Lopez Blogs

My posts often start off with a singular topic in mind (no, really they do) and then a stream of consciousness evolves and I end up writing about 10 different things that are tenuously linked in my brain but perhaps a mishmash of casserole type nonsense to everyone else. So when I planned to do a Pipettes album review (about 6 weeks ago), it then got lumped with a The Like album review, then some stuff about ex-Pipette Rose Elinor Dougal. And from there it has taken a life of it's own in my brain, like one of those monsters whose heads keep growing back each time you chop one off (or something). So here in my own lumped together "unique" never-gonna-change sort of way, are a bunch of lady singers who are all quite good (and who could all do a nice Lilith Fair festival somewhere pleasant and grassy in the UK)...

The Pipettes ~ Earth vs The Pipettes:

Has this album even been released yet? It should be tout de suite if not. The fact that the Pipettes are not one of the UK's foremost pop acts is a constant wonder to me. Their transformation from 50s inspired pop moppets to S/A/W-esque Bananarama-like duo (whilst keeping their knack for creating a whopping melody firmly in tact) has been an interesting & joyous ride to watch. The album is full of charm and disco - Our Love Was Saved By A Spacemen is probably the best transitional song to ease fans in from the brilliant We Are The Pipettes album, while Stop The Music is a lush, sumptuous dance track that Sophie Ellis Bextor would be proud of. Current single (with video above) Call Me is a fun slice of summer pop, with a ridiculously catchy chorus and more than a whiff of glorious eurotrash about it. But to really make people sit up and pay attention to this album, the best two tracks need to be the next two singles ~ Ain't No Talking is an aces jangly guitar piece with a modern, forward thinking chorus; I Need A Little Time is a delicious poptastic groove with a completely "poppers o clock" middle 8 breakdown that just screams bonkers dance routine. Entirely enjoyable and more-ish. Can't wait for more live shows :)

The Like ~ Release Me:

Much like The Pipettes, The Like's second album is a very different kettle of fish to their first. However, it's probably more of a successor to We Are The Pipettes than Earth vs. is as it goes for a 60s girl group vibe, and pulls it off admirably. Song writing, harmonies, melodies, instrumentation and vocals all work together to produce a delightful affair that takes you back to a more innocent bygone era. It's jam packed with some lovely retro-pop nuggets (no surprise that Mark Ronson has a hand in the production of it) with some zinging kiss-off lyrics, particularly in Wishing He Was Dead, He's Not A Boy and the effortlessly amazing Walk Of Shame (which now sounds like something completely inviting). It's a themed album that completely works because they focus on the strong harmonies, lovely melodies and a simplicity that makes you totally fall in like with The Like.

Rose Elinor Dougal ~ Without Why:

Former Pipette Rose (she sang lead on Dirty Mind) has been on my radar mainly to support from smart people like XoLondon and Dan Project 76. Her solo music shows a maturity and sophistication to her work that is both satisfying and rewarding for the listener. Her debut single from 2008, Another Version of a Pop Song is both clever in title and delivery - it's got a raw energy pulsing through it and an insistent refrain that soon weave into your brain synapses like every good pop song should. Conversely, Start/Stop/Synchro has a more timeless, eerie feel to it - all baroque keyboard and twinkling bells. There's more melancholia (is that even a word?) with tunes such as piano/string based Goodnight, with gorgeous and morose lyrics that come alive as musical poetry. Carry On definitely deserves to be a future single with a thumping bassline and infectious use of guitars, mixed with a wonderful chorus. And it's the melancholy juxtaposed with the energy that allows the album to be a freeflowing of creativity that entertains and thought provokes from start to finish.

See also:

• Cookie n Beans ~ Beg, Borrow & Steal: Remember Frida Öhrn, whose gorgeous vocals bought a magical beauty to songs like Release Me & It's Raining In New York by Oh Laura? Well she's now in Swedish country group Cookies n Beans, and their new album features the ever so heartbreaking title track, Beg Borrow and Steal. The added vocals of Charlotte Centervall and Linda Ström add a rich blend to the delivery, and the song is so achingly haunting that it's hard not to be swept up in the raw emotion of it all. A timeless tune that evokes memories of Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton and even contemporaries Lady Antebellum - could be massive worldwide given the chance...
• Marit Larsen ~ If A Song Could Get Me You: I've written about this song many times. It was number one on my charts for several weeks in 2008. And it's still bloody brilliant. such a simple, amazing concept of a song that continues to grow and crescendo until those bombastic crashing piano chords in the middle 8 bring it to a gloriously pensive pause before a lyrical lilting melody propels the song to it's romantic, sweet conclusion. Finally released in the UK in September by the very good PopLife folk, it must be huge. Or I will weep.

Blimey. Even though it's 71 days til Christmas (and I promise not to bombard you before December this year!) there is still an air of festive preparation floating about. Fight past the ghost and ghoulie costumes in the stores and there are a plethora of christmas purchasings just tempting you to dip into your wallet. March into tesco and the traditional tin of Roses (so much better than Quality St) whose wrappings litter the floor on Santa's birthday are half price! Even i'm busy planning for the following "events"...

• A day trip to London on either the 5th or 12th December to go shopping and visit Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland! Woohoo! The ace gang all together and skating outside :)
• The annual christmas party combined with the x factor finale party - just got to work out which date the finale will air on! Anyone know?!
• Flying to vegas on Christmas day so planning out that little trip - just spent a fortune on Bette Midler tickets on New Years eve for DazdivinemisterS.

Of course, one industry planning for the christmas period way in advance of any other (ooo that sentence is very X Factor Dermot "one act who wants it more than anyone...") is the music industry in the UK. They will have been carefully selecting albums and singles from artists that have the best chance of getting a slice of the christmas spending pie (Mmmm, pie) for ages now. Everyone is pulling out the big guns to be the Christmas number 2 (of course the X Factor winner has the Christmas number one sewn up. Sigh) - so with that in mind, here are some slightly off the wall suggestions for acts not really in the running in the UK....

5 COVER VERSIONS THAT WOULD BE BRILLO AT FESTIVE PARTIES:

Song: One Night Only - it's no surprise that I'm suggesting the wonderful Elouise release a brilliant discotastic studio version of this because it's already a staple of her live shows. It's fair to say that when she performs this tune, she takes on the persona of the lyrics and you can almost see it build from within her during the ballad part before exploding in a cavalcade of glitter as the beat kicks in. Just marvelous.
Song: Cool Rider - while I'm delving into the archives of musicals, I was in a bit of a Grease 2 mood today and was listening to some of the underrated tunes from that film. When Cool Rider came on, I thought that in the right hands it would make a rather great pop song. Maybe Dolly Rockers could punk it up to beef up their Boys Will Be Boys with it? Or Red Blooded Women could turn it into a electro-pop wonder! Or perhaps Mini Viva could get Xenomania to work their magic on it in a Girls Aloud-St Trinians sort of way. Just putting it out there - it could be the best musical girl group cover since Play did Hard Knock Life (vid above of that epic classic)!
Song: Chocolate Box - One of Bros's greatest moments is a pop-rock song neatly dressed in synthy dance trimmings and to my knowledge hasn't been covered by anyone. It's the perfect tune to be updated whether it be as funky prince-esque jam ("") or a solid 80s tribute dance tune. Who better than to step up to the plate for the job than the one and only ex Digital dude Dean Lennon? He looks good in a waistcoat, has the vocal capacity to tackle it and would sound quite foxy doing the "rurrrrrr" bit. Perfect :)
Song: Shock Your Mama - if I was less lazy I could find out in the annals of the blog that I had bemoaned the fact that someone (preferrably Simon Curtis or The Killers) needed to cover Debbie Gibson's Electric Youth. I don't want to bleat on about it, so let's concentrate on the excellent Shock Your Mama instead. Full of sauce and sass, it's the precursor to Love Game but without being a complete alley cat about it. How about one of the swede boy-pop sensations like Danny or Ola putting a fun twist on this and whipping it out there.
Song: In My Dreams - ah The Party. They were the almost Disney sensation of the early 90s that never really happened. That doesn't mean that they didn't pop out some stomping classics though and this is as good as anything they did (almost up there with the lovely I Found Love or cutesy Sugar Is Sweet). After the brillo dance remix of Burn that they put out, I can't think of anyone better to cover this than the lovely guys and gals of Industry. Pop it on the double A of the forthcoming In Your Arms and you got a winner :P

5 EURO POPSTARS WHO WOULD POSSIBLY CHOOSE THESE TRACKS IF THEY WERE BIG(GER) IN THE UK:

Alcazar - Thank You: Frankly I sometimes forget that Disco Defenders came out this year and that I like it so much. I return to it quite often, but not as often as I'd like. I really think they could've mined it for single after single, but none suits the spirit of the Christmas number two better than this Abba pastiche at the end of the album. A virtual remake but not quite of Thank You For The Music, it's schmaltzy, cheesy, wonderful and entirely uplifting. Approach with caution - you may develop develop diabetes just from listening. For a proper party, pop Funkytown on the flipside :)
BWO - Kings of Tomorrow: In the past I've been loving myself sick in a BWO ballad around the season of goodwill. They sort of churn out a classier version of the type of ballad Steps would attempt (never their strong point other than Mars & Venus; oh and It's The Way You Make Me Feel) and i've sipped many a mulled wine to the strains of Destiny of Love and Will My Arms Be Strong Enough (still perfect for someone like Leona to cover). This of course is their latest from Big Science and while not as hamazing as Destiny... it's still a corker and comes in both ballad and disco-ified form so everyone's a winnabego.
Mans Zelmerlow - A Stranger Saved My Life: Oh sweet sweet Mans, you perfect specimen of a man! Sure the MZW project has suffered slightly from the wrong single releases (Hope and Glory should have been followed by Home, then Forever&Rewind as a big remix package double a side and then this), but this ballad was tailor made for singing loud and you could easily have a video filled with snow and dangerous icy roads (or put it to a montage of Grey's Anatomy and that girl that George saved before getting hit by a bus!). Key changes, inspiring lyrics that JLS would kill for, a choir - it's cheesier than a 4 week old jock strap but it works (for me anyway!) That or sell it to Westlife...
Marit Larsen - If A Song Could Get Me You: 18 months on and I'm still completely and utterly smitten up to my ears by this gorgeous piano driven tune. Europe is slowly being won over by it and it could be one of those songs that surprises everyone in England by coming from nowhere to be a massive smash. It's the crashing piano chords that get me every single time. Every. Single. Time. Get the point? Good. Let's dance (ooo JJ reference). Fin.
Alien Beat Club - My Way (vid above): Oh they were just ever so good and entertaining on Danish Idol. They tackled everything from I'm Yours to Just Dance and threw themselves into it with "gusto". So I was initially a bit surprised by their debut single being less in your face pop and more of a sleek, classy, sneaks up on you and politely taps you on the shoulder type tune that just gets better each time I hear it. It's Liberty X meets JLS and I like it. Now something upbeat next time around please :)

QUICK BITS:

• Best songs that should be covered by a boyband: A Shoulder To Cry On (Tommy Page); Room In Your Heart (Living In A Box)
• Best song already covered by a girl group: In Your House (Originally Alanis Morrisette; gussied up to perfection by Shine4)
• Best seasonal tunes not already overbaked: Doesn't Often Snow At Christmas (Pet Shop Boys); Happy New Year (Abba)
• What the X Factor should do: Final 12 should record Second Best To None (the Hotel Rival song - perfect lyrics give or take for the competition); Winner should record Story Of A Heart (Benny Andersson Band)

Oh Nats. The "broooog". According to Amazon, the UK release date of the quite charming actually "Come to Life" album has been pushed back to 2010. Considering that promo copies of the album have been sent out, reviews are in the printed word (hello Attitude Magazine) and about 11 people on the popjustice forums are gushing at the gash for this set of tunes, it's a bit of a wank decision to delay it. I am no expert in marketing music but delaying the release of an album never inspires confidence in the product. It is, in fact, up there with these other common pop disasters:

• Keisha leaving the Sugababes just as they have a spunky new album "in the can" and a top 2 single with Get Sexy. Frankly, I can't stop listening to Every Heart Broken because this is even worse than when Sean left 5ive just as KingSize was released...
• David Sneddon thinking that Sneddon was a popstar name and then failing to be the next Robbie Williams when Britain criminally ignored the amazing Best of Order...
• Simon Cowell effectively ending the promotion of Gareth Gates' second album and denying the world a single remix of the brilliant Skeletons. Sigh...
• Rachel Stevens not being number one for 11 weeks with "I said never again but here we are". I still mourn this fact on a very regular basis.

Of course there are many more pop injustices in the world, but those are the first few that sprang into my head. It's a shame that the album has been delayed because Come To Life actually contains some very fine pieces of music. Plus Natalie looks a bit like Dannii Minogue on the album cover and this can only be a very good thing indeed. By now, the "promo" single Wild About It (record companies need to ditch the promo single - it's very annoying. It's either a single or it's not!) and first single proper, Want, should be etched into your brains. The former works well as a video-single rather than an actual single - it features Natalie roaming around after a party and shows a more fun side to her that is rarely seen when she is performing darker fare (such as Identify, Beauty On The Fire and That Day). Musically however, it's like an indie version of Sweet About Me and is neither as elegant or as powerful as the music Natalie usually churns out. Want, however, is eerily gothic and subversive and just as much Kate Bush as it is Natalie Imbruglia. It's not exactly what might be expected of a first single, but it gets under your skin and promotes the album far better than Wild About It.

My God is an energetic guitar led opener for the album, with a driving beat that - matched with the sweeping vocal from Nats - powers the song and keeps what could have been a slightly lost melody firmly in check. It's Lukas however where the album really begins to shine. I am assuming this is what Coldplay are referring to when they say they gave away their best song. Written by Chris Martin, it could almost be a lyrical sequel to the Suzanne Vega hit Luka. It's got that epic "end of summer" feel about it - you know, when you need just one song to sum up your entire holiday experience. It definitely deserves to be a single - it tells a complete story and Natalie delivers it with just the right amount of reserve and intensity. Just imagine if this had been the Kylie-Coldplay collaboration instead of what the world ended up with?! The story telling vibe continues in the ever so lovely Fun (another Chris Martin composition). A song about the end of a relationship isn't the most original of topics, but it's universal and when done well, the results can be astonishing. The first few seconds of the tune sound like an Abba ballad, then the song begins to build and crescendo as the backing track grows and Natalie sings "people always ask about you" and it actually feels painful to hear. "Didn't we have fun" is the message of the song and despite the pain, Natalie remembers the good times of a relationship as the music ebbs and flows (just as feelings change in ebbs and flows as you come to terms with the end of a relationship). Quite quite brilliant. (I'd love to know XO's opinion of these two songs!)

Twenty is a perfectly pleasant jangly pop tune and continues the theme of examining relationships. It's not a bad song at all but it does suffer ever so slightly by being wedged between the aforementioned Fun and the definitely should be the second single Scars. Scars possibly would have been a better single to promote the album than Want - it's initially ever so vaguely reminiscent of Torn and is definitely one of the most radio friendly things she has done. It delivers the devastating lines "You got your brand new friends and I got a broken heart/doesn't matter who we are everyone has their scars". Gorgeous vocal, lovely melancholy and melodic chorus, spot on lyrically, just another perfect, clever and sad break up pop song.

Following on from Want, the last half of the album seems to be the more electronic part of Natalie coming to the forefront. WYUT (What You're Up To) is an energetically angry throbbing retort of a song, with some synthy effects permeating the verses and a stacatto vocal that matches the needs of the song. Not the finest moment on the record, but it's nice to see some risks being taken even if they do detract from the near perfect first half of the opus. Cameo, sadly isn't a song about the late lamented group, but rather more experimental bells and master&servant style goth-pop with a rather industrial sounding backing beat. Natalie's voice is quite haunting on it, but overall the song leaves me ever so slightly cold.

Overall, the first half of the album is a quite extraordinary and brutally accurate examination of the death of a relationship. It's steeped in emotional imagery, wistful memory and gorgeous melody. This is the section of the album that really comes to life for me. The more experimental second half is perhaps more relevant to today's music market, and enjoys some interesting production values but doesn't sell itself to me as fully and magnificent as those first five tracks...
Possible singles: Want, Scars, Fun, Lukas

OTHER WORTHY FEMALE SINGER ALBUMS:

• Check out XO's mini review of the new Paloma Faith album...
• Lenka's experienced a bit of a revival with her 2008 album. Check out my review here...
• Ditto Marit Larsen and her stunning If A Song Could Get Me You (number one in Germany, chart fans!)

Hurrah. Darren is home and out of hospital. True he nearly passed out walking from the car to the apartment, and looks proper grey at the moment, but at least he is out of that grotty hospital and back home where he belongs. Our friend Emma posted a picture of us on our first date back in May 2000 (it was actually my birthday!) on her facebook. We are both so young, thin and hunky. Still my Claire-Steps workout dvd is knocking the pounds off my chunky frame. Hear the drummer get wicked! On with the post proper while little dazpatient naps before his next lot of brillo painkillers (I tried one earlier when i had a headache and was tripping my nuts off!)...

SONGS THAT PROBABLY SHOULD BE SINGLES BUT PROBABLY WON'T BE...

• The girl groups ~ I'm very upset that both Sugababes and Girls Aloud seem to have abandoned their latest albums. Obviously with the Sugababes, it's because no one can be bothered at all to buy the album or singles from it. With Girls Aloud, it's possibly because Cheryl is knackered from the X-Factor, which for Adem's sake I will begrudgingly admit isn't surprising, but does mean that they are not properly promoting their best and best selling album of their career (and surprisingly Cheryl has time to be slagging off Posh Spice and the Spice Girls left right and centre! Grife. If I can be bothered, I will elaborate on my feelings on that in the comments). Anyway. The Sugas should definitely be releasing the epic and beautiful (video above) Every Heart Broken (which had a much better original title "murder one", not to be confused with the crap tv show from the nineties) which not only has a gorgeous melody, but also some brilliant darkly humorous and sarcastic lyrics. Fabbo. And of course the GA bunch should be releasing an unedited version of Untouchable with a video that has some money spent on it. If not, I would be quite happy with the excellent and increasingly growing on me "Rolling Back The Rivers". Sigh. Oh and if The Saturdays release Work and Chasing Lights as the fourth and fifth singles from the album, they may just have a fan for life....
• The aging divas ~ Madonna's quite good actually single "Miles Away" was her worst promoted single since the non-appearance of "Amazing" (I hear that Mads didn't want that as a single, so didn't perform it live so there would be no concert footage for a hastily cobbled together video), and Mariah has had the most bizarre single choices from her album. Madonna could pull it all back together with the dark and (ever so) slightly edgy Devil Wouldn't Recognise You ballad (if she can be arsed to do a great video for it that doesn't try to out-snatch lady gaga). Mariah needs to ignore the song that is dreadfully boring from that film that looks dreadfully boring and put out the positively-screams-single-release That Chick. It has a rather catchy tune, an insiduous beat and singalong lyrics. It's bound to make the british top 31.
• Guitar loving dudes ~ Ah Jason Mraz. He's just ever so adorable isn't he? In a slightly snoggable way and obviously in a slightly blow raspberries on his tummy way. If I had my way, the will-it-ever-die I'm Yours would have been followed by Lucky, then Make It Mine, and the awe inspiring (and quite good for presidential swearing in thingys) Live High. Which is quite a lot of singles. Yet, the album is so good that it could spare one more. And lovely Aaron has made me want Dynamo of Volition as the next single. it's back to that snappy wordplay that Mr A-Z is rather good at. It's basically rapping over a frenetic rhythm but still rather good. (as is Love For A Child. Ooo - now I'm torn). And of course, in a be careful what you wish for scenario, I wanted Do Ya as the third single by McFly and look how that turned out :( Now I'd settle for a double a side that showcases their inherent talent for writing catchy melodies - so that would be the outstanding Falling In Love (which i would write about but postergirl did a very eloquent job of it here) and Last Song, which i think is the most epic rock anthem of the album. It will probably not reignite their chart fortunes, but it would make me happy and really, that's all the boys should be thinking about!
• Plectrum fingering ladeez ~ I love Lenka. She is like a less press-attention seeking antipodean Lily Allen, whom I also adore. Now I am done loving her Christmas tune (All My Bells Are Ringing), it's time to get back to the album at hand, which could easily spawn 5 singles. However, my choice for second single proper is Trouble Is A Friend, which is fairly perky in terms of executional melody, but has an underlying dark current to it about repressed fears (much in the way the disco classic The Visitors by Abba did, though musically miles apart!). And I think it's been featured on a couple of US tv shows, so it might even raise her profile. (Though it didn't do poor amazing Bryn Christopher no favours) And while nothing on Marit Larsen's album is quite as fantastic as her lead off single If A Song Could Get Me You, The Chase would make quite a pleasant single...
• Finally, The Idols ~ Oh dear. I feel that Simon Cowell can't be arsed with Leon Jackson anymore. It's all Leona, Alexblandra and Shayne and in that order. Leon's album is quite specific in it's target audience but I do quite like it and I have warmed to little Leon since he got crapped on by the X Factor making machine. Creative is a great choice of single, but i think that if - IF - there is another single from it, it should definitely be All In Good Time. Definite crooner classic and would've fitted alongside any of the classics on Robbie's Swing When you're Winning (even if it does sound a little bit like a Christmas classic that i can't quite put my finger on...) And I mentioned on an earlier blog that while Will Young's choice of Let It Go as his next single as lovely, I can't help but feel he should be plodding along with the disco infused I Won't Give Up. Nuff said.

SOME SAD NEWS:

Poor Same Difference - their second single has been "postponed" and their tour merged with Leon Jackson (yes because they will attract the same type of music lover). Now foxy Sean is busking for a living, while Sarah spends his earnings :( It's tres tragique. I'm quite loyal though, I will stick with the album long after the record label gives up on it (like I did with V for example). Hey, at least I got an album out of it, that I can easily milk for another 3-4 singles. Which is more than I got with One True Voice, even after the brillo PopReviewsNow approved Shakespeare's Way With Words. Altogether now, i would write a sonnet, put my name upon it...

J'ai retourne. Which of course is actually french, not german. But my german extends to ich bin droevig, so thanks Madonna for that. My week in Austria was gorgeous. Just so lovely and relaxing. Above is a youtube clip where i get very bossy when darren doesn't behave on the toboggans (check out around 1m50 for his comeuppance!) and two photos that I quite adore. There are a ridiculous amount of photos should you wish to be force fed them here, but I figured that not everyone would want them flashing across the main page :) Now before I go on with the catch up post, thanks to all those who continued to comment even though I was away all week. I shall of course be returning to my comment whore status on all the blogs listed in the blogfeeder roll. They are of course the very best out there...

The Haps This Week:

• Woo hoo! McFly and darling William Young both performed at the Olympic thingy and both did very ace if somewhat lyrically incorrect (McFly!) covers. You can see both above. I am dying a) for William's album, b) for the extended McFly album and c) for Adem's review of McFly. Don't leave me hanging.
• Sigh. Still obsessed with Marit Larsen's "If A Song Could Get Me You" - it sounds even more gorgeous in Austria. Those crashing piano chords in the middle 8, then the delicate and vulnerable "just look at me"? Heaven.
• Secret Diary of A Call Girl is back back back in all it's brilliant shallowness. Yes the draw is still Billie Piper Evans Piper and her glistening white teeth being an uberwhore (actually an independent escort now) but don't overlook the very charming Iddo Goldberg who plays friend Ben. Oh Iddo, I do... (or something. You get my drift!)
• Just a thought. One of the most overused phrases in pop journalism at the moment has to be "it's the album Madonna should've made instead of Hard Candy". Observer Music Monthly uses it twice in one issue (though different writers). Get over it you lazy hacks.
• God bless Gay Times (sept 08 issue). They hate Katy Perry (page 28); They like Avenue (page 29 - is their single out yet or did it just not chart?!); and they feel the same way I do about the NKOTB reunion (p.32). Don't get me wrong - i loved them in their day but the songs (and boys) have aged horribly and Summertime is just dreadful. I think the general consensus in the industry seems to be "oh take that are massive, so every other nostalgia group will be." Not so - like the Spice Girls, NKOTB were very much of their era and coming back with weak tunes just tarnishes the memory. TT had songs that lasted (2nd and 3rd albums anyway) and came back with a mostly solid collection. Plus Danny Wood was a total cunt in that upper street fiasco so he can just fuck right off.
• I'm not a massive fan of boy george or culture club, more a distant appreciator, but there is an ace interview with Mr O'Dowd in the Sept 08 issue of Q Magazine. My favourite quote is "I was living off a diet of tofu and sperm" :O Oh george. Tofu??? Yuck! Plus, one should really have the moto of Samantha from S&TC: "Oh i only swallow when surprised..."
• Viva Attitude for their men in suits photoshoot. Men in suits are hot. Feel free to submit your own men in suits pics :) Boo to attitude for their fence sittingness about Katy Perry though :( (Sept 08 issue - the Oct issue has Dan Gillespie Sells on the cover. Must read soon)
• Finally, don't think because all is quiet here on the Simon Curtis front that all is quiet on the Simon Curtis front! He is getting ready for the launch of the bound to be brilliant and already fizzypop guaranteed way better than camp rock Spectacular, shaved his head so now looks slightly menacing and foxy and is perfecting Alter Boy for it's ultimate and much awaited release. Aw, my little Simon's all growed up!!

Thanks to the ace gang (you know who you are) for keeping my inbox plumped with music this week. I'm sure you have all written about them on your blogs so once i get some time, I will add the proper linkage - or you could just save me the time and link it in the comments :) Here are my fave five!

1. David McAlmont - I'm A Better Man (gorgeous laid back tune, sounds like it belongs in a huge broadway musical)
2. Keane - Lovers Are Losing (ooo i think Keane are back proper styl-ee. Not like that 2nd album. With big proper tunes like this and Spiralling that make me excited in the inner trouser area)
3. Alphabeat - Boyfriend: Pete Hammond Mix (it's the late 80s all over again with this perfect end of summer vibe. And with hints of Rick Astley in the 12" version. Delicious)
4. Ben Folds - You Don't Know Me (i used to love Ben when he was with his five. He had a glorious kiss off song Song For The Dumped and this one features my new obsession Regina Spektor. It don't get no better than this, innit)
5. Pipettes - Shoe That Fits:Vocal Mix (it's all acapella, but there is no reason for pause on this still very pipettes glimpse into the new line up and 2nd album. Bring it already!)

I also got back to a book recommendation from the lovely pymo. He's suggested the Stephanie Meyer series Twilight, which i always meant to read but never got around too. Anyone else read it??

TOP 21 SONGS WHILST IN AUSTRIA:

21 ~ Jason Mraz, Make It Mine (NE)
20 ~ Madonna, Give It 2 Me
19 ~ Alphabeat, Boyfriend
18 ~ Kylie, The One
17 ~ BWO, Bells of Freedom
16 ~ Jack McManus, You Think I Don't Care
15 ~ Sophie Ellis Bextor, Heartbreak Makes Me A Dancer
14 ~ Keane, Spiralling
13 ~ Daniel Powter, Next Plane Out (vid)
12 ~ Jesse McCartney, It's Over
11 ~ Madonna, The Beat Goes On
10 ~ Little Jackie, The Whole World Should Revolve Around Me
09 ~ Bryn Christopher, The Quest
08 ~ Pink, So What
07 ~ Lily Allen, GWB
06 ~ Infernal, Downtown Boys
05 ~ Miley Cyrus, 7 Things
04 ~ Regina Spektor, The Call
03 ~ William Young, Changes
02 ~ Marit Larsen, If A Song Could Get Me You
01 ~ The Feeling, Join With Us (3 weeks)

***HAPPY 38th BIRTHDAY DEBORAH GIBSON!!***