Thursday, December 6, 2007

Gwenno Pipette's Solo Demos

Welsh singer Gwenno had a music career before she joined the Pipettes, that I always knew. But what I didn't know was she still keeps on making music on her own. Last October, I found out she uploaded a mini album consisting of new demos on my MySpace, but it was too late as the YouSendIt link already expired. Fortunately, thanks to the devoted fans at The Pipettes message board, I was able to attain not only the new tracks but also the earlier previously-posted demos.
On her own, while not straying too far from The Pipettes melodic trademark, Gwenno's songs seem to lose the '60s pastiche and veer towards a more modern sounding, electronica-tinged indie pop sound. 'U & I', which is by far the best of the bunch, starts with one of the coolest opening lines I've heard lately: 'U & I have been running around like headless chickens...'. The chorus is catchy enough to sneak in my head for quite a few days. Another good song is 'She's Got Me On Her Mind', which totally fits in with the 'Sounds like' description on her MySpace, as in '
Ace Of Base produced by The Postal Service'. As for the batch of older demos, bittersweet ditty 'Picture Of You' is the highlight. Overall, I do enjoy these demos and more than ever do I want an offical album, or at least EP, from her. You know, like a side project. Try these choice cuts, and since it's holiday season, I throw in her cover of Wham's 'Last Christmas' with some dude named Swipe!.


Gwenno - U & I
Gwenno - She's Got Me On Her Mind
Gwenno - Picture Of You
Swipe! & Gwenno - Last Christmas

There's a cover for it too.

While we're at it, here's the new Americanized music video for 'Because It's Not Love (But It's Still A Feeling)'. New remixed track! New hairdos! New dresses! New expensive-looking CGI! Their US label must really have faith in them etc. (love Gwenno's new look, by the way)



And here's another video of The Pipettes singing 'Pull Shapes' live in the NPR studio. It's nice, though a bit weird, to see them in more casual everyday clothes. And there are giggles.



Watch The Pipettes' instructional dance videos if you haven't.
Visit Gwenno's Space.

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