Johnny & Mary-Robert Palmer

It's his finest moment.  It's 80's....not as well known for these type of narrative.  Any kind of "Mary, says she's used to it"

I dug Power Station, his Cherrelle cover.  But this is ace

Johnny & Mary-Tina Turner

Off the "Summer Lovers" soundtrack.  She adds angst.  What can't she sing?

Hyperballad-Bjork

Still so insanely beautiful its just ridiculous.  Music brilliant, song brilliant.  Um.....its Bjork

If you're ever lonely, if you are alone stay that way

Winner-Pet Shop Boys

For most other bands, this would be a decent song.  For the Pet Shop Boys, not so much.  Its the first single off of "Elysium"...boy, is it a clunker.  It sounds like it was either recorded for the closing ceremony of London 2012 or for Gay Pride London 2012.  Like I said, its not horrible...it just dunno, lyrically...this is not a good first single

A Certain "Je Ne Sais Quoi"-Pet Shop Boys

As usual with PSB, the b-side is worth the purchase.  Definitely more of a going out song...this would sound great early in the evening at a gay club.

Invisible-Pet Shop Boys

English treasure.  Probably still an underrated band, despite so many hits.  And the best chronicler of gay life of the last 30 years.

After being for so many years
the life and soul of the party
it's weird
I'm invisible
Whatever I
have said or done
doesn't matter in this chatter
and hum
I'm invisible

Kinda brilliant, no?

Piles Of $$$-Caged Animals

Don't know jack about this band.  Not sure if all their other songs suck.  Don't care.  This is this brilliant gloopy fucked-up 80's Zapp/Frank Ocean/Prince r&b that i love.  Prepare to listen to it oooohhhhh about a million times.  The whole "no one calls me by name/I'm gonna rock with you tonight" slays me

Work It-Eli Escobar

Proving once again that in most dance music, less is more.  Sounds like late 80's/early 90's acid house shit.  A woman moans and then says "yeah baby, that's how it work it....oooh, that's how i work it".  Clubs go nuts to this.  One of my tracks of the year for sure (see Caged Animals above).

Beautiful Life-jj

Been going through a jj phase.  What is it about Sweden?  Not only does the country provide the producers and writers for most of the songs on the radio, then they churn out this brilliant pop like a volvo factory.  Was it the whole raised on ABBA thing?  It's gotta be.  This song is a weird is a remarkable mix of melancholy and joy mixed together.  Coulda soundtracked Melancholia, Mr. Von Trier.  Fucking love

Day Four-Bloc Party

Let me first confess that I have a massive crush on Kele Okereke.  The fact that he is gay (or bi) does not help.  So I suppose to pre-love alot of his songs (not true).  Anyways, this song....crazy sad late night beauty...it so reminds me of NYC and walking home late at night after going out (sometimes very late).  I wrote a bunch for my first post in ages...and thought I could write so much more about this song.  Guess i can't

It's Not That I Don't Like Your Cooking

Alright, I'm back.  I know I said that before...er, uh, two years ago.  But this time I am.  I could wax and wane on the changes in music since then, but that seems kinda boring, so I will just jump right in.

U Don't Like Rock N Roll-Hunx & His Punx

It's not that I think you're bad looking
You don't like rock'n roll
It's not that I don't like your cooking
You don't like rock'n roll
I think you got a nice body
You don't like rock'n roll

and so on...and so on...

I'm kinda surprised nobody did this earlier.  Take a snotty-cum-Brooklyn attitude (via the gay bar The Metropolitan), some garage rock, and a huge dash of equal parts 60's girl group/"We Got The Beat" The Go-Go's and you got Hunx & His Punx.  It's a very cool song...fun, great mixtape song.  In fact, everyone of Hunx & his Punx songs are like this.  We'll see about longevity and where they go with it (hopefully they'll change just enough each album to still be fun and fresh).

One of the other things I like about Hunx & His Punx is that their sexuality is both central and at the same time beside the point.  Yeah, it's a boy singing about boys and all that.  But what's cool, in 2012, it seems to be just that.

Eight Arms To Hold You-The Goon Squad

"Found" this on my Ipod...all you really need to know about the song is that it's from the Goonies soundtrack (yes, the Goonies), does not feature Cyndi Lauper and the video features an octopus.  Oh, and its 80's freestyle.  What's more to like?

1.       Seventh Heaven-Pale Sketcher

      Love love love.  Know nothing about the band.  Think they are from Austin, Texas.  Its kinda gorgeous and I actually think would be cool to hear in a club as the opening song.  Or last song.  Swirly beautifulness

Better Look Behind Those Eyes (Yeah, I'm back)

I've been gone for ages. Sorry sorry sorry. If you are reading this, and you like it (or hopefully love it :) encourage me!!!!

Play Together-Chew Lips

Chew Lips are due to blow up this year....and based on this track, I can see why. Its a very cool slick electroish track...definitely gives off a Gossip vibe. It has a neat Art Of Noise "Moments In Love" sort of breakdown in the middle. The FC Kahuna mix (where have they been?) is way cool too...

Dixie Storms-Lone Justice

Let me just say it: Maria McKee is easily one of the most underrated artists of the last 25 years or so. She is gifted with a massive voice--clear and strong. This in and of itself would be wonderful. I venture, however, that there are not many artists who can act a song like her.

In any event, who knows why she is critically loved and still relatively well known...maybe because she occupies that netherworld where country, folk and rock mingle.

I don't believe this was ever released as a single, but its a stunner. She could easily be outside singing while the storm rolls in. Its that beautiful. Seriously...

Bad Romance-Lady GaGa....the Chew Fu remix

In my mind, the song that confirms that she really deserves the hype. This song is one massive hook and a brilliant pop radio song. Not surprisingly (because she is popular) a number of the mixes lose both the drama and the GaGa. Not this one....massive!

All Over The World-Pet Shop Boys

I recently saw PSB in concert (3rd time) a few months ago. What's fascinating about them is that for a band constituting a singer whose vocals are somewhat limited (not a knock....Neil is no belter, but I love his voice) and Chris, who is cool by virtue of his remove, their live shows are insane and beautiful. At this show, the mix of dancing and video made it one of the most amazing shows I've seen.

Not a single (yet) but one of my favorite songs off the record.

Elegibo-Margareth Menezes

If I ever DJ, I will play this song. Brazilian intoxicating tribal wonderment.

I know where beauty lay

Swissex Lover-Fight Bite

I first heard Fight Bite a couple of months ago doing a very lo-fi Cocteau Twins-esque cover of Madonna's "Live To Tell". Didn't know much about them, nor had I heard from them since.

With "Swissex Lover", there is again a very Cocteau Twins-vibe. Its certainly not a copy, more of a reference point. Its a stunner, that's for sure...it has that beautiful rainy day lying in bed vibe. Melancholic and relaxed...its not like anything on the radio, unless your radio is tuned to 1988. Get it before Sophia Copolla uses it for a film soundtrack.

Quisquose-Cocteau Twins

Speaking of, the Cocteau Twins is definitely one of my favorite bands of all time. I don't know if this is my favorite track...that is probably "The Spangle Maker". But when Elizabeth Fraser's voice comes in at the beginning....oh lord, really, nobody sounded like her. When she used her sweet voice, she was beautiful. But when she sang in her wild voice, which I frankly wish she had done more of, only Lisa Gerrard or Bjork-in-the-Sugarcubes could touch her.

En Hand I Himlen-Jonathan Johansson

Insanely fucking good. Think of Jens Lekman and Thom Yorke's love child fronting Hot Chip-as-the-house-band in a gay bar circa 1987. Yup, that good. And yes, its in Swedish....

Poker Face-Lady Gaga

I really really thought "Just Dance" was good once. But I didn't like it...it sounded like a Fergie B-side. At any moment, I felt the risible Will-I-Am (an-asshole) would pop up. And the remixes could not save it

This is better...reminds me of a good Christina Aguilera song...has an 80's vibe, a little more reflective. In fact, as I get farther in I like it more...and it definitely reminds me of a lost 80's track. Improvement...this one actually deserves to be a hit

Love Is Overtaking Me

I Couldn't Say It To Your Face-Arthur Russell

Its country-ish, and he's a bit off key. And of course, because its Arthur Russell its almost painfully beautiful. Off of the latest record Love Is Overtaking Me, which is just an amazing collection of unreleased tracks.

Whachadoin'?-N.A.S.A. featuring Santogold, M.I.A. & Spank Rock

Fantastic driving club track. Pretty brilliant and fun...and comes from that long tradition of tracks that use a phone dialing as part of the track (M.I.A. already brilliant employed a typewriter on "Paper Planes"). Its not gonna change the world, but its pretty slammin'.

Parisian Goldfish-Flying Lotus

Believe the hype. Flying Lotus was all over the Best of the Year list with his Los Angeles album. This is my favorite track from the record...very percussive yet laid back at the same time. To me, its a record that creeps up on you. Most of the tracks are instrumental and vague and hazy and smokey. Only afterwards do you realize that the track stays with you. It works beautiful as a complete work, and its hard to pick a favorite, although this is mine.

Lay All Your Love On Me-Susanna Wallumrød

Why is that some singers record complete albums that slide by without you even noticing, and then some singers could sing the phone book. Susanna Wallumrød is one of those singers (her first two records are as Susanna & the Magical Orchestra). She isn't afraid to cover anything...and its all rendered in glacial Norwegian chill. She has a stunning soprano voice...and frankly, what I think is the most amazing thing about her...she covers songs that don't need to be covered, that shouldn't be covered (say "Love Will Tear Us Apart") and still brings something new to the table.

This album will end up as one of my favorites of the year. Again, its all slow, very chill, piano soaked. Sad long winter night soundtrack here. I had a hard time picking a song. She strips "Lay All Your Love On Me" of all its sexuality and makes it a plea. "Can't Shake Loose" is pretty brilliant (but not as well known) and she makes it a sad song about not letting go. And I honestly wouldn't think anyone could cover "Don't Come Around Here No More" and pull it off...Tom Petty (huge guilty pleasure) must be thrilled with this version. When Tom sang it, you actually thought that he meant it...he really doesn't want her to come around anymore. When Susanna sings it...its very resigned...she knows that no matter what she says, he'll come around. And she'll let him in.

But honestly, the song which kinda blew me away is "Without You". Yes, this is the Dan Hill 70's schmaltz ballad (you know it, trust me)....rendered as a beautiful duet between her and Bonnie 'Prince' Billy. Its fucking stunning...and again, it changes the tenor of the song. Where the original is almost embarassing in its neediness, this one I kind of imagine as a duet between two drunks at a bar.

Buy the record...now! (Flower Of Evil).

The Waiting-Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers

I am a huge sucker for Tom Petty. Seriously, he's right up there with Bruce for me...he's an American treasure as far as I'm concerned. And this is my favorite...edging out the aforementioned song and his duet with Stevie Nicks.

dancin' like you never danced before

Twerk-Basement Jaxx

One of my favorite things about Basement Jaxx is how their sound is crisp while at the same time sounding like everything and the kitchen sink has been thrown into the song. Like Prince playing a concert with a Brazilian carnival going on in the background. This is just their latest track (simply a 3-track single which includes the also fun "War" and the even better "My Turn", which has a lovely 80's vocal and could be a pop hit). But "Twerk" is the single and its pretty fabulous. Dubby funky-as-shit party house....simply more brilliance. Perhaps one of the most underrated bands in dance music--they really should produce Prince. And the Michael Sembello "Maniac" riffs are fabulous.

I Know I'll See You-A Place To Bury Strangers

Haven't heard the album, but if you told me that this was a long lost Jesus & Mary Chain or Flesh For Lulu single, I'd totally believe you. It has that same scuzzy sound, same processed vocals, same isolated feeling to it.

The Clapp mix moves it right out onto the dancefloor, ala Severed Heads or Nitzer Ebb (think "Fun To Be Had" era). Great fun.

16th Stage-Osborne

I love this song. Its has this cleared-blue-eyed feeling to it. Its something very hard to put down in words...almost easy listening crossed with disco and maybe a television theme thrown into boot. Its builds beautifully, which I think is the way the most dance songs really getcha...they keep morphing and changing and drawing you in...I kinda melt with the plaintive vocals fade into the song. Stunning and one of the best singles of last year