Biffy Clyro 'Only Revolutions'
Villagers 'Becoming A Jackal'
Corinne Bailey Rae 'The Sea'
Mumford & Sons ???Sigh No More???
Paul Weller 'Wake Up The Nation'
Wild Beasts 'Two Dancers'
Kit Downes Trio ???Golden???
Laura Marling 'I Speak Because I Can'
Dizzee Rascal 'Tongue N??? Cheek'
Foals 'Total Life Forever'
I Am Kloot 'Sky At Night'
The xx 'xx'
So, without wanting to resurrect the Speech Debelle debate, I see that this year's nominations for the Mercury Prize are up (with odds):
Dizzee Rascal ??? Tongue N' Cheek (4/1)
The xx ??? xx (4/1)
Paul Weller ??? Wake Up the Nation (6/1)
Corinne Bailey Rae ??? The Sea (6/1)
Mumford and Sons ??? Sigh No More (6/1)
Laura Marling ??? I Speak Because I Can (6/1)
Foals ??? Total Life Forever (8/1)
Wild Beasts ??? Two Dancers (8/1)
Biffy Clyro ??? Only Revolutions (8/1)
Villagers ??? Becoming a Jackal (10/1)
Kit Downes Trio ??? Golden (10/1)
I Am Kloot ??? Sky at Night (10/1)
Admittedly I've only heard four of the list but surely the inclusion of Rascal's shitstain on the face of music's recent album confirms once and for all that this prize is now entirely worthless. Also, Biffy fucking Clyroe?
I haven't actually sat down and listened to any of them carefully but, thanks to the wonder of Spotify, clicked through The xx, Mumford and Sons and Laura Marling off the back of rave reviews at the time. None of them convinced me to give them a proper listen unless I wanted to follow the dream of writing for Pitchfork. I also think I managed to click to the end of the Rascal album though in truth I may have given up around two thirds through.
While it's undoubtedly the greatest contribution to music this year. N-Dubz are bigger than any award. I also think their cross genre blends would have made them hard to classify as they cover everything from dance, to rap, to soul, to the free jazz stylings of Dappy's vocals.
N-Dubz. It's a travesty that they didn't get the nomination with all of the money that must have been spent pimping the useless fuckers on any show that would have them, but to I can't believe the panel would be so snotty as to hold something like Dappy's text-gate against them when there's so many better reasons.
I'd like to say zero but I guess a brief exposure of the Rascal album constitutes a listen.
THIS. Srs doe, the rest are a complete scrabble hand to me. McCoy called it right last year. Doc, whatcha got?
I would do my homework but Spotify/streaming banned at work - Are any of these going to float my boat*? I could skank them off a dodgy blog but I suspect 90% of the bandwidth and time taken to do so will be wasteful.
*Pre-requisites for flotation:
Chords
Bassline
Vocals not sounding like a dispute outside a chippy.
Also, prob one for Junior, is Inception worth seeing without spoilers? (don't want to check that thread)
Was underwhelmed with DiCaprio in Shutter Island.
Haven't seen it yet so thought I'd try and get some feedback before that thread turned spoiler heavy. Planning to go this week though whether that idea comes to fruition depends greatly on resisting the temptations of the local . Will report back on impressions if I do go. Pre viewing impressions are that it will be spectacular, incredibly serious, and overlong.
I have to confess to having little love for DiCaprio, most of the time he comes across as a boy who thinks that grimacing a lot will make him look more grown up. God knows what Scorcese sees in him (apart from guaranteed green lights). I did have a lot of love for his accent in Blood Diamonds doh, that was a keeper.
I am vaguely aware of N-Dubs and their valuable addition to the Bri'ish musical cannon, yet i must admit, my N-Dubz knowledge is weak, can someone please provide suitably facemelting vieo evidence of EnDubbs or a link or two so i can relate.
Biffy Clyro - some emo rock type thing right?
Villages - kinda like an Irish Elliott Smith impersonator
C B-R - haven't heard it.. but she aight. you might like this Jimster.
Mumford & Sons - kitch indie cuntry warblers
Paul Weller - obligatory nod to an old dude
Wild Beasts - indie band that kinda sounds like several other indie bands and a bit of Arthur Russell
Kit Downes Trio - I guessing by the presence of TRIO in their name, they're obligatory jazz nod
Laura Marling - although I don't actually own any of her music, I have a soft spot for her tender folk stylings.
Dizzee - he's kinda like the Lenny Henry of Uk rap.
Foals - a fine collection of haircuts
I Am Kloot - more jingle jangle indie parp
The xx - kinda interesting, un-cliched. i might even like them. Fuck it, they're my favourite by a long shot.
Thought he was good in "Catch Me If You Can". Wanted to hatt it, but in the end, turned out alright. And IIRC he dumped that Gisele supermodel.
BALLS OF BRASS.
Yeah without derailing this thread too far from it's purpose in life I also thought he was decent in Catch Me If You Can but mainly because the boy who never grew up suited him down to a tee. I actually thought he was ok in The Departed though in retrospect this was just my first introduction to Adult Leo (No-Duder) acting.
On the subject of The Greatest Living British Band, embedding's disabled but here's a link through to the highly insightful reality show they are currently starring in which helps explain how hard it is being a genius in today's music scene.
I've got Spotify loaded up to listen to the other entrants to the Mercury (skipping Weller obviously) but Moke's analysis has kind of made it a worthless exercise.
The betting suggests it's a fairly safe list this year. If I was inclined to bet, I'd go for Mumford & Sons, The XX or Laura Marling. After correctly predicting last year's winner*, as well as the winner of both the World Cup and Euro 2008, perhaps I ought to have a flutter and see how strong my instincts are.
Out of the ones I've heard, the Weller and Corinne Bailey Rae albums are my personal favourites. I'd like to see Weller win it purely because of the way he's managed to combine orneriness and a genuine sense of musical adventure on his last couple of albums. I'd like to think that might count for something here. The CBR album is, typically, underrated and/or openly derided (in the latter case, usually by people who haven't heard it), but it's a very good record that deserves a fairer shake than it's had. She was an eye-opener at the recent Stevie gig at Hyde Park, I can tell you that much. The I Am Kloot album's good too, and they're another outfit who have the potential to go beyond the minor cult status they've enjoyed - some consistently good songwriting on their records.
Out of the ones I haven't heard, I'm leaning towards the Villagers, mainly because I liked the single, and I always check out the Token Jazz Album as a matter of course. As for Mumford & Sons, I've been mostly struck by how quickly they've caught on with a more mainstream pop crowd that might have been listening to an act like Travis ten years ago. Very popular with Tha Laydeez as well, from what I can establish.
* I stand by everything I said about that record, btw, even if it didn't sell a tap and she turned out to be a diva-in-waiting who managed to piss off her label and everyone who'd worked for and with her within months of winning the damn thing.
DocMcCoy"Go and laugh in your own country!" 5,913 Posts
After taking on a former member of Simply Red as part of the backroom staff yesterday, I see today that we've signed Danny Wilson. I fully expect Jimmy The Hoover to be unveiled as the club's new owner before the week is out.
I think I'm suffering from FFF (fantasy football fatigue) though. That WC one just annoyed me, and I felt a slight chill when I logged on to the FPL site just now. It just seems like a real chore at the moment, and I swear they must have lowered the money, cause picking a quality side was a real struggle.
Mine is auto-gen for the moment, need a good hour or so to pore over the fixtures and pick some work-shy show-ponies who were bought off the back of YouTube tribute clips.
Whist we're talking football, how about the obligatory season predictions..
PL Winner:
PL top 4:
Relegated:
Surprise team:
Top Scorer:
Surprise player:
Biggest flop:
First manager to get sacked:
CL winner:
La Liga winner:
Serie A winner:
PL Winner: Arsenal
PL top 4: Chelski, ManU, Citeh
Relegated: Blackpool Wigan ??
Surprise team: Everton (push for top 4)
Top Scorer: Drogba
Surprise player: Wilshire
Biggest flop: any one of Citeh's defensive midfielders / James Milner (if he leaves VIlla)
First manager to get sacked: Mancini (if he looses those tough opening fixtures after spending 100 mill.)
CL winner: Ze Germans
La Liga winner: Real
Serie A winner: Inter
Comments
Dizzee Rascal ??? Tongue N' Cheek (4/1)
The xx ??? xx (4/1)
Paul Weller ??? Wake Up the Nation (6/1)
Corinne Bailey Rae ??? The Sea (6/1)
Mumford and Sons ??? Sigh No More (6/1)
Laura Marling ??? I Speak Because I Can (6/1)
Foals ??? Total Life Forever (8/1)
Wild Beasts ??? Two Dancers (8/1)
Biffy Clyro ??? Only Revolutions (8/1)
Villagers ??? Becoming a Jackal (10/1)
Kit Downes Trio ??? Golden (10/1)
I Am Kloot ??? Sky at Night (10/1)
Admittedly I've only heard four of the list but surely the inclusion of Rascal's shitstain on the face of music's recent album confirms once and for all that this prize is now entirely worthless. Also, Biffy fucking Clyroe?
FOUR!? bloody hell.
I'd like to say zero but I guess a brief exposure of the Rascal album constitutes a listen.
Still think N-Dubz should have won it. Speech Debelle is never gonna headline a stage at Glastonbury.
Also, who listens to Mumford & Sons? worst shit ever.
I haven't actually sat down and listened to any of them carefully but, thanks to the wonder of Spotify, clicked through The xx, Mumford and Sons and Laura Marling off the back of rave reviews at the time. None of them convinced me to give them a proper listen unless I wanted to follow the dream of writing for Pitchfork. I also think I managed to click to the end of the Rascal album though in truth I may have given up around two thirds through.
While it's undoubtedly the greatest contribution to music this year. N-Dubz are bigger than any award. I also think their cross genre blends would have made them hard to classify as they cover everything from dance, to rap, to soul, to the free jazz stylings of Dappy's vocals.
b-dum tish.
N-Dubz. It's a travesty that they didn't get the nomination with all of the money that must have been spent pimping the useless fuckers on any show that would have them, but to I can't believe the panel would be so snotty as to hold something like Dappy's text-gate against them when there's so many better reasons.
I assume this is about textgate?
Was underwhelmed with DiCaprio in Shutter Island.
THIS. Srs doe, the rest are a complete scrabble hand to me. McCoy called it right last year. Doc, whatcha got?
I would do my homework but Spotify/streaming banned at work - Are any of these going to float my boat*? I could skank them off a dodgy blog but I suspect 90% of the bandwidth and time taken to do so will be wasteful.
*Pre-requisites for flotation:
Chords
Bassline
Vocals not sounding like a dispute outside a chippy.
Haven't seen it yet so thought I'd try and get some feedback before that thread turned spoiler heavy. Planning to go this week though whether that idea comes to fruition depends greatly on resisting the temptations of the local . Will report back on impressions if I do go. Pre viewing impressions are that it will be spectacular, incredibly serious, and overlong.
I have to confess to having little love for DiCaprio, most of the time he comes across as a boy who thinks that grimacing a lot will make him look more grown up. God knows what Scorcese sees in him (apart from guaranteed green lights). I did have a lot of love for his accent in Blood Diamonds doh, that was a keeper.
Thought he was good in "Catch Me If You Can". Wanted to hatt it, but in the end, turned out alright. And IIRC he dumped that Gisele supermodel.
BALLS OF BRASS.
I am vaguely aware of N-Dubs and their valuable addition to the Bri'ish musical cannon, yet i must admit, my N-Dubz knowledge is weak, can someone please provide suitably facemelting vieo evidence of EnDubbs or a link or two so i can relate.
cheerio.
My ill-informed disconnected opinion on it..
Biffy Clyro - some emo rock type thing right?
Villages - kinda like an Irish Elliott Smith impersonator
C B-R - haven't heard it.. but she aight. you might like this Jimster.
Mumford & Sons - kitch indie cuntry warblers
Paul Weller - obligatory nod to an old dude
Wild Beasts - indie band that kinda sounds like several other indie bands and a bit of Arthur Russell
Kit Downes Trio - I guessing by the presence of TRIO in their name, they're obligatory jazz nod
Laura Marling - although I don't actually own any of her music, I have a soft spot for her tender folk stylings.
Dizzee - he's kinda like the Lenny Henry of Uk rap.
Foals - a fine collection of haircuts
I Am Kloot - more jingle jangle indie parp
The xx - kinda interesting, un-cliched. i might even like them. Fuck it, they're my favourite by a long shot.
This is possibly my most memorable contribution to Soulstrut.
an original
a cover
a remix
wicked.
innit
Yeah without derailing this thread too far from it's purpose in life I also thought he was decent in Catch Me If You Can but mainly because the boy who never grew up suited him down to a tee. I actually thought he was ok in The Departed though in retrospect this was just my first introduction to Adult Leo (No-Duder) acting.
On the subject of The Greatest Living British Band, embedding's disabled but here's a link through to the highly insightful reality show they are currently starring in which helps explain how hard it is being a genius in today's music scene.
I've got Spotify loaded up to listen to the other entrants to the Mercury (skipping Weller obviously) but Moke's analysis has kind of made it a worthless exercise.
The betting suggests it's a fairly safe list this year. If I was inclined to bet, I'd go for Mumford & Sons, The XX or Laura Marling. After correctly predicting last year's winner*, as well as the winner of both the World Cup and Euro 2008, perhaps I ought to have a flutter and see how strong my instincts are.
Out of the ones I've heard, the Weller and Corinne Bailey Rae albums are my personal favourites. I'd like to see Weller win it purely because of the way he's managed to combine orneriness and a genuine sense of musical adventure on his last couple of albums. I'd like to think that might count for something here. The CBR album is, typically, underrated and/or openly derided (in the latter case, usually by people who haven't heard it), but it's a very good record that deserves a fairer shake than it's had. She was an eye-opener at the recent Stevie gig at Hyde Park, I can tell you that much. The I Am Kloot album's good too, and they're another outfit who have the potential to go beyond the minor cult status they've enjoyed - some consistently good songwriting on their records.
Out of the ones I haven't heard, I'm leaning towards the Villagers, mainly because I liked the single, and I always check out the Token Jazz Album as a matter of course. As for Mumford & Sons, I've been mostly struck by how quickly they've caught on with a more mainstream pop crowd that might have been listening to an act like Travis ten years ago. Very popular with Tha Laydeez as well, from what I can establish.
* I stand by everything I said about that record, btw, even if it didn't sell a tap and she turned out to be a diva-in-waiting who managed to piss off her label and everyone who'd worked for and with her within months of winning the damn thing.
Lampard. Line. No goal.
Don't really care though.
More importantly, has anyone set up the Soulstrut league yet: http://fantasy.premierleague.com/
I'm sure Jimster will renew the old one in good time.
329676-85193
I think I'm suffering from FFF (fantasy football fatigue) though. That WC one just annoyed me, and I felt a slight chill when I logged on to the FPL site just now. It just seems like a real chore at the moment, and I swear they must have lowered the money, cause picking a quality side was a real struggle.
I'll mail the one SKEL too.
Seems to get harder every year :pasue:
Mine is auto-gen for the moment, need a good hour or so to pore over the fixtures and pick some work-shy show-ponies who were bought off the back of YouTube tribute clips.
PL Winner:
PL top 4:
Relegated:
Surprise team:
Top Scorer:
Surprise player:
Biggest flop:
First manager to get sacked:
CL winner:
La Liga winner:
Serie A winner:
PL top 4: Chelski, ManU, Citeh
Relegated: Blackpool Wigan ??
Surprise team: Everton (push for top 4)
Top Scorer: Drogba
Surprise player: Wilshire
Biggest flop: any one of Citeh's defensive midfielders / James Milner (if he leaves VIlla)
First manager to get sacked: Mancini (if he looses those tough opening fixtures after spending 100 mill.)
CL winner: Ze Germans
La Liga winner: Real
Serie A winner: Inter
PL top 4: Un*ted, Chelski, LFC, CITEH
Relegated: Blackpool West Brom Newcastle. Sad about Blackpool as it's a good day out.
Surprise team: LFC all fired up like Pat Benatar.
Top Scorer: Roonaldo :(
Surprise player: Joe Cole Unleashed
Biggest flop: City's most expensive signing :(
First manager to get sacked: Mancini
CL winner: Real
La Liga winner: Real
Serie A winner: Inter