[Shaun]

Anyone who's been following will have noticed that I've barely reviewed any albums last year, so I've spent the past month listening to a wad of about 80 of them Thus follows my traditional end-of-year review.

Over the next few days I'll be posting:

- My top 50 albums
- My top 100 songs
- My 5 worst albums
- My 5 favourite artworks
- My 10 favourite videos
- My 5 biggest letdowns
- And the 5 albums that enjoyed the most undeserved success

How very mean, right? Do read if you wish. Don't expect miracles, TiBB's abundant Lily/GaGa/Iggy fans. We'll begin with the 'fives' soon.

[Smithy]

I will read through this, when you finish it in march

[Shaun]

#5 - "Shakira" - Shakira
When your strongest single is the nonsense wailing of Can't Remember to Forget You, you just might not be up to scratch, I'm afraid. Who'd have thought that having to write "Shakira - Shakira" would ever be such an unpleasant reminder?


#4 - "V" - Maroon 5
If an album makes you think "god I miss Payphone" then it's probably not going to be anybody's favourite. Anyone who saw them (I am still maintaining that they are a band and not just an Adam Levine vanity project) perform at Saturday Night Live will have cringed and died laughing at the howl at the very top of 'Animals'.


#3 - "With a Little Help From my Fwends" - The Flaming Lips
I've been aware that frontman Wayne Coyne has been a SLIGHT bit of a prick ever since his public fall-out with Erykah Badu, but I wasn't quite expecting that ego to be put towards a disastrous Beatles remake with Ke$ha and Miley Cyrus. I don't know who I feel more offended for - Ke$ha for being duped into it, or the fab four themselves.


#2 - "Paula" - Robin Thicke
The perfect definition of fremdscham. Or schadenfreude. I don't know. It takes german psychologists to evaluate this dirge.


#1 - "Sex and Love" - Enrique Iglesias
It's pretty much all about the former, which is fine, but at least have the decency to get your dick out, Enrique.

[Niamh.]

It's pretty much all about the former, which is fine, but at least have the decency to get your dick out, Enrique.
__________________

[Crimson Dynamo]

ed sheeran x

[Shaun]

Were you not a fan, LT?

[Crimson Dynamo]

Originally Posted by Shaun

Were you not a fan, LT?

No

If i see his "goofy" face and body with his ironic trainers and stupid guitar again i will vomit lava and combust

his lyrics make my skin crawl

This love is a blaze
I saw flames from the side of the stage
And the fire brigade comes in a couple of days
Until then we got nothing to say and nothing to know
But something to drink and maybe something to smoke
Let it go until our roads are changed
Singing we found love in a local rave
No, I don't really know what I'm supposed to say
But I can just figure it out and hope and pray
I told her my name and said, "It's nice to meet ya."
And then she handed me a bottle of water filled with tequila.
I already know she's a keeper
Just from this one small act of kindness I'm in deep
If anybody finds out
I'm meant to drive home but I've drunk all of it now, not
Sobering up we just sit on the couch
One thing led to another
Now she's kissing my mouth

[Shaun]

Some albums fail to live up to expectations. Is that their fault? No. But god damnit I'm an entitled blogger and I will express my opinions! Here are five albums that probably should've delivered more.


#5 - "BEYONCÉ (Platinum Edition)" - Beyoncé
DO NOT GET ME WRONG - The original Beyoncé album dropped at the end of 2013 was glorious. Her best yet. Wonderful. But when rumours surfaced around summer that the lady herself would once again drop a follow-up, and potentially feature Rihanna, Justin Timberlake and another Nicki Minaj track... well some of us got our hopes up. What was delivered? A bunch of remixes and the hideous 7/11. Upsetting.


#4 - "Sonic Highways" - Foo Fighters
It's not that Sonic Highways was terrible, it's just that it drastically pales in comparison to 2011's Wasting Light. Perhaps if less time was spent on trying to make it a landmark album (recording each song in a different city), it might've had more than one stand-out track.


#3 - "Songs of Innocence" - U2
OK, a lot's already been made of the controversial release technique, but it's not exactly a new phenomenon to hate on U2. The problem here was that they usually have the decency to put out a good, or at least decent, record with each wave of hate.


#2 - "48:13" - Kasabian
There had never been a bad Kasabian record prior to this. Even the artwork lacks imagination.


#1 - "Supermodel" - Foster the People
In a way I shouldn't have been surprised: a debut packed full of infectious hooks at the very peak of indie-pop's chart dominance was always going to be difficult to follow. But at least try

[Benjamin]

Agree with all of those so far, especially the Foo's, was really disappointed in that album

[Gstar]

Don't agree with the Beyonce one (obviously) the platinum edition was great, not as good as the IASF platinum edition but I liked all the bonus tracks.

[Z]

Originally Posted by LeatherTrumpet

No

If i see his "goofy" face and body with his ironic trainers and stupid guitar again i will vomit lava and combust

his lyrics make my skin crawl

This love is a blaze
I saw flames from the side of the stage
And the fire brigade comes in a couple of days
Until then we got nothing to say and nothing to know
But something to drink and maybe something to smoke
Let it go until our roads are changed
Singing we found love in a local rave
No, I don't really know what I'm supposed to say
But I can just figure it out and hope and pray
I told her my name and said, "It's nice to meet ya."
And then she handed me a bottle of water filled with tequila.
I already know she's a keeper
Just from this one small act of kindness I'm in deep
If anybody finds out
I'm meant to drive home but I've drunk all of it now, not
Sobering up we just sit on the couch
One thing led to another
Now she's kissing my mouth

Hope you're very ****ing pleased with yourself, I just snorted with laughter, got soup all over myself, my contact lens clouded up from crying with laughter and I got snot all over my face.

10/10 would recommend to a friend

[Z]

I disagree with Kasabian's inclusion on that list, I think Treat is both a stand out on that album and a stand out in their discography as a whole, that song alone makes the album worthwhile. Eez-eh is a bit basic but it's still very distinctly Kasabian-sounding without being a retread of previous lead singles...

[Jake.]

I loved Eez-eh

[Fetch The Bolt Cutters]

why isn't sheezus on that list

[Samm]

Originally Posted by Rose McGowan

why isn't sheezus on that list

[Shaun]

Hmm. Perhaps 'lovely' isn't quite the right work for these five LP covers. But they're at least the five that most took my eye this year, even if that wasn't enough to convince me to listen to the CD inside (people still buy CDs right?)


#5 - "Seeds" - TV on the Radio
Well. It's just pretty, innit?


#4 - "A Perfect Contradiction" - Paloma Faith
I'm quite content for her to keep releasing sort-of-average albums so long as they are packaged as strikingly as this.


#3 - "The Pinkprint" - Nicki Minaj
Some will look into this and draw all sorts of talking points about Minaj's identity in amongst a shroud of makeup and artifice, others will question whether it's the end of her signature pink branding - I just think it's a little bit nice.


#2 - "LP1" - FKA twigs
It would stand out in pretty much any gallery, let's be real.


#1 - "Wonder Where We Land" - SBTRKT
A subtle reference to his first self-titled record's artwork, an uber-glossy, shiny, metallic hand displaying it all... wonderful.

(feel free to share your favourite artworks, etc, since I don't think I've seen a thread on such a topic)

[T*]

ily shaun
i love things like this

[Shaun]

Spoiler:

Youtube video

#10 - "Electric Lady" - Janelle Monae
Yes, the song and glorious album may have come out last year, but if there's anything you can count on being delayed it's a good old music video. Featuring cameos from Estelle, T.I., Kimbra and guest artist Solange herself (post-elevatorgate), the video is a wonderful little college party without the beer-chugging rapists.

Spoiler:

Youtube video

#9 - "Red" - Hyuna
I feel we are not going to progress as a society until more music videos begin with a baboon's arse and an apple being punctured by a stiletto.

Spoiler:

Youtube video

#8 - "Turn Down For What" - DJ Snake & Lil' Jon
When a music video racks up hundreds of millions of views without being released by one of the twenty-odd biggest popstars in the world, then you know it's because it's spawning memes. The year's most obnoxious (and loveably so) anthem is only outdone in its audacity and ridiculousness by the thrusts of this poor cast.

Spoiler:

Youtube video

#7 - "Call You Out" - JUCE
The video to end all '90s nostalgia' videos. A lovely bit of choreography thrown in for good measure, too, in one of those "video within a video" moments last seen by Stardust's Music Sounds Better With You.

Spoiler:

Youtube video

#6 - "Queen" - Perfume Genius
Be honest - who hasn't wanted to don an oversized power suit and writhe all over a boardroom table whilst feeding the occupants giant shrimp?

Spoiler:

Youtube video

#5 - "On the Regular" - Shamir
Everyone calls the video a "wannabe 212". As though wanting to be the greatest song of the decade so far is a bad thing. This makes the list just for the neon bursts from Shamir's whipcracking.

Spoiler:

Youtube video

#4 - "Monument" - Royksopp & Robyn
Robyn can make a mullet look compelling.

Spoiler:

Youtube video

#3 - "Giant in my Heart" - Kiesza
Whilst Hideaway had the "one-take, one-camera" choreography in its favour and will obviously go down as her most memorable output, the second single from the Canadian goddess let a far more striking and moving frontwoman take the credit. Plus it's always worth reminding yourself of how far we have to yet to progress as a tolerant society (not that youtube comments are ever a good gauge).

Spoiler:

Youtube video

#2 - "Two Weeks" - FKA twigs
We are not strangers to loving a long, panning-out video, are we?

Spoiler:

Youtube video

#1 - "Chandelier" - Sia
Oh, like it was going to be anything else.

[Daniel.]

7/11 is beautiful

[Shaun]

[steal my girl & anaconda would be #11 and #12 respectively]

[Shaun]

Onto the most important two lists of all, then... I'll start with the tracks since there's still an album I need to check out (thanks Ben ) Sorry if I forget your faves...

Spoiler:

Youtube video

#100 - "Wasted" - Tiësto & Matthew Koma
How strange. I was almost certain that that was a female vocalist.

Spoiler:

Youtube video

#99 - "Would You Fight for My Love?" - Jack White
It's a far cry from his debut solo record's tunes (let alone the wondrous majesty of the White Stripes) but this single just about sneaks into my list. Well done, Jack x

Spoiler:

Youtube video

#98 - "Get Away" - CHVRCHES
Again, not a patch on the stuff that made The Bones of What You Believe, but when news surfaced that BBC Three would be re-soundtracking the movie Drive I had every right to be terrified. This cushioned the blow.

Spoiler:

Youtube video

#97 - "Feels so Good" - Kylie Minogue
I live in hope that she actually releases this as a single.

Spoiler:

Youtube video

#96 - "Waste of Time" - MØ
Otherwise known as "that song off that advert".

Spoiler:

Youtube video

#95 - "Winter Linn" - Clark
It was difficult picking a highlight from Clark's record this year but this will have to do. Listen to the whole album, though. Especially you Ben

Spoiler:

Youtube video

#94 - "Like I Can" - Sam Smith
Smith has found it difficult to tread that line between pop goodness and overwhelming self-pity this year, and this was the effort that stood strongest and hurt my ears the least.

Spoiler:

Youtube video

#93 - "Sing" - Ed Sheeran
It doesn't seem all that long ago that I was trashing "plus" and its soporific nonsense. Mr. Sheeran had the good grace to grow a soul this year. Still not sold on the rapping though.

Spoiler:

Youtube video

#92 - "Night Changes" - One Direction
Another month, another superb 1D video. Clap yourselves on the back.

Spoiler:

Youtube video

#91 - "Modify" - Kniles
Very, very few YouTube videos have inspired me to spend a good half an hour scouring the internet for the name of the song playing in the background. Bad Lip Readings' tribute to Game of Thrones back at the start of 2014 is probably the finest example. It is tremendously funky.

[Smithy]

Like I Can is the only good sam smith song

[Braden]

Agreed.

[Shaun]

Spoiler:

Youtube video

#90 - "Regret" - St. Vincent
As far as I'm aware, the album favourites were Digital Witness and Birth in Reverse, but for me the loveliest track was the fuzzy guitarwork on display right here.

Spoiler:

Youtube video

#89 - "Run" - Nicole Scherzinger
I'm still not comfortable with the idea of the strongest Scherzinger song of the campaign being a ballad but I suppose that's just the world we live in, now.

Spoiler:

Youtube video

#88 - "Vista" - iamamiwhoami
I still think she's absurdly pretentious and wrapped up in her own sense of enigma but oh well, this song is nice.

#87 - "Rebel Heart" - Madonna
I haven't actually checked out the rest of those leaked tracks but ah well, this is a lovely nod to her strongest American Life moments. Apologies for the lack of a video. I suppose it's still not quite legal. Oops.

Spoiler:

Youtube video

#86 - "Video Girl" - FKA twigs
I was spoilt for choice from LP 1 but I think this just about emerges as one of the more eerie and lovely offerings.

Spoiler:

Youtube video

#85 - "Go" - Grimes & Blood Diamonds
Well, it's no Oblivion but it filled a void. Her wonderful voice just about makes up for the needless trap breakdowns.

Spoiler:

Youtube video

#84 - "Sledgehammer" - Fifth Harmony
I was sure I read that this was a B-side to one of their other singles. But here it is with a (not great) video. Very good, because the rest of their output has been a bit underwhelming.

Spoiler:

Youtube video

#83 - "Rather Be" - Clean Bandit
Everyone loved it at some point. Be nice.

Spoiler:

Youtube video

#82 - "Indecision" - Shura
All songs should sound like Madonna's Borderline. That is just a fact.

Spoiler:

Youtube video

#81 - "Love Never Felt so Good" - Michael Jackson
This, much like everything else that's ever existed, did not need Justin Timberlake.

[Fetch The Bolt Cutters]

clark, twigs, st vincent, iamamslay