» Album review: Darin "Break The News"
I was quite suprised the first time I listened through “Break The News”. Okay, Darin said it would be experimental and include loads of guitars, synths and “crazy beats”, but after hearing “Perfect” I thought that was his idea of what’s experimental, which definitely don’t correspond mine. But I was pleasantly surprised – this album is both quite experimental and crazy! While I thought “The Anthem” pissed all over Darin’s second album “Darin”, I think he’s outdone both of them on this one. It’s more stylish, innovative and at the same time very chart-pop.
I really hope the Swedish people will make this a success, after “Perfect” didn’t quite sell as much as I, and the record company, thought it would. It slipped out of the top ten after only two weeks, and doesn’t seem to be getting back there. But then again; if Agnes could get to number one with the support of a Clea reject song, then Darin should with this.
The CD is beginning amazing. The intro of the first track “Insanity” is fantastic, and very different. It indicates that Darin is heading towards a new era with this album. With ghost similar male voices and disturbing drums you could almost think Timbaland had been in the recording studio. The next track, “Extra Ordinary Love”, is my personal favourite. It’s a collaboration between Max Martin and Robyn (what a dream team!), which clearly can’t be anything else than absolutely brilliant. It’s a crazy song which sounds really Robyn when you think about it. This would do great as a third single after the compulsory ballad which, assumingly, is the second.
“Perfect” is without doubts the most commercial song on the album, but it still suits well in its company. It might not be the super duper hit “Step Up” and “Money For Nothing” were, but it’s still really good. It’s also coming in perfectly after the more tentative tracks which opened the album. It’s also nice to have this song on the album, to be certain that Darin hasn’t given up on pure jolly pop music entirely. “Everything But The Girl”, which follows after “Perfect”, is also quite commercial. It’s a ballad, and a really, really good one. Personally I found “Why Does It Rain” and “Who’s That Girl” quite dull, but it’s with a pleasure I’m telling you all that he’s finally made a brilliant ballad! Though the production could’ve been more interesting when it sounds just like any other Idol-winner ballad - it’s a bit of a shame he didn’t dare to experiment with the slower tracks too, and only did it with the up-tempo songs. But! It’s still his best ballad to date, and the melody is amazing. Plus that it doesn’t hurt that Darin is a great singer. This would’ve been a massive hit for Backstreet Boys back in the days. I’m glad at least Rix FM will overplay the song here in Sweden. If it gets a single release of course, which I suppose it will eventually. If it isn’t I’m going to be very upset.
The next tracks are trying a bit too hard to be American. “Desire” has talk verses, and dodgy lyrics about a “sexy girl” who Darin can show “everything she wants”. It does have a KILLER chorus, though, which saves the song from being bad. “Like No One” sounds like a tedious Chris Brown b-side, and I think I like all the songs on Ola’s (from Idol) album better than “What If I Kissed You Now”.
However, he’s back in shape on “Saturday Night”, which takes off perfectly where “Perfect” ended. Actually I would’ve preferred if he had released this as the first single instead! It’s just a floorfiller from start to finish, with catchy electro verses and a great poppy chorus. It’s definitely challenging “Extra Ordinary Love” for being my favourite song on the album, and also the one which wants to make me want to dance the most. However, hasn’t the word “Saturday” been rhymed with “alright” enough? It feels like I’ve heard it a million times before.
It’s from “Everything You’re Not” Darin got the title of the album, “Break The News”, from. At first I didn’t really know what to think of it, but I love it now. It’s definitely not single material, but I think it suits perfectly as an album track. Also, thumbs up for the Kelis-ish cocky lyrics. Didn’t think the (personality wise) wimpy Darin had it in him! “If You Wanna” is basically “Want Ya!” part two. It’s a catchy dancehall anthem which would own the cool R&B/hip-hop dancefloors if it was released as a single. I love Darin’s voice on this one, too. He sings quite high, and almost sounds like a child. Let’s ignore the last two tracks which both easily could’ve been skipped. “The Thing About You” sounds like something like those American Disney teenage stars would come up with, like Jesse McCartney. “Homeless” is a dreadful cheesy ballad penned by Per Elofsson. It makes me wanna vomit. Though I guess you’ll like it if you’re a fan of extremely cheesy ballads.
To sum up, Darin has made a really good pop album. He’s found an attractive and suiting sound and it’ll be interesting to see where he goes from here. Hopefully he’ll dare to become even more obscure, and continue to work with Robyn. God bless her and Darin for bringing something different into the Swedish mainstream pop furrow, but at the same time manages to keep the oh so important “pop feeling”. You can buy it from one of the places to the right.
Darin - Extra Ordinary Love
» Friday remixes
BWO – Chariots Of Fire (Johan S Remix Edit)
The new remix album “Halcyon Nights” by the brilliant BWO is coming nearer and nearer (it’s released the week after Christmas), but until then we’ll have to do with the really quite good pop remixes on their latest single “Chariot Of Fire”. Just like the pop mixes of “Temple Of Love”, all of them are actually good, and that’s coming from a guy who usually isn’t such a big fan of remixes. The remixes by Soundfactory, Credheadz and Air Bureau are all great electro-pop songs, and none of them are annoyingly long, like remixes tend to be. My favourite is by the never-disappointing Johan S who has done amazing remixes of most BWO singles to date. It sounds a bit like the hit singles from the last album, like “Conquering America” and “Sixteen Tons Of Hardware”, being adequately electro, and just as poppy as the original version.
Lo-Fi-FNK – Steppin’ Out (Juuso P's Ballad Version) Ooh. My personal summer anthem of 2006 in a beautiful electro-ballad version. I can’t help but think that the song as a ballad takes itself a bit too serious, so to speak, and that it fits better as an up-tempo number that makes people want to dance. Maybe because of the sentimental lyrics that simply makes the song a bit cheesy as a ballad. It’s still really beautiful, mind.
» Album review: Linda Sundblad “Oh My God”
I know this is the third post in a row mentioning Linda Sundblad, but really, we can’t hype this amazing album too much. I’m a bit surprised how unnoticed she’s gone by on most places in the pop blogosphere (I’ve only seen her mentioned on Popjustice and Dirrrty Pop). She deserves some hype, so if you’re a pop blogger and is reading this; give her album a go and then realise what a bloody fool you’ve been for ignoring her before.
Did you think that “Oh Father”, despite its brilliant lyrics about religion, was a bit half dull? Well, don’t worry; it’s not very representive of the album at all. Many of the songs are very ‘80s. Though not in the ‘80s way we’ve seen so many times before in the last few years (especially by her female pop colleagues in Norway) but in a more direct retro way, similar to Tommy February6.
It’s also very, very poppy. I’m actually surprised that Linda dared to be this pop. She’s really left everything rock and Lambretta behind her, and is now 100% jolly pop. And the album might’ve been recorded in the US (by Swedes, mind), but she’s definitely not following the American trend of making songs without a melody. All the songs are very catchy. It’s actually a bit funny how little Linda from a country of 9 million people manages to make an album million times better than the latest efforts from international popstars in her genre; Jessica Simpson, Fergie and Paris Hilton. Plus that the album is full of ace lyrics, something that in my opinion is missing in all the earlier mentioned popstars albums as well. I’m not just saying this because I want to defend Swedish pop music or anything, I genially think so.
The album - which is beginning with an obscure but fantastic Bollywood inspired intro - contains ‘80s inspired pop anthems which literally are everything Gwen Stefani’s comeback single should’ve been like (“Cheat”, “Pretty Rebels”, “Dirty”), sugar sweet ballad (“Lose You”, “Daisies”), experimental beats (“Turning On”, “Keeper”) and pure pop joy (“Back In Time”, “Who (Q-Boy)”, “Oh Father”, “Beatiful Boys”).
Let’s not forget the fact that Linda Sundblad is a totally ace popstar. She has the attitude, the voice and the looks. The whole package of a perfect popstar. I’m without doubts putting her on the same pedestal as Robyn and Darin if she’s continuing to be as amazing as this.
You’ve got to buy this (why not on one of the links to the right). It buggers me a bit that this album won’t sell as much as Agnes’ latest one, when this one obviously pisses all over “Stronger”. So go on and buy it so that it won’t ‘do a Lene Nyström’ and become a lost pop masterpiece which went by totally unnoticed. It’s far too good for that.
Linda Sundblad - Back In Time
» 100th post!
Melody Club - Fever Fever
October and November have, so far, been a great month for all us poplovers. So many great albums have been released and the new album from Melody Club is not an exception. Just listen to "Fever Fever" and you will know what I mean.
Therese - Be My Baby (12" Mix)
I found a brilliant new song by Therese on a Hed Kandi-CD. It's an extended version, but the melody and song itself is excellent. And if you didn't know already, it is very likely Therese will perform together with The Attic in Melodifestivalen 2006, according to The Attic themselves.
The Attic - It's Beautiful
Speaking of the Attic.. their new album was released yesterday, I have not yet purchased it, but I will when my wallet lets me. I think we have feautered all their singles on this blog, and you all know, all of them are brilliant. "It's Beautiful" is no exception.
Linda Sundblad - Pretty Rebels
I made a promise to myself I wouldn't share anything off Linda's new album, but I couldn't help myself. This tune is just awesome. Cowritten by Max Martin.
Btw, this is the 100th post on Catchy Tunes of Sweden. Want another 100? Keep fingers crossed!
» Oh my God!
Finally the week of Linda's albumrelease has come. It's out this Wednesday, and I think you all should get it, as it is ace in every way. Lucky Swedes can already purchase the digital tracks from CDON.com
No teasers today as the album is too good to be shared illegally.
Links where to purchase the album online can be found on the menu!
I was quite suprised the first time I listened through “Break The News”. Okay, Darin said it would be experimental and include loads of guitars, synths and “crazy beats”, but after hearing “Perfect” I thought that was his idea of what’s experimental, which definitely don’t correspond mine. But I was pleasantly surprised – this album is both quite experimental and crazy! While I thought “The Anthem” pissed all over Darin’s second album “Darin”, I think he’s outdone both of them on this one. It’s more stylish, innovative and at the same time very chart-pop.
“Perfect” is without doubts the most commercial song on the album, but it still suits well in its company. It might not be the super duper hit “Step Up” and “Money For Nothing” were, but it’s still really good. It’s also coming in perfectly after the more tentative tracks which opened the album. It’s also nice to have this song on the album, to be certain that Darin hasn’t given up on pure jolly pop music entirely. “Everything But The Girl”, which follows after “Perfect”, is also quite commercial. It’s a ballad, and a really, really good one. Personally I found “Why Does It Rain” and “Who’s That Girl” quite dull, but it’s with a pleasure I’m telling you all that he’s finally made a brilliant ballad! Though the production could’ve been more interesting when it sounds just like any other Idol-winner ballad - it’s a bit of a shame he didn’t dare to experiment with the slower tracks too, and only did it with the up-tempo songs. But! It’s still his best ballad to date, and the melody is amazing. Plus that it doesn’t hurt that Darin is a great singer. This would’ve been a massive hit for Backstreet Boys back in the days. I’m glad at least Rix FM will overplay the song here in Sweden. If it gets a single release of course, which I suppose it will eventually. If it isn’t I’m going to be very upset.
However, he’s back in shape on “Saturday Night”, which takes off perfectly where “Perfect” ended. Actually I would’ve preferred if he had released this as the first single instead! It’s just a floorfiller from start to finish, with catchy electro verses and a great poppy chorus. It’s definitely challenging “Extra Ordinary Love” for being my favourite song on the album, and also the one which wants to make me want to dance the most. However, hasn’t the word “Saturday” been rhymed with “alright” enough? It feels like I’ve heard it a million times before.
