August 9, 201212 yr Oh ok, here it is anyway - I forgot I had my own copy for personal enjoyment 01 Kent - 999 02 Magic Wands - Space 03 Chromatics - Kill For Love 04 Lissie Dancefloor Disaster - Signing My Heart Out 05 Juvelen - Make U Move 06 Saint Saviour - The Rain Falls On The Just 07 Lilly Wood & The Prick - Down The Drain 08 I Break Horses - Winter Beats 09 Darren Hayes - Bloodstained Heart 10 Deportees - A Heart Like Yours (In A Time Like This) 11 Firefox AK - Boom Boom Boom 12 Library Voices - Generation Handclap 13 Hanne Boel - A Thousand Kisses Deep 14 Beirut - East Harlem 15 Mary Epworth - Long Gone 16 Emmy The Great - Trellick Tower 17 Tomas Barfod - November Skies (Feat. Nina Kinert) 18 Lila Rose - Heart Machine
August 11, 201212 yr Author So, my mix is called "Not Brazil." I obviously know who sent it, but for the sake of surprise I will not reveal. o: The artwork looks like it's from FLCL or sum shit so I am really into that!!! IDK what to think of the title. I guess all of these songs are not from Brazil? That's a LOT of music though!! My apologies for the lateness though for me this is still before the deadline. 01 6/10 Kinda heavy, female vocal rock track with an electro vibe. It's kinda catchy but it's almost like a lil tooooo "AMV" for me as in Anime Music Video. Like I can see this in a Naruto AMV. Which is kinda cool but also not. But it is not bad! I just prefer things to sound Anime and not Anime Music Video. That may make no sense. I feel like anime has great music but people pick not so great songs for AMVs. 02 07/10 Really relaxed, chilled out track. Acoustic with male vocals. It's got this kinda 90s vibe which I'm into. I usually hate inoffensive indie male bands but this is kinda working. 03 05/10 Starts off similar. Acoustic vibe. Feels a little TOO radio rock for me I'm afraid. Not bad or anything! But just not ME. 04 03/10 I do not like this. ): It's way too like indie pop. Just kinda bland. The kind of song that I feel like might be quoted on a Xanga account. I feel bad I wanna like these songs more!! 05 08.5/10 This mix is definitely a male rock vocal vibe. Which is the opposite of me sadly. BUT I like this one!!! Way catchier than the first songs. Some female vocals, which makes for a nice play. Really nice reference to "Where the Wild Things Are" which I obviously dig cuz it wus my childhood. Standout! 06 07/10 Like this one more. :o Catchy like piano/indie rock vibe but not as bland as track 5. Still not OVERLY catchy or enthralling. 07 06/10 Gurl u know I love banjo. Something about this sort of bugs me. It has the feel of some sort of like drinking song. But it definitely got better as I listened more. Builds up near the end which I really dig. 08 02/10 More male radio rock type of stuff. Not into it. ): With really cheesy lyrics. Chorus is basically just some rock dudes singing "So it's your faulttttttt" Male rock is just so boring 2 me when it's like this. ): 09 01/10 Starts off with some strings which is cool but then explodes into a radio-rock emo song. "Let's start a revolution with our hearts on our sleeves" I am not into this. :( I definitely wasn't really the right person for this mix, which is a bummer cuz I think some people would dig this. 010 08/10 Some girls!!!! I like this. Kind heavy rock song but I am really into female vocalists, at least in terms of rock if that makes sense. Reminds me of a lot of stuff I listened to in high school which isn't bad. This has a little bit of a Hole vibe too which is cool. One of the better tracks here for sure! If I'm being honest I'm a little surprised I haven't heard ANY of these tracks before. 11 02/10 Really heavy guitar n bass here. Kind of System of a Down-ish? With these kind of more emotional sneering vocals. Which I don't like. ): 12 08/10 This is fun! A sunny pop punk sort of song. Simple lyrics ("you ain't no friend of mine") with catchy hooks. Almost like a poppier Wavves which I dig. Sounds like summer fun! 13 09/10 Totally different than the rest of the tracks, a LOT more synths and electronics. It's got a Friendly Fires vibe which is nice. Chorus is really catchy! With some Kravinsky - Nightcall-esque lyrics which is fun. The best track so far! 14 07/10 Again something that just sounds more approachable to me! Which is good. I'm not really into like male indie vocalists tbh though a lot of times which is a bummer, cuz some people would love this on BJ. Just not overly into it. But it's catchy and the guitar reminds me a lot of Two Door Cinema Club. 15 02/10 Kinda reggae-ish jam with boring lyrics/vocals. ): Not feelin this vibe. "I never knew the rules bcuz I've never had a girlfriend" like I don't care 16 08/10 Kinda big-sounding rock songs with female vocals. A little synthy too which can be nice. The lyrics are kind of w/e but it's a real nice pick-me up and a great way to end the mix! Another stand out. Luv the "WOOO" and then the exploding chorus. Bonus track: 10/10 The best thing so far because I literally love ANYTHING J-pop and this just speaks 2 me. Sounds like anime which I adore. REALLY pretty too and it just feels really emotional. Totally love it! And totally keeping this track. It's got really great backing too, I'm not used to hearing this kind of instrumentation on Japanese tracks. It's really really refreshing. Love it! Overall I definitely wasn't the right person for this, but I really always appreciate hearing something new. I literally know none of these tracks and if you are into MALE/INDIE ROCK you should absolutely get this link from me! Apologies that this is so poorly written and late again. ):
August 11, 201212 yr So, my mix is called "Not Brazil." I obviously know who sent it, but for the sake of surprise I will not reveal. o: The artwork looks like it's from FLCL or sum shit so I am really into that!!! IDK what to think of the title. I guess all of these songs are not from Brazil? That's a LOT of music though!! My apologies for the lateness though for me this is still before the deadline. 01 6/10 Kinda heavy, female vocal rock track with an electro vibe. It's kinda catchy but it's almost like a lil tooooo "AMV" for me as in Anime Music Video. Like I can see this in a Naruto AMV. Which is kinda cool but also not. But it is not bad! I just prefer things to sound Anime and not Anime Music Video. That may make no sense. I feel like anime has great music but people pick not so great songs for AMVs. 02 07/10 Really relaxed, chilled out track. Acoustic with male vocals. It's got this kinda 90s vibe which I'm into. I usually hate inoffensive indie male bands but this is kinda working. 03 05/10 Starts off similar. Acoustic vibe. Feels a little TOO radio rock for me I'm afraid. Not bad or anything! But just not ME. 04 03/10 I do not like this. ): It's way too like indie pop. Just kinda bland. The kind of song that I feel like might be quoted on a Xanga account. I feel bad I wanna like these songs more!! 05 08.5/10 This mix is definitely a male rock vocal vibe. Which is the opposite of me sadly. BUT I like this one!!! Way catchier than the first songs. Some female vocals, which makes for a nice play. Really nice reference to "Where the Wild Things Are" which I obviously dig cuz it wus my childhood. Standout! 06 07/10 Like this one more. :o Catchy like piano/indie rock vibe but not as bland as track 5. Still not OVERLY catchy or enthralling. 07 06/10 Gurl u know I love banjo. Something about this sort of bugs me. It has the feel of some sort of like drinking song. But it definitely got better as I listened more. Builds up near the end which I really dig. 08 02/10 More male radio rock type of stuff. Not into it. ): With really cheesy lyrics. Chorus is basically just some rock dudes singing "So it's your faulttttttt" Male rock is just so boring 2 me when it's like this. ): 09 01/10 Starts off with some strings which is cool but then explodes into a radio-rock emo song. "Let's start a revolution with our hearts on our sleeves" I am not into this. :( I definitely wasn't really the right person for this mix, which is a bummer cuz I think some people would dig this. 010 08/10 Some girls!!!! I like this. Kind heavy rock song but I am really into female vocalists, at least in terms of rock if that makes sense. Reminds me of a lot of stuff I listened to in high school which isn't bad. This has a little bit of a Hole vibe too which is cool. One of the better tracks here for sure! If I'm being honest I'm a little surprised I haven't heard ANY of these tracks before. 11 02/10 Really heavy guitar n bass here. Kind of System of a Down-ish? With these kind of more emotional sneering vocals. Which I don't like. ): 12 08/10 This is fun! A sunny pop punk sort of song. Simple lyrics ("you ain't no friend of mine") with catchy hooks. Almost like a poppier Wavves which I dig. Sounds like summer fun! 13 09/10 Totally different than the rest of the tracks, a LOT more synths and electronics. It's got a Friendly Fires vibe which is nice. Chorus is really catchy! With some Kravinsky - Nightcall-esque lyrics which is fun. The best track so far! 14 07/10 Again something that just sounds more approachable to me! Which is good. I'm not really into like male indie vocalists tbh though a lot of times which is a bummer, cuz some people would love this on BJ. Just not overly into it. But it's catchy and the guitar reminds me a lot of Two Door Cinema Club. 15 02/10 Kinda reggae-ish jam with boring lyrics/vocals. ): Not feelin this vibe. "I never knew the rules bcuz I've never had a girlfriend" like I don't care 16 08/10 Kinda big-sounding rock songs with female vocals. A little synthy too which can be nice. The lyrics are kind of w/e but it's a real nice pick-me up and a great way to end the mix! Another stand out. Luv the "WOOO" and then the exploding chorus. Bonus track: 10/10 The best thing so far because I literally love ANYTHING J-pop and this just speaks 2 me. Sounds like anime which I adore. REALLY pretty too and it just feels really emotional. Totally love it! And totally keeping this track. It's got really great backing too, I'm not used to hearing this kind of instrumentation on Japanese tracks. It's really really refreshing. Love it! Overall I definitely wasn't the right person for this, but I really always appreciate hearing something new. I literally know none of these tracks and if you are into MALE/INDIE ROCK you should absolutely get this link from me! Apologies that this is so poorly written and late again. ): "Not Brazil" belongs to me. As a bit of background, the image from the album art comes from the anime series 'Humanity Has Declined', about an apocolyptic scenario where humanity is on its way to extinction, being replaced by creatures known as 'fairies'. Despite the bleak scenario, it's an incredibly funny show. The title "Not Brazil" reflects the fact that the majority of the artists featured in the compilation are from Northern Ireland. After NI pulled off a shock win against England in the football in 2006, a popular terrace chance for the next few years was "We're not Brazil, we're Northern Ireland." I didn't think anyone would understand that reference, but it was the best I could do to reflect the type of music featured. Anyway, here's what was in the mix: http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n244/beanochris/AlbumArt.jpg 1. Silhouette - Running Against the Wall Female singer/songwriter from Belfast. Never thought it had an AMV quality to it, but I can see why you think that 2. Cashier No.9 - Make You Feel Better One of my favourite bands from Northern Ireland at the moment. This is the 2nd track from their debut album ‘To the Death of Fun.’ It’s great to climb a mountain with this song on your iPod. 3. The Emerald Armada – Strangers Folk group from Belfast. They’re absolutely immense live, unfortunately they haven’t really transferred that live energy over to record yet. 4. Oppenheimer - Breakfast in NYC Northern Irish electro-pop duo who split a few years back. They had songs featured in Ugly Betty/How I Met Your Mother. Didn’t think it would be your metaphorical cup of tea, given that it sounds a little bit like Owl City. 5. Southern - Where the Wild Are Southern are a brother/sister duo from, you guessed it, Belfast. Really breezy feel to this one. 6. Best Boy Grip – Barbara Piano-pop from the Derry singer/songwriter. 7. The Spook of the Thirteenth Lock – The Brutal Here and Now (Part 1) I thought this would be a marmite song for some people. One of 3 artists in this comp not from NI, Spook… are from Dublin, and I think that this song is what Atlas by Battles would sound like had it been written by an Irish trad band. 8. Two Glass Eyes – Seats and Windows Sounds like Snow Patrol. 9. A Plastic Rose – Build From the Ground Up The lead singer from Snow Patrol loves these guys. Evidentially, he’s alone in that. 10. Scheer – Shea Scheer were an NI band from the 90s who tried to ride on the coattails of Garbage, but didn’t quite manage to break through. Their singer, Audrey Gallagher, went on to become a successful vocalist of trance music, whilst their guitarist runs a successful recording studio. 11. Therapy? – Living in the Shadow of the Terrible Thing Heavy-rock from the band’s most recent studio album. Not to everybody’s tastes. 12. Rudi – Big Time The oldest track on the compilation, ‘Big Time’ was notable for being the first single released on the Good Vibrations label in 1979. The label’s most famous single release was The Undertones with ‘Teenage Kicks.’ 13. Not Squares – Fall Far Belfast based trio. Their first album was very electro-punk, but on this single they’ve gone very dance. They’re a brilliant live band as well. 14. Parachutes Over Paris – Evolution of the Species Funny this should remind you of TDCC, since the band is from the same neck of the woods. 15. Catch – Bingo The only English track on the mix, Catch were active during the Britpop era, although this was their only top 40 hit. It was co-written by the guys who wrote The Spice Girls’ material. 16. Wonder Villains – 33 And finishing off with Derry’s finest, The Wonder Villains. This was a b-side of their ‘Zola’ single, and is always the first song they play live. BONUS. Cecile Corbel – Arrietty’s Song You’re right that this comes from an anime, but the artist, Cecile Corbel, is from France. This is taken from the Studio Ghibli film Arrietty (which was released in America as ‘The Secret World of Arrietty’), and is absolutely heartbreaking to listen to, especially if you’ve seen the film. I believe it’s sung in 8 different languages. I’m glad you found a few songs on this that you enjoyed. It was a very niche playlist I submitted this time around, so I had a feeling that it would be difficult to find someone who would enjoy every single track. Edited August 11, 201212 yr by Brett-Butler
August 11, 201212 yr The person who had my CD has gone down in mah estimations. :( One would think that a month to write literally at least ~20 words is enough but APPARENTLY NOT.
August 11, 201212 yr I know some people have busy lives and it is hard to do a review but you shouldn't take part in this if it's unlikely that you will submit one.
August 11, 201212 yr I am going to review RIGHT NOW - I managed to fix my laptop yesterday after much time and effort. I know I had a MONTH to do it anyway, but this shit is beyond my control.
August 11, 201212 yr Firstly, let me say I have given this quite a few listens. I've made a few great discoveries, so I'll be quite interested to see who made the CD. That said, I'm not quite sure who DID - my original guess was Pavel, he's still not got his reviewed so I'm sticking with that. Oh and it came with a MESSAGE: The story that Æ tells consists of two parts: A (tracks 1 - 9). Introduction. The story begins in a relatively simple and calm fashion getting more and more intense with each song until culmination (track 9). E (tracks 10 - 18). Main part. Much more drama, intensity, darkness, sadness. Culmination of this part is the fiercest and most intense song of the whole album (track 18). And whether or not the ending was happy is open to interpretation. 00-03 Piss poor, never want to hear again 04-05 Bordering on OK, but not something I'd be worried if I never heard again 06-07 Good, but not partciularly exciting 08 Muchly good 09-10 Borderline/actually perfect Track 1 - Mint Julep - Aviary Pretty much the only track on here I knew beforehand and one I have loved pretty much since I heard it. It's a good opening to the cd too. [09] Track 2 I feel like I know this, but I'm determined not to CHEAT and google lyrics to find out anything. I do rather like it though, it's a male vocal (OH NO!) but it's got absolutely wonderful production and certainly follows through on the 'calm start' for this half of the disc. [07/08] Track 3 Slight tempo change with this one, there's a little post chorus bridge which is really quite marvellous. Not quite so keen on the vocal, it sounds a bit nasal and lets the song down a tad. [07] Track 4 Things are definitely starting to get a little more intense with this one (yay), the production is a lot more busy on it too and pleasingly the vocal is rather nice too. I'm utterly USELESS at deciphering lyrics, even the most basic of them, so I'm sure there is some kind of STORY being told with the progression of songs but I'm not going to be able to determine quite WHAT until I am TOLD. [07] Track 5 Ooh, forenz - Swedish I think. This is my favourite track thus far, yet it's one I've struggled to be able to say much about. Oh well, I'll let the scoring do the talking [09] Track 6 Ooh, tinkling piano intro. More forenz, not a clue what language it is this time. It's quite nice though, maybe a bit too subtle for my tastes though. [06] Track 7 And back up goes the tempo for this one. And back in comes boring old English. This certainly follows through on the promise of things getting more intense as it moves towards to the end of this first half. The chorus is pretty BIG for a change and the production matches accordingly. [08] Track 8 This one is just an instrumental track, but it's really jolly good stuff. It's got a core refrain which is rather dark/cold with a sprinkling of rather more bubbly stuff floating on top. Bits of it remind me of something from the Tron: Legacy soundtrack - ie. GOOD STUFF. [08] Track 9 Onto the culmination of the first half of the cd then and it's a long old track, 7 minutes plus. I think it's actually a follow on from the last track? There's a very similar production hook anyway. Yes, I like it, but I could probably have done with it being a little bit shorter. [07] ========================================================================================================= Track 10 So the second half begins on a rather different note to the first half, not a bad thing really. I'm not hugely keen on the vocal though, but I can like with it as it's not that long. [07] Track 11 Oh God no, this is the first mis-step for me on this CD. I just can't find anything good to say about it at all. The only memorable bit is the random shouting of FOREVER throughout, in a really annoying voice. [01] Track 12 Hello foreign language again, is it Swedish? Sounds like it anyway. This is just lovely. Love the gently pulsating production and the build up into and indeed during the chorus. [09] Track 13 Sadly this one is a slight step back to dislike though, a not very pleasant vocal and it goes on a bit too long. It's got a nice instrumental though. [05] Track 14 Is this The Weeknd? If it is then this any small doubt that this was Pavel's CD is long gone. Not that there was any left by this point. I don't know it, but it's got a very similar minimal production style and lovely smooth r&b vox. [08] Track 15 Oh, another one that ain't really MY BAG. I can't really even say much about it, it just AIN'T ANY GOOD. [04] Track 16 Oh hai AWFUL PRODUCTION. Now f*** off please. [03] Track 17 And like a roundabout, once again we return to something nice and melodic with nice NOT SHIT production. I'm not sure if it's because of what it comes after or because it is just genuinely really good, but this sounds glorious right about now. [09] Track 18 And so the end is upon me, yet another long one, just under 8 minutes this time. I HEAR SCREAMING, THIS IS NOT GOOD. I hear more screaming, this is really not good. I am really not a fan of this kind of music at all. It's a bit of a sour note to end on, but at least in terms of this STORY which I seem to have totally managed to miss it seems to have ended on an UNHAPPY NOTE. Sorry Mr. CD Maker (Pavel), I think someone with a little more lyrical ability might have been better suited to this than I. I did enjoy a lot of the songs though and that counts for something. Overall I think I'll go with a 7/10 as there's enough good stuff on there, especially the first half, to merit it being called an enjoyable disc.
August 11, 201212 yr Of course it was me. I mean who else would include 9 Danish artists, The Weeknd and Bloc Party in one CD? :D More detailed reply coming shortly.
August 11, 201212 yr http://i958.photobucket.com/albums/ae67/Pavvii/cover.jpg The actual story was really open to interpreation. It wasn't anything set in stone like 'OMG A WOMAN GOES TO A BAR AND GETS RAPED BY TRACK 5 AND THEN GETS REVENGE BY KILLING THEM ALL BY TRACK 10 AFTER WHICH SHE COMMITS SUICIDE IN TRACK 18'. Let's go. A Track 1 - Mint Julep - Aviary Pretty much the only track on here I knew beforehand and one I have loved pretty much since I heard it. It's a good opening to the cd too. [09] Mint Julep - Aviary United States of America A track that was so close to being my BJSC entry a few times! This is the perfect place for it to be included though. Track 2 I feel like I know this, but I'm determined not to CHEAT and google lyrics to find out anything. I do rather like it though, it's a male vocal (OH NO!) but it's got absolutely wonderful production and certainly follows through on the 'calm start' for this half of the disc. [07/08] Norway I doubt you've heard it before unless you saw it in my chart a couple of months ago where it charted at #2. Fantastic video too. Track 3 Slight tempo change with this one, there's a little post chorus bridge which is really quite marvellous. Not quite so keen on the vocal, it sounds a bit nasal and lets the song down a tad. [07] Artificial Brothers - Oh My God Denmark Glad you liked it. Didn't expect it tbh. Track 4 Things are definitely starting to get a little more intense with this one (yay), the production is a lot more busy on it too and pleasingly the vocal is rather nice too. I'm utterly USELESS at deciphering lyrics, even the most basic of them, so I'm sure there is some kind of STORY being told with the progression of songs but I'm not going to be able to determine quite WHAT until I am TOLD. [07] Asbjørn - Bones Bad Bones Denmark Yep, that's the guy who I won the latest UP with. Only this is another track, second best song off his latest album, Sunken Ships. Track 5 Ooh, forenz - Swedish I think. This is my favourite track thus far, yet it's one I've struggled to be able to say much about. Oh well, I'll let the scoring do the talking [09] Denmark YES. *.* This is my favourite Danish artist/band. After their incredible debut album in 2010 I was eagerly awaiting for new material. And they released the new song a few months ago! This is the song, obviously. If it wasn't for my 'Eledan don't recycle their own entrants' rule I'd have sent it to BJSC around April. I think I used Stoffer og Maskinen in ALL of my CD Swaps now too. OOPS. This is Danish, not Swedish as well. Track 6 Ooh, tinkling piano intro. More forenz, not a clue what language it is this time. It's quite nice though, maybe a bit too subtle for my tastes though. [06] Finland Finnish. I thought it'd be a nice entry to this. One of my BJSC rejects as well. Track 7 And back up goes the tempo for this one. And back in comes boring old English. This certainly follows through on the promise of things getting more intense as it moves towards to the end of this first half. The chorus is pretty BIG for a change and the production matches accordingly. [08] Turboweekend - Neverending Denmark Woo. Definitely didn't think you'd like it. The song has a hook and indeed amazing production. You can't ask for more really. Well, maybe vagina for the singer. That'd probably be more appealing to the BJ crowd... Track 8 This one is just an instrumental track, but it's really jolly good stuff. It's got a core refrain which is rather dark/cold with a sprinkling of rather more bubbly stuff floating on top. Bits of it remind me of something from the Tron: Legacy soundtrack - ie. GOOD STUFF. [08] England WOT. I'm once again shocked. It was mah jam in February/March. The album didn't really keep up with the quality of this song though which is a shame. Track 9 Onto the culmination of the first half of the cd then and it's a long old track, 7 minutes plus. I think it's actually a follow on from the last track? There's a very similar production hook anyway. Yes, I like it, but I could probably have done with it being a little bit shorter. [07] Denmark Almost sent this to BJSC as well. But it got a boring really quickly. I kind of agree about the length comment - it seens to be dragging towards the end.
August 11, 201212 yr E Track 10 So the second half begins on a rather different note to the first half, not a bad thing really. I'm not hugely keen on the vocal though, but I can like with it as it's not that long. [07] Denmark One of my most recent findings. And ¡surprise surprise! it's from a Danish band. The album this song is from is rather good too. Track 11 Oh God no, this is the first mis-step for me on this CD. I just can't find anything good to say about it at all. The only memorable bit is the random shouting of FOREVER throughout, in a really annoying voice. [01] Bloc Party - The Marshals Are Dead England PLAYING A DANGEROUS GAME HERE BITCH. Track 12 Hello foreign language again, is it Swedish? Sounds like it anyway. This is just lovely. Love the gently pulsating production and the build up into and indeed during the chorus. [09] Denmark This doesn't fail to me goosebumps whenever I listen to it. So good. The album is rather good too although no other track off it can compare to this tbh. Track 13 Sadly this one is a slight step back to dislike though, a not very pleasant vocal and it goes on a bit too long. It's got a nice instrumental though. [05] Fostercare - Low United States of America (New EP this fall *.* ) This was mah JAM this time last year. Absolutely incredible song. Makes you sad and dance at the same time. YOU'RE A FOOL JOHN. Track 14 Is this The Weeknd? If it is then this any small doubt that this was Pavel's CD is long gone. Not that there was any left by this point. I don't know it, but it's got a very similar minimal production style and lovely smooth r&b vox. [08] Canada How can my CD be without a The Weeknd track?! So yeah, including my favourite track off the most underrated part of the Trilogy, 'Echoes of Silence'. JUST RELEASE THAT DEBUT ALBUM ALREADY, ABEL. Track 15 Oh, another one that ain't really MY BAG. I can't really even say much about it, it just AIN'T ANY GOOD. [04] Denmark Lo-fi perfection. The track was as instant as a heart attack for me. Catchy, different and DANISH *.* Track 16 Oh hai AWFUL PRODUCTION. Now f*** off please. [03] ritualz - Heat Mexico OH HAI 4TH BEST SONG OF 2011 *.* I'm usually not that drawn to witch-house but ritualz are absolutely perfect. The 'CDR' EP started my love for them ('Misery Walk' I'm still using as one of the ringtones!), then 'Ghetto Ass Witch' EP knocked me out of the water (HAI 'Ghetto Ass Witch' - my favourite song of 2011 *.*). The first part of 'Ghetto Ass Witch' remixes was really nice however I didn't feel the second part much. 'Outworld Music I' doesn't make my testicles explode (yet) too, but I'm writing it off as a necessary step in their career. Track 17 And like a roundabout, once again we return to something nice and melodic with nice NOT SHIT production. I'm not sure if it's because of what it comes after or because it is just genuinely really good, but this sounds glorious right about now. [09] Jonas Breum - To Sekunder Før Du Sover Denmark His latest album is really quite something. SO GOOD. This song is by far the best thing. Best Danish output of the year most likely. Track 18 And so the end is upon me, yet another long one, just under 8 minutes this time. I HEAR SCREAMING, THIS IS NOT GOOD. I hear more screaming, this is really not good. I am really not a fan of this kind of music at all. It's a bit of a sour note to end on, but at least in terms of this STORY which I seem to have totally managed to miss it seems to have ended on an UNHAPPY NOTE. France This is called melodic metal. I don't usually listen to this type of stuff AT ALL but this really stood out to me. If this song could be described by three words they would be DRAMA DRAMA DRAMA. That guitar solo is absolutely outstanding. Scalp goosebumps.
August 11, 201212 yr Oh so I did only know ONE SONG then, rather pleased with that. I'll definitely investigate a few of those artists more though Pavel so GOOD JOB. (PS. I hate Bloc Party anyway, so that 1 is all the more fitting)
August 11, 201212 yr The Spark That Defines Us 01 Ten seconds in and I'm already 90% certain this is gooddelta's disc - who else would kick off a mixtape with the INDOMITABLE Saint Etienne - Over the Border? This is obviously a complete moment made even better by how ridiculously pretentious it is at times. PETER GABRIEL FROM GENESIS 9.5/10 02 I know this one too! Snakadaktal - Air. Getting SLIGHTLY worried by this point that I may already know everything on this disc. Anyway, this is a nice enough light downtempo indie track which I recall liking far more at the time, but now it just grates on me slightly. 6/10 03 Excellent, something I don't know! Anyway, this is an acoustic-y singer-songwriter-y track that I'm guessing is by someone Antipodean judging by the nasal twang on 'OUT' halfway through (i.e. exactly the sort of thing I'd only ever expect to be linked to by Rich, so I'm verging on 100% certainty that this is his disc by now :lol:). This is nice! I mean it's not the sort of thing I'd be dying to go back to but it's pleasant. 7/10 04 I got incredibly worried in the first couple of seconds that this might be some sort of novelty farm track from that cheesy as hell strumming in the beginning, but it quickly turned into a subtle foreign-language midtempo with some great little flourishes and a string backing. I'm guessing this is Danish from a couple of the words. This sounds like one of the more subtle tracks on Scandipop that I'd normally listen to once and never return to again but listening to this for a month has revealed its charms. 8/10 05 What was the name of that Arctic Monkeys side-project? Either way, this reminds me of a less triumphant version of Age of the Understatement. I loved that but this isn't doing much for me, it's just there. I'm guessing Rich wanted to cover all bases in the event this disc ended up with someone of a more indie persuasion! 5/10 06 Is this Salem al Fakir?! This has got to be Salem al Fakir, I'd recognise that voice anywhere. I'm guessing this is something from his first album. Anyway, much like most Salem al Fakir material, this is made good entirely by the little bits - that hooky flourish at the end of the chorus for one. As it goes, I can't decide if I love this or not. The chorus is a little simple for my liking beyond the flourish, and the verses are a little monotonous - the whole thing's a bit lift music when I'm not in the mood for it (4/10), but lovely when I am (7.5/10). We'll give this a 6. 07 The acoustic guitar's out again. Female. Don't really know what to say about this, it's another that's just there for me. 5.5/10 08 OH GOD IT'S ED BLOODY SHEERAN. Oh, hang on, it's nowhere near as grating as pretty much everything else he does. OK, some of the lyrics are about as T4-crowd rimming as it's possible to get (he even fits in a T4 reference!), but the chorus is really good actually. It's a bit like Ed having a bash at doing Read All About It, which isn't quite as bad a prospect as it looks on paper. I'm QUITE RELUCTANTLY enjoying this as I'm wary of the potential consequences of Ed Sheeranry, but it can have an 8/10 09 Kicks off with a dramatic string build. Wait, stand down, back to a midtempo female gloomballad. She has...an interesting accent. I can't tell if it's an incredibly affected Antipodean one or if it's a Scandinavian one, and it could conceivably be either a kooky Australian lyricist or a standard Scandinavian one. I'm liking this one a lot more as it goes on. 8/10 10 This starts off with a perky piano riff and builds into handclaps. This couldn't scream iPod advert more if it tried! Cheery lyrics about kissing, bicycles, oh, YOU KNOW, the basic formula. Summery guitar (?) riff halfway through. This could be Vampire Weekend at their most saccharine but I doubt it is. It's so disgustingly LOVELY. 9/10 11 This one's caused me the most struggle over the last month. Antipodean rap track with a half-recognisable female doing the hook. I HATED this for the first week I had it - the rapping was cringeworthy at times, unsuited to their voices, and the lyrics ('I LOVE ZURICH' - really?!) were interminable. But as time went on this started growing on me. The strings in the background, the beat, and that irresistible vocal hook on the chorus. Even the rap got alright by the end. Anyway, I enjoyed this so much I had to actually find out what it was (so I could use it in a mixtape of my own) - Hilltop Hoods feat. Sia - I Love It. 9.5/10 12 Which went into one of the big big highlights of this disc for me. Haunting foreign (either Danish or Swedish, I can't tell which) female vocals with an ethereal production, which slams into a hard-hitting dubstep production which never at any point sounds like the generic gloomwobble which seems to pass for the genre at times these days. Another one I had to look up for my own mixtape - Pegboard Nerds vs Morten Breum - Ingen Anden Drøm. 10/10 13 House piano and beat with floating, pure female vocals. I really enjoyed this one. The disc's on a great roll by this point after the unsteady opening. 8.5/10 14 FEMALE EUROVISION DANCE BALLAD ALERT. This didn't actually get sent to Eurovision, but I live for this sort of overwrought dancey Eastern European stuff. Terrific. 9/10 15 Is...is this Salem al Fakir again?! No, it can't be. Falsetto male over a rousing dance production with some dodgy lyrics ('he will eat your hearts like cereals' - ?!!) This is a bit like a male version of Ditte Marie's entry to DMGP this year, Overflow. This is another keeper and I'm surprised it hasn't been sent to BJSC yet. 9.5/10 16 Radio hit! Well maybe not but this sounds like it could easily be a hit for the likes of Katy Perry (although I'm guessing the hint of a European accent here would stop the original). Really cutesy female vocals. Recognisable too. Oh god, I'm going to feel a right fool when I find out what this is, I feel like I should know this. 9/10 17 What a beginning! Whoosh into hard-hitting synth blips and a charged female hook. A fairly big pop track with some terrific production, although the bridge/chorus is a little repetitive ('will you be the one THE ONE THE ONE THE ONE?!' AD INFINITUM). Not that that's PER SE a BAD thing. This disc has really found its way since (GOD FORBID) Ed Sheeran. 8.5/10 18 More floating female vocals. Grebo would be tearing his hair out at this point but I'm loving it. HUGE chorus, with a big Imogen Heap feel to the track. The percussion on this elevates it from greatness to brilliance, and the outro is gorgeous. 10/10 19 Onto something a bit Radio 2 now. Breezy layered midtempo singer-songwriter track with strings, guitars and production spilling everywhere. Vocals halfway between Kelly Clarkson and Gwen Stefani. Another one that really improves as it goes on. 9.5/10 20 A couple of seconds in and I'm swooning, and Rich knows EXACTLY why. It's only One More Time - Den Vilda - except it isn't, it's the English language version! Just as pretty and transcendent as the original, which is one of my favourite Eurovision entries of all time. This is a total 11/10. 21 And the disc ends with a piano instrumental. Undulating and a wonderful closer to the mixtape. 9/10 -x- Well, there was no chance that wasn't Rich's tape. Thoroughly enjoyable! It stuttered a lot in the early section quality-wise but really got into a groove from the halfway point onwards and there are a good few tracks here that I'll definitely be keeping on and investigating a little further, and I'm quite relieved I didn't know as much as I thought I would after realising that it HAD to be your disc after hearing Over The Border and then Air! Overall, a solid 8.5.
August 11, 201212 yr Yay, glad you got mine Tirren, and looks like you made a few decent discoveries! The tracklist and context; 1. Saint Etienne - Over The Border 2. Snakadaktal - Air 3. Missy Higgins - Set Me On Fire 4. Aud Wilken - Fra Mols Til Skagen 5. The Decemberists - One Engine 6. Salem Al Fakir - Cold Shower 7. Kal Lavelle - Shivers 8. Ed Sheeran - Sofa 9. Ida Gard - Nothing's Wrong Song 10. King Charles - Mississippi Isabel 11. Hilltop Hoods - I Love It (feat. Sia) 12. Pegboard Nerds & Morten Breum - Ingen Anden Drøm 13. Spiritchaser - These Tears 14. Aelyn - Believe In Us 15. Studio Killers - Eros and Apollo 16. Aqua - Kill Myself 17. Ria - The One 18. Kate Havnevik - Mouth 2 Mouth 19. Katie Cole - Breakout 20. One More Time - The Wilderness Mistress 21. Ludovico Einaudi - Le Onde ----------------------------------------- 1. Saint Etienne - Over The Border - You know this one, I've always been a big fan of Saint Etienne but this is the best thing that they've done in YEARS. It's very retrospective, rose tinted and the spoken word verses hark back to Black Box Recorder. Fantastic, one of my favourite songs of the year, so middle class English! 2. Snakadaktal - Air - Bit of indie from New Zealand here, it's a real grower and got under my skin the more I listened to it. 3. Missy Higgins - Set Me On Fire - One of my favourite Aussie singers, Missy Higgins has been an idol of mine since 2005's seminal The Sound of White. This is one of the standouts from her surprisingly excellent current album, The Ol' Razzle Dazzle. 4. Aud Wilken - Fra Mols Til Skagen - Would you BELIEVE that this was Denmark's 1995 Eurovision entry! It came 5th!! It's 17 years old but sounds like it could have come out now, a really charming and subtle song indeed but I like it a lot and it's a bit of a forgotten ESC gem. 5. The Decemberists - One Engine - From the Hunger Games soundtrack, this is one of my favourite songs on it, it really reminds me of some 90s indie band but I can't pinpoint who exactly...I did try to make this disc diverse but I do genuinely love this track. You were thinking of The Last Shadow Puppets I think. 6. Salem Al Fakir - Cold Shower - Yes it is indeed Salem Al Fakir, from the album he released before he hit the big time, I LOVE the melody progression on this one. 7. Kal Lavelle - Shivers - Not much to say about this, I just felt like it fit quite well. She was one of Ed Sheeran's support acts I believe... 8. Ed Sheeran - Sofa - Speak of the devil, this is from the Loose Change EP which imo was almost as good as much of the material that made it onto +. This could quite easily be released as a single and tacked onto a deluxe edition, likewise One Night. Glad you liked it, considering your usual opinion on it, but yes the lyrics are very teen friendly aren't they! 9. Ida Gard - Nothing's Wrong Song - A quite quirky song from Denmark that I considered sending to BJSC briefly, it's quite dramatic and kooky indeed! 10. King Charles - Mississippi Isabel - A rather chirpy indie pop song from a largely hyped British artist in the same vein as Mumford & Sons etc...that never really took off, or hasn't at least anyway. This sounded like a hit to me though and would fit PERFECTLY on an iPod advert indeed! 11. Hilltop Hoods - I Love It (feat. Sia) - Some Australian rap, I too wasn't quite sure about it on first listen but it soon became a firm favourite of mine, it helped that I was looning heavily for Sia at the time. 12. Pegboard Nerds & Morten Breum - Ingen Anden Drøm - I absolutely LOVE this, from what I can gather it's a dubstep reworking of an old 80s Danish ballad, and it works an absolute treat! Glad you liked it too, it's gorgeous and that's not a term I'd usually use to describe dubstep! 13. Spiritchaser - These Tears - One of my favourite dance tracks this time last year, it's a real grower of a track with lovely swirling vocals. It was made by a couple of guys from Chichester (quite near where I am) and was curiously a #1 hit in South Africa last year! Wish it had crossed over here! 14. Aelyn - Believe In Us - A random Ukranian pop track I found at one point, it's VERY Eurovision but indeed has nothing at all to do with the contest! The last minute or so is where it's at, she throws everything into it! 15. Studio Killers - Eros and Apollo - The follow up to Ode To The Bouncer, it's basically the same song again but to me even better. The general consensus is that it's not as good however, each to their own. 16. Aqua - Kill Myself - The recent new Aqua studio album was a real shocker to me, it was surprisingly good and current/relevant. Kill Myself is as good a Max Martin knock off as you'll get and the spiritual sister to Katy Perry's Hot 'N' Cold. 17. Ria - The One - The same girl that did Over You, which I sent to BJSC last year, I pretty much appreciate this track at least as much, but wasn't about to send her twice. It's very Rihanna on a shoestring, as is her whole career to date, even her name! 18. Kate Havnevik - Mouth 2 Mouth - She's Norwegian I believe, don't know for sure, but this is very lovely and indeed floaty. The outro is quite Corrs-go-Scandi in my opinion, and I love it! 19. Katie Cole - Breakout - Another act I sent to BJSC last year, with the song Sunrise. This is nothing like that song, whereas that was very Sheryl Crow, this is more Delta meets Kelly Clarkson, it's really dramatic and I absolutely adore the production and vocals on it. 20. One More Time - The Wilderness Mistress - I still love everything about this song, be it English, Swedish, the instrumental, whatever. I just NEED people to hear the great stuff that can come out of Eurovision, even if I'm very much preaching to the converted here. 21. Ludovico Einaudi - Le Onde - And a rather stunning classical piece to finish off with, just to fully represent the spectrum of my music tastes.
August 11, 201212 yr Ha, what a coincidence that the one ESC track on there is from the most recent year I'm least familiar with! Yeah, a few really great discoveries - I was delighted that I only knew about three of the tracks on there beforehand, and everything from Ed Sheeran onwards is fantastic. I think a fair few of the pop fans here would really enjoy this one too...
Create an account or sign in to comment