> Gone

It was good while it lasted but now I'm past it...
I'll miss you now and then but would I do it all again?

NAH!
(Well, never say never.)

Thanks to everyone who followed my blog this time around, I hope you enjoyed it!
In case you'll miss this blog, be sure to check out the best popblogs out there:
PopPosterGirl
&
Don't Stop the Pop!

/Ciao

> V Stands for...

Velvet's album is out on March 18th. Love the cover!

> Contest Over

I am absolutely thrilled and delighted over the interest in my little contest.
ONE person entered! Therefore it was easy to choose the winner.

I will email the winner later today. (U Know Who U Are Anyway.)

> Reminder

The contest will close on Sunday. Make sure you enter before then!

> Ooh! Look what U can win!

Yes! I'm lauching a contest on this awesome blog.
You have the chance to win the debut-singles from Janet Leon and Kim Fransson.
To check 'em out go to their official website.

To win (1 person wins) you must answer these questions correctly:

1. Who released the album "Baby Blue Paper"?
2. Who is Tess also known as?
3. Who is milking the cow?
4. Who saw Jimmy Dean?
5. Who released the single of the month in October?

All answers can be found in the blog!
Please e-mail me the answers at: sosrevivalcontest@gmail.com

Ps. Everyone is allowed to enter, no matter where you live.

> Move to a Different Sound

Teddybears - Different Sound [.m4a]
This shouldn't be my cup of tea but after hearing it at the gym time after time it gets addictive and stuck in my head. It's called 'Different Sound' and that's precisely what it is too. Is it Pop? Rock? Electro? Punk? Or all sort of genres? All I know is I love it.


Paola - Above the Candystore
Speaking of the Teddybears made me think of Paola. They once recorded the amazing "Yours to Keep" together in 2000, it became a rather big hit in Sweden. Paola released her debutalbum in 2001 and it includes many great songs, like the single "Above the Candystore" which is brilliant. You should check out her album if you're into Robyn. The album was way ahead of its time, it's the sort of music Robyn and Kleerup are having major success with NOW, seven years later.


Therese - Obsession
This is a demo that was meant for Victoria Beckham's unreleased second album. I can't really imagine Sticky Vicky singing this but it suits Therese oh-so-well, don't you think? A good song, definitely not her best, but I get Kylie and Dannii-vibes. I do wish Therese would get her album out sometime soon or at least join The Attic full-time.

That's it for today. I have something fun coming up before the weekend!! :-)

> Mumsmums

Possible albumcover for Måns? I like it, simple and nice.
New post coming up tonight or tomorrow!

> Sheri

http://www.myspace.com/officialsheri

Check out this new Swedish popstar on MySpace. "Hit and Run" is released in February and with a big budget they will launch Sheri all over the world this year. I hope they succeed, because I really like the single. It's catchy, modern and perhaps a bit unexpected from Sweden? What do you think? Perhaps not the most original singer, but who cares?
She's gorgeous.

> 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?

> 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!

> 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.

> Funbunsun

Fjeld - The Emigrants

Elena Paparizou - Pirotexnimata (Disco Hook Remix)

Magnus Carlsson - Walking In My Shoes


This is fun too, right?

> Say Something

Hiya Boys & Girls! Have you had a good Christmas? I have, well, no snow but nice presents so I'll survive, hehe. Some of you may have noticed that I'm closing the blog which is sorta true but it'll go on in a different way, not sure how to do it yet, but until then I will still post here. Now to some music...

Jill Johnson - Say Something
One of my favourite Swedish singers (I know I keep repeating this sentence but I do have many favourite singers, lol) is Jill Johnson. Sweden's answer to Shania Twain and all those other country-birds from America and Canada. Is she any different, you say? Well, to me she is. I've been to Jill's concerts three times and she is just the loveliest person one could ever meet, so down to earth and she never hits a bad note. If you do get the chance to see her live sometime, DO IT. If you like this song you should consider getting the album Baby Blue Paper.


Jonathan Fagerlund - Suzie is the Girl of Mine
Jonathan's debutalbum is one of my favourite albums of the year and one of the best popalbums I've heard in a couple of years. This guy has potential. I can't wait to hear his song for MF '09. Apparently he's already working on the next album but they really shouldn't let this album go to waste. It's too good. Make sure you get it if you like boyband-pop and sweet ballads. Well done, Mr Fagerlund!


Sibel - Walking Away (Oscar Holter Remix)
I never thought I'd like anything by this girl, she was never a favourite of mine in Idol. I'm glad I changed my mind though, cause Sibel's album The Diving Belle is wonderful. She's released four brilliant singles from it and there's still like two songs left on the album I think could be singles. This remix is quite rare, hope you like it.


Eskobar - Flat Earth
And the winner of the most underrated song and album of the year is... ESKOBAR! "Hallelujah New World" wasn't gay enough for the Eurovision-people so it flopped big time. It's still one of my favourite entries in MF '08 though, it's really uplifting and has a great chorus. The album Death In Athens more or less flopped despite being their best album to date. "Flat Earth" is one of the highlights. Enjoy.

That was IT for today.

> Party Like It's 1998!

Popsie - Joyful Life
We're singing nanananana... If there's one girlband I dearly miss (apart from the Spice Girls, of course) it is Popsie. The most brilliant Swedish girlband in history (OOOOK, so there haven't been that many to start with.) However, their album remains one of my favourite popalbums to this day. It actually features songs from the then unknown RedOne and Rami.

Popsie - I'm Not Your Property
A true Girl Power-anthem. The lyrics are FAB! "Step on it and get burned then you'll get what you deserve, I'm not your property baby."


La Cream - Say Goodbye
La Cream (a.k.a. Tess) was a highly popular and successful eurodance-act in Sweden during the late 90s. They delievered one hitsingle after another up until 2000 when Tess decided to go solo and sing on her own. "Say Goodbye" is my favourite single from La Cream and it's still amazing! A warning though! If you're not into eurodance, do not download.


Meja - Intimacy
Now to something completely different. One of my favourite Swedish singers, the lovely Meja. Most known for the hitsingle "All 'bout the Money", a true classic, but I love this just as much. Originally recorded by The Corrs but Meja does it better. It's such a warm and cosy song, perfect for xmas!

> Pop

OK, no one really liked my big post on Lili & Susie so here's some random popsongs.

Grant - Just the Thing
I just remembered that Poppostergirl wanted this. It's a nice catchy rocksong from Epicentre.

Lia Andreen/Emilia de Poret - Mistreat Me (You'll Be Sorry)
One of my favourite popsongs of the decade. Yes. Really. Released back in 2001, the album was sadly never released. Now we patiently wait for Emilia's second album, to be out in 2009. If that doesn't come out (it's been postponed like ten times) I will rob a bank and buy all the rights for the songs and release them on here. How does that sound?

Booster - Your Lovin'
This is a classic from the 90s. A one-hit-wonder. The song was used for some computer game I think. Not sure. There's a sticker on the single cover saying something about it anyway. I have no idea who the girls were either. But I love the song nevertheless.

Do you want a fourth song? Yes? Well, you're not getting one! Ha!

> Anorah

Anorah recently opened the doors to her new website. It's a really good site too, you can purchase her digital album "Like He'd Do" (including That's You to Me and the beautiful Inconsolable.) You can also get the single "Story of My Own" which is fab.
Buy and support her!

http://www.anorah.se/
http://www.myspace.com/anorah

> Oh Holy Mama

OMG YES! They're FINALLY back... and this time it's not just some random gig at the local gayclub! The two most fabulous sisters of Sweden - Lili & Susie - will do a big comeback (hopefully at the biggest gayclub in Stockholm = Globe Arena) in Melodifestivalen 2009 (I feel like putting on pink and red lipstick... and I'm a guy! :-()

I've been a fan of L&S for about five years and I've managed to get all their CDs but one. Therefore I know what a brilliant pop-duo they were and that my expectations of their entry "Show Me Heaven" are high. I'll try and be realistic though... I know I can't expect another "Oh Mama" nor "Sending Out a Message", not even a "What's the Colour of Love".
Just the fact that they are back is amazing.

I assume most of my readers have no idea who they are, so I will share some of my favourite songs from them and hope you'll like what you hear, if not, go and see a doctor. Instead of individual links you'll get all the tracks in a zipped file.


Sending Out a Message
It's a crime this is not one of their most known songs. It's just as catchy as you want it to be and it really shows the best sides of the 80s. It's co-written by Alexander Bard (Yes, he was a pop-genius back then already.) I really wish they would re-record this, I know it could be a hit.

We Were Only Dancing
Yet another pop-classic. Simple as that.

Robert and Marie
There's a bunch of other tracks from Anytime that I could share with you but I felt this one needed to be heard first. It's a ballad. It sounds a bit ABBA-ish. Think "The Day Before You Came" and you'll get a good picture. It's a bit depressing-sounding but beautiful.


What's the Colour of Love
L&S were not only active in the 80s but also in the early 90s. They released two albums and The Sisters was the better one. From this album we got two big hits: "Boyfriend" and "What's the Colour of Love" - the last one being one of the most iconic songs. Enjoy this one, I know I do... everytime!

Evelyn
Now this is quite different. It's more of a rock-ballad and will perhaps remind you of The Bangles?! Or some other American girl-rock-band. Really nice.


Bara Du och Jag (Only You and I)
L&S also recorded tracks in Swedish and "Bara Du och Jag" was their biggest Swedish hit and one of my favourites (Surprise, eh!)

Okey, Okey
Did you know they already participated in Melodifestivalen? They did in fact. Back in 1989. They actually competed against Sofia Källgren (mentioned in my previous post) and Orup (the guy who's constantly working with Lena Ph.) None of them won but they sure did a great performance and if "Show Me Heaven" is even half as good as this one I will be over the moon.

Oh Mama
If there's one song you should know it is this one. It was pretty obvious Bard was inspired by this when he wrote "Lay All Your Love on Me" for BWO, you'll hear the similarites.

Mega Mix
A good mega mix of their biggest hits, it features a couple of songs I did not (yet) share with you.

Download:

http://rapidshare.com/files/169975127/L_S.zip.html
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=QGVUMYT8

Breathe in... breathe out... that's it for now. I could continue but I wouldn't want to over-do it. Enjoy and please come back soon... ;-)

> Go Easy with Me

Sugarplum Fairy - The Escapologist
Let's start off this Monday with a rockband from Sweden. Yeah, you heard right. A rockband. Don't let the rock-part scare you away though, because "The Escapologist" is one of my favourite singles of the year and it made me discover the terriffic band that is Sugarplum Fairy. I'm not sure whether they are famous outside Sweden but I think they are fairly known in Germany and have done gigs in other countries too.


Dilba - Easy
Let's continue this post with another favourite single of mine. Actually, this could very well top the chart of "My favourite singles of the year", it's brilliant. Dilba has always been one of my favourite Swedish songwriters and "Easy" is yet another beautiful piece from her which I think you will all like... Apparently it's being released in the Netherlands sometime soon, seems random, but oh well... Enjoy! You'll get a warm cosy feeling from it.


Sofia Källgren - Mio My Mio
OK, this is perhaps not what you would expect from my blog but I want to show all sides of Swedish music, not just the mainstream-pop-sort. Btw, you may recognise Sofia, she's been in Melodifestivalen three times (last in 2003.) However, this song is taken from her latest album where she covered eleven film-classics. This one is from the Swedish film "The Land of Faraway - Mio My Mio" based on the story by Astrid Lindgren. It's a beautiful song composed by Benny & Björn. If you like songs like "May It Be", "The Prayer", "Come What May" and "My Heart Will Go On" you will simply love Sofia's album which I recommend if you're into this classical-pop-sort-of-thing. The album's entitled Cinema Paradiso.

That's it for today and I promise to update more during the week. If you have any requests for old singles or something... let me know. I have lots of things in my shelf and on my computer.

> P3 Live

Every Wednesday on Swedish radio channel P3, there's a programme called P3 Live - it features one or two artists doing an exclusive live concert. You can also watch it live on their website. This week we got to hear brand new songs from the brilliant Erik Hassle and lovely acoustic versions from Agnes.


Agnes Carlsson - Release Me (P3 Live)
Yes, Agnes revealed this will be the next single from the new album "Dance Love Pop". I'm very happy with this decision. It is one of Agnes' greatest tracks and I think this song could start off a career outside Sweden.

Agnes Carlsson - Champion (P3 Live)
One of the stand-out tracks from Agnes' second album was definitely "Champion", it's also one of her best. Quite possibly THE best. If they release DLP internationally they should add this track.


Erik Hassle - Don't Bring Flowers After I'm Dead (P3 Live)
No, it's not Art Garfunkel-- it's Erik Hassle, the latest Swedish popstar on the list. Even though his single "Hurtful" has been out for quite a while it's only been this fall when it's really been noticed and appreciated. It did fairly well on the single chart and on radio. His debut album will be out in January and if the songs he sang on P3 Live are anything to go by it shall be something to look forward to.
This song is available to listen to on Erik's MySpace.

Erik Hassle - First Time (P3 Live)
Another song that makes me long for the album. Not as brilliant as Hurtful or the song above but still very nice.

If you want to listen to the entire show or watch it click these links:
http://www.sr.se/cgi-bin/p3/nyhetssidor/sandningsarkiv.asp?programID=3068 (Listen)
http://www.sr.se/cgi-bin/p3/nyhetssidor/amnessida.asp?programID=2663&grupp=3851 (Watch)

> Female Voices

Pauline Kamusewu - Loving You
She's back! Well, she's actually been back for quite a while. "Loving You" was released in February this year and she released one more single since then, no album yet though. However, I'm waiting patiently for it. LY is one of my favourite singles of the year. It is terribly catchy. Please tell me you like it...


Anorah - That's You to Me
Anorah (a.k.a. Anna Nordell) is one of Sweden's finest singers, yet she's almost completely un-known to most of you. I've known Anna for several years though, I know a great talent when I hear it! She does a lot of backing vocals and demo-singing for other artists too. Anyway, I'm hoping she will get her breakthrough as Anorah very soon 'cause she bloody deserves it! "That's You to Me" is a song from her digitally released album (don't know where you can purchase it from ATM.) It's wicked.


Sofia Loell - On & On
I think I introduced everyone to Sofia on my previous blog, you may have the song "War of Life" if you kept all the brilliant songs me and Chris posted. So, here's another brilliant song from Sofia. It's available on her latest CD "Where I Belong", which also includes WOF and 11 other brilliant songs. I just love this sort of music... simple and beautiful.

Please. Let. Me. Know. What. You. Think. Of. The. Songs.
...or I might as well call it a day!