[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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Mark Ronson and Katy B Drum Up Excitement Around The Olympics; Innovative New Single Available Now

For months I'd been hearing about an Olympics-themed collaboration between Grammy-winning English DJ/producer Mark Ronson and Mercury Music Prize nominated South London garage queen Katy B.  FINALLY, the song has been released and I have to say, it's pretty effing cool.

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Hot Video Alert: Rufus Wainwright - Out of the Game

Rufus Wainwright unveiled the video for his new 70s-inspired single, "Out of the Game" on April 3rd and I've been obsessing over it ever since.  While my love and adoration for Rufus Wainwright just can't be denied, my love affair with English actress Helena Bonham Carter is like no other.  Whether you know her from the Harry Potter films (where she played the deliciously evil Bellatrix Lestrange), Fight Club, The King's Speech or one of her countless other perfectly-played roles, Helena Bonham Carter is a genius in every sense of the word. Truly. So when I saw that she was starring in the new Rufus Wainwright video, my excitement just couldn't be contained.  Check out the BRILLIANT Philip Andelman-directed clip starring Helena Bonham Carter below.

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Rufus Wainwright Pushes Boundaries to Release the 'Most Pop Album" of his Career

Man oh man. 2012 is shaping up to be a fine year in pop music, isn't it?  On April 23rd (May 1st in America), prolific American/Canadian singer/songwriter Rufus Wainwright will release his seventh album, Out of the Game on Decca/Polydor Records.  Produced by the one and only Mark Ronson, Out of the Game is set to be "the most pop album" Wainwright has ever attempted and first single, the album's title track echoes those sentiments.  The song starts out light and breezy with a distinct 70s feel to it, before moving into a big, rich, loud and beautiful chorus.  While not as orchestrally-driven as Wainwright's past efforts, the instrumental is massively groove-worthy.  An unlikely duo in many respects, the prospect of Ronson and Wainwright working together excites me to no end.  Mark Ronson has an uncanny ability to bring out a completely different side of an artist and for my tastes, Wainwright is the perfect candidate for a reinvention of sorts.

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely believe that Wainwright is a master at what he does, however his last couple of albums have been anything but commercial, which is a problem from a marketing standpoint.  While I think the commercialism of an album is the farthest thing on Wainwright's mind while he's in the studio and writing songs, it certainly doesn't hurt his chances at increasing record sales and the likelihood of real chart success, something that has always been elusive to Wainwright.  Here in America, Wainwright's last album peaked at #75 on the Billboard 200 and spawned a whopping zero charting singles.  To date, his highest charting album remains 2007's Release The Stars, which managed to peak at #23 on the all important Billboard 200.  Release The Stars also became Wainwright's best charting album in the UK, where it debuted at #2 on the UK Album Chart.  Stateside, Wainwright rose to prominence with a couple of cover songs that appeared on popular soundtrack albums back in 2001, namely a cover of Leonard Cohen's often-covered "Hallelujah," which appeared on the Shrek soundtrack, and "Across The Universe" originally by The Beatles, which appeared on the soundtrack to I Am Sam (and later on his album Poses as a bonus track).  I really believe that Wainwright owes a lot of his popularity and success here in the States to these two covers.

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Hot Video Alert: Katy B - Movement

Six singles? Really Columbia? Don't get me wrong, I love me some Katy B but releases six singles off of one album? Completely unnecessary. I'm all for listening to an artist's entire debut album over and over again until their second album drops, but I don't need every single album track released as it's own single.  That kind of seems like a waste of money on the label's part, doesn't it?  Especially given the fact that the last single didn't even crack the top 100. Come on people. I'll say it again. COMPLETELY UNNECESSARY.

"Movement" is the sixth single to come off of Katy's debut album, On A Mission, which came out back in April.  Produced and co-written by drum and bass/breakstep DJ Zinc, "Movement" is probably the least exciting single to come off the album, not to mention the least exciting corresponding video.  Shot in Ibiza, the video basically chronicles Katy letting loose with her girlfriends in a beautiful, tropical setting. Beautiful scenery but blah everything else.  It is nice seeing a more laid back, not-heavily made up Katy B but I'm going to just be honest. I'm ready for album #2.  Download Katy's album on U.S. iTunes HERE.

In other more exciting Katy B news...get excited about a rumored Katy B/Mark Ronson Olympic collaboration.  According to Katy in an interview with music.geeks.co.uk, Ronson traveled all over the world and sampled sounds made by various athletes doing athletic things...like swimming, archery arrows hitting targets, etc., "then he made the samples into drumkits." Wow. Very cool concept indeed. The single is expected to come out sometime in 2012 in advance of the London Olympic Games. Bring it on! Mark Ronson + Katy B surely will equal auditory genius.

Check out Katy B on the web:

Official Site//Facebook//Twitter//YouTube

Hot Video Alert: Cheryl Cole - Promise This

Whoever thought that there'd be a "malaria anthem" as hot as this? While it's no "Insatiable," "Promise This" is a decent return-to-form for Cheryl Cole.  "Promise This" is the first single off of Cole's forthcoming sophomore album, Messy Little Raindrops and is a nice, up-tempo dance/pop track that "celebrates her victory over malaria."  While the track was actually written months ago, the timing couldn't be more perfect to release it as a single now.  Messy Little Raindrops is shaping up to be even more "commercial" than Cole's will.I.Am-heavy debut album 3 Words, as she is rumored to be clocking studio time with the likes of Ryan Tedder, Mark Ronson, Jim Beanz, Ne-Yo and more.  While all of those guys are fine and good, I'm REALLY excited about planned collaborations with Ellie Goulding and electro producer Starsmith. FIRE!  "Promise This" is due out on October 25th and is backed by remixes from Almighty and Nu Addiction.

UK Promo Track Listing:

1. Almighty Club Mix

2. Nu Addiction Club Mix

3. Almighty Dub

4. Nu Addiction Dub

5. Almighty Radio Edit

6. Nu Addiction Radio Edit

Oh and apparently it's already been confirmed that Cole's second single will be called "The Flood." More information to follow.  Looks like Cheryl Cole is BACK! Hopefully with her reported U.S. X-Factor duties combined with UK X-Factor and her upcoming new album release, she doesn't overdo it and exhaust herself. I'm rooting for you Cheryl!  Check out the beautiful Sophie Muller-directed video below.

Check out Cheryl Cole on the web:

Official Site//MySpace//Facebook//YouTube

Hot Video Alert: Mark Ronson & The Business Intl - The Bike Song

New Mark Ronson video! LOVE THIS ONE. "The Bike Song" is the second official single off of Mark Ronson & The Business Intl and features a little help from Spank Rock and Kyle Falconer from Scottish band The View. The video was shot in the same vintage/retro style that first single "Bang Bang Bang" was. Nothing wrong with a little consistency, eh? The storyline is oddball and cute...a good match with the song. We first see Mark Ronson leaving the talk show he appeared on at the beginning of the last video. THEN...just like last time he uses his "magic watch"...we hear 60s Sci-Fi sound effects and BAM. Mark Ronson is riding an old bike tricked out with some magic speakers. Ronson himself is tricked out with a bleached blonde Elvis Presley Coif. Ronson rides around town before joining forces with Falconer, who's found his own magical bike. Pursuing bicycle thiefs, flirting with pretty girls...this video has all the makings of a good old-fashioned movie!

"The Bike Song" comes out digitally on September 19th, followed by a physical release the next day. The album, Record Collection, comes out on September 27th in the UK and on October 5th in the U.S. I'm not sure if I can wait for this one...might have to splurge on the import. Check out the cool video below!

P.S. - This will my last blog post for a while as I need to take a little time for myself...a little R&R.  I'll still be tweeting and such so you're not rid of me entirely. Keep emailing me feedback/news/updates. See you in a little bit!

Check out Mark Ronson on the web:

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

Riding High, Mark Ronson Releases "The Bike Song" As Single No. 2

Mark Ronson's Record Collection is shaping up to be another HOT-LIKE-FIRE album for Ronson, who's last album Version still ranks up there in my Top 10 favorite albums of the last few years! First single, "Bang Bang Bang" featuring Q-Tip and MNDR peaked at #5 on the UK Singles Chart and has spent an impressive 5 weeks at the top of the NME Chart!  Co-written by Dave McCabe of The Zutons ("Valerie"), follow up single, "The Bike Song" may not be as infectious as it's predecessor, but it's still a groovy good time.  Helped in part by a cute little bike bell and a catchy hook by Ryan Falconer (of The View fame) as well as an energetic performance by Spank Rock - "The Bike Song" is a definitely a good choice for a single. The Prophet has it right, calling the song "quirky" and "retro."  That describes the sound of this album perfectly.  Check out these pics of a platinum blond Ronson filming the video in South London with real life model girlfriend Josephine De La Baume (via The Prophet).  Record Collection comes out in the UK September 27th and in the U.S. on October 5th.  Maybe I'll get to see him live this time around!  Check out "The Bike Song" below.
 

Check out Mark Ronson on the web:

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

Mark Ronson Unveils Album Artwork for 'The Record Collection'

Mmm Mmm Mmm. Mark Ronson is one good looking dude. Even when his face is created using a multi-colored patchwork effect. Still HOT. Ronson's forthcoming third album, The Record Collection, isn't out here in the States until October 5th but I don't know if I can wait that long. I might have to splurge on a UK import when it's released on September 27th. Yeah, only a few days but that's a few days too many with out Mark Ronson & The Business International. First single, the Q-Tip and MNDR assisted "Bang Bang Bang" debuted at #6 on the UK Singles Chart. Check out the AWESOME video if you haven't already. Remixes come to us from Russ Chimes, Count And Sinden and SBTRKT.  Needless to say, The Record Collection is one of my most anticipated albums this Fall.

Tracklisting:

1. Introducing The Business (featuring Pill & London Gay Men's Chorus)
2. Bang Bang Bang (featuring Q-Tip & MNDR)
3. Lose It (In The End) (featuring Ghostface Killah)
4. Circuit Breaker
5. Somebody To Love Me (featuring Boy George)
6. Taste Of A Samurai (featuring Gerina Di Marco)
7. Glass Mountain Trust (featuring D'Angelo)
8. Record Collection (featuring Simon LeBon & Wiley)
9. The Bike Song (featuring Dave McCabe)
10. You Gave Me Nothing (featuring Andrew Wyatt & Rose Elinor Dougall)
11. Hey Boy (featuring Rose Elinor Dougall & Theophilus London)

Check out Mark Ronson on the web:

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

Amy Winehouse Confirms Rumors, New Album Expected Out In 'Six Months at the Most'

Well, Amy Winehouse has confirmed what the Mirror reported yesterday, that a new album WILL in fact be coming out in the new year. Hallelujah! Winehouse told reporters the news outside the London premiere of Psychosis, a film written and directed by her boyfriend Reg Traviss.

"It's going to be very much the same as my second album, where there's a lot of jukebox stuff."  The singer went on to talk about her live show, which in recent years has been less than stellar. "I tend to write everything first. The live show is pretty much whatever it is for me."  It seems clear that Amy Winehouse is ready to move onward and upward.  She's looking forward to building back up her image, something that took quite a beating with all the bad press these past four years. "I just can't wait to have some new songs on stage, really."  And we can't wait to hear them Amy! Just please get your U.S. Visa issues all sorted so you can come back across the pond, yeah?  As of right now, we know that Winehouse's new album will feature production by Mark Ronson and Salaam Remi, both of whom Winehouse has worked with before.  Looking forward to hearing more about the new album in the coming months. I'm BEYOND elated that Amy Winehouse is back.

Check out Amy Winehouse on the web:

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

Cross Your Fingers: Amy Winehouse To Release New Album As Early As January

Dear GOD let this be true. Amy Winehouse could be back with a new album as early as January! Up until now, there have been conflicting reports about Winehouse's progress on the album, with Mark Ronson recently stating that the two have yet to lay down any tracks. WELL...the UK's Mirror is reporting that Winehouse has enough material for "three separate albums." EEEEEE! She has a lot to live up to, especially after how successful 2006's Grammy-winning Back To Black was. Winehouse also has a lot to prove, given how tumultuous the past 4 years have been for her - both personally AND with relation to her health. The Mirror's source goes on to say that the, as yet unnamed album, will hit stores as early as January.

"It has been a long time coming - and she's been writing songs for what seems an eternity - but finally Amy is satisfied and believes she has an album worthy of a four-year wait. She's held meetings with the record label, Universal, and they are putting everything into promotion. A lot of the material covers her romance with Blake Fielder Civil and their acrimonious split, plus, of course, her battle with the booze and drugs. It is very raw and very personal - it promises to be another classic. She is now narrowing down the material and hopes it'll be on shelves by the new year."

YIKES. Not happy subject matter, but the DARKNESS is part of what made Back To Black so raw and riveting. The darker the better! She's an talented songwriter so I'm sure her experiences over the past four years, both bad AND good, will translate into some pretty powerful and impactful music. It sounds like Amy's new beau, Reg Traviss is playing a pretty big part in her changed life which is great. As if news of a new album isn't enough, we have a potentially-hot-sounding Mark Ronson/Amy Winehouse collaboration coming out, hopefully BEFORE the end of the year. As part of a Quincy Jones-curated compilation album, Ronson & Winehouse recorded a cover of Lesley Gore's 60s classic "It's My Party." I'm salivating. So happy about all of this news. Here's to a new Amy Winehouse in 2011!

Check out Amy Winehouse on the web:

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

Hot Video Alert: Mark Ronson & The Business INTL - Bang Bang Bang

It's finally here! New Mark Ronson! The video (directed by Warren Fu) for Mark Ronson's new single "Bang Bang Bang" featuring Q-Tip and MNDR (aka Amanda Warner) is out and it's a fantastic visual flashback to the 70s and 80s. The song is indeed "a perfect slice of bouncing synth-hop," and a good indication of what we can expect on Ronson's new album, Record Collection. Unlike 2007's Version, Record Collection is an album of entirely original material but that doesn't mean it's lacking in the collaboration department. Assiting Ronson on Record Collection we have The Business INTL, made up of a diverse array of musical talent from across the globe including D’Angelo, Boy George, Alex Greenwald, Nick Hodgson (from the Kaiser Chiefs), Ghostface, Dap Kings, Andrew Wyatt (of Miike Snow), and Wiley to name a few.

"[Bang Bang Bang is] a 3am Cote d’Azur disco beat featuring Q-Tip and MNDR that takes the French nursery rhyme “Alouette” and turns it into a Jean Michel Jarre meets NYC hip-pop sing-along.

The single’s impact date at radio’s alternative Specialty format is June 14th and the mix show format impact date is June 23rd. I'm not sure if the single will lend itself to house remixes but I'm sure we can expect some cool dubstep reinterpretations. Ronson is back and he's back with a hit.

"If ever there was a party anthem for a sticky hot summer, then this is it."

Daniel Merriweather Unleashes His Golden Pipes on America

OH what I wouldn't give to hear Aussie singer/songwriter Daniel Merriweather's golden pipes live at the House of Blues in Boston on April 30th. Daily Variety called him a star and I have no doubt about that. I've been in love with this guy's voice since I heard his guest vocals on Mark Ronson's "Stop Me," and have been following his various featured vocals on other tracks since. When I learned Merriweather was doing a solo record, OF COURSE I got excited.

Like all good music these days, Merriweather first released the album in the UK (June 1, 2009), where it managed to chart in the #2 spot - followed eight months later by it's U.S. release on February 23rd. First single, "Change" peaked at #8 on the charts, while second single "Red" fared better, peaking at #5. Further singles did not do so well, with "Impossible" peaking at #67 and "Water and a Flame" featuring British soul singer Adele failed to chart altogether. I'm a firm believer that an artist's overall success should not be determined chart success. Merriweather is a talented lad and he deserves success and recognition...in the U.S. too and from the looks of things, he's well on his way.

Merriweather recently performed on The Late Show with David Letterman, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live and Last Call with Carson Daly. What's more - Dan Merriweather is VH1's "You Oughta Know" featured artist! Quite a plug, if you ask me. What I love about Merriweather is the raw quality of his vocals. The guy can sing, no doubt, but it's a little rough around the edges. The raspy quality to his voice just OOZES sexuality and soul and spills out wherever you hear his music played.

As if all of these high profile U.S. television performances weren't enough, Merriweather is currently on tour with British R&B singer Corinne Bailey Rae, who's launching her own comeback of sorts, after a 4 year hiatus. The North American tour kicked off on April 9th in Vancouver and takes the talented duo to 15 cities throughout the United States and Canada. Next Friday, on April 30th Merriweather will be hitting the stage at the House of Blues in Boston. *DROOL* Now I did consider buying tickets earlier but just never got around to it. Now, of course, I'm kicking myself.

Love & War

If you haven't picked up a copy of the album, Love & War yet, what are you waiting for? It's brilliant! While his ballads are beautiful, I'm more a fan of up-tempo fare like "Change," featuring Wale. That being sad, "Red" is GORGEOUS, and I love his duet with Adele on "Water and The Flame." Love & War was produced by Mark Ronson (of course) and takes inspiration from a variety of diverse artists.

“I’m as inspired by Q-Tip and A Tribe Called Quest as I am by Vivaldi, Stevie Wonder, Jeff Buckley, or D’Angelo. There are artists who are archivists—they make music directly derived from music they love. I make music by subconsciously blending things I’ve heard throughout my life.”

The album is a little bit retro, which really suits the raw quality of his vocals. The album also features GORGEOUS instrumentation and orchestral arrangements throughout, which only complement the singer's pipes. If you aren't familiar with Dan Merriweather yet, get ready to be blown away.

If you get a chance, check out Dan on tour with Corinne Bailey Rae:

4/24 - Detroit, MI - St. Andrews Hall

4/26 - Toronto, ON - Queen Elizabeth Theatre

4/28 - Montreal, QC - Club Soda

4/30 - Boston, MA - House Of Blues

5/1 - Philadelphia, PA - TLA

5/3 - New York, NY - Webster Hall

5/4 - Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg

5/11 - Atlanta, GA - Center Stage

5/13 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club

5/14 - Baltimore, MD - Rams Head Live

Check out Daniel Merriweather on the web:

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

New Kelly Clarkson & Daniel Merriweather!

According to both Arjan Writes and Billboard, Kelly Clarkson's new single, "My Life Would Suck Without You" is due out on January 19th! So close! Apparently this album (from what insiders have heard so far) is very reminiscent of "Breakaway." This is good news. I admit that I kind of enjoyed a few tracks off "My December" but not nearly as much as I enjoyed "Breakaway."

Also on Arjan Writes, the video for Aussie singer Daniel Merriweather's new single called "Change," featuring Wale. Daniel Merriweather was the voice behind Mark Ronson's brilliant tune last year "Stop Me." He's big in demand now as a featured artist, also appearing as a guest vocalist on Wiley's new track, "Ca$h In My Pocket." Merriweather is uber-talented and very cute to boot...so can't wait for his upcoming solo project. Check out a promotional single that came out a while back called "Chainsaw." The boy's got chops!

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.

Mark Ronson featuring Amy Winehouse - Valerie (Baby J Remix)

This is the remix video for Valerie. Check it out. There's Amy dancing in the poster :-)

Amy Amy Amy (outro)

Oh Amy, Amy, Amy. You're a hot mess. Yet you're still managing to saturate the UK radio airwaves with your music. Your cover of The Zuton's 2006 top ten hit, Valerie has become your highest charting UK single so far (Number 2!) and it's a collaboration with Mark Ronson! Not even off of your own album! Next up you have your final single from BACK TO BLACK, Love Is A Losing Game (released December 10th), and finally you've lined up Mutya Buena as a collaboration...or more like she's landed you. B Boy Baby (released December 31st) is slowly growing on me.

Where have you been in all of the videos though? In Valerie you were absent and had to be replaced by a selection of different girls with beehives...not the same. In your new single, Love Is A Losing Game, the official video will be a live performance. OK. That's at least you. Who knows what's going to happen with the Mutya single, though I'd be surprised if you made an appearance. I was pleased to find a new video of the Baby J. remix of Valerie. You are in the video in one form or another (black & white image of you dancing in a poster)...pretty cool. I just hope you get yourself together and get back to making really awesome music.

Some music purchased recently...