2011 with no lists.

Hark! I am writing a 2011 review and there will be no lists! I also intend to begin all my blog posts with Hark from now on.

No lists? Yeah! Fuck convention! See that rule book? *struggles to rip it up and throws it at closed window*

Instead Im gonna highlight a few tracks I loved in 2011, some soundtracked important moments in my life, some  were just great tracks. Some were not even released in 2011 - what was that? A jaw dropping? Yeah! You heard! Some songs in this blog will be OLD, maybe from 2010 or 2009 and shit. Im such a goddamn rebel. But it will be mainly my favourite stuff of 2011, it WILL be informative. Strap in.

So I turned 30 in 2011 and threw a party on a boat on the thames which will go down as one of the best nights of my life, surrounded by the people I love most. I chose all the music all night long and they couldn't escape. It was like a bigger version of having control of the car stereo, that captive audience you've always craved to play your favourite tunes to. It was ace, and a band that ive loved since my last landmark birthday; The Strokes had released an awesome single the month previous - it was played, it was received indifferently.

The Strokes Under Cover of Darkness.

Shame the rest of the album sucked.

This was also played that night and was received a hell of a lot better, in fact it was raucous. Not really known as a party band but what the heck I threw it in there, we sang and we shouted FUCK a lot, I dont remember a great deal from this night, but I'll remember this for a long time :)

The National - Mr November

May came and we went to our favourite festival The Great Escape, in Brighton. Ive already posted a lot of tracks from the bands who played there in this blog (Yuck and Cults went on to make 2 of my favourite albums of the year) but the next track is by a band I didnt get to see due to clashes, but I reckon this could be my favourite track of 2011.

SBTRKT - Wildfire

My favourite artist of the year was Patrick Wolf and he was responsible for some of my favourite gig moments  of 2011 as he's someone me and my friends all love and have loved for a while. We stood gobsmacked at the Bloomsbury Ballroom together when he first played some of the new songs and we danced irish jigs to The Libertine at the album release party at The Garage. Its been amazing seeing him grow over the past few years to this happy confident performer. The album Lupercalia celebrated his new found love and happiness. Its a brilliant album and Id recommend it to anyone, this is one of my favourite tracks on it.

Patrick Wolf - Bermondsey Street

In July we saw Pulp reform at Wireless in Hyde Park, it was a cracking line up and by this time I kinda knew Id be moving to the states soon so me and my mate Romi decided to have a lads day. TV on the Radio were playing as well as Foals whom we both adored. It was wicked, I wasnt expecting TV on the Radio to be SO good, it was one of the best live performances of the year and it highlighted how strong the new album is, its definitely in my top 10 if i was doing a list, which im not remember. Foals were sweaty bouncy and joyous as always, but I enjoyed TV on the Radio more as it was unexpected. Pulp.... well lets just say it was emotional :) This day was also the day I paid attention to Metronomy. They were really catchy, I got the album afterwards and it went on to be my favourite album of the year.
TV on the Radio - You (This video is brilliant too)

Metronomy - Corrinne

I guess the reason Im doing my annual music review in this fashion this year is I had two major life changes, turning 30 and moving to America. I'd say moving to the states was probably the hardest decision ive ever had to make it, leaving your friends and family is not fucking easy, but what it did was show me how lucky I am to have them all. Massive outpourings of love were commonplace in the latter half of the year and I wondered if i'd made the right decision a few times. In the first month we were here we went to the CMJ festival, Pitchfork had a free bar on a hotel roof in Brooklyn on a glorious late summer sunshine with DOM and Neon Indian playing. I do miss England and all my family and friends, but it is sexy living in America.

DOM - Living in America

OK some new shit, the first proper gig we went to in the US was at the Glasslands Gallery in Brooklyn. You enter what appears to be a storage lock up through the most inconspicous of doorways. There was free vodka for 2 hours and that was the main reason I was there if Im honest, Id trusted the wife with researching the bands and all credit to her, she'd done a stirling job. Dominant Legs are the guitarist from Girls side project so they had some pedigree (not that I know many Girls tracks). They make great 80s hook-laden pop songs, I bought the album from the merch stall afterwards as I was so impressed, I rarely do this in fact I cant remember ever doing it. It may have been the 5 double vodkas I had consumed in 1 and a half hours but I was positive at that time they were the next best thing. It turned out to be a cracking album, not since I had returned from a night out with a 6ft Vinnie Jones cardboard cut out had a split second drunken decision been so rewarding.
Dominant Legs - Hoop of Love

2 quickfire tracks now as Im tiring and Im sure you are too. But stick with me, I got some good un's left.

Discovered these rather lazily in a best of 2011 list, apparently the blog in question hadnt got the memo that lists were passe and there was a new maverick way of reviewing a year musically which would take the world by storm. The Weeknd stopped me in my tracks I hadnt heard anything like them before, the nearest likeness I had was The XX, but people were describing them as Hip Hop, and they were, but more bare and soulful. Stripped down R n B, with some cracking lyrics a great voice and sound. The best thing was all their stuff is FREE. Seriously go here now and download House of Balloons, thats my favourite, if you like that get the rest, theyre good too, especially the Dirty Diana cover on Echoes of Silence.

The Weeknd - Wicked Games

From sublime stripped back R n B Im moving onto a Christmas song, by 2 indie band members. 2 bands (Editors and Razorlight) I couldnt give a monkeys about really, but my friend Keith sent me this album and I dont know whether it was the need for something Christmassy or the christmas drinking sessions but I decided to give it a listen. Funny Looking Angels is a class album, Tom from Editors was made to sing xmas songs and frankly I dont know why hes sat wasting his time with those Editors chaps when clearly he should be carving out a career as the new Nat King Cole. Theres a number of great tracks on the album but this video is recorded right in front of where I used to work in London and it was really comforting hearing a new song i loved, with the video set in a part of the world I love at a time of year I love spending with the family and friends. Happy Christmas everyone!! *This would have had way more impact if I couldve done this blog before Christmas...

Funny Looking Angels - When the Thames Froze 

2011 so far

There's been some ace albums so far in 2011 here's my favourites and some of the best tracks on them. In no particular order.

Yuck - Yuck.


Yuck do nothing new, and maybe its nostalgia for early 90s US grunge but the whole album is just so feel good. They have great simple, catchy lo-fi tunes. You could play all the tracks on your guitar within an hour I bet. But you'd be real happy :)

Cults - Cults


This isnt a single off the album (yet) but its the track that blew me away when I saw them live in Brighton at The Great Escape. The singer has such a good range, from cutesy to belting out soulful wails. Its a great summer pop album, a little bit of soul but not in a naff way. They remind me of Kitty, Daisy and Lewis but have better tunes.

Holy Ghost!


I love when a debut album comes along and has LOTS of great tracks.I first heard Say My Name on a Kitsuné album and loved it. I've kept an eye on them since and looked forward to hearing the debut. It has no duff tracks, its great electro funky pop. Its what I wanted the Friendly Fires second album to sound like (but it ended up sounding like watered down Jamiroquai).

Art Brut - Brilliant! Tragic!




Cemented themselves as one of my favourite bands last week at The Lexington. Just utterly charming, fun and have now amassed such a collection of great songs to see them all live and delivered with the energy that made them ace 4 albums ago is truly inspiring. You could say that they tried something new on this latest LP - singing. But to be fair to Eddie (whom I love) when he tries it just sounds like he's whispering and it detracts from the aceness of the lyrics and great riffs. I think it works on one track which ironically is about his voice - Sexy Sometimes. On the lead single Lost Weekend his voice just sounds weird and it really bothers me. Thankfully the whispering / singing is only on a few tracks and the rest is classic Eddie, in fact very angry Eddie; Bad Comedian sees him spewing about an exes new beau "he dresses like he came free with the NME" and the track Axl Rose is a just a big fuck off to everyone and anything for "when the world grabs you by the fucking throat". Overall its a great album with some classic Art Brut tracks.

Noah and the Whale - Last Night on Earth



If you were put off by Noah and the Whale from the 5 years time song that launched them into everyones consciousness a few years back I urge you to reconsider. This is their 3rd brilliant album now and you're really missing out. For the record I loved 5 years time, and everything on their first album. I loved the the 2nd album too, a completely different mood - misery, but hope for the future. The 3rd album builds on that theme, the misery of the break up is over and now its time to live a little. Its pure joy from start to finish, literally as the last track is called Old Joy and is another of 'the Whales gospel jaunts which ends the album perfectly.

Quick Great Escape tips from moi!

Really quick cos I need the loo, here's some of my tips for you Great Escapers these next few days. No words here just listen! New (to me bands) not established ones or well hyped from what I know. Theres bigger bands I wanna see too and I havent even listened to Saturdays bands yet

Ending my Music Diary Project

On Thursday last week my wife called me to say she had spoken to her parents and they had told her that her Grandfather was dying.

We decided there and then we wanted to fly out to Florida to go and support the family and there my Music Diary ended.

It was really cool seeing everybodys listening habits for the days I was here though and I think Nick should be really happy with the results.

Maybe next time eh?

Music Diary Project Day 2

Morning all, had a busy couple of days so haven't been able to update this diary and now Im a day behind. Will try and do Day 3 later on.

Here's Day 2:

On the train to work again I choose The Avett Bros album I and Love and You. It seemed to suit the grey day.

After work we went for a few drinks with some colleagues, there was lots of bad music being played in the pub but every now and again I spotted a gem and took note.

Alive & Kicking - Simple Minds (this was on as I walked in to the pub)

Becoming a Jackal - Villagers this surprised me as it was really cheesy chart stuff for the majority of the evening and then this came on. Great track.

Grounds for Divorce - Elbow - Proof that Elbow are now officially mainstream, but still remain classy.

We then went onto a different bar to watch the Madrid v Spurs game, a few drinks later I stumbled onto a train and threw Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy on in a bid to keep me awake the entire journey home. It worked and I remembered what a great album it was.

Music Diary Project Day 1

The Music Diary Project is an attempt to document, over the course of one week, how we listen to music: when we listen, where we listen, who we’re with when we listen, and how we choose what we listen to. [read more from the original Sickmouthy Blog here]

Im going to tackle this on two fronts, I'll do snapshots throughout the day on my twitter and if I have time will do a little more in depth on here. I'm also going to make the decisions on what I listen to as normal as I usually do, but try to explain my decision making on why I chose what I did, when I did.

So this morning, I step out the door and get on my way to work - but we have SUN, glorious sun. I need happy sunny music so I reach for my current fave album Noah and the Whales - Last Night on Earth. It accompanies me through 3/4 of my train ride to work and puts me in an oddly great mood for 8.40 on a Monday morning.

This is my favourite track from the album and a great version

I have 20mins to fill before I arrive at work, most of this time will be spent walking from Waterloo to Blackfriars. I flick through the iPod to find something to continue my good mood and find a track by Is Tropical called South Pacific, its on Kitsune Maison vol.10 and I havent heard it yet. Im going to see them live soon so put it on. Its great and continues my mood.

I then flick to Funeral Party - Golden Age of Knowhere to take me to the (blackfriars) bridge. *arf*

The day passes music-less apart from the refrain from NYC moves to LA, in my head going round and round "NEW YORK CITY LOVES TO MESS AROUND WITH THE LA SOUND, THE LA SOUND" the album opener from the above, an album opener shouldnt be this good, its an absolute stonker. I put it on again as I leave the office full volume and finish the album from where it left off this morning.

My train journey home consists of the following from Kitsune Maison vol.10 - I booked tix to their London party on Easter Sunday so need to swot up some more.

Housse de Racket - Chateau

Liar, My Dear - The Heartbreaks

Fires - Waylayers

Blitz - Digitalism

My head starts to bang so I choose something more soothing to ease me home. Step forward Allo Darlin' folky, quirky loveliness.

Day 1 over. I have less time tomorrow evening so this will be much shorter.

See ya's!

Top 20 Albums of 2010... The Top 5

OK, apologies for building suspense. I'd like to say it was intentional, in truth that's the most I've written in about a year so I was flagging towards the end! Here's my top 5 albums of the year.

No.5 Janelle Monae - The

Archandroid

It's a concept album of such bonkers ambition it could quite easily turn out as self indulgent dribble. But somehow, this pint-size, cartoon like woman channels everyone from James Brown - David Bowie in her sprawling, diverse debut album and pulls it all off. I don't care much for the narrative of the record, but it does add to her kooky character, especially onstage. Its the individual songs that make this record so special, individual being the operative word, they all sound so different but somehow fit perfectly together. Tightrope is a contender for song of the year, Big Boi's appearance isn't just for show - it sounds like Outkast has a new female pocket rocket lead singer and she's kicked André and Big Boi into touch. Faster and Cold War only cement her superstar-in-the-waiting credentials. If anyone can tell me why she isn't huge already, please comment below, cos I'm stuck. For now, I'm going to enjoy every second seeing her perform in small venues before the enormo-domes take her and I don't mean the arenas, I mean the space-robots from the future who exist only in Janelle Monae land.

4. Foals - Total Life Forever

It's so pleasing seeing a band fulfil their promise of potential, especially on the "difficult" second album where so many others fail. Total Life Forever takes Antidotes and just makes everything BIGGER. Its bolder, the bass is funkier, which is the first thing I noticed. They've learnt to build songs, layer them more and make them anthems displayed perfectly on Spanish Sahara, This Orient and Total Life Forever. I saw them about a week after the record had been out and the

whole crowd new every word to every new track played. It was quite a feeling, and the album is quite an achievement. Intelligent, funky, guitar pop is alive and well.

3. Hot Chip - One Life Stand

YAY! They've made a proper album! Was my response after the first few listens of this record. Hot Chip are a great singles band, which isn't really a criticism, they have great singles - which is good right? Well yes, but I think they wanted more than that, the fans wanted more than that, there was something missing - a consistent, complete album. This album transforms them from the adorable geeks that turn up every couple of years with a

catchy tune or two, to a real national treasure. At 10 tracks, there's no fat, every track is great, there's traditional hot chip dance floor geekery and there's

tender moments too on Brothers and Alley Cats, the latter is one of my favourite tracks they've done "You painted a song" croons Alexis. They did and its a masterpiece.

2. Broken Social Scene - Forgiveness Rock Record

In the past BSS have frustrated me, I know they have tunes, I've heard them - Anthems for a

seventeen year old girl, Superconnected, Fire Eye'd boy. Great tunes, and live - wow! But they're usually sandwiched between some jams and fiddly noises, experimenting - some I love, some I can do without. FRR dispenses with all that and goes straight for the gorgeous hook-laden melodious rock songs. Not just 2-3 and a few jams - FOURTEEN! 14 tracks of song writing brilliance. Every one of em! I've just checked the tracklist again to see if I'm exaggerating cos I'd hate to mislead you all, but no, I recognise and could hum each one to you right now. They're all so catchy, that's why. I'm not going to single any out. If you like great melodious indie-rock music, buy it. You have to buy it too, don't download it for free, there's like a million people in the band and the royalties must get quite thin when you get down the line to the 6th lead guitarist.

1. The National - High Violet

*Yawn!* How predictable, Paddy has chosen The National as his favourite album... I can hear you from here so STOP IT! I didn't want to pick it! I was forced to, hear me out.... OK, I have no smart excuse, its brilliant and I played it the most. This band gets better, I cant think of a band from my generation that have produced 3 albums one after the other of the quality of Alligator, Boxer and High Violet. This one rightly propels them into the mainstream, they're no longer my favourite band that no-ones heard of. They couldn't be after this. Bloodbuzz Ohio is the most radio friendly track they've ever done. That statement conjures images of watered down The National for the masses. Now here's the brilliant thing - it wasn't! It was great, still brooding, still moody but a little more upbeat so Chris Moyles' Sun reading, WKD-on-their-cornflakes eating, moronic listeners could handle it without calling in and oozing DUHHHH HIS VOICE MADE ME DO BAD THINGS TO MY WRIST. Sorry, that was uncalled for, I know some nice people listen to Chris Moyles too, and I know some very nice people with otherwise exceptional taste in music who Matts voice makes them want to do bad things to their wrists.

Anyways, my point was High Violet isn't anything different to what The National have always done. Beautiful string arrangements with intricate guitars, dark lyrics "I was afraid I'd eat your brain.." and Matt Berningers menacing, baritone vocals. There isn't a duff track on the record, but if you didn't like them before now, you're not going to like them after this - unfortunately for you a lot more people like them now so you're gonna hear them a lot more, in the shops, on the radio, at a festival main stage, wherever you are - that voice, following you... whispering... scared? You should be, he's evil.