Something New by Girls Aloud

The UK girl group, Girls Aloud are back with a brand-new single called "Something New." It will be available for purchase on November 18.

Don't know who Girls Aloud are? Well, they were a group put together on a reality UK TV show called Popstars: The Rivals in 2002. The singing show put together a boy band and girl group. The boy band flopped and Girls Aloud flourished.

Girls Aloud are ...

Nicola Roberts, Cheryl Cole, Nadine Coyle, Sarah Harding & Kimberly Walsh 

In fact, the group has released 21 singles in the UK so far. All but one made the top ten. And they've had four #1 singles.

I've enjoyed most of their songs. Favourites of mine being ...


"The Show" ... a wonderful electro ditty

"Love Machine" ... a throwback rockabilly-styled pop song

"The Loving Kind" ... a beautiful melancholy song written by the Pet Shop Boys

"Untouchable" ... a trancey ballad that has an edge

And while the song wasn't a favourite of mine, Girls Aloud recorded a Comic Relief song with the Sugababes (v. 3.0) ... the song was a remake of Aerosmith's and Run DMC's hit "Walk This Way." 

The group took a few years off to pursue solo careers ... Well, three of them did ... Cheryl has been the most successful with three UK #1s. Nadine released one single. Nicola released three singles last year and her debut "Beat Of My Drum" made my Top 20 songs of 2011. Kimberly and Sarah have solo material coming up.

The new song, "Something New" is for the new greatest hits they are releasing in November. I like the song. However, I read another blog that compared the music to "Party Rock Anthem" by LMFAO. Now, I hear that song every time I hear it. However, that may pass because the Girls Aloud song is better. Here is the video ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHSFTrcJYmM

I'm not sure if Girls Aloud will make the new song available on US iTunes. There is some of their albums on it now. Check them out!

Bananarama in concert in Las Vegas

Dear Poptastic Readers,

As you know from previous posts, Bananarama is my all-time favourite group. They kicked off this year by celebrating their 30th anniversary with a new greatest hits compilation called 30 Years of Bananarama that also had a DVD with most of their videos. They followed that up with a brilliant digital EP called Now Or Never. As the icing on the cake, the group did a tour of the US for two weeks in early October.

The tour was promoted by the Hard Rock Café as part of Pinktober ... raising money for breast cancer charities. The tour started in New York and moved to Boston, Tampa, Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Seattle, and Las Vegas. I couldn't believe that they were NOT coming to San Francisco!

Since they weren't coming to San Francisco, my hubby (Arturo) and I decided we would go to the last show in Las Vegas. The show was on Monday, October 15th. Our flight out of San Francisco was at 8:30 a.m. Unfortunately, there was so much fog that morning that the morning commute was at a snail's pace, even in the carpool lane. We missed our flight. We got on the next flight at noon. And that flight was delayed for 2 hours. Perhaps life was foreshadowing for me? I was a bit anxious.

We finally arrived at our hotel in Las Vegas at 4:30, we had time to eat and get ready for the show. Doors opened at 7 p.m. We got there fashionably late at about 7:45. There was an opening act band playing. Their music was rock, and they were cute, but not my thing.

We noticed the the guys from Bearnanarama at the front of the stage. We went up and stood directly behind them and introduced ourselves. 

Before Bananarama finally came on stage around 9 p.m., we saw the setlist taped to the floor ... Click on the name to see the video from the show.

Intro

Nathan Jones

Really Saying Something

Look On The Floor

Cruel Summer

I Want You Back

Now Or Never

Move In My Direction

Robert De Niro's Waiting

La La Love

I Heard A Rumour

Venus

Love In The First Degree

Na Na Hey Hey (Kiss Him Goodbye)

During the second song, Sara recognized me from the stage. And after the song, Sara said on the microphone, "Keren, Davearama is here!" Keren replied, "Dave? Where?" I held up my hand and waved and she blew me a kiss.

Now, we knew ahead of time that every show they had invited fans up on stage during "Venus." So when they asked for volunteers to come up, I raised my hand and moved forward. Sara said, "Of course, Dave." Keren said, "Come on up!" I really wanted to stand in between Keren and Sara, but someone was already there by the time I got on stage. So I walked over and stood next to Keren.

The music started and we all went into dance routine mode. I could probably do the dance routine in my sleep. However, I think when I learned as a teen, I guess I learned starting on the wrong hand first. Whoops! So I ended up watching Keren a lot to make sure I was in sync. Keren and I kept singing to each other. And I even looked down to Sara a couple of times and caught her eye and smile.

After the song was over, I went to get off stage in a timely manner. To my delight, Sara came over and gave me a hug! I felt so happy!

The show ended, and I was in awe. I had only seen them once in concert at the 20th Anniversary Show in London. And they sung to backing tracks then. This time, they were singing with a live band. Keren and Sara sounded great live! I was very impressed.

After the show, the fans hung around waiting to get back stage to meet Keren and Sara. Apparently, a few fans did get back. But at the end, there were 8 fans left: Mike and Andy from Bearnanarama, Yas from Australia and his friend, a straight couple from the UK on their honeymoon, and Arturo and me.

The tour manager didn't really want to help us get back stage to see Keren and Sara. At last moment, he told Bearnanarama and Yas and friend that they could go back, the other four would have to leave. It was the worst feeling.

We went outside and Bearnanarama and Yas arrived shortly after us. We took some photos and walked around a bit. But at the end, I was too bummed about not being able to go back stage, so Arturo and I left the group and went back to our hotel.

Bearnanarama, Davearama and fans.

Overall, I had a great time at the show. It was nice to be recognized and called out on stage. It was super nice of Sara to give me a hug. I'm sure we'll meet up again.

And now ... for the most embarrassing video ever ... here is me dancing on stage with Bananarama during "Venus." Enjoy!~

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0O4ZrvZwXSI

Cheers then,
—Davearama

4ever by Whigfield

Dear Poptastic Readers,

Ever since I got back from vacation, I've been busy, busy, busy! 

There is a fabulous new song that my friend Rao introduced me to. The song is called "4ever" by Whigfield.

Who is Whigfield? Well, she is Danish singer Sannie Carlson who uses the name Whigfield as her stage name. Her biggest hit was her debut single in 1994 called "Saturday Night." It was a massive worldwide hit going to #1 in the UK, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Switzerland. In the US, it mostly a big club hit. You can watch the video here.

Sannie has also recorded music using the name Naan. And in 2005 there was a big club hit called "Feel Alive" by the Benassi Bros. featuring Naan. You can hear the song here.

Whigfield's latest song "4ever" a glorious pop song that makes you happy and it  is a lovely sing-a-long song, too! The video is super cute, too! Check it out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwbR6jCWk5Q

"4ever" by Whigfield is available for download on iTunes. Don't delay, buy it today!

Now Or Never by Bananarama

Dear POPtastic Readers,

Sorry I've been away for so long. I took a bit of a vacation and I had a very busy week when I got back.

By now, you probably know that my favourite group Bananarama have a new EP out exclusively on iTunes and Amazon. The EP is called Now Or Never and it is produced by Ian Masterson, formerly of Trouser Enthusiasts, who also produced Banananrama's 2009 album Viva, as well as several tracks on their 2005 album Drama.

"Now Or Never" is the title track. It starts off slow and epic and then the beat picks up and it turns absolutely euphoric! I think this is one of their best songs, ever! LOVE, Love, love it! I really hope they make video for the song. Even a home-made video would be wonderful!

The second track is called "La La Love" and it is quite catchy! It could definitely work as second single, not a b-side. Both tracks are top-notch songs.

Now, when I found out about the third track, I must admit I cringed a little. It a cover of Maroon 5's massive hit from last year "Moves Like Jagger." My first thought was that it would be like when Bananarama covered George Michael's song "Careless Whisper" in 2001. Many fans didn't like it. And I thought this might be the same. However, while I'm not super crazy about the remake, I will admit ... it's not bad. It's like an electro-dance remake. Keren and Sara's vocals are slightly deadpan, which makes it work. Especially since Christina Aguilera was singing on the original track, it is nice to hear that part sung in a different way.

The last track on the EP is an extended version of "Now Or Never." It's quite lovely, as well.

Now, you can buy this digital EP on iTunes or Amazon. Save your receipt and you can get a bonus track called "Movin' On 2012." This is a remake of their 1992 UK hit. It was their first single as a duo. Sadly, it wasn't released in the US. The remake is nice. The music is current. My only complaint is that the backing vocals are missing, especially right before the chorus. 

To get the bonus track save your email receipt and click on this link from the group's official website. But hurry! You only have until Oct. 20th!

http://www.bananarama.co.uk/nowornever.html

After the first week in sales, "Now Or Never" has landed on the Billboard Charts! #4 on the Dance Single Sales Chart and #11 on the Hot Singles Sales Chart.