So its come to this…a load of bloody lists on a blog only around 45 people read and 4.5 people actually can be bothered processing. Its ‘songs of the year’ time – formerly known as ‘singles of the year’ when such things were actually released onto costly disc (I think it was back in the 1950’s.)

To decide what classes for those tracks without a real single pressing, I figured the key point should be “Does it have a video?” (YES WE’VE GOT A VIDEO) and that’s about it. So whilst some of my favourite songs of the year include the Pet Shop Boys’ “Pandemonium” and Super Furry Animals‘ “Inaugural Trams”, they aren’t featured here because their record companies are frankly idiots.

In order to make it easier on myself, I’ve whittled the shortlist of 48 songs down by allowing just one track per artist. Just under the wire were tracks by Just Jack, Slow Club, Attack! Attack!, Jamie T, Mr Hudson, The Lonely Island, Stellastarr, Music Go Music and The Veronicas, although some of these may just crop up in the similarly inevitable albums of the year list.

Oh, like you care. Here’s a list…

25. Rhett Miller – “I Need To Know Where I Stand”
In my life I’ve often considered myself a pop music trendsetter rather than follower – this is of course bollocks when actually dissected as I invariably got all my “hot new picks” from the NME, or nowadays, indie playlist torrents. But come Monday mornings in the nineties, I’d march off to the record shop after school or during a college dinner break to buy the latest hits by Alan Alanson or Funtastian Retrololz and would be followed by a handful of friends, one of which in particular pretty much aped my own choices to the last every week.

So after a lifetime of this shadowing, it was a pleasant surprise to discover the band Old 97’s – and the solo work of their lead singer Rhett Miller - via him last year. Initially a country outfit before strapping a “nu” on the front, the Old 97s eventually morphed into a country-tinged pop act and this poppier sound is more prevalent on Miller’s solo stuff including this tremendous little track which was the only single from his third solo release earlier this year.

Whilst not everyone’s cup of tea, there’s nobody who finds country music more unsettling and grim than I with its twangy false bonhomie but there’s a lot of charm to Miller’s output and that more than makes up for the occasional unnerving ‘twang’.

24. Royksopp - “Girl And The Robot”
Returning after their appallingly received second album The Understanding which seemingly didn’t contain enough ‘Homebase hits’ for Joe Public, the chaps Brundtland and Berge make short work of the four year gap between records with a mixture of lush pop and insanely upbeat electronica, helped by some terrific guest vocalists including Lykke Li and Robyn who props up this song.

Anyone who fell in love with Robyn’s achingly beautiful “Be Mine” will recognise the territory mined here with her always-welcome slightly cracked vocals lifting what could have been easily the most downbeat track on the LP. Bewilderingly not a hit single in this country, it does however keep it as a little secret between fans of slightly unhinged, emotive pop music.

And yes it is about a girl falling in love with a robot. What of it?

[Video is here but sadly not embeddable so enjoy a Chart Show style still-picture video presentation instead...]

23. The Drums - “I Felt Stupid”
One of the advantages of finally getting round to buying a digital radio are the new treats that crop up here and there – particularly on BBC 6Music, which was the source of The Drums’ appearance in my life. Precisely the kind of sunny upbeat indie nonsense that never fails to grab me by the hair and testicles every time I hear it.

Indeed, its relatively low placing in this chart is less due to its bouncy charms not quite matching up to the rest of the entries and actually down to the fact I only heard it for the first time less than a fortnight ago. In fact, I like this band so much I’m even tempted to go to the NME Shockwaves Tour they’re appearing on next year (along with The Big Pink, Bombay Bicycle Club and The Maccabees) despite the fact I will be a 29 year man who really should know better.

I don’t know better though. But I know what I like…Chart Show style still-picture video presentations! Again!

22. The All New Adventures Of Us – “Firetruck (Doki Doki)”
There’s a place in my heart – just next to the slots for “admiration of Muppets”, “lyrics I should’ve forgotten long ago” and “remembrances of tremendous bosoms” – which will be forever allowing admittance to whiny voiced indie fops with a neat line in slightly doomy lyrics that would look great etched out on a pencil case. The All New Adventures Of Us – or TANAOU as is easiest – fit this description to a T.

Jangling guitar indie may be the greatest thing of all time but adding in a melodica and tremendous first-punching horn section over the top is frankly an evil thing to do to an already salivating scruff-haired desperate outsider such as myself. Anyone who doesn’t want to shout “At best we’re amateur cartographers and terrible photographers” at the appropriate moment after hearing this at least once is not welcome in my club-house ever again.

This is another one with an official video I cant embed but I preferred this unofficial student one better anyway – GO STUDENTS GO!:

21. Frankmusik – “Better Off As 2″
I shamefully ignored the first few releases by this chap for the longest time thanks to him being unpleasantly hyped by seemingly every website I visited at the start of the year. As it happened, maybe I wasn’t the only one to think this as no-one really bought any of the singles and the album was very quickly back out of the chart.

The irony I’m sure you’ll be all to aware of by its appearance in this list is that when I actually made the effort to hear Frankmusik I was really very impressed by some of the most unashamed balls-out POP! music of the entire decade – in particular album opener “In Step” and this choice, “Better Off As 2” which is not only contains a tremendous synth line and horribly catchy chorus but also manages to come in under three minutes, which in these busy modern times is not to be sniffed at.

Do something about that haircut though, eh lad? There’s a war on…

TOMORROW: Indie thrills, choral spills and more piano loveliness!

Today is Advent Sunday. I had to explain to Robyn this week that Advent Sunday isn’t necessarily the day we open the 1st door on our Advent calendars. I expected her to be disappointed but instead she was excited about lighting the 1st Advent candle at church and began talking about counting down the Sundays until Christmas.

This afternoon we went to an Advent service at church. It was lovely. There were lots of candles lit and while people were waiting for the service to start you could hear them all talking about Christmas preparations. Someone behind me said she still had lots of shopping to do and somebody else was talking about their Christmas traditions. There was a real buzz about the place. Full of excitement and joy.

I got thinking about the floods appeal that has been launched. Our church was open all last week for people to bring blankets, clothes, towels etc which will be distributed to the people in Cumbria.

Here I was sitting in church excited about the start of Advent, full of anticipation about the exciting times that lay ahead of us in December with Katie’s 3rd birthday and of course Christmas and not far from us there are people whose lives have been devastated by floods. I told Robyn how I was feeling and she had tears in her eyes. She said ”I might have some old toys that other children could have”. When we got home she went upstairs and brought some things down for me to take to church. Tomorrow I will look through all our clothes. Larger sized clothes are in particular need. I can help out there. There has to be some good points to being overweight!

So, as Advent begins let us watch and wait. Let us look forward and believe. But also let us remember and think about people who need our help, and never ever underestimate children.

Robyn has learned today that a lit candle is just as exciting as a piece of Advent calendar chocolate and will have helped some children get some toys back.

Two massively important updates.  First, Said Saviour’s Cock has filmed a commercial for the SCENE director’s chair contest, and we need your help!  Wait, votes.  I meant to say votes.  We need your votes.  So go here:

http://directorschair.scene.ca/en/gallery.html?v=2009112812903921560302125033_1290392159263025004231166&id=498&sortBy=all&page=1

…and vote YAY FOR US!  SUPER WOW!  MANY STARS!

Also, S.S.C. will be playing an exclusive one-night engagement in our old home-town of Chetwynd BC, at the Public Library on December 23rd.  Alert the masses!

-Robyn

Youth Music é uma ONG que trabalha com jovens carentes. Providenciando acesso a produção de música de alta qualidade. É a maior ONG do Reino Unido que usa música pra ajudar crianças e jovens carentes desde 1999. Para celebrar o 10 aniversário do Youth Music’s , 70 mundialmente conhecidos músicos colocaram a mão na massa e criaram a sua peça de arte inspirado no trabalho destrutivo de Rankin. As peças foram leiloadas e o dinheiro arrecado será destinado aos projetos da Youth Music. Entre os músicos estão:

Alanis

The Gossip

Little Boots

Kylie

Robyn

Mel C

Hardships goes gospel ! Jenny Wilson Featuring Tensta Gospel Choir are giving three exclusive shows in January:

6 jan – Dramaten, Stockholm.
16 jan – KB, Malmö.
17 jan – Lorensborgsteatern, Göteborg.

Royksopp: The Girl and The Robot(ft Robyn)/Miss It So Much(Ft. Lykke Li)

Dance music can be a faceless and fickle genre that often lacks true stars or personalities who rise above the level of sonic wallpaper. Re-enter Royksopp, who with their newest album, Junior, have become one of the few electronic groups capable of sustaining momentum and consistency. And quite frankly with a guest list that includes three of the biggest Swedish singers of the past five years, it would’ve been almost impossible to make something not great. So for this list, lets look at their collaborations with two of them, Robyn and Lykke Li.
Robyn, who is still riding the wave created by international mega hit With Every Heartbeat, attacks the upbeat icy synth track, with gut-wrenching depression and brassy harmonies worthy of the golden age of R&B. The darkness adds a malice not usually associated with Royksopp’s club jams and combined with the nuanced production that adds subtle layers not evident on the first listen, it ends up a stellar work of modern electronica.
Girl and the Robot:

And then there’s the collaboration Lykke Li’s Miss It So Much which is on the totally opposite end of the sound spectrum. It’s a much simpler song, a constant bassline, with occasional synthy tribble that punctuates each verse, but what sells it is of course Lykke Li! She deserves her exclamtion mark, because it’s been a strong two years for Ms. Li.(strong debut album, strong remixes, great collaborations best epitomized by her turn on Kleerup’s until we bleed, big tour, absurd Lil Wayne covers) culminated with this arguably her best tune. I’m convinced by the fragile vocals on this song(as if the other ones didn’t convince me) that she could probably sing the phone book at this point and turn it into some moving lovelorn statement.
And yes there’s no single for this song, shameful, but I said songs of the year, not singles so there!
Miss It So Much:

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

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

x

It is that time of year. Time for more countdowns of the best of ‘09. Today we are counting down The Best Music Videos of ‘09. Ten of them to be exact. As well as checking out the countdown below, let us know what your favourite video fo ‘09 was. Enjoy.

#10- Lily Allen – F**k You

This Video was something a bit different for Allen, with the whole video shot from her perspective. Directed and created by three Frenchies Arnaud Boutin, Camille Dauteuille and Clement Dozier.

NL2T Rating: Song: 4/5

Video: 4/5

#9- La Roux – In For The Kill

The 1980s-inspired video was directed by Kinga Burza and produced by Sarah Tognazzi. A very simple yet dark and mysterious clip, with some nightrider overtones.

NL2T Rating: Song: 4/5

Video: 4/5

#8- Bat For Lashes – Daniel

Directed by Johan Renck this music video is beautiful, mysterious and sad. With weird shaped monsters and crazy eye make-up whats not to like?

NL2T Rating: Song: 4.5/5

Video: 4.5/5

#7- Lady Gaga – Paparazzi

The music video was directed by Swedish director,Jonas Akerlund, who has previously directed music videos for artists like The Smashing Pumpkins, Madonna and Moby. eight minutes in length, Gaga explains “The video explores ideas about sort of hyperbolic situations that people will go to in order to be famous.”

NL2T Rating: Song: 4/5

Video: 4.5/5

#6- Tiesto – I Will Be Here

Tiësto teamed up with acclaimed Japanese director Muto to create the music video for I Will Be Here. A very modern or futuristic video of synchronised movement and light with animation.

NL2T Rating: Song: 4.5/5

Video: 4.5/5

#5- The Presets – If I Know You

The clip, directed by Eva Husson, follows a young boy, as he dances his way beneath the streets of Hollywood… A thrilling juxtaposition of a middle class teen from the burbs, the volatile LA environment and explosive dance.

NL2T Rating: Song: 4.5/5

Video 4.5/5

#4- Friendly Fires – Kiss Of Life

This very simple video is basically a uplifting, big carnival-esque party on the beach. Lots of Colour, dancing and Life. And don’t forget the slow-mo, lots of slow-mo.

NL2T Rating: Song: 4.5/5

Video: 4/5

#3- Empire Of The Sun – We Are The People

Filmed at Las Pozas, Monterrey and Garcia in Mexico and Directed by Josh Logue. This video is wacky, weird and different yet is has a unexplainible brilliance. Just Watch it.

NL2T Rating: Song: 4/5

Video: 4.5/5

#2- Royksopp – The Girl and The Robot

This video is from the second single off Royksopp’s latest album, Junior. Besides the fact that the video is just cool, it is also shot beautifully.

NL2T Rating: Song: 4/5

Video: 4.5/5

#1- Lady Gaga – Bad Romance

Directed by hollywood heavyweight Francis Lawrence this music video really more like a short film. Amazing evolutionary themes and amazing pictures, this one goes down in the history books.

NL2T Rating: Song: 4/5

Video: 5/5 (The first 5/5 we have ever given)

What is you favourite video of the year? let us know in the comments section bellow!

Right, I need to get back to blogging. Yes. I will try my very best, starting now.

In a day that is easy to remember negatives I need to jot down a few positives. The things that have made me happy today are:

• Getting an email back from the local newspaper to say they are considering using one of my photographs from an event in town at the weekend.
• Spending time with my 11yr old nephew and teaching him how to use my camera. Seeing his excitement as he took some lovely photographs.
• Hearing Katies portage worker tell me I am a good mum despite Katie being difficult.
• Spending time with my mum, dad and sister. I am lucky to have them.
• My husband being so unbelievably thoughtful and sensitive.
• The lovely cuddle I got from Robyn.

For now I will forget the tears I have shed today. They are gone. Tomorrow is a new day.

I’m not capable of listening to music I love without playing it for other people.  Rather than forcing you to ride with me in my Escort with the busted out sound system or taking up your lunch break with homemade mixtapes, I thought I’d just leave the songs I love the most each weekend here for you to soak up at your leisure.  Here’s the first installment.  Be sure to stay tuned through the end, since this set ends with my FAVORITE SONG OF THE YEAR.

1.  Brand Nubian – “Step To The Rear”

Grand Puba is a monster.  A monster, friends.

2.  Black Sheep – “Similak Child”

We’re keeping it Native for the first chunk of this post.  Like a lot of whiteboys, ATCQ was my first hip hop obsession, which later spilled over into the entire Native Tongues clique.  I figured it might be a safe place to start for people who say they like every kind of music except from rap and country.  Things might get a little rougher later.

3.  Poor Righteous Teachers – “Word Is Bond”

More “conscious” rap from New Jersey’s finest.  Check that 808.

4.  K.M.D. – “Humrush”

A little Daisy Age DOOM.

5.  Bill Evans – “Theme From Spartacus”

Bill Evans is one of the two pianists on the jazz album that nearly everyone has, Miles Davis’s “Kind of Blue.”  He’s also my favorite pianist, and this is from “Conversations With Myself,” where he overdubs take after take, yielding the cascading sound you hear here.  It works on the entire album, but this one grabbed me from the first time I heard it.

6.  Gonzales – “Gogol”

Gonzales is Chilly Gonzales, who is apparently a rapper, though I’ve never heard him do that.  He plays piano on both of Leslie Feist’s albums.  His playing and compositional style reminds me of Vince Guaraldi (the guy from the Peanuts cartoons).

7.  Feist – “Limit To Your Love”

Speaking of Leslie Feist.  This is what a great record sounds like after the hype has left it alone.  See also: Fleet Foxes, Vampire Weekend, The Strokes, The Police, et al.

8.  Benjy Ferree – “Private Honeymoon”

Such a weird, lovely song.

9.  David Amram – “Theme From Manchurian Candidate (Jazz Version)”

Keeping the weird and lovely thing going.  This is from the Sinatra version of the movie.  Oddly, the only way you can get this now is if you buy a package album with the music from the Denzel Washington version of the movie, which is all bland “suspense strings.”  I don’t know why they’d choose to cast the modern recording in such an unflattering light.

10.  Dusty Springfield – “No Easy Way Down”

Sigh.

11.  O.V. Wright – “I’m Going Home (To Live With God)

From O.V.’s years with the Hi Records band – the same one you can hear on every Al Green and Ann Peebles record.

12.  Aretha Franklin – “You’re All I Need To Get By”

This is my favorite Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell song, written by Ashford and Simpson.  Tammi sung it in a wheelchair because a brain tumor had immobilized her.  Marvin loved Tammi and Tammi loved Marvin.  I’m convinced of it.  But, obviously, this is Aretha’s version of it.  It’s irritating to me how she tries to cram in the R.E.S.P.E.C.T. reference, but I love the way she sings and plays it.

13.  Jamie Lidell – “Another Day”

Jamie Lidell is my modern-day hero.  I wasn’t sure it was possible to make soul music nowadays without sounding derivative and unoriginal, but Jamie proves that you can always find new space to express yourself within an existing idiom.  Innovation is great, but it’s not the only valid form of self-expression.

14.  Wale ft. Bun B – “Mirrors”

From Wale’s underwhelming but occasionally great full length album.  Bun B is a legend, and he just gobbles up poor Wale here.  I thought of this one because Jamie Lidell and Mark Ronson (the producer) seem to be among a handful of white English folks who’ve been listening to a lot of Motown and Atlantic records lately.

15.  G-Side – “So Wonderful”

There’s gonna be more of this Southern stuff later on.  The beats on this (free!) album are absolutely unlike anything else I’m hearing in hip-hop right now, and G-Side are passionate rappers who don’t just rap about rapping (I’m looking at you, Royce).

16.  Robyn/Royksopp – “The Girl and the Robot”

Royksopp don’t deserve Robyn.  Robyn is, hands-down, the best melody writer/pop lyricist going right now.  I would throw down a few bucks just to hear what she sings in the shower each morning.  Don’t get me wrong, Royksopp have created a sturdy ladder for her to climb, but I’ve heard the rest of their album, and they don’t reach heights anything like this anywhere else on it.  Robyn could take over the world and her sheer soul power would remain intact, which I honestly can’t say about anyone else right now.  Even Kelly Clarkson, who appears to be bulletproof.

Röyksopp together with Robyn, a genius mix with a really good result.

This is the official first Barry’s Bootcamp mix from myself.  The amazing Scott played it last Saturday in class, and it went over VERY well….. okay I thought it did, and that’s really all I cared about, hahaha.  Maybe if I’m lucky he’ll play this mix again, or another future mix…

This mix features…

GaGa’s “Bad Romance,” Cascada’s ”Evacuate the Dance Floor,” David Guetta’s ”Sexy Bitch” Ft. Akon,  3OH!3’s ”Starstrukk” Ft. Katy Perry, Mariah’s “I Want to Know What Love Is” remixed, Royksopp Ft. Robyn “The Girl and The Robot,” Miley’s “Party in the USA,” and Ke$ha’s “Tik Tok”,

Along with a few favorites from the ’90s, some Kelly Clarkson, Britney’s “3″ and the amazing, new “Telephone” from GaGa and Beyonce….

P.S.  I hope that link works to play it.  If you’d like me to send you a copy to rock out at the gym to, shoot me an email.

De här har ständigt legat i min spellista de senaste veckorna (eller mer), presenterade i stigande ordning enligt det totala antalet genomlyssningar:

9: This One’s For You med Fläskkvartetten och Robyn (6 lyssningar). Voices of Eden har flera bra gästspel, men den här är min favorit för tillfället.

8: Dschinghis Khan med Dschinghis Khan (8 lyssningar). En schlagerklassiker från -79 som fortfarande är kul. Trots att jag bara förstår något enstaka ord har jag utbyte av de säkert fåniga men fonetiskt lyckade ordvändningarna i texten.

7: 0918.00 med Tarmvred (15 lyssningar). Jag vet inget mer om Tarmvred än att det är någon svensk snubbe, från Göteborg tror jag. (Jag är för lat för att googla just nu.) Egentligen gillar jag IntraventrikulärBrosch bättre (80 lyssningar), men den får vila för tillfället.

6: Getinghonung Pronvencale med Hot Soup (16 lyssningar). Hot Soup vet jag ännu mindre om. Jag köpte deras skiva med Cornelis-tolkningar på måfå och den här är den enda jag fastnat riktigt för, men den är å andra sidan riktigt bra.

5: Fuck You med Lilly Allen (19 lyssningar). Den här hittade jag via Sommar med… någon sportsnubbe tror jag det var. En tennisspelare kanske? Precis som med flera av Nellie McKays låtar gillar jag kontrasten mellan den softa musiken och den riviga texten. Den skulle passa bra till ett bildmontage av Jimmie Åkesson, Göran Hägglund och några andra intoleransmånglare.

4: A Fifth of Beethoven med Walter Murphy & the Big Apple Band (31 lyssningar). En perfekt mix av Beethoven och lite skönt sjuttiotalsgung.

3: Jag sitter i dig med Freddie Wadling (65 lyssningar). En av de tre bästa låtarna från Jag är monstret. (De andra är Disko Kebab och titellåten.) Å andra sidan är det bara Bär ut mig, käre Jesus som jag inte tyckte var en bra låt på den skivan.

2: The Hand That Feeds med Nine Inch Nails (121 lyssningar). Riktigt bra rock helt enkelt. Jag kan inte sitta still när jag hör den.

1: Ghost of Love med David Lynch (140 lyssningar). Från filmen Inland Empire. Trots att texten är väldigt repetitiv lyckas David Lynch (som framför den med hjälp av en Vocoder eller liknande) få varje rad att låta intressant.
Strange…
what love does
So strange…
ah what love does
So strange what love does
when you’re all alone

Finns på DuTuben:

Back in September, the Telegraph published its list of the 100 songs that defined the noughties. Reading through it, I found myself nodding in agreement at times and throwing my arms up in shock and disapproval at others.

A few days ago I tweeted the story to my followers, asking them for the songs that had defined their decade. After a few days work, I’ve come up with 50 of the songs that have defined my decade. These are the songs that, in my opinion, tell the story of the noughties—from 2000 to 2009—and will be remembered for years to come, whether because of their artistry, their controversy, or their relevance.

A few things to remember about my list:

• I grew up with music from both the US and UK, so the list will reflect that fact.  This means you may not have heard of some of these songs.  If not, I highly suggest you listen to them.
• This list is by no means authoritative or complete.  Choosing 50 songs of that define a decade is nearly impossible, as everybody’s songs are colored by their own experiences.  I’m no music critic–just a fan–so keep that in mind.
• The songs are grouped by years, but that’s it; there is no ranking, no rhyme or reason why songs are ordered the way they are.
• The annotations are accurate, as I have done my research.
• Not all songs on here are songs I necessarily enjoy, but may be songs that have simply impacted pop culture in general.
• I tried to only pick one song from an artist–the exception being Justin Timberlake, who appears on the list as a member of *NSync and later as a solo artist.  If I hadn’t, for example, Leona Lewis’s cover of Run would have made the list, as would have Everytime by Britney Spears
• I tried to keep it to five songs per year, but as you’ll see, this didn’t completely work.
• I highly encourage you to debate my choices, comment with your own, and compile your own list.  The more music we can remember, the better off all our playlists will be!

With that, I give you my top 50 songs of the 2000s.

2000
“Bye, Bye, Bye” by *Nsync
A catchy song about breaking loose of a no good lover, it garnered the boyband a Grammy nod for Record of the Year and is arguably their most memorable song.

“Wonderful” by Everclear
“Please don’t tell me everything is wonderful now…” sings a boy to his emotionally absent parents. This song got me through the darkest hours of my life.

Britney Spears in her iconic music video for "Oops!... I Did it Again"

“Oops!… I Did it Again” by Britney Spears
The lead single from Britney’s sophomore album, it remains one of the most infectious pop songs of the past 30 years.

“I Hope You Dance” by Leann Womack
Still Womack’s only number one hit, “I Hope You Dance” was—and still is—played at high school graduations across America.

2001
“Island in the Sun” by Weezer
Though it never cracked the Billboard Hot 100 in the US and only charted at 31 in the UK, “Island in the Sun” proved that Weezer was still “hip, hip” and provided some musical escapism in the aftermath of 9/11.

“Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)?” by Alan Jackson
It’s impossible to discuss 2001 in music with out mentioning Alan Jackson’s moving tribute to the 9/11 attacks. Eight years later, it is still the most poignant song to be written about that day.

“Fallin’” by Alicia Keys
Establishing Keys as the preeminent songwriter of our generation, “Fallin’” captured the 19 year old the Grammy for Song of the Year.

“Ms. Jackson” by OutKast
Not their biggest hit, but for a generation of high school students, “Ms. Jackson” provided a sick beat and a warning about the risks of teenage pregnancy. It also foreshadowed the great work OutKast would produce later in the decade.

2002
“I’m With You” by Avil Lavigne
Lavigne’s work leaves much to be desired, but there’s no denying the emotions behind her lyrics and vocals in this piece, which may epitomize the year between 9/11 and the invasion of Iraq.

“Beautiful” by Christina Aguilera
Released on Christmas Eve, “Beautiful” is arguably Aguilera’s most artistic moment—and the video doubtlessly her most daring. A song that inspired all those “othered” by society.

“Clocks” by Coldplay
It captured the Record of the Year Grammy for Coldplay. More importantly, it was heard in practically every film trailer and television show for the next two years, and it has one of the most memorable melodies of any song this decade.

“Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue (The Angry American)” by Toby Keith
If Alan Jackson penned a moving tribute to 9/11, Toby Keith penned a shameful rallying cry for revenge against… well, he never really figured that part out. Still, even to this day, something about this song compels me to listen.

“Unchained Melody” by Gareth Gates
Admittedly more of a personal choice than anything, for a great number of Millennials (especially those from the UK), Gareth Gates is inexplicably connected with their adolescence.

2003
“Miss Independent” by Kelly Clarkson
The song that established Clarkson—the first American Idol—as more than a one-hit wonder, she showed the world that she would be around for years to come.

“Hurt” by Johnny Cash
Daring to cross genres and defy stereotypes, “Hurt” introduced Cash—and his amazing collection of songs—to a new generation of fans. It’s also one of the most moving songs of the decade, made all the more jarring because of the parallels with Cash’s own booze-soaked life.

“Mad World” by Gary Jules
Surprising everyone by taking the Christmas number one on the British charts, Jules’ version is arguably the most moving rendition of this song—including the original.

“American Life” by Madonna
Released on the heels of the invasion of Iraq, Madonna coupled it with a video so controversial even she decided to reshoot it. No song defines the Bush years better, proving even in a new century, Madge is still relevant.

“Leave Right Now” by Will Young
The first Idol ever—anywhere—produced one of the most emotional farewell songs in years.

2004
“What Became of the Likely Lads” by the Libertines
As Pete Doherty’s life spun out of control, he penned this lament about a friendship lost. (In this case, with fellow Libertine Carl Barat.) Fittingly, though sadly, it was the group’s last single.

“She Will Be Loved” by Maroon 5
Not Maroon 5’s biggest hit, though possibly their most memorable, “She Will Be Loved” defined my first year of college.

“Redneck Woman” Gretchen Wilson
Say what you will about Gretchen Wilson, but “Redneck Woman” introduced Nashville to the Musik Mafia and brought about a renaissance in country music.

Brandon Flowers of The Killers from their video for "Mr. Brightside," one of the biggest hits of 2004

“Mr. Brightside” by the Killers
Las Vegas’ best resurrects glam rock. Enough said. Though not the first single from the Killers, “Mr. Brightside” is the song that cemented their place in the pantheon of noughties rockers.

“If Heartaches Had Wings” by Rhonda Vincent
You’ve probably never heard of this song, about a woman full of regrets, and that’s okay. Still, it is the best bluegrass song of the decade. Plus, the video stars Miley Cyrus before she was Miley Cyrus.

2005
“Gold Digger” by Kanye West
Kanye is one of the most controversial artists of the decade (to put it mildly), but “Gold Digger” was one of the biggest songs of the year. And rightly so, as it’s just as catchy as the rest of West’s work.

“Baby Girl” by Sugarland
Though released in 2004, Sugarland’s debut single didn’t climb the charts until early 2005, inaugurating lead vocalist Jennifer Nettles as the newest diva in the country music pantheon. On a personal note, the lyrics to this song was the first text message my grandparents ever received; I sent it to them requesting money.

“I’m ‘n Luv (Wit a Stripper)” by T-Pain ft Mike Jones
Admit it—you were singing along with the rest of us.

“Wake Me Up When September Ends” by Green Day
A song about the death of Billy Joe Armstrong’s father, the video was yet another slap in the face of the Bush administration by the preeminent rockers of the day. The song struck a nerve with a nation growing weary of war.

“You’re Beautiful” by James Blunt
Blunt’s debut single may have made it hard to believe he is a former soldier, but it introduced him as one of the sappiest crooners of the decade.

2006
“SexyBack” by Justin Timberlake
We didn’t even know sexy had left until Timberlake told us so. With that voice and those beats, though, we believed him.

“Chasing Cars” by Snow Patrol
One of the most romantic songs of the decade, this was the track that finally propelled Snow Patrol to mainstream American success.

“Rehab” by Amy Winehouse
Besides resurrecting 1960s soul, Winehouse’s salute to alcoholism and broken hearts established her as one of the most talented—and tragic—stars of the decade.

“I’m Not Ready to Make Nice” by the Dixie Chicks
After being shunned—and threatened—by country music fans for speaking out against the Iraq War in 2003, Natalie Maines and the Dixie Chicks came back with a vengeance, speaking for disgruntled progressives everywhere and nabbing five Grammys in the process.

“Last Request” by Paolo Nutini
The first single released from Nutini’s inaugural effort, this aching plea for one last night with a lover broke hearts across Britain. Though he’s struggled to find mainstream success in the US, “Last Request” has still managed to win over countless Yanks.

2007
“Rule the World” by Take That
A perfect song to accompany acclaimed fantasy film Stardust, “Rule the World” helped reestablish Take That as a premier British band—and is the song I will dance to at my wedding.

“Bleeding Love” by Leona Lewis
The biggest thing to come out of a television talent show on either side of the Atlantic, Leona Lewis scored a massive hit with her debut single, penned by Ryan Tedder and Jesse McCartney. Arguably the most memorable song of the decade, “Bleeding Love” established Lewis as the definitive diva of her generation, thrusting her into the same league as Whitney, Celine, and Mariah. (Note: Yes, it didn’t come out in the US until 2008, but it was a massive hit in the UK in the autumn of 2007—which is when I first heard it.)

“Umbrella” by Rhianna

Rhianna's "Umbrella" was the defining song of summer 2007

An annoying but catchy tribute to unyielding friendship, with this song Rhianna told the world she wasn’t going anywhere. Plus, as the Telegraph pointed out, it provided the perfect soundtrack for a rain-soaked summer.

“Grace Kelly” by Mika
You can’t be faulted if, upon first listen, you thought someone had resurrected Freddie Mercury. With “Grace Kelly,” Mika helped usher in the era of wonky pop.

“With Every Heartbeat” by Robyn
Heartbreaking and infectious, Robyn proved that the Scandinavians are still better at making quality pop records than we are.

“Flourescent Adolescent” by the Arctic Monkeys
Not their biggest hit, and perhaps not even their best song, but “Flourescent Adolescent” still managed to define 2007 for those who rebelled against the previous five songs. Plus, with lyrics like “everything’s in order in a black hole/nothing seems as pretty as the past though/That Bloody Mary’s lacking in Tabasco/Remember when you used to be a rascal?” it was the perfect accompaniment to the onset of the Great Recession.

2008
“Love Story” by Taylor Swift
Swift’s biggest single up to that point, “Love Story” helped propel her out of Nashville and introduce her to an international audience. It also proved Swift as one helluva songwriter.

“No Air” by Jordin Sparks ft Chris Brown
The best duet of the decade, hands down. Though Chris Brown is now more infamous for domestic violence than famous for his music, the blended vocals of Sparks and Brown illustrate why they’re both young stars on the rise.

“I Kissed a Girl” by Katy Perry
Offensive to the gay community or an innocent anthem for bicuriosity? Either way, “I Kissed a Girl” was the song of summer 2008 and propelled Perry to stardom.

“My President” by Young Jeezy
Never a huge hit, but there is something special in remembering the election of America’s first black president—a defining moment not just of the noughties, but of modern history. This song is the celebration of a milestone preceded by centuries of struggle.

“Paper Planes” by MIA
No song better describes Britain’s and America’s irrational fear of brown people than does this anthem for immigrants and oppressed minorities everywhere. The gunshots and ringing cash registers only serve to make the song all the more memorable—and relevant.

Beyonce's video for "Single Ladies" is one of the most iconic of the decade. Just as Kanye West.

“Single Ladies” by Beyonce
God, this song is annoying, but Kanye was right—Beyonce did have one of the best videos of all time. Besides, you have to admit, it’s catchy as hell.

2009
“Party in the USA” by Miley Cyrus
If the noughties defined Miley Cyrus, Miley Cyrus defined the noughties. Surprising, well, everybody, Cyrus managed to actually produce a quality pop record that, probably unintentionally, embodied the optimism of youth in the Obama era.

“TikTok” by Ke$ha
If you haven’t heard this song yet, go listen. I don’t know what the future has in store for Ke$ha, but this is one of the best night-out-on-the-town songs to come along in years.

“Never Forget You” by the Noisettes
Sure, Duffy’s throwback to 60’s soul is more successful, but nobody, except maybe Winehouse, can touch the artistry of Shingai Shoniwa.

“Just Dance” by Lady GaGa
When I heard this song on the radio in January, I told my best friend it was the first song that made me feel like it was 2009. Turns out, 2009 was the year of GaGa. If the forecast “Just Dance” provides is any indication, the teens will be dominated by Lady GaGa.

“Need You Now” by Lady Antebellum
An understated, underappreciated single from an underrated group, Lady Antebellum proves they are the future of country music with “Need You Now.” An aching song about longing for an old flame, it’s the best song Nashville has had to offer in 2009.

I dislike how women are portrayed in hip-hop music videos. They are in these videos to make money and make a name for themselves. But little do they know, people only remember their booties and not their faces nor their personalties. As shown here, gyrating and shaking your assets is what’s rockin. As Nelly says, “If it aint shakin, it aint sellin.”

A much better and appropriate portrayal of women is Neyo’s music video “Miss Independent”.

The women in this video are displayed as professionals. They are shown as independent women who do everything for themselves and don’t need a man to do anything for them.

If people would come to their senses and have more respect for women, and women have more respect for themselves then we can can improve their image in media.

The other night, I woke up from what seemed like a lesbian orgy what was even crazier was the people involved.  In the dream, I was at a party and somehow somewhere I ended up in a room where there were orgies going on and I was now going to be a part of it.  The best part was who was in my circle of sex: Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Kim Kardashian and myself.

]]> http://studiografik.wordpress.com/2009/11/14/portrait-dune-photographe-robyn-cumming/ Sat, 14 Nov 2009 21:42:55 +0000 studiografik http://studiografik.wordpress.com/2009/11/14/portrait-dune-photographe-robyn-cumming/

Cette nouvelle chronique aura pour but de présenter mes découvertes au niveau des photographes de ce monde. Je présenterai des photographes qui par leur travail m’ont inspiré ou m’ont accroché de quelconque façon que ce soit.

Many shade of pink - Robyn Cummings

La première sur ma liste est Robyn Cumming une jeune femme de Toronto qui utilise la photo comme une forme d’art. Elle cherche à représente les moments difficiles de la vie de tous les jours. Elle imagine souvent ces situations avec un brin d’exagération et ensuite elles les transposent à travers la photo qui agie plus comme un tableau qu’une simple photo. Elle vient chercher la personne qui observe son œuvre en le faisant réfléchir sur l’univers autour du moment représenté par la photo.

Le C.V. de Robyn est très bien garni. En plus d’exposer régulièrement dans les grandes galeries d’art de Toronto ses œuvres ont pu être observées au Japon et partout au Canada. De plus, elle ne cesse d’amasser des prix pour l’ensemble de son travail.

Voilà donc le portrait de Robyn Cumming, cette photographe vous intéresse vous voulez en savoir plus? Vous pouvez visiter son site le www.robyncumming.com

He brings to mind birds, a comic book sidekick and a bear.

Thanks to Bewildertrix and H. for suggesting Robin as Name of the Day.

Robin started out as a diminutive for Robert, in Norman England.  Robert remains a classic today, but at #49, has fallen from his former #1 status.

Scholars disagree if Sherwood Forest’s charitable outlaw, Robin Hood, was real or not.  The name appears in the historical record as early as the 1200s, but that’s more about how very common Robert/Robin and Hood were at the time.  The adventure tales surface in the early fifteenth century.  Some suggest that  Robin Hood started out as a generic term for any criminal.

In the US, Robert held the #1 spot in the 1920s and 30s.  Robin charted from the 20s right through 1999, peaking at #143 in 1956.

Some parents may have been inspired by fictional character Christopher Robin, a name author A.A. Milne borrowed from his own son for the boy who kept time with the ursine hero of 1926’s Winnie-the-Pooh.

Robin debuted as Batman’s comic book sidekick back in 1940, not long after the series began.  He was a staple from the 1960s TV show into recent years – though he was not included in 2008’s The Dark Knight.

In music, Bobby Day scored his only hit with Rockin Robin’ in 1958; in 1972, it returned to the charts as an early Michael Jackson single.

You’ll spot the red-breasted bird in Europe, Australia and North America, though they’re actually different birds that just happen to share red feathers on their tums.  The American Robin is a songbird and the state bird of Connecticut, Michigan and Wisconsin.  They’re plentiful elsewhere, too – we had robins nest in our tiny herb garden last spring here in Maryland.

Other notable Robins include:

• Musical Robins, like Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees, Procul Harum’s Robin Trower and indie legend Robyn Hitchcock;
• Funnyman Robin Williams;
• New York Times best selling doctor-turned-author Robin Cook;
• Athletic Robins, from the figure skating Robin Cousins to stand-outs in track and field, weightlifting, cricket and baseball.

Robin entered the girls’ Top 1000 back in 1932, and peaked at #25 in the early 60s.  If there was a literary or lyrical event that propelled her use for daughters, I can’t find it.  Plenty of real Robins followed – from Robin Wright-Penn of Princess Bride fame to soap opera daughter Robin Scorpio on General Hospital.  She may have been the most appealing way to name a daughter after a male relative called Robert – though Bobbie and Roberta were also in use.

If Robin had no history, it is easy to imagine parents inventing him in 2009 – think of popular picks like Gavin, Kevin, Justin, Austin, Devin, Colin, Griffin and the equally avian Corbin.  He fits right in.  With Robert at his least popular since the rankings started – plenty of parents may be seeking a fresh way to get to Rob.  And with moms and dads reclaiming Ashley and Kelly for Team Blue, Robin seems just as likely a candidate.

Robin would take some daring to use, but overall?  Robin rocks.

Ed & Robyn got engaged. We took some photos. A man on a golf cart followed us because Ed was carrying a large sword. What more could you want?

They get hitched next September. There will be two sword fights around their wedding. That is by far the coolest way to decide the best man and who gets the garter belt. Hope no one loses a hand…