Back at the beginning of 2009, I picked out some stuff I was looking forward to – I had about 10 albums that I thought would be exciting. Looking back, I think I was about 50/50…
(each link takes you to the Spotify album page for a listen before you buy)
- Antony and the Johnsons – Crying Light, as beautiful as expected – amazing vocals, heartrending songs. HIT
- Kings of Convenience – Quiet is the New Loud, ended up being renamed ‘Declaration of Dependance’, here’s what I thought of it when it got released. HIT
- Morrissey – Years of Refusal, not his finest moment, but a poor Morrissey album is still something to behold. MISS
- The Decemberists – Hazards of Love, more of the same from Colin Meloy but still a lovely album. HIT
- Depeche Mode – Sounds of the Universe, still absolutely 100% essential, did not disappoint. HIT
- Lily Allen – It’s not me, it’s you, everywhere, all the time, Ms Allen still delivers the goods. HIT
- Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavilion, slightly disappointing for me - I may have been slightly jaded by all the psychadelia (MGMT etc). MISS
- U2 – No line on the Horizon, a couple of decent tunes but way too much of everything else, especially Bono. MISS
- Starsailor – All the Plans, not straying much from a well trodden line, pleasant enough – but they really need to up their game. MISS
- Imogen Heap – Ellipse, some interesting promotion for this one, another fine album. HIT.
- Placebo – Battle for the Sun, with a new drummer still sounding as spiky and vibrant as ever. HIT.
So, all-in-all, my reasons to be cheerful panned out OK for 2009 – tomorrow, I’ll list some of my early music hopes for 2010!
Who do you think will be massive in 2010?
And so the year, and the decade ends – and I’ve saved my favourite list till last, the most potent version of the most potent artform, the holy grail of new and old bands alike, the full album – these ones have been my favourites of the decade – in no particular order, these are my desert island discs of the noughties:
- Radiohead – In Rainbows
- The Dears – No Cities Left
- Elbow – Seldom Seen Kid
- Damien Rice – O
- Amy Winehouse – Back to Black
- British Sea Power – Do you like Rock Music?
- The Knife – Silent Shout
- Sigur Ros – Agaetis Byrjun
- Antony and the Jonsons – I am a bird now
- Erlend Oye – DJ Kicks
Spotify playlist (excluding Radiohead) is here
What are your favourite albums of the decade?
By: mattr
Category: 10x10
Some great pop music around during the noughties – here are 10 of my favourite tunes – you can listen to the entire playlist at Spotify by clicking here.
- Gnarls Barkley – Crazy
- Beyonce feat Jay-Z – Crazy in Love
- Robyn feat Kleerup – With Every Heartbeat
- Kylie Minogue – Can’t get you out of my head
- Rihanna – Umbrella
- Peter Bjorn and John – Young Folks
- Jay-Z Feat Alicia Keys – Empire State of Mind
- Eminem – The Real Slim Shady
- Kelis – Milkshake
- Daft Punk – Harder Better Faster Stronger
Which tunes rocked your world in the 2000’s?
By: mattr
Category: 10x10
Still my favourite way to relax, an appointment with the big screen and a chance to completely escape and immerse myself in someone else’s imagination. These are my favourite 10 movies from the noughties – in no particular order:
Which movies are your favourites of the Noughties?
By: mattr
Category: 10x10
I doubt that scholars will think of any of these as classics – but these are my favourite books of the decade – in no particular order:
What books take pride of place on your shelves at the end of the noughties?
(My full library is here)
By: mattr
Category: 10x10
Right – we’re reaching the important ones now – these are some of the best music videos of the noughties – not necessarily the best songs, but the 3 minute masterpieces that accompany them – each with links to watch the video – again, in no particular order:
Which videos rocked your decade?
By: mattr
Category: 10x10
So, you’ve set up that shiny new laptop or netbook that you’ve been bought and you’re looking for new places to visit – I recommend these 10 – ten of the best blogs out there that will set you up for 2010 and beyond…
What sites are you visiting every day?
By: mattr
Category: 10x10
Christmas Time – and wherever you are, whether you celebrate or not, I hope you are having a peaceful time with people you love.
I’m breaking one rule here today (give me a break, its Christmas!) – these are my alltime favourite Christmas Songs, not just from the Noughties – every single one is timeless – My Christmas Spotify Playlist is here.
- The Pogues feat Kirsty MacColl – Fairytale of New York
- Mariah Carey – All I want for Christmas
- The Ronettes – I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus
- Dean Martin – Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!
- Brenda Lee – Rockin’ around the Christmas Tree
- Jona Lewie – Stop the Cavalry
- Sufjan Stevens – O Come, O Come Emmanuel
- The Waitresses – Christmas Wrapping
- Eartha Kitt – Santa Baby
- Bruce Springsteen – Santa Claus is Coming to Town
What’s rocking your world this Christmas day?
By: mattr
Category: 10x10
Do you have to have a reason for loving? – Brigitte Bardot
On this special day – nothing remotely business like for me – just a simple quote from a beautiful woman.
I’m celebrating with at my brothers with my beautiful family.
I hope you are with the people you love today…
Everyone knows the best bits of TV are in between the programmes – 30 seconds of brilliance from the mind of a marketing genius – in no particular order are 10 of my favourite ads from the noughties:
What got your attention between the programmes this decade?
By: mattr
Category: 10x10
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