It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, isn't it? Which for some people will be a bit of a nightmare, considering it's not even Hallowe'en yet. For me, however, the longer the build up to Christmas, the better... I was gladdened to see the Christmas tree up in Borders, the festive drinks menu being prepared in Starbucks. T'is indeed the most wonderful time of the year :) Anyway, have been struggling over the past few days as to whether to take a job in London and move down there for a while, or take a really great position in Birmingham. I - for many reasons - ultimately went with Birmingham job. Not only was it the job I wanted to do most, but after the salon opening last night, i realised I would desperately miss my friends who have become my family over the years. So now the decision is made, I'm excited to start the new job (which is so much closer to home) in the new year (I may also be looking forward to the extra money!)...Anyway on with the post! I've been very focused on boys lately (and who can blame me) but it's time to give some props to the girls. Note to self. never say props...(and don't forget the opening of my friend Paul's salon in the post below!)
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THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY:
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Sigh. No introduction needed to this little lassie. By all rights, considering the all round genius of her sophomore album "Come and Get It", Rachel Stevens should now be huge and teasing us with a taster from her third album. Sadly, despite the gays practically expostulating over her electro beats and catchy choruses, the record buying public decided she didn't deserve single figure chart placements and she dropped off the radar. Boo! Which is a real shame, because there were a lot of gems on her second album that weren't released including the should've-been-a-christmas05-single electroclashy Crazy Boys and the simply lovely Alexis Strum penned Nothing Good About This Goodbye. Below are a few of my favourite Rachel tracks and I have my fingers crossed, but hopes not raised for an equally brillo new album soon...
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LINK: Buy Come and Get It
LINK: Rachel's myspace site
MP3: Cathy Dennis - Sweet Dreams My LA Ex (demo)
MP3: Rachel Stevens - Negotiate With Love Tom Neville Mix Edit
MP3: Rachel Stevens - Crazy Boys
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THE ONE THAT'S COMING BACK:
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Viva la return of Sophie Ellis Bextor-Feeling I say! And quite right that she should follow an artist helped out by Cathy Dennis for is the 90s popstrel were still recording music, she would be Sophie... Far too long has SEB been absent from the world of pop. Of course, she has an excuse as she was marrying handsome fellas from the Feeling and popping out an adorable little baby. But now, her music is destined to fill the charts all over again. Which is good really, considering the mess that was the promotion of her fab sophomore album Shoot From The Hip. The first two singles Mixed Up World and I Won't Change You were great choices, but then nothing? What about the delightfully poppy Another Day as third single, followed by the brash and infectious Making Music? And how about utilising some of those brilliant 80s covers as AA sides? Sheesh! Still, another chance is forthcoming with Dear Jimmy on the popjustice album and I found a lovely acoustic romp called Live It Up. Roll on better promotion for her third album...
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LINK: Buy Shoot From The Hip
LINK: Buy the Popjustice compilation album
LINK: Sophie's myspace site
MP3: Sophie Ellis Bextor - Live It Up
MP3: Sophie Ellis Bextor - Physical
MP3: Sophie Ellis Bextor - Yes Sir, I Can Boogie
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THE ONE WHERE THEY ARE ALONE NOW:
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Oh dear. Am i happy that Girls Aloud are releasing a cover of I Think We're Alone Now for a Christmas single? Not particularly... do i think it's a good version? Not at the moment, no - but perhaps it will grow on me. I have never been a huge fan of the covers that the Girls have chosen - i happen to think they are better at choosing great thrashy original pop songs rather than trying to put their sound onto something well known. It's also hard to top the definitive cover version of it by Tiffany too...plus if you want a great modern band update you should look no further than The Click Five (don't leave me hanging Poppostergirl!). For a better dance update, check out Tiffany's recording or the Pascal version. Or a lovely languid Pipettes stamped version. Fortunately, Money is much better :) Hurrah for the Girls. Slutty pop rules...
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LINK: Buy Girls Aloud - Greatest Hits
LINK: Buy Tiffany's Dust Off And Dance
MP3: Tiffany - I Think We''re Alone Now 05
MP3: Pascal - I Think We're Alone Now
MP3: The Pipettes - I Think We're Alone Now (thanks Zeon)
MP3: Girls Aloud - I Think We're Alone Now (thanks OC)
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THE REINCARNATION OF ALANIS:
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I'm not exactly sure what happened to Marion Raven - she did a perfectly pleasant Kelly Clarkson-esque debut album that flew under my radar somewhat. Then she pops up doing justice to the epic It's All Coming Back To Me Now duet with meaty of the loaf. And now, she's discovered sex and someone has royally pissed her off! Good grief! Her new EP (lazy girl) is a bunch of angry grrrl anthems that made Alanis all that money in 1995/6, mostly about how crap men are and how great sex is. I shouldn't really like it and on principle I don't. But secretly, I think it's all rather good...
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LINK: Buy Marion Raven - Heads Will Roll
MP3: Marion Raven - Good For Sex
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THE WITCHY WOMAN:
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The main reason I love Idina Menzel is that she so brilliantly breathed life into the role of Elphaba in my favourite musical based on my favourite book - Wicked. First on broadway, and now for a limited period on the West End (for a reported £50k a week!). I think she has really distinctive face, and always comes across as utterly charming in interviews. Mix that with the fact that she recorded what can only be described as a power pop-rock anthem for the Desperate Housewives soundtrack (such a brillo third season it is having too...) and you are onto a winner. I will be returning to Idina to review her great album Still I Can't Be Still at some point, but for now enjoy!
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LINK: Wicked - the musical UK website
LINK: Buy Desperate Housewives soundtrack
LINK: Idina's myspace site
MP3: Idina Menzel - Damsel In Distress
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THE ONE WHERE INDIGO GOES PINK (AND VICE VERSA):
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Ah, the indigo girls - i have been pleasantly entertained by them for ten years now (a result of my summers as a camp counsellor in NY). When I am in the right mood, I love their brand of harmonising, folky guitar, politi-pop. I often put on classics like Galileo and Closer To Fine and sing a long at the top of my voice. Their new album, Despite Our Differences, is no groundbreaker - they stick to the same formula that had Lilith Fair attendees enraptured, but they do it so well, why change? On said album, they have teamed up with Pink to record a great track that plays to the strength of both acts and is a smashing little gem that would be a great single - maybe as a double A flip to their other collab (the more sombre Dear Mr President) on Pink's I'm Not Dead opus...
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LINK: Buy Pink's I'm Not Dead
LINK: Buy Indigo Girls' Despite Our Differences
MP3: Indigo Girls ft Pink - Rock n Roll Heaven's Gate
MP3: Pink ft Indigo Girls - Dear Mr President
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THE ONE WHERE I MIGHT GO SHOPPING WITH ELLA:
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Whenever I see Robyn, I think of Ella. Possibly cos Don't Stop The Pop have championed the little songstress so much. But i have never really checked her out. Robyn, not Ella! But the blogs are all abuzz with her lately, so maybe I should give her a bash (robyn, not ella!) Any ideas on where I should start?? And then while i was reading about Robyn yesterday and preparing my fashion post, i thought about what fun it would be to go shopping with a fashion icon like Miss Ella...and as this year is the 30th anniversary of The Flannels Group, what better place to nip round that their flagship Birmingham store. It has so many delights that it would whip (i'm pretty sure Ella would like whipping) Ella and Rob(o)pop into a sweaty gusset frenzy. I picked out some Prps light grey distressed wash denim jeans (£255), which will look great with a classic white Prada tee (£100! Honestly nip down H&M and get one much cheaper!!) under a cotton silk v neck with button detail by Placed by Gideon (£130). Aaah, i will soon be belle of the ball...
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LINK: Don't Stop The Pop do Robyn
LINK: XO does Robyn
LINK: The Flannels Group (Happy 30th birthday!)
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QUICK BITZ:
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~ Yay! While not everyone likes pseudo-No Doubt wannabes Tina Turner and Bonnie Tyler are inextricably linked! You too will be as flabbergasted as I was when you check out Pinkie's blog...
~ is ABC becoming the gay channel of choice? First TR comes out (boo you Burke!) and now a bit of lip locking on the much better than expected Brothers and Sisters...Plus B&S actor Luke McFarlane is rumoured to be seeing TR Knight (Grey's Anatomy) in "real" life too! Yay!
~ Nick continues to awe and amaze me with his critically genius finds - i am currently loving The Cinematics who have a very well dressed and foxy lead singer. Honestly, if he is not on your favourites by now, you are dead to me :)
~ Dirty Lies has a pic of the Kevin Federline (see Jasmine from aladdin isn't the only one who married a street rat) cd, which just totally makes me want to gag. Or gag him to stop him spewing out this crap. Ew.
~ Yay! Someone called "minty" over at l'il henry's site (can you still not comment on here hen? Email me if not!) is feeling the christmas love too and posted the vid for Aly and Aj's christmas single. My bells are certainly a jingling now...
~ Double Yay! The lovely Maria formerly of secretly ace A*Teens has popped her new music video for oxygen here. How absolutely super of her!
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Coming soon: Back to the boys probably tomorrow or even later tonight as stomach ache back! interview with rising star Emo D; 7 in 2007 update; My top 20 boybands of all time! My top 20 girl bands of all time! My top 20 pop groups of all time! My top ten female singers! Books! The popstars that charts forgot; Lois and Clark;and cos reader Rose pointed out to me that there is a new Dark Crystal movie coming out, something on that and whatever else comes up in the meantime...
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