Things To Do In Bristol When You're (OCD)ead: Music

T2Ds Songs of 2007 - The Definitive List

Sat, 15 Dec 2007 13:06:45 GMT

Ok folks - just as in the last year or two, here's a list of all things T2D have thought musicall wonderful over the past 12 months. 'Tis a bit different this time around, insomuch as the lists are split between the Top 20 Club tunes and Top 20...well, non-Club tunes. Oh, and before I list them, I was sorely tempted to put Peter Bjorn and John's 'Young Folks' at no.1 for the 2nd year running (it was reissued so technically admittable) - just assume these are the charts without that in them :). Here they are...:

TOP 20 TRACKS OF 2007 (non-club)

1. Editors - Smokers outside the hospital doors (4:54)
2. Newton Faulkner - Teardrop (3:09)
3. Kaiser Chiefs - The Angry Mob (4:48)
4. Amy Winehouse - Back To Black (4:01)
5. Ian Brown - Illegal Attacks (4:04)
6. Newton Faulkner - Dream Catch Me (3:57)
7. Foo Fighters - The Pretender (4:29)
8. The klaxons - Golden skans (2:43)
9. Fightstar - We Apologise For Nothing (Single Version) (4:16)
10. Nickelback - Rockstars (4:14)
11. The Wombats - Lets Dance To Joy Division (3:13)
12. Beirut - Elephant Gun (5:50)
13. Kaiser Chiefs - Ruby (gq) (3:21)
14. Take that - Shine (3:31)
15. Kings of leon - On call (3:22)
16. The Enemy - Had Enough (2:39)
17. Milburn - Send In The Boys (2:44)
18. Air Traffic - Charlotte (2:24)
19. Feist - 1234 (3:03)
20. Plain White T's - Hey There Delilah (3:52)

AND...

TOP 20 CLUB TRACKS OF 2007

1. The Chemical Brothers - Electronic Battle Weapon 8 (6:15)
2. Roisin Murphy - Overpowered (Seamus Haji Remix) (8:08)
3. Justice - Waters Of Nazareth (Erol Alkan's Durrr Durrr Durrrrrr Re-Edit) (6:10)
4. Freemasons - Uninvited (Club Mix) (7:55)
5. Calvin harris - Acceptable in the 80's (ext) (5:33)
6. Kanye West - Stronger (5:14)
7. Alan braxe vs kris menace - Lumberjack (6:25)
8. Mason vs princess superstar - Perfect exceeder (6:43)
9. Arno cost & arias - Magenta (original mix) (9:16)
10. Dirty South vs The Doors - This Is The End (Dirty South Remix) (7:14)
11. Splitter - All alone (5:41)
12. Trashcan Jack v Billy Idol - Club Wedding (3:41)
13. Peplab - Et (Peplab Classix Treat) (7:10)
14. The gossip - Standing in the way of control (soulwax nite version) (6:54)
15. Meat Katie - Stop The Revolution (D Ramirez) (5:58)
16. Claude Vonstroke - The Whistler (Vandalism Vocal Remix) (6:13)
17. Axwell Ft. Max'c - I Found U (5:07)
18. Mark ronson - Stop me (3:58)
19. Spektrum - Kinda new (dirty south mix) (6:44)
20. Elektrons - Dirty Basement (3:34)

Verdict: Lacking a lot of quality in the non-dance field this year (has been a really weak '07 in terms of decent rock tracks, with the exception of the Foos), it was left to indie to lead the way with the likes of The Editors, Klaxons, Enemy and Kaiser Chiefs. Still, there was room for some pop with Take That's annoyingly infectious 'Shine' making an appearance. Newton Faulkner surely wins best newcomer for 2007 and some honorable mentions for the little-known Beirut and the much-maligned Fightstar, whose 'We Apologise For Nothing' proved a welcome surprise.

Clubwise, the banal eurodance seemed to ease of this year leaving some true deep house and uplifting techno gems. EBW 8 came out in the 1st week of '07 and was never bettered, surely deserving a full-scale release sometime soon. Expect to see 'Overpowered' get a re-release as well, whilsy Justice finally start to deliver on the hype with the awesome 'Waters of Nazareth' (currently huge Stateside). Huge breakthroughs for Mark Ronson and Calvin Harris see them represented in the 20, whilst keep an eye out for Dirty South's remix of 'The End' and the infectious reworking of Billy Idol's 'White Wedding' by Trashcan Jack - both may well do something in the coming months.

Anyway, the top 5 of each is now playing on the frontpage - enjoy!

Live Mirth

Sun, 08 Jul 2007 10:15:00 GMT

Well I'm not so sure that worked too well....

Ok, so as a music event, Live Earth had its moments - Metallica and the Foos arguably walked away with the whole thing and Madge's slutty rendition of 'Hung Up' was pretty spectacular.

As an environmental message? Oh dear.

Putting my own beliefs to one side re: global warming etc, I have to say that the BBCs coverage pretty much turned the event into exactly what the organisers wanted to avoid. Reportedly the BBC were told that they weren't allowed to take any anti/pro stance on the debate due to its delicate political nature. The result seemed to be that (with the exception of Terence Stamp) while the crowd were clearly listening to a list of environmental speakers between the bands and being given more information then just 'put that hairspray can down', the BBC filled with a stream of comedians shamelessly (and hurmorously) honest about being there on a free jolly to watch the music and knowing little-to-nothing about the issues at all. In fact, if anything, the BBC stance meant the cynical POV about the debate was expressed far more then any other side!

Of course, there were moments when the acts themselves didn't help. Symbolically having Wembley turn off all non-essential lights begged the question 'well why did you have them on during a concert about the environment trying to stop that to start with?'. The crowd chanting for Madonna during Terence Stamp's speech about the event didn't help matters much (fairly clear why they were there, then) and, when the MILF of pop did turn up, the stage lit up and used more power then a small republic. Oops.

Perhaps they should have followed the idea of Jonathan Ross, put forward at around 1pm in the day, that of 'why the f*ck are we here because if everyone turned their TVs off now, it'd make a huge difference and that's the whole point'.

New tune now online

Mon, 12 Mar 2007 13:17:43 GMT

Hopefully playing in the background at the mo is a nice little cover version by Anthony David. More dtls on the front page music section.

Would change the video but the plugin is playing up. Typical.

Latest Glasto 07 news - Arctic Monkeys, The Who and more

Sat, 27 Jan 2007 13:29:32 GMT

Ok, so here's some more Glasto-type news...(btw, check http://www.efestivals.co.uk for it as its great).

Mr Eavis has now pretty much confirmed the Arctic Monkeys as headlining the Saturday night slot. Could be an excellent choice (though I'd wait until the second album arrives just to make sure they really are the real deal) - either way, it could definitely break them to a more global audience if a good show takes place and should provide much bouncy merriment in the crowd.

Joining them on the headliner bill looks to be The Killers on the Friday and, in the worst kept secret ever, The Who on Sunday (who've pretty much admitted it). So after a few modern Sunday night closing acts it'll be back to the classic rockers ending the whole thing - could be very good. Not so sure about The Killers though...just don't feel they carry enough presence or popularity to really do the trick. With Bjork said to be up against them on the Friday night as well, I suspect the smaller stages will do good business!

Kasabian have pretty much self-confirmed their appearance by saying they'll see people at Glasto after a recent performance (could they have headlined instead of TK I wonder?) and Arcade Fire are also 99% certain to be there too, along with The Chems (though no word on whether they'll be on the Other Stage or in the Dance tent yet).

Looks as though one band that won't be there is Razorlight. Looks like they're doing the Carlings and has been rumoured to have been simply a 'they can pay us more' issue (a shame if do). Also looks like the Chilli Pepps will miss out again - this time it seems they actually asked if they could play (allegedly for free) but have been turned down. Despite Mr Eavis comments about never having a metal band there, I find it hard to believe really - especially as QOTSA were exceptional in 2002.

Other to-be-expected rumours about The Fratellis, Scissor Sisters, The Kooks etc maybe being there but nothing concrete. However, Efestivals has got Madness down as a strong rumour - surely for the Sunday afternoon or the Saturday 5pm slot - how good would that be? Me, still hoping to hear that The Feeling will make an appearance along with new bands like Air Traffic (naturally) and Peter Bjorn & John.

New Feature - T2Ds Recommended tune

Sat, 06 Jan 2007 11:12:44 GMT

Or 'what'll be on the site when I haven't got time to write all the music reviews one wk'!

Will chuck what I think is the tune worthy of a listen to at the mo up on the site with a snippet summary on the right of the main page (WMP and just above).

This week it'll be the new Chemical Brothers tune - just press play.

JUST ANNOUNCED - Glastonbury '07 Ticket Details

Fri, 05 Jan 2007 14:05:40 GMT

Ok folks, they just announced this.

Looks like this year ticket buying will be in 2 stages:

The first stage will be registration. During the whole of February anyone wishing to buy tickets must register their details in order to get a number - this process will include giving personal details and supplying passport-sized photos. You can register by either going to http://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/ and doing it online OR going into your local branch of Millets and getting a form (10p will go to regular Glasto charity water Aid for each form they issue).

The second stage will be buying the ticket on April 1. Basically, if you haven't got a registration number then you won't be buying. Maximum of two tickets per person and, this time, the photo system means that it should me much harder for touts to bulk buy and then sell on (as I'd assume, if you buy two tickets, the purchaser must be there with the other ticket holder upon entrance along with his photo id).

No idea yet on ticket pricing - I'd imagine we're gonna be looking at £125 or so (with car-parking on top). Datewise, Wednesday 27 June - Sunday July should be a safe bet.

Who's up for it this year?

T2Ds Top 60 Songs of '06: The Final 12

Sun, 31 Dec 2006 15:12:56 GMT

Ok folks - it's a Herculean task and will no doubt be different for everyone but every day up 'til the end of the year, T2D will attempt to count down what (in its opinion) have been the best 60 tunes of the year that you really should all own: or, at least, have a listen to before they're consigned to the dustbin of musical history. Some of them are controversial, some are different compared to the review section (lets face it, prolonged exposure to a tune can change opinion) but hey - if you wanted consistency, you wouldn't be reading the page of someone with mental issues!!! Will also try and put at least some of each days selection on the media player for your enjoyment.

So let's crack on WITH THE FINAL 12 (THANKS TO A BAD 'NET CONNECTION YESTERDAY!!)

No. 12: Subfocus - 'Airplane'

With the likes of Pendulum, High Contrast and this lot on the scene, '06 may well have been the year that a new, euphoric, clubber-friendly drum'n'bass scene that could still be liked by the cool crowd started to emerge. This was the highlight - a blissfully energetic slice of dreamy D'n'B that served equally well as a piece to get lively to, or to just switch on and drift away with...

No. 11: Bedouin Soundclash - 'When the Night Feels My Song'

A good reason to love T-Mobile in a year when mobile ads seemed to dig up some absolute gems to use in their campaigns (more to come), this gorgeous piece of uplifting acousticness (with a catchy African flavour) pretty much had everyone humming away happily to it after just a few listens. Big smiley face feeling guaranteed.

No. 10: Snow Patrol - 'Chasing Cars'

The Irish lads had been making great music for a long time before 'Run' finally gave them a hit and broke them commercially - 'Chasing Cars' was another reason to be thankful they stuck with it. Subdued indie-rock with such a poigniant delivery and beautiful lyric that you'll find yourself trying to sing along with a lump in your throat and a tear in your eye. An absolute guaranteed show-stopper at the summer festivals for '07, methinks.

No. 9: Get Cape Wear Cape Fly - 'Chronicles of a Bohemian Teenager'

"Baaaaaa dup bup bup baaaa, baaaaaaa dup bup bup baaaa". Go on, practise it, 'cos if you're at any gatherings where they're playing then it'll sound far less silly when a few thousand other people are doing it too. And they will be. Another touchingly wistful tune whose first 90 seconds make you think it's going to be another acoustic number, until a manic near-d'n'b speed drumbeat and cymbal kick in to accompany the vocal and make a truly original, captivating pop/indie/dance tune with a stack of meaning and that incessantly catchy chorus.

No. 8: My Chemical Romance - 'Welcome to the Black Parade'

One of the years only truly anthemic songs, which many groups will fail to make even once in their lifetime. Having said that, MCR threw absolutely everything at it from the rock anthem formula book to make it work - epic rock chords, subtle semi-acoustic breaks with required poignant piano, hi-tempo emo-esque verses and choruses, some military marching band drum sections (and the whole band joining in near the end)...if someone had tried to play the kitchen sink on it no-one would have been surprised. Yet (because of and despite of it all!) it worked. No 'Bohemian Rhapsody' but the nearest we got to it this year and, for that, they should be applauded.

No. 7: The Fratellis - 'Chelsea Dagger'

Every year needs one - a drunken student riot tune for all the lads to jump up and down to at midnight when they're half-cut in the clubs. This year The Fratellis supplied it and managed to do such a good job that, months later, it's still not boring after endless radio play! Just raucous rock'n'roll with a punk attitude that makes you want to go out and rough up a stranger on a dancefloor (in a nice way).

No. 6: Muse - 'Starlight'

Should have been the first single and at number one for months and months. As it was, 'Starlight' got a strangely muted response from the public on its release. The music press got it right though - a pounding, indie-rock monster which showed that Muse have now learnt how to apply their angst-ridden psychedlica to maximum effect instead of in fatal doses, it was the highlight of 'Black Holes & Revelations'. Impossible to hear Matt B launch into the 'hold you in my arms' line without wanting to try and belt it out along with him.

The Top 5

No. 5: Jose Gonzales - 'Heartbeats'

Thankfully the song was so good that any jokes about it being 'a load of multicoloured balls just like the phone ad it came from' were few. Spellbinding and simply beautiful Latin acoustic work from Gonzales.

No. 4: Air Traffic - 'Never Even Told Me Her Name'

T2D have a feeling that the story of Suzie may make a reappearance in 2007 and find Air Traffic getting the success they so richly deserve. Just 2m 40 secs long, it's enough to confirm that these boys have the talent to dominate the indie-pop scene in '07 in the same way that the Feeling have dne in '06. One of the few faultlessly-written songs to appear this year.

No. 3: Bodyrox - 'Yeah Yeah (Ramirez Mix)'

Not the version with the vocal but the one that broke it in the clubs, 'Yeah Yeah' walks off with the best club track of '06 accolade after annihilating the competition with the old-skool electro/nu-Detroit dance equivalent of a multiple orgasm - it gets better and better and better, hits a peak, throws in 20 seconds for you to get your breath back, then launches another assault on your senses. Oh, and then does it 3 or 4 more times for good measure, each time throwing something a little different into the mix. And it's just so f*cking cool as well. And it has bits that sound like Cylons. And it has....well, you get the idea.

No. 2: Iron & Wine - 'Such Great Heights'

" I think that it's a sign, that the freckles in our eyes are mirror images, and when we kiss they're perfectly aligned'. When you open up a song with a line like that, there's no way you can lose without doing something cataclysmically wrong. And this doesn't. Quite possibly the reason why acoustic guitars and men with slightly husky, melancholy voices were made and guaranteed to be the favourite song of lovers everywhere who've heard it with their significant other.

No. 1: Peter Bjorn & John - 'Young Folks'

Hard to believe that, on first listen, T2D gave this a 7/10. But then, that's the thing - there's nothing startlingly original about 'Young Folks' on first listen, nothing groundbreaking. It's just a nice tune. Then the whistling chorus rents out a permanent space in your brain in which to play endlessly, and does so until you listen to the song again - and again - and again. And suddenly find that you're not tiring of its charm, its quirkiness, its upbeat happiness, its catchy melody and its ability to simply put a smile on your face and make you feel like a slightly better person for having joined in with it. Without a doubt absolutely barmy (Scandinavian pop/indie/dance/folk and Sonny & Cheresque influences can't be made by anyone without a slight screw loose), PB&J managed to make the world a brighter place with 'Young Folks' in 2006 and it deserves its place at the top of the tree.

T2Ds Top 60 Songs of '06: 13-18

Fri, 29 Dec 2006 12:17:02 GMT

So let's crack on...

No. 18: Orson - 'No Tomorrow'

Sneered at now by some of the supposedly 'true' indie community, Orson's only error was to make a catchy indie tune with pop sensibilities and a party spirit, which got under the skin of anyone who heard it and became a huge hit. Some mistake, huh? Doesn't try to be anything more then a record that wants you to have a damn good time and is all the more loveable for it.

No. 17: Ray LaMontagne - 'Trouble'

Best known as 'that tune on that album that that Dermot O'Leary does that advert for' (well, that's how someone told me about it - tracking it down was fun...), 'Trouble' may not have been as huge as the advertising campaign but anyone with a love of acoustic music with hints of country, rock and blues fell in love with LaMontagne's astonishing vocals on it immediately. There's a rawness about them that appeals, a slightly gravelly sincerity which is impossible to ignore or doubt. You don't feel many artists really mean what they sing in the '00s - this guy does.

No. 16: Red Hot Chili Peppers - 'Dani California'

Ok, so double album 'Stadium Arcadium' may have been what we all secretly feared (a bloated, lazy piece of work from a band who seem to be becoming a pastiche of themselves and sound bored of music) BUT thank god they found one good single on it and released it first. RHCP at their finest, telling the latest story of recurring character Dani (the girl) via the medium of some gorgeously sleazy, swampy funk-rock with a chorus so anthemic that you can't even listen to it on your mp3 player in a busy street without waving your hands in the air and singing along when it kicks in. One of their best - let's hope it isn't one of their last.

No. 15: Bootyluv - 'Boogie 2Nite (Seamus Haji Big Love Mix)'

"I've found a place...where we can boogie". That'd be pretty much anywhere this monsterously catchy club tune from the decks of Mr Haji is playing at the time. Probably the handbag crowd's anthem of 2006, no-one can say it's a musical masterpiece or particularly original BUT then again, if that's what you judge your dance music by, almost nothing will be! Catchy, feelgood disco-house with attitude, 'Boogie 2Nite' succeeded by making it impossible to do anything other then start nodding your head slightly and mumbling the chorus under your breath whenever and wherever you heard it play. Love it.

No. 14: Seu Jorge - 'Life On Mars'

Take one obscure Bill Murray film ('Life Aquatic'), add Latin artist Seu Jorge and ask him to do an acoustic version of one of David Bowie's greatest songs - in his own language - for it. The result cuts across all language barriers. Achingly beautiful, pure, mesmerising...you may understand what the Bowie version said, but you have to hear this to understand what it meant.

No. 13: Gnarls Barclay - 'Smiley Faces'

'Crazy' may have been the bigger hit but THIS was the better tune. Again, a mixture of soul, funk, dance and gospel with some urban attitude thrown in, but this time there's so much more going on - and it's done with such ease that it seems simple. About a dozen different melodic strands weave together effortlessly, held together by some divine vocals and synthwork. Oh, and the churchesque organ opening? Best intro of '06.

(no's 7-12 tomorrow)

T2Ds Top 60 Songs of '06: 19-24

Thu, 28 Dec 2006 08:29:21 GMT

So let's crack on...

No. 24: Switch - 'A Bit Patchy (Prydz Mix)'

'Patchy' started off as a paint-by-numbers dance number with an old Shadows sample until Eric Prydz got his hands on it. The result? An immensely cool club cut with a real street feel, full of squelched synths and stuttering samples. The musical equivalent of cruising the streets at night in a merc, looking for a fight.

No. 23: Moby - 'Go (Trentemoller Mix)'

2nd appearance for the eco-warrior on the 60, though it's as much to do with mighty remixer Trentemoller as Moby himself. Taking the seminal, relentless rave classic 'Go' as a template, 'moller mixes it up with some big beats, crunching samples and creates something with an air of truly menacing techno without losing the hooky trance atmos of the original cut. Should get a bigger general release in 2007, so be prepared.

No. 22: Damian Marley feat Bobby Brown - 'Beautiful'

An exceptional song (from the exceptional album 'Welcome to Jamrock'), the young Marley is in fine form here as he tells the story of the love between him and his woman in his own lilting, exotic and hypnotic style - abley assisted by a lush soul vocal by Bobby Brown and a funky reggae-cum-R'n'B musical arrangement that's filled with summer vibes. One of the best summer tracks of the year.

No. 21: The Guillemots - 'Made Up Love Song #43'

Or the dictionary definition of the phrase 'ahh, lovely', The Guillemots ode to the warmest human emotion is just a thing of absolute joy and wonder - gentle indie-pop to wash over you and leave you a better person after hearing it.

No. 20: Mason - 'Exceeder'

Fedde Le Grand may have opened the door marked 'Detroit-influenced club music', but its tunes like Exceeder (and not 'Put Your Hands Up...') that make you thank god he did so. It's an absolute synth-led dancefloor epic, one foot firmly entrenched in the nu-Detroit sound whilst the other taps a rhythm between funky 80s electronica (Harold Faltermeyer and the like) and 90s euphoric trance. Due a major release in Jan '07 (with a rap vocal from Princess Superstar on top which isn't too shabby at all), it's the original vox-free cut that remains a must.

No. 19: Razorlight - 'America'

Second album, first number one single, less raw edge, more polished studio sound - Razorlight seem to be following the 'Evolution of a Band according to Oasis' plan. Still, polished or raw, this is a gem of an indie-pop song which rises and falls around its wistful vocal sentiments perfectly and is just begging to be played at huge stadium-filled gigs. Finely-crafted songmanship.

(no's 13-18 tomorrow)

T2Ds Top 60 Songs of '06: 25-30

Wed, 27 Dec 2006 10:14:45 GMT

So let's crack on...

No. 30: Krowd Killaz - 'Mr Brightside'

Sneaked into every DJs 'favourite white labels box' in late '06 as the KKs took The Killers classic and injected it with a serious dancefloor vibes. Some nice samples from the original and a decent ear for an old-skool breakdown make it both a respectable club tune and a decent homage to the original.

No. 29: Gnarls Barclay - 'Crazy'

Oh shush - I don't care how many weeks it was no.1. After months of total radio overkill Gnarls Barclay's first fusion of urban dance music and gospelesque soul may have been a good tune and may have been the first one to reach ther summit on download sales alone, but it did get very repetetive after a while and could have done with discovering more then one chord throughout. Was still undeniably funky though.

No. 28: The Feeling - 'Fill My little World'

First appearance in the 60 for one of 2006's success stories, it was the irresistably catchy, bittersweet pop of this (their second single after 'Sewn') that made everyone sit up and realise there was more to this lot then just being one-hit wonders. With the quirkiness of Space, the writing sensibilities of Ian Brodie (and somewhere in there is a small dose of Noel Fielding - go figure), it's utterly impossible to dislike them.

No. 27: Muse - 'Supermassive Black Hole'

Maybe the years biggest shock was seeing T2D change from a state of total and utter loathing to embarassed enjoyment over Muse, as a result of first this and then album 'Black Holes & Revelations'. Yes, it's a flagrant rip-off of U2s 'Discotheque' and (as one clever internet DJ showed before the music company got irate) can be mixed together with Britney's 'Do Something' with scary accuracy, but its a huge slab of sleazy, glam-rock disco excessiveness that's just mouth-wateringly good.

No. 26: Gary Numan - 'In A Dark Place'

Nearly 3 decades in the business and Numan is still the absolute Daddy when it comes to anything dark and electronica-esque. With a voice as good and as distinctive as ever (with the ability to go from vulnerable to sneering, arrogant menace in an instant), 'In a Dark Place' is a VERY dark place, full of NiN-style industrial touches and gothic influences to be savoured for each of its glorious 366 seconds.

No. 25: The Feeling - 'Sewn'

Second appearance for the boys with this gorgeous piece of downbeat semi-balladic pop, saved from the banal masses by quality songwriting and a great melody and created in their shed! Let's face it - in '07, singing along to 'la la, la lala la la' bit at the festivals is going to be a moment.

(no's 19-24 tomorrow)

RIP James Brown - No longer Living In America

Mon, 25 Dec 2006 10:29:39 GMT

A happy day (merry xmas folks - has been good for me so far) marred by some genuinely sad news this morning - the Godfather of Soul, James Brown, died earlier this morning.

Saw him live twice a few years ago and, while there's no doubt he was carried a lot by his backing group and struggled to be the performer of old, there was still that sense of occasion about it - that you were going to see a true legend.

Which he undoubtedly was. 'It's A Man's World', 'Please Please Please', 'Superbad', 'The Boss', 'Soul Power', 'Get Up (Sex Machine)', 'Night Train'...endless list of classics - and the guy was huge in the civil rights movement of the 60s and 70s for black people.

Of course, announcing it and then playing 'I Feel good' on the radio was a little misplaced I thought.

Yeah, the front page tune is a bit of fun (and, lets face it, you'd expect no different from me), but the guy was a star - sorely missed.

T2Ds Top 60 Songs of '06: 31-36

Thu, 21 Dec 2006 11:50:03 GMT

So let's crack on...

No. 36: Kasabian - 'Empire'

The first track off their 2nd album found Kasabian in a rockier, more menacing mood then ever before - and with oodles of cash to spend on the video as well. It's a strong tune, moving slightly away from the melodic indie electronica of their earlier work to something a little darker (and a strange nod to glam rock in places too) and was undoubtedly catchy at first - but maybe a tad too monotonous to really stand alongside gems like 'LSF'.

No. 35: Placebo - 'Meds'

It's astounding how Placebo seem to have fallen off the musical map of rock whilst many inferior groups with so much emo pap seem to have flourished - and a single as good (and generally ignored) as 'Meds' does little to change such bemusement. It's a slow-building, extremely intense 3 minute dark-rock wander through the eyes of a recovering addict and Moloko may never have sounded better.

No. 34: Air Traffic - 'Just Abuse Me'

First of two appearances for the pop-indie newcomers in the 60 and it's 2 1/2 minutes that sum up perfectly what Air Traffic are all about. Wonderfully written, slightly quirky songs of love which move along at a joyous indie lick, helped by some inspired piano playing which Elton John circa the 1970s would love. Everyone seemed to talk about The Feeling in '06 - this lot should do the same in '07.

No. 33: The Sunshine Underground - 'I Ain't Losing Any Sleep'

Record companies and indie mags keep taking about their other tunes ('Commercial Breakdown', 'Put You In your Place') but it was this catchy piece of early Blur-esque indie that really hit the spot - a well-constructed song, great guitar hook (hummable as well, which is always a good thing) and decent vocal all point to a group with the ability to do big things...just let them get on with it, Mr NME.

No. 32: The Kooks - 'She Moves In Her Own Way'

This charming acoustic number from The Kooks was a real slow-burner. Easy to dismiss at first as just another nice-but-unremarkable tune (which T2D did and aren't proud of it), it snuggles its way into your consciousness and refuses to budge - leaving you singing 'uh-oh' at surprising and occasionally inappropriate moments as it tries to break out and burst into song. Gentle, smile-inducing acousticness.

No.31: Sigur Ros - 'Hoppipola'

Finally a deserved big hit for Sigur Ros in '06, with the gorgeously unusual and largely instrumental 'Hoppipola'. What was it about? No idea. But then, you didn't need to know - it's huge, soaring strings and vocal melodies inspirational enough to need no explanation as, at times, it felt truly epic. And anyone who watched the '06 FA Cup Final ive on TV in the UK will never, ever forget it.

(no's 25-30 tomorrow)

T2Ds Top 60 Songs of '06: 37-42

Wed, 20 Dec 2006 11:10:01 GMT

So let's crack on...

No. 42: Nelly Furtado feat Timbaland - 'Promiscuous Girl'

Reinvented for 2006, the sexier, edgier Ms Furtado proved that you could be a pop/R'n'B diva and still retain your musical credibility with a fantastic album and string of great singles. Best of the bunch was this, a simmering cauldron of sexual teasing and tension wrapped up in a funky package.

No. 41: Solu Music feat. Kimblee - 'Fade'

Superb, soulful club cut in a MAW vein with a gorgeous female vocal soaring across synths, strings and some perfectl placed wah-wah guitar work. Meaningful music for the post-club comedown.

No. 40: The Charlatans - 'Blackened Blue Eyes'

More then 16 years since 'The Only One I Know' and Tim Burgess & co are still making Manchester tunes with indie guitar licks and rolling piano melodies throughout. Oh, and they're still as great and as catchy as they ever were. No exception here.

No. 39: Arctic Monkeys - 'When the Sun Goes Down'

The Arctics now seem seem to have been around for so long that it's hard to believe that this was their 2nd single and that it came out less then 12 months ago. Another great fusion of stripped-back semi-punk, indie-rock catchiness and ska-like speed which tells a great little tale to boot. Not as catchy as 'Dancefloor' but still a cracking tune nevertheless.

No. 38: Corriene Bailey Rae - 'Like A Star'

Just a gorgeous love song, set alight by the aching sincerity and honeyed tones of CBR and taken to a whole new level. As if someone has taken Nora Jones and injected her with a dose of pure soul and hint of autumnal sunshine. Or something.

No.37: The Zutons - 'Why Won't You Give Me Your Love?'

Great piece of quirky indie-pop from The Zutons, this. An updated ode to show musicals like 'Guys & Dolls' (the video is an absolute gem), the marriage of indie and motown is a match made in heaven and uses every trick in the book to make you love it: by the time the hands-in-the-air handclapping moment comes along, you'll be won over.

(no's 31-36 tomorrow)

T2Ds Top 60 Songs of '06: 43-48

Tue, 19 Dec 2006 11:29:01 GMT

So let's crack on...

No. 48: Fedde Le Grand - 'Put Your Hands Up For Detroit'

It took 2 releases for Mr Grand to finally top the chart with this: a commercial, diluted and clubber-friendly cut of Detroit techno which screamed for radio play and duly got it. Still, as scathing as the above might sound, FLG's ode to the US dance culture was still a catchy little track - even if it was wildly unrepresentative of the genre (and it got dull very quickly when a few other Detroit-influenced tunes popped up...but more of them later).

No. 47: DT8 Project feat. Mory Kante- 'Narama'

Ludicrously infectious piece of cheesy euphoria from the DT8 boys which abandoned any attempts to be moody, dark and sophisticated in favour of going straight for the 'hands in the air' club vibe - and succeeded admirably. Guaranteed to leave you with a smile on your face.

No. 46: Coldcut - 'Walk A Mile In My Shoes'

...and then there's this from veteran producers Coldcut - a moody, broody and shiveringly atmospheric piece of ambient techno with a political message. Spellbinding stuff from the masters who, despite being criminally ignored by the general public, never make anything less then superb.

No. 45: KT Tunstall - 'Black Horse & The Cherry Tree'

A catchy country-blues vibe underlay this little acoustic gem from Ms Tunstall, which had everything but the taste of moonshine and the sound of them Duke boys gettin' into trouble throughout. Nice.

No. 44: Steve Angello vs Metallica - 'Sandman Is Dancing'

Still no word as to whether it'll ever get clearance for a full release in '07, but this White Label went down a storm in the summer - take a simple 'get down' techno loop, add a drumbeat, a smattering of psychotic female babble and then gradually bring in the 'Enter Sandman' axes until the whole thing explodes in a part-mosh, part 'hands-in-the-air' frenzy. Oh yes.

No.43: Faithless - 'Bombs'

Faithless' comeback single met with a lukewarm reception from the record-buying public - yet is their most evocative, moody and moving piece of work for a long, long time. Rollo's influence is evident throughout, taking the pace down so that the mesmerising big beats can have full effect, Maxi preaches his gospel of peace in his usual effective style and there's a simply stunning turn from Harry Collier on guest vocals. Far more then a mere dancefloor filler.

(no's 37-42 tomorrow)

T2Ds Top 60 Songs of '06: 49-54

Mon, 18 Dec 2006 11:08:01 GMT

So let's crack on...

No. 54: Keane - 'Is It Any Wonder?'

That they had a hit with this? Not really, especially when you consider that Keane's first single off the second album not only retained all the potent emotional punch of their earlier work, but wrapped it up within an anthemic, melodic rock pastiche that would have been at home amongst some of U2s more recent work. The indie press reacted with suspicion - we loved it.

No. 53: The Egg vs David Guetta - '(Love Don't Go) Walking Away'

Ok, so its final position has been affected by play overkill, but it as good to see techno ambient oddities (and veterans) The Egg finally crack the UK market in a big way with this sublime piece of catchy, subdued techno - thanks, of course, to a big transforming robot advert and a radio-friendly mash-up with David Guetta (who will hit big in '07).

No. 52: Scissor Sisters - 'I Don't Feel Like Dancing'

The Sisters comeback single found them topping the chart with another ear-pleasing blend of outrageous disco camp and pop sensibilities. Can't help thinking that it's a matter of time until Bernie Taupin and the writers of 'December 1963 (Oh What a Night)' come looking for royalties though.

No. 51: Moby feat. Debbie Harry - 'New York New York'

Snuck out in a low-key fashion a few weeks ago, Moby's collaboration with the Blondie diva is all we could have dared hope for - tuneful techno euphoria with a luscious, extravegant pop vocal (honestly, will her voice ever age?). Mr M doesn't stretch himself that much in truth, but he doesn't need to - wonderfully simple and simply wonderful.

No.50: The Automatic - 'Monster'

There aren't many groups who can say they owe their career to a man dancing in a Bigfoot costume - The Automatic are the exception. There's no doubting 'Monster' was also a good slab of menacing indie-rock (and the provider of many, many comedic chants for people during the summer) but take the video away and it earns fiftieth - no more, no less.

No. 49: Primal Scream - 'Country Girl'

Bobby G & co took a trip back through their musical history and landed in their early 90s feelgood, raucous, anthemic, jangly indie period, recorded 'Country Girl', and then brought it back to 2006 to make us all feel wonderful for 4 minutes. Anybody else doing this would sound rubbish.

(no's 43-48 tomorrow)

T2Ds Top 60 Songs of '06: 55-60

Sun, 17 Dec 2006 13:04:10 GMT

Ok folks - it's a Herculean task and will no doubt be different for everyone but from today, and every day up 'til the end of the year, T2D will attempt to count down what (in its opinion) have been the best 60 tunes of the year that you really should all own: or, at least, have a listen to before they're consigned to the dustbin of musical history. Some of them are controversial, some are different compared to the review section (lets face it, prolonged exposure to a tune can change opinion) but hey - if you wanted consistency, you wouldn't be reading the page of someone with mental issues!!! Will also try and put at least some of each days selection on the media player for your enjoyment.

So let's crack on...

No. 60: Wolfmother - 'Woman'

In a generally disappointing year for rock music, it took someone new to return to something old and give the moshing generation a little entertainment. Aussie rockers Wolfmother shamelessly plundered Page & Plant with 'Woman', a mighty psych blues-rock monster without an ounce of originality in it's body, yet did it with such accuracy that it's impossible not to feel the urge to grow your hair, have a tattoo and cruise the A2 on a Harley. or something.

No. 59: Kanye West - 'Gold Digger (High Contrast mix)'

A 2005 tune rejuvenated by High Contast, giving it a jazzy drum'n'bass twist thanks to a classic old skool remix. probably took no more then 10 minutes to do, but still a whole heap of fun.

No. 58: Yeah Yeah Yeahs - 'Gold Lion'

The Yeahs decided to return to the 90s for their latest attempt to crack the mainstream market: the result was 'Gold Lion', a mighty piece of slowly-stomping indie guitarwork with a deliciously punkish vocal from Karen-O and far more inventive then many of their more illustrious NY stablemates.

No. 57: Fallout Boy - 'Sugar We're Going Down'

As bubblegum-flavoured emo slowly disappeared through the door marked 'obscurity' in 2006, Fallout Boy came out with this catchy, charmingly naive and likeable little number just to remind us all that the genre did have its good moments. 'Wishing to be the friction in your jeans' also gave T2D a chuckle as one of the year's worst lyrics.

No. 56: Beyonce feat. Jay-Z - 'Deja Vu'

Beyonce blazed back in '06 with this, a catchy slab of dancefloor-friendly funk which provided Miss Knowles (and partner Jay-Z) with her biggest hit since 'Crazy In Love'. With a cracking Freemasons mix of the tune to keep the clubheads happy as well, it's a shame she couldn't resist going down the ballad route with her next single.

No. 55: Fireflies - 'I Can't Get Enough'

In a largely disappointing year for commercial dance music 'til the last few months (thank you Rogue Traders and Infernal) it's good to know that some quality disco-house cuts like this one are still being made and played, if not rearing their head in the top 40. Silky smooth vocals and a melody worth not only dancing to but listening to as well, perfect decent club fodder.

(more tomorrow...)

GTI Riffs - Winner

Mon, 27 Nov 2006 15:55:12 GMT

Unlucky Carly - an 8/10 was a good showing but DJ Rob walks away with the CD after a full 10/10.

Answers were:

1. Hotel California - The Eagles
2. Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana
3. Back in Black - AC/DC
4. Last Resort - Papa Roach
5. House of the Rising Sun - The Animals
6. The Boys are Back in Town - Thin Lizzy
7. Otherside - RHCP
8. Mr Brownstone - Guns 'N' Roses
9. I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor - Artic Monkeys
10.Johnny Be Goode - Chuck Berry

New round soon...

Stop Children, What's That Sound? (Single Reviews 22/11/06)

Wed, 22 Nov 2006 19:18:47 GMT

Stop Children, What's That Sound? 28/10/2006

The following records are now around for download on the 'net or in the shops - here's T2Ds semi-regular rundown of what you should and shouldn't be playing on your IPOD:

**TUNE OF THE WEEK**

Air Traffic - Never Even Told Me Her Name EP

Genre – Pop/Indie

Rating – 10/10

Verdict – If there's any sense of justice in the pop industry (hey, we can all dream) then everyone will have heard of Air Traffic by this time next year. As it is, they've released some of the best songs 2006 has had to offer and still seemed to slip under the radar of the general public. Let's hope an appearance on Jools Holland's 'Later...' programme this Friday (24/11) does the trick, as they've followed up the sublime 'Just Abuse Me' with something even better in 'Never Even Told Her...', an obscenely infectious 160 seconds of funky piano-led indiepop which to dislike would be the equivalent of kicking a small, playful puppy dog repeatedly against the face of a newborn infant - an unthinkable and disturbing act. Blending together the best of The Feeling's likeable pop melodies and The Fratelli's jumpy-punky party attitude, they deserve all the success of both those acts and then some. A deserved 10/10.

Chris Cornell - You Know My Name (Bond theme)

Genre – Rock

Rating – 7/10

Verdict – New Bond - success. New gritty attitude - success. New rock-focus on the theme tune - success? Weeeeeell.....more or less. All credit to Chris Cornell (Soundgarden, Audioslave) for taking it on as it seems that the attempts of recent Bond themes to move away from the gloriously OTT, extravagant approach to something a little more modern have not met with popular acclaim (or been all that good *cough* Madonna *cough*). His attempt is a grunge-tinged rock epic replete with a Bond orchestra accompaniment which develops into a decent tune with a suitably dark edge. Yes, both genres do stretch a bit to meet in the middle (and it'll never be remembered as a hummable classic) but it's a surprisingly decent effort and light years better then anything since 'Goldeneye'.

Faithless - Bombs

Genre – Club/Ambient

Rating – 9/10

Verdict – To think they nearly split up after the last album, when this single from the upcoming 'To All New Arrivals' ranks alongside the finest songs they've ever made. More music with a message a la 'Mass Destruction', yet far more impacting thanks to the obvious influence of Rollo throughout the haunting melodies and percussion and the subdued lyrics of Maxi Jazz, 'Bombs' is so much more then just another dance track. Then again, Faithless are a group who have become so much more then just another dance act. Welcome back - you've been missed.

Emma Bunton - Downtown

Genre – Pop

Rating – 2/10

Verdict – When you're alone and life is making you lonely you can always put on this remake and make yourself feel worse by realising how cynical a place the music industry is. Utterly pointless cover which adds nothing to Petula Clark's classic, instead deciding to replace her with a pleasant but unexceptional vocalist in Miss B and draining any speck of passion from the song whatsoever. Perhaps while she's downtown she'll go playing in the traffic? Here's hoping.

Muse - Knights of Cydonia

Genre – Indie/Rock

Rating – 8/10

Verdict – It's almost utterly ridiculous in places and steps dangerously, dangerously close to the line marked 'self-indulgent, pretentious pomposity' (which they've crossed so many times in the past) in others...but hats off to Muse for offering yet another great track from 'Black Holes & Revelations'. In 6 minutes they go from what sounds like the start of a pseudo-Black Beauty theme tune to a raucous 70s rockfest, via an action-film soundtrack, ELO and an Adam Ant percussion section! You'd have every right to hate it but just won't be able to bring yourself to. Bafflingly great.

Nelly Furtado - All Good Things

Genre – R'n'B

Rating – 7/10

Verdict – When you've already brought out 'Maneater' and 'Promiscuous Girl', a hugely successful album and successfully reinvented yourself as an R'n'B diva, you'd normally play it safe and release a 'music-by-numbers' ballad. Unless you're Nelly Furtado, in which case you'll bring out a latin-tinged, melancholy ballad which is far more subtle and intelligent then anyone had the right to expect. A class act.

The Feeling - Love It When You Call

Genre – Pop

Rating – 5/10

Verdict – Look, everyone likes The Feeling, but for gods sake stop bombarding us with singles from the album. This, like 'Never Be Lonely', is an intelligent, melodic little number (though guitars circa 'Permission To Land' are as much a hindrance as a help) but it's all becoming a bit too familiar thanks to a different single seemingly coming out every month. Too much nice will kill you - be warned.

The Charlatans - You're So Pretty, We're So Pretty '06

Genre – Indie

Rating – 6/10

Verdict – Uncomfortable remix of 'You're So Pretty' to accompany the relase of (another) greatest hits package from Tim & co - it's not a bad song (that'd take some real effort to achieve, seeing as the original was an absolute gem) but speeding it up in an attempt to make it more 'dancefloor-friendly' has diluted the deliciously dirty, guitar-riffing attitude that made it work so well to begin with. Stick to the angry anthem original.

Red Hot Chilli Peppers - Snow (Eh Oh)

Genre – Rock

Rating – 5/10

Verdict – To be fair, the Chillis say it better then the Teletubbies did but at least the 'tubbs sounded more enthusiastic about it. Formulaic RHCP yet again, with a lyric Anthony could've written in his sleep and a bassline that suggests Flea must be nearing a catatonic state through sheer boredom. Would have been a filler track on 'By The Way' - inspiration desperately needed.

Lemar - Someone Should Tell You

Genre - Soul

Rating - 2/10

Verdict - Appallingly obvious and dated soul ballad from Lemar, who's far better then such drivel.

Competition Heaven Pt 1 - The Return of 'Guess The Intro'!

Mon, 20 Nov 2006 14:12:24 GMT

Hell yeah!

Welcome to the return of Guess The Intro folks - this time, after a 6 week hiatus, with a difference...

This week it's gonna be 'Guess The Riff' - the player on the front page has a music clip containing 10 well-known guitar snippets from tunes across the last 50 years. For your chance to win the CD, all you have to do is name the artists and songs.

As ever, a point for each - person with highest score at 7pm on Sunday 26 November wins the CD (the winner throws me a chosen genre/music type/decade/style/etcetc, I put together a CD to suit and post it out to 'em from my collection).

To listen to the clip: either use the player on the front page or click here

Normal rules - only one entry allowed per person, leave your answers as a reply post to this message in one single post only. Adding posts with additional answers after the fact will see them deleted and you DQ'd altogether. In the event of a tie, the first person to have posted their answers wins. Remember to be prepared to give me an address to post the CD to - file transferring online isn't an option.

As always, remember tactics - post early and you may win the whole thing straight off (an early 100% will see the competition close early and I'll put a new one up) or put yourself in a good position should a tie-break happen. BUT, w/o a full house of answers, you give other entrants clues as to what the songs they haven't got might be. Leave it too late and someone may pip you to it.

The choice is yours - good luck!

2006 Top Tunes so far - a disappointing year...

Thu, 09 Nov 2006 13:20:00 GMT

Just looking through the collection and dwelling on what would come in the top 100 singles (for me) this year. have to say that it's actually quite a mediocre crowd. Not gonna blow the whole list just yet but, for me, I'd say there's only about 20 or so (maybe a few more) that'll stand up for any real length of time and, out of those, only a handful that may be deemed classics.

Then again, I'm harsh.

Curious to know what people's top tunes of '06 are so far. Any suggestions?