The 1980’s become one with the 2010’s in “Aeronaut” by Australia’s @Parralox

https://soundcloud.com/parralox/aeronaut/s-GREN8

PARRALOX, “Aeronaut”

The 1980’s are in great hands with creative burgeoning talents like Parralox’s John von Ahlen.  Parralox’s 2013 album Recovery was a massive musical love-fest with the 1980’s, embracing popular performers like Madonna and more obscure acts such as fellow Aussies Q-Lazzarus, and other music heavily influenced by the era.  

With John’s voice it would be easy to say “Aeronaut” sounds mainly like music of the Depeche Mode/Erasure mold – and, no surprise, Parralox did in fact open up for Erasure in England on their last tour! – but then he mixes it up with a flawless selection of keyboard and percussive sounds that draw from countless other sources as diverse as Rick Astley, New Order, and, what came first to my mind, another fellow Aussie band Real Life (“Send Me An Angel”).

Most of all “Aeronaut” is both fun and riveting.  While John’s voice is front and centre, he is the first to feature other voices, like in the past with former member Amii Jackson, Ryan Adamés (who with Amii gave extra dimension to a cover of Noel’s “Silent Morning”), and Francine (last year’s European dance club hit “Crying On The Dancefloor”), and here it’s Johanna Gervin.  Moving towards the 6th album release for Parralox, “Aeronaut” instantly dazzles and should win over club DJ’s whose audiences are full of 80’s and 90’s dance music fans who enjoy mixing it up a bit.  

For now, until its official release, you can hear “Aeronaut” on Parralox’s Soundcloud page above.

Disco Blast: The Return of @CHICorg featuring @NileRodgers with “I’ll Be There”

CHIC featuring Nile Rodgers, “I’ll Be There”

First, Giorgio Moroder gets signed back to a major record label (RCA) to release his upcoming album 74 Is The New 24.  Now, following hot on the heels of his success with Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky” comes eminent guitarist/producer Nile Rodgers and CHIC with “I’ll Be There” (courtesy of Warner Bros).  

Nile of course has never been away from the music scene, and with the loss of Bernard Edwards many years ago, it was hard to fathom a return of the CHIC brand to pop music.  But timing is everything and Nile and CHIC are out to influence a new generation of dance music fans with the timeless, trademark sound that brought us not only “Le Freak” but classic R&B/dance songs such as “Dance Dance Dance (Yowsah Yowsah Yowsah)”, “Everybody Dance”, the much-sampled “CHIC Cheer”, and “I Want Your Love”.  The video seamlessly intersperses clips of old TV dance shows (my generation’s version of reality TV, now pretty much a thing of the past) with Nile and his troupe of talented performers who flawlessly recreate CHIC.  All we’d need would be some vocals by Luther Vandross…  

“I’ll Be There” is sheer old school fun but meant for anyone who wants to discover great music and the happy spirit that disco music brought to the world.  More CHIC, please!!

Just Reminiscing: The video for “Time” by @SteveGrandmusic

STEVE GRAND, “Time” (video)

Because I’m so supportive of the Steve Grand crowd-funded project which just brought us his fine, fine album All-American Boy, I have to include words about the video for his recent single “Time” (which peaked at #9 on my personal chart), which I believe was also funded by that project.  

It’s a poignant and thought-provoking story that only Steve and his team could envision, continuing from the viral success of “All-American Boy” and “Stay” in 2013.  It clearly depicts how a relationship begins and develops, taking the same route of many of us when we become part of a couple whether straight or gay.  You do what feels right and goes with the flow.  Only when commitment wanes does it come into question, and fortunately for us, the videomakers allow us to come to a conclusion without it being decided for us.  While it lasts, Steve’s on-screen interracial relationship makes us all reminisce fondly of our own enjoyable times, which come hand-in-hand with the challenges and temptations.

Watch the video above and don’t forget to purchase Steve Grand’s All-American Boy on iTunes.

BILLCS Top 30 #453 – March 23, 2015

There’s a groundswell of movement happening on the chart, but the Top 5 stays exactly the same as two weeks ago…  It will give way two weeks from now, but what songs will advance?

The Top 10

https://soundcloud.com/brandynburnette/01-sleeve

  • I cannot complain with such an ace Top 5 of songs by Brandyn Burnette (4th appearance, 8 weeks at the top – not bad for a song still not on official release!!), Chris Jamison, Jessie Ware, Giorgio/Kylie, and newcomer Graham Alexander!  Brandyn has more new music for us next month.  Chris has been performing somewhere each week and returns to his native Pittsburgh, plus he’s also back on “The Voice” this week with Matt McAndrew.  Jessie is coming back to North America.  Giorgio/Kylie are killing it in Australia.  Graham has gigs in NYC and Albany on deck.  A busy Top 5 is a great Top 5!

  • After wowing ’em in Austin this past week at SXSW, Years & Years should be making huge inroads to the North American audience in the next few weeks.  Leading the way from their fantastic EP (and now forthcoming album Communion) is “King”, which advances 10-6.

  • The fastest riser on the chart belongs to Canadian quartet Smashing Satellites with “Waterfall”.  The band has received much attention in the US, where they are currently touring, but will be back on home turf in April for some shows.  “Waterfall” soars 13-7.

  • What could be better in the Top 10 than TWO Jessie Ware songs?  “Champagne Kisses” moves up 14-9.

  • Mikky Ekko receives his third Top 10 hit on this chart in less than a year with “Riot” from his debut album Time.  It climbs 15-10.

Movin’ On Up

  • Buffalo NY electropop singer Daniel Robinson is inching closer to the Top 10, as his melodic and mysterious “Moonmolt” moves up a notch 12-11.

  • Lifehouse’s latest song “Hurricane” is a real grower and a promising lead in to their upcoming album Out Of The Wasteland.  This rocker storms up the chart 17-12.

  • All of the last chart’s high flying debuts get caught in a bit of a log jam behind all of the great movement happening above.  Erasure’s third single from The Violet Flame, “Sacred”, moves 18-13; “Chasing Stars” by Canadians Corey Niles and Alex Lacasse should by all rights be a domestic radio hit soon, and rises 19-15; “When It Rains, It Pours” is the first new music from Austin duo DATABOY in a while, and it advances 20-16.

  • “Alive” is a great team-up of new producer/DJ Mi Disguise with BILLCS Chart favourite Adam Tyler!  The song climbs 22-19.

Debuts

  • “Heroes” by Måns Zelmerlöw ultimately won Sweden’s Melodifestivalen festival this year, but nonetheless competitor “Sting” by Eric Saade is likely his best song since his Saade Volume Two album was released in late 2011.  “Sting” bows at #17, and only makes me want to hear more new Saade songs!

  • There seems to be a neverending parade of hits from the Grammy winning Sam Smith’s In The Lonely Hour, which is back at #1 in the UK.  The gorgeous “Lay Me Down” is the latest, and Sam also holds at #1 on the UK Singles chart in a revamped version featuring John Legend.  “Lay Me Down” arrives at #20 on my chart.

  • I can’t get enough of Years & Years, and so their previous single, the retro-house flavoured “Desire” (which I wrote about in December), premieres at #24 to complement the Top 10 (and former UK #1) “King”.

  • The fourth debut is by Toronto’s River Tiber with “No Talk”.  This unique, multi-layered, hip hop flavoured song is sampled in Drake’s “No Tellin'”, but to me is the better song of the two.  “No Talk” debuts at #27.  River Tiber has already been to my Top 10 several times, including to #1 in 2013 with “Someday”.

The Full Chart

Listen to the songs or watch the videos using the links on the pictures on the pretty and detailed web edition of my chart.  Go on, have a look and listen/watch 🙂

Listen for My New Music Pick Of The Week on D-Moos.com!

Every week I feature a New Music Pick of the Week on D-Moos, which is usually either on my chart or may soon be!  Listen in amid the great variety of older music as I bring cutting edge new music to the rotation of over 20,000+ songs!!

 

@SteveGrandmusic rocks out with diverse debut crowd-funded album “All-American Boy”

STEVE GRAND, All-American Boy

The wait is over, and one of the most incredible and engaging crowd-funding experiences has allowed Chicago’s Steve Grand to release All-American Boy tomorrow, Monday, March 23.  If you’ve been hiding in the bushes for close to the last two years, you’ve missed Steve soaring to international attention with “Stay” and of course the country flavoured title song (and its viral video, taking the singer to new heights as an inspiring, grounded gay role model) , as well as a classic-pop piece of storytelling with “Back To California”.  They are all included in All-American Boy.

This led to the Kickstarter campaign which raised over $300,000 for Steve to use to create All-American Boy with all of the proper bells and whistles and behind-the-scenes costs covered.  Through it all though Steve has remained an unstoppable force, following through personally on every pledge, making it a one-of-a-kind experience, and continuing to receive exposure through touring to key destinations, including many gay pride events last year.  To think this is only the beginning!

All-American Boy is to me a rock album with many classic pop flourishes and lots of roots sown in country and blues music, and solid musicianship and harmonies throughout to support it.  When Steve isn’t looking to have a grand time with you 😛 he’s pensive and reflective, with recent single “Time” probably most representative of this.  Steve wasn’t born in the 80’s but the album is full of arrangements which recall the early part of that decade, specifically classic rock and pop by the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Elton John and Billy Joel, and perhaps others like Rick Springfield, Queen, Foreigner, and Journey.  It’s no surprising that some of these performers are his key influences, he sings and plays their inspiration proudly.  The best parts of All-American Boy are when Steve gets to let loose.  “We Are The Night” (which will be a concert favourite and could be a subsequent single) and the Springsteen-ish “Run” are fine anthems, and jaunty lead single “Whiskey Crime” and “Soakin’ Wet” are just down home fun.  “Say You Love Me” is the winning opening song, while “Next To Me”, “Better Off”, and “Red, White and Blue” are well-crafted pop songs.  Along with “Back To California” and “Time”, “Lovin’ Again” slows it down at the piano as Steve sings about one of those romances that makes you question if you’d do it all again.

All in all, the next few years for Steve Grand are going to be amazing.  He has a natural, honest charm that can win over the strictest of nay-sayers.  And while his success has elevated him to be a spokesman for gay and equity issues, if the music and the talent weren’t already front and centre, this album would not be here.  I admire Steve’s determination and confidence and look forward to seeing his show when he’s next in my city.

Be sure to pick up All-American Boy on iTunes!

@Adakumusic finds herself “Standing In Love” from her album “PLASMA”

ADAKU, “Standing In Love”

Readers of this blog will recall that I’ve written about U.S.-based Nigeria-born pop/soul singer/songwriter Adaku a few times these past couple of years as she writes songs that suit her beautiful, unique voice, such as “And You Can” (very touching video below) and the evocative, hypnotic “Silent Treatment”.  Last year she released an album called PLASMA, which contains the former songs (including a remixed and tweaked “Silent Treatment” that tones down the original’s mysterious qualities), plus the lulling and thoughtful “Standing In Love” (video above).  So what does one do when we are in the state of said titled song?  We dream of soaring to bliss and sailing down to a safe landing.  And the video captures this by comparing the feeling of love to the specialized plight of the astronaut, both with high ideological states yet wanting the same outcome.  “Standing In Love” continues to present Adaku as a bright and upcoming yet overlooked talent quite deserving of your attention.  You can pick up PLASMA on iTunes.

@PenguinPrison previews new album with “Never Gets Old” and “Try To Lose”

PENGUIN PRISON, “Never Gets Old” and “Try To Lose”

It’s seemed like forever since DJ/producer/multi-instrmentalist Penguin Prison’s self-titled debut dropped in 2011, though Chris Glover has kept plenty busy with touring, remixing, and guesting on other performers’ songs (like RAC’s “Hollywood” for example).  Following up the delightful confection “Calling Out” are “Never Gets Old” and “Try To Lose” from PP’s sophomore album Lost In New York, due on May 5.  “Never Gets Old” plays just like a lost 70’s timeless pop gem, while “Try To Lose” has that slick funk groove that PP acquainted us with so well on songs like “Multi-Millionaire” or “Golden Train”.  With Chris’ engaging vocals, they all sound like they’re part of a logical continuation from PP’s first album, though as fans know, Chris is always full of surprises (and can transform them into club smashes too), so I definitely can’t wait to hear the full new album, which you can sample on his You Tube channel.  Right now, at least in Canada, you can purchase both “Never Gets Old” and “Calling Out” on iTunes.

Not Only Skin Deep: Serbian Eurovision Entry “Beauty Never Lies” by @BojanaStamenov

BOJANA STAMENOV, “Beauty Never Lies”

Don’t underestimate the Eurovision entry from Serbia, “Beauty Never Lies” by Bojana Stamenov.  It’s empowering and endearing lyrics are universal and meaningful to absolutely anyone.  They are matched with a powerful, rich new voice and a breathtaking melody, which make the song instantly recognizable.  Apparently the song was originally recorded in Serbian but the English lyrics send the song home for the rest of the world.  And the lyricist, the prolific Charlie Mason, knows what he does so well… he co-wrote last year’s Eurovision winner “Rise Like A Phoenix” by Conchita Wurst.  Will 2015 be a repeat year?  Don’t say I didn’t put the bug in your ear.

Telling It Like It Is: “Lottery” by @BrandynBurnette

brandynburnette4

BRANDYN BURNETTE, “Lottery”

L.A.-based singer/songwriter Brandyn Burnette and his team (including his gal Molly Moore) keep creating songs that are straight up honest snapshots of everyday life.  And so many of us can relate in Brandyn’s new song “Lottery” – we don’t need to win the big prize to be happy, and while it might be nice, don’t get your hopes up.  “Lottery” gives Brandyn’s high notes a good workout and a winning summery-sounding chorus alongside a jaunty rhythm adds a cutting edge above other songs.  The prolific Brandyn is going to have a hard time determining what songs make the cut for his upcoming album – there may just have to be two 😛  Listen to “Lottery” and the rest of Brandyn’s recent songs, including “Sleeve”, currently #1 on my personal chart, on his Soundcloud page below.

https://soundcloud.com/brandynburnette/lottery

Always Fun, Always Naughty: Those @Janoskians take on Los Angeles with “L.A. Girl”

THE JANOSKIANS, “L.A. Girl”

Just keep telling yourself that it’s all in the name of fun, and you will enjoy both the music and the ongoing antics of Australia’s The Janoskians – which consists of the three Brooks bros – eldest Beau plus younger twins Jai and Luke – along with Daniel Sahyounie and James Yammouni.  It seems that every now and then we need a band that fills the gaps preceded by the likes of McFly, Busted, The Romantics, Blink-182, and so many others who create infectious and edgy punkish guitar pop/rock.  The difference with The Janoskians though is that they do not hold anything back, and in the video for the delightful “L.A. Girl” three of the band members proceed to alternately surprise and terrify Los Angeles denizens while garbed only in their skivvies, or even less (as you will/won’t see).  And I like what they do, in terms of slightly risqué but often slapsticky fun that will leave you smiling (or aghast) regardless.  Plus, from what I’ve seen online, the guys are extremely good to their fans, and only in this day and age could you have 1.5 million followers and no outright worldwide hit.  The Janoskians and their team know they have a good thing going for now, and their new EP Would You Love Me is now available on iTunes for your enjoyment.