Song of the Day - Auld Lang Syne

Mariah Carey - Auld Lang Syne

That video cracks me up! Did you not love it when the disco beats kick in around the minute mark? And seriously, Mariah, back off the holidays. Two Christmas albums, now you have to try and steal New Year's Eve? What's next, Mariah Carey's Easter Bonanza? Kwanzaa with Mariah?

Anyway, all of us here at It's My Kind of Scene wish you an awesome New Year's Eve. Just so you're sure, no one else works here but me. Thanks for reading in 2010, hopefully the content and quality of the site will be even better in 2011! See you in the New Year kids!

Bring On Twenty Eleven...

It's all about the New Year right now and 2011 looks like it's going to be a year to remember. At least in terms of music. Not, you know, in my life or anything because who knows what's going to happen there. Probably not a whole lot. There'll be some booze, maybe a nice job... tacos. There'll be plenty of tacos. But let's talk about the music. Here's my five most anticipated releases for the New Year... hopefully we actually get to hear all of them!

Stevie Nicks

Nicks' as yet untitled album is expected to drop in March and I couldn't be more excited. She's going into that whole Gran Torino stage of her career so expect her to pull out all the stops. Hopefully she'll draw on some experiences she had during the crazy old Fleetwood Mac days. That would be awesome.

Fiona Apple

Can you believe that it's been six years since Extraordinary Machine came out? SIX YEARS people! Luckily it's been confirmed via Billboard that her next album is due in the sometime around the second quarter of 2011! 

Foo Fighters

I should be a bit suspicious about Dave Grohl's claims that the new Foo Fighters album is going to draw on more of a Nirvana like style, but I can't. I'm intrigued. If it's good, it'll be very good. And if it's bad... you know the rest.

Amy Winehouse

This kinda needs to happen. Viva La Winehouse!

Lady Gaga


If you're not at least a little (bi)curious about what we're going to get on Born This Way, I'm pretty sure you're not human. There's been no stopping the Gaga express over the past couple of years and I don't see that changing in 2011. Is it going to be the masterpiece that the Haus of Gaga claim? Will she secure another Grammy nomination for Album of the Year, making it 3 for 3? We'll know by the end of 2011...

So, that's only a brief sample of what I'm eager to hear in 2011. I didn't even mention how excited I am about the possibility of hearing new Garbage, Missy Elliott, No Doubt, Santigold, Outkast, The Strokes, Justice, Franz Ferdinand or even Britney Spears. What about you? Who do you want to hear in 2011?

Song of the Day - Hold Me Now

The Polyphonic Spree - Hold Me Now

Album: Together We're Heavy (2004)

There's nothing wrong with some happy music. Just ask The Polyphonic Spree, another band that I'm hoping will make some sort of return in 2011. Their last studio, The Fragile Army, was released in 2007 so it's time they got their collective butts back into the studio to bring some cult like cheer to the world. 

Song of the Day - Rollerblades

The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain?

Eliza Doolittle - Rollerblades

Album: Eliza Doolittle (2010)

You can add another name to the growing number of amazing British female singer-songwriters. Adele, Duffy, La Winehouse, Lily Allen and now Eliza Doolittle. Eliza draws on many of the aforementioned ladies, with Lily Allen's lyrical stylings and vocals clearly influencing her on tracks like 'Moneybox' and 'Rollerblades.' 2010 wasn't so kind to her on It's My Kind of Scene's Top 20, with debut track 'Skinny Genes' making a small impact, but 2011 could be her year. Look for the amazing 'Rollerblades' to debut big when the Top 20 returns next week.

2010 Scene Awards - Album of the Year

Well, here we are... the final major prize in the 2010 Scene Awards; Album of the Year! While there are five finalists nominated, I thought I'd give out some quick honourable mentions to give credit to some of the best acts that didn't make the final cut. These would be; The Black Keys - Brothers, Eminem - Recovery, Crystal Castles - Crystal Castles (II) and Laura Marling - I Speak Because I Can. Now with that shout out complete, let's look at our five main eventers...

Arcade Fire - The Suburbs

Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

M.I.A - /\/\ /\ Y /\

Robyn - Body Talk (Series)

Sia - We Are Born

Album of the Year

Winner - Arcade Fire

It was a battle between the Man of the Year, Woman of the Year, Group of the Year, Australian Act of the Year and (Swedish Pop Sensation) Robyn. Kanye and M.I.A delivered above and beyond the expectations put upon them; Robyn gave us not one, not two, but three quality albums and Sia had a breakout year by making the music she's always wanted to. However, it's Arcade Fire that get the nod for The Suburbs, which as a whole comes across just that little bit better than the other nominees. So, I'm going with Arcade Fire... what about you? What's your favourite album of 2010?

2010 Scene Awards - Woman of the Year

As we found out yesterday, Kanye West is It's My Kind of Scene's Man of the Year. Who will reign as Queen and walk away as Woman of the Year? Let's take a look at the most intriguing women that the music industry showcased in 2010, aka, our four nominees...

Lady Gaga

Surprised? Well, you shouldn't be. Back to back nominations for Album of the Year at the Grammys, domination of the MTV VMAs and one of the biggest tours of the year are all valid reasons to nominate the 'mother monster.' You need another? How about The Fame Monster just being named as the highest selling album worldwide of 2010? Pretty damn impressive.



M.I.A

In what should have been an expected move, she shunned the commercial success she gained from 'Paper Planes' to deliver one of the best albums of the year in /\/\ /\ Y /\. You can't argue with the quality of her music as a total package, which is comparable only to Kanye West.

Robyn

Three words; Swedish, pop, sensation. Three albums; Body Talk pt. 1, Body Talk pt. 2 and Body Talk pt. 3. Three words; best, female, artist? Her innovation in 2010 in matched only by... Kanye West.

Sia

Sia's no stranger to the Scene Awards. She's already won Australian Artist of the Year and been nominated for Video of the Year. Will she dominate all other ladies and win Woman of the Year?



Woman of the Year

Winner - M.I.A

Like I said, the only person that could compete with her musically in 2010 was Kanye. Give it up for M.I.A, the best female artist of the year!

Song of the Day - You Look So Fine

Garbage - You Look So Fine

Album: Version 2.0 (1998)

Looks like I'm using Song of the Day as a tool to show you who I want to make a big comeback in 2011. Yesterday we had the Presets and today, we have Garbage! Ms Manson said the band's heading back to the studio and the rumours are that there will be not only a new album, but a world tour to promote it. Get excited!

2010 Scene Awards - Man of the Year



Yes, I know I have stupid hair...



There's only three days left in the year and. in a case of beautiful and unplanned symmetry, there's three major awards still to hand out in the 2010 Scene Awards. Those would be Album of the Year, Woman of the Year and this post's award; Man of the Year! Who are our nominees for this extremely prestigious award? Let's find out...

Cee-Lo Green

Eminem

Jay-Z

Kanye West

Mark Ronson



Man of the Year

Winner - Kanye West

No offense to the other nominees, but no one comes close to achieving as much as Kanye did in 2010. Getting over Taylor-Gate was a huge achievement in itself, but then there's the music. From the G.O.O.D Friday song releases to the album that many critics have labelled Album of the Year, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, Kanye has had one hell of a year. He topped not only Rolling Stone's end of year album chart, but also the singles chart with 'Runaway.' Furthermore, and in more awesome news, West placed as the highest charting solo male artist on It's My Kind of Scene's Top 100 Songs of 2010, with 'Power' at #6. So there you have, 2010's Man of the Year - Kanye West!

2010 Scene Awards - Best Group

Julia: What do you mean we didn't win?

With Christmas over it's time to get back to handing out our end of year awards. The xx, Florence + The Machine and Sia have already picked up awards and today we're looking at our biggest award yet, Best Group! So, let's meet the nominees...

Angus and Julia Stone

Arcade Fire

The Black Keys

Crystal Castles

The xx

Best Group

 

Winner - Arcade Fire

A case could be made for each of the five nominees, but if you were to put one above the rest it would have to be Arcade Fire. Their nomination for Album of the Year for The Suburbs at the Grammys would have to be one of the more pleasant surprises of the year. Now you know my favourite group of 2010, who's yours? Is it the Arcade Fire, one of the other nominees... or someone else entirely?

Song of the Day - Pretty Little Eyes

The Presets - Pretty Little Eyes

Album: Blow Up (EP) (2003)

There's a whole lot of good music coming our way in 2011 and although there's been no official confirmation, you'd want to hope there's going to be some sort of new Presets material released at some stage. It feels like forever since Apocalypso came out (2008 is a long time ago, right?), and aside from the occasional remix there just hasn't been enough Presets music to keep me happy. So you know who I want to hear in the new year. Who do you want to make a comeback in 2011?

Song of the Day - Go Your Own Way

Fleetwood Mac - Go Your Own Way

Album: Rumours (1977)


How was Christmas kids? Did Santa bring you everything you wanted? I got some lovely music related presents, including the new Kanye album and something I got a couple of days ago... Rumours in vinyl form! It's very, very cool. Anywho, hope you have a relaxed Boxing Day. I'm sure it will be better than mine, fighting off gross customers at the Boxing Day sales... yay?

Song of the Day - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

It's My Kind of Scene wishes you a safe and very merry Christmas. Have a fun time with friends, family, yourself... whatever. Anyway, Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland and Christina Aguilera (aka the ghosts of Christmas past) would like to sing you a song... Enjoy!



2010 Scene Awards - Best '& The' Act of the Year

Will Marina's Diamonds triumph?

The last couple of years have seen a massive rise in the number of groups that are (x) and the (y)'s, so I thought I'd make the best of them compete for their own Scene Award. It might seem a little crazy, but at least these bands brought the goods in 2010. Who's the winner? We'll find out right after we've met the nominees...

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

Florence & The Machine

Gypsy & The Cat

Marina & The Diamonds

Mark Ronson & The Business Intl

Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings

Best '& The' Act of the Year

Winner - Florence & The Machine

Florence followed up on her breakthrough 2009 with a stellar 2010 that saw her win the BRIT Award for Album of the Year, MTV VMA nominations (including Video of the Year) and Grammy nominations (including Best New Artist). 'Dog Days Are Over' was even covered on Glee, so they must be doing something right! We were treated to some new music in the form of 'Heavy In Your Arms' on the Eclipse soundtrack, one of the few tracks that managed to exceed expectations. Much like Best New Artist winner Ellie Goulding, anticipation for a sophomore album couldn't be any higher.



Song of the Day - I Go To Sleep

The Pretenders - I Go To Sleep

Album: Pretenders II (1981)

Yah, I know this is a Kinks song, but I much prefer The Pretenders take on it... and Sia's too. I am so freaking tired right now after having the pleasure of working overnight, serving people as they crazily run around trying to do their last minute Christmas shopping. Those people suck. What doesn't suck though, is 'I Go to Sleep.' Something which I'll be doing right... about... 



2010 Scene Awards - Best New Artist

Janelle Monae... Best New Artist?

So far we've seen Sia crowned Australian Artist of the Year and The xx walked away with Video of the Year. Now we're going to find out who deserves to be named the Best New Artist of 2010! Let's meet the 8 nominees...

B.o.B

Darwin Deez

The Drums

Ellie Goulding

Janelle Monae

Kimbra

Nicki Minaj

Washington

Best New Artist

Winner - Ellie Goulding

She had us feeling a little 'Starry Eyed' in 2010, leaving us wanting more from the young electro-siren. Her sophomore album can't come soon enough. 

Song of the Day - We Used to Wait

Arcade Fire - We Used to Wait

Album: The Suburbs (2010)

Crystal Castles and The xx may have had a very good 2010, but can they compete with the monster year that Arcade Fire had? The Suburbs has become their most successful album to date and even earned them a welcome nomination for Album of the Year at the Grammy's. If you were to consider any band a frontrunner for Best Group in the Scene Awards, it would be Arcade Fire. What do you think? 

2010 Scene Awards - Australian Artist of the Year

Another day, another Scene Award to hand out. This time we're taking a look at the best music that Australian acts have given us over the past 12 months. Two brother/sister duos, the most interesting new artist to come out of the country in 2010, arguably Australia's most loved band of the past twenty years and a universal critically acclaimed star are all in the running. Let's meet the nominees!

Angus and Julia Stone

It was the breakthrough year that most groups can only dream of. Their second studio release, Down the Way, topped the Australian album charts and quickly became the highest selling album of the year by an Australian act. Throughout the year they've gained a ton of international recognition, been featured on shows like Grey's Anatomy, won three ARIA Awards (including Album of the Year) and are strongly favoured to take out this year's JJJ Hottest 100 with the ARIA Award winning single, 'Big Jet Plane.'

Powderfinger

They may be gone, but their 2010 'Sunsets Farewell Tour' ensured they wouldn't be forgotten.



Sia

Sia is another Australian artist that enjoyed a massive breakthrough year in 2010. Her most recent release, the incredible We Are Born, debuted at #2 on the ARIA charts to critical acclaim. It has since found a place on many 'best of' lists for the year, as has the single 'Clap Your Hands.'

The Verses

How they are not one of the biggest groups in the country is beyond me. Former Killing Heidi rockers Ella and Jesse Hooper's new venture, The Verses, is simply one of the finest acts to come out of the country in a long time. Their debut album, Seasons, is flawless and showcases just how far Ella's songwriting has come since the old Heidi days.

Washington

Best new artist of 2010? Maybe. But is that enough for the intriguing Megan Washington to be named the Australian Artist of the Year? Let's find out... drumroll please!

Australian Artist of the Year

Winner - Sia

Song of the Day - Celestica

Crystal Castles - Celestica

Album: Crystal Castles (II) (2010)

The 2010 Scene Awards are now underway with yesterday's Video of the Year Award kicking things off with a win for The xx. Those crazy British kids are also up for Best Group, but they'll be competing against the uber-cool Canadian two-piece, Crystal Castles! CCs already topped It's My Kind of Scene's Top 100 Songs of 2010... do they have what it takes to win Best Group? 

2010 Scene Awards, Video of the Year

Bruce was stylin' for the Gorillaz...

We're kicking off this year's Scene Awards with Video of the Year! There was many an entertaining music video in 2010, but we've managed to work our way down to five nominees. Just a little warning in advance, there will be another category for mini-movie of the year, so don't expect to see any 'Telephone' or 'Runaway' today. Let's take a look at the videos!

The Black Keys - Tighten Up

Gorillaz ft. Bobby Womack and Mos Def - Stylo

Kanye West ft. Dwele - Power

Sia - Clap Your Hands

The xx - Islands

And your 2010 Video of the Year is....... The xx - Islands!!! I'm not gonna lie, I loves me some Groundhog Day and the continuous loop in 'Islands' is just as good. What was your favourite video of 2010?

Song of the Day - Here Comes the Flood

Peter Gabriel - Here Comes the Flood

Album: Peter Gabriel (1977)

Whatever Happened to the Movie Song?



Celine Dion is amazing. Don't believe me? YouTube 'Celine Dion is Amazing.'



So, uh... whatever happened to the movie song? You know what I'm talking about. Songs like 'My Heart Will Go On,' 'I Don't Want To Miss A Thing,' 'Iris' and 'I Will Always Love You.' Songs that would come across as super cheesy under normal circumstance, but because they're attached to a Hollywood blockbuster end up being kinda awesome in their own cheesy way. Either way, there's still a lot of cheese I guess. Anyway, you just don't see the movie songs enough these days. Or is it just that they're not good enough to warrant attention any longer. I can think of two songs from 2010 that were used as promo tools for a movie; 'Alice' by Avril Lavigne, for Alice in Wonderland and 'Neutron Star Collision' by Muse, for The Twilight Saga: Eclipse. Both songs managed to pull off the impossible by both sucking and blowing.

Song of the Day - Sunday Best

Washington - Sunday Best

Album: I Believe You Liar (2010)

Meet our fourth and final contender for Best Female Artist of 2010, Megan Washington! 2010 saw the Australian songstress debut big, with ARIA and J Awards galore bestowed upon her. But does she have what it takes to beat down industry heavyweights like Sia, M.I.A and Robyn for Scene Awards glory? Stay tuned to find out!

Song of the Day - It Takes A Muscle

M.I.A - It Takes A Muscle

Album: /\/\ /\ Y /\ (2010)

As strong a contender as any for Best Female Artist of 2010, it's M.I.A! Songs like 'Born Free,' 'XXXO' and 'It Takes A Muscle' placed on many a critics 'best of' lists and deservedly so. Even a lame blogger like moi can recognise the goodness ('XXXO' - #2, Top 100 Songs of 2010)! Still, does the Sri Lankan siren have what it take to beat out Sia and Robyn and take out some awards in the 2010 Scene Awards? 

Song of the Day - Dancehall Queen

Robyn - Dancehall Queen

Album: Body Talk pt. 1 (2010)


Another multiple nominee for the 2010 Scene Awards, it's Swedish pop sensation, Robyn! Because you can't say Robyn without 'Swedish pop sensation.' So what could she possibly be up for? How about... Artist of the Year, Best Female Artist, Album of the Year and Innovative Artist of the Year! What do you think? Does Swedish pop sensation, Robyn, have what it takes to win some awards?

Song of the Day - Bring Night

Sia - Bring Night

Album: We Are Born (2010)

Sia was one of the biggest stars of 2010, gaining chart success and award recognition unlike any other year in her career. But is that enough to see her named Best Female Artist or Artist of the Year in the upcoming and much anticipated inaugural Scene Awards? Have a listen to the most excellent track 'Bring Night' and let me know what you think...

Top 100 Songs of 2010, #10 - 1

Here we go, It's My Kind of Scene's top 10 songs of 2010! Ten tracks that show that 2010 was a killer year for music and make me anticipate what 2011 has to offer just a little bit more... enjoy!

#10 - Love the Way You Lie

by Eminem ft. Rihanna

It's so insane 'cause when it's going good, it's going great,

I'm Superman with the wind at his back, she's Lois Lane...

#9 - Heavy In Your Arms

by Florence + The Machine

Who is the betrayer, who's the killer in the crowd,

The one who creeps in corridors, and doesn't make a sound...

#8 - Momma's Place

by Roisin Murphy

So you think you know it all,

But that's just the arrogance of youth...

#7 - Ready To Start

by Arcade Fire

If I was scared, I would, and if I was bored,

You know I would, And if I was yours, but I'm not...

#6 - Power

by Kanye West ft. Dwele

No one man should have all that power,

The clock's tickin', I just count the hours...

#5 - Dancing On My Own

by Robyn

I'm in the corner, watching you kiss her (oh, oh, oh),

I'm right over here, why can't you see me (oh, oh, oh)...

#4 - Sail the Wildest Stretch

by Powderfinger

If you had your time over again, would you do it all the same?

Down through all the twists and bends, are there moments you'd erase?

#3 - Home

by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros

Laugh until we think we'll die, barefoot on a summer night,

Never could be sweeter than with you...

#2 - XXXO

by M.I.A

I don't let it show, but I think you know,

'Cause you're tweetin' me like Tweety Bird on your iPhone...

#1 - Not In Love

by Crystal Castles ft. Robert Smith

And we were lovers, now we can't be friends,

Fascination ends, here we go again...