Top 112 Songs of 2012 - #100 - 91

The Jungle Giants!

#112 - 101

#100. Transgender

by Crystal Castles

Nothing can live up to promise...

Crystal Castles are the group I shouldn’t like, but do. In fact, I love everything they do. This might have a lot to do with their general “I don’t give a fuck” attitudes. Do you know what Alice is saying? I don’t. But I don’t give a fuck. (Katie Langley)


If there's one group that continues to play to their strengths, it's Crystal Castles. 'Transgender' is all kinds of dark and unsettling, but it still makes you want to throw on a pair of those ridiculous MC Hammer-ish raver pants and get your dance on. They know what works for them and I hope they never change. They're just too good. (Matt Bond)  


There are thirty nine words in this song, but six of them are some of my favourite Crystal Castles lyrics; “nothing can live up to promise”. Crystal Castles album III defied this lyric and is everything one would come to expect from them. In Transgender, Alice Glass sings every word in a way only Alice Glass can; spooky, dark, brooding and a little bit ominous, with Ethan Kath’s layered and somewhat broken sounding synths and beats keeping the mood nice and eerie, this is Crystal Castles at their intimidating best. (Jo Michelmore)

#99. She's A Riot

by The Jungle Giants (AUS)

 

When you're with me you won't ever be so lonely.

Brisbane-based indie rockers, The Jungle Giants have a knack for writing catchy tunes that get stuck in your head and refuse to budge. Have you listened to 'She's A Riot'? No? Give it a go and you'll be bopping along to it in your head for days and weeks to come. (Matt Bond)  


This is the opening track from The Jungle Giants EP of the same name and She Look Like A Riot is perfect indie pop. Starting with a simple guitar riff and a hand clap, there’s no way this could go wrong. The hand clapping continues throughout and everyone knows just how much I love a handclap (that would be very, very, very much) so of course I love this track! Not only that, even though its inspiration was an ex-girlfriend of vocalist Sam Hales, it’s happy and bouncy and incredibly catchy. Just to make me like it a little more, they’re from my hometown, which makes me only slightly biased.  (Jo Michelmore)

It passes the dance test. I like it. It’s upbeat. There are fun guitars. Yes, that’s a technical term. (Katie Langley)

#98. Low High

by Ella Hooper (AUS)

Who knows, who knows,

The emptiness I find.

There is nothing more that I would love then for Killing Heidi to get back together and deliver unto me some sweet, sweet post-grunge pop that made me fall in love with them at the end of the 90s. You know what though? An Ella Hooper solo album is well overdue and the new direction she's taken with her sound, as heard on 'Low High,' has completely won me over. If this is the new Ella Hooper, bring on a whole album of songs as good as this! The dreads are long gone (they have been for quite a while) and indie hipster is in. She seems made for the role of indie chanteuse, wacky and loveable dance moves and all. Bringing in Graveyard Train for some call and response is just icing on the red velvet cupcake that is 'Low High.' Jo... can you make some red velvet cupcakes please?  (Matt Bond)


It’s hard to imagine this is the same cute alt-girl who sang all those awesome pop/rock songs with Killing Heidi twelve years ago now. A completely different all grown up Ella Hooper, Low High was just the first fabulous taste of what’s to come on her solo debut In Tongues. I loved this song from the very first listen and still like to throw it on repeat every now and then. It’s a much more reserved Ella than we’re used to, but it shows her ability as an artist to know light and dark, low and high (yep, I just said that). As well as that, the clip is absolutely stunning, one of my faves for the year. (Jo Michelmore)

Before I listened to the song I decided I love it. I mean, who doesn’t have a soft spot for Killing Heidi? Growing up Ella was that super cool rock chick I wished I could be. There’s less of a grunge element to this song which showcases just how beautiful Ella’s voice is. (Katie Langley)

Top 20 - 1 July, 2012

Ella Hooper leads an all-Australian top 4!

1. Ella Hooper ft. Graveyard Train - Low High (NEW)




Ella Hooper - Low High (Official Video) from Ella Hooper on Vimeo.


2. The Presets - Youth In Trouble (NEW)





3. Timothy Carroll - If I Were You (NEW)





4. Ruby Boots - Wise Up





5. Tilly and The Wall - Love Riot (NEW)


Tilly & the Wall - Love Riot by Team Love Records

New Music Monday #13

Timothy Carroll!

If I Were You
by Timothy Carroll
Album: Where the Storms Would Come (2012)

Brisbane's Timothy Carroll has released the first single from his upcoming second LP and it's undoubtedly destined to be his breakout track. 'If I Were You' keeps the focus on Carroll's stellar vocal delivery as the music builds and builds upon itself in the background, rolling along until its stunning conclusion. You find yourself being drawn further into the song with the introduction of each new element and before you know it, the song's over and you're already geared up to hit 'play' again. Repeat that a couple of times and you're left eagerly anticipating the release of Where the Storms Would Come. JJJ will hopefully get behind Timothy Carroll in a big way this year and I expect 'If I Were You' to follow a similar path that Emma Louise's 'Jungle' did last year. Top 20 on the Hottest 100? If 'Big Jet Plane' can get to #1, anything can happen.

Matt Bond gives 'If I Were You' five Nick Cave's out of five... 

A Little Too Young

by Sunday Lane

Album: From Where You Are (2012)

You'd be forgiven for thinking that Sunday Lane was a touch older than her 22 years of age would suggest. There's a quality in this singer-songwriter's voice that is more becoming of an artist with a whole lot more experience. Her voice is warm, charming and the message she's sending through it is kinda infectious. Give 'A Little Too Young' a listen and try to keep that smile off your face. Couldn't do it, could you? Oh, you could? And just how did you lose your soul? Combine her voice with some lyrics that seem wise beyond the years of their writer and you've got yourselves one of the most intriguing new artists of the year. I didn't know a thing about this young performer from Tulsa before today, but I'll be finding out as much as I can now. First thing to do? Check out her debut album, From Where You Are.

Matt Bond gives 'A Little Too Young' three Karen O's out of five...

NEW MUSIC VIDEO OF THE WEEK

Wide Awake

by Katy Perry

Album: Teenage Dream: The Complete Confection (2012)

If the rumours are true and this is Katy’s four and a half minute visual take on her split with Russell Brand, then I’m totally Team Russell.

Jo Michelmore gives the 'Wide Awake' video two Key-Dollar Sign-Ha's out of five... 

Out On The Town - QLD Music Awards 2012 Launch

Queensland Music Awards Launch

@ Black Bear Lodge

We put our scheduled interview with Adele on hold last night* to head on down to the Black Bear Lodge for this year's launch of Queensland's biggest music awards. Following a successful debut in 2011, the Queensland Music Awards will be back on August 14 at the Old Museum and nomination are open now for all the exciting acts coming out of Brisbane and beyond. Last year's big winner, emma louise (Song of the Year - 'Jungle'), will surely be in contention once more, as will It's My Kind of Scene favourites Inland Sea and The Medics. The latter were also winners last year, walking away with the Indigenous music award for 'Beggars.' 

You can also expect to see some nominations for new favourites, Timothy Carroll and Mardi Lumsden. Both artists performed mini-sets at the launch and by each act's third number, I was already planning to hunt down their music and find out where and when they're playing live. The debonair, engaging and overall fantastic Timothy Carroll will be playing Woodland next Friday (March 9). Do I dare brave the hipsters for quality music. Yes. Yes I shall. You should too, because Carroll's voice is quite possibly the best Australian male voice I've heard since Matt Walters. Combining the sounds of Kim Richey, She and Him and Feist, Mardi Lumsden was enchanting alongside her banjo playing husband. She looks like an uber-Lisa Loeb/Zooey Deschanel love child too... extra points! I see that Mardi Lumsden and the Rising Seas will be supporting Phil Monsour's CD launch in West End, April 21... at Souths Leagues Club. They deserve a more kick ass venue.

So... back to the Queensland Music Awards. Know some friends in awesome local bands? Tell them to get their nominations in now through the Q Music website! You can find all the info on how to enter, plus read about last year's winners! For the emerging talent... I've got a little something for you too. The Billy Thorpe Scholarship is up for grabs again in 2012, offering new local bands or solo artists the chance to win a $10 000 grant to put towards building their profile. Not too shabby. Get your application in quick, because this could be the chance of a lifetime for a new artist. Entries close April 30.

Alright, that's it... spread the word kids. Let your friends in local bands know and get those nominations in!

*By interview with Adele, I meant getting my daily dose of Grey's Anatomy. What of it?