New Saint Etienne video Tonight

Saint Etienne have released the video for their new single - TONIGHT. The single is from their first album in 7 years - 'Words and Music'. The video is ace and I love the London nightlife scenes.Those neon signs are doing things for me! This song is classic Saint Etienne and its great to have them back in 2012! My only criticism is how the song simply fades into the distance at the end. 

Saint Etienne have released the cover art to 'Words and Music' and the track-listing which will be released on 21 May 2012. The band will undertake a short British tour to support the release. The last time they released an album I was living in London so will be interesting to see what coverage the band get down under.

Saint Etienne Words & Music

1. Over the Border

2. I've Got Your Music

3. Heading For the Fair

4. Last Days of Disco

5. Tonight

6. Answer Song

7. Record Doctor

8. Popular

9. 25 Years

10. DJ

11. When I Was Seventeen

12. I Threw it All Away

13. Haunted Jukebox

Scritti Politti UK live dates in 2012

One of my favourite bands - the SCRITTI POLITTI has announced a number of UK dates throughout 2012. Oh to be able to see Green and his marvellous pop songs. Seeing as I can't go, I think VinylLuver readers in the UK should! The dates are below for you.

13th March – The Lexington, Pentonville Road, London N1 [Sold Out]

A low-key show promoted to readers of Word Magazine.
24th March – Guardian Open Weekend, Kings Place, York Way, London N1 [Sold Out]
Green in discussion with Alexis Petridis followed by a short Scritti set - THIS SOUNDS AMAZING! I WANT TO LIVE IN LONDON AGAIN!!!!!!!
24th April – Bush Hall, Uxbridge Road, London W12
Full headline show. A handful of tickets still available: http://goo.gl/QimcK
25th April – Bush Hall, Uxbridge Road, London W12 [Sold Out]
Second night at Bush Hall.
28th April – Do Lectures, fforest Farm, Cilgerran, Wales [Sold Out]
Proud to play at this amazing event - dolectures.com
3rd June - The Apple Cart Festival, Victoria Park, London E9
Playing the main stage along with Noah And The Whale, Billy Bragg & Stornoway.
Tickets: http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/event/3700483003B9DBE9
3rd August - Brudenell Social Club, 33 Queen's Road, Leeds LS6 1NY
Tickets: http://goo.gl/uFb3a
4th August - The Trades Club, Holme Street, Hebden Bridge, HX7 8EE
Tickets: http://www.wegottickets.com/event/157694
18th August - Green Man Festival, Glanusk Park, Wales
Tickets: http://www.greenman.net/tickets

My Favourite Record Stores

So I have been buying music since 1985. Thats 27 years of record, cd and cassette buying. Record stores are closing down all the time which I find so terribly sad. Remember to support RECORD STORE DAY which will take place on 21 APRIL 2012 (i'll be doing a post closer to the time). I thought I would list some of my favourite record stores from around the world and invite you to let me know some of your favourites. If anyone can recommend any good vinyl shops in Barcelona, Madrid and Berlin (potential destinations for my European trip this September) that would be great! I have been to many record stores across Europe while I was living in London and remember spending a few hours in an amazing store in Nice in France (but can't remember the name - does anyone know the one I am talking about?). The stores listed below are the ones that I return to if I am in these cities and which are still going strong (as far as I am aware).

Red Eye Records

143 York Street, Sydney, Australia

This has everything, new cds, new vinyl releases from USA and UK, second hand section, dvds, magazines and books. I have bought new and second hand here. I remember picking up a Goldfrapp RIDE ON A WHITE HORSE 12 inch for $5 which i was pretty pleased about. They also do PA's from time to time and I managed to meet the delightful Washington at Red Eye in 2010.

Egg Records

3 Wilson St, Newtown, Sydney, Australia

This is a second hand and collectables store with hard to find vinyl, cds and memorabilia but if you get down on your knees there are many bargain bins to have a rumage through. I never leave this store without a 7inch from the bargain bin. The last one i bought was a Style Council SHOUT TO THE TOP 7 inch for 50 cents.

Big Star

207c Sturt Rd, Marion, Adelaide, Australia

I visit this shop every Christmas when I go back to Adelaide and I always buy something (always good to support the local shops). All of the records  I bought last Christmas were from this shop. See my Records i bought on my Christmas Holidays post for all the gory details.

Dixons

various stores across Melbourne, Australia

I love this chain of stores so much that last time i was in Melbourne I visited the Prahan and Fitzroy stores. The Prahan store closed down in 2011 but there are still 4 stores across Melbourne. Highly recommend going if you are in Melbourne and looking for vinyl or music. You will find something here for sure!

Music and Video Exchange 

Stores across London in Berwick Street, Soho, Camden Town, Notting Hill, Greenwich, United Kingdom

The staff in these stores have been known to be rude so don't expect any amazing customer service. They have great stock and if you are looking for something they will have it! The Berwick Street branch has a great bargain basement. There are a few stores owned by Music and Video Exchange in Notting Hill, including a bargain basement and collectables shop. I once found an autographed Thompson Twins album on cassette in the bargain basement shop!   

Sister Ray

34 Berwick Street, Soho, London, United Kingdom

This is the independent record shop to go to in London. They have all the new releases on vinyl from the UK and USA as well as comprehensive selection of CDs. There are also PA's here and I saw The Feeling here in 2005 (with Sophie Ellis Bextor in the audience) and the end of We Are Scientists PA also in 2005 or 2006.

Flashback Records

50 Essex Road, Islington, London, United Kingdom

Another favourite of mine from my London days. I used to visit this store regularly when I was living in Kings Cross (circa 2003-4). Sells mostly second hand vinyl, CDs and DVDS. The collectables are in the basement. There are bargain racks out front. I remember buying a Blur tour program from 1993 for 50p here. Those were the days, now they just make Brit award album winners cut short their speeches!

Lucky Records

66 rue de la Verrerie, PARIS 75004, France

Perhaps the gayest record store you'll ever visit. It has large collections on Madonna, Kylie and other GAY ICONS. There are also sale bins in front of the store. I didn't buy anything the last time I was there but had my hands on a Bananarama shaped Picture Disc for ROBERT DENIRO'S WAITING and I regret not buying it!

Sas Paul Bouliner (du Quartier Latin)

20 Bd St Michel, PARIS 75006, France

This is a second hand store in Paris which focuses on books but also has records. Upstairs has a large amount of French and European pressings of 7 inches and albums. The last time I was there in 2009 I purchased 9 X 7inches. You need to rummage but its always worth it!

Les Archives de la presse

51 rue des Archives, le Marais, Paris, France

This shop sells magazines, brochures, old fashion catalogues and is a treasure trove (OK so its not a record store but its my blog and i'll list it if I want to). It has a large selection of old magazines from France and around the world. Well worth a visit. Please note its a dusty store but well worth visiting should you ever be looking for that Chanel catalogue from 1991. 

Concerto

Utrechtsestraat 62-60, 1017 VP, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

I have only been to this store once but remember it being very well stocked with vinyl. This store is part of a chain of stores across the Netherlands.Well worth visiting if you are in dutchieland.

Some further LINKS of record stores around the world:
http://www.recordstorereview.com/
http://www.discogs.com/groups/476
http://www.recordjunkie.com/stores
http://www.moremusic.co.uk/links/world_sh.htm

Sunday Song by Lana

The Lana del Rey album 'Born to Die' has been on high rotation at VinylLuver HQ this week. I think its quite a good album really, considering all the hype and hoo ha surrounding Lana.One of the standout tracks for me is SUMMERTIME SADNESS which I have just discovered is Lana's favourite track on the album. Here she is performing the song in NYC at the Bowrey Ballroom last December. Enjoy your Sunday folks! I'm off to brunch and a massage.

New Rufus

The New RUFUS WAINWRIGHT album 'Out of the Game' has been produced by uber-cool producer Mark Ronson (Duran Duran, Amy Winehouse, Lily Allen). To be released in April/May 2012, Rufus has proclaimed this album to be 'the most pop album I've ever made'. Rufus will be on tour in Europe/USA this coming April/May. Mark Ronson spoke with Arjanwrites about the album. Here is the album teaser.

2012 Brits

The 2012 Brit Awards took place earlier this week. Adele won 2 awards for Album of the Year and Best British Female but unfortunately the awards will be remembered for the finger she gives (apparently to record company executives) but i'm not convinced. I think it was appalling for James Corden/Brits producers to cut her off mid-way through her speech. Would that happen at the Grammys? I don't think so! Luscious Lips Lana managed to pickup Best International Breakthrough Act. The key moments are here for your pleasure:

The full list of 2012 Brit Awards Winners:

Album Of The Year - Adele, '21'
Critics' Choice Award - Emile Sande
Outstanding Achievement Award - Blur
Best British Female - Adele
Best International Male - Bruno Mars
Best British Single - One Direction
Best International Female - Rihanna
Best British Male - Ed Sheeran
Best British Group - Coldplay 
Best International Group - Foo Fighters
British Breakthrough Act - Ed Sheeran 
International Breakthrough Act - Lana Del Rey

The most beautiful man in the world - David Sylvian

David Sylvian is one of those rare creatures in music, who is completely unphased by commercial success or even critical acclaim and is really happy to remain true to his creativity (wherever that may take him). Of course David started in the late 70's as lead singer in the glam rock/new wave band JAPAN.

I was too young and naive in my musical taste to enjoy them when they hit their peak in the early 80's. Then one day in 2002, I managed to find the back catalogue of Japan on vinyl in a cat rescue charity shop in Walthamstow for £2.20 (Peter Dixon was with me at the time and he managed to wrestle the I SECOND THAT EMOTION 12inch out of my hands). I immediately fell in love with Japan! I then went through a Japan/David Sylvian phase and immediately started buying his solo cds etc. I actually prefer the early Japan albums to his solo efforts. Standout Japan songs for me are RHODESIA, SUBURBAN LOVE and ADOLESCENT SEX. Another great David Sylvian song is FORBIDDEN COLOURS which he did with Ryuichi Sakamoto and was on the soundtrack to Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence. A Beautiful song!

The last David Sylvian album i bought was 'Blemish' in 2003. It is very atmospheric and electronic. It's not the most easiest album to listen to and is quite cold and mechanical! I managed to find another David Sylvian fan in my friend Harry! We went to see him live in 2003 at the Royal Festival Hall in London. I couldn't believe all the male fans he had. It was amazing and he is treated like a God by his fans. David was once given the title of "the most beautiful man in the world" which may explain his God-like status. 

I have not followed his career closely since then but he is releasing a best of album titled 'A Victim of Stars, 1982-2012' in the UK on 27 February 2012. If you haven't fallen under the David Sylvian spell, I suggest you head down to your local charity/op shop and/or youtube him. The man is an artistic genius and there are not enough musicians like him!

 

Sunday Song by SIA

A new feature at Vinylluver will be a Sunday Song. I will post a song every Sunday (until I one day forget) that is on high rotation at Vinylluver HQ. This Sunday it is TITANIUM by SIA (ok so technically its David Guetta but SIA makes this track). I don't usually like these high energy clubby dance tracks but this one has infiltrated me for some reason!

Whitney Forever

Whitney Houston's funeral will take place today (USA time), 18 February 2012 at 12pm. It will be streamed live on the Livestream website. This post is about remembering WHITNEY HOUSTON and some of her best songs. Now lets keep things in perspective here. I loved Whitney but only if i was in a club dancing or in an aerobics class or driving on a highway with the music turned up loud (which i'm not likely to do as i don't know how to drive) but you get the gist! Some of the best times have been dancing to those fantastic POP songs. If i am in a contemplative frame of mind, the last song i want to listen to is "I'LL BE YOUR BABY TONIGHT"! No offence but lets keep it real sista! So Whitney, you'll never be forgotten but most of all on the dancefloor. You made some of the best pop songs ever and your voice was unsurpassed until you met that good for nothing Bobby! Girl you know its true! The saddest thing about Whitney was losing that heavenly voice. Her run of Number 1's in USA in the late 1980's is still unbroken. Amazing. So here they are my definitive Whitney tracks. Whitney may you R.I.P. girl!

SO EMOTIONAL
This is a stomper from her 2nd album Whitney. I love the opening line "I don't know why i like you, I just do".

HOW WILL I KNOW
A single from her first album. Have you seen a bigger bow than that? This is pure bubblegum pop!

SAVING ALL MY LOVE FOR YOU

One of her biggest hits from her first album. Here is Whitney performing SAVING ALL MY LOVE FOR YOU at the 1986 Grammy Awards and then winning the award for BEST POP FEMALE VOCAL. She hugs Dionne Warwick for the longest time! So cute!

I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY

The first single from her 2nd album Whitney. This was Number 1 for 5 weeks in Australia and just about every other country in the pop universe. The success of her second album really cemented her popularity across the world.

Other Honourable mentions:
All THE MAN THAT I NEED
IF I TOLD YOU THAT duet with George Michael
MILLION DOLLAR BILL
I'M EVERY WOMAN (cover of Chaka Khan's song)

Gotye is Number 1 in the UK

Gotye's SOMEBODY THAT I USED TO KNOW is Number 1 in the UK. Congratulations to the Melbourne based band. The song was Number 1 in Australia for 8 weeks in 2011 and basically topped every list there was and also made it into my Top Ten of 2011. The song has also been a big hit in Europe and reached Number 1 in a number of countries. The song is currently at Number 12 on the USA Billboard Hot 100. Will it reach Number 1 there?

Goodbye Whitney

Even as i write this I can't believe that Ms Whitney Houston is dead. 48 years old and gone. Never to sing again. 120 million albums sold, the woman had a voice that could raise the roof when she was good. I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU is the biggest selling single in USA. She was the only artist to achieve 7 consecutive Number 1's on the Billboard Hot 100 from SAVING ALL MY LOVE TO YOU to WHERE DO BROKEN HEARTS GO. Her success was phenomenal. I was always hoping a real comeback would happen for Ms Houston but it was not to be. I always loved her 2009 comeback single MILLION DOLLAR BILL. R.I.P. Whitney Houston.

How the Brits Rocked America

BBC4 recently showed a 3 part series about how British bands have infiltrated the difficult American market titled: How the Brits Rocked America: Go West. The final episode "We're the Kids in America" deals with the 70's punk movement and then the new wave invasion of the 80's. Interviewees include John Lydon from the Sex Pistols, Jim Kerr from Simple Minds, Elvis Costello, Nick Rhodes and John Taylor from Duran Duran, Adam Ant, Debbie Harry from Blondie, Bob Geldof, Robert Smith from the Cure, Ian McCulloch from Echo and the Bunnymen, Stewart Copeland and Sting from the Police, Boy George from Culture Club, Gary Numan and many other commentators.

Those in UK can watch the episode on the BBC4 website. Great quotes include:

"Journey or Duran Duran" - John Taylor
"I was supposed to get the cover of Rolling Stone but someone decided I was a Nazi" - Adam Ant
"They were the enemy" (on Duran Duran) - Robert Smith

For those not in the UK, please see the below YouTube links.Thanks to Tracey Thorn for tweeting about this (which is how i heard about this series) and my friend Peter Dixon for giving me the lowdown on this show.

Part 1 

Part 2 

Part 3 

Part 4 

Madonna congratulates Kylie on her ARIA win and K25

New Ladyhawker

Ladyhawke has released her new video BLACK, WHITE & BLUE.This is the first single to be released from the long-awaited follow-up 'Anxiety' released 16 March 2012.The video is a remake of the 1970's classic film 'The Eyes Of Laura Mars' that starred the fantastic Faye Dunaway. I love the Ladyhawke and can't wait to hear the album.

Kylie's K25

Kylie Minogue has been a popstar/singer for 25 years. Think about that for a moment. She has lasted when so many haven't. Her first single, THE LOCOMOTION  was Number 1 for 7 weeks in Australia. It was the biggest selling single in Australia in the 1980's. Kylie is Australia's biggest popstar EVER! She made one of the best songs of the noughties - CAN'T GET YOU OUT OF MY HEAD, which was Number 1 in over 40 countries. I have been there for all 25 years. So this post is a celebration of Kylie Minogue and the last 25 years. Kylie has survived breast cancer. Kylie is the Princess of Pop. Kylie is from Melbourne, Australia. Kylie I salute you and let the K25 celebrations begin!

• Kylie has record/cd sales of 68 million
• Kylie has had 10 Australian Number 1 Singles
• Kylie has had a Number 1 album in each of the 4 decades she has released albums
• NME called her the "Goddess of POP"
• Clive James appointed her "Woman of the Decade" for the 1980's
• Kylie has very good taste in men. That is all!

My Favourite Kylie Song of All Time - BETTER THE DEVIL YOU KNOW
This was the 1st single from Kylie's 3rd album, 'Rhythm of Love'. This was the beginning of SexKylie. Kylie was dating Michael Hutchence and decided  it was time to take control of her career. Kylie released this pop classic and the video caused controversy at the time as we weren't used to seeing Kylie with sexually suggestive scenes in her videos. The song reached Number 4 in Australia and Number 2 in the UK. I LOVE THIS SONG.

Memorable Kylie Magazine Covers

Kylie in Concert

I have seen Kylie in concert 6 times. I travelled to Melbourne from Adelaide (with my sister) as an 18 year old Kylie Superfan for her only Melbourne date on  9 February 1990 for the Enjoy Yourself Tour. I just had to be in the audience for her first concert tour of Australia. I have since seen her 5 times.

My 1st Kylie concert  ticket stubb

15 February 1991 - Rhythm of Love Tour - Adelaide Memorial Drive
14 June1998 - Intimate and Live Tour - Adelaide Thebarton Theatre
19 March 2001 - On a Night Like This Tour - London Hammersmith Apollo
5 January 2007 - Showgirl: The Homecoming Tour - London Wembley Arena
11 June 2011 - Aphrodite les Folies Tour - Sydney Entertainment Centre (lovely Ellis got this for my birthday last year)
PS I also saw Kylie at the G-A-Y club in 2000 when she did a PA to promote SPINNING AROUND. She did a 6 song set and also did a cover of Culture Club's VICTIMS.

My Favourite Kylie Albums 

My Kylie Top Thirteen
These are my favourite Kylie tracks in no particular order except for Number 1. Not all are singles or her number 1's but tracks that i have loved throughout her career. You will notice 3 songs from the 'Rhythm of Love' album which I think was a defining moment for her. There are a few album tracks, maybe a b-side here and there. What are your favourite Kylie songs?
BETTER THE DEVIL YOU KNOW (1990) - there is nothing left to say about this song.
DID IT AGAIN (1997) - 2nd single from much neglected 'Impossible Princess' album. The video is totes amazing.

GET OUTTA MY WAY (2011) - amazing 2nd single from 'Aphrodite'.
AUTOMATIC LOVE (1994) - great album track from 'Kylie Minogue' (ie her 5th album)
CAN'T GET YOU OUT OF MY HEAD (2001) - MAJOR POP MOMENT OF 2001.
HAND ON YOUR HEART (1989) - this is so bubblegum but i love it none-the-less from 'Enjoy Yourself'.
WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO (1990) - Amazing. The video has so many defining images.

SPINNING AROUND (2000) - the pop comeback of 2000. Hello Number 1 position.
SHOCKED (1990) - another great song from 'Rhythm of Love'.

WOW (2007) - great track from 'X'. It was great to have Kylie back!

MADE IN HEAVEN (1988) - bubblegum Kylie but its brilliant. B-side from the 1st album.
BURNING UP (2001) - last track on Fever. Amazing. Also a song title for Madonna I do believe.
I BELIEVE IN YOU (2004) - Scissor Sisters Collaboration which was a marriage made in heaven

Kylie sings - IF YOU DON'T LOVE ME 
Kylie sang this song on the 'Aphrodite les Folies' tour and it was so moving. I then discovered she sang this song for MTV in 1995. This is a Prefab Sprout song but I love Kylie's version.

My 12inch Kylie Picture Disc Collection

I Believe in You, WOW, Slow and Chocolate all in Kylie 12inch picture disc glory

Let the K25 celebrations begin
Kylie is planning a year full of celebrations as part of K25. She has revamped her website (including a K25 timeline, has announced her participation in the 2012 Sydney Mardi Gras in March 2012 and released an acoustic version of FINER FEELINGS recorded at the Abbey Road Studios. WOW! Cannot wait to see what else Kylie has up her sleeve for 2012 as part of K25.

Kylie's website

Kylie on Twitter

Kylie on Facebook

Kylie on Wikipedia

Scritti Politti on the Twitter and Facebook

One of my favourite bands of all-time, the SCRITTI POLITTI  are now on the Facebook and the Twitter.Green Gartside is one of the coolest men in pop. You have to watch their video for ABSOLUTE (circa 1984). Love the shell suit. Their 1985 Cupid and Psyche album is one of my favourite albums of all time! Green writes the most amazing lyrics. They released another album in 2006 White Bread Black Beer which is also worth listening to.

The MDNA comeback begins - Give Me All Your Luvin' video released

The first single from Madonna's forthcoming album MDNA has been unleashed. GIVE ME ALL YOUR LUVIN' (featuring Nicki Minaj and M.I.A) features cheerleaders, American footoballers and Madge dressing up as if she was still on the Virgin Tour, channelling Marilyn Monroe with a touch of Breathless Mahoney thrown in. I LOVE this song and i think its a return to form for Madonna.

From Nick Rhodes with Love

Nick Rhodes sent me this postcard after i sent him the Australian Duran Duran covers album The Songs of Duran Duran UnDone from 1999. I had just moved to London and this made my LIFE! There will be a few more Duran Duran posts in the leadup to their All You Need is Now Australian Tour coming up this March/April.