Wonderful Life

For the next week, consider this corner of the internet a Summer Sonic 2010 playlist.

First up, the early band we'll be aiming to catch over at Maishima.

I've already introduced you to Hurts early leaks, and some are comparing them (for good reason) to 80's icons Pet Shop Boys. A band with a clear image and solid tunes, I'll be surprised if this suited-up duo don't give it a real go.

Here's the spruced up, sexier, video for Wonderful Life, now the official lead single for their upcoming debut album, Happiness.



A great way to start a festival, indeed

Too much of anything is never enough.

The clip for Love etc is out now and the Pet Shop Boys outdo themselves in this super-clever animated homage to consumerism, Pac-Man and well, the red heart thing.



This song just gets better with every listen.

Pet Shop Boys Get Their Lifetime Achievement On

It seems odd to start seeing groups I grew up with getting lifetime achievement awards.

But so it was at The Brit Awards this week that Pet Shop Boys were regaled for their Outstanding Contribution to Music. They said thanks by doing a mega-mix medley, with a suitable amount of pomp and circumstance (with some help from new friends Lady Gaga and The Killers lead singer, Brandon Flowers):



Lest you think they are already irrelevant, check out their new single Love etc.

(Don't have to be) Beautiful but it helps.

Classic and surprisingly relevant.

Who knew these Pet Shop Boys had something quite like this up their sleeves?

I dig it, etc.

Love etc.


Their new album, Yes, comes out in March, perhaps.

You're not integral to the project. You're the pretender.

Here's two completely divergent musical directions for you to peruse today:

1) Foo Fighters, "The Pretender"

It's been a few weeks, and I'm still pretty stoked about the Foo Fighters new single The Pretender. It's a perfect blast-yourself-awake-in-the-morning-driving-to-work song. Turn the volume up and give it a whirl:



Now that you've been rocked out, let's shift gears.

2) Pet Shop Boys, "Integral (Perfect Immaculate mix)"

As part the Pet Shop Boys upcoming Disco 4 collection, they've gone and remixed a great song from their last album and given it a fresh new video. Watch closely. There's more to it than meets the eye:


(UPDATED: The original link I posted was a more basic version. You can still find it HERE. If that link doesn't work, check out the Popjustice link below.)

For the surprising subliminal explanation of what you just saw head over to PopJustice. It's a brilliant concept that cleverly plays into song's message. This is what we call cutting edge interactive technology.

Of course, my iphone doesn't quite have the bells and whistles to play along. Considering what I recently ruminated HERE, not being so integral may be better anyways.

The song, however, sounds and looks fantastic.