OUR 200TH pOp POST!

Okay, we can't quite believe it ourselves either - but only ONE MONTH AGO, we were rabbiting on about our 100th pOp post and now, all of a sudden, here we are at 200! Yes, 200 perfectly positively pOpstastic •auspOp• posts! We've introduced the 'Lookback' clip to kick off each week, we're beginning to look at what pOp is infiltrating the charts, we're telling you about tours and release schedules, still showing you artwork and videos and bringing you all the pOp news you could ever need right here at your fingertips! All you need to do is LOG ON! Whilst you're here, however - if you haven't yet voted in our Great CD Singles debate, could you be a bless-pOppet and do it? You'll find all the guff by clicking GARY BARLOW! We're going to hand the findings - votes, comments and all - onto record company peeps so they can see what the pOp consumer wants!!! And as always, if you want to comment on any story on •auspOp•, just hit the 'comments' link at the bottom of each post. Thanks for reading and spreading the •auspOp• word...

Released Saturday August 02, 2008:

Alex Gaudino ftg. Shena – Watch Out (CD single)
Norah Jones – Live From Austin, Texas (DVD)
September – Cry For You (CD single)
Various – Floorfillers : Party Anthems 2008

SEPTEMBER : Cry For You

23 year old Swedish performer Petra Marklund (AKA September) is about to make her second splash on the Australian pOp landscape after a gap of three years. The new single 'Cry For You' finally makes it into Australian stores this weekend after conquering charts the world over. In her homeland Sweden, she made it as far as number six. In the US, she hit number one on the Billboard dance chart, and in the UK she reached number five in the mainstream pOp charts, selling more than 200,000 copies in the process. Now it seems Australia is also falling under her spell. It's on the playlists on Nova in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, has been added to 2Day FM, Fox FM and B105 and is also getting spins on Take 40 Australia. This girl is going places. And it seems that if the song is successful, September may just be heading to Australian shores for a promotional tour come... September. And the Australian exclusive album? Yep - that's also due (ironically) in September. It's a pure and happy slice of Swede-pOp and we can't wait for the Australian record buying public to make her a star!

FORTHCOMING MAJOR pOp RELEASES DOWN UNDER:

August 11
David Campbell – First And Foremost
Metro Station – Shake It (CD single)
Nessa Morgan – Neska
New Kids On The Block – Summertime (CD single)
Various – Ministry Of Sound : Clubbers Guide To Spring
Various – OneLove : Neon Nights
Axle Whitehead – Anywhere (CD single)

August 18
Delta Goodrem – I Can’t Break It To My Heart (CD single)
Hook ‘N’ Sling – The Best Thing ’08 (CD single)
Pnau – Embrace (CD single)
Sneaky Sound System - 2

August 25
Kaskade – Strobelight Seduction
Ladyhawke – Paris Is Burning (CD single)
Ultra Nate - Alchemy : Grime Silk Thunder Reloaded (2CD)
Various – Ministry Of Sound Headliners : Axwell
Various – Parklife 2008
Verve - Forth
Axle Whitehead – Losing Sleep

August 29
Michael Jackson – King Of Pop

September 01
Chemical Brothers – Brotherhood : Greatest Hits
Miley Cyrus – Breakout
Keri Hilson – Energy (CD single)
Various – Ministry Of Sound : Progression

September 08
Vanessa Amorosi – The Simple Things (Something Emotional) (CD single)
Dukes Of Windsor – Minus
Grafton Primary - Eon
Avril Lavigne – The Best Damn Tour (DVD)
OST – Camp Rock (CD/DVD)
Robin Thicke – Somethin’ Else
Various – Future POP 2.0
Various – Video Hits : First

September 15
Mariah Carey – I’ll Be Lovin’ You Long Time (CD single)
Ladyhawke – Ladyhawke
New Kids On The Block – The Block
Pussycat Dolls – Doll Domination
Ricki-Lee - Wiggle It (CD single)

September 22
Keri Hilson – In A Perfect World
Lady Gaga – The Fame
Bette Midler – Jackpot : Best Bette
September - September

September 29
Shannon Noll - No Turning Back : The Story So Far
Sam Sparro – 21st Century Life (CD single)

NB - all release dates subject to change & list is updated weekly

THE pOp RADAR

NEW ALBUMS COMING SOON:

LILY ALLEN : STUCK ON THE NAUGHTY STEP
ANASTACIA : HEAVY ROTATION
ANNIE : DON'T STOP
TINA ARENA : SONGS OF LOVE AND LOSS II
AQUA : GREATEST HITS
BASSHUNTER : NOW YOU’RE GONE
BOYZONE : GREATEST HITS
MELANIE B : REIMAGINED
CDB : THE FUNK SESSIONS
CHEMICAL BROTHERS : BROTHERHOOD
CHICANE : BEST OF
DIDO : SAFE TRIP HOME
DUKES OF WINDSOR : MINUS
WHITNEY HOUSTON : UNDEFEATED
VANESSA HUDGENS : IDENTIFIED
JENNIFER HUDSON : JENNIFER HUDSON
MICHAEL JACKSON : KING OF POP
MELINDA JACKSON : DESPERATE DOLLY
JEM : DOWN TO EARTH
SOLANGE KNOWLES : SOL-ANGEL AND THE HADLEY ST. DREAMS
JOHN LEGEND : EVOLVER
ROBYN LOAU : ONLY HUMAN
LINDSAY LOHAN : SPIRIT IN THE DARK
JADE MACRAE : GET ME HOME
DANIEL MERRIWEATHER : LOVE & WAR
BETTE MIDLER : JACKPOT - THE BEST BETTE
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK : BACK TO THE BLOCK
OASIS : DIG OUT YOUR SOUL
PUSSYCAT DOLLS : DOLL DOMINATION
SAINT ETIENNE : LONDON CONVERSATIONS
SHAPESHIFTERS : DO NOT DISTURB
SNEAKY SOUND SYSTEM : 2
ROBIN THICKE : SOMETHING ELSE
TRAVIS : ODE TO J SMITH
WEST END GIRLS : SHOPLIFTING
AXLE WHITEHEAD : LOSING SLEEP
WILL YOUNG : LET IT GO

PLUS: ACE OF BASE, ALL SAINTS, BANANARAMA, BASEMENT JAXX, DANIEL BEDINGFIELD, ANTHONY CALLEA, KELLY CLARKSON, JASON DONOVAN, SOPHIE ELLIS-BEXTOR, NATALIE IMBRUGLIA (2009), INFUSION, KAZ JAMES, KEANE, THE KILLERS, MIKA, NO DOUBT (2009), HAYDEN PANETTIERE, PINK, ROYKSOPP, BRITNEY SPEARS, SUGABABES, TAKE THAT

NEW SINGLES COMING SOON:

ALCAZAR : INHIBITIONS
LILY ALLEN : EVERYONE'S AT IT
ALPHABEAT : BOYFRIEND
ANNIE : I KNOW UR GIRLFRIEND HATES ME
ANNIE : MY LOVE IS BETTER
BASSHUNTER : ALL I EVER WANTED
BOYZONE : WE CAN'T STOP THINKING ABOUT YOU
MARIAH CAREY : I’LL BE LOVIN’ YOU LONG TIME
CASCADA : BECAUSE THE NIGHT
CHEMICAL BROTHERS : MIDNIGHT MADNESS
CHICANE FTG. NATASHA BEDINGFIELD : BRUISED WATER
GABRIELLA CILMI : SAVE THE LIES (UK)
SARAH CONNOR : UNDER MY SKIN
ALESHA DIXON : THE BOY DOES NOTHING
DUFFY : STEPPING STONE
ESTELLE : PRETTY PLEASE
FRAGMA : DEEPER
HERCULES & LOVE AFFAIR : YOU BELONG
JEM : IT'S AMAZING
JONAS BROTHERS : PUSHIN’ ME AWAY
SOLANGE KNOWLES : I DECIDED
CYNDI LAUPER : INTO THE NIGHTLIFE
JADE MACRAE : I WANNA BE IN LOVE
JESSE MCCARTNEY : IT’S OVER
BRIAN MCFADDEN : ROOM TO BREATHE
KYLIE MINOGUE : THE ONE
MISSY ELLIOT : BEST BEST
MOBY : OOH YEAH
JASON MRAZ : MAKE IT MINE
OASIS : THE SHOCK OF THE LIGHTNING
KATY PERRY : HOT ‘N’ COLD
PINK : SO WHAT
PNAU : EMBRACE
PRESETS : TALK LIKE THAT
RIHANNA : DISTURBIA
ROISIN MURPHY : MOVIE STAR
KELLY ROWLAND : BROKEN
SAINT ETIENNE : THIS IS TOMORROW
SAME DIFFERENCE : BREAKING FREE
SHAPESHIFTERS : CHIME
ASHLEE SIMPSON : LITTLE MISS OBSESSIVE
SAM SPARRO : 21ST CENTURY LIFE
BRITNEY SPEARS : RADAR
SHARLEEN SPITERI : IT WAS YOU
ROBIN THICKE : MAGIC
VERONICAS : TAKE ME ON THE FLOOR
WEST END GIRLS : WHAT HAVE I DONE TO DESERVE THIS
AXLE WHITEHEAD : ANYWHERE
WILL YOUNG : CHANGES

BILLY JOEL : New Shows Added

Two new shows have just been announced for Billy Joel's forthcoming Australian. Due to high demand in both Melbourne and Brisbane (his first shows in both cities have sold out), second and final shows have been announced for both cities. Brisbane's second concert will be at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on December 06 while Melbourne's second concert will be held on December 01 at Rod Laver Arena.

November 23 : Perth (Member's Equity Stadium)
November 26 : Adelaide (Entertainment Centre)
November 29 : Melbourne (Rod Laver Arena) - SOLD OUT
December 01 : Melbourne (Rod Laver Arena)
December 04 : Brisbane (Entertainment Centre) - SOLD OUT
December 06 : Brisbane (Entertainment Centre)
December 09 : Sydney (Acer Arena)

Tickets for the new Brisbane and Melbourne dates go on sale this Monday.

KATY PERRY : Thinking Of You

Just when you thought it was safe to pOp back into the water, Katy Perry has unleashed another video upon us - and strangely it's for this slow-pOp track called 'Thinking Of You' and not for the track 'Hot 'N' Cold' which everyone was touting as the next single from her massive album 'One Of The Boys'. It seems to follow Katy's sexual journey as she pines for a love she lost (and yes, she has a girl in that there bed, prompting us to think she may have progressed past the kissing girls stage). But we're a bit confused about all the blood on her hands... Not quite as controversial this time around from Ms P, but then she's had her fair share of controversy...

ELEVEN POINTS TO UNIVERSAL

In an announcement that must surely come as another devastating blow to EMI Australia, independent music label Eleven has today announced a new venture with Universal Music. It means that after September 01, Eleven's brightest stars (Silverchair, Missy Higgins, Paulmac and Kisschasy) will no longer have their music distributed locally by EMI. The move will further chip away at EMI's market and radio shares domestically, as the company struggles to gain exposure against the might of Universal, SonyBMG and Warner Music. Only four tracks in the ARIA top 50 singles this week belonged to EMI (Universal has 21, SonyBMG and Warner Music both score 12) while on the albums chart, EMI also inhabited four top 50 places, compared with Universal's 15, SonyBMG's 11 and Warner Music's 13). The move from Eleven comes less than nine months after respected dance label Ministry Of Sound also jumped ship from EMI to Universal Music.

VARIOUS : Clubbers Guide To Spring 2008

Ministry Of Sound's latest 'Clubbers Guide' CD hits the CD stores on Monday August 11 and here's a taste of what to expect. Disc one is mixed by GT (Groove Terminator) and features tracks by some of the cream of Australian dance - Hook 'N' Sling, The Potbelleez, Pnau, Cut Copy and Dukes of Windsor. Disc two is mixed by up and coming DJ Raye Antonelli and features club cuts from Kaskade, Fedde Le Grand, Alan Braxe and Benny Benassi alongside Australia's Sgt.Slick and Tommy Trash. Two CDs, 40 tracks in all and a national tour featuring GT and Raye to follow.

AND THE BOND THEME GOES TO...

After many false starts and countless rumours about just who'd be chosen to sing the theme for the upcoming James Bond movie 'Quantum Of Solace', it's been officially announced that for the first time in history, a duet is on the cards. Alicia Keys and Jack White (of the White Stripes) will team up to sing 'Another Way To Die' for the new movie, due in cinemas in November. Artists previously rumoured to be providing the theme for the project were Annie Lennox, Leona Lewis, Duran Duran, Mark Ronson and even Amy Winehouse.

CHEMICAL BROTHERS : Midnight Madness

UK dance duo The Chemical Brothers will release their greatest hits package 'Brotherhood' in Australia on September 01. But before they do, they want to unleash their Midnight Madness upon you. We can picture this going totally 'orf' at a rave or at selected disco parties where biscuits are readily available but one thing's virtually guaranteed - you're not going to be hearing this on 2UE. And if you thought the last clip (The Presets) was a little dark and moody, check this one out! The premise; Strange creature jumps out of a dumpster in a dark alley and proceeds to dance like a madman. Said creature begins to climb up walls, jump across air-conditioning units, over buildings and breaks it's neck after landing awkwardly on the roof. But a bad break stops him not! He breaks into someone's place, pops downstairs and performs an acrobatic routine on a stage, before heading back to his dumpster to sleep it all off. One thing's for certain (and to borrow from Emma Bunton), we're not gonna sleep tonight...

THE PRESETS : Talk Like That

Sydney outfit The Presets have just unleashed their brand new video upon an unsuspecting Australian public - and Julian (on the right) is clearly screaming "WHHHYY!?". Of course, we jest. 'Talk Like That' is the third local single to be lifted from their critically acclaimed former No.1 album 'Apocalpyso', though at this stage, there seems to be no plans for a hard copy CD single. The clip begins with a young girl (who appears to have a serious moth problem in her cupboards) worshipping at the altar of Julian and Kim, before trying her hand at being a drummer (like you do). She then dances around as if she's been hit with a tazer before deciding that the drums are definitely not for her. Then, looking like the creature from the well in the movie 'Ring', she hunts down an electric guitar, later destroying it like an old rock 'n' roller. The clip concludes with her almost knocking herself out. We don't know what it all means, but it's scared the pants off us...

WILL YOUNG HITS UK RADIO

Will Young's brand new single 'Changes' is now at British radio. It made it's debut on Radio 2 yesterday and fans can hear a snippet at Will's official website. 'Changes' is the first single to be lifted from Will's forthcoming fourth studio album 'Let It Go', with the single scheduled for a UK release on September 15 and the album following two weeks later. Meanwhile, the album's tracklisting has also been confirmed;
1. Changes
2. Grace
3. Won't Look Down
4. Tell Me The Worst
5. I Won't Give Up
6. Disconnected
7. If Love Equals Nothing
8. Love
9. Simple Philosophy
10. Let It Go
11. Are You Happy
12. You Don 't Know
13. Free My Mind

To hear the snippet of 'Changes', head to; WILL YOUNG

ANASTACIA MOVES TO ISLAND

American soul/pOp songstress Anastacia is currently putting the finishing touches to her brand new album, due for release in Europe at the end of October. The album (rumoured to be called 'Heavy Rotation') has a bevvy of producers on-board including man-of-the-moment Ne-Yo. But the big surprise is that Anastacia has now signed to Island Records, distributed in Australia (and through much of Europe) by Universal Music. Why SonyBMG let her go is a mystery, given her last album with them sold around ten million copies globally, topping the charts in the UK, Germany, Greece, Sweden, Norway and even here in Australia. Anastacia will head to Europe in October for the album's release, before making her way around the world to promote her fourth LP, the first since 2004's 'Anastacia' which spawned the hit 'Left Outside Alone'.

WHITNEY LEAKS

A brand new Whitney Houston track was leaked to the internet in the early hours of this morning. Believed to be lifted from her forthcoming album, due in November, the track called 'Like I Never Left' features guest vocals by rapper and record producer Akon. It's believed that Akon also produced the track. Whitney's new album, rumoured to be called 'Undefeated' will be her first studio album since 2002's 'Just Whitney'.

THE GREAT CD SINGLES DEBATE

We used to be so excited to race out to the nearest music store each weekend to find out what CD singles had been released. We’d look at the amazing cover arts, peruse the tracklistings and, with a number of discs in our hands, we’d wander over to the counter to complete the purchase.
The humble CD single has been around for a smidge over 20 years, but these days, sales of the once popular music medium are in rapid decline. But what’s driving this downturn in sales? And who’s really killing off the CD single – fans…? Or the record companies themselves?

Is it the ‘digital’ music revolution?
As soon as a track is taken to radio these days, it’s available to download pretty much straight away – and if not available by legal means, consumers will obtain it illegally. It could then be up to a two month wait before a CD single is released into stores. Dannii Minogue suffered at the hands of her UK record company who took ‘Touch Me Like That’ to radio more than two months before it’s retail release, by which time everyone had it digitally and they were already tiring of it.

Is it the delay in release of the music in Australia?
With the advent of the internet, fans are now more switched on to what’s happening with their favourite artists than ever before – information is available instantly. We in Australia usually have to wait months to get CD singles released here – and sometimes they’re not released at all. For example, the Freemasons’ single ‘Uninvited’ was released in the UK on October 22 last year, locally it was out on May 26 this year (a seven month gap). Companies like Amazon, Tower and HMV ship worldwide – and relatively cheaply.

Is it that record companies are no longer giving the fans what they want?
Savvy artists these days know that their fans want everything – and will go to the ends of the earth to get it, so they’ll release different formats in different countries with differing tracklistings and artwork.
The Pet Shop Boys have been cleverly doing this for years, but it’s only recently that other artists have been cottoning on to the fact that there’s money to be made from the fans.
Take Madonna, for example; These days, she releases one CD single in Australia, a two-part CD single set in the UK and a maxi (remix) single in the United States. Kylie released her single ‘Wow’ with different artwork in Australia, the UK and even in Germany.

Is it the cost?
Depending on where you shop, CD singles can range from $3 (Dick Smith Power House) to $5.99 (Sanity). Most of the time these days, record companies are limiting the CD single release to two tracks. And when one track on digital sites like iTunes will cost you $1.69 (and you can buy it without leaving the house), $5.99 isn’t a desirable price-point for just two songs.

We believe these are just some of the factors that are killing off the humble CD single. We believe there’s still a market for CD singles, but that record companies need to start realising that we now live in a global marketplace. They need to start thinking smarter, putting out releases with Australian exclusive content, exclusive artwork etc. Because at the end of the day, we consumers are not stupid. Record companies have got to make it worth our while to go into the shop and buy something that’s not available at our fingertips here on the keyboard.
So now it’s over to you… We want to know what YOU think. Do you still buy CD singles? If not, why not? What would you like to see on CD singles released in Australia? What would you like to see happen to the CD singles market in Australia? We’d love to know your thoughts.
You can comment simply by hitting the ‘comments’ button at the bottom of this post. You can also have your say over in the right column with our new ‘poll’ (which we'll leave open 'til the end of August). Vote once, vote twice if you must.

GNARLS BARKLEY : Who's Gonna Save My Soul

It's causing a bit of a kerfuffle in the UK at the moment, and on seeing the unedited version of the clip, we kind of get why. But the new video from Gnarls Barkley (pictured left following failed auditions for Dealettes role on 'Deal Or No Deal') is actually quite clever. Broken-hearted man chatting to ex in cafe decides, 'no, no, I'm going to stab myself with a knife and pull out my heart so you can have it 'cause I'm not going to be needing it from here on in'. Said heart then finds a piece of broccoli to it's liking and proceeds to sing the rest of the song into it like it's a microphone. Nothin' like singing a love song from the heart.... (faint sound of 'boom-tish)...

TINA ARENA TOURING... SORT OF...

Our own Tina Arena is set to join tenor Andrea Bocelli on-stage for his forthcoming Australian tour. According to an official press release, Tina will be "taking time out from her UK recordings of the follow up “Songs of Love & Loss II” album" to join Andrea for his four Australian dates. This follows on from confirmation from Tina's management that an English language album of '7 Vies' will NOT be released, as previously rumoured. Meanwhile, Tina will join Andrea to sing the duets he plans to perform for local audiences. Below are the concert dates;

August 22 : Brisbane (Brisbane Entertainment Centre)
August 24 : Sydney (Acer Arena)
August 27 : Melbourne (Rod Laver Arena)
August 30 : Perth (Burswood Dome)

DANNII CLOSES G-A-Y

Australia's own 'Disco' Dannii Minogue brought down the curtains on famous club night
'G-A-Y' at London's Astoria overnight as the venue closes to make way for the city's new underground Crossrail link. Dannii performed 'Xanadu' and 'All I Wanna Do' to bring to a close more than a decade of pOp clubbing history. Earlier in the night, patrons were treated to performances by '80s pOpsters Bucks Fizz, Sophie Ellis Bextor, Texas, new girl group 'The Saturdays', Swede pOp act Alcazar and Sam Sparro. The night is reported to be temporarily heading to long-time rival 'Heaven' until a suitable permanent venue can be found.

CHART WATCH

Let's have a look at the pOp movements on this week's ARIA charts... Katy Perry's firmly ensconced atop the ARIA singles, physical singles and digital track charts with her hit 'I Kissed A Girl'. Sam Sparro moves up to No.4 on the official singles chart this week with 'Black And Gold', just two weeks out from his next single '21st Century Life' being officially serviced to Australian media. Lady Gaga races up 17 chart spaces to No.17 with 'Just Dance' while a disappointing debut for Madonna sees her latest single 'Give It 2 Me' debut at No.23, though better news for Madge is that it seems fans were in the CD stores buying the single proper - it debuted at No.8 on the physical singles chart. More debuts on the singles chart include MGMT (No.30), Gabriella Cilmi (No.31), Rihanna (No.35) and Brian McFadden (No.37). Rihanna's new single 'Disturbia' isn't out on CD single yet - it's No.35 debut due to download sales alone. Over on the albums chart, The Living End couldn't budge the Mamma Mia soundtrack off the top spot, with the band that inspired the movie, Abba, filling four places in the albums chart (Nos 4, 36, 38 and 40).

THE CARDIGANS : My Favourite Game

Riding high on the success of previous hit 'Lovefool', Swedish five-piece 'The Cardigans' caused quite a stir when this video hit the airwaves ten years ago. So much so that it was released in two different versions, the other (G rated) version featuring lead singer Nina merely driving a car for the entire clip. But this is the version that caused such a stir, eventually being banned from countless music channels the world over and not because it appeared Nina's tattoo was rubbing off on the red leather upholstery. No, the band was slammed because the clip featured Nina erratically driving a convertible, in some parts steering it with her feet, in others drifting wildly across the road causing innumerable car accidents and all while not wearing a seatbelt. It was feared that the world's impressionable youths might try to emulate Nina's behaviour behind the wheel. With four different endings, this version of the clip features Nina standing in the car, her arms outstretched before colliding head-on with a van filled with her band-mates. It's a hairy ride through the deserts of California - particularly with The Cardigans. Don't try this at home...

NEXT WEEK : The Great CD Singles Debate Begins...

What is to be the future of the CD single? Will you survive if (more probably when) record companies stop producing them? What would you like to see on CD singles? Do they represent good value for money? We'll start the debate next week. Watch this space...

ULTRA NATE : Alchemy - GST Reloaded

GST might mean something a little different to Aussies, but Ultra Nate fans will be most excited by the news that Stomp Entertainment is set to release her brand new 22 track double album 'Alchemy - GST Reloaded' locally just six days after it's release in the United States. Due in Aussie CD stores from August 25, this new compilation album features killer remixes of tracks from Ultra's album 'Grime|Silk|Thunder' and from her mix-CD 'The Sugar Sessions 01'. These include the Bimbo Jones remix of her latest single 'Give It All You Got' and remixes of her Pointer Sisters cover 'Automatic'. Other remixers lending their talent to the set are Ferry Corsten, Craig C, Kenny Dope, Ron Carroll and Mood II Swing. Meanwhile, Ultra's 2007 album 'Grime|Silk|Thunder' remains unreleased in Australia.

Released Saturday July 26, 2008:

Dolly Parton – Backwoods Barbie
Katy Perry – One Of The Boys (Aus edition with bonus track)

AXWELL & BOB SINCLAR : What A Wonderful World

No, no - we know what you're thinking, but the Louis Armstrong track this is not. Two of the biggest names in dance music today have combined to rework one of their previous hits. Sweden's Axwell has been invited onto the mix and along with French DJ Bob Sinclar, both have updated Bob's 2004 club hit "Wonderful World". We quite like the message behind this track too - "people are loving one another, sharing with one another, imagine a world where there's only peace" etc etc. It's a full-on love-in for a whole three minutes and 20 seconds and we can imagine it doing most well in the clubs of the nation, but for the life of us we can't work out what happens to the track at the end - it just seems to come to a most abrupt stop. The club versions of this are already up on iTunes, but let's hope the fix the ending for the single proper.

HOMEBAKE08

Homebake08 is on the way - set to invade The Domain in Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens on Saturday December 06. Now in it's 10th consecutive year, the line-up in 2008 is like a who's who of Australian dance/pOp, with Sneaky Sound System, Infusion, Potbelleez, Cut Copy, Gabriella Cilmi, Pnau and many many more all added to the line-up. Teaming up with Amnesty International, the theme for this year's Homebake is 'Peace In The Park' with organisers hoping for "a theme based on a universal attitude of change and with a social slant towards an overall era of wanting (& accepting) of peace and unity". Crowded House, Kasey Chambers, Dash & Will, You Am I and The Vines will also perform on the day. Tickets for this year's event go on sale on Monday August 18.

www.homebake.com.au

SHAPESHIFTERS : Defected In The House

Earlier this month, we brought you the clip of the brand new Shapeshifters track 'Chime', a cover of the 1989 Orbital track. Well now comes the good news for those who loved it so much that they want to buy it on CD... It'll be available on the new Shapeshifters 'Defected In The House' 3CD compilation, due out on September 01. The 3CD set (pictured) features tracks from X-Press2, ATFC, De'Lacy, Dirty South, Axwell, Fedde Le Grand and many more. Gotta say, not really our cup of tea, but the cover art is bloody amazing!

FORTHCOMING MAJOR pOp RELEASES DOWN UNDER:

August 04
Alex Gaudino ftg. Shena – Watch Out (CD single)
Norah Jones – Live From Austin, Texas (DVD)
September – Cry For You (CD single)
Various – Floorfillers : Party Anthems 2008

August 11
David Campbell – First And Foremost
Nessa Morgan – Neska
New Kids On The Block – Summertime (CD single)
Various – Ministry Of Sound : Clubbers Guide To Spring
Various – OneLove : Neon Nights
Axle Whitehead – Anywhere (CD single)

August 18
Delta Goodrem – I Can’t Break It To My Heart (CD single)
Hook ‘N’ Sling – The Best Thing ’08 (CD single)
Pnau – Embrace (CD single)
Sneaky Sound System - 2

August 25
Ladyhawke – Paris Is Burning (CD single)
Ultra Nate - Alchemy : Grime Silk Thunder Reloaded (2CD)
Various – Ministry Of Sound Headliners : Axwell
Various – Parklife 2008
Verve - Forth
Axle Whitehead – Losing Sleep

August 29
Michael Jackson – King Of Pop

September 01
Chemical Brothers – Brotherhood : Greatest Hits

September 08
Vanessa Amorosi – The Simple Things (Something Emotional) (CD single)
Avril Lavigne – The Best Damn Tour (DVD)
New Kids On The Block – The Block
Robin Thicke - Somethin' Else
Various – Future POP 2.0

September 15
Dukes Of Windsor – Minus
Ladyhawke - Ladyhawke
Pussycat Dolls – Doll Domination

September 22
Bette Midler – Jackpot : Best Bette
Various – Ministry Of Sound : Progression

NB - all release dates subject to change & list is updated weekly

DELTA GOODREM : US Chart Position

Australia's Delta Goodrem (pictured left after an explosion at a poultry farm) has debuted at 116 on the US album charts, selling just over six thousand copies of her album in it's first week of release. Although surely a disappointing result, it will give Delta something to work from as she continues in her quest to conquer the notoriously difficult United States market. Meanwhile, Delta will be busy preparing for her upcoming Australian tour, kicking off in Newcastle on January 09. The tour takes in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Newcastle, Perth and Sydney and tickets go on sale from Thursday August 21.

January 09 : Newcastle (Civic Theatre)
January 12 : Sydney (State Theatre)
January 13 : Sydney (State Theatre)
January 16 : Melbourne (Hamer Hall)
January 17 : Melbourne (Hamer Hall)
January 24 : Canberra (Royal Theatre)
January 27 : Brisbane (Convention Centre)
January 30 : Adelaide (Entertainment Centre)
February 03 : Perth (Kings Park)

TAKE THAT : Good News And Bad

Take That fans are in for some good news... And then some not so good news if reports filtering out of the UK prove to be true. But first for the good news; Take That's new album, the follow-up to their 2006 album 'Beautiful World' will be released before the end of the year. According to Britain's 'Daily Star' newspaper, Jason Orange says the band is remaining true to their pOp roots on the new album, but adds that it will have an experimental edge to it. But the bad news for TT fans is that Jason believes the accompanying tour (2009) will probably be Take That's last, saying "I can’t see us being like the Rolling Stones and being in Take That when I am 40 or 50 years old.” Given that Jason is now 38, that gives us at least two more years of Take That touring to look forward to. Let's all hope that Australian radio gets behind the new material or a local touring company decides to try their luck on a Take That tour so that we may see them come back down under just one more time...

AMBER & ZELMA DAVIS : No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)

Here's one that seems to have come out of nowhere... Dutch born pOpster Amber ('This Is Your Night', 'Sexual') has teamed up with former C+C Music Factory vocalist Zelma Davis for a feisty cover of the classic 'No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)'. Originally a hit for Donna Summer and Barbra Streisand in 1979, this new version is set to be released digitally worldwide on August 12. But for a lucky few who pre-order, a limited edition seven track CD single will make it's way to your place for just $10(US) including delivery. And better still, you'll have it signed by both of the delightful pOp divas.
Here's the tracklist for the single proper;

1. Pathos V2 Classic Mix 5:12
2. Pathos V2 Kick Out Radio Edit 3:48
3. Pathos V2 Kick Out Video Edit 5:11
4. Solar City Radio Edit 3:53
5. Solar City Album Edit 5:12
6. Solar City Epic Mixshow 6:38
7. Solar City Epic Club Mix 10:49

Those wishing to get their hands on the CD might want to contact her people via her website before August 01. www.amber-mcc.com

MERCURY PRIZE NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED

Below is the list of the albums that have made the cut for nomination in the UK's Mercury Prize for 2008.











Adele : 19
British Sea Power : Do You Like Rock Music?
Burial : Untrue
Elbow : The Seldom Seen Kid
Estelle : Shine
Laura Marling : Alas, I Cannot Swim
Neon Neon : Stainless Style
Portico Quartet : Knee Deep In The North Sea
Rachel Unthank : The Bairns
Radiohead : In Rainbows
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss : Raising Sand
The Last Shadow Puppets : The Age Of The Understatement

Just one question... Where are the Spice Girls!? Where's Girls Aloud!? What about Goldfrapp!!!? Roisin Murphy!? (okay that's four questions...) Even Take That didn't get a nod in these awards, so they're pretty much a non-entity in the pOp world...

IDOL UPDATE

The countdown to Australian Idol 2008 continues, with new behind the scenes footage of Network 10's 'Can You Feel It' commercial appearing on the official Australian Idol website. The video contains the disclaimer "The following 'Making Of' video contains just some of the thousands of contestants that auditioned for Idol '08. The contestants featured in this video may or may not make the top 100.", but •auspOp• predicts that some or all of the featured performers will in fact make the top 100 (why the hell would they have flown them to Sydney otherwise!?).
Industry insiders predict that the 2008 Idol series won't make it's debut on Network 10 until after the Beijing Olympics, the closing ceremony of which is on August 24.

To view the behind the scenes footage, head to;

www.australianidol.com.au

SARAH CONNOR : Under My Skin

German pOpster Sarah Connor had a hit here in Australia with 'He's Unbelievable' back in 2003, but far from being idle, she's been releasing music throughout Europe every year since then, racking up four German No.1 singles. Her single 'From Zero To Hero' (2005) was released to radio here in Australia, but never to retail. But she's back with a brand new single, the first from her forthcoming seventh studio album, due for release in Europe later this year. The clip (although quite simple) shows she's lost none of her sexiness and sass over the past five years - and we reckon this song would actually work at Australian radio right now. And we'd really like one of those rooms with all the disco balls in as our offices thanks! (PS - Not going to happen...)

RIHANNA : Disturbia

Okay, with this brand spanking new clip by Rihanna, we're starting to form an idea as to just why she's one of the hottest pOp properties on the planet today. This new video is SMOKING! Combining the sensational up-tempo single with some dark, moody (dare we suggest almost gothic) style imagery, this track is going to take Rihanna right back to the tops of charts the world over. Let's set the scene for you; Rihanna is possessed by a spinning chair, a fact re-iterated by the eeriness of the opening soundtrack. But that's not all, another Rihanna is stuck in a cage - this one has strange glassed-over eyes (probably the peroxide leaking into her head from the blonde hair). She later goes crazy because her bed has no mattress, there are chains growing down her inner-thighs (tip: depilatory creams won't fix this problem) and someone sets her on fire. She tries to make love to a dummy, but he just lies there (we've all been there) and there's a scene that will make claustrophobics the world over squirm in horror. Awesome clip, awesome track - we smell a big, BIG hit...

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

AAAH! We see what they've done there... It's blue... And it's No.2! How sneaky of them... Quite literally, as it happens...

HAYDEN PANETTIERE : Wake Up Call

TV star Hayden Panettiere ('the cheerleader' Claire Bennett in Heroes) is continuing her music career with this brand new single, 'Wake Up Call', the video of which has just premiered in the United States. In the clip, she looks decidedly glamorous, all pouty with her mounds of blonde locks (and then brunette), the perfect poster girl if you will for the walls of toolsheds the world over. We've got to admit, however, that the track has more than a whiff of the 'Paris Hiltons' about it - it's virtually identical in sound to the party heiress's debut 'Stars Are Blind'. And for that reason and for that reason only, we don't like it. Sorry HP (hey, isn't that a sauce...?)



Image above © 'Genlux' Magazine. (www.genlux.com)

COMING SOON : Duosseudo

The two chaps pictured below (Luc: 'Are you thinking what I'm thinking?' Marc: 'I don't know, but does it involve chopping some herbs with this bugger-off big knife I'm hiding behind my back?...') make up Melbourne-based outfit "Duosseudo" and they're on the verge of releasing their debut album 'We Are One'. Both chaps have been part of the dance music scene for more than ten years, both have a unique passion for dance - and together they've carved out a reputation for producing some of the best damned remixes you ever did hear. They've remixed Gotye, they've remixed Gabriella Cilmi, they've reworked Yelle and The Bird And The Bee, all while working out of a small studio operation in Melbourne's inner-east. Their debut album is out 'at the end of August', preceded by a single 'Just A Boy' most soon. Looking forward to hearing what these boys have to offer... and we've got to say, that little logo of theirs (that's it above these here words) is one of the most eye-catching and spectacular we've seen in 'donkeys'!

ROBIN THICKE : Magic

Well hasn't someone had a pretty penny spent on their new clip then...!? Remember Robin Thicke? He had a pretty good hit here in Australia in 2003 with a track called 'When I Get You Alone', but in more recent years he's cut his hair and has been fashioning himself into somewhat of an R&B god in the US through albums 'A Beautiful World' and 'The Evolution Of Robin Thicke' (both of which were released to very little fanfare down under. And with a voice not dissimilar to one Stevie Wonder's, it seems this 'evolution' he's talking about has been taking Robin in very much the right direction - this new soul-pOp inspired track is awesome. It comes from Robin's forthcoming fourth album 'Something Else' and if his record company can steer him in the right direction, this material has 'hit' written all over it. A most welcome and stylish return!

WILL YOUNG : Your Game

As we patiently await the UK release of Will Young's new album 'Let It Go' on September 29, we thought it imperative that we have a look this week at one of Will's previous videos, the spectacular 'Your Game'. Filmed in Sydney, the clips starts off understated, cool and broody, almost like it's been filmed in a smoky jazz club (albeit with a severe rising damp problem). But just as we're lulled into a false sense of security, the curtains are drawn, revealing that we are in fact in a massive gospel church! But wait! No, he's playing jolly tricks with us, 'cause now we're catapulted into a lovely park, a perfect autumnal scene where mothers are pushing prams and businessmen are reading their newspapers above their heads (how strange). But again, just as we've gotten comfortable with the scene that's been set, we're off again, seemingly to the backstreets of New York, beneath a massive railway viaduct before being dragged kicking and screaming to the amazing Coney Island, resplendent with Ferris Wheel and Merry-Go-Round. Then we're whisked to a city rooftop for the finale before the poor janitor has to come along and clean up the whole bloody mess, poor bastard. It's exhausting! But an extraordinarily spectacular clip that warns us not to get too comfortable with young Will, 'cause as sure as eggs, he's going to take all of our perceptions and shatter then into a million pieces... Roll on September 29!

CHART WATCH

A few interesting movements over on the official ARIA charts this week that we thought it imperative to mention in the column inches of •auspOp•... Firstly Ms Katy Perry remains ensconced in the top spot for the second week in a row, due to a continued strong showing in the digital downloads chart and now on the physical singles chart, where she also debuts at No.1 this week. Following an awesome (but all too brief) little promo tour back home, Mister Sam Sparro bullets his way into the No.5 spot on the charts this week with 'Black And Gold'. He's at No.7 on both the digital track and physical singles charts and his pOptastic album debuts at No.23 over on the albums chart. Metro Station has moved up the charts an incredible 21 places to No.4 this week on digital downloads alone - a result that augers very well indeed for the longevity of this single too. And for proof that the hit movie 'Mamma Mia' is taking audiences by storm, look no further than the No.1 spot on the Australian albums chart - where the movie's soundtrack now finds it's home, knocking Coldplay off the top spot. Elsewhere for the Swedes, Abba Gold re-enters at No.4, '18 Hits' is at No.43 and 'Number Ones' debuts at No.49 - and amazingly, the single 'Mamma Mia' has also entered the ARIA Singles Charts at No.48 (on downloads alone), it's first appearance on an official ARIA chart.

Links to both the ARIA singles and albums charts are in the right hand column.

JADE MACRAE : I Wanna Be In Love

Here's your first look at the sleeve art for the brand new Jade Macrae single 'I Wanna Be In Love' which makes it's way to radio stations across the country from this Monday (July 21). The single follows up last year's 'In The Basement' with Jade travelling in a more traditional pOp direction with this new single, the second from her forthcoming album 'Get Me Home'. Since her 'best female artist' win at the 2007 Urban Music Awards, Jade's been travelling the world, working with some top pOp producers on her second album and this first single will give us just a small taste to what to expect when the album finally gets it's release on Monday October 06. Expect the single to drop at retail in early September.

Released Saturday July 19, 2008:

Cristian Alexanda – Won’t Let You Go (CD single)
Gabriella Cilmi – Don’t Wanna Go To Bed Now (CD single)
Darren Hayes – The Time Machine Tour (DVD)
Lady Gaga – Just Dance (CD single)
Madonna – Give It 2 Me (CD single)
Brian McFadden – Twisted (CD single)
Sharleen Spiteri – Melody
Tina Turner – One Last Time Live (DVD)
Various - Campest Clips Ever (DVD)
Various – Hed Kandi : Disco Heaven
Various – It’s A Boy Thing : 25 Years Of The Best Boybands
Various – Wild Weekends 2008

FEIST : 1,2,3,4 (With A Twist...)

We've got to admit right here and now that after seeing the official video for Feist's amazing hit single '1,2,3,4', we just didn't think it could get any better for the quirky Canadian. But we guess we were wrong... Here's a quick clip of Feist dropping in on the Sesame Street gang recently, performing the hit originally written by Melburnian Sally Seltmann, albeit with brand new lyrics - all about counting to four! There's penguins by the door, chickens who've been down at the shore and muppets walking 'cross the floor. The clip also gives a very obvious nod to the original clip, with everyone disappearing at the end and Feist taking her obligatory bow. Hilarious!

MARY J BLIGE CANCELS AUS TOUR

Chugg Entertainment has today announced the cancellation of Mary J Blige's first Australian concert tour, slated for November dates in Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. The tour was originally postponed in early June with Mary's team citing "weariness from an overwhelming tour schedule". This time, the excuse is "rescheduling issues surround the existing tour schedule" and "personal commitments". Her planned concerts in Switzerland, France and Germany were also cancelled recently with the excuse on that occasion being "technical problems". Can we suggest that perhaps Mary's star is not quite as bright as some would have us believe and that poor ticket sales throughout not only Australia, but Europe and New Zealand may have been the true reason for the cancellations...

FORTHCOMING MAJOR pOp RELEASES DOWN UNDER:

July 28
Dolly Parton – Backwoods Barbie

August 04
Alex Gaudino ftg. Shena – Watch Out (CD single)
Norah Jones – Live From Austin, Texas (DVD)
Katy Perry – One Of The Boys
September – Cry For You (CD single)

August 11
David Campbell – First And Foremost
Nessa Morgan – Neska
New Kids On The Block – Summertime (CD single)
Various – Ministry Of Sound : Clubbers Guide To Spring
Various – OneLove : Neon Nights
Axle Whitehead – Anywhere (CD single)

August 18
Delta Goodrem – I Can’t Break It To My Heart (CD single)
Hook ‘N’ Sling – The Best Thing ’08 (CD single)
Vanessa Hudgens - Identified
Sneaky Sound System - 2

August 25
Vanessa Amorosi – My House (CD single)
Ladyhawke – Paris Is Burning (CD single)
Pnau – Embrace (CD single)
Various – Ministry Of Sound Headliners : Axwell
Various – Parklife 2008
Axle Whitehead – Losing Sleep

August 29
Michael Jackson – King Of Pop

September 01
Chemical Brothers – Brotherhood : Greatest Hits

September 08
Avril Lavigne – The Best Damn Tour (DVD)
New Kids On The Block – The Block
Various – Future POP 2.0

September 15
Dukes Of Windsor – Minus
Ladyhawke - Ladyhawke
Pussycat Dolls – Doll Domination
Jessica Simpson - Do You Know

September 22
Bette Midler – Jackpot : Best Bette
Various – Ministry Of Sound : Progression

NB - all release dates subject to change & list is updated weekly

DELTA GOODREM : I Can't Break It To My Heart

It’s been a busy week for ‘our’ Delta – two days ago we reported on the long awaited release of her debut self-titled album in the United States. Today, we’re reporting that Delta's brand new Aussie single has just been sent to Australian radio and the corresponding video has just made it’s debut on breakfast television. “I Can't Break It To My Heart” is the fourth single to be lifted from Delta’s self-titled third local album and the video features shots of a live performance interspersed with black and white imagery from photo shoots and her video diary from both here and overseas. The song itself is classic Delta - and the single (presumably the final release from the album) will be in stores on Monday August 18.