Post by Ryan on Dec 29, 2006 23:49:19 GMT
Bought a few albums over 2006, and thought I'd share some thoughts on the best of them. Some great new bands on the music scene, and some brilliant albums to boot:
Arctic Monkeys
Touted as being the UK's favourite band and with the best album of 2006 in a number of magazines and newspapers. Definitely think it's a brilliant album from what I've heard of it, with some background story to a lot of the songs that everyone can relate to. Basically the chronicles of life being young in the UK really, with songs about disastrous nights out, meeting girls and enjoying yourself. Something in there that everyone can relate to. If you're on iTunes, download the two extraneous EPs for their stuff - "Who the f**k are the Arctic Monkeys?" and "Leave Before the Lights Come on", the latter being their last single telling of an ill remembered one night stand. Not as bad or dirty as it sounds, but a killer tune. Recommended from the Monkeys include I Bet You Look Good on the Dance Floor, Dancing Shoes, Staring Straight At Me and Leave Before the Lights Come On
George Michael - Twenty Five
Ignore anything you've read regarding his involvement in public toilets, falling asleep in his car or more recently his antics in Hampstead Heath. George Michael is definitely one of the best singer/song writers of the 20th Century, and this updated collection of his Greatest Hits is definitely something worth buying, particularly the 3 CD edition with rarities. There even features a new version of his song, "Heal the Pain" with Paul McCartney singing too. Not a great version of it if I'm honest, but it's not bad. But favourites from George include Fast Love, Kissing a Fool, Father Figure, Jesus to a Child and Freedom.
Oasis
Oasis are undoubtedly one of my other favourite bands. They've got a personality and edge to them that other bands seem to lack, mainly through Liam's forthright attitude. Particularly enjoy earlier stuff like Wonderwall, The Masterplan, Champagne Supernova, Morning Glory, Slide Away, Whatever and Live Forever. Their greatest hits was a bit of a miss for me personally, considering some of their most prolific songs were missing from it like All Around the World and D'you Know What I Mean?, but when all's said and done, still a great band, and people should be buying the albums rather than a greatest hits package to appreciate what Oasis are really all about.
The Kooks
The one thing that struck me about these guys is how good the drumming is. The guy on the drums goes hell for leather and it brings out the best in the song. A bit of an acquired taste, but a great album with a lot of variations in the ways in which it's implemented and played out. There's a bit of a reggae feel to one song I've heard, the others are up tempo, some more subdued. Before I listened to the album, I was a bit skeptical about The Kooks, having only heard a few of their singles and being unimpressed. But the album's absolutely brilliant and I'd highly recommend it.
Hard-Fi
Brilliant band with a unique sound to them as well, and an interesting back story of poverty and struggle. Self-made stars like Mark Joseph by recording their own mini-album and selling out all 500 copies made. Notable music would have to be their singles and "Gotta Reason".
Radio 1 - Live Lounge Sessions
Features some really interesting and fun cover versions of songs. The Arctic Monkeys doing Girls Aloud's "Love Machine", Lemar doing "I Believe in a Thing Called Love" by the Darkness, and a few other notable songs and versions to boot. If you've not already got a copy, go out and buy this, it's pure gold.
Anyone else heard any good albums this year they'd recommend here?
Arctic Monkeys
Touted as being the UK's favourite band and with the best album of 2006 in a number of magazines and newspapers. Definitely think it's a brilliant album from what I've heard of it, with some background story to a lot of the songs that everyone can relate to. Basically the chronicles of life being young in the UK really, with songs about disastrous nights out, meeting girls and enjoying yourself. Something in there that everyone can relate to. If you're on iTunes, download the two extraneous EPs for their stuff - "Who the f**k are the Arctic Monkeys?" and "Leave Before the Lights Come on", the latter being their last single telling of an ill remembered one night stand. Not as bad or dirty as it sounds, but a killer tune. Recommended from the Monkeys include I Bet You Look Good on the Dance Floor, Dancing Shoes, Staring Straight At Me and Leave Before the Lights Come On
George Michael - Twenty Five
Ignore anything you've read regarding his involvement in public toilets, falling asleep in his car or more recently his antics in Hampstead Heath. George Michael is definitely one of the best singer/song writers of the 20th Century, and this updated collection of his Greatest Hits is definitely something worth buying, particularly the 3 CD edition with rarities. There even features a new version of his song, "Heal the Pain" with Paul McCartney singing too. Not a great version of it if I'm honest, but it's not bad. But favourites from George include Fast Love, Kissing a Fool, Father Figure, Jesus to a Child and Freedom.
Oasis
Oasis are undoubtedly one of my other favourite bands. They've got a personality and edge to them that other bands seem to lack, mainly through Liam's forthright attitude. Particularly enjoy earlier stuff like Wonderwall, The Masterplan, Champagne Supernova, Morning Glory, Slide Away, Whatever and Live Forever. Their greatest hits was a bit of a miss for me personally, considering some of their most prolific songs were missing from it like All Around the World and D'you Know What I Mean?, but when all's said and done, still a great band, and people should be buying the albums rather than a greatest hits package to appreciate what Oasis are really all about.
The Kooks
The one thing that struck me about these guys is how good the drumming is. The guy on the drums goes hell for leather and it brings out the best in the song. A bit of an acquired taste, but a great album with a lot of variations in the ways in which it's implemented and played out. There's a bit of a reggae feel to one song I've heard, the others are up tempo, some more subdued. Before I listened to the album, I was a bit skeptical about The Kooks, having only heard a few of their singles and being unimpressed. But the album's absolutely brilliant and I'd highly recommend it.
Hard-Fi
Brilliant band with a unique sound to them as well, and an interesting back story of poverty and struggle. Self-made stars like Mark Joseph by recording their own mini-album and selling out all 500 copies made. Notable music would have to be their singles and "Gotta Reason".
Radio 1 - Live Lounge Sessions
Features some really interesting and fun cover versions of songs. The Arctic Monkeys doing Girls Aloud's "Love Machine", Lemar doing "I Believe in a Thing Called Love" by the Darkness, and a few other notable songs and versions to boot. If you've not already got a copy, go out and buy this, it's pure gold.
Anyone else heard any good albums this year they'd recommend here?