Army Of Lovers Rockin' The Ride

Dear Poptastic Readers,

The Swedish group Army Of Lovers are back with a brand new song called "Rockin' The Ride." The song was part of Sweden's Melodifestivalen (their song selection to see who represents the country in the Eurovision Song Contest). The song didn't win, but is available on iTunes now!

Who are Army Of Lovers? They are dance pop band best known for their songs in the 90s that controversially mixed religious topics with sex. The original lineup of the band was Alexander Bard, La Camilla and Jean-Pierre Barda.

Their debut album in 1990 contained the singles "Ride The Bullet", "My Army Of Lovers" and "Supernatural."

The second album quickly followed in 1991 and it was called "Massive Luxury Overdose." It featured their biggest hit ever: "Crucified." However, after the second single, "Obsession" ... La Camilla parted ways with the group. Her replacement was Michaela de la Cour. 

The album was re-issued with a new cover. More singles followed ... "Candyman Messiah", "Judgment Day" and a re-release of "Ride The Bullet."

For the third album in 1993, "The Gods of Earth and Heaven", the band added another female singer, Dominika Peczynski. They had another massive club hit with "Israelism" and two more singles followed ... "Le Plage de Saint Tropez" and "I Am."

The fourth album in 1994 was called "Glory, Glamour and Gold" and featured the singles "Lit De Parade", "Sexual Revolution" and "Life Is Fantastic."

More turmoil. Michaela left the group. And La Camilla came back! Just in time for "Les Greatest Hits" in 1995.

"Les Greatest Hits" contained the singles "Give My Life", "Venus And Mars", and "King Midas."

The band took a break for a few years and came back in 2001 for another greatest hits compilation with some new songs. It was called "Le Grand Docu-Soap." It contained the singles "Let The Sunshine In" and "Hands Up."

After that ... no more ... until now.

But over the years ...

Alexander Bard has been the busiest with music. He helped form and write songs for Alcazar. And he even gave Annikafiore her stage name! Alexander even has a cameo in their video for "Crying At The Discoteque."

Alex was also in a very successful group called Bodies Without Organs (aka BWO) from 2003 to 2010. Their biggest hits were "Temple Of Love" and "Lay Your Love On Me."

And Alex has been in the duo Gravitonas for the past couple of years. I liked their song "Call Your Name."

La Camilla and Dominika got together with Martin "Miss Inga" Johansson in 2011 for a brilliant song called "Don't Try To Steal My Limelight." They later renamed their band "Happy Hoes."

Dominika didn't return to the Army Of Lovers this time because the reunion was meant for the original trio to get back together. However, I think Dominika will join the Army Of Lovers again. 

In the meantime, Happy Hoes continues as there is a new song called "Nemesis" to be released later this spring. And Army Of Lovers have new greatest hits compilation out on March 4 called "The Big Battle of Egos" and it contains 4 new songs.

For the latest and greatest news about Army Of Lovers and all things related, please check out the FABulous Army Of Lovers Network website. It is AMAZING!

And remember, their new song is on iTunes now. You can see their Melodifestivalen performance here ... Enjoy!~

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evJPfngo1b8

Dwntwn Kds by Mike Taylor

Hello Poptastic Readers,

Every now and then, I'm in the mood for a melancholy song. And just this past week, one landed in my mailbox in form as a press release. The song is called "Dwntwn Kds" by Mike Taylor and it is quite good.

Now usually, I like vowels in my song titles, but I'll look the other way for this one. Who is Mike Taylor? I'd not heard of him before. But this is him ...

The press release says, "Singer, songwriter, producer, rapper and director Mike Taylor was born in Philadelphia to a jazz musician father who raised him immersed in music and culture. This led Mike to experiment with rock, jazz, hip-hop and R&B groups, a theater dance group, as well as DJ'ing which he still does today in both his hometown and Los Angeles. As a solo artist he’s combined elements of his previous endeavors creating a vibrant sound that falls somewhere in between The Roots, Peter Gabriel, Prince and Paul Simon."

The press release goes on to say about the video, "Philly-born, L.A.-based artist Mike Taylor returns with a new video for his song “Dwntwn Kds.” Conceived, directed and edited all by himself, the clip for this uptempo pop anthem goes for an 80s documentary feel and entices the viewer to peak into the vibrant and culturally rich world of Philadelphia, the place that serves as a source of inspiration for Mike. At the same time it aims to capture the spirit of opportunity and dreams that defines Los Angeles. The video features cameos by Mike’s friends and collaborators Justin Tranter & Cole Whittle of Semi Precious Weapons."

And that pretty much describes the video ... Here it is ... Too bad his doesn't pay his taxi driver. It doesn't make me like him very much. Tsk-tsk.

And, if you are fan of "Downton Abbey" ... someone has made a video of clips of the show to the song. It's very well done. See it here.

Mike Taylor's music is available on iTunes. Please support the artist. 

If you'd like to hear more of Mike, head over to his Soundcloud page where he does a really nice cover of Ke$ha's "Your Love Is My Drug."

The Fabulous Jody Watley

Dear Poptastic Readers,

The fabulous Jody Watley has a new song out now and it is funky, groovy and lots of fun! The song is called "Cold Enough" and it is by the group called French Horn Rebellion featuring Jody Watley and the song on their "Love Is Dangerous" EP. You're going to love it!

The new song is great. And it so refreshing to hear Jody Watley sing new music again. You see, I was in high school when Jody's debut album came out in 1987. To this day, when I think about that album I remember listening to the cassette tape on my walkman while I mowed by parent's yard in Indiana. It contained the massive hits "Looking For A New Love", "Don't You Want Me", "Some Kind Of Lover" and "Still A Thrill." As well as the ballad "Most Of All."

Jody's second album "Larger Than Life" came out in 1989 when I was a freshman in college. And it was equally fantastic. It had three top 10 hits in the US ... "Real Love", "Friends" with Eric B and Rakim and "Everything." The fourth and final single from the album was "Precious Love."

Jody's third album "Affairs Of The Heart" in 1991 was a bit more mature with less dance songs and more slow and mid-tempo songs. However, the singles were quite dancey. "I Want You" and "I'm The One You Need." The wonderful ballad "It All Begins With You" was the final single from the album.

Her fourth album "Intimacy" was more organic sounding. It featured the singles "Your Love Keeps Working On Me" and "When A Man Loves A Woman." The latter single, Jody released the song with slightly different lyrics. One was called "When A Man Loves A Man" and another was "When A Woman Loves A Woman." That was quite progressive for 1993/1994.

Although I lost track of Jody after that album, she continued releasing albums. "Affection" came in 1995, "Flower" in 1998, "The Saturday Night Experience" in 1999, "Midnight Lounge" in 2001.

I finally caught back up with Jody a few years ago with the release of her album "The Makeover" when she so eloquently and soulfully covered Madonna's "Borderline." And then with a fantastic song that I absolutely loved called "A Beautiful Life."

Ever since then, I've followed Jody on her Official Facebook Page as well as her Official Website. I think she is an amazing artist and her songs have been part of the soundtrack to my life.

And this year, she adds a new song to 2013 with "Cold Enough." I hope you will support her and buy buying the song on iTunes. Remember, it is listed under French Horn Rebellion, not Jody Watley. You can listen to the song on YouTube here ...

I'm hoping to see Jody in concert for the first time next month in Oakland! I can't wait!

Somebody Loves You by Betty Who

Hello Poptastic Readers,

Recently, my friend Jason emailed me about a new artist called Betty Who. Just who is Betty Who? Well, she's an Australian indie pop artist, and she has a fabulous new song called "Somebody Loves You."

"Somebody Loves You" is a lovely little song that has a happy melody with a retro feel to it. If you love fun, pop songs ... this one is for you!

The video for "Somebody Loves You" is super cute! It's a flashback to the 80s with leg warmers, bright colors and lots of smiles.

But it gets better. Betty Who recently commissioned a remix contest for "Somebody Loves You." And guess who has remixed it? Our lovely Italian friend Giuseppe Piol! And he is done a fantastic job. You can hear Piol's remix here.

Please check out Betty Who's Official Facebook Page. And her Soundcloud page.

21 Forever by Giuseppe Piol & Helen Gissane

Hello Poptastic Readers,

I've got another fun song for you. This one is called "21 Forever" by Italian musician Giuseppe Piol & Helen Gissane.

Now you may remember Piol for doing the wonderful chill lounge beach remix of Annikafiore's "Crying At The Discoteque." Not only did he do a fantastic job of remixing that song, but he also remixed quite a few songs from Annikafiore's EP "Recovered."

Piol remixed every song on Annikafiore's "Recovered" EP!

His new song "21 Forever" is very fun. The guitar is reminds you of "Peter Gunn" by The Art of Noise featuring Duane Eddy. And Piol's wonderful vocals might have you thinking that David Bowie is singing along. I think you're going to like this!

While it isn't your standard duet, with each taking a verse, instead, Helen is along for the ride. And it works. It's a nice song that will have you tapping your foot. You can listen on YouTube here ...

"21 Forever" is available on iTunes and CDBaby.com. Please support the artist!

You/Me/Evolution by The Amplifetes

Hello Poptastic Readers,

Sorry for the delay in posts, life gets busy. But I have some fun new music to share with you! First up is the new song by the Swedish group The Amplifetes.

The Amplifetes: Tommy, Henrik J, Henrik K, and Peter

Who are they? Well I came to know them because the drummer is Henrik Korpi, a former Murlyn producer. I came to know Henrik when he helped co-write and produce songs on Bananarama's 2005 amazing album "Drama."

Henrik K. co-wrote and produced songs for Bananarama's "Drama."

I reached out to Henrik via email and I asked him for an interview for the then Bananarama fanzine called Pop Life. Henrik agreed and we have stayed in touch over the years.

Henrik Korpi

In 2008, Henrik and three other musicians named Tommy, Henrik J and Peter formed a band called The Amplifetes. I loved their 2011 song "Blinded By The Moonlight." Unfortunately, the music wasn't available in the US back then.

Well, I recently saw on Facebook that The Amplifetes have a new song called "You/Me/Evolution" and it is quite good. I find the song hard to describe. It's electro. It's current. It's a bit retro. It's a bit futuristic. I think you might like it.

Now, the video is a bit ... how shall I say ... disturbing. But art can often be that way. It's not too bad. Just a little cringeworthy at times. But still an awesome song.

And now for the great news! The new single is available on US iTunes. As well as their debut album. Their second album "Where Is The Light" will be available on US iTunes March 4th! Please support the artist by legally buying their songs.

Check out their Official Facebook Page.

Enjoy!~

Headphones by Little Boots

Hello Poptastic Readers,

I always hate it when in January I find a song that was released last year and I completely missed it. Well, this is the case this year. I came across the brilliant song called "Headphones" by Little Boots.

Who is Little Boots? Her real name is Victoria Hesketh and she is a British singer/musician/songerwriter/artist. She goes by the stage name Little Boots ... a nickname she got for having small feet.

I first heard about Little Boots in 2009 when she had a song that I liked called "New In Town." I really liked it. However, she had a bigger hit in the UK with a top-ten hit song called "Remedy." 

I think she might have come to my attention because I am a Human League fan and she did a duet with Phil Oakey called "Symmetry."

In January, I took the time out to listen to her two song she had out last year. I absolutely loved "Headphones." It is a cool, funky-electro track that has had me dancing on the subway the past month. 

Enjoy!~

Little Boots music is available on iTunes. Please support the artist.