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SUBBA-CULTCHA.COM'S TOP TWENTY FOR '07
…What a year it’s been, and whilst most music publications have been lost somewhere up either Amy Winehouse’s doped up ass or caught in a chokehold by Pete Doherty’s needle scarred arm, Subba has been busy on your behalf; discovering the best new and old music, of all styles and genres for your listening pleasure. We’ve interviewed genuine superstars, up n comers & some true legends this year, as well as reviewing thousands of albums, gigs, DVDs, games and Books. We’ve given away everything from XBOX360s to PSP’s to Surround Sound Systems to IPOD Shuffles to Download & Wireless Festival Tickets. We’ve given one of our Podcast bands the chance to play a summer festival, and currently offering one band the chance to win themselves some studio time & serious subba exposure (whilst about 35 of the band‘s we‘ve already featured have since been signed). But most of all, we’ve shown that we care A LOT about music; all styles, shapes and (fan) sizes, and with you now being able to comment on reviews and whinge in our Forum, you too can be even more of a part of it all! So, all in all it’s been a great year, let’s hope 08’s even better!!! - Jeremy Chick…
…What a year it’s been, and whilst most music publications have been lost somewhere up either Amy Winehouse’s doped up ass or caught in a chokehold by Pete Doherty’s needle scarred arm, Subba has been busy on your behalf; discovering the best new and old music, of all styles and genres for your listening pleasure. We’ve interviewed genuine superstars, up n comers & some true legends this year, as well as reviewing thousands of albums, gigs, DVDs, games and Books. We’ve given away everything from XBOX360s to PSP’s to Surround Sound Systems to IPOD Shuffles to Download & Wireless Festival Tickets. We’ve given one of our Podcast bands the chance to play a summer festival, and currently offering one band the chance to win themselves some studio time & serious subba exposure (whilst about 35 of the band‘s we‘ve already featured have since been signed). But most of all, we’ve shown that we care A LOT about music; all styles, shapes and (fan) sizes, and with you now being able to comment on reviews and whinge in our Forum, you too can be even more of a part of it all! So, all in all it’s been a great year, let’s hope 08’s even better!!! - Jeremy Chick…
| 1. Future Of The Left - ‘Curses’ (Too Pure) “A stunning collaboration from the crazed minds that brought you Mclusky & Jarcrew. Filthy, taut and utterly devastating on contact!” 2. Oceansize - ‘Frames’ (Superball Music) “We’re still holding our breath in hope of Oceansize getting The Biffy route to success, but whether they sell a million records or not, there’s no denying the sheer quality and class on display here” 3. The Bled - ‘Silent Treatment’ (Vagrant) “Savage genius from Screamo’s heaviest sons - devastating from start to finish, and quite easily the heaviest album this year” 4. Jakobinarina - ‘The First Crusade’ (Regal/Parlophone) “Imagine Refused if they were an intellectual indie band? A stunning debut that not only leads the pack, but pisses all over the competition” 5. The Besnard Lakes - ‘The Besnard Lakes Are The Dark Horse’ (JagJaguwar) “Like a stoner rock vision of the Beach Boys via the cynical soul of Neil Young, with members of Godspeed, The Dears & Stars, truly mesmerising” 6. Asobi Seksu - ‘Citrus’ (One Little Indian) “Combining the greatest elements of Jesus & Mary Chain, Deerhoof & Sonic Youth, Asobi Seksu are so good they appeared on our front cover, twice!!!” 7. Justice - ‘Cross’ (Ed Banger) “Daft Punk’s natural successors, and the smartest duo in Dance right now - hell, even channel Five love it!” 8. Poison The Well - ‘Versions’ (Ferret) “Post-Hardcore’s finest finally come back, with a genre defining and defying masterpiece” 9. Lady Sovereign - ‘Public Warning’ (Def Jam) “Love her or hate her, she’s definitely an obsession - smart, catchy and one of the most original rappers at under 5 foot tall…” 10. Air Guitar Nation - ‘FILM’ (Contender Films) “The world of Air guitar exposed, to devastatingly hilarious conclusions” 11. Cadence Weapon - ‘Breaking Kayfabe’ (Big Dada) “A truly stunning mix of old school rap and electro uber head-f**kery, lose your mind and your b-ass will follow!” 12. Every Time I Die - ‘The Big Dirty’ (Ferret) “Impossible to pin down genre-wise, and all the better for it - Modern Metal with a raucous rock n roll head” 13.Worms Open Warfare - ‘For The PSP’ (THQ) “Everyone’s favourite warring insects deliver the ride of a lifetime for all PSP users” 14. Family Guy - Season 6 DVD (Fox) “Stewie for president, anyone?” 15. Biffy Clyro - ‘Puzzle’ (14th Floor) “The moment in which Biffy turned from curious outsiders to genuine contenders” 16. M.I.A - ‘Kala’ (X L Recordings) “Revolutionary, funked up genre bending splicing matched to sloganeering modern pop deviancy” 17. Bob Mould - ‘Circle Of Friends DVD’ (MVD) “Husker Du, Sugar and solo classics performed with Fugazi’s drummer behind him - genius!” 18.V/A - ‘Well Deep: Ten Years Of Big Dada’ (Big Dada) “10 years of rhythmic innovation, 10 years of astoundingly future-minded Hip-Hop, and proof there’s at least another 10 years still left in them” 19. Desperado - ‘Thugs’ (Stunted) “Deviant Hardcore given a millennial reworking, a stunning album that sits perectly alongside ‘The Shape Of Punk To Come’…” 20. The Blood Brothers - ‘Young Machetes’ (Wichita Recordings) “Innovators and originators of the Screamo scene, under the watchful eye of Fugazi’s Guy deliver their strongest offering yet” |
| SUBBA-CULTCHA'S EDITORIAL TOP TEN | |
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Jeremy Chick (Editor-In-Chief-Land) 1. The Wildhearts - The Wildhearts (Round Records): “Nearly the classic Phuq line-up reconvened to deliver another stunning album of tunes, good times and some prog-tastic epics” 2. Thrice - ‘The Alchemy Index Vol.‘s 1 & 2. Fire & Water’ (Vagrant): “Post-Hardcore has never been so epic from a band who’ve only ever improved with age” 3. The Academy Is… - ‘Santi’ (FueledByRamen): “Panic At The Disco might have the hype, but ultimately TAI delivered one of the best Pop-Rock albums of all time, don’t believe everything K! prints” 4. The Dear Hunter - ‘Act II: The Meaning Of, And All Things Regarding Ms. Leading’ (East West): “With the prog-leanings of Mars Volta, the pomp-rock edge of My Chemical Romance & a Queen-sized bag of influences” 5. The Chariot - ‘The Fiancee’ (Solid State): “Pure, ugly heaviness from Underoath’s former singer” 6. Skindred - ‘Roots Rock Riot’ (Bieler Bros.): “Ex-Dub War man Benji yet again proves Ragga & Metal make the sweetest of bedfellows” 7. ‘Lego Star Wars: The Complete’ - for the XBOX360 (Lucas Arts): “Star Wars? Lego? Together? Almost as good as the moment they decided Peanut Butter and Jam goes rather well together” 8. Genesis - ‘Reissues’ (Virgin): “Not something I’d shout about loving, but who can deny the prog-tastic power of England’s finest” 9. Pepe Deluxe - ‘Spare Time Machine’ (Cat Skills): “Imagine Beck in the 60’s, with better drugs…” 10. Klaxons - ‘Myths Of The Near Future’ (Polydor): “No need for anymore hyperbole as everyone’s heard them now, but there’s no denying the innovation on show throughout their debut!” |
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Thomas Genower (Design&Good Vibes-close) 1. M.I.A - ‘Kala’ (XL): “Yet another stunna from M.I.A, she just can't put a foot wrong! Get This!!! 2. Grinderman - ‘Grinderman’ (Mute): “Any album with a song titles 'The No Pussy Blues' gets on this list automatically” 3. The Besnnard Lakes - ‘The Besnard Lakes Are the Dark Horse’ (Jagjaguwar): “Totally beautiful album Beach Boys meets Sigur Ros” 4. El-P - ‘I'll Sleep When You're Dead’ (Definitive Jux): “Woah!” 5. Cadence Weapon - Live @ Big Dada 10th Anniversary Night: “He totally kicked it, and I almost got kicked out” 6. Basement Jaxx - Live @ O2 Wireless Fest: “Closest thing to an festival rave up I've had in years, and the sun shined!!” 7. Cutting Pink with Knives - Live @ Subba Nite: “They had everything, real Blood, smashed glass, Dancing paraletic OAP's - Big Shout out to Subba's Liam!” 8. 300 - (Warner DVD): “What a wicked film, so brilliantly shot and just one massive amazing battle, its like 'The Great Escape' with six packs” 9. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (Activision): “Immaculate game, no one with an Xbox should be without this 2007. Period.” 10. Halo 3 (Bungie): “Kill all the Aliens, oh what a stunning game.” |
| SUBBA-CULTCHA'S WRITERS TOP TEN | |
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Stevie Chick (Wimbledon) |
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Adam Silverstein (Liverpool) 1. Jakobinarina - 'The First Crusade' (Regal): “Straight up, raw and sincere infectious clatter. The planet's most necessary teenagers.” 2. The Maccabees - 'Colour It In' (Fiction): “'Colour It In' is a sweet, sensitive and modern record by a band who aint in this to shoot their mouths off.” 3. Editors - 'An End Has A Start' (Kitchenware): “Depressing? Not one iota is it. Editors have surprisingly bettered their debut with an album totally worth living for.” 4. Bloc Party - 'A Weekend In The City' (Wichita): “I was too young when 'OK Computer' came out. So Bloc Party are my Radiohead.” 5. Radiohead - 'In Rainbows' (XL): “I love that the music industry didn't know about the release, let alone the rest of the world. It is also their best ever album!” 6. The Wombats - 'A Guide to Love, Loss and Desperation' (14th Floor): “One of the most exciting bands around right now. Liverpool couldn't have wished for a better band to front their amazing new music scene.” 7. Alterkicks - 'Do Everything I Taught You' (B-Unique): “Not enough people know about this brilliant record. If I was their press person I'd make sure the world knew about it.” 8. Manchester Orchestra - 'I'm Like A Virgin Losing A Child' (Columbia): “If I've got to wait another year for a new Death Cab record, than Manchester Orchestra will do for now. This is beautiful.” 9. Kings Of Leon - 'Because of the Times' (Columbia): “They get stronger album by album. 'Because of the Times' is filled with nothing but ace guitar rock. One of the best bands in the world.” 10. Tellison - 'Contact! Contact!' (Gravity DIP): “A bit like Fall Out Boy, only with electronic musical instruments. Sure every band is doing that, but this is wicked.” |
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Alan Baillie (Edinburgh) 1. Marseille Figs - The Dirty Canon (Cargo): “Finally, something that sounds truly fresh and original with enough of its own reference points to become a champion. Thank 2007 for Marseille Figs.” 2. The Mooney Suzuki - Have Mercy (Elixia): “The record that saved their musical lives and no doubt rustled up a hefty serving of new admirers to boot. Deserves a top 10 status in any compiled list.” 3. Wild Billy Childish & The Musicians Of The British Empire - Punk Rock At The British Legion Hall (Damaged Goods): “The genius that is Billy Childish has never been so obvious as right here. He does it his way and we should be forever grateful for that.” 4. Sad Society - The Demos 2007 (Unsigned): Old school punk rock with chugging guitars, angry lyrics and catchy bass hooks. It’s great to know they still make it like they used to. 5. Katus - Smile (Unsigned): “The whistling wind of diversity and change. This record will one day be regarded as the most important folk release to caress the mainstream.” 6. Harrisons - No Fighting In The War Room (Melodic): “A truly outstanding debut by anyone’s standards. A Harrison’s song should never be far from the tip of your tongue on this evidence.” 7. Nekromantix- Life Is A Grave And I Dig It (Hellcat): “Hard edged, in yer face twists of rock and roll with the sharp corners left in. Just the tool to bring the blood pouring from your ears. Brilliant!” 8. Threats - God Is Not With Us Today (Doctor Strange): “A masterpiece of its genre. The existence of Threats is as important as the forces of nature.” 9. The Pierces - Thirteen Tales of Love and Revenge (Lizard King): “Their world is like a curiosity shop and this is a blissful stroll through it. A stunning debut album that will be like fizzy space dust on your tonsils.” 10. Burn Cambridge Burn - Anti Cambridge Compilation ( R*E*P*E*A*T): Excellent punk rock compilation that finally introduces hidden talent like Anti Social Burnouts to the world. Job done! |
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Andi James Chamberlain (Stratford Upon Avon) 1. Tom Waits - Bawlers, Brawlers and Bastards: “Sumptuous, dark and hypnotic triple album, from the almighty Tom Waits… To Die for…” 2. Biffy Clyro - Puzzle (14th floor): “The amazing return to the scene from the Scottish trio. Music to fuck strangers to.” 3. Reuben - In Nothing We Trust: “The Camberley trio make my year with the best collection of songs in forever. Awesome! 4. Reuben - What Happens In Aldershot stays in Aldershot: “DVD release from the cheeky Trio… with brilliant talking heads documentary.” 5. Blade Runner: The Final Cut: “Perfect rerelease of the amazing 80’s cult flick… remade, and finally, perfect.” 6. Dorian Wood - Bolka: “Amazing indie release of the Folk singer/songwriter’s alt folk music. Haunting.” 7. Profane - The Day We Scorched The Sky: “Brilliant debut from the UK metal gurus… going to be huge…” 8. Transformers The Movie: “Finally, they really are more than meets the eye… But goddamn it, Poor Jazz.” 9. Eastern Promises: “Viggo Mortensen banishes the ghost of LOTR’s for good with this brilliant Cronenberg powerhouse movie… Award for naked fight scene goes to… you get the idea.” 10. The Return Of The Whisper Bar: “How cool… its like the eighties and early nineties all over again!!! Rock on you bubbly chocolate…” |
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Andy Malt (London) 1. Efterklang / Peter Broderick / Denis Jones @ Bush Hall 23/11/07: “It’s hard to properly put into words how good this show was, from the amazing support acts to Efterklang’s stunning performance. Not just my gig of the year but one of the best gigs of my life.” 2. Marnie Stern - “In Advance Of The Broken Arm” (Kill Rock Stars): “Some people say this album is hard to listen to. Sure, a mix of Hella and Deerhoof isn’t going to be to everyone’s taste, but I struggle to listen to anything else these days.” 3. Does It Offend You, Yeah? / Autokratz / We Smoke Fags @ The Barfly 09/10/07: “An amazing show. It restored my faith in just about everything.” 4. Efterklang - “Parades” (The Leaf Label): “A beautiful record that combines electronica, classical, prog and post rock. Every home should have one. Or two.” 5. Les Breastfeeders - “Les Matins De Grands Soirs” (Blow The Fuse): “Another band I’ve just not been able to get enough of this year. Songs influenced by 60’s garage, psych and yé-yé, played at speed and all sung in French.” 6. Slint perform Spider land @ Koko 22/08/07: “The gig I’ve been waiting for all my life, or at least since I discovered Spiderland. As those first notes rang out, I couldn’t hold back the stupid grin on my face.” 7. Cutting Pink With Knives - “Popluxxe” (Holy Roar): “As brutally heavy as it is catchy, inventive and fun. Like being tickled by a mugger.” 8. Scout Niblett - “This Fool Can Die Now” (Too Pure): “A major step forward for Scout Niblett without losing what it is that makes her so unique. Four duets with Will Oldham are particular highlights.” 9. Arcade Fire - “Neon Bible” (Sonovox): “Is it clichéd to say you like The Arcade Fire yet? Probably, but I don’t care. I love this album and I don’t care who knows it.” 10. Yann Tiersen @ The Scala 29/05/07: “Expected: pinky-plonky French tweeness. Got: a two hour, full on experimental rock attack.” |
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Ben Bradford (Leeds) 1. Akala - ‘Freedom Lasso’ (Illastate): “40 minute electro rap mash through Akala’s angry mind.” 2. Bloc Party - ‘A Weekend In The City’ (Wichita): “Second album, and even more thought provoking, and taking Bloc Party in a new direction.” 3. Lethal Bizzle - ‘Back To Bizznizz’ (V2): “Lethal Bizzle back to his bizznizz of seriously kicking arse, and catchphrase of the year which was ‘Bizzle Bizzle’ possibly.” 4. Roll Deep - ‘Rules And Regulations’ (Roll Deep): “Independently released second album from the Roll Deep crew, including the feel good anthem ‘Celebrate That.” 5. Kano - ‘London Town’ (679): “Seriously underrated second album about Kano’s hometown, both the positives and the negatives are explored.” 6. Kidz In The Hall - ‘School Was My Hustle’ (Rawkus): “Very catchy album from the Chicago boys bigging up their school days, and stories of their youths. Which will get you nodding your head and pressing repeat.” 7. Mystro - ‘Diggi Down Unda’ (Grindin): “Hilarious shenanigans from this London rapper who decided to record an album in Australia with Australian artists.” 8. Common - ‘Finding Forever’ (GOOD Music): “This guy, also from Chicago, knows how to tell a story and a half to dramatic effect, particularly on his 6th effort.” 9. YOURCODENAMEIS: MILO - ‘They Came From The Sun’ (V2): “I’m probably the only person who liked this album, and preferred it too ‘Ignoto.’ Mixing rock with new rave and eating the like Klaxons for breakfast. A very inventive band who split up earlier this year.” 10. KanYe West - ‘Graduation’ (Roc-A-Fella): “Self-proclaimed greatest rapper and producer returns with the 3rd of his loosely based on the education system trilogy, and upped his game in the process.” |
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Brad Barrett (Kent) 1. Les Savy Fav - “Lets Stay Friends” (Wichita): “Kaleidoscope vision skewed into hard rock, punk, ambience with patchwork dynamics while bursting with flavour, ideas and ambition. Sonically, lyrically, emotionally, the best album this year.” 2. Meet Me In St Louis - “Variations On Swing” (BSM): “Unfathomable amounts of ideas spliced with time changes a-go-go make this the seminal debut album of the year. Astonishing and, if it wasn’t for the 12 year veterans, unstoppable.” 3. Liars - “Liars” (Mute): “Searing, soothing and seriously disturbing, Liars attempt a pop record, but it only comes out as Liars which, as you all know, is only ever some of the most challenging music on the planet.” 4. Radiohead - “In Rainbows” (XL): “Forget the ‘pay what you want’ forore and just remember that Radiohead have stripped experimentalism to a bare minimum and have burst forth with finer melodies than they have in a decade.” 5. The Maccabees - “Colour It In” (Fiction/Polydor): “Where most indie bands fail, The Maccabees seethe. Emotional, powerful and intricate, it’s naive art attached to feelings that apply to the tiniest child and the oldest adult. Stunning.” 6. Frank Turner - “Sleep is For The Week” (Xtra Mile): “Demonstrations got boring, and as a result we got this - a 13 track album of beautiful, aggressive, passionate songs that tangle us up in honest lyricism and bare bones melodic intentions.” 7. Future Of The Left - “Curses” (Too Pure): “Mclusky and Jarcrew bit the dust, only to rise Phoenix like in this new, mutated form. Curses is abstract, furious and like a sledgehammer attached to a jackhammer. Formidable.” 8. Minus The Bear - “Planet Of Ice” (Undergroove): “Rippling, textural behemoth that seeps into your bloodstream without you knowing and soon takes over your motor responses. An accomplished record.” 9. Asobi Seksu - Citrus (One Little Indian): “This was going to be Deerhoof’s ‘Friend Opportunity’ but then I remembered this burst of refreshing Pyramid of sound. Noise dampened with a hose of tangy pop and is thusly almost unforgettable.” 10. The Shins - Wincing The Night Away (Subpop/Transgressive): “A personal one - it reminds me of a happier beginning to 2007 when everything was going well, and this most beautiful of pop albums graced my presence. The enduring legacy of the songs means it remains a shining beacon in darker climes.” |
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Chris Merriman (London) 1. To My Boy – Messages (X L): “Young energetic electro-pop with a hard edge and an effortless streak of uber-cool” 2. Pepe Deluxe – Spare Time Machine (Catskills): “Delicious cheese-laden psychedelic lounge beats and in “Go For Blue” one of the finest records of the year” 3. Art Brut – It’s A Bit Complicated: “Who cares if he can’t sing – they still rock a stone cold party like no-one else can” 4. V/A – Distinctive presents Y4K (Annie Nightingale): “The finest compilation of the year, not least of all for Simon Munnery’s take on “Little Fluffy Clouds” 5. LCD Soundsystem – Sound of Silver: “Anyone who thought they were Losing Their Edge can rest assured” 6. New Pornographers – Challengers: “Canada’s greatest export since maple syrup come up trumps again with more perfect power pop” 7. Half Cousin – Iodine: “Scotlands best kept secret with another dose of minimalist electronic tinged folk” 8. Justice – Cross (Ed Banger): “The new saviours of dance with a sexy electronic drum-thwack” 9. V/A – The Big Stiff Box Set: “The perfect start to any music collection – four cds of some of the greatest tunes ever committed to plastic” 10. The Bongolian – A Trip To Outer Bongolia: “Anyone with a name like that was bound to be good. Full on loungecore cheese and Hammond heaven” |
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Chris Mitchell (Norwich) 1. Daft Punk @ O2 Wireless, Leeds: “Life affirming.” 2. Subba-Cultcha in Australia: “So from January till July I hit West Coast Australia and it was that good to name individual highlights would not only be impossible but a travesty to those that would have had to miss out, so here’s the lot… Big Day Out which featured, Muse, Tool, The Killers, My Chemical Romance, Kasabian, The Streets and much more all on the one day, Good Vibrations Festival with Beastie Boys headlining however Sneaky Sound System stole the show, Cut Copy at Club Capitol in Perth - Franz Ferdinand’s favourite band with one of the live performances of the year and Damien Rice in the idyllic settings of Fremantle Arts Centre caught just before Lisa Hannigan went her own direction - Brilliant!” 3. Biffy Clyro - Puzzle: “More commercial and more accessible often results in a whipping from the critics however Biffy get the balance between clever and catchy perfect. 4. Kings of Leon - Because of the Times: “Everybody’s favourite south paw indie-rockers just get better with age.” 5. Interpol - Our Love to Admire - “Cool personified.” 6. The Envy Corps: “My number one new band in 2007, on the back of two great singles and their debut album Dwell, their own brand of epic piano pop feels precise, attentive and refined without the major label gloss that you may expect.” 7. Muscles - Guns Babes Lemonade: “Modular records strike again, just wait till Muscles gets a UK release and wait for the music media hype machine to be working over time in the mean time get the Australian release. The album may not have great strength in depth but ‘Ice Cream’, ‘One Inch Pin Badge’ and ‘Jerk’ are all indie-electro club hits in waiting.” 8. The Cribs - Men’s Needs, Women’s Needs, Whatever: “The pure energy of The Cribs finally matured while still bounding across stages and into ear drums in 2007, the album simply reflects this and so succeeds.” 9. Bright Eyes - Cassadaga: “Conor Oberst never ceases to intrigue me, and with 2007 seeing lad-rock tendencies soar across the chart landscape it is always refreshing to hear something that is intelligent as well as entertaining.” 10. Maximo Park - Our Earthly Pleasures: “To a lesser extent the same applies to Maximo Park as it did to Bright Eyes, in a year when the likes of the Enemy and the Twang are so profitable the Geordie boy’s intellectual stimulation continues to appeal.” |
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Clare O'Brien (Scottish Highlands) 1. Chris Cornell Live @ The Roundhouse 03/10/07: “Marathon set, unbelievable vocals, great band - simply the best live show I’ve seen for years.” 2. Tori Amos – "American Doll Posse": “Quirky, inventive, passionate, difficult: the Red Queen at her most confrontational.” 3. Martin Grech – "March of The Lonely": “Stripped-down and acoustic – every artist has a “Nebraska” in them, and this is Grech’s.” 4. Chris Cornell – "Carry On": “It’s not Superunknown, but even his second-best is better than most people’s best. Transitional and fascinating.” 5. Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova – "The Swell Season": “Quivering thing of beauty: confessional love songs at their most moving.” 6. Casino Royale DVD: “Brave and bold reboot for a tired franchise struck gold, thanks to a tight script and the wonderful Daniel Craig.” 7. Nick Drake – "Family Tree": “More than just a reissue – a fascinating glimpse into the genesis of a genius.” 8. Apocalyptica – "Worlds Collide": “Novelty act come of age as artists with a range of great guests – a hugely enjoyable progfest.” 9. Paul McCartney – "Memory Almost Full": “Veteran songwriter proves there’s still fire in his belly and tunes in his head. Life-affirming.” 10. My Brightest Diamond – "Bring Me The Workhorse": “Weird and wonderful experimental songwriting from Shara Worden’s musical vehicle.” |
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Dave Allen (Walsall) 1. Latitude Festival: “Purple trees, Bill Bailey and techni-coloured sheep; what else do you need from a festival?” 2. Football Manager 2008 - PC (Sega): “Responsible for more misspent hours in front of a keyboard than the vast amount of free porn on the net.” 3. Future of the Left - “Curses” (Too Pure): “Proving second band syndrome (long known as “Wings Disease”) isn’t always a path to mediocrity.” 4. The Hold Steady - “Boys and Girls in America” (Vagrant): “No trendy haircuts, gimmicks or even youthful looks, The Hold Steady reminding those weary of fast-food music scenes, why music is supposed to be fun.” 5. Borat: Cultural Learning of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (DVD): “Soft-racism aside, this is easily the funniest satire of the last decade.” 6. Superbad - (Columbia Pictures): “I would say it reminded me of those youthful days ruled by embarrassment, drunken teenagers and perpetual horniness if those days didn’t still haunt me into my 20’s.” 7. God of War 2 - PS2 (SCEE): “A glorious shower in blood, gore and everything nasty.” 8. Basia Bulat - Oh My Darling (Rough Trade): “Resurrecting the ukulele, this is a beautiful breath of fresh air from the diminutive Canadian singer/songwriter.” 9. The National - “Boxer” (Beggars Banquet): “Melancholic urban lullabies for the disaffected urbanites.” 10. Okami - PS2 (Capcom): “The product of Japanese games designers and a big bag of mushrooms: scamper around a beautiful cell shaded world as a dog god drawing circles to make trees blossom.” |
| David Samuel (Brighton) 1. Miracle Fortress - "Five Roses" (Rough Trade): “Harmonies sent from heaven, pastoral electronica and twinkling guitar make David a very happy man. Every home should have one.” 2. Panda Bear - "Person Pitch" (Paw Tracks): “Unfathomable deep sea brilliance. Nuff said.” 3 .Burial - "Untrue" (Hyperdub): “I just can't get enough of the muted vocals and lo-fi garage on this second seminal album from Burial.” 4. Arthur and Yu - "In Camera" (Hardly Art): “Woodstock relived for 2007. The jangly tambourine and lo-fi recordings made me smile for weeks this summer.” 5. Wareika Hill Sounds (Honest Jon’s): “Top of the line dub / roots reggae. If only there was more reggae like this I could give up everything else.” 6. Matthew Dear - "Asa Breed" (Ghostly International): “Slick as fuck electro-pop with a sharply produced classy edge. Unbelievable stuff from the click house foreman.” 7. Alex Delivery - "Star Destroyer" (Jagjaguwar): “Space rock finally found a spiritual, albeit twisted, home with this forward thinking New York collective.” 8. Of Montreal - "Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?" (Polyvinyl): “Any album that contains as many standout tracks as this whacked out collection is fine by me.” 9. Sandro Peri - "Tiny Mirrors" (Constellation): “Love this man. There's little wrong done in his career and this jazz infused folk certainly only strengthens his impressive discography.” 10. Kate Nash - "Made of Bricks" (Fiction): “Begrudgingly I succumbed to her whimsical LDN pop. I'm not proud, but I will admit it.” |
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Emma Gould (Cardiff) 1. Poison the Well, "Versions": “The band's most ambitious album to date; quirky, heavy and brilliant.” 2. The Legend of Zelda: The Phantom Hourglass DS: “Best game of the year by far for the DS. Excellent use of the console and great story.” 3. Dillinger Escape Plan, "Ire Works": “More accessible; but proof this band can be commercially viable and vital and heavy at the same time.” 4. Alexisonfire @ Cardiff Uni 04/04: “A brilliant set from the main event but the icing on the cake was support from The Bronx and Cancer Bats.” 5. Deftones @ Bristol Carling Academy 18/04: “The mix of old and new was a crowd pleasing set, all played to perfection.” 6. The National, "Boxer": “Beautiful tunes beautifully played.” 7. The Good Life, "Help Wanted Nights": “Cursive's Tim Kasher comes up trumps with his other band's best album yet. Folk inspired rock with brilliant lyrics.” 8. Minus The Bear, "Planet of Ice": “The quirk rockers new album has plenty of catchy tunes but retains all the quirk of previous releases.” 9. Sounds Like Violence, "With Blood On My Hands": “Best debut album of the year, this has charm and guts and tunes to shout along to.” 10. *Shels, "Sea of the Dying Dhow": “Epic and moving but also heavy and intense, what more could you ask for?” |
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David Evans (London) 1. Arcade Fire @ Brixton Academy: “Apparently a below par gig by their standards, no "My Body Is A Cage", no playing outside on the steps or any of that gubbins yet still lived up to their rep as the best live band around by some margin.” 2. M.I.A. - Kala: “MIA returns from world tour and brings back all the good bits with her. Garish shiny zeitgeist informing pop gold.” 3. Art Brut - It's A Bit Complicated: “Urgent direct indie pop with sharp, witty and relevant lyrics. Anyone who's ever made a mix tape or copied out the lyrics from a CD inlay will know exactly where Eddie Argos head is at.” 4. Jesus & Mary Chain @ Royal Festival Hall: “Sulking, feeback, Leila Moss on backing vocals. The free tickets didn't hurt either.” 5. Jindabyne: “Ray Lawrence's masterpiece was a meditative look at the big issues. Racism, sexism, guilt and the need to belong. 6.LCD Soundsystem @ Astoria: “Still a dreadful venue and James Murphy dances like your dad but hey, he invented this stuff, he's allowed to.” 7.Klaxons - Myths Of The Near Future: “The Mercury Prize gets it right more often than most of us like to admit.” 8.Science Of Sleep: “Michel Gondrys pop nous served him well in this surreal romcom. And Gael Garcia Bernal & Charlotte Gainsbourg. Phwoar!” 9.Von Sudenfed - Tromatic Reflexxions: “Whisper it but could this be a better vehicle for Mark E Smiths talents than The Fall?” 10.A Guide To Recognising Your Saints: “Dito Montiel's coming-of-age in NYC drama didn't reach anything like the size of audience it should have.” |
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Steven Fanning (London) 1. Smashing Pumpkins @ Shepherds Bush Empire: “Corgan doing his megalomaniac ‘I Am The Messiah’ bit at the Empire, and doing it with majestic aplomb. The bald idiot in a dress is back.” 2. My Bloody Valentine announcing a tour: “Whether they’ll turn up or not is another matter, but the mere thought of possibly seeing them at the Roundhouse is enough to be a highlight of the year.” 3. The National ‘Boxer’ (Beggars Banquet): “The album of the year, beautifully written, arranged and produced and a work of pure class.” 4. Sonic Youth performing ‘Daydream Nation’ @ the Roundhouse: “One of those gigs where, as my friend put it, ‘you wouldn’t wanna miss the first song’. And we didn’t, and it was amazing.” 5. Silversun Pickups @ the 100 Club: “A massive sound in a miniature venue with devastatingly good results.” 6. Nine Black Alps ‘Love/Hate’ (Island): “The sophomore album, which on first listen didn’t sound up to much, but it grows, and grows, and grows…” 7. The Ponys ‘Turn The Lights Out’ (Matador): “Shoegazey poppiness from across the pond.” 8. The Hedrons ‘One More Won’t Kill Us’ (Measured): “The spirit of Riot Grrrl having a good old slice of Siouxsie pie with a twist of Glaswegian gusto. Yum.” 9. Black Francis ‘Bluefinger’ (Cooking Vinyl): “His best work since the Pixies? Yep.” 10. Grinderman ‘Grinderman’ (Mute): “Nick Cave showing his sense of humour alongside his brilliant musical madness. A triumph.” |
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Eddie Thomas (London) 1. Frog Pocket – Come On Primates: “Quite simply, album of the year. Utter, unhinged genius!” 2. Green Man Festival– Joanna Newsom: “greatest thing from Texas since Bill Hicks, no exaggeration!” 3. Les Savy Fav – Let’s Stay Friends and live: “Absolutely incredible album, but even that is dwarfed by the live show – gig of the decade without a doubt.” 4. Against Me – New Wave and live: “Fire, passion and above all, great songs” 5. Bad Brains - Build A Nation and live: “classic line-up back together again and sounding amazing after all these years” 6. Chuck Ragan – Los Feliz and Feast Or Famine: “not one but two outstanding records from the ex-HWM man” 7. Davy Graham live: “UK folks answer to Robert Johnson isn’t just still alive (against all the odds), isn’t just still touring, but he’s still got it going on! Not bad considering he released his first single 45 years ago and spent much of the interim smacked out of his gourd.” 8. Subhumans – Internal Riot: “Punk longevicists still ranting and nowhere near selling out. Legendary status is well deserved.” 9. Satellite Party – Ultra Payloaded and live: Perry Farrell, the worlds greatest living rock star and a thoroughly nice chap to boot 10. Flight Of The Conchords: “TV comedy series of the year – so funny I wet my pants every Tuesday at 9:30 now. Even the Boosh don’t come close to the Conchords.” |
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Kirkland Ciccone (Scotland) 1. M.I.A. - ‘Kala’ (XL): “The sound of Molotov cocktails being lobbed at every genre of music imaginable.” 2. Arctic Monkeys - ‘Favourite Worst Nightmare’ (Domino): “An eloquent album with massive amounts of melody, they Monkeys are bright stars in a constellation of posing bores.” 3. Land Of Talk - ‘Applause Cheer Boo Hiss’ (One Little Indian): “Dreamy, sexy, scary and amazing. Land Of Talk must become bigger than God.” 4. Girls Aloud - ‘Tangled Up’ (Fascination): “A ten million carrot gold pop album from the best girl group in the world.” 5. The Dykeenies - ‘Nothing Means Everything’ (Lavolta): “The antidote to passionless pop being peddled about the place. They’re a really great live band as well and this album captures that essence.” 6. The Rakes - ‘Ten New Messages’ (V2): “Alan Donohoe is the new Terry Hall: His sardonic voice, his sarcastic wit, his hilarious dancing. I love The Rakes and Alan is a fantastic front man.” 7. Patrick Wolf - ‘The Magic Position’ (Loog): “I still prefer his first album to any other he’s done but this is a fantastic record either way.” 8. Klaxons - ‘Myths Of The Near Future’ (Modular): “Everyone probably has this band in their top ten so I’ll say nothing more.” 9. Siobhan Donaghy - ‘Ghosts’ (Parlophone): “Her influences are very obvious but it’s a cracking album and should have sold more than it did.” 10. 1990s - ‘Cookies’ (Rough Trade): “I was at their album launch party. I’m positive I could smell weed.” |
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Kirsty Pugh (Bristol) 1. Switches - 'Heart Turned to D.E.A.D' (Atlantic): “Take a bowl full of Britpop, add a liberal sprinkling of glam rock and a pinch of 80s pop, mix together and you have the fabulous sound of Switches. This album has everything from indie-dance floor fillers to beautiful ballads.” 2. Little Man Tate - 'About What You Know' (V2): “Northern band producing witty, observational tunes about life ooop north. No, not the Arctic Monkeys, but the brilliant Little Man Tate, who have packed this album with charming, catchy indie rock.” 3. Reverend and the Makers - 'The State of Things' (Wall of Sound): “Indie poet John McClure tells tales of northern life against a back drop of funk influenced punk-pop. Impossible to keep still while this album is playing.” 4. Tiny Dancers - 'Free School Milk' (Parlophone): “Electro pop with a country and western twist. Beautiful, fragile melodies and jangly guitars abound on this impressive debut.” 5. Rumble Strips - 'Girls and Weather' (Fallout): “Ska-based pop that makes you want to dance like no one is watching. Fantastic bouncy brass section and heartfelt, witty lyrics.” 6. Art Brut - 'It's A Bit Complicated' (Mute): “This art-rock gem is easier to listen to than their first effort, but it has not lost any of the wit and irony that makes Art Brut special.” 7. Maximo Park - 'Our Earthly Pleasures' (Warp): “Not as instantly accessible as Apply Some Pressure, but still packed full of guitar led intelligent, energetic tunes. The first half of the album is full of powerful potential hits.” 8. The Wombats - 'A Guide to Love, Loss and Desperation' (14th Floor): “Catchy hooks, killer harmonies and powerful, witty lyrics. Full of radio friendly hits, that will have a smile plastered to your face.” 9. Foo Fighters - 'Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace' (RCA) One of rock's finest produces the goods yet again. Hard rocking hits, sit next to folkier ballads, as we get to see the many faces of Dave Grohl. 10. Pigeon Detectives - 'Wait For Me' (Dance to the Radio): “The album every teenage boy wishes he had written. Packed full of cocky, raucous potential indie anthems.” |
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Kristell Gathoye (London) 1. Muse @ Wembley Stadium (June 16th) 2. Deftones @ Brixton Academy (April 14th) 3. Machine Head @ Brixton Academy - The Black Crusade (November 24th) 4. Static-X @ Islington Academy ( June 24th) 5. Fightstar @ Koko (October 16th) 6. Machine Head - ‘The Blackening’ (Roadrunner) |
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Mandy Williams (Liverpool) 1. Cherry Ghost - Thirst for Romance: “Bolton's source of crashing beauty from a sweet apparition. Alt. country tales that get under your skin and take root.” 2. Interpol - Our Love to Admire: “You can't beat a bit of cool doom. This album could be the New Yorkers masterpiece.” 3. The Shins - Wincing the Night Away: “As Natalie Portman says to Zach Braff in 'Garden State,' The Shins will change your life.” 4. Polytechnic - Down Til dawn: “Melancholic jangle pop complete with ghost shanties and summer sounds. You just want to hug them!” 5. Fields - Everything Last Winter: “The best thing since Arcade Fire's Funeral from Anglo Icelandic shoe gazers” 6. Armistead Maupin - Michael Tolliver lives: “What can I say he's my hero! It's back to Barbary Lane for the trailblazing San Franciscan Author in this hugely entertaining novel.” 7. Arctic Monkeys @ Old Trafford: “Sometimes you can please all of the people all of time. A beer fuelled day of fun at the lads' mini fest.” 8. Tokyo Police Club: “Ontario's indie garage rockers are quite simply weird, young and great” 9. This is England: “With his best film yet Shane Meadows proves he's a successor to Ken Loach” 10. Amazing Journey: The Story of The Who/Six Quick Ones: “If you have a spare four hours to kill, you couldn't do better than this fascinating biopic which charts the Shepherds Bush mods' forty year career” |
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Lewis Morton (Norwich) 1. Rufus Wainwright - Release the Stars (Geffen): “Once again Rufus has delivered an album of moving, sophisticated masterpieces. For my money the finest songwriter on the planet.” 2. Cold War Kids - Robbers & Cowards (Downtown Records): “An album that surpassed all the buzz of their SXSW appearances and early Eps, this is the real sound of America and it sounds immense” 3. Arcade Fire - Neon Bible (Rough Trade): “The pressure surrounding this was huge, yet the Arcade Fire surpassed even their own high standards. The compositions on here get better with each listen.” 4. Radiohead - In Rainbows (Self-Release): “After the turbulent Hail To The Thief, Radiohead deliver an album to rival Kid A as their finest hour. A novel approach to releasing the album typifies the band and Videotapes could be one of Yorke’s greatest songs.” 5. The Little Ones - Sing Song EP (Heavenly): “Technically not an album, none the less this seven-strong-song Ep blew me away when I first heard it. Crafted pop magic that Brian Wilson would be proud of.” 6. Kings of Leon - Because Of The Times (Hand Me Down): “This album is a real grower; I was under whelmed at first but the new direction really works and Caleb’s voice is slowly becoming iconic.” 7. Shins - Wincing The Night Away (Transgressive): “The informed, literary indie-pop of Portland’s finest has been a welcome respite in a year dominated by the likes of The Enemy. Surpassing Chutes Too Narrow, James Mercer is finding the consistency to fulfil his potential.” 8. Bright Eyes - Cassadaga (Saddle Creek): “Conor Oberst continues to compete with Ryan Adams for the title of America’s most prolific alt. country star. This album shows the craft of his song writing and is full of home-spun charm.” 9. The Good, The Bad and The Queen (Parlophone): “Essentially a super group, this album is a quintessential British masterpiece. Albarn finally achieved his ambition to write an album that related to Ray Davies’ London and does so to haunting effect.” 10. Patrick Wolf - The Magic Position (Loog Records): “A new direction for Mr. Wolf, with The Magic Position being a far more upbeat, accessible affair than previous efforts. However, talent like his would stand out regardless and this is a joyously indulgent affair.” |
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Liam McGrady (London) 1. Reuben - In Nothing We Trust: “The best British rock album this year by miles and miles and miles.” 2. Meet Me In St. Louis - Variations On Swing: “Initially seeming too clever for its own good, a few listens in you realise that this record is probably the most inventive Post-Hardcore effort in aeons.” 3. Part Chimp @ The Montague Arms: “Brutal, just brutal.” 4. Antelope/ Cutting Pink With Knives/ Instruments @ The Metro: “Brilliant line up from start to finish and ace promoters. Not often that happens.” 5. Optimist Club’s last ever gig @ The Luminaire: “One of the best bands ever. I was genuinely upset for about a week after this.” 6. The Good, The Bad & The Queen @ Hammersmith Palais: “Albarn and Simonon onstage together at the last night of the legendary venue. Perfect.” 7. Cutting Pink With Knives - Popluxxe: “The most refreshing noise record in about a decade.” 8. The Besnard Lakes - … Are The Dark Horse: “Ahh, the amount of time I spent getting stoned to this record.” 9. Jonquil - Lions: “Uplifting, pretty, graceful, inventive, the list goes on.” 10. Reading Festival 2007: “Smashing Pumpkins absolutely nailing it on the main stage, Ash being the perfect festival band, being completely intoxicated for three days; good times.” |
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Luke Jovetic (Lincoln) 1. Justice - Cross: “An album that goes way beyond dance, simply a fantastic album” 2. The Shins - Wincing The Night Away: “An album of perfect songs, how pop should be” 3. Jimmy Eat World - Chase This Light: “Catchy as hell, irresistible songs, a great comeback” 4. Underminded - Eleven Eleven: “Heavy as hell, an album where elements of metal and hardcore combine and it doesn't suck!” 5. Ian Brown - The World Is Yours: “He dared to experiment and he succeeded, beautiful string backed songs, unlike anyone else out there” 6. Of Montreal - Hissing Fauna Are You The Destroyer: “It's indie, it's pop but not as you might know it” 7. Cooper Temple Clause - Make This Your Own: “A farewell to remember from the Coopers, great songs” 8. High Contrast - Tough Guys Don't Dance: “Essential Drum and Bass album of the year” 9. Arcade Fire - Neon Bible: “Huge songs, a dark and fantastic second album” 10. Behemoth - The Apostasy: “Totally brutal. No more needs to be said” |
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Tim Mass Movement ( Hades) 1. Alabama Thunderpussy - Open Fire (Relapse): “Quite possibly the BEST pure metal record to have been released in the last year. Hell, in the last five years” 2. Himsa - Summon In Thunder (Century Media): “They finally did it, and released a thrash classic” 3. Bad Religion - New Maps Of Hell (Epitaph): “It’s a new Bad Religion album. What more do you need to know?” 4. Love Songs - Behind Enemy Lines in G Minor (New Disorder / Wljemac / 625): “Quite possibly the best pure pop punk record. Ever.” 5. American Hardcore: The History Of American Punk 1980 -1986: “I wasn’t a biog fan of Steven Blush’s book, but bloody hell, the film is great. The definitive documentary on my first love, USHC” 6. Hellboy: Blood & Iron (Animated) (Starz Media): “Darkhorse Comic’s favourite son meets Anime in a head on collision. Bloody brilliant!” 7. Call Of Cthulhu (HPHLS Pictures): “Finally, a Lovecraft film, the way it would have been made in Lovecraft’s era. Perfect late night entertainment” 8. Civil War - Mark Millar & Steve McNiven (Marvel Graphic Novels): “Groundbreaking, Universe shattering story from Mark Millar. See, this is what happens when you let Millar loose” 9. Girls & Corpses Magazine: “Yeah, this mag launches this year, and it features exactly what it says on the cover. Girls and Corpses. Sort of a B-culture bible that features the best Horror and porn interviews I’ve ever read. Subscribe! 10. Green Lantern: Rebirth - Geofff Johns, Evan Van Sciver & Prentis Rollins (Titan Books): “The Green Lantern is back and the world is pretty damn good again. Hallelujah!” |
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Michelle Marsh (London) 1. Klaxons @ Shepherds Bush Empire 19/05/07: “Pure mayhem and neon magic, awash with the most ridiculously mini-moshers that ever walked the earth.” 2. Amy Winehouse @ Somerset House 20/07/07: “Amazing purely as she managed to complete the set without spitting, chucking up or making a complete twat of herself. Oh, and she has an amazing voice too!” 3. Dizzee Rascal @ London Astoria 09/11/07: “The legend that is! The atmosphere was amazing andDizzee’s set was nothing short of genius.” 4. New Young Pony Club @ Oxygen: “Sex on a plate, well stage. Pure hedonistic joy. How the hell could anyone resist the seductively dulcet tones of the elecro-porn posse?” 5. Kate Nash @ Union Chapel London 26/11/07: “Ok, I can’t actually stand this tit but watching her make more than a slight ass of herself in public by refusing to bother to talk to the audience warmed the cockles of my heart” 6. The Courteeners @ Academy 2 Manchester 02/10/07: “The crowd was buzzing from start to close as the Manc’ lads gave it their all, and them some. Possibly one of the best homecoming shows Manchester has seen” 7. Of Montreal @ ULU 06/12/2007: “The quirkiest gig I’ve been to in a long time. Made all the more memorable by the random slightly obese man with pink shades and a feather boa enjoying himself slightly too much” 8. Chesney Hawkes: “The perfect end to a long hard year at uni. Who’s the ‘One and Only’? Oh I think you know” 9. ShockWaves NME Awards Tour @ Hammersmith Palais 22/02/07: “Take 4 awesome bands, CSS, Sunshine Underground, Klaxons and New Young Pony Club, shove them together in one venue, add a little bit of drunkenness and what do you get? An amazing night of elecro-indie mayhem!” 10. PJ Harvey @ Royal Festival Hall 29/10/07: “Enchanting, raw and emotional, Polly Jane made a welcome comeback and enthralled all with her jagged and captivating charm.” |
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Oliver Price (Dartmouth) 1. Surprise! - Internet Love Song (EP): “Sharp, addictive and irreverent, a band to watch out for in 2008. 2. The Shins - Wincing the Night Away: “Whilst most American guitar music is busy disappearing up its own cretinous backside, The Shins put out a genuinely intelligent and forward thinking slab of melodic indie pop.” 3. Arcade Fire @ Alexandra Palace 17/11/07: “The music industry could never manufacture a band like this and they are bloody great.” 4. Pans Labyrinth (DVD): “Magical psychological thriller by Mexican director Guillermo del Toro. Gripping and mystifying.” 5. Not Going To Glastonbury 2007: “Whilst transcendental sets by Bjork, Arctic Monkeys and The Who were enough to tempt 200,000 people for a long-weekend knee deep in mud and filth, I had a lovely time in front of the TV with my slippers on and a mug of cocoa.” 6. Frank Turner - Sleep is for the Week: “Witty, political, angsty and catchy. It's a shame more of us don't listen to Frank Turner. I'd love to hear what Margaret Thatcher thinks of him.” 7. Bestival September 2007: “Fantastic lineup, relaxed or turbo-charged as you want, still not too commercial.” 8. Edinburgh Festival (comedy, music, dance,film): “Like Glastonbury, in a city, for a whole month. It gets bigger and better every year and you can see things you won't see anywhere else. Highlights this year; Sound Bites at the Fringe, Jessica Delphino and everything in the Speigel Garden 9. 28 Weeks Later: “Flawed Zombie moovie, but it's quite exciting.” 10. The Feeling @ Hammersmith Apollo, May: “So nice, a little anodyne perhaps, but this band can really play their instruments and write undeniably great pop and put on a fantastic live show. Roll on album no.2. |
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Paul Raven (Southsea) 1. Oceansize - “Frames” (Superball Music): “Epic, dark, delicate, powerful, intelligent, original progressive alt-rock. If you require more complimentary adjectives to describe the third Oceansize album, rest assured, I can provide them.” 2. Kinski - “Down Below It's Chaos” (SubPop Records): “Gloriously nihilistic and moody post-grunge shoegazer masterpiece; a soundtrack to destroying your early twenties with drink, drugs and guitars.” 3. Jetplane Landing – “Backlash Cop” (Smalltown America Records): “Funky, punky, high-paced and bags of fun – the most energetic and wry hardcore concept album ever. If Backlash Cop doesn't make you tap your feet, you must be an amputee.” 4. Silversun Pickups - “Carnavas” (Sire Records): “Combines the warm fuzzy weight of My Bloody Valentine and the gorgeous angst of Smashing Pumpkins before they became a bloated sham. Wasted indie-pop bliss at its contemporary best.” 5. A Place To Bury Strangers - “A Place To Bury Strangers” (Killer Pimp Records): “Welcome back to 1990 – nothing else matters but saturated guitar amps and distant mumbled vocals a la Jesus And Mary Chain. The best thing to come out of New York in years.” 6. The Young Gods – “Super Ready/Fragmente” (Pias Recordings): “A spectacular return to their industrial roots by seminal Swiss masters of intricate industrial soundscaping. Utterly unique, and still decades ahead of the competition.” 7.Jesu - “Lifeline EP” (Hydrahead Records): “Ex-Napalm Death and Godflesh maestro Justin Broderick finds his melodic pop heart, but keeps it buried in the thickest distorted guitar in the universe. Crushingly uplifting, hauntingly affirmational.” 8. Recoil - “subHuman” (Mute Records): “Former Depeche Mode muso Alan Wilder returns with his studio project; quasi-industrial landscapes and synth pop blended with the Cajun-fried flavour of deep-South blues. Intelligent, political and highly absorbing.” 9. Black Strobe - “Burn Your Own Church” (PlayLouder Records): “Is it techno? Industrial? Goth? Rock? Indie? Post-apocalyptic Weimar electro-cabaret? Whatever you decide to call it, it's a fascinating and idiosyncratic piece of work.” 10. V/A - “Exile On Mainstream – Worship The Riff” (Exile On Mainstream): “Wide-ranging and adventurous compilation album from fiercely independent German label. Goth, industrial, noise, stoner, and everything in between – a label to watch, and a sampler to treasure.” |
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Philip Goodfellow (Essex) 1. Jamie T - "Panic Prevention" (Virgin): “The greatest debut album we've seen in quite a while.” 2. Interpol - "Our Love To Admire" (Parlophone): “Sheer class from one of the finest bands in the world.” 3. Bloc Party - "A Weekend In The City" (Wichita): “Another astounding offering from arguably the best band in the country.” 4. Arcade Fire - "Neon Bible" (Sonovox): “The album that made (or should have made) pretty much every other band in the world feel a bit inadequate.” 5. Klaxons - "Myths Of The Near Future" (Universal): “Startlingly fresh and original slice of 'nu-rave' genius.” 6. CSS - "CSS" (Sub Pop): “If you don't love CSS, you're dead inside.” 7. Babyshambles - "Shotter's Nation" (Regal): “Majestic 'fuck you' from tabloid stalwart Doherty and his band of merry men.” 8. Kings Of Leon - "Because Of The Times" (Columbia): “If ever a band were born to do what they do, it's Kings Of Leon.” 9. The Good, The Bad And The Queen - "The Good, The Bad And The Queen" (Parlophone): An unsurprisingly fine offering from Damon Albarn and his supergroup companions. 10. Gallows - "Orchestra of Wolves" (WEA): “A timely wake up call for British music, with bollocks the size of Jack Penate's ego.” |
| SUBBA-CULTCHA'S TOP TWENTY INTERVIEWS |
| …And The Rest: Click Here for Features Thursday, Goldie looking chain, The Horrors, Angels & Airwaves, Alkaline Trio, Dashboard Confessional, New Found Glory, YourCodeNameIs:Milo, Spank Rock, From Autumn To Ashes, Alexisonfire, And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead, Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster, InMe, Four Tet, Fightstar, Cannibal Corpse, Cerys Matthews, Embrace, Goo Goo Dolls, Aiden, Elbow, Sparta, Idlewild, The Ataris, The Wildhearts, My Vitriol, Napalm Death, Norma Jean, Pelican, Blood Brothers, Kano, The Cooper Temple Clause, Cursive, Dimmu Borgir, The National, Poison The Well, From First To Last, The Stills, Lightspeed Champion, Múm, The Hours, Imogen Heap, Hundred Reasons, Story Of The Year, Nerina Pallot, Katatonia, Cornelius, Clutch, RJD2, Nightmare Of You, Winnebago Deal, Gogol Bordello, The Haunted, Recoil, Maps, Gwar, Reuben, Aqualung, Jacknife Lee, The Hold Steady, Adem, Chimaira, ILiKETRAiNS, Money Mark, Battles, Amusement Parks On Fire, Help She Can’t Swim, Emanuel, Annuals, Broken Social Scene’s Kevin Drew, Gym Class Heroes, James Yorkston, King Creosote, Planes Mistaken For Stars, Stephen Brodsky (Cave-In/the octave museum), Good Books, Los Campensinos, To My Boy, Unearth, You Say Party! We Say Die!, Fu Manchu, Bedouin Soundclash, The Bloodhound Gang, mr Hudson & the library, Plain White T‘s, The Panic Channel, A Wilhelm Scream, 747s, New Rhodes, Fucked up, ActionReaction, The Little One’s, Martin Grech. Akira The Don, Betty Curse, Bloodsimple, Against Me!, Kid Harpoon, Remi Nicole, Envelopes, Breaks Co-op, 1990s, Lupen Crook, Vanna, Thomas Dolby, Okkervil River, Brigade, Sacred Reich, G. Love, Pepe Deluxe, Bullets And Octane, Burst, Clawfinger, The Wombats, The Heavy, The Brightlights, Eliot Minor, The Dykeenies, Tony Wright (Terrorvision), Comets On Fire, Constantines, Desert City Soundtrack, Don Caballero, Scout Niblett, Ungdomskulen, Electric Eel Shock, Psyopus, Pissed Jeans, this ending, The Broken Family, The Crimea, Twelve Tribes, Kids In Glass Houses, Dresden Dolls, Envy, Fear Before The March of Flames, God Forbid, Pig Destroyer, The Films, God Is An Astronaut, Goldblade, Hayseed Dixie, HeadWoundCity, Pierce The Veil, Heavens, I Am Ghost, Ignite, Jeff Klein, Joan As Police Woman, Jon Oliva’s Pain, Kaada, Liam Frost and the Slowdown Family, Liars, Lords, MC LARS, Moneen, Motorhead, Nigel Clark (Ex-Dodgy), Oceansize, Oneida, Part Chimp, Pink Mountaintops, Autumn, Protest The Hero, Psapp, Reuben, Ron Sexsmith, Rye Coalition, Saves The Day, Seafood, Sebadoh, Serena Maneesh, Sikth, Silverstein, Since By Man, Soledad Brothers, Some Girls, Souls She Said/The Icarus Line, Special Needs, Spitalfield, Swearing At Motorists, tapes n tapes, Terri Walker, The Adolescents, The Bled, The Bluetones, The Boy Least Likely To, Akala, Darkthrone, GoFaster, The Bronx, The Mighty Roars, The Blue Van, SixNationState, Underground Railroad, The Bird and The Bee, Heideroosjes, Hearts of Black Science, The Pierces, My Awesome Compilation, Ligion, The Cinematic Orchestra, Alabama Thunderpussy, The Mules, The Receiving End of Sirens, Hot Cross, Drive By Argument, Kosheen, Architecture in Helsinki, Pox (ex-deus), PRE, Fortune Drive, Throwdown, The Envy Corps, Radar, Kaddisfly, Loney, dear, Ben Taylor, Bayside, The Queers, Boys Night Out, Clouds, LoveHateHero, Wires On Fire, Eugene McGuinness, Ying Yang Twins, Future Of The Left, Brutal Truth, Little Man Tate, Hot Gossip, Chris Jericho (WWE wrestler), Ali Love, The Checks, Das Oath, Fucked Up, White Town, Flood of Red, Maps, Scars Of Tomorrow, The Blackout, Pull Tiger Tail, Spidersimpson, Phelan Sheppard, Ghosts, The Concretes, The Crimea, The Draft, The Fallout Trust, Asobi Seksu, The Freelance Hellraiser, The Grates, The Handsome Family, The Hope Conspiracy, Rooney, United States Of Electronica, Crime In Stereo, BMX Bandits, Subhumans/Citizen Fish, Tuung, The Color Fred (ex-Taking Back Sunday), The Xcerts, Tom Baxter, The Hot Puppies, The Infadels, Haste The Day, The Matches, The Motorettes, The Needles, The Neon Plastix, The New Amsterdams, Basia Bulat, Paul Steel, The Paper Chase, The Race, The Victorian English Gentlemens Club, This Et Al, Through The Eyes Of The Dead, Darkest Hour, Miracle Fortress, June, Tiger Army, Lights. Action!, Nathan, Vega4, Wheatus, Yellowcard, Zao, and Zebrahead… Plus; We’ve interviewed The Legendary: Perry Farrell (Jane‘s Addiction/Porno For Pyros), Chris Cornell (Soundgarden/Audioslave), Peter Hook (Joy Division/New Order), Coldcut, Squeeze, Alan McGee (Creation/Poptones Records), Madness, Billy Gould (Faith No More), Julien Temple, Fishbone, Gary Numan, Jonah Matranga (Far/Onelinedrawing), Skin (Skunk Anansie), Future Sound Of London, Robert Wyatt, The Posies… Even Gary Barlow (Take That) stopped by to say hello! Thanks to all the writer, press agents, labels, ads people, bands, fans, friends and the core subba team of Tom our design guru, Gareth our tech whiz kid, and Mark in charge of Ads, Promo & pep talks! Most of all, in a totally shmooze-like manor, we’d like to thank you all for visiting the site, and giving us a reason to listen to music all day long! |
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Deadline for answers: 2008-07-15 We have 5 copies of The Allman Brothers Band’s Seven Turns & Shades Of Two Worlds CD To give away…...enter comp |
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Deadline for answers: 2008-07-15 We have 3 copies of Living with the Tudors DVD To give away…...enter comp |
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What people are already saying in the Subba-Cultcha forum:
join the debate and add your views in the Subba forum...click here
join the debate and add your views in the Subba forum...click here
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