My Singles Of 2010.

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Again, in no order aside from the last track.

Marina And The Diamonds- Shampain- I would have picked Oh No! due to my love for the lyrics. However, I have gone with Shampain as it reminds me of roadtrips to Manchester with my friends and singing a long very loudly, providing amusement for other drivers. Then again..Oh No! reminds me of dancing to it and reciting some of Marina’s moves in the video.

Zola Jesus-Night– So bloody eerie and mind blowing. The album is stunning. This song is just fucking out of this world. The intro just..I don’t know, the song leaves you paralysed- unable to move- in awe of what you’ve just heard.

New Young Pony Club- Lost A Girl- Sounds very 80s- but they do it in a good, credible way. It isn’t ripping anyone off nor are they copying any other 80s band.

Ou Est Le Swimming Pool- The Key- This band are mine and my best friend’s band. When we heard about Charlie we were inconsolable for ages. We went to Chazzstock in London and it was so moving. So sad. OELSP will always be one of my favourite bands, and luckily I saw them live. I have no idea what they’ll do now..it’s just a shame.

The Vaccines- Wreckin’ Bar (Ra Ra Ra)- They also played at Chazzstock and were joined by Faris and Tom from The Horrors. Yes, I had a massive fit of excitement during that. This song is the shortest song performed on Jools Holland- FACT! It is also one of the best songs of this year. I hope they’re massive in 2011.

CocknBullKid- Hold Onto Your Misery- Everyone knows how much I adore Anita Blay. She’s amazing. Her album is FINALLY out in February. I’m aware it’ll be one of my favourites of 2011.

Florence & The Machine- Cosmic Love- I know Lungs came out last year, but this single was released this year..so I can list it :p My love for Flo is massive and..yeah, you know. She’s THE ONE isn’t she. This is my favourite Flo song. Live is just tears me apart. I cannot describe it.

Ellie Goulding- Guns And Horses- I loved the demo of this, and I’m sure the video cured me of my phobia of horses slightly. I say it’s a phobia- I just really dislike horses. I could’ve listed Starry Eyed but I only like it when it’s done live. Under The Sheets was last year so…I’m going with Guns And Horses. She looks beautiful (as ever) in the video.

Warpaint- Undertow- This song lyrically blew my mind. Did you see them do this acoustic on BBC3 during Reading/Leeds Festival? That was something. Stella drumming on a box. How many would do that, and do iut well? This band were the best band of 2010. I love Jenny’s bass playing on this, it’s so relaxed. Theresa kills the guitar and Emily’s vocals are stunning. Stella is the best drummer around. Easily. And Undertow shows exactly why.

SONG OF THE YEAR.

Foals- Spanish Sahara- The build up in this song is beautiful. Yannis’ voice on this song is gorgeous. The lyrics are stunning. It lasts just over 6 minutes, perfect to play on repeat when on a long train journey.

My Albums Of 2010.

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Attempting to put this down to 10 is going to be frustrating, and I will want to constantly change my mind. THIS IS IN NO ORDER. Apart from the last album I mention, that’s my favourite of the year.

Marina And The Diamonds- The Family Jewels.- This album means the world to me. Especially the song, Guilty which I was lucky enough to tell her this on the 31st October. Marina is amazing live. How she is with her fans is just lovely. She spent about 45 minutes with us. Just a lovely person. I don’t think this album got the recognition it fully deserved.  I remember first hearing about her well over a year and a half ago and just being in awe of her. Favourite track : Guilty.

Ellie Goulding- Lights/Bright Lights- I’ve mentioned Lights and Bright Lights because the extra tracks on Bright Lights are brilliant. She has to release Animal. The drum breakdown is mental. I love the production on this. Her and Starsmith are incredible. Her live shows are insane. I saw her play Academy 3 then 2 then 1 in Manchester…watching her gorw- you can see the transformation in her when she performs. During Your Biggest Mistake she just goes crazy. Not to mention her drumming during Salt Skin and Starry Eyed. I was a massive fan of Ellie before she got signed, like with Florence and to see her go from being a girl with a guitar with no record deal to a household name just made me feel so proud. A lovely person who I was lucky to meet at the start of the year. She’s just amazing. Favourite album track : from Lights : Salt Skin. from Bright Lights: Believe Me.

New Young Pony Club- The Optimist- Highly underrated. This album was amazing. Much better than their debut. The lyrics, the production- everything just sounded bigger yet darker. I love how dark the album sounds. Perfect from start to finish. Favourite album track: Chaos.

The Drums-The Drums– I love how they captured the dark lyrics over lively music. I love everything about this band. The way Johnny moves on stage reminds you of Morrissey mixed with Ian Curtis. Favourite album track : Down By The Water.

Mystery Jets-Serotonin- This year after  waiting so long to see them live, I finally did. I can safely say watching Flakes live was one of my favourite things about 2010. Stunning.  Making Dens and Twenty One are remarkable albums. Serotonin is just as stunning. Mystery Jets are one of the best UK bands around. Easily. Favourite album track : Alice Springs.

Best Coast-Crazy For You- For me, this album was the sound of the summer. Boyfriend was constantly on BBC 6Music, hearing it just made the day better. Anyone who owns or heard this album knows how speciual it is. It’s just got that summer vibe through and through. Favourite album track : The End.

Zola Jesus-Stridulum II- Haunting, sad, dark, remarkable. I fell in love instantly with this album. Everything about it is evberything I love about music. The lyrics made you want to break down and cry- but you couldn’t cry because you were in awe of how stunning this album is. When I bought his album, I played it whilst cooking and as I was giving my attention to the album- I nearly burnt myself. That’s how good it is. It requires all your attention. If you don’t own it- please go out and buy it. Favourite album track – I Can’t Stand.

Lightspeed Champion- Life Is Sweet! Nice To Meet You- Massvie fan of Dev and all he does. Whether it is as Lightspeed Champion or Blood Orange. He’s a musical genius. This album, along with a few this year, just did not get the recognition they fully deserve. Favourite album track- Faculty Of Fears.

Foals- Total Life Forever- VERY nearly was my album of the year- but most lists have claimed it to be the best album. By a UK band, yes it is. It’s an amazing album. Like all the albums I have listed- it catapulted me into a different world. Total Life Forever is sheer brilliance. I loved playing this album whilst on the train to work every day. It’s an album that I know I will listen in 10 years time and feel the same way about it as I did the first time I heard it. Favourite album track – After Glow.

ALBUM OF THE YEAR :

Warpaint-The Fool- When I first heard Undertow I knew that Warpaint would be putting out some of the best music of 2010. Their EP Exquisite Corpse (brilliantly titled) just left you wanting more. A year later and The Fool was released. I still want more. They were a pleasure to interview, probably my favourite band I’ve interviewed. They love what they do and they love each other. You can tell that music is their everything. They’re not in it to make money. They do it because music is that important to them. I remember listening to the album online (streaming not illegally downloaded) because as hard as I tried, I couldn’t wait a week to buy it knowing I could listen to it. The album broke my heart, made me happy, threw me into a different place. It did everything an album should do. I adore Warpaint, and have done for some time- so to see them become massive this year was amazing. Favourite album track – Majesty

Mystery Jets. 5th November 2010. HMV Institute, Birmingham.

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A cold, wet Friday night in Birmingham is about to turn into one of the greatest nights ever.The Library (formerly The Barfly) holds around 600. Mystery Jets could easily sell out the main room, but the intimacy of this venue is what made tonight extra special.

The support act for this evening, Is Tropical blew my mind. I was positive that Tribes were supporting who are easily one of my favourite bands of the year. Is Tropical have been a band I have loved from the start, and I was in total shock that they were supporting Mystery Jets. Their set is short but brilliant. Most people didn’t know how to react to Is Tropical, possibly due to them wearing masks covering their mouth, personally- I liked it. I hope 2011 is amazing for them as this year has been.

Mystery Jets take to the stage and all hell breaks loose. Bodies pushed forward, drinks thrown- but who cares? One of the countries best bands are about to play one of the best gigs I’ve ever been to.

They opened with Alice Springs which is howled back by the crowd. No songs are sadly played off their début, Making Dens. Their half and a half set cannot be faulted in any way at all. In fact, I will go as far to say as it was close to perfection. They even play After Dark which is by The Count and Sinden which features Mystery Jets.

They played half of Twenty One and half of new album, Serotonin. Obviously it is tracks such as Two Doors Down, Young Love and Half In Love With Elizabeth that cause a riot. I’ve never seen a crowd react so mentally towards a band, but quite rightly so. Every single song is sung back by us all, however there is one song in particular that is sung louder than the rest. As the band came back on stage for the encore, Kai carries William on his shoulders, the playful atmosphere surrounded the stage all night. There is one song by Mystery Jets that could melt the coldest of hearts, that could make the strongest person in the world cry. This song of course is, Flakes. This is one of the most beautiful songs ever written, as beautiful as it is- it is also heartbreaking. The lyrics hit you in the gut, it is truly one of the most stunning songs ever written. Witnessing it live makes the song mean much more to me. I honestly thought I’d have some emotional outburst seeing this live, instead I just sang my heart out with everybody else.

Singer, Blaine Harrison is an inspiration. Blaine has Spina Bifida, making it difficult for him to get about. Yet he plays on stage most nights. He doesn’t let this stop him from doing something he loves, which puts everything into perspective. People are quick to complain about the little things in life- but seeing Blaine do something he loves, and being part of one of the countries best band is amazing. The band leave you in awe. You cannot find any fault in their live shows. Some bands aren’t as good live as they are on record. Mystery Jets are perfect both live and on record. The way they play on stage is like a family- it doesn’t seem like a job or a chore. The way they look at each other and perform on stage is projected onto the crowd. The love they have for each other and their fans is reciprocated.

Of all the gigs I have been to this year, this is easily one of the best. Although the crowd was full of drunken stumbling folk- everybody had a brilliant time which is all you can ask for.

Ellie Goulding. 3rd November 2010. Manchester Academy 1.

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The first time I saw Ellie live she played to around 200 people. Then it was to about 600. Tonight it was a few thousand. This was easily one of the most emotional gigs that I have ever been to, making it worth queuing in the rain for and risking pneumonia- or a cold.

 

The lights dimmed and her band took to the stage. Cue insane drumming, flashing lights and a couple thousand people going mental at the sight of Ellie next to her drummer, Joe. Her gigs used to be just her, Joe and Starsmith. Now she has a light show and backup singers. Thank goodness she dropped out of university to pursue her music career. Opening with Under The Sheets, her energy immediately projected onto the crowd.

On record, you’d imagine Ellie to be quite reserved on stage- this is not the case. The passion in her performance leaves you in awe. Every word that she sings, you can feel how personal it is for her. You can’t help but feel what she is feeling too, and that makes a truly great artist.

At the end of every song she thanks the crowd, the shock on her face as she is greeted by declarations of love and screams is astounding. So talented yet so humble.

It isn’t just Ellie who plays with such determination and passion on stage. Her band are incredible. Chris, Max and Joe are greeted with ecstatic cheers from the crowd as Ellie introduces them to the crowd. What made the gig special is that it was Max’s birthday.

 

Most of her début album, Lights is played. She has recently added a very old song, The End into her set which is just her and her guitar. The acoustic section of the set includes Wish I Stayed and a cover of Sweet Disposition by The Temper Trap which caused a lot of us to cry. The purity in her voice when she sings this is stunning. Sweet Disposition is a gorgeous song anyway, but Ellie’s take on it has something about it that causes you to not sing a long but to just stare in awe at her, taking it all in. I could quite happily watch her sing acoustically for an hour and a half, and I’m sure everybody else felt the same. Although, there wouldn’t be a dry eye in the venue.

 

On the projector screen, a short video was shown of Ellie talking about how insane the past year has been for her. Going from playing venues where 10 people watched her to thousands singing every word back to her must be one of the greatest feelings a musician can experience. Watching her grow as a performer, and seeing how humbled she is by all of that has happened in the past year for her is inspiring. If her début album can create this, then who knows what will happen with her future work.

Although most of those on the front row were wailing 14 year old, her lyrics clearly mean a lot to them- and those older of course. From the way she stomps her feet on the ground during Your Biggest Mistake to the fragility in her voice during The Writer, the way she performs on stage is powerful. Especially when she takes to the drums, it just causes the crowd to lose it slightly.

 

The encore consisted of a brand new song, Human which she again worked with Starsmith and Starry Eyed. Human may possibly be her next release, although nothing has been confirmed yet. Even if it isn’t, it is a bloody good track. Obviously Starry Eyed caused everybody to go mental at the end of the gig.

The gig was so good that I may have got carried away and drummed on the barrier at the front, my hand is stupidly swollen and bruised. I do not learn. Anyway, you’ve not had a good time at a gig unless you’re a bit injured.

 

Every time I have seen Ellie live she just gets better and better. She wrote on Twitter after the gig that this was the best crowd she has played to. Out of all the gigs I’ve been to, I don’t think I have seen a reaction quite like this. There is something captivating about Ellie Goulding that just instantly draws you in, and it’s quite unexplainable- you just have to see it for yourself.

 

Marina And The Diamonds. 31st October. The Ritz, Manchester.

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As the lights dim, Marina’s band take to the stage. The stage is decorated in cobwebs and skeletons. She glides onto the stage greeted by her Diamonds (her fans) screaming. Opening with The Family Jewels then straight into The Outsider, Marina owns the stage. After waiting what seemed forever for this night, it fast became one of the best gigs I’ve ever been to.

 

Many critics have labelled her as “the new Kate Bush” and I suppose in some parts her voice is slightly like Kate’s- but Marina is nothing like anyone around now, or before. She doesn’t need to parade on the stage half clothed for anyone to pay her attention. The way she carries herself on stage is exactly how someone who’s career that has lasted decades would carry themselves. Every track off The Family Jewels was played alongside two old tracks, Seventeen and Jealousy. She declared her début album to be dead, “R.I.P. The Family Jewels!” She said she is finished promoting this record and has taken it as far as it can go. Her album is easily one of the best albums of the year and whilst it is sad that it’s her last UK tour for a while, I am sure her second album will be just as stunning.

 

 

As an artist, Marina has truly grown. Her live performances now involve costume changes and a brilliant light show. As it is Halloween, it was only right that Marina was dressed up. The night before in Dublin she drank 8 double Jameson which she announced, “R.I.P. Jameson” on stage telling us before she got to Manchester she was throwing up fluorescent sick. Lovely. With it being Halloween, it wasn’t The Family Jewels- it was The Family Ghouls. The Burger Queen tour became The Murder Queen tour, and of course it wasn’t Marina And The Diamonds. It was Marina And The Demons. Her face resembled a zombie, I’m sure she felt like one too after the night she had in Dublin.

Obsessions and Numb were played with just Marina on the piano, which was mind blowing. She had everyone in silence just watching her in awe. She ended her set with Hollywood wearing the most amazing sparkly American flag styled trousers. Only Marina could get away with this. Personally, Guilty was my favourite song of the night. It’s my favourite track off the album and to be able to see it live, finally was worth it.

 

A lot of artists claim they never thought they would make it. Marina however, knew differently. “I always knew I’d make it.” The self belief Marina has projects onto the crowd making them feel 100% part of this and that they too, can make it. It is artists like Marina that need your attention. Her music is vulnerable, hard hitting, happy and sad. Every emotion that you could possibly feel was felt tonight at the gig

 

I thought the night could not get any better. I was wrong. So very wrong. Around half an hour after the gig, a barrier was placed around were myself and fellow Diamonds, lo and behold- Marina walks out and greets us all. “Why is the barrier here? We don’t need it.” She spends as much time as she can with us, she is truly the loveliest person I have ever met. None of us could believe that we had met her- I think I’m probably going to be in shock about this for a long time. She truly loves her fans, and we of course, love her back.

Another Reason As To Why I Love Warpaint.

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THIS.

Everything about this performance shows exactly how a band should be. How a band should perform. The chemistry that these four wonderfully talented and gorgeous women have with each other is rare. Not many bands play with this much heart, soul and passion anymore. Listening to them inspires me. I don’t know what they inspire, but there’s something there.

Emily’s vocals go through you and cause your heart to beat double time. Theresa’s guitar playing leaves you wishing you could play the guitar like she does, sending you into some kind of trance. Jenny’s bass playing is so relaxed yet fucking powerful (I had to swear, I am not sorry) you lose yourself. Stella’s drumming makes you go sit with your mouth open and think “WHAT THE HELL.” It is out of this world. All together, these women leave you in awe. If you love them, you love them with all you have. There is no middle ground. You love everything they do. You realise that they have no bad song at all. You know that The Fool is THE album of the year. You know that this is the band for you. They are the band that own your heart.

I may sound like some dumb obsessive fan. So be it.

Warpaint-The Fool.

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Exquisite Corpse was a beautiful EP by Warpaint. Before I tell you about how stunning The Fool is, I must say, Elephant and Billie Holiday should be on this album- it’s not a band thing that they aren’t, it just means you need to go out and buy the EP. I heard Exquisite Corpse and instantly fell in love with Warpaint.

Earlier this year, I heard Undertow and my love for them just blossomed. I simply couldn’t get my head (or ears) around how brilliant Warpaint are.The album opens with the glorious Set Your Arms Down which, like every track on The Fool is hypnotic and you just want to please repeat on it- but you have 8 more tracks to indulge your ears in.I do not need to tell you about the wonder that is Undertow. Any decent radio stations will be playing this and any good music television stations will be playing the video. If not, you have YouTube.

I want to attempt to go into detail about how bloody mind blowing this album is. I want to tell you how stunning the guitars are, how haunting the bass is, how incredible the drums are, how gorgeous the vocals are. I don’t know how I’m going to do it because my words are quite simply not going to get my point across, but you do understand I love this album right? Good.

“You could have been my king” is such a haunting lyric. Lines like this make Warpaint. Simple lines like this make you just zone out and picture something in your mind. Something which you cannot describe. They recently said that this album is made for stoners. I don’t do drugs. Never have, never will – I struggle enough with paracetamol. But listening to this album makes you sit back and think you are on some mental trip. It catapults you into a place that you wish to never return from. I don’t think any album this year is going to top The Fool. I know it’s my personal opinion but I try my hardest to not write about something I do not like, and if I don’t- well I try to find something positive in it.

The album closes with Lissie’s Heart Murmur. The piano throughout this song is heartbreaking. If the piano was an emotion, here it would be sadness. It is a sad album at parts- but not in a self loathing kind of way. It is a vulnerable piece of art. There are no fillers, there are no weak tracks and there are no standout tracks. Each song on this album is as brilliant as the last. You may find yourself playing certain songs over and over, then moving on and doing the same with others. This album was made to throw you into a place that nothing or nobody else could send you. This album could probably fill any void in your life, in your heart. I am fully aware I sound like a freak or an obsessive fan- but I have been waiting SO LONG for this album. I am just happy to have heard it a week before- the wait was destroying me.

I cannot say what my favourite song is from the album, all I can say is- each song is perfect. It is not pretentious. It’s dark, haunting and emotional. I seem to like music like that. A lot. It is hypnotising, and quite frankly the best piece of music I have heard all year.

Jenny, Emily, Theresa, and Stella- I thank you. I thank you for creating a masterpiece.