All This Time You Have Had It In You

This is a pretty little ditty thats been on the radio at work a fair bit. Its called All This Time, by Maria Mena. She's from Norway apparently. I think her voice would really irritate me if I heard it too much, but for the context of this song, I think it fits perfectly.

Eine Kleine EssenMusik

Is it normal for a philharmonic orchestra to start playing classical music in the middle of the university canteen I wonder? Hmm...

Don't You Know Who You Are? You're My Shooting Star

There's a song that, although quite old now, I return to time and time again. I have a terrible habit of buying albums because I like the single, listening to it once, and then discarding it. This is what I did with Air Traffic's album. However, I always had the feeling that if I just gave the album a chance, a bit of time to sit and really listen to it, that I would learn to love it. The fact that I keep going back to this song is a testament of how well-written the songs are.

So this week I have been listening to Fractured Life, and it is indeed starting to nestle a place in my heart. I don't love all the songs, but I certainly love more than just the one I'm going to share with you. No More Running Away is my current favourite, but the single that made me buy the album is called Shooting Star and its a beautifully dramatic love song. I don't understand how bands like Keane, Snow Patrol and Coldplay are so famous, and this band never really got a chance to shine.

Nova? I dont think so...

Its been a long boring day, so forgive the sudden increase in blog posts.

Anyway, I've decided that Radio Nova, despite seeming to be played in every cafe in Turku, along with every lab in my department, is actually pretty rubbish. I mean, for about the third time this week I've heard that terrible Kwan song 10,000 Light Years, which is through to the final of the Finnish national selection, and as previously stated, I have my ipod in my ears most of the time.

So I was worried that it was rather popular with the Finnish public and has the best chance of getting through to ESC. So I thought it may have recently been released and decided to look for the first time in a long time at the Finnish charts. I'm surprised how many songs are in the top 10 that I have never heard on Radio Nova. Lets review (in no order as the websites im using cant seem to agree which order they are in either);

Lady GaGa; As I couldnt seem to be able to watch the official video for Just Dance anywhere on youtube, I assumed it was being saved up for a Finnish release. I was sure Radio Nova would play it, as it would fit well with the Anna Abreu and Katy Perry that they often play. But no, never have I heard Lady GaGa. So imagine my surprise to find that Poker Face is number 1! And Just Dance is a bit further down, around 14. So why on earth haven't I heard it anywhere (clubs, shops, radios...)?

Waldo's People; Currently charting in the top 5 is their eurovision attempt. So why are radio nova playing Kwan and not this? Its a shame, I like this song, and clearly the Finnish public do too. I'm thinking this will be the overall winner for the Finnish national selection. Although I'm still watching the final 'semi' tonight to support Signmark :)

Finally, in the charts there is also the likes of Britney Spears, Paramore, Kings of Leon, and Fall Out Boy. Never heard any of them on Nova either. Why not? Why play the same 20 songs everyday is they're not even the most popular 20 songs?! Gah. To they're credit though, they do play some 'oldies but goodies' and they have played the likes of Katy Perry, Pink and Brit Alesha Dixon (who has also charted here at 19 apparently).

Another thing though, while I'm having a rant. I wish they would have a 'playing now' feature on their website so I could find out the names of the songs and artists that I like. I can never follow the Finnish talking afterward to work out what the song was. If Rix fm can do it, why cant Nova?

Blurb about my choice of music this week.

Oh, and on a musical side-note, I LOVE my new ipod :) I mean, its not really any different to the old one apart from the fact that my old one had a complete meltdown and wont work anymore...

But, since getting the new ipod, its pretty much been surgically attached to me during lab hours. I love the laid-back attitude of the Finns. Anyway, the battery life being as good as it is (wonder how long that will last), I've been enjoying a vast array of albums, everything from Funeral For A Friend to Backstreet Boys. Its been good. But this week, the most listened to awards have to go to the Script and A1. Not really along the same lines, but still. I got my hands on a copy of the Scripts album just after Christmas, and only got around to listening to it this week. Gosh its good. I listened to it about 3 times over in one day alone. To be fair, I was doing other things at the time too, but you know what I mean. I'm so glad we finally have something decent in our charts, a band worthy of their sucess.

Of course, despit A1 having the novelty factor of being a boyband that did write a lot of their own songs, they arent really in the same ball park shall we say. However, this was the band of my childhood. I was absolutely obsessed with Ben for those pre-pubescent years of mine. They were my first gig (London, UK2K tour, haha) and I loved their first two albums dearly. Clearly, the obsession, however strong, was fairly short-lived, as I had moved onto the likes of Linkin Park by the time the third album was out, and didnt bother to buy it... Anyway, I found it in a second hand shop/warehouse here in Turku, and it looked so sad sitting on the shelf unloved and unwanted for only €3 that I just had to buy it. There are some good tracks on their. I'm still easing myself into it, but also having a total guilty pleasure fest by listening to all the albums at work...

So I've decided to share the main release from the third album with you. The song is called Caught in the Middle, and interestingly enough the video was shot in Finland. I always assumed, what with Christian being Norweigen, that this video was shot in Norway. But actually, it was shot on a peninsula in the Kirkkonummi area, which is one of the stops the Intercity train makes on the journey from here to Helsinki...

I Like This Record Baby, But I Can't See Straight Anymore

I have a song to share with you lot. Its been a while since I liked a song enough to share it, but this one I've heard only a few times while at home and already its a firm favourite. Electroqueer has often written about this artist, but I never took much notice of her till now. Anyway, its called Just Dance by Lady GaGa and its truely electro-fabulous!

Clash of The Titans

MTV Russia recently held their annual Russian Music Awards. They managed to get not only Sergey Lazarev to host, but Dima Bilan as well. Watching some of the clips it seems there was a lot of friendly banter going on. Although without understanding the Russian, I'm sure I was laughing at the wrong parts, no idea what my Russian housemate must have been thinking if she could hear.

Anyway, one clip that requires no knowledge of the Russian language, just knowledge of Believe, Zachem Pridumali Lubov and Lazerboy. I thought it was hilarious...

It's Like I Can't Breathe

I never really got into Never Mind the Buzzcocks, despite being a huge Bill Bailey fan, but came across the latest series on youtube recently and decided to see how they'd manage without Bill. Well, I have to say I've rather gotten into it now. I used to think Simon Amstell was an idiot when he was on Popworld, but his humour has grown on me lately. I love these British quiz shows that arent really about the quiz at all - 8 out of 10 cats, and QI being the best. Anyway, this scene in the first episode of the new series of NMTB is hilarious and probably the reaon I kept watching...

I Guess There's Got To Be A Break In The Monotony

Time for another random video. Here It Goes Again by OK Go. Those white shoes are mesmerising. One of the best videos ever made;

It really was the Time of My Life

I don't quite know how to write what I want to say. So I shall explain with a video instead. This is a video of a live performance by Green Day when they performed at Milton Keynes in June 2005. Green Day had been a favourite band of mine for a while, and I still believe that American Idiot is one of the best albums of the 21st Century.

This concert was the second time that I had seen Green Day live. It was simply amazing. As sad as it sounds this really was the best day of my life. I had had a couple of bad years, and the summer of 2005 is when I made a fresh start, and this concert was a real help to me. It was just a perfect day, and I always look back on it with fond memories.

This is Jesus of Suburbia, taken from the live DVD/CD release Bullet In A Bible. Should you want to buy it, it is available cheap in amazon. Its really worth checking out, Green Day have an amazing stage presence and they really went all out for this concert;

Oeoeoeoeo Ahh

Theres a video I've wanted to post for a while but keep forgetting, so without any reason, I'll post it today. This is a performance by Rhianna and The Klaxons at the Brit Awards a while ago. I didn't watch them on telly, but I found this on youtube recently, and think its rather cool. Goldon Skans (still my alarm in the mornings) is a wiked tune, and the mix with Umbrella doesn't make it any better as such, but its definitely an iteresting alternative;

I Put My Headphones On in the Waterfront Dance Club

Going to see The Rasmus the other week has reawakened the gigging girl in me. I've also had the iPod on shuffle lately so been digging up so old songs from my angsty teen years. Has been good.

So a week today Disco Ensemble are playing at a club in Turku. Should I go? No idea. They had a song called We Might Fall Apart that they released in the UK 3 or so years ago and then did nothing else there again. But I really liked that song, and really liked the new single from them that I heard on the radio on the way to Salo. Its called Headphones;



Also, in two weeks time, Funeral For A Friend are playing in Helsinki. I've been meaning to see them for years now, ever since they released Streetcar really, but then the thrid album was kinda sucky so went off them a bit. However, they released a new album earlier this month, and although I havent bought it (yet) the single is sounding like a return to form. So I would love to go and see them. But the gig is on a sunday night, and in a city 2 hours from here. So not sure if I can go, but will keep it in mind, and we'll see I guess. Anyway, the new single is called Waterfront Dance Club, check it;

Take a flight back to Helsinki...

Would you look at that - I went and passed my 100 post mark without even realising. Oops. I'll do some sort of monumental post for the 150 mark instead :)

Anyway, I want to share a track I kept hearing around when I first moved to Turku. But I listened to it again tonight because its mildly appropriate. Its by a band called C.S.S and the song is called Left Behind. The lyrics are about 'taking a flight back to Helsinki' and just drinking and dancing to forget about what she left behind. So I havent 'left anything behind' as such, and I'll be getting the train, not flying, but this weekend I return to Helsinki - wooooo! Its a friends birthday, and he's having a party, so kinda invited myself along :) Just need to find somewhere to stay for the night... bit cold for sleeping on a park bench me thinks.

Next Plane Home

I still cant decide whether or not I like this song. Its another one I hear everyday at work, and to start with I liked it enough to google it. Found out it was by Daniel Powter and then went off it a bit for some reason. So why am I posting it? Well this weekend I booked my flights home for christmas. Just 10 weeks, and I'll be back on home soil, ah...

So anyway, each time this song comes on it makes me think ahead to when I can get the 'Next Plane Home'

I want to hear your voice, you know its been so long

And just thinking about Rachel and Teitur, I've been listening to this track a lot lately. Its my favourite song by Teitur (that I've heard) and its called Sleeping With the Light On.

Teitur - Sleeping With The Lights On
Uploaded by Teitur-official

You Are The Fire Within My Heart

Ooo, lookie what I just found. Its an English version of Eldur! I havent stopped listening to/humming this song all weekend. I'm guessing this was on the Euroband album. Anyway, here it is - enjoy.



Think I prefer it in Icelandic, but still...

Hvers vegna ertu farin?

This song came on the mp3 player this morning, and it cheered me up on what is becoming a dreery walk to work. And its was insanely foggy this morning, my hair was wet by the time I got to work!

Anyway, its put me in a bit of a Fridrik mood. I was really rooting for Euroband at esc this year, and shamefully kind of forgot about them afterwards. But since then there seems to have been a good fews songs added to youtube.

For example, this song. Its called Farinn, which as far as I can tell means Gone. Its a big dramatic disney-style ballad. I warn you, some of the pictures are just plain wierd.





Also, I realised that I had never heard the following song before, despite hearing about it. I actually think its brilliant and cant believe I didnt listen to it before now. Its called Eldur.





Also, I just want to point you towards some other links. This video is of him performing a cover of Queens' Somebody to Love in his hometown. And for more songs you should check out his myspace, where you can hear some other lovely ballads, such as Ef þú þiggur það (try typing that on an english keyboard!).

Will I Ever Be By Your Side?

So while I was out of the loop, there have been a couple of new videos added to the hard2beat website, home of Basshunter, September and Sash!. It appears that Mr Basshunter has a new video out. And he actually features in it alot! The girl is back, but the boyfriend has been ditched, which means Mr B can make his move - oh er. The latest single will be Angel in the Night (a brand new track, not a remix of a Swedish original as far as I can tell). First impressions were of a remix of a busted song, but after a few listens it becomes quite catchy.

To see it on the hard2beat website, click here. If you have a look around the site you can also find a rather cool competition to meet Basshunter at a gig in Austria.

Also on the website though is the new video for Sash!'s latest single, Raindrops. Me and Rach had the pleasure of seeing Sash! back in February (unfortunately no interview though), and he was very good with a strong back-catalogue of music. Bit disappointing then to find that the new single samples Encore En Fois rather than being a completely new track, but perhaps this is just to remind people who he is?.. Anyway, its quite a good track, and the video is very... wet, shall we say.

Y'a pas d'amour au hasard

So, been a good day at work. Had its low points (finished all my work by 2, but couldnt leave till 4 - note to self, drag work out more) but actually got to get involved in some immunoassays, which was cool. Apparently i'll be doing a lot of them from now on. I'm sure the novelty will wear off quickly.

In more musical news, I've been in a kind of French mood today. Lots of Jonatan Cerrada on the ipod to lift my spirits on the bus journeys. But I want to share a song by a chap called Quentin Mosimann. Europecrazy has mentioned him in a couple of posts lately, due to the release of his album, so I had a quick search on youtube, and fell in love with this duet. Its called Donne Moi Le Temps.

I Dont Wanna But I Gotta

I've discovered a song recently thats been growing on me. The other day, one of the generic music channels was doing an American Boyband countdown, and one of the bands they showed was O-Town. I dont know how many of you know them, they had a couple of good singles out over here - Liquid Dreams and All or Nothing. I had the album, and it was your typical boyband stuff really. I think they were one of the first 'reality boybands' winning Making the Band on MTV back in 2000.

Anyway, after seeing the song on telly I wiki-ed them to see what happened to them all. Turns out one of them, Ashley Parker Angel, released a solo album with the main single being Let You Go. This is the song that has grown on me. Its that pop-rock that saw Kelly Clarkson rise to fame, but that was being done by less successful acts like Nine Days and Yellowcard long before. It was released in 2006 and reached the top 20. See what you think, but I quite like it;