The first great pop album of 2003

[Lorne.t]

The wonderful popjustice.co.uk has a review of the new Girls Aloud album and it sounds like it could be a stormer....

imagine an album cool enough to reference Blondie, the Go-Go's and pre-PWL Bananarama, but unselfconscious enough to admit that the Spice Girls were pretty good too.
stop imagining - for The Aloud's debut album is finally with us. It's a year zero for pop, it's something you won't be embarrassed to buy, it sounds like an album rather than a collection of random songs emptied out of an A&R man's secret cupboard, it exposes Atomic Kitten for being as rubbish as they so obviously are, and it's a pop album you won't want to sell in 18 months.

And it's better than the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.



1. Sound Of The Underground
Best 'Popstars' single of all time.
Sounds like: Puretone 'Addicted To Bass', Sugababes 'Round Round', All Seeing I 'Beat Goes On', Kenny Loggins 'Footloose'
Best bit: Surf guitar
Best lyric: "It's the static from the floor below."

2. No Good Advice
A few weeks ago we claimed that this was the greatest song ever written, and we are sticking by this claim.
Sounds like: The Knack 'My Sharona', The Stranglers 'No More Heroes'
Best bit: Without any shadow of a doubt the best bit on this song has to be the talky bit at the end.
Best lyric: "Shut your mouth because your .... might show." (Not sure if they're putting the rude version on the final album, but how cool would a Parental Advisory sticker look? We'll tell you: very.)

. Some Kind Of Miracle
Songs about getting off with people in nightclubs are always brilliant, even when they don't include any surf guitar.
Sounds like: Louise 'Naked', The Bangles 'Manic Monday'
Best bit: Most brilliant reference to a glitterball since *NSYNC's 'Up Against The Wall'.
Best lyric: "I'm tired of hanging by the DJ box pretending to be cool."

4. All I Need (All I Don't)
Sounds a bit Timbalandesque, though no doubt done by Murlyn.
Sounds like: J.Lo 'Play', Donna Summer 'Love To Love You Baby'
Best bit: Ace bit of disco filter action at the start.
Best lyric: "I hate to love you; and you want me, and you get me..."

5. Life Got Cold
Basically a song about having a mid-life crisis in your teens, and realising everything about life is a bit rubbish. nb: Pretending to be a ballad when you are not is one of pop's most cunning tricks, as 'I Want It That Way' would tell you if it was a human being rather than a song.
Sounds like: 'Wonderwall', 'Never Had A Dream Come True', All Saints
Best bit: Final few seconds with nice echo.
Best lyric: "We skate as we date as we slowly suffocate."

6. Mars Attack
Robot voices wibble on about "Rock-rockin' to the beat" on this sequel to 'Sound Of The Underground'. Blippy sci-fi sound effects 'abound'.
Sounds like: 'Cantaloop', 'Sound Of The Underground'
Best bit: Bonkers jazz piano spag-out in the middle eight.
Best lyric: "Get down sister, I'll dance with ya, the groove will move your soul, sister."

7. Stop
A 'No Good Advice'-type plea for annoying idiots to get lost and leave The Aloud to go about their business like the mighty pop troopers they undoubtedly are. Also makes the important point that, everywhere Girls Aloud go, they let the beat drop.
Sounds like: Something which is right on the tip of our tongue... And Bananarama.
Best bit: Intro.
Best lyric: "No sleep for the wicked, no fun for the good."

8. Girls Allowed
This is the one written by Bryan McFadden. Do you see what he's done in the title? You see the band are called Girls Aloud, but Bryan has called this song 'Girls Allowed', which sounds exactly the same!!
Sounds like: Spice Girls 'Who Do You Think You Are?', 'Never Give Up On The Good Times'
Best bit: There's a great bit where the girls whisper "girls allowed, girls allowed" a lot.
Best lyric: "I don't like a man who drives a fast car to make you think they're bigger than they really are."

9. Forever And A Night
Hurrah! It's two Christmas Number Ones in a row for The Aloud.
Sounds like: Spice Girls '2 Become 1'
Best bit: When the chorus goes "I want you - boy - forever and a night". The 'boy' bit totally makes the song.
Best lyric: "Now with every breath we take, all I think about is the love we're gonna make." (Hopefully, being a little bit wiser, the girls will put it on, put it on, baby.)

10. Love / Hate
There's a lot of banging going on in this song.
Sounds like: Various Artists 'Hardcore Drum 'N' Bass Vol 2'
Best bit: Outro.
Best lyric: "When I give and take you don't reciprocate."

11. Boogie Down Love
We'd like this to be a single, please.
Sounds like: Blondie 'Call Me', Propellerheads 'History Repeating', 'Play That Funky Music'
Best bit: End of the second verse - "Let's go-o-o-o-o-o". And there's a massive guitar screech at the 3'10" mark which is great, too.
Best lyric: "Cos a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do to the groove."

12. Don't Want You Back
This is not, should you be wondering, the Backstreet Boys or Ellie Campbell song of the same name. It is - can this be possible? (Yes) - even better!
Sounds like: Samantha Mumba 'Gotta Tell You', The Songs Of Max Martin, Triple 8 'Give Me A Reason'
Best bit: We are loving the chorus.
Best lyric: "I know I'll be alright - I'll keep my faith in love... That's why I've got to let you go."

13. White Lies
At this point in the album a spot of surf guitar would not go amiss. There's none here. But 'White Lies' is a cracker nonetheless.
Sounds like: Britney '...Baby One More Time', En Vogue 'Free Your Mind'
Best bit: Mighty middle eight when an Aloud Girl bellows "No way ou-ou-ouuuut! No way ou-ou-ouuuut! No way ou-ou-ouuuut!"
Best lyric: "No way ou-ou-ouuuut! No way ou-ou-ouuuut! No way ou-ou-ouuuut!"

14. Love Bomb
Starts off with some fake vinyl noise, features a random man going "Let's cha cha cha", is very ace indeed.
Sounds like: Sub Sub 'Aint No Love (Ain't No Use)', Betty Boo 'Boomania'
Best bit: The verses are tremendous. The Aloud are rapping just like Betty Boo. Literally, just like her. Not sure who wrote this one but Alison Clarkson co-wrote 'Boogie Down Love' so all may be explained.
Best lyric: "Baby you can call me, I'm feelin' kinda horny."

15. Everything You Ever Wanted
A cracking electro-R&B backing - a bit like that remix of Brandy's 'Full Moon' -
Sounds like: Arrested Development 'Everyday People'
Best bit: When they squeeze "Whatever and wherever boy we're gonna be together cos you're never gonna get it any better than maaayyyee" into four amazing seconds. And yes, "maaayyyee" really does come right out of the Britney Pop Dictionary.
Best lyric: "It's unbelievable, inconceivable, how I'm gonna please you - just relax, close your eyes, lay back..."



So there we have it. A very ace album by five very ace ladies.

[LouBarlow]

:help:

[Dave 3:16]

:gag: :gag:

what a set of munters

[Muddy Mudskipper]

Where's the punchline?

I read all that for nothing. :|

[kjn6371]

How can they mention great bands like Blondie and The Go Go's with Girls Aloud? :nuts:

[jmdomain]

:thumbs:

[Lorne.t]

Well thats what I said,also saying the source...

[Dazzle]

Don't ya just love the "sounds like...." bits?. In my experience if a band is described as "Sounds like..." it means an inferior version of, You might as well stick with who the "reviewer" [Tecwen Whittock] PR [/Tecwen Whittock] name drops.

[Arch Stanton]

First great pop album of 2003 is the Junior Senior record so there wrong from the very first sentance.

[LouBarlow]

Wouldn't the White Stripes record be another great pop album, seeing as it got to number one in the charts ?

[Lorne.t]

Just go with the review....
I for one,hope it appears somewhere for "previewing" soon. :)

[Squirrel God]

Are you for real Lorne.t? :suspect:

[sharp_circle]

Originally posted by Squirrel God
Are you for real Lorne.t? :suspect:

Unfortunately so. Can't believe he/she has the cheek to put this in the music forum.

[sharp_circle]

And it's better than the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.



LMFAO

how in Gods holy pants can anyone compere this bunch of talentless munters to the simply fantastic Yeah Yeah Yeah's?


Oh god Lorne.T why bother posting about this kind of crap (and it really is crap) on any board that is made up by people who realise that music isn't a bunch of no hopers thrown together by a money grabbing record company? Try www.somethingawful.com's forums, I'm sure they'll give you a resounding response :p

[mullethead]

:lol: @ this review

and

:lol: :lol: :lol: @ Squirrel Gods 'Location Statement'

:thumbs:

[Lorne.t]

The narrowmindedness of some people when it comes to music on these forums is unreal!
Its all only music.It boils down to songs in the end,whether manufactured or not.
Manufactured Pop has been around since Elvis in the 50's and will never go away.
A check on my posts on this forum will reveal that I post on all types of music,including Indie ,punk and rock and dont let my opinions be clouded by how a group has started.
I think you'll be suprised with the GA's album,the two singles are excellent slices of pop trash. I will continue to post threads about Girls aloud,S Club 8,the 7 solo lifes of S club,The Spice Girls reformation and any other cheesy bands I desire.I shall continue to post threads about the more "credible" bands also! :rolleyes: :)

[Dazzle]

Lorne.T
Good for you. Post what you like.
"Ridicule is nothing to be scared of" ;)

[Lorne.t]

Point in question - !
I was also a huge Adam and the Ants fan and saw them live both in their punkier period and their pop stage.
As Mega City Four once said "If you've got the tunes,you've got the tunes" (cue much slagging of MC4 no doubt!)

[CLH]

Originally posted by Lorne.t
The narrowmindedness of some people when it comes to music on these forums is unreal!
Its all only music.It boils down to songs in the end,whether manufactured or not.
Manufactured Pop has been around since Elvis in the 50's and will never go away.
A check on my posts on this forum will reveal that I post on all types of music,including Indie ,punk and rock and dont let my opinions be clouded by how a group has started.
I think you'll be suprised with the GA's album,the two singles are excellent slices of pop trash. I will continue to post threads about Girls aloud,S Club 8,the 7 solo lifes of S club,The Spice Girls reformation and any other cheesy bands I desire.I shall continue to post threads about the more "credible" bands also! :rolleyes: :)

I agree wholly with that, music snobbery is frankly annoying.

I hate Girls Aloud with a passion but I'm not going to lie down outside HMV urging people to buy Coldplay instead.

[Mandrill]

Originally posted by Lorne.t
The narrowmindedness of some people when it comes to music on these forums is unreal!
Its all only music.It boils down to songs in the end,whether manufactured or not.
Manufactured Pop has been around since Elvis in the 50's and will never go away.
A check on my posts on this forum will reveal that I post on all types of music,including Indie ,punk and rock and dont let my opinions be clouded by how a group has started.
I think you'll be suprised with the GA's album,the two singles are excellent slices of pop trash. I will continue to post threads about Girls aloud,S Club 8,the 7 solo lifes of S club,The Spice Girls reformation and any other cheesy bands I desire.I shall continue to post threads about the more "credible" bands also! :rolleyes: :)

Well said :thumbs:

[Squirrel God]

Originally posted by mullethead
:lol: :lol: :lol: @ Squirrel Gods 'Location Statement'
:D

[Bearhorn]

Originally posted by Muddy Mudskipper
Where's the punchline?

I read all that for nothing. :|

You want a punchline? You've come to the right place, the gorgeous Cheryl Tweedy is your girl :p

And also, respect to Lorne.T for posting this. At the end of the day music is music and it's all rock and roll to me anyway - it's all good :)

[sharp_circle]

Originally posted by Lorne.t
The narrowmindedness of some people when it comes to music on these forums is unreal!
Its all only music.It boils down to songs in the end,whether manufactured or not.
Manufactured Pop has been around since Elvis in the 50's and will never go away.
A check on my posts on this forum will reveal that I post on all types of music,including Indie ,punk and rock and dont let my opinions be clouded by how a group has started.
I think you'll be suprised with the GA's album,the two singles are excellent slices of pop trash. I will continue to post threads about Girls aloud,S Club 8,the 7 solo lifes of S club,The Spice Girls reformation and any other cheesy bands I desire.I shall continue to post threads about the more "credible" bands also! :rolleyes: :)

No, when there's a quote saying the album is better than the yeah yeah yeah's its not narrow mindedness mate. I usually leave your posts alone but thats just plain insulting.

[Lorne.t]

And why cant the album be better than the yeah yeah yeahs?
They're not actually doing anything new are they?
The ghost of Siouxsie,Poly and Polly,The Slits,Bis,Kleenex etc all rearing their ugly heads...

[GK]

Originally posted by Lorne.t
The narrowmindedness of some people when it comes to music on these forums is unreal!
Its all only music.It boils down to songs in the end,whether manufactured or not.
Manufactured Pop has been around since Elvis in the 50's and will never go away.
A check on my posts on this forum will reveal that I post on all types of music,including Indie ,punk and rock and dont let my opinions be clouded by how a group has started.
I think you'll be suprised with the GA's album,the two singles are excellent slices of pop trash. I will continue to post threads about Girls aloud,S Club 8,the 7 solo lifes of S club,The Spice Girls reformation and any other cheesy bands I desire.I shall continue to post threads about the more "credible" bands also! :rolleyes: :)

Yeah - you go girl ! My 'driving to work' tape for the past fortnight has been one side 'Turn on the Bright Lights' and one side 'Seeing Double'. BOTH are fantastic pop music. If the Girls Aloud album is the plastic pop genius the singles suggest then we're in for a treat. Who cares where it somes from as long as it sounds good ? Hey, aren't friends eclectic ?

(Indie snobs ... :gag: )

[Lorne.t]

Its go boy but thanks!! :)
I'm currently listening to a MD on my netMD as I go to work with The White Stripes - Elephant and S club's - Seeing double on it.
They both sound good!

[Pisces Iscariot]

Originally posted by Lorne.t
Its go boy but thanks!! :)
I'm currently listening to a MD on my netMD as I go to work with The White Stripes - Elephant and S club's - Seeing double on it.
They both sound good!
I'd rather wax my ******** than listen to either of them. :D

[xraystan]

Who the hell are Mega City Four?? Sounds like something out of Judge Dread.

[Lorne.t]

Late 80's early 90's punk pop band with some excellent tunes to their credit.

[Radiohead]

Personally this entire music press infatuation with low-rent imitations of originals leaves me cold - step forward the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs, The Kills, The Vines, The Hives, The Datsuns et al. I've yet to hear anything original in any of them.

[Squirrel God]

I love The Vines album. Fantastic stuff, very original but obviously influenced.

This won me over :D

http://www.rathergood.com/vines/

[LouBarlow]

Originally posted by Radiohead
Personally this entire music press infatuation with low-rent imitations of originals leaves me cold - step forward the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs, The Kills, The Vines, The Hives, The Datsuns et al. I've yet to hear anything original in any of them.

This tired old argument.

Why can't people listen to the music presented to them rather than having to compare everything to past records ?

You will never get anything truly original. Even your beloved Radiohead have recycled the same old predictable beats for their last 3 records.

[Pisces Iscariot]

Originally posted by LouBarlow

You will never get anything truly original.
Have you listened to Hemophiliac by John Zorn/Mike Patton/Ikue Mori? ;)

[LouBarlow]

Originally posted by Pisces Iscariot
Have you listened to Hemophiliac by John Zorn/Mike Patton/Ikue Mori? ;)

Does it consist of chimps farting into trumpets ? If so that would be a first...

[Pisces Iscariot]

Originally posted by LouBarlow
Does it consist of chimps farting into trumpets ? If so that would be a first...

They're (and this is their description) a brutal alto sax/voice & effects/computer trio. :D

[Squirrel God]

What are they called? Hemophiliac? Think I'll give those bleeders a miss :D

Agree with Lou that nothing is truly original. It's all evolution man :)

[Pisces Iscariot]

Originally posted by Squirrel God
Think I'll give those bleeders a miss :D
Well it's your loss, I'm listening to it now. :p

[Jimmyboy]

Originally posted by Pisces Iscariot
I'd rather wax my ******** than listen to either of them. :D

What you and your bangkok chickboy get up to is your own business. :D

Lorne.t's taste in music is spot on, Girl's Aloud rock - can anyone seriously stick their hand up and say either GA single is crap ?.
Those 80's like surf guitar riffs kick capital ass and you know it !.

Despite this though I very much doubt the new Girls Aloud album will match Seeing Double (possibly the best pop album since Thriller), gotta feel for S Club - talk about going out on a major high ! - or should that be automatic high ?. :lol:

[Squirrel God]

Originally posted by Jimmyboy
can anyone seriously stick their hand up and say either GA single is crap ?.
/me searches desperately for the "hands up" smiley :|

[Pisces Iscariot]

Originally posted by Jimmyboy

..can anyone seriously stick their hand up and say either GA single is crap
Yes. I've only heard Sound of the Underground and I thought it was crap. :wave:

[mardyChris]

I quite like both, they're well written pop songs. Much better than you'd expect.

[Muddy Mudskipper]

Originally posted by Jimmyboy
Lorne.t's taste in music is spot on,

Only to someone with equally appalling taste. :wave:

Originally posted by Jimmyboy
Girl's Aloud rock - can anyone seriously stick their hand up and say either GA single is crap ?.

Yes, I can seriously do that, and here's my serious face to prove it:

:|

[CLH]

Originally posted by Muddy Mudskipper
Only to someone with equally appalling taste. :wave:


But therein lies the problem. It's not to your taste and therefore you find them rubbish (in fact so do I). But what right do we have to criticise others tastes and opinions??

[Radiohead]

Originally posted by LouBarlow
This tired old argument.

Why can't people listen to the music presented to them rather than having to compare everything to past records ?

You will never get anything truly original. Even your beloved Radiohead have recycled the same old predictable beats for their last 3 records.

Not tired - just true. I'd rather listen to the people that did it first (and generally best) rather than derivative toss trumpeted by cliched old hacks in the music press.

The Strokes release a hugely successful debut (and one not without merit), and all of a sudden the music world is full of 4 or 5-piece sullen-faced 70's lookalikes desperate for a piece of the action. The industry, displaying its usual lack of imagination, seems to sign anyone with a name beginning in "The...", neatly ignoring the fact that not many of them are actually any good.

Still, they sound like they record in a garage and that's the important thing right now eh?

[LouBarlow]

Originally posted by Radiohead
Not tired - just true. I'd rather listen to the people that did it first (and generally best) rather than derivative toss trumpeted by cliched old hacks in the music press.


Yes, but if you took that standpoint you wouldnt buy *any* new music whatsoever, and we would all only listen to music from the 60's and 70's. I take it you assume that not a single note of music produced today is worthy as not a jot of it is original ?

There is merit in the new material if you can be open minded enough to listen without having to constantly reference to the past.

Also recording in a garage is a good thing, obviously, if only Radiohead would try it :lol:

[Muddy Mudskipper]

Originally posted by CLH
But therein lies the problem. It's not to your taste and therefore you find them rubbish (in fact so do I). But what right do we have to criticise others tastes and opinions??

It's music lacking any semblance of soul or integrity and therefore it's a legitimate target for scorn.

[Lorne.t]

I didn't realise that music had to have soul or integrity to be enjoyed.It's only music after all.
However pop music does have soul.Just because the performer hasn't written the track doesn't mean they're not putting their all into the singing of it.
Take S Club again,another regular forum target for scorn,as pop as they come ,but any of the middle 8's in their ballads sung by Jo are sung with as much passion as songs from most of the indie no hopers championed on this forum.

[Pisces Iscariot]

Originally posted by Muddy Mudskipper
Only to someone with equally appalling taste. :wave:
One word - Coldplay!

:lol:

[Muddy Mudskipper]

:nono:

Right now I'm listening to Haemoglobin, a freeform oboe and harpsichord pseudo-electro jazz quartet. :lol:

[Pisces Iscariot]

Originally posted by Muddy Mudskipper
:nono:

Right now I'm listening to Haemoglobin, a freeform oboe and harpsichord pseudo-electro jazz quartet. :lol:
I think you'll find that they're called Myoglobin. :rolleyes:



:p

[Jimmyboy]

Originally posted by Muddy Mudskipper
Only to someone with equally appalling taste. :wave:

On the contrary, I would say that my taste is simply more diverse than yours which is why I can accept and listen to top pop from time to time.
Yes I also listen to the usual scruffy haired pasty skin white guy singing into his beer music (aka the ironically titled 'real music' by idiots who are to lazy and lack the articulate skills required to define such a term).

[Radiohead]

Originally posted by LouBarlow
Yes, but if you took that standpoint you wouldnt buy *any* new music whatsoever, and we would all only listen to music from the 60's and 70's. I take it you assume that not a single note of music produced today is worthy as not a jot of it is original ?

There is merit in the new material if you can be open minded enough to listen without having to constantly reference to the past.

Also recording in a garage is a good thing, obviously, if only Radiohead would try it :lol:

:D

Don't get me wrong - I like plenty of new stuff but I do ask that it's at least trying something new or different - and I just don't get that from any of the bands I'm talking about. I just see an increasingly clueless music industry trying the latest hype on for size and hoping it fits.

As for being open-minded, recent purchases here are Venus Hum, The Be-Good Tanyas, Arab Strap, Mum, Kelly Joe Phelps and Goldfrapp. A fairly eclectic selection I think.

(Anyway - Radiohead are far to famous to be recording in garages)


:D

[Muddy Mudskipper]

Originally posted by Jimmyboy
On the contrary, I would say that my taste is simply more diverse than yours

I sincerely doubt it, besides which, having an S Club 7 or Girls Aloud CD in your album collection is nothing to boast about. It's the equivalent of posting in the DVD forum extolling the greatness of Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot.

Originally posted by Jimmy
which is why I can accept and listen to top pop from time to time.

It isn't 'top pop' though because it won't stand the test of time, it's music for children's birthday parties. A throwaway product with an overnight shelf-life. Much of S Club's output already sounds dated and would sound right at home on that cheesy early 90s show California Dreams, or even Pugwall.

Just out of curiosity, would you wear an S club or Girls Aloud t-shirt out in public? Fair enough if you get enjoyment out of that sort of music, but let's not try to pretend it has any artistic merit.

[CLH]

Originally posted by Muddy Mudskipper
It's music lacking any semblance of soul or integrity and therefore it's a legitimate target for scorn.

But from who? Are you saying the writers lack the integrity or the performers?

[Radiohead]

Both - they're all in it for the money.

[LouBarlow]

Originally posted by Radiohead
As for being open-minded, recent purchases here are Venus Hum, The Be-Good Tanyas, Arab Strap, Mum, Kelly Joe Phelps and Goldfrapp. A fairly eclectic selection I think.


Good choices. :thumbs:

The Arab Strap record in particular is very nice.

[Radiohead]

It's a blinder isn't it.

I'll be picking up the new Four Tet album tomorrow.

[CLH]

Originally posted by Radiohead
Both - they're all in it for the money.

So are 99% of the "greats."

[Jimmyboy]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Muddy Mudskipper
I sincerely doubt it, besides which, having an S Club 7 or Girls Aloud CD in your album collection is nothing to boast about. It's the equivalent of posting in the DVD forum extolling the greatness of Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot.

Not at all, more accurately it's like posting on the dvd forum about the greatness of Holiday on the Busses. Nobody expects it to be taken seriously, it's just harmless fun.
Besides which, if posting about S club is nothing to boast about, boasting about bands you claim you can't stand yet can't stop talking about is far more of an embarrassment.


It isn't 'top pop' though because it won't stand the test of time, it's music for children's birthday parties. A throwaway product with an overnight shelf-life. Much of S Club's output already sounds dated and would sound right at home on that cheesy early 90s show California Dreams, or even Pugwall.

Since when has it been a requirement for a song to stand the test of time to be considered top pop ?. By it's very nature pop will struggle to remain popular over generations because it's very core is about exploiting today's fashion.
This is hardly a stigma you can attach purely to cheesy pop music anyway - nearly all bands regardless of genre struggle to remain important for more than 3 albums. I have my doubts that Coldplays music will stand the test of time no more than everybody's darlings from 3 years ago, Travis seems to.

Oh yes, and you're right - it does go down well at childrens birthday parties.


Just out of curiosity, would you wear an S club or Girls Aloud t-shirt out in public? Fair enough if you get enjoyment out of that sort of music, but let's not try to pretend it has any artistic merit.

Who's trying to pretend it has artistic merit ?, and what has artistic merit got to do with anything in music these days ?, and who's the judge as to what artistic merit actually is and whom it should be made applicable too ?.
I see very little genuine 'artistic merit' in bands of today and that can be applied to all genres of music - at least S Club have the balls to admit they're nothing more than cheese pop, a claim you will never here from Fred Durst or that nice middle class white chap who sings the melody parts in Linkin Park.
There's nothing remotely embarrassing about listening to some good quality pop music from time to time, the only thing I find an embarrassment are those that believe they're on some high moral ground by pointing out to the so-called 'blinkered' that manufactured pop is ....well, errr manufactured. :wave:

[Pisces Iscariot]

Originally posted by Jimmyboy
or that nice middle class white chap who sings the melody parts in Linkin Park.
With a name like Chester surely he's upper class! ;)

[Muddy Mudskipper]

He's really called Chester? :lol:

[Monkeybuttpadje]

Hm, I had no intention of getting this until I read that glowing review. I think I shall purchase this in HMV the same day I finally get Opeth's 'Blackwater Park' album. I always get a kick out of completely mis-matched album pairings (and the odd looks I get from the till-workers)

Patrick

[Mandrill]

Originally posted by Muddy Mudskipper
He's really called Chester? :lol:

Has he got a brother called Man ..............



I'll get my coat :suspect:

[mjb1975]

His surname is 'Drawers'....:D



(it's Bennington)

[Pisces Iscariot]

Originally posted by Monkeybuttpadje
I always get a kick out of completely mis-matched album pairings (and the odd looks I get from the till-workers)
:lol:

I only got into Opeth about 6 months ago but Blackwater Park is easily one my favourite albums of all time. :notworthy

[Johnny Vodka]

Originally posted by Lorne.t


1. Sound Of The Underground
Best 'Popstars' single of all time.
Sounds like: Puretone 'Addicted To Bass', Sugababes 'Round Round', All Seeing I 'Beat Goes On', Kenny Loggins 'Footloose'
Best bit: Surf guitar
Best lyric: "It's the static from the floor below."



Whenever I hear this song, I think it's a rip-off - yes, rip-off - of Addicted To Bass and Round and Round. I know the point's been made that no piece of music is ever going to be totally original, but there's something particularly cynical about stealing from songs that were only months old at the time.

I'd also like to know why the reviwer considers a lyric like "It's the static from the floor below" worth mentioning?

I've got nothing against pop music - good pop music -, like Saint Etienne at their peak or some of the Sugababes' output, but I've heard nothing by Girls Aloud that makes me think they are any better than Atomic Kitten or :gag: Westlife.

(Um, okay, they're better than Westlife, but I'd imagine hammering nails through your genitals is too.)

[Disappearer]

Although I find the way Girls Aloud were put together to be utterly reprehensible I have to admit, possibly against my better judgement, that both of their singles have been way-above-average pop tunes.

Just because their music doesn't provoke chin-stroking doesn't mean they don't have any value.

[mjb1975]

Nowt wrong with Atomic Kitten! :norty: :clap:

[LouBarlow]

Another review here (http://www.playlouder.com/review/+soundoftheunderg/)

Sounds like a winner.

[The Dude]

Yeah it gets another good review in the latest issue of Bang magazine. They say the 1st half of the album is nearly flawless for what it's worth.
http://www.bangmagazine.co.uk/?page=reviews&reviMyid=50 for the review. :)

[pmdf]

I don't understand what's happening with pop music today... and weirdly enough I mean that in a good way!

Some of the stuff that's coming out is the best chart material since the early '80s IMEHO. Girls Aloud and Tatu are leagues above the fodder that's been consistently churned out in the past few years... maybe I'm in the midst of a premature mid-life crisis or something, but I reckon these are quality pop songs, and I *think* I like this stuff for more than just the eye-candy... although no-one I've shared that opinion with so far seems to believe me... :confused: :dork:

[LouBarlow]

Originally posted by pmdf
I don't understand what's happening with pop music today... and weirdly enough I mean that in a good way!

Some of the stuff that's coming out is the best chart material since the early '80s IMEHO. Girls Aloud and Tatu are leagues above the fodder that's been consistently churned out in the past few years... maybe I'm in the midst of a premature mid-life crisis or something, but I reckon these are quality pop songs, and I *think* I like this stuff for more than just the eye-candy... although no-one I've shared that opinion with so far seems to believe me... :confused: :dork:

I think its a sign of a true music fan when they are able to admit to liking such 'uncred' acts as these.

If a song is decent I see no problem with liking it, no matter who the artist is.

[Lorne.t]

I got the album last week and its an excellent piece of pop,
theres more hits coming believe me!! :)

[Monkeybuttpadje]

Yeah, it's quite good. Life Got Cold, Girls Alowowowowowowowoed and the next single Some Kind Of Miracle are the definite standouts. Some of the tracks dont impress me much, and as a result, I can't remember their titles to list here.

Patrick