Shakin' the Rudebox!

I love Snow Patrol, but I especially love them live. I swear since seeing them in 2004, my expectations for live music performances has risen. They were sensational at The Metro on Tuesday night. Their music has such power and depth, it is amazing. It is just a shame I couldn’t understand a bloody thing they were saying in between songs…I think I caught something about wanting people to “Take their clothes off” and a bit of a rant about how they have heard it is so warm here, but every time they come it is freezing. Just a wild guess, but they may be because they tend to come in the depths of our Winter!

My preyers were answered and they played the sublime “Chasing Cars” (which is tipped to be the next single). As expected, “Run” was another highlight, with the whole venue singing along to this under-rated anthem. “All That I Have” rocked, and showed another, poppier, light hearted side to this band. I can’t fault the gig. I loved every second of it.

To further improve my mood this week would be tough, as “Rudebox” also went to radio this week. How infectious is it! I must admit, I was a little surprised when I heard Robbie was going to do a dance album, surprised and just a tad nervous. I guess I expected if he was going to shift in styles, it may have been more towards the rock side of things. But, never the less, “Rudebox” is in a league of its own, I can honestly say it is quite unlike anything I have heard before. What do you liken or compare it to? I know I am extremely biased where Robbie is concerned, but I think it is a smash! It is also a fantastic contrast to his work on “Intensive Care” and proves that he is far more than a one trick Pop pony. Respect!

Oh, and just a side point. Does anyone else melt just a little when he says “Are we going to have sex?” I know he is not asking me directly…but it does something to me! Whoa!

Pop Justice (popjustice.com) has a 30 second teaser of the new Scissor Sisters single “I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’,” more of the good stuff. It’s a shame Melbourne didn’t gig this week whilst they were in the country for Splendour, but rumour has it the band will tour here before Christmas…and if not are looking at the Big Day Out. Bring on the new album “Tah-Dah"! Jake and Ana's interview on Rove was one of the better ones I have seen on the show.

Pop Justice also has Justin’s “Sexy Back” clip, and that crap song of Fergie’s clip too. Great website!

Til next we meet….

Pop Princess xo

P.S. Camilla to win BB'06!

P.P.S Am I the only person in the world that thought that Marissa’s death on The OC was lame and a total let down?

P.P.P.S Check out Lily Allen! More info to follow...

Christmas in July

It is that time of year…with albums being pencilled in for release for Christmas (I know it is July, but believe me, it is on all the record labels minds already) we will have a listening feast of new tunes to enjoy from high profile artists over the next couple of months.

Christina Aguilera ‘Ain’t No Other Man’ is front runner for a place in my Top 5 for singles of the year. Aside from the fact that the song is hot; I am loving the fact that she is over her “skank” phase and going for a bit of “sexiness with class” for the film clip. The song is fun to dance to, and that gal has a set of lungs on her…meaning she can really sing. Can’t wait for the album.

Kasey Chambers ‘Nothing at All’ is a little less country than what fans have come to expect from her in the past. Is this a problem? Hell no! In fact, this may be the track that sees Kasey welcome some new, younger fans into her already well established fan base. The clip is bright, colourful and playful, and the song is very sweet and grows on you with each listen.

Justin Timberlake ‘Sexy Back’ is a troubling one for me. I can’t decide how I feel about it. It is not at all I was expecting. You cannot even tell it is JT on the vocals. The jury is still out for me on this, I don’t hate it…but I don’t love it yet. It is one of those songs I need to live with for awhile before I discover my true feeling for it. I have been humming it all day though…which is a good sign early.

Fergie (BEP’s) ‘London Bridges’ can not be described any better than as a major let down. A one word description hmm…disaster springs to mind. Could you have a more hyped release, or a better set up than being in the Peas??? What is this crap? Is she trying to be hard-core? didn't Jo-Ho teach her that swearing in a song does not automatically give it "cred". Get a life.

Janet (and Nelly) ‘Call on Me’ is a fine pop song. But that is it. It is fine. Maybe it would be better than fine if we hadn’t already had ‘Dilemma’ from Nelly and Kelly and numerous pop anthems from the very lovely Miss. Jackson. The problem is that we know what these artists are capable of, and they can do better. It is not a bad song, but it is far from their best. Cruisey beats - check…breathy vocals – check…sexy clip – not sure yet. It will sell, but it is a bit long winded and, dare I say, boring?

Beyonce ‘Deja vu’ – B and Jay-Z have done it again. Another contender for the Top 5 for the best of 2006 by Pop Princess. It is not ‘Crazy in Love’ – but it is nearly as good. Get up and shake your booty…no way you can sit still when this little baby comes on. Love it, love them. Respect.

We should be hearing something before the end of the year from Silverchair and Jet too, on the local front.

Undercover (www.undercover.com.au) have reported that Tim Burton will direct the music video for ‘Bone’, the planned third single from The Killers new album ‘Sam’s Town’. At least Tim Burton will have plenty of time to work on ideas, as the first single is yet to be released.

Oh and has anyone seen the Rude Box activity going on with You Tube??? Shake ya Rude Box people…you’ll be glad you have soon. www.rudebox74.com

That’s it for now…keep blogging!

Pop Princess xo

X&Y...where is the Z?

Is Australia the first country to have Big Brother housemates evicted for alleged sexual assault? It isn’t really the exciting type of “world first” that the network would be after is it? Having not seen the incident, I can’t really fairly comment on the issue. But, if the reports of what happened are true (and there is no way of being sure), it does appear to be a prank that went too far. This is not excusing what they did. If two of my male friends did that to me, I would be pretty upset about it. However, I don’t think they meant any harm, by it. This certainly does not excuse their actions though, and evicting them was the only decent option available. Certainly been an interesting series of BB, and with all the controversy surrounding it in recent years, you wouldn’t be a fool to put your money on it being the last.

What is with Nelly Furtado’s new single 'Promiscuous'? She has done a Jewel; gone from an amazingly talented singer, who performs songs of substance with grace, and a subtle sexiness; to gyrating tramp, singing disposable songs. Don’t get me wrong, the song is not bad. It is just that there is so much in the market already that is similar, the Nelly Furtado that produced such glorious songs as 'Like a Bird' and 'Try' surely doesn’t need to delve into this genre. Leave this sort of song to The Pussycat Dolls or Rhianna…bring back the Nelly Furtado of old. I preferred her kooky hip hop; reggae-type tunes and soaring ballads far more than this average couple of minutes, which seems somehow below her.

I went to see Kisschasy on Saturday night. Gee they pulled a crowd, The Corner Hotel was rocking! I don’t really understand why these boys are not bigger than what they are. All you can really put it down to, is that there was a lot of similar music released around the same time as their debut ‘United Paper People' (E.G. End of Fashion, Faker, etc.) They put on an energy-fuled performance and genuinely appeared to be enjoying themselves, despite having played a gig the previous two nights before, and another under 18’s show earlier the same day). Their follow-up album will be very interesting, they are only young, and I think we are yet to see the best that they have to offer.

Last night I went to see Coldplay. I have now seen this band three times, and they were three very different shows. The first was at Festival Hall when ‘Parachutes’ had just been released, and was one of my favourite gigs of all time. The second was the ‘Rush of Blood’ tour. Last night’s ‘X&Y’ show was impressive, however the set list left a little bit to be desired. I did not enjoy the bands cover of 'Can’t Get You Out of My Head’, although I thought the shout out to Kylie was sweet. Highlights for me where ‘In My Place’ and ‘Fix You’, both of which appeared in the encore. It is a shame the band decided not to play ‘Shiver’, but at least we did get to hear ‘Trouble’ live. ‘Yellow’ was played third song in, a good move to get the crowd really pumping. The songs from ‘X&Y’ are fantastic live…but perhaps just a little bit too long. Perhaps the fact that ‘X&Y’ is my least favourite Coldplay album influences my enjoyment of the show. Don’t get me wrong, they were amazing, and did all the right things. The current tracks just don’t get me like the older ones do.

The next album may see a new Coldplay, as it has been hinted by the band that they plan to take their music in a different direction next time around. Why not? They have conquered the world now; you can do whatever you want when you are that big. They seem poised to go down as one of the greatest bands of our time, and it seems to be about time for them to take a risk or two.

Peace out,

Pop Princess xoxox