Cool Brittania: Patriotism rules once again.

Us Brits have always been fickle people. We have a notorious reputation for being hard to please and an insatiable appetite for moaning, and with our national media always quick to jump the gun on damning headlines, we probably don’t look too pretty to the rest of the world either.

Some people would attribute this to our lack of identity. Before this year the perception that British people shied away from their ‘Britishness’ burned bright in the eyes of others. I mean, there’s plenty of things that make Great Britain British, but it’s our inability to shout about it that has left the rest of the world wondering where our sense of pride has run away to.

There’s definitely lots of things that the UK is known for. We have the greatest poet of all time in William Shakespeare, the best rock ‘n’ roll music, the monarchy and of course the weather, just to name a few. I get a sneaky feeling however that everyone’s impression of us is somewhat out-dated. I fear that we’re imagined as all sounding like Hugh Grant, being able to visit the Queen whenever we wanted, all dressed in a smart suit complete with a bowler hat and an umbrella. Not only that, they must also think we must cosy up as a family every night eager for the next episode of Eastenders whilst tucking into fish and chips and a cup of tea. Whilst there is some truth in that, a lot of it I could imagine would have been the norm around fifty years ago, not in 2012.

What makes it so hard for us to embrace our country? There could be several reasons, with a notable one being that we are an alliance on four countries, with each one striving for it’s own sense of individuality and national pride. This can of course create tension between them, as we’ve seen with Scotland and England, with the Scots growing ever closer to becoming an independent nation.

The UK is also one of the most ethnically diverse countries on Earth, with London being branded as “the most multi-cultural city in the world”. It’s this multiculturalism and the waves of different ethnicities which have entered Great Britain that have divided the population’s opinion. A lot of the UK’s aboriginal inhabitants have made more than a few comments towards the government being too gracious about the number of foreigners they let reside in the country.

This has also led to the natives being stifled when they’d rather shout about their own country, with authorities too scared that it might upset other religions and ethnic backgrounds. One particular example of this is during sporting events, various taxi companies and other firms have been somewhat banned from displaying the British flag or St. George’s flag in their windows or cars. This obviously caused a lot of anger and widespread criticism amongst the British public with calls for a halt to the number of foreigners allowed in the country.

 So, with uproar garnering pace the question was posed: When would the British public be allowed to show their country off properly, and embrace it by showering it with decorations and millions of voices?

2012 is the answer. Throughout the whole year, the eyes of the world have been on us, watching eagerly. With both the Diamond Jubilee and London Olympics on everyone’s agenda, it had been a long long time since Great Britain, and London, had been the centrepiece of the world. It’s easy to say that we performed, with the Jubilee an extravagant yet appropriate commemoration of our monarch, and the 2012 Games described as the “greatest Olympics ever”. However, did we ourselves get enough room to scream about it at the top of our lungs, or were we restricted to yet another whisper?

Not in my lifetime have I ever seen a greater display of patriotism in this country before. Everywhere you went this summer everyone was embracing the atmosphere, hugging it tight and not letting go until it was absolutely necessary. Name a decoration, and it was there. Bunting was laden from rooftop to rooftop, flags were in every shop window, and the streets were crammed full of people when the slightest whiff of anything to do with a British event was on the cards. The country was like a vicar rediscovering his faith, a blind person now being able to see.

 From a personal point of view, it’s amazing to be able to see the country being let loose on expressing itself, showing the world it’s true colours. There were no controversies, no public disagreements between ethnic minorities, which just makes you wonder what the authorities were moaning about. Then again, they are British and it’s what we’re best at.

Great Britain and it’s people seem like they have found their voice again. If you ask me, I’m looking forward to us further rejoicing in what makes Great Britain great again.

25 things and moments that life would be worse off without.

TV. Mobile Phone. Laptop. Bed. Cuddly toy. These are all things that make a sizable difference to our lives, which made me think about the other little things that would just make life a little more dull without them.

1. Grantly Budgen from Waterloo Road.
Seriously, give this guy a medal. If he fails to remind you of one of your teachers at school then he’ll just make up for that with his dry humour and witty acting. His dancing is also something else. Best thing to ever happen to that show, no question.

2. Snow.
It’s the only thing that can make a binbag look even half decent, as well as transforming a concrete jungle into a winter wonderland. Not to mention that it reduces our country to a laughing stock when it implodes at the slightest amount. Sweden and Canada, please be sympathetic.

3. Peanut butter.
Whoever dreamed up this jar of pure goodness must have been blessed as a child. A year ago I used to hate the stuff, now I somehow love it. Whether it comes on toast, as Reese’s cups, KitKat chunkies or with jam, peanut butter definitely spreads some happiness in my life.

4. People watching.
So this could be seen as a diet version of stalking but be honest, who can’t resist a sneaky peek at what somebody is up to while you’re on a balcony or another suitable viewing point? You never know, you might catch them doing something disgusting.

5. Fraping.
Who cares if it’s childish? A lot of pleasure can be taken from a good frape. While some are just a waste of time, the really inventive and ridiculous ones can reduce a grown man to tears of laughter, especially if the unsuspecting victim doesn't realise for hours.

6. Seeing a celebrity in public.
I don’t know what it is but when we ‘normal people’ spot celebrities we go crazy at the sight of them. We’re always surprised at the fact they’re even walking in a normal place at a normal time amongst normal people, it’s as if we thought all the famous people lived in their own city. It’s useless trying to compose yourself when you see David Beckham in WH Smiths though. Be honest, you’d go mental.

7. Stumbling across old and cringy photos.
Okay, so forget about the initial embarrassment of realising how bad your bowl cut used to look and the fact those trackies weren’t as cool as you remembered, after that they are just plain hilarious. A humiliating picture from times gone by can unlock a cascade of banter and good memories.

8. Finding money on the floor.
Catching a glint of gold is just like being a leprechaun and finding the pot of coins at the end of the rainbow. Seeing a quid or more on the floor and we go wild. Spotting a note is like winning the jackpot, but you feel ten times luckier.

9. Flipping over to the cold side of the pillow.
For some reason this makes trying to get to sleep about a hundred times better and failing that, it just feels far more comfortable. If you’ve yet to try this phenomenon, I recommend you give it go on a hot summer’s night.

10. THAT afternoon nap.
I don’t care how much of an old man I sound, everyone’s done it and everyone loves it. It’s the ideal antidote to a hard day’s work, and the perfect chance to recharge your batteries before a night out. Amazing, right? Not if you’re so tired you oversleep so much you end up staying up haf the night trying to get to sleep again...

11. The traffic light turning green just as you approach it.
This is especially a brilliant moment when you’re running late somewhere and praying for a miracle to get there on time. You know it’s going to be a good day when other lights follow suit and go green, allowing you to drive through undisturbed.

12. Joining a queue right before it starts to get long.
Whenever this happens I’m always counting my lucky stars and thanking myself that I didn’t deliberate an extra couple of minutes over whether yet another pair of socks was the right present for my dad. Looking back at the long and winding line behind me feels like I’ve cheated the system somehow because I know, like times before, I’ll be at the back of it again one day.

13. Bubble wrap.
Whoever thought that this glorious invention that’s used to pad parcels out could provide such enjoyment to so many people? So it’s nothing more than a timewasting tool, but it’s addictive nature for such a lacklustre object serves to be somewhat satisfying.

14. The smell of freshly cut grass.
The sight of a guy on a lawnmower makes my nostrils weep with joy. It’s the definitive smell of summer and if it’s not summer, it makes you yearn for sunshine. I don’t know about you, but I feel a tinge of disappointment that I don’t have a picnic, a football and a few mates ready and waiting.

15. Finding something way after you’d stopped looking for it.
Discovering an item that has been lost in the abyss for a generation is like some sort of small triumph. We hold it high up in the air, pretend we’re Indiana Jones for just a second before wiping our brow with relief that it wasn’t gone forever.

16. Singing in the car on the way home.
Whether it be after a gig, completing a night out or just cruising round random roads, singing at the top of your voice with a bunch of friends is one of the most pleasing activities known to man. The screeching vocal cords of four people seem to oddly combine to make a weirdly beautiful choral sound. Well that’s what I like to believe anyway.

17. The moment a song you and your friends love comes on in a club.
It’s even better when you’ve actually requested the song, it feels like the DJ is agreeing with your music taste. Although beware of the crazy, uncontrollable dancing that consumes you and your mates when such a song is played, the best tunes always seem to bring out the worst dancing.

18. Coffee and bacon.
Probably the best breakfast food and drink combo in history. Yes, tea might run coffee a close second, but there’s nothing more satisfying than waking up to the smell of sizzling pork and then stuffing it in a bap dribbling with ketchup. Mmmm.

19. P’s and Q’s.
Please. Thank you. Yes, those three words do actually make a difference and it’s such a nice thing to hear when you’re either asked to do something or when you’ve done something well. Rudeness only begins to wrap its iron grip round you when you forget those words.

20. When a stranger laughs at a joke between you and your mate.
I don’t know why, but this always puts a smile on my face. I guess it’s just the fact that the banter between you and your friend can make someone laugh while you’re in a long queue, on a crowded tube train or even in the toilets. You never know, it could even cheer them up and make their day.

21. When your stomach changes it’s mind and actually does have room for dessert.
Yes, it’s that secret compartment in your belly that magically appears when dessert is on the cards. How is it that when you’re stuffed full from main course, bloated beyond belief with a food baby ready to pop out, your brain automatically changes it’s mind and says “Yeah, actually I reckon I can fit that brownie in!” I don’t know, but I don’t care either.

22. Ant & Dec.
Simply the reason why I watch Britain’s Got Talent and I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! year in, year out. The Geordie duo’s seamless witty conversation has entertained television audiences for over a decade now and long may it continue. Their cheeky chappie, charming nature has instilled them as Britain’s best loved TV presenters, and rightly so. Let’s get ready to rumble!

23. Acoustic music.
Rock, R’n’B and Pop all have their plus points. When I’m in the right mood they can all be my favourite music at different points, but there’s something about acoustic music that makes it extraordinarily charming. It seems to echo everyone’s feelings in one fell swoop and seems to unearth a million memories at the pluck of a string. It’s got to be good though, I mean look at Ed Sheeran, he’s a megastar and he’s ginger.

24. Waking up at exactly the same moment from every trip and knowing you’re almost home.
It’s weird how this always happens isn’t it? Personally I always wake up at the junction when we leave the M3, for no apparent reason. However, I do get great satisfaction from knowing I’ve cut out the whole journey by being in dream land, instead of staring at endless motorway.

25. Freshly baked bread.
The world is always a better place when bread is fresh out of the oven. It’s amazing smell is such a homely smell as well, reminding so many people of it wafting through their kitchens. The smell and taste of fresh bread is the sole reason why I considered ‘bread taster’ as a potential career choice.

Zero to hero, winner to sinner.

Goalkeepers are like drummers. They’re both part of a team, they operate at the back of that team, are arguably the least recognised member and may both well have the least desirable role. This must beg the question, why on earth would you ever want to be a goalkeeper, or a drummer for that matter?

Even from kicking a ball around on the playground, the mindset was already there that nobody wanted to go in goal. I remember myself as a 12 year old, feverishly hoping I wasn’t picked on to suffer a lunchtime of balls being kicked at me, whilst everyone was dreading the same outcome. It was like a curse, like some punishment for not being quite as good at football as the others. This power of deduction led to the slowest/biggest/worst/most inept football player in the school being shoved in goal and yes, this was never fair but sadly it was the way things were.

How many of you can say your footballing heroes when you grew up were David Seaman, Peter Schmeichel or even Oliver Kahn? More than likely kids were running round pretending to be Ronaldo or David Beckham or somehow dreaming they were Michael Owen whilst playing for Brazil at the same time. It was always a much better option imagining you were scoring the winning goal for England in the World Cup Final instead of apathetically standing inbetween two jumpers twiddling your thumbs.

The undesirability factor runs right through to the professional game. For starters there is only one place in the team for you to stake your claim, with the other two keepers in the squad having to bench warm in what must be a very lonely place to be. Even though every player gets their fair share of stick for glaring misses, own goals and horrible mishits, goalkeeping errors seem to be highlighted that much more, going to the extent that there are DVDs in shops dedicated to their blunders. I would bet my bottom dollar that more people can remember David Seaman misjudging Ronaldinho’s freekick in the 2002 World Cup than Chris Baird’s own goal against Man City just last Saturday.

Not only are goalkeeping fumbles paraded around HMV, YouTube and Facebook but they come at a cost. Robert Green paid the ultimate price of ultimately sacrificing his England career with his howler against USA in the last World Cup (yes, I knew you’d remember that one as well), but many others have been dropped or even worse, sold on. Take David De Gea for example, hailed as the perfect successor to Edwin Van Der Sar at Man United, yet after a few months of unconvincing performances and the monkeys are already on his back taunting him about his uselessness, subsequently being replaced with Anders Lindegaard as first choice.

Not a pretty life for goalkeepers then it seems. You’re supposedly all wondering why they choose this as their career path? I’ve sometimes thought that myself sometimes but until you put yourself in their boots you will carry on wondering for a long time.
While everyone is dreaming of scoring the perfect goal, goalies imagine of stopping them. In effect they have nothing to lose. Take the scenario of a penalty for instance. A striker is expected to score, it’s almost a formality that he will. It’s almost mortifying for the striker to either miss or place it somewhere where the keeper could save it. However, if the keeper does save it, he becomes an instant hero. So from not even figuring in the equation of a penalty to suddenly saving it and being mobbed by his teammates, it must feel like a win win situation for the guy between the sticks.

Imagine if it was the last minute of the Champion’s League final, you denied the world’s best striker of surely the winning goal, you take the game to extra time and then save the crucial penalty to hand the trophy to his team. It really is the stuff that dreams are made of, but it COULD happen. Do that, and you would be cast in bronze right outside the stadium most probably.

Granted it’s harder for goalkeepers to get acknowledged in terms of awards, with Oliver Kahn’s Golden Ball achievement for being the best player at the 2002 World Cup the only notable accolade in recent times, as well as the fact that goalkeepers command the lowest transfer fees out of all the playing positions.
However it’s not all about that, there must be a huge thrill from constantly being the underdog, the chance to upstage some of the game’s more enviable stars. What I would do to get the opportunity to tip away one of Ronaldo’s scorching right footers that was certain for the top corner and see the smug look on his face drop to the ground...

Anyway, goalkeepers must always be used to having the odds stacked against them but I’ve always thought that the most frustrating thing for a striker is to constantly get denied a keeper who’s on top form. Like strikers who are measured by their amount of goals, goalies live for clean sheets. They pretend the net is their fortress with a huge placard above it reading “Thou Shalt Not Pass”, and for 90 minutes act as a guardian of the goal, shielding it from flying balls. They live for denying strikers, and will protect their goal by any means. Gordon Banks, probably England's finest ever keeper, sums it up perfectly: “Every goal is like a knife in the ribs”.

Goalkeepers seem to lead such charmed lives, going from being hated to being loved in a flash. One minute bottles could be hurled at them for conceding a penalty and then quick as a flash the crowd start chanting their name after saving the very penalty they gave away. It seems a very topsy turvy way to play the game but then again that’s the whole attraction of it. It’s so easy for them to be ridiculed but so easy for them to get praise at the same time, it’s like living on a seesaw.

So this brings me back to my original question that I posed right at the start. Why would goalkeepers ever want to be part of team but feel separate? Well, I’ll leave you with the ideal answer in the form of an inspirational quote from one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time, Lev Yashin: “The joy of seeing Yuri Gagarin flying in space is only superseded by the joy of a good penalty save.”

A decade of music: The best albums from the last 10 years 2009-2011

2009: Kasabian- West Rider Pauper Lunatic Asylum



After crash landing on the scene in 2004 with their self-titled debut album, where lead single Club Foot became one of the most popular songs of that year, Kasabian were met with universal acclaim.
However, when their third album, West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum, hit the shelves two years ago, it made the two previous albums seem quite ordinary.

The sound is loud and the group are proud. They weren’t afraid of promoting their sound either. First releasing a teaser EP in 2007, they then swarmed their website with album tracks, and even sought about charming you on the box with the soundtracks for the BRAVIA TV and FIFA 2009 ads.

Not only that, but every time I hear a promotional advert for a boxing match come on the TV, I just expect one of the songs from this album to be accompanying it. The only worthy description of these songs is blockbuster. If there was any chance of another Rocky film in the offing, then this must surely be the readymade score for it?

Of course, I think we must all congratulate Kasabian for being so brave and risky with this album. I mean, just look at the album title. It feels more like a tongue-twisting riddle than a hit album of the decade. The artwork, the song names, the music; just everything seems so unorthodox, presenting the group with real danger of disappearing into the wilderness forever.

Kasabian though, seemed sure of themselves, confident in their wacky persona but by heck have they pulled it off. That’s exactly why this album has worked a treat. It was daring. It wasn’t afraid to push boundaries. Most of all though Kasabian weren’t afraid of evolving into something brilliant, producing tunes of epic proportions. They employed so many different musical techniques on this disc, with the eastern guitar of Where Did All The Love Go?, the unfinished electronic feel of Fast Fuse and not mentioning the raw jagged riff that first hits you on Underdog.

In a time when if a band evolves far beyond its fan base it sinks like the Titanic, Kasabian have done exactly that but couldn’t care less about the repercussions. For that on its own they should be commended. While some fans were left behind, many many others had been picked up. I hope you were one of those.

Highlight tracks: Fire, West Ryder Silver Bullet, Where Did All The Love Go?

Did you know? Each song is meant to represent an inmate at the West Riding Pauper Lunatic Asylum, a group of mental institutions built in West Yorkshire in the 1880s.





2010: Two Door Cinema Club- Tourist History



If albums were like the sun, then a recommendation for the strongest sunblock you could lay your hands on would have come with Tourist History. Two Door Cinema Club seem to be playing with a permanent ‘glass half full’ mindset, staying constantly on the sunny side of pop, turning it up to full brightness. It’s almost as if this album is on a personal mission to make what are known as emos extinct, by branding happiness as the new sad.

I remember being in Dublin last year when Two Door Cinema Club performed at Oxegen festival, and it was clear to see that during their set they wanted to promote their songs as ones that you could endlessly dance to at a furious pace. This dance-orientated electro-pop translates beautifully onto both the live stage and onto a CD. Just make sure you have your curtains closed whenever you play this album, as I can assure you it will have you shaking those hips and moving those feet in no time.

Tourist History has ended up being somewhat of a slow burner, as 2010 was dominated by Ellie Goulding and Marina & The Diamonds, but since then it has become one of the sounds of 2011. This has ended up becoming a blessing for the Northern Irish group, who have become way more celebrated and recognised than if they had just petered away at the end of 2010.

However I am glad they have got the recognition they deserve, as this is a stonker of an album. Their happy-go-lucky nature is reflected in their music, and while plenty of cheer is great, they’ve realised that it can be too much of a good thing, with none of the tracks breaking the four minute barrier.

I Can Talk is the masterpiece of the album. Seeing as it’s the middle track it’s almost as if the rest of the record is built around it, but it just epitomises what the album is all about; punchy, sunny and direct.

Two Door Cinema Club have become one of the major sounds of the present day, proving to everyone that happy music is the best music. If you’ve not dabbled in their stuff then prove to the world that you’re not stubborn. Trust me, eat that album up, it’s good for you.

Highlight tracks: I Can Talk, Come Back Home, What You Know.

Did you know? Two Door Cinema Club’s name came around after they mispronounced the name of their local theatre, Tudor Cinema.





2011: Foo Fighters- Wasting Light



Now, usually when a band is on their seventh album, the status quo is that it is only listened to by the most loyal of fans, with the record churning out similar but satisfactory music to please the regular punters. Except for a few anomalies, you wouldn’t expect a band to come up trumps with some of it’s best work to date, yet that is exactly what Foo Fighters have done.

Immediately there aren’t any tracks that jump out at you like previous Foos albums, however what’s different is that straightaway this record comes seamlessly together like your grandma’s knitting. Yes, it means none of the songs will be making great waves amongst the singles chart, but who cares about that, especially when it reached the summit of the album charts.

The fact that Foo Fighters can still hit number one with their seventh effort is a credit to themselves for tweaking their sound so it still sounds traditionally like Foos, yet feeling like a completely new chapter in a thriller novel. The extended hiatus that the band took after Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace must also have played a part in the group’s new refreshed and reinvigorated sound.

On Wasting Light it feels like their appetite is back, their desire fuelled by the challenge to reclaim their crown as the world’s hottest rock band. The brash guitar and crashing drums are a staple part of the whole album, punishing anyone who ever doubted their ability to come back at the top of their game. It majestically matches fist-pumping, adrenaline-fuelled songs with ones of a more subtle, melodic quality in such a way that it would be inconceivable for them to be imagined apart.

The production of the album is also an incredible stroke of genius, with the idea of recording it on analog tape in Dave Grohl’s garage really complimenting the sound that the Foos have produced. I mean, why not return to familiar surroundings and comfort by recording in your own back yard?

Foo Fighters are playing like they’ve just started out as a new band, like they’re playing with a purpose and sense of direction, just like they did at the beginning. Is it coincidence that Foo Fighters’ best work is their first two albums and Wasting Light? I think not. Don’t get me wrong, their other stuff isn’t to be sniffed at, but doesn’t quite reach the technical mark these three beauties have now set.

So, Foo Fighters have begun writing again with a new lease of life, with sublime results. I just hope it stays for good this time. Mission to return to the peak of rock music accomplished. Welcome back Foo Fighters.

Highlight tracks: Arlandria, These Days, Walk.

Did you know? Wasting Light is the first album to feature Pat Smear as an official band member since The Colour and The Shape, Foo Fighters' second album.





So that’s it, the final part of my series of reviews about my favourite albums over the past decade. I hope you’ve enjoyed reading them as much as I’ve enjoyed writing them, and thanks for checking them out in the first place! Be sure to look back regularly as I’ve got some great pieces lined up for 2012.

Last but not least, have a very Merry Christmas and a great new year!

A decade of music: The best albums from the last 10 years 2006-2008

2006: Arctic Monkeys- Whatever People I Am, That’s What I’m Not



When The Libertines self-destructed after their second album, they left a gaping hole in the market for a British indie band. Okay, so nobody probably thought they would be replicated in terms of their musical talent, their attitude and their ability to create a complete rock ‘n’ roll album.
The Arctic Monkeys had other ideas. Six months prior to the release of their debut album, they were virtually unknowns. However, in true rebellious fashion, they gatecrashed the charts like it was some sort of harmonious village car boot sale. Not only did they gatecrash it, they set up their own stall and sold drugs in their millions. This drug took the resemblance of their first album, with many people finding it more like an addiction.
Many of the songs were leaked on YouTube months before it’s release, people still couldn’t stay away, determined to get a physical copy. Proof is in the pudding, with the LP selling over 360,000 copies in it’s first week alone, this being more than the other albums in the top 20 put together. Still to this day it remains the fastest selling debut album in UK history.

The Monkeys have this swashbuckling approach to their music that’s weirdly charming, a gritty edge that becomes hypnotic. The slower tempo songs must have some built in metronome, infinitely swinging in time with the beat, to try and coax your heart into...theee...sameee...rhyttthhhmm. See what I mean?
Alex Turner’s voice performs as a loudspeaker, informing the world about their run-ins with the local copper or bouncer. Maybe, if you listen hard enough, they might even sing about a car boot sale organiser kicking them out as well.

Gone were the fashion statements and beautiful women hanging off their arms, their lager-propelled music didn’t need any other symbols, the sound filtering out of the radio was iconic enough.
The Arctic Monkeys reached the unusual feat of having their debut labelled as a modern classic only a week after it’s release and with all the furore that surrounded them, it was easy for everyone to get caught up in it.

Whatever you do don’t believe the hype. This album really is that good.



Highlight tracks: Mardy Bum, When The Sun Goes Down, Dancing Shoes.

Did you know? The Arctic Monkeys refused all offers to go on Top Of The Pops, and seldom did interviews around the album’s release.





2007: Relient K- Five Score And Seven Years Ago



After their careers have finished, Relient K could be described as music’s “nearly” men. However, it is beyond beggar’s belief as to why this could ever potentially be the case.

After their early cheeky punk records, Relient K were almost seen as a diet version of Blink-182, producing playful tunes with a unique sense of humour that translated wonderfully on the live stage. Fast forward to 2007, and after their previous effort Mmhmm, broke that stranglehold to release them into the mainstream, Relient K finally produced an album that seemed to be a perfect fit for radio, polished more than Jeeves can say “You can see your face in it, Sir.”

There is not even a smidgen of punk in Five Score, as the band seemingly felt far more at home within the pop/rock genre, and this is reflected in their song writing. The group in a sense could be described as a flower throughout their career, starting out as a bud, opening up on the last album and then blossoming magically on Five Score.

Relient K have always had an ace up their sleeve in the form of their lead singer and frontman Matthew Thiessen, who’s voice and song writing skills, shared along with guitarist Matt Hoopes, have been instrumental in Relient’s rise. His voice is one of the highest quality, with his soft, piercing sound touching nerves and heart strings that people never knew they had. Deathbed, the 11 minute closer on the CD, is worth the album price all on it’s own, a beautiful piece that is told in such a captivating way.

What I like most about this album though is it’s versatility. It doesn’t sound out of place whatever mood you’re in, whether it be sombre, ecstatic or downright depressed. One day the songs could act as pumped up beats to drag your sorry state to the gym with, another as songs that hold the dearest of memories and a different day they could be tunes that have the ability to snap you out of your bad mood.

Whatever the occasion, whatever the weather and whatever you’re feeling, Relient K are guaranteed to always put a smile on your face.



Highlight tracks: I Need You, Devastation and Reform, Deathbed.

Did you know? The song Deathbed uses a whopping 115 different instruments throughout it’s duration.





2008: Fleet Foxes- Fleet Foxes



Pinning the hometown of Fleet Foxes is like trying to guess where the treasure is on the map at one of those stalls at a school fete. If you listen to them without knowing where they come from, it’s hard to identify their homeland. Their sound is so universal and so broad it could have recorded in a number of US cities; Brooklyn, Minneapolis or Chicago, to name just a few. This album could even have been recorded in Great Britain considering the strength of the English folk influences.

It was not recorded in any of those places in fact, but in Seattle, famous for also being the starting points for Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana, Foo Fighters and who could forget Sir-Mix-A-Lot? When their self-titled debut was released it seemed that Fleet Foxes would follow them on the road to stardom, with them being heralded as “America’s next great band.”

Okay, so Fleet Foxes will have to sustain some kind of legacy to ever be mentioned in the same breath as those legendary musicians, but their first album really gets the wheels rolling to reach that goal.

It’s a corker. Fleet Foxes has this undying haunting charm about it, one that’s so captivating that it will have you putting the album on repeat in a robotically consistent fashion. This kind of music should have been created by seasoned pros who were on their fifth or sixth albums and not a band who formed only two years previous.

The harmonies they create are just so peaceful and smooth, like a butterfly flying through woodland with the sun piercing through the treeline. Robin Pecknold’s lead vocals also play a huge part in a lot of the tracks, almost creating harmonies themselves to compliment that of the guitarists. It is the combination of these that makes their music so unusual and so appealing, offering more twists and turns than a Agatha Christie murder mystery.

With most folk pop, while a lot of it is very good technically, there aren’t many surprises. On the flipside, Fleet Foxes is so enchanting, so enthralling that it is just a record of divine beauty.

The album keeps you guessing, just like the treasure map stall at the school fete.



Highlight tracks: White Winter Hymnal, He Doesn’t Know Why, Quiet Horses.

Did you know? As well as earning critical acclaim for the music, the album also won an award for the cover art.





Check back in the next couple of days for the fourth and final part of my music review of the decade, covering the years 2009-2011.

A decade of music: The best albums from the last 10 years 2003-2005

2003: Switchfoot- The Beautiful Letdown



Switchfoot were a band who were getting kind of used to wallowing in the suburbs of indie music, releasing three albums to low-key receptions before coming to the end of their contract with re:think Records. For most bands this would spell the end of their music careers, they would start seeking a different day job whilst having a big fat question of “what if?” hanging over their heads for years to come.
However, Switchfoot took this opportunity to sit back and enjoy their music without the pressure of a record label breathing down their necks. It made them feel like four regular guys, doing what they loved doing the most, but most importantly giving them the time and space to write the music they wanted to write.

The resulting outcome? The Beautiful Letdown. Contrary to what the title suggests, it wasn’t a letdown, however they did indeed create something beautiful. What was unique with Switchfoot on this album was that even though they wrote songs that meant so much to them, they have that special quality where the songs feel like they were wrote specifically for us, the fans.
The legacy? A major label debut breakthrough, countless weeks spent on the Billboard Hot 200, over 2 million album sales in the US and the priceless spot in the mainstream they had been yearning for. They also had two songs, “Meant To Live” and “Dare You To Move” on the film soundtracks for Spider-man 2 and A Walk To Remember respectively, further pushing their music out to a larger audience.

There’s also a very diverse mix of songs on The Beautiful Letdown. It offers you songs that really touch your heart, but before you can well up with emotion you’re bouncing off the clouds to the next song, accompanying your tapping foot with a massive grin on your face.

For this very reason I find myself often coming to the conclusion that The Beautiful Letdown is exactly like a best friend, a lot of fun at times but also very touching.

Highlight tracks: Dare You To Move, Meant To Live, Adding To The Noise.

Did you know? Even though it took 3 years to release The Beautiful Letdown after their previous album, they only spent 2 weeks actually recording it.





2004: Franz Ferdinand- Franz Ferdinand



Franz Ferdinand arrived on the scene in 2004 determined to influence music, exactly like their namesake did with the Austrian army. The boldness of this album made people sit up and take notice and see that Franz Ferdinand’s pulsating songs told a story that they were here to stay.

It just oozes coolness, with Alex Kapranos singing as if it’s not just a song but a statement to society, a fashion trend that people need to urgently pick up on. He also seems to have an uncanny knack of sounding clever yet steering clear of conceit, and has that aura about him that isn’t dissimilar to that of the popular kid at school that everyone wanted to hang around with.

They’re brash but not in-your-face, their lyrics are wild and intrepid yet it’s easy to listen to. The music sounds distantly like something you’ve heard before but the sound is distinctively Franz Ferdinand. The guitar has a funky feel to it, the drums feel disco inspired and the piano is so corny it could double up as an everyday breakfast cereal. If anything else, Franz Ferdinand will have introduced a whole new world of dancing to people who were once as rigid as a telephone, with many of the tracks forcing your body into a routine that sways in time with the heartbeat of the album.

The band ended up winning the 2004 Mercury Music prize, and although this is always a coveted award that bands take pleasure in winning, it all but confirmed Franz Ferdinand’s status as the hottest indie band at the time.

It was Archduke Franz Ferdinand’s assassination that initiated World War I and like for like it was the band’s personal mission to kick start the post-punk revival in Britain. With this masterpiece of an effort it’s safe to say that they were successful in their attack on the music scene.

Highlight tracks: This Fire, Take Me Out, Cheating On You.

Did you know? Their debut led to the band receiving two BRIT awards to accompany the Mercury Music prize that they had already won.





2005: Kanye West- Late Registration




For a while, when I thought of rap music I thought of it being rather drab and dull, with it all sounding the same like one big bland mess. However, after catching a glimpse of Kanye’s single “Touch The Sky” on the radio one morning, I was instantly hooked. I hastily bought Late Registration later on in the day and I remember not being able to put it down for days, at my homework’s expense.

It’s never what I imagined a rap album to sound like. It’s as if Kanye West has grabbed the genre by the scruff of the neck and injected a shedload of soul into whilst adding a splash of swagger. West takes the bare bones of rap music and adds sprinkles of string arrangements, poignant harmonies and thumping beats to create a new face to the genre, one that extends boundaries and produces a stunning piece of music.

Of course, the production of the record is impeccable as well, and this can only be down to the genius of Jon Brion, but it is Mr West and his band of friends who have orchestrated it’s undeniable quality. Notable mentions include Adam Levine, Jay-Z, Jamie Foxx and The Game, who all seem to add something extra to this bubbling pot of an album.

Yes, Kanye West’s head has ballooned to new extremes, but it is his egotism that draws people to his music, and with this effort his doting audience has also grown to the same level as his self-esteem. West also craftily works his songs to fit the impressive cast of MCs he has hired to join him in his quest to bend and break the barriers of rap music.

The accolades followed, with the album winning two Grammy awards and oodles of critical acclaim with many people labelling it classic. I’m inclined to agree with them and so would West himself but no one can doubt the way he has gone about expanding rap music, and in line with his aspirations he has touched the sky with Late Registration.


Highlight tracks: Touch The Sky, Bring Me Down, Hey Mama

Did you know? The success of his debut album The College Dropout enabled him to afford his very own string orchestra for Late Registration.



Check back in the next couple of days for part three, covering the years 2006-2008.

A decade of music: The best albums from the last 10 years 2000-2002

The last decade could be seen as one of anguish, with definitive events such as 9/11, the ongoing war in Afghanistan and even the breakdown in the economy meaning that a lot of people were remembering the last 10 years for all the wrong reasons.
However, what the last 10 years has also done is provide everyone with a wealth of great music, and many of us have used this music to shelter us from the storm of events that transpired.
As a result, with this being the first in a four part series of reviews, I have compiled a list of the best albums that the last 10 years has had to offer, year by year. So without further ado, read on and enjoy!





2000: Linkin Park- Hybrid Theory



By looking at the facts, it’s easy to see why Hybrid Theory has been my pick for the year 2000. At the time of writing it is still the highest selling debut album of the 21st century, it was given the unique honour of being certified diamond status in America, and was the highest selling album of the following year, 2001.

However if you look beyond the facts, then it’s even easier to see that Hybrid Theory has done so much more than shift a shedload of albums. It was a game changer. The subject of the “hybrid” is it’s diverse fusion of rap and metal, two genres that you think should be kept fiercely apart but on Hybrid Theory they blend together like they were made for each other. Chester Bennington’s raspy vocals team up with Mike Shinoda’s rapping, like a marriage between the world’s oddest couple that has blossomed into something truly exceptional.

At a time when pop boy bands were dominating the music scene it is testament to Hybrid Theory for ploughing nu metal into the mainstream, offering something completely original that people wouldn’t baulk at. The thrashing and crashing of the guitars and synths propelled “In The End”, “Papercut” and “Crawling” to the top of the charts, people celebrating a genre of music that had not quite heard of before.

Even when you listen to it now, it still seems fresh and unique, definitely not something that was released over 10 years ago, and I think this, above all, shows how much of a champion this album was.


Highlight tracks: In The End, Points Of Authority, One Step Closer.

Did you know? It is the second highest selling album of the 2000s, behind only to The Beatles’ 1.





2001: The Strokes- Is This It



You know when something simple is better left alone, where if it’s not broken then don’t try and fix it? Well with The Strokes’ debut effort Is This It this is one of these moments. This album is proof that stripped-back indie is one of the most beautiful sounds you will ever have the pleasure to hear. This CD could easily have hit the shelves back in the late 1970s and still wouldn’t have looked out of place, yet today it still seems so current, with the rawness of their sound meaning it will never mature and get old.

At the end of 2009 it made the top 5 in several critic’s lists of the album of the last decade, with NME voting it in at number one. With such high critical acclaim it could have been so easy for us to shrug it off and label these bunch of New Yorkers as “over-hyped”. However once you’re immersed in this record then it’s clear to see that even though New York is already renowned for churning out great bands, these guys are something special. The punchy yet elegant guitar, the simple production of an album that was recorded in a tiny basement and the constant reminders throughout to fans that music CAN be sexy are all factors that contribute to this being a stunning piece of artistry.

Another measure of a great album is how it inspires the next generation of performers, and bands such as The Arctic Monkeys and Franz Ferdinand will always be in debt to Is This It and the influence it has had on their sound.

Highlight tracks: Last Nite, Someday, Hard To Explain.

Did you know? The band deliberately left out the grammatically correct question mark from the album title because they believed that aesthetically it didn’t look right.





2002: The Libertines- Up The Bracket



Listening to Up The Bracket is like ordering a portion of rowdiness with a large side order of attitude. Everything about this album just epitomises British rock and roll. It’s loud, it’s noisy, it’s full of bad language, it’s careless and the band just sound completely smashed.

However it’s all these things that when they mish mash together they create a beautiful masterpiece. Quintessentially British, the brashness of this album means the band seem determined to include nuggets of the past 50 years or so of British rock history to make the most complete album of them all. Although in the long run it may not be considered the best British album of all time, they have definitely given it a good old stab.

Another thing that makes this album so brilliant is the glorious relationship that Carl Barat and Pete Doherty shared. T infamous bust up had dominated the headlines shortly after their second album was released, but during their time together in The Libertines their writing skills were unmatched.

They play their music as if they couldn’t care less, the guitar riffs sound like they’ve literally just rolled out of bed and some of the vocals sound a bit like that croaky voice you get when you first wake up but all of this just provides this album with a crucial jagged edge. They may not have made great waves in terms of sales or chart smashes but I honestly don’t think they were bothered at all, mainly because it just hasn’t mattered, but also because it just isn’t their style.

Highlight tracks: Horrorshow, Boys In The Band, The Good Old Days.

Did you know? The lead guitarist of The Clash, Mick Jones, was the producer for Up The Bracket.




Check back in the next couple of days for part two, covering the years 2003-2005.