And the winner is…

This year is almost over and an evaluation is almost inevitable. I sat and thought about the things I can evaluate and came to a conclusion that there are so many, I just can’t deal with this boredom I could cause you. I just couldn’t sleep at night if I had done the crime of wasting your time with the evaluation of my life. I mean, really, who cares what’s the best food I’ve eaten this year? Or the best daiquiri I’ve drunk? I wouldn’t. So, I’m just going to do what’s best for all of us and skip that awful part. So, followed by a really loud drumroll… Here are the music “yeah’s” and music “no way’s” of this year.

– “Sleep well” album of the year:
Norah Jones – The Fall. I would call it a “no way” if it wasn’t so plain and modest. It didn’t disturb my good night’s sleep at all, because I just didn’t notice it. So – here goes… an inconspicuous “yeah” for all of you insomniacs out there.

– “Two good singles” album of the year:
You won’t believe me on this one probably, but let’s face it – I Gotta Feeling and Boom Boom Pow were the only two good singles from this year’s Black Eyed Peas album The E.N.D. They were good, okay, they got us all moving and jumping up’n’down, but we all know it’s not enough. If I would rate singles, it would be a definite “yeah”, but for the album there’s a big, fat “noooo way”.

John Mayer - Battle Studies (c) Sony Music

– “Quite boring, but decent” album of the year:

John Mayer – The Battle Studies. And I’m really sorry to say this, John. Continuum is still the best thing you’ve created. You’re still gorgeous, I still love you, but I think the routine has hit the relationship. The good news is – you can still get back on the track. Who Says proves it. Anyhow – this is a “yeah”, despite all.

– “Jump-around-shake-your-arse-like-you-just-don’t-care” album of the year:

Jamie T – Kings & Queens. In comparison with Panic Prevention, this is a downhill, obviously, but it still holds the obvious charm of Jamie T and his own style. There were tracks I loved, there were mundane tracks, there were the weird ones as well. Maybe, as time goes by I will love the tracks I hated at first, as it was with Panic Prevention. A single I just can’t fly by and not mention in this case is Sticks’n’Stones – amazing, full of energy and an obvious success. So yeah, I do give it a “yeah”. And I still want to see him perform live. Preferably Sheila and Northern Line, though.

– “It was good, but let’s not take this any further” album of the year:

Susan Boyle – I Dreamed A Dream. Well, this is just sad. Okay, it was great how she rocked Simon’s socks off at Britain’s Got Talent last year, but why, and this is a serious WHY, did she have to record an album, for God’s sake? And yeah, I know everyone has a right for their 15 minutes of fame, but didn’t hers tick out when she performed the third time of the song from Les Miserables? Oh well, but what do I know… Everyone, hurry to get your copy of copies!

– ALBUM OF THE YEAR. As simple as that.

Jamie Cullum – The Pursuit. I am convinced that a lot of people will listen to Jamie Cullum, the young boy (well, not so young anymore as he turned 30 this year) from Essex, in the future the way we listen to Frank Sinatra now. With honor, appreciation and admiration. Despite the critics who are on to Jamie about him “making the jazz pop-ish” I think that we are actually experiencing the birth (yes, and I’m sure he’s only in the early stages) of a legend. The first time I heard The Pursuit, I thought “Okay, not a lot of new stuff, but it’s decent at least. He hasn’t made the world’s best album, but he is still not breaking his own levels of mastery”. Then I heard it again, and again, and again… And I fell in love. I’m still listening to The Pursuit every single day and it still gives me goose pumps. So “yeah”, this is a very loud “YEAH” for fabulous Jamie Cullum.

I’ve got some “yeah’s” to give to Dave Matthews Band for Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King, Amerie for In Love & War, Mika for The Boy Who Knew Too Much, Arctic Monkeys for Humbug, Ida Maria for – Fortress Round My Heart, Royksopp for Junior and Muse for The Resistance. And some definite “no way’s” for Eminem – Relapse and some of the very unfortunate comeback attempts from The Backstreet Boys and Take That (YES, INDEED!)

Who needs love when they know you at the Mac Store?

Amanda Palmer doing a show | Image © Creative Commons, ProdigyBoy (2008)

I’ve known Amanda Palmer for just a little while now, but she has definitely made an impression. The first surprise about her was one of the styles her performance is characterized – punk cabaret. Intriguing enough, right?

Yes, she will probably disturb the most of you. Yes, you might not be able to tolerate her. But it’s impossible to ignore her, once you’ve seen or heard her.

She’s powerful, she’s beautiful in a disturbing way and, the most important – she is herself. Whether you read anything about her, listen to her music or just look at the pictures – you get the impression that she isn’t faking it. And in the mean time, she represents almost everything that’s wrong with this society. I’m not saying she’s the American Amy Winehouse equivalent, I’m telling you she isn’t afraid to walk around with a clumpy mascara or her eyebrows fixed in a weird way. She isn’t afraid to sing about the lies and hypocrisy.

As always, some information on her:

Amanda MacKinnon Palmer (born April 30, 1976) is a performer most noted for being the lead singer, pianist, and lyricist/composer of the “Brechtian punk cabaret” duo The Dresden Dolls.

The Dresden Dolls project begun, when Amanda Palmer met drummer Brian Viglione. In an effort to expand the performance experience and interactivity, Palmer began inviting Lexington High School students to perform drama pieces at her live shows. Currently, the Dirty Business Brigade, a troupe of seasoned and new artists, perform at many gigs. The invited costumed characters mingle with the crowd before and during the show, and veteran groups sometimes join in with a choreographed stage act. Life-sized marionettes, coin-operated boys, living statues, and other undergroundlings greet fans while circus and burlesque draw the audience into the Dolls’ music, creating a participatory atmosphere that allows the audience to experience numerous types of art simultaneously.

Concerning her solo carrier… Palmer’s solo album, Who Killed Amanda Palmer, was released on 16 September 2008. The title is a play on an expression used by fans during Twin Peak’s original run, “Who killed Laura Palmer?” A companion book of photos of Amanda looking as if she were murdered will be released in June 2009 featuring photography by Kyle Cassidy and accompanying writing by Neil Gaiman.

Some personal stuff on Amanda? She identifies as bisexual. “I’m bisexual, but it’s not the sort of thing I spent a lot of time thinking about,” Palmer said. “I’ve slept with girls; I’ve slept with guys, so I guess that’s what they call it! I’m not anti trying to use language to simplify our lives.” “I actually tend to like really femmey girls,” Palmer said. “You can deconstruct this with armchair psychology and really nail me, but I like girls about my body type and about my mix of masculine and feminine.”Amanda MacKinnon Palmer (born April 30, 1976) is a performer most noted for being the lead singer, pianist, and lyricist/composer of the Brechtian punk cabaret duo The Dresden Dolls.

Concerning her solo carrier… Palmer’s solo album, Who Killed Amanda Palmer, was released on 16 September 2008 and reached #77 in the United States of America. The title is a play on an expression used by fans during Twin Peak’s original run, Who killed Laura Palmer? A companion book of photos of Amanda looking as if she were murdered will be released in June 2009 featuring photography by Kyle Cassidy and accompanying writing by Neil Gaiman.

Some personal stuff on Amanda? She identifies as bisexual. I’m bisexual, but it’s not the sort of thing I spent a lot of time thinking about, Palmer said. I’ve slept with girls; I’ve slept with guys, so I guess that’s what they call it! I’m not anti trying to use language to simplify our lives. I actually tend to like really femmey girls, Palmer said. You can deconstruct this with armchair psychology and really nail me, but I like girls about my body type and about my mix of masculine and feminine.

I must say, not only she’s capable of composing influential music, but the lyrics are worth a book print. E.g. her single Leeds United and the lyrics in that one are just a perfect reflection on our wonderful society. Apparently, she just knows-how.

Get the latest Who Killed Amanda Palmer?, read the lyrics, think, dance and enjoy. It’s worth to face it.

Here is her home page for more information on her.

Thanks to the Happiest Bunny of all for sharing this!

I think I just love all of the Jamie’s

Those of you, who know me the best, are already aware of my Jamie T addiction. It comes and goes, but alike heroin for some unfortunate people, it never leaves completely.
And you know what? It’s back. He just had to release an absolutely stunning new single, that took my breath away. He Had To (read this with big pauses between words).

Sticks’n’stones is, with no doubt, one of the best songs I’ve heard from the British market. Little naughty Jamie T did it again. As he did it with Sheila (still the longest time I had a certain ringtone for my mobile), as he did it with If You Got The Money and, as he did it with the whole Panic Prevention album. He just makes us move, makes us stomp our feet and try to sing along.

A few things about him:
Jamie T (full name Jamie Treays) was born 8 January 1986, and is a 23-year-old English singer/songwriter from Wimbledon, South London. He is currently signed to Virgin Records, but released his Betty and the Selfish Sons EP on his own Pacemaker Records label. He supported both the Ordinary Boys during their 2006 tour, and went on to defeat Jarvis Cocker and Thom Yorke to win the Best Solo Artist at the 2007 Shockwave NME Awards. He has also been nicknamed “one man Arctic Monkey”. Canvas Magazine has described him as “like the bastard lovechild of Billy Bragg and Mike Skinner doing his best Joe Strummer impression”. On 17 July 2007, Jamie T’s debut album Panic Prevention was shortlisted as one of the 12 nominees for the Mercury Prize. Big enough, huh?

And that isn’t it. The singles – Sheila (released on 3 July 2006) got to number 22 in the mighty United Kingdom, If You Got The Money (released 16 October 2006) got to number 13 (UK), Calm Down Dearest (released 15 January 2007) got to 9th place in the Kingdom and the re-issue of Sheila (on May 7th, 2007) got to number 15 in UK. Let’s see how much luck he will have Sticks’n’Stones which was released on 21 May 2009.

Anyway, all of that wasn’t enough for the guy as well. He teamed-up with one of my all time favorite singers – Miss Lily Allen, and recorded Rawhide. Hey, I is exactly how it looks – I’m very much into British music scene.

I so thank Frank Turner, who was so keen on Jamie T, that he just couldn’t resist introducing me to his music in the far, far year 2005. He was the one who gave me Sheila.

So, yeah, like the Latvian DJ Toms Grevins would say – this is your new favourite song. Jamie T – Sticks’n’stones. Enjoy. Because how could you not?

Jamie’s the man

Tell me, what is the first thing that pops into your head, when you think about Essex? Is it London Stansted? Essex Girl? Well, Essex has been the birthplace and crucible of some of the most influential rock artists in the history of music including Iron Maiden, Depeche Mode, Blur and is birthplace of U2’s Dave “The Edge” Evans. But still – that’s not it. Essex is the birthplace of one of the most amazing singers/songwriters in the world. And I stand by my words. Still don’t know who I’m talking about? Here’s a hint – These are the days, Mind Trick, London Skies… Got it?
I’m not telling news now. I’m absolutely just reminding. Because – who doesn’t know him? No, seriously – who doesn’t?

Jamie Cullum (born 20 August 1979) is an English pop and jazz-pop singer-songwriter. Not only he is a great singer, he just had to be an amazing pianist, a quite good guitarist, and a drummer. He has it all.

His list of albums is good enough for an artist that is twentysomething still. The first one was released in 1999 (Heard It All Before), of which 500 copies were made. Due to their rarity, original copies have sold for as much as £600 on eBay. The success of Heard It All Before resulted in Cullum being invited to appear on Geoff Gascoyne’s album Songs of the Summer. After that one, he released Pointless Nostalgic in 2002, which was quite a big success. And then the success came in it’s best – he released Twentysomething in 2003, which was a huge success and got to #3 in UK, #83 in US, #2 in Australia. But that wasn’t enough for the guy. He had to release Catching Tales (2005) which got to #4 in UK, #49 in US, #26 in Australia, #30 in Germany and even #1 in Mexico. After getting a pretty much permanent place in the media and music markets, he has released Live at Ronnie Scott’s (2006) (exclusive for iTunes) and In the Mind of Jamie Cullum (Compilation CD). Let’s hope it doesn’t end there.

He has released three DVD’s as well. Personally, I’ve seen one of them – Live at Blenheim Palace. And It Was Amazing. Looking forward to seeing the one that was a Tribute to Brian Wilson (2005) where he performs “Sail on Sailor” with Fred Martin & The Levite Camp and especially the well known Telling Tales (2005) with Catching Tales Special Edition.
Jamie Cullum – These are the days.

Keep your eyes peeled, more coming up in just a little while. FYI: I quit sleeping a long time ago.

The purpose

The great aim & the purpose of this blog is to tell you (and the world!) my newest musical discoveries and sometimes, a line about a movie or people. I am not promising this to turn out into a daily basis blog, but I’m definitely going to try to update as often as possible.

So, here goes…

The headliner of this blog is Ida Maria.

The Norvegian singer/songwriter didn’t catch my ear at first, but I guess I just didn’t listen to the right song first. The right choice for the first song is whether Oh My God or I Like You So Much Better When You’re Naked. The last one has been in my head for almost three days non-stop, so you can only imagine what kind of thoughts have I been having.

Anyhow – about her:

Ida Maria (full name: Ida Maria Børli Sivertsen), born 13 July 1984, is a Norwegian indie rock/punk musician. She gained considerable success in Norway in 2007 after winning two national competitions for unknown artists – Zoom urørt 2006 and Urørtkonkurransen 2007 – and playing very successful shows at the annual Norwegian music industry festival By:Larm 2007 and 2008. Her singles “Oh My God” and “Stella” were both played regularly on Norwegian national radio station NRK P3. She has later expanded her popularity outside of her native country, namely in the United Kingdom, where she has appeared on Later… with Jools Holland, interviewed by The Times and performed at Glastonbury Festival. Sivertsen is reported to have the neurological phenomenon of synesthesia which, in her case, means she envisions colours when she hears music.
Having performed at various festivals, including Reading, and being nominated for Best Rock/Indie Artist category at the BT Digital Music Awards 2008, Ida Maria has toured in Scandinavia, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia. Good for her, right?

The only studio album so far “Fortress Round My Heart” (2008) got to number 39 in the UK. Maybe she can do so much better when she’s naked?

And this is her most successful single in the UK – ladies and gentelmen, I Like You So Much Better When You’re Naked!