Top 10 albums of 2015

1. How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful- Florence + the Machine

Sublime from start to finish

2. FROOT- Marina and the Diamonds

If I'm A Ruin doesn't melt your heart, you don't have a soul.

3. Rebel Heart- Madonna

From bitch to vulnerable in 60 secs or more

4. Lucid Dreaming- Say Lou Lou

Perfect debut filled with valium pop: emotive and melancholy at the same time

5. Delirium- Ellie Goulding

Still about 6 tracks too long and a little too mainstream compared with her previous albums, but all in all a good pop record.

6. Working Girl- Little Boots

Concept album about a HBIC? SIGN ME THE FUCK UP

7. 25- Adele

If bawling your eyes out whilst singing at the top of your lungs is your kind of Saturday night, pop this bad boy on. Wine not included.

8. Christine and the Queens- Christine and the Queens

French synth pop Goddess makes her (sort of) English debut. Key track? Paradis Perdus, if only for the seamless use of Kanye West's 'Heartless'

9. Honeymoon- Lana Del Rey

Introspective jazz pop from the Coney Island Kween. 

10. E MO TION- Carly Rae Jepsen

RUN AWAY WITH ME! RUN AWAY WITH ME! Taylor take note: this is how you make an 80s sounding record.

Honourable mentions: Tove Styrke- Kiddo, Duran Duran- Paper Gods, One Direction- Made In the AM, The Weeknd- Beauty Behind the Madness, Ryan Adams- 1989

Music Listography- Day 2: 20 Albums You'd Bring On A Spaceship

If you were, hypothetically speaking, leaving planet Earth on spaceship or any other inter-planetary space travel vehicle (perhaps a TARDIS), what albums would you bring with you for the journey?

A thought provoking and challenging question is the topic for today's post. I sadly couldn't make it to 20, but I may add to this list later. I think I was being particularly harsh on which albums deserved a spot here, mainly because these are the albums you potentially will be listening to the REST OF YOUR LIFE. IN SPACE. Where no-one can hear you sing.

1. A Rush of Blood To The Head- Coldplay: Like my own 'Sophie's Choice'.
2. Greatest Hits- Queen: A must.
3. Young Americans- David Bowie: I love this album from start to finish.
4. Best of Bowie- David Bowie: Two words 'Modern Love'. Plus, he's an alien. AND there's 'Starman' and 'Space Oddity' and MAJOR TOM to consider. 
5. Lungs- Florence and the Machine: Flawless.
6. Happiness- Hurts: Moody and ambient.
7. Light Years- Kylie Minogue: If only to play the title track on a spaceship. I have to, it's my only chance.
8. Born To Die/Paradise- Lana Del Rey: Another perfect record (s).
9. Ray of Light- Madonna: Moody and ambient.
10. Rudebox- Robbie Williams: Necessary for the synths.
11. Recurring Dream- Crowded House: I won't leave Earth without this.
12. Greatest- Duran Duran: If I didn't play 'Planet Earth' during liftoff, there would be some very pissed off people.
13. Overpowered- Roisin Murphy: Another favourite of mine.
14. Spiegel im Spiegel- Fur Alina: Classical piece that I couldn't live without.

I guess there's not a lot of 'classic' albums on there, and two appearances by Bowie. Plus 4 Greatest Hits compilations- is that cheating a bit?

Bowie thinks otherwise.

What do you think of the list so far? Think my time in space would sonically suck? Needs more Eno? Tweet, Facebook, Tumblr me your thoughts or leave your thoughts downstairs.

Music Listography: Day 1- Top 20 Favourite Bands

I've decided to do a '30 days of' esque theme here on the blog in accordance with the book 'Music Listography: Your Life in (Play) lists'. I don't know how many lists there are because I'm too lazy to count (what's new?)

So, the first list is 'Top 20 Favourite Bands' and this proved to be more difficult than I expected because a)what did they mean by 'band'? exclusively rock groups or are girl groups and boy bands included here as well? and b) do I even like 20 bands?

To answer these questions:
2) I took a leap and said yes to pop groups being included here. It's my list so, whatevs.
b) Turns out, I don't.



On to the list then.

1. Coldplay: need I say more? It's going to be a requirement that any future love interests must love them too (or at least be willing to go to their shows with me).
2. Take That: 10 years ago I didn't really know them. 8 years ago, I hated them. Now, I consider them one of the best groups around.
3. ABBA: defined my 90s childhood and early noughties teen years.
4. Duran Duran: Oh, to be a teen in the 80s *le sigh*
5. End Of Fashion: underrated band. Their second album, Book of Lies, was the soundtrack to my first year at uni.
6. Eskimo Joe: 2006 was the year of the Eskimos for me. I think I listened to Black Fingernails, Red Wine every night that year. Such a perfect album.
7. Florence and the Machine: they're a band, everybody! Flawless and perfect.
8. Franz Ferdinand: A Scottish tour de force. Best memory is opening the first pages of 'A Clockwork Orange' played along side 'The Fallen'.
9. Queen: because of reasons. 
10. Girls Aloud: one of the greatest girl groups to hail from the UK.
11. Bee Gees: those harmonies tho.
12. Scissor Sisters: I love their campy weirdness. Plus, I much prefer their version of 'Comfortably Numb' to Pink Floyd's original. 
13. Sugababes: Like Girls Aloud, you know a group is good when their b-sides are just as coveted as their a-sides.
14. U2; I debated putting them here but 'New Year's Day' kind of sealed the deal for me.
15. The xx: too soon? Maybe. 
16. Phoenix: Dug up their back catalogue post- Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

That's all I have for now. Let me know if you agree/disagree/ are raging about my choices on Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr or in the comments

2012 in review (aka the only list that Frank Ocean will not top)

First up, the singles of 2012. Singles by the same artist are doubled because I'm lazy. It's not listed in any order either because I'm lazy. Let's get to it, shall we?

1.     Angels- the xx: the best track off their latest album. Just listen to it if you haven't already.

2.     We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together/ I Knew You Were Trouble-Taylor Swift: the '1-2' punch of the Swift this year was strong. I have the bruises to prove it.

3.     Losing You- Solange: a Knowles I can stan for. Beyonce, step aside please, your talented and sartorially inclined baby sis is here! (I think I just described the dynamic of my relationship with my younger sister in that as well #awkward)

4.     Baby Come Home- Scissor Sisters; if this doesn't make you want to tap your feet and sing along, then I give up.

5.     I Awake- Sarah Blasko: sometimes, I like to listen to Sarah Blasko and pretend I'm edgy and cool.

6.     My Gun- The Rubens: sounds like The Black Keys, but better.

7.     Different- Robbie Williams: one of his best songs ever, especially in recent years (I say this as a major fan). Heartfelt and beautiful, the video also proves how badly he should delve back into acting.

8.     Madness- Muse: I love Muse, but the last few albums have been a struggle to get through on their first listen. 'Madness' served as a refreshing break from their OTT-ness (we are not going to talk about 'Survival'. At all).

9.     Primadonna- Marina and the Diamonds: all I ever wanted was the world too, Marina. Bonus points for her genius tweets.

10. Girl Gone Wild- Madonna: I did not get the hate for this song when it was released and it continues to baffle me now. 

11. Thrift Shop- Macklemore and Ryan Lewis: you know you're onto a good thing when a 60 something year old ethnic man requests this song to be played all the time. Also, one of the best videos this year.

12. Bad Girls- MIA: bad girls do it well. But what is 'it'? #questionsformia

13. Every Night I Say A Prayer- Little Boots: she finally finished her second album and EVERY NIGHT I SAY A PRAYER that this song is on there (see what I did?)

14. Born To Die- Lana Del Rey: Need I say more? This song grabbed me by my non-existent gonads at the beginning of the year and refused to let go.

15. I Love It- Icona Pop: So fierce. So sassy.

16. Battle Scars- Guy Sebastian and Lupe Fiasco: first single I've liked from him in awhile. Plus he acknowledged my mother accosting him in Westfields on Twitter, so we're practically BFFs at this point.

17. Something New- Girls Aloud: GO GIRLS, G-G-G-GO-GO-GO! My body was ready for some new music from GA, though I would argue 'On The Metro' and 'Every Now And Then' are better than SN. (They didn't make the cut due to arbitrary rules that exist in my mind)

18. Pyramids- Frank Ocean: I like this one, don't sue me please.

19. Sweet Nothing/Spectrum (Say My Name)- Calvin Harris and Florence and the Machine: a pair of UK number 1 singles for this duo. I approve wholeheartedly of this pairing; the flawless ginger queen and the smexy Scottish DJ.

20. Lego House- Ed Sheeran: Rupert Grint makes an appearance here for this incredibly catchy and sweet tune.

21. Call My Name/Under The Sun- Cheryl Cole: double whammy from the Geordie princess. Where CMN is another Calvin Harris produced hit (like the shy sister of 'We foudn Love'), Under The Sun relies on the singalong bridge and chorus. Plus the double entendre of 'watch the sun go down on me/go down on me' *insert wink*. Isn't that what pop music's about peeps? (answer: yes)

22. Locked Out Of Heaven- Bruno Mars: I went from 'meh' to 'THIS IS MA JAM!' with this track in a matter of weeks. Why? BECAUSE YOUR SEX TAKES ME TO PARADISE, THAT'S WHY.

23. Laura- Bat For Lashes: beautiful and rousing. I thought about using this for my sister Laura's 21st in two years time, but it's about a sad party girl, so not really appropriate at all.

24. R U Mine- Arctic Monkeys: I don't use this word often for I am a prude and an immature young woman, but this song is incredibly sexy.

25. Skyfall- Adele: imagine Shirley Bassey doing a cover of this Adele stylee. I know I am.

26. 212- Azealia Banks: Great song, but I feel like she's already peaked.

27. Dancing With A Broken Heart- Delta Goodrem: shame this went nowhere chart wise as opposed to 'Wish You Here'. Definitely one of her best singles.

28. Your Body- Christina Aguilera: it's been a few years since I liked a Christina song, so this will do.

29. Timebomb- Kylie Minogue: good for K25 and a banging dance tune, but I'm going to need something more for the next album.

30. Diamonds- Rihanna: doing her best Sia impersonation. I don't care for her so long as she's not Instagram-ming photos of her and woman hater Chris Brown and telling us to #phuckourselves because #Naviisstrong. Yes, I don't understand that either.

Best Albums of 2012 IN ORDER

10. MDNA- Madonna

A good, not great, album from the Queen. Highlights: Masterpiece, Love Spent, Beautiful Killer

9. Devotion- Jessie Ware

Minimalist RnB, excellent late night tunes here. Highlights: Wildest Moments, Running

8. Coexist- The xx

A tighter, cohesive LP that improves on their already brilliant debut, but works better played in full. Also emphasises their love of one word titles. Highlights: Angels, Fiction, Try, Tides.

7. The Haunted Man- Bat For Lashes

Less piano driven then its predecessor and more synth-y, bar the lead single 'Laura'. Still chill inducing though. Kudos to Natasha for also posing for the NSFW cover. Highlights: Laura, Oh Yeah, A Wall, All Your Gold

6. Magic Hour- Scissor Sisters

IDGAF, judge me all you want (looking at you JB Hi Fi server 'they're still around?!?' me: 'erm, yes' :|), but I legit still love SS and this album didn't disappoint me, though I can definitely live without 'San Luis Obispo'. Highlights: Only The Horses, Inevitable, Let's Have A Kiki

5. Halcyon- Ellie Goulding

Captures the heart-ache of a relationship gone awry perfectly. Add this to your break-up album collection. Listen with kleenexes though. Again, works better played from start to finish- there's no real 'singles' on here. This seems to be a trend with albums in 2012. Highlights: Figure 8, Anything Could Happen, My Blood, JOY, Hanging On ft Tinie Tempah

4. Take The Crown- Robbie Williams

It really does sound like Coldplay meets U2 in some parts. Hook laden from start to finish. Highlights: Candy, Different, Into The Silence, Reverse

3. Abbey Road Sessions- Kylie Minogue

Subdued, acoustic and tantalising. The hints that she's given us with various arrangements in concerts lead to this collection and it's a joy to listen to. I refuse to listen to 'Wow' or 'Never Too Late' in any other incarnation now. Highlights: Hand On Your Heart, Locomotion, On A Night Like This, Wow, Never Too Late

2. Electra Heart- Marina and the Diamonds

So close to the top! A case of sophomore effort trumping debut here as she gets those hits gurl. Highlights: Homewrecker, Primadonna, Lies, Power and Control, Teen Idle, Fear and Loathing

1. Born To Die/Paradise- Lana Del Rey

This was the album of 2012 for me. It delivers on every level from start to finish, not one filler track found. The EP Paradise rounds out this era with quality tracks such as a cover of 'Blue Velvet' and the haunting 'Bel Air'. Though 'my pussy tastes like Pepsi-Cola' will never cease to make me stop in my tracks and leave me dumbfounded (life, choices)
Highlights: THE WHOLE ALBUM. Born To Die, Blue Jeans, Video Games, National Anthem, Summertime Sadness, Radio, Without You. EP: Ride, American, Cola

Special Awards:

Underrated Sleeper Album That Everyone Missed: Holiday Trip Of A Lifetime- End Of Fashion. No buzz for this at all, which is a shame because it's not a bad album in the least.

Sad Panda Award:  This award goes to an album that I had really high hopes for but it just didn't turn out to be all that and a bag of chips. Anxiety- Ladyhawke. It's not terrible but really just not as great as her debut. #sadpanda
Runner Up: Our Version Of Events: Emeli Sande. Again, not bad, but not as amazing as I had hoped. MOAR UPTEMPO PLEASE EMELI

That concludes 2012 in muzak for me. Peace out.

Here, have some thoughts

Songs that I am enjoying right now:

• Solange Knowles- Losing You. So hipster. So chic. I think I stan for her- finally, a Knowles I can support!

• Lissie- When I'm Alone. Will next be heard on Robbie Williams' new album Take The Crown, out in November, on the duet 'Losers'.

• Delilah- Go. Hmm. Yes. Me likey. Came across whilst trying to make up my mind about Jessie Ware

• Muse- Madness. Need I say more? Stick with it. Track kicks in towards the end and it is BRILLIANT

• Calvin Harris ft Florence Welch- Sweet Nothing. YES. A banging tune from that guy that does all those songs you like featuring the vocals of a goddess. The video is brilliant and as Florence describes it, 'destructo stripping'

• Sarah Blasko- I Awake. Pulsating, thrilling and chaotic. 

• Side notes: 'Thong Song' will never be a 90s song to me. Ever. 

That is all.

Annie A

Only If For A Night: Florence and the Machine Sydney Entertainment Centre May 24 2012

'Please rise for the hymn'

And rise we did, for tonight we worshiped at the altar of Holy Mother Florence and the Reverend Machine. The lights dimmed, the stage was set and the opening notes of Only if For A Night twinkled out of the amps, infiltrating the (sold out) audience. And as Florence appeared, every jaw dropped in the room as she strode over to the microphone, swathed in a cape that seemed to have a life of it's own, adorned in a crystals and crushed velvet.

Florence Welch and her amazing cape.

Waiting for Florence and company to take the stage. Confronted  by a  rogue camera.

My sister has no patience. She too is waiting for the show to start. Also, those  are not her glasses

That voice. Oh my word. That perfect, rich voice rang throughout the arena, bewitching everyone that heard it. Not once did she falter. She might have lowered a note or two, running and jumping like some maniac posessed, but not once did it falter. It may have been the cold, but I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand up at many times during the show.

From the dark (What the Water Gave Me) to the sublime (Cosmic Love), Florence breezed through the show, pausing only to give shout outs to fans who had sent presents and letters. Spectrum was played amongst a backdrop of disco balls and strobe lights- it reminded me of a comment I read somewhere online when Ceremonials had first come out, that Spectrum is the new age gay anthem. It fits to a tee, the anthemic mantra of 'say my name!/every colour illuminates' thrashed out to a sea of crazed fans dancing for their life.

And then there were life changers like 'the hymn' (You've Got The Love), Shake It Out and Dog Days are Over, where the audience felt like one, big happy family. Dancing, jumping up and down- it was admittedly hard not to.

Some random moments from the show include a 9 year old girl following Florence on stage and being overwhelming cute and full of chutzpah, a fight happening between drunk bogans in the row behind us during Heartlines and, happily, the distinct lack of cameras and phones in the audience.

The encore was a beautiful duality; the haunting Never Let Me Go and the thrilling No Light, No Light, bringing the show to a crashing crescendo, the drum beats pulsating through our bodies.

The changes between this new tour and Cosmic Love tour are evident; it's bigger, brighter and shinier but it's still Florence and the Machine. She was on fine form tonight, running all over the stage, incredibly chatty and livelier. I had my doubts about the move to a larger venue, I didn't think they could pull it off. So glad to say I'm wrong.

Art deco set.

Note the industrial sized fan, Mariah Carey could never.

HBIC

Florence as a deity.

Strike a pose.

'God, grant me the ability to be a flawless ginger bitch'

9 year old Emily and her stage invasion post- Spectrum dance party. I take my hat off to her.

Lots of glowsticks in the crowd. Surprisingly

Fin.