Music news

I really don’t know whether to laugh or cry. There is something so appealing, yet so concerning about metallic suits, low cut satin shirts, keytars and Snoop Dogg all in the same video. Sensual Seduction is a cross between seventies disco porn and hideous eighties graphics that will leave you feeling confused, uneasy and probably more than a little freaked out. But I don’t know if it’s just me and my penchant for vocoders and keytars, but I can’t stop watching it.   As the song says, “If you don’t know by now, Doggy Dog is a freak”. Word.

Listening to NZ's Die!Die!Die! is like getting a kiss on the lips and a sharp punch to the guts; they're melodic, primal, pummeling and sexy as all hell. The band have just released their new album Promises Promises which they recorded with fellow Kiwi noise-maker, Shane Carter (of Dimmer and Straight Jacket Fits) and it's Amazing. Die!Die!Die! are just something else live though, so lucky they will be back in Australia soon to tour Promises. The boys kick of the tour in Queensland on April 18 and will continue on in a whistle stop fashion through Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne. Check their myspace for more details.

There was a feature in last weekend's paper that prompted fierce debate and a division between the male and female members of my household that was as clear as a freshly buzzed head. The feature in question was about Natalie Portman - a woman whose attributes inspired the comments "beautiful", "down to Earth" and "wife material" in the male camp, and amongst the girls; " pretty", "boring" and "condescending". Are we ladies a little jealous? Maybe - as behind our dismissive remarks sits the knowledge that we would not look anywhere near as hot with a shaved head. In a cunning segue; Natalie Portman's shaved head is not only the most memorable thing about V for Vendetta - it's also the name of a delicious freak-pop/electro band. The band, whose name we shall abbreviate to NPSH, is five teenagers who met in Seattle at one of those new age, alternative schools. After quickly realising that “a cappella electronic band” would not work, the group tracked down an old drum machine and synthesizer and "began experimenting with pop vocals about fruit snacks and girls faces that fell off at parties". The group now produce some of the most stupid, catchy and party-friendly electro jams out there and are set to release their debut album this month. Wonder what Natalie thinks?

Thursday night at the Corner Hotel in Melbourne saw the return of Sierra and Bianca Casady aka CocoRosie. The two beautiful Rainbow Warriors took to the stage armed with poignant rap, operatic musings, megaphones, and care bears. Sounds bizarre? Sure is, but in the best way possible. From the pleasantly soporific ‘Good Friday’, to the playful ‘Kitty Cat’ outspoken ‘Japan’, CocoRosie covered all bases and appealed to a diverse yet unified audience. Despite two well-earned encores, ‘Noahs Ark’ was nowhere to be seen, however, ‘By Your Side’ did manage to reduce this little media student to tears. Despite my blubbering, I still couldn’t recommend experiencing CocoRosie enough. Last chance to see them perform in Australia, in Sydney at Metro tonight and Playground Weekender on the 9^th.

Auckland's apostles of cute; The Brunettes, have added an extra, final show to their Australian tour. Put a bow in you hair, grab whoever you're going steady with and head to the Annandale this Saturday to shake some action with the band before they head to the States to tour their pop-tastic new album, "Structure and Cosmetics".

Cat Power is playing in Sydney this Sunday! This will be Chan Marshall’s first Sydney show since 2003 and the very first time she has brought her full-time band, Dirty Delta Blues, with her (the band named after it’s member's musical lineage: Dirty Three drummer Jim White, Greg Foreman of Delta 72 and Blues Explosion guitarist; Judah Bauer) Unbelievably, there are some tickets still available so if you haven't got them already, I suggest that  (after you slap yourself for bering so dangerously tardy) you hurry off and get some.