THE HOLY TRINITY OF POP MUSIC



Okay, so in my mind this is it: The Ark, Melody Club and The Mo. I really can't even describe how absolutely perfect the music of these three bands is. All three play a style of pop music that is, unfortunately, completely alien to American shores. It's just the punch in the gut that we need right now. Do yourself a favor and buy all of their latest albums (State of the Ark, Face the Music, and Night at the Zoo, respectively). All three define the elusive "perfect pop album" and (surprise, surprise) all three come from Sweden.

Until then, enjoy a rare b-side from each:

The Ark - Opera (B-side to Disease)
Melody Club - Blue Summer (B-side to Covergirl)
The Mo - I'm A Monster (B-side to Howl in the Jungle)

(music is posted for evaluation purposes only. Please support the artists. If you hold the copyright to this song and wish it to be removed, contact me and I will delete it immediately.)

ALICE IN VIDEOLAND - EMILY

"She hates us like she hates herself"

Another group from Sweden, Alice In Videoland play their own brand of squeaky synthpop. It's pretty unique, too. The vocals, especially the ones in this song, remind me a little of J-Pop. Good luck understanding what the hell she's singing, but it doesn't really matter. The chorus will get stuck in your head whether you understand it or not. This song truly qualifies as a #1 hit from another planet because it seems so alien! This is a terrific thing, by the way.

(you can buy the album here - music is posted for evaluation purposes only. Please support the artists. If you hold the copyright to this song and wish it to be removed, contact me and I will delete it immediately.)

Buy This Album!



The Delays - You See Colours

As a supplement to my daily (semi-daily, at least) music posts, once and awhile I'll post a short review of an album that I think is worthy of your time. I just got the Delays' new LP on Monday and it literally hasn't been out of my cd player since. It's such a wonderful surprise that they followed through with the promise of their last single, Lost In A Melody (posted on this blog about a week ago) and made an entire album of synth-flavored, uptempo goodness. From the initial rush of You And Me to the ultra-clever and ultra-danceable Valentine to the driving melodies of Given Time and the nearly apocolyptic propulsion of Out Of Nowhere, You See Colours is the best pop album I've heard so far this year.

Listen to the album before you buy it here.

ELKLAND - APART

"I want you to be here, I want it to be now"

If you're looking for a good synth-pop band in America, you can't do much better than Elkland. This particular song was stuck on repeat for me last Spring. It's just so catchy. Jon, the band's frontman, has got an incredibly rich voice reminiscent of the new romantic movement. Apart is probably the most danceable song on their album, but all their stuff is great. Fans of the Killers (and the 80's in general) would definitely like this.

(you can buy the album here - music is posted for evaluation purposes only. Please support the artists. If you hold the copyright to this song and wish it to be removed, contact me and I will delete it immediately.)

POP*STAR*KIDS - PEOPLE MAKE ME LONELY

"Don't like the TV or the radio"

Pop*Star*Kids describe their fans as "sharp, brightly colored humans." That can definitely describe this New York band as well. Relentlessly upbeat and catchy, P*S*K make fun, 80's-inspired electroclash rock. They've got three albums out but have yet to go mainstream. Of course, given the way they dress, that's not particularly a surprise. But who wants to be mainstream anyways? I can safely say that there's nothing like this on U.S. radio right now (or ever, for that matter). This particular song reveals all that's great about this band. Chugging synth, overdubbed vocals, guitar solo...all in just over two minutes!

(you can buy the album here - music is posted for evaluation purposes only. Please support the artists. If you hold the copyright to this song and wish it to be removed, contact me and I will delete it immediately.)

ROGUE TRADERS - WATCHING YOU

"I see you watching me watching you"

Australia's Rogue Traders typify a sound that I wish would catch on in America. Dance music and rock work so well together, and now that No Doubt have all but lost Gwen to solo stardom, there's a lot of room for female-fronted rock/pop groups. This song, the third single from their debut, emulates what sounds like the immensely catchy beat from the Knack's My Sharona to brilliant effect. Basically, it's a big, dumb pop-song. But, in this day and age, we all need more of those.

(you can buy the album here - music is posted for evaluation purposes only. Please support the artists. If you hold the copyright to this song and wish it to be removed, contact me and I will delete it immediately.)