Once upon a time in Pickering, Ontario, there were four teens who formed a punk band at the hey day of some of Toronto’s best such as Teenage Head, The Diodes, and Battered Wives. Swindled lasted from 1979 to 1982, replacing their original drummer along the way, and put out a 7″ vinyl single before imploding. Sounds like it could be any local garage band, right?
Except who’d have thought that they’d be back almost 30 years later. At a January tribute to my friend and fellow music history buff and author, veteran guitarist and solo artist in his own right Jaimie Vernon, Swindled performed for the first time in years, with singer Ivan Judd and bassist Tim James, but minus either of the original drummers, so consummate local session musician Cleave Anderson (Blue Rodeo among others) stepped behind the drums. The group easily performed a dozen songs in a half hour (since a three minute song to them is long!) and was so well received by the audience that this was not to be a one-time-only gig. So the band performed a live session on University of Toronto radio station CIUT-FM, which turned out so promising that it led to the release of their debut album It’s only peace that you want…It’s only war that you get!
Now having been predisposed to some of these songs over the years through numerous other bands featuring Jaimie and/or Ivan, I’m pleased that all of this has been preserved on disc, and that the band is performing additional shows this summer. On July 22 they performed at Toronto club Bovine Sex Club… with two other similar bands, which made for an energetic and fast-paced evening. The Swindled members lived through the original punk scene, and over the years have since become terrific performers and musicians, but it’s not exactly as if The Ramones or Teenage Head have received the spit and polished treatment – there are fortunately still many spit stains! Their songs are all original, many (if not all) written in the late 70’s or early 80’s, and they still sound fresh even though time has placed some of the lyrical content way back when, particularly in songs like “Nazi Dog” (a reference to a Toronto punk singer of the late 70’s) and “Aunti-Thatcher”.
The band re-recorded their first single “Who Wants Guns”, along with its better and more timeless B-side “Hymn #84”, for inclusion along with their originals, which still sound surprisingly gritty and survived the transfer to disc. I also enjoy the swagger and sneer of “Meantime”, “Possession”, and “Apathy Rules”. Three original demos are also included in the package for historical and curiosity value.
Bigger, better, older, wiser? Perhaps but the only way to judge is to check out the album which is available on iTunes, Amazon, or throughBullseye Canada – or, check out an upcoming show (if you’re in the Toronto area, a show is happening sometime in August in Oshawa, about a half hour east).Find out more about Swindled through their Facebook pages. You can watch a video of their performance of “Who Wants Guns” below at their reunion show earlier this year.
It’s been two weeks since we’ve written, so this time you get a longer two-fer blog: A new personal chart with commentary, and hot new music courtesy of Summer Popervescence #1. A lot of the latter music is creating some strife on the chart, causing an absolute glut of wonderful music. I’m loving it!
Tuned-On! Top 30 #357 – July 18/11
The Top 4 songs remain unchanged and seemingly unmovable. “Flesh” by Simon Curtis and “Do It In The A.M.” by Frankmusik featuring Far East Movement rank #1 and #2 for third appearances each (6 weeks). “I’m in Love” by Christian TV ranks 3rd as his latest single, the R&B-oriented “Girl I Used To Know” is released. “Out Without Your Boyfriend” by Jerry Reid stays at #4 as interest in the Ballroom Remixed project from which it comes continues to grow. “Talk Talk Talk” by Darren Hayes climbs 7-5 as the singer continues to promote the record in Australia. I’m waiting for my purple vinyl copy of the single in the mail 😀 View his performance on Australia’s “Dancing with the Stars” below (gosh, I adore Australian accents).
New to the Top 10 are “Just Once” by Databoy, a true summer song if there was one, which really makes its presence felt, zooming 14-6 to challenge those equally excellent songs in the Top 5! It’s so obvious that Lady GaGa has set a standard over the last three years for female vocalists with powerful voices. They are prevalent on the chart this week, so it’s fitting the Lady herself has another Top Tenner with “The Edge Of Glory” at #9. And Chris Brown lands in the Top 10 for the first time since 2008 with his feelgood Benny Benassi collabo “Beautiful People” at #10.
Recent additions to the chart from the past few weeks continue to move up nicely. “Venom” by Long Story Short is Top 10 bound in two weeks as it climbs to #11. “The Lover’s Rumba”, Elouise’s contribution to the Ballroom Remixed album, jumps 19-15. The fastest riser on the chart is the other, more laid back, summer confection, “Pumped Up Kicks” by Foster The People, which is getting its slow burn groove on with more people each week. It soars 27-16 on the chart. Three other powerful female vocalists are right below… “We Don’t Miss A Beat” by Van Go Lion, featuring Amy Paige, is at #17; “Prey To The Beat”, the secret loaded weapon in Ro Danishei’s End Of The Rainbow album, charges up 28-18; Nicola Roberts’ “Porcelain Heart” is up to #19 and will continue to rise in two weeks; similarly “Moves Like Jagger” by Maroon 5 featuring Christina Aguilera climbs to #20 and continues to build.
Five more debuts on the chart means five more songs to adore.
How does one follow such a magnetic song as Eric Saade’s “Popular”? Well, with an incredibly solid Saade Volume One album, which is full of truly happy-go-lucky pop from the Swedish singer who has some great people behind-the-scenes in his court. The album is a dazzler, an aural equivalent to Baked Alaska (ice cream baked in meringue) with peach and raspberry sauce!! At its best, Volume One is all cute and endearing… but with loads of power and know-how to support it all. Hence we have Eric the geek in “Stupid With You”, Eric the lonely retro romantic in “Me and My Radio”, and best of all, Eric Pop Personified with “Made Of Pop” (you can hear the song at the top of the page). “Made Of Pop” is a much more logical follow up to “Popular” than the weak-ish “Hearts In The Air”, so I hope it will be the third single. It has one of my favourite verses of the year: “My kings and queens are speaking through me / Got my degree in the big POP”. Single-handedly with these words has Eric given a huge shout-out to his fans – not unlike Simon Curtis with “Get In Line”, and Eric and Simon NEED to record and sing in concert together!! – and declared himself triumphant. Brilliant. And speaking of brilliant, you can read a much more in-depth review of Saade Volume One by MyFizzyPop. I’m not about to repeat so much of what he says so well 🙂
Next up at #24 is the Shook remix of Penguin Prison’s “Multi-Millionaire” about which I wrote previously. Penguin Prison has happily joined the Scissor Sisters and a number of other artists on Downtown Records for the release of the PP self-titled record and new single “Fair Warning”. But in the meantime, the Prince-ly influenced “Multi-Millionaire” will kick off the anticipation in advance. Then at #25 we have “Runway”, the highly emotional single from singer/music exec Blue Hamilton. I’m posting the video clip once again below so that you can all have a good cry. We first heard New Yorker Wynter Gordon on Flo Rida’s Top 5 hit “Sugar” back in 2009. In the meantime she co-wrote several songs for the Love? album by Jennifer Lopez and has seen her first album With The Music I Die become a massive hit in Australia – which makes two U.S. artists on this chart to have success Down Under (the other is Foster The People). So while North America only gets an EP version of With The Music I Die, the song “‘Til Death” (which contains the title’s lyrics) arrives on my chart at #26 (video below). Fellow New Yorker and star of the Broadway play “Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark” Reeve Carney climbs onto the chart at #27 with “Rise Above 1”, his inspiring collaboration with “Spider-Man” songwriters Bono and The Edge. Reeve is previously known for his work with his band Carney, which has released both a live album and a studio album to date and continues to perform throughout Reeve’s success with “Spider-Man”.
You can view the full chart using the link under ***BILL’S PERSONAL CHART*** to the right, or you can click right here. Be sure to leave any comments you might have, and thanks for reading
Note that when you click on the pictures in the first column of the chart pages that they will now allow you to either listen to the song or view the official video to the song. Enjoy this new feature!
“Runway” by Blue Hamilton
“‘Til Death” by Wynter Gordon
Summer Popervescence #1
“I Won’t Let You Go” by Adam Tyler
It would not be Summer ’11 without the long-awaited arrival of the video for L.A. singer Adam Tyler’s “I Won’t Let You Go”. It’s a visually stunning positive pastiche of images of handsome Adam in various appearances and hairstyles (and paint) which make it incredibly memorable. That the song is also a stunner makes it a winning combination, it’s one of my favourites of the year, having already peaked at #5 this past Spring. Watch the video below and purchase the song on iTunes.
“Bad Girl” by Matt Webb
I love how Matt Webb is carving out his own mark from Marianas Trench with his enjoyable EP Coda and Jacket. His track “Cinnamon” is already #7 on my chart. I don’t like the current single “Bad Girl” as much, but the video is enjoyable in the same way as… well, “Misery” by Maroon 5. Check it out below.
“My Name Is Kay” by Kay
It may be a little samey to The Ting Tings’ “That’s Not My Name” but Canadian singer Kay’s “My Name Is Kay” has a whole other smashing funky bassline side that speaks for it alongside her Britney-ish delivery when she’s not rap/singing. Watch the video below.
“Atlantis” by The Midway State
I previously wrote about this first single from the Toronto quartet’s upcoming album Paris Or India. The video for this jubilant and ethereal song below has also surfaced in advance of the album. The band will be performing at the Toronto Festival of Beer on August 5. “Atlantis” has done well enough as a lead up but I think the best new songs from The Midway State will be heard on the album.
“The Story of Us” by Nick Hagelin
I continue to be so impressed by Atlanta-based singer Nick Hagelin and the careful choice of cover songs for which he has been posting videos. The latest is a simply delightful rendition of Taylor Swift’s latest hit “The Story Of Us” (video below). This just goes to say that Nick Hagelin needs a record released soon along with a DVD that might include some of these enjoyable videos. Nick is a star just waiting to happen.
Rune RK & Databoy “Memorize Me” (teaser)
What would the summer be without an Ibiza-styled dance anthem? And what a great pairing – Rune RK (you’ll remember his “Calabria”, famously redone twice in 2007/08, once by Alex Gaudino featuring Crystal Waters as “Destination Calabria”, and then as “Calabria 2008” by Enur featuring Natasja) – and US duo Databoy, who’ve been gracing my chart with “Stupid” and “Just Once”. Get teased below.
And finally, we have four more videos by artists who appear on the Ballroom Remixed album, along with charting songs by Jerry Reid, Simon Curtis, and Elouise.
Dutch talent Jeromino sings about “How They Dance In Outer Space” on Ballroom Remixed. To completely get away from the novelty of that song, he’s released “Renaissance Man” which not only shows his diversity but how much the camera just loves him as well.
New York self-professed theatre nerd Joshua Desjardins gave us executive producer Melanie La Patin’s namesake theme song on Ballroom Remixed. So how does he follow it up? With “I’m A Nerd” of course! This is what could happen if a Weird Al Yankovic song got dunked in Europop (think Eiffel 65’s “Blue (Da Ba Dee)” or Dan Balan’s “Crazy Loop”). Joshua’s spot-on delivery makes geekdom seem way more than okay! Hear the song below and get your inner nerd on.
German singer Linda Teodosiu offered up the steamy “Body Heat” on Ballroom Remixed. Her latest single, which has a good chance to follow the worldwide success of her 2009 hit “Reprogram My Heart”, is “Alive”. It’s a slinky mid-evening dance number partnered nicely with Linda’s soaring voice.
Lastly, for a very recent glimpse at Simon Curtis singing at his acoustic best, watch the clip below of Simon singing “I Don’t Wanna Be Alone” (from 8bit Heart) and support his sick kids charity 100 Million Miracles ( a reminder that Simon is a cancer survivor).
Without a doubt, this week’s personal chart is full of some of the most amazing songs in recent years. Major label entries diminish (representing only 30% of this chart); independent and artist-oriented entries flourish. Who’d have thought that when listening to its lyrics, *NSYNC’s “Pop” from 10 years ago would have been such a tell-tale record. Somewhat ironically, it also comes from the album that still holds the record for greatest one week sales, No Strings Attached.
With such strong songs on the chart, I would feel so bad if all of the songs currently in the Top 20 do not reach the Top 10. So some songs are in it for the long haul up the chart; if they stop short of the Top 10 then it’s simply because much stronger songs are ahead of them, but in other recent years might have gone higher. Any song that reaches my chart is a winner.
As with a few weeks back, there are six debuts, and don’t let the lower chart positions of some of them set the wrong impression as every song is frequently played by yours truly. I’ve already blogged about the first three.
Not surprisingly, “Talk Talk Talk” by Darren Hayes is a brilliant introduction to his upcoming album Secret Codes And Battleships. It arrives in the Top 10 at #7 and is a future contender for the top of the chart. Darren’s already been to the top of this chart four times, first with “Crush (1980 Me)” in 2002, then with “Step Into The Light”, “How To Build A Time Machine”, and “Me Myself + I” in 2007. I’m hoping he plays some North American dates on his tour so that I can see his show again, and his album is one of my most anxiously awaited in 2011.
“Just Once” by Databoy bows at #14 as the follow-up to “Stupid” (which peaked two weeks ago at #5) and is one of THE breezy songs of the summer of ’11. You can listen to the song below but Cameron and Adam made the song available for free this past week and you can download it right here. “We Don’t Miss A Beat” is the latest from Oregon duo Van Go Lion, and it has followed its dancing feet onto the chart at #21. Great work from two talented duos on the rise!
The remaining three debuts are led by television sensation “Moves Like Jagger” by Maroon 5 and Christina Aguilera, courtesy of a recent broadcast of “The Voice”, and it premieres at #23. This may have been one of the best things to happen to the recent careers of Maroon 5 and Ms Aguilera, which have suffered a bit on the pop charts. But on my personal chart, both artists have flourished, charting regularly. Aguilera’s “Not Myself Tonight” was her most recent hit, and it climbed higher than any other song by her, peaking at #5. While Maroon 5’s “Misery” got to #14, the band has reached the top twice out of its 10 entries, with “This Love” in 2004 and “Makes Me Wonder” in 2007.
Next at #27 is L.A. trio Foster The People, who found themselves breaking out of Australia last year. Their laid back pop/dance hit-by-way-of-the-beach is “Pumped Up Kicks” from their big selling Torches album. Watch for the band (which fills out to a quintet) on tour. The ever-influential Arjan Writes offered up the infectious Skeet Skeet Show Edit for free recently, andyou can download that right here.
Last by no means least at #28 is “Prey To The Beat” by recent chart favourite Ro Danishei. The singer has found her way onto my chart as a consistently talented alternative to the Keshas and Britneys of the world, first with the Simon Curtis duet on “Michelle” (#4) and then with “Drunk Txt” (#16). “Prey” however is the secret weapon inside Ro’s album End Of The Rainbow. It’s the last track on the album and the one that’s the biggest grower on the record. Listen below – you will be hooked.
I’ve blogged previously at length about many of the songs at the top of the chart. #1 again is “Flesh” by Simon Curtis, which was recently remixed by the “Do It In The A.M.” guy at #2, Frankmusik, andyou can preview that remix right here. “I’m In Love” by Christian TV charged into the Top 5, moving 7-3, while “Out Without Your Boyfriend” by Ballroom Remixed featured artist Jerry Reid climbs 6-4. Fellow Ballroom Remixed artists are not far behind! Elouise’s sensational cover of “Tainted Love” moves 10-8 (and her Ballroom Remixed track “The Lover’s Rumba” rises 23-19), while Simon Curtis’ “The Puppet Who Gave Himself Strings” continues the artist’s 7-song Top 10 streak at #9. From his debut EP Coda And Jacket, Matt Webb’s pensive “Cinnamon” moves up 16-10, tying this week with the rocking “Venom” by Long Story Short (which climbs 21-15) as the Fastest Risers on the chart. The rest of the songs on the rise outside of the Top 20 are pretty much roadblocked by stronger songs but they will all have their day!
You can view the full chart using the link under ***BILL’S PERSONAL CHART*** to the right, or you can click right here. Be sure to leave any comments you might have, and thanks for reading
Note that when you click on the pictures in the first column of the chart pages that they will now allow you to either listen to the song or view the official video to the song. Enjoy this new feature!
Top 25 of the First Half of 2011
In reverse order… only songs that have peaked on my chart appear in this listing. This listing could change considerably by year’s end!
25 ANDY GRAMMER Keep Your Head Up 24 FAR EAST MOVEMENT featuring RYAN TEDDER Rocketeer 23 JAMIE WOON Lady Luck 22 BAG RAIDERS featuring DAN BLACK Sunlight 21 ELOUISE The Winner Takes It All 20 KANYE WEST featuring JAY-Z, RICK ROSS, BON IVER & NICKI MINAJ Monster 19 KYLE BRYLIN Everything I’m Missing 18 RO DANISHEI featuring SIMON CURTIS Michelle 17 DATABOY Stupid (Brad Walsh Remix) 16 ADAM TYLER I Won’t Let You Go 15 SIMON CURTIS Superhero 14 LADY GAGA Born This Way 13 BRANDON FLOWERS Jacksonville 12 ANDREA LEWIS featuring SIMON CURTIS Talk To Me 11 ADELE Someone Like You 10 FRANKMUSIK Hurt You Again 09 RIHANNA S&M 08 FRANKMUSIK featuring FAR EAST MOVEMENT Do It In The A.M. 07 JAMIE WOON Night Air 06 CHRISTIAN TV Love 2 Baby 05 ADELE Rolling In The Deep 04 FRANKMUSIK The Fear Inside 03 PENGUIN PRISON Golden Train 02 SIMON CURTIS Flesh
01 ERIC SAADE Popular
Watch what I feel is the year’s star-making performance of “Popular” below!
I simply cannot get enough of the danceable, romantic and sometimes sad pop of Bright Light Bright Light (aka Welsh singer/producer/remixer Rod Thomas). It can’t already be a year since “A New Word To Say” started it all, with the gloriously giddy “Love Part II” following late last summer as released through EMI’s PopJustice Hi-Fi label. Rod’s been keeping so busy writing, recording, performing (both as BrightLightx2 and as a DJ) on both sides of the Atlantic. His latest release is “Disco Moment”, coming to you worldwide on August 7 (in North America, a new label called The Blue Team will release it). I had already been revelling in a live You Tube clip of the song for a while, when the official video sprang loose this week. It’s such a beautifully visual piece of storytelling about personal connection and will tantalize your emotions (watch the clip above). It’s all about those singular times when someone you’re close with has a brief time to shine – and you’re left on the sidelines, wondering… towards an almost pre-determined conclusion which may or may not be heartbreaking. Rod’s songs are often very open-ended which leaves so much to the thoughts of listeners. And his best songs not only have bang-on melodic hooks but simple and instantly memorable lyrics too (“you make it so hard to be around”). Can’t wait to hear the full Bright Light Bright Light album – it will be a stunner.
Mika “Elle me dit”
Fresh off the press courtesy of a tweet today from the always in-tune My Fizzy Pop comes the latest release from the talented Mika – and it’s not just the title that’s French (meaning “She Tells Me”), it’s the entire song! I’m not on Facebook much but it seems that you have to watch Mika’s FB page for news like this. It’s a light and bouncy tune that alternates between sparkling pop and summery house, and it certainly will please Mika’s fans from Life In Cartoon Motion and The Boy Who Knew Too Much. According to an interview with Charts In France, it’s from Mika’s third album due for release next year called The Origins Of Love, which will have a variety of contributions from Empire Of The Sun, Martin Solveig, and William Orbit. I’m not sure if this song will (or is even intended to) cross into the English language market but be sure to listen above.
Penguin Prison “Fair Warning” (clip) and “Multi-Millionaire (Shook remix)”
I’m so glad that we’re going to see Penguin Prison’s self-titled album surface later this year. In North America it will be through the inventive Downtown Records, in the UK the Stranger label will have it, while in France and Benelux it will be released through Atmospherique. Out already in the UK is new single “Fair Warning”, hopefully with the rest of the world to follow (listen to the clip above – the full song is a gem). To keep things moving, Chris Glover and his band continue to tour and New Yorkers have it lucky in early July with a few concerts. Meanwhile multiple remixes of one of PP’s best songs, “Multi-Millionaire”, keep surfacing. I already introduced you to the Aeons remix, and now the wonderful folks at RCRDLBL bring us a grooving “Shook” remix for free download right here. And if you’re adventurous and in for some subtlety, you can check out a seamless mashup of the song with Whitney Houston’s “Million Dollar Bill” called “Multi-Million Dollar Bill” – another generous free download right here.
Kyle Brylin “Everything I’m Missing” redux
The talented Kyle Brylin has tweaked the sound and mix of my favourite song by him thus far, “Everything I’m Missing”, which topped out at #5 on my chart a few weeks ago. Not only that but the provocative video that I blogged about months ago has been revisited and moves along much more fluidly (watch the video above). “Everything” in its finest version is now available for purchase on iTunes along with a brand new song “Make It So”, which takes its time playing with you till the three minute mark, when it turns into this fantastic militant breakdown of R&B-influenced pop that comes to an end all too soon – extended remix please?? Listen to “Make It So” below.
Here’s a Reeecap of several songs and/or videos I’ve heard over the past few weeks that are oh so worthy of your attention:
Darren Hayes “Talk Talk Talk”
I swear Darren Hayes carries some pop dynamite up his sleeve. His 2007 album This Delicate Thing We’ve Made was a striking conceptual monument to many things personal, sad, powerful, and wondrous, and was my favourite album of the last decade. Darren’s much anticipated new release is called Secret Codes And Battleships, and its first single is “Talk Talk Talk”. This song ties together the successful Savage Garden superpop with some of the more honed brilliance from This Delicate Thing that you have found in songs like “On The Verge Of Something Wonderful” or “Who Would Have Thought”. Given the complex teasers that led up to the album title’s announcement and the release of “Talk Talk Talk” there is much more to meet the ear that is to come. Pop songs rarely get better than this. Get “Talk Talk Talk” on iTunes and watch the colourful video that is just full of Darren below.
While that electropop sensation “Stupid” is still coasting in My Top 5 on my chart, New York based Texans Databoy are back with a song that I’ve been waiting for since I heard it at Arjan Writes’ Superfraiche show in New York City in April. “Just Once” is an indelible slice of dance pop that screams summer beach fun in the sun, and you can hear it by clicking the link above. It’s one of those songs whose good-naturedness is contagious like “Walking On Sunshine”, “Steal My Sunshine”, “Fun Fun Fun” – you get the idea. Can’t wait to buy this one or to hear more from these lads.
Blue Hamilton “Runway”
I don’t know too much about Blue Hamilton other than that he’s been involved in A&R for a major publishing company and one of his better known contacts tweeted about this song during the week. But we’ll be hearing about him more very soon. And what a song it is, accompanied by a video that’s just heart-wrenching. Blue has a one-of-a-kind voice that evokes many mid-80’s alt.pop memories (“A Good Heart” by Feargal Sharkey? “Wonderful Life” by Black? “Never Never” by The Assembly? Anyone?) and his delivery makes “Runway” particularly affecting. Watch the video below – what’s that in your eye, a tear??
Van Go Lion “We Don’t Miss A Beat”
Portland, Oregon duo Amy Paige and Josh Loerzel are back to dazzle us with their own brand of danceable pop with the melodic and lyrical “We Don’t Miss A Beat”. Once again, Amy puts on her best Annie Lennox (and this time coincidentally the melody has the same drive as Eurythmics’ “SexCrime (Nineteen Eighty-Four)”), and the song criss-crosses with Swedish-sounding europop faster than you can say Cascada or September. Amy’s singing here also recalls 80’s UK chanteuse Maggie Reilly, who we heard as vocalist on songs by the likes of Mike Oldfield as well as eventually on her own solo records. The song’s story quality sweeps you onto the dancefloor into a whirl of bright lights, glittering jewels, and big, fancy, twirling dresses. Give a close listen below.
Spoons “You Light Up”
Once upon a time in Toronto there was a very young quartet called The Spoons, who quickly acquired a following at Canadian college radio stations in 1981 with an innovative debut album called Stick Figure Neighbourhood. No sooner had that happened then a follow up single “Nova Heart” was released by mid-1982. “Nova Heart” was propelled into the Top 20 across Canada followed by a stellar and influential new wave dance album called Arias And Symphonies. More hits followed throughout the 80’s but by the early 90’s grunge rock made synthpop a bad name and the band went underground. Still led by singer/guitarist Gord Deppe and bassist/singer Sandy Horne, The Spoons resurfaced with a new song in 2010, followed this Spring by their first official new album since 1988 called Static In Transmission. The first single “You Light Up” makes it seem like time stood still for 23 years, and with the aid of today’s technology, the band’s melodic guitar-driven music is once again very current. Watch the video below to see what happens when the good guys and gals can get back into the game – I’m pleased to say I was one of their earliest college radio supporters.
Shun Ward “Lift Off”
Shun Ward was just newly born when The Spoons’ last album was released in 1988, and the Houston R&B singer has had to overcome many hurdles in his life that have led to the release of his EP The Prelude To Shun Ward City. This is slick soul that is more Chris Brown and R. Kelly than the sweeter sounds of the likes of Ne-Yo. “Lift Off” has a warm and sexy heart that pulls you tighter and makes you want more. Listen below and watch for Shun Ward to pop one of these days.
Joe Jonas “See No More”
I was more than pleased to hear that middle JoBro Joe was heading in a danceable pop direction for his upcoming debut solo album Fast Life. While “See No More” may not be the single that neither fans nor radio stations were necessarily waiting for, I’m thinking that this direction is going to elicit a few surprises come the time of the album’s release. Give an open-minded listen to “See No More” below.
Reeve Carney featuring Bono & The Edge “Rise Above 1”
Could it be that theatre mavens and superhero fans are flocking to see Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark on Broadway in New York City because the musical actually has very good music, despite awful reviews of the show? Hitherto little known 28 year old Reeve Carney’s softer empathetic voice makes Peter Parker a singer, directly complimenting Bono and The Edge’s grandiose strokes that provide “Rise Above 1” with a wonderfully empowering message. Can’t wait to hear more (and maybe see the show too).
REEECAP PREVIEWS
Matt Blue “Can’t Help Myself (Keep Dancing)”
I love to write about fantastic singers, and I personally can’t help myself when I hear 19 year old Dutch singer Matt Blue’s voice. He’s been teasing us with this clip of his upcoming debut single for a little while now. Somehow in a world of similar sounding, punchy dance floor fillers to Taio Cruz’s “Break Your Heart”, the energy and voice behind “Can’t Help Myself” are standouts. Listen below.
Blog Scandipop has been taunting us with generous previews of songs from talented Eric’s Saade Volume One. As you will hear when you go to the above link, this record will be a must-purchase!! Can’t yet determine what might be my favourites but one may be “Me And My Radio”.
Ro Danishei “Wicked Baby”
I’m still getting into songs from Ro’s previously free downloadable album End Of The Rainbow, and along come… bonus tracks! For the iTunes release of the deluxe version of the album, here’s a real teaser of a clip for “Wicked Baby”… which may or may not be a duet with…
New and as yet untitled from Jerry Reid
I’ve been raving about Detroit singer Jerry Reid’s song “Out Without Your Boyfriend” )(#6 on my current chart) from the excellent Ballroom Remixed compilation. He’s been working with songwriter Charlie Mason and others on some upcoming songs, two of which you can hear below. Sounds like some edgy dance pop with bite – listen below.
Pierre Lewis “Out Of My Mind”
I had a chance to talk with UK singer Pierre Lewis on a uStream chat a few weeks ago, where he also did some vocalizing, including an amazing cover of Michael Jackson’s “You Are Not Alone”, which he should record. Pierre’s now teasing us with the Jackson-influenced romantic R&B pop of “Out Of My Mind”, from the upcoming EP Transitions… watch the video below.
Another personal chart is here and it’s the start of a sizzling and scintillating summer of synthpop, which will also be known as in some future posts as Summer Popervescence 🙂
As we begin the sun-worshipping dancing, Simon Curtis has done what both Adele and Frankmusik could not do: Replace Eric Saade’s “Popular” – my favourite song so far this year, by the way – at the top of my personal chart. So the rivetting “Flesh” – which should by all rights be a prime candidate as a featured song on the new season of “The Vampire Diaries” – becomes Simon’s 4th number one song on this chart, joining “Delusional”, “Beat Drop”, and “8bit Heart” in that special group. Look for a special announcement from Simon on Monday, June 20, which I’m sure has something to do with the R∆ album and moving full steam ahead! Simon’s own “Superhero” continues to hold the charge at #4, while the still fantastic “Do It In The A.M.” by the very busy Frankmusik and Far East Movement, climbs to #2 but won’t possibly be able to dislodge “Flesh”. Pop/dance duo Databoy take advantage of the middle of the Top 10 and find “Stupid” rising up to #5. A pic of the boys from their Superfraiche show in NYC on April 1 is below.
Further into the Top 10, we find the Ballroom Remixed project making its presence known. First up from that record is the sock-hop swing ofJerry Reid’s “Out Without Your Boyfriend”at #6. Both Christian TV and Elouise make welcome returns to the Top 10. Christian scores his third straight Top Tenner with “I’m In Love” at #7, while Elouise’s tantalizing cover of “Tainted Love” becomes her third Top 10 entry as well at #10.
Just below is a mid-section of the chart abuzz with activity. A totally different and non-R∆ song by Simon Curtis appears on the Ballroom Remixed album. “The Puppet Who Gave Himself Strings” is a heart-tugger at #11. Benny Benassi and Gary go lead a sparkling summer charge to the Top 10 with “Cinema” at #13, followed by Lady Gaga and “The Edge Of Glory” (along with its underwhelming video) at #14, and then we’re back with Benassi, this time with Chris Brown (whodathunkit) on the feel-good dance song “Beautiful People” at #15. The emotional “Linda” by Toronto’s Andrea Lewis continues to climb at #17, Adele’s snappy “Rumour Has It” rises to #18, and the buoyant voices of Blue carry “I Can” to #19.
But the big news within the Top 20 is with“Cinnamon”, by Marianas Trench guitarist Matt Webb. Smack me on the head and send me through the wayback machine to the 1983 pop hooks of songs by the likes of Rick Springfield or Huey Lewis, and give me guitar riffs that won’t quit and are as memorable as those in a song like “Let It Rock” by Kevin Rudolf. I think a lot of broken hearts will identify with the lyrics of “Cinnamon”. As much as I like Matt’s lead single “Bad Girl”, “Cinnamon” is a winner and the fastest riser on the chart moving 26-16.
Finally, four debuts arrive on the chart this week.
You may recall that I blogged about Montreal/L.A. duo Long Story Short earlier this year, who have debuted with their album What A Scene which includes the song “Caved In”. The band has since amassed a following in the Philippines (!!), came second in a couple of songwriting contests, is about to make a video for the song, and has seen “Caved In” added to several radio station playlists across Canada – a difficult thing to do when you’re an independent artist. Even better, Dan and Nicky have recorded a new song, “Venom”, which is included as afree download if you subscribe to their newsletter. It’s also their best song to date, a true late summer night driving song, and you can hear it at the top of this blog. Taking the best pages from the edgy sides of bands like Lifehouse, Matchbox 20, and Goo Goo Dolls, producer John Nathaniel has helped craft a wickedly catchy song that documents a relationship’s dive into a hellish abyss. “Venom” is the highest debut on the chart at #21 – go get it!
Ballroom Remixed Part 3: I’ve already blogged about the dance/pop wonders of “The Lover’s Rumba” by Elouise, and while her version of “Born This Way” exits the chart, our torch club queen remains on the chart with “Rumba” at #23. Then at #24 we have a song that totally floored me over the past few weeks, thanks in part toMuuMuse touting the artist and the song. Former Girls Aloud member Nicola Roberts slid onto the UK charts with “Beat Of My Drum” and then promptly slid back off. Perhaps it’s because “Porcelain Heart”, also released on the single, is the better song of the two, with some cool drama carried by successfully emotive vocals. It’s a real grower!
The last premiere belongs to the creative producer/remixer Monsieur Adi, who in the last year has had triumphs with the likes of Madonna (his take on “Get Together” must be heard), Ellie Goulding, Javi Silva, Reni Lane, Gary Go, and Marina & The Diamonds, as well as his own songs. His most recent free download is the mesmerizing and commanding “Chariot”, which bows on the chart at #26. Listen and download below.
You can view the full chart using the link under ***BILL’S PERSONAL CHART*** to the right, or you can clickright here. Be sure to leave any comments you might have, and thanks for reading
Note that when you click on the pictures in the first column of the chart pages that they will now allow you to either listen to the song or view the official video to the song. Enjoy this new feature!
The official sophomore release R∆ by L.A. indie pop vocalist supreme Simon Curtis enthralls and tangles you up in a darkened sea of emotions, and at the same time delivers super sonic boom boy pop.
The overall result is… overwhelming. After a first listen, I felt battered but exhilarated, the latter more so with subsequent listens.
First and foremost, if a record isn’t entertaining it will lose me. The music in R∆ makes you want more, just like Simon sings in “Don’t Dance”. Despite the dominating dark and angry themes, R∆ is full of honest, passionate power. That comes in the forms of concert fave “Laser Guns Up” – we need glow in the dark lego laser guns 🙂 – the triumphantly militant “Get In Line” (it’s gonna be a Robot Army theme song), and first single “Superhero”. I dare you not to feel good about just about anything after hearing these ones.
“Don’t Dance” is a reverse psychology mind game that only makes you wanna dance. The scathing “Pit Of Vipers”, the Faustian “Soul 4 Sale” (did the great Tyler Shields cover art evolve from that growling scream in the song?), and “Chip In Your Head” sing about things that people in the entertainment biz don’t want to hear. These are bold efforts that reinforce being true to oneself instead of being the flavour of the day or another notch on someone’s wall.
After a week of release, I am still floored by the gritty fantastic feast that is second single “Flesh”. It’s not only the most unique song on R∆, it’s also Simon and producer Jeff “Jadion” Wells at their very finest. Bravo.
R∆ has five more songs that must be as painful for Simon as they are cathartic. They seethe about loves gone sour, friendships gone awry, betrayal, loss, and hatred. As hard to hear sometimes, they are compelling. I can so relate to “How To Start A War” having experienced my own form of personal hell within the last year as well. “Enemy” is another zinger, when the envelope gets shoved past the point of no return. “Joshua” is possibly the oddest and hardest-hitting song on R∆ and is rife with messages. “DTM” and “I Hate U” are the most difficult listens, repetitious and full of gut-spilling emotion. The record closes, as did 8bit Heart, with a song called “The Dark”, this time subtitled “Return to the Dark”. The dark is too easy and enticing a place to remain and the song holds hope for the light that I know can take it all away.
Musically, the record is a highly charged mix of aggressive pop dance that takes a lot of risks with its creativity. The rhythms will come and get you and take you away. Simon’s voice in all of its different octaves keeps getting better and better even when twisted and contorted by effects. If you’ve seen Simon sing in concert, you know that his voice is the real deal.
R∆ is so deserving of the first day sales and excitement it received on June 7. Do I like everything about it? No – it’s just that there is so much more about it to enjoy.
Simon Curtis has a lot at stake with this record but I think the rewards will be bountiful. I for one will be happy to wait another year for another record like R∆. It gives you a bit of a rough ride but ends up taking you to its heart and soul.
It’s been an extraordinarily busy few weeks in the pop music world, and accordingly my new personal chart takes to some flipping and flopping. When that happens, usually some songs that might have been destined for greater sights on the chart suddenly stop or tumble to make way for some of the year’s best triumphs. And this chart is no exception.
“Popular” by Eric Saade remains at #1 for a fourth appearance (8 weeks) from his forthcoming album Saade Volume One. Lord knows what would have happened if “Popular” was about pushing up against hot bodies, S&M, going down on someone, or biting into willing flesh, it might have never let go of the top of my chart 😉 For just this past Tuesday (May 31), Simon Curtis unleashed “Flesh” onto the somewhat unsuspecting public, and the resulting Internet frenzy may have been cause for temporary decreases in a productive workforce or perhaps sudden desires to procreate. From its slow-building start to its heart-racing climax, “Flesh” vaults onto the chart into the runner-up spot right off the bat. And though I’ve heard versions of a number of the fine songs that will eventually appear on R∆ in their finest forms, one can only wonder what tasty production treats Simon and producer Jeff “Jadion” Wells have in store for us. Listen to the Future Freestyle remix below.
With “Flesh” building a solid wall at #2, that leaves “Do It In The A.M.”, the fine single from Frankmusik and Far East Movement, to climb to third place. But don’t underestimate this song’s place on the chart. It’s a great motivational song, particularly if you want to paint your town red. Then it’s more super Simon climbing from 9 to 4 with the first single from R∆, “Superhero”. Though “Flesh” has the lead story this week, “Superhero” should be taken hand-in-hand for the pop anthem that it truly is.
All of this activity leaves songs by Kyle Brylin, Jamie Woon, and Databoy stranded mid-Top 10 (a good place to be, by the way), Adele’s “Someone Like You” tumbling to #8, and “Another Dimension” by Bass Robbers and new Dutch sensation Matt Blue struggling to get past #9. And it’s not going to get much easier, as the first entry from the Ballroom Remixed compilation (read here for more) debuts at #10. That belongs to “Out Without Your Boyfriend”, the jive-East/West coast swing bundle of energy by Jerry Reid featuring pianist Ben Waters (listen to the song here). Rarely is a song such fun that you can visualize a room full of people going full tilt, dancing and having a blast to it.
Just below, the always busy Christian TV has the fastest riser on the chart with his slice of eurodance/pop “I’m In Love”, which moves up 19-11. “Tainted Love” by Elouise has to take a few smaller steps this week, rising to #12, while songs by Britney Spears and Nelson Clemente hold just below. Then it’s a triple play score for Simon Curtis as his song from Ballroom Remixed, “The Puppet Who Gave Himself Strings”, bows mid-chart at #15 (listen to the song here). It’s gotta be hard when such a fine, but differently styled song from those on R∆, is such a winner unto itself. Its story will resonate with listeners and Simon’s vocals are totally captivating.
The incredible activity on the chart continues just below with lovely Ro Danishei’s “Drunk Txt” climbing to #16, while Lady GaGa herself soars to #18 with “The Edge Of Glory”. Benny Benassi is two-for-two as his own “Cinema”, featuring the talented UK vocalist Gary Go, rises to #17, and his collaboration with Chris Brown on “Beautiful People” lands at #20. Sandwiched between GaGa and Brown/Benassi we find Andrea Lewis with the heart-wrenching “Linda” at #19.
Many recent favourites have slid into the 20-30 zone, which is also peppered by Adele’s “Rumour Has It”, “I Can” by Blue”, and our fourth debut. Canadian band Marianas Trench are promoting their current release Masterpiece Theatre in the U.S., and in among all of that, guitarist Matt Webb has put together an upcoming album. I blogged about “Bad Girl” a few weeks ago, but Matt also posted a limited free download of “Cinnamon”. And he’s outdone “Bad Girl” with that song, with great end-of-summer-breakup lyrics and a zinger of a guitar hook. Listen to “Cinnamon” right below – I can’t wait for his debut solo record.
You can view the full chart using the link under ***BILL’S PERSONAL CHART*** to the right, or you can click right here. Be sure to leave any comments you might have, and thanks for reading
Note that when you click on the pictures in the first column of the chart pages that they will now allow you to either listen to the song or view the official video to the song. Enjoy this new feature!
As announced last evening on the blog by Arjan Writes with a preview akin to trying to lick whipped cream off your nose, “Flesh”, the second single from the upcoming album R∆ by Simon Curtis, is available on iTunes today, in original and a very au courant somewhat retro Future Freestyle mix.
And sex, sex, sex is what it’s all about. It’s very rare that lyrics by a male pop singer are written so boldly and sung by him. So if you thought Rihanna’s “S&M” was risque, well you ain’t heard nuthin’ till you’ve heard “Flesh”. The lyrics let you know right where the song is at within the first 30 seconds. Sensual, sexual, aggressive, rough, undressed… and then the teeth go in, or so Simon sings anyway. Sonically, “Flesh” will remind you perhaps of “Joystick” from 8bit Heart, but that song’s such a slight tease in comparison. After about the first 70 seconds: *sold*, with the emphasis on the sexiest part of the song well before the 2 minute mark (‘and feel the pulse, beat beat beat beat’).
“On a hot summer night would you offer your throat to the wolf with the red roses… Will he offer me his mouth?… Will he offer me his teeth?… Will he offer me his jaws?…Will he offer me his hunger?”
– Meat Loaf featuring Ellen Foley, “You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth (Hot Summer Nights)”, 1977, Bat Out Of Hell
When I was a teenager the record that was all about sex was Meat Loaf’s Bat Out of Hell, and that was written by a guy (Jim Steinman). I don’t know what happened after that but I can only think of camped-up songs sung by guys that I heard in dance clubs that might give a similar but nowhere near as effective message. [edit: This is where I should have referenced the title of this post. So except perhaps for Justin Timberlake’s FutureSex/LoveSounds.]
At any rate, “Flesh” is gonna get scorched on a lot of those hot summer nights. And it should leave you positively panting for more songs from R∆.
R∆ is coming! It started with a “Superhero” and now it’s time to show some “Flesh”!
While the rest of Spring and probably all of Summer will likely be dedicated to every move by Lady GaGa, now that’s she reinvented the Concert in Central Park idea – and not undeservedly so – there are still, quite frankly, a lot of other very good records to which we should lend some attention.
Summer for me for these past five years has had considerable time dedicated to TV’s So You Think You Can Dance. Between SYTYCD and my 10 year old daughter becoming a competitive singer/dancer who does tap, jazz, musical theatre, lyrical, and song and dance, I have become more familiar with many styles of dance than I had ever expected, being someone who always thought disco dancing was the bees’ knees (so I’m aging myself!). So when My Fizzy Pop dropped news of the Ballroom Remix project, which I blogged about a few weeks back, and all of the performers involved, and choreographer Melanie LaPatin (who has choreographed so many glorious and memorable SYTYCD routines with Tony Meredith) at the helm, I was more than intrigued.
So with the album’s release on iTunes on May 24, comes the unveiling: This is one hot and well thought out project! Songs designed for the variety of Ballroom dances melded with upper crust contemporary pop dance by so many of the BlogVerse’s favourite performers along with many new faces, and terrific, talented writers like Charlie Mason, Liam Curry, and Richard Hymas. While there are always a few songs in a 22 track collection that will take a backseat to the rest, Ballroom Remixed is many songs strong.
One of those new faces I mentioned is pictured at the top of this page. He’s 24 year old Detroit native Jerry Reid, who could very well break out wide open with his super-fantastic-fun “Out Without Your Boyfriend” (featuring Ben Waters) as designed for a Jive dance. This song has the same energy and verve that I associate with the first time I heard the Stray Cats back in 1980/81, and we know what happened with them as well as Brian Setzer’s solo career. Listen to the song below.
“Out Without Your Boyfriend” by Jerry Reid featuring Ben Waters
Next up is our favourite Boy Robot, Simon Curtis. Count this song as an in-between-R∆ taste of another side of Simon, the one more reflective in the song “8bit Heart”. His song on Ballroom Remixed is “The Puppet Who Gave Himself Strings”, and there’s only one word that I keep thinking of to describe it: Adorable. It has everything that a song should: Supurb melody, fantastic and identifiable lyrics, and a beauty of a vocal from Simon. Even if I never knew it was by Simon, it will unassumingly become one of my current favourite songs, along with the very different“Superhero” and surely whatever will be announced as R∆’s next single this coming week. Listen to “Puppet” below. It is a keeper!
“The Puppet Who Gave Himself Strings” by Simon Curtis
Next up we have the shorter version of “The Lovers’ Rumba” by UK sensation Elouise, which I blogged about a in Spring Popervescence 2 in its Ricardo Autobahn remixed form. While I love the remix, the short version zeroes in on showcasing Elouise’s vocals in a dramatic style with which we have not associated her, and it will surely broaden her audience base. Rising star Kyle Brylin is also aboard with a song that could have turned into another “Boom Boom (Let’s Go Back To My Room)” if some restraint wasn’t shown. His song is “I’m A Man (Not A Piece Of Meat)” – is not so campy as its title suggests, and more of a companion piece to the seductive current chart favourite of mine “Everything I’m Missing”, albeit much slicker (with female backing vocals too), which just looks so good on Kyle.
Self-professed New York theatre ‘nerd’ Joshua Desjardins’ ode to Ms LaPatin “Melanie (Doncha Make Her Dance Alone)” is a grower, a playful theatrical (*shock*) track that features Ms Melanie herself, and you can hear it below. Other uptempo songs of note come from Linda Teodosiu, Neo, Gravitonas, Jeronimo, Romy Low, Lucas Prata, and Tammy Jay & Kally, while some luscious slower songs appear courtesy of Jenny McLaren, Jaime Lovett, and particularly Jill Helena whose “Woman Of The World” builds quietly.
As I said, there’s no shortage of fine music here, so go get on your dancing shoes and get yourself some Ballroom Remixed 🙂
“Melanie (Doncha Make Her Dance Alone)” by Joshua Desjardins featuring Melanie LaPatin and Ben Waters
Penguin Prison “Multi-Millionaire (Aeons remix)”
It’s been a hot second since Penguin Prison’s “Golden Train” graced my chart at #1 for four chart appearances (8 weeks) at the top of the year accompanied by its inspired mashup with Michael Jackson’s “Workin’ Day & Night”. Since then, the talented Chris Glover and his band have been touring and, last I heard, may have a new record deal in process for Penguin Prison’s full length and long awaited album. Mr. Glover has been kind enough in the interim to offer fans a taste of a spectacular song I heard back at a PP concert in October called “Multi-Millionaire”. While I am more-than-eager to hear the finished original song, the Aeons remix offered for free for a limited time only (Facebook login required) is a house-y Prince-worthy affair which continues to infuse Mr. Glover’s love of great music of the recent past with contemporary pop and dance club innovations. Listen to this remix below.
And we will flash to a stylish pic of the upcoming Eric Saade album before we continue further. He will be “Popular” worldwide soon indeed 🙂
Gentlemen Hall “How Long Have They Been Watching” (live)
If you’re not from the Boston area, then you, like me, were wondering who the hell Gentlemen Hall were, and how they ended up winning a contest and performing on the Billboard Music Awards last week. Well the proof is in the pudding with this gritty but totally captivating clip from their Winter tour, which characterizes the sextet to me as All American Rejects meets Duran Duran – like the latter, with its big tight 80’s sound, and like the former with journeyman performance and an engaging lead singer. Now, I wanna see them in concert! Gentlemen Hall’s first official single “Blush” is coming soon and you can hear it on their website-in-development.
Kate Bush – Director’s Cut
Lastly, I ask that you give a listen to Kate Bush’s new album Director’s Cut, which is her first release since 2005’s Aerial. This record reworks songs from her 1989 release The Sensual World as well as her 1993 record The Red Shoes. Neither of these two albums are among my favourites by her. I am primarily a fan of Kate’s early music. I first heard her as a 17 year old listening to a local radio show that decided to dip into the UK charts, and hearing a song like “Wuthering Heights” at that time helped change my musical landscape as I headed into the direction of college radio while I was in university. Director’s Cut is an elegant, lush, experimental, frustrating, infuriating, and outstanding record in which you can sink your head and not come up for air for hours. Of specific mention are “Flower Of The Mountain”, which is “The Sensual World” redux complete with original lyrics taken from James Joyce’s “Ulysses” which were not approved at the time, which transforms the song into so much more than the original, as well as “Deeper Understanding” (which will thoroughly entice you), “Moments Of Pleasure”, and of course “This Woman’s Work”. You can hear the full album right here.
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