Just wanted to say an awesome congrats to Fulham for getting to the Europa League Final. Great achievement and I'll be cheering them on to go all the way.
Kudos has to go to Roy Hodgeson who has brought them on leaps and bounds since he took the managerial reigns and is a completely class bloke.
Would be happy with him at Utd when Fergie finally bites the bullet.
Friday, 30 April 2010
Friday, 23 April 2010
The 10 best albums of the last 10 years
Seemed like a good time to be thinking about this, given that we're at the end of the decade. The following are just my own opinions and choices so don't get too worked up if you don't agree...
Listed Alphabetically
Absolution – Muse (2003)
This third album from the British trio finally put paid to the daft Radiohead comparisons and established them as a lot more than just an awesome live act. For those who thought that the only way for Muse to go was more eccentric and over the top it also proved the band could operate as a collective and produce songs with subtle texture and hooks in addition to the bombastic riffs.
Standout Tracks: Time is Running Out, Stockholm Syndrome.
American Idiot – Greenday (2004)
Following the change of pace on previous album Warning, many thought Greenday growing up was Greenday losing their edge. American Idiot succeeded where its predecessor failed by joining the maturity with the raw edge of the early albums, none more so in the concept driven lyrics biting at the Bush regime.
Standout Tracks: Jesus of Suburbia, Boulevard of Broken Dreams.
Blinking Lights and Other Revelations – Eels (2005)
A 33 track double album recorded over the course of 7 years is a mammoth project by anyone’s standards but the result was well worth waiting for and secured E’s place amongst the leading songwriters of his generation. Critics lapped it up and described it as a masterpiece and, for once, they weren’t wrong.
Standout Tracks: To Lick your Boots, Losing Streak.
Broadcast to the World – Zebrahead (2006)
If their previous album found them on the cusp of mainstream acceptance, Broadcast to the World saw them embrace it, producing a hit single in the process. Operating effectively in the hybrid area of punk, metal and hip hop, this album saw all the themes mesh together perfectly, providing a career peak that may not be matched again.
Standout Tracks: Rated ‘U’ for Ugly, Karma-Flavoured Whiskey.
Final Straw – Snow Patrol (2004)
Another album that broke a band into the mainstream on the back of good songwriting that explored the darker emotional areas of relationships, Final Straw is equally at home with short rocky tunes or epic ballads, all overseen by soaring vocals. They went on to bigger things, but Final Straw remains their most intimately accessible moment.
Standout Tracks: Run, Chocolate.
Once – Nightwish (2004)
The most epic of albums from the most epic of bands, this was the moment Nightwish went truly huge, with a full blown orchestra and choir supporting their metallic symphonies. You could search for a long time and not find a piece of music as perfectly beautiful as Ghost Love Score.
Standout Tracks: Ghost Love Score, Nemo.
The Bluetones – The Bluetones (2006)
One of the hardest working bands in the business got lots of critical praise for this, their eponymously titled 5th album, but as usual the general public seemed to ignore them. More fool them as the Bluetones contains more brilliantly crafted pop tunes than you could shake a very big stick at.
Standout Tracks: Surrendered, Hope and Jump.
Vampire Weekend – Vampire Weekend (2008)
Undoubtedly the shortest album on this list at only just over half an hour, Vampire Weekend is packed with clever lyrics and intriguing orchestration that makes you feel more intelligent just by listening to it. Although it was dismissed by some as lightweight and twee, the album actually rewards on multiple listens as it reveals its delightful subtle touches.
Standout Tracks: Mansard Roof, A-Punk.
Voices – Matchbook Romance (2006)
Making great steps from their debut album, Matchbook Romance added complexity to their metal riffs and a density to their songs which make the experience all the more intense. Finally finding some notoriety after their song Monsters was included in Guitar Hero: Legends of Rock, it was a bitter pill when the band subsequently split up and left Voices as their final legacy.
Standout Tracks: Monsters, My Mannequin can Dance.
With Love and Squalor – We are Scientists (2005)
Last but by no means least, With Love and Squalor is a great example of when you don’t need to necessarily do anything new to be successful, simply do what you do better than anyone else. Several other bands were pursuing the same up tempo rock as was the zeitgeist at the time, but the clever lyrics and exceptional playing across the album marks this one out from the pack.
Standout Tracks: Inaction, Cash Cow.
Honourable Mention
Howling Bells – Howling Bells (2006)
Standout Tracks: Broken Bones, Low Happening.
Others Considered
The Script – The Script (2008)
Ladyhawke - Ladyhawke (2008)
The Remote Part – Idlewild (2002)
The Bravery – The Bravery (2005)
Hands – Little Boots (2009)
Myths of the Near Future – Klaxons (2007)
Listed Alphabetically
Absolution – Muse (2003)
This third album from the British trio finally put paid to the daft Radiohead comparisons and established them as a lot more than just an awesome live act. For those who thought that the only way for Muse to go was more eccentric and over the top it also proved the band could operate as a collective and produce songs with subtle texture and hooks in addition to the bombastic riffs.
Standout Tracks: Time is Running Out, Stockholm Syndrome.
American Idiot – Greenday (2004)
Following the change of pace on previous album Warning, many thought Greenday growing up was Greenday losing their edge. American Idiot succeeded where its predecessor failed by joining the maturity with the raw edge of the early albums, none more so in the concept driven lyrics biting at the Bush regime.
Standout Tracks: Jesus of Suburbia, Boulevard of Broken Dreams.
Blinking Lights and Other Revelations – Eels (2005)
A 33 track double album recorded over the course of 7 years is a mammoth project by anyone’s standards but the result was well worth waiting for and secured E’s place amongst the leading songwriters of his generation. Critics lapped it up and described it as a masterpiece and, for once, they weren’t wrong.
Standout Tracks: To Lick your Boots, Losing Streak.
Broadcast to the World – Zebrahead (2006)
If their previous album found them on the cusp of mainstream acceptance, Broadcast to the World saw them embrace it, producing a hit single in the process. Operating effectively in the hybrid area of punk, metal and hip hop, this album saw all the themes mesh together perfectly, providing a career peak that may not be matched again.
Standout Tracks: Rated ‘U’ for Ugly, Karma-Flavoured Whiskey.
Final Straw – Snow Patrol (2004)
Another album that broke a band into the mainstream on the back of good songwriting that explored the darker emotional areas of relationships, Final Straw is equally at home with short rocky tunes or epic ballads, all overseen by soaring vocals. They went on to bigger things, but Final Straw remains their most intimately accessible moment.
Standout Tracks: Run, Chocolate.
Once – Nightwish (2004)
The most epic of albums from the most epic of bands, this was the moment Nightwish went truly huge, with a full blown orchestra and choir supporting their metallic symphonies. You could search for a long time and not find a piece of music as perfectly beautiful as Ghost Love Score.
Standout Tracks: Ghost Love Score, Nemo.
The Bluetones – The Bluetones (2006)
One of the hardest working bands in the business got lots of critical praise for this, their eponymously titled 5th album, but as usual the general public seemed to ignore them. More fool them as the Bluetones contains more brilliantly crafted pop tunes than you could shake a very big stick at.
Standout Tracks: Surrendered, Hope and Jump.
Vampire Weekend – Vampire Weekend (2008)
Undoubtedly the shortest album on this list at only just over half an hour, Vampire Weekend is packed with clever lyrics and intriguing orchestration that makes you feel more intelligent just by listening to it. Although it was dismissed by some as lightweight and twee, the album actually rewards on multiple listens as it reveals its delightful subtle touches.
Standout Tracks: Mansard Roof, A-Punk.
Voices – Matchbook Romance (2006)
Making great steps from their debut album, Matchbook Romance added complexity to their metal riffs and a density to their songs which make the experience all the more intense. Finally finding some notoriety after their song Monsters was included in Guitar Hero: Legends of Rock, it was a bitter pill when the band subsequently split up and left Voices as their final legacy.
Standout Tracks: Monsters, My Mannequin can Dance.
With Love and Squalor – We are Scientists (2005)
Last but by no means least, With Love and Squalor is a great example of when you don’t need to necessarily do anything new to be successful, simply do what you do better than anyone else. Several other bands were pursuing the same up tempo rock as was the zeitgeist at the time, but the clever lyrics and exceptional playing across the album marks this one out from the pack.
Standout Tracks: Inaction, Cash Cow.
Honourable Mention
Howling Bells – Howling Bells (2006)
Standout Tracks: Broken Bones, Low Happening.
Others Considered
The Script – The Script (2008)
Ladyhawke - Ladyhawke (2008)
The Remote Part – Idlewild (2002)
The Bravery – The Bravery (2005)
Hands – Little Boots (2009)
Myths of the Near Future – Klaxons (2007)
Monday, 5 April 2010
Random Rant: Togetherness
I'm V Tired right now, mainly because of having children but also because I was out drinking til 3am on Thursday. Very good night out, loads of people for three different reasons (Promotion, Leaving, Birthday) and lots of fun had.
But what is it with people who don't say goodbye? I like to know where people are. Not in a creepy way but because it is a big scary world and it is nice to look out for people in your group. Then said people go and disappear and someone mentions that they went home about an hour later. I'm not asking for a song and dance but not letting people know that you're leaving strikes me as rude.
Whatever.
But what is it with people who don't say goodbye? I like to know where people are. Not in a creepy way but because it is a big scary world and it is nice to look out for people in your group. Then said people go and disappear and someone mentions that they went home about an hour later. I'm not asking for a song and dance but not letting people know that you're leaving strikes me as rude.
Whatever.
Random Rant: Internet Speeds
Long time no post.
My bloody internet connection is going so slowly at the moment! It's infuriating. I appreciate that speeds are slower at peak times but I somehow doubt the whole of the western world is on the internet over the easter weekend.
In other news I might be suffering with depression. I can assure however this is not down to the speed of my internet connection.
My bloody internet connection is going so slowly at the moment! It's infuriating. I appreciate that speeds are slower at peak times but I somehow doubt the whole of the western world is on the internet over the easter weekend.
In other news I might be suffering with depression. I can assure however this is not down to the speed of my internet connection.
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