Thursday, August 28, 2014

My favourites: Kim Wilde - You Came (1988)

Welcome to the new part of my blog where I write about my all-time favourite songs. First out is "You Came" by the amazing Kim Wilde. The song is taken from the 1988 album "Close" and was released as a single the same year. It became a big hit in Europe. Here in Sweden it reached the number one spot on the Tracks chart.

In the summer of 2000, when I first discovered and fell in love with eighties pop music, "You Came" was one of the first tracks that caught my attention. I love Kim's unique voice, the strong melody and the electronic eighties sounds, especially the "handclaps". My favourite part is where Kim sings: "Cos in the space of a year, I've watched the old me disappear."

Check out the official video down below. It was shot during Michael Jackson's 1988 European tour, where Kim was the supporting act. I really love the typical late eighties hairstyle and outfits. In 2006, Kim released a new version of "You Came", but it's a little too rocky for my taste, so I'll stick with the electronic original.

"You Came" is available digitally on iTunes and Spotify. But I really recommend the remastered deluxe edition of the "Close" album. It's truly a masterpiece!



Keep an eye on my new blog label "favourites" to see, hear and read about more of my favourite tracks. You can also subscribe to my favourites playlist on YouTube.

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Until Dawn - Teen slasher video game

Check out the trailer for the upcoming video game "Until Dawn". It will be released in 2015 for the Playstation 4. Being a fan of both adventure games and horror movies, I'm very excited about this title. It looks really good. A big plus is that one of the characters is voiced by Hayden Panettiere, known from TV series such as "Heroes" and "Nashville". The game also stars Brett Dalton and Rami Malek.

"Until Dawn" tells the story of eight friends who spend the night in a mountain cabin on the anniversary of the death of one of their friends. They soon realise that they are being stalked by a clown-masked killer. The player's choices will help decide who lives and dies.

If you like teen slasher movies like "Scream" and "Friday The 13th", I'm sure you'll enjoy this game. Stay tuned for more information!

Monday, August 25, 2014

Eurotix - Let's Die Young (EP)

We are happy to announce our brand new Eurotix EP "Let's Die Young"! The title track is dedicated to a mutual friend of ours and tells the story of her and Larry's friendship back in the eighties. She kindly let us use an old photo of her for the EP cover.

The EP also includes three non-album tracks: The brand new "Kill Another Day" (Can you spot the Depeche Mode reference?) and "Come And Hold Me" (A cover of a song by Swedish schlager duo Nina & Kim, with new lyrics written by Dennis), plus our cover of Alphaville's album track "Lies".

"Let's Die Young" is out now on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon UK, Amazon US, plus many other digital music stores. The song is taken from our debut album "The Secret", available digitally and as a limited CD edition. We hope you will like it. Please help us spread the word and thanks for all your support!

"Let's Die Young" tracklist:

1. Let's Die Young
2. Come And Hold Me
3. Kill Another Day
4. Lies

Saturday, August 23, 2014

Solid Harmonie - Circus

My childhood idols are back! British girl group Solid Harmonie were huge in Europe back in the late nineties with hit singles such as "I'll Be There For You", "I Want You To Want Me", "To Love Once Again" and "I Wanna Love You".

Me and my younger sister used to mime to their songs when we were kids, pretending to be the girls. I still enjoy their debut album very much and it's filled with pop gems, not just the singles.

Their comeback single "Circus" is a cool dance-pop track and you can get it now from iTunes. The girls have already done a few gigs in the Netherlands and I hope they'll record a full album with modern dance music!

Sunday, August 17, 2014

Kylie Minogue's PWL albums reissued

As you know, Kylie Minogue is one of my biggest idols, and I love the Stock Aitken Waterman/PWL sound of the eighties and nineties. So you bet I'm excited about Cherry Pop Records' upcoming remastered and expanded reissues of Kylie's first four albums!

The Cherry Pop reissues come in three different versions:

1. The "Special Edition" includes one CD, with a couple of bonus tracks.
2. The "Deluxe Edition" includes two CD's, with tons of bonus tracks, plus a DVD with videos.
3. The "Collector's Edition" box set includes the same CD's as the deluxe edition, plus a vinyl copy of the original album, a poster, postcards and a book.

I'm so glad I didn't get the overpriced 2012 Japanese reissues since they didn't include nearly as many extras. Personally, I'm not into vinyl and fancy packaging so I'm getting the deluxe editions. I only miss the 1992 "Greatest Hits" tracks and some 7" mixes, but I'm sure there is more to come. But I'm thrilled about getting the original albums, B-sides and remixes digitally remastered.

I've listed all the bonus tracks on the deluxe editions down below, plus pre-order links. Note that I haven't listed the original album tracks. Also, the price on Amazon is quite high at the moment, but they usually lower their prices before the October 27 release. Enjoy it!

Kylie (1988)

Made In Heaven
Locomotion
I Should Be So Lucky (Extended Version)
Got To Be Certain (Extended Version)
The Loco-Motion (The Kohaku Mix)
Je Ne Sais Pas Pourquoi (Moi Non Plus Mix)
It's No Secret (Extended Version)
Made In Heaven (Maid In England Mix)
Locomotion (Chugga-Motion Mix)
Getting Closer (Extended Oz Mix)
I Should Be So Lucky (The Bicentennial Remix)
Got To Be Certain (Extra Beat Boys Remix)
The Loco-Motion (The Sankie Mix)
Je Ne Sais Pas Pourquoi (The Revolutionary Mix)
Made In Heaven (Original 12" Mix)
I Should Be So Lucky (12" Remix)
The Loco-Motion (12" Master)
Glad To be Alive
Getting Closer (UK Mix)
Made In Heaven (Heaven Scent Mix)
The Loco-Motion (Oz Tour Mix)

Pre-order from: Amazon, Cherry Pop.

Enjoy Yourself (1989)

Especially For You
All I Wanna Do
Just Wanna Love You
We Know The Meaning Of Love
Hand On Your Heart (The Great Aorta Mix)
Wouldn't Change A Thing (Your Thang Mix)
Never Too Late (Extended Version)
Tears On My Pillow (Extended Version)
Especially For You (Extended Version)
Hand On Your Heart (The Heartache Mix)
Wouldn't Change A Thing (The Espagna Mix)
I'm Over Dreaming (Over You) (Extended Remix)
We Know The Meaning Of Love (Extended Version)
Tears On My Pillow (12" Remix)
Especially For You (Original 12" Mix)
All I Wanna Do (Extended Version)
Hand On Your Heart (Smokin' Remix)
Wouldn't Change A Thing (Yoyo's 12" Mix)
Especially For You (Original 7" Mix)
Hand On Your Heart (Video Mix)
Wouldn't Change A Thing (The Espagna Mix Edit)
Never Too Late (Oz Tour Mix)
I'm Over Dreaming (Over You) (Remix)
Hand On Your Heart (Dub)

Pre-order from: Amazon, Cherry Pop.

Rhythm Of Love (1990)

Better The Devil You Know (The Mad March Hare Mix)
Step Back In Time (Walkin' Rhythm Mix)
What Do I Have To Do (Pumpin' Mix)
Shocked (DNA 12" Mix)
Things Can Only Get Better (Original Mix)
Better The Devil You Know (Dave Ford Mix)
Step Back In Time (Tony King Mix)
What Do I Have To Do (Between The Sheets Mix)
Shocked (Harding/Curnow 12" Mix)
Better The Devil You Know (Alternative Mix)
I Am The One For You
What Do I Have To Do (Billy The Fish Mix)
Better The Devil You Know (US Remix)
One Boy Girl (12" Mix)
Shocked (Harding/Curnow 7" Mix)
Things Can Only Get Better (Original 12" Mix)
What Do I Have To Do (Sax On The Beach Mix)
Step Back In Time (The Big Shock)

Pre-order from: Amazon, Cherry Pop.

Let's Get To It (1991)

Say The Word - I'll Be There
Do You Dare (NRG Edit)
Closer (Edit)
Keep On Pumpin' It (Angelic Remix Edit)
Word Is Out (Extended Version)
If You Were With Me Now (Extended Version)
Give Me Just A Little More Time (Extended Version)
Finer Feelings (Brothers In Rhythm 12" Mix)
Keep On Pumpin' It (Angelic Remix)
Do You Dare (NRG Mix)
Closer (The Pleasure Mix)
Word Is Out (Summer Breeze Mix)
Too Much Of A Good Thing (Original 12" Mix)
Let's Get To It (Tony King 12" Mix)
Right Here, Right Now (Tony King 12" Mix)
Live And Learn (Original 12" Mix)
Keep On Pumpin' It (Astral Flight Mix)
Do You Dare (New Rave Mix)
No World Without You (Original Mix)
If You Were With Me Now (Orchestral Version)
Finer Feelings (Brothers In Rhythm Dub)

Pre-order from: Amazon, Cherry Pop.

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Lauren Bacall has passed away

One of my favourite actresses, the classic movie star Lauren Bacall, has died. She suffered a fatal stroke yesterday and passed away in her New York home, eighty-nine years old.

Lauren got her big breakthrough in the 1944 movie "To Have And Have Not" and quickly became known for her husky voice and mysterious look. During filming, Lauren and he co-star, movie legend Humphrey Bogart, fell in love. They married the following year and the marriage lasted until Bogart's death in 1957.

Some of Lauren's best known movies include "Key Largo", "The Big Sleep", "Murder On The Orient Express" and "How To Marry A Millionaire". The latter also starred movie icons Marilyn Monroe and Betty Grable.

Rest in peace, Lauren. You are missed.

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

The Saturdays - Finest Selection: The Greatest Hits

The Saturdays, one of my favourite modern girl groups, have just released their first compilation album "Finest Selection: The Greatest Hits". It includes all their hits, plus three new tracks, including the latest single "What Are You Waiting For?"

The standard CD edition is available from Amazon UK and Amazon US. The deluxe edition, which also includes "Flashback - The B-sides Collection", is available digitally on iTunes.

The super deluxe box set edition includes both the standard and B-sides editions on CD, plus a DVD with all the music video. It comes in a special box which can only be ordered from The Saturdays' official store.

I love their B-sides, so I sure know which edition I'll be getting! If you love modern dance-pop music and girl groups, you are sure to love this collection.

"Finest Selection: The Greatest Hits" tracklist:

1. What About Us
2. Higher
3. Ego
4. All Fired Up
5. What Are You Waiting For?
6. Up (Radio Edit)
7. Forever Is Over (Radio Edit)
8. Issues (Radio Mix)
9. Disco Love
10. Notorious
11. Missing You
12. Work (Phil Tan Radio Mix)
13. Not Giving Up (Radio Mix)
14. 30 Days
15. 808
16. Gentleman
17. If This Is Love (Radio Edit)
18. Walking Through The Desert
19. My Heart Takes Over
20. Just Can’t Get Enough

"Flashback - The B-sides Collection" tracklist:

1. Not That Kinda Girl
2. Flashback
3. Wildfire
4. Beggin'
5. Turn Myself In
6. Love Come Down
7. Ladykiller
8. I Can't Wait
9. Somebody Else's Life (Acoustic)
10. Had It With Today
11. Ready To Rise
12. So Stupid.
13. What Am I Gonna Do
14. On The Radio
15. Unofficial
16. Golden Rules
17. Bigger
18. Crashing Down
19. When Love Takes Over

Friday, August 08, 2014

Diana Ross' eighties albums reissued

I've never been a fan of old Motown music, so I haven't listened that much to Diana Ross' early albums. However, Funky Town Grooves are releasing expanded reissues of her eighties albums this October, which is a huge thing for an eighties nerd like me.

All reissues include the original album, digitally remastered from the original master tapes, plus the bonus tracks listed down below:

Why Do Fools Fall In Love (1981)

Mirror, Mirror (7" Mix)
Mirror, Mirror (7" Alternate Version)
Work That Body (7" Mix)
Work That Body (12" Mix)
Work That Body (Extended Mix)
Endless Love (Edited Version)
Endless Love (Vocal Version)
Endless Love (Instrumental)

Pre-order from Amazon UK, Amazon US.

Silk Electric (1982)

Muscles (Edited Version)
Muscles (12" Version)
So Close (Single Version)
I Am Me (Edited Version)

Pre-order from Amazon UK, Amazon US.

Ross (1983)

Piece Of Ice (12" Mix)
Pieces Of Ice (12" Instrumental)
Pieces Of Ice (7" Mix)
Up Front (7" Mix)
Up Front (12" Special Mix)
Up Front (12" European Mix)
Let's Go Up (7" Mix)

Pre-order from Amazon UK, Amazon US.

Swept Away (1984)

Swept Away (12" Long Version)
Swept Away (12" Instrumental)
Swept Away (7" Single Mix)
Touch By Touch (12" Single Mix)
Touch By Touch (12" Instrumental)
Touch By Touch (Alternate Single Mix)
Telephone (Edited Version)
Missing You (7" Single Mix)
Fight For It (7" Single Version)

Pre-order from Amazon UK, Amazon US.

Eaten Alive (1985)

Eaten Alive (Single Mix)
Eaten Alive (Single Mix Instrumental)
Eaten Alive (Hot Extended Dance Mix)
Eaten Alive (12" Instrumental)
Experience (Special Dance Mix)
Experience (Instrumental)
Experience (Single Version)
Chain Reaction (Special Dance Mix)
Chain Reaction (Special Single Mix)

Pre-order from Amazon UK, Amazon US.

Red Hot Rhythm And Blues (1987)

Mr. Lee (European Album Version)
Tell Mama (European Album Version)
Sweet Soul Music
Dirty Looks (Remix Version)
Dirty Looks (Instrumental)
Dirty Looks (Bonus Beats)
Dirty Looks (UK Album Mix)
Shockwaves (12" Remix)
Shockwaves (Instrumental)
Shockwaves (7" Remix)
Mr. Lee (Swing Mix)
Mr. Lee (Rare Groove Version)
Mr. Lee (7" Swing Beat Mix)

Pre-order from Amazon UK, Amazon US.

Tuesday, August 05, 2014

Sweet Connection - German disco duo fansite

I'm a big fan of the German duo Sweet Connection. They released four euro disco/italo disco singles in the late eighties and early nineties. "Need Your Passion" and "Dirty Job" from 1988 are their best knows hits and you can hear them down below.

I have created a fansite about the duo, including a discography, biography, poll and much more. Check it out at Plastic Retro.





Monday, August 04, 2014

Eurotix - After Before, Before After

Listen to "After Before, Before After" by my synthpop project Eurotix down below. White Lion Radio called it the best synth ballad since "Say Hello, Wave Goodbye". What do you think? One of the inspirations for this song was Alphaville's "Forever Young".

The track is taken from our debut album "The Secret", available digitally on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon UK, Amazon US and as a limited CD edition. Enjoy!

Sunday, August 03, 2014

Monthly Chart - July 2014

1. Paris Hilton - Come Alive
2. La Toya Jackson - Feels Like Love
3. Trixie - From Head To Toe
4. Mimi Oh - Skvaller
5. Sweet Connection - Heart To Heart
6. Lena Philipsson - Blir Galen
7. Jesse McCartney - Superbad
8. Trixie - If You Walk Away
9. NittiTusen - Kalla Mig Dåre
10. Lena Philipsson - Månsken I Augusti (Skinny Remix)
11. India - Right From The Start (Kickin' It 7" Edit)
12. Sweet Connection - Dirty Job
13. Trixie - 1...4...5...6...9
14. NittiTusen - Stormen
15. So What - I Can't Believe
16. Safire - Made Up My Mind (909 Pop Mix)
17. NittiTusen - En Två Tre
18. Stéphanie - One Love To Give
19. Taylor Dayne - With Every Beat Of My Heart (Extended Radio Remix)
20. Lena Philipsson - 006 (Remix With Lead-Song)
21. Trixie - I Can't Slow Down
22. Safire - Taste The Bass (Hot Mix)
23. Eighth Wonder - I'm Not Scared (Little Louie Vega Mix)
24. Ragnhild Røstad - The Love Of My Life (The House Of Lords Remix)
25. Mel & Kim - Respectable (Extra Beats Vocal)
26. Stéphanie - Live Your Life
27. Van - Ludwig Van (Extended Version)
28. Paweł Błaszczak - Lifeguard Theme
29. Ragnhild Røstad - Have Some Fun (Nightversion)
30. Safire - Made Up My Mind (Hip Hop Pop Mix)
31. David Tainton - Each Time You Break My Heart (Extended Version)

This list shows which songs I've listened to the most this month, on my computer and my iPod. A regularly updated list of my all-time favourite songs can be found here.

Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube to see more stuff from my life. You can also find more information about me on DennisAlexis.com.

Saturday, August 02, 2014