E Earth (Dour Festival 2008) Editors 4x (support Franz Ferdinand 2005, Rock Werchter 2006, Pukkelpop 2007, Rock Werchter 2008) Efterklang (Dour Festival 2008) Elbow (Rock Werchter 2009) Ellen Allien 2x (I Love Techno 2007, Dour Festival 2008)
T Team William 4x (Ancienne Belgique 2008, Dour Festival 2008, Café Video 2008, Pukkelpop 2009) The Teenagers (Dour Festival 2008) Therapy? (Rock Werchter 2005) The Thrills 2x (support R.E.M. 2005, support U2 2005) Tiga 2x (Rock Werchter 2006, Rock Werchter 2009) Tim Hecker (Dour Festival 2009) Tim Vanhamel (Rock Werchter 2008, Dour Festival 2008) Tomàn (Pukkelpop 2007) Tool 2x (Rock Werchter 2006, Pukkelpop 2007) Trentemøller 2x (Pukkelpop 2007, I Love Techno 2007) Triggerfinger (Dour Festival 2008) Two Gallants (Pukkelpop 2008)
U U2 (Koning Boudewijnstadion 2005) Ultraphallus (Dour Festival 2008) UNKLE (Pukkelpop 2007)
4 years. That sounds longer than it feels. I only ever seem to use the journal functionality on this site for updating my annual stats, so without further ado, to the numbers!
This year my overall playcount has reached 30,578. This time last year it stood at 28,537. That's a tiny increase of 2,041, compared to last year's 5,336, and practically nothing compared to the average scrobble counts of eleven thousand in 2006 and 2007.
Another year of little movement in the upper echelons of my charts. Belle and Sebastian have rightfully overtaken Dirty Pretty Things, whilst The Killers have disappeared completely. Instead, Patrick Wolf has re-entered the top ten and usurped the number 8 spot. Last year's top ten looked like this:
Next year I predict that Radiohead and Franz Ferdinand will overtake Dirty Pretty Things, with Okkervil River finally breaking through into the top ten, probably at the expense of Maxïmo Park. Blood Red Shoes are releasing a new album in March, which could well propel them up into the top ten.
2. How did you get into 20? Yeah Yeah Yeahs - I think I read about them in some magazine and they seemed like I’d like them, so I went out and bought their first CD.
3. Who is your favorite member in 1? Patrick Wolf - I... I just can't choose :'(
4. What’s your favorite lyric by 29? The Divine Comedy - Tonight We Fly: “And when we die, oh will we be that disappointed or sad? If heaven doesn’t exist, what will we have missed? this life is the best we’ve ever had“.
15. Why do you like 14's songs? The Beatles - The songs are catchy, sweet, amusing, and an essential part of my culture :p
16. Where did you first hear 9? Pixies - In my bedroom, in about 2004?
17. How long was 19 a singer before you liked them? Andrew Bird - Can’t be bothered to check out how long he’s been around... but I’m guessing a fairly long time.
18. Does 6 have a song that gives you a bad memory? Belle and Sebastian - No, not at all.
20. How long have you been into 13? The Mountain Goats - A couple of years.
21. If 11 had a concert 300 miles away, would you drive there to see them? Sufjan Stevens - DEFFO.
22. How many CDs do you own of 12? Arcade Fire - Three.
23. Does 21 have a song that makes you cry? Grizzly Bear - I don’t think I’ve literally been moved to tears, but their songs certainly have that capability.
24. Does 27 have a song that makes you happy? Feist - 1234.
25. Does 23 have a song that makes you smile? Maxïmo Park - Wow, so many to choose from. The first that springs to mind, really, is Apply Some Pressure.
26. What's the last song you've listened to from 28? Voxtrot - Ghost. It’s actually one of my favourite songs ever.
27. Is there a song by 32 that you've listened to more than 30 times? Late of the Pier - Focker
28. What is a song from 50 that you've only listened to once? Vampire Weekend - None of them!
29. Is there a song you are sick of hearing by 24? The Strokes - No. Having said that... I love them, but I tend to find I can’t listen to them in large doses.
31. What is your favorite single by 25? Okkervil River - Black. I have no idea which of their songs were singles. But that one sounds as if it would be.
32. If 49 hated you, what would you do? Neutral Milk Hotel - Tell them to go fuck themselves!
33. What would you say if 41 or one of the members from 41 asked you out? Bon Iver - That would be wonderful. He’d have to stop whining about Emma first, though.
34. Would you care if 26 had a boyfriend/girlfriend? Vivian Girls - Gutted.
35. Who has the best voice in 42? The Postal Service - Ben Gibbard doesn’t have the best voice, but he has the best voice here. Because I don’t think Jimmy Whatshisface sings.
36. Do you think 46 is/are good looking? Los Campesinos! - Yeah, I guess they’re mostly quite good looking.
37. How many times have you listened to your favorite song by 36? Red Hot Chili Peppers - As if I’m checking... it’s Dosed, in case you’re wondering.
38. How many CDs do you own of 30? A Hawk and a Hacksaw - Three. Possibly four, actuallly.
39. Is there a song from 34 that makes you mad? Bloc Party - There are a few that get a bit irritating, but not exactly maddening.
40. Which member from 31 do you want to see go solo? If 31 is only one artist, what would you do if they joined a group? Beirut - I’d like to see Zach Condon join a death metal band.
41. What does your favorite song from 48 remind you of? St. Vincent - First of all I don’t have a particular favourite by her, secondly... wouldn’t remind me of anything anyway :s
42. Did you hate 43 at first? David Bowie - No, just thought he was rather odd when I was a child.
43. Does your best friend also listen to 37? The Kills - Don’t think I have ANY friends who listen to them.
44. Do you think your parents would like 33? Deerhunter - Unlikely. I could be surprised though...
45. Does 47 have a song that makes you want to dance? We Are Scientists - ERM, FUCK YES!
46. Have you ever seen 38 in person? Fleet Foxes - Ooh, yes I have actually.
47. Do you like 44's name? Placebo - Makes me think of drugs?
48. Is there someone in 45 that you want to go out with? The Dresden Dolls - No. Also, let’s face it, my chances would be pretty low, wouldn’t they...
49. Do you know anyone that hates 39? Metric - Naw.
50. Have you ever danced to a song from 35? Franz Ferdinand - Absolutely!
#15 Greenday- 21st Century Breakdown Key Tracks: 21 Guns, ¡Viva La Gloria!, 21st Century Breakdown
#14 Snob Scrilla- Day One Key Tracks: ........., Heartbreak Scorsese, Chasing Ghosts.
#13 Julian Plenti- Julian Plenti is... Skyscraper Key Tracks: Games For Days, Only If You Run, Fun That We Have.
#12 Lily Allen- It's Not Me, It's You
2009 saw British bad girl Lily Allen release her sophomore album, It's Not Me, It's You, which can be summed up as the perfect “pop” album. The naughty ‘Not Fair’ received plenty of commercial airplay, while the rude ‘Fuck You’ is just damn catchy. Key Tracks: The Fear, Not Fair, Chinese.
#11 Maxïmo Park- Quicken The Heart
A steady album by Paul Smith’s Maxïmo Park, it may not have the standout singles as Our Earthly Pleasures but it doesn’t fail to have you singing along. Key Tracks: Wraithlike, In Another World (You Would've Found Yourself By Now), Let's Get Clinical.
#10 Enter Shikari- Common Dreads
Following the formula from their debut effort, Common Dreads blends most of the album tracks together which I love. Solidarity opens the album nicely, continuing on the same introduction lyrics of Take To The Skies, “And still we will be here, standing like statues”. The album may have a little bit of filler, but overall the standout tracks such as ‘No Sleep Tonight’ make up for the filler tracks. Key Tracks: Wall, No Sleep Tonight, Gap In The Fence
#9 Kasabian- West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum
West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum shows off Kasabian's best work yet. Unlike their past two albums, I found their 2009 LP very consistent. From start to finish the English lads display solid tracks, including the laid back tunes 'Ladies And Gentlemen (Roll The Dice)' and 'Happiness', as well as fast paced rocking tunes, 'Fast Fuse' and 'Vlad The Impaler'. Key Tracks: Fire, Underdog, Where Did All The Love Go?.
#8 Editors- In This Light And On This Evening
The album begins with the dark and climatic introduction of ‘In This Light And On This Evening’, which sets a new tone for the indie-rockers. The new direction has seen a much darker album produced by the Editors. ‘Papillon’ replaces the band’s indie guitar sound with some electronic synths, and it proves to be a winner. The slow-tempo ‘The Boxer’ matches the deep vocals of Tom Smith well, and turns out as the band’s best track of the album. Key Tracks: In This Light And On This Evening, Papillon, The Boxer.
#7 Biffy Clyro- Only Revolutions
Biffy Clyro are one of the surprises of 2009, prior to 2009 I was not a huge fan, but since the release of Only Revolutions things have changed. Only Revolutions saw the band produce some big chorus as heard on tracks such as ‘The Captain’, ‘Mountains’ and ‘Many Of Horror’. ‘That Golden Rule’ show that the band keep some of their big riffs, during the tracks multi-instrument solo. Key Tracks: The Captain, Mountains, Know Your Quarry.
#6 Morrissey- Years Of Refusal
Formerly of The Smiths, Morrissey continues his career as a solo-artist. The 2009 released album shows off some of his best work in recent years such as the cruel ‘It's Not Your Birthday Anymore’, the independent ‘I'm Ok By Myself’ and the catchy ‘That's How People Grow Up’. Key Tracks: That's How People Grow Up, It's Not Your Birthday Anymore, I'm Ok By Myself.
#5 La Roux- La Roux
2009 saw many new electro-pop albums, and none were better than La Roux's debut LP. 'In For The Kill' shows off Elly Jackson's unique vocals and is the tune that shot La Roux to fame. While other track such as 'I'm Not Your Toy' and 'Bulletproof' are other reasons why this album is just that damn good. Key Tracks: In For The Kill, Quicksand, Colourless Colour.
#4 Muse- The Resistance
Muse had a big expectation to live up to, especially since ‘Black Holes and Revelations’ put the Englishmen into the public eye. Muse responded with 2009’s The Resistance, which involved the concept of a three-part symphony. The symphony idea may have not been as successful as hoped for, but the rest of the album was fantastic which included ace tracks such as the beautiful ‘I Belong To You [Mon Coeur S'ouvre A Ta Voix]’ and ‘Resistance’. Key Tracks: Resistance, Undisclosed Desires, I Belong To You [Mon Coeur S'ouvre A Ta Voix].
#3 The Temper Trap- Conditions
Melbourne’s very own Temper Trap have made their way to international stardom in 2009, and will continue to build on their fan base in the New Year. With exposure on commercials and on Hollywood Films such as 500 Days Of Summer, ‘Sweet Disposition’ reached as high as #6 in the UK Charts. Key Tracks: Love Lost, Sweet Disposition, Soldier On.
#2 Placebo- Battle For The Sun
Placebo’s sixth studio album follows the bands old rock formula with tracks such as ‘Kitty Litter’ and ‘Come Undone’. Although the Londoners mix things up a little with an orchestra arrangement in ‘Kings Of Medicine’, which leads to one of the album’s best moments. Key Tracks: Kitty Litter, Battle For The Sun, Kings Of Medicine.
#1 White Lies- To Lose My Life...
An impressive debut album from the English three-piece, White Lies. Every track is fantastic, layered with great lyrics, a catchy melody and a superb synth-rock sound. Highlights include the album’s lead single, ‘Death’ and the depressing question of death in ‘To Lose My Life’ . Key Tracks: Death, To Lose My Life, Unfinished Business.
Honourable Mentions:
Arctic Monkeys- Humbug
Some great singles taken from the album, but half of the album is average.
Key Tracks: Crying Lightning, My Propeller, Cornerstone.
Shiny Toy Guns- Season Of Poison
Consistent album, but not enough stand out tracks
Key Tracks: When Did This Storm Begin?, I Owe You A Love Song, Blown Away.
Mumford & Sons- Sigh No More
A great folk record, unlucky to miss out.
Key Tracks: Little Lion Man, I Gave You All, Winter Winds.
AFI- Crash Love
Great record, another unlucky one to miss out.
Key Tracks: Beautiful Thieves, End Transmission, Okay, I Feel Better Now.
Blood Red Shoes- Box Of Secrets
Upbeat album, songs need more differentiation though.
Key Tracks: Nine In The Afternoon, Northern Downpour, That Green Gentleman [Things Have Changed]
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2009 Top 20 Tracks 1- White Lies- To Lose My Life
2- Muse- Resistance
3 White Lies- Death
4- Coldplay- Life In Technicolor ii
5- Placebo- Battle For The Sun
6- Placebo- Kings Of Medicine
7- The Temper Trap- Sweet Deposition
8- Metric- Help I'm Alive
9- La Roux- In For The Kill
10- Snob Scrilla- .........
11- Editors- The Boxer
12- The Temper Trap- Love Lost
13- Biffy Clyro- Mountains
14- Florence and The Machine- Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)
15- Flight of the Conchords- Hurt Feelings
16- Starsailor- Tell Me It's Not Over
17- You Me At Six- The Rumour
18- Regina Spektor- Laughing With
19- White Lies- Unfinished Business
20- Green Day- 21 Guns
21- Mumford & Sons- Little Lion Man
22- Arctic Monkeys- Crying Lightning
23- Biffy Clyro- Know Your Quarry
24- Mando Diao- Dance With Somebody
25- Los Campesinos!- The Sea Is A Good Place To Think Of The Future
26- Enter Shikari- Gap In The Fence
27- Morrissey- I’m Okay By Myself
28- Red Light Company- Meccano
29- Lost Valentinos- Thief
30- Mumford & Sons- I Gave You All
Best Movie Soundtrack of 2009:
500 Days Of Summer
Best Debut Album:
White Lies- To Lose My Life...
Best Music Video:
Coldplay- Life In Technicolor ii
Best Album Artwork:
Muse- The Resistance
Best Comedy Album:
Flight Of Conchords- I Told You I Was Freaky
Top 5 Gigs of 2009 (Which I Attended):
1- Coldplay @ Rod Laver Arena (Melbourne)
2- Maxïmo Park @ Billboards (Melbourne)
3- Green Day @ Rod Laver Arena (Melbourne)
4- The Killers @ V Festival (Melbourne)
5- Rise Against @ Festival Hall (Melbourne)
Best Festival:
V Festival (Melbourne)
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What I have listened to in 2009 via last.fm
Top Artists
1 Morrissey 611 plays
2 Placebo 474 plays
3 Maxïmo Park 438 plays
4 Snow Patrol 397 plays
5 The Killers 390 plays
6 Editors 388 plays
7 Coldplay 358 plays
8 Muse 356 plays
9 The Smiths 340 plays
10 Bloc Party 297 plays
Top Songs
1 Placebo – Kings of Medicine 78 plays
2 Jack's Mannequin – The Mixed Tape 51 plays
3 Placebo – Battle For The Sun 49 plays
4 La Roux – In For The Kill 46 plays
5 The Temper Trap – Sweet Disposition 44 plays
6 Frightened Rabbit – Head Rolls Off 43 plays
7 Morrissey – Irish Blood, English Heart 36 plays
8 Morrissey – You Have Killed Me 34 plays
8 The Temper Trap – Love Lost 34 plays
8 Coldplay – Life In Technicolor ii v34 plays
8 Muse – Resistance 34 plays