Forget Fleetwood

Trouble - Lindsey Buckingham

Lindsey Buckingham’s first solo hit is a select treat - from its peculiar mumbling intro to the captivating pop chorus. Apparently he would spend years in the studio perfecting his solo work, especially in later years. Here, he played nearly every instrument - A talented chap whose glorious solo catalogue is overlooked only by huge fools.

Image © Warner Music Group

Air Supply - Making Love Out of Nothing At All

Making a solid gold classic out of Steinman penned joy tune. This is blinkin’ GOLD. Why have only just discovered it? Their ‘Lost in Love’ is pretty bloody glorious too. Not just ‘All Out of Love’ then…

Story of a Heart - ABBA (Sort of)

La la la la singy sing sing la la

This is actually The Benny Andersson Band. However this solid gold schlager classic has the glorious Helen Sjöholm having a very ABBA-esque warble all over it. So ABBA-esque you end up thinking that it's a long lost ABBA classic from back in the day. Maxi wonderful.

Picture © Polydor Group

Melodifestivalen winner. Eurovision Loser.

Malena Ernman - La Voix

Swedish pop/opera entanglement. You can't go wrong. Make sure you have a drink first mind...

BWO - Pandemonium: The Singles Collection

‘Sunshine in the rain’ is bloody pop gold. Joy joy joy. Where did the fine gentleman on the right get that outfit? Glorious.

PSB - Yes

Pandemonium is a classic. It really should have been the next single. The album as a whole is actually a real return to form. the live shows this summer should be quite something.

Taylor Swift - Fearless

Not Fucking Britney

The album is good. It contains some perfect infectious pop music. Teen pop maybe, but isn’t that what pop should be? Granted, she is a blonde, blue-eyed, young and pretty pop tart, however unlike almost every other bint who is also blonde, blue-eyed, young and pretty in music, Swift really does writes her own songs and play her own instruments. Actual talent maybe...

Jon Allen - In Your Light

Beautiful

A simple love song. I like decent simple love songs. This is a perfect example and I think it’s great. He will probably turn out to be the next James Blunt and I will never be able to forget that I raved on about this song. Say no more.

Empire of the Sun - Walking on a Dream (Album)

Magic Dance?

Is this fabulous because I am in my thirties and remember the film Labyrinth? (The album cover is wondrous) Or is this fabulous because it sounds like some sort of 80’s AOR and Dance hybrid? Either way, after only two listens, I’m hooked.

Catchy? Yes.

Cheesy? Certainly.
Perfect Pop? I think so.

Purchase at once:

Photo © Debaser (EMI)

PSB – Love Etc.

Hooray

Pet Shop Boys and Xenomania introduce us to the fruits of their labour with this strong opening single. I won’t tire you with gushing superlatives as I love PSB. Popjustice, as expected, adores it too.

Taylor Swift – Love Story

Total Arse

Occasionally I wish it were feasible to open up my head and turn off the ‘I love shit music’ switch. The most recent track from US Country legend, Taylor Swift (aged 19) is a Cheesy, Sickly, Saccharin, Teen, Country Pop Bundle. I imagine U.S. teens will be wetting themselves and slipping off the sofa in sheer excitement over the air brushed Romeo & Juliet style video. Please excuse me for this post. I love the song. Why oh why oh why…

View for yourself: http://aikeoph.notlong.com

(This could necessitate that you have a vomit pail to hand)

Nottee - Young Modern Life

Nottee Totty

I was recently struck by Nottee whilst drinking in front of the telly in Stockholm. They were one of the first guests on the brand new local music show ‘PopCirkus’. I know very little about them, apart from the fact that the attractive youth fronting the band is 23 year old Swedish performer Nova Drougge. This is good pop. Well I like it. The track ‘Young Modern Life’ is fab, this is not the greatest version; but here you go anyway…
http://blogg.svt.se/psl/2009/1/26/musik-med-nottee/
© Fotoprojekt 2008: KRISTIAN BENGTSSON
Update 11/02: here is the performace on PopCirkus.

Girls Aloud - The Loving Kind

Pop Gold

Probably the best pop song of the past ten years. It's no surprise when you discover that the writing credits go to The Pet Shop Boys and Xenomania. It’s luscious, glorious, pulsating pop heaven. This is the naughty ones 20th top ten hit; which isn't too bad considering they did no promotion. Popjustice have been wetting themselves over this for weeks so we're not alone.
Purchase at once: