Top 12 Compilation of the year

OK, here it is, my compilation of the 2005. It was a difficult choice this year as I've found loads of excellent music this year but these 12 seem to represent 2005 very well.

1. Broadcast - Americas Boy
2. Sufjan Stevens - Jacksonville
3. Maximo Park - Grafitti
4. Brakes - Ring A Ding Ding
5. The Rakes - 22 Grand Job
6. Findo Gask - Fly For
7. Arctic Monkeys - I Bet That You Look Good On The Dancefloor
8. Anthony and the Johnsons - Hope There's Someone
9. Devendra Banhart - I Fell Like Just Like A Child
10.Arcade Fire - Rebellion (Lies)
11. Bloc Party - Banquet
12. Errors - h.e.b.s.

Number 1 is Broadcast and this is not by chance. Tender Buttons is my album of the year, its outstanding and if you haven't heard it I would suggest you buy it, trust me you won't be disappointed. Antony and the Johnsons are also there, its been amazing year for them and not soon enough for me. "I Am A Bird Now" is amazing and a joy to see live.

A couple of new bands have also made it onto the list, Errors and Findo Gask released a double A side 7" on Too Many Fireworks and I'm looking forward to more of their releases next year.

Belle & Sebastian @ Castlemilk in October is my gig of the year, only B&S would do a gig like that and it was well worth the £10 ticket price.

Well, thats all for now, have a fantastic new year and all the best for 2006.

Peace

Al

13 Dec - Findo Gask, Some Young Pedro and Errors @ 13th Note Cafe, Glasgow.

This gig came on the back of a double A side 7" release on Too Many Fireworks featuring Findo Gask and Errors. I hadn't heard the Findo Gask side of the 7" but they really impressed me tonight. The lead singer is also lead singer of Otterley, another band that I have discovered this year and Findo Gask were just as good. I look forward to their following releases.

Some Young Pedro played next with their very very loud and bassy sound. They were good but their 20 minute set shook the whole place and 20 minutes was about enough for me.

Errors played last and were excellent. They have an ep coming out in the new year on Rock Action records, which I am looking forward to and would suggest you check them out! The set was great and I think they'll be around for some time yet.

Al

Seven Inch Nation Army

I sold my entire vinyl collection about 12 years ago and made an uneasy transition to cds, and with hindsight it has proved to be the right thing and I have never looked back.

However, while watching a documentary on channel 4 recently about the great John Peel I was forced into rethinking this strategy. Don't get me wrong, I'm not about to go on a mad buying spree of vinyl, but I have been reminded of the beauty of the 7" single. I had some that I didn't get rid of and I continued to buy a few, mostly B&S and Badly Drawn Boy as well as a few limited ones, but apart from that every piece of music was purchased on compact disc...untill now.

In the last few weeks I've more than made up for it and bought singles by;

The Rezillos, The Specials, Kraftwerk, Broadcast, Andy Votel, Camera Obscura, Roy Moller, The Selector, Sandie Shaw, Adam and the Ants, Badly Dawn Boy, Antony and the Johnsons and a couple of Belle & Sebastian.

I think thats all but watch this space for shed loads more!

Al

PS And I'll be able to listen to them when I buy a turntable!

I Am Currently Listening To...

It's been a while so here is a list of what I am listening to at the moment;

1. Broadcast, Tender Buttons (Warp)
2. Morvern Callar, OST (Warp)
3. Parsley Sound, Parsley Sound (Mo Wax)
4. Badly Drawn Boy, The Hour of Bewilderbeast (Twisted Nerve)
5. Nick Drake, Five Leaves Left (Island)

Al

30th Nov - Antony and the Johnsons @ Academy, Glasgow

Due to being too busy at work, gigs have been few and far between recently but tonight was one I wasn't going to let anything make me miss. Since winning the Mercury, Antony has receved the plaudits that his musical talents deserve.

The first thing that was strange was being told by security that there was no smoking in the auditorium, I don't smoke so being in a smoke-free zone was superb and show how plesant life will be when the smoking ban finally comes in.

We managed to catch the support which came from one of Antonys backing band - whose name I forget - but he was cool and Antony came out to duet on the last song.

Antonys set was outstanding. His band (drums, bass, cello, 2 violins and guitar) is a beautiful accompanyment to the piano and his wonderfully unique voice. The crowd stood in silent awe throughout the set and on the few occassions that people decided to chat, they were quickly told to be quiet.

An amazing night and I'm already looking forward to the next album.

Al