Eurovision - Moscow 2009
Vanilla Ninja - Love Is War
Brooke White - High Hopes & Heartbreak
Melodifestivalen - 2009 DVD
Eurovision - Moscow 2009
Vanilla Ninja - Love Is War
Eurovision - Moscow 2009
Vanilla Ninja - Love Is War
Eurovision - Moscow 2009
Vanilla Ninja - Love Is War
Eurovision - Moscow 2008 DVD
Triinu - Now And Forever
Eurovision - Moscow 2009
Vanilla Ninja - Love Is War
Tokio Hotel - Scream
Eurovision - Moscow 2008 (telecast & recording)
Eurovision - Moscow 2009
Vanilla Ninja - Love Is War
Tokio Hotel - Scream
Triinu - Now And Forever
Eurovision - Moscow 2008 (telecast & recording)
A great year for Eurovision. Norway seemed the obvious winner right it's first appearance in Norway's national selection. During ESC itself, it didn't quite have the impact. Favourite proved to be Ireland. Great, fast, pumping pop-rock. Very "Vanilla Ninja" in many respects. Other favourites were Albania, Estonia, Switzerland, Azerbaijan and Israel.
Vanilla Ninja - Love Is War
Melodifestivalen - 2009 DVD
Tokio Hotel - Scream
Triinu - Now And Forever
Sonja Alden - Under Mitt Tak
Shirley Clamp - För Den Som Älskar En Samling
Sanna, Shirley, Sonja - Our Christmas
Shirley Clamp - Lever Mina Drömmar
Lady Gaga - The Fame
Shirley Clamp - Den Längsamma Blomman
Lady Gaga - The Fame
Vanilla Ninja - Love Is War
Sonja Alden - Under Mitt Tak
Triinu - Now And Forever
Lady Gaga - The Fame
Vanilla Ninja - Love Is War
Sonja Alden - Under Mitt Tak
Triinu - Now And Forever
Vanilla Ninja - Love Is War
Sonja Alden - Under Mitt Tak
Triinu - Now And Forever
Mari-Leen - Rahutu Tuhkatriinu
Eurovision - Serbia 2008 DVD
Melodifestivalen - 2006 DVD
David Cook - David Cook
Meco - Star Wars and other Galactic Funk
TATU - Dangerous and Moving
Vanilla Ninja - Love Is War
Sonja Alden - Under Mitt Tak
Mari-Leen - Rahutu Tuhkatriinu
Triinu - Now And Forever
Meco - Star Wars and other Galactic Funk
Sonja Alden - Under Mitt Tak
Vanilla Ninja - Love Is War
Mari-Leen - Rahutu Tuhkatriinu
Triinu - Now And Forever
Triinu - Now And Forever
Sonja Alden - Under Mitt Tak
Mari-Leen - Rahutu Tuhkatriinu
Vanilla Ninja - Love Is War
Castlevania - Original Soundtrack
Sonja Alden is a Swedish singer/songwriter, mostly known for her songwriting in the past. She made a breakthrough at Melodifestivalen in 2008, reaching the final with För Att Du Finns, sung beautifully and purposefully. Her debut album Till Dig that was released at the time of MF08 was really strong. This latest one is even better. You just think of all the countries in the world that would be hiding such great gems that we will never know about. Most of the music these days I like comes from overseas artists.
Triinu - Now And Forever
Mari-Leen - Rahutu Tuhkatriinu
Vanilla Ninja - Love Is War
Triinu is a former member of Vanilla Ninja and it was great that she finally produced a solo album. Her voice has a husky, yet soft, tone to it. Really unique. She's chosen a good range of songs, with one or two in the vein of VN, the requisite ballad and some middle of the road 80s style softer rock. It doesn't quite compare to a VN album. Then, what does? There's nothing really striking or that stands out on it. Equally, there's nothing lame. It travels along really nicely with few speed humps. I'd have preferred to hear more of edge to Triinu's voice as we heard in her VN days. As a bonus, we get to hear her accent so much more, which sounds really sexy. Overall she sounds great. It's so nice to hear her voice again. It's like catching up with an old friend. A welcome, and decent, effort.
Mari-Leen - Rahutu Tuhkatriinu
Vanilla Ninja - Love Is War
Metroid Prime/Fusion - Soundtrack
Eurovision - Kiev 2005 DVD
Vanilla Ninja - Love Is War
Vanilla Ninja - Vanilla Ninja
Vanilla Ninja - Blue Tattoo
Vanilla Ninja - Traces Of Sadness
Vanilla Ninja - Silent Emotions
Eurovision - Serbia 2008 DVD
Sonja Alden - Till Dig
Winning Eleven - Soundtrack
F-Zero GX/AX - Soundtrack
Madonna - Hard Candy
Back home in early July and back to Love Is War in my home CD player. Stil, the other VN CDs got a good run. It wasn't until the final night in Japan that I listened to VNVN. Thankfully I did, because the plan to listen to it on the plane home vanished when I was upgraded to business class and spent most of the time enjoying that, including the chance to hear Madonna's Hard Candy. As with Kylie Minogue's X, it sucked!
The two soundtracks were part of several videogame soundtracks bought in Japan. Others included Metroid Prime/Fusion, Zelda Ocarina and Mario & Zelda Big Band Live. Japan is bonkers for videogame soundtracks. I'm disappointed I didn't see any Castlevania or Starfox.
Vanilla Ninja - Blue Tattoo
Vanilla Ninja - Love Is War
Vanilla Ninja - Traces Of Sadness
Eurovision - Serbia 2008
American Idol 2008 - Various downloaded (mostly Brooke & David C)
Kylie Minogue - X
I was away overseas during most of month - primarily to Estonia to see Vanilla Ninja on tour - hence so much music listening! Kylie's album was heard on the plane over. It sucked.
Despite my great love already of VN, I found even more discoveries on the older albums - albums with which I thought I already experienced a complete journey. Love Is War is such a great album that I've been listening non-stop for 2 years. On Blue Tattoo, I rediscovered the delectable Nero, which sort of became my theme song for the trip. It's such a beautiful song, with a journey of delightful arrangements, and Lenna's voice is so exquisite. I could imagine a performance of great mystique and captivation that could be done for something like ESC.
Vanilla Ninja - Love Is War
American Idol 2008 - Various downloaded (mostly Brooke & David C)
Eurovision - Serbia 2008
Eurovision - Serbia 2008 (telecast & recording)
Not a great year for ESC. Struggled to find a clear favourite, and Russia's winner was cack! May as well dispense with the voting if all that it accomplishes is the most predictable finale ever. Still, ESC is not about the contest, it's about the festival and the extravaganza. Norway was always one of my favourites, from when I first heard it after the Norwegian trials, from the CD, and proved excellent in the telecast. Ukraine put on a great performance with a song that barely caught my attention on the CD. These would be my top 2.
Vanilla Ninja - Love Is War
Sonja Alden - Till Dig
Belinda Carlisle - Voila
Sanna Neilsen - 11-22
Delta Goodrem - Delta
Vanilla Ninja - Love Is War
Sonja Alden - Till Dig
Shirley Clamp - Tålomod
Sanna Neilsen - 11-22
Eurovision - Helsinki 2008 DVD
Delta Goodrem - Delta
Melodifestivalen - 2007 DVD
Vanilla Ninja - Love Is War
Sonja Alden - Till Dig
Shirley Clamp - Tålomod
Sanna Neilsen - 11-22
Delta Goodrem - Delta
Melodifestivalen - 2007 DVD
Vanilla Ninja - Love Is War
Vanilla Ninja - Vanilla Ninja
Sonja Alden - Till Dig
Shirley Clamp - Tålomod
Sanna Neilsen - 11-22
Delta Goodrem - Delta
TATU - Dangerous and Moving
Velvet - Finally
Lena Philipsson - Lady Star
Vanilla Ninja - Love Is War
Delta Goodrem - Delta
TATU - Dangerous and Moving
Velvet - Finally
Lena Philipsson - Lady Star
Spice Girls - Greatest Hits DVD
Vanilla Ninja - Love Is War
Vanilla Ninja - Vanilla Ninja
Delta Goodrem - Delta
TATU - Dangerous and Moving
Velvet - Finally
Lena Philipsson - Lady Star
Vanilla Ninja - Love Is War
TATU - Dangerous and Moving
Velvet - Finally
Lena Philipsson - Lady Star
Vanilla Ninja - Love Is War
Eurovision - Helsinki 2007
Eurovision - Helsinki 2007 DVD
Vanilla Ninja - Love Is War
Eurovision - Helsinki 2007
Eurovision - Istanbul 2004 DVD
Vanilla Ninja - Love Is War
Eurovision - Helsinki 2007
Vanilla Ninja - Love Is War
Eurovision - Helsinki 2007
Eurovision - Helsinki 2007 (recorded telecast)
Eurovision - Helsinki 2007 DVD
Vanilla Ninja - Love Is War
Eurovision - Helsinki 2007
Eurovision - Helsinki 2007 (recorded telecast)
Helena Paparizou - The Game of Love
Vanilla Ninja - Live In Estonia DVD
ABBA - Definitive Collection DVD
Vanilla Ninja - Vanilla Ninja
Vanilla Ninja - Love Is War
Helen Paparizou - The Game of Love
Vanilla Ninja - Live In Estonia DVD
ABBA - Definitive Collection DVD
Katherine McPhee - Somewhere Over The Rainbow/My Destiny (s)
Eurovision - Kiev 2005 DVD
Eurovision - Athens 2006 DVD
Vanilla Ninja - Love Is War
Vanilla Ninja - Vanilla Ninja
Vanilla Ninja - Live In Estonia DVD
Vanilla Ninja - Best Of DVD
Helena Paparizou - The Game of Love
Belinda Carlisle - Belinda
Katherine McPhee - Somewhere Over The Rainbow/My Destiny (s)
Melodifestivalen - 50th Anniversary Favourites DVD
Melodifestivalen - 50th Anniversary Winners DVD
Melodifestivalen - 2004 DVD
Melodifestivalen - 2005 DVD
Melodifestivalen - 2006 DVD
Vanilla Ninja - Love Is War
Vanilla Ninja - Vanilla Ninja
Vanilly Nina - Live In Estonia DVD
Eurovision - Kiev 2005 DVD
Melodifestivalen - 2005 DVD
Vanilla Ninja - Love Is War
Vanilla Ninja - Vanilla Ninja
Helena Paparizou - The Game of Love
Belinda Carlisle - Belinda
Vanilla Ninja - Vanilla Ninja
Vanilla Ninja - Love Is War
Vanilla Ninja - Vanilla Ninja
Vanilla Ninja - Love Is War
Belinda Carlisle - Belinda
Belinda Carlisle - Runaway Live (DVD)
Vanilla Ninja - Love Is War
Belinda Carlisle - Heaven On Earth
Kate Ryan - Different
Kate Ryan - Stronger
Vanilla Ninja - Live In Estonia DVD
Eurovision - Kiev 2005 DVD
Eurovision - Istanbul 2004 DVD
Vanilla Ninja - Love Is War
Vanilla Ninja - Best Of
Kate Ryan - Different
Kate Ryan - Stronger
Maarja - Could You (s)
Vanilla Ninja - Live In Estonia DVD
Eurovision - Athens 2006 DVD
Vanilla Ninja - Love Is War
Vanilla Ninja - Traces Of Sadness
Shirley Clamp - Favoriter På Svenska
S-Club 7 - The Greatest Hits
Vanilla Ninja - Silent Emotions
Eurovision - Athens 2006
Vanilla Ninja - Blue Tattoo
Vanilla Ninja - Love Is War
Shirley Clamp - Favoriter På Svenska
Eurovision - Athens 2006
Melodifestivalen - 2006 DVD
Eurovision - Kiev 2005 DVD
Eurovision - Istanbul 2004 DVD
Melodifestivalen - 2005 DVD
Melodifestivalen - 2004 DVD
Vanilla Ninja - Love Is War
Eurovision - Athens 2006
Shirley Clamp - Favoriter På Svenska
Eurovision - Athens 2006 (telecast & recording)
Vanilla Ninja - Love Is War
Eurovision - Athens 2006
Shirley Clamp - Favoriter På Svenska
Vanilla Ninja - Traces Of Sadness
Eurovision - Athens 2006 (telecast & recording)
Trombo Combo - Swedish Sound Deluxe
Lena Philipsson - Jag Ångrar Ingenting
Vanilla Ninja - Best Of
Shirley Clamp - Den Längsamma Blomman
Shirley Clamp - Lever Mina Drömmar
Melodifestivalen - 2004 (DVD)
Vanilla Ninja - Best Of (DVD)
50 Years Of The Eurovision Song Contest - Winners and Favourites 1981 to 2006 (DVD)
Vanilla Ninja - Traces Of Sadness
Vanilla Ninja - Best Of
Trombo Combo - Swedish Sound Deluxe
Lena Philipsson - Jag Ångrar Ingenting
Vanilla Ninja - Silent Emotions
Melodisfetivalen - 2006 (DVD)
50 Years Of The Eurovision Song Contest - Winners and Favourites 1981 to 2006 (DVD)
Vanilla Ninja - Best Of
Vanilla Ninja - Silent Emotions
Lena Philipsson - Jag Ångrar Ingenting
Trombo Combo - The Sign (mp3)
Vanilla Ninja - Live In Estonia (DVD)
Vanilla Ninja - Best Of
Vanilla Ninja - Silent Emotions
Madonna - Confessions On A Dancefloor
Shirley Clamp - Lever Mina Drömmar
Jessica Folcker - På Svenska
Vanilla Ninja - Best Of (DVD)
Bond - The Video Collection (DVD)
Vanilla Ninja - Traces Of Sadness
Madonna - Confessions On A Dancefloor
Shirley Clamp - Lever Mina Drömmar
Jessica Folcker - På Svenska
Melodifestivalen - 2005 (DVD)
Vanilla Ninja - Live In Estonia (DVD)
Delta Goodrem - Visualise Tour (DVD)
Madonna - Confessions On A Dancefloor
Shirley Clamp - Den Längsamma Blomman
Shirley Clamp - Lever Mina Drömmar
Vanilla Ninja - Traces Of Sadness
Vanilla Ninja - Blue Tatoo
Ace Of Base - The Bridge
Jessica Folcker - På Svenska
Lena Philipsson - 100% Lena
Vanilla Ninja - Traces Of Sadness
Vanilla Ninja - Blue Tatoo
Lena Philipsson - Det Gör Ont En Stund Pä Natten Men Inget Pä Dan
Mariah Carey - Fantasy: Live At Madison Square Garden (DVD)
Sugababes - Push The Button (s)
Madonna - Confessions On A Dancefloor
Shirley Clamp - Lever Mina Drömmar
Shirley Clamp - Den Längsamma Blomman
Vanilla Ninja - Blue Tatoo
Vanilla Ninja - Traces Of Sadness
Bond - Classified
Ace Of Base - Cruel Summer
Mariah Carey - Music Box
Shirley Clamp - Den Längsamma Blomman
Shirley Clamp - Lever Mina Drömmar
Vanilla Ninja - Blue Tatoo Remixes
Bond - Classified
Vanilla Ninja - Blue Tatoo
Vanilla Ninja - Traces Of Sadness
Bond - Shine
Vanilla Ninja - Blue Tatoo Remixes
Vanilla Ninja - Blue Tatoo
Vanilla Ninja - Traces Of Sadness
Shirley Clamp - Lever Mina Drömmar
Mariah Carey - Music Box
The Corrs - Best Of The Corrs - The Videos
Vanilla Ninja - Traces Of Sadness
Vanilla Ninja - Blue Tatoo
Shirley Clamp - Lever Mina Drömmar
Jessica Folcker - På Svenska
Shirley Clamp - Den Längsamma Blomman
Melodifestivalen - 2004 (DVD)
Eurovision - Kiev 2005 (DVD)
Jessica Folcker - På Svenska
Shirley Clamp - Den Längsamma Blomman
Shirley Clamp - Lever Mina Drömmar
Vanilla Ninja - Live In Estonia (DVD)
Lena Philipsson - Fantasy
Vanilla Ninja - Cool Vibes (s)
Vanilla Ninja - I Know (s)
Shirley Clamp - Lever Mina Drömmar
Shirley Clamp - Den Längsamma Blomman
Eurovision - Kiev 2005
Eurovision - Kiev 2005 (DVD)
Shirley Clamp - Lever Mina Drömmar
Eurovision - Istanbul 2004
Lena Philipsson - Det Gör Ont En Stund Pä Natten Men Inget Pä Dan
Ace Of Base - The Bridge (demo version)
Natasha Thomas - Save Your Kisses
Lena Philipsson - 100% Lena
Robyn - Robyn Is Here
Ace Of Base - The Bridge
Ace Of Base - Da Capo
Shirley Clamp - Lever Mina Drömmar
Eurovision - Istanbul 2004
Ace Of Base - Singles Of The 90s (cc)
Delta Goodrem - Mistake Identity
Delta Goodrem - Mistake Identity
Lena Philipsson - 100% Lena
Ace Of Base - Singles Of The 90s
Lena Philipsson - Collection (cc)
Delta Goodrem - Mistake Identity
Lena Philipsson - 100% Lena
Ace Of Base - Happy Nation (Original)
Delta Goodrem - Mistake Identity
Lena Philipsson - 100% Lena
Ace Of Base - The Bridge
Delta Goodrem - Mistaken Identity
Ace Of Base - Happy Nation (Original)
Lena Philipsson - 100% Lena
Kylie Minogue - Ultimate Kylie (DVD)
Delta Goodrem - Mistaken Identity
Lena Philipsson - 100% Lena
Natasha Thomas - Save Your Kisses
Lena Philipsson - Collection CD 1984 - 2001
S Club 7 - The Greatest Hits
Ace Of Base - Da Capo
Lena Philipsson - 100% Lena
Lena Philipsson - Collection CD 1984 - 2001
S Club 7 - The Greatest Hits
Bond - Classified
Eurovision - Istanbul 2004 (DVD)
Delta Goodrem - Out Of The Blue (s)
Ace Of Base - The Bridge
Ace Of Base - Da Capo
Eurovision - Istanbul 2004
Bond - Classified
Jenny Berggren - Live at Hunnesbostrand Church
Ace Of Base - Flowers
Bond - Born
Lena Philipsson - 100% Hits
Ace Of Base - Various songs (d)
Bond - Classified
Ace Of Base - Da Capo
Ace Of Base - Flowers+
Ace Of Base - The Bridge
Bond - Remixed
No Doubt - The Singles
Ace Of Base - Various songs (d)
Ace Of Base - Flowers+
Bond - Classified
Eurovision - Istanbul 2004
Ace Of Base - The Bridge
Ace Of Base - Singles Of The 90s
Eurovision - Istanbul 2004 (DVD)
Delta Goodrem - Innocent Eyes
Kylie Minogue - Fever
Steps - Gold+
Eurovision - Istanbul 2004
Bond - Classified
Eurovision - Riga 2003
Bond - Shine
Bond - Remixes
Ace Of Base - Singles Of The 90s+
Ace Of Base - Da Capo
Ace Of Base - The Sign (Japan Remastered)
Ace Of Base - Flowers+
Jewel - 0304
TATU - 200 KMH In The Wrong Lane
Bond - Classified
Bond - Remixes
TATU - 200 KMH In The Wrong Lane
ABBA - Definitive Collection
Mariah Cary - Music Box
Kylie Minogue - Greatest Remix Hits 4
Jamelia - Superstar (s)
Ace Of Base - Da Capo
Ace Of Base - Singles Of The 90s+
Ace Of Base - Flowers+
Kylie Minogue - Red Blooded Woman (s)
Ace Of Base - Da Capo
Ace Of Base - Singles Of The 90s+
Ace Of Base - Flowers+
No Doubt - The Singles
Gerri Halliwell - Schizophonic
Aqua - Aquarius
Best of Eurovision 2002 + 2003 & Winner of 1997 (cc)
No Doubt - The Singles
Ace Of Base - Singles Of The 90s+
Madonna - American Life
Bond - Shine
Kylie Minogue - Kylie
Kylie Minogue - Body Language
Shakira - Laundry Service
Amiel - Obsession (I Love You) (s)
Christina Aguilera - Beautiful (s)
Beyonce - Crazy In Love (s)
Ace Of Base - The Bridge (Jap version)
Delta Goodrem - Innocent Eyes
Kylie Minogue - Body Language
TATU - 200 KMH In The Wrong Lane
Dead Or Alive - Evolution (DVD)
Dead Or Alive - Evolution
Delta Goodrem - Predictable, War Is Over, Here I Am (s)
No Doubt - The Singles
Madonna - American Life
Delta Goodrem - Innocent Eyes (s)
Delta Goodrem - Not Me, Not I (s)
Amiel - Obsession (I Love You) (s)
Christina Aguilera - Beautiful (s)
Ace Of Base - Da Capo
Ace Of Base - The Bridge (Jap version)
Delta Goodrem - Innocent Eyes
Kylie Minogue - Body Language
What is it with Da Capo? I've suddenly reacquired an ultra craving for it and couldn't let go. Favourites are still Ordinary Day, Remember The Words, Beautiful Morning, Unspeakable and Hey Darling. Low points are still WhatTNOTGame (mainly for the lame chorus section of "be my own redeemer" - terrible both musically and lyrically) and Jonas' heinous input (some call that singing) in Da Capo itself. Have to admit that some songs did get a bit stale after 9 months or so of total devotion but are now really refreshing after the break. I really appreciate even more Jenny's singing of Wonderful Life. She's come so far since the last album.
Ace Of Base - The Bridge (Jap version)
Delta Goodrem - Innocent Eyes
Delta Goodrem - Delta (DVD)
Delta Goodrem - Innocent Eyes with Hear Me Calling (s)
Jewel - 0304
Ace Of Base - Flowers+
Steps - Gold+
Kylie Minogue - Kylie Minogue (remastered version)
Who's Delta Goodrem, some may ask. Only Australia's new queen of music. At just 18, her debut album's gone multi-platinum, 10 times and counting, as I write. She's a cross between Celine Dion and an early Mariah, and her piano skills are featured on most tracks. But what's most endearing about her is her strikingly soft and delicate voice. "Not Me, Not I" especially harnesses her magic, and was the impetus for buying her album. It became her fourth successive number one off the album. Two of her first three number ones were ballads: "Born To Try" of the power variety with some screaming vocals late on, whilst "Lost Without You" was more tepid. That latter was far more appealing, and so too her second single, that of title track "Innocent Eyes". But the true telltale sign of why this album is doing so well commercially is the other tracks. Only "Throw It Away" do I dislike, whilst "Predictable" and "Butterfly" are true marvels amongst a batch of genuine quality songs and beautiful vocals.
Ace Of Base - The Bridge (Jap version)
Delta Goodrem - Innocent Eyes
Ace Of Base - Flowers +
Jewel - 0304
Steps - Gold +
Ace Of Base - Da Capo
Delta Goodrem - Innocent Eyes
Best of Eurovision 2002 + 2003 & Winner of 1997 (cc)
Amiel - Obsession (I love you) (s)
0304 - Jewel
Best of Eurovision 2002 + 2003 & Winner of 1997 (cc)
Ace Of Base - Da Capo
Eurovision Song Contest - Estonia 2002
Eurovision Song Contest - Riga 2003
Well, it's taken a full 8 months, but finally Da Capo's dropped from most-listened for a month. It got heaps of listening mind you, it's that the novelty of the others were too much of challenge to shake. Jewel's latest really is excellent. Only in the latter stages does it have any semblance of the folk/rock crap that she mired herself in. It's not like the single Intuition either. It's between that and her old stuff. Closest resemblance would be Belinda Carlisle of the 1990s. In fact, Jewel's borrowed her key songwriter - Rick Nowells - on many of the tracks and found a decent producer. Favourite song is easily 2 Become 1 (8), then Doin' Fine (7) and Hey You (5).
As for Eurovision, well, so what. I admit it. I love it! Been watching it for 20 years. Anyway, wanted to create a custom CD of favourites, so went crazy listening to EV2002. Actually thought 2003 killed 2002, but as it turns out, 13 2002 tracks made it across, compared with 12 from 2002. While 2003's Iceland is my favourite of the lot - probably of any EV song ever - 2002 has more depth. Also added to the CD was the 1997 winner from the UK, represented by Katrina and the Waves and the song Love Shine A Light. It's been my only favourite during the telecast that has ever won, and I still love it. I could never find the full CD of 1997, but chanced upon the single whilst hunting for AOB ones - amazing!
With EV2003, my clear favourites during the telecast were Iceland, followed my Sweden, Portugal and Malta. After listening to the CD heaps, it became Iceland, Portugal, Malta and Sweden. The middle two bombed, finishing 22nd (out of 26) and 25th respectively, but Iceland came equal 8th (with Spain), while Sweden came 5th. But both were way behind the leading trio of Turkey, Belgium and Russia, however. While Turkey's song was OK, they put up a great TV performance. The strong Turkish immigrant population throughout Europe no doubt helped with the televoting. Even Cyprus gave them 8 points, though, that's probably more to do with the Turkish sector actually being allowed to vote from this Greek dominated island. Belgium offered something unique, which appealed to anyone fed up with pop-acts. I did not like it intially, but warmed to it by its end. Russia - with TATU - was always going to do well with their strong following outside the contest. I actually wondered how Belgium even won through their national section by televoting, but, interestingly, found out that the leading three were the only songs that were chosen arbitrarily to represent their countries.
In 2002, Switzerland was my favourite, along with Estonia (the hosts), Lithuania and the UK. Estonia finished equal third with the UK, but Switzerland came 22nd and Lithuania 23rd (out of 24). After listening to the CD heaps, Denmark became a huge favourite, but they finished last in the contest! Given the dour perception of most Eurovision songs, does that mean I have taste? Lativa won with a so-so song, but as with Turkey in 2003, put on a great performance with the young lady incorporating a strip in her routine.
Ace Of Base - Da Capo
Eurovision Song Contest - Riga 2003
TATU - 200 KMH In The Wrong Lane
Bond - Shine
With the arrival of TATU, initial saturation play meant Da Capo was likely to lose for the first time ever. But when Riga 2003 arrived in the final week of June, out went TATU and AOB, but despite the constant listening, time was always against it. That's twice now that arrivals have saved AOB.
Ace Of Base - Da Capo
Bond - Shine
Ace Of Base - Da Capo (DVD)
Ace Of Base - Da Capo
Bond - Shine
Bond - Born
Bond - Live at Albert Hall (DVD)
It looked likely that Shine would finally knock Da Capo of the most-listened slot, but the arrival of the Japanese version of Da Capo mid-month - which has the bonus tracks Don't Stop and Summer Days - reinvigorated my Da Capo enthusiasm. Still, it was quite close with both albums played constantly throughout the month. Each had at least a dozen full listens and many more partial ones.
With that Japanese package also came Bond's Atlanta and Wintersun singles. Bond's Asian version of Born finally arrived too, which had the bonus track Viva plus a bonus AV-CD with remixes and MPEGs. Atlanta, which is a new track from the Shine era, also had one other new song plus remixes of Shine, Speed and Fuego, not to mention a bonus DVD with videos of Shine and Fuego, plus an interview. Got to hand it to the Japs for putting together great packages!
Compared to Born, it's more melodic and varied, less dancier, and definitely stronger overall. The first six tracks are awesome, and include my favourites of Shine, Speed and Big Love Adagio, with the latter being ultra favourite. As with Born, it tapers off a bit after the strong start, but is still filled with quality throughout. And that's probably the key. With so much variety, inevitably you won't love everything.
Even so, it's a must-buy. I'm astounded that this sort of classical crossover into pop music could be so good. Great news is that the group has a five-album deal, so there's three more to go. And if you do plan to Shine, grab the UK version, because it has the bonus tracks of Bond On Bond and Odyssey. Some versions only have Bond On Bond and some have neither. Make sure you grab Born too!
With this album, Ace Of Base are now my favourite band/music ever. Madonna - you're off! Da Capo is their fourth full album, but has only been released in Europe and Japan. At present, there's no word of it being released elsewhere as the band has become somewhat reclusive and loath to commit to the promotional demands. But if you ever, even remotely, liked their stuff from The Sign era, this album is a smokin' 21st century extension of classic Ace Of Base. Obviously get the Japanese version for the two extra songs, or hope for a local release. There's even a DVD version of the album, which is presented in 5.1 surround sound, and contains almost all their past videos, including that of the first Da Capo single, Beautiful Morning, as a bonus. Unfortunately it's only been released in Germany. Also look out for Singles Of The 90s (or Greatest Hits in the USA, though, S90 is better), which was released between Da Capo and The Bridge albums. Check my "Warrior Wisdom" for a full rundown of Da Capo.
Check my main page for links to online stores that I've used!
Ace Of Base - Da Capo
Bond - Shine
Holly Valance - Naughty Girl (s)
Bond - Live at Albert Hall (DVD)
Ace Of Base - Da Capo
Ace Of Base - Da Capo (DVD)
Kylie Minogue - Fever (DVD)
Madonna - The Video Collection 93-99 (DVD)
Ace Of Base - Unspeakable (wmp)
Ace Of Base - Da Capo
Ace Of Base - Da Capo (DVD)
UKKK Favourite Grooves - Compilation 1 (cc)
Ace Of Base - The Juvenile (s)
Ace Of Base - Unspeakable (s)
Ace Of Base - Beautiful Morning (s)
Ace Of Base - Da Capo
Ace Of Base - Unspeakable (s)
ABBA - Definitive Collection (DVD)
Ace Of Base - Beautiful Morning (s)
Various - UKKK F1 (cc)
Ace Of Base - Beautiful Morning (s)
Atomic Kitten - Tide is High (s)
Various - Eurovision 2002
Tina Cousins - Killing Time
Ace Of Base - Singles of the 90s+
Bond - Born
Kylie - Fever
Ace Of Base - Beautiful Morning (wmp)
Ace Of Base - Beautiful Morning (wmp)
Corrs - In Blue
Kylie - Fever
Steps - Gold+
Madonna - First Album
Ace Of Base - Singles of the 90s+
Madonna - Something To Remember
Madonna - Greatest Hits Version 2
Kylie - Fever
Madonna - True Blue
Jennifer Lopez - Aint It Funny (s)
Ace Of Base - Singles of the 90s+
+ - origial album customised with b-sides, remixes, etc
s - single
cc - custom collection by UKKK Productions
d - demo
wmp - windows media player file