PoP10 – KEVIN MCADAMS

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1. Why play music?

They say you don’t choose music, it chooses you, and I’ll have to agree.  It just seems the most interesting way to communicate for me.  Ultimately, and nauseatingly idealistic as it sounds, I do think music makes the world a better place.  It’s completely human and almost always positive.

2. Who are your influences?

I would say artists I was exposed to earliest as a kid.  It all comes full circle.  Lots of 1970’s pop.

3. What is success?

The art is its own reward.  Creating art you feel is good, and connecting with people, whether they react positively or negatively is success.  Hitting a nerve, I guess.

4. Why should people buy your music?

I have things to say, and if folks relate to what I am saying and how I say them, then they should buy and enjoy.

5. Who do you love?

They know who they are. 🙂

6. What do you hope to achieve with your music?

Communication.  Good music connects.

7. Who comes to your gigs?

Increasingly, people I haven’t met before, which is a good sign.

8. What is your favorite album?

Wire – Pink Flag

9. What is your favorite song?

I don’t have an absolute favorite, but probably something by Stevie Wonder.

10. How did you get here?

A wayward comet, to a trail out of Africa, to a ship across the ocean, to the crosstown bus.

Its My Time To Lose My Mind, Kevin McAdams’ new album is out now.

KEVIN MCADAMS

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KEVIN MCADAMS It’s My Time To Lose My Mind (Self-released)

Drummers are a special breed eh? Especially when they also sing and write their own music. Notable examples – Ringo Starr, Phil Collins, Don Henley and Andy Sturmer. Well, Kevin McAdams played drums for indie rock outfit Elefant and his new solo album It’s Time To Lose My Mind is proof that there are more to drummers than the cliched jokes will let on.

With Elefant guitarist Mod Alien on board as producer, this enjoyable album is a fine blend of powerpop, new wave and post-punk influences and styles, with an emphasis on catchy melodies throughout. McAdams primarily instrument here is keyboards and without degenerating into fey Keane/Coldplay histrionics, McAdams utilizes different keyboard sonic approaches in a fashion recallin the likes of Todd Rundgren, Ivy, Paul McCartney, Grandaddy and the Cars.

There’s a freewheeling, devil-may-care, eclecticism in memorable tracks like Start Over Again, The Bannerman Nightmare, Hourglass, Small Town Livin’ and the like. Fans of modern-day D-I-Y pop masters like Jason Falkner, Jon Brion and Brendon Benson will thrill to Kevin McAdams.

Myspace

ELVIS COSTELLO

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ELVIS COSTELLO Secret, Profane & Sugarcane (Hear Music)

In seven days, Elvis Costello will playing in Singapore for the very first time ever. That’s perhaps reason enough to take a close look at Costello’s album – Secret, Profane & Sugarcane – released in June. With its rootsy flavour and T Bone Burnett’s production, Secret, Profane & Sugarcane is highly reminiscient of 1986’s King of America.

So its basically country-folk songs presented with acoustic guitars, mandolins, double basses, fiddles and so on. Verbose to the max and filled with Costello’s trademark vitrol, the songs never let up on the intensity level whilst coming across homespun and rustic. Typical Costello dichotomy!

That said, I’ve always preferred Costello when he’s playing the ambitious British pop music writer (e.g. Imperial Bedroom, Punch the Clock, Spike and even The Juliet Letters) rather than when he’s paying tribute to his American influences. Rather like Dylan nowadays but without the gritty authenticity, Secret, Profane & Sugarcane is a good effort at Americana but it does all sound like Costello’s cruising a bit too much.

Official site

Myspace

GRACE BASEMENT

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GRACE BASEMENT Gunmetal Gray (Undertow)

As as if it wasn’t already enough that St. Louis’ Grace Basement manages to deliver a pleasing reading of fine melodic alt-rock influences like Wilco, Flaming Lips, Guided By Voices and Superchunk, the band also incorporates more rustic instrumentation into the powerful mix. Thus, we are treated to the likes of fiddle, viola, lap steel, banjo, harp, accordion, concertina, horns and even uilleann pipes, which brings the band’s sophomore album to an entire different level.

You’ve gotta respect the attention to textural detail that singer-songwriter-producer Kevin Buckley pays to these pop tunes – wonderfully indebted to the Beatles, XTC, the Beach Boys and Big Star for melodic invention. There is a magical balance between the sweet and raw qualities that blending the genres of powerpop and country-folk-blues results in. I am rather taken by this unique-sounding album. From the pulsating opening There He Goes onwards, one is never quite sure what twists and turns the impressive material would take, completely subverting expectations at all the right places. Which to me, is a testimony to a creative mind in action.

Official site

Myspace

Undertow Music

OUR NOISE

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OUR NOISE: THE STORY OF MERGE RECORDS The Indie Label That Got Big and Stayed Small by John Cook with Mac McCaughan and Laura Ballance (Algonquin)

I love bios, especially rock bios. But a bio about a record label? How about the quintessential “indie-rock” record label then?

Merge Records was founded by Mac McCaughan and Laura Ballance in 1989, two 20 year old musicians who wanted release the music that they loved and believed in. Our Noise chronicles how in the last 20 years, Merge Records has prospered on its own terms, supported bands and artists who not only garnered critical acclaim but ultimately commercial success, beyond its modest means and wildest dreams.

In addition, Our Noise is about Superchunk – the band formed by McCaughan and Ballance that rode the post-Nirvana alt-rock boom of the early 90s to emerge as one of the most revered indie rock bands of the 90s. Inevitably, Our Noise is also about McCaughan and Laura – who started out as friends and lovers & ended up as band mates and business partners.

Our Noise – true to the homemade nature of Merge Records itself – is set out like a scrapbook. Chock full of record sleeves, gig flyers, photographs, excerpts of reviews and of course, interviews with the relevant participants. There is a warm, homespun feel about the entire book which remains true to the spirit of Merge Records and the people connected with it.

Our Noise also highlights the stories behind notable Merge bands/artists such as Neutral Milk Hotel, Spoon, Magnetic Fields, Lambchops and Arcade Fire. I found these behind-the-scenes narratives especially enlightening. There is an email from a Howard Bilerman to McCaughan that cracks me up. In it, Bilerman – in an apologetic, embarrassed manner – writes about a young band (whom he plays drums for) who are recording an album and are interested in having said album released by Merge. Bilerman ends his email with, “if you are completely uninterested in the music, I will take no offence…” The name of the band and album? Arcade Fire. Funerals.

There are many many other nuggets like that in this magnificient tome. Which makes One Noise one of the best rock bios I’ve had the pleasure to have read. It’s full of the kind of insight (and pearls of wisdom) that every rock music enthusiast longs to learn about. Highly recommended.

Official site

SPURS 5 BURNLEY 0

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Robbie Keane silenced his critics emphatically with 4 goals as Spurs routed a hapless Burnley team. To be fair to the Premiership newcomers, they gave as good as they got but ultimately their lack of quality (especially in the final thirds on both sides of the pitch) proved fatal.

Spurs – despite the score – never quite got going and played in fits and starts. It was apparent from early on that Burnley was there for the taking as both Keane and Defoe were put through one-on-one with the keeper with equally dismal results. Inveitably the goals came through Keane’s converted penalty and Jenas’ deflected effort. The second half belonged to Keane as he got into crucial positions to score three more goals and put a flattering spin on the score.

Did I say flattering? Yes indeed, as overall I thought Spurs were below par and Burnley were much much worse. All around the field, the Spurs players limped around the pitch like zombies. Wilson Palacios seemed a little out of sorts with his passing, enabling Jermaine Jenas to outshine him in the central midfield. Defoe also had an off-day, missing two excellent chances and dislocating a finger to top it all off. Corluka did not even turn up and surely Alan Hutton must be in contention for the next game. Lennon has gone off the boil since the heights of the England – Croatia game though considering the alternative – David Bentley – his place is safe. Carlo Cuducini looked nervous throughout and was lucky not to concede a silly goal when he fumbled a simple catch from a Burnley free kick. Gomes will be back in soon.

However, kudos to Tom Huddlestone and Sebastian Bassong, especially the latter for marshalling the defence comfortably, to earn the team its first clean sheet of the season. Niko Kranjcar and Benoit Assou-Ekotto linked up well on the left and most of our attacking threat came from their side. Kranjcar even looked good on the right (when Lennon went off) and who knows may be an option there when Modric returns (and if Lennon does not wake up soon).

But the man of the match, undoubtedly, was Robbie Keane. Spurs fans have been unhappy with his recent performances and have been grumbling how the Irishman was deemed “undroppable” by Harry Redknapp. Based on his overall performance yesterday, Keane has certainly vindicated his manager’s judgement. Hopefully, this morale-boosting victory will be the catalyst for a prolonged winning streak.

COYS!!!

JEFF LARSON

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JEFF LARSON Heart of the Valley (Human Nature)

With all the pre-fabricated, soul-less crap that tries to pass itself off as modern-day pop music, it is certainly heart-warming and encouraging that pure authentic pop continues to be created. Over the years, I have always depended on singer-songwriter Jeff Larson to provide a uplifting antidote to all the cynical hyped-up callousness.

For his latest magnum opus, Larson puts himself into the hands of Gerry Beckley (of 70s legends America) for this interesting project. Basically, Larson sings songs written, performed, arranged, engineered, recorded and produced by Beckley and the results are the stuff that dreams are made of.

Of course, I grew up with that fabulous debut America LP, and Heart of the Valley resonates with the same warmth, mellifluence and charm. I make no apologies for recommending this instant mellow classic, chock full of chiming electric guitars, spine-tingling pedal steels, folky sentiments, tight vocals harmonies and memorable tunes.

Official site

Myspace

PREVIEW: SPURS v BURNLEY

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Coming off a fruitful away night in the Carling Cup, Spurs return to the bread-and-butter of the Premiership needing to recover from two defeats. In last season’s Carling Cup Semi-Final, Spurs next opponents, Burnley, gave us the fright of our lives needed late goals to advance to the final after we looked dead and buried.

New boys Burnley have done very well at Turf Moor – 100% record – having turned over the likes of Man Utd, Everton and Sunderland. However, their away record is dismal and this could work in Spurs’ favour and Burnley may turn out to be Spurs’ whipping boys as we attempt to rid ourselves of the bad taste of the last two matches.

On the selection front, Spurs’ defensive crisis seems to have slightly eased by Michael Dawson in mid-week and hopefully, Seb Bassong has recovered sufficienly from his nasty bump to the head at Stamford Bridge. Other than that, will we see Harry Redknapp keep faith with Robbie Keane again or will hat-trick hero Peter Crouch get the nod?

One thing is certain, Redknapp must maintain a proper balance in his team and put a geniune midfielder on the left, in Modric’s continued absence. Kranjcar, perhaps, to make his first start?

Whatever. This game is a must-win if Spurs has any aspirations for a top six finish.

COYS!!!

PRESTON 1 SPURS 5

After the last two games, any win would be a welcome change for Spurs. A resounding away victory in the Carling Cup was the result last night and certainly its a tremendous boost ahead of the home Premiership game against Burnley. Five goals shared among three stikers with Peter Crouch taking possession of the match ball with a delightful hat-trick. Also encouraging sign was Michael Dawson playing 80 minutes, which considering Spurs’ current defensive crisis is great news. Hopefully, this victory will be the catalyst for a good winning run before the North London derby.

COYS!!!

WATCHMEN: ULTIMATE CUT

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ka-ching!

Disc 1:

• Watchmen: The Ultimate Cut Film (includes Tales of the Black Freighter woven in)

• Audio Commentary with Zack Snyder and Dave Gibbons

Disc 2: Over 3 Hours of Special Features

• The Phenomenon: The Comic that Changed Comics

• Real Super Heroes, Real Vigilantes

• Mechanics: Technologies of a Fantastic World

• Watchmen: Video Journals

• My Chemical Romance Desolation Row

• Under The Hood

• Story Within A Story: The Books of Watchmen

Disc 3: Digital Copy of the Theatrical Version

Disc 4 and 5: Watchmen: The Complete Motion Comics

Thanks to /Film for the heads up.

THE POWER OF POP INTERVIEW – TAKEN BY CARS

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(Answers by Sarah Marco)

Who are Taken by Cars and how was it formed?

We are Sarah Marco on vocals, Bryce Zialcita and Siopao Chua on guitars, Isa Garcia on bass, and Bryan Kong on the drums. The boys have been in a band over the past decade covering all kinds of genre from 90’s alternative to classic rock until mid-2006 where we decided to write our own material and take the band more seriously. Thus, Taken by Cars was officially born.

Who are the influences for Taken by Cars?

We listen to a lot of different kinds of music but collectively we are drawn to New Wave, Electro, Dance, Indie, House, Shoegaze, and anything that sounds good.

What’s the dynamics of the band?

We would like to believe that we are a very democratic band where everyone has an equal share on the table. And being indie, sometimes we have to do everything on our own. So each member has certain roles to fill outside of being a musician. Like I am the one handling press releases and interviews like this, Siopao acts as our road manager, Bryce is our marketing guy, Bryan manages our band websites while Isa is our official photographer in gigs.

Why do you play music?

Because we simply love it too much =)

I hear you will be recording material for a new album soon. What’s involved in the recording process for the new album?

Normally the music comes first and I fill in the words and melody after. Right now, we are currently writing new material for our sophomore release and hopefully we can start recording by the end of the year.

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What’s the lyrical process for making the new album?

In writing the second album, the lyrical process still remains spontaneous. But in par with everything the band is trying to do, I want to write better and be able to do something different with the words and the vocal delivery and how the words will mesh with the music. Those three things can’t be separated.

How much has changed since the previous album?

There’s challenge in terms of trying to create a different vibe as people tend to get bored hearing the same old dance beat. We’ve definitely gone through a lot of things in the past years, both musically and in our personal lives and we would want that to reflect in the music.

How does it feel to play for Baybeats Music Festival?

It was an amazing experience. We are all very grateful to be given the opportunity to play in front of a foreign audience especially representing our country in a music festival like Baybeats. Hope there will be more opportunities to come.

What are the future plans for Taken by Cars?

As mentioned above, we are currently writing for our sophomore album and we’re targeting its release in the 1st quarter of 2010. Right now, we’re completing a project with a big retail brand, which we are very excited for. So do watch out for more TbC in the coming months and for our second album coming 2010 =)

(Rebecca Lincoln)

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Pix by Charles Buenconsejo

MARIE DIGBY

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MARIE DIGBY Breathing Underwater (Hollywood)

When Marie Digby was last in Singapore, I was invited to interview her in person. To be honest, I didn’t give it a second thought until I watched a couple of her youtube videos. The girl is hot, no doubt! I even considered taking a day off to meet her in the flesh. But of course, I didn’t. This fact – exotic good looks (Digby is Irish-Japanese) – sometimes works against female singer-songwriters when critics tend to assume that hotness equals lack of talent whatsoever.

A quick look at the CD sleeve will reveal that one, its filled to the max with glamour shots of Digby and two, all the songs are co-written by Digby and a slew of other folk. To be honest, its hard not to be cynical. Especially when you actually listen to the tracks on Breathing Underwater. Pretty generic stuff, with the typical pre-fabricated rampant auto-tuning that is robbing many of these pop divas of any soul whatsoever.

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I mean, to be brutally frank, I would say that any of our S-ROCK grrls viz. Rach, Ling or Inch, would easily give Digby a run for her money in the creativity stakes. BUT in the final analysis, its all about the image and the hype isn’t it? Crucially, possession of this CD is more about buying into the the Marie Digby package – beauty, sex appeal etc – rather than the music. Sad but true, doesn’t stop anyone from gawking but there you go…

PoP10 – STRANGEFINGER

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(Answers by Fred Lemke)

1. Why play music?

The piano’s my girlfriend.

2. Who are your influences? Brian Wilson, John Lennon, Prince, Marvin Gaye, Rufus Wainwright, Jellyfish, Jeff Lynne, Bread.

No others.

3. What is success?

Love

4. Why should people buy your music?

Love

5. Who do you love?

Love

6. What do you hope to achieve with your music?

Peace and understanding

7. Who comes to your gigs?

Friends and Lovers

8. What is your favorite album?

My lawyer has advised me not to answer this question. Fuck it…. Bread’s greatest hits: tracks 1, 2, 4, 5, 13, 14, 16, 20, and 21.

9. What is your favorite song?

Go or Go Ahead by Rufus Wainwright

10. How did you get here?

Magic

Strangerfinger’s new album Into the Blue is out now.

ANGULO

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ANGULO Blur The White Lines (Pop-No-Comply Records)

Angulo is not your typical cookie-cutter band from the Phiippines. With so many up-and-coming bands coming from the Philippines, it’s hard to sift through all the bands and pick out the better ones. I heard them on Myspace earlier this year and I got a copy of Blur The White Lines by chance from Niles, who flew down for Anberlin last month.

Angulo is Niles Chong (vox), Kelvin Uy (guitars), Lio Valiao (guitars/vox), Johncy Agregado (bass) and Niko Dinglasan (drums). With so many fantastic bands from the Philippines, I thought it would have been a challenge being another band in the Philippines but Angulo proved me wrong.

The album was released in 2008 and has consists of 12 tracks. Angulo’s influences include Anberlin, Mae and Paramore, and there are elements of their influences in the lyrics and music. Their lyrics are drawn from diverse personal experiences and reflect thoughts of love, hope and ultimately redemption. It’s a breath of fresh air from an industry filled with songs about failed relationships and angst. Notable tracks in the album are Grey, Lost In Translation, This Year, Sydney and my personal favourite, F.L.S.

Blur The White Lines is an emotionally charged album that unifies explosive progressions and melodies with carefully crafted lyrics to create an unforgettable album that relates to people. On more than one occasion, I found myself reminiscing about my own experiences. On that basis, the album has won me over. The album has a lot more hits than misses, and it’s nice to know that wherever we are in the world, music has the ability to relate to different people in different places. With such a brilliant album, it’s no wonder Angulo has a strong following in The Philippines and was chosen to open for Thursday during their Asian Tour.

Angulo will be performing at *Scape, November 21 with Urbandub so watch out for that!

(Rebecca Lincoln)

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Music Video of Angulo’s song, F.L.S.

CHELSEA 3 SPURS 0

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A bridge too far.

For neutrals, the hype about Spurs’ best start since the double-winning season of 1960-61 has been about breaking into the top four, with the games against Man Utd and Chelsea the critical litmus tests. If that is indeed the case, then Spurs failed miserably and there’s no chance in hell that Spurs would threaten to improve on their best Premiership finish i.e. 5th.

But for most Spurs fans, the very idea of a top 4 finish is simply ludicrous especially when considering the quality of our players, the tactical nous of our manager and most of all, the refereeing bias towards the top 4 clubs. Howard Webb had of course irked us Spurs fans last season when he awarded a penalty for Man Utd at Old Trafford even though Gomes had played the ball and not the man. This time, Webb elected to decide that Cavalho had played the ball – impossible when you consider that Keane’s body was in the way – and not the man, when the Chelsea defender crucially tripped Keane in the penalty box.

The consequence was disasterous for Spurs. From having a real chance of equalizing, Spurs went 2 down and effectively the match was over. Is there a conspiracy in the Premier League to maintain the status quo? Ask Mark Hughes what he thinks after seeing an impossible 6 minutes being added on in the Manchester derby to facilitate Michael Owen’s late winner. It’s hard not to be cynical in such blatantly unjust circumstances.

However, to be totally objective, Spurs probably lost the game when the line-ups were decided. Redknapp opted for a five-man midfield – although it was not quite clear who was supposed to cover left midfield – Palacios? Keane? Whoever it was certainly was not doing his job as Chelsea exploited the huge void on our left flank and eventually went into the lead from a deep cross from the right.

That said, for a time before that goal, Spurs had the upper hand and should have taken the lead from efforts by Defoe, Huddlestone and Jenas. But the 2nd half brought one disaster after another – the rejected penalty claim, injuries to King and Bassong and two more goals down to poor defensive lapses.

To be honest, I am less concerned about the result than the impact of the injuries sustained. With King and Bassong joining Woodgate and Dawson on the injury list, there is a genuine defensive crisis at the club. Neither Corluka nor Huddlestone possess the speed or mobility to be effective central defenders and we are left with Dorian Dervitte to step up to the plate. Hopefully, the injuries to King and Bassong are not as serious as they looked.

With four winnable games coming up viz. Burnley (H), Bolton (A), Portsmouth (A) and Stoke (H), I believe that taking maximum points from these games is a bigger test of our credentials than the defeats against Man Utd and Chelsea. Redknapp must get the balance right and in Modric’s continued absence, play a genuine left-footer in the left midfield – either Kranjcar or Dos Santos. Most crucially, the ineffective Keane must make way for either Crouch or Pavlyuchenko to partner Defoe. The next month of games will more or less determine whether we’re top six contenders or middling underachievers.

COYS!!!

FINAL CRISIS

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FINAL CRISIS by Morrison, Jones & Mahnke (DC)

Regular visitors to PoP would know that I don’t collect comic books anymore. The moment technological advances in special effects made super-hero movies a popular choice of film-goers, there was no longer any point. I mean, it used to be the case that you could only adequately tell a super hero tale in a comic book. Not any more. Super hero films like The Dark Knight, Watchmen, Iron Man, Incredible Hulk, Hellboy and the Spider-Man trilogy have dragged the super hero into the mainstream.

Another reason for quitting super hero comic books – jaded plotlines and regurgitated ideas – the creative equivalent of flogging a dead horse. Both major companies, Marvel and DC are guilty of this. DC, especially since the revitalising success of Crisis on Infinite Earths, have abused the concept of “crisis” with crossover events ad nauseum.

So enter: Final Crisis. Not sure if the word “final” is meant to be ironic especially when contrasted with the previous event, Infinite Crisis but for the sake of this medium, one can only hope that indeed this is the final crisis crossover event.

Don’t bet on it though.

As a story, Final Crisis fails on all counts. It is convoluted and does not have a consistent narrative. Characters slip in and out. Nothing makes any sense so I won’t even bore you with any generalities or specifics about the storyline. Bitterly disappointed to disover how far Grant Morrison has fallen…

Avoid. Avoid. Avoid.

STRANGEFINGER

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STRANGEFINGER Into the Blue (SideBMusic)

The problem with a band in 2009 having classic pop-rock influences (if you can call it a problem) is that sometimes those very influences are so pervasive and so overwhelming that such bands tend to become derivative and worst, retrogarde. It’s all well and good preaching to the converted who may be easily impressed but beyond being able to reproduce the sounds and styles of their musical heroes, what can these bands offer to music fans in this day and age?

Yes, folks, you’re probably guessing that I’m going to say that the above paragraph does not apply to  Strangefinger. Well, yes and no. Sufe, this Californian band – Freddie Lemke (vocals, keyboards), Blake Engeldorf (bass), Patrick Mercier (guitar) and Joaquin Spengemann (drums) – which it seems, does not take the music of their forbears for granted. Of course, the keyboards-oriented material is closely aligned to classic pop-rock of the 70s, too close at times and definitely, criticism due to this fact may be levelled at the band.

That said, there is a looseness and healthy irreverence about the whole process that holds Strangefinger back from that particular abyss. There’s no doubt that Into the Blue will appeal to the fans of the Pop Underground, especially considering that Jellyfish’s Chris Manning produced the album. In addition, the knowing references to the Beach Boys (the early 70s version), Billy Joel, Harry Nilsson, 10cc (the Stewart-Gouldman edition) and the odd McCartney-isms on Into the Blue will endear it to powerpop fans rather effortlessly.

And…?

In the final analysis, Into the Blue is a collection of well-produced and highly crafted pop songs that whilst seemingly exists in a time bubble, I detect a certain verve and tenacity about the album that is pretty much hard to ignore or dismiss. I believe that Into the Blue is one of those musical works that requires a couple of listens before a full appreciation of its strengths may be discerned. Perhaps it’s more than a sum of its intelligent touches, smart moves and stylistic flourishes. Pop fans would do well to give it a chance to do so…

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FAME OST

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VARIOUS ARTISTS Fame Original Soundtrack (Universal)

First the hype –

A reinvention of the original Oscar®-winning hit film, Fame.

The anticipated movie soundtrack of the season is out in stores now. Fame 2009 is a remake of the original musical & soundtrack made popular in the 80’s. The album features stunning tracks by the cast and other popular songs from the incredible film.

The movie opens on September 25th.

Track list – Welcome To P.A. – Raney Shockne/Fame – Naturi Naughton/Big Things – Anjulie/Ordinary People – Asher Book//This Is My Life – Hopsin, Ak’Sent, Tynisha Keli & Donte “Burger” Winston/Out Here On My Own – Naturi Naughton/Street Hustlin’ – Raney Shockne featuring Stella Moon/You’ll Find A Way (Switch & Sinden Remix) – Santigold/Can’t Hide From Love – Naturi Naughton & Collins Pennie/Black & Gold – Sam Sparro/Back To Back – Collins Pennie featuring Ashleigh Haney/I Put A Spell On You – Raney Shockne featuring Eddie Wakes/Get On The Floor – Naturi Naughton & Collins Pennie/Try – Asher Book/You Took Advantage Of Me – Megan Mullally/Too Many Women (Damon Elliott Remix) – Rachael Sage/Someone To Watch Over Me – Asher Book/You Made Me Love You – Raney Shockne featuring Oren Waters/Hold Your Dream – Naturi Naughton, Asher Book, Kay Panabaker

Now, here’s the review –

Is Hollywood running out of original ideas? Apparently so, if news of upcoming remakes is anything to go by. Here’s another, the Fame franchise, consisting of a movie and TV show, could very well be seen as a precursor of Disney’s highly popular High School Musical. So perhaps its not surprising that the Fame remake is being released in 2009 then.

This soundtrack album is really a collection of the songs performed in the movie and its a mixed bag of old standards (I Put A Spell On You, Someone To Watch Over Me), re-jigged versions of songs from the original (Fame, Out Here On My Own) and new R&B numbers (the rest…). The album doesn’t quite stand up on its own, I guess its not meant to be, but probably be better appreciated in the context of the movie…

Check www.getmusic.com.sg to find out more on the soundtrack

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ANDY KIRKLAND

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ANDY KIRKLAND No Name Gallery (Ink Music)

Melbourne-based Kirkland used to front Aussie pop-rock band Lynchpin and No Name Gallery is his first solo venture. Lynchpin’s sophomore effort – Hand-Picked Words – was a firm favorite with yours truly and bascially, No Name Gallery delivers the same quality pop delights and thrills. On this solo debut, Kirkland favours the melodic invention (love that term) of Beatles/psych-rock influenced artists like Crowded House, Robyn Hitchcock, The La’s whilst leaving behind the more countrified elements found on Lynchpin’s Hand-Picked Words.

Let’s put it this way, if you’ve always liked the concept of Oasis i.e. Lennon-channeling singer fronting latter-era Beatlesque soundscapes BUT hated the half-baked, lazy and sloppy execution of the Gallagher brothers, then I strongly recommend Andy Kirkland’s No Name Gallery.

Official Site

Myspace

THE BEATLES REMASTERS

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THE BEATLES Remasters: Stereo Box Set (Apple/EMI)

Like many others, I was skeptical (and a tad cynical) when news was released about the re-issue of the Beatles back catalogue in a new remastered CD format. In fact, days before the 090909 release date, I was convinced that I would only purchase selected titles. So here I am having acquired the stereo box set for a princely sum… with absolutely no regrets!

It’s seems odd that Apple/EMI took 22 years to remaster the first CD re-issue (back in 1987) but perhaps the delay was actually a blessing in disguise as obviously technological advances have resulted in a remaster package EVERY Fab Four fan will take pleasure in.

After the harsh, tinny, weak ambiance of the ’87 re-issues, listening to the remastered albums is akin to hearing these wonderful LPs for the first time again. No mere hyperbole dear PoP visitors – this is the real deal!

The improvement in the aural experience is shocking… vocals have greater clarity (harmonies can be easily distinguished), electric guitars are crisper, bass/drums are punchier and the balance of the musical components is perfect. The overall warmer sound is probably closest to the vinyl so far.

Considering that most of the albums were originally recorded and presented in mono, the fact that the stereo versions sound so “right” is a minor miracle and a credit to the engineers who toiled over the remastering over four years. The early albums really benefit from this process – the Please Please Me LP really springs from the traps and the recording is so fresh, it sounds like it was made yesterday.

Sgt Pepper is also a revelation – especially Fixing A Hole, She’s Leaving Home and Getting Better – as I always thought that even the stereo vinyl was possessed of a shoddy demeanour. Of course, my top 2 Beatles faves viz White Album & Abbey Road are simply sonically astounding e.g. Back in the USSR seems to rock harder, Dear Prudence’s guitar riffs chimes brighter, While My Guitar Gently Weeps’ organ resonates stronger, Here Comes the Sun’s synths shine through, Golden Slumber’s performance is more powerful and so on…

What more can I say? All my doubts have been proven wrong. If you are a Beatles fan (and I guess you are) then this box set is the holy grail and there’s no good reason not to add this to your Beatles collection. Oh, one more thing, the box also contains a DVD collecting the mini-documentaries found in Quicktime format on each disc and the samples of the remastered tracks sound even better there – does that mean a DVD-Audio version of this set can be expected soon? The mind boggles.

Official Site

PREVIEW: CHELSEA v SPURS

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Not the match Spurs wanted after having being comprehensively turned over by the champions – the league leaders at Stamford Bridge. Not a fixture that Spurs have won since 1990, history is firmly against Spurs returning to winning ways. On the positive side for Spurs, Chelsea are conceding more freely  but have often done enough to secure maximum points. If Spurs are to get anything out of this game, Harry Redknapp has to get the personnel and tactics spot on.

Against Man Utd, Redknapp weakened the midfield by asking Robbie Keane, a striker, to play at left midfield. With the quality that Chelsea have in the middle in the park i.e. Lampard, Ballack, Essien and Mikel, Redknapp cannot afford to pick less than his best. Based on availability, the midfield four must be Lennon, Palacios, Jenas and Kranjcar.

Upfront, I hope Redknapp continues with the Defoe-Crouch partnership. Yes, captain Keane must be dropped, for the sake of the team. Whilst, the loss to Man Utd had many Spurs fans muttering, “same old story”, I believe that this is the real test for Redkanpp and Spurs. Can they pick themselves up from that demoralising defeat to give Chelsea a game? I think they can and predict a score draw, maybe 1-1.

COYS!!!

PoP10 – BRYAN SCARY

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1. Why play music?

Well, I originally went in for arachnid real estate. And Daddy, did THAT venture have some long legs! All those abandoned webs, cluttering up an entire generation of musty attics! And the owners long dead, or off weaving retirement messages in Florida. I worked at Muffet, Curds, & Whey, a brokerage firm out of Tuscon. But along came an apocalyptic average, 4 customers eaten every night while we dream of things with only two legs, and frightened the business away. Music seemed the next logical step.

2. Who are your influences?

The Arthopods, Frank Zappa,  Hexathelidae’s Heroes, & Roy Wood

3. What is success?

Success is winning the ability and room to weave your own uncharted web, without compromise. Even if the flies tend to smack more understandable patterns.

4. Why should people buy your music?

I have a fool-proof plan for bettering the music industry, from both a financial and creative standpoint. Simply: the more notes played, the more you charge. We could expand this to include royalties for certain modulations and hemiolas. And if your record includes at least forty seconds of yodeling, you’re given a gift certificate to the Hard Rock Cafe and a Moody Blues Box-Set.

5. Who do you love?

I love a lot of things: my barbed wire collection (47 miles in total), my cobra necktie, my brand new house on the road side, which I made out of rattlesnake hide. I put a brand new chimney on top, made out of a human skull! But I probably love Arlene the best. She took me by the hand one night and said, “Bo, you know I understand.”

6. What do you hope to achieve with your music?

Well, I want people to LIKE it! And LISTEN to it! And maybe feel MOVED by it! And MAYBE even feel COMPELLED, after listening to it, to TWEET ABOUT IT IN CAPITAL LETTERS! I TOUGHT I TAW A PUTTY CAT!

7. Who comes to your gigs?

A lot of my old clients, actually. You’d never know it – and promoters obviously refuse to count them among the heads, often underestimating our pull by the 100s – but they’re up there in the rafters, spinning silken “ENCORES” from their butts.

8. What is your favorite album?

ARTHUR, OR THE DECLINE & FALL OF THE  BRITISH EMPIRE. Also, SPIDERS ON THE KEYS.

9. What is your favorite song?

A LOUSE IS NOT A HOME.

“Maybe I should de-louse this place;

Maybe I should de-place this louse;

Maybe I’ll maybe my life away

in the confines of this silent house.”

10. How did you get here?

I hopped the nocturnal lily pads that pimple our strangest swamps, grabbed onto a silken thread falling aglow from the Red Spider Nebula, swung across a shattered meadow of glass, or maybe it was a fat angry river, landed on the other side atop a blind ostrich who ran panicking for miles until stopping short and catapulting me through history, past the icy frontiers of all technology, until I’m transmogrified into letters, punctuation marks, my body twisting in ways unhealthy, techno-blacksmiths burning me and hammering me into the sentences you are reading right now, the words resonating sublimely in your brain, turning into meanings, and that’s how I got here, but what happens to me once you stop reading this sentence?

Bryan Scary and the Shredding Tears’ Mad Valentines Ep is out now!

INCH CHUA

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INCH CHUA The Bedroom Ep (Self-released)

Regular PoP visitors would be familiar with Inch as the dynamic frontperson of S-ROCK band Allura. And any one who has seen Allura live or listened to their debut EP – Wake Up and Smell the Seaweed – would be aware of the young lady’s energy and talent. All well and good within the context of the overall band environment but what if you took the singer out of the band?

What you end up with is The Bedroom Ep – four tracks that showcase Inch as the solo singer-songwriter – and true to form, the results are astonishing! Fans familiar with her work with Allura may be surprised by the range of Inch’s vocal, songwriting and arrangements on The Bedroom Ep. With rockist agendas shoved to the side, Inch’s folktronic pop leanings get an excellent airing to reveal a multi-facted artist.

The opening Rule the World is a veritable shot in the arm as electro-beats clash with breezy acoustic guitar and an engaging melody. Not only that but throw in vibes, Hawaiian slide guitar and inventive harmonies and you have an infectious tune that our radio stations should be falling over each other to play over the our staid airwaves.

Aqueous Oblivion delves into familiar Broadway musical tradition to describe a spiritual experience, Devotion in Reality is another stab at the past, this time a torchy jazz ballad, which reveals a level of maturity that belies Inch’s relative youth and Find Fix and Save is an arch synth-orchestral piece that succeeds on many different levels.

I must confess that I’m truly surprised by the depth of the songwriting/arrangements as it contains all the elements that I look for in good music making. What more can I say? Oh and its absolutely FREE. No reason whatsoever in the world not to get The Bedroom Ep.

GO NOW!

Official Site

SPURS 1 MAN UTD 3

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Ironically, it all went wrong for Spurs in the first minute when BPL Player of the Month for August, Jermain Defoe, scored a spectacular acrobatic goal to put the Spurs fans in dreamland. Because, of course, Man Utd have made coming from behind to beat Spurs an artform and so it was not much of a surprise when Man Utd did exactly that to put an end to Spurs’ winning start to the season.

After their good start to the game, Spurs never got to grips with Man Utd’s midfield as well as the dropping off of Berbatov and Rooney into the hole behind Palacios and the back four. As a result, Palacios was caught in no man’s land having to deal with Man Utd’s midfield and Berbatov, which led to Palacio’s caution and a freekick from which Giggs equalised.

Tactically, Harry Redknapp got it all wrong with Keane totally out of his depth on the left side of midfield (in Modric’s absence). Perhpas the better decision would have been giving Krancjar his debut (he only came on for Keane in the 70th minute). Of course, this is all in hindsight. What is clear is that Spurs still have a long way to go if we are to challenge the so-called top four.

Still, looking at the cup as half-full, we are currently sitting in the top four, with four wins in five games, and perfectly poised to finish at least in the top six. Disappointed fans will do well to remember where we were this time last year…

COYS!!!!

CHUNK FEST 2009

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In Singapore, any opportunity to get your music heard must be grasped with both hands (and feet, if possible). Especially if you’re new and starting out. Thankfully, in 2009, there are far more avenues to express one’s music in Singapore than there used to be. I guess there’s a greater recognition and understanding of the role that the creative arts play in our society, albeit belatedly.

Better late than never, I always say.

Chunk Fest 2009 was Ben & Jerry’s way of giving back to the S-ROCK scene, having bands write an original song relating to the theme of “peace, love & ice cream”, auditioning these songs before Jack & Rai, with the winning bands performing at Chunk Fest (held at the Marina Barrage) and the resultant live recordings being collected on a CD.

I basically planned my Chunk Fest visit around the performances of Cove Red (above) and Indus Gendi (below). Getting to Marina Barrage was a bit of a hassle. After leaving the Marina Bay MRT station, I waited for around 20 minutes in the baking hot sun for the shuttle bus. It took another 10 minutes to reach the Barrage and after a call to Keith found the venue. By that time, I was hot and bothered, met Rach, Yinky and the gang, Keith, Jack & Rai.

Cove Red were supplemented by percussion and cello, which certainly made them distinct from the other bands. Unfortunately, the sound was a little too harsh and saturated for their acoustic set-up. That said, the quartet delivered a delightful performance of melodic, thoughtful, folky songs. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much of a crowd at the front of the stage (it was 3 plus in the afternoon) but that’s often the challenge for S-ROCK bands. I really loved the new songs – Sarah and Taste of Life – vibrant, mellifluous pieces.

I first saw Indus Gendi about two years ago and was impressed by a song called Then and Now (which to my chagrin, they don’t perform anymore). Well, the band has certainly come a long way since “then”. Indus Gendi “now” has Adam on drums (where he is at his best, no doubt, one of the finest young drummers in Singapore), Leonard on bass and vocals as well as Mel on backing vocals. Thus on many of the songs, there actually are three-part harmony vocals going on, which is pretty unique amongst S-ROCK bands, for sure. Also, they appear to be veering away from the more emo-centric material and moving towards a more eclectic jazz-pop direction, which I very much approve of. Esther was in fine vocal form and cuts an intriging figure up front although I still believe that she should take on vocal duties only and let Mel play keyboards as well. But that’s just me.

Two S-ROCK bands to watch out for, the potential is immense and I hope that they will get the attention and exposure that they deserve.

Rachael Teo Myspace

Indus Gendi Myspace

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