Lopez Blogs

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

THE FIZZYPOP MUST LIST:

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

TOP 21 TRACKS OF THE WEEK:

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

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

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

THE NEW:
Candy Coated Chaos - Masquerade: In the days of myspace and internet music, it is far easier for the world to see burgeoning new pop combos blossom as they hone their craft and prepare to launch themselves onto a somewhat suspecting public. Part of me thinks this is a shame (imagine if we'd heard every spice girls demo before Wannabe smacked the world upside the head - the impact would have been far less), but sometimes it totally works. This is the case with the CCC girls - they have increased in confidence with each song and this is their finest to date. An absolute stomper of pop-dance single that not only pays tribute to the freestyle girl groups of the 90s (Expose, Cover Girls, Sweet Sensation) with it's intoxicating rhythms and pounding bass, but also manages to sound utterly relevant and now with a chorus to kill for and their tightest and most pleasing vocal performance to date. It apparently takes about 2-3 years for acts i like to become huge, so CCC should be massive right about, er, now. Expect to hear this on a radio near you very soon. Oh and be sure to check out their myspace for a plethora of other quality pop songs, all competing to be on their debut album. Loves. (Check out Mel's review here!) (You can also hear CCC and Simon Curtis music here)

Red Blooded Women - Enjoy The Silence: Count backwards 5-4-3-2-1 because a new british girl group is in the wings and waiting to explode. And frankly there is more than enough room for them. The debate about this DM cover vs The Saturdays DM cover is getting tiresome now - the songs are completely different, and it's hard enough to compare the originals to each other. JCGE is entirely a Vince Clarke composition and maybe the most Erasure-ish song the Mode ever did, even before Erasure ever existed. Enjoy The Silence is a much moodier, less frenetic pop type number and RBW totally play that up by weaving in delicious electro synth, a persistant and enticing beat and sultry vocals that give the song a new edge. The blogs are positively crackling with positive energy towards this group and i'm dying to hear this on the radio. It's 1990 and it's 2009. The girls sound lush. Loves part 2. (Check out some earlier reviews of RBW here , here and here)

THE POTENTIAL LEGENDS:


The Saturdays - Work/Chasing Lights: You know, it took a little time for me to get the Saturdays, but now i feel all protective towards them. I think they have got a "bum" rap with their comic relief single. Everyone is quick to point out that it didn't make number one (hey, neither did Bananarama with the glorious Help!) and that it wasn't as good as the other DM cover out there (my thoughts on that are above!) and they were a bit desperate on twitter this weekend! All true, but they probably didn't have much input into the song, it's quite delightful as a campy 80s throwback with modern leanings and it veers between brilliancy and adequacy which makes it quite good over all. Anyway, seeing as LesSamedi have called their tour Work, I'm rather hoping that spunky little album track will be gussied up as their fourth single from the increasingly edible Chasing Lights album. And if they would like to put a nice acoustic version of the title track on the flip side, I'll be more than happy to oblige with a purchase. And obviously Up remains one of the best pop songs of the past year or so,

THE REIGNING CHAMPS:

Girls Aloud - Untouchable: This could be one of the worst choices of Girls Aloud singles ever. Not because it's a bad song. It's not. It's blindingly beautiful and utterly amazing from start to finish. Nicola's vocals are very lovely indeed. It has exquisite lyrics and a trance-dance feel that is difficult to pull off, but the Girls do it perfectly. It's fiercely beloved by fans and therein lies the problem - will they accept anything less than the full album version of 6mins+? A radio edit/mix would have to be incredibly tight and certainly won't please everyone. I guess the first peak at this will be when the Girls appear on the top rated Dancing On Ice programme on Sunday, where skating legends Torville and Dean will swoop around the ice to the track, while the lasses sing AN EDITED VERSION suspended by high wires, flying around. It could be utterly heavenly. I await to be (girls a)wowed.

Tomorrow: Possibly Erik Hassle (amazing) or Kevin Borg (adorable). Or nothing at all. Who knows?!

Before I kick off with a post about the brilliant and free EP by my beloved Candy Coated Chaos, I must comment on my past couple of days. Work has been insanely busy. I had to get up at 4.20am on Thursday morning for a 4 hour drive :( I have a hugely infected and swollen ear (am i ever properly healthy? It's like totally ridick now!) and today am absolutely shattered from no sleep! Still, I couldn't pass up an evening of food, booze and balderdash at Ruthiepoos. RP, Loulou, Markymark, Dazpecs and myself all had a time filled with amazingosity and many laughs. And my favourite Balderdash answer? For a suggested description to the movie "Ying and Yang of Mr Goo", Mark wrote "The story of siamese twins,who both share the same anus. One of the twins happens to be gay!" Brilliant. Someone call Noah's Arc for a brand new storyline :P


Candy Coated Chaos ~ Confections:

Let me count the ways I adore Britt, Steph and Ro - the three young ladies whose harmonised vocals, right amount of sass and sheer hard work & dedication make Candy Coated Chaos such a blissful experience to listen to. Produced by Jadion (who also works with my very beloved Simon Curtis), I've been eagerly anticipating the time that music from the girls would be available for public consumption. Finally, that day has come in the form an absolutely positively, no bones about it, sure as Barack is president, free EP of five very excellent songs. They are all sponsored tunes so you have to put up with a very minor slice of sponsorship pie at the start of each track but let me assure you it is TOTALLY worth it :) I've written about the tracks before in one format or another, but for the benefit of those who came late to the class, here is the cliff notes version:

1. Angel ~ Club drenched beats provide a sultry backdrop for this stomping vocal corker from the lasses. Synths and beats percolate along the melody driven harmonies in the chorus and it's hard not to be singing along by the end of the track. Proof that Jadion does indeed deserve credit for bringing out the best in the girls.
2. Promise ~ it's the softer side of Sears for CCC on this gentle piano driven ballad. A perfect companion piece to Simon Curtis' Another Heartache, this is a lovely slice of restrained pop poetry. It's nice to see that they have resisted to make it an overblown, OTT production and keep it simple. It enhances the beauty of the song and shows that they are just as at home on the stools as they are on the dancefloor.
3. Treat ~ excuse me for being a bit excited about this tune, but i'll take anything remotely Simon Curtis while I await for his star to go stratospheric. He wrote this rather saucy little number and his trademark lyrics run through the song. Metaphors for sex couple with the need to grab a quick bite - only it sounds a lot sexier from the pen of Mr C and in the hands of the girls. It's a sparse, electro stormer that insinuates its way into your head and no matter how many eviction notices are served, refuses to leave...
4. No Time For Games ~ I've thought this song should have been a huge smash for the girls for the longest time. It's perhaps the most straightforward pop on the album and the most euro sounding of the tunes. Effing glorious chorus that just soars into the sky and explodes. It mixes the sensibilities of 90s pop tunes with the technology of today and merges the two quite well. I like.
5. Let You Be You ~ a decent midtempo tune that has the most alluring piano melody just lingering enough in the background that it doesn't take over, but prominent enough that it really enhances the song. It's a real "quiet storm" type song with some cool synthy sounds in the middle 8.

All in all, it's a pretty darn good EP and a brave move by the girls to give it away for free. I highly recommend that you go download it. If you have trouble coming up with a zip code (for example you are not from the USA) why not use 90210 or my old camp zip of 14543! Totally worth your time, to enter an email address and zip to get these five tunes for zilch pennies! It's credit crunchtastic! And! In other CCC news, Ever After (available on the myspace site) was featured in an episode of The Hills! Seems like things are really starting to fly for the girls and I am super happy. They are Sweet Sensation for the new millenium. Now, here come the all important links...

The Free EP!
CCC Myspace!

Back on sunday with weekly charts and more X-Factor!

Indeed, the girls have just got back from LA where they have been working with Simon Curtis who has written two tracks specifically for them. “Treat” is almost a modern lyrical take on Martika’s Kitchen, mixed with the down and dirty club sensibilities of Flo’Rida’s Low. It’s pretty amazing how the girls make the monotonous note of the verses sound varied and multi layered thanks to their vocals and ad-libs. “Victim” is more melodic but tackles a darker subject matter – a callous boyfriend who has been a bit of a vicious cad, all things considered. I wonder if the girls will reflect the darkness of the lyrical content of the latter, and filthy beats of the former within their videos and performances of these tracks…

“A little bit of both. The live show will most probably not have such a literal take on the lyrics, but rather a creative twist. Whose first thought on the lyrics in "Oops...I Did It Again" would've been Pop star on Mars? We will say that we just got back from LA where we were working in the studio with Simon for the first time, and we had so much fun. We know you’ve all seen his youtube vids of his dancing, so you know that he can teach us a move or two for sure!”

And Jadion? Is he up for cutting a rug on the dancefloor? The girls fall about laughing…

“We have a lot of work cut out for us with Jadion ;) we have yet to tap in to his dancing abilities haha. Seriously, working with Jadion though - it's been awesome...Jadion's the man!”

He certainly is the “invisible member” of the band. He has penned some of the early fan faves like Angel (a song that would’ve easily fitted on Britney’s Blackout, but was out months before…) and the lovely ballad Promise (Sacred Vow) that shows the girls are as comfortable pumping out the heartbreak as they are the dance moves. Of the songs not penned by Jadion or Simon, Taking Over The World tonight is the most commercial and fun. It’s almost like what A*Teens would’ve sounded like if they were still recording today, and definitely the most Europop of the songs on offer. I suggest that a cute video where they spin around the galaxy in designer spaceships is just what the Disney Channel needs right now…

“We love that idea! It's definitely up there on the list, but our single remains undecided right now. "

It’s noted that my video treatment is perhaps a little too Spice Up Your Life, but considering that the Spice Girls comeback was an utter disaster, and Girls Aloud and Sugababes are practically pop pensioners, is it not time for a funky youthful US girl group to take England by storm who definitely aren’t the Pussycat Dolls?

“When we said "We're taking over the world tonight," we meant it! It’s all down to our Candy Coated Cosmo that’s practically an elixir - Ingredients: 1/3 trendy style, 1/3 Kick ass choreography, and to top it off, 1/3 Bubbly personality. When you have a taste of our "Treat," we "Promise" they'll be "Victims”of our sound for "Ever After!"”

Ooo I see what they did there! I can tell there are “no time for games” with this lot. I guffaw at my own joke, but no one else does, so I guess I’ll put that one down to my British sense of humour :P Actually, it’s almost scary how in tune the girls are with each other. I assume they live together, but they don’t – surely they must get on each other’s nerves vying for the mirror before a show. Is it Britt? It’s Britt who takes the longest isn’t it!!

“Hmm...that's a tough one. We all have our moments at one time or another but, yeah it is Britt who would have to take the cake (Taming that lush blonde hair could be a full time job!) And actually...we practically do live together!! We spend every day together singing, dancing, and hanging out...and when we travel, we usually stay in the same room and share one bathroom! The perks are 3 times the clothes, makeup, and hair products, but a much longer wait for the shower!”

The three girls are obviously very comfortable with each other, and I’m unable to weedle any juicy gossip out of them. It’s probably this friendship that helped that perform to thousands of people at a sporting event in Florida earlier in the year – though they seem more nervous singing a few lines of a new ballad for a few friends and family….

“Quite honestly it's more nerve wracking performing in front of a small group of people. We were actually quite confident and excited. It was a big adrenaline rush. With 14,000 people, it’s the energy from the crowd that really drives you. It’s a great feeling.”


Chatting and gossiping with the girls has taken far longer than I anticipated. Ro, Britt and Steph are just charming teenage girls who happen to be in the worlds next big girl group – perhaps they can tap into the tv market where popstars are now launching their careers a la a Hannah Montana type sitcom?

"Oh! It would probably be us rehearsing, fighting, then making up. Backstage at a show and the performance. A day at the studio. Hanging out in New York City. You could probably just watch us sitting on a couch for half an hour and laugh your pants off."

Jadion interrupts at this point to say that there would probably be lengthy scenes of him yelling “WE GOTTA GO!” followed by a precise statement of how long they’ve been taking to get ready. I’m reliably informed that they usually take a. Very. Long. Time. I pity the poor guy having to shepherd three teenage girls around! As I leave, however, I remind the girls that they owe me a date – and not just a movie. I want a movie premiere…

Haha. No doubt! You Paul will be the first we call! And then you can show us around! We can’t wait to visit!

Before we go, we really want to thank you all for your support. We sincerely appreciate all of our fans and friends we have made all around the world! We hope to see each of you on a world tour in the future!

There you have them then. The effortlessly gorgeous, talented and charming Candy Coated Chaos. They don’t suck.

DOWNLOAD: Exclusive album sampler…
MYSPACE: www.myspace.com/cccsound
JADION: http://www.jadion.com/

The fizzypop guide to CCC tracks:

• Treat
• Taking Over The World
• Angel (remix)
• Take Me Home Tonite
• No Time 4 Games
• Angel

UPDATED 15th June with this weeks top 21 tracks...

21 ~ David Jordan, Move On
20 ~ Rongedal, Just A Minute
19 ~ Ola, Love In Stereo
18 ~ Rongedal, Who Do You Think You're Fooling? (NE)
17 ~ Miley Cyrus, 7 Things (NE)
16 ~ The Feeling, Without You
15 ~ Jesse McCartney, Bleeding Love
14 ~ Blake Lewis, How Many Words?
13 ~ Mariah Carey, Bye Bye
12 ~ Madonna, 4 Minutes
11 ~ The Feeling, Turn It Up
10 ~ McFly, One For The Radio
09 ~ Alphabeat, 10,000 Nights
08 ~ BWO, Lay Your Love On Me
07 ~ Jack McManus, Bang On My Piano
06 ~ Enrique, Can You Hear Me?
05 ~ Madonna, Give It 2 Me
04 ~ BWO, Bells of Freedom
03 ~ Jason Mraz, Lucky
02 ~ Maroon 5/Rihanna, Never See Your Face
01 ~ Kylie, The One (2 weeks)


Excessively important news:

Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Hotstufffiles is back. Let me repeat that in bad blogger manners shouty speak. HOTSTUFFFILES IS BACK. I nearly wept. With joy. (Edit - 15th June - well it's a work in progress at the very least!) Digital Technique is also back! And check out these ace blogs i've just discovered and am blogrolling as I type...

• Rock Steady Vibe (he likes Debbie Gibson!!!)
• Work Your Magic
• Strike Curious Poses

Ah summer has turned to rain (not summer rain though like that Belinda Carlisle chick sang about - my fave song of hers btw) and that is fine with me. I am summer scrooge. I don't dig the sun. I don't like being hot. I am a winter bunny! But never mind our fair anglophonic (huh?!) weather, for the ladies are currently singing their little socks off with a variety of summer jams that are guaranteed (note: not a guarantee) to match whatever mood you are in...

THE LAID BACK GROOVE:

Dame Kylie of Minogue occassionally does good fourth single. Je Ne Sais Pas Pourquoi was tres bon, Tears on my Pillow was not. Please Stay was pleasing enough and Come Into My World inviting enough. The One, however, may just well gosh darn be her best fourth single since Shocked! It's not one of those "in your face" almost novelty classics that the non x-factor judging minogue does so excellently (Can't Get You Out of My Head is a prime example) but a lovely relaxed melody that effortlessly soars into your memory and coats you with it's sweet thumping bass. The Freemasons have done an excellent job at swizzling this about a bit into an "amazing" (copyright: popjustice) dance anthem that is easily her best since, well, Wow. And naysayers be gone because apart from a couple of duds, this is only her second album ever where I can easily pick 6-7 singles (Light Years being the other). Bring on Cosmic with a new track AA side for Christmas please - I would be in K-hole heaven then :P

THE CASIO KEYBOARD HIT:

I confess. I am still in love with four minutes. I don't play it quite as much as I used to, and DazPecs and I don't the conveyer belt dance quite as often as before, but every time I hear it I am still a little bit delighted. But bring on the second single I say. Cheap video aside, this shows Hard Mandy still has that one-two punch when it comes to picking top class first and second singles from her albums. Case in point:

• Like A Prayer/Express Yourself
• Erotica/Deeper and Deeper
• Music/Don't Tell Me
• Hung Up/Sorry

All very brilliant. Give It 2 Me is a simple enough groove that you will either love or "meh" over by now. I'm of the school that thinks Hard Candy is the everlasting gobstopper, the gift that keeps on giving - it's not her best album, but it certainly doesn't get worse with each listen. This song, while sounding like a badly dubbed porn video at the start ("Hey Madonna, let me take you to the club") and the entirely unnecessary "get stupid" refrained middle 8, is incessantly catchy, relentlessly perky and rather addictive. I swear Lady Mandy has borrowed L'il Lily Allen's casio keyboard for this number and now refuses to give it back. A definite summer fave of mine. Plus, so the legend goes, for every single or download purchased of Give It 2 Me, Madonna's life is extended by 4 Minutes! Be humanitarian. Choose Life.

THE DEAD ARE RISEN:

It's nothing short of a miracle how Mariah resurrected her ailing career after mentalness and glitter. But here she is, still shimmying away with her lady flaps hanging down the sides of her short shorts. Mariah always does well with sentimental, manipulative tommyrot like Thank God I've Found You, Without You and One Sweet Day - and I always end up loving them and hating myself for it afterwards. Bye Bye has faded for me a little bit. I loved it when i first heard it on her mathmatical equation loving album, but since then I am a little bit "meh" about it. I still think it's a lovely tune and a gorgeous vocal from Mimi, but perhaps not enough to be the huge "we could be together" smash she was probably hoping for. (Sidebar your honour: I have this horrible feeling they will use this song on the x-factor when people don't get through to the next round. That would be more mortifying than when Kym Marsh sang How Do I Live Without You with a montage of her kids on the big screens at Hear'say's concerts. They weren't dead Kym, you just abandoned them for fame and fortune). Time to Migrate to the clubs me feels, mazza.

Other brilliant lady tunes:

• Jem ~ It's Amazing (solid return for the amazing Welsh lass who was amazing before Duffy knew how to beg for Mercy. I so need to do a flashback to her debut album cos I loved it!)
• Miley Cyrus ~ 7 Things (Yes I'm still going on about how ace it is. I've practically memorised it all now, though i can still only get through five things without fucking up. Boo)
• Candy Coated Chaos ~ Treat (Check out Jadion's revamped page for a provisional tracklisting of their upcoming album. I was given an exclusive whirl of this Simon Curtis penned track and I am still floored by how amazingly chart topping worthy it is. Screw Hard Candy. Bring on the chaos!)

Check out the boys singles here...

CCC with V Factory - musing over pop world domination

If VFactory are the next big thing in boybands, then surely my beloved Candy Coated Chaos will ride the girl group wave to international success very shortly. From blissful beginnings the girls have eschewed the "fall out drunk from clubs" route to fame, and replaced it with a strong work ethic and commitment that is only matched by their talent. Far from mere pop poppets, the girls individual styles makes the group visually stand out, while their choreography is slick and exciting. Add to that mix their harmonic voices blended together with such razor sharp precision that i'm scared I'll cut myself just listening, and it's a confectioners dream - no hard candy here (see what i did there???)

When not hobnobbing with VFactory guru, Tommy Page (above with the lasses), CCC are busy at work with my fave producer Jadion putting together an array of tracks that dazzle and delight. Most of them i've written about before over the past 12 months but they are certainly worth revisiting and more than stand the test of time. When a rock track is turned into a dance number, it can either be an amazing treat or an utter disaster - Eddie Money's Take Me Home Tonite is turned into an ominously thudding floor filler that has added layers thanks to the carefully added harmonic backing vocals complimenting the main thrust of the song. No Time 4 Games is swedish pop from the 90s with a millenial sheen added to it - glorious chorus btw in this track with a really assertive vocal without shouting that matches the message of the lyrics perfectly. For a softer side to the girls check out their latest version of Promise. Entitled Sacred Vow, it's the perfect compliment to Simon Curtis' Another Heartache ~ beautiful piano, elegant vocal. I can only imagine a lovely candle lit video accompanying this track. And trust me ~ HUGE things are just around the corner for these girls, some ace collaborations coming up with one of my fave people and of course the amazing talents of Jadion behind them - it's a cocktail that simply can't fail.

• Woo hoo! Blake Lewis releases an EP of remixes for How Many Words on Tuesday. I'm not crazy about the lazy cover but can't wait to hear the radio remix...
• The ever stunning Same Difference are headlining Blackpool Pride this weekend. Lucky chav gays :P
• Isabel Guzman is EVERYWHERE! Check out her webpage for the latest blogger postings... PS! Try to spell her name correctly bloggy dudes!
• Woo hoo! sergey continues to show his taste and class by booking Birmingham Pride! And busy recording the russian HSM soundtrack! He is so same difference right now :P