ALBUM WISE without a shadow of a doubt I’m still listening to Becoming a Jackal by Villagers. Then again, who isn’t still listening to that album?
It is a masterpiece and it’s great to see band leader/vocalist/songwriter Conor J O’Brien come so far in such a short space of time. Remember The Immediate circa 2007?
Other albums I’m still listening to include: Forgiveness Rock Record from Broken Social Scene; Barbara from We Are Scientists; God Willin’ and the Creek Don’t Rise from Ray LaMontagne and the Pariah Dogs; Come Around Sundowm from Kings of Leon; and Constant Adventure from The Flaws, to name a few!
Without a doubt 2010 was the year of the quirky pop diva with Lady Gaga, Rihanna, and Katy Perry topping the charts.
Gigs of 2010
BELL X1 in The Town Hall last month were hands down amazing! Say what you will, their acoustic session spanning music past, present, and future was mesmerising and actually kind of magical. I’m really looking forward to their new album and tour in 2011.
Badly Drawn Boy’s Galway Arts Festival gig in the Radisson was also awesome and genuinely hilarious. What a cool guy!
Things I didn’t like about 2010
KINGS OF Leon not playing ‘The Bucket’ at their recent O2 gig. Boo and hiss! I’m not going to lie, I loved X Factor last year, but 2010 was a bit of a dud. Nice to see Biffy Clyro will be cashing in, but all the same not an amazing year for talent spotting.
The Take That reunion is a bit disturbing. How many surprise appearances can one band make before it’s not a surprise or special anymore? And Robbie doesn’t look in best health either!
Kings of Leon.
2011 here we come
THERE ARE some good and bad things lined up for 2011. As I said before, I’m very excited about the new Bell X1 album and tour. Slane should rock, despite what all ye grumpy old men think about KOL and large scale music gatherings!
On the downside, Avril Lavigne seems to want to make an attempt at a music career again, obviously the divorce wasn’t very lucrative. And despite what all the cool kids say, it looks like Oxegen has yet again snagged the best line-up for the summer’s festivals. Now if only we could sort out the crowd!
