Andreas Lundstedt failed to go to Eurovision once again...

Andreas Lundstedt's 2012 attempt to go to the Eurovision song contest in Baku this year is a new solo effort, aside from his Alcazar disco/pop supergroup that has been very quiet lately, all sung in swedish and named Aldrig, aldrig. It failed to compete in the Melodifestivalen finale which will be held on 10 March in Stockholm.
Other popstars who were left out of their semi-finals this year are the ladies of Afro-Dite who reunited to sing a fabulous disco influenced The boy can dance, Marie Serneholt (from A-Teens) and a comeback single called Salt & pepper. His song suffered maybe to be sung in swedish, not english, and maybe this year Sweden want to get a place in the Top5 back. Other previous Eurovision stars will try to win their ticket in the following semi-finals and to name a few, Charlotte Perrelli with The girl (she won with Take me to your heaven), Danny Saucedo with Amazing or Andreas Johnson with Lovelight. Newcomers will try to attract the limelights and get a hit at least by competing in the Melodifestivalen, such as new boysband Youngblood with their eponyme song or Love Generation, the girlsband backed by Lady Gaga's producer RedOne.
Here is the video for Andreas' new song and I like them both : the song is haunting pop although darker than the usual Alcazar stuff while the video looks low-budget but with enough appeal not to bore... I hope it will be the real start of a solo career for the swedish man. What do you think ?

Same Difference's 2nd CD album is pure POP!

It is more than a month ago that I posted about Same Difference's forthcoming second album release and I promised a full review of it as soon as I get it. It has been released on 7th February but it has taken me nearly a month to finally receive my imported CD ! Needless to say I downloaded the songs already as I couldn't wait but I wanted to have the full piece of album with CD, booklet, credits & lyrics to make my review. I'm more than ready today because this is really a true pop masterpiece ! Signed to the POPLIFE label, Sean & Sarah, the ex X-Factor celebrities, have grown up but their sound still sounds fresh and poppy like it was still 2000 and Steps were still releasing hit single after hit single with Pete Waterman... Maybe some will feel they sound dated, maybe some will think they're too cheesy but to my heart and for my ears, they just sound P-E-R-F-E-C-T.

01 SOULED OUT 4:09

(Mark Topham / Karl Twigg / Yamit Mamo)

Produced & Mixed by Topham & Twigg

The album starts with a song written and produced by the ex PWL duo behind Steps' success and snippets of the song were revealed last year as a possible single before Shine on forever was released. Souled out is a 500% instant hit, very upbeat and catchy with an incredible strong chorus that sticks to your head while your feet move to the rhythm of the whole song. It reminds me a lot of the songs Topham & Twigg did for PWL post Steps boys/girls group Pop! (Heaven & Earth and Can't say goodbye). So that means it sounds a little 2004 with Same Difference's pop being led into full energetic dance/pop but it doesn't sound dated to me. It needs to become a single ! I need to hear further remixes of that heavenly bound hit ! I can't get enough of it and play it on repeat... Addictive syndrome #1. 20/20

02 EUPHORIA 3:38

(Mark Topham / Karl Twigg / Nathan Thomas) Produced & Mixed by Topham & Twigg

Next track is from the same songwriters/producers and belongs to the same dance/pop musical territory even though it doesn't sound like Pop! '04, but '05, as it reminds me a lot of their Serious last single, with funky disco elements thrown in the continental euro dance/pop overall feeling. Once more, the rhythm is fast, the chorus is catchy and there is not a doubt this new one will help the duo " let the music elevate us into euphoria" as they're singing. Single alert #2. The chorus' intro would sound perfect, refrained by fans' voices in unison singin' "Oh I wanna be outrageous, I don't care where it takes us..." They've grown up, I told you. They've grown up and the photos from the CD booklet shows it too. 19,5/20

03 KARMA KARMA 3:07 featuring ALCAZAR

(Anders Hansson / Sharon Vaughn) Produced by Anders Hansson, Felix Persson & Märta Grauers

Mixed by Al Unsworth with Vocals Recorded, Produced & Mixed by Topham & Twigg

Third track on CD and the UK siblings offer themselves a party song with the swedish disco/pop band Alcazar. Once again, the song is very upbeat, but in a latin disco vibe this time that reminds me of some songs from the swedes' first album Casino. I admit it is not the song I like the best as I have never been into those latin pop fiestas but no doubt the Alcazar featuring as well as the Anders Hansson credit (he produced all Agnes international hits) could lead this one, if released as a proper single, into some mainstream charts success. I only have the feeling Karma karma was an Alcazar song in which Same Difference have been invited to sing into, rather than one of their own song they could have shared with Andreas, Tess & Lina. 16/20

04 THE REST IS HISTORY 3:46

(Tony Nilsson / Hanne Sorvaag) Produced by Tony Nilssen

Mixed by Al Unsworth with Vocals Recorded, Produced & Mixed by Topham & Twigg

The song that gives its title to the album starts as a calmer one but the intro hides well the fact that it is another upbeat number, and not a powerful mid-tempo as it first may seem or a ballad at all. Maybe it is the song that sounds the most like Steps to me, but very actual, with today's sound. It could be another mainstream hit single if released properly. The chorus is very strong and catchy but Sarah's (beautiful and strong) voice is proeminent over her brother's so maybe this one wouldn't sound really as a Same Difference single... 20/20

05 SHINE ON FOREVER [PHOTO FRAME] 3:57

(John Myers / Sarah Smith / Sean Smith) Produced by John Myers

Mixed by Al Unsworth with Vocals Engineered by Pete Waterman Jnr

Shine on forever [Photo frame] follows and it was released last year as the first single off the album on their new label, with their new image and sound, and indeed, it does have a nearly electro dance/pop sound. This makes it the most trendy sounding song on the album maybe and it is a shame it only managed to get to #100 in the UK charts, but the CD single was only available via their own site's shop page and on digital download with big medias campaign and major company's promotion so it is a full achievement in itself, isn't it? Co-written with its producer John Myers, we hear the siblings' involvement in the song and it is odd to think their new start's first single was produced by the same man who produced their Stock/Aitken/Waterman cover version Turn it into love on their first album... But while on Pop his sound was polished by Quiz & Larossi's post-production, his raw dance vibe is on full effect here and I am still not bored on it, even after the thousand listens I've indulged myself to... 19/20

06 WAITING FOR THE MOMENT 3:52

(Daniel Sherman / Andy Gilbert) Produced by The Flames (aka Daniel Sherman & Andy Gilbert)

Still no sign of a ballad or filler on the album while the sixth track plays but there is a new team on board. Daniel Sherman is no newbie in my book as he formed with ex PWL engineer Peter Day in the 2000's the Point4 songwriting/production team. Their best moments have been for sure ex Steps' Lisa Scott-Lee hit singles Lately and Too far gone or Gina G's Tonight's the night. Now he's teamed up with Andy Gilbert to form The Flames and their Waiting for the moment is another pure disco/pop anthem that shines like a glitter ball while the music is playing. Single potential once again, so I'm startin' to think this release was well worth the wait as it sounds like the Greatest Hits that my heart had dreamed of from the duo. 19,5/20

07 BEST MISTAKE 3:31

(Mark Topham / Karl Twigg / Nathan Thomas) Produced & Mixed by Topham & Twigg

From the songwriting & production credits I know the following song won't deceive me and Best mistake, who's been penned by the same people that were behind Euphoria, sounds like Steps' Stomp, Part II. Like the previous song, it is an all disco/dance anthem, very upbeat, very catchy, with nice high-pitched funky backing vocals where Sean shows what he got too. Shall I admit it would easily be a single's choice in my heart once again? One regret though, is that Sarah's ad-libs at the very end of the song sounds very good with a nice melody, but are just too short, cut off nearly as soon as they are starting... 20/20

08 THIS IS ME 3 :46

(Ian Curnow / Georgie Dennis / Sarah Smith / Sean Smith) Produced & Mixed by Ian Curnow & Dave Ford

On track 8, the siblings are for the first time going the romantic route with a piano-led ballad that first appeared as the B-side on Shine on forever [Photo frame] CD single. Co-written by themselves with Ian Curnow and Georgie Dennis (Cathy's young sister), it sounds like a Diane Warren typical ballad, with vibrant pre-chorus melody and poignant chorus line. "No matter where you are or who you wanna be (...) this is me". I must admit I didn't really listened to it when I bought me the single as I was heavily deceived this Ian Curnow penned song wasn't an upbeat pop song but a big ballad. Put back on this album after all these catchy numbers, I re-discover it and appreciate its simple beauty, although it will never be a what I would like to see them record really... This is me is to play on your mothers' day, having her talk and remember of the cute siblings from the X-Factor show of a couple of years ago... 15/20

09 EMOTION 2:56

(Tony Nilsson) Produced by Tony Nilssen. Mixed by Al Unsworth

with Vocals Recorded, Produced & Mixed by Topham & Twigg

Rhythm guitar then carribean percussions build up a festive and joyful music background for this second Tony Nilssen song, that is upbeat but not a dance song. Pop and organic would sum up Emotion's real essence but it is no problem to me as it is really catchy. The only thing is the chorus memorable line is more "I'm thinking about it, thinking about it" over "I gotta put a hold on my emotion" so an additional title (Thinking about it) to Emotion would fit the bill if a single release was in question but I very doubt it as there are so much better choices here. There is no shame to say this is only a good album track. 18,5/20

10 SUPERSTAR 3:15

(Ian Curnow / Georgie Dennis / Sarah Smith / Sean Smith) Produced & Mixed by Ian Curnow & Dave Ford

This is me partners are back on duties but this time, it is for a full upbeat pop song with a melody that sounds like the best of PWL from the 90's. Superstar doesn't sound dated though, with some vocoderized effects and nice instrumentations. It sounds indeed like a patchwork of influences and melodies, where Sarah and Sean alternately take the lead all through the verses, pre-chorus, chorus or post-chorus. But what is it that this cold ending ??!!! At 3'15, when the song doesn't sound finished at all, the music sounds like tumbling down and it stops as if the recording tape operator has just cut it down by mistake... A further minute wouldn't have sounded out of place at all to display more of its harmonies and rhythms. 18/20

11 HEARTBEAT 3:50

(Pete Hammond / Georgie Dennis / Sarah Smith / Sean Smith) Produced & Mixed by Pete Hammond

Thankfully, Heartbeat follows and while it sounds like Superstar suite perfectly, this time, the retro PWL sound is all over it, like Pete Hammond has been doing it these days, with all the typical sounds that made Stock/Aitken/Waterman productions famous and successfull for ...in the 90's. I personally like Sarah's "It's just a heartbeat" cute backing vocal line after chorus that sounds sooo 1989 to me. This is a retro heaven for all PWL addicts like me and as I doubt everybody would recognize itself in this sounds today, I feel this placing near the end of the CD suits it well, like a secret jewel or hidden guilty pleasure, for those who can patiently wait. And I must admit that although I'm a radio edit fanatic over full extended mixes, I feel it's been too short when the music stops and I need to put it back with the Repeat touch... Maybe a Pete Hammond full extended retro mix is needed after all ? Can we have it as a bonus on Same Difference's next digital release, please. Thank you. 20/20

12 BROKEN MEMORIES 4:24

(Luke Juby / Sarah Smith / Sean Smith) Produced & Mixed by Topham & Twigg

with Additional Production & Strings by Luke Juby

This is already time for the end and Sean & Sarah offer us another moment of peaceful music, Broken memories being a pleasant melancholic mid-tempo. Not what I like the most but surely the best way to end an album that is so full of upbeat pop/dance anthems that just one more could have had your CD player explode in BPM hell. And in truth, Broken memories is very catchy, with a nice memorable melody and a beautiful acoustic vocal break where Sarah's voice shows her deepness. And I so love it when there is a piano leading the way for the voices... 18,5/20

All in all, this second album stays in the bubblegum pop territory they belong to since they first appeared on the X-Factor show and through their Syco years with previous album Pop and single We R one. But their voices, look and sound have matured and their target audience is not the kids anymore. Apart from the Stock/Aitken/Waterman PWL fanatics like me and those from the Hit Factory forum who can not pass on this release (for being the first to see Ian Curnow, Dave Ford & Pete Hammond all re-unite on the same release, as well as being a strong work from Topham & Twigg duo), I think all those who like good pop/dance music, all those who will forever be in Steps nostalgia, and a lot more people should get their hands on this CD, or at least download it from iTunes, Emusic, 7digital or elsewhere it is available worldwide ! They need to sell some to get to their next release. Pop is rumoured to be re-released with bonus tracks and I'd love to hear their original recorded version of Turn it into love as well as more unreleased material recorded at the PWL studios.

As a reminder of where they've come from, let me say this first album is still available and is another enjoyable trip into Pop-land. Mostly produced by swedish duo Quiz & Larossi (who were hired by Pete Waterman to replace Topham & Twigg and Andrew Frampton after they left his PWL company), it features lots of cover versions, some well-known ones they sang on the X-Factor show, like High School Musical's hit Breaking free or the Diane Warren penned song Nothing's gonna stop us now Starship popularized back in the 80's, some lesser known like Six previously recorded with Pete Waterman Let me be the one and Still amazed or Marie Serneholt (from A*Teens)'s I need a house. But the remake that enlightened all pop addicts' hearts was the Stock/Aitken/Waterman song Turn it into love, that Hazell Dean turned into a hit in 1988 after Kylie Minogue first featured her own version on her first album. The rest of the album was made of swedish compositions/productions courtesy of Quiz & Larossi duo as well as Max Martin's ex partners at Cheiron studios, Kristian Lundin and Jörgen Elofsson, except for the disco/dance upbeat number If you can't dance, that was co-written by the siblings with the METRO producers Graham Stack & Paul Barry. In conclusion, their first album was already a must-have for those who liked Steps/H&Claire and if you passed upon this release, you should make yourself a double-take with both CDs from Same Difference now.

Disco Defenders come from Sweden (again!)

Time to write more music reviews because there are LOADS of fresh pop albums that I cannot help but talk about...

First in line, the third studio album of swedish trio-then-quatuor-then-back-trio ALCAZAR. It is called Disco Defenders and has just been released as a double CD album including a 12 tracks new album (+1 remix) backed with a 13 best of compilation as a bonus.




FORGET ABOUT THE AWFUL COLOURFULL & KITSCHISSIME COVER ART !

It's ALL ABOUT THE MUSIC, Thank you !

After a third line-up change, Andreas & Tess are coming back with a new brunette Lina and they's musically back in form, as if they were never gone, thanks, for a great part, to super-producer Anders Hansson, who lately produced Agnes Carlsson's third album and pop masterpiece Dance Love Pop.

1. We Keep On Rockin' 9.5/10
CD One, called "Now", starts with the first single that was released last year to tease fans for their return. We keep on rockin' is a pure disco cheesy anthem that clicks on every right button to make us revival their best moments, claps, disco loops, rollovers, instant chorus and Alcazar brand-name dropping. There is no doubt Anders Hansson has produced the best item from the Alcazar factory's new collection here.
2. Burning 10/10
Next song (and single for sure) sees Alcazar go for a more electro-ized sound, still with disco roots though, and it fits them perfectly too. We're not far from something between swedish queens Velvet or September, but with male/female vocals. Vocally I miss Magnus though. The girls sound equally good when I think the quatuor version with Magnus & Andreas (who used to be lovers) voices mixed very well.
3. Stay The Night 10/10
Stay the night is Alcazar's third attempt at Melodifestivalen and current single and it completely ROCKS ! The music starts and you're totally taken, blown away by it. You can't do nothing but be lost in the catchy melody, memorable chorus, perfect vocals... It's a real shame they didn't won to go for Sweden at this year's Eurovision show. It was the best song of all. Stay the night, co-written by Anders Hansson with the band, has already becomed a favourite of mine along Someday, Ménage à trois or Crying at the discotheque.
4. From Brazil With Love 7.5/10
Co-written by Danny Saucedo, this new song is a festive brazilian inspired disco number that, on their Disco Defenders album, is like Kylie's Loveboat on her Light Years album : a Copacabana exotic musical fantasy lost in a disco-pop album. The strangest thing about it is not its inclusion here as it fits Alcazar well but who wrote it as it is far far away from what Danny usually is musically, either solo or in E.M.D.
5. Inhibitions 7/10
Another Anders Hansson song & production, but with full on phatt guitars still in for a disco inspired single. This one was digitally released after We keep on rockin' but didn't really clicked with their fanbase to launch the album. Truth is the song is little too repetitive in its melody/chorus lines and the more rocky sound doesn't fit them really. The song lacks their usual glamour & musical strass.
6. Harlem Nights 6.5/10
Anders Hansson is still on duty on the next track and we all go with some Cabaret inspiration with this very rythmic with fingers snapping song. Very old school approach with still a modern base : the song is strange but it may be a grower. It's not my cup of tea though. When it comes to a Broadway sound-a-like, I like it the way miss Kylie re-invents her Better the devil you know or I should be so lucky in concerts in stripped to the bone cooled down versions. Their Harlem Nights leave me a little cold...
7. Baby 10/10
Thankfully, next track is another disco-pop gem and once again, they've been given a song by english pop genius Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe (aka the Pet Shop Boys) like Lovelife was. You call me baby goes the chorus and even if the song is lyrically a lot more simple than your usual psb song, it is a winner. I hope it becomes a further successful single for them with its moving melody and catchy chorus, surrounded by disco-dance arrangements. I am eager to hear (maybe one day) the original Pet Shop Boys produced & sung demo if it exists too...
8. Jump Straight Into The Fire 10/10
More disco rhythms with big bass, Jump straight into the fire starts like it is, another disco stomper and another Anders Hansson production. The song & chorus is catchy as hell and the lyrics are a little naughty, with the girls & boy being sexy. Single potential Alert !
9. My My Me And Mine 9/10
With still Anders Hansson on board, My my me and mine takes Alcazar back to their start musically to me. It wouldn't have sounded out of place on their debut but it isn't a let-down. I think it only expresses the continuity in their music goal : go round like a record on what they know how to do best : disco inspired dance-pop where all their influences melt together. Once again, all Alcazar's members co-write this one too.
10. Funkytown 8/10
As its title showed, next track is a cover of the disco anthem by Lipps Inc. The intro sounds like being speeded up but the rhythm goes down the right route very fast with their rendition being faithful as well as up-to-date, once again with Anders Hansson on production duties, amongst others. It is sometimes hard to convince when recording a new version of a song that is part of the collective musical history but I have to say they've succeed : their version is okay. I don't think I'll get away with it as a single release but as an album track, it is right.
11. Put The Top Down 7.5/10
The tempo sounds like it's being toned down a little with this close to the end more accoustic song. The melody is very light, catchy but although a good song, it doesn't sound like Alcazar to me. It is folk, not disco... It could have been recorded by Danny & friends on their E.M.D. album. Anders' voice dominates more than half the song but the girls take the lead on a breezy bridge before final choruses & fade. I think it is a very strange choice for inclusion on the album.
12. Thank You 10/10
A full on grand piano and vocal intro start the song very slowly, like some of Steps' song did when they were trying to re-catch ABBA's magic and it is just what Alcazar are doing here : when comes the chorus, the 70's are back there with campy & glamorous outfits like only Frida & Agnetha could wear back in the days. Musically and lyrically, Thank you is a tribute to ABBA, Alcazar's Thank you for the music or sort of. A little too old-fashioned maybe for a single release for masses but definitely one of the greatest moments Alcazar have ever recorded !
13. Stay The Night (Club Mix)
The album's conclusion is a more clubby remix of Stay the night that erases a little the disco sounds for a more contemporary dance sound a la Burning.

Second CD, called Then, puts all their previous hits together, like they already were on their previous release Alcazar Deluxe, except for Here I am which is not included here and Don't you want me is not the Almighty remix like it was on previous Best Of :
1. This Is The World We Live In
2. Crying At The Discoteque
3. Ménage À Trois
4. Sexual Guarantee
5. Don't You Want Me
6. Start The Fire
7. Shine On
8. Not A Sinner Nor A Saint
9. Physical
10. Ritmo Del Amor
11. Alcastar
12. Love Life
13. Someday

In conclusion, Disco Defenders assumes its title for Alcazar are making every disco style theirs here all with pop brilliance and you cannot do without it in your discography for sure. The Then CD makes all the more this new album a must-have for every Alcazar old like new fan and even more when Alcazar Deluxe wasn't one of the albums you had bought (like for me).
So you can bet I used my http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vd3d3LmNkb24uY29t once again... So should you !

Magnus Carlsson's first post Alcazar english album

After a self-named solo album in swedish in 2006 and a swedish/english christmas album the same year, Spår I Snön, ex Alcazar (and former Barbados) singer Magnus Carlsson has finally released his first album in english. Named after his entry of this year MelodiFestivalen, Live Forever, it includes the A-Ha inspired single version as well as an accoustic one and 11 other disco pop gemms. THIS song should have gone to Eurovision's night instead of The Ark's one and sure 2008's party would then have been in Stockholm! This tune was Take on me Part II, vamped up for 2007 and with some Magnus' incredible vocal performance. Magnus even recorded this song in french (and spanish) on the CD single and although it suffered of some translation (its title J'ai vivrai is ungrammatical and should have been Je vivrai), like previous Alcazar's french version of Here I am, his french singing is charming and I'd be ready, more than willing & able to help him with his french accent with some tutoring anytime he wants .


The new single Waves of love is a summer anthem in the making but the album is full of pure pop dance hits. Crazy summer nights, I won't cry, Another rainbow, Give a little love, Don't you worry, You, Boogie time should ALL become singles as they're catchy as hell!
Magnus has worked with 3 different swedish songwriting/producing teams (HitVision, Thomas Thörnholm & Michael Clauss and Figge Bogström) but they've managed to create a full on disco pop anthem party from track 1 to 12, just before Magnus calms it down with his piano led acoustic version of Live forever. Track 7's midtempo, Never walk away, was right at the middle to slow it down a little too.
Live Forever - The Album is so much the follower of Alcazar's Alcazarized album that I now nearly can bear with the lack in my heart this missing quatuor have created. Andres, Magnus, Tess & Annikafiore were such a fabulous group I still hope they reunite someday. Till then, and with Andres' career not as sparkling as his ex boyfriend's, we only have this CD to help us forgive them for parting away...

I had waited for this CD to come in my post for long (it is an import from Sweden you know, thank you www.cdon.com!) and I was hoping for a great surprise maybe with the booklet or hidden tracks... I was deceived : no printed lyrics nor bonus included! I was so harder deceived that the iTunes version of the album includes some bonus material and I can't understand why Warner Music gave bonuses for digital downloads and none for CD buyers.
THAT will only lead to the die of the CD format! And I still like having that piece of plastic in my hands, opening it up feverishly to read the notes, discover who wrote what, who produce what, which guests have been invited, sing along to it with the help of the lyrics...

Instead, I've been to iTunes and have bought the bonus tracks to complete the tracklisting and the added part is GREAT!
Nothing less than 3 other new songs plus a demo version of one of the songs that made it to the CD version plus some remixes, and the newbies What about love, I found love & I belong to you could all have fitted in the original tracklisting. The space was enough to include them too so that makes me hate it a little more when the music industry takes us CD buyers for fools : that can only lead to peer-to-peer files trade and make consumers take over the market.

Till then I hope there'll still be plenty of releases of that quality on CD and I will sure buy them all ! I'm so proud to have this new CD in my personal discothèque.
I also hope Magnus will release plenty of singles off it just to get them with fabulous remixes as we've been used to with its Alcazar & former releases... Bring Emil Hellman & his Soundfactory's mixes in! There's never enough of a good song and there ain't a bad one here!

www.magnusonline.se