Boy, was I glad to see even MORE new Semi-Precious Weapons music surface this year in the form of thoughtful and affecting but still very edgy “Brando”. While I missed the raw-raw-raw, uninhibited new-glam rock sound of their older songs like “Magnetic Baby”, I definitely embraced the glossier, more pop-oriented and anthemic songs on their Aviation album, released earlier this year. “Aviation High” still resonates as a mystical singalong that should have taken the band to greater heights. While Aviation now seems like a transitional release, “Brando” reels back some of the eager-to-please and large sound for a sweeping and grandiose song with emotion on its sleeve. Lead singer Justin Tranter scores big time with his vocal here, I can’t wait to hear him perform it in concert. You’ll be humming “Brando” for days! And if a new album is on deck for later in the year, let’s hope for a North American tour to promote it. Canada misses you SPW, well done!
As you’ve already read in these blog posts, Jake Barker was my underdog favourite on the last edition of “The Voice” with his on-point R&B/pop style, despite having never performed on stage before being on the show. Well since then, he’s released his EP Stage Fright (on my regular iPod playlist 🙂 ), toured with “The Voice”, and proposed to his gal Alyse on stage when in New York City. I’m looking for more to come from talented Jake, but in the meantime the lyric video for “Scared” will get you acquainted with another of the songs from Stage Fright and make you understand why he and his goosebumps-raising voice belong in the limelight. Get Stage Fright on iTunes for a very reasonable price!
As you will tell from the delightful scenic backdrop in the video, singer/songwriter Piper Hayes hails from my city, Toronto! And the video, with its carefree and impromptu style, is out to set you off into a good time in its tribute to the “Love Song”. Of course it all wouldn’t work without being a brief but terrific song – and it’s hard to write briefly and succinctly! – accompanied by a gleeful, fun vocal. Piper’s voice can be added to the cadre of similar singers who’ve put out great records – Jann Arden, Colbie Caillat, Sara Bareilles (HER “Love Song” notwithstanding 😉 ). Look for a full release coming very soon!
Penguin Prison (aka New Yorker Chris Glover) has impeccable taste, as his choice in covering Sade’s first single “Hang On To Your Love” so aptly proves. It’s been a while since we’ve had new Penguin music while Chris has been touring just about everywhere in the past three years, whether for a live performance or DJ set. But something’s brewing, much needed after his marvelous and diverse self-titled 2010 album, featuring decade classics like “The Worse It Gets”, “Golden Train”, and “Don’t Fuck With My Money”, which dominated my personal chart in 2011-12. When Sade arrived with this song (and I have the original 12″ vinyl (pic below), it sparked the trend of an “old club sound” in the mid-80’s, and I believe she and her Grammy-winning band were ultimately the only survivors of that niche-genre. Penguin Prison has opted to bring out the urgency of the song through an early 80’s disco vibe – and you will be hooked, I guarantee. Download it and dance away using the Soundcloud link above 🙂
You can also catch Penguin’s voice in the summery Caribbean-flavoured vibe of Viceroy’s “The Life” below.
Yorkshire-born trained soprano Eurielle has been a constant pop music force to watch in 2014, since the debut of her EP The Incarnation last winter. The last quarter of the year will bring us a full album. So following the short film experience of the winning “Carry Me” comes a live acoustic performance of a new song, “Hate Me”, that should be sealing the deal for any disbelievers. British singers like Eurielle are bringing the most rudimentary form of classically-based pop back to be reckoned with the busy electronic pop of today. There is always room for beautiful music and voices that make you listen. There’s often so much quiet in Eurielle’s performance of “Hate Me” that you really have to pay close attention. But it’s worth it. Amy Lee of Evanescence had better watch out – she’s in great company with the likes of Eurielle! PS the outfit Eurielle is wearing is most befitting of the wicked queen in “Once Upon A Time” 🙂
It’s been a hot second since I helped bring Norwegian duo Cars & Calories to your attention with not only the power-poppy “To The Extreme” but also the heart-pounder “Runner Up”. You get a look at look at the lads, Jim André and Michael – and Jim André looks as young as his voice 😉 The video for “To The Extreme” starts off a little dry, but stick with it, because everything comes together within about the last minute. I don’t know about you, but being older than the average blogger, I found that its generational theme put a smile on my face. And now I digress: When I was much younger, short-lived Canadian troupe Boys Brigade – who I got to see in concert, horn section and all, along with lead singer (eventually well-known producer) Malcolm Burn – had snippets of a similar idea, albeit gender-bending – given away from the start – in their video for “The Passion Of Love” below. And I had the same warm reaction then too!
This post will be about the highlights on the chart, as there is so much going on, with so much good new music find its way onto the chart too that others are making a quick exit. Plus there’s a rare event as a past hit re-enters the chart in a remixed version!
The New #1
Bright Light Bright Light gets his latest #1 (only his 5th since 2010 😉 ) with “I Believe”, from his sophomore album Life Is Easy. Past #1’s were “A New Word To Say”, “Love Part II”, “Waiting For The Feeling”, and the song that will follow “I Believe” as the next single from the album, “An Open Heart” (released on last year’s In Your Care EP). Rod (aka BLx2) will be on tour in England soon and then back to the US for more shows later in the year.
The Rest of the Top 20
“This Could Be Something” by Anton Ewald featuring Medina is one of the year’s ear-creepers as it advances to #2, matching Anton’s previous peak last year with the still-exhilarating “Begging”.
One of the year’s most unexpected pleasures is the europop/dubstep mix in “Time Has Come” by Finnish singer Hannis. It moves up to #3!
Sam Dickinson is one busy lad in the UK, set to perform a number of dates to promote the deluxe edition of his album The Stories That Occurred. “When You Left Me” will grab you from its first note, and it climbs 10-7, surpassing the previous #8 peak of last year’s equally riveting “Learn To Wait”.
The Presets are in fine funky form with “No Fun”, the Aussie duo’s latest and one of their most interesting songs to date. And I’m so pleased they’re coming back to North America for a Fall tour, so I’m hoping to catch them in Toronto on October 29 at the Danforth Music Hall this time. It’s been 5 years since I saw their show in California and I’m itching to hear the songs in concert that they’ve released since that time!!
Movin’ On Up
It’s absolutely no surprise that Sam Smith’s “I’m Not The Only One” is the fastest riser, jumping 22-13. It’s simply a classic pop song just like “Stay With Me” and is set to follow suit up my chart and others!
“Stranger” by Chris Malinchak & Mikky Ekko debuted just outside of the Top 40 in the UK this week, and I’m hoping interest will continue in this gorgeously sung and produced song. It moves up 18-14 and Mikky Ekko is set to release his debut album, which he previewed in concert in Times Square recently!
“Electrify The Night” leaves #1 after a month at the top, but the other collaboration by Davis Redfield & Carl Man, “Music Gods”, is on its own way up the chart, advancing 19-15.
Canadians Corey Niles and Ish and their busy hip hop/pop song “Get To Know You” are all fired up and climbing, this week up a massive 25-17!
I thought we’d hear more about what was next (besides more touring) for Neon Trees after the success of “Sleeping With A Friend” from their album Pop Psychology. In my chart world, “Love in the 21st Century” continues to rise, up 20-18.
Singer/songwriters Brandyn Burnette and Eli Lieb have good things going on with their latest single. Brandyn’s kiss off “Thanks For Nothing” moves 26-20 and Eli’s reminiscence of those special times listening to “Zeppelin” climbs 27-21.
Four Debuts!
The chart continues to be a revolving door for new music lately – it’s all soooo good!
I wrote about her EP What’s Mine Is Yours just the other day, but I’ve been waiting so long to chart Harriet’s “Afterglow” – I won’t chart songs until they are officially available for purchase/download. Nonetheless, “Afterglow” makes a huge splash at #16 – a must for your ears in 2014!
While his “Knew You Better” holds at #9 this week, I mentioned two weeks ago that songs from Adam Tyler’s Shattered Ice deluxe edition have been quietly waiting for their turn on the chart. And with this edition there’s a double whammy. First, a rarity: “I Won’t Let You Go” returns after 3 years in a brilliant downtempo house-y remix by Aron Friedman that almost sounds like a new song. It returns at #22 and we’ll have to see if it matches the #5 peak of the original. It also may end up being the longest-lasting song on the chart as a re-entry if it lasts 9 appearances. The record for a re-entry is currently held by Ryan Star’s “Last Train Home”, which had 17 appearances in two separate chart runs. Then we have an insanely catchy new one, produced by Australia’s Paul Hetherington called “Criminal”, which I think should be the next single after “Knew You Better”. “Criminal” arrives at #27.
Debuting at #28 isJamie Scott’s “Unbreakable”, which sounds like it could be a Fall smash with its emotional story and solid vocal performance from the singer of Graffiti6. Jamie’s album My Hurricane is on deck for October.
The Full Chart
Listen to the songs or watch the videos using the links on the pictures on the pretty and detailedweb edition of my chart.
08 01 I BELIEVE Bright Light Bright Light 03 02 THIS COULD BE SOMETHING Anton Ewald featuring Medina 05 03 TIME HAS COME Hannis 01 04 ELECTRIFY THE NIGHT House Rockerz featuring Davis Redfield & Carl Man 02 05 TIDAL WAVE Tristan Thompson 07 06 BOOM CLAP Charli XCX 10 07 WHEN YOU LEFT ME Sam Dickinson 14 08 NO FUN The Presets 09 09 KNEW YOU BETTER Adam Tyler 04 10 LITTLE ME (Steve Smart & Wildfunk radio edit) Little Mix 13 11 TEN FEET TALL Afrojack featuring Wrabel 15 12 BIG CITY GIRLS (DON’T FALL IN LOVE WITH SMALL TOWN BOYS) Zorro Blakk 22 13 I’M NOT THE ONLY ONE Sam Smith 18 14 STRANGER Chris Malinchak featuring Mikky Ekko 19 15 MUSIC GODS Davis Redfield featuring Carl Man New 16 AFTERGLOW Harriet 25 17 GET TO KNOW YOU Corey Niles featuring Ish 20 18 LOVE IN THE 21ST CENTURY Neon Trees 06 19 TELL IT TO MY HEART Jason Walker featuring Bimbo Jones 26 20 THANKS FOR NOTHING Brandyn Burnett 27 21 ZEPPELIN Eli Lieb Re-entry 22 I WON’T LET YOU GO (Aron Friedman remix) Adam Tyler 28 23 JUST SAY HELLO Lyonn 29 24 AMNESIA 5 Seconds Of Summer 11 25 GOOD NEWS (FOR PEOPLE WHO LOVE BAD NEWS) Zorro Blakk featuring Deniz Olivieri 12 26 MIRACLE E-Mute New 27 CRIMINAL Adam Tyler New 28 UNBREAKABLE Jamie Scott 16 29 YOUR LOVE FADES AWAY Simone Denny 17 30 TRUST IT Nick Hagelin
Listen for My New Music Pick Of The Week onD-Moos.com!
As many of you are already aware, after many years away from the microphone, I am now pleased to be back as a voice onD-Moos.com Canada’s National Internet Radio Station, which mainly plays a selection of oldies, mostly from the 50’s to the 90’s, with soon to be more intrusions from the 2000’s and other new music.
Do listen in for my New Music Pick of the Week feature onD-Moos.com8 times per day starting at 2:05 AM EST on Mondays, and while the station is only live in the evenings from 9:00 pm to midnight (with my long-time musical partner in crime “The Musicman” James Rogers), you can hear my voice at other odd times, particularly if you’re an oldies loving night owl on the weekend overnights 🙂
I’ve been saying it sinceI wrote about Harriet’s brilliant “Afterglow” (luminously included here!!) back in early January (and the three other times I’ve written about her music): Harriet is a star in the making. There seems to be a swell of quieter music that’s making noise and it’s us bloggers that are bringing it to you! The partnership with Harriet and producer/co-songwriter Steve Anderson flourishes here also with a more direct pop-oriented title song, which continues to show Harriet’s broad scope as a singer, and a smooth cover of a Judie Tzuke song that I wasn’t familiar with called “If (When You Go)”. I’ve mentioned vocal comparisons to Karen Carpenter (and I will keep doing so because it’s so bang on) and Rita Coolidge, but also mix in Sheryl Crow with these songs, and you hear a classic and diverse voice. But if you didn’t hear it before, “Afterglow” is the true star of this show so make sure you go to iTunes and purchase What’s Mine Is Yours now! Your music soul will thank you!! Listen to Harriet’s EP above.
If it’s not clear by now from my previous blog posts, UK singer James Poole clearly has one of the best new voices of 2014. It’s already been proven with adventurous cover song choices, as he moves into recording and sharing some original songs. We’ve already heard the emotional, classical-based “The Clocks Of Our Lives”, so far one of the finest new songs of the year yet to be released. “Silver Moonlight” follows that with another gorgeous, delicate piano melody (courtesy of South Korea’s Yiruma) matched with romantic lyrics and imagery – okay, folks… just.. remember… to… breathe!! The song highlights James’ head voice range, whereas other songs have given us pop styles with his deeper octave which shows his opera training.
Another thing that I like about James’ new songs is that they are subtler and quieter but still promoted to the attention of a younger generation that won’t hear them on the radio. With James’ online and in person dedication to his fans, he seems to be honing in on a unique market. And don’t forget that transitioning out of being a ‘boy band’ member (late of Class A) and into this classic pop style would have once seemed as unfathomable.
But once again James delivers, makes it extraordinarily memorable, and now the rest of the world must simply catch up. Listen to “Silver Moonlight” above. I don’t normally write about songs so far in advance of an actual official release, but I’m looking forward to the day that I can buy these ones 🙂
Buffalo NY native Stacy Clark has a classic pop voice that can move seamlessly through whatever style she chooses. And she puts that to the test with her latest album Symmetry, which works well as an overall package despite starting off with 1/3 EDM pop and then moving to 2/3 singer/songwriter sometimes jazz-influenced folk/pop. Think of Sheryl Crow secretly wanting to perform EDM or Robyn tapping into folk/pop roots, with results as a fine companion to the latest by Regina Spektor and you have the idea. “Figured It Out” is easily the best choice as a lead single from Symmetry, with an interesting video (below) with a twist to its story. “Sign”, “Breathe”, and “Decimals and Music Notes” showcase Stacy’s songwriting skills and a more subdued style. A bonus is having help from Plain White T’s Tom Higgenson on “Make A Move” and Jack’s Mannequin’s Andrew McMahon on “Everything’s Changing”. Overall, Symmetry is a diverse 14 song record that deserves attention. You can get it now on iTunes and listen to the songs throughHarbour Recordings’ Soundcloud page.
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