This is doing my head in!

The above is what has been taking up all of my time...preventing me from blogging. In fact preventing me from eating, sleeping and working (slight exageration, but I am building the tension here, work with me). This image is basically doing my head in. Allow me to explain. I received this via an email from a friend with a note saying there are 72 band names (no Aussie bands...boo) hidden in it. E.G. In the top left hand corner is a 'Led Zeplin'. I have sucked my finace in as well and the most we have been able to come up with is 57. A friend of mine says he has 62 of them. It is drivinjg me insane. Anyone want to play and post some answers in the comments??? I'll start it off. Come on, get involved, it's fun!

Ok, so on to other things...So, what to make of Pink’s ‘Stupid Girl’ clip? It is highly amusing. Some may say it passes on a strong message to young girls. They may say that it calls for false icons to be rejected and girls to embrace their brains rather than their looks. It bags the likes of Jessica Simpson, the Olsen twins, Paris Hilton etc. All positive things, are they not?

I, for one, am a little torn on the subject. The message is a good one (although VERY Kelly Osborne, don’t you think?) I would like to pose the age old theory to Pink that those in glass houses should perhaps not throw stones.

Pink seems to have some form of amnesia. It would seem she has forgotten the costume she wore for the ‘Lady Marmalade’ clip in 2003. Remember the one? It also featured Christina Aguilera, the one Pink verbally bashed during her show on the ‘Try This’ tour. Her outfit consisted of an oh so classy diamond encrusted top hat, diamond encrusted bra, black knickers, suspenders and stockings, stocking gloves and not a lot else. She is constantly seen in skimpy clothing and her bare mid-drift is one of her trade marks.

Speaking of good role models, what about the cover art for her single ‘Trouble’. It features her smoking a cigarette! Not a fantastic influence for young impressionable teens. And I’m sure Mothers all over the world are thrilled with her multiple tattoos.

Don’t mistake this article and think I do not like Pink. I own all her CD’s and am hanging out for her new one ‘I’m Not Dead’. I also found the ‘Try This’ tour inspirational (and for the record she made Christina’s show look like the amateur hour). But liking her and her music does not mean that I have to agree with her views. I think she fed herself to the sharks by making a clip like this. She has opened herself up to criticism.

The thing that seems to be lost on Pink is that it is not like the Olsens, Jessica Simpson or Paris Hilton are exactly out there to be role models (that would like too much hard work). Pink has now inadvertantly put herself out there as one, and perhaps that was not wise.

What do you all think??? Check it out http://www.video-c.co.uk/toptenwatch.asp?vidref=pink010

Pop Princess xo

P.S. Check out his article from last years Age, fantastic!

www.theage.com.au/articles/2005/11/17/1132016894409.html

An x-rated "Lift" from Shannon and a confusing moment with Rob Thomas

Enduring the “performance” of Shannon Noll’s support Lee Harding was one of the most lengthy and painful of my life. I would describe is glorified karaoke…but even glorified would be pushing it. He murdered ‘Eye of the Tiger’, ‘Tainted Love’ and a Beatles song I wasn’t even able to recognize once he’d had his way with it. He should be charged. Mind you, the twelve years olds surrounding me seemed wildly impressed. I don’t get it. Usually I do have the same taste as the twelve year olds, but on this occasion it is lost on me. I get hat he is a bouncy, happy type; and the look is kind of appealing. But all that gets rather old watching him prance around the stage performing gestures to every word of every song, doing that stupid face he does. It is all very cute, and quite novel, in small doses. He is the new Rob Mills, the sooner he realizes that he is a fad the better. How ironic his debut album is entitles ‘What Is Wrong With This Picture’…hmmm, where to start!

Anyway, after this torture, the main event started. Shannon burst on to the stage with current single ‘Lift’. It was obvious from the word go that this was a different Shannon Noll than the one I saw 18-odd months ago. This man was comfortable. There were no odd-jerky dance movements, no nervous looks around the stage, no trouble pulling off any of the notes. Not that Shannon was bad last time, he wasn’t. He was just inexperienced and it was obvious. He has developed into a first class singer and entertainer, I could not be happier for him.

Highlights were ‘Now I Run’ (the third single); ‘What About Me’ and ‘Shine’. 'Black Car' also went down a treat, as well as a new song penned for him by Bryan Adams (I'm sorry I can't remember what it was called, but it is the B-side to the 3rd single).

The lowest point of the show was during the performance of ‘Down on Me’ (leaving that obvious and dirty joke alone) early in the set when one of the speakers shut down mid-song and we were unable to hear him or the band! However, after this minor glitch things went well.

Clearly Shannon was impressed with how things went, perhaps more than just a little impressed. I don’t mean to sound like a pervert, but about the third song in a strange bulge appeared in Mr. Noll’s pants and did not seem to leave for a song or two. I also notice his constant tugging down of his shirt and positioning of his non-mic hand remarkable close to this bulge on regular occasions. I could be wrong…I can only say what I saw. Thankfully this mysterious phenomenon had disappeared before he brought his two sons on stage to say hello. As Shannon would quote several times throughout the night (from Madagascar) "Smile and wave boys...smile and wave".

The fact that Shannon had three shows at the Athenaeum Theatre and two at the Mercury Lounge go to show that he is far from the predicted flash in the pan and has established himself as a notable Australian artist who deserves our respect.

That’s What I’m Talking Bout!

Mr. Rob Thomas also popped in to Melbourne to celebrate Valentines Day and his 34th birthday. My expectations were amazingly high for this gig; perhaps that is why I left the venue feeling slightly disappointed. Rob did nothing wrong. He played the hits, he spoke to the crowd, he shook his ass, he was upbeat, yet there was SOMETHING missing. I will attempt to put my finger on it.

Matchbox 20 never fail to deliver when they perform live. Rob Thomas is the centre piece of that. But another crucial element is the way the band interacts together. It is something that cannot be underestimated in a performance situation. Band members feed off each others energy. But M20 have something more than that, they have unmistakable, anthem-like hits. Now, don’t get me wrong, ‘Something To Be’ has had hits; it has had massive hits. But I hardly think the likes of ‘Lonely No More’ or ‘This Is How A Heat Breaks’ compare to the caliber of tracks such as ‘Push’, ‘Real World’ or ‘Bright Lights’. The closest to anything that compares would have to be 'Ever The Same'. The tracks are not bad, but itis like comparing apples and oranges.

That can’t be the problem though, as Thomas did perform stripped down versions of some of Matchbox 20’s finest moments. I must admit I did find the order of the songs quite confusing. One minute you were up bopping to ‘Streetcorner Symphony’ the next you were sinking back into your seat for a ballad resembling the form of Santana/Thomas hit ‘Smooth’. There was no “flow” for want of a better word. Every time momentum was building there was a cut in the power supply.

These feelings of the show being incomplete did not engulf me following Rob Thomas’ gig at the Mercury Lounge when ‘Something To Be’ was first released. It is this that leads me to the conclusion that it is possible that what upset me most about this gig is that the quality songs Thomas had to offer were lost in the hugeness of the venue and the all-encompassing noise of his band and the business of the stage. The emotions of key tracks were invisible in a stadium the way they were in a smaller venue.

There was nothing wrong with the Rob Thomas concert. (It had great moments, his cover of Bowie's 'Let's Dance' immediately springs to mind). It simply could have been better. He should have lost the band and played smaller theatre-style shows and let his melodies and heart-felt lyrics be the focal point. Otherwise, why do a solo album and tour when it appears sub-standard in comparison to his work with Matchbox 20?

Luv Pop Princess xo

P.S. This post is NOT a Rob Thomas slagging forum, he is and always will be a favourite of mine. The concert was good, it just was not great. He can do great, I’ve seen it.

P.P.S I WAS slagging off Lee Harding though. It is not personal, I'm sure he is a nice guy. His songs and performance leave me cold. I am aware he is popular, but I don;t like him and it is my blog so I can say so!

I've got a purple ticket! Well, no, but I wish I did...

Better rush out and buy as many copies of Prince’s new album '3121' as you can! The artist formerly known as the artist formerly known as Prince is hiding 7 Purple tickets in the initial run of the album. Purple ticket holders will win “An Evening With Prince – A Private Performance at Prince’s House” in Minneapolis. Better than Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory if you ask me!

Anticipation is high for Placebo’s new album ‘Meds’. I was lucky enough to have a listen to their latest offering, and fans will not be disappointed. Stand out tracks (keeping in mind that I only got one listen) include the first single ‘Song to Say Goodbye’ and title track ‘Meds’. I am looking forward to having a more thorough listen to the album and will report back after I do.

In touring news March is set to be huge. Australia will welcome rock outfit Tool in March for a brief promotional tour; Everyone’s favourite band U2 will be gracing us with their presence; and of course the man of the moment in America – Kanye West will be supporting U2 as well as putting on his own side shows.

Congraulations to Keith Urban on his Grammy win!

Highlights of the Grammy winners (not listing them all, too many. The ones that count are here):-

Album of the Year: How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb, U2.
Record of the Year: Boulevard of Broken Dreams, Green Day.
New Artist: John Legend
Male R&B Vocal Performance: Ordinary People, John Legend.
Pop Vocal Album: Breakaway, Kelly Clarkson.
Rap/Sung Collaboration: Numb/Encore, Jay-Z featuring Linkin Park.
Song of the Year: Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own, U2.
Female Pop Vocal Performance: Since U Been Gone, Kelly Clarkson.
Country Album: Lonely Runs Both Ways, Alison Krauss and Union Station.
Rap Album: Late Registration, Kanye West.
Rock Album: How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb, U2.
Rap Solo Performance: Gold Digger, Kanye West.
Rap Performance by a Duo or Group: Don't Phunk With My Heart, The Black Eyed Peas.
Rap Song: Diamonds From Sierra Leone, D. Harris and Kanye West.
Solo Rock Vocal Performance: Devils & Dust, Bruce Springsteen.
Rock Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal: Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own, U2.
Hard Rock Performance: B.Y.O.B., System of a Down.
Metal Performance: Before I Forget, Slipknot.
Rock Instrumental Performance: 69 Freedom Special, Les Paul and Friends.
Rock Song: City of Blinding Lights, U2, (U2).
Alternative Music Album: Get Behind Me Satan, The White Stripes.
Female R&B Vocal Performance: We Belong Together, Mariah Carey.
R&B Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals: So Amazing, Beyonce and Stevie Wonder.
Traditional R&B Vocal Performance: A House Is Not a Home, Aretha Franklin.
Urban/Alternative Performance: Welcome to Jamrock, Damian Marley.
R&B Song: We Belong Together, J. Austin, M. Carey, J. Dupri & M. Seal, (D. Bristol , K. Edmonds, S. Johnson, P. Moten, S. Sully & B. Womack, (Mariah Carey).
R&B Album: Get Lifted, John Legend.
Contemporary R&B Album: The Emancipation of Mimi, Mariah Carey.
Male Pop Vocal Performance: From the Bottom of My Heart, Stevie Wonder.
Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal: This Love, Maroon 5.
Pop Collaboration With Vocals: Feel Good Inc., Gorillaz Featuring De La Soul. .
Male Country Vocal Performance: You'll Think of Me, Keith Urban.

Boy bands = happiness!

It has been a long time coming, but it was worth the wait. Rod Laver was filled to capacity, with screams so piercing many had their hands over their ears. Finally, after 13 odd years, the Backstreet Boys made it to Australia

Now apparently it is “un-cool” to like the Backstreet Boys, but judging by the filled venue there are a lot of closet fans out there. Fans that not prepared to admit they like the band, but silently buying their albums and forking out $80-odd for a ticket to see them.

Well I am a Backstreet Boys fan, and I am proud of it. I miss boy-bands. I love that they are comfortable enough in their own skin to dance, and enjoy dancing. I admire that they sing romantic (some may say corny) songs about their feelings and make no apologies for it. I appreciate that they co-ordinate and colour-code their outfits and care that they look good for their fans. They accessorize!

There is not enough of this sort of pop-tacular musical groups around anymore, and the ones that are rarely last a quarter of the time the Backstreet Boys have been around for. I challenge the well accepted notion that if you are in a pop group you typically can not sing well and do not play instruments. During their gig there was little doubt left that each of the guys has an amazing voice and that they are more than capable of holding a note and harmonizing. Nick also played guitar for a few songs; and Kevin played the piano.

The show opened with ‘The Call’ and featured many of their hits over the years including ‘As Long As You Love Me’, ‘Shape of My Heart’, ‘All I Have to Give’, ‘Larger Than Life’ and ‘Incomplete’, finishing their show with signature hit, ‘Backstreets Back’.

No fan left the venue unhappy. There was plenty of interaction with the crowd, a few members venturing out into the crowd at various times during the show. The guys seemed light hearted and jovial, and generally excited to be finishing their world tour in Australia. The bands time was spent not only performing but making jokes and thanking the audience for their support and patience over the years, as well as all members of their crew from their manager, to wardrobe assistants, to lighting people and stage crew.

I am not sure that the Backstreet Boys take themselves too seriously. They are just doing what they love and earning fantastic money and thrilling millions of fans while they do that. I see nothing wrong with this! I am thrilled I went along to the show and would certainly go again should they ever decide to come back again.

Backstreet Boys fan…and damn proud of it!

Pop Princess xo