http://versesfromtheabstract.wordpress.com

Fuck the dnb heads criticising him for remixing "pop" songs.
Adele-Hometown glory (High Contrast Remix)
Axwell-I Found U (High Contrast Remix)
Eric Prydz-Pjanoo (High Contrast Remix)
Utah Saints-Something Good (High Contrast Remix)

October-December reviews will come tomorrow, and my top albums of the year.
also, over the next couple of weeks, previews of this years tv, and previews of this years music featuring....white lies, arctic monkeys kid cudi, kid sister, wale, jay-z, dr dre, eminem, kanye west, mylo, good shoes, the maccabees, jamie t, lily allen and many many more...

have a good one tonight!
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not mine...yet, check mon pal seans blog

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The proton beam is circulated for the first time in the Large Hadron Collider, the world's largest and the highest-energy particle accelerator, located at CERN, near Geneva, under the Franco-Swiss border.
1. The Streets-Everything is borrowed
Album no.4 was a big hit for me, far from perfect but a huge improvement on album no. 3. Heaven for the weather is a fantastic summery upbeat tune, and one of my favourites of the year!
Best track: The Streets-Heaven for the Weather
if you want to read a bit more, check my previous posts on The Streets

2. Friendly Fires-Friendly Fires
This album is essentially a blend of

Awesome pulsating electronic beats
fantastic soft vocals
surprisingly good lyrics
sparkling clattering electro-pop
so its awesome. Love this band, randomly found the album for about 5 euros in a record shop in Paris. Go and see them live on the NME tour (youd also get to see the amazing White Lies), they were great at Glasto.
Best track: Friendly Fires-Paris
Bonus: Friendly Fires-Paris (Aeroplane remix)

3. Kings of Leon-Only By The Night
For some reason a switch has turned in my head and I am suddenly not so keen on this band. First 3 albums are all brilliant, but I cant get so enthusiastic about album 4. I have gone from loving Sex on Fure to finding it really annoying, and it even annoys me when its played in a club. It is frustrating that a load of randoms suddenly think they're big KoL fans, after hearing two songs (hearing Fearne Cotton rave on about her two favourite bands being Take That and KoL is a good example of this). Anyway, they deserve any success they get because they are a great band, and this album does have some great tunes on it, it just seems to lack the energy of previous efforts.
Best track: Kings of Leon-Use Somebody

4. Kano-140 grime street
Hmmmmmmmm. You gotta feel sorry for Kano, he always seems to follow the wrong trend. Last years pop-slanted London Town didnt get him the recognition he deserves, yet both Dizzee and Wiley have had huge success this year from very poppy tunes. Then, as Kano returned to his grimey roots, grime appears to be pretty dead. Wiley seems to have left the genre completely, JME's album was awful and Skepta's average at best, no-one seems to be interested in the grime scene anymore (maybe Tinchy will get big, maybe not). This is quite a good album. Kano is blatantly the best grime MC out there imo, but his talent has never been maintained over the course of an album. album 4 anyone?
Best track: Kano-Hustler

Honourable Mentions:
Jenny Lewis: Acid Tongue
Definately need top listen to this more as well! she is a fantastic singer and a very talented lyricist.
Jenny Lewis-Black Sand

Glasvegas: S/T
Im not a big fan of this album, but there is enough to like about it that I think I can be swayed towards really liking this band. I've heard they're crap live though.
This isnt even on the album, but its better than the album version tbh.
Glasvegas:-Daddy's Gone

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Russia and Georgia go to war over the Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia

1. Conor Oberst-Conor Oberst
Conor's first solo album in 12 years (and first since the age of 16) was a continuation of the collection of brilliantness he has output over the years with Bright Eyes. Lyrically he is as strong as ever, and the Mystic Valley Band (play on the album, and tour with him) are awesome. This is such a strong album, every song is great with varied musical and lyrical content across the record. As usual, the lyrics are very much open to interpretation on many of the tracks, songmeanings is good for guidance if you want it! New Bright Eyes album next year?
Best track: Conor Oberst-Souled Out!!!
Bonus: Conor Oberst-Breezy (Live at 400 club)
Metacritic (76)
2. Bloc Party-Intimacy
I am torn between this:
While Okereke has described Intimacy as a break-up album, it feels like more of a document of a band disconnected from itself. Pitchfork
and this:
Brave, individual and heartfelt, Intimacy offers treasure for fans old and new. The Guardian
Much more towards the Guardian one though.
Read my initial thoughts on the album here
Still not made up my mind on it!! Goin to see them in January :D
Best track: Bloc Party-Halo
Metacritic (69)
3. Late of the Pier-Fantasy Black Channel
I was very late on the LOTP hype, which started late 2006 really. Finally got round to listening to this album (pretty apprehensively) in December but loved it instantly. The production on this is ridiculous (Erol Alkan) and 2/3rds of the songs are absolute bangers. They are similar to Klaxons, but actually a fair bit more talented. Hopefully goin to see these in Feb!
Best track: Late of the Pier-Space and the Woods

4. The Walkmen-You&Me
Not listened to this enough to make a real judgement, but after a couple of listens its sounding very promising. Only heard one of their previous efforts, Bows and Arrows, which was good. This sounds better. Donde Esta La Playa is an amazing song. Many have said this album marks a move for the Walkmen from a singles band to a great one. I think I may agree.
Best track: The Walkmen-Donde Esta La Playa
Metacritic (79)
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The Dark Knight is released to huge universal acclaim and box office takings.

1. Nas-Untitled
"Im over their head like a bulimic on a seesaw"
Originally entitled N*gger, Nas' 9th album was renamed Untitled. But not without a fight (see "You Cant Stop Us Now"). Nas still has the lyrical power and drive he had 14 years ago. He covers a wide range of topics on the album, including the hypocrisy and unfairness in the music biz (Hero, "If Nas can't say it, think about these talented kids
With new ideas being told what they can and can't spit"), and of course Fox News (Sly Fox, "What's a Fox characteristic?
Slick shit
Sensin'
Misinformation
Pimp the station
Over stimulation
Reception
Deception").
Queens get the money is probably my favourite, a breathless rap over a sweet piano loop. Although this is only the 3rd Nas album i've heard, I can onyl say good things about it. Nas is a true hip-hop great.
Best track(s): Nas-Queens Get The money
Nas-Hero (feat. Keri Hilson)
Metacritic (71)
2. The Hold Steady-Stay Positive
"Brooklyn based band The Hold Steady release their 4th album in 4 years, and the progression from 2006's Boys & Girls In America is huge.
Lyrically it's front man Craig Finn's strongest work, taking the tales of girls, booze and drugs ever present in their first 3 albums and contorting them into dark tales of murder and sleeping around. These clash perfectly with the (few) upbeat tracks, the likes of Yeah Sapphire and Sequestered In Memphis.
The Hold Steady have produced the most epically grim and also brilliantly upbeat album in years. It's hard to grasp Finn's real attitude towards life, there's moments of despair followed quickly by moments of immense positivity. His attacks on "the scene' in Slapped Actress are canceled out by the genius Stay Positive, where Finn essentially lists all the issues and then says "it'll be alright though".
This band deserves so much more press than they get, and this album proves that. With Kings Of Leon going stadium rock and The Killers going...well...jazz and disco, The Hold Steady are the band to save American rock music in the UK, "we gotta Stay Positive". thanks to Sean over at There's Affection To Rent
Best track: The Hold Steady-Stay Positive

Dishonourable Mention
JME's album was awful. Severely disappointing.
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TV
Best UK TV Program:
My choice: Skins
Your choice: Peep Show
Best US TV Program:
My choice: Lost
Your choice: Lost/Scrubs
Best TV Actor:
My choice: Michael Emerson (Ben, Lost)
Your choice:ditto
Best TV Newcomer:
My choice: Jeremy Davies (Daniel, Lost)
Your choise: ditto

Music
Best band of 2008:
My choice: Vampire Weekend
Your choice: Coldplay/VW
Best solo artist of 2008-non hiphop:
My choice: Bon Iver
Your choice: Frank Turner
Best UK artist of 2008:
My choice: Coldplay
Your choice: Coldplay
Best international artist of 2008:
My choice: Vampire Weekend
Your choice: Kanye West
Best US hiphop act of 2008:
My choice: Kanye West
Your choice: Kanye West
Best UK hiphop:
My choice: Kano
Your choice: Kano
Best Live Act:
My choice: Kanye West
Your choice: Kanye West
Best dance act:
My choice: Justice
Your choice: Justice
Best newcomer:
My choice: Vampire Weekend
Your choice: Vampire Weekend

3-Kanye West
2-Vampire Weekend/Coldplay

good times


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The hardest list i've ever written?

25. We Are Scientists-Ghouls
24. Guillemots-Falling out of reach
23. White Lies-Death
22. Q-Tip-Believe (feat. D'Angelo)
21. Estelle-American Boy (feat. Kanye West)
20. MGMT-Kids
19. Cut Copy-Hearts on Fire
18. Kid Cudi-Day N Nite (Crookers Remix)
17. Friendly Fires-Paris (rerelease but i dont care...)
16. The Hold Steady-Stay Positive
15.The Last Shadow Puppets-My Mistakes are Made For You
14. Goldfrapp-A&E
13. Laura Marling-Tap At My Window
12. Santogold-L.E.S. Artistes
11. The Streets-Heaven for the weather
10. Kanye West-Welcome To Heartbreak feat. Kid Cudi
9. T.I.-live your life feat. Rihanna
8. Coldplay-Lovers in Japan
7. Frightened Rabbit-The Modern Leper
6. Death Cab For Cutie-I Will Possess Your Heart
5. Bon Iver-Skinny Love
4. Vampire Weekend-Bryn
3. Frank Turner-I Knew Prufrock Before He Got Famous
2. Death Cab For Cutie-You can do better than me
1. Lil' Wayne-Lollipop (Remix) feat. Kanye West

I tried to avoid duplicates, so I suppose this wasnt 100% accurate.My no.1 choice is a bit of a spur of the moment thing. Kanyes verse is so strong, but Lil Wayne out does him.
"I got so much chips I swear they call me Hewlett Packard
I got so much chips you can have a bag if your a snacker"
genius

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"ill be the one to break my heart"
Got the Reminder for Christmas, its such a stunning album. I Feel it All is immense.
check out the amazing music video and an mp33333333 below.

Feist-I Feel It All
video:


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Fernando Torres scores the winner as Spain beat Germany to lift Euro 2008.

1. Coldplay-Viva La Vida/Lil' Wayne-Tha Carter 3
Both albums are amazing in very different ways, inseparable.
Beginning with Coldplay, their 4th album marked a welcome return to form for the band, after the disappointment of X and Y (still a great album). this album proper restored my faith in them, a return to more of the sounds of parachutes and a rush of blood but with an added of boost of african and latin american influence, big guitar and arena filling tunes. Viva La Vida is the most uplifting (musically) song of the year, strawberry swing is chilled ryhtmic beuaty that coldplay seem to create so easily and so well, and my favourite song (lovers in Japan) is a brilliant driving ryhtm oddly tagged together with the lovely piano track reign of love. Not sure what the band were thinking with the couple of tracks that are attached together, its a bit Justin Timberlake...The album is seriously special though, Chris Martin seems to have the knack for writing sentimental yet poignant songs, I hope he can continue long past the next album (when he claims the band will split...as if...)
Metacritic (72)
--------------------------------
Joint top is the best hip-hop album of the year, Tha Carter 3. I used to hate lil' Wayne. His southern drawl just seemed messy to me, I had only heard a few featureds (and lollipop), and I couldnt understand the hype surrounding him. I decided to give Tha Carter 3 a go though. It is amazing. To me, Weezy's Southern lazy drawl is now a brilliant voice, and his lyrics although sometimes messy are brilliant, mixing hilarity with the odd soft moment. Its so impressive how consistent this album is (i love every song until lala-track 13, except got your money). My highlights are mr carter, comfortable and dr carter. Mr Carter has been billed as a "handing over the baton" moment from GOD MC to the new "best rapper alive" but weezy does have a way to go before matching Jay-Z, comfortable is so sweeet, the subtle sampling of "you dont know my name" is so brilliant (credit to Kanye) and of course Dwayne kills it. Dr Carter is then a lessen from Weezy in how to be a rapper, its big. A Milli is an absolute beast, as is 3 peat. the two slow tracks "tie my hands" and "mrs officer" are fantastic for different reasons, one about the impact of Hurricane Katrine on New Orleans...and the other about hot policewomen. love the consistent shout outs to Andre 3K on this album as well. 1 million sales in the US in its first week, need i say more? oh and 50 cent doesnt like him, so that just adds to his appeal.
Best track: Lil' Wayne-Comfortable feat. Baby Face
A Milli Freestyles:
Jay-Z
Chris Brown
Ne-Yo ("your girlfriends favourite song is mine", merks it)
There are loads more on youtube.
Metacritic (82)

3. Fleet Foxes-Fleet Foxes
Only narrowly missing out on a 3 way tie for album of the month, my words cant quite describe how good this album is...so (as it was their album of the year..)
"The lyrics are non-narrative but vivid nonetheless. See the way the Fleet Foxes refrain "and Michael you would fall and turn the white snow red as strawberries in summertime" plunges you into the stunning guitar-and-voice counterpoint that blows "White Winter Hymnal" wide open. Lead singer Robin Pecknold has a strong, clear voice and knows when to let fly with a drawn-out, impassioned bellow and when to withdraw into the shelter of his bandmates' harmonies. The group shares his sense of dynamics, and Fleet Foxes flows like a river, wild and free but logical, filling what needs to be filled and moving on" PITCHFORK
Also gave me one of the best gigs of the year, stunning performance!
Best track: Fleet Foxes-Ragged Wood
Metacritic (87)
4. N*E*R*D-Seeing Sounds
I hyped myself up so much for this album after Everyone Nose came out and Spaz leaked, so I was pretty disappointed with the 3rd effort from Pharrell's band. In Search Of is a great album, but Fly or Die has about 3 good songs on and this is much the same. Pharrell really isnt a very good lyricist and the band have always relied on his singing and Neptunes production, but this isnt even very well produced. I am very excited about a future CRS album, the Everyone Nose remix they did is awesome, but not sure if NERD will make another album, and the way they are going it wont be much of a shame.
Best track:
N*E*R*D-Spaz
Bonus:
N*E*R*D-Everyone Nose (Douster Remix)
Honourable Mentions:
Dirty Pretty Things-Romance at Short Notice
I can see why the band split up, their second effort is far from Waterloo to Anywhere (a really good album). Carl Barat was always the weaker Libertines lyricist and you can really tell on this album. Its pretty dreary and generally boring. Tired of England is a great song, they can clearly work the trumpet intros lol. Wonder what Carl's gonna do now....
Dirty Pretty Things-Tired of England
Feeder-Silent Cry
Haven't listened to this enough to judge, but it seems fairly good. No stand out tracks in particular, but Miss You is pretty good.
Feeder-Miss You
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An earthquake in China kills 8000 people

1. Death Cab For Cutie-Narrow Stairs
In a month of 4 fantastic albums, Death Cab just edged it for my favourite of the month (they are my favourite band after all). I go through phases of thinking this is amazing and the album of the year, and phases of being disappointed by it. It is their best album musically by along way, but Gibbards lyrics are somewhat too literal, and not the dark and subtle stuff of early Death Cab. Its a brilliant album nonetheless. Bixby and Possess are epic as are you can do better/grapevine/twin sized bed. My love for Death Cab continues...
Best Track: Death Cab For Cutie-You can do better than me
Bonus: search the box in the top left for no sunlight/thin ice demos!!
Metacritic (73)
2. Bon Iver-For Emma, Forever Ago
Heartwrenching lyrics and tranquil, beautiful guitar and legendary voice=amazing album. What a talented guy Justin Vernon is...
Best track: Bon Iver-Skinny Love
=Cut Copy-In Ghost Colours
I imagine Friendly Fires will be this good in a few years. Great production, and awesome danceable tuuunes. Almost perfect album.
No link as it'll get removed, sorry.
=Santogold-Santogold
Santi White is constantly compared to MIA, and has even been outshone by her this year despite the fact she has done practically nothing (paper planes is suddenly huuuge), but she is different. This album is a huge blend of about 10 different genres, and its brilliant. Best produced album of the year? Diplo, Switch, Sinden et al do an amazing job. Her mixtape with Diplo is equally awesome.
Best track: Santogold-LES Artistes
Bonus: check out a few tracks from her diplo-collab mixtape
Honourable Mentions:
The Futureheads-This is Not The World
The Futureheads are the most frustrating band in the world. This album is rubbish, bar 2 tracks which show what the band is capable of. Radio Heart and the Beginning of the Twist are both brilliant singles!!! why cant they produce this more often!!!!!
The Futureheads-The Beginning of the Twist
Usher-Here I Stand
Another big disappointment. The ballads on this album (pretty much the whole thing) seem so empty and insincere and overly cheesy. I dont know if the Confessions ballads were the same (and i was too young to realise), or if they were actually good. That album is still very high up in my estimation, but this is definitely not.
Usher-Love in this club (MSTRKRFT remix)
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Surgeons at London's Moorfields Eye Hospital perform the first operations using bionic eyes, implanting them into two blind patients.

1.The Last Shadow Puppets-The Age of the Understatement
Once again Alex Turner comes up with a strong contender for album of the year (2009 is unlikely to be any different). This album is a fantastic blend of driving rhythms and soft crooning ballads, all with a brilliant nostalgic feel to it. Alex Turner is fast becoming the best British songwriter since Morisseys heyday...well done to Miles Kane as well, The Rascals are pretty rubbish but this is brilliant.

Best song: The Last Shadow Puppets-My mistakes are made for you
Bonus: The Last Shadow Puppets-Gas Dance (bside to standing next to me)
Metacritic (77)
2. Frightened Rabbit-The Midnight Organ Fight
"It's lyrically perfect with words that hit you right in the heart. And coupled with the singer's [Scott Hutchison] vocals, the whole thing just kills me" Nick Harmer, DCFC
"We're incredibly excited to tell you that we'll be joined in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow, by the quite brilliant Frightened Rabbit, whose album The Midnight Organ Fight is one of the best albums of this year. Utterly fantastic. Check it out. Now." Biffy Clyro
Saw these 1 and a half times supporting Death Cab this year, but i hadnt heard this or their debut yet! They were still excellent (especially in Paris!), andf this album is amazing, lyrically so good. So many top tunes on this.
Best track: Frightened Rabbit-The Modern Leper
Metacritic (80)
3. Cajun Dance Party-The Colourful Life
I love this album and CDP are one of the few new indie bands I have liked this year. Their lyrics are not the best but they show alot of potential and considering they wrote this when they were 15-17 its pretty impressive. Album 2 is set to be released early 2009 :D
Best track: Cajun Dance Party-The Hill, The View and the Lights
Metacritic (56) :(
4. The Roots-Rising Down
I have only heard this and their debut, do you want more???, and the change between the two is notable. Where the debut was loads of chilled jazz beats, this is much more hard hitting, and probavly better for it. ?uestlove is an awesome producer, and Black Thought a great rapper. Need to get into this group alot more! The Pitchfork review claims the Mos Def verse on rising down is the best he has ever done...not so sure about that, but its a big tune....
Best track: The Roots-Rising Down (feat. Mos Def and Styles P)
Metacritic (80)

Honourable Mention
Flight of the Conchords-S/T
Only an honourable mention becuase its not a serious album!! Love the TV show, and the album is very funny as well, season 2 episode 1 has been released on the episode, go find it!!
Sample:
Flight of The Conchords-Foux de Fafa

short recaps, as im a bit pressed for time, back to work on tuesday :(, determined to do the whole year by the 31st, but each one takes so bloody long!

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The Good, The Amazing and The Cheeeeese below

Death Cab For Cutie-Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)
Mariah Carey-All i want for Christmas
Ron Sexsmith-Maybe this Christmas
Wham-Last Christmas
Coldplay-Have yourself a Merry little Christmas
Low-Just like christmas
Bing Crosby-White Christmas
Mel&Kim-Rockin' Around the Christmas Time
East 17-Stay Another Day
The Pogues feat. Kirsty MacColl-Fairytale of New York
Chris Rea-Driving Home For Christmas
Otis Redding-White Christmas

im not even in a Christmassy mood, i think i've grown out of Christmas, bad times....


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newly leaked Kid Cudi, super boo. gonna be massssiveee. the crookers remix of day n nite is gettin loadsa airplay. download link below + the song off of A Kid Named Cudi with Wale.

Kid Cudi-Super Boo
Kid Cudi-Is There Any Love? (feat. Wale)

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best us/uk tv program, best actor and best newcomer; vote below!

poll by twiigs.com

poll by twiigs.com

poll by twiigs.com

poll by twiigs.com

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vote below!! repooooooooost!

best band

poll by twiigs.com

best solo artist (non hiphop)

poll by twiigs.com

best UK artist/group

poll by twiigs.com

best international artist

poll by twiigs.com

best US hip hop

poll by twiigs.com

best UK hip-hop

poll by twiigs.com

best live act

poll by twiigs.com

best dance act

poll by twiigs.com

best newcomer

poll by twiigs.com

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London Heathrow Terminal 5 opens to mass protest, and large scale operational problems.
The best albums and gigs of March 2008

1. Frank Turner-Love, Ire & Song
These days, it's not often that an album grabs you from the first chord and you just and listen through every track, without doing anything else. Frank's perfect blend of folk/rock with his punk heart from his Million Dead days, combined with perfect tales of loneliness and epic social commentaries makes for something a bit special. Add some of the greatest lyrics ever and the most passionate delivery I've heard on record and the result is one of the greatest, heartfelt albums of all time.
This album is heartwrenching, shivers down your spine, makes you want to jump around and sing about how your not going to be the same as everyone else then fall over and cry about how your lonely. There is nothing wrong with it.
"Life is about love, last minutes and lost evening. About fire in our bellies and about furtive little feelings." All hail Frank Turner.
Sean is a guestwriter on this blog, check out his regular reviews and Frank Turner obsession at There's Affection To Rent
Best Track: I Knew Prufrock Before He Got Famous (no link-record companies wish)
Live cover of The Postal Service's District...
2. She &Him-Volume One
Very late edition to the list, so even more credit for getting to number 2 (ive only listened to this album about 3 times!). She & Him are made up of Zooey Deschanel (actor-elf, almost famous, hitchikers guide, the happening etc..), and M.Ward (musician-solo artist with 7 albums/contributor to the likes of Cat Power, Bright Eyes, Jenny Lewis and Beth Orton). She writes the lyrics, plays piano and sings, he plays the guitar and (i think) writes the music? This album is ridiculously sweet, she has a proper retro voice and alot of the album has that timeless mid century feel that Winehouse captured so well on "Love is a Losing Game". Lyrically it is simple, yet poignant and lovely, focusing on both the happy (you got me, i was made for you) and the sad (sentimental heart, take it back) parts of a relationship. I think the Pitchfork review of this album is very much spot on! although the score could have been more generous. and for all of her great songwriting, my favourtie is the smokey robinson cover!
Best track: She & Him-You Really Got a Hold on Me
Bonus: Live performance of that song!
Review:
Pitchfork (7.4/10)
Metacritic (76/100)

3. Estelle-Shine
The reinvention of Estelle is one of my favourite music stories of 2008, from the LDN rapper of 2004's 1980 who spoke of shared baths, dinner tables tippin 18 and Mel & Kim to the slick rapper come singer inviting production from Ronson. Will.i.am and swizz beatz and featuring Kanye, John Legend, Kardinal Offishall and Sean Paul, with admittedly more mainstream lyrics. Shine is a fantastic album, Estelle manages to retain her lyrical grit and (surprisingly awesome) flow in the frequent raps in the album (no substitute, wait a minute etc...) whilst bringing mainstream producers and more appealing singing to the table. So many top tunes on this; Will.I.Am's production is so sweet on Wait a Minute and American Boy, and Magnificent is Ronsons best in a long time. In a pop scene cluttered with artists constantly linked with Winehouse, Estelle is a refreshing change.
Best track: Estelle-Wait a Minute (Just a touch)
Bonus: video of come over (feat John Legend)-live
Reviews:
Pitchfork (6.8/10)
The Guardian (4/5)
4. We Are Scientists-Brain Thrust Mastery
the 4th best album of March seems an injustice for such a brilliant band, but this was not the album it could've been. Maybe I overhype WLAS, but this was a fair way off the WAS debut. Granted, this has some brilliant songs on (I could talk about Ghouls all day, After Hours, Chick Lit and Impatience are brilliant) but excepting those 4 it is hard to find a driving rhythm that matches album 1 (see Callbacks, the great escape etc) or lyrics as brilliant, self-evaluationary and often depressed as those found on Textbook and Can't Lose to name a few...I will never lose faith in this band though, they are fantastic live and I am very confident they can produce an album as good as WLAS again...
Best Song: We Are Scientists-Ghouls
Bonus: We Are Scientists-Chick Lit (Danger TV Remix Edit)
Reviews
Pitchfork (5.3/10)
5. Guillemots-Red
Another album that didn't live up to its predesecor. Much as i try to, I cant make myself love this album the way I love "Through the Windowpane". Criticisms: not enough craziness, not enough beautiful songs!!!, too much filler, not enough stripped down songs with fyfes amazing voice emphasised. Praises: falling out of reach (nuff said), the first four tracks in general are brilliant. I am sure they are still mental live, and with Fyfe's lyrical ability and musical creativity the band easily have it in them to make another TTWP.
Best Track: Guillemots-Falling out of reach
Bonus: Guillemots-A Day in the Life (Larrikin Love cover)
Reviews
Pitchork (5.8/10)
I was gonna post the NME one, but its possibly the worst piece of journalism I've ever read...I dont know what i expected tbh....

Honourable Mentions
Get Cape.Wear Cape. Fly-Searching For the Hows and Why's
Sam Duckworth has bucketloads (excuse the cliche) of potential, yet seems to only be able to priduce it in a 1/4 of his songs. The rest of the time it just seems like he cant be bothered, producing weak lyrics and weak songs. If he applied the talent he shows in the likes of 1st album classics Once More with Feeling (one of my fave songs ever) and The Chronicles..(Part One) and 2nd album (postcards from catalunya and moving forward) he will go far, but at the moment he is stalling.
Best track: Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly-Postcards from Catalunya
Snoop Dogg-Ego' Trippin'
Only classed as Honourable beacuse its Snoop Dogg, this album is pretty much rubbish. Lyrically he has never exactly been Nas, but this album (his 9th now) is lacking the excitement and humour that his past efforts have. Sensual seduction is a big tune (the video is hilarious) and so is my pick off the album, Cool, but apart from that AVOID! Snoop Dogg is still an absolute legend though!!
Best track: Snoop Dogg-Cool
Bonus: Snoop Dogg-Sensual Seduction (Boyz Noize Remix)
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noooooooooooooooo

so she is dead, rendering Sylar's whole storyline for the past season almost pointless? no time for in depth recap for this episode so just a few thoughts. aparently this is hoe Elles body birning scene should have been...
According to a blog post by Greg Beeman, the scene in which Sylar burns Elle's body was originally written a little differently. "There was a final shot Jeannot designed for this scene that ended up being cut out. It was a huge crane shot that swooped away as Sylar stood over Elle's burning body. I remember the script read: 'Sylar stands on her burning body. A tinge of remorse. Giving Elle far more respect than any of his previous victims.' Anyway, the shot was very dramatic and I found it very haunting, almost beautiful. But the network standards and practices people and even Tim Kring thought it was too disturbing. So we cut it—and ended up playing the scene on a simple close up Sylar. This works too. I don't know, maybe America's not ready for full-on immolation." from Heroeswiki

WHY DID THEY NOT KEEP THAT?
i have heard that in volume 4, a blonde we thought dead isnt or something cryptic like that. but that could well be tracy or daphne or meredith (she is in the finale). i am pretty sure she is dead to present day Hereos. very sad. the scene with hiro getting the catalyst was also pretty sad, i will miss 10 year old Hiro! i dont understnad how the future hasnt been changed dramatically by Hiro and Clare meeting their parents, surely once young Clare grows up HRG would see the striking resemblance to the random girl he met 16 years before. Sylar was much like s1 Sylar in this epi, very funny, but his storyline development has been disappointing of late. Peter continued his rehabilitation in my eyes, but i fear he will become super annoying again when he regains his power (obviously going to happen next episode). Maphne were annoying as ever. i have so many qualms with this season now, that completely didnt exist at the start grrrrr. anyway, here are 4 sneak peeks for the finale, entitled Dual.

a few tidbits:

• doyle will be in this episode
• this episode leads directly into volume 4
• one characters decision will be very influential and have great consequnces in volume 4
• meredith is back
• mr african isaac is back
• rumour has it Monica (season 2) is back, but i doubt it
• one of clares foster/real parents is gonna die (better not be sandra)
  
• andos getting a power

thoughts on the episode, spoilers for volume 4 and tips on what they should do to improve coming next week!


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incredibly late on this one. but its worth it. not gonna write alot (wait for review of the year: march), but serious they are amazing. M.Ward is a brilliant musician and Zooey Deschanel is a great singer and songwriter. only listened to this album 1nce and its already creeping into my 2008 top 20.
link below to their Smokey Robinson cover...


She & Him-You Really Gotta Hold on Me
i have been listening to loads of albums i missed over the year today, and after the disappointments of ushers "here i stand" and t.i.'s "paper trail" this was incredibly welcome.

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just saw the collaborations on youtube this morning, pretty much the first ive seen of the show this year, and alexandra definitely deserved to win. jls with westlife was embarrassingly cheesy and eoghan singing with boyzone was much the same. ronan keating must be about 100 now. anywho, the above video is of alexandra doing beyonces "listen", a song i dont even like, but she performs it so well. when beyonce comes on it does kindof show how much better real artists are than reality tv winners though, she absolutely merks it. wonder how much she got paid for those 2 minutes on screen?



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the very best of february.



1. Laura Marling-Alas I Cannot Swim
The Reading born indie-folk songstress finally gets an album out, and it's superb. 12 perfect tales of teenage romance. From the perfectly poppy Cross Your Fingers to the epically dark Night Terror. The potential this 18 year old shows is frightening.
courtesy of Sean~regular blogger at There's Affection To Rent
This is a hot album. she is hot in a weird albino way. adele and duffy have had all the hype this year, but marling is leagues ahead.
Best track: Laura Marling-Tap at my Window
Bonus: Laura Marling-New Romantic (non album classic single)
Reviews:
The Independent (5/5)
The Guardian (4/5)

2. Hot Chip-Made in the Dark
After the indie-electro-disco-dance classic The Warning, Hot Chip were under huge pressure to perform on Made in the Dark. The result was mixed. The album is basically split into slow ballad tracks and upbeat crazy ones, what people would call traditional Hot Chip. The album kicks off with out at the Pictures, into 1st single Shake a Fist and then Ready for the Floor. All3 are fantastic upbeat songs, reminiscent of The Warning but with perhaps a more rock orientated sound. The only problem is the pointless segue in Shake a Fist? adds nothing to the song or album as a whole...Where those 3 triumphed, bendable poseable falters, but the "upbeat" tracks on the album are generally great (hold on is too long and dont dance takes too long to get going, but im not complaining). The 4 ballads seem so out of place on the album, not even concentrated at the end, just breaking the flow throughout the record. Complaints about these ballads have been common, but Hot Chip have produced these sort of tracks before(The Warning and Look After Me to name 2). Those 2 tracks seem alot less contrived than the ones on Made in The dark. "We're Looking for alot of love" excepted, they seem entirely pointless, and dont suit the band at all imo. 1 would have been enough. anyway, this album is good, better than no.1 not as good as no.2...been wanting to see them live for ages, and did in October, but they were pretty diappointing :(
Best track: Hot Chip-One Pure Thought
Bonus: Hot Chip-Ready for the Floor (Soulwax Dub)
Reviews
Pitchfork (7/10)
The Guardian (3/5)

3. Goldfrapp-Seventh Tree
Maybe the best "easy-listening" of the album, and a welcome return to form for Goldfrapp. I wasn't a big fan of Supernature, and this more toned down approach seems to suit the duo alot better. There are so many really lovely songs on this album; "Clowns", "Caravan Girl" and "Eat Yourself" to name 3. A few songs are just dull i.e. "Road to somewhere" and "Monster Love", but this album is still very solid. The overwhelming triumph is the first single released A&E. It's such a tranquil, ambient song, with lyrics pretty open to interpretation (what she is saying and what they mean!). I think its about a suicide attempt (the pain slipping away) and thats why shes admitted into A&E, then she explains why she overdosed? a split with a lover? who knows. its amazing, and so is the video!
Best Track: Goldfrapp-A&E
Bonus: none
Reviews:
Pitchfork (4.6/10)
The Guardian (4/5)

gigs this month:
Stars @ Leadmill Steel Stage amazingamazingamazingamazing
Dizzee Rascal @ Leadmill pretty goood

this month in music
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no explanation needed. just listen. link below

Kanye West, Lykke Li, Santogold-Gifted

im listening to the new wiley album. i dont undestand why one of the best grime producers in the world/uk has an album in which he only producers (coprod at that) one of the tracks on it

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It is incredible that Mr Hudson has gone from headlining libraries spring 2007...to supporting Kanye West...to signing to his label...to featuring on his album...to co-producing on his album!! incredible! Mr Hudson (and the library-there is some confusion as to whether they are going to be credited on his next album or what? they still play live with him) have such a crazy unique indescribable sound (read this guardian article from march 07). Anywho, the Kanye connection has had a clearly huge influence on his new single, there will be tears. Hudson is on the vocoder and the song is another Kanye-production masterpiece. It is a brilliant song, pretty emotional, 808s esque in many ways. one of the GOOD music clan that is going to burst onto the scene in 2009, with kid cudi and tony williams.
link, along with a count and sinden remix and a sway remix!

Mr Hudson-There will be tears
Mr Hudson & The Library-Ask the DJ (Count & Sinden remix)
and check out this sway remix video, back when he was witty :(
rumour (well wikipedia) has it that hudson will be featured on the blueprint 3. fucking hell

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no idea what this is from, maybe LUPE.N.D. which is going to be a triple alum, apparently his last. i dont believe it. rappers say that they are retiring all the time. anyways, this is fucking awesome, the beat on this is amazing. dont know who produced it, but they have done a great job! download below...

Lupe Fiasco-Hustlers and customers
best rapper alive?
edit: i have now heard this is most definitely an old demo!

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After Damon Albarn announced the band were going back into the studio to see what they could create NME had this exclusive today...
Blur are reforming to play live next year, NME can exclusively reveal.

The full line-up – Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon, Alex James and Dave Rowntree – will play their first gigs together since guitarist Coxon quit the band in 2002.

Speaking only to NME in a world exclusive joint interview, Albarn and Coxon explained that they had put their differences behind them and were looking forward to playing live in 2009.

"It just felt it was right again," declared Albarn of Blur's return. "It somehow feels like there's something for us to do again, we're not completely useless or pointless, we've got a reason to exist."

Coxon agreed, explaining the band were "making public what's been going on a little bit privately. For the benefit of the fans and those interested we can say that something's on the cards".

What is on the cards is a headlining show in Hyde Park, London on Friday, July 3.

Tickets will go on sale at 9am (GMT) this Friday (December 12). To check the availability of Blur tickets and get all the latest listings, go to NME.COM/GIGS now, or call 0871 230 1094.

See Blur.co.uk for more information.

There are also rumours of further dates, including a possible appearance at the 2009 Glastonbury festival.

However, while the band refused to confirm any other shows, Albarn promised fans around the UK that the band would be announcing some more shows.

"We'll do something in London because that seems sensible," he said, "but we're also playing in other parts of the country working up to there."

You can watch a video of Blur talking about their reunion on NME.COM now.

For the full exclusive joint interview with Damon Albarn and Graham Coxon get this week's issue of NME (cover pictured), on newsstands in London this afternoon, and available across the UK tomorrow (December 10).

In it the duo discuss how they buried the hatchet, why they decided to reconvene Blur, what songs they expect to play next year, and reveal more of their future plans.

Meanwhile, head to the NME Office Blog to nominate the songs you'd most like to hear at Blur's Hyde Park gig.

Though I have never been the biggest Blur fan in the world, this is pretty exciting news. I have so much respect for Damon Albarn, even Noel Gallagher has called him a "great artist". It's gonna be so interesting to see what they come up with...

Blur-The Debt Collector

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"Blood Bank" is Bon Iver (aka Justin Vernon's) new EP and is much in the same vane as his fantastic debut "For emma". except for the last track...in which he seems to be using Auto-Tune. Someone should tell him that Auto-Tune is for people who cant sing well, not for someone who has one of the best voices in music...
Makes for pretty interesting listening anyway!
this is what his record label has to say of the EP, set to be released in January...
"As much as Emma is about the cold, the Blood Bank collection is about the warmth that gets you through it. You can feel the air move. Like a fire you've been stoking for hours and finally got to sustain itself, the heat blisters your face while your back is frozen solid."
check the Auto-Tune track and my favourite on the 4 track ep below...

Bon Iver-Blood Bank
Bon Iver-Woods (the Auto-tune vocoder one)

on a very very different note, ive been listening to snoop dogg's 2008 album, eog tripping, and its so funny. snoop dogg is maybe the funniest person ever. not because of witty lyrics or anything, he is just hilarious. anyways, that album is a bit meh, and just heard the new ludacris album (packed with featureds) and it is very disappointing :(

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they have some great pop songs!!
"New Year" is a pop song written by British group Sugababes, and Jony Lipsey, Cameron McVey, Felix Howard, Matt Rowe and Paul Simm for their debut studio album One Touch (2000). It was co-produced by Lipsey, McVey and Simm.

The song was released as the album's second single in the winter of 2000 and reached the top fifteen in the United Kingdom, where it sold 75,000 copies. It also reached the top thirty on the Irish Singles Chart, but failed to make an impact on the singles charts elsewhere.
pretty impressive to have cowritten this when they were all only 16....they are actually all really good singers..well were..the group/band is completely different now! they still make the the odd great pop song, but nothing as good as their old stuff like this, overload and soul sound...link below


Sugababes-New Year
this is actually a pretty christmassey song

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nooooooooooooooooo. ok so Sylar was never gonna really die...when I first watched this episode for some reason I thought this was possible, and I also thought Clare might be dead for real. How was I so stupid?


I suppose the huge build up to the eclipse as a major event that would have massive repercussions for the Heroes etc etc made me believe 2 of the biggest characters in the show could be killed of within 10 seconds of each other! Turns out all their powers were just turned back on when the eclipse ended....what a ridiculous anticlimax. If it had happened in the night none of them would have even noticed!! My first opinion of this episode was that it was brilliant, up there with the best Heroes eps, but looking back it reeeaally wasnt that spesh...the fact that alot of the characters reminded me of their season 1 selves may have been a factor in my initial view of the epi.

the episode kicked off by picking up where we left off in Haiti, with Nathans kidnap by the Haitian (i love how we, and Peter!, still call him this, even when they are in Haiti...I wonder if he introduced himself at Primatech as "the haitian") brother. Nathan speaking French was hilarious, as in how bad it was, I really hope this was intentional...The Haitian is such a good character, and has been underused in the whole history of Heroes imo. I'm sure there is a very interesting story to be told about him. The way he killed his brother was horrible, having your memories removed until you cant remeber how to function is pretty dam nasty. Hope we see alot more of him int he big showdown coming up...After Peter and the Haitian busted him out, nathan decided to join Arthur anyway...This was so unbeliveable and illogical. his reasons for going to Pinehearst were so weak, and just didnt make sense! They could at least of had Tracy persuading him, that would have been far more believable. Peter without powers is becoming more and more likeable, and more like the good old Murse of old, whereas Nathan is getting more and more annoying. Nathan (when he appeared) was one of the more intersting aspects of s2, and early s3, with some signs of a complex character developing, but he now seems to have turned into exactly the same character/person he was towards the end of s1...Milo Ventimiglia is an awful actor though haha

Clare was rushed to hospital and drastically felt the effects of never having been ill before, no damn antibodies! sandra is such a good character, but before being faced with the moral dilemna of lying to the police, Clare died. bad times. Lucky for her the eclipse ended just in time and she came back to life. I wonder how long she could be dead, without her power, before its too late to bring her back. HRG spent the episode on a Sylar/Elle hunt. HRG was very much like the mysterious, sinister Arthur Bennett from season 1, and was great ij the whole episode. He is such a brilliant character when used well. After being rudely disturbed, Sylar and Elle hit the supermarket for some plasters, and Sylar tries to make them split already! Elle should have clocked on something was up then already...and then when he shoved her in the lift and sent her away, it may have been another sign that Sylar was not quite 100% committed to their relationship...Elle made a good point whilst getting bandaged up, HRG has all the power during the eclipse, and I guess Sylar being killed showed this, but this could have been developed more....The scene in which Sylar began to slit Noah's throat was awesome and very very interesting. HRG declares "They're not your parents" and claims Angela/Arthur are manipulating Sylar to use a ver powerful weapon on their repsective sides. There was a look of knowing in Elle's eyes when HRG was talking, i think he may be telling the truth. But then again, HRG is equally as capable of manipulation/lying than the Petrelli parents. Hiro then saved the day! "Bad man"! whisking elle and sylar to a random beach, and Clare back in time...I am reserving judgement on the "beach scene" until we discover Elle's fate. She had better not be.

I almost cant be arsed to wirte about Matt/Daphne as their story is becaoming so boring. Daphne had such great potential at the start of the season but the big "secret" surrounding her was such an anticlimax. I thought she was gonna be a murderer or summat. And Matt Parkman's character is systematically getting ruined by the awfully written, horribly unbelievable love story they have. i know I have previously applauded the matchup, but my mind has been 100% changed. Matt (for the last 2 series really) has been such a sap, and I feel I can no longer defend his character, a character i used to love. His hollow bumming of Daphne and insistence that "you are a good person" is so fucking annoying. and stupid!! when he calls her "sweetie" i just want Sylar to swoop in and smash his head open arghghghgh. there is still a chance for redemption for both these characters. if not this volume, then next (both will be in it).

Hiro and Ando on the other and have been reinvogorated towards the end of s3, and (again reminding me of s1, speaking japanese and reading comics) are now the loveable characters of old. Masi Oka is so good at playing Hiro. I hope he stays childlike for a long while!! Seth Green and the other comic book guy were also great, such good cliches of comic book guys!! I wonder who has the final 9th wonder story? this could be v.important.

I cant be arsed to talk about Mohinder, he is so so so so so so so fucking annoying. things: 1) how the hell could he beat up/kill Flint? A huge, aggressive, angry thug vs a wimpy, pathetic scientist? really? 2) is Maya gonna proper come back? seems pointless to have her appearing if shes not...

only 1 bloody sneak peek for next week...here you go..not that exciting tbh


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