Here goes with part 24…I’m not even half way through this countdown yet and I’m amazed at how many tracks I’ve managed to rack up so far. I guess without calculation, I thought I’d be alot more limited than I actually am. That said, I’m still going to tread carefully and treat it as though every minute is of a incredibly high value.

79. The Velvet Teen – Radiapathy [2:32] [time remaining 704.59] (Drop IO) (Alt Link YSI)

This track takes me back to my time at university in Southampton, where I worked with a group of fantastic people at a local independent cinema. One of my good friends and colleagues made me mix CD one day (he made many greats, but this was the best) and it featured this track. I’d never heard of the band before, but became an instant fan. I’ve always been a fan of solid drum beats and gang vocals, both of which feature in this song. If you’re looking for something to add to a driving mix, I recommend this one highly, especially if like me, you’re fond of drumming on the steering wheel like a Dad.

Buy from HMV

80. Sleater-Kinney – Good Things [3:10] [time remaining 701:49] (Drop IO) (Alt Link YSI)

I’ve adored this band for a good number of years and think I always will. As for picking a favourite track from their extensive back catalogue, well, its not easy. I’m sure at least a few more of theirs will make this list, but for now, I’m picking one which still gives me shivers. Lyrically, I find it perfect: “Got this feeling when i heard your name the other day / couldn’t say it, couldn’t make it go away / it’s a hard place, can’t be friends, we can’t be enemies / it’s just too much, feel the weight crushing down on my face”. Its rare to find such genuine emotion in a vocal, but with this track, Sleater-Kinney capture it beautifully.

Buy from iTunes

81. Frightened Rabbit – Heads Roll Off [3:44] [time remaining 698:05] (Drop IO) (Alt Link YSI)

Frightened Rabbit’s 2008 release ‘The Midnight Organ Fight’ really struck a chord with me. It reminded me of albums I used to listen to when I was abit younger, but at the same time managed to sound completely current. Something within the lyrics strikes me as motivational or encouraging and although it sounds quite melancholic it tends to lift my mood with every listen.

Buy from Itunes

tbc…

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At some point this themed post will contain something I’m ACTUALLY guilty for liking. I promise…

But for now, I’m totally in love with this woman right now, I can’t imagine her doing anything badly for a considerable amount of time.

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2009 is over already? It doesn’t seem like long ago that I was writing my best of 2008 list and here I am again, doing the same for the final year of the noughties.

Like I said last year, I find these lists a real conversation starter, or argument starter considering none of us ever agree. But I’m going to stress that this is my personal top ten and I must admit, it was a tough choice…but here goes.

10. LILY ALLEN – IT’S NOT ME, IT’S YOU

Lily Allen’s second album didn’t grab me on first listen as it seemed like quite a weak effort in comparison to her first, but it became a grower within only a few weeks. Although as a package the sound is arguably more commercial, our countries favourite loudmouth definitely didn’t tame her lyrics or her attitude ensuring that the result is equally as edgy.

Buy on iTunes

9. YEAH YEAH YEAHS – IT’S BLITZ

At the start of 2009 I was incredibly excited about the amount of long awaited follow up albums from artists I value highly. None of which measured up to this one and none of which delivered as well. After several let downs, no names mentioned of course (ahem, Lady Sovereign), ‘Its Blitz’ was a breath of fresh air. From lead single, ‘Zero’ all the way through to album ender ‘Little Shadow’ this is the Yeah Yeah Yeahs at their best, still, three and a half albums on.

Buy on iTunes

8. BAT FOR LASHES – TWO SUNS

After such a wonderful and critically acclaimed debut, you would be forgiven for wondering whether Natasha Khan could have any creativity left. Of course she proved quite the opposite and showcased a second masterpiece which led publications such as Q magazine to describe her as the next Kate Bush. So ‘Two Suns’ may not have produced as many classic singles as ‘Fur and Gold’ but the ones it did will go down as indie classics, ‘Daniel’ for certain.

Buy on iTunes

7. BASEMENT JAXX – SCARS

The Kings of British dance returned with not one, but two albums this year. The first, ‘Scars’, is the only one of the two to make this list. This is an album full of tracks set to fill dance-floors across the world like only Basement Jaxx know how. As if thrillers such as ‘Raindrops’, ‘Scars’ and ‘Twerk’ weren’t enough the album also treated us to guest vocal spots from the likes of Kelis, Yo Majesty, Santigold, Lightspeed Champion and Yoko Ono. If it wasn’t for the album at number three in this list, it would be the most star studded release of the year without doubt.

Buy on iTunes

6. METRIC – FANTASIES

Why Metric aren’t bigger than they are has always been a little bit of a mystery to me. What more could you want from an indie band than incredibly catchy, hook driven tracks fronted by a talented (and attractive) female vocalist? Nothing right?? So why, 8 years on from the release of their first album, aren’t Metric more of a household name? Their 2009 release, ‘Fantasies’ only fueled that confusion further as from start to finish this album is a fantasy in itself.

Buy on iTunes

5. PASSION PIT – MANNERS

It took me a little longer than most to get into Passion Pit. Although their ‘Chunk of Change’ EP definitely touched me, with ‘Smile Upon Me’ and ‘Sleepyhead’ being the highlights, I wasn’t quite hooked. I listened to ‘Manners’ a few weeks after its release however and that was it, consider me a die hard fan. As a side-note, ‘Little Secrets’ also ranks extremely highly in my singles of the year listing, not that it does or will exist.

Buy on iTunes

4. MAJOR LAZER – GUNS DON’T KILL PEOPLE, LAZERS DO

A fictional character turned musical act made up of two class DJ’s such as Diplo and Switch? This was always going to be ideal really wasn’t it? Much like a couple of other entries within this list, Major Lazer’s debut features a number of brilliant guest vocalists (Santigold, Amanda Blank, Mr Vegas etc) but that is far from all its offering. For me this record has provided some of the hottest dance tracks of 2009 and some of the most creative remixes. ‘Pon De Floor’ has to be one of the best floor fillers of 2009 and has provided us with the greatest video also. If you haven’t seen it, check it out now. It’ll warm even the most frozen of evenings.

Buy on iTunes

3. N.A.S.A – SPIRIT OF THE APOLLO

This album truly does hold something for everyone. With guest performers as widely varied as Method Man to David Byrne and Kanye West to Amanda Blank this is like a non stop trip through my CD collection. And the best part? N.A.S.A don’t just rely on the star studded album credits to sell this record, its actually fantastic. The dream moment for me in particular is the collaboration with Kanye West, Karen O and Lykke Li on mid album track, ‘Gifted’. Pure perfection.

Buy on iTunes

2. FLORENCE AND THE MACHINE – LUNGS

Over the last two to three years, the U.K has been flooded with solo female artists. The majority of whom seem quite insignificant after the emergence of Florence Welch. Its been awhile since an album had me fully engaged with every track, but she managed it, on first listen no less. I’m not the only one infected by its brilliance either, as it spent five weeks at number 2 in the UK chart, kept off the top spot only by Michael Jackson. Even covering club classic, ‘You’ve Got The Love’ didn’t do Florence any harm, infact, it did quite the opposite as it has been recognised by many as one of the best cover versions we’ve seen in recent times.

Buy on iTunes

1. The XX – X

Without question, the strongest debut album to be released this year. There was a point where I questioned my motive for loving this album. Does knowing a couple of the bands members personally make me biased? Would I have loved it so much if I didn’t know them at all? In the correct order the answers are no and yes. This is a beautiful, atmospheric masterpiece and the band thoroughly deserve the recognition they have received this year.

Buy on iTunes

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So, Uffie’s back right?

I can’t decide if I’m a) excited about hearing her once long awaited album, or b) past the point of giving a fuck as its taken god knows how many years. I think the final nail in the coffin was the release of Ke$ha’s terrible single, ‘Tik Tok’ which made the majority of Uffie’s past fans do a double take to check it wasn’t her. Even when I realised it was some gross little girl doing her best rip off impression, I couldn’t help but be turned off Uffie even more.

There is a light somewhere in this dingey tunnel though and that is Uffie’s next single ‘MCs can kiss’ released in February 2010. If I said I didn’t find it even slightly catchy, I’d be lying.

Uffie - MCs can kiss (Zombie Disco Squad Remix) (Drop IO) (Alt Link YSI)

LINKS

Uffie’s Myspace

Zombie Disco Squad’s Myspace

Ed Banger Records

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Definitely a grower. I’m hooked.

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I don’t ever do this, but this song has been buzzing its way around my head for the last few days. Its not new, but its damn catchy and in my opinion, the best track Peter, Bjorn and John have created since ‘Young Folks’.

Peter Bjorn & John – Nothing to worry about (Drop IO) (Alt Link YSI)

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I’ve always had a massive soft spot for the original version of this track, so to find that its been covered by girl of the moment Ellie Goulding, well that was always going to be a treat. The track also features a chap called Erik Hassle, check him out HERE.

Erik Hassle & Ellie Goulding – Be Mine (Robyn Cover) (Drop IO) (Alt Link YSI)

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Another amazing video from the Major Lazer crew…

If you’re in the area, they hit Digital in Brighton on December 3rd, find out more HERE.

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‘Night of the Hornheadz’ is a monster of a track by the kings of bounce ‘Act Yo Age‘ and the king of everything else, ‘Drop the Lime‘. Now I know I’m a month late with this one as it was released back in October, but when you come across a video as cool as this one, there’s no such thing as being late…

Act Yo Age Feat. Drop the Lime – Night of the Hornheadz (Bird Peterson Remix) (Drop IO) (Alt Link YSI)

Download the full E.P from itunes HERE.

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Just like every blog writer, I get alot of e-mails from artists or their representatives asking that I feature their music. Unfortunately, I just don’t get time to read through all of them, let alone listen to the tracks they’re talking about. This isn’t through lack of care, I genuinely wish I had time to do it, because occasionally, you really do come across the odd gem you’ve never heard of.

No before I talk about the latest gem I’ve found, I want to tell you about what drew me in to listen to him in the first place. The e-mail about Terror Tone came from Ally at Spread The Noise, which if you don’t know, is a blog promotion service. He got my attention with the following opener…

“Hope all’s cool. Just went for my first haircut in China and the results are disastrous – my limited knowledge of Mandarin has left me with a Bowie-just-out-of-bed look. Not hot.”

Thank you Ally, as not only did you start my day off with a smile, you also made me want to read further and by doing so I’ve come across this rather good Canadian DJ called Terror Tone. His new E.P, ‘Badman Bounce’ is out now on Intellegenix and after listening to it for the past 20 minutes or so, I can vouch for the fact that its pretty awesome.

If you fancy a taster, check out the track below:

Terror Tone – Stash Box (Drop Io) (Alt Link YSI)

Buy the whole E.P HERE.

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