Sunday 30 December 2012

Worst 6 Albums of 2012

As there were very good thing there also were really bad stuff that mostly happened because of the lack of edition. Some artist wanted to be so hype and invent new sounds but fail and some others put to much in their records or didn't had a clue were to go. Some of the albums that almost made it to this list are No Doubt's Push and Shove, that is literally the example of having great expectations but being fooled, and many musicians were in that note. Here are the worst of the worst that needed less things and more knowledge to be self critic. But on the bright side at least they tried to do something different instead of stay safe.

Worst Albums
6.The Temper Trap- The Temper Trap (Self-Titled): 12 songs that were randomly put together and has no direction. Instruments contribute to the mess and placed wrong, but songs can be separated in 4 mini albums.

4.Muse-The 2nd Law: as much as it has its highs the album is a mess and needs more a lot more edition. Muse ripped off their inspiration and aspiration bands and do it well but sounds like copying instead of make it their own.

3.Robbie Williams- Take The Crown: this album is so boring and cliche, bubblegum pop in the saddest way possible and you can notice is forced to not touch some limits because it could be too Take That or too Gary Barlow. So is to boring and almost just long song.

2.Overexposed - Maroon 5: the band could not get over a massive hit and tried to recreate it but reinventing it. Album is so eclectic and songs crash so bad that seems like they didn't put their all in it cause they could do really nice pop songs.

1. Example- The Evolution of Man: example tried to do something 'new', just for him, cause many have succeed mixing electro-dance with guitar rock, He failed bad,really bad, it almost hurts, well, actually ears hurt. Not even Graham Coxon saved the album.

Worst Songs

6. Skrillex and Damian 'Jr. Gong' Marley-Make It Bun Dem
5. Will.I.Am and Britney Spears- Scream And Shout
4.Muse-Survival
3. Justin Bieber ft. Big Sean- As Long As You Love Me
2.Maroon 5-Payphone + And Pitbull's Don't Stop The Party
1. Fat Joe ft. Rick Ross and Juicy J - Instagram That Hoe

Hope apocalypse has taken them ;)

Top 15 best Singles of 2012

Many songs were stuck in our heads for good or bad reasons this year. As Pop seemed to be losing its round, electronic took the attention more than ever but rock and roll threatens to take back its crown back. Here are some tracks that have the elements to be classics or at least to give an idea of what was the most sincere music. Intimate and joyful songs are here from Katy Perry to The Cribs everyone adding their personal touch to what was happening. Melancholia played a big part but doesn't mean it was a sad year all music had a very joy vibe . These songs are in their genders the best.

15.The Subways- Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
14.The Hives- Go Right Ahead
13.The View- Hold On Now
12.The Cribs - Come On, Be A No-One
11.RKC- These Are The Days
10.Damon Albarn- The Marvellous Dream
9..Baio- Sunburn Modern
8. No Doubt- Settle Down
7.The Maccabees- Pelican
6.The Virgins- Venus In Chains
5.Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - Same Love (feat. Mary Lambert)
4. Muse- Madness
3.Katy Perry- Wide Awake
2.Arctic Monkeys- R U Mine?
1.Blur - Under The West Way

With all of this, it looks like the next big thing is the guitar comeback, and to be more personal and less produced and more like 'jamming' . Hope music keep on this road with multiple exits and people going back to roots but in the way they are experimenting and remembering the music essence that is to be playful.

The Good The Bad and Some Other Bollocks: Year in Review 2012


When planet earth was nearly ending ,again, music industry gave all the best to make  a memorable year, and it was a great year indeed. Too many bands get back together to "save music" from what had been decadent for the past 5 years. Many awaited comebacks were made: Blur, No Doubt , Madonna, Public Image Ltd (PiL), The Rolling Stones and even The Stone Roses and The Spice Girls performed again anx yet Led Zeppelin were seen together. The year was filled mostly by experienced artists like Muse,The Hives, P!nk,The Killers, Alanis Morissette, Hot Chip,Papa Roach, Paul McCartney,Green Day, Bruce Springsteen, Robbie Williams,Linkin Park etc. some of them were letdowns but some were magnificent. Others wanted to strike back as well, with their second album, The Ting Tings, One Direction, Ke$ha,The XX, The Vaccines, Tame Impala,Mumford & Sons and Nicki Minaj did their comebacks but not for all of them was successful. With all of these well know artists bouncing around it seemed like there were no space for the new ones but Jake Bugg, Rita Ora, Jessie Ware, Enter Shikari  and Alt-J managed to hit the lists and make their name know. And what a year for 'The One Hit Wonders' (if it wasn't for all social media they would be that) they did everything to cheer up the crowds, they made the whole world dance like we were riding a horse and made us sing corny lyrics, if you didn't dance to Psy's Gangnam Style or sung 'Call Me Maybe', even as a joke, you probably were labeled as a sad ,Gotye and that Brazilian guy are also on the list and some even listed Ellie Goulding for her "Lights" single as one hit wonder probably Fun. could join them too but we all enjoy a bit of rubbish joy in our playlists.

If all music releases wasn't enough some mayor events make the world come together, Madonna opened the amazing televised performances, broke many records and stuff; then people were able to watch the Jubilee Concert which was just a taste from what was coming for the summer,some in repeat, the biggest ever event: The Olympics which was the most watched event in television history and inspired millions, and it came with 4 ceremonies that were hallucinating with a large display of almost every outstanding British musician that have ever live (maybe they just missed The Smiths), it had some lows but the highs overshadowed every misstep. Paul McCartney move craws in Mexico as well giving a free gig he also performed as usual in charity concerts alongside with the usual folks  Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi and The Who and a lot of plain acts take the world's stages too, many 'artists' were creating visually good performances and forgot  about giving a whole show but many others performed as it was the end of world. Rihanna, trying to do something new, did something called 777 which meant to hit 7 countries in 7 days, plane tour ended well and she told she would do it again but press said it was a turbulent event. Other talked events were a man shattering sound barrier doing the highest skydive in history; and a band trying to break the barriers of the minded ,Pussy Riot put the spot light on stupid politics (which were a lot this year) and once again music was part of a movement against injustice. 

2012 was the year of cheer up and fun, we ROLF about apocalypse and music,as always go hand in hand. So for a great year, with plenty to hear & recommend, avoid and enjoy here's The Good,The Bad and some other bollocks:

Worst Albums and Songs

And as for Artists to Watch: Nina Nessbit that started the year with an amazing EP, Appple Tree, but the secong half she messed a bit and band Best Friends which are a surfing version of The Who and very fun and reliable. 

Top 12 Albums of 2012



What a great year for the music it was. Albums were made for save us from a 'music industry cliff' some of them were very careful other just came out raw and exploded well, some have their weaknesses but other were really strong so here are what I think were the most steady of them all. 

 12  'Jake Bugg' (self-titled) by Jake Bugg:
So young,so brisk, some people have called him the new Bob Dylan, and there are some similarities especially how mature the sound is but this album doesn't sound so natural, although it's so good,is fabricated 'pop' but at least is enjoyable. 
   
To Listen:Trouble Town, Country Song, Lightning Bolt ,Taste It,Two Fingers





 11 [DRAW] 'The Abbey Road Sessions' by Kylie Minogue + 'MDNA' by Madonna:  
Both albums are so pop and slightly different from what was happening in that scene, Kylie's has no electronic beats and is a compilation of her hits in a orchestral way as for Madonna's sounds like b-sides of her entire career and avoiding the 'fun' ones you get an amazing collection of intimate tracks. Two albums that were so produced that actually worked.

To Listen: [MDNA]   Gang Bang, Love Spent (Acoustic), Falling Free, I Fucked Up,Masterpiece, I Don't Give A, B-Day Song [The Abbey Road SessionsAll the Lovers,Where the Wild Roses Grow,Flower,Can't Get You Out of My Head,Finer Feelings,The Loco-Motion.



 10  Endless Flowers - Crocodiles: 
Very pleasant, what you expect from Crocodiles.No much risks taken and the sound doesn't go faraway from previous works punk/garage/fun.

To Listen:Endless Flowers,Hung Up On a Flower,Dark Alleys,Bubblegum Trash.





 9 . ill Manors by Plan B:  
Ben Drew AKA Plan B hit the big screen with a film he wrote and directed and with that an epic soundtrack came. Probably the most gutted and sincere Plan B work, which is weird because is about a film so is from a character perspective and not suppose to be very personal, but it is.

To Listen:  Playing With Fire, Deepest Shame, Live Once,Falling Down



 8  Spiderwebbed by STUMBLEINE: 
Electronic, Soft , chill out nothing more nothing less. What any other electronic artist  tried to do but on this album everything fitted well even the dub step bits. 

To Listen: Cherry Blossom, If You,Capulet, Fade Into You ft Steffaloo,Catherine Wheel ft Birds Of Passage, The Beat My Heart Skips ft CoMa.

  





 7 .A+E  by Graham Coxon : 
it has a futuristic vibe like from 1960's Jetsons. Many guitars and some kind of aggressive in the joy way.The Album may not have a super hit but has a sincere feeling and it's like the sound of a music playground, very experimeting and charming.

To Listen: City Hall, What'll it Take, Seven Naked Valleys, Running For Your Life,  Knife in the Cast.



 6 In the Belly of the Brazen Bull by The Cribs:
Back to their basics.The Cribs do and did a fantastic job with or without Johnny Marr sound like they have the spirit of classic punk, to entertain, be fast and joyable. Is also inspirational for new bands.

To Listen: Come on, Be A no One ;Confident men ; Arena Rock Encore;Should have Helped;Back To The Bolthole






 5   Mirage Rock by Band of Horses:
A Collection of underrated but in sake of making great music and for enjoyment of people who will hear it. The band still got what make them unique and enjoyable.Is an album with balance, everything calculated  in space and time  nothing shading anything.

To Listen: Electric Music,A Little Biblical,Slow Cruel Hands of Time



 4  Given To the Wild by The Maccabees: 
it's full of tunes to take you out of routine and from earth, gladly it is soft psychedelia not an overrated boring clichè. Very cosistant and full of interesting dreamy sounds. 

To Listen: Given to the Wild ,Glimmer,Heave, Pelican, Went Away,  Go,
Unknow (featuring Catherine Pockson),Grew Up at Midnight, 





 3 . Lonerism by Teme Impala:
The perfect balance of voice and instruments is reflected in every song.The album is more relaxed and trippy than their debut album but the essence is not lost.A band that have improved and know how to mix everything to deliver the best of them.

To Listen:Sun’s Coming Up,Keep on Lying,Apocalypse Dreams,Why Won’t They Talk to Me?, Be Above It





Photo:
 2  Streets In The Sky by The Enemy
Probably band didn't save the guitar music (not by themselves) but this album has plenty of songs you can relate  or that easily brings memories to you and is not a forced sound it flows naturally. Fast and fantastic,has everything what great classics are made of, and is very rock'n'roll mixed with some melancholia.

To Listen: 2 Kids,Like A Dancer,Like A Dancer,Make A Man,This is Real,Bigger Cages (Longer Chains),Get Up and Dance,Gimme The Sign



 1 . Lex Hives by The Hives: 

Rock and Roll in the 'non-artistic' way, it's pure, classic,random and timeless. Band doesn't need to change to deliver a fantastic album that has the perfect amount of everything that sounds effortless. Stylized like a vintage album, The Hives do a retrospective/introspective to what made the band so fabulous.Proper rock and roll.

To Listen:I Want More, Patrolling Days, Take Back The Toys,Midnight Shifter.( but obviously you need to hear all the entire album) 



Probably You wont agree but IMHO these were the most enjoyable and strong albums and somehow they sensitize what 2012 were a year of comebacks and retrospective. 

Sunday 9 December 2012

¡Tré! by Green Day


7/10 
Rated:A Kind of Magic

The third album of the trilogy, is the most Green Day record of all (so far). The album has a vintage vibe that links to every Green Day record and has they very own style all over. sounds like a mix the good pieces of ¡Uno! and ¡Dos!.

With more tranquil songs this new album is what complements Green Day and if there was suppose to be just one album this year from the band this would be it.This album is what was expected from the band, it goes crazy but don't get messy, sounds like a classic from the band and is very entertaining and has bits of melancholia for a change.

Although this album is more in the commercial side with songs like 'Little Boy Named Train' and ' Brutal Love' that sound like American Idiot, the album sound more like a modern version of 'Dookie' or 'Insomniac'  with more polished music and more edition but it stills very very good. It has a very American sound and hip like Black Keys but more fun and intriguing. It is a bit more drummy from '¡Uno!' and '¡Dos!' but this not take all, voice and guitars are there sounding fine as well. The perfect blend is very shown in songs like 'Drama Queen' and ' X-Kid' and also have a more "romantic" and nostalgic side of the band.

The band have not lose their punk-rock style and this album is the proof, probably has elements of britpop, and they have found the balance in what should be raw and what has to be more edited and polished. Probably nothing really new and is very what is expected but is not disappointing, also it is more timeless than some previous albums.

To Listen: The Forgotten,99 Revolutions,Dirty Rotten Bastards, X-Kid, Brutal Love
Nothing to 'not listen'.

Unorthodox Jukebox by Bruno Mars


6.5/10 
Rated : (I can't get no) Satisfaction 

After 2 years of his debut album  Bruno Mars is back with an album that sounds like a very good version of N*sync with better voice and more "fun" tunes. The problem is the album is too dull and has nothing really astonishing.

Well this album starts with a bit of surprising song 'Young Girls' that is a little change from previous album and annoying singles but from that it stays plain, all go lineal nothing goes out from a very safe ways.Yes it does have a lovely vintage sound like end of the 70's and late 80's a mixed with funk and rock and roll, blended with classic R&B, soul, and reggae Bruno Mars style, which could sound interesting but is not that great. The Album Is in a very party mood but songs are too long and When I 'Was Your Man' , song, managed to give it a break but then the same boring stuff start over again.  

All influences are very marked in the record, and goes too far, something like he's making a tribute to past times. It is knew that he worked with Mark Ronson but almost every song sound like the Amy Winehouse version of 'Valerie'. The Album has also too much elements of Michael Jackson which is good but sometimes sounds too imitating,hear 'Natalie'. 

The record is not that bad but is really boring, if we talk about that it doesn't moves forward from first 3 songs it stays dull and songs are far too long , so it needed to have continuity but not to be the same song over and over again. Has it bits of fun but nothing exiting and something that says "this is Bruno Mars" is missing. 

To Listen:  Money Make Her Smile, Natalie, Young Girls
Avoid:  Show Me, When I Was Your Man

Sunday 2 December 2012

Warrior by Ke$ha



 5.8/10 
Rated:A Kind of Magic


Ke$ha is back with what it sounds like a sequel of her first ep album (Cannibal)  , more electro-pop and more produced to be fun. Kesha said the album is inspired by the 1970's  and indeed it has a vintage vibe but maybe not in the direction she wanted.


First single, 'Die Young',  is an example of what the album is too much electronic, a bit of mess but with at least with direction, fun and very Kesha. Although the record is produced to sound very hip and has far too much electrononic music, Kesha's style is not lost and she shows some versatility putting  more "soft" songs that sound are like more personal an a bit Britney-ish.  Also this album has more songs that have influences from bands and artists she had worked with.Sometimes Kesha feels lost but yet her style is not, so the sound gets a bit stereotypical punky girl like Avril Lavigne and very modern like Rihanna so is like they meet Kesha and somehow is charming mix, not really good but fine.

The music in the record is very repetitive and nothing you wouldn't find in any other top 40 pop album nowadays and is a bit dull but digging meticulously there are very interesting sounds that probably are what make the album not so boring. Feels like the production wanted to imitate Calvin Harris because has those lows and explosions with intervals of voice very characteristic from him, maybe because they're a couple or something (?). Album also reminds of Kaskada but a bit edgy and with tiny bits of psychedelia .

Best bits of the album are when it sounds less electronic and more rock.Despite everything Kesha is one of the pop singers that have an "defiant" attitude like Madonna or Cyndi Lauper in the 80's and she know how to use it well so in this is the thing that saves it, the song with Iggy Pop has a lot of him but her style is not lost, is a great combination. The guitars, electronic or acoustic like in Past Lives, also saved  the record. It is not better than her first album and don't have massive hits but is what it is.

To listen:Crazy Kids,Dirty Love,Wonderland,Past Lives
Avoid:Supernatural,Die Young