12. The Power of Love - Frankie Goes To Hollywood
11. Christmas Lights - Coldplay
10. In Dolci Jubilo - Mike Oldfield
9. Little St. Nick - Beach Boys
8. When The Thames Froze - Smith & Burrows
7. O Holy Night - Andy Williams
6.A Winter's Tale - David Essex
5. White Christmas - Bing Crosby
4. Step Into Christmas - Elton John
3. A Spaceman Came Travelling - Chris De Burgh
2. Saviour's Day - Cliff Richard
1. Wonderful Christmas Time - Paul McCartney
And remember, it's not Christmas until you've heard this song, scratch what anyone says about John Lewis or Coca-Cola ads. I heard this on Wednesday, and now it's Christmas!!
Have a wonderful Christmas and an even better new year
Friday, 14 December 2012
Monday, 3 September 2012
Some of My Favourite Instrumentals
Crime of the Century - Supertramp
The catchy piano repeating gives a lot of room for the strings and the saxophone to work, also the sound of the water gong is a really nice unique touch
Open Your Eyes - Snow Patrol
This is an instrumental that really has the feeling that it's got a lot of motion to it, the video probably helps that aswell
Comfortably Numb - Pink Floyd
Both solos are excellent, not sure which I prefer but both count
Parisienne Walkways - Gary Moore
I prefer this instrumental version of this classic rock track. He's just showing off to be honest
I'm Jim Morrison, I'm Dead - Mogwai
November Rain - Guns N' Roses
The epic moment when Slash gets upon the grand piano with the string section behind him
After Glow - Foals
Hard to not wind up air-drumming in this song, the clarity and impact of the drums beginning the instrumental after the hazy feel of the guitars throughout the first half is terrific
Disappear Like the Morning - Hammock
A superb relaxing instrumental track...nice irony that the band's called Hammock then
The catchy piano repeating gives a lot of room for the strings and the saxophone to work, also the sound of the water gong is a really nice unique touch
Open Your Eyes - Snow Patrol
This is an instrumental that really has the feeling that it's got a lot of motion to it, the video probably helps that aswell
Comfortably Numb - Pink Floyd
Both solos are excellent, not sure which I prefer but both count
Parisienne Walkways - Gary Moore
I prefer this instrumental version of this classic rock track. He's just showing off to be honest
I'm Jim Morrison, I'm Dead - Mogwai
November Rain - Guns N' Roses
The epic moment when Slash gets upon the grand piano with the string section behind him
After Glow - Foals
Hard to not wind up air-drumming in this song, the clarity and impact of the drums beginning the instrumental after the hazy feel of the guitars throughout the first half is terrific
Disappear Like the Morning - Hammock
A superb relaxing instrumental track...nice irony that the band's called Hammock then
Thursday, 23 August 2012
Vfest vs. Leeds/Reading
Leeds is this weekend, V was last weekend, not too many great acts on either lineup, this are the few acts I'd possibly care about seeing if I was bothered enough to be at either.
V:
Newton Faulkner
Still not bothered to listen to his 3rd album, his first two were fun though
Friendly Fires
Umm, yeah, clutching at straws already. Good band, and had some nice tunes last summer
Keane
Didn't see any coverage, they'd have been wise to play more early stuff
Stone Roses
Playing literally every festival this year
Leeds:
The Cure
I'm told they were excellent at Isle of Wight a few years back playing a three hour set. Probably the most solid of the headliners this summer
Metronomy
Not too much competition on Sunday night, up against At The Drive-In and Kasabian
Passion Pit
The only band I'd actually pay to see at the festival, why they're three behind Foster the People I'm not sure
Odd Future
Who wants to play spot the hipster?
Florence + The Machine
Could easily steal the show, Kasabian won't be depending upon stuff from Velociraptor! to try to top it I'd imagine
Leeds nicks it 5-4, but neither festival is worth the money and spending a few nights in a tent
V:
Newton Faulkner
Still not bothered to listen to his 3rd album, his first two were fun though
Friendly Fires
Umm, yeah, clutching at straws already. Good band, and had some nice tunes last summer
Keane
Didn't see any coverage, they'd have been wise to play more early stuff
Stone Roses
Playing literally every festival this year
Leeds:
The Cure
I'm told they were excellent at Isle of Wight a few years back playing a three hour set. Probably the most solid of the headliners this summer
Metronomy
Not too much competition on Sunday night, up against At The Drive-In and Kasabian
Passion Pit
The only band I'd actually pay to see at the festival, why they're three behind Foster the People I'm not sure
Odd Future
Who wants to play spot the hipster?
Florence + The Machine
Could easily steal the show, Kasabian won't be depending upon stuff from Velociraptor! to try to top it I'd imagine
Leeds nicks it 5-4, but neither festival is worth the money and spending a few nights in a tent
Saturday, 18 August 2012
The Most Absurd Youtube Comment Ever
This was the top comment (with 78 thumbs up) on Lana Del Rey's "Video Games"
One day when we are all older, riding with our kids in the backseat going god knows where, this song will pop out in our system and after the song ends our kids will tell us to put it again because they really like it. Then as our parents told us about the Beatles, Elvis, and all the other greats and how they were there to witness the music, we will tell them about the music of Lana Del Rey and how we were there to witness it.
Ummm, oh dear
One day when we are all older, riding with our kids in the backseat going god knows where, this song will pop out in our system and after the song ends our kids will tell us to put it again because they really like it. Then as our parents told us about the Beatles, Elvis, and all the other greats and how they were there to witness the music, we will tell them about the music of Lana Del Rey and how we were there to witness it.
Ummm, oh dear
Wednesday, 1 August 2012
Top 10 of My Summer Thus Far
10. Rubber Bullets - 10cc
9. Oddfellows Local 151 - R.E.M.
Only just got into Document to be honest, not that impactful an album at all
8. Carry On Wayward Son - Kansas
7. Yonkers - Tyler, the Creator
"I'm an over-achiever, so how about a start a team of leaders and pick up Stevie Wonder to be the wide receiver" Has to be one of my favourite rap lyrics in a while
6. Bennie and the Jets - Elton John
5. Straight To Hell - Lily Allen
I think I prefer this smooth cover to the original by The Clash; or maybe it's because whenever I hear the original it reminds me too much of Paper Planes by M.I.A.
4. Poison & Wine - The Civil Wars
The Civil Wars is a pair that work really well together, this is a beautifully sung duet
3. Rabbit Heart - Florence + the Machine
This is the song that first made me interested in Florence a few years ago. Nice to see her at the top of the charts at the moment
2. Cut My Hair - The Who
Very underrated song from Quadrophenia and sums up a lot of the unease Jimmy feels throughout the story. Love Townshend's subtle guitar work in this aswell
1. Sirius/Eye in the Sky - Alan Parsons Project
I was delighted when this was played before every Euro 2012 match, of course memorable for being the Bulls theme music when MJ was in his prime.
9. Oddfellows Local 151 - R.E.M.
Only just got into Document to be honest, not that impactful an album at all
8. Carry On Wayward Son - Kansas
7. Yonkers - Tyler, the Creator
"I'm an over-achiever, so how about a start a team of leaders and pick up Stevie Wonder to be the wide receiver" Has to be one of my favourite rap lyrics in a while
6. Bennie and the Jets - Elton John
5. Straight To Hell - Lily Allen
I think I prefer this smooth cover to the original by The Clash; or maybe it's because whenever I hear the original it reminds me too much of Paper Planes by M.I.A.
4. Poison & Wine - The Civil Wars
The Civil Wars is a pair that work really well together, this is a beautifully sung duet
3. Rabbit Heart - Florence + the Machine
This is the song that first made me interested in Florence a few years ago. Nice to see her at the top of the charts at the moment
2. Cut My Hair - The Who
Very underrated song from Quadrophenia and sums up a lot of the unease Jimmy feels throughout the story. Love Townshend's subtle guitar work in this aswell
1. Sirius/Eye in the Sky - Alan Parsons Project
I was delighted when this was played before every Euro 2012 match, of course memorable for being the Bulls theme music when MJ was in his prime.
Friday, 27 July 2012
Top 10 Rap Songs
In no particular order, my favourite rap songs
Two Words - KanYe West ft. Mos Def and Freeway
Back when Kanye was at his best, not resorting to telling us how rich he is on every track.
Shook Ones Part II - Mobb Deep
Get Down - Nas
Oldie - OFWGKTA
All of Odd Future turns up on this track, and they all give their best. Lasts 10 minutes so it was bound to be my favourite song of theirs.
A Day At The Races - Jurassic 5 ft. Big Daddy Kane
Moment of Truth - Gangstarr
Mathematics - Mos Def
One Day At a Time - 2Pac ft. Eminem and Outlawz
Regulate - Warren G
He Got Game - Public Enemy
Great sample of "For What It's Worth" by Buffalo Springfield for the soundtrack of the film of the same name. Nice to see the video with a young Ray Allen
Two Words - KanYe West ft. Mos Def and Freeway
Back when Kanye was at his best, not resorting to telling us how rich he is on every track.
Shook Ones Part II - Mobb Deep
Get Down - Nas
Oldie - OFWGKTA
All of Odd Future turns up on this track, and they all give their best. Lasts 10 minutes so it was bound to be my favourite song of theirs.
A Day At The Races - Jurassic 5 ft. Big Daddy Kane
Moment of Truth - Gangstarr
Mathematics - Mos Def
One Day At a Time - 2Pac ft. Eminem and Outlawz
Regulate - Warren G
He Got Game - Public Enemy
Great sample of "For What It's Worth" by Buffalo Springfield for the soundtrack of the film of the same name. Nice to see the video with a young Ray Allen
Friday, 20 July 2012
Bottom 10 songs - '12 (Part 2)
4. Dance Again - Jennifer Lopez ft. Pitbull
Now if you read my last Bottom 10, these two were up at the top with that dreadful song "On the Floor", and it should've been custodial sentences all around, the programmers of the world work on a way to corrupt every digital version and all CDs and records buried in a deep hole and then laws passed to stop it ever happening again. The main problem I find with "Dance Again" is it commits the same crimes again. Notably, a spectacularly lacklustre chorus which just shoots holes in the idea that this is anything but contrived bunk to be released along witha greatest hits album. That's probably why Pitbull is wheeled in to talk nonsense for a minute, because they couldn't be bothered to have some creativity and use that time on J-Lo so she could try to fo somewhere with the song, or maybe it shows the lack of faith in her ability to carry as on on her own. What's worse is everything Pitbull says is just sounds ridiculous, it's perhaps as bad a guest appearance as you'll ever hear.
3. Princess of China - Rihanna ft. Coldplay...wait, what?
See what I did there? Rihanna ft. Coldplay, because it sounds more like a Rihanna song than a Coldplay song, by the video you get that impression aswell, and by listening to Mylo Xyloto you definitely get that impression. It's not that it doesn't fit on the album, but Chris Martin wrote this specifically with Rihanna in mind, and it's totally unnecessary, they've never needed to feature anyone on an album before and it ends up bringing down its tone; especially considering that in the story of the concept, this is where the main characters split up. Sure it transitions well musically as you'd expect from Coldplay, but the vocals are bland, they could've sung together for more than a few lines if they had to bring in Rihanna. Also they should've known better than to have at least a minute of generic la-laing and woah-ohing. After being really excited for Mylo Xyloto after "Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends" and the release of "Every Teardrop is a Waterfall", I feel like a parent saying: I'm not angry, I'm just disappointed
2. International Love - Pitbull ft. Chris Brown
At first, I thought this was a Chris Brown song, turns out it's a Pitbull song that Chris Brown has to carry the dead weight. In fact is there any Pitbull song where he carries his own weight, it seems to be a resounding "no" when you look at his latest album and see EVERY song has a featured artist, it has "Give Me Everything" which I also thought was just a track he featured on. Moving on swiftly, what does the corny sounding phrase "international love" even mean? I doubt it means anything seeing as Pitbull raps (without any flow, as you'd expect) about being with different girls from different places and Chris Brown is singing about loving the someone wherever they are in the world, working the male and female markets there at once don't you think? Given the rapping in Spanish that comes out of nowhere Pitbull should have to go and make some reggaeton as a form of penance until he feels contrite enough never to do his stupid smirk again.
1. Sexy And I Know It - LMFAO
LMFAO, yes you could see this coming, after narrowly missing out last time with their vacuous garbage "Party Rock Anthem", they've exceeded themselves with an even more preposterous cut. What I think makes me slightly more apoplectic is that such a bawdy song is still a success. It's clear that LMFAO don't take themselves too seriously, which wouldn't be a problem except everyone else seems to. This is yet another song which falls apart in striking fashion when danced to and sung by the sort of slappers I mentioned in part 1. They still sing lackadaisically, they still depend on being backed up by some catchy dance music underneath and people being stupid enough to dig their puerile lyrics. And then there's the "wiggle, wiggle, wiggle", which epitomises LMFAO in one word as the sophomoric, substance lacking chumps that they are. I sentence them to make some interesting soul music seeing as they're only descended from Berry Gordy, the FOUNDER of Motown Records. And to explain what in blue hell "Party Rock" actually means.
Now if you read my last Bottom 10, these two were up at the top with that dreadful song "On the Floor", and it should've been custodial sentences all around, the programmers of the world work on a way to corrupt every digital version and all CDs and records buried in a deep hole and then laws passed to stop it ever happening again. The main problem I find with "Dance Again" is it commits the same crimes again. Notably, a spectacularly lacklustre chorus which just shoots holes in the idea that this is anything but contrived bunk to be released along witha greatest hits album. That's probably why Pitbull is wheeled in to talk nonsense for a minute, because they couldn't be bothered to have some creativity and use that time on J-Lo so she could try to fo somewhere with the song, or maybe it shows the lack of faith in her ability to carry as on on her own. What's worse is everything Pitbull says is just sounds ridiculous, it's perhaps as bad a guest appearance as you'll ever hear.
3. Princess of China - Rihanna ft. Coldplay...wait, what?
See what I did there? Rihanna ft. Coldplay, because it sounds more like a Rihanna song than a Coldplay song, by the video you get that impression aswell, and by listening to Mylo Xyloto you definitely get that impression. It's not that it doesn't fit on the album, but Chris Martin wrote this specifically with Rihanna in mind, and it's totally unnecessary, they've never needed to feature anyone on an album before and it ends up bringing down its tone; especially considering that in the story of the concept, this is where the main characters split up. Sure it transitions well musically as you'd expect from Coldplay, but the vocals are bland, they could've sung together for more than a few lines if they had to bring in Rihanna. Also they should've known better than to have at least a minute of generic la-laing and woah-ohing. After being really excited for Mylo Xyloto after "Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends" and the release of "Every Teardrop is a Waterfall", I feel like a parent saying: I'm not angry, I'm just disappointed
2. International Love - Pitbull ft. Chris Brown
At first, I thought this was a Chris Brown song, turns out it's a Pitbull song that Chris Brown has to carry the dead weight. In fact is there any Pitbull song where he carries his own weight, it seems to be a resounding "no" when you look at his latest album and see EVERY song has a featured artist, it has "Give Me Everything" which I also thought was just a track he featured on. Moving on swiftly, what does the corny sounding phrase "international love" even mean? I doubt it means anything seeing as Pitbull raps (without any flow, as you'd expect) about being with different girls from different places and Chris Brown is singing about loving the someone wherever they are in the world, working the male and female markets there at once don't you think? Given the rapping in Spanish that comes out of nowhere Pitbull should have to go and make some reggaeton as a form of penance until he feels contrite enough never to do his stupid smirk again.
1. Sexy And I Know It - LMFAO
LMFAO, yes you could see this coming, after narrowly missing out last time with their vacuous garbage "Party Rock Anthem", they've exceeded themselves with an even more preposterous cut. What I think makes me slightly more apoplectic is that such a bawdy song is still a success. It's clear that LMFAO don't take themselves too seriously, which wouldn't be a problem except everyone else seems to. This is yet another song which falls apart in striking fashion when danced to and sung by the sort of slappers I mentioned in part 1. They still sing lackadaisically, they still depend on being backed up by some catchy dance music underneath and people being stupid enough to dig their puerile lyrics. And then there's the "wiggle, wiggle, wiggle", which epitomises LMFAO in one word as the sophomoric, substance lacking chumps that they are. I sentence them to make some interesting soul music seeing as they're only descended from Berry Gordy, the FOUNDER of Motown Records. And to explain what in blue hell "Party Rock" actually means.
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