Album Review: Kanye West - Graduation (4 / 5)

I'm not much of a rap fan, but I thought I'd give Graduation, the latest from Kanye West, a shot. West is the most interesting of current rap artists, and he's managed the amazing feat of having both of his first two albums, The College Dropout and Late Registration, snag nominations for the Album of the Year Grammy Award. The way critics are singing the praises of this album, it seems a good shot it will follow the other two. While the album isn't amazing, it's not bad, in fact, it's pretty good.

The album opens with the mellow introduction "Good Morning," followed by retro-flavored "Champion," which borrows liberally from Steely Dan's "Kid Charlemagne," These tracks are fine, but not standouts, the first of which comes next.

"Stronger" is an electric, energetic track, a prime example of the current fusion between electronic music and hip-hop that's helping to propel rap back into the pop music spotlight. The electronica comes courtesy of dance master Daft Punk's "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger."

The next three tracks are also among my favorites. Sample-heavy "I Wonder" ("My Song" by Labi Siffre) has a nice old school quality and welcome piano backing. "The Good Life" has a laid-back upbeat feel, "P.Y.T. (Michael Jackson)" samples, and surprising restraint in the product placement department, desipte this being a song about enjoying wealth and luxury. Darker "Can't Tell Me Nothing" would appear to send the mixed message that money can't buy happiness--West after all has just praised The Good Life--but even this more somber message is delivered with some brevity ("So if the devil wear Prada, Adam and Eve wear nada").

These are followed by perhaps my two least favorite. Tuneless "Barry Bonds" comes off like a big brag with no weight. "Here's another hit" he says, but I kind of doubt this track will be a hit. "Drunk and Hot Girls" is synth heavy but beat light, never mind misogynistic.

Thankfully two more standout tracks follow. "Flashing Lights" is totally cool. The kind of slower groove that still makes you want to move. It's typical celebrity stuff though--an anti-paparazzi rant about how all the "flashing lights" get him down, like a "Katrina with no FEMA." Then there's "Everything I Am," a slow, piano-laced track about being Kanye being true to himself.

Chris Martin of all people shows up for backing vocal duty on "The Homecoming." He's one among a long line of guests here, which includes T-Pain, Ne-Yo, John Legend, Lil Wayne, and Mos Def.

You have to admire him for admitting that he is who he is. He admits he's boastful ("with my ego, I can stand there in a Speedo and still be looked at like a...hero") he admits he likes to shop ("I shop so much I can speak Italian" he says in "Champion). He also loves to hand out free (or is it?) advertising. Louis Vuitton is the clear champion, mentioned in three tracks, followed by Christian Dior in two. Other product placements include Adidas, Bacardi, Delorean, Ferrari, Hugo Boss, Isotoner, Klondike, Nike, Polo Ralph Lauren, Prada, Reebok, Speedo, Versace, and Volvo. Three films also get either direct or indirect mention: The Pursuit of Happyness, The Devil Wears Prada, and Snakes on a Plane.

Best tracks: Stronger, The Good Life, Flashing Lights, Can't Tell Me Nothing, Everything I Am, I Wonder

Personal Chart, 9/29/2007

TW LW Title - Artist
1 .... 1 .... Stronger - Kanye West (2 wks @ #1)
2 .... 3 .... The Way I Are - Timbaland Featuring Keri Hilson & DOE
3 .... 2 .... 1973 - James Blunt
4 .... 6 .... Who Knew - Pink
5 .... 7 .... Lovestoned - Justin Timberlake
6 .... 5 .... Suburban Knights - Hard-Fi
7 .... 4 .... Hold On - KT Tunstall (1 week @ #1)
8 ... 14 ... Young Folks - Peter Bjorn & John Featuring Victoria Bergsman
9 .... 8 .... With Every Heartbeat - Robyn with Kleerup
10 .. 10 .. Big Girls Don't Cry - Fergie (6 wks @ #1)

Jamelia: Superstar - The Hits

Jamelia parted ways with her record company earlier this year, apparently over the mishandling of her last project, Walk with Me, which, while despite being a fantasic album, yielded few hits. So here they big a formal farewell by releasing 11 of Jamelia's more popular singles, omitting only a handful of the last popular. There are no new tracks.

From her first album, Drama (2000), we get "Money," collaboration with Beenie Man that served as her breakout single and first top 5 hit in the UK, and "Bout," for which she teamed up with Rah Digga. Both are from an era of British R&B where big sounds were really in, so you gets lots of loud beating bass drums and synth bursts. They're not bad, better than the mid-tempo "Call Me."

Almost half this collection consists of songs from Jamelia's second album, Thank You (2003), and for good reason. This was the peak of her career when Jamelia embraced a pop sound and scored a Mercury Music Prize nomination. "Superstar" remains her best single: funky, danceable, and irresistable. None of these singles are bad. "Thank You" is better than average empowerment pop. Her Chris Martin collaboration, "See It in A Boy's Eyes," is dark and funky but with a Coldplay piano pop touch. Bass-heavy "DJ" and soulful "Stop" were released together, and while not as good as these others, are still welcome.

Then finally there was Walk with Me (2006). Mid-tempo "Something About You" still sounds great, as does the "Personal Jesus"-sampling "Beware of the Dog." Releasing the over-produced "No More" as a single was a mistake though, as there were vastly superior choices from the album.

Best: Superstar, Thank You, Something About You, See It in A Boy's Eyes, Beware of the Dog

Album Review: Mark Ronson - Version (3.5 / 5)

Mark Ronson is one of the most exciting producers at the moment. His biggest achievement in my mind is producing the better tracks on Amy Winehouse's Back to Black, but he's also done good work recently with Lily Allen, Christina Aguilera, and Robbie Williams.

Version then in his album, a collection of covers--many of them very recent songs--each featuring a different collaborator, including most of the above-mentioned artists.

Most of the best tracks are up front. The vibrant instrumental take on Coldplay's "God Put a Smile Upon Your Face" is fresh and fun. So is the jazzy Lily Allen version of Kaiser Chief's "Oh My God." The Smith's "Stop Me" medley with the Supremes' "Keep Me Hanging On" featuring vocals from Daniel Merriwether is another highlight, downbeat and insistent. The retro-flavored Amy Winehouse take on the Zuton's "Valerie" is likewise a winner.

For the re-work of Maximo Park's "Apply Some Pressure," Ronson went back to the source and got the band's singer Paul Smith to do the vocal. It's also good--very similar to the other tracks. That is sort of the double-edged sword of this album. Ronson's sound is hot and great, but here, after awhile, all the songs start to sound the same. I love swirling strings and blaring horns over hip-hop beats, but I'd like to hear what else he can do. Originators Kasabian also show up on Ronson's cover of their "LSF," which is fine, but not a highlight. Better is Kenna's take on Ryan Adams' "Amy," which has a very '70s feel to it.

In the bin "doesn't work" falls the Ol' Dirty Bastard/Tiggers take on Britney Spears' "Toxic," which loses its frothy drive in a hip-hop incarnation. "Just," a funky Radiohead remake with Alex Greenwald of Phantom Planet is too long and not meaty enough. Robbie Williams sounds bored on the remake of The Charlatans "The Only One I Know."

Taken as a producer's chance to have some fun with his friends and remake some of his favorite songs into his own style this works pretty well. It's expected that it wouldn't all be great--it's an experiment after all, and when it delivers it is a lot of fun.

Best: Stop Me, Valerie, Oh My God, God Put a Smile Upon Your Face, Apply Some Pressure

Album Review: Robyn - Robyn (4.5 / 5)

Good comeback stories may be a dime a dozen in the pop music world, but they are always interesting. Take Robyn, a young Swedish pop singer who charmed the world in 1997 with her brand of Swedish pop on the cusp of the Swedish-produced pop invasion that would be BSB and Britney. "Show Me Love" and "Do You Know (What It Takes)" were top 10 hits in the US, all but assuring a follow-up chance. But record label RCA took a pass, and after two subsequent albums, Robyn parted ways with corporate labels.

After starting up her own label, Konichiwa Records, Robyn released Robyn in 2005. It was very successful in Sweden, but not anywhere else. It did catch the ear of one notable US pop columnist, Fred Bronson, who named "Be Mine" one of his favorite singles of the year. Two years later now the album has been given new life after Robyn recorded a new song "With Every Heartbeat," which she released in the UK and was a smash #1 hit, her first #1 single in any country. Its success prompted a re-release of Robyn with some new tracks, which has already been released in the UK.

Despite it being two years old, listening to Robyn feels like listening to the future of pop music. She's at the top of her game on the album's upbeat electronic pop tracks, which comprise the bulk of the album. Her girlish voice is a striking contrast to her sometimes raunchy vocals and street pretensions. "Konichiwa Bitches," during which Robyn raps, should be just silly, but it's actually pretty fun. Bass-heavy "Cobrastyle," one of the new tracks, is good too.

The next six songs though comprise the core of the album, and all of them are fantastic pop recordings. "Handle Me," slated as the next single, marries cello over bass and electronic bleeps and serves as a kiss off to an egotistical ex. "Bum Like You" is a sweet guitar-driven love song about how much she loves her guy, despite him being broke and not particularly good looking.

"Be Mine" is smashingly good. Intense strings keep the rhythm over the beats and keyboards. "With Every Heartbeat" is one those deceptively simple songs that really gets under your skin after a few listens. It's an earnest love song put to a electronic dance rhythm. (To hear a different and equally compelling take on this song, listen to the slower piano-backed version Robyn sang recently on BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge with Jo Wiley. It's stunning.) Rhythmic "Who's that Girl" and "Crash and Burn Girl" finish off this fine run of class-act pop songs.

Robyn wisely kept the slower songs at the back of the album, which, while not bad, aren't as interesting as her upbeat pop. Best of the bunch is slinky "Should Have Known." Then there's perhaps the album's only misstep, "Robotboy," a metaphorical ballad that's just too lean to stand up. The UK re-release added a bass line, which helps, but it still doesn't cut it.

It's a minor misstep though in an overall very strong pop album that shows a lot of creativity, diversity, humor, and drive. With any luck, "With Every Heartbeat" will be an international success, putting Robyn back on the pile of pop acts with worldwide appeal.

Best: With Every Heartbeat, Be Mine, Bum Like You, Handle Me, Who's That Girl, Crash and Burn Girl, Cobrastyle, Konichiwa Bitches, Should Have Known

Chart News

• Britney Spears' "Gimme More" climbs five spots to #20 on the Radio & Records top 40 this week, making it a bigger hit at top 40 radio than Kelly Clarkson's "Never Again," which only managed #22. If "Gimme More" reaches the top 10, it will be only her 8th top 10 single. Among recent female pop artists, Britney is behind Christina Aguilera's 11 top 10 hits and Pink's nine.
• Timbaland (Featuring Keri Hilson) is #1 on the R&R Top 40 for a third week with "The Way I Are" and also has this week's highest debut at #29 with "Apologize," which features Onerepublic.
• Kanye West's "Stronger" topped the Billboard Hot 100 this week, propelled by the release of his album Graduation. This is West's second #1 single after 2005's "Gold Digger," third if you count his appearance on Twista's "Slow Jamz." Kanye also scores this week's Billboard Hot 100 Hot shot debut at #14 with Graduation album track "Good Life (featuring T-Pain)." Graduation's first single, "Cant Tell Me Nothing," which initially flopped at #80, has recently been climbing up the chart and gets a boost up to #41 this week. The release of Kanye's rival 50 Cent's album Curtis has helped his singles too. "Ayo Technology (featuring Justin Timberlake)" vaults up 14 spots to #5 while his other single, "I Get Money" enters the top 40 at #20.
• Pink's "Who Knew" climbs five spots to #9 on the Hot 100, matching the peak of her last single "U + Ur Hand." This single was originally released last year, but failed to make the top 100. Given new life after the unexpected success of "U + Ur Hand," "Who Knew" looks set to become the album's biggest hit. It's currently #2 at Top 40 radio.

Personal Chart, 9/22/2007

TW LW Title - Artist
1 .... 2 .... Stronger - Kanye West (1 week @ #1)
2 .... 3 .... 1973 - James Blunt
3 .... 6 .... The Way I Are - Timbaland Feat. Keri Hilson & DOE
4 .... 1 .... Hold On - KT Tunstall
5 .... 4 .... Suburban Knights - Hard-Fi
6 .... 8 .... Who Knew - Pink
7 ... 10 .... Lovestoned - Justin Timberlake
8 .... 9 .... With Every Heartbeat - Robyn (with Kleerup)
9 .... 5 .... Tears Dry on Their Own - Amy Winehouse (3 wks @ #1)
10 .. 7 .... Big Girls Don't Cry - Fergie (6 wks @ #1)

Kanye Wins

In the Kanye West vs. 50 Cent contest to see who's album would be #1 tomorrow, the winner is overwhelmingly Kanye West, who's Graduation moved nearly 1 million copies, beating the almost 700,000 sold by 50 Cent's Curtis. Word is out on whether 50 Cent will honor his promise to retire--something tells me he won't. According to Billboard, Kanye's total of 957,000 is the 15th best one-week sales week for an album since Soundscan starting tracking album sales in 1991. The last artist to sell as many copies of one album in one week was 50 Cent, with his 2005 release, The Massacre. We'll find tomorrow whether the releases push these artists current singles up the Hot 100, at #2 last week, Kanye West's "Stronger" looked like a good contender for #1.

Peter Bjorn and Friends

"Young Friends" by Peter Bjorn and Friends (featuring Victory Bergsman) is the hot new track in the UK right now. The song's on the Radio 1 A-list, is currently #15 on airplay and rising fast, and was released Monday. The video is really cool too:

Back from New York

I'm back from New York. The trip included the obligatory stop in Times Square's Virgin Megastore, my favorite music store in the U.S. Great sale there now. I picked up Mark Ronson's Version and the remastered re-release of Michael Jackson's Thriller.

Personal Chart, 9/15/2007

I'm gone the next few days, so the blog will be taking a break.

TW LW Title - Artist
1 .... 2 .... Hold On - KT Tunstall (1 week @ #1)
2 .... 5 .... Stronger - Kanye West
3 .... 7 .... 1973 - James Blunt
4 .... 6 .... Suburban Knights - Hard-Fi
5 .... 1 .... Tears Dry on Their Own - Amy Winehouse (3 wks @ #1)
6 .... 3 .... The Way I Are - Timbaland Feat. Keri Hilson & DOE
7 .... 4 .... Big Girls Don't Cry - Fergie (6 wks @ #1)
8 ... 10 ... Who Knew - Pink
9 .... 8 .... With Every Heatbeat - Robyn (with Kleerup)
10 ... 9 ... Lovestoned - Justin Timberlake

Kanye vs. 50

Tomorrow is the start of the first week sales showdown between rappers 50 Cent and Kanye West, both of whom are releasing their third albums, Curtis and Graduation, respectively. 50 Cent told the press he would stop putting out albums if Kanye beat him in first week sales. Let's see how they stack up:

Sales: 50 Cent. Kanye sold 5.8 million copies sold in the US of his first two albums, The College Dropout and Late Registration, compared to the 13 million copies 50 Cent sold of Get Rich or Die Tryin' and The Massacre. Based solely on past sales, 50 has the advantage here.

Hits: 50 Cent. Kanye's "Gold Digger" is the single biggest hit between them, which spent 10 weeks at #1, but that's far and away Kanye's biggest hit, who, not counting featured appearances, has had only two other top 10's: the current "Stronger" at #2 this week and the #7 hit "All Falls Down." In contrast, 50 Cent has had three #1 singles--"In Da Club," "21 Questions," and "Candy Shop," plus four other top 10s.

Awards: Kanye West. If 50's a rapper for the masses then Kanye's a rapper for the critics, garnering far more awards than 50. 50's had 11 Grammy nominations--all but one in the rap categories--but he's never won. Kanye's won 6 Grammys, spread over rap and R&B categories for both performing and writing, plus he's been nominated in the general albums category twice and record of the year for "Gold Digger.

Current Single: Kanye West. Both artists stalled a bit getting their latest singles on the charts. Kanye's first Graduation single, "Can't Tell Me Nothing," stalled at #62 on the Hot 100, but he's rebounded with "Stronger," currently #2. It took 50 Cent four tries to find a single that appealed to a broad audience; "Ayo Technology" featuring Justin Timberlake is #18 and rising this week.

Verdict: 50 Cent. Personally I like Kanye West better. "Gold Digger" was great, and I'm really into "Stronger" right now. "Ayo Technology" isn't bad, but "Stronger's" better, so personally I would consider buying Kanye's new album, but probably not 50's. However, I think the sales record here is pretty clear, and that's what's at stake. And although Kanye is leading in iTunes presales (#2 right now, vs. #9 for Curtis), once the discs are in stores I bet 50 Cent will be the bigger seller when the Billboard chart is revealed next week.

Personal Chart, YTD 2nd Quarter 2007

As of the end of the June, these were the biggest hits of the year so far on my personal chart.

#...Peak Pos....Title - Artist
1 ... 1(1) ... Glamorous - Fergie
2 ... 1(3) ... The Sweet Escape - Gwen Stefani Featuring Akon
3 ... 1(1) ... Say It Right - Nelly Furtado
4 ... 1(1) ... What Goes Around...Comes Around - Justin Timberlake
5 ... 1(2) ... U + Ur Hand - Pink
6 ... 1(1) ... Ruby - Kaiser Chiefs
7 ... 1(2) ... Shine - Take That
8 ... 1(4) ... Grace Kelly - Mika
9 ... 1(1) ... Makes Me Wonder - Maroon 5
10 ... 3 ..... Girlfriend - Avril Lavigne

Album Review: Hard-Fi - Once Upon a Time in the West (4.5 / 5)

My definition of a really good album goes something like this: At first listen a few tracks stand out as instantly likable. Upon repeat listens, the appeal of other tracks emerges, while the first favorites don't wear out their welcome. You can see yourself listening to this for years to come.

That's what we have with Hard-Fi's second album, Once Upon a Time in the West, a confident, sweeping second album from the English band who debuted 2 years ago with the impressive Stars of CCTV. In a year packed with second albums from British groups--Bloc Party, Arctic Monkeys, Kaiser Chiefs, Editors--it's the best of the bunch, surpassing the band's first disc.

"Suburban Knights" opens with its best foot forward. It's upbeat, loud, brash, fun, marked by sharp electric guitar, a strong chorus (backed by a choir of "hey hey hey, oh oh oh, ah ah ah"), electronic keyboards, and even some strings to punch up the end. It even touches on suburban apathy toward the war on terror.

"I Shall Overcome" is also bold, but different, with alternating passes from electric and acoustic guitars. The strings and choir show up here too, but are used differently to underscore the chorus, vaguely sounding like a rock version of a dark disco track. Other songs embody a dance aesthetic too, like "Television," which I could almost imagine being a Pet Shop Boys track with a different arrangement. Piano and keyboards open this, and sound like their headed toward a clubby track, but then the song takes a punky pop/rock turn into its chorus.

"Tonight" is the second obvious highlight. It's a bold rock ballad, with big chorus, piano, strings. I like though, that it retains an electronic sheen pervasive through most of the album. Even the drum line sounds more like something from an electronic album than a rock album, which sets this apart from something that say Embrace or Coldplay would do. It seems like an obvious choice for third single.

The album shows remarkable musical diversity. The dark, string-laden "Watch Me Fall Apart" reminds me of early '90s Depeche Mode. Cheeky "I Close My Eyes" is a cacophony of percussive noise interlaced with insistent electric guitar and harmonic choruses. The lyrics long for escape from life's annoyances ("the boss is on my back"..."the phone keeps ringing"), but taunt the singer too with some "nyah nyah nyah."

Depression ballad "Help Me Please" tones down the exuberance of the previous tracks, but this is short-lived. The slight reggae and disco touches of slated second single "Can't Get Along (Without You)" reminds me of Smash Mouth. Following down-trodden "Help Me Please," it oozes joyous celebratory energy. Then there's "We Need Love," which pulses with a prominent electronic bass reminiscent of Goldfrapp's last album. My hometown gets a mention, along with New York, Glasgow, Liverpool, San Salvador, and London.

"Little Angel" is much brasher than its title would imply; another good sing-along number (if you know the lyrics). Final track "The King" is yet another winner. Darker and brooding ("With you I was The King, But now my story's done"), but lovely and melodic too. A bonus acoustic version of "Tonight" demonstrates that even without its heavy production, the song still holds up.

Not a bad track in the bunch, and quite a few really good ones. Once Upon a Time in the West is a very good sign that Hard-Fi will be around for awhile. I'd give this a "5," except for the fact that I'm not quite convinced it has "classic" potential. I therefore reserve the right to amend my rating.

Best: Suburban Knights, Tonight, I Shall Overcome, Can't Get Along (Without You), The King, Television, Little Angel, I Close My Eyes, We Need Love, Watch Me Fall Apart.

Natalie Imbruglia - Glorious: The Singles 1997 - 2007

The fall season for greatest hits releases is here. First up is Australian actress turned singer Natalie Imbruglia with Glorious: The Singles, the sort of hybrid greatest hits collection that's be in vogue lately, along the lines of what we got from Dannii Minogue and Hilary Duff: not quite substantial a catalog for a proper greatest hits but not enough new material to make a full album.

Glorious features all nine of Imbruglia's previous singles; new release "Glorious," which made a tepid bow at #23 on the UK singles chart last week; and four other new tracks. Included of course is her massive breakout, "Torn," which made her an instant international star. Unfortunately, she never lived up to it, and her third and very likable album, Counting Down the Days, never saw a US release. Here are the highlights:

1. "Torn" (from Left of The Middle). This 1997 single, her debut, became a massive hit in Britain, hitting #2 and spending 11 weeks at #1 on the airplay chart. A few months later it became a massive hit in the US, also spending 11 weeks at the top of the airplay chart. It's since earned a permanent home at adult top 40 radio stations, where the upbeat, easy to sing with track will always have a home.

2. "Shiver" (from Counting Down the Days). Something went terribly wrong with the promotion of her third album. "Shiver" is a glorious pop single, one of my favorites from 2005, and deserved to be an international smash on par with "Torn." It has a cool video too--a spy-themed chase across Europe in the vein of the Bourne films. It became a #1 hit on UK radio, but managed only #8 on the sales chart. Sadly, it was never released in the US, where I swear it would have been a hit. Interest in the album quickly waned as second single "Counting Down the Days" was released rather late and didn't chart well. We never whether "Perfectly," "Sanctuary," or "Starting Today" could have been hits.

3. "Beauty on the Fire" (from White Lilies Island). Imbruglia's second album wasn't nearly as successful as its first, and this, its third single, is the lowest charting of her 10 singles in Britain. Too bad, as the darker track with a mild downbeat influence, was the best single released from White Lilies Island.

4. "Big Mistake" (from Left of the Middle). This was the moody UK follow-up to "Torn," which followed its predecessor to #2. Strangely, it wasn't released in the US, in favor of "Wishing I Was There." Too bad, because it was much better. More of a rock song than poppy "Torn," it was also all over UK radio.

5. "Wrong Impression" (from White Lilies Island). A modest hit in both the UK and the US, this was the best White Lilies Island could offer. Not a classic, but a good song nonetheless.

Atonement

The good news: Atonement looks absolutely stunning. The bad news: It doesn't get a US release until December. Arg!!!!! Atonement debuted in Britain today to universal acclaim; it gets a 100% Rotten Tomatoes rating based on its 14 mostly British reviews. The Guardian said "there are moments - delirious, languorous, romantic moments - when this film appears to have the lineaments of a classic."

The film is based on Ian McEwan's acclaimed 2002 novel, which was shortlisted for the Booker Prize, an honor he earned yet again this year for his novella On Chesil Beach. Aside from Harry Potter, Atonement is my favorite novel so far this decade, an epic World War II romantic tale about how the lie of a barely adolescent girl can forever change the lives of those close to her. The book, and I hear the film too, ends with a delicious twist.

The movie stars Oscar nominee Keira Knightley and James McAvoy (The Last King of Scotland). Joe Wright, who helmed the lovely but light 2005 version of Pride & Prejudice, which also starred Knightley directs. Clearly, this is the most obvious early shoo-in to get a Best Picture Oscar nomination. That the early reviews are all stellar bodes well for it, as well as Knightley, McAvoy, and Wright.

Personal Chart, 9/8/2007

TW LW Title - Artist
1 .... 1 .... Tears Dry on Their Own - Amy Winehouse (3 weeks @ #1)
2 .... 5 .... Hold On - KT Tunstall
3 .... 3 .... The Way I Are - Timbaland Featuring Keri Hilson & DOE
4 .... 2 .... Big Girls Don't Cry - Fergie (6 wks @ #1)
5 .... 6 .... Stronger - Kanye West
6 .... 8 .... Suburban Knights - Hard-Fi
7 .... 7 .... 1973 - James Blunt
8 .... 4 .... With Every Heartbeat - Robyn (with Kleerup)
9 .... 9 .... Lovestoned - Justin Timberlake
10 .. 14 .. Who Knew - Pink

Klaxons Take Mercury Prize

Newcomers The Klaxons picked up the Nationwide Mercury Prize last night, Britain's prestigious music award that is supposed to honor the quality of the music, as opposed to the Brits, the more mainstream award that also figures in popularity and sales. The Klaxons released their debut Myths of the Near Future early this year. The album has scored four top 40 singles including the top 10 hit "Golden Skans" and their most recent single, a remake of the '90s dance hit "It's Not Over Yet."

Oddmakers had tipped Bat For Lashes' Fur and Gold to win. Other popular nominees included the latest from Jamie T, The View, and Arctic Monkeys, who won the Mercury Prize last year for their debut, Whatever It Is You Say I Am, That's What I'm Not.

The evening's highlight was said to be Amy Winehouse's rendition of "Love Is a Losing Game," from her nominated album Back to Black, during which one British journalist said the room fell absolutely silent. It was Winehouse's first live performance since her recent spat of trouble, which has left her bloodied, in rehab, and contributed to the cancellation of US tour dates and her scheduled appearance at the MTV Video Music Awards. See the video below--I agree she is mesmerizing, and it would appear, sober.

Personal Chart, YTD 1st Quarter 2007

I'm finally getting around to recording the points from my weekly top 40 charts to calculate the biggest hits of the year. I'm up through March. These were the top 10 hits of the year, as of 3/31/2007:

1. Say It Right - Nelly Furtado (1 week @ #1)
2. What Goes Around...Comes Around - Justin Timberlake (1 wk @ #1)
3. Grace Kelly - Mika (4 wks @ #1)
4. A Bad Dream - Keane (1 wk @ #1)
5. The Sweet Escape - Gwen Stefani ft. Akon (#2, later 3 wks @ #1)
6. Patience - Take That (4 wks @ #1)
7. Ruby - Kaiser Chiefs (1 wk @ #1)
8. Shine - Take That (2 wks @ #1)
9. Irreplaceable - Beyoncé (2 wks @ #1)
10. Glamorous - Fergie (1 wk @ #1)

Looking Back: Summer 1987

June

The summer of 1987 kicked off with several upbeat #1 hits. First their was Kim Wilde with her energetic remake of the Supremes' "You Keep Me Hanging On" followed by Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam's first and biggest #1 hit "Head to Toe." Both still sound great today.



Summer's biggest dance pop landed at #1 at the end of June, "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)" by Whitney Houston. It was the first single from Whitney's second album, Whitney, and Houston's 4th consecutive #1 hit--a run that would last for three more singles, setting up a still unbroken record seven # hits in a row. "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" is tuneful, joyous, frothy pop at its best and remains one of my favorite singles from 1987. It was the year's fourth biggest hit. Check out her poodle 'do in the video.



Other big hits from June include Atlantic Starr's #1 ballad "Always," Genesis's fifth and final Invisible Touch single, "In Too Deep," and Bon Jovi's "Wanted Dead or Alive." Somewhat forgotten it would seem was Herb Alpert Featuring Janet Jackson's top 10 hit "Diamonds" (video above). I hadn't even heard this song until recently, and it's not bad. It was produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, so musically it goes quite well along the Control singles of the era. This song is not available on iTunes and was not included on Janet Jackson's 1995 greatest hits collection.

July



With Whitney remaining at #1 for a second week, the only new #1 single for the month of July was "Alone" by Heart, which spent 3 weeks at #1 becoming the year's second biggest hit. It was heart's second (and last) #1 hit, following "These Dreams" from 1986. It's a great '80s big rock ballad.

Instrumental hits are rare, but Kenny G had one in 1987, "Songbird," his biggest single. Expose offered their second single, "Point of No Return;" better than "Come Go With Me," it became their second top 5 hit. The System offered poppy "Don't Disturb This Groove," which you wouldn't be faulted for thinking was titled "Hang This Sign Up on The Door."

August



August is key, for we're finally up to the point in 1987 that I started listening to popular music. And who was there to greet me at this critical juncture? Madonna of course, who had her 6th #1 with "Who's that Girl." The first of two US singles from the movie sountrack, "Who's that Girl" is slightly Spanish-influenced pure '80s dance pop, sounding similar to the music on her album from the previous year, True Blue. The video is one of Madonna's odder ones. She seems strangely serene for her, a frumpily dressed, and the clip seems more of an opportunity to showcase scenes from the film than scenes of her--something that future Madonna soundtrack singles would not do. While not a classic, it is a solid Madonna '80s single.

August had two other #1 hits, "Shakedown" by Bob Seger from the soundtrack to Beverly Hills Cop II, one of the year's biggest hit movies, and "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For," U2's second #1 hit of the year and a Grammy nominee for record of the year. Like "With or Without You" it's a slow burning rock track that doesn't grab you at first, but sinks in after repeat listens.



"I Want Your Sex" was the height of controversy in 1987. George Michael's first single from his solo debut, Faith, the track and its sexy video pushed the limit of acceptable raciness. A closer listen to the lyrics though shows that those who criticized it probably weren't playing close attention--the song is a celebration of the joy of sex in a committed relationship ("Sex is best when it's one one one"), with Michael writing "explore monogamy" in lipstick on a model. Of course we since learned that he didn't actually want her sex, but that's a story for later.

August was indeed a busy month. Other notable tracks include Suzanne Vega's domestic abuse story, "Luka," also a Grammy nominee for record of the year; "Heart & Soul" by T'Pau, a band named after a Vulcan priestess from Star Trek; "The Pleasure Principle," Janet Jackson's final Control single; Jet's "Cross My Broken Heart"; and "Rhythm Is Gonna Get You," Gloria Estefan's first Let it Loose single, one of four from that album to hit the top 10.

Preview Hard-Fi

Hard-Fi's second album, Once Upon a Time in the West, can be previewed in its entirety on MySpace here. It's out Monday in the UK. I love first single "Suburban Knights," and the several other tracks I've listened so far are great, especially "Tonight." I'm very excited about this.

Album Review: Bat for Lashes - Fur and Gold (4/5)

Otherworldly is a good word to describe the debut album from British/Pakistani singer Bat for Lashes a.k.a. Natasha Khan. Moody soundscapes and a wide array of stringed instruments from violins to harpsichords to harps create a dramatic fantasy-land atmosphere. Her voice and general oddness evoke Bjork, although with more accessible songs. I have no idea what they're about lyrically--wizards, heaven, court jesters and even seals (see Feist) make an appearance.

Strong tracks "Horse and I" and "Trophy" lead the pack with dramatic almost theatrical touches of insistent harpsichord, marching drums, and hand claps. Khan's voice is pure and ethereal, also lending to the gothic atmosphere. Piano comes into play with the milder third track, "Tahiti."

The middle section includes the album's strongest tracks, such as "What's a Girl to Do," which pulses with prominent bass drums over (i think) harpsichord. "The Wizard"is another good one, albeit slinky and weird. Upbeat "Prescilla" features handclaps, stringed instruments, and piano.

The last three tracks are quite good too. Understated "Seal Jubilee" is a good contrast to the froth of most of the album, presenting a moody melancholy. "Sarah" opens with some space-age sound effects, has a good rhythmic vibe, and alternates between single and multi-voice vocal phrases. Final track "I Saw a Light" is a mellow piano-driven number that builds to a climactic middle.

The only tracks I don't really care for are "Sad Eyes," which is somewhat lackluster, and "The Bat's Mouth," which starts out well but gets too weird and cacophonous by the end.

Best: What's a Girl to Do, Prescilla, Sarah, Horse and I, Trophy, Seal Jubilee, The Wizard

Billboard Hot 100 Analysis, 9/8/2007

1. Big Girls Don't Cry - Fergie

Yay!!! After 4 weeks poised at #2, Fergie finally climbs to the top spot, earning her third #1 Hot 100 hit. "Big Girls Don't Cry" is arguably her biggest, most accessible hit single, having already spent 8 weeks at #1 on the top 40 airplay chart. The single is also #1 this week on the Billboard Adult top 40 and recently hit #2 in the UK, making it her biggest hit in Britain. Additionally, it has hit #1 in countries like Canada, Brazil, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand, making it her biggest hit internationally. Held back by "Hey There Delilah" and "Beautiful Girls," Fergie took her time hitting #1 with this single; "London Bridge" hit #1 in its third week, "Glamorous" hit #1 in its 9th week, but "Big Girls Don't Cry" took a leisurely 19 weeks to reach #1.

With this single, The Dutchess becomes the first album from a female artist to land three #1 hits since Christina Aguilera's 1999 debut did it with "Genie in a Bottle," "What a Girl Wants," and "Come on Over Baby." I can think of only four female artist's albums that managed four #1s: Whitney Houston's Whitney, Paula Abdul's Forever Your Girl, Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814, and Mariah Carey's eponymous debut. No female artist has ever had five #1s from one album, in fact that only act that ever has is Michael Jackson with Bad.

2. Crank That - Soulja Boy

I don't anything about this song, but thank god it didn't keep Fergie from getting her #1. I just listened to the iTunes sample; sounds awful.

3. Stronger - Kanye West

"Stronger" climbs another two spots to #3. It's his biggest hit since his 2005 chart-topper, "Gold Digger." Kanye's third album, Graduation, is due September 11, the same week as 50 Cent's third album, Curtis. Despite not being a hip-hop fan, I actually really like this song, which liberally samples from Daft Punk's "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger."

11. Rock Star - Nickelback

Nickelback is on the cusp of having their third top 10 hit from their latest album, All the Right Reasons, following #2 hit "Photograph" and #8 "Far Away." Along with top 20 hits "Savin' Me" and "If Everyone Cared," their latest album, having scored five top 40 hits, has far surpassed its other two major albums in its ability to generate hits, both of which each only had one top 40 hit: "How You Remind Me" from Silver Side Up and "Someday" from The Long Road.

16. Who Knew - Pink

2006 has been a renaissance year for Pink's Fourth album I'm Not Dead. Who'd have known the album's title would foretell its singles' performance. First single "Stupid Girls" hit #15 last year, but its follow-up, "Who Knew," petered out at a measly #95, marking the project as all but dead in the US while it continued to rack up hits abroad. Then came slow-burning "U+Ur Hand," which became Pink's 7th top 10 hit--and the album's biggest single--earlier this year, breathing new life into her career, and sending the re-release of "Who Knew" up the chart the way it deserved.

31. You Are the Music in Me - Zac Efron and Vanessa Anne Hudgens

34. Gotta Go My Own Way - Zac Efron and Vanessa Anne Hudgens

So the High School Musical 2 soundtrack's tracks didn't invade the Hot 100 the way its predecessor's soundtrack did, but it still scored three Hot 100 hits, including these two duets by its stars. The album's first single, "What Time is It?" initially hit #6 five weeks ago, but falls out of the top 40 this week. Zac Efron is just outside the top 40 at #46 with "Bet on It."

Personal Chart, 9/1/2007

TW LW Title - Artist
1 .... 1 .... Tears Dry on Their Own - Amy Winehouse (2 weeks @ #1)
2 .... 2 .... Big Girls Don't Cry - Fergie (6 wks @ #1)
3 .... 4 .... The Way I Are - Timbaland Featuring Keri Hilson & DOE
4 .... 3 .... With Every Heartbeat - Robyn (with Kleerup)
5 ... 11 ... Hold On - KT Tunstall
6 ... 10 ... Stronger - Kanye West
7 .... 5 .... 1973 - James Blunt
8 ... 12 ... Suburban Knights - Hard-Fi
9 .... 9 .... Lovestoned - Justin Timberlake
10 .. 6 .... Rehab - Amy Winehouse

Into the Wild

I'm so glad the summer movie season is almost over and time for fall--the real movie season--to begin. Here's fall's first promising film, Into the Wild, adapted from the Jon Krakauer book about a young man from northern Virginia who ran away from his life on a trek to find himself that ultimately led to the wilderness of Alaska and his death.

Album Review: High School Musical 2 Soundtrack (3.5/5)

Already on its way to becoming the biggest selling album of the year like its predecessor (it's first week sales bow was the second-biggest of the year after Linkin Park's), the High School Musical 2 packs in the pop hooks, making the music the best part of the TV film sequel (the showy film is good, but lacks the magic of the first).

Opening cast number "What Time Is It," a standout celebration of the arrival of summer, gets the set started with high energy and style and a fun percussive mid-section. Ashley Tisdale (Sharpay) gets three numbers almost all to her self here. The first and best is "Fabulous," an ode to luxury draped with "Jimmy Choo Flip Flops" and other assorted imports. We'll have to wait for the DVD (or search You Tube) for her other big number, "Humuhumunukunukuapua'a," the too-silly bonus track.

Zac Efron (Troy) and Vanessa Hudgens (Gabriella) get their share of mid-tempo balladry, delivering the other standout, "You Are the Music in Me," a sweet piano and guitar song that celebrates what Troy and Gabriella's relationship is all about: innocent love blossomed from the shared discovery of their musical talent. It outshines their breakup number, "Gotta Go My Way," and the climactic (unfortunately anticlimactic) "Everyday."

"I Don't Dance" is this album's "Get Your Head in Game"--the sports themed number ("hey batter batter, hey batter batter swing)--this time equating baseball with dancing over a clever blend of swing and hip-hop, refreshingly sung by two supporting characters Lucas Grabeel (Ryan) and Corbin Bleu (Chad). Efron gets his own number in the moody "Bet on It," which sounds like something N'Sync could have recorded before they broke up.

Best: You Are the Music in Me, What Time Is It, I Don't Dance, Fabulous, Gotta Go My Own Way, Bet on It

Album Review: Feist - My Reminder (3.5 / 5)

Canadian indie singer Leslie Feist has an amazing voice, at one moment sweet and gentle and at other powerfully crooning over this set of acoustic folksy pop songs, her second major label album. I prefer the album's jaunty upbeat tracks, such as "I Feel It All" or the album's hit single, "1,2,3,4," which is a fun mix of piano and handclaps. "My Moon My Man," underscored by sharp bass piano chords and low guitar chords, is another highlight, if not the best song. "Sea Lion Woman," a Nina Simone remake, is another fun hip shaker.

Some of the slower songs get a little too dreary, and she'd be better served by reigning in her voice a bit more at times--more noticeable if you're listening to this in the background rather than with headphones. Slower "So Sorry" is a good opening number, but other slows songs like "The Park" and "The Water," while not bad songs, drag on a little too long. Better is the dramatic, string- and piano-backed "The Limit to Your Love" or the leisurely closing number "How My Heart Behaves."

Best: My Moon My Man, 1,2,3,4, I Feel It All, Sea Lion Woman, The Limit to Your Love

Billboard: Brace Yourself for HSM2

The High School Musical 2 soundtrack will impact Billboard charts tomorrow. The album will surely top the Billboard 200 albums chart, likely with the biggest first-week sales of the year, but how many of the film's songs will make the Billboard Hot 100?

In February 2006 when the first movie's soundtrack bowed, nine of the songs made the Billboard Hot 100, including five in the top 40, led by the #4 placing of Troy and Gabriella's "Breaking Free." Top 10 nods seem possible for the big Zac and Vanessa duets this time around: "You Are the Music in Me" and "Gotta Go On My Own Way." I also personally like "What Time Is It?," but its iTunes sales aren't as strong.

MTV VMA Nominees

MTV Music Video Awards nominees for Video on the Year.

1. Irreplaceable - Beyoncé



Simple, yet gorgeously filmed. Beyoncé looks good, which is of course, the important thing here. Tells somewhat of a story about Beyoncé kicking some guy out of her mansion. I thought it was pretty good until near the end she invites a whole bunch of friends over for a jam session. Who ends a relationship and then feels like having a party right afterwards? He must have been a real jerk.

2. D.A.N.C.E. - Justice



The obvious outlier of the group--the one that wasn't a major hit--but clearly gets the nod for its cute special effect: animated T-shirts.

3. Umbrella - Rihanna Featuring Jay-Z



Fairly minimalist approach here--much of the video consists of water effects with a black background, playing up the rain thing, with lots of umbrellas of course. Then there's the metallic body paint, but that's been done (See Goldfinger, or if that's too old for you, RHCP's "Give It Away") and doesn't go with the rest of it, despite it looking cool. My least favorite so far.

4. What Goes Around...Comes Around - Justin Timberlake



Epic, movie-like videos can be a lot of fun when they're well-done, and this one is, telling even a somewhat interesting story while being visually interesting and includng some real actors (Scarlet Johansson and Shawn Hatosy). My favorite so far.

5. Stronger - Kanye West



Kanye West, Daft Punk, Japan, technology, robots, stylish clothes, and funny sunglasses. That's what this bizarre video is all about. Cool looking, but senseless.

6. Rehab - Amy Winehouse



Amy and her band hang out in her stylishly appointed flat. Great to see Amy nominated here, but this video, while cool-looking, isn't her best.

My ranking:
1. Justin
2. Beyoncé
3. Kanye
4. Justice
5. Amy
6. Rihanna

Personal Chart, 8/25/2007

TW LW Title - Artist
1 .... 2 .... Tears Dry on Their Own - Amy Winehouse (1 week @ #1)
2 .... 1 .... Big Girls Don't Cry - Fergie (6 wks @ #1)
3 .... 3 .... With Every Heartbeat - Robyn (with Kleerup)
4 .... 4 .... The Way I Are - Timbaland Feat. Keri Hilson & DOE
5 ... 13 ... 1973 - James Blunt
6 .... 7 .... Rehab - Amy Winehouse
7 .... 8 .... Green Light (Freemasons Remix) -Beyoncé
8 .... 5 .... When You're Gone - Avril Lavigne
9 ... 10 ... Lovestoned - Justin Timberlake
10 .. 15 .. Stronger - Kanye West

Hardi-Fi "Suburban Knights"

Do you like Hard-Fi? Their first album, Stars of CCTV was one of 2005's best. This the first single from their second album; it's called "Suburban Knights"

Personal Chart, 8/18/2007

TW LW Title - Artist
1 .... 1 .... Big Girls Don't Cry - Fergie (6 weeks @ #1)
2 .... 7 .... Tears Dry on Their Own - Amy Winehouse
3 .... 8 .... With Every Heartbeat - Robyn (with Kleerup)
4 .... 5 .... The Way I Are - Timbaland Featuring Keri Hilson & DOE
5 .... 2 .... When You're Gone - Avril Lavigne
6 .... 3 .... Hey There Delilah - Plain White T's
7 .... 9 .... Rehab - Amy Winehouse
8 ... 14 ... Green Light (Freemasons Remix) - Beyoncé
9 .... 4 .... Song 4 Mutya (Out of Control) - Mutya Buena & Groove Armada (1 week @ #1)
10 .. 13 .. Lovestoned - Justin Timberlake

Jamie Scott & The Town

Did a certain former No Andrews Band frontman change his name and become British? Actually this is Jamie Scott and the Town's video for "Weeping Willow." Their new single, "When Will I See Your Face Again," is out soon.

They tried to make her go to rehab...

Amy Winehouse may be in trouble. A British tabloid reported that last week she overdosed on a combination of heroin, cocaine, ecstasy and ketamine "washed down with whisky and vodka" during a night out in London. The incident apparently led to short-term hospitalization, although of course, without rehab. She's also canceled a string of recent appearances, including today as the supporting act for The Rolling Stones. I used to think the druggie/boozer thing was just an act: how could she become an international star--clearly something she is working hard at and that takes a tremendous amount of energy and commitment--but really be a junkie?

Remi Nicole "Go Mr. Sunshine"

Cute video from Remi Nicole. She sounds like the next Lily Allen, but the video is very White Stripes.

UK Chart Analysis, 8/18/2007

1. With Every Heartbeat - Robyn (with Kleerup)

An amazing chart-topping week for Swedish singer Robyn this week, who climbs 4 spots to land her first UK #1 hit. It's a simple electronic/pop song that gets under your skin with repeated listens. Robyn's previous biggest hit was "Show Me Love," (not to be confused with the late '90s dance hit, "Show Me Love" by Robin S.) a top 10 hit early in 1998. Robyn was also a hit in the US at that time with that single and another top 10 hit, "Do You Know (What It Takes)."

2. The Way I Are - Timbaland (feat. Keri Hilson & D.O.E.)

Timbaland loses the #1 spot after 2 weeks at the top. It's interesting to note that 5 of the top 7 songs in the UK and US are the same this week. Timbaland, #2 in the UK is #4 in the US; Fergie is #5 in the UK, #2 in the US; Plain White T's is #6 in Britain, #3 in America; Rihanna is #7 in the UK, #5 in the US; and...

3. Stronger - Kanye West

Kanye West debuts at #3 with "Stronger," while in the same week debuts at #6 in the top 40 portion of the Billboard Hot 100. Featured appearances aside, this is Kanye West's 6th top 10, and second highest-charting, next to the #2 hit "Gold Digger." It gets a physical release Monday, so #1 next week is a distinct possibility.

4. Foundations - Kate Nash

Kate Nash finally tumbles from her #2 perch. She's smiling about it though, as the single that couldn't reach #1 propels her debut album, Made of Bricks, to the top of the UK albums chart this week.

11. Shut Up and Drive - Rihanna

Rihanna climbs a few more spots to #11 this week. The single is still a ways away from physical release on August 27th, but it will face tough competition that week: Singles out on 8/27 include the latest from Plain White T's, KT Tunstall, Natalie Imbruglia, Athlete, Sean Kingston, P Diddy, Maroon 5, and the third in the latest series of Elivis re-releases.

12. Green Light - Beyonce

Beyonce climbs 5 spots to #12, just missing out of the top 10 with her fifth B'Day single, propelled mostly by the brilliant disco remix of the song by the Freemasons.

20. On the Verge of Something Wonderful - Darren Hayes

Savage Garden singer Darren Hayes returns with his 7th solo single, first from his forthcoming third album. At #20, it matches the peak of his third single, "I Miss You" to tie as his lowest-charting. His only top 10 as a soloist remains his first single, the #8 hit "Insatiable."

21. Love is Gone - David Guetta

David Guetta made a name for himself last year with his #3 hit "Love Don't Let Me Go (Walking Away)," a mash-up between his single "Love Don't Let Me Go" and The Egg's "Walking Away." Now he's back with "Love is Gone," which should climb next week on its physical release. Despite it being Ibiza season, and a good number of dance tunes out right now, few have actually risen to hit status. Yves Larock's "Rise Up," for example, had been touted as one of the summer's biggest dance numbers, but managed to peak at only #13 last week. David Guetta could change that, as could...

27. I Found U - Axwell

...Axwell, who debuts at #27 this week also hits the shops Monday. Another good dance tune.

23. Spider Pig - Hans Zimmer

Not the gloss over this, but novelty record "Spider Pig" from The Simpsons Movie, actually manages to climb this week, up one spot to #23.

Monday's biggest physical releases:

Stronger - Kanye West
Love Is Gone - David Guetta
Tears Dry on Their Own - Amy Winehouse
I Found U - Axwell
Same Girl - R. Kelly with Usher
Let Me Out - Ben's Brother
Elvis - Heartbreak Hotel and Suspicious Minds

Upcoming Album Releases

Here's what's on the early fall new release schedule.

Sept 3
Hard-Fi - Once Upon a Time in the West. Hard-Fi broke out big in the UK with their debut, Stars of CCTV. This second disc surely has the most unusual cover art of the season. Preceded by single "Suburban Knights."

Athlete - Beyond the Neighbourhood. Third album from Athlete, preceded by first single "Hurricane."

Sept 10
Kanye West - Graduation.
50 Cent - Curtis. It's rap showdown week, in an all-around busy week for new releases. Kanye West will try to repeat the success of his first two albums, The College Dropout and Late Registration--both of which were Grammy Album of the Year nominees--while 50 Cent will try to maintain his commercial success record. 50 Cent has actually faltered with this release, which has spawned no less than 4 singles already in the US. The latest, "Ayo Technology" featuring Justin Timberlake, finally appears to be the one to become a hit. Kanye West has a current top 10 hit, "Stronger."

*KT Tunstall - Drastic Fantastic. KT Tunstall was one of 2005's biggest new artists. This is her second album, featuring first single "Hold On."

Natalie Imbruglia - Glorious: The Singles 1997 - 2007. Hard to believe it's been 10 years in the music limelight for Aussie Natalie Imbruglia, but here she is leading this fall's pack of greatest hits sets. Surely to include hits like "Shiver" and "Torn" as well as new single "Glorious."

Also,
Go! Team - Proof of Youth.
Eve - Here I Am
Plain White T's - Every Second Counts

Sept 17
*James Blunt - All the Lost Souls. James Blunt was another of 2005's biggest breakouts with his debut Back to Bedlam and its massive international hit, "You're Beautiful." Second album is preceded by the great first single "1973." Tom Rothrock returns as producer.

*Reverend and the Makers - State of Things. Reverend and the Makers had a great summer single in "Heavyweight Champion of the World," and I'm looking forward to their debut album.

Also:
Booty Luv - Boogie 2 Nite.

Sept 24
Foo Fighters - Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace
Shapeshifters – Do Not Disturb

Oct 1
*Annie Lennox – Songs Of Mass Destruction. I'm crossing my fingers this will be fantastic. First single is "Dark Road," which I haven't heard yet. Album also features charity single "Sing," which features 23 female artists, big names like Madonna, Dido, Fergie, the Sugababes, Sarah McLachlan, Celine Dion, Gladys Knight, kd lang, Shakira, Pink, Bonnie Raitt, etc.

Stereophonics - Pull the Pin. Stereophonics release their sixth album, preceded by early single "Bank Holiday Monday."

Also:
Katie Melua - Pictures.

Oct 8
Jennifer Lopez - Brave. J.Lo returns with her fifth English album. She stumbled a bit with the last one, Rebirth, so is surely looking for a hit. First single "Do It Again" just debuted at radio.

Subababes - TBA. As yet untitled fifth album. No news yet.

Oct 15
Nelly – Brass Knuckles
Nicole Scherzinger - Her Name Is Nicole

UK Chart Analysis, 8/11/2007

1. The Way I Are - Timbaland Featuring Keri Hilson and D.O.E.

Timbaland spends a second week at #1 in Britain with "The Way I Are." He is the first artist so far to have more than one #1 hit this year, his first, "Give it to Me" with Justin Timberlake and Nelly Furtado having come in April. This is actually a better song. Check out the UK radio version, which has a fun finish.

2. Foundations - Kate Nash

Kate Nash spends a fifth week at #2 without any weeks at the top. I can't recall a recent song having done so. Don't feel sorry for her though--#2 ain't bad.

3. Big Girls Don't Cry - Fergie

Fergie climbs back up a spot to #3. The single peaked at #2 three weeks ago, making it her biggest UK hit, followed by "London Bridge" (#3) and "Glamorous" (#6) ("Fergalicious" has not had a UK release). In the US this song is now spending its fifth week atop the Top 40 airplay chart, making it her biggest hit yet at radio.

4. Umbrella - Rihanna Featuring Jay-Z

It's on its way down now, but I can't not take note of the amazing accomplishment this single has been in the UK this summer. Before being dethroned by Timbaland, "Umbrella" spent 10 consecutive weeks at #1, making it the 6th longest running #1 single of all time (a three-way tie with Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You" and "Cara Mia" by David Whitfield). That beats the 9 week stay at the top last year for Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy" to make it the decade's longest-running #1, longest in fact since 1994's "Love Is All Around" by Wet Wet Wet, which spent 15 weeks at the top.

5. With Every Heartbeat - Robyn

I wrote about Robyn a few days about, but here she is with her biggest UK single ever. The only thing that comes close is "Show Me Love," also her biggest US hit, which made #8 in the UK back in the magical spring of 1998 (magical because that was when I was there, duh). #1 next week? A possibility for sure.

7. Dream Catch Me - Newton Faulkner

A solid placement for newcomer Brit singer/songwriter Newton Faulkner. Great song too. Perhaps he's this year's James Morrison (who was last year's James Blunt).

10. Hey There Delilah - Plain White T's

The recent US #1 now becomes a UK top 10 hit. Nice song, although I'm afraid it's getting old.

11. Big Girl (You Are Beautiful) - Mika

Interesting. This single peaked last week at #9 despite having been #1 on the airplay chart for the last few weeks. Mika seems to be another artist who's first single sells buckets but whose subsequent singles--despite good airplay support--fail to live up. Same thing happened with James Blunt and the Scissor Sisters latest album.

17. Green Light - Beyonce

I wrote about this on my blog earlier too. Love it. #17 is a bit disappointing though. Perhaps it could climb? I hear there's no physical release planned, so maybe not.

21. Gotta Work - Amerie

Explosive follow-up to top 10 hit "Take Control." Too bad it wasn't top 10 too, as I like this song.

24. Spider Pig - Hans Zimmer

This has to be one of the most bizarre (and shortest) UK top 40 singles ever. It's taken from the soundtrack to The Simpsons Movie, and consists of a choir singing the "Spider Pig" song to the tune of the Spider-Man theme that Homer sings in the movie.

37. Tears Dry on Their Own - Amy Winehouse

This doesn't get a physical release until next week and it's #1 on the UK airplay chart this week, so Amy's probably hoping it will beat the #25 peak of her last single, "Back to Black." If she's paying attention that is.

Beyonce's "Green Light"

I can't get enough of Beyonce's new British single, "Green Light (Freemasons Remix)." The video is below. I actually wasn't that interested in B'Day when it came out about a year ago, but I've gotten into it lately. I also really like "Get Me Bodied," her current American single. The Freemasons have turned several of her singles into really great house numbers, particularly the Shakira collaboration, "Beautiful Liar."

Personal Chart, 8/11/2007

TW LW Title - Artist
1 .... 1 .... Big Girls Don't Cry - Fergie (5 weeks @ #1)
2 .... 2 .... When You're Gone - Avril Lavigne
3 .... 4 .... Hey There Delilah - Plain White T's
4 .... 3 .... Song 4 Mutya (Out of Control) - Mutya Buena & Groove Armada (1 wk @ #1)
5 .... 8 .... The Way I Are - Timbaland Featuring Keri Hilson & DOE
6 .... 6 .... Umbrella - Rihanna Featuring Jay-Z (3 wks @ #1)
7 ... 18 ... Tears Dry on Their Own - Amy Winehouse
8 ... 32 ... With Every Heartbeat - Robyn (with Kleerup)
9 ... 12 ... Rehab - Amy Winehouse
10 .. 5 .... Oh My God - Mark Ronson Featuring Lily Allen

Robyn Returns

Remember Robyn? The Swedish pop singer had two top 10 US hits in late 1997/early 1998, the latter of which, "Show Me Love," was also a top 10 hit in the UK. She's been recording over the last few years but lacked a major label push, ocassionally emerging when she caught someone's eye, like Billboard columnist Fred Bronson, who praised her recent single "Be Mine." That changes this week with "With Every Heartbeat," which debuted on the UK chart at #5 on downloads this week and is tipped to be #1 this coming weekend after a week of physical sales.

Check out the video:

Personal Chart, 8/3/2007

TW LW Title - Artist
1 .... 2 .... Big Girls Don't Cry - Fergie (4 weeks @ #1)
2 .... 3 .... When You're Gone - Avril Lavigne
3 .... 1 .... Song 4 Mutya (Out of Control) - Mutya Buena & Groove Armada (1 wk @ #1)
4 .... 6 .... Hey There Delilah - Plain White T's
5 .... 5 .... Oh My God - Mark Ronson Featuring Lily Allen
6 .... 4 .... Umbrella - Rihanna Featuring Jay-Z (3 wks @ #1)
7 .... 8 .... 4 in the Morning - Gwen Stefani
8 ... 11 ... The Way I Are - Timbaland Featuring DOE and Keri Hilson
9 .... 7 .... Fluorescent Adolescent - Arctic Monkeys
10 .. 9 ... Like This - Kelly Rowland Featuring Eve

Album Review: The Editors - An End Has a Start (3/5)

"All sparks will burn out" sang The Editors on their debut album, The Back Room (Read my review), which last year was nominated for the British Mercury Music Award. Sadly they've proven themselves correct on their second album, An End Has a Start, which, while accomplished, lacks the energy and excitement of their first album.

Indeed the sophomore slump seems alive and well, as over the course of the last year we've seen second albums from a number of hit acts (The Killers, Scissor Sisters, Bloc Party, Keane, Gwen Stefani) that, while not bad, have not lived up to the promise of their debuts. While The Back Room was notable for its intense guitar-driven numbers, "Munich," "Blood," "Lights," "All Sparks," etc., An End Has a Start strives to be moodier, more atmospheric--the sort of U2-inspired grandeur perfected by Coldplay that many British bands have turned to of late.

First single "Smokers Outside the Hospital Doors" embodies this perfectly. Instead of the two-part guitar we got on "Munich," now we get piano, staccatic drumming, and a high-pitched electric guitar riff. It works on this song, but it gets old after awhile, for far too many tracks on this album basically take that formula and copy it. "The Weight of the World," for example, sounds quite similar, although it thankfully side-steps the high-pitched vibratto guitar that gets quiet tedious by the time you get to "Escape the Nest" or "Spiders." "Bones" sort of falls into this camp too, although it has a nice energy too it. When I reviewed their first album, I said that I really like the lead singer because 1) he has a nice deep voice and 2) he can actually sing well, which still serves the band well, although I feel like he's tempted to be a little too pretty in some songs, particularly "Bones."

The band works best when they go for tight, energetic songs, such as "An End Has a Start," which would make a great second single, and sounds more like something from their first album--loud and full with great interplay between the bass and two guitars. The "Racing Rats" is good too, opening with prominent piano chords and racing along with strong bass and fast drums.

Slow songs are not the band's forte. "Push Your Head Towards the Air"is quiet and more acoustic than other numbers, but it's mix of brooding and hope just doesn't grab me. "Well Worn Hand," which consists of slowly plucked piano chords and slow-ly sung vo-cals, is just too dreary, dull frankly. A more laid back track that I do like is "When Anger Shows," which manages to nail the brooding, piano-backed song well that the others don't quite achieve. There's a nice part in the middle too where the bass comes to the forefront, followed by vocals, then the piano and guitar.

Credit them for their efforts to incorporate the beloved piano into their work, but too bad they lost their focus here. An End Has a Start has some good moments, but overall is a disappointment.

Best: An End Has a Start, Smokers Outside the Hospital Doors, When Anger Shows, Racing Rats

Personal Chart, 7/28/2007

TW LW Title - Artist
1 .... 2 .... Song 4 Mutya (Out of Control) - Mutya Buena & Groove Armada (1 week @ #1)
2 .... 1 .... Big Girls Don't Cry - Fergie (3 wks @ #1)
3 .... 5 .... When You're Gone - Avril Lavigne
4 .... 3 .... Umbrella - Rihanna Featuring Jay-Z (3 wks @ #1)
5 ... 12 ... Oh My God - Mark Ronson Featuring Lily Allen
6 ... 15 ... Hey There Delilah - Plain White T's
7 .... 6 .... Fluorescent Adolescent - Arctic Monkeys
8 .... 10 .... 4 in the Morning - Gwen Stefani
9 ... 11 ... Like This - Kelly Rowland Featuring Eve
10 .. 4 .... Never Again - Kelly Clarkson

Vacation Hiatus

My blog is going on vacation hiatus until after July 29th. While I'm gone I will be listening to the new Editors album and Bat for Lashes, and of course, reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Best Albums of the 1990s (61-70)

Okay, these are backwards and I don't want to take the time to fix it, so just enjoy.


61. Robbie Williams - I've Been Expecting You (1998). Robbie's second album was another winner, and I liked that he played up the James Bond angle (captured by the "You Only Live Twice" sample on "Millennium") for the album photos. "She's the One" won the Brit Award for best single of 1999. His collaboration with Neil Tennant of the Pet Shop Boys, "No Regrets," is really fantastic too. Essential track: Millennium



62. R.E.M (1994). - Monster. The Monster tour was the first rock concert I ever went to. I bought the most obnoxious lime green ("Violent Green" like the lyric) T-shirt. Essential track: What's the Frequency, Kenneth?





63. Chantal Kreviazuk - Colour Moving and Still (1999). I bought this album because the song "Eve" was featured on Dawson's Creek and I really liked it. Thankfully, the rest of the album turned out to be pretty good too. Doesn't she look like Evangeline Lilly? Must be a Canadian thing. Essential track: Blue

64. Ace of Base -The Sign (1994). Ace of Base was the big breakout of 1994, scoring several big hits, most notably the year's biggest, "The Sign." Their Swedish dance pop really cleared the way for the whole Britney/Boyband thing, which was really just Swedish pop with an American face. Essential track: The Sign

65. Tori Amos - Little Earthquakes (1992). Tori Amos was a dorm staple my freshman year in college, which was 3 years after this album, but it still got a lot of play. Essential track: Crucify

66. Erasure - Cowboy (1997). The '90s were weird for Erasure, as they did a couple of great albums and a couple of duds. This followed the overlong Erasure with a great set of fun dance songs. Essential track: Don't Say Your Love Is Killing Me

67. Texas - White on Blonde (1997). "Say What You Want" was such a big hit in Britain that it was still frequently on the radio when I was there, months after this single had been released. The album has other good tracks from the Scottish group (whom, I heard say they'd never even visited Texas, but felt their music matched the mood of its landscape). Essential track: Say What You Want

68. Enrique Iglesias - Enrique (1999). Enrique Iglesias had a great debut album, which had two #1 hits, "Bailamos" and a clone of Cher's "Believe," "Be With You" (same producers). Essential track: Rhythm Divine

69. Britney Spears - ...Baby One More Time (1999). Before she had two kids, two marriages, and a shaved head she had this--a bona fide smash debut. "...Baby One More Time" was a massive hit and is still credited as a classic pop song of the '90s. The album had other good cuts too, such as the UK #1 "Born to Make You Happy" and "Sometimes." Essential track: ...Baby One More Time

70. Weezer - Weezer (1994). Another staple of my senior year high school alternative phase. "Buddy Holly" was my favorite then, but now I prefer... Essential track: Undone (The Sweater Song)

Emmy Predictions

The Emmy Awards nominations come out tomorrow. My prediction (made pretty easy this year, since the longlist 10 finalists were leaked):

Drama:

• Friday Night Lights
• Grey's Anatomy
• House
• Lost
• The Sopranos

Comedy:

• Desperate Houswives
• Entourage
• The Office
• 30 Rock
• Ugly Betty

Personal Chart, 7/21/2007

TW LW Title - Artist
1 .... 1 .... Big Girls Don't Cry - Fergie (3 weeks @ #1)
2 .... 3 .... Song 4 Mutya (Out of Control) - Mutya Buena & Groove Armada
3 .... 2 .... Umbrella - Rihanna Featuring Jay-Z (3 wks @ #1)
4 .... 4 .... Never Again - Kelly Clarkson
5 ... 11 ... When You're Gone - Avril Lavigne
6 ... 14 ... Fluorescent Adolescent - Arctic Monkeys
7 .... 6 .... Soulmate - Natasha Bedingfield
8 .... 5 .... Icky Thump - The White Stripes
9 ... 10 ... Selfish Jean - Travis
10 .. 12 .. 4 in the Morning - Gwen Stefani

Mercury Prize Nominees 2007

The Nationwide Mercury Prize nominees were announced yesterday. The Mercury Prize is an annual music award given in Britain and is generally regarded as the critics favorite award in contrast to the more mainstream Brit Awards, although certainly mainstream acts have won the Mercury, notably last year's winner The Arctic Monkeys, who are up again this year for their sophomore album, Favourite Worst Nightmare. Also competing are Amy Winehouse, who's a second-time nominee for her fabulous Back to Black, rapper Dizzie Rascal, who won the 2003 prize with his first album, Boy in Da Corner, and The View with their debut album, Hats Off to the Buskers. My money's on Winehouse. Here's my rundown:

1. Arctic Monkeys - Favourite Worst Nightmare. You can read my review of the album here. I gave it a 3.5. "Fluorescent Adolescent" is the current single, which I've actually grown to rather like, but overall this isn't setting the world on fire like their first album, so don't expect a repeat win.

2. Basquiat Strings - Basquiat Strings with Seb Rochford. Every year there's a really "out there" nominee, and this appears to be it. It's a non-conventional jazz quintet. I've listened to "Lonely Woman," "Double Dares," and "Junk." My first reaction was that while it's interesting, it's not particularly enjoyable; however, it grows on you, and I find it strangely intriguing. Creepy really--like something that would score some obnoxiously pretentious film. Actually, "Double Dares" gets better as you go, so maybe this isn't so bad.

3. Bat for Lashes - Fur and Gold. Bat for Lashes is the stage name for Natasha Khan, and this is her debut album. This sounds interesting. I like the drama of "What's a Girl to Do," and "Prescilla" sounds good too, as does "Tahiti," which includes piano. This might be worth getting.

4. Dizzie Rascal - Maths and English. Not my thing, but I kind of like "Pussyole (Old Skool)" just because it samples Rob Base's "It Takes Two."

5. Klaxons - Myths of the Near Future. Klaxons emerged early this year with "Golden Skans," which I thought was pretty good. They followed it with "Gravity's Rainbow," which was okay, and then a remake of the '90s dance hit "It's Not Over," which was just so-so, but a strange choice.

6. Maps - We Can Create. Again, it sounds like a band, but it's just one guy, James Chapman. He does electronica, and I'm not really into the nerdy boys do electronica thing (Junior Boys, Postal Service, Tiga--no thanks), but "It Will Find You" sounds like a haunting track.

7. New Young Pony Club - Fantastic Playroom. They get the award for most creative name. They've got a great '80s sound, sort of dance-ish. I like it. "The Get Go" and "Ice Cream" in particular sound like good songs.

8. Fionn Regan - The End of History. I typed this in as "Fiona Regan" until I saw his picture, and I thought "oops." This is the troubadour of the bunch. Just a guy and his guitar. He's Irish, but out of Ireland right now. Reminds me of the movie "Once." "Be Good or Be Gone" is a nice song. "Snowy Atlas Mountains" adds some cello for a haunting sound and "Black Water Child" is more upbeat. Nice.

9. Jamie T - Panic Prevention. His first top 10 single "Calm Down Dearest" was a good song, but I haven't heard anything from him since. "Sheila" is not bad. Doesn't set me on fire though.

10. The View - Hats Off to the Buskers. I have this album, but I haven't listened to it much; something I plan to quickly rectify. "Same Jeans" and "Superstar Tradesman" are great.

11. Amy Winehouse - Back to Black. This I absolutely adore--best album of the year. Read my review. Vote with your wallet. I hope this wins.

12. The Young Knives - Voices of Animals and Men. Never heard of them, but don't sound too bad. Their Web site says their known for their "tasteful tweed outfits."