2007 TOP-20 Countdown - No.19

Best albums of 2007 - No. 19

Candie Payne - I Wish I Could Have Loved You More


One of the loveliest surprises this year. The Liverpool born Candie Payne released her first album this May full of enchanting pop diamonds. Her retro styling of the sound (aided amongst others by Mark Ronson), belies at first hearing the darkness hidden within. Pounding drums, soaring vocals, fragile lyrics, with a sadness creeping all around that is only making me love her more. Many of the songs touched me on a personal level too, further securing her a little place in my heart. If you like Dusty Springfield, Portishead and brilliant pop music, give her a try. You will not regret it. In her own words: "These songs are trying to communicate the thoughts and feelings that go through your head, the things that you might not be ready to say out loud yet". I could not agree more.
Two clips from this lovely lady, below is "I Wish I Could Have Loved You More"



And the Mark Ronson produced One More Chance.



Worst albums of 2007 - No.19

James Blunt - All The Lost Souls


The gigolo/troubadour of the international celebrity circuit, James Blunt is so exquisitely marketed that he could just release a record of sighs and whispers and it would hit the charts instantly. Predictable and slickly produced, the record manages to make one yawn from the beginning to the very end, incorporating every trick in the market one can think of. I hope that there will be no song from this album to match the saturation of "You're Beautiful", but I think it is only wishful thinking. Avoid at all costs. And please someone hand him a razor and a comp.

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