Kylie, Jake and Ana Do Glastonbury

Just in case I haven't pimped my two most anticipated albums this summer, both Scissor Sisters and Kylie Minogue came together Any Which Way they could to entertain Glastonbury's festival goers.

Scissor Sister's new album Night Work is now out. Kylie Minogue's Aphrodite drops in a week. What I've heard of both is well worth the little bit of hype I've lavished on them on this random corner here.

They don't compare, all the lovers!

Kylie Minogue has finally leaked her new clip for All the Lovers, and what can I say?

It's sexy, has a horse, some marshmallows and some doves.

Did I mention sexy?



For those of you still not on the Kylie train (and yes I'm looking at you my fellow Americans), this might as well be a good time to hop on, because the Aussie pop diva's on, well, fire, fire, fire, fire.

All the lovers that have gone before...

I've mentioned there's some big albums coming out this summer. Kylie Minogue's Aphrodite is one of them, but it's been shrouded in some secrecy for a while.

After finally barnstorming the U.S. last year -- I saw the show, barnstorming is not hyperbole, she's the real deal live -- Minogue is back in upbeat superstar form with her thumpin' new single All The Lovers.



All hail Aphrodite, out July 5.

I'm breakin' it down. I'm not the same. I know you're feelin' me 'cuz you like it like this!

So, out of left field, I guess we're gonna be spinning around in Vegas...

The best albums of 2007

As promised, here is the first Everything is Pop posting from Nelse. This is a fantastic addition to the blog. I look forward to seeing what comes next! Welcome to RandomTope!

I never did get around to creating my own music blog this year, like I had hoped, but here is my first stab at the topic.

For the most part the end of the year was rounded out with some really weak albums. However, there were some highlights that are worth mentioning from the past year.

My picks for the top 10 albums of 2007:

Amy Winehouse “Back to Black"

Disregard all the drama, the Britney comparisons, the scars, the boyfriend, the crap performances, the drunken photos and take a good listen to this album again. This is absolutely my number one album for the year. The music soars and I am mesmerized by Amy’s voice. Here’s to hoping she can sort herself out and deliver another knock-out album like this one!

Mika "Life in Cartoon Motion"

Is he straight, is he gay? All I say is, “Who cares?” As long as the music gets this good, does it really matter? Mika exploded onto the overseas pop charts with the songs like Love Today, Grace Kelly, Big Girls and Happy Ending. Unfortunately, he didn’t really hit over here in the U.S. I had a feeling most of us wouldn’t get it. If you aren’t afraid to hear a great pop album with a guy that sings in a falsetto voice through half the album then you might actually love it. A little bit of Freddie Mercury and more bubble-gum pop.

Lily Allen “Alright, Still”

Lily delivers some sharp lyrics and a sarcasm that caught me completely off-guard. I would hate to get in tangle with her on the street. Along with Amy Winehouse, this was another Mark Ronson produced gem that kept me rocking in 2007. Not to mention Lily has a powerhouse singing voice that is perfect on record or live.

Roisin Murphy “Overpowered”

This album will make you want to move with its massive bass lines. She's a lesser-known artist here in the US, but you may remember her previous efforts with a group called Moloko. Anyone remember the tracks “Sing it Back”, “The Time is Now” or “Fun for Me?" Well, Roisin has managed, at least in my opinion, to overpower those tracks with her second solo album. For this record she goes back to her dance-pop roots to deliver an album that has been on heavy rotation on my iPod.

Just Jack “Overtones”

Every song on Jack’s second album is as listenable as his first album “The Outer Marker”. In the same vein as Lily Allen, Just Jack delivers some very cool grooves and clever lyrics. The song “Starz in Their Eyes” sounds like an ode to Britney. Also, be sure to check out the track “I Talk Too Much,” with guest vocals from Kylie.

Mark Ronson “Version”

After enjoying two of my favorite albums from this producer, Amy Winehouse and Lily Allen, I certainly had to check out his latest offering. Not really a solo album, but a full-on collaboration with some great artists and soulful beats. Mark knows how to let the artists shine. The lead single, "Stop Me," from Daniel Merriwether turns a classic Smiths songs into a funky summer groove. Don’t miss out on the “Toxic” remake or Lily’s cover of the Kaiser Chiefs' “Oh My God”.

The Killers “Sawdust”

Although not completely a new album it does pack in some amazing unreleased tracks and b-sides. For good measure they added two new tracks, a cover of Joy Division’s “Shadowplay” and a Lou Reed collaboration, “Tranquilize”. The one gem tacked-on to the end is Stuart Price's reworked version of “Mr. Brightside”. This remix is probably one of my favorite remixes of all time.

Annie Lennox “Songs of Mass Destruction”

The Diva is back with some songs that certainly rival her debut album. Every track is sung with the raw power and emotion you would come to expect from Annie Lennox. The good news is that the album is not as somber as her last record, "Bare," and has kept me captive since its release. I think “Dark Road” was the wrong choice for the lead single here in the U.S. as there are so many other energetic tracks on the disc.

Foo Fighters “Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace"

Dave Grohl and team have no problem delivering consistently strong albums and this was no exception. I didn’t know much about the band, but I found myself re-discovering their back catalogue when this album came out. Some great rock tracks are on here that should be blasted from the car stereo after a rough day at the office. Oh, and the videos are as memorable as ever! Be sure to check out the campy “Long Road to Ruin” clip.

Kylie Minogue "X"

Unfortunately, this one will not see a U.S. release until 2008. If you are willing to drop a few extra bucks for the import version you won’t be disappointed or better yet, just download it online. I am already in love! This was a last minute must-add to my best of 2007. Welcome back Kylie… we’ve missed you!

Be sure to check out these other 2007 contenders:

Common "Finding Forever"
Seal "System"
The White Stripes "Icky Thump"
Alicia Keyes "As I Am"
Belanova "Fantasia Pop"
Metro Station "Metro Station"

Is this forever and ever? I can go for miles, if you know what I mean.

A couple of divalicious music notes today:

1) Kylie Minogue

Kylie is back from chemotherapy, with a vengeance.

If this is what a comeback should look like, I say, gimme more.

It is a bold change of pace for the international sensation from down under. Her new album X comes out everywhere but the States next month, so I'm already picturing an Import Only sticker while the rest of America misses out.

This is 2 Hearts. I'm in love. I'm in love.



2) Shirley Bassey

I have long been a big fan of Shirley Bassey's big voice.

Her distinctive classic songbook, has long lent itself well to good beats. Propellerheads' History Repeating, for which she did the vocals a while back, is still probably one of my favorite songs. This apparently ageless Bond diva has since built herself a new fanbase by successfully treading that line between classic vocalist and remix-dance diva surprisingly well.

I had not even heard a peep about this new single until a friend pointed me to it earlier today.

Dame Shirley Bassey, meet Pink. Let's Get This Party Started, indeed!