NICOLAS MAKELBERGE - SO YOUNG

"We're living the dream alright"

Don't let the ambiguous, dull picture fool you. It was the only one I could find anywhere online and I know it looks like Superman hiding in his fortress of solitude or something. Anyway, the song is terrific. I used to listen to this a bunch on the trains in England because it's got a great propulsive synth line that soundtracks the passing scenery perfectly. It's going to sound a bit dull at first, but wait until the chorus. If it doesn't grab you the first time, listen to it again. It will, trust me. And then there'll be the magic moment where you catch yourself singing it as you're driving to work or humming it at the store. Those Swedes'll do that to you.

Nicolas Makelberge - So Young

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists! No cd yet, but buy the single here.)

A Pit Stop At The Pop Of Planet Earth

There’s a reason that I call this blog #1 Hits From Another Planet. I’ve become rather disillusioned with most American radio, as everything coming out is so unoriginal and samey. Still, I’m too much of a pop fan to give up on it completely, so I had a listen to two of the “event” pop releases of the next few weeks. My thoughts...

First up is Miss Paris Hilton. I was hoping hoping hoping that her album would be a complete cheese-fest and “guilty pleasure,” as they call them. I was disappointed to discover that she’s playing it straight. Unfortunately, she has neither the pipes nor the ambition to pull it off. Sure, the production is kinda nice, but lay Hilton’s barely-there vocals (despite their multiple overdubs) on top and it all sounds very karaoke. It’s kinda fun to hear her poke at ex-friend Nicole Richie (“Jealousy”) and try her hand at faux-reggae (“Stars Are Blind”), but it’s really not enough. There is one good song here, called “I Want You.” It’s so catchy that it could have been a hit for anyone who recorded it. Literally, they could have pulled some random person off of the street. But, one good song does not make an album. Unfortunately, there’s just too little hear that’s memorable.

Conversely, Christina’s album is just too much. Too much of everything, really, but if nothing else, too much humorless ego. The worst song of the year goes to the absolutely ludicrous “Thank You (Dedication to the Fans)” which serves as nothing more than a completely unnecessary (and unrequested) tribute to Mrs. Aguilera from Mrs. Aguilera. The album opens with Aguilera asking God to give her the strength to “carry forth the gift of song.” Geez, girl… you can sing, but you’re not the second coming of Jesus. You don’t even have anything interesting to say. Lyrically, everything on Back to Basics is a rehash of the superior Stripped, and musically, most of it is just a muddle of sub par melody that refuses to be hummable even after a few listens.

Granted, about a third of the album is quality (if not entirely memorable) Aguilera. What the album needs is serious plastic surgery. It should not have been a double album at all. The second half is far more interesting than the first so I chose to use its intro as a start to my extreme makeover version of Back to Basics. Widdling down the forgettable tracks and trying to mix up the order so that not every song sounds exactly the same, here’s what I came up with. Still not as good as Stripped (hell, not even as good as her debut) but a slight improvement nonetheless…

1. Enter The Circus
2. Welcome
3. Ain’t No Other Man
4. Slow Down Baby
5. Hurt
6. Candyman
7. Here To Stay
8. Understand
9. Save Me From Myself
10. Still Dirrty
11. Makes Me Wanna Pray
12. Mercy On Me
13. The Right Man

Agree? Disagree??

As promised in day ten of the Millenium Project, here's exerpts from the article telling how to rearrange the Killers' Hot Fuss to create a story...

“Hot Fuss” a story of jealousy, deception & murder?

* I did not come up with this or write it. The bulk of the text comes from an article, which you can read here. I simply formatted some of the author’s words into a more track list friendly layout. Once again, from this point forward, all information is from “Are The Killers Gayer Than Fitness Fridays!?” by Kathy Cacace… Click here to read the actual article in more detail…

Our characters:

Narrator - The voice of all of the songs, name never revealed; a high school student; gay
Andy - High school student; star athlete; object of narrator’s affections
Jenny - Girlfriend of Andy

The tracks must be rearranged (and one must be omitted - US version) to bring out the alleged story. I will now go through the tracks:

1. Smile Like You Mean It - sets the tone for the emotional environment of the relationship between our narrator and Andy. It’s all about denying what’s truly there, yet lamenting the loss of innocence as each male character accepts his true desires.

2. Change Your Mind - the beginning of the connection between the two boys. Mr. Flowers proclaimed the song “the sweetest” the Killers have done, and it’s true. It’s the most promising, most hopeful song on the album, and reeks of the possibilities of a new romance. Yet because this romance is between our narrator and Andy, the sweetness of the song is somewhat diluted with suspicion, shame, and guilt. Still, they can’t deny that they’ve “both felt like this before.”

3. Andy, You’re A Star - The most transparent of the songs on the album, our narrator pines for the seemingly untouchable (and attached) high school jock. On the field he’s incredible and he’s leaving his legacy on the school, but he’s also rolling around on the mats with the boys with more fervor than wrestling demands. The narrator says, explicitly, “in a car with a girl—promise me she’s not your world, ‘cause Andy, you’re a star.” Sure, it could be a platonic envy or admiration of a small-town boy with a too-big-for-his-britches star quality, but the town isn’t admiring him; they’re judging him—and the verdict is in. We suspect Andy likes boys. And our narrator likes Andy.

4. Somebody Told Me - the story begins to become clearer. The twisted genders of the boyfriends and girlfriends in the chorus become a coded inquiry from our narrator to Andy to see exactly whether or not he’s interested. The proverbial “somebody” told him that he had a boyfriend, who looked a lot like one of the narrator’s old “girlfriends.”

5. On Top - The narrator has had it with playing games, and, in the overtly homoerotic “On Top,” the two get together. Still, leaving each other with a cigarette and a handshake after their trysts, they can’t acknowledge to other people what’s truly going on.

6. Mr. Brightside - Our narrator’s jealousy over Jenny’s role in Andy’s life permeates the entire album, but is specifically dealt with in “Mr. Brightside,” in which the narrator is not possessive of the “she,” but rather jealous of her time with the “he.” It seems that Jenny is an acquaintance of the narrator’s; she fuels his jealousy with her presence in both his and Andy’s life.

7. Midnight Show - The murder. By the Killers’ own admittance, a murder occurs on this album. It’s Jenny, and the narrator commits the murder. This is all a given. The band, however, does not as explicitly state the gay love theme that drives the murder. It seems not only that the narrator kills Jenny, but also that Andy was there and was involved in the actual process; someone is holding Jenny down, imploring an accomplice to “drive faster.”

8. Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine - Post-murder (which takes place outside, in the rain, but doesn’t involve drowning—personally, I believe she was strangled), the narrator denies the charges, telling his interrogators that Jenny was a friend of his and he had no motive to commit such a crime. However, if we were to believe that this album depicts a heterosexual relationship, why would our narrator declare Jenny simply a friend?

9. All These Things That I’ve Done - Guilt sets in after the crime. It seems that the two men cannot stay together. The narrator attempts to console himself.

10. Everything Will Be Alright - the narrator’s attempts to not only console himself, but also the boy he is losing.

And, now that you've rearranged their debut, head over here to watch their new video for "When You Were Young."

SOHO DOLLS - STRIPPER

"Don't touch the girls, don't kiss the girls"

When I was over in the UK this spring I kept seeing this band's cd-single and wondering what it sounded like. For some reason, I didn't end up buying it (I think I already bought too much music anyways), but now that I'm back home I've been able to listen to it. Turns out their debut single, Stripper, is a fabulous piece of stomping electro rock. The beat alone is enough to please, and the song itself is no let down either. It sounds like some twisted perverse Girls Aloud track or something.

Soho Dolls - Stripper

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists! No cd yet, but buy the single here.)

MILLENIUM PROJECT Complete List

100. Mya - Fear of Flying (2000)
99. Shakira - Oral Fixation Volume Two (2006)
98. Red Hot Chili Peppers - By The Way (2002)
97. Madonna - Music (2000)
96. Tegan & Sara - So Jealous (2004)
95. Nelly Furtado - Whoa, Nelly! (2000)
94. Muse - Black Holes And Revelations (2006)
93. Shaggy - Hotshot (2000)
92. Elton John - Songs From The West Coast (2001)
91. Eminem - The Eminem Show (2000)
90. Dannii Minogue - Neon Nights (2003)
89. The Zutons - Tired Of Hanging Around (2006)
88. Kylie Minogue - Body Language (2003)
87. Robbie Williams - Escapology (2002)
86. Aaliyah - Aaliyah (2001)
85. Nelly Furtado - Loose (2006)
84. The Feeling - Twelve Stops And Home (2006)
83. Jason Mraz - Waiting For My Rocket To Come (2002)
82. Prince - Musicology (2004)
81. Robbie Williams - Intensive Care (2005)
80. Boy Kill Boy - Civilian (2006)
79. Mya - Moodring (2003)
78. Thicke - A Beautiful World (2003)
77. Snow Patrol - Final Straw (2004)
76. Moneybrother - To Die Alone (2005)
75. White Rose Movement - Kick (2006)
74. Michael Jackson - Invincible (2001)
73. Morrissey - You Are The Quarry (2004)
72. Pet Shop Boys - Release (2002)
71. Nsync - Celebrity (2001)
70. Darren Hayes - Spin (2002)
69. No Doubt - Return To Saturn (2000)
68. Gwen Stefani - Love, Angel, Music, Baby (2004)
67. Hedley -Hedley (2005)
66. Shakira - Laundry Service (2001)
65. The Darkness - Permission To Land (2003)
64. HIM - Razorblade Romance (2003)
63. Delays - Faded Seaside Glamour (2004)
62. Franz Ferdinand - Franz Ferdinand (2004)
61. The Similou - So Hot Right Now (2005)
60. Surferosa - Shanghai My Heart (2004)
59. The Rasmus - Dead Letters (2003)
58. No Doubt - Rock Steady (2001)
57. Roxette - Room Service (2003)
56. Keane - Hopes & Fears (2004)
55. Darren Hayes - The Tension And The Spark (2004)
54. Britney Spears - Britney (2001)
53. Antony And The Johnsons - I Am A Bird Now (2005)
52. Pink - Can’t Take Me Home (2000)
51. The Callahan - Hardpop (2005)
50. Pet Shop Boys - Fundamental (2006)
49. Whyte Seeds - Bold As Love (2006)
48. Prozzak - Saturday People (2000)
47. Kaiser Chiefs - Employment (2005)
46. Pepper’s Ghost - Shake The Hand That Shook The World (2005)
45. Muse - Absolution (2004)
44. Kelly Clarkson - Breakaway (2004)
43. Of Montreal - Satanic Panic In The Attic (2004)
42. Maroon 5 - Songs About Jane (2002)
41. Sophie Ellis-Bextor - Read My Lips (2002)
40. George Michael - Patience (2004)
39. Janet Jackson - Damita Jo (2004)
38. The Darkness - One Way Ticket To Hell And Back (2005)
37. The Dresden Dolls - The Dresden Dolls (2004)
36. Christina Aguilera - Stripped (2002)
35. Don Juan Dracula - Young Debutantes II (2005)
34. The Sounds - Dying To Say This To You (2006)
33. Bodies Without Organs - Halycon Days (2006)
32. Surferosa - The Force (2005)
31. Kylie Minogue - Light Years (2001)
30. Sparks - Hello Young Lovers (2006)
29. The White Stripes - Elephant (2003)
28. Brainpool - Junk: A Rock Opera (2005)
27. Green Day - American Idiot (2004)
26. Shania Twain - Up! (2002)
25. Nellie McKay - Get Away From Me (2004)
24. Hedwig And The Angry Inch Original Soundtrack (2001)
23. The Lovemakers - Times Of Romance (2005)
22. Robyn - Robyn (2005)
21. Justin Timberlake - Justified (2002)
20. Daniel Bedingfield - Gotta Get Thru This (2002)
19. Outkast - Speakerboxxx/The Love Below (2003)
18. Bodies Without Organs - Prototype (2005)
17. The Sounds - Living In America (2003)
16. The Mo - City Heart (2002)
15. The Ark - We Are The Ark (2000)
14. Melody Club - Music Machine (2002)
13. Do Me Bad Things - Yes (2005)
12. Pink - Missundaztood (2001)
11. Elkland - Golden (2005)
10. Kylie Minogue - Fever (2002)
9. Janet Jackson - All For You (2001)
8. The Ark - In Lust We Trust (2004)
7. The Killers - Hot Fuss (2004)
6. Robbie Williams - Sing When You’re Winning (2000)
5. Delays - You See Colours (2006)
4. Melody Club - Face The Music (2005)
3. The Mo - Night At The Zoo (2004)
2. Scissor Sisters - Scissor Sisters (2004)
1. The Ark - State Of The Ark (2005)

DAMONE - OUT HERE ALL NIGHT

"I've been out here all night, I've been out here all day"

Here's the breakout single from new American band Damone. Whenever I see their name I always think of those weird noises Michael Jackson would make while singing. You know what I mean. Anyways, this is a good summer song. Think 80's female fronted power-rock; kinda wanting to be heavy metal, but in the Pat Benatar kind of way with a real pop edge. In fact, add some synth elements and this could easily be the Sounds. This kind of stuff always gets labeled a "guilty pleasure." I don't see why it can't just be a pleasure.

Damone - Out Here All Night

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists! Buy the cd here.)

Millenium Project: Day Ten (ALBUMS 10-1!!!)



10. Kylie Minogue - Fever (2002)
Here it is, Kylie’s perfect album. It’s like Kylie sailed to another world and brought back twelve perfect pop gems. Can’t Get You Out Of My Head may have been the big hit (and really, Kylie’s only substantial modern hit in the States), but that’s not the only thing here. Just listen to the title track or the electro pop of Give It To Me and the album’s consistency is evident. All the songs have a dance/disco beat to them, which is perfect because it allows the album to flow like an endless party.

Kylie Minogue - Fever



9. Janet Jackson - All For You (2001)
Anyone who thinks that Janet is no longer relevant since the nineties must only listen to Trust A Try from this 2001 release. That is absolute avant garde pop. All For You is probably Janet’s most pop-oriented work ever and a complete contrast to it’s predecessor, The Velvet Rope. The lead off single (and title track) is pure summer brilliance. It still sounds good today. Also, Come On Get Up, You Ain’t Right and Someone To Call My Lover are ridiculousy catchy, excellent pop tunes. I remember skipping school to go out and get this album. It was totally worth it.

Janet Jackson - Trust A Try



8. The Ark - In Lust We Trust (2004)
The Ark’s most dramatic and rocky album, In Lust We Trust is a true classic. It’s also got three of the band’s best songs: the glam-rock anthem Father Of A Son, the driving Calleth You, Cometh I, and the gorgeous, gospel inflected Tell Me This Night Is Over. It’s the album where the band really came into their own, addressing social issues and really cementing their place as my favorite band in the world. The album plays like the best sexy rock/glam musical in the world.

The Ark - Father Of A Son



7. The Killers - Hot Fuss (2004)
America’s sole massive synth-pop hit, Hot Fuss will be remembered as an absolute classic of the genre. Not only is it incredibly catchy (“I’ve got soul but I’m not a soldier” anyone?) but it’s also quality stuff. Looking past the album’s biggest hit (Mr. Brightside) to the galloping synth of Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine and the glam-rock of Andy, You’re A Star, it’s easy to see why the album (not just the singles) was an unqualified smash. Plus, if you reorder the tracks, the album tells an interesting sex/murder story. I’ll post it on the blog in a bit.

The Killers - Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine



6. Robbie Williams - Sing When You’re Winning (2000)
This could just be Robbie’s best album. As an unknowing American, I was introduced to Williams through The Ego Has Landed, a compilation of his first two albums. So, this was the first real “album” of his that I had heard all the way through. It’s probably his most eclectic work to date and has some fantastic dance elements (the I Will Survive strings in Supreme, the silly rap of Rock DJ - the only time rap has really worked in Robbie’s favor, btw). The album is basically a string of glorious pop hits, and even the non-singles (Forever Texas, Knutsford City Limits) are worthy of praise. A perfect pop/rock album.

Robbie Williams - Supreme



5. Delays - You See Colours (2006)
This album is totally recent, I know, but it is simply good enough to be this high on the countdown. It’s one of those albums that, upon the first listen, hooked me in a way that goes beyond music. From the opening tremors of You And Me to synthpop classic Valentine (with one of the most gorgeous breakdown sections I have ever heard), the record starts off with such amazing propulsion that you can hardly imagine the rest of the thing will keep up. But, amazingly, it does. Each song is so immediate and inventive, and the way they blend into one another gives the record a real cohesive feeling. The vocals are straight from heaven with a dirty edge and the songwriting can be described in a similar way. An essential for pop fans.

Delays - Valentine (Album Version)



4. Melody Club - Face The Music (2005)
While Melody Club’s first album defined them as a fantastic synthpop band, 2005’s Face The Music made them pop stars. First single Take Me Away is ridiculously fun glam-synth-punk, while follow ups Baby (Stand Up), Boys In The Girl’s Room and Wildhearts are just as great. Love Drive sounds like the Who gone synthpop, while Summer Low is like Swedish Beach Boys mixed with Duran Duran or something. Cats In The Dark and Killing A Boy are both inventive, exciting dance tracks. I envy pop lovers who have yet to discover Melody Club because they’re in for an incredible treat.

Melody Club - Take Me Away



3. The Mo - Night At The Zoo (2004)
God, I don’t even know what to say about how fantastic this album is. For one, it includes the best song ever written, bar none. The Right World encapsulates everything that’s great about pop: epic melody, catchy as hell riffs, anthematic lyrics, pounding drums. Listening to it was a life-changing moment, the kind that only rock music can deliver. And, if that’s not enough, there are at least three other songs on here that rival The Right World! Howl In The Jungle and Dancing Like A Heathen (the title alone, right?) are just as catchy, while Nostalgia Locomotive is one of the best ballads you’ll ever hear. Simply put, Night At The Zoo is one of the greatest pop albums ever made. Ever.

The Mo - The Right World



2. Scissor Sisters - Scissor Sisters (2004)
I credit this album with reigniting my passion in rock ’n roll. It arrived like some gift from another dimension and has been lodged in my cd player for years. It’s the best kind of pop: the kind that never get’s old no matter how much you listen to it. I don’t know how SS does it. They write absolute classics, and their classic status is apparent from the very first listen. It’s astonishing. This album covers so much ground. There are party dance tracks (Take Your Mama, Filthy/Gorgeous). Ballads (Mary and Return To Oz being some of the best ballads ever written) and perfect pop nuggets (Music Is The Victim, Laura). If I could have a tie, this album would also be #1, and it may very well overtake that position upon the release of Ta-Dah when my SS adoration is at its most high. We’ll see…

Scissor Sisters - Take Your Mama



1. The Ark - State Of The Ark (2005)
Simply classic. The best album by the best band. The Ark are glam rock superstars and can do no wrong, that’s a given. But, little did I suspect that they’d release an album this classic. Lead off single One Of Us Is Gonna Die Young is one of the best rock tunes ever written (notice all of my “best blah blah blah EVER” proclamations --I’m obviously excited) and then there’s Rock City Wankers and Clamour For Glamour, two songs that could have ended up being tedious exercises in glam attitude, but end up being masterful pop songs. Nowhere in music these days is the spirit of rock so apparent than in this album. It drips off of every song. It’s a poppy, sweaty, sexy delight and anyone who says different does not know what rock ’n roll is. So there!

The Ark - One Of Us Is Gonna Die Young

(Music is for evaluation purposes only. Buy these fabulous albums here.)

TAXIRIDE - OH YEAH

"Lose yourself, lose your mind, let your faith unwind"

I love this song. It's a gentle synth track perfect for driving around the city at night (notice the correlation between pop music and driving in my posts: it's essential). I don't know much about the band except that they're Australian and have quite a few albums out. From hearing sound clips, this is one of their more dance oriented songs, though I'm interested to hear what more of their albums sound like. For now, this is a fantastically catchy starter.

Taxiride - Oh Yeah

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists! Buy the cd here.)

Millenium Project: Day Nine (Albums 20-11)



20. Daniel Bedingfield - Gotta Get Thru This (2002)
When I first heard the title track of this album, I was instantly obsessed. And I mean…obsessed. I would listen to the sound samples of the album on Bedingfield’s website almost everyday before the thing was actually released. It was actually pretty pathetic. But, at the time there was nothing like this out there, at least in the States. Being able to make an album that actually lives up to the brilliance of such a brilliant single as Gotta Get Thru This is no small feat, but Bedingfield did it here. There’s just the right amount of uptempo stuff (the superb James Dean) and beautiful ballads (Honest Questions). A pop album like they don’t make anymore.

Daniel Bedingfield - Gotta Get Thru This



19. Outkast - Speakerboxxx/The Love Below (2003)
A rap album up this high in my countdown? It is a rare thing, as I’ve really had a falling out with the genre the past few years. But, this double cd is much more than a simple rap album. It is truly an everything album, meaning that there are different genres mixing in and out of every beat. Although both discs are great, The Love Below is definitely the standout. It is just massively creative. Nothing this decade has come close to the pure weirdness on display here. Yet, it’s still pop. Hey Ya! is the obvious standout, yet there’s plenty more where that came from.

Outkast - Hey Ya!



18. Bodies Without Organs - Prototype (2005)
BWO’s debut album eclipses their follow-up (though not by too much) because from the very first listen, it sounds like a classic. There were so many hits off of this album. My favorite actually is the sole ballad on the cd, Open Door. It gets stuck in your head like no other. Sunshine In The Rain is another highlight, with its happy summer sound. The songs are all pretty similar in sound and structure, but this is not a problem because it makes the album really cohesive and perfect for long periods of dancing.

Bodies Without Organs - Sunshine In The Rain



17. The Sounds - Living In America (2003)
The Sounds’ debut is the stuff of legends, at least in attitude. Despite being ultra-pop, it’s also got a real punk edge to it. It’s like the new Blondie, only better. The singles, of course, are excellent. Living In America also includes the best Sounds song ever, Dance With Me. The synth line and chorus are pure rapture. Meanwhile, Rock ’N Roll, Hope You’re Happy Now and Mine For Life crank up the synth and dance elements and all could have been massive singles as well.

The Sounds - Dance With Me



16. The Mo - City Heart (2002)
An album full of irresistible, glam-tinged pop, City Heart is the perfect driving through town (or perhaps…a city’s heart - lame -). The album is led by three classic singles, I’m Gonna Dance being the best of the bunch. But, instead of falling apart after the “hits” (and I use that term loosely…the album was a moderate success in Scandinavia and nothing more) the album gets better and better. Krakow Love, Fast Love Takeaway and City Heart have classic pop melodies. Every song here is a sing-along.

The Mo - I’m Gonna Dance



15. The Ark - We Are The Ark (2000)
The album that introduced the world (well…Sweden at least) to the best band in the world, this is probably the most scattershot of the Ark’s releases, but also has some of their best songs. Hey Modern Days opens the album with a kick of glam (as well as being one of my favorite songs ever) and then there is a string of absolutely perfect singles. Echo Chamber, It Takes A Fool To Remain Sane, and Joy Surrender deserve to join the pantheon of classic rock songs. The album tracks here are fantastic as well. Angelheads is like Rocky Horror in pop song format, and You, Who Stole My Solitude provides a fittingly epic ending.

The Ark - Hey Modern Days



14. Melody Club - Music Machine (2002)
If you’re ever in a bad mood, feeling a bit down, listen to Melody Club. Poppier, catchier music has rarely been made. Music Machine was the band’s breakthrough and is absolutely filled with hits. Each song sounds like a forgotten eighties classic. Electric, Covergirl and Play Me In Stereo are instant dance floor smashes, while My Soft Return and Golden Day are some of the most beautiful (and simple) synth ballads you’ll ever hear. Plus, Angeleyes sounds like the theme song for an eighties anime cartoon. It just does.

Melody Club - Electric



13. Do Me Bad Things - Yes (2005)
One of the stranger pop/rock releases of the past decade, Do Me Bad Things incorporated elements of Queen, Rocky Horror Picture Show, 80’s pop and straight ahead rock. It was a brilliant album, sadly the band’s only release. The drama is turned up to 11 on all of the tracks and there are three lead singers, making for an eclectic listen. Time For Deliverance is an epic classic while Liv Ullman On Drums is a synth-rock jam like nothing else out there. Shame this album was overlooked, as it sounds like some strange glam-pop-rock-punk-theatre gem forgotten from the seventies.

Do Me Bad Things - Time For Deliverance



12. Pink - Missundaztood (2001)
I was so happy when Pink’s second album morphed into this gigantic, worldwide hit. Playing it now, it really has the trappings of a classic, milestone album. The songs are anthematic, just begging for singalongs. The subject matter is smart and timely. The singing’s first rate. Everything that makes a fantastic pop album is running full throttle. Forget about the ridiculously good singles for a moment and the album’s still a keeper. The title track is breezy, funky and weird, while 18 Wheeler and Lonely Girl both sound like songs that have existed forever.

Pink - Just Like A Pill



11. Elkland - Golden (2005)
The classic synth-pop album of the new millenium, Golden simply shines with summertime bliss. Jon’s voice fit’s the genre perfectly and anchors the strong songwriting on display throughout the record. The initial highlight is first (and only) single Apart, but there is so much else here as well. Opener Put Your Hand Over Mine is perfect for driving to the beach, while the closer, We Share A Heart, works perfectly for sunset. And, in between, there is nothing but pure pop bliss.

Elkland - Apart

(Music is for evaluation purposes only. Buy these fabulous albums here.)

Millenium Project: Day Eight (Albums 30-21)



30. Sparks - Hello Young Lovers (2006)
I wasn’t overly impressed with 2001’s Lil’ Beethoven, but it turns out that that was just a warm up for this brilliant album. Unlike anything else out there, Sparks mixes pop and dance song craft with orchestral arrangements, witty lyrics and everything else they can think to throw in. Just listen to closer As I Sit Down To Play The Organ At The Notre Dame Cathedral or rock-opera opener Dick Around. There are also some brilliant pop moments here as well, like the should-have-been-hit Waterproof.

Sparks - Waterproof



29. The White Stripes - Elephant (2003)
I’ve never been a real big fan of lo-fi. I’m a dramatic person and I like to have my music dramatic and epic as well. On the other hand, there is nothing better than unabashed, pure rock ‘n roll in its most simple form. Elephant is a shining example of exactly that. I was hooked from the first listen. The songs are short, punchy and immediate. The White Stripes will never make a better album. Seven Nation Army is just a thrill of sound and sex from end to end.

The White Stripes - I Just Don’t Know What To Do With Myself



28. Brainpool - Junk: A Rock Opera (2005)
Green day may have had the more popular opera, but Brainpool had one that shouldn’t be looked over either. In the classic tradition of the Who’s Tommy, Junk spans and crosses genres, tempos, instrumentals and pop songs to brilliant effect. The story is a bit rubbish, but that’s not the point. Sprawling two discs, the thing is epic in scope and sound. It’s hard to really highlight one track because they blend together so well. Shame this didn’t catch on, because mainstream rock needs theatricality and storytelling like this.

Brainpool - Here Comes The Man



27. Shania Twain - Up! (2002)
Shania finally decided to go pop with this release (well…sorta - we got a pop and country version packaged together). Regardless of the genre, this album is the closest that we’re gonna get to a 21st century Abba release. Ka-Ching might as well be the new Money Money Money, (Wanna Get To Know You) That Good! the new Knowing Me, Knowing You. Despite being a long cd at 19 songs, every one is a catchy, can’t-get-it-out-of-your head winner. It’s also surprisingly diverse in a really kitschy way. There are more exclamation marks in the titles of these songs than in most novels (two in Waiter! Bring Me Water!). And, come to think of it, an exclamation mark could have been the universal symbol for this album, because it describes it perfectly.

Shania Twain - What A Way To Wanna Be!



26. Green Day - American Idiot (2004)
A rock opera in spirit (if not completely consistant execution), American Idiot is the best mainstream punk record of the new millenium. I cannot think of any other album that has evolved a band as much as this one did for Green Day. It took them to a completely different level. The standouts (other than the fantastic singles) are the two 9-minute, epic operettas (Jesus Of Suburbia and Homecoming). Simply stunning work. This album deserved every accolade it received and more.

Green Day - Jesus Of Suburbia



25. Nellie McKay - Get Away From Me (2004)
Truly an original, Nellie blends hip-hop attitude with Doris Day type crooning. Stretched out over two discs, this was really an ambitious debut. Every song is a winner and the album is so varied that it becomes quite surprising as McKay jumps genre after genre. There’s 60’s pop (David, Ding Dong), Jive (It‘s A Pose), Alanis-style angriness (Inner Peace), rap (Sari), weird eastern-influenced dance (Waiter) and much more. Most importantly, the songs are hilarious, clever and completely different than anything out there.

Nellie McKay - Toto Dies



24. Hedwig And The Angry Inch Original Soundtrack (2001)
Hedwig is the greatest rock musical of the 21st century, no question. Not only fantastic music, but an equally engrossing and touching story. Taken on its own, the album is a near-perfect example of punk rock theatrics. From the manic opener Tear Me Down to the achingly beautiful Origin of Love and Midnight Radio, the cd is a worthy successor to the Rocky Horror soundtrack. Catchiest is the singalong Wig In A Box, which covers more musical ground than any mainstream music has been able to do this decade.

Hedwig And The Angry Inch - Wig In A Box



23. The Lovemakers - Times Of Romance (2005)
One of the best synth-pop albums ever recorded, Times of Romance remains a mystery to most music listeners, unfortunately. While each song sounds like it could be a #1 single, none were. Still, Gonna Find, Set Me Free and Falling Apart remain #1 hits in my mind. Sounding like a mix of Duran Duran and Cyndi Lauper (and, god, what could be better?) Times of Romance is definitely a party record. But, it’s not a stupid one. These are pop songs, for sure, but pop songs with an edge to them.

The Lovemakers - Set Me Free



22. Robyn - Robyn (2005)
I never really warmed to any of Robyn’s previous releases (don’t kill me), but with this, her “electro pop” album, I was officially hooked. With a string of instant classic singles (Be Mine! leading the way), the album is one nonstop hook. Konitchiwa Bitches remains the best faux-rap song ever, while the hilarious interludes (and intro) are absolutely hilarious. I would go so far as calling the sound of this album the future of pop music.

Robyn - Be Mine!



21. Justin Timberlake - Justified (2002)
I was a massive Michael Jackson fan growing up (and still am). Because of this, I was an instant fan of Justified, which takes its inspiration from MJ classics like Off The Wall and Thriller. Of course, it’s not as good as those masterpieces, but it is the closest this decade has to offer. Plus, in addition to performing fantastic R&B/pop throwbacks (Rock Your Body, Last Night), Timberlake also created some of the most avant garde (yet still mainstream) pop music out in 2002. Cry Me A River is a miraculous example.

Justin Timberlake - Cry Me A River

(Music is for evaluation purposes only. Buy these fabulous albums here.)

LAMBRETTA - CREEP

"I'm just your worst freakin' nightmare girlfriend"

A bit of a blast from the past, Lambretta were popular in Sweden awhile back with this song. If you like Robyn, which you must, then you should like this band. I think that Linda, the lead singer, has a pretty similar voice to Robyn. Creep is straight ahead power-pop that sounds like it could've been a hit at any point in the past twenty years. The band is broken up now, but not before releasing three albums. This song is from their 2001 self-titled release.

Lambretta - Creep

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists! Buy the cd here.)

Millenium Project: Day Seven (Albums 40-31)



40. George Michael - Patience (2004)
Despite being a bit overlong, Patience is George Michael’s best album since Faith. The lead single, Amazing, should have been so much bigger than it was, while Shoot The Dog and Cars And Trains follow along with a similar uptempo, funk loveliness. Best of all is My Mother Had A Brother, which brings me to tears whenever I hear it. Utterly gorgeous vocal performance and absolutely heartbreaking song. The album is a bit ballad-heavy, but Michael’s voice is suited to this style so it’s not necessarily a bad thing.


George Michael - My Mother Had A Brother




39. Janet Jackson - Damita Jo (2004)
Janet gets a free pass because she’s been like my favorite artist since I can remember. Love her, and anyone who doesn’t needs to check out Velvet Rope, one of the best albums ever made. Damita Jo, unfortunately, is not one of her best albums (and I can admit that!). It starts out wonderfully, with the funky Sexhibition and hard hitting Damita Jo, and briefly hits classic Janet standards in the middle with Island Life, All Nite (Don’t Stop), R&B Junkie and I Want You. SloLove and Just A Little While are also worth a mention, but all in all there is too much slow, relatively lifeless material in between the highlights for this to be a Janet classic (fingers crossed for 20 Y.O., though).

Janet Jackson - All Nite (Don’t Stop)



38. The Darkness - One Way Ticket To Hell And Back (2005)
I guess a lot of people didn’t like the campness of this album? I, for one, think it’s 1000 times better than their debut. It’s more consistent and much more fun. I think the major problem with this album was the single choices. Knockers, Hazel Eyes, and Bald are singles-in-waiting, while Seemed Like A Good Idea At The Time could have been a massive ballad hit. The Darkness channel both Queen (the title track) and Sparks (English Country Garden) here, so that equals instant kudos from me.

The Darkness - Knockers



37. The Dresden Dolls - The Dresden Dolls (2004)
A very different album, Dresden Dolls mix rock, cabaret and punk together to delicious effect. Opener Good Day is basically a lo-fi power ballad, while Girl Anachronism, Miss Me and Coin-Operated Boy are full out cabaret punk. The lyrical territory ranges from sex-changes (Half Jack) to rapists (the horrifying Slide) to self cutting (the dramatic Bad Habit). There are also more straightforward songs here, the gorgeous Jeep Song being the best.

The Dresden Dolls - The Jeep Song



36. Christina Aguilera - Stripped (2002)
The album to tear Christina Aguilera away from the pop-princess mold forever, Stripped is a diva milestone. If nothing else, the amount of ground it covers should be celebrated. There’s rock (Fighter, Make Over), Latin (Infatuated), gospel (Walk Away), old-school soul (Underappreciated, Impossible) and dance/funk (Can’t Hold Us Down, Dirrrty). Then, of course, there are the ballads. Gorgeous ballads abound. The best (and best known) is Beautiful, but A Voice Within and Cruz are also close.

Christina Aguilera - Fighter



35. Don Juan Dracula - Young Debutantes II (2005)
Perhaps the best ever example of straight-ahead synthpop ever recorded, Don Juan Dracula’s full-length debut will entertain from beginning to end with no lulls. That doesn’t mean that their isn’t a standout. Run Away With You looms in the center of the album like the holy grail of pop. It is insanely catchy and pretty much perfect in every way. Fashion Girl, Take Me Home, and Down In The City are also highlights, while Erection Reflection is hilarious.

Don Juan Dracula - Run Away With You



34. The Sounds - Dying To Say This To You (2006)
The new one from the sounds, though not as fantastic as their debut, definitely doesn’t disappoint. In fact, it gets better with every listen. Short and punchy, the album plays like a good party. Some of the songs are now dominated by synths (Hurt You, Tony The Beat), but all are written as true pop songs, which means they all get lodged in the listener’s brain. Also on this album is the band’s first real ballad (Night After Night), which--in case you thought they were getting soft--is also presented as an uptempo version.

The Sounds - Hurt You



33. Bodies Without Organs - Halycon Days (2006)
Bodies Without Organs create some of the catchiest music around and their palette expanded with their most recent release. Temple Of Love was a brilliant first single, but opener Chariots Of Fire may be even better. We Could Be Heroes is a worthy follow-up to Open Door and I was instantly attracted to the classic ballad melody. The first half of this album is so strong that it’s almost impossible for it not to lose some steam as it progresses, but even the last songs are still brilliant.

Bodies Without Organs - Chariots Of Fire



32. Surferosa - The Force (2005)
Surferosa improved immensely on their debut and released a pop/punk/dance classic. Each sounds like something that should have been a number one hit a few decades ago but somehow remained underground until a triumphant 2005 return. Norway’s answer to the Sounds, the band don’t really aim to break new ground, which is fine. Instead, they spend their time planting as many hooks into their songs as possible. Royal Uniform, Bungalow Bang, Prestige and Human Fool are just some of the many highlights.

Surferosa - Human Fool



31. Kylie Minogue - Light Years (2001)
How can you make a pop album more perfect than Light Years (well, there are 30 albums left….so if obviously can be done). Anyways, it’s hard to point out a highlight (thought Your Disco Needs You does stand out) in an album of highlights. Despite being filled with dance-pop, there really aren’t any other albums around like Light Years. Definitely tongue-in-cheek through and through, it’s a warm, funny and an incredibly uptempo affair.

Kylie Minogue - Your Disco Needs You

(Music is for evaluation purposes only. Buy these fabulous albums here.)

HELLOGOODBYE - ALL TIME LOWS

"I can't avoid her, she's in the air"

I usually stay far away from anything labeled emo. I hate the whiny voices of the singers and ultra-cleverness (which is usually just stupid) of the long-winded song titles (I'm looking at you, Fall Out Boy). This aversion to emo is what has kept me on the fence with Panic! At The Disco. On one hand, I appreciate how they bring synths and theatricality to rock, but on the other hand they are still just too emo for me. Luckily, I found Hellogoodbye, who's blending of dance and emo elements is much more believable. They produce genuine feel-good music which, while still being clever, focuses on melody and variety. And... the singer's voice is not whiny!

Hellogoodbye - All Time Lows

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists! Buy the cd here. And, check out their funny website here.)

Millenium Project: Day Six (Albums 50-41)



50. Pet Shop Boys - Fundamental (2006)
Perhaps the best PSB album since Very, Fundamental soundtracked much of my time while I worked abroad this past spring. Cut neatly between uptempo songs and slower pieces, the album flows rather well. The uptempos (The Sodom & Gomorrah Show, Integral, Minimal) are, of course, the highlights, but there are also some great ballads. I Made My Excuses And Left and Indefinite Leave To Remain are instant PSB classics.

Pet Shop Boys - The Sodom And Gomorrah Show



49. Whyte Seeds - Bold As Love (2006)
I wasn’t inordinately impressed with the first single from this album (the title track). It was a very pretty ballad, but nothing else really. I bought the cd because they were the support act for the Ark and I wondered what the rest of their stuff sounded like. Even on first listen, I realized that this was damn near the perfect pop album. There are echoes of the Beatles, Beach Boys, synth pop, stadium rock, psychedelic… everything. Opener Hungry has one of the most catchy guitar riffs around and Back In Town is pure pop bliss.

Whyte Seeds - Back In Town



48. Prozzak - Saturday People (2000)
I really shouldn’t like this band. They’re cartoons, for god sakes! But, their music is so gloriously catchy, Their debut was alright, but they followed it up with the brilliant Saturday People, a story-song-suite loosely based upon weekend nightlife. The songs themselves are gloriously conceived and would be good no matter what the genre (this genre just happens to be novelty-dance-rock). Be As is inspiring in its simplicity, It’s Not Me It’s You sounds like a Christmas song, and the title track is simply epic. Best of all is Monday Morning, which belies its sadness with a catchy uptempo melody.

Prozzak - Monday Morning



47. Kaiser Chiefs - Employment (2005)
Kaiser Chiefs have something that most of their new-wave peers lack: variety. Listening to their debut for the first time was a constant surprise, wondering what kind of song was going to come around next. It opens brilliantly (are there two more energetic songs than Everyday I Love You Less And Less and I Predict A Riot?). But, after that, you have the mod swing of Modern Way, the piano-pounding Na Na Na Na Na, the dramatic Born To Be A Dancer, and the sixties throwback Saturday Night. They are rightfully major stars.

Kaiser Chiefs - Saturday Night



46. Pepper’s Ghost - Shake The Hand That Shook The World (2005)
A throwback almost through and through, Pepper’s Ghost at times sound like Queen (Heavy Body Bag), the Beatles (All I Know), Toto (Rosalina) and more modern contemporaries Gavin Degraw & Maroon 5 (Everything & Anything). One thing is never lacking, and that’s energy. It’s also a superior, consistent pop album. There’s no reason that this shouldn’t have been an absolute smash last year.

Pepper’s Ghost - Heavy Body Bag



45. Muse - Absolution (2004)
I’m a sucker for concept albums. I love rock musicals/operas, and the intertwining of story and song can be stunning. I bought this album not even knowing much about Muse (hey, they’re not all that popular over here in the States), and (as with all Muse albums) it took me about a week to get into it. At that point it got quite addictive. Rock and roll coupled with lyrics about the apocalypse really meshes together here. And, it’s not even depressing! Although all the songs really flow well together, the best of the bunch are singles Time Is Running Out and the massive (although not super massive :) Hysteria. Thoughts Of A Dying Atheist is also worth a mention for being as good as its title promises.

Muse - Hysteria



44. Kelly Clarkson - Breakaway (2004)
A string of 2004 releases here (it was a good year in music!). I loved Kelly on the first season of Idol, but I thought her debut was a little lame. Luckily, she took control and released this brilliant (and massive) sophomore effort. Radio unfortunately has ruined much of the appeal of the singles, but on this album every track is worthy of being a hit. I’m not normally a fan of this brand of pop, but this album is a milestone.

Kelly Clarkson - Since U Been Gone



43. Of Montreal - Satanic Panic In The Attic (2004)
Once and awhile, something really odd strikes me and I fall in love with it. This album is definitely really odd, incorporating classic rock and folk songwriting with gentle synths and harmonies. The songs are such that they will stick in your head after one listen, even though you have no idea what in the hell they’re about. The opening number, the new-wave inspired Disconnect The Dots is followed by the ELO-ish romp of Lysergic Bliss (which will make even a manic depressive happy…I swear).

Of Montreal - Disconnect The Dots



42. Maroon 5 - Songs About Jane (2002)
This is a strange album, because I was listening to it a full year and a half before radio started playing it. So, by the time I was ready to move onto a new album, the world got obsessed with this one. Basically, this added exposure gave me the chance to become really sick of the singles. I’ll give it a few years detox before listening to it too much, but Songs About Jane is a deserved hit. It’s funky, fun and presents a new (without really being anything groundbreaking) sound. The singles are of course fantastic, as is the funky Not Coming Home and Through With You. And, Secret is an absolutely gorgeous slow jam.

Maroon 5 - Through With You



41. Sophie Ellis-Bextor - Read My Lips (2002)
A real crash course in sophisticated dance-pop, Ellis-Bextor’s debut was near perfect. Murder On The Dancefloor is an absolutely flawless club track, while there is plenty of diversity on this album as well. From the pure pop of Get Over You, The Universe Is You and Take Me Home (a Cher cover) to the dense and theatrical Move This Mountain and Leave The Others Alone. She gave Kylie a run for her money with this album, that’s for sure.

Sophie Ellis-Bextor - The Universe Is You

(Music is for evaluation purposes only. Buy these fabulous albums here.)