It is like I have suddenly been jolted from sleep; I have one of my biggest and best hobbies back in full swing. In fact, it is like I am making up for lost time!!! Here’s some of the great stuff that I have uncovered lately:
– Shayne Ward – Shayne Ward: Winner of X-Factor in the UK… (hottie in the picture left) teh hotness; and a BEAUTIFUL singer. Seriously, my knees get weak when I hear some of those songs. He commands a powerful voice, and sings some seriously beautiful songs. Lots of covers too, but it is to be expected.
– Ronan Keating – Bring You Home: He’s back!!! A few covers (to be expected), but overall a good show from a good singer/producer. Pop goodness.
– Shiny Toy Guns – We Are Pilots: A terribly fun throwback to 80s synth-pop, with a more modern feel. Really good stuff. I usually don’t like something instantly, but for some reason, I really like this.
– Hellogoodbye – ZOMBIES! ALIENS! VAMPIRES! DINOSAURS!!: I mentioned them before, but I am officially in love. LOVE. Seriously, I want to see them at Masquerade on Nov 9. Anyone in?
– Anastacia – Pieces of a Dream: I FINALLY got her greatest hits (damn you US and your silly music “import” crap!), and I must say, I still don’t understand why she isn’t super famous here. Seriously.
– JoJo – The High Road: This is a cute little pop-hip-hop CD. She definitely can sing, and definitely works hard for the money. I LOVE that she sampled Africa by Toto… awesome.
– Paris Hilton – Paris: I know what you are thinking, Paris Hilton?!? But seriously, she did snag some hot producers, because they turned out some hot tracks for her. I don’t like everything, but of what I do like, I really like. I know, I know, I should be ashamed, but I am not. Deal. It’s not like I said “Fergie” or anything. Bleck!
– John Mayer – Continuum: I haven’t gotten to listen to this as much as I would like to, but I really like what I have heard. I felt like I sold it short initially, because I was all, “eh”. But a deeper listen reveals that Mayer is definitely growing. I think this could even be better than his debut.
– Jem – Finally Woken: It couldn’t be more appropriately titled; because where the hell have I been, asleep? Those of you that know that I love Imogen Heap should have told me about Jem. Shame.
– The Backstreet Boys – Never Gone: Um, I know what you are thinking (again), but why did this CD not do better? Seriously, it’s good! Trust me! (If you like BSB, that is)
I find that as I am getting back into music, I am getting very lucky in having a friend that shares my music tastes, and is constantly introducing me to more and more UK pop that so many have made so much fun of me for such a long time. Yes, I own every Westlife album, and now I can wear that badge with pride (at least around him). As a result, I ordered some pop albums I missed out on:
Hear’Say – Popstars AND Everybody
S Club 7 – 7
Girls Aloud – Chemistry
Sugababes – Taller In More Ways
H & Claire – Another You Another Me
Liberty X – Thinking It Over
Now, if you are wondering who these acts are… go wiki them, they are/were all famous UK pop acts in the past few years, and I have fallen in UK pop love. I am just glad that I have a friend that has shown me where I left the path, and how to get back on. Thanks Stu!
I have also been exposed to/am currently in the process of checking out some Da Buzz (who knew they had multiple albums and not just one fantastical song???), Atomic Kitten, Clea, new Ben Folds, Delta Goodrem, and new Damien Rice (finally).
H & Claire will never, NEVER be as infectious as the manufactured joy pop beast from whose head they sprang… STEPS!
But you see… I have already been hypnotized by STEPS… 5…6…7…8!!!!
ack, the spectre of uk pop continues to haunt me to this day
Duane, man, you need to get some good uk alt/indie/dance crossover stuff, seriously.
Immi is better than Jem. But Jem has her moments too. I was just listening to “24″ a few minutes ago. It’s fun in the car cause it has a ton of bass.
At least we have other things in common, I guess…
I guess? WTF? WE DO!!! At least, I think we do!!! =oP
Ronan’s “All Over Again” makes me cum with joy…and I have a super-hot Clea remix you must hear…(I may have already put in the CD, though)…
Ok, so my e-mail has some issues tonight and I still can’t send anything from my Outlook…but anyways…
I say tomorrow night….I get off work at 3 which leaves plenty of time for
music discussion and pre-gaming before a night at Mary’s…=D
Shayne Ward is beautiful. There, how’s that for positive. However, your musical taste … (I won’t go there).
Something nice! I’ll take it!!! As for music… we all like different things, and I am willing to accept not everyone likes what I do; more for me =o)
I just noticed that I have the same shirt, it’s H&M. Classy.
Sorry I didn’t know you like Immi or I’d have sent you towards Jem a long time ago! She’s been one of my favorites for a while now.
I’ve gotta give an A+ to Jem. Love that CD. I just wish she hadn’t left the Holograms. They were truly outrageous.
Jem (Jem is excitement). Ooh Jem (Jem is adventure).
ooh (Glam
“I’ve heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don’t know if I believe that’s true
But I know I’m who I am today
Because I knew you:
Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good”
Which Musical is this from?
WOW. I am GAY. Wicked. I got it on the first line… seriously. You know, I saw that on Broadway, and it is fantastic. I plan to see it again next time I am in NYC.
if you like UK Pop, you might go to my myspace page. I have a ton of artists (american and Brit, country, metal, pop, rock, etc) including some good little-to-unknown Brit Pop (The Academy is awesome).
I am glad I am not the ONLY one who spends all his time ordering pop from the UK. I was thinking of getting Shane Ward and now I think I will. I LOVE the new Ronan Keating. I also love H and Claire and Hear’Say. Too bad Hear’Say broke up. And what became of A1?
Doug, I am with you on Hear’Say, especially because they broke up due to heckling and public disapproval!!! How awful!!!! =o( As for A1, I don’t know, but they have some killer songs… I need to get a whole album at some point…
OK so thanks to you and your informational post I will be getting the Anastacia CD !!!!! I LOVE HER. One of my favorites from her is Baptize My Soul. I have not found it on a CD except on a 3 track cd with 2 versions of I’M all outa Love and Baptize as the 3rd……. SHE ROCKS and thanks to you I am getting her 2 cd set . WHOOOOOO HOOOOOOO
hey whos with me? do u like paris hilton? almost every 1 in my school hates her i’m with them !!!!!!!!