The Last 5 Years, #50 - 41

Ngaiire, Curxes, The Black Keys + Lady Gaga!

Hey hey, here we are again, celebrating our fifth birthday by looking at all the things we've loved in the last five years. Well, all things musically that is...

#100 - 91

#90 - 81

#80 - 71

#70 - 61

#60 - 51

#50. ABCD 

by Ngaiire





We only die once not twice
So call off the fire brigade, douse me in kerosene
Turn away the rescue ships, anchor me from the hips.

 

This is easily one of the best pieces of songwriting to come out of Australia is years. And when you combine that with the stunning vocal power that Ngaiire has? Well you're in for a treat, friends. Ngaiire's impeccable performance is packed full of emotion and works as the light to the darkness of the words she's singing. 'ABCD' is an internal battle for the ages, with our leading lady valiantly fending off the crushing reality around her. I interpret things weird, get over it and just enjoy this epic track from one of our greatest talents. And then look forward to the release of Ngaiire's upcoming sophomore album! (Matt Bond)

#49. LONELY BOY

by The Black Keys





So you pulled my heart out
And I don't mind bleeding
Any old time you keep me waiting...

 

I question anyone who doesn't feel the need to at least nod their head in some manner as soon as the opening notes of 'Lonely Boy' are heard. Ok, if you have to wait until the drums kick in, then I might just accept that, but if you don't feel the muscles in the back of your neck forcing your head backward and forward by the time Dan Auerbach starts singing "Well I'm so above you and it's plain to see" then perhaps we may need to check your heartbeat. Still alive? What's your excuse then? I'm not saying you have to have the moves of the incredibly funky guy in the clip, because let's face it, very few of us are that cool, but if you can stop yourself from moving at least a fingertip then, well, I'm glad you're here, but have you checked that heartbeat I mentioned earlier? (Jo Michelmore) 

#48. HOWL

by Lester The Fierce





You want me quiet, I don't know how
My spirit sings, so here I howl.

 

Oh, Anita Lester. You created just over three and a half minutes of pure magic here. 'Howl' was the most pleasant surprise to come into our blog inbox back in 2013 and the perfect introduction to Lester The Fierce. It's like stepping back to the mid 90s, when rock was all about sexy guitars, beating drums and wailing voices. Or in this case, howling voices. See what I did there? See? My feelings for the track are exactly the same as when I first heard it. So much love. How did this not blow up? I just can't get enough. That chorus. Urgh. Amazing. Can we get some more of this goodness as soon as possible please, Anita? Thanks in advance. (Matt Bond)

#47. MY HEAD, MY HEART

by Hey Lady





Push me to the limit
Taking it all the way.

 

Ooh ooh ooh I do love me a good bit of rock. I love the driving guitars and I love the solid combined vocals and I love the little bit of angst and I love the dirty beats and I love being thrown back into somewhere in the 90s and I love the grungy feelings and I love wanting to chuck on my docs and some ripped tights and a floral dress and I love wanting to bounce around a dark dingy room to the sounds of two girls from Newcastle. I also love that they are called Hey Lady, which I of course can’t say without an accent every time I say it, which is kind of silly, but I also can’t stop myself from listening to ‘My Head My Heart’ which is not silly at all, especially when the rock is this good. (Jo Michelmore)

#46. BEWARE THE DOG

by The Griswolds





Beware the dog who's selling songs about defeat
Begging for love but you're old enough to know better than you know.

 

The Griswolds should be way more famous. Don't get me wrong, they're doing really well for themselves. Out touring the world, releasing a banging debut album, hitting it big on the Hottest 100. But come on, they're the funnest. Everyone can enjoy their ridiculously catchy party anthems that the young'uns and the old'un can get down to. Ridiculously catchy party anthems like 'Beware The Dog'. You'll know it. Triple J were all over it last year, with good reason. It's the bomb, from the opening guitar lines to the closing drums. The accompanying clip is some Red Riding Hood meets the Wold Man weirdness with limbs flying errywhere. You'll love it. And you'll love The Griswolds. But you should already. (Matt Bond)

#45. CIRROHSIS

by Our Man In Berlin





Just a little more time
Just a bit of control.

 

I don’t even know how this band came to our little blog, I think Matt found them somewhere sometime in 2013, but I do know our love of these guys from Western Australia has been well documented over the last couple of years. There's a reason we've kept writing about them and that reason is pretty simple. They just keep writing and recording such impressive songs. ‘Cirrhosis’, the third single from their debut EP is it right? is everything Our Man In Berlin are; it’s dreamy, mesmerising, subtle but honest, complex without being confusing and so very hypnotic. The spell they manage to put me under over the last couple of years hasn’t lifted yet and I’m hoping they soon share more of their magical sounds to keep me entranced for the next few years as well. (Jo Michelmore)

#44. VALKYRIE

by Curxes



I've never been patient, subtle or vacant
When thinking of ways that could persuade...

 

I can't remember exactly how Jo stumbled upon UK blitz-pop duo, Curxes. But I'm sure glad she did. With every new slice of industrial-electronic goodness released I'm left loving them more and more. 'Valkyrie' is totally out of control, with beats coming at you from all around making you want to jump around... jump around, jump up, jump up and get down. Yep. We've got Mr. Macaulay Hopwood to thank for that. Roberta Fidora kills it, as she always does, and you'll be screaming along to every word with her. You just won't be as good as her. Fidora's voice is A+, 100%, 10/10 level good. I think 'Valkyrie' could be my favourite Curxes track yet. I'm assuming you'll be able to find it on their upcoming debut album Verxes. And you can add that to your list of must-listen albums for 2015. (Matt Bond)

#43. I FOLLOW RIVERS

by Lykke Li





You're my river running high
Run deep, run wild.

 

It’s so funny how some songs are ones you follow and others are ones that follow you. Some songs take you straight back to wherever it was you first heard them, or to a place and time in your life and then other songs are ones that keep creeping up on you, following you through your life as you go, a little bit creepy like. Lykke Li seems to have a way with music that does a little of both; I can almost remember exactly where I was the first time I heard this song, but I can also name you many times I’ve sung along and nodded my head to those drums, singing the “I I follow, I follow you” over and over again. Is Lykke Li stalking me? Well I don't really mind, those beats, those synths, that voice, they're all so fabulous, like almost everything Lykke Li does. (Jo Michelmore)

#42. 90s MUSIC

by Kimbra





And then the radio played that song we used to sing.

 

I’m not sure where it was it that Kimbra was meant to go after the massive commercial success of ‘Somebody I Used To Know’ and therefore the huge amount of interest in her own debut Vows. I guess she could have released a quick-fire pop tune about love and parties and other straightforward (read: dull) things and she could have gathered herself a little legion of listeners who love playful pop. That wouldn’t have necessarily been a bad thing, but anyone who really listened and understood her first releases would understand that’s not the kind of thing that artists like Kimbra do. Artists like Kimbra go wherever they goddamn please and Ms Kimbra took us somewhere so unexpected but impressive when she released ‘90s Music’. It was a journey of pop and guitars and electro sounds and (almost) prog rock and vocal effects and it was a little confronting and sometimes confusing and it was exactly as I expect Kimbra to be. She’s an artist not afraid to experiment, not afraid to wear her musical heart on her sleeve and she’s an artist with a boldness that most can only wish they had. With all of that, she’s an artist that we here on this blog have loved for most of our five years and will probably be loving for another five yet. (Jo Michelmore)

#41. THE EDGE OF GLORY

by Lady Gaga





There ain't no reason you and me should be alone
Tonight, yeah baby
Tonight, yeah baby.

 

Can't we all go back to 2011, when the world was obsessed with Lady Gaga. We can all be happy again, like we were in middle school. Or not, whatever. Those were great times though. When we knew all the moves to the dance in 'Bad Romance', a good night out was determined by how many times we heard 'Poker Face' (ma ma ma maaaa) and Ariana Grande wasn't a thing. Lady Gaga might not ever be THE major force in pop again (although never say never), but for a couple of years she was the biggest star in the world. Born This Way was one of the most anticipated albums of ever and it didn't disappoint. How could it when it had tracks like 'The Edge of Glory'. Alright, 'Hair' was ridic, but 'The Edge of Glory' brought the saxophone back in a big way. It's pure, undiluted pop perfection that pays homage to the big, stadium ready hits of the 80s in a way that no other pop act today could pull off. (Matt Bond)

Top 25 - 20 April, 2014

Lana, Lester, Lykke...

1. Our Man In Berlin - Flight





2. I Know Leopard - Daisy Eyes





3. Ayla - Wish I Was





4. Lana Del Rey - West Coast (NEW)





5. Little Dragon - Paris





6. Holly Who - Get A Little More





7. Ingrid Michaelson ft. A Great Big World - Over You (NEW)





8. Hudson and Troop - Frameless (NEW)





9. Dear Plastic - Buck Up and Pay the Reaper





10. Lester The Fierce - January (NEW)





11. The Cathars - Delusion's Daze (NEW)





12. Caitlin Park - Lemonade (NEW)





13. Ingrid Michaelson - Afterlife





14. Kelis - Rumble





15. Pepa Knight - Rahh!





16. David Gray - Back In The World (NEW)





17. Wolf Alice - Storms (NEW)





18. The Antlers - Palace





19. Lykke Li - Gunshot (NEW)





20. First Aid Kit - My Silver Lining





21. Ma Petite - Lonesome (NEW)





22. tUnE-yArDs - Water Fountain





23. Sia - Chandelier





24. The Black Keys - Turn Blue (NEW)





25. Hopium - Cut

Top 25 - 30 March, 2014

Holly Who? Holly Clayton, that's who. Get ready for some soulful goodness, straight out of Newcastle!

1. Holly Who - Get A Little More (NEW)





2. Sia - Chandelier





3. Our Man In Berlin - Flight (NEW)





4. tUnE-yArDs - Water Fountain





5. Hopium - Cut (NEW)





6. Safia - Paranoia, Ghosts and Other Sounds





7. Kingswood - Suckerpunch





8. The Black Keys - Fever (NEW)
 




9. Michelle Xen - My Cells





10. Dear Plastic - Buck Up And Pay The Reaper (NEW)





11. Inouwee - Explode





12. Bec Laughton - Number 1 (Heartbreak) (NEW)
 




13. Velociraptor - Ramona (NEW)





14. Twin Lakes - The Ageing Field





15. Clare Maguire - Whenever You Want It





16. Tempura Nights - Cocky (NEW)





17. Brody Dalle - Don't Mess With Me





18. The Cairos - Desire (NEW)





19. Steve Smyth - Shake It





20. Jack Colwell and The Owls - Far From View





21. Bonjah - Honey





22. Tori Amos - Trouble's Lament (NEW)





23. Lady Gaga - G.U.Y (NEW)





24. The Good Sports - Walking





25. Lykke Li - No Rest For The Wicked

Gig Review - The Black Keys (26/10/12)

THE BLACK KEYS (26/10/12)

Live @ The Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Review by Jo Michelmore

There are some bands that are amazing to see in a tiny venue; maybe a bar or a smoke filled room somewhere, their music begs to fill small spaces and 'nooks in the wall' type venues. There are some bands that need to play giant arenas, stadiums filled with tens of thousands of people all screaming and bouncing and filling a huge space with energy. Then there are bands like the Black Keys.


I’m going to admit, a venue of the ‘arena’ type, the Brisbane Entertainment Centre is not a venue I love. It’s situated in swamplands on the outskirts of the city. Surrounded by suburbia, the venue itself is cold and harsh and a little dated (not in a good way) it’s not the ideal place to see live music. This wasn’t the place I was hoping to see the Keys, but I go wherever the music takes me and last Friday night that’s where I needed to be.


Some silhouettes across a white screen backdrop and the distinctive drums of ‘Howlin’ For You’ open the show and immediately I know I’m in for a special live music experience, they sound exactly as they should, every note where it needs to be and it doesn’t take long before that “da da da da da” refrain has the venue filled with the sound of voices singing along. They power through song after song of amazing, mainly from their more recent offerings, ‘Brothers’ and ‘El Camino’ but the standout tracks came from numerous albums; ‘Dead And Gone’, Thickfreakness’, ‘Ten Cent Pistol’ and ‘Lonely Boy’ being especially strong. Dan Auerbach is one of those special people who is able to make his guitar pull your heart out of your chest in one song (hello ‘Girl Is On My Mind’, which I never wanted to end) and then he has you dancing like a puppet on his string the next (hello ‘Gold On the Ceiling’; I challenge anyone who wasn’t moving during that performance to prove they have a heartbeat). That’s not to take anything away from drummer Patrick Carney, who keeps everything together, whether it be as part of a four piece (as they are with keyboard player/guitarist player John Wood and bassist Gus Seyffert on this current tour) or a two piece, Patrick takes them from rootsy blues right through to garage rock and some 70’s psychedelia. Interestingly, stripping back to a two piece (as they did mid-way through the set and for the encore) seems to create the biggest impression, it’s during these moments I can see myself sitting in that small bar watching two boys on a tiny stage in the corner, but I’m also keenly aware of the sound of rock music, which is made for stadiums. My favourite part of any gig, the sing-along, is strong in ‘Little Black Submarines’ and although the crowd is small, they savour every minute of it.

Finishing the set with the audience pleasing ‘Lonely Boy’, I do wonder if they’ll come back for more, but as I see what seems to be one of the world’s biggest disco balls being lowered from the roof, I suspect I’m in for something special. This is a moment that can only be had in a large venue and literally took my breath away, during the lighting created for ‘Everlasting Light’, I gasped “wow” numerous times and judging by the amount of instagram photos hash tagged ‘Black Keys’, ‘disco ball’ and ‘pretty’ after the show, it seems a lot of other people were just as impressed. They pulled out all their big arena tricks for the encore, with a flashing Vegas style ‘Black Keys’ sign lowered for the final song, they were tricks perfectly timed as they left the crowd on a high, not ready for the end.


Bands like the Black Keys are special. In a big arena they have the ability to fill it completely with rock and dancing and noise like a big venue should be filled but they haven’t lost the ability to pull each and every audience member to the stage, feeling intimate and welcomed and comfortable. There’s a special talent in being able to do that and it’s one I hope to witness again, soon.

Who Do You Think You Are - Rach Sorensen

Conceptually mad? Nope. It's Rach Sorensen!

It's about time we started doing some 'mash-ups' with other blogs we love and tonight we're getting this initiative rolling with Rach Sorensen, the writer behind our favourite new read, The Concept of Madness. "A place where those of a creative nature which dance on the borders of hypo-mania can find some daily rest." With thoughts and posts ranging from the meaning of inspiration and the muse to Where the Wild Things Are drawings to satisfy that cool inner-90s kid lurking within, Rach and her concept and challenge of madness, the weird and the wonderful are a must-read. Rach has a great appreciation for music too, which makes her the perfect candidate for our weekly interview session! We had a chat about the last song she'd ever want to hear, dream festival booking, underrated artists and I go all psychoanalytical for a minute too. Enjoy and don't forget to head on over to The Concept of Madness for a good read after!


Q. What have been your favourite songs of 2012 so far? 

Rach: Frank Ocean ‘Thinking About You’ has got to be my absolute most preferred of 2012. I have logistical evidence of this with my iTunes clocking 482 plays shifting it over into the ‘freakily obsessed’ category. The song was actually a 2011 debut by Frank but considering it is featured on his new album ‘Channel Orange’ released this month I will ignore this technicality. Besides it just being an insanely good song for reasons that go beyond written or verbal description but can only be experienced, the recent announcement of Franks homosexuality gives the lyrics a whole new dimension and re-invents the heavenly awesomeness of the song again. It is the song that keeps on giving.

In between Frank, my other 2012 releases on repeat are ‘Angels’ by The XX (I am an The XX lemming, they could release anything and I’d follow it… except it wouldn’t lead me to disaster like an actual Lemming) and staying true to my hip-hop blood ‘Sleepless Dreamers’ by The Pro-Letarians, a duo from Indiana and my new all-time faves.


Q./Statement? - You were writing about Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud recently on The Concept of Madness, so I'm going to go all psychoanalyst (or something) on you by playing a little game called word association. I'm gonna throw some phrases, singers or bands at you and you just write down the first word that comes to your head. Got it? Great. Here we go...

I know this is droppin' it, but I don't know if it's hot...

Rach:
i) The X Factor – (Scream!)
ii) Nicki Minaj – Lil’ Kim?
iii) Justin Bieber - Iloveyou
iv) 90s Music – Lives!
v) One Direction - Shame


Q. What would be the last song you'd ever want to hear. Ever. And why?

 

Rach: Ever! You are so morbid. ‘The Woman In You’ by Ben Harper. I can’t even tell you why. It has been my number one song of all time ever since I heard it eleven years ago yet I have never been able to pinpoint exactly why I am so irrationally head over heels for it. I guess mystery is just the nature of true love. All I know is that every time it plays my heart flips and throbs and does all weird stuff.


Q./Challenge? - I'm assuming you like to make lists. Make a list for me now! The theme of the list? The 10 most underrated music acts. Go!



Rach:
1) N.E.R.D. (I know there are less-fortunate people in the world to feel sorry for than Pharrell Williams but I still believe N.E.R.D. never received the praise and glory they were worthy of. I put it down to being too ahead of their time.)
2) Ja Rule – Judge away… I have grown quite accustomed to it.
3) The Pro-Letarians – Listen to them now! No I am not their publicist.
4) Badly Drawn Boy – I cannot comprehend why every single person in the whole world doesn’t love them.
5) Keith Sweat – Twisted? Anyone?? Nup, just me.
6) Kings of Convenience – They’re like a cuter, Frencher Jack Johnson…. C’mon!!!!
7) Post-Country Grammar-Contemporary-Day Nelly – Give him a second chance, the guy tries really hard, he just wants us to like him that’s all.
8) Robin Thicke – Australians still haven’t clued on, seemingly he is the one and only thing Americans have gotten right.
9) The Weeknd – It upsets me when Lil’ Wayne gets air-time over him. Sigh.
10) Rocki Evans – Just as good as Frank Ocean. Yep, I said it.

"What do you mean people don't like me?"

Q. Splendour In The Grass is done for the year and the Big Day Out line-up has left fans divided. If The Concept of Madness put on their own festival, who'd you put on the bill?


Rach: Oh my Lordy, ready and inhale...

TheBlackKeys,TheProLetarians,Phoneix,HologramTupac,ReincarnatedNotoriousB.I.G,GhostofMJ,
AnthonyHamilton,MusiqSoulchild,SBTRKT,LaurynHill,VanMorrison,Common,MariahCarey,BonIver,
KanyeWest (scrap that because then Kim would have to come and I would have to entertain her and I just… ugh no I couldn’t), Jodeci, Drake, BenHarper, ActiveChild, HologramAliyah.


Q. Finish this sentence; music is important to me because...


Rach: It is the most rewarding source of inspiration available that requires the least amount of effort to reap its heart stirring rewards. I don’t have to read it. I don’t have to watch it. I don’t have to scroll down it. I don’t have to flip any pages. I don’t have to exert any physical energy whatsoever. All I have to do is sit and listen.


Thanks to Rach for her amazing answers. That's so true about music being the most rewarding medium to require so little from you. You can sign me up for The Concept of Madness Festival too... so many holograms, so little time! Don't forget, you could be next dear readers... you've just got to like our Facebook page! Speaking of Facebook, have a look at The Concept of Madness on Facebook too! 

We Live In A Political World

With each January comes the most important public vote of the year. A time when you must stand up and make your voice be heard. A time when your vote can make a difference. Of course, I'm talking about the vote for the JJJ Hottest 100! 2012 federal elections be damned, for this is a real opportunity for you to get behind the people you love and help them go down in history as one of the greatest acts in music today. Vote with your heart and pick ten songs that you really want to hear come Australia Day. In need of some suggestions/inspiration? Here are the ten tracks that It's My Kind of Scene voted for...

Matt's JJJ Hottest 100 Picks:

Shake It Out

by Florence + The Machine

Contact High

by Architecture In Helsinki

2011 Scene Awards - Best Group



Was there a better group than Little Dragon in 2011?



Hello thurr and welcome back to the 2011 Scene Awards! If you're joining us for the first time or you find yourself in need of a quick recap, our previous winners are;


Video of the Year: 'Lonely Boy' by The Black Keys
Australian Artist of the Year: Seeker Lover Keeper
Best New Artist: James Blake and Lana Del Rey (Tie)


Now, we're mixing things up a little today. Since it's been about seven years since our last '10 and 1,' I thought I'd let its powers combine with the award for Best Group. Not only will you be reading about our top 10 groups (bands, collaborative efforts... anything that isn't a one man or woman show really), you'll also find out who we deemed to be the worst group of 2011. Whoever could it be? Read on and ye shall be informed!

The 10: Groups of the Year

10. The Black Keys

9. The Jezabels

2011 Scene Awards - Video of the Year

Where's Wally?

 

The Scene Awards are back! That's right, everyone else is handing out their end of year awards so it's about time we joined in on the fun. Just like last year, we'll begin by "handing out" our award for video of the year, with man and woman of the year, album of the year, best new artist, best group and Australian artist of the year awards to follow later in the week. Now, as you may remember, Music Video Mayhem was a semi-regular feature we had running throughout the year, pitting new music videos against one another Fight Club style. There could be only one winner per issue and now, all of those winners will be facing off against one another for the right to be named video of the year. Who's it gonna be?!

Amanda Palmer - In My Mind

Art Vs. Science - Higher

Top 111 Songs of 2011, #40 - 31

Are you excited? You say you're not that excited now, but once you realise that this countdown ends on Friday you're going to be very excited. Why? Because you can listen to the top 100 songs of the year all weekend. It's got highs, it's got lows... play them all and watch a party take some interesting turns! But that's not until Friday. Before then, we've got forty more bangin' (and I guess not so bangin') tunes to get through. On with the show!


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 - Techno Fan

by The Wombats

Shut up and move with me, move with me,

Or, or get out of my face...

You can dance to Joy Division as much as you want, but The Wombats really know how to make you want to move! 

#39 - Major

by Asteroids Galaxy Tour

You're the best, you're the most,

You're the toast of the Barbary coast.

Speaking of acts that make us want to move from left to right on a d-floor, it's Asteroids Galaxy Tour! These great Danes are on the verge of becoming one of the next big things in music, with their much anticipated sophomore album, Out of Frequency, set for release in January. 'Major,' the first single from the album gives us a perfect taste of what to expect; distinct pop sounds, party-starters and the vocal stylings of the beautiful and talented Mette  Lindberg. 2012 is already looking pretty good.

Top 111 Songs of 2011, #80 - 71

More goodness from 2011 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 - Money

by The Drums

I want to buy you something,

But I don't have any money, I don't have any money.

I'd like to buy many things for myself but, like The Drums, I don't have any money, I don't have any money. Unlike me, The Drums should have plenty of money, but the sophomore slump hit them pretty hard. Labelled only two years ago as one of the great hopes for indie music with the success of their self-titled debut album, these NY rocksters lost some of the magic on Portamento. Luckily, 'Money' was, uh... right on the money. It's as catchy as 'Forever and Ever Amen' or 'Let's Go Surfing.' In fact, it's probably even more catchy. It's just such a shame the rest of their second LP couldn't match the greatness of it.

#79 - The Struggle

by Liam Finn

Things are looking up, I'm looking good,

I'm getting all audacious...

Top 20 - 13 November, 2011

Black Keys run right back to #1.

1. The Black Keys - Run Right Back





2. Florence + The Machine - No Light, No Light





3. Amy Winehouse - Our Day Will Come





4. Little Boots - Shake





5. Mumford and Sons - Ghosts That We Knew

2010 Scene Awards - Best Group

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

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

Angus and Julia Stone

Arcade Fire

The Black Keys

Crystal Castles

The xx

Best Group

 

Winner - Arcade Fire

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

2010 Scene Awards, Video of the Year

Bruce was stylin' for the Gorillaz...

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

The Black Keys - Tighten Up

Gorillaz ft. Bobby Womack and Mos Def - Stylo

Kanye West ft. Dwele - Power

Sia - Clap Your Hands

The xx - Islands

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

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 100 Songs of 2010, #90 - 81

Darwin Deez... bringing the fun back.

#90 - Coming Around

by Hungry Kids of Hungary

I don't want you coming around,

But I think you'll come...

#89 - Rambling Man

by Laura Marling

I'll be damned if I'll be found there,

By someone you don't want to be...

#88 - Your Hands (Together)

by The New Pornographers

You can only cover so much territory of course,
Belting carols at the sun about the things you've lost...

#87 - Mowgli's Road

by Marina and the Diamonds

You say Y-E-S to everything,

Will that guarantee you a win?

#86 - In The Sun

by She and Him

Well alright, it's ok, we all get the slip sometimes everyday,

I'll just keep it to myself, in the sun...

#85 - Howlin' For You

by The Black Keys

There's something wrong, with this plot,

The actors here have not got a clue...

#84 - Time

by Selebrities

#83 - Tightrope

by Janelle Monae ft. Big Boi

You dance up on them haters,

Keep getting funky on the scene...

#82 - Up In The Clouds

by Darwin Deez

And I'm sorry, I let you down,

Down to the ground, but who cares now?

#81 - California Gurls

by Katy Perry ft. Snoop Dogg

Not only are these some of the best songs of the year, they're also some of the best videos. She and Him, The New Pornographers and *sigh* even Katy Perry offered up some awesome videos. I just like the gummy bear giving her the finger! Anyway... we've still got 80 songs to go... any guesses as to what's going to be #1?