We're SPICE CITY

YYYYAAAAAAYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Spice Girls recently held a competition called Spice City, where their fans could vote for their city to be added to the Reunion Tour. It's just been reported from their official website that TORONTO WON THE CONTEST. Way to go Spice fans. The show has not been given an official date yet but keep checking back at http://www.thespicegirls.com/ and register for tickets as well. This is the second Canadian date to be added, Vancouver was recently added a few days ago and is currently the first stop on the tour. There are currently 15 dates on the tour with rumours of more to be added.

Now all I have to do is hope that I can get a ticket.

Sexy Santa

American Doll Posse is set to be released on Tuesday. I've already heard the whole album, and I think it's simply fantastic. I can't wait to actually have it in my hot little hand. In the meantime, may I introduce to you the fourth member of the Posse, the silver haired, glam girl, Santa.

Tori describes Santa as follows...

"Santa relates to Aphrodite (Greek Goddess of Love and Beauty) and is the sensualist of the quintet. Through songs like the shimmery pop of "Secret Spell" or the wonderfully wicked "You Can Bring Your Dog" or the delightfully retro "Programmable Soda", Santa is somebody who's a girl's girl. She understands her fellow sisters and she believes that there is enough love and passion out there for everyone. But she won't accept that there is something perverted about being very sensual and she won't drink shame with her sensuality."

To get to know Santa a bit more before she appears on stage (possibly at a venue near you) with Tori during the tour, you can read her official blog. As an added bonus, Tori is now streaming the entire album on her myspace site, so for those of you who can't wait a few more days (and haven't downloaded it already), go take a free listen. Buy the album when it comes out though, support the artists.

Bjork - Wanderlust (Live on SNL)

This is the second of the two songs from Volta that Bjork premiered on Saturday Night Live last night. She has stated that after doing a few serious albums all in a row, all she wanted to do for this album was to have fun and do something that was full bodied and really up. Mission Accomplished I would say.

Bjork - Earth Intruders (Live on SNL)

As quickly as the official video for Earth Intruders made it onto Youtube, it was removed by Warner Music. Let's hope that NBC doesn't catch on as quickly. This song was produced by Bjork and Timbaland. She looks gorgeous, and after two albums of soft beats (2001's celestus inspired Vespertine and 2004's all vocal Medulla), Bjork is rocking it up. The military/tribal beats and brass instrumentation is so energetic and transfixing, it almost takes one back to the Human Behaviour era.

Patty Griffin - I Don't Ever Give Up

In two days I am finally going to see the spectacular Patty Griffin in concert. I figured, what better way to celebrate this wonderous occassion than by posting Patty's performance of I Don't Ever Give Up on Jay Leno. Enjoy.

Pip

The third member of the American Doll Posse is the sexy rock chick (and my personal favorite of the bunch) Pip. Here is Tori's description of Pip...

"Pip represents Athena (the Greek Goddess of wisdom), and swaggers her way through the driving "Teenage Hustling" and duets with Santa on the rollicking "Body and Soul". Pip, being the warrior that she is, does confront issues and sometimes it's explosive, but I really love her energy and her casual approach to leather."

To listen to a clip of Teenage Hustling click here, and if you would like to see the official video for the first single Big Wheel click here. For more information on Pip and her views on the world visit her official blog.

Isabel

The second Doll Posse member to be introduced to the masses through tori's official website is the Political, photogenic freelance photographer, Isabel

Isabel is described as follows.

"Isabel, a photographer, is a reflection of Artemis (the Greek goddess of light and protector of the vulnerable) and is the most outwardly political of the bunch. She opens the album with "Yo George", a shout-out to our commander in chief, questioning what horribly dark road we've been led down and closes the CD with the anti-war anthem "Dark Side Of The Sun".

Listen to Isabel's "Yo George" here. For more insight from Isabel, visit her official blog .

Volta

I was in HMV the other day, just walking around and taking in the sights and what should attract my attention but a little canary yellow card informing me that Bjork's new album "Volta" will be released on May 7th. I know....I was as excited as you are now. Since then I have been watching her concert/video DVDs and imagining what the new music will sound like.

From what I've read, the album has been entirely produced by Bjork herself and will feature 10 new tracks featuring input from the likes of Timbaland (ya, I thought it was strange too), Antony Hegarty (Antony and The Johnsons), and Mark Bell (who had a big hand in creating Bjork's album Homogenic).

The first single which was supposed to be released on April 9th (I haven't heard it yet) is called "Earth Intruders". She will be promoting the album with an 18 month world tour that should be announced in the next week or so. Bjork's record label "One Little Indian" has been describing her new tunes as the most commercial sounding work she's ever done. That kind of sentence kinda makes me worry, but Bjork has never let me down before so why would she now? Just look at the album cover.....she looks like a huge gum drop with feet.

I hope I don't have to share the concert hall with people who have only heard one album of material by her. I was kind of pissed off that people started loving her after the whole swan dress thing, but they still didn't really listen to her music. Tour details state that she will be doing a month-on, month-off schedule (I'm assuming because she has a little girl to raise too), and she will be joined on stage by 30 musicians.

Hello Clyde!

In the next few weeks leading up to the arrival of her 9th studio album, Tori Amos will be introducing the Doll Posse one by one and giving backgrounds on each of the girls, discussing their roles in creating the music and revealing the addresses for their official blogs in case you haven't already found them. The first of the five to be introduced, is Clyde (the mousy looking member with the orange eye shadow).

Clyde has been described as follows...

"Clyde, who draws from Persephone (the Greek goddess of spring and rebirth), wears her emotional wounds on her sleeve, but remains idealistic. She is looking at the effects of not being a whole person. She is trying to figure out what she believes in and she is dealing with having been disappointed in her life. Clyde is a little girl lost on the string-laden, gorgeous "Girl Disappearing", and on the heartfelt ballad "Roosterspur Bridge"."

Clyde is also to thank for the gorgeous "Bouncing Off Clouds" which can be heard here . For more information on Clyde, visit her official blog .

American Doll Posse Tracklisting

Okay so the very thought of a new album that may be her best since Choirgirl is exciting news in of itself, but I was sent the tracklisting for the album the other day by my brother. Thanks Graeme. It goes as follows....

1) Yo George

2) Big Wheel

3) Bouncing Off Clouds

4) Teenage Hustling

5) Digital Ghost

6) You Can Bring Your Dog

7) Mr. Bad Man

8) Fat Slut

9) Girl Disappearing

10) Secret Spell

11) Devils and Gods

12) Body and Soul

13) Father's Son

14) Programmable Soda

15) Code Red

16) Roosterspur Bridge

17) Beauty Of Speed

18) Almost Rosey

19) Velvet Revolution

20) Dark Side Of The Sun

21) Posse Bonus

22) Smokey Joe

23) Dragon

You can also read the lyrics for the tracks at http://dailynibble.blogspot.com. Enjoy everyone.

Tori's New Album

Yay, there was recently an announcement on Rolling Stones website that Tori Amos' new album will be called American Doll Posse, and it's release date is set for May 1st. I simply can't wait, I was a bit disappointed with her last album, but from the sounds of things, this one's going to be great. The World Tour to support the album is scheduled to begin May 28th in Rome. I can't wait to see her live again. Above is the new press photo that was released with the announcement. It's a bit scary, but I love it. I think it's a bit ominous of Sissy Spacek in "Carrie".

She looks dead, her leg is bleeding, she's got a bible in one hand, and the word shame written on the other. Yah, creepy. Click the picture to enlarge.

Children Running Through

The sublime Miss Patty Griffin is releasing her fifth studio album tomorrow. I am so excited about hearing new music from her and hopefully getting to see her on tour this time around, that I just had to make an announcement about it. You should all pick it up, she has one of the smoothest country/pop/folk/gospel voices ever, and her songwriting is extraordinary. I guarantee you won't be sorry. The album is called Children Running Through, and the track listing is as follows.

1) You'll Remember

2) Stay On The Ride

3) Trapeze

4) Getting Ready

5) Burgundy Shoes

6) Heavenly Day

7) No Bad News

8) Railroad Wings

9) Up To The Mountains

10) I Don't Ever Give Up

11) Someone Else's Tomorrow

12) Crying Over

Heavenly Day is the only track I have heard from the album, I'm not sure if it's the first single or not, but if it's any indication of the rest of the album, it will be sweet

These Precious Things!

I've just been reading a few insider tidbits and recent quotes from Tori Amos about her next studio album and it sounds like it is going to be the complete polar opposite to her last release, 2005's The Beekeeper. Where that album reflected a soft and nurturing side of her persona, Tori has stated that she is now indeed ready to rock on her new project.

"I think that this new work - it's too early to say - but this is a very different chapter. Certainly, since I've been a mother. You haven't really felt this Tori in awhile...I didn't want (Tash) looking and hearing me and thinking, "Oh my God, that's a scary lady!" There are enough scary rock & roll mothers in the world. I'm able to explain now that the woman who comes and reads bedtime stories and hangs out with her is different from the woman who walks behind that piano. I think this is the first time she's able to differentiate that. Now that there's that buffer, there are things in the world it's time to confront. There is an energy that you carry when you're nurturing another life where you're protecting first -- and once you know that cub is out of the way of the hunter's gun, you can be a little more daring." ~Rolling Stone March 30, 2006

It has been confirmed that she is once again working with the sounds of the harpsichord (which she hasn't really used since Boys For Pele), as well as the piano and the Wurlitzer. In other interviews and quotes she has also spoken of a warrior woman who wants to represent herself on this new record.

I can't wait to hear what she comes out with. She is shooting for an April 2007 release. Until then, her box set collection "A Piano", which covers her past 15 years in the music spotlight is available now.

Janet To Excite The Billboard Awards

Janet Jackson will be opening the Billboard Awards (on Fox) tonight with a special performance of her single "So Excited". The singer who was seen in rehearsals donning a Jackson 5 t-shirt, has admitted that the performance will be a bit of a mix of old and new Janet. I'm feeling a bit sick today, so I hope I don't fall asleep tonight before it comes on.

Janet has also recently been divulging information about her 2007 world tour.

"It's going to be a retrospective of my 20 years, and you know the choreography is going to be crazy. I'm excited about the ideas that Gil (choreographer and long time backup dancer)and I have come up with and I can't wait to hit the road".

The next single from 20 Y.O. is the mid-tempo, groovalicious track "With U". Enjoy the show tonight.

Sidenote: I'm LOVING the new short hair. Hot.

Woah Nelly!

Somewhere in between Promiscuous and my boredom, Nelly Furtado became sexy. I always thought she was a cute sort, but for the new video "Say It Right" (and the promotion of said song) she has straightened her usually curly locks, added bangs to the look and glammed up her hot single mama image. This is the first single I have enjoyed from her new album, and I owe it all to the look....okay fine, yes it's a good song too.

Darling Print Ad

My heavens, Kylie Minogue is looking gorgeous in the new print ad for her fragrance, Darling. The fragrance reportedly achieved record sales in it's first day of availability in her native Australia, having the most successful launch of a fragrance at Myers Department Store (Australia's largest retailer).

In other news, Channel 4 in the UK will be broadcasting Kylie's Showgirl Homecoming Tour in early 2007 (so let's cross our fingers for a new concert DVD to add to our collections on this side of the pond). The new layout for the show includes most of the original set list with a few new elements IE. adding the song Burning Up from her Fever album with a slight Madonna tribute thrown into the mix of it (the spoken word section of Vogue), and her newest song White Diamond, which will hopefully be included on the new album.

Finally, her 2007 calendar is the biggest selling calendar from a female artist so far in the UK. This is the fifth year in a row that Kylie has topped the calendar sales charts.

New Deborah Music, Old Deborah Sound

I was kind of expecting a more up to date sound from Deborah Gibson seeing as how she is working with Neal Pogue who has worked with the likes of Pink and Outkast. but her new song "Famous" sounds like a scrap from her Body, Mind, Soul album from 1993. I hope this isn't a taste of things to come, if so I will be disappointed. www.deborah-gibson.com/Famous.mp3 for those who care to give it a listen. You never know somebody might like it, it's not horrible, just not what I was expecting. Maybe it will grow on me.

The Holidays Are Officially Upon Us

As some of my friends know, the Christmas season doesn't start for me until after I have watched the Santa Claus Parade on television. Up until that point I am unable to listen to Christmas music, think about Christmas shopping, or even fathom that the holiday is even approaching. Well, today is the day that the holiday season begins. Now, I know that watching it on TV with the cheesy jokes from the meteorologist and the news broadcaster from Global News, can be sort of annoying for some (I even find myself saying shut up to the TV every once in awhile), but it sets up my mood for the entire season (ie. brings back a little of that childhood wonderment and fun), and so it has become a tradition of mine to watch the entire parade and then start listening to some of my Christmas Cd's.

Always first on my list is Star Bright by Vanessa Williams, I just find that to be one of the finest albums in my collection, and this year I have Bette Midler's Christmas album to look forward to. Truth be told, I will be taping the Parade this year and watching it later tonight due to a busy rehearsal schedule for my musical theatre class and my play I am preparing for, but even if I have to stay up until midnight I will be watching today. Tradition is a tricky thing, isn't it?

Nerina Pallot - Everybody's Gone To War

I love the concept for this video, war in the supermarket. She's gorgeous, but it's too bad she looks like she has wonky eye in the beginning. By the way, I just learned her last name is pronounced Pal-O (no T)who knew.

The Sweet Escape: Album Cover

I'm loving the album cover for Gwen Stefani's new album The Sweet Escape. It looks very Jem and the Holograms (meaning girly and cartoony). The sad thing is, I hate, Hate, HATE the first single "Wind It Up". I'm really getting sick of these stupid white women rap attempts, it was annoying enough on Hollaback Girl from her last album, she even inspired the once Taylor Dayne voiced Stacey Ferguson (Fergie), to make a living out of singing like this. It just sounds like Mickey Mouse Club acting placed over music. Plus, the fucking sample of the Sound Of Music song "Lonely Goatherd", is as stupid an idea as putting a knife in a toaster.

Sidenote: Fergie Ferg. Stop acting like a raunchy thug bitch, you were on Kids Inc. and you were in a cheesy 90's girl group for God sake. (Nothing against Wild Orchid, I did buy two of their albums lol).

Gwen's album comes out December 5th. Just in time for Christmas, I'm sure that wasn't planned ;)