20 years ago. That is exactly how long it has been since British boyband Blue released their debut album. When I first learnt of this on Instagram a week ago, I had two immediate reactions.Firstly, I am that mature now (I was 12 in 2001 for reference, date fans). Secondly, after cranking up that album … Continue reading A definitive ranking of all of Blue’s singles.
Just over two years ago in 2019, when we wrote our 10th anniversary blog for the release of their debut album, we confidently predicted (or at least hoped) that JLS would both get back together and return to the UK and Ireland's arenas in December 2020 to tour and mark the occasion properly. Whilst the … Continue reading #CrazyStupidAlbum: JLS (@JLSOfficial) – ‘2.0’
Olly Murs in rehearsals for The X Factor with The Muppets, November 2011. Image credit: Idil Sukan / Draw HQ With The X Factor finally given its official resting by ITV earlier on this year after 18 series, the dust has largely settled on the obituaries that said it should have happened sooner being delivered, … Continue reading Olly Murs singing “Dance With Me Tonight” with The Muppets is the greatest X Factor guest performance of all time: discuss.
I am deeply saddened to be hearing and thus writing a post about the news that Girls Aloud's Sarah Harding has passed away this morning at the age of 39, following a year long battle with terminal cancer. Although I never met her or knew her, the news has hit home today in a big … Continue reading Remembering Sarah Harding: pop’s walking primrose
Hello all, I hope this post finds you safe and well. It may not have escaped your notice that the last post I did on this blog was just under a month ago. Anyone who reads this blog with any kind of regularity may have thought that very unlike me. And indeed, it is very … Continue reading Self Kindness / an update.
Bringing you the only musical time traveling experience that doesn't require a flux capacitor, every Thursday at midday, this is Pop Essays. This week: what happens when major record labels choose paralysis by analysis... Artist: David JordanSong: Place In My HeartRelease Date: 22/10/2007Writers: Dave McCracken / David Jordan / Tim HuttonProducers: Trevor Horn / Steve … Continue reading Pop Essays #28: David Jordan, ‘Place In My Heart’
Welcome to this week's Pop Essays, where as always every Thursday, I bring you my thoughts and general love on a personal classic from my extensive music library. And this week's one is just a little bit gorgeous so let's see what it is, shall we? Artist: Zero 7 feat. Sia and Sophie BarkerSong: DestinyRelease … Continue reading Pop Essays #27: Zero 7 feat. Sia and Sophie Barker, ‘Destiny’
Bringing you another genuine nugget of awesomeness from my personal music archives, every Thursday at midday, it's Pop Essays. Many a great duo have been written about before - so here's a twosome that got away for this week... Artist: Marvin and TamaraSong: Groove MachineRelease Date: 26/07/1999Writers: John McLaughlin / Steve Du BerryProducer: Steve Du … Continue reading Pop Essays #26: Marvin and Tamara, ‘Groove Machine’
It's Thursday and it's midday - it therefore must be time for me to trawl my personal playlists of yore to bring you another lost gem in Pop Essays. This week: an album track from one of Britain's most promising teen protégés in the early 00s... Artist: Amy StudtSong: Carry Me AwayRelease Date: 30/06/2003 (on … Continue reading Pop Essays #25: Amy Studt, ‘Carry Me Away’
With more hidden gems then you could find with a metal detector, it's this week's installment of my weekly music series Pop Essays. And let me say that I truly love the geezer behind this week's featured song and his many other works - as I'm sure you will too... Artist: Ed DrewettSong: Champagne LemonadeRelease … Continue reading Pop Essays #24: Ed Drewett, ‘Champagne Lemonade’
Alex's Blog (still Crazy, still Stupid)... 