tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-307946252024-03-06T23:03:49.923-05:00Poster Girl<i>Cause I, I, I, I, I miss the detail of how we kiss</i>Poster Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07797812846936450135noreply@blogger.comBlogger1585125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30794625.post-53060349135597779812011-06-11T14:02:00.013-04:002011-06-13T16:35:26.779-04:00Dreaming that you're crawling into bedI've previously found young British singer Florrie, a Xenomania protégé who's branching out into work with other producers, promising <span style="font-style: italic;">and</span> frustrating, capable of making songs with instant appeal (see the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mtv7cvOr70E">Fred Falke remix of "Call 911"</a>) but too often creating music that feels...distant, both as a result of her voice and her style. It's the same sort of problem that prevented me from getting swept away by, for example, Sally Shapiro, though my personal tastes already prefer Florrie much more.<br /><br /><object height="81" width="100%"> <param name="movie" value="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F17078566%3Fsecret_token%3Ds-Oi5cU&secret_url=true"> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"> <embed allowscriptaccess="always" src="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F17078566%3Fsecret_token%3Ds-Oi5cU&secret_url=true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="81" width="100%"></embed> </object> <span>04 I Took A Little Something by <a href="http://soundcloud.com/poppostergirl">poppostergirl</a></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZq6nfHJycLriJwWTCd6Gpf6MUFn2A4Kl5jpeNyCK_02UIRpuv6vGCH0YbsOlRndds2PVZBD643iJj9Zi_1eJ2Mb8A1mR1rKzaoilgnrJAyVjEqp3t0Ey3rmYYObzPZDggElQY/s1600/Florrie+color.png"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 255px; height: 274px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZq6nfHJycLriJwWTCd6Gpf6MUFn2A4Kl5jpeNyCK_02UIRpuv6vGCH0YbsOlRndds2PVZBD643iJj9Zi_1eJ2Mb8A1mR1rKzaoilgnrJAyVjEqp3t0Ey3rmYYObzPZDggElQY/s320/Florrie+color.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617798738473481282" border="0" /></a>Good news: Florrie's "I Took A Little Something," taken from her new <span style="font-style: italic;">Experiments</span> EP, still has that dreamy indie-disco sound cultivated in her earlier work, but before you know it the bright '80s synths have overtaken the detachment and turned the tune into the closest she's come to pure joy. As this is Florrie, there's still a subtlety to the topline, but here it seems less like aloofness and more like...a desire to not come across as too forward, a nervousness and consideration in the face of love that suits the song well.<br /><br />Florrie finds just the right balance here between grown-up restraint and endless summer-style youth, the sweet spot where listener self-consciousness is gone both because the song is so well-made that there's nothing to be self-conscious about and because you're too daydreamily giddy to be all that self-reflective. Effervescent, smart pleasure, "I Took A Little Something" is a must for your playlist this next three months--and the next three years, too.<br /><br />For a review of the whole EP, check out <a href="http://xolondon.blogspot.com/2011/06/florrie-if-cheeks-dont-shake.html">XO's</a>. You can buy <span style="font-style: italic;">Experiments</span> from iTunes internationally <a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=vedNTf2QjTw&subid=&offerid=146261.1&type=10&tmpid=5573&RD_PARM1=http%3A%2F%2Fitunes.apple.com%2Fgb%2Fartist%2Fflorrie%2Fid377865143">here</a> as of tomorrow.Poster Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07797812846936450135noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30794625.post-41112848917964329212011-06-11T11:52:00.010-04:002011-06-11T12:57:20.174-04:00Sacrifice my life for youAmazing songwriter Tony Nilsson gave a radio interview a week ago and, amongst the other comments I had to strain to understand a third of (yeah, I need to find a Swedish tutor pronto), one of the more interesting facts was that Fernando Fuentes sang the original demos for Tony's "You're Out Of My Life" and "Like Suicide" (the latter of which Fernando co-wrote). The show even played a few clips, excerpted below for anyone who's as much of a pop nerd as I am.<br /><br /><object height="81" width="100%"> <param name="movie" value="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F16949474"> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"> <embed allowscriptaccess="always" src="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F16949474" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="81" width="100%"></embed> </object> <span><a href="http://soundcloud.com/poppostergirl/like-suicide-clip">Like Suicide Clip</a> by <a href="http://soundcloud.com/poppostergirl">poppostergirl</a></span><br /><br /><object height="81" width="100%"> <param name="movie" value="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F16949444"> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"> <embed allowscriptaccess="always" src="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F16949444" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="81" width="100%"></embed> </object> <span><a href="http://soundcloud.com/poppostergirl/youre-out-of-my-life-clip">You're Out Of My Life Clip</a> by <a href="http://soundcloud.com/poppostergirl">poppostergirl</a></span><br /><br />Fernando's claim to fame comes from participating in the first season of Fame Factory. Since then he's mainly been out of the public eye, but he's worked as part of a party band and at Wallmans, a show-featuring restaurant where many journeymen singers work as part of making a living in music.<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/RF4n1Oc1BQs" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" width="425"></iframe><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGkbGlPF1wAG9ln1ChDXP9GBs8vbjHzM7i6zMPw_k1BgUoAiWWS7ruFrUhLQjQxTNqcnitsT7oQf6RUDph-eBkH2IxQ3QpXy9vJp-yJXglvFKrHARjCO_t66LF4BLOZYDHL9Ka/s1600/Fernando+Fuentes+Saade+rehearsal.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 176px; height: 215px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGkbGlPF1wAG9ln1ChDXP9GBs8vbjHzM7i6zMPw_k1BgUoAiWWS7ruFrUhLQjQxTNqcnitsT7oQf6RUDph-eBkH2IxQ3QpXy9vJp-yJXglvFKrHARjCO_t66LF4BLOZYDHL9Ka/s320/Fernando+Fuentes+Saade+rehearsal.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616999853638896466" border="0" /></a>Fernando may not have gotten to sing "You're Out Of My Life" or "Like Suicide" in Melodifestivalen--those privileges went to Darin in 2010 and Christian Walz in 2011, who both recorded excellent studio versions even if they received disparate results in the contest--but before you feel too sorry for him, he provided backing vocals for Eric Saade at this year's Eurovision. Participating in Sweden's highest-ranking entry since victory in 1999 has to feel pretty darn good, as does showing up on the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=207983142575040&set=a.207983139241707.50824.195248530515168&type=1&theater">cover of Aftonbladet</a> celebrating.<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/m3XEo-E8sCk" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="273" width="480"></iframe><br /><br />In today's Melodifestival, it's hard to climb from the behind-the-scenes roles into the spotlight, so I'm not necessarily expecting Fernando to appear in the contest as an artist in his own right. Still, every now and then someone manages it, so who knows? He certainly acquits himself very well in the "Man Of The Mirror" video above (and sounds pretty good on the demo of "Like Suicide" as well, though I'm glad we have Christian Walz's version). If nothing else, keep your eyes peeled the next time you see a line of singers swaying behind the main artist--you never know who you might spot.<br /><br />(Photo credit to <a href="http://svt.se/2.148439/1.2411161/har_vassar_eric_scenshowen?lid=puff_2411221&lpos=rubrik">SVT</a>.)Poster Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07797812846936450135noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30794625.post-27693741430504257872011-06-08T12:15:00.007-04:002011-06-08T15:33:56.927-04:00Love at first sight<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://cdon.se/media-dynamic/images/product/music/album/image0/oh_alright-14059291-frntl.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 305px; height: 302px;" src="http://cdon.se/media-dynamic/images/product/music/album/image0/oh_alright-14059291-frntl.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Oh Alright</span>, the debut album from Sweden's Le Kid, jumps back and forth between lush, swoony mid-tempos, cheeky '60s kitsch, and day-glo '80s pop. As you'd expect from from a group whose "background" members are three of Sweden's best up-and-coming songwriters, the highlights are stunning. The jubilantly bouncy "We Should Go Home Together" updates Stock-Aitken-Waterman with a wink but also with so much joy that the group reveals a real affection for that sound, as well as an understanding of what made its best examples work. "Mercy Mercy," the group's debut single, is a cheery, summer-ready improvement on Girls Aloud's "Can't Speak French." Perhaps Le Kid's greatest work yet, though, is their fourth single. "America" takes the cosmic ice princess disco longing in Kylie Minogue's "The One" and melts it into something just as beautiful and sparkly but also warm-blooded, making its underlying plea for love all the more powerful in the process.<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/V5iMvblOG9U" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="273" width="480"></iframe><br /><br />If outside the context of the album the retro pastiches "Oh My God," "Kiss Me," and "Seventeen" at first seemed a little juvenile or not quite up to par with the swooshy pop-dance of "Telephone" or the Gwen-Stefani's-"Cool"-meets-orchestral-strings of "Escape," their quality somehow becomes more apparent when they crop up in the midst of <span style="font-style: italic;">Oh Alright</span>. Their demanded-replay-value still suffers in comparison to the rest of the album, but their charms, particularly those of "Oh My God," pop a bit more, too.<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/9YnYR50WyhA" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="273" width="480"></iframe><br /><br />Elsewhere, "Bigger Than Jesus" is another soaring disco reverie, with a chugging electronic beat outpacing the restrained coos of singers Johanna and Helena. A bonus track version of the Killers' "Mr. Brightside" works surprisingly well both on its on terms and in creating a desire for more Le Kid covers. Still, it's "We Are The Drums," another of the group's consistently great songs even if not the acme of their work, that sums up Le Kid's potential: "we are the chords and the lyrics and the melodies," they sing in their mini-anthem, practically daring you to disagree with the affirmation that they're the beat you run your life to. If they can keep making material that so effectively sums up the joys of pop music, they really will be.<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/fHhc5ZYlCGw" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="273" width="480"></iframe><br /><br />Le Kid's debut album, <span style="font-style: italic;">Oh Alright</span>, comes out August 17 in Sweden. Preorder it <a href="http://english.megastore.se/template/next%2CProduct.vm?itemid=2282415">here</a>.Poster Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07797812846936450135noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30794625.post-1754447203395886762011-06-05T10:19:00.005-04:002011-06-05T10:33:18.905-04:00You'll regret saying all those things you saidI give up. Abandoning his previous husky-voiced balladry and pop-rock, Dutch singer Jim returns with a new single and new style. "Feel You Love" is a RedOne ripoff with a level of shamelessness not heard since Cascada's "Evacuate The Dancefloor," only with the budget RedOne-style beats made even more stop-start. It is incredibly cheesy, I'm not sure I'd introduce it to any of my friends, and the music video opens up with a shirtless male model and ends with a couple undressing each other--because jumping on the sound-of-the-moment bandwagon wasn't desperate enough, apparently...<br /><br /><object height="283" width="450"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jEtMzmpMUjI?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/jEtMzmpMUjI?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="283" width="450"></embed></object><br /><br />...and yet every time it comes on, I find myself fighting the impulse to jump up and down, hands in the air. I'm surrendering to the stupid, mindless giddiness, no longer able to resist: if you're looking for cheap fun with minimal risk of negative aftereffects later, a sort of counterpart to Enrique Iglesias's "I Like It," "Feel Your Love" comes highly recommended.<br /><br />Jim's single "Feel Your Love" is available on iTunes internationally <a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=vedNTf2QjTw&subid=&offerid=146261.1&type=10&tmpid=5573&RD_PARM1=http%3A%2F%2Fitunes.apple.com%2Fus%2Falbum%2Ffeel-your-love-single%2Fid429223467">here</a>.Poster Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07797812846936450135noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30794625.post-52129398885987012512011-06-02T09:41:00.001-04:002011-06-02T14:23:52.446-04:00Maybe they'll open with an album trackSome of the tracks making me happy at the moment:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/_/59745751/Saint+Etienne++PNG.png"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 199px; height: 205px;" src="http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/_/59745751/Saint+Etienne++PNG.png" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Saint Etienne, "Tonight (Demo)" and "DJ (Demo)":</span> the solo songwriting career of former Xenomania member Tim Powell got off to a strong start with soaring dance joy of Alex Gaudino's "I'm In Love (I Wanna Do It)" and the fizzy pop bounce of Ed Drewett's "Champagne Lemonade," but hit a stumbling block with the interestingly dark but ultimately payoff-lacking "Together" by the Pet Shop Boys. Thankfully, he's back on track with the slick, mature pop-disco of his new demos for Saint Etienne. That endorsement comes with a caveat: the assumption that these truly are demos, not yet mastered into their full, crisp final states. If you'll forgive the needlessly obscure reference, "Tonight" and "DJ" are positioned between "Your Love Is Like A Drug" on Bananarama's 2005 <span style="font-style: italic;">Drama</span> album and Saint Etienne's own "Method Of Modern Love." They aren't quite as exuberantly sparkly as that previous single from the British trio, but they could easily sit on the same album.<br /><br /><a href="http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/_/62873217/CocknBullKid+3.png"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 181px; height: 150px;" src="http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/_/62873217/CocknBullKid+3.png" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">CocknBullKid, "Yellow":</span> why oh why was this perfectly constructed little pop song not one of the first three singles released from British singer/songwriter Anita Blay's debut album? I can only assume it was relegated to fourth single status, even as every prior single failed to take off, purely because it didn't exist yet. Otherwise why this instant earworm of a grownup, soul-restoring melody wasn't used to launch the album is incomprehensible.<br /><br />Find it on: <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B004YWPQ2M/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Adulthood</span></a><br /><br /><a href="http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/_/60723117/Nicki+Minaj+tumblr_li9focMUkX1qhmxn2o1_500.png"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 145px; height: 191px;" src="http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/_/60723117/Nicki+Minaj+tumblr_li9focMUkX1qhmxn2o1_500.png" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Nicki Minaj, "Super Bass":</span> why is it that the rapper known for her crazy voices and colorful, dirty bragging seems to be the American popstar ending up with all the best pretty, mushy music box melodies? "Super Bass" follows previous Nicki singles "Your Love" and "Right Thru Me" into the world of pretty little odes to love balanced out by hints of her crazy persona in the verses. Maybe she was forced into the world of middle-of-the-road adorability by a pop radio environment too scared for a whole song in the style of her many featuring appearances, but it's hard to be too upset about musical conservatism when it leads to songs as charming as "Super Bass."<br /><br />Find it on: <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0042RUMEQ/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=posgir-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217153&creative=399349&creativeASIN=B0042RUMEQ">Pink Friday</a><img class=" wlfjvjtwpptdmuejoqay wlfjvjtwpptdmuejoqay wlfjvjtwpptdmuejoqay wlfjvjtwpptdmuejoqay wlfjvjtwpptdmuejoqay wlfjvjtwpptdmuejoqay wlfjvjtwpptdmuejoqay wlfjvjtwpptdmuejoqay" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B0042RUMEQ&camp=217153&creative=399349" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" border="0" height="1" width="1" />Poster Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07797812846936450135noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30794625.post-28380071640836694062011-05-30T16:48:00.005-04:002011-05-30T17:23:01.330-04:00You keep telling me to grow upMy conflicted feelings about Eric Saade the popstar have been documented to the point where I'm sure it's straining reader patience, but my constantly optimistic attitude towards Swedish boy pop means that, like many other fans of Scandinavian pop, I'm looking forward to the release of Eric's second album. Oddly titled <span style="font-style: italic;">Saade Vol. 1</span>, it's released June 29.<br /><br /><object height="81" width="100%"> <param name="movie" value="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F16222932"> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"> <embed allowscriptaccess="always" src="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F16222932" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="81" width="100%"></embed> </object> <span><a href="http://soundcloud.com/poppostergirl/hearts-in-the-air-feat-j-son">Hearts In The Air (feat. J-Son)</a> by <a href="http://soundcloud.com/poppostergirl">poppostergirl</a></span><br /><br /><a href="http://cdon.se/media-dynamic/images/product/music/album/image0/saade_vol1_2011-14466170-frntl.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 309px; height: 305px;" src="http://cdon.se/media-dynamic/images/product/music/album/image0/saade_vol1_2011-14466170-frntl.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>There's at least one reason to feel encouraged about the end product. Around half of the tracks were co-written with Jason Gill, one of several songwriters I'm constantly wishing more European singers would employ. He has a good track record for sparkly synth-based songs with young male Swedish popstars, having turned in Darin's "Paradise" and Måns Zelmerlöw's "Rewind," "Freak Out," and "Hold On." Though not amazing, "Hearts In The Air," the second single from <span style="font-style: italic;">Saade Vol. 1</span> and a Gill track, is a nice attempt at a slightly more international sound for Eric.<br /><br />As for additional songs, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpEuVL0fLHo">"I'll Be Alright,"</a> a mid-tempo track I initially thought of as totally throwaway, was debuted before "Popular" was released. We've also heard a low quality clip of "Timeless" (listen to it <a href="http://tv.expressen.se/noje/1.2344114/saade-har-vi-en-varldshit-har">here</a>), a Gill co-write that sounds like a cute fluttery pop-dance-R&B mid-tempo song with enough of a beat to keep it interesting. The demo I've heard of "Me & My Radio" (which could end up being the final version for all I know) falls into a similar category, though this time Eric's nursing feelings of being cheated on instead of reassuring his girl that their love will last forever. I am an eternal sucker for anything that can milk pathos out of the human-radio relationship, so as lightweight as "Me & My Radio" is, its pretty little fast-paced synth runs and lonely chimes charm me.<br /><br />None of these songs is going to fill the void felt by listeners seeking a second "Popular," but Eric, for all his drawbacks, has always had the admirable quality of knowing where his bread is buttered musically; anything less than another dance track or two would be surprising.<br /><br />The tracklisting for Saade Vol. 1 is reproduced below, complete with the songwriting credits I'm aware of. If you know more, please fill me in!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1.) Timeless</span> (Jason Gill/Robin Fredriksson/Mattias Larsson/Eric Saade)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2.) Hearts In The Air</span> (feat. J-Son) (Jason Gill/Robin Fredriksson/Mattias Larsson/Eric Saade/J-son)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3.) Me & My Radio</span> (Mich "Cutfather" Hansen/Jason Gill/Mikkel Sigvardt/Daniel Davidsen/Engelina Larson/Brandon Beal)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">4.) Made Of Pop</span> (Jason Gill/Robin Fredriksson/Mattias Larsson/Eric Saade)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">5.) Popular (Album Remix)</span> (Fredrik Kempe)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">6.) Someone New</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">7.) Killed By A Cop</span> (Jason Gill/Robin Fredriksson/Mattias Larsson/Eric Saade/J-son)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">8.) Big Love</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">9.) Stupid With You</span> (Jason Gill/Robin Fredriksson/Eric Saade/Fredrik Kempe)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">10.) Echo</span> (Jason Gill/Robin Fredriksson/Mattias Larsson/Eric Saade)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">11.) Still Loving It</span> (Anton Malmberg Hård af Segerstad/Niclas Lundin)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">12.) Popular (Original Version) (Bonus Track)</span> (Fredrik Kempe)<br /><br />Preorder Eric Saade's second album, <span style="font-style: italic;">Saade Vol. 1,</span> <a href="http://english.megastore.se/template/next%2CProduct.vm?itemid=2296177">here</a>.Poster Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07797812846936450135noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30794625.post-50355061789964282212011-05-30T16:24:00.002-04:002011-05-30T16:28:21.027-04:00Turn the hour hand back<iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ntSBKPkk4m4" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="303" width="480"></iframe><br /><br />I was starting to worry that the dance-influenced pop-rock anthem trend of the past few years (Metro Station's "Shake It," Cobra Starship's "Good Girls Go Bad," Boys Like Girls' "Love Drunk") was never coming back. Who knew Canadian punk pop band Simple Plan would swoop in to save the day? Having failed to convincingly build on the more grown-up sound of 2005's "Untitled" on the album that followed it, they've finally figured a way to transition from the innuendos and (admittedly sometimes fun) tantrums that first brought them success into a sound more fitting for a group with an average age of thirty. The uptempo "Jet Lag" has a surprisingly effective little metaphor for missed connections at its center, but what seals the deal is its radio-ready chorus. The end result is the best both Simple Plan and Natasha Bedingfield have sounded in a long time. In a summer that's so far lagged behind in worthy hit songs, here's hoping this one breaks through.Poster Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07797812846936450135noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30794625.post-45061497448147985882011-04-11T13:11:00.005-04:002011-04-11T13:23:54.064-04:00Where do you run to when everything's gone?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8BCQayK-HiHiCFuhEkyxLPViygLefXjNsKzTdmyG7nZOStnAuuyMGMiSEV4VrgGOnrWmxY9vdJJU_OZ41Oe2IwNOLtJNYSVaPBMlWIOLFNc0Pmiqgu4ubthYh96b-nPyNxLHZ/s1600/Roxette.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 289px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8BCQayK-HiHiCFuhEkyxLPViygLefXjNsKzTdmyG7nZOStnAuuyMGMiSEV4VrgGOnrWmxY9vdJJU_OZ41Oe2IwNOLtJNYSVaPBMlWIOLFNc0Pmiqgu4ubthYh96b-nPyNxLHZ/s400/Roxette.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594377250657692562" border="0" /></a><br />Maybe I'm forgetting something, but it feels like Roxette's new single, "Speak To Me"...<br /><br /><object height="81" width="100%"> <param name="movie" value="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F13418909"> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"> <embed allowscriptaccess="always" src="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F13418909" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="81" width="100%"></embed> </object> <span><a href="http://soundcloud.com/poppostergirl/01-speak-to-me-bassflow-remake">01 Speak To Me (Bassflow Remake)</a> by <a href="http://soundcloud.com/poppostergirl">poppostergirl</a></span><br /><br />...has the Swedish duo's best chorus in a long time. A <span style="font-style: italic;">long</span> time. As in "up there with classic Roxette ballads" long time.<br /><br />(I've probably recited my thoughts about Bassflow often enough; check <a href="http://poppostergirl.blogspot.com/2011/03/speaking-in-codes-now.html">here</a> for my most recent rave. Suffice to say I think he gives "Speak To Me" just the polish it needs.)<br /><br />The group's most recent album, <span style="font-style: italic;">Charm School</span>, is already out and contains the original version of "Speak To Me." It can be purchased <a href="http://english.megastore.se/template/next%2CProduct.vm?itemid=2264803">here</a> (physical) or <a href="http://meteli.net/downloads/levy/Charm-School/91706335">here</a> (digital). The single remix, though, will be out April 18 in SwedenPoster Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07797812846936450135noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30794625.post-3659933065335940832011-04-05T17:05:00.004-04:002011-04-05T17:38:38.164-04:00Pure and cleanWhen a clip of Kate Ryan's new single "LoveLife" was posted to her SoundCloud page, I began to worry the album era responsible for uniting the two great pop forces of Kate and Le Kid's Felix and Marta was going to underwhelm...<br /><br /><object height="81" width="100%"> <param name="movie" value="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F12989248"> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"> <embed allowscriptaccess="always" src="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F12989248" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="81" width="100%"></embed> </object> <span><a href="http://soundcloud.com/kate-ryan/kateryan-lovelife-radio-edit">KateRyan LoveLife Radio Edit</a> by <a href="http://soundcloud.com/kate-ryan">Kate Ryan</a></span><br /><br />...I'm sorry, Kate. How could I ever have doubted you?<br /><br /><a href="http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/_/29324473/Kate+Ryan+babacar3.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 192px; height: 195px;" src="http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/_/29324473/Kate+Ryan+babacar3.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>"LoveLife" is pop Kate, not full-on trance Kate. Neither of those is necessarily better than the other, but I do love that such a light-hearted topline and sample is backed by more bass than I expected.<br /><br />Kate Ryan's new single "LoveLife" is released on April 11 in Belgium. You should be able to buy a digital copy <a href="http://recherche.fnac.com/fmia386770/Kate-Ryan">here</a> as of that date. The album it precedes, <span style="font-style: italic;">Electroshock</span>, will have a long way to go to equal her last real studio album, 2008's <span style="font-style: italic;">Free</span>. With her usual producers 2N broken up, perhaps going back to them wasn't an option. If that's the case, it's difficult to imagine a more theoretically exciting choice than Felix Persson and Marta Grauers. It's still a nerve-wracking transition, though. Hopefully the end result is as good as you'd imagine and not a replay of what happened when Petra Nielsen worked with the former other half of September, VDB Productions, for no more than three songs on the latest September album (though to be fair, her previous, all Von der Burg-produced album <span style="font-style: italic;">Dancing Shoes</span> showed some signs that the partnership was no longer as consistently great as it used to be).Poster Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07797812846936450135noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30794625.post-22884902556566838572011-04-04T14:38:00.010-04:002011-04-04T15:27:18.969-04:00Boy, nobody's keepin' scoreTwo excellent new songs were recently made available as free downloads from their artists' websites. That "free" tag comes with the caveat of handing over your e-mail address, but neither is to be missed.<br /><br /><div class="topspin-widget topspin-widget-email-for-media"><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" id="TSWidget62840" data="http://cdn.topspin.net/widgets/email2/swf/TSEmailMediaWidget.swf?timestamp=1301359901" bgcolor="#000000" height="400" width="400"> <param value="always" name="allowScriptAccess"> <param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"> <param name="quality" value="high"> <param value="transparent" name="wmode"> <param name="movie" value="http://cdn.topspin.net/widgets/email2/swf/TSEmailMediaWidget.swf?timestamp=1301359901"> <param name="flashvars" value="widget_id=http://cdn.topspin.net/api/v1/artist/4371/email_for_media/62840?timestamp=1301359901&theme=white&highlightColor=0x434e54&playMedia=true&bgalpha=0"></object></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.tarynmanning.com/photo_studio.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 303px; height: 203px;" src="http://www.tarynmanning.com/photo_studio.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>American actress and Boomkat singer <a href="http://tarynmanning.com/">Taryn Manning</a>'s voice is processed and distorted more than I've ever heard from her before on the new solo song she posted on her site, "Turn It Up" (stream above), as if she's singing over two aluminum cans and a string. Despite that--and maybe partially because of it--"Turn It Up" has been popping up in my head all day, equally inescapable at the gym, in front of the washing machine, down office hallways, or in the car with another song playing on the radio. The strength of its electro-pulsing production is a welcome surprise, while something about its chorus works in that ineffably addictive pop way, enough so to perhaps make "Turn It Up" my favorite song Taryn has been involved with. "Turn It Up" seems unlikely to wear out its welcome any time soon.<br /><br /><object height="283" width="449"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/pw6EqmBxu7Y?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/pw6EqmBxu7Y?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="283" width="449"></embed></object><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJytpETqSHxAXCyVIWK-t0XwPWeFBWB21Sm1YIV_RMF1ZX8N6piHoe8tZ_AZ2Wf1z_-laErGfWj5wQ6JBzUD0uLfy3r5GDehI6YnoLgRjK7fCzQxgeWMyEpimpa8z7UMV0Grsf/s1600/SoundGirl.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 279px; height: 252px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJytpETqSHxAXCyVIWK-t0XwPWeFBWB21Sm1YIV_RMF1ZX8N6piHoe8tZ_AZ2Wf1z_-laErGfWj5wQ6JBzUD0uLfy3r5GDehI6YnoLgRjK7fCzQxgeWMyEpimpa8z7UMV0Grsf/s320/SoundGirl.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591808577894383634" border="0" /></a>Heir to the playful Xenomania sound of Mini Viva's "Left My Heart In Tokyo" and V's "Hip To Hip," <a href="http://www.soundgirlofficial.com/">SoundGirl'</a>s "I'm The Fool" is a bouncy, youthful brush-off co-written by former member of the aforementioned British songwriting team Miranda Cooper. "I'm The Fool" harks back to that time when Xenomania so effortlessly made fun, innovative, girl-powered pop songs with off-the-wall lyrics that one didn't need to be seeking innovation to appreciate, traits characteristic of much of Girls Aloud's best output. SoundGirl, a new British girl group, seemed to be setting up "I'm The Fool" as their breakthrough attempt before announcing recently that it would be made available as a free download. Let's hope that was a considered strategic change rather than a last-minute panic based on a cool reception for "I'm The Fool"--we need someone delivering music like this.Poster Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07797812846936450135noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30794625.post-58470864860630550782011-03-31T17:18:00.005-04:002011-03-31T18:12:35.462-04:00'Cause just when I think we're through, the memories come flooding backThe musical event you <span style="font-style: italic;">know</span> you all were waiting for is finally here:<br /><br /><object height="349" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/fwu58-ZccUg?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/fwu58-ZccUg?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="349" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />the studio version of the single from the combined New Kids On The Block-Backstreet Boys supergroup, the awesomely named NKOTBSB, has arrived.<br /><br />With hooky synth staccato pulses and washes, a singalong chorus reminiscent of co-writer Claude Kelly's "In Your Head" for Jason Derulo but with less "seriousface intensity," lyrics that semi-function both in regards to a personal relationship and their relationship with the audience, <span style="font-weight: bold;">"Don't Turn Out The Lights"</span> takes up right where you would hope. It's a catchy pop song somewhere between mid- and up-tempo that won't alienate old fans but fits right into our post-RedOne pop universe.<br /><br /><object height="390" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/v5FUjJTUa7A?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/v5FUjJTUa7A?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="390" width="480"></embed></object><br /><br />There have been hints in the past few years that the two all-grown-up boy bands are capable of delivering songs that are both modern and in keeping with their earlier work. New Kids' 2008 comeback album <span style="font-style: italic;">The Block</span> contained a surprising amount of songs that were not just relevant but actually <span style="font-style: italic;">good</span>. I'm particularly partial to <span style="font-weight: bold;">"Twisted,"</span> a synthy update of the boy band sound which surprised yet again by being a great Timbaland song right at that point where Timbaland's 2006 excellence was starting to fade out into the mediocrity faced by so many writers who suddenly have the whole world beating down their door.<br /><br /><object height="390" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/FP9GyWC_ZuQ?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/FP9GyWC_ZuQ?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="390" width="480"></embed></object><br /><br /><object height="390" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/W61yqmUZshM?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/W61yqmUZshM?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="390" width="480"></embed></object><br /><br />The Backstreet Boys would take a little longer to return to electronic pop (and, once again most importantly, good songs), but they finally got there with 2009's <span style="font-style: italic;">This Is Us</span>. It was still too full of filler, but, besides the enjoyable <span style="font-weight: bold;">"Bigger"</span>'s direct lift from their "I Want It That Way" past, it featured a few songs that put the group where they needed to be. Brian Kennedy twisted the joyful, synthy sound he brought to Chris Brown's "Forever" into something slightly more aggressive on <span style="font-weight: bold;">"Masquerade,"</span> while <span style="font-weight: bold;">"Bye Bye Love"</span> was a floaty up-tempo song that danced between airy and insistent.<br /><br />"Don't Turn Off The Lights" reunites the Backstreet Boys with "Bye Bye Love"'s <span style="font-weight: bold;">Claude Kelly</span>, but its other co-writers are a surprise: <span style="font-weight: bold;">Emanuel Kiriakou</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Jess Cates</span>. Both are capable of good work, but I'd felt in the past that what they contributed to the Backstreet Boys counted amongst their forgettable pop-rock songs. Emanuel's contribution to <span style="font-style: italic;">The Block, </span>"2 in the Morning," was one of its misfires (the world will never recover from "gotta know if you're mad at me/before Grey's Anatomy"). Further, in the past few years he's specialized in making ballads--including some great ones (David Archuleta's "Crush," for example), but I never would have expected him to have gone in this direction. I'm thankful to be this pleasantly surprised, though.<br /><br />It's rare that your past musical tastes, modern chart trends, and your current preferences align. When it happens, there's a certain kind of joy that occurs, the kind that has you wondering if maybe you really should buy tickets to that tour you previously brushed off as you press repeat for the tenth time in a row. And really, nothing is better than that.<br /><br />NKOTBSB's single "Don't Turn Out The Lights" comes out April 5 in the U.S. You'll be able to buy it from Amazon <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004UDH5GK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=posgir-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004UDH5GK">here</a><img class=" doyufbwcprxpjupbqflu doyufbwcprxpjupbqflu doyufbwcprxpjupbqflu doyufbwcprxpjupbqflu doyufbwcprxpjupbqflu doyufbwcprxpjupbqflu doyufbwcprxpjupbqflu doyufbwcprxpjupbqflu doyufbwcprxpjupbqflu" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B004UDH5GK" alt="" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" border="0" height="1" width="1" /> (digital). "Don't Turn Out The Lights" will be followed by an album May 24 composed mainly of the two groups' old hits (though I suspect if "Don't Turn Out The Lights" did well they'd have more reason to record more new original songs).<br /><br />(Hat tip to <a href="http://idolator.com/5810492/new-kids-backstreet-boys-dont-turn-out-the-lights-nkotbsb">Robbie</a> for alerting me to this important event.)Poster Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07797812846936450135noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30794625.post-57169893038854658532011-03-24T16:13:00.005-04:002011-03-24T16:31:03.144-04:00Tell me I'm your one and only<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/500/47006915/Nicole+Scherzinger+nobodycanchangeme.png"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 230px; height: 207px;" src="http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/500/47006915/Nicole+Scherzinger+nobodycanchangeme.png" alt="" border="0" /></a>It's kind of getting wordy around here, so, straight to the point, here's a great mood-lifting pop song from Nicole Scherzinger's new album. Like the album's lead single, "Poison," it's produced by RedOne, but, much as I love it--which is a lot, considering it's currently the song I keep going back to on a surprisingly enjoyable although not filler-free album--I hope it never gets the single treatment. It's best served as a little album track treasure.<br /><br /><object height="349" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/bpFX4ixDwNs?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/bpFX4ixDwNs?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="349" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />As <a href="http://alienhits.blogspot.com/2011/03/pop-blitz-3811-diva-edition.html">others</a> have <a href="http://chartrigger.blogspot.com/2011/03/uk-chart-roundup-now-nicole-scherzinger.html">said</a>, her current single, "Don't Hold Your Breath," is a fantastic pop song. I hope it's not too late for it to take off in the U.S.<br /><br />Nicole Scherzinger's debut solo album, <span style="font-style: italic;">Killer Love</span>, is out now in the UK and can be purchased <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B004PCIC4K/ref=dm_dp_cdp?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1299194581&sr=301-1">here</a> (physical).Poster Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07797812846936450135noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30794625.post-51201717632202135662011-03-23T13:00:00.001-04:002011-03-26T10:08:02.860-04:00Speaking in codes nowSweden is lucky enough to be home to several of the most interesting, refreshing up-and-coming pop acts of the moment, all of them quite different. Le Kid makes pure pop decorated with big dollops of kitsch. Sound of Arrows make dreamy electronic pop.<br /><br />I've been remiss, though, in not mentioning a third such exciting act: Viktorious.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Qh722To8KnJVY8AgXbUni1tyuQgXhwLNV4lHgALuxfxlaSewEn7_vPw28ZWDTMKssLVjHTyP_GdvSpoc6WeHNYecdtjeqBumPaRguYPZj2sno__Owrfy4BSkWyxDjvMUjuP4/s1600/Viktorious.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 290px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Qh722To8KnJVY8AgXbUni1tyuQgXhwLNV4lHgALuxfxlaSewEn7_vPw28ZWDTMKssLVjHTyP_GdvSpoc6WeHNYecdtjeqBumPaRguYPZj2sno__Owrfy4BSkWyxDjvMUjuP4/s320/Viktorious.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587327176702774594" border="0" /></a>In his earlier musical life as a member of the group Sugarplum Fairy, Viktor Norén helped create indie-friendly rock. His current music sheds almost all trappings of that sound, though. Neither is the self-styled superhero trafficking in Sweden's boy pop sound beloved by pure pop fans. He's still too new for us to know for sure what's going to characterize his music, but so far, it's bold electronic pop that I can't think of anyone else in the Swedish music scene at the moment making.<br /><br />With that reference to distinctiveness out of the way, I must confess that the song I'm posting today from Viktorious is a tweaking of his debut single, last year's "When We Were 10," that pushes him back towards a musical sound we're all familiar with. It's a sound that I so adore, though, that I can't help giving it its moment in the sun.<br /><br /><object height="81" width="100%"> <param name="movie" value="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F12422758"> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"> <embed allowscriptaccess="always" src="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F12422758" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="81" width="100%"></embed> </object> <span><a href="http://soundcloud.com/poppostergirl/when-we-were-10-bassflow">When We Were 10 (Bassflow Remake) (Radio Rip)</a> by <a href="http://soundcloud.com/poppostergirl">poppostergirl</a></span><br /><br />The sound in question? The surging pop production of Peter "Bassflow" Boström. No, I'm probably never going to stop singing his praises. In his remix of "When We Were 10," Peter takes us back to a sound anyone familiar with his work, be it his amazing Martin Stenmark remixes, Ola's "Natalie" and "S.O.S.", Charlotte Perrelli's "Hero," or any of his numerous other hits, will recognize. In the years since his reworkings of Martin Stenmarck's "Sjumilakliv" and "100 År Från Nu" took up frequent residence on Swedish radio, Bassflow remakes of pop-rock songs have become a popular way to entice P3 and Rix FM to play new singles. "When We Were 10 (Bassflow Remake)" is a great example of this little subgenre that can continue until the sun burns out as far as I'm concerned--it turns almost any song into a fist-pumping jolt of energy.<br /><br />As for Viktorious, I'm <span style="font-style: italic;">very</span> excited to see where he goes next. A new male singer who seems to be getting the electronic pop thing right is always welcome in my book. If you use Facebook, you can, as <a href="http://swedishstereo.blogspot.com/2011/02/viktorious-scandalous.html">Swedish Stereo</a> and <a href="http://alienhits.blogspot.com/2011/02/viktorious-instant-virtuality.html">#1 Hits From Another Planet</a> have been reporting, download one free song each week from his <a href="http://viktorious.net/">website</a>.<br /><br />As one more side note, you have to appreciate a male singer signed to a major label who upon embarking upon a solo career outside of his indie-sounding rock group makes this one of the first photos he shares of himself online:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbXxzP2oohTPX5J1dDt55vJSHUZHKGjPPQqk-BzzOrV5cHo31wOmsvk5UIdnYthYMItr9Pes1YcOW1lrr7iX2Cze7DOgJh0mGrNXKgcPPVFbcpkAm92LuRiXUSMxDVWN24vRO6/s1600/Viktorious+women%2527s+day.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 399px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbXxzP2oohTPX5J1dDt55vJSHUZHKGjPPQqk-BzzOrV5cHo31wOmsvk5UIdnYthYMItr9Pes1YcOW1lrr7iX2Cze7DOgJh0mGrNXKgcPPVFbcpkAm92LuRiXUSMxDVWN24vRO6/s400/Viktorious+women%2527s+day.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587329160122456546" border="0" /></a>...with the caption "To celebrate the International Women‘s Day, here is Viktorious as a woman. Not just any woman, probably the best woman ever. Madonna, Like A Virgin. Looks pretty good, right? So if everything goes to hell, Viktorious can always become a drag queen. That‘s good to know!"<br /><br />There's nowhere to purchase the Bassflow Remake of Viktorious's "When We Were 10" yet, but you can buy the original version <a href="http://meteli.net/downloads/levy/When-We-Were-1zero/89561676">here</a> (digital).Poster Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07797812846936450135noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30794625.post-44378266281188063192011-03-22T15:28:00.010-04:002011-03-22T17:27:44.318-04:00I'm not quite finished with you<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8GzCkdxZsphgm4TrrifBmMcsADrmQRJuJhp0VUpGhsUs20qi383Kcn-5PrE7k2gBk3CqmUQJaPeOxWpWM2B1FmbsHnjcOAOpvNvNlQ2MH8o8qIBWunQkm1_9iZh1N6ZGwhCaS/s1600/Tyler+Hilton.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8GzCkdxZsphgm4TrrifBmMcsADrmQRJuJhp0VUpGhsUs20qi383Kcn-5PrE7k2gBk3CqmUQJaPeOxWpWM2B1FmbsHnjcOAOpvNvNlQ2MH8o8qIBWunQkm1_9iZh1N6ZGwhCaS/s320/Tyler+Hilton.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586993327478972210" border="0" /></a>Will <span style="font-weight: bold;">Tyler Hilton</span> ever release his second major label studio album? Heaven knows I'm probably the only person who's never seen <span style="font-style: italic;">One Tree Hill</span> to still be interested. Since 2004's <span style="font-style: italic;">The Tracks of Tyler Hilton</span>, Tyler seems to have gone from EP to EP with a constantly dangled promise of <span style="font-style: italic;">The Storms We Share</span>, said next album, always just out of our reach. I can't say I blame him or his record label--given the difficulty the young-guy-with-guitar model is having finding traction on top forty radio, the amount of time invested in this album seems unlikely to be compensated with mainstream success; digital EPS are a way of periodically making a guaranteed small amount from fans without having to spend much money on promotion.<br /><br />That's a shame, though, because <span style="font-style: italic;">The Storms We Share</span> contains some road trip-ready pop-rock songs. It may forsake the dance beats currently dominating the charts and may shy away from arena-ready blistering guitar solos, but it doesn't lack for energy. Albums like these run a risk of getting bogged down in introspective ballads, but the opening salvo of <span style="font-weight: bold;">"Sunset Blvd."</span>, <span style="font-weight: bold;">"So Young,"</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">"This World Will Turn Your Way"</span> quickly assures listeners that Tyler is just as capable of writing soaring uptempo songs as he is slow songs about love and broken hearts. <span style="font-weight: bold;">"16th Summer"</span> ups the ante one more, with the hardest guitar sound we're probably going to get from Tyler. Even there, though, the licks are bookends to a big strummy chorus more concerned with a singalong melody than keeping the rocker vibe of the song going. That's no complaint, though; Tyler is best when giving himself over to gentle pop-rock hooks he's so good at making.<br /><br />Most of the slower moments share those same strong hooks, though how they reframe them varies from the fuller, lusher sound of <span style="font-weight: bold;">"Someday"</span> to the sparser <span style="font-weight: bold;">"Say It Like A Lie."</span> There's nothing all the way to either end of the spectrum, though--<span style="font-style: italic;">The Storms We Share</span> is never totally stripped back nor heavy on obvious studio work but instead opts for a "produced organic" sound somewhere in between. <span style="font-weight: bold;">"I Believe In You"</span> does a good job of showing off the benefits of that approach, with rushing waves of music eventually hushing for one of my favorite studio tricks for pop-rock groups: a two-thirds point emotional climax where a quiet repeated phrase is met with and overlapped by the singer also singing a second melody on top (see also: McFly's <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrLPoF2Naxc">"Falling In Love"</a>).<br /><br /><object height="81" width="100%"> <param name="movie" value="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F12381781"> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"> <embed allowscriptaccess="always" src="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F12381781" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="81" width="100%"></embed> </object> <span><a href="http://soundcloud.com/poppostergirl/09-aint-a-thing">09 Ain't A Thing</a> by <a href="http://soundcloud.com/poppostergirl">poppostergirl</a></span><br /><br />Perhaps my favorite song, though, is the unassuming but excellent <span style="font-weight: bold;">"Ain't A Thing,"</span> co-written with <span style="font-weight: bold;">Charles Kelley</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Dave Haywood</span> of <span style="font-weight: bold;">Lady Antebellum</span>. Mid-tempo, it finds Tyler assuring an ex "you ain't a thing without me" through a quietly, irresistibly catchy chorus. As confident as Tyler's boasts are, though, there are enough hints that he was on the receiving end of the break-up to prevent the song from coming across as overly brash--instead, it's either the strutting break-up anthem we all wish we could honestly sing or a crushed heart putting on a brave show, depending on the listener's emotional state at the time. If you listen closely, there are signs of "Ain't A Thing"'s country heritage, but a twangless delivery from Tyler positions "Ain't A Thing" solidly in pop-rock territory.<br /><br />It feels like damning with slight praise to say that <span style="font-style: italic;">The Storms We Share</span> is the best mainstream pure pop-rock album I've heard in several years; the competition hasn't exactly been fierce. Still, if there isn't room for songs <span style="font-style: italic;">this</span> strong sung by the rare man who has just enough grit in his voice to give them weight and not so much as to be abrasive, then something is truly wrong with America's current musical climate.<br /><br />Tyler Hilton's album <span style="font-style: italic;">The Storms We Share</span> is not yet available, but in the meantime, you can buy his most recent EPs on iTunes internationally <a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=vedNTf2QjTw&subid=&offerid=146261.1&type=10&tmpid=5573&RD_PARM1=http%3A%2F%2Fitunes.apple.com%2Fus%2Fartist%2Ftyler-hilton%2Fid3854486">here</a>. The <a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=vedNTf2QjTw&subid=&offerid=146261.1&type=10&tmpid=5573&RD_PARM1=http%3A%2F%2Fitunes.apple.com%2Fus%2Falbum%2Fladies-and-gentlemen-ep%2Fid366368891"><span style="font-style: italic;">Ladies and Gentlemen</span></a> EP, for example, contains four of the songs on the version of the album I heard: "Sunset Blvd.", "I Believe In You," "This World Will Turn Your Way," and "Keep On."<br /><br />(On a totally personal, frivolous note, I'd like to dedicate a sentence to how much I love <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyqumsjOPoQ">"Kiss On"</a> from <span style="font-style: italic;">The Tracks of Tyler Hilton</span>: A WHOLE HECK OF A LOT.)Poster Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07797812846936450135noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30794625.post-1966668683148587392011-03-21T12:20:00.008-04:002011-03-22T06:45:42.439-04:00Dreamin' that you would be good for me<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/_/47094397/Sky+Ferreira+PNG.png"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 270px; height: 332px;" src="http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/_/47094397/Sky+Ferreira+PNG.png" alt="" border="0" /></a>I'm officially on board the Sky Ferreira bandwagon.<br /><br />Though she's had enjoyable tracks before, I'm taken aback by just how much I'm won over by the young American singer's delivery of the songs on her new <span style="font-style: italic;">As If!</span> EP. Even on a frothy, messy trifle like <span style="font-weight: bold;">"99 Tears,"</span> Sky holds the whole thing together by--well, perhaps not force of personality yet, but through the emotions that slip through. Just listen to the surprisingly grown-up way the sometimes-Lolita sings "don't you know that" and "karma karma" in the song's bridge. It's a small detail, but it's the sort of thing I mean when I refer to someone as a good singer: not necessarily technical range (though supposedly Sky has that, too) but the capability of inducing surprising little shivers down your spine with what they convey through tone.<br /><br />"99 Tears," produced by Greg Kurstin, is a fun listen, but for my money, the two standout tracks on the EP are "Traces" and "Haters Anonymous." <span style="font-weight: bold;">"Haters Anonymous"</span> is the sound of Bloodshy & Avant messing around with skittery electro again, though this time they've melded that upgraded "Piece of Me" sound, channeled through Sky muttering about Internet commenter culture in the verses and a robo-voiced middle eight, with a surprisingly innocent-sounding big poppy chorus.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">"Traces,"</span> co-written by rising singer-songwriters Neon Hitch and Colin Munroe, leaked in low quality months ago, but what a difference crystal-clear audio makes. A song I previously disregarded has revealed itself to be one of those big emotional electronic mid-tempos I so adore, the kind where you feel dragged down by the heaviness of each deep, measured beat. It's the sort of song to make you forget all about Sky's interview persona and fall head-over-heels for this girl who shouldn't have fallen in love with a boy.<br /><br />I've felt let down recently by a usually reliable singer who, despite a couple of great singles and a pair of enjoyable tracks, delivered an album that even her special pop voice couldn't stop from feeling soulless. I'm not ready to give up on her--I never will--and the plethora of Sky songs we've heard have varied too greatly in quality for me to count on her as pop's next great thing, but there are moments on <span style="font-style: italic;">As If!</span> that indicate Sky could, if given the chance, develop into something special. Let's hope the commercial stumbling blocks she's faced so far don't stop that from happening--the world may need another great popstar sooner than we think.<br /><br />As of tomorrow, residents of the U.S. will be able to buy Sky Ferreira's <span style="font-style: italic;">As If!</span> EP <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004Q6BVZW/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=posgir-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004Q6BVZW">here</a><img class=" pttxgkeavaapwkefnvay pttxgkeavaapwkefnvay pttxgkeavaapwkefnvay pttxgkeavaapwkefnvay pttxgkeavaapwkefnvay pttxgkeavaapwkefnvay pttxgkeavaapwkefnvay pttxgkeavaapwkefnvay pttxgkeavaapwkefnvay pttxgkeavaapwkefnvay pttxgkeavaapwkefnvay pttxgkeavaapwkefnvay pttxgkeavaapwkefnvay pttxgkeavaapwkefnvay pttxgkeavaapwkefnvay pttxgkeavaapwkefnvay pttxgkeavaapwkefnvay pttxgkeavaapwkefnvay" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B004Q6BVZW" alt="" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" border="0" height="1" width="1" /> (digital).Poster Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07797812846936450135noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30794625.post-90779833031666280402011-03-12T12:38:00.007-05:002011-03-12T13:10:42.231-05:00Time is tickingThere are a bunch of things in the music world that need to be discussed--the new Britney album, some new Eurovision songs, finally having the studio version of Danny's "Catch Me If You Can"--but with the Melodifestival final starting in less than two hours, Sweden's national selection for Eurovision has to take priority.<br /><br />Half the time I don't know what I truly feel about any given entry until I have a gut reaction to how it ends up ranked. As of right now, though, I'd be happiest with a Danny win. I have a rising concern about the Moniker, though, and I'd certainly rather see Eric Saade take it instead of him.<br /><br />In terms of solely my personal preferences--ignoring the odds of any of this actually happening--I'd be most pleased by a victory for Danny (in my top three favorite songs for this year as well as my favorite song and my favorite performance package of the entries remaining), Eric (there's still a missing ingredient for me, I'm frustrated that better similar entries in past years have been rejected and this one might win, and in the unlikely event that Danny should end up seriously challenging him the detachment I feel from Eric's entry would intensify, but when the song and presentation are taken together it's tough to deny that it averages out to be one of the night's best entries), Swingfly (a messy on-stage presentation, but the song is a lot of fun and gives me that rush of joy I wish I got from "Popular," even if I'm not sure that it's actually better in the long run), or Linda Bengtzing (she's had better songs and better performances but I love her and her infectious enthusiasm and enjoy "E det fel på mig"). I'd be fine with Brolle winning as well. After that, my enthusiasm would drop off precipitously, but it wouldn't feel like the end of the world if Sara Varga won. Despite its great production and great singer (though, truth be told, she's using a side of her voice here that I don't hugely enjoy), Sanna's song still leaves me cold. I like "The King" a good bit (yes, really) but feel like the Playtones' performance is a black hole for charisma. Any of the aforementioned choices would be better than the remaining two, though; Nicke Borg or the Moniker winning would leave me distraught.<br /><br />Still, we should be in for a great show. Though songs I loved were lost along the way to Globen, I'm actually pretty happy with the line-up we'll be facing. Yes, two of the songs that would have made the best impression internationally were lost in Andra Chansen last week, but this year's final nevertheless includes mostly enjoyable songs that, even if they wouldn't make for great Eurovision entries, make for great entertainment.Poster Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07797812846936450135noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30794625.post-31910759675485707172011-03-07T10:21:00.006-05:002011-03-07T10:51:15.788-05:00You could be all that you want<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwON8pQsN4SB2Lmt2JwegJ1fqtEGPEyj9_XHFTZZ-sZ8Jk6Ykds7ubRjQZJ96-KXVI-QTwK0zyqr1p1SZlQIb86_tZGH10Y2qdlpyz4ofI2vTSU6gijX9hCbAFRFqz7VUnRaQd/s1600/Darin+Lovekiller+video+shoot.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 202px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwON8pQsN4SB2Lmt2JwegJ1fqtEGPEyj9_XHFTZZ-sZ8Jk6Ykds7ubRjQZJ96-KXVI-QTwK0zyqr1p1SZlQIb86_tZGH10Y2qdlpyz4ofI2vTSU6gijX9hCbAFRFqz7VUnRaQd/s320/Darin+Lovekiller+video+shoot.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581365867879582098" border="0" /></a>Sometimes, when you disappear from the Internet for a while, you miss things.<br /><br />Big things. Important things. Like, say, the fact that <span style="font-weight: bold;">DARIN</span> IS RECORDING A NEW ALBUM WITH AWESOME PRODUCERS.<br /><br />What finally clued me in to this fact was a <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/DarinOfficial/status/44759131202138112">tweet</a> from him today saying he was recording with <span style="font-weight: bold;">Anders Bagge</span> (who has done so many songs that his discography quality varies) and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Johan Kronlund</span>. Even better news is that a month ago he apparently was recording with <span style="font-weight: bold;">Niklas Bergwall</span> (formerly of 2N, the production team behind Kate Ryan's hits) and <span style="font-weight: bold;">LO-FI-FNK</span>. Seriously, let's just repeat that: Darin is recording with Lo-Fi-FNK.<br /><br />I'm sure this was covered on blogs a month ago, but since I only just found out now, I need to emphasize how awesome that is. Lo-Fi-Fnk are the kind of cool but pop-friendly electro pop duo that Sweden seemed to be producing every other day a few years ago, but they're one of the best. I've been eager for new material from them, but I had no idea they'd moved into producing for other people as well. Their version of "Want U" is probably a good indicator of their sound, though it's a little less boyish than <span style="font-style: italic;">Boylife</span>, the album that preceded it. So you can hear that sound, I've embedded "Steppin' Out" from that album as well. Darin recording with them is the sort of slightly left-field but smart choice that reaffirms my faith in him as a popstar (not that it needed to be reaffirmed).<br /><br /><object height="300" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/94wD_lfG6Go?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/94wD_lfG6Go?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="300" width="480"></embed></object><br /><br /><object height="390" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/HncV97e62vE?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/HncV97e62vE?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="390" width="480"></embed></object><br /><br />I'm so glad Darin had his big ballad moment. I love Tony Nilsson and I loved their work together; "You're Out Of My Life" was one of my favorite singles of last year and much of the <span style="font-style: italic;">Lovekiller</span> album contained big, lovely, '80s-styled pop songs.<br /><br />Still, it's time for something different and this news about his new album collaborators couldn't be more welcome. Lo-Fi-Fnk and Niklas Bergwall (definitely worth getting excited about in his own right--I enjoy almost everything he does and most of what he does is dancey pop) certainly indicate a change of direction. I literally don't think I could be more excited.Poster Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07797812846936450135noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30794625.post-48767265710555432572011-03-05T13:37:00.006-05:002011-03-05T13:51:35.275-05:00Still I'm hopelessly in love<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHXkvXfvUpnXyVXdc-1z_4Ra8NyE4ra1-pKZEmF7FXKhRprb5gacp-kt2jGzTwG_ZwPFooR2jCilfk_vCf1pQrpdqizPikTJvBG0HgNCEW4w4Hqspxio0l91hNDatfvwNvf7zr/s1600/Loreen+SF2.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 303px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHXkvXfvUpnXyVXdc-1z_4Ra8NyE4ra1-pKZEmF7FXKhRprb5gacp-kt2jGzTwG_ZwPFooR2jCilfk_vCf1pQrpdqizPikTJvBG0HgNCEW4w4Hqspxio0l91hNDatfvwNvf7zr/s320/Loreen+SF2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580670020023554946" border="0" /></a>A quick note: all my support in today's Melodifestival second chance round goes to Loreen...which means she will lose her first duel and I'll be left bereft for the rest of the show. If Loreen should fail to advance, I'd like it to go to Love Generation, but really, they're a distant second. I do genuinely enjoy all four of the songs in the top bracket, though--just don't try to remind me of that fact immediately after Loreen gets knocked out.<br /><br />I'm much less picky about the second bracket. I'd be happy with anyone besides the Moniker...which means he'll probably win (I think there's actually a good chance of that happening, too, which scares me).<br /><br />As always, you'll be able to stream Melodifestivalen starting at 2 PM EST <a href="http://svt.se/melodifestivalen">here</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">(Photo credit to </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.aftonbladet.se/nojesbladet/melodifestivalen2011/article8546685.ab">Lina Bostrom Einarsson</a><span style="font-style: italic;">.)</span>Poster Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07797812846936450135noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30794625.post-54968204080090747142011-03-05T12:53:00.009-05:002011-03-06T13:06:34.970-05:00Wanna make you scream my name<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.alekseyvorobyov.ru/img/kino/15.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 272px; height: 410px;" src="http://www.alekseyvorobyov.ru/img/kino/15.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Well, at least <a href="http://workyourmagic.blogspot.com/">Rachel</a> should be happy...<br /><br />It's felt inevitable that we'd see <span style="font-weight: bold;">Alexey Vorobyov</span> at Eurovision one day since he popped up in the 2008 Russian national final. That was the year <span style="font-weight: bold;">Dima Bilan</span> won (and would go on to win Eurovision) and the year <span style="font-weight: bold;">Sergey Lazarev</span> took fourth, but Alexey still managed to be a standout in a long, messy final.<br /><br />Even if he'd won, he would never have stood a chance at making it to Eurovision. You actually had to wonder if the people behind him--or the panel in charge of approving the Russian songs--knew anything about the contest other than its name; Eurovision songs must be wholly original and though there are often accusations by fans that particular elements of a song have been borrowed from another, there was no disputing the fact that Alexey's song sampled another: the famous Russian folk song "Kalinka." Why was it indisputable? Well, Alexey's entry was actually called "New Russian Kalinka." Alexey had basically taken the melody of that song and worked it into an R&B-pop song of the "clearly influenced by 2006 Timbaland" sound his competitor Dima was in love with.<br /><br /><object height="390" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/6rOSwpOEi4Q?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/6rOSwpOEi4Q?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="390" width="480"></embed></object><br /><br />Still, even as international fans watched the webstream agog at the fact that "New Russian Kalinka" had somehow made it into the contest, Alexey's performance hinted at star potential. Partly it was the fact that he was a cute young guy; there are, apparently, few things Eurovision fans like more. In addition, though, he managed to hold together the whole patently ridiculous performance, turning what could have been a car crash into a fun three minutes and one of the few moments of the night worth remembering later. He wasn't, metaphorically speaking, a star yet, but it seemed a certainty that that night would set him on the road to becoming a star.<br /><br />Now comes <a href="http://blog.qruiser.com/schlagerprofilerna/75651/alexey-vorobyov--redone--sant">the news</a> that Alexey will be representing Russia at Eurovision 2011 with a song penned by RedOne. I should be enthusiastic about this. I liked Alexey that night and, though I can't say I've kept close tabs on his career, in the time since he's made indications of growing into the popstar everyone expected (even covering a song from Darin's <span style="font-style: italic;">Break The News</span> at one point). I hope that, when I hear "Get You," I'll finally feel that enthusiasm.<br /><br />Somehow, though, I'm left feeling...underwhelmed. Maybe it has something to do with the way this whole thing feels like the inevitable fulfillment of what began that night in 2008. There's just something so...expected about it. Russia is clearly seeking to repeat the Dima Bilan 2008 template here: young, cute (to some) guy singing a song by one of the world's top songwriters/producers. There's absolutely no logical reason to hold "inevitability" against Alexey, though--if he stood out in his introduction because he was good, shouldn't I be happy to see a good performer get his due?<br /><br />I should. I hope I will be. Give me a few days.Poster Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07797812846936450135noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30794625.post-71925671240278527052011-03-05T07:15:00.009-05:002011-03-06T07:59:34.794-05:00Jag kan klara mig själv, kan gå ut varje kväll, kommer hem när jag villThe demo CD of the Melodifestival boxset is pretty fascinating. Fascinating enough that it's already got me wishing for a sequel, even if the singers are more Agnetha Körsvik and Anette Ingemarsson & Ida Segersten than Linda Bengtzing and Måns Zelmerlöw.<br /><br /><object height="81" width="100%"> <param name="movie" value="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F11497885"> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"> <embed allowscriptaccess="always" src="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F11497885" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="81" width="100%"></embed> </object> <span><a href="http://soundcloud.com/poppostergirl/7-17-jag-ljuger-s-bra">7-17 Jag ljuger så bra</a> by <a href="http://soundcloud.com/poppostergirl">poppostergirl</a></span><br /><br />Noting the changes a song goes through between being demoed and being properly debuted is something only a schlager nerd would love--but that's what I am, so it's thrilling to hear the considerably different lyrics on Agnetha Körsvik's "Hero," the way "Night Of Passion" was completely rearranged (as well as lyrically tweaked) for the Poodles, or the different way Jessica Andersson sings "Jag ljuger så bra."<br /><br />Often the changes were ultimately for the better; I prefer the lyrics to Charlotte's version of "Hero." Still, for those of us who will never get to sit with a songwriter as they hone a song into the best version of itself it can be, listening to demos like these is the next best thing.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6pTm1XEkQgiOyZxbVRA5otZD1UISCBvaeBET23rQ-Bhv7jJ0nX52MyAXYqUuH2fgMV95xKyj4HcNCO5i0nlDEIJ1rOiwuDhjbmNolV71zHCB-ek-BmFbZYbiI9rd7TPVAGjnR/s1600/Jessica+Andersson+du+f%25C3%25A5r.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 256px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6pTm1XEkQgiOyZxbVRA5otZD1UISCBvaeBET23rQ-Bhv7jJ0nX52MyAXYqUuH2fgMV95xKyj4HcNCO5i0nlDEIJ1rOiwuDhjbmNolV71zHCB-ek-BmFbZYbiI9rd7TPVAGjnR/s320/Jessica+Andersson+du+f%25C3%25A5r.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580610131683907634" border="0" /></a>As I mentioned recently, Linda Bengtzing's "Jag ljuger så bra" is quite possibly my favorite schlager song of all time, and definitely in the top ten. I had no expectations that <span style="font-weight: bold;">Jessica Andersson</span>'s demo would surpass it in my affections, especially without the benefit of having ever been given the final polish a song actually to be released receives. It doesn't, but I'm very glad to have it.<br /><br />Jessica, going solo after considerable Melodifestival success as half of Fame, faced a devil of a choice in 2006: if I'm remembering correctly, she could have sung either "Jag ljuger så bra" ("I'm Such a Good Liar") or "Kalla nätter" ("Cold Nights"), two of the best songs ever to compete in Melodifestivalen. She chose the latter, a Rachel Stevens-esque modern pop song, but unfortunately failed to make it out of her semifinal after a nervous performance that was better in theory than in reality. Linda took the former, a string-featuring classically styled schlager song with some of Ingela "Pling" Försman's best lyrics, and went straight to the final.<br /><br />Jessica's demo reveals that she didn't sing "Jag ljuger så bra" with the spunk of Linda; Linda sells the song with charming bravado that enhances the lie of the song's protagonist, who brags to her ex about how life is better without him while secretly wanting him back. I'm glad she made the choice she did--both of them, in studio, are perfectly suited to the songs they ended up with. Still, hearing Jessica's voice on an uptempo schlager song makes me wish once again for the album we could have had if "Kalla nätter" and "Du får för dig att du förför mig" had taken off instead of the one we got once retro ballad "I Did It For Love" did well in 2010.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">(Edit: a <a href="http://www.sydsvenskan.se/kultur-och-nojen/melodifestivalen/article145518/Jessica-Andersson-nobbade-Carolas-lat.html">bit</a> of <a href="http://www.hemmetsjournal.se/Reportage/reportage/Jessica-Andersson-Antligen-har-jag-funnit-den-stora-karleken/">research</a> I should have done earlier reveals that Jessica was also offered and turned down "Evighet," which went to Carola and became the eventual winner of Melodifestivalen 2006. Also, as <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/Tiiger__">Alexander</a> and <a href="http://www.hemmetsjournal.se/Reportage/reportage/Jessica-Andersson-Antligen-har-jag-funnit-den-stora-karleken/">this interview</a> point out, "Jag ljuger så bra" was written specifically for and about Jessica, who was in the process of divorcing her husband at the time. However, when both the songs she sang on, "Jag ljuger så bra" and "Kalla nätter, were accepted into Melodifestivalen, she had to make a choice. She alludes to pressure from Bert Karlsson factoring into the decision she made and says that "Jag ljuger så bra" still feels, to her, like her song.)</span><br /><br />You can purchase the gold edition of <span style="font-style: italic;">Melodifestivalen 10 År På Turné 2002-2011</span>, which contains the demo CD, <a href="http://english.megastore.se/template/next%2CProduct.vm?itemid=2272987">here</a> (physical). I'm eager for my copy to arrive so I can start the two years it will probably take me to finish reading the included book.Poster Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07797812846936450135noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30794625.post-41300211515332114782011-03-04T12:37:00.006-05:002011-03-05T09:31:33.730-05:00I leave it all behindAs mentioned a few posts ago, <a href="http://scandipop.co.uk/">Scandipop</a> and <a href="http://swedishstereo.blogspot.com/">Swedish Stereo</a> recently featured thirty-second clips of <span style="font-weight: bold;">Danny</span>'s new album, <span style="font-style: italic;">In The Club</span>.<br /><br />Now, another site has posted sixty-second clips of each of the songs. Listen to them <a href="http://www.qobuz.com/album/in-the-club-danny-saucedo/0884977933567?qref=sre_1_1">here</a>. "Catch Me If You Can" is still the song I'm most eager to have my hands on--it's the era of "oh oh oh"s, apparently. If you click on the song titles, you can also see some (though not all) of the songwriters for each track (albeit in a messy way).<br /><br />While we're speaking of clips of Melodifestival albums, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Eric Saade</span> <a href="http://tv.expressen.se/noje/1.2344114/saade-har-vi-en-varldshit-har">previewed</a> another song from his upcoming album for Expressen. Eric may not say a name, but if you made me guess, I'd say it's going to be called "Timeless." It's written with Jason Gill (he of some of my favorite songs from Måns Zelmerlöw--"Hold On," "Rewind," "Freak Out"--and Darin--"Paradise"--as well as of Sofia's "Hypnotized"). Eric also mentions two other co-writers who I'm guessing are Mattias Larsson and Robin Fredriksson.<br /><br /><a href="http://blog.qruiser.com/schlagerprofilerna/75424/schlagerdemos-galore">Schlagerprofilerna</a> and <a href="http://blogg.aftonbladet.se/schlagerblogg/2011/03/schlagerboxen-ar-har-har-ar-alla-demolatarna">Tobbe</a> recently revealed the tracklist for the Melodifestival box set's demo CD (which is out today in Sweden). By my count, at least <s>seven</s> <span style="font-weight: bold;">eight</span> of the songs have been heard before (Sarah Dawn Finer's "Not A Sinner Nor A Saint," "Surrender To My Heart," Lina Hedlund's "Alla flickor," Camilla Blom Polfeldt's "Gone," Friends' "Give Me Your Love," Shirley Clamp's "A Miracle," and Sonja Aldén's "Invincible," though if I've missed one please let me know <span style="font-style: italic;">EDIT: Andrés Esteche's "Tango! Tango!" as well</span>), but this is the first time we've been able to purchase most of them. It is, as I thought it might be, heavy on recordings by demo singers as opposed to people who were established artists at the time of the songs' recordings, but since we love many people who were previously backing and session singers--Shirley Clamp, Sonja Aldén--it should still be a treat to get to hear their vocals on songs we love. I think Jessica Andersson's version of "Jag ljuger så bra" may be the song I'm most interested to hear. Linda Bengtzing's recording is often my favorite schlager song ever, so I don't necessarily expect Jessica's version to surpass it--just provide an alternative from a singer who I desperately wish was still recording music in that style.Poster Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07797812846936450135noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30794625.post-47919305347944053932011-03-04T07:32:00.012-05:002011-03-04T10:15:14.894-05:00I've had it with shame, I've had it with sorrowThere are, oh, a few dozen songs already released this year that I feel I need to cover at some point to give even a half-accurate impression of where I'm at with music in 2011. I've never been particularly timely with my coverage, but you may see a few more egregious examples pop up in the future (and it's only going to get worse--I'm still thinking about discussing not just my favorite singles from 2010 but also my favorites from <span style="font-style: italic;">2009</span>...because there's nothing more thrilling than reading some random person on the Internet's personal reactions to two year old songs you're tired of hearing discussed).<br /><br /><object height="81" width="100%"> <param name="movie" value="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F8711994"> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"> <embed allowscriptaccess="always" src="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F8711994" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="81" width="100%"></embed> </object> <span><a href="http://soundcloud.com/user3237260/breaking-up-with-god">Breaking Up With God</a> by <a href="http://soundcloud.com/user3237260">theark</a></span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY8EJiuKa1zTtzKcUzbWPq-dDQs4gC20J8ZbtHkd_uQ2TtQ4Hz3318jfChHn9CnOe4mbQyUWfiXDk4DGn9E9F19S-hkuPqRqFcyatPcO76e44WCMzUfN5nRYJcKkfEeejmzntm/s1600/The+Ark+Ola.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 302px; height: 202px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY8EJiuKa1zTtzKcUzbWPq-dDQs4gC20J8ZbtHkd_uQ2TtQ4Hz3318jfChHn9CnOe4mbQyUWfiXDk4DGn9E9F19S-hkuPqRqFcyatPcO76e44WCMzUfN5nRYJcKkfEeejmzntm/s320/The+Ark+Ola.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580226890877546978" border="0" /></a>Case File #1 is <span style="font-weight: bold;">the Ark</span>'s "Breaking Up With God." The bad news: it's one of the last songs we'll ever hear from the Swedish rock group--they're calling it quits after they finish promoting their greatest hits. The good news: it's their best single since <span style="font-style: italic;">State of the Ark</span>'s one-two punch of "One Of Us Is Gonna Die Young" and "Clamour For Glamour."<br /><br />"Breaking Up With God" also pulls off the tricky feat of sounding thoroughly in keeping with the group's previous work while also filling a musical niche none of the Ark's previous singles did. It has the energy of the aforementioned <span style="font-style: italic;">State of the Ark</span> singles, but it achieves the emotional release of earlier songs like "It Takes A Fool To Remain Sane" and "Calleth You Cometh I."<br /><br />Unlike those songs, though, "Breaking Up With God" goes about creating that release through the closest the group has come to a party song. The cleverness and opaqueness of the Ark's lyrics means I've never really thought of them as band whose songs work in the "lost in the music" way associated with the best dance songs, though their work performs the traditional "rock outsider" role of creating a communal feeling that transforms even your bedroom into a packed gig full of people reveling to anthems.<br /><br />While it has a high tempo and kicky beat, "Breaking Up With God" is clearly no dance song. It can be danced to, though, as lead singer Ola Salo <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-H_z1T-eOo">proved</a> in his characteristically flamboyant way at last week's Melodifestival semifinal (I hope this isn't the last we'll see of Ola as a recording artist, by the way--hard as it is to imagine him without the rest of the band, the world would miss the effortless charisma he gives off even when he seems half-bored). No, "Breaking Up With God" is definitely pop-rock, albeit with a sound that pays less clear homage to the '70s than some of the Ark's earlier work. That's "Breaking Up With God"'s second trick: while bearing guitar work and occasional vocal harmonies that wouldn't sound out of place in the '70s, more than anything it sounds timeless.<br /><br />The best trick of all, though, is that previously mentioned sense of uplifting, lost-in-the-music release, the kind you never would have expected to find in a song that deals seriously with concerns about religion. How the Ark pull off comparing the Sword of Damocles to a cross and then singing "I heard the call, but I won't follow 'cause now I'm breaking up with God...and the Devil too" without seeming preachy or pretentious but instead like the best party band you've ever heard is something I'll never understand. "Breaking Up With God" is well-written in all areas--music, melody, and lyrics--and grand in smart ways, too, without dwelling on the grandness. In short, it's the epitome of everything I've ever loved about the Ark.<br /><br />I have a history of overhyping songs released in the first quarter of the year and then considerably dialing back my opinion by December. Still, if there's been a better expression of synth-free pop-rock joy in the past five years, I can't think of it.<br /><br />The Ark's greatest hits, <span style="font-style: italic;">Arkeology</span>, can be purchased <a href="http://english.megastore.se/template/next%2CProduct.vm?itemid=2267710">here</a> (physical) and on iTunes internationally <a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=vedNTf2QjTw&subid=&offerid=146261.1&type=10&tmpid=5573&RD_PARM1=http%3A%2F%2Fitunes.apple.com%2Fus%2Falbum%2Farkeology-the-complete-singles%2Fid417606080">here</a>. Alternatively, it's available at <a href="http://meteli.net/downloads/levy/The-Ark-Arkeology-The-Complete-Singles-Collection/92425120">this digital music store</a> that has no country restrictions.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">(Photo credit to Sven Lindwall of </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.expressen.se/noje/melodifestivalen2011/1.2345813/linda-bengtzing-och-nicke-borg-klara-for-globen">Expressen</a><span style="font-style: italic;">.)</span>Poster Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07797812846936450135noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30794625.post-4163194214528075142011-03-02T13:10:00.006-05:002011-03-02T13:39:48.957-05:00Not gonna be anything but loudMelodifestivalen may have finished introducing new songs for the year, but there's still one thing we fans have to look forward to (besides Andra Chansen and the final): Melodifestival-related albums.<br /><br />I'm not just talking about this year's Melodifestival album (and its exciting demos). We also have a number of artists who competed in this year's contest who are releasing albums. All except the last of the albums listed below is out already or will be released in the next few weeks. International customers should be able to buy any of the CDs listed below from <a href="http://www.bengans.se/default.aspx?Currency=sek&language=en">Bengans</a> or <a href="http://english.megastore.se/template/next%2CIndex.vm">Megastore</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Melody Club</span> have already released <span style="font-style: italic;">Human Harbour</span>. You can listen to previews <a href="http://meteli.net/downloads/levy/Human-Harbour-Exclusive-Version/94221370">here</a>.<br /><br />Previews of <span style="font-style: italic;">In The Club</span>, the new album from <span style="font-weight: bold;">Danny</span>, can be listened to <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B004Q43HT2/ref=dm_sp_alb?ie=UTF8&qid=1299004569&sr=8-10">here</a>. It's only eight tracks, with one repeated from <span style="font-style: italic;">Set Your Body Free</span> and including his earlier unnecessary cover of "In Your Eyes", but otherwise they almost all sound pretty great. Thanks to <a href="http://swedishstereo.blogspot.com/2011/03/sneak-peek-at-dannys-new-album-in-club.html">Swedish Stereo</a> and <a href="http://www.scandipop.co.uk/?p=5114">Scandipop</a> for the tip!<br /><br />Making up for Danny's dearth of songs is <span style="font-weight: bold;">Anniela</span>'s <span style="font-style: italic;">Electric</span>, which, at fifteen tracks, includes the English version of her entry "Elektrisk" (and, somewhat bafflingly, a cover of September's "Sin Of My Own") and is out March 14. The quality ratio probably won't be <span style="font-style: italic;">quite</span> as high, but I imagine will get some fun tracks out of it. Preview clips are <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004Q8APXE?ie=UTF8&tag=posgir-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004Q8APXE">here</a><img class=" vuairfnqmqdbdpezkwix vuairfnqmqdbdpezkwix vuairfnqmqdbdpezkwix" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=posgir-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B004Q8APXE" alt="" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" border="0" height="1" width="1" />.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Swingfly</span> is repackaging his debut album with his Melodifestival entry and a new song with Pauline. It's out March 4 and is titled <span style="font-style: italic;">Awesomeness: An Introduction To Swingfly</span>. Yes, really. That's going straight in this year's "Best Brilliantly Ridiculous Pop Words" contenders.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Linda Bengtzing</span> gives us one new track, "Män i uniform," on her greatest hits album. Preview it <a href="http://meteli.net/downloads/levy/Min-karusell-En-samling/93343289">here</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sanna Nielsen</span> has a new album out. Unfortunately, the <a href="http://tjuvlyssna.nu/">previews </a>have left me underwhelmed, especially considering the nice surprise of her Celine Dion-like last album, but maybe the songs sound better in full. Thanks to <a href="http://schlagerfiasko.nu/2011/03/02/in-love-with-sanna-nielsen-lionheart-melodifestivalen-schlager-musik-sverige-sweden/">Schlagerfiasko</a> for the preview link and to <a href="http://www.scandipop.co.uk/?p=4973">Scandipop</a> who earlier debuted clips.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Anders Fernette</span>'s years-in-the-making album Run comes out March 11. His record label uploaded a few new songs from it to <a href="http://soundcloud.com/universalmusicsweden/sets/anders-fernette/">SoundCloud</a> and they pretty much sound like I expected they would--if he's never been to your taste before, they won't win you over, but they work for me (in, admittedly, a not incredibly long term way).<br /><br />We don't have any new preview for <span style="font-weight: bold;">Le Kid</span>'s album, but we do have a title--and, predictably for this group, it's amazing: <span style="font-style: italic;">Oh, Alright</span>! Yes, still one of my most anticipated albums of the past few years, even if "Oh My God" did underwhelm me.Poster Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07797812846936450135noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30794625.post-10956690938741955902011-02-26T18:51:00.009-05:002011-02-26T21:20:33.548-05:00I can't believe you're doing this to meMelodifestivalen has been eating this blog alive for the last few weeks. If you have no interest in that Swedish contest, though, don't worry; with all the songs introduced and only two weeks remaining, you won't have much more to slog through.<br /><br />If you are an international pop fan who ignores Melodifestivalen, the one entry most likely to catch your eye is <span style="font-weight: bold;">Love Generation</span>'s "Dance Alone," courtesy of it being written by popular producer <span style="font-weight: bold;">RedOne</span>. The four girls of Love Generation did a great job today, coming across as having a shot at being the current best girl group offering in the world.<br /><br />Still, <span style="font-weight: bold;">if you only make time for one Melodifestival entry a year</span>--heck, if you usually don't make time for any of them--<span style="font-weight: bold;">there's one track I ask you to give a chance</span>: <span style="font-weight: bold;">Loreen</span>'s "My Heart Is Refusing Me." It's mid-tempo electronic pop, certainly more commercial than indie, but it has a dark undercurrent to it that, when combined with Loreen's revelation of a voice, I find haunting.<br /><br /><object height="258" width="416"><param name="movie" value="http://svt.se/embededflash/2324336/play.swf"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://svt.se/embededflash/2324336/play.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="258" width="416"></embed></object><br /><br />Something about that song plus that voice gets under my skin in a way I can't wholly understand. All I know is that when she gets to <span style="font-style: italic;">that</span> chorus (especially in the post-middle eight repetition), I begin to feel like shreds of my heart are being torn away.<br /><br />Loreen will be competing in the top half of the bracket in next weekend's second chance round. Unfortunately, she's slotted against some strong competitors, including the aforementioned Love Generation. Can we just send them both through? And maybe add in Jenny Silver, too?Poster Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07797812846936450135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30794625.post-360324744619632972011-02-26T18:05:00.009-05:002011-02-26T18:47:07.717-05:00Don't need you tonightTonight's Melodifestival results were surprising, to say the least.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">(Photo credit to </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.aftonbladet.se/nojesbladet/melodifestivalen2011/article8630826.ab">Aftonbladet</a><span style="font-style: italic;">.)</span><br /><br /><object height="81" width="100%"> <param name="movie" value="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F11164139"> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"> <embed allowscriptaccess="always" src="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F11164139" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="81" width="100%"></embed> </object> <span><a href="http://soundcloud.com/poppostergirl/e-det-fel-p-mej">E det fel på mej</a> by <a href="http://soundcloud.com/poppostergirl">poppostergirl</a></span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAKtmXLGgVfG4r9g6sJUOASwWuCmGOl03KqQtmwoSsI5FgVA1FdUBhBxqia0Hm0vBtdIj7hUVklStQtLFlb8x2ZvGbVYblHE-RqjAmT1LgqtBqM_3HvADcb2EDRqRozft5WaQI/s1600/Linda+Bengtzing+SF4.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 182px; height: 311px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAKtmXLGgVfG4r9g6sJUOASwWuCmGOl03KqQtmwoSsI5FgVA1FdUBhBxqia0Hm0vBtdIj7hUVklStQtLFlb8x2ZvGbVYblHE-RqjAmT1LgqtBqM_3HvADcb2EDRqRozft5WaQI/s320/Linda+Bengtzing+SF4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578146324738001330" border="0" /></a>My jaw dropped (for the second time, but we'll get to that in a minute) at the news that Linda Bengtzing had won her semifinal and would be advancing straight to the final. It's welcome news for someone who loves Linda as much as I do and for anyone won over by her energetic, explosive schlager. Still, considering "E det fel på mig" is, at first few listens, not as good as her previous three entries and her staging was a little messy--not only did it seem to have taken several steps backwards into the past after the flirty, modern performance of "Hur svårt kan det va?", even the traditional old-fashioned schlager elements weren't executed as well as they could have been for the first two-thirds of the song (though Linda was a star, as always)--I was shocked that she'd been the night's top vote-getter. Shocked but, even if feeling that it was a <span style="font-style: italic;">teeny</span> bit undeserved, pleased.<br /><br /><object height="81" width="100%"> <param name="movie" value="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F11164485"> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"> <embed allowscriptaccess="always" src="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F11164485" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="81" width="100%"></embed> </object> <span><a href="http://soundcloud.com/poppostergirl/the-hunter">The Hunter</a> by <a href="http://soundcloud.com/poppostergirl">poppostergirl</a></span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ZzSe1l3D_TrSjBBogtq3xBIBj48B2mlq_IKBNrikC32p06GoGmVQO6P3xLn5cC_DHbXW2I0KIijKxwFHogwGLE6U66d21shzZ-3ABgnTMUogO4c-DbgQXY0pozJGbiyuAwFY/s1600/Melody+Club+SF4.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 210px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ZzSe1l3D_TrSjBBogtq3xBIBj48B2mlq_IKBNrikC32p06GoGmVQO6P3xLn5cC_DHbXW2I0KIijKxwFHogwGLE6U66d21shzZ-3ABgnTMUogO4c-DbgQXY0pozJGbiyuAwFY/s320/Melody+Club+SF4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578147246742173682" border="0" /></a>Poor Melody Club ended up in seventh. I had inklings of trouble when I realized Kristofer's vocals weren't transferring too well to the Melodifestival context (he has a quirky voice which doesn't necessarily sound traditionally "strong" even when he's on form), but I never truly considered they'd be outside of the top five. I hope they get a radio hit out of "The Hunter"--it's the best they've sounded in years (and features a great guitar solo--seriously, how we can we have a drought of good guitar solos for so long and then have multiple so close together?)--and hope their upcoming album is of equal quality.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBPWPEoXz_FxBvrgu9LSpwj2e9di_66895yp6jjj8pkfCRZc-337JbPg0cOK0Ixyh4rOR138xgNNUlqHhnnnWvszsfuWb-2s3ql8Q4KrilNEGdunHni_dU9b-4hwtWpTOhfrBA/s1600/Love+Gen+SF4.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 261px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBPWPEoXz_FxBvrgu9LSpwj2e9di_66895yp6jjj8pkfCRZc-337JbPg0cOK0Ixyh4rOR138xgNNUlqHhnnnWvszsfuWb-2s3ql8Q4KrilNEGdunHni_dU9b-4hwtWpTOhfrBA/s320/Love+Gen+SF4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578147789028635474" border="0" /></a>Nicke Borg drove the knife in even further by going straight to the final instead of Love Generation. A slick performance with pretty good vocals (a few of the girls were less good than the other two, but none were awful) and a good song had me hoping the girls would give the Melodifestival final a boost of modernity and international appeal, but even outside of the "how do we want to present Sweden to the rest of the world" dilemma, the whole package was deserving of advancing further than it did. Love Generation still have a chance to make it to the final. Unfortunately, they were sent to the top half of the second chance bracket, which means they'll be facing off against my other favorite AC contenders, Loreen and Jenny Silver.<br /><br />Still, as we Melodifestival fans drown our sorrows, there's one thing to comfort us (well, one thing besides lovely Linda's fantastic direkt-till-Globen achievement): this year's songs are all finally on sale. You can buy the deluxe box set celebrating the past ten years <a href="http://english.megastore.se/template/next%2CProduct.vm?itemid=2272987">here</a>.Poster Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07797812846936450135noreply@blogger.com4