Liam

That reminds me - I'm due to go and see Glassjaw in 2022, so can add 'Ape Dos Mil' to the list of 'would love to and probably will'.

I'll think more about my current one in time, but my example for historical would be that I'd have loved to see Nirvana perform Aneurysm live. Would have been phenomenal.

Very simple - what song would you love to hear live by a band or artist of your choice? A bit like dream matches in wrestling, I'm going to suggest that people should go with both an a) historic, and b) modern choice for this. One that isn't possible, one that is still doable, basically. I'll post mine later.

I watched Anomalisa over the past couple of nights.

Funnily enough, I am in a really shit position to answer this as this was probably around the last time I really, really followed music. From the metal side of things, you'd probably have to throw in something by Mastodon ('March of the Fire Ants' perhaps) as well as perhaps even including something by Sunn O))) or Deafheaven to highlight the shifting interest into variations of doom and death that have become popular. Cheers for the kind words. I think there is an updated one from...2016 or so...if anyone fancies giving that one a go... EDIT: Or maybe not. Can't seem to find it.

American Boy is an absolute banger.

The last section of the book.

Yeah, cheers to all of you who contributed. Wasn't exactly done in a year like I set out for it to be, but I'll blame my son for that. It made it all a hell of a lot easier knowing there were people following along, chipping in with their two penneth worth, and enjoying the process for the most part.

You've got something of a mess on your hands.

1001. A song that explored the Jamaican government’s decision to effectively place the country under martial law, this became a bigger song in the UK as it coincided with issues at the Notting Hill Carnival. This song isn’t for me at all really, though it was inspiring enough to Joe Strummer as The Clash covered it on their first album release, setting their stool out as a punk band who were willing to play around with politics and reggae. ...now I have. I got to the end of the book and realised I had missed one, so had to go back through all of my posts to find what I missed. Seemingly I'd listened to this, but not actually wrote about it. So yeah, 1001. Done.

996. ‘Tenalle Chagret’, Tinariwen (2009) Written about the fallout of the Touareg rebellion in Mali, this song is interesting due to the way it incorporates modern touches like electric guitars with modern Malian musical stylings. This is a slow, loping tune, but it is almost hypnotic as the twangs of the guitar play alongside the chorus of voices. This is about the list showing a broad scope, sure, yet it is also an interesting musical choice in and of itself. 997. ‘Harry Patch (In Memory Of)’, Radiohead (2009) I’m surprised I’ve not heard of this one. Recorded in an abbey with strings as the only accompanying sound, Thom Yorke used the words of the last surviving soldier from the First World War and turned it into a single (with all proceeds going to the British Legion). The scope of this, in terms of production and vision, is admirable. Realistically, Radiohead are a bit like Marmite, so if you like what they offer then this is them at near-peak Radiohead, so that will do it for you. 998. ‘Go Do’, Jonsi (2010) Influenced by: Wedding Dress • Samamidon (2008) Other key tracks: Animal Arithmetic (2010) • Boy Lilikoi (2010) • Grow Till Tall (2010) • Sinking Friendships (2010) A curio as much as anything. This is from the solo project of the lead singer in Sigur Ros, as well as being his first release in English. There is an energy about the song I admire, plus I’m not sure how many songs I’m going to hear that use the piccolo so prominently, so it has that going for it/working against it (delete as applicable). 999. ‘Me and the Devil’, Gil-Scott Heron (2010) Influenced by: Me and the Devil Blues • Robert Johnson (1937) Other key tracks: The Revolution Will Not Be Televised (1971) • The Bottle (1974) • “B” Movie (1980) • New York Is Killing Me (2010) Gil-Scott Heron is a notable blindspot in my musical journey, so it is nice to (almost) end up with a chance to hear some of his work. This was his first work after getting out of prison for a parole violation, so tonally this feels about as legitimate as you can get. The background music was apparently created by Damon Albarn, which wasn’t necessarily the name I’d expect to be attached to a song like this. What the music does do is dial up the ominous feeling, as well as providing the momentum that keeps things on the tracks. A good song. 1000. ‘Stylo’, Gorillaz (2010) Influenced by: Planet Rock • Afrika Bambaataa & The Soulsonic Force (1982) Other key tracks: Clint Eastwood (2001) • Tomorrow Comes Today (2001) • Dare (2005) • Feel Good Inc. (2005) • Superfast Jellyfish (2010) So, to what nominally should be the end of my journey (see the next post for why it isn’t) and we have some more Damon Albarn. I don’t think I’ve ever listened to any Gorillaz beyond the first two albums, and whilst I’ve never particularly minded what I’ve heard, I’ve never felt compelled to delve beyond that. That isn’t to say this isn’t a good song, though the bulk of the heavy lifting is done by Bobby Womack’s involvement, his impassioned and soulful voice giving some heft to what had otherwise been a pleasant enough electro-indie song.

991. ‘Dog Days Are Over’, Florence + The Machine (2009) Some of the songs on this list are just good songs that are worth a listen, whether they’ve had much longevity, changed the scene, etc etc. This is one of them. It builds engagingly, spotlights the lead singer’s vocals (which are the strength of it all, really), before finishing with a release of the tension and energy that had been built up over the course of the three minute run time. That it was still charting off of the strength of downloads two years after its release does also speak to how big the song was, at least in the UK. 992. ‘The Fear’, Lily Allen (2009) Influenced by: I Hate Camera • The Bird and the Bee (2007) Influence on: Starry Eyed • Ellie Goulding (2010) Covered by: Elviin (2008) • Ehda (2009) • JLS (2009) Tinchy Stryder (2009) Other key tracks: Fag Hag (2009) • Kabul Shit (2009) This, I feel, will be a divisive choice as I genuinely don’t think Lily Allen had much traction anywhere else but the UK. I do like a lot of the stuff she has released, with ‘The Fear’ probably being her ‘best’ song, if not necessarily my favourite. There is a good electro-pop song with some cutting and sarcastic lyrics that touch upon her own brushes with fame. This felt less gimmicky than some of her earlier stuff and the production helped it to shine even further. 993. ‘Summertime Clothes’, Animal Collective Influenced by: Comfy in Nautica • Panda Bear (2007) Influence on: Glazin • Black Dice (2009) Other key tracks: My Girls (2009) • Brother Sport (2009) • Bleeding (2009) • Taste (2009) • Lion in a Coma (2009) • Also Frightened (2009) • In the Flowers (2009) Animal Collective was a band that had their name on people’s lips enough around this time that I’m pretty sure I illegally downloaded one of their albums to listen to it. That I can’t remember what it was like is more indicative of me than them, a point made even stronger by how enjoyable this tune is. Apparently their most radio friendly offer, it does what the book says it does: mixing Beach Boys-esque blissed out harmonies and synthesizers with a touch of dance and electro. I enjoyed it, that is for sure. 994. ‘Rain Dance’, The Very Best featuring M.I.A (2009) A collaboration between Esau Mwamwaya, the producers Radioclit, and M.I.A, this seems to be on the list as much due to this eclectic selection of people and the way in which it was created/promoted (the song was a demo due to a hardware crash; the use of Myspace to drum up interest). However, it is very good song to listen to, mixing up M.I.A’s edgier sounding raps with the pleasant vocal stylings of Esau. One that I’d never heard before and am pleased to have checked it out through this project. 995. ‘Empire State of Mind’, Alicia Keys and Jay-Z (2009) A tour de force of a song. Jay-Z had always shown an ability to create songs (or be attached to songs) that have appeal to the underground and the masses, with this song perhaps being one of his highest profile offerings. Ultimately, this – to me – is all about the hook from Alicia Keys. I’m a huge fan of her voice (and her looks, I’ll be honest) and it is the bit that takes the song from good to an impressive piece of work.

I think they both were, for a time.

986. ‘Sweet Disposition’, The Temper Trap (2008) By no means do I think this song should be on a list like this, but it is a song that evokes a time and a period for me in a way that many others on this whole thing don’t really. From the opening falsetto-esque vocals to the insistent guitar work, layer upon layer building up before the release about a minute and a half into the song – I love it. Oh, to be young again or something like that. 987. ‘L.E.S. Artistes’, Santigold (2008) I remember when Santigold was the next big thing, and you can see where that attitude came from when listening to this song. Spiky and catchy all at once, this is a fun mix of indie, reggae, hip-hop – it doesn’t really sound much like anything that has come before to me, which is what makes it so memorable. I feel that there has to be more to its inclusion here, but for the time, I can just enjoy the music. 988. ‘Sex on Fire’, Kings of Leon (2008) Influenced by: I’m on Fire • Bruce Springsteen (1984) Influence on: Sometime Around Midnight • The Airborne Toxic Event (2009) Covered by: James Morrison (2008) • Sam Winters (2009) • Alesha Dixon (2009) • Tina Cousins (2009) • Sugarland (2009) Maybe I’m overstating things, but I do feel that this is a song that most people, whether they like Kings of Leon or not, enjoy, if only for how fun it is to sing along to when you are several pints deep. This was the song that seemed to take the band from an interesting novelty to a global phenomenon and it isn’t hard to understand why. Punchy, driving, simplistic; a hit from the moment it hit the airwaves. 989. ‘One Day Like This’, Elbow (2008) Influenced by: Hey Jude • The Beatles (1968) Influence on: Lifelines • Doves (2009) Covered by: Snow Patrol (2008) Other key tracks: Lullaby (2008) • Every Bit the Little Girl (2008) • Li’l Pissed Charmin’ Tune (2008) • Grounds for Divorce (2008) A huge song, at least in the UK. Some could (with some validity) make a complaint that is a little boring, a little long, a little safe. However, it does feel quite rousing to me, and its ubiquitous use on television and in films hasn’t quite dampened its ability to get an emotional response from me. 990. ‘Viva La Vida’, Coldplay (2008) People really don’t like Coldplay, but for the most part I don’t really mind them. There are more egregiously lauded bands and acts out there who have made money with arguably less songwriting/musical talent, so I’m always fairly sang about the plaudits people give the band. This feels like another song chosen as it was the one that took a big band into a global phenomenon, so you can’t argue too much with it. The song does just sound big in a way that none of their songs had been up until this, so it wasn’t too surprising that it was the tune that took them to superstardom.

The online expansion pack is live. Anyone getting involved?

Sorry To Bother You was an excellent comedy. Really dark and surreal in tone, though with a nice mix of just silly set pieces (a perfect example being when a couple argue, then fight over the duvet, before the man falls out of bed - delightfully stupid). More thoughts in spoilers

Desiree eating the sand was a top, top Taskmaster moment. So funny.

I watched 2001: A Space Odyssey, fully confirming that I now have an attention span that means I struggle to watch films of two and a half hours long (when there are distractions about the house). Still, technically so impressive for the time and holds up today, even if there are quite a few slow bits in it.

981. ‘Mercy’, Duffy (2008) Influenced by: Stand By Me • Ben E. King (1961) Influence on: Choo Choo • Diane Birch (2009) Covered by: OneRepublic (2008) • The Fratellis (2008) • John Mayer (2008) Other key tracks: Rain on Your Parade (2008) • Rockferry (2008) • Warwick Avenue (2008) I feel Duffy will be a divisive choice, but I always enjoyed what I heard from her. I appreciated the older sounding take on pop/soul that clearly channelled earlier decades, whilst I also like anyone who has something of a unique voice especially when compared to successful pop acts of the time. Her overall story is a sad one – you do wonder how successful she could have continued to be off of the back of a debut that sold in excess of 6 million records. 982. ‘Sabali’, Amadou and Mariam (2008) A Malian couple who crossed paths with Damon Albarn of all people for this single, Amadou and Mariam had produced music for some years before charity involvement with Albarn saw them bring him in on their 2008 album ‘Welcome to Mali’. The added electronic elements add a hypnotic feeling to things, whilst Mariam’s voice is given a chance to shine over and above Amadou’s guitar work. A curio perhaps more than a song you have to have to hear…but it is a pretty good song, that’s for sure. 983. ‘Divine’, Sebastien Tellier (2008) A very, very odd choice. Eighteenth place in the Eurovision Contest and with the book then saying it went to Number 4 in the Swedish charts doesn’t exactly suggest that this is a world beater of a track. However, having the concept of Eurovision covered within the book is a nice touch, whilst the inclusion of this song seemingly looked to celebrate the musicianship compared to your standard Eurovision entry, so fair enough. Add a member of Daft Punk on production and there are enough quirks to make this an interesting, if largely unworthy, addition. 984. ‘Mykonos’, Fleet Foxes (2008) Influenced by: Suite: Judy Blue Eyes • Crosby, Stills & Nash (1969) Influence on: Wild Honey Never Stolen • J. Tillman (2010) Covered by: Rock Paper Scissors (2008) Other key track: White Winter Hymnal (2009) This sounds like a song I feel that I’ve heard before, though that might be as much about the song’s ability to hearken back to other notable acts who largely put vocals at the forefront of their sound. I really liked the first part of the song, though I was less fussed by the second part where more noise gets thrown at the listener. It does build well to this, but I was just enjoying the brooding, moody opening section a lot. I don’t know whether this deserved a spot or not…I enjoyed it thought. 985. ‘Time To Pretend’, MGMT (2008) Influenced by: Overpowered by Funk • The Clash (1982) Influence on: One More Time to Pretend (MGMT vs. Daft Punk) • Immuzikation (2008) Covered by: Kaiser Chiefs (2008) • Digital Leather (2009) • Paolo Nutini (2009) I never really liked MGMT the way that some people did, but I can see the appeal. Jangly synths, spacey vocals – I do get it. This apparently caused a furore due to the lyrical content, though as with most things that cause outrage, the controversy just drove the sales. I’m surprised ‘Kids’ didn’t make the list (…unless it comes later). This somewhat marks a time period where I was pretty meh about music in general, so it does very little for me.

My wife is out for a bit tonight, so I'll probably try and watch a film whilst she is out. However, I also have a pretty decent collection of DVDs/Blu-Rays I haven't watched yet, so will probably grab from that instead. Will add my thoughts to the thread later.

The Act of Killing Letterboxd review: Yeah, a crazy and worthwhile way to spend two hours. More spoilers I've got Sorry To Bother You on my tablet as well as Portait...so will see which one takes my fancy.

976. ‘D.A.N.C.E.’, Justice (2007) Justice were another of those bands that seemed to be everywhere for a brief minute, but I can only assume either cease to exist/bash about on the peripheries once more (delete as appropriate). This is apparently not a tribute to Michael Jackson, but the lyrics kinda give things away. I appreciate the bass and the synth work and it is all very fun for the most part, yet nothing particularly exciting beyond that for me. 977. ‘re: Stacks’, Bon Iver (2007) I think there might have been a time when this did something for me, but the bitterness of age leaves me feeling somewhat cold to what I assume is quite a touching end to an album that I remember getting a fair bit of press. I want to reward competent songwriting that goes beyond the norm, which this does, so I’ll give it that much at least. However, the wispy vocals and simplistic instrumentation don’t excite out of context. Maybe the album as a whole would be worth checking out…I’ll probably never know. 978. ‘With Every Heartbeat’, Robyn featuring Kleerup (2007) Influenced by: La Ritournelle • Sébastien Tellier (2004) Influence on: The Girl and the Robot • Röyskopp featuring Robyn (2009) Covered by: Athlete (2007) • Girls Aloud (2008) • The Hoosiers (2008) Now this is a song I can get behind. One of the best pop songs of this time period in my belief, ‘With Every Heartbeat’ was arguably the pinnacle of the electro-pop-females that seemed to burst into popularity around this point. The song that broke Robyn out into the worldwide mainstream (she had had over a decade of relative success in Sweden), it went to number one in the UK. As the book quotes her saying, it is a weird number one – no real chorus, a string break in the middle. Whatever it is, it is a powerful piece of pop. 979. ‘Someone Great’, LCD Soundsystem (2007) Influenced by: Me and Giuliani Down by the Schoolyard (A True Story) • !!! (2003) Influence on: Can I Be • Kid Cudi (2009) Covered by: Winter Gloves (2008) • Lissy Trullie & The Fibs (2008) • Banjo or Freakout (2009) Other key track: All My Friends (2007) This feels a bit to me like missing the obvious (‘Daft Punk Is Playing At My House’) for a deeper cut, but as this also spiralled out of their work advertising Nike, maybe it has a backstory that makes it worthy of making the list. LCD Soundsystem were always a band I felt I should like more. This song to me lacks that heft in a dance track that I want – it all feels a bit lightweight, even if the lyrics are deeper than a lot of what they usually cover. 980. ‘Paper Planes’, M.I.A. (2007) Influenced by: Rump Shaker • Wreckx-N-Effect (1992) Influence on: Swagga Like Us • Jay-Z & T.I. featuring Kanye West & Lil Wayne (2008) Covered by: Ryu Maginn & Veze Skante (2007) • Rihanna (2008) • Built to Spill (2008) • Street Sweeper Social Club (2009) I know that this is a song that many people think very highly of, and I can see why. With lyrics about the reality of the immigration experience, references to the Clash, and use in cult movies around the time give this an undoubted feeling of cool throughout. I’m not as high on it as some, if I’m being honest, though it is hard not to caught up in it the moment that laid back intro hits. A worthy inclusion, unlike some of the recent songs.

Alex eating that last spoonful...ew.

Anyone here played the The World Ends With You on mobile phone? Was wondering if it was a reasonable enough way to play the game considering it is definitely the cheapest.