SONGS I'M ENJOYING AT THE MOMENT:






Next week I'm off to London for a holiday and to see some concerts, looking forward to the trip. Some songs I'm really enjoying at the moment are:







Crystal Castles with Robert Smith - Not In Love (This cover of the 80's Platinum Blonde hit is my favourite song this week, Smith's vocals fit the song to a tee).

Pet Shop Boys - Together (new single from "Ultimate" hits package)

Joe McElderry - If You Love Me (b-side that is better than anything on his debut album "Wide Awake"

Penguin Prison - Golden Train (The Royal Palms Remix)

Echoes - Ice Cold

Teitur - You Never Leave LA

I Blame Coco - Selfmachine

Gypsy & The Cat - The Piper's Song (Aeroplane Tape Remix)

Strange Talk - Climbing Walls [UK Producer Eliot James (Bloc Party, Two Door Cinema Club) produced this song from new Australian band.]

Far East Movement with FrankMusik - Fighting For Air

Touch Sensitive - Body Stop

Hot Chip. Bernard Sumner & Hot City - Didn't Know What Love Is

Ed Drewett - Champagne Lemonade (Manhattan Clique Club Mix)
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VARIOUS BITS AND PIECES:















Nice to see that "Black Room's" new album "Pop Noir" has been released on iTunes in North America with a physical release and some promotion happening in Japan (order physical cd from Japan here or here). As I mentioned before the band is playing in L.A. at The Viper Room on April 26th after a couple of shows in Japan, the gig appears to be part of the Musexpo 2009 event. (If anyone can point me in the direction of MP3's of any of the following Lorraine songs please email me: K-19, Ghosts, Confetti, and Tell Me Where You Wanna Go.)

I haven't commented yet on this season of American Idol (Season 8), for my money the final two should be Kris Allen and Matt Giraud. They have been consistent throughout the competition so far and I enjoy their performances the most. Danny Gokey is also pretty good but I'm not a fan of over the top screecher Adam Lambert.

Nice to see that Imogen Heap is finally getting to the stages of marketing and releasing her new solo cd, looking forward to this one a lot. She is looking for fans to help her write her new record company bio and other things, check out here latest 2 vblogs here and here for details. Really looking forward to her revamping her website also which is in dire need of an overhaul.

Really enjoying the new Pet Shop Boys album "Yes", the best material they've released in a long time. Also have to say "Love etc." was the best choice for first single, I love playing it in my new car cruising along the highway.

NEW PET SHOP BOYS CD AVAILABLE IN CANADA ON MARCH 24TH:



















EDIT: Just received an email from Amazon Canada saying that the 2 cd version of "Yes" now has a release date of April 14th, so the advantage of the entry below isn't really there anymore unless you don't mind the wait.

For North American fans of the Pet Shop Boys you may want to investigate ordering the 2 cd limited edition version (or regular version) of their upcoming release "Yes" through Amazon.ca as it is being released in Canada on March 24th (the day after the British release). You may find the advance order price of $15.99 Canadian for the 2 cd set will save you money over the costs involved in ordering a copy from the U.K..

I featured 4 tracks from the "Yes" cd on my new KulPop radio show today. If I continue to do the show I may supply an online link so you can tune in and listen if you want.
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VARIOUS BRITS AND PIECES:















Music lovers in Canada will have to opportunity to watch "The Brit Awards 2009" next Thursday (February 26th) on Much Music at 6pm and 9pm EST. I'm looking forward to seeing the show after reading about the awards (although I was disappointed to see Duffy win so many awards and the far superior Adele go home empty handed). The Pet Shop Boys performance looks interesting, I have been playing their new single "Love Etc." a lot these days, the best thing they've done in quite a long time.

Finally there is news of season 2 of the ABC series "October Road" being released on DVD, it is due out in the U.S. on May 5th (pre-order it here). And the good news is that it will contain the specially shot 15 minute series finale (called "Road's End: The Final Chapter") with most of the cast that should answer many of the questions fans still had about the characters lives when the series was cancelled.

In a related note, ABC has greenlighted a two-hour pilot for the series "Happy Town" , written by "October Road" creators Josh Appelbaum, Andre Nemec and Scott Rosenberg. In the vein of ABC's cult drama "Twin Peaks," "Happy Town" is a mystery set in the hamlet of Happy Town, which had enjoyed a seven-year peace after a series of kidnappings until it is hit by another crime.
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