‘Tis nearly the season to be jolly…already!

My goodness, before we know it Christmas will be here…and we all know that means all the record companies will pull out their big guns for Christmas shortly! Bring it on!!!

I had the privilege of hearing Robbie Williams’ latest offering ‘Intensive Care’ last week…and to say it is impressive would be a massive understatement! Those who do not like ‘Tripping’ do not need to worry, there are plenty of classic Robbie moments in here, rocking tracks; heart felt ballads and self deprecating tunes to make you giggle. My highlights are ‘Advertising Space’, ‘Your Gay Friend’ and ‘Spread Your Wings'. This album will be huge…

I also got to hear a live preview of Bernard Fanning’s (Powderfinger) first solo album ‘Tea & Sympathy’. I will be interested to see how Powderfinger fans react to this Country/Blues tinged album…I guess time will tell. The first single ‘Wish You Well’ is not really an accurate insight into the whole album, and is definitely the albums poppiest and most commercial moment.

In other exciting news The Darkness will release ‘One Way Ticket to Hell…And Back’ mid-November in the UK, lets hope we get it around the same time! Apparently a tour is expected to support the album, but dates and venues are yet to be revealed. Please let them include Oz!

There will be repackages of Gwen Stefani and Mariah Carey albums and Greatest Hits packages from the likes of Eminem, Limp Bizkit and Blink 182 to fill up the Christmas stockings.

Speaking of Oz tours, how good will Coldplay be!?! Bit of a pity we have to wait until July next year though…sure it will be worth the wait!

The first announcement has come through for BDO 2006, so far we will see The White Stripes, AFI, Iggy & the Stooges, Franz Ferdinand (as expected), Kings of Leon, The Mars Volta, End of Fashion, Faker and The Living End…with plenty more bands to be announced.

Congratulations to Shannon Noll on a #1 debut for ‘Shine’. I never had any doubt it would be anything but…can’t wait for the album!

Speaking of Idol, how disappointing are this years Australian Idol’s? Chris and Millie were my favourites during the audition process, Chris got booted week 1, and Millie has been very disappointing…What is going on? None of them seem to be giving 100%, and whilst many of them have great voices, they are far from reaching their full potential. Hopefully they will all pull something special out soon, or I feel sorry for the winner, at this rate I can’t imagine many people buying the quality of music we are seeing/hearing.

Time to jump off my soap box…until next time.

Pop Princess xo