A much needed dose of schlager

It seems that ever since Sweden picked The Ark to represent them in Helsinki (and we all know how that ended), we schlager-fans have fallen upon hard times. In such barren days, we must relive past glories, so here in all their glory are 2001 Melodifestivalen winners, Friends, with their very cheesy Lyssna till ditt hjarta. Perhaps it lacks a little oomph live, but at the end of the day, you've got to love those hip-slapping, foot-tapping, swaying synchronised dance routines. The dance moves become even more impressive when you consider the costumes. Just look at those red leather trousers... the blonde in particular looks like she's been crow-barred into them. Once false move, one slip of the leg and who knows what terrible consequences might have ensued.

Play it for the girls

Danny Saucedo is back, with a new single Play it for the girls and album Heart Beats out this week. The new single has been slated all over the net for "not being catchy enough". That's rubbish, if you liked Tokyo then you'll definitely like this one too. It's similarly infectious. Unfortunately, waif-looking cheesy pop-singing Danny seems to be using the occasion of his second single to insist that he's in love with a lot of girls... hmm, methinks the boy protesteth too much. But what makes this a great song is the completely canned, cheap electronic keyboard-style drum roll as the chorus approaches. You just can't buy that sort of cheese for love nor money in the UK these days. Check it out for yourself. While you're at it, check out the luminosity of those orange underpants. You know when you've been tangoed..

play it for the girls

tokyo