Just another Sia madly lovely video…

Sia – Pictures

Emma at the pub recommended this track, way too poppy for me, but heh.
It breaks all the rules of this blog, but a small price to pay for free wireless access at the pub:)

Leona Lewis – Bleeding Love

http://www.leonalewismusic.co.uk/index.php/index

Wiki

Cat Powers’ second CD of cover songs is out this month, and she does another fine job judging by the two tracks I have heard from it.

I just love Cat’s slow-fi style. Her down tempo rendition of the Rolling Stones ‘Satisfaction’ on her ‘The Covers Record‘ is just inspired. I am hard pushed to choose a favourite out of the 5 albums I have of hers, but the 2006 ‘The Greatest‘ would be a good starting point to get into her.

Cat is also up for a BRIT award in February 2008. How did that happen? She is up against, Beyonce, Christina Aguilera, Nelly Furtado and Pink in the International Female Solo Artist. Bizarre.

Cat Power – “Lived In Bars” from the album “The Greatest”

http://www.catpowerthegreatest.com/

http://www.matadorrecords.com/cat_power/

Wiki

A quick update on Susanna And The Magical Orchestra from my earlier post this week.
A 2006 release of cover versions the like of which you have never heard.

In a similar way Stina Nordenstam deconstructed familiar songs on her brilliant cover version CD “People Are Strange”, Susanna does an equally superb job of totally reworking all the covers on this album beautifully.

Susanna – “Love Will Tear Us Apart (Again)” from the album “Melody Mountain”

http://www.susannamagical.com/

Wiki

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I couldn’t sleep, and a tune popped into my head.

And I found it on YouTube, perfect.

It is more than just a tune though. From 1981, a total mix up (would we say mash-up now?) of musical genres… Pop, Rap, Disco, Funk, Punk, it is all in there.

What a great track.

P.S. thanks, and respect, to SkidVid for doing quality RIPs from old school VHS. Nice work.

Blondie – Rapture

As Derek pointed out, Joanna is very much in the Marmite camp, you either love her style or you hate it.
Her vocals rub shoulders with that of CocoRosie, and her harp playing is of her own world.

The “Milk-Eyed Mender” is a good way to get to know Joanne, as her 2006 album “Ys” is a much more serious affair with long orchestrated storytelling tracks.

Not for the lazy listener.
Great stuff.

Joanna Newsom – “Sprout and the Bean” from the album “The Milk-Eyed Mender”

Joanne Newson – “Clam, Crab, Cockle, Cowrie” (Live on Jools) from the album “The Milk-Eyed Mender”

http://www.joanna-newsom.com/

Fansite

Wiki

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This is a great chilled album from 2006.
Every track made it to 5 stars on my playlists.

The album was big on collaboration, with Jarvis Cocker, Air and the percussionist Tony Allen.
It will be interesting to see what she does next.

Charlotte Gainsbourg – “5:55” from the album “5:55”

Charlotte Gainsbourg – “Everything I Cannot See” from the album “5:55”

http://www.charlottegainsbourg.fr/

Wiki

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Vocalist Susanna Carolina Wallumrød does a cracking job of massaging melancholia out of the songs on this album. She totally changes the meaning of Dolly Partons’ “Jolene” with her sparse vocal working of it.

The rest of the album is equally atmospheric and not as bleak as you may first think.

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Susanna And The Magical Orchestra – “Jolene” from the album “List Of Lights And Buoys”

http://www.susannamagical.com/

Wiki

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Not having heard her first two releases, I didn’t know what to expect from Bird on the Water.

Yes it is dreamy folksy kind of stuff, but leaning towards the Mazzy Star direction.
Indeed it’s a lot like listening to a slightly more happy Hope Sandoval.

I really like this CD and look forward to checking out her previous work.

Marissa Nadler – “Diamond Heart” (Live) from the album “Songs III: Bird on the Water”

Marissa Nadler – “Bird On Your Grave” from the album “Songs III: Bird on the Water”

http://www.marissanadler.com/

Wiki

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Her first full album release and most pleasant to.
Quite light and fluffy, a bit like Keren Ann, or even recent Fiest.

Jonna Lee – “Dried out eyes” from the album “10 Pieces, 10 Bruises”

http://www.jonnalee.com/

Pop over to her label site to buy MP3′s
http://www.razziarecords.se/

Becky Stark and the boys first full release as Lavender Diamond.
A bit hippie folksy for some.

Lavender Diamond – “Open Your Heart” from the album “Imagine Our Love”
(Directed by Sia no less!)

http://lavenderdiamond.com

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Erika Forster, Annie Hart and Heather D’Angelo put together some lovely little tunes on this album. A bit ‘Bird and the Bee’ V’s ‘Ladytron’.

Au Revoir Simone – “Fallen Snow” from the album “The Bird of Music”

Some live streaming over at MPR.

http://aurevoirsimone.com/

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Robyn is a bit alt everything. Electronica, Rap, R&B, Pop.

I pay no attention to the UK charts, but apparently she had a number 1 in August 2007 with the track “With Every Heartbeat”. Well I never.

Try and get the UK edition of the album “Robyn” as it has some extra tracks.

Robyn – “Konichiwa Bitches” from the album “Robyn”

Robyn – “Handle Me” from the album “Robyn”

http://www.robyn.com/

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Jem – “Flying High” (Live) from the album “Finally Woken”

The lovely Jem. A shame the graphics guys put the wrong title on the vid.

Previously on Not Pop

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Fronted by virtuoso lap steel guitarist Megan Hickey, their first full release is quite something. She really rocks on the steel guitar, a million miles away from the downbeat blues style you are probably used to.

Lots of streaming goodies and stuff over at their website.

The Last Town Chorus – “Modern Love” (David Bowie cover) from the album “Wire Waltz”

The Last Town Chorus – “It’s Not Over” from the album “Wire Waltz”

http://www.thelasttownchorus.com

Wiki

There is a great live set from them over at NPR.

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