the circus never dies
Top 10 Albums Of 2009
3. White Lies - To Lose My Life (Swisslet)
I fear there’s something in my makeup that predisposes me to like doomy guitar music. White Lies are just the latest in a long line of gloomy bands from Interpol to the National that have tickled my fancy… and to give an indication of how predictable my music tastes are, it was our very own LB who tipped me off that they were probably right up my street.
It may seem odd that three nice young men from leafy Chiswick should be singing these frequently overblown, portentous tales, but sing them they certainly do. Besides, it’s pretty hard to argue with songs as good as Death, Unfinished Business, To Lose My Life and Farewell to the Fairground. Joy Division’s influence alive and well on the middle-class youth of England, you’ll be pleased to hear.
Listen To: Farewell to the Fairground
3. a-Ha - Foot Of The Mountain (LB)
It seems slightly cliched that I, the king of the 80s, should be championing an a-Ha album as my third favourite record of 2009. Surely they haven't released anything decent since Stay On These Roads in 1989....?
I tell you what, a-Ha's album releases have been of a consistent quality that many bands can only dream of. Since the turn of the century, Lifelines, Analogue and now Foot of the Mountain have all been terrific records. They are full of that sparse electronic sound that is their hallmark complimented by Morten Harket's despairing vocals.
I was devastated to find out that, after 25 years, the band are splitting in 2010, just as it seems they are reaching the peak of their powers. A surprisingly stunning live act, their continued success is entirely due to the quality of albums like this one. It's as far from the 1980s as you could imagine - familiar, but modern and relevant. I salute the trio, I really do, as they have continued to make beautifully crafted, great pop records for the best part of a quarter of a century.
Listen to: Foot of the Mountain
3. Florence and the Machine - Lungs (bedshaped)
The name of the band couldn't be any more fitting. The name of the album is....perfect. The power at work here is Florence, her machine try their best to keep up with her.
Musically, it's a wonder to listen to. A totally flamboyant example of using all sorts of strange instruments and sounds, which really works wonders at keeping every track enjoyable to listen to. And then we get stories of relationships, misunderstandings, drug abuse, ex boyfriends....stories unfolding in a cleverly twisted way, lyrically. No doubt of her song writing capabilities. And no do she can sing her heart out, either. It's breathtaking.
Dreamy harps, chanting drum pounding, brass, strings, bells, boxes, whistles, foot taps, finger clicking, humming, toy noises, all kinds of stuff. Florence's powerful voice belts out emotional, note perfect stories; time, after time, after time. She sounds like a twenty a day girl, probably the occasional whiskey or three, with her deep grinding voice, oozing with sexual promise. She also sounds like you wouldn't wanna fall out with her. I mean....if she can holler like that when she sings, just imagine what she's like when she shouts at you!?
Favourite track....?
You Got The Love. I love Candy Staton's version of it. All five or so remixes! But the way Florence sings this, she gives it the push over the edge it needed, taking it to a whole different level. No remix of Ms Staton could have ever delivered a version with as much vocal energy as this. The climbing piano riff, the strings, the choir-esque background, oh those strings. It builds and builds.
Listen to: You Got The Love
3. White Lies - To Lose My Life (Swisslet)
I fear there’s something in my makeup that predisposes me to like doomy guitar music. White Lies are just the latest in a long line of gloomy bands from Interpol to the National that have tickled my fancy… and to give an indication of how predictable my music tastes are, it was our very own LB who tipped me off that they were probably right up my street.It may seem odd that three nice young men from leafy Chiswick should be singing these frequently overblown, portentous tales, but sing them they certainly do. Besides, it’s pretty hard to argue with songs as good as Death, Unfinished Business, To Lose My Life and Farewell to the Fairground. Joy Division’s influence alive and well on the middle-class youth of England, you’ll be pleased to hear.
Listen To: Farewell to the Fairground
3. a-Ha - Foot Of The Mountain (LB)
It seems slightly cliched that I, the king of the 80s, should be championing an a-Ha album as my third favourite record of 2009. Surely they haven't released anything decent since Stay On These Roads in 1989....?I tell you what, a-Ha's album releases have been of a consistent quality that many bands can only dream of. Since the turn of the century, Lifelines, Analogue and now Foot of the Mountain have all been terrific records. They are full of that sparse electronic sound that is their hallmark complimented by Morten Harket's despairing vocals.
I was devastated to find out that, after 25 years, the band are splitting in 2010, just as it seems they are reaching the peak of their powers. A surprisingly stunning live act, their continued success is entirely due to the quality of albums like this one. It's as far from the 1980s as you could imagine - familiar, but modern and relevant. I salute the trio, I really do, as they have continued to make beautifully crafted, great pop records for the best part of a quarter of a century.
Listen to: Foot of the Mountain
3. Florence and the Machine - Lungs (bedshaped)
The name of the band couldn't be any more fitting. The name of the album is....perfect. The power at work here is Florence, her machine try their best to keep up with her.Musically, it's a wonder to listen to. A totally flamboyant example of using all sorts of strange instruments and sounds, which really works wonders at keeping every track enjoyable to listen to. And then we get stories of relationships, misunderstandings, drug abuse, ex boyfriends....stories unfolding in a cleverly twisted way, lyrically. No doubt of her song writing capabilities. And no do she can sing her heart out, either. It's breathtaking.
Dreamy harps, chanting drum pounding, brass, strings, bells, boxes, whistles, foot taps, finger clicking, humming, toy noises, all kinds of stuff. Florence's powerful voice belts out emotional, note perfect stories; time, after time, after time. She sounds like a twenty a day girl, probably the occasional whiskey or three, with her deep grinding voice, oozing with sexual promise. She also sounds like you wouldn't wanna fall out with her. I mean....if she can holler like that when she sings, just imagine what she's like when she shouts at you!?
Favourite track....?
You Got The Love. I love Candy Staton's version of it. All five or so remixes! But the way Florence sings this, she gives it the push over the edge it needed, taking it to a whole different level. No remix of Ms Staton could have ever delivered a version with as much vocal energy as this. The climbing piano riff, the strings, the choir-esque background, oh those strings. It builds and builds.
Listen to: You Got The Love
delivered by LB at 9:13 AM
2 Discussions:
I have to say that to me, Florence's version of You Got The Love is hopelessly out of tune. It sounds like someone doing enthusiastic but bad karaoke.
Swisslet, White Lies....wow, just a brilliant album. I can't praise it enough and am really keen to hear how they follow it up.
LB, heard the Aha album a few weeks ago by another's recomendation. I liked it. A nice, mature sound. But Morton's voice is the winner on this album. Distinction!
It's a cool album.
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