Christina's last release, Ain't No Other Man, was verging on retro as well, and I have to say she amazingly enough does get better pretty much with every song she releases but it had to go up from Genie In A Bottle. She must currently be one of the best pop acts from the States.

And, yes, one of the best BBC news stories ever!

Nick
Nick Yankovec | 03.12.07 - 6:24 pm | #

You've clearly not seen the Replacements' "Bastards of Young" if you think that Pixies video is cheap. http://youtube.com/watch?v=_tZO94Mhfzk
Eric | 03.12.07 - 7:19 pm | #

Wow! That Christina Aguilera video was incredible! Too cool.
Kate the Short | Homepage | 03.12.07 - 7:27 pm | #

The Replacements filmed something in real time for the entire length of their track, and something happens at the end. The Pixies shot themselves in a quarry for 20 seconds and stretched it to the length of a song. Nothing happens at the end. The Pixies win.

The dullest video ever made is "Red Light Green Light" by the Wildhearts, which consists entirely of a close-up of two lightbulbs, but at least they shelled out money on the lightbulbs.
Paul O'Brien | 03.12.07 - 7:47 pm | #

Sweet cripes, this update had a fun selection of music! And a naked ambassador with a ball gag! Paul is the Santa Claus of blogs today.
Mineralogy | 03.12.07 - 8:37 pm | #

Never seen that Wildhearts video. Going to YouTube is right away.

I'll probably catch them on this European Tour if I can.
PanzerMega | 03.12.07 - 10:52 pm | #

That Candyman video is surprisingly good, isn't it? I quite like the retro kick that Aguilera's on. I hope to see 80s hair metal next.
Martin Smith | Homepage | 03.13.07 - 6:23 am | #

I'm a massive Pixies fan but even I can't deny that their videos all suck. Velouria is so legendarily terrible that you just have to assume it was intentionally so.

On the other hand, Charlotte Hatherley's videos have all been excellent. The video for her download-only single, Behave, was directed by Oscar Wright (Edgar's brother) and while it bears some similarity to Bastardo as a kind of "animated comic" it's a bit more anime/manga infuenced: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M...h? v=MVin_npzHgU

I'm unsure about her new album. It's growing on me, but her unconventional song structures leave a lot of the tracks feeling as though they meander around unnecessarily when they could be a bit more hit & run. Though there's plenty of that around as it is, so I reckon it's better that she's at least aiming for something a bit higher.
James | Homepage | 03.13.07 - 7:16 am | #

Not all the Pixies' videos are atrocious. "Head On" is alright.

The usual explanation given for "Velouria" is that the song unexpectedly made the UK charts, and they were told that they needed a video in order to appear on Top of the Pops. So they made... a video.
Paul O'Brien | 03.13.07 - 7:51 am | #

The Bastardo video was done by Oscar Wright too, IIRC. Features art by Frazer Irving as well.
Jim | 03.13.07 - 11:39 am | #

I think it's time to stop feeling so surprised whenever Christina Aguilera is good, and admit once and for all that she's a talented entertainer. I am man enough to admit it!
The Mirrorball Man | 03.13.07 - 1:10 pm | #

Damn, the intense crush I had on Charlotte Hatherley when I was in high school is back.

I also like the new Aguilera song, and am all for a 40s revival.
Sadcap | 03.13.07 - 1:41 pm | #

Re: The Pixies.

They made the video and then, surprise surprise, didn't make it on TotP. If they ever finish their comeback album, one of those singles may see them to TV yet.

I'm reminded of the Spike Jonze 'man on fire' video, but cannot find it on youtube.
Ted | Homepage | 03.14.07 - 3:21 pm | #

Strongly recommended, re: the best news story ever, is Mitch Benn's song "The Ambassador's A Bit Tied Up Right Now" at the end of this week's Now Show (currently available from the BBC website as a podcast).
Daibhid Ceannaideach | 03.18.07 - 5:34 pm | #

Sometime last year, I remember commenting to my girlfriend that Christina Aguilera was the Cindi Lauper to Britney Spears' Madonna. After seeing that video, I have to seriously backtrack. It's quite obvious now that --- unlike the other three --- Christina's actually got singing talent.

Also, she might be the ultimate winner in this pop rivalry. As in Britney won the battle, but Christina won the war, and she's celebrating it with a nice USO Tour.

I am also all for a 1940's retro revival. I'm snot sure if y'all remember, there was a small taste of that in the 90's with the swing dance fad. I always thought it was far too short-lived. Plus, I needs to gets me a cool WWII olive green military fatigue.
El Santo | 03.20.07 - 6:58 pm | #

Not only is the Aguilera aces, I also want to jump her in it. GOOD WORK, POP MUSIC.

KG
Kieron Gillen | Homepage | 03.27.07 - 6:48 pm | #