The Art Of The Spoken Word (Mixtape)

Here’s a new Compilation/MixCD I made based solely on the theme of spoken word music.  I call it ‘The Art Of The Spoken Word’ and it actually features some of my all-time favourite tracks.  Like Luxembourg’s ‘Making Progress’, The White Stripes’ ‘Hand Springs’ (Possibly my number one favourite track!), Ironweed’s ‘Down To My Grave (Audio Suspects Remix)’ and Dexys Midnight Runners’ ‘Reminisce (Part Two)’.

The full tracklisting is as follows (Including links):

1. MC Honky – 3 Turntables & 2 Microphones / 2. James Yorkston – Woozy With Cider / 3. James Brown – King Heroin / 4. Big Hard Excellent Fish – Imperfect List 2 / 5. Talking Heads – Seen & Not Seen / 6. The White Stripes – Hand Springs / 7. The Flaming Lips – Time Travel?? Yes!! / 8. Tom Waits – Big Joe & Phantom 309 / 9. Luxembourg – Making Progress / 10. The Velvet Underground – The Gift / 11. Kenneth Bager (Feat. Julee Cruise) – Fragment Eleven (The Day After Yesterday) (A Love Story In Five Parts) Part 3 (The Story) / 12. Jegsy Dodd & The Sons Of Harry Cross – 8000 Miles Away / 13. Superqueens – Not For All The E’s In England / 14. Manic Street Preachers – Failure Bound / 15. Coldcut – Mr Nichols (Feat. Saul Williams) / 16. The Vichy Government – Oliver Cromwell In Weimar Berlin / 17. Ironweed – Down To My Grave (Audio Suspects Remix) / 18. Demetri Martin – The Wisdom Song (Feat. Demetri’s Mom) / 19. Dexys Midnight Runners – Reminisce (Part Two)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A ZIP OF THE MIXTAPE

As a bonus here’s one of the many clips available on YouTube featuring the comedy stylings of certified genius Demetri Martin:

Also here’s one of the best videos ever, for Coldcut’s ‘Mr Nichols’:

RED DEATH (Mixtape)

I was sorting through some boxes of treasure/junk and found a stack of MixCDs I’d made over the past few years.  I thought it would be fun to listen to them again and maybe you’ll find them fun too.  I’ll post them over the coming weeks.

The first entry is a MixCD that I titled ‘Red Death’ which I made around mid 2002, when I was clearly still in thrall to savage Garage-Rock, Punk and Blues brought on by my obsession with The White Stripes that had begun the year before (An obsession that seems to have been well placed nearly eight years and countless classic White Stripes releases later).  I remember being very satisfied with the Russian propaganda influenced cover (With it’s pretentious Malcolm X quote).

Nostalgia wise this was a great trip back, there being many tracks I haven’t listened to in years (Of course the title track ‘Red Death At 6:14’ is still one of my favourites).  I’d clean forgotten how good ‘Untutored Youth’ by The Hives was with Pele’s declaration of “Would you like lemon and lime with that peace of advice Mr!”.  Other fantastic tracks that bizarrely haven’t had a spin on my player for while, include Mando Diao’s toe-tapping ‘Motown Blood’, The Datsuns’ rifftastic ‘Motherfucka From Hell’, The Bellrays’ ferocious ‘They Glued Your Head On Upside Down’, The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion’s raucous ‘Sweet ‘n’ Sour’ and The Dirtbombs’ certified classic Fuzzbox-Soul number ‘Chains Of Love’.

Here’s the tracklisting (With links):

1. Mando Diao – Motown Blood / 2. The Sounds – Dance With Me / 3. The Donnas – Take It Off / 4. At The Drive-In – One Armed Scissor / 5. The Bellrays – They Glued Your Head On Upside Down / 6. Sahara Hotnights – Only The Fakes Survive / 7. The Vines – Get Free / 8. The D4 – Heartbreaker / 9. The Music – Take The Long Road & Walk It / 10. Soledad Brothers – Burn The Rich / 11. The Libertines – Up The Bracket / 12. The Hives – Untutored Youth / 13. British Sea Power – The Spirit Of St. Loius / 14. The Datsuns – Motherfucka From Hell / 15. The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Sweet ‘n’ Sour / 16. The Buff Medways – Troubled Mind / 17. The Detroit Cobras – Boss Lady / 18. The Dirtbombs – Chains Of Love / 19. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Miles Away / 20. The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster – Celebrate Your Mother / 21. The Strokes – Hard To Explain / 22. The (International) Noise Conspiracy – Enslavement Blues / 23. The White Stripes – Red Death At 6:14 / 24. Peaches – Rock Show / 25. Foo Fighters – All My Life / 26. The Von Bondies – Going Down / 27. Caesar’s Palace – Over ‘Fore It Started

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A ZIP OF ‘RED DEATH’.

‘Sweet ‘n’ Sour’ was a record I ran straight out and bought the morning after seeing Mr Spencer’s incendiary performance on Later.  It was his gyrating hips, his Elvis vocals, the band’s black leather jackets and of course those massive mutton-chops that caught my imagination (Even Jools Holland on Piano couldn’t spoil it).  Behold, pure distilled Rock ‘n’ Roll!!!

ONE MAN SHOW: Jarvis Cocker’s Rarities (Compilation)

I greeted Jarvis Cocker’s 2006 solo album with unbridled excitement because the drought since the last Pulp release had been almost half a decade.  Since then, I’ve listened to that record some eighteen thousand times and now I crave more.  Unbeknownst to me, the intervening years had been in fact far from a drought, with a little searching, it became clear that Jarvis had been very busy indeed.  He did of course infamously front glitchy-noise-terrorists Relaxed Muscle in something akin to a musical mid-life crisis.  He’d also written reems of material for other artists like Nancy Sinatra, Tony Christie, Marianne Faithfull and Charlotte Gainsbourg.  Mostly though, he’d contributed single guest vocal performances on the records of his friends and contemporaries (He and Richard Hawley somehow seem to have had a hand in most of the musical output of the western world in the past few years).  So I decided to assemble a selection of these tracks to see if a second solo LP could be made (Until he releases his real second album!).

These fourteen tracks (Fourteen was an appropriately LP-length number) represent the tip of the Iceberg.  There are none of his tracks sung by other artists, spoken word poetry, live tracks or jarring mutant-Electro (I could fill another whole CD with those. Maybe I will at a later date).  It’s just the kind of spellbinding Pop/Rock songs you’d expect to hear on a Jarvis Cocker or Pulp record.  Spend a pleasurable hour in the company of Jarvis Cocker and his friends.  I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how this disparate group of songs sound so good together (Well, that was my plan after all!).

Here’s a tracklisting with brief descriptions of where the songs are from (Plus links to purchase the original records):

1. Richard X (With Jarvis Cocker, Richard Hawley & Hope Sandoval) – Into U
From Richard X’s 2003 album ‘Richard X Presents His X-Factor Vol. 1’ with vocals and lyrics by Jarvis, backing vocals by Hope Sandoval, plus Guitar by Hawley.
2. The All Seeing I (With Jarvis Cocker) – Drive Safely Darlin’
From The All Seeing I’s 1999 album ‘Pickled Eggs & Sherbet’.  The same record that featured Tony Christie’s recording of Jarvis’ song ‘Walk Like A Panther’ (A classic top-ten hit single).  Jarvis wrote half of the LP, so it’s well worth checking out.
3. Jarvis Cocker – Everybody Loves The Underdog
A Jarvis original from 2001’s ‘Mike Bassett: England Manager’ Soundtrack.
4. The Pastels (With Jarvis Cocker) – I Picked A Flower
A supremely catchy song from The Pastels’ 2003 LP/Soundtrack ‘The Last Great Wilderness’ (It was also a single) with lyrics by Jarvis.
5. Jarvis Cocker – One Man Show
The B-side to Jarvis’ 2007 single ‘Don’t Let Him Waste Your Time’ (‘Don’t Let Him Waste Your Time’ was originally written for Nancy Sinatra).  Only the true greats put songs this good on the B-side.
6. Barry Adamson (With Jarvis Cocker) – Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Pelvis
The opening track from Barry Adamson’s 1996 LP ‘Oedipus Schmoedipus’ and it was co-written by Jarvis.
7. Alpha (With Jarvis Cocker) – This Is Where I Came In
A cover of the Jimmy Webb song released on Alpha’s 2001 ‘The South EP’.
8. Jarvis Cocker & Kid Loco – I Just Came To Tell You That I’m Going
From the 2006 Serge Gainsbourg tribute compilation ‘Monsieur Gainsbourg: Revisited’.
9. Air (With Jarvis Cocker) – One Hell Of A Party
From Air’s 2007 LP ‘Pocket Symphony’ with lyrics by Jarvis.
10. The Weird Sisters – Magic Works
One of three songs that Jarvis and a select group of friends wrote and recorded for the fourth Harry Potter film.  This one off band famously appear in the film during the ballroom scene.
11. David Arnold & Jarvis Cocker – All Time High
A great recording of John Barry’s notable Bond theme for David Arnold’s 1997 ‘Shaken & Stirred’ project.
12. Jarvis Cocker & Richard Hawley – A Cheat
From 2002’s ‘Total Lee: The Songs of Lee Hazlewood’ Compilation with Jarvis on vocals and Richard once again putting in sterling work on the Guitar.
13. Lush (With Jarvis Cocker) – Ciao!
From Lush’s 1996 album ‘Lovelife’ featuring a duet with Miki Berenyi (Who also wrote the song).
14. Pulp – Cocaine Socialism
My favourite Pulp B-side (Infact one of my favourite songs period) from 1998’s ‘A Little Soul’ single.  Behold Jarvis’ lyrical genius.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A ZIP OF THE COMPILATION (Featuring the mp3s and printable artwork).

To conclude, here are some links you might find useful:

Acrylic Afternoons Pulp Fansite (An excellent discography).

Click here to buy Jarvis’ proper solo album.

Unfortunately I couldn’t find many YouTube clips of the above songs so I’ve also included some Jarvis related solo nuggets for your enjoyment:

A typically charismatic performance of ‘One Man Show’.
‘I Just Came To Tell You That I’m Going’ performed live.
Very well edited fan video for ‘Magic Works’.
A crowd pleasing live cover of ‘Eye of The Tiger’.
Jarvis singing ‘Walk Like a Panther’ on Top Of The Pops.
Relaxed Muscle performing ‘Mary’.
Jarvis Cocker & Beth Ditto performing Heaven 17’s ‘Temptation’.
Tony Christie’s brand-new video for his cover of Pulp’s ‘Born To Cry’.
Jarvis Cocker getting “Remixed” by Ali-G.
Intimate performance of ‘Disney Time’ by Jarvis & Richard Hawley.
Nancy Sinatra performing ‘Don’t Let Him Waste Your Time’ with Jarvis.
Jarvis performing the legendary ‘Cunts Are Still Running The World’.

Here are links to watch the South Bank Show dedicated to Jarvis:    Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 & Part 5.

Here’s a recent interview where Jarvis talks about his future plans.

Click here to download an mp3 of Jarvis playing his favourite melancholy songs (And discussing them) on 6Music.

Jarvis Cocker MySpace

MP3 bonanza!!

For the last fortnight, I’ve had serious problems with uploading files and general bandwidth issues. I’ve been tearing my hair out, but thanks to the guys at Box.Net tech support the problems are fixed, and to celebrate here are twelve random but brilliant mp3s…

Badly Drawn Boy‘s best single in years gets that little bit better thanks to The Go! Team:
Badly Drawn Boy – A Journey From A To B (Go! Team Remix) mp3

One of Phil‘s finest moment gets enhanced by some edgy Bloc Party beats:
Bloc Party Vs Phil Collins – She’s Hearing Voices In The Air Tonight mp3

Highlight and title track from Bobby Conn‘s (Pictured above) brilliant new album:
Bobby Conn – King For A Day mp3

An extract from Demetri Martin‘s bizarre and hilarious live comedy CD:
Demetri Martin – Some Jokes mp3

This Eddie Cochran song is 50 years old and still fresh as a daisy:
Eddie Cochran – Summertime Blues mp3

Example raps over a cut-up of Tracy Chapman courtesy of his incredible producer Rusher:
Example – I Need A Fast Car (With Tracy Chapman) mp3

Insanely catchy Pop song with a possibly unique subject matter from the ex Modern Lover:
Jonathan Richman – I Was Dancing In The Lesbian Bar mp3

Lee Hazlewood uses American Football as a metaphor for the Iraq war:
Lee Hazlewood – Baghdad Knights mp3

The best track from the essential ‘Yellow Pills: Prefill’ compilation:
Luxury – Green Hearts mp3

Pablo‘s mind-blowing track created from cutting up countless Accapellas and stitching them back together:
Pablo – Story Of Sampling mp3

Apparently, soon to be covered on The White Stripes‘ new album:
Patti Page – Conquest mp3

Weird Al‘s pisstake of James Blunt‘s infamous single, officially unreleased due to objections from Blunt’s record label (Even though Blunt gave the go ahead):
“Weird Al” Yankovic – You’re Pitiful mp3

STOP ME’s: Top 100 Tracks Of 2006

After much time compiling and arguing with myself… here’s my favourite 100 tunes of the last twelve months (In Order). I’ve included links to download 16 of the ones that didn’t seem to be available to buy anymore. Also here’s a Zip with 20 of the best and lesser-known tracks for your enjoyment. If you like them, support the artists. If you were wondering, the picture above is of me as a nipper conducting wild experiments into the nether regions of music (Yeah right!)

1. AKIRA THE DON – Thanks For All The Aids
“Who put the crack in the ghetto, who put that crap in Netto, why charge that much for Lego, why can’t we let go?”
Whatever Bob Geldof achieved with Live8, he certainly succeeded in pissing off a couple of musicians. One of them was Jarvis Cocker, who wrote ‘Cunts Are Still Running The World’ and the other was Akira The Don. He’s come up with a hands-in-the-air, vitriolic and hilarious alternative anthem. I think that if everybody learned to sing this song, the world would be a better place
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

2. CHRISTINA AGUILERA – Ain’t No Other Man
“So tell your mother, your brother, your sister and your friends, and the others, your lovers, better not be present tense”
Trust me once you get past the OTT vocal gymnastics, this is a classic, in fact the vocals have become my favourite bit (Check the “Ow!” bit at 1.53). I don’t listen to the radio much, but one day it was played on the radio at work and I’ve been addicted ever since. The Funk Guitar, the explosive Horns, the J.B. Drums, the scratching and the crackle of vinyl in the background all add up the most perfect Pop song in years. Beyonce Who?
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

3. KLAXONS – Atlantis To Interzone
“Good thieves of burning cars, encircle poisoned rivers minds and hearts, horses want to dance, but find their wings are damaged, water damaged”
This is pure dance-floor insanity, the most crazed beats, frenetic Drums, wailing sirens and the kind of Bass Guitar that could start riots. It makes me want to dance like Bruce Lee, MC Hammer, Bez and an epileptic combined. They’ve yet to release anything else that matches up to the unstoppable fury on display here, but I’m still hoping.
(Buy Record) (YouTube) (MySpace)

4. GET CAPE. WEAR CAPE. FLY – Call Me Ishmael
“And fatigue’s soon ignored, as your feet hit the board, or as the beat hits the floor, these are the moments that we’re living for”
‘Call Me Ishmael’ is about Sam Duckworth’s love of playing live. So no matter how tired he gets from touring, that hour he spends connecting with people makes it all worth while. When the Cornet solo comes in at 3.03 it makes me jump for joy, each and every time.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

5. LUPE FIASCO – Hurt Me Soul
“So through the Grim Reaper sickle sharpenin’, Macintosh marketin’, oil field augurin’, Brazilian adolescent disarmament, Israeli occupation, Islamic martyrdom”
It was a hard decision choosing just one track from Lupe’s incredible ‘Food & Liquor’ album. This is more like a lecture or an essay than a Rap tune. The first time I heard it I was so blown away by the relentless rhymes that I gave it a standing ovation.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

6. AMY WINEHOUSE – Tears Dry On Their Own
“All I can ever be to you, is a darkness that we knew, and this regret I got accustomed to”
I’ve been listening to this on my walk into work on a cold winter’s day. It makes me feel like I’m Aretha Franklin strutting along to ‘Respect’ or ‘Think’ (Which is quite an effect to have on a 25-year-old white guy). If she’s got any sense this will be the third single from the fantastic ‘Back To Black’ album.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

7. JARVIS – Black Magic
“We can’t escape, we’re born to die, but I’m gonna give it a real good try”
I don’t really know what it is about this song that gets me. There’s no real tune and the lyrics are pretty basic, but somehow it makes my heart want to explode with joy and go out and hug total strangers. It stops and starts, Drums thunder and massive Glam Guitars shimmer which all adds up to something truly epic. When it all crashes back in after the thrilling shout of “Yeah, yeah, yeah”, I nearly head-bang my head clean off.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

8. YELLOWBELLY – Blood Tainted Love
“Don’t fool around with my religion, I’ve got a loaded gun and I ain’t kiddin’, I’m gonna put a stop to all this killin’, I’m gonna set the world on fire”
‘Blood Tainted Love’ is a haunting trip inside the minds of the religious fanatics that are fighting each other across our planet. It’s a delicate slice of Electro-Pop with Country touches, which beautifully contrasts with the savage lyrics.
(Buy Digital) (MySpace)

9. AKALA – Bullshit
“Places where kids can’t eat, but AK47s are free, here you go fight for me, and I’ll take the minerals please”
This is a sprawling list of all the things that Akala thinks are ‘Bullshit’ plain and simple. It ranges from day to day irritations like the weather in the UK, all the way up to world issues like child soldiers, racism, third world debt and the war in Iraq. I was over the moon when he won at the MOBOs, it was a surprise decision, but a well deserved one.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

10. SCROOBIUS PIP – First Time I Met Musik
“She joked.. Gangsta-Rap? I said no, but drop the G, you might start to get a better description of me, Angsta-Rap? she said, if it sticks you’ll regret that”
‘First Time I Met Musik’ is about when Scroobius Pip met “The physical embodiment of music”. She talks to him about the friends she’s lost (Morrison, Hendrix etc) and what she wants music to sound like. It’s the most lyrically intricate four minutes you’re ever likely to encounter.
(YouTube) (MySpace)

11. ARCHIE BRONSON OUTFIT – Dead Funny
“I am a stone cold mason, you built a wall round you, I am a cold stone breaker, I’ll make a break for you”
‘Dead Funny’ is an unstoppable heavy Blues-Rock juggernaut. The pace is relentless and repetitive and when combined with the hysterical vocals it sounds like nothing else.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

12. THE JUNGLE BROTHERS Vs PRIMAL SCREAM – Play Loaded
“We got the fundamental juices, to make you feel the looseness, you recognise the Jungle, now you’re screaming oh my goodness”
This incredible bootleg combines The Jungle Brothers’ vocal from ‘Play On (Grand Central)’ by Rae & Christian with Primal Scream’s perennial anthem ‘Loaded’. The result is both good and bad. Good because the join is seamless and it’s maybe the most perfect mash-up ever. The bad thing is that you’ll never be able to listen to ‘Loaded’ again without wondering where the JBs have got to.
(mp3) (YouTube) (MySpace)

13. LILY ALLEN – Nan You’re A Window Shopper
“You only buy the paper, just to cut out the Coupons, you’re saving 50p, but what do you want with Tampons”
I fell in love with Lily’s music the moment I pressed the play button on her MySpace page and heard this track. It was later that I discovered that it was a parody of 50 Cent’s ‘Window Shopper’. Why wasn’t it on the album? Why wasn’t it a single?
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

14. PLASTIC LITTLE – The Jumpoff
“Your enemies’ momma, gets killed by ninjas, at Disney world… that’s the jumpoff”
This one of the most bizarre, stupid and brilliant pieces of Hip-Hop I’ve encountered. Plastic Little spend three minutes trying to define exactly what “The Jumpoff” is. It samples everything from Kraftwerk to Chef from South Park.
(Buy Record) (YouTube) (MySpace)

15. JACK WHITE – Love Is The Truth
“It’s the right thing to do, and you know it, it’s inside of you, so just show it, love is the truth”
The thought of Jack White recording a song for a Coca-Cola advert was controversial. But after hearing the deliriously joyful results, I’ve got no complaints. When he’s done with The White Stripes and The Raconteurs I’ll be waiting for some more solo material.
(mp3) (YouTube) (Website)

16. CIRCUITS – Half Read Book
“This is taking some time, to come up with the reply, and the mirror on the wall, doesn’t look me in the eye”
The lyrics to this song are spectacular and personal and they’re set to an exhilarating Indie-Rock sound.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (MySpace)

17. THE INDELICATES – We Hate The Kids
“And there’s always a monk to get set on fire, and there’s always a crack-head charismatic liar”
‘We Hate The Kids’ is absolute anthem raging against boring MOR Pop music.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

18. COLDCUT (FEAT. JON SPENCER & MIKE LADD) – Everything Is Under Control
“A bay full of pigs, and a sky of Vulcans, Marilyn Monroe swingin’ with the Sultans”
‘Everything Is Under Control’ is the most violently exciting track from Coldcut’s brilliant and hugely varied ‘Sound Mirrors’ album. Mike Ladd spits out anti-capitalist rhymes, Drums thunder and Jon Spencer just rawks out.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

19. OKKERVIL RIVER – The President’s Dead
“The Coffee was great, there was spring on the wind, have you ever lived through a day, where the littlest things, and the littlest ways made you feel you were blessed”
When this acoustic song explodes into life with a crash of Drums at 1.54, I’m simply in heaven and reaching for the replay button.
(mp3) (Buy Record) (YouTube) (MySpace)

20. STICKBOY – Pills For The Pain
“They scattered flowers for the sadness, they took pills for the pain, they saw their tears as a weakness, so they covered them with rain”
Stickboy’s achingly beautiful whispered vocals on this track could probably reduce any grown man to tears. It’s got the kind of lyrics that send shivers down your spine.
(mp3) (MySpace)

21. LIAM FROST & THE SLOWDOWN FAMILY – The Mourners Of St Paul’s
“I’m 12 years older, I can’t stay sober, and there’s a bluebird in my heart that’s caged and it can’t sing, so fill your bloodlines up with bourbon kid and this won’t sting”
‘The Mourners Of St Paul’s’ is heady mix of soul crushing sorrow and life affirming joy. It’s an emotionally exhausting listen.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

22. THE VIKING MOSES – I Will Always Love You
“Bitter-sweet, memories, that’s all I have, that’s all I’m takin’, with me”
This is the absolute polar opposite to Whitney Houston’s version of ‘I Will Always Love You’. It’s intimate, personal and unless I’m mistaken, you can actually hear Brendon crying as he sings it.
(mp3) (YouTube) (MySpace)

23. PRIMAL SCREAM – Country Girl
“Never get too big, never get too heavy, never get too cool, that you stop payin’ your dues”
‘Country Girl’ thrills from the very first second, it’s an unashamed Rock, Country, Blues, Garage etc beast. Primal Scream haven’t pushed any boundaries with this song but they sure sound like they had fun making it.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (Website)

24. PATRICK WOLF – Accident & Emergency
“So what happens when you loose everything, you just carry on and with a grin, sing for all that low life has to bring, and just get yourself back into the ring”
There probably hasn’t been a single that I’ve anticipated more than ‘Accident & Emergency’. It’s got every kind of weird sound imaginable funnelled into a bizarre peace of heart lifting joy.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

25. PETER BJORN & JOHN (WITH VICTORIA BERGSMAN) – Young Folks
“If you knew my story word for word, had all of my history, would you go along with someone like me”
You only need to hear the whistling on this record once and that’s it, it’ll be stuck in your head for all eternity. Luckily, that’s a good thing.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

26. BRAKES – Hold Me In The River
“I woke up late and found my liberty lost, it had been written down in law as a security cost”
‘Hold Me In The River’ is a wonderfully angry Punk-Pop delight. It’s angry at the slow erosion of Britain’s libertarian laws and it even finds time to name-check Scarlett Johansson.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (MySpace)

27. CHARLOTTE GAINSBOURG – Jamais
“You think you know me, that’s your trouble, never fall in love with a body double”
Charlotte Gainsbourg sings a song written by Jarvis Cocker and sings it like Jarvis too. If he ever had the Op it would sound like this.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

28. ABSENTEE – Something To Bang
“I’m working up a sweat, you’re bringing out the worst in me”
Dan Michaelson’s deeper than deep voice, propulsive Bass Guitar, clattering drums and huge Horns (Courtesy of The Rumble Strips) all add up to Absentee’s finest moment to date.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

29. BENJAMIN PROSSER – Below The Plough
“Dry winds done, so what’s up now, all alone, below the plough”
It’s almost like ‘Below The Plough’ is whispered on an icy midnight wind rather than merely coming out the speakers. Listen with the lights off
(mp3) (MySpace)

30. CSS – Music Is My Hot, Hot Sex
“Music is my boyfriend, music is my girlfriend, music is my daddy, music’s my imaginary friend, music is my granddad, music is my great granddaughter, music is my sister, music is my favourite mistress”
‘Music Is My Hot, Hot Sex’ is a sizzling slice of Electronic Funk worshipping at the feet of music. Why not indeed, I wouldn’t write this blog if I didn’t share CSS’ sentiments.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

31. FEAR OF FLYING – Routemaster
“An aisle to dance, a glass of wine, my ballroom bus, and then we dine, if we’re inspected, don’t you flinch, I’ve got fresh oysters, by the drinks”
An Indie-Rock song about a love affair between two bus drivers, surely not? Well it is, it’s brilliant and don’t call me Shirley.
(mp3) (YouTube) (MySpace)

32. FRANZ FERDINAND – The Fallen (Ruined By Justice)
“I’m the word, the word is destroy”
Justice rip the best track from Franz Ferdinand’s second album to shreds and roughly stick it back together with what sounds like the anatomical care of a dog attempting brain surgery. The result is the 2006’s best remix.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

33. JEREMY WARMSLEY – Dirty Blue Jeans
“Well I’m off to meet my fortune in a big old world, you know it won’t take long to get where I’m going, and you’ll soon forget me if you’ve got any sense, in your sleepy head”
‘Dirty Blue Jeans’ is an erratic little Pop gem, flitting from sound to sound, melody to melody and beat to beat. You’ll never get tired of it.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

34. MARK RONSON (FEAT. ALEX GREENWALD) – Just
“Can’t get the stink off, he’s been hanging round for days, comes like a comet, suckered you but not your friends”
It turns out that Radiohead’s ‘Just’ was always meant to be a chunky, funky Jazz number. It took Mark Ronson to notice and produce one of the all-time great covers.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

35. THE STREETS – When You Wasn’t Famous
“But I realise with you the truth can be, a whole lot worse than the fact, my whole life I never thought I’d see a pop star smoke crack”
Mike Skinner came back with a relentlessly inventive production that made it sound easy. However, the lyrics show that his rise to fame has been anything but easy, but Mike was never going to moan on about it. So he just takes the piss out of himself.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

36. CERYS MATTHEWS – Open Roads
“Hold on to dreams, and to memories, they’re the only things, that really exist”
‘Open Roads’ is an immaculately produced Pop single with an impassioned vocal and wistful lyrics.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

37. JIM NOIR – My Patch (M. Craft Remix)
“You stepped upon my toes, many times before, and when I was low, you slammed my face in the door”
I’m not generally a fan of M. Craft’s own material but here he turns Jim Noir’s most famous single into a stomping Glam-Rock song complete with new lyrics.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

38. KELMAN – These Days
“With the night so wide, there’s nowhere left to hide, loneliness has kept us alive, for so long”
‘These Days’ is the best track from Kelman’s excellent ‘Loneliness Has Kept Us Alive’ album. It’s a deeply atmospheric take on The Velvet Underground and Wayne Gooderham’s vocals are just magical.
(Buy Record) (MySpace)

39. MORRISSEY – Good Looking Man About Town
“On midnight streets, no moon and no stars, no one around, to calm you down, and to soften the stings to my heart”
Despite the critical acclaim, I thought Moz’s latest album was a bit patchy. Perhaps it would have been improved by the inclusion of incredible B-sides like this track.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

40. LUXEMBOURG – Not My Number
“Do you stay in doors, kneeling on all fours, do you sweep your stairs with a certain flair?”
Luxembourg’s lyrics are a world of twitching curtains, repressed sexuality, sham marriages and jealousy. When they keep producing irresistible Electro-Pop like this, I’m confused as to why they aren’t sitting atop the charts looking down on other bands staffed by lesser mortals.
(Buy Record) (MySpace)

41. ORPHAN BOY – Billy’s England
“This retail park is wank, this town’s a fuckin’ fish tank, I get my culture from a bookcase by the door”
A sneering look at Britain set to the kind of Funky-Indie that Happy Mondays made in the early days. Sure the production is terrible but when a tunes this good who cares.
(Buy Record) (MySpace)

42. PUBLIC ENEMY & PARIS (FEAT. DEAD PREZ & KAM) – Can’t Hold Us Back
“Check my tone, it’s a war here at home, we united and strong, and never move alone”
Paris decides to record a tribute record to Public Enemy’s finest hour ‘It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back’. The twist is he got Public Enemy to appear on it, resulting in their best work for years.
(Buy Record) (YouTube) (Website)

43. LIL’ CHRIS – Checkin’ It Out
“This is my golden opportunity, to take a cherry from her apple tree”
If you told me last year that I’d have a reality TV adolescents’ track on this list, I would have been concerned. But this is such a genius Punk-Pop single that only an up-his-own-arse fashonista type could fail to enjoy it.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

44. THE DIVINE COMEDY – Diva Lady
“She’s got a famous boyfriend, they go out in style, she makes him look hetro, and he helps her profile”
This is Neil Hannon’s tribute to all those Divas you read about in the tabloids. Once again he’s come up with an insanely catchy tune and you’ve got love his ability to casually drop in lines like “She’s got special needs”.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

45. THE SPINTO BAND – Misogyny Is Cool
“The second time I made you cry, was the second that I realised, that this was wrong”
‘Misogyny Is Cool’ is a mini epic about a boy who hates women. Then he falls in love and realises what he thought was a load of old bollocks. Luckily Thomas Hughes puts it more eloquently than that.
(Buy Record) (YouTube) (MySpace)

46. THE RACONTEURS – The Bane Rendition
“Instrumental”
‘The Bane Rendition’ is a burning, smoking and smouldering B-side from Jack White’s side-project/not-side-project.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

47. JEL – To Buy A Car
“Don’t buy this product, you don’t need it, if this picture wasn’t pretty, then you wouldn’t see it”
‘To Buy A Car’ is a hypnotic record to counter the hypnotic nature of the adverts streaming past our eyes every second of the day.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

48. The Strokes – Juicebox
“Nobody can see me, everything’s too easy”
This first single from The Strokes third album pointed to a bold new direction. Julian’s singing his lungs out, the Drums sound absolutely savage and the Bass line is as loud as it gets. So it’s a shame that the rest of the album was utter wank.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

49. WHIRLWIND HEAT – Reagan
“I’ve learned so much from you, the romance betrayal too”
‘Reagan’ is Whirlwind Heat’s successful attempt to fuse their usual brand of noise-terrorism to a catchy Pop tune. It’s got instruments on it that I haven’t heard since primary school.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

50. ARCTIC MONKEYS – Red Light Indicates Doors Are Secured
“Didn’t ya see she were gorgeous, she were beyond belief, but this lad at the side, drinking a Smirnoff ice, came and paid for her tropical Reef”
Most tracks on the Arctic Monkeys’ album had been available as demos last year, but a few were new ones, and this was the best. You can almost hear the Cab driver chatting in the background.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

51. BETH ORTON – Conceived
“It can go very cold, very quickly, and for a very long time, if the sun, with some twist of fate, starts giving out it’s shine”
When the delicate Guitar riff comes in at 1.02 it’s like a glorious beam of sunlight. Which is lucky because the lyrics are pretty dark.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

52. ALUMINIUM – Forever For Her (Is Over For Me) (Four Tet Remix)
“Instrumental”
Four Tet deliver an aggressive, Drum heavy remix of the last track from Joby Talbot & Richard Russell’s superb avant-garde White Stripes cover’s album.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

53. BOB DYLAN – Thunder On The Mountain
“Gonna raise me an army, some tough sons of bitches, I’ll recruit my army from the orphanages, I been to St. Herman’s church, said my religious vows, I’ve sucked the milk out of a thousand cows”
‘Thunder On The Mountain’ features one of those great rambling Dylan lyrics, complete with earthy imagery and it even finds time to name-check Alicia Keys. His rich gravel-raw voice, the rolling Blues sound and the lightly brushed Drums are like a comfortable old armchair for your ears.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

54. EXAMPLE – One Night
“When the crowds had cleared, you were waitin’ at the side of the stage, in my eyes you were tailor made”
‘One Night’ cuts up ‘Heartbeats’ by José González and adds some spectacular Drums. Then Example raps over the top about love at first sight. It’s currently unreleased so I’ve only got a poor quality version ripped from MySpace.
(mp3) (YouTube) (MySpace)

55. JAMES DEAN BRADFIELD – Kodachrome Ghosts
“Pictures cling to my mind, 1980’s Christmas day, you we’re younger than I am today, now I’m here in this room, with your life on my knees, a shoe box full of memories”
This B-side is better than anything from his album or the Manic’s last album for that matter. It a painfully personal listen about a lost friend/parent.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

56. THE FRATELLIS – Creepin’ Up The Backstairs
“Climbing in the window, get dressed, let’s go, take your brother’s car keys, bye, bye”
‘Creepin’ Up The Backstairs’ sounds like The Fratellis had a hell of a lot of fun making it. It’s infectious Pop-Rocker that cheekily steals from The Monks.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

57. ROBYN & JENNY WILSON – List Of Demands (Reparations)
“I ain’t afraid of you, I’m just a victim of your fears, you cower in your tower, praying that I’ll disappear”
This is an inspired cover of Saul Williams’ protest song. Instead of the anger of the original they’ve gone for an irresistible Gospel/civil-rights style accapella vibe.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

58. THE FLAMING LIPS – The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song
“If you could make everybody poor, just so you could be rich, would you do it?”
Everything The Flaming Lips do eclipses what they’ve done before. Since this sounds like the birth of the universe set to music, I can’t imagine how they’re gonna top it. But top it they will.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

59. MISTY’S BIG ADVENTURE (FEAT. JEREMY VINE) – Fashion Parade
“Yes we gotta get out of this bland age, when nothing means a lot, and now nothing’s all we got, in the bland age”
The current crop of Art-Rockers get a withering dissing from Grandmaster Gareth’s grumpy satirical tongue. You’ve also got a choice between the Noddy Holder version or the Jeremy Vine version.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

60. FRANK TURNER – The Real Damage (Single Version)
“I started the night with all my friends, and I ended up alone, oh yes I started out so happy, now I’m hungover and down, it was about then that I realised, that I was half-way through the best years of my life”
I bought a split single to get Reuben’s incredibly titled ‘Every Time A Teenager Listens To Drum & Bass A Rockstar Dies’. I was less than impressed, but when I flipped the 7″ over I was blown away by this jaded acoustic gem.
(mp3) (YouTube) (MySpace)

61. DAN SARTAIN – The World Is Gonna Break Your Little Heart
“And no one wants to teach these classes, so they fit you up for rose coloured glasses”
Dan has taken this opportunity to warn any kids that might be listening to kill themselves before they discover how horrible the world really is. It’s a cheery thought… and a great song.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

62. DELAYS – Valentine
“New Orleans ‘ll tremble tonight, with bleeding hearts and swaying lights”
When Delays visited New Orleans, they were caught up in spot of bad weather so they wrote a song about it. Little did they know, that by the time it came to be released, New Orleans would be in ruins, and this song would sound eerily prophetic. That aside, it’s also a Disco-Pop masterpiece.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

63. UGLY DUCKLING – Bang For The Buck
“No chicks with fake noses or plastic racks, just raps over tracks made of classic wax”
The above line sums it up pretty well, this is Bass Guitar heavy, funky and damn catchy Hip-Hop.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

64. BEST FWENDS – 1st $ Maker
“Instrumental”
The most catchy, basic and downright bizarre Dance tune since Mr. Ozio’s ‘Flat Beat’. At 1.09 it’s short ‘n’ sweet and it’s just one example of Best Fwends weird and wonderful world.
(mp3) (YouTube) (MySpace)

65. DAVID GRAY – The One I Love
“Perfect summers night, not a wind that breathes, just the bullets whispering gentle, ‘mongst the new green leaves”
David Gray is often seen as a safe middle-of-the-road Radio 2 type, well dismiss him at your peril. Behind the shiny production is a lyric of such gob smacking beauty and grace that it sends shivers down my spine and often puts a lump in my throat. It’s about a soldier dying on a battlefield and as he becomes delirious from the loss of blood images of war merge with memories of the girl he left behind.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

66. GOOSE – Black Gloves
“Instrumental”
‘Black Gloves’ is a head-banging Dance tune built around a simple, repetitive and sleazy Guitar riff.
(Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

67. YEAH YEAH YEAHS – Let Me Know (Demo)
“Love’s gonna let me know, like the day you took me home”
I was very disappointed with Yeah Yeah Yeahs’s second album, but I’m sure that won’t bother them since everybody else seems to love it. For me, this B-side was the only track to capture the old magic.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

68. THE POPPYCOCKS – Lovebirds (Instrumental)
“Instrumental”
This beautiful Brass enhanced instrumental version of The Poppycock’s wonderful single. Think early Beautiful South.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (MySpace)

69. S.M.O.V. – Big Love
“And when it comes to gettin’ nookie, I’m not a rookie, I got girls that make that chick Toni Braxton look like Whoopi”
‘Big Love’ splices a sample of the intro to The Supremes’ 1966 single ‘You Can’t Hurry Love’ with the rap from Big L’s ‘Put It On’. It’s a seamless blend.
(mp3) (Website)

70. DUKE SPECIAL – Last Night I Nearly Died (But I Woke Up Just In Time)
“I’m not who you think I am, I slipped a stranger inside, it helps the nights go quicker, but I diminish each time”
This is perfectly produced Pop music for all the people like me who are suffering withdrawal symptoms between Rufus Wainwright albums.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

71. THE RUMBLE STRIPS – Hate Me You Do
“My television, your television, in different rooms, oh, I can hear you laughing, can you hear me laughing too, you hate me you do”
The Rumble Strips had a hard time topping ‘Motorcycle’ and with this single they just about managed it.
(mp3) (YouTube) (MySpace)

72. GRAHAM COXON – Standing On My Own Again
“Water in my lungs and it’s a pain to breathe, salt is in my eyes and it’s a pain to see”
Graham Coxon easily eclipses ‘Freakin’ Out’ with this thrilling Pop-Rock single.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

73. MY ROBOT FRIEND – Swallow
“Tri, bi, metro, omni sexual, homo, hetro, yo I’m flexible, horizontal, in a pile, doggy, dragon, lotus style, from beginner to advance, drop your hang-ups, drop your pants, it’s all release and relaxation, with no weird breakfast conversation”
‘Swallow’ is a hilarious song that sounds like it was made by the gay Beastie Boys.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

74. BAXTER DURY – Love In The Garden
“Coughed up from the lungs of loneliness, came happiness, hope and smiles”
‘Love In The Garden’ sounds even better than the material from Baxter’s first two albums. I can’t wait for his third.
(Buy Record) (YouTube) (MySpace)

75. REGINA SPEKTOR – On The Radio
“On the radio, you’ll here ‘November Rain’, that solo’s awful long, but it’s a good refrain”
Musically Regina manages to rain in her more eccentric tendencies to create a magical Pop song. The lyrics are still as mad as a bag of squirrels though.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

76. GUILLEMOTS – Never Went To Church
“I just get a bit scared every now and then, hope I’ve made you proud”
Guillemots turn in a haunting and beautiful cover of Mike Skinner’s ode to his father. The middle portion is terrible but the rest is so good that you can forgive them that.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

77. THE MARDY BUMS – Put Wood In Hole
“Ubiquitous brass, chestnut cliché, cobblestone path, Scargill toupee, Hoxton fin, put it in the bin, sir, botanical bear, anyone for wicker?”
The Mardy Bums mock/pay-tribute (You decide) to Arctic Monkeys and take a swipe at “Posh southern gets” while they’re at it.
(Buy Record) (MySpace)

78. TIGA – (Far From) Home
“With a spring in my step as I strut down the block, I see the boys stare and I hear them talk”
Like the above lyric, this song is made to strut along to, just like in the video.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

79. BADLY DRAWN BOY – One Wrong Turn
“Hey baby we dropped a stitch, it’s like I don’t know where, and I don’t care which”
The production is poor on this B-side, but Damon’s song-writing more than makes up for it.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

80. MATCHSTICKS – Duvet
“A loose, excuse, with nothing to lose, that’s why I’m taking the easy way out”
‘Duvet’ is a fantastically quirky Pop song that sounds like it comes straight from the 80’s.
(Buy Record) (MySpace)

81. PAUL SIMON – Father & Daughter
“If you leap awake in the mirror of a bad dream, and for a fraction of a second you can’t remember where you are, just open your window, and follow your memory upstream, to the meadow in the mountain where we counted every falling star”
After one listen I swore that this was an old Paul Simon classic that I’d heard a hundred times before.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (Website)

82. THE HIT PARADE – My Stupid Band
“If Mattster played his drums then we’d rock tonight, but he lost the urge since he became a Lighting Engineer”
‘My Stupid Band’ is about being so in love with music that you’ll put up with any crap from your band mates.
(Buy Record) (MySpace)

83. iLiKETRAiNS – The Accident
“It was such a lovely party, before the accident occurred, the ambulance came and took you away, before the coffee was served”
Atmospheric, is hardly an adequate description. Every note and word is given space to breathe.
(Buy Record) (YouTube) (MySpace)

84. JAMIE T – Salvador
“Bar stool banshee, howled out at me”
‘Salvador’ has a Bass line to die for and Jamie T’s typically brilliant lyrics. Any of his singles (Or any of his B-sides) could have been included but ‘Salvador’ is my favourite.
(mp3) (YouTube) (MySpace)

85. PET SHOP BOYS – I’m With Stupid
“You flew up all the way, like a hawk chasing a dove, I never thought that I would be, a sacrifice in love”
‘I’m With Stupid’ has an all time great Neil Tennant lyric that works equally well as a straight song about a relationship or about Tony and George’s “Special” relationship.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

86. LARRIKIN LOVE – Downing Street Kindling
“So I will burn a fire in Westminster, using the door of Downing Street, and when Tony rushes out complaining of a draft, I’ll let him warm his feet”
Musically it’s The Libertines meets The Pogues but the lyrics remind me of Morrissey. Since Moz is my favourite lyricist that’s quite a compliment. I’m sure I can here a sword fighting solo in there too.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

87. THE MACCABEES – Latchmere
“Came out of the changing rooms and absolutely sod all had changed”
Who would know that you could write such a brilliant piece of Art-Rock about your local swimming pool. Especially since they use it as a metaphor for conforming to societies’ expectations.
(Buy Record) (YouTube) (MySpace)

88. RICHARD HAWLEY – I’m Just Here To Get My Baby Out Of Jail
“I’m not in your town to stay, said the lady old and gray”
Richard Hawley performs a haunting cover of an Everly Brothers song. This B-side would have made Johnny Cash proud.
(mp3) (YouTube) (MySpace)

89. McALMONT & BUTLER – Speed
“Living is changing faster, can you feel it, nothing stays the same for long, these days, faster than the bullet trains in the East, a destination uncertain, on the wind”
‘Speed’ was a one-off single taken from recordings that Rough Trade has so far seen fit to hold back. Release them god-damn-it, this song is absolutely epic.
(mp3) (YouTube) (MySpace)

90. PEACHES – Downtown (Simian Mobile Disco Remix)
“Show you my thing, show you my thing, ’cause I wanna take you downtown, downtown”
I was a bit disappointed with Peaches’ latest album but Simian Mobile Disco came to the rescue with this B-side.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

91. KASABIAN – Empire
“Swimming with the fishes, while the serpent waves his tongue, with a belly full of splinters, now you see that I’m the one, tell me that you’ve seen a ghost, I’ll tell you what to fear the most”
At first I thought this was a load of rubbish, then I heard it combined with the stunning anti-war video and suddenly I got it. With Violins this violent there must have been a few broken strings.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

92. HOT CHIP – Sexual Healing
“Whenever blue tear drops are falling, and my emotional stability is leaving me, there is something I can do, I can get on the telephone and call you up baby”
Because robots need some lovin’ too. Covering Marvin Gaye isn’t advisable, but Hot Chip pull it off easily.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

93. NICKY WIRE – Break My Heart Slowly
“It was cold, the night was black, you could feel her freezing hands, exiting a life of chance, painted dead a million times”
I was wondered if Nicky Wire could sing and his first solo single was where I found out. Truthfully he can’t, but when he’s got passion to spare, a gift for Punk song-writing and the usual sloganeering… who cares.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

94. JURASSIC 5 (FEAT. DAVE MATTHEWS BAND) – Work It Out
“Hey, these are different times but we still the same pains, the blood of mankind’s running through the same veins”
Apparently the Dave Matthews Band are massive in the USA but I’ve never heard their music before. But when you’ve got Jurassic 5 laying down their inventive rhymes over the top, you know it’s gonna be good.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

95. MR HUDSON & THE LIBRARY – Brave The Cold (Live)
“The night is on freeze-frame, and double-brandies triple-glaze the cold, from my soul”
I couldn’t say if the studio version will be better because it’s not out ’til March but I do love the whoops of the crowd on this winter warmer.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

96. BRUBEKK – Earthshaker
“‘Cause when I frequent the spots that I’m known to rock, you hear the bass from the trunk when I’m on the block”
‘Earthshaker’ takes several Funk and Hip-Hop tracks (By Snoop, Dre, The Beatnuts, John Gregory etc) and mixes them together so perfectly you’ll hardly believe your ears.
(Buy Record) (Making Of)

97. GOSSIP – Standing In The Way Of Control
“Because we’re standing in the way of control, we will live our lives”
‘Standing In The Way Of Control’ was written as a protest at the US government’s opposition to gay rights. It’s got the kind of Bass line that other bands would sell their grannies for and Beth Ditto’s voice ranks against any of the Soul greats. The remixes by luminaries like Playgroup, Headman and Soulwax are essential too.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

98. THE TELEVISION PERSONALITIES – Any Love Is Good Love
“In your darkest hour, think of me, and in your darkest hour, telephone me”
‘Any Love Is Good Love’ is the tender flip-side (Emotionally and physically) to The Television Personalities’ ‘All The Young Children On Crack’ single.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

99. DATAROCK – Fa-Fa-Fa
“I need a fix, I need to fix my ignition, if you wanna whip me into shape, I need a plan and a mission”
‘Fa-Fa-Fa’ is a highly danceable Disco tune with a hint of Paul Simon thrown in for good measure.
(Buy Record) (Buy Digital) (YouTube) (MySpace)

100. THE HOURS – Ali In The Jungle
“Like Ludwig Van, how I love that man, well the guy went deaf and didn’t give a fuck… no”
‘Ali In The Jungle’ draws attention to inspirational individuals who stood up in the face of adversity like Joe Simpson and Muhammad Ali.
(mp3) (MySpace)

For comparison, click here to view last year’s top 100.

Lastly, here’s a list of other Blogs who are indulging in the annual list-o-rama fest:

COAST IS CLEAR: Albums & Singles
HEADPHONE SEX: Remixes, Albums, Singles & Covers
LOST IN YOUR INBOX: Albums & Favorite Songs
WHAT WOULD JESUS BLOG?: Albums
SWEEPING THE NATION: Albums, Singles & 2007 Predictions
THE DAILY GROWL: 2007 Predictions, Songs, Gigs, Artist, Films etc
THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UNKNOWN: Albums, Songs & New Artists
THE PENGUIN SWIMMING HOLE: Albums
XO’S MIDDLE EIGHT: Songs, 2006 Superlatives, B-sides, Remixes, Albums etc
MUSIC LIKE DIRT: Gigs

THERE AIN’T NO SANITY CLAUSE (Compilation)

Ahhh, Christmas is upon us, a time for good tidings and cheer, good will to all… but what’s this? Oh no, I’ve just stuck a screwdriver in my ear because I’ve been forced to hear Bing Crosby sing ‘White Christmas’ for the millionth time… bah humbug!

Surely there must be some good Christmas songs out there, songs that still sound great all year round, songs filled with inebriated seasonal merriment or even a sting of sprout-like bitterness. Well it turns out that after scouring Google, Soulseek, AMG and rifling through the surprisingly large pile of Christmas related music in my own collection they do exist. So I bring you a 25 song compilation to get you through the next couple of weeks with a smile on your face:

There Ain’t No Sanity Clause ZIP (83mb)

I’ve also enclosed some artwork, so you can print it, cut it out, burn the mp3s to a CD and enjoy (You could even give it to somebody as a bonus prezzie). I’ve also included a hilarious comic strip showing what happened when Santa met Judge Dredd (Warning: If you laugh… expect Coal!).

Also here is a virtual stocking stuffed with Christmas goodies gleaned from the net:

Click here to visit Amazon and read a list of my recommended Christmas viewing.

Click here to watch Coldcut’s version of ‘White Christmas’ with a certain Mr Bush providing the vocals. Nothing short of genius.

Here are a few more Christmas related videos to watch on YouTube: ‘Christmas Time (Don’t Let the Bells End)’, AD/BC (Part 1), AD/BC (Part 2), AD/BC (Part 3), ‘Fairytale Of New York’, ‘Driving Home For Christmas (Richard & Judy Version)’, ‘Stop The Cavalry’, ‘Knowing Me Knowing Yule (Part 1)’, ‘Knowing Me Knowing Yule (Part 2)’, ‘Knowing Me Knowing Yule (Part 3)’, ‘Knowing Me Knowing Yule (Part 4)’, ‘Knowing Me Knowing Yule (Part 5)’.

Click here to read ‘The Selfish Giant’ by Oscar Wilde.

Click here to buy ‘The Best KIDS Christmas Album In The World Ever Ever Ever!!!’. All proceeds go to the NSPCC!

Lastly, here’s a lovely recipe for Mulled Wine.

And of course, mehweechwismusevreebuddy!!!

THAT COLD BLACK MAGIC (Compilation)

It’s been a while since I did a mix-tape so I thought it’s about time I did another one.

These are some of the old and new tunes that I’ve been almost playing-to-death recently. I’ve uploaded the compilation as a 74mb Zip file which you’ll find below. I’ve knocked a cover up too, just print it out, glue it, cut it out and bingo, you’ve got a cover for the CD. It makes a very cheap Christmas present (Although I might do a compilation of Christmas tunes if I can think of enough good ones). I’ll post another compilation at some point in the future and take this one down. Hopefully it’s an entertaining hour and twenty minutes with tracks by:

The Who, Yellowbelly, Patrick Wolf, Billy Bragg, Coldcut (Feat. Lu Grady), Oscar Brown Jr, Jurassic 5, Primal Scream Vs The Jungle Brothers, Tom Lehrer, The Flamin’ Groovies, Misty’s Big Adventure (Feat. Jeremy Vine), Richie Havens, Jegsy Dodd & The Original Sinners, Klaxons, Bone Idols & Aphletik (Feat. Ty), Talking Heads, Lupe Fiasco, Architecture In Helsinki and Jarvis.

If you like the tracks there are links included so you can find out more.

That Cold Black Magic Zip (74mb)