Top 114 Songs of 2014, #30 - 21

Jack Ladder, Lana Del Rey, The Griswolds + FKA Twigs!

#114 - 101

#100 - 91

#90 - 81

#80 - 71

#70 - 61

#60 - 51

#50 - 41

#40 - 31

#30. COME ON BACK THIS WAY

by Jack Ladder and The Dreamlanders





If tomorrow never comes, I wouldn't care at all.

If I have the radio on in the car, as opposed to one of those old CD things, it's because someone else is in the car with me and I can't handle their judgment of the likely depressing music I'm currently listening to. So the first time I heard 'Come On Back This Way' I was driving along with a friend and there's me screaming at her to, "Shazam the sh*t out of this!" And Shazam she did, even though an equal parts delightful/dour triple J presenter would say the track was by one Jack Ladder and The Dreamlanders right as the song ended. I guess the point (?) of this story is I'm glad I had the radio on that day, because I wouldn't have wanted to miss hearing 'Come On Back This Way', a song that I've loved just a little bit more with each listen to the point that, hey, here it is as one of the year's best tracks. The driving beat, Ladder's fantastic speak/sung qualities, the 'caught on the wrong side of the tracks' tale and, of course, the total budget video clip. There's a whole lot to love. (Matt Bond)


HashtagohmygodI’mnotsureIcancopewiththerestofthiscountdown. Seriously. When number 30 is this good, how good can the next twenty nine songs be? Quite good it seems. I told you, I know what the rest of them are and trust me, they’re good. No, I’m still not telling you what number 1 is. Right now, Jack Ladder and his dreamlanding friends. And here we have the third appearance from Sharon Van Etten, which means we should give Sharon some kind of honorary award, I think. (There’s a handmade certificate in the mail, Sharon) Jack takes us through his strange little world in ‘Come On Back This Way’, which is actually not that strange, after all, it’s just the story of a person who wants another person and that person isn’t reciprocating their affections and everything is so dark and depressing and realistic and poor and alone and a little bit Jarvis Cocker but about a thousand times better. This song is so goddamn depressing it makes me insanely happy and there’s a little sight into my psyche. Shut up. You don’t know me. (Jo Michelmore)

#29. COLOURS

by Big Smoke





'Cause I wanna dance, I want to dance with you.
And I want to see you smiling, when I'm smiling too. 

So in that last one where I said I couldn’t cope with how good this countdown was getting? Example number two. This song came into my world midway through the year and in the way things are when you meet your first love, I couldn’t imagine my world without it once it was here. It’s just so extraordinarily adorable, I was completely taken in by its charms, so simple, so cute, stripped back sounds and such a delightful little story all I wanted was for the person of little Adrian’s dreams to come running into his arms for the rest of eternity and everyone lived happily ever after etc. This doesn’t often happen in real life, so it’s really nice to imagine it when the sweetest songs like this one come along. (Jo Michelmore)


Romance in song form, thy name is 'Colours'. Look, I know I said that Jessie Ware's 'Say You Love Me' is the love ballad of the year, but if there was a best song that's actually about L-O-V-E (love), it's got to be this little ditty by Big Smoke. Adrian Slattery pours his heart out in the bestest, not-cheesiest way on a track that when I find my way back to it, I just can't stop listening. Listen. Repeat. Listen. Repeat. This continues for quite some time, but hopefully you get where I'm going here. A beautiful piece of songwriting and a truly memorably performance. We want to hear a lot more of this from Big Smoke very soon. (Matt Bond)

#28. TWO WEEKS

by FKA Twigs





I know it hurts,
You know, I'd put you first. 

I know someone who absolutely loves FKA Twigs. Like, absolutely LOVES FKA Twigs. I’d say it was to the point of pathetic, but then I don’t want to use a word like pathetic in the same sentence as FKA Twigs, because she’s anything but pathetic. She is like a breath of fresh air in an electronic landscape that’s getting overcrowded with similar sounding and sometimes average beats. She’s also an artist who knows who she is, makes the music she wants without apologies and takes no prisoners in her understated take-over of English electronica this year. That person I know who loves FKA-T is going to love me saying that. ‘Two Weeks’ is the simplest, sexiest song this genre and that country produced this year and also contains one of my favourite lyrics, ever. You’re going to have to guess what that line is. But let me just say, it’s a really, really good one. (Jo Michelmore) 


Oh my... this countdown just got awfully steamy and just a little bit dirrty. Does anyone else feel like they need a shower after listening to 'Two Weeks'? After a banner couple of years for British electronic artists, FKA Twigs proudly kept the flag flying with the Mercury Music Prize nominated killer debut, LP1. This sexy little encounter, 'Two Weeks', saw FKA Twigs, aka Thaliah Barnett, go from 'next big thing' to just 'big thing' with its fierce presentation of an artist demanding to be recognised and because she could do certain things to you better than someone else could. Ahem. All I'll say is I'm sure she can. Is that the lyric that's your favourite, Jo? It's like the non-angry, totally in control, sex as power, British electronic, inverted version of Alanis Morissette's 'You Outta Know'. Don't question how I look at things. (Matt Bond)

#27. BONES

by Little May





There was this boy I fell apart to... 

Look, I can't say for sure I can feel in my bones how Little May did, falling apart to a boy in the backseat of a car. What I can say with all certainty is that when I'm listening to Little May's music, the feeling in my bones is one of immense happiness. Liz Drummond, Hannah Field and Annie Hamilton built on their many successes in 2013 with the release of their debut, self-titled EP which featured 'Bones', a song that stands tall as one of the best pop releases of the year. And it really is a fantastic 'pop' song, which might seem a bit off given that we're usually throwing indie-folk-rock labels at Little May, but what is 'Bones' if not a brilliant pop song? It's got all the hallmarks of what make a memorable pop track with the added bonus of lyrics coming from some of the finest storytellers in the country and those beautiful Little May harmonies they're now renowned for. When I saw a write-up on Little May and 'Bones' on Billboard.com, I'm pretty sure I turned into that dancing lady emoji and then the smiley face with love heart eyes, but not the person... the cat. (Matt Bond)    

I love writing on this blog because I get to write about one of my true loves in life, music, and I get to do that with my friends. One of those friends and my fellow blogger Matt introduced me to Little May last year. It's well documented on our blog that I’m a sucker for the story telling song, just like him. I cried a little the first time I heard this song. Sometimes I still do. I never told Matt, or anyone else that, but essentially, since he introduced me to Little May, it’s his fault I cried. (Thanks, you’re a jerk Matt) But I cried because it reached into my life, into a part I don’t visit often and told the story of a portion of what makes me who I am today and it’s only the best life defining songs that do that. With its heart wrenching lyrics, interweaving guitars and sweet intricate melodies, it became one of my very favourite songs of this year, so I have to thank my fellow blogger and friend for that introduction. (Thanks. You’re a jerk, but you’re a great fellow-blogging-music-introducing friend, Matt!) This year, quite simply, my friends, Little May and 'Bones' are some of the (many) reasons I have loved writing on this blog. (Jo Michelmore)


At number 65 I marvelled at the ability of Our Man in Berlin to unite all of the It’s My Kind of Scene-rs. Well, guess what? Here’s another one of those rare and wonderful gems. While we spend our time arguing about who is for and against Kanye West and whether or not I could actually ‘make it’ as an international rap superstar, there’s no denying our love for Little May. Matt’s obsession knows no bounds; Jo has been recognised at the front of their show, and me… Well, I leave hash brown themed song titles on their Instagram account. While we may show our love in different ways, we all feel it in our bones. (Katie Langley)


My so called obsession falls outside the legal definition of stalking. What? (Matt Bond)

#26. SLOWBURN

by Howling Bells





I've got patience,

Patience it seems, ain't got time for me... 

It always seems like far too long between visits when we get to hear a little something-something new from Howling Bells, but we were in for a treat this year with the rocking and rolling 'Slowburn'. Easily one of our defining rock numbers of the year, 'Slowburn' shows us there's no signs of slowing down for Howling Bells and that Juanita Stein is still the most perfect front for a band in ever. I wouldn't blame you if you thought 'Slowburn' was actually a classic rock track from the late 60s/early 70s. It's not just good, it's THAT good. (Matt Bond)

#25. DEAR

by Jessie Frye





Slow motion lover, we die with no last words,
Here I am, grieving you tonight. 

Did I tell you I stumbled upon the music of Jessie Frye on The Wall Street Journal website? Yeah, it's true. The Wall Street Journal knows good music. And I know this, because they introduced me to one of our favourite new singers of the year, Jessie Frye, who hails from a place called Denton which is in the state of Texas in the U.S.A. I can't say I know much about Denton, but I know that "you don't mess with Texas" and I'm going to extend that to "you don't mess with Jessie Frye". On 'Dear' she is a bonafide rock star, absolutely owning the moment and backed up by roaring guitars and rocking drums. It was a standout moment on her 2014 album, Obsidian and if you're loving this (and why wouldn't you?) you should definitely go give that album a listen. (Matt Bond)  

The thing is, I live in Australia and although I’d be quite happy to travel almost anywhere in the world, I never really had a reason to go to Texas until this year. This year was the first time I heard the tremendous sounds of Jessie Frye who gave me every reason to want to fly all the way over a big ocean and visit her homeland. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not thinking of stalking, I just love the idea of knowing where these sounds came from, the huge chords and solid guitars, the driving percussion, the perfectly positioned keys and that voice, oh that voice! Everyone I know is aware of my secret not so secret dream of being an angry rock girl and ‘Dear’ is like all of those dreams rolled into one. And it’s a really angry, really awesome dream that one. (Jo Michelmore) 

#24. YOU ARE THE ONE

by SAFIA





Only one that makes me feel this crazy,
You are the one. 

Speaking of going places, I must have judged Canberra too quickly. I’ve been there a couple of times and while I enjoyed my stays, this is not the Canberra I found. Safia, hailing from our nation’s capital, give a really, really good name to what is often a harshly judged metropolis. ‘You Are The One’ is an upbeat little adventure, bright synths and quirky little beats and with its build from a tragic tale into a super bouncy little dance number it’s like if Australia had a Eurovision this would win and that’s everything electronic pop music should be. I might like Canberra, but I love Safia. (Jo Michelmore)

#23. WEST COAST

by Lana Del Rey





But you've got music, you've got the music in you,
Don't you? 

The thing I like about Lana Del Rey is that Lana Del Rey knows who Lana Del Rey is and she ain’t messing with the Lana Del Rey formula. While the song is almost split in two, with the typical breathy Lana cooing about alcohol and addiction and everything slightly tragic that Lana has a love of and then the ultra cruisey Lana kicks in channelling the sounds of Stevie Nicks in a not so subtle and strange way, but amongst all the sounds there at the heart is exactly what should be: Lana Del Rey being the dramatic Lana that she is. It may have been the only taste of Lana that we got this year, but for fans of Lana, it didn’t disappoint. (Jo Michelmore)


If there's one thing Lana Del Rey proved with her sophomore album, Ultraviolence, it's that she's got staying power. I hate to admit it, given my now crazy-fan level adoration of my floral headpiece adorned princess, that even I thought the success of Born To Die would be a one time thing. But I think she went out of her way to mix it up (at least a little) from what we had already heard and she stepped down a way more alternative track with songs like 'West Coast'. Thematically it might not be stepping outside its comfort zone, but the music and the more restrained vocals keep things interesting. Apparently what hasn't changed is her need to be all over some creepy, old dude in her music video. Perhaps she'll move away from that for album number 3. Perhaps not. As a final note, remember that time I got to go to Glastonbury this year? Well I did. And Del Rey's performance of 'West Coast' was a highlight, even if she was sort of just zombie walking around the stage with a durrie in her hand and no shoes on. (Matt Bond)

#22. ABCD

by Ngaiire





Tell the others, that I'm so sorry,
I had to leave. 

"We only die once, not twice." Sometimes I think that a song is actually too powerful for the masses to handle, which is why it sort of remains a hidden gem and doesn't break out to get the success it deserves. Like, if it got out and the whole world heard it, the outpouring of emotion would just be too much to handle. There'd be too many people in the world experiencing the beauty of such a stunning track and nothing would get done, the trains wouldn't run on time and so on and so forth. You're probably sitting there thinking I'm a crazy person, but I think it's just easier for me to think like that as opposed to accepting a song as amazing as Ngaiire's 'ABCD' just simply didn't get the attention it so richly deserved from a huge audience. I know I'm part of a small audience that will love this track forever, but at least I can genuinely say that I will love this song forever. (Matt Bond)


Ngaiire, Ngaiire, Ngaiire, oh how I wonder of your talent, your imagination, your way of being. How I wonder how you can be so talented and yet not the name on everyone’s lips when one speaks of talent in this country we share. How I wonder how much your heart must have felt to be able to sing so gorgeously, painfully, gloriously in what is possibly my favourite song of yours and how I wonder just where the inspiration for such a song visits, because if listening is this moving, then I can’t even imagine what it must have been like to create. Oh Ngaiire, how I could listen to this song a million times and it still wouldn’t be enough. (Jo Michelmore)

#21. BEWARE THE DOG

by The Griswolds





You hate so much and you're better off alone.

 

This is the face of Australian indie pop party rock in 2014 and what a charming little face it is. ‘Beware The Dog’; with all it’s lovely little “whoah’s!” and sing-a-long lines and cute little hooks and drums like that busker that has played in the same part of my city every single night for what seems like a hundred years, all of that and the punch your hand in the air carelessness of this song which hides its true meaning, its not so far underlying themes of friendship and addiction and lives lived and lives changed. The Griswolds are the face of Australian indie pop party rock and what a pleasant surprise, what an intelligent little face it is, hiding behind all that party pop charm. (Jo Michelmore)


The Griswolds' plans for world domination are coming along very nicely. They were busy teaching us to Be Impressive with album cuts like 'Beware The Dog' that make you want to head on down to the beach for a summer party. They're quietly doing their thing, building up a solid fan base in America and at home and given the fun qualities of their music, it's no wonder. What I've been loving about The Griswolds is they mask some dark material in the guise of upbeat, summer-time party music. Listening to the story can make you look at the song in a whole new light. And you can flip back and forth between those views at your leisure. It's smart that is. It's only up and up from here for The Griswolds. (Matt Bond)

Top 25 - 26 October, 2014

Heeeeeey, ladies!

1. Hey Lady! - My Head, My Heart





2. Tkay Maidza - Switch Lanes





3. San Cisco - Run (NEW)





4. Dear Plastic - Epic Delay





5. Jessie Ware - Pieces





6. Little May - Bones





7. Foo Fighters - The Feast and The Famine (NEW)





8. Foo Fighters - Something From Nothing





9. Howling Bells - Original Sin (NEW)





10. Jack Ladder and The Dreamlanders - Her Hands





11. Fractures - It's Alright (NEW)





12. Tanzer - That's Why Darling





13. Marina and The Diamonds - Froot





14. Gwen Stefani - Baby Don't Lie (NEW)





15. Jasia - Safety





16. Son Lux ft. Faux Fix - No Fate Awaits Me (NEW)





17. Julia Why? - Just One Night





18. Chvrches - Get Away (NEW)





19. Cold Clinic Love - Bullet Youth





20. Sleater-Kinney - Bury Our Friends (NEW)





21. Lurch and Chief - Keep It Together





22. Iggy Azalea - Iggy SZN (NEW)





23. Lorde - Yellow Flicker Beat





24. Sean O'Neill - I Know You Worry





25. slacksmiths - Slotmachine

Top 25 Songs of the Year (So Far)

With the Top 25 on a short break, we thought now would be an excellent time to take a look back at the year so far. The top 25 songs of the year so far, to be exact! 2014 has already been a huge year at home and abroad, with acts new and old delivering hit after hit. With six months left to go, it's still anybody's guess as to which tracks are going to end up topping our songs of the year countdown, but we know these ones are going to have a place on it. We just can't get enough of them. How's about you?

She Only Loves Me When I'm There

by Ball Park Music

"Cromack's opening croons to the radio hit, 'She Only Loves Me When I'm There' (next to be heard on the 2014 Hottest 100) will have you convinced you're listening to Muse. The Shakespearean lyrics support that. "Guildford, Guildford holy mother of, Helen, Jesus in the architraves." I can't be the only person thinking, "da fuq is dis?" But then the band kicks in, Boyce starts backing Cromack on the vocals and that playful energy that Ball Park Music does so well leaves you jumping for joy. Keeping in mind that 'commercial' isn't a dirty word, it's Ball Park Music's most commercial sounding track. Which just means everyone can enjoy it, dear snobby friends." (Matt Bond)

- Puddinghead album review. 

XO

by Beyonce

Colours

by Big Smoke

"I have no colours to show, because everyone here is everyone I know." 'Colours' is one mighty fine slice of acoustic folk that finds itself ridiculously romantic, without the extra side of cheese that can come with the label. Much of that has to do with Adrian Slattery's delivery of the words that make you want nothing more than for him to get the dance his heart desires. The arrangement of the track keeps your focus on the words and Slattery's voice, as it should, but the guitar work is quite smooth too. Georgia Fair's Ben Riley and Jordan Wilson are special guest stars on the track, with Riley's electric guitar really making an impact." (Matt Bond)

- 'Colours' song review. 

Whenever You Want It

by Clare Maguire

Buck Up And Pay The Reaper

by Dear Plastic

"The mood shifts a little as Baccini’s vocal range soars a little higher before we are taken back into the depths again of the slightly melancholic groove. But to think this song follows a simple structure of light/heavy mood would be a mistake. The big builds and the vocals powering throughout to a crescendo are expertly crafted and one to be listened to up loud with no apology. The gorgeous pschyadelic effects are deliciously dark yet never alienating or never lose the thread of the melodics created. I was reminded a little of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs with the tarnished rock feel and the big, brash, beautiful vocals." (Lou Endicott)

- 'Buck Up And Pay The Reaper' song review.

It's funny how video clips work. Some are worth watching over and over again, some are confronting, some have absolutely nothing to do with the song they exist for and some ask questions of the viewer. This little clip has elements of some of those things, but I'm not going to say too much and leave it up to the viewer (that's you readers, hit play!) to decide which. What I will say is that I kinda like it. Its concept is cute, its story a little confusing and confronting in a really, really simple way, I finally get to see who all of the cuties in Dear Plastic are and they all seem to like something that I adore, which doesn't involve potatoes or illicit dealings but something much more simple and delightful." (Jo Michelmore)

- 'Buck Up And Pay The Reaper' video review.

Beware The Dog

by The Griswolds

House of Cards

by Holy Holy

"Their second single ‘House Of Cards’ starts with a rollicking country-feel and develops into a song full of Holy Holy feel, rich and intricate with a sense of escapism and fear and hope all rolled into a couple of minutes. It immediately feels like an awesome driving song, but ultimately, a good driving song is just a good song. This is a band I think I’m going to love all the way through 2014 and while ‘House Of Cards’ is only their second touch of brilliance, this is a band that has a whole lot more brilliance to come." (Jo Michelmore)

- 'House of Cards' song review.


Get A Little More

by Holly Who

Slowburn

by Howling Bells

"Juanita Stein remains the perfect front for a rock outfit; dark, mysterious and oh-so sexy. The words are delivered in such an effortlessly cool way that you find yourself swayed far too easily by her charms. Like, you would do anything for her to look in your direction and give you the time of day. Anything. What? Sorry, Juanita Stein has this crazy hold over me. Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about. Joel's lead guitar work ups that cool factor, while Moule's drums keep everything together and on track, as they always do. For his part, the lone non-Australian in the band, Daines, comfortably slides into the line-up. If you hadn't told me that he'd replaced Picchio, I'd be none the wiser." (Matt Bond)

- 'Slowburn' song review. 

Hold This Tight

by I Know Leopard

"Hailing from Adelaide and now based in Sydney, the five-membered I Know Leopard are quickly establishing themselves as crafty music makers that grab your attention with smoother than smooth and ever so relaxing melodies, catchy hooks and snappy lyrics. 'Hold This Tight' is an example of all that and more. Frontman, Luke O'Loughlin's voice really grabs your attention and after one listen you pretty much know this is a track that's going to score a ton of repeated plays throughout the year." (Matt Bond)

- 'Hold This Tight' song review.    

Fancy

by Iggy Azalea ft. Charli XCX

Over You

by Ingrid Michaelson ft. A Great Big World

"This collaboration ticked all the boxes for a song I was wanting to hear, with the added bonus of being a duet. "Maybe if I tell myself enough, maybe if I do, I'll get over you." The melody in those chorus lines, combined with the simple, rolling piano is just something else. I'm pretty sure the fella from A Great Big World that just stands around doing nothing in 'Say Something' gets to contribute in 'Over You' too, so good for him. A Great Big World's voices (Ian Axel and Chad Vaccarino) circle around Michaelson's as the song heads to a suitably fitting finish. There's definitely single potential here." (Matt Bond)

- Lights Out album review.   



Far From View

by Jack Colwell and The Owls

"Jack Colwell's new single 'Far From View' is a total knockout of a track, with a brilliantly shot video to go with it. There's a nice, long build to Colwell's first words that completely sucks you in. When he does start singing about hearts broken in two and light shining through, his voice all deep and full of equal parts charisma and mystery, you understand why Jack Colwell is often favourably compared to Nick Cave. 'Far From View' succeeds in its mission to take listeners on a 'journey of heartache' and it's one journey you'll find yourself taking over and over again." (Matt Bond)

- 'Far From View' song review. 

Dear

by Jessie Frye

"Dear has all the attitude you could want in a bonafide rock star and then some. It's got the big hooks, loud guitars and heavy drums that will get you ready for a rowdy night on the town." (Matt Bond)

- Obsidian album review. 

90s Music

by Kimbra

"Yes, Kimbra Johnson is back and, just like you and me, she has a thang for all things 90s music. Sonically, the first taste of Kimbra's sophomore album is a huge departure from the knockout debut, Vows. And I mean huge. There's no resting on laurels here, as we're taken on an experimental electronic romp that opens up more and more with each listen. For anyone expecting 'Cameo Lover' version 2.0, you're going to be disappointed. This isn't your standard radio pop. But it sure should be!" (Matt Bond)

- '90s Music' song review. 

Suckerpunch

by Kingswood

West Coast

by Lana Del Rey

"West Coast is actually a rather soft and beautifully dark story of youthful desire in a world where status and possession means as much as the emotion and when approached from a neutral ground her poetry, though simple, can appreciated. Del Rey in this 90s surf rock inspired number vocally transitions along with the undulating tempo, from a silver screen starlet-esque voiced goddess to that languid, breathy damsel in distress character she plays so well..." (Nayt Housman)

- 'West Coast' song review. 

Love Me Like I'm Not Made of Stone

by Lykke Li

"I'm just going to put it out there that 'Love Me Like I'm Not Made Of Stone' is perfection. Of course this is subjective to the listener, but I'm all about the depressing, emotional ballad... so this is perfection. Li's finest moment as a vocalist and songwriter. A simple arrangement. Perfection. I'll stop saying that now. Alright, one more time... perfection." (Matt Bond)

- I Never Learn album review.


ABCD

by Ngaiire

"I was thrilled to see Ngaiire teasing the release of a video for her track 'ABCD' a couple of weeks ago. The track was an absolute standout on her debut album, Lamentations and more than worthy of earning release as a single. It holds beautiful melodies, superb lyrics and a knockout vocal performance from our leading lady and I just know you (yes, YOU!) are going to love the track." (Matt Bond)

- 'ABCD' video review.  

Flight

by Our Man In Berlin

"With ‘Flight’ it’s the talent of knowing when to let the frantic rush of the beats take the keys on a quick journey, knowing when to let the quiet chords take charge and knowing how important it is to let everything sit amongst and around a superbly dominant lyric and vocal. It takes Our Man In Berlin on a slightly different path, never far enough away from their beautiful sounds to be alarming, but far enough to remind me that I don’t actually know what to expect and remind me not to underestimate their talent." (Jo Michelmore)

- 'Flight' song review.


Goodbye Future

by The Presets

"It's hand claps and it's catchy and it's a little bit 90s while everyone is busy being a little bit 80s and it's better than the best night you remember and it hurts a lot more in the morning than you expected at midnight. It's The Presets and it's everything The Presets are: fun and beats and noise and goodbye future I've got some dancing to do and I'm not doing it then I'm doing it now." (Jo Michelmore)

- 'Goodbye Future' song review.


Chandelier

by Sia

"You always hear people decrying how stale pop music is, how it all sounds the same and how you never hear anything good on the radio. Well get THIS played on the radio. Sia has unsurprisingly delivered the very finest in pop music. It's not 'Breathe Me', but guess what... it's not 2004. This is the sound of 2014, this is Sia and this is pop music." (Matt Bond)

- 'Chandelier' song review. 

How Much Does Your Love Cost?

by Thelma Plum

New Skin

by Torres

Water Fountain

by tUnE-yArDs



Top 25 - 27 April, 2014

Robyn and Royksopp!

1. Our Man In Berlin - Flight





2. Howling Bells - Slowburn (NEW)





3. Lana Del Rey - West Coast





4. Ingrid Michaelson ft. A Great Big World - Over You





5. Torres - New Skin (NEW)





6. I Know Leopard - Daisy Eyes





7. Lester The Fierce - January





8. Hudson and Troop - Frameless





9. Royksopp and Robyn - Do It Again (NEW)





10. Courtney Barnett - Anonymous Club (NEW)





11. Ayla - Wish I Was





12. Holly Who - Get A Little More





13. Lily Allen - Sheezus (NEW)





14. The Cathars - Delusion's Daze





15. Dear Plastic - Buck Up and Pay the Reaper





16. Little Dragon - Let Go (NEW)





17. Cash + David - Pulse (NEW)





18. Caitlin Park - Lemonade





19. tUne-YaRds - Water Fountain





20. Elliphant - Revolusion (NEW)





21. Hercules and Love Affair ft. John Grant - I Try To Talk To You (NEW)





22. Ma Petite - Lonesome





23. Kelis - Rumble





24. Pepa Knight - Rahh!





25. Wolf Alice - Storms

Song Review - Slowburn

Slowburn

by Howling Bells

Album: Heartstrings (June 2, 2014)

Yeah but no but yeah but no but... shut up. Shut up right now. How do the Howling Bells have a new song out and I have not heard it, nor have I had any of y'all point this out to me? Seriously?! This is a fail of epic proportions. Do you know what's not a fail in any way, shape or form? THE NEW SONG FROM THE HOWLING BELLS!!! That's what. It's been far too long since we've heard from Juanita Stein, brother Joel and Glen Moule. Joining those original three this time around is new bass player Gary Daines who is taking over for Brendan Picchio. Anywho, yeah, the last time we heard from these indie rockers was back in 2011 when they released their severely underrated third album, The Loudest Engine. It would seem they haven't lost a step during their little hiatus if 'Slowburn' is anything to go by. 

"Keep dreaming, keep dreaming, you say something's gonna happen, gonna happen someday, you know it's a slow burning fire." Juanita Stein remains the perfect front for a rock outfit; dark, mysterious and oh-so sexy. The words are delivered in such an effortlessly cool way that you find yourself swayed far too easily by her charms. Like, you would do anything for her to look in your direction and give you the time of day. Anything. What? Sorry, Juanita Stein has this crazy hold over me. Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about. Joel's lead guitar work ups that cool factor, while Moule's drums keep everything together and on track, as they always do. For his part, the lone non-Australian in the band, Daines, comfortably slides into the line-up. If you hadn't told me that he'd replaced Picchio, I'd be none the wiser. 

An unexpected treat for a Monday night (for those not in the loop like me!) and what a treat! The Howling Bells are back with a new album on the way. Managing to make doom and gloom rock sound like the most fun you've ever had isn't easy, but these guys always manage to pull it off. I know I can't wait to hear more. What about you? 

Matt Bond gives 'Slowburn' five Nick Cave heads out of five...

10 and 1 - Australian Albums You Should Hear Before You Die

Murder Ballads. Odyssey Number Five. Frogstomp. Kick. Back In Black. Whispering Jack. Fever. Apocalypso. Eternal Nightcap. Hourly, Daily. The Sound of White. Unit. Walking On A Dream. East. Down The Way. Savage Garden. Barricades and Brickwalls. Gossip. Since I Left You. Innerspeaker.


When you're talking about the greatest Australian albums of all time, you're guaranteed to bring up some of the celebrated titles above. INXS and Kylie's true US breakthroughs, Silverchair's riotous debut, Nick Cave's tales of love and death. They are truly defining works in Australia's music history and albums that you really should make an effort to hear, as the book I've started re-reading suggests, before you die. Don't stress out too much if you miss out on Hourly, Daily. You'll find a way to get over it in heaven. Or... you'll go to hell and they'll be playing it over and over and over and over again. And again and again and again. Yikes.


Like most 'greatest of all time' lists, you're always going to find a lot of the same albums discussed. With good reason too, they're generally amazing. What this means is that some other incredible pieces of work find themselves without the recognition they deserve, so today, I'll be presenting to you ten album I recommend you give a try before you cark it that only occasionally pop up nowadays (even though the majority are quite new). In 'Straya, cark it mean you dead. There were no typos in that last sentence. Read it as written please and thank you. As is the 10 and 1 rule, I'll leave you with one Aussie album you don't need to listen to in this life or the next or eternal whatever fairytale you believe. Here's some great Aussie music. Enjoy!

THE 10:

From Here To Anywhere

by Sneaky Sound System (2011)

 

"I won't forget the time, when you told me, we could be something, the memory is mine." From the anthemic 'Big' to the hopelessness of 'I Need You So,' the playful 'We Love' and desperate 'Really Want To See You Again;' Sneaky Sound System's latest album, From Here To Anywhere, goes a long way in supporting the theory that Australia is home to the greatest electronic-pop in the world. 

Howling Bells

by Howling Bells (2006)

It's easy to feel that the Howling Bells are underappreciated when you see an act of their caliber performing in Brisbane's Alhambra Lounge. No disrespect to Alhambra, it's a good venue for emerging acts. It teaches them to deal with an unpredictable crowd; half are music fans that came to see the show, half are drunk wankers that have stumbled in off the street thinking it's The Family. For an established act like the Howling Bells that have three critically acclaimed albums to their name? They should at least be at The Zoo, competing with that jerk of a drummer that's busking on the other side of the street. I love you Brisbane and I love the Howling Bells. Let 'Low Happening' take you over before 'A Ballad For The Bleeding Hearts' sends shivers right through your body. 

Farewell Youth

by Matt Walters (2011)

The one-two punch of 'St. Peter's Gate' and 'I Would Die For You' alone makes Farewell Youth an unforgettable listening experience, but there's a lot more to love. Walters has a wonderful way with words that you'll find yourself falling for. The album may close with the cute (and probably pretty gross if you think about it too much) track 'The First Time,' but it'll stay with you for a long time after.

10 and 1 - Women Who Rock (Australian Edition)

Chrissy Amphlett

Women Who Rock (Australian Edition)

A lady who knows how to rock is a pretty swell kinda lady in my book. I know 'swell' isn't the most rock-savvy term to use, but gosh-darn it, I'm saying it's swell. Australia saw a steady increase in the numbers of female rockers flying our flag in the 90s, with many emerging amongst the post-grunge music landscape in the middle of the decade. There might not have been dozens (or even a dozen) gaining notoriety, but it was still a huge increase from the miniscule sisterhood rockin' the stage in the 70s and 80s. In today's 10 and 1, I salute ten Aussie women who can rock a stage with the best of them. Secretly, I'm doing this because if just one young girl reads this and finds herself inspired to pick up a guitar instead of enrolling in Havana Brown and Ricki-Lee's 'Dance School 4 Ho's,' the world will be a better place. And isn't that why we bloggers blog in the first place? To make the world a better place? Haha... no. No it's not. Ten of the greatest Australian female rockers of all-time and one lady from down under who's only association with 'rock' is via The Grateful Dead t-shirt she wears, thinking it's that super popular television show everyone's talking about. Enjoy!

THE TEN:

Juanita Stein

of Howling Bells

Katy Steele

of Little Birdy

#8 - Your Summertime Road Trip Mix

Let's go on a road trip!

Maths has never been my strong point. You see, apparently I can't seem to grasp the very basic concept of counting. I started filling out the Music Listography book last year, highlighting my favourite songs, bands, albums and more in various lists. I thought I was currently up to list #13. I was wrong. Somewhere along the way I decided 8 was a number we could all learn to live without, so we're going to rectify that right now with the next entry in our life in lists. Since it's (the saddest) summer (ever), now's a pretty good time to bust out the twenty songs I love to get my road trip on with.


Before we get to that though, why not have a quick read through the 12 11 lists we've already done up!

1. Your Top 20 Favourite Bands

2. Your Top 20 Favourite Songs

3. 20 Albums You'd Bring If You Were Leaving Planet Earth

4. List The Best Concerts and Music Festivals You've Seen

5. Music From Your High School Years

6. Your Favourite Music Moments In Film

7. List Bands You Do NOT Like

9. Songs To Play At Your Funeral

10. Your Favourite Television and Film Theme Songs

11. Your Favourite Male Vocalists

12. Your Favourite Female Vocalists

To fill out your own handy Music Listography bible, track it down on Amazon and celebrate your life in music.

#8 - Your Summertime Road Trip Mix

Who doesn't enjoy going for a good old road trip in the summer? There are some essential things you're going to need to make a road trip a roaring success. First things first, you're going to need a car. Preferably one that can drive long distances. Second, you need the weather to be awesome. I know, I know... you don't have control of the weather yet. You will someday, but not now. Until then, make sure it's going to be a pretty sweet day before planning an RT. An ice-cold drink will come in handy, but most importantly, you're going to need an excellent selection of music. Optional things to bring with you include a satellite phone, water to last three days, a map and some sort of weapon you know how to use. I've seen Wrong Turn, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and The Hills Have Eyes. Bad things can happen to good people! Oh... don't forget to find some friends, for they can increase your survival chances. I mean... a road trip is way more fun with people you like and stuff?

Here's twenty songs It's My Kind of Scene loves to drive to come summer time...

Asteroids Galaxy Tour - Around the Bend

Hole - Malibu

Song of the Day - A Ballad For the Bleeding Hearts

Howling Bells - A Ballad For the Bleeding Hearts

Album: Radio Wars (2009)

Howling Bells played Alhambra Lounge in Brisbane last night, powering through an eleven song set that showcased one of Australia's most talented and bizarrely underrated bands. Highlights included new single, 'Into the Sky,' 'Low Happening,' 'Cities Burning Down' and my personal favourite from the night, 'A Ballad For the Bleeding Hearts.' Juanita Stein's performance of the track had a firm grasp of the crowd's attention, her voice silencing Alhambra's chatty audience. Why the band isn't playing a bigger venue is so very confusing, but at least they played somewhere, right? Awesome show and hopefully we'll be seeing them again real soon.

Top 111 Songs of 2011, #20 - 11

Top 20 time! Well, the first half of it. Tomorrow sees our last major countdown of 2011 come to an end. Number one will be revealed (if I haven't told you or you haven't guessed it already) and the Scene Awards will begin! What tracks narrowly missed out on making the top 10 songs of 2011? Find out below, plus read about all the songs that have made the list 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. Hercules and Love Affair - Painted Eyes
59. Jay-Z and Kanye West ft. Otis Redding - Otis
58. Justice - Civilization
57. Blaqstarr ft. Talib Kweli - War Of The Roses
56. Evanescence - Lost In Paradise
55. Britney Spears - Till The World Ends
54. Amanda Palmer ft. The Young Punx - Map Of Tasmania
53. Kimbra - Good Intent
52. Feist - How Come You Never Go There?
51. Yelle - Quex Veux-Tu
50. The Grates - Turn Me On
49. Lana Del Rey - Blue Jeans
48. Seeker Lover Keeper - Light All My Lights
47. Matt Walters - St. Peter's Gate
46. San Cisco - Awkward
45. Red Hot Chili Peppers - The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie
44. Adele - Turning Tables
43. Florence + The Machine - No Light, No Light
42. Kate Bush - Snowflake
41. Sneaky Sound System - We Love
40. The Wombats - Techno Fan
39. Asteroids Galaxy Tour - Major
38. Beth Ditto - I Wrote The Book
37. Rachael Yamagata - Starlight
36. Clare Maguire - The Last Dance
35. Does It Offend You, Yeah? - Pull Out My Insides
34. Seeker Lover Keeper - If The Night Is Dark
33. David Guetta ft. Jennifer Hudson - Night Of My Life
32. Pnau - Solid Ground
31. The Black Keys - Lonely Boy
30. Marina and the Diamonds - Radioactive
29. Lady Gaga - Judas
28. Zowie - Bite Back
27. Little Dragon - Crystalfilm
26. Rachael Yamagata - Even If I Don't
25. M.I.A - Generation N.E.Y
24. Eddie Vedder and Cat Power - Tonight You Belong To Me
23. Bag Raiders - Sunlight
22. The Jezabels - Endless Summer
21. Lana Del Rey - Video Games

#20 - The Words That Maketh Murder

by PJ Harvey

What if I take my problems to the United Nations?

If you're looking for an album that actually stands for something, you can't beat what many are calling PJ Harvey's greatest album, Let England Shake. Polly Jean's critical, thoughtful and ultimately beautiful critique of her home country was comprised of 100% hits, no misses and saw her take home her second Mercury Music Prize in September. Like I said, there were no misses, but some songs hit harder, like 'The Words That Maketh Murder.' No song grew on me more over the year and a lot of people I've spoken to about it feel exactly the same. You're instantly drawn to the track with the catchy chorus and Harvey's ever evolving vocals, but the words are what will really keep you coming back for more. Plus, you'll never be able to hear about the United Nations without hearing, "What if I take my problems to the United Nations?" ever again.

#19 - Jungle

by Emma Louise

In a dark room we fight, make up for our love,

I've been thinking, thinking about you... about us.

Exciting new Australian singers emerged from all over the country in 2011 (or, in Kimbra's case, were adopted from New Zealand... because we never steal stars from New Zealand). Brisbane's greatest contribution came in the form of Emma Louise. 'Jungle,' her stunning debut, would go on to sweep the first Queensland Music Awards, winning Song of the Year and Best Pop Song.  

Song of the Day - Into the Sky



It's a low, low, low, low happening?



Howling Bells - Into the Sky

Album: The Loudest Engine (2011)

First things first; how awesome is this video?! Juanita Stein is looking mighty fine in this mesmerising 70s throwback. The song? Yeah... it's pretty damn good too. The Howling Bells' new album, The Loudest Engine, is out September 12 and if 'Into the Sky' is an indication of how good it's going to be, then it's going to be stellar. Kimbra one week, Howling Bells the next. September, 2011... I heart you.

Rating: 5/5