Which leaves us with Florence…

-she’s talented (singer & songwriter)
-her CD missed #1 UK album spot ONLY cause MJ’s damn re-release came out that same wk (don’t even get me started on MJ)
- she great voice like Bat4lashes, and can also sound like La roux at times
- she’s almost as original as GV (and they’re friends. bonus!)
- her lyrics can be fun, or dramatic like GV’s or sexually confident like Lily’s
- her CDs songs are varied and well enough done, making it a solid cd all way thru
- she’s a critics/fan favorite
- her sound is …how to put this ‘uk-ish’ (say unlike FF who admittedly’s got some latino influence & heading there more n more
- plus, everyone’s raggin on the Invisible (so *what if they sound like TV on the radio. damn hard to not sound like someone these days!) so they can’t win
- Speech debelle‘ll be happy just to be nominated, as will Sweet Billy Pilgrim (who’ll also get dinged for being little too close in style to last yrs CD winner Seldon Seen Kid)
- led bib is great for advancing jazz but.. end of the day, it’s still jazzzz (i’m just sayin!),
- that leaves La roux (great in the moment but not what judges want uk music to be remembered for in years to come)
- the horrors, kasabian (Not sure why either made the list… the requisite rock bands included?) – and lisa hannigan from ireland –I hear good things about her, she’s a talented multi instumentatlist – and she might win instead – if judges go the surprise route.

…so if i’m right, what do *I win??

Latest entries are in green and found at the TOP of each category. Enjoy!

2009 CDs that KILL and worth your $$ …

- Some Beans, Fear and Loathing in Tipton St. John. Pop Noise Records labels some unique acts including Scotland’s Popup but Some Beans (AKA Andy Fonda) is their latest to find. Andy writes, plays, produces the CD. Don’t think there’s a bad track (read: skip) among the twelve. His noted influences (eg, Buck 65, Portishead, Cut chemist) evolves their sounds on the tracks, not making you feel like you’ve ‘heard this stuff before’. His beautiful voice runs on low-fi/ambient/electro/jazz/pop influenced tracks. Chill.Best Tracks: Turning Blue, No more wine, The Mould.
- Florence and the Machine, Lungs My bet for the 2009 Mercury Prize winner). Every song’s enjoyable. She’s got the beautiful & emotive voice of Bat for Lashes, the humourous, quirky, and sexually strong & comfortable within her femininity lyrics of Lily Allen, the doom/gloom/morose & honest lyrics of Glasvegas. Solid album, with only last couple of songs the direction trails off). Best Tracks: Rabbit Heart, Dog Days are over, Kiss with a fist, My boy builds coffins, Drumming Song.
- Super Furry Animals, Dark Days/Light Years (The boys from Wales have greatly exceeded my expectations. An upbeat, fresh summer CD. Think Led Zep, Jim Noir (he’s listed under 2008 CDs to own), Beach Boys, touches of Tom Jones (when he was cool) and Thievery Corporation, some prog moments, flashes of art rock à la Bowie, a few uncomprehendible lyrics (german by Franz Ferdinand’s Nick McCarthy..he lived in Munich for awhile). How can all that be any good? Not sure. All I can say is it’s 60min of pure musical artistry) Best Tracks: Crazy Naked Girls, The Very Best of Neil Diamond, White Socks/Flip Flops.
- Micachu & The Shapes, Jewellery (This boy-girl-girl (tryin’ to make it sound sec-see!) band are like no other… a wonderful artistic concoction of sounds and unusual instruments (ever heard a vaccum cleaner ‘played’ before??). Sit back and be open-minded. Experimentalism defined!)
- The Doves, Kingdom of Rust (Let me be upfront from the get-go…I have a big soft spot for this 2brother/3piece band.. while I expected big things from this 4th CD based on my mezz-mer-eye-zing repeated enjoyment over their 3rd CD (“Some Cities”), I was initially a little disappointed..it lacked that overall ‘punch’ and stream of powerful lyrical messages that Some Cities provided. Yet after 3ish listens I warmed up to their return to an overall softer sound, and basked (yes, basked!) in their ever-strong ability to harmonize, along with the lead’s warm yet (somehow conversely?) raspy vocals. If you havent listened to the Doves yet, you …. well, you just should. A talented trio not yet given their dues and too smooth to fight for ‘em.
- The Maccabees, Wall of Arms (Is it me or do many songs sound similar? Upside: talent easily exceeds boredom factor. Mixed bag: use of Arcade Fire producer is betrayed, resulting in similar vocals & melodies. A pop pleasure nonetheless)
- Art Brut, Art Brut vs. Satan (fun indie rock, great lyrics. Band starting to come into their own on 3rd CD)
- The Noisettes, Wild Young Hearts (Amy Winehouse R&B/Retro meets electro guitar pop & strings)
- White Lies, To Lose my Life (if you love Depeche Mode, Glasvegas, Echo&thoseBunnies.. And finally! Alan Cross & I both agree – one of the BEST CDs of 09. My Interview with them is here
- Lily Allen, It’s not Me, It’s You (all around great pop. love how she doesnt give a fuck about swearing in her songs if it fits)
- The Lightyears, London England (new prog,rock,pop – they mix up this schizophrenic mix like no one can. Check out my Blog review of their CD)
- Franz Ferdinand, Tonight Franz Ferdinand (electro rock,pop) ahhh franz…nice you could join us again…
- The Joy Formidable (see my blog post for free CD D/L) NKOTB worth noting!
- This Town Needs Guns, Animals (check out their hilarious track listing.. there’s a reason the CD is called Animals)

2009 NOT BAD / has its moments CDs…

- Polly Scattergood, Self-titled CD. Combine lyrics, drama-queen-ness & soft voice of Judy Collins (who? you say… – you know..the lady from the 70s…”Bring in the clowns…don’t bother – they’re heeerree..) and the piano of Billy Joel and you’ve got a 17? y.o. girl full of angst with TONS of very-literal songs to chirp about. Don’t expect a cracker to satisfy this polly).
- 1990s CD Kicks Neo punk, rock. Their 2nd CD….they’re evolving somewhat…
- Morrissey, Years of Refusal It has some solid moments. Any Moz fan will want this.

2009 CDs that ILL (me in particular) …

- Spaceships are cool (perhaps. but you guys suck. back to the studi-o-di-o…)

Killer CDs to own – Anytime, Any year…

2008
- Glasvegas, Glasvegas (A cd where it’s good moments are awesome so worth slappin down the bucks,pounds,yens. I’m gonna get stabbed – How’s that for a song title? Fittingly I played it back at Hallowe’en but cool anytime. Geraldine – you heard on Letterman and my fav(not sure what it says about me!): It’s your own cheating heart that makes you cry, Go Square Go which is all about fight’en. A-magine that -scots writting bout that….)
- Oasis, Dig out Your Soul (ahh hate to give ‘the big guys’ space but it is a pleasure listening to this album. While not mind blowing and won’t compare to their 90s, it’s solid ‘backgrounder’ music as you tend to things (like read my blog!), flow nicely, & nice to hear Liam’s voice again)
- Working for a Nuclear Free City, Businessmen & Ghosts (one of the few doing great prog in early 08…a genre slowly starting to pick up again..but it takes artistic guts cause hard to do right, like on this CD)
- Supergrass, Diamond Hoo Ha (nice to see them back and take charge with some gr8 art / glam rock. If you love 70s Bowie, Roxy Music, you’ll love this. Every track bang on ‘cept Whiskey & GreenTea’ ugh..where did *that one come from?)
- Kaiser Chiefs, Off with Their Heads (yes, somewhat mainstream but if looking for a fun all-’round pop album this is it. and Can’t Miss a Beat is so DAMN catchy. hate it!)
- Ray, Death in Fiction (luscious vocals align well to their full guitar rock. idea: turn up the stereo ‘n dim the lights. purrfect. best appreciated in your livingroom, not the pod)
- Young Knives, Superabundance (super indie rock!)
- My Federation, Don’t wanna die (pop rock. consistent fun all the way through)
- Late of the Pier, Fantasy Black Channel (electro. a few down spots but overall ..ELECTRO-FUN)
- Hot Chip, Made in the Dark (moreso brooding electro.light up…the fireplace! and listen…
- Jim Noir, Jim Noir (60s groovy beach boys meets electro. how he made it work..who knows…)
- Friendly Fires, Jump in the Pool (great electro all the way thru. Check out my Friendly Fires interview on the blog)
- The Long Blondes, Couples (a solid follow up to cd 1 tho CD 1 has golden moments too..don’t deny yourself that either if you can! Check out my Long Blondes interview on blog)
- The Wombats, The Wombats Presents A guide to Love, loss and desperation (another that’s enjoyed numerous listens. You can’t help but smile when you start to piece. together the song lyrics. mental gone right. o and go see them live. Check out my Wombats interview on the blog).
- Elbow, Seldom Seen Kid (it won a shit load of awards in 08. often that doesnt mean much. here it does)

2007
- Maps, We Can Create (well crafted (&not boring!) euphoric soundscapes, shoegaze electronica)
- New Young Pony Club, Fantastic Playroom (pure unadulterated funky indie fun. Best tracks: The Get Go, Ice Cream, the Bomb, Talking Talking, Hiding on the Staircase)
-MIA, Kala (Best of the albums great tracks: Jimmy, 20 Dollar, Paper Planes)

2006
Arctic Monkeys, Whatever People Say I am, That’s What I’m Not (mark this one as a notch in the geneology of music. Rock, punk, pop moments with an accent & innocence & true to life lyrics. believeable. An absolute must-have..FROM ITS hilarious non-PC cover & CD design TO ITS No fear of long titles TO ITS enlightenment on the life & times & tribulations of today’s northern UK youths)
Keane, Under the Iron Sea (funny, i didnt like this CD until listening to it again in 08. hmm not sure what that says about me. Btw, their 08 CD bites the big one …maybe i`ll be back in ‘10 to tell you how great it is now. ha. But no, i won’t. It’s not a great 80s review CD as touted. I was there, and the 80s were better than that …and that doesnt say much for this CD).

2005
Hard-Fi, Stars of CCTV (Best tracks: the ever famous Cash Machine for its recognition of the life challenges faced by today’s UK youths just trying to ‘get by’, Hard to Beat and the unknown Move on Now. Feelin down? Throw on Living for the Weekend, and you’ll soon forget..whatever it was! …Still their best album to date.
The Bees, Free the Bees
Bloc Party, Silent Alarm (best example of neo-punk. the fore runners before it became cool. The best of their 3 CDs. Check out my 2 Bloc Party interviews on the blog)
The Doves, Some Cities (i couldnt even TELL you how many times i’ve listened to this CD. one I need to relisten to every year)

2004
Morrissey, You are the Quarry (one word: Solid Morrissey. ok two.)

Arctic Monkeys (a past Mercury Prize winner)
CD Humbug (release UK Aug 24, NA:Aug 25)
- crying lightning

The Twang
CD Jewellery quarter (Aug 3 CD release)
- another bus

Florence and the Machine (a Mercury Prize 09 nominee)
CD Lungs (new)
- girl with one eye

The View
CD Which Bitch
- glass smash

The Tunics
CD Somewhere in somebody’s heart (new)
- Cost Of Living

Elbow (last year’s Mercury Prize winner and will play Osheaga 09)
CD Seldom Seen Kid
- starlings

Ting Tings (at Osheaga 09)
CD We started nothing
- we walk

We were promised Jetpacks
CD These four walls (new)
- moving clocks run slow

Sweet Billy Pilgram (a Mercury Prize 09 nominee)
CD Twice born men
- bloodless coup

Kid British
CD It was this or football (new)
- Elizabeth

Little Boots
EP Illuminations
- love kills (freddy mercury cover)

Glasvegas (a Mercury Prize 09 nominee)
CD Glasvegas
- it’s my own cheating heart that makes me cry.

What it is…
The Mercury Prize recognizes the year’s best album by a British or Irish artist

It’s a £20,000 (about $35,000 Cdn) prize and comes with a tremendous growth in industry and fan recognition. Even shortlisters see their CD sales rise. The 2009 winner will be announced at a London ceremony on Sept. 8

My interviews and pics with some shortlisters…
Here are recent interviews with two of the shortlist nominees: Glasvegas and Friendly Fires.

My prediction:
Even though Glasvegas *should win, I predict (a riot.ha) that Florence will win- who almost deserves it as much. If not, then Lisa Hannigan’ll get it. argh!

ps. Where’s White Lies, Micachu & the Shapes and Super Furry Animals in this list… Better be cause they missed the deadline!

The 2009 nominees:
* Bat For Lashes – Two Suns
* Florence And The Machine – Lungs
* Friendly Fires – Friendly Fires
* Glasvegas – Glasvegas
* Kasabian – West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum
* Led Bib – Sensible Shoes
* Lisa Hannigan – Sea Sew
* The Horrors – Primary Colours
* The Invisible – The Invisible
* La Roux – La Roux
* Speech Debelle – Speech Therapy
* Sweet Billy Pilgrim – Twice Born Men

MERCURY PRIZE ODDS
· Kasabian – 5/1
· Florence and the Machine – 5/1
· Bat For Lashes – 6/1
· Glasvegas – 6/1
· La Roux – 6/1
· Lisa Hannigan – 8/1
· Speech Debelle – 8/1
· The Horrors – 8/1
· Friendly Fires – 8/1
· The Invisible – 10/1
· Sweet Billy Pilgrim – 10/1
· Led Bib – 10/1

So, you’ll hear TWO hours of great new music, Excerpt of my Glasvegas Interview, CD release info, Glasto highlights, and Canadian Trivia (test your knowledge!)

New music from such bands as: Jarvis Cocker (Pulp), Florence and the Machine, Little Boots, Kasabian, Dizzee Rascal, Depeche Mode, The Red Zoids, Paolo Nutini, Some Beans, Gomez, Esser, Kid British…and TONS more !

HOUR 1:

Playlist:

The Red Zoids
Nous Sommes Mega Cool (09 Single)

La Roux NEW!
09 CD La Roux
- bulletproof

I talk about…. La Roux at Osheaga.com

Jarvis Cocker
09 CD Further Complications
- homewrecker!

Sargeant
Swiftly does it (09 Single)

I talk about... Canada Day trivia: What was Canada Day called before it was “Canada Day”?

Paolo Nutini (another Scot!)
new 09 CD Sunny Side Up
- candy

I talk about…
- Paolo plays Bluesfest this year
- Give the trivia answer

New Rhodes
- The joys of finding and losing that girl (09 Single)

Future of the Left NEW!
09 CD Travels with myself and another
- the hope that house built

The Race
09 CD In my head it works
- Rude Boy

I talk about…
- Glastonbury (Glasto) highlights… eg, attendance, best acts, extracts from a Guardian article on Daman Albarn and his performance, and how Dizzee’s performance (on the song below) went down…
- a great international festival site — the link is on my blog homepage.
- the DVD Glastonbury

Dizzee Rascal
09 CD Tongue n cheek
- bonkers

Depeche Mode
09 CD Songs of the Universe
- Peace

I talk about….
- a Martin Gore interview… talks about his e-bay purchases, career highs and lows, 1st music he ever owned, and advice he should’ve taken but didn’t
- more Canadian trivia …. do we drive on the left or the right?

Gomez
09 CD A new Tide
- Airstream driver

Maximo Park
09 CD Quicken the Heart
- Roller disco dreams

I talk about …
- answer to trivia question above
- new Arctic Monkeys CD and new single release dates
- reminder of my upcoming review of the DVD Arctic Monkeys
- next trivia question..what does Canada Day stand for?

Some Beans (New!) This is an excellent CD. Buy it!
09 CD Fear and Loathing in Tipton St. John
- no more wine

HOUR 2:

Glasvegas Interview (3min. excerpt)
Discuss:
- How are they managing /handling their continuous and rather quick rise to fame
- How and why they picked the cover songs they did (Ronettes, Nirvana),
- What it’s like being barred from bars in Glasgow…

I discuss…
- the answer to the above trivia question

Kasabian
09 CD West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum
- Fast fuse

CHiF / Clown Prince
- Transmissions (09 Single)

Esser
09 CD Braveface
- long arms

I talk about …
- Canada Day in the country’s capital
- background on Little Boots and her fascination with space, her use of the Tenori-on.

Little Boots (Electro Mama!)
09 EP Illuminations
- new in town

Florence and the Machine (I’m excited about this CD. Should be good!)
09 CD Lungs (July release)
- Dog days are over (advanced single)

Friendly Fires
08 CD Jump in the Pool
- Strobe

I discuss…
- the official news release of Friendly Fires’ new Samba song (Ed & I had discussed this a few months ago in an interview)

Kid British (No beans and toast two-day!)
- Sunny Days (09 Single)

Boy least likely to (…I`ve got puppy powers!!)
09 CD The law of the playground
- Every Goliath has its David

I discuss…
- release details of the new and 4th Cribs CD …which includes Johnny Marr

Wake the President
09 CD You can’t change that boy
- The security place

Doves
09 CD Kingdom of Rust
- Lifelines

I discuss…
- Jarvis cocker at Glasto and his stage intruder, and his flute purchase at Glasto
- my thanks to many people — including YOU the listeners — for tuning in & giving me your feedback these last 2 years.

Alessi’s Ark
- over the hill (09 Single)

Hope you had a safe but FUN Canada Day …wherever you might be.. or whatever na-tio-na-li-tee!