Van Tango

The legendary Stevie Wonder has just released A Time To Love, his first studio album in 10 years. The first single is 'Shelter In The Rain'. The new disc is a dedicated effort by the legendary artist to remind the world about the restorative power of love. I'm not a motown fanatic but this song is a throwback to the good ol' Boys II Men days. Can imagine everyone painfully enduring the future A.Idol contestants' croaking renditions of it.

And Stevie Wonder could get his sight back - thanks to ground-breaking eye surgery. The famous star, who has been blind since infancy, is reportedly in talks about being a guinea-pig for new microchip technology. If successful, the pioneering operation could restore the star's sight. The 55 yr old is quoted as saying: "I've been tested and there was some possibility that I could maybe be a candidate." That would be absolutely great for this respected icon.

Noel Gallagher has come to Kasabian's rescue - by lending them his studio to record their second album. The Leicester band are due to record the new album in three weeks, but their farm studio where they recorded and were inspired to write their self-titled debut album, is no longer in use. However after a good dose of mutual bumming with the guys from Oasis, the band have the go ahead to record in Noel's studio. Tom Meighan said : "Noel's sorting us out with his studio for free - what a zone. Him and Liam are proper boys."
He also assured fans: "We'll have the next album ready by March. It'll be fucking amazing. There's no one out there to touch us now apart from Oasis." Sooo..Tom believes that the LSF gang are 'up in the sky' amongst the supersonic band. Quite a huge statement to make. If they are still around making incredible tunes in about 7-8 years time, maybe there would be adequate reason for treason.

Just a reminder to those new supporters of the indie-wave scene who thinks The Killers/Bravery are the real deal, don't be fooled. They may be brilliant, but going back to the roots 'when it started', both can't win when the time reads 12:51.

The Strokes - Live In Concert! 6th Dec 03 @ Ally Pally, London
Pure mind-blowing fantastic indie rock tunes from IsThisIt and RoomOnFire albums.

Some lucky 4,000 sold-out crowd in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil witnessed the Reptilia boys last night. Watch their performances here :
The Modern Age ////
Hard To Explain-Someday-Soma combo ////




I.L.O.V.E.R.A.Z.O.R.B.L.A.D.E!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

50 Cent had two Brit beauties competing for his attention when he appeared on Cd:Uk just recently. Myleene Klass and Cheryl Tweedy flirted outrageously with the rapper as they were introducing him on the show. A backstage worker said : "They're both huge fans of Fiddy and there was lots of eye contact, giggling and fluttering of eyelids." Wonder if Ashley Cole was watching the show..

Madonna's new song "Hung Up"(if it's genuine) is horrible. It sounds like something Kylie had discarded during the 'Light Years' album production; together with the ripping of Abba's famous jingles makes it intolerable for me. Maddy should stick to being a housewife based on this appalling comeback single.

Meanwhile, Jessica Simpson's single "Fired Up" sounds alright; even though it's not the complete version. It does sound like her version of 'Diiiiirty'. Still wondering why the new album release had been rescheduled to June 06. Marriage on the rocks?

According to an online chat with a major UK tabloid, Rachel Stevens said that Crazy Boys might be the next single, even though Nothing Good About This Goodbye is slated for the next release. A dance-pop and a ballad. Equally nice. NGATG should be a better choice; since she has had more dance-able singles since her debut.

The third Girls Aloud album reportedly has a whole theme running through it that links all the songs on the album. After hearing Long Hot Summer and Biology, I guess the theme's how men try too hard with them and make them feel shite, or something like that. I'm feeling Biology but then some peeps are getting tired of their involvment with Xenomania. They haven't lost their steam, especially on Long Hot Summer. Their first album is varied with the sounds; arguably made a better second album - The Show, Love Machine, Wake Me Up & Real Life are some stronger ones where the vocals sometimes sounded electro. I appreciate their fantastic music more when it isn't so forced upon. There are even those hardcore metalheads(zzzzzz...) who are impressed by this wonderful group. You just can't mistake their Biology.


Lady Sovereign - 9 to 5 video
I initially thought Sporty Spice had a 19 year old sister who can rap quite well. But she turned out to be Lady Sovereign(or Louise Harman). She's got similar vocals to one of the Misteeq members but her songs are NOT about "what kind of man she needs". Having already supported Basement Jaxx, Obie Trice, Dizzee Rascal, D12 and the Streets, she also cites influence from Miss Dynamite. There are some cool audio streams here.


The Rakes ->> 22 Grand Job video! A very catchy and dancey new single.

Paris Hilton has penned a 'sorry' note to ex best friend Nicole Richie in a bid to end their fall-out. The heiress wrote the letter to her 'The Simple Life' co-star after mutual friends persuaded her to put a stop to their "petty" row. A close friend to the blonde revealed: "Paris just wanted to call things a day after friends stepped in and told her she was being petty". Hopefully the two party girls can go straight back to being bosom buddies again. I want to see them getting back to their entertaining antics.

Johnny Depp has a fetish for dressing in women's clothes. He has admitted he has always sneakily stared at girls' shoes and stockings. He was quoted saying: "I'd be embarrassed for my friends to find out that I'm familiar with women's clothing." Earlier this year, the star revealed he was thinking about making a porn film with director Tim Burton. He is worried about being typecast as a whimsical eccentric because of his work with the iconic movie-maker. Depp - who has worked with Burton on several films, including 'Edward Scissor Hands' and 'Sleepy Hollow' - thinks an X-rated career change could be the best thing for both of them. "I don't want to be typecast as an eccentric. Maybe I should do something totally different and film a cracking porn film." (!!!!!) Many/All gays and females won't be complaining much yah?


Two new bands :

The Kooks -Sofa Song |||
Combining a little bit of 'The Coral' vibes, these guys can write a good solid tune. Part of the new British pop-indie wave movement. Their garage and art-rock contemporaries would be expected to stand up and take note.

Kubichek
They've been a support band for some time. These Newcastle (at least they have something to be proud of unlike their football club) dudes have some nice tunes that caught me ears lately. It sounds like what would happen if The Departure and The Rakes combined their powers. With angular guitar riffs, these guys make impressive high tempo energetic sounds.Take one dose of post-hardcore and sculpt it to streamlined pop dimensions, thus you have something that's instantly appealing, cut with an underground edge and longer than average shelf life. Their 'Nightjoy' video is quite addictive.