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Another year lost and gone. Hopefully I'll get round to finishing my Albums the 2000s. Until then, here's my usual end of year lists...

Albums Of The Year.

1 Diary of Dreams – iF
The last few Diary albums had sounded tired, which was why “iF” was a bit of a shock. With a slightly more commercial sound and a boost of energy into the mix suddenly everything gelled again. The music no longer plodded along, the synths no longer sat in discord within the mix and the lyrics were just right for singing along to. A Synth/Rock Goth classic for the end of the noughties.

2 Florence + The Machine – Lungs
A fun, riotous belter of a beast. Possibly a bit too boozy and leery at points, nevertheless a great debut and probably worth all the attention splashed on it in the press.

3 Lisa Gerrard – The Black Opal
This was a late release, so my opinion’s still forming over this one, but initial impressions are very good. Not as dark as previous solo efforts, this starts as the usual swirl of neo classical and Lisa’s sweeping contralto voice, then the second half of the album resolves into some lighter tracks and “proper” songs.

4 Rammstein – LIEBE IST FuR ALLE DA
It had been a while since the awful, almost descent into self parody of Rosenrot. The single Pussy arrived and things weren’t looking much better. But with Liebe they somehow have managed to produce possibly their finest album yet. Reverting back to the energy and crunch from the early days gives immediacy to the songs, whilst the song writing developed from Reise Reise gives substance and longevity.

5 Bat for Lashes – Two Suns
Fur And Gold was a magically impressive debut; flawed, simplistic and wondrous. Two Suns presents a leap in technical ability and production, crafting a space of delicate wonder. Yet somehow for all its beauty something is missing, something I can’t quite put my finger on. Possibly it’s all too safe, too restrained, floating where it could soar, always operating at mid volume.

6 Depeche Mode – Sounds Of The Universe
Heralded in by a procession of long growing tones, the boys return with a minimalistic retro 80s synth sound of the sort that you couldn’t actually get in the 80s. There’s no bad moments here, yet there are no classic tracks either - the album seems content at being solid and consistent.

7 Rome – Flowers From Exile
Another year; another ROME album; another gently crafted collection of dark neofolk; another leap in growth; another entry in my list of the year. Listening back through their quickly growing catalogue it’s astounding how much this band have changed, yet consistently delivered with each release. Yet it’s this constant churn of albums which moves them down the list, because after all this time maybe I’m starting to get a bit over saturated in ROME which, when albums of this standard, is a shame.

8 Ordo Rosarius Equilibrio – Onani
More erotic poetry from those crazy post-industial apocalyptic folk Sweedes, although this time with less anger and more masturbation. Suprisingly mellow.

9 Sunn O))) – Monoliths and dimensions
Sunn O))) play the loudest, heaviest drone metal possible, which should mean little scope for albums other than constant repetition. Yet Monoliths is yet another dimension (sic) to their sound, the addition of brass, orchestration and choirs unexpectedly adding to the intense whole, resulting in their loudest fullest release to date. Catch them live if you can, otherwise put this on, turn the volume to 11 and immerse yourself.

10 Diablo Swing Orchestra – Sing-Along Songs for the Damned & Delirious
I really wanted to love Sing-Along as much as I loved The Butchers Ballroom, their genre hopping Operatic Swing Metal debut. But this suffers from typical 2nd album issues. There’s more swing here and a slightly more commercial sound, but all the tracks feel too similar, which although it gives a consistency the debut may have lacked slightly, the overall effect is missing something.

11 Soap&Skin – Lovetune for Vacuum
A nice little debut of stretched vocals, piano and ambience, although ultimately lacking slightly in the songs themselves. Worth checking out.

12 My Dying Bride – For Lies I Sire
Like many older metal bands, MDB seem happy to revisit past glories with varying results. Thankfully “For Lies” is one of their better efforts and has the added bonus of the return of the violin.

13 Faith and the Muse – ankoku butoh
A mixed bag of proper old school Goth with that unique ‘handmade’ feel bands used to have. Just don’t bother with the badly designed deluxe packaging which is filled with a wash of garish colours and bad fonts.


Disappointments Of The Year
There were many albums from bands I've enjoyed in the past, but their new stuff just didn't cut it. This list included contributions from The Gathering, VNV Nation, Therion, The Prodigy, Nouvelle Vague, Lacuna Coil, Leaves' Eyes, Emilie Simon, Björk, Alice in Chains.


Special Edition Of The Year
Rammstein – LIEBE IST FuR ALLE DA
Most of the albums listed above came in a special format of one sort or the other, a concerted effort on the record labels to shift copies - not that I’m complaining. Depeche Mode is worth a mention for the 12inch hard box filled with all sorts of goodies.
Ultimately the winner this year has to be Rammstein with the £200 deluxe case containing, amongst other stuff, six moulded Dildos. Part of me wishes I had purchased the thing, the rest of me is glad I didn’t.


Re-Release Of The Year
Kraftwerk – The Catalogue
Whilst it’s hard to ignore the impressive Beatles re-issues, I’ll be listening to the equally influential Kraftwerk. Remastered to look and sound even more starkly minimalistic, this is German precision at its best.

Following albums are available for full download in my personal blog here. Enjoy!

Monday Math Class - Demo [2008]
Siddal - The Pedestal [1995]
SPIRAL LIFE - Flourish [1995]
Azam Ali - Elysium For The Brave [2006]
Yat-Kha - Yenisei-Punk [1995]
Sainkho Namtchylak - Who Stole The Sky? [2003]
The Sundays - Reading, Writing and Arithmetic [1990]
Morphine - Full Discography + EPs + Bootlegs
Atari Teenage Riot - Burn, Berlim, Burn! [1997]
Sebastian Bach - Angel Down [2007]
The Smiths - Full Discography
Guns N' Roses - Chinese Democracy + Bonus [2008]
My Bloody Valentine - Rarities [2009]
Nick Drake - Bryter Layter [1970]
Elastica - Elastica [1995]
Злые Куклы - Странное Завтра [2007]
Värttinä - Seleniko [1992]
Nick Drake - Pink Moon [1971]
Nick Drake - Five Leaves Left [1969]
Elliott Smith - Elliott Smith [1995]
Luminous Orange - Drop You Vivid Colors [2002]
Serena Maneesh - Serena Maneesh [2005]
Cœur de Pirate - Cœur de Pirate [2008]
Condor44 - db [2002]
Sonic Youth - Full Discography + EPs + Bootlegs
Kaj Tiel Plu - Sojle De La Klara Temp' [2000]
Coaltar of the Deepers - Yukari Telepath [2007]
Faith and the Muse - : ankoku butoh : [2009]
Llangres - Esnalar [2005]
fra-foa - 13 Leaves [2002]
Triste Makrina - Ritual [2001]
Axiom of Choice - Unfolding [2002]
Trobar de Morte - Fairydust [2005]
Pievos - Mėnuli Baltas [2007]
Mediavolo - Unaltered Empire [2008]
Impressions of Winter - Cantica Lunae [1997]
VAST - Music For People [2000]
O Quam Tristis - Le Rituel Sacre [2002]
The Smashing Pumpkins - Gish [1991]
זקני צפת - זקני צפת
Blonde Redhead - Best Of [2007]
Neutral - Serpents In The Dawn [2008]
Yo La Tengo - I Can Hear The Heart Beating As One [1997]
Bat for Lashes - Two Suns [2009]
Sol Seppy - The Bells Of 1 2 [2006]
To be continued...

Kolejność przypadkowa.

1. Wardruna - Runaljod – gap var Ginnunga





2. Faith and the Muse - ankoku butoh





3. Heaven & Hell - The Devil You Know





4. Peter Bjärgö - A Wave of Bitterness





5. Natural Snow Buildings - Shadow Kingdom





6. Colosseum - Chapter 2: Numquam





7. Callisto - Providence





8. A Storm of Light - Forgive Us Our Trespasses





9. The Eden House - Smoke & Mirrors





10. Atrium Carceri - Phrenitis





11. Arktau Eos - Ai Ma Ra





12. The Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble - Here Be Dragons





13. The Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble - Mutations





14. Fleshgod Apocalypse - Oracles





15. Goatwhore - Carving Out The Eyes Of God





16. Broken Note - Terminal Static





17. Saattue - Vuoroveri





18. Arditi & Signa Inferre - Statues Of Gods / Invictis Victi





19. The Axis of Perdition - Urfe





20. Piano Magic - Ovations





21. Immortal - All Shall Fall





22. Dark Funeral - Angelus Exuro pro Eternus





23. Cobalt - Gin





24. Metus - Beauty





25. Troum - Eald-Ge-Stréon / Abhijňâ





26. Lost Soul - Immerse In Infinity





27. Amplifier - Eternity





28. Megadeth - Endgame





29. A Storm Of Light / Nadja - Primitive North





30. OM - God is Good





31. Jóhann Jóhannsson - And in the endless pause there came the sound of bees

[Coluna do Caligari publicada no Melancholic Gothic Zine #15]


A partir dessa edição, passarei a falar de uma das vertentes góticas mais produtivas, o ethereal, ou darkwave ethereal como alguns preferem descrever. Mas antes precisamos saber o que é mesmo esse estilo musical e o que o difere das outras vertentes góticas.

Fato interessante é que desde o início dos anos 80 já havia música etérea, no entanto o rótulo de "Ethereal" só apareceu em meados de 1991 com o lançamento pela gravadora Hyperiumda coletânea "Heavenly Voices". Bem Antes disso, Ivo Watts, dono da gravadora 4AD, celeiro de bandas como Cocteau Twins, Pixies, Wolfgang Press, Dead Can Dance e Clan of Xymox, lança aquele que considero o projeto mais ousado em termos musicais: It´ll end in Tears(terminará em lágrimas) é um album onde não podemos dizer se tratar de uma coletânea ou até de uma mesma banda. O disco da banda “This Mortal Coil" tinha uma formação diferente a cada canção, todos artistas do casting da gravadora. O resultado é a união perfeita de vocais angelicais como de Elizabeth Fraser(Cocteau Twins), Tania Donelly(Throwing Muses) e Kim Deal(Pixies)com arranjos marcantes numa sonoridade que nos faz sonhar estando acordado. Ao todo foram 4 discos gravados: It´ll end in Tears(1984), Filligre & Shadow (1986), Lonely is an Eyesore (1987) e Blood(1991), que serviram pra consolidar esse marco na sonoridade musical gótica. Paralelo a esse projeto, já existiam bandas como Cocteau Twins e Dead Can Dance que primoravam no vocal lânguido, por vezes triste quase depressivo, outras vezes magicalmente alegre.

Poderíamos dizer que a característica principal do estilo Ethereal é o vocal lírico extremamente refinado e quase sempre feminino, onde a sonoridade importa mais que a letra. Até hoje não se sabe exatamente o que Elizabeth Fraser cantava nas canções do Cocteau ou o "idioma inventado" por Chako nas canções da banda ethereal japonesa, Jack or Jive. Há uma diferenciação também marcante para os puristas que preferem separar o Ethereal propriamente dito do Neoclássico. Enquanto o primeiro prefere instrumentos eletrônicos, o neoclássico usa instrumentos acústicos próprios de música erudita. Outra diferenciação muito importante se dá do Ethereal/Neoclássico para o chamado "Gothic Metal". Enquanto o Ethereal prima pela erudição e o refinamento melódico completo da canção, o que temos, em via de regra, no "Gothic Metal" nada mais é que um metal melódico, onde se acrescenta um vocal lírico que se contrapôe a uma voz gutural masculina, isso tudo sob acordes instrumentais essencialmente de base do "rock metaleiro".

Como disse antes, a primeira gravadora a promover bandas Ethereal foi a 4AD com os grandes nomes consagrados da década de oitenta. Posteriormente, temos a retomada do estilo no início dos anos 90 com o lançamento dos cinco albuns da coletânea Heavenly Voices pela alemã Hyperium. Hoje, a gravadora americana Projektpromove as principais bandas do estilo Ethereal/Darkwave/Dark Ambient no mundo. Nomes como Autumn´s Grey Solace, Dark Sanctuary, Arcana, Rajna, Love Spirals Downwards, Faith and the Muse, Ordo Equitum Solis, Lycia, entre outros fazem parte do casting da gravadora.

A cada dia nascem novas nesse gênero e felizmente a qualidade tem só melhorado. A riqueza de sonoridade do Ethereal é o fundamental para que esse gênero sempre se renove sem cair na mesmice como ocorre em muitos outros gêneros musicais.

A partir da próxima edição quero apresentar as novas bandas desse cenário sem deixar de mostrar a biografia e discografias das bandas que consagraram o gênero.

A propósito. Retirei o título da coluna de uma declaração de Liz Fraser. Quando perguntada numa entrevista o que era a música dela, respondeu: ”música para induzir a vertigem”.

Por Dr. Caligari

All My Faith Lost ... - Decade
Ataraxia - Llys
Blutengel - Soultaker
Brendan Perry - Ark
Caprice - Six Secret Words
Carol Tatum - Ancient Delirium
Damh the Bard - Tales from the Crow Man
Dark Sanctuary - Dark Sanctuary
Enya - The Very Best of Enya
Faith and the Muse - : ankoku butoh :
Faun - Buch der balladen
Jack or Jive - KOKOROBITO
Íon - Immaculata
Lady GaGa - The Fame Monster
Lisa Gerrard - Balibo
Lisa Gerrard - The Black Opal
Lisa Gerrard & Klaus Schulze - Come Quietly
Love - LOVE IT
Maple Bee - This Face This Name
Mind.In.A.Box - R.E.T.R.O.
Moonroot - Under the Ancient Oak
Moya Brennan - untitled
Nox Arcana - Winter's Eve
Rajna - Offering
Rihanna - Rated R
Sophie Ellis-Bextor - untitled
Suicide Commando - Die Motherfucker Die
Suicide Commando - Implements of Hell
t.A.T.u. - Waste Management
Tarja - What Lies Beneath
Tarot - Gravity of Light
The Birthday Massacre - untitled
The Gathering - City from Above
The Soil Bleeds Black - 1212
Tori Amos - Midwinter Graces
大塚愛 - LOVE is BEST

1.How did you get into no.29?
Lacrimosa
Было такое прекрасное радио "Мираж", откуда я почерпнул немало отличных групп, в том числе и Лакримозу.

2. What's the first song you ever heard by no.22?
Спидовая бабка, lol
Здесь, наверное, уместнее будет сказать "первый трек" - очевидно, "Ах ты сука спидовый!". А "песня" - "Проклятый анафем".

3. Whats your favorite lyric by no.33?
Cinema Strange
Я нечасто разбираю нерусскоязычную лирику, и единственное, что приходит в голову у них - Catacomb Kittens.

4. How did you get into no.49?
Faith and the Muse
Что-то из времен знакомства с ортодоксальной готекой.

5. How many albums by no.13 do you own?
Diary of Dreams
В цифровом эквиваленте - почти все, что выходило; на физических носителях - ничего.

6. What is your favorite song by no.50?
Пиздо-пидор
Еще один великий певец. Что он пел-то? "Мистер ла-ла-ла-ла"?

7. Is there a song by no.39 that makes you sad?
Dvar
Не самый слезовыжимательный исполнитель, затрудняюсь с ответом.

8. What is your favorite song by no.15?
Nautilus Pompilius
Ох, вот уж у кого будет сложно выбрать что-то одно. Пусть будет "После и снова".

9. What is your favorite song by no.5?
Агата Кристи
Еще лучше. Пусть будет "Извращение".

10. Is there a song by no.6 that makes you happy?
Коммунизм
"Радостно на душе". Весело на душе! Да и вообще, весь альбом "На советской скорости".

11. What is the worst song by no.40?
Otto Dix
Ха! Будет странно оценивать этих ребят как-то серьезно, но на двух последних альбомах почти все песни с хреновыми текстами.

12. What is your favorite song by no.10?
Untoten
"Let Me Love You (In Times Of Pain)". Хотя на альбомах "Vampire Book" и "The Look of Blasphemie" что за трек ни возьми - сплошные хиты.

13. What is a good memory you have involving no.30?
The Sisters of Mercy
Например, песенка "Burn" - одна из первых, что я научился играть.

14. What is your favorite song by no.38?
Kirlian Camera
"Eclipse", чего уж тут оригинальничать.

15. Is there a song by no.19 that makes you happy?
Hocico
Группа - просто образец жизнерадостности. Выберу "Love Posing As A Prostitute" - просто нечеловеческое веселье.

16. Is there a song by no.25 that makes you sad?
Инструкция по выживанию
Печалит, что лучше альбома "Смертное" эта группа так ничего и не сделала.

17. What is the first song you ever heard by 23?
Пикник
Это либо "Много дивного на свете", либо "Лицо" - зависит от того, какой альбом я послушал первым - "Танец волка" или "Стекло".

18. What's your favorite lyric by no.11?
Sopor Aeternus
Пусть будет "Little Velveteen Knight" - ибо сколько ему было посвящено обсуждений и рассуждений, никакой другой песне не доставалось..

19. Who is a favorite member of no.1?
Гражданская Оборона
Думаю, здесь комментарии излишни.

20. Is there a song by no.14 that makes you happy?
Александр Лаэртский
"ХимФак МГУ", да и вообще, очень жизнеутверждающий товарищ.

21. What is a good memory involving no.27?
Clan of Xymox
Вот вроде и группа хорошая, а что-то особое припомнить не могу. Назову замечательную песню "A Day".

22. What is your favorite song by no.16?
:wumpscut:
Назову "Churist Churist" - за богатство лирики.

23. What is the first song you ever heard by no.47?
Violet Stigmata
"Vapeurs de clown" - т.к. с нее начинается отличный альбом "Progenitures - Suite & Fin".

24. What is your favorite album by no.18?
Akira Yamaoka
Silent Hill OST (первый).

25. What is your favorite song by no.21?
ALI PROJECT
"Baragoku Otome".

26. What is the first song you ever heard by no.26?
Project Pitchfork
"Timekiller".

27. What is your favorite album by no.3?
The Cure
"Pornography" - причем не только у The Cure, но и один из любимейших вообще.

28. What is you favorite song by no.2?
Кооператив Ништяк
Еще один непростой выбор. "От того что".

29. What was the first song you ever heard by no.32?
Angizia
"Pique Dame und Rachmaninov, 1904" - снова первый трек с альбома.

30. What is you favorite song by no.8?
Christian Death
"Electra Descending".

31. How many times have you seen no.17 live?
Depeche Mode
Не было такого.

32. Is there a song by no.44 that makes you happy?
Suicide Commando
Чуть веселее Hocico. Тут даже ничего выдумывать не буду. "Happy" - последнее слово, с которым у меня ассоциируется Suicide Commando.

33. How did you get into no.12?
Das Ich
Собирал диски серии "Домашняя коллекция". Продавец мне сказал, что это типа как Rammstein, но поумнее.

34. What is the worst song by no.45?
45-го номера нету, да и не люблю я худшие песни выбирать.

35. What was the first song you ever heard by no.34?
Placebo
"The Bitter End" - увидел клип, где они тусуются на антенне. А может, что-то раньше слышал, но не знал, кто поет.

36. What was the first song you ever heard by no.48?
Tragic Black
Nachtschleichen (Reanimated Mix) - на сборнике "New Dark Age vol. 1".

37. How many times have you seen no.42 live?
Василий К. & The Kurtens
Не было такого, хотя заезжает регулярно.

38. What is you favorite song by no.36?
Velvet Acid Christ
Затрудняюсь что-то выделить, хотя он мне весьма нравится.

39. What was the first song you ever heard by no.28?
Joy Division
"Love Will Tear Us Apart".

40. What is you favorite album by no.7?
The Beatles
"Rubber Soul", хотя здесь мог быть и любой другой альбом, в котором достаточно любимых песен.

41. Is there a song by no.31 that makes you happy?
Leæther Strip
Да, ансамбли один веселей другого. Не знаю, что и сказать.

42. What is your favorite album by no.41?
Diorama
"Pale".

43. What is your favorite song by no.24?
The Tiger Lillies
"Meat".

44. What is a good memory you have involving no.46?
Нет 46-го пункта.

45. What is your favorite song by no.35?
t.A.T.u.
"Perfect Enemy".

46. Is there a song by no.9 that makes you happy?
Siouxsie and the Banshees
Концертный вариант "Placebo Effect" с "The Thorn" EP.

47. What is your favorite album by no.4?
4R
"Международное Радио Китая".

48. Who is your favorite member of no.37?
L'Âme Immortelle
Да они меня как-то не трогают.

49. What is the first song you ever heard by no.43?
Skinny Puppy
"Deep Down Trauma Hounds", возможно.

50. What is your favorite song by no.20?
Оргазм Нострадамуса
"Раздражение аморала".

Ура!

Ah, there has been so much music I have been enjoying lately I just needed to gush about it somewhere, so here I am. This is the music that has moved me the most over the past few months.

Ava Inferi - The Blood of Bacchus - Carmen, sweet Carmen, I will never get enough of her voice!

Bella Lune - Abstracted Visions - I'm a bit behind in discovering this wonderful synthpop/dreampop act with the best little girl vocals I've heard since I discovered the Cranes.

Cantata Sangui - On Rituals And Correspondence In Constructed Realities - This is very cool avant-garde metal with no guitars, only bass. It intersperses dark and light passages very effectively. I was actually caught off guard by how much I enjoyed this!

The Eden House - Smoke & Mirrors - This may be the winner of 2009 album of the year for me. A gothic supergroup of sorts featuring members of Fields of the Nephilim, NFD, and This Burning Effigy, with lovely female vocals provided by various vocalists like Monica Richards from Faith and the Muse and Julianne Reagan from All About Eve. There is not one bad song on the album, and there is a dreamy feeling throughout that is just mesmerising. I cannot get enough of this!

Evolvent - Spiritual Confession - I'm not usually into doom metal, but this is definitely an exception. These songs are epic journeys punctuated by the gorgeous operatic vocals of Céline de Kerliviou of Ad Vitam Aeternam.

Lisa Hammer - Dakini - I was so excited about this album, and ecstatic when I saw it for sale on the Project site well before the release date. This solo album by the former vocalist of Requiem In White, The Order of The N.C.S. and Mors Syphilitica, is definitely a departure from her previous musical projects, being much more meditative, ethereal and spiritual. This is a brilliant release, and my only complaint is that she does not really use her operatic voice here. Other than that, I am extremely pleased with Dakini!

Negradonna - S/T - Negradonna are a lesser known Polish ethereal act that deserve to be more well known. Poetic and lovely, they offer tracks for free download on Last.fm, so you can see what I mean about them needing to be more well known!

Omasphere - Prélude - Prikosnovenie's latest release does not disappoint. This is very mystical and spiritual ethnic ethereal music that should appeal to fans of Rajna and Irfan. The album is breathtaking at times and listening to it is a transcendental experience.

Viola Rose - Veils of Twilight - Here is another artist who deserves to be more well known! Veils of Twilight varies through genres very fluidly from ethereal, to pop, to world, to gothic, and it's all topped by Viola's strong, passionate and earthy vocals. She's a performance artist too, and you can find out more about her, as well as listen to tracks from Veils of Twilight at her myspace page here.

Solanaceae - S/T

and

Unto Ashes - The Blood of My Lady

These two releases represent fine examples of mystical dark folk, and can also be seen as sister releases as Michael Laird of Unto Ashes appears on the Solanaceae and Kim Larsen of Solanaceae (also of :Of the Wand & the Moon:), guests on The Blood of My Lady. Both releases also feature versions of the song The Blood of My Lady. Simply beautiful!

1. What's your favorite song by #15 (François Pérusse)?
Though it's not technically a song - the one with the parody of a Barry White song.

2. How did you get into #20 (Indochine)?
I've heard them since I was a kid but I became a fan with Paradize.

3. Who is your favorite member in #1 (Die Ärzte)?
Farin Urlaub

4. Whats your favorite lyric bit by #29 (Vernian Process)?
None - it's all instrumental !

5. Have you ever seen #22 (Björk) live?
Unfortunately, no :(

6. What's your favorite album from #10 (Zazie)?
Zen

7. Do you own any merchandise from #3 (Cocteau Twins)?
No

8. What is a good memory you have of #7 (Die Toten Hosen)?
Their gig at Hamburg in 2001 - the first and only one I went to !

9. Is there a member of the same age as you in #2 (U2)?
LOL No

10. When did you first get into #8 (Apocalyptica)?
5 years ago, a colleague played one of their Metallica covers on his computer. I really loved the way it was rendered and wanted to hear more.

11. Who likes #4 (Placebo) along with you?
A good German friend of mine

12. Which song did you first hear from #16 (The Cure)?
I first heard them when I was a kid - I guess it was "Close to me" because of the video.

13. What song made you fall in love with #5 (My Chemical Romance)?
Helena

14. Which song do you not like by #18 (Marylin Manson)?
His cover of Personal Jesus is really lame...

15. Why do you like #14's (The Cranberries) songs?
I like the dreamy atmosphere of the songs of the first album and Dolores's voice, sometimes soft and angelic, sometimes angry and powerful.

16. Where did you first hear #6 (Muse)?
I think it was in Hamburg in 2001. One of their songs was playing on TV but I didn't really pay attention back then. Then back in France, I listened to Absolution and I fell in love.

17. How long was #19 (Emiliana Torrini) a band before you liked them?
4-5 years I think...

18. Does #13 (Lacuna Coil) have a song that gives you a bad memory?
Some from "Comalies" do, but I won't go into more details

19. When did you get into #17 (The Chemical Brothers)?
In 1998 with Hey Boy Hey Girl.

20. How long have you been into #9 (Depeche Mode)?
Since 2002-ish, I guess, when a friend turned me onto Music for the Masses.

21. If #11 (Delerium) had a concert 300 miles away, would you drive there to see them?
I don't know - I prefer electronic music on CD rather than live.

22. How many CDs do you own of #12 (Siouxsie and the Banshees)?
Around 5 (mostly compilations !)

23. Does #21 (The Beatles) have a song that makes you cry?
No

24. Does #27 (Kings of Leon) have a song that makes you happy?
I can't really think of one right now

25. Does #23 (Rammstein) have a song that makes you smile?
Te quiero Puta XD

26. What's the last song you've listened to from #28 (Pixies)?
I can't remember - that was ages ago.

27. Is there a song by #32 (Goldfrapp) that you've listened to more than 30 times?
No

28. What is a song from #50 (IAMX) that you've only listened to once?
Think of England
Mercy
The Alternative
This Will Make You Love Again
Spit It Out
The Negative Sex
The Great Shipwreck Of Life
President
Song Of Imaginary Beings
Missile

29. Is there a song you are sick of hearing by #24 (Enya)?
No

30. What song got you into #40 (The Birthday Massacre)?
Holiday

31. What is your favorite single by #25 (Murray Gold)?
Song of Freedom - though it was never released as a single.

32. If #49 (A Spectre Is Haunting Europe) hated you, what would you do?
Don't know - I don't think I'll ever meet them anyway.. o_Ô;

33. What would you say if one of the members from #42 (Enigma) asked you out?
Michael Cretu ? o_O Naaah - Way too old for me !!! XD

34. Would you care if #41 (Duke Special) had a boyfriend/girlfriend?
Nope - it's his life, after all.

35. Who has the best voice in #46 (Loreena McKennitt)?
Err... Loreena ? XD

36. Do you think #26 (Green Day) is/are good-looking?
Yeah - especially Billie Joe with mascara :p

37. How many times have you listened to your favorite song by #36 (Alkaline Trio)?
Burn - 6 times

38. How many CDs do you own of #30 (Alanis Morissette)?
4

39. Is there a song from #38 (Ramones) that makes you mad?
Surfin' biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiird !

40. Which member from #31 (Dir en grey) do you want to see go solo?
The singer is already going solo, I heard.

41. What does your favorite song from #48 (Lynyrd Skynyrd) remind you of? Freebird always brings up that part of "Forrest Gump" with Jenny's suicide attempt.

42. Did you hate #43 (In the Nursery) at first?
No

43. Does your best friend also listen to #33 (Faith and the Muse)?
Yes, but I bet she didn't listen to them for ages.

44. Do you think your parents would like #37 (Madina Lake)?
No - even that'd be too loud for them !

45. Does #47 (Blackmore's Night) have a song that makes you want to dance?
Songs like Cartouche or Storm makes me want to put on a long skirt and whirl around.

46. Have you ever seen #34 (Abney Park) in person?
Nope - never had the chance to meet the air pirates.

47. Do you like #44's (Led Zeppelin) name?
Yes - and it took me ages to find out where it came from !

48. Is there someone in #45 (In Case of Fire) that you want to go out with?
Sorry guys, none of you's my type !

49. Do you know anyone that hates #39 (Dead Can Dance)?
Personnally, no.

50. Have you ever danced to a song from #35 (Nine Inch Nails)?
Yep - Closer and The Hand that Feeds