New Music Monday!

Earlier this year the newly re-formed Alcazar released 'We Keep On Rockin' which peaked at #4 in Sweden. The The new Alcazar continue to release music as a trio with their new track - Inhibitions. This one isn't as catchy as their last that's for sure. It's very different from any other single they've released in the past. It actually reminds me of Geri Halliwells "Look At Me." Anyone else see that connection? Although I'm not AMAZED with the new track I'm definitely looking forward to the album which should be released soon!

Alcazar - Inhibitions

Katherine McPhee is fighting hard not to become another fallen Idol. After her first album was released in 2007 she was quickly dropped by her record label. It might have been the end of McPheever until she hooked up with the legendary David Foster. The two have been working together on a second album and the first of their songs has finally been released. It's being used to promote a Japanese Airline and is called 'All I Need Is You.' I much prefer this song to the kind of stuff she did on her debut album. Her voice is perfectly suited for these kinds of ballads. If she plays her cards right she could end up with a successful singing career. Hooking up with David Foster was definitely a smart move!

Katherine McPhee - All I Need Is You

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PS. Same Difference are now in Sweden working with the same people that worked with artists like Ace of Base, Steps and Enrique Iglasias... OMG I CANT WAIT!

Another Rainbow Shows You Who You Are...

This summer cities across the globe will celebrate Pride with rallys, parades, parties, music and celebrations. I find it so strange that people can hate, discriminate, hurt and kill other human beings just because or who they love. Every race, every sexuality, every gender... everyone deserves to be treated fairly and equaly.

Below are some of my favorite songs that stand for all of these things. Have a great summer! Turn up your stereo! And Don't Stop The Pop!

Magnus Carlsson - Another Rainbow

Alcazar - Someday

Stephen Gately - New Beginning

Boyzone - No Matter What

Savage Garden - Affirmation

Regina Lund - Rainbow Star

Xandee - 1 Life

The Attic Feat. Therese - The Arrival

BWO - Save My Pride

Tina Cousins - Wonderful Life

Darren Hayes - Listen All You People

Kate Ryan - We All Belong

Cher - Love One Another

Nina & Kim - Bortom Tid Och Rum

Prozzak - Be As

You Weren't There... Distant Far Away...

You know... I don't post enough ballads on here. Although I post a lot of upbeat pop songs... I have a soft spot for a good ballad. Although if you're a regular reader I'm sure you've figured that out by now. My love for Westlife is no secret.

When Lene Marlin debuted in 1998 with her first single 'Unforgivable Sinner' the song became the biggest selling single in Nowegian music history when it stayed at #1 for 8 weeks. Lene Marlin then had an international hit back in '99/00 with - 'Sitting Down Here.'

When she released her second album in 2003 the first single didn't fare as well and most of you probably never even heard it. The song was called - You Weren't There. The song isn't groundbreaking or anything... but there's something about it that I love. When I listen to it I feel like there is a lot of emotion there... I find it a very sad song. What do you think?

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Lene Marlin - You Weren't There

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You Hide Behind Your Lies...

Ok so his career may be over... his last album tanked and his two singles weren't exactly smach hits. There was a time when Gareth Gates was one of the biggest stars in the uk and he had some decent songs!

Now I never did listen to his newest album (the 2 singles did nothing for me,) but I've just been going through some old mp3's and came across one of his old gems. 'Lies' is a great track that was on his second album - Go Your Own Way. The album was sorta cool actually. It had 19 tracks split onto 2 discs... one titled Day and one titled Night. 'Lies' was on the day album and was written by some of the best Swedish song writers around.

The song may be dated... but if you love old cheesy pop songs and you missed this one... it's a great one to add to your collection.

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Gareth Gates - Lies

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An interesting tidbit is that Gareth Gates holds a record for the loudest fans. They broke the record by screaming at 130 decibles at a concert in Sheffield! Now that's something to be proud of :)

Chemistry... Look What You Do To Me

So the other day I was in HMV and a song came over the sound system... and I suddenly found myself singing along. The next track came on and again I found myself bopping along to the beat.

I finally had to stop and ask what it was?! How could I have never heard of these songs before?

I walked up to the counter to some scary looking punk/emo guy and asked him what was playing. In the most unhappy look you can imagine he says... "Donna Summer." He obviously wasn't a fan ;-) I was too embarassed to buy the album at that point. I mean DONNA SUMMER?

I never would have thought that I'd be posting about Donna Summer... but she has just released her first new studio album in the last 17 years! If you are a fan of pop music there are some fantastic songs on this album. I've only listened to half of it so far, but I had to post these two gems for you.

I think 'The Science Of Love' is officially one of my favorite songs of this year. It sounds NOTHING like Donna Summer.

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Donna Summer - Fame (The Game)

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Donna Summer - The Science Of Love

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For those of you that are too young to know who Donna Summer even is... check this out:
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Donna Summer - The Eternity Megamix

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I Don't Wanna Hurt Anymore...

IM BACK!

A huge apology for my sudden dissapearance. I just spent the last 2 weeks in Calgary for work and had no access to internet while I was away. I'm back though so spread the word and we'll get right back to the POP!

On Dec. 22nd 2001 Uk pop group Steps were performing their final stop on their 'Gold: Greatest Hits Tour.' Moments before the band were to hit the stage, band members Ian and Claire presented the other 3 with letters from their lawyers stating that they were leaving the group.

In an instant the Uk's biggest pop band were finished and the announcement was made public on Dec. 26th, 2001. While the other 3 members of the band felt betrayed by Ian and Claire, it was made worse when they found out that Ian and Claire were going going to release music as a duo from this point forward known as "H & Claire."

Their debut single received a lot of promotion, mostly off the back of the Steps split, there was a lot of interest to see what the duo would do. But Steps fans were divided over the duo's work. Many fans felt betrayed by the duo and refused to support them. The single debuted at #3 int he charts and the pair were also announced as presenters for SM:tv in the Uk, this gave them a built in audience to promote their music to.

By late 2002 the Uk chart scene began to change and move away from happy go lucky pop music. Their next singles charted at #8 and #10 but the final straw was when their album entered the chart at #53 and then fell off the following week.

Suddenly the band simply dissapeared. To this day there has never been an official announcement regarding the duo. There are rumours that although they are no longer recording together, they are still under a legal contract to WEA records, which means if Claire were to ever release solo material, she would be bound to release with WEA Records.

In a way I'm glad that H & Claire failed as a duo. It serves them right for the way they ended the band. At the same time I think the band split at the right time, they were on the top of their game and never had to stay together and watch people turn on the band.

As for H and Claire their solo music was mediocre at best... the album was fairly bland and probably isn't even remembered by many out there. That being said the band did produce one song that never really received the recognition it deserved.

'All Out Of Love' is a song that I can't get enough of 6 years after it's original release! It starts off slowly... builds up as it goes along... has a great dancey beat, a fantastic live dance routine and the video version even had a breakdown in the middle!

Another song to remember was Another You Another Me which was penned by Benny & Bjorn of Abba.

H & Claire - All Out Of Love

H & Claire - DJ

H & Claire - Another You, Another Me

Check out the fantastic dance routine to this song below!?
Does anyone else love this routine as much as I do?!