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.

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.

Album Review: Robbie Williams- Take The Crown

Robbie Williams' 9th solo album begins not with a whimper but with a bang in the form of 'Be A Boy'. This is the perfect opening, paving the way for the rest of the album both musically and thematically, with the chorus directly responding his critics who believe he's 'old and irrelevant' (see what I did there Radio 1?). For the record, he is neither and this album adequately demonstrates that.

Lead single 'Candy' (and his 14th number 1 in the UK) is a boppy, bouncy affair, similar to 'Tripping', describing nefarious girls. You know, the kind who think they're shit-hot when really they're insufferable and smug. It's incredibly catchy and I can just imagine hearing a stadium singing along to the chorus.

Another highlight of the album is 'Different', which has quickly entered my 'Robbie Top 10'. It is nothing short of brilliant what with the amazing string section and the heartbreaking lyrics, pleading that 'this time I'll be different I promise you'. By the end of my first listen to this track, I was in tears. It is just that beautiful and sad.

The 'Coldplay meets U2' influence that Robbie spoke about months before the album's release is pleasantly dispersed throughout, from the 'oh's' in the background to the guitar on 'Hunting For You' and 'Into the Silence'. It's not overt, but just enough to know he's been listening to 'Pride (In The Name Of Love)' quite a bit recently. As a finale, the duet with Lissie, 'Losers' (originally by The Belle Brigade), perhaps is the album's grandest moment as Robbie laments that he 'he doesn't care about being a winner'. Though, you get the feeling that everything preceding this track contradicts that; he does care about being the best because there are some incredibly strong tracks here.

The deluxe edition of the album features a fantastic track called 'Reverse' which contains the great lyric 'it's just a bad day, not a bad life' and could have definitely fit onto the standard edition of the album. For Take That fans, there is also Robbie's stripped down version of 'Eight Letters', a song that featured Gary Barlow doing lead vocals on the group's last album, Progress. I can't say which one I prefer right now; both versions are both just as good as each other.

'Take The Crown' feels like the natural follow up to 'Intensive Care' rather than his previous effort 'Reality Killed The Video Star'. It's certainly an improvement on the latter (which was no means a bad album), but I still feel like he still has potential to write a truly perfect album, and that can only be a good thing. Right now though, Robbie Williams is the only relevant, interesting male pop star creating truly wonderful music. The throne is ready sir; come and take it.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Check out: Be A Boy, Different, Candy, Into The Silence, Losers

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

Robbie Tuesday- I've Been Expecting You

First off, Merry Robbie Tuesday to you all. Today we are going to look at Robbie's second album, I've Been Expecting You released in 1998.

Strong: Robbie's sing-a-long song. So much fun to sing to and good album opener. It really sets the mood of the album: let me pour my heart to you and have a cocktail with an umbrella whilst I do so.
No Regrets: One of my all time favourites. Features Neil Tennant and Neil Hannon on guest vocals and is just superb. The choruses are just epic but I think what really shines here are Robbie's lyrics; not so much about who they pertain to (Take That) but the anger and frustration that builds on each line. Key lyric: I didn't lose my mind/it was mine to give away. And Suppose it's just a point of view/but they tell me I'm doing fine.
Millennium: the first single off the album. Uses a sample of 'You Only Live Twice' and this Bond theme was used in the video and the album artwork. A deserving number 1 though I've never quite worked out what it's about. If I'm to harbour a guess, I'd say it is about Robbie.
Phoenix From the Flames: a beautiful ballad that is soft in the verses and loud in the choruses. It's one of his best slow songs- yes, right up there with Angels and Feel. Lovely piano part at the beginning and one of his rare falsetto moments during the verses.
Win Some Lose Some: A mid-tempo number about a summer fling. Really lovely and has a summer vibe.
Grace: Another midtempo number in the same vein, but after learning about what the song was originally about, it kind of made me sad to listen to. Grace was what Robbie was planning on calling his and Nicole Appleton's unborn child and I think the chorus speaks volumes. At first, I thought he was talking about the concept of Grace, which is probably what most people think of now. But with lines like 'Grace, I'm not yet born/come embrace a soul that's torn' its hard not to speculate.
It's Only Us: the replacement song for Jesus in a Camper Van, this was put on the reissued version from 2002 onwards. And it's rocker Robbie, a really fun high action song. Love the 'Rock me Amadaeus' shout out.
Heaven From Here: An acoustic ballad that is the younger brother to One of God's Better People. It's sung beautifully and is a stronger song than its predecessor, though I enjoy both.
Karma Killer: In my top 10 Robbie songs, this has got to be in the top 5. Absolute corker. It builds and builds until it has a spaz attack at the end. And that climax is wonderful- the string section sounds like it's high on coke. And it's the ultimate fuck you song with some brilliant lyrics i.e I hope you choke on your Bacardi and Coke.
She's The One: yes it's a cover, but it's a brilliant cover- the type that makes you forget that the original ever existed. A heartbreaking ballad about love or lost love, I'm not sure. But it's sung with such romance it's hard not to fall in love with it.
Man Machine: Like Karma Killer, if Karma Killer was in a Guy Ritchie film. So it's clever, less angry but its still up there in fuck the world stakes.
These Dreams: a beautiful ballad to end the album and is a touching story about a woman in a relationship that she shouldn't be in.

I think you can tell that I consider this one of Robbie Williams best albums and is in my top 3. Only wish I'd discovered it earlier. It's such a strong, consistent pop album and was a wonderful way to cap off the decade.
9.5-10/10

Robbie Tuesday

Merry Robbie Tuesday everyone! First off, Congrats to the man himself for scoring another Australian number 1 album and number 2 in Britain, unfortunately beaten by JLS by a margin.

Today, I've decided to review Reality Killed the Video Star, taking a detour from the retrospective analyses that I was planning on.

The album starts off with the ballad Morning Sun, which kicks in at around the 30sec mark with percussion and lush strings. The strings seem to be the centrepiece of the whole album, and so they should be because they sound AMAZING.
Bodies, the first single, packs a punch and is really the only upbeat number on the record. Not that I'm complaining. I still believe it is one of his best songs and is catchier than crabs. The video however is a letdown.
You Know Me, the second single, is a doo-wop number and is an achingly sweet song. The video features Robbie as a giant bunny rabbit. Nuff said. The chorus stays in your head for hours on end and I love the repeat chorus after the middle 8 (around the 2:50 mark)
Blasphemy is the last song Robbie and Guy Chambers wrote together and is from the Escapology sessions. The lyrics are very clever indeed, but the tune doesn't entirely strike me as catchy. I think more listens are necessary to appreciate it. Key lyric: What's so great about the great depression?/Was it a blast for you?/Because it's Blasphemy
Do You Mind? is a little more classic Rob i.e Sing/Escapology that's been given a kick up the arse. Bridge reminds me of another song, but I just can't put my finger on it. The chorus is a lot of fun to sing along to and I can imagine this being a fan favourite live. 'Does anyone fancy Monaco?'
Up next is Last Days of Disco WHICH WILL BLOW YOUR MIND AND YOUR LOINS. Hands down one of the best Robbie songs ever. I love when he goes heavy disco and the bridge is fantastic especially on its second and third appearances where he goes for a key change almost, and kinda sounds like Neil Tennant. And the dance break down? Amazing. The strings and synths just work so well together. 'Don't call it a comeback/Look what I invented here/ I thought it was easy' and 'The fascination of/a boy and girl in love'. Epitomy of heavy disco. Almost like a fuck you song.
The next track, Somewhere, is one minute long, but isn't called an interlude offically. It is very pretty and almost Swing Robbie.
Deceptacon is up next and it's another synth + strings mix. It's sounds really lovely too because it kind of soars during the chorus. The lyrics are great too: 'From all of us here/to all of us there'... 'And all over Britain/we wait for permission/to form another queue'.
Starstruck was described as the lovechild of Fastlove and Amazing by George Michael and it does very much sound like that. After LDoD, this was the next track I was eager to hear and did not dissappoint. The chorus is very ballsy. Someone on a message board said this is the kind of song Kylie needs- pop but mellow and catchy and I can definately hear her singing this. Key lyric: 'I guess the odds are very good/but the goods are very odd'
Aaah, Difficult for Weirdos. Upon first listen, I didn't take much notice of this. But then I heard it again. And again. And I love it. Wouldn't sit out of place on Rudebox. It is very much electro-pop Robbie, which I happen to love. Double points for this lyric: 'He's a lesbian/but that's okay' And the handclap breakdown.
Superblind: amazing chorus, average verses. But I can deal with that. Favourite lyric from this track: 'I'm the genius behind me/Maybe I shouldn't have said it.'
Won't Do That: Robbie's first love song. And it reminds me of Something Beautiful, a little bit in the chorus and I can hear remnants of Dusty Springfield and Marcia Hines in the horn section as well.
The album finishes with a reprise of Morning Sun, thus coming full circle.
Overall, I really love this album. His voice sounds so good and strong and I can totally understand what he meants when he said it's New Robbie meets Old Robbie and a Robbie we haven't met yet. It's a mellow album, but it packs more a punch than Intensive Care (possibly due to Trevor Horn's production. Moar please!). There's hints of Escapology and it's not as experimental as Rudebox. And like Intensive Care, it sounds like an album, like a body of work. The reprise also reminds me of what Coldplay did on Viva La Vida by using Life in Technicolor at the beginning and at the end of the album. Definately in my top 3 Robbie albums and a must have.
8.5-9/10

Robbie Tuesday: News and Life Thru a Lens

Well, it really is Robbie Tuesday. Firstly, 'Electric Proms', Robbie's first proper show of the year, will be screened in cinemas in Australia from Nov 6. Mark that date down. Fingers crossed I can haul my arse down to a cinema between exams.
If not, there's always his ARIA awards performance on Nov 26 at Acer Arena.
Next, the great xolondon has duly noted that a minute long snippet of 'Last Days of Disco' is on a promo vid for the album. Head on another to the blog or the official site to check it out. Personally, I love it. It is very dancey, dark and Pet Shop Boys esque. Like the next step from Rudebox (the album). http://xolondon.blogspot.com

And now, as promised, a track by track on Robbie's first solo album 'Life thru a lens'
1. Lazy Days: Reminds me of Sundays. A very mellow track, but a solid album opener. I always chuckle at the 'we will have...a jolly good time' lyric. Sums him up (at the time).
2. Life Thru a Lens: Title track (duh). Starts off nice then goes right off the rails. Loves it. Fav lyric: 'your clothes are very kitsch, just because your daddy's rich'. Definately sounds like he was off his tits when he recorded this one. And if he wasn't, I'll eat my shoe. The ending is mental but doesn't compare to Karma Killer's epic closing (more on that next week)
3. Ego A Go Go: More upness. Huzzah! Cheeky Rob taking the piss out of himself. Sounds very Britpop, but not in that cheesy way. 'Circus is gone now all that's left is the clown'. Ominous much? (See Take That's album The Circus for the reference. Fools)
4.Angels: There's nothing to say about this track that hasn't been said in the past 12 years. Amazing. Beautiful. And nothing compares to this original. The brutal honesty in the delivery, the guitar solo, the string section... The live version at Knebowrth is chills-down-your-spine- worthy. A definite pop classic.
5. South of the Border: Forgettable. That doesn't mean it's terrible, but stacking up next to the other songs, it just sounds like filler, but good filler. Sounds like 'Knutsford City Limits' on pot.
6. Old Before I Die: Catchy chorus. Sounds like Guy Chambers had a hand but this is acutally one of the Guy-less tunes on the record. Robbie rocking out in his own special way. Awww...
7. One of God's Better People: A lovely acoustic number. This is actually one of my favourites off the record. Honest and raw. 'My wish was pure/oh so pure'. So sweet. File this next to 'Nan's Song'. The guitar bits before the chorus are just nutty and sort of grip you. And I'm only now picking up on the horn sections in the second chorus. Wow.
8. Let Me Entertain You: This is the sort of song that grabs you by the balls and goes 'IN YOUR FACE MOFO!' I think Robbie once said that this track was born to open shows. Totally agree. Rocks out with its...socks out :P The guitar break towards the last choruses and the piano bit are just fantastic. Lyrically, its so clever. I can't see anyone but the great showman himself sing it. The video is a personal favourite- Robbie in a KISS cover band? Yes ploise.
9. Killing Me: brings the tempo of the album back down off its high. Achingly beautiful. You can tell he's just opening his wound on this track. 'Words cut deep when you're defenceless'. Puck yeah. And don't get me started on the horns at the end. I think this is just making it into my Robbie Top 10.
10. Clean: A fun, happy stupid song about trying to get off drugs.
11. Baby Girl Window: A pretty song to end the album. Just noticed the lyric 'a place where heaven breathes'. Some people hate lyric recyclers, but personally I love these little nods. This lyric can be found on the Robbie/Guy song 'Loveboat' by Kylie Minogue (2000).
Overall, I don't think this is my favourite out of his records, but at least it's a solid effort with plenty of great rock/pop songs. Very Britpop-lite and he sounds coked out at times. Or doing a Gallagher borthers impression. 6.5-7 Robbie's out of 10 Wiliiams.

Robbie Tuesday

This: has me excited for Reality Killed The Video Star. It's good to see the British tabloids actually being positive about Robbie. I partly blame them for the failure of Rudebox, one of his best records to date. If it wasn't for them lambasting the title track and being very, very pro Take That comeback, then the album would have done better in the UK. Not that it matters so much; Rudebox was a number 1 hit here.

And another thing: as cool as it would be for Robbie to go back to TT, I hope it's not permananent. I'm quite happy with the arrangement they have now: TT as a four piece and Robbie as the mega uber star he deserves to be.

In the lead up to the release of the new album, I'll be going through Robbie's albums and assessing them, starting from next Tuesday with Life Thru a Lens . Get excited peoples!

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/bizarre/2659297/Robbie-Williams-new-album-is-best-for-years.html