Step It Up!

I'm delighted to say it's been a fantastic month for the reformed Steps. Their greatest hits CD "The Ultimate Collection" went rocketing up to number one in the album charts in its first week of release and their arena tour sold out and they had to add more dates!

I've always said that if Steps toured again you wouldn't stop me from going and I've kept that promise to myself. LG Arena: 12th April 2012. Just have to go away and learn those dance routines now...!

Steps Official Site

Smile

There are some things in life that you never thought you'd see. This is one of them.

Anyone who knows their pop music history will know that the Beach Boys album "Smile" is probably THE greatest 'lost' album of them all. A lovingly and painstakingly crafted masterpiece whose moment in time slowly ebbed away as time, life and circumstance conspired against the beautiful, fragile soul at its heart: Brian Wilson.

This album is something of a personal obsession of mine. I've read magazine articles about it. I have books about it. I've even reconstructed my own version of the album based on what I've read and the fragments of it that have appeared on numerous Beach Boys releases over the years...

And now, just over 44 years later, "Smile" is finally being released - but that's not all!

In addition to the standard release there is also a "Smile Sessions" box set, featuring five CDs, two vinyl LPs, two 7" singles, poster, booklet and whole host of other goodies. I keep watching this video and it doesn't seem real. I keep thinking it's a wind up and it won't really happen!

Smile Sessions Box Set

Pop history is about to be made. Whoever would have thought it?

On The Gig Trail

Last night (Wednesday) I went to see The Pierces at Birmingham Glee Club. They performed a short but highly enjoyable set drawn mainly from their most recent album "You & I". Excellent stuff!

The previous week I was also in Birmingham, this time to see Blackmore's Night at the Town Hall. Here's an excellent set of pictures from the gig taken by Marty Moffatt for Midlands Rocks. 

Blackmore's Night Pictures - Birmingham Town Hall 5/10/11

Anyone who has followed my blog over the last five and a bit years will know that occasionally I go toddling off to a gig or two and then post a review up here. Well, now I'm puting that to good use as a member of the Midlands Rocks team myself! 

So, as they say on Blue Peter, here's one I prepared earlier!

Blackmore's Night Review - Birmingham Town Hall 5/10/11   

The Arrival EP

This last week has been a great week for new releases by young up & coming artists. Marina & The Diamonds released 'Radioactive', the fabulous Ronika released 'In The City'/'Only Only', both of which I'd urge you to check out but I have to give a special mention to Queen Of Hearts...

I've mentioned the enigmatic Queen Of Hearts on my blog before as one to watch. 'The Arrival EP' is her debut release and it doesn't disappoint. Electro pop par excellence. It's worth the download price just for the fabulous track 'Freestyle' alone!   

The lead track is 'Shoot The Bullet' which is also rather fab! Check out the video here:

Queen Of Hearts - Shoot The Bullet (Video)

Tell Me Something New: Yelle

Yelle are a French band founded by lead singer and namesake Yelle (Julie Budet) and GrandMarnier (Jean-Francois Perrier) and later completed by third group member Tepr (Tanguy Destable) on keyboards.

They rose to prominence via Myspace and a Top 5 single in France led to their first album "Pop Up" in 2007. Their second album "Safari Disco Club" was released earlier this year and the group supported Katy Perry on the first leg of her UK tour.

Their songs are sung exclusively in French & are a fine example of dancefloor friendly European synth-pop, Not for everyone, but I like them! See what you think....

Yelle - A Cause Des Garcons (Video) 

Yelle - Safari Disco Club (Video)

Yelle Official Website