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Posted by anthoNYC on December 21, 2009
This morning Miike Snow released another sleek and highly-conceptual music video! The new clip accompanies the January 25th release of the Silvia as the band’s third single. Anyone care to analyze? Be sure to check out my interview with Miike Snow if you haven’t already: TLC vs. Miike Snow: Behind the Masks
MP3: Miike Snow -Billie Holiday or zShare
Posted in new music | Tagged: miike snow, new music video | 2 Comments »
Posted by anthoNYC on December 21, 2009
Saturday evening Rihanna was scheduled to play an outdoor show at Rockefeller Center in New York City to be aired as a part of Carson Daly’s New Year’s Eve special.
Fans including myself were stoked for the performance…until hearing about the Major Snowstorm that hit the East Coast that day! However, we all braved the intense and horrible weather conditions to catch Rihanna perform 4 songs with two run-throughs each. The highlight of the show for me was when Jay-Z joined Rihanna onstage for Run This Town and Umbrella, flawless performances!
The experience was definitely a test of endurance but the show was impressive enough to say it was worth it. Check out my pictures below and tune in on New Year’s Eve to watch the performances (and the crowd pretending it was New Year’s Eve.) More pictures will be uploaded HERE but until then, check out my review of Rihanna’s concert at Brixton Academy last month HERE.
Set: 1. Wait Your Turn // 2. Hard // 3. Run this Town (w/ Jay-Z) + Umbrella (w/Jay-Z)
MP3: Rihanna – Te Amo or zShare
Posted in NYC, gig coverage | Tagged: carson daly, Jay-Z, new year's eve, NYC, rihanna, rockefeller center | Leave a Comment »
Posted by anthoNYC on December 21, 2009
Last year we unveiled our very first “Loved and Loathed” list for 2008, so the 15 Best Albums of 2008 list has been pulled from that post and amended to reflect what albums we feel have stood the test of time. Although we loved all of our selections, there were some that we mistakenly overlooked. For a full recap of what mattered to us in ‘08 check out our list HERE and stay tuned for Best Albums of 2009 and Loved and Loathed in 2009 lists coming VERY soon!
Be sure to visit our Caramel Shop powered by Amazon.com to purchase all of the titles listed in our Best of the Noughties List! Stay tuned for the final chapter of The Best of the Noughties, the year 2009! Previous lists are here: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007!
Artist: PortisheadLabel: Island Records/Mercury Records
Released: April 28th in the UK, April 30th in the US
Peak on UK Charts: Number 2
Peak on US Charts: Number 7
Recognition: PopMatters gave Third a 9 out of 10, saying “History will eventually see it rank on par with the rest of their legendary works”.
Stream: Machine Gun
MP3: Portishead – The Rip (Noise Floor Crew Remix) or zShare
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Artist: Friendly FiresLabel: XL
Released: September 1st in the UK, September 23rd in the US
Peak on UK Charts: Number 36, 21 (Re-release)
Peak on US Charts: Never charted
Recognition: BBC Music’s Ian Wade described the Mercury Prize nominated as an “album that sounds at home on both the radio and down the rave-up.”
Stream: Paris
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Artist: Hot ChipLabel: EMI
Released: February 4th
Peak on UK Charts: Number 4
Peak on US Charts: Number 109
Recognition: Allmusic said that Made in the Dark “boasts some of Hot Chip’s most kinetic music, with rhythms and melodies that are just as hyper-articulate as the wordplay.”
Stream: Ready For the Floor
MP3: Hot Chip – One Pure Thought (Geese Remix) or zShare
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Artist: GlasvegasLabel: Columbia Records
Released: September 8th 2008 in the UK, January 6th 2009 in the US
Peak on UK Charts: Number 2
Peak on US Charts: Number 126
Recognition: The band’s self-titled debut album was nominated for the 2009 Mercury Prize.
Stream: Geraldine
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Artist: Kings of LeonLabel: Columbia/RCA
Released: September 23nd in the UK, September 23rd in the US
Peak on UK Charts: Number 1
Peak on US Charts: Number 4
Recognition: Only By the Night was nominated for Best Rock Album at 2009’s Grammy Awards while Sex on Fire received two nominations for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal and Best Rock Song. Use Somebody is also nominated at the 2010 Grammys for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Rock Song and Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.
Stream: Sex on Fire
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Artist: Lykke LiLabel: LL Recordings/EMI Music
Released: January 30th in the UK, August 19th in the US
Peak on UK Charts: Number 112
Peak on US Charts: Number 18 Heatseekers Chart
Recognition: Greg Cochran of NME commented that Youth Novels contains “all terrifically pure, satisfyingly primitive pop songs. Simple but sensational.”
Stream: Little Bit
MP3: Lykke Li – Dance Dance Dance (Buraka Son Sistema Remix) or zShare
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Artist: Last Shadow PuppetsLabel: Domino
Released: April 1st in the UK, May 6th 2008 in the US
Peak on UK Charts: Number 11
Peak on US Charts: Number 111
Recognition: The Age of Understatement was nominated for the 2008 Mercury Prize.
Stream: Little Bit
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Artist: Crystal CastlesLabel: Lies Records/Last Gang Records
Released: April 28th in the UK, March 18th in the US
Peak on UK Charts: Number 47
Peak on US Charts: Number 6 on Billboard’s Dance/Electronic Albums Chart
Recognition: BBC Music’s Sophie Hammer rated the album 8 out of 10 and said “To listen to this debut album is to be cast adrift in a vortex of deafening pain without a safety net.”
Stream: Crimewave
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Artist: MGMTLabel: Sony/Columbia
Released: March 10th in the UK, January 22nd in the US
Peak on UK Charts: Number 8
Peak on US Charts: Number 38
Recognition: Oracular Spectacular was named the Best Album of 2008 by NME. Jude Rogers of The Guardian called the album “the first great pop record of the year, a fizzing cherry-bomb that sparkles with energy, ideas and a huge love for music in all of its forms.”
Stream: Time to Pretend
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Artist: SantigoldLabel: Atlantic Records/Downtown Records
Released: May 12th in the UK, April 29th in the US
Peak on UK Charts: Number 26
Peak on US Charts: Number 74
Recognition: NME felt the album “reveals a glittery crazy-paved path towards a brave new musical future.”
Stream: Creator
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Artist: Vampire WeekendLabel: XL
Released: January 28th in the UK, January 29th in the US
Peak on UK Charts: Number 15
Peak on US Charts: Number 17
Recognition: BBC Music’s Lou Thomas said “Vampire Weekend have crafted an educated, endlessly imaginative and different piece of work that’s arguably the first truly great album of the year.”
Stream: Vampire Weekend
MP3: Vampire Weekend – Cape Cod (The Teenagers Remix) or zShare
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Artist: Lady GagaLabel: Cherrytree/Interscope/Polydor
Released: January 12th in the UK, October 28th in the US
Peak on UK Charts: Number 1
Peak on US Charts: Number 4
Recognition: Alexis Petridis of The Guardian said “The Fame arrives packing an immensely addictive melody or an inescapable hook, virtually everything sounds like another hit single. The Fame certainly sounds like it could be big.” Lady Gaga also received 5 Grammy nominations for 2010.
Stream: Poker Face
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Artist: The CourteenersLabel: Polydor
Released: April 7th in the UK, October 18th in the Us (Import)
Peak on UK Charts: Number 4
Peak on US Charts: n/a
Recognition: Reviews of St. Jude were mixed but NME rated the album 7 out of 10 and said “St Jude’ is conclusive proof they have far more interesting things to say when they let the tunes do the talking.
Stream: Not Nineteen Forever
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Artist: M83Label: Mute/EMI/Virgin
Released: April 14th in the UK, April 15th in the US
Peak on UK Charts: n/a
Peak on US Charts: Number 107
Recognition: Pop Matters said of Saturdays = Youth “there are plenty of moments on the disc that remind you why this pulsing, layered music is so powerful.”
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Artist: Mystery JetsLabel: Wichita/V2
Released: March in the UK, February 6, 2007 in the US
Peak on UK Charts: Number 68
Peak on US Charts: Number 114
Recognition: PopMatters gave the album 7 out of 10 stars and commented that “The production work overall is very warm and inviting. That, along with the focus on pop melodies and dance beats, will likely make this album appeal to a wider cross-section of fans than the less digestible Making Dens.”
Stream: Two Doors Down
Posted in tlc selections, year end list | Tagged: 2008, best of the noughties | Leave a Comment »
Posted by anthoNYC on December 20, 2009
This morning were received the devastating news that actress Brittany Murphy passed away from cardiac arrest. LA Police officials are investigating the events surrounding her tragic death, but I’d like to take this opportunity to reflect on her career and short life.
Before the end of her 32 years, Brittany made some important contributions to film and even the music industry. Her finest work can be seen in the following:
+ Clueless (1995), Freeway (1996), Girl Interrupted (1999), 8 Mile (2002), Sin City (2002) and The Dead Girl (2006)
2009 has been a somber year already with the passing of Michael Jackson, let’s hope to end the year without anymore losses. Rest in peace to all of the people we lost in 2009, you will be missed.
MP3: Paul Oakenfold – Faster Kill Pussycat (Featuring Brittany Murphy) or zShare
Posted in obituary | Tagged: brittany murphy, obituary, rip | 3 Comments »
Posted by anthoNYC on December 18, 2009
Last week I caught The Drums stand-in for The Ting Tings at the Paper Magazine Nightlife Awards to an unsuspecting crowd, successfully winning over a new slew of fans. This morning the band premiered a new video for the emo-pop track I Felt Stupid, check the band work it out in the clip below. The Drums return to New York on January 13 at Bowery Ballroom with Surfer Blood but until then check out my review of their gig at Mercury Lounge this past fall HERE.
MP3: The Drums – I Felt Stupid or zShare
Posted in music video | Tagged: new music video, the drums | 2 Comments »
Posted by anthoNYC on December 18, 2009
The media’s obsession with fallen pop stars continued in 2007, sadly this time with the incredibly talented Amy Winehouse who released a historical gem with Back to Black. Another monumentally innovative release was M.I.A.’s highly anticipated sophomore album Kala which skipped all over the musical grid and put her on the mainstream map.
After the completion Radiohead’s contract with EMI the band shocked the music industry by announcing the self- release of In Rainbows, which allowed music fans decide how much they wanted to pay for the digital download of the release. Their decision to do so strikes a cord to this day with musicians and music aficionados. While the world was losing their mind over the introduction of the iPhone, we were busy rocking out to the 15 Best Albums of 2007 which you can see below.
Be sure to visit our Caramel Shop powered by Amazon.com to purchase all of the titles listed in our Best of the Noughties List! Two more years left on our countdown to 2009, stay tuned for 2008-2009! Previous lists are here: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006.
Artist: Amy WinehouseLabel: Island Universal/Republic
Released: October 30th 2006 in the UK, March 13th 2007 in the US
Peak on UK Charts: Number 1
Peak on US Charts: Number 2
Recognition: Back to Black won 5 Grammys at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards and was nominated for the 2007 Mercury Music Prize.
Stream: Back to Black
MP3: Amy Winehouse – Rehab (Hot Chip Remix) or zShare
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Artist: M.I.A.Label: XL
Released: August 20th in the UK, August 21st in the US
Peak on UK Charts: Number 39
Peak on US Charts: Number 18
Recognition: Rolling Stone said Kala “strikes deep. There’s a resolute sarcasm, a weariness and defiant determination, a sense of pleasure carved out of work – articulated by the lyrics, embodied by the music.” Paper Planes was nominated for The Record of the Year Grammy and M.I.A. won British Female Solo Artist BRIT Awards.
Stream: Paper Planes
MP3: M.I.A. – Paper Planes or zShare
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Artist: Arcade FireLabel: Merge
Released: March 5th in the UK, March 6th in the US
Peak on UK Charts: Number 2
Peak on US Charts: Number 2
Recognition: Q Magazine named Neon Bible the #1 Album of the Year while Mark Beaumont of the NME said the album “is a climactic monolith of a record in the grand tradition of melodic transatlantic clamour rock.”
MP3: Arcade Fire – Keep the Car Running or zShare
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Artist: KlaxonsLabel: Polydor
Released: January 29th in the UK, March 27th in the US
Peak on UK Charts: Number 2
Peak on US Charts: Number 22 on the Heatseekers Chart
Recognition: Myths of the Near Future won the 2007 Mercury Prize.
Stream: Gravity’s Rainbow
MP3: Klaxons – It’s Not Over (Skream Remix) or zShare
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Artist: Kings of LeonLabel: HandMeDown/RCA
Released: April 2nd in the UK, April 3rd in the US
Peak on UK Charts: Number 1
Peak on US Charts: Number 25
Recognition: NME commented that Because of the Times “cements Kings Of Leon as one of the great American bands of our times.”
Stream: Knocked Up
MP3: Kings of Leon – Knocked Up or zShare
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Artist: RadioheadLabel: Self-Released
Released: October 10th – International Digital Download
Peak on UK Charts: Number 1 (Physical Release)
Peak on US Charts: Number 1 (Physical Release)
Recognition: In Rainbows won two Grammy Awards for Best Alternative Music Album and Best Special Limited Edition Package. Rolling Stone gave the album four and a half stars out of five and commented that the album as containing “No wasted moments, no weak tracks: just primo Radiohead.”
Stream: Jigsaw Falling Into Place
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Artist: The WombatsLabel: 14th Floor Records
Released: November 5th in the UK, June 24th 2008 in the US
Peak on UK Charts: Number 11
Peak on US Charts: Number 20 on the Heatseekers Chart
Recognition: Spin gave the album 3.5 out of 5 stars and said “Despair rules on this Liverpool threesome’s crackling debut, wrapping loneliness in spiffy power pop.”
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Artist: The ShinsLabel: Sub Pop Records/Transgressive
Released: On January 9, 2007, iTunes accidentally put the album on sale two weeks before its official release, then removed it. The album was officially released on January 23th.
Peak on UK Charts: Number 16
Peak on US Charts: Number 2
Recognition: Wincing the Night Away was nominated for a 2008 Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album.
Stream: Sleeping Lessons
MP3: The Shins – Australia (Peter Bjorn and John Remix) or zShare
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Artist: The CribsLabel:Wichita Recordings/Warner Bros. Records
Released: May 21st in the UK, July 17th in the US
Peak on UK Charts: Number 13
Peak on US Charts: Never Charted
Recognition: Rolling Stone rated the album 4 out of 5 stars and said “Finally, the Cribs deliver the tour de force they had in them, and it’s about time.”
Stream: Men’s Needs
MP3: The Cribs – Men’s Needs (CSS Remix) or zShare
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Artist: Arctic MonkeysLabel: Domino/Warner Bros.
Released: April 23rd in the UK, April 24th in the US
Peak on UK Charts: Number 1
Peak on US Charts: Number 7
Recognition: Favourite Worst Nightmare was nominated for the 2007 Mercury Prize and won the Best British Album at the BRIT Awards in 2008.
Stream: Do Me a Favour
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Artist: Bloc PartyLabel: Wichita
Released: February 5th in the UK, February 6th in the US
Peak on UK Charts: Number 2
Peak on US Charts: Number 12
Recognition: Louis Pattison of NME rated the album 8 out of 10 stars and described the album as “tender and reflective, edgy and embittered; a difficult and emotional beast that jolts with nervous electricity.”
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Artist: FeistLabel: Cherrytree/Interscope
Released: April 23rd Internationally, May 1st in the US
Peak on UK Charts: Number 28
Peak on US Charts: Number 16
Recognition: The Reminder was nominated for Pop Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards, while PopMatters rated the album 9 out of 10 and said “The Reminder is an exceptional album that should be experienced solely on the merits its stunning musicality.”
MP3: Feist – I Feel it All (Diplo Remix) or zShare
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Artist: The Good, the Bad & the QueenLabel: Parlophone/Honest Jon’s
Released: January 22nd in the UK, January 23rd in the US
Peak on UK Charts: Number 2
Peak on US Charts: Number 49
Recognition: The Guardian rated the album 4 out of 5 and said “You’re left both marvelling at the album itself, and considering what a unique figure Albarn cuts. If you doubt it, try to imagine the result if any of Britpop’s other major players had assembled a supergroup and made an anti-war concept album. Now take your fist out of your mouth.”
MP3: The Good, the Bad & the Queen – Green Fields or zShare
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Artist: LCD SoundsystemLabel: DFA
Released: March 12th in the UK, March 20th in the US
Peak on UK Charts: Number 28
Peak on US Charts: Number 46
Recognition: The Guardian gave the album a 5-star review and said “This is dance-rock for grown-ups: extraordinary.” Sound of Silver was also nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Electronic/Dance Album.
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Artist: Peter Bjorn & JohnLabel: Wichita/V2
Released: August 14th 2006 in the UK, February 6, 2007 in the US
Peak on UK Charts: Number 68
Peak on US Charts: Number 114
Recognition: The Guardian gave the album 4 out of 5 stars and called it “A delight, from start to finish.”
Posted in tlc selections, year end list | Tagged: 2007, best of the noughties | 4 Comments »
Posted by anthoNYC on December 17, 2009
The Year 2006 was the year of the celebrity. With the booming paparazzi and celebrity obsessed media, it was hard not to get sucked into the outlandish behavior of our pop icons: adopting babies illegally, exposing themselves, getting arrested and displaying erratic behavior almost intentionally.
However, 2006 wasn’t just a year of fuck-ups. Artists such as Bat for Lashes, Arctic Monkeys, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, TV on the Radio focused their energy on making quality masterpieces while Justin Timberlake, Nelly Furtado and Lily Allen had the pop world in a headlock. Check out our Best Albums of 2006 and let us know if you agree!
Be sure to visit our Caramel Shop powered by Amazon.com to purchase all of the titles listed in our Best of the Noughties List! Stay tuned for 2007-2009! Previous lists are here: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004, 2005.
Artist: Justin TimberlakeLabel: Jive/Zomba
Released: September 11th in the UK, September 12th in the US
Peak on UK Charts: Number 1
Peak on US Charts: Number 1
Recognition: SexyBack remained #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 list for 7 consecutive weeks. In 2007 Timberlake won Best International Male Artist at the BRIT Awards, FutureSex/LoveSounds was also nominated for 4 Grammy Awards, taking home the awards for Best Dance Recording for SexyBack and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for My Love with T.I.
Stream: SexyBack
MP3: Justin Timberlake – My Love (Featuring T.I. – Diplo Remix) or zShare
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Artist: Bat for LashesLabel: Caroline Records/Parlophone
Released:September 11th 2006 in the UK, July 31st 2007 in the US
Peak on UK Charts: Number 48
Peak on US Charts: Never charted
Recognition: The Guardian gave the 2007 Mercury Prize nominated album 5 out of 5 stars and said “Bat for Lashes inhabit a magical kingdom you won’t want to leave.”
Stream: What’s a Girl to Do
MP3: Bat for Lashes – What’s a Girl to Do? or zShare
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Artist: We Are ScientistsLabel: Virgin
Released: March 6th in the UK, January 10th in the US
Peak on UK Charts: Number 43
Peak on US Charts: Number 10 in the Heatseekers Album Chart
Recognition: NME rated With Love and Squalor 7 out of 10 stars and said “This is the indie equivalent of power pop, an unreservedly good thing. We Are Scientists’ debut full-length album is full of post-punk of a particularly energetic and rambunctious sort.”
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Artist: Yeah Yeah YeahsLabel: Interscope/Polydor
Released: May 16th in the UK, May 31st International
Peak on UK Charts: Number 7
Peak on US Charts: Number 11
Recognition: The Guardian rated the album 5 out of 5 stars and called the album an “exhilarating rush.” Show Your Bones was also nominated Best Alternative Music Album at the 2007 Grammy Awards.
Stream: Gold Lion
MP3: Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Gold Lion (Nick Zinner Remix) or zShare
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Artist: Hot ChipLabel: EMI/Astralwerks/DFA
Released: May 22nd in the UK, June 14th in the US
Peak on UK Charts: Number 34
Peak on US Charts: Number 13 on the Dance/Electronic Albums Chart
Recognition: The BBC Collective rated the Mercury Prize nominated album 4 out of 5 and said “the album [melds] wonky electronics, pillow-soft soul and lyrics that manage to weave strange violence into gorgeous soul songs.”
Stream: So Glad to See You
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Artist: Nelly FurtadoLabel: Geffen Records
Released: June 9th in the UK, June 20th in the US
Peak on UK Charts: Number 4
Peak on US Charts: Number 1
Recognition: Promiscuous received a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals, while The Guardian gave Loose 4 out 5 stars calling it “slick, smart and surprising.”
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Artist: Arctic MonkeysLabel: Domino
Released: January 23rd in the UK, February 21st in the US
Peak on UK Charts: Number 1
Peak on US Charts: Number 24
Recognition: The Guardian rated the Mercury Prize winning album 5 out of 5 stars and named it the Third Greatest Album of the Decade.
Stream: Mardy Bum
MP3: Arctic Monkeys – Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor or zShare
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Artist: Lily AllenLabel: EMI
Released: July 17th 2006 in the UK, January 30th 2007 in the US
Peak on UK Charts: Number 1
Peak on US Charts: Number 20
Recognition: The Observer rated Alright, Still 5 out of 5 stars and said “Allen has fused together a uniquely acidic brand of pop, and the icing on the cake is that brutally barbed tongue.”
Stream: Everybody’s Changing
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Artist: TV on the RadioLabel: Interscope/4AD
Released: July 6th Internationally, September 12th in the US
Peak on UK Charts: n/a
Peak on US Charts: Never Charted
Recognition: Rolling Stone rated the album 4.5 out of 5 stars and warned the listener to “Consider your mind blown.”
Stream: Wolf Like Me
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Artist: The Long BlondesLabel: Rough Trade
Released: November 6th 2006 in the UK, June 5th 2007 in the US
Peak on UK Charts: n/a
Peak on US Charts: Never charted
Recognition: Allmusic rated the album 4 out of 5 songs and said “Someone to Drive You Home is one of those albums that’s honest to goodness fun, and pulling it off with as much pastiche as the Long Blondes makes it one of the year’s nicest arrivals”
Posted in tlc selections, year end list | Tagged: 2006, best of the noughties | 4 Comments »
Posted by anthoNYC on December 16, 2009
In my opinion 2005 marked a turning point for music, the evolution of a new sphere of influence. Artists like M.I.A., Madonna, Bloc Party and Goldfrapp pushed pop music into a much-welcomed harder electronic direction while Arcade Fire [released in 2005 in the UK] birthed one of the most beautiful albums of our time, Funeral. Many of 2005’s musicians took the opportunity to voice their displeasure with the state of the world/politics (namely with the re-election of President Bush) on the record and in turn created a sense of artistic revolt. But on July 2nd 2005 music came together for 16 hours, with over 1,000 artists from around the world participating in the benefit concert Live 8. Live 8 was the biggest musical event of our time and provided a sense of hope for humanity. Given this new-found free spiritedness and empowerment, I feel 2005 was extremely important and paved the way for the next four years of music.
Check out our list below for which albums we stand behind as the Best of 2005 and stay tuned for 2006-2009. To purchase the Best albums of 2005, visit our brand new Caramel Shop HERE where you can also find our picks for 2000-2004. In case you missed it, check out our previous lists: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004. [ Please note the albums on this list were determined by the UK release dates in the case of Supernature and Funeral ]
Artist: Arcade FireLabel: Merge Records/Rough Trade
Released: February 28th 2005 in the UK, September 14th 2004
Peak on UK Charts: Number 33
Peak on US Charts: Number 131
Recognition: Funeral was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album in 2005.
Stream: Wake Up
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Artist: Bloc PartyLabel: Vice
Released: February 2nd in the UK, March 22nd in the US
Peak on UK Charts: Number 3
Peak on US Charts: Number 114, Number 3 on Heatseekers Chart
Recognition: Silent Alarm was voted ‘Album of the Year’ for by NME and nominated for the 2005 Mercury Prize.
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Stream: Blue Light
MP3: Bloc Party – Banquet (Boys Boize Remix) or zShare
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Artist: MadonnaLabel: Warner Bros.
Released: November 14th in the UK. November 15th in the US
Peak on UK Charts: Number 1
Peak on US Charts: Number 1
Recognition: Confessions on a Dancefloor spawned one of the top grossing tours and scored The Grammy for Best Dance/Electronic Album.
Stream: Hung Up
MP3: Madonna – Let it will Be (Stuart Price Paper Faces Remix) or zShare
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Artist: Maximo ParkLabel: Warp Records
Released: May 16th in the UK, May 31st International
Peak on UK Charts: 15
Peak on US Charts: n/a
Recognition: A Certain Trigger was nominated for the Mercury Prize. BBC Collective gave the album a score of 4.5 out 5 and said “If you like your punk rock to have a bit of depth and emotion, you should look no further than A Certain Trigger.”
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Artist: GoldfrappLabel: Mute
Released: August 22nd 2005 in the UK, March 7th 2006 in the US
Peak on UK Charts: Number 2
Peak on US Charts: Number 138
Recognition: Supernature received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Electronic/Dance Album and Ooh La La was nominated for Best Dance Recording.
Stream: Strict Machine
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Artist: Ryan Adams and the CardinalsLabel: Lost Highway
Released: May 3rd
Peak on UK Charts: Number 20
Peak on US Charts: Number 26
Recognition: Allmusic gave Cold Roses 4 out of 5 stars and said “It’s not the sound of somebody striving to save rock & roll, or even to be important, but that’s precisely why this is the easiest Ryan Adams to enjoy.”
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Artist: M.I.A.Label: XL
Released: April 18th in the UK, March 22nd in the US
Peak on UK Charts: n/a
Peak on US Charts: Number 190
Recognition: Ruth Jamieson of the BBC Review wrote “This eagerly awaited debut from M.I.A. is as confrontational as marmite, and looks set to be one of the albums of the year” of the Mercury Prize nominated Arular.
Stream: Galang
MP3: M.I.A. – Galang (Hot Chip Remix) or zShare
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Artist: BeckLabel: Interscope
Released: March 28th in the UK, March 29th in the US
Peak on UK Charts: Number 15
Peak on US Charts: Number 2
Recognition: Guero was nominated for Best Alternative Music Album at the 2006 Grammys.
Stream: Farewell Ride
MP3: Beck – Still Missing (Roysksopp Remix) or zShare
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Artist: Fiona AppleLabel: Epic
Released: October 10th in the UK, October 4th in the US
Peak on UK Charts: Never charted
Peak on US Charts: Number 7
Recognition: Extraordinary Machine was nominated for for Best Pop Vocal Album Grammy in 2006 and given 4 out of 5 stars by Q Magazine.
Stream: Red, Red, Red
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Artist: LCD SoundsystemLabel: DFA
Released: January 24th in the UK. January 25th in the US
Peak on UK Charts: Number 20
Peak on US Charts: Number 6 on the Dance/Electronic Album Chart
Recognition: LCD Soundsystem was nominated for 2 Grammys including Best Electronic/Dance Album and Best Dance Recording for Daft Punk is Playing at My House. Rolling Stone gave the album 4 out of 5 stars and said “LCD have managed to be both underground hitmakers and bona fide album artists as easily as Murphy splices guitar noise and machine thump.”
Posted in tlc selections, year end list | Tagged: 2005, best of the noughties | 8 Comments »
Posted by anthoNYC on December 15, 2009
2004 saw an evolution in the digital world with the creation of social-networking website Facebook and further creative approaches to digital media. One of the albums on our list, To the 5 Boroughs, continued the use of Copy Protection System (2001-2006) created by EMI and Sony in response to the industry-wide file-sharing debate. Also important in the year 2004 was the official return of rock music with Morrissey and U2 releasing fantastic albums and new comers such as The Killers and Franz Ferdinand following in the footsteps of The Strokes in teaching the indie kids that it’s okay to dance. Check out our Top 10 Best Albums of 2004 below, track back to the 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 lists and stay tuned for 2005-2009!
Artist: BjörkLabel: Atlantic Records/One Little Indian
Released: August 30th in the UK, August 31st in the US
Peak on UK Charts: Number 9
Peak on US Charts: Number 14
Recognition: Medúlla received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Alternative Music Album while Oceania received a nod for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.
Stream: Desired Constellation
MP3: Björk – Oceania (Featuring Kelis) or zShare
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Artist: The KillersLabel: Island, Lizard King/Mercury/Vertigo
Released: June 7th in the UK, June 15th in the US
Peak on UK Charts: Number 1
Peak on US Charts: Number 7
Recognition: Hot Fuss was nominated for Best International Album at the BRIT Awards, Best Rock Album at The Grammys and The Shortlist Music Prize.
Stream: Mr. Brightside (Album Version)
MP3: The Killers – Mr. Brightside (Stuart Price Thin White Duke Remix) or zShare
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Artist: Modest MouseLabel: Epic
Released: April 6th
Peak on UK Charts: Number 40
Peak on US Charts: Number 18
Recognition: Good News for People Who Love Bad News was nominated for Best Alternative Album at The Grammys.
Stream: Float On
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Artist: FeistLabel: Interscope Records
Released: July 12th in the UK, May 18th in the US
Peak on UK Charts: n/a
Peak on US Charts: Number 36 Heatseekers Album Chart
Recognition: The album was nominated for 3 Juno Awards and won Best Alternative Album and Best New Artist. The album was also named one of the best Canadian pop albums of 2004.
Stream: One Evening
MP3: Feist – Let it Die or zShare
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Artist: MorrisseyLabel: Sanctuary/Attack
Released: May 17th in the UK, May 18th in the US
Peak on UK Charts: Number 2
Peak on US Charts: Number 11
Recognition: NME named You Are The Quarry “[Morrissey's] finest album for a decade!”
Stream: First of the Gang to Die
MP3: Morrissey – Let Me Kiss You or zShare
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Artist: PrinceLabel: NPG/Columbia
Released: April 20th
Peak on UK Charts: Number 3
Peak on US Charts: Number 3
Recognition: Kelfa Sanneh of the New York Times said “The CD is a casual exhibition of Princeliness, stocked with a handful of old tricks but no new ones. As usual, the songs are “produced, arranged, composed and per4med by Prince,” with a few exceptions, and it sounds like the work of a formerly insatiable star who has figured out how to satisfy his own musical ambitions.”
Stream: Call My Name
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Artist: U2Label: Island/Interscope
Released: November 22nd
Peak on UK Charts: Number 1
Peak on US Charts: Number 1
Recognition: How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb won 9 Grammys between the years 2005-2006, every category in which it was nominated!
Stream: Sometimes You Can’t Make it On Your Own (Live)
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Artist: The StreetsLabel: Vice/Atlantic
Released: May 18th in the UK
Peak on UK Charts: Number 1
Peak on US Charts: Number 82
Recognition: The Guardian said of the album “[it] raises the stakes to such an extent that it sounds literally unprecedented: there isn’t really any other album like this.”
Stream: Fit But You Know It
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Artist: Beastie BoysLabel: Capitol Records
Released: June 14th internationally, June 15th in t he US
Peak on UK Charts: Number 2
Peak on US Charts: Number 1
Recognition: Rolling Stone gave To the 5 Boroughs 5 out of 5 stars and said “The Beasties are New York from head to heel, but they’ve made To the 5 Boroughs for the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan and Staten Island in all of us.”
Stream: Open Letter to NYC
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Artist: Franz FerdinandLabel: Domino Records
Released: February 9th in the UK, March 9th in the US
Peak on UK Charts: Number 3
Peak on US Charts: Number 32, Number 1 on the Heatseekers Chart
Recognition: The Guardian gave the band’s debut album 5 out of 5 stars and said “Franz Ferdinand’s album arrives packed not just with fizzing guitars, disco-influenced drums and intriguing shifts in tempo, but also memorable songs, laden with hooklines and startling riffs.” The album also won the 2004 Mercury Prize.
Stream: Take Me Out (Album Version)
MP3: Franz Ferdinand – Take Me Out (Daft Punk Remix) or zShare
Posted in tlc selections, year end list | Tagged: best of the noughties, year end list | 6 Comments »
Posted by anthoNYC on December 14, 2009
Today’s date of December 14th marks the 30 year anniversary of London Calling, the groundbreaking album by punk icons The Clash!
London Calling is the band’s third album, recorded in the late summer of 1979 at Wessex Studios in London and released shortly after on December 14th 1979. The album went to #2 in the UK and #27 on the Billboard Pop Albums Chart here in the US and catapulted the band into rock super stardom.
The cover photograph was shot by Pennie Smith and features bass and guitarist Paul Gustave Simonon smashing his guitar onstage at The Palladium during their September 21st, 1979 Clash Take the Fifth, the band’s 2nd US tour.
I highly recommend the 2002 documentary Westway to the World to learn more about the band and London Calling and of course if you don’t already own a copy of the album, pick it up HERE.
MP3: The Clash – Rudie Can’t Fail or zShare
Posted in current events | Tagged: anniversary, the clash | Leave a Comment »
