ThePensmith

It was basically everything - bar the vinyl - that's on their merch store at the moment.

Wembley last night, then. My immediate thoughts... It was... good. But compared to other bands of my youth I've seen come back together, some of whom have done so on an even lower budget or promotional backing? It wasn't outstanding. The positives: THE Zena McNally coming on as a surprise guest to do "Why?". Honestly, the audible gasps that were surrounding me when she got introduced to stage were unmatched 🤣 Probably the highlight of the show. "One Night Stand" was such a strong opening, especially as they combined the original and Sunship mixes of the track. Alesha Dixon. Honestly, that lady has star quality in absolute spades. Even if this is really all they're doing beyond last night, I would not be averse to her doing summer festivals etc solo next year. Damage and Kele Le Roc as surprise guests in the support DJ set from Rampage - excellent choices both. The negatives: It did feel like certain members were phoning it in a little bit up there, mentioning no names. The random ten minute filler DJ set between costume changes. It cannot take that long to change costumes, and it did feel like a common or garden UK garage bottomless brunch when that happened. "B With Me". This was the one song I was looking forward to hearing live the most (mainly because I knew I would have to leave before the encore to get my tube and train back home, and thus knew I would miss both "All I Want" and "Scandalous") and I'll just call a spade a spade. They f***ed it with the whole bringing fans up on stage to do Alesha's rap. Whilst admittedly the girl from the two fans they bought up on stage to do Alesha's rap was unexpected fire, I've paid good money to see Alesha alone do that rap, which is her high watermark in terms of MCing on their songs, not some random people from the crowd. She eventually did the rap in full once they'd done the whole naff "cheer for which one was better" bit. But by then, the moment had passed and I felt let down. The staging and merch... left a lot to be desired. It says a lot that I'd just come across town from the new Music is Black exhibition at the V&A East in Stratford that afternoon (which Mis-Teeq are featured in, there's also a postcard of them in the gift shop) and a £1 postcard from that felt more luxe than a £40+ hoodie did. Whilst I am not one for divulging in gossip or rumours, based on what I saw last night, I wouldn't be surprised if what apparently has been going down between them all in rehearsals for this and also Summertime Ball is true. A shame, because overall, this could have been so much more than it was.

#19 - Official Independent Album Chart #21 - Official Record Store Chart #28 - Official Album Download Chart #51 - Official Album Sales Chart #53 - Official Physical Album Chart #88 - Official Scottish Album Chart

I decided to pre-order the CD boxset on a whim from one of my favourite indie record stores (Spinning Around Records, the lady Emma who runs it is a total pop girlie and I've got loads of my record collection from her store before). Quite excited for it actually!

Admittedly there is that re: the demos. But hey. As I said above, this is more effort than they have put in the best part of a decade, so that in itself is to be applauded. One of those times where my low expectations are pleasantly exceeded.

Got my Palladium tickets today as well. Met her at her HMV signing last weekend, what a lovely lady. Had a nice little chat to her as well which was good. The album itself is really strong, I wasn't a fan of the title track when that came out but I appreciate it more in the context of the album as a whole. Overall favourites for me are "Who Dimmed The Lights", "Jesus On Mars", "Beautiful Love" and "Just Drive".

My signed bundle from their official store finally showed up today, nearly a week on 🤣 Have to say though - really strong EP this. It's a nice continuation on of the sound they established on Everything's Eventual whilst taking it up a notch. "Strange Kinda Paradise" is probably my favourite, it's got that same kind of Madonna-esque energy with a Britpop feel from tracks like "Supernaturally" on the first album. I suspect given it was nowhere to be seen on any midweeks it'll just be on the indie charts etc tomorrow, but hey. New Appleton material and getting to see them live twice over in 2026 means I am a happy inner 14 year old me, regardless of what comes next ☺️

Lols at all the casuals on socials foaming at the mouth with messages of the "This could have been an email, huns" variety when most fans knew what was actually coming 🤣 All jokes aside... this actually looks quite beautifully done and presented, which given the merch drops we've had with "will this do" energy in recent years is a massive compliment. Not entirely sure I'd invest in the vinyl version (for storage reasons) but I could be tempted by the CD version when I next get paid.

Some undeniable classics on this week's episodes - namely Mel C and Left Eye, Moloko, Destiny's Child and also Santana (although I didn't appreciate those two random session singers standing in for Rob Thomas, who made it sound like a Strictly Come Dancing version of the song before that was even a thing). Westlife were incredibly lucky to get that fifth number one. I remember them on CD:UK the Saturday before it charted and they all looked panic stricken at potentially missing out. That said, "Fool Again" is one of their better chart toppers, although I do wish Sony would throw the 2000 Mix on streaming already. I had hoped they finally would with the recent 25 Ultimate Collection release, alas they didn't. Poor B*Witched going out with a whimper a year on after their own record breaking shenanigans. Sony really didn't have a clue what they were doing with them by this point throwing them in the direction of the FHM market and hoping that would work. I hope some day the third album they recorded before they were dropped will see the light of day.

Certain tabloids are full of "a source says" stories today claiming that ITV are on the verge of bringing it back next year. Honestly? It had its place and time, and there are so many elements not in its favour that it just wouldn't work now.

Queen, icon and legend, and for all the right reasons. Incomparable and irreplaceable. Rest in eternal power Dolly ❤️

New video on Instagram showing a closer look at the vinyl version of the EP: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DceEpO1t1nt Shame it doesn't appear there's any in-stores or anything lined up for this on release week, I thought there would be at least one. Still I am seeing them on Friday cause they're supporting JLS so that will be consolation at least.

Just my take here: there's only one of the Girls Aloud albums that are awaiting a vinyl reissue now which will more than likely be next year ("Out of Control"). I wouldn't mind betting tour or no tour that Fascination will probably turn their attention to some form of vinyl pressing for the Saturdays next, especially as it's their 20th anniversary in 2028.

By the way... I had a quick look on the BBC page today. I suspect we're about to have a few more episodes skipped over as after the reshowing of 31st March episode on Friday 28th August, it then jumps forward to 28th April: Looking at the list of Top 40 broadcasts on Radio 1 from this year, I suspect this is because S**** M**** was filling in for Mark Goodier on those weeks, and thus doing the top 20 rundown on the episodes from those weeks in between. I dare say they'll probably turn up on YouTube as the other 1999 ones did but something to bear in mind.

I was about to say it's common knowledge that Five all hate "Don't Wanna Let You Go" 🤣 Can't say I blame them really, it was never one of my favourite singles of theirs either. I feel like that slot as a single should have gone to either "Battlestar" or "Two Sides To Every Story" from the Invincible album.

Oh definitely. But full credit to Parlophone, they had such a strong campaign for that single and album era, and I've seen Kylie in particular allude to the fact she had to work it very hard in the UK and Europe. But it paid off in the end!

Really in-depth chat with Natalie on Davina McCall's podcast Begin Again that went up today:

A quick sconce at Music Week archives confirms they didn't snub "Spinning Around" - it was on their B list the week it went to number one: https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/2000/Music-Week-2000-07-01.pdf

Big Hits 2003 is on at 8:30pm this Saturday, followed by The Story of 2003 straight after at 9:30pm on BBC Two (although the latter is already on iPlayer).

This is where Chris Cowey's approach of repeating the same God damn songs for weeks on end, even as they were going down the chart, was to the detriment of the show long-term, especially on weeks like this that were bountiful with new entries. Madasun "Don't You Worry" was one such casualty of his booking policy. One of the better songs launched by one of the better new girl groups in 2000 (and there'll be a lot of them to come). Honeyz - "Won't Take It Lying Down". What an absolute banger that was. The performance was absolutely unhinged though on account of Naima grinning away like H from Steps through what it is supposed to be a sassy and edgy put down to a cheating boyfriend type song whilst wearing a Gimp mask before the watershed on BBC One. Camp of the highest order. I'd have loved to have been in on the wardrobe fitting for that performance 🤣 On a slightly sadder note, timely that not one but two William Orbit produced singles were on this episode. I actually do still quite like "American Pie", it's much better than it is generally given credit for and the production on Madonna's version is gorgeous.

I mean the alternative versions do nothing else if highlight just why Brian Higgins' approach to making pop music worked. Even if it was exhausting for the girls in practice 🤣

Good question. I am actually going to put a vote in here for allSTARS* - "The Land Of Make Believe". I feel like it was one of those songs where it wasn't so sacred it couldn't deign to be covered at all. And actually they did a really good job of bringing it into 2002 I thought.

I have seen talk of said "documentary" on certain national gossip columns today. Given how fiercely private Chezza is these days, I would believe it only when it's happening.

I mentioned it on the 1999 sales thread, but I will repeat it again: "Reload" is actually one of those albums that's been long overdue a vinyl pressing for something like Record Store Day.

"Pure Shores" still an absolute classic. In fact in common with much of All Saints' material it has stayed so timeless, and I think that's as much to do with their vocals, harmonies and overall energy as it is William Orbit's production (and on another single of theirs, but we're getting ahead of ourselves here). Either way, deserved number one and for two weeks as well. That Rebecca Wheatley song. Damn I didn't realise Casualty was that popular to propel one of its stars into the top 10 (twice if you count that "Everlasting Love" monstrosity from two years prior). Also loved Tom Jones and Stereophonics, Kelis, Jamelia (she looked super young there!) and Artful Dodger. To come after "Re-Rewind" and have a hit almost as ubiquitous with "Movin' Too Fast" 👏🏻