[Hot Video Alert] Ellie Goulding - Anything Could Happen

Halcyon, the sophomore album from UK folktronica songstress Ellie Goulding is EASILY one of my most anticipated  albums this year, and watching the absolutely STUNNING video for the album's debut single, "Anything Could Happen" only heightens my level of excitement.  The song was written by Goulding and Jim Eliot (of Kish Mauve) and was first teased earlier this summer with the unveiling of a gorgeous lyric video, made of of hundreds of fan photo submissions.  As beautiful as the "Anything Could Happen" lyric video was, it doesn't hold a candle to the BRILLIANT Floria Sigismondi (the film The Runaways, Katy Perry) directed music video released September 5th on Ellie's VEVO.

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[Review] Adele - Skyfall

James Bond theme songs have always held a special place in my heart, which shouldn't come as a big surprise to anyone, given my passion for both music and film.  With the recent release of Adele's own Bond stunner, "Skyfall," the 24-year old English chanteuse finds herself sitting pretty among some of my favorite Bond singers, including Shirley Bassey ("Goldfinger," "Diamonds Are Forever," & "Moonraker"), Paul McCartney & Wings ("Live & Let Die"), Carly Simon ("Nobody Does It Better"), Sheena Easton ("For Your Eyes Only"), Tina Turner ("Goldeneye") and Garbage ("The World Is Not Enough").  Written by Adele and Paul Epworth (Florence + The Machine, Lana Del Rey, Adele), "Skyfall" is easily the best James Bond theme song since 1999's EPIC rock-tinged "The World Is Not Enough," and a worthy addition to the lineage. 

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[Concert Review] Paloma Faith Live at Joe's Pub

PHOTO CREDIT: Music Is My King Size Bed

My 3 plus year dream of seeing UK pop-soul chanteuse Paloma Faith finally came true earlier this month on September 11th, 2012 at Joe's Pub in New York City...and what a dream it was. I still can't believe it!  Paloma's performance, stage presence and costume far exceeded my expectations. Not only that, but she's a charmer.  Then again, if you've ever seen an interview with her, you would expect nothing less.

Already a respected and established musical talent in her native England, Paloma now has her heart set on making it here in America and while the American market is notoriously difficult to crack for foreign artists, the recent success stories of the late Amy Winehouse and Adele have certainly cracked open a window for up & coming talent like the 27 year old Hackney-born Faith.

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New P!nk Album, The Truth About Love, Due September 18th; New Single, 'Blow Me (One Last Kiss)' Out Now!

Just in time for the end of summer, pop GODDESS P!nk hits us with another anthem, sure to make anyone feel better after, well...a SH*t day.  Co-penned by P!nk (AKA Alecia Moore) and producer + 1/2 of The Bird and The Bee, Mr. Greg Kurstin (Lily Allen, Foster The People), "Blow Me (One Last Kiss)" is quintessential P!nk; an edgy, jam-worthy piece of power-pop destined to have folks bangin' and boppin' their heads along to the beat.

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Ones to Watch in 2012: Emeli Sandé

I love it when America discovers someone talented that the rest of the world has known about for months, even years! Today, the talent I'm referring to is Scottish singer/songwriter Emeli Sandé.  Sandé is due to release her debut album, Our Version of Events on June 5th via Capitol Records.  This is HUGE! I'm envisioning lots of promotion, performances on The Tonight Show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show (except I think Ellen is on hiatus in the summer), it's going to massive. Capitol better promote the hell out of this supreme being. She deserves some Stateside recognition, for sure!

Sandé is already off to a promising start in her native UK, releasing debut single "Heaven" last August and having it debut in the #2 spot on the UK Singles Chart.  Aside from garnering the adoration of some of her musical contemporaries like Adele and Alicia Keys, Sandé has already won the prestigious BRIT Critics' Choice award (won in the past by Adele and Florence + The Machine), and was nominated for the Breakthrough British Artist award.  We'll have to wait until February 21st to see if she wins.  As if these accolades aren't enough, Sandé was also hand picked by Coldplay to open for the band on their European tour.  Follow up single "Daddy" (featuring Naughty Boy), which came out at the end of November, wasn't as fortunate, only coming in at #21.  We've all seen this before - first single is a top 5 hit, second single just barely outside of the top 20, third single 40+ and BAM. Dropped. I am hoping and praying that this does not become Emeli Sandé's fate.  The third single, entitled "Next To Me" is scheduled for release on February 12th, followed by the album's UK release the next day.

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Hot Video Alert: Adele - Someone Like You

Excuse me while I mop up the puddle around my keyboard.  I must say, it's comforting to know that "Someone Like You" elicits a similar reaction in so many people people.  A true testament to the power of this song - a recent Saturday Night Live skit, in which an office full of people simultaneously break down while listening to Adele's emotionally raw ballad.  While the song conjures up different emotions in different people, Adele wrote "Someone Like You" about a broken relationship - the same broken relationship that carries across her entire sophomore album.  What a wreck she must have been when writing this song...

Until the release of this music video, Adele had only released one other video from 21, the visually arresting "Rolling In The Deep," directed by Sam Brown.  Unlike the video for "Rolling In The Deep," which was very complex in terms of it's artistic components, "Someone Like You" strips everything away and serves up a lonely and vulnerable video that perfectly complements the song itself.  Directed by Jake Nava, the black and white video was shot in Paris during the early morning hours.  Featuring a sad and forlorn-looking Adele walking slowly yet purposely along the picturesque Seine, the video doesn't require any contrived dialog or cliched montage sequences.  The video lets the lyrics and Adele's vulnerable expression do all of the talking.

Recently nominated for 6 Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year, Record of the Year and Song of the Year for "Someone Like You," Adele is likely going to come off a big winner during the February 12th telecast of the 54th Annual Grammy Awards.  In the meantime, check out the stunning video for "Someone Like You" below and download the single on U.S. iTunes HERE. Make sure you also pick up a copy of her new live DVD - Live At The Royal Albert Hall, out now.

Check out Adele on the web:

Official Site//MySpace//Facebook//Twitter//VEVO

Ones to Watch in 2012: Lily Elise

As big a fan I am of Kelly Clarkson, Jordin Sparks, Leona Lewis and other winners, oftentimes the contestants that most captivate me aren't the winners, but rather those that don't even make it to the final round.  Case in point...Lily Elise.  A contestant on season 1 of The Voice, from the moment Elise stepped out on stage, this 20 year talent just emanated pop star appeal.  When she opened her mouth to sing...DAMN!  No wonder she got Christina Aguilera to turn her chair around! Although she was eliminated in the Quarter Finals Elise made an impression on me, so it's exciting to see her moving forward with her own burgeoning pop career.

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Better Late Than Never: John Legend Covers Adele's 'Rolling In The Deep'

OH MY GOD! I know this is late coming but I don't care. John Legend's cover of Adele's "Rolling In The Deep" is ORGASMICLY good. Wow. Check out John Legend's soulful acapella cover of Adele's international hit single. It's so wrought with emotion...I almost can't take it.  John explained via Twitter that he loved Adele's version and just wanted to cover it. I'm certainly glad he did, and you will be too. (Via Idolator)

John Legend - Rolling in the Deep (Adele Cover) by johnlegend

Check out John Legend on the web:

Official Site//MySpace//Facebook//Twitter//YouTube

Adele Maintains Position Atop the Official UK Singles & Albums Charts

For the second week in a row, Adele's beautiful ballad "Someone Like You" remains in the top spot.  Co-penned by Adele and Dan Wilson (who also served as producer) the single started gaining traction a couple of weeks ago after a poignant performance at the BRIT Awards.  So far the single has peaked at #65 on the Billboard Hot 100 and at #35 on the Canadian Hot 100.  Check out a magnificent live performance of the song taken from VH1 Unplugged: Adele HERE.  While "Someone Like You" was released as the official single in the UK, elsewhere in Europe, the equally brilliant Fraser T. Smith-produced "Set Fire To The Rain" was released as the official second single.  Below, listen to this brilliant dance remix of "Someone Like You" by The Thin Red Men.

Elsewhere on the singles chart, Jessie J and Rihanna maintain their #2 spots where as Adele drops back to #5 leaving room for Lady Gaga to rise to #4.  Both Chipmunk and Alexis Jordan sink one spot to #6 and #7  respectively.  Singer/songwriter Jessie J, who's album was released this past week must be pleased to see her debut single "Do It Like A Dude" reenter the Top Ten.  As far as new chart entries this week, there aren't too many worth mentioning with the exception of the new Foo Fighters single (#22), and two Jessie J album tracks - "Who You Are" & "Nobody's Perfect" (#40, #81).  Disappointing chart performances include new entries from Alesha Dixon, who's new single, "Every Little Part Of Me" featuring Jay Sean, enters the chart at a measly #78.  Promising beginnings for Britney Spears' who's new single "Till The World Ends" enters at #55 after only being released last Friday and The Black Eyed Peas new single, which was officially released only yesterday in the UK enters the chart at #89.  New singles out this week include "That's The Truth" from McFly, "Mirrors" by Natalia Kills, Olly Murs' "Heart On My Sleeve," Willow Smith's second single, and Tinie Tempah's "Wonderman," featuring Ellie Goulding.  What will happen next week? Do any of these new entries have what it takes to dethrone Adele? We'll have to wait and see I suppose.

Official UK Singles Top 10//March 12, 2011

1. Adele//Someone Like You

2. Jessie J feat. B.o.B.//Price Tag

3. Rihanna//S&M

4. Lady Gaga//Born This Way

5. Adele//Rolling In The Deep

6. Chipmunk feat. Chris Brown//Champion

7. Alexis Jordan//Good Girl

8. Chris Brown//Yeah 3X

9. Bruno Mars//Grenade

10. Jessie J//Do It Like A Dude

[SEE THE FULL TOP 100 HERE]

On the album chart front, Adele also maintains her #1 position for the sixth consecutive week.  This is BEYOND impressive.  What's even more impressive is how well the album's been doing in America, debuting in the #1 spot and selling over 350,000 copies, becoming the highest debut yet of 2011.  Coming in strong at #2 is Jessie J's debut album, Who You Are, which was bumped up by nearly an entire month, all for the best it turns out.  English rock band Beady Eye (made up of former members of Oasis, including Liam Gallagher) debuts at #3 on the UK Albums Chart, while Clare Maguire's Light After Dark makes an impressive entrance at #7 following the #23 debut of her second single, "The Last Dance."  The final new entry in this week's Top Ten, Alexis Jordan, who's self titled debut was released last week slides into the #9 slot, following the #6 debut of her second single "Good Girl" last week.

Other new chart entries this week come from Lykki Li, who's sophomore set Wounded Rhymes enters the chart at #37 (a vast improvement from the #112 debut of 2008's Youth Novels) and Far East Movement, who's debut album Free Wired debuts at #63.  U.S. acapella group Straight No Chaser also enters the chart this week with their latest album, With A Twist, coming in at #91 on the UK Albums Chart.  New albums out this week which should chart next Sunday include Avril Lavigne's Goodbye Lullaby as well as new releases from Lupe Fiasco, Marianne Faithfull, Noah & The Whale and Slash.


Official UK Albums Top 10//March 12, 2011

1. Adele//21

2. Jessie J//Who You Are

3. Beady Eye//Different Gear, Still Speeding

4. Adele//19

5. Rihanna//Loud

6. Bruno Mars//Doo-Wops & Hooligans

7. Clare Maguire//Light After Dark

8. Mumford & Sons//Sigh No More

9. Alexis Jordan//Alexis Jordan

10. Cee-Loo Green//The Lady Killer

[SEE THE FULL TOP 100 HERE]

Adele Tops UK Singles & Albums Chart, Earns First #1 Single

Adele overload! Wow GIRRRRL! You go! UK singer/songwriter Adele earns her first #1 single this week with "Someone Like You," which quickly rose to the top following an ABSOLUTELY spellbinding performance at the 2011 BRIT Awards. Co-penned by Adele and Dan Wilson, the heartfelt ballad sits atop the chart for the second week in a row, right above Jessie J's "Price Tag" which is sitting pretty in the #2 spot. Rihanna's "S&M" climbs 3 spots into #3, topping Adele's debut single "Rolling In The Deep," which remains in the 4th position, giving Adele 4 singles in the Top 100 this week (along with "Make You Feel My Love" and "Chasing Pavements"). Making it's debut this week, the infectious pop/dance smash "Good Girl" by U.S. singer Alexis Jordan. "Good Girl" is the follow up to "Happiness," which peaked at #3 when it was released last October. Not a bad showing for a second single, eh? I'm still hoping for a U.S. release! In other chart news, Lady Gaga's "Born This Way" dips down 5 spots to #8 this week. Looks like the UK isn't as in love with "Born This Way" as the rest of the world is? I can't say I'm too shocked.

Other new entries this week include the Gwyneth Paltrow/Matthew Morrison Rihanna cover from Glee (#22) and Clare Maguire's second single, "The Last Dance" (#23). Gwyneth also makes an appearence at #31 with her Cee-Lo Green "Forget You" cover (also from Glee).  We'll have to see if next week's new releases unseat any of our Top Ten.  On the schedule we have new tunes from Chipmunk featuring Keri Hilson, James Blake, X-Factor contestant Mary Byrne, McFly, Natalia Kills, Olly Murs, Plan B, Tinie Tempah featuring Ellie Goulding and Willow Smith, just to name a few.  Should be interesting...

Official UK Singles Top 10//March 5, 2011

1. Adele//Someone Like You
2. Jessie J feat. B.o.B.//Price Tag
3. Rihanna//S&M
4. Adele//Rolling In The Deep
5. Chipmunk feat. Chris Brown//Champion
6. Alexis Jordan//Good Girl
7. Bruno Mars//Grenade
8. Lady Gaga//Born This Way
9. Chris Brown//Yeah 3X
10. P!nk//F*kin' Perfect

[SEE THE FULL TOP 100 HERE]

Adele's good fortune continues on the Official Album Chart front as well as 21 spends yet another week at #1. That's 5 weeks now. Impressive to say the least! Not only that but Adele's album, which came out in America last week, debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200. Way to go lady! Her debut, 19 (which sits in the #2 spot this week on the UK Albums Chart) peaked at #10 here in the States so this is pretty epic. The Glee Cast make a strong debut at #4 with Volume 4 of their popular compilation albums. The rest of the Top Ten just doesn't interest me so I won't waste your time. Check out the link below to see the whole 100. Other new entries this week include Gil Scott-Heron & Jamie XX's new collaboration album We're New Here (#33) as well as...well. That's all I got for you.  Look out for new albums next week from Avril Lavigne, Kanye West, Noah & The Whale, Lupe Fiasco, Marianne Faithfull, Pet Shop Boys and Slash.  I hate to see it but I honestly don't see any of these guys dethroning Adele but who knows. Stranger things have happened.

Official UK Albums Top 10//March 5, 2011

1. Adele//21
2. Adele//19
3. Rihanna//Loud
4. Glee Cast//Glee:The Music - Volume 4
5. Mumford & Sons//Sigh No More
6. Bruno Mars//Doo-Wops & Hooligans
7. Tinie Tempah//Disc-Overy
8. Plan B//The Defamation of Strickland Banks
9. Cee-Lo Green//The Lady Killer
10. JLS//Outta This World

[SEE THE FULL TOP 100 HERE]

Jessie J and Adele Top Official UK Singles/Albums Charts...Again

Jessie J has a lot to be thankful for. Her second single, "Price Tag," featuring American rapper B.o.B. remains QUEEN of the UK Singles Chart this week, with it's second week at the top of the charts. Following close behind, the new single from UK rapper Chipmunk, who's first single "Champion" was released last week. The single features controversial American R&B artist Chris Brown. Taken from Chipmunk's forthcoming sophomore album, Transition, "Champion" becomes The Chip Diddy Chip's second highest charting single since 2009's "Oopsy Daisy." The third entry on the chart goes to Lady Gaga and her new single, "Born This Way," lifted off her forthcoming album of the same title. This is pretty impressive for Gaga, considering the single sold 60,000 copies in just 34 hours. Not sure if the single will climb next week or dip. We'll have to wait and see I guess.

Other new entries of note this week include "Stuttering" by Loick Essien feat. N-Dubz (#36), "Time Warp" and "Touch A Touch A Touch A Touch Me" both performed by the Glee Cast (#63 and #72), and "Stuck Like Glue" by American country group Sugarland. Meanwhile, Jay Sean's new single, "Hit The Lights" featuring Lil Wayne managed to debut at a disappointing #67. Let's see what happens next week when Alexis Jordan, Clare Maguire, Brandon Flowers, Good Charlotte, Kanye West, Nadine Coyle and P!nk all release new singles. Sounds like some tough competition.

Official UK Singles Top 10//February 19, 2011

1. Jessie J feat. B.o.B.//Price Tag
2. Chipmunk feat. Chris Brown//Champion
3. Lady Gaga//Born This Way
4. Bruno Mars//Grenade
5. Adele//Rolling In The Deep
6. Chris Brown//Yeah 3X
7. Ke$ha//We R Who We R
8. Taio Cruz feat. Travie McCoy & Kylie Minogue//Higher
9. Enrique Iglesias feat. Ludacris//Tonight (I'm F**kin' You)
10. Diddy Dirty Money feat. Skylar Grey//Coming Home

[SEE THE FULL TOP 100 HERE]

On the album chart front, Adele maintains her position at #1 for the third week in a row, selling 134K this week bringing the grand total sales to nearly 500K. WOW. I can't WAIT to see what kind of damage she does here in America. It appears that the demand for Adele is greater than I imagined here in the States, considering tickets to her Boston show this May sold out in less than 30 minutes. Thankfully, I managed to secure tickets but WOW. I was NOT expecting that at all. 21 is due out in the U.S. via Columbia Records on February 22nd. Elsewhere on the charts, the Chase & Status album drops down 3 spots, Bruno Mars' moves up to #2, Rihanna moves up to #3 and Eva Cassidy moves up to #4. Making debuts this week...Mike Skinner (AKA The Streets) with his fifth and final album as The Streets, Computers And Blues comes in with a strong showing at #8, one spot lower than their 2008 album Everything is Borrowed. Folktronica artist James Blake enters at #9 with his debut self-titled album. Signed to Universal Republic in the States, the album was digitally released on February 8th. James Blake is AMAZING. I love his whole vibe and the fact that he covered a Feist song makes him even more appealing.

Other new Album Chart entries worth noting? How about the sound latest Glee soundtrack, The Rocky Horror Glee Show coming in at #23. Next we have U.S. country duo Sugarland coming in at #43, followed by Cut Copy and their third album Zonoscope, landing at an unpleasant #82. Can Adele maintain her top spot for four weeks straight? With releases planned by Far East Movement, Glee Cast, and Jay Sean, I think the chances are pretty good.

 Official UK Albums Top 10//February 19, 2011

1. Adele//21
2. Bruno Mars//Doo-Wops & Hooligans
3. Rihanna//Loud
4. Eva Cassidy//Simply Eva
5. Chase & Status//No More Idols
6. Adele//19
7. Rumer//Seasons Of My Soul
8. Streets//Computers And Blues
9. James Blake//James Blake
10. Take That//Progress

[SEE THE FULL TOP 100 HERE]

Adele Announces North American Tour Dates

Acclaimed British singer/songwriter Adele announced today, dates for her upcoming North American tour in support of sophomore record 21. Due on Columbia Records February 22nd, 21 was (nearly all) co-written by Adele and a top-notch team of songwriters including Paul Epworth, Ryan Tedder, Fraser T. Smith, Eg White, and Dan Wilson of Semisonic. The 23-date Tour kicks off May 12th in Washington D.C. and concludes June 20th in Nashville, seeing Adele zig-zag her away across the U.S. and Canada playing 22 cities in total. Tickets for the tour go on sale to the public on Friday, February 11th but are available for pre-sale beginning on Wednesday, February 9th 12PM est/9 AM pst only on Adele's official website. Check out a full list of TOUR DATES below and hopefully I'll see you there at the Boston show!

Since it's release in the UK, 21 has been KILLING it on the charts, maintaining it's hold on the #1 spot for the second week in a row. It took only four days for the album to go Platinum and it's not showing signs of stopping. Debut single, "Rolling In The Deep" peaked at #1 in five countries and went Top 5 in six countries, including her native UK where the single peaked at #2. Back in America, the single is doing fairly well, becoming Adele's second single to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, coming in at #68. The song also hit the Top 25 on the Billboard US Adult Pop Songs chart and #37 on the Billboard Rock Songs chart.  Check out the stunning video for "Rolling In The Deep" below and download the single on iTunes HERE.


Tour Dates:

May 12//Washington, DC//9:30 Club
May 13//Philadelphia, PA//Electric Factory
May 15//Boston, MA//House of Blues
May 16//Montreal, QC//Olympia Theater
May 18//Toronto, ON//Kool Haus
May 19//New York, NY//Beacon Theatre
May 23//Royal Oak, MI//Royal Oak Music Theatre
May 24//Chicago, IL//Riviera Theater
May 26//Minneapolis, MN//First Avenue
May 28//Denver, CO//Ogden Theatre
May 29//Salt Lake City, UT//The Depot
May 31//Vancouver, BC//Commodore Ballroom
June 1//Seattle, WA//Showbox at the Market
June 3//Portland, OR//Crystal Ballroom
June 4//San Francisco, CA//The Warfield Theatre
June 8//San Diego, CA//Humphreys Concerts by the Bay
June 9//Los Angeles, CA//The Wiltern
June 12//Austin, TX//Stubbs Waller Creek
June 15//Dallas, TX//House of Blues
June 17//Atlanta, GA//Tabernacle
June 18//Asheville, NC//The Orange Peel
June 20//Nashville, TN//Ryman Auditorium

Check out Adele on the web:

Official Site//MySpace//Facebook//Twitter//VEVO

Jessie J and Adele Top Official UK Singles/Albums Charts

English singer/songwriter Jessie J has clocked her first #1 single. It was announced today that Jessie J's second single, the B.o.B.-assisted "Price Tag" debuted in the #1 spot on the Official UK Singles chart, unseating Bruno Mars' "Grenade" from the top spot. Jessie J's first single, "Do It Like A Dude" peaked at #2 when it was released last November and was considered a massive hit, so Jessie J should be doing cartwheels over this achievement. "Price Tag" was produced by Dr. Luke and co-written by Jessie J, Lukasz Gottwald, Claude Kelly, and Bobby Ray Simmons, Jr. The UK release of Jessie J's debut album, Who You Are (Lava/Universal Republic), has been bumped up to February 28th. It's due out in America on April 12th. American fans can look forward to "Casualty Of Love," a new ballad that will serve as the third single, due out February 15th on iTunes. Download "Price Tag" on iTunes HERE. Check out the rest of the Top Ten below:

OFFICIAL UK SINGLES TOP 10//February 12, 2011

1. Jessie J feat. B.o.B.//Price Tag
2. Bruno Mars//Grenade
3. Ke$ha//We R Who We R
4. Adele//Rolling In The Deep
5. Enrique Iglesias feat. Ludacris//Tonight (I'm F**king You)
6. Diddy Dirty Money feat. Skylar Grey//Coming Home
7. Jessie J//Do It Like A Dude
8. Taio Cruz feat. Travie McCoy & Kylie Minogue//Higher
9. Chris Brown//Yeah 3X
10. Chase & Status feat. Liam Bailey//Blind Faith

[SEE THE FULL TOP 100 HERE]

Over on the Official UK Albums chart, Adele proves to be an unstoppable force as her sophomore album, 21, remains in the #1 spot for the second week in a row with second week sales of over 135,000.  This gives Adele two #1 records, including her debut album, 19, which went to the top when it was released in 2008.  Not only that but her debut album has re-entered the Top Ten, sitting pretty in the #4 spot.  The new album showcases a more mature sound for Adele and features the lead single "Rolling In The Deep," which peaked at #2 on the UK Singles chart and currently sits at #4.  Featuring production from Rick Rubin, Paul Epworth, Jim Abbiss, Fraser T Smith, Ryan Tedder and Dan Wilson, 21 is do out in North America February 22nd on Columbia Records.  Download "Rolling In The Deep" on iTunes HERE.  You can also now download the Jamie XX Shuffle remix HERE. Check out the rest of the Top Ten below:


OFFICIAL UK ALBUMS TOP 10//February 12, 2011

1. Adele//21
2. Chase & Status//No More Idols
3. Bruno Mars//Doo-Wops & Hooligans
4. Adele//19
5. Rihanna//Loud
6. Eva Cassidy//Simply Eva
7. Ellie Goulding//Lights
8. Imelda May//Mayhem
9. Rumer//Seasons of My Soul
10. Cee-Lo Green//The Lady Killer

[SEE THE FULL TOP 100 HERE]

Hot Video Alert: Adele - Rolling In The Deep

Adele's new music video is pure perfection. It's the stunning visual complement to a near perfect song. The artfully directed video by Sam Brown features Adele front and center looking stunning in a black evening dress, hair pulled back, seated in an old chair just singing in an empty room. Less is DEFINITELY more in this video. Honestly, what more could you possibly need when you got Adele's powerhouse vocals? Maybe a room full of glasses filled with water, rippling to the beat of this "dark, bluesy gospel disco tune?" DONE. How about a contemporary dancer doing her (?) thing on a dance floor covered in white powder? DONE. China shattering against a wall? A blazing inferno? Drummer playing awkwardly under a stair case? DONE DONE DONE!

Released on iTunes in the U.S. on November 30th, "Rolling In The Deep" was written by Adele and Paul Epworth and went on to debut on the Billboard Hot 100 at #68 becoming Adele's second charting single in America. The single comes out in the UK on January 17th, both digitally and on CD single, the latter of which features a B-Side, "If It Hadn't Been For Love." U.S. fans, go download the single HERE, and check out the video below. You should also check out Adele's live performance of the song on The Ellen DeGeneres Show HERE. Equally brilliant! "Rolling In The Deep" is the first single to be lifted off of Adele's sophomore record, 21. Pre-Order HERE. Welcome back Adele!

Check out Adele on the web:

Official Site//MySpace//Facebook//Twitter//VEVO

Adele 'excited, nervous, eager, anxious (but chuffed)' To Release Sophomore Album In January

OK. So excited about this!  The news came today that the FABULOUS Adele is coming BACK with a new album on January 24th in the UK and on February 22nd in the U.S. via XL Recordings/Columbia Records! Adele's sophomore effort called 21 is the follow up to her 2X Platinum (Gold in the U.S.) debut 19 and will be preceded by the single, "Rolling In The Deep." The single, a "dark bluesy gospel disco tune," was written and produced by Adele and Paul Epworth (Bloc Party, Florence + The Machine), and is set to drop on January 16th in the UK. Recorded mostly in Malibu, Adele worked with the amazing Rick Rubin (Johnny Cash, Jay Z, Red Hot Chilli Peppers) as well as with Epworth back in London. Adele sought inspirations from artists previously unfamiliar to her (Lady Antebellum, Allison Krauss, Yvonne Fair, Neko Case)as well as some favorites (Mary J. Blige, Kanye West, Alanis Morissette, Tom Waits). Says Adele of her inspirations, "There’s something in every single one of these artists that has really really inspired 21."

From the sound of it, Adele has grown wiser and matured with age, becoming "more patient, more honest, more forgiving and more aware of [her] own flaws."  Considering how young she was when she recorded her debut, and all that she's been through between then and now...how could she not grow?  According to the (now) 22 year old Brit, "I'm very excited, nervous, eager, anxious but chuffed to announce my new album!" Check out her latest blog post for Adele's reasons behind the album title and make sure you check out her revamped website for the latest news on her forthcoming album and single. So happy this talented lady is back. Oh - and make sure you take a look at her STUNNING new album artwork up top. Beautiful!

Check out Adele on the web:

Official Site//MySpace//Facebook//Twitter//VEVO

My Weekly Last FM Chart

In following with last weeks format, I'll be doing my top 10 listened to artists of the past week, according to my Last FM Chart. Since I work at a desk job, music is really what keeps me going day-to-day. Here are the artists that kept me going this past week.

Most Listened To Artists:

1. Noisettes

2. Erika Jayne

3. Calvin Harris

4. Roisin Murphy

5. Straight No Chaser

6. The Saturdays

7. Natasha Bedingfield

8. Kelly Clarkson

9. V.V. Brown

10. Adele

This weeks chart, like last weeks, is female-dominated. What can I say? I typically prefer a female vocalist to a male. It's just the kind of music I prefer. On the whole, female vocalists have are more impressive to me. In the top position this past week are the Noisettes, mainly because of the concert I attended last Monday. I tend to listen to an artist before a show, as well as after the show. This helps both with blogging about the show as well as prolonging my enjoyment of said concert. Erika Jayne also sits pretty at #2, as I reviewed her album Pretty Mess. Calvin Harris was on my mind as his new album, Ready For The Weekend is out this week and Roisin Murphy, she is working on a brand new record (which I will talk about later). Straight No Chaser released their brilliant new A capella EP, Six Pack which I promptly snagged. As for The Saturdays, Natasha Bedingfield, V.V. Brown and Adele - I was just in the mood at some point during last week to listen to each of those artists and or groups.

My Weekly Last FM Chart

These are my most listened to artists and songs of the past week - according to Last FM.

Most Listened To Artists:

1. Dolly Rockers

2. Adele

3. Kelly Clarkson

4. Brooke Hogan

5. Feist

I have fewer than 10 Dolly Rockers tracks and they came in at #1? Quite a feat! I can't wait for their debut album. After a few listens, debut single "Je Suis Une Dolly" finally took hold of me and is fast becoming one of my favorite songs of the summer. I think I like "Gold Digger" more, but alas, it has yet to be released. I whipped out Adele's 19 this past week as I've been down lately. Whatever the reason for my sadness, Adele's voice has a knack for tugging at all the right heart strings. The controversy surrounding Clarkson's most recent single got me listening to her album again. It's really a fun record...I hope she and her label sort out their issues. Brooke Hogan...what a pleasant surprise. Her new album The Redemption is way better than expected and I can't get enough. Feist is always a reliable favorite. Ever since I saw her live last summer, I've been itching to see her again.

Most Listened To Songs:

1. Dolly Rockers - Je Suis Une Dolly (Original Radio Edit)

2. Adele - Make You Feel My Love

3. Dolly Rockers - Je Suis Une Dolly (Me & Mrs. Jones Edit)

4. Dolly Rockers - Je Suis Une Dolly (Soul Seekerz Retro Club Radio Edit)

5. Dolly Rockers - Je Suis Une Dolly (Soul Seekerz Club Edit)

I don't particularly care for most of the remixes of the Dolly Rockers' debut single, but at this point - I'll take what I can get. These girls deliver just the sort of cheeky, fun pop music that my summer has been missing! Adele's cover of Bob Dylan's "Make You Feel My Love" gets me weeping every time. It's just so brilliantly sung. I need Adele to do another tour. I'd love to see her live. I'm sure I'll be crying like a baby in the balcony. Perhaps this is a concert I'll have to go to alone.

Adele Announces Post Grammy US Tour

I'm still kicking my own ass about my lost chance to see Adele perform down the street from me at the Somerville Theater last month. Imagine my excitement when I found out via NME Magazine's Twitter feed that Adele was plotting a U.S. tour, I got excited. Alas, the closest she's coming to me is New York. Oh well...I'm sure I'll get the chance to see her in Boston again but I'm still a little bummed. So glad she won the Best New Artist Grammy! What a great performance with Jennifer Nettles from Sugarland.

Here are the announced tour dates.

San Diego, CA - House of Blues (March 9)

Scottsdale, AZ - Martini Ranch (March 10)

Austin, TX - La Zona Rosa (March 12)

Houston, TX - Warehouse Live (March 14)

Dallas-Ft Worth, TX (March 15)

Atlanta, GA - Variety Playhouse (March 17)

Nashville, TN - The Cannery (March 18)

Detroit, MI - Saint Andrews Hall (March 20)

Cleveland, OH - House of Blues (March 21)

New York, NY - Roseland Ballroom (May 5)

Los Angeles, CA - Hollywood Bowl (June 28)

-Via NME Magazine/Photo Via Official Adele Site

Amy Winehouse Wannabes? I Think Not!

I can't believe that it's been 4 months since my last post! So much to talk about musically! Wow. Where do I start?

Well...how about with my last album purchases? Let's start with Duffy, the 24 year old Welsh singing sensation that's (hopefully) about to break out in the U.S. this Spring. (May 13th via Mercury Records).

2 parts old soul, one part pop, Duffy's vocals conjure up thoughts of Amy Winehouse, Carole King, Dusty Springfield and, some have said--The Supremes. Having reached #1 in the UK with her single, "Mercy," Aimee Anne Duffy offered US audiences a chance to download the track on iTunes for free a couple weeks ago, as the "free song of the week." What's more...the U.S. version of the video was just released onto iTunes as well (there's a UK version as well). I purchased the album, Rockferry on CDWOW before realizing that it had a U.S. release date. Oh well. The rest of the album is hot as well--"Stepping Stone" and "Hanging On Too Long" are a couple of the standouts.
Next up, we have 19 year old Adele--the British singer/songwriter who made it up to #2 with her single, "Chasing Pavements" in her native UK (though her album made it to #1--just like Duffy). Another similarity to Duffy is her vocal comparison to Amy Winehouse AND her producer, Mark Ronson. I see the similarity between the two vocalists, however I think people need to stop searching for a new Wino--I still am holding out for Amy's grand return some day (though it's going to a be a depressing return if recent reports are to be believed). Adele stands tall as her own artist. Her album, 19 is brilliant. Check out "Hometown Glory" available on iTunes, also check out the video.

Finally--the youngest of the bunch, 16 year old Gabriella Cilmi, the brilliant Australian singer who's dazzling Europe (and her native Australia) with her sexy single, "Sweet About Me" and her recently released Lessons To Be Learned (which I just ordered from CDWOW). While young Gabriella's single has had its highest chart position down under, she is climbing the UK chart. Signed to Island Records, and recorded with British pop-power producers Xenomania--she has a busy career ahead of her, touring with British pop group the Sugababes and Nouvelle Vague and James Blunt. While there is no current U.S. release date, I have hope that she will eventually see one--OH...and she's been compared to Wino. Shocking. I'm excited to hear what else Gabriella has to offer. I heard a couple of the remixes done for "Sweet About Me" and was pleasantly surprised. Duffy has a couple of bootleg remixes and one official (yet unreleased) mix...Adele has no remixes out, to my knowledge. I guess not everyone can (or should) be remixed. Whenever Amy Winehouse gets her health back in order and releases a new album, I'll be ready--and despite the comparisons these girls are collecting, they are certainly individuals--and talented individuals at that.