Once in a while you come across a song for the first time and you can't stop listening to it, over and over. Not in the way a song can go bad on you ("Hey Ya," "Crazy"), but in the way you still love it months and hundreds of listenings later. My current obsession is Dirty Mags by Blueboy.

I was late to the Twee Pop party, and only recently discovered Blueboy, and the label they recorded for, Sarah Records. Sarah was known for it's stable of Twee and Indie Pop bands, and Blueboy was no exception to this. Dirty Mags is a stand-out from this understanding, it's vibe and tone and carries a more harder, brit-pop, shoegaze sound. Dirty Mags was the lead track on a three song EP released on Sarah in 1995 shortly before the label shuttered.

Blueboy - Dirty Mags

More story and song lyrics after the jump.

The Liverpool duo Johnny Boy released their debut single, the deftly named, You Are The Generation That Bought More Shoes And You Get What You Deserve, in 2004 to critical acclaim. Produced by James Dean Bradfield (Manic Street Preachers), the song is part Ronettes' "Be My Baby" and partJoy Division "Atmosphere." Band member Davo describes it's unique sound as, "Church bells, boy-girl vocals, loops, twists, warps, walls of sound and edgy guitars combined to rekindle the idea of Sandinesta-era Clash having an, erm, shootout with Phil Spector."

In June of 2006 Johnny Boy released their full-length album, however for unknown reasons, it's currently only available in Wales, Sweden, Australia, New Zealand and Japan, and as far as we can tell, sadly through no internet music stores.

Until someone snaps up this duo (Lolly Hayes and Davo) and gives them a proper release schedule, please sample their brilliant and infectious debut single, and try and not dance.

Johnny Boy on MySpace

Johnny Boy - You Are The Generation ...

While watching a movie on cable (would you think less of me if the film was Dodgeball?) I nearly freaked out for a song I hadn't heard in years, The Sugarhill Gang's version of the 60's classic Apache. Of course, I immediately pulled my Sugarhill cd out and played it loud.  I had always known it was a cover, but not much else, so I did a little research.  It's interesting to look and listen to the evolution of the song Apache.

Originally recorded by The Shadows, Cliff Richards' original backup band, Apache was an instrumental hit that the bands solo career. They never achieved as great success as with Apache and played for Richards until 1968 and stayed active until disbanded in 1990.

The next incarnation for the song was by The Incredible Bongo Band.  TIBB was a revolving-door group of studio musicians led by bongo player Michael Viner. Their funky version of The Shadows' Apache become one of hip-hop's earliest breakbeat staples and one of the most sampled tracks in hip-hop history. First-generation hip-hop DJs Kool Herc and Grandmaster Flash came to rely on its percussion breaks to get block parties moving.

Label mates to Grandmaster Flash, Sugarhill Gang, completely reworked Apache and forged memorable grooves exploring the funk side of rap/hip-hop. Sugarhill Gang was named after their record label, Sugarhill Records (founded by Sylvia Robinson), Sugarhill Gang is known today mainly today for their groundbreaking sampling (Chic's Good Times) hit Rapper's Delight.

Lastly, a decade later, in 1992, the band Senseless Things reworked the tune for Ruby Trax: The NME's Roaring 40, the must-have British indie covers project (and benefit for The Spastic's Society). This version is sadly not good and bespeaks what was wrong with 90's music and included here for evolutionary purposes more than anything else.

The Shadows - Apache (1960)
The Incredible Bongo Band - Apache (1973)
Sugarhill Gang - Apache (Jump On It) (1982)
Senseless Things - Apache (1992)

Pleasure, is the project of 25-year-old London-based, Norwegian artist/producer, Fred Ball. A modern update on eighties minor-key synth-pop, the just released album, Pleasure 2, boasts an unusal team of featured artists including Suede singer Brett Anderson, Elastica's Justine Frischman, and Catatonia's Cerys Matthews, Gus Gus singer Heidrun Bjornsdottir, et al.

Like Stuart Price and Richard X, beside his own projects, Ball is also a talented producer and is created with the forthcoming Brett Anderson full length, as well as working with Bertine Zetlitz, and KT Tunstall.

Ball cites Michael Jackson, Prince, Yes, Van Der Graf Generator and The Residents as his musical influences. Without a trace of irony, Ball announces that “My hero is Rick Wakeman!”

Check out a few tracks below, they are pure bold, pleasure.

Online resources: Website, MySpace

Pleasure (featuring Brett Anderson) - Back To You
Pleasure - Uptown
Pleasure - Finest Thing

DJ/Producer Mark Ronson has just released his second full-length, Version.  You may know his name from previous eponymous remix fame or production work for Nikka Costa, Christina Aguilera, Amy Winehouse, Lily Allen, and Robbie Williams.

Ronson's album, is a interesting pop hybrid of remakes, covers, collaborations, samples, and mash-ups  Featured guests include, Lily Allen, Kasabian, Phanton Planet, Ryan Adams, and more covering some by the likes of The Smiths, Maxïmo Park, The Zutons, Coldplay and Britney Spears.

This kind of album has been done before, and well, by remixer/producer Richard X.  Whereas the Richard X's centered on re-purposing Eighties songs with British R'N'B act's vocals; Ronson targets an rockier assortment of Indie collaborators while still keeping a mind to his dj/club beginnings.

Online Resources: MySpace, Website, iTunes.

Mark Ronson - Stop Me (Original Mix)
Mark Ronson - Just (featuring Phantom Planet)

Interestingly, The Mary Onettes sound brings a darkly intense perspective to Swedish Pop. Without a doubt you can hear the influences of Joy Divison, Echo & the Bunneymen, The Cure, and The Stone Roses echoing throughout this record, yet they maintain a fresh voice in a fusion of the their influences and their current country's music Pop movement.

The band was formed in Jönköping, Sweden seven years ago and survived two failed record deals and two EP's before releasing this intriging album on Labrador.

Online Resources: Website, MySpace, iTunes

The Mary Onettes - Lost
The Mary Onettes - Slow