‘The Graduate’ has piano-driven songs high on happy pills, woozy electronics and beefed up bass. Where guitars would once have swooned, now they swagger and there is a new-found feistiness to Pallot’s emotive vocals.

Occasionally, the Brit and Ivor Novello-nominated singer strays so far from the haunting sound of her former hit singles, she is almost unrecognisable. Sometimes, she pulls off a ballad of such breathtaking beauty it could be by no-one else.

Buy Music:

Nerina Pallot on amazon.co.uk

Nerina Pallot on amazon.com

Self-produced and recorded in the North London studio she shares with her husband, Grammy-nominated producer Andrew Chatterley, ‘The Graduate’ took shape after two turbulent years in Pallot’s life. The first found her struggling to deal with the fame Fires had brought her and the non-stop touring that entailed. The second was a case of writer’s block caused by meeting and marrying Chatterley, who hails from Pallot’s homeland of Jersey. The problem was one not often found in pop – she was too content to want to write songs.

“The idea of me writing tortured lyrics went out the window,” laughs Pallot. “After years of living out of a suitcase, watching my personal life fall apart and drinking too much, I was suddenly happier than I’ve ever been. At one stage, I wasn’t sure I’d ever make another album. I loved just being normal, having a home to go to and finally being able to attend friends’ birthday parties. I could have written a song about my fantastic fish terrine, but I doubt anyone would have wanted to hear it.”

The impetus to return to writing came only after Pallot’s record label, tired of waiting for a follow-up to Fires, sent her to the States to work with Linda Perry, the one-woman hit factory for the likes of Christina Aguilera and Pink. The pair recorded two songs together before Pallot fled home. Then came sessions with Rob Davis (who co-wrote Kylie’s “Can’t Get You Out Of My Head”) and Rick Knowles (Madonna, Dido), with whom Pallot became good friends and wrote 15 songs, none of which appear on The Graduate.

“I adore Rick and we work okay together, but he told me what I already knew,” recalls Pallot. “That I didn’t need to write with anyone. I do a better job on my own.”

Pallot’s sense of self-sufficiency grew when she returned to material she had written on the road touring Fires, but never unfinished. Realising she already had several great songs, she set about completing them, determined to produce and programme the album herself, calling on friends to contribute, rather than outsiders and session musicians.

Among the songs was The Graduate’s stunning first single “Real Late Starter”, which sets sassy, self-depreciating lyrics to uptempo piano-pop that nods to ‘70s Elton John and one of Pallot’s more recent favourite bands, Scissor Sisters.

“Real Late Starter I began when I was touring with James Blunt three years ago,” explains Pallot. “I felt like a real loser, making my way to gigs on a train with my mate who was my tour manager while James was helicoptering in. I’d hear him arriving overhead and think ‘That’ll be me one day’ but it didn’t happen. I came home and, yes, still felt like a loser!

“I had so much fun when I came to finish that song because by then I was happy. There’s a real sense of ‘Yeah, sometimes life is shit, but hey, I’m actually doing okay’. Everyone feels like that from time to time and when I play it live, people love it. They seem to get it straight away.”

A major shift in Pallot’s sound was down to the music she was listening to.

“My tastes have definitely changed,” she says. “I’ve come to really love good pop music. Like everyone else, I was bored stiff of singer/songwriters and wanted to find something fresh. The band I became obsessed with was MGMT. I was inspired by their attitude to making music. It’s so creative. They just throw out lots of ideas, try out lots of mad sounds and have a laugh, but with the basis of really strong songs. I didn’t want to think about what would get on the radio or what’s the trendy sound right now. I just went for it and had fun.”

The result is a compelling collection of songs that range from the rocky “The Right Side”, Pallot’s attempt at a football chant, to the quirky, heavily-programmed funk-pop of “I Don’t Want To Go Out”, a co-production with Chatterley, to the strikingly-titled, Sheryl Crow-meets-Squeeze song “When Did I Become Such A Bitch”. More typical Pallot perhaps are strings-drenched slowie “Human” and love song “It Starts”. The biggest surprise is the dreamy, spaced-out, electronic-pop of “Cigarette”.

“I Don’t Want To Go Out and Cigarette in particular are completely different to anything I’ve done in the past,” admits Pallot. “That’s why I love them. Cigarette is my homage to Air, Pink Floyd and MGMT. It’s a song that doesn’t need a verse or a chorus or try to be commercial, it’s just a great soundscape.”

One of the songs on ‘The Graduate’ was originally destined for Kylie, for whose forthcoming Pallot and Chatterley have been writing.

“We’ve started writing for several pop artists,” says Pallot, “and that’s changed my own music. When you’re writing for someone else, you throw out ideas to see what sticks and try out new ways of working.

“Because I’m putting this album out myself, there was a freedom to do whatever I liked. When I first released Fires, I had to remortgage my house to pay for it. With The Graduate, there was no pressure at all. It’s just me having fun and I think you can hear that in the music.”

Catch Nerina on tour this Autumn – tickets are on sale now.

Nerina Pallot October 2009 tour dates:

(Dates and information subject to change.)

Tue 6-Oct Aberdeen Lemon Tree
Wed 7-Oct Glasgow Oran Moor
Fri 9-Oct Preston 53 Degrees
Sat 10-Oct Manchester Ruby Lounge
Sun 11-Oct York The Duchess
Tue 13-Oct Birmingham Glee Club
Wed 14-Oct Bristol Trinity
Thu 15-Oct Milton Keynes The Stables
Sat 17-Oct Tavistock Wharf
Sun 18-Oct Cardiff Glee Club
Tue 20-Oct Brighton Komedia
Wed 21-Oct London ICA
Thu 22-Oct London ICA
Sat 24-Oct Penzance Acorn
Sun 25-Oct Gloucester Guildhall
Tue 27-Oct Wakefield Theatre Royal
Wed 28-Oct Norwich Waterfront

For the latest tour dates and information, go to:

Nerina Pallot Official Website
Nerina Pallot on Twitter

Fusing keyboard-born compositions with agressive layers of rock, their crafty tunes are accomplished without the hint of a guitar. Incorporating a clavinet (a keyboard with guitar strings) outfitted through a distortion pedal, the result is an arsenal of innovative and rich sound.

With their self-titled debut now available courtesy of Linda Perry’s Custard Records, the brothers Beliveau (Tom on vocals/keyboard and Mike on bass) and drummer Jason Morris, will be taking their brand of high energy, hook-laden rock on the road this entire Summer, with an opening slot on Mason Jennings’ September tour.

Watch video: “Mountain Man”:

“We suggest you make haste and add some clavinet rock to your collection.” – Our Stage

“(Crash Kings) thrives in its simplicity, while not yielding to the temptation to just write the next big pop single” – Audiophilia

Buy Music:

Crash Kings on amazon.com

Crash Kings tour dates:

(Dates and information subject to change.)

August 2009
20 Lancaster, CA – Antelope Valley Fair
21 Sacramento, CA – The Cove
23 Yakima, WA – Capitol Theater
24 Seattle, WA – Showbox Sodo
25 Spokane, WA – Knitting Factory
29 Mitchell, SD – Corn Palace Festival

September 2009
1 Billings, MT – Shrine Auditorium
2 Idaho Falls, ID – Civic Auditorium
3 Missoula, MT – Wilma Theater
5 Salem, OR – Oregon State Fair
15 Solana Beach, CA – Belly Up Tavern *
16 Solana Beach, CA – Belly Up Tavern *
17 Tucson, AZ – Rialto Theater *
19 Los Angeles, CA – El Rey Theater *
22 Santa Cruz, CA – The Catalyst *
24 Eugene – McDonald Theater- Eugene, OR *
26 Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom *
27 Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom *
29 San Francisco, CA – Great American Music Hall *
30 San Francisco, CA – Great American Music Hall *

*with Mason Jennings

Crash Kings MySpace
Crash Kings Official Website

Sometimes it can be difficult having an open ear for all genres of music. Especially when it comes to explaining to my hardcore rock, metal or indie friends that I do indeed like Celine Dion. It’s even more difficult for me to keep my feelings to myself about how great an entertainer and singer she is. Luckily there are some people in my life who do appreciate her as well, and considering she’s sold over 180 million albums, I suppose there are some others out there who understand her talent as much as I do if not more.

I was really hoping that one day I would be able see her show in Vegas during her five year stint at Caesars Palace. She’s at her best when performing live and is such a character. Unfortunately I won’t be able to see her in Las Vegas since her last show will be this December, and then she’s off on a world tour which starts February 14th, 2008 in South Africa, to the delight of her fans around the world I’m sure.

‘Taking Chances’ is Celine Dion’s latest album, set for release November 12th, 2007 in the UK. I’ve got my hands on it and have been enjoying it. Let’s just get this out of the way: ‘Taking Chances’ is full of pop with elements of modern country, soul and power ballads and if that’s what you’re after, then this full 16 track Deluxe Edition CD + exclusive sneak peak DVD (with Vegas footage!) is for you.

Recently I reviewed opening track “Taking Chances”, written by Kara DioGuardi and Dave Stewart and I still feel that it could be the best pop ballad I’ve heard all year.

When “Alone” came on it took me by surprise and I was singing so loud along with the track I had to play it again to hear Celine’s singing – which of course her “punchier” version of Heart’s pop ballad hit from ‘87, produced by Ben Moody, sounds great. I especially like the intro – it’s gorgeous the way the bass comes in and then the cello and Celine’s voice.

“Surprise Surprise” also written by Kara DioGuardi, is a stand out track with a contemporary/country/pop feel. I wouldn’t be surprised (no pun intended) if it gets released sometime around Christmas and reached #1, but I’m just not sure if the lyrics would suit for Christmas, though. I am sure that when Celine performs “Surprise Surprise” live during her tour, it will be one of the big crowd pleasers of the night.

There’s a Barbara Streisand “No More Tears” feel to Celine’s vocal performance on the emotionally driven and atmospheric “This Time”, with the determined lyrics about being “another victim of poison love”.

It’s good to hear two Linda Perry (4 Non Blondes) songs included on the ‘Taking Chances’ album. The piano-lead “My Love” and the superb gospel number “New Dawn”. Linda Perry not only wrote the songs, but she also plays electric and acoustic guitars, organ, mellotron and piano on “My Love” and she plays piano, acoustic, sings background vocals on “New Dawn” and engineered and produced on both tracks.

“A World To Believe In” could have been a Faith Hill song, but it’s good to hear Celine Dion singing on such a beautiful and modern-country tinged song. There’s quite a change of pace when the upbeat and big production of “Can’t Fight The Feeling” starts up and I can’t believe that Shaffer Smith aka Ne-Yo co-wrote, co-produced and sings background vocals on the ballad “I Got Nothing Left”, another great vocal performance by Celine. It’s easy to forget that it’s Celine Dion singing to the waltz beat of “Right Next To The Right One”. It sounds quite different from what I’m used to hearing her sing – and I like it.

I’m not so sure about “Just Fade Away”. It has a Kelly Clarkson/Eurovision feel to it, which isn’t the best combination in the world. Then again, Celine Dion did win the Eurovision Song Contest when she represented Switzerland in 1988. There’s obviously a market for “Just Fade Away”, but not for me.

Blues number “That’s Just The Woman In Me” makes up for it, though. It has a Sam Cooke “Bring It On Home To Me”/Aretha Franklin feel with Celine Dion’s soulful vocals – and a Janis Joplin like scream at the end.

Let’s not forget about the additional exclusive sneak peak DVD! It includes the trailer for Celine Dion’s “A New Day Live In Las Vegas” with interview clips. There are also four exclusive songs, including one of my favorite Celine cover songs, “I Drove All Night” originally recorded by Roy Orbison and then Cyndi Lauper.

I highly recommend this Deluxe Edition CD/DVD for Celine Dion fans everywhere!

Celine Dion ‘Taking Chances’ album track listing:

1. Taking Chances
2. Alone
3. Eyes On Me
4. My Love
5. Shadow Of Love
6. Surprise Surprise
7. This Time
8. New Dawn
9. A Song For You
10. A World To Believe In
11. Can’t Fight The Feeling
12. I Got Nothing Left
13. Right Next To The Right One
14. Just Fade Away
15. That’s Just The Woman In Me
16. Skies Of L.A.

DVD track listing:

1. Trailer for the DVD “Live In Las Vegas – A New Day”
2. The Power of Love
3. I Drove All Night
4. I Surrender
5. I Wish

Celine Dion – Taking Chances album on amazon.com

Celine Dion Official Website

By: Jenny May – Band Weblogs

Alicia Keys has once again come up with the goods with her new video for hit single, “No One”. The single is off of her third studio album, ‘As I Am,’ set for release on November 13th, 2007 on J Records. ‘As I Am’ features collaborations with John Mayer, Linda Perry, Floetry’s Marsha Ambrosius and Timbaland.

Ever since a friend handed me her debut CD, ‘Songs in A Minor’ and I heard “Fallin’” for the first time, back in 2001, I knew we were on to something good – and it seems Alicia Keys has just been getting better as the years go on. On stage she’s grown from being the girl with braids, sitting behind the piano to a now more glamorous woman who can dance and “work” the stage more comfortably.

It’s too bad that Britney Spears walked away with the most publicity after the 2007 Video Music Awards. After watching Alicia Keys at the VMAs, it’s amazing that this talented singer and performer wasn’t all the rage after the show. Luckily, though, there’s still plenty of time to savor a fine performance, like a fine wine. Maybe in the long run, it’s best that Alicia’s hype is more subtle.

Watch Alicia Keys perform “No One” at the VMAs

When I was growing up, Irene Cara and Donna Summer were two of my favorite singers to sing along with. Alicia Keys has captured that feeling with “No One” along with a current and modern vibe. Since her voice naturally sounds the way it does, there’s no need for the flamboyant “trills” that have become the norm for so many singers. The video for “No One” is a new window into the world of Ms. Keys and it’s great to see true talent once again, hitting the airwaves.

Watch Alicia Keys – “No One” video (debuted on BET):

Track Listing for ‘As I Am’:

1. As I Am (Intro)
2. Go Ahead
3. Superwoman
4. No One
5. Like You’ll Never See Me Again
6. Lesson Learned (featuring and co-written by John Mayer)
7. Wreckless Love
8. The Thing About Love
9. Teenage Love Affair
10. I Need You
11. Where Do We Go From Here
12. Prelude To A Kiss
13. Tell You Something (Nana’s Reprise)
14. Sure Looks Good To Me

“No One” video link

Alicia Keys Official Website
Alicia Keys on Myspace

By: Jenny May – Band Weblogs

Macy has recruited some special guests to help out on the new album. Produced by Will.I.Am from the Black Eyed Peas, Big also features collaborations with Justin Timberlake, Outkast and Sleepy Brown, Linda Perry and Natalie Cole.

I remember the fist time I heard Macy Gray. I was driving in my car in Vermont and I had just pulled into my friends driveway when “I Try” came on the radio. I had to sit there and wait until the song was over before I got out of the car because I was so blown away by what I had just heard. There was no one like her out there at the time, and there still isn’t. When Macy comes on the radio with her distinctive, raspy voice it’s easy to tell that it’s her – and so far no one even comes close.

Watch the video for Macy Gray’s hit song “I Try”

By: Jenny May