Best of 2011

It's been 18 months since I've posted anything and I'm going to try and get back into it as there are some exciting gigs coming up in Melbourne over the next few months. Some gig reviews will be coming soon. Here is my Best of 2011 playlist from Spotify, enjoy.

Triple J Hottest 100 of All Time - List

Here is 100-1 of Triple J's Hottest 100 of All Time that has been counting since Tuesday. They whole countdown will be replayed over this weekend but they have been revealing 20 a day and so far it has been an excellent list. Good to see some AC/DC, Johnny Cash, Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin as well as some newer stuff like Bon Iver, Modest Mouse, Jeff Buckley and The Shins. I will update the list as the countdown continues. The final 20 of the countdown will not be revealed until Sunday afternoon.
1. Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit
2. Rage Against the Machine - Killing In The Name
3. Jeff Buckley - Hallelujah
4. Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart
5. Radiohead - Paranoid Android
6. Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody
7. Jeff Buckley - Last Goodbye
8. Red Hot Chili Peppers - Under The Bridge
9. Foo Fighters - Everlong
10. Led Zeppelin - Stairway to Heaven
11. John Lennon - Imagine
12. Oasis - Wonderwall
13. Radiohead - Creep
14. The Verve - Bittersweet Symphony
15. Radiohead - Karma Police
16. Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here
17. Hilltop Hoods - The Nosebleed Section
18. Muse - Knights Of Cydonia
19. Metallica - One
20. White Stripes - Seven Nation Army
21. Powderfinger - These Days
22. Massive Attack - Teardrop
23. Hunters & Collectors - Throw Your Arms Around Me
24. The Beatles - A Day in the Life
25. Pearl Jam - Alive
26. Michael Jackson - Thriller
27. Powderfinger - My Happiness
28. Radiohead - Fake Plastic Trees
29. Pixies - Where Is My Mind?
30. Jimi Hendrix - All Along the Watchtower
31. Metallica - Enter Sandman
32. New Order - Blue Monday
33. Silverchair - Tomorrow
34. The Living End - Prisoner Of Society
35. Smashing Pumpkins - 1979
36. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Into My Arms
37. Tool - Stinkfist
38. The Killers - Mr Brightside
39. Pearl Jam - Better Man
40. Nirvana - Come As You Are
41. Michael Jackson - Billie Jean
42. Bloc Party - Banquet
43. The Beach Boys - God Only Knows
44. The Beatles - Hey Jude
45. Queens of the Stone Age - No One Knows
46. Faith No More - Epic
47. John Butler Trio - Betterman
48. Beastie Boys - Sabotage
49. Guns 'N Roses - Sweet Child O' Mine
50. Crowded House - Don't Dream It's Over
51. Smashing Pumpkins - Bullet With Butterfly Wings
52. You Am I - Berlin Chair
53. Pink Floyd - Comfortably Numb
54. The Cure - Close To Me
55. Bob Dylan - Like A Rolling Stone
56. Jeff Buckley - Lover, You Should Have Come Over
57. Tool - Forty Six & 2
58. Daft Punk - Around The World
59. Augie March - One Crowded Hour
60. Johnny Cash - Hurt
61. Blur - Song 2
62. Nine Inch Nails - Closer
63. AC/DC - Thunderstruck
64. Violent Femmes - Blister in the Sun
65. Underworld - Born Slippy
66. Elton John - Tiny Dancer
67. Ben Folds Five - Brick
68. Blink 182 - Dammit
69. Jeff Buckley - Grace
70. The Prodigy - Breathe
71. The Smiths - How Soon Is Now?
72. The Shins - New Slang
73. The Clash - London Calling
74. Nirvana - Lithium
75. Green Day - Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)
76. The Stone Roses - Fools Gold
77. Gotye - Hearts A Mess
78. Smashing Pumpkins - Today
79. David Bowie - Life on Mars
80. The Rolling Stones - Paint It Black
81. Pulp - Common People
82. System Of A Down - Chop Suey!
83. Placebo - Every You Every Me
84. Bob Marley & The Wailers - No Woman, No Cry
85. The Dandy Warhols - Bohemian Like You
86. The Beatles - Come Together
87. Coldplay - Yellow
88. The Rolling Stones - Gimme Shelter
89. Rage Against the Machine - Bulls On Parade
90. Kings of Leon - Sex on Fire
91. AC/DC - Back In Black
92. Bon Iver - Skinny Love
93. Massive Attack - Unfinished Sympathy
94. Modest Mouse - Float On
95. Stevie Wonder - Superstition
96. Daft Punk - One More Time
97. Midnight Oil - Beds Are Burning
98. Led Zeppelin - Kashmir
99. TV on the Radio - Wolf Like Me
100. Franz Ferdinand - Take Me Out

Favourite Sophomore Albums [Updated]

After reading a recent list of the Best Debut Albums in Melbourne's Herald-Sun paper, I decided to come up with a list of my favourite follow up albums. These are all albums where the 2nd album was better than the debut, which in some cases was not hard to do. Quite often a band releases an excellent debut and then have nothing left for the 2nd album, The Strokes being a good example of this. I have found that some of my favourite artists though have released their best album on their second release. These are my Favourite Sophomore Albums, most of which are unapologetically chosen from the 90's.

1. Ben Harper - Fight for your Mind

My first choice was not a difficult one as Fight for your Mind is my 2nd favourite album of all time after Blood Sugar Sex Magik. It is a masterpiece in my opinion and the best album Ben Harper has ever made and most likely will ever make. Although the album shifts through many genres including rock, folk, blues, funk and gospel, it flows perfectly and even goes straight from blues rock anthem "Ground on Down" to the beautiful, sad acoustic number "Another Lonely Day" and somehow makes it work. Other highlights include "Gold to Me", "Exuse Me Mr", live favourite "Burn One Down" and the epic gospel song "Power of the Gospel" featuring a string quartet and a beautiful three-minute instrumental opening. Ben Harper's guitar work is at it's best on this album whether its acoustic on "By My Side, "Please Me Like You Want To" and "Another Lonely Day or Weissenborn on "Ground on Down", "Gold to Me" and the funky "Fight For Your Mind". Juan Nelson bass lines also add some depth to the album especially on before mentioned title track, "Burn One Down" and "Exuse Me Mr". What makes this album destined to become a classic for all generations are the amazing lyrics penned by Harper. For those who don't own this album, head straight to your local and get yourself a copy. Now.

2. You Am I - Hi Fi Way

The second album by Australia's best and most underrated band was Hi Fi Way but it was the one I bought first. I saw "Cathy's Clown" on rage and went out and bought the cassette the next day. It's fair to say it didn't leave my walkmen for months and have been a massive You Am I fan ever since. It is my favourite Australian album ever and every song on it is a classic. The quiet moments on the album are as strong as when the band rocks out and there is plenty of both to be found over the fourteen songs. It also managed to top the ARIA charts when it came out in March 1995 and is still a critics favourite in Greatest Australian Album Polls. Tim Rogers as at his songwriting best here, especially on "Purple Sneakers", "Handwasher", "How Much is Enough" and "Jewles and Bullets". Sadly, even after consistently releasing quality albums, You Am I have not achieved the same success as some of the bands they have inspired but they remained a favourite of mine.





3. Stone Temple Pilots - Purple

Even though Core, the debut from Stone Temple Pilots, was an excellent album, it was Purple that made the world take notice of the American four-piece and it still holds up as one of the best albums of the 90's. The album begins with devil salute inspiring riff of "Meatplow", preparing the listener for sonic onslaught that lays ahead. It was word of mouth that led me to buying this album, and I in turn recommended it to anyone who would listen. "Interstate Love Song" is a rock classic with a great riff and a catchy melody and "Big Empty" had a catchy chorus but had a more atmospheric tone. The album tracks "Still Remains","Lounge Fly" and Kitchenware & Candybars" are as strong as the singles and made Purple an album you could listen to from start to finish. The album finishes nicely on the secret track "The Second Album" which sounds like a lounge band fronted by Johnny Mathis who is name checked. The artwork and hand-written lyrics in the booklet are also excellent and albums title only appears as a japanese symbol on the cover and never throughout the booklet. 12 Gracious Melodies.

4. Pearl Jam - Vs.

Pearl Jam's 2nd release is a much more consistent effort than their much hyped debut Ten and has kept it's appeal over 15 years after it's release. Like the previous three choices, this album features great songs on both ends of the volume dial from the louder "Animal", "Rearviewmirror""Go" and "Blood" to the quieter "Indifference", "Daughter" and "Elderly Woman". Producer Brendan O'Brien should probably also take some credit and has produced most of Pearl Jam's albums as well countless other artists over the past twenty years. The artwork and booklet features some great photos and hand drawn art included within the lyrics, with "Elderly Woman" including the guitar chords to strum along to. The albums title, like Purple, does not feature anywhere on the original artwork, disc or booklet.


5. Radiohead - The Bends

What makes this album so great, apart from flawless tracklist, is the change in quality from first album Pablo Honey to second album The Bends. "My Irong Lung" was released first as a 5 track EP and prepared the world for Radiohead's new sound featuring some beautiful vocals and loud distorted feedback driven guitar. Thom Yorke's beautiful vocals also sound great with gently strummed acoustic guitar on "Fake Plastic Trees" and"High and Dry" with closing track "Street Spirit (Fade Out)" played over perfectly finger-picked chords. Radiohead get the balance perfect on the albums fourth single "Just" with a great intro and catchy chorus accompanied by a baffling film clip. Johnny Greenwood's guitar sound was vastly improved on this album, especially on the acoustic songs. A flawless album and just ahead of Ok Computer in my opinion.

6. Tool - Ænima
This album was so good that people who don't even like heavy music couldn't help but  it. I recall a friend of mine who's CD collection consisted entirely of ganster rap and Ænima. I was a relative latecomer to this album but was hooked after one listen and have never tired of it. Opening with the anthem "Stinkfist", perhaps one of the best opening tracks of all time, starts the album at full throttle before settling down for a few slow burning epics in "Eulogy" and "H". No band builds a song better than Tool and they are at their best on this album. Excellent stop motion claymation film clips for "Stinkfist" and "Ænima" were created by guitarist Adam Jones as well as some great album artwork. The other highlights of the album are on "Forty Six & 2", "Hooker With a Penis", "Pushit" and "Jimmy" and there are some great interludes to link the songs. Another masterpiece sophomore album from the 90's.


file:///Users/Yonsy/Pictures/Photos%20Library.photoslibrary/Thumbnails/2015/08/08/20150808-151801/p87frqbjRMuNdmAlv9A2ZQ/thumb_ea8438930eabe68e06d17eace60313a2ae85ffde_1024.jpg  7. Queens of the Stone Age - Rated R
"Feel Good Hit of the Summer" is the perfect song to kick off this powerhouse of an album. It was also my first taste of one of my favourite bands. It took me a while to give this album it's proper attention but once it got me, it never let go. "Better Living Through Chemistry" is the epic masterpiece album track that elevates this album to classic status. Like Tool, QOTSA's ability to build momentum in a song is amazing and this track is the perfect example with the quiet bongo intro that leads into the funky guitar riff. Josh Homme's vocal delivery and lyrics are also impeccable. The other two singles released from this album "Monsters in the Parasol" and modern rock classic "The Lost Art of Keeping a Secret" still sound as good as they did when released. "In the Fade" is another high quality album track. This album was my favourite until their latest effort "...Like Clockwork" came out, hard to beat that one!

10. Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
This album is one of the best of this decade and still gets plenty of listens by me. It took a while for me to get this album as well but after hearing "Intervention" I was convinced to get the album and was addicted to it for months. The opening organ of "Intervention" always gives me chills and after witnessing the band at 2008's Big Day Out has become one of my favourite songs. "Keep the Car Running" channels early Springsteen for another one of the albums many highlights and "No Cars Go" features a great drum beat. "Windowsill" features some great lyrics and a builds to an epic finale "I don't wanna see it at my Windowsill" is repeated over and over. The dual vocals work best on "The Well and the Lighthouse" and "No Cars Go" and a list of over 30 contributors are featured to great effect on the album. Lets hope they can continue to produce this kind of gold for their 3rd album which they are currently working on.

Top 50 Albums 2008

1. You Am I – Dilettantes *****

This was an excellent album from start to finish from the best rock band Australia has to offer. They released two of the best albums of the 90s with Hi Fi Way and Hourly, Daily and Dilettantes is a return to form. From the opening acoustic title track to the epic closing track “The Piano Up the Tree” there is not a moment of filler. I was surpised this album was not on any reviewers Top 10 lists although it did receive good reviews when it was released. The highlights of the album would be current single “Beau Geste” (great film clip as well), “Wankers”, "Givin' Up and Gettin' Fat", “Frightfully Moderne” and “Daveys Gone Green Again” that contains an excellent riff during the chorus.

2. TV on the Radio – Dear Science *****

This was an album that got better with every listen. First single “The Golden Age” got me hooked with it’s funky opening riff and beautifully catchy chorus. It also has a fantastic weird film clip. “Red Dress” is another classic featuring some excellent horns and great lyrics delivered with style. The highlight of the album is “ Dancing Choose” with frantic rhymes over tight drums and horns. Although I thought “Return to Cookie Mountain” was a great album, “Dear Science” has proven that TV on the Radio are a great band. Other highlights are "DLZ", "Halfway Home" and "Family Tree". I am greatly anticaipating their set at the Big Day Out in a few weeks to see if they have the skills live.



3. My Morning Jacket – Evil Urges *****

This album was a pleasant surprise for me, switching styles with ease on all 13 tracks. The quieter moments on the album, “Librarian”, “Thank You Too”, “Look at You” and “Sec Walkin’” is what makes the album a classic for me. But MMJ also delivered some excellent rock tracks with “Aluminum Park”, “Remnants” and “I’m Amazed”. “Highly Suspicious” is my favourite track on the album with it’s excellent riff and falsetto vocals. Another band I am looking forward to seeing at the Big Day Out this year.



4. The Black Keys – Attack and Release *****

The Black Keys have created their best album to date. Producer Danger Mouse has added more melody and extra instrumentation for the talented duos fifth studio album. Opening track “All you ever Wanted” promises a different sound than on previous albums and continues to deliver on all eleven tracks. “ I Got Mine”, “Strange Times” and “Same Old Thing” are the standout tracks for me but it’s all good. Looking forward to seeing it live at the Palais supported by Gomez and Dr Dog. Should be an excellent start to the year.

5. Death Cab for Cutie – Narrow Stairs *****

Narrow Stairs is the album that made me take notice of Death Cab for Cutie. I saw them support Something for Kate in 2003 and thought they were pretty good but their previous albums had some weak album tracks. This album, like all in my Top 10, can be played from start to finish without wanting to skip tracks. The 8 and a half minute first single “I Will Possess Your Heart” slowly builds with the best bass riff of the year, which then gradually adds drums then piano to form a perfect four and a half minute instrumental intro. Other standout tracks include “No Sunlight”, “Pity and Fear” and “Long Division” but every track is great and I have had it on high rotation since it’s release over 6 months ago.

6. The Drones – Havilah ****1/2

This was an excellent and consistent album by the Melbourne four-piece. With dirty blues riffs and raw vocals, The Drones’ 5th studio album contains 10 excellent tracks. From the heavier, bluesy tracks like “The Minotaur”, “Nail it Down” and “ I Am the Supercargo” to the quieter “Careful as you Go”, “Your Acting’s Like the End of the World” and “The Drifting Housewife”, this album is always compelling. Singer/Songwriter Gareth Liddiard is at his best lyrically on the apocalyptic “Oh My” which features great lines like “Humans are a waste of food” and “You want to shrink your stinky footprint? Get your tubes tied”. Can’t wait for their set at the Big Day Out.

7. Mason Jennings – In the Ever **** 1/2

Mason Jennings is the most under rated singer-songwriter of our time in my opinion. He has a unique voice and is my favourite songwriter. On his 7th studio album he has again made an album full of catchy tunes and beautiful lyrics. First single “Fighter Girl” was one of the best of the year but I never heard it once on the radio. Likewise with the beautiful acoustic second single “How Deep is that River”. Jack Johnson features on “I Love You and Buddha Too”, which he played at his Melbourne show last year. “In the Ever” is also Mason’s first release on Jack Johnsons label, Brushfire Records. “Your New Man” is a humerous track about a break-up made worse by his ex moving onto a new man. It is recorded live to great effect and my favourite of the 11 great tracks on this album.

8. Dr. Dog - Fate ****1/2

Key Tracks:
The Old Days, Hang On, The Ark, The Rabbit, The Bat and the Reindeer, The Breeze, Army of Ancients, The Beach


9. Mat. McHugh - Separatista! ****1/2

Being a massive fan of The Beautiful Girls, I am probably a bit biased about Mat McHugh first official solo album. But for fans of TBG, especially their earlier material, you will probably love it as much as I did. This album has some great acoustic tracks with brilliant guitar riffs and beautiful harmonies like on "It Isn't Me", "Numb" and "Darling, This Scene Must End". He keeps the album interesting by adding some horns, melodica and piano on "The Bottle", "Loneliness" and "Ring the Alarm" which adds some reggae funk to the album. Can't wait to see the album live when he plays at Ruby's Lounge on Febuary 13.

10. The Zutons - You Can Do Anything ****1/2

It took a lot of listens for this album to grow on me, but once it did, I couldn't stop listening to it. It is full of catchy choruses and great lyrics over many genres. I could list the whole album if I was to pick my favourite tracks, there is no filler and often feels like you are listening to a mix tape. Hopefully they will come to Australia this year, maybe for the V Festival, and I will get to see them live. Highly Recommended.


11. Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid ****1/2
Key Tracks:
Grounds for Divorce, The Fix, An Audience With the Pope, On a Day Like This, Weather to Fly

12. Conor Oberst - Conor Oberst ****
Key Tracks:
Souled Out, I Don't Wanna Die in a Hospital, Sausilito, Cape Canaveral, Get Well Cards

13. Josh Pyke - Chimney's Afire ****
Key Tracks:
Make You Happy, Our House Breathing, The Lighthouse Song, The Summer,

14. The Saboteurs - Consolers of the Lonely ****
Key Tracks:
Carolina Drama, Salute Your Solution, Top Yourself, Old Enough

15. Supergrass - Diamond Hoo-Ha ****
Key Tracks:
Diamond Hoo-Ha Man, Bad Blood, Rebel in You, Whiskey & Green Tea, When I Needed You

16. Donavon Frankenreiter - Pass it Around ****
Key Tracks:
Life, Love & Laughter, Pass it Around, Mansions on the Sand, Your Heart

17. The Boat People - Chandeliers ****
Key Tracks:
Awkward Orchid Orchard, Panic, Born in the 80's, Hours N Hours, Babysnake

18. Augie March - Watch Me Disappear ****
Key Tracks:
Pennywhistle, Becoming Bryn, Farmer's Son, Watch Me Disappear

19. Emiliana Torrinni - Me and Armani ****
Key Tracks:
Jungle Drum, Big Jumps, Heard it all Before, Me and Armani, Fireheads

20. Beck - Modern Guilt ****
Key Tracks:
Gamma Ray, Walls, Youthless, Orphans, Modern Guilt

21. Band of Horses - Cease to Begin ****
Key Tracks:
Ode to LRC, The General Specific, No One's Gonna Love You, Is There A Ghost

22 Cold War Kids - Loyalty to Loyalty ****
Key Tracks:
Something Is Not Right With Me, Relief, Mexican Dogs, Dreams Old Men Dream

23. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes ****
Key Tracks:
White Water Hymnal, Quiet Houses, He Doesn't Quite Know Why, Blue Ridge Mountains

24. Black Kids - Partie Tramautic ****
Look at Me, Hurricane Jane, Listen to your Body Tonight, Partie Traumatic, Hit the Heartbrakes

25. Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds - Dig, Lazurus, Dig!!! ****Key Tracks:
Dig, Lazurus, Dig!!!, More News From Nowhere, We Call Upon the Author, Moonland

26. Matt Costa - Unfamiliar Faces ****
Key Tracks:
Cigarette Eyes, Trying to Lose my Mind, Mr. Pitiful, Emergency Call, Bound

27. Ash Grunwald - Fish Out of Water ****
Key Tracks:
Mojo, Fish Out of Water, The Devil Called Me a Liar, Breakout, Port Campbell

28. Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago ****
Key Tracks:
Skinny Love, Flume, For Emma, re: Stacks

29. Eddy Current Suppression Ring - Primary Colours ****
Key Tracks:
Which Way To Go, I Admit my Faults, We'll Be Turned On, Wrapped Up


30. MGMT - Oracular Spectacular ****
Key Tracks:
Kids, Time to Pretend, Weekend Wars, Electric Feel

31. Kings of Leon - Only by the Night ***1/2

32. Okkervil River - The Stand-Ins ****
Key Tracks:
Pop Lie, Starry Stairs, Lost Coastlines, Singer Songwriter

33. The Weepies - Hideaway ****
Key Tracks:
Wish I Could Forget, Takes So Long, Not Dead Yet, All Good Things

34. The Dandy Warhols - Earth to the Dandy Warhols ***1/2
Welcome to the Third World, Now You Love Me, The Legend of the Outlaw Truckers, Mission Control

35. Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend ***1/2
Key Tracks:
Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa, Oxford Comma, A-Punk, Mansard Roof

36. Primal Scream - Beautiful Future ***1/2
Key Tracks:
Can't Go Back, Zombie Man, The Glory of Love, Necro Hex Blues.

37. The Hampdens - The Last Party ***1/2
Key Tracks:
Generation Y, Forget to Begin, Asleep on the Lawn, Hands in the Ground

38. Brett Dennen - Hope for the Hopeless ***1/2
Key Tracks:
Make You Crazy, Ain't Gonna Lose You, San Francisco, Wrong About Me

39. Girl Talk - Feed the Animals ***1/2
Key Tracks:
Like This, Hands in the Air, In Step, Set it off

40. Xavier Rudd - Dark Shades of Blue ***1/2
Key Tracks:
Edge of the Moon, Dark Shades of Blue, Up in Flames, The World as we Know It

41. The Felice Brothers - The Felice Brothers ***1/2
Key Tracks:
Frankie's Gun, Whiskey in my Whiskey, Ruby Mae, Wonderful Life

42. Portishead - Third***1/2
Key Tracks:
Machine Gun, The Rip, Magic Doors, Hunter

43. Ray LaMontagne - Gossip in the Grain ***1/2
Key Tracks:
Meg White, Gossip in the Grain, You Are the Best Thing, Hey Me, Hey Mama

44. Santogold - Santogold ****
Key Tracks:
L.E.S. Artistes, You'll Find a Way, Say Aha, Light Out

45. Jack Johnson - Sleep Through the Static ***1/2
Key Tracks:
If I Had Eyes, Hope, Sleep Through the Static, Home, Go On

46. Jeff Lang - Half Seas Over ***1/2
Key Tracks:
Newman Town, Night Draws In, Five Letters, My Mother Always Talked To Me

47. Laura Marling - Alas, I Cannot Swim ***1/2
Key Tracks:
Ghosts, You're No God, Night Terror, My Manic and I,

48. Lior - Corner of an Endless Road ***1/2
Key Tracks:
I'll Forget You, Heal Me, Lost In You, Sonja

49. Metallica - Death Magnetic ***1/2
Key Tracks:
The Day That Never Comes, That Was Just Your Life, My Apocalypse, All Nightmare Long

50. Coldplay - Viva la Vida ***1/2
Key Tracks:
Lost, Viva La Vida, 42, Violet Hill