bookgazing (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
bookgazing) wrote2010-12-23 05:36 am
bookgazing) wrote2010-12-23 05:36 am
Favourite Music 2010
It’s a bit of a mixed media month at Bookgazing already so I thought I’d continue that by rounding up some of the music I enjoyed in 2010. No books here, just bands:
Favourite non-festival shows of 2010
Turin Brakes – This was really intimate gig in Nottingham. Lots of singing without the mike and acoustic versions (although what I really like about Turin Brakes is that oddly disconnected, disturbed edge they bring to their early music, which is missing in the acoustic versions). Their support was the wonderful Pete Lawrie who have been making a big name for themselves this year, also supporting Amy Macdonald (gutted I missed her shows this year) and there was a second encore.
The National – Just amazing. I came out feeling a little weak at the knees, because how can you not when a singer is so obviously into what he’s performing and the material is all fantastic. I also got to meet Nymeth for a little bit and probably made the most odd, hyper first impression on her (I was having the worst day right up until I got off the train and so overcompensated). And thanks to Nymeth you can all see part of it here.
Ash – Soooo good and we were sooooo close. We were 2 rows back, near centre stage in this tiny venue and the crowd was buzzed. Probably my favourite gig for atmosphere this year. Girl from Mars anchors my teenage memories of one of the people I went with, so having that as a last minute encore was fantastic.
Train – I went to see them play because the tickets were cheap and both me and Claire really liked the first album. We weren’t expecting anything beyond a pleasant night, but both our expectations were blown as this show got under way. So much crowd interaction (it became apparent that lots of this was unplanned crowd interaction, as the security guy near us swore and ran when a walk in the crowd was suddenly announced). Still got the voice and there’s a lot of power behind it.
Sadly you’ll see that Belle and Sebastian didn’t make the list, because the show we were off to see was the one cancelled in Leicester (yes I’m still doing puppy dog eyes and looking for sympathy for that). It would be good if they reschedule as one my friends had food poisoning that night and would have missed out, but...NOT SOMETHING I WANT TO THINK ABOUT, PLEASE RESCHEDULE (clings on to tickets).
Favourite albums bought in 2010
‘High Violet’ – The National (although I have a huge soft spot for their self-titled album which I also picked up this year)
‘Dear Catastrophe Waitress’ – Belle and Sebastian (I like the new album ‘Write About Love’ a lot, very catchy, but I think it’s an album that grows on you while this one makes a more immediate connection)
‘Winter of Mixed Drinks’ – Frightened Rabbit
‘Alas I Cannot Swim’ – Laura Marling (a recommendation which I owe Nymeth tons for, as I have this on at least once a month)
‘Lungs’ – Florence and the Machine (also fantastic website, so weirdly pretty)
Honourable Mention
‘The Butterfly House’ – The Coral (I’ve only listened to it once, but how did I forget they were like this? Everyone my age, who grew up in the UK, probably remembers their over played (but very fun) hit Dreaming of You, but The Butterfly House shows that their musical heart still contains wide lines of creepy, Western film style, guitar riffs).
I'm always looking for new music recommendations. What have you been listening to and loving this year?
Favourite non-festival shows of 2010
Turin Brakes – This was really intimate gig in Nottingham. Lots of singing without the mike and acoustic versions (although what I really like about Turin Brakes is that oddly disconnected, disturbed edge they bring to their early music, which is missing in the acoustic versions). Their support was the wonderful Pete Lawrie who have been making a big name for themselves this year, also supporting Amy Macdonald (gutted I missed her shows this year) and there was a second encore.
The National – Just amazing. I came out feeling a little weak at the knees, because how can you not when a singer is so obviously into what he’s performing and the material is all fantastic. I also got to meet Nymeth for a little bit and probably made the most odd, hyper first impression on her (I was having the worst day right up until I got off the train and so overcompensated). And thanks to Nymeth you can all see part of it here.
Ash – Soooo good and we were sooooo close. We were 2 rows back, near centre stage in this tiny venue and the crowd was buzzed. Probably my favourite gig for atmosphere this year. Girl from Mars anchors my teenage memories of one of the people I went with, so having that as a last minute encore was fantastic.
Train – I went to see them play because the tickets were cheap and both me and Claire really liked the first album. We weren’t expecting anything beyond a pleasant night, but both our expectations were blown as this show got under way. So much crowd interaction (it became apparent that lots of this was unplanned crowd interaction, as the security guy near us swore and ran when a walk in the crowd was suddenly announced). Still got the voice and there’s a lot of power behind it.
Sadly you’ll see that Belle and Sebastian didn’t make the list, because the show we were off to see was the one cancelled in Leicester (yes I’m still doing puppy dog eyes and looking for sympathy for that). It would be good if they reschedule as one my friends had food poisoning that night and would have missed out, but...NOT SOMETHING I WANT TO THINK ABOUT, PLEASE RESCHEDULE (clings on to tickets).
Favourite albums bought in 2010
‘High Violet’ – The National (although I have a huge soft spot for their self-titled album which I also picked up this year)
‘Dear Catastrophe Waitress’ – Belle and Sebastian (I like the new album ‘Write About Love’ a lot, very catchy, but I think it’s an album that grows on you while this one makes a more immediate connection)
‘Winter of Mixed Drinks’ – Frightened Rabbit
‘Alas I Cannot Swim’ – Laura Marling (a recommendation which I owe Nymeth tons for, as I have this on at least once a month)
‘Lungs’ – Florence and the Machine (also fantastic website, so weirdly pretty)
Honourable Mention
‘The Butterfly House’ – The Coral (I’ve only listened to it once, but how did I forget they were like this? Everyone my age, who grew up in the UK, probably remembers their over played (but very fun) hit Dreaming of You, but The Butterfly House shows that their musical heart still contains wide lines of creepy, Western film style, guitar riffs).
I'm always looking for new music recommendations. What have you been listening to and loving this year?