b r a v e c r e a t u r e s

The last few years have had more than their fair share of self doubt - somehow I kept everything moving forward but there were times I want not entirely sure how or why I was managing.

My life pretty much always has a sound track to it, usually its up beat and eclectic but the Songbook for 2005's is particularly and uncharacteristically sad - or possibly just self pitying, the difference is usually perspective and/or time. A big contributor to that song book was Australia's newest singing wonder - Missy Higgins with her debut album, The Sound of White.

There are songs on it that gave voice to the bad things I was feeling and crow bared in a little hope

Now its getting to the middle of 2007, and this years song book is well underway. Its much happier, with only the occasional touch of melancholy. Rob Thomas's - LIttle Wonders is a shoe in to make my end of year mix but now Missy has released her new album and I may have found the anthem track for the year - Steer.

So hold this feeling like a newborn
Oh with freedom surging through your veins
You have opened up a new door
So bring on the wind, fire and the rain

But the search ends here
Where the night is totally clear
And your heart is fierce
So now you finally know
That you control where you go
You can steer

My life is regaining the direction and drive that characterised the first 35 years, and again Miss Higgins is going to help provide me the sound track as I start on the next adventures I have planned for life - and life has planned for me.

Have a listen to the remix at You Tube .  

Apparently Billy Joel, arguably one of the worlds least attractive homonids, is about to release a new dance track, and it will be available on the much touted date of 20 Feb via iTunes.

And he is singing the US National Anthem at the Superbowl on Sunday 4th Feb - the very same Superbowl that Apple is (apparently) launching another of their FAAAAMOUR Ads.

Huh ha ha HAA!

Coincidence? I think not.

But Please GOD dont let there be a Billy Joel iPod - Beatles I could come at, but not the piano man. As Jobs continues to foist onto us both a hard DRM licence AND his appallingly hippy 60's musical taste, thats about all it would take to push me over the edge.

Its Sunday night and I was standing in my living room doing my ironing for the week. Yes, I know. Don't faint. All of this talent etc. and he can keep a house as well. Shocking I know. 

I should be clear, my skills are not all encompassing.

• Cooking, very much so
• Dishes, not if I cooked for you. That's not fair 
• Ironing, grudgingly but well
• Laundry, no problem. I even weaned myself of tumbler dryer dependence
• Cleaning. This is my failing. I am NOT a good cleaner I am afraid.
• Domestic coordination, I am a rock star. Give me a project and stand back
• Gardening, disinterested

That little domestic revelation aside, I was watching 60 minutes while I pressed my business shirts and before they aired a shockingly obsequious interview with J'Ho (John Howard, Prime Ministerial side kick to the US President) they showed a segment about You Tube and in particular how it is providing a launch platform for talent that would otherwise not have access to public awareness.

The segment was in the usual self serious, breathless, surprised tone usually reserved for talking to people with little contact with technology about its many wonders BUT it did have some interesting content - which was a bit of a surprise really.

They showed a Sydney Band - Sick Puppies - who by posting a clip on You Tube 3 weeks ago shot themselves from unknown to well on the road to success.

I don't feel the need to jump on 60 Minutes bandwagon for content, heaven forbid, but the track, All the same ,  and the film clip really are BLOODY good. I am not a big one for guitar rock, but there is something ab out this track that is moving for me. And the film clip is simple and really clever, all the more because its showing a real person in Sydney. Watch it an you will see what I mean.

And if you want a copy of the track (I did) you can get it at the iTunes Music store.

Enjoy 

Today was a bad day

Lemons into lemonade

It's been a long time since I listened to an album so consistently from end to end, but the new offering from P!nk certainly has my attention. I have loved P!nk since her debut as a sassy, sneering pop tartlet with the track "There you go", a track with pop styling and a biting edge, a track that said "watch this one".

Over the years she has continued to show her bite, but with this new album she is growing some significant political and social claws, wrapped up in well crafted styling, with enough LA grunge to cut the sugary pop sweetness. Pink seems well on her way to becoming the Diet Coke, the Coke Zero of the pop world. Just like pop music only MUCH better for you.

The first single from the album, Stupid Girls, not only got my attention but had me up out of my seat cheering. Camp and refreshing its a smart girls reality check on the brain drain being exerted by the Paris Hilton's of the world. The video clip is a laugh riot and comes on the CD - thankfully.

The album is clearly a personal work for Pink and it rolls through a range of emotions and styles that is startling. From the  surprising mix of rock licks and cowbells in "U + Ur Hand" to the melancholy "Nobody Knows" and back up to a biting commentary on Bush's presidency with "Dear Mr. President" this album is full of movement and emotion.

But don't just trust me, give it whirl. I don't think you will be disappointed.

I will review this album in the next few days, but on first listen I have this to say.

RUN OUT AN PURCHASE PINKS NEW ALBUM.

You will not regret it. She has grown up, diversified and has some significant things to say. Its up there with Christina Aguilera album "Stripped". A little poppier, but definitely up there. 

Oh my god!!

The french are making fabulous pop songs! I dont even need to know what it means, and it makes me feel SASSY!

Dernier Espoir by Myriam Abel has had my toes tapping all the last week. I was pointed to it by soimeone pretty fabulous so there may be an association, but she stands on her own.

Myriam Abel is the third ‘Pop Idol’ winner in France. She’s also the first woman to win this fspin off of the global dominating American Idol francise. Her debut single ‘Donne’ (Give) went to the french Top 3 in 2006 and this is another single from the Album.

No not that Tina.

Tina Arena. Tiny Tina Arena the darling of the Johnny Young Talent School and one of Australia’s most amazing, and under appreciated, recording artists. She has been living and working in the UK and France for the last few years and had dropped off my radar but someone fabulous let me hear a couple of tracks from a new french language album, “Un AutreUnivers”, which got me looking for more of her work.

It turns out that there was a album from her that I had missed, so a quick trip to the music store and I had them both.

“But I Lied”

Wonder if it’s always been this bright
I could never tell you where it all went wrong
Because you were always right
I could spend a lifetime handing out the blame
I could call it all a big mistake
But love that we are given never goes away
It just changes every day
Guess I’ll find it if I wait
And every day gets better, everything is almost fine
‘Cause every night I’m still pretending you’re not on my mind

But I lied
There’s nothing in your heart that I don’t understand
I know yesterday has come and gone
Wishes are like water slipping through my hands
And I never could hold on
Truth is complicated when it comes to you
Every edge is dangerously rough
Nothing ever changes but my point of view
And today I’ll call it love
As if calling was enough
And every day gets better, everything is almost fine
‘Cause every night I’m still pretending you’re not on my mind

But I lied, But I lied, But I lied
Stumbling through this journey is an uphill climb
So much effort gone and more to come
If I was to make love to you one more time
Would I wonder what I had done? Would I be the only one?
And every day gets better, everything is almost fine
‘Cause every night I’m still pretending you’re not on my mind
And every day gets better, everything is almost fine
‘Cause every night I’m still pretending you’re not on my mind
But I lied
Yeah yeah