Just as, at one time, Leigh Francis in a rubber mask on 'Bo Selecta!' ruined Craig David for a large number of people, so too, did Ant & Dec and Cat Deeley, wearing black wigs and affecting Irish accents and proclaiming that they were 'beeeautiful' on Saturday morning kid's TV, ruin one of the Emerald … Continue reading #CrazyStupidAlbum: The Corrs – ‘Jupiter Calling’
There will be a curiously late 90s/early 00s feel to the top end of the UK album chart this coming Friday, if the current midweeks are anything to go by. Not least because of the spectacle of a George Michael album currently leading the way to be number one (albeit a heavily repacked one), but … Continue reading #CrazyStupidAlbum: Niall Horan – ‘Flicker’
It's not unfair to say that, where my love of 90s music - and in particular its pop groups - are concerned, that for all their ability to sell concert tickets and records by the truckload c. 1997 - 2001, I was never on board with Steps as much as I was with say, S … Continue reading #CrazyStupidAlbum: Steps – ‘Tears on the Dancefloor’
Firstly, a hearty welcome back one and all! I've missed you all. I may or may not divulge in another forthcoming blog why there has been a silence of nigh on three months since my last post - real life mostly to place the blame on there. Secondly, Olly Murs is back (I know so, … Continue reading #CrazyStupidAlbum: Olly Murs (@ollyofficial) – “24 HRS”
A very special blog today this one. This month marks a huge 60 years since the Official UK Charts Company published the very first Official UK Album Chart. 60 years! To mark this occasion, they are celebrating a month of all things album (or LP for the old 'uns amongst us) and have not only … Continue reading 60 Years of the Official Album Chart: #MyFavouriteAlbum – Girls Aloud, “What Will the Neighbours Say?”
Post-band solo careers. When this phrase is uttered, it usually conjures up one of two images. Either the image of the people who've gone on to get it really right (Beyoncé headlining at Glastonbury 2011, Cheryl launching 'Fight for This Love' on X Factor in THAT soldier outfit, Justin Timberlake being all cool with The … Continue reading #CrazyStupidAlbum: Eddie Brett – “Parlay”
From a quick glance at what occupies the top end of the charts these days - even the recently revealed track list for the latest Now compilation reveals a record 10+ count of 'featuring' tracks, most of which are faceless, generic dance and EDM fusing random DJs with random session vocalists - pure, out and … Continue reading #CrazyStupidAlbum: Little Mix – “Get Weird”
An interesting point was made by Danny O'Donoghue, the charismatic lead singer of Irish rockers The Script when I saw them being interviewed on BBC Breakfast last week. Namely, that on the subject of critical acclaim. This was a question probably raised in light of a scathing - nay, toffy nosed - one star review … Continue reading #CrazyStupidAlbum: The Script – “No Sound Without Silence”
Up until this week just gone, life had several great mysteries that were still unsolved: why there wasn't any cure for the summertime blues, why toast landed jam side down, and why Loveable Rogues, despite being easily the best band in a long while to get their springboard into the public consciousness via reality TV … Continue reading #CrazyStupidAlbum: Loveable Rogues – “This & That”
The Niche Reference 