Pop Panel - Week 4

Another week, another Pop Panel - and another winner that I'm not thrilled about! I'll be completely honest. After last week's dire outcome, I cheekily tried to steer the results by only including songs I like. Unfortunately, my evil plan was thwarted when I realised I was one track short and threw in some rubbish just to make up the numbers. I should have known it would win! Don't worry, next week's entries will be less Pop Trash-tastic. I've come to terms with the fact that I'm probably going to hate 95% of the winners!

The Panel is comprised of the same bitches as last week:

D'Luv (US) writer of Chart Rigger
Mike author of this classy blog.
Pablo (Spain) writer of Peibols
Paul (UK) writer of Fizzy Pop
Rob (UK) writer of Don't Stop The Pop
The Prophet (AUS) writer of The Prophet

Unfortunately, our guest judge couldn't complete the reviews in time. Hopefully, things will work out next week. Here are the results from least to most popular:

Heidi Montag - Black Out (Video)

Heidi takes pop to the next level with this Cathy Dennis penned gem.

D'Luv: Not even good on a good-bad level, as "Higher" was. Someone, please put a luger in this broad's mouth and spray her head all over the wall already. And Cathy Dennis, you get your tits punched for this. 0/5
Mike: Leave Heidi alone! Pop historians will look back on this masterpiece in 50 years with shock and awe. Well, mostly just shock. 5/5
Pablo: When I have my boob implants, I'll act like her on the beach. Really cheap video, nice song. 2/5
Paul: I'm willing to forgive my beloved Cathedral Dennis quite a lot, including penning "I Kissed A Girl" for she who must not be named. But I fear she must have been on autopilot when she penned this bland tune for bland Heidi. It could do with beefing up a bit and no amount of jungle porking is gonna make this girl a popstar. 2/5
Prophet: I usually stan for Heidi's music but this is the equal worst thing she's ever done along with "Higher". I'm still giving it a good rating though. 4/5
Rob: A tad charmless but a perfect little pop song. It sounds like something else that I can't quite remember now. 2.5/5
Total: 15.5/30

Beyoncé – Ego (Video)

Sasha Fierce sings about a HUGE cock.

D'Luv: Sorry, baby, but 1991 called and En Vogue want their schtick back. 2/5
Mike: Beyoncé obviously wrote this funky jam while bouncing up and down on Jay Z's big, black dick. For that alone it deserves a Grammy. 3.5/5
Pablo: The video is like a decaf version of "Single Ladies". The song is quite sexy. 2/5
Paul: It IS like she is singing about a dobber cock isn't it? In that context the song becomes much more enjoyable. Come back to me in 4 months because that's how long it took me to fall in love with "Single Ladies". 2.5/5
Prophet: Wretched, thieving, hateful, ghostwritten slimebag, wannabe urban, POP tart Beycuntce pulls her usual shtick of ripping off and stealing from about a million other artists on her new single "Ego", but for the first time in her overrated career she manages to do a half-decent job. It's no "Diva" but I'll ignore the dreadful video and give it a 3/5.
Rob: This goes on a bit too long. Like "Paparazzi", it too has a clunky chorus that refuses to be catchy. Still, the snappy lyrics provide the listener a discreet chortle over breakfast. 3/5
Total: 16/30

Lady GaGa – Paparazzi (Video)

The 137th single from “The Fame”.

D'Luv: This was the standout on her album when I first heard it. Love how this fame-hungry broad is conjuring up father-daughter images with photographers ("Papa, paparazzi"). Therapy, perhaps, luv? 4.5/5
Mike: Absolutely stunning. Lady GaGa raises the electro-dance-pop bar yet again. Now the silly tranny just has to release "Boys Boys Boys"! 5/5
Pablo: I'm a totally GaGa hater, so I'm not going to waste my time watching her video. 0/5
Paul: Sigh. Why must you make me listen to people who make me physically ill? Now I know I'm not meant to comment on the video, but by god she's not an actress is she? I don't think i can objectively review this. The song does nothing for me, but there are millions of others who like it. not surprising given the millions that have been spent on launching her (but where did that get Nicole Pussyflaptroll?) 1.5/5
Prophet: I have a love/hate relationship with this pretentious egomaniac, but I absolutely love this song and it's been on constant repeat for me the past few weeks. 5/5
Rob: The song is incredibly weak. There are better tracks on the album. The video is desperate but is its saving grace. 0.5/5
Total: 16.5/30

Keri Hilson ft. Ne-Yo & Kanye West – Knock You Down (Video)

Keri brings out the big guns to promote her flop album.

D'Luv: Keri seems to be part of that new generation of R&B stars who are embracing electro and dance-pop. This isn't bad, but I still haven't forgiven her for the awful single preceding this one—the one with Lil Wayne. That said, I'll probably look back nostalgically and love "Knock You Down" much better 10 years from now. However, I'm docking it a point for featuring Kanye. 2.5/5
Mike: The extremely poor man's Beyoncé serves up a surprisingly pleasant electro tinged urban jam. I love Ne-Yo's contribution but involving Cuntye was unwise and ultimately detrimental to an otherwise great track. 3/5
Pablo: It's nothing new. 1/5
Paul: Thank god this isn't the title of a Chris Brown comeback song. It's alright. God I'm ambivalent this week. I need to commit to liking or not. Ok I do. 3.5/5
Prophet: Mushroom haired Karaoke "hater" Hilson is still a bitch, but her debut album is pretty good! This is no "Turnin Me On' but it's still fire. 4/5
Rob: Same old American pop tripe. Which is excellent at the moment. Hey Lady GaGa, this is how do it. I woulda give it a 5/5 but Kayne West fucks it all up. 4/5
Total: 18/30


Dash & Will – Out Of Control

The Melbourne based pop duo release their second single.

D'Luv: Wonder if they ever scissored the Veronicas? I feel like I've heard this song, or at least one that sounds just like it, a million times. 2/5
Mike: Dash & Will are amazing. I love their new sound but hope they haven't completely given up on the melodic pop rock that made "Fighting Over Nothing" so fucking gorgeous. This gem should bring them closer to the mainstream success they so richly deserve. 4.5/5
Pablo: I love it!!!! Do you know that latest Girls Aloud album is called Out of control as well? What a coincidence! 5/5
Paul: They are like a less thrashy Veronicas. Or a bit like the Puretones who did that ace "Totally Addicted to Bass". It's quite good, but not knocking my socks off. I keep waiting for it to take off and then it never happens. Oh. Still quite pleasant. 3/5
Prophet: Me likey! Who are these girls though? Why are the ear splittingly dreadful Veronicas popular but these girls aren't? 4.5/5
Rob: Slightly dated. I was listening to this kind of music 5 years ago with the likes of Natalie Long. It sounds a Girls Aloud reject. All of which doesn't make "Out of Control" a bad song. Just territory already covered by Girls Aloud (who even share the same album title). A nice song but not original in any form. 1.5/5
Total: 20.5/30

Linni Meister – My Ass (Video)

The Norwegian porn star’s latest pop triumph.

D'Luv: Norway...or Whoreway? 1/5
Mike: Linni is a breath of fresh air in the incredibly bland and boring world of Scandipop. The bitch just needs to stop deep throating helium. 5/5
Pablo: At last something funny! This is a classic song that could 100% be "the summer anthem" in Spain. With a little bit of reggeaton. 4/5
Paul: Oh my fucking good god. Everything in me screams DON'T LIKE THIS PIECE OF TRASH. It's europop trashtastic, and quite good. Oh wait, no it's really not. Quite abysmal in a massive novelty hit sort of way. I'd take her over the blahblah anyday though. Hello new ringtone. 3/5
Prophet: I couldn't even understand a word she was saying but whatever this is it defines me as a person. 5/5
Rob: Lucky Twice meets Lene Alexandra (another very naughty Norwegian pop princess). The processed voice lets the glorious song down. She sounds like the alien from Babylon Zoo's single hit Spaceman. Which wasn't good at all. 3/5
Total: 21/30

Bat For Lashes - Pearl's Dream (Video)

The second single from Natasha Khan’s amazing “Two Suns”.

D'Luv: They don't really make 'em like this anymore. Well, I guess they do! I'm giving it 3.5 points for the song, and an extra half-point the band actually putting some thought into their look/concept. 4/5
Mike: I've been ranting about Bat For Lashes all year on this blog and "Pearl's Dream" is further proof of her genius. Evocative and beautiful. 4.5/5
Pablo: I don't like Bat For Lashes. 1/5
Paul: "Daniel" was lovely wasn't it? And i keep wanting to call this Pearl Necklace. But it's far more elegant and insidious than that. somewhat quirky, definitely off the beaten track and quite delightful. 4/5
Prophet: I love the production but I'm not a huge fan of the singers "vocals". I guess I'm on the fence with this one but it's not bad so 3/5
Rob: Amazing video & stunning song. This is how its done. 5/5
Total: 21.5/30


The Saturdays – Work

Since making Girls Aloud completely redundant, The Saturdays have gone on to become the UK's most popular girl group. "Work" is their 5th single.

D'Luv: Excellent pop track that, like Lady GaGa's "Paparazzi," was one of the standouts when I first got this album. Glad it's getting a single release finally. 4.5/5
Mike: An painfully average pop song from a painfully average girlband. The only thing these tarts have going for them is the fact that they're not Girls Aloud. 2/5
Pablo: Ooooh, five girls on a catwalk! Soooo original. The song is nice but after "Up! (Wideboys Remix)" they won't release anything as good as that. 4/5
Paul: Love. Love. Love. I think the Saturdays really up their game with this track and it's foxtastic video. Plus as a bonus there is a bargain basement Bejams version of them in the big brother house. Frankie's voice sounds ace. 4/5
Prophet: The Saturdays are the Z-list version of the amazing Girls Aloud, who themselves are Z-list Sugababes. Anyways despite their unoriginality I love this song to death. 5/5
Rob: Soccx did this sort of stuff two years ago and lot better. Fuck I miss Soccx. While the Saturday girls strut, Soccx would back-flip and truly "rip up the pace". This acceptable but we need the new album soon. 3.5/5
Total: 23/30


Source URL: https://popmusicrecords.blogspot.com/search/label/Bat%20For%20Lashes
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I'm Not Dead

I can't believe it's been 6 weeks since my last post! It's a bit of an understatement to say that my operation was a complete disaster. Basically, everything that could go wrong did go wrong - from a brief coma to a rather unpleasant bout of internal bleeding. It was really tough but hopefully the worst is behind me. Thanks a bunch for the kind comments, texts and e-mails. They cheered me up no end!

As far as blogging is concerned, I kind of don't know where to start. There are a couple of major changes on the horizon but for the time being it's business as usual. I wanted to return with a bang but I thought I'd keep things simple by just writing a quick post about the songs that have kept me company over the past few weeks. In my defence, I have been heavily sedated for most of that time - which could explain some of my choices!

Here are my top ten tracks from March/April 2009:



The gorgeous Lisa Mitchell
1. Coin Laundry - Lisa Mitchell

I hated Lisa Mitchell on Australian Idol and rudely wrote her off as a dull Sarah Blasko wannabe. I take it all back. Lisa brings something unique and lovely to the local music scene. My opinion changed when I heard her song "Neopolitan Dreams" on a UK television advert for soap powder and finally started to get her quirky appeal. Now I'm completely besotted. "Coin Laundry" is one of the best Australian pop songs released this year. It's so simple and pretty. I love the pared back beats and Lisa's romantic lyrics. Hopefully, she'll make an equally appealing video to accompany the song. In the meantime you can hear it on her Myspace.

2. El Camino - Sol Rojo

Sol is clearly the sexiest woman in Spain or the rest of the world for that matter. Her stunning features and incredibly broad child-bearing hips are almost enough to turn me straight! Happily, her music is just as fabulous as her image. I've been loving "El Camino" since last year but it really clicked over the past few weeks. It's so bright and sunny - the perfect antidote for a foul mood or a pesky coma. Make sure you check out the HOT video. Sol was made to be an FHM covergirl!

3. Zero - Yeah Yeah Yeahs

This is such a potent piece of pop music. Every time "Zero" comes on the radio, I have to pump up the volume and sing along. I've never been a fan of the band but "Zero" ticks all of my boxes from the electric production to the anthemic chorus. There's just something shiny and uplifting about the track, which is a surprise given their cooler than cool image. I'm really shocked this wasn't a bigger hit but I guess the Yeah Yeah Yeahs are more of an albums act. Speaking of which, I really should check out "It's Blitz!".

4. Siren Song - Bat For Lashes

I haven't shut up about Bat For Lashes this year. "Daniel" still has me completely and utterly under its spell but I initially found the album quite disappointing. "Two Suns" is finally starting to click with me - largely due to the brilliance of "Siren Song", which has to be the most gorgeous ballad released thus far in 2009. Natasha's lyrics are so raw and beautiful. This reminds me of something from Tori Amos' "Little Earthquakes" album with a bit of old school Fleetwood Mac thrown in for good measure. I hope "Siren Song" is a single but I guess it's not very commercial. Definitely download this one from iTunes.

5. Sleepyhead - Passion Pit

You know a song is quality when it puts a smile on your face even while you're bent over in pain in hospital. I stumbled across "Sleepyhead" on Rage at about 4am on a particularly bleak Saturday morning and it instantly lifted my mood. The quirky electro lullaby is a three minute dose of pure happiness. I don't know much about the group but I plan to fix that. Make sure you check out the cute video (below).


6. Your Love Found Me - Heidi Montag

Don't judge me! I don't care what anyone says, Heidi Montag is an AMAZING pop star. I've loved everything she has released and her recent EP "Wherever I Am" is no exception. I'll write more about that pop masterpiece another time but the highlight for me is the trashtastic "Your Love Found Me". This is pure cheese - think Ashlee Simpson produced by Stock Aitken Waterman - but still incredibly fabulous. I love the tragic chorus and Heidi's stunning vocals are just as... breathtaking as ever!


7. When Love Takes Over - David Guetta Ft. Kelly Rowland

Poor Kelly Rowland. She's had more flops than Beyoncé's had hits. On the bright side, Kelly can take heart in the fact that she's not Michelle Williams. But I digress. Miss Kelly's latest endeavour is seriously fabulous. French DJ David Guetta knows his way around a killer dance track and roping in a has-been from Destiny's Child turns out to be a masterstroke. "When Love Takes Over" is a hands in the air gay anthem of the highest order. Hopefully, Kelly will take note and focus on the dancefloor for her next flop album.

8. Boom Boom Pow - Black Eyed Peas

And the award for the song that I initially hated, then found annoying but catchy and ultimately fell in love with goes to "Boom Boom Pow". The Black Eyed Peas took a risk by going with this for their big comeback but it really paid off. The production is so unusual but the minimal beats and multitude of quirky hooks get stuck in your head and refuse to leave. It's also a treat to see Fergie's stunning meth face back in the media spotlight. Long live the Queen of urban pop!

9. LoveGame - Lady GaGa

I don't care if she is the biggest publicity whore in modern history, Lady GaGa is still ok by me as long as she keeps on churning out tunes as catchy and fierce as "LoveGame". Strangely, I didn't really get the track until it was released as a single. I still think there are far better tracks on the album but all that talk about disco sticks finally won me over.

10. Through With Love - Zuleyka

"Through With Love" is the best Cher track that Cher never recorded. Zuleyka is a fabulous tranny who first appeared on UK's Big Brother before deciding to launch a music career. I can't believe the hateful comments on youtube. Zuleyka has a better voice that Leona Lewis and Alexandra Burke put together, not to mention better looks and more personality. "Through With Love" is simply amazing and I can't wait to hear what s/he comes up with next!


Source URL: https://popmusicrecords.blogspot.com/search/label/Bat%20For%20Lashes
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Bat For Lashes - Daniel, The Video

My infatuation with UK diva Bat For Lashes continues unabated with the unveiling of her latest video. In an earlier post, I declared "Daniel" the best song I've heard thus far in 2009. It's dark, intense beauty still has me completely mesmerised. I was hoping for an equally brilliant film clip and Natasha (her real name) has well and truly delivered. In an age where music videos are a dying art form (check out Britney's latest stinking turd over at Chart Rigger as exhibit A), "Daniel" bucks the trend with its disconcerting imagery and fairytale theme.

The premise couldn't be more simple (or cost effective). Basically, it's a modern day re-enactment of Little Red Riding Hood. Only instead of a big, bad wolf, Natasha is menaced by a group of black balloon wearing dancers! It sounds ridiculous but the costumes freak me out and the overall effect is startling. I particularly love, and am also slightly terrified by, the scene where the balloon men ride on the top of Natasha's car. It's beautiful and disturbing in equal measure. Most importantly, the clip perfectly fits the music. At first I thought the scary elements took away from the song's dreaminess but the more I think about it, "Daniel" is the musical equivalent of a fairytale - sinister and menacing, yet magical and ultimately uplifting. By the way, am I the only one who sees parallels with Michael Jackson's "Thriller" video? The premise more so than the execution. Whatever the director's inspiration, the final result is undeniably spectacular.Source URL: https://popmusicrecords.blogspot.com/search/label/Bat%20For%20Lashes
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Five Of The Best - March 2009

Sorry for the lack of updates. Things will return to normal after all the Mardi Gras madness is out of the way. I'm trying to chillax in preparation for tonight and thought I'd do a quick round up of the new-ish music I've been obsessing over lately. The first track is probably the best thing I've heard in 2009 thus far. Chances are, you've already heard of England's much hyped Bat For Lashes (real name, Natasha Khan). To be honest, I purposely ignored her 2006 debut album - putting her in the same trying WAY too hard basket as Róisín Murphy and Lykke Li. I won't be making that mistake again. BFL's new single "Daniel" is one of the most extraordinarily beautiful pop songs I've ever heard. It's a hauntingly poetic lullaby soaked in gorgeous 80s synths and ominous strings. Natasha says she was listening to a lot of Fleetwood Mac when she recorded the track and it's hard to overlook the influence of "Tango In The Night". There will be the inevitable comparisons with Ladyhawke but as much as I love the Kiwi diva, there's nothing on her brilliant album that matches the greatness of "Daniel". Give the song a listen here and then download it from Australian iTunes. Believe me, you'll want this on your Ipod. Bat For Lashes second album, "Two Suns", is released on the 6th of April.

Another song that is really floating my boat this month comes from Japanese superstar Utada. The plucky diva hasn't let the dismal failure of her last English language album (2004's underrated "Exodus") stop her from trying again. This time around Utada has roped in the hottest producers in urban music to crack the American market. Christopher "Tricky" Stewart and The-Dream feature on the soon to be released album "This Is The One", while Norwegian production house Stargate (best known for their work with Rihanna and Beyoncé) contributes the first single "Come Back To Me".


I was underwhelmed when the song first leaked a couple of months ago but it has really grown on me. Utada's voice sounds amazing and the production is crisp and typically slick. The video has just been released (above) and it's pretty good. I don't know why they've dressed Utada like a 45 year old desperate housewife but the guy is really sexy and it's suitably moody. However, make sure you check out the insanely HOT Seamus Haji & Paul Emanuel remix here. Going with this version in Australia and the UK would be very wise indeed.

The next essential pop track for March comes from Canadian electro duo Woodhands. "Dancer" was an underground hit for them last year but it's only just been released in Australia this week and I highly recommend downloading the poptastic DJ Rexford remix from iTunes. I like the original version but this fluffy little edit is adorable. The synths are dreamy, the perky female guest vocalist is cute without being too painful and the crazy sound effects really crack me up. I haven't heard anything this vocoder-tastic since the glory days of Cher in the late 90s! Unfortunately, you'll have to take my word on this one because it's not on youtube or streaming on their Myspace. I'm going to have to hunt down their album even though I sneakingly suspect that there's nothing this irreverent and fun on it.

Ok, calm down. I know Evermore is the last local act you would ever expect to see on Pop Trash Addicts but I can't help it if I'm completely hypnotised their latest single. "Hey Boys And Girls (Truth Of The World Pt. 2)" - I wonder what happened to part one! - is the best example of a rock band discovering synths since The Killers became bearable on their latest album. In fact, this wouldn't sound out of place on "Day & Age". I love the mix of guitars, synths and hand claps. Throw in a sing-a-long chorus and some very retro "woahs" and you have one of the highlights of early 2009. Check out the classy video here. Annoyingly, they use the radio edit in the clip. Check out the five and a half minute album version for full effect.

Last but most certainly not least is my very own theme song! Well, not quite but I like to pretend that "Pop Trash" by Detox Cute & The Beauty Junkies shares some kind of cosmic connection with my blog. In any case, this gorgeous little tune sums up my entire musical philosophy its opening line - "only pop music can save us now". Amen to that! I love everything about this track. The chorus is utterly infectious and the gloriously irreverent lyrics are the perfect antidote to the pretentious rubbish currently polluting the radio. Imagine The Carpenters singing an Adam Ant tribute album to get some idea of what these Brighton based pop revolutionaries sound like. Make sure you check out the video (below). With any luck, bigger and better things lie just around the corner for this fabulous duo.


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