Hurdy Gurdy

A question.

Nay, but first a brief history lesson. "It's all over when the fat lady sings." The said fat lady being a Valkyrie in Viking helmet.

It could safely be said that Northern Europe is melody driven, historically speaking. Where better than the frozen north to brew up pop records then? Exactly.! It just makes sense.

So, as dictator/founder of this blog I am recommending a maximum of: 2 Abba CDs. The Cardigans back catalogue, it being small (and yes, you can own the A Camp CD too). 1 Wannadies CD for curiosity value; ditto Grass-Show; 1 Kings Of Convenience/Erlend øye CD; no Idha CDs (too Anglophilic); no black metal; no Roxette (not *even* Look Sharp).

However, bonus points will be given for the first Neneh Cherry album on CD (the one with "Buffalo Stance" and "Manchild") and if any MP3 blogger can put up "Got To Get" by Leila K featuring Rob N' Raz, I would love you forever.

Euroclash, Electrotrash

Electroclash (and related derivatives) should be heard at clubs sometimes but not featured too extensively in a collection. A track here, a track there, maybe the odd CD, but really, Ladytron gets tiresome after a few listens and Chicks on Speed can only be enjoyed live, and even then only in a muted way.

I really REALLY want to comment on fashion here, but will respect the ban Marc has imposed.

What irks me the most is the belief that an electroclash reworking can make the lamest music somehow OK. Oooh, Destiny's Child? Let's remix it; that will be so ironic. Like, yaah, totally. Wear the t-shirt too why don't you, but I'm not allowed to talk about that. Shit music is not made cool through irony. It is still shit. 100%. Forever.

Actually I don't especially hate Destiny's Child and might forgive a CD if the person made up for it in other ways, but I can't think of a better example right now.