VARIOUS BITS AND PIECES:










photograph by Andrew MacNaughtan

Canadian pop pioneers the Spoons have released their first album of new material in 23 years (first since 1988's 'Vertigo Tango') called 'Static In Transmission' (order here). The band consists of original members Gord Deppe and Sandy Horne along with recent additions Casey MQ on keyboards and Chris McNeil on drums. They've shot a video for the single 'You Light Up' in and around Toronto and are amping up the radio promotion in the coming weeks with a cross country tour in the works. The album is full of strong songs with potential future singles being 'Star Maps', 'Numb' and 'Words Will Smash Walls'. Two other new Spoons songs are available for download using clues from the album artwork.

Tim & Jean had their first album "Like What" (order here) released in Australia on April 1st and it is a solid album from start to finish. These guys create and produce some of the best feel-good electropop on the planet and the album entered the Australian album charts at the number 12 position. Included of course are the hit singles 'Come Around', 'Veronika' and the latest single 'I Can Show You' as well as future singles 'Don't Stop', 'Afrika' and 'Give It Up'.

Darren Hayes has announced that he has signed to Mercury Records Australia and that they will release his forthcoming album. I'm looking forward to hearing the album, especially the material Darren has worked with Phil Thornally on.

Howard Jones has made available the U.K. 12" remix of his hit 'Look Mama' available for fans to download here. He's also announced a project where people can remix some of his early material using downloaded original audio parts, the eventual result being an album release of the best reworked/remixed material.

I'm enjoying the new song 'In Your Blood' from Auckland New Zealand duo 'Computers Want Me Dead'. Check out the video for the song below.


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VARIOUS BITS AND PIECES:

















Rod Thomas continues to impress with his latest single under the Bright Light Bright Light moniker called 'How To Make A Heart'. I hope we don't have to wait too much longer for the release of the BLBL cd 'Make Me Believe In Hope'. If you are near New York City look out for some shows around March 10-14th before he heads to SXSW in Austin for more gigs (still hoping he pops up to Toronto for a show while he's over here).

The U.K. pop duo Echoes are prepping for their first ever live gig in London on March 23rd opening for Matt And Kim, tickets and details here (also on the bill is the amazing Penguin Prison). Could this mean that Echoes are possibly going to sign to the Wall Of Sound label??

You can pre-order the forthcoming Tim and Jean cd "Like What" here, the release date is April 1st.

Scritti Politti release 'Absolute (Best Of)' in the U.K. this week and is for sale at Amazon.ca for $10.99.

Human League have released the first proper single from their forthcoming 'Credo' album (out March 21st, order here) titled 'Never Let Me Go' (apparently 'Night People' was just a teaser track??). The best remix I've heard so far is the 'Italo Connection Radio Mix'.

Check out Kid Kasio's new single 'The Reason', great stuff.

Liking the new album by The Tapeaters from Russia called 'Visions', they are opening up for Australia's 'Cut Copy' on their March dates in Russia.

Enjoying the songs 'Houdini' and 'Helena Beat' from Foster The People's new EP 'Pumped Up Kicks'.

Still listening to the Frankmusik song 'Stereo World' from his second free EP titled 'Long Live Frankmusik Vol. 2', EP is available for free download here.
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TIM & JEAN - NEW SINGLE AND ALBUM NEWS:
















Jean-Christophe Capotorto and Tim Ayre who make up the Australian electro pop duo of Tim & Jean have just issued their new single "I Can Show You" to radio in Australia (watch the music video below). You can see some photos from the music video shoot here. It is another pop gem and comes from their forthcoming album "Like What" that is due out in Australia on April 1st and it looks like a North American release is set for May. You can also listen to the title track "Like What" below on Soundcloud.

A free download of Tim & Jean's great cover of Fleetwood Mac's song 'Everywhere' at the Universal Music Australia site, click here. You can also follow them on Twitter.



8 Track 08 by TIM AND JEAN
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AUSTRALIA'S 'TIM & JEAN' ARE BACK WITH 'VERONICA':





















Things are moving along well for Tim Ayre and Jean-Christophe Capotorto who make up the Australian electro pop duo of Tim & Jean. Their first single Come Around was fantastic and garnered lots of radio play from Australia's Triple J. The band has also been playing more live gigs recently and are scheduled to play the Goodvibrations Festival around Australia in February. The guys have signed to Mercury/Universal so hopefully they will get a decent amount of promotion for their debut album which could be out as early as February of 2011. The guys also have a penchant for doing covers from artists such as Fleetwood Mac, Tom Petty and The Dave Matthews Band.

Their new single is called Veronica and is another slice of pop perfection and even has a guitar solo from Jean at the end. It is used in the video (below) of their recent trip to New York, check it out. I must say that their debut cd is highly anticipated by me along with the forthcoming cds by artists like Penguin Prison and Bright Light Bright Light. You can also follow them on Twitter.

LOVING AUSTRALIAN DUO 'TIM AND JEAN' AND THEIR SONG 'COME AROUND':




Coming from Australia is teenage electro-pop duo Tim & Jean, Tim Ayer and Jean Capotorto. They have two demos on their MySpace site, the amazing 'Come Around' and 'Like What?'. Someone sign these guys! Jean also has a MySpace site with samples of songs he has recorded under the name 'The Jeanius'. The band doesn't appear to have a Twitter page but Jean does here.





Below is a clip of the guys doing an acoustic cover of the Dave Matthews Band 'Crash Into Me', expect big things from these two.