2009 in musics

I wanted to do a neat list compiling my favourite releases of this year. However, having bought one full album this year: Florence and the Machine's Lungs (twice), I am in no position to make a comprehensive list of anything apart from the ways in which I contribute to the demise of the record industry as we know it. But I'm going to give it a go, because this is my blog and I'm allowed to put whatever I want here. I could even write 'tinky' over and over again. Or start impersonating the writing style of one Charlie Brooker...hm. Anyway.

Best Album:

Florence and the Machine - Lungs

Best 'Grower':

Cheryl Cole - Fight for This Love

Best Music Video:

Lady Gaga - Bad Romance

(La Roux - I'm Not Your Toy gets an honourable mention)

Best Remix:

The Police - Message in a Bottle (Fresh Direct Remix)

Best Comeback:

Peaches - Talk To Me////Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Heads Will Roll

Most overplayed remix*:

La Roux - In For the Kill (Skream's Let's Get Ravey Remix)

Most overplayed song*:

Major Lazer - Pon De Floor ft. Vybz Kartel

Cutest, purest song:

Mumford & Sons - White Blank Page

Best Live Act:

Have remembered now (12/01/10) and there are a few.

La Roux at Exeter Cavern

Fever Ray at Melt

Phoenix at Camp Bestival

Micachu and the Shapes at Field Day

Florence and the Machine at Bestival

putting paid to the fact I really love girls.

Best Change of musical direction:

Shakira - Shewolf

Most frequently seen act:

Erol Alkan

Best place I've played:

The Thatch Party (in-jokes all around)

Band I'd most like to see doing well in 2010:

Chew Lips

Band which will do well in 2010:

The xx

Best TV Talent competition contender:

Danyl Johnson/////RACHEL ADEDEJI

The song which most evokes memories of having no responsibilities:

Deadmau5 ft. Cascada - I Remember (Caspa Remix)

Best fad I've been turned around to liking after realising it is not directly linked to violence:

Dubstep.

*These songs are still bangers.

Cheryl Cole - Fight For This Love

Unfortunately I can't embed it, due to YouTube becoming increasingly restricted.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMiy_UsrPDs

However, it is bloody worth a look. When I first heard the track, I was saddened by the use of vocoder, and the apparent quest to appeal to an American audience by replicating the Pussycat Dolls' sound. Then I watched this video and realised that Cheryl Cole is really good at selling the unsavoury. [See: making the world think that, to Mr. Cole, she is a genuine spouse and not just a beard.] Why? because she is ostensibly, ridiculously beautiful. Also, by nicking from La Roux, the producers have made a catchy chorus.

In terms of the actual look, I'm quite pleased that her stylist's letting her brave big shoulders and hair. She's looking reaaal Gloria Estefan in that part of the slightly tacky video. The naughty leopard pyjamas are a nice touch, but I'm not quite sure if the forehead shading make-up is meant to flatter Cheryl or indicate that she's got quite an unsightly fuzzy/wide forehead.

The sequins and ratty hair, both bereft of classy styling, could be percieved by Brits as the 're-chavinisation' of Cheryl Cole. Yet this will inevitably go down well with Americans, as they tend to lap up anything a bit glossy. The only setback is that there's only one incredibly attractive woman in this video, whereas PCD, Destiny's Child, Danity Kane and even TLC have always worked by having a variety of fit girls in the video, if not on the tracks themselves. She's trying to Scherzinger before she's ready.