she was a nun - I suppose that head wimple thing should have given it away) and utterly shamed me by saying "yes, Christmas IS all about the birth of Jesus Christ" as I quickly got on the escalator, descending metaphorically into the flaming bowels of hell. Still, I soon got over it by getting some nice mulled wine from Marks and Spencers, watching the last Beautiful People (sterling job on the final episode - some great musical numbers, a tender young love story nearly coming to fruition with a smooch, and a little bit of gash. Oh there has to be a series 3!!) and wrapping Darren's christmas gifts. Tis the season to be jolly and joyful...


While i was doing a bit of Christmas wrapping, I absolutely had to pop on the effortlessly poptastic and brilliant Crackers International EP from the mighty Erasure. A festive themed EP that followed on from their career defining The Innocents album, Stop was a hi-nrg romp around the Christmas tree that still gets played at festive parties today. And don't forget to investigate the other gems on the EP too - She Won't Be Home is a maudlin little tale of families growing up and growing apart for Christmas mixed in with love and forgiveness as they move on with their lives. The morose continues with The Hardest Part and mixes well with their remake of the standard God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen. However it's all aboard the party train again for Knocking At Your Door - and there are some remixes of that and Stop widely available if you fancy boogying a bit longer. The EP as a whole always reminds me of Christmas when I was 14, shedding my hefty pounds through puberty and beginning to embrace what it meant to fancy boys. Erasure held up a shining light for that and Crackers International became my go to tape (!) when I wanted to let a whole host of emotions out that I didn't really know what to do with yet. As Erasure plowed on with their career, a couple of other songs were released during the festive season that I always add to the EP playlist. Even though they were nothing to do with Christmas, they always get associated with that time of year because that's when I played them most - You Surround Me (from Wild) is a gorgeous electro-ballad, as is the marvelous Am I Right (from Chorus), both showcasing how magnificent Andy Bell can sound in lower register and making me fall in love with a slower, more melancholy Erasure (preparing me for the amazing 1993 Erasure album perfectly). So dig out Crackers International, or go buy it. Lovely pop any time of year...

TOP 21 SONGS OF THE WEEK:

21 ~ Madonna, Revolver
20 ~ Mika, Blame It On The Girls
19 ~ Little Boots, Earthquake
18 ~ William Young, Hopes and Fears
17 ~ Whitney Houston, I Look To You
16 ~ Backstreet Boys, Bigger
15 ~ RyanDan, Can't Help Falling In Love (NE)
14 ~ Blake Lewis, I Left My Baby For You
13 ~ Darin, Viva La Vida
12 ~ The Saturdays, Ego
11 ~ Mini Viva, I Wish
10 ~ Agnes, Love Love Love
09 ~ BWO, Kings of Tomorrow
08 ~ Simon Curtis, Delusional
07 ~ Mans Zelmerlow, A Stranger Saved My Life
06 ~ Alcazar, Thank You
05 ~ JLS, Close To You
04 ~ Leona Lewis, Stop Crying Your Heart Out
03 ~ Robbie Williams, You Know Me (VID)
02 ~ Simon Curtis, Diablo
01 ~ Pet Shop Boys, It Doesn't Often Snow At Christmas 2009 (5 weeks)