davidlim: Show & Tell

We've Migrated...

2010-01-02T22:26:00.000-08:00

Over to Feed Limmy [www.feedlimmy.wordpress.com]...

Thank you to all my friends and readers who have perused Show & Tell at some point in the last two-and-a-half years.

Join me at my new blogging home at Wordpress - it's 2010... and it's only fitting that I take my blogging to a new level.

Subscribe, browse, gawk and comment away there.

With love,
davidlim

Albums of The Decade

2009-12-30T06:34:00.000-08:00

Some jaws will drop and heads will roll when people see this list...

Or so I expect anyway. My penchant for pop music tends to skew towards the underrated and at times, the slightly obscure material. Some of the records that made my Albums of The Decade list may not have been commercial successes or even critically acclaimed materials - but they've all been significant and special to me. It has been a pleasure to have heard and bonded with these albums - and love live the memories that have been encoded in these songs. Vive la musique!

0304 by Jewel

Trip The Light Fantastic by Sophie Ellis-Bextor

B'Day by Beyonce

The Emancipation of Mimi by Mariah Carey

The Fame by Lady Gaga

Presents His X-Factor: Vol. 1 by Richard X

American Life by Madonna

Full Moon by Brandy

This Is The One by Utada

Love Angel Music Baby by Gwen Stefani

Luminescence by Anggun

Survivor by Destiny's Child

Counting Down The Days by Natalie Imbruglia

Mr A-Z by Jason Mraz

The Tension & The Spark by Darren Hayes

Free Me by Emma Bunton

Liberation by Mya

Taller In More Ways by Sugababes

Beautiful Collision by Bic Runga

Growing Pains by Mary J. Blige

Tangled Up by Girls Aloud

The Stoop by Little Jackie

Fever by Kylie Minogue

More by Vitamin C

Music Videos of The Year 2009

2009-12-29T22:17:00.000-08:00

Did someone say, "Britney used to live here"?

Yep. She no longer makes the list because frankly, she's gotten sloppy. Sorry Britney, maybe next year if you can be bothered. No rush, though. I'm trying to be impartial with this prestigious award and not just offer it up to any Sony BMG artist with a generous video budget. Because let's face it, money can't buy creativity. But do you know what helps creativity flourish? Ironically, a big budget (see in case of 'Bad Romance'). Here are the videos that had me on YouTube all year round...

'Bad Romance'
Lady Gaga

Couture fashion's collision with pop music performances. There's only three leading ladies that comes to mind this year: Rihanna, Beyonce and well ahead of the pack, Lady Gaga. There's something so grotesquely arty about 'Bad Romance' that any carnal pleasure of seeing a naked body is instantly shot down by the sex trafficking theme behind the video.

Highlight: When Gaga comes out looking like a diamond-encrusted alien cat. Completely unrelated to the video narrative but you probably didn't notice.

'Fuck You'
Lily Allen

Just proves that pop videos can be brilliant without the expensive clothes, choreography or the singer making an appearance. See what a little imagination and couple of hours with Adobe After Effects can do?

Highlights: 0:45 - Lily stretching that lass's bony ass.

'She Wolf'
Shakira

Regardless of your inclinations, it's hard not to be turned on when Shakira is contorting and wiggling around in a tiny leotard. If for whatever reason this isn't doing it for you, I'm prescribing a bit of He Wolf.

Highlights: Goes without saying, that glittery vagina cave.

'Rain'
Mika

You have to give kudos for avoiding the literal use of rain in this video. Besides, it's more fun to communicate the song in metaphors, with displays of pyrotechnics and such. And what's not to love about interpretative dance in a dark forest with odd creatures? Cue smoke machine...

Highlights: 1:45 - when the critters come out to play.

'Happy'
Leona Lewis

Where other pop music videos in this category shines with impressive choreography and "edgy" fashion, 'Happy' feels more like a Hollywood movie. You know, the kind with Salma Hayek or Penelope Cruz. What I found refreshing, and somewhat nostalgic, about this video is that it harks back to the traditional conventions of story telling in music videos. Remember the narratives, the Hallmark (TM) sentiments and the thrill of an unexpected twist at the end? This one's got it all.

Highlights: The lovely Cuban streets and rustic sets.

'3 Words'
Cheryl Cole

The hypnotic camera sequence kept me glued to the screen for the duration of the entire song. And at the end, you come off it feeling dirty and guilty (much like the aftermath of your first wank) thinking, "fuck me! I just sat through 4:38 of that tedious excuse for a pop song." Having said that, I did hit replay but this time under the guise of "let's unmask this film editing trickery".

Highlights: 0:45 - When the screens meet at Will.i.am before splitting again to scan the room.

Honourable mentions:
'Many Moons' by Janelle Monae (2008)
'Soon We'll Be Found' by Sia (2008)
'Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)' by Beyonce (2008)
'Did It Again' by Shakira
'Russian Roulette' by Rihanna
'Love Sex Magic' by Ciara feat. Justin Timberlake
'Work' by Ciara feat. Missy Elliott

Songs of The Year 2009

2009-12-28T04:43:00.000-08:00

I've learned something about my taste in music this year...

And in fact, it's not just a passing trend. I'm almost certain now when I say I prefer ballads to up-tempo dance numbers. I know it's a little hard to believe when you hear me spinning predominantly upbeat songs on Diff'rent Strokes every week... but it's true. I love big 'survivor' or heartbreak ballads - and preferably ones backed up with a pulsating beat. I'll explain below...

'Heartbreak (Make Me A Dancer)'
Freemasons feat. Sophie Ellis-Bextor

I've become a massive SEB fan since Trip The Light Fantastic, and it's safe to say that she can do no wrong in my eyes and ears. Now 'Heartbreak (Make Me A Dancer)' is a winning example of what I'd call a 'survivor' dance ballad. Emotive lyrics about dancing the tears away + an absolutely eargasmic stomping beat = instant dance floor filler. I was rather glad that the Freemasons plucked this tune out of the hard drive and released it. God knows how long Sophie would've been sitting on this one.

Magic moment: Around the 2:40 mark - the orchestral breakdown followed by that tsunami of a final chorus. Breath-taking.

'Come Back To Me'
Utada

We can attribute my newfound Utada fandom to this song. 'Come Back To Me' recalls the morose sincerity of Mariah's 'We Belong Together' - and I honestly don't believe America didn't catch on to this track. There was nothing sloppy about the execution of this ballad - or in fact, the album. Utada's lush harmonies blossoms, and the lyrics endear, with every listen.

Magic moment: 0:12 - after the piano scales, the second that beat drops in the first verse.

'Get Sexy'
Sugababes

This was the moment I realised the Sugababes no longer sounded like the SUGABABES (think the 1998 prototype). While I'm well aware that their sound has been morphing with every album and line up change, this was the moment I realised we're so far from page one now, it's a whole different book altogether. 'Get Sexy' was obviously produced for the American urban pop market - and to be honest, I resented that at first. But then the strut-worthy synths and shamelessly ostentatious lyrics got to me. Oh well. Fact is, despite the drama and line up changes this girl band has consistently delivered killer pop tunes executed with amazing harmonies. So haters aside...

Magic moment: 2:21 - "If I had a dime for every single time, these boys stop and stare. I'd be a billionaire!"

'Love Letter To Japan'

The Bird & The Bee

Unlike the other tracks in this category, 'Love Letter To Japan' was by no means in the realm of 'most played new song of 2009'. But there's something so charming and effective about this pop tune. So insanely catchy to the point where I had a stranger ask me on the tram one day what the name of this song was - mind you, I wasn't one of those freaks with their headphones blasting music so loud everyone could hear it. I merely had the chorus as my ringtone.

Magic moment: 3:04 - the echoey crowd chants and wilting synths.

'Energetic (Radio Edit)'

BoA

Thought this song was utter garbage when I first heard it. The last thing I needed was more Autotune crunk'n'b. "Fuck off!" - was my initial eye-ball rolling reaction. Then the radio edit came out and suddenly 'Energetic' didn't seem so tedious anymore. Next thing you know, the synthy riffs and bass were moving me off my feet, and I've been dancing in my living room ever since.

Magic moment: 0:09 - "Report to the dance... dance... dance... dance... dance floor!"

'Yesterday'
Toni Braxton

This is the song to write Toni Braxton back into relevance. Where Beyonce's 'Halo' is probably making most people's songs of 2009 list, I'm nominating Toni's lesser known but similarly stunning ballad. Shame it took newcomers like Leona Lewis (and the Ryan Tedder formula) surpassing Toni to make her realise she could've been making this kind of R&B balladry all the long.

Magic moment: 2:54 - The "I don't love you. Don't need you. Can't stand you. No more..." bit before the epic chorus comes crashing back in.

'Parachute'
Cheryl Cole

I've had this song for a little over two months and it's already been played 63 times (if my Last.fm scrobbles are to be believed). My expectations were low for Cheryl Cole's solo album but 'Parachute' and 'Fight For This Love' turned it around for me. No, it's not the next 'Umbrella' and Cheryl is not a vocal powerhouse by any means. But has she found a decent song that suits her range and style? Yes. I eagerly anticipate the 2010 single release - the world needs to hear what I'm talking about.

Magic moment: 1:10 - "Don't believe the things you tell yourself so late at night. You are your own worst enemy, you'll never win the fight"

Honourable mentions:
'My Bloody Valentine' by Tata Young
'She Ain't Got...' by LeToya Luckett
'Jealous of My Boogie (RuRu & Rozy Disco Mix)' by RuPaul
'Songs Remind Me of You' by Annie

Albums of The Year 2009

2009-12-28T02:32:00.000-08:00

Here's something you don't see very much any more. A cassette!

Distraction over. Back to this...
Despite the under-representation on my overall 'Albums of The Year' list, I think 2009 music for me has been about connecting with Asian pop. It started with a couple of English albums by Utada, BoA and Tata Young. Then next thing you know, it blew up into a mini-mania over Asian pop videos and fashion. I was finally getting into K-pop and J-pop after years of fighting off fob-ish tendencies. Names like Big Bang, G-Dragon and Ayumi Hamasaki started showing up on my iTunes library. Bottom line is, great pop melodies and productions knows no language and cultural barrier - and that's what I've learned to accept this year.

This Is The One
Utada

There's a pressing sense of certainty that this is the record to break Utada in English speaking territories. She has sold over 52 million records worldwide and is considered J-pop royalty but Utada has yet to conquer the almighty American market. She's teamed up with Stargate (hit makers for Ne-Yo) to produce a slick pop/R&B record - and you know what, fuck it if America's not listening. This is the one they regrettably let slip away.

I'm a sucker for big, heartbreaking ballads so it's no surprise that 'Come Back To Me' and 'This One (Crying Like A Child)' are the two most played new songs of 2009 (at least 104 and 79 plays times so far, if Last.fm scrobbles are to be believed). Having said that, the bulk of This Is The One is actually perkier than the lead single suggests - highlights include the frenetic 'Dirty Desire', the Janet Jackson-esque party starter 'On and On', and the playful jazz swagger of 'Poppin'.

Hit this: 'Come Back To Me', 'This One (Crying Like A Child)' and 'Apple & Cinnamon'.

She Wolf
Shakira

There's still every chance in hell this record could be huge in 2010. But I'm probably being overly optimistic. She Wolf is to Shakira what Loose was to Nelly Furtado. Call it sell-out pop if you will, all me and my hips can hear is a brilliant rhythmic dance record. You know, I never had a problem with Oral Fixation Vol. 2 and Shakira ballads but if the world is looking for more 'Hips Don't Lie's then technically this is the record for them.

Sonically, Shakira takes you from robo-disco romps ('She Wolf') to hypnotic Middle Eastern dance ('Why Wait') and even spunky electro-rock ('Men In This Town'). Throw in her signature bonkers lyrics and you're in for a poetic and kinetic treat.

Hit this: 'She Wolf', 'Men In This Town' and 'Why Wait'

Don't Stop
Annie

Can't even tell you how long I've waited for this album to come out. The Don't Stop we'll come to know now is the LP that leaked last year - plus several amazing new tracks. I jumped on board the Annie express at 'Chewing Gum' stop and have been on the ride ever since.

The best part about his record is hearing Annie develop her electro-pop stylings and experiment with a spunkier indie/rock sound. Xenomania (hit makers for Girls Aloud) offers the punchier tracks, most of them would sound at home at your local General Pants store, but the real highlights are in the Paul Epworth and Richard X productions. 'Songs Remind Me of You' is a cyber-cool ballad that is both futuristic yet oh-so-80s, 'Anthonio' recalls chic Italo disco, and 'Don't Stop' boasts a clean, pop melody ready for kids TV.

Hit this: 'Songs Remind Me of You', 'My Love Is Better' and 'All Night'.

Travelling Like The Light
VV Brown

This record just sounds like summer compressed in mp3 (or CD audio) format. Travelling Like The Light is a sonic candy shop of musical influences with VV Brown melting down elements of doo-wop, pop and even punk. There are fierce, red-blooded moments on file - see the riotous 'Game Over' and 'Crying Blood' with its unbridled 60s rock 'n' roll revived from American diners. And then there are sweet euphoric tracks like 'Crazy Amazing' and 'L.O.V.E.'. VV Brown has been a real revelation: witty lyricism, lush harmonies and full of character.

Hit this: 'Crying Blood', 'Crazy Amazing' and 'Game Over'.

Hassle
Erik Hassle

I'm in love with the lyrics and sweeping choruses on Hassle. This Swedish pop newcomer takes us from romantic throes of passion ('Isn't It Obvious') to overreactions of break ups ('Don't Bring Flowers After I'm Dead') in one soulful debut album. There's plenty of quotable lines here and I think the poetic charm probably comes from Erik's unconventional grasp of English, his second language.

Hit this: 'Isn't It Obvious', 'Feels Like The First Time' and 'Wanna Be Loved'

Asleep In The Bread Aisle
Asher Roth

I don't normally listen to rap music but Asher Roth caught my attention with this G Shock ad. What can I say, he looked cute in a suburban white boy kinda way... but he also had some choice rhymes to back up the rapper cred.

Asleep In The Bread Aisle invited me into a strangely hetero, American college kid headspace. Like, it got me thinking about beer, chicks and football - even though I'm not that way inclined. I think this record opened hip hop music to me in ways that other blinged up rappers like Nelly or Chingy couldn't. Lyrics about college and house parties are simply more relatable than rhymes about Cristyle and diamond grills.

Hit this: 'I Love College', 'Be By Myself' and 'As I Em'.

Honourable mentions:
I Look To You by Whitney Houston
Hazardous by Vanessa Amorosi
It's Not Me, It's You by Lily Allen

Anjulie by Anjulie

Chart Watch - 28 December 2009

2009-12-27T23:52:00.000-08:00

CHART HIGHLIGHTS:
The last chart watch for 2009. Oh gee, that was quick! I've really enjoyed doing these weekly posts. And while it's such a cliche, given that most pop music bloggers do one of these, the regularity of a Chart Watch post really taught me to stick to a routine. And frankly, that's why I got back into this whole blogging business - to encourage me to keep writing and remind myself to stick to deadlines.

I shed queeny tears of joy for Joe McElderry when I heard 'The Climb' reached #1 on the UK singles chart this week. Poor lad, let's just put the whole Rage Against The Machine rubbish behind us and concentrate on your blossoming career. Joe might've been the first X Factor winner to miss a #1 debut but at the end of the day, all is not lost. It took over 196,000 purchases to secure him the New Year #1 spot.

Last minute Christmas shoppers must've been out of their mind. Maybe it's all the snow, discounts and commotion that got to them because there's no way in hell I'm having Michael Buble dethrone SuBo from the #1 album position. Elsewhere in the UK, Will Young's The Hits and Cheryl Cole's 3 Words creep in at #9 and #10 respectively. Ah, the gays have done it again!

The new Black Eyed Peas single 'Rock That Body' debuted at #31 on our ARIA charts. I frankly can't even tell you how this song goes. Is it one of the chipmunk-vocaled fodders I skip on the album? The answer is invariably, yes. This will be the fourth (fifth for the American market, after 'Imma Be') single off The E.N.D. with no relief in sight. Time to retire this record, people.

Over in the States, party animal Ke$ha's 'TiK ToK' dethrones Jay-Z and Alicia Keys from the #1 spot. There's already whispers that she could be as big as Gaga or let's play it safe, Miley, in 2010. Her album Animal drops next week - and I won't be surprised if Australia's the first to lap it up. We've kept 'TiK ToK' at the #1 spot for seven weeks now (and still counting).

Elsewhere on the US charts, Alicia Keys' The Element of Freedom debuts at #2 (behind SuBo - sigh! She's only human). The album sold in excess of 417,000 copies while over on the Hot 100, Alicia's new single 'Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart' had a surge in sales, rocketing from #56 to #27.

SHOW & TELL MOST PLAYED TOP 20:

#1 Sugababes - Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up) (Radio 1 Live Lounge Cover)
#2 Alicia Keys - Put It In A Love Song (feat. Beyonce)
#3 Sugababes - Wear My Kiss (Original Version)
#4 Cheryl Cole - Parachute
#5 Klaxons - Golden Skans
#6 Mary J. Blige - Each Tear*
#7 Mary J. Blige - Colour*
#8 Beyonce - Video Phone (Extended Mix feat. Lady Gaga)
#9 Kim Zolciak - Tardy For The Party*
#10 Lady Gaga - Telephone (feat. Beyonce) (Kaskade Edit)
#11 Lady Gaga - Telephone (feat. Beyonce)
#12 Natalie Imbruglia - Lukas
#13 Mariah Carey - I Want To Know What Love Is*
#14 Emma Bunton - So Nice (Summer Samba)*
#15 Vanessa Amorosi - Holiday
#16 Mariah Carey - H.A.T.E.U.
#17 Vanessa Amorosi - This Is Who I Am
#18 Jade Ewen - My Man
#19 Pixie Lott - When Love Takes Over (Acoustic Cover)*
#20 The Saturdays - Ego
* = Added to playlist this week

Hot Mess.

2009-12-27T05:12:00.000-08:00

My friend Andrew and I workin' an "Afghan Barbie" poncho. What a hot mess!

Ah, the best memories of being a call centre bitch.
Poncho courtesy of Erin.

When Did The Magic End?

2009-12-24T21:36:00.000-08:00

It's Christmas day and I just spent my afternoon reliving a little Disney musical magic.

Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella, starring Brandy and Whitney Houston was a favourite when I was growing up. But 12 years on, I feel like the magic has somewhat worn off. Have we become too cynical to believe in miracles and achieving the impossible?

Has the world become a little too real for us? I found myself asking during the saccharine love ballads, "do we need fairy tales anymore?" I think it's absolutely valuable to still teach our children to dream. But I think the best way to do it is to inject a little reality check in there somewhere. Like, "Yes! Go reach for the stars" should come with a sobering disclaimer about the amount of hard work (and stroke of luck) it often takes to "make your dreams come true"...

2010, it's time to stop dreaming and start working to make it happen...
Talk is over.

Merry Christmas! With Love, Elfin

2009-12-24T05:52:00.000-08:00

And the Lim family...

PS - I'm becoming a little obsessed with these Club Penguin plush toys. Couldn't help myself when I saw it reduced to $12 at KMart yesterday. Talk about Christmas present for myself! Nobody has to know I wasn't buying for my 11-year old brother...

From My Little News Stand...

2009-12-22T00:00:00.000-08:00

Going back to uni to study magazine editing this year really pushed me to buy more magazines... all in the name of research, of course. Bitch can claim this back on tax anyway, right?

Here are a couple of titles that have amazed me this year (from left to right):
V
Pulp
GQ
Music Network
Cream
Dumbo Feather
Frankie
Winq
Peppermint
A Cloth Covered Button
Yen
Men's Health
Notebook:
Details
Harper's Bazaar

Oh and not forgetting these two... my pride and JOY!

It's been a wonderful year being editor of Hear Here and working with Dan Vo and designer, Dan Baird (Moonshine Creative). Thank you and well done to you both. And thank you to all JOY volunteers and presenters for your contribution. I look forward to taking it up a notch in 2010...

Single-handedly Boosting CD Sales

2009-12-20T21:58:00.000-08:00

Well, I do what I can. Here's the handful of CDs I've purchased this year...

It's not really that much, is it? You know, it seemed like such an abundance when they're stacked up like this on my desk...

Bargain bin purchases galore! I can't say 'no' to a "3 albums for $20" sale...

I remember going to this basement discount store with Petro from Sound Museum - and we just went nuts! This was where all the unloved copies of Melanie B, Holly Valance and Sophie Monk albums went to die. One man's trash is another pop music junkie's treasure!

Chart Watch - 21 December 2009

2009-12-20T19:04:00.000-08:00

CHART HIGHLIGHTS

The public has spoken. Rage Against The Machine has beaten X Factor winner Joe McElderry to the #1 spot. The grassroots campaign launched on Facebook over a month ago was designed to challenge the talent show's four year hold on the Christmas #1 spot. 'Killing In The Name' pulled in 502, 672 downloads last week while Joe's single managed 450,838 to debut at #2. Nothing personal against the Geordie twink, of course. The real winner at the end of the day is recording conglomerate Sony Music - who released 'Killing In The Name' and has Simon Cowell's Syco Records as a subsidiary label. Having said that, Rage Against The Machine has pledged all profits of the single to the homelessness charity Shelter, and will celebrate by throwing a free gig in the UK. Great big pat on the back for all behind the RATM campaign, be proud of your clever and subversive movement.

Alexandra Burke's beast of a single 'Broken Heels' soars to #36 in the UK this week. This has been a bit of a summer anthem for me - if you ever see me slamming my palms on the steering wheel, it's probably to the rhythm of this song. Meanwhile, Cheryl Cole's next single Parachute debuts at #65 this week. No doubt sales went up after her stunning performance on ITV's Cheryl Cole's Night In. Expect a release in early 2010. Mini Viva's new single 'I Wish' debuts at #73 in the UK this week. Should be a quality British pop record with Xenomania (hit makers to Girls Aloud and Gabriella Cilmi) behind the panel.

Alicia Keys didn't chart as low as I expected. Not being pessimistic or anything but the singles, 'Doesn't Mean Anything' and 'Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart' haven't really caught on. So you know, I was expecting something in the bowels of the Top 30 but The Element of Freedom ended up debuting at #17 in the UK and #21 in Australia this week. The duet with Beyonce 'Put It In A Love Song' should be sent to radio pronto to boost sales. My shoulders start bopping every time I hear that beat! And Lord knows my shoulders don't lie...

A hasty release from this year's Idol runner-up Hayley Warner. Her new single 'Good Day', which was always the winning single for me, entered our charts at #11 this week. Meanwhile, Stan Walker's Idol compilation album, Introducing... debuts at #3 this week selling a meagre 20,952 copies (for a little perspective, check out SuBo's #1 sales figures below)

Susan Boyle's I Dreamed A Dream is still #1 by a mile in Australia. She turned over 125, 565 album sales in the last week - a phenomenal figure unseen here in years. SuBo has now sold over 275,000 albums in Australia, certifying I Dreamed A Dream four times platinum. Blimey! She's still reigning on the top of the US and UK album charts too. Nothing can touch her - not Bocelli, not Buble and certainly not Kate Ceberano's Christmas album. Just to celebrate, I reckon she should record a Motown cover of 'Ain't No Stopping Us Now'. Anything to bring back the (in)famous hip swishing she did at her Britain's Got Talent audition.

SHOW & TELL MOST PLAYED TOP 20:

#1 Cheryl Cole - Parachute
#2 Beyonce - Video Phone (Extended Mix feat. Lady Gaga)
#3 Boyz II Men - Back For Good*
#4 Girls Aloud - Girl Overboard
#5 Sugababes - Thank You For The Heartbreak (Original Version)
#6 Ciara - Work (feat. Missy Elliott)
#7 Cheryl Cole - Fight For This Love
#8 Cheryl Cole - Stand Up
#9 Boa - Energetic (Radio Edit)
#10 Kylie Minogue - Burning Up/Vogue (Live In New York)*
#11 Kylie Minogue - Confide In Me (Live In New York)*
#12 Kylie Minogue - In My Arms (Live In New York)*
#13 Lady Gaga - Telephone (feat. Beyonce)
#14 Kylie Minogue - Red Blooded Woman/Where The Wild Roses Grow (Live In New York)*
#15 Toni Braxton - Yesterday
#16 Jewel - Fragile Heart
#17 Shaznay Lewis - You
#18 Jamelia - Something About You
#19 Sugababes - Wear My Kiss (Original Version)
#20 Brandy - Afrodisiac
* = Added to playlist this week

Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence

2009-12-19T23:03:00.000-08:00

I can't stand another pop star butchering Ryuichi Sakamoto's 'Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence'. I'm sorry but while I'm all for sampling and creating your take on a well-known song... the following two results are just poorly executed and in violation of good taste.

Just a moment ago, I came across a newly recorded Alexandra Burke song called 'Fear of Flying' which samples the classic Sakamoto theme 'Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence'... and that brings the tally up to three pop songs in recent history that has sampled the tune. 'Fear of Flying', produced by Stargate (the hit makers behind Ne-Yo), is said to be recorded for the US edition of Burke's debut album Overcome. A superfluous addition, if you ask me. There was nothing wrong with the existing UK tracklisting anyway, love.

Indonesian pop diva Anggun also sampled the merry tune for Seize the Moment, a track on her 2008 English studio album, Elevation. It was sped up ever so slightly with a couple of synth riffs and handclaps thrown in for good measure. Umm... no, thanks.

Utada's 'Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence (FYI)' is arguably the best homage to the enchanting Sakamoto song (I might be a little biased given that this track was what drew me to the original composition). The reason why I think this version worked was because Utada recognised that the original melody was strong enough to carry the entire song. She didn't fight the original melody or try to upstage it, instead she respectfully crafted a fitting pop song around it - something the above two songs can't claim to have done.

If you can find the original Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence soundtrack by Sakamoto - yes, it was a 1983 movie starring Davie Bowie - it's certainly worth listening to the experimental and ethereal compositions.

Scentology: Story of My Life

2009-12-18T18:42:00.000-08:00

Today I decided to put on an old perfume that I haven't worn in a long time, and as soon as I caught a whiff of that scent... all the memories suddenly came flooding back to me Celine Dion style. Research shows that the human brain makes very vivid connections between smells and memories. So before leaving for work today, I got out my collection of old perfumes and took a deep breath to reminisce...

Lynx Gravity (2002 - 2004)
Reminds me of high school. It was a very popular anti-perspirant with high school boys at the time (and presumably so, still is). I still remember the locker bays smelling of a mix of Lynx and Impulse after every lunch time bell.
Fragrance note: Smells citrusy with hints of vanilla but in an acceptably masculine blend. Deodorants aren't as high brow as say, an eau de parfum, so there's no fragrance notes per se.

Ralph by Ralph Lauren (2005)
Reminds me of working at Maccas. That was such a very camp and very flamboyant stage of my life. Really takes me back to the days of wearing coloured contacts, and starting out on radio (SYN) doing lip radio and The Taste Test.
Fragrance note: an intoxicating fruity and floral combination of apple tree leaves, mandarin, Japanese loquat, magnolia, musk, white orris, yellow and purple freesias (there's a difference in scent, apparently).

Funny by Moschino (2007)

Reminds me of summer nights out clubbing. Ah! Memories of wearing tank tops and dirty dancing to sexy R&B. Such a fun and flirty scent... I used to dabble this around my neck before heading out to the clubs.
Fragrance note: Seville orange, pink pepper, red currant, jasmine, peony, violet, green tea, amber, cedar and musk.

Cordovan by Banana Republic (2008)
Reminds me of Singapore. It also reminds me of the horrible year I worked full time at a shitty call centre saving up for my overseas trips. It was also a turning point in my taste in fragrance - I was finally ready to embrace woodier scents. Best perfumery purchase ever - Cordovan will probably go down as one of my favourite perfumes of all time.
Fragrance note: a subtle masculine blend of ebony spices and vintage leather, with bergamot, leafy green fig, white juniper berries, vetiver root, iced lavender, woody orris and raw nutmeg.

Arber by Body Shop (2008)
Reminds me of last summer. Possibly the woodiest and earthiest scent I've worn to date. It's like Outdoors Dave or Jungle Dave, as opposed to floral-scented Booty Bouncin' Dave.
Fragrance note: a rugged woody scent with top notes of lime, orange and geranium; middle notes of coriander, mint and watermelon; and base notes of sandalwood, vetiver and Tonka bean.

He Wood by D Squared2 (2009)
Reminds me of dinner dates on Chapel Street. Just like Cordovan, this is arguably the best men's fragrance I've come across. I'm more inclined to wear the obscure fragrances, not because I'm a perfume snob but I mean, really... who wants to smell like everybody else? I sniffed around for two hours at Perfume Connection looking for the perfect follow up to Cordovan, and finally discovered He Wood. So you know, I am particularly picky when it comes to fragrances.
Fragrance note: a refreshingly woody scent with notes of white spruce, violet leaves, cedar and amber.

Music by Harajuku Lovers (2009)
Reminds me of spring time and afternoon walks along St Kilda Road. Rarely do I come across a celebrity fragrance range that consistently appeals to me in the way that Gwen Stefani's perfumes do. Admittedly a major rip off paying $60 for a 30mL bottle but then again, the seasonal validity of perfumes for me means I don't need a lifetime supply.
Fragrance note: top notes of clementine and sparkling pear; a heart of jasmine sambac, sweet pea and honeysuckle; and a drydown of vanilla, skin musk and sleek woods.

Chart Watch - 14 December 2009

2009-12-13T19:38:00.000-08:00

CHART HIGHLIGHTS

There's been question as to whether Lady Gaga's The Fame Monster should be charting on its own right, or whether sales should just be counted as part of her debut LP: The Fame. After three weeks on our shelves, the ARIA now officially charts The Fame Monster as its own entry at #6. Over in America, 'Bad Romance' may be the most downloaded song this week but stands no chance fighting Jay-Z's 'Empire State of Mind' off the #1 spot on the Top 100. Across the Atlantic, 'Bad Romance' edged to the #1 position in the UK this week, making it Gaga's third #1 there.

It has become apparent that Timbaland is missing a hit equivalent of 'The Way I Are' for his Shock Value II album. The album debuts here at #45 this week, barely bolstered by the catchy but albeit not sensational new single 'Morning After Dark'. The single itself re-entered our Top 50 this week at #38 but I'm struggling to pick a decent follow up from the record. Timbaland has apparently serviced 'Say Something' (feat. Drake) and 'Carry Out' (featuring Justin Timberlake) as subsequent singles in the US - but it's the track with Katy Perry ('If We Ever Meet Again') that has made a surprise debut at #98 this week. Over in the States, Shock Value II is spending its second week in the Top 100, rising to a new peak of #61. The roll call of guests on Timbaland's records are always impressive (name drops: Miley Cyrus, Justin Timberlake, Daughtry and One Republic) but the most surprising 'new act' goes to: Bran' Nu (R&B goddess Brandy's rap alter-ego). Beware, bitch has got swagga...

Adam Lambert and Shakira's new albums have dropped out of the US Top 20 after just one week in. This isn't looking good. Lambert's For Your Entertainment plummeted from a #3 debut to #22 this week while Shakira's She Wolf fell from #15 to #31. Speaking of albums heading south of the charts - Leona Lewis' Echo is now completely out of the US Top 50. The album slid to #75 after just three weeks - not that Simon Cowell has noticed. He's probably too busy counting the millions he has made with his new cash cow SuBo! The unstoppable Susan Boyle continues to hold on to #1 place in the US, UK and Australia for the second week. She has sold in excess of 280,000 copies in just three weeks here in our fair country. Good grief!

While you're filling your nan's Christmas stocking with SuBo's record, spare a thought for Boyz II Men. Did anyone know they reformed and put out a new record last month? Alarm bells went off a couple of months ago when I heard that not only have Boyz II Men reformed - but they've also recorded a duet with Girl Aloud's Nadine Coyle, covering Take That's classic 'Back For Good'. It didn't sound right on paper and it certainly didn't sound right on mp3 either. Album producer Randy Jackson must've done a mercy cull in the studio because Nadine's vocals were no where to be heard on the final cut. The trio's album of covers Love also features some well loved classics like Cyndi Lauper's 'Time After Time' and Bonnie Raitt's 'I Can't Make You Love Me'. It is languishing in the US at #184 this week. Help a brotha out and go buy the album for an aunt or distant cousin that you've left off the Christmas shopping list.

It has been a massive year for our girl, Jessica Mauboy. Her Been Waiting album has gone platinum in Australia, selling over 385,000 copies to date and spawning six singles. The latest and final release 'Let Me Be Me' rose to #26 here this week. I'm certainly looking forward to hearing what she comes up with for her second album - I know Rob and I have written and composed several songs that sound right up her alley. Here's to hoping that she'll record '#1'.

SHOW & TELL MOST PLAYED TOP 20:

#1 Vanessa Amorosi - Holiday*
#2 Sophie Ellis-Bextor - Today The Sun's On Us
#3 Whitney Houston - Worth It
#4 Shakira - The One
#5 Vanessa Amorosi - This Is Who I Am
#6 Roisin Murphy - Dear Miami
#7 Vanessa Amorosi - Sleep With That*
#8 Beyonce - I Wanna Be Where You Are (I Am... Yours Live)
#9 Vanessa Amorosi - Touch Me*
#10 Vanessa Amorosi - Off On My Kiss*
#11 Sugababes - Thank You For The Heartbreak (Original Version)
#12 Kristinia DeBarge - Powerless
#13 Utada - Come Back To Me
#14 davidlim - We'll See The Sun Again
#15 Pussycat Dolls - Magic
#16 BoA - Energetic (Radio Edit)
#17 Tata Young - Mission Is You
#18 Spice Girls - Holler
#19 Maximo Park - Just Dance (Radio 1 Live Lounge Cover)
#20 Tata Young - My Bloody Valentine
* = Added to playlist this week

TV Was My Babysitter

2009-12-11T02:05:00.000-08:00

I am a typical Gen Y child raised on TV. And while I don't have the time (or the interest) to watch television anymore these days, I do look back fondly on my childhood and the memorable cartoons that animated my younger years. There were always Saturday morning cartoons and of course, the after-school time slot on free-to-air TV... and I'll never forget the year our family got Astro (a Malaysian satellite TV provider). Cartoon Network, where have you been all my life?

Here are some of my favourite TV shows when I was growing up...

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers

Not to be confused with any other series in the Power Rangers franchise. Somehow in retrospect, I feel that they should've included an apostrophe after "Morphin" - you know, just to distance itself from the knockout drug. In any case, this original Power Rangers series ran from 1993 to 1995 - and I can't even begin to tell you how obsessed I was with the show. I was always either the blue or yellow Ranger depending on the kids I was playing with. Yellow usually means, "well you look Chinese and there isn't a girl in the group to play the role, so Dave you'll do". But otherwise, I'm usually cast as the geeky blue Ranger. I had the action figures, I had the movie on VHS and even had the pajamas... good times!

Watch The Might Morphin Power Rangers - Episode 1
Oh wow, the first ever episode. Rita Repulsa rising from a giant space dumpster and 90s fashion at its best. This is gold.

Batman: The Animated Series

I really wish I kept my action figurines now. This post is taking me deeper and deeper into the corners of my memory banks! Just like I was with Power Rangers, I am fiercely loyal to the Batman series I grew up watching. I have long lost interest in the new, and particularly the nouveau retro, animations of the Batman series - simply because I am quite set in my ways, and Batman: The Animated Series was the one I used to watch on Saturday morning cartoons. I was always more drawn to the villains than the super hero - in fact, I'm pretty sure the first two Batman action figures I asked for were villains (Scarecrow and Clayface - if my memory serves me right). But my favourite villain hands down is Poison Ivy - I had a thing for flowers when I was a kid, and I guess I loved the emphasised femininity in her character.

Watch Batman: The Animated Series - "Pretty Poison" promo
Haha! I remember Dad taping this episode for me...

Quack Pack

This was in the satellite TV years - so probably circa 1996 or 1997. You'd think that a kid who has been watching action heroes for the last two years would be over Donald Duck... but no. What was exciting for me was watching a modernised version of Donald Duck with all his cranky hilarity still intact. The original Disney characters are the rare few that I can still readily consume in both vintage and modern forms (see: Mickey's House of Mouse series where he swaps the classic red shorts for a contemporary Rove-esque top and blazer look). I'm shocked to learn that Quack Pack was axed after a few months. I must've been living on years of re-runs...

Watch Quack Pack - Ducky Dearest episode
Gotta love Donald in a wack Hawaiian shirt. And Daisy, the ditsy gossip of ye olde years is now an empowered working journalist. How very 90s...

The best thing about reminiscing on these TV shows today is knowing that somewhere out on the interweb, there's some crazed fan who has uploaded episodes and series for our re-consumption - and if you're anything like me, you'd be spending your Friday nights in on YouTube watching entire chunks of the Quack Pack and Aladdin series with a packet of corn chips!

Crush Playlist

2009-12-10T23:22:00.000-08:00

I find it really difficult to write love songs. I have to put myself in somebody else's headspace to do it. And just for the record, I'm not one to usually listen to love ballads either. I prefer the melancholy heartbreak and 'survivor' tunes.

But there are moments, like say a romantic drive down the Eastlink, that would call for a 'crush' playlist. This playlist is where I group all my love ballads. The lyrical content is quite specific - we're not singing about a casual little fling (no, that's what the 'Flirt' playlist is for). We're looking for lyrics about finding love, appreciating the one you have and staying in love. There are 140 songs on the 'Crush' playlist and here are some of my favourites. "This is for the lovers holding hands in the car. This is for the lovers, no matter where you are..."

SHOW & TELL TOP CRUSH SONGS:

'Us Against The World'

Christina Milian

"And if it all ends, everybody in the world is gone. I'll be standing with you..."

*Very special memories for me and my boyfriend. I'll always remember our trip to India last year, that night in McLeod Ganj ordering a chilli and cheese pizza and watching 30 Rock in our hotel room.

'The One (Version 2)'

Jennifer Lopez

"The one who listens when you need it. When no else sees, I can see it... The one who all your family loves, the one you place no one above."

'I Only Want To Be With You'

Tina Arena

"It doesn't matter where you go or what you do, I want to spend each moment of the day with you..."

'The Greatest'

Michelle Williams

"Searched high and low for love, just to find out that it was here all along..."

'Mended By You'
Sugababes
"You came up I swear that it was just like something from a movie scene. When we met, we connected. I never expected, you'd be everything to me..."

'Isn't It Obvious'

Erik Hassle

"If holding hands is too discreet. Let's make out in the middle of the street..."

'Nothing Fails'

Madonna

"When I get lost in space, I can return to this place cause you're the one..."

Also on the 'Crush' playlist...
'The One' by Shakira
'Love Is Here' by Sophie Ellis-Bextor
'Ave Maria' by Beyonce
'Thank You Baby (For Making Some Day Come So Soon)' by Shania Twain
'You're The Only One' by Maria Mena
'(They Long To Be) Close To You' by The Carpenters
'Apartment' by Kate Miller-Heidke
'If I Ain't Got You' by Alicia Keys
'Never Felt Like This Before' by Shaznay Lewis
'The Real Thing' by Gwen Stefani
'Your Song' - Elton John
'Until You' by Shayne Ward
'This Is Love' by Kelly Rowland
'Until The End of Time' by Justin Timberlake
'I.O.U.' by Victoria Beckham
'Worth It' by Whitney Houston

"Cause in your arms I feel safe from harm,
The world could shake me yet I'll never face the ground.
And through the storms I still believe,
You'll hold my hand and trust we'll see the sun again"
- davidlim 'We'll See The Sun Again'.

Ha! There you go. I found love and I ended up writing one anyway.

Single Artwork Anthologies

2009-12-07T02:33:00.000-08:00

At the height of the CD singles and albums movement in the 90s, the CD cover artwork was everything. We've grown up in a generation that saw the aesthetic and branding value in a well-designed cover art but with music consumption becoming predominantly digital - does the cover artwork matter as much anymore?

We've seen some brilliantly designed and themed singles anthologies, if you will, come out in the last few years. But on the whole, what I've noticed is the lack of 'continuity' in the design of singles, EPs and albums. There are some artists that like to switch it up and drastically change their logo, font or artwork theme in between singles from that same album - and that to me, visually destroys the experience of consuming their songs as a package.

I think that while the concept of an LP is becoming somewhat redundant - given that people are simply downloading individual tracks these days - I'd still cherish a visual element connecting all these tracks to one body of work. Perhaps, even do exclusive artworks for each track like Kate Miller-Heidke had done for her Curiouser album?

If I'm lucky enough to be putting out music one day, I'd like to produce a beautifully designed collection of records. Not just a lovely album cover, but I'm talking about a theme or continuity in the design of the singles. A visual treat for dorky fans like myself who like to study and wax lyrical about cover artworks...

Here's a handful of my favourite singles anthology designs:

Sugababes
Three Anthology
Art direction + design by Mat Maitlan and Gerard Saint at Big Active

- I have yet to see a better collage-styled design in a pop record. Certainly gives the Babes and the record a very zesty and spunky feel.
- It's edgy, cool rebellion but the vibrant colours keep it fun and lighthearted.
- Similar work see: Jamelia's Thank You anthology and the designer's use of layers and spray can effects.

Melanie C

Reason Anthology

Art direction + design by Matt Roach

- Simple, clean and effective. I love the bright bulky capitalised type against the black and white photos.

- It's even better seeing them all side by side. Would make for an incredible display.

Kate Miller-Heidke

Curiouser Anthology

Art Direction + design by Jaxzyn

- KMH did a brilliant and elaborate photo shoot for all twelve tracks of the album and packaged it together in a nifty calendar. Oh yes, I've been staring at these snaps all year long at work.

- The best part is knowing the artwork and photo shoot was done specifically with the songs in mind, instead of the usual process of picking photos from an inventory.

Sophie Ellis-Bextor
Trip The Light Fantastic Anthology
Art direction + design by Michael Nash Associates

- I love how horizontal, perfectly squared and spaced this anthology is. Big fan of the white frames and the generous kerning of the san-serif fonts.
- Note the sparkle theme in this series. The glittered face on 'Catch You', the gold stars on 'Me & My Imagination', the glittered tear on 'Today The Sun's On Us' and sparkly nails and face art on 'If I Can't Dance'.
- Fact: all SEB records and singles have consistent and elegantly themed cover artwork.

Robyn
Robyn Anthology
US/Worldwide version art direction + design by Mary Fagot for Outfit and Blake E. Marquis.

- The original 2005 Swedish anthology was alright in itself. I'm a fan of the handwritten name sticker on the bottom right side and the black frames.
- The design of the worldwide/US version of Robyn plays with tilted angles and converging lines. Structured with a little Russian influence, perhaps? Love the black and white photos with injections of colour, and the bulky vintage type they used in "Robyn".

Chart Watch - 7 December 2009

2009-12-06T17:12:00.000-08:00

CHART HIGHLIGHTS

Alicia Keys' 'Doesn't Mean Anything' enters the UK charts at #8 this week - and of course, the X Factor performance had nothing to do with it. I don't mind the song but I just don't think I have connected with it on the same level as I did with 'No One' or her Diary of Alicia Keys album. Safe to say that after hearing 'Doesn't Mean Anything' and the new single, 'Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart' - we can probably expect more or less the same kind of mature, piano-based soul music she offered on her last album. The new studio album, The Element of Freedom hits stores next week - featuring a last minute inclusion: her duet with Beyonce, 'Put It In A Love Song'.

It's a guaranteed Christmas cash cow for Mariah Carey every year - and this year is no different. Her festive 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' is probably playing in a department store somewhere in the world right now. You can't avoid it. I was out gay clubbing on Saturday, and let's just say I wasn't ready for a dance floor full of queens bouncing to this tune. 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' leapt from #51 to #29 this week in the UK.

It's looking like a very SuBo Christmas this year. Her album, I Dreamed A Dream has sold a record breaking 701,000 first week copies in the US - making it the highest debut sales ever by a solo female artist. This mama out sold Andrea Bocelli and Adam Lambert to claim the #1 position in the States, and she is still on top of the UK and Australian charts. Meanwhile, spare a thought for Leona Lewis. Her new album was no match for the titanic force of SuBo - Echo has taken a tumble to #49, after a tepid #13 debut in the US last week. The single, 'Happy' also dropped from a peak of #31 last week to #70.

Shakira's She Wolf album debuts at #15 in the US this week. After reading her recent interview with The Rolling Stone magazine, you get the feeling that this is the make or break record for her in America. God love her, Shakira is doing everything she can to follow up the success of 'Hips Don't Lie' - her biggest selling record to date. There's barely been a push for She Wolf here in Australia and the album has yet to even chart in our Top 50 - but I doubt that's a concern to Team Shakira at the moment. Her US single 'Give It Up To Me' rose to #29 this week, ahead of Lady Gaga and Beyonce's 'Telephone' - which debuted at #30. Elsewhere, Beyonce's 'Video Phone' debuts at #65 in the US.

Are British girl bands just not the flavour of the moment right now? The Saturdays' new album, Wordshaker tumbled out of the UK Top 30 in two weeks, Dolly Rockers have been dropped and/or reportedly disbanded, and Sugababes' new single 'About A Girl' is languishing. It has just become apparent that Girls Aloud couldn't have picked a better time to take a break. Meanwhile, their Fascination label mates suffer at the wrong end of the Top 50. Still a glimmer of hope perhaps for The Saturdays, their new single 'Ego' rose from #96 to #52 in the UK this week. Fingers crossed for other new British girl band, Girls Can't Catch. Things could get ugly. Fascination Records is preparing to launch their bland new single 'Echo' next month. It'll be a bold take two, given that their stomping first single 'Keep Your Head Up' flopped at #26 four months ago.

SHOW & TELL MOST PLAYED TOP 20:

#1 Annie - All Night
#2 Lady Gaga - Telephone (feat. Beyonce)
#3 Lady Gaga - Dance In The Dark
#4 Cheryl Cole - Parachute
#5 Shakira - Men In This Town
#6 Sugababes - Thank You For The Heartbreak (Original Version)
#7 Lady Gaga - Boys Boys Boys (Manhattan Clique Edit)*
#8 Sugababes - Get Sexy
#9 Jay Sean - Far Away (feat. Keisha Buchanan)*
#10 Brandy - Right Here (Departed)
#11 Kate Miller-Heidke - Toxic (Live at The Playroom)
#12 Cheryl Cole - Fight For This Love
#13 Cheryl Cole - Stand Up
#14 Whitney Houston - Call You Tonight
#15 G-Dragon - Heartbreaker
#16 Alexandra Burke - Broken Heels
#17 Junior Caldera - Just Can't Fight This Feeling (feat. Sophie Ellis-Bextor)
#18 Mumford & Sons - Little Lion Man*
#19 Janet Jackson - Make Me
#20 Shayne Ward - Until You
* = Added to playlist this week

Sunshine Playlist

2009-12-05T23:33:00.000-08:00

There's nothing like summer and the tunes to complement the sunshine and impending tan. The 'Sunshine' playlist is a selection of 'summery tunes' meant for the car and barbeque. We're talking feel-good lyrics, light pop compositions - with a personal preference for reggae, motown, funk or strummy la la pop sounds.

It's time to get out the short shorts and shades! Cue up the playlist and go for a drive to the beach or Chadstone with the windows down pumping these tunes...

SHOW & TELL TOP SUNSHINE SONGS:

'Pocketful of Sunshine'

Natasha Bedingfield

The perfect summer escape soundtrack...

'Not Easy'
All Saints
It's All Saints making Nandos music...

'Sunny Disposition'
Tobias Cummings & The Long Way Home
Strummy la la for the lazy Sunday arvos...

'Crayons (feat. Ziggy Marley)'
Donna Summer
The Queen of Disco's own 'Pon Da Replay'...

'Picture of You'
Boyzone
Is anyone else getting flashbacks to Mr Bean?

'Pick Up The Phone'
Dragonette
For the 80s party happening in your backyard...

'Won't Go Away'
The Feeling
It's all about the mad saxophone breakdown...

'So Simple'
Stacie Orrico
For the family get-togethers over the holidays...

Also on the 'Sunshine' playlist...
'Girls' by Sugababes
'Sandcastle Disco' by Solange
'Knock Down' by Alesha Dixon
'Blonde on Blonde' by Nada Surf
'Dandelion' by Nicole Ricci
'Have A Nice Day' by Kelis
'Reminiscing' by Madison Avenue
'Dream The Day Away' by Candice Alley
'Leavin' by Jesse McCartney
'Eh Eh (Nothing Else I Can Say)' by Lady Gaga
'Soak Up The Sun' by Sheryl Crow
'Happy Face' by Destiny's Child
'Together Again' by Janet Jackson
'Smile' by Vitamin C
'Proud Mary' by Tina Turner
'Broken Heels' by Alexandra Burke
'Mister Blue Sky' by Lily Allen

How Will I Survive This Christmas?

2009-12-01T21:38:00.000-08:00

Nothing like a little friendly reminder to get me through the Christmas season...

I leave for China in less than eight weeks and I have no idea how I'm ever gonna save enough money with Christmas shopping and tempting Boxing Day sales around the corner.

I could potentially...
- Be a scrooge and raincheck the Christmas presents until after China,
- Stop eating out. Completely.
- And/or dig into my synth/drum machine fund (oh wait, depleted that awhile ago...)

Sigh!

Frankenfishbowl

2009-12-01T17:58:00.000-08:00

I don't even have basic lighting for my aquarium. But this Silverfish Aquarium monstrosity has what, six?

(Why settle for the generic rectangular kind when you could have this funhouse?)

I think if I were a fish I'd be terribly confused about where everything is. Don't get me wrong, the chambers and connecting tunnels are cool - but at the risk of sounding like mum, wouldn't this be a bitch to clean?

(The panda butterfly tail is on my wish list)

I reckon I'm ready to have pet fish again but this time I want to do it right (a vow I've made time and time again). No matter how hard I try with goldfish, it always amazes that they never live to see the six month mark. And then, there's the inevitable plague that hits the aquarium, wiping out its inhabitants and I end up throwing out the idea of ever having pets again.

But I could be persuaded if I got a new aquarium for Christmas! And please, just one tank with an in-built hood and light will do.

Cheryl vs. Posh

2009-11-30T05:16:00.000-08:00

"Is Cheryl the new Posh?" is a question I hear being asked. Not sure how to answer that one to be honest... let's consider the similarities and do a quick comparison. Both ladies originated from massive UK girl bands, and while neither were known for being strong vocalists, they still managed a career outside their pop group. Both ladies are decidedly stylish in their own way and are never seen out without paparazzis. Plus both popstars have married English footballers - for those removed from English soccer fandom, Cheryl's other half is Chelsea player Ashley Cole.

Fashion and style:
Cheryl - What a transformation from her awkward early Girls Aloud days. With reportedly two stylists at her beck and call today, is it any wonder why Cheryl is emerging on the best dressed lists? 8/10
Posh - This is definitely Victoria's strongest suit. Posh has certainly come a long way from her little black dress days to now being a fashion icon and respectable fashion designer. 9/10

Music career:
Cheryl - Just like Posh, Chezza went for a pop/R&B feel for her debut solo album. Except she did it better. 3 Words made #1 in the UK and sold 125, 271 copies in its week. The lead single Fight For This Love debuted at #1 with over 292,000 copies sold - making it this year's highest first week single sales in the UK. 7/10
Posh - Victoria Beckham peaked at #10 back in 2001 and reportedly only sold 50,000 copies in the UK. Forget what you've heard, the record doesn't sound like the bowel movements of a cow. I just don't think the public was ever gonna give her a chance even if she did have the right songs. 5/10

The faux-blonde stakes:
Cheryl - Both ladies are natural brunettes and should probably stay that way. But that didn't stop Chezza from donning a platinum blonde wig for her recent '3 Words' video. Talk about cheap and nasty! 1/10
Posh - There was a moment in the 'pob' (posh bob) phase when blonde actually suited Victoria. But on the whole, that Coppertone tan with the blonded tresses just looked trashy. 3/10

Televisual appeal:
Cheryl - She's absolutely adorable as a judge on UK's X Factor. Simon loves her so much, he's thinking of launching Chezza in the States. If you need any more convincing, just watch Cheryl's (or should we say, Push 10's) foray into hip hop dancing on The Passions of Girls Aloud. 8/10
Posh - Victoria Beckham: Coming To America was quite a turning point. It was time people realised Posh has quite a tongue-in-cheek humour. The best thing about this mini-series was not the planned foolery but knowing that Posh can have a dig at herself. Best quote 1:06... Real estate agent: "The house was built from the ground up." Posh: "Aren't houses normally built from the ground up?" 8/10

TOTAL:
Cheryl - 24/40
POSH - 25/40 (It wasn't rigged at all. I just like a close competition...)

Chart Watch - 30 November 2009

2009-11-29T16:03:00.000-08:00

CHART HIGHLIGHTS:

Susan Boyle has made UK history! Her debut album, I Dreamed A Dream is now the fastest-selling UK debut of all time, clocking up 411,820 copies in its first week - beating out previous the previous title holder, Leona Lewis (whose Spirit raked up 375,872 first week copies). I Dreamed A Dream is #1 in the UK, Ireland and even in Australia, selling over 26,400 copies here this week. Just like many households across the country, the Lim family has had the album on rotation over dinner. Mum's a huge fan of the hymns and I'm in love with Susan's grandiose cover of Madonna's 'You'll See' - as you can see, there's really something for every gay boy and his mama.

Our newest Idol Stan Walker's winning single 'Black Box' debuts at #2 in Australia. For the most part of last week it was the #1 selling track on iTunes, yet Ke$ha's 'TiK ToK' somewhat miraculously reclaimed top position before Sunday. I reckon 'Black Box' washes out a little bland compared to some of our previous winning singles. We're talking compared to gems like Damien Leith's 'Night of My Life', Kate DeAraugo's 'Maybe Tonight (which iTunes has the gall to charge $2.19 for) and Guy Sebastian's epic 'Angels Brought Me Here'. Stan's collection of Idol covers, imaginatively titled Introducing... Stan Walker, will be out on 11 December. Meanwhile, Guy Sebastian recently told Sound Museum that he'll be contributing some tracks for Stan's forthcoming album of originals. Speaking of Guy, after the Idol finale performance, 'Art of Love' enjoyed a boost - propelling from #33 to #15 on our singles chart.

The chart showdown I've been waiting all week for: two former Young Divas, Ricki-Lee and Paulini going head to head with their new singles. Despite the Idol finale performance and months of hearing it incessantly in the Rexona ads, Ricki-Lee's 'Hear No, See No, Speak No' only managed to debut at #46 this week. Meanwhile, Paulini has been going at it quietly. Her comeback single 'Scarless' hasn't shown up in our Top 50 but then again, she's only slowly ramping up the promotion now.

Two Lady Gaga and Beyonce tracks debut on our singles charts this week. Gaga featuring Beyonce's 'Telephone' debuts at #29 on our singles chart and #30 in the UK - just off individual track downloads! The song has been announced as Gaga's next single from her extended Fame Monster juggernaut. Despite the eager addition on most radio stations, Beyonce's current single 'Video Phone' (featuring Lady Gaga) only came in at #40 in Australia. I think it's a grand idea to let Beyonce fanfare this dud of a single first because when 'Telephone' drops virtually everyone except urban radio stations will be deleting 'Video Phone'. Other Gaga Monster tracks have also started charting in the UK: 'Monster' at #68 and 'Alejandro' at #75.

Janet's Number One compilation debuts in the US at #22 this week. I'm utterly addicted to the new single 'Make Me' - you see, this is exactly the kind of music Ms Jackson needs to be making: energetic and contemporary. Arguably her best dance single since the monster hit 'All For You'. Having said that, I'm not so confident people will keep buying her Number One collection. It's gonna be one of those records Americans ain't filling their Christmas stockings with, like the new ones by Britney, Mariah and Dashboard Confessional. This week in the US, Britney's Singles Collection slid from #22 to #79 and Mimi's Memoirs of An Imperfect Angel fell from #58 to #95. But Dashboard Confessional's Alter The Ending took the biggest dive, from a #19 debut to #101 this week.

SHOW & TELL MOST PLAYED TOP 20:

#1 Susan Boyle - You'll See*
#2 davidlim - Right Lane (Draft)*
#3 Lady Gaga - Telephone (feat. Beyonce)
#4 Susan Boyle - I Dreamed A Dream*
#5 Susan Boyle - How Great Thou Art*
#6 Susan Boyle - Amazing Grace*
#7 Jennifer Lopez - Louboutins*
#8 Leona Lewis - Can't Breathe
#9 Freemasons feat. Sophie Ellis-Bextor - Heartbreak (Make Me A Dancer)
#10 Paulini - Scarless
#11 davidlim - #1
#12 Leona Lewis - Happy
#13 Shakira - Men In This Town
#14 Alexandra Burke - The Silence
#15 Susan Boyle - Silent Night*
#16 Lady Gaga - Dance In The Dark
#17 Erik Hassle & Ellie Goulding - Be Mine! (Acoustic Cover)
#18 MPHO - Paranoid Type
#19 Immi - Klaxon*
#20 Kelis - Acapella*
* = Added to playlist this week

Mag Watch: Yen

2009-11-28T21:45:00.000-08:00

It all started with a Best of Yen issue I purchased a couple of months ago. There was all this mental bargaining that goes on in a cash-strapped consumer's mind, and let's just say they got me at rational A: "wow! It's, like, a dollar cheaper than the current issue and it's kinda a good way to preview their back catalogue..."

NAME: Yen
STRAP: Australia's #1 independent magazine for women
CHARGE: $8.50
GENRE: Pop culture
CYCLE: Bi-monthly
MADE IN: New South Wales, Australia
PROS: Intelligent, worldly features
CONS: Can Curvy be permanently woven into the fabric of Yen's DNA?

Yen has found its demographic and place in the market as a "thinking girl's magazine". The broad scope of topical feature articles are what makes this publication - we're talking everything from punk history, to land mine victims in Cambodia, and tattoo artists. The cover girls are real, spunky and charismatic young women like Zooey Deschanel, Patience from The Grates and Chloe Sevigny.

Quite a welcome break from the likes of Cleo and Cosmopolitan. Because there's probably a little more to the world than diets and having to look good in bed...

Survivor Playlist

2009-11-26T22:29:00.000-08:00

Some of you know this already but I just gotta say, I love my mood-themed playlists. Over the last few months I've had plenty of new tunes come in and enrich my playlists. And as time goes by and one's perspective changes - the criteria for these mood-themed playlists evolves...

I was talking about the 'Survivor' playlist on Diff'rent Strokes ages ago. I challenged Jade to re-create some of my 'mood-themed playlists' like 'Survivor' and 'Bitch' - only to learn that what we both look for in angsty tunes could be quite different given that Jade doesn't have "bitch please" moments.

The 'Survivor' playlist itself is built on empowering, inspirational and 'get-over-you' type songs. The lyrics take precedence, regardless of the genre and style of music. There are currently 269 songs on this playlist, here are some of my favourites...

SHOW & TELL TOP SURVIVOR SONGS:

'Heartbreak Make Me A Dancer'

Freemasons feat. Sophie Ellis-Bextor

"And with each step, I will forget. Forget all of those memories of you..."

'Mile In These Shoes'

Jennifer Lopez

"I'm walking tall, I don't let their hatred test me... my feet pound the ground, as I stomp it out. I dare you to walk a mile in my shoes"

'All This Time (Pick-Me-Up Song)'

Maria Mena

"Think all the mean girls that pulled your hair, are barefoot now and pregnant there. And you write pop songs and get to travel round the world"

'This Is Who I Am'

Vanessa Amorosi

"But then I learned, after being burnt. To get back up and move straight on. Stop the tears, people move on."

'Thank You For The Heartbreak'

Sugababes

"You think I'm drowning in my sorrows, you'll be forgotten by tomorrow"

'Got It So Good'

Jamelia

"Got to re-adjust your point of view, it's time to put some faith in you. How your life is surely gonna change"

Also on the 'Survivor' playlist...
'Lil Star' by Kelis
'My Song' by Mutya
'I Know' by Destiny's Child
'The Queen of Starting Over' by Beverley Knight
'Happy' by Leona
'Scarless' by Paulini
'Come To Me (Peace)' by Mary J. Blige
'Happily Never After' by Nicole Scherzinger

The Power of Pantsuits

2009-11-26T21:08:00.000-08:00

When your manager comes into work one day in a pantsuit - you know she means business. It may be too early to tell but I think our new team leader is conditioning us to associate the Hillary Clinton-esque attire with performance reviews because I swear, any other day she's just in normal corporate attire.

Speaking of Hil, who better to learn from about wearing uber pantsuits than the US Secretary of State? I love how All Things Hillary has given us a breakdown of the pantsuit. See in my opinion, the whole thing only works with a high-waisted pantsuit coupled with a jacket and a pair of femme fatale heels.

I've grown up in the 90s around independent corporate women workin' these pantsuits... I can't ever detach the nostalgia from the attire. Unless the pantsuit wearing community does something drastic to update the prototype, this fashion statement will eternally be synonymous with my working mama in the 90s and Hillary.

The 2009 Crew: Part II

2009-11-24T16:40:00.000-08:00

With only six weeks left until the end of 2009, what do I make of the newcomers and breakthrough acts of this year? Let the Show & Tell begin...

Erik Hassle

Key tracks: 'Isn't It Obvious', 'Feels Like The First Time' and 'Hurtful'

Erik Hassle Myspace

Fans of Will Young and Daniel Merriweather, take note - this Swedish soul newcomer deserves a place in your iTunes library. The 20-year old has crafted one of the most heartfelt coming-of-age albums I have heard in awhile. His debut album Hassle takes us on a journey from romantic throes of passion ('Isn't It Obvious') to overreactions of break ups ('Don't Bring Flowers After I'm Dead'). Like many songwriters writing with English as their second language, Erik's lyrics glow with a certain unconventional and unintentionally poetic charm.

Kristinia DeBarge

Key tracks: 'Goodbye', 'Sabotage' and 'Powerless'

Kristinia DeBarge Myspace

19-year old American sweetheart, Kristinia DeBarge has come forth with a world-class pop/R&B album that rivals anything Jordin Sparks and Jessica Mauboy has done. Advantage being, she comes from a musical family (if you remember the 80s R&B group DeBarge) and she's had respected producer Babyface mentoring her since she was 14. Kristinia's stomping lead single 'Goodbye' made #15 in the US and she was promptly rostered to open for Britney's 'Circus' tour. The album, Exposed, peaked at #23 in the US - but the public kind of switched off at the second single, 'Sabotage'. A crying shame, given that it's easily one of the best pop ballads on the album. Australian radio didn't really pick up 'Goodbye' and the proposed single release here was cancelled. Listen child, if it's any consolation I've heard them play 'Sabotage' at the Factorie store in Chadstone... there is still hope.

MPHO

Key tracks: 'Hips Go Pop', 'Paranoid Type' and 'Fix Ya Face'
MPHO Myspace

2009 was the year for South African-born singer, MPHO to surface from the underground music scene. Earmarked as one of the exciting new talents to come out of London this year, some in the industry circles have unimaginatively lauded her as the new Rihanna or Beyonce. Boring and awfully ignorant given that MPHO's style of soul retro-pop feels much more authentic than what the comparison suggests. She has teamed up with M.I.A.'s producer, Switch for her first single, 'Box N Locks' (which samples the 80s hit 'Echo Beach'). The album Pop Art is set to get a global release in early 2010.

My VHS Mix Tapes Were The Ish!

2009-11-23T04:16:00.000-08:00

Long before YouTube came along and revolutionised the way I consumed music videos, I used to get up nice and early every Saturday morning to tape the latest clips from Rage and Video Hitz.

I was quite the diligent little taping fiend too! I'd always make sure my tape was wound up to the right spot so I'm not accidentally recording over Tina Arena's 'Soulmate #9' (again) and I also kept a list. Because you know what it's like with VHS, there ain't no chapters for you to skip to, so the list gave me an indication of how far back I have to rewind to find a song.

The best part about the mix tape was going back and reliving the clip over and over again for the rest of the weekend. I remembered waiting for two weeks to catch Victoria Beckham's 'Not Such An Innocent Girl' on Australian TV... and I literally dropped my bowl of cereal when I caught it halfway channel surfing between ABC and Channel 10. Let's just say, I cherished and re-watched that morsel of a clip for way too many months. Pretty sure I even brought that video in for media class...

So in the midst of my belated spring cleaning this afternoon, I stumbled upon an old VHS mix tape with all the pop music video and televised performances - that I'm sure even, YouTube, in all its infinite variety couldn't match.

This particular volume (oh yes, there were at least nine VHS mix tapes) had goodies like Casey Donovan's winning speech and the brilliant 2004 Australian Idol Final 12 performance. Oh sweet Lord, and Brandy's 'Afrodisiac' performance on Top of The Pops. I remembered her donning a particularly heinous tartan mini skirt for that one! Alas, there are no equivalent uploads on YouTube.

It's moments like these that I wish I still had a VCR. Long live the VHS mix tapes...

Chart Watch - 23 November 2009

2009-11-22T19:30:00.000-08:00

CHART HIGHLIGHTS

Leona Lewis' new album Echo enters the UK at #1, selling 180,000 copies last week. Have to say, the record is slowly growing on me. Great to see Malaysian-born singer Che'Nelle has co-writing credits on an album track, 'Can't Breathe'. While Team Leona is yet to pick a second single from the pack, her cover of Oasis's 'Stop Crying Your Heart Out' has already started charting on its own at #55 this week. The single 'Happy' continues to rise reaching a new peak of #32 this week in Australia, while the album Echo debuts at #31 here.

John Mayer's Battle Studies debuts at #3 in Australia this week. Pretty impressive given that his previous studio album, Continuum only managed to peak at #12 in 2006. Meanwhile, I've retreated back to his Heavier Things album to re-embrace tunes like 'Clarity' and 'Bigger Than My Body'. Must confess I was prompted to return to vintage Mayer material after hearing one of the lads on Australian Idol sing 'Daughters'.

Britney's The Singles Collection debuts at #22 in the US and #26 here in Australia. Think I'll still prefer the My Prerogative: Greatest Hits DVD from the bargain bin - don't reckon old Britney has made a noteworthy video since that era. Save for 'Someday (I Will Understand)', an underrated gem which wasn't included in The Singles Collection. Shame!

Kate Miller-Heidke's reissue of 'Caught In The Crowd' sees the single re-enter our charts at #45 this week. The first time 'Caught In The Crowd' came out it only peaked as high as #33, so fingers crossed the post 'Last Day On Earth'-hype can propel it into the Top 20. I can see how this is a sensible idea to reissue the ballad but personally, I felt like the album was put to rest too soon. 'I Like You Better When You're Not Around' was easily a contender for single number four.

Shakira's new US single, 'Give It Up To Me' debuts at #58 on the Billboard Hot 100 this week. Meanwhile on the other side of the Atlantic, 'Did It Again' rockets to #26 on the UK charts. The Timbaland produced 'Give It Up To Me' is strangely not included in the Australian release of She Wolf. You know, I had a hard enough time tracking down a copy in store here - it's almost like Shakira wants us to import the US edition! No 'Give It Up To Me' and only one Spanish track ('Loba') on our version.

Amerie's In Love & War album rockets from a #111 debut last week to a #46 place in the US this week. The lead single 'Why R U' is quite a departure from the unbridle funk she's known internationally for in '1 Thing'. Stylistically, this album is probably closer to her earlier material. Elsewhere on the US charts, Jay-Z and Alicia Keys' 'Empire State of Mind' has edged up to #1 position. Alicia has also recorded a sequel 'Empire State of Mind Part 2' for her upcoming Element of Freedom album. Her new single, 'Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart' was released online last week.

SHOW & TELL MOST PLAYED TOP 20:

#1 Lady Gaga - Dance In The Dark
#2 Lady Gaga - Telephone (feat. Beyonce)
#3 Beyonce - Video Phone (Extended Mix) (feat. Lady Gaga)
#4 Sugababes - Thank You For The Heartbreak (Original Mix)
#5 Shakira - Men In This Town
#6 Lady Gaga - Alejandro
#7 Beyonce - Deja Vu Jazz Medley (I Am... Yours Live)*
#8 Leona Lewis - I Got You
#9 Utada - Apple and Cinnamon
#10 Leona Lewis - Love Letter
#11 Guy Sebastian - Undo*
#12 Leona Lewis - Happy
#13 Beyonce - Halo (I Am... Yours Live)*
#14 Beyonce - Destiny's Child Medley (I Am... Yours Live)*
#15 Christina Milian - So Amazin' (feat. Dre)
#16 Sugababes - About A Girl
#17 davidlim - #1
#18 Beyonce - Deja Vu (I Am... Yours Live)*
#19 Beyonce - Scared of Lonely (I Am... Yours Live)*
#20 Will Young - Hopes and Fears
* = Added to playlist this week

Marble Gel Pens

2009-11-22T05:08:00.000-08:00

Just took a quick peek at my early high school diary... (I know what you're thinking. Yes! I kept one right up until the end of Year 7) and I wrote about what every teeny bopper girl writes about. You know, embarrassing boy crushes and how much I love listening to The Best of The Corrs on my Walkman. But cringeworthy details aside, what I truly loved about my diary was how every entry from March to September was written in these pearly, marble gel pens!

Do they even stock these pens anymore? Serious nostalgia happening right now. I distinctly recall my favourite pen was the furthest right one - which seem to embody the colours of a Paddle Pop ice cream. I was quite the gel pen fiend in my pubescent years. Somehow over time, I began typing more than writing so the importance of having a spectrum of coloured pens mattered less and less. But now, I'm ready to re-embrace the marble pens!

But this time, save only for birthday cards and special notes. And who knows, one might even go back to writing journal entries again.

Interview: Editor of "frankie", Jo Walker

2009-11-17T15:35:00.000-08:00

Over the past few months, I have interviewed a handful of magazine editors about their work, experience and what advice they would give to a beginner like me. Seriously, if you want to know more about your dream job - the best and most honest response you can get is to actually interview someone in that position. Picture what it's like to walk a day in their shoes. And more importantly, step out and get some experience of your own.

Here is a quick Q&A interview with the editor of frankie magazine Jo Walker about her work experience and what skills every magazine editor should have. You'll find this in the 2010 issue of Burst magazine, out in March.

Whatmade you want to get into magazine editing?

People think I say this as a joke, but it’s reallytrue: I wasn’t any good at anything else! I got most of the way through a lawdegree at uni, tried PR and a few other things and found that I’m actuallyuseless at everything apart from journalism and editing.

Whatqualifications and experience do you have?

I have an Arts degree (don’t we all) and a postgraduatediploma in journalism. I spent a few years freelancing after uni – writing forall different kinds of publications – while also acting as a section editor fora street press in Brisbane (that was my first ‘proper’ editing gig). After that,I spent a year as head of features at a London news wire called the PressAssociation, and I’ve been at frankieever since then.

Whatsort of skills or attributes do you need to become a wonderful magazine editor?

Being creative and an ‘ideas person’ is superimportant. Being good at things like organisation and negotiation. An analretentive approach to grammar and spelling. Being able to handle stress is abig one, since your whole working life is spent under the pump, in fear ofdeadlines and such. A dash of practicality and the ability to take charge of asituation. Being constantly curious and generally interested in people and theworld.

What’sthe best part about being a magazine editor?

The groupies! Hah – no, that’s a joke. The funnest thing is actually spyingon people reading frankie in public –at a café or on the bus – and knowing you’re bringing enjoyment to all thesethousands of people you’ll never meet.

And the most difficult part?

I’m not in love with doing the accounts. It is abig pain that I childishly put off whenever I can.

Howmuch can a magazine editor expect to earn? What are some of the highest payingwork you can do?

Well, no one gets into journalism for the money.Some editors on big international titles (Vogue, Vanity Fair etc) can earn into themillions. But it’s a bit like Hollywood, the top 0.01% earn a whopping salaryand the rest of us make do with what we can get.

Whatadvice would you give anyone wanting to become a magazine editor?

Start doing it as soon as you can. Getinvolved with the uni paper, street press or whatever you can get hold of.Real-world experience is key. It makes you smarter, quicker and more attractiveto potential employees. Also, media is the kind of industry where I thinkyou’ve got to love it. You’ve got to prove that you can’t not do it. So get as much experience as possible, soak up as muchas you can, make mistakes, learn from them and become as awesome as you can!

Chart Watch - 16 November 2009

2009-11-16T05:42:00.000-08:00

CHART HIGHLIGHTS

Rihanna's 'Russian Roulette' enters Australia at #11 this week. I can't figure out if this single choice is meant to be subversively risque... or just lazy. Has RiRi come to a point in her career now that she could dish out a half-baked tune and expect the world to lap it up? I'd just like to see how much hype it's gonna take to propel this through to #1. 'Russian Roulette' jumped from #75 to #9 in the US this week. Rihanna's image and the video are as you'd expect them to be: utterly enthralling.

Gasp! The new Leona Lewis single 'Happy' has sorely missed out on the #1 spot. The Black Eyed Peas' 'Meet Me Halfway' is steady fastened to the top of the UK charts while Lewis enters at #2 this week. We'd have to wait for next week's charts to see how the album Echo performed. The entire record kind of blurs into one extended stream of epic chorus peaks and whispery verse troughs for me. My picks of the pack goes to: 'Happy', the uplifting 'I Got You' and the driving mid-tempo 'Love Letter'. Her sophomore album Echo is out in Australia, US and UK this week.

Sugababes 4.0's 'About A Girl' entered the UK charts at #8 this week. Now that Amelle is back in action, the Babes are ready to soldier on. An absolutely critical moment for the band - they've still got a lot to prove with the new line up and the Americanised musical direction. Heidi, Amelle and Jade performed together for the first time on Radio 1's Live Lounge last week. Here's their amazing acoustic version of 'About A Girl' - complete with tablas and even a harp!

Dame Shirley Bassey's new album The Performance enters the UK charts at #20. While I'm loving the idea of a Pet Shop Boys contribution, I'm not particularly sold on the idea of the Dame singing 'softly'. Elsewhere on the album charts, JLS's debut album came in at #1, outselling Robbie William's Reality Killed The Video Star at #2. Should Team Robbie be worried? Suddenly reforming with Take That is not such a bad idea anymore. Reality Killed The Video Star is #1 here in Australia this week. According to AuspOp, the album only sold a meagre 12, 276 copies.

The new Vanessa Amorosi album, 'Hazardous' sold 6597 copies to enter at #7 this week. My god, that's one freaky cover image. Forget She Wolf, here's your She Fox. Where the last album Somewhere In The Real World was a nice re-introduction to Vanessa, this one is V Mama giving us headstrong pop/rock. Meanwhile, a flurry of greatest hits packages and compilations are surging up the ARIA chart, note: The Beatles, Bruce Springsteen, Abba, The Doors, Neil Young, Fleetwood Mac and Crowded House. Christmas shopping has begun early for some this year. Meanwhile, I dragged my ass down to JB this arvo and came home with three bargain bin albums: Blackout by Britney, Mr A-Z by Jason Mraz and As I Am (Super Deluxe Edition) by Alicia Keys. Can't say no to a "3 for $20" sale.

SHOW & TELL'S MOST PLAYED TOP 20:

#1 Lady Gaga - Telephone (feat. Beyonce)*
#2 Ricki-Lee - Hear No, See No, Speak No*
#3 Lady Gaga - Bad Romance
#4 Lady Gaga - No Way
#5 LeToya Luckett - She Ain't Got...
#6 Cheryl Cole - Parachute
#7 Beyonce - Video Phone (Extended Mix feat. Lady Gaga)*
#8 Lady Gaga - Alejandro*
#9 Utada - This One (Crying Like A Child)
#10 Tata Young - Words Are Not Enough
#11 Sugababes - Thank You For The Heartbreak (Original Version)
#12 Shakira - Why Wait
#13 Lady Gaga - Dance In The Dark*
#14 Beyonce - Sweet Dreams (Live Acoustic)*
#15 BoA - Eat You Up
#16 Shakira - Spy (feat. Wyclef Jean)
#17 Mariah Carey - Bringin' On The Heartbreak
#18 Alexandra Burke - The Silence
#19 Melanie C - You'll Get Yours
#20 Mat Kearney - Annie*
* = Added to playlist this week

"5 Women" Magazine Covers

2009-11-14T20:21:00.000-08:00

Well, look what the cat dragged in. I had to do three mock up magazine covers for a print marketing assignment at uni - and now that I have completed the course I figured, why hide my masterpieces? Let's take them out for Show & Tell!

Could've put in a bit more time and effort in InDesign, but no... let's just crop and lay it out on PowerPoint.

Here's to assuming my lecturer isn't aware of Cheryl Cole's solo record - or more to the point, the artwork.

Janet Jackson making the cover of my make believe magazine. Oh, if only...

The stunning Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai on the Asian edition of 5 Women magazine.

Chart Watch - 9 November 2009

2009-11-09T01:46:00.000-08:00

CHART HIGHLIGHTS

Snow Patrol has taken back - and released - the song they initially allowed Nicole Scherzinger to record for her shelved solo album. The Northern Irish band re-recorded the previously unreleased 'Just Say Yes' for their new double-disc compilation Up To Now, which also includes live recordings of their hits 'Chasing Cars', 'Run' and even a cover of Beyonce's 'Crazy In Love'. You know, it's probably a good thing that they recalled 'Just Say Yes' - now the song stands a chance of becoming a proper hit. The Nicole Scherzinger solo project just had 'contrived' and 'doomed' written all over it from the start. Here's a snippet of Nicole's live rendition of 'Just Say Yes' on the reality TV show Pussycat Dolls Presents: Girlicious. "Thank you for coming to my album listening party..." Don't mention it, darl. We know the cheque's in the mail. Snow Patrol's 'Just Say Yes' debuted at #15 in the UK this week.

Joss Stone may have written and recorded Colour Me Free in a week but it has taken close to two years for her record label to relent and release the LP as it is. In a frank interview with Digital Spy, Joss explains how the label wanted her to go back to the drawing board and record some radio-ready hits for the album. Thankfully, she dug her heels in and reached a compromise. The album should be an easy enough sell for any genuine soul fans. Colour Me Free enters the UK charts at #75 this week.

Beyonce is enjoying a surge of sales in the UK following her show stopping performance at the MTV EMAs last week. Her album I Am... Sasha Fierce made one of the biggest leaps this week, going from #53 to #8. Meanwhile, not every performer at the show came out with dazzling record sales, Shakira's She Wolf album continues its way down the UK charts, landing at #48 this week. How much longer do I have to wait for the bloody album to come out in Australia? "Why wait for later? I'm not a waiter..." Well said, Shakira.

There was a collective fist pump from all pop music junkies in Australia on Sunday 6:30pm when our weekly ARIA charts were revealed. Hooray for Ke$ha's 'TiK ToK' making #1 here! Don't you know it. You smelt a hit coming long before the rest did. You heard potential in it before it was even added on Australian radio. You always thought she deserved to be huge and now the rest of the country has woken up to find you're right. 'TiK ToK' sold over 13,122 copies to dislodge the Black Eyed Peas' so round of applause.

Our dreamy Packed To The Rafters star Hugh Sheridan is for real about the music thing. He's come forth with a second single, 'All About Me' and once again, the video is more appealing than the song itself. Very hard to argue with that fact. 'All About Me' is probably a little more 'radio friendly' than his white soul debut, 'Just Can't Throw Us Away'. Hugh's debut album Speak Love comes out on 27 November - just in time for Christmas. 'All About Me' debuts at #23 on our physical singles chart.

Up until now, I had been pretty oblivious to how bloody huge Taylor Swift is in the States. Did y'all know her current album, Fearless, is the only album in history to have spawned 12 Top 40 hits? That's a little insane. In the three years she's been putting out music, Taylor's had 18 Top 40 hits which means she equals Queen Beyonce as the female artist with the most US Top 40 hits this decade. Fanning the flames, Taylor has released Fearleass: Platinum Edition with six new songs. Amazingly enough, this week five of them debuted in the US Top 30. Gaga and her Fame juggernaut has some serious, serious competition.

SHOW & TELL MOST PLAYED TOP 20:

#1 Aqua - My Mamma Said*
#2 Sugababes - Thank You For The Heartbreak (Original Mix)
#3 All Saints - Chick Fit
#4 Utada - Apple and Cinnamon
#5 Cheryl Cole - Parachute
#6 Sugababes - Miss Everything (feat. Sean Kingston) (Original Mix)
#7 Paloma Faith - Sexy Chick (Radio 1 Live Lounge)*
#8 Marmaduke Duke - Single Ladies (Radio 1 Live Lounge)*
#9 Cheryl Cole - Rain On Me
#10 Sia - Playground
#11 Jack Johnson - Sitting, Waiting, Wishing*
#12 BoA - Energetic (Radio Edit)
#13 Aqua - Cartoon Heroes
#14 Tata Young - Mission Is You
#15 Cheryl Cole - Heaven (feat. Will.I.Am)
#16 The Script - Times Like These (Radio 1 Live Lounge)*
#17 All Saints - Not Easy
#18 Cheryl Cole - Stand Up
#19 All Saints - Hell No
#20 Sia - Little Black Sandals
* Added to playlist this week

Review: "Don't Stop"

2009-11-03T05:21:00.000-08:00

Annie

Don't Stop

(Totally/ Smalltown Supersound)

A prototype of the album may have leaked over a year ago but Norwegian electro pop artist Annie is now ready to launch a revised edition of Don't Stop. The new tracklisting features three new recordings but the rest of the tracks remain unchanged. Having said that, you wouldn't know the difference. Unlike many trendy pop releases, this project hasn't dated a bit. Don't Stop sounds just as relevant today as it would've been at the time of recording over three years ago.

New collaborators, Paul Epworth (producer to Bloc Party) and Xenomania (the hit factory behind Girls Aloud) have been weaving elements of spunky indie electro in with Annie's staple of Richard X productions, giving the album an effortlessly cool commercial appeal with a raw edge.

Don't Stop presents a varied and unpretentious indie pop soundscape. The centre piece of the record, 'Songs Remind Me of You' is a cybersonic dance ballad, programmed with 80s dance beats and robo-bleeps. One of the three new recordings, 'I Don't Like Your Band' is wicked in every way. Hear Annie diss over fractured electronica, "don't get me wrong, I like you. But I don't like your band. I don't like your music... It's not you, it's your tunes."

She shows more cheek on the spunky new single, 'My Love Is Better' taunting, "my lips are better than your tricks. You know you'll never have my hips. I'm so much better, so eat this!" Produced by Xenomania, this song was originally recorded with Girls Aloud but their vocals had to be removed after their record company kicked up a fuss. Shame, it would've made for an amazing video.

Elsewhere, the twee 'Heaven and Hell' sounds like something out of a rom com soundtrack. You can imagine it playing in a scene with Reese Witherspoon and some hunky lad frolicking in the park. The wistful pop tunes are artfully offset by a quick bout of dark electronica. Long time collaborator Timo Kaukolampi produces the heavy, 'Take You Home' and 'Marie Cherie' - a haunting song about a girl who ran away from her abusive father.

While the standard edition is pretty decent value as it is, you'd be crazy to not get the limited two-CD version with a bonus All Night EP. Here's pretty much where the tunes she has bumped from the main tracklisting goes on display. There's the feisty first single 'I Know UR Girlfriend Hates Me' - a good enough Richard X and Hannah Robinson recreation of the 'Chewing Gum' magic.

And don't forget 'Anthonio', which came with a promo campaign to end all promo campaigns. Popjustice got one of 100 limited edition handmade 'Anthonio' singles: complete with a hand-written letter, stamped envelope with Norwegian stamps, and a photo of Annie with Anthonio's love child. To top it all off, an Anthonio character surfaces not long after - complete with a Myspace account - and released an answer song 'Annie'. Gold star sticker for indie music marketing!

Don't Stop peaked at #126 in the UK and is due for an American release on the 17 November. You can download Don't Stop and all the singles here in Australia.

Chart Watch - 2 November 2009

2009-11-02T04:05:00.000-08:00

CHART HIGHLIGHTS

Never thought I'd see the day where Cheryl Cole outranks Michael Jackson on the weekly charts. The Girls Aloud star's debut solo album 3 Words sold over 125, 271 copies last week to debut at #1, while Jacko's timely release This Is It entered at #3. Chezza currently holds both #1 positions in the UK album and singles chart. Can't believe 'Fight For This Love' has sold a total of 431,459 copies in two weeks! It's a rare feat simultaneously bagging both charts. Lady Gaga and Lily Allen are the only other female solo artists to have done it in the UK this year. Meanwhile, it concerns me that her next single, '3 Words' has already started charting at #26, ahead of its 2010 release. Definitely one of the more mind-numbing tracks on the album. Boring as bread's crusts! I can just imagine people evacuating the dance floor and going out for a smoke as soon as the DJ plays this filler.

Speaking of dance filler, someone's done a redundant remix of one of my favourite mrTimothy and Inaya Day joints: 'Got 2 Get Up'. The energetic track was first released on mrTimothy's debut LP, This Is Tha 1 back in 2004 - and it was seriously on high rotation every weekend on my car trip to the clubs! The three remixes (Avicii, Angger Dimas and Jackhammer) all debuted collectively at #27 on the ARIA Club Charts this week. Somehow, it just don't compare to the original album version - which I've lost and realised iTunes don't stock. iTunes Fail!

Ke$ha scores her first solo hit here in Australia with 'TiK ToK' propelling to #4 this week. She's certainly no stranger to success Down Under - her last entry being the US and Australian #1 hit with Flo Rida, 'Right Round', and before that she co-wrote The Veronicas' Top 10 single 'This Love'. 'TiK ToK' also rocketed up the American Billboard charts this week, going from #55 to #22.

The brand new Lady Gaga single 'Bad Romance' enters the Australian charts at #16 this week. Gotta say, the melody reminds me of the joyful 90s pop I grew up with. We're all dying to hear the new eight-track addition: The Fame Monster. I just thought with the horror theme and all, this repackage could've worked with a Halloween release date. Gaga has wisely teamed up with RedOne again for four tracks on Monster but what's with the Darkchild collabo, 'Telephone' featuring Beyonce? God forbid it is some sort of sequel to 'Video Phone'.

I'm getting good feelings all around about the new Guy Sebastian album. While I've largely avoided the saccharine Disney-friendly 'Like It Like That', I'm quite impressed with the bulk of the album. Quite a natural progression from his last motown album of covers, Like It Like That is the modern funk/pop album Daniel Merriweather should've made. The album entered our ARIA chart at #6, selling 7011 copies in its first week. Elsewhere, Guy's new single with Jordin Sparks 'Art of Love' debuts at #34.

Lesbians must've gone out by the truckloads to buy Tegan & Sara's new album Sainthood - it debuted at #21 in Australia this week. I know Jade and I certainly did our plug on Diff'rent Strokes on Wednesday. In case you missed our radio show, here's our little chat about Sainthood.

SHOW & TELL MOST PLAYED TOP 20:

#1 Sugababes - Thank You For The Heartbreak (Original Version)*
#2 Alexandra Burke - The Silence
#3 Alexandra Burke - Broken Heels
#4 Cheryl Cole - Parachute
#5 Tata Young - Words Are Not Enough
#6 Alphabeat - The Beat Is*
#7 Mariah Carey - Standing O
#8 Mariah Carey - H.A.T.E.U.
#9 Annie - All Night*
#10 Mariah Carey - Obsessed (Jump Smokers Radio Edit)
#11 Lady Gaga - Bad Romance
#12 Kate Miller-Heidke - The Last Day on Earth
#13 Annie - Don't Stop
#14 Natalie Imbruglia - Want (Single Mix)
#15 Alphabeat - The Spell*
#16 Shakira - Why Wait
#17 Sugababes - Miss Everything (feat. Sean Kingston) (Original Mix)*
#18 Kate Miller-Heidke - Caught In The Crowd
#19 Dame Shirley Bassey - This Is My Life
#20 Dannii Minogue - You Won't Forget About Me
*Added to playlist this week

Dannii Deja Vu

2009-10-27T05:33:00.000-07:00

Has Dannii Minogue’s career slipped into retrograde? It has been six years since her last studio album Neon Nights, and she has done nothing but package inane compilations of her old material since. The Dannii discography hit a new low this week when news broke of Minogue releasing a scrapped album from, get this, her 1995 studio sessions.

Fuck me. Prepare yourself for some seriously dated shit. Like dressing in op shop clothes, this could either be really trendy or really cringe. Given Dannii’s vintage track record, I’m inclined to say the latter.

We’re officially beyond scraping the bottom of the barrel now. She has clawed through the bottom, splinters under her acrylic nails and all… and she has reached the dirt beneath the bottom of the barrel. In the last three years, Minogue has released four compilation albums - including a best-of in 2006: The Hits & Beyond. There were dribbles of new material enclosed in some of these but the bulk of it is tired remixes of her old hits. The last sighting of a new Dannii tune was in 2007 with the Jason Nevins collabo, ‘Touch Me Like That’.

It’s necessary fuss, if you will. Team Dannii would be crazy to not capitalise on the X-Factor magic! But until she gets her arse in the studio, all they can do is keep regurgitating the leftovers.

Here are Show & Tell’s Top 5 Dannii Moments:

‘You Won’t Forget About Me’ – an ecstacy-driven chorus backed by a genius combination of orchestral strings and frayed synths.
‘Put The Needle On It’ – The line “dirty hands, I demand” was my MSN nickname of choice during the younger (and nastier) years.
'You Won't Forget About Me (Afterlife Lounge Mix) – effortlessly undresses an Ibiza track down to a chill out lounge arrangement. Definitely Dannii's most mesmerising moment in music.
‘Hide & Seek’ – electro pop with a hint of world beats and pan pipes. A subtle nod to Shakira’s ‘Whenever Wherever’?
‘I Begin To Wonder’ – who bothers spinning the JCA original? Minogue's sex kitten purrs were just what the doctor ordered.

The 1995 Sessions comes out on 23 November. Sugababes, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Shakira and Britney can rest easy knowing this album won't come anywhere near the coveted #1 spot.

Mag Watch: Dumbo Feather

2009-10-26T06:10:00.000-07:00

There's a peculiar scent coming from the corner of my desk. And every couple of minutes I become acutely aware of it and begin eyeballing it, as if my steely gaze could to stop it omitting that smell.

But no, it's not a bad smell per se. Just an addictive one. Close peers and family can tell you about my ridiculous penchant for sniffing everything I read. There's something about the smell of good paper stock that gets me going. CD booklets and freshly printed magazines of all sorts are my favourites. However, I do draw the line at newspapers. You can't be as subtle when sniffing broadsheets.

At said corner of my desk is my newly acquired copy of Dumbo Feather magazine in all it's 100% recycled papier goodness.

NAME: Dumbo Feather
STRAP: "Pass it on"
GENRE: Art, Literature
CYCLE: Quarterly
MADE IN: New South Wales, Australia.
PROS: Ordinary people with extraordinary stories.
CONS: Not intended for casual perusals or those seeking fleeting distractions.
BLOG: Dumbo feather, pass it on.

The clever part about Dumbo Feather is that it's a hybrid mag-book ('mook', if you will). The magic of this cross-breeding means they have essentially cancelled out most of the unpleasant characteristics of book and magazine publishing.

Like books, the interviews in Df are timeless, and the well-invested binding and thick quality paper mean these stories can be passed on and on. But unlike books, an issue of Df doesn't take a year to write and another to publish. Apart from the steady quarterly cycle, Dumbo Feather also works well with other definitive features of magazines - such as the room for generous photography and illustration. But unlike a typical magazine, the content isn't lost competing with pages of ads. In Issue 21, I counted two: back cover and inside back.

The focus remains squarely on the five different individuals they profile each issue - everyday folk sharing their story, passion and creation. But here's the thing, you really absolutely have to be in the mood to read it. It's not really intended for casual perusing while you're waiting for a call to drop in at a call center. I imagine myself taking a copy on board my next flight, I mean, anything has got to be better than Mills & Boon, right?

Chart Watch - 25 October 2009

2009-10-26T02:19:00.000-07:00

CHART HIGHLIGHTS

The first solo Girls Aloud single has gone straight to #1 in the UK this week. Cheryl Cole sold a phenomenal 290,000 copies of 'Fight For This Love', making it one of the fastest selling singles of this year. Pretty impressive stuff for those who thought Alexandra Burke's first week sales for 'Bad Boys' (185,000 copies) were mind blowing. See, I think 'Fight For This Love' has done astronomically well for that it is. Feed this B-grade mid-tempo through any Plain Jane without an X-Factor backing and you're guaranteed a sinker. Power to Brand Cheryl! Her album, 3 Words, comes out today but I'm not holding my breath for a #1 entry. Cynical Dave says lightning couldn't possibly strike twice.

Over on the UK album charts, Alexandra Burke has overcome fierce competition to secure the #1 spot this week. Inexplicably bad pun aside, Overcome sold 132, 065 copies in its first week - sprinting ahead of new releases by Michael Buble, Paolo Nutini and even her idol, Whitney Houston. The magic of X-Factor has driven up music sales figures even before the Christmas season. If we were any wiser, we wouldn't be scheduling for a Christmas release this year. Oh no, it's all about getting a guest spot on X-Factor and locking an album release the following day.

Alphabeat's new single 'The Spell' debuts at #20 in the UK this week. Hype continues to gather for the Danish pop band but I'm yet to check out the mess. So why the hesitation, Dave? You're a click away from knowing... (Youtubes 'The Spell') Holy slap bands! This is actually rather 90s chic. I'm getting visions of Ace of Base here. Alphabeat's album The Spell is due out in the UK on 10 January.

The Saturdays need to seriously fix their GPS because they're getting lost in the pre-Christmas surge of releases. Wordshaker experienced the biggest drop in sales this week plummeting from a #9 debut last week to #40. Meanwhile, Shakira and her She Wolf album took a dire plunge from #4 to #28 on the UK album charts. It's looking bleak for the She Wolf project. Her American label has unwittingly pushed back the launch date to 23 November, setting Shakira up for some vicious competition with titan titles coming out that day from Rihanna, Lady Gaga and Britney. She Wolf is scheduled to hit Australian shelves on 6 November.

Korean super girl group, Wonder Girls has made their mark on the American Billboard charts. Their insanely catchy debut English single, 'Nobody' debuted at #76 this week. Not a bad effort at all, given that it has already outranked any Anglophone releases from fellow Asian pop acts BoA and Utada. No word on whether an English Wonder Girls album is in the pipeline.

Jesse McCartney's sleazy new single 'Body Language' continues to climb the US charts. It sits at #62 today after three weeks in the Hot 100. I can't believe he's still working the Departure record. Fair enough, this track is a new addition on the re-release but child, I remember previewing tunes from this album back when I was doing my music show on SYN. And that felt like an eternity ago!

Back here in Australia, Ke$ha's ever so trashy 'TiK ToK' debuts at #28 this week. Still no word on when the album will be completed but way too many of her tunes have leaked all over the interweb. Check her YouTube channel to sample the goodies.

SHOW & TELL MOST PLAYED TOP 20:

#1 Cheryl Cole - Parachute*

#2 Alexandra Burke - The Silence

#3 Cheryl Cole - Fight For This Love

#4 Alexandra Burke - Broken Heels

#5 Mika - Rain

#6 Cheryl Cole - Stand Up*

#7 Cheryl Cole - Happy Hour*

#8 Brandy - Right Here (Departed)

#9 Alexandra Burke - All Night Long

#10 Cheryl Cole - Rain On Me*

#11 Mariah Carey - Up Out My Face

#12 Dragonette - Okay Delore

#13 Shakira - Men In This Town

#14 Pixie Lott - Turn It Up*

#15 Whitney Houston - Call You Tonight

#16 Lady Gaga - No Way

#17 Lady Gaga - Bad Romance*

#18 V.V. Brown - Crazy Amazing

#19 Leona Lewis - Happy

#20 Annie - I Don't Like Your Band

*Added to playlist this week

Review: "Memoirs of An Imperfect Angel"

2009-10-25T04:01:00.000-07:00

Mariah Carey

Memoirs of An Imperfect Angel

(Universal)

There is an essence of recollection on Mariah Carey’s latest album, Memoirs of An Imperfect Angel. A subtle pitch for this project is about reconnecting the public with the classic Mariah we all loved in the early 90s. She has even brought back the natural curls (made famous circa ‘Vision of Love’) for her recent promo performances. However, the album falls flat on flaccid slow jams and a redundant gathering of urban beats. Sonically, Memoirs could’ve been an amazing 2009 homage to some of the best moments in Mariah’s 19-year pop career. Instead, right now the material tethers around being neither relevant to today’s R&B market nor fitting for a ‘Mimi flashback’ theme.

The sinister lead single, ‘Obsessed’ is as current as it gets on the album. Next thing you know, the African choir starts shuffling in and you’re treated to classic Mariah balladry on her church roof-raising rendition of Foreigner’s ‘I Want To Know What Love Is’. Certainly a moment for old fans of her 1994 hit ‘Without You’, given that the diva has noticeably toned down the vocal pyrotechnics in recent years.

For the rest of Memoirs, we’re taken through painful journals of heartbreak and betrayal straight through to innocent symptoms of love at first sight. The lyrics are as frank as what you’d expect to hear eavesdropping on a D&M between best friends. The album’s standout track, ‘Standing O’ is a caustic applause for a wayward lover (“round of applause to the biggest fool in the world. Give them all that you got and they still ride out into the sunset with the next girl”). The song is easily a sequel to ‘Side Effects’ from her last album E=MC2, where Mariah opened up about an abusive past relationship. The whispery next single, ‘H.A.T.E.U.’ (which stands for Having A Typical Emotional Upset) bears a mean grudge while a loved up ‘The Impossible’ is dedicated to her new husband.

Perhaps the silver lining to this record was never meant to be in the radio hits we expect to find in the minute of scanning through the record, but rather in the amusing lyricisms that gradually surface over several listens. Such as, “secretly I know you want to hit it like the lotto, and after that we can ketchup like tomato” (‘More Than Just Friends’) and “if we were two Lego blocks, even the Harvard University graduating class of 2010 couldn’t put us back together again” (‘Up Out My Face’).

The uptake in Memoirs has been slower than previous Mimi records in recent history, managing to sell only 254,000 copies in its first month in America. A significant drop, if you consider that her last album E=MC2 sold 463,000 copies in the first week alone. The label’s solution to countering weak sales is to commission a Memoirs remix album with guest rappers and new producers. Here on the Australian edition, we’re already treated to four dance remixes of ‘Obsessed’.

(Un)popular: 'Brave'

2009-10-23T21:37:00.000-07:00

There was once a time when Jennifer Lopez’s music could do no wrong for me. I embraced every single she served and whole-heartedly consumed most of her albums. But it took a little Twitter trigger from @Bui to remind me of Mama Lopez’s sorely forgettable last record, Brave.

Brave (Epic Records)

Released: 4 October 2007

Copies Sold To Date: Worldwide 600,000 +

You’re forgiven if you struggled to remember the Brave singles, let alone the artwork. While we’re on that, there’s something very hi-camp Battlestar Galactica about the silver catsuit and fluoro grape backdrop.

Brave signalled a gutsy turn-away from R&B for Jennifer Lopez. After the ubiquity of J.Lo (2001), she re-positioned herself towards the urban market with varying levels of success – for instance, they bought J-to-tha-Lo and gave Rebirth a miss. It puts a strain on the ghetto fabulous J.Lo brand when she starts pitching the album as “a little Jamiroquai (and) a little Sade”. Unlike her previous English albums, Brave barely had any rappers on. It was probably the label’s last minute decision to call in Ludacris for a remix of ‘Do It Well’ in some attempt to reconnect her with the urban market.

It’s not so much the switch to danceable pop that mucked with fan expectations, but the fact that she didn’t do it, do it… do it well. It’s a fiercely competitive pop market and no one, including J.Lo, is immune. She had every reason to still prove herself. She took a longer than usual two years off and focused a Spanish record – this album was always going to be a harder sell and it didn’t help that the material was weak.

Brave was too bubbly for the dance floor and certainly lacked the hooks to pass for a decent pop album. I guess, once you remove the guise of rappers and hard-hitting urban beats – all you’re left with is J.Lo’s shrill vocals. Not a good match with light-weight pop productions. She had A-grade pop producers steering the record: J.R. Rotem (Rihanna's 'S.O.S.'), Ryan Tedder (pre-'Halo' ubiquity) and Bloodshy & Avant (Britney’s ‘Toxic’). But it just proves that you can have the right people on board but still get the sound wrong.

Worst still, promotional efforts from the label and Jennifer herself were cut short when she took a break to have her twins. I remember watching her little jaunt on the Hold It Don’t Drop It video and thinking, ‘gurl… forget the holding and not dropping part. You’d be lucky if your uterus stays in place after that routine!’

Brave is Jennifer Lopez’s lowest-selling album yet – with first week sales of only 53,000 copies. Not an inch on the 2001 titan J.Lo – which sold 272,000 copies in its first week. Brave peaked at #12 in the US, #24 in the UK and #46 here in Australia. The bouncy lead single, ‘Do It Well’ made Top 20 here but plans to release ‘Hold It Don’t Drop It’ was scrapped.

The best songs on Brave were certainly the singles. Ryan Tedder produced an energetic pop piece fit for the likes of Kat DeLuna and Christina Milian in ‘Do It Well’, while ‘Hold It Don’t Drop’ is a brazen explosion of funk and disco. The fierce ‘Mile In These Shoes’ has J.Lo putting haters in their place, “laugh and talk behind my back but they’ll never get the best of me. I see them doing my dance, I hear them playing my songs.” The most out of character production work comes from Bloodshy & Avant – who are known for their frenetic electro-laced pop – crafting the breezy title track. It’s certainly more Kylie ‘All I See’ than Britney’s ‘Radar’.

*Other blogs' segments are made but this? I like to think of (Un)popular as created for a special purpose. And what's more special than underrated, overlooked pop records that fell through the cracks of the Top 30 charts condemned to the bargain bin? Perhaps these records deserve a second spin?

Chart Watch - 19 October 2009

2009-10-21T21:14:00.000-07:00

CHART HIGHLIGHTS:
It's Thursday and I'm finally getting around this week's Chart Watch. Poor form, bitch. Poor form.

Talk about a moment of validation for Vanessa Amorosi! Our little Aussie pop battler scores her first ever Australian #1 single with 'This Is Who I Am'. What can I say, good feeling all around for V Mama fans. This triumph kinda is, even if to a lesser degree, reminiscent of the moment Kate Miller-Heidke scored an unexpected hit with 'Last Day On Earth'. We're big backers of the underdogs here in Australia. Even if detractors in Australian showbiz often accuse us of 'tall poppy syndrome', I'm sure Ness Ness can work around that.

Meanwhile, there's plenty of love for Alexandra Burke. Her vibrant lead single, 'Bad Boys' debuts on top of the UK charts this week. Things are also shaping up nicely for her album Overcome - within 24 hours, it has already sold twice the amount it took for Michael Buble to make #1 this week. According to mid-week sales, Alexandra's album has sold over 41, 240 copies where Buble's Crazy Love only sold 21,520 copies in a whole week.

Speaking of mid-week excitement in the UK: Cheryl Cole's debut solo single 'Fight For This Love' has become one of the fastest selling tracks of this year. The song has sold over 134,000 copies since Monday. A phenomenal figure if you compare that to Alexandra's second week figures so far (43,804 - 'Bad Boys' is shoo in for #2). Kudos for the tandem release dates, ladies. Chezza's wise to schedule her releases a week behind Alexandra's. The very first solo Girls Aloud album, 3 Words is out on Monday.

While we're on X-Factor effect, Jennifer Hudson's Dreamgirls show stopper 'And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going' rockets from #102 to #32 in the UK this week. She'll be sending flowers to Danyl Johnson's mentor for the song choice, with a memo to him saying, "Nice try. But diva says 'no'..."

Shakira's She Wolf arrives at #4 this week in the UK. One of the few regions where the single of the same name is actually doing well. If there's any pop justice, the album should make the minimal acceptable entrance here at #13. Keep an eye on next week's ARIA chart. Elsewhere, The Saturdays' Wordshaker debuts at #9 in the UK. Alarm bells should be going off in Fascination Records. Surely the ride can't be over already. I don’t have beef with their choice of second single, 'Ego' but I would have put forth ‘One Shot’. Pretty sure, it got a decent response.

Ke$ha's 'TiK ToK' debuts at #79 in the US this week. This faux-Fergie crunk track was initially whored out as a free download on Ke$ha’s website, prior to its September release. Well, the sales gimmick worked and 'TiK ToK' has since gone #1 in New Zealand. It’s a shame that the Kiwis have beaten us to it. This trashy pop tart is one of my favourite newcomers this year.

While Beyonce is simultaneously dominating the pop and urban charts, little sister Solange continues her reign on the US Dance/Club charts. Her latest single, 'Would've Been The One' peaked at #3 last week. It's the fourth single taken from her motown album Sol-Angel & The Hadley St. Dreams, all of which have been major remix favourites on the dance scene. Elsewhere, Lily Allen's 'Fuck You' continues to bullet in on the American dance charts, reaching #22 in three weeks.

SHOW & TELL MOST PLAYED TOP 20

#1 Dragonette - Pick Up The Phone

#2 Vanessa Amorosi - This Is Who I Am

#3 BoA - Energetic (Radio Edit)

#4 Annie - I Don't Like Your Band*

#5 Sugababes - About A Girl (The Sharp Boys Edit)*

#6 Little Birdy - Relapse

#7 Toni Braxton - Yesterday

#8 Tata Young - My Bloody Valentine

#9 Alexandra Burke - All Night Long*

#10 Alicia Keys - Doesn't Mean Anything

#11 Britney Spears - I Got That (Boom Boom)

#12 The Saturdays - One Shot

#13 Beyonce - Video Phone

#14 Dragonette - Fixin To Thrill

#15 Go West - King of Wishful Thinking*

#16 Annie - Songs Remind Me of You

#17 Shakira - Give It Up To Me (feat. Lil' Wayne)

#18 The Bird & The Bee - Love Letter To Japan

#19 Jennifer Lopez - I Got You

#20 India.Arie - I Am Not My Hair (Konvict Remix)

* = Added to playlist this week

Interview: Sam Hall-Haydon

2009-10-15T23:32:00.000-07:00

I caught up with international model, Sam Hall-Haydon (represented by Vivien's Model Management) this week for an interview with Burst magazine. The 23-year old has come a long way from Echuca to the runways of Milan. He has modelled for Marcs, Cavalli and appeared in fashion spreads for Vogue and GQ. Sam chats about his break in the modeling industry, living a 'jet-set lifestyle' and the silent treatment from Naomi Campbell.

What made you want to become a model?

It happened by accident, really. I had an argument with my family, left the family business and moved to Melbourne. At the time, I was 18. I barely had any money and I didn't know what I wanted to do with my life. (Modelling) just seemed easy. But (then I realised) it wasn't easy and I had to work really hard at it.

So how did you get started?

I went into an agency and said, 'people have told me I should think about modeling, what do you think?' And the guy said, 'Yep. Come on board.' It didn't really work. I found out the hard way that he was a crook and I lost a lot money doing it that way. I was so green in the industry. I thought it was normal to be paying all this money for a folio and I got burned. But you learn from these mistakes.

Did you go to modelling school?

No, I don't think you need to go to a modelling school because a lot of it comes with practice in front of the camera. You'll start to move differently and you'll feel a little more confortable. You'll start to know what the photographer wants and it just flows. I think going to modelling school is not the best idea when you can probably put that money somewhere else.

Tell us about some of the work you've done.

The first big job I did was a Marcs campaign, then straight after that I did Mossimo and I walked for Cavalli in Italy. I've done shots for Vogue and Esquire in the UK. You know, the first year was very tough but then I signed with a new agency and then it was like, bang! I was getting campaigns left, right and centre. I don't know if it was because I was new or 'flavour of the month' but then it all evened out. Most of my work is predominantly overseas now, which is nice.

Mainly photo shoots or do you hit the runway as well?

I do it all. I never used to do a lot of runway because it didn't pay enough. Australian designers don't have huge budgets so some of the shows you might do here, you can't expect them to pay what European designers are willing to pay. When there's a huge amount of work around, you can be a little more picky about what you want to do.

Was it easier for you to succeed overseas?

We're very kind to our models in Australia. Whereas, on an international level they're quite cut throat. I first went to Milan in 2005 for their summer Fashion Week. It was my first season there and I got one show when I was there for two months. I (also did) a couple of little shoots there but nothing much. I would've lost quite a lot of money doing that.

So it wasn't what you expected?

You know I thought I'd go there, really kick goals and rock Milan - but it's just not the case. Everyone wants to work in Milan, it's the fashion capital of the world. You might go to a casting and there's a 1000 people waiting. I remember standing in line with this guy in front of me with an Armani and Calvin Klein campaign, and the guy behind me had Diesel in his books. When it's your first time there, it is just intimidating. I was inexperienced and my book was very light.

Perhaps that was a little too soon?

It was a hard learning curve but it's something I don't regret. You never know what path your life is gonna take. If I hadn't had done that, maybe I wouldn't still be doing this. Maybe I would've stayed in Australia and gotten a little bored with it. After Milan, I worked in Hong Kong for a couple of months. For the last four years all I did was travel, which is interesting and you get to meet great people.

What skills and attributes do you need to become a top model?

I think you just got to be a nice person. Show up on time, be friendly and remember names. All the things you would normally do in business. You are in yourself a business.

Is it a different ball game for male models?

It is still very competitive but obviously not as competitive as women's. I think it's different for women, most girls would like that opportunity to be models whereas for (most) guys, and for me I just wanted to make money. I never did it for fame.

What are the essential shots a model would need in their portfolio?

The head shot is the most important. I try to have a diverse range of shots. For someone that's starting out - I would say, try to shoot with as many different photographers as you can.

Is glamour photography a major no-no?

People in the industry don't like it. A casting agent would look at that and just go, 'no, it's just too tacky'. A client would look at that and think, 'I can't really see what you're like'.

How do you look after yourself?

I go to the gym. But it doesn't matter I'm naturally skinny, which is lucky for me. At the start, I bought all these protein and I thought yeah 'I'm gonna bulk up and it's gonna be great' but I just can't put on weight. I can spend $300 a week eating and I won't put on any weight.

No diets before a shoot, then?

No. I guess at the start you're probably nervous and you like, 'should I not be eating?' But no, just be yourself. It doesn't matter.

How hectic is your modelling schedule?

I've been overseas three or four times this year but the year before last was probably 10 or 12 times. Lots of times, I'd be based in London and I'd fly into Hamburg for a day, then to Spain and back to London. I'm not a big model on the international circuit but guys I'd model with would do that on a daily basis. Every single day, all year.

Have things quietened down in the last year?

Definitely across the board. Lots of the big (models) in New York, they say it hasn't affected them. But when you get to that height, (the economy) probably doesn't affect you too much. Some weeks I work four days a week, some weeks once and other weeks - nothing.

Are you holding down a second job?

I recently started work at a cafe. It's the first (non-modelling) job I've had in four years and I did that purely because I wanted to start a cafe/restaurant. I'm definitely not doing it for the money because that's just not enough to support me. I travel so much.

Who pays for your travel expenses?

I'm flying to Sydney next week, then onto New York and I'm paying for all those flights. When times are good, people would pay. I was flown in to Germany once, just for one casting. Now they're really tightening up their belt, like, my regular clients aren't flying me in anymore.

Is it your job or the agency's to network and make these contacts?

It's the agency's job, pretty much. When you go see (the clients) it's always good to be friendly and be yourself. I think if you're generally not a very happy person or a likeable person, then this is probably not the industry for you. There's obviously exceptions like Naomi Campbell...

Have you met her?

I did a show with her in Italy. But I didn't speak to her or anything like that.

She probably don't wanna talk...

Nah, she probably don't wanna talk to me. No, don't worry about that! (laughs). Apparently she's nice to the people she needs to be nice to, and a bitch to everyone else.

What's the best part about being a model?

Well it's not the free clothes! Often they give me all the rubbish they can't sell. Meeting people is amazing. Like meeting you today, it's been a great pleasure.

Like wise.

And I don't think it's about the money. The money is good and it helps you do the things that you wanna do but ultimately the best part is travelling and meeting people.

And what's the worst part?

The bitchiness - I don't like that at all. I hate massive flights. (One) trip, I flew to Germany for two days. So I spent half the time on the plane and half the time in Germany.

How much can a male model expect to earn?

A good male model in Australia would be doing $200,000 a year. A good international model could be doing a million. If you're working in Australia, and you're one of the Top 20 guys, then you probably don't need a second job. Most models have a second job - they work at a cafe, bar or something like that. People always say, 'you're a model. You must be really rich' - and it's not the case. The thing is, you gotta save up money so you can go overseas because lots of the time these agencies aren't going to advance your flights for you.

Is common for them to advance flights?

If you're good. My agencies do it for me occasionally. But when you're fresh off the block, why would someone pay to have an unknown model flown into Milan or Paris (and) pay for their accommodation, not knowing if it's gonna work?

I never thought you'd have to pay your own flights...

You really gotta put yourself forward and work hard on it. I guess, if I hadn't been so proactive in the early days, paying for those flights to get over there - and I'm not saying that I've achieved a lot but - I probably wouldn't have gotten to the level that I have.

Is the industry still very much a woman's market?

I think that's true. I know guys that have done D&G campaigns for like 3,000 euros. Whereas Abbey Lee will do the same campaign and she'll get paid a huge amount more. It's very much a woman's market. If you're a good female model you'll be making in excess of a million dollars a year.

Is modelling is your main focus in life?

No, it's not.

What do you really wanna do?

I love business. I've got lots of business projects going on. When I'm not modelling I'm working on a business plan. I never wanted to be a model to be famous, I model because that can support the things I want to do.

Did you study business at uni?

Yeah, I studied entrepreneurship at RMIT. But I didn't like the fact that they were putting you down, telling you you can't do things. I remember a lecturer saying once, 'you can't go into business because you're gonna fail' and I'm like, 'what's the point of you teaching me?'.

But you didn't let that comment put out your dreams?

No, of course not. If someone tells me, 'no you can't do something', I just get up on my high horse and I say, 'I'm gonna do it'. I think saying 'you're never gonna achieve anything' is one of the worst things you can ever say to someone. That's the main thing I want tell people: 'don't ever let someone tell you that you're useless or that you can't do something'. Everyone has a talent. You just gotta go find it and embrace it.

What business projects are you involved with?

I've got a Christmas tree company called Pines & Needles. I mean, I'm very grateful for the opportunities I've been given in (the modelling) industry. However, I am looking forward to having these businesses running well and being able to support me - and not having to rely on the modelling industry.

It's kinda hard to cross modelling with Christmas trees...

I remember mX did something so embarrassing. This photographer was like, 'come on, mate. Rip off your top.' And I was like, 'no, this isn't the way I want it to go. It makes the brand look cheap'. Anyway, they managed to unbutton my top and (it ran with) the heading: "Now That's What I Call A Cut Trunk".

What advice would you give anyone breaking into the modelling industry?

Don't give up. With the first job I did, they didn't even use my face in it! They got me holding up a watch and took a photo of half my chin and the watch. My grandfather gave me a bit of shit about that and used to always say 'come work for me' - which is the last thing I want to do, really. If I had listened every time he told me, 'you're never gonna amount to anything', I'd still be there working for him and probably wouldn't be happy. I really love my life.

Who would you most like to model for?

Vivienne Westwood would be amazing. It would be great to do a fragrance, they pay about a million. A fragrance is pretty much world wide, they'll use you in every developed country in the world, so they get their money's worth.

Chart Watch - 12 October 2009

2009-10-11T03:56:00.000-07:00

CHART HIGHLIGHTS:

The Saturdays must be pissed they missed #1 this week. It's not so much that 'Forever Is Over' didn't debut at #1, but probably because Chipmunk out sold them. Yes, love. It's not quite like when Sugababes' 'Get Sexy' came second to Jay-Z, Rihanna and Kanye, is it? No. This one's a hard pill to swallow. Nevertheless, 'Forever Is Over' and its dynamite chorus has grown on me. You know it's all over when you wake up one morning with the chorus ringing in your head. You really gotta look past the faux-Kelly Clarkson formula to get to that happy place though. The Saturdays' sophomore album, Wordshaker came out yesterday in the UK. A compulsory purchase for those seeking a companion for Jordin Sparks' Battlefield.

Whitney's 'Million Dollar Bill' enters the UK charts at #12 this week, probably boosted by a confirmation of her X-Factor appearance. She'll perform on the popular talent show this Sunday, a day before her album is due in stores. Well planned, Team Whitney. Elsewhere, speaking of old money: Barbra Streisand's new album is #1 in the US and UK. Her album of jazz standards Love Is The Answer beat out Mimi's Imperfect Angel and Madonna's Celebration package this week.

Britney's insipid new single 3 enters our ARIA singles chart at #50. I'm just gonna cover my ears and pretend this shit never happened. It's the tired old vocal effect they've been rendering on her since 'Radar' and frankly, it's funny she should pull out a singles collection now because her old materials have never looked better. I've been spinning her In The Zone record all day. I press play and I swear I'm back in summer of 2003, with visions of me gyrating in the living room to 'I Got That (Boom Boom)'. This is quite possibly Britney's best studio album.

Keep an eye on Alicia Keys' new single 'Doesn't Mean Anything'. I predict a slow rise and eventual complete radio saturation come mid-November. The song is a classic A Keys driving piano ballad. If placed on a scale between 'If I Ain't Got You' and 'No One', it slides towards the latter. 'Doesn't Mean Anything' is at #65 this week in the US but it's only been two weeks, give it some space. The single is available on our iTunes and the album, The Element of Freedom has a 1 December due date.

SHOW & TELL MOST PLAYED TOP 20:

#1 Toni Braxton - Yesterday

#2 Sugababes - About A Girl (Jade Ewen Version)

#3 Dragonette - Pick Up The Phone*

#4 BoA - Energetic (Radio Edit)

#5 Alexandra Burke - Bad Boys (feat. Flo Rida)

#6 Natasha Bedingfield - Angel

#7 Brandy - Right Here (Departed)

#8 Tata Young - Shine Like A Superstar

#9 Sugababes - Too Lost In You (Live at AOL Session)*

#10 Ricki-Lee - Don't Miss You

#11 Wynter Gordon - Surveillance

#12 Little Boots - Remedy

#13 Natalie Imbruglia - Want (Single Mix)

#14 Jay-Z - Empire State of Mind (feat. Alicia Keys)

#15 Darren Hayes - The Sun Is Always Blinding

#16 Shakira - Mon Amour*

#17 Lenka - Dangerous and Sweet

#18 Lady Gaga - Boys Boys Boys

#19 Vanessa Amorosi - This Is Who I Am*

#20 Britney Spears - Shattered Glass

* = Added to playlist this week

My Research Project Has Direction...

2009-10-08T22:40:00.000-07:00

Well I could be lying.

It's the final semester of my PostgraduateDiplomainEditingandCommunications (now aptly compressed into one jumbo-sized word, stylistically referencing Pussycat Dolls' 'Stickwitu' and 'Whatchamacallit').

My research project has the word 'viability' in it and as you can see, it has lots of arrows pointing to information. Much like a mind map. Except this all looks like a mindless map which is what most good mind maps look like. Or so I was told.

Observations I've made in the past hour of 'research project-ing':

Any faux electro elements subtly implied in the single 'Want' should not be mistaken as the general feel of Natalie Imbruglia's album Come To Life.
Having said that, it's a nice enough summery record. If this album was a colour, it'd be egg white. Not wheat. Not vanilla. Not crème brulée. Egg white.
The $19.99 would've been better spent on the Shakira album that comes out next week.
I am wearing one curler in my hair right now and shouldn't really walk out to collect the mail with it.
The above points have nothing to do with my research project... back to the drawing board.

Chart Watch - 5 October 2009

2009-10-04T05:40:00.000-07:00

CHART HIGHLIGHTS:

Mimi Queens must keep their faith strong during these dark and uncertain times. Predictions of tumultuous chart positions have begun unravelling for the Memoirs of An Imperfect Angel era: the butterfly diva's new single 'I Want To Know What Love Is' debuts at a dismal #45 here this week. Her epic* cover of Foreigner's 1984 classic may have been touted as the 'Without You' of her recent discography, but are people feeling it in the same way? Probably not. I think she did a fabulous job with it but I'm holding out for an church roof-raising 6 minute long version with extra dog-note trills, assuming there is an unedited copy somewhere. The album, Memoirs of An Imperfect Angel is arguably her weakest body of work since maybe Rainbow? That's right, I found Charmbracelet, and even Glitter, was more listenable this record. (* = As epic as commercial radio would have it without turning into a Barbra Streisand moment du jour)

Mika's sophomore album, The Boy Who Knew Too Much, is already exiting our Top 20. After debuting at #10 last week, the album slid down to #19 with little relief in sight. In an effort to keep sales afloat, the label has commissioned two new singles: 'Blame It On The Girls' for the international market and the ballad, 'Rain' for the UK crowd. Let's play it by ear and see how it goes. Shame that the best track on the album, 'Toy Boy' is probably too 'left of centre' to ever be launched as a single.

She was the only lass from 3LW that didn't sell her booty to Disney's Cheetah Girls suit. Now Naturi Naughton is basking in her moment of validation with Fame. She stars in the Hollywood version of the stage-quaking musical and her cover of the classic title track debuts at #33 in the UK this week. The Fame soundtrack leapt to #43 on the US Billboart Top 200 this week.

UK pop band The Noisettes saw their album Wild Young Hearts debut at #98 in the US this week. Their slap disco single 'Don't Upset The Rhythm (Go Baby Go)' peaked at #4 on the American dance charts. Another British act, La Roux, enters the American album chart at #170 this week. Meanwhile, her synth pop nemesis Little Boots is launching her album over in the states early next year.

SHOW & TELL TOP 20 MOST PLAYED:

#1 Natalie Imbruglia - Want

#2 Sugababes - About A Girl (Jade Ewen Version)

#3 Big Bang - Baby Baby (Japanese Version)

#4 Toni Braxton - Yesterday

#5 LeToya - She Ain't Got...

#6 Shakira - She Wolf

#7 Kylie Minogue - King or Queen

#8 Little Boots - Earthquake

#9 Rachel Stevens - Some Girls

#10 Little Boots - Symmetry (feat. Phillip Oakey)

#11 Brown Eyed Girls - How Come

#12 V.V. Brown - Game Over

#13 Bertie Black - Black Cats

#14 Mutya - My Song

#15 Damien Rice - Delicate

#16 Little Boots - Stuck On Repeat

#17 Bertie Blackman - Byrds of Prey

#18 Mika - Toy Boy

#19 Little Boots - Remedy

#20 Mutya - B Boy Baby (feat. Amy Winehouse)

Interview: Little Boots

2009-10-02T03:04:00.001-07:00

I caught up with British electro pop sensation Little Boots today for a JOY 94.9 interview. She'll be playing at Parklife in Melbourne tomorrow, performing material from her debut album Hands. Little Boots has scored two UK Top 20 singles with 'Remedy' and 'New In Town'. We chat about her career change from TV production to music, her favourite Spice Girl, and why British pop rules.

Download the interview podcast here

Welcome to Australia.

Thank you

How does it feel to come all the way down here to do a show at last?

It's weird because it's kinda new here. The Parklife festival is quite a big festival and there's so much music going on. We're on at the same time as Lady Sovereign, which is really annoying because a lot of people would like to see the both of us. We did our own little club show in Sydney and that was brilliant! Everyone knew all the words and it just felt amazing to come all this way and people know your songs.

What's your favourite song to perform live?

'Mathematics' is really fun. 'Remedy' and 'New In Town' is fun because people sing along really good. And I always play 'Stuck On Repeat'. I do different things for different shows, depends on what mood I'm in.

Any chance of working a cover into the set list? JLS perhaps?

Haha! Don't think we'd ever play that again. We cover 'Love Kills' by Giorgio Moroder and Freddie Mercury. Always go down amazingly with the gay crowd. We played it at Gay Pride in Manchester and it went down like crazy!

Why do you think British pop is so much better than pop anywhere else in the world?

I think we've just got a different attitude to it. There's such a great history of British pop. I think pop is a place where you can do something cool and interesting. When you go to the States, pop has got such a different meaning, it just means like bubblegum trash music. If you grow up thinking pop can be a great place then you can be great with it.

Where were you working before you started making music?

I went to university, got my degree and I worked in television production. [A music career] was always the dream but then I kinda got this job and it was stupid to turn it down. And I guess I was always too scared to quit and try to make ends meet until I got a record deal. When I worked in TV it was long hours. I would leg it from work, get changed and drive for four hours to do a gig, get back at 5 the next morning and then get up for work at 7. Literally burning the candle at both ends.

What finally pushed you to take the leap?

Leaving my old band (Dead Disco) was a big deal for me because it was my whole life at the time. I moved back with my parents for awhile and I got some songs together, then I moved to London. I didn't have any money, didn't really know what I'm doing, didn't know where to live. I just legged it down there and eventually things started moving together.

When I first heard Hands, I saw it as a sensible companion to modern Kylie and Rachel Stevens' last album...

Haha! Her only album surely.

No, she had two.

She did two? Really?

Yeah she had Funky Dory and then there was the second one...

What's the second one?

Something called... (name escapes me) Oh, I have this at home.

'Funky Dory' was good. I really liked 'Negotiate With Love'.

That was the first single off the second album.

So that was the second album! Maybe it was the first album I didn't know as well. Anyway, I do like that.

You put out two EPs before the album, Hands, came out. How do you think your sound evolved along the way?

Not that much, I guess we were holding back the more poppy tracks for the album. I wrote this album in a smallish period of time so I don't think it had that much room to evolve. But I always wanted a varied sound so I think these tracks are quite different even if they're all electronic.

When word first got out about Little Boots, there was a perception that you were more indie than pop.

I never wanted to be an indie thing. I never said it was and I guess people thought because I do things in my own way and you watch me on YouTube playing songs. Just because I'm quite DIY in some respects, people put me in that box but it was never meant to be that. I always wanted to be a pop artist. I just wanted to embrace pop songwriting, not be ashamed about it and just go whole-heartedly.

When songwriting, do you work on a few projects or focus on one track at a time?

I normally have a few going on at once. Cause you can not be getting anywhere with one song and you need to get away then come back to it with fresh ears.

Which was the hardest song to write?

I think the hardest to finish was 'Remedy'. I wrote the bulk of it one afternoon in L.A. and I knew it was really good. As I was finishing it, I was like, 'well it's got to be really good'. You can't just finish it off. So finishing it was really hard but the starting was easy. But they're all different. Some songs will take hours others will take weeks.

You worked with RedOne (producer for Lady Gaga and Backstreet Boys) on 'Remedy'. I'm surprised he didn't get you to do the name check.

Everyone says that but no, he didn't ask.

Do you prefer workshopping an idea with a producer, or do you go in with a clear vision?

No, I really like working with other people. I've been in bands my whole life. Some of the tracks I just wrote on my own in my bedroom but I find that a little hard sometimes. You get a bit cabin fever and I need that other person to bounce ideas off and give me some objectivity. I really enjoy that dynamic in the studio and that dialogue.

You worked with Greg Kurstin, who's produced for such a diverse range of artists...

I've known Greg for quite a number of years now. He's so incredible. He's done everything from Kylie to Peaches to Flaming Lips. He loves great songs like me, you know, we just love the challenge of writing the perfect pop song. It's something we get really passionate about.

'Earthquake' has been announced as your third single. Not the best timing perhaps?

I know. Well over here it isn't. We were playing live yesterday on TV ('Sunrise') and they were doing a whole piece on (the disaster in Indonesia and Samoa). But the song's not actually about earthquakes - it's metaphorical.

What other singles can we expect off 'Hands'?

This is going to be the third one so we probably wouldn't do too many more. There's another song that I really like that's not on the album that we could release. But it would be weird cause it's not on the album.

Would you repackage the album and then release it?

Yeah, I don't know. We're talking about doing that or doing another song off the album. But it's a hard call.

Maybe re-release 'Stuck On Repeat'?

Well, it's funny because I think we should've released it properly earlier and now I feel like it's had its day. It's come too far to revisit it now. I just think it's a really special song. It started the ball rolling for everything but I don't know if it's right to go back and re-release it.

Is it true that you had Kylie in mind when you wrote it?

Yeah, well vaguely. At that time I was writing songs, 'who could I write songs for?'. I was in more of a songwriter's head space rather than a personal head space.

Are you testing the waters in America?

We just did a sold-out tour there, so that's fantastic! We're going back next year quite a lot and the album comes out in Spring there. We're going to repackage it and put some extra tracks. I'm pretty positive about it. It's hard work over there but it's worth it if it pays off.

Have you started thinking about the next record?

No, I don't think I'll do one at the minute. I can't write when touring and doing promo. I'm not in the right head space. I just wanna finish this album leg and go have a clean break, then go bury myself in the studios again.

Any idea of the direction you might take it in? Will you still continue doing electro pop?

I guess it'll always be electronics. Keyboard and electronics are my instruments so I'm probably not gonna go heavy metal because I can't play guitar. But I'm thinking of maybe involving more organic instruments: more pianos and strings maybe mixed with electronics? That's a really vague idea.

I read in an interview somewhere that you grew up listening to Kylie and Brandy...

Brandy? I never said Brandy.

I read that and I thought, 'isn't that unusual?'

That's weird. I bet I said Blondie and someone must have misquoted me.

Yeah! I read that and I thought, 'I have to ask her if she has an R&B record in her'.

(laughs) No, it was Kylie and Blondie. Although, 'The Boy Is Mine' is a good song.

QUICK 5 WITH LITTLE BOOTS:

1. Who was your favourite Spice Girl?

Geri. She was the most feisty one.

When you were younger did you and your girl friends dress up as the Spice Girls?

Oh my God! Of course. I actually made a video for my English project with all my friends dressed up as the Spice Girls and I filmed it. I don't know back then which I would've been. Maybe Posh? I had brown hair.

2. If you were a drag queen, what would your drag name be?

Give me some good examples and I'll try to think of something.

How about Lolita Chandelier?

(laughs) Oh God, I don't know - it's quite hard. I'll think about it and I'll get back to you.

How did you come up with Little Boots?

Just a nickname from my friends cause I have small feet.

What size are you?

I'm a 3 in UK, which is really small.

3. Your least favourite subject at school...

Maths and physics.

You wrote a song called 'Mathematics'!

That's why I did it! I was rubbish at maths. And the first line is "mathematics is difficult".

4. If you were an iPhone app what would you be?

Ooh, that's a good one. Maybe Tetris? I'm obsessed with Tetris. I literally play it all the time.

I read that on your Twitter...

Yeah I've quit Twitter for Tetris.

5. What advice would you give anyone wanting to be a pop star?

Research it. Because it's not exactly what you think it's gonna be. You just got to be prepared for a lot of hard work.

What surprised you when you got into it?

How much non-creative stuff there is to it. How much uncreative work there is, like, the creative bit (the writing and all that) is actually quite a small piece.

There's the business...

Yeah and the promo and traveling. But it's worth it because you do all that in order to be able to do the creative bit.

The Best of Malaysia 2008

2009-09-28T04:56:00.000-07:00

I've been going through old Facebook photo albums tonight, reminiscing on the marvelous holidays I had last year. The travel destinations include Queensland, Lorne, Sydney, India, Singapore and two trips to Malaysia. The best part about Malaysia 2008 was being able to tour my birth country for the first time and see it through traveler's eyes.

Here are some of my favourite sights:

The colour coded apartments in Singapore. This must've been in Bugis. James and I had gotten off the plane at 5am and we literally wandered around Singapore, watching the town wake up whilst waiting for the hotel to let us check-in.

Delightfully refurbished heritage buildings in Melaka, Malaysia. This part of town mostly consists of tiny one-way streets packed with peak hour traffic. There were wonderful crafts and antique stores to peruse, and the local pineapple tarts are to die for.

The house 'n' car combo. I loved this random photo taken on a quiet street in Penang, Malaysia. I just remember hearing the voice of the television traveling all the way down the road.

The picturesque orange-purple sunset in Langkawi, Malaysia. I retreated to this island for three days sun-baking and writing songs on this beach. It was hands down the most relaxing escape I've ever had: phone and internet disconnected, spending afternoons on the shore with waves crashing over me. Bliss.

Chart Watch - 28 September 2009

2009-09-22T19:36:00.000-07:00

CHART HIGHLIGHTS:

I'm always been curious to see what's getting played in the home country. Due to the low concentration of local English releases, it's no surprise most of Malaysian radio's 'hit artists' are chart toppers in the US and UK. The slight difference you'll notice is the proportion of ballads they play. Malaysians love their mid-tempos and that's why you find our gurl, Lenka's 'Trouble Is A Friend' making Top 10 there. Come on Australia, get with the program! We're missing out on some fabulous pop tunes. We could do with The Saturdays' 'Up' and Enrique Iglesias' 'Takin' Back My Love' on heavy rotation here too.

Reporting from the dance floor, local indie artiste Bertie Blackman's electro evolution is taking flight on our ARIA club charts. 'Byrds of Prey (TV Rock Remix)' is perched at #32 this week and I promise that's the last avian related pun I'll pull out in this blurb. I'm very much in love with her latest album, Secrets and Lies: what a sinister blend of folky songwriting with synthetic electro beats. Fingers crossed, the filty Peaches-esque 'Black Cats' will be single number four.

I don't mind that Australians are gradually embracing more europop. Swedish pop star Agnes debuts here at #31 this week with 'Release Me'. It's the Swedish Idol singer's first international release so depends on how well this track goes, we could be getting the album Dance Love Pop early next year. Needless to generalise, the gays love her and I know JOY 94.9's been all over this shit for months. If Sista Agnes knows what's right for her she'll arrange an Australian promo tour around Mardi Gras season.

Old Vadge has done it again! Celebration enters the UK charts at #1 and Australia at #8 this week. I spied with my little eye, a cheap 'n' nasty looking Celebration: The Video Collection DVD featuring 47 of Madonna's music videos. That's over 180 hours of Vadgevisualrama. Now that, I wouldn't mind having. You know, just for a piece of pop culture sake. Because Madonna and her videos are essential iconic works of pop art and all.

Speaking of DVDs, Australian pop princess Delta Goodrem has the highest selling music DVD in the country this week. Her epic Believe Again Australian Tour 2009 outsold Neil Diamond, Andre Rieu and god, who's buying these DVDs?

The latest Sugababes recruit, Jade Ewen debuts at #35 in the UK this week. Her solo single, 'My Man' came out the same week she joined the band so why would a sista care about where this is going? She's too busy in LA right now re-recording Keisha's bits on the Sweet 7 album. Meanwhile, Sugababes' 'Get Sexy' continues to hurl down the charts as promo for the second single 'About A Girl' warms up. Here's the re-recorded version featuring Jade's warbling.

SHOW & TELL TOP 20 MOST PLAYED:

(I was on a bit of a Sugababes binge last week and it shows)

#1 Sugababes - Thank You For The Heartbreak (Live at Movida)*

#2 Toni Braxton - Yesterday

#3 Sugababes - About A Girl

#4 Mariah Carey - I Want To Know What Love Is

#5 Big Bang - Baby Baby (Japanese Version)

#6 Mini Viva - Left My Heart In Tokyo

#7 Freemasons/Sophie Ellis-Bextor - Heartbreak (Make Me A Dancer)

#8 Cheryl Cole - Fight For This Love

#9 Sugababes - Gotta Be You (Amelle's Mix)

#10 Sugababes - Open The Door

#11 Mariah Carey - Standing O*

#12 Jason Mraz - Details In The Fabric

#13 Tata Young - Mission Is You

#14 Joss Stone - Free Me*

#15 Susan Boyle - Wild Horses

#16 Sugababes - Ace Reject

#17 Brandy - Piano Man

#18 Sugababes - Never Gonna Dance Again

#19 Sugababes - Sound of Goodbye

#20 Little Boots - Earthquake

*= Added to playlist this week

Who Killed The Sugababes?

2009-09-22T01:25:00.000-07:00

It's 8am and I'm sandwiched in on a packed peak hour train when I feel my phone buzz...

(2009 Sweet 7: Last original member Keisha leaves Sugababes)

"Keisha quits! Jade Ewen is in :-(" read the text. The biggest selling UK girl group, Sugababes, has just announced another tumultuous line up change. They've replaced their longest-serving member, Keisha Buchanan, with a Eurovision rookie Jade Ewen. This is the group's third recruitment in 10 years - they never seem to have the same three girls for any longer than two albums.

(2008 Catfights & Spotlights: appropriately titled?)

See, my friend Mat and I have been on Sugababes alert since Friday when news broke that Amelle was leaving the band. Speculations were rife that they've flown Jade Ewen into LA to replace her but alas no official word from their management confirmed the line up change. None of the girls' Twitter logs mentioned the fiasco. The only thing we had to go by was a rather timely announcement on Jade's website stating that "due to unforeseen circumstances" she'll be "taking time off from all promotional activity for the foreseeable future".

(2007 Change: Amelle's first full-length studio album with Sugababes)

Shit hit the fan a few weeks ago when in the height of their promotional schedule, Amelle failed to make a number of appearances, sparking rumours that she had a falling out with the group's longest standing member, Keisha. Reports of the infamous Sugababes 'bullying' (which did its media rounds circa Heidi's induction into the band eight years ago) surfaced again and Keisha cracked it, saying she's tired of being used by the tabloid as the "scapegoat".

(2005 Taller In More Ways: Mutya quits and half the album was re-recorded with Amelle)

So the weekend passed and still no word from Camp Sugababes to confirm or deny a line up change. But Keisha's reportedly told News of The World: "We're still in LA, me and the girls. There's no hate going on between us. There's the three of us in this band and no one is joining". Which almost pacifies everything for me until this text came in the morning. Suddenly the focus shifts.

(2003 Three: With four UK Top 10 hit singles including the #1 smash 'Hole In The Head')

We've all got our theories but I reckon, it was management's decision to force out Keisha in light of all the drama and negative press. As for the solo deal with Island Records? Just a slight consolation prize for removing her from the pop group she formed with her childhood mates Mutya and Siobhan. "Although it was not my choice to leave... I have nothing but positive things to say about the girls and I wish them the best of luck. I would like to state that there were no arguments, bullying or anything of the sort that led to this. Sometimes a break down in communication and lack of trust can result in many different things," Keisha tweeted.

(2002 Angels With Dirty Faces: Mutya and Keisha welcomes new band mate Heidi)

So who killed the Sugababes? Well the answer depends on who you ask. If you consider the original spirit of Sugababes inhabited in their moody garage R&B sound then the band died a long time ago for you. Listening to the pop group's 10-year discography, you'll hear Kelly Clarkson-esque pop/rock ('About You Now'), edgy Xenomania pop ('Hole In The Head') and even motown funk ('No Can Do').

(2000: One Touch - the original line up with Mutya, Siobhan and Keisha)

If you reckon the death of Sugababes came after founding members Mutya and Keisha left, then you might have an argument there. Yes, the pop group the two girls innocently dreamed up back in primary school has now grown into a multi-million dollar monster. Somewhere between Sugababes signing their first deal in 1998 to now becoming the UK's most successful female act of the 21st century - the girls' values and priorities changed. And with every new addition, a new dream is birthed. Sugababes is no longer just the dream of Mutya, Keisha and Siobhan. But also that of Heidi, Amelle and now, Jade Ewen.

Some have suggested that the remaining trio change the band name. But I don't think that's necessary at all. What's the point? This new line up, just like any of the ones before, will take the band into new directions never executed before. It's not the death of a girl band we're mourning here but merely the evolution of a pop super group. And when look back in 10 year's time... what I hope to see is a legendary and colourful discography, backed up by an incredible lineage of female artists. Vive la Sugababes!

('Thank You For The Heartbreak': Heidi, Amelle and Keisha deliver one of the best performances of this line up weeks before Keisha leaves)

Heidi and Amelle will soldier on to release Sugababes' new album Sweet 7 on 23 November 2009 - with re-recorded vocals featuring newcomer Jade Ewen. 'Get Sexy' is one of the most added new songs on Australian radio this week.

Chart Watch - 21 September 2009

2009-09-20T08:03:00.000-07:00

CHART HIGHLIGHTS

Let's make sure we check the figures before hitting 'publish' this week, Dave!

The spectacular Queen B brought her 'I Am...' tour to Australian shores last Tuesday and what an electrifying show it was! I was there for her first show in the country and true to the album's schizophonic nature, the show dazzled with a mix of fierce uptempos and epic ballads. The seventh single from I Am...Sasha Fierce, 'Broken Hearted Girl' debuts here this week at #28. Its Sasha Fierce counter-single will be 'Video Phone' due for US radio release tomorrow. Damn woman! I don't care if 'Video Phone' had charted as high as #14 on some obscure Billboard Hip Hop chart last year, it is utterly inferior to 'Radio'. Stop procrastinating and launch 'Radio' now!

The cast of Glee was Down Under last week to promote their musical comedy TV series. They were even down at JOY 94.9! God, can you imagine the hysteria? I have to admit, up until now I've only heard of Glee without really knowing what it's about. *Quickly YouTubes* (A few moments later...) OK, I could get into this. Meanwhile, their cover of Journey's 'Don't Stop Believin'' enters our charts at #21 this week. Over in the US, their pitch perfect rendition of Rihanna's 'Take A Bow' debuts at #46.

I'm not gonna pretend like I know who Muse is or any of their songs. But kudos for the top position! The alternative English band's new album The Resistance debuts on top of the Australian and UK charts this week. Let's try to take something positive from this embarrassing display of alt music cluelessness... wicked cover art, mate.

Madonna's shelf-filler compilation album Celebration came out in Australia last week. It'll be interesting to see where it ends up charting because unless you've slept through patches of her discography, you won't need this. But what about the two new tracks, I hear you ask. Well, I'm still trying to figure out if I missed the point with 'Celebration': is it meant to sound dated and understated or is it just a lazy piece of dance fodder? I'm leaning towards the latter. Then there's the R&B assassination: 'Revolver'. Poor Madge, it sucks when the original demo recorded by a little known R&B singer outshines your final cut. 'Celebration' the single rose to #3 in the UK this week.

The devil does find work for idle hands. Peter Andre's comeback record Revelation enters the UK chart at #3 this week. How could this possibly compare with the critical success of his last record: A Whole New World - the duet album with Katie Price? Australia will get a Revelation in March.

SHOW & TELL MOST PLAYED TOP 20:

#1 Natalie Imbruglia - Want

#2 Tata Young - Mission Is You

#3 Toni Braxton - Yesterday*

#4 Susan Boyle - Wild Horses*

#5 Tata Young - My Bloody Valentine

#6 BoA - Energetic (Radio Edit)

#7 Brown Eyed Girls - How Come

#8 Sugababes - Get Sexy

#9 LeToya - She Ain't Got...

#10 G-Dragon - Heartbreaker*

#11 Utada - Come Back To Me

#12 Jason Mraz - Details In The Fabric

#13 V.V. Brown - Game Over

#14 Beyonce - At Last (Live)

#15 Girls Aloud - Untouchable (Singles Mix)

#16 Bananarama - Rapture*

#17 Tata Young - Words Are Not Enough

#18 Beyonce - Deja Vu (Live)

#19 Emma Bunton - Amazing (feat. Luis Fonsi)

#20 Jade Ewen - My Man*

*= Added to playlist this week

My Scenic China Wish List

2009-09-19T19:48:00.000-07:00

The beau and I are planning a trip to China early next year. Although we can't wait to check out the mega cities (Beijing and Shanghai), I'd really like to balance it with a glimpse of the scenic countryside. So after a night of eye-popping Google imaging, here are some places we've shortlisted...

Wulingyan, Hunan:

The Hunan region is full of dramatic landscapes and the magnificent Wulingyan is one of their biggest attractions. This geological wonder is made up of over 3000 limestone karsts like the ones you see above. There are scenic waterfalls and some of Asia's biggest limestone caves.

Jiazhaigou, Northern Sichuan:

The bluest blue/green lakes you'll ever see anywhere in the world. Jiazhaigou looks stunning all year round but if you're game enough to face the freezing winter - the ice-coated trees and frozen waterfalls are a sight to behold.

Dragon's Backbone Rice Terrace, Guilin:

Surrounded by villages as old as a thousand years, the Guangxi region is full of picturesque rice terraces. These hilly, carefully engineered farmlands look like the ideal escape from the chaotic cities.

There's simply so much to see and do! Just like India, I sense China will warrant several return trips. Can't wait to pack my bags and begin...

Books: 'Show Me How: 500 Things You Should Know'

2009-09-18T00:05:00.000-07:00

I bought this book as a birthday present for my friend and I loved it so much I went back the next day to get a copy for myself.

Title: Show Me How: 500 Things You Should Know

Author: Lauren Smith & Derek Fagerstrom
Publisher: Murdoch Books

Genre: Reference. Possibly even picture book?

The Gist: A collection of pictorial instructions for practical, obscure and random tasks.

It's the perfect 'life' reference guide, showing you how to do everything from concocting delicious cocktails to de-rusting an iron pan, and how to read your date's body language. Then there's the fun stuff too: how to tie a cherry stem in your mouth, how to banish imaginary monsters and how to braid cornrows (I counted Beyonce had a row of 16 in the 'Say My Name' video).

The simplified step-by-step pictorials are a visual treat. And just so you know, I am now an expert in making a piñata.

Chart Watch - 14 September 2009

2009-09-14T01:57:00.000-07:00

CHART HIGHLIGHTS:

Packed To The Rafters hunk, Hugh Sheridan's makes a swift side step onto the pop charts with his first single, 'Just Can't Throw Us Away'. It debuted at #73 in Australia this week without my knowledge of its existence. I'm thinking a shower scene in the music video will pique my interest.

Backstreet Boys' return to unadulterated boy band pop is greeted with much excitement in my pants. 'Straight Through My Heart' debuts at #54* in Australia. Am I the only one who thinks RedOne's Xeroxed this from his Enrique and Ciara production 'Takin' Back My Love'? (*Thanks to Petro and AusPop for the 411. They have access to the treacherous half of the ARIA Top 100*)

Australia must be the first Anglophone country where I Look To You has missed the Top 10. The album entered our charts at #16 this week. We're simply too far from the fever-pitched hype Whitney's getting in the States. I love how her people's working harder than she is to make this fairy tale comeback count. Apparently after a glowing response from the listening party, they moved the album release date forward to 31 August (the cut off date for the 2010 Grammys) just so it can be eligible for an award. Seems like it's all going to plan so far - I Look To You is sitting on top of the charts in the US with over 305,000 copies sold in its first week. Hate to admit it but behind the sob story, there's actually a decent Inspirational(TM) album to back it up.

The Beatles have 11 albums in the UK Top 40 this week thanks to a lucrative reissuing of their back catalogue. Their best selling album of the week was Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Looks like there's something for everybody this Christmas: Guitar Hero-wielding male cousin = Beatles, crocheting nanna = Susan Boyle and closeted gay friend = Cheryl Cole.

SHOW & TELL MOST PLAYED TOP 20:

#1 BoA - Energetic (Radio Edit)
#2 Cheryl Cole - Fight For This Love*
#3 Tata Young - My Bloody Valentine
#4 Mariah Carey - I Want To Know What Love Is
#5 RuPaul - Jealous of My Boogie (RuRu & Rozy Disco Mix)
#6 LeToya - She Ain't Got...
#7 Natalie Imbruglia - Want
#8 Sugababes - Get Sexy
#9 Alexandra Burke - Bad Boys (feat. Flo Rida)
#10 Tata Young - Mission Is You
#11 Mika - Toy Boy*
#12 Whitney Houston - Call You Tonight
#13 Tata Young - Words Are Not Enough
#14 Girls Can't Catch - Keep Your Head Up (Soul Seekerz Edit)
#15 Utada - On & On
#16 Shakira - She Wolf
#17 Booty Luv - Say It
#18 Sugababes - About A Girl*
#19 Cosima - When The War Is Over*
#20 Destiny's Child - Stand Up For Love
* = Added to playlist this week

Cutest Birthday Present

2009-09-13T07:14:00.001-07:00

The most adorable birthday present I got this year...

A hand-drawn poster made by my 11-year old brother, who continues to surprise me with his depictions of my campness.

Thank you family and friends for a fabulous weekend celebrating my 22nd birthday.

Chart Watch - 7 September 2009

2009-09-06T07:08:00.000-07:00

CHART HIGHLIGHTS

Guy Sebastian claims his first #1 single in five years. 'Like It Like That' edged to the top position this week with a total of 17, 766 sales. It's really got all the elements of a perfect summer jingle - or Disney theme song. Why he's not touring with the Jonas Brothers yet, I'll never know.

Meanwhile, Jessica Mauboy's faux-crunk single 'Up/Down' debuts at #22. It's single number five off a platinum-selling album - what's she got to prove? The girl's hands down the best local female R&B star right now. God love her! She can serve up a totally dated piece of hand-me-down American R&B and we'd still lap it up!

Sugababes' fierce new single, 'Get Sexy' debuts at #2 in the UK. It's been a week-long battle to the top but alas their American label mogul, Jay-Z has pipped them to the post. The Babes' next single, 'About A Girl' was serviced to radio stations yesterday. If you can get past the superfluous name check at the start ("REDONE!! SUGABAAAABES!!!"), the rest of the track's pretty dandy.

After what seemed like an eternity, Booty Luv's 'Say It' is finally out and charting! Pretty decent effort entering the UK charts at #16. Australia shouldn't be denied such brilliant dance pop. That chorus is pure wind-machine-on-the-dance-floor shit! Absolutely sublime. So good, in fact, I'm gonna pop the video here if you haven't heard it already. I beseech thee to click 'play' and have yourself a strawberry dacquiri.

Former Destiny's Child singer, LeToya scores her second #1 solo record this week. Lady Love debuted on top of the R&B album charts and #12 on the main Billboard 200. Yes, it may surprise a lot of people but LeToya is still making music and is no longer living off the 'Say My Name' royalties. Props where props are due, her ferocious new single, 'She Ain't Got...' is a force to contend with. Come on, Michelle! Get yo' game on.

Kristinia DeBarge may be opening for Britney's 'Circus', but the hype's not sustaining a sista's album sales! Exposed is at the arse end of the Top 200 after five weeks! The album peaked at #23 off the bat of her first single, 'Goodbye'. It hasn't been the easiest ride to the top for DeBarge. 'Goodbye' might've made the US Top 20 but it's failed to capture the UK and Australian market. With any luck, the equally brilliant second single 'Sabotage' will earn her some radio rotation.

SHOW & TELL MOST PLAYED TOP 20:

#1 Tata Young - My Bloody Valentine

#2 Whitney Houston - Call You Tonight

#3 Girls Aloud - Untouchable (Single Mix)

#4 Tata Young - Words Are Not Enough*

#5 BoA - Energetic (Radio Edit)*

#6 Sugababes - Get Sexy

#7 Kylie Minogue - Sweet Music

#8 Whitney Houston - Million Dollar Bill

#9 Kylie Minogue - I Believe In You

#10 Brandy - Right Here (Departed)

#11 Annie - Songs Remind Me of You

#12 Mariah Carey - It's Like That

#13 Kylie Minogue - Obsession

#14 LeToya - She Ain't Got...

#15 Mariah Carey - Bye Bye

#16 Wynter Gordon - I'll Find A Way (Acoustic Version)

#17 Sugababes - Girls

#18 New Kids On The Block/Lady Gaga - Big Girl Now

#19 Wonder Girls - Nobody

#20 Brown Eyed Girls - How Come*

* Added to playlist this week

Some People Spend Too Much Time In The Loo

2009-09-05T21:19:00.000-07:00

Next time you're constipated, you'd wanna make sure you're doing time in this cubicle. There's a whole wall of sprawling Star Wars dialogue.

This glorious piece of modern art meets sci-fi geekism is riveting toilet reading. Certainly beats the neo-nazi and anti-semitic comments etched on the other side! Not to mention the occasional mobile numbers you find as you reach for the paper.

Hope it's still there the next time I'm in! I only got up to column three, round about half way down - at the cusp of Jar Jar's homoerotic moment.

Sugababes' Dancing Disturbs Me

2009-09-05T06:51:00.000-07:00

It's come to my attention that Sugababes has hired a new choreographer to help them 'move' and such. That's great, love... but I just don't see the y'all as a performance art girl group. Much as I love 'Get Sexy' and its infinite fierce factor, this beginners-level PCD choreography is kinda cringeworthy.

See the Sugababes can be really hit or miss with live performances. You never know what you're in for! Are we gonna get some awkward dance (*cue random thrusts*) performances a la 'Get Sexy', or will we be treated to golden acoustic renditions like 'About You Now'?

But when the Sugababes get it right, it's absolutely sublime. Now here's what I call a gold star performance!

Sugababes performing 'Thank You For The Heartbreak': a new track taken from their forthcoming album, Sweet 7. It's a glorious pop number, this one! I hear a little Gossip disco stomp in there. God willing, it'll be released as a single.

What About Michelle?

2009-09-02T07:01:00.001-07:00

Destiny's Child reunion? Michelle, what about your solo career? There's plenty more shelf space in my bedroom to build your anthology...

(All three Michelle Williams albums said in unison, 'no Destiny's Child reunion!')

Turns out all the hype about Destiny's Child making a comeback was complete and utter fabrication. Word is that the top-selling pop trio still contractually owe Columbia records another album but the frenzy started when News of The World took an amorous quote from Michelle and ran with it.

"It definitely will happen. We're sisters, we love each other and we want to work on the future of Destiny's Child," Michelle reportedly said.

Hours later, we hear get a Twitter update from Michy herself: "I never said DC is getting back together..."

(Kelly ain't sharing the stage so, no Destiny's Child reunion...)

Whatever. Why people be blowing up smoke about a DC reunion now? Things are working out just fine for these three lasses! Michelle's doing Chicago in London's West End, Queen B apparently has a global hit or four happening at the moment and Ms. Kelly is veering off into the dance music genre.

(Beyonce and her pussy bone shield says 'no Destiny's Child reunion!')

While I got tickets to the 'I Am...' tour to see the Queen (I should premise this by saying, 'I don't mean no dis-R-E-S-P-E-C-T to the real queen here')... I am totally rooting for Michelle and Kelly's solo business.

The reunion can wait! Right now, I want my Michy anthology...

Chart Watch - 30 August 2009

2009-08-30T06:19:00.001-07:00

CHART HIGHLIGHTS:

Shakira's 'She Wolf' makes a pounce for the Top 20 this week, jumping from #44 to #18. The real highlight for me is actually the remix EP. I highly recommend the Deeplick remix: gotta love the disco tetris feel - handclaps and vocoder effects galore! 'She Wolf' has actually charted twice on our digital charts: #37 is actual song and #39 is the seductive video. She Wolf (the album) is due on October 2 featuring collaborations with Pharrell Williams, Wyclef Jean and RedOne (Lady Gaga).

Jay-Z and his almighty tag-team of Rihanna and Kanye West debuts at #31 on our downloads chart with 'Run This Town'. This single peaked at #3 in the US, making it Rihanna's 11th US Top 10 hit. RiRi is literally one hit away from equaling Queen Beyonce as female artist with the most Top 10 hits this decade (2000-2009).

British indie rockers, Athlete enters at #74 in the UK with their new single, 'Superhuman Touch'. The album, Black Swan, debuts at #18 this week and is the band's first release on their new label (Fiction Records) after parting ways with Parlophone earlier this year.

Imogen Heap's new album, Ellipse, debuts at #39 in the UK this week. The record experienced a peculiar premature release in July when a promo copy surfaced online. Heap tried to reclaim it by placing a bid of £10,000,000 eBay. Gurl, that's a lot of money to be flaunting! Perhaps she was gonna spend all that money buying her own records anyway.

SHOW & TELL MOST PLAYED TOP 20:

#1 Sophie Ellis-Bextor - Heartbreak (Make Me A Dancer) (Acoustic Live)

#2 LeToya - She Ain't Got...

#3 Wonder Girls - Nobody

#4 Girls Can't Catch - Keep Your Head Up (Soul Seekerz Mix)

#5 Shakira - She Wolf (Deeplick Edit)

#6 Lady Gaga - Fashion

#7 Whitney Houston - Call You Tonight*

#8 Wynter Gordon - I'll Find A Way (Acoustic)

#9 Erik Hassle - Isn't It Obvious*

#10 Whitney Houston - Million Dollar Bill

#11 Whitney Houston - Worth It*

#12 Ke$ha - Heart Fall Out

#13 Erik Hassle - Feels Like The First Time*

#14 Whitney Houston - Nothin' But Love*

#15 BoA - Winter Love

#16 Ke$ha - TiK ToK

#17 Whitney Houston - Salute*

#18 BoA - Energetic

#19 Che'Nelle - Follow Me

#20 Sugababes - Teardrops

* = Added to playlist this week