Loved and Loathed in 2009

I come to you on the eve of a new decade, the Year 2010 with our Second Annual Loved and Loathed list! Much has changed here at Tastes Like Caramel since writing the 2008 list. We’ve completely moved the site to a new server, redesigned entirely and found our writing style/voice.

Looking back at 2009, we have so much to smile about: interviewing some of our favorite bands (ie: Friendly Fires and White Lies) seeing lifelong heroes in concert (ie: Morissey and Pixies) and many other countless experiences! For all of this I would like to just say thank you to our readers, peers, and the musicians. This post will outline highlights of the year for TLC, much like our Loved and Loathed list for 2008. So without further ado, I bring to you the highs and lows of 2009 and as always we welcome your feedback.

Have a safe and Happy New Years celebration!

LOVED…

The color black as seen on White Lies, Glasvegas and The Xx.

Vamps on Film: True Blood, The Twilight Saga, Thirst, Let the Right One In.

Festivals: Could go on for days about the awesomeness of All Points West, Lollapalooza and Electric Zoo in 2009!

Remixers work the dancefloor: Stuart Price, Erol Alkan, Skream, Crookers, Fake Blood, Calvin Harris and Diplo kept the surprises coming in 2009 with their reworks.

Brooklyn’s Pool Parties relocate to the East River Park: Great view (pro) but tighter rules (con.)

Major Lazer: Switch, Diplo and their army introduce dancehall to electronic music.

[MP3: Major Lazer - Pon De Floor Featuring VYBZ Kartel or zShare]

Yeah Yeah Yeahs burned down the disco with It’s Blitz! Still holding onto that dream of someday being Karen O.

MUSIC: The Best Albums of 2009!

Brits on Broadway: Jude Law in Hamlet, Sienna Miller and Johnny Lee Miller in After Miss Julie and Daniel Radcliffe in Equus.

Lo-Fi / Chillwave: jj, Beach House, Zola Jesus and Washed Out were a few of our favorite mood-setters of 2009.

[MP3: jj -Hopes and Dreams or zShare]

Lady Gaga wins the Love/Hate battle with the ultra catchy and visually stunning Bad Romance video.

The ongoing revival/revolution of New York’s dance culture.

FILM

• Inglourious Basterds
• 500 Days of Summer
• Watchmen
• Jennifer’s Body
• District 9
• Whip It
• Coraline
• Paranormal Activity
• Zombie Land
• Away We Go

Concerts

• Pixies Dolittle Tour at Hammerstein Ballroom
• Kings of Leon at Madison Square Garden
• Fader Fort: CMJ 2009
• Jack Penate and Miike Snow at Mercury Lounge
• Morrissey: The Tour of Refusal at Webster Hall
• Bat for Lashes at the Music Hall of Williamsburg
• Peaches at Webster Hall
• Echo and the Bunnymen at Mercury Lounge
• Yeah Yeah Yeahs at APW and Lolla
• Friendly Fires + White Lies at Bowery Ballroom
• Fever Ray and Vuk at Webster Hall
• JayZ at APW

[MP3: Jay-Z and Santigold - Brooklyn Go Hard or zShare]

[MP3: Friendly Fires - Jump in the Pool (Stuart Price Remix) or zShare]

LOATHED…

• H1N1 Outbreak, better known as Swine Flu.
• Economic Crisis continues and unemployment rate is at historic low in 2009. Sigh.
• Another year without Missy Elliott: Block Party pushed back for a second year as unfinished demos continue to leak.
• Kanye West: Don’t really need to explain this one.

DISAPPOINTMENTS

• Where the Wild Things Are: Visually and musically it was phenomenal but the film lagged for about 30 minutes more than necessary, causing me to fall asleep.
• Bruno: Just bad.
• Little Boots: Hands did not deliver. We were expecting something more along the lines of what she described in our interview with her last spring…
• Beastie Boys’s MCA diagnosed with cancer forcing tour cancellation and album delay. Pro: He is recuperating well!

BREAK UPS

The Metros: Once called one of London’s Most Promising Young Bands, The Metros sadly called it quits over the summer. We feel fortunate to have started 2009 with an exclusive interview with Saul Adamczewski which you can read HERE.

The Rakes: Right before embarking in their Fall North American Tour, The Rakes shocked fans by canceling their tour and announcing their split. We interviewed the band last spring as well which you can read HERE.

[MP3: The Rakes - We Danced Together or zShare]

DEATHS

• Michael Jackson The Legendary King of Pop (August 29th, 1958 – June  25th, 2009)
• Brittany Murphy Talented actress and striving musician (November 10th, 1977 – December 20th, 2009)
• Farrah Fawcett Pop culture icon and Charlie’s Angel (February 2nd, 1947 – June 25th, 200)
• Virgin Megastores in New York: The last remaining stores in the UK and NYC closed this year.
• Blender Magazine: One of my favorite music and pop culture magazines turned it’s last page in 2009.

FORWARD 2010…

Look for Tastes Like Caramel’s highly-anticipated releases from

• Hot Chip
• Goldfrapp
• Arcade Fire
• The Whip
• Christina Aguilera
• M.I.A.
• Santigold
• Adele
• The Drums
• Friendly Fires
• Klaxons
• Foals
• Radiohead
• Mystery Jets
• MGMT

The Next Decade According to M.I.A.

In their latest issue, Rolling Stone has selected M.I.A. for their feature The Voices: Artists of the Decade! In the article she reflects on the decade, the future, and more!  I met M.I.A. (one of my favorite artists of the decade) in October during CMJ and I can attest to how badass she is in person! Check out Rolling Stone’s online exclusives HERE and be sure to pick up the current issue! Bring on the party in 2010, Maya!

Rolling Stone: Your music has always felt like it was from the next century. How conscious were you of that aspect, making something forward-looking?

M.I.A. I don’t know, we’ll see. Every time I make plans, totally the opposite happens. I’m not going to say anything, because last year I said, “I’m going to quit, I’m going to go and have a baby and make a movie,” and here I am, I’ll have my next album done soon, so I’m not saying anything this time. I feel like what sums up the next decade, the world philosophy is going to be, “Are you tough enough?” Survival of the fittest, which is what it’s always been, but that’s what we have to be prepared for. Maybe it’s not bad being super-tough.

MP3: Rye Rye – Bang feat. M.I.A. (Buraka Carnival Remix by Buraka Som Sistema) or zShare

Be There: New Year’s Eve in NYC and London

If you’re like us then you’re either A) Just starting figure out your New Year’s Eve plans or B) Leaving it to the last minute. Not to put too much pressure on you but it’s the end of a decade, so why not go out to ring in the New Year with friends and loved ones?? Check out our picks below for the notable NYE celebrations in both London and New York. Be safe and have fun!

LONDON

:: Get Loaded in the Dark

If this is what we can expect from London clubland in 2010 then we must brace ourselves. Get Loaded in the Dark is a NYE party on serious steroids with something to offer everyone and their mom. There will be dj sets from the likes of BBC Radio goddess Annie Mac to production sensations Chase & Status to the mammoth Simian Mobile Disco.

One of TLC’s favorite acts of 2009, Golden Silvers, will be performing a live set and will be joined by a myriad of other djs/performers throughout the night. Yes, advance tickets are sold out but another allocation will be released shortly. If you plan on going big this NYE, there’s no better place than good ol Sarf London with this impressive lineup.

Thursday December 31st, 2009
Time / 8.30PM – 6.00PM
Venue / Brixton Academy

More info HERE.

:: Ministry of Sound Present Ministry of Sound Live at the O2

Another amazing option in London would be Ministry of Sound’s NYE event at the o2 with special live sets from Calvin Harris, Deadmau5, Justice, Plump DJs, Dave Spoon, Example and Eric Prydz!

It’s sure to be an all nighter so make sure to rest up beforehand if you can score tickets!

Thursday December 31st, 2009
Time / 9PM – 6AM
Venue /The o2

More info HERE.

MP3: Eric Prydz – Call on Me or zShare

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Quite the contrast from our high profile picks for London, but as a New Yorker I prefer to go “off the radar” for NYE celebrations…

NEW YORK

:: Mr. Saturday Night

Justin Carter, Eamon Harkin and Omar S will keep you dancing while open bar keeps your spirits high. And it’s super local. The Market will be full of win!

Thursday December 31st, 2009
Time / 10PM – ??

More info and tickets HERE.

:: Pendu + Self Help Present Temple: 2010

For those of you on the other side of Brooklyn I recommend the Temple 2010 New Year’s Eve party. This jam-packed night of awesomeness kicks off at 9PM and includes performances by Noveller, Magic Is Kuntmaster, Flaming Fire, LYDSOD and DJ Sets from The Xx’s Romy, Lauren Flax, Aaron Kolfage (Germs NYC), Lauren Dillard and Liz Armstrong (Self Help.)

A great array of talent for only $15 at the door or $10 w/RSVP to rsvp@pendu.org

Thursday December 31st, 2009
Time / 9PM – 4AM
Venue /Eternal Christmas : 525 Atlantic Ave., Brooklyn, NY

More info HERE. Check out the highly-addictive Lauren Flax track featuring Sia below!

MP3: Lauren Flax – You’ve Changed (Featuring Sia) or zShare

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Other Notable NYE Events (Click for more info)

Florence + Billy Bragg Cover The Pogues X-Mas Tune!

Our beloved Florence Welch has covered The Pogues‘ famed Christmas tune Fairytale of New York with legendary Billy Bragg in-studio for Rob Da Bank’s BBC Radio show! Check out the beautiful rendition below!

Thanks to YATM for the heads up on the video!

MP3: Florence + The Machine – Flakes (Mystery Jets Cover) or zshare

TLC Playlist: Happy Holidays!

Wishing you and your loved ones a very happy holiday! Be sure to add the following classic tunes to your playlist to enjoy while sipping your cocoa (secretly spiked with Bailey’s of course), cheers!

MP3: Wham! – Last Christmas or zShare
MP3: The Kinks – Father Christmas or zShare
MP3: Gene Autry – Frosty the Snowman or zShare
MP3: Yeah Yeah Yeahs – All I Want for Christmas or zShare
MP3: Dean Martin – Rudolph, The Red-nosed Reindeer or zShare
MP3: Nat King Cole – Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire or zShare
MP3: Vince Guaraldi Trio – Christmas Time is Here (Vocal) or zShare

TLC On-Air with Break Thru Radio

Hey guys, I teamed up with Break Thru Radio as the Featured Blogger of the Week! Check out my selected playlist and interview segment On-Air now! Also included are 5 of my favorite recent posts from our site (under articles.) Be sure to bookmark BTR who strive to bring to you “Radio rediscovered!”

Break Thru Radio: The Anatomy of a Blogger

MP3: Missy Elliott – Bring the Pain (Featuring Method Man) or zShare

TLC Presents The Best Albums of 2009

I will be wrapping up 2009’s miscellaneous in our Loved and Loaded in 2009 list next week, so without further ado I present to you the final chapter of our Best of the Noughties List: The 15 Best Albums of 2009!

Be sure to visit our Caramel Shop powered by Amazon.com to purchase all of the titles in our Best of the Noughties List! Previous lists are here: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008.

Artist: Florence + The Machine

Album: Lungs

Label: Island

Released: July 6th in the UK, October 20th (physical release) in the US

Peak on UK Charts: Number 2

Peak on US Charts: Number 179

Recognition: The Mercury Prize nominated album held the #2 spot on the UK Albums chart for 5 consecutive weeks after it’s release on July 6th.

Stream: Cosmic Love

Purchase Lungs

MP3: Florence + The Machine – You’ve Got the Love (Jamie Xx Remix) or zShare

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Artist: The Big Pink

Album: A Brief History of Love

Label: 4AD

Released: September 14th in the UK, September 22nd in the US

Peak on UK Charts: Number 56

Peak on US Charts: Number 138

Recognition: The Daily Telegraph rated A Brief History of Love 5 out of 5 and said the album “shapes up as something of a modern masterpiece.”

Stream: Dominos

Purchase A Brief History of Love

MP3: The Big Pink – Love Song (The Cure Cover) or zShare

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Artist: The Xx

Album: Xx

Label: Young Turks

Released: August 17th in the UK, October 20th in the US

Peak on UK Charts: Number 36

Peak on US Charts: Number 125

Recognition: BBC Music’s Lou Thomas said “Every song here is an enigmatic and moody blend of smoky crooning, nimble keyboard trickery and slippery treble-heavy riffs. Such self-awareness and focus is commendable given so few experienced bands, let alone newcomers, can manage it.”

Stream: Crystalised

Purchase Xx

MP3: The Xx – Space Bass (Jamie Xx Remix) or zShare

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Artist: Bat for Lashes

Album: Two Suns

Label: Polydor/Astralwerks

Released: April 6th in the UK,  April 7th in the US

Peak on UK Charts: Number 5

Peak on US Charts: Number 141

Recognition: NME’s Tim Chester said the following of the Mercury Prize nominated album “If this year’s Mercury panel know their arse from their Elbows, this could be her time.”

Stream: Daniel

Purchase Two Suns

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Artist: Arctic Monkeys

Album: Humbug

Label: Domino, Warner Bros., EMI

Released: August 24th in the UK, August 25th in the US

Peak on UK Charts: Number 1

Peak on US Charts: Number 15

Recognition: Billboard said that the Arctic Monkeys “justify the hype by shifting its best qualities into different, equally dazzling shapes.”

Stream: Cornerstone

Purchase Humbug

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Artist: Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Album: It’s Blitz!

Label: Interscope

Released: April 6th Internationally, March 31st in the US

Peak on UK Charts: Number 9

Peak on US Charts: Number 22

Recognition: It’s Blitz is nominated for the Best Alternative Music Album Grammy Award. NME wrote that “It’s Blitz!’s heartfelt love letter to the transcendent possibilities of the dancefloor is an unexpectedly emphatic reassertion of why Yeah Yeah Yeahs are one of the most exciting bands of this decade”

Stream: Heads Will Roll

Purchase It’s Blitz!

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Artist: Miike Snow

Album: Miike Snow

Label: Downtown

Released: October 23rd in the UK, June 9th 2008 in the US

Peak on UK Charts: n/a

Peak on US Charts: Number 23 on the Dance/Electronic Albums Chart

Recognition: Spin gave the album 4 out of 5 stars and said “Both the production and Wyatt’s shape-shifting croon are so butter-smooth that it takes repeated plays to sense the hurt that hides behind these dance-floor lullabies. Hooky on the outside, bruised within, it’s club-pop for introverts.”

Stream: Animal

Purchase Miike Snow

MP3: Miike Snow – Black & Blue (Savage Skulls Remix) or zShare

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Artist: White Lies

Album: To Lose My Life

Label: Fiction

Released: On January 19th in the UK, March 17th in the US.

Peak on UK Charts: Number 1

Peak on US Charts: Number 146, Number 4 on the Heatseekers Chart 4

Recognition: White Lies won the MOJO Award for Breakthrough and the Q Award for Best New Band. BBC Radio 1’s Zane Lowe named Death his Hottest Record in the World on February 5th of 2008 without it having been officially released.

Stream: Farewell to the Fairground

Purchase To Lose My Life

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Artist: Jamie T

Album: Kings and Queens

Label: Virgin Records

Released: September 7th in the UK, October 6th in the US

Peak on UK Charts: Number 2

Peak on US Charts: Never Charted

Recognition: BBC Music’s Laura Barton called Kings and Queens “a more polished performance, but still enjoyably rambunctious.”

Stream: Sticks N Stones

Purchase Kings & Queens

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Artist: Fuck Buttons

Album: Tarot Sport

Label: ATP Recordings

Released: October 14th in the UK, October 20th in the US

Peak on UK Charts: Number 28

Peak on US Charts: Number 50 Independent Albums, # 18 Heatseekers Chart

Recognition: Louis Pattison of BBC Music said “A noise band with tunes might sound like a contradiction in terms, but Fuck Buttons have carved out a sound that owes more to personal inspiration that tradition, and here it works like a dream.”

Stream: Surf Solar

Purchase Tarot Sport

MP3: Fuck Buttons – Rough Steez or zShare

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Artist: The Maccabees

Album: Wall of Arms

Label: Fiction

Released: May 4th in the UK, Available as an import in the US

Peak on UK Charts: Number 13

Peak on US Charts: n/a

Recognition: Hazel Sheffeld of The Guardian said “Wall of Arms is the meticulously evolved sound of a band aiming to bid to breathe life into British indie.”

Stream: Love You Better

Purchase Wall of Arms

MP3: The Maccabees – Love You Better (Russell Lissack Remix) or zShare

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Artist: Peaches

Album: I Feel Cream

Label: XL Recordings

Released: May 4th in the UK, May 5th in the US

Peak on UK Charts: n/a

Peak on US Charts: Number 160

Recognition: Erin Lyndal Martin of PopMatters said “Peaches maintains her flavor…I Feel Cream is a fun and worthwhile album”

Stream: Talk to Me

Purchase I Feel Cream

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Artist: Jack Peñate

Album: Everything is New

Label: XL Recordings

Released: June 22nd in the UK, August 18th in the US

Peak on UK Charts: Number 16

Peak on US Charts: n/a

Recognition: NME’s Gavin Hines gave the album a 7 out of 10 stars and  said “It’s a model for second albums everywhere and a testament to what can be achieved if you’re prepared to take a long, hard look at the man in the mirror. Let the bells ring out.”

Stream: Every Glance

Purchase Everything is New

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Artist: La Roux

Album: La Roux

Label: Polydor/Cherrytree Records

Released: June 29th in the UK, September 29th in the US

Peak on UK Charts: Number 2

Peak on US Charts: Number 170

Recognition: La Roux was nominated for the Mercury Prize this year and won the 02 Silver Clef Award for Best Newcomer.

Stream: Bulletproof

Purchase La Roux

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Artist: Bibio

Album: Ambivalence Avenue

Label: Warp Records

Released: June 22nd in the UK, June 23rd in the US

Peak on UK Charts: n/a

Peak on US Charts: Number 13 on the Dance/Electronic Album Chart

Recognition: PopMatters‘ Timothy Gabriel said Ambivalence Avenue “shows great promise for the perpetual present.”

Stream: Jealous of Roses

Purchase Ambivalence Avenue

MP3: Bibio – Haikuesque (When she Laughs) or zshare

New Miike Snow Music Video: Silvia

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

Head nod to RATCATCHERS for the track!

Rihanna Performs With Jay-Z Amid a Snow Storm in NYC

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

TLC’s Best of the Noughties: 2008

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: Portishead

Album: Third

Label: 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

Purchase Third

MP3: Portishead – The Rip (Noise Floor Crew Remix) or zShare

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Artist: Friendly Fires

Album: Friendly Fires

Label: 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

Purchase Friendly Fires

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Artist: Hot Chip

Album: Made in the Dark

Label: 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

Purchase Made in the Dark

MP3: Hot Chip – One Pure Thought (Geese Remix) or zShare

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Artist: Glasvegas

Album: Glasvegas

Label: 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

Purchase Glasvegas

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Artist: Kings of Leon

Album: Only By the Night

Label: 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

Purchase Only By the Night

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Artist: Lykke Li

Album: Youth Novels

Label: 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

Purchase You Novels

MP3: Lykke Li – Dance Dance Dance (Buraka Son Sistema Remix) or zShare

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Artist: Last Shadow Puppets

Album: The Age of Understatement

Label: 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

Purchase The Age of Understatement

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Artist: Crystal Castles

Album: Crystal Castles

Label: 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

Purchase Crystal Castles

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Artist: MGMT

Album: Oracular Spectacular

Label: 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

Purchase Oracular Spectacular

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Artist: Santigold

Album: Santogold [Re-released as Santigold]

Label: 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

Purchase Santigold

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Artist: Vampire Weekend

Album: Vampire Weekend

Label: 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

Purchase Vampire Weekend

MP3: Vampire Weekend – Cape Cod (The Teenagers Remix) or zShare

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Artist: Lady Gaga

Album: The Fame

Label: 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

Purchase The Fame

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Artist: The Courteeners

Album: St. Jude

Label: 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

Purchase St. Jude

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Artist: M83

Album: Saturdays = Youth

Label: 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.”

Purchase Saturdays = Youth

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Artist: Mystery Jets

Album: Twenty One

Label: 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

Purchase Twenty One

MP3: Mystery Jets – Hideaway (Switch Remix) or zShare