It will take some getting used to typing "2011", y'know. I've just managed it successfully. Twice. 

Last night, we finished up the second of two "Best of 2010" shows, where we showcased the music of the past year that came from the UK. Here's what we played : 

Grinderman - Heathen Child (Grinderman 2)
Pulled Apart By Horses - Yeah Buddy (Pulled Apart By Horses)

Empire Of the Sun - Without You (Walking On a Dream)
Scouting For Girls - This Ain't a Love Song (Everybody Wants To Be On TV)

Gramophonedzie - Why Don't You
Edward Maya & Vika Jigulina - Stereo Love

Robyn - Cry When You Get Older (Body Talk Pt. 1)
Example - Kickstarts (Won't Go Quietly)

Robert Plant - Angel Dance (Band Of Joy)
Tom Jones - Did Trouble Me (Praise and Blame)

Pixie Lott - Cry Me Out

KT Tunstall - (Still a) Weirdo (Tiger Suit)

Vaccines - Wrecking Bar (Ra Ra Ra)
Good Shoes - Under Control

Ellie Goulding - Starry Eyed (Lights)

Diana Vickers - My Wicked Heart (Songs From the Tainted Cherry Tree)

Villagers - That Day (Becoming a Jackal)
Labrinth - Let the Sun Shine

Rumer - Aretha (Seasons Of My Soul)
Corinne Bailey Rae - Paris Nights/New York Mornings (The Sea)

Foals - This Orient (Total Life Forever)

Everything Everything - Schoolin' (Man Alive)

Paolo Nutini - 10/10 (Sunny Side Up)

Kinks - Waterloo Sunset (RIP Pete Quaife 1943-2010)

Malcolm McLaren - Buffalo Gals (RIP 1946-2010)

We also played an excerpt from each song in the top 5. We'll return to playing the British Top 5 in its entirety next week ; 

5). Katy Perry - Firework (re-entry)
4). Ellie Goulding - Your Song (+1)
3). Black Eyed Peas - The Time (Dirty Bit) (non-mover)
2). Rihanna - What's My Name (non-mover)
1). Matt Cardle - When We Collide (non-mover)

TOP 5 ANALYSIS and REVIEW

Just some brief discussion this week, because - as you can see above - there's just not much happenin'. That's the usual case from the week after Christmas to the first week or so of January. Next week things will pick up. I hope. 

Katy Perry comes back into the top 5 this week with "Firework". The song has not reached number one in the UK, although it spent three weeks at the top in America. The song has had a cumulative effect on the world - at first listen it sounds a bit typical and off-key. After a while, one picks up on the cleverness of the chorus and inevitably starts to sing along. As prefabricated as Katy is, you've gotta give her props for hooks. I give this a 7 on the England Swings scale of 1-10.

Ellie Goulding moves up a space - again! - with "Your Song" at number 4. It's just odd enough to keep attracting attention, although I have to admit that the tune is starting to wear. I give it a 6 this week.

Them consarned Black Eyed Peas maintain their position at number three. "The Time (Dirty Bit)" has all of the tricks of the trade that them Peas have brought the world - synth line, semi-rap, ADHD. That's good if you're a fan - otherwise they've just become more annoying over time. The song spent a week at the top in the UK and in the USA, but in America it's dropped back to number nine this week. I'm beginning to doubt it will resurge. In the UK, it was pushed out by heavy competition, but has managed to hang on at a higher place in the charts. 

Of course, the song is just stupid. But it's just stupid enough to be a little clever. I give it a 6.

Rihanna's "What's My Name" is kept again from the top spot, staying at number two. I notice that the new album "Loud" has finally reached a pinnacle in the UK, toppling Take That from the top of the album chart. 

I still maintain that "What's My Name" is the best thing Rihanna has done in ages. We've gotten through the "crazy" period of songs like "Russian Roulette", and moved on from the pseudo-disco of "Only Girl (In the World)". Now we're at the place where Rihanna can become pleasant again. I give the song a 7.5.

Matt Cardle does the hat trick with Biffy Clyro's "Many of Horror" - oops, excuse me - "When We Collide". I said it last week and I'll say it again - if Matt's version introduces you to Biffy, then more power to him. Three weeks at number one should suffice, though. I give the song a 6.5

That was supposed to be brief. Sorry. 

That list of the best albums of the year is coming! Soon!
2/22/2011 01:39:34 pm

*When we vacation in the tropics, to escape cold winters, we are warmed by the sight of bright flowers basking in the sun.

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