YES, IT’S HERE. I’m sure most people don’t particularly give a fuck though.
3. Yeasayer – 2080 (2007)
While at times I felt their debut album All Hour Cymbals got bogged down in its enchanted experimentation, Yeasayer’s leading single 2080 took their psychadelic charms and put them into a killer bassline and an Animal Collective-esque melody. It’s no wonder Yeasayer’s first album was such a draw to music fans, with a single this strong. The beginning is almost hypnotic, while the chants of children at the end snap you out of said hypnosis. I can’t wait to hear their second album in 2010, Ambling Alp is already brilliant – not as brilliant as 2080 though.
2. Arcade Fire – Neighbourhood #1 (Tunnels) (2004)
I’ve been going back and forth swapping about this song and the #1 one, and to be honest I’m still not sure I’ve really chosen. They are both equally beautiful but I think this was edged out purely for the reason I haven’t seen it performed live, and haven’t had that whole “goosebumps” experience seeing it. Hasn’t stopped me from getting said goosebumps when listening to it at home though, because this is such an intensely beautiful song – towards the end is probably one of the best two minutes of music you will ever hear. Absolutely perfect, there’s only one song I can think of which is better…
1. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Maps (2003)
So I’m sure anyone who’s ever met me knows that I adore Karen O, and that I basically have a shrine or whatever. It boils down to this song. As well as everything else she’s done of course, but there are no words to describe just how perfect and meaningful this song is. Karen’s tears in the video, and the story behind it, are just so identifiable – she’s a woman just like us, torn apart and complicatedly in love. This is a timeless classic, one I’ll be listening to right up until I’m 70 and beyond. To Karen, to Nick, to Brian – thank you.
AND THAT’S ALL. More decade/year end blogs to come…
TIME TO PUT ZEE EARGOGGLES ON and listen to this because it’s a bit of a beauty. If I could drive, I’d drive down a massive country road to this at full blast. Then I’d be speeding and crash and end up in jail or something, but I’d be happy! I love that it has nothing to do with Australia either?
9. Late of the Pier – Bathroom Gurgle (2007)
Epic masterpiece, like the dance version of Bohemian Rhapsody and one which should go down in indiedisco history. Late of the Pier made a brilliant debut album, and this closing it out remains the highlight and their best work. Quite 80s and psychadelic, with slight references to the Rocky Horror Picture Show – TUNE.
8. Daft Punk – Aerodynamic (2001)
Not just my favourite Daft Punk track, but probably my favourite dance song ever. Even the years of having the brillant guitar bit at the one minute mark as my ringtone didn’t wear me down, this is a dance music masterpiece – even Myleene Klass agrees, but let’s not dwell on her classical music version.
7. Christina Aguilera featuring Redman – Dirrty (2002)
The highest “pop” single you’ll find in this countdown, Christina really shocked people with this comeback – she was so far removed from the pop princess image she started her career with and unlike Britney’s efforts she really shed previous perceptions of her. The whole “dirrty Xtina” phase was probably her career at its best, with Stripped probably being one of the best pop albums of the decade. And let’s face it, who doesn’t love a cheap looking slag? Fast, furious, fucking as far from the Mickey Mouse Club as you could get.
On a sidenote, the fact I was 12 and played this loudly and sung to it on repeat should’ve tipped my mum off about my sexuality.
6. Stars – Your Ex-Lover is Dead (2005)
“I’m not sorry I met you, I’m not sorry it’s over, I’m not sorry there’s nothing to say”. This song feels like it should be used on a montage of a relationship, from beginning to end. I’d actually almost forgot about it until a few weeks ago when it was used for one of my favourite So You Think You Can Dance performances of the recent season. This is poetry.
5. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Zero (2009)
I really didn’t like this at first. I was really disappointed, questioning this new synthy direction the Yeah Yeah Yeahs seemed to be taking. I really shouldn’t have worried, because I really grew to adore this song. I really don’t agree with the general consensus that they’ve never matched Fever to Tell, because this and the rest of It’s Blitz are pretty special. Karen O just owns my soul.
4. Sia – Breathe Me (2004)
I’m not gonna lie, my love for this song is mostly down to this, the amazing last ten minutes of what for me is the best TV show of the decade (or, y’know, ever). Really moving.
This song is so rock’n'roll badass, I love it. I really enjoy Black Lips, their particular brand of almost punk is a swaggering three minutes of awesome – so good it takes you a while to realise it’s about the fact that Hurricane Katrina, was oh so very mean.
19. Metric – Monster Hospital (2006)
For some reason the video for this – probably one of the best music videos of the decade – is nowhere to be found on Youtube but that doesn’t matter. You don’t need the video to hear that this is Metric at their loudest, their most political and their best. To be honest this is the song which made me wanna listen to more rock music, and just kinda dance around my living room and generally act like a twat and pretend I was in a band. I fell hard for this song, and everything I heard from Metric afterwards, whilst alright, just never compared.
18. Beyonce featuring Jay Z – Crazy in Love (2003)
Yeah yeah, I expected me to put this higher too. Anyway when Beyonce announced she was planning a solo career, the pressure was really on for her to deliver – Destiny’s Child were THE girl group all around the world right about then, and she needed to come up with a song which would knock her solo career out of the park and into the universe. And with a little help from Jay Z and a Chi-Lites sample, boy she did.
17. Sugababes – Freak Like Me (2002)
Speaking of brilliant use of samples, well done Sugababes for exploiting my love of Gary Numan. The song which inducted (that bitch) Heidi into the Sugababes, this really differentiated Sugababes from other girl bands and generally other pop artists back in 2002 – it’s a shame in their new incarnation, they’ll never produce anything even half as good as this.
16. Love is All – Busy Doing Nothing (2006)
Swedish twee bands came thick and fast this decade and brought with them some gorgeous little pop songs, but this was more raucous than expected of this band, and this genre. Sounding like Scandinavia’s answer to Karen O with a war between saxophones and guitars in the background, Busy Doing Nothing is one of those lost indieclub classics which never gets played anymore.
15. Arcade Fire – Rebellion (Lies) (2004)
Funeral is one of those albums which seems to be hitting Top 5 in every “Albums of the Decade” list and I’m not gonna lie, it would probably hit Top 5 in my list too. This seems to be their one breakout song, the Arcade Fire song everyone seems to know and for good reason – it’s beautifully depressing, and yet quite uplifting. The key change and the last minute of violin are just so so beautiful.
14. Shakira featuring Wyclef Jean – Hips Don’t Lie (2006)
And now for something completely different, one of the best pop collaborations and classics from the decade. Shakira’s new stuff seems a bit hit-and-miss but she was bringing it with this song. A reality dance show favourite, Shakira almost dares you not to move your hips to this – if they aren’t, I’m sorry but your hips are simply liars. And Wyclef is so good in this too. I realise some may think it as sacrilege to put this above Rebellion (Lies) but hey, this is my list.
13. Lightspeed Champion -Midnight Surprise (2008)
This = 10 minutes of pure love, 10 minutes which just fly by. It’s one of those songs that isn’t pretentious in the way it goes on forever, there’s a point to its continuation as opposed to two minutes of just noise. There are some wonderful little interludes in between the “acts” of this song, with the raconteur’s tale of being lovestruck proving as far away from Test Icicles as he could get. Laaavely!
12. Bright Eyes – First Day of My Life (2005)
It’s fair to say that this song contributed to the love of Conor Oberst so many have. With a beautifully simple video to compliment it, this song is just so honest and just so gorgeous and like, the soundtrack to someone’s indie wedding or something. Just so sweet.
Wow, I used “just so” a lot there. SPEAKING OF LOVE SONGS…
11. Guillemots – Made-Up Love Song #43 (2006)
… I appear to have a penchant for them. To be honest my love for this song stems from an episode of the amazing Sugar Rush where Kim and that hot DJ chick get all kissy on a mountain. I think I identified with it at the time cos of the lyric “I love you, I don’t think you care”. Which kinda summed up my life at the time this was released, but let’s not get bogged down in all that drama. And then the second half of the song is just more hopeful, and infinitely prettier.
21. Jay Z – 99 Problems (2003)
22. The Spinto Band – Oh Mandy! (2005)
23. Radiohead – Jigsaw Falling Into Place (2007)
24. Arcade Fire – No Cars Go (2007)
25. Red Hot Chili Peppers – Can’t Stop (2002)
26. Regina Spektor – Us (2006)
27. Destiny’s Child – Independent Women, Part 1 (2000)
28. Late of the Pier – Space and the Woods (2008)
29. The White Stripes – Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground (2001)
30. Los Campesinos! – You! Me! Dancing! (2007)
31. Muse – Hysteria (2003)
32. MGMT – Time to Pretend (2008)
33. Jamelia – Beware of the Dog (2007)
34. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Date with the Night (2003)
35. Vampire Weekend – A-Punk (2008)
36. Cold War Kids – Hospital Beds (2006)
37. Arcade Fire – Neighbourhood #3 (Power Out) (2005)
38. The Shins – New Slang (2001)
39. Lady Gaga – Bad Romance (2009)
40. MGMT – Kids (2008)
41. M.I.A. – Paper Planes (2007)
42. Hot Chip – Over and Over (2005)
43. Kelis – Milkshake (2003)
44. The Strokes – Reptilia (2003)
45. Madonna – Hung Up (2005)
46. Elle Milano – My Brother, The Astronaut (2007)
47. Bon Iver – Skinny Love (2007)
48. The White Stripes – My Doorbell (2005)
49. Britney Spears – Toxic (2004)
50. Queens of the Stone Age – The Lost Art of Keeping a Secret (2000)
51. Amy Winehouse – Back to Black (2007)
52. Bloc Party – Banquet (2004)
53. The Shins – Phantom Limb (2007)
54. Animal Collective – Peacebone (2007)
55. Florence and the Machine – Dog Days Are Over (2008)
56. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Heads Will Roll (2009)
57. The Polyphonic Spree – Light & Day / Reach for the Sun (2002)
58. Shakira – Whenever Wherever (2002)
59. Larrikin Love – Edwould (2006)
60. Missy Elliot featuring Ludacris – Gossip Folks (2003)
79. Tokyo Police Club – Your English is Good (2007)
Give them your vote. If you know what’s good for you. Jump about and go wild in the Summer to this.
78. Interpol – PDA (2002)
An anthem for date-rapists, this video doesn’t do the song justice by completely cutting out the last minute outro. I maintain that Editors don’t have nothing on Interpol.
77. Foo Fighters – Low (2002)
Probably the Foo Fighters song to appear on the fewest amount of Best Of lists, but I’d probably rank it as one of their best – not that I’m a Foos fan particularly, but this is really good. And the video with Dave Grohl and Jack Black drunk and in drag? WHAT’S NOT TO LOVE?
76. Feist – 1234 (2007)
Yeah, I’ll admit that I was introduced to Feist via this song on the iPod advert. This is cheery, and the end where all the instruments come together is pretty great. The Sesame street version pwns though.
75. Destiny’s Child – Bootylicious (2001)
I don’t think you’re ready for a Stevie Nicks riff to work so well in an r’n'b classic and… rock its jelly?
74. Wolf Parade – I’ll Believe in Anything (2005)
I’d take you where nobody knows you and nobody gives a damn…
73. The Distillers – Drain the Blood (2003)
When I was in Year 8, I used to sit next to this girl in Science who pretty much worshipped at the altar of Brody Dalle. She used to always have this song playing, and I ended up really liking it. I owe that girl a lot actually, seeing as she got me into the Yeah Yeah Yeahs too.
72. Biffy Clyro – Justboy (2002)
On a shallow note, Simon looks beautiful here. Fortunately he’s cut his hair for the newest album, which means Biffy are kinda halfway back to classics like these – the new stuff however leaves a lot to be desired, there’s nothing quite as magic as this from the last two.
71. Daft Punk – One More Time (2001)
Oh Daft Punk, I demand tickets to this rumoured arena tour next year. Complete anthem, should be listened to in a crowd when you’re off your face
70. Lightspeed Champion – Galaxy of the Lost (2007)
Test Icicles were alright, but oh how glad I am that they broke up because otherwise I wouldn’t have been exposed to Dev Hynes’ solo stuff. The guitars and video make it sound all happy and melodic when the lyrics are anything but… seems to be a recurring theme with Dev throughout his debut album.
69. Pink – Just Like a Pill (2002)
Hey Pink, remember when you were the shit? I do.
68. The Long Blondes – Once and Never Again (2005)
Oh Long Blondes, with your Blondie-esque and slightly lesbian charms and witty lyrics. They were the first band I properly got into, unfortunately at the time where the majority of my friends weren’t so I missed out on seeing them live until the mediocre 2nd album days. I remember listening to this when I was 15. Now I’m 19, according to Kate Jackson I don’t need a boyfriend. And next year, I’ll be able to shout “I KNOW HOW IT FEELS TO BE YOUR AGE” at like, people in the street.
67. Radiohead – There, There (2003)
I think this is the first Radiohead song I heard. I didn’t think much of it back then, but on repeat it’s definitely one of my favourites and the high point of the Hail to the Thief album. And mindblowing live, even when watching it on Youtube. Oh how I’d have killed to be at Reading just for that set…
66. Beyonce – Halo (2009)
For all the acclaim If I Were A Boy gets as the lead song from the I Am… side, Halo is so much better than it. In fact, I’d rate it as her best ballad to date. And pretty good for making drunk inappropriate lyrics to.
65. Death Cab for Cutie – I Will Follow You Into the Dark (2006)
And speaking of ballads, this is pretty beautiful (although a bit overrated).
64. St. Vincent – Actor Out of Work (2009)
This video is brilliant but bloody hell, Annie Clark has a wide mouth. One of the bright spots of her fabulous 2nd album Actor, this is pretty infectious and the definition of short and sweet. The raucous guitars and synths suit her calm voice pretty well. I need to see her live.
63. Justice vs Simian – We Are Your Friends (2006)
I can’t listen to this song without thinking of Reading 2008 and seeing them live and then singing it at everyone in my campsite incorporating their name into the song. That was a magical night. Friggin’ brilliant, and put Justice on the map.
62. Klaxons – Atlantis to Interzone (2006)
My views on Klaxons change all the time. I really liked them, then I despised them, and now I quite like them again – never quite reached love levels with them though, apart from on this song. The opening DJ! and sirens alert you to the crazy rave ahead, and cements Klaxons’ place as THE band to listen to in 2006. And seeing this at Bestival was one of the highlights of my weekend.
61. Outkast – Hey Ya! (2003)
Firstly, one of the best music videos ever – so simple and so fun. It’s ice cold so shake it like a polaroid picture and lend me some sugar, cos I’m your neighbour. Best Outkast song by far.
Say what you will about Muse and how Black Holes and Revelations was shit or whatever (I actually thought it was pretty good) but its album closer was pretty anthemic. Fairly Western inspired, and fairly brilliant.
89. We Are Scientists – The Great Escape (2005)
Get me drunk. Put this song on. Sorted.
88. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Down Boy (2007)
The wait for this year’s It’s Blitz was seemingly endless, but in 2007 the Yeah Yeah Yeahs released their Isis EP, a collection of reworked early demos – this track was probably the best from it, and surpassed pretty much everything on the Show Your Bones album. Pretty much oozing sex really, this is a complete eargasm.
87. Kate Nash – Foundations (2007)
The musical equivalent of marmite, when Kate Nash arrived you really either loved her or hated her. Me? I was firmly on the love side, and my friend Kristina and I spent a good few months quoting YEAH INTELLIGENT INPUT DAHHLIN WHY DON’T YOU JUST HAVE ANOTHER BEER THEN? when this was released. We thought we were so cool. We weren’t.
86. Black Eyed Peas – Pump It (2005)
Hi there awesome surf rock introduction to one of my favourite films ever, what are you doing on the radio? What the hell, there’s rapping? Who ruined this? Yeah, this grew on me a lot until it became like the best song evaaa. (You know, barring the 85 tracks above this and the countless others from the past few decades. Including the song this is sampled from.)
85. Alicia Keys – Fallin’ (2001)
Alicia Keys truly has one of the most amazing voices in the world, and combined with her brilliant piano playing skills she is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to music. Although it’s a shame she only really seems to make one decent song every album. This was her debut one, and her best.
84. Girls – Lust for Life (2008. Well, according to Wikipedia anyway)
Firstly, that video’s pretty vintage cool but not keen on women in the bath. Sorry. Still this song is awesome surf rock goodness, which I believe is the second time in three songs I’ve used that description but I figure the description fits. In fact if I’d known this song existed before this Summer, this probably would’ve been the soundtrack to it. It’s so upbeat, I love it.
83. Franz Ferdinand – The Fallen (2006)
I guess if you asked most people to name a Franz Ferdinand song they’d go with Take Me Out or Do You Want To?, but for me there’s one Franz Ferdinand song which surpasses the others. This one, it kinda feels like the mark where Franz Ferdinand really started to go downhill for me – as soon as I heard it, nothing which followed matched it. Shame, seeing as it was the first song on the album.
82. Modest Mouse – The World at Large
So the current Youtube debate going on in this video’s comments section is about Hitler and war and like, I have enough of that going on in one of my essays. It’s reminding me that this list is pure procrastination to keep me from doing that. Anyway the song itself? Beautiful, Modest Mouse always have brilliant lyrics. This had better get played when I see them at Electric Ballroom.
81. Mumford and Sons – Little Lion Man (2009)
I’ve been listening to Mumford and Sons for a while now, and I’m really glad they seem to be getting the acclaim they undoubtedly deserve. They seem a more upbeat version of Johnny Flynn and Laura Marling, and the comparison is pretty much inevitable seeing as they’ve all been known to tour with each other. Mumford and Sons were Marling’s backing band for a while and it’s nice to see them come out of her shadow to prove they’re just as good. Also the build-up from about 2.48 onwards is rather bloody breathtaking.
Overall I think this has been a pretty brilliant decade for music, and I couldn’t round this list to 100. So yeah, these are my Top 101 singles of the decade (songs which’ve only been released on single, if it was from albums this would be a Top 1000). I’ve tried to make it as eclectic as possible, but sorry I just don’t like metal so you’re probably not gonna find any of that here. Anyway enjoy, agree, disagree and eagerly await just as good stuff in the 2010s.
101. The Little Ones – Lovers Who Uncover (2006)
Kicking off this list is this clap-happy little gem from The Little Ones, a band I never heard of again after this song. Lovely little song, and it incorporates clapping. Clapping! Brilliant to listen to in Summer, even if they failed to make any impact afterwards.
100. Scissor Sisters – Laura (2003)
Scissor Sisters seem to be one of those “love them or hate them” bands and for the most part, I’m on the hate side of that debate. This song however had me divided, mainly because it’s pretty damn good and although most of the time Scissor Sisters are, to quote Janis Ian, too gay to function the piano in this is ridiculously good and makes you wonder how they could make one pretty brilliant song and a steaming pile of shit known as the rest of their discography.
99. The Violets – Troubles of Keneat (2007)
When The Long Blondes came back with their Blondie-inspired second album in 2008, it mostly fell flat with long-time Long Blondes fans such as myself as well as any new people. It really had a lack of any song which immediately made you think “wow!” – they should have aimed to make something a bit like this. Sounding like a mix of 1st and 2nd album Blondes, as well as Blondie, Troubles of Keneat is a hidden riot of lust with a stormer of a bassline. Not to be missed, but unfortunately everyone did.
98. Beyonce – Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It) (2008)
The first of many Beyonce appearances in this list, Single Ladies joins Irreplaceable in Beyonce’s repetoire of female anthems. With a simple but completely effective video, Beyonce reset the tone in which her videos and following singles were to live up to – they haven’t yet (though Sweet Dreams came kinda close) because when you match dance moves like that with a song as fierce as this, it’s pretty, ahem, irreplaceable. Just one question – it’s Beyonce, why the hell wouldn’t you put a ring on it?!
97. The Vines – Get Free (2002)
Remember when people liked The Vines? Yeah, that was fucking ages ago and it was pretty much down to this song. A rock anthem of the early noughties from their only good album, this kicks all kinds of ass and angrily rides into the sun.
96. Christina Aguilera – Beautiful (2002)
Unfortunately not the Damien from Mean Girls version, this was the second single to be released back when she was being Xtina Schlaaaguilera with all that dirrty with two “r”s stuff (more about that further in the list). With a supposedly controversial video for no real reason other than showing what America can’t handle, this is possibly her at her most vulerable and one of her best.
95. The Flaming Lips – The W.A.N.D. (2006)
Has anyone on Jools Holland ever performed with a giant pair of hands, or is this privilege limited to Wayne Coyne? Pretty ferocious bassline, pretty fantastic.
94. The Mae Shi – Lamb and the Lion (2008)
This makes me want to buy a Samsung, that Samsung advert makes life look so much niftier than it is. A brilliant introduction to a less than stellar album, if they ever played it even in indie clubs I would dance like a lunatic. Alas, they do not.
93. Editors – The Racing Rats (2007)
Editors and I have a difficult relationship. I find them pretty good, but I never have an urge to seek out any of their albums even if they do make a good few singles here and there. Probably more epic than Munich is this song, the third off their An End Has a Start album and my favourite Editors track.
92. Bat for Lashes – Sleep Alone (2009)
Like the lovechild of Bjork and Tori Amos (and not Stephen K Amos like I almost wrote, although that would be interesting), primary school teacher turned amazing raconteur Natasha Khan – known to most as Bat for Lashes – released a second brilliant album this year, and this is one of my favourites off it. Am I hearing perfection? Uhm yeah, sounds a bit like perfection yes.
91. Amerie – 1 Thing (2005)
To be honest it’s a good job I wasn’t allowed to go to clubs in 2005 because if this song came on, I’d probably be an embarassment. Amazing rhythm, brilliant voice, and while I may be gay I can appreciate when a woman has an amazing pair of legs. Hi Amerie, you could’ve been the new Beyonce if everything you followed this up with wasn’t complete shit.
Could this year’s Strictly line-up look any more dull? No singers, no real personalities (that I can see), no GMTV people who can’t dance, and a bunch of people who I barely even recognise. So here’s my guide to who’s good, who’s bad, and who I couldn’t give two shits about (the majority):
The Good
Who doesn’t love Williams sisters-hater Martina Hingis? It’s quite refreshing to have a tennis player who looks like they’d do pretty well and she is with Matthew Cutler so I’m already prepared to root for her. That, and when asked about her rivalry with Anna Kournikova she once commented: “What rivalry? I win all the matches.” Bitchy, I loves it! Just don’t let her near the coke!
Craig Kelly was Vince on Queer as Folk which was awesome, and he’s gonna be with Flavia so they should be quite good. However he looks nowhere near as good as he used to, and I doubt he’s as sweet and endearing as his character was.
I quite like Natalie Cassidy and I’m sure she and Vincent are gonna be fun together but let’s face it, she’s not winning.
That’s it. That’s literally it.
The Bad
It was probably too much to root for Erin Boag to get a good partner after she should’ve won with Austin last year, but why’ve you gotta put her with Ricky Groves? WHY? Garry’s so useless in Eastenders, and Ricky’s probably gonna be useless at a cha cha. And this probably means there’ll be more endless Kara Tointon in the audience shots. Still, at least Kara’s not competing.
Speaking of people who I hate on soap operas, Becca Dean’s death on Hollyoaks was actually pretty satisfying because I thought she was generally dreadful, a total drip, and I didn’t buy into that redemption arc they came up with just before they killed her off. If anything I felt worse for Nancy. Anyway my friend once commented that she looks a bit like a fish and ever since then she’s been Fishface. Now she’s on The Bill being PC Fishface, and in September actress Ali Bastian who played her is going to be doing her thing on Strictly with laaaavely Brian Fortuna. Once I seperate the actress from her character I might like her, but for the first few weeks she’s going to be Becca.
They couldn’t have got Louise instead?!
I HATE PHIL TUFFNELL and for that reason I’ll probably end up hating this Katya woman too.
When will the world realise that Ricky Whittle is not that hot? They couldn’t have got Rob Kazinsky instead? Anyway, he’s gonna be with one of the new bitches and I’m gonna be bored.
I don’t know who Jade Johnson is, but I originally read it as Jade Ewen and thought “hmm, that could be fun!”. So due to my disappointment at it not being Jade Ewen, I am not supporting Jade and Ian. A bit like last year when I realise Lisa Snowdon and Lisa Tarbuck are different people.
Does being the ex-wife of a Rolling Stone really mean you’re eligible to be on Strictly Come Dancing? Jo Wood doesn’t even have a Wikipedia page, and I hate Brendan so can these two be first out please? (And what the hell is up with her face?)
Don’t Know or Don’t Care
I don’t mind Lynda Bellingham but I don’t have much desire to see her dance, and unless he’s with Letitia Dean Darren generally annoys me. They couldn’t have got Jane McDonald in? That would’ve been fun at least!
Who the hell is Rav Wilding? He’s gonna be with new pro Aliona Vilani. And can Ola just not catch a break, looks like she has another duffer in the shape of this Chris Hollins (who?) man.
Richard Dun-who?-dy. Why are these new girls getting alright partners, and Lilia’s getting stuck with oldies. Is she the new Karen? I WANT MORE LILIA!
Hello BBC, you are aware not everyone watched Footballers’ Wives right? That being said, I do remember Zoe Lucker from a few episodes of Bad Girls back in the day, and maybe she could get James Jordan to do somewhat succesfully for once. Unless he’s still a prick. And as much as everyone goes Poor Anton, I’m gonna go for Poor Laila Rouass because if she’s a good dancer, with Anton’s Latin she doesn’t have a hope in hell.
I don’t really have any opinion on Joe Calzaghe, but I hope he’s good because I like Kristina.
Have I missed anyone?
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I miss Karen’s crazy face, and I miss Arlene. At least we’ve got rid of Camilla and her frightening face. But seriously, this line-up is so underwhelming.
I’ll probably do something similar to do with Dancing With the Stars because let me tell you, their line-up is AWESOME.
I could be forgiven for initially being sceptical about the latest Tarentino film, Inglourious Basterds. I generally think Brad Pitt’s an asshole and I’m not really a fan of war movies but since it’s a Tarentino film, I can’t not have seen it. So I did it, and of course I ended up loving it.
It certainly helps that the advertising was rather misleading – I was led to believe that the film was all about the infamous Nazi-slaying basterds, but if anything Brad Pitt and his men (including Tarentino’s friend and fellow director Eli Roth) take a supporting role to Melanie Laurent’s Shoshana, a Jewish woman living in France under a false alias who has come into the ownership of a picture house. Her story, much like The Bride of Kill Bill, is one of revenge – her family were brutally murdered by the somewhat flamboyant Colonel Hans Landa, played to perfection by Christoph Waltz. A scene which sees these two characters meet, set in a Parisian restaurant and focusing on strudel, is possibly the most tense scene of the film – ironic in a film based on spaghetti-westerns.
Brad Pitt was still excellent, but replaceable. Laurent and Waltz couldn’t have been replaced, and the film really benefitted from having relative unknowns in these two roles – roles which really, give them some Oscar noms Academy!
The Tarentino quirks only benefitted the film, and gave me a feeling while in the cinema of an old acquaintence. His always unique opening film credits, close ups of seemingly insignificant items such as a pipe, and brilliant cinematography and effects especially towards the end in scenes set at Shoshana’s picture house.
In terms of Tarentino, for me nothing comes close to the Kill Bill movies but I had my expectations fully beaten watching this. Almost as good as Pulp Fiction, and better than his other works Tarentino has made what I thought would be a disappointing war film to a marvellous and witty take on the film industry and Nazi France in the 40s, and I fully recommend dishing out the £4.90 (I love you student discount) to go see it.
I got a bit fed up of doing that whole Week That Was stuff, it’s not as fun writing them when I feel like I necessarily have to. Unfortunately I do seem to have neglected this blog a bit, but there’s just not much going on the Summer.
First a public appeal to see if anyone knows who did this remix (Spotifylink) of “My Heart Rate Rapid” by Metronomy because it says next to it that it’s the radio edit, and it’s clearly not. However it is one of the sounds of my Summer (the Summer after it was released, go figure) so y’know, it’d be nice to know who’s responsible for it.
There’s a band called Laurel Collective who I’m mildly intrigued about, and I can’t decide if I like them or not. “No Pirates Left” is pretty good.
Speaking of pirates, I can’t be the only one hoping that when the vampire trend gets staked (hopefully after True Blood finishes, because True Blood is made of win) that hopefully pirates will come back in style. Or did TV writers miss their chance after Pirates of the Carribean finished? Still, if someone decides to make a TV series about pirates I’m on board. It couldn’t be worse than The Tudors.
Jaime Murray’s pronunciation of “Dextaaahr” is probably one of the best things about Season 2 of Dexter. I’m on episode 8 of the 2nd season and Lila is arguably a psycho, but I still don’t get why she is so slated on TWoP. Granted I can see where the character is annoying but she’s hardly the worst character on the show (hello, Doakes!) and she’s one of the main reasons Season 2 is so good. Plus, Rita was (and still is) working my last nerve.
La Roux’s album is shit.
Oh em gee, it’s not long until Strictly 2009 – although with Alesha as a judge, it could be even worse than the borefest that was Strictly 2008. Although this could easily be avoided if they go with my suggestions…
Posted by olaulau 
Posted by olaulau 
Posted by olaulau 
