Wednesday 28 January 2009

> Anticipating

I was so bored that I decided to do a list of anticipated albums of 2009. There's actually quite a lot to look forward to, could become an ever better year than last year. Amazing, eh.


Jennifer Brown - Bloom
The queen of soul is definitely back. I did a small introduction of Jennifer earlier (scroll down if you want to read more) and her new album is the one I look forward to most. She's always been the Swedish answer to all those singing-divas from America, now it's once again Jennifer's turn to shine. In the biography/press release we can read:

*In between, we are taken on a journey of emotions, thoughts, melodies and exquisite musical detail.
*Jennifer sings like she's never sung before.
*Echoes can be traced from classic Motown soul, as well as a pop aesthetic that stems from a time where radio hits were signed Bacharach/David.
*In a time where it is easy to record a sparse album in your living room, they decided to go for a luxurious production that oozes timelessness and quality.

Sounds pretty good to me!


Erik Hassle - Untitled
If the amazing "Hurtful" is anything to go by we're in for a fantastic popalbum. I mean, just listen to his other songs at http://www.myspace.com/erikhassle, especially "Don't Bring Flowers" - I actually posted a live version of this, if you're interested. Isn't it about time we have a popstar with big red hair? I think so, yes.


Calaisa - Untitled
My favourite Swedish countryband (OK, we don't have that many to begin with, LOL!) is Calaisa. I first spotted them on TV in 2006 and three minutes later I ordered their incredible debutalbum. I have a feeling the second album will be just as good. We got a preview in Melodifestivalen last year (If I Could.) There's just something about their sound, voices, harmonies, lyrics... it's really quite breathtaking.


Pauline - Untitled
What can I say? She released two great singles last year and she's currently on the charts with "Give Me a Call" - slowly becoming my favourite single of hers. She doesn't sound like anyone else right now which is good. I think 2009 could be Pauline's year.


Velvet - Untitled
Fix Me, Chemistry, Deja Vu, Take My Body Close, Come Into the Night, The Queen... six singles and no album yet, she's took her time. There had better be like 14-15 tracks on the album. She should've had the time to record loads during this time anyway. Album due out in March.

Apart from these five albums there's a few more that could happen this year, for instance:
Marie Serneholt
Gathania
E.M.D.
DeDe

What are You most looking forward to?

Tuesday 27 January 2009

> Dance in the Sun


Afro-Dite - Fly Fly Baby Fly
Afro-Dite took Sweden by storm in Melodifestivalen 2002. With their fabulous frocks and the insanely catchy "Never Let It Go" they turned Sweden into a discoball With high expectations they went to Estonia and Eurovision and finished on a disappoing 8th place (at this time 8th was really bad, nowadays we do even worse.)
They also did MF 2003 but could not repeat the big success... so they decided to call it quits... until 2007 when they announced a new album would be out in 2008. They started with launching half of the album on their website. But sadly, the other part never followed... due to poor digital sales, I guess. I however bought the songs and have therefore enjoyed this fabulous song for quite some time. Now it's your turn! Come give it to us...


Anna S - My Heart Is Dying
I didn't really know what to post, so I randomly picked Anna S' album. I chose the deleted fourth single from the album - "My Heart Is Dying" - for you to listen. It's one of the better songs too. We're awfully weak for these sort of simple and easy popsongs in Sweden. The album flopped badly unfortunately and I don't think we'll ever hear anything from Anna again... so enjoy it. ;-)

Right On Time - Sunshine
If you're a fan of Ace of Base you should like this. It is very much inspired by AoB and they did it quite nicely too. The band flopped of course, but I am who I am and of course bought the CD. Haha! It's a nice summery song and the video was shot in Australia (I have it on tape somewhere, maybe I should YouTube it?!) Gimme sunshine... sunshine from heaven...

I was gonna do a fourth song but... not this time!

Friday 9 January 2009

> You Got Busted...


Jennifer Brown - Paper Crown
I've been meaning to do a special on Jennifer Brown many times. But I never know where to start, 'cause I would probably end up sharing all her albums. Yes, she's that good. "Paper Crown" is from Jennifer's third album and the reason I picked this song is the chorus. Isn't it beautiful? It's not what you expect, I guess. She's been around for many years and one of Sweden's finest singers of modern time. She'll participate in Melodifestivalen 2009 with the saddest song Burt Bacharach never wrote. I'm yours, Jennifer...


Janina - All of Me
Don't you just love when you go to a show/concert and discover something you weren't expecting? This is the case with Janina. In 2006 I went to the yearly Diggiloo-show and while we were waiting for the show to start Janina was warming up the crowd. At first I didn't pay much attention but then a song hit me and I couldn't take my EARS OFF Janina. During the break I went to the sales-stand and bought the CD directly from Janina. She was the sweetest girl and I hope she gets her big break someday.


LaGaylia Frazier - Over and Over Again
So, she may be American originally but I count her as Swedish. She's lived here for many years and done a lot in Swedish showbusiness. Besides, I really wanted you to hear this song. It's from her debutalbum Uncovered and is a rockish popsong. Most importantly, the melody is gorgeous and catchy.

Was planning to give you a fourth song but couldn't come up with one. :-(
See you all soon again.