Having recently purchased an iPod with a ridiculous capacity (60gig), I have found myself trolling through the depths of musical catalogues everywhere to fill it. After transferring my entire CD collection plus the years of catalogued mp3s, I am yet to fill 20gig. And of course there are some tracks that obsessive old me seems to play repeatedly. This is because they are Good. I will share the lovin by saving you the time and linking [some] damn Youtube videos.
Hide and Seek, Imogen Heap. I never thought I would like vocorder,but there you go. Layered, intense melodies that really work well with a good set of headphones. There are sections in this that remind me of plainchants (I’m sure some more well-educated musical nerd will come along and correct my miscategorisation of this song).
Throw It Away, Toby Rand (from Rockstar Supernova). As pointed out by the judges on the show, such an instantaneously catchy song that I find myself still singing a week after it aired. (Go Toby! Please win on Thursday!)
Hey Ya cover, Matt Weddle. I hate the original, but gee I enjoy covers that make me realise that a song I previously hated is actually quite beguiling (Tori Amos’s Living On A Prayer being another example of this).
Future Sex/Love Sounds, Justin Timberlake. We all accept my lovin for JT, and I am pleased to say that golly I enjoy his new album, including the title track. A little bit Queen, Michael Jackson and euroclash all rolled into one. (And this, people, is why I suck at any kind of music review. Worst classification ever. Track this one down yourself; Youtube ain’t helping with the goodies).
Jesus Walks, Kanye West. How come it’s taken me so long to encounter this one in my musical travels? Video Hits, people, breaking the music to poor Dani. This is where rap should be, ca. 2006. A package of military drumming, relentless humming, gospel harmonies and some goddamn fascinating lyrics. (Yes I know it was released before 2006, go have a cry.)
And finally, albums of 06 that deserve my plaudits:
- Black Holes and Revelations, Muse
- Alright Still, Lily Allen
- St Elsewhere, Gnarls Barkley (goddamn I want to marry this album)
- The Long Road, Hilltop Hoods
- already mentioned the JT above, seems a little superflous again
- Le Fil, Camille
- Idlewild, Outkast
I am totally impressed that I’ve paid this much attention to whole albums because in the past few years I could barely name five good CDs that had crossed my radar to make such a big impact. For some reason 06 is a music world on fire.
(Applying for a promotion at work this week, dad starts chemo and I have a potential housemate lined up. For the love of god please let all three work out well.)
