I remember seeing the “Singles” album in shops when I was a child and thought that it looked like something I should check out one day, and whilst I never owned it, I have come to hear and become familiar with many releases by Depeche Mode over the years. Can’t say I was familiar with the one you have entered, but I listened yesterday and it felt somewhat nostalgic, so I was glad to hear it! Great anniversary choice of artist! :)

Thanks Wardy, I hope others will like it as well.

I’m surprised you didn’t enter the 9 minute version!!!

I certainly prefer the longer version myself but I thought the shorter version would be more likely to pick up points.

I love it either way, hoping it does well for you!

BJSC144 - Liar by Envy Of None

 

Envy Of None are a Canadian/American band formed by the former Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson. Liar was released as their debut single in January and is one of the tracks from their first album which came out a few weeks ago. With lead vocals coming from the 25 year old Maiah Wynne, the music of Envy Of None is far removed from the heavy rock sound you might associate with Rush. With a length of just 3 minutes 12 seconds, Liar is the shortest song that Rolloland has sent to the main contest.

 

BJSC 145 - Then Came The Wave by AtomA

 

AtomA are a Swedish band formed in 2010. After releasing one album in 2012, the group took a break for studies and various other activities but they have now returned to the music business. Then Came The Wave is a single from last year.

 

 

 

BJSC 146 - We Are The Same by Archive

 

Archive are British group who have been going for 28 years. While being popular across Europe, they continue to go under the radar in their own country. This is their second appearance for Rolloland, they finished 30th in BJSC99 with 'Bullets'. I have also entered a song by them into the Unknown Pleasures contest. Both of those songs had a male lead vocal so this time I have chosen one with a female vocal. Holly Martin has been part of the group since 2012 and she sings this one. 'We Are The Same' is taken from their twelfth studio album 'Call To Arms & Angels' which was released earlier this year.

 

BJSC147 - Drop Me Down by Mikko Joensuu

 

Mikko Joensuu is a singer, songwriter and musician from Finland. As he won Unknown Pleasures for me last year with 'There Used To Be A Darkness', I thought he deserved a crack at the main song contest. 'Drop Me Down' is from the same album, 'Amen 2', released in 2016. The song comes with a 360° video. You can play about with it by moving your cursor from left to right and up and down but please do not let this distract you from listening to the song.

 

BJSC148 - I Would Sing Along by Karen Peris

 

Karen Peris is the lead singer and main songwriter of the American alternative rock band The Innocence Mission who were formed in 1986. Her husband Don is also in the group. 'I Would Sing Along' is taken from her second solo album, 'A Song Is Way Above the Lawn', released in 2021. The song features her two children, Drew and Anna, on violin and viola respectively.

 

BJSC149 - Alone & Unafraid by ELIZA

 

ELIZA used to be known as Eliza Doolittle, a fact I was unaware of when I stumbled upon this song a couple of months ago. I only found out just before I entered it. She has three top 40 singles to her name plus one with Disclosure and a number 1 single as part of the Justice Collective. Alone & Unafraid is a single taken from her 2018 album 'A Real Romantic'.

 

oh it’s THIS CHICK I was getting confused the hints and thought of someone else 😹

BJSC150 - Love You To Bits (Bit 1) by No-Man

 

No-Man are an English duo who go way back to 1987 when they were known as No Man Is An Island (Except The Isle of Man). That's surely one of the best ever band names but it was shortened to No-Man from 1990 onwards. The two members are Tim Bowness and Steven Wilson. The latter needs no introduction to BJSC regulars, having represented Rolloland in our debut contest and also finishing in 2nd place for Terra Avium in the same year. With Steven being busy with Porcupine Tree and solo work, No-Man have only released seven albums, the latest being 2019's 'Love You To Bits'. The album is basically one song with Love You To Bits, Bits 1 to 5 on Side 1 and Love You To Pieces, Pieces 1 to 5 on Side 2. We are entering Bit 1 to this contest.

 

Oh I didn't realise this was a Steven Wilson project, that was a research fail from me whoops (though I highly doubt it'd make it veto worthy anyway so no worries - does definitely make me look forward to hearing it more though!)

Well, I'm glad I managed to sneak him in after being vetoed the last time I tried. :P

 

(He doesn't sing any lead vocals on this album)

BJSC151 - I Won't Back Down by Hybrid

 

Hybrid are a married duo from Wales, Mike and Charlotte Truman. They have appeared in the contest once before, finishing in 4th place for Tartford with Finished Symphony in BJSC113. I Won't Back Down is the final track on their 2018 album, Light Of The Fearless. With accompaniment from the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, it's a cover version of a song by Tom Petty from his 1989 album, Full Moon Fever. He co-wrote the song with Rolloland icon Jeff Lynne.

 

BJSC152 - Blood Moon by Bokka

 

Bokka are a Polish group shrouded in mystery. They do not appear in their music videos and always wear masks on stage or in publicity photos. The members have not even revealed their names. Blood Moon is the title track from their fourth album, released in 2022.

 

I certainly did not expect an entry like this from you :o I almost had this in my weekly top 50 in 2021 but fell just short. I think this would have made top 50 in my Top 50 Rejects in 2021.

Rolloland always aims to be unpredictable.

BJSC153 - If You Don't Love Me by Prefab Sprout

 

Prefab Sprout are a group formed in County Durham in 1978. They had six top 40 singles from 1985 to 1997 and nine top 40 albums. If You Don't Love Me was one of the new songs on their compilation album 'A Life of Surprises: The Best of Prefab Sprout' from 1992. It was released as a single and reached number 33. A cover version of the song was recorded by Kylie Minogue in 1994.