This show is includes CDs #30 – #16..

Next week’s show (Dec 30) will have the best 2009 CDs from #15 – #1.

To listen to even more tracks from the artists below, go to 2009 Podcasts and do a search (“Edit”, “Find”) by artist name.

My top 30 CDs for 2008 are here.

——-

#30. Starting off (or ending off, depending how you look at it!) this year’s list is Victoria Hesketh. In 09 she popularized a new instrument that’s a digital tablet, called the Tenori-on. Her artist name, Little Boots, was given to her by a friend, because she has little feet. While this is the overall best song on the CD (and one I couldnt stop singing for about 3 days straight at one point this year, try as I might…) the CD is great electro dance music, with touches of old Madonna-style — which can get a bit cheezy at times but it’s a total ‘fun’ album you can listen to loud, or throw on a party in the background and everyone’s feet will subconsciously be tapping along… After this song check out her ‘New in Town’.

Little Boots
CD Hands (June release)
- Stuck on Repeat

#29. Liverpudlian’s by birth, but quasi-american in their musical style is #29. In the fall, I wrote a review for ExploreMusic.com. It’s one of the best rock/pop ones to come out in Fall 09.

Hot Melts
CD Hot Melts
- Edith

#28. Another best rock CD out this fall. Scots rock! The review’s here.

The Twilight Sad
CD Forget the Night Ahead
- I became a prostitute

#27. Wimbleton born, singer/songwriter Jamie Treays (Jamie T.). Often compared to Alex Turner (lead, Arctic Monkeys) but I don’t hear it…. apart from the northern accent – but you cld say that about many artists! His CD Kings & Queens came out in Sep, but later in the fall he got laryngitis which forced him to cancel his tour. People in OZ/UK & parts of Europe — you can NOW see him thru Feb. Rejoice!

Jamie T.
CD Kings and Queens (September release)
- earth wind and fire

#26 Editors are finally coming to Canada in 2010! Review of their new CD here. The track I chose below is representative of their overall sound. So if you like-a, then also go buy-a their “Back Room” CD too!

Editors
In this Light and On this Evening
- The Big Exit

#25. Calvin! Dance! Monkey! Dance! Electro dance king Calvin brightened up our clubs (and our livingrooms!) ah-gain this year with a follow-up to last year’s “I created Disco” (think Acceptable in the 80s…). You won’t sit still listening to Calvin. When not busy tweeting the odd rant, this boy’s producing for Dizzee on their Dance wiv me EP and Dizzee’s LP out this year (and also #18 on my list!). As a bonus – a great CD to listen to on my phone when I’m out shoveling snow…keeps me motivated!

Calvin Harris
CD Ready for the Weekend
- The rain

#24 Tricky (and F.L.A.’ers South Rakkas Crew) surprised the crap out of me near year’s end with this remix album of Tricky’s 08 CD “Knowle West Boy” (which itself scored on my list for Top CDs of 2008). I hesitate to say this remix is better than the original! Ah hell, it is. And keep your eyes peeled for Tricky to be back singing with his past group Massive Attack… looks like they’re all back on speaking terms. Hell I guess if Blur could muster it together this year, why not M.A.?

Tricky & South Rakkas Crew
CD Tricky meets South Rakkas Crew Review
- Joseph

#23. To the Lake District we go! And it’s Wild Beasts’ 2nd CD at 23. They received more critical acclaim for their latest oeuvre (to be fancy pants about it) than their 2008 Limbo Panto. While CD2 makes my best of list for 09, they’ve dropped a few spots from last year’s #15. Still enjoying the lead’s falsetto voice though..think it’d be tiring but no…

Wild Beasts
CD Two Dancers (August release)
- empty nest

#22 Esser’s swept up ‘do looks vaguely like a dark haired, male La Roux. This boy from Essex sings of daily life, nothing heavy, but enjoyable.

Esser
CD Bravaface (March release)
- Real Life

#21. This CD demonstrates what you can do creatively with music when you don’t give a shit what people think. Lo n behold it turned out great. A wonderful concoction of sounds and usual instruments (eg vaccum cleaner). Not for the close-minded! Itzzz ex-pair-ree-mental!

Micachu and the Shapes
CD Jewellery (March release)
- calculator

#20. AKA the Noise-ettes. Great voice leading us through the hybrid sounds of Amy Winehouse’s R&B/retro, with electric guitar pop, strings. The CD didn’t do commercially as well as it should’ve..here’s hoping this gets it more recognition.

The Noisettes
CD Wild Young Hearts (May release)
- saturday night

#19. And conversely, speaking of an artist that got *lots of attention this year, it’s Lily. She’s an attention-getter by nature but her witty lyrics and song content just elevate the whole. Now. If you havent heard of this versatile songwriter by now, it’s too late. She announced a couple of weeks ago she’s pulling out of performing for a couple of yrs and will start a start-up label. She can stir up a controversy like very few (think back to this year’s illegal downloading debate between artists) and she’s even better at stirring up a crowd as she did when I saw her at Septembers Bestival in the U.K.

Lily Allen
CD It’s not me it’s you
- everyones at it

#18. ahh the irony of Dizzee rappin in “Road Rage” about going around ‘being a trooper in his mini Cooper” when, I believe his preference is a Bentley! and also… didn’t Madonna write that line back in ’03 (Hollywood track)? Nonetheless, a great song (beep! beep! comin’ through!!) and an overall great CD. One for the rapper in you! This CD also reminds me of Scotland. Why? because I was there in September when Dizzee’s CD was coming/came out and there were ads for it everywhere and magazine articles galore.

Dizzee Rascal
CD Tongue ‘n Cheek (September release)
- road rage

#17. I first heard of them back in the summer when I got a free download of ‘Tell you So’ and I was hooked. It’s not often in summer I look forward to fall but the release of their album was one reason. Manchester has produced ah-nother great band (what do they feed those kids growing up??) CD favors walls of sound, Stone Roses moments and more.

The Longcut
CD Open Hearts (October release)
- repeated

#16. Winnners of the Glasto ’08 new talent competition, a band that also started their own label and run a monthly concert series ‘The Bronze club’ in London where fellow artists/musicians perform, and doing an interview interview with me at Bestival (!) has kept #16 pretty busy in 09. This eclectic band sounding of electro pop/funk/dance and more understand the importance of taking career in hand and staying connected to their fans. Lead Gwilym Gold said he wanted to be different, and this CD’s achieved that.

Golden Silvers
CD True Romance (April release)
- True Romance (True #9 Blues)

Stay tuned for Best of 2009, Part 2 of 2! it’s all coming on Dec 30!

If you never got to see Lily perform, scroll down this link to the Lily section for your last chance at Lily-livedom.  ….

http://taraoweb.com/blog/2009/10/bestival-pics-vids-reviews-interviews/

Short version: It’s a 3day music festival with about 300 artists, 17 stages, where people can also dress up and not be laughed at). It takes place on the Isle of Wight, a large island south of England.

Long version: It’s won the Medium size festival award for 2? years now. Had 43,000 people attending this year. It’s eco-friendly (eg recycling, they hand out ashtrays). There’s so much music(till 12p-3am)/acts/things to do (incl. comedy, various DJs, learn to dance, …) you’d never see everything even if you tripled yourself. It’s dress-up with different annual themes. This year was space (see pics below for costumes). There’s a contest for best dress-up with the winner picked by Lily Allen winning free festival tkts. It’s also special cause it’s the last fest of season.

If you never watched any music you could still spend all your time: going on rides (ferris wheel), parading around in your space alien outfit, sit back/eat some fish chips& mushy peas (why dont we have these in Canada?) or some great cornish pasties and watch the costumes stroll down the esplanade, play games, dress up and get ‘married’ at the blow up church, hang out at the Bestival radio station & listen to tunes, dress up and parade a runway, learn how to spacewalk, DJ a set, shop for vintage/2nd hand clothes, ride a bicycle to charge your cellphone, take dance lessons, hang out with your tent neighbors, drink/eat from the many offerings, play Beatles Rockband, look at displays, buy local foods (clotted cream &scones!), meet people from England & Australia like we did, and just generally wander the 8?Km square of land exploring the different zones/themes set up, and more. It’s also unique in being kid-friendly with kid activities and a ‘quiet’ and family tent zones.

Festival Map

Tara O. Pics of Bestival (the Grounds, people, costumes…) :

Bestival Festival (Sep 10-14, 2009)

BBC’s summary of Bestival

From the site … “Our Outer Space fancy dress theme was so popular that in the pre-festival frenzy there was no tinfoil left on the Isle of Wight and the local B&Q had completely sold out of Altern8 style boilers suits, art shops as far away as London struggled to meet the demand for silver paint and there were record breaking queues in fancy dress shops across the country.” I believe it.

Getting there:

From Heathrow bused 45min to Woking, caught a 1.5h train to Portsmouth, and even though you can sign up to swim to the island we took the 25min ferry to Isle of Wight, 20min walk down boardwalk to the Isle, 20min bus ride to the festival town on the Isle, 1.5km walk from festival gates to the tent. And this doesn’t include allll the longgg queues almost every step of the way (but hey, you get to meet some fun people – and some cranky people!). All in all, it was a 6hr flight + 12 more hours till we arrive at the tent (thank you Tangerine Fields for renting them), only to feel my back land lightly to the ground as the air mattress was insufficiently inflated (i withdraw my thank you Tangerine Fields as re-inflating became a daily issue). So up again, and off to find air. Once unpacked the sun was starting to set so it was important to go explore as the Festival Day 1 would be underway tomorrow. And hell, I could sleep all night …so what’s the big deal?

Post exploration finally meant sleep. Or so I thought. Apparantly a group decided to park on our Tangerine land and talked/fought/joked ALL night (i don’t say this as an expression). At times it was humourous but all n all sleep would’ve been preferred. People around had tried in vain to quiet them, security came by at unfortunately the worst time – when they were being rather quiet …so we all stuck it out. I could only conclude they were on E or something cause yak yak yak and boy they werent shy about what they said. But I figured they’d stop eventually, and when they did I’d get a good 6hrs in. Finally around 6am they, and the other 10 tents around them fell off to sleep. Surprise! We were all rewoken around 9am when the group decided it was time to wake up and start jabbering again. Tangerine Fields was advised in the morning and by nighttime of day 1, we came back to find their tent gone (security had binned it halleluyah) and had the 1st good sleep in over 2 days. But I was at a UK festival and cranked to be there.. somehow my body hardly noticed….

DAY 1 – Friday Sep 11

So fresh as a daisy off we went to start the day! Caught the Acorn (how ironic I fly all the way to England and the 1st band I see is Canadian – and in fact the lead (Rolf) used to work at the radio station when I first started. Also caught Passion Pit – had heard Brits liked them and the festival proved it. Then onto Maps in one of many DJ tents. The rest of the late afternoon/evening was devoted to Friendly Fires, Florence, and Soulwax. Wanted to see Massive Attack but my massive lack of sleep had turned me into an octogenarian and by 10pm my body was finally crashing hard.arghhh! Too bad, the next day tent neighbors said they put on a wicked show, with an oustanding Teardrop. ..almost made me cry

Maps –
Pics:

Bestival Performances – Tara O. Bjorn Again, Maps, Carl Cox, Jack Penate, Passion Pit, Joe Gideon Pi

James Chapman is Maps. ambiant electro is his thing. We Can Create in 2007 is a great piece of work and he just released Turning the Mind, which, probably due to my heightened expectations meant I don’t find it quite as good as the ’07. ahh human nature..
It was the 1st artist to see in the Big Top and the afternoon mood was relaxed and there were some gaps of space so I even managed to wander up to the front, almost center. There’s where you found the Maps’ …headbangers for lack of a better term. The frontliners were going nuts. Good for them!

Passion Pit, Jack Penate (vid), Joe Gideon & the Shark -
Pics & Vids (note: Vids best viewed not sitting too close to screen):

Bestival Performances – Tara O. Bjorn Again, Maps, Carl Cox, Jack Penate, Passion Pit, Joe Gideon Pi

Friendly Fires
Pics:

Friendly Fires (Bestival 2009 Pics)

what can I say… Ed swings his hips and dances everywhere, (and nicely dressed in his pressed shirt & pants (not capris)..but what was with that pant hem? a few inches too high perhaps? sorry, this IS a music blog but woah – somebody give that boy some fashion help. all I can say is ummm he’s got nice ankles…. ??
The music was good… we’ve all seen them so nothing new to say here. We actually spent most of their show chatting with some people and listening to them in the background (how spoiled is that! . Ed did look a little ..red eyed (hey, i have a zoom lens) — maybe he was hung over and didnt realize the pant thing? yes. i’m still stuck on that… 7/10

Florence -
Pics & Vid (note: Vid best viewed not sitting too close to screen):

Florence (Bestival 2009 Vid & Pics)

Florence, Florence – I wanted an interview but that… that bitch! (i say that in the most loving way She was too popular for me so no dice. (Redemption: she’s in Canada in Nov. and I will laud praise then) I’ve been listening /playing Florence for months now and she was probably *the act I was most looking forward to. A big fan? a-hmm. She & her band were all dressed up (Space was this year’s dress-up theme) just as she’d promised in a Reading video. How did her hard working drummer manage to not pass out covered in that aluminum space suit?? She sang….fairrly well but wait – Lungs ..that’s the name of the CD – and I’ve heard you (on live vids) belt it out live like crazy ..but florence I’m not feeling that same Glasto,Reading energy. It was good but Lily (day 2) kicked her ass in the entertainment & vocal department. But yes, I’m still a big fan. Canada needs to hear you though. She sang all the big ones off Lungs, ending with You got the Love – which everyone loved. Sorry such limited video. Sometimes I didnt think of it but here I was probably just too captivated. 7.5/10 (bonus .5 for the space outfit so 8/10)

Soulwax -
Pics:

Soulwax (Tara O. Bestival 2009 Pics)

this was a treat. Two Belgian DJs i’ve admired for many yrs … i’m getting to see in person. (almost worth my no sleep lifestyle). They put on a great show on the main stage. They look kinda boring onstage and if you were to cross them in the street you wouldnt look twice but lots of creativity going on in the 12” between them. (i’m referring to each of their 6” of brain!). 7.5/10

WRAP-UP DAY 1

So it doesn’t seem like much of a day but time flies and during all this you’re busy standing in food or bathroom lines (I didnt discover the no-lines-at the port-a-potties for-media folks until day 2!) or walking around exploring what we’d seen as night was falling the evening before – but now in the light of day and with 1000s of people wandering around too, visiting the many new event tents that had popped up overnight.

The weather was wonderful. Sunny with some wind so no one passed out. likely. The port-a-potties were still clean (the best ones were near my tent site – these really big ones with tons of paper – never seen the likes of at a festival. why there werent line ups galore for this place was beyond me but i wasnt telling!) and the good thing (?) about H1N1 on the scene is all stops now had that sanitizer liquid – though it was rationing out on day 3… yeah sure, let us die JUST before we go home people!! I may joke but each year all UK festivals vie for awards and there IS one for best toilets … i just might vote!

I wasn’t thrilled about paying L8 for the music schedule – considering I’d paid a ton in time & money & ticket (L140) just to get there and was doing media/promotion for them, and the exchange rate is 1.85. Thankfully I found the schedule in the media tent on day 2 when it was time to go interview the Golden Silvers around lunch.

DAY 2 – Sat Sep 12

This was probably overall the most fun day – cause while some people wear their outfits all weekend, *this is the big day wehre everyone officially pulls out their costume and parades around. And it was ah-nother beautiful day weather-wise so the sun shone,reflected off the costumes and no one had to hide their works of art under sweaters etc.

We were hoping the festival organizers would`ve somehow improved conditions for taking pics in the pit (eg, moved the bands’ standing position closer to the front (you`ll notice it`s hard to get drummers in any pics as they were always wayyy back of the stage) but it wasn’t to change throughout. Some pics are better cause they’re taken standing on a small stool.

Golden Silvers – Golden Silvers Interview & Pics

The show started late and so so did my interview. Thankfully I had booked interview time before leaving cause boy, once there, UK media really wanted to meet with them and I wouldnt have stood a chance. But I was first in line Sorry about the sound quality of the interview- the media tent (why do they always do this? i mean i understand logistically but …) the tent was RighT next to the main stage so you hear the bass from a band playing. Thankfully the Doves interview was in their dressing room off site so no problems there. GS opened with True Romance, no doubt their best one of the new album and continued with more indie/new wave/funk/disco-ish tunes for about 45min. Too bad lead Gwilyn was always tied to his keyboard – needs one of those Tenori-on’s Little Boots uses (and apparantly Lily too as I discovered later that day). Then they rolled into the media tent for the interview with moi! great sound but low action. 7.5/10

Little Boots -
Pics:

Little Boots (Bestival 2009 pics)

She comes out driving one of those pink barbie kids cars. which, again, cause the stage is SO high, those up front couldn’t see and the 1 big screen to the left of the stage isn’t helpful when you’re standing on the right of the stage. She’s dressed like a grandmother + a boa (see pics) and not a granny going to space. wtf? Or maybe this was some Brit space outfit from a show i’m not aware of? Eventually the boa & white granny glasses come off. whew. was too weird watching granny dance around singing about love. This electro girl AKA Victoria Hesketh known for bringing the Tenori-on (scroll to bottom for details: http://taraoweb.com/blog/2009/01/jan-14-2009-podcast-and-show-playlist/) into awareness – wouldnt go so far as popular yet, even though it’s a Bjork fav toy, produces some fun light electro. By far the best response was during Stuck on Repeat – a song that aptly stuck in my head for days when I first heard it. See I wasnt the only one. 7.5/10 (lose .5 point with the stupid outfit Vic!)

Jack Penate –
Vid (note: Vid best viewed not sitting too close to screen):

From Bestival Performances – Tara O. Bjorn Again, Maps, Carl Cox, Jack Penate, Passion Pit, Joe Gideon Pi

Jack was also on in the Big Top belting out his tunes (see vid). Unfortunately the sound wasn’t that great so we didnt stay long and used the opportunity to explore the grounds. 5.5/10

Lily Allen –
Pics & Vids (note: Vids best viewed not sitting too close to screen):

Lily Allen (Tara O. Bestival 2009 vids & pics)

Entertainment-wise Lily was the hilte. Hate to give it to her cause she’s so well known and commercial but spade is a spade. She was space-outfitted with her usual sexy slant, she covered the whole stage area left to right, engaged & chatted with the crowd, had a *great voice, and we all had a good laugh when the audio cut out on her track (see vid). She had everyone’s finger in the air singing to Fuck You and was pretty ‘demonstrative’ with her mic (if you know what i mean) singing It’s not Fair. Few days later I read she would quit music & start acting. Not bad for a girl discovered on MySpace 3ish years ago. She also participated in the festival picking the best space outfits and the final winner. 9/10

Klaxons -
Vid (note: Vid best viewed not sitting too close to screen):

From Bestival Festival (Sep 10-14, 2009)

It’s evening and I was hungry so ate my chips & mushy peas staring at Klaxons on a large screen set up several 100 metres bck from the main stage – the organizers did have the foresight to put on there, realizing EVeryone cant fit into the main stage viewing area. They had a great night time show

Kraftwerk -
Pics:

Kraftwerk (Bestival 2009)

I hadnt seen live before. I was surprised at the massive turnout even though they were the Sat night show closers. Havent they performed for years – hasnt everyone in Europe seen them by now? As they don’t ‘sing’ or say much, it’s essentially a set heavy on technology, light and word reminding us all of the perils of living (nuclear, spies, enemies..)

La Roux –
Vid & Pics (note: Vids best viewed not sitting too close to screen):

La Roux (Tara O. Bestival 2009 Pics & Vids)

After midnight it’s off to see La Roux. You could see crowds had been gathering for awhile and it was going to be tough getting into the tent but having seen her a month earlier at Osheaga -play an outdoor afternoon show to about 400? Canadians I was dying to see the vast expected difference to a UK reception. It was as good as I’d imagined and read about her shows at past festivals. There was a growing mass of people, and the frenzy built as she played and by the time her last one In for the Kill happened I think it was a strange relief it was over — so many people dancing in such little space. It makes sense but nonetheless how much more confident she appeared here than in Montreal. She’s got a great live voice. Light & screen show was great too. 9/10

WRAP-UP DAY 2

Everyone was in great mood being dressed up all day and while there was drinking I never saw or really heard 1 fight. This is v. unusual for an english crowd. Was the spirit of the festival taking over? As had been a few times a day, you’d encounter more English who would say this is the best festival going (but dont tell anyone) oops. that it’s the friendliest & the safest (eg tent robbing) one. To give you an idea… my biggest ‘problem’ all 3 days was probably making sure I always had enuf toilet paper on hand. And if you flashed that stuff around…every girl in line was asking you for some!

Somehow in all that days activities we completely missed Micachu & the Shapes and so many, but missing acts would be a common theme as you realized it was just impossible to be everywhere. But I suppose not having the option like many in the UK to catch these acts throughout the year I was struggling to fit in as much as possible. Often, in meeting people they would tell you about even more great acts to check out (thanks Dave for The Mummers & Squarepusher) which would only add to the dilemma. Hanging around the media tent waiting for an interview or checking on updates would usually produce a band or two milling around (eg Hockey) but sometimes I would have to guess who they were! But they must have been popular enough in the UK cause interview lineups would start & flashes go off (eg Kitty Daisy & Lewis).

Then v. late at some point “the pyrotechnic delights of the Fire Field that included the stunning After Burner stage and the dazzling Blastival, proving especially popular with the late night congregation.” The AfterBurner was basicallly the late night clubbing area, dancing/hanging out around a large stage with a …i dont even know how to describe it… jet engine placed vertically on a stage with lights, lasers and flames around. Around it’s circumference walked an MC further entertaining the crowd.

So off to bed for what would turn out to be the only full nights sleep in about 5days. Tomorrow was Doves interview day!

DAY 3 – Sun Sep 13

Hmm today had its sunny moments but for the 1st time in days with the wind & clouds you could imagine rain. In early afternoon after re-confirming my Doves interview we used the time to explore the festival before the late afternoon interview. or so i thought…
By late afternoon the weather was cooling, and so was I but i refused to budge from the media area, as Doves were to arrive at any time. Well there had been a miscommunication so by the time they arrived, it was time to for them to play and it was unlikely they’d interview afterwards (as you may know Doves like to …chill out …after a show – esp. when their friends Elbow are nearby) I love Doves and hell or high water, I was interviewing them. They were one if not *the main reason I chose this festival over others – knowing they’d be there. So when the show was over and after a total 3?hour cold wait, it was up to the artist camp to interview before they interacted with Elbow – or else all I would’ve gotten was slurring!

Doves - Doves Interview & Vids & Show/Interview Pics
note: Vids best viewed not sitting too close to screen

Doves (Bestival 2009 Show & Tara O. Interview Pics, Video)

In the world of UK music, longevity is more than 1 album. Doves put out #4 this year – some say deserving of the Mercury Prize for the years best album (like the Polaris in Canada). These 3 northern almost 40 y.olds hate having to label their music, so listen to the interview to hear how Jez describes themselves. Though known by all they are one of England’s (and the worlds) most under appreciated bands producing wonderful harmonies & melodies, lyrics and more. I wish I hadn’t known they had just arrived in time to get on stage but the lack of congruantness (is that a word?) with the audience and the festival became apparent anyways (“what’s this year’s theme?” lead Jimi asks the crowd). While Jimi may not have Elbow’s suave & heartily-friendly, affable Guy Garvey style on stage, he is nonetheless 1/3 of one my fav bands, creating music I’ve listened to many times over. (KoR & Some Cities: CD Reviews)

Doves put on a good show- running the gamut of songs from 4CDs playing a set list you’ve probably heard before if you’ve ever had the smarts or fortune to see a show. For a smoker (I presume as he had a lighter at the interview) Jimi’s voice is strong and he’s experienced & confident enuf to know that 30sec in, they needed to start over cause Jez’s guit wasnt hooked up properly. It was wonderful to see them live, outdoors, and at the best time – when the sun is setting – so you see them in daylight, sun set, and darkness and lights. With so many talented pieces, I would’ve like to have heard some different tracks from the mainstays. 8/10

Bjorn Again –
Vid (note: Vid best viewed not sitting too close to screen):

From Bestival Performances – Tara O. Bjorn Again, Maps, Carl Cox, Jack Penate, Passion Pit, Joe Gideon Pi

One of many festival discoveries was this ABBA cover band that is apparantly HUGE in the UK & OZ. They look just like them and have been doing this for years. Everyone under 25 was jumping & dancing and sometimes I would think – I wonder if they’ve ever even seen the original band – or do they even care? I’d never seen people so completely enamoured /such buy-in with a cover band. Good for them. What more can I say except how long before they reach N.A.? 8/10

Elbow -
Vid & Pics (note: Vids best viewed not sitting too close to screen):

Elbow (Tara O. Bestival 2009 Pics & Vids)

Having seen them play live the first time only a month ago at Osheaga.com, I knew their set list, style, how it’d all roll out. I was pleasantly surprised to see the added video, great light work, and lead Guy’s even more heartwarming chats with the crowd. Best was when he has a frank chat near the end, telling us all..let’s skip the game of “we go off the stage, you clap and we all know we come back for an encore”. “instead, if you want us back you’ll need to sing the star trek theme”. well laugh then sing we did. He put a great twist on a tedious matter. Has Guy always been this affable or is it cause he’s now in love and the world is wonderful…?
The show was great. While not costumed, the 4 back up singers came out as Princess Leia’s. 9/10.

Carl Cox -
Vid (note: Vid best viewed not sitting too close to screen):

From Bestival Performances – Tara O. Bjorn Again, Maps, Carl Cox, Jack Penate, Passion Pit, Joe Gideon Pi

Before Carl was up we wanted to check out Derrick Carter playing at another DJ tent but it was packed (and though you can always sqeeze in) more importantly it was *full of sweaty people. The temperature of the open air tent was likely 4degrees warmer than outside. Not wanting catch a cold (as I was starting to feel it from standing in the cold for hours waiting for Doves) I had to pass.
Headed to see Carl at the Big Top which was getting near capacity. It’s amazing, wonderful, impressive, that at 50 he still pulls out everyone. So at midnight there we are, tent com-plete-ly full by now, and people crowded outside, sitting on the grass all around, listening to him spin some old, some new and it’d just been about oooo 20degrees warmer you would’ve thought you were in Ibiza. He had a light show going on the tent walls, and 2 big screens displaying graphics that (surely) would’ve been better on shrooms or the like. Show lasted two hours but I needed to leave early as was getting sick(er).

POST BESTIVAL TRIP

Scotland:

Scotland (post Bestival Sep09)

Scotland Whisky Distillery:

Scotland Whisky Distillery (Post Bestival Sep09)

Flying over Greenland:

Greenland (post Bestival Sep 2009)

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.)

We were promised jetpacks
CD These 4 walls
- quiet little voices

Popular workshop
- her birthday (single)

Super Furry Animals
CD dark days light years
- crazy naked girls

Eugene McGuiness
CD Eugene McGuiness
- fonz

Lily Allen
CD Alright, still
- Ldn

Speech Debelle
CD Speech Therapy
- bad boy

Florence and the Machine
CD Lungs
- my boy builds coffins

Wake the President
CD You can’t change that boy
- remember fun

La Roux
CD La Roux
- in for the kill

The Maccabees
CD WAll of arms
- kiss and resolve

Pete Doherty
CD Grace/Wastelands
- a little death around the eyes

Future of the Left
CD Travels with myself and another
- stand by your manatee

Noise Annoys simon
CD you say it i’ll know it
- all her beauty

Maximo Park
CD quicken the heart
- tanned

The Brakes
CD Touchdown
- Hey Hey

Enjoy ya summer!