4. How did you get into 49? (Louis Garrel, Grégoire Leprince-Ringuet)
Watching Les Chansons d'Amour obvi. Who WOULDN'T get into them? They're so freaking sexually attractive, gah.
5. How many albums by 13 do you own? (Lady GaGa)
Well, since The Fame her only album to date...
17. What is the first song you ever heard by 23? (Imogen Heap) Can't Take It In from the first Narnia movie. Then when Goodnight and Go randomly started airing on VH1, I actually paid attention to it!
18. What's your favorite lyric by 11? (The Saturdays)
"ALL YOU EVER TOLD ME, ALL YOU EVER TOLD ME, ALL YOU EVER TOLD ME WERE LIES!" from Lies (!) probably.
19. Who is a favorite member of 1? (Girls Aloud)
Nicola, Cheryl or Nadine. I can never decide.
24. What is your favorite album by 18? (Madonna)
I don't actually have any full albums of hers yet ( :( ), but Confessions on a Dance Floor seems likeliest at this point in time.
25. What is your favorite song by 21? (Solange)
Either Sandcastle Disco or I Decided (both versions simultaneously, I can definitely take both).
27. What is your favorite album by 3? (Kate Bush) Hounds of Love, Hounds of Love, Hounds of Love, Hounds of Love, Hounds of Love, Hounds of Love, Hounds of Love, Hounds of Love, Hounds of Love. HOUNDS OF MOTHERFUCKING LOVE.
31. How many times have you seen 17 live? (Rihanna)
None. Same for all of these :(
32. Is there a song by 44 that makes you happy? (Kate Nash) Mariella exhausts me because I always rapidly try to sing along with her cockney yelling, which is kinda the same thing as happiness.
33. How did you get into 12? (Vampire Weekend)
I can't really say! Maybe hearing A-Punk online someplace?
34. What is the worst song by 45? (La Roux)
I JUUUUST got her full album, so I can't answer this yet. There really wasn't any that annoyed me.
41. Is there a song by 31 that makes you happy? (M.I.A.)
...Paper Planes? I guess?! She's not "happy."
42. What is your favorite album by 41? (Carrie Underwood)
Hmmm. I'm not sure, lmao? They haven't really really set in with me, so it could definitely be either of her albums.
43. What is your favorite song by 24? (Agnes)
"OH GIVE ME LOVE LOVE LOVE, LIFT ME UP TO THE SKY." (Love Love Love (Extended Mix) - yeah.)
44. What is a good memory you have involving 46? (Avril Lavigne)
She's more whiny than happy, but... um... yeah, I don't know, sorry.
46. Is there a song by 9 that makes you happy? (Lily Allen)
Oh, most of her stuff. Smile, LDN and Fuck You make me sickly happy. But Chinese just makes me ETHEREAL.
13. What is a good memory you have involving no.30? M.I.A.
I remember reading an interview featuring M.I.A. when I was a t a cafe early in the morning for stupid reasons and chatting at the phone with a special person. The only memory from M.I.A.
31. How many times have you seen no.17 live? Annie
I wish I had... :(
32. Is there a song by no.44 that makes you happy? Yann Tiersen
None at all :P
33. How did you get into no.12? Robyn
Although I knew her for years I started listening to her like a maniac when I first heard "With Every Heartbeat".
34. What is the worst song by no.45? Dragonette
I like all of their songs...
44. What is a good memory you have involving no.46? Gwen Stefani
I remember the day I bought her first solo album. It was so anticipated by everyone. I was thrilled :P
NOTE: I had Teairra Mari in my Top 50 twice, spelt 2 different ways, so I skipped the one at number 45, so the artists below that number are actually 1 number below whats displayed ^_^
1. How did you get into 29? (Katy Perry)
Well at first I hated her when she released Ur So Gay because it was absolute crap, but then I heard I Kissed a Girl & I really got into her.
2. What was the first song you ever heard by 22? (Brandy) The Boy Is Mine
3. What’s your favorite lyric by 33? (Siobhan Donaghy)
"It drove, drove her to dispair.
Not knowing, which way to turn.
A mental barrier,
people comfort her,
through the wastleand,
deep within her mind" - Goldfish
5. How many albums by 13 do you own? (Ashanti)
1! Concrete Rose
6. What is your favorite song by 50? (Tila Tequila) Fuck Ya Man
7. Is there a song by 39 that makes you sad? (Missy Elliott) Teary Eyed
Miss doesn't really do sad songs, but ^that^ is a really powerful one
8. What is your favorite album by 15? (Britney Spears)
IMO, Britney hsan't really had a really really good album, they're all pretty average, I'd probably have to pick. Baby One More Time
9. What is your favorite song by 5? (Lil' Kim) Woah
10. Is there a song by 6 that makes you happy? (Danity Kane) Bad Girl
11. What is your favorite album by 40? (Terri Walker) L.O.V.E.
12. What is your favorite song by 10? (Amerie) Float
13. What is a good memory you have involving 30? (Stacie Orrico)
Walking through the woods, in summer admiring the scenary whilst listening to So Simple
14. What is your favorite song by 38? (Tweet) Oops (Oh My)
15. Is there a song by 19 that makes you happy? (Björk) It's Oh So Quiet that song is absolutely mental!
16. How many times have you seen 25 live? (Keri Hilson)
None. I don't think she's toured in the UK yet.
17. What is the first song you ever heard by 23? (Lil Mama) Lip Gloss that was a fun song :D
18. What is your favorite album by 11? (Mariah Carey)
[talbum artist=Mariah Carey]The Emancipation Of Mimi[/album] IMO, it's one of her only albums with a solid tracklist.
19. Who is a favorite member of 1? (Destiny's Child)
LaTavia, from the original line-up. Didn't really have a favourite when they were a trio.
Although, since Michelle has gone solo she's really grown on me :D
20. Have you ever seen 14 live? (Kelly Clarkson)
Nope. I would though. :D
21. What is a good memory involving 27? (Mýa)
I don't have any that I really remember. I'm surprised she was in my Top 50 because I don't really listen to her that much!
22. What is your favorite song by 16? (Rihanna) Umbrella
23. What is the first song you ever heard by 47? (Jessica Mauboy) Burn
24. What is your favorite album by 18? (Kelly Rowland) Ms. Kelly[/track]
25. What is your favorite song by 21? (The Veronicas) I Can't Stay Away
26. What is the first song you ever heard by 26? (Cherish) Do It To It
27. What is your favorite album by 3? (Kelis)
[album artist=Kelis]Kaleidoscope
28. What is you favorite song by 2? (Lady GaGa) LoveGame, I think, although I like most of her music so it's hard to choose between them all!
29. What was the first song you ever heard by 32? (Evanescence) Bring Me to Life
30. What is you favorite song by 8? (Girlicious) Already Gone it's the best track on their first album, by a mile!
31. How many times have you seen 17 live? (Sugababes)
Zero.
32. Is there a song by 44 that makes you happy? (Amy Studt) Misfit just because the lyrics and the video are really comic.
33. What is you favorite album by 12? (Michelle Wiliams) Unexpected, it surpassed her gospel stuff my miles & is one of my favourite albums!
34. What is the worst song by 45? (Monica)
Her latest albumn had a lot of rubbish tracks on it, so I'd probably say Everytime Tha Beat Drops
35. What was the first song you ever heard by 34? (BoA) Eat You Up & I thought it was so unbeliebably bad at first but then it really grew on me!
36. What is you favorite album by 48? (Jessica Simpson)
[album artist=Jessica Simpson]A Public Affair[/track]
37. How many times have you seen 42 live? (Nicole Scherzinger)
I haven't seen any of my top 50 live!
39. What was the first song you ever heard by 28? (Fefe Dobson) Everything
40. What is your favorite album by 7? ([The Pussycat Dolls)
[album artist=The Pussycat Dolls]PCD[/album]
41. Is there a song by 31 that makes you happy? (Teairra Mari) Cause a Scene (feat. Flo Rida) because the lyrics are so stupid and it's generally a pathetic song, si it makes me LOL.
42. What is your favorite album by 41? (Alesha Dixon)
[album artist=Alesha Dixon]The Alesha Show[/album]
43. What is your favorite song by 24? (LeToya) Not Anymore
44. What is a good memory you have involving 46? (Christina Milian)
None that I remember
45. What is your favorite song by 35? (Paramore) Decode, Twilight mmmmmmmmm.
46. Is there a song by 9 that makes you happy? (Solange) Sandcastle Disco, the video is so bright and colourful, it's really nice.
47. What is your favorite album by 4? (Beyoncé)
[album artist=Beyoncé]Bday[/album] because I liked all the tracks on it.
48. Who is a favorite member of 37? (Black Buddafly)
The frizzy one.
49. What is the first song you ever heard by 43? (Carrie Underwood)
excluding her on American Idol, it was probably Before He Cheats
50. How many albums do you own by 20? (The Saturdays)
They only have 1, and I have it :D
[album artist=The Saturdays]Chasing Lights[/album]
115. Hilary Duff - Reach Out
114. Euroband - This Is My Life
113. Ani Lorak - Shady Lady
112. Mariah Carey - I Stay In Love
111. Will Young - Changes
110. Jennifer Hudson - Spotlight
109. Ne-Yo - Closer
108. Madonna - 4 Minutes (featuring Justin Timberlake)
107. The Feeling - Without You
106. Rihanna - Rehab (featuring Justin Timberlake)
105. Madonna - Give It To Me (featuring Pharrell)
104. Kelly Clarkson - Don't Waste Your Time
103. Rihanna - Take A Bow
102. Chris Brown - Forever
101. Adele - Chasing Pavements
Top 100...
100. Jordin Sparks - One Step At A Time
99. Mariah Carey - Bye Bye
98. Trina - I'm Single Again
97. Katy Perry - I Kissed A Girl
96. Duffy - Mercy
95. Leona Lewis - Forgive Me
94. Beyonce - Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)
93. T.I - Live Your Life (featuring Rihanna)
92. Annie - I Know UR Girlfriend Hates Me
91. Brandy - Right Here (Departed)
90. Mariah Carey - Touch My Body
89. Delta Goodrem - You Will Only Break My Heart
88. Take That - Greatest Day
87. Kate Ryan - Ella Elle La
86. September - Cry For You
85. Christina Aguilera - Keeps Gettin' Better
84. Girls Aloud - The Promise
83. Leona Lewis - Better In Time
82. Sugababes - Girls
81. Alesha Dixon - The Boy Does Nothing
80. Usher - Love In This Club (featuring Young Jeezy)
79. Rihanna - Don't Stop The Music
78. Flo Rida - Low (featuring T. Pain)
77. Kate Ryan - L.I.L.Y
76. The Feeling - I Thought It Was Over
75. Duffy - Rain On Your Parade
74. Girls Aloud - Can't Speak French
73. Basshunter - Now You're Gone
72. Kelly Rowland - Work (Freemasons radio mix)
71. Kleerup - Longing For Lullabies (featuring Tityo)
70. Janet Jackson - Feedback
69. Ladyhawke - Back Of The Van
68. Alphabeat - 10,000 Nights Of Thunder
67. Jessica Simpson - Come On Over
66. The Feeling - Turn It Up
65. Lindsay Lohan - Bossy
64. Alexandra Burke - Hallelujah
63. Robyn - Who's That Girl?
62. Britney Spears - Break The Ice
61. Timbaland - Scream (featuring Nicole Scherzinger & Keri Hilson[/artist)
60. Sara Bareilles - Love Song
59. Ladyhawke - Paris Is Burning
58. Bodies Without Organs - The Bells Of Freedom
57. Pussycat Dolls - When I Grow Up
56. Snoop Dogg - Sexual Eruption (featuring Robyn)
55. Rihanna - Disturbia
54. The Saturdays - Up
53. Beyonce - If I Were A Boy
52. Kylie Minogue - In My Arms
51. James Morrison - Broken Strings (featuring Nelly Furtado)
50. Will Young - Grace
49. Natasha Bedingfield - Pocketful Of Sunshine
48. Vanessa Amorosi - Perfect
47. Same Difference - We R One
46. Gabriella Cilmi - Save The Lies (Good To Me)
45. Sugababes - Denial
44. Katy Perry - Hot 'n' Cold
43. Ladyhawke - Dusk Til Dawn
42. Duffy - Warwick Avenue
41. Keri Hilson - Energy
40. Caracola - Smiling In Love
39. Leona Lewis - Run
38. Miley Cyrus - See You Again
37. Utah Saints - Something Good (Van She 2008 Radio edit)
36. Solange - Sandcastle Disco
35. Alphabeat - Boyfriend
34. Miley Cyrus - 7 Things
33. Michelle Williams - Break The Dawn
32. Delta Goodrem - I Can't Break It To My Heart
31. Pussycat Dolls - I Hate This Part
30. Kleerup - 3AM (featuring Marit Bergman)
29. The Killers - Human
28. Booty Luv - Some Kinda Rush
27. Kylie Minogue - The One
26. Ashlee Simpson - Little Miss Obsessive
25. Ladyhawke - My Delerium
24. Paula Abdul - Dance Like There's No Tomorrow
23. Britney Spears - Womanizer
22. P!nk - So What
21. The Saturdays - If This Is Love
20. Mariah Carey - I'll Be Loving You Long Time
19. Charlotte Perelli - Hero
18. Jordin Sparks - No Air (featuring Chris Brown)
17. Miley Cyrus - Start All Over
16. Robyn - Be Mine!
15. Alphabeat - Fascination
14. Lady GaGa - Just Dance (featuring Colby O'Donis)
13. Kylie Minogue - WOW
12. Pnau - Embrace (featuring Ladyhawke)
11. Britney Spears - Piece Of Me
10. Gabriella Cilmi - Sweet About Me
9. Little Boots - Stuck On Repeat
8. Solange - I Decided Part 2
7. One Republic - Stop & Stare
6. Cassie - Is It You?
5. Ashlee Simpson - Outta My Head (Ay Ya Ya)
4. Amy Diamond - Thank You
3. Agnes - On & On
2. Cindy Lauper - Into The Nightlife
1. Bodies Without Organs - Lay Your Love On Me
A short commentary...
I was shocked myself to have BWO at #1, cos I thought it was between Cyndi & Agnes. Poor Cassie & Solange, their 2008 songs were loved by the internet loons but not by the general public which was a shame. I dunno why but having absolutely loved Kylie's The One when I 1st got X, I've discovered that WOW has stood the test of time more. Miley Cyrus' Start All Over was released at the end of 07 & May 08 in Australia, it was one of my most listened to songs in late 08, I loved all the songs she released last year LOL. Poor Mariah had she released Migrate, she probably would've made my top 3. Robyn is a BELATED entry - it probably would've made my top 10 in 2005. The Feeling's debut album was probably among my top 3 albums of 2006, but this follow up was disappointing, they even admitted that 4 of the songs were leftovers from the 12 Stops & Home album. I did like I Thought It Was Over but it was really just a discofied Love It When You Call. Turn It Up was a really good song but does sound like a single #3 from an album, I also liked Without You but again it was released as a single when it should've just been a #9 song on an album. I was gonna leave Lady GaGa's Just Dance & Little Boots Stuck On Repeat til next year but I thought they deserved their placings in 08's Chart as they probably will be forgotten for next years.
Take your top 20 artists. For each of these artists, collect the top 5 similar artists. The resulting number of unique artists is your eclectic score. If the score is small (extreme = 5) your musical preferences are very limited, and if it is large (larger than 80, extreme = 100), then you have an eclectic musical preference. You can compute your own score at http://anthony.liekens.net/pub/scripts/last.fm/eclectic.php
This morning, when I get online and refresh the electric score of my musical preference, I'm very surprised to find it has increased by 7 points, from 82 to 89/100
This is certainly the highest score I've ever got. It's really a sweet day for me today!
Obviously, there must be something that made the great change. After checking my top 50 artists, I find August --- a rising Thai band has climbed to #49, hitting top 50 for the first time, though the increase of their plays are not that much.
Unfortunately, my super eclectic score stays nearly changeless: 598/1000 ~>_<~
Based on the top artists in the last 6 months, the recommendations go as below:
AaliyahAmerieAnastaciaAshantiAshlee SimpsonBrandy
Christina MilianCiaraDanity KaneGirliciousGirls AloudGwen Stefani
I did this six months ago (exactly), so I thought I'd do it again. Because I'm just that much FUN.
1. How did you get into 29? [Imogen Heap]
I can't really remember; I think possibly a LiveJournal friend recommended her.
2. What was the first song you ever heard by 22? [Beyoncé] Crazy in Love, of course.
3. What's your favorite lyric by 33? [Mariah Carey]
"I won't ask for much this Christmas / I won't even wish for snow..."
4. How did you get into 49? [M.I.A.] (bizarrely exactly the same spot)
I honestly couldn't tell you, but I'm very very glad I somehow did. She is completely amazing. (so I'll give the same answer)
5. How many albums by 13 do you own? [Vienna Teng]
All of them, and there's a new one very very soon! (So look for her to shoot up my charts.)
10. Is there a song by 6 that makes you happy? [Sophie Ellis-Bextor]
She's generally a happy artist. Catch You fills my heart with joy whenever it pops up.
11. What is the worst song by 40? [MGMT]
I'd say things on the album they did as The Management but that's cheating. So... 4th Transitional Dimension is the one I love the least. (But that doesn't mean I don't love it!)
15. Is there a song by 19 that makes you happy? [Santogold] Shove It, for its attitude.
16. Is there a song by 25 that makes you sad? [Annie]
I suppose Take You Home, a little?
17. What is the first song you ever heard by 23? [The Corrs]
Probably Runaway. My sister was a fan right from the off.
18. What's your favorite lyric by 11? [Delta Goodrem]
"And the kids at school called you a fool 'cause you took the chance to dream" from Innocent Eyes. (There's probably better but I can't remember.)
19. Who is a favorite member of 1? [Girls Aloud]
What a horrid question. I think possibly Kimberley at the moment.
20. Is there a song by 14 that makes you happy? [The Saturdays]
Both Work and Up because they're so fucking amazing.
21. What is a good memory involving 27? [Aaliyah]
Oh. Discovering her, I suppose, even if I was very late in doing so.
22. What is your favorite song by 16? [Cut Copy] Strangers in the Wind is one of my favourite tracks (generally) at the moment.
29. What was the first song you ever heard by 32? [Clannad]
God, they got this question last time. I can't remember, I've been listening to them for most of my life.
31. How many times have you seen 17 live? [Róisín Murphy]
Sadly never. But if she comes around again...
32. Is there a song by 44 that makes you happy? [Late of the Pier]
(I've seen them live, why couldn't they have the previous question?) Focker, for that final orgasm of pure noise.
33. How did you get into 12? [Kylie Minogue]
I guess I'm just a stereotype.
34. What is the worst song by 45? [Boney M.]
I don't know, I only have a few of their songs and they're all amazing.
39. What was the first song you ever heard by 28? [Rachel Stevens]
She got this question last time too! If in a different spot. Sweet Dreams My L.A. Ex remains the answer.
40. What is you favorite album by 7? [Brandy]
Now this is a good-un. It's between Human and Afrodisiac.
41. Is there a song by 31 that makes you happy? [ABBA]
Oh good lord yes. (Even if my absolute favourites are the sadder ones.) Money, Money, Money comes instantly to mind.
I've seen quite a few of this hanging around on here, so I thought I'd give it a go myself. I found myself putting loads of artists I still don't know tho, cos they were support acts n stuff, so I've left them out. Here is my list of people I have seen live!
So, another year, another publicity-hoarding spectacle disguised as a prestigious awards show. To be honest, the Brits have received a lot of flack since their inception in 1989, made infamous by its two woefully incompetent hosts Samantha Fox and Mick Fleetwood. Since then, the Brits have always had a whiff of corrosive shit about them, but such an advertizing opportunity is not to be missed according to record bosses, so ceaseless buzz and excitement hovers over them every year. And though this year actually sees a few worthier-than-most acts receiving nominations and at least one promise of genuine pop-tastic spectacle, that same stench will surely prompt guests to wear gas-masks come the event itself next month...
One such facet that the Brits have going for it this year is in their honoring British electro-pop duo Pet Shop Boys with a lifetime achievement award, a well-deserved accolade bestowed just in time for the upcoming album. Good to see decent acts get some press for a change... Another is the inclusion of Kylie Minogue hosting alongside the UK's latest comedy darling duo, Mat Horne and James Corden, which must surely mean we are in for something better than the Osbournes' lamentable effort last year. But what of the awards themselves? Well, the nominations are below and ripe for dissection amongst us last.fm bloggers, so here goes:
Mastercard Award For Best British Album In Rainbows by Radiohead Rockferry by Duffy The Seldom Seen Kid by Elbow Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends by Coldplay We Started Nothing by The Ting Tings
Whilst it's encouraging that both Radiohead and Elbow are nominated for their rather brilliant work (a surprise for Radiohead too, seeing as the album's been around for more than a year), given the amount of units sold internationally and their dominance at the Grammys for this year's nominations, it would be foolhardy to bet against Coldplay winning this. Their fiercest competition surely lies with Elbow, whose Mercury Prize winning album has encouraged late-blooming commercial success for the band alongside industry respect, and justly so. The Winner: Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends Potential Upset: The Seldom Seen Kid My Choice: In Rainbows Cruellest Snub:Glasvegas by Glasvegas - The Next Big Things of 2008 delivered a stellar debut last year and yet have not received a single nomination at the Brits this year, despite plenty of critical and commercial success.
Best British Group Coldplay Elbow Girls Aloud Radiohead Take That
Like the British Album award, it would appear that there is too much clout to deny anyone other than Coldplay this according to their success against the rest of the shortlist. I would say that Girls Aloud could be the only act to topple them though; Cheryl Cole's well-received appearance on X Factor could be too much for voters to ignore, never mind the fact that their OTT exposure was bolstered by a typically very good album. It would be nice for Elbow to win this though, to cap off a remarkable underdog-done-good year for the Mancunians. The Winner: Coldplay Potential Upset: Girls Aloud My Choice: Elbow Cruellest Snub:Bloc Party - Sometimes mainstream recognition is ever-elusive; just ask these guys, who delivered their best album so far last year and yet received nothing from the Brits come nomination announcement time.
Best British Male Solo Artist Ian Brown James Morrison Paul Weller The Streets Will Young
The first award sponsored by songwriter Eg White, whose painfully-earnest piano chords found their way on many a release last year, not least this category's two front runners, Morrison and Young. Morrison certainly has the edge over Young though, seeing as his album was released a little later and his latest single with Nelly Furtado is receiving a lot of radioplay. It would be nice for Weller to sneak up from behind to nab it though, with his album 22 Dreams receiving adulatory reviews and hitting the number one spot on the UK album chart. The Winner: James Morrison Potential Upset: Will Young My Choice: Paul Weller Cruellest Snub:Tricky - The trip hop community can normally be counted on to rustle up a wildcard nomination at the Brits, and this fellow's album happened to be very good too. Am sure he doesn't give a flying fuck though, bless 'im!
Best British Female Solo Artist Adele Beth Rowley Duffy Estelle M.I.A.
What? No Leona Lewis?? The world must be in some sort on the cusp of cataclysmic collapse!? OK, maybe not, but I was a little surprised that the UK's most prolific solo female export didn't receive a nomination this year, though I'm sure Adele and Duffy are rubbing their mitts with glee as a result. Seeing as they're both up for this and the Breakthrough Act, its most likely one will get the other... but given that Adele already has a Brit to her name, it makes sense she get this over Duffy as she is 1) slightly feistier and 2) her album is slightly better (still more than a little bit crap though!) The Winner: Adele Potential Upset: Duffy My Choice: M.I.A. Cruellest Snub:Helicopter Girl - Another underrated singer who released something rather lovely last year that fell by the wayside thanks to the lazy listening public at large.
Best International Album Black Ice by AC/DC Day & Age by The Killers Fleet Foxes by Fleet Foxes Only by the Night by Kings of Leon Oracular Spectacular by MGMT
Whilst the UK's rock music scene is slowly dying a death bar a few admirable exceptions, it would appear we are more comfortable finding our rock excesses elsewhere in the world. However, this award would be appear to lie between The Killers and Kings of Leon, two US acts who have remained popular in the UK since their debuts despite breakout success in the US failing to materialize. Of these two, Kings have a better grasp than those Las Vegas kids, on the back of their incredibly popular single Sex on Fire and a successful UK tour more than anything. The Winner: Only By The Night Potential Upset: Day & Age My Choice: Fleet Foxes Cruellest Snub:Feed the Animals by Girl Talk - The sheer amount of samples from the quite astonishing array of artists to find their way on this album is a feat in itself. The fact that it is all mixed into one of the most wonderful dance albums to be recently released makes it all the more essential!
Best International Group AC/DC Fleet Foxes Kings of Leon MGMT The Killers
The same can almost be said for this category as the one above, seeing as the same acts are nominated. However, given their presence and influence in the rock world since God was a lad, surely AC/DC are to pick this one up over the others for recognition for their still rocking decades since they begun gigging. Completely against my whims in particuar, it must be said, as either MGMT or Fleet Foxes would warrant a more deserving win here, and given their presence in plenty of year-end publications, MGMT may have an outsiders chance (read: none). The Winner: AC/DC Potential Upset: Kings Of Leon My Choice: MGMT Cruellest Snub:TV on the Radio - Surely, after the near-triumphs of so many Top 10 placings on Best of 2008 lists all over the world, these guys deserved at the very least a nomination??! Er, no!
Best International Male Solo Artist Beck Neil Diamond Jay-Z Kanye West Seasick Steve
This is probably the weirdest category to deduce a winner from, only because it would appear that Brit voters have gone out of their way to make sure Kanye wins this one... Commercially, his biggest competition is Diamond, who even the Grammys snubbed quite horribly this year. Artistically, its between him and Beck, though Kanye has it in the bag should it come to that. Jay-Z's last album came out nearly 18 months ago so Lord knows how he got a nomination in the first place. And Seasick Steve's novelty wore out as soon as his album was released. The Winner: Kanye West Potential Upset: Neil Diamond My Choice: Kanye West Cruellest Snub: Insert Male Solo Artist Who Isn't From The UK here... Are you kidding me!!!? ,':^/
Though, that has reminded me of one of my favorite YouTube clips from last year... Tee Hee!!
Best International Female Solo Artist Beyoncé Gabriella Cilmi Katy Perry P!nk Santogold
Another forgone conclusion here really, seeing as X Factor made sure Beyoncé's profile was never less than high enough to make skyscrapers seethe with envy, even if Gabriella brought out a slightly better album, and P!nk's So What pissed all over both of them! We're all in agreement that Santogold should definitely have scored more points than this solitary nomination though, right??? I'll be OK with Beyoncé scoring a win for this category though if it means her quite-clearly better sister Solange accepts on her behalf... The Winner: Beyoncé Potential Upset: P!nk My Choice: Santogold Cruellest Snub:Grace Jones - Come on now, Brit voters!! You missed a golden opportunity to bring the crazy back into this show by snubbing the Corporate Cannibal herself!! Kudos for snubbing Madonna though...
Best British Single American Boy by Estelle featuring Kanye West Better in Time by Leona Lewis Chasing Pavements by Adele Dance Wiv Me by Dizzee Rascal featuring Calvin Harris and Chrome Hallelujah by Alexandra Burke Heartbeat by Scouting for Girls Hero by X Factor Finalists Mercy by Duffy The Promise by Girls Aloud Viva la Vida by Coldplay
I know, I was surprised by Basshunter's absence too, but this category still serves up probably the best mix of potential winners than any other this year... don't get me wrong, it's still pretty torpid, but I'm doing all I can to remain interested! So, it's between Girls Aloud and Estelle for this one, I feel, both feelgood tunes that the public will probably never ever tire of. But there's always the horrible chance that Duffy could pip both of them to the post... personally, I'm all for Dizzee winning, if only to put all those NME writers' noses right out of joint! The Winner: The Promise Potential Upset: American Boy My Choice: Dance Wiv Me Cruellest Snub:A&E by Goldfrapp - OK, it wasn't the most prolific Top 10 to hit the record books, but it's still one of the most beautiful pop moments of last year... Humph!!
Best British Breakthrough Act Adele Duffy Scouting for Girls The Last Shadow Puppets The Ting Tings
Another Adele/Duffy headlock here, this one I think going to Duffy on account of her unprecedented success and Adele already having a Brit to her name. And whilst The Last Shadow Puppets outshine everyone else on this shortlist by some margin, I think there should be a rule that members of prolific award-darling bands should be rendered ineligible... unless they're amazing, of course, in which case laud them to the heavens! The Winner: Duffy Potential Upset: The Last Shadow Puppets My Choice: The Last Shadow Puppets Cruellest Snub:Glasvegas - Heartbreakingly brutal and yet majestically beautiful, where the fuck are they in these nominations!!?
Best British Live Act Coldplay Elbow Iron Maiden Scouting for Girls The Verve
Considering there's only one act here I genuinely like, I'm keeping this to a minimum... sorry! :^( The Winner: Iron Maiden Potential Upset: The damage is done already, guys... My Choice: Elbow Cruellest Snub:Yazoo - They played their last ever gigs last year to adoring fans in the most faithfully enjoyable way possible, Alison Moyet in particular being her incredibly lovely self.
Critic's Choice Award Florence and The Machine
Rocking up the radio like something sublime for most of 2008, this bodes a major improvement for the Critic's Choice Award history, given their tapping of Adele for the same honour last year, whilst also hinting that Florence could very well make as an popular impression with the public this year. Thank God someone's voting properly amidst this awards circle! And, for the record, Florence's fellow nominees Little Boots and White Lies will be primed for greater things too, so watch their space!
Outstanding Contribution To Music Pet Shop Boys
Marvelous! Bring on the new album!!
And with that, I draw the line... how's everyone feeling, if they indeed are, about these nominations then? Give us a shout and let me know! I have to go wash myself in case I actually start listening to some of this stuff! XXX