NEw bLoG

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NEw bLoG

The Sound of 2010

STOP! Ellie Goulding has topped the BBC's Sound of 2010 poll. The winner was announced last week but in the flurry of snow and worse, the blizzard of other bands YOU HAVE TO HEAR IN 2010!!!!!, you may have missed this fact.
If you want to know why this is important you can read about the history of the poll here. I'm not going to re-type it... But in summary, it has a developed great heritage since its incepetion in 2003.
Point is listeners to the Sound of December 2009 (and there were 1057 at the last count) would already be hot on the heels of everything Ms Goulding has to offer, musically. 'Under the Sheets' was my startling introduction.
And while Spotify has little to offer from her as yet. I can recommend that if you want to know or hear more you should do the sensible thing and go to her website where you can get a free download. Following me when I point this way.

The Sound of 2010

A Growing Fantasy

‘Fantasy Black Channel’ would have been all over the Soundtrack to 2008 if it had existed. Now the purveyors of that debut masterpiece return with ‘Blueberry’. It quietly ambled into life late last year, digitally, and is set for a full, grown-up, release in February. Of course, you don’t have to wait till then.

LOTP have always leant in a proggy direction. Don't worry, they're still definitely wandering down that road. (And now in exciting 3D by the look of the cover.) It's no 'Bathroom Gurgle' or 'Space And The Woods' but then, they weren't a Bathroom Gurgle or Space And The Woods until my 11th listen (if you know what I mean). I’m thinking it may be a grower. What about you?

A Growing Fantasy

The Dawn of 2010

Play it loud. Play it daily. Play it three times in a row.

Could 2010 have got off to a better start?

Wiley's back with some kindly help from Mr Chew Fu. Better than the Rolex song. Better than the one about cash in my pocket, that's right 'Cash In My Pocket.' 'Take That' is about as good as it gets in the current hip-hop-rap-dance cross over thing that's happening at the moment.

If the prescribed three-dose repetition proves to much, Doorly's done some dirty work on a remix. And even filthier work on the dubstep version.

And there was me thinking he couldn't do it any more...

The Dawn of 2010

Spoken Word Version

Entertaining? Enlightening? Deeply insightful..? Whatever your opinion, the gob mutterings of Noely G, are always worth a read. The NME has stuck them all together into one hand read.

Spoken Word Version

2009

Though the first ‘Soundtrack to…’ didn’t appear until March, I’ve plumped up a whole year’s worth of tunes to bookmark 2009.

Squeezing the year into just 50 tracks was no easy task. (You’re welcome…) But it ensures every single track is essential and serves as a humble homage to Peel’s Festive 50. So it’s superstar fit and ruddy ripe for your ear holes.

There are a few notable exclusions. Simply due to Spotify limitations. So, promise me you’ll treat yourself to Grizzly Bear’s ‘Two Weeks’ (the video is skill), Casiokids’ ‘Fot i Hose’, Eve & Benga ‘Me ‘N My’, Art Brut’s ‘DC Comics and Chocolate Milkshakes’ and of course, Radiohead and ‘These Are My Twisted Words’, (Oh my days, I’ve just listened to this again, I’d forgotten how good it is.)

My New Year’s Resolution? Ok, I’ll try and fatten up the blog and gob on about what I’m listening to in between Soundtracks. But in the meantime, follow me on twitter, whydontcha, (@iamnottheenemy) for The Soundtrack to… updates and tunage recommendations. I’d massively appreciate your recommendations too.

Thanks @thetorrie, @johnhillcock, @therafterman, @eddyTM, @marshamusic, @D_NS, @miiikerobinson, @allhale, John Kennedy and Naomi for your music juice. @sharemyplaylist, naturally. Hundreds of bands and musicians, certainly. And anyone who clicked ‘Play’.

Happy New Year. Roll on 2010.

2009

December 20009

A hamper of December treats to soundtrack your gift-wrapping. Perhaps.

As eclectic as ever, this month’s collection is delivered early because it includes a few festive types and there’s nothing worse than Christmas songs after Christmas. Bah, humbug.

Like a selection box, there’s something for everyone. (And other clichés.) And like a selection box there are a few surprises too.

Merry Christmas to you and watch out for the Soundtrack to 2009. Very soon.

December 20009

Victory

Rage hard. Enjoy the victory.

Victory

War

With Andy Peters on stand by in a secret pressing plant in the hidden lair, on Sunday evening the evil Cowellman ordered another calculated attack at the Christmas number 1. His poisonous chemical attack with the deadly 'Factor X' or something has reeked havoc over the charts in the past.

While for 51 weeks of the year, no one with pubic hair gives a toss about the charts, this Christmas it has become the singular most important issue in the nation. One we must defend to the hilt.

And so, with social media as their weapon the masses go to war with the festive A-Bomb that is Rage Against The Machine's 'Killing In The Name.'

Reports from the front line suggest that the Rage Brigade are winning valuable ground. But it's early days. This is a powerful enemy. Pick up your mouses people. Use your 79p wisely. Or even, 29p. After all, when your grandchildren look up to you with admiration in their eyes and say, 'Grandad, what did you do in the battle of the X-Factor?' Do you want to say to them, 'Nothing, I did nothing. I'm so sorry.'? Your country need you.

Whichever way it ends, cries that Simon Cowell has taken the fun out of the charts couldn't be more wrong.

War

Radio 1

One day I may make a film about how The Soundtrack to... gets compiled. Or not.

Radio 1

November 2009

It’s that time of year when everyone’s thinking about presents. Or what they’re going to wear to the party. Or how they’re going to fit everyone around the table for dinner. (Will we need to get that stool out of the loft?) Ok, so there’s a lot to think about. But when they’ve thought about all of that, they’re thinking about the best albums of the year.
And as a helpful reminder November saw a timely airing of a lot of them with single releases.

Bombay Bicycle Club’s ‘It Had The Blues But I shook Them Loose’ is certainly amongst them. Jamie T rides high is a whole load of Top Tens with ‘Kings & Queens’. Then there’s the XX album, ‘Islands’. But with one of the singles of the year, a blistering tour, outstanding performance at the Electric Proms, you’d struggle to find a more fitting recipient for album of the year than Doves’ ‘Kingdom of Rust’.

It’d certainly make a glorious Christmas present, if you’re thinking about that.

The Soundtrack to 2009 will be with you by Christmas. In the meantime, enjoy November.

November 2009

Try and Turn Off

Merry Christmas, everyone. Well it might as well be. The telly ads have lazy jingle bells all over them, the supermarkets are stacked to the rafters with twiglets and the only albums to get released from now till the end of the year are greatest hits and compilations.
Of the few sneaking exceptions to the rule is the Hidden Camera's
Origin:Orphan. An album I, unusually, found myself listening to the whole way through. And when was the last time you listened to an album the whole way through? And I don't mean left on in the background or left on your iPod and fell asleep to on the train. I mean listened to. The Hidden Camera album is impossible to turn off. From Ratify The New to the closing Silence Can Be A Headline, you'll be hooked. Try it on Spotify now, I guarantee or your money back.*

*Doesn't include Spotify Premium listeners. Or any guarantee at all really, it's only writting, isn't it.

Try and Turn Off

October 2009

While half the nation goes looped-upside down mental for the karaoke vote-off joke factor, music valiantly battles on with a wonderfully eclectic month’s worth of ‘200% yes.’

If you’re time-troubled be sure you at least check out The XX, Sway, The Phenomenal Handclap Band, Boys Noise, Death Cab For Cutie and Girls. Oh, and Fanfarlo. The Vitalic track is not to be missed either. And Imogen Heap too. What’s more, you have to listen to Thom Yorke, because it’s Thom Yorke. The same goes for Massive Attack. Ah, just listen.

You can get the full track listing at the wonderful sharemyplaylists.com.

October 2009

Last Summer

This track was all over the underground during the summer. Loud, pumped and driving that 45 King track headlong into the next generation, I've been searching for Sway's Mercedes Benz for months. I blitzed Blogdom, the YouTube, even 'record shops.' I searched everywhere. They did an awesome job of hiding it. But whaddaya know, now it's on Spotify. It's now got an official release. And it's here. A bit late, but first time round, this was the soundtrack to the summer.

Last Summer

Squelchy Bliss

Atlas Sound produce the kind of squelchy blissed-out tunes best supped at about 4am. So laid back it’s almost horizontal it’s hard to imagine watching the solo project of Deerhunter's lead singer live and managing to staying awake. But at the right time and the right place tunes like Attic Lights and especially the dreamy The Light That Failed leave you as putty in their hands and a bit like that bloke in the picture. Too chilled to type anym

Squelchy Bliss

Sesame Street 2009

Yeah so it sounds like Sesame Street Pin Ball Song, so what. The Phenomenal Handclap Band smash it with 15-20.
It's been around for yonks but is fresh on Spotify so will be sneaking into the Soundtrack to October, bought to you by the letters 'P', 'H' and 'B' and the number '1'.

Sesame Street 2009

Anytime But Now.

What time is it? I mean, like now. It may be a bit early for this. Unless it's so early it's still the night before. And if that's the case what the hell are you doing here? Get to bed and definitely don't listen to this, whatever you do; it'll do you no end of damage.
'The Power' is the new album from Boys Noize, the dirty German remix genius. The album's a bit heady on a wet workday, so for general listening, head for 'Drummer' or euphoric 'Gax'. But stand back. You may go off.

Anytime But Now.

Beauty

While you weren't looking, the Horrors got good. Over-hyped and distinctly underwhelming, the first incarnation of these Iowa funsters probably left you questioning your distinguished musical taste or despairing at the salivating media surrounding the band. And I'd have joined you in that beery debate.
But the Horrors v2.0 are here, because we weren't paying attention properly the first time. And 'Mirror's Image' is everything right about this fresh incarnation. And while that track steals a momentary glance, look on and have a squint at the entire Mercury nominated album.
Should that be music to your eyes (not sure where I'm going with this), I heartily recommend you feast them (phew, back on track) on the Horrors live, they're far from horrific and definitely worth a look.

Beauty

The Single of the Year?

I'd heard this song less than once when I excitedly twunted something along the lines of, 'Has Ian Brown just released the single of the year?' In the sobriety of a tenth or seventeenth listen I'll say it's Top 5. If you've not heard it hold your bladder as you wag your tail like an excited puppy to 'Stellify'.

The Single of the Year?