Flashback Friday: Baltimora - Jukebox Boy



"Bye bye to the boy boy jukebox boy" (gotta love that)

Baltimora has got to be one of the most unattractive popstars of all time, yet he managed to produce the brilliantly cheesy Tarzan Boy (posted on this very blog years ago). The video to this song alone is so incredibly hideous that it needs to be preserved in a museum somewhere. The song is a bit less entertaining, but I couldn't resist posting it for the excuse to put the video up as well. Just imagine everything that could be wrong about an 80's video (in the best possible way, of course) and that's what you're going to find when you click play. There are so many epic things happening here that I can't even begin to describe it. You're just going to have to watch yourselves. Unbelievable.
*On a sadder note, this guy passed away awhile ago... but I'm sure he'd approve of us laughing with him (or at least I hope so!)

Baltimora - Jukebox Boy (zshare)

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

Martin - Mission Impossible

"She's got everything that a boy could want"

Martin Hedegaard is not the typical kind of act that I post on here. He's the winner of the Danish version of X-Factor and his debut album is full of straightforward pop. The thing that sets him apart is his voice. At times, it is eerily like the second coming of Michael Jackson. Show The World, his debut, is reminiscent in formula of Private's debut last year (also from Denmark). It's nowhere near as good, but if you're a fan of Thomas Troelsen's work (and who isn't?) you're going to find at least a few tracks here that you will love. In fact, the best way I'd describe the album is a mix between Private and Ola Svensson (of S.O.S. fame) with an obvious MJ influence (and admiration) tying it all together. Mission Impossible, despite its cheesy lyrics, sounds right out of MJ's mid-80's songbook. This is, of course, absolutely wonderful. This is perfect for the summer, as is most of Martin's surprisingly good debut.

Martin - Mission Impossible (zshare)

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

Napoleon - Send Me A Woman

"I want her to be my lover"

It's been awhile since I've highlighted fantastic Swedish soul-pop band Napoleon. My love for them is still there, though, and I think their new song (single?) Send Me A Woman is absolutely fantastic. They remind me a bit of Moneybrother, but with a bigger sound (thanks to the female background vocalists that really make this group stand out). I'm still waiting on a full album, and summer would be a perfect time for it to be released because their sound is just perfect for warm, sunny days. This song is available on their myspace as well, along with the previously released (and much slower) Vaxala & I Part 2. While you're there, check out their other songs if you haven't already because I am still quite obsessed with them (even though my favorite one isn't on there anymore).

Napoleon - Send Me A Woman (zshare)

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

Royworld - Wish Ourselves Away

"Give me a briefcase and I'll be a businessman"

Yesterday was a big day for music releases in the UK, with no less than three highly anticipated (by me, at least) albums hitting the shelves. One was the long awaited debut from Royworld, who I have been loving for a few months now. I can't say I'm entirely blown away (not yet, at least) but Man In The Machine is definitely a quality album. The best tracks are the ones we've already heard. I've got my fingers crossed that the brilliant Dust becomes the hit it should be. The album's high point is definitely the spacey interlude Transmission segueing into the anthematic title track, but you've probably all heard that so I'm going to post something different today. Wish Ourselves Away is a perfect example of emotional, orchestral pop music. It's a good indication of what you'll find on the rest of the album. I love the arrangement on this one and the vocals are beautiful.

Royworld - Wish Ourselves Away (zshare)

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

Alphabeat - Touch Me, Touching You

"I'd like to get to know you baby"

Today, in honor of Alphabeat’s (slightly tweaked) album finally being released in the UK, I’m going to revisit my favorite Danes. I’m so proud of these guys. Fascination still sounds as amazing as it did nearly two years ago when I first heard it, and it looks like 10,000 Nights (of thunder, as you original fans will know it) is shaping up to be a nice hit for them as well overseas. I was fully ready to post one of the tracks off their original debut today but then, in listening to their re-imagined UK album, my plans changed. There are three all-new songs included on the disc (and I must say I do miss The Hours and Ocean Blue, which they replaced) and many of the songs are remixed and/or otherwise modified as well. One of the new tracks, Touch Me, Touching You, is damn brilliant. In fact, it’s good enough to rival Fascination, and that’s saying something. It’s also got hands down the funkiest beat I’ve heard all year. In fact, it’s one of the best songs I’ve heard all year… a mature sounding, perfect dance track. The melody and overall sound reminds me a bit of Roxette’s great album track Physical Fascination, which is pretty high praise in my book. It makes me very excited about the future of this band, that’s for sure. If you haven’t already bought the first version of this great album, you’ve gotta get this now.

Alphabeat - Touch Me, Touching You (zshare)

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