Musical Musings for 2009
Oh how exciting...I love the whole idea of everything being new at the beginning of a new year. However, after 10 minutes I realise most of the hype is rubbish and remember not to believe star signs. This year I will not be getting married or moving country, I'm pretty sure of that.
One thing that is exciting is the new music that is certain to surface this year. I have a feeling there are a couple of bands and people that will be huge this year.
The first, my favourite: Florence and the Machine. She's already had a good 2008 but with her album due out and being on the NME tour she's gonna be big. So go listen all.
I fist heard of VV Brown when she was on Jools Holland's BBC 2 show late last year. She was filling in for someone that dropped out. Her music was so catchy and upbeat it's been in my head ever since. And if she's not big this year I'll be in shock.
Lady Gaga. Part of me hates her. But the other part loves her. Her catchy upbeat, dance, pop mix is annoyingly catchy but I think if she does get very big, which she could, she'll become tiresome very quickly.
And lastly...Mumford and Sons. I've had the joy of seeing them quite a few times, and every time I become slightly more impressed by what I hear. They remind me of how I first felt when I first heard the Maccabees. I kinda fell in love with them a little bit. I'm not saying that they sound like the Maccabees but I think they will reach a small audience quite quickly who will stay with them.
xx
2008
Okay, so it's the end of the year and such a cliché...but it's time to share my favourite musical treats with you of 2008!
Kings of Leon - Only by the night
Such a brilliant album, there isn't a bad song on it. Anyone who's heard it will tell you that. I've always been a big KOL fan and I know this year has been the year everyone became a fan. I think their turning point was last summer - when they de-haired!! As soon as they got less hairy they became big. So what have we learnt here? Beards are not good.
Friendly Fires - Friendly Fires
Again, amazing!!! This just reminds me of every Saturday night. We put this on, have a couple of drinks and go out. I think that's what this is. It just puts you in a good mood. It's that simple. Many people will say they're trying to be the Klaxons, but that's rubbish. They're in a league of their own.
Laura Marling - Alas I Cannot Swim
How did Laura Marling not win the Mercury Music Prize? This album is sooo beautiful. She deserves much more success. She has written some AMAZING songs that the likes of Duffy could only dream of. Her tone and sincerity is beyond her years and I'm so jealous of her talent.
Tokyo Police Club - Elephant Shell
This is probably not an obvious choice, or an album anyone has actually heard. But I love it! I first saw TPC last summer at Reading and I was blown away - they had so much energy and somehow they've managed to replicate that in their album.
Thomas Tantrum - Thomas Tantrum
I went to uni in Southampton and saw Thomas Tantrum so many times, and each time is better than the last. They have that quirky pop edge to them and their lyrics and dynamic is a thousand times better that this year's successful Ting Tings. Anyone that hasn't heard them should do so NOW!
I didn't want to make this into a masssssive list of things so here are a couple more things I loved in 2008:
The Inbetweeners
High School Musical 3
Reggae Reggae Sauce
Gordan Ramsay
Danny Wallace
Gavin and Stacey
Justin Lee Collins
Heath Ledger
Barack Obama
Girls Aloud
The X Factor
Santogold
Florence and the Machine
Ladyhawke
Vampire Weekend
Batman
Cardigans
That's about it!
xxx
Esser
Esser. In one word: Mezmerising.
Having decided to go out on Saturday night, I imagined it would be much the same as always. Drinking far too much. Dancing like a class A prat. Stumbling home. Hangover. Same ol', Same ol'. But I was pleasantly surprised this weekend.
I went down to the local indie hole to see Esser. Who was absolutely brilliant. He had this charisma that was understated and effortless. He seemed to win over the audience without even wanting too.
'I Love You' and 'Headlock,' are both AMAZING.
Find him on MySpace and hear the magic for yourself!
Foals
Some bands just suit playing smaller venues, so when they get big it's just not the same watching them on the big stage. Klaxons are one. Much better on a smaller stage. I thought that Foals would be one too but last night I was proved wrong. I saw the boys at a venue which is known for its bad sound and echoey-ness (It's a new word - promise). And they were amazing. They just completely filled the room.
Big Sound.
Big moves.
Loved it.
Bring back Top of the Pops
So this morning I was reading this article about how unsigned and new music acts have a harder time of making it than they did 10 years ago. This guy was saying that without TV shows like Top of the Pops on TV, bands were less likely to get the recognition they would have 10 years ago.
I disagree. Granted Top of the Pops was a brilliant show which showcased chart acts but the development of music channels and web sites means that the smaller and arguably more interesting bands have a chance. MySpace for example has provided me with so many new bands, most of which are now big festival headliners. All due to the internet and word of mouth.
Top of the Pops was a musical institution which should of never been taken off the air but there are still some great music shows on TV. Sound, Transmission, Jools..are all still going and so TV's not at a loss.
I think that the internet has possibly done more for music in the past 10 years than TV would have done if Top of the Pops had remained. But then again, what do I know.