2012 - Best of - Albums

Finally, I conclude my year end lists with the most important of all...ALBUMS OF THE YEAR!!
200+ releases in all that I've heard this year, and I've whittled it down to my Top 33!
#1 should be no surprise as I called it out back in April/May.
Enjoy...and buy all these records!

 1. iamamiwhoami - kin

2. Hot Chip - In Our Heads

3. Saint Etienne - Words and Music by Saint Etienne

4. Chairlift - Something

 5. Silver Swans - Forever

 6. Pearl Fiction - Painted Wolf

  7. The Magnetic Fields - Love at the Bottom of the Sea

 8. Grimes - Visions

 9. Get Well Soon - The Scarlet Beast o' Seven Heads

10. Burning Hearts - Extinctions

11. Klaus & Kinski – Herreros y fatigas

12. The Smittens – Believe Me

13. Piano Magic – Life Has Not Finished With Me Yet

14. Choir of Young Believers – Rhine Gold

15. Martin Rossiter – The Defenestration of St Martin

16. The Irrepressibles – Nude

17. Dragonette – Bodyparts

18. Ice Choir – Afar

19. Cats on Fire – All Blackshirts to Me

20. Allo Darlin' – Europe

21. Jens Lekman – I Know What Love Isn't

22. Trust – TRST

23. Beach House – Bloom
24. Susanne Sundfør - The Silicone Veil
25. School of Seven Bells – Ghostory
26. Bat for Lashes – The Haunted Man
27. The Presets – Pacifica
28. Skye – Back to Now
29. Dead Can Dance – Anastasis
30. Lydmor – A Pile of Empty Tapes
31. Wolfgang – The Price of Fame
32. Misstress Barbara – Many Shades of Grey
33. NZCA/LINES – NZCA/LINES

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Thanks to a great 2012 and thank you all for reading!
Happy New Year from the staff of OOBERUS OBLIVIOUS!!!

2012 - Best of - Songs

My favourite songs of 2012 are the following 36 songs compiled across 2 CDs which can be yours if you ask nicely (My beautiful artwork included)!  Here they are, lovingly mixed over the past week into pure pop love!

And let it be known, my #1 Song of the Year award goes to Pet Shop Boys and their perfect pop nugget, "Leaving"!!!

VOLUME 1:  PURE POP INJECTIONS

1. The Magnetic Fields – Andrew in Drag

2. Phèdre – In Decay

3. Frida Hyvönen – Terribly Dark

4. Nite Jewel – One Second of Love

5. Computer Magic – Trinity

6. Grimes – Oblivion

7. Compute – This Is It

8. Hot Chip – How Do You Do?

9. Jupiter – Juicy Lucy (Needs a Boogieman)

10. Chairlift – I Belong in Your Arms

11. Pearl Fiction – Talking Seems to Fade Away

12. Misstress Barbara – The Right Time

13. NZCA/LINES – Okinawa Channels

14. Hortlax Cobra – Viva le Difference

15. Oliver North Boy Choir – Shadows

16. Skye – Featherlight

17. KIDS – Exhale

18. Silver Swans – On the Quiet

19. Chinawoman – Pure at Heart

20. Oliver North Boy Choir – Sleep

21. Hot Chip – Night and Day

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VOLUME 2:  THE SOFTER SIDE

1. Saint Etienne – Over the Border

2. Pet Shop Boys – Leaving

3. Sky Ferreira – Everything Is Embarrassing

4. iamamiwhoami – sever

5. Choir of Young Believers – The Third Time

6. Frank Ocean – Thinkin Bout You

7. Chinawoman – To Be With Others

8. Bat for Lashes – Laura

9. Susanne Sundfør – The Silicone Veil

10. iamamiwhoami – idle talk

11. Still Corners – Fireflies

12. Parenthetical Girls – Curtains

13. Pearl Fiction – Strangulated

14. iamamiwhoami – kill

15. Martin Rossiter – Three Points on a Compass

2012 - Best of - Films

After seeing a total of 60 films released in 2012, these are my bestest!!  Also check out my worst down where they belong...at the bottom!!!

1. Beasts of the Southern Wild

 2. Zero Dark Thirty

 3. The Perks of Being a Wallflower

4. Seven Psychopaths

 5. Cloud Atlas

 6. Argo

 7. Skyfall

 8. Paranorman

 9. Moonrise Kingdom 

The worst of the worst!!

1. Chernobyl Diaries

 2. Magic Mike

 3. The Raven

 4. Alex Cross

2012 - Best of - Videos

There were a lot of fantastic videos this year, but I'm trying to hold myself back and limit this to a reasonable number!  Oh it was hard!  Take note, #2 is the entire brilliant video series!!


1. Pearl Fiction - Talking Seems to Fade Away


 

2. iamamiwhoami - kin



3. Steve Aoki ft. Lovefoxxx - Heartbreaker




4. Hot Chip - Night and Day



5. Susanne Sundfør - The Silicone Veil



6. Hortlax Cobra - Viva le Difference

2012 - Best of - EPs

Quite simply, the best EPs of 2012 w/ their super cute mini-covers! WARNING: This list is heavily, heavily POP oriented!  You must listen and dance to them all!!

KIDS
"EP"
Ace ace ACE pop music here! Divine!!
-

Coco Morier
"Strangers May Kiss"
More ACE pop music, POP!
-

Computer Magic
"Orion"
Synthpop should always be this fantastic!
-

Sometime
"Music From the Motion Picture Acid Make-Out"
Synth pop love from Iceland!!
-

Sky Ferreira
"Ghost"
Genre-hopping pop bliss!
-

Craft Spells
"Gallery"
In the same vein of the blissful pop I love from their debut.
-

Rosemary
"A Persian Tale"
Any friends of The Golden Filter are friends to Ooberus Oblivious!
-

Parenthetical Girls
"Privilege, pt. 5: Portrait of a Reputation"
A beautifully fitting conclusion to their EP saga.
-

Brusque Twins
"A Voice in the Night"
Soft Metals? No! Brusque Twins serving chilly synth realness!
-

Husky Rescue
"Deep Forest Green"
I love Finland...because of Husky Rescue!
-

Paris
"From Paris to Pluto EP"
More nice pop from Emmon's other project!
-

Baffin Island
"EP"
Indie pop loveliness!

2012 - Best of - Concerts

Only attended 44 concerts this year, including 3 festivals. That's pretty unfortunate! But these 12 stand-outs made the year that much more superb!!!

In descending order of awesomeness.

1) PULP - Fox Theatre / Coachella
2) Saint Etienne - The Fonda Theatre
3) The Dø - The Satellite
4) The Magnetic Fields - The Orpheum Theatre
5) New Order - The Greek Theatre
6) Hot Chip - Hollywood Bowl
7) Elysian Fields - The Mint
8) Chairlift - Troubadour
9) The Presets - Club NOKIA
10) Burning Hearts / Cola Jet Set / Orca Team / Allo Darlin' - NYC Popfest (various venues)
11) Garbage - The Palladium
12) Choir of Young Believers - Bootleg Theater

Adventus Oblivious - Day 25 - Wesley Willis

First off, MERRY XMAS!!!

Now you all know, there is nooooo better way to end this Advent Calendar than with the amazing Wesley Willis!!! This random footage montage is pure brilliance and fits the track perfectly!!
And come back real soon because in the closing days of the year, the Ooberus Oblivious Year End lists will arrive!!!!

Adventus Oblivious - Day 24 - Darren Hanlon

Super sweet, super cute. Here's Darren Hanlon performing the cutest little Christmas tune on some street in Australia.

Adventus Oblivious - Day 23 - Theoretical Girl

This post is in honor of the great Theoretical Girl who sparked the idea in my little brain to make Adventus Oblivious! TG has been giving us AWESOME advent calendars since 2009, in which she usually covers a new song every day leading up to Xmas. Sometimes she'll just throw us a demo or live track, but usually it's a great cover!  She does all sorts of X-mas tunes too!

Here are some of my favourite covers she's done across the years. THANK YOU Theoretical Girl!! I love you...finish your album!! Merry Christmas Eve Eve!!

Adventus Oblivious - Day 22 - The Magic Theatre

When I heard that my musical soulmates The Magic Theatre had been picked up by awesome Spanish label Elefant Records, I squealed with glee! Here is The Magic Theatre's first piece of musical glory released on their new label and it is indeed musical gloriousness! Same as the preceding Primitives track, "Christmas Lights" comes from "A Christmas Gift for You from Elefant Records"! BUY IT!! And hopefully the video that they filmed for this song will find the light of day...someday!

Adventus Oblivious - Day 21 - The Primitives

Here's The Primitives doing what they do best (still!)...super cute jangly pop tunes! "You Trashed My Christmas" is taken from the very new and very excellent "A Christmas Gift for You from Elefant Records"!

Adventus Oblivious - Day 20 - Nerf Herder

I don't feel there has been enough perversion on this advent calendar thus far. Thankfully, there's still Nerf Herder's romantic track "I've Got a Boner for Christmas". And stick that to some Peanuts footage. Classic!

Adventus Oblivious - Day 19 - The Del Rubio Triplets

Yes, that's right, those sexy saucer gals, The Del Rubio Triplets are too sweet not to serve up piping hot in freezing white fake snow!

Adventus Oblivious - Day 18 - Charo

CHARO on PEE-WEE!!! That's all...Merry Christmas indeed!!!

Adventus Oblivious - Day 17 - Jimmy James

Jimmy James' Bette Davis impersonation is one of the most hilarious and spot-on bits in his show! HILARIOUS!!

Adventus Oblivious - Day 16 - Silver Swans

Here are my beloved Silver Swans with their ode to the days of the holidays, with the quite simply titled "Holidays". Precious! And buy it...it wants to be yours!!

Adventus Oblivious - Day 15 - The Vandals

There's nothing better than a good ol' song about gender affirmation to say Merry Christmas!!
The Vandals sing it best with their hit "My First Christmas (As a Woman)"!

Adventus Oblivious - Day 14 - Belle & Sebastian

Now I couldn't decide on simply one of my favourite Belle & Sebastian Xmas tracks, so I've picked two!! They are both super-fun LIVE pop nuggets! This is dedicated to Oober-Belle & Sebastian fan, my sister-love, Crysmiss!!!

Adventus Oblivious - Day 13 - Shaye St. John

Now I most certainly couldn't go all the way through my Advent Calendar without scaring some people a little!! Here's the amazing Shaye St. John performing "Jingle Bells" for us! Jingle all the way girls!!

Adventus Oblivious - Day 12 - Summer Camp

FANTASTIC cover of The Waitresses' Christmas classic "Christmas Wrapping" by indie darlings Summer Camp!

Adventus Oblivious - Day 11 - Eux Autres

Here's a newer Christmas favourite that I can listen to all year long and love all the same! Eux Autres have made a most delightful indie pop Xmas gem!!

Adventus Oblivious - Day Ten - Pet Shop Boys

Here's the Pet Shop Boys performing their new Christmas classic "It Doesn't Often Snow at Christmas"!! There are dancing Xmas trees!!!

Adventus Oblivious - Day Nine - They Might Be Giants

Santa Claus & infidelity...now that's the Christmas spirit!!
"Santa's Beard" is a track taken from TMBG's classic 2nd album "Lincoln"!

Adventus Oblivious - Day Eight - Cocteau Twins

Here is a true angel voice. Cocteau Twins performing "Winter Wonderland"! Bliss! Another of my X-mas compilation staples!

Adventus Oblivious - Day Seven - Dina Martina

Oh, how the angles have come from the heavens above to sing to us...lead by the most beautifully-voiced angle of all...Dina Martina!! This song is taken from another classic & favourite holiday album, "The Dina Martina Holiday Album"!

Adventus Oblivious - Day Six - Saint Etienne & Tim Burgess

Saint Etienne, topless menz, Tim Burgess from The Charlatans, and about 10 flakes of fake snow on the stage...CHRISTMAS INDEED!!!
Here they are, performing "I Was Born on Christmas Day" live on The Word.

Adventus Oblivious - Day Five - Gram Rabbit

Desert pop-rockers Gram Rabbit released the super cute "California Christmas" about four years ago along with this cute little video to match!
Their latest album "Welcome to the Country" was released this past summer.

Adventus Oblivious - Day Four - The Superions

Fred Schneider's other band, The Superions, make super fantastic pop songs just like The B-52's! Their X-mas album "Destination Christmas!" came out in 2010 and it is probably the best Christmas-themed album I've ever heard! "Fruitcake" is just one of the many fantastic tracks!



And then there's "Santa's Disco"! 

Adventus Oblivious - Day Three - Pansy Division

This is just how I like my Christmases to be...Homo-ey!!
This is another X-mas compilation staple! Thank you Pansy Division!

Adventus Oblivious - Day Two - The Boy Least Likely To

The Boy Least Likely To released a delightful X-mas album back in 2010 called "Christmas Special". This is definitely the best track from said album, an ode to the Wham! boys George Michael & Andrew Ridgeley! Christmas brings everyone back together!!



And if you want to be super awesome and be extra giving this Christmas season, please donate to The Boy Least Likely To over at their PledgeMusic site! They need our help to get their awesome new album to the masses!!!

Adventus Oblivious - Day One - Cosmicity

So this year I've decided to make an Ooberus Oblivious ADVENT CALENDAR!! Yes!! How joyous!!! Hark the herald angels bitches!!

Day One is my all-time favourite track to include on my yearly X-mas compilations: "This Is Your Crappy Christmas Present" by synth-pop star Cosmicity. So yes, this is my crappy Christmas present to you Internet...The first-(annual?) Ooberus Oblivious Advent Calendar: ADVENTUS OBLIVIOUS!!! Let these inspire your very own awesome Christmas compilations this year!!

Jupiter - Juicy Lucy

Jupiter first appeared on my radar back in 2008 when their luxurious track "Rollergirl" appeared on the awesome "Botpop Volume 1" compilation. Recently I came to find out they have now released their debut full-length album, "Juicy Lucy" and it is electro disco sexy dance loveliness!! Here's the awesome video for lead-single "Juicy Lucy (Needs a Boogieman"!!

Flow Flux Clan

Here is an excellent new covers EP from Sweden's Flow Flux Clan! "The Return Of" includes covers of The Cure, Frazier Chorus & Frank Sinatra all in one cute synthy bubble! And in case you didn't know, Flow Flux Clan is the awesome duo of Sarah Nyberg Pergament [aka Action Biker] & Tomas Bodén from Differnet! Mmmmhmmmm!!
See below for the Clan's first cover of The Cure from 2007...a fascinating version of "Fascination Street"!

Little Majorette - Let's Get Drunk (InMyKitchen)

It's lovely what a little searching on youtube brings up!
Here's my favourite Little Majorette song translated into a beautiful live rendition in a kitchen! Yes, in a kitchen...for the InMyKitchen Sessions. Grab a cup of drink, a croissant, and enjoy.

Hot Chip - Don't Deny Your Heart (aka Let's Have a Soccer Orgy!)

Um, yeah...weird! Gay soccer orgy? Wow! Those are some fugly football players.
Hot Chip's interesting new video does include this amazing line in the commentary:
"Giant space mouth there, spewing out thousands of footballs".
And for that, I give it kudos!

María del Pilar

We had the privilege of seeing María del Pilar open for Saint Etienne in LA not too long ago. They were a lot of fun! Singing in both English & Spanish, and making us bop! They feature Pilar Díaz on vocals, who was also the vocalist for Los Abandoned.
Pilar's second solo album, but first under the name María del Pilar is to be released in February of 2013! Here are some lovely samples of her pop!

Dum Dum Girls - Lord Knows

I picked up the awesome "End of Daze" EP by Dum Dum Girls during my Black Friday shopping. It prompted me to hunt down any new videos. I found this loveliness:

Trouble Lights

inDIeVA alert!! inDIeVA alert!!
Trouble Lights is straight outta Iowa, yo! That's the home of Leslie Hall! Whaaaat?! Her debut album "The Endless Prom" was released in Sept on Maximum Ames Records! Yes! Would you care to dance?

Martin Rossiter

Martin Rossiter of Gene fame has returned to release his debut solo effort, "The Defenestration of St Martin", this coming Monday. Based on the first video from the album, this may just be one of the most beautiful releases of the year.

Breathless - Next Time You Fall

I used to listen to Breathless a lot during college. Since then, not so much and I was quite surprised to see that they've made a new album (their first since 2003)! Based off of this lead single, I am quite intrigued and think I need to investigate further!
Their new album "Green to Blue" is to be released on Nov 26 via Tenor Vossa Records!




Here is a classic Breathless track, my favourite song of theirs...pure beauty...

Beach House - Wild

Intense is really the only word you can use to describe this great new video from Beach House...



And on that note...HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM OOBERUS OBLIVIOUS!!!

CLIENT vs Depeche Mode

Oh how fun! Ooberus favourite CLIEИT mashed up with Mijo Walter favourite Depeche Mode!
Maybe Mijo Walter will actually read one of my posts now!

Mariachi Fields

Now this is just too lovely. It's Mariachi Tamazula performing a cover of the classic Magnetic Fields song "The Luckiest Guy on the Lower East Side"!

Speedmarket Avenue - You Can't Follow

Speedmarket Avenue is back! It's been quite a few years since their last release. They played a very nice set at NYC Popfest this year, so I was hoping we'd be getting some new music soon. They have just released the "Goodbye" mini album on everyone's favourite Spanish label Elefant!

Pearl Fiction - Stories from a Purple Soul

Yay for a new Pearl Fiction video! Yay for cute jellyfish & turtles floating! Yay for cute stuffed animal voyeurs! Yay for Stefan from The Sound of Arrows! Yay!

Touché - Bad Dreams

Touché are the sexy pair of Alex Lilly & Bram Inscore (both of Obi Best fame). They make sexy synth pop that you should dance to! They have one 7" single released and their debut full-length "It's Fate" is due for release in 2013!!! Yes!

Gwenno - Ymbelydredd

Gwenno Saunders of the ever amazing Pipettes has her own little outfit for releasing magical pop goodness, and it's simply named Gwenno. She recently released a new EP entitled "Ymbelydredd" and it is all sung in Welsh!! I've only heard the title track (below) and even though I can't understand a word she's saying, I can't help but love the sexy synth pop being delivered to my ears! Looks like there's a song on the EP about Madonna too!!
This is her fourth solo release and it is available now from Peski!



PS. You must definitely hear the "U & I" ep (her sole release in English)!!

Oliver North Boy Choir - Sleep

There are a lot of reasons why I love Oliver North Boy Choir so much...this is a new one, their latest single, "Sleep"!

Karin Park

Electropop from the Swedish born Karin Park who now lives in Norway! Her 4th album "Highwire Poetry" was released in May.

She should have just called herself Karin DreiJR. (That snarky comment doesn't mean you shouldn't dance!)
Now dance!

Sally Shapiro - What Can I Do

She's back! Sally Shapiro's divine pop is returning with a new full-length in 2013. It's called "Somewhere Else". Our first taste of its deliciousness comes in the form of lead single "What Can I Do"...time to bedroom dance!

Pet Shop Boys - Leaving

Here is the video for the latest and needless to say GREATEST track by far off Pet Shop Boys' new album "Elysium". To me, "Leaving" completely defines perfection in a pop song. This might just be my song of the year!
To say I'm disappointed with this video would be an understatement. Luckily, this song is so amazing that I've completely forgiven the Boys.

Woog Riots - My Disco Is a Rebellious Jukebox

Here's another slice of fun synth pop from Germany's delightful Woog Riots. Their latest album "Post Bomb Chronicles" was released back in April. Why haven't I heard it yet? 'Cause I'm stupid! Now dance!!

Zeigeist - Giving You Up

I have loved this song for a very long time (approx 2007)! Why is it only today that my silly ass finds out this is a Kylie Minoque cover and there is a VIDEO!?!? AMAZING!!
Thank you to my newest musical cyber-buddy jpgaultier101 for enlightening me!



And VJ Patrick, please play Kylie's version at bowling (even though Zeigeist's version is better), because I don't think I've ever seen it played before!!

The Irrepressibles - New World

Extremely beautiful, extremely emotional. The Irrepressibles sure know how to pull those heartstrings. "New World" is taken from their upcoming album "Nude" which comes out Monday, Oct 22. I look very forward to hearing/seeing more.

Hi-Fashion - Amazing

Uh amazing, here it is, the amazing new video (feat. Raja!) for Hi-Fashion's amazing track "Amazing"!

Sky Ferreira - Everything Is Embarassing

I LOVE THIS SONG!! Sky Ferreira's new EP "Ghost" (which houses this amazing song) was released a couple weeks ago.

Holy Ghost! - It Gets Dark

Excellent new track from disco diva-boys Holy Ghost!! Let's hope they have a new album out soon because I definitely need to dance some more...

Skye - Featherlight

Woooo! New superb pop track from Skye (aka Skye Edwards, lead singer of Morcheeba)! Her third album "Back to Now" is released on Oct. 29th and this is a great indication of more great things to come from Skye!!

Klaus & Kinski - La duda ofende

My favourites from Spain are back with an epic video/short film! Klaus&Kinski released another fantastic album this year, called "Herreros y fatigas". "La duda ofende" is the opening track off the album and it is one awesome track! The actual song doesn't appear in the video until just before the 7 minute mark. If you understand Spanish, I ask you to watch the whole thing...then please tell me what the hell they're talking about. If not, just skip forward to the song and as per usual...DANCE (just like the girl in the video!)

Lydmor - Electric Mistress

Great synthpop out of Denmark from Lydmor! We just met and I love her already! Her debut album "A Pile of Empty Tapes" was released back in May. I want it, now!

Still Corners - Fireflies

Here's a gorgeous new single from Still Corners. "Fireflies" is being released as a 7" single and will be available during their upcoming European tour! How rude! I need this 7"!! Someone in Europe, go to one of their shows and get me a copy. Please!

Compute - The Distance

The lovely synth pop inDIeVA Compute (aka Ulrika Mild who plays in Liechtenstein and formerly played with Champagne Riot) released her 2nd album in May of this year. It is called "The Distance". Like a dumb-bunny, I'm just finding out about it today! Needless to say, I'm super excited and have already placed my order! Here's a video for "This Is It" taken from "The Distance"... looks like I've got a new dance routine!

Superfamily - Pay the Price

Definitely loving the bouncy pop chorus for the new Superfamily single "Pay the Price"...time to dance!

Molly Nilsson - I Hope You Die

Here's a random but very cool video from Molly Nilsson! This is my favourite track off her latest album "History". It's really hard to beat cutie puppies on treadmills! Molly has also just begun her new N. American tour! She'll be in LA on Oct 19! Yay!!!

Elephant Parade

Today I present the lovely indie pop of Elephant Parade. From Brooklyn, Elephant Parade is the lovely duo of Estelle & Ido. Estelle used to play in Brittle Stars who are so super lovely and the subject of an older Ooberus Oblivious post. Elephant Parade has two albums out, "Bedroom Recordings" (2006) and "Home" (2010). The following track is taken from their debut and it's simple beauty really gets me.




And here's some beauty from their 2nd album featuring Ido on lead vocals...

Parenthetical Girls - Curtains

I really love this latest track from Parenthetical Girls, even though I expect Berlin to pop in there singing at any given time! "Curtains" is from the 5th and final EP in the band's Privilege series. Great stuff.

The Luyas - Fifty Fifty

The Luyas are back with a new album "Animator", released next month. Looks like they've added a little vigor & pop to the first single, "Fifty Fifty". I can't wait!!

Burning Hearts - Modern Times

Here's the new video for Burning Hearts' great song "Modern Times" from their excellent latest album "Extinctions"! If you get a chance to see them live anywhere, do it! They were one of the highlights from NYC Popfest this year!

Chinawoman - Pure at Heart

As always, Chinawoman has delivered another sensual little pop ditty that I love! Her newest single is "Pure at Heart" and was released yesterday. You can buy the digital single by clicking here.

Tender Trap - Step One

If I'm ever gonna take instructions from anyone on how to form a super indie pop girl band, it's gonna be Amelia Fletcher of Tender Trap / Heavenly-fame! She does just that in "Step One", the first single from their upcoming album "Ten Songs About Girls"!

inDIeVA Alert! - de Montevert

de Montevert out of Sweden makes delicious indie electro pop! She sings in both Swedish & English. She has a debut album coming out at the end of the month and it's called "Vänner & Ovänner / Friends & Enemies". I've been waiting for it for some time!

Listen!

The Presets - Ghosts

Here's the 2nd video from The Presets' upcoming album "Pacifica"! This is so much better than that ok first track! Yesssssss!

Chairlift - I Belong in Your Arms

JAPANESE Version!! Yesssssssssss!!! One of the best songs on Chairlift's latest album gets a super fun Japanese translation! Yayyy!! Fun video too!

Jim Noir

Jim Noir's got a new album coming out in a couple weeks and it's called "Jimmy's Show". Based off of this first track released from the album, I cannot wait to hear it! More sweet bouncy pop pop!!! Yes, please, and thank you!!

Blood Music + First Aid Kit

It's been a long time (5 yrs) since we've heard from Blood Music. I remember long long ago, probably 5 years, when I received a sweet little message from Blood Music on myspace, saying how much he enjoyed my taste in music. This video just solidifies his sweet factor! I love it!!

Ice Choir - A Vision of Hell, 1996

Here's a new video from the excellent debut album by Ice Choir, "Afar"! 80's-tastic magic synth pop love!!!

Peter Morén - Odyssen

I just couldn't end the night on a darker note.
Here's Peter Morén's (from Peter Bjorn & John) latest solo single and it is a super Swedish-language pop song! He even says "pop song" A LOT in the lyrics..."pop song" must be a Swedish word, given my favourite country's amazing ability to produce pure pop magic all the time!! Peter, please take me street dancing with your crew!!



Just another great release from Ingrid!

Susanne Sundfør - The Silicone Veil

Time to end this night of many posts with something a bit more melancholic.
Susanne Sundfør's video for the emotionally charged track, "The Silicone Veil", is visually stunning. Very beautiful stuff here. The track is taken from Susanne's third album of the same name.

Heart Machine Service

Heart Machine Service from Stockholm has just released a nice little pop song called "In an Ambulance". Definitely not the most lyrically complex, but she can shoot lasers from her mouth, so shut up!! Plus, it's damn catchy and makes me bounce!

Steed Lord

Here's some more awesome pop videos full of lovely costumes! Steed Lord, who came to LA from Iceland, are full of pop loveliness!! I imagine "Heart Me Now" will be on some new release soon! Yay!! The other two are taken from their 2nd album "Heart II Heart"!

A Nighthawk

Ingrid, I love you. A Nighthawk is another band on the superb little label. They've released one EP so far, "Until I Faltered I Wasn't Free". Both of these moody little numbers are taken from that:

Grimes - Genesis

It takes a minute to get started, but once the music kicks in, this is one awesome video from Grimes!! Especially that Anime Chola girl!! WOW!! And if you didn't already know by now, the album is totally awesome! Totally!

Puro Instinct & Rainbow Arabia - FREE - Tonight!

TONIGHT! Puro Instinct & Rainbow Arabia are playing a FREEEE show at Levitt Pavilion in MacArthur Park! Let's go!! And in case you didn't know, both of these bands released excellent debut full-lengths last year!

inDIeVA Alert - Coco Morier

Not sure how indie Coco Morier is after penning various songs by Britney Spears, but she definitely has a lot of diva to her and the awesome music she produces!
Fun fact: Coco (aka Nicole Morier) is a former member of electropop band Electrocute.
Coco's debut EP "Strangers May Kiss" is out now from super Swedish indie pop collective label Ingrid! Listen, love, dance!

Hot Chip - How Do You Do?

My favourite track from Hot Chip's awesome new album "In Our Heads" is the next single, "How Do You Do?". They've just released this rather blah video (other than the rather spectacular bagpipe / line-dancing segment):

Tilly and the Wall - Heavy Mood

Yessssssss! It has been far too long (4 years) since we've had new Tilly and the Wall! On Oct 2, they will grace us with "Heavy Mood" and a live musical tour event!! I cannot wait! Here's "Static Expression" from the new album:

Hi-Fashion - Special Delivery Love

Released just last week, here is the new single & video combination from dancey electro pop stars Hi-Fashion! I wasn't too keen on the song at first, but the more I hear it, the more I like it and the more I wanna dance dance dance!

Museum of Bellas Artes

Here's the newest lovely single from Swedish lovelies Museum of Bellas Artes! You can buy the limited 7" from their label Force Majeure!



BONUS nice pop hit from their debut EP "Days Ahead" (2010):

The Sharades - Dumb Head

I've only heard the original of this song once and that was enough. The Sharades add the much-needed punch and sassiness to this AWESOME song! One of my favourite "oldies"...now sing it with me!

Hortlax Cobra

Hortlax Cobra is one-third of Peter Bjorn and John (the John 1/3) and I am in love with this weird new video for "Viva le Difference"!!!

Pet Shop Boys - Invisible

"Invisible" is the newest single/video combo from Pet Shop Boys who will be releasing their newest album "Elysium" in September. The video is gorgeous to look at and I do hope this will be a visual theme for their next world tour!

The Smittens - Burning Streets of Rome

I'm just smitten with the new track from The Smittens! It's the first single off their newest album "Believe Me" due out on Fika Recordings later this month!

Hot Chip - Night and Day

How have I not seen this yet? Brilliant video from the brilliant new Hot Chip album "In Our Heads"!!

The Presets - Youth in Trouble

The Presets are back with a new track from their upcoming 3rd album "Pacifica". The rave-friendly track, "Youth in Trouble" is partnered with an equally rave-friendly video! While I like this, I'm hoping the album has some much more hook-laden pop masterpieces!



"Pacifica" is due out mid-September.

Misstress Barbara

"The Right Time" is Misstress Barbara's newest single. The track is taken from her newly released 2nd album "Many Shades of Grey". The video is nice and strange, the music is nice and poppy! I recommend!!

Musique le Pop

Yay! Fun pop song ditty!! Musique le Pop is from Norway! They are rather new, rather lovely and have just one single to their name, the rather catchy "Time Changes"! Let's dance!



"Time Changes" is out on Minty Fresh (ooooh Aluminum Group's old(?) label!)

Bodebrixen - Ghost (VIDEO)

I posted about Bodebrixen's newest single "Ghost" about a month ago. Here's the video! YAY!

J'aime - Midnight Shift

The wonderful J'aime from Ooberus-favourite Souvenir has just released a new video for the surfy rock n roller "Midnight Shift" from his latest EP, "En la noche eterna". Loverly!

Oliver North Boy Choir are BACK!!!!

Today, something wonderful and amazing and truly magical happened. What could that possibly be, you ask? WELL, I found out that Oliver North Boy Choir have reunited!!!! ONBC are one of my favourite bands of forever and it was a sad day in 2009 when I found out they had broken up. My first ever blog at Ooberus Oblivious was dedicated to saying farewell to them (and Zeigeist, on the same day!). Well, my tears have been completely swept away with this amazing new track and a video to match! This little vampire sure can dance! "Shadows" is their return single, released June 11, and from what I've read, it sounds like this is just the beginning of much more musical magic to come!!

El Perro del Mar

I can honestly admit I've never been a huge El Perro del Mar fan but she grows on me more and more with each release. This new video/song kept me completely entranced! I cannot wait to hear what the rest of this album ("Pale Fire") sounds like!

Heatherwood - Eden

Here's some dreamy synth for you! Heatherwood are from Russia and remind me plenty of The Radio Dept. Just look at all those cool devices! You can download a few of their tracks for free over at their bandcamp page. "Eden" is one of them...

Pearl Fiction - Talking Seems to Fade Away

My beloved Pearl Fiction has released another single from his spectacular synthpop album "Painted Wolf"!
"Talking Seems to Fade Away" is definitely the cutest track off the album and the video further adds to the cuteness with all kinds of fluff-n-stuff puppy love!!!

Cats on Fire - After the Fact

Cats on Fire from Finland have released "All Blackshirts to Me" this year and it's another doozy! I can't say this video is very exciting or anything special, but this song is a perfect example of their perfect indie pop!

Wolfgang - The Price of Fame

My favourite pop robot Wolfgang has released a new album this year. Sad I found out about it 3 months late, but at least I found out about it! I'm midway through and in love! He's definitely honed his pop skills since his debut!! You can download the full album for free, just head over to his bandcamp through the link below...


And everyone needs to listen to his first single, one of the greatest pop songs of 2007, "Not in Love (Not True)"!!!

iamamiwhoami - goods

The final chapter in the kin saga and damn, is it good. I love this video, in all it's simplicity, this is some really clever and great stuff...a very fitting conclusion.
iamamiwhoami present goods:



"kin" can be pre-ordered all over the world, check here.

The Sound of Arrows - Conquest

Stripped of about 45 seconds from the original, but just as M.A.G.I.C.al as ever, is "Conquest" - the latest video from Swedish studmuffins, The Sound of Arrows. The track is taken from their #2 album of 2011, "Voyage"!

The Dø - Gonna Be Sick

The Dø released this video a few months ago and I didn't even know it! "Gonna Be Sick!" is taken from their excellent sophomore album "Both Ways Open Jaws" which shows the band finding a more consistent sound, while still keeping hold of all the specialness from their debut! Love!

Husky Rescue - Deep Forest Green

I've posted about Husky Rescue a couple of times already, and for good reason. They make great pop music! Here's their latest offering and it's quite lovely. Not sure when their new album is due, but this makes me quite excited for it...

Owl Eyes

Owl Eyes is Brooke Addamo (a former Australian Idol finalist) and is proving that if you don't win one of these Idol shows, you can make awesome pop music (see: Margaret Berger). Both of these songs are great, but I think "Crystalised" (the latest single release) is superb.

Mirrors - Ways to an End / Fear of Drowning

Mirrors from Brighton make some of the best synth pop of today! Their debut album "Lights and Offerings" was my #12 Album of 2011. Quite brilliant indeed. I heard "Ways to an End" walking home yesterday and wow, that song is damn good and damn groovalicious! I love how the video pays great homage, rather blatantly, to the lovely Kraftwerk. Can't go wrong there, but we'll let Rockyboo be the ultimate judge. I've also included singles #2 and 3 from the album.
Enjoy, and for the life of you, please dance!!

Tesla Boy

Tesla Boy from Russia make really delightful synth pop. Their debut album "Modern Thrills" (2010) is grrreeeeaat and highly recommended by the staff of Ooberus Oblivious. They have just released a new single "Fantasy" which you can listen to over at their Soundcloud page (it sounds great so don't hesitate!). Here are a couple of singles off "Modern Thrills" for your orientation, but mostly for your utter enjoyment!! The video for "Electric Lady" has a nice kinky feel...oh vinyl suits, who doesn't own one nowadays?!

Cocoanut Groove

Cocoanut Groove has returned! Oh thank goodness! "I've Been Following Lonely Roads" is taken from the new EP "Colours" released on Sweden's own Fraction Discs. The video features beautiful, albeit random video footage which suits the song to perfection. Hopefully this is just a taste of what is to come on the sophomore album!

inDIeVA Alert! - Erleen Nada!

Hellllllo! Erleen Nada is awesome! I've only just found out about her from my new RYM friend Gilbert, whose label Destination Pop released one of her singles last year. This song is awesome and I love the attitude and I love the synth pop and I love Erleen Nada! Let's dance!! (you can download a few of her songs FREE over at her soundcloud page!)

Orca Team

One of NYC Popfest's many highlights was Seattle-based Orca Team. They played a super fun, high energy set that had me bopping throughout. Plus, they're not only super cute, but also super friendly. I bought everything they had for sale, including the tote bag & chapstick, 2 cassettes, 2 7" and I think there might even be a demo CD in there! Their debut album "Restraint" is being released on June 14 by the too cute Happy Happy Birthday to Me Records! I've already pre-ordered mine, you must now do the same! Here are a few of their simply cute videos, including "I'm Waiting" which features a little strip-tease!!

The Great Amazing Cupcake Race / Tour - NYC Edition - Part 2

The Great Amazing Cupcake Race was really all about Saturday, May 19, when me and my team of cupcake lovers ventured into the big city in search of great cupcakes! Team ButterCream Dream was lead by myself, and my trusty Sergeants Rockyboo, Boobarella Crys, & Sexy Swiss Mrs. Pilar! We decided to eat brunch at this cute little French spot, Le Barricou, before the Race. This proved most deadly to most of my team by mid-day!

1) After brunch, we ran ourselves over to Grand Central Station for our 1st stop...the very well renowned Magnolia Bakery. They had so many treats to choose from but I forced myself to just ONE small lemon cupcake! It was light, it was airy, easy to devour in milliseconds. Good frosting, good cake...thumbs up! My teammates enjoyed various other varieties, all very happy with our choices! Magnolia, you are good! Needless to say, I will be finding the Los Angeles location so I can devour some of those mini cheesecakes!! Shortly after our Magnolia stop, we had our 1st fallen comrade in Sexy Swiss Mrs. Pilar! Proof that cupcaking is no easy business! While we were sad to see her go, my team and I marched forward!

2) Our next stop, Georgetown Cupcake in SoHo. I ordered the Salted Caramel & Chocolate Ganache. Crystal ordered the Mint Cookies n Creme. I tried Crystal's first, and it was delicious and I don't even like mint/chocolate chippy things! Then, I tried my Salted Caramel. I just about died. I cussed, my head bounced back, I clinched my fists...I buttercreamed myself! It was soooooooooooooooo damn good!! And these next words, I do not type them lightly...
IT WAS THE BEST CUPCAKE I HAVE EVER HAD, EVER!!!! Georgetown Cupcake is opening a Los Angeles location in Fall 2012. I will be there, and it better be a Tuesday or Saturday (the only days they serve Salted Caramel).

3) I could have easily stopped touring after the deliciousness we just consumed, but we continued! Our next stop, Cafe Angelique Express, a quick little street-side stand around the corner from Georgetown. Crys got the Spumoni and I got the Strawberry Alarm Clock. We saved these cupcakes until later as we had just filled up on magic. When we did eat them, they were good, just not magical! They do win the award for best cupcake liners though!

4) Sugar Sweet Sunshine, whose name I could not remember for the life of me, was next. I ordered a Pumpkin Spice which was really good when I finally got around to eating it. Nice frosting. Crystal ordered something I do not remember but she was not impressed. Well!

5) Next, we walked over to Crystal's favourite cupcakery (this may be changing), Butter Lane. A new comrade in the form of MC Maggie joined our crew and we were so glad to have a full team again! At Butter Lane you choose your cupcake base, of which there are three, and then you choose whichever frosting you want, of which there are a plethora! What we ordered: banana / sea salt chocolate; vanilla / cream cheese; vanilla / blueberry; chocolate / caramel. We ate two of those, since Crystal sorta forgot our other 2 at the shop! What!!!??? Well, my vanilla / blueberry was good but I really wanted my chocolate caramel, since Crys says their sea salted frostings are the best! This will have to wait until next time. So, incomplete verdict, Butter Lane is decent.

6) While we were certain our cupcaking had concluded, MC Maggie tipped us off to one final destination that was on our way home, Dessert Club Chikalicious! This was a tiny little shop with tiny little cupcakes! Rocky had a mini-Green Tea which he liked, even though he lost the middle of it. Crystal quite enjoyed her mini-Lychee cupcake. I got a S'mores cupcake which was rather difficult to eat by that time but I did. The marshmallow frosting was too thick and tough to eat. The cake wasn't very yummy, but the chocolate in the middle made up for that (a bit).

We left our final cupcakery, stuffed, exhausted, but very happy! Memories of my salted caramel from Georgetown Cupcake kept me walking on sunshine throughout the rest of the day, and trip for that matter!
Georgetown Cupcake Salted Caramel, I love you!!

Stay tuned for The Great Amazing Cupcake Race - LA Edition!
I am accepting new teammate applications, always!