50
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Kid Rock - All Summer Long
He's not someone I would I want to spend a lot of time with, but you've got to admit - it's that catchy tune that you probably found yourself singing along to at some stage last summer. We all recognized the obvious references to the brilliant Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama" but Kid Rock also draws on Warren Zevon's "Werewolves of London" (actually, "draws on" is way too understated - it's practically the same track). There's a reason it was number one all over the world in 2008 - it's just so darn catchy and it's got that summer vibe going on.
Catherine Mc
No of votes: 6, Score:
27, Highest vote: 1st
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49
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Kanye West - Love Lockdown
Artist link: 10
Is there no end to this man's talents? Rapper, producer, President of the NBSWAA (National Big Sunglasses Wearer's Association of America) and now, singer! But it's not just the wobbly vocal that differentiates this track from it's predecessors - let's face it, pretty much any X Factor reject could make a passable attempt at this one if they were armed with a vocoder and an autotuner like Mr West is here - it's also the relaxed, laid back vibe. It's nothing like as in your face as anything on his three previous albums, so maybe (and understandably) recent events in his private life have mellowed him a little. As good as this track is, I'm hoping it's just something he needed to get out of his system, and he'll be back to being an angry young man again soon.
Greg B
No of votes: 6, Score:
28, Highest vote: 4th
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48
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Ladyhawke - My Delirium
Ever since Kylie wiggled her silver clad derriere back into the charts with a catchy slew of electro-pop hits, record companies have been falling over themselves to find their own blend of 80s electronica backed up with strong female vocals. And so along with the likes of Goldfrapp and The Ting Tings we can welcome Ladyhawke to the fold... And Ladyhawke (actually just a sparky blonde from NZ, not actually a band) want us to 'stop playing with their delirium. Delirium is apparently the sudden and acute onset of a decline in focus, attention and cognition. Thankfully this track fails to instil said condition. Instead a driving beat that pulls you relentlessly forward into a wonderful catchy chorus. I can picture many an enthusiastic jogger cranking this one up as they eat the miles up on the road or treadmill. The video captures the fast pace of the song beautifully with Ladyhawke herself behind the wheel of an American classic car traversing through space. Just one track from a strong album. I look forward to the follow up!
John M
No of votes: 6, Score:
33, Highest vote: 4th
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47
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One Night Only - Just For Tonight
Quite unusual for a band to have a name and their song title meaning broadly equivalent things, wouldn't you say? January is about the time, when, having put yourself through financial / dietary hardship, you really could do with something to lift those flagging spirits a bit before you submit yourself to further financial / physical hardship by joining a gym. Thankfully, to turn those corners of the mouth up on those dim dark winter eves, emerged One Night Only, with a euphoric piece of you'll-end-up-singing-this-whether-you-wanted-to-or-not rock music. So broad has its appeal been, that E4 and Sky have pilfered it for various uses on their programs. So broad is the appeal of lead vocalist George Craig, that at the tender age of 18, he finds himself not only as frontman for a rock band, but also modelling for Burberry. Looks like this might not be such a limited run after all.
Jason M
No of votes: 6, Score:
34, Highest vote: 2nd
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46
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Alphabeat - 10000 Nights
It would be very easy for me to be all sniffy and superior about this song. I could litter this review with snide-sounding remarks like "wailing-Whigfield-wannabies" and "Aqua's younger, chubbier cousins", but that's really missing the point of this kind of bubblegum pop that the Dane's seem to excel at. With an opening line like "I was not looking for arty-farty love" it was never going to be short-listed for a Novello, but I think it's fair to say that Stine Bramsen & co were never under any pretence that it would be. What I think they set out to do, and what they achieved in spades, was to write an infectious, insidious pop song that gets inside your head, and which you'll probably still be humming in 2035 when these 10,000 nights run out.
Greg B
No of votes: 6, Score:
43, Highest vote: 1st
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45
|
Coldplay - Lost!
Artist link: 2  3  4  6  8 9 17 24 25 26
I honestly thought I'd grown out of Coldplay, X&Y being something of a disappointment to these ears. Imagine my surprise then, to discover that the hiatus since the last album has allowed Chris Martin and company to add a few more elements to the distinctive Coldplay sound. This song for me tops a good brace of singles, namely due to the fact that it sounds so startlingly original. The combination of hammond organs swirling around in the background, with the handclaps and vaguely world-music-esque drumming gives it an anthemic feel. If that wasn't original enough, check out the version on the "Prospekts March EP" which features rapping by Jay-Z, which muscially is, well, a bit like trying to force a pair of opposing magnets together.
Jason M
No of votes: 7, Score:
27, Highest vote: 4th
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44
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Glasvegas - Daddy's Gone
The first major release from this band from Glasgow, songwriter James Allan was formerly a professional footballer but took off his boots and picked up a guitar to draw together a collection of Phil Spector and Jesus and Mary Chain inspired songs. "Daddy's Gone" is a brutal and defiant wall of sound honestly chisled and carefully carved from Scottish stone. A fine way to introduce you to the album and the band to the world.
Paul M
No of votes: 7, Score:
27, Highest vote: 3rd
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43
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The Ting Tings - Shut Up And Let Me Go
Artist link:4
So I defied commercial success and picked the Ting Tings' other song, probably helped by appearances in countless adverts and tv trailers. This all made me appreciate the track as a slightly less shouty and more sophisticated track than "That's Not My Name". Whichever one you prefer it's another fine example of bouncy crossover pop that kids, indie or otherwise, can lap up.
Dan Mc
No of votes: 7, Score:
28, Highest vote: 3rd
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42
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Goldfrapp - Happiness
Artist link:31 38
With every passing year, this reviewer finds himself increasingly stumped when perusing the aide memoire come voting time. "Who on Earth ARE these bands? These names mean nothing to me." It's a thoroughly demoralising experience. How fortunate then, that our beloved Goldfrapp offer a chance for salvation. For it would seem, according to to this song, that one need only donate all their money and Alison Goldfrapp & Co., with nothing but a pirate hat and a theremin, will make it all better. And if popular music has taught us anything, it's that money really can buy you love. What's more, in the unlikely scenario that you consider yourself happy already, this song will win you over regardless, beguiling as it is with a marching beat, electronic pops and mellifluous vocal treacle. Yes the economic times are hard, but can you really put a price on happiness? Of course not. But you can download this song for 79p.
Elliot H
No of votes: 7, Score:
38, Highest vote: 1st
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41
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Kaiser Chiefs - Never Miss A Beat
Artist link:2 4 37 44
Now, I know it's what singles are supposed to be, but la Chiefs do catchy don't they? Can you think of a KC single that wasn't? Quickly now... time's up! See? You can't, it's what they do best. And often as not, there's a dash of social commentary in the song. Superficially, it's being told from the point of view of a torpid teen, but a closer listen suggests there's something more than acceptance in there. Are they wearing a wire on us? What did you learn today? At least you know what you want for tea.
P Shoo
No of votes: 7, Score:
40, Highest vote: 1st
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Thanks go to the following people for assisting with getting together our comprehensive aide-memoire: Greg B, Kat B, Dan Mc
A MASSIVE THANKS also to all those who slaved over a hot keyboard to produce the write ups: Danny G, Paul H, Paul M, Kat B, Andrew S, Isaac H, Milly H, P Shoo, Dan Mc, Greg B, Elliot H, John M, Jane B, Henry I-S, John C, Swiss T, Catherine Mc