It's been a good year for...

It's been a good year for...

Candi Staton

(The one who sang You Got The Love)

Who hasn't covered this? With Kasabin, The xx and, most notably, Florence covering this in one way or another, i can imagine its going to be a pleasant christmas in the Staton household, as she goes skipping down to her local building society with a lovely royalty cheque.

The Other One from Pet Shop Boys

A Brit award, a Brit performance, a comeback album and a christmas song. Not bad considering all he does is stand behind a keyboard and flap.

Calvin Harris

Since he was a young boy, he's always wanted to appear on television, with a fruit.

Josh Homme

He just wants to do everything, doesn't he? Produced a hit record, formed a geriatric supergroup and i hear he is now just putting the finishing touches to "Queens of the Stone Age the Musical" (Starring Josh Home).

Kurt Cobain

Considering he's been dead for over 10 years, he's not done bad by bringing out a new DVD. A live performance at that. Celebs, they'll do anything for fame.

HOWEVER, it has not been a good year for all.

It's been a bad year for...

Beardy-Keyboardist from Oasis

Someone took his band away from him and he's not sure where it is.

and...

Simon Cowell

NOW EVERYONE KNOWS YOU ARE THE SPAWN OF SATAN.

Merry Christmas.

I owe this to myself

Ok, i give in. Ill regret it if, in a few years time, i didn't do an end of decade top something-or-other. So heres a brief one of 2009 at least...

10. Discover - LP

The talented one out of Vampire Weekend, the keyboardist - naturally, and a mate wrote this just to prove they were not just preppy college kids just playing barre chords. So, inbetween barre chording, in the mean streets of NY, they created this. Just imagine a brand of 'poppy' RnB, but good?

9. Graham Coxon - The Spinning Top

While the others were busy writing songs for animated asian-looking characters, trying to be politicians, or simply making cheese, Coxon owed it to himself and Blur to remain a little bit sensible and write something genuinely good. Telling the life story of a man, birth through to death, its an interesting concept and he pulls it off well. I also have to write a composition on 'birth, life and death' so thanks for the inspiration 'Gra'.

8. Jamie T - Kings 'n' Queens

Woah, Jamie T - he's cool isn't he? He's probably the kind of guy who stands up on buses and doesn't hold on. Yeah, Jamie T - he's cool. The album? - Yeah, it's cool.

7. Franz Ferdinand - Tonight

Come on, write something with a bit more energy next time - do something new, in the meantime, 'Ulysses' is an excellent song. Not as good as the previous albums but still 'alright'. They could do with being a bit more cooler though. Mr Treays?

6. Noah and The Whale - The First Days of Spring

The title track simply encapsulates this. Written after splitting up with Laura Marling, his girlfriend, Charlie Fink takes all of that emotion and writes a fantastic, string-saturated album filled with feeling. Thus proving that the 'difficult' second album doesn't have to be so difficult with the right material, and a band that will do anything you say..

5. The Cribs - Ignore The Ignorant

Crap title, good album. I prefer it that way. All of Razorlight's have good album titles... I digress. Bringing in a new, non-related, member of the band in Johnny Marr proved not to be a krass, pathetic attempt at being 'mainstream' but was quite worthwhile after all. It was a splendid attempt, and, although too many of the songs have blatant 'The Smiths' intros, an extra guitar seems to have come in handy.

4. Calvin Harris - Ready For The Weekend

Oh Lord, its not a band with guitars. Crucify him from a generally indie-laden list. He's bloody awesome. Fantastic live, he brings it all together for this album. Yes, he's a complete idiot, but at least he writes good music as well (I hope you're reading, Ian Brown).

3. Bombay Bicycle Club- I Had The Blues But I Shook Them Loose

That took too much effort to write out the title, let alone a review. They hate their band name but probably like their music, otherwise they should probably reconsider doing what they're doing. Not to be confused with bike riding Indians, the band take a step forward, after finishing school, and string together some wholesome-sounding songs. Bright things to come.

2. Kasabian - West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum

Frankly, they deserve this for the album name alone. Already writing album number four, Kasabian proved they are now the biggest band in Britain with a psychedelic trip filled with arrogance, a retro-feel, and quality songwriting from Pizzorno. And a brief appearance of Noel the Impaler.

1. Humbug - Arctic Monkeys

I don't need to go into too much detail here, I've already got a review of this. But its good, very good, and Turner's grown up - which is condescendingly patronising, i know, coming from a student. Had it been released a few years ago it could make it's way into my top albums of the decade, but it's release being so close to the end of the decade would make it's appearance less outstanding.

Top Five Artists of 2010

Caught you out a teeny tiny bit there didn't i? Yes, after reading many "Top Ten Albums of 2009" (some of which are good, yes) I thought I'd snazz it up a tad.

Now I'm no 'Indie Kid' - I look rediculous wearing sunglasses and I'd probably make Phil Jupitus look good wearing skinny jeans - but here's my top five for two thousand and ten:

5. Wolf Gang
I first heard "King and All of His Men" on NME and thought he was a cross between Ewan McGregor and a modest Robbie Williams (the latter of which I'm aware is an oxymoron). A strong pop act with solid songs to match, if he gets the air play then he's there..

4. Soft Toy Emergency
These guys have got it all: the look, the tunes and the performance. With sessions at the BBC and an album in the making, we can expect to see these break through any time soon

3. The Drums
Who hasn't tipped these for big things? But it's true, the snowball of followers is getting bigger and bigger, and moving faster and faster, and if they keep writing sounds like 'Let's Go Surfing' then they're sure to hit the big time

2. Kasabian
Kasabian? - i hear you question - but they've already released their album? - i hear you answer. Yes, but you wait until they headline everything going next summer and properly replace Oasis as the biggest band in Britain

1. Noel Gallgher
Forget Liam's attempt at Oasis Part Two, Oasis's main songwriter is due an album next year and, given over 15 years experience writing top quality tunes for Oasis, we can expect nothing less than top quality tunes for himself. With this, Noel will earn himself a place with the true British greats of songwriting: Lennon & McCartney, David Bowie, Elton John, and, the great, Andy Abrahams.

Intuition Onlineee

Good news!
My first proper I've-not-published-this-myself post took to the internet this month (December) courtesy of intuition-online.co.uk. Nothing spectacular but a teeny tiny review on Yves Klein Blue.

i need more followers, invite your friends and their friends and their friends.

cheers.

Why are bluebells decreasing in Britain?

No reason for the title. No, there is a reason. I typed "W" into the box and that came up. I thought i'd keep it.
Right. Its been a while hasnt it? - Been writing for an actual website - will link once its up - so thats where i've been currently channeling my energy into (without sounding too much like Most Haunted)
Planning on doing a top songs/albums of the decade so to keep the interest here's what I've been listening to recently at this very cold, winter moment:

"Julie & The Moth Man" - Kasabian
B-Side for Underdog and opener in their current arena tour. This is a fantastic song and even better live. Almost better than Underdog. Not quite, but the unlikeliness of the situation makes it more exciting to proclaim.

A Certain Romance - Arctic Monkeys
With ...Dancefloor being a contender for song of the decade I've been listening to/playing along with this an awful lot. Good tune.

Crazy In Love - Snow Patrol
Ahh its a good'un. It should be terrible but just isn't. Ok, Gary Lightbody hasn't got the thighs or the bootyshaking just yet - but thats, quite frankly, reassuring. The original definitely is not top song of the deacade (NME)

The Universal - Blur
After releasing a mini Live album in The Sunday Times I had to get it. It includes the Hyde Park version of this, which i was at, and i still get tingly when i hear Damon shout "Londaaaan" before the last chorus. Classic song.

There you have it, and I've also discovered the bold button

Do you like it?

Be Here Now and Daylight Robbery

Theres' a downside to having a cashpoint in your village now. Especially next to a Tesco. "Ahh Arctic Monkeys on the front of Q" was among the first of my thoughts as i entered the new Tesco Express. "3.90?!" was the next thought as i turned out 57p i had hiding in the depths of my new coat. I like the new coat. Its got a furry hood. Which is pretty cool. I feel like a mid nineties Gallagher if i put my hands in my pockets and swagger a touch. So i had to go and withdraw money to then go back into the store to buy the mag. Tesco 1 - 0 Sam.

Along with that, being the cool kid i am, i bought some sort of cinnamon bun as well. I used the self service as its generally more exciting than being faced by a middle aged bloke with dodgy hair. Shock horror as the afore said cinnamon bun was not on the selection menu, the only other option was to choose a muffin, which was about 20p cheaper. Tesco 1 - 1 Sam. This won't be the end, Tesco.

Ive had a bit of an Oasis week, listening to Definitely Maybe and Morning Glory in one day on friday i decided to tackle the almighty beast that is Be Here Now. All in all its a fantastic record. A highly underrated one (how could anything follow the previous two albums). Some of Noel's best songwriting is on show here, with a 'rocky' theme supported by generally good melodies and catchy choruses ('I hope, I think, I know'). There is one major problem with this album though. Due to their heads exanding at such a big rate (the popularity of the previous two albums) they decided not to use a producer. This was a bad idea. All of the songs are over 4 minutes, with some hitting the 9 minute mark. Now, a producer would have sat them down and said, "look lads, this is a bit daft". And as we do get fed up with hearing "all around the world....", the songs could have done with a little cropping. Saying that, i get as bored as the next vaguely-interested-in-music person with 2 minute pop songs, and, although they are slightly repetative due to the length, the songs are of good enough quality to carry it along.

All in all an album which had all the quality, the potential, but less delivery.

Top Tracks

1: Stand By Me
2: My Big Mouth
3: Magic Pie
4: I Hope, I Think, I Know

Looking Forward

Oasis have split up, beginning the conclusion to "The Noughties". Although they will be remembered as one of the greatest bands Manchester, no, Britain, has created, I am glad they are gone. In truth, they were a 90s band, creating little quality music in the last ten years. They lasted that little bit too long and, inevitably, a split was always on the cards. I was lucky enough to see them, not just that, but their last ever appearance, at V Festival this year. And as much as they were 'good' (it was a greatest hits evening) they did not match the performances of Killers, for example.

What we need is to look to more new music, instead of clinging on to the "rear guard" of the music industry. All in all, 2009 has been a fantastic end to to the musical decade, with both Kasabian and Arctic Monkeys producing their best albums, and, in turn, two of the best albums this decade. As far as reunions go, I think Blur have got it right, they have reformed, played a few festivals, two fantastic gigs at Hyde Park and now they are going their separate ways again. Their legacy remains unspoiled by a tepid attempt at another album.

Don't get me wrong, if you want to go on popularity, one band has managed to reform and be successful. Take That. Okay, they are no indie-kid's first choice on the iPod, but they are now arguably more successful that they were in the nineties.

Jarvis Cocker has denied reports Pulp will reform. Good. Far too many bands have reformed, eyes fixed on big money deals available, then produced poor records. Spandau Ballet are one of the 'latest' bands to do so. Releasing an album consisting of their "greatest hits" re-recorded and a few new songs. All they need to do now is name it "Rip-Off" and watch the money come rolling in. Because thats what it boils down to. All manner of 70s and 80s bands have reformed (some more than once!) for the cold, hard cash and that does not bode well for the future.

If all of these old bands are getting the press, then where do they new bands stand? The old bands were once new bands, and the reason they were 'successful' was because they got the attention they deserved and they were new and exciting, different. So, by reforming you are losing that one thing that made you in the first place, originality. Hypocrits.

New bands, who are as exciting now as these old bands were are going to get nowhere without the support they are lacking. If they don't get enough support, they will just fade away and Radio One will just become a constant playlist of reworked 80s tracks, intertwined with anecdotes from Chris Moyles. And who wants that? *Shudders*