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Thursday, January 26, 2006

Huey Lewis & The News - I Want A New Drug

Released: 1983
Download It



"I Want A New Drug", with it's killer guitar riff (courtesy of Chris Hayes), is the album's centerpiece - not only is it the greatest anti-drug song ever written, it's also a personal statement about how the band has grown up, shucked off their bad-boy image and learned to become more adult. Hayes' solo on it is incredible, and the drum machine used, but not credited, gives not only "I Want A New Drug" but most of the album a more consistent backbeat than any of the previous albums - even though Bill Gibson is still a welcome presence.

8/10

Friday, January 13, 2006

New Strokes

Released: 2006



I'm not sure why some critics are hating on the new album. Heart In A Cage is trad strokes at their best, better than anything they did on 'Room On Fire', while Ask Me Anything sounds like nothing they've ever done before - and it's funny! - Julian admitting that "I've got nothing to say". Don't worry Julian, that's part of the appeal.

Heart In A Cage - Download It
7/10

Ask Me Anything - Download It
7/10

Tuesday, January 10, 2006

Gareth's 2005 Awards

Top 3 Tracks:

3. 50 Cent - Hate It Or Love It (Remix) (feat G-Unit)



Tucked away at the back of the bloated Massacre album, was this bonus track which turned out to be the rap highlight of the year. Even if you can't stand Fiddy and his brainless thugs, you'll still like this one. Except for Dylan, he gave it a 3.

2. LCD Soundsystem/Franz & Shape - Daft Punk Is Playing At My House/Countach (Remix)



Mash-ups are so 2003, but this was the indie-punk/dancefloor stormer I'd been praying and waiting for.

1. Hard-Fi - Tied Up Too Tight



Forget Bloc Party, Editors, Franz and all the other assorted 1981 tribute bands. Hard-Fi were the british sensation of 2005. This is the strongest track from the album, and my track of the year.

Honourable Mentions:
  • Girls Aloud - Biology
  • The Bravery - Honest Mistake
  • Daft Punk - Robot Rock (look, i got the joke, ok)

Top 3 Albums:

1. Sigur Ros - Takk
Class.

2. Girls Aloud - Chemistry
Late bolter of the year. Innovative pop-music, surprisingly sophisticated. I even like the bonus Christmas CD. I'd hit Cheryl.

3. Hard-Fi - Stars of CCTV
Flounders a bit in the middle, but the opening 5 and closing 3 tracks are fantastic.

Gheyest song which I secretly liked:
  • Madonna - Hung Up (yea, i'm aware it samples abba)

The Track Most Likely To Turn Me Into A Psychopathic Murderer Next Time I Hear It:
  • James Cunt - You're Beautiful