Top 20 - 29 January, 2012

Can anyone stop Santigold?

1. Santigold - Big Mouth (2 weeks at #1!)





2. Ladyhawke - Black, White and Blue (NEW)





3. Shaun Brennan - Stay (NEW)





4. San Cisco - Rocket Ship





5. The Oh Hello's - Hello My Old Heart

Top 111 Songs of 2011, #60 - 51

Kimbra... doing my notoriously creepy 'come-hither' dance move.

Pop, rock, rap, dance, electro, alternative, world music (?)... today's ten songs cover a wide range of genres, but stand together as some of the best tracks that 2011 delivered. Find out what they are after a quick refresher on the music we've already revealed throughout the countdown so far;


111. Clare Maguire - Ain't Nobody
110. Ball Park Music - It's Nice To Be Alive
109. The Strokes - Under Cover of Darkness
108. Coldplay ft. Rihanna - Princess of China
107. Coldplay - Paradise
106. Jennifer Lopez ft. Pitbull - On The Floor
105. Foster the People - Pumped Up Kicks
104. Professor Green ft. Emeli Sande - Read All About It
103. Cage the Elephant - Around My Head
102. Warpaint - Warpaint
101. Adele - Rumour Has It
100. Beirut - East Harlem
99. Ida Maria - Cherry Red
98. Digitalism - 2 Hearts
97. Washington - High Treason
96. Ben Lee - Get Used To It
95. Oh Land - Sun Of A Gun
94. Wolfram ft. Hercules and Love Affair - Fireworks
93. David Guetta ft. Sia - Titanium
92. Kimbra - Old Flame
91. Little Dragon Nightlight
90. The Rapture - How Deep Is Your Love?
89. Beirut - Santa Fe
88. Architecture in Helsinki ft. Sally Seltmann - W.O.W (Invisible Version)
87. PJ Harvey - The Last Living Rose
86. Emeli Sande - Heaven
85. TV On The Radio - Will Do
84. Dr. Dre ft. Eminem and Skylar Grey - I Need A Doctor
83. Boy and Bear - Feeding Line
82. Monarchy ft. Britt Love - You Don't Want to Dance With Me
81. Gotye - I Feel Better
80. The Drums - Money
79. Liam Finn - The Struggle
78. Little Boots - Shake
77. Neon Indian - Polish Girl
76. Kitty Daisy and Lewis - Don't Make A Fool Out Of Me
75. Beastie Boys ft. Santigold - Don't Play No Game That I Can't Win
74. Bon Iver - Holocene
73. Lykke Li - I Know Places
72. Florence + The Machine - What The Water Gave Me
71. The Black Keys - Run Right Back
70. Sneaky Sound System - Big
69. Rihanna - We Found Love
68. Florence + The Machine - Only If For A Night
67. The Naked and Famous - Punching In A Dream
66. Slow Club - Two Cousins
65. Kasabian - Switchblade Smile
64. The Ting Tings - Hang It Up
63. The Good Natured - Skeleton
62. Fever Ray - The Wolf
61. Kaiser Chiefs - I Dare You

#60 - Painted Eyes

by Hercules and Love Affair

Elegant, you were born at night...

#59 - Otis

by Jay-Z and Kanye West ft. Otis Redding

They ain't see me 'cause I pulled up in my other Benz,

Last week I was in my other other Benz.

You're probably wondering why I chose the Kanye lyric above. Why? Because it shows what held Watch the Throne back from being the really amazing album it was meant to be; sub par rhymes, well below the standard of either artists' previous LPs. Kanye was on fire with My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, but seemed willing to take a step back here. If the rumours be true and we can expect more from these two in 2012, they need to bring their A game. 'Otis' stood out as the most memorable track, the video was fantastic and... the less said about the screaming at the end, the better.

Song of the Day - What You Want

Evanescence - What You Want

Album: Evanescence (2011)

Evanescence fans, your fears can be laid to rest. Amy Lee said she wouldn't disappoint long-time fans with the band's new direction and I've got to say... she's right. When reports came out that they were heading in a more electronic direction, many a fan had some reservations. There was also the possibility that Evanescence could go in a more 'poppy' direction, resulting in Amy Lee going all Avril Lavigne 'Girlfriend.' Ok, no there wasn't, but imagine it! 'What You Want,' the first single from Evanescence's third, self-titled album, finds the band with their heaviest sound. Blazing guitars, banging drums and Lee's booming vocals. What's not to like? Will it be the commercial success that was 'Bring Me To Life?' No. Is it still a great song? Yes.

Rating: 4/5

#5 - Music From Your High School Years



MISSSEYYY!!!!!



2000 - 2004. Aka, my high school years. Not so long ago, but enough to make me go... it's about time you made something of your life, isn't it? Isn't it?! But that daily struggle is another story. I was actually thinking about high school last night. Unfortunately it was a lot of thinking because I can't seem to remember a whole lot of it. Of course, some funny moments are still there, but the learning stuff? That gone now. That far away or something. As for the music, it was an interesting time for the industry. The reign of bubblegum pop was ending and rap was becoming the new dominant genre. Britney Spears was sane, kids were feeling all emo and Lady Gaga... was still in high school too. Yep, I've accomplished nothing. Here's some music from my high school years!

Music From Your High School Years:

Incubus - Drive (2000)

10 and 1 - 2011 (What's to Come)

In our first mid-year 10 and 1, we took a look at ten artists that have made an impact in 2011... and Brian McFadden, the one artist we could do with a whole lot less of in this and every other year. Next week we're going to hear our ten favourite songs of the year so far, but for now we're addressing what's to come. The ten albums It's My Kind of Scene is looking forward to hearing the most that are still to be released this year that have been given an official 2011 release date. And, as you would already know... one album we really don't want to hear.

The Ten:

The Grates - Secret Rituals

Release Date: June 17, 2011 (not long to wait!)

Red Hot Chili Peppers - I'm With You

Release Date: August 30, 2011

Beirut - The Rip Tide

Release Date: August 30, 2011

Little Dragon - Ritual Union

Release Date: July 5, 2011

Bjork - Biophilia

Release Date: Fourth quarter, 2011

Evanescence - TBA

Release Date: October 4, 2011

Tori Amos - Night of Hunters

Release Date: September, 2011

Jane's Addiction - The Great Escape Artist

Release Date: Fourth quarter, 2011.

Blondie - Panic of Girls

Release Date: September, 2011.

Santigold - TBARelease Date: Unknown... but after releasing a song as good as 'Go,' this has to happen!

The 1:

Joe Jonas - TBA

Release Date: September 6, 2011

I'd rather listen to whatever Rebecca Black manages to release as an "album" than whatever the solo Jonas brother does. I'm cringing already and there hasn't even been a single yet.

Top 100 Music Videos, #90 - 81



Breathe with me...


Welcome back to It's My Kind of Scene's music video bonanza... or countdown. Whatever. Last time we saw clips from a huge range of music superstars like Marilyn Manson and Kylie Minogue. Who's next up to the plate? Let's find out!

#90 - What's A Girl To Do? (2007)

by Bat For Lashes

I love long-take music videos almost as much as I love the sudden appearances of animal people riding bicycles. Natasha Khan delivers both of these things in the 'What's A Girl To Do?' video... and she does it well. It might not have the super polished look (or love of The Karate Kid) that 'Daniel' has, but it remains a personal favourite.

Best Moment: BAM! Bike riding animal people. From where? From whence?

Song of the Day - Call Me When You're Sober

Evanescence - Call Me When You're Sober

Album: The Open Door (2008)

I've never really made it a secret that I have whole lot of love for Amy Lee. She made the Top 20 Women of Rock and Top 25 Singers countdowns and, as lead vocalist for Evanescence, charted on the Top 300 Songs of the 2000s and Top 100 Songs of 2010. So, yeah... a lot of love and it's all deserved. She's a beautiful, powerhouse of a vocalist and, much like Ladyhawke yesterday, it's been way too long since there was talks of a new album release. Show me the music!

Top 300 Songs of the 2000s, #90 - 81



Regina Spektor: Bringing back the Soviet Kitsch.


Arctic Monkeys, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Dixie Chicks and Pearl Jam all placed in our first section of the top 100 songs of the 2000s. Will these acts place again, or are they done and dusted for this countdown? Only time will tell, but what you do know (now) is that they won't be placing in today's edition. Nine out of the ten acts you're about to listen to are making their presence known for the first time... who are they? Let's find out...

#90 - Drive (2000)

by Incubus

Incubus - Drive (music Video)
Uploaded by Tnert. - Music videos, artist interviews, concerts and more.

Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there,

I'll be there...

Top 100 Songs of 2010, #70 - 61

Nicki Minaj wants to eat your brains!

#70 - So Sleepy

by Fiona Apple

I'm a gummy bear, I stand up on the chair,

And then I start to dance, to dance, to dance...

#69 - Boadicea

by Mason ft. Roisin Murphy

Epic battles as titans clash,

Yet every warrior's heart is only flesh...

#68 - Together Again

by Evanescence

I've found a world, where love and dreams and darkness all collide,

Maybe this time, we can leave our broken world behind...

#67 - Your Body Is A Machine

by The Good Natured

You said your body is a machine,

It will break, like you have broken me...

#66 - Broken Hearts

by Bitches With Wolves

#65 - Time To Wander

by Gypsy and the Cat

Fall into a simple world,

Nothing here to come up on...

#64 - We No Speak Americano

by Yolanda Be Cool + D Cup

Comme te po' capi chi te vo bene,

Si tu le parle 'mmiezo Americano?

#63 - Clap Your Hands

by Sia

Turn the lights on my nights,

This is life, and we only get one chance...

#62 - Monster

by Kanye West ft. Jay Z, Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj and Bon Iver

Ok first things first I'll eat your brains,

Then I'mma start rocking gold teeth and fangs...

#61 - Tighten Up

by The Black Keys

Sick for days, so many ways,

I'm aching now, aching now...

 

Top 25 Singers, #22 - Amy Lee

#22 - Amy Lee

Testimonials for Amy Lee...

 "Amy Lee has the most powerful female voice on Earth..."

 "Amy Lee's voice sounds like an angel, but even better."

 "Her voice is like an angel, very pure and haunting, great ear candy."

 "She is probably the best amateur female singer of her time (she didn't get any vocal (sic) training)."

Where did I find those testimonials? Uh... Urban Dictionary. So in the interest of fairness, here's what some awful, awful people wrote about the amazingly talented Amy Lee in a negative way (haters!).

 "The dumb twat front-woman (sic) of the "metal" band, Evanescence."

 "Contrary to popular misconception, Amy Lee is NOT attractive."

 "The most arrogant, self-centered bitch in all of rock music."

In rebuttal... she's incredibly talented, attractive and a bitch is just a strong woman in control of her own destiny (thanks Missy Elliott!)... so suck it haters!



Hopefully what you'll take from today, other than the fact that I can find sources worse than Wikipedia, is that Amy Lee's voice is a thing of beauty. It's a booming, natural wonder that leaves practically all of her contemporaries in the dust.

Countdown: Women Who Rock - #9, Amy Lee

#9 - Amy Lee

of Evanescence

Coming in at #9, it's the Gothic Queen of Rock, Amy Lee. Amy IS Evanescence and she has the most powerful voice out of all the women you'll see on this list. Her powerhouse vocals separate her from the countless copycats that have emerged in goth rock since Evanescence rose to prominence in 2003 with the release of Fallen.

The first two singles from the album, 'Bring Me to Life' and 'Going Under,' showed us exactly what Lee brought to the world of rock and shot the band to the top of the charts worldwide. Then came 'My Immortal,' a true showcase for Lee's abilities, both as a songwriter and a vocalist. The album version was a pure piano ballad, yet it was adapted to more of a rock power ballad for its commercial release. 'Everybody's Fool' put the band right back into hard rock and the music video was an insight into Lee's mind showing her thoughts on self image and the commercial world we live in. Fallen would go on to be nominated and lose for Album of the Year at the Grammys but the band wouldn't go home empty handed as they won Best New Artist.

The Open Door, Evanescence's second studio album, would be released in 2006 and went straight to the top of the charts. It sold poorly in comparison to Fallen but was well received critically, many citing the darker direction and Lee's songwriting as its greatest successes. 'Call Me When You're Sober' would be the only chart hit from the album, with 'Lithium' and 'Sweet Sacrifice' finding some success on the alternative rock charts.

Amy has worked on some side projects, singing alongside Korn on 'Freak On a Leash' on their MTV Unplugged set, she recorded 'Broken' with Seether for The Punisher soundtrack (which was a chart success) and contributed her own version of 'Sally's Song' from The Nightmare Before Christmas for Nightmare Revisited, released last year. Her fashion style inspired thousands of emo girls, but I probably shouldn't give her kudos for that. What else... she can rock a guitar, is an amazing pianist and can even bust out a tune on the harp.

Lee has gained an almost diva-like reputation, with several members of the band quitting due to their inability to work with her and she's even fired a couple of others. This would be an issue if anyone actually cared about the other band members, but let's be honest... no one does. Everyone knows that Evanescence's real draw card is Amy Lee. The single 'Together Again' is out now, a Help For Haiti charity song and a new album is to be released this year.

Key Tracks: 'Away From Me' and 'Fields of Innocence' (Origin), 'Tourniquet,' 'Imaginary,' 'Taking Over Me' and 'Bring Me To Life' (Fallen), 'Farther Away' and 'Breathe No More' (Anywhere But Home), 'Call Me When You're Sober,' 'Lithium,' 'Like You,' 'The Last Song I'm Wasting on You,' 'Snow White Queen' and 'Good Enough' (The Open Door), 'Sally's Song' (Nightmare Revisited), 'Together Again.'