Lopez Blogs

I had a brief but memorable love affair with Tom Baxter’s debut album “Feather and Stone” back in 2004 and I’ve always been wistful for more. He has this great laxidaisical charm that I find utterly irresistible as he croons his way through a variety of bluesy ballads and uptempo rockers. He’s kind of the prototype for Paolo Nutini and James Morrison, but sadly without the requisite success that comes with it. About a year or so ago, he put some free mp3s on his site from his time in Tuscany and now there are some real down and dirty bluesy live tracks that you can stream at indie store. Pick of the bunch are the smokey Night Like This and the epic ballad with heart, Miracle. It’s music for the soul and I’m completely smitten again. The sophomore set is not far away now. Viva Tom Baxter…

STREAM: live tracks at indie store

~ Maroon 5, Makes Me Wonder:

Paul: I just love love love this song. I am a HUGE fan of Maroon 5 and really think Adam Levine has one of the best pop voices out there. The band have an incredible knack for creating songs that straddle a variety of genres and this is no different with them tackling a bit of electro in there too! Apparently they are playing in London on my birthday this year, so I have GOT to make it down for that ;)

Discotheque: Funk that delivers! We’ve all loved Maroon 5’s rock-pop outings before and this certainly doesn’t disappoint. This track had us all tappin our feet and flickin our weave (well, Ben and Victoria!) so it’s gotta be good. Adam Levine’s unique voice is the icing on this already funkalicious cake.

Nick: About time that we've got a new track from these guys. It definitely shows off the "harder edge" they were promising us. It's not my favorite Maroon 5 song ever (I'm not jumping out of my seat, as the Idol judges would say), but it's definitely a good single. It'll do well. The chorus is especially nice.

Apologies for shorter playlist this week.

Baby Fratelli - The Fratellis: Yet another example of why they can do no wrong at the moment with their singalong anthems.
Dimmi Perche - Nyco: I thought he was Italian, but some further investigation revealed that he is the brother of former Nouvelle Star contestant Pierrick Lilliu! Very catchy tune already getting airplay on NRJ.
You Bring On The Sun - London Beat: An obscure blast from the past, if only to celebrate that the sun has been shining for the last two days!!
On S'Attache - Christophe Mae: Yes his voice is so annoying on this track, but it's sooooo catchy and I can't get it out of my head. Very Jack Johnson influenced.
Butterfly - Superbus: As mentioned in last week's French Charts Update, this is getting lots and lots of airplay in France and is now on our playlist too.
Mancunian Way - Take That: High quality album track which I'm playing a lot - also heard it in Homebase yesterday! Music to buy varnish to!
Dancing Lasha Tumbai - Verka Serduchka: There is a thin line between love and hate, and there is equally a thin line between good and bad. This unique Ukrainian crosses that line. To dance or not to dance?
Segdu Mer - Jonsi: I never tire of this swaying Icelandic ballad, nor do I tire of watching the lovely Jonsi sing it.

I got April-fooled in the early hours of this morning, thanks to www.tf1.fr, whose home page led with the story that the most tedious couple in Hollywood, Brad & Angelina (yawn) had separated. Nevertheless I decided to click on the link only to discover a great big POISSON D'AVRIL !!!! pop-up appearing on the screen. Merci beaucoup TF1, I said I wasn't going to be caught out this year. Oh well, there's always 2008.