My chart: Tuned-On! Top 30 #315 - Dec 7/09

The shakedown of favourites is beginning on this edition of my personal chart.  I have a bit of a ‘recurrent’ rule – songs drop off the chart automatically after 10 appearances (20 weeks), and 3 of my favourite songs of the year will do just that as Dan Black’s “Symphonies”, Gary Go’s “Wonderful” and Mans Zelmerlow’s “Rewind” hit that pinnacle.

But there are plenty of great tunes that remain, as Dan Black and Mika both continue their reign at the top of the chart.  That same Dan Black is back in the Top 5 with “Pump My Pumps”, while Jay-Z & Alicia Keys, Michael Buble, and Lady GaGa all arrive in the Top 10.

As with two weeks ago, Simon Curtis is a talent to watch with the very hit-worthy but free download “Delusional” once again the fastest riser on the chart (I’ll be blogging about Simon’s latest free download preview of 8Bit Heart called “Diablo”, too!).   Lifehouse is back in hit territory with “Halfway Gone”, and Luigi Masi has a new EP out called On Your Radar which features his previously free download “Radar”.  Other debuts from last week by Roisin Murphy, Michael Buble, and Kris Allen get stuck in a logjam but should soar in two weeks.

It seems hard to believe, being in December, but I’ll have only one more chart before my year end Best of 2009 is published.  Watch for it!

This edition has three debuts.  Those producers extraordinaire, Sweden’s Bloodshy & Avant, along with American singer Andrew Wyatt, comprise Miike Snow, and their latest catchy piece of business is “Black And Blue (Savage Skulls Remix)”, available for free download using the link on the chart.  The previously blogged-about medley of “Viva La Vida/Domino Dancing” by Pet Shop Boys is also a new arrival to the chart.   But my focus this week is on new UK vocalist V.V. Brown, who you may have heard this past summer with “Shark In The Water”.  I wasn’t a big fan of that song, and I am hardly one for cover versions (yet I’ve also charted PSB’s version of  ”Viva La Vida”…hmmm), but her version of one of my favourite Rolling Stones songs, their 1978 #1 “Miss You”, is a stunner and is my highest debut.

You can find the full chart here or in a link on the right sidebar.  Enjoy!

[Via http://billcsistunedon.wordpress.com]

Alexandra Burke - Broken Heels

So Here’s Alexandra Burke’s second single of 2009, the first of which went straight to the top of the charts. Well if you’ve read previous posts by myself  you will know how much i detest manufactured X-Factor produced talentless nobodies but lets brush that aside for a second shall we?  Despite this song sounding a little Alesha Dixon’y and the song being about shoe’s (If your heels are broken wear some fucking flats and stop complaining). What i find ironic if i wrote a pointless song about my love for classic scalfs i’d be struck down like a bolt of lightning. Alexandra your tune may be bouncy, dancey and keeping in correlation with other popular music monstrosity’s released recently but you will fade away, you will fade away pretty soon.

Alexandra Burke – Broken Heels — Score 4/10

And here for a special treat fella’s

[Via http://newmusic4u.wordpress.com]

Music Review: Apples in Stereo

Apples in Stereo

I have to be very honest. I haven’t listened to this band in quite some time. I mean, if they have a new album out I dont know nor am I interested. Its not that I dont like them though. I just lost interest. It happens with bands and my psyche. However I can talk very highly about this band.

If you are familiar with bands like Neutral Milk Hotel and The Olivia Tremor Control, you may have heard of this band back in the day since they were all once in the same grouping, The Elephant Six Collective.

This band is just very catchy. All the songs I have no problem calling “fun lil’ ditties” because thats really what they are. The sound is very nostalgic. You can sense the influences of The Beatles and The Beach Boys in their tunes. Strawberryfire is very reminiscent of The Beatles psychadelic ventures or The Beach Boys and their song, Good Vibrations. You can tell this band knows what got stuck in people’s heads.

The lead singer Robert Schneider has a very nasal sound and I get it when many of my friends think its a but annoying however to me its endearing and works with the songs played. What I love about this band as well is that the lead singer isnt some overly sexed, emo looking hot guy. Its a balding guy that wears glasses, a beard, and has a gut. Every cub or bear’s wet dream! Sorry dudes, the man is straight.

He was married to a time to their drummer Hilarie Sidney. They have divorced and have a child. Logically the line up changed and she left the band. It kinda sucks though because the band did have songs that had her on lead vocals and I really enjoyed them. Since then I havent been a fan of the songs that they have released once she was gone. Im not saying they are good, I just lost interest.

I do know that they eventually joined Simian Records. The reason thats worth mentioning (to me anyways) is because Simian Records is a company started and owned by Elijah Wood. Yup, Frodo himself has a record label. Whodathunkit?!

I used to love the song Energy however on my trip to Puerto Rico this past August, I grew to hate that fucking song. Why? Well picture it: In the mall in Puerto Rico they have these panels everywhere that play commercials over and over and over. Well Pepsi endorses TONS in PR and guess what song was in a Pepsi commercial this summer… yup, Energy. I dunno if it was played here in the states because honestly I never heard it here nor have I seen the commercial since but for a week in Puerto Rico it was PAHHLAAAYED OUT! I can NOT listen to Energy anymore. Sorry dudes, I know its not the band’s fault. I mean hey, when ya need bank, Pepsi is a good way to go. However they really played that shit out!

If you are looking for some up beat, sunny songs that make ya smile. I highly suggest checking this band out. Its worth a listen.

This is a cute video for a cute song haha. The song Same Old Drag from their album New Magnetic Wonder. It has a it more electronics used on that album but still great songs. Check it out!

[Via http://nataliathekaraokegodess.wordpress.com]

Flashback Records/The 80's Boxset [Disc 3: Definitive New Wave Hits]

Disc 3:

I Want Candy [Bow Wow Wow]—-Combining huge tribal rhythms and a fun video, the song will as a lot of 80’s songs live on forever. Annabelle had a video presence that could not be denied and the fun style of the song combined with the sing a long chorus made for a huge, yet momentary, splash.

Money [That's What I Want] [The Flying Lizards]—-This is pretty terrible….I’m almost embarrassed.

New Toy [Lene Lovich]—-More of a performance artist than a singer, Lene found a nice comfortable place in the Goth community. this has certain 80’s elements that can not be denied, but it all seems to go against everything that she was all about. This whole disc seems to be hit and miss.

I Melt With You [Modern English]—-The true definition of a one hit wonder, this band made a huge splash with this emotional and damn catchy song but then disappeared from the eye of everyone. With a nice accent that is so British you want to move there and get one, and a feeling that takes your breath away, the band was so successful in transporting this feeling to video that it carried them for years…I always wanted more of THIS from them.

Love Plus One [Haircut One Hundred]—-The second single from the debut release of the band, it incorporated even more horns and island flair than the previous. this was joyous and fun and marked the departure of Nick Lowe for a solo career that never really went anywhere.

A Million Miles Away [The Plimsouls]—-Guitar based and full of  surf style delivery, the band escaped my attention during the 80’s decade. This is fun and unique simply in contrast to the decade of synth…nice!!

Walking In L.A. [Missing Persons]—-Full of American synth, this and blended a nice guitar and drum mix with huge synth sounds and an undeniable irresistable vocal. Forged further in history by videos that featured flamboyant Dale Bozzio, the band was built on image first and music second….this only lasted for two releases before obscurity.

Numbers With Wings [The Bongos]—-With a huge guitar delivery and a slight New Romantic/Goth vocal delivery, the band went nowhere in the US but managed to chart well in european countries. This is too hit and miss for me.

Save It For Later [The English Beat]—-There must be 25 other songs they could have put in this spot by this band but instead opted for this. built around the English SKA movement, The Beat deliver a song that is unremarkable and frankly forgettable. Too bad…I love this band.

Danger [The Motels]—-Again, poor song choice for such a monumental and mainstay of the decade. The powerful vocal of Martha Davis is what saves this song from being nothing. This is by no means the best from this band….you want powerful? Try Icy Red!!!!!!!!!!!

**1/2 out of 5

[Via http://marky7235.wordpress.com]

2009 Grammy Nominees

They were released today!

My choice is in bold.
I’m not going to list them all, since there are a truck-load, so if you want to see them all, click here.

Record Of The Year
Halo — Beyonce
I Gotta Feeling — The Black Eyed Peas
Use Somebody — Kings of Leon
Poker Face — Lady Gaga
You Belong With Me — Taylor Swift

Album Of The Year
I Am…Sasha Fierce — Beyonce
The E.N.D. — The Black Eyed Peas
The Fame — Lady Gaga
Big Whiskey And The Groogrux King — The Dave Matthews Band
Fearless — Taylor Swift

Song Of The Year
Poker Face — Lady Gaga
Pretty Wings — Maxwell
Single Ladies [Put A Ring On It] — Beyonce
Use Somebody — Kings Of Leon
You Belong With Me — Taylor Swift

Best New Artist
Zac Brown Band
Keri Hilson
MGMT
Silversun Pickups
The Ting Tings

Be sure to tune in on January 31st, 2010 on CBS at 8-11:30 PM.

[Via http://throughmyeyesandears.wordpress.com]

omg! omd's back...

With all the brilliance of the new electronic pop bands coming to the fore and the second wind we’ve seen this year by the likes of Depeche Mode and the Pet Shop Boys, the time is right for another giant to return to the fold. Yes, friends, let’s rejoice for the band known as Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark is back! I don’t think it’s necessary to go through the band’s voluminous CV. You know the songs, you know the hits. Electricity. Enola Gay. Tesla Girls. If You Leave. The list goes on and on and on. The band had a run like very few of their contemporaries did in the eighties and even after the band splintered towards the end of the decade with singer/bassist Andy McCluskey carrying the torch for a few more records and adding a few more hits to the OMD canon before ending it for good.

Here we are thirteen years from the last release, 1996’s Universal, to discover the news of a new record The History of Modern will soon be upon us in the new year.  With this news comes a bit of a tease for fans ol and hopefully new. It’s a demo of what may very well be the new single called Sister Marie Says. Upon the first couple of listens, the song begins with a choral sample before opening wide into yummy electro-pop. Very reminiscent of OMD circa Sugar Tax/Liberator. Welcome back Andy and Paul!

 

 

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“Sister Marie Says” by Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, taken from the forthcoming release, “The History Of Modern”

[Via http://billysuede.wordpress.com]

Deportees - Under the Pavement

This band offers a great mix of pop rock with a tinge of folk thrown in good measure. When I first heard this record I must admit that I was a little apprehensive, I felt as though it was a little bit too ‘poppy’, if that makes any sense at all. But after embracing the style I found that there are such deeper sounds and meanings that can be taken from this record. I really love the song ‘Turn Back Time’.

[Via http://ohjoelouis.wordpress.com]