So, I know I've pretty much dropped the ball this week as far as posting goes. I keep singing "Sideline Ho" in my head: "Get your shit together, you're making a fool of yourself." But I cannot. I don't cook his breakfast and I'm a sideline ho.
Really, I'm still feeling the after-effects of the computer crash: I was about a draft away from completing a mix when the big crash came. Horrors. So I've been putting that mix back together as I love it and it's the best one I've ever done (and the first one I've done in so long). It isn't hard, but it's tedious. I should have it up next week. I should also have up tomorrow a review that I've been working on. (It's only now dawning on me how my inevitably drawn-out work process is really antithetical to blogging. I should delete myself or something.)
In the meantime, here's a track that I'm feeling the fuck out of (and yes, now that I Love New York is back on air, that's the only way I can think to express my overwhelming feelings of superficial love). It's the Studio Version of Kylie Minogue's new single "Two Hearts." I'm not huge into Kylie. I mean, I love post-Italo Europop of the Stock/Aiken/Waterman variety in particular, so I have some affinity for her really early stuff ("I Should Be So Lucky," in particular). But I've never really gelled with her the way you have to with someone whose persona outshines (or perhaps is) her talent. Still, she's a breast-cancer survivor and that's always endearing. And even if I'm not mad about her, that she bit off Goldfrapp for the original version of "Two Hearts" disappoints me immensely -- I don't know much, but I know she's better than stuffy old Goldfrapp. Anyway, the version of the song posted above is radically different; no glam stomp, just a mild disco pump. It was rearranged endlessly by Studio, whose Yearbook 1 is the most gorgeous dance album I've heard all year, or maybe in my life. The Swedish duo understands the phrase "disco not disco" probably better than anyone else in the world, even the guy who coined it.
Oh and speaking of disco not disco, a guy I work with yesterday compared Mary J. Blige's exuberant new single "Just Fine" to Womack and Womack, and I see it: if not exactly a sonic carbon copy, it's got the same grown-and-funky vibe as a lot of Womack and Womack stuff. I dig that. What I don't dig is that Womack and Womack don't have a Wikipedia page! Horrors, the sequel. That seems so disrespectful (Cecil Womack and Linda Womack each have their own pages, though). Since Wikipedia is community-based, I suppose I could do something about that, but if I can't get my shit together for myself, how could I possibly be expected to get my shit together for Womack and Womack? I'd just disappoint them ultimately and I couldn't really live with myself if I disappointed Womack and Womack.
But anyway, here's the 12" version of "Teardrops." Try, just try, to resist hiking your pants up and dancing without moving your feet. Also, I think this song smells like sausage.
A MIX! I can't wait, I love your mixes!
Posted by: moss | October 25, 2007 at 01:59 PM
Thank you for introducing me to Studio! They are amazing.
I've found in general that Swedish = excellent. Even the worst pop is still good if it was produced by swedes...
Posted by: MizoFizo | October 25, 2007 at 02:11 PM
When I hear "Just Fine" I think of "Treat Her Like A Lady" by The Temptations (a song my parents played on a continuous loop). I think it is the phrasing of the bridges before the chorus.
Posted by: killervirgo | October 25, 2007 at 02:14 PM
i love that 'sideline ho' rolls through your mind so casually. thanks for the kylie and womack tracks and cant wait for your new mix, it's been too long since you've done one!
Posted by: Pop Muse | October 25, 2007 at 02:28 PM
Stuffy old Goldfrapp?!
Blasphemy. Shame on you.
Posted by: David | October 25, 2007 at 03:41 PM
thanks for the Ebony pic under "My Hero". Girl showed Tyra what class is...and I'm done.
Posted by: dara | October 25, 2007 at 03:46 PM
I can't read that headline without thinking "...my parents went away on a week's vacation."
Posted by: nicolars | October 25, 2007 at 05:26 PM
David you beat me to it LOL.
BLASPHEMY INDEED! Love me some Kylie, but Goldfrapp is GOD(dess.)
Posted by: jenner | October 25, 2007 at 07:15 PM
Where did you dig up that mix of 2 Hearts? I like the "official" version, but this version is stunning in its simplicity.
Posted by: Bernie | October 25, 2007 at 08:19 PM
This has nothing to do with this post. I just can't wait until Monday to say what a unbelievable, self-serving, repugnant, invidious CUNT(!!!) Tyra Banks is. *unclench*
Posted by: NYCMami | October 25, 2007 at 08:26 PM
Wait til you hear "the One" on Kylie's new CD. Just glorious .
There's a 4 song minimix preview on her Official site.
"Like a Drug" is sweet but "The One" has me swooning happily..
Posted by: deschanel | October 25, 2007 at 08:34 PM
Sigh..... Womack & Womack....... I thought no one else cared :)
Thanks for resurrecting some consciousness
Posted by: arcus | October 25, 2007 at 09:19 PM
Rich, really sorry about your computer crash and a big thank you for still working hard to entertain us.
Believe me, we really appreciate you.
Posted by: Gyn | October 25, 2007 at 10:59 PM
Oh, am I smellin' the sausage. Womack and Womack rock my early Friday mornings.
Posted by: Martha | October 26, 2007 at 12:15 AM
I love Goldfrapp, so I take a little offense to the "stuffy" comment. Unless you mean either Will or Alison's personalities, which appear to be non-existent in their interviews.
Posted by: kiki | October 26, 2007 at 12:47 AM
I feel your Ebony hero nod...
Posted by: Gail | October 26, 2007 at 01:48 AM
Rich, are you into Dead Or Alive at all? Love em, even though Pete Burns made that mess out of his pretty face...
Posted by: Amanda | October 26, 2007 at 08:25 AM
Thanks for the heads up on Studio - I downloaded their album last night.
You should check out Sally Shaprio's album Disco Romance - I think you'd really dig her! The sound is synthy early 80s disco but edgier.
PS - 2 Hearts "Studio Version" made me think it was an early incarnation of the song that was scrapped and then relegated to a track on the remix single. Clever!
Posted by: Mango | October 26, 2007 at 12:56 PM
this womack & womack track successfully turned my cubicle into a dance party. awesome. and i'm sorry, that mary j song is just absurd. the hook is probably the most annoying thing ever committed to tape. yet i want it to be my ringtone ASAP. "fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine fine!"
Posted by: jim c | October 26, 2007 at 01:23 PM
NYCMami: I totally had to look up "invidious." Thanks for the new word!
Posted by: Daniel | October 26, 2007 at 04:17 PM
Mango you just made my night! Any time I mention Sally Shapiro to people they have no idea who I'm talking about. Glad to hear there are others out there like me....LOL
Posted by: jenner | October 26, 2007 at 11:25 PM
goldfrapp stuffy? never! their interviews are a bit stale but any woman who puts a tail on and clogs around stage totally rocks my world.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e95UaHLIpGg
even as a gay man you have to confess that the gyrations to the music make you a little tingly downstairs.
Posted by: blah | October 27, 2007 at 12:18 PM
am i the only one who smells jake shears all over that womack track?
Posted by: blah | October 27, 2007 at 12:20 PM
you doing ya thing here!! BIG UPS!!
http://www.spymac.com/details/?2290046
Posted by: christy | October 27, 2007 at 06:20 PM
Okay, this is totally OT, but have you (and Winston) seen these lethally cute talking cats?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3U0udLH974
Posted by: Juliette | October 27, 2007 at 07:49 PM