Top 25 - 25 April, 2016

Garbage!

1. Little Earthquake - Honest





2. The Raffaellas - Control (Had It, Lost It) (NEW)





Matt's Pick of the Week: It feels like it's been forever since we've heard something new from The Raffaellas. But in good news for fans of the quality musics, the Melbourne four-piece are back with a new EP, Dreams Out of Reach and it is a good'un. Second single 'Control (Had It, Lost It)' stands alongside hits from local contemporaries like Birds of Tokyo and The Temper Trap, which is why you'll ask yourself why you haven't heard it getting played to death on radio. When it comes to Australian rock outfits, it's the quality tracks that tend to get a ton of radio play. And 'Control' has all the hallmarks of a radio-worthy track. It's guitar driven, lightly bluesy and likely to find itself stuck in your head long after you've finished listening. Mostly, it's just a great song you're going to be coming back to for more listens. A most very welcome return from The Raffaellas indeed. (Matt Bond)


3. Phebe Starr - Feel My Love





4. Auguste - Kingdom





5. Garbage - Empty (NEW)


 


6. Landings - My Bones





7. Sarah Blasko - I Wanna Be Your Man





8. Alex Watts - Hopeful (NEW)





Jo's Pick of the Week: Alex Watts wrote this cute little ‘Hopeful’ song with all its retro inspired melodies and drum breaks, but I’ll be honest and say it wasn’t until I saw the clip that I was really addicted. I couldn’t decide if it was more awesome than awkward or more awkward than awesome, but the concept of trying to hook up with oneself is a conversation I had with a very good friend only days ago, so I’ve pretty much decided that Alex dating himself up has to be an awesome thing. I said the same thing about my friend dating himself. Hot? Also, the slightly awkward dance moves of a man who seems to be able to move his arms and legs while keeping his hips completely and totally still has pretty much blown my mind which equals awesome, and just to add to that whole awesome concept, I need to know where to get myself one of those black and white spot skirts, because I’d totally hook up with myself in one of those. (Jo Michelmore)


9. Gordi - Wanting (NEW)


 

10. Seavera - Caving





11. Youngsmith - Red (NEW)


 

12. Emily Wurramara - Ngerraberrakernama (Wake Up)





13. The Temper Trap - Fall Together





14. Sara Hartman - Monster Lead Me Home (NEW)


 


15. Juke Jaxon - Memory Man





16. Alex Lahey - You Don't Think You Like People Like Me





17. Emma Louise - Talk Baby Talk





18. Clare Maguire - The Valley (NEW)


 


19. Winterbourne - Shape





20. Old Sault - Ghost





21. Sneaky Sound System - I Ain't Over You (NEW)


 


22. Flume ft. Tove Lo - Say It (NEW)


 


23. Darling James - The Itch





24. Sun Sap - Mexico (NEW)


 


25. Jesse Redwing - Crawlin' Up The Walls

10 and 1 - Up In The Gym Just Working On My Fitness

BIG BOY'S GOTTA EAT

by Matt Bond

I'm not a huge fan of going to the gym. What am I a huge fan of? Eating cakes and pies. And since I eat A LOT of cakes and pies, I have to go to the gym. Now, entering a small room full of people with amazing bodies that can lift seventeen times more than I can, seemingly without breaking a sweat, doesn't exactly do wonders for my social anxiety. Especially when I'm already developing a sweaty brow just from walking up the stairs for a cardio warm-up (aka walking on the treadmill for five minutes). Really though, the main reason I go to the gym is to listen to music uninterrupted for an hour or so. 

But it can't just be any old thing that you listen to when working out. If it's not fast paced and upbeat (or angry metal), you run the risk of giving into that temptation to throw those dumbbells down and drive on over to McDonald's and order a large quarter pounder meal, ten nuggets and a McFlurry. Listening to the right kind of music means you can at least finish your work out before going to Maccas. Yes, I know... I'm bad and I should feel bad. But I don't. Back to the music... you need to sweat it up to the right kind of music! 

You may be a big fan of the same five songs that get played at your local YMCA and that's great. But after listening to a dance remix of Taylor Swift's 'I Knew You Were Trouble' for the five thousandth time, you might want to try something else. Tonight, I'll be sharing ten tracks that will give you a belief in your strength, stamina and overall gym prowess that's disproportionate to your actual abilities. As is the case with the '10 and 1', I'll be leaving you with one song you might want to keep out of the work out playlists. If I can save you from the stares of jocks and babes that I've endured in the past for certain music choices, I'll consider that a community service. Enjoy! 

THE TEN:

Y.A.L.A

by M.I.A

Push

by The Presets

Music that will make you dance. Music that isn't by David Guetta and does not feature Akon. Music that isn't by LMFAO. 

Not Afraid

by Eminem

The more Eminem, the better. 

Change

by Deftones

Duality

by Slipknot

Let the anger build up inside with something a little heavier. Rage. Rage, rage, rage! On another note, Rage Against The Machine are also highly appropriate. 

UFO (Van She Tech Remix)

by Sneaky Sound System

Judas

by Lady Gaga

All those pop songs you diss while trying to be cool to your friends will definitely come in handy. The first time I really listened to 'Wrecking Ball' was at the gym. And I did come in like a wrecking ball. Or something. 

Come With Me

by Puff Daddy ft. Jimmy Page

Stronger 

by Kanye West

Rap. Rap all the way. A bit of Puffy-Diddy-Daddy whatever and a whole lot of Kanye. These are people with huge egos. Let them inception some of their ego into your mind.

I Don't Think Now Is The Best Time

by Hans Zimmer

Music from the movies. Yes. Go for battle scenes and pretend your part of the action and you'll run faster with this weird look on your face like your fighting off pirates. I'm not joking, this works. Each track goes for like ten minutes too. So your workout is that much closer to being over!

THE ONE:

Beauty and The Beast

by Stevie Nicks

Now, I make no apologies for having this, um, lesser known (these days?) track from Stevie Nicks on my iPod. But you do not want a track like this blaring from your headphones as you vacantly stare into the distance. Someone is going to walk past and hear it. Someone is going to look at you weird. And the more you listen to Stevie's voice, the less you'll want to work out. You'll just want to go listen to more Stevie Nicks. Stevie Nicks is awesome. Actually, screw this... put more Stevie Nicks on your iPod! What were we talking about? The gym? Who needs the gym? 

      

10 and 1 - Australia's Most Wanted 2014

Seriously, Gotye... release some new music. Please?

Not to worry, we haven't decided to earn some extra "revenue" by turning into pseudo crime fighters by night, assisting the po-po in hunting down Australia's most wanted criminals. There's a couple of problems with that idea.

  1. What revenue?
  2. We already have jobs and do this whole blog thing in our spare time. We're pseudo writers by
       night. Turning to a life of fighting crime (possibly in coloured spandex, undies on the outside)
       would be stretching ourselves a little too thin. And me, spandex and thin sounds like a lie.

Nah, I'm just taking a look at my most wanted albums by Australian artists this year. It is Australian Music Month after all, so it's the perfect time to look at some Australian acts that have been away for awhile and me wants back in the game. Some of them haven't been away for that long at all, but whatevs, I just want them back releasing new music, like now. We already know about some albums scheduled for release. The Jezabels return before January is over with their sophomore LP. And Little May and Thelma Plum have us anxiously awaiting the release of their EPs. But the ten acts below? Nothing is set in stone for their future, but if you wish upon a star or something, maybe we'll get some good news soon. And I will leave us with one Australian act that I could live without hearing this year, but will undoubtedly release an abomination of a track soon. Probably tomorrow. Enjoy!

AUSTRALIA'S MOST WANTED 2014

by Matt Bond

THE TEN:

Angus and Julia Stone

This brother/sister duo needs to take a big jet plane away from their solo ambitions and reunite Angus with Julia in the studio together, where they belong. Their last LP, Down The Way, was released all the way back in 2010 and saw them win the ARIA Award for Album of the Year and top the triple J Hottest 100. I know some friends would categorise the family Stone as being 'Aussie Bore Folk' and I don't really have an argument against that, I just like these two together as singer/songwriters. From their previous two albums, they've shown they are amongst the best of the best Australian music has to offer. Their solo efforts? Not so much.

Clairy Browne and The Bangin' Rackettes

Clairy Browne and her Bangin' Rackettes have been busy, busy building up a solid reputation over in the USA over the past couple of years, earning rave reviews for Browne's booming voice and the visual awesomeness of the band's live performances. They deserve all the plaudits they've earned. Now they need to release the follow-up to Baby Caught The Bus. Please?

Ella Hooper

This one is essentially a definite. We have a name for Hooper's debut solo effort - In Tongues. It was announced early last year as seeing a mid-2013 release. We heard the stellar single 'Haxan', but 2013 came and went and there was no In Tongues released by Spicks and Specks' new star. We have it on good authority that we'll get to hear something new soon and by good authority I mean some tweetage from Ella that read and I quote, "More coming SOON. For real. Like truly. I promise! ;)" I'm terrible at interpreting what the 'wink' emoticon means. It could just be Ella and I getting our standard flirt on after that whole me asking her to marry me thing last year, but outside of fantasy land, it probably means she's releasing In Tongues. Either way... win!

Gotye

How do you follow-up one of the most successful Australian songs of all time? Gotye said in some interviews after the success of 'Somebody That I Used To Know' that he would move in a more 'pop' orientated direction for his next album. I don't know what to expect, but I'm excited about it. And hey, do another song with Kimbra.

The Medics

"Hey Brisbane! Playing a show tonight at the Zoo with ALL NEW SONGS. We're on at 9:30pm! Bam." I like The Medics. Their music is good and they use 'bam' to highlight something important. The important message to take from that Facebook post? They've got ALL NEW SONGS! All new songs means a sophomore album is coming, something to follow the incredible debut, Foundations. Here's hoping we hear some recorded new tunes from these guys real soon.

Operator Please

Who wants to hear some more songs about ping pong? Literally nobody. You know what though, Operator Please's last album, Gloves, is one of the best released by an Australian act in the last decade. And one of the most underrated too. I was sad to see these guys and gals had taken an extended hiatus and released some side projects, but here's me saying get the band back together Gold Coast kids! Which I know doesn't mean much, but come on. Do it.

Sneaky Sound Sytem

I was surprised we didn't hear something new from the Sneaky ones after Connie features as Seal's sidekick on The Voice. They didn't even let her sing on the show, right? Feel free to correct me, I didn't watch that much of it. Anyway, maybe 2014 will be the right time for Sneaky Sound System to release their next album. Miss Connie's voice and incredible stage presence continues to keep them at the top of Australia's crop of dance artists and we really need someone to say, hey Havana Brown, this is how it's done, now put some pants on.

Tame Impala

This is supposedly confirmed, but if the mighty Wikipedia doesn't say it is, I ain't buying it. Still, Tame Impala would be a most welcome sight on the 'future releases' schedule. They won the ARIA Award for Album of the Year for Lonerism last year and have recently been nominated for a Grammy in the alternative category. Consider this a late 2014 possibility.

Texas Tea

If we get word that our favourite Brisbane act are releasing something new, I'm pretty sure it will be considered our most anticipated release of the year. I'm talking drool and possible mouth foaming here people. Texas Tea are just that good. You might remember them from such past blog posts as the Top 112 Songs of 2012, in which they came in at NUMBER ONE with 'Heart Says Yes (Head Says No), or their Best Group and Australian Artist of the Year Scene Award wins. They also scored a nomination at the QMA's in 2013 for Album of the Year. We remain their biggest tea bags and would love, love, love to hear some new music in 2014.

The Temper Trap

I just saw that The Temper Trap are definitely releasing their third studio album in 2014. So yay. I guess.

THE ONE:

Reece Mastin

Oh no, definitely no Mastin "jams" to be played here thanks you very much. Reece, you'll never be as cool as Simba, but Scar's message is something you should take to heart. Stick to your AMF Bowling Ads and sexting scandals. Just don't release any new music. In fact, the only thing I'd like you to release in 2014 is that nice girl from Home and Away. She seems like a sweet kid.

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.

Predictions: ARIA Awards 2012

In two days time the biggest acts in Australian music (aka the good, the bad and the Reece Mastin) will compete against each other for Oz's greatest prizes. Nope, not talking about the J Awards. They've been given out already. I am of course talking about the ARIA Awards, to be shown not on a normal television channel, but on the less glamorous 'Go.' Wow.


It's been a huge year for the local industry, with Gotye kicking chart butt all over the world with 'Somebody That I Used To Know' and buzz bands like The Jezabels and The Temper Trap getting a whole lot of attention with the incredible albums, Prisoner and The Temper Trap. Aussie hip hop found a new king in 360, while the Hilltop Hoods have secured their status as a pioneering force for the genre. In a sign of the changing landscape, 360 leads the nominations list and is up for six awards including Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Male Artist.


Not-so-Australian, Kimbra is also looking to score back-to-back wins for Best Female Artist and has vowed to tear up the stage with a showstopping performance. The Jezabels, The Temper Trap, 360 and Jessica Mauboy are all lined up to perform. With that line-up, I might even watch the show. Just kidding. In all honesty though I'll just be watching because I'm sorta-kinda-maybe stalking Kimbra. What of it?


Anywho, since we all love to predict what's going to happen at these awards shows, I thought I'd throw my two-cents in. Let us know who you're tipping for top honours as well.

Breakthrough Artist - Release

 

360 - Falling and Flying

Alpine - A is For Alpine

Lanie Lane - To The Horses

Matt Corby - Brother

San Cisco - Awkward

Let's start with an easy one. All five artists are deserving winners (a rare moment of clarity, ARIA peeps?), but seriously... this is 360's to lose. Always go for the acts that are in contention for Album of the Year.

Who Should Win: Lanie Lane

Who Will Win: 360

Best Pop Release

 

Gotye - Making Mirrors

Guy Sebastian - Battle Scars

Jessica Mauboy - Gotcha

Kimbra - Vows

San Cisco - Awkward

See, this is where the ARIA's tend to be a bit of a fail to me. How can you have albums competing against singles? Last year Gotye won with 'Somebody That I Used To Know,' so should he even be allowed to go for awards again since Making Mirrors stood out based on that song alone? Sorry if the truth smacking you in the face hurt, Gotye fans. Regardless, Gotye is likely to come out of this year's show as a big winner. Even if Vows is the far superior album. 

Who Should Win: Kimbra

Who Will Win: Gotye 

Best Dance Release

 

Havana Brown - When The Lights Go Out

Hermitude - Hyperparadise

Ivan Gough and Feenixpawl ft. Georgi Kay - In My Mind

Knife Party - Rage Valley

Sneaky Sound System - From Here To Anywhere

I'm not going to pretend I know anything about Hermitude and Feenixpawl and friends, so let's remove them from the equation. H Brown. She's had a profile boost since that time I saw her DJing with no pants on at the Family. Chart success in the US of A with 'We Run The Night' and that song where she lures a dude to a party by leaving shoes everywhere in the video (I think he just wants to be friends?) make her a frontrunner. ARIA voters love it when someone hits it big overseas. But she shouldn't win. This is really between Knife Party and Sneaky Sound System. Two dudes from Pendulum who are wildly in demand on the dance scene (and deservedly so) versus a mostly forgotten but progressive electronic/pop duo that features one of the funnest vocalists in the country. 

Who Should Win: Sneaky Sound System

Who Will Win: Pendulum Knife Party

Best Group

 

Boy and Bear

Cold Chisel

Hilltop Hoods

The Jezabels

The Temper Trap

Who are Boy and Bear again? Cold Chisel get the nostalgic nod and if it's a hip hop heavy night, the Hilltop Hoods could walk out winner. But remember what I said about Album of the Year nominees? When they're up for a lesser award, expect them to win. In this case, there's two of them; The Jezabels and The Temper Trap. Both are deserving, so who's it going to be?

Who Should Win: The Jezabels

Who Will Win: The Jezabels

Best Male Artist

 

 360

Angus Stone

Gotye

Guy Sebastian

Keith Urban

Matt Corby

You know, part of me wants to see 360 win this. But Gotye did lead the Billboard Hot 100 for eight weeks this year. But that was in America. Oooooh. Tough one.

Who Should Win: Gotye

Who Will Win: Gotye 

Best Female Artist

 

Jessica Mauboy

Kimbra

Lanie Lane

Missy Higgins

Washington

I love you Kimbra, but following my trusty formula there's only one logical winner here. And she's Australian music's golden girl. Who's actually Australian. Thanks for coming Washington, Lanie Lane and J Mauboy!

Who Should Win: Kimbra

Who Will Win: Missy Higgins

Song Of The Year

 

360 ft. Gossling - Boys Like You

Delta Goodrem - Sitting On Top Of The World

Guy Sebastian - Don't Worry Be Happy

Hilltop Hoods ft. Sia - I Love It

Jessica Mauboy ft. Stan Walker - Galaxy

Justice Crew - Boom Boom

Matt Corby - Brother

Reece Mastin - Good Night

Ricki-Lee - Do It Like That

Timomatic - Set It Off

Sweet. Merciful. Zeus. I believe this is a fan voted award... which terrifies me. The thought of Delta Goodrem's 'Sitting On Top Of The World' winning should make me feel sick, but the thought of Reece Mastin or Timomatic or Justice Crew or Ricki Lee or Guy Sebastian winning for those songs... I need to take a moment. 

...

This is the worst thing to happen. Ever. Never put power like this in the hands of the general population.

Who Should Win: 360 ft. Gossling

Who Will Win: Someone awful.

Who Will Lose: People with taste. 

Album Of The Year

 

360 - Falling and Flying

Gotye - Making Mirrors

Missy Higgins - The Ol' Razzle Dazzle

The Jezabels - Prisoner

The Temper Trap - The Temper Trap

Five pretty awesome albums, but you can't really say who it's going to be. A 360 win would be huge. Gotye winning would cap off a ridiculously successful eighteen months. Missy Higgins is one of the country's greatest musical assests. The Jezabels have shown that they are a force to be reckoned with and The Temper Trap are... well... they're like Coldplay. But good. They should be playing stadium shows around the country right now. I honestly have no idea who's going to take this one out... and that kind of makes it a little bit interesting. Right?

Who Should Win: The Jezabels

Who Will Win: 360... or Gotye.  

Top 20 - 26 August, 2012

Laneway!

1. Texas Tea - Heart Says Yes (Head Says No) (2 weeks at #1!)





2. Laneway - Love Is A Devil (NEW)





3. Asta - My Heart Is On Fire (NEW)





4. Grace Potter and The Nocturnals - Stars





5. Tame Impala - Elephant

Top 20 - 5 February, 2012



Of Monsters and Men!



1. Of Monsters and Men - Little Talks (NEW)





2. Santigold - Big Mouth





3. Shaun Brennan - Stay





4. Ladyhawke - Black, White and Blue





5. M.I.A - Bad Girls (NEW)

2011 Scene Awards - Australian Artist of the Year



We Love... Sneaky Sound System!


Australian music reached new heights in 2011, with our local favourites (old and new) putting out a whole bunch of future classics throughout the year. Last year we clapped our hands as Sia took the crown. See what I did there? No. Ok. Well, who was the best of the best in the land of AUS this year?! There were eighteen potential nominees in my original list and I've cut it down to the ten acts that really delivered the goods in 2011. Let's meet them... now!

Architecture in Helsinki

2011 Release: Moment Bends

Architecture in Helsinki set the blogosphere alight with their new album, Moment Bends. Tracks like 'Contact High,' 'Escapee,' 'W.O.W' and 'Desert Island' have been on high rotation and hopefully a couple of them earn enough votes to make it big on the JJJ Hottest 100.

Art Vs. Science

2011 Release: The Experiment

These Sydney-based dance kings finally released their debut LP to almost universal acclaim and walked away ARIA Award winners in the Best Independent Release category. Their video for 'Higher' stands as one of the best of the year too!

Top 111 Songs of 2011, #50 - 41

We're into the top 50 now! It's only the best of the best... of the best (what?) from here on in! Your next ten hits are coming right up!


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 & 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 - Turn Me On

The Grates

Wrap yourself around me, do it just define me,

do it to ignite me, do it as a friend.

The Grates may not have made the impact they deserved to in 2011 with third album, Secret Rituals, but as far as I'm concerned, I would follow Patience Hodgson and John Patterson to the end of the world (and back again) if I had a chance at watching them do their thing. Their thing? Being awesome. 'Turn Me On' showed that the duo could still deliver delicious indie pop, even without former drumster, Alana Skyring. 

#49 - Blue Jeans

by Lana Del Rey

You were sorta punk rock,

I grew up on hip-hop.

What did we learn? That Lana Del Rey will, "love you more than those b*tches before!" One of my favourite lyrics of the year and one of the best love songs of the year from our favourite new indie darling.

Top 111 Songs of 2011, #70 - 61



Rihanna... making some sort of statement.


Since we're doing 111 songs this year, I guess this post brings us to our halfway mark! If you're only joining us now, here are the awesome tracks you've missed;


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 - Big

by Sneaky Sound System

This is the moment we've been waiting for,

This could be big for me and you.

I loved 'Big' when I first heard it, but when I heard Miss Connie singing it live in the roller disco tent at Bestival I fell in love with it. Like I said in the Bestival recap, her vocal ability blew me away and I wasn't the only one. I have a sneaky suspicion that Australia's funnest dance duo (not named The Presets) gained many new fans that night. It's just a shame that songs like 'Big' weren't as, uh... big... as they should have been. Less than 70, 000 YouTube hits? Should be 7, 000, 000!

#69 - We Found Love

by Rihanna ft. Calvin Harris

Yellow diamonds in the light,

Now we're standing side by side...

Yes, I might have been less than kind in my original review of 'We Found Love.' Yes, I was wrong to think it was anything other than a tasty piece of electro-pop. No need to tell me, "I told you so."

Top 20 - 28 August, 2011



Florence (sans Machine).



1. Florence + The Machine - What the Water Gave Me (NEW)





2. Washington - Holy Moses





3. Marina and the Diamonds - Radioactive (NEW)





4. Rachael Yamagata - Starlight





5. Kimbra - Good Intent

Song of the Day - Big

Sneaky Sound System - Big

Album: From Here To Anywhere (2011)

Sneaky Sound System - Big by modularpeople

Sneaky Sound System have released their next single... don't you tell your mother! We love, we love, we love a bit of sneaky and 'Big' is another awesome track Miss Connie and Co. can add to their collection. Expectations for the video are high after the brilliant 'We Love' clip. The video for 'Big' was shot in Vegas, so it should be pretty darn good. Everything's good in Vegas. Listen and love!

Rating: 4/5

Top 20 - 5 June, 2011



Sneaky Sound System!


1. The Grates - Turn Me On (#1 for 2 weeks!)





2. Beirut - East Harlem (NEW)





3. Eddie Vedder and Cat Power - Tonight You Belong to Me (NEW)





4. Sneaky Sound System - We Love (NEW)





5. Bon Iver - Calgary

Top 300 Songs of the 2000s, #200 - 191



Pink: She's got her rock moves and she don't need you tonight.


We're in top 200 territory! Keep an eye out for hits from the biggest acts in the music industry today. They'll be popping up all over the place. Mostly here. Mostly now. And tomorrow. And the next day. Probably the one after that too. You get my point, right? Wonderful.

#200 - Hearts On Fire (2007)

by Cut Copy

With hearts on fire I reach out to you tonight...

They've just released their latest album, Zonoscope, to virtually universal critical acclaim. Will any song on it be able to match their incredible hits from the past like 'Hearts On Fire?' Go get the album and find out for yourself! 

Summer Lovin'

The travel bug has bitten me hard. Seriously, it hurt. Those travel bugs are out of control... watch out! Anyway, I'm off to Croatia on Sunday. Jealous? To celebrate my travels here's some sweet, sweet summer anthems. Croatia will be a good chance to soak up some sun whilst relaxing on the beach, beverage in hand... these are just a handful of the songs that will likely be on repeat.

DESTINATION UNKNOWN - Alex Gaudino

WHEN LOVE TAKES OVER - David Guetta ft. Kelly Rowland

PUSH UP - Freestylers

SONG 4 MUTYA (OUT OF CONTROL) - Groove Armada ft. Mutya Buena

GET SHAKY - The Ian Carey Project

LET ME THINK ABOUT IT - Fedde Le Grand vs Ida Corr

HEARTBEATS - The Knife

ICE CREAM - New Young Pony Club

RIVERSIDE - Sidney Samson

I LOVE IT - Sneaky Sound System

WHERE THE PARTY'S AT - Tonite Only