Radio Gaga Free: My 5 favourite albums for 2010

With apologies to the left-handed motherfucking genius who just missed out, here are the albums that I kept returning to over and over again this year (in no particular order):

Arcade Fire - The Suburbs

16 track albums should not work in this attention deficit world but Arcade Fire are not a band prone to doing things half arsed. Watch this get snubbed at The Grammy Awards.



Broken Bells - Broken Bells

It is only after listening to their self titled debut that you realise that James Mercer and Danger Mouse have created the most natural sounding ego-free collaboration in a long time. Check out 'The High Road'

Fyfe Dangerfield - Fly Yellow Moon

I have already talked a fair bit about Mr Dangerfield's solo project over on The Music Blogs. I just wish more people knew about his great album.



The Gaslight Anthem - American Slang

The shadow of Springsteen looms large over many of the new indie bands these days. The difference between The Gaslight Anthem and the rest of them is that The Gaslight Anthem couldn't give a shit if you think they are cool or not.



Plan B - The Defamation Of Strickland Banks

A rapper who doesn't need guest vocalists for the hooks (and vice-versa), Plan B knocked it out of the park with his sophomore release. And yes, a concept album that actually works from start to finish.

Me: When I'm Not Here...

...or at the place that actually pays me for that matter. Every so often I will write for the good people at The Music Blogs. My latest post is on Ben Drew aka Plan B.

Head there when you get sick of my posts with endless references to Londonbeat. But before you do, check out my favourite new song:



Take care all.

Songs that never get old #4577

A love tune from the perspective of a dying man allows for great lines such as:

"These things I might have said
only wish I could
Now I'm leaking life faster
than I'm leaking blood."

Proof that David Gray wasn't creatively bankrupt after White Ladder.

All I want is something I can write about

Little Kielbasa
Image courtesy of acoustitch

I received a mention on Twitter yesterday from a complete stranger (say hello Daniel) saying what a great blog I had. Kind words indeed but the random kudos did spark a reminder that I have not really updated this space in a while.

Sure, you've all taken delight in my past tales of Fantasy Football and over indulgence in the Robert Palmer songbook but what have I done for you lately? Bubkis that's what!

Truthfully though, my happiness has become my weakness: I am now in a relationship.

Last time I was with someone, I recall that it was difficult to put head to pen to paper. This was in the days before blogging became something non-nerds did so I have nothing by way of example to show for any past lulls in my output.

Perhaps being in a relationship puts things into perspective? Perhaps this wonderful thing I am in means that defending girl groups becomes somehow irrelevant? Perhaps the trivial things don't mean as much now?

I don't think that's necessarily the case (though sticking up for Girls Aloud shall be put down to sleep deprivation on a Trans-Atlantic flight). My current belief (and I hope to be proven wrong) is that the energy and excitement I used to express myself when I was single is now directed towards my relationship leaving me without a desire to write.

What I do hope is that my relationship inspires me to write about new and interesting topics with renewed vigour. Perhaps all I need is a little time for those effects to rub off.

So to my small band of followers, I apologise if I'm not around here as often.

To the girl who has my heart: I'll see you on Friday for a pizza and a Gig.