The Kylie Thread

[Matthew T]

The b-side on the maxi CD "King or Queen" is worthy of being a single itself!

[Jim]

Its a bit of a fight for No2 with Take That by all accounts - 30 copies in it or something. Hope she gets it, and its a pretty good effort for an unusual comeback single. Hope we get a live version tonight!

She needs to get Wow out as a single for us dancefloor folk...

[Matthew T]

She's down to #4 now.

[Simon R]

It's often the case with acts with a large fanbase. The fans flock out at the start of the week to buy the CD and then it falls down as the rest of the chart catches up.

I realised the other day that Kylie Minogue is an anagram of "You Like Minge".

Which is ironic given her fanbase.

[Simon R]

Play has a track listing for "White Diamond" the DVD...

http://www.play.com/Music/MusicDVD/4...g/Product.html

Moist ovens all round for the Dannii "Kids" which is on Dannii's new DVD as well. Not sure what the logic behind the re-edits of the original "Showgirl" songs is about. Nice to have them though I suppose.

[Pip Madeley]

I watched "White Diamond" earlier... even without much make up, Kylie's natural beauty always shines through...

[Milky Tears]

But DannnniiiiiiiIIIIII is well fitter and gorgerer... according to folk on Digital Spy, or something!?

[Jim]

Here’s a mini review of the new album - which has been pleasantly whirling around my head all week. I’m finding it pretty addictive! Its more upbeat that Body Language and although X mixes styles far more so than LY/Fever (leaving some critics unsettled, tough luck) its strength for me is diversity and managing to sound bang up to date and beyond..!

2 Hearts - Its an official slow burner and that’s why its hanging around the top ten a bit longer than expected I would think. You cant fault the energy and production values of 2 Hearts. Thumping piano and glam rock wooo’s is not exactly the comeback we expected but its proper grown up and accomplished. Its doesn’t represent X as a whole and we live in hope it hasn’t put off the mass market who want something more reassuring from her. 8/10


Like A Drug - This has a strong electro tinged start that sets the scene for the rest of the album pretty much. The looping chorus is addictive and good for the dance floor. There is a slight feeling it starts to loose momentum towards the end but it certainly worthy of a place on the album. 8/10

In my Arms - Her vocals are good on this and its another track that grabs your attention immediately. Its got a catchy chorus so its possible a contender for a single. Uplifting and joyful! The “how do you describe a feeling” type spoken inserts give it a lot of character. This can only be a fast grower! 8/10

Speakerphone - Experimental, spliced and vocoderised to buggery - but it works! It starts with a brilliant swirling intro into a deadpan delivery, tape-loop feel rhythm - which is pure sexy gold! Probably the best venture into new territory on the album - I wonder if anyone will agree…? 9/10

Sensitised - This is a kind of even more sultry and seductive Cowboy Style /Chocolate and another favourite on the album! Its back to safer territory but her breathy vocals leading into another catchy chorus is hard not to lap up. People are complaining about the intermittent “whoops” but chill out and enjoy I say. 9/10

Heart Beat Rock - Some of the lyrics on X aren’t exactly of Impossible Princess standard and they don’t have to be. Heart Beat Rock is a bit dubious though. Its simple, too much so really (see repetitive) and its feels like a slightly irritating attempt at Gwen Stefani. 5/10

The One - Future classic. Its old school and essentially its Kylie at her best. The One is shimmering, glitter-ball joy with a James Bond type anthem feel. She sounds so great on it too. In some ways I prefer the live version on the kylie show. A must be single 10/10

No More Rain - Very sweet song that ponders hope after the dark days of her last 18 months or so. Impossible not to feel touched by it. “Got rainbow colours and no more rain..” Uplifting and fab 9/10

All I See - This is probably the kind of sound I would choose to listen too outside Kylie world, its certainly her most R&B effort to date. It’s a completely new vocal delivery for her and she does it well. Overall it’s a stylish and rather welcome addition. Apparently Janet, Britney and J Lo were all after “All I see”. Not sure if its that good, and it could be sung by any of the above I suppose - but its still pretty neat. 7/10

Stars - This is another great effort. Its one of the better lyrical efforts and slightly more rock in its influence coupled with a sort of sophisticated euro pop feel. “Stars don’t shine in singular places” is one for some kylie branding Im sure. 9/10

Wow - Im not going to apologise for my high scores on this album, as I think they are deserved and Wow doesn’t break the mould! Actually it might be my favourite track from X. We need another Love at First Sight rush to the dance floor type single (its been too long) The opening keyboard riff is a treat and words are just so carefree and hang together beautifully. It steers on the right edge of camp and I challenge anyone to disagree that its not fine old pop music! 10/10

Nu-di-ty This cant be taken that seriously. Even Kylie laughs at the end. When I first heard it my heart sank a bit. But it’s a kind of guilty pleasure is Nu-di-ty after a few listens. Its Kylie being as naughty as she possible can be - throwing in some off the wall thumping, pulsating beats that sound like they would be best appreciated if coupled with a line of something snorty. It doesn’t quite work and its not as cool as it might intend to be - but I kind of like the cheeky/sod it approach from one who is usually quite measured in what she does! 6/10

Cosmic - Good lyrics, gorgeous song. The “Dreams” of the decade I think. Bound to be a fan favourite intimate and live on the tours. Gentle, cosy and rather special. 10/10

Im a fan (as predicted) and X is both a glorious effort and welcome return on the whole!

[P-Bal]

Well, having ingested this fairly constantly for the last week or so, here are the results of the P-Bal jury!

2 HEARTS
It's bizarre, because much like Slow, this is a grower not a shower. Not quite as brilliant as it would like us to believe, but very strutty and likeable all the same. The Kish Mauve mix on the single is better, but still a nice opener. 7/10

LIKE A DRUG
This has a slight whiff of Britney with its slutty pumping electro backbeat. Not a single, but you could bump uglies to it quite merrily. 7/10

IN MY ARMS
This was one her mighty leaks earlier in the year, so hurrah that it made the final cut. It's catchy, radio friendly pop, and I adore many of the lyrics. "How do you describe a feeling?" actually made the official 2008 P-Bal calendar. Oh yes! 8/10

SPEAKERPHONE
This takes some getting into, it's laid back and smooth, with vocoder galore. Funky and fun. 6/10

SENSITIZED
Spelling of doom, but track of delight. It's like a slutty cousin to Cowboy Style, and hurrah for that. Why do gays love Kylie? Because Kylie loves... well, we all know that one. 8/10

HEART BEAT ROCK
It's eighties electro stylee, with some rapping over very thick beats. Experimental and worthy, but a bit blah. 5/10

THE ONE
The standout track on the album. Biffco plus Freemasons is obviously going to equal poptastic. It's a souped up ballad in effect with a good thumping dance beat. Make it a single, make it a hit! 10/10

NO MORE RAIN
This reminds me mightily of Rock Steady by All Saints, but obviously with a much more heart warming message. I suspect this track might be the reason we didn't get Everything (I Know), for they are not too dissimilar in style. 9/10

ALL I SEE
This has a slight American r'n'b twinge to it. In a sort of Jennifer Lopez third single off the album style. It's not offensive, but it won't shatter the Earth either. 6/10

STARS
The canny wench slipped the lyrics from this into her Showgirl Homecoming tour book. She loves a rarity. Anyway, it's a guitary throbbing uptempo electro feast which is fairly adorable. "Stars don't shine in singular places." Nice! 9/10

WOW
Is a kind of guilty pleasure. It's like the gay brother of Love At First Sight. The chorus is infectious and it'll be a glorious live number, but I'd hope it's not a single! 8/10

NU-DI-TY
Ah. Shucks. The stinker on the album. Like a Britney demo or Body Language b-side. Why do we get this, but White Diamond is shunted onto the DVD gallery? Hmm?! Not a winner. 3/10

COSMIC
Written with the mighty Eg, thus you can actually smell Leave Right Now over this. But Dame Kylie Ann excels at a torch ballad, and this closes the album beautifully. 9/10


X is a triumphant collection, even the weaker tracks on it are considerably stronger than most pop, and I'd even go so far as to say it's her most accomplished album since Impossible Princess.

[Si Hunt]

I like "All I See" much more than "Stars".

Si.

[P-Bal]

You're a cantankerous old Zarbi though. Such things are not unexpected.

You did make the best solo albums, you really believe that.

[Simon R]

I like Lady P and Jimmy Jimmy's reviews and like Mrs Ritchie on to Timba's Lake and Land I will be hopping on board that bandwagon soon.

Egg Nog!

[Si Hunt]

To quote someone on a certain other forum, why oh why wasn't "Nu-Di-Ty" the first single?

Si.

[P-Bal]

Someone else told me that was their favourite song on there the other day, with Speakerphone a close second.

Who does this bitch think she is?!

[Simon R]

"Wow" is headed for the top 30 on the back of Saturday's "X-Factor".

Wow, wow, wow!

[P-Bal]

Bizarre!!! Thus it is written with the weirdo download chart. Does that make it part of a Greatest Hits collection now!? So many questions needing answers!

[Simon R]

It's the new single according to Dermot O'Leary and it's on the advert for the album but it's the album version that's charting rather than a single so presumably the sales it gets now won't count when it's officially released as a single so that might harm it's position then as however many thousand people will already have downloaded it now and won't do so then when it counts.

Or something.

Drop your socks and grab your mini boombox.

[Jim]

Wow is at 19 and not out till mid Feb apparently - its a sign of the times for the charts I suppose and great if a little weird. The album is selling well particularly this week so it looks like the power of the x factor has done her good. Selling 200k off the back of 2 hearts has been a welcome surprise.

Simon lets have a review mr!

[Simon R]

I shall try and write something over the Festive break. I've not listened to the album for a week or two with all the Christmas music getting in the way.

Nice to see her "Santa Baby" on TOTP2 just now and I've got the "White Diamond DVD" to finger too.

[Dave Tudor]

I saw a bit of 'The Kylie Show' on ITV2, and I found it rather slick, rather amusing, rather camp, and slightly pornographic - give her a series!

[Matthew T]

An OBE for Kylie in the New Years Honours list!

[Simon R]

One step closer to Dame Kylie Ann Minogue.

I hope all her CD sleeves list the OBE.

In other news, some people are saying "In Your Arms" is the second single and not "Wow". Can this be Lilith?

[Jim]

Its both apparently - its more than likely we are getting Wow, but In My Arms is being flogged around asia or somewhere.

Healthy week on the charts - 2 Hearts is back up to 21, Wow up to 28 (she needs to get a vid and early release date pencilled in) X has also gone back up to 17 on the album chart. Go Min!

[P-Bal]

Dannielle Jane was robbed with her #48 choon.

[Jim]

A monumental floppo! Kylie was utterly gorgeous on the Jools Hollond NY thing and her best live vocals on TV for quite a while. Wow had all the gaylords wetting pant in Manchester new year.