Bjork Gives Back To Iceland

I've always admired Icelandic singer, Bjork, for her unique sense of style and outspoken nature. Now, news of her undying devotion to her homeland has given me even more to respect. According to Billboard Magazine (and multiple other news sources), Bjork has joined forces with a Reykjavik-based venture capital firm on a fund that will "invest in companies that are socially and environmentally

New Dido Remix on Masterbeat

I've started buying a lot of my dance music on Masterbeat. I had heard of Masterbeat before, expensive than iTunes...a song usually costs between $1.49 - $1.99. But the selection of current dance music is way better. They keep getting exclusives and new labels keep coming on board. Masterbeat got the Alanis Morissette remixes for "Not As We" before iTunes, for instance. Not all tracks are

oi oi! New Keane Remix!

I'm currently obsessed with this new CSS remix for Keane's second single! Apparently it was released as part of a digital bundle when the single was released in October. Thanks, once again to Arjan Writes for the brilliant plug! This mix is a bit bizarre-sounding in parts, but I'm all about the bizarre! Check it out and let me know what you think!Keane's third single, "Perfect Symmetry" is out

Jane Monheit & Diana Krall - New Discs Due in the New Year

While perusing the Amazon New Releases section, I discovered that one of my favorite Jazz artists, Jane Monheit is releasing a new album in January. I haven't purchased a new Monheit album in a few years, but her second album still remains one of my favorites! I think I read a review of "Come Dream With Me" and bought it on a whim while at a Borders. I was so glad that I did! Her voice is

New Kelly Clarkson & Daniel Merriweather!

According to both Arjan Writes and Billboard, Kelly Clarkson's new single, "My Life Would Suck Without You" is due out on January 19th! So close! Apparently this album (from what insiders have heard so far) is very reminiscent of "Breakaway." This is good news. I admit that I kind of enjoyed a few tracks off "My December" but not nearly as much as I enjoyed "Breakaway."Also on Arjan Writes, the

Help Re-design My Banner!

So...I have a favor to ask. Is there anyone out there who could do a re-design of my banner? I don't have any art programs or I would totally do it myself. I'm just looking to give this blog a bit of a makeover. I'm just looking for something with some pictures of some of the artists I talk a lot about. Take a look at the artists in my links section to get an idea. Please email me! swardkj at

New Album Artwork

Coverlandia is a great resource if you are in search of new or recent album artwork from your favorite artists. The talented crew of the Coverlandia blog posts official and fanmade artwork for top artists from all over the music charts! Here is some of my favorite official sleeve artwork from the past couple of weeks. What's your favorite? - Via CoverlandiaStill don't think I've heard this song

Jennifer Hudson - If This Isn't Love Remixes & More Ebay Goodness

I received the first of my recent Ebay orders the other day and couldn't be more pleased. It's the UK Promo Maxi for Amy Studt's "Nice Boys." 19 Recordings went all out with the artwork and packaging for this promo, which surprises me. Considering how poorly her last two single charted (or didn't chart, as the case was with "Furniture") it looks like the label is throwing some money into this

Recent Ebay Purchases

Yeah, I'm back at it again on Ebay. This weekend I got some goodies by Amy Studt, Sarah Whatmore and a new British singer named Pierre. Amy Studt has been on my radar since her first album False Smiles, where her songs "Misfit" and "Just A Little Girl" were standouts. Whatmore was a former contestant on UK's Pop Idol and "Smile" is the first single off her upcoming album Time To Think. Pierre is

New Lady Sovereign Single and More!

I finally got the last of my Ebay purchases yesterday. This includes Will Young's "Grace" remixes, Sugababes' "No Can Do" remixes, and Bryn Christopher's remixes for "Smilin'." I also got two Cher maxis - "Believe" and "Strong Enough." Nice, nice surprise :-)Some random bits of news...Lily Allen's new album artwork has been revealed for "It's Not Me, It's You," due out in the U.S. on February

Britney Spears - Circus Review

Back in college, I wrote a review for Britney's self titled album (2001's "Britney") for my college paper's weekend edition. In my review I did a silly little analogy - comparing Britney's past two albums to various types of bubble gum. I don't remember the specific type of gum "Britney" was but I do remember giving a generally negative review. Perhaps it was because I was young, perhaps it was

Dido on Ghost Whisperer - Interview With a Music Supervisor

Dido's official blog has posted an interview with Lindsay Wolfington of Lone Wolf Music Supervision. In this interview, Lindsay gives some insight into how music gets selected for television and film. Shows like Grey's Anatomy and the now departed O.C. have both been effective marketing tools for musicians...both popular and lesser known. This is quite interesting!Dido's song "Quiet Times"

Leona Lewis - Run Video

I know this is old news...but I LOVE it. Check out the video for Leona's cover of "Run," originally by Snow Patrol. Her version is Beautiful. Apparently Leona's cover of "Run" became the fastest-selling digital release ever - selling 69,244 copies in only two days!



Check out Snow Patrol's original video here.

Lily Allen - The Fear Video and Remix News

Lily Allen premiered her new video for The Fear today. It's cute. Thoughts?





In other news...Dave Dresden (of Gabriel & Dresden) revealed via his MySpace blog that he's been asked to remix "The Fear."Exciting! We can hear it in his MySpace player shortly. Check out the video here. Check out Dave Dresden's MySpace blog here.


Here's what Dave had to say:





"I'm producing this remix

Lady Gaga - Christmas Tree

Another gem from Arjan Writes (via MTV) - Lady Gaga's new Christmas song called "Christmas Tree." It's a festive electro-jam. Interesting. Thoughts? I don't know. I think it's kind of ridiculous. Popjustice has made this song it's song of the day for 12/4! Check it out here!- Via Arjan Writes

Jessica Mauboy - Burn (New Single)

I've seen stuff on the music blogs about this chica before, apparently she's from Australian Idol. Her name is Jessica Mauboy. She's 19 and signed with Sony. This is her current single in Australia. Watch the video here. Thoughts? - Via PopJustice

WTF? - Coldplay featuring Kylie Minogue

I found this gem over on my new fav music blog, Arjan Writes. How come I never heard about this? Is this going to be Coldplay's next single? It's a deep, dark, depressing duet with none other than Ms. Kylie Minogue.WHAT? Dark & Depressing? Kylie Minogue? This is rarely a feeling associated with any of Kylie's music (save for her 1995 single "Where The Wild Roses Grow" with Nick Cave, which Arjan

Britney, Pink, The Killers, GaGa - Oh My!

On my lunch break today I walked over to the Newbury Comics on Newbury Street. I knew I was going to be buying Britney's new album, "Circus." What I didn't plan on was that I would also buy The Killers' new record (and by record, I of course mean CD), P!nk's "Funhouse" (which is FABULOUS) and Lady GaGa's album. And I complain about being broke! Ha. I'll review each CD formally sometime later this

Britney - Circus (Out Tomorrow)

Don't forget to pick up your copy of Britney's Spears' new album, "Circus." It's in stores tomorrow! There's a deluxe and a regular version. The Deluxe Edition includes the "Womanizer" video, a making-of featurette, a two-sided collector’s poster, and two bonus tracks.Buy it at any of these places (as long as you buy it)!iTunesAmazonNewbury ComicsCD WowBritney's on:FacebookMySpaceOfficial

Reviews - Bette Midler, Gabriella Cilmi

So this weekend I was thrilled to receive my first batch of my recent Ebay purchases. Let's do some music reviews! I'm not talking about every remix, just the stand outs.Bette Midler - In These Shoes (CD Maxi Single) (2001) Released in 2001, "In These Shoes" is off of Midler's 2000 album - "Bette." According to All Music, "Bette" was her second and final record on Warner Brothers Records. She was

Lily Allen - The Fear (New Single)

Well, first of all, in case nobody heard - Rosie's proposed variety hour is a no go, according to People Magazine. This less than a week after her tauted "Prime Time comeback" premiered to abysmally low ratings. Not too surprised, even though I do love Rosie and was secretly cheering for success.




- Fanmade Album Artwork Via Coverlandia Blog by jlm

In other news - Lily Allen premiered her