New Bright Light Bright Light, Mika, Penguin Prison, Kyle Brylin

Bright Light Bright Light “Disco Moment”

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.

Tuned-On! Reeecap

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.

Databoy “Just Once”

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.

Songs from Eric Saade’s Saade Volume One

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.

Tuned-On! Top 30 #355 – June 20/11

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 of Jerry 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 a free 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 to MuuMuse 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.

http://soundcloud.com/monsieuradi/chariot

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!

Striking R∆ Nerves: Sophomore Score for Simon Curtis

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.

Tuned-On! Top 30 #354 – June 6/11

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!

Future Sex, Next Level: “Flesh” by Simon Curtis

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”!

Spring Popervescence 3 featuring Ballroom Remixed

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.

Tuned-On! Top 30 #353 – May 23/11

It finished in third place at Eurovision but that’s still enough to keep a big buzz worldwide for Eric Saade’s “Popular” as it remains at the top of my personal chart handily for a third appearance (6 weeks).  The Adele machine slows a bit, but not enough to prevent Adele’s “Rolling In The Deep” from breaking a chart record as it remains on the chart for an 11th consecutive appearance.  Will it go for a 12th or disappear from the chart? It will have to fend off Adele’s own “Someone Like You” at #3 and the smart summery vibe of “Do It In The A.M.” by Frankmusik featuring Far East Movement, which ascends to #4.  Kyle Brylin’s sexy, eerie but addictive “Everything I’m Missing” rounds out the Top 5 in advance of his upcoming appearance this week on the Ballroom Remixed album with a song called “I’m A Man (Not A Piece Of Meat)”…

Next to Adele’s 21, Jamie Woon’s Mirrorwriting is the album I’m listening to most in full.  “Lady Luck” is definitely on his side – though I want him to make up his cancelled Toronto show sometime soon – and climbs to #6, but the album is deep with multi-layered enjoyable songs.  Databoy’s “Stupid” rises to #7, and I can’t wait for the fun music this duo has to offer up this summer.  “Another Dimension” by Dutch talents Bass Robbers featuring Matt Blue enters the Top 10.  Talented Mr. Blue releases his first major label single “Can’t Help Myself” in the near future!  But the big news within the Top 10 of course is the debut of Simon Curtis’ “Superhero” at #9.  Simon’s not content to put this pop anthem on iTunes for your purchasing pleasure, a second single is on its way from his forthcoming album R∆.  And another song from the aforementioned Ballroom Remixed project by Simon is “The Puppet Who Gave Himself Strings”.  You can hear the original version of “Superhero” at the top of this page, and the trancey remix below.

Simon Curtis “Superhero (The Remix)”

While Lady GaGa’s original slides to #8, Elouise’s pensive live cover of “Born This Way” inches up to #11, but the Fastest Riser on the chart is her sensational and original take on “Tainted Love”, which climbs to #15.  The Top 20 is otherwise filled with rising songs by Shawn Desman, Britney Spears, Nelson Clemente (listen to the Australian talent’s “No Protection” in the Brian Canham – remember “Funky Town” by Pseudo Echo?  – mix version below), Ro Danishei, and Richard Barone.

Nelson Clemente “No Protection (BC mix)”

Debuting at #19 is a song that continues to display the versatility of singer Christian TV.  We’ve already experienced two pop-to-die-for releases in the form of #1 “Love 2 Baby” and #5 “When She Turns 18”, as well as an urban flipside in the form of the mixtape Who The Fuck Is Christian TV?  Now Christian conquers eurodance with the effervescent “I’m In Love”, which arrives at #19.  The song is a giddy ode to being uncontrollably in love, with a high pitched keyboard hook that you’ll find in the best Swedish dance hits.  It’s destined to join the other two songs as Top 5 entries in this chart 🙂  Listen to to the song below.

While “Cinema” by Benny Benassi & Gary Go and “Linda” by Andrea Lewis don’t end up in the Top 20 this week, it’s because of fierce competition so watch them to move up in the coming weeks.  There are four additional songs debuting on the chart this week.  Adele’s “Rumour Has It” at #24  is a slick and seductive track that would be amazing in a dance remix.  I’m not sure what will follow up “Someone Like You” as a single but “Rumour” has my vote.  Then at #25 is a return to fun pure pop dance form for Lady GaGa with “The Edge Of Glory”.  Next at #26 is the UK Eurovision entry by Blue, “I Can”.  I never really cared much for these four lads in their early 00’s heyday outside of a few songs, but I love the uplifting vibe of this song as well as the vocal arrangement.  They could find an audience that they never had with this song, particularly if released in North America (hear the song below).  Lastly, it’s a complete turnaround for Chris Brown but his teaming with Benny Benassi for “Beautiful People” at #27 has landed him at #1 on Billboard’s dance club play chart as well as in the Top 10 on charts around the world.  North America decided to go with the urban “Look At Me Now” as a single from F.A.M.E. instead but this one could do equally well at radio.  It’s Brown’s first appearance on this chart since 2008’s #5 “Forever”.

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 I will be replacing the My Space links on the chart with You Tube links to the song or video in the near future…

Your “Superhero” Has Arrived

It’s big and bold and tough and rough – everything that a “Superhero” could be.  The first iTunes release (with a frenetic remix that’s perfect for club music fans) from LA’s Simon Curtis from his upcoming album R∆ has not only all the makings of a pop hit, but I think someone needs to contact the Zack Snyder crew that’s putting together the next installment of Superman movies (currently called “Man of Steel”) because “Superhero” would fit into its soundtrack perfectly!

At first listen, I thought immediately of a song from This Delicate Thing We’ve Made by Darren Hayes called “The Future Holds A Lion’s Heart”.  “Superhero” resonates with the power, aggression, and grace of that song.  Upon subsequent listens, the emotion and painstakingly raw appeal of Simon’s voice in this song sink in huge.  It sounds cathartic in some ways.  Simon’s newer songs come from a darker personal place than in 8bit Heart.  Combine that with his penchant for sci-fi/fantasy and glorious detail, as well as terrific production by producer/collaborator Jeff “Jadion” Wells and these four words say it all:  Not To Be Missed.  


Tonight In London Music Fans Win: Simon, Ro and Andrea in Concert

Tonight in London, the EQ Music Blog presents Simon Curtis, Ro Danishei, and Andrea Lewis in concert.  What’s so special about this show?  Well, fans demanded this show, and the performers, all from North America, obliged.  All three are promoting records.  Given the planning that’s gone into making this a very special show – and I hope it’s being recorded – I think it’s in some ways a historic feat for performers who have been promoting their music to fans for free, and then watching their respective fan bases respond more than enthusiastically.  I’m hoping this will be only the beginning for shows like this to happen on a regular basis.  Everyone wins.

Simon of course is coming off of his free ‘Net phenom 8bit Heart and is releasing a new single on iTunes from the forthcoming R∆ album, “Superhero”, on Monday (another new pic courtesy of Just Jared above).  Ro released her free End Of The Rainbow album on January 1, giving her own unique take on raw pop/rock with help from Simon and his producer Jeff “Jadion” Wells.  Andrea, who hails from Toronto (Simon and Ro are based in L.A.), released her free 54321 album last Fall to rave reviews for its gutsy pop and soul.  It’s some of the best pop music around, free or not.  Period.

My wish list for tonight, besides having the show recorded, is for Simon and Andrea to perform “Talk To Me” and Simon and Ro to perform “Michelle” again.  

My favourite Simon, Ro, and Andrea songs solo:

Simon>>>”Beat Drop”

Ro>>>”Drunk Txt”

Andrea>>>”Voodoo”