RATE IT! The Perfect Workout Playlist

I'm the last person who would call working out "fun", but I do know that a wicked playlist of tunes can make breaking a sweat somewhat bearable.

If you're looking for inspiration or tips on how to create the perfect exercise playlist, my new article on the website of Canadian Living magazine, might be just the thing to put a bounce in your step.

Get moving and grooving!

RATE IT! New Holiday Tunes

It's now officially December - let the holiday tunes ring out! 


Now, I know that many retailers have already jumped the gun, and have been playing Christmas music for weeks now. But if you can still stomach a seasonal song or two, take a look at one of my latest articles for Slice.ca. This piece is giving all the latest (and most noteworthy) Christmas albums the once over. Some albums are new this year, while others are from last year or the year before. 


A little bit of holiday flavour for everyone! Read and enjoy!


(photo © Jackie Middleton)

RATE IT! Tagged Retro-Style

I'm a sucker for travel-related accessories, so I was thrilled to find a Flight 001 store in Chicago. Just like the NYC shop, the Chi-town version did not disappoint. 


The usual suspects of travel paraphernalia were present and accounted for (nifty toiletry bags, gadgets for packing, passport covers, laptop bags -- so many fab items to choose from!) but they also had the coolest luggage tags. Yes, I do love a fun baggage tag. We ended up purchasing several - not only for ourselves but also as gifts for family. The favourite? This cassette tape tag. If the old school muso look isn't for you, how about a retro Scooter, or Rubik's Cube (another one we gifted). 


So cute and functional at the same time. The only problem? Every time we travel, I'll be worried that someone else will fall in love with our funky tags and steal them!


Flight 001 has a terrific online shop, so there's no need to feel left out if you can't visit their stores in person. 


(images: Flight 001)

RATE IT! Somebody to Love Me

Ear worms can be evil little pests! Songs that roll 'round and 'round in your head can drive you to distraction... except when the tune is a little piece of heaven.


The latest track stuck in my head? 'Somebody to Love Me' by Mark Ronson and Business Intl. When Mark's album came out last fall, I was immediately blown away by 'Record Collection,' the song featuring my ultimate pop star, Duran Duran's Simon Le Bon. But now a few months, and two trips to England later, I'm adding 'Somebody to Love Me' to my must-listen playlist in my iPod. I became reacquainted with the tune while shopping in London. You know when you hear a song you've heard before but this time in a different setting? And how it can instantly spark some interest? That's what happened to me. I love this song.


Once again, Mark Ronson turned to an '80s icon to add some vocal oomph. Boy George shares the singing duties in this one with a great artist named Andrew Wyatt, leader of Miike Snow. (and I just discovered that Andrew was once in an outfit with the fella from The Bird and the Bee who I *love*!).


And in this TV clip, I had to laugh when I spotted the drummer's wallet on laid out on his kit!





And if you want to see the official video - a complete '80s flashback - indulge in this clip. An old school Boy George lookalike, bare bums... what more could you want? :)



Mark Ronson - Somebody To  Love (Official Video) by PayeTaChatte

RATE IT! Friends of Mine

Can't help myself! Time for another trip down Duran Duran memory lane!


Here's a clip of 'Friends of Mine,' a track from the very first self-titled album. 


Enjoy!

RATE IT! Careless Memories

It's my birthday week, so Friday's music video choice is my all-time favourite. Okay, it's cheesy - I'm the first to admit that fact - but I ADORE this song... yep, it's my #1 Duran Duran tune. 


The video is one of the first Duran Duran ever shot. Way before the slick gloss of 'Rio', and 'Hungry Like the Wolf,' there was 'Careless Memories.' At this time, Duran were still firmly entrenched in the whole new romantic music scene that was going down a storm in the UK... the clothes, make-up - all so mad! What's not to love? And Simon Le Bon looks so fetching with the black eyeliner. 


This video from YouTube was originally taken from the VHS video release put out around 1983. 'Careless Memories' is inner-cut with clips from the 'Lonely in Your Nightmare' video that came out with the 'Rio' album... hence Simon's more modern look popping in and out during the first :20 or so of 'Careless Memories.' Enjoy. 

RATE IT! Common People

I think this Friday would be better off with a little bit of Pulp...


'Common People,' anyone? A Britpop classic - and this video stars actress Sadie Frost too.


Enjoy!

RATE IT! Action

With my adoration of all things London, it's barely surprising how much I regard one of its finest pop bands, Saint Etienne. 


The group is famous for its affinity for the city. Just listen to 'London Belongs to Me' and you'll catch my drift!


To celebrate more London fabulousness, here's a video from an album or two back. The track is called 'Action' and we certainly get our fair share from this video. Nice to see lead singer, Sarah Cracknell going walkabout too!

RATE IT! The First Picture of You

Happy Friday! It's been a crazy week, so let's wind down towards the weekend with a little musical gem from the '80s. 


An often forgotten tune, it's glorious... and pretty much on permanent repeat in my iPod.


The Lotus Eaters ~ "The First Picture of You"


...'see the flowers scream their joy...'

RATE IT! Nothing Can Stop Us Now

It's Friday! How about a little musical interlude to help return that smile to your face? The weekend is almost here.


'Nothing Can Stop Us Now' - a beaut of a tune from one of my all-time fave bands, Saint Etienne. Oh, Sarah Cracknell... how we all wanted to be you!

RATE IT! Smash Hits ~ Saved Online

Duran Duran once professed to loving this magazine, so it's not surprising that as an '80s era Durannie that I would follow suit. 


It took me some time before I found my very own imported copy of 'Smash Hits' on a magazine stand here in Toronto. Being a suburban kid in 1984, I'd travel down every Saturday to search out any UK imports that I could get my greedy hands on. Imported 12" singles, magazines, buttons, posters... they were all fair game if we could track them down. That was the hard part. Finding said items. Usually record shops would get one, maybe two in at a time so the key was to get downtown early, and make your decisions quickly otherwise someone else's score was your heartbreak. 


My first issue of 'Smash Hits' as fate would have it, featured Simon Le Bon on the cover. I still own that very special issue, so it was with great excitement that I came across this terrific website that aims at capturing every issue of 'Smash Hits' available. Like Punk Never Happened - Brian McCloskey's Smash Hits Archive is my new home away from home. I love it. The coolest thing? If you click on the Smash Hits cover images on his site, it opens up scans of the ENTIRE issue. Brilliant. I'm so hyped that we can explore all the issues that we never found - like the one depicted here with Duran's Roger & Nick as cover stars. 


Brian's hardwork in saving and scanning these fabulous music mags should be applauded. So many of us grew up with Smash Hits, and the bands it so lovingly featured (or, made fun of!) - it would be a shame for them to vanish without a trace. Thanks to Brian, we can relive their magic again and again - without all the clutter at home! Well, maybe for some.. I still have many Smash Hits and No. 1 magazines in my midst. Once a Durannie, always a Durannie...

RATE IT! Dave Grohl Hates Glee

And... another rocker steps up to the plate! Yes, Dave Grohl, the brains behind the Foo Fighters has added his name to the list of musicians who despise Glee. 


Remember my mini-rant about Kings of Leon & their lack of lovin' for Glee? Well, the Foo-ster is adding some fuel to a similar fire. Seems Dave recently had some choice words about the series and its creator, Ryan Murphy. Grohl is taking a stand for all musicians, saying the tactics Murphy uses to pressure artists into handing over their songs for use in his show are wrong and out of whack. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Grohl's quoted as saying, "It's every band's right, you shouldn't have to do f**king Glee. Dude, maybe not everyone loves Glee. Me included."


Right on, Dave! Never liked Glee, never will. 

RATE IT! Elvis PEZ

Want some cheese with your candy? 


Leave it to PEZ to create the ultimate in pop culture candy dispensers. All hail The King!


Not one but THREE Elvi for you to choose from: 1950s, 1960s and 1970s aka Vegas Elvis - complete the set. 


But wait, there's more! They come in a special tin along with a three-track CD. Now you can munch your Pez, marvel at Mr. Presley PEZ-afied, and listen away til your heart's content.  


It's just so cheesy! I can't help but like it...in all its silly, pop culture glory. 

RATE IT! Adele - 21

Music must-buy of the week!


Adele's latest effort, 21 is out TODAY in North America. Our British friends have had this gorgeous album for a month or so already, lucky ducks! All the clips I heard prior to the release on this side of the pond were absolutely delicious. Beautiful and moving... can't wait to chill and listen to the entire thing!

RATE IT! Meme

I love nothing better than a sweet, new music find. Watching my guilty pleasure, 'Gossip Girl' a few weeks back, a gorgeous little tune played in the background of one of the scenes, and I just couldn't rest until I discovered who and what it was. Turns out, it's a lovely little gem called 'Beat of My Own Song' by a group called Meme. I've never heard of them before... and it appears that I'm not alone!


Searching the web, I could find very little on this pop group. Eventually my digging paid off. I was able to gleam that Meme is a duo: Danny Burke and Lizzie Brown. They hail from Minnesota, and the aforementioned tune was featured in - of all things - an episode of 'Jersey Shore' before it ever graced the soundtrack of 'Gossip Girl.' But please... don't let the Snooki connection turn you off! Meme are haunting, and so memorable. A little bit like Frou Frou, and a long-lost favourite -- Mono (yes, the brilliant creators of 'Formica Blues' - now, where are *they* now?). To put it quite simply, I loved Meme on first listen. 


iTunes offers their complete self-titled album, and I urge you to check it out. It's beautiful, and 'Beat of My Own Song' makes me feel happy, like everything is going to be alright. Always a bonus! 

RATE IT! Hello!

Ah, sorry to crush your hopes if you were landing here for a gawk at Lionel Ritchie. No, I'm offering up a much better song called "Hello". It's the Martin Solveig & Dragonette tune...all electronic, poppy glory! It's been wedged in my head for days now and I've decided to share the happy vibe with others in order to make room for the next addictive tune. 


Plus, it's Friday so it's the optimum time for some silly. 


The video is a bit odd, but it matches the cover of the single. Anyone for tennis?

RATE IT! Mad Over Bieber

You know that you're a pop culture staple when you get the 'Mad Magazine' treatment.


Teen dream, Justin Bieber meets 'Mad' stalwart, Alfred E. Neuman. 


Nice work! And not a hair out of place!

RATE IT! Kings of Leon Feeling No Glee

Have you heard about the latest war of words in celebrity-ville? Apparently, Ryan Murphy, the brains behind 'Glee', and rockers Kings of Leon are having a very public spat over usage of songs on the popular television show.


'Glee' has become a huge force in the world of entertainment. Music stars are falling all over themselves trying to get their songs on the show. Britney's episode was a huge ratings winner, and now Jennifer Lopez and Stevie Nicks are trying to latch onto the 'Glee' juggernaut. Everyone wants a piece of the little nerdy show that could - all except for Kings of Leon. 


Murphy wanted to glom onto a Kings of Leon song for his hit series but was surprised when Caleb Followill said no. This answer didn't sit well with Murphy, and he lobbed a blistering f-bomb at the Kings. Harsh, much? I mean, c'mon dude! Followill has the right to say no! It's his property, his art and if he doesn't care for 'Glee' and its sickly sweet renditions of popular music, than all the more power to him. Murphy on the other hand, doesn't see it that way. He desperately wanted the song, wasn't able to access it, and is now having a hissy fit in the press, and on Twitter. Murphy's behaviour is embarrassing. Perhaps he's become too accustomed to having the music industry fawning all over him, and a simple 'no' sent him over the edge. I know several 2 year olds that act more appropriately when they don't get want they want. Tossing your toys out of your pram doesn't make your argument more lucid or worthy, Mr. Murphy.


Personally, I'd like to pat Caleb on the back for standing his ground, and not acting like a lemming when it comes to allowing 'Glee' to use his songs. I'm not particularly a fan of either 'Glee' or Kings of Leon, but I can appreciate someone not wanting their work being used somewhere that they don't see fit. 


Since the original argument began, other members of Kings of Leon have jumped into the fray making an ugly mess of the whole deal. Murphy's accusing the band of homophobia, and now Perez Hilton has squirmed his way into the spat - it's all so silly! There's been name-calling, and ridiculous accusations -- all because the owner of a song didn't want it licenced. 


Murphy should have let Caleb's original answer lie... let it go, and move on. Chase down some other artist -- one that relishes the 'Glee' treatment -- and bastardize their songs. The rogue Kings of Leon members suffering from a bout of verbal diarrhea should have let Caleb handle all the talking on this one. He was straight-forward without taking any liberties or childish swipes at 'Glee' or Murphy. There was really nothing more to be said. Instead, the public airwaves, Twitter timelines and such have been privy to a beef gone too far. 


For the record, Kings of Leon aren't the only artists to experience the wrath of Murphy.  Slash has too. He's not a fan of the show and doesn't want his tunes on it - fair enough! In the end, I'm sure all this scrapping will result in more people tuning in to watch 'Glee', and a bump in sales for Kings of Leon. Hmm...maybe they're not so silly and petty after all! You know what they say about publicity... even if it is the bad kind!

RATE IT! New Duran Duran TODAY!

Christmas comes early! Duran Duran's latest album is out NOW on iTunes.


Boasting the same name as the recently released free single, 'All You Need is Now' has already climbed atop of the iTunes charts around the globe. Never under estimate the power of Durannies - even us grown up ones!


The album is really catchy despite the somewhat unattractive album art. What's up with that? Duran typically score major points on their excellent album covers. Anyway...


John Taylor has mentioned that tour dates are forthcoming so best to watch the press for the latest news on that score!

RATE IT! Find My Christmas

Target is one of the few American retailers that hasn't invaded the Great White North despite the fact that most Canadians would LOVE to have this dollar-friendly chain entrenched up here. Oh, how you tease us so, you Target execs!


To make our cravings for their cool, well-priced products even more rabid, we DO get to see their fantastic commercials on TV when we tune in to an American channel. Their latest batch of Christmas ads have raised the bar once again. Such lovely holiday vignettes each with a killer soundtrack. My favourite is this clip of a happy couple trying to hide their presents from one another. And the best part of all this Target love, you can download the songs from these ads directly from the Target website. Click here and add a whole lotta Christmas joy to your iPod today!