Flashback Friday: John Miles - Music

"Music was my first love and it'll be my last"

How about a rousing, cheesy ballad for our flashback today? It doesn't get any more earnest than this. Music, by English musician John Miles, was a big hit in Europe in the late 70's. It alternates between tender balladry and out-an-out symphonic grandeur. If you know me, it'll be no surprise that I'm in it for the symphonic grandeur part, particularly the last couple of minutes. I always laugh at the first falsetto verse in the song (soooo cheesy), but by the end of the track I'm brought around to loving everything about this gargantuan piece of over-the-top awesomeness. We don't have this kind of stuff in us anymore. It's a shame, really.



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

Son Of A Kid - Consider This Self-Defense

"I'm not afraid to enter the fray"

Sweden's Son Of A Kid (once part of the excellent synth-pop group Dyno/Set Fire Run) has been releasing new demos at a blistering pace. Many of them haven't connected that strongly with me, but they are only demos, so that's to be expected. This track, though, sounds like something that could have been released by Dyno. It's got that driving, full-production sound, especially in the chorus. It's what I first fell in love with when I heard this band/artist, and I'm glad to see that it's still in full force. I also like the lyrics and title, which promise the kind of emotive, aggressive pop song that definitely appeals to me. Best of all, the song can be downloaded for free by following the link below!



(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Listen to (and download) his other stuff here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.

Matchbox Twenty - Radio

"We feel it in our hearts for sure"

Matchbox Twenty reminds me of middle and high school, a time of my life where they ruled the airwaves. It's wonderfully nostalgic to listen to their new album now, which is I'm sure the whole idea of this campaign. But the thing is, they're not just coasting on nostalgia. While the new album, North, isn't their best (I still love the debut), it's not the tepid "comeback" most 90's stars release, either. The band have added some new tricks to their already expertly produced, radio friendly mix. There's some synthy dance stuff in there that'll shock their core audience, but my favorite is this rockabilly, subtly anthemic pop track (appropriately) called Radio. It truly shows how a good song transcends genres. In this song alone, there are brief elements of 80's power ballad, brassy swing, UK punk and, of course, classic Matchbox Twenty. It's also far more rousing than the band have any right to be at this stage in their career.



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

Robbie Williams - Candy

"Liberate your sons and daughters"

That tidal wave of new music I was talking about last week has started, and Robbie Williams' return to pop is among the spoils we get to bask in for the next few months. Many are calling this his comeback single, but I don't think that's really true. I mean, his last album sold very well and was released only a couple of years ago, and his reunion with Take That was a bonafide blockbuster. So, it's not really a comeback. More of a victory lap. It is, however, his first single in awhile that embraces a pop sound, rather than go down the easier, adult-contemporary route. Candy, co-written with band-mate and X-Factor judge Gary Barlow, is big, brash and sickeningly catchy. One listen to the chorus and it'll be stuck in your head all day. I'm not sure exactly what's going on in the video (below), but it's entertaining. That's the big word for this track: ENTERTAINING. I love it. He is a legend.



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

Carly Rae Jepsen - This Kiss

"I don't wanna miss this kiss"

I'm really pumped for this upcoming Carly Rae Jepsen album. Sure, Call Me Maybe has become completely overplayed, but it'll sound good again once people start forgetting about it. Even though the song became a massive smash because it was so poppy/catchy, I didn't allow myself to believe that she'd release an actual pop album to follow it up. It seems like most artists, even given the success she has had, retreat into safer, more singer-songwriter territory for a full-length. It's rare, in North America, to find a solid POP album. From the samples of Kiss, it sounds like Jepsen may just buck the trend. That all starts with the release of her next solo single, the dizzying 80's pastiche that is This Kiss. This could easily sound like a novelty track, but Jepsen's delivery, lyrics and charisma make it something special. Sure, it's not the type of world-conquering track that Call Me Maybe was, but if we get an album of this type of thing, I'll be a happy camper.



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