Yet Another Year In Pop: 5

[katstevens.livejournal.com]

The wintry weather hasn't stopped Lily parachuting straight in at number one; other high climbers using their pickaxes and oxygen apparatus include Alesha (who moves into the top ten) and Jason Mraz (who just misses out at 11). The rest of the chart might as well be stuck in a snowdrift.

[Poll #1342054]

Comments

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

The PCDs is well below their usual standards but still tickable in my generous estimate.

The Lily song, somewhat to my surprise since I've not been that keen on her before, is my favourite pop song of the year so far.

[alexmacpherson.livejournal.com]

It surprises me more that you weren't into her before. What's different now? It seems very "Lily does Lily" to me, though obv she's doing "Lily as celebrity urchin" rather than "Lily as London street urchin".

Sadly I'm pretty sure that the PCDs won't grow on me any more, as I've been trying to get into 'Whatcha Think About That' since the album came out, on the basis that if it was chosen as a single it must have something to it, but - to paraphrase the new Ciara - if I don't love it by now, I will never ever love it. It's their first duff single I think :(

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

Maybe I find Lily talking about celebrity more appealing that Lily talking about London street life! I think it's her strongest ever melody, and I also think it's well-timed: the celebrity satire stuff is way too blunt but something about the song seems to chime with the unease of a country emerging from a consumer bubble. Perhaps I'm just being too Carmodic though.

[alexmacpherson.livejournal.com]

Oh god that interpretation had not occurred to me but aaagh.

a) I can see how it would fit with the lyrics
b) I'm sure Allen herself will catch on and try to claim this interpretation herself
c) Even though it was probably 100% inspired by bitching about some no-name WAGs
d) Which means that it annoys me EVEN MORE.

Have you heard the new Crazy Cousinz track? It's called 'Inflation' and is based around this amazing ascending xylophone riff and looming, menacing synths - there's definitely a zeitgeisty feel to it! It is the most perfect synthesis of "good vibes" and "recession doom".

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

Hahaha terrific! I must hear it.

Lytton has got very keen on "Heads Shoulders Knees And Toes" by the way - I am surprised nobody has scanned a certain London Paper article in for Poptimists!

[alexmacpherson.livejournal.com]

People can feel free to do so! I have three copies of the thing, but no scanner. Fame at last. 'Heads Shoulders Knees N Toes' is so good, I did the dance at Night Slugs on Friday. LAYDEEZ LEMME SEE YOU GET DOWN LOW :)

I'll upload 'Inflation'...

[byebyepride.livejournal.com]

what is this mysterious London Paper article? Not all of us live in the snowy iceplains of the metropolis.

[alexmacpherson.livejournal.com]

it is a half-page picture of me raving at Night Slugs - it's one of my fbook photos - accompanying a Chantelle Fiddy piece about London clubbing, inc. the 'Heads Shoulders Knees N Toes' dance craze.

[edgeofwhatever.livejournal.com]

b) This is the interpretation she's been giving all along, though.

[mcarratala.livejournal.com]

I think the Lex is getting stuck on content and personality here: the big difference with The Fear is that Lily is serving the song, rather than just the whole thing being a vehicle for her attitude (I really like Smile, but not much else she has done until now). And it's a kind of whooshing tune, and she's never done anything that sounded like that before. Sonically – as I may have said before – it is far closer to About You Now than to any of Lily's previous stuff.