May 28, 2008 Earworm

There's no doubt that Duffy has something, but what it is I've yet to decide. As her debut album slips into the US charts at #4 and "Mercy" climbs to #27 and provides the soundtrack to "American Gladiator" commercials, it appears that she's ready to pick up the crown that LaWinehouse left in the gutter amongst cigarette butts and little bits of tin foil. But she's no Winehouse, even with the magic fingers of Bernard Butler working the production desk. But if we only give her the time needed to find a skeevy boyfriend, a drug habit, and relentless paparazzi, perhaps the second album will fulfill that destiny.

For now, there is the title cut of her album, "Rockferry", and a few other key cuts that are thrilling while the remainder seems a bit lacking in a distinct personality and could be just about any other retro diva's. On "Rockferry", Butler waits until a minute before the train is leaving to step out from behind the station and unleash his Bernardian guitar, sending Duffy off with all the drama of a Dusty Springfield arm sweep - but one far more choreographed. Meanwhile, Lulu is looking anxious.

We'll see...

February 15, 2008 Earworm

After jumping off the Duran Duran ship before it sailed into the sunrise, and before reinventing the pop in folk pop with The Lilac Time, Stephen Duffy hooked up with Mulligan and Dik Davies (Fashion) and Andy "Stoker" Growcott (Dexy's Midnight Runners Mach 1.5)for roughly eleven minutes of dance pop. Calling themselves Tin Tin, the first single was "Kiss Me", a. The percolating bounce of "Kiss Me" failed to impress the UK audience and the record quickly disappeared. In the US, the adventurous Sire Records picked up the track and watched it slowly take over the country's dance floors.

"Kiss Me" may be a bit repetitious but in the same way that good sex is; knowing just when to break its stride for maximum impact. And it, too, was just as good with or without poppers.

Two years later, Stephen Duffy would re-record "Kiss Me" for UK release and although it became a massive hit, those of us who'd repeatedly spun ourselves around for seven minutes without spilling our drink recognized that, like an ill-advised one night stand expansion, the magic was missing.

check out the video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDXV2_eYJJ4&feature=related