Darren Hayes - Talk Talk Talk

"Just breathe in and out"

I've said it before on this blog, but Savage Garden's debut was the very first album I owned. I was a little bit of a late bloomer when it came to music (and we see how THAT worked out). It's still one of my absolute favorite pop albums, alongside the follow-up of course. Darren Hayes' solo music has been a little bit more hit and miss with me. I like it all (especially the last album), but it's never been quite as magical as the Savage Garden work. Hayes is back again with another melodic pop track to launch his new album. I'd put it in the middle of his other work, quality wise. It's not really sticking out with his best (yet), but it's quite pleasant all the same. The chorus is doing more for me than the verses. I'm hoping, though, that this won't be the best selection from the album, especially since he's promised a return to pop with a capital "P." Whatever the case, it's always a pleasure to hear his voice again.

Darren Hayes - Talk Talk Talk by musicman319

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Buy the single here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.

Awolnation - Jump On My Shoulders

"The devil's lost control"

Awolnation is the project of Aaron Bruno, and I know that might not mean a lot to you. But, Aaron was also the lead singer of Under The Influence Of Giants, one of the very first bands I featured heavily on this blog. I'm not sure if that band is any more (practically all the members have solo projects now), but this project is as close as you're gonna get for now. He's had a nice under-the-radar hit with Sail (one of the album's weaker tracks, in my opinion), but a song like this could really seal the deal. The sound is quite a bit more varied than UTIOG, but the album's very good (particularly the first half), and Jump On My Shoulders is instantly galvanizing. It's a weird amalgam of sounds, but that lush singalong chorus is just undeniable. The coolest thing is, you can hear the entire album on soundcloud. I bet you'll like it!

05 Jump On My Shoulders by AWOLNATION

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Stream the album here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.

Jessie & The Toy Boys - Money Makes The Girl Go Round

"Green is such a pretty color"

Jessie & The Toy Boys will be big. I swear. Jessie's too amazing and
creative and fun not to find the right hit to launch her into the stratosphere. She just released her first EP (I hear an album will follow soon), and from start to finish it's fantastic pop. I'd heard all of the songs in some form or another previously, except this one. Luckily, even after the first listen, I was convinced that this is one of her standouts. It's a remarkably big sounding song, with an unstoppable chorus and an even better bit after the chorus. It's pure bubblegum pop, for sure, but with a nasty lyrical edge (um... second verse?). This fits perfectly with your Katy Perrys and Ke$has, and that may well end up being Jessie's biggest hurdle. US girl pop, for a lack of a better term, is booming right now. It's a flooded market. I still think there's a spot for her, though.
Jessie & The Toy Boys - Money Makes the Girl Go Round by alienhits

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Buy the EP here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.

Bullmeister - Girls Beautiful

"I love you"

Here's a Summer tune with a lot of potential. Bullmeister are a German band and this song has been used as promo for the German version of the Top Model franchise (and listening to it, it's easy to hear why). It's an immediately catchy blend of rock and electro with a high pitched, repetitive hook that (for better or worse) really wriggles inside your brain. The sound reminds me of that UK band Orson that were popular for about two months in 2006. Side note: am I alone in remembering them? As far as Bullmeister, it'll be interesting to hear what a full album will offer. Right now, this sounds very one-hit wonder, but you never know. I could see this particular song crossing over to the UK. It screams Summer. And since it's officially Summer today (finally!) it seems an appropriate listen.

Bullmeister - Girls Beautiful by alienhits

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Visit their facebook here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.

Skyship Academy has a new Cover!!

And it's glorious!



A reminder: the book's out on September 8th
And "like" the Facebook page if you haven't already

Greyson Chance - Unfriend You

"I should've known right from the start"

Remember when we saw that kid wow all the other kids at the talent show by singing Lady Gaga's Paparazzi? It was only last year, though it seems like forever ago. Once his video went viral, Greyson Chance signed with Interscope (under Ellen Degeneres's new label... make of that what you will) and is about to release his first album. It's a crazy world. I'm not always one for viral videos, but I was majorly impressed with this kid's vocals and vocal phrasing. His first single was a bit boring to me, but this new one is excellent. I'm gonna ignore the trendy facebook speak in the lyrics, because it's all about the melody and the vocals with this one. His voice is so androgynous, sounding like a big diva at times and like Tom from Keane at others. It's crazy to thing that this is a 13 year old boy. The production's also pretty thrilling. With the dramatic string section, this is a bit like a mini Viva La Vida. It's surprisingly lush, perhaps aimed at crossing over to an adult market as well. It's also exactly what I'd hoped for from young Mr. Chance. I only hope the album follows suit. This is a Bieber-type phenom I can get behind, and this song deserves to be MASSIVE. I don't care how young he is!



(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Buy the single here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.