Formula

[steviespitfire.livejournal.com]

What's wrong (or right) with formula in pop? It seems to go hand in hand with the apparent 'disposability' of pop, really. I'm all for it: from Motown to, well, Lu Cont, I guess. On the other hand, I'm listening to the Coldplay remix and though I like it well enough, I do worry that JLC's just caning the same tried and tested formula again and again.

So, what do youse think? About formula? I'm sure Tom will have some stuff to say, what with all the 60s pop he's listening to for Popular. :)

vearncombe

[jauntyalan.livejournal.com]

That name - so easy to google. www.colinvearncombe.com

I recently found myself singing (to myself) "Wonderful Life" by Black and then later "Just Making Memories" a track off his first album. This was a special album - it wasn't out and out pop, but it was "nice". Radio 2 as it is now would wet themselves over it. As it was Colin Vearncombe was well known in 1986/87 as the man who had just had a very depressing time (accidents and marriage endings and that) and had managed to crawl out of it with some nice little pop tunes.

Now possibly you lot are too young to remember this, and even if not, thought it a bit rub as there was good stuff like Smiths and Mary Chains to be listening to anyway. I had the album on cassette, and first chance i get i'm going to get it on CD just for a single re-listen. (i really want to hear some of it RIGHT NOW of course). I remember the second album being very uninspiring (look how many he's released, one two months ago!) so the first album is a one off to me.

Nearly posted this in my own LJ but figured it's JUST over the line into poptimism town. It could be written off as easy listening, but there's something definitely just POP about it at heart.

The Riotous Return Of WINNER STAYS ON!

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

Miranda Lambert's reign as our pop winner has been somewhat extended by my being lazy, but now the great records are just queueing up to dethrone her - this week's challenger is "Nth Degree" by Morningwood, previously fussed over on Poptimists by awesomewells. We can JAW JAW in the comments box about whether angry country or bouncy inc3st-pop is better, but for now it's WAR WAR in the form of VOTE VOTE.

[Poll #661124]

(Dunno what on earth these tracks are? Watch this space (if you're a member of the group)).