Too hot tunes - Top 10 Music

Girls' Life, June, 2002

1. FROU FROU * Details

* Remember Imogen Heap's I Megaphone? Well, the sultry-voiced songstress is back on the music scene as Frou Frou. Actually, she's only one Frou. The other Frou is Guy Sigsworth, who lays down the sonics to back her. We think he's her BF, but she's not saying. If you like electronica blended with emotion, Details is for you.

2. ROLAND GIFT * Roland Gift

* Your folks might immediately recognize this dude's very distinctive voice because he used to front the Fine Young Cannibals back in the '80s. Now, he's solo and singing soulful pop ballads, like Looking for a Friend" and "Love's Not Enough." If you go to a show, Roland promises to do FYCs hit 'She Drives Me Crazy." Maybe Mom'll take ya.

3. MOODROOM * Hung up on Breathing

* This one's for you chicas who want to add another good female-fronted power band to your collection alongside Garbage and No Doubt. Lead singer/guitarist Stef Magro has just enough feminine finesse to balance out the hard-boiled head-banging beats of the band behind her.

4. ROSEY * Dirty Child

* Hate to compare artists' styles, but she really does resemble Sheryl Crow. The exception is that Rosey's beats are a lot more danceable, her lyrics a little darker: "If I had all of the cameras in the world, you can be sure I would be beautiful, in that frame of mind....Why should I care when I left you years ago? You were ugly then. But now you're so beautiful...." That's from "Beautiful." And it is.

5. THE ROCKING HORSE WINNER * Horizon

* This group is a good example of the latest musical genre--emo. What's emo, you ask? It's short for "emotional," and it's what happens when a lot of punk/hardcore kids decide to tone it down a bit and start writing sensitive, melodic songs about heartbreak and stuff. A good friend in "the biz" told me that. Rocking Horse Winner has an undeniable energy that's softened by thoughtful lyrics and the female vocals of lead singer Jolie Lindholm.

6. SIMON AND MILO * Ready Ready Set Go

* This dynamic duo aren't really, cartoon characters. They're the alter egos of the two dudes previously known as Prozzak. Gotta love a couple of guys who pretend to beanimated, did the title track for Disney Channel's Get a Clue and have a song titled "Sucks to be You." Ready for some F-U-N?

7. RUBYHORSE * Rise

* "Happy in the Sunshine," "Sparkle," "Into the Lavender." The songs on Rise are uplifting--like in a glad-to-be-alive-and-lulling-away-the-day way. These pop/rockers from Ireland take their pop/rock seriously. The best part? The late great ex-Beatle George Harrison did slide guitar on "Punchdrunk."

8. LMNT * All Sides

* Maybe getting booted off Making the Band was not a bad thing for Bryan, Mike and Ikaika. The trio who took part in the series added fourth member Jonas to start their own boy band. Fueled by success of first single "Juliet," the guys do their own blend of pop, gospel and R&B. Let them be your Romeos!

9. JOHN REUBEN Hindsight

* "Hindsight is a beautiful thing when you can look back and see what patience can bring." Looking for some rap your mom will actually let you listen to? Step right up and get your Hindsight CD. Hurry, hurry! This is hip-hop that's clean and pristine, minus the distracting teen idol aspects (Li'l J and Li'l Bow Wow). Although, John does like to chant his own name an awful lot, like certain other rappers we know. He's touring with TobyMac right about now.

10. PORTABLE Only if You Look Up

RELATED ARTICLE: MUSIC BOX

* If you're itching for something to stick in your ears while you're skating the halfpipe, look no further. Portable's aggressive guitar-driven vibes will definitely energize you. "Better Get the Daisies Out," "Given" "Suffocate" and "Clear" are ragin'!

Nothing like killer jams to psych you up when you're doing twists, tricks and turns to fight sinister corporations that threaten to take away your freedom to skate. Grind your way into the year 2024 on your Xbox with Jet Set Radio Future, the sequel to the smash hit Jet Grind Radio. It features a hot soundtrack and amazing graphics--so good you'll sweat you stepped into an anime flick. Pump up the volume as you zip down the streets of Tokyo on rocket-powered skates, tagging your way against rent-a-cops and rival skate gangs in single or multi-player action.

PLAY DATES

The Pop Disaster Tour

The Pop Disaster Tour, featuring Californian cuties Blink 182 and Green Day, runs now through June 17, winding up in Minneapolis, Minn. This is the first time these half pop, part punk bands have toured together. Check out the rockin' opening acts--Jimmy Eat World and Saves The Day.

The Essence Music Festival

If you're going to the Big Easy this summer, check out The Essenee Music Festival July 4-6 at the Louisiana Superdome. The Festival is a Fourth of July wekend tradition in its eighth year. This year's hottest artists--Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige and India.Arie--will be there. And if you miss Alicia, catch her performing hits from Songs in a Minor during her own 35-date U.S. tour.

Britney Spears Summer 2002 Tour