Pop

ELTON JOHN AND KIKI DEE - “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart”

The intro to this is a masterclass: the strings and piano curling around the bass and drums in what amounts to a trailer for the song, teasing its hooks for you. It’s a suitably flirty intro for a duet, so it’s a shame the performers don’t really catch fire. Or the performer - Kiki Dee doesn’t do much wrong (though it’s annoying how her lines sometimes just trail off), it’s just unfortunate that she’s partnered with the fearful pop heffalump that is Elton John. … read on …

DEMIS ROUSSOS - The Roussos Phenomenon (EP)

(Special note: I have been unable to find a copy of all four tracks on the EP, so this review is written without having ever heard “So Dreamy”. So the mark out of ten is - unusually - subject to change. Though frankly I doubt it will.)

In a wayward year of odd Number Ones, this is one of the rummest. It isn’t the sort of thing I’d want to listen to very often, if at all, and if it was typical of the kind of records that top the charts, well, we wouldn’t be here. But there are enough intriguing touches on The Roussos Phenomenon to not dismiss it as wholly ridiculous. You are occasionally reminded that yes, this Demis Roussos is the same D.R. who released 666, a prog triple concept album about the Book of Revelation, the year before recording most of this…. slightly more accessible material. … read on …

Europop 2008: Group D - Spain v Sweden

Spain and Sweden both got off to shaky starts in Europop 2008: who will take the points here? Listen to the tracks, vote in the poll, and look below the cut for managerial comment, analysis, match reports and previews.

How to vote: Just tick the one you like best (even if you don’t like it much!). This poll closes next Thursday, 15th March.

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… read on …

THE REAL THING - “You To Me Are Everything”

The Real Thing do everything right - pleading soul vocals, springy piano line, big-impact chorus - without ever threatening the spectacular. They’re using a blueprint - tuneful underdog disco - which Hot Chocolate would have huge success with, but without the next-level abjection and paranoia Erol Brown sometimes brought to it. So the Real Thing deliver a solid good time rather than anything more striking (or commentable). Solidity can get you a long way, though - “You To Me Are Everything” has become a wedding dance staple, and for simple welcoming catchiness it deserves that ubiquity.

Europop 2008: Group D - Greece v Russia

Greece look for the win which would secure them Group D qualification. Russia came within a whisker of winning against Spain and are looking to better that result. Hear the tracks, vote in the poll, and click below the cut for managerial comment, analysis, match reports and previews. EDIT: The Greek track plays a little too slow in the in-line player - you will need to download it to hear it as intended.

How to vote: Listen to the tracks and just tick the one you liked more. This poll closes on May 12th (next Monday - so you only get 6 days to vote).

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… read on …

THE WURZELS - “Combine Harvester (Brand New Key)”

Much like “No Charge”, this wears an idea too thin: but at least it’s a good idea. Spotting the potential for Wurzelisation in the ramshackle whimsy of Melanie’s “Brand New Key” was a stroke of pop genius that deserved the reward of a No.1. “Combine Harvester” kicks off with surely the best (or maybe worst) innuendo to grace a chart-topping record and rides a wave of sheer goodwill until at least its third verse.

The Wurzels had only turned to this kind of pop adaptation because original Wurzel Adge Cutler had died - his original comic folk songs had made the band a West Country hit and with no songwriters to replace him, “Combine Harvester” was the beginning of a new and narrower remit for the band. Given a national stage, the bumbling yokel humour the group trade in as much reinforced stereotypes as mocked or indulged them, but that shouldn’t detract from the fact that “Combine Harvester” is one of the more thoroughly enjoyable comedy records we’ll be meeting.

Blog ‘92: PUGH PUGH BARNEY MCGREW

13. Urban Hype - Trip To Trumpton

My glow-in-the-dark alarm clock was usually set for 6.45am on Saturday mornings, earlier than on a weekday. Sleep matters not to a seven year old, especially where television is concerned*. I would sneak downstairs without waking up my parents and hover round the telly in the kitchen for several hours, sometimes managing a continuous run up until The Chart Show at lunchtime. … read on …

JJ BARRIE - “No Charge”

I was aware of this song long before I heard it - as a young boy it was quoted at me by my Dad should I ever object to tidying my room. Since my room was rarely tidy, I became very familiar with the central notion of “No Charge”. Like my Dad, I can find immense amusement and pleasure in this style of song - talking country with a sentimental edge - but this is far from a great example.

You might think, at first, that the style stands or falls on the strength of its concepts: not so. … read on …

Muxtape!

It’s Poptimism again on Saturday, so I have updated the Poptimism Muxtape. You will hear one or two of these on Saturday if you come, but basically think of it more as one of the giveaway CDs we used to do - a little trailer of where our (well, my) head is at popwise.

Europop 2008: Group C - Italy 1 Romania 1

Group leaders Italy look to secure the win that will ensure qualification from Group C. Listen to the tracks, vote in the poll then look below the cut for managerial comment, analysis, previews and match reports.

How to vote: Just tick the track you like most! This poll closes on May 8th at lunchtime. … read on …