30
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Eminem - The Real Slim Shady
Artist link: 2  8 21  48
Love him or loathe him, he knows how to make an impression. This year has seen the small fire that is Marshall Mathers turn into an inferno raging out of control (if you believe everything the tabloids have to say). The first release from the 2nd album showed that it was going to be bare knuckle fighting all over again. Lyrically he still towers over any other white rapper and he knows which samples to pick too. I've heard what I believe is known as the "Bootleg" mix, which has a rock sample instead of the Adams Family style harpsichord. Anyone know where I can my hands on it?
Jason M
No of votes: 5, Score:
24, Highest vote: 3rd
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29
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Ronan Keating - Life's A Rollercoaster
The title must have just won over "Life's A Bitch and Then You Die", before the target audience was considered. A man of many talents, although I would say that he does appear to suffer from a touch of Connery's disease, apparent when he guested with Elton John at the recent Madison Square Garden concert. I can still hear it ringing in my ears.... "And can tell everybody, this is your shong, it made be quite shimple but, now that it'sh gone....."
Jason M
No of votes: 5, Score:
25, Highest vote: 3rd
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28
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Mansun - I Can Only Disappoint U
Over the years, a strong following has emerged for Mansun, which has ensured that they have managed to weather the storm through some troubled times. Of late, they have managed to produce some fine guitar pop songs of which this is an evident example. The heavier rock edge is a dim and distant memory, but fine pop craftsmanship is in art in itself and dodgy Prince spelling aside shows the following is only going to swell from here.
Jason M
No of votes: 5, Score:
28, Highest vote: 1st
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27
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Limp Bizkit - Take A Look Around
Heavy riffing around the Mission Impossible theme? All sounds a bit tack, doesn't it? But Limp Bizkit wasn't all about iffy tv theme cover versions and movie tie-ins. The song itself only uses the M.I. theme as a start point for a thunderous rawk anthem with a strong rap crossover. Granted, they weren't the first to do it (full credit to the Prodigy for melding rock and rap years before), but this song was a kickstart to the American rock revival and Fred Durst ensured Limp Bizkit were surfing the new wave of American Heavy Metal.
Jason M
No of votes: 5, Score:
30, Highest vote: 3rd
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26
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David Gray - Babylon
Artist link: 41
A song that came from 1998's "White Ladder" album, but thanks to lots of perseverence became part of his 2000 assault on the charts. This ensured David Gray became the latest in the line of coffee table heros. The song is chock full of well crafted, well mannered and well executed pop that is designed to make your speakers glow as your room is filled with warm and toasty sounds. Just what Mr and Ms ideal couple would have playing on a Sunday morning in bed with the papers.
Jason M
No of votes: 5, Score:
32, Highest vote: 3rd
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23
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Mint Royale featuring Lauren Laverne - Don't Falter
These days, if you've left a band, or are fed up of being in the one you are in, whilst you mull over what the hell to do next, you can keep the notes coming in by collaborating with someone else. So in a post-Kenickie fit of pique, this keeps the L Laverne profile high whilst she gets the solo album in the can. Some might argue this is better than anything Kenickie ever did, but I know this is the case, so I don't bother. Pure pop, pure brilliance, pure and simple every time.
Jason M
No of votes: 6, Score:
21, Highest vote: 4th
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22
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Modjo - Lady (Hear Me Tonight)
What makes a crossover record? Hard to say (otherwise I'd have the patent drawn up by now), but quite often simplicity is the key. This song doesn't over-complicate things, there's only really the one guitar sample used all the way through, but the way the whole song is drawn together so tight you know it wouldn't come undone if you dragged it over a barbed wire fence. There is something about it that echoes how Stardust captured the crossover success before, but that just goes to prove how good it gets when the mix is right.
Jason M
No of votes: 6, Score:
29, Highest vote: 4th
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21
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Stephen Gately - New Beginning
"I've made up my mind, It's time for a new beginning". Maybe it's time for Stephen to appear from Ronan's shadow. And this poll shows he most definitely has a future - contrary to popular belief. GO ON YA GOOD T'ING! ;-).
Kat B
No of votes: 6, Score:
48, Highest vote: 1st
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Thanks go to the following people for assisting with getting together our comprehensive aide-memoire: Danny G, Ali H, Paul M, Kat B
A MASSIVE THANKS also to all those who slaved over a hot keyboard to produce the write ups: Kat B, Isaac H, Milly H
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