Sitting comfortably? I hope so. This is it, the opinion piece you’ve been waiting 10 years for… here is the (nowhere-near) definitive list of the films that truly embody the spirit of this quick, painful decade.

Yes, it may have been absmal, full of caution, panic and retrograde mentalities, but at least we’ve been rewarded by filmmakers with a feast of cinematic treats to sink our teeth into. This article barely skims the surface, refusing to purport to the final word on this contentious matter. The approach is far more scatter-shot… 

A film a year, and any that just missed the top spot.

So with all that said, tuck into a mince pie as I begin…

2000

Winner: Sexy Beast

The best British gangster film since The Long Good Friday, with one of the great modern villains. Don Logan, played by the notoriously capricious Ben Kingsley, is a dangerous mix of jealousy, paranoia and downward-spiralling temper. In a sizzling film blessed with a terrific cast on top form, Kingsley owns every scene… even when he’s not there.

Runners-up: Memento, In the Mood for Love, Battle Royale

2001

Winner: Mulholland Dr.

2001 was a fairly bloodless year for human stories, but that’s a charge that certainly can’t be levelled at Lynch’s Mulholland Dr. Adapted from what was originally planned to be a TV series, the result was a horrifically compulsive, compulsively horrific trip to the dark side of the human psyche, the kind that only Lynch can pull off. No other film of this decade has touched such a nerve with audiences, offering a mysterious puzzle-box that seems to only become more confusing and crpytic the harder we try to open it.

Runners-up: Donnie Darko, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Gosford Park 

2002

Winner: City of God

This Brazilian crime epic is as essential as your backbone. A sprawling tale that compels from start to circular finish, not only does it balance a bristling narrative intensity with a dreamy atmosphere, the film is a thought-provoking allegory of youth on the edge and running out of time. Beautiful cinematography belies the harsh reality that the characters are living through, and the idea of fate resonates long after the credits have ended. A real wake-up call.

Runners-up: Hero, Spiderman, Minority Report

2003

Winner: Oldboy

The Asian film of the decade needs little introduction. Pushing the limits of screen anguish to new levels, Choi Min-Sik gives his signature performance as a man imprisoned without reason, suddenly released and out for revenge. Excruciating and no-holds barred film-making it may be, but Oldboy manages to reach depths of emotion and unspoken human feeling that only Clint Eastwood’s Mystic River came close to matching.  

Runners-up: Mystic River, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Ong Bak

2004

Winner: Saw

A fantastic year for entertainment saw the release of the most influential horror film for twenty years. Looking back at it now, it’s still possible to see how this low-budget shocker spawned a massively lucrative global franchise and even a new genre, lovingly dubbed ‘torture porn’. The simplest movie on the list by far, Saw is just a downright belter, a brilliantly gruesome thriller and no bullshit horror flick for the ages. Forget the bloated pretenders to the crown, the original will always be the best. 

Runners-up: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Kung Fu Hustle, Team America: World Police

2005

Winner: A History of Violence

David Cronenberg’s subtle, menacing and typically peculiar thriller arrived in 2005 to great critical acclaim. Set in small town America, initially it seems to set itself up like a modern-day western. Being a Cronenberg though, it isn’t long before things starting hittng the fan and the traditional bonds that hold Viggo Mortenson’s family together unwind. A quiet, curious film that takes a delicate knife to any pre-conceptions.

Runners-up: Brokeback Mountain, Downfall, Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story

2006

Winner: Borat

Sacha Baron Cohen’s comedy sensation holds the honour of funniest film of the Noughties, amid a host of satiric rivals. Cohen’s masterful invention, Borat, is an offensive yet utterly loveable guy with enough abrasive naivety to get the most out of his US victims in this glorious mockumentary. If you haven’t watched it yet, stop reading now and go and hunt down the DVD. Even the disc menu is hilarious!

Runners-up: Pan’s Labyrinthe, Crank, Casino Royale 

2007

Winner: There Will Be Blood

Daniel Day-Lewis, in the performance of the decade, is simply incredible, what must be the film of the decade. There Will Be Blood is so colossal in proportions, so grand in its scale and pretensions, and so utterly remarkable in its power and incisive commentary that it is impossible not to be swept up in the hype upon viewing it the first time. And the second. And the third.

Runners-up: No Country for Old Men, The Host, The Lives of Others

2008

Winner: Hunger

A staggering work from the folks at Film4, this small masterpiece went largely unnoticed amidst the spectacle of greedy award-munching blockbusters. Recalling the last months of Bobby Sands, imprisoned IRA terrorist turned hunger-striker, the film has a fierce realism, yet unfolds at a whimsical pace, poetical in its surrealness and stage-like in its elocution. Desperate and persuasive, it still refuses to take sides.  

Runners-up: The Dark Knight, Let the Right One In, Gomorrah

2009

Winner: Up

Ending the decade on a much needed high note, this marvellous animated adventure takes the audience on an emotional journey. Dealing with life, love and death in a way that’s not only trueful but also positive and family-friendly is no small feat, but Up manages it with a tale brimming with colour and humour. Wonderous and truly original, its film a that really is for all ages and satisfies on the largest and most intimate of measures. See it!

Runners-up: Inglorious Basterds, The Hangover, The Hurt Locker

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100. Since I Left you – The Avalanches (2000) (The ultimate party album, made up of seemingly endless samples).

99. Turn out The Bright Lights – Interpol (2003) (Dark and bleak but these were not the simple Joy Division copyists they may have seemed to begin with).

98. Employment – Kaiser Chiefs (2005) (A catchy (some might say to a fault) and arresting debut album from post punk popstars named after an African football side).

97. Back To Black – Amy Winehouse (2007) (It’s amazing that this album did as well as it did, what with all the tabloid stories that plagued her (of her own doing of course). There is no denying the power of her voice or the brilliant production).

96. The Coral – The Coral (2002) (Fed off the Strokes success but kept true to their own unique and influential sound).

95. Faded Seaside Glamour – Delays (2003) (An often overlooked post Britpop, psychedelic triumph).

94. First Days of Spring – Noah and The Whale (2009) (Takes a traditional but overused theme and re-energizes it for the 21st century).

93. Modern Times – Bob Dylan (2006) (Bob’s work of the last ten years has been better than anything he’s done since the 70’s. Modern times was my favourite of the albums).

92. V – Johnny Cash (2006) (The moving final statement from Johnny Cash. Understated and magical).

91. An other cup – yusuf (2006) (After 30 years away Cat Stevens returned as Yusuf and it was as if he’d never been away. An Other Cup sounded beautiful).

90. Yours to Keep – Albert Hammond Jr (2006) (Solo album from The Strokes guitarist was better than most people would have thought. Packed with brilliant melodies).

89. Permission to Land – The Darkness (2003) (The Darkness were no joke, this had some of the biggest riffs this side of Back in Black).

88. Someone to drive you home – The Long Blondes (2006) (An album that obviously recalled Blondie but had so much more going on. Imagery plucked straight out of a film noir and some stunning melodies.)

87. Final Straw – Snow Patrol (2004) (One of the least cool bands of the decade, Snow Patrol may have spent the majority of it making sickly radio anthems but ‘Final Straw’ was an important, ambitious and heart warming stab at the big time.

86. Show Your Bones – Yeah Yeah Yeahs (2006) (Fever to tell was overrated – Their second album ‘Show Your Bones’ was their masterpiece.)

85. Discovery – Daft Punk (2001) (Faceless dance pioneers make the best party album of the decade).

84. Man In The Mirror – Rhymefest (2008) (Who would have thought a tribute album to the king of pop, produced by Mark Ronson would turn out to be the best hip hop mix tape of the decade? Obviously has new significance in light of Michael Jackson’s death but this was always stunning).

83. The Grey Album – Jay Z / Dangermouse (2004) Jay Z made two classic albums this decade but I prefer the dangermouse mix that gave Jay Z’s rhymes a more cohesive and imaginative backdrop).

82. You Are The Quarry – Morrissey (2004) (Morrissey’s return was triumphant, this decade saw the release of his best album since leaving The Smiths. Possibly the best comeback (of many) of the noughties.)

81. A Rush Of Blood To The Head – Coldplay (2002) (So Coldplay, like U2 before them, represent what a lot of people hate. Yes Coldplay made some terrible music this decade, but you cannot deny the influence this album had, you can hear it everywhere. And anyway, it features some jaw dropping songs, such as ‘Clocks’ and ‘The Scientist’. Underestimate this at your peril).

80. Colour it In – The Maccabes (2007) (This was a ramshackle debut made up of seemingly endless, brilliant singles.)

79. Michigan – Sufjan Stevens (2003) (Sufjan’s first grand opus was of a more restrained album than Illinoise, but no less effecting).

78. Be your own pet – be your own pet (2006) (Raw pop punk from a band that should have been much bigger than they were).

77. Summertime – The Drums (2009) (Technically this may be a ’mini’ album but I just had to include it – this band are without a doubt the ones to watch in 2010).

76. O – Damien Rice (2002) (Sombre and moving stuff from the Irish singer songwriter).

75. Crystal Castles – Crystal Castles (2008) (Innovative digi punk from two French weirdos. One of the few truly original records released this decade).

74. Only By The Night – Kings Of Leon (2008) (This album alienated their old fans and brought them twice as many new ones. To me it was a natural progression from Because of the times and their success was very well deserved. This was an album it was impossible to escape for a year).

73. I’m Wide Awake It’s Morning – Bright Eyes (2005) Bright Eyes reached a creative peak with this collection of modern folk songs).

72. A Grand Don’t Come For Free – The Streets (2004) (The 21st century concept album that could be enjoyed as a whole as well as listened to in pieces thanks to some brilliant singles. Who could forget the youthful vigour of ‘Fit But You Know It’ or the tender ‘Dry Your Eyes’).

71. Pearl Jam – Pearl Jam (2006) (Grunge rock survivors returned with a politically relevant and exciting album of rock songs. This band are true masters of their craft.)

70. Wolfmother – Wolfmother (2006) (packed with intelligent and heavy riffs, ‘Woflmother’ was better than any real metal album released in the last ten years).

69. Sams town – The killers (2006) (British 80’s pop was swapped for Americana rock on The Killers red white and blue album. Greatly underrated, this album was an ambitious, swooping stab at greatness that paid off with the band soon headlining festivals and playing arenas.

68. Kala – MIA (2007) (A Very brave album from one of the decades most innovative and exciting artists).

67. Teenager – The Thrills (2007) (As definitive an album of being a teenager as I’ve ever heard. The band showed great progression from their original surf pop sound).

66. Glasvegas – Glasvegas (2008) (The Scottish Band’s debut was prone to filler but 6 of these 10 tracks were as good as anything else this decade, and Daddy’s gone in particular was one of the most effecting songs released in ages.)

65. Boy In Da Corner – Dizzee Rascal (2003) (One of the few truly trend setting British artists of the decade, Dizzee was in a league of his own when he released Boy In Da Corner).

64. Volume One – She and Him (2008) (Who would have thought that actress Zoey Deschanel would have such a distinctive set of lungs. A very pretty album).

63. All Hour Cymbols – Yeasayer (2008) (Exploring world music and western pop, Yeasayer’s debut had a truly distinctive sound.

62. Get behind me Satan – The White stripes (2005) (The follow-up to Elephant shocked many people for it’s lack of guitar, but this was an equally stunning and even more jarring album.)

61. Cross – Justice (2007) (A Dance album that got comparisons to Daft Punk – this was better than anything they did this decade. Cross was as fun as they come).

60. Black Holes and Revelations – Muse (2006) (The Follow up to Absolution was paranoid and twitchy but it didn’t hold back on the massive tunes, and they don’t come bigger than ‘Knights of Cydonia’)

59. LCD Soundsystem – Lcd Soundsystem (2004) (James Murphy did some brilliant work with his DFA label, but his own debut set the tone for what was to come in terms of dance rock and Nu Rave. Great fun).

58. Neon Bible – The Arcade Fire (2007) (A snapshot of a scary post 9/11 world, Neon Bible was the paranoid follow-up to funeral that was instantly darker and more intense, but as a result a little less enjoyable).

57. College Dropout- Kanye West (2004) (The most consistently exciting and innovative hip hop artist of this (and maybe any other) decade. A magnificent showcase).

56. Thunder Lightning Strike – The Go Team (2005) (Cut up, Mashed, lo-fi madness. This sounded like a 70’s cop show theme mixed with just about every type of music known to man).

55. A Certain Trigger – Maximo Park (2005) (It feels like A Certain Trigger has gotten better with time, maybe it’s because it sounded so similar to many other albums released that year – it’s class is now obvious).

54. 21 – Mystery Jets (2008) (Who would have thought Mystery Jets would have produced an album like this after their bizarre debut. A pop gem).

53. Puzzle – Biffy Clyro (2007) (Biffy Gave Math Rock a much-needed facelift and introduced it to stadium rock and melancholy on Puzzle).

52. Age of The Understatement – Last Shadow Puppets (2008) (This wasn’t simply Arctic Monkeys with strings. The combination of Alex and Miles was genius and they produced a stunning debut album).

51.Youth and Young Manhood – Kings of Leon (2003) (The Southern Strokes were one of the most consistently enjoyable acts of the decade, releasing 4 amazing albums in the space of a few years. Their debut is still my favourite…just).

50. Untrue – Burial (2007) (A true innovator, dubstep surely has a much larger role to play next decade, this will be looked back upon as a big step forward).

49. The XX – The XX (2009) (A unique act with a unique vision. Dark and claustrophobic but extremely passionate).

48. Jacksonville City Nights – Ryan Adams (2005) (Of all the many albums Adam’s released this decade, Jacksonville City Nights Is my favourite. Alt Country at it’s purest and best).

47. Merriweather Post Pavilion – Animal Collective (2009) (Animal Collective were truly the leaders of the pack this decade in producing innovative and out there music but it was when they conceded some things to pop that they unleashed their best work.

46. Invincible – Michael Jackson (2002) (The Last album Michael Jackson released in his lifetime was not the grand finale it should have been. But in his death we can view the album with fresh eyes, and songs like ‘Speechless’ and ‘You are my Life’ take on new meaning and beauty. It may have been too long and overblown but at it’s best this album has moments to rival anything released by Justin Timberlake or Usher.)

45. Absolution – Muse (2003) (This album was built for stadiums, from the marching intro to the grand centrepiece of ‘Time Is Running Out.’ They went from strength to strength this decade, and show no signs of slowing down.

44. Hot Fuss – The Killers (2004) (Their influences were all British and mid 80’s but there was something warmly American and very cool about this Los Angeles band. Simply they had some of the best singles released in ages).

43. So Much For The City – The Thrills (2003) (The Killers were an American band who thought they were English and living in the 80’s. The Thrills were Irish thinking they were living in 1960’s California. Keeping up! A wonderful collection of timeless songs.

42. Give Blood – Brakes (2005) (Short. Simple. Stunning).

41. Do You Like Rock Music – British Sea Power (2008) (British Sea Power went full-out rock for their third album, but lost none of the fine eye for detail that had made their other albums so good).

40. Elephant – The White Stripes (2003) (After the raw intensity of White Blood Cells, Elephant was a much more considered and powerful beast. This was stacked with riff after riff, including the magnificent ‘seven nation army’)

39. Down in Albion – Babyshambles (2005) (This received mixed reviews at the time due to it’s shambolic production, lack of editing and tabloid lyrics. Overtime these things have become a part of it’s charm and it is now assuredly a classic album of it’s era).

38. Saturdays = Youth – M83 (2008) (A nostalgic throwback to the 80’s and teenage romance, this album arrived at just the right time and benefited from the shoe gaze revival).

37. Myths of the near Future – Klaxons (2007) (So New Rave was one of the decade’s biggest failures. After a lot of interest and early promise only this record by Klaxons could match the hype, and this wasn’t even new rave. Only a few songs on here show ed prominent dance influence, the rest of the album is more in keeping with space rock or prog traditions, although there was energy to spare).

36. Your New Favourite Band – The Hives (2004) (A throwback to the garage bands of the 60’s, The Hives were one of the key plays in the garage rock revival of the early noughties. Four of these songs are as good as anything the Strokes or White Stripes did and the rest is pretty good to boot).

35. You Could Have It So Much Better – Franz Ferdinand (2005) In many respects a better album than their debut. Franz thought out of the box with songs like ‘Walkaway’ whilst staying true to former glories with the likes of ‘Do you want to).

34. 808s and Heartbreaks – Kanye West (2008) This was a truly bold move from Kanye. The world was expecting and would have made done with another Graduation but this came completely out of nowhere. Steeped in sadness and tragedy, Kanye expressed his emotion through a vocoder and 808 drum machine. Stunning stuff).

33. Who Killed The Zutons – The Zutons (2004) (The Zuton’s debut has been forgotten in recent years, if The Zutons are talked of at all it’s usualy in reference to the Amy Winehouse cover that was a big hit. But their first album was packed with tunes every bit the equal of ‘Valerie’. Just listen to ‘Remember Me’ or ‘Don’t ever Think’, two of the best pop songs released in zonks.

32. Room on Fire – The Strokes (2003) (How to follow-up a generation defining debut has stumped many bands, but The Strokes didn’t get enough credit for their second. Of course it isn’t as good as ‘is this it’ and it never could have been but ‘Room On Fire’ has it’s own charm and it still ranks as one of the best albums of the last 10 years.

31. For Emma Forever Ago – Bon Iver (2008) (An album recorded in isolation, away from the outside world – this is an old-fashioned lp of dedication and heartbreak.)

30. Album – Girls (2009) (Girls debut arrived in the final few months of the decade but it has already become a firm favourite. The band took classic melodies and themes and subverted them in a very witty 21st century way. You just need to hear ‘Big Bad Mean Mother*****’ to get my point. A classic.

29. Primary Colours – The Horrors (2009) (Strange House was brilliant no matter what anyone says – but even The Horrors biggest defenders couldn’t have expected an album as sophisticated, innovative and plain intelligent as this. It combined shoe gaze, garage rock and girl group pop, just for starters and yet despite this complexity they remained a must see, energetic live act.

28. We Are The Pipettes – The Pipettes (2006) (The Pipettes wanted nothing short of reinventing the wheel with this debut. Not deliberately ignored the usual male originated influences eg The Beatles, The Ramones and instead looked to female icons of the past. But this retro backdrop was accompanied by feminist lyrics that used humour to fantastic effect. This was great fun and hopefully a follow-up will be out soon.

27. Silent Alarm – Bloc Party (2005) (Silent alarm really was an alarm to announce that Bloc Party had arrived, and in style. This was a classy and polished debut that built upon what The Futureheads and Franz Ferdinand had done the previous year. It stands up to this day as a first class post punk album.

26. Vampire Weekend – Vampire Weekend (2008) (Vampire Weekend were a happy-go-lucky tornado that stuck the internet at the tail end of 2007. When their album proper came in 08 they ripped up everything. It was a unique sound that joined together upper class, sophisticated lyricism and African rhythms and guitar lines. ‘Vampire Weekend’ was sheer fun, and it never got boring despite many predictions that their sound would soon grate).

25. Day and Age – The Killers (2008) (A grand pop album that ticked all the right boxes. The Killers were always thinking big and after the music press gave mixed reviews to Sam’s Town , and ‘Day and Age’ confirmed the band as one of the brightest and most consistent of the decade.

24. American Recordings III – Johnny Cash (2000) (Johnny Cash made three classic albums this decade and it’s almost impossible to pick between them. American recordings IV was the sad farewell and V was the message from beyond the grave. The best though, if I had to choose, was American Recordings III as it was the last glimpse of Johnny in full form. His voice was as strong as ever and the songs chosen were impeccable, in particular U2’s ‘One and Nick Cave’s ‘The Mercy Seat’).

23. Stadium Arcadium – Red Hot Chili Peppers (2006) (By The Way was a great record but a flawed one which saw the band experimenting with breezy pop harmonies. It was a step a way from the funk sound towards something more clean. It’s follow up took an equally divulging path but a much more rewarding one. Stadium Arcadium is the sound of a band at their very peak, four of the best musicians in the world connecting over some brilliant music. At times it’s easy to think that Flea and John can read minds such is their brilliant chemistry and Anthony’s lyrics are a real step up from the early days. U2 released 2 good albums this decade but nothing that even came close to the brilliance of Stadium Arcadium; a staggering work.)

22. Favourite Worst Nightmare – Arctic Monkeys (2007) ( Arctic Monkeys were quite comfortably the decade’s best British band and where Oasis and The Stone Roses messed up Arctic Monkeys succeeded by following a huge debut with two great follow ups. It’s so hard for me to decide which one is better that I’ve put them together on the list. Favourite Worst Nightmare was a schizophrenic record that serves as a brilliant melting point of the intelligent rock of Humbug and the observational pop of Whatever, and their more recent album, whilst only a few months old, already sounds like a long-lost classic.

21. Humbug – Arctic Monkeys (2009)

20. The libertines – The libertines (2004) There is very little innovative here, there is some filler, some tracks are raw to the point of annoyance and you bet that very little time was spent over it. And yet has ever an album summed up a relationship, a period of time or a scene so well? ‘Can’t Stand Me Now’ and ‘What became of the likely lads’ feature the most confessional, poetic lyrics of the decade and they are set to some unbelievably passionate twin guitar attacks. The Libertines were destined to be great, and against the odds this album has proven the test of time.

19. Wincing The Night Away – The Shins (2006) ( The Shins quietly made one of the decades most forward thinking and intelligent pop records, in fact they made three of them. Wincing the night away is my pick purely for the sheer quality of the many songs, and the ingenious sonic landscapes that the listener is dropped into.

18. Oracular Spectacular – MGMT (2008) (MGMT are often called the modern flaming lips, but at the pace they are going they will far exceed anything that band have done. Over ten tracks they collect an extraordinarily diverse set of songs all bound by a sense of adventure, fun and mystery).

17. I Am A Bird Now – Anthony and The Johnsons (2005) The first thing to hit you about ‘I am a bird now’ was Anthony’s stunning voice which instantly recalled everyone from Nina Simone to Annie Lennox. The next thing to hit you were the haunting and uncomfortable lyrics that confronted the listener on sexual taboos, abusive relationships, gender issues and parental relationships. The musical backdrop was avant-garde pop that stirred emotions in a way few albums have done. A unique talent.

16. Fleet Foxes – Fleet Foxes (2008) Fleet Foxes debut was an album of quiet majesty. Simple melodies, old-fashioned harmonies and a subtle yet intelligent group of musicians combined to make this one of the noughties most beautiful records).

15. American Idiot – Green day (2004) (Green day had fallen of the rails before their 2004 comeback that nobody saw coming. ‘American Idiot’ Captured the feeling in the air, the anger with politicians, the anger with the war in Iraq, the anger at George Bush. The songs were punky and just as catchy as anything from dookie but there was a new intelligence and strategy that hadn’t been present before, and American Idiot became their most successful record).

14. In Rainbows – Radiohead (2007) Radiohead haven’t made two similar albums in their career so nobody expected another Hail to the Thief. Neither were people expecting an album as brilliant as this, many had suggested that the band were past their best, but In Rainbows proved any doubters wrong; this was called by some their finest album yet. After the system shock of Kid A and the confusion of Hail to the thief this was a beautiful and intimate exchange with the listener that contained elements of all Radiohead’s best moments).

13. Illonoise – Sufjan Stevens (2005) (Few artists have ever been as ambitious or prolific as Sufjan Stevens, few albums as magical as illonoise. Steven’s unique style combined with lyrics about an average American state somehow melted together perfectly over an album that can only be described as a journey. From their strings and euphoria of Chicago to the sad intimacy of Casmir Pulaski day, this was a thrilling ride).

12. Sound of Silver – LCD Sound system (2007) (LCD Soundsystem provided the best dance album of the decade by some way. Whilst Basement Jaxx, Daft Punk and The Prodigy unleashed some massive singles, none of them made an album that could compete with sound of Silver as an album. Cohesive, diverse, funky, rocking, addictive – this album works well in any context be it the dance floor or the home.)

11. Hopes and Fears – Keane (2004) (Songs of subtle beauty and big chorus’s are a rare thing to find but Keane delivered 12 on one album, 2004’s biggest seller ‘Hopes and Fears’. Cool it wasn’t, popular it was (probably a correlation) but there was so much more to this album than snotty nosed critics would admit and it trumps any Coldplay album by a mile.)

10. Funeral – The Arcade Fire (2005) (Few albums were as acclaimed or influential this decade. It was an album that had it’s roots very much in the last century but seemed to fit in perfectly with American indie mid decade. Comparisons to Neutral Milk hotel were made and Funeral continues to be just as inspirational as ‘in the aeroplane above the se’a. A truly sublime record).

9. The Decline of British Sea Power – British Sea Power (2003) (A beautifully understated and oddly underrated album, this was one of the most, if not the most complex and complete debuts of the decade. BSP’s vision was, unusually for this day and age, undeniably unique. Musically they were a blend of post punk and indie but it was their literary lyrics and wildlife themed live shows that drew the most praise and attention. Most stunning of all was the chilling and epic ‘lately’ that brought the album to a jaw dropping close).

8. Up The Bracket – The Libertines (2002) (They were marketed as the British Strokes but The Libertines had been going for years before – it took Is This It to kick them into something great though. They swapped suits for leather jackets and they added some of their American counterparts fizz and sparkle. It was an extraordinarily important debut that was the first convincing British debut since ‘definitely maybe’ so many years before. In fact not since Morrissey was there a lyricist with such poetic bent, and such an artistic vision. Before his drugs meltdown Doherty was one of best talents to have emerged in a long time and his wit and intelligence are best represented on tracks such as ‘What A Waster’, ‘Horrorshow’ and particularly ‘Time for Heroes’ and ‘Death on the stairs.’)

7. The Magic Numbers – The Magic Numbers (2005) ( A slightly controversial choice for the 7th best album of the decade. Not sex pistols meets Marylin Manson controversy, in fact quite the opposite. ‘The Magic Numbers’ is such an old-fashioned, uncool and popular album that I doubt many other music writers will be placing them so high in these kinds of lists. This is an album that would have sounded more at home in 1965 rather than 2005, with it’s sunny melodies, heartbreaking lyrics and brother sister harmonies that instantly recall the likes of Mamas and Papas and The Beach Boys. The strength of the album is in it’s gorgous songs that reveal themselves overtime. Was there anything as catchy as ‘Forever lost’ or ‘Love me like you’ released this year? Was there anything as moving as ‘I see you see me’? These songs, prove that the ‘if it aint broke don’t fix it’ rule still rings true).

6. Smile – Brian Wilson (2004) (At one point nobody expected Brian Wilson to record again, let alone perform live, let alone perform Heroes and Villains live, let alone perform smile live, LET ALONE RECORD SMILE! The album that should have changed the course of musical history in the 60’s was finally released in 2004 to great acclaim and it was worth the wait. This may have been an album originally constructed for the hippie generation but it worked just as well in the noughties with its lush orchestration, beatnick lyrics and stunningly unique concept. Not quite as influential as pet sounds, but if this had been released in 67 it certainly would have been).

5. Kid A – Radiohead (2000) Kid A has been called the last traditional record and the first record of the current generation. It was probably the last anticipated album not to be leaked beforehand online (the follow-up ‘Amnesiac’ was arguably the first) whilst the digital marketing campaign was very modern and unique. This is also true of the frenzied music that sounds both distant and familiar, warm and cold, jarring and inviting. Over ten tracks they take you through every musical landscape known to man with Thom Yorke’s distorted or affected vocal being your miserable yet poetic tour guide. This was original and unexpected and it was one of the most influential albums of the decade.

4. Speakerboxxx / The Love Below – Outkast (2003) This was the white album for the 21st century. Like The Beatles, Outkast are very much a band of two distinctive personalities and musical talents. Over two discs both Andre and Big Boi have plenty of chance to shine, whether it be through hip hop, jazz, pop, rock, funk or soul. It’s best moments are Andre’ 3000’s ‘Roses’ and ‘Hey Ya’ which were fresh and catchy as hell.Big Boi’s more traditional disc is equally interesting and probably more cohesive – choosing a favourite is almost impossible, both discs offer something exciting and challenging.

3. Franz Ferdinand – Franz Ferdinand (2004) (Franz Ferdinand’s role in the development of 21st century British guitar pop has been vastly underrated. When they came along they just wanted to ‘make girls dance’ and at the height of the garage rock revival this was exactly what was needed. They were the antithesis to the scruffy Libertines, and equally as important. Bands like The Rapture had meddled with dance rock only a year before but Franz were the first band of the decade to do it really well and combine critical success with commercial success. If The Strokes were the leaders of the garage rock revival then Franz were at the front for the post punk revival that dominated the indie boom mid decade.

They were tight both musically and lyrically, they wore sharp suits, had a distinct artistic aesthetic and their riffs were perfectly angular. When they arrived the likes of NME and John Peel called them the ‘saviours of Rock N Roll’, and whilst this wasn’t strictly true you could see where they were coming from. Their sound was the type of funky, intelligent pop that the likes of Orange Juice, Gang of Four, The Smiths and Pulp had perfected and that no band had really had much luck with in years. This was one of the best albums of the decade, no doubt, and it’s influence is still apparent in 2009.

2. Whatever People Say I am That’s What I’m Not – Arctic Monkeys (2006) Alex Turner could raise a serious claim to being the most poetic British pop star of not only his generation, but of all time. Time has been kind to the words of Morrissey, Lennon, Cocker, Weller and Lennon but in 20 years time I’m fairly confident Turner will have surpassed them all. The lyrics to this debut album are the sign of someone who clearly knows what he’s doing and does it well. They deal with very Northern themes of everyday life, from dirty dance floors, taxi ranks, riot vans, pubs and women of the night. The way the words twist and turn in Turner’s mouth are brilliant and unique.

The words are the stars of the show but the music accompanies them brilliantly. It may not be revolutionary but there is energy and heart in each of these songs, the drums are manic, the bass playing is funky and the guitars are fuzzy and very melodic. Whatever People Say I Am, is in my opinion the best British album of the last ten years.

1. Is This It – The Strokes (2001) (‘Is This it’ was the most important album of the decade as well as the best. Before The Strokes came along Britpop was going through a prolonged, miserable death whilst the sappy ‘singer songwriter’ school of music and big beat dance were polluting the charts. The worst offender of all was ‘Nu Metal’ the most garish and offensive form of music ever devised by the devil. Bands like Papa Roach, Slipknot, Limp Bizkit and Linken Park somehow became popular and their blend of Metal, funk and rap infected all forms of pop culture from the charts to clothing to movies.

Clearly real music was not dead, it was just hard to find in the shops, harder to find in magazines and impossible to find on the radio. In fact to anyone without the internet or musical connections good new music was nowhere to be found. The Strokes changed this. They were good-looking and well dressed. This may seem trivial but it was very important because it differentiated them from the skater clones that head banged to Sum 41. With their skinny jeans, leather Jackets, greasy hair and model looks they were instantly a band to be beloved and copied in equal measure, and people have been copying their style ever since and their look is still impossible to escape, from high streets to Blue Peter.

Of course it wasn’t a new look – The Ramones had done it 25 years previously – but ever since grunge Baggy had been the cool fashion statement. The Strokes were different and they were cool. Of course this would have been meaningless had their music not lived up to their style. But it did. ‘Is This It’ sounded brilliantly old-fashioned and strikingly new at the same time. It had a crackly, lo fi aesthetic that made it sound like it had been buried at the back of your garden for the last 30 years. The fuzzy guitar solos and rich bass sound could be found on any number of records from New York from the 70s and it’s garage sound was first perfected back in the 60s. The lyrics were typical rock n roll fare that would excite and entice many a young listener. Their sound was retro for sure, but because it hadn’t been heard in so long it sounded new. Of course just because they were the most important band of the decade does not make this the best album. It’s the best album because it is the one that better than any other exemplifies why I love rock n roll.

It is in many ways the most perfect debut album of all time and yet It isn’t perfect – it sounds live, raw, unrehearsed, messy and exuberant. I love the mistakes, the random screams, the adlibs in ‘New York City Cops’, the blatant Tom Petty Rip off in ‘Last Night’ and the slurred vocals of the title track. I love the fact that it’s short and filler free, that the guitar solos all essentially sound the same, that the lyrics all essentially deal with the same theme. It is an album of teenage rebellion, young love, city lights, rock n roll excess and girls. These are the themes of every good rock n roll record of the last 50 years and The Strokes did it better than anyone in a long time. Is This It reinvigorated indie music and the shock waves from it’s release are still being felt 9 years later.

So yeah. I’ve decided to give some “Greatest x of 2009″ awards, in order to shield myself from boredom (and of course to amuse and enlighten you, kind reader). You can expect some unique categories such as “Greatest release of 2009 which it would be lame for me to admit liking” and “Greatest album of 2009 that I didn’t listen to”, but I will also be going through some of the norms, such as “Greatest EP” and “Greatest Irish album of 2009″ (still uncertain on whether I’ll do a definitive “greatest album”). I’ll hopefully be able to point you in the direction of something you haven’t heard before, or at least write interestingly about ones you have heard before. I’ll get onto the first category after this small jump; I know you can make it!

Nice landing, anyway; I’m quite a lazy person, which is partially the reason I’m starting with this category (Greatest sleeve of 2009), but I’m also very interested in design and art (so it’s not just that I don’t want to write about the music behind the cover). I’ve always felt that an album cover can give a strong first impression of an album and its contents, and although it’s probably foolish to do so, I feel influenced by album covers occasionally in my traverses through music (I know it’s ridiculous, but I actually just had to delete The Birthday Party’s Junk Yard from my computer. The art was so bad that I actually couldn’t stand looking at it in my library… stop judging me… have a gawk for yourself).

Shown above is the astoundingly amazing cover for Candy Claws’ “In the Dream of the Sea Life”. I picked this album up recently, feeling guilt as I had initially shunned the download only release, saying on a forum that “I’d probably buy it on CD”. So I felt obliged to buy it on CD, and gave it a second spin on the right honourable PC here later that winter eve. I quite enjoyed what I heard. The album, which borrows heavily from Panda Bear production style and Soft Bulletin era Wayne Coyne melody, was quite good on second listen. At this stage with my familiarity with it, I’m not sure whether repeated listens would bring me to appreciate its intricacies more, or just make me tire of its repetition. I like consistency in albums, but it feels like this album could quite easily become background music without attention and affection due to the intense similarity in the sound of the songs, and I’m not sure if I have the time to nurse this album into my top albums of the year. But with that said, there are much worse overall sounds which you could have on an album; this album has a lovely running atmosphere of twinkly oceanic reverb soaked joy.  It’s a nice album; it’s a summer album, I’m writing this in winter, so I might be being harsher than I would be. I’d recommend trying it out here (click). One of my highlights is below;

The whole packaging of this lovely re-release (by the Irish label Indicater) was probably my favourite sleeve art of 2009, but, it unfortunately will have to take a disqualification/second place due to the fact that it is a re-release. Okay, well, I’m going to be honest with you; I was under the impression that this was a re-release of an album made a few years ago, but it seems it may very well have been released in 2009 initially (if you couldn’t tell, I’m quite the researcher! Look at me researching something mid-article. Gonzo blogging I tell you… Gonzo). Well, regardless, I’m going to have to leave it in second place, because the following sleeve art is what I have down as “Greatest sleeve of 2009″ in my “sooo great.txt” file.

That’s the cover of White Stag by Mount Eerie. Underwhelmed with my choice? Yeah, I have a thing for triangles. So yeah, that just about wraps it up for my first “greatest x of 2009″ post. Oh, wait a second. I think those little triangles fold out. Oh, they do. Here, I think I’ll need a hand. Why don’t you unfold them with me?

Okay, 1, 2, 3, PULL.

Dramatics aside, here is the winner of my sleeve of the year award. Phil Elverum (Mount Eerie/The Microphones) is a great man for his obscure limited releases, and White Stag is no exception. I for some reason failed to purchase one of these CD-Rs upon their release, not knowing what wondrous poster was awaiting me and presuming there were plenty available. I found out about the limited availability just as they were out of stock, and I of course began kicking myself constantly (not that I should fool myself that I’ll ever complete my Elverum collection. One of his seven inches was printed in a run of 20! Yeah… thanks Phil). [Below is not on White Stag, but is a favourite Phil Rarity of mine.]

The reason I didn’t jump at the opportunity to buy it initially was due to the average music which inhabited the disc. The EP, although containing some lovely moments of atmosphere brought on by field recording and an eerie chunky electric guitar, generally feels half assed in both production and song writing. It really feels like it was made in six days (not that that really matters; The Brian Jonestown Massacre have made plenty of amazing albums in a small number of days), and it seems like he is lacking some sort of personal connection to the recordings, and understandably so considering he was invited to record an album about the building (the White Stag building in Portland), rather than actually wanting to go to record there. But with that aside, the sleeve art is breathtaking; a huge fold out poster painted by Phil which greatly compliments the music found of the disc, while still being a great stand alone ink painting at the same time. I think it’s very neat. If you noticed a slow decrease in writing quality as this article went on, it is because I am desperately tired, (but at least I’m not bored), so alas I will go to sleep. On a side note, most disappointing/worst album art goes to Zach Condon. For shame Zach. For shame…

Matthew 22:34-40

“ But when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”
Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.””

The greatest commandments, which sum up all the law and all the prophets? Basically, Jesus told the religious leaders here, that these two simple statements explain the entire message of the Old Testament, ALL the law and ALL the prophets. So what does that mean? Well, the way I recently read this, it may be nothing new to you, but I saw it in an entirely new light recently, and I saw how it really does sum up all of the law and prophets, it actually almost sums up everything. If you had this and the gospel, you’re pretty much set.

First is first, “love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” First He’s telling us to love the Lord, as simple as that, but not just the Lord, but that the Lord should be YOUR Lord. You should live like He is your Lord. And this will be accompanied by loving Him passionately. Love Him with all your heart: all your affections, your desires, your joys, your passions, your dreams, and the very core of your being should be madly in love with the Lord God. Never wanting to displease Him, always wanting to serve Him from the bottom of your heart, not because of legalism, or because of works looking like a good thing, your works can’t earn your salvation. But you would do works because you can’t help it, you love the Lord with all your heart. It’s like falling in love with a soul mate, but more awesome. If you love someone, say if I were to fall in love with a girl. Would I do things for her because I’m supposed to? Because this is what a relationship requires? Or would I do things for her because I can’t help it? Making sacrifices in my own life for her, and desiring to always be with her and to do absolutely everything I can for her because I love her and I only want so much as to see the smile on her face? And desiring to know everything about her, always wanting to be closer in our understanding of each other, and the more that I would know about her, I would just fall further and more deeply in love with her. Learning the things that she likes, what she likes to do, the things she thinks about, her dreams and passions. It should be so with God also, but so much more. This, to me, is what it means to love the Lord with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. It’s a beautiful thing, it really is.

Love your neighbor as yourself? Well, how do you love yourself? I once read in a great book by C.S. Lewis that to love someone does not mean you have to like them, because for example, we don’t necessarily always like ourselves, we do however love ourselves. We want the best for ourselves, whatever our own interpretation of the best is, but we want it. We try to take care of ourselves, we make sure our own needs are met. If you don’t like someone, if you can’t get along with them because you simply have incompatible personalities it does not mean you can’t love them in Christ as yourself. You can still want the best for them, and still place them ahead of yourself.

For me, one thing in particular that I see in loving my neighbor as myself and wanting the best for them is to encourage each other in the word, and to hold each other accountable to the Word of God, with the Word of God. If a brother or sister in the Lord is blatantly falling short, backsliding, indulging in sin, or simply living idly, it’s our duty to correct them, calmly, with the Word. If we truly love them and want the best for them, then we want God’s best for them, which involves running the race of faith, and running harder and harder with each passing day. If you say you care too much about someone’s feelings to correct them and help them strengthen their walk with the Lord, you may as well hate them, because you are intentionally letting them stray from God’s perfect plan for their life, and this is far from loving them as you love yourself, and hopefully you want God’s best for your own life.

So this is it, all the law and all the prophets, it’s love. Love God and each other. Serve the Lord, and encourage your brothers and sisters, serve them and place them ahead of yourself. It really does explain it all.

God bless.

Okay, here’s the short review: Trumbo, you better move over ’cause here comes my new favorite movie of all time that just decimated every other movie in existence.

Here’s the longer one:

This movie is friggin’ unbelievable. Here’s a quick explanation of the plot (And I mean quick because there’s a lot more to it), without spoilers: AVATAR takes place on a planet called Pandora (anyone up for Borderlands?) that is home to a humanoid race of aliens known as teh Na’Vi. The Na’Vi’s Hometree (the area in which the main tribe in the film lives) is sitting on top of a resource that’s extremely valuable on Earth. The humans (or “Sky People,” as referred to the Na’Vi) want to chop down the tree so they can get to the resources. There are two options: get the Na’Vi to peacefully find a new home so that the tree can be sliced down, or gas ‘em out and hope they don’t fight back.

The Na'Vi's design is impressive.

Like I said, I won’t spoil anything, but what is done in order to make this possible is this: humans are placed in remote controlled Na’Vi like bodies that the humans believe are very convincing. And they are, to the audience at least. The Na’Vi already know these people are those who live amongst the Sky People, but not about the fake bodies and the fact that there are humans controlling them.

The bow is mightier than the gun....not really. XD No, but it is.

The acting in this movie is top notch. Sam Worthwington has done a great job playing the main character, Jake Sully. The rest of the cast is incredible as well, bringing these characters to life in ways you have to see to believe. I would like to commend Sigourney Weaver for her performance as Grace. You did a great job Weaver, and I’m proud to have watched you perform on opening day (well, night. But not the very first showing night, I mean the night that just passed a little while ago). Zoe Saldana also did a great job as Neytiri, making her seem more real than I’d expected.

Jake Sully is the main character. This is his avatar.

The set pieces are fantastic and the planet of Pandora is rich with life and very beautiful. There’s also lots of strange alien creatures that really catch the eyes of the audience and get a lot of “ohs” and “ahs” out of them. Oh, and one thing that should be take into account is this: this movie MUST be seen in IMAX friggin’ 3D. It’s the coolest thing in the world. 3D has basically been viewed as a sort of experimental thing up until the release of this movie. AVATAR’s 3D effects are the best 3D effects ever. Once again there were “ohs” and “ahs” that swept through the audience at the sight of these 3D images.

KABOOM!!!

Oh, and one more thing, this movie may look like it will be a long epic, and it is. But you know what? You’ll never be bored. The movie is always interesting you in what’s going on. The pace is fantastic, and it never wears down.

Piloting the gunship.

Everyone on Earth needs to go see AVATAR now. This movie is an instant classic and will never be forgotten, ever. But you must remember the rule above about 3D. YOU MUST!!!!

Below is a list of my favourite singles released in the last 10 years. It was a difficult list to compile as I wanted to represent all the genres I listen to and tried to include a variety of artists and styles. I’ve kept the number of singles per artist to a bare minimum as it was possible Arctic Monkeys or The Strokes could have made up the top 100 by themselves! Coming soon will be my albums of the decade, and album and singles of 2009.

Click on song to hear

100. Hide and Seek – Imogen Heap

99. Ignition Remix – R Kelly

98.Danger! – Electric Six

97. Teenage Dirtbag – Wheetus

96. Life Is A Song – Patrick Park

95. Love Steals Us From Lonliness – Idlewild

94. Standing in the way of control – The gossip

93. Crimewave – Crystal Castles

92. Shelia – Jamie T

91. Milkshake – Kelis

90. Twilight – Elliot Smith

89. Muzzle of Bees – Wilco

88. The Skin of my Yellow Country Teeth – Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

87. I Believe in a Thing Called Love – The Darkness

86. Shine – Take That

85. Funny Little Frog – Belle and Sebastian

84. Us – Regina Specktor

83. Off The Record – My Morning Jacket

82. Lets go Surfing – The Drums

81. Cannonball – Damien Rice

80. First Day of My Life – Bright Eyes

79. Fix up look sharp- Dizzie Rascal

78. That Boy That Girl – Hadouken

77. Stronger – Kanye West

76. Over and Over – Hot chip

75. LDN – Lilly Allen

74. An Honest Mistake – The Bravery

73. California – Phantom Planet

72. Love Machine – Girls Aloud

71. Lust For Life – Girls

70. Fluorescent Adolescent – Arctic Monkeys

69. Two Doors Down – Mystery Jets

68. Molly’s Chambers – Kings of Leon

67. Buck Rodgers – Feeder

66. Umbrella – Rihanna

65. Forever Lost – The Magic Numbers

64. Nude – Radiohead

63. My Doorbell – White Stripes

62. Maps – Yeah Yeah Yeahs

61. Young Folks – Peter Bjorn and John

60. Ms Jackson – Outkast

59. Burn – Usher

58. The First of the gang to die – Morrissey

57. Knights of cydonia – Muse

56. Hoppipolla – Sigur Ros

55. Somewhere only We Know – Keane

54. Kissing The Lipless – The Shins

53. Jesus Of Suburbia – Green day

52. GrooveJet – Spiller

51. Kids – MGMT

50. White Winter Hymnal – Fleet Foxes

49. Clint Eastwood – Gorrilaz

48. Idioteque – Radiohead

47. Valerie – The Zutons

46. Rock Your Body – Justin Timberlake

45. By The Way – Red Hot Chili Peppers

44. Trains To Brazil – Guilemots

43. Apply Some Pressure – Maximo Park

42. Golden Touch – Razorlight

41. Can’t Get You Out Of My Head – Kylie Minouge

40. All my friends – Lcd soundsystem

39. Yellow – Coldplay

38. Time for Heroes – The Libertines

37. 99 Problems – Jay Z

36. Mansard Roof – Vampire Weekend

35. Time is Running Out – Muse

34. Someday – The Strokes

33. Pull Shapes – The Pippettes

32. Hounds of Love – The Futureheads

31. Once and Never Again – The Long Blondes

30. Digital Love – Daft Punk

29. Thou shalt always kill – Dan Le sac and Scrobius pip

28. Loose Yourself – Eminem

27. Daddy’s Gone – Glasvegas

26. Atlantis to Interzone – Klaxons

25. Seven Nation Army – The White Stripes

24. Diamonds from Sierra Leone – Kanye West

23. Dance – Justice

22. Sea Within a Sea – The Horrors

21. Dry Your Eyes – The Streets

20. So Here We Are – Bloc Party

19. Ch Ch Check It Out – Beastie Boys

18. Hate To Say I Told You So – The Hives

17. Mr Brightside – The Killers

16. Paper Planes – MIA

15. Hurt – Johnny Cash

14. Dreamin Of You – The Coral

13. Run – Snow Patrol

12. All These Things that I’ve done – The Killers

11. Rock my World – Michael Jackson

10. Crazy In Love – Beyonce

9. Time to pretend – MGMT

8. Tunnels – The Arcade Fire

7. Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor – Arctic Monkeys

6. Daft Punk Is Playing At My House – LCD Soundsystem

5. Hey Ya – Outkast

4. Take Me Out – Franz Ferdinand

3. Can’t Stand Me Now – The Libertines

2. Hope There’s Someone – Anthony And The Johnsons

1. The Modern Age  – The Strokes

Let’s start with today’s update.

Spinner choose their artists of the 2000s (here). Winner is ‘Jack White’. They also choose the ‘best and worst reunions of the 2000s (clickety-click). Winner in the ‘worst’ category is/are ’New Kids on the Block’. Best is/are ’the Pixies’.

Out published the list with ‘the 100 greatest gayest albums’ (not of the decade). Winner is David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust. Full list can be viewed here.  

Last.fm is done with their ‘Best of 2009′. Top of their char is Lady Gaga. The list goes all the way down to 999, so enjoy your time there. [Link]

the AV club released 2009: The Year in Band Names. Including the best, the worst and other weird categories. Full list can be found here. Including videos.

Last one in the list (for today) is Rolling Stone, picking the best LP and tracks of the decade:

Albums
5 The White Stripes – Elephant
4 Jay Z – The Blueprint
3 Wilco – Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
2 The Strokes – Is This It
1 Radiohead – Kid A

Singles
5 M.I.A. – Paper Planes
4 OutKast – Hey Ya!
3 Beyonce – Crazy In Love
2 Jay Z – 99 Problems
1 Gnarls Barkley – Crazy

Full list can be found here

If only I could make one of those deals with God. To make my life much more fair. Everything seems to mush together for me. Its not fair that other people’s life seem more simpler and calmer. I have a really really good friend, I call her Lin-Lover. She’s probably the person I would make a deal with whatever. I trust her. It wasn’t long since I met her. But I don’t take anything for granted. Because of Lin-Lover, I was able to find some sense in life and fashion. She made me believe in myself. Literally, made me. Haha, huge help. Thanks so much Girly! Only reason why… I’m so straight forward and how I survive at work. Because of you.. I was able to believe in True Love. However, I don’t or have yet to met him yet. But you know, I’ve gone through four boyfriends in my life. All, have cheated on me and I really lost the sense of true love or having a crush. So, this seems overly dramatic.. but seriously you’re my hero woman! Love you lots! You’re leaving in a couple of days to visit family and your little man (not so little, height wise) all the best!

It doesn’t mean anything to me now that I have the sense and feeling. If I seemed a little quiet today at work or whatever. Its no surprise. I’ve decided not to let him control me. I will NOT run to him. I will not give in to him. Even though, he is my temptation. I won’t be that girl he plays with. I won’t be his plaything. He wants me? He has to work for me. I won’t come easy anymore. Why does he take me for granted. No more. Hehe, seems over dramatic? Its not. Its my life really. I feel that when he’s bored… he seeks me. Now its going to be this. I’m not going to respond unless I have the feel the need to. This seems so mature for me. Haha, you know who I have to thank for that? Lin-lover! haha yeeyaahh!

On a different note, I am officially registered for school. I’m so excited! I’m going into Chriminal Justice and than moving on to Nursing! I’m very excited. I’m kinda nervous at the same time however. I’m not very good at English you see? You probably can tell actually. My english grammer isn’t that great. Wouldn’t you agree? Broken sentences, my paragraphs jump from place to place. It’s a bit of a mess. But you know, blogs help with it. I’m currently reading Little Woman by Louisa May Alcott! Amazing book! The movie was one of my favorite movies of all time next to Lord of the Rings. Strange, hey? But its my favorite!

What is his problem?

Release Date: 21 August 2009 Genre: Comedy Cast: Robin Williams, Constance Best, Breighana Campion, Alexie Gilmore Director: Bobcat Goldthwait Writer: Bobcat Goldthwait Studio: Magnolia Plot: A comedy about a man who learns that the things you want most may not be the things that make you happy, and that being lonely is not necessarily the same as being alone.

1. “Wanna Be Loved” – Erik Hassle
2. “Wa Mpaleha” – Lira
3. “Mannequin” – Noah
4. “Monday Morning” – Melanie Fiona
5. “I’m Not Calling You A Liar” – Florence + The Machine
6. “Yellow” – India.Arie
7. “If The Star Were Mine” – Melody Gardot
8. “Untouchable” – Girls Aloud
9. “Jealous Of My Boogie” – RuPaul
10. “Mrs. Cold” – Kings Of Convenience”
11. “Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart” – Alicia Keys
12. “Get Sexy” – Sugababes
13. “You’re My Baby” – Robin Thicke
14. “The Spell” – Alphabeat
15. “Bulletproof” – La Roux
16. “You’ve Got The Love” – Florence + The Machine
17. “Obsessed” – Mariah Carey
18. “The Girls And The Robot” – Royksopp featuring Robyn
19. “Lose You” – Peaches
20. “Sing Sang Sung” – Air
21. “Fuck You” – Lily Allen
22. “3″ – Britney Spears
23. “Roses” – Eddi Reader
24. “Sometimes” – Noisettes
25. “My Love” – The Dream featuring Mariah Carey
26. “Bad Romance” – Lady GaGa
27. “Epiphany” – Chrisette Michele
28. “Flavor” – Tori Amos
29. “Say No” – Ledisi
30. “Tonight’s The Night” – Jack Penate
31. “Don’t Bring Flowers After I’m Dead” – Erik Hassle
32. “I Could Break Your Heart Any Day Of The Week” – Mandy Moore
33. “When You’re Around” – Frankmusik
34. “Who Will Comfort Me” – Melody Gardot
35. “Make Me” – Janet Jackson
36. “1517″ – The Whitest Boy Alive
37. “South Again” – Maia Hirasawa
38. “I Got A Feeling” – Black Eyed Peas
39. “Standing O” – Mariah Carey
40. “Never Forget You” – Noisettes
41. “He Doesn’t Know” – Tina Dico
42. “New York” – Paloma Faith
43. “Pale Horses” – Moby
44. “Nothing But A Miracle”  - Diane Birch
45. “Don’t Ever Let Me Go” – Alesha Dixon
46. “Ghost Girl” – Telepopmusik
47. “Show Me Love” – Kate Havnevik
48. “Halo” – Beyonce
49. “Love Songs” – Anjulie
50. “DJ” – Alphabeat
51. “Welcome To England” – Tori Amos
52. “Paparazzi” – Lady GaGa
53. “My Boy Builds Coffins” – Florence + The Machine
54. “Heavy Cross” – The Gossip
55. “Gypsy” – Shakira
56. “Isolate” – Moby
57. “Her Morning Elegance” – Oren Lavie
58. “Must Be Love” – Cassie
59. “Drained” – LeToya
60. “Warm It Up (With Love)” – Brandy
61. “Stone Cold Sober” – Paloma Faith
62. “Release Me” – Agnes
63. “Blue Suitcase” – Erin McCarley
64. “Cartoons And Forever Plans” – Maria Taylor
65. “I’m Not Your Toy” – La Roux
66. “Bad Boys” – Alexandra Burke
67. “Not Fair” – Lily Allen
68. “JLTF” – Moby
69. “You Keep Me Warm” – Ida Maria
70. “Another One” – Chrisette Michele
71. “Be The One” – Jack Penate
72. “Million Dollar Bill” – Whitney Houston
73. “Our Love Is Easy” – Melody Gardot
74. “Better Off As Two” – Frankmusik
75. “Choo Choo” – Diane Birch
76. “More Than Just Friends” – Mariah Carey
77. “These Are My Twisted Words” – Radiohead
78. “Want” – Natalie Imbruglia
79. “100%” – Beverley Knight
80. “Alejandro” – Lady GaGa
81. “Tonight” – Bria Valente
82. “Eet” – Regina Spektor
83. “Magic” – Tina Dico
84. “Now I’m That Bitch” – Livvi Franc
85. “I Believe” – Skye
86. “Please Don’t Leave Me” – P!nk
87. “Ms. Harmony” – Robin Thicke
88. “I Know Your Better Than That” – Leslie Mendelson
89. “Give” – Tori Amos
90. “Love” – Air
91. “Red” – Daniel Merriweather
92. “Boom Boom Pow” – Black Eyed Peas
93. “I Feel Cream” – Peaches
94. “Impossible” – Mariah Carey
95. “Bad Habits” – Maxwell
96. “Love, Save The Empty” – Erin McCarley
97. “Lady Boy” – RuPaul
98. “Between Two Lungs” – Florence + The Machine
99. “Goodbye” – Kristinia DeBarge
100. “Be The Bee” – Air
101. “Sleep Alone” – Bat For Lashes
102. “Wild Young Hearts” – Noisettes
103. “Dead End” – The Whitest Boy Alive
104. “Maybe” – Ingrid Michaelson
105. “Monster” – Lady GaGa
106. “Cover Girl (Put The Bass In Your Walk)” – RuPaul
107. “Boat Behind” – Kings Of Convenience
108. “Give It To Me Right” – Melanie Fiona
109. “Angels Cry” – Mariah Carey
110. “Stains” – Tina Dico
111. “Everything Up (Zizou)” – Zero 7
112. “Stuck One Repeat” – Little Boots
113. “Heatwave” – Alphabeat
114. “Let’s All Die” – Jack Penate
115. “Fools” – Diane Birch
116. “Love In July” – Sally Shapiro
117. “Don’t Stop” – Annie
118. “Inseparable” – Mariah Carey
119. “500 Miles” – Tori Amos
120. “Mama Said” – Dione Bromfield
121. “Pretty Wings” – Maxwell
122. “My Love” – The Bird And The Bee
123. “Did It Again” – Shakira
124. “Meet Me Halfway” – Black Eyed Peas
125. “Tik Tok” – Ke$ha
126. “I Don’t Like Your Band” – Annie
127. “Hurtful” – Erik Hassle
128. “Not Anymore” – LeToya
129. “Celebration” – Madonna
130. “Do You Want The Truth Or Something Beautiful” – Paloma Faith
131. “Barista By Day” – Anuhea
132. “A Song For You” – Whitney Houston
133. “Languishing” – Mariah Carey
134. “Tropical Disease” – Air
135. “Whataya Want From Me” – Adam Lambert
136. “All The Roses” – Natalie Imbruglia
137. “Soldier Of Love” – Sade
138. “Runabout” – Little Dragon
139. “Outta My Head” – Leona Lewis
140. “3 Little Words” – Frankmusik
141. “Devil Made Me Do It” – RuPaul
142. “Cover My Eyes” – La Roux
143. “Sad Songs” – Melanie Fiona
144. “She Wolf” – Shakira
145. “Who Says” – John Mayer
146. “Girls” – Animal Collective
147. “Love Long Distance” – The Gossip
148. “Every Now And Then” – Noisettes
149. “Speechless” – Lady GaGA
150. “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength” – Whitney Houston
151. “Beautiful Nightmare” – Beyonce
152. “Les Etoiles” – Melody Gardot
153. “Cosmic Love” – Florence + The Machine
154. “Not Dying Today” – Tori Amos
155. “Window” – Tina Dico
156. “Medicine Man” – Zero 7
157. “Bodies” – Robbie Williams
158. “Why R U?” – Amerie
159. “Eat My Beat” – Air
160. “It’s A Wrap” – Mariah Carey
161. “Drumming Song” – Florence + The Machine
162. “The Rain” – Melody Gardot
163. “Fortune” – Little Dragon
164. “So Lonely” – Nouvelle Vague
165. “Mathematics” – Little Boots
166. “Magic View” – Diane Birch
167. “Weight Of My Tears” – Dondria
168. “Rise Again” – Lira
169. “I Fell In” – Vanessa Williams
170. “Beautiful Night” – Beverley Knight
171. “Difficult For Weirdos” – Robbie Williams
172. “I Look To You” – Whitney Houston
173. “Would You” – Noah
174. “Throw Ya Hands Up” – RuPaul and Lady Bunny
175. “I Want To Know What Love Is” – Mariah Carey
176. “Baby, I’m A Fool” – Melody Gardot
177. “Boys & Girls” – Pixie Lott
178. “3 Words” – Cheryl Cole featuring Will.I.Am
179. “When Love Takes Over” – David Guetta featuring Kelly Rowland
180. “The Rain” – MIKA
181. “Boombox (LA Riots Remix)” – Kylie Minogue
182. “Re:Outsourced” – Muhsinah
183. “Fun” – Natalie Imbruglia
184. “Shark In The Water” – V.V. Brown
185. “Tricky Tricky” – Royksopp
186. “Under The Sheets” – Ellie Goulding
187. “Upside Down” – Paloma Faith
188. “Soul Survivor” – Beverley Knight featuring Chaka Khan
189. “Mona Lisa” – Robin Thicke
190. “Confusion Girl (Acoustic Version)” – Frankmusik
191. “Like The Sea” – Alicia Keys
192. “Swedish Skies” – Tina Dico
193. “Chasing Pirates” – Norah Jones
194. “The Fear” – Lily Allen
195. “Foolish Little Girl” – Dionne Bromfield
196. “Heartbreak (Make Me A Dancer)” – Freemasons featruing Sophie Ellis Bextor
197. “This Is It” – Michael Jackson
198. “Happy Up Here” – Royksopp
199. “New In Town” – Little Boots
200. “Fight For This Love” – Cheryl Cole

My hi-fi has an sD card reader in it.

I never cared about this when I bought it; I was more concerned about it having the ability to switch itself on in the morning, and the ability to switch on at the same volume I last disabled it with (my last hi-fi had neither of these abilities; I had to race to the volume control to damp it down from a horrifying 14 before the digital radio managed to tune in every time I switched it on).

So I didn’t care much for the fact of a card reader’s existence; the rest of the hi-fi satisfied my criteria. But recently, I have found its presence… Rather liberating.

It all started when I got my new phone, which has a “micro sD” card in it. Because the only other ways to get data to and from my computer were Bluetooth (eats battery) and USB (eats battery), I decided to investigate other options. Now, my fancy-pants super-computer has a “19-in-1 Media Card Reader”; unfortunately, none of those 19 were micro sD. So I trundled down to the shops to get me an adapter — an sD card you put a micro sD card into the back of (hurr hurr) to make it function in a usable manner.

The adapter came with another micro sD card and I didn’t much care about that either.

At some point in the past I also discovered the joys of MP3 CDs; most notably, to listen to OCRemix’s Project Chaos — their renditions of the soundtrack to Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles. Let’s face it, it would be quite wasteful to render those MP3s down into raw audio again to fill three discs when I could put all two hours in one massive lump onto one disc (I’m environmentally conscious, or something like that… Nothing at all to do with the fact that the hi-fi, the last time I tried, refused to recognise the existence of a burned real audio CD). So, an MP3 CD and blah blah.

I first considered the card reader when I was wanting to listen to the soundtrack to Sonic Adventure DX. For those unaware of this fact, the game’s music is provided in WMA format — that’s Windows Media Audio, one of the formats my MP3 player handles directly. A quick burst through Switch Audio Converter made them MP3s that could go into the hi-fi… But why burn a CD when you can quickly and quietly deny that you’re actually listening to a game’s soundtrack by keeping them on volatile media that can be wiped in an eye-blink?

Recently, I have found the memory card somewhat liberating. I think older readers might be familiar with the concept of a “mix-tape”…?

My first rearrangement was Ultravox’s greatest hits. The compilation that got me hooked on them all those years ago includes several B-sides and is missing such classics as All Stood Still, The Thin Wall and even One Small Day. Needless to say, I have all the material to rectify this (and in definitive remaster form, except for the stuff from that fifth Urevox album that never existed because Warren Cann quit and this made them a bit poo).

Then I did OMD’s greatest hits — I don’t actually own any OMD compilation (except Navigation: the OMD B-sides), only all their albums (except Liberator… Grumble, I’ve never seen it in the shops in my life before). So I pulled off all the singles (yes, including Genetic Engineering and Telegraph you pansies), lined them up, and bang!

And finally, as it’s the festive season now, I had to assemble a crimbo suite. Naturally, I don’t own any crimbo compilations, but the household does so it’s all above board. The problem with the house-hold crimbo albums is that each one doesn’t contain all the tunes. We have a “60 Festive Hits” compo and only about fifteen of them are actually good crimbo tunes (too many of them are songs that were just number one at crimbo, like Gary Jules and that other guy’s depressing but briliant version of Tears for Fears’ Mad World, or Westlife or East 17); and that doesn’t even include Wizzard or Slade or Chris de Burgh’s incredible A Spaceman Came Travelling (fuck you, I’m serious — that song sends shivers down my spine). The other one we’ve got includes awful, awful ones like the Beach Boys and that creepy Hey Mr. Christmas (I don’t know who it’s by and I really don’t want to).

The sD card swoops to the rescue and I manage to combine all the real tunes onto one thunderous suite. Cue an afternoon of festive Unreal Tournament.

We’re going to Aberfoyle tomorrow to buy our sustainable environmentally-friendly crimbo tree (which we will then transport back home in our environmentally-unfriendly car), so shit is about to get seriously festive. As I hope you can see, my festive avatar is up and it’s all go. I don’t care that I’m not allowed a holiday because of fourth-year projects, I’m going to be fucking festive and you party poopers can all go and get coal from Santa. Make the effort kids, life sucks.

Merry Christmas!

I read the absolute greatest quote the other day. Here it is:

The ability to discipline yourself to delay gratification in
the short term in order to enjoy greater rewards is the
indispensable prerequisite for success.
- Brian Tracy

I have to be honest, I really had no idea who the
heck Brian Tracy was. I had to Google him. But, he must be
one sharp dude, I thought, to say something as profound as this.
Turns out he’s one of the foremost self-help gurus on the planet.

Go figure.

-Thx Maestro for this

Short Sale GIANT 

Before the deal he foretells of his future greatness and shows what can be accomplished if you work diligently enough. This is the video that made me respect Kanye West so much, and almost made him my idol. To see someone so passionate about reaching their goals, especially with the odds against them, and when some of the biggest names in the field don’t believe in them (Jay-Z), To be able to take all that in then be like “fuck it that just mean I gotta go twice as hard, but one day they’ll see!” And to use what should hold you back fuel you, and manifested your own destiny in the face of failure… THAT’S AMAZING! And that’s why Kanye will always have my respect as a talented, hard-working individual… ENJOY

p.s Be on the look-out for “JAMES LOUISMA- SELF-FULFULLING PROPHECY” coming to the Trapanati blog real soon… BELEEEE-DAT!

62pts in three quarters against Dallas (2007). The last defeat at home against Houston, Los Angeles was frustrated only 74pts, Kobe scored decided to send a message to his next opponent, the Dallas Mavericks. KB Dallas had already warned a week earlier, when he scored 43pts, including a wild three with his team, the W in the last seconds. This time, Kobe will do this, everyone has something never seen before .. Score 32pts for 1st Half Mamba recorded a franchise-record 30pts in the 3rd Quarterly …

1. My One And Only Thrill – Melody Gardot
2. Lungs – Florence + The Machine
3. Hassle – Erik Hassle
4. Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel – Mariah Carey
5. Wait For Me – Moby
6. Epiphany – Chrisette Michele
7. The Spell – Alphabeat
8. Rules – The Whitest Boy Alive
9. It’s Not Me, It’s You – Lily Allen
10. Everything Is New – Jack Peñate
11. Bible Belt - Diane Birch
12. Abnormally Attracted To Sin – Tori Amos
13. La Roux - La Roux
14. The Bridge - Melanie Fiona
15. Love 2 - Air
16. I Feel Cream – Peaches
17. Wild Young Hearts – The Noisettes
18. Don’t Stop – Annie
19. A Beginning, A Detour, An Open Ending – Tina Dico
20. Turn Me Loose – Ledisi
21. Declaration Of Dependence – Kings Of Convenience
22. Soul In Mind – Lira
23. Junior - Röyksopp
24. Come To Life – Natalie Imbruglia
25. The Element Of Freedom – Alicia Keys
26. She Wolf – Shakira
27. Do You Want The Truth Or Something Beautiful? – Paloma Faith
28. Complete Me - Frankmusik
29. BLACKsummer’snight - Maxwell
30. Love, Save The Empty – Erin McCarley
31. Un - Dan Black
32. 100% – Beverley Knight
33. The Fame Monster – Lady GaGa
34. Testimony: Love & Politics, Vol. 2 – India.Arie
35. Love Is The Way – Eddi Reader
36. Champion – RuPaul
37. Sex Therapy: The Experience – Robin Thicke
38. Lady Luck – Mariah Taylor
39. Introducing Dionne Bromfield - Dionne Bromfield
40. Two Suns - Bat For Lashes
41. Swan Feathers – Leslie Mendelson
42. Hands – Little Boots
43. Far – Regina Spektor
44. Keeping Secret – Skye
45. Human Geometry – Noah
46. Merriweather Post Pavilion – Animal Collective
47. I Look To You – Whitney Houston
48. Anjulie - Anjulie
49. The Crying Light – Antony & The Johnsons
50. Ray Guns Are Not Just The Future – The Bird And The Bee
51. The E.N.D. – Black Eyed Peas
52. Overcome – Alexandra Burke
53. Bomb In A Birdcage – A Fine Frenzy
54. Music For Men – The Gossip
55. Ready For The Weekend – Calvin Harris
56. Midwinter Graces - Tori Amos
57. Amanda Leigh – Mandy Moore
58. Love & War – Daniel Merriweather
59. Polly Scattergood – Polly Scattergood
60. Embers – Nadia Ali
61. En Samling – Thomas Dybdahl
62. Elixer – Bria Valente
63. 3 - Nouvelle Vague
64. Lady Love – LeToya
65. Colour Me Free! – Joss Stone
66. Speech Therapy – Speech Debelle
67. Completely Me – Frankmusik
68. Everybody – Ingrid Michaelson
69. Ellipse - Imogen Heap
70. The Fall – Norah Jones
71. Reality Killed The Video Star – Robbie Williams
72. Turn Me Loose – Pixie Lott
73. Imidiwan – Tinariwen
74. The Real Thing – Vanessa Williams
75. GBGvsSTHLM – Maia Hirasawa
76. Dance Love Pop – Agnes
77. Anuhea – Anuhea
78. Actor – St. Vincent
79. Battle Studies – John Mayer
80. Friendly Fires – Friendly Fires
81. Yeah Ghost – Zero 7
82. Travelling Like The Light – V.V. Brown
83. For Your Entertainment - Adam Lambert
84. My Guilty Pleasure – Sally Shapiro
85. The Boy Who Knew Too Much – MIKA
86. Slow & Steady Seduction: Phase II – Anya Marina
87. IRM – Charlotte Gainsbourg
88. Wordshaker – The Saturdays
89. Fixin’ To Thrill – Dragonette
90. Paint Your Face – Sliimy
91. Fantasy Ride – Ciara
92. Kate Earl – Kate Earl
93. Yellow Brick Road – Sabrina Starke
94. Echo – Leona Lewis
95. Colonia – A Camp
96. 3 Words – Cheryl Cole
97. Machine Dreams – Little Dragon
98. It’s Blitz – Yeah Yeah Yeahs
99. I Love You – Amanda Blank
100. Rated R – Rihanna

You can pick up an HMV promotional code from a site like VoucherCodes.co.uk to save on music this Christmas.

The importance of speed in rugby is obvious and not really up for debate in this article. You need only look at the acceleration of Brian Habana during 2007 and the accolades it won him and compare that to his loss of form and pace coincidentally together during 2008.

If you look at the player of the tournament awards at the past few world cups you will see that speed is the only common denominator. Brian Habana ,no need for much comment; Johnny Wilkinson speed was clearly not his only asset but the man is no slouch; Tim Horan, this man defined speed off the mark and agility; Jonah Lomu ,despite being bigger than most tight forwards he has clocked sub 11 second 100 metre times and was recorded at the time of testing at the beginning of this decade as the fastest world rugby player over 10 metres; David Campese, who was quick enough to dash right around the entire All Black backline at the 1991 Rugby World Cup; John Kirwan, who although not big was regarded as the fastest man at the 1987 World Cup.

But you might be thinking that speed is only for the flashy guys and the wingers in particular. Well let’s look at some of the hard grinders but in anticipation I will work from Fullback all the way to the tubby guys in the front with examples of superstars who used their speed to their definite advantage to make them some of the greatest players of all time.

Fullback, well a few simple examples should suffice: Andre Joubert; Christian Cullen; Jason Robinson. We have already covered enough men at wing. Centre, besides Tim Horan, let me ask you this, do you think that intercept king and SA player of the year in 2008 Jean De Villiers would be as effective as he is if it wasn’t for his 100m time of 11 dead? As for the worlds most deadly attacking flyhalves: Dan Carter and Matt Giteau. At scrumhalf the opportunities for out and out sprints are few but you will struggle to forget the, now out of favour, Joost whose speed from woman to woman, I mean tryline to tryline was truly world class, this man used his pure pace to satisfy is incredible white line fever. Rob Howley of Wales was also a mentionable speedster of note in his day.

It is debateable but the worlds top current 8th is most likely to be Pierre Spies who is one of the fastest men in the Springbok team, a lot of his success comes from the competition for holding on to his jersey and preventing attempts by speedster Ryan Kankovski. Honourable mention should go to Mr. Soailo who represented New Zealand at 7’s, a game reserved for the speedy. Now on the side of the scrum there are few out and out speedsters but if you ask any of the current top dogs you will find out that speed to the breakdown is essential if you want any chance of winning the ball. At lock the undoubted top 2 in the world are Victor and Bakkies and if you have ever seen Bakkies in open play you will have witnessed immense pace for such a giant. As you will learn in the program that I will be mentioning later, Total Speed for Rugby, the vertical jump has been discovered to be the most closely linked attribute to top speed performance and it is without doubt that Mr. Matfield possesses the ability to leap.

In their recent embarrassment at the hands of the French, the springboks were run ragged by the French front row. Also in the front row department worth mentioning is one of the all time greats of the game, Os Du Randt who clocked an equal 10m sprint time to that of cricket speedster Johnty Rhodes. Scrumming power can be closely linked to squatting power and this is also a vital ingredient in total speed. Despite the obvious nippiness of the aforementioned super stars you will notice that they all posses above average physical strength showing the necessity of this in sprinting power.

Now, I have shown that speed is essential to rugby success. You are surely now asking: where do I go to get the kind of expertise to be able to speed up my team or my own performance? Well you options are limited. You can consult with or hire a professional rugby speed coach (very expensive and hard to come by); you can work on general speed and sprinting by traditional means (not rugby specific); or you can research speed literature available that has been dedicated to other sports (also not rugby specific although some groundbreaking work has been done); or your last option and possibly the best one is to get hold of a program designed with all of the above, using traditional sprinting knowledge, the research and findings of other professional sports, the expertise of a rugby speed coach and maybe a bit of further development and testing for extra measure.

Where do you find the last option? Well it is a good thing that you asked. The international Sports Performance Company, SuperHumanSports is about to launch a speed program specifically designed for the Rugby coach and up and coming rugby superstar of the future to be able to get their performance a little closer to that of Brian Habana and company.

By utilising the best wisdom from sprinting experts, NBA Basketballers and even power lifters they have combined the best theoretical information available. I use the word theoretical to emphasise the need for practical rugby application. This is where Henning Gericke comes in. Dr. Gericke was a top South African sprinter in his day but is most well known for his work with the 2007 World Cup winning springboks as their speed coach. You might have noticed that Brian Habana’s fastest years were while under the tutelage of Dr. Gericke. Dr. Gericke combines his own practical experience with that of the best available knowledge to create the first fully comprehensive rugby speed program in the world.

This program is by far the most comprehensive of all speed programs available and is light years ahead of what is currently available to the rugby community. Despite the obvious sprinting and agility drills it addresses subtle points of importance such as coordination, shoulder strength, balance and control of the core. Not only will players improve their flat out sprinting speed, they drastically increase explosive speed off the mark, the ability to step and swerve and power in the tackle and contact situation.

I have been given a demo version to test out on my own “weekend warrior” physique. I will test it out and feed back to you on my own results. If they can speed up this body, well then anything is possible. So be sure to follow my progress over the following few weeks.

As-salamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh,

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (saws) said,

“There are two statements that are light for the tongue to remember, heavy in the Scales and are dear to the Merciful: ‘Subhan-Allahi wa bihamdihi [Glory be to Allah and His is the praise] and Subhan-Allahil-Azim’ [Allah, the Greatest is free from imperfection].” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].