Classics 02: Halloween Basics

In the spirit of the holiday, here are some obvious Halloween choices. Of course, MJ's seminal "Thriller," along with a lesser-known Bowie number and a great track by the highly underrated Poe (incidentally her album was released on Halloween). After those, some fun "treat"-themed songs that most will instantly recognize (with exception of Mika's track, which wasn't released as a single).

Trick...
Michael Jackson, "Thriller" (from the album Thriller)
David Bowie, "Scary Monster (And Super Creeps)" (from the album Scary Monsters)
Poe, "Haunted" (from the album Haunted)

or Treat!
Christina Aguilera, "Candyman" (from the album Back to Basics)
Mandy Moore, "Candy" (from the album So Real)
Mika, "Lollipop" (from the album Life in Cartoon Motion)

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Pedestal 02: Kylie Minogue

Kylie Minogue is known to most Americans solely for her two big Stateside hits: "The Loco-Motion," from way back in 1988, and "Can't Get You Out Of My Head," the catchy dance anthem that hit number one worldwide in 2001 and 2002. Despite her patchy US success, she has remained a consistently-selling act worldwide since her debut in the late '80s, reinventing herself a number of times along the way. Her first run of hits, starting with "The Loco-Motion" and "I Should Be So Lucky," carried her through to 1992, when she left her first label PWL and decided to ditch her manufactured pop princess image. She came back with a more mature sound in 1994, gaining critical respect and new listeners with the ballad "Confide In Me" and her fifth album Kylie Minogue. Her 1998 album Impossible Princess, however, was derisively labelled "Indie Kylie" and didn't go over too well with the public, leading to her parting ways with dance label Deconstruction and falling off the musical radar completely for two years.

Then, in 2000, she returned with the storming disco track "Spinning Around," hitting number one for the first time in ten years in the UK, Europe and Australia. On the advice of friends and fellow artists the Pet Shop Boys, she signed to Parlophone (a division of EMI) and returned to the top of the charts with her disco throwback album Light Years. Just a year later, she unleashed "Can't Get You Out Of My Head" and her seventh record Fever, hitting the top spot worldwide and achieving the best sales of her career. That single and "Love At First Sight" became some of her best-known hits, and her Kylie Fever 2002 tour sold out arenas across the globe. In 2003, she released the edgy number one smash, "Slow," but her ninth album Body Language failed to meet the high expectations set by her recent successes.

In May 2005, she canceled the Australian leg of her sell-out Showgirl: The Greatest Hits tour with the announcement that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. After a long and very public battle with the disease, she returned to the stage late last year and early this year for her Showgirl Homecoming tour. She joked on stage that, while she is usually only ten minutes late, the one-and-a-half-year wait for the tour to resume was the most "fashionably late" she had ever been. Her tenth studio album X is due for release internationally on November 26, with a US release set for February 2008. It will be her first new album in four years, and is preceded by the glam-rock single "2 Hearts." Also featured are highly-publicized collaborations with Calvin Harris (the catchy electro number "In My Arms") and The Freemasons (disco ballad "The One"). The anticipation is almost too much to bear (listen to the album minimix and you'll see why)! Check out some classic Kylie tracks and new album tasters below.

Tasters for the forthcoming album X:

"2 Hearts" music video
"X MiX" (album preview medley featuring "2 Hearts," "Like A Drug," "The One" and "In My Arms")

Classic Kylie selection:

"I Should Be So Lucky" (from the 1988 album Kylie)
"Love At First Sight" (from the 2001 album Fever)
"Slow" (from the 2003 album Body Language)
"I Believe In You" (from the 2004 compilation Ultimate Kylie)

If you like these, check out her amazing 2CD greatest hits album Ultimate Kylie.

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Hits 01

Leona Lewis, "Bleeding Love" (from the forthcoming album Spirit)

This second single from last year's winner of "X Factor" (a hugely popular American Idol-type competition show in the UK) just debuted at the top of the UK singles chart. It has achieved the biggest first week sales of any single in 2007, and in fact the biggest sales since her own cover of "A Moment Like This" came out right after the show ended. While the video may be standard melodramatic ballad fare, the song is definitely deserving of the big response it has received. With the help of music moguls Simon Cowell and Clive Davis, she's set to launch in the US sometime next year, and will likely fill the gap left by the many fallen American divas that her music so ably channels. (Thus, no track download - sorry!)

Sugababes, "About You Now" (from the album Change)

Before Leona Lewis came along, the latest single from the Sugababes dominated the top spot on the UK charts for four weeks. Another slick pop number from the girls, it comes from their first album released with new member Amelle (the much-publicized replacement for founding member Mutya Buena). Check out the colorful but unremarkable video, or just skip ahead to the song download.

Download: Sugababes, "About You Now" (Radio Edit)

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Dear Ibiza 02

The second entry in the "Dear Ibiza" series brings the focus back to some serious club tracks. The last few posted were more lighthearted and fun, with definite crossover pop success. These tracks are more hard-hitting, but essential nonetheless.

1. Basement Jaxx, "Rendez-Vu" (Single Edit) (from the compilation The Singles)
Their breakthrough hit, "Rendez-Vu" put Basement Jaxx at the forefront of innovative house music. They made the previously underground genre accessible to the masses while keeping it cutting-edge, a committment they followed up with many equally classic singles over the years.
2. The Chemical Brothers, "Hey Boy Hey Girl" (from the compilation Singles 93-03)
At the peak of their powers, The Chemical Brothers were turning out acid house gold with each subsequent release, as evidenced by this hit from 1999's Surrender. Check out the video for some chilling scenes of skeletons out clubbing.
3. Faithless, "Insomnia" (Monster Mix) (from the compilation Forever Faithless)
A definitive Ibiza anthem, this track remains Faithless's signature tune. It is a lot more trance-oriented than most of the music I listen to, but its solid construction really transcends those subtle divisions. Worth listening to for the entire 9 minute length (and a perfect start to a work-out!).

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100 Visitors!

It seems like such an insignificant number (Perez Hilton probably gets 100 a minute!), but for just a few days of existence, it's pretty cool to reach 100 visitors. Here's a Garbage classic to celebrate the occasion.

Garbage, "The World Is Not Enough" (from the compilation Absolute Garbage)

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Open Your Box 01

Though most of the music I listen to is at least to some degree pop or electronica, I do love mixing it up with some more unconventional sounds. Below are some tracks you probably haven't heard, from artists most people won't know, but for one reason or another have ended up in my music library and deserve mention.

1. Saint Etienne, "Action" (from the album Finisterre and compilation Travel Edition 1990-2005)
A catchy dance track by little-known British pop group Saint Etienne. Throughout the '90's, they produced some classic pop songs recalling the kitschy sounds of '60's London in many ways. Their highly-refined pop sensibilities and mannerisms kept them on the outskirts of mainstream pop music, but their niche is definitely one worth exploring.
2. Nerina Pallot, "Idaho" (from the album Fires)
I first found this haunting ballad on a compilation called Acoustic 05 at the tail of my post-grad European adventure. It's sweeping without any faked emotion, and probably the most genuine thing that came out of our stay in Amsterdam!
3. Pink Grease, "Fever" (from the album This Is For Real)
I bought the Pink Grease album on a whim when feeling very into the low prices on Amazon Marketplace a few years ago. I was in a very rock mood and ordered some Primal Scream and Jon Spencer Blues Explosion alongside it. Those albums ended up being better, but "Fever" stuck out as a favorite, with tons of gritty glam and a propulsive groove to rock along to.

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Pedestal 01: Róisín Murphy

Way back in 1995, the unlikely pairing of musician Mark Brydon and clubgoer/vocalist Róisín Murphy released their first album as Moloko, with the cheeky title of Do You Like My Tight Sweater?. Full of quirky sounds and eccentric beats, it didn't find much of an audience, and they remained strictly a niche act with sophomore effort I Am Not A Doctor. They skyrocketed to fame with the Boris Dlugosch remix of their single "Sing It Back," which quickly became a monster hit across Europe in the summer of 1999. It ended up being featured on over 100 compilations, and is still remembered as one of the biggest crossover dance hits of recent years (see also Dear Ibiza 01). Moloko followed this up the next summer with "The Time Is Now," reaching no. 2 on the UK singles chart. This was a taste from their third album Things To Make And Do, which subsequently hit no. 3 on the albums listing. Their fourth album Statues followed in 2003, coming after the breakup of Brydon and Murphy's romantic relationship. It contained some of their best work yet, including European hit singles "Familiar Feeling" and "Forever More." They parted ways after the lengthy tour in support of the album. Their greatest hits are chronicled by the recent collection Catalogue.

After years without any new material, it was announced that Róisín Murphy was set to release a solo album, her first work away from Moloko aside from a few side collaborations. Her first album, Ruby Blue, was a collaboration with electronic artist Matthew Herbert. It was released in 2005 after first coming out as a series three limited edition 12" EPs (called the Sequins series). Though immediately gaining widespread critical acclaim, its left-field sensibilities kept it from reaching much of an audience and she found herslef back on the fringes of pop music. Then, just this year, she signed a new record deal with EMI, leaving behind her lifetime independent label home of Echo Records. Her debut release with the label was the "taster" EP Overpowered in July. This month, she released her first chart-eligible single, the excellent "Let Me Know." It debuted inside the UK top 40 ahead of her sophomore solo album Overpowered, which came in a respectable at no. 20 on this week's charts. With production help from dance giants like Groove Armada, Bugz in the Attic, Richard X and Paul Dolby, the album is one of the best pop records released in ages, and a definite contender for my personal album of the year. This is a record that must be heard by any fan of pop or dance music, or just anyone curious for some truly great songs. I've included a link to listen to the whole album (I love her too much to give away her music - but I've included a link for legal downloads). For good measure, I've thrown in some classic Moloko tracks and a few solo tracks for your listening pleasure.
Listen to the album Overpowered by Róisín Murphy!
(Choice selections: "You Know Me Better," "Movie Star," "Cry Baby," "Let Me Know")
Purchase tracks from the album from 7digital!
Order the physical album from Amazon!
Visit her lovely YouTube channel!

Check up on some vintage Moloko:
"Day For Night" (from Do You Like My Tight Sweater? and Catalogue)
"Sing It Back" (Boris Musical Mix Edit) (from Things To Make And Do and Catalogue)
"Pure Pleasure Seeker" (from Things To Make And Do and Catalogue)
"Familiar Feeling" (Timo Maas Main Mix) (from the Familiar Feeling single)
"Forever More" (from Statues and Catalogue)

Róisín Murphy solo recordings:
"If We're In Love" (from Ruby Blue)
"Ramalama (Bang Bang)" (from Ruby Blue)
"Off & On" (outtake from Overpowered, produced by Calvin Harris)

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Covered Up 01

Covers are nearly always hit-or-miss propositions. More commonly, an artist will try and up their cool factor by covering a track they barely even know, ending up degrading the merits of the original completely (and making themselves look bad in the process). Sometimes, though, covers are done right, bringing a new element to the song without destroying the original. Jo Whiley's "Live Lounge" show on BBC Radio 1 regularly features artists performing random covers live, with some real gems popping up. Here are some unexpected covers from her consistently amusing show, including a fun Girls Aloud cover by Arctic Monkeys (!), a stirring Editors cover by new talent Corinne Bailey-Rae and Travis's well-known acoustic reworking of Britney's first single.

Arctic Monkeys, "Love Machine" (originally performed by British girl group Girls Aloud)
Corinne Bailey-Rae, "Munich" (originally performed by Editors)
Travis, "...Baby One More Time" (originally performed by Britney Spears)

If you like these, check out the compilation Radio 1's Live Lounge and look for its follow-up albums, Radio 1: Established 1967 and Radio 1's Live Lounge 2.

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Ridin' Dirty 01: Visibly Filthy

Now and then, everybody loves a good dirrty groove. The greatest ones inspire even the best of us to put aside all sense of decency and just get down (or "ride dirty" as some might call a particularly filthy brand of dancing). Here are some assorted videos that really up the filth factor. Warning: do not watch these in a public place!

Aphex Twin, "Windowlicker" (from the EP Windowlicker)

Watch as visionary director Chris Cunningham reinvents the concept of "but-her-face" with an extended parody of explicit rap videos. If you thought the "Thong Song" video was raunchy, then have someone hold your hand for this one. Beware: this video was banned everywhere for a reason! Skip the first 3 and 1/2 minutes if you can't take excessive swearing.

Simian Mobile Disco, "Hustler" (from the album Attack Decay Sustain Release)

A brand new video, it starts out like most dance videos do--bikini-clad women writhing around lip-syncing poorly to a catchy groove. But then they whip out the junk food, and things literally get filthy.

Benny Benassi, "Who's Your Daddy?"

The lesser-known, but equally provocative companion to the unforgettable "Satisfaction" video. It will undoubtedly make you think very naughty things.

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Dear Ibiza 01

For those unfamiliar with the dance music world, Ibiza is the island where thousands of (mostly European) clubgoers spend at least some of their summer vacation. On the White Isle, partying is almost non-stop, with afterhours clubbing stretching into the morning hours (called a "disco sunrise" if you can last that long). Year after year, the best club tracks are born in Ibiza, anthologized with countless compilation albums and 12" single releases. Here are some of the tunes to come out of the White Isle in the last ten years.

1. Moloko, "Sing It Back" (Boris Musical Mix Edit) (from the album Catalogue)
The definitive Ibiza anthem. I've included the radio edit for those who aren't up for the full (and amazing) 9 and 1/2 minute version.
2. Spiller featuring Sophie Ellis-Bextor, "Groovejet (If This Ain't Love)" (Radio Edit)
A huge hit on the White Isle and across Europe from a few years back. Like many popular club tracks, it started out as an instrumental, then after gaining momentum in the clubs, a vocal track was added (in this case the great Sophie Ellis-Bextor).
3. Bob Sinclar featuring Gary Pine, "Love Generation" (Radio Edit)
Anyone who's been to Europe in the past few years will know this song well by now, since it was pretty ubiquitous ever since it first came out. The whistling and big bass keep it fresh even now.

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Classics 01

I thought it would be appropriate to get the ball rolling with some tried-and-tested classics. I don't mean "classics" in the same way as some overly-pretentious music reviewer or journalist would. By "classics," I just mean songs that, no matter how long ago you first heard them, still excite you and merit another listen. Here are five that I picked off the top of my head, in no particular order.

1. The Cardigans, "Lovefool" (from the album First Band on the Moon)
To this day, a full ten years on from when this song first became a hit, "Lovefool" remains my favorite pop song ever. Likewise, The Cardigans are among my favorite bands (if not my absolute favorite). Don't be surprised if you see them show up on this blog more than a few times - they truly are one of the greatest pop groups around!
2. Natalie Imbruglia, "Torn" (MTV Unplugged Acoustic) (from the single Big Mistake)
A hit that we all know (and love, admit it) that came out around the same time as "Lovefool" did. Its catchy chorus and simple composition make it easy to like, and hard to forget. Here is a rarely heard acoustic version of it that complements the original quite nicely.
3. Björk, "Venus As A Boy" (from the album Debut)
I didn't get into her until years after this song came out, but it quickly became one of my favorites. Its simple and haunting and hits all the right spots. A love song without all the fake sentiment (and with some very clever innuendos thrown right in).
4. New Order, "Bizarre Love Triangle" (Shep Pettibone Extended Dance Mix) (from the compilations Substance, International and Retro)
I was even more of a latecomer to New Order, only catching on in time for their "reunion" albums. Regardless, "Bizarre Love Triangle" is among my personal classics. This 80s hit is best heard in its extended dancefloor remake by then-hot producer Shep Pettibone (famous also for his work with Madonna during her most erotic phase). Songs like this force a reconsideration of the notion that dance music is void of any emotion or depth.
5. Spice Girls, "Who Do You Think You Are" (from the album Spice)
This needs no explanation. You know it. You love it. You want to re-download it because you may have deleted it years ago and are now regretting that mistake.

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Different Is Dangerous

Welcome to "Different Is Dangerous," my new music blog. I've been thinking about doing this for quite a while now, and probably should have gotten started over the summer when nothing much was going on in my life. Of course, not much has changed now except that my iTunes library is slowly taking over my entire hard drive. I figure that half of the music blogs I visit are just random people posting whatever they feel like posting at the time (not exactly the hardest job). I thought, "If I can sometimes enjoy the suggestions of random strangers, then maybe someone somewhere would benefit from some of my tidbits of musical advice. " Maybe I'm right, maybe not. Either way, take a listen and hopefully discover some worthwhile new sounds.