Oh No Ono - Internet Warrior

"I don't like falling behind"

I've been very lax about mentioning Danish popsters Oh No Ono's latest work. The new album, Eggs, comes out on the 20th of this month. Part of the reason that I didn't write about their new tracks yet is because it's honestly taken me awhile to wrap my head around them. I loved the band's debut record, which introduced a bizarre herky-jerky pop/new wave sound that was unlike anything else out there. From hearing a handful of their new songs, their sound has changed quite a bit. It's not as immediate anymore, forgoing pogostick hooks for alien soundscapes and prog melodies. Lead single Internet Warrior is a perfect example of this new sound. It's not what I was expecting to hear (or honestly wanted) from the guys, but it's very good in an MGMT type of way. I also quite like a few of the other songs they've got on their myspace right now, so it'll be interesting to see what the album's like.

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

Tommy Sparks (with Filthy Dukes) - Messages

"Nothing really matters when we're out of control"

I have this weird premonition that Tommy Sparks' brilliant single, She's Got Me Dancing (video below), is going to the be the UK's song of the spring/early summer. I hope I'm right. It's been added to radio one's upfront list but needs to be a-listed in time for the album. I'm a little obsessed with Tommy Sparks' music right now, hence another post about him. The songs I've heard from the album have got me anticipating the May 11th release date like crazy. The Cars-ish These Things Happen and the bombastic debut single I'm A Rope have got me going especially mental. Today, however, I'm posting a song that won't be on the album. Messages is a track that Sparks did with Filthy Dukes for their album, and it's a standout 80's dance song. I can't help but think that this is what Scissor Sisters' comeback single should sound like (or Alphabeat's, for that matter). The hook is simple, the beat is intense, and the vocals (as usual) are perfect. Oh, and despite residing in the UK, he was born and raised in Sweden, which I guess explains why everything sounds so amazing.

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Buy the Filthy Dukes album here. Preorder the Tommy Sparks album here.)

Tommy Sparks - She's Got Me Dancing

I've been following this guy for awhile now and each time I check up on his websites, there are more samples from the album (out May 11th...already!) and I'm further convinced of his genius. The new video for the launch single, She's Got Me Dancing, seals the deal. I am in love with this video, especially the hilarious, laser-shooting opening. And the song... well, now that I've finally heard the entire thing I am more than obsessed. We're talking album-of-the-year potential, here. Everything is working overtime.



Also, be sure to check out the clever video for his energetic debut single, I'm A Rope. And, if you're a fan of this insane video director's work (like I am), check out the super-strange video to MGMT's excellent single, The Youth.

Girls Don't Always Wanna Have Fun

Melody Club's new video for Girls Don't Always Wanna Have Fun premiered earlier today (stream it here) and like most of their recent videos, it's a low-budget affair. Basically, throw Kristofer in front of a bunch of brightly dressed rollerskaters and watch him go. I could watch Kristofer romp around all day long though...he's so delightfully weird. Melody Club videos are always from another planet. I love that. And, after a couple weeks without listening to it, the video's reignited my excitement for this excellent single.

In other MC news, the group mentioned in a chat with fans that the next single from their album would be the super-catchy (and super summery) The Only Ones, which I linked to a few weeks ago.

Track-by-Track: BWO - Big Science

Right Here, Right Now: I already wrote about this song earlier this week, but I'll reiterate my opinion that this is the best track on the album and one of the band's catchiest singles (and that's saying something). In a lot of ways it's Chariots of Fire, the Sequel.

Love Came Crashing In: A midtempo, somewhat experimental pop song, this track has a really catchy bridge but probably would have fit better further on in the running order. It's not a standout, but it's a great example of BWO in pop mode.

Kings Of Tomorrow: I've always been a fan of BWO's ballads (Open Door was what made me finally cave in and buy their debut in 2005, which I promptly fell in love with). Though I like You're Not Alone quite a bit, I think this is the stronger of the two ballads. It has a real epic, sci-fi feel that would fit perfectly in a movie.

Burning Down The House: When I heard this was a 60's pastiche with hints of Motown, I couldn't help but be disappointed. I am not a fan of that genre at all, and really didn't want to hear BWO adopt it. Luckily, they've changed it up quite a bit and even brought back the Beach Boys-esque background vocals from Sunshine in the Rain. The chorus is ridiculously catchy and the lyrics really fun (though I can't figure out what they say at one point - "did our bit of crumpty-jumping??").

Rise to the Occasion: This has a very summery sound to it and the best thing is definitely the "whoa-oh-wo-oh" parts that string the whole thing together. It's another more midtempo, relaxing song--sort of in between ballad and dance number.

You're Not Alone: I was so underwhelmed with this when it first debuted at Melodifestivalen, but now I love it. The gospel influence at the end extends to several other tracks on the album but it's used best here.

Bite the Bullet: A typical uptempo BWO song, this is somewhat forgettable but also very good. The chorus took awhile to really appeal to me, but now I find myself turning it up when it comes on. This is very Prototype.

In Too Deep: A lot of folks don't like this track, but I think it's easily as good as Let It Rain. In fact, it sounds very similar to that (misguided choice of a) single. It's a nice album track with some strange BWO lyrics in the chorus.

Thunderbolt: Probably the song with the most energy, this is bound to be a highlight for many. I quite like it too. It sounds a little like it could be a companion to Halycon Days' Juggernaut. It has a huge chorus that manages to be both menacing and campy--a hard feat to achieve!

Rhythm Of The Night: Another mid-tempo, with some nice synth sounds. A lot of people are raving about the chorus to this one, though I'm not too convinced. It's a nice late-album track, but nothing groundbreaking.

Singing In My Car: I quite like this song, if for the odd lyrics alone (the zoot suit part is especially random). The melody is insanely catchy and I find myself humming it when I least expect it. It's a slower, poppier sound for them.

Shoot From The Heart: This song is gigantic! I love the whole James Bond/spy theme and the lyrics are great. It sounds like a theme song from some campy action series. The chorus is one of the strongest on the album, along with the dramatic production.

It's really hard to rate BWO albums, because they've been incredibly consistent. I find myself listening to each cd equally, though I guess if I had to pick a favorite it would be Prototype, if only for the nostalgia. Big Science, while not as instant as some past releases, is another strong album for the group and one of my favorites so far this year.

Best tracks: Right Here, Right Now, Shoot From The Heart, Kings Of Tomorrow

Fenech-Soler - LA Love

"Everybody wants to feel the same"

Feneche-Soler, three guys from the UK, were recently featured on the fantastic worrapolava. They're an electropop trio with shades of Grafton Primary and Daggers. As far as I can tell, they haven't had any official releases out yet, though their excellent single The Cult Of Romance comes out in just over a month. Listening to the songs they've previewed, though, I'm partial to LA Love, a squiggly, relentless dance track. I can't say I understand many of the lyrics, but the music does the trick in conveying what the song's all about. It's a very smooth sound, with the synths pushed up all the way to the forefront, and perfect for a summer dancefloor. It'll be interesting to see where these guys go next.

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

BWO - Right Here, Right Now

"Lovin' aint' easy, we've been crying in the rain"

BWO's new album seems to have polarized listeners so far. It's certainly more laid-back than Fabricator was, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Personally, I loved it from the very first listen and was blown away by the opening track, which is set to the be next single. Right Here, Right Now is one of the best songs BWO have ever recorded, in my opinion. It belongs among their poppiest material, with a straightforward but addictive dance beat, string section, and near-choral vocals. I might write up a more detailed review of the album later, because I do have quite a bit to say, but as of now Right Here, Right Now is the definite highlight. It manages to be both regal and uplifting, with a very European sound that echoes past hits like Sunshine In The Rain and Chariots Of Fire. With all the releases these guys have had in the past five years, it's easy to take them for granted. Songs like this prove that they are still very much a force to be reckoned with.

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