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So, as if anyone cares, here is what my 2008 has been made of.

30. Mogwai - The Hawk is Howling
29. N*E*R*D - Seeing Sounds
28. Kanye West - 808s & Heartbreak
27. Sam Sparro - Sam Sparro
26. Atlas Sound - Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See but Cannot Feel
25. Midnight Juggernauts - Dystopia
24. Black Kids - Partie Traumatic
23. Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid
22. Santogold - Santogold
21. Friendly Fires - Friendly Fires

20. Yo La Tengo - They Shoot, We Score
19. Fuck Buttons - Street Horrrsing
18. Calexico - Carried To Dust
17. MGMT - Oracular Spectacular
16. Crystal Castles - Crystal Castles
15. Fujiya & Myiagi - Lightbulbs
14. Portishead - Third
13. Flying Lotus - Los Angeles
12. Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend
11. Bohren & Der Club Of Gore - dolores

10. A Place To Bury Strangers - A Place To Bury Strangers
09. Foals - Antidotes
08. Fleet Foxes - Sun Giant + Fleet Foxes
07. Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip - Angles
06. French Kicks - Swimming


And My Five Favourite Albums Of The Year Are...

05. The Black Keys - Attack & Release
04. The Rosebuds - Life Like
03. Gang Gang Dance - Saint Dymphna
02. Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago

01. M83 - Saturdays=Youth


Other albums that didn't make my "faves of the year list" but decent enough to worth a few listens or more:
Headless Heroes - The Silence Of Love
Sigur Rós - Með Suð I Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust
Department Of Eagles - In Ear Park
The Kills - Midnight Boom
Ladyhawke - Ladyhawke
Erykah Badù - New AmErykah
TV On The Radio - Dear Science
The Last Shadow Puppets - The Age Of Understatement
Hercules & Love Affair - s/t
She & Him - Volume One
The Ting Tings - We Started Nothing
Free Blood - The Singles
Psapp - The Camel's back
The Dodos - Visiter
Headless Heroes - The Silence Of Love
Brightblack Morning Light - Motion To Rejoin
Beck - Modern Guilt
Soldout - Cuts

And probably more I forgot to put up here...

Anyway 2009 starts pretty banging with some 'already in everyone's top ten of 2009" albums: Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion & J. Tillman Vacilando Territory Blues

3rd season on Last FM and 3rd journal dedicated to all the gigs I've been this past season. Haven't "gig'ed" as much as last year but I was some pretty amazing stuff. And some other way less impressive. So, here we are:

Season 2007-2008

09/10/2007: Yo La Tengo
09/14/2007: Modeselektor + Mice Parade + Dntel + Amon Tobin + Luke Vibert
09/29/2007: Matt Elliott

10/02/2007: Menomena + Dog Day
10/07/2007: Biffy Clyro
10/14/2007: Bad Brains
10/19/2007: Feist + Gonzales
10/26/2007: Animal Collective + Islaja
10/27/2007: Elvis Perkins + Mel Dune

11/02/2007: Arcade Fire + Clinic
11/07/2007: Future of the Left + Graffen Volder
11/10/2007: Justice + Digitalism + Boys Noize + Dr Lektroluv
11/12/2007: Dolorean + Okkervil River
11/14/2007: Beirut
11/17/2007: Two Gallants + Blitzen Trapper
11/18/2007: José Gonzalez + Great Lake Swimmers + Little Dragon
11/21/2007: The Brunettes + Crèvecoeur
11/23/2007: Akron/Family + Phosphorescent
11/27/2007: The Good Life
11/29/2007: Caribou

12/02/2007: The Hives + Quit Your Dayjob + Dan Sartain
12/10/2007: Ed Harcourt
12/19/2007: Alela Diane + Alina Hardin
12/21/2007: Dizzee Rascal + DJ Medhi

01/18/2008: Iron & Wine
01/28/2008: Jimmy Eat World + Sparkadia

02/08/2008: Stars + Apostle of Hustle
02/09/2008: The Von Bondies
02/27/2008: Le Loup
02/28/2008: Jens Lekman + Lucky Fonz III

03/01/2008: Digitalism + Pantha du Prince + The Honk Kong Dong
03/11/2008: Editors + The Mobius Band
03/18/2008: Tegan & Sara + Northern State
03/23/2008: Hadouken!
03/24/2008: The Kills
03/26/2008: The Wombats

04/08/2008: Calvin Harris
04/15/2008: Alela Diane + Mariee Sioux + Jana Hunter
04/19/2008: DeVotchKa + Marino Punk
04/21/2008: 65daysofstatic + Transit

05/03/2008: M83 + The Whip + These New Puritans + As in Rebekkamaria + Prinzhorn Dance School
05/05/2008: dEUS + Black Box Revelation
05/06/2008: Tinariwen
05/07/2008: Jamie Lidell + Gotye
05/08/2008: Portishead + Kling Klang
05/09/2008: of Montreal + I'm From Barcelona + Chrome Hoof + Two Gallants + We Are Scientists
05/10/2008: Justice
05/11/2008: Robert Plant + Alisson Krausse + Scott Matthews + T-Bone Burnett
05/13/2008: Friendly Fires + HEALTH + Bunny Rabbit + Yelle
05/17/2008: Vampire Weekend

06/11/2008: Midnight Juggernauts
06/21/2008: Dub Inc.

And then, festival season...
I Hope I get to go to a lot more concerts in 2008-2009...

Yep, it's that time of the year again. Time to brag =P. One year after part 1 comes part 2. Logic. Last year, as you can see for yourself right here, last season 35 of my days and/or nights have been dedicated to the greatest thing in the world: having the pleasure of watching your favourite artists performing live. This season however was a great fuckin' year for music. So that explains why you can forget about my 35 gigs of the previous season. They ain't shit compared to the ones I've attended this year.

So here is a list of all the concerts I've been to this season (except Festivals). Just like last year, If you've also seen one of these artists (or would like to) don't hesitate to share your thoughts: Did you love
the show? Did it suck ? Did it change your life ? Any comments are more than welcome!

SEASON 2006-2007

09/27/2006: Mogwaï

10/01/2006: Hot Chip
10/04/2006: Katerine
10/05/2006: Ryan Adams & The Cardinals + Neal Casal
10/06/2006: The Rapture
10/07/2006: I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness + The Hidden Cameras + Parts & Labor
10/09/2006: The Black Keys
10/14/2006: Gotan Project
10/21/2006: Justice + 2 Many DJ's + Laurent Garnier + Booka Shade + Boys Noize
10/22/2006: Junior Boys + Jel
10/29/2006: The Dears

11/05/2006: Sweek
11/10/2006: Tool + Mastodon
11/11/2006: Snowden
11/12/2006: TV on the Radio + We Are Scientists + Au Revoir Simone + Mates of State
11/15/2006: Psapp + Uphill Racer + Wixel
11/17/2006: Catherine Feeny
11/18/2006: Yo La Tengo + Midlake + Espers + Edith Frost + Sukilove
11/20/2006: Tapes 'n Tapes
11/21/2006: The Young Knives + The Rifles

12/04/2006: Cansei de Ser Sexy + The Ian Fays
12/05/2006: Badly Drawn Boy
12/12/2006: Sonic Youth
12/22/2006: Goose + Digitalism + Shameboy

01/22/2007: DJ Krush
01/30/2007: The Magic Numbers

02/07/2007: Clap Your Hands Say Yeah + Cold War Kids + Elvis Perkins
02/10/2007: The Decemberists + Lavender Diamond + Booka Shade
02/17/2007: Justice + Kavinsky + Busy P + So_Me vs. Mon Colonel
02/23/2007: OK Go
02/16/2007: Explosions in the Sky + Confuse the Cat
02/27/2007: Lily Allen + Stijn
02/28/2007: The Album Leaf+ Corrina Repp

03/05/2007: Klaxons + Piano Club
03/06/2007: Just Jack
03/09/2007: Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds
03/16/2007: LCD Soundsystem + Planningtorock
03/19/2007: Nine Inch Nails + Ladytron
03/23/2007: Andrew Bird + Dosh
03/24/2007: P. Diddy + Snoop Dogg + Jibbs
03/26/2007: !!!
03/27/2007: IAM
03/30/2007: James Holden + Autechre + Detroit Grand Pubahs

04/06/2007: The Shins + Viva Voce
04/09/2007: Cansei de Ser Sexy + Tilly and the Wall + The Holloways
04/10/2007: Deftones + Will Haven
04/11/2007: CocoRosie + Bunny Rabbit + TEZ
04/12/2007: !!!
04/14/2007: Raymondo + V.O. + Half Asleep + Some Tweetlove
04/15/2007: Archie Bronson Outfit + Joe Gideon & The Shark
04/17/2007: Akron/Family + Deerhof
04/18/2007: Mr. Hudson & The Library
04/19/2007: Good Shoes
04/21/2007: Midlake + Stephanie Dosen + Robert Gomez
04/23/2007: Malajube
04/24/2007: Shannon Wright + Cyann & Ben
04/25/2007: Bloc Party + Biffy Clyro
04/30/2007: Tiga + Erik Truffaz + Ed Harcourt + Keren Ann + Abd Al Malik

05/04/2007: Shy Child + CSS DJ + Me and My Machines
05/05/2007: The Whitest Boy Alive + Just Jack + Alex Gopher
05/06/2007: Do Make Say Think + J. Tillman + aMute
05/07/2007: Shitdisco + The Rakes + Alamo Race Track + Grand Island
05/08/2007: Hooverphonic
05/09/2007: Peter Von Poehl + The Kissaway Trail + Superflu + Seb Martel
05/10/2007: Justice + Goose + Joakim
05/12/2007: Two Gallants + Bonde do Role
05/15/2007: Battles
05/19/2007: Amiina
05/26/2007: A Hawk and a Hacksaw + Mardi Gras.bb
05/27/2007: Dave Matthews Band + The Nightwatchman
05/29/2007: The Chemical Brothers

06/07/2007: Emily Haines and The Soft Skeleton + Michael Andrews
06/09/2007: Vive la Fête
06/22/2007: The Sea and Cake + V.O. + Sepia Hours
06/23/2007: Nouvelle Vague + Saule et les Pleureurs
06/25/2007: Modest Mouse
06/16/2007: The Gossip + The Fever
06/30/2007: Chromeo

07/03/2007: Avril Lavigne (bleh. Free gig. Awful.)
07/04/2007: !!! (best.gig.ever!)

OH MY GOOOOOOOOOOOOD! Lost is back in shape!
Yes my dears, "Through the Looking Glass" is, by far, one of my favourite lost episodes ever. Though we still have absolutely no answers whatsoever, there are so many things happening in this double-episode it makes up for every weaker episodes of this season.

Random thoughts:

- The Flash-foward: the shocker! When i saw Kate coming out of the car i yelled "WHAT THE FUUUUUUCK ????" (she was really beautiful on this scene). That the first time that a jack "flashback" (foward in that case) doesn't bore me at all. Plus, i think he's hot with a beard =P
New question: who's on that frackin' coffin ? My vote goes to Locke. I don't really think Jack would have gone to the viewing of Ben and Sawyer is probably the guy Kate's involved with (see last scene).

- Walt is baaaaaaaaaaack! A bit older of course but it was a very nice surprise to see him again.
I just wonder how Locke managed to crawl out of his hole and walk all the way to find his friends and kill the girl (for someone who didn't want to kill his asshole of a father, he seemed pretty eager to get rid of that poor Naomi). Then again, how the hell did he knew where they were ??? Walt gave him directions too ?



- I don't want charlie to be deeeeeeead! goddamit! Hope he's not. I seriously doubt he is.

- The Rousseau mother-daughter reunion was sooooo cute.

- How the hell did they manage to never notice that huge radio tower right in the center of the island ? It's in the heights of the island so i don't really think the trees were the problem. =P

- Yay for Hurley! Sawyer was a bit rude to him and he didn't even apology after Hurley saved the day =D

- Yay for sawyer! Glad he killed that Tom. I couldn't stand that one.

- yay for aliens! That talk between Juliet and sawyer about aliens was very cunning. Was kind of a joke the writers played on all those who believe E.T.'s cousins were involved in the story. nice.

- yay for Rose! Loved when she pulled the "live together die alone" quote on Jack. She should have done what she said she would do. He deserves it sometimes.

...


Overall, i prefered this season to season 2. Too bad they decided to do 3 more seasons of 16 episodes instead of 2 season of 24 episodes. But we'll survive if they keep going on that road and spare us the useless more-or-less-stand-alone-episodes.

Plus, waiting for the next episode will be a nightmare! february 2008!! AAAAAAARRRRGH!!!

What did you guys think of this episode ?

Fri 9 Mar – Dave Matthews

Yay! So tonight was a big night as I finally get to see one of my favourite artist. I Thought he would never come (back) to Belgium. Last time Dave Matthews came here was 10 years ago with the band and I unfortunately did not get to see them then. So I was quite excited. When I got to the venue OMG! I didn't expect the hall to be that crowded @ 7:45pm. I'm happy i didn't came any later 'cause the concert started @ 8 sharp.

The biggest surprise of the evening was that although the gig was supposed to be "An acoustic evening with Dave Matthews solo", it was in fact a Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds acoustic performance. It was just amazing (The Live at Luther College album is one of my all-time favourite). Tim is one of the biggest guitar player around and the fact that he was also there really made my evening. Most of my favourite songs were played: Crash Into Me, Warehouse, Everyday, Gravedigger, Stay or Leave, and even Don't Drink The Water (that one was actually so beautiful it gave me the chills). I missed The Space Between though, but you just can't get everything, right ? Tim also did an amazing rendition of Led Zeppelin's "Kashmir". Plus, Dave is a really fun and communicative guy so it added some spice to the show.

Everything was just fine until I got stuck between the tallest guy in the building and a couple who decided to lick their faces off during every single slow songs (wanted to scream "get a fucking room!"). The fact is that the audiance was, like, reeeeally overexcited. Some morons kept requesting songs during the whole show even though it was sure he would not take any. Some other morons kept talking out loud all evening long. I really do not understand what got to this frickin' crowd but I guess that's what happens when an artist comes back for the first time after 10 years.

The show lasted 2 hours an half that felt like 20 minutes and I would probably have loved to see more if it wasn't for that crowd. Anywayz, I'm really looking foward to the Dave Matthews Band gig in May. This time I come early and get my ass in the front row even if I hate being there. At least this time I would maybe actually see the whole show...

Ok so, here's a little story that probably nobody will care about but i wanted to share it anyway ;-)

Tuesday december 12th, I had quite a shitty day. being a bit of an insomniac, I didn't sleep all night so I was a mess when I went to see Guillemots to a small venue near where I live. Not far from that venue stands another bigger venue where Sonic Youth was also playing that night but it was a sold out show.

Having already seen Guillemots twice, i knew it was going to be a nice show but i was starting to feel really sleepy but holding on knowing that i couldn't get any sleep when i'd get back home anyway. So the show started with a local band called Mrs Hyde, playing as support act. Sounding a bit like an pierle, but not my cup of tea really.

During the support act, I get a phone call but the music was so loud that i didn't want to answer. Then another phone call two minutes later. I swimmed thru the crowd to get out of there but it was too late. Anyway, the caller left me a vocal message so I call the voice mail service. To my surprise, it was one of my friend telling me to call him back and get my ass over the other venue as they had an extra ticket for Sonic Youth! Bummer, my call credit was somewhere around 0€ so i had to run around the neighborhood to find a stupid phone.

Eventually I got there and the place was incredibly overcrowded. My friend, who was already inside, hand me the ticket so I could give it to the bouncer. A stange thing happened there. The bouncer looked at me took the ticket and told me "I would have let you in even without a ticket". I smiled, didn't know what to say. I was just like "ok wow! what just happened there ?"

Anyway, after a horrible support act, a couple of beers and a bit of ganja galore, the show started and the fun began. The show was great but right in the middle, I was totally hallucinating. I was seeing weird things that i can't even describe. It was as if the images from the screen behind the band were delivering me a message that i failed to decypher. Or did i ?

That's the beauty of being a wasted insomniac. And having friends who care.

So I just got back from one of the best festival I ever attended. A lot of good surprises, A nice weather (which every single member of the audiance would have never thought of), An interview with the very very cool Psapp (Beware for the invasion of the sock puppets :-D ), A failed attempt to interview Yeay yeah yeahs (in fact i refused to do the interview, can you believe that ? lol), A lot of difficult choices to make because of a thight schedule and... A Pete Doherty who never showed Up :-D !!!

The best surprise I had was the TV on the Radio performance. Never thought they would be that good!

My To 5 (even though it's difficult to choose only 5 of Them):

01 The Knife
02 !!!
03 Radiohead (like always)
04 TV on the Radio
05 Daft Punk

I've also seen and liked/loved (in no particular order) Psapp, Scissor Sisters, The Spinto Band, Cursive, Archie Bronson Outfit, The Pipettes, My Latest Novel, Midlake, MSTRKRFT, Hot Chip, Broken Social Scene, Justice, Guillemots, We Are Scientists, Zero 7, My Morning Jacket, Beck, James Holden, Infadels, The Dead 60s, Jerboa & Feeder.


I also seen but didn't liked or even hated their show:
Keane,Dave Clarke, Roni Size, Mondo Generator, Yeah Yeah Yeahs (dissapointing), Panic! At the Disco (also dissapointing), You Say Party! We Say Die! (awful!), Arctic Monkeys, Orson and Mocky.


I've also seen a little bit of Fear Factory but not long enough to have any opinion about that show. Saw them a few years back and it was great, so I suppose that concert wasn't bad.

There are also some artists I would have loved to see but couldn't because of tight schedule (too much things to see!!!): Tiga, José Gonzales, The Magic Numbers, Gogol Bordello, White Rose Movement, Gomez, Less Than Jake, Massive Attack, Joan as Police Woman, Mylo, The Dears, DJ Shadow, Nouvelle Vague, CKY.

But then again, except for White Rose Movement, Magic Numbers, CKY, Joan APW, Less Than Jake and Gomez, I've already seen all the rest at least once.

Wish everyday was a Pukkelpop day lol!

I've just heard a sad news: Death From Above 1979 is no more. The guys have grown tired of each other and decided to end it up. So they leave us with nothing else than [album]You're A Woman, I'm A Machine[/album] and a remix album...

What really pisses me off is that I didn't have the chance to see them play live!!!!!

The bassist, Jeff Keefe, is currently working with Queens of the Stone Age.