Here are my top 10 Songs from 2012. Read em and weep. A cross section of artists and style of music which is just how I like it. I can't put these songs in order but if I had to choose my favourite song it would be between Bat for Lashes and Lanas!
Friday, December 28, 2012
Monday, December 17, 2012
I'm in love with a singer called Catcall
I saw the delightful Catcall on Saturday night at Sydney hipster hotspot the GoodGod club. Catcall was promoting the vinyl release of her debut album - The Warmest Place. The album has been one of 2012's best albums for me, full of understated pop-tastic tunes. I don't really understand why the album has not been more successful. What is wrong with the Australian record-buying public?? Catcall played most of the album on Saturday night in a 45 minute set and the highlights for me were The World is Ours and Satellites.
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She mashed up Scrubs by TLC with one of the tracks which was totes cool (sorry I can't remember which one). There was a great vibe in the Danceteria as everyone bopped away to the tunes (lets just forget about those slight issues with the sound - shall we). I bought a copy being the vinyl addict that I am. Catcall has personally signed each album, bless her cotton socks. She now has an online store selling copies of the album on vinyl plus other limited edition merch. Check it out here.
And for something different but samesame- Catcall appeared on Triple J's Like a Version back in July and sang Phoenix's 1901. See it below my fellow music luvers!
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Sufjan's Secret Santa
Sufjan Stevens released his 2nd ode to Christmas earlier this month - Silver and Gold.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
VinylLuver goes on Holiday
So its been a little bit quiet at VinylLuver HQ! I apologise in advance but I got myself a new job recently and that has been sapping my strength of late! I have also been planning my 40th Birthday Delayed Denial Holiday (ooh that was a mouthful)! Thats right luvers, this Friday and I am off to the Europea for a holiday! I was last there in 2009 and its been too long! I lived in London for 8 years back in the noughties so I have lots of people to see and lots of record stores to visit. Also planning to visit France, Italy and Spain to soak up some rays and see the relos! I am determined to try to buy some vinyl in all the cities I visit but I may not get there. I will def be getting to some record stores in London, Barcelona, Madrid and maybe Naples.
One person I will be catching up with is my music mate Peter Dixon in London (aka as VinylLuver London correspondent). Jessie Ware's WILDEST MOMENTS is his song of the summer so enjoy here it is peoples! She defs has something going on!
I unfortunately am a little less subtle with my music choices and here is probably my favourite HOLIDAY song even though relations between me and this artist are rather strained at the moment as the silly tart won't tour down under! Anyhoo I don't really care as I'll be going on holiday! See you in 4 weeks with hopefully a tan and a whole bunch of records!
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Bat for Lashes returns with Laura
Bat for Lashes is BACK with the defining song of her career as she gets ready to release her 3rd longplayer The Haunted Man in October. The 1st single off the album is LAURA and it is a stomper of a ballad. The song's brilliance is in its simplicity. Natasha's voice and lyrics take this 4 minute masterpiece to another level of pop fantabulousness. This song is already in my top 5 of the year. FACT!
Monday, July 23, 2012
The Origibabes are BACK BACK BACK as Mutya Keisha Siobhan (MKS)
THIS IS MY COMEBACK OF THE DECADE (WELL SO FAR)
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Sunday Song by Alpine
One of my NEW favourite Australian bands - ALPINE has unleashed the video for GASOLINE. Check it out below. This single is being released in the leadup to the release of their debut LP A is for Alpine on 10 August 2012 (mark the date in your diaries peoples). I have done a few posts about this fabulous band and I totally adore the sublime voices of lead singers Phoebe and Lou. Their sound is totally orgasmic euro-inspired POP. The band are touring in August and September so be sure to check them out. Tour Dates here.
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
I'm off to see CATCALL
Vinylluver is off to see Pop Goddess CATCALL at the Beach Road Hotel tonight at Bondi Beach. I can't wait. Its freezing in Sydney at the moment so I think a burst of vibrant fabulous POP is just what is required on a Wednesday night. The Fabergettes are supporting and I am equally keen to see them. In the meantime here is one of her fab tunes SATELLITES from her debut LP - The Warmest Place.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
The Killers present artwork to new single Runaways
The Killers present the Artwork to the new single RUNAWAYS to be taken from their new longplayer Battle Born.
Watch the Official Album Trailer
Monday, July 2, 2012
Lana Love
So the Lana Del Rey album Born to Die is one of my favourites of 2012. I know she can't cut it live but I like the gal what can I say. It sure beats MDNA hands down for me. She has just unleashed the video for NATIONAL ANTHEM which is one of my faves from the album. She looks like Priscilla Presley (rather than Jackie O) in the video sponsored by Instagram featuring an inter-racial romance. Lets be honest though, its no Like a Prayer in the controversy stakes!
Alpine Fever
One of my favourite new bands - ALPINE have unleashed their new single GASOLINE in the leadup to the release of their new album A is for ALPINE on 10 August 2012. Listen to this great new track below on the SoundCloud.
A is for Alpine
L is for Love
P is for Polaroid
I is for I Think So
N is for Nighttime
E is for Everywhere
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Pet Shop Boys to release new album Elysium this September
Today is definitely a good news day with the news that The Pet Shop Boys will release a NEW ALBUM titled Elysium this coming September. Their 11th studio album was produced by Andrew Dawson and the band themselves in LA. They have released one of the track's from the album INVISIBLE with a short film by Brian Bress. Thanks to Vince for this news. Its interesting that they have veered away from their usual straight forward album titles and gone for something a little more obscure. The song is simple but also mesmerising at the same time and the Keith Haring-esque film is quite cool. I have a feeling this is definitely going to be on the ART side of the Pet Shop Boys (rather than the POP side)!
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Strange Talk cover Roxanne
My new favourite aussie band Strange Talk have covered the Police classic - ROXANNE. The band is working on their debut album at the moment so I gather this is a little something to keep us entertained while we wait for the longplayer. I love this synth heavy cover version full of keyboards and drum beats. They released one of my fave songs last year CLIMBING WALLS and I can't wait for the album. Strange Talk are definitely one to watch and its great to see a new aussie band making the FAB POP MUSIC! I love it!
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Happy 50th Birthday Nick Rhodes
Nick Rhodes, my favourite member from Duran Duran and one of the best popstars of all-time celebrated 50 years yesterday. Happy 50th Birthday Nick! You can read my previous post about Nick when he sent me a postcard. I HEART Nick Rhodes.You can see his 50th Birthday message below.
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| The Arcadia years |
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| Nick on the cover of Italian Harpers Bazaar in the 90's |
Monday, June 4, 2012
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Sunday Song by The Gossip
I have been listening to the new The Gossip album, A Joyful Noise all week. One of my favourite tracks is MOVE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION which is also the 2nd single so its deffo my Sunday Song. There is something adorable about Beth Ditto, maybe its the fact that she is a popstar that has charisma. Theres a lot to love here! I am also adding my favourite song off her solo EP from last year, OPEN HEART SURGERY. Its a Beth kind of Sunday! Speaking of which, I just want to share one more link which is when Beth Ditto was a Guardian agony aunt (circa 2007-2008) in her column - What Would Beth Do? Thanks Beth!
Friday, June 1, 2012
I've just found out about Perfume Genius
My friend Peter Dixon in London told me about a band he has been listening to of late called Perfume Genius (Mike Hadreas). Tonight, I headed straight to youtube to investigate and I LIKE! I came across this lovely video for HOOD (which features porn star Arpad Miklos).
He reminds me of Sufjan Stevens, Antony and the Johnsons and a touch of Rufus Wainwright all rolled into 1. Its obvious from the few songs I have listened to that Mike Hadreas writes and performs songs with an intensity which is missing from many artists. I love it when I find a new musical gay sensation. Its been a while since that happened. He has released 2 albums and his second LP was released in February this year called Put Your Back N to It. I think this is an album I need to buy!
Perfume Genius being interviewed about his music, his gayness and his fragility as well as playing some songs from Put Your Back N to It for Pitchfork.
Sufjan Stevens brings Planetarium to Sydney
I popped on down to the Sydney Opera House on Wednesday night to see Sufjan Stevens, Nico Muhly and Bryce Dessner perform their show devoted to the solar system PLANETARIUM. The show was part of the VIVID Festival currently playing in Sydney.
It was an interesting affair to say the least. The show was split into 2 parts. The first part involved Orava String Quartet performing a number of songs including some Sufjan Stevens compositions.Unfortunately I found this section rather boring and I did nod off for a while. I didn't come to hear a quartet, I came to see INDIE GOD Sufjan and his mates. After the interval the show really took off as Sufjan, Nico and Bryce hit the stage. For a concept show it really worked. It may have more to do with Sufjan's beautiful voice. He has a tone which is tender and sweet. Sufjan introduced each song and gave us titbits about each planet. In some parts it felt more like a science lesson and he joked that there would be a pop quiz at the end of the show. Sufjan used a vocoder to sing some of the songs (possibly all of them) and at one point I thought he was sounding like Cher. The Encore was the Judy Garland song OVER THE RAINBOW which he dedicated to Australia saying: “I always thought this song was about outer space. But after this week I think it’s actually about Australia." I think because of the nature of the show, Nico and Sufjan focussed alot of their energy on the technicalities of getting the sounds and effects right.Bryce, on guitar seemed to be on easy street.The show has so far played London, Eindhoven and now Sydney. It was an enjoyable show but I would suggest one for the fans only or if the Solar System 'is your thing'.
Planetarium Setlist
Neptune
Jupiter
Venus
Uranus
Mars
The Sun
Pluto
The Moon
Saturn
Earth
Mercury
ENCORE
Over the Rainbow (yes the Judy Garland song)
The Program
JUPITER from Planetarium
OVER THE RAINBOW from Planetarium
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Eurovision 2012
Did anyone ever know what the capital city of Azerbaijan was before they won the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest? I clearly remember wikipediaing Azerbaijan to find out what the capital city was. At the time I was already thinking of potential 40th birthday destinations back in May 2011 ( a whole year in advance). So all eyes were on Baku this past weekend for the 57th Eurovision Song Contest.
I love Eurovision and you can see my earlier post about that. The London years really made me fall in love with Eurovision and now I simply couldn't not not watch it. It would be wrong. This year I managed to see all of Semi Final 1, part of Semi Final 2 and all of the Grand Final. This post is about my favourite countries from the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest. You may not agree with me but thats your problem, not mine. I promise this will be my last post on Eurovision til 2013 comes around. So you probably know by now that Sweden won with their entrant Loreen. It was a strong song, a very deserving winner in a Eurovision non-compliant kind of way (more on that later) but it wasn't my favourite.
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| Loreen wins 2012 Eurovision for Sweden |
7. Albania
This was the belter from this year. Full credit to Rona Nishliu for singing her heart out for Albania. Interesting choice of hair and dress. She reminds me of the Evil Queen from Snow White but then I would say that at the moment. Be prepared to be moved - FYI!
Official Placing: 5th place with 146 PointsAustralia Placing: 23rd place
Its quite obvious Iceland were copying Azerbaijan's winning formula from last year by having a couple singing a together. Jonsi and Greta really pulled this off and she is also playing the violin! They have a great key change and lets be quite honest Jonsi is worth the points on looks alone.
Official Placing:19th place with 26 pointsAustralia Placing:10th place
Italy vanished from Eurovision for a while there and came back with a vengeance last year. I thought this years number was a cool little song. Nina Zilli really pulled this one off by singing in English and Italian. Lets be honest the choreography is a bit non-existent and thats being kind. You kind of have to do more than just stand behind a microphone and sing. Eventually she moves around a bit but I think a little too late really.
Official Placing: 9th place with 101 PointsAustralia Placing: 4th place
I always like Greece in Eurovision and thats a fact. I can't explain it but usually I am very impressed. I loved Sakis from 2009 (that was my winner that year). I actually will never forget that performance so that may explain it. Eleftheria Eleftheriou is Eurovision all the way. Look at those legs!
Official Placing: 17th place with 64 PointsAustralia Placing: 8th place
So Switzerland didn't even make it to the Grand Final but they were great in Semi Final 1. I think he is singing "Swim against the stream, following your wildest your wildest dream" but I could be wrong. Sinplus (not sure about the name boys) remind me so much of Norwegian band Lorraine/Blackroom. I'm including them anyhow!
Did not place!
The winner is Loreen. I think its a great song and very catchy, kind of like a trancey Florence and the Machine. The one thing I am glad is that she is slightly bonkers and the performance was very NON-Eurovision which makes a nice change. The lighting was quite dark, her dancing was very "different" and just having the one black dancer come on for the end - all very unusual for Eurovision. I also am beginning to think that hype is deciding the winner. It has happened the last few years with the most hyped contestants winning the contest in the end. It happened in 2019 with that annoying fiddler from Norway and then Lena from Germany stole the show in 2010 and now Loreen for Sweden.
Official Placing:1st place with 372 votesAustralia Placing: 1st place
My favourite of the night. I love Tooji! This song is SO-OO catchy and he's dancing and they have the whole persian rhythms going. I mean he stood out to me and Tooji gave a fantastic performance and really did not deserve to be in last place. How can he have got less votes than Engelbert Humperdink?
Official Placing: Last place with 7 votesAustralia Placing:15th place (see Australia knows!!!!)
So that was the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest. There is nothing quite like it in the world. I am already excited about Stockholm in 2013. I have always said I'd love to go to a Eurovision Contest one year. I am not sure if 2013 is that year. Time will tell. Thanks for sticking with me on this mammoth post.
SBS Eurovision (Australians only)
Sufjan is in Sydney
Sufjan Stevens is in Sydney. That is all! See my previous post for more information on Sufjan's visit for Vivid. I'll be there on Wednesday night for his show with Nico Muhly and Bryce Dessner.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Sunday Song by Catcall
I have recently discovered super cool Catcall (aka Catherine Kelleher) who has just released her debut album The Warmest Place. The first single, which has been out for some time is the glorious poppy THE WORLD IS OURS. Check it out below. If this doesn't bring a Sunday smile to your face, you've got serious issues. I'm off to buy her album!
Friday, May 25, 2012
It's a Timebomb by Kylie Minogue
Kylie Minogue has unleashed her new video TIMEBOMB (aka WHOOP!!!). The song will appear on her "Best of " to be released next month as part of her K25 celebrations. The video was filmed in London and looks amazing as she walks down Old Compton Street and the back alleys of Soho and Chinatown. Enjoy!!!!!!
Friday, May 11, 2012
I LOVE EUROVISION
My name is Phillip and I am a Eurovision tragic! The Eurovision Song Contest is on the 26 May 2012 (Australian time) and I for one cannot wait. I LOVE EUROVISION! It's like the best song contest in the world and its an event. I became a big fan during my London years. Its hard to keep up the love when you're living in Oceania but I still make an effort to watch the FINAL and BAR any form of news, websites or social media that might leak the winner.I haven't had a Eurovision soiree since 2008 so I think it maybe time to have a Eurovision do. I have yet to listen to any of the songs for 2012 as I've been pre-occupied with a certain birthday. I do know that Engelbert Humperdink is the UK entrant with a big ballad. Lets be honest folks, they are SO not going to win with Engelbert!
Here are some of my favourite recent Eurovision moments!
Iceland were ROBBED in 2010 when Hera Bjork didn't win with this fab Euro number JE NE SAIS QUOIS. I was singing this for days afterwards!
Who remembers SAKIS - the Greek entrant from 2009. The man embodies everything that is Eurovision. He should've won just for wearing WHITE! He only managed 7th place.
Azerbaijan WON in 2011 with this great ballad RUNNING SCARED by Ell and Nikki.
Watch the Eurovision Final on SBS in Australia
Eurovision SBS on Facebook
Eurovision Website
Eurovision on Facebook
Eurovision on Twitter
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Sunday Song by Antony and the Johnsons
Today, I have been in a relfective frame of mind and have been listening to Antony and the Johnsons breakthrough 2nd LP from 2005 'I am a Bird'. It took me a while to really enjoy this album when it came out but over time the layers of this album really do reveal something completely unexpected and beautiful. Antony's voice is so unique and the songs he create are like musical landscapes. There are some amazing tracks on this album which include collaborations with Rufus Wainwright and Boy George. Two of my favourite tracks are YOU ARE MY SISTER and FISTFUL OF LOVE. Have a great Sunday!
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
This is what I bought on Record Store Day 2012
Official Record Store Day Releases
BEST 2012 Record Store Day Purchase
Other Records/CDS Bought on 2012 Record Store Day
- Bat For Lashes - STRANGELOVE - One Sided Single, cover of Depeche Mode with B-Side etched
- M83 - MIRROR - "Hidden" song from 2011 album 'Hurry Up, We're Dreaming' with B-Side etched
- Pet Shop Boys - OPPORTUNITIES (LET'S MAKE LOTS OF MONEY) - 12inch vinyl SILVER VINYL
Other Records/CDS Bought on 2012 Record Store Day
- Taylor Dayne - CAN'T FIGHT FATE - vinyl LP
- Cyndi Lauper - I DROVE ALL NIGHT - 7inch vinyl
- Aretha Franklin/George Michael - I KNEW YOU WERE WAITING FOR ME - 7inch vinyl (purchased for my niece)
- Eurythmics -SHAME - 12inch vinyl
- Eurythmics/Aretha Franklin - SISTERS ARE DOIN' IT FOR THEMSELVES - 12inch vinyl (Canadian)
- ABC - BE NEAR ME - 12inch vinyl (Canadian)
- Tears for Fears - MOTHERS TALK - 12inch vinyl (Canadian
- The Bravery - THE BRAVERY - CD LP
RECORD STORES VISITED
- Red Eye Records, 143 York St, Sydney and 370 Pitt St, Sydney (store closing on 6th May 2012 - 20% OFF all stock!)
- Lawson's Records, 380 Pitt St, Sydney
Ooh its a new Sophie Song
The Sophie Ellis Bextor has made a song with French DJ Bob Sinclar called FUCK WITH YOU. OK then if I must! I was reading an interview with Sophie on her website about the birth of baby number 3 (she's probably giving birth as you read this) and then this video appears! Check it out! The video is very similar to THE ONE by Kylie Minogue don't you think, except this one has more 'lips'. I think I could get used to Saucy Sophie!
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Boy George vs Lana Del Rey
I am very surprised that I have yet to write a post about Boy George. I only idiolised him from the years 1984 to 1998 (or there abouts) religiously. I guess I should write some more about the Boy George years. Anyway he has gone and done a cover of the Luscious Lana Del Rey song VIDEO GAMES (see below) which will be on an upcoming self-released covers album. The song seems to suit his husky voice and I definitely think ballads are where its at for George. This reminds me of George's post-Jesus Loves You (1991-1994) period where he became very folky and was singing very stripped back songs like YOU ARE THE DEAL (which metamorphised into THE DEAL).
And in other George related news he has had a few ups and downs on Twitter of late with his account being spammed. His last tweets suggest he may be having a rest for a while. See the below.
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| The Boy with Lana! |
And in other George related news he has had a few ups and downs on Twitter of late with his account being spammed. His last tweets suggest he may be having a rest for a while. See the below.
Tweets
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