Dec 22, 2008
Applause. Strobe lights. Fill music. Etc.
And the winner is… 808’s & Heartbreak by Kanye West (*applauses*). Usually when a commercial artists as big as Kanye West puts out a new record it sounds a lot like the last one, has three or four clear singles, a few filler tracks and that trademark “sound” just produced slightly differently. For me, 808’s & Heartbreak was the most brilliantly bizarre album of the year.
Kanye essentially dropped his trademark formula for some totally different sounds; some work like the distorted beats and vocals of Robocop whereas some don’t work so well such as the purposely scratch-record sound of Say You Will. What’s so impressive about 808’s & Heartbreak is not what has been done but the reason it’s been done. Let me put it to you in a different way: an artist that the whole world is watching releases the most personal album of the year. I’d hazard Kanye doesn’t give a shit what people think of this album because it’s what he wanted to write.
Just so happens it’s absolutely brilliant too, right.
“Fuck man, you only gave me this so you didn’t look racist didn’t you, racist,” is what Kanye West would have said if I had actually got a trophy made and presented it to him. Probably.
Runner up(s): Tied for second-place we have “Ladyhawke” by Ladyhawke and; “Volume One” by She & Him. The former is a disco-induced dance pop infusion and the debut release from 2008’s best breakout artist Ladyhawke. The latter is a country-folk retro-pop collaboration from Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward.
Basically you should buy all three albums.
Dec 21, 2008
Can’t beat a bit of country-pop can you? In fact while I’m spinning this record I’m wishing Michelle Branch would put out her new CD. Even though that’s more pop.
Anyway, anyone who likes country or is looking for an “easy” introduction — get this CD. It’s good.
“There’s your trouble… [lalaalala]… seeing double…. [doobee].”
Dec 18, 2008
Applause. Strobe lights. Fill music. Etc.
And the winner is… Ladyhawke (*applause*) with her fucking mind bogglingly catchy debut album “Ladyhawke”. Not only was it packed to the rafters with synths, melodies and beats but it also carried the seductive tones of a particularly yummy Australian. And we all like Australian girls right?
So infatuated with Pip Brown’s (a.k.a Ladyhawke) first release I actually went the whole hog and gave it a 10/10. It’s not that it does anything particularly astounding that you’ve not heard before, it’s just that from the first claps in opener “Magic” to the fading melody of closer “Morning Dreams” you will never fail to be amazed by the simplistically danceable disco bops on offer.
Pretty impressive for a new artist who had to invent a different persona to get the confidence to appear on stage.
“I’m really proud to achieve this award,” is what Ladyhawke would have said if I had actually got a trophy made and presented it to her. Probably.
Runner up: It’s become cool to hate on Katy Perry because she’s really popular and pretends to like women in order to get people to buy her record. I can understand why people would rather eat a cactus than listen to her CD but honestly, you really should. It’s a bit unsure of exactly what it wants to be (bubble gum pop or edgy pop?) but it’s actually very good. Also, Katy Perry was my biggest scoop of the year. I said she’d be huge a whole 3 months before she was.
Big heads and all that.
Dec 17, 2008
It’s a better version than Burke’s soul-less overproduced shit anyway. Buy now, get Jeff to number one.
Thank you.
Dec 17, 2008
This Is A Picture Of No Doubt. Good Ones Are Hard To Find.
Just found out No Doubt have a record planned for 2009. Blimey, about bloody time!
In the mean time I suggest you all spin that poptastic synth bass (I think?) classic, “Hey Baby” to celebrate.
More please.
Dec 16, 2008
Category: Featured Content, Movies, Music, Video Games
Tags: alan wake, god of war III, heavy rain, house of the dead overkill, imogen heap, killzone 2, most anticipated 09, punch out wii, resident evil 5, street fighter IV, uncharted 2 among thieves, watchmen
get2sammyb.co.uk Most Wanted '09
I think I’m pretty much done getting hyped up over 2009’s list of entertainment. In fact, I admittedly got very carried away with games and kinda had to chuck the odd movie and film in there to make it the tiniest bit fairer. The thing is, records usually get announced around summer time in order to make a Christmas release date, so it’s only Imogen Heap’s (and New Found Glory’s) that I know for definite are being recorded now for an ‘09 launch date. As for films; well the best of those usually hit during the summer and I’m afraid I don’t know enough about Transformers 2 and others to slot them into this list.
I promise to give more information as and when I know about them though. For now though, here’s the list of things that are getting me excited (in no order) about ‘09; at the moment:
So there you have it, a very game dominated list. First time I’ve done such a thing so I promise a wider spread of content next year. I still think it’s a good list though.
“If you could only have one of the above,” I hear you call, “Which would it be, Mr. B?”
The answer is: Resident Evil 5.
Fascinating stuff, no?
Dec 15, 2008
Probably Scores About 6 out of 10.
Honestly, the hit track from Take That’s last album “Beautiful World” was “Shine”. Why? Because it was packed with tonky piano lines and a catchy melody. Also it was upbeat. The other big release for Take That was the Stardust song “Rule The World“. Arguably the best ballad Gary Barlow has written.
Unfortunately he doesn’t seem content with it for latest release “The Circus” is packed to the rafters with ballads and slow tunes. None of them are particularly bad but are all epitomised with album opener “The Garden”. The swirly synths and slow building piano riffs are particularly comforting but the track never ever takes hold. This problem is a problem that is consistent through pretty much the whole record.
Title track “The Circus” is a downbeat ditty with classic production values; “Julie” is an acoustic guitar led pop track with a try-hard melody; “Hello” is an almost Beach Boys-esque harmony driven pop song that’s not especially memorable.
However, it’s not all bad. “How Did It Come To This” is a fantastic mix of modern and classic pop as a swung drum beat maintains a bop to the overall tune before offloading into the first memorable chorus of the album. “Up All Night” and closer “Here” maintain the upbeat feeling, with an almost Beatles feel.
Get past the difficult opening and the latest Take That offering is a solid album with a few clangers. Now I’m just waiting for the return of Robbie.
