Showing posts with label The National. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The National. Show all posts
04 January 2011
13 December 2010
The Scottish Blogger and Music Sites Award (The Scottish BAMS) 2010
It's that time of year again where it seems as if every other day there's another album of the year list being announced. Well kids, here's the list you've all forgotten about, it's the return of the BAMS. For those of you who don't already know, the Scottish BAMS Award was a wee idea I devised last year to poll all of the bloggers and music sites that I could find, to find the 'definitive' album of the year. Last year I had around 30 entrants take part, this year I have nearly doubled that total with almost 60 entrants submitting their lists. Here's a roll call of all of the different sites that took part in this years vote...Timothy London, Jock N Roll, The Daily Dose, Resound Scotland, The Steinberg Principle, Dauphin, Hercules Moments, Argos Barks, The Web Is Not A Cold Dead Place, The Tidal Wave Indifference, Ed Rock, Off the Beaten Tracks, Found In Sound, Elba Sessions, Kowalskiy, Have Fun At Dinner, Ayetunes, Edinburgh Man, 17 Seconds, Scots Whay Hae, Open Till Midnight, Products of a Gaseous Brain, The Spill, Last Years Girl, Is This Music, JockRock, Dear Scotland, Manic Pop Thrills, Favourite Son, Peenko, Jim Gellatly, My Portis Wasp says, Never Make Friends, Detour, Jenny Soep, Net Sounds Unsigned, Listen Before You Buy, Song By Toad, The Daily Growl, Earz Mag, Glasgow Podcart, Rokbun, The Pop Cop, Pin Up Nights, Traffic Cone Music, Radar and Blueback Hotrod.
A fine array of sites if ever I saw one, almost as impressive as the list of albums below. In 2009, things went right down to the wire with the Phantom Band pipping Animal Collective at the last. This year we had a clear winner, which I am sure will surprise few. The Scottish Bloggers and Music Sites album of the year is none other than The National with High Violet. A deserved winner I am sure you'll agree.
Having pestered the bands PR and management, I managed to get word to the band that they had been voted as this years BAMS. They're men of few words, but here's what they had to say
"That's great news. Thanks for the support!"
Next year I think I'll get a trophy made up, that way the winner will be forced to talk to me... They will talk to me, right?!? Anyway, as I am sure you'd prefer it if I stopped talking, here's the Top 30 albums in full
1. The National - High Violet
2. Admiral Fallow - Boots Met My Face
3. Meursault - All Creatures Will Make Merry
4. Frightened Rabbit - The Winter of Mixed Drinks
5. Kid Canaveral - Shouting at Wildlife
6. The Phantom Band - The Wants
7. The Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
8. The Last Battle - Heart of the Land, Soul of the Sea
9. Broken Records - Let Me Come Home
10. Bronto Skylift - The White Crow
11. Beach House - Teen Dream
12. The Fire & I - Stampede Finale
13. Sufjan Stevens - Age Of Adz
14. Deerhunter - Halcyon Digest
15. Best Coast - Crazy For You
16. Mitchell Museum - The Peters Port Memorial Service
17. Teenage Fanclub - Shadows
18. The Scottish Enlightenment - St Thomas
19. Joanna Newsom - Have One On Me
20. Jonsi - go do
21. RM Hubbert - First & Last
22. Errors - Come Down With Me
23. Laura Marling - I Speak Because I Can
24. Sleigh Bells - Treats
25. The Boy Who Trapped The Sun - Fireplace
26. Micah P Hinson and the Pioneer Saboteurs
27. Bruce Springsteen - The Promise
28. How To Swim - Retina (Or More Fun Than A Vat Of Love)
29. Gorillaz - Plastic Beach
30. Silver Columns - Yes and Dance
2. Admiral Fallow - Boots Met My Face
3. Meursault - All Creatures Will Make Merry
4. Frightened Rabbit - The Winter of Mixed Drinks
5. Kid Canaveral - Shouting at Wildlife
6. The Phantom Band - The Wants
7. The Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
8. The Last Battle - Heart of the Land, Soul of the Sea
9. Broken Records - Let Me Come Home
10. Bronto Skylift - The White Crow
11. Beach House - Teen Dream
12. The Fire & I - Stampede Finale
13. Sufjan Stevens - Age Of Adz
14. Deerhunter - Halcyon Digest
15. Best Coast - Crazy For You
16. Mitchell Museum - The Peters Port Memorial Service
17. Teenage Fanclub - Shadows
18. The Scottish Enlightenment - St Thomas
19. Joanna Newsom - Have One On Me
20. Jonsi - go do
21. RM Hubbert - First & Last
22. Errors - Come Down With Me
23. Laura Marling - I Speak Because I Can
24. Sleigh Bells - Treats
25. The Boy Who Trapped The Sun - Fireplace
26. Micah P Hinson and the Pioneer Saboteurs
27. Bruce Springsteen - The Promise
28. How To Swim - Retina (Or More Fun Than A Vat Of Love)
29. Gorillaz - Plastic Beach
30. Silver Columns - Yes and Dance
Ian from the Have Fun At Dinner blog has taken the time to knock up this week Spotify playlist featuring the majority of the albums on this list. So if you're looking for a cracking wee soundtrack to your day, then look no further.
Lastly, I would just like to take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone who took part in this years poll. Special thanks go out to Struan Teague for designing that sexy looking BAMS logo at the top of the page. He was kind enough to do that for us all for nowt, I am sure you'll agree that he's done us proud. Check out his website for more of his amazing work.
12 December 2010
Peenko's Albums of 2010
For months now I have been mulling over my albums of 2010, not that I think it matters much in the grand scale of things, but it means something to me. This year I have decided to make things a bit easier on myself, so instead of going for my top 50 as I had done for the past two years, I am going with just ten. That I am not diluting it too much, plus I won't be boring you all with a never ending list. So here we go, here are my personal favourite albums of this past twelve months.....
For years Edinburgh was deemed to be Glasgow's poorer cousin when it came to music. Music venues across the city seem to be dropping like flies, which is kind of ironic given the number of of amazing bands the city now has. One such act that really struck a chord with me this year were the foclk-rock outfit, the Last Battle, who's debut album, 'Heart of the Land, Soul of the Sea' lived up to a lot of the hype that surrounded them at the start of the year. The album was put out by my fellow blogger, Ed from 17 Seconds, and it's an absolute corker of a record.
The Last Battle - Lifejackets
8. Jónsi - Go
I may well predominantly blog about Scottish music, but that's not to say that I am not receptive to things from the outside world. Nowadays I am much more receptive to tip off's from my fellow bloggers and the like. This album came to my attention purely because Halina from Glasgow Podcart continued to rave about it so much on twitter that I couldn't not check it out
Having not been a massive fan of Sigur Ros, I was surprised just how much I liked this album. Although I have no idea what's being sung, it's a truly uplifting album that sucks you in and demands repeated listening. Gorgeous stuff.
Jónsi - Go Do
10. The Last Battle - Heart of the Land, Soul of the Sea
For years Edinburgh was deemed to be Glasgow's poorer cousin when it came to music. Music venues across the city seem to be dropping like flies, which is kind of ironic given the number of of amazing bands the city now has. One such act that really struck a chord with me this year were the foclk-rock outfit, the Last Battle, who's debut album, 'Heart of the Land, Soul of the Sea' lived up to a lot of the hype that surrounded them at the start of the year. The album was put out by my fellow blogger, Ed from 17 Seconds, and it's an absolute corker of a record.The Last Battle - Lifejackets
9. Woodenbox With A Fistful Of Fivers - Home and the Wildhunt
This album actually passed me by when it first came out, it was only a few months after it's release that I bought it on a whim off ebay. More often than not my impulse purchases turn out to be pretty mince, but in this case I really felt as if I had struck gold. In 'Home and the Wildhunt' there are elements of folk, country and Americana, but for me this essentially a pop record a very good one at that.
Woodenbox With A Fist Full Of Fivers - Twisted Mile
Woodenbox With A Fist Full Of Fivers - Twisted Mile
8. Jónsi - Go
I may well predominantly blog about Scottish music, but that's not to say that I am not receptive to things from the outside world. Nowadays I am much more receptive to tip off's from my fellow bloggers and the like. This album came to my attention purely because Halina from Glasgow Podcart continued to rave about it so much on twitter that I couldn't not check it out
Having not been a massive fan of Sigur Ros, I was surprised just how much I liked this album. Although I have no idea what's being sung, it's a truly uplifting album that sucks you in and demands repeated listening. Gorgeous stuff.
Jónsi - Go Do
7. The National - High Violet
I think i was pretty much the only person that didn't rave abut this album when it first came out, on my first few listens it just didn't sit quite right with me. But seeing as everyone man and his dug, seemed to be creaming their pants over it, I persisted on with it. I am glad I did as once it 'clicked' I soon understood what all the fuss about and soon felt very foolish. I should also add that their concert in Glasgow the other week was by far and away the best gig I went to all year.
The National - Bloodbuzz Ohio
I think i was pretty much the only person that didn't rave abut this album when it first came out, on my first few listens it just didn't sit quite right with me. But seeing as everyone man and his dug, seemed to be creaming their pants over it, I persisted on with it. I am glad I did as once it 'clicked' I soon understood what all the fuss about and soon felt very foolish. I should also add that their concert in Glasgow the other week was by far and away the best gig I went to all year.The National - Bloodbuzz Ohio
6. The Scottish Enlightenment - St. Thomas
In terms of what's going in the music scene at the moment, there really is nobody else who sounds like the Scottish Enlightenment, to me their music is almost dream like. Having released their Little Sleep and Pascal EP's through the fabulous Armellodie Records, I must admit that I was already looking forward to the release of this album months before it came out. Let's just it didn't disappoint.
The Scottish Enlightenment - Little Sleep
In terms of what's going in the music scene at the moment, there really is nobody else who sounds like the Scottish Enlightenment, to me their music is almost dream like. Having released their Little Sleep and Pascal EP's through the fabulous Armellodie Records, I must admit that I was already looking forward to the release of this album months before it came out. Let's just it didn't disappoint.
The Scottish Enlightenment - Little Sleep
5. The Unwinding Hours - s/t
The demise of Aerogramme was a real loss to the Scottish music scene, so when Craig B and Iain Cook decided to make a come back with their new outfit, The Unwinding Hours, it was a more than welcome return. Their self titled album has the power to bring you to tears whilst also deafening you at the same time. That' s quite an achievement I'd say.
The Unwinding Hours - Knut
4. RM Hubbert - First & Last
So here's the album that really took me by surprise in 2010, not in a million years did I ever think that I would find myself raving about post-rock flamenco music based on songs about death and depression. I guess that's why I love doing what I do, yes the subject matter might sound pretty hard going, but in First & Last, Glasgow's very own RM Hubbert crafted an album of beauty, it was the CD that I always looked out for as my comfort album. Sometimes it is almost heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time, if you are looking for that little hidden gem of an album that might have passed you by, then look no further.
3. Admiral Fallow - Boots Met My Face
In Scotland we are pretty fucking spoiled with the number of amazing artists that we have, although it could be argued that we don't see these artists going on and breaking through to the 'mainstream'. Frightened Rabbit are the latest band to have started to make some headway nad gain the attention they deserve. In 2011, I fully expect Admiral Fallow to follow suit. 'Boots Met My Face' is absolute corker of an album,which is even more stunning when you see the band playing it love. Their sombre folk tunes are what the radio is crying out for, expect big things from this lot next year, they certainly deserve it.
Admiral Fallow - Subbuteo
The demise of Aerogramme was a real loss to the Scottish music scene, so when Craig B and Iain Cook decided to make a come back with their new outfit, The Unwinding Hours, it was a more than welcome return. Their self titled album has the power to bring you to tears whilst also deafening you at the same time. That' s quite an achievement I'd say.
The Unwinding Hours - Knut
4. RM Hubbert - First & Last
So here's the album that really took me by surprise in 2010, not in a million years did I ever think that I would find myself raving about post-rock flamenco music based on songs about death and depression. I guess that's why I love doing what I do, yes the subject matter might sound pretty hard going, but in First & Last, Glasgow's very own RM Hubbert crafted an album of beauty, it was the CD that I always looked out for as my comfort album. Sometimes it is almost heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time, if you are looking for that little hidden gem of an album that might have passed you by, then look no further.
3. Admiral Fallow - Boots Met My Face
Admiral Fallow - Subbuteo
2. Kid Canaveral - Shouting At Wildlife
'Be careful what you wish for', whoever came up with the phrase is an arse.
Last year at the Homegame Festival I vaguely remember berating David from Kid Canaveral about them not having an album for me to buy. At the time I remember staggering off, whilst David defended himself by pointing out that these things take time and they were working on it. In my Red-Stripe' fuelled state, I drunkenly dismissed this as pure laziness. Actually I don't think I ever apologised for that, so if you're reading this David, I am sorry. Not overly sorry, I should add as you still took fecking ages to get this out.
So I am sure you have already guessed, it was worth the wait and then some. In 'Shouting AT Wildlife', Kid Canaveral have crafted an album that is full of catchy little pop numbers, with a dry sense of wit. It's not all pop though, in 'Her Hair Hangs Down', the Kid's have produced one of the most beautiful songs you are likely to hear all year.
It's 'And Another Thing!!' that really does it for me though, I have listened to that song an unhealthy number of times this year, it is by far and away my tune of the year.
Kid Canaveral - And Another Thing!!
'Be careful what you wish for', whoever came up with the phrase is an arse.
Last year at the Homegame Festival I vaguely remember berating David from Kid Canaveral about them not having an album for me to buy. At the time I remember staggering off, whilst David defended himself by pointing out that these things take time and they were working on it. In my Red-Stripe' fuelled state, I drunkenly dismissed this as pure laziness. Actually I don't think I ever apologised for that, so if you're reading this David, I am sorry. Not overly sorry, I should add as you still took fecking ages to get this out.
So I am sure you have already guessed, it was worth the wait and then some. In 'Shouting AT Wildlife', Kid Canaveral have crafted an album that is full of catchy little pop numbers, with a dry sense of wit. It's not all pop though, in 'Her Hair Hangs Down', the Kid's have produced one of the most beautiful songs you are likely to hear all year.
It's 'And Another Thing!!' that really does it for me though, I have listened to that song an unhealthy number of times this year, it is by far and away my tune of the year.
Kid Canaveral - And Another Thing!!
1. The Phantom Band - The Wants
This might well have been a predictable choice for me as my album of 2010, but fuck me does it deserve to be sitting pretty at the top of the pile. The most exciting band in Scotland have followed up their debut album, 'Checkmate Savage' with an album which is superior on all counts.
If ever there was a sound of Scotland in 2010 then this would be it. In years to come I am sure that this will be held as a Scottish classic album, deservedly so. Here's hoping that they continue to produce an album as good as this every year.
If ever there was a sound of Scotland in 2010 then this would be it. In years to come I am sure that this will be held as a Scottish classic album, deservedly so. Here's hoping that they continue to produce an album as good as this every year.
21 November 2010
Weekly Round Up (21/11/10)
Monday - Kicking off the week the Scottish Enlightenment talked us through their amazing new album 'St. Thomas. The Plimptons also took on Fresh Meat action, in addition there was also The Sexual Objects session for Marc Riley.Tuesday - another cracking session from The Phantom Band
Wednesday - Let's Talk About Trees were my 42nd Scots Way-Hay club entrants
Thursday - there was even more Let's Talk About Trees this time it was a session for SubCity. On top of that I had a wee interview with my new partner in crime Halina Rifai as I got her to tell you a bit about our new venture, Olive Grove.
Friday - there were some cracking freebies, including stuff from French Wives, FOUND and Badly Drawn Boy.
Saturday - Meursault take on Daniel Johnston's 'Hey Joe' in We've Got It Covered.
News, gigs and any other gubbins......
The National are in Glasgow on Friday to play a show at the Academy, personally I can't wait for this one. Sadly if you haven't gotten yourself a ticket you're a bit stuff as the gig is sold out, you can however catch the band spinning some tunes at Pin Up Nights 7th birthday at the Flying Duck. Also playing live on the night are local starlets Skinny Villains, For Abel and Strawberry Ocean Sea.
Before I wrap things up for the week I just want to let you know about a wee project from a gentleman by the name of Jer Reid, who also plays in Issho Taiko Drummers. He is embarking on a project called the 'Winter Cycle', in which he plans to do a 31 day series of improvised duos with a different collaborator each day. He has arranged an array of artists to get on board with the project including Luke Sutherland, Rosalind Masson, RM Hubbert, Xana Marwick, Joseph L. Quimby Jr, Cheer, Christine DeVaney, Iain Campbell and Wounded Knee. The series of gigs kick off at midday from Sunday 5th December 2010 through until Tuesday January 4th 2011, with the majority of the gigs taking place at Stereo in Glasgow. Performances on December 25th, January 1st and January 2nd will be at the Flying Duck (man that is some dedication). Further details on the gigs can be found on his website.
30 October 2010
17 July 2010
05 May 2010
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