Lopez Blogs

Boo :( I have toothache. This is probably entirely my own fault as is usually the case with toothache. I am seeing the dentist on Monday morning. He will glare at me with his smouldering eyes and make me feel bad for indulging in that toffee from the £5 special offer tin of Quality Street. Curse the supermarket price wars! They will be the ultimate downfall of my nashers. So I am powering through the weekend with co-codemol and ibuprofen. And some surprisingly effective baby teething gel! Magnif! Luckily, there is lots of music to get me through til Monday morning. Here is what you should be checking out (toothache sympathy in the comments please!)...

Songs to ease the toothache :)

• Shayne Ward ~ Gotta Be Somebody: Christ this is getting out of hand! First Westlife do Chris Daughtry, then Joe does Donkeyboy. Next we'll have JLS coming out with a cover of some Hoobastank song! Frankly I was mortified when I heard Shayne was coming back with a Nickelback song! Both him and Joe have tweeted so much about the amazing music they are making, then both pop up with cover versions. However, I have learnt not to make snap judgements and rather than a straightforward cover, Shayne has got a nice glossy pop/r'n'b arrangement rendering it significantly different from an original I really wasn't too familiar with anyway. The full version is actually quite engaging, and a solid return for Shayne that I'm more smitten with with each listen. Hopefully the general public will agree too...
• Adam Tyler ~ Operation: Adam Tyler is currently in the united kingdom and by all accounts having a whale of a time. That has no bearing on whether this track is good or not. I'm pleased to report however that it is rather bonza. It's a sleek, persistant electro groove - Adam's tapping his lower register on the vocals and his voice sounds great. It's very downbeat lyrically, about removing negativity of a failed relationship from his life - the middle 8 sounds particularly sinister when Adam sings "anesthesia" and the backing gets almost psychotic; it's bleeps and beats all over the place but held tautly together with some great production. Is this the outcome of living too long with his Friction addiction? Regardless, it works well as a sequel to that song or just a great piece of pop music. More per favor.
• Mohombi ~ Bumpy Ride: I can't believe it's taken me this long to write about Mohombi and his instantly infectious track Bumpy Ride. Basically he's a RedOne protege and he's crafted a fun, compelling summer anthem that will take you way into Autumn and beyond. It mixes smooth vocals with a slightly reggae infused track and comes across as a slightly more credible Start Without You. The video is a bit literal and reminds me at times of Peter Andre, but overall it's definitely an enticing tune that reels you in. Apparently lots more good Mohombi stuff is coming up (War Zone is brillo)....
• Magnus Carlsson ~ Best In Me: Oh my amazesticles! Magnus - always a reliable bet for some bonkers, gleeful pop majesty - has popped himself in a time machine, whizzed back to 1989 and produced one of the most thoroughly giddily enjoyable sparklingly fizzy pop treats of the year! It's not just inspired by Stock Aitken & Waterman, it's positively drenched in their influences. I'm pretty certain the backing track owes a huge debt to Love In The First Degree. It doesn't even matter. It's such a feel good piece of music and I can't wait to devour Magnus' "Pop Galaxy" next week. It could be absolutely immensicles...

• Charlotte Church ~ Back To Scratch: This is a very lovely, lilting return to pop for Charlotte. It totally follows on from more madcap numbers like Crazy Chick & Call Your Name, but represents a more mature reading from her - a reflection of what she has been through the past few years. Her voice remains well suited for this type of number and there's a sadness mixed in with the quite wonderful floating music. It's all pulled together very well and I'm ever so eager for her album next month. Love the multiple charlottes video above too! Amazes.
• Velvet Code ~ Follow You Follow Me: I first heard of Velvet Code on Larry Flick's Morning Jolt. It's synth pop at it's finest and is an insidious tune that soon weaves it's way into your synapses and refuses to let go. It's beautifully created music that shimmies with the knowledge that the person behind has a thorough understanding of what makes pop music great. The chorus in itself represents a simplicity of melody but with some complex electro instrumentation running behind it that elevates it to huge singalong status. Definitely one to watch

Top 21 singles of the week:

21 ~ Bright Light x 2, Love Part II
20 ~ Ace of Base, All For You
19 ~ Brandon Flowers, Only The Young
18 ~ Bjorn Johan Muri, Once Upon A Time
17 ~ Joe McElderry, Ambitions (NE)
16 ~ Eric Saade, Masquerade
15 ~ Darin, Lovekiller
14 ~ Jesse McCartney, Shake
13 ~ Charlotte Church, Back To Scratch (NE)
12 ~ DeeDee, Balls
11 ~ Kelly Rowland, Shake Them Haters Off
10 ~ Nadine Coyle, Insatiable
09 ~ James Blunt, Stay The Night (vid)
08 ~ Sophie Ellis Bextor, Not Giving Up On Love
07 ~ Kylie, Get Outta My Way
06 ~ Scissor Sisters, Any Which Way
05 ~ Jessie J, Price Tag
04 ~ Elouise, The Winner Takes It All
03 ~ Maroon 5, Give A Little More
02 ~ Gravitonas, Religious
01 ~ Robbie Williams, Shame (3 weeks)

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...

Thank god for the weekend (now is the time, etc)... it's the final ever UK Big Brother tonight. If you're not from the UK, you may not be aware what a phenomenon it has been for 11 summers (and quite a few winters). It's had its ups and downs over the years and is probably the right time to retire it, but it's sad to see it go. Darren and I got together the summer it first aired back in 2000 and it's been part of our summers to an extent ever since. Oh gosh! I hope he didn't say to himself "i'll stay as long as Big Brother airs in the UK" in a Mary Poppins staying til the wind changes sort of way!! Gosh I guess I'll find out in the morning! Well in the meantime, here are some very special and brillo acts to get you through the weekend...

Ollie Wride ~ I've written about Ollie before, as have people with very good taste like Nick, Aaron and Poppostergirl. He really is something very special indeed and I can't help but feel it's only a matter of time before he is quite massive indeed. Headrush remains a glorious, energetic, thrusting gem of a tune. Ollie has been out and about singing his songs at various gigs - and (as you can see above) manages the tricky task of managing to make harlequin stripey trousers look quite good as it goes. A couple of new songs have popped up on Ollie's soundcloud page and are further evidence that he is properly aces. Silhouettes is a song written for Charlie Haddon (from Ou Est Le Swimming Pool) before he tragically died last month. I'm not familiar with the work of the group, but the lyrics take on an extra sadness and pathos ("only the young survive/you're a memory stuck in time") and are beautifully delivered by Ollie to a sumptuous retro 80s soundscape. It's a haunting tune and works as a standalone and a lovely tribute to Charlie. It's an incredibly mature and accomplished tune and one that should further Ollie's standing as someone to watch out for. Modern Man is a more playful tune, with gentle but definite glam rock influences. It's chorus practically skips along and instantly sounds like you've known it all your life. There's an electrifying middle 8 and it's just a thoroughly entertaining tune. His vocal style is so engaging and it's so effortlessly likeable from the off. Oh god, please let there be an album (/ Birmingham gig) soon!!

Super Mirage ~ Is it just me or is Brooklyn getting rather good at giving us rather good music? Super Mirage are a quartet of jolly swell dudes who are just having a rollicking time making entirely danceable indie-pop that pervades the brain and just makes every moment of life more exciting. Not only are their songs as infectious as anything, but they are jam-packed with witty lyricisms. Take Song For A Go Go Girl - a warning tale about some foxy little floosy bopping her boots off at a million miles an hour. They advise that "little do they know/when you're 63/you're gonna look a little less pretty". If only someone would tell Madonna :P It's all set to a deliriously upbeat instrumental and a sweet vocal with added harmonies in the chorus - it's pop sensibilities but with a decidedly wicked twist. Never Too Late is another track from their debut album (Pretty Lies) and totally worthy of your pennies (hey if you can splash out $4 on the quick thrill of a latte, then you can throw some money at longer lasting musical pleasures)... it shows a different side of the boys than Song For A Go Go Girl as it is a heavier, more intense rocking track and although darker in delivery, it's the juxtaposition of being a more optimistic song than the poppier, yet more ominous Go Go Girl. And I like that. Their live shows seem to have a great energy and comraderie to them (their album launch featured burlesque dancers cavorting around stage - how brilliant) and I'm hopeful they will bring their music and show to the UK soon :)

Top 21 singles of the week:

21 ~ Brandon Flowers, Crossfire
20 ~ Bjorn Johan Muri, Once Upon A Time (NE)
19 ~ Jesse McCartney, Shake (NE)
18 ~ Gabriella Cilmi, Love Me Cos You Want To
17 ~ Bright Light x 2, Love Part II
16 ~ Amy Meredith, Lying
15 ~ Maroon 5, Misery
14 ~ McFly, Party Girl
13 ~ Alesha Dixon, Drummer Boy
12 ~ Ace of Base, All For You
11 ~ Kelly Rowland, Shake Them Haters Off
10 ~ Scissor Sisters, Any Which Way
09 ~ DeeDee, Balls
08 ~ Sophie Ellis Bextor, Not Giving Up On Love
07 ~ Kylie, Get Outta My Way
06 ~ Eric Saade, Masquerade
05 ~ Darin, Lovekiller
04 ~ Elouise, The Winner Takes It All
03 ~ Maroon 5, Give A Little More (video)
02 ~ Gravitonas, Religious
01 ~ Robbie Williams, Shame (1 week)

Coming soon: Elouise! Maroon 5 album review! And probably that boyband thing i keep promising!

It's been quite a lovely week away in the tranquil remote rural prettiness of (uh) Uckfield. Sure, the internet connection has been quite ghastly so I haven't quite managed to do some of the almost pre-prepared blogs I had planned on (Gravitonas and Darin, your time is coming!). And sure, the tranquil calm of a Pimms & lemonade on the verandah overlooking a gorgeous woodland meadow has been interrupted by a fox pouncing on the pheasants (not cocks as I erroneously identified the pretty little flockers on twitter) and creating hideous carnage. And yeah, watching The Blair Witch Project literally in the middle of nowhere with the trees outside creating weird shadows inside probably wasn't the greatest idea in the world. But all in all, it's been quite a heavenly week. My mind often goes to weird places when I'm in the wilderness and I sort of decided that a brilliant Comic Relief single for 2011 would be the reformation of Bananarama with Lanananeenanoonoo on the song embedded above. How festive and fabulous would that be? Can someone please PLEASE make this happen?! For now though, because I am totally out of the pop music loop, why not check out my fave songs of the week (yes, I'm devastated at the rumours that a #2 smash on my chart for Same Difference isn't parlaying into the same success in the top 40 UK charts :/ Though yay for the news at Scandipop) and you can tell me what i've missed (or just read this post at PosterGirl)....



Top 21 Songs of the week

21 ~ Brandon Flowers, Crossfire
20 ~ Kylie, All The Lovers
19 ~ Same Difference, Shine On Forever
18 ~ Gabriella Cilmi, Love Me Cos You Want To
17 ~ Bright Light x2, Love Part II
16 ~ Alesha Dixon, Drummer Boy
15 ~ Maroon 5, Misery
14 ~ Mcfly, Party Girl
13 ~ Amy Meredith, Lying
12 ~ Ace of Base, All For You
11 ~ Elouise, Winner Takes It All (NE)
10 ~ Kelly Rowland, Shake Them Haters Off
09 ~ Sophie Ellis Bextor, Not Giving Up On Love
08 ~ Eric Saade, Masquerade
07 ~ Scissor Sisters, Any Which Way
06 ~ Maroon 5, Give A Little More
05 ~ Kylie, Get Outta My Way (VID ABOVE)
04 ~ DeeDee, Balls
03 ~ Darin, Lovekiller
02 ~ Robbie Williams, Shame
01 ~ Gravitonas, Religious (2 weeks)

That boyband blog I keep wanting to do keeps getting pushed further and further back. By the time I get round to it, it will be completely irrelevant. Having said that, after yesterday's love spaff over the Robbie & Gary duet (Robbary? Garobbie? Gobby?!), I've been listening to the greatest hits of Take That (post 2006) while packing for a lovely week away in the cottage down in the hidden countryside of East Sussex. Cannot wait. All this Robbie love has reminded me that it's nigh on 10 years since the appearance of my second favourite male singer of all time (Simon Curtis, you're third!) William of Young, so this week's update is mainly focused on what the charming chappie is up to...

William of Young - the latest:

William has been seriously dabbling with his acting for a while now, hasn't he? There was Mrs Henderson Presents (with some music. Yay!); then he was rather spiffing as Nicky Lancaster in Noel Coward's The Vortex on the very boards of London's own West End Wendy theatre district (which as someone quite rightly pointed out wasn't in the West End at all but rather in Manchester. A Manchester Theatre Mandy!); you may have missed him voicing Roald Dahl's Danny Champion Of The World but it's still available at all good audio book emporioums as we speak; and of course most recently he's guested in Skins and uh, Miss Marple (surely Doctor Who must be needing him soon?!) Anyway, early in 2011, William will be back on UK screens in a spooky new drama called Bedlam. Apparently it's about residents in an apartment block that is the former site of a victorian mental asylum. Lordy. It's bound to be utterly terrifying. I'm quaking at the horrors of the wardrobe already :P

And, though this isn't 'new' news, William of course has been knocking around with Groove Armada and recorded a song with them called History. The track seems to have been around forever and a day, but is finally getting a release - and a rather good video has popped up on youtube (thanks Dan Project 76!!). It gives William a bit of a boot into the world of dance that he's always been threatening to delve into rather than the toe-dipping that has gone on in the past (mainly with Fred Falke remixes)... It's essentially Small Town Boy by Bronski Beat for 2010, but so very well done that it's hard to complain. If you search around you will probably come across a Grum remix here or there, and both mixes are a real testament to how versatile William is as a vocalist. Utterly delightful and quite shameful that I haven't blogged about this properly before. Oh and the "viral video" above is a proper clever piece of work :)

Top 21 songs of the week:

21 ~ Eric Saade, It's Gonna Rain
20 ~ Kylie, All The Lovers
19 ~ Same Difference, Shine On Forever
18 ~ Brandon Flowers, Crossfire
17 ~ Gabriella Cilmi, Love Me Cos You Want To
16 ~ Alesha Dixon, Drummer Boy
15 ~ Bright Light x 2, Love Part II
14 ~ McFly, Party Girl
13 ~ Ace Of Base, All For You (VID)
12 ~ Amy Meredith, Lying
11 ~ Sophie Ellis Bextor, Not Giving Up On Love
10 ~ Maroon 5, Misery
09 ~ Maroon 5, Give A Little More
08 ~ Eric Saade, Masquerade
07 ~ Scissor Sisters, Any Which Way
06 ~ Kelly Rowland, Shake Them Haters Off
05 ~ Robbie Williams/Gary Barlow, Shame (NE)
04 ~ DeeDee, Balls
03 ~ Kylie, Get Outta My Way
02 ~ Darin, Lovekiller
01 ~ Gravitonas, Religious (1 week)

Next week: Some interviews (ooer!); The X Factor - auditions week two; possibly the boyband post; the embargoed thingy! MY HOLIDAY!!!

This post should have gone up yesterday, but then I got all distracted by the X Factor. Then I got distracted by all the palava about the X Factor autotune malarky. Crikey. And then I spent far too long gazing at the new Robbie Williams single sleeve for Shame (which I shall probably be writing a lot about on Thursday). Then Darren came in looking all sorts of fine, so I know where that led. Then i woke up with a gunky eye and here I am. Better late than never are my six songs for Sunday. On a Monday. Perhaps you can save them for next Sunday. Waffle over...

Six Songs For Sunday:

• CJ Baran ~ Boomerang: You may or may not remember CJ Baran as one part of power pop group Push Play. They made some nice tunes. CJ looked quite nice in a suit. They split up (I think). Fear not, because CJ is actually shining as a solo star. He has managed to put together a collection of stonking tunes that are not only reminiscent of a Dr. Luke sound, but have a definite electro-pop vibe (drenched in funk and disco) about them that just sizzles. BOOMerang is an essential getting ready to go out tune guaranteed to get you singing along and put you in a proper bonza mood. The "boom boom boom" refrain in the chorus is a slice of genius and a semi-rapped middle 8 with wiggly synth noises is incredibly addictive. And if that has whet your appetite for more, be sure to check out his response ditty to California Gurls on youtube. Amazing.
• Mans Zelmerlow ~ Et Maintenant: Oh Mans. You speak French too! Is there no end to your charms?! The dishy Swedish pop star belted out a gorgeous broadway ready version of the French standard this weekend in Sweden. He was backed by a full orchestra giving a grandiose to the proceedings often missing in these popstar performances for tv shows. Even if you don't understand what he is singing about, he imbues the performance with such grace, passion and elegance that it is mesmerising. The dramatic ending is all sorts of wonderful. And yes, that is Marie Serneholt looking on in the first few seconds. Heavenly.

• A1 ~ In Love and I Hate It: A1 are back! Again! This is their third single since their reform as a trio and possibly their best yet. It's definitely their cleverest title so far and that has to count for something does it not? It has a very gentle, acoustic built verse before a sparkling chorus comes flying in and builds into a powerfully propelled not quite ballad with enormous singalong potential. The boys (collectively and individually) have proved they can throw out an amazing pop tune or two and this is a worthy addition to the collection. Some clever lyrics reflect the juxtaposition of the title song (matching love/hate; agony/ecstasy) and the general instrumental perkiness is a nice antidote to the futile situation the boys find themselves in. The voices sound great, the tune is fantastic and it's upped my anticipation levels for a fine new album from the lads.
• Ola ~ Fire: It's pretty relentless when you are a Swedish popstar. Darin's output this year is crazy. Eric is on single 4 from his 3 month old debut album. And Ola has barely finished with his latest EP and he's contributing to the Swedish version of the Camp Rock 2 soundtrack with the funk-hop vibed Fire. It's perfectly in keeping with Ola's recent output so sits nicely in his discography and he looks great singing along with Mohammed and Endre in the video. It's Disney with an everso miniscule pop-cool edge and I love it :)

• Westlife ~ Viva La Vida/You Raise Me Up: Oh Westlife. 11 years on and I still adore you. Despite the woeful lack of promotion of their fine Where We Are album, the boys have been ploughing forward with a series of immense concerts that has culminated with a Steve Anderson produced acoustic set in Dublin. Sadly I wasn't there, but that is what the power of youtube is for! Their cover of Viva La Vida put a different spin on recent versions by Darin and Pet Shop Boys, but perfectly showcased the boys vocal control and was soundtracked by a glorious & sumptuous string section. Mark's vocal is quite spinetingling and as they come out of the instrumental middle 8, the song just flies, soars and majestically floats around the arena. Oh, and their acoustic reading of You Raise Me Up had me goosebumping like crazy. This HAS to be released on dvd :)
• The Hoosiers ~ Who Said Anything (About Falling In Love): I've heard all the buzz and great reviews around the new Hoosiers sound and so of course I had to delve in and try it for myself. Thanks to XO, I have an instant favourite from the album. It's not brilliantly representative of what is on the album, but it is a dramatic pop tune built around some luxurious keyboard riffs, a gentle shuffling beat and then a delicious string section in the chorus. It's vaguely reminiscent of Tears For Fears and if The Feeling have a tune as delightful as this on their next album, I will be over the moon :)

Top 21 singles of the week:

21 ~ Eric Saade, It's Gonna Rain
20 ~ Darin, Can't Stop Love
19 ~ Kylie, All The Lovers
18 ~ Brandon Flowers, Crossfire
17 ~ Same Difference, Shine On Forever
16 ~ Alesha Dixon, Drummer Boy
15 ~ Ace of Base, All For You
14 ~ Sophie Ellis Bextor, Not Giving Up On Love (NE)
13 ~ Maroon 5, Give A Little More (NE/PIC)
12 ~ Gabriella Cilmi, Love Me Cos You Want To
11 ~ McFly, Party Girl
10 ~ Eric Saade, Masquerade
09 ~ Gravitonas, Religious (NE)
08 ~ Scissor Sisters, Any Which Way
07 ~ Bright LightX2, Love Part II
06 ~ Maroon 5, Misery
05 ~ DeeDee, Balls
04 ~ Kylie, Get Outta My Way
03 ~ Kelly Rowland, Shake Them Haters Off
02 ~ Amy Meredith, Lying
01 ~ Darin, Lovekiller (3 weeks)

Coming soon: Gravitonas. Robbie Williams. Gary Barlow. Boybands. McFly.

The weekend is gently drifting to a climax and I've had a proper relax session which seems to have rebooted my system for the better I feel :) Hurrah. And now less than two weeks until holiday. How utterly pleasing. All this down time has meant I've finally had a proper chance to luxuriate in some of the new musical fruits of the week and my faves are discussed below. Hope everyone reading is all sorts of fabulousity :) See you in the week!!

Scissor Sisters ~ Any Which Way:

Since I first heard the mighty Night Work album (read review here), I was drawn to Any Which Way. Whether it be the Kylie backing vocals, the surprise Kylie guest vocal at Glastonbury or the utterly sordid middle 8 from Ana Matronic it worked as both a giddy album track and now, of course, as a gleefully naughty single choice. And hurrah! The video is here - and it's a doozy. You know the drill by now - here's what you need to know...

• The video starts with a nice static image of the Scissters logo - surely that is fairly iconic now. Like if they didn't put their names on an album, but just that image people would pick it up and know exactly what they were purchasing?
• Jake is running in very slow motion and kind of looks like Andy Bell 20 years ago. There is a shot of some fire extinguishers. And some blokes dancing with rubber animal heads on. I hope they can breathe ok in there!
• Pause at 19s for a brilliant piece of live action art work. It's just brilliant - it reminds me of a more disco-ified shot from Les Miserables; or more appropriately, that episode from Buffy/Angel where Spike, Dru, Angel and Daria are at the Chinese Boxer Revolution.
• Oh don't make me move on just yet - I could stare at that image all the live long day. Ana looks great with the flag, and Jake has quite the package going on in those tight little tennis shorts. Mazel tov!
• The vocals start and Jake is in some sort of fishnet stocking top. It shouldn't work, but this is Jake and it totally does. He is flanked by some dancers in primary colour leotards.
• None of that matters though because at about 25s Jake flashes his guns and they are freaking enormous. Everything else just disappears as you marvel at this moment...
• A bit more dancing goes on and some nuddy ladies get their groove on behind various household objects. I quite like the bit where Jake is all dressed in vinyl clothing and sings into multiple megaphones...
• Note: Vinyl clothing is very in line with the clubbing theme of the album. One assumes you can pop into a dark room, get your freak on and then just sponge anything off when you emerge. Sassy yet practical too...
• The scissters proceed to launch through various pyramids of cups which of course go flying everywhere. In terms of practicality, I hope they got that right first shot or some poor bugger was going to have to stack them all over again each time!
• The video continues to be filled with postcard stills - pause at 52s for a lovely shot of divine Del popping on some sort of helmet (oo-er) that could poke your eye out...
• Slow mo running AndyBellJake crashes through some vivid red sugar glass as the pieces splinter across the screen. Normally my health and safety side would kick in and worry that he got cut, but his body looks rock hard so it probably all just bounced off!
• You will no doubt want to pause at 1m19s and spend some time with that! I did :)
• Del's helmet (oo-er again) seems to be bunsenburner-rific. It is flaming all over the place. Much like this video :P
• Nude Ana and Jake alert at 1m45s! I really want to grab that Scissor Sister alarm c(l)ock with both hands and caress ;)
• There is lots more colourful dancing, more megaphones, a return of the fire extinguishers, more cup destruction and er, a table full of toys. Kids toys. Not Scissor Sisters at night toys (though who knows?!)
• Bondagey-lederhosen Jake does a rather graceful back fall into a pure white sheet juxtaposed with some colourful ornaments. It's quite stunning.
• Ooo! IT'S THE MIDDLE 8!!!
• Ana looks all sorts of dominant, but also a little bit like she is channelling Bette Midler from Hocus Pocus. This is a compliment. I love Bette and Hocus Pocus is a right good romp that you should whip out right now if you haven't already seen!
• Her facial expressions during her sexually liberating dialogue are amazing (postcard pause alert at 2m38s) - in fact, she is so on fire (with fire) that BabyDaddy is standing by with some sort of industrial Ghostbusters extinguisher to hose her down...
• It's not that at all - it's a sushi shooter. I don't know why I didn't think that straight away. Every home should have one ;)
• Ana does a bra flash (nice rack) and then pulls out her sword to cut those sushi down to platter size. Incredible.
• The band do their thing in various vivid primary colours, but I am too devastated by the destruction of the alarm clock :( That would have looked so good on my shelf next to, uh, my Lion King alarm clock...
• It appropriately ends with that brilliant shot of them running with the flag and a flash of final colour. All sorts of amazing really isn't it. I am so cosmic horny right now :P

Top 21 Songs of the Week (& Chart Chat):

• Eric Saade ~ it's been quite a week for Eric with his ace new video for Masquerade and some positively bonza performances on Swedish tv. Make sure you also check out Swedish Stereo for the rather good remix of his Break of Dawn ballad...
• Maroon 5 (above) ~ I think I really didn't bother to connect with California Girls (I can't bring myself to misspell it) this summer because I was too besotted with Misery. There is now a tamed down, cartoonified UK version of the video that I'm a bit iffy about - on the one hand, I love seeing more of the band in there but the cartoon erasing of the violence really tames it down too much for my liking. Bring on the album already! Great Bimbo Jones remix of this floating out there btw!
• Darin (below) ~ finally, it wouldn't be a new week on fizzypop if the pop machine that is Darin wasn't teasing us with mighty new music. There are snippets of his fifth (can you believe it's five already?!) album all week on his youtube page, but the real find is Microphone - a song he is using to help promote the new season of Swedish Idol. It's likely to be the most uptempo track on his ballad heavy album and the snippet of it is pure unadulterated pop that is sending me into a frenzy. Oh I cannot wait the 3 days til his album is finally released :)

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

Coming soon: Darin album review; Darin & Eric acoustic; boyband round up; probably some other stuff too...

Thank Christ it's Saturday. I'm going to have to get used to doing my weekly catch up post on a Fri/Sat instead of Sunday for the forseeable future as X Factor is back next Saturday and I will be busy doing my write ups of them for each Sunday (though I can't remember whether I blog the auditions or not, or just start at bootcamp stage? I will see how enthused I am!)... Other than that, it's only two weeks til my countryside retreat week and only 105 days til I go for a Christmas break in Disney World. Woohoo! Gotta keep those holiday goals in sight :) Right, what's been occurring this week?

The week that was...

• Reclusive Barclay Brothers ~ We Could Be Lonely Together: I am not exaggerating when I say that A LOT has been written about the business model of RBB this week. Basically, it's billed as they are paying you £27 to listen to their music. What really happens is you enter your email into their website and are entered into a draw (read more on it all here). I'd rather concentrate on the song though because I really like it :) It's essentially an enticing tune with a slightly punky attitude.It's built around a fuzzy glam-rock guitar sound with a vocal style over it that comes across as both a little aggressive and a little sweet. In this type of tune, the vocal has to carry the melody and it's definitely strong and distinctive enough to do that. It gels together with clever lyrics and enough hook to have that chorus swimming in your head for days. If Bowie were a woman he would have been proud to have released this tune. Oh and two things - 1) the guitarist is uncoventionally handsome and definitely worthy of the cosmic horn and 2) my email is thezapping@gmail.com. Just saying :P
• DeeDee ~ Balls: Not enough people are writing about the entirely charming, yet potty mouthed DeeDee. All this will change very shortly I should imagine. I became somewhat entranced with her brilliant tune Endure earlier in the year and it seems she is stepping up a gear as she readies the release of her first EP. Balls is a lyrical triumph that stands out in an overcrowded market of dear diary assertive female singers (see Lily Allen, Kate Nash, Eliza Doolittle et al). It's a devilishly vaudevillian slice of pop-cabaret with vicious putdown lyrics aimed at an errant lover. It's the clever structure of the song that makes it all flow together seamlessly - the verses finish mid sentence and it swiftly continues into a galloping chorus that is instantly a new generation's You Oughta Know. Only catchier. Let's not forget that sinfully delightful middle 8 - a rompy breakdown of "fuck you, you motherfucker/i wanna run you over with my truck-a/you're the reason I'm outta luck-a"... it deserves - no, demands to be sung loud and proud. A gem of a pop tune and surely the start of big big things for DeeDee...
• Elouise - Stardust Live: The ever so lovely, delicate Elouise has launched a brand new website in support of upcoming music and a live show on Sept 11th at the beautiful looking Tabernacle venue in London. The website is full of little treats like a cute video of Elouise in a rather lovely looking garden, some musical treats and of course some nice rehearsal footage of her practicing some new dance routines for the ace gang to master (hello Kris Manuel! :P) Things are only looking glittery and glam for Elouise right now, so if you aren't already a convert, be sure to spend time with her sound as she readies her debut album with the incomparable Mr Steve Anderson. Cannot wait. Oh, ace gang summit today to plan the trip to the concert :P
• Pretty Little Liars ~ yes it's all a bit Twin Peaks meets Veronica Mars via Gossip Girl, but naturally I have become obsessed with ABC Family (surely the new WB?) latest summer smash. And no it's not just because teacher Ezra Fitz is all sorts of apple bringing amazing :P It's just one of those so called Guilty Pleasures and the OTT cliffhanger has me both furious and curious :P Like all these teen shows, there's an element of great music in it (particularly the theme tune) which made me yearn for the days of The OC and Dawson's Creek. Then, via Pip at Entertainment Focus, I discovered a rather great compilation cd with loads of US tv show music in it. Called American Dreams, there is bound to be something amazing on there to remind you of the glory days of the WB. And it's £2 off if you quote "PLAYDREAMS" at Play.com. Bargainings!
• The Baseballs ~ Chasing Cars: I've been a smitten little kitten with The Baseballs for a while now and finally it seems like they are getting their due across Europe with their brand of rockabilly covers of current(ish) pop tunes. Their latest is a typically rollicking run through of Snow Patrol weepy Chasing Cars. It turns it from MOR rock ballad into something that would have propelled Cha Cha DeGrigorio (the best dancer at St Bernadettes - with the worst reputation...:P). The thing that really works about the Baseballs is they put so much energy into their performances, turn familiar tunes into something different and new and exude such charm that it's hard not to like them. Now how about some All The Lovers and Bad Romance on album two please?!

Back tomorrow with Scissor Sisters video and a chart rundown!

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

THE RETURN OF MCFLY:


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

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

TOP 21 SONGS OF THE WEEK:

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

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

Ah Monsieur Simon of the Curtis. In case you didn't know, I'm quite the fan. Perhaps even a stan as the popjustice forum mob might say, whatever that is. Anyway, I've devoured Alter Boy, I've had an 8 Bit Heart bypass and I've seen Simon going from having a few loyal followers to nearly 14,000 people adoring his every tweet on twitter. Not bad. He's had 5 top 5 hits from his 8 Bit Heart album (ok Pop Messiah hit the top of my charts a couple of years ago now, but I still link it to 8 Bit Heart; others include Delusional, Diablo, Super Psycho Love and Beat Drop) and yet I still haven't seem him live. This is pants. With a capital P. At this point I'm seriously thinking of just sponsoring him to come over and play at my favourite bar, Eden in the glamour of Birmingham :P Grife! *Plan formulate :P*

This past Thursday, he played a live show at The Mint in LA (There is also a The Mint in Birmingham. Oh this plan is so going to happen!)This was an acoustic set which is always a risky little game in planet pop. It really proves whether you have the pipes live (Simon does, no surprise with his Glee type, musical theatre background)... It also proves whether your songs can hold up in their rawest form - stripped back bare where only the melody and lyrics can shine. Mercifully, they do - particularly the song that is vying for my song of 2010 (it was also my number 3 song of 2009) along with All The Lovers - Diablo. You will no doubt have noticed a nice video at the top of the post where you can witness Simon sing away. Impressive breath control keeps the song together (much like You Can't Stop The Beat in Hairspray, unless you know every little nuance it leaves you looking a proper breathless numpty when you try to singalong!) and it retains all of it's charm. Hurrah! But wait! There's more...

A new song from Simon's upcoming album (which I really think he should charge for - even if it's a nominal amount like $5. He's built up quite the fanbase that would be more than willing to cough up, and I'm sure the boy has to eat!) was premiered in a stripped back acoustic form. It's most likely to sound very different on the album, but this is a more than pleasant preview. The verses have rapidfire lyrics, but you can tell the chorus is going to as massive a dance tune as Diablo, Bad Romance or Commander - it's a simple, but effective hook and I can't wait to see what magic Jadion has worked on it. Controversial middle 8 that is nicely slowed down ("there's a gun for me/there's a gun for me/better shoot to kill/you know what to do") with a rather angry spoken quasi-rap that reminds me of Love Game by Lady Gaga (it hardly seems like it should be a Simon album without a nice angry "fuck" somewhere in there!) What's most interesting (apart from the fact that once I again I emphasise how absolutely massive this is going to sound in studio form) is that you can see Simon almost busting to let loose a fierce dance energy to this song, but keeping it nicely restrained. Better shoot to kill indeed, because should a major label pick this up (PICK IT UP YOU FOOLS) then this will just about murder anything else vying for a number one slot...

And it would be remiss of me to close this post without pointing out Simon's acoustic version of Bad Romance. Simon had twittered about wanting to do a cover... I had suggested Unloveable by Darren Hayes to be slotted either before or after 8 Bit Heart (title track). That was met with a "I'll have to save that for a really special show" (I'm assuming your British debut at either Eden or The Mint in Birmingham, eh Simon?! :P) so I guess this will do nicely instead. The song works perfectly as a stripped back ballad, Simon's vocals really shine in the chorus and he clearly adores the song. His french was quite good too (which reminds me, whatever happened to that French duet he did with Thomas Dekker?!) but what the fuss? Where were the monster claws?! Disappointing :P Overall, I really like Simon in a more intimate acoustic environment. It showcases his vocal power well and shows what a clever little pop bloke he is. More please. And soon :)

Top 21 Songs Of The Week:

21 ~ Chanee & N'Evergreen, In A Moment Like This
20 ~ Simon Curtis, Beat Drop
19 ~ Eric Saade, Masquerade (NE)
18 ~ Le Kid, Mercy Mercy
17 ~ Bang Bang Club, Chemistry
16 ~ Dirty Disco, White Room
15 ~ Gabriella Cilmi, Love Me Cos You Want To
14 ~ Ola, All Over The World
13 ~ McFly, Party Girl
12 ~ Eric Saade, It's Gonna Rain
11 ~ Scissor Sisters, Any Which Way
10 ~ Kylie, All The Lovers
09 ~ Bright Light x2, Love Part II
08 ~ Magic Numbers, Pulse
07 ~ Same Difference, Shine On Forever
06 ~ Kylie, Get Outta My Way
05 ~ Darin, Can't Stop Love
04 ~ Brandon Flowers, Crossfire
03 ~ Amy Meredith, Lying
02 ~ Darin, Lovekiller
01 ~ Maroon 5, Misery (5 weeks)

Oh I've been a right moody cow bag of late, and that can't have been much fun if you have been visiting me here or on twitter. I apologise. My identity theft is all but sorted, the computer is better after a hideous virus stripped it of it's dignity (and ability to work properly), and a good long sleep today seems to make the world seem better :) Plus I attended the lovely wedding of Lydia and Tom yesterday which was just heavenly. The weather just about stayed nice for them, Lydia looked all sorts of Audrey Hepburn elegant and the event was just a delight from start to finish. I don't really have much more to say with this catch up, but I'll add some photos soon and get up to date with what's happening in the music world asap :) Oh, the charts are below. Let me know what you think :P My piano cover of Can't Stop Love is a corker and perfect for yesterday's sentiments :) So yes, the number 3 song is dedicated to Tom & Lydia :) PS (one of the pictures is horribly off centre - if anyone can do a good editing job on it I will love you forever. I am re-loading all old programmes onto laptop but may take a while!!)

Top 21 songs of the week:

21 ~ Bjorn Johan Muri, Circles
20 ~ Chanee & N'Evergreen, In A Moment Like This
19 ~ Gabriella Cilmi, Love Me Cos You Want To (NE)
18 ~ Simon Curtis, Beat Drop
17 ~ The Bang Bang Club, Chemistry
16 ~ Ola, All Over The World
15 ~ Le Kid, Mercy Mercy
14 ~ Scissor Sisters, Any Which Way
13 ~ McFly, Party Girl
12 ~ Bright Lightx2, Love Part II
11 ~ Dirty Disco, White Room
10 ~ Kylie, Get Outta My Way
09 ~ Kylie, All The Lovers
08 ~ Eric Saade, It's Gonna Rain
07 ~ Same Difference, Shine On Forever
06 ~ Magic Numbers, Pulse
05 ~ Amy Meredith, Lying
04 ~ Brandon Flowers, Crossfire
03 ~ Darin, Can't Stop Love
02 ~ Darin, Lovekiller
01 ~ Maroon 5, Misery (4 weeks)

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

Essential happenings...

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

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

Top 21 songs of the week:


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

Another topsy turvey week has come to a close. It ended with a nice if somewhat subdued night with the Ace Gang. I got all excited because my rain dance that I had done in the shower earlier that evening (once again everyone - not a fan of the heat; I spent a fortune on Boots Hot Weather Cooling Mist spray this week) seemed to pay off as drops of precipitation landed upon me. However, it seemed that I had been a bit of an eager beaver (titter - I said beaver) as it only lasted a few seconds. So I drowned my sorrows with Pimms. Let me tell you - Pimms + Heat = Lightweight Paul. I was so tipsy I was trying to persuade everyone to re-enact the All The Lovers video. For shame. That (and this excellent post over at The Blog That Mark Wrote; brilliant read and now on twitter!) got me thinking about other things in life that make you go hmmm as you reminisce through the years... So today's sermon is taken from the Book of Revelations. Judge not, lest ye be judged :P Oh and the video above is a "just because" moment... (but do read Scandipop's interview with lovely Eric here!)

THE BOOK OF REVELATIONS

1. Never try to pee on someone: It may come as no big surprise that I was an enormous doofus at school. However, I had my own Ace Gang even back then and sixth form was some of the funniest times of my life. For some unknown reason one hot summers day, I was in the boy's first floor bathroom and noticed that the little window was directly above where some mean boys were sitting. I clearly lost all reasoning because I thought the perfect revenge would be to piddle out the window on their heads. I climbed onto the top of the cistern, placed my you know what out the window and got ready to revenge-pee all over them. Only there was this sickening crack. And the cistern broke. As it did, I fell back so hard that I knocked the locked door off it's hinges and lay unconscious covered by toilet water. Oh and you pee when you are unconscious too. Trying explaining that to the school nurse :/
2. Only bears should shit in the wood: Whilst on a ski trip with school in France, I got my first taste of getting tipsy. On half a can of cider. We had left the confines of the hotel and had a right merry old romp in the local village. Only all the teachers were drunk in the hotel bar, so we couldn't exactly sneak back in and I was desperate for the toilet. Tragically a number two. My "friends" convinced me to do it over a drain at the back of the hotel and despite it being freezing out, i was drunk enough to think this was a good idea. It was not. It was very icy and I lost my balance and slid all the way down the hill at the back of the hotel, grazing my ass to buggery and leaving an unpleasant trail behind :/ :/ :/ I was shamed, pained and bleeding and all my friends could do was laugh like hyenas :/
3. Never be ashamed of your choices: I happen to still think that, despite powerhouse vocals (Leona Lewis), boyband magnificence (JLS - until Club is Alive) and quite good pop (Alexandra Burke), Same Difference are my most favourite act to come from The X Factor with Shayne "will my 3rd album EVER be released" Ward a very close second. There is something unshamedly brilliant about Same Difference's complete love of pop. Just check them out singing their little hearts out above and try not to sing along and do the "photo frame" dance move. Nigh on impossible...
4. I thought reindeers were mythical for 33 years: I actually thought reindeer weren’t real, you know because of the whole santa not real (gasp!) thing and them being linked to him. I only found out last year. I shit you not. I still like to think that Hippogriffs ARE real though so make of that twisted logic what you will!
5. 1999-2002 was pop gold for me: S Club! A*Teens! Hear'say! Kylie's Light Years! Deborah Gibson's MYOB! However the pinnacle was my beloved Steps :) I have been to see Steps 7 times. Even at my youngest I was 25!! And i accidentally punched a girl so hard in the face during tragedy that her devil horns fell off.
6. At least it wasn't Slytherin: Everytime I do one of those "which house at Hogwarts would you be in?" tests on facebook or the like, I end up in Hufflepuff. Every single time. Even if I try and distort the answers!! So it is my fate to be a life long Hufflepuff. And you know what? I think that is more than ok. I am total hufflepuff.
7. My tv choices are often dubious: Although I do watch quality tv from time to time (Twin Peaks, Lost, Buffy, Gilmore Girls, Veronica Mars, Doctor Who, Weeds, True Blood, et al), my dvd cabinet is littered with badly written trash that I can't help but love. And when I can't buy it, I will track it down another way. Ergo, I have a 1TB external hard drive that contains every episode (in wildly varying quality) of Dynasty, Prisoner Cell Block H and the greatest soap of all time Sunset Beach. The finales of all of them are quite quite bonkers in their own unique ways :)
8. I only read children's books: This is not completely true, but 90% of my reading comes from this genre. And I don't think that is anything to get sniffy about. Some of the greatest books of all time are written for children. My current read, Withering Tights, is bound to be a literary classic.

There are probably a lot more revelations I could share, but I'll save those for part 2 as I think that's enough public humiliation for today!! Feel free to share some of your revelations in the comments :)

Top 21 songs of the week

21 ~ JLS, The Club is Alive
20 ~ Kelly Rowland, Commander
19 ~ Gabriella Cilmi, Hearts Don't Lie
18 ~ Bjorn Johan Muri, Circles
17 ~ Ola, All Over The World
16 ~ Kylie, Get Outta My Way (NE)
15 ~ Scissor Sisters, Any Which Way (NE)
14 ~ Scissor Sisters, Fire With Fire
13 ~ Chanee & N'Evergreen, In A Moment Like This
12 ~ BrightLightX2, A New Word To Say
11 ~ Le Kid, Mercy Mercy
10 ~ The Bang Bang Club, Chemistry
09 ~ Dirty Disco, White Room
08 ~ Eric Saade, It's Gonna Rain
07 ~ Simon Curtis, Beat Drop
06 ~ Magic Numbers, Pulse
05 ~ Kylie, All The Lovers
04 ~ Brandon Flowers, Crossfire
03 ~ Darin, Can't Stop Love (PIC Above)
02 ~ Same Difference, Shine On Forever
01 ~ Maroon 5, Misery (2 weeks)

Is it actually possible to literally suffer from exhaustion?! Because if so, I think I am. I have just had absolutely no energy the past few days - and not just in a tired way, but in a way where everything that I normally do takes a vast amount of effort, and then leaves me absolutely pooped all over again. (Despite all this I still managed to be co-erced into entering a mechanical bull riding competition at the local gay bar last night - and won. It's all in the thigh gripping!) So to cheer myself up I have regressed into a world of shiny, sunny pop (have I really regressed? Isn't that my world anyway?) and been watching things like the still brilliant Britannia High clip above. Which just proves two things - i) Matthew James Thomas could still be a magnifico pop star & ii) there is more energy and enthusiasm in that clip than anything in the "back 9" episodes of Glee. And there will be much more adoration of slightly outdated but current pop in tomorrow (ish) boyband post... But for now, some songs that caught my attention late this week...

Something for your Sunday:

• Olly Murs ~ Please Don't Let Me Go: I actually really do like the new Olly Murs single. I think he had his moments on the X-Factor, but was often marred by a bad song choice. Getting the song choice right for his first single then was absolutely crucial and I think he happened to get this spot on. A shuffling reggae beat pitches him somewhere between Paolo Nutini and Jason Mraz, in an incredibly infectious and summery lilting tune. His vocal sounds quite nice and there is some entirely pleasing piano tinkling in the middle 8. Hopefully he has retained enough of his X-Factor fanbase that this will do quite well for him, especially as I hear he is working with Preston on his debut album (whose debut album I still desperately need to hear!) So ultimately quite surprising (as is nothing like the songs he performed on the show) but a pleasant addition to an increasingly good summer of 2010 pop soundtrack...
• Samuel ~ I Heart NY: This has been floating around forever and a day (well at least a month or so) and I've only just gotten around to listening to it. My bad - this is quite a delightful tune filled with enough quirks and surprises to make it feel new and special, yet familiar enough that you feel you can sing along after just one listen. And it's definitely one of those songs that invites you in to it's created community with chanted vocal snippets, an engaging singalong chorus, enough attitude and swagger ("i was made to grow up and be famous/so i'm trying my best to stay shameless") to give it a real confidence and just completely wonderful from start to finish. It's definitely the anti-California Gurls (still shudder at that spelling) and all the better for it! You can buy the EP online here and listen to a mean cover of Ellie Goulding's Starry Eyed on his myspace here...
• Elan Lea ~ Right Anyway: Two things to get out the way - firstly, there is no getting around the fact that young Elan is a bit of a looker. Secondly, I discovered his earnest charms thanks to my twitter buddy Pip, who got to interview him earlier this week. Elan is one of those people with gorgeously smooth vocals that can make anything they turn their voice to sound heavenly. This single is no exception - set over lush piano chords and some complementary drums, it gives the song some energy and charisma; a raw feel that really brings the tune alive. Sign up to his webpage and you also get a free download of another album track - the equally lovely Strangers For The Second Time. Definitely one to watch...

Top 21 songs of the week:

21 ~ Ola, All Over The World (NE)
20 ~ Bjorn Johan Muri, Circles
19 ~ Gravitonas, Kites
18 ~ Adam Tyler, Friction
17 ~ Gabriella Cilmi, Hearts Don't Lie
16 ~ Kelly Rowland, Commander
15 ~ JLS, The Club Is Alive
14 ~ Scissor Sisters, Fire with Fire
13 ~ BrightLightX2, A New Word To Say
12 ~ The Bang Bang Club, Chemistry
11 ~ LeKid, Mercy Mercy
10 ~ Chanee & N'Evergreen, In A Moment Like This
09 ~ Dirty Disco, White Room
08 ~ Magic Numbers, Pulse
07 ~ Simon Curtis, Beat Drop
06 ~ Eric Saade, It's Gonna Rain
05 ~ Brandon Flowers, Crossfire
04 ~ Darin, Can't Stop Love
03 ~ Kylie, All The Lovers (flash mob in Madrid video above!)
02 ~ Same Difference, Shine On Forever (Photo Frame)
01 ~ Maroon 5, Misery (1 week)

What an entirely pleasant weekend it has been. This is clearly a nice change from me moaning about how busy/tired/moody I am, so grab it with both hands and run with it I say. Something called Aphrodite has brightened the world this weekend (it's the spiritual successor to Light Years and a general love letter to pop), and everything else good seems to a glow a little brighter because of it - Scissor Sisters live, a nice Starbucks, Shrek Forever After at the Imax (so pricey!), Chinese meal with the Ace Gang, No-van being evicted on Big Brother (Scabby and K-evil next please), the last Doctor Who episode before Christmas (wrapped up a good year nicely - something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue = silly genius!) and now a nice lazy Sunday. Plus of course the giddy thrill of the lovely Kylie duetting with the Scissters on my current fave from their Night Work album at Glastonbury (above). Even just watching the video and hearing the crowd roar at about 35 seconds gives me huge goosebumps. It's a giddy, glorious pop treat. Heaven.

Magnifico new pop for the remainder of your weekend:

• Didrik Solli-Tangen ~ My Heart Is Yours: I've been meaning to write about this for forever and a day (or at least since Eurovision). Basically Simon Cowell can stop looking for either the next X Factor winner's song or a brillo massive Westlife single because the exquisitely charming Didrik has delivered an elegant, crescendo-ing moment of pop regalness that continues to grow into it's massive and spine tingling finale. Utterly glorious, and lovely Didrik has a rather entertaining blog where he documents nearly every moment of his life with pics and diary entries. Oh and if the above is a bit too pomp and circumstance for you, there are some brilliant dance mixes floating around too...
• Tom Stereo ~ Number One: It's thanks to Scandipop that I've picked up on the latest boy-pop obsession from Sweden. His latest single is a pulsating disco affair that brings the sunshine from outside into wherever you are. Great catchy chorus reminiscent of the great S/A/W days of music, but with a more up to date sound. And if that wasn't pleasing enough, there is a fun key change to spice things up for the final couple of chorus renditions. Brillo and can't wait to hear more...Plus any video montage that starts off as hornily as the above link does it a-ok with me :)
• Ollie Wride ~ Headrush: This one is thanks to Poster Girl who it is entirely fair to say, has become a tad obsessed with young Ollie. There is definitely something about his music that straddles glam rock, electro-synth, the theatricality of the best McFly songs (think Transylvania) and yet is still firmly rooted in pop sensibilities. And that vocal - something really special could come from this guy; at around 2 minutes into Headrush he delivers a gorgeous, flawless vocal which just sends shivers. He certainly knows how to deliver catchy tunes, but there is something more about him that places him above your average generic boy-pop star. Check out his video for an incessantly addictive tune called Pop Music below - it's raw and unrefined and yet...I can't quite put my finger on it, but I just feel amazing things are coming from Ollie Wride :)

Top 21 singles of the week:

Well, like Kylie wasn't going to remain at number one with all the Aphrodite love going on... :P Maroon 5 get their umpteenth top 5 hit with Misery and Darin debuts at 8 with sparklingly lovely Can't Stop This Love. He looks rather dapper in the clip below too so be sure to enjoy that :P And the little Magic Numbers enter at 13 - definitely a grower this one. I love it more and more with each listen...

21 ~ Bjorn Johan Muri, Circles
20 ~ Lovestoned, Thursdays
19 ~ Gravitonas, Kites
18 ~ Adam Tyler, Friction
17 ~ Gabriella Cilmi, Hearts Don't Lie
16 ~ Kelly Rowland, Commander
15 ~ JLS, The Club Is Alive
14 ~ Bright LightX2, A New Word To Say
13 ~ Magic Numbers, Pulse (NE)
12 ~ The Bang Bang Club, Chemistry
11 ~ LeKid, Mercy
10 ~ Scissor Sisters, Fire With Fire
09 ~ Dirty Disco, White Room
08 ~ Darin, Can't Stop This Love (NE/VID)
07 ~ Chanee & N'Evergreen, In A Moment Like This
06 ~ Brandon Flowers, Crossfire
05 ~ Maroon 5, Misery (NE)
04 ~ Simon Curtis, Beat Drop
03 ~ Same Difference, Shine On Forever
02 ~ Eric Saade, It's Gonna Rain
01 ~ Kylie Minogue, All The Lovers (7 weeks)

Coming Monday ~ a full breakdown of the new Adam Tyler - Friction video :)