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Since it's getting to 'that-time-of-year', I felt like doing a run-down of my top ten albums from 2009. I was going to do a mini review for each of them, but then I thought that's gonna take up too much time & effort. So all I've done is summed up the album in a few words or phrases and pin-pointed my personal favorite tracks.
Enjoy.
10. Self Titled Album - The Audition
In a nutshell: upbeat, impressive vocals from Danny, energetic, breakdowns, multiple opertunities for sing-alongs, ultra catchy and crowd pleasing.
Best tracks: The Way You Move, My Temperature's Rising, It's Gonna Be Hard (When I'm Gone), Los Angeles
9. New Again - Taking Back Sunday
In a nutshell: heavier than 'Louder Now', fast-paced, edgy, perfect on a summer's day, lovely contrast between slower/heavier songs
Best tracks: Sink Into Me, Cut Me Up Jenny, Summer, Man
8. The Bachelor - Patrick Wolf
In a nutshell: electro, harpsichordaliscious, violins, folk-esque, piano, gorgeous layers of sound, uplifting,
Best tracks: Vulture, The Messenger, Oblivion
7. Corporate Flesh Party - My Passion
In a nutshell: slick electro-rock, catchy, masses of energy, like a private goth-disco in your ears, plenty of synth and crunching guitars
Best tracks: Play Dirty, Never Everland, Hot In The Dolls House
6. The Best In Town - The Blackout
In a nutshell: fast-paced, dual vocals mixing clean and scream, grinding guitars, gang vocals, easy to imagine being played live, heaps of energy,
Best tracks: Save Ourselves (The Warning), ShutTheFuckUppercut, The Fire
5. Knives - Aiden
In a nutshell: quick to the kill, furious, intense, emotive vocals from wiL, aggressive, fuck-you-fuck-religion-fuck-everyone attitude, dark lyrics and a release for anger
Best tracks: Let The Right One In, Crusifiction, The Asylum, King On Holiday
4. This Is War - 30 Seconds To Mars
In a nutshell: epic, intense, flawless vocal performance, wonderful atmophere, inspiring lyrics, groups of child singers, chilling and the potential to sound mind-blowing live
Best tracks: Night of The Hunter, Kings and Queens, Closer To The Edge
3. The Fame Monster - Lady GaGa
In a nutshell: radio-friendly, gothic inspired beats, heavy disco sound, emotional, stunning vocals, layers, darker and a bigger departure to 'The Fame'
Best tracks: Bad Romance, Monster, Dance In The Dark, Teeth
2. Attics To Eden - Madina Lake
In a nutshell: heavy guitars, more 'grown up' than the first cd, catchy melodies, inspiring lyrics, bright sound, programming adds intense layers, impressive vocal range
Best tracks: Legends, Not For This World, Welcome To Oblivion, Statistics
1. Wake Up The Sleepers - Kill Hannah
In a nutshell: intense, beautiful, heartbreaking, dark yet optimistic, range emotion in Mat's voice, emotionally heavy, surprising amount of danceable tracks, energy, inspiring and oppertunity to sound more brilliant live
Best tracks: Snowblinded, Mouth To Mouth, Escape Artistry, Laika
'Japanese Girl' - Metro Station
Ah, Metro Station. I remember the almost-month-long obsession I had with you back in the summer, such wonderful times. But now I'm baffled as to WHY I've chosen this time of year to get that MS bug. I see MS as more of a summer-y band, with their bright pop-synth melodies and catchy lyrics, so to be 'obsessed' with them in the winter is worrying. I blame the music ADD.
But anyway, this song - I actually love it. It just seems so much more catchier and danceable than some of their other songs. Although it might be the fact that this is a brand new song that hasn't been around for two years before being released in the UK.
And I know a lot of people slag Metro Station off and don't class them as a 'rock band' because of the connection to all things Miley Cyrus, but regardless of this I love me some 'shitty' pop-rock bands!
(For the record: Mason > Trace)
Do enjoy!
Lazy Sunday today. I'm re-dying my hair and trying to get as much textiles work done as I can before Thursday's deadline. Here's a bunch of stuff I found that wouldn't be too out-of-place on my Christmas list:
- Knitted penguin jumper (so cute!!)
- Anna Sui "Flight of Fancy"
- Alligator ring
- "Wake Up The Sleepers" by Kill Hannah
- The Big Bang Theory season 2
- White blond extensions (single strip x4)
- Leg warmers
- Buckle & lace shoes
- Owl ring
Since I mentioned it yesterday, I've had the sudden urge to watch Gossip Girl season 1 all over again. I kinda miss it. Don't get me wrong, the new season's wonderful but there seems to be a lack of bitching, back-stabbing and general OMG-ness. And I'm developing this thing against Vanessa, and I don't know why. But regardless, I think the stylist is doing a great job although...
Jenny Humphrey's style feels a bit too much like Taylor Momsen's rather than a grown-up Jenny. I get that she had this big change during season 2, but come on, how many schools (even though it is a tv show) would let girls wear shorts, fish-nets and heels? Left: Taylor off screen. Right: Taylor as Jenny
Left: This one isn't all that bad, I like the shades of grey and the jacket/waistcoat is quite nice, those shoes - I want. And although she is wearing tights, the dress could be a little longer.
Right: I don't mind this outfit, teaming a leather jacket with a dress is a big thumbs up from me, and the shoes and accessories work well, but maybe a pair of tights would make an improvement.
This outfit I do really like. I actually wore something similar back in October when I could get away with wearing tights outside without freezing. (Switching fishnets for plain black tights.) I like the colour coordination of the blues, with the tie, the skirt and the long sleeved top. The fishnets...eh, maybe they're not so bad in this case since the skirt's longer than the shorts in the picture above. I also like the idea of layering necklaces over a tie, it works really well, as does having the bracelets over the sleeve. Shoe boots and big slouchy bag? Double thumbs up.
I might post more stuff like this as and when I find things to write about (:
In a word, Saturday was EPIC. I'm not lying when I say this: it was by far the best gig I've ever been to. Despite feeling sick through all of the support bands and having to put up with back-ache, I'd do it all over again. Managed to get right up front and stayed there all the way through the show, until Kev crowd surfed over me during the last song, 'Remember Me', and I got tangled up in the mic wire and dragged over the other side of the stage. Good times!Somehow, three shirts got ripped. Kev's was first to get ruined, then Mike's (as in original singer Mike!) and even Harry couldn't escape the wrath of the hands. There were numerous times when Harry and Kev came up to the barrier and hung over the crowd, and I had to hold them up with my hand. And I never thought I'd enjoy hearing a Britney Spears song so much. The 'Everytime' cover had to be one of the highlights of the night. They played a bunch of new songs including a brand new one which I think was called 'Joanna', but don't quote me on that.
(EDIT: it's actually called 'Black Summer'.) Unfortunately, there was a 10pm curfew, so the encore was cut short ('Let It Go' didn't get played. Sad face.) and security tried to get us all out as quick as. Did manage to meet Paul outside of the academy afterward, he signed our tickets but didn't get a photo. Oh well. He said they'll announce more dates in a few weeks, and I see no reason why they wouldn't come back to Newcastle. If every gig's as insane as Saturday's, they should come back every week.
Insert photo spam......NOW.
Kev
Harry in the pit during 'Heroes'
Mike
Mike and Harry
Harry, Andy, Lewis
I'll try uploading a video later.
Quick, quick, quick.
Guess who's going to see Lady GaGa next year? Didn't manage to buy tickets from the box office, but ebay was the silver lining; despite the tickets costing about double the original face value. Utter rage. But at least we're going, and in the Golden Circle no less. Also bought tickets for AFI. So, so, so excited. Found out that HIM are playing in March next year. Oh my effing Jesus shitting chirst on a bicycle! Diez. I have to go, no question about that.
This Saturday is Yashin. I honestly cannot wait, they've promised this show is going to be epic. It is their second last show of the year after all. I do a write up next week, if I'm not too bogged down with work. Ugh FML.
Listening to: all my AFI songs on shuffle
Reading: The Kite Runner
Currently caught in a twitter flurry with Si, Toni and Syb, talking about the concerts we're going to next year. This week I've added two more shows to my list, one of which I only found out about last night and I swear I stopped breathing for a moment. All the excitement aside, the three that I know the price for are going to set me back almost £60. This makes me a little sad on the inside, but then I think about the amazingness of what I'm paying for and then...it's a little less painful.
First-new-show-to-be-added-to-my-list: Lady Gaga.
Yes. Honestly. Fer realzies. I'm being dead serious, I want to go see Lady Gaga. She's my guilty pleasure that I feel not-even-guilty-in-the-slightest about. This show is the most painful for me to think about cost-wise, just under £30 it's costing me. GDI Gaga, why must you be so damn expensive?! Sad face. But at least I'm not one of these uber-fans forking out nearly 300 quid for a Meet and Greet, Golden Circle ticket, tour laminate, her new CD and pre-show hospitality, amongst other things. Not saying that wouldn't be amazing, I just don't have that amount of money to spend on one show. Though if people do have that kind on money, kudos to them. I am quite jealous. My friend and I decided that Meet and Greets are good though, 'specially in this case, I mean it's not like Gaga's gonna come out the back after the show is it? She'd probably get mobbed by fans, pinned to the floor and someone would try and feel her up to see if she does actually have a penis. Which, she won't have. I think.
NEXT BAND PLEASE!
Before I get into this, I need to walk you through this, then describe my reaction. Clears throat. Wandered onto the KHK forum. Saw the last post which was just a small list of dates. Looked down the list. See "11/4 Newcastle Academy". Stopped moving. Eyes widen. Zombie for a moment. Start saying "Oh my god" at the screen. Volume increases. Shout "OH MY GOD ANDREW" to my brother sat in his room. Reply "Whaaat?" Answer "OH MY GOD!!" Reply "What?!" Scramble off bed and run into brother's room. Dramatic pause. "Next year. 11th of April. Newcastle Academy...AFI!!"
That's right bitches, A-F-fucking-I !! I'm too excited for words. It also helps that I'm really into them at the moment, since the release of Crash Love, I've rediscovered how amazing they are. I tend to go through periods of obsessing over one band, then moving on like a week later. Must be some form of music ADD. Proof: end of September through to the middle of October, Kill Hannah. One week was Madina Lake. Next week, Kill Hannah again. Week after, AFI. Two days last week were dedicated to Lady Gaga. The day after was My Chemical Romance day. Half of yesterday was for Lostprophets and the rest for AFI. Just like now. And yes, I realise that's an old photo of AFI, circa 2006 I believe. But yknow what? I don't care. I miss Daveina like a fat man misses chocolate. I'm close to going way off topic here, so AFI!! I can't wait! I'm so excited! FER REALZIES! Seriously though, AFI haven't done a UK headlining tour since...oh, probably '06 when Decemberunderground came out, so I'm one happy little pink haired person right now.
So much so, that I'm considering joining The Despair Faction. Only thing I'm iffy about is I have to pay $29.99 to join. However, I do get a membership pack thing, with a poster, arm band, membership card, sticker, badge and tshirt. I don't know, I also get the opportunity for pre-sale tickets and all other good things, so maybe I will. And I've just realised how much of a tight-wad I sound now. I'm in pain at the fact that three shows are costing almost £60, I dislike the ticket price for Gaga and I'm iffy about paying to join a fan club. Oh, it's just like when I saw the prices for Lostprophets, £22.50. Hello? Are you fer realzies? There's only balcony seats left now though and that is just a big no-no. I refuse to be sitting down at ANY show. Only as a last resort. Like, if AFI somehow only have seating tickets left, I will go. Just because it's AFI. But I won't let that happen, if I join DF I might even get some pre-sale tickets. Eyebrow movement.
The twitter flurry has died down now, so maybe I should go do my Literature homework. But I really don't want to. Still looking at The Kite Runner. It's not really having an impact, idk why. Maybe it's the whole setting and concept of it. It's just too...yknow, I honestly don't know how to explain it. The fact that it's set around the time of the Afghan war, includes something about Russians and people moving to America just doesn't appeal to me. Maybe that's it. I don't know. If I figure it out, this blog will be probably one of the last to know. Sorry blog. And I have to do an exam on the fucking thing. Urgh. FML.
