Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Megarama: The Mixes by Bananarama

Dear Poptastic Readers,

My favourite group Bananarama have a new three-disc remix album coming out at the beginning of March! Hooray! It is called Megarama: The MixesAnd here is the lovely cover.


Megarama: The Mixes

I quite like the use of the original BANANARAMA logo. As well as the pink petals. And it is nice that that the photos also represent the group. In the middle is the lineup with Jacquie, which she was with the group the shortest amount of time. Then the original lineup with Siobhan is a bit bigger. And then Keren and Sara as a duo for the petals of the flower. Nicely done!

Here is the track listing (previously unreleased mixes in pink) ...


CD 1
  • 1. I Want You Back [Extended European Mix] 7:55
  • 2. Love, Truth & Honesty [Dance Hall Version] 7:20
  • 3. Nathan Jones [Extended Version] 5:12
  • 4. Preacher Man [Shep’s Club Mix] 7:24
  • 5. I Heard A Rumour [Corporation Of Bananarama Mix] 5:40
  • 6. Venus [The Greatest Remix] 7:50
  • 7. Na Na Hey Hey (Kiss Him Goodbye) [Acid Remix ’88] 6:17
  • 8. Tripping On Your Love [The Sturm Mix] 3:59
  • 9. Love In The First Degree [House Dub] 4:57
  • 10. Movin’ On [Snappin’ Mix] 6:17
  • 11. Help! [Extended Version] 6:30
  • 12. Megarama '89 [Dimitri's Full Length Version] 8:54
CD 2
  • 1. Nathan Jones [Dave Ford Mix] 3:22
  • 2. Na Na Hey Hey (Kiss Him Goodbye) [Alternative 12” Mix] 4:44
  • 3. Cruel Summer [Digital Mix] 6:01
  • 4. Venus [Original 12” Mix] 6:40
  • 5. More Than Physical [Original 12” Mix] 6:08
  • 6. A Trick Of The Night [Tuesday Mix] 7:26
  • 7. I Heard A Rumour [Wacky Vocal Dub] 8:30
  • 8. Love, Truth & Honesty [Hot Power Mix] 9:24
  • 9. Only Your Love [Original 12” Mix] 7:50
  • 10. Tripping On Your…[The Loveable Love-Dove Caper] 6:26
  • 11. Nathan Jones [Alternative 12" Mix] 5:26
  • 12. Movin' On [Thumpin' Mix] 6:53
CD 3
  • 1. Love In The First Degree [Eurobeat Style] 7:17
  • 2. Shy Boy [’88 Remix] 6:34
  • 3. Venus [Hellfire Mix] 9:20
  • 4. I Heard A Rumour [Miami Mix] 7:13
  • 5. Long Train Running [Pacha Mix] 4:44
  • 6. Only Your Love [Youth & Thrash On The Mix] 6:33
  • 7. A Trick Of The Night [Tricky Mix] 7:16
  • 8. Ready Or Not [Jolley & Swain 12” Mix] 5:33
  • 9. Nathan Jones [Psycho Mix] 6:28
  • 10. Strike It Rich [Dub] 5:12
  • 11. More, More, More [I Can’t Techno More Mix] 5:07
  • 12. Love, Truth & Honesty [Balearacidic Mix] 8:20


Hmmm. Never heard of a Wacky Vocal Mix. One hopes that they are laughing while they sing. Nor have I heard of the Snapping Mix. Finger snaps? We'll just have to wait and see.

One wonders ... if these mixes stayed unreleased for so long ... how good could they possibly be? Well, only time will tell. I can't wait to hear them!


Bananarama are: Keren and Sara

Order your copy of Megarama: The Mixes today! Sara and Keren were involved and there seems to be a wonderful booklet accompanying the three-disc collection.

Order yours today. It is out March 2, 2015.

Cheers then,
—Davearama

P.S. Now if only we could get the singles box collection I've been dreaming of!






Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Pop Music Forecast for 2015

Hello Poptastic Readers,

It looks like another great year for music! Here are some upcoming releases from the poptastic artists we love the most!

Let's start with the artists in Poptastic Confessions Top 20 Songs of 2014.


The Saturdays

The Saturdays announced last year that they are already working on their next album. However, I wouldn't expect it soon. Both Una and Frankie are pregnant. So if we do get new music from the fabulous five, I think it will be near the end of the year.


Parralox

Parralox have a new song coming next month and it is called "Aeronaut." Now as you might remember, I am new to Parralox. The new single will be the first single (I think) to feature Johanna (the new singer) on lead vocals. I've really enjoyed the back catalogue of Parralox, but now I'm ready for more! And very happy to be on the journey with them now. Stay tuned.


Francine

Francine is also working on new music separate from Parralox. I'm not sure really what to expect, but I'm sure it will be lovely. If you check out her official website, you can hear her sing a lovely piano ballad. I think it may be called "Myths and Legends." It is beautiful.


Davearama and Jody Watley

Jody Watley will be releasing the single "Dancer" after all! So you heard it here first! We are seeing Jody again in concert again for the third time in three years. It is also me and my husband's birthday weekend. So we have a party of 15 going so far! Should be a blast!


Glass Slipper

Glass Slipper are constantly recording new music. And if last year is anything to go by, we should have more awesome tunes this year. They have a song called "Nightlife" in the pipelines. And Lisa has a song coming out with Justin Blackmagicdisco Long called "Better Than Alright." Can't wait!


Alcazar

Alcazar are doing a set of shows in Sweden. Not sure if any new music is planned. I would have thought a new album would be out by now, but I haven't heard anything.


Crystal Waters

I'm not actually sure what 2015 has in store for StoneBridge or Crystal Waters. I am following them on Facebook and Twitter so I'll be sure to know if they have new music!


Erasure's album The Violet Flame

Erasure should have a third single from their album The Violet Flame. Not sure which song it will be.


Alice D

Alice D released some new music at the end of December with Joey McCrilley. Click on the link if you'd like to hear it. Hopefully more music is planned for release this year!



Kylie Minogue has a new release out with Giorgio Moroder! In fact, it is out this week! The song is called "Right Here, Right Now." It's pretty good so head on over to iTunes now to get it!


Rebecca & Fiona

Rebecca & Fiona have stated on social media sites that they are working on new music. I suppose they have officially abandoned any more singles from their second album Beauty Is Pain. That is too bad as there are some contenders there.


Say Lou Lou

Say Lou Lou has their debut album coming out in February. So hopefully there will be a new single out with it. But will it be dancey or dreamy? Not sure …


Gwenno

I'm not sure what 2015 will hold for Gwenno. If there is any new music, I'll be sure to let you know! We love the Queen of Welsh Dream Pop!


The Lovely Wars

And speaking of Gwenno, her sister Ani and The Lovely Wars should have another song out soon. I thought it was coming out the end of last year, so it should be soon!


The Pipettes reunion in Photoshop!

Could there be a reunion for The Pipettes in the pipeline? I sure hope so! But perhaps they need a couple of more years. Wouldn't it be fabulous if Gwenno, Ani, Rose and Becki all made a go for it? If not, I'm happy to audition! ~:-)

Speaking of girl group reunions … 


Mutya Keisha Siobhan (not standing in order)

Mutya Keisha Siobhan. There were some rumors that MKS got the Sugababes name back. However, still nothing official. In fact, most fans are speculating that MKS are stuck in some sort of contract and can't legally release any music until the contract expires. MKS say they are still working together. Fans are not very patient.


Sugababes

As for Heidi, Amelle and Jade … Doesn't look like they will be getting back as Sugababes any time soon. Although, I think they should! Jade and Heidi had successful runs last year in musical theatre and Jade will continue this year in Godspell. Amelle apparently recorded two albums. But after her solo single last year "Summertime" didn't set the charts on fire, who knows if she will release more solo tunes. My advice: Get back to Sugababes and go indie!


Spice Girls

Spice Girls? No reunion this year. That will happen next year with the 20th anniversary of "Wannabe." But go ahead and get excited this year! Geri says she is writing new music. Let's hope and pray it is better than her last outing of "Half Of Me." We adored Geri's first three albums. Let's hope she gets her zig-a-zig-ah back!


Bananarama

Bananarama? Well, they've certainly waited long enough. Their last full-length album was the glorious Viva in 2009. However, we were treated to the Now Or Never EP in 2012 and their US tour. Perhaps they will throw us a gem this year.

Speaking of acts that started in the 80s …


Duran Duran

Duran Duran should be back this year with another album. Here's hoping they pick the hits as the singles this time around. #blamethemachines


The Human League

Of course, last year I hoped for a return from The Human League. I will hope this year, too! In the meantime, I break out Credo about every couple of months. More new music, please!


Pet Shop Boys

The Pet Shop Boys are pretty good about releasing music without years in-between. We didn't get any new music from them in 2014, so hopefully in 2015. Let's hope it will be more Electric!


Madonna

As you know, Madonna has a new album out this year. I reviewed the half that has been released. I think the songs coming will be the best of the bunch! Yay!

And 90s acts …

Just as Army Of Lovers got back together, it looks like they might be done as Alexander Bard seems to have quit the music business. But like everything crazy that happens with this group, you never know what will happen. New music this year? I say no. But I would be down for a Happy Hoes reunion! Obey!


Army Of Lovers

Dannii Minogue was rumored to be working on new music last year. Maybe she will make her comeback this year? I sure hope so! I haven't forgot about her!


Dannii Minogue

Ace Of Base show no signs of getting back together. However, they are releasing remastered versions of their albums with bonus tracks, as well as a "Hidden Gems" CD. Even while split, they give their fans love! How nice.


Ace Of Base

And don't forget, there is a teen tribute group to Ace Of Base called A*Base. They should have more remakes of Ace Of Base songs this year.


Ace Of Base

It seems Le Kid split in 2014. Boooo! They were wonderful. As you know, Felix and Jo are now called R.A.B.B.I. Hopefully we'll hear more music from them in 2015. Märta, who I had the pleasure of meeting, has signed a production deal so we should keep an eye on her there. Not sure about Helena, but I hope she will continue to release music.


No more Le Kid

That leads us to one of my favorite artists … Annikafiore. I'm not sure if she'll be back this year or take some more time off. Whenever she does come back, Poptastic Confessions will be eagerly awaiting her return.


Davearama and mi amore Annikafiore!

Well, there you go! Here's to 2015! Thanks for checking out Poptastic Confessions. Please bookmark the website and like Poptastic Confessions on Facebook!

Cheers then,
—Davearama

Monday, January 19, 2015

Madonna Rebel Heart Pre-Order

Dear Poptastic Readers.

Before I get to the 2015 forecast, let's look back to see what music came out in December. Most of December is taken up with my countdown of the year's best songs. So it is really hard to feature new music when it comes out in December.

The BIG news in December was the release of half of Madonna's last album Rebel Heart. Unfortunately, Madonna had someone leak part of her album. So, she released the half that was ready.



So how are the six songs that came out in December? Well, I like two songs out of the six songs released. "Living For Love" and "Ghosttown" are both quite good. Apparently, "Living For Love" is the lead single. Yet, I'm not sure any promotion of it is happening. Stay tuned, I guess.



As for the other songs, I'm not a fan of profanity in songs so I really have no desire to listen to "Devil Pray", "Unapologetic Bitch", "Illuminati" and "Bitch I'm Madonna." I like the melody of "Devil Pray" but I'm not a fan of the drug-use lyrics.

So if I had to do over, I think I would only buy the two songs, as I really like them. And more good news is that I have heard two other songs that were leaked: "Rebel Heart" and "Wash All Over Me" and both are excellent!

In the meantime, here is the audio for "Living For Love" ...



So stay tuned for more Madonna this year! In the meantime, check out the pre-order of Rebel Heart on most digital outlets.

Cheers then,
—Davearama

Saturday, January 17, 2015

Tidbits about the 2014 countdown

Dear Poptastic Readers,

Happy New Year!


Sorry for the almost-three-week gap, I was vacationing in lovely Costa Rica! And then I needed a rest from my vacation to get back to blogging!

As I always do on the first post of the year, here are some fun facts about Poptastic Confessions Top 20 Songs of 2014.


Kylie Minogue had the most songs in the countdown with three songs: "Into The Blue" at #9, "I Was Gonna Cancel" at #16 and "Crystallize" at #20. The Saturdays, Alcazar, Glass Slipper and Say Lou Lou all had two songs in the countdown.

New to the countdown this year was Parralox, Glass Slipper, Alice D, Say Lou Lou and Lindstøm.

As you know, The Saturdays had their first #1 on my chart. Who else had a #1 on my chart? Jody Watley, Alcazar, Kylie Minogue and Gwenno when she was in The Pipettes.

How international was the chart this year? The artists from the US were Jody Watley, Glass Slipper, and Crystal Waters. Artists from the UK were The Saturdays, Francine, Erasure, Alice D, and Gwenno (notably from Wales, and also the only song not sung in English).

From Australia we got Parralox and Kylie Minogue. Say Lou Lou are half Australian and half Swedish. And speaking of Sweden, we had Alcazar, StoneBridge, Röyksopp & Robyn and Rebecca & Fiona. And Lindstrøm is from Norway. B*Witched are from Ireland.

Women sung 17 of the 20 songs on the countdown! Girl Power!

I hope you enjoyed the countdown. Here's to 2015!

Cheers then,
—Davearama

P.S. If you missed the countdown, check out these links ...

See #1 of 2014. <— The Saturdays!


See #2 of 2014. <— Parralox featuring Francine!

See #3 of 2014. <— Jody Watley!

See #4 of 2014. <— Glass Slipper!

See #5 of 2014. <— Alcazar!

See #6 of 2014. <— StoneBridge & Crystal Waters!

See #7 of 2014. <— Erasure!

See #8 of 2014. <— Alice D!

See #9 of 2014. <— Kylie Minogue!

See #10 of 2014. <— Robyn & Röyksopp!

See #11 of 2014. <— The Saturdays!


See #12 of 2014. <— Rebecca & Fiona!

See #13 of 2014. <— Say Lou Lou + Lindstøm!


See #14 of 2014. <— Glass Slipper!


See #15 of 2014. <— Alcazar!


See #16 of 2014. <— Kylie 
Minogue!


See #17 of 2014. <—B*Witched!


See #18 of 2014. <—Say Lou Lou!


See #19 of 2014. <—Gwenno!


See #20 of 2014. <—Kylie Minogue!


See #21 of 2014. <—Jody Watley!


See #30 through #22 of 2014




See the Top 20 of 2013

See the Top 20 of 2012

See the Top 20 of 2011

See the Top 20 of 2010