Comments on: HOW GOOD IS THIS!!!??? – NUMBER 36 http://therecommender.net/2009/11/18/how-good-is-this-number-36/ Brighton's essential guide to new music Tue, 22 May 2012 04:11:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Klaxons – Golden Skans :: Indie Shuffle http://therecommender.net/2009/11/18/how-good-is-this-number-36/#comment-483 Klaxons – Golden Skans :: Indie Shuffle Sun, 09 May 2010 16:22:07 +0000 http://therecommender.net/?p=2044#comment-483 [...] Song: Klaxons – Golden Skans [...] [...] Song: Klaxons – Golden Skans [...]

]]> By: NotManyExpertsPhil http://therecommender.net/2009/11/18/how-good-is-this-number-36/#comment-482 NotManyExpertsPhil Mon, 07 Dec 2009 19:20:43 +0000 http://therecommender.net/?p=2044#comment-482 You've almost convinced me that I like AWITC more than Silent Alarm! To be honest, I just think that it's a shame how much of a mess Intimacy turned out to be. I mean, I think it is a really good album with some flaws, but the underwelming way in which the album was broken to the world was the first nail in Bloc Party's coffin, I think. I just feel like the lack of reaction that the rush release got made Bloc Party feel totally irrelevant to music journalists. Unfortunately, I think that the biggest negative effect this has had (so far, who knows if it will cause the band to break up) is that it has muddied critic's opinions of Silent Alarm and AWITC, hence them both being ignored in most people's (less wise than your's, obviously) end of decade lists. Obviously, this is ultimately of very little importance, but it's just a shame that Bloc Party's reputation has been so damaged after two fantastic albums, and one good album that was very poorly marketed. Thanks for the positive words, as well. As soon as I read this post I subscribed to your RSS, so you've definitely won at least one new reader! Phil You’ve almost convinced me that I like AWITC more than Silent Alarm! To be honest, I just think that it’s a shame how much of a mess Intimacy turned out to be. I mean, I think it is a really good album with some flaws, but the underwelming way in which the album was broken to the world was the first nail in Bloc Party’s coffin, I think. I just feel like the lack of reaction that the rush release got made Bloc Party feel totally irrelevant to music journalists. Unfortunately, I think that the biggest negative effect this has had (so far, who knows if it will cause the band to break up) is that it has muddied critic’s opinions of Silent Alarm and AWITC, hence them both being ignored in most people’s (less wise than your’s, obviously) end of decade lists. Obviously, this is ultimately of very little importance, but it’s just a shame that Bloc Party’s reputation has been so damaged after two fantastic albums, and one good album that was very poorly marketed.

Thanks for the positive words, as well. As soon as I read this post I subscribed to your RSS, so you’ve definitely won at least one new reader!

Phil

]]> By: Mike http://therecommender.net/2009/11/18/how-good-is-this-number-36/#comment-481 Mike Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:27:22 +0000 http://therecommender.net/?p=2044#comment-481 by the way...to anyone reading this, please head over to http://notmanyexperts.com, as Phil has a superbly written, informative and well laid out blog. Ta Mike by the way…to anyone reading this, please head over to http://notmanyexperts.com, as Phil has a superbly written, informative and well laid out blog. Ta

Mike

]]> By: Mike http://therecommender.net/2009/11/18/how-good-is-this-number-36/#comment-480 Mike Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:22:12 +0000 http://therecommender.net/?p=2044#comment-480 Phil - There's a few reasons to be honest, (although I should inform you that I totally and utterly adore Silent Alarm). Firstly, AWITC is an album that particularly resonated with me on a personal level, so although it may not have appeased everyone, it's a fave of mine, and as you cleverly spotted, this is my list. Oh, and it has some truly amazing songs. Waiting For The 7:18, which happens to be about Brighton, the city in which I live, is a special example. Perhaps it could even have been called A Weekend In Brighton?! Also, it had the track The Prayer, which made me feel like I could triumph in a war against Mordor itself. Other highlights, such as I Still Remember, had the kind of lead riffs The Killers only wished they could write, and Hunting For Witches, which ONLY Bloc Party could write. It's a contradictory and eccentric album overall, but I think this somehow suits the English. Like many great indie rock albums, it's packed with doom, power, big choruses, intelligence and is about as urban as it gets. For this I included it over their debut, which although brilliant, felt more cathartic, less tuneful and in such a hurry I found myself constantly wishing I could catch up. If Silent Alarm was their powerful rallying speech that allowed me to start believing, then perhaps AWITC is them finally winning my vote. Thanks Mike Phil – There’s a few reasons to be honest, (although I should inform you that I totally and utterly adore Silent Alarm).

Firstly, AWITC is an album that particularly resonated with me on a personal level, so although it may not have appeased everyone, it’s a fave of mine, and as you cleverly spotted, this is my list.

Oh, and it has some truly amazing songs. Waiting For The 7:18, which happens to be about Brighton, the city in which I live, is a special example. Perhaps it could even have been called A Weekend In Brighton?!

Also, it had the track The Prayer, which made me feel like I could triumph in a war against Mordor itself. Other highlights, such as I Still Remember, had the kind of lead riffs The Killers only wished they could write, and Hunting For Witches, which ONLY Bloc Party could write.

It’s a contradictory and eccentric album overall, but I think this somehow suits the English. Like many great indie rock albums, it’s packed with doom, power, big choruses, intelligence and is about as urban as it gets. For this I included it over their debut, which although brilliant, felt more cathartic, less tuneful and in such a hurry I found myself constantly wishing I could catch up.

If Silent Alarm was their powerful rallying speech that allowed me to start believing, then perhaps AWITC is them finally winning my vote.

Thanks
Mike

]]> By: NotManyExpertsPhil http://therecommender.net/2009/11/18/how-good-is-this-number-36/#comment-479 NotManyExpertsPhil Sun, 06 Dec 2009 17:41:38 +0000 http://therecommender.net/?p=2044#comment-479 Really good list, obviously I don't completely agree (it seems like most people read these lists expecting for it to be a carbon copy of their opinion!), but I was interested that you chose AWITC over Silent Alarm! Any particular reason? Really good list, obviously I don’t completely agree (it seems like most people read these lists expecting for it to be a carbon copy of their opinion!), but I was interested that you chose AWITC over Silent Alarm! Any particular reason?

]]> By: Mike http://therecommender.net/2009/11/18/how-good-is-this-number-36/#comment-478 Mike Tue, 01 Dec 2009 13:59:07 +0000 http://therecommender.net/?p=2044#comment-478 Hi Seok Ho - I guess I gotta reply to that one! Firstly, thanks for your comment. We all share many differing opinions, so no worries... Regarding the Green Day selection, it was a solid album that I listened to again and again, and I wasn't a 15yr old emo kid at that time! It went on to influence a massive wave of punk emo bands that are still attempting it to this day, but not as well. It was one of the most critically acclaimed albums of that yr, gaining a number one both sides of the Atlantic and a Grammy for best rock album. Many reviews compared it's bravery to The Clash or it's scale to The Who. It stepped away from the usual broken hearted skater subject matter, into political ranting. It's not the best album of all time, but in a list of 25 albums in a decade it tops all the other punk emo albums out there for sure. Although in your defense it also gave us Busted and McFly!! For that they are truly bastards. Also, I defend the list being "average". Any list of the Best Albums of the Decade are going to include work that's been noticed by a lot of people. However, I haven't seen many include Lemon Jelly or Super Furry Animals, or have Sound Of Silver at number 1. It's not as if I plumped for Coldplay, Killers and Keane now is it!? Only a bad blogger would try really hard to be 'unusual'. It's almost more brave to choose albums people know and risk being called average, as at least my selections are grounded in a belief in an album, rather than any fear of reprisal. I'm not going to ridicule your list, as I'm pleased you at least had a punt. As I said, we share many differing opinions. As for the blog, we always try and maintain a certain quality control on it, so glad you regularly find stuff that interests you. Be warned, we are currently putting the finishing touches to 'The Best Tracks of 2009' so make sure you return to share you views on that one! Gulp! Should be some amazing tracks on there, so lot's to talk about... All the best, Mike Hi Seok Ho – I guess I gotta reply to that one! Firstly, thanks for your comment. We all share many differing opinions, so no worries…

Regarding the Green Day selection, it was a solid album that I listened to again and again, and I wasn’t a 15yr old emo kid at that time! It went on to influence a massive wave of punk emo bands that are still attempting it to this day, but not as well. It was one of the most critically acclaimed albums of that yr, gaining a number one both sides of the Atlantic and a Grammy for best rock album. Many reviews compared it’s bravery to The Clash or it’s scale to The Who. It stepped away from the usual broken hearted skater subject matter, into political ranting. It’s not the best album of all time, but in a list of 25 albums in a decade it tops all the other punk emo albums out there for sure. Although in your defense it also gave us Busted and McFly!! For that they are truly bastards.

Also, I defend the list being “average”. Any list of the Best Albums of the Decade are going to include work that’s been noticed by a lot of people. However, I haven’t seen many include Lemon Jelly or Super Furry Animals, or have Sound Of Silver at number 1. It’s not as if I plumped for Coldplay, Killers and Keane now is it!? Only a bad blogger would try really hard to be ‘unusual’. It’s almost more brave to choose albums people know and risk being called average, as at least my selections are grounded in a belief in an album, rather than any fear of reprisal.

I’m not going to ridicule your list, as I’m pleased you at least had a punt. As I said, we share many differing opinions.

As for the blog, we always try and maintain a certain quality control on it, so glad you regularly find stuff that interests you.

Be warned, we are currently putting the finishing touches to ‘The Best Tracks of 2009′ so make sure you return to share you views on that one! Gulp! Should be some amazing tracks on there, so lot’s to talk about…

All the best,
Mike

]]> By: Seok Ho http://therecommender.net/2009/11/18/how-good-is-this-number-36/#comment-477 Seok Ho Tue, 01 Dec 2009 09:50:00 +0000 http://therecommender.net/?p=2044#comment-477 Green Day having the 7th best album of the 2000's? What a load of rubbish. All American Idiot was a desperate attempt by Green Day to remain semi-relevant by trying to appeal to the 14 and 15 year emo's out there who thought they were being non-conformist and rebelling against society by listening to Billy-Joe Armstrong whinging about the state of America in 2003. As for the rest of your choices - pretty average I thought. Weird, considering I usually like most of your recommendations. As for my picks, I'm way too indecisive to actually compile a list that I'd be 100% happy with, but definate albums would include: LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver The Shins - Oh, Inverted World Iron & Wine - The Creek Drank the Cradle Postal Service - Give Up Death Cab For Cutie - Transatlanticism Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot Daft Punk - Discovery Bloc Party - Silent Alarm 2manydj's - As Heard on Radio Soulwax Pt.2 Kanye West - The College Dropout Wow, that's actually 10 albums. How about that? Suppose that would be my Top 10 of the 2000's. Green Day having the 7th best album of the 2000′s? What a load of rubbish. All American Idiot was a desperate attempt by Green Day to remain semi-relevant by trying to appeal to the 14 and 15 year emo’s out there who thought they were being non-conformist and rebelling against society by listening to Billy-Joe Armstrong whinging about the state of America in 2003.

As for the rest of your choices – pretty average I thought. Weird, considering I usually like most of your recommendations.

As for my picks, I’m way too indecisive to actually compile a list that I’d be 100% happy with, but definate albums would include:

LCD Soundsystem – Sound of Silver
The Shins – Oh, Inverted World
Iron & Wine – The Creek Drank the Cradle
Postal Service – Give Up
Death Cab For Cutie – Transatlanticism
Wilco – Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
Daft Punk – Discovery
Bloc Party – Silent Alarm
2manydj’s – As Heard on Radio Soulwax Pt.2
Kanye West – The College Dropout

Wow, that’s actually 10 albums. How about that? Suppose that would be my Top 10 of the 2000′s.

]]> By: Joshua http://therecommender.net/2009/11/18/how-good-is-this-number-36/#comment-476 Joshua Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:55:29 +0000 http://therecommender.net/?p=2044#comment-476 I liked what you said about people really getting into all genres of music this decade. I think a huge sign of that is the mash-up craze which no one mentioned. To me that's crazy seeing as Girl Talk and Super Mash Bros are being played non stop at parties these days. What could be better than every pop hook in the last 30 years in one album? Genius, seriously. And no mention of the Mars Volta? 5 albums and 1 EP in this decade and none of em made the list? I have to say I'm only mildly biased because I like the Mars Volta. Not to mention all the solo work Omar and Cedric have done in between. I liked what you said about people really getting into all genres of music this decade. I think a huge sign of that is the mash-up craze which no one mentioned. To me that’s crazy seeing as Girl Talk and Super Mash Bros are being played non stop at parties these days. What could be better than every pop hook in the last 30 years in one album? Genius, seriously. And no mention of the Mars Volta? 5 albums and 1 EP in this decade and none of em made the list? I have to say I’m only mildly biased because I like the Mars Volta. Not to mention all the solo work Omar and Cedric have done in between.

]]> By: Mike http://therecommender.net/2009/11/18/how-good-is-this-number-36/#comment-475 Mike Sun, 22 Nov 2009 18:08:10 +0000 http://therecommender.net/?p=2044#comment-475 Wow thanks. That's got to be one of the kindest comments ever! Gald we can help, as a lot of time and effort goes into providing people with the best quality music we can find. It's always lovely to find out readers are making use of the blog and enjoying our recommendations. Lot's more will come in 2010 and we are currently working on our 'Best Tracks of 2009' list so that will be up before the year end. Oh and if you're ever in Brighton look our for our gigs next year, which is where we showcase the bands that we've covered online... Thanks very muchly. Mike Wow thanks. That’s got to be one of the kindest comments ever! Gald we can help, as a lot of time and effort goes into providing people with the best quality music we can find.

It’s always lovely to find out readers are making use of the blog and enjoying our recommendations. Lot’s more will come in 2010 and we are currently working on our ‘Best Tracks of 2009′ list so that will be up before the year end.

Oh and if you’re ever in Brighton look our for our gigs next year, which is where we showcase the bands that we’ve covered online…

Thanks very muchly.
Mike

]]> By: mixa http://therecommender.net/2009/11/18/how-good-is-this-number-36/#comment-474 mixa Sun, 22 Nov 2009 09:07:45 +0000 http://therecommender.net/?p=2044#comment-474 i've been a lurker for almost half a year now (thank you so much for introducing me to so many artists, including the tallest man on earth) and i just gotta say on this post how my heart swelled knowing i have more than half of the albums on this list. <3 time and time again, your recommendations have proved absolutely amazing, so i trust you so much. thank you thank you. i’ve been a lurker for almost half a year now (thank you so much for introducing me to so many artists, including the tallest man on earth) and i just gotta say on this post how my heart swelled knowing i have more than half of the albums on this list. <3 time and time again, your recommendations have proved absolutely amazing, so i trust you so much. thank you thank you.

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