Young Guns...

Excellent documentaries from 1999 about Bananarama, Culture Club, The Human League and The Smiths.

Synthpop...

A documentary about the birth of the synthpop - a fun watch.

Albums...

This week, four new albums came out that I need to buy! It seems that the year is off to a wonderful start recordwise, at least for me. In addition to several records released recently that I need, here are the latest additions:



This week saw the release of  the new Ronan Keating album - a collaboration between him and the legendery genious Burt Bacharach. It went straight in at number 5 on the UK album chart. 




At number 10 is the new Chris Brown album - a major improvement chartwise over his last album, which peaked at number 55 in the UK and number 7 in the US (F.A.M.E is said to be going in at number 1 in the US!).



Duran Duran must be thrilled! "All You Need Is Now" comes in at number 11! Without the financial support of a mjor label (they are releasing the album themselves) and without another intro single (the title track was released in December), this has to be considered a very good comeback - and a major improvement over their last effort, which peaked at number 44 on the UK charts! In addition, their "Greatest" album re-enters the chart at number 37.



And finally, we have The Human League. They debut in the exact same place with "Credo" as their last album did 10 years ago: number 44. While it would have been nice to see a higher chart placing, it is not unexpected - and still quite respectable for a project that has had no real exposure (no TV performances, little airplay etc).

Next week sees the release of the new Britney Spears album, which has actually been getting very good reviews!

SOTD...

The Human League are (like Duran Duran) releasing a brand new album this week. "Credo" is their 10th studio album, and the first one in 10 years.



I have always liked the group, although I must admit that I still dont own all of their albums (but I'm working on it). I remember them very well of course from the 80s (especially "Dont' You Want Me" and "Human"), but then they seemed to dissapear. So I was quite happy to have them back in 1995 when they scored a couple of surprise hits and a successful album. My song of the day is from that album.

But, as always: here is a look at the albums the group has released so far. They have been releasing music for more then 30 years, and sold over 20 million copies.

 

Right then - the song. I picked out their 90s comeback song "Tell Me When". I was very pleasantly surprised when I started to hear this on the radio in early 1995, and it was to become one of my favourite singles of the year.



 The song peaked at number 6 on the UK singles chart, and at number 31 in the US. This was their last UK top 10 single (to date).

Tracks...

Some tracks I love right now: